Tank: The Progress of a Monstrous War Machine
By Patrick Wright. Viking. ISBN 0-670-03070-8.

In 1915, British Lord Kitchener called the tank "a pretty mechanical toy." Eight years later Winston Churchill said, "The tank was the beginning of the bulletproof army." One man was laughingly wrong, the other was almost right.

The tank transformed the modern battlefield as much as the machine gun and the airplane did. Patrick Wright's new book, Tank, is a curious history of the tank as both a fighting vehicle and a psychological weapon with powerful social connections. Wright, a British university professor of modern cultural studies, has published three other books.

In this effort Wright devotes himself to the development of tank doctrine and the concept of armored warfare in the 20th century. With a distinctly British perspective, he begins his history in the early 1910s when the tank was thought of as a "modestly useful gadget," to be added to cavalry and infantry units as a support weapon. While he writes little about the various models of tanks, he does provide interesting insight into the men who had the drive and foresight to create an armored force in World War I.

Much of this book is dedicated to J.F.C. Fuller, the British officer and futurist whose writings and teachings on tank employment had widespread acceptance, especially among the Germans and Russians between the world wars.

Among some mediocre chapters on propaganda, the demise of the Polish lancers, and Prague's pink tank, Wright offers well-written chapters on German, Russian, and Italian tank development before World War II, as well as an effective description of armored warfare practiced by the Germans during the invasion of Russia in 1941. Best are his sections on the creation of the Israeli armored forces in the Arab-Israeli wars and Israeli development of the modern Merkava tank.

This is not a comprehensive history of the tank. It is wordy and uneven in presentation and even downplays contributions by other countries and military thinkers. Still it offers some interesting history and some smart observations about armored warfare in the future.

Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime
By Eliot A. Cohen. The Free Press. ISBN 0-7432-3049-3.

In any democracy the question of supreme leadership in war is the same: Should the generals or the civilian leadership run the war?

Eliot Cohen's new book, Supreme Command, skillfully examines how four great democratic statesmen led their nations in war, focusing on the unique problems and tensions among military and civilian leaders. Cohen, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University, is also the author of Military Misfortune: The Anatomy of Failure in War (The Free Press, 1990).

In Supreme Command, Cohen explores the differences and similarities of the wartime leadership of Abraham Lincoln, Georges Clemenceau, Winston Churchill, and David Ben-Gurion. The question of civilian meddling in military affairs is a thorny one, but Cohen contends that all four of these statesmen meddled and were successful because of it.

As Cohen reveals, statesmen today do much more than just set goals and allocate resources. They also manage military alliances, determine acceptable risk, and shape operational choices. A wise statesman always seeks the advice of military advisers but is not obligated to follow that advice. As Cohen shows, conflicts and disputes are constant, and a successful wartime civilian leader must have the heart of a reptile and the tongue of a dove.

In Cohen's analysis, Lincoln was a sly, cunning leader, involved in every aspect of the Civil War every day. For all his folksy humor and backwoods appearance, he was ruthless and intolerant of failure or incompetence. His kindliness was matched by his iron resolve. He did not order; rather, he questioned, prodded, poked, and suggested. Most importantly, Lincoln (like the other leaders) knew he had to shape both the war and the peace.

In World War I, France's Clemenceau led a nation crippled by attrition warfare. He respected military professional ability but was not blindly impressed by rank.

Cohen characterizes Britain's Winston Churchill as "the greatest war statesman of the century." Harshly criticized as a strategist, Churchill could be annoying, demanding, and acerbic when dealing with the military. He constantly questioned facts, assumptions, and arguments, saying, "You know, in war you don't have to be nice, you only have to be right."

Finally, Cohen devotes a compelling chapter to David Ben-Gurion, the statesman who led the defense of the infant state of Israel in 1948, when Israel, surrounded by enemies, had little outside material or moral support.

All of these men accepted responsibility, were involved in all aspects of the war (especially technology), were wary of military opportunism and bureaucracy, and were incessant questioners. Supreme Command is a cerebral analysis that proves there is too much at risk for war to be left entirely in the hands of either the general or the statesman. Balance is the only answer.

—Reviews by William D. Bushnell

Member Books

Non-Fiction

Fort Clark and Brackettville: Land of Heroes. By Lt. Col. William F. Haenn, USA-Ret.
The history of Fort Clark and Brackettville dates back to the mid 1800s. For centuries, Native Americans and then Spanish conquistadors stopped by Las Moras Spring and used the area as a natural resting place during their travels. This new history uses vintage photographs to take a look back at the history of the fort and town. Included are images of some of the fort's most famous alumni: Stuart, Longstreet, Sheridan, Sherman, Bullis, Patton, and Wainwright, as well as some of the little-known Medal of Honor recipients buried here. Theses images offer tribute to cavalry of old and soldiers everywhere.
Arcadia Publishing, 3047 North Lincoln Avenue, Suite 410, Chicago, IL 60657. (773) 697-0104. hzemsta@arcadiapublishing.com. ISBN 0-385-2063-2. 128 pp. $19.99 plus postage.

Art of War: Eyewitness U.S. Combat Art from the Revolution Through the Twentieth Century. By Col. H. Avery Chenoweth, USMCR-Ret.
Lavishly illustrated with over 300 full-color and black and white reproductions, this book traces the history of American combat across three centuries, from pre-colonial America through the end of the 20th century. Spanning wars that have involved U.S. troops, this gallery of outstanding works of art ranges from majestic land, sea, and airscapes portraying all the branches of the armed services to close-ups of hand-to hand combat.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810. (212) 532-7160. www.sterlingpub.com. ISBN 1-58663-311-2. 384 pp. $50.00 plus postage.

Milestones of the First Century of Flight. By Lt. Col. F. Clifton Berry Jr., USA-Ret.
In honor of the nationwide Centennial of Flight commemoration activities, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) convened a distinguished panel of aerospace experts to select 100 of the most significant achievements in aviation. From the Wright Brothers' first flight, through the Space Shuttle missions of the year 2002, the clear and detailed text and over 200 photographs they compiled will appeal to general readers and discriminating aviation experts alike. Howell Press Inc., 1713-2D Allied Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903-5336. 434-977-4006. www.howellpress.com. ISBN 1-57427-076-1. 214 pp. $34.95 plus postage.

Marketing's Role in Economic Development. By Allen C. Reddy and Maj. David P. Campbell, USAF-Ret.
The potential of marketing to further the economic development of underdeveloped countries generally has been overlooked. This book examines the situations of many such countries and shows how marketing can be used to further the countries' economic development. It proposes an integrated macro-behavioral model that can explain the successes of countries as different as Japan and Portugal. The book shows how the model can be effective in many countries; India and the countries of the former USSR are used as specific examples. Greenwood Publishing Group Inc. 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881. 203-226-3571. www.greenwood.com. ISBN 0-899-30766-3. 160 pgs. $59.95 plus postage.

No Room for Error: The Covert Operations of America's Special Tactics Units from Iran to Afghanistan. By Col. John T. Carney Jr., USAF-Ret. and Benjamin F. Schemmer.
Carney reveals how he was handpicked as a young Major to organize a small, under-funded, classified ad hoc unit known as Brand X. He reviews the secret reconnaissance in the desert of north-central Iran during the hostage crisis; the simple rescue operation in Grenada that turned into a prolonged bloody struggle; Operation Just Cause in Panama; and Desert Storm. Carney also includes the latest information on the war against terrorism direct from the special operations soldiers on the front lines in Afghanistan – plus never-before-published photos of U.S. Special Operations Forces.
Ballantine Books, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. 703-451-2476. www.ballantinebooks.com. ISBN 0-345-45333-6. 336 pp. $25.95 plus postage.

El Dorado Canyon: Reagan's Undeclared War with Qaddafi. By Lt. Cmdr. Joseph T. Stanik, USN-Ret.
In 1986, long before the overt war in Afghanistan and the covert war against al-Qaida, U.S. aircraft struck at the heart of Muammar Qaddafi's Libya, attacking carefully selected targets in one of the world's hotbeds of terrorism. Code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon, the raid was in direct response to Qaddafi's support of a terrorist act against U.S. Service personnel stationed in Europe and the result of President Regan's pledge to respond to terrorism with "swift and effective retribution." Stanik provides a detailed account of the raid as well as an in-depth analysis of its causes and effects.
Naval Institute Press, 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402-5034. 410-295-1081. www.usni.org. ISBN 1-55750-983-2. 360 pp. $34.95 plus postage.

Train Tough the Army Way: 50 Sports Strategies to Out-Think, Out-Train, and Out-Perform Your Competition. By Lt. Col. Mark Bender, USA-Ret.
Whether you're into synchronized swimming or Golden Gloves Boxing, Train Tough the Army Way will motivate and train you to achieve supremacy in any sport. Based on the training combat soldiers receive in order to emerge victorious, the Train Tough method is a unique, no-nonsense, and powerful sports strategy conceived to hone mental and physical toughness.
McGraw-Hill, Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121. 212-904-5382. www.traintough.com. ISBN 0-07-140808-8. 244 pp. $16.95 plus postage.

The Pentagon Miracle: An Eyewitness Account. By Lt. Col. Linda R. Herbert, USA.
This is an eyewitness account of God's saving grace on September 11th, 2001 from an active duty Army officer who survived at "Ground Zero", Pentagon. The book is intended to provide the reader with insight into the reality of the event as it impacted many military and civilian people who could have died on 9-11-01.
Morris Publishing, 3212 East Highway 30, Kearney, NE 68847. 800-650-7888. www.pentagonmiracle.com. ISBN 0-9723185-1-8. 94 pp. $7.00 plus postage.

Fiction

Liberty. By Stephen Coonts.
Liberty tackles every American's worst nightmare: terrorists who obtain nuclear weapons that can be brought into the United States (in this case, concealed in suitcases – "suitcase nukes"), with the sole intent of using them on America's most populated areas. Who are these terrorists and where are they headed inside our borders? Who is the shadowy American traitor with access to the highest levels of government? In a secret meeting with the president, Jake Grafton receives orders to stop this unthinkable calamity before it's too late – no matter the cost. From a murder in a Washington D.C. suburb to a brutal chase in a Cairo cemetery to the decks of a freighter that disappears into the mists, this is a story of extraordinary drama and heroism.
St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10010-7848. (212) 674-5151. joseph.rinaldi@stmartins.com. ISBN 0-312-28361-X. 352 pp. $25.95 plus postage.

The Laws of Destiny. By Edmée J. Hills.
This historical novel gives life to a unique story line spanning 100 years history of one proud family. It revolves around a young man whose shrouded birthrights unleash conflicting human behaviors and reckless impulses from adults close to him, along with fierce clashes with the Will of God as dictated by his "Laws of Destiny".
Writer's Showcase Press, 620 North 48th Street, Suite 201, Lincoln, NE 68504-3467. www.iuniverse.com. ISBN 0-595-09799-5. 290 pp. $14.95 plus postage.

Ghost Squad: Operation Stingray. By Lt. Col. Bob Casemore, USAR-Ret. Xlibris Corp. ISBN 1-4010-5720-9.
The Ghost Squad is a top-secret infantry unit that operates behind enemy lines during WWII. The locale is the Southwest Pacific during 1943-1945. Their mission, code named "Stingray," is to carry out a deception plan designed to thwart a renegade who is sending short-wave messages about U.S. troop movements to the Japanese. The book contains breath-taking action as the Ghost Squad carries out its mission in the jungles of northern New Guinea.
Xlibris Corp., 436 Walnut Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 888-795-4274. www.xlibris.com. ISBN 1-4010-5720-9. 271 pp. $18.69 plus postage.

Kokopelli's Ghost?: and other amusements. By Maj. DAV Allen, USAF-Ret. The ghost of Kokopelli is accidentally released from a kiva in the ruins of old Rio Puerco Pueblo. The Shaman blames an archaeologist Jim Madison, who was digging in that site. Using his powerful flute Kokopelli begins a series of pranks that become more violent. He eventually demands that he be worshiped as a deity by all mankind and threatens, if his demands are not met, to destroy Albuquerque by releasing the atomic power stored in nearby mountains. Jim's lady, Lt. Helen Tempe, and he meet the monster face to face for a showdown.
Infinity Publishing, 519 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041-1413. 877-289-2655. www.buybooksontheweb.com. ISBN 0-7414-1273-X. 258 pp. $15.95 plus postage.

Memoirs

Korea: It Wasn't All Chinese and Frostbite. By Capt. George Brennan, USNR-Ret.
This memoir is a presentation of the making of an infantry medical officer and of the life a doctor with a U.S. Marine Battalion in active combat. The story is not a technical work on battle or warfare, but an insight into how a combat infantryman lives and survives.
1stBooks Library, 2595 Vernal Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404. (800) 839-8640. www.1stbooks.com. ISBN 0-7596-9780-9. 106 pp. $11.50 plus postage.

My Carrier War: The Life and Times of a Naval Aviator in WWII. By Capt. Norman E. Berg, USNR-Ret.
From his days as a naval aviation cadet aboard the "Yellow Peril" biplane trainers, to his first bombing runs on Guadalcanal, to his life aboard an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific, Berg offers an exciting, fast-paced narrative filled with humor and meticulous attention to detail. More than a simple WWII memoir, this story goes beyond the action to battle to explore the author's innermost conflicts and chronicles one young couple's wartime struggle to balance love, duty, and commitment.
Hellgate Press, P.O. 3727, Central Point, OR 97502-0032. 800-228-2275. www.hellgatepress.com. ISBN 1-5571-619-9. 200 pp. $17.95 postpaid.

Training for Bloody Omaha: Activation, Training, and Combat of the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion through 8 June 1944. By Maj. Richard N. Hathaway Jr., USA-Ret.
As a sergeant, Hathaway led his men to excel at the maneuvers that became increasingly risky as D-Day approached. A larger than life presentation is given of the combat readiness. A panoramic view is given of the gigantic invasion armada, with an assessment of the problems that beset the operation. Hathaway's contingent was the only part of the Fifth Battalion to complete their D-Day mission. This is a dramatic narration that makes a vital struggle come brilliantly alive.
Vantage Press Inc. 516 West 34 Street, NY, NY 10001. 212-736-1767. ISBN 0-533-14215-6. 56 pp. $8.85 plus postage.