Latest:

DODReads

The Voice of what DOD is Reading….

Military Book Reviews

DODReads hosts military book reviews on topics of interest to a professional military audience and to readers of military and military-related books. We focus on subjects such as leadership, philosophy, history, biography, military conflict, and personal development. Our reviews follow DODReads guidelines to ensure only authoritative and professionally written opinions appear on our website, in our social media, and in our newsletter.

If you are looking for a specific book, type the title or author in the search bar to the right, or scroll through the archive of book reviews here. Looking for a book synopsis instead? Check out our Back Page Notes section for time-saving, to-the-point readers’ notes.

If you would like to publish a book review on DODReads or are curious about building your reputation as a writer, please review our submission guidelines and send any questions to [email protected].

SEA
Military Book Reviews 

Borderline: An Oral History of the Brexit wars 2020-2022

Jessica Steverson 0 Comments , ,

Themes, concepts, and timeless maxims tie the book together, in ways familiar to any reader of military history or political thrillers. Ireland’s historical neutrality is no defense against violence; state-sponsored, criminal, or both. There are poor actors willing to manipulate tensions from the shadows. The IDF goes to war with what it has, learns hard lessons, and the value of friends. Finally, it serves as a subtle reminder of why every nation needs the capability to police its own borders, airspace, and territory–or else.

Read more
Military Book Reviews 

Mars Adapting: Military Change During War

Jessica Steverson 0 Comments , , , ,

Mars Adapting examines what makes some military organizations better at this contest than others. The book explores the internal institutional factors that promote and enable military adaptation. It employs four cases, drawing upon one from each of the U.S. armed services. Each case was an extensive campaign, with several cycles of action/counteraction. In each case, the military institution entered the war with an existing mental model of the war they expected to fight.

Read more
Military Book Reviews Reflections On Reading 

The 100 Book Journey

Jessica Steverson 0 Comments , ,

In 2020, I started to focus more on my reading. I always read what I thought to be a great deal during my life, but in 2020, I buckled down and read over fifty books. As I read more and more, I developed a greater perspective on issues that I had only seen as one-sided before. The diversity of books I read last year was more varied than ever before. I read science fiction, philosophy, biographies, books on real-life tragedies, and even a book on rocket fuels. In my reading, I found a great quote which re-affirmed the importance of the endeavor I was undertaking. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis in his book Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead writes:

Read more
Military Book Reviews 

20-Year Letter: An Afghanistan Chronicle

Jessica Steverson 0 Comments , , ,

I would recommend this book to any military member that has not deployed. It is both a good primer on what to expect in a future deployment and a sneak peek into a deployment for someone who may not have had the opportunity. It may also fill a tactical level gap between policy makers, academics, or thought leaders that make recommendations using the military tool of national power.

Read more
Military Book Reviews 

Lessons from the Navy

Jessica Steverson 1 Comment , ,

Lessons From the Navy is a well-written, professionally published work highlighting some great thought topics and behaviors I highly encouraged every aspiring leader to grasp and implement. It is a good, easy read for someone who is ready to consume the content, but there is an especially important realization and understanding to have before spending time in this book.

Read more
Military Book Reviews 

Maritime Strategy and Naval Innovation

Jessica Steverson 0 Comments , , ,

To change and adapt, the navy must shed its complacency and deploy technology based on maritime strategies linked to national objectives. This is a key conclusion in the book, Maritime Strategy and Naval Innovation, a collection of essays written by 15 experts in the fields of naval and organizational history, strategy, technology, and international security. Technology alone, however, should not drive the navy’s transformation.

Read more
Military Book Reviews 

Military Ethics: What Everyone Needs to Know

Jessica Steverson 0 Comments , , ,

Dr. Lucas’ broad discussion of the history of military ethics includes the philosophies that dominate the subject in the American context. Also discussed is the specific dilemma of application for current and future defense leadership. These make it an excellent starting point for any student new to the topic. Military Ethics: What Everyone Needs to Know is aptly named. It provides a wide gateway into a subject that is crucial for military members to understand both for their own application and exposure to topics for further study.

Read more