[February 29, 2016] One day while discussing my 40 years in the U.S. Army with my wife, she asked if I would share the books that helped me to become a soldier. I would like to think that the answers I learned by observing other leaders, by study, and by reading, was to make me a better leader and a better person.
The secrets to leadership are no longer so secret. At one time, in the not-so-distance past, the tenets of practical soldiering and great generalship was passed down from those who survived to those new to the profession. Only since the advent of World War II has there been a deliberate effort to teach military officers how to lead. Once thought inherent, we now know that leadership is learned and can be taught effectively when the right tools are provided.
For me, these books about soldiering were not always clear. It was evident to me then that a few things were left out; things that I wish I could know. I knew that this made me want more and recent books fulfilled that need. If you would like to further your knowledge of soldiering and leadership, here are a few books to read:
- Cyrus the Great by Harold Lamb, 1976: This book is the retelling of ancient stories about Cyrus the Great by both Herodotus and Xenophon. It gives us a perspective into Cyrus’ philosophies of war and of administration such as the information that he would not force anyone to change their religion or faith and guaranteed freedom for all.
- War As I Knew It by George S. Patton, Jr. and Paul D. Harkins, 1966: The book tells us about Patton during World War II beginning with Operation Torch to the Nazi surrender. From Patton’s perspective the book is about how he saw the war and what he did to help bring about an Allied victory.
- My Life on the Plains: Or, Personal Experiences with Indians by George A. Custer and Edgar I. Stewart, 1976: A truly great read on a short span of Custer’s life. What I gleaned from it was that Custer was a man that understood the Indian and was no racist like he is often portrayed.
- Hamburger Hill by William Pelfrey, 1987: This book is about Hill 937 in Vietnam and gives a vivid account by the men who survived the battle.
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu and James Clavell, 1983: This classic book by Sun Tzu is augmented by comments from the translator and Chinese philosophers; all which give a richer view and meaning. Sun Tzu strips away the veneer of war and reveals the essence of war and how to win.
- Night Drop: The American Airborne Invasion of Normandy by S.L.A. Marshall, 1984: A book packed with action about the night drop into France by the U.S. 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions that preceded the June 6, 1944 landing on D-Day during World War II.
- Men Against Fire: The Problem of Battle Command in Future War by S.L.A. Marshall, 1947: Marshall was interested in understanding the common rifleman during World War II and that only about a quarter of them fired their weapons even when fired upon. One learns a lot about the psychological impact of battle from this book.
- Company Command: The Bottom Line by John G. Meyer, Jr., 1990: A powerful book about the challenges for a young company commander during World War II. The book brings out the skills, insight, and morality needed to command troops in combat.
- Stonewall in the Valley: Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Spring 1862 by Robert G. Tanner, 1976: This book is an account of Confederate actions during Jackson’s Valley Campaign and his philosophy of battle.
- Hell in a Very Small Place: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu by Bernard B. Fall, 1985: The 1954 battle at Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam is detailed as a Viet Minh guerrilla force destroyed a technologically superior French Army force.
- Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir by Joseph R. Owen, 1997: Tells the story of Chosin Reservoir, Korean War, during the breakout and fighting withdrawal of U.S. Marines in the winter of 1950-51.
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