History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

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The Iron man's side of civil war
HEAVY IS THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE IRON MASK
Iron Man it's good.
First Iron Man book
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could...

Civil War: Iron Man
Brian Michael Bendis , Daniel Knauf , Charlie Knauf , and Christos Gage
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785123148

Book Description

Two tales of suspense ripped from the pages of Civil War! Captain America has fallen into a clash with his government and his friends, and the people close to him are paying the price. The life of Cap's girlfriend, Agent 13, is torn apart as her superiors use her divided loyalties against her. Elsewhere, a new villain emerges; the Red Skull begins to make himself known; and the Winter Soldier again comes face-to-face with Cap. Meanwhile, get inside the mind of of Tony Stark, and learn why he feels superhuman registration is necessary - and why he's taken it upon himself to lead the charge for its implementation! Big changes are in store for Iron Man in the post-Civil War landscape, and the build-up begins here! Collects Captain America #22-24, Iron-Man #13-14 and Iron Man/Captain America Special.

Customer Reviews:

The Iron man's side of civil war.......2007-08-20

The story explains the past, present and future of the relationship between Iron Man and Captain America, the art is really good, it is not the best civil war tide in but it is good.

HEAVY IS THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE IRON MASK.......2007-08-19

THIS WAS WHAT CAPTAIN AMERICA TPB SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE.THIS IS TONY STARK STILL CONFLICTED AFTER EVERYTHING HAS HAPPENED.LOOKS BACK AT SOME INTERESTING TIMES IN IRON MANS HISTORY THAT HELPS ADD WEIGHT TO HIS VIEWS ON THE WHOLE WAR.MANAGES TO KEEP IRON MAN FROM TURNING INTO A BAD GUY LEADER BUT DID MAKE MY HEAD SPIN A BIT WITH STORIES CONFUSING ME.STILL DONT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH CAPTAIN AMERICAS DEATH,EVEN AFTER 11 OF THESE CIVIL WAR BOOKS,MAYBE NEXT ONE WILL SOLVE THAT.IF YOU HAVENT GOT THIS BOOK AND YOUR LOOKING FOR C/W EXPANSION THIS IS GOOD BUT AS WITH EVERY OTHER TITLE BESIDES THE MAIN CIVIL WAR BOOK,IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL.

Iron Man it's good........2007-08-09

Story was great. I don't want to spoil it, but there are good flashbacks and although it is an IM comic, it defends Caps side too. I don't like Iron Man (especially cause of what he did in Civil War), but this is a great read.

First Iron Man book.......2007-08-05

This was the second time I had read any Iron Man and it prompted me to go and get more. It was a great tie-in and really defined who Iron Man is. I think.

I'd give it a 3.5 if I could..........2007-08-02

A mixed bag... This thin volume ties the "Civil War" saga in with Iron Man's own continuity, to mostly muted effect. There are some off-the-battlefield encounters between Iron Man and Captain America that are a little illuminating, but, like much of "Civil War," a bit top-heavy and ultimately uninvolving. The are also a couple of stories that are mired in the never-ending minutae of the Tony Stark tycoon saga -- you'd think if they were going to make him the dramatic crux of the entire "Civil War" crossover, they'd give Stark a little time off from the same-old, same-old, at least for a couple of issues... As it was, there's a lot of "who cares?" until the end, when Michael Bendis steps in and delivers "The Confession," a powerful soliloquy delivered by Iron Man over the corpse of a fallen Captain America... That part is impressive, but overall, this book demonstrates the paucity and forced, incohesive feel of the full "Civil War" arc... It's okay, but not really all that great. This is one of the better books in the series, but I still wouldn't call it a great book.

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Iron Tigers go to war
Outstanding modern war fiction
A very good book to follow up "Tin Soldiers".
Another good military thirller, that will keep you engrosssed until you finish it
Farmer's Iron Tigers

Iron Tigers
Michael Farmer
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0451212622
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Book Description

From the bestselling author of Tin Soldiers torn from tomorrow's headlines-a cutting edge novel of a new World War.

In the wake of the second Gulf War comes the revelation of shifting alliances in the Middle East. In Iraq, a stable new government has become a major global player rich with oil. OPEC has been redefined and the Saudis are left standing on the sidelines. But Russia is in turmoil. A hard-line Communist is in control, vowing to return Russia to its former power. His first move is to coerce the Saudi Crown Prince into a coalition to corner the world's oil market. His next is to assert his country's military power with a sudden act of aggression. It's time for the tanks to roll.

Customer Reviews:

Iron Tigers go to war.......2007-03-14

After the events in Tin Soldiers, the new Iraqi government is a friend and ally to the US. The political ground in the Middle East has shifted, with the Saudi government distancing themselves from Americas political sphere to ally themselves with Russia.

The Russian government has turned hardline again and is looking to expand their sphere of influence. The Saudis, having lost prestige and power with the new Iraqi regime taking center stage in OPEC and the Middle East, are desperate to regain their former position. It is an alliance destined to take that part of the world into the flames of war.

The same cast of characters are back for this book, with the addition of a few new people. Most interesting is Rolf Krieger, an East German immigrant with a burning hatred of Russia and Phantom, a Jack Russell Terrier, that has fight and spunk. His story is an integral part of the book.

Yet again the tactics and story are sound and enjoyable. The pacing is fast and the action hard hitting. Another good read for fans of military fiction.

Outstanding modern war fiction.......2005-10-01

This is not a techno thriller - it is a modern war novel about soldiers and the situations in which they find themselves.
Granted, the reasons for the war improbable, but not necessarily implausible. And anyway, when you're a soldier, it doesn't matter - you're there to do a job, and this book is about that. Notable points:
1) I liked the characters and found the dialogue interesting and realistic. That's the way soldiers talk. LANGUAGE WARNING: RATED R.
2) I found it easy to read. Unlike other novels, whose pages number nearly 1000, it didn't take half a year to read. And there is enough about modern armor tactics to be interesting. This novel was different from Tin Soldiers (Farmer's previous book) in that it spent more time describing the Recon Scouts, and the action they saw, as well as the destruction wrought by the modern tank company and other modern weapon systems.
3) There's intrigue and high level diplomacy. This part I could take or leave, but it made for an interesting read. However, the best action happens from the soldier's perspective.
4) The story is told both from the officer's perspective (battalion level meetings and politics), as well as the soldier's perspective. Mistakes are made, commanders are relieved, and soldiers perform feats of bravery and daring.
5) There's a love interest as well.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

A very good book to follow up "Tin Soldiers"........2005-09-10

Many writers start out writing good, but when they write a follow up book, that book is not near as good. That is not so with this book. "Iron Tigers" is a must read for anybody who has read Farmer's first book, "Tin Soldiers". This book is great as a stand alone, but it is even better along with "Tin Soldiers" because there are several references in "Iron Tigers" to the war that takes place in the first book.

This is definitely quality writing, although it was not perfect (besides the fact that it is ANOTHER book about the Americans v. the Russians). Some of the material was somewhat unbelievable and other parts were a little amateurish sounding. Other than that, this book had very little swearing and there were some situations that had some very unexpected results.

This book also was a bit ordinary as a war story in that it had the usual love story sub-plot. Also the main "hero" (Pat Dillon) came out fine while a friend was killed almost right beside him, and other tanker groups got chewed up while his men lost only a few tanks.
On the other hand, Dillon did not come out unharmed, in that, when his friend was killed, he was injured, and he did have his tank blown up so it is not totally unfair.

All that said, this was a very good book following another great book. It is a definite "page-turner" that holds your interest. It is well worth both your time and your money. I would definitely recommend that you get this book, and if you don't have "Tin Soldiers", I would recommend that you get that book also. Read and enjoy.

Another good military thirller, that will keep you engrosssed until you finish it.......2005-08-24

Steel Tigers surprised me, I thought that after Robert Coyle, I would never be able to read another Tanker Novel.
Well Farmer is well on his way to to scooping Harold who I think thee days would find Farmer tough competition.
I can't wait for Faarmer to get fully inot his stride, then I will buy all his books

Farmer's Iron Tigers.......2005-08-08

Enjoyable read. Not as good as Coyle in character or plot development but still an exciting read.

REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN: On the Possibility and Desirability of Peace

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An Alleged Antimilitarist Hoax (Or is it?).
Deviant but brilliant !!
it was LEAKED: LATER the later spin was that it was a "hoax"
Be Prepared if Peace Breaks Out
first read this in college, had to read again.

REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN: On the Possibility and Desirability of Peace
Leonard C. Lewin
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 068482390X

Amazon.com

From 1963 to 1966 the U.S. government assembled a team of prominent thinkers from all walks of life to determine what would happen if "peace broke out." The group, surprisingly but with unassailable logic, determined that war was necessary and desirable and that the government should do all it could to maintain the status quo. If peace became inevitable, the report suggested everything from creating an outer-space menace to setting up some new, socially acceptable form of slavery. The report was leaked in 1967 by a conference member harboring a guilty conscience, and it scandalized Washington.

Not.

The ultimate compliment for any form of political satire is to be taken seriously by the people it is skewering. On that scale Report from Iron Mountain, which has been a lightning rod for both Right and Left since its appearance, could hardly be more successful. The hoax, written in perfect think-tankese, captures the mix of Olympian detachment and awesome cynicism that has flowed out of Washington for much of the American Century. Lewin's book (and he really did write it) exposes the mindset that we can thank for Vietnam and so much else.

Report from Iron Mountain was bolstered, if not trumped, by reality--the Pentagon Papers and the Pax Americana, a Defense Department plan to take over Latin America, emerged soon after. But the book's enduring popularity, particularly among those who never got the joke (apparently Lewin had to sue to get right-wing groups convinced of the book's authenticity to stop printing and selling copies) suggests that the governmental worldview that Report from Iron Mountain lampoons--as well as the paranoia that that immorality unleashes in the citizenry--is very much with us. --Michael Gerber

Book Description

Unveils a hitherto top-secret report of a government commission that was requested to explore the consequences of lasting peace on American society. The shoching results of the study, as revealed in this report, led the government to conceal the existence of the commission - they had found that, among other things, peace may never be possible; that even if it were, it would probably be undesirable, that "defending the national interest" is not the real purpose of war; that war is necessary; that war deaths should be planned and budgeted. REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN tells the story of how the project was formed, how it operated, what happend to it. It includes the complet, verbatim text of the commission's hitherto classified report.

Customer Reviews:

An Alleged Antimilitarist Hoax (Or is it?)........2007-05-17

_Report From Iron Mountain: On the Possibility and Desirability of Peace_ first appeared in 1967 published by The Dial Press and claimed to be a government report compiled by leading scholars who met at Iron Mountain in New York on the possibility and desirability of peace following the Cold War. This edition is published by the Free Press in 1996 and makes the claim that the report itself was a hoax (a spoof on think tank jargon) and was written by Leonard C. Lewin. However, whether or not the report is actually a hoax is difficult to determine, as disinformation is a speciality of the government agencies which release such reports. It should be noted though that even if the report itself is a hoax, that it nevertheless represents the kind of thinking that is typical of the elites. Unfortunately, in the Introduction to this book, written by Victor Navasky, we are treated to the usual establishment apologetics with much fustian about "paranoid ultraright conspiracy theorists", "militiamen", and "right wing libertarian weirdos". Such commentary is all-too-typical and should be simply ignored by anyone who has a working brain and dares to think outside the box. The report itself composes the majority of this book, followed by an afterword by the "author" and some appendices on the "Iron Mountain Affair". It is alleged that when L.B.J. discovered that this report had been "leaked" that he "hit the roof". And, this represents the typical reaction of government officials to those who dare to challenge their reigning hegemony.

The report claims for itself to have been received by Leonard C. Lewin from one "John Doe", who leaked the report to him after it was compiled by 15 leading scholars who met in secret. (Later, Lewin would claim that the entire thing was a hoax and that he wrote the report himself. Whether or not this is accurate is of course difficult to determine.) The report claims that it represents a sort of "peace games" study similar to the "war games" played by the Rand Corporation. The report claims to be a study examining the central issue of the transformation of American society from one in which there is a constant readiness to make war to one in which peace would be sustainable. However, the findings of this report are such that a lasting peace is neither desirable nor sustainable that is most disturbing. Following the Cold War (under constant threat of turning "hot"), the United States entered a period in which disarmament became an option. The author(s) first consider various scenarios under which disarmament may occur, including effects of disarmament on the economy (potentially highly negative). The author(s) next consider war and peace as social systems. Following this, they turn to a discussion of the functions of war. The first function of war is economic, in the sense that the author(s) claim that rather than being a "drain" or producing "waste", war actually vitalizes the economy and provides protection against depressions. The second function of war is political, in the sense that the author(s) claim that the elimination of war would lead to the elimination of the nation-state and that war provides a safeguard against class conflict. The third function of war is sociological, in the sense that the author(s) claim that war gives rise to social cohesion and serves as a means of controlling social dissidence and destructive antisocial tendencies. The fourth function of war is ecological, in the sense that the author(s) claim that war serves as an evolutionary device for maintaining an ecological balance between human population and the supplies available for its survival. The fifth function of war is cultural and scientific, in the sense that the
author(s) claim that creative arts and scientific and technological progress are made possible by war. Finally, the author(s) include a section entitled "Other", where they consider war as a general social release, war as a generational stabilizer, war as an ideological clarifier, and war as the basis for inter-national understanding. The author(s) then consider substitutes for the functions of war. These include economic (social-welfare expenditures, the problem of unemployment, health, education, housing, etc.), political (mentioning the possibility of uniting experiences, "alternate enemies" such as space aliens, and the flying saucer phenomenon), sociological (Peace Corps and Job Corps, but also more bizarre phenomena such as human sacrifice among primitive cultures, blood games, and inquisitions), ecological (birth control and eugenics), and cultural and scientific (creative arts, science, and space-related research). The author(s) conclude that each of these substitutes is fraught with difficulties and thus it will be necessary to continue maintenance of government control over war and peace.

This report is infamous for what it has to say about the possibilities of peace. It would seem that the author(s) (noted high government officials and scholars of repute) believe that a lasting peace is neither possible nor desirable. For those who doubt this on the other hand, it would appear that such officials cynically manipulate the public so as to consolidate their own power within the military-industrial complex. If war is indeed a sort of "make-work" project similar to the Great Pyramids of ancient Eygpt, then it remains to be seen whether or not a lasting peace cannot be achieved. This book is highly recommended for those who seriously consider the possibilities of war and peace. Despite the fact that it is alleged to be a hoax, it nevertheless has much to say to us about the thinking and direction in which the global elites intend to take us.

Deviant but brilliant !!.......2006-04-02

Hoax or reality, this report sheds a clear light on the process of elitist thinking and planning. It did not only predict but planned our future. The present situation in the world is the greatest proof of the authenticity of this report.
It's a book worth reading. If you find it buy it...

it was LEAKED: LATER the later spin was that it was a "hoax".......2004-11-10

It's very real.

The foreword is only by Leonard Lewin. He is not the author. It was first published by the Dial Press, NY.

It is not a novel, but rather a report written by the members of a 15-man "Special Study Group" commissioned, they believe, by some governmental entity which wished to remain unknown. The report is addressed to that unknown requestor, the work of the group having been completed after about two and a half years of labor. The members of the group knew that they had been carefully screened and selected for the task, that they represented the highest levels of scholarship, experience, and expertise in a wide range of the physical and social sciences, that they possessed years of service in business, government, and academe, and that among them they had access to a vast proportion of the country's resources in the social and physical science fields. The Special Study Group was clearly possessed of outstanding establishmentarian credentials.

The book comes to us because one of the members of the group, identified only as John Doe, approached Mr. Lewin several months after the completed report had been submitted, and sought his help in getting the report commercially published, since he ("Doe") felt that the public had a right to be apprised of its existence, even though the group had previously agreed to keep it secret. Mr. Lewin, having agreed to serve in that capacity, wrote a foreword spelling out these circumstances and passing on what little he learned from "Doe" concerning the study's origin and its participants.

He further revealed his personal reaction to the conclusions of the report, conclusions which he said he does not share.

In Griffin's The Creature From Jekyll Island, he makes reference to The Report From Iron Mountain. I encourage you to read and absorb his interpretation, which has an emphasis somewhat different than this review. Griffin supplies evidence of the authenticity of the Report by quoting the written assertion to that effect by Harvard's establishmentarian professor John Kenneth Galbraith, who admitted to participating in the study in at least a consultative capacity.

I would also like to borrow from Griffin's conclusions concerning the study's importance. He asks why this study differs from any other think tank effort, and then writes (p. 525): "The answer is that this one was commissioned and executed, not by ivory tower dreamers and theoreticians, but by people who are in charge. It is the brainchild of the CFR....So many things that otherwise are incomprehensible suddenly become perfectly clear: foreign aid, wasteful spending, the destruction of American industry, a job corps, gun control, a national police force, the apparent demise of Soviet power, a UN army, disarmament, world bank, a world money, the surrender of national independence through treaties,..."

Be Prepared if Peace Breaks Out.......2003-11-10

The Foreword tells of a "Special Study Group" that produced a Secret Report. It concluded that "peace is not in the best interest of a stable society". The space program, the anti-ballistic missile, the fallout-shelter programs were all designed to spend vast sums of tax dollars. The purpose of this book is to explain "aspects of American policy otherwise incomprehensible by the ordinary standards of common sense", and warn about the schemes of the ruling class. But not all readers will appreciate this subtle satire. Does the "high uric acid" symbolize something wrong (p.xxii)?

Section 1 says their mission was to study the effects of peace on society. Section 2 tells of problems in converting war factories to peaceful use (p.22). Section 3 discusses the problems of disarmament: economic reinvestment, or "the non-military functions of war in modern societies" (p.25). Section 4 points out that plans for peace assume wars support the social systems. War resolves conflicts of interest between nations or classes (p.28). Since conflicts of interest are eternal, so is war. Peace is what breaks out between wars (p.29). Section 5 discusses the function of war: it is used by and for a ruling class to defend "the national interest". Its non-military function is to subject the economy to complete and arbitrary central control (p.35). It stabilizes the economy of industrial societies by creating an artificial demand, and protects against another depression. The civilian standard of living rose during WW II. A military force is needed both for a foreign policy, and to assure the legitimacy and existence of a government (p.39); it can absorb the unemployed. One item in this satire is to link restrictions on grain production in America to "famine in Asia"! Another is to claim a lower speed limit would save 40,000 lives a year (p.46)! But the funniest item is the claim that the Department of Defense is stockpiling birds (p.51)! "War is the principal motivational force for the development of science at every level." From poison gas to atomic bombs.

Section 6 says substitutes for the functions of war must be "wasteful", and operate free of the supply-demand system. All depressions occurred during low military spending (p.58). Alternatives to military spending are inadequate because they cost too little (p.60). The uncontrolled and arbitrary spending on space research make it a good alternative. The end of war would mean the end of national sovereignty. There would be no effective external pressure for a nation to organize itself politically. How to employ the unemployed? The WPA and CCC provide examples. An expanded prison system ("slavery"?) holds the unemployed. Do we need a "menacing social enemy" to serve a function? Would we need to re-create the Spanish Inquisition or witch hunts for "national security" (p.71)? Should procreation be limited to artificial insemination and laboratory embryos to control population levels (p.73)? Would birth control pills be put into water and essential foods? An excess population is war material (p.74). Would scientific progress cease in a peaceful world (p.78)? Section 7 has a Summary and Conclusions. War is not a means to an end but the purpose of modern societies. War has five non-military functions: economic, political, sociological, ecological, and cultural-scientific. They discuss the criteria, models, and evaluation of substitutes for the functions of war. "Genuine total peace ... would be destabilizing" (pp.90-91) Our government should plan for the possibility of a general peace because of its dangers to society (p.94). Section 8 has their recommendations. The best satire is the last sentence in the book (p.101). But the book seems to use a lot of words to say very little. It wasn't written by a George Orwell or Aldous Huxley.

first read this in college, had to read again........2002-09-10

still a very good satire on "what if" from the past. reads very quickly.

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A damn good read!!
A Primer on Honor
DOn't Even Attempt to Deny It- This Book Rocks Your Socks Off...Over and Over Again
Unbearable tension
Better than watching football

Angels in Iron
Nicholas C. Prata
Manufacturer: Arx Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1889758566
Release Date: 2004-04-01

Product Description

The year is AD 1523 and the island of Rhodes has just fallen to the Turks. Those sailing away in defeat from this captured bastion are members of an anachronistic crusading order called the Knights of St. John -- otherwise known as the Hospitallers. Among the dejected company is a stalwart young knight named Jean Parisot De La Valette. Were it up to him, the order would have defended the island to the bitter end. Forty-two years later, history has repeated itself. The Hospitallers are again besieged by the teeming armies of the relentless Turk. Their tiny island-fortress of Malta is all that stands between the armies of Suleiman and the very heart of Christendom. But this time the scenario is different -- La Valette wears the Grand Master's cape. Behind him stand the knights of his faithful order: men of incredible valor ready to "strike a blow for Christ" and sacrifice their lives to halt the invading Turks at the gates of Europe. What follows is a desperate struggle between East and West, Cross and Koran, faith and despair. Angels in Iron is based on the actual events surrounding the Siege of Malta in 1565. Nicholas C. Prata relates the tale in riveting and graphic prose which brings the extreme heroism of the knights and the unimaginable horror of combat sharply into focus. Prepare yourself for an epic adventure.

Customer Reviews:

A damn good read!!.......2007-04-25

This is just an exceptionally good read! It's chocked full of action that while graphic at times still has class about it. There's intrigue and side storylines to add to the overall interest. And, militarily speaking, it's realistic in that the reader is informed about how logistics and morale played as important a role in the final outcome of the siege as did weapons and tactics. I found it almost impossible to put down!

A Primer on Honor.......2006-11-04

What a wonderful book! It should be recommended reading for young men. It provides illustrations on what it meant to be a knight and the importance of onoring your family's name.

In today's myopic age of "it's all about me." Young people give little or no thought on how their actions or deeds reflect on their family. They are taught that humans are nothing more than animals and then society is shocked when our youth make heinous headlines.

This book is a good start at an antidote.

DOn't Even Attempt to Deny It- This Book Rocks Your Socks Off...Over and Over Again.......2006-06-04

Look, here's what I got to say about Prata's book: magnificent.

Period.
End of story.
There is no debating this- you can'y deny its greatness. It's almost like someone witnessed a retard beating an obnoxious genius in a game of chess- and managed to put it into a book. If you're into Crusader history, you will flip out over the unimaginable, mind-blowing magnitutde that is this book. If you don't like history- too bad, you're going to be swept up in its masculinity anyway. Oh yeah, that's right- I said masculinity. This book is so manly that even the most lesbian of lesbians and feminine of feminists will be forced to read slack-jawed for hours at the events of this book. At the end of it all, you'll feel your heart pound as its literally breaks in mid-motion, resulting in a keeling motion that ends with you sprawled out on the floor, gasping for air as you try to comprehend the splendor and literary majesty of this book. Seriously, folks- this book is so good it will leave you in need of a new change of trousers- every time you look/think/read/talk/fantasize about "Angels in Iron". In short, I would recommend this book be cumpolsory read in public/private schools for grades K-12, then, for every college student again; finally, I would make it mandatory reading for anyone that
A)Gets married
B)Is alive/dead
C)Eats
D)Breathes

And there you have the sum of it. Basically, this is the Keanu Reeves of books. ANY books. Period. End of story. Exclamation point.

Unbearable tension.......2006-01-18

The funny thing is that I knew what the outcome of the battle was before I read this book as probably did most other readers. Yet I don't think I've read a book so quickly in my life. I couldn't stop turning page after page with my heart in my throat to see if yet another Turkish charge could be repelled by the battered defenders near the end of their rope, or whether the unrelenting Turkish bombardment would stop, or whether the Spanish relief force would arrive. The vivid battle descriptions were beyond gripping. Picture Saruman's attack on Helm's Deep or Sauron's army at Gondor and you may get an idea, only this really did happen between humans, and went on for months on end. I got to really care about the main characters and to wish they all could survive to the end (unfortunately most didn't). I could go on and on. This book is an absolute narrative jewel.

On a sideline, it is regrettable how this glorious clash remains obscure in our American culture since most of us probably would not have been interested in picking up this book without prior knowledge. But unlike the Crusades, there are no PC issues in this struggle: The Christians were unquestionably the "good guys" and the Muslims were unquestionably the "bad guys". The Christians were attacked in their own homeland and they only sought to defend themselves from Muslim expansionism. Having said that, though he clearly is partial to the Chrsitians, the author gives a very evenhanded portrayal of the Turks.

This battle must be the greatest testament to what sheer willpower and determination can accomplish. It is also a great lesson as to how the ultimate result of a battle can completely depend on the very earliest dispositions.

JUST GET THIS BOOK!

Better than watching football.......2006-01-16

There are few things I enjoy more than the NFL Playoffs. However, once I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down even to watch the Steelers surprise the Colts. Prata brings to life the events surrounding the Moslem siege at Malta. Although it is focused on the Christian's perspective, he also provides glimpses of what the Moslems endured.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys military history. Just make sure you have some time to spend on it since it'll capture you from the first page.

Iron Fist (Star Wars: X-Wing Series, Book 6)

Average customer rating:

More Wraiths
Best of Allston's x-wing books!
Another excellent X-Wing novel
a worthwhile entry in the X-Wing series
Excelent continuation of the X-Wing series!

Iron Fist (Star Wars: X-Wing Series, Book 6)
Aaron Allston
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553578979
Release Date: 1998-07-06

Amazon.com

Listening to books in the X-Wing series is a lot like listening to the classic radio dramas that are Star Wars' wellspring. Words, music, and sounds create a vibrant world in the mind's eye, full of action and suspense. Tony Award nominee Anthony Heald (Anything Goes and Love! Valor! Compassion! ), fashions many easily differentiated voices, human and alien--yet always with restraint, never caricature. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the second book in the series to feature Wraith Squadron, a collection of misfits and losers who are meant to take on the missions that no normal X-Wing squad can handle. In X-Wing Iron Fist, the Wraiths are assigned to help bring down the corrupt Lord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. To do so, the Wraiths must pose as pirates and try to join Zsing. For the Wraiths, though, being outlaws comes easily. This is a rousing tale that combines with the equally rousing John Williams score to create fine space opera that will be enjoyed by all ages. (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --Brooks Peck

Book Description

They are the Rebel Alliance's ultimate strike force--sleek, swift, and deadly. For these X-wing fighters, no job is too dirty or too dangerous. Now they must rise to meet an impossible challenge: stop a powerful warlord by pretending to be his ally.

Against all odds, the controversial Wraith Squadron has survived its first covert mission. But now they are called upon to cheat death twice. This time Wedge Antilles sends them in to stop the warlord Zsinj and his Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. If Zsinj joins the Empire, it could turn the tide of war against the Rebels. The Wraith Squadron's mission: infiltrate the warlord's fleet and uncover his carefully guarded plans. To do so, they must pose as ruthless pirates seeking to join Zsinj's forces. And that means first becoming pirates in space lanes teeming with Imperial Navy patrols. If that isn't enough to get them killed, they'll have to pass one last test--a suicide mission for Zsinj.

Can they survive the test and turn the tables on Zsinj?

Or is this the end for Wraith Squadron?

Customer Reviews:

More Wraiths.......2005-12-30

This book continues the adventures of Wraith Squadron, the misfit cousin of Rogue Squadron. All the pilots are a bit off in the head, but what they lack in professionalism, the make up for in luck and skill. Though you rarely get to see main stream star wars names like skywalker, Han Solo, Leia, and Chewbacca, it's still star wars through and through.

This book is highly suggested for those who like action oriented Star Wars literature.

Best of Allston's x-wing books!.......2005-10-06

Overall a great read and well worth your time. The "misfits" of wraith squadron continue their effort against the warlord. I liked this book. Read it at all cost. Well maybe not all cost but take the opportuntity if if arises.

Another excellent X-Wing novel.......2005-08-05

Iron Fist - X-Wing Book Six(1998.) Book six in a nine-part series.

INTRODUCTION:
The Star Wars film series is, without question, the greatest science fiction series of all time. George Lucas captured the minds of people young and old across the world. But as anyone knows, there were only three films (this was before the prequels), and for many people, this just wasn't enough. And thus, the Star Wars Expanded Universe was born. The Expanded Universe consisted of comic books, video games, novels, and other media. Many of the stories focused on the characters in the films, many focused on unknown characters from the same universe. Among the authors who tried their hands at creating Star Wars novels was Aaron Allston. In the mid-late nineties, Michael A. Stackpole created the four-book X-Wing series. The X-Wing series was announced to continue beyond Stackpole's initial four books, but with a different author. How does Allston's take on this series compare to Stackpole's? Read on for my review of Iron Fist, Allston's second X-Wing novel, and the sixth overall.

STORYLINE:
This book picks up where the last one left off. Wedge Antilles has shaken off the doubts of most of the individuals in New Republic high command that his Wraith Squadron wouldn't work, due in no small part to the success of a recently-successful mission by the newly-formed commando/pilot unit. The New Republic's highest-ranking military personnel realize that the greatest threat of all in these times is Zsing, the warlord who commands the Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist. In order to get close to him and formulate a plan to take out his weapon of war, members of Wraith Squadron perform a strange mission that has serious potential - impersonating pirates. By doing so, they can attract Zsing's attention, enter his service, and take him down from the inside out. But will their strategy against the warlord be a successful one?

OPINIONS:
Overall, I was very satisfied with this story. I doubted this series would do well without Stackpole at the helm, but I was dead wrong. Although I DO think Stackpole is the better X-Wing author, Allston does a damn good job. Rather than sticking with the Rogues Stackpole made us all familiar with, Allston focuses almost exclusively on the Wraiths - characters new to this novel. I really missed characters like Ooryl, Nawara Ven, and Corran Horn, but I don't blame Allston for focusing more on new characters. And unlike the previous novel, Allston actually tries to incorporate some of the classic X-Wing series characters itno this story. I have only two major complaints with this novel. First and foremost, Allston introduces too many characters in too little time. But it's not like he's the only author that has ever done that. Still, it's a problem since we had so many other characters introduced in the last book in a relatively-quick time. The other complaint is that Allston likes to drag the chapter lengths out. We're not talking the unbearable Alan Dean Foster lengths here, but still, I prefer Stackpole's "short and to the point" chapter style. Despite minor flaws, this is an excellent book. Allston is a great author, and I hope he decides to write additional Star Wars novels.

EDITION NOTES:
This novel is still in print and readily available at most bookstores. Can't say much else here.

OVERALL:
In the end, I must say that I am very satisfied with this story, and I am not at all reluctant to say that it would make for a fantastic movie - if George Lucas decides to make future Star Wars movies, this is a novel I would strongly recommend converting to the big screen. If you're a Star Wars fan who wants to go beyond the films, Stackpole and Allston's X-Wing series should appeal to you - that is, unless, you just want to follow the exploits of the main classic trilogy characters. Just make sure to start with Book One and read the series in order, or you may be left dazed and confused.

a worthwhile entry in the X-Wing series.......2005-05-11

"Iron Fist" is the sixth book in the X-Wing series and is also the second volume in Aaron Allston's trilogy about the Wraith Squadron. After being formed by Wedge Antilles in "Wraith Squadron", the Wraiths are out to eliminate one the biggest enemies of the new Republic: the Warlord Zsinj. Unlike the legendary Rogue Squadron of the first four books, Wraith Squadron is more of a covert insurgent squadron than the elite pilots that comprise the Rogues. The purpose of the Wraiths is completely different.

To get close enough to Zsinj to destroy him, the Wraiths pose as a band of pirates looting and attacking former Empire outposts and installations. They come to the attention of Zsinj and the Wraiths finally have their chance to take out Zsinj, but the risk is great. Being identified as Republic will eliminate any chance of a covert action against Zsinj and the chance of all of the Wraiths being killed in action is great. But the mission is more important than their lives.

This book had a somewhat slow start, but Allston soon picked up the pace with well written space battles and a lot of humor. The humor is something that sets this little series apart. The Wraiths are almost constantly joking and pulling pranks on each other all the while working to complete their mission. It really is a treat to read for the Star Wars fan. The X-Wing books, "Iron Fist" included, seem to have a very good grasp of the heart of Star Wars. It's fun. These books would likely have made good movies had George Lucas decided to take the series in this direction. I scarcely need to recommend the sixth X-Wing book because anybody who has read this far certainly already enjoys the series. But, if a reader is looking to get into the Star Wars novels, the X-Wing series is an excellent place to begin. Start with "Rogue Squadron" and work through the series.

-Joe Sherry

Excelent continuation of the X-Wing series!.......2004-02-26

Iron Fist continues the adventures of the controversial X-Wing unity Wraith Squadron. After masquerading as Imperials in the last book, the squadron now is disguised as pirates in attempt to bring down Warlord Zinj. Allston is clearly more comfortable with his characters and they are indeed in rare form. Yet although these are clearly well-written characters, Allston does not hesitate to kill or injure them. He also includes a brand new person into the Wraith mix. Gara Petothal was an Imperial Intelligence officer in the previous X-Wing book. Now disguised as a victim of Imperial exploitation and under the identity of Lara Notsil, she has joined Wraith Squadron, confused as to where her loyalties lie: with her squad mates who trust her or with the Imperials who trained her. Wedge Antilles continues to develop into a stronger character, but what is most impressive is Allston's portrayal of Han Solo. Rather than Solo the rogue and smuggler or even family man from previous books, Allston presents General Solo. Here he is a soldier and tactician, a commander, not just a man with a blaster about to kill the enemies personally. Allston also does a great job with his villains. Both Zinj and Melvar come to life in an interesting way. Unlike other Imperial soldiers, Zinj is not a great tactician like Thrawn, nor is he a force-wielder like Vader and the Emperor, nor is he insane like Isard. Instead he is a soldier who understands the importance of manipulation and subterfuge as well as knowing when to fight and when to retreat. Overall, Iron Fist is an entertaining and well-written Star Wars book. It goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Average customer rating:

Classic Iron Man Saga, back in print
My First Iron Man Story!

Iron Man: Armor Wars
David Michelinie , and Bob Layton
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 078512506X

Book Description

Millionaire industrialist Tony Stark is an inventive genius who has dedicated all of his enormous financial and intellectual resources to a single guiding principle: the creation of technology for the betterment of humanity. Stark's greatest creation is a modern-day miracle: a suit of form-fitting, strength-enhancing, steel-mesh armor he dons to become the living symbol of his ideals, the Invincible Iron Man! But when Stark discovers that the same technology he used to create the Iron Man armor - technology so secret he didn't even dare patent it - is now in the hands of several deadly super-villains, he feels responsible for the evil they have done with the high-tech tools he unwittingly provided. In the face of objections from his government, friends, colleagues and fellow super heroes, Stark swears to use the power of Iron Man to bring the evil to an end - and to take back what's his. The Beatle, Stilt Man, the Controller, Stingray, the Mandroids, the Guardsmen and Firepower don't know it yet, but they've got a problem. The world's most powerful force for good isn't playing by the rules anymore. And he's coming for them Collects Iron Man #225-232.

Customer Reviews:

Classic Iron Man Saga, back in print.......2007-02-16

While the "Iron Man: Demon in a Bottle" storyline tends to get the most attention, the Armor Wars saga remains my all-time favorite Iron Man storyline. The Armor Wars ran in issues 225-232 of the original Iron Man series, and featured the creative team of David Michelenie, Mark Bright, and Bob Layton. This team was responsible for a particularly good run of issues, of which Armor Wars was the highlight.

In this storyline, Tony Stark discovers that some of his Iron Man technology was stolen and passed on to various armored villains. Agonized at the thought that his technology was used to cause the suffering and death of others, Stark dons the Iron Man armor and starts hunting down these villains and destroying their armor. It seems simple enough, but what about the technology he provided to the government, such as SHIELD's Mandroids or the Guardians at the Vault? Iron Man's quest soon has him taking on friends and allies like Stingray and even Captain America, and ends up costing him his Avengers membership (though to be fair, it was just the West Coast Avengers, and they hardly count).

This is a fantastic tale of obsession, guilt, and justice, not to mention a seriously cool chance to see Iron Man taking down a whole bunch of armored bad guys. It's about as good a tale as you're likely to find in an 80's mainstream comic book. Michelenie does a great job with the story, and the artwork by Bright and Layton remains the standard by which I judge all other Iron Man artists. The chilling epilogue by the legendary Barry Windsor-Smith ends things on the perfect note, and may be the best modern single-issue Iron Man tale ever.

If you're an Iron Man fan, this is a must-have trade paperback. Marvel fans in general should check it out as well.

My First Iron Man Story!.......2007-01-29

Well, not really. I'm sure I've read random reprints of Iron Man's early issues and such, but this is the first time I've ever bought an entire storyline to read. I wasn't disappointed, this is a really great story, with good action sequences and twists and turns. I'll be looking for other Iron Man yarns, but it'll be tough to beat this one.

Iron Arm: The Mechanization of Mussolini's Army, 1920-1940 (Stackpole Military History)

Average customer rating:

Vivid and Deep
More than just a history of the development of Italian armor

Iron Arm: The Mechanization of Mussolini's Army, 1920-1940 (Stackpole Military History)
John Joseph Timothy Sweet
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0811733513

Book Description

A detailed study of Italy's long-ignored tank force
Explores the intersection of technology, war, and society in Mussolini's Italy
Second only to Germany in number of tank divisions, first to create an armored corps

Though overshadowed by Germany's more famous Afrika Korps, Italian tanks formed a large part of the Axis armored force that the Allies confronted--and ultimately defeated--in North Africa in the early years of World War II. Those tanks were the product of two decades of debate and development as the Italian military struggled to produce a modern, mechanized army in the aftermath of World War I. For a time, Italy stood near the front of the world's tank forces--but once war came, Mussolini's iron arm failed as an effective military force. This is the story of its rise and fall.

Customer Reviews:

Vivid and Deep.......2007-06-12

As the author notes on several occasions, many of the records that could have been of great value to him were destroyed, either by allied bombing or by the Italians themselves after the war. Additionally, the emphasis is placed on the development of Mussolini's Mechanized forces, rather than those units in action in Egypt and Libya, and so most readers who might be attracted to this book as an Italian perspective on the North African campaign could be disappointed. Nevertheless, there is a great perspective on the economic and military developments of the nation that in many ways inspired Germany, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Japan, and movements in many other countries that is both fascinating and rewarding. Though comparisons of Motorized and Mechanized doctrine may seem boring, they in fact reveal the significant differences between different World War II era armies, and discussion of organization is very helpful in understanding modern warfare, or at least seems so to me. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in Fascist Italy or in tank operations as a rewarding perspective on early tanks and on modern warfare, both doctrinally and technologically.

More than just a history of the development of Italian armor.......2007-02-27

This book provides excellent background on the socio-economic-military conditions that prevented Italy from being a truly great power by 1939. The empahsis is on the development of the Italian tank force, but a large part of the book explains what deterred it. For those interested in Italian armor, the author does a great job of explaining how tactics and armored units developed in the 1930s. This book is highly recommneded for those simply interested in Italy's role in World War II and not necessairly the development of its tank force.

Iron Coffins: A Personal Account of the German U-Boat Battles of World War II

Average customer rating:

Look into the past of a German u-boat Commander
What Canadian war effort ?
makes you wonder if das boot plagiarized material from iron coffins
A riveting account
One of the best books on the German Submariner's point-of-view

Iron Coffins: A Personal Account of the German U-Boat Battles of World War II
Herbert A. Werner
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306808420

Book Description

"With Werner we sweat out attacks in the foul air of the U-Boat, cringing with him at every bomb."--New York Times.

The former German U-boat commander Herbert Werner navigates readers through the waters of World War II, recounting four years of the most significant and savage battles. By war's end, 28,000 out of 39,000 German sailors had disappeared beneath the waves.

Customer Reviews:

Look into the past of a German u-boat Commander.......2007-08-01

This is a very well written account or Commander Werner's life durring WWII from an ensign in the German Navy to Commander of his own UBOAT. From the best times of the war for Germany to the fall of Germany. Werner's entire journey through the war as told from the perspective of a navy man serving on a German Uboat. It also gets into his personal life a bit, family etc. He even has a run in with the Gestapo, I would highly recomend this book to anyone who appreciates history and a perspective from the German side of the war. The uboat tactics are very intresting as well.

What Canadian war effort ?.......2007-04-17

I was a bit biased about the view from the other side. I was told that the Germans considered anything on this side of the Atlantic to be American, such as Newfoundland,Nova Scotia,Canadian destroyers & Corvettes,etc...all American apparently. Despite most of the warships in the North Atlantic (after 1942) being Canadian, the Germans rebadged them as American. I guess they found some common ground with America after all. I just couldn't identify with the story. The books about the Tang, Wahoo, etc were far more entertaining. Anyway, still not a bad book.

makes you wonder if das boot plagiarized material from iron coffins.......2007-03-16

this book at times stretches credibility,it almost seems like a work of fiction because of the numerous hairline escapes of Werner.When he was interviewed at the end of the war even the British post war interviewers couldn't believe his miraculous escapes of the subhunters.With the British domination in the field of electronic warfare,the Germans might as well have pumped embalming fluid in with the fuel oil of their,"Iron Coffins".then as if the tale isn't already stretched beyond believability, he has even more narrow escapes from numerous prisoner of war camps at the end of the book.The detail of the tales however make the book credible and entertaining,maybe a higher power allowed Werner's escapes in order for him to write this book.Unknown to Werner when he wrote the book and unknown to WW2 Uboat commanders,the confidential command communications between German U-boats was compromised in 1943,by the British cracking the Germans'Enigma code.U-boat operation locations were known to British subhunters simultaneously with the German command. There almost couldn't be another reason behind Werner's phenominal luck(although he was undoubtedly a skilled professional).So get ready for a tale of shattering nerves and physical pain(as one of the captains'crew chiefs can't keep the submarine trimmed and the vacuum from the snorkel send the submariners popped eyes and shattered eardrums.Still some of the accounts of Werner's survival of the depth charges and aircraft attacks stretch credibility.

A riveting account .......2007-02-25

An exciting memoir by a submariner of WW II, spanning the time from the hayday to the demise of the formidable U-boats. An engrossing read that you simply can not put down.

One of the best books on the German Submariner's point-of-view.......2007-01-17

Mr. Werner gives a great book to the reading public of being a submarnier in the German WWII Kreigsmarine. It's an excellent read. Indeed, this book was used as sort of a template for the fair German WWII movie "Das Boot"

Mr. Werner covers the highly technical training he first received in the Kreigsmarine as a cadet. He writes about living in pre-war Germany, a very nice place to live. When he gets his commission and becomes an ensign in the Kreigsmarine his luck is with him and he's assigned to one of the best commanders in the Germany Navy.

Mr. Werner's tale covers the three distinct periods of German's WWII time line. First, he writes of the early successes and victories where a single U-boat would sink 18K to 30K of shipping in a single sorte. Note, while Pearl Harbor was a military disaster for the USA the German U-boats sank dozens of ships in a single month. Mr. Werner was an intregal member of this highly effective team.

The one part of Mr. Werner's book that rings true is the turning of the war in the period of March to May of 1943. In that time frame nearly 100 German U-boats were sunk. In one harrowing patrol their submarine saw no ships and spent all its time being bombed, straffed, or debth charged.

The last part of the book deals with the destruction of the U-boat arm and Germany. Basically, everything goes into destruction for Germany. The new generation U-boats are too far and too few to change anything. The new torpedos are too few to really matter.

Mr. Weiner wrote this book and, at the time, didn't know the allies had captured all the German submarine Enigma coding equipment. The Allies were decoding the submarine messages faster than the Germans themselves in WWII. One reason - discoved by accident - that Mr. Weirner's U-boat crew lives is he starts ignoring his orders and does not report in as required by his command. He is not repremanded. Why? On one German war patrol seven boats are sent out and only one returns. The staff actually has a rare celebration that once submarine actually returned.

Mr. Weiner only makes one mistake in his book. American B-24 bombers make his life miserable in the Atlantic ocean. It's British Lancaster bombers that attack his U-boat pens at Brest, France. Since both aircraft look very similar it's an easy mistake to make. Anyway, the Lancaster's bombs are ineffective against the pens but the Liberators are very deadly in the opean ocean.

I highly recommend this book to any student of WWII or just to the average WWII reader. Mr. Weiner went forth to do the job that was given to him. He does it well. After the period of May 1943 it's all he can do just to stay alive.

This book is a five star book and is one of the better stories of survival in WWII

TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE IN THE COLD WAR: 1945 to Korea, Cuba, Vietnam and The Iron Curtain

Average customer rating:

Tac Recon Memories
Tactical Recon in the Cold War
Informative book
Tac Recon in TheCold War
An Outstanding Look At Tac Recce

TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE IN THE COLD WAR: 1945 to Korea, Cuba, Vietnam and The Iron Curtain
Doug Gordon
Manufacturer: Pen and Sword
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1844153320

Book Description

This book describes how the United States Air Force tactical reconnaissance units operated from the end of World War II until the 1970s. This was an immensely active period that also included major conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. It was also a period of rapid technological development in aircraft and photographic techniques. The book includes the following:

Introduction: The post war period in Europe and the East. The Korean Conflict and the role of the 67th TRW from 1950 to 1954. The role of the highly secret RF-86 missions over Red China and the Soviet Far East in the early to mid '50s. Also the RB-57A missions out of Bitburg and Yokota flying clandestinely over the Soviet Union and the RF-100A missions that were flown over the Soviet Union from Turkey, Rhine Maine and Yokota. United States Air Forces in Europe. The Cuban Missile Crisis and the role of the RF-101 Voodoos and RB-66s.

Customer Reviews:

Tac Recon Memories.......2007-08-10

This is a superb work of research and writing by Doug Gordon. Text and photos in Chapters I through IV triggered vivid memories of my service in the 112th/1st TRS from 1952 to 1954 under the leadership of Lt. Col. Steven R. Wilkerson, Squadron CO. A night photo squadron, we experienced the good and the bad as we operated temporarily from picturesque Wiesbaden, Germany, the miserable conditions of Toul-Rosieres, France and finally Spangdahlem, Germany. We may have been regarded as vagabonds of a sort, but we accomplished our missions and held a party to end all parties in July 1953 in Bitburg to celebrate the completion of 10,000 accident-free flying hours in RB-26C aircraft: an outstanding record.

A good read for those who appreciate this era in American aviation history.

Tactical Recon in the Cold War.......2007-05-24

Absolutely a fantastic book. The style and content reminds me of Wings and Airpower in its heyday. There is information in this book you will find nowhere else. The other Pen and Sword book, Voodoo Warriors ,is equally as good. Anyone who has the least bit of interest in the men and aircraft of this period will do no wrong in selecting this book.

Informative book.......2007-01-19

I really like this book because it was well researched and covered a subject that is not covered in many places and not in this much detail.

Tac Recon in TheCold War.......2007-01-09

Since I am one of the Recon Pilots of the 15TRS (mentioned in the Book) duing the Korean War I flew 101 Combat Missions over North Korea (August 1951 to Feb 1952 I feel that Doug Gordon did an OUTSTANDING job. This book has been needed for a long time. We Korean Veterans fought a War that is known as the FORGOTTEN WAR but I can never forget the very good friends that never returned home such as 1st Lt. Charles Walter Rhinehart. His F-86 J-47 lost oil during a tangle with MIG-15's and he ejected over the Yellow Sea. He was listed as MIA and later KIA having been taken to Russia. He died while he was held prisoner in a Russian Slave Labor Camp known as a Gulag.

Thank you,

Francis W.(Frank) Meyer
Major, USAF (Ret)

An Outstanding Look At Tac Recce.......2006-08-03

Doug Gordon has done an outstanding job of chronicling the work of Tactical Reconnaissance in the cold war era.. personal refereneces and many photos make this a great read. I was briefly with the 303TRS in Germany and the book a was a wonderful trip down memory lane .. and full of stories and memories of the great pilots I was privileged to know.

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