short and concise, divided into chapters each dealing with a particular topic; Robert Brigham's book is a good introduction to gain an understanding oshort and concise, divided into chapters each dealing with a particular topic; Robert Brigham's book is a good introduction to gain an understanding of this very ignored topic within the Vietnam War. Taking up subjects such as draft, the South Vietnamese government's use of the ARVN almost as a personal bodyguard and family life - this is an incomplete yet good introduction....more
Its primary focus is on war crimes committed by the US during the Vietnam War, but it does so much more. It explains why these crimes happened, what pIts primary focus is on war crimes committed by the US during the Vietnam War, but it does so much more. It explains why these crimes happened, what policies and factors led to the Vietnam War, the standard operation procedures on the ground as well as taking in every considerable factor on the way: from the grunt on the ground to the highest ranking general. It discusses things such as cover ups, trials, body counting and also crimes of the North Vietnamese. But the most important thing about this book is that it puts everything in its proper context....more
Another excellent introductory text, more detailed than Morgan. Also provides the best clarification of the unholy mess that is terminology in early MAnother excellent introductory text, more detailed than Morgan. Also provides the best clarification of the unholy mess that is terminology in early Mongol government. If that makes it seem dry let me assure you the book isn't, it very readable and very well informed....more
Be warned this book is very dry, mainly of interest to someone who already knows a fair amount about the Mongols. It basically takes an in depth look Be warned this book is very dry, mainly of interest to someone who already knows a fair amount about the Mongols. It basically takes an in depth look at the the exchange of goods, ideas and people between Yuan China and the Ilkhanate (based in Iran), two states ruled by Mongol dynasties descended from Genghis Khan. It's fantastically detailed, or horrifically detailed depending on perspective, and provides an unparalleled examination of exactly what was and wasn't transferred by the Mongols, the agency by which things were transferred and how much influence these new ideas, goods, etc, had....more
As the title says, a sourcebook, not an in-depth guide. It covers everything, from arms and armour of the samurai, to their strategies, tactics, a couAs the title says, a sourcebook, not an in-depth guide. It covers everything, from arms and armour of the samurai, to their strategies, tactics, a couple famous battles and conflicts, as well as a few maps that, whilst not the best, are understandable. If you're looking for an in-depth analysis, this isn't the best book, as it really only shines in terms of it's accurate references. Still a good read, though....more
A great book that goes far more into detail than most people could wish for surrounding, well, samurai and Japanese warfare. Clears up a lot of myths A great book that goes far more into detail than most people could wish for surrounding, well, samurai and Japanese warfare. Clears up a lot of myths found especially in pop culture, which is something that I found very useful. It also covers the weapons and equipment used during war, how these were used, how battles were conducted, as well as the contextual values of medieval Japan, such as reputation, honour, loyalty, mixed in with deception and lies. Definitely worth the read, although some precursory knowledge would be recommended to get the most out of this book....more
a history of the colonial expansion of ethnic Japanese ("wajin") north into the island we now call Hokkaido, and the impact of war, famine and diseasea history of the colonial expansion of ethnic Japanese ("wajin") north into the island we now call Hokkaido, and the impact of war, famine and disease on the aboriginal inhabitants they conquered and assimilated....more
Osprey publishers have a wide variety of awesome military histories. You wouldn't be likely to find this in a college classroom, but that can be a pluOsprey publishers have a wide variety of awesome military histories. You wouldn't be likely to find this in a college classroom, but that can be a plus. It's not a hard read, but extremely informative....more
Fairly straightforward. Not just China but basically every major Asian conflict. It is a behemoth of information that has been collected from far and Fairly straightforward. Not just China but basically every major Asian conflict. It is a behemoth of information that has been collected from far and wide for the reader's convenience. It covers history, provides detailed and cited statistics, and gives insight to culture, art, social chances and upheavals, family and even romantic impact from living during all these wars. An excellent reference....more
In this series of essays on the Paraguayan War, many Latin American scholars present readable surveys of the causes, course, and effects of the War o In this series of essays on the Paraguayan War, many Latin American scholars present readable surveys of the causes, course, and effects of the War of the Triple Alliance, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the nineteenth century. The essays examine the war from Paraguayan, Brazilian, Uruguayan, and Argentine perspectives....more
This book gives an account of the Latin American wars of independence, focusing especially on the unique personalities who helped make independence a This book gives an account of the Latin American wars of independence, focusing especially on the unique personalities who helped make independence a reality. It is accessible and is an excellent place to start learning about the independence period. Because of its scope, the events in the book can get confusing at times. But then again, the revolutions were very confusing because so much was happening at once in different parts of Latin America. Keep in mind that this work surveys one particular historiographical view of independence by presenting the men and women at the top who led it politically and intellectually. Other interpretations of the period exist in specialist literature....more
Flawed, incomplete and with a "limited" amount of sources (considering the topic), still one of the best books on the ordinary combat soldier during tFlawed, incomplete and with a "limited" amount of sources (considering the topic), still one of the best books on the ordinary combat soldier during the Vietnam War. From training to the field, taking in psychological as well as physical factors - this book is the best thing we got right now for an understanding on what the American combat soldier had to endure during the Vietnam War....more