EE Books

Excellent book. Gives a detailed account of the Communist takeover of Cuba and America's role in the takeover.

John A. Lynn, preeminent scholar of French military history, and logistics, prior to the nineteenth century, offers a follow-up to his classic: _Bayonets of the Republic:..._ (1984). Here he argues the French Army of the Grand Siecle (seventeenth century) was the catalyst for state formation. Reminiscent of the tail wagging the dog, Lynn argues, it was military expansion, and reforms that formed a model for the state. However, he emphasizes that this expansion was not revolutionary. Instead, development grew incrementally out of older practices. As a result, there remained a continuity of "absolutism" during this period, not a break from it, as is the common belief among some historians. Essentially, Lynn shows how the French monarchy raised regiments, without regard for how they would be fed or supplied. They were then turned loose on the rural French countryside with sometimes disastrous results.The author utilizes a thematic approach to take the reader on what he calls a "journey of understanding." The author devotes substantial coverage to economics and finance. In fact, the majority of the book focuses on economic and social history of the Army of the Grand Siecle with heavy emphasis on logistics and supply. These topics takes precedence over the standard fare of strategy, tactics, campaigns and battles. Even the section devoted to weapons tends to stress supply above technology. Throughout this intricate tapestry of subject matter, Lynn challenges arguments laid down by other military historians. For example, it is not surprising that Lynn, who has written widely on the topic of logistics, has harsh criticisms levelled at Martin Van Creveld, author of _Supplying War: Logistics from Wellington to Patton_ (Cambridge: 1977). Other themes covered include: "The Tax of Violence," and the raping of civilian women by French soldiers as a form of extortion from being under-paid and inadequately supplied; "The Culture of Command," recruitment, desertion, discipline, morale and motivation, round out the book nicely. Along the way, the author has consulted an impressive array of French archival resources gleaned from The Archives Nationales, Service Historique de l'Armee de Terre, Bibliotheque Nationale and the Archives de Guerre, which he then confusingly abbreviates in copious footnotes. He also culls various primary documents, letters and memoirs. For the most part, however, Lynn refers to secondary source material from a host of French scholars, arranged in an impressive bibliography. As professor of history at University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign, Lynn even consults dissertation material from his own Ph.D students.Although the book is short on military campaigning, a major weakness is its lack of maps and illustrations. This is especially apparent when Lynn utilizes a visual illustration as source material. For instance, the author consults an engraving in the text (p. 321) yet, in an accompanying footnote, refers the reader to a plate in another historian's [Philippe Contamine, ed. Histoire militaire de la France vol.1 (Paris, 1992)] work. Geoffrey Parker's (_The Military Revolution: Military Innovation and the Rise of the West, 1500-1800_...see my Amazon review) strength in period illustrations is Lynn's weakness. For such an immense undertaking, Lynn's writing style is clear and concise. Every section has a clean introduction, and conclusion, with easy transitions from section to section, and topic-to-topic. This friendly writing style makes the development of the narrative flow easily. Overall, the book is a handsome package, though, perhaps a bit pricey. Lynn has made a significant contribution to the field by stressing the social aspect of the French army from king right on down to the common rank and file. This book is certainly a splendid example of the "new military history," and could serve as a model for similar studies of other armies from other time periods.

Donna's book is an excellent source of support for women and their friends and family going through breast cancer. Donna has done a terrific job sharing her story and giving back to the community of Northeast Florida. The foundation she has established to help women who are fighting this disease is absolutely fantastic. As a Jacksonville resident I am very proud of her and her accomplishments. My sister has been through this twice and I gave her a copy of the book last year when she was diagnosed for the 2nd time. A very good book to give to others and to read yourself. Thank you Donna!

Great self help, self healing book, with lots of positive reinforcement exercises. Eclectic in it's approach. Doesn't just bore you to death. Written by a real person for real people. Hurray!

the book provides alot of information for people who need to graduate. it has a lot of education matter.

Great book for the research I'm doing for an historical novel. It gives information about the terrain, plant life, stage and train routes, mines and military reserves.

The product arrived in perfect condition, and promptly.

(I'm reviewing the 4th Edition Hardcover) This atlas maps and details an astonishing number of facts about Oklahoma. There's something for everyone: political (e.g. "Constitutional Convention Delegate Districts, 1906" , geologilcal ("Geologic Formations), biological ("Buffalo Country"), military ("Civil War Battlesites, 1861-1865"), and this sampling barely scratches the surface: my use of the word 'astonishing' wasn't mere hyperbole. Each subject has about a page's worth of explanatory text and maps of excellent quality. One of the strongest themes in the book involves the indian populations of the state: there are numerous pages, from "Early Arrivals, 40,000-12,000 BC"/"Early Big-Game Hunters, 12,000-8,000 BC" to the "Proposed State of Sequoyah, 1905", with meticulous maps of the various indian territories in-between, as they were created and modified over the years. This is a great book for any Oklahoman: The authors, and OU Press, have done a very fine job.

This is a very good book for a general overview of the American Labor movement. My copy is getting a little ragged. I use it as a reference all the time. I would say that it is mainstream and treats Labor fairly. From the 1860 through the 1930s there was a war going on in this country. And most Americans don't even know about it. I really think that it is time that America starts getting up to speed on labor history.
Understanding, its battles and its failures and triumphs is understanding the 20th century. If you don't know what went on with labor in this country and around the world you will never be able to truly grasps the problems in today's world.
This world is presently the evolution of the labor/management wars.

Russell F. Weigley's "History of the United States Army" is a commendable work on the administrative and logistical history of the Army. If you're looking for a campaign history, complete with narratives of battles, strategy, and tactics, this is not it. Weigley wholly sidesteps this arena of the Army's history in favor of a narration of the administration of the body. Beginning in the early 17th Century with an explanation of the militia roots from which the Army can trace its history, the story progresses through the French and Indian War, the Revolution, and all other conflicts through the 1960's, when this book was written. Included is analysis of Army policy, military interactions with the civilian populace, supply and administration, and the evolution of the command structure. For readers seeking a non-combat history of the United States Army, this should more than amply satisfy their desires.

In a time when churches confront a post-modern world, voices such as Webb's encourage the creation of new faith paradigms. Webb has come to consider religious doubts as "the grains of sand that irritate the oyster until the itching produces a beautiful pearl".