On War
I love military history. It's one of my true passions that has never dulled for one second over the course of my life. If anything, as I have grown older, this passion has grown. I remember reading big books about World War II, you know, the ones with tons of pictures and maps that are always on clearance at Barnes and Noble, back when I was ten. Putting yourself in the trenches in World War I, or in the Valley of Death at Gettysburg, or in the shattered ruins of Stalingrad...there is nothing quite like it. The human trauma of war is something that should never be taken lightly, and in so many ways war is a paradox. It is humankind's greatest and worst creation. So many heroic and near-mythic acts are part of war. On the other hand, some of the world's worst acts are committed for God, King, or Country. To study military history is to study ourselves at our best and worst.
I wanted to share with you some of the media, both book and film, that I have found indispensable in studying this fascinating subject. Emphasis is on World War II; my favorite part of history. Why? Well, like many of you I had several veterans of the war in my family so there is a personal connection. I also feel this truly was our greatest generation (props to Brokaw). Teenagers who did nothing less than save the world from darkness; almost Tolkien in essence. Amazing stuff.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer
The first serious book I read about one of the greatest evils of the 20th Century. Shirer was a correspondent for CBS who lived in Nazi Germany until 1940. His account reads like a novel rather than dry history, and is simply a page-turner. No one book can adequately convey the horror of the Third Reich, but no other one volume has done it so well.
The Face of Battle
The Mask of Command
The Price of Admiralty, by John Keegan
The "holy trinity" of military history. Keegan is Britain's most notable military historian, and his three volumes covering land warfare, naval warfare, and command are a must-read for any serious student. The Face of Battle discusses the evolution of land warfare by analyzing various battles while The Price of Admiralty does the same thing for naval warfare. My favorite, The Mask of Command, goes behind the mask of military leaders to discover what makes a good and bad leader during times of war.
The Civil War: A Narrative, by Shelby Foote
Foote's three volume set is by far the most enjoyable overall history of the American Civil War ever written. Foote is a good ol' boy from Mississippi, and his antebellum southern charm comes through in his addictive writing. In particular, the section discussing the Battle of Gettysburg, "Stars in Their Courses", is both vivid and emotional in impact and historical accuracy.
When Titans Clashed; How the Red Army Stopped Hitler, by David M. Glantz
Glantz is the best historian covering the Soviet Union before and during World War II. The war between Nazi Germany and Soviet Union was the single largest military struggle of all time, and this book nails the reasons for the Nazi's failure and Soviet's success. Strips away tons of myths and assumptions about supposed German superiority and invincibility. A serious work, but still very readable.
The Forgotten Soldier, by Guy Sajer
First person accounts are a dime a dozen, but no other book has captured the heat of battle quite as well as this one. Whether liberties with the truth were taken or not (quite a controversy exists as to whether or not Sajer served with the unit described) one cannot deny the emotional impact of this book. You can smell the battlefield as Sajer recounts the exploits of a famous German division fighting the Red Army on the Eastern Front in World War II. Told from the frontline soldier's point of view with no political motivation.
Meditations, by Emperor Marcus Aurelius
A philosophy book written by a Roman Emperor? You bet. The Stoic philosophy defined every aspect of Roman society; especially in the training of their famous legions. The Roman legion dominated warfare for hundreds of years, and the rock-solid discipline hammered into their soldiers had a great deal to do with that success. Aurelius's masterpiece of philosophy is a good way to put yourself in their shoes.
Band of Brothers (book and miniseries)
Citizen Soldiers, by Stephen Ambrose
Ambrose is a great historian, even if some of his books were not as good as his World War II stuff. These two examples are some of the best books on the American experience in World War II in Europe. Band of Brothers was used as the basis for the HBO mini-series of the same name. It tells the story of a company of paratroopers from their early training until the end of the war. Citizen Soldiers is a more generic depiction of the U.S. Army's experience in Europe. Like Foote's Civil War books Ambrose combines solid history and readability which is rare thing in the genre.
Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle, by Richard Frank
Guadalcanal was the greatest battle of the Pacific War in World War II. Both on sea and land the armies and navies of the Empire of Japan and the United States did battle to the death for dominance over an insignificant piece of real estate. Places like Henderson Field, Savo Island, Ironbottom Sound, and Edson's Ridge became legendary in military history. Victory by the United States ensured victory over Japan, though it took three more grueling years of no-quarter battle to achieve this forgone conclusion. This book covers all aspects of the battle better than any other single history.
The First World War, by John Keegan
This general history of World War I is Keegan at his best. I read the whole thing in one sitting. World War I is the saddest excuse for a war humanity ever came up with, and the millions who died in terrible trench warfare could attest to the futility of it all. The narrative can sometimes be dry as a martini in places, but the essence of the war and it's insanity come through loud and clear.
Saving Private Ryan, Directed by Steven Spielberg
One has never seen battle on film until one has seen the first twenty minutes of "Saving Private Ryan". Ambrose's book, D-Day: June 6th, 1944: The Climatic Battle of World War II, was used as the main source for this movie. While it takes huge historical leaps and liberties the authentic flavor of battle is what this movie is all about. No one interested in the subject should miss this film.
Triumph of the Will, Directed by Leni Riefenstahl
Hitler's masterwork of propaganda. Depicts the Nazi Party's Nuremberg rally in 1934. Watch it because it will show you, beyond any shadow of doubt, why millions of German's set aside their humanity to follow a demon into hell. Note: Not an endorsement of the message.
Paths of Glory, Directed by Stanley Kubrick
I love this World War I antiwar film even more than the better known "All Quiet on the Western Front". The horror of World War I is summed up perfectly in this film which stars Kirk Douglas in an unforgettable performance of a man fighting against his own army. One of the greatest closing arguments ever shot on screen should make mandatory viewing for trial lawyers.
Patton, Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
General George S. Patton was America's greatest field general of World War II. A perfect study of the man, myth, and legend. As much a study in personality as a war movie. Patton exemplifies the best and worst of us, just like war itself. George C. Scott gave a performance of a lifetime, and the best opening scene of any movie in history (IMO).
Tora!, Tora!, Tora!, Directed by Richard Fleischer and Kinji Fukasaku
A boring telling of the Pearl Harbor attack unless you're a history buff, but no doubt the most accurate Pacific theatre movie made up until "The Pacific" mini-series. Interesting note: The American and Japanese portions of the film were shot separately allowing directors to show both perspectives so it's almost two movies in one. It's a history lesson, but a good one.
We Were Soldiers, Directed by Randall Wallace
An amazing film based on the book by the unit's commanding officer. The best Vietnam movie, IMO. A great study in command and courage. Some may find it a bit over the top with the "Ra, Ra, Ra," nature of the story. I think that's forgivable considering the tone of films like "Platoon" and "Apocalypse Now".
Gettysburg, Directed by Ronald F. Maxwell
A mostly accurate re-telling of the great American Civil War battle. Based on the historical novel, The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara. A battle as massive as Gettysburg is very hard to portray in a film, but this one does it skillfully by focusing on the key players, and sticking to the bigger pieces of the battle. Interesting Note: Ted Turner plays an extra, and takes a bullet during Pickett's Charge, the film's climatic scene. He paid for the film, so I guess he was entitled.
The Grey Zone, Directed by Tim Blake Nelson
"Schindler's List" is the obvious choice for a Holocaust film, but I prefer my martini straight up. "The Grey Zone" is uncomfortable to watch from beginning to end, but should be required viewing for all students. It's movies like this that remind us all how fragile our humanity and freedom are, and how quickly they can be snuffed out in a blink of an eye.
Glory, Directed by Edward Zwick
My favorite war movie of all time. Beautiful cinematography and music. Performances from Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman are Oscar worthy. The history is solid, and told with so much emotional impact you will not be dry-eyed by the end. Some movies are about the American Civil War; this was the war. Incredible.
