In time for Christmas, even if shipped to the Troops, these books are recommended reading and found in our Books Category. The 2009 Marine Corps Reading List, Air Force Reading List, Army Reading List, are all great places to shop for your Warrior and no doubt have great deals as well, but these are the War On Terror Recommended books, so far. It will give you a start in understanding our Current Conflicts from multiple points of view, from the Lone Survivor of battle to the General that helped plan it, from the first troops in to the detention camp they sent the prisoners in Cuba, from WWII to today, from the humanitarian efforts of veterans and doctors to the raw reality of Infantry. Some of these priceless works of history are available for as little as a penny, though the blank paper would be worth the original price and the insight worth 10 times that.
It's amazing to me that some are willing to part with these great books for the prices they are. These are the books that we put on our sidebars because they are tomes of knowledge, history often written as it was made. Most have been reviewed in our Books Section. The prices are not guaranteed to last. The best price is a race amongst readers and shipping generally runs about $3.99 though if you buy new, Amazon sometimes offers free shipping.
Whether you are shopping for yourself, for your Warrior, or your best friends, you'll want to see these great deals and perhaps even buy the ones still available new but certainly want to snap up those that aren't in publication any more before they become unavailable.
Inside Gitmo by Gordon Cucullu is still available new for $17.99 or at a best price of $5.21 It is the unadulterated facts of the detainment facility at Guantanamo Bay. If you want the truth, including what went right and what went wrong in Cuba, this is where that is found. After reading it, you'll probably understand better why the current administration made the Army Field Manual on Interrogations the standard for others, including the FBI and CIA to follow. You will be able to rid your arguments of the political slogans and various propaganda that surrounds the issue. You'll get a glimpse into the terrorists held there and have sound reasons for why you believe what you do about the future of Gitmo. More here.
Exit Wounds by Derek McGinnis is also out of print and subject of a review by Ms Marti, but even used, it is valued at $14.95. This book offers valuable insight into successful chronic pain management for the injured as well as their families.
If Not Now, When? by Viet Nam Medal of Honor recipient COL(ret) Jack Jacobs may be a recent find by us, but its timeless lessons are as applicable to the current debate on the McCrystal Plan as the Rumsfeld "Small Footprint" Policy. Perhaps, the best part of the him telling his story is that it gives insight into what develops one into a man willing to risk his life to save others. Pretty amazing that someone is willing to part with it for $0.73, but you can also buy it new for $17.13 Reviewed Here
Medal of Honor lists for $45.00 but is available new for $29.70 and comes with a 90 minute DVD. The coffee table sized book and DVD let the most valorous, the living recipients of the Medal of Honor tell their stories in their words. If you want to teach your kids or grandkids about real heroes, this is a great way to do so.
An American Carol with Kevin Farley is one of the funniest comedies of the year, of the century and sure to be one you'll want to watch over and over. Surprising that someone will part with it for $1.05, but this movie takes on the anti-war propaganda and specifically "Michael Malone" who looks suspiciously like Michael Moore. It is the kind of movie we want from Hollywood which is also a target of the movie. Reviewed here.
I wouldn't part with my copy of Lone Survivor for $50.00 but someone will for $4.33 or you can still get a new copy for $15.74 It is the true story of Operation Red Wing, written by the only SeAL to survive the battle, Marcus Luttrrell. Every Member of the team is a member of the Hall of Heroes here. Of four men, one received the Medal of Honor, and three the Navy Cross, the second highest honor our Nation bestows on heroes. You can read the book before the movie is released.
A General Speaks Out by LTG(ret) Michael DeLong is written by "The Answer Man," the second in command at CentCom, who arrived for duty just in time to respond to the USS Cole Attack, was still on duty for the 9/11 attack, helped forge the alliance that invaded Afghanistan, and was instrumental in the Iraq Plan. He sets the record straight on his bosses General Frank and SecDef Rumsfeld. For this bit of history written by one of the men that made it happen, you'll be out as little as $0.41 or new for $13.45
And to get on the ground with the men that kicked the Taliban out of power will cost you as little as $0.01 written by the legendary Robin Moore, an honorary member of Special Forces, and the first one given access to these men, while they were still mopping up, in Afghanistan. It's no longer in print but should be on the bookshelves of all historians, all the care about the truth. The Hunt for Bin Laden is written by the same person who wrote The Green Berets which became the movie with John Wayne and sadly this great author is no longer with us. BTW: he called out Geraldo for lying in this book.
House to House by David Bellavia takes us into the Battle of Fallujah, through the eyes of an Army Infantryman recommended for the Medal of Honor but recipient of the Silver Star. It's raw and honest and underpriced at $3.29 and certainly worth the new price of $17.16
Shadow of The Sword by Jeremiah Workman originally listed for $25.00 and is a deal at the Amazon Price (new) at $17.16. Still, you can pick it up for $15.00 used. We've written a lot about Jeremiah. Walk in the shoes of a Marine as he experiences the Loyalty he sought and the betrayals from unexpected sources at the very time he fought the enemy he could shoot at. Most Recent Review here. Star of Derek Sholl Video here.
Militant Tricks by H. John Poole can be picked up for as little as $6.81 or new for $10.17 This book transcends the strategic, policy, and tactical levels of warfare to provide insight into why the enemy does what it does and how to counter it at various levels. I don't know if the author coined the term "4th Generation Warfare" but he certainly explains it well. Today's wars are not like yesterdays. We must prepare for both, but we have to fight the war we're in. More Here.
On Combat by LTC Dave Grossman is a must for anyone that may face a life threatening situation or those that are/will. He not only lays out what what happens physiologically, but how to capitalize on the strengths and overcome the weaknesses of it. Simply knowing the facts will help prevent or overcome PTSD. This book is no longer offered new and it is a testament to the importance of it that it sells used for $18.67 His study brought understanding of PTSD into the 21st Century. Review by Marine Till Death here. If you think you may ever encounter someone who has been or will be in combat, including those that have fought off predators in the civilian world, you'll want to read this book.
The Unforgiving Minute by Craig Mullaney was written about one Intelligence Officer's experience with combat in Afghanistan. It was reviewed here by an Intelligence Analyst that had encountered him there. $9.99
Roughneck Nine-One by Frank Antenori may read like a fiction action novel, but it is the real life experiences of a Special Forces Medic promoted to Team Sergeant as he fights in Afghanistan, trains at Ft Bragg and goes into Iraq, ahead of the Invasion. It is a deal at $6.42 and no longer available new. It's written in such a way that you'll breeze through it and not want to put it down.
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson is written by a former Army Medic and is an amazing story of how failure to reach one of the world's most dificult peaks afforded the son of a missionary and mountain climber into one of the most respected men in the Afghan-Pakistan Tribal Mountain border areas. Long before the world knew what a madrassa was or who OBL was, his personal campaign to build schools free from islamist hatred was countering future generations of hatred. You can pick this up for as little as $6.49 or new for $16.35
Coppola by Dr. Chris Coppola is not yet on the bookshelves but Amazon guarantees the lowest price if $16.47 is dropped before it ships. Fraught with personal conflict between his duties as a Warrior and his duties as a Doctor, Dr Coppola made it personal to help young Iraqi children and became an important part of winning in Iraq, by demonstrating the core values of America, the humanity of Our Forces. Reviewed by Ms Marti here.
The Bomber Boys by Travis Ayres hasn't yet been reviewed here, but soon will be. Mr Ayres captures history in the nick of time from the men that made it in B-17's in WWII. With these heroes reaching the end of their days at a rapid rate, he knew he couldn't put it off any longer. He knew if he did not convince them to talk soon, neither he nor their wives, nor history would have the chance. You'd pay $16.00 in a store, but only $10.88 at Amazon or $8.83 from someone whose had the opportunity to read it.
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