By James A. Hawkins, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD (2014) Reviewed by Colonel Curt Marsh, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Retired) A Common Virtue is the first novel by author James Hawkins, a former Marine who served during the Vietnam War. The story is about a Marine officer and a young enlisted Marine who lead in
By Peter Fretwell and Taylor B. Kiland. 2013, U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, MD, (2013). Reviewed by Charles Bogart Never before have I had the privilege to read a book that within only 153 pages of text provides the reader with an outline of how to be a leader. I need to mention that there is
By Tonio Andrade, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, (2011). Reviewed by STCM James C. Bussert, U.S. Navy (Retired) The Chinese naval and land military defeats versus all foreign powers, including Japan, Russia, Britain and France from 1886 to 1947, are well known. What is not well known is the Chinese defeat of Dutch forces over
By Andrew C. A. Jampoler, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, (2010). Reviewed by Mark Lardas On August 31, 1833 the convict transport Amphitrite ran aground off Boulogne, France. By dawn of the next day, all aboard, except for three crew members, were dead, drowned when the incoming tide swamped the ship and battered the hull
By John Laurence Busch, Hodos Historia, (2010), 726 pp. Reviewed by Mark Lardas On Thursday June 17, 1819 lookouts at the Cape Clear Island semaphore station sent a report to the Royal Navy base at Cork, Ireland that a ship was afire off Cape Clear. A revenue cutter sent to investigate discovered not a vessel
Angus Konstam, Osprey Publishing, (2011), 63 pages. Reviewed by Rear Admiral William J. Holland, Jr., USN, (Ret.) Angus Konstam’s description of Nelson’s advancement easily identifies why he was protected by his seniors and promoted by the Admiralty. He fought and won! Nevertheless this biography is too short to fully describe Nelson’s very complex personality. The
By Thomas P. Ostrom, McFarland & Company, Jefferson, NC, (2009) Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart This is a well-written and nicely researched account of the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. The author, using seventeen topical chapters, provides short, concise accounts of various missions carried out by the Coast Guard during the war. Each
At the 2012 NHF Annual Meeting held on 23 June, two outstanding volunteers were recognized for their contributions towards our mission: Preservation, Education, and Commemoration of Naval History. Captain Roger Jones, USN (Ret), and Charles Bogart, were nominated and approved as the 2011 Naval Historical Foundation Volunteers of the Year. Both have been instrumental in
Edited by John B. Hattendorf and Bruce A. Elleman. Naval War College Press/Government Printing Office (2010). Reviewed By Corbin Williamson Nineteen Gun Salute is a collection of short biographies of American admirals who demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities during their naval service. The admirals were skilled operational and strategic commanders as well as diplomats. The work
US Submarines 1900-35 by Jim Christley, Osprey Publishing, 2011. Defeating the U-Boat: Inventing Antisubmarine Warfare by Jan S. Breemer, Dept. of the Navy, 2010. Reviewed by James-Joseph Ahern Introduced into naval service at the start of the Twentieth-Century, the submarine presented the first threat to the century old concept
By Bernard D. Cole, Naval Institute Press, 2010. Reviewed by Dr. David F. Winkler On the banner on the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings reads “The Independent Forum of the Sea Services.” This certainly can be said of the Naval Institute Press which offers titles that can educate and influence policy makers. One example is my
By Ed Offley, Basic Books, New York, NY, (2011) Reviewed by Thomas P. Ostrom Ed Offley brings writing and research skills to his book on the World War II Battle of the Atlantic. The conflict featured German submarines (U-boats) versus the combat ships of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Britain’s Royal Navy, and the Royal
By Gregory Fremont-Barnes, Osprey Publishing, UK (2011). Reviewed by Captain John A. Rodgaard USN (Ret.) Osprey Publishing’s Campaign Series of books are noted for their concise quality in conveying military history. One of their latest offerings, written by Dr. Gregory Fremont-Barnes, is no exception. Nile 1798: Nelson’s First Great Victory is well laid-out; succinctly written
By Jerry Miller, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, ( 2010) Reviewed by Charles Bogart This well-written and crafted book is an insider’s look at how the United States’ strategic nuclear weapon stockpile grew from three weapons in 1945 to over 10,000 in 1980 and then began to shrink to its present level of some 2,000.
By Angus Konstam, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, England, (2011). Reviewed by Charles Bogart For the past decade, Osprey Publishing has been producing high quality, well illustrated books on various military affairs. This book is part of their Raid Series and tells the story of Sir Francis Drake’s raid on Spanish possessions in the Caribbean Sea. With
