The frankest, most authoritative look yet inside the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq--how we prepared, how we fought--and what's happening now on these two fronts.
The Book Raises Vital Questions Of War And Peace And Identifies The Key Players Who Will Determine What Conditions Shall Prevail In The 21St Century South Asia. It Traces The Evolution Of Modern Armies And Assesses, How Well Prepared The Indian Army Is To Face The Challenges Ahead. The Author S Reviews Of The Years 2001 And 2002, When He Was In Command Of The Indian Army, Will Be Read With Considerable Interest, As India And Pakistan Came To The Brink Of War, In 2002. He Examines The Concept Of War For Validity And Ability To Solve Problems In The Modern Era And Concludes That Some Form Of A Warfare Will Continue. He Presents A Scenario Of A Future War And Draws Lessons From The Plans And Actions Of The Belligerants. He Also Deals With Intelligence, At Length, Cross-Border Terrorism And Media Management. His Pleading For The Concept Of Chief Of The Defence Staff (Cds) Will Be Of Special Interests For The Policy Makers, Defence Administrators And Readers At Large. His Views On Political Control Of The Army And The Linkage Between Foreign Policy And National Security Will Evoke Considerable Interest And Perhaps Some Controversy. The Chapters Dealing With The Soldiers Of India And Pakistan, Provide An Insight Into Their Psyche. The Chapter`Piece De Resistance , Of The Book I.E. `Is Peace Breaking Out In South Asia? Has Been Dealt With Balance And Candour And Will Provide The People And The Leaders Of Both India And Pakistan With Some Food For Thought.
Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller of powerful life lessons "should be read by every leader in America" (Wall Street Journal). If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, "What starts here changes the world," he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better. Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments. "Powerful." --USA Today "Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault." --Washington Post "Superb, smart, and succinct." --Forbes
Whether putting Generals Burnside, Hooker, and Robert E. Lee in their place, or listening to foul-mouthed General Sherman, Hiram Ulysses S. 'Useless' Grant offers an amusingly warped perspective on the Civil War.
A Warrior-Actor's Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back Fahim Fazli is a man of two worlds: Afghanistan, the country of his birth, and America, the nation he adopted and learned to love. He’s also a man who escaped oppression, found his dream profession, and then paid it all forward by returning to Afghanistan as an interpreter with the U.S. Marines. When Fahim speaks, the story he tells is harrowing, fascinating, and inspiring. Born and raised in Kabul, Fahim saw his country and family torn apart by revolution and civil war. Dodging Afghan authorities and informers with his father and brother, Fahim made his way across the border to Pakistan and then to America. After reuniting with his mother, sisters, and another brother, he moved to California with dreams of an acting career. After 15 turbulent years that included two unsuccessful arranged marriages to Afghan brides, he finally qualified for membership in the Screen Actors Guild—and found true American love. Though Fahim's California life was happy and rewarding, he kept thinking about the battlefields of Afghanistan. Haunted by a desire to serve his adopted country, he became a combat linguist. While other interpreters opted for safe assignments, Fahim chose one of the most dangerous: working with the Leathernecks in embattled Helmand Province, where his outgoing personality and deep cultural understanding made him a favorite of both Marines and local Afghans—and a pariah to the Taliban, who put a price on his head. Fahim Speaks is an inspiring story of perseverance and patriotism—and of the special love that one man developed for his adopted country. A gold medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America!
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A clear-eyed account of learning how to lead in a chaotic world, by General Jim Mattis—the former Secretary of Defense and one of the most formidable strategic thinkers of our time—and Bing West, a former assistant secretary of defense and combat Marine. “A four-star general’s five-star memoir.”—The Wall Street Journal Call Sign Chaos is the account of Jim Mattis’s storied career, from wide-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East. Along the way, Mattis recounts his foundational experiences as a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature of warfighting and peacemaking, the importance of allies, and the strategic dilemmas—and short-sighted thinking—now facing our nation. He makes it clear why America must return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles but fighting inconclusive wars. Mattis divides his book into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In the first part, Mattis recalls his early experiences leading Marines into battle, when he knew his troops as well as his own brothers. In the second part, he explores what it means to command thousands of troops and how to adapt your leadership style to ensure your intent is understood by your most junior troops so that they can own their mission. In the third part, Mattis describes the challenges and techniques of leadership at the strategic level, where military leaders reconcile war’s grim realities with political leaders’ human aspirations, where complexity reigns and the consequences of imprudence are severe, even catastrophic. Call Sign Chaos is a memoir of a life of warfighting and lifelong learning, following along as Mattis rises from Marine recruit to four-star general. It is a journey about learning to lead and a story about how he, through constant study and action, developed a unique leadership philosophy, one relevant to us all.
Looking back, this book is a perfect blend of the memoirs of an innocent Kashmiri boy, a chemical-but-turned-out-to-be-mechanical engineer, a cadet, a shuffling army officer and surveyor. From snow-covered lands of Kashmir to the vast ice masses of Antarctica, from times spent in college to life at the Indian Military Academy, from a career spanning across ranks of the Indian army to years spent at the survey of India, the book encompasses within its pages learnings, teachings, experiences, contributions, and rewards along life's journey. The book and the author take you on a gripping journey through the dangerous Naga Hills, the mysterious and ever so unknown continent of Antarctica, as well as on foreign tours of strategic importance to the United States, Pakistan, China, and Russia. The authors firsthand views on the contentious and sensitive issue of Sir Creek, as part of the Indian delegation to Pakistan, sure sheds a realistic insight on this matter of both national and international importance. Is the book an added value? You bet! It is a perfect blend of "how to," "what to," and "when to." Be it conquering one's simple fears or the ever-so-difficult act of quitting smoking, be it chasing your dreams or the need to deliver your best, this book sure has valuable take backs for all.
Absorbing, scholarly study of the portrayal in nearly 200 movies and TV episodes of the least visible disabled group in American society. Includes the first filmography (annotated) of films designed for general audiences that deal with deafness or include a deaf character in a mator or pivotal role. For all film study collections. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR