228 Blog: Writings about International Security and Other Things.

Security Santa's Best Book List:

-Stormtroop Tactics by Bruce Gudmundsson

How the Germans learned lessons and formed teams that essentially taught the average infantryman to fight in WWI. A great read, especially if you like the details of how the wartime German Army functioned. A well written read as well.

On War

Well, of course! A classic work that the Army has internalized.


Street Without Joy

The classic COIN book about fighting the Viet Minh.

Zulu Rising by Ian Knight


THE definitive work on the 1879 Zulu War. Come for Rourke's Drift, stay for Ulundi.

Zinky Boys

The Soviets suffered the same issues as the US after Vietnam. Zinky Boys illustrates the fallout among Soviet veterans of Afghanistan. Despite the US involvement since 2001, we really never did study the Soviets.


Cannonball by Brock Yates

Yes, the movie was based off the book, and nearly every character is mirrored in the book. The Cannonball Memorial Coast to Coast Race was about two things: sticking to the 55mph speed limit and seeing how fast you could go. An amazing work that any decent security wannabe will want to read for the subversion alone.

Tommy by Richard Holmes.

The definitive single volume on the British soldier in WWI. Soldiering never changes. A great read as we draw to a close of the centennial.

For Country and Corps: A life of OP Smith by Gayle Schisler

OP Smith is perhaps the most underrated CO in American military history. He was everything that you want in a CO. 

Thunder and Flames: Americans in the Crucible of Combat, 1917-1918

A examination of the AEF in training and combat. Very illuminating and breaks the myth of the AEF acting as a savior to the embattled French and British.

Small States in the International System

Yes, I included my co-authored book on here. It covers small conflicts not often discussed, such as the Sino-Vietnamese War and the Chaco. It's expensive, so ask your friendly librarian to order it!