RECOMMENDED READING
One of the biggest problems in America is that too many citizens and politicians get their information from one partisan news source and only discuss ideas within their own political comfort zone (groupthink). The result is the biased, irrational defense of a solitary point of view and a violent condemnation of all other points of view.
Americans must gather information from all sides - books, social media, mainstream media, news, and any other source. Then, they have to form their own opinion based on all the evidence that they see.
This list is not all inclusive. I may not agree with all that the authors have to say just as they may not agree with my points of view. These are good starting points to understand issues relating to the US military and healthcare controversies. I recommend that anyone advocating a position read at least one book from the opposing point of view (avoids groupthink). Critical thinking should involve reading original source materials, books from individuals in question, and viewing issues from several different ideological lenses to arrive at a better conclusion.
Click on the book to find it on Amazon
AFGHANISTAN ANALYSIS
Tragically, many of these were written long before the war's embarrassing conclusion in August 2021.
John Cook
2012
Vietnam Vet, Advisor to Afghan gov't
Seth Jones
2010
Plans officer for SOF commander
Frank Ledwidge
2011
British Army Perspective
Robert Spencer
2022
Non-military author
Thomas Ricks
2012
Decline of generals from WW2 to Iraq & Afghanistan.
Tommy Franks
2004
Franks' (premature?) autobiography about the invasions of Iraq & Afghanistan.
Daniel Bolger
2015
One of the few generals to 'own' the failure of generals.
Robert Scales
2016
Vietnam Vet, argues lack of high tech lost the Afghanistan.
Sean Naylor
2006
First hand account of Operation Anaconda (2002) in Afghanistan.
Craig Whitlock
2022
Reporter sued to publish the US Gov't secret after action review of Afghanistan
WEST POINT ANALYSIS
Tim Bakken
2020
Civilian legal professor at USMA. Discusses modern failed leadership at West Point.
Lance Betros
2012
Retired USMA BG Professor. Traces problems with modern West Point.
Elizabeth Samet
2022
USMA Civ Professor
Historian who
Condemns WW2 generation
Ty Seidule
2022
Retired USMA BG Professor & Historian
US MILITARY ISSUES
Matthew Lohmeier
2021
USAFA Grad
Fired for exposing DEI and Marxist education in DoD
Robert A Green Jr
2023
Navy Officer
Exposed punishments to COVID vaccine religious objectors
Smedley Butler
1935
USMC Major General
2x Medal of Honor
Calls out military industrial complex. Notice the date - 90 years old and just as relevant today.
Paula Broadwell
2012
Biography about GEN (Ret) David Petraeus, a key leader in the endless wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. Fired as CIA Director for affair with book author.
Stanley McChrystal
2018
Retired General
Leadership Advice
He was fired for insubordination.
2024
Concerned Navy veterans discuss DEI's damage to the Navy and US Naval Academy
Grant, U.S.
1999 (revised edition)
GEN Grant's memoirs on the Civil War. Telling views on war, slavery, Confederacy, reconciliation.
Freeman, Douglas Southall
1997
Lee's life and Civil War history. A must read to understand the public debate no matter what side you are on.
Hegseth, Pete
2024
New SECDEF's manifesto.
Carl von Clausewitz
2020 version
Essential war theory translated to English.
POLITICAL IDEOLOGY
Trump, Donald, & Tony Schwartz
2015 (revision)
Essential background of Trump's ideology.
Obama, Barack
2007
Essential background of Obama's ideology
Alinsky, Saul.
1971, 1989
Primer for community organizers to convert society from democracy to socialism.
Woodward, Bob, Costa, Robert.
2021
Analysis of 2020 election.
2017
Essential American documents - must read for all. These overrule debate.
DEI KEY TEXTS
Kendi, Ibram X.
2023
Advice on using discrimination to remodel society.
Crenshaw, Et Al
1996
Key DEI Origin Texts
Ta-Nehisi Coates
2015
Major DEI Influencer
Nikole Hannah-Jones
2019
Alternative view of the founding of the US.
IMPROVE HEALTH
Jon Kabat-Zinn
1993
Mindfulness Instruction
Casey Means, MD
2024
Explores damaging foods and lifestyle choices and healthier alternatives.
Mel Robbins
2023
Self-help book about motivation.
US PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
Robert F Kennedy, Jr
2021
Discusses Dr Fauci, Big Pharma, Censorship
