Rumsfeld's War

Rumsfeld's War PDF Author: Rowan Scarborough
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1621571343
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Not since Robert McNamara has a secretary of defense been so hated by the military and derided by the public, yet played such a critical role in national security policy—with such disastrous results. Donald Rumsfeld was a natural for secretary of defense, a position he'd already occupied once before. He was smart. He worked hard. He was skeptical of the status quo in military affairs and dedicated to high-tech innovations. He seemed the right man at the right time-but history was to prove otherwise. Now Dale Herspring, a political conservative and lifelong Republican, offers a nonpartisan assessment of Rumsfeld's impact on the U.S. military establishment from 2001 to 2006, focusing especially on the Iraq War-from the decision to invade through the development and execution of operational strategy and the enormous failures associated with the postwar reconstruction of Iraq. Extending the critique of civil-military relations he began in The Pentagon and the Presidency, Herspring highlights the relationship between the secretary and senior military leadership, showing how Rumsfeld and a handful of advisers—notably Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith—manipulated intelligence and often ignored the military in order to implement their policies. And he demonstrates that the secretary's domineering leadership style and trademark arrogance undermined his vision for both military transformation and Iraq. Herspring shows that, contrary to his public deference to the generals, Rumsfeld dictated strategy and operations—sometimes even tactics—to prove his transformation theories. He signed off on abolishing the Iraqi army, famously refused to see the need for a counterinsurgency plan, and seemed more than willing to tolerate the torture of prisoners. Meanwhile, the military became demoralized and junior officers left in droves. Rumsfeld's Wars revisits and reignites the concept of "arrogance of power," once associated with our dogged failure to understand the true nature of a tragic war in Southeast Asia. It provides further evidence that success in military affairs is hard to achieve without mutual respect between civilian authorities and military leaders—and offers a definitive case study in how not to run the office of secretary of defense.

A Short History of the Great War

A Short History of the Great War PDF Author: A. F. Pollard
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 357

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Book Description
"A Short History of the Great War" by A. F. Pollard. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Scarborough in the Great War

Scarborough in the Great War PDF Author: Stephen Wynn
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
ISBN: 9781473828612
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
In the early months of the war, for most people Scarborough was just another town somewhere in northern England, where exactly, they weren't entirely sure. But all of that changed at 8 am on the morning of 16 December 1914, when three vessels of the Imperial German Navy positioned themselves about 10 miles off of the north-eastern coastline and opened fire. The ensuing attack lasted for some 30 minutes and by the time it was over, 78 people, including women and children, had been killed and a further 228 were wounded. The disbelief at how the attack had been allowed to take place was keenly felt by the British public, and the Government were quick to turn the attack to their advantage by making it part of a propaganda campaign 'Remember Scarborough', which they used on Army recruitment posters. If it hadn't been before, the war had suddenly become a harsh reality for the entire nation, and the town of Scarborough was now well and truly on the map. After the war, the names of the hundreds of young men from the town who had been killed on a foreign battlefield, or the in the icy waters of the high seas, were commemorated on the Scarborough War Memorial at Oliver's Mount. All of these names, as well as those who had been killed in the raid of 16 December 1914, are a true testament to the price Scarborough paid for playing her part in the First World War.

The Healer's War

The Healer's War PDF Author: Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
ISBN: 1619506874
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
Winner of the 1989 Nebula Award Award for Best Novel of 1988. “A brutal and beautiful book” that follows the surreal, fantastical journey of a Vietnam War nurse (Minneapolis Star-Tribune). A literary departure for acclaimed fantasy author Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, The Healer’s War draws on her personal experience as an army nurse in Da Nang to create a classic novel of the Vietnam War, enriched with a magical, mystical twist. Lt. Kitty McCulley, a young and inexperienced nurse tossed into a stressful and chaotic situation, is having a difficult time reconciling her duty to help and heal with the indifference and overt racism of some of her colleagues, and with the horrendously damaged soldiers and Vietnamese civilians she encounters during her service at the China Beach medical facilities. She is unexpectedly helped by the mysterious and inexplicable properties of an amulet, given to her by one of her patients, an elderly, dying Vietnamese holy man, which allows her to see other people’s “auras” and to understand more about them as a result. This eventually leads to a strange, almost surrealistic journey through the jungle, accompanied by a one-legged boy and a battle-seasoned but crazed soldier—as McCulley struggles to find herself and a way to survive through the madness and destruction.

The Great War

The Great War PDF Author: Herbert Wrigley Wilson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : World War, 1914-1918
Languages : en
Pages : 468

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Book Description


A History of the Great War

A History of the Great War PDF Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1246

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Book Description
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'A History of the Great War' is a seminal work that provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and during World War I. Doyle's narrative style is concise yet engaging, drawing the reader in with vivid descriptions of key battles and the impact of the war on individuals. The book is a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the political, social, and military aspects of this pivotal moment in history. Doyle's attention to historical detail and his ability to humanize the war through personal stories make this book a compelling read. The author's firsthand experience as a physician in the war influenced his perspective and adds depth to his analysis. Doyle's desire to educate and inform the public about the realities of war is evident throughout the book. 'A History of the Great War' is highly recommended for readers seeking a comprehensive and enlightening account of World War I.

History of the Great War (All 6 Volumes)

History of the Great War (All 6 Volumes) PDF Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1246

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Book Description
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'History of the Great War' spans across all 6 volumes, providing a comprehensive and detailed account of World War I. Doyle's literary style captivates readers with its engaging narrative and meticulous attention to historical events and figures. The book's literary context is significant as it serves as a valuable primary source for understanding the impact and complexities of the Great War. Doyle's extensive research and vivid storytelling make this historical masterpiece a must-read for anyone interested in military history and historical events of the 20th century. Arthur Conan Doyle, known for his iconic character Sherlock Holmes, turned his attention to documenting the Great War as a form of historical record and tribute to those who fought and sacrificed during the conflict. Doyle's own experiences as a doctor during the war likely influenced his decision to write this monumental work, showcasing his dedication to preserving the memory of this transformative period in history. I highly recommend Arthur Conan Doyle's 'History of the Great War' to readers who seek a comprehensive and engaging account of World War I. This meticulously researched and expertly crafted series is a valuable resource for understanding the complexities and impact of one of the most significant events of the 20th century.

Planning Armageddon

Planning Armageddon PDF Author: Nicholas A. Lambert
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674063066
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 662

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Book Description
Before the First World War, the British Admiralty conceived a plan to win rapid victory in the event of war with Germany-economic warfare on an unprecedented scale.This secret strategy called for the state to exploit Britain's effective monopolies in banking, communications, and shipping-the essential infrastructure underpinning global trade-to create a controlled implosion of the world economic system. In this revisionist account, Nicholas Lambert shows in lively detail how naval planners persuaded the British political leadership that systematic disruption of the global economy could bring about German military paralysis. After the outbreak of hostilities, the government shied away from full implementation upon realizing the extent of likely collateral damage-political, social, economic, and diplomatic-to both Britain and neutral countries. Woodrow Wilson in particular bristled at British restrictions on trade. A new, less disruptive approach to economic coercion was hastily improvised. The result was the blockade, ostensibly intended to starve Germany. It proved largely ineffective because of the massive political influence of economic interests on national ambitions and the continued interdependencies of all countries upon the smooth functioning of the global trading system. Lambert's interpretation entirely overturns the conventional understanding of British strategy in the early part of the First World War and underscores the importance in any analysis of strategic policy of understanding Clausewitz's "political conditions of war."

Dance of the Furies

Dance of the Furies PDF Author: Michael S. Neiberg
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674049543
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
By training his eye on the ways that people outside the halls of power reacted to the rapid onset and escalation of the fighting in 1914, Neiberg dispels the notion that Europeans were rabid nationalists intent on mass slaughter. He reveals instead a complex set of allegiances that cut across national boundaries.

"The Good War"

Author: Studs Terkel
Publisher: New Press/ORIM
ISBN: 1595587594
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 707

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Book Description
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize: “The richest and most powerful single document of the American experience in World War II” (The Boston Globe). “The Good War” is a testament not only to the experience of war but to the extraordinary skill of Studs Terkel as an interviewer and oral historian. From a pipe fitter’s apprentice at Pearl Harbor to a crew member of the flight that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, his subjects are open and unrelenting in their analyses of themselves and their experiences, producing what People magazine has called “a splendid epic history” of WWII. With this volume Terkel expanded his scope to the global and the historical, and the result is a masterpiece of oral history. “Tremendously compelling, somehow dramatic and intimate at the same time, as if one has stumbled on private accounts in letters locked in attic trunks . . . In terms of plain human interest, Mr. Terkel may well have put together the most vivid collection of World War II sketches ever gathered between covers.” —The New York Times Book Review “I promise you will remember your war years, if you were alive then, with extraordinary vividness as you go through Studs Terkel’s book. Or, if you are too young to remember, this is the best place to get a sense of what people were feeling.” —Chicago Tribune “A powerful book, repeatedly moving and profoundly disturbing.” —People