No anthology of the Viet Nam War has ever been written with such emphasis on telling the poignant and revealing personal stories of average soldiers. War makes for strange, sometimes even humorous tales, and while some are quite spiritual in their effect, they still contain realistic and historic accuracy. Lt. Col. Robert W. Michel, U.S. Army Retired, compiled this cast of enlisted men and officers whose experiences span a range from a puppy dog to a former POW and those of a State Senator from Massachusetts. He spent countless hours pouring over these and dozens of other stories until he found what he believed to be an accurate representation of what many soldiers experienced during the Viet Nam War.

Filmic constructions of war heroism have a profound impact on public perceptions of conflicts. Here, contributors examine the ways motifs of gender and heroism in war films are used to justify ideological positions, shape the understanding of the military conflicts, support political agendas and institutions, and influence collective memory.

Butler sheds light on how American political leaders sell the decision to intervene with military force to the public and how a just war frame is employed in US foreign policy. He provides three post-Cold War examples of foreign policy crises: the Persian Gulf War (1990-91), Kosovo (1999), and Afghanistan (2001).

The five volumes in the series entitled The History of Anglo-Japanese Relations, 1600-2000 explore the history of the relationship between Britain and Japan from the first contacts of the early 1600s through to the end of the 20th century. This volume presents 19 original essays by Japanese, British, and other international historians and covers the evolving military relationship from the 19th century through to the end of the 20th century. The main focus is on the interwar period when both military establishments shifted from collaboration to conflict, as well as wartime issues such as the treatment of POWs seen from both sides, the occupation of Japan, and war crimes trials.

Ulysses S. Grant was the first four-star general in the history of the United States Army and the only president between Andrew Jackson and Woodrow Wilson to serve eight consecutive years in the White House. As general in chief, Grant revolutionized modern warfare. As president, he brought stability to the country after years of war and upheaval. Yet today Grant is remembered as a brilliant general but a failed president.

In this comprehensive biography, Jean Edward Smith reconciles these conflicting assessments of Grant's life. He argues convincingly that Grant is greatly underrated as a president. Following the turmoil of Andrew Johnson's administration, Grant guided the nation through the post-Civil War era, overseeing Reconstruction in the South and enforcing the freedoms of new African-American citizens. His presidential accomplishments were as considerable as his military victories, says Smith, for the same strength of character that made him successful on the battlefield also characterized his years in the White House.

When a country is defeated in war, not only are the policies, strategies, and goals of the military affected, but those of society as well. In this book experts in military history examine conflicts ranging from the American Revolution to the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973 and to China's invasion of Vietnam in 1979 to show how the trauma of defeat also affects the evolution of society. The authors argue that recovery from defeat must be assessed on the level of grand strategy, that ultimate responsibility for recovery rests on the capacity of a nation's top political and military leaders to use their society's resources in order to master the challenges confronting them. Sometimes a nation can rebound from defeat simply by re-forming or reorganizing the military services and the branches of government involved in military decisions. At other times military defeat can have a greater impact on society, leading to the consolidation of the status quo, the disruption of the traditional social order, or increased civilian control over the military. In any case, the leadership's viability often hinges on its ability to detect the inevitable pressures for reform that follow military defeat and to harness them accordingly.

An insightful and expert assessment examines how best to end-and avert-wars. How do we avoid war? To arrive at an answer, master analyst Richard Weitz explores the ways nations, international organizations, and individuals have sought to bring order to an inherently disorderly phenomenon-potential and actual violent conflict among organized political entities. Specifically, War and Governance: International Security in a Changing World Order analyzes a number of critical issues such as whether regional security institutions have distinct advantages and liabilities in promoting international security, as compared with universal organizations like the United Nations. Other important questions are addressed, as well. How will international organizations, such as the UN, EU, and NATO, change the nature of war in the 21st century-and be changed by it? What role might less formal institutions and nongovernmental organizations play in peacemaking? Will the nation-state remain the most important international security actor? The book ends with a gap analysis that identifies incongruities between international needs and capabilities-and suggests ways to overcome them. Short case studies A survey of key institutions and sub-organizations Maps

"War is the trade of kings" John Dryden. War and monarchy are two of the most important and resonant topics in British History. This exciting new book explores the role that kings and queens have played in war, and how war has shaped the monarchy. Aimed explicitly at the general reader, the book delves into the truth behind the myths, and uncovers some fascinating facts about our iconic soldier kings and queens.

Officer of Light Dragoons by Peter Hawker
Campaign in Portugal and Spain by William Graham
Two accounts of contrasting perspectives of the British Army in the field
This book is yet another Leonaur 'two for the price of one' volume bringing together two vital accounts of the experiences of British soldiers on campaign within a single great value edition. The first account is based on a journal kept by a captain of HM 14th Light Dragoons and takes the reader to war against Napoleon's Army in the company of the cavalry through the Talavera campaign of 1808 and 1809. William Graham was an officer in the Commissariat and he clearly relished his first opportunity to 'travel' as he gives us great detail of the doings of the army and the countryside through which it campaigned. Graham seems to have been prepared to move closer to the battlefield than his occupation might suggest making this an entertaining account of life in Wellington's Army as it pushed northwards to the Pyrenees and the South of France.

In his memoir, Forrest N. Easley began recording events pertinent to his life for his children and grandchildren, as well as for posterity, whomever that might include. In addition to sharing his own memories, he also records events that took place among his family members before his lifetime, thus creating a true family history.

He includes details of his parents and grandparents, focusing on their immigration experiences, which would prove to have great impact on his own and his family's lives. He then tells some of the many stories resulting from their pioneering experiences, their hardships, and their individual loyalties to their new home country, America.

Easley intends to describe true events as they happened in order to illustrate and to record the actual life experiences that collectively had great influence on his own development as a person. He considers himself formed in a mold that taught him to experience great inward feelings of tenderness, honest love, great sorrow for others' misfortune, sacrifice and self-denial for the sake of his children, and an insatiable desire for learning-all built on a true and great love for God.

In exploring his own and his family's history, he hopes to preserve these records for future generations.

All seemed well until September 1. 1939 when the Germans invaded Poland. Peter's world would never be the same again. As World War II began young Peter extinguished incinerated bombs, dug anti aircraft ditches, and delivered water and food to soldiers . Peter describes how he and his family survived the German's occupation, with one member of the family arrested by the Gestapo. Determined to fight for the freedom of his country, in 1944 Peter at age 15 joined the Warsaw Uprising. Suddenly the boy who once happily spent his days swimming in Pucka Bay, was carrying grenades in his pockets and swinging liquid courage from a vodka bottle.

The history of a Warsaw insurgent shares details from one man's journey through war-torn Poland offering an enlightening glimpse into the history of his beloved homeland.

Sheila Melvin is the mother of a United States Infantryman-Specialist Thomas Watkins. Tom was called to serve in Afghanistan. Needless to say, he saw terrible things: horrific explosions, loss of friends, and suicide bombers. He saw things most of us will never see, and he came home safe-but suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It goes to show that war can follow you home ...Afghanistan is only a part of Tom and Sheila's lives. First, Tom was born; then, Tom grew up. It was over the course of his youthful years that Tom became the brave, young man who served his country overseas. Despite the distance, his mother was with him-in thought and via telephone and Internet. Sheila even started "Letters from Home," a website developed so that soldiers could have a way to communicate while deployed. War is hell, but being a mother separated from her child is even worse. Deployment not only takes a toll on the soldier; it takes a toll on the entire family. He Served, We Served is the story of one family's trials, but their story is for any enlisted soldier. Every soldier deserves to have his or her story told. Every soldier deserves our thanks and prayers. Every solder deserves to come home safe, healthy, and ready to live a life of love.

Concise, easy-to-use guide to efficient communication What every military writer should know about the English language Newly revised edition includes writing for the Internet

With the advent of the Internet, servicemembers are writing more than ever. But are they writing effectively and persuasively? Many are not. This revised, updated edition provides the basics of correct and effective military communication, with emphasis on substance, organization of content, and style, along with editing techniques and military and civilian formats.

Most commentators propose a nightmare vision of future warfare: a battlefield of drones and robots with no place for human intuition or will. In this book, Professor Christopher Coker presents a new and radically different view. New technology will free the warrior from the mass slaughterhouse of twentieth-century warfare, and soldiers will once again find their humanity on the field of battle.