News - Category Parameters Book Reviews

Book Review: Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II
January 12, 2026 — In Valiant Women, author Lena Andrews compiles stories that were largely gathered through interviews with women who served during World War II and uncovers their important but often overlooked contributions to the war effort. Although the reviewer regrets Andrews’s missed opportunity to include academic sources alongside the firsthand accounts, she still sees this compilation of untold stories as relevant and important... MORE

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Book Review: Outmaneuvered: America’s Tragic Encounter with Warfare from Vietnam to Afghanistan
January 12, 2026 — Outmaneuvered: America’s Tragic Encounter with Warfare from Vietnam to Afghanistan chronologically examines the United States’ relationship with counterinsurgency. The author’s primary focus is the influence of politics on irregular warfare and covers irregular conflicts that occurred prior to and after 9/11. The reviewer saw both positives and negatives to the book and its arguments... MORE

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Book Review: The Clausewitz Myth: Or the Emperor’s New Clothes
January 12, 2026 — Azar Gat, the author of The Clausewitz Myth, takes a closer look at Carl von Clausewitz’s On War and argues through looking at historical documents and unpublished versions of the text that there have been misinterpretations of his thoughts. The reviewer believes Gat’s assertions are not earth-shattering but still notes “engaging with [Clausewitz’s] thoughts through the lens of Gat is a valuable experience for readers.”... MORE

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Book Review: The Retreat from Strategy: Britain’s Dangerous Confusion of Interests with Values
January 12, 2026 — The Retreat from Strategy offers a detailed insight into the history of British strategy since the end of the Cold War. The authors dissect the issues they see in British strategy and offer specific solutions to the problems. The reviewer sees this as a timely read for US security professionals. ... MORE

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Book Review: Sun Tzu in Space: What International Relations, History, and Science Fiction Teach Us About Our Future
January 12, 2026 — Sun Tzu in Space combines an examination of history and science fiction to assess what humanity’s future in space could look like through an international relations lens. The reviewer sees it as “a pulse check on the potential for violent future conflicts” and recommends it for policymakers and science fiction enthusiasts alike. ... MORE

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Book Review: Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War
January 12, 2026 — Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War by Ben Connable dismantles popular assumptions about the future of warfare by grounding its analysis in over 400 real-world battles. Rather than relying on hype around technology and precision, Connable reveals the enduring, gritty realities of land combat. This thought-provoking study challenges military planners and strategists to rethink how wars are truly fought—and won... MORE

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Book Review: Arms Control at a Crossroads: Renewal or Demise?
January 12, 2026 — Arms Control at a Crossroads is a timely examination of arms control in a changing and complex strategic environment. The essays collected cover the broad context of arms control, specific examples of nuclear powers, and a review of arms control domains. The reviewer sees this book as “a useful addition to the library of any specialists in the field.”... MORE

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Book Review: Disputed Decisions of World War II: Decision Science and Game Theory Perspectives
December 18, 2025 — In this innovative analysis of World War II, Thompson applies decision science and game theory to reexamine some of the conflict’s most controversial strategic choices. By modeling the logic behind pivotal decisions, he challenges conventional narratives and reveals the complexity of wartime leadership. This book offers a fresh lens for historians, strategists, and analysts seeking deeper insight into the calculus of war... MORE

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Book Review: Men of God, Men of War: Military Chaplains as Ministers, Warriors, and Prisoners
December 18, 2025 — Robert C. Doyle offers a sweeping historical study of chaplains in American wars, revealing how faith and duty intersected on battlefields and in prison camps... MORE

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Book Review: Code Name Puritan: Norman Holmes Pearson at the Nexus of Poetry, Espionage, and American Power
December 18, 2025 — In this riveting biography, Greg Barnhisel uncovers the extraordinary life of Norman Holmes Pearson—a Yale professor, literary tastemaker, and covert intelligence officer. Seamlessly blending poetry, espionage, and Cold War politics, Code Name Puritan reveals how Pearson helped shape both American cultural identity and national security strategy. From championing modernist women poets to dismantling Nazi spy networks, Pearson’s story is a fascinating portrait of influence at the intersection of intellect and power... MORE

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