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James Mattis

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James Norman Mattis is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 26th US secretary of defense from January 2017 through January 2019. During his 44 years in the Marine Corps, he commanded forces in the Persian Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.
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The Greatest Raid of All book cover
The Greatest Raid of All
C. E. Lucas Phillips - 2021-06-20
Goodreads Rating
Experience the bravery and intensity of Operation Chariot with this gripping account of the greatest raid in naval history. Join the Royal Navy forces as they risk everything to destroy the Normandie dock and prevent its use by German battleships, enduring enemy fire and displaying extraordinary heroism. This is the inspiring story of the men in the "little ships" raid who accomplished the impossible against all odds.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
Any Marine who has not read Lucas Phillips’ book The Greatest Raid of All should. This is about the raid that shattered the dry dock at Saint-Nazaire, France, so that Bismarck would never have a place to be repaired if they went out to sea. You see how you can apply strategy to operations to the tactical costs and all.      source
The Future of Strategy book cover
The Future of Strategy
Colin S. Gray - 2015-10-05
Goodreads Rating
In "The Future of Strategy," Colin S. Gray explains why strategy is an important tool for achieving desired outcomes in complex and uncertain situations. With examples ranging from ancient wars to modern conflicts, Gray explores how strategy has been used throughout history by military and political leaders. While strategy remains important for survival and security, the global threat of nuclear weapons presents an ongoing challenge. According to Gray, mastering the theory and practice of strategy is essential for facing the hard and dangerous times ahead.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
I think Colin Gray’s Fighting Talk and The Future of Strategy are just two tremendous ones.      source
World Order book cover
World Order
Henry Kissinger - 2014-09-09
Goodreads Rating
"World Order" by Henry Kissinger is a thought-provoking analysis of the ultimate challenge of the 21st century- how to build a shared global order in a world of ideological extremism, violent conflict, and proliferating technology. Drawing from his experience as a former national security advisor and secretary of state, Kissinger delves into crucial moments in recent world history, from Nixon's negotiations with Hanoi to lessons learned from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This unique work offers compelling insights on the future of US-China relations and EU evolution, providing readers with a glimpse into the inner deliberations of world leaders.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
Certainly you get that too if you look at our nation, where we’re at right now, if you read Barbara Tuchman’s March of Folly or The Guns of August, or you read Paul Kennedy’s Rise and Fall of the Great Powers or Henry Kissinger’s Diplomacy and World Order, you can see what’s happening to a nation in a broader context, which I think is critical.      source
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Mark Zuckerberg
BEFORE THE FIRST SHOTS ARE FIRED book cover
BEFORE THE FIRST SHOTS ARE FIRED
Tony Zinni - 2014-09-02
Goodreads Rating
Retired General Tony Zinni draws on his vast experience to question whether military action is always the best response for defending ideologies, allies, and national security. He examines the failures of the Joint Chief of Staff, the challenges of working with the UN, coalition forces, and NATO, and the role of special forces and drone warfare. He argues for clearer accountability and smarter investment in foreign aid, in this hard-hitting analysis and spirited call for change.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
Tony Zinni’s Before the First Shot Is Fired and H.R. McMaster’s Dereliction of Duty are really first-rate      source
Duty book cover
Duty
Memoirs of a Secretary at War
Robert M. Gates - 2014-01-14
Goodreads Rating
This memoir, written by a former Secretary of Defense, gives readers an inside look into his experience serving Presidents Bush and Obama during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The author shares personal anecdotes, controversial decisions, and candid assessments of key figures he encountered during his tenure. Despite the political trials of Washington, Gates makes it clear that his heart was always with the brave soldiers fighting on the front lines. This powerful and poignant book sheds light on two administrations and the defining wars of their time.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
I was the executive secretary for two secretaries at Defense, I worked closely with three others — and when you read Gates’ book Duty, you get a real sense of the breadth and the gravity of what faces people at that level.      source
For Country and Corps book cover
For Country and Corps
The Life of General Oliver P. Smith by Gail B. Shisler (2009-10-01)
Gail B. Shisler - 2009-10-01
Goodreads Rating
Get to know one of the greatest Marine leaders of the twentieth century in this insightful biography. Follow Oliver P. Smith's journey from his time fighting in Peleliu and Okinawa to commanding the 1st Marine Division in Korea, where he played a pivotal role in the assault at Inchon, recapturing Seoul and breaking through the Chosin Reservoir. Written by Smith's granddaughter, this book provides an intimate portrait of a man who was not only an outstanding combat commander but also a person of great intellect and moral courage. Discover new insights on Smith's relationship with his Army superiors and his Marine Corps peers and superiors, providing a unique perspective on the Corps' postwar battle for survival.
Fighting Talk book cover
Fighting Talk
Forty Maxims on War, Peace, and Strategy
Colin S. Gray - 2009-08-01 (first published in 2007)
Goodreads Rating
This insightful book by Colin S. Gray explores the nature of strategy, war, and peace through the framework of forty maxims. These mini essays will equip politicians, soldiers, and the public with the knowledge to avoid fallacies in debates about security issues. The maxims are grouped into five clusters: War and Peace, Strategy, Military Power and Warfare, Security and Insecurity, and History and the Future. By following the judgments in these maxims, individuals can increase their chances of making small errors instead of catastrophic ones. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in strategic thinking and historical change.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
I think Colin Gray’s Fighting Talk and The Future of Strategy are just two tremendous ones.      source
The Guns of August book cover
The Guns of August
Barbara W. Tuchman - 2009-07-22 (first published in 1962)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the fascinating events and people that led to World War I with this Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The author, Barbara Tuchman, provides intricate details and an expert understanding of the subject that will leave readers captivated. Throughout this historical survey, Tuchman reveals how the war started, why it began, and how it could have been prevented. THE GUNS OF AUGUST offers an engaging perspective on a critical moment in world history that is not to be missed.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
Certainly you get that too if you look at our nation, where we’re at right now, if you read Barbara Tuchman’s March of Folly or The Guns of August, or you read Paul Kennedy’s Rise and Fall of the Great Powers or Henry Kissinger’s Diplomacy and World Order, you can see what’s happening to a nation in a broader context, which I think is critical.      source
Just and Unjust Wars book cover
Just and Unjust Wars
A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations
Michael Walzer - 2006-07-26 (first published in 1976)
Goodreads Rating
In "Just and Unjust Wars," Michael Walzer delves into the ethical complexities of military theory and war crimes by analyzing conflicts throughout history, including the Athenian attack on Melos and the My Lai Massacre. He features the perspective of those who have directly participated, made decisions, and suffered. In this new edition, Walzer applies his insights to the Iraq War and reminds readers of the importance of discussing the morality of war.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
You’ve got to study ethics and not confront your ethical dilemmas for the first time on the battlefield, so you read Michael Walzer’s Just and Unjust Wars or Malham Wakin’s War, Morality, and the Military Profession.      source
Meditations book cover
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius - 2006-04-27 (first published in 180)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the wisdom of a great Stoic philosopher with this pocket-sized classic. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library, this beautifully-crafted edition features personal reflections by Marcus Aurelius on how to live virtuously in an unpredictable world. Translated by A. S. L. Farquharson and with an introduction by John Sellars, this book showcases the clarity of writing and uprightness that made Aurelius one of Stoicism's finest advocates. Discover his aphorisms on keeping a calm and rational mind even in the face of life's vicissitudes.
James Mattis
2017-03-28T00:00:00.000Z
You have to keep your peace up there, so you’d better read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations      source
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
My American Journey by Colin Powell
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
Defeat Into Victory by Field-Marshal Viscount William Slim
The Rules of the Game by Andrew Gordon
Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant
Military Innovation in the Interwar Period by Williamson Murray
Dereliction of Duty by H. R. McMaster
The Lessons of History by Will Durant
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Diplomacy by Henry Kissinger
Scipio Africanus by B. H. Liddell Hart
The March of Folly by Barbara W. Tuchman
Sherman by B. H. Liddell Hart
With the Old Breed by E. B. Sledge
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy
War, Morality, And The Military Profession by Malham M Wakin