Kennedy argues that the Allies had 3 main problems to solve in WW2 at the Casablanca gathering of FDR and Churchill in 1943. They needed to control thKennedy argues that the Allies had 3 main problems to solve in WW2 at the Casablanca gathering of FDR and Churchill in 1943. They needed to control the Atlantic sea lanes, bring the fight to European mainland and push Japan back to their original islands.
Why I started this book: CNO Professional Reading list was updated and this was an audio.
Why I finished it: Breezy history. Which felt like it had more substance than it actually did. I did enjoy the British perspective of American results and the thesis that war is about solving problems from top to bottom. Many different histories focus on the top, with leadership or generals and others focus on the bottom, with the fighting men. Kennedy tried to show the middle, the logistics and inventions... He is also arguing against the simplification of the WW2. There wasn't one weapon, one battle, or one decision that won the war. It was a combination of millions, millions of weapons, multiple battles and millions of decisions, all dedicated to the fight....more
Great power rivalry and competition are changing with the new technology and information age. Ryan compares past moments of change to highlight the chGreat power rivalry and competition are changing with the new technology and information age. Ryan compares past moments of change to highlight the challenges and opportunities for military leaders in this new environment.
Why I started this book: Noticed this week that there's a new , and I eagerly downloaded an audio of one of the new titles.
Why I finished it: Ryan explores the line between war and great power competition. He argues that with the change in technology, that line is getting blurrier. That military leaders will need to increase their communication skills as they work in joint military theaters and with allies. He also stressed the need to increase, train for and promote leaders that can adapt quickly....more
McDevitt marshals his arguments and analysis of what Chinese leaders have done and said about their navy in the past 30 years to show their desire to McDevitt marshals his arguments and analysis of what Chinese leaders have done and said about their navy in the past 30 years to show their desire to control their international trade, harvest the resources of "claimed" islands and deal with their neighbors unilaterally.
Why I started this book: Professional Reading Title that was available as audio, perfect.
Why I finished it: This is a new book published sometime just before COVID, and unfortunately I spent most of the book questioning how COVID changes the trajectory of McDevitt's arguments. Are they merely postponed, or has COVID upended them? Realistically China's preparations for a world class navy have only paused or but it feels like so much more has changed because of the virus, lockdown and protests. Also, this book is heavy in military assumptions and jargon... making it harder to follow than some other books I have read. And weirdly the appendixes flowed better than some of the main text....more
The US military has paid millions of dollars to stay at the technological cutting edge. Scharre walks the reader thru the various weapon platforms thaThe US military has paid millions of dollars to stay at the technological cutting edge. Scharre walks the reader thru the various weapon platforms that are in development and the arguments for and against autonomy. He interviewed activists, ethicists, psychologists, inventors, programers and defense experts to give a well rounded view of the current field. He also traces the development of smart weapons, all the way back to World War II. Scharre is a Pentagon defense expert and former Army Ranger so he has skin in the game; and experience in the real-life applications.
Why I started this book: Never fails that all my holds arrive with in hours of each other and I'm left scrambling to not be the link that slows down the whole chain.
Why I finished it: Wonderful introduction book, walking the reader thru the basics and their ethical, legal, and moral implications. I loved the thought that we consider technology of the future AI but when it is achieved it's just software....more
Do you believe that you can learn and change? Or are you as smart, as talented and as organized as you will ever be? Dweck argues that our mindset effDo you believe that you can learn and change? Or are you as smart, as talented and as organized as you will ever be? Dweck argues that our mindset effects our abilities, our motivations and our coping methods to a greater extent than we realize.
Why I started this book: My sister has been recommending this book to me for months, I needed to read it. And the update edition was the perfect reason to pick up a copy.
Why I finished it: Very convincing research and multiple examples of how our mindsets effect our schooling, relationships, coaching and more. ...more
Herman tells the story of Big Business and how it contributed production management towards the fight against the Axis powers in World War II. The "doHerman tells the story of Big Business and how it contributed production management towards the fight against the Axis powers in World War II. The "dollar-a-year-men" donated their time and expertise to the government to to aid the war effort. He highlights the efforts of Bill Knudsen and Henry Kaiser particularly.
Why I started this book: I was eager to learn more about WWII, especially as I know little about the production side.
Why I finished it: Fascinating story but it was so biased. Herman argues that it was production alone and not political leadership, generals or the millions of sailors, marines and soldiers fighting that won the war. Each played their vital parts and the path to victory was from their working together. ...more
University of Washington's deep rivalry with California over an "Eastern" sport is told with stunning details and attention to the individuals and coaUniversity of Washington's deep rivalry with California over an "Eastern" sport is told with stunning details and attention to the individuals and coach who lead the US to a gold medal in eight-oar crew at the Berlin 1936 Olympics. This is the story of boys who entered adulthood during the Great Depression and who worked together to master a physically and mentally demanding sport.
Why I started this book: Edward Herrmann is one of my favorite narrators and I was delighted to find out that he narrated this book, which had been repeatedly recommended to me.
Why I finished it: Great story, and it was fun to learn more about a sport I didn't know about. Not to mention more about the Berlin Olympics. ...more
General McChrystal was placed in charge of the Special Forces in Iraq in 2004. While there he leveraged the teams of Army Rangers, SEALS, the intelligGeneral McChrystal was placed in charge of the Special Forces in Iraq in 2004. While there he leveraged the teams of Army Rangers, SEALS, the intelligence analysts to create a overarching team to fight the insurgents. This is the method and justification of how and why they did this and how it applies in a business setting.
Why I started this book: The library's new audios were delivered this week and I was eager to listen to this one.
Why I finished it: Good reminder of what leadership is and how I can better lead even my small team. I need to spend more time with my people and less time sitting at my computer. ...more
In October 1944 the littler ships, Destroyers and Destroyer escorts were left to guard the Army's invasion of the Philippines while the larger aircrafIn October 1944 the littler ships, Destroyers and Destroyer escorts were left to guard the Army's invasion of the Philippines while the larger aircraft carriers went hunting for the main Japanese navy. Instead the Japanese navy found the remaining ships. In an epic day of battle, these little ships attacked with what torpedos they had (just 10 per ship) and their smaller guns against a battleships with larger guns and farther reach. And when they had exhausted their weapons they continued to attack, bluffing their way to a costly victory.
Why I started this book: It's on the Navy's recommended reading list and I borrowed the audio from the library.
Why I finished it: Hornfischer did an excellent job in describing not only the battle itself but also life as a crew member before, during and after the battle to someone without a naval background without losing the pacing of the story. This is how history should be written. I was especially fascinated with why we don't know more about this battle and it's amazing courage and consequences for the rest of the war in the Pacific....more
China is celebrating the 600 anniversary of its treasure fleets in 2005. They are tying their current naval rise to the peaceful journeys, trying to rChina is celebrating the 600 anniversary of its treasure fleets in 2005. They are tying their current naval rise to the peaceful journeys, trying to reassure their neighbors and the US that there is no reason for alarm. Yoshihara compares China's rise with Japan in the 1890-1900s and Germany in 1910-1920s.
Why I started this book: It was on the 2014 and 2017 Navy Professional Reading List.
Why I finished it: Interesting book. Looking at the strategic plans of China, this book refutes common US assumptions of superiority, reminding the reader that China doesn't have to be exactly like the US to become a naval power....more
Soap box: Fehrenbach is a huge fan of General McArthur and is cutting him all kinds of slack for his decisions which cost UN soldiers lives and sufferSoap box: Fehrenbach is a huge fan of General McArthur and is cutting him all kinds of slack for his decisions which cost UN soldiers lives and suffering and prolonged the war. He's even made statements about how it's Truman's fault for not giving McArthur clearer instructions! I'm all but pulling my hair out, I'm so frustrated with this one-sided history. Do I finish the book? It's hard for me to deliberately not finish a book, and this is almost like a train wreck... where you close your eyes to not see, but peek just because you want to know just how bad it can get.
Later: I'm glad that I finished this book. Written in 1963 Fehrenbach pointed out that Americans like big wars... wars where we can go all in. He called them "jihads" or wars with righteous causes. (Not a term with the same connotation today in 2012.) He argued that the rest of the century needed to be fought by "legions" which he defined as professional, well trained soldiers who understood that they are called to spend their blood for political reasons and for strategic battles. Still not my favorite Korean War book but an interesting interpretation of the conflict and the lessons that we should have learned from it....more
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