The Battle of Tassafaronga (2010)
By Russell S. Crenshaw Jr.

The Battle of Tassafaronga on November 30, 1942, marked the final night surface battle of the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II. Despite U.S. Navy radar advantages, the Japanese inflicted heavy losses, sinking one U.S. cruiser and damaging three others. Initially, American commanders mistakenly believed they had inflicted substantial damage on the Japanese, leading Admiral Nimitz to prioritize additional training for the fleet. However, Captain Russell S. Crenshaw Jr., a gunnery officer in the battle, later discovered that deeper issues plagued the U.S. Navy’s performance. These included defective torpedoes, inadequate intelligence, overconfidence, and misjudged tactics that prioritized the volume of fire over precision.

The Arms of the Future: Technology and Close Combat in the Twenty-First Century (2023)
By Jack Watling

From sensor-fuzed munitions and autonomous weapons to ground moving target indication radar, laser vibrometers, and artificial intelligence, twenty-first-century warfare is undergoing rapid technological transformation. In The Arms of the Future, Jack Watling provides a critical, clear-eyed examination of how forces will likely fight in the mid-decades of the century, cutting through the hyperbole, war-scares, and myths to uncover hard truths about modern combat. Drawing on extensive practical observation and experimentation, Watling analyses how these advancements shape battlefield risks and opportunities, highlighting the functional logic and dependencies of each technology, from the tactical to the strategic. This book is essential reading for those seeking to understand ‘find, fix, and finish’ operations in the battlespace and the real-world application of these innovations. At a time when NATO defense spending is on the rise and tensions with Russia increase, Watling explores not just the arsenal of modern war but also the strategic deployment required to ensure survivability and success in future conflicts.

Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (2024)
By Paul Scharre

In Four Battlegrounds, Paul Scharre contends that artificial intelligence (AI) will catalyze a new industrial revolution, transforming global power dynamics, especially between AI superpowers China, the U.S., and Europe. Scharre argues that dominance in AI will depend on four critical resources: data, computing power, talent, and institutional integration. Data, like coal or oil, is essential but must be refined, while advanced computer chips provide the computing power necessary for AI. The global AI leader will also need to attract top talent and cultivate institutions capable of embedding AI into society, economy, and military.

Logistics in the Falklands War: A Case Study in Expeditionary Warfare (2017)
By Kenneth L. Privratsky

This book provides the first in-depth exploration of the critical logistics behind Britain’s Falklands War effort, a topic often overlooked in favor of combat accounts. Highlighting OP CORPORATE, the author details the immense logistical obstacles the British faced, including minimal preparation time, the urgency of deployment, vast distances, and the unprecedented need to requisition civilian ships. Following a brief overview of events leading up to Argentina’s invasion, the book outlines the rapid reorganization and dispatch of a large task force, underscoring the key role of Ascension Island as a staging base and the innovative resupply methods that sustained the forces in-theater. The author contends that without a robust logistical strategy, the mission would have been doomed to failure, with troops potentially left without essentials like food, ammunition, and medical support—making national humiliation inevitable. The operation was both a political and military gamble, showcasing high-stakes decision-making and adaptability. This study emphasizes valuable lessons in logistics, particularly relevant as military forces increasingly engage in remote, out-of-area operations under tight timelines. Written by a seasoned military commander, the book offers vital insights for current and future military planners and fills an essential gap in Falklands War literature.

7 Seconds to Die: A Military Analysis of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War and the Future of Warfighting (2022)
By John Antal

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, fought from September 24 to November 10, 2020, marked a pivotal moment in modern warfare as it was primarily won using unmanned systems. This 44-day conflict resulted in a decisive victory for Azerbaijan against Armenia, which, despite holding the high ground in a mountainous region, was outmatched in terms of numbers, resources, and technological support. Azerbaijan's alliance with Turkey and its access to advanced weaponry from Israel further isolated Armenia, while Turkey's strategic positioning deterred Russian intervention on Armenia's behalf. The timing of the attack during the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of complexity to the conflict. The war is notable not just for Azerbaijan's victory, but for the significant role of unmanned technologies, particularly the Turkish BAYRAKTAR TB2 drones and Israeli HAROP loitering munitions, which played a crucial role in shaping the battlefield and providing Azerbaijan with a decisive advantage. This conflict underscores the evolving landscape of warfare, highlighting the increasing reliance on unmanned systems in military strategy.

Unrestricted Warfare: How a New Breed of Officers Led the Submarine Force to Victory in World War II (2006)
By James F. DeRose

Unrestricted Warfare by James DeRose offers a gripping look at the transformation of U.S. submarine warfare during World War II, as submarine commanders shed conservative peacetime tactics for aggressive, high-risk strategies. Initially hindered by faulty torpedoes and cautious leadership, the "Silent Service" evolved into a formidable force under pioneers like Dudley "Mush" Morton of the Wahoo. Morton’s innovative tactics, including bold “down-the-throat” attacks and fierce surface battles, set a new standard for submarine warfare and achieved notable successes. DeRose also follows Morton’s influence on officers like Dick O’Kane and George Grider, who embraced his daring approach and led their own vessels with distinction. Through a blend of declassified documents, Japanese archives, and personal accounts, the book vividly re-creates the dangerous maneuvers, such as shallow-water torpedo attacks and emergency dives, that defined this intense undersea campaign. Readers praise Unrestricted Warfare for its well-researched, engaging narrative that brings to life the bravery, resilience, and strategic genius of American submariners, delivering a definitive and accessible history of their impact on the Pacific War.

Patton's Way: A Radical Theory of War (2017)
By James Kelly Morningstar

Patton's Way by James Morningstar reexamines General George S. Patton Jr.'s innovative approach to modern warfare, challenging popular myths and misconceptions about his strategies. Rather than a biography, this work delves into Patton’s unique military doctrine, revealing that his success stemmed from four core principles: breaking enemy morale through shock, mastering combined-arms mechanized tactics, using mission-based flexible command structures, and deploying intelligence systems to target enemy weaknesses. Morningstar argues these concepts often clashed with U.S. Army doctrine, leading to conflicts with other commanders and limiting Patton's operations in Tunisia, Sicily, and France. Through a detailed case study of the breakout from Normandy, the book illustrates how Patton’s methods shaped Allied victories and foreshadowed modern warfare tactics. Morningstar also explores the evolution and partial revival of Patton’s tactics in the U.S. Army after WWII, examining their relevance in today’s military. Patton's Way offers a nuanced view of a complex leader and the enduring impact of his radical ideas on American military doctrine.

Under the Southern Cross: The South Pacific Air Campaign Against Rabaul (2021)
By Thomas McKelvey Cleaver

Under the Southern Cross provides a comprehensive look at the Solomons Campaign, a brutal and decisive series of battles from August 1942 to February 1944 that broke the Imperial Japanese Navy’s dominance in the Pacific. Following the pivotal Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands became the setting for the U.S. Navy’s most challenging campaign. Fighting with pre-war ships, hastily mobilized forces, and suffering staggering losses, the U.S. Navy faced an uncertain struggle to hold ground. After the costly Battle of Santa Cruz, the carrier USS Enterprise was the last major U.S. fleet carrier remaining, and success hung by a thread until American industrial output began tipping the balance. This campaign, unlike the later Central Pacific offensive, showcased the resilience of a “low-point” Navy that managed to outlast Japan’s resources through relentless combat on land, sea, and air. Under the Southern Cross explores how this grueling struggle set the foundation for Allied momentum, paving the way for eventual victories throughout the Pacific theater and reshaping the course of the war.

War Transformed (2022)
By Mick Ryan

War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict provides insights for those involved in the design of military strategy, and the forces that must execute that strategy. Emphasizing the impacts of technology, new era strategic competition, demography, and climate change, Mick Ryan uses historical as well as contemporary anecdotes throughout the book to highlight key challenges faced by nations in a new era of great power rivalry.

China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power (2020)
By Michael McDevitt

Xi Jinping has made his ambitions for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) perfectly clear, there is no mystery what he wants, first, that China should become a "great maritime power" and secondly, that the PLA "become a world-class armed force by 2050." He wants this latter objective to be largely completed by 2035. China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power focuses on China's navy and how it is being transformed to satisfy the "world class" goal.

Red Star Over the Pacific (2010)
By Toshi Yoshihara and James Holmes

Combining a close knowledge of Asia and an ability to tap Chinese-language sources with naval combat experience and expertise in sea-power theory, the authors assess how the rise of Chinese sea power will affect U.S. maritime strategy in Asia. They argue that China has laid the groundwork for a sustained challenge to American primacy in maritime Asia.

The Sea in Russian Strategy (2023)
By Andrew Monaghan and Richard Connolly

For the first two decades after the Cold War, Russian naval power hardly featured in the Euro-Atlantic community's strategic thinking. This began to change in the mid-2010s, as the idea that the Russian navy poses a threat to NATO began to gain ground. That threat took shockingly real form in February 2022, when Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Army of None (2018)
By Paul Scharre

The era of autonomous weapons has arrived. Today around the globe, at least thirty nations have weapons that can search for and destroy enemy targets all on their own. Paul Scharre, a leading expert in next-generation warfare, describes these and other high tech weapons systems—from Israel's Harpy drone to the American submarine-hunting robot ship Sea Hunter—and examines the legal and ethical issues surrounding their use.

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors (2008)
By James D. Hornfischer

With these words, Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland addressed the crew of the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts on the morning of October 25, 1944, off the Philippine Island of Samar. On the horizon loomed the mightiest ships of the Japanese navy, a massive fleet that represented the last hope of a staggering empire. All that stood between it and Douglas MacArthur’ s vulnerable invasion force were the Roberts and the other small ships of a tiny American flotilla poised to charge into history.

This Kind of War (2014)
By T.R. Fehrenbach

This Kind of War tells the classic history of the Korean War in a dramatic and hard-hitting account of the conflict written from the perspective of those who fought it. Partly drawn from official records, operations journals, and histories, it is based largely on the compelling personal narratives of the small-unit commanders and their troops. Unlike any other work on the Korean War, it provides both a clear panoramic overview and a sharply drawn "you were there" account of American troops in fierce combat against the North Korean and Chinese communist invaders.

Learning War (2018)
By Trent Hone

Learning War examines the U.S. Navy's doctrinal development from 1898–1945 and explains why the Navy in that era was so successful as an organization at fostering innovation. A revolutionary study of one of history's greatest success stories, this book draws profoundly important conclusions that give new insight, not only into how the Navy succeeded in becoming the best naval force in the world, but also into how modern organizations can exploit today's rapid technological and social changes in their pursuit of success.

Winning a Future War (2019)
By Norman Friedman

To win the Pacific War, the U.S. Navy had to transform itself technically, tactically, and strategically. It had to create a fleet capable of the unprecedented feat of fighting and winning far from home, without existing bases, in the face of an enemy with numerous bases fighting in his own waters. 

Mindset (2006)
By Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

After decades of research, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., discovered a simple but groundbreaking idea: the power of mindset. In this brilliant book, she shows how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed. Mindset reveals how great parents, teachers, managers, and athletes can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment.

Team of Teams (2015)
By U.S. Army Retired General Stanley McChrystal

When General Stanley McChrystal took command of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in 2004, he quickly realized that conventional military tactics were failing. Al Qaeda in Iraq was a decentralized network that could move quickly, strike ruthlessly, then seemingly vanish into the local population. The allied forces had a huge advantage in numbers, equipment, and training—but none of that seemed to matter. To defeat Al Qaeda, they would have to combine the power of the world’s mightiest military with the agility of the world’s most fearsome terrorist network. They would have to become a "team of teams"—faster, flatter, and more flexible than ever.

The Boys in the Boat (2016)
By Daniel James Brown

After enthralling readers with works such as The Indifferent Stars Above, Daniel James Brown turned to the journals of the 1936 U.S. crew team to present the tale that inspired a nation. Overmatched but determined, a group of rowers came together to take on the world for a chance at their sport's ultimate prize.

The Neptune Factor: Alfred Thayer Mahan and the Concept of Sea Power (2024)
By Nicholas A. Lambert

The “Neptune Factor” explores the concept of "Sea Power," first introduced by Capt. A.T. Mahan, whose ideas have profoundly influenced naval strategy and history. Mahan argued that martiime rivalries signficantly shape modern history, emphasizing that sea power extends beyond combat to encompass economic considerations. Contrary to the common view of sea power as primarily about combat, Mahan framed it in economic terms. He believed that international trade across oceans was the most significant driver of national wealth and power. Thus, Mahan explained sea power as the ability to regulate access to 'the common' seas and control trans-oceanic trade flows. A nation with sea power could secure its own trade and that of its allies while potentially restricting access for rivals and adversaries.

Engineers of Victory (2013)
By Paul Kennedy

Paul Kennedy, award-winning author of The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers and one of today’s most renowned historians, now provides a new and unique look at how World War II was won. Engineers of Victory is a fascinating nuts-and-bolts account of the strategic factors that led to Allied victory. Kennedy reveals how the leaders’ grand strategy was carried out by the ordinary soldiers, scientists, engineers, and businessmen responsible for realizing their commanders’ visions of success.

Freedom's Forge (2012)
By Arthur Herman

New York Times best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Arthur Herman pens this fascinating look at how two businessmen turned the U.S. into a military powerhouse during World War II. In 1940, FDR asked General Motors CEO William Knudsen to oversee the production of guns, tanks, and planes needed for the war. Meanwhile, industrialist Henry J. Kaiser presided over the building of "Liberty ships"-vessels that came to symbolize America's great wartime output.