US Military Commander's Suggested Reading List

kcurtis writes "I realize this has nothing to do with technology, but I found this list of books (and related Boston Globe article) suggested by the US Chief of Staff of the Army fascinating. It is basically what General Peter Schoomaker thinks officers at different ranks should read. It includes classics like "The Art of War", and newer books like "Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest". It is also interesting for the changes made to the list. As noted in the Globe article, there is a new emphasis on the way the roles of an army may change."

Comments

i wonder..

[noodler]

... why 'The Grand Chessboard' is not on the list since it clearly explains the US war plans for the comming time.,.,

greets.,
aka.,

Did you read the list?

[bretharder]

The book are not 'preaching' war.
Most of them are just history.

Re:They are educated to see only violent solutions

[Nimey]

That's because violence is the military's job. Would you expect a baker to be a good butcher?

Starship Troopers

[dpilot]

Ever read it? Very little to do with the movie, other than name and vague plot reuse.

Being fiction, it's highly unlikely to have anything of strategic significance, but it does speak on essential differences between enlisted, NCOs, and commissioned officers. It also speaks to the balance between privilege and responsiblity, and military and civilian. Heinlein was a naval officer, so had at least some experience.

Yet every time the book comes up in connection with the movie, someone shouts, "Facist!" I'm not sure why, but then I read the book back in high school, over 30 years ago.