Comments on: ADM Stavridis on the Value of Literature http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/ The Naval Institute’s taken its independent forum to a new level - with you in the middle of it. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Charlie Gonce http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-117330 Charlie Gonce Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:26:30 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-117330 The Admiral mentioned Cormac McCarthy, so I will relate something from another one of this books - Blood Meridian. In it can be found one of the most striking quotes I've ever read: "War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner." Proufound, isn't it? My book recommendation is to spend 5 bucks on amazon for Allen & Polmar's bio on Adm. Rickover. A fascinating read about one very interesting man. The Admiral mentioned Cormac McCarthy, so I will relate something from another one of this books – Blood Meridian. In it can be found one of the most striking quotes I’ve ever read:

“War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner.”

Proufound, isn’t it?

My book recommendation is to spend 5 bucks on amazon for Allen & Polmar’s bio on Adm. Rickover. A fascinating read about one very interesting man.

]]> By: Skyhawk maintainer http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-116800 Skyhawk maintainer Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:39:51 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-116800 In my first squadron, our Master Chief was taking English in college and had to use his new found knowledge at morning quarters and I was usually surrounded by many of the crew for a translation prior to falling in for FOD walkdown. I translated it as simply as I could for them and someone invariably responded “why couldn’t he have said it like that?” I’m at a loss for explaining human behavior and my cat, who knows more of the species than she’ll let on, isn’t talking. -------------------------------------------- Anything by Robert Anson Heinlein. He’s usually credited with being a science fiction writer, but he was actually the preeminent 20th century American philosopher. Joel Garreau’s book, “The Nine Nations of North America.” Anybody who lives and works in North America should read this. Robert L. Forward, PhD, was an excellent author who wrote “Starquake,” a story about human contact with a race living on the surface of a star. A prime example of science fiction and not science fantasy that seems to pervade our culture. Andre Cherney’s “The Candy Bombers: The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift and America’s Finest Hour.” “The History of the US Navy in World War II.” In my first squadron, our Master Chief was taking English in college and had to use his new found knowledge at morning quarters and I was usually surrounded by many of the crew for a translation prior to falling in for FOD walkdown. I translated it as simply as I could for them and someone invariably responded “why couldn’t he have said it like that?” I’m at a loss for explaining human behavior and my cat, who knows more of the species than she’ll let on, isn’t talking.
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Anything by Robert Anson Heinlein. He’s usually credited with being a science fiction writer, but he was actually the preeminent 20th century American philosopher.

Joel Garreau’s book, “The Nine Nations of North America.” Anybody who lives and works in North America should read this.

Robert L. Forward, PhD, was an excellent author who wrote “Starquake,” a story about human contact with a race living on the surface of a star. A prime example of science fiction and not science fantasy that seems to pervade our culture.

Andre Cherney’s “The Candy Bombers: The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift and America’s Finest Hour.”

“The History of the US Navy in World War II.”

]]> By: Grampa Bluewater http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115783 Grampa Bluewater Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:05:09 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115783 And a damn good one. And a damn good one.

]]> By: Byron http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115744 Byron Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:36:01 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115744 Another one: Pournelles Falkenberg series. Pretty good stuff on military history, leadership, small wars, all rolled into sci-fi. And btw, Pournelle has a blog ;) http://www.jerrypournelle.com/ Another one: Pournelles Falkenberg series. Pretty good stuff on military history, leadership, small wars, all rolled into sci-fi.

And btw, Pournelle has a blog ;)

http://www.jerrypournelle.com/

]]> By: Grampa Bluewater http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115730 Grampa Bluewater Sun, 14 Jun 2009 05:11:11 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115730 Some old stuff you might find interesting: Herman Wouk: The Caine Mutiny The Winds of War War and Remembrance C. S Forester: Any and all of the Hornblower books. Edward L. Beach: Run Silent, Run Deep. Elizabeth Moon: Anything, she can't write a bad book. Lois McMasters Bujold: The "Miles" books, start with Shards of Honor, then Barrayar. And one final recommendation, an autobiograpy - Ulysses S. Grant. Some old stuff you might find interesting:
Herman Wouk:

The Caine Mutiny

The Winds of War

War and Remembrance

C. S Forester:
Any and all of the Hornblower books.

Edward L. Beach:

Run Silent, Run Deep.

Elizabeth Moon:

Anything, she can’t write a bad book.

Lois McMasters Bujold:

The “Miles” books, start with Shards of Honor, then Barrayar.

And one final recommendation, an autobiograpy – Ulysses S. Grant.

]]> By: Byron http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115681 Byron Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:50:30 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115681 Mr. Withington, I'm going to give you one more. It's by John Ringo (who is just as good as Heinlein): "The Last Centurion". It's written blog style, and follows the action of a cavalry major. You can read the first four chapters here: http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1416555536/1416555536.htm?blurb And simply put, anything with Ringo's name on is a damn good read. We call it, "reader crack" ;) Mr. Withington, I’m going to give you one more. It’s by John Ringo (who is just as good as Heinlein): “The Last Centurion”. It’s written blog style, and follows the action of a cavalry major. You can read the first four chapters here:

http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1416555536/1416555536.htm?blurb

And simply put, anything with Ringo’s name on is a damn good read. We call it, “reader crack” ;)

]]> By: jwithington http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115654 jwithington Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:50:21 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115654 Starship Troopers is a very good book. In fact, I took a course through our English department here dedicated to the writing of Robert Heinlein (book's author). Brian, Craig Mullaney, while an USMA grad, taught here at USNA for a few years! Starship Troopers is a very good book. In fact, I took a course through our English department here dedicated to the writing of Robert Heinlein (book’s author).

Brian, Craig Mullaney, while an USMA grad, taught here at USNA for a few years!

]]> By: Teaching American Literature through Narratives of War « Weaponized Culture http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115649 Teaching American Literature through Narratives of War « Weaponized Culture Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:59:13 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115649 [...] 13, 2009 by Erich Simmers Jeff Withington, posting at the US Naval Institute blog, shared an email exchange he had with Admiral Jim Stavridis on the value of an English major and the impact ....  Admiral Stavridis also recommends a “must-read” list for midshipmen before receiving [...] [...] 13, 2009 by Erich Simmers Jeff Withington, posting at the US Naval Institute blog, shared an email exchange he had with Admiral Jim Stavridis on the value of an English major and the impact ….  Admiral Stavridis also recommends a “must-read” list for midshipmen before receiving [...]

]]> By: Brian http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115604 Brian Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:35:49 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115604 I'm just finishing up "The Unforgiving Minute" by Craig Mullany. It's a really good tome on the makings of a leader at the platoon level, in combat. Very well written and thoughtful. I’m just finishing up “The Unforgiving Minute” by Craig Mullany. It’s a really good tome on the makings of a leader at the platoon level, in combat. Very well written and thoughtful.

]]> By: Conrad http://blog.usni.org/2009/06/12/adm-stavridis-on-the-value-of-literature/comment-page-1/#comment-115602 Conrad Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:16:58 +0000 http://blog.usni.org/?p=3285#comment-115602 I recommend "The Good Shepherd" by C.S. Forester. I recommend “The Good Shepherd” by C.S. Forester.

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