What are you reading now...?

[MtnGoat]

CounterInsurgency Warfare (Theory and Practice) by David Galula

So far I like it, it breakdown COIN over the last MANY years. Good simple reading.

Good toilet book!!! I will say that I wonder is some of the ideas Galula had would work today. Populaltion control and impact are key points he brings out. A must for SF, even if your not doing Village Stability OPS (VSO).

[Richard]

Yosel by Joe Kubert and From Krakow To Krypton: Jews And Comic Books by Arie Kaplan.

[dre]

Just finished: To Dare & To Conquer, by Derek Leebaert.

"Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations, from Achilles to Al Qaeda"

Interesting book to read and I particularly enjoyed reading about teams using various infil methods such as canoes and gliders to reach their objectives.

[greenlight]

Originally Posted by greenlight

I've just gotten all the Andy McNabb books and a Kindle for an early Christmas present.

I've read mixed reviews about 'Bravo two zero' , anyone read it?

I'm now at chapter 6, Mr McNabb if you're reading in (and as this a SF site I guess you are) I've got to say its a riveting read, can't wait to read the rest...

Thank you

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by greenlight

I'm now at chapter 6, Mr McNabb if you're reading in (and as this a SF site I guess you are) I've got to say its a riveting read, can't wait to read the rest...

Thank you

You should read the other members' accounts of the mission, they disagree on some of McNab's key points.

TR

[Rye]

Currently re-reading Shadow Warrior by David Everett. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdi34vRpdbg.

[Guymullins]

Reading two very good books at present. Sky Men written by Robert Kershaw is a history of airborne forces and their operations. I had lunch in London with Bob last week and he is an ex Brit Para officer with extensive operational experience around the world. He writes very well and the book is a pleasure to read.
The other book is also really good, written by ex Marine C Chivers and it is called The Gun, the history of the AK47. The title sells the book a bit short because it is in fact a history of automatic weapons from the Gatling Gun through to the Maxim, Schmiesser, Sturmgewer , PPSh etc. and examines the lives of the inventors as well as their weapons and homes in on how and why the AK became the worlds favourite weapon. The book is very well written, as would be expected by a Pullitzer Prize winning journalist. Chivers could make the history of the food-mixer a good read, but with an engrossing subject like full-auto weapons, this is an absolute must read.

[ZonieDiver]

Warrior by Jim Hunt and Bob Risch. It is the story of Frank Sturgis, Watergate "burglar" and CIA operative, as well as former marine and soldier. Interesting...

The Principles of Effortless Power by Peter Ralston. Internal martial arts stuff that describes energy concepts and things like ki yin yang without using those terms. Fascinating stuff for anyone interested in or practices internal arts.

Also that book I mentioned I was reading on SAS? Fighting Tactics of the SAS, I think it was called. The title was a bit misleading. The book hardly mentioned the SAS at all, but did draw on a large number of historical special ops missions, both friendly and those of enemies to illustrate its sub chapters. Its chapters and sub chapters were quite interesting and featured such concepts as orginization, planning, hydro recon, recon, espionage, tracking, insertion and extraction, RPs, LUPs, land nav, and quite a slew of other topics were briefly explored. And like I said, with very little mention of the SAS, but instead mention of a large number of other elite units and past operations. I was pleasently surprised. Would have liked it just as much if it was solely SAS, however the inclusion of other forces added to its depth.

EDIT: SAS Fighting Techniques Handbook, by Terry White. Loaned it to a friend, so had to look back at my previous post.

[dre]

Title: The Reel Truth
Author: Reed Martin
Category: Film / TV / Production
Description: "Everything you didn't know you need to know about making an independent film."
Year Published: 2009

I started reading this book after 2 different individuals recommended it as a "primer" for those who are entering into, or have an interest in, the finance of film-making.

I am early on, but good book thus far.

[hooah12]

I'm currently reading "Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team" (Or at least it was prior to the book) and I've been translating a bunch of Russian news articles about stuff going on in the US, its a pretty good laugh.

[Rye]

Originally Posted by greenlight

I've just gotten all the Andy McNabb books and a Kindle for an early Christmas present.

I've read mixed reviews about 'Bravo two zero' , anyone read it?

It's ok though full of lies and misconceptions. You should try 'The Real Bravo Two Zero'--and the documentary with the same name--OR 'Soldier Five'.

[ZonieDiver]

Green Berets in the Vanguard; Inside Special Forces, 1953-1963 by Chalmers Archer, Jr. Interesting read, but with several errors so far - which I attribute to old age-failing memory. (Unless someone from that day tells me otherwise!)

For example; calling them "mass technical jumps" instead of "mass tactical jumps" and stating that in the late 50's EM jump pay went to $110 per month. (If true, I missed out...)

[bailaviborita]

One in the bathroom, one on the nighstand, one in the office:

1) Little Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact, Alan Axelrod
2) Divinity of Doubt: The God Question, Vincent Bugliosi
3) Unconventional Warfare: Rebuilding U.S. Special Operations Forces, Susan Marquis

1: very interesting, and Axelrod writes well
2: I like to have an open mind
3: fascinating look into politics behind the establishment of SOCOM, re-reading for 2nd time

[dollarbill]

Just started Lone Survivor, by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson. So far it hard to put down.