Summaries of books about Military History:
Black Hearts
One Platoon's Descent into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death
Jim Frederick
The book chronicles the harrowing experiences of the 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during their 2005-2006 deployment in Iraq. It details the psychological strain and moral breakdown of the soldiers, culminating in a tragic war crime against Iraqi civilians in Mahmudiyah.
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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
The Mavericks Who Plotted Hitler's Downfall, Giving Birth to Modern-Day Black Ops
Damien Lewis
The book chronicles the formation and exploits of a secret British organization during World War II, tasked with conducting sabotage and guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines. It details the unconventional and innovative tactics used by this group, which laid the groundwork for contemporary special forces operations.
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Hero Found
The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War
Bruce Henderson
The book chronicles the true story of Dieter Dengler, a U.S. Navy pilot, and his harrowing experience of capture, survival, and escape from a Pathet Lao prison camp during the Vietnam War. It details Dengler's courageous journey, from his downing over Laos to his eventual rescue after enduring extreme hardships and orchestrating an extraordinary escape with fellow prisoners of war.
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Masters of the Air
America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany
Donald L. Miller
The book chronicles the experiences of American bomber crews in the European theater during World War II, detailing their harrowing missions over Nazi-occupied territory and the strategic bombing campaign that aimed to cripple Germany's war-making capabilities. It provides personal accounts, historical context, and an exploration of the physical and psychological toll these airmen endured throughout the conflict.
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Five Years to Freedom
The True Story of a Vietnam POW
James N. Rowe
The book recounts the harrowing experience of an American soldier captured by Viet Cong forces in 1963 and his subsequent survival and escape after five years of brutal captivity. It details his psychological and physical struggles, the methods he used to resist his captors, and his eventual return to freedom.
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The Greatest Raid of All
Operation Chariot and the Mission to Destroy the Normandie Dock at St Nazaire
C. E. Lucas Phillips
The book recounts the daring British commando raid on the German-occupied port of St Nazaire in France during World War II, specifically focusing on the mission to destroy the strategically crucial Normandie dry dock. It details the planning, execution, and aftermath of the operation, highlighting the bravery and ingenuity of the Allied forces involved in this pivotal event.
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The Pentagon's Brain
An Uncensored History of DARPA, America's Top-Secret Military Research Agency
Annie Jacobsen
The book delves into the history and activities of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), exploring its role in developing cutting-edge technologies for the U.S. military. It uncovers the agency's most secretive projects, from the early days of the Cold War to contemporary times, revealing the impact of DARPA's innovations on warfare and surveillance.
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Target Tokyo
Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor
James M. Scott
The book chronicles the daring 1942 air raid led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, in which B-25 bombers took off from an aircraft carrier to strike Tokyo, providing a crucial morale boost for America after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It delves into the planning, execution, and aftermath of the mission, including the personal stories of the airmen involved and the strategic impact of their actions on the Pacific War.
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Citizen Soldiers
The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany June 7, 1944, to May 7, 1945
Stephen E. Ambrose
The book provides a detailed account of the experiences of American soldiers during the European campaign in World War II, from the D-Day landings to the final surrender of Nazi Germany. It draws on extensive interviews and research to depict the bravery, hardships, and the human side of the soldiers' journey through the eyes of the men who fought on the front lines.
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Crack! and Thump
With a Combat Infantry Officer in World War II
Barry Basden|Charles Scheffel
The book is a firsthand account of an American infantry officer's experiences during World War II, detailing the brutal realities of combat as he fought in North Africa and Europe. It provides a personal perspective on the challenges and horrors of war, including the Battle of the El Alamein and the advance into Nazi Germany.
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