By Col. William D. Bushnell, USMC (Ret)
From the (very) early days of sailing to the history of World War I and the bravery of World War II – along with some survival and leadership skills that apply to this day – these classic books will make a great addition to your reading list this year.
You can purchase the books from the title links below – note that some links may point to updated versions / new editions. None of this quarter’s selections have audiobooks available. MOAA is an Amazon Associate and earns money on qualifying purchases, with proceeds supporting the MOAA Foundation.
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By David F. Burg and L. Edward Purcell. University Press of Kentucky, 1998.
Authors Burg and Purcell (World Calendar of the American Revolution) produced an excellent one-volume history of World War I, a day-by-day account of events in all theaters of war.
Along with a wonderful introduction by William Manchester, the calendar is well supplemented with maps, photographs, illustrations, sidebars, and a comprehensive bibliography. Learn what happened in Africa in June 1915 and Mesopotamia in March 1918. Excellent reference material.
Combat Leader’s Field Guide
Stackpole Books, 1980.
Compiled by instructors at the US Army Academy, this pocket-sized book contains technical, administrative, management, and leadership information intended for the infantry or any force that must fight as infantry.
Sections include issues such as human movement, battlefields, compass and map reading, rapid and deliberate attacks, patrolling, prisoners of war, field communications, landmines and troop leadership. Great detail to use for small parts in any theater, under any conditions. This review is for the ninth edition; New additions are available.
Infantry Journal Press, 1946.
Six war writers write about the six Marine Corps divisions (1 through 6) that fought in the Pacific during World War II. Written by reporters who were with those divisions in places like Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Bougainville, New Britain, Peleliu, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, their stories tell of ambushes, patrols, attacks, and actions large and small.
From privates to military commanders, these were men whose bravery under fire showed that “extraordinary strength was a common trait.”
Written by Bill Merrill. Arco Publishing Co., 1978.
Merrill’s 36 years as a desert gardener gives him the knowledge and ability to provide livelihoods for soldiers and civilians who find themselves in any environment – hot, cold, water, mountains, deserts, even in water.
Simple, detailed instructions cover how to make a shelter; prepare a fire and cook food; live on plants, animals and fish; and show. A special woodworking chapter covers how to tie knots and use tools such as a knife and an axe. Sound advice for anyone who wants to live outdoors.
Written by Henrik Willem Van Loon. Simon and Schuster, 1935.
Master historian Van Loon describes the world’s maritime history in 17 chapters, from the first Pacific and Mediterranean sailors and their ships through the ages of exploration, discovery, and imperialism. He also talks about how ships were made and progress over the centuries, as well as stories of men who went to sea in reed boats, Chinese giant ships, sailing ships, floating castles, warships and steamships.
Other interesting topics include sailing techniques, navigation, marine mechanics, piloting and naval warfare. Van Loon is a great storyteller – and he can be funny too.
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