Recommended reading for the President
posted at 12:47 pm on December 7, 2006 by Bryan
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Skip the ISG report. It’s full of bromides and nonsense about what Iran and Syria “should” do and “should” want to happen in Iraq–not about what they are doing and what they are working toward in Iraq, in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. It’s useless, Mr. President. Skip it.
Instead, if you have a little time to do a little reading during the holiday season, I’d suggest the following titles.
The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. It’s pretty clear that the basic principles Sun Tzu outlined centuries ago still apply, and it’s also clear that we’re not applying them. We’re governing by the selective leak and counter leak, and we’re debating war strategy in the headlines as if we’re discussing education policy. We’re idiots to keep running the war this way, and we’ll lose if it keeps up. Read Sun Tzu, Mr. President. And look for generals who have also read him.
The Personal Memoirs of US Grant. After firing a succession of failed generals, President Lincoln ignored press criticism and settled on Grant. Grant was a fighting general, not a dinner party general. I don’t know if there’s another Grant in today’s generation of generals, but if there is, find him and put him in charge of war policy. Grant won the civil war ugly, but he won.
Invasion, by our esteemed boss. The day labor site she highlights in chapter one that played a major role in 9-11? Still there. It’s down the street from one of your favorite restaurants, Mr. President. Nothing’s changed. Fix that and the border that makes the illegal immigrant-to-terrorist fake ID industry viable.
Warlord, by Illario Pantano. Your military, Mr. President, drummed out a fine officer on the word of insurgents. Your military, Mr. President, is too politically correct to win this war. Absorb the lessons of Pantano’s life and drum politically correct military prosecutors out of the service. I’m sure the ACLU will be glad to employ them.
Never Give In! The Best of Winston Churchill’s Speeches. Churchill was a leader who understood the stakes of the conflict in his time. Maybe you’ll find something in there to inspire you and get you back to the 2001 and 2002 Bush that seemed capable of leading the world to victory over the threat we face now.
America Alone, by Mark Steyn, and The Truth About Muhammad, by Robert Spencer. They describe the world we’re in and the threats we face. They put the ISG report in its proper context and will help you, Mr. President, put the report where it belongs.
Daily read: Read MEMRI. Every day. Or at least have a summary of its blog incorporated into your PDB. (nod to Defector for the idea)
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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.
E5infantry on December 7, 2006 at 12:52 PM
Nice list. Even the members of the unwashed masses will find those useful. I was looking for a good Winston Churchill book, looks like this is it.
CrimsonFisted on December 7, 2006 at 12:54 PM
We are trying to win without hurting any feelings.
We are trying to win in such a way that nobody looses.
We are trying to win without winning, and trying to lose without losing. And we are failing miserably at both.
What is effectively happening is that we are now losing and they are now winning… because it is more important to protect the enemy’s self-esteem and to not offend anyone by forcing them to lose.
Lawrence on December 7, 2006 at 12:54 PM
and have a subscription to MEMRI
Defector01 on December 7, 2006 at 12:55 PM
I should have added “members of the unwashed masses (like me)…” That is what I was thinking anyway. I will be giving that list to friends and family for Christmas ideas.
CrimsonFisted on December 7, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Off Topic
Debra Burlingame is a National Hero. She is the sister of Charles F. Burlingame III, who was the captain of American Airlines Flight 77 that was guided by Islamists into the Pentagon.
At midnight Dec 6, she publishes an article in Opinion Journal critical of the Flying Imams, and ’shortly after midnight’ her niece, Wendy Burlingame the only daughter of Charles Burlingame, is killed in a ’suspicious fire’ in her NJ apartment.
I don’t have courage like Ms. Burlingame has.
faraway on December 7, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I am not a fan of Sun Tzu. There are some good basics hidden by flowery language, but not much else. Amateurs who want to sound smart quote Sun Tzu. Professional soldiers read Clausewitz.
BohicaTwentyTwo on December 7, 2006 at 1:27 PM
“On War” General Carl von Clausewitz
How to Fight and How to Win!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on December 7, 2006 at 1:28 PM
More reading would be Mein Kampf, as a reminder that dictators and madmen do give advance notice about their intentions (nod to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speeches, writings, etc.).
Other than that, perhaps “Hooked on Phonics” to start – after all, one should learn to read for comprehension.
Emmett J. on December 7, 2006 at 1:29 PM
I’m disappointed that Robert Spencer didn’t make the list. If nothing else, the “Truth About Mohammad” should of been on the list.
IMHO, it should be required reading before being able to post on Hot Air… but I’m wrong :)
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on December 7, 2006 at 1:34 PM
Nevermind… I just missed it… color me dumb
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on December 7, 2006 at 1:35 PM
I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and have been waiting for an opportunity to comment about it. Here it goes:
For the last 25 years or so, schools, kid sport teams, kid gymnastic classes, ballet, etc. has stopped encouraging competition – competition is bad, winning is bad, we are all winners, everyone gets a trophy/ribbon no matter how bad you suck.
We (and I say that as a collective society) have taught our kids that “no one loses, we shouldn’t hurt feelings, so everyone wins!!” The problem with this is that no one ever wins. We have lost the “winning attitude” that used to make this country so great because we have essentially been teaching our kids that winning is bad. Now, all these kids have grown up to be nutroots and still believe in all this crap.
I believe that this attitude has infiltrated itself up to the top, so to speak. Instead of doing what is right and focusing on winning, our government is too focused on how everyone feels.
the rub is that our enemy couldn’t care less how we feel. They just want to destroy us and all we stand for. In the meantime, we continue to debate.
I hope this makes sense and that I’m not rambling.
pullingmyhairout on December 7, 2006 at 1:38 PM
The Prince by the largly misunderstood Machiavelli is essential reading for any leader in my opinion.
Another one I would add to the list – Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos, by Robert Kaplan.
thirteen28 on December 7, 2006 at 1:39 PM
Too slow Dread Pirate Roberts, too slow. AND I linked to Wiki. pwned
BohicaTwentyTwo on December 7, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Someone give this guy a prize.
No matter what I’m participating in, whether it’s motorsports (how un-PC is that?) or a game of cards, I always tell my competitors that I like ‘em but that will not stop me from kicking their asses.
I wish our military, and especially our Commander in Chief, would adopt this attitude.
Dinsdale Piranha on December 7, 2006 at 1:46 PM
The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman. Sandburg’s Lincoln. The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon (Gibson??)
honora on December 7, 2006 at 1:54 PM
Read this>> We want to win.
faraway on December 7, 2006 at 1:56 PM
RightWinged on December 7, 2006 at 1:58 PM
I agree that he should read Clauswitz. How about reading the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? Every one of our elected officials should be made to read those, or at least reread them. Maybe then the might learn that the President is the Commander in Chief; not the SecDef, and definitely not the legislature.
Jezla on December 7, 2006 at 2:01 PM
“The Prince” by Niccolò Machiavelli
IntheNet on December 7, 2006 at 2:02 PM
“Mere Christianity” by CS Lewis.
It’s amazing how the book nails the PC agenda and how it erodes our will to live and was published long ago.
NTWR on December 7, 2006 at 2:16 PM
My daughter was suspended from her High School “Literacy” class yesterday… for showing disrespect for “rolling her eyes” as her teacher went off on another anti war rant.
4 out of 5 books read so far this year were clearly anti war (latest Slaughter House 5), with that messege being shoved down her throat.
When asked about this, her teacher said there is (and I quote) “no great literature after WWII which does not have at least some anti war material in it”…. and that there is “no way” her students could figure out her politics from her lectures (seemed to amaze her that I knew her politics, without even being in her class….)…
Needless to say, my daughter is NOT in trouble with me…
They are teaching their children to fight and die for their cause… we are teaching our children to surrender.
Romeo13 on December 7, 2006 at 2:19 PM
LOL!!!
honora on December 7, 2006 at 2:20 PM
You just may make it on H&C or O’Reilly if this is truly the case. Hopefully AP has read your message and passed along to Malkin so she can contact Mr. O. Though I suggest attempting to hit up your local media as well.
RightWinged on December 7, 2006 at 2:22 PM
If I had known you were the only one to laugh honora, I wouldn’t have posted that.
RightWinged on December 7, 2006 at 2:22 PM
Surprised you forgot to advise that the President read the essential playbook of the warlord pedophile himself: THE KORAN.
From Bush’s comments about Islam since 9/11, he has clearly not even flipped through the Cliff Notes version of this dismal document, yet.
I would add Philip Wylie”s short work “An Essay on Morals“.
profitsbeard on December 7, 2006 at 2:28 PM
Sorry Rightwinged… won’t go public… or pull out lawyers, its not the way I do things….
I’ll quietly work through the system until I get satisfaction…
Fact is, my daughter did show disrespect during the “confrontation” (which she tried to walk away from, but how do you walk away from a Teacher?).
Its that fine line between speaking the truth (when asked) and showing disrespect.
Good chance this is already being downgraded to “detention” after speaking to the Teacher, and the School Counselor.
Romeo13 on December 7, 2006 at 2:51 PM
And a most Merry Christmas to you as well.
honora on December 7, 2006 at 3:02 PM
I think all of our elected officials should re-read their Oaths of Office they took when they were sworn in. Especially the part about “…defending the country against ALL enemies, foriegn and DOMESTIC!”
PinkyBigglesworth on December 7, 2006 at 3:06 PM
I laughed, RightWinged…just didn’t LOL.
jdpaz on December 7, 2006 at 3:34 PM
Wow, that’s a pretty big list for a dyslexic moron. You think he’ll get through half? I’ll bet Carter couldn’t even!
THeDRiFTeR on December 7, 2006 at 3:37 PM
Great recommendations!
My suggestions:
Book of Five Rings – Miyamoto Musashi
The Prince – Machiavelli
The Tao of Jeet Kune Do – Bruce Lee
Definitely Art of War!
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
budorob on December 7, 2006 at 3:52 PM
When I was in the service, I ended up as a team leader attached to a brigade command section. I used to chat with the Chaplain every day at the daily breifing. We would trade quotes from the Bible every day, and his were always New Testiment, mine were always old Testiment.
When asked why I always picked the old Testiment to quote from, I answered honestly. “That is the God of the Army, the God that smites thine enemy, and gives us victory over the wicked, the evil on earth.”
It’s a shame that the more enlightened than thou in Washington don’t have that kind of faith in the war against terror. We must win, because the price of failure is too intolerably high.
Snake307 on December 7, 2006 at 4:07 PM
And while he’s reading C.S. Lewis: The Chronicles of Narnia so he can be reminded that war is regrettable and sometimes necessary; but can show the nobility of kings and warriors when they fight well and to win. Maybe someone can point out to him the similarities between the Calormenes and Muslims.
And The Screwtape Letters. You could make it a political thriller by replacing the “Screwtape” with Howard Dean and “Wormwood” with Nancy Pelosi.
cmay on December 7, 2006 at 4:22 PM
…if I’m not wrong it’s Lewis who famously stated: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will do”. Shoot, Dubya should have that embroidered on a pillow.
honora on December 7, 2006 at 4:24 PM
Lol, “Happy Holidays”. (So sorry Ramadan is over)
And Romeo13, I wouldn’t recommend a lawyer, I just think the spotlight needs to be shown on these teachers so they know that their indoctrination won’t be tolerated. Like O’R’s war on child sex predators, Judge’s know they better be careful or their going to have a Fox News camera in their face. Same needs to be done for the deranged left professors and teachers. It’s like a daily occurance that one does something stupid. Is rolling your eyes disrespectful? Sure, but if the problem is as you explained it, then I think it’s warranted… and certainly not worth getting suspended for.
RightWinged on December 7, 2006 at 4:41 PM
Surprised you forgot to advise that the President read the essential playbook of the warlord pedophile himself: THE KORAN.
He might also give The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam a lood as well. Perhps it might disuade him from the “Islam is a religion of peace” nonsense he seems to be stuck on.
My view is that Islam is not a religion, but a 7th century political movement masquerading as one.
Dave R. on December 7, 2006 at 4:55 PM
“Daily read: Read MEMRI. Every day. Or at least have a summary of its blog incorporated into your PDB. (nod to Defector for the idea)”
The problem is that the various intel briefings to the President provided by NSC, DoS/BIR, and CIA all come from institutions dominated by the Scowcroft/Baker “realist” POV and are probably skewed in that direction.
Now that Gates is in charge at DOD it’s likely that he’ll step up the purge (or is pogrom a more fitting word?)at Office of Special Plans and DIA to insure that their briefings fall into line with the above (you didn’t think they hired former CIA Director and career CIA analyst Gates for his extensive knowledge of military affairs, did you?).
I recommend that the President skip the daily brief from the Intel/Foreign Policy community and surf the web instead. HA and PJM would be good places to start.
Concerning books, if the President is pressed for time he could read LOTR up to the death of Boromir. A brave warrior and leader from a besieged superpower self-destructs after he convinces himself that he needs an evil force on his side for civilization so prevail.
Sounds familiar.
Ring of Peace.
MarcH on December 7, 2006 at 4:58 PM
No war reading is complete without any/all on Genghis Khan. For today, not for conquest, but for the unsurpassed way to innovate, strategize, plot and outfox, screwing/shocking/awing the public, the media and the enemies, all at once.
The perfect reading for today’s environment would be “The 24/day TV-displayed Compassionate Way to Win/Lose a War” or “How to Win/Win a War”, by THeDRiFTeR, for example.
Er, pullingmyhairout is a fine lady, who posted a mighty fine comment for all to be reminded of and internalize.
Entelechy on December 7, 2006 at 5:05 PM
Unholy Alliance
- David Horowitz
infidel4life on December 7, 2006 at 5:21 PM
Bryan, maybe AP should reserve that “read meat” picture for all of your posts. Today’s work has been quite inspiring to those of us to the right of Reagan, and those of us who are believers.
Quite Righteous.
Jaibones on December 7, 2006 at 5:24 PM
…too true…but the chinaman is quoteable, isn’t he?
…impossible book to read, excellent idea about it, though…back it up with a read of Brigitte Hamann’s Hitler’s Vienna as a way of understanding the thick and nearly impossible prose of Herr Schicklgruber. Very enlightening book, Ms. Hamann’s.
…bingo! Give that man a pat on the back and a stinky Dan’l Webster….
…Tuchman’s always worth a read…although you may mean it to be a primer for the study of hubris…and, it *IS* Gibbon. Edward Gibbon (April 27, 1737 – January 16, 1794).
Right here, I’d add:
Band of Brothers by Steve Ambrose, just to remind yourself what soldiers are like
Goodbye, Darkness by William Manchester to get into the soldier’s head (or, in Manchester’s case, Marine’s head)
as well as another of his great books, A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind & the Renaissance, to bone up on the 14th Century, in case the jihadis win….
A Bridge Too Far by Corny Ryan, as a primer on how and what happens when an operation goes wrong, its impact on soldiers and strategy, etc.
…delicious, well recommended and aptly cast.
Some folks have recommended the Koran/Qu’ran, which I’d recommend only be read in daylight. It’s too scary at night.
I’d also recommend True History of the Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Díaz del Castillo to give him a primer on successfully overcoming a bloodthirst enemy.
Beowulf would be useful.
…and, finally, Fighting for the Confederacy: The Personal Recollections of General Edward Porter Alexander because it’s a great, personal and fun read, and because it gives one the idea of how a staff should and should not interact, and what losing a war looks like on a day-to-day basis.
…he could throw in the Bible, but he probably reads it like a modern evangelical, which would do him no good at all.
Puritan1648 on December 7, 2006 at 5:43 PM
Infiltration by Paul Sperry is another should-be-must-read for the Prez.
SisterToldjah on December 7, 2006 at 6:33 PM
The President seems to have things in order on tax cuts, but he and the republicans in congress should read anything by Ludwig von Mises, Murray N. Rothbard, or F.A. Hayek.
Troy Rasmussen on December 7, 2006 at 11:09 PM
Puritan1648, thanks for your recommended list of readings, including one of my favorite European history writers, Brigitte Hamann. I own a series of her books and love them all.
Entelechy on December 7, 2006 at 11:33 PM
Well I see your link and raise you one better:
http://www.clausewitz.com/CWZHOME/VomKriege2/ONWARTOC2.HTML
There will be a test on the first two books on Monday!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on December 8, 2006 at 9:36 AM
I think GWB needs to surf on over to http://www.theobjectivestandard.com and read John Lewis; “No Substitute for Victory”
The Defeat of Islamic Totalitarianism
Here is a snip:
ScottyDog on December 8, 2006 at 3:24 PM
Other books that I would recommend include Terror and Liberalism by Paul Berman, Of Paradise and Power by Robert Kagan, Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of Its Enemies by Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit, Civilization and its Enemies by Lee Harris, The Pentagon’s New Map by Thomas P. M. Barnett, Shield of Achilles by Philip Bobbit, and Annihilation From Within by Fred Charles Ikle
Salamantis on December 13, 2006 at 3:04 AM
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