Category: Defense

Although Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs places physiological needs ahead of safety when it comes to countries citizens will take care of feeding themselves and providing for their other needs as long as the government keeps them safe. National defense is arguably the primary role of government, since a country without a means of protecting its citizens from its enemies cannot long exist.

  1. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

    Reviewed by: Joshua Steimle on May 3rd, 2011 Categories: Classics, Defense, Leadership, Management, World History Comments: 1

    General Overview (from Amazon.com)
    The Art of War is the Swiss army knife of military theory–pop out a different tool for any situation. Folded into this small package are compact views on resourcefulness, momentum, cunning, the profit motive, flexibility, integrity, secrecy, speed, positioning, surprise, deception, manipulation, responsibility, and practicality. Thomas Cleary’s translation keeps the package tight, with crisp language and short sections. Commentaries from the Chinese tradition trail Sun-tzu’s words, elaborating and picking up on puzzling lines. Take the solitary passage: “Do not eat food for their soldiers.” Elsewhere, Sun-tzu has told us to plunder the enemy’s stores, but now we’re not supposed to eat the food? The Tang dynasty commentator Du Mu solves the puzzle nicely, “If the enemy suddenly abandons their food supplies, they should be tested first before eating, lest they be poisoned.” Most passages, however, are the pinnacle of succinct clarity: “Lure them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion” or “Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent.” Sun-tzu’s maxims are widely applicable beyond the military because they speak directly to the exigencies of survival. Your new tools will serve you well, but don’t flaunt them. Remember Sun-tzu’s advice: “Though effective, … Read the rest of this entry »

  2. One Second After by William R. Forstchen

    Reviewed by: Joshua Steimle on July 6th, 2010 Categories: Defense Comments: 1

    General Description (from Publisher’s Weekly)
    In this entertaining apocalyptic thriller from Forstchen (We Look Like Men of War), a high-altitude nuclear bomb of uncertain origin explodes, unleashing a deadly electromagnetic pulse that instantly disables almost every electrical device in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Airplanes, most cars, cellphones, refrigerators—all are fried as the country plunges into literal and metaphoric darkness. History professor John Matherson, who lives with his two daughters in a small North Carolina town, soon figures out what has happened. Aided by local officials, Matherson begins to deal with such long-term effects of the disaster as starvation, disease and roving gangs of barbarians. While the material sometimes threatens to veer into jingoism, and heartstrings are tugged a little too vigorously, fans of such classics as Alas, Babylon and On the Beach will have a good time as Forstchen tackles the obvious and some not-so-obvious questions the apocalypse tends to raise. Newt Gingrich provides a foreword. (Mar.)
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    Why the President Should Read It
    Unlike climate change, there is no debate on the science behind electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Simply put, anything electronic … Read the rest of this entry »