Plaster's "Secret Commandos"

[Sigi]

I have never read any of Major Plaster's books. I assume there are three, but I'll research that before I leave today.

Fantastic thread and great pics. QRQ 30, Sir, you have a great site. Glad I visited.

[Sigi]

I was in the store today and purchased SOG and Hunting the Jackal .

I had Secret Commando's in my hand but it came down to that or Waugh's book because I only had $50. Just going to have to go back Saturday and pick it up, especially after re-reading this post.

I started reading about SOF right after 9/11. I consumed well over 20 books, mostly Naval Special Warfare, but I also read Clancy's Shadow Warriors and Special Forces , as well as a couple WWII books and a book on Rangers.

I have never read any of the "other" books on Special Forces, and right now I am going to read 3 books on SOG.

I knew what SOG meant, but I never bothered to understand who SOG was. From the first 58 pages of Waughs book, plus re-reading some of the SOG threads here, I am deeply greatful that men like you lived, and absolutely amazed that men like you exist. Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend what you men did.

I can only say Thank you.
Sigi

[NousDefionsDoc]

A very good friend of mine put it in a box as a surprise. I haven't started it yet, I'm saving it for when I can devote attention.

[Solid]

Sigi-
What did you think of Clancy's books? While Shadow Warriors was useful as a cut-down history of SOF, with interesting interludes from General Stiner, I thought that Clancy's tone throughout 'Special Forces' was slightly smarmy... it also seems that John Gresham is forced to do all the footwork.

JMO,

Solid

[Sigi]

I liked Shadow Warriors because it offered a good synopsis of how SOCOM was put together, and offered some information on our presence in Lebanon, the Achille Lauro, Urgent Fury, and Just Cause, as well as GW 1. I thought it was OK.

Special Forces is more of a text book to me. It decsribes a lot in terms of how U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers are created and how the groups are structured. The second part of the book has info on certain operations and SF soldiers downrange and in the field.

I use Special Forces regularly in order to better understand some of the other information I may read. It is not a book I can read once and retain. Often times I read certain chapters on the structure of A and B teams, or I may read about the certain specialties (weapons, medic, engineer, etc...) of the SF soldier.

I am not much of a book reviewer.

[Bill Harsey]

My wife and kids just came home with my fathers day presents, two books-one called "SOG" and the other "Secret Commandos" both by John L. Plaster. I will treasure reading these. Thank you Major Plaster.

[Solid]

Sir,
I would respectfully suggest that you read them in the order they were published, if you have not decided to do so already. It's like looking at the 'big picture' before zooming in on the detailed 'little pictures' which comprise it.

Thank you,

Solid

[Bill Harsey]

Originally posted by Solid
Sir,
I would respectfully suggest that you read them in the order they were published, if you have not decided to do so already. It's like looking at the 'big picture' before zooming in on the detailed 'little pictures' which comprise it.

Thank you,

Solid

Good thinking, will do!

[hoepoe]

Great thread! Off to search Amazon.com, and of course place an order.

Keep well, keep safe.

Hoepoe

[NousDefionsDoc]

I just finished Secret Commandos - starting Hunting the Jackal.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
starting Hunting the Jackal.

That's next for me too, despite the fact that I just received the one that Jimbo claims is another HFCUI . . . LOL

[Bill Harsey]

Originally posted by Solid
Sigi-
What did you think of Clancy's books? While Shadow Warriors was useful as a cut-down history of SOF, with interesting interludes from General Stiner, I thought that Clancy's tone throughout 'Special Forces' was slightly smarmy... it also seems that John Gresham is forced to do all the footwork.

JMO,

Solid

"forced"??? I think John Gresham is probably paid very well for his work with Mr. Clancy.

[Solid]

Forced wasn't the right word, I agree. I do however appreciate people who do their own leg work, even if they handsomely pay others to do it for them. Even worse is when the employer then refers to 'his' experience when it was actually the experience of his researchers.
Just a foible, I guess.

Solid

[TerribleTobyt (RIP)]

Folks-

For those of y'all that might've ordered you book thru amazon.com, John asked that you write a review of the book there.

Jes thot I'd pass it along.

Later.

Toby
1-2, RT California

[NousDefionsDoc]

Done