A Farewell to Arms

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

An American is fighting for the Italian army in Italy. He deals with different conflicts and challenges as a foreigner. He gets injured and spends time recuperating. There is a girl. She gets pregnant. They flee via boat to Switzerland. There they make up some lies on the spot and say they are there for winter sport and end up fine. She goes to have the baby. Things don't go well, so they try a C-section. The baby dies. She has complications and she dies. The story is set in a war, but deals primarily with the human challenges that are fairly independent of war. Even the military aspects can be more "human", such as not trusting others that are "different", even if they appear to be officers.

Nuclear War: A Scenario

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

This is a nonfiction "scenario" detailing how a nuclear war could unfold. This seems like a recipe for dry technical material. However, this book reads more like a thriller, despite being filled with technical details. In the scenario here, North Korea launches a missile at DC. The US identifies it, but is unable to shoot it down. They try to evacuate the president to a safe zone. However, there are delays due to arguments among other people about not having enough parachutes. (This bickering illustrates some of the challenges of even the most well-made plans.)

After the east-coast missile is launched, a submarine-launched missile is shot towards the west coast. This destroys a nuclear power plant causing extensive damage. The military leaders pressure the president to give them codes to retaliate against North Korea. They also try to reach other powers, such as Russia. However, they can't connect and by the time they can connect the president is out of commission and they will only talk to the president. The Russians see the missiles heading towards North Korea and think they are heading towards Russia. They launch a massive retaliatory strike on the US. In the end, billions are killed and much land is made uninhabitable. The nuclear winter kills off even more.

The book just paints a scenario without much judgement. The reader gets to choose how to avoid it. Should we go ahead and destroy North Korea? What about having Trump in leadership of the US? What is the point of the massive nuclear retaliation? Would it be better to spend more effort on anti-nuclear missile defenses?

Burning Nation

Burning Nation (Divided We Fall, Book 2) by Trent Reedy

Idaho has left the United States and declared itself an independent Republic. The US government has tried to go in and reclaim the state. There is plenty of fighting that goes on. Civil rights go out the window for all Americans. The president is portrayed as a idealist woman who feels that spreading falsehoods can help her cause. Alas, this does not work. New England states attempt to declare neutrality. Other red states eventually join with Idaho. There are food and general supply chain issues throughout the United States. The protagonist gets caught and tortured. (The writing in the torture section could have been improved to help us become part of it.) It felt like he was stuck, since he was the protagonist, you knew he would have a way out. 

The book is a gripping, easy read. A civil war hurts everyone involved. It levels criticisms at both the left and the right. However, the characters are fairly flat. Why are they suddenly so dedicated to their state? What are they really fighting for? Who are the good guys? Why would we feel the "feds" are bloodthirsty, amoral goons, while we brush similar behavior off when the rebels do it?

Russia Against Napoleon: The True Story of the Campaigns of War and Peace

Russia Against Napoleon: The True Story of the Campaigns of War and Peace by Dominic Lieven

The view we have of the Napoleon in Russia is influenced by Tolstoy. View writers have gone to the Russian sources to understand what happened from the Russian view. This book attempts to remedy that. It goes into details regarding the battles campaigns and society of Russia. The details were so extensive that I missed the big picture. Russians were often in their regiment for the long haul. They had a great deal of loyalty to their group. They worked to beat Napolean.

The Bomber Mafia

The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War by Malcolm Gladwell

The American Air Force was an offshoot of the Army. Some leaders were isolated in Alabama. They were intrigued by precision bombing. Rather than blanket a large area with many bombs on a night time raid, they would use calculations to drop a few well-placed bombs on a critical target to hamper the enemies war efforts. The British, however, were in favor of the nighttime raids and annihilation bombing of working class neighborhoods. They thought this would help demoralize the enemy. (Alas, the British did not learn from their own experience in the Blitz. They were extensively bombed, but kept the faith.)  This audiobook traces some of the characters in bombing discussion. Some are portrayed as sadists that want violence, while others are skilled aviators that want to do what is right. They all set the future for the current air force and the precision bombing of today.

The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation

The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation by Victor Davis Hanson

How can warfare lead to annihilation of entire societies? In many cases there are a distinct aims in warfare. One side may feel wronged and have specific goals in mind. The vanquished will often live to another day. However, in some cases, the entire society is destroyed. This book looks particularly at Thebes, Carthage, Constantinople and Tenochtitlan. These were each centers of great civilization. They had ruled empires and had been seen as somewhat invincible. However, they had gradually lost some of their strength. The invaders had come in and fully conquered them. In the process, they proceeded to wipe out the culture and civilization of the vanquished.

The conquered cities often occupied valuable geographic positions and were thus often occupied by the conquerors. Tenochtitlan was razed and became the location of Mexico City. The culture and society as replaced by a Spanish, Christian culture, with some bits of Aztec influence. Constantinople would become the base of the Muslim Ottoman empire and eventually be renamed to Istanbul. While many people today have some Greek ancestry, the culture remains Islamic.

How can civilizations be annihilated? In the case studies, there had already been a degree of falling away, combined with hubris. The cities had previously been great centers of power. However, they had lost some influence and strength. Despite this, they still held a greater view of themselves than their position warranted. Their military strength was inferior to their rivals. There were often cultural relics that made them more susceptible to defeat. (e.g. Aztecs warriors were prized on body count, and spent effort bringing back bodies rather than advancing position.) Today, weapons have become bigger and stronger and are more capable of large-scale physical destruction. Complacency is a continued concern.

Against the Grain: Christianity and Democracy, War and Peace

Against the Grain: Christianity and Democracy, War and Peace by George Weigel

This is a series of essays on war and foreign relations written by a conservative Catholic theologian. Many were originally given as lectures at various organizations. The author admits that he is often considered to be a "theo-con".

The author is concerned with the role of church in the world. The church should have a role in society, however, it should be separate from society. It is not good to keep the church out of public discourse, nor is it appropriate for the church to conform to current norms. Issues like abortion and euthanasia and birth control are key areas where the church differs from society. The author feels it was inappropriate for the church to dominate the political sphere as it did during the middle ages. 

He returns multiple times to concerns about jihadism. Christianity has learned that it is best to separate church from state. Islam is still attempting to implement a theocracy. It is our duty to ensure that Islam its appropriate place. People must adhere to laws. We should not bend over backwards to religious bullies. (He mentioned the response to Danish cartoons that Muslims found offensive.) There is concern that western society has attempted to subjugate Christianity, while giving Islam free reign. The west also appears to be committing demographic suicide. Most of the west does not have a sustainable birth rate. Population is maintained by immigration, often by Muslim immigrants. These populations have greater birth rates and may dominate the western world.

Another theme is the concept of the just war. When is it appropriate to go to war? The Iraq and Afghan wars were given as examples of just wars. There was the potential for significant harm with the local tyrants in power. However, the full process was not carried out properly. He considers four different "wars" in Iraq. The first was done well. However, the country was then left in shambles. Borders were unmanned and other revolutionaries were allowed to slip in. Bad behavior and poor planning by the military led to the falling apart of culture and a disdain for Americans. The just war was followed by a bad occupation that hurt the end result.

The book provides insight into the conservative side of Catholic thought. The audience appears to consist primarily of Catholics or those with significant knowledge of Catholicism. There were a number of Catholic terms and teachings thrown about. It was possible to discern the meaning based on context, but I'd assume those with more experience would have a deeper understanding.

Beautiful Souls: Saying No, Breaking Ranks, and Heeding the Voice of Conscience in Dark Times

Beautiful Souls: Saying No, Breaking Ranks, and Heeding the Voice of Conscience in Dark Times by Eyal Press

What causes people to go against orders in order to do what they feel is right? During Nazi Germany, soldiers were ordered to perform cruel acts to Jews. Even outside of Germany, there was significant discrimination against the Jewish population. However, some people refused to participate in the cruelty. One factor that contributed to this was association with people. It was easy to order cruelty towards unknown people from a distance. It is much more difficult to do so when you are close to somebody.

Sometimes those that "break ranks" do so out of strong moral values. Other times it is just a condition that leads them to do so.  The book pivots from war-time cruelies to modern business whistleblowers. Despite the appearance in Hollywood movies, the life of the whistleblower is hard. Often they are rejected, and can only achieve success after many struggles and persistence. Often whistleblowers do so out of respect. They like the company or industry, and want it to work properly. Whistleblowers tend to be more common in the United States than in places like Japan. 

The book tells the story of a whistleblower that brought down  the Stanford Group ponzi scheme. It is shocking that this went on for so long without anyone seriously questioning the irregularities. 

The book provides a few anecdotes to explore "breaking ranks" and attempts to draw some conclusion. However, it is better seen as a "story" than a study that draws conclusions.

Slaughterhouse-Five (or The Children's Crusade: A Duty Dance with Death)

Slaughterhouse Five is a mostly fictional work about from the mind of somebody that has been impacted by war. Billy Pilgrim has been kidnapped by aliens from Tralfamadore and now must live all life at the same time. The experiences in World War II (especially the Dresden Fire Bombings) are impactful to him. He knows what will happen in his life, but can't change it. The culture of the aliens is different from his. They can't understand some basic concepts of his life, while he can't understand some basic ones of theirs. However, he does live through this all time experience. Things are streaming in and out of his mind. He does meet one of the great science fiction writers (who is pretty much a loser in his life.) He struggles with war, loss, religion and more and a future as a "zoo animal" for aliens. What is real and what is fantasy created by a mind warped by these experiences? Or is this somewhat more truthful? It doesn't really matter. (In an afterward, Vonnegut does mention that he is not Billy Pilgrim - but the character was based on a real life person.) 

War! What Is It Good For?: Conflict and the Progress of Civilization from Primates to Robots

War! What is it Good For. Absolutely something. Ian Morris postulate that war is good for a whole lot. Productive war helps to reduce violence in society. Instead of individual violence, war helps focus efforts and makes the world less dangerous. As armies get greater power, there is a reluctance to use the power, thus a greater peace. The odds of dying a violent death have been steadily decreasing over time, even if you include the odds of dying in war. Having a global superpower helps to reduce the odds of smaller scale skirmishes. The US is a super power now. The author believes technology will be the new global cop. But will the US reign of power last until then?

There is also an interesting comparisons of are ape relatives. Some are very violent. Others are not. Is there a violence gene? Is the feminization of society leading towards more peace. A lot of interesting questions. Is there an answer?

Johnny Got His Gun

I discovered this book after learning that it was the basis for Metallica's One. The video includes numerous clips from the movie. (And Metallica is said to have purchased the entire rights to the movie.) I felt the movie clips helped to better understand the book. I had trouble visualizing somebody with no arms, legs, ears or face. The visual clips helped to get a better picture. However, this is the type of work that would be much better in book form. The book is almost entirely within the head of the protagonist. He recalls many past events. He analyzes his current condition. He learns that he does have some limited sensual input. He can feel temperature changes and vibrations. He eventually decides to start tapping morse code. He does that over and over again until he finally gets some morse code communication back. This shocks him. He has spent so much time in the effort that he did not have a plan when it came through. He did quickly hash up a plan, only to have it knocked down by those in authority.

The audiobook includes a couple forwards extolling the virtues of the book as an anti-war novel. While the situation did evolve due to warfare, the story of growth and discovery is more universal. We base our course of action on our past experiences. The loss of mechanisms for carrying out our activities requires us to adapt with what we have remaining. The protagonist took a long time to finally discover ways that he could begin to communicate. Alas, he then got a grand goal in his head, only to have it shot down. The future adaptation becomes the hardest. 

The Art of War

The Art of War is one of the oldest works that is still read today. Sun Tzu provides a number of warfare principles that are at times very specific to the day, but also very general. Different terrains (such as salt marshes) have different considerations. Sometimes the best way to defeat an enemy is by encouraging their overconfidence. Your army may fight better when they are far from home, and thus find it more difficult to desert. Spies are very important, yet they must be well vetted. It is also important to show everyone that the leaders follow rules also. (There is even an example of a leader that nearly beheaded himself.) While we don't engage in siege warfare today, most of the general principles are still applicable. 

On War

In On War Clausewitz analyses warfare in general, with a special focus on recent history (the time of Napoleon.) War is not a means by itself. Instead, it is an extension of politics and diplomacy when needed. Aspects of battle and retreat are analyzed. There seem to be a lot of parts covered, but not much pontificating on the best ways to do things.

Red Badge of Courage

War is both glamorous and torturous. During times of hyped patriotism, people are super eager to fight for their cause. Then the reach the front lines and discover the horrid reality of war. They long for the wounds that give then the "red badge of courage", yet they still want to escape. Boys want to show that they are "men", capable of making their own decisions, yet don't know how to react when people let them go along. The book tries to paint a vivid picture of war. I had trouble following it. I was thinking it was talking about World War I. I guess the "rebs" should have given me a clue.

War and World History

War has been an integral part of the history of mankind. Even supposedly "peaceful savages" often have an associated war-like past. War and World History provides a nice mixture of military theory along with a survey of the history of the world. It takes a balanced approach to the theory, acknowledging that there are many "theories" of what constitutes war that need not become a stumbling block to looking at the history.

I enjoyed the survey aspect of the work. It is rare to encounter a comprehensive history that attempts to cover the history of humanity over the entire globe. With its broad scope, military innovations are well traced across the entire world. (The professor also identifies areas where innovations were not propagated, with possible reasons why.) Interestingly, there has been little significant "new" innovations in the last century. Many of the new advancements have been refinements of older technology (such as airplanes.) The new weapons (such as nuclear bombs) are so powerful that they don't have a significant place in modern warfare.

Alas, Babylon

This reminded me a lot of One Second After. (Only this one was written a few decades earlier.) They both center around some southerners who have some survivalist mentality. A big event happens that rips away modern technology, and the people manage to create a society. They are the "good guys" who hole up in their semi-rural community, while the city dwellers resort to becoming savage marauders.

In Alas, Babylon, the catastrophe is a nuclear war. Russia uses submarines to launch nukes at most major US cities and military sites. The US managed to launch a retaliatory force that wiped out much of Russia. In the end, the US won, but in the process, life was severely disrupted for most everybody. Even "survivalists" who had been prepared, merely found themselves the greater targets. Humans may attack with guns, but dogs and other animals could also become dangers. Some people don't even get that far. They see the "meaning" of their life ripped apart by the changes, and manage to end it rather than try to adapt.

Makes you wonder if this is what happened to some ancient civilizations that were only encountered in later stages. Perhaps the Australian Aborigines or American Indians had a civilization much more advanced than us today, but managed to wipe most of it out before the Europeans came around. The "survivalists" that were left reverted to the primitive ways of life.

Sixth Column

Sixth Column starts out fast. In the first few sentences we hear of the Washington D.C. and New York going down as the U.S. is taken over by "Pan Asians". The story then focuses on a research outpost where most of the people have recently been killed. It turns out they have some "super-weapons" that can be tuned to only impact certain groups of people. They also have the ability to perform modern alchemy and change molecules to different elements. However they only have a half dozen people in their facility.

One "lawyer-turned hobo-turned private" goes on an exploratory mission and discovers that the pan-Asians have severely clamped down on the freedom of Americans. About the only venue for public meeting that remains is the church. Thus, they decide the way to organize is through the church. They create their own "church" that focuses on giving freely to the poor (with transmuted gold), while freely accepting the creeds of other religions. Eventually they prevail, vanquishing the Pan-Asians. Now the question remains of how the US will be organized. (This is touched briefly in the book. However, it could easily be an entirely new book. The technology could greatly alter the economy, while the extreme disruption may make alternate political organization more feasible.)

The book was first serialized in 1941 and later published in 1949. Its portrayal of races would probably never go in today's politically correct environment. However, considering the time it was published, it seems quite progressive. (In the novel Asian-Americans are in a no-man's land, killed off by the Pan-Asians who don't know what to do with them, but not trusted by most Americans.) The use of a scientific psuedo-church for ulterior means seems quite similar to modern scientology. (Perhaps Hubbard got his idea from reading Heinlein.) The story itself is an enjoyable, quick read.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Near the end of the novel, the narrator questions why they are fighting the war. He has no beef with the other side. He comes to the conclusion that the Kaiser is fighting it because all leaders have to have a big war under their belts to make it in to the history books.

This realization was a far cry from his initial enthusiasm. On the outset, he was driven by patriotic zeal to go join the army. Once there, he realized it was not all it was cracked up to be. (This reminds me of people who have been eager to enlist in the US military to "fight the terrorists", but then find that things are not so glorious [or even as cut and dry] once they get there.)

The novel provides plenty of portrayal of the fighting and the dangers in trench warfare. There is no glory in the war being fought. There are some minor adventures (like sneaking across a river or pulling pranks on a mean leader), however in these have a somewhat depressing air in the context of the war.

The trip home expresses some of this contrast. The people at home are eager to hear the adventures at the front. They also want to ensure people are properly cared for, even as they die. The soldier, however, does not think of them as "adventures", and has grown to have a 'distant' view of people. (At times he feels "attached" to a person, but then can brush it aside.)

War in this novel is depressingly hard work that abuses both physically and mentally. It is no wonder it was banned by Nazi Germany.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

Nobody can deny that Genghis Khan was a great warrior who conquered one of the largest empires in history. This book attempts to portray him as an enlightened ruler who adopted many modern liberal policies long before they became popular in the west.

The book starts with the kidnapping of a woman and the birth of her son Temujin. The boy had a challenging childhood on the Mongolian plains. However, he would grow up to conquer great territory and be known as Genghis Khan.

The book describes many aspects of the nomads life through the experiences of the young boy and his family. Then it goes in to details of the military campaigns, conquests and administration of the warrior. The mongols were portrayed as honest, benevolent conquerors. If a city surrender, they were left in a fairly good condition (especially compared to other conquerors of the day.) However, if they dared rebel or cross the Mongols, they better watch out. They may find useful professionals carted away, but warriors and aristocrats would be slaughtered, and others may be put to use as human battering rams or other similar tasks. The mongols were highly skilled and mobile (being on horseback.) They also readily adopted and synthesized the innovations of others.

A little over halfway through the book, Genghis Khan dies. We then get stories of his direct descendants and legacy. Some of them were severely lacking in the skills of their fore-bearer. Some could also be downright cruel. Genghis Kahn's grandson, Kublai Khan was portrayed as a young playboy, who's lifestyle was very far removed from that of his grandfather. However, he was an astute leader, uniting a great Asian empire primarily through diplomacy. He did also attempt to bring in nearby islands in a to the empire, but his large navies fell victim to the "divine wind" and he abandoned these conquest attempts. In China, he helped unite China under his rule, in part by "becoming" Chinese. He established paper currency, and also brought many other areas in to his realm. However, political intrigue in his family as well as the plague caused this empire to be fairly short lived. However, other descendants did maintain leadership positions in other areas up until the 20th century.

The Mongols were portrayed as great synthesizers and administrators. They were somewhat similar to Apple today. They don't invent very many big new things. However, they take many existing things from different areas and combine them together in to have something "innovative". Genghis Khan did just that, uniting his empire, creating an administration, and even establishing a written language.

In ruling, the Mongols had a decentralized government that largely retained the local policies and customs. They encouraged plurality, allowing freedom of religion and limiting capital punishment. They encouraged trade throughout the empire and beyond, and made sure routes and currency were readily available. They often preferred to avoid warfare, but if they had to fight, they had the best weapons and could destroy anybody they wanted to. Hmmm... It does sound a lot like the modern day ideals.

The Mongols here are presented from a Mongol point of view. This focuses on the good points while presenting explanations for the negative views. (The Mongols encouraged people to write exaggerated tales of their conquests to help allow them to conquer with fear. They also had disdain for aristocracy, so the elite appeared to be treated especially poor.) The author states that one of his purposes of writing is to help inspire greater interest in the accomplishments of nomadic people. In that quest he succeeds well in showing that looking past the "barbarian" appearance showed strong cultural ideals - just not ones that force wholesale changes in society.

Illustrious Dead

Illustrious dead is a nice history of the Napoleanic Invasion of Russia with an emphasis on the role that disease (especially typhus) played. It also has plenty of background on how typhus works and is caught.

From the intro, I thought it would focus on the disease. Instead, it presents a chronology of Napolean's Russian campaign, spending time to emphasize how typhus was a prime factor in Napolean's defeat. The Russian leaders were portrayed as largely incompetent generals who mostly got lucky. Napolean's army was one of largest assembled. This lead to some logistical problems. However, more critical was the dying off that occurred, mostly due to typhus. Typhus spreads via lice. War provides the ideal situation for them to spread, as it keeps people in close quarters under harsh conditions. Typhus and cellular mitochondria arose from a common ancestor, and have both been around for millions of years. Typhus has been very resilient through years adapting just enough to survive without causing too much damage. Today, it can be treateted with antibiotics or a vaccine. However, it still is prone to third world epidemics.

The book strikes a nice balance between war and medical history. Without the disease Napolean may have taken over all of Europe. Without Malaria, he may have taken over all of America. How would the world be different today if it were not for the diseases?