LATEST BOOK REVIEWS
Find your next great read or dive further into your newest favorite topic.
LATEST BOOK REVIEWS
Find your next great read or dive further into your newest favorite topic.
Mobilizing the South: The Thirty-First Infantry Division, Race, and World War II Review
“If only more historical studies were so critical of the protagonists, to show their complexities and biases, how they can be both heroic and unjust.”
“Tell Mother Not to Worry”: Soldier Stories from Gettysburg’s George Spangler Farm Review
“What makes this work especially impressive are the anecdotes of so many, not only during the battle, but for years after the Battle of Gettysburg, from what happened at the Spangler Farm hospitals.”
Peace, War, and Partnership: Congress and the Military since World War II Review
“These writings provide a clear and accessible narrative of the ebb and flow of Congressional involvement with the national defense establishment and the corresponding relations with the executive branch.”
Memory Wars: Settlers and Natives Remember Washington’s Sullivan Expedition of 1779 Review
“Memory Wars is especially relevant to public historians, museum professionals, and others who study, create, and dismantle inaccurate narratives consumed by the public at interpretive sites.”
Guest of Adolf: The War of SSG Ernest V. Focht, 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion Review
“Michael H. Zang weaves a welcome story of a soldier’s long internment and daily activities in World War II German prisoner of war (POW) camps.”
The Forgotten Battles of the Chancellorsville Campaign: Fredericksburg, Salem Church and Banks’ Ford in Spring 1863 Review
“Supported by well-done maps, Nelson’s study is a worthwhile addition to an overlooked chapter of the Chancellorsville Campaign.”
Flawed Commanders and Strategy: In the Battles for Italy, 1943-45 Review
“Flawed Commanders and Strategy provides an insightful perspective into the human elements of military leadership during the Italian Campaign.”
Clearing the Way: U.S. Army Engineers in World War II Review
“The exploits of U.S. Army engineers during World War II are certainly worthy of serious examination and praise.”
The Cassville Affairs: Johnston, Hood, and the Failed Confederate Strategy in the Atlanta Campaign, 19 May 1864 Review
“The Cassville Affairs is highly recommended to anyone interested in the Atlanta Campaign.”
Civil War Torpedoes and the Global Development of Landmine Warfare Review
“Hess provides an unvarnished perspective of what went right and what lessons were learned from the mistakes encountered in using landmine warfare.”
The Gas and Flame Men: Baseball and the Chemical Warfare Service During World War I Review
“[Leeke’s] smooth-flowing narrative touches on various aspects of the World War I era that probably are not generally known either to baseball fans or to casual readers of history.”
Real Soldiering: The US Army in the Aftermath of War, 1815-1980 Review
“Linn presents a timely and masterful study focused on the challenges the Army faced in the decade following each major conflict from the War of 1812 to Vietnam.”
Mobilizing the South: The Thirty-First Infantry Division, Race, and World War II Review
“If only more historical studies were so critical of the protagonists, to show their complexities and biases, how they can be both heroic and unjust.”
“Tell Mother Not to Worry”: Soldier Stories from Gettysburg’s George Spangler Farm Review
“What makes this work especially impressive are the anecdotes of so many, not only during the battle, but for years after the Battle of Gettysburg, from what happened at the Spangler Farm hospitals.”
Peace, War, and Partnership: Congress and the Military since World War II Review
“These writings provide a clear and accessible narrative of the ebb and flow of Congressional involvement with the national defense establishment and the corresponding relations with the executive branch.”
Memory Wars: Settlers and Natives Remember Washington’s Sullivan Expedition of 1779 Review
“Memory Wars is especially relevant to public historians, museum professionals, and others who study, create, and dismantle inaccurate narratives consumed by the public at interpretive sites.”
Guest of Adolf: The War of SSG Ernest V. Focht, 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion Review
“Michael H. Zang weaves a welcome story of a soldier’s long internment and daily activities in World War II German prisoner of war (POW) camps.”
The Forgotten Battles of the Chancellorsville Campaign: Fredericksburg, Salem Church and Banks’ Ford in Spring 1863 Review
“Supported by well-done maps, Nelson’s study is a worthwhile addition to an overlooked chapter of the Chancellorsville Campaign.”
Flawed Commanders and Strategy: In the Battles for Italy, 1943-45 Review
“Flawed Commanders and Strategy provides an insightful perspective into the human elements of military leadership during the Italian Campaign.”
Clearing the Way: U.S. Army Engineers in World War II Review
“The exploits of U.S. Army engineers during World War II are certainly worthy of serious examination and praise.”
The Cassville Affairs: Johnston, Hood, and the Failed Confederate Strategy in the Atlanta Campaign, 19 May 1864 Review
“The Cassville Affairs is highly recommended to anyone interested in the Atlanta Campaign.”
Civil War Torpedoes and the Global Development of Landmine Warfare Review
“Hess provides an unvarnished perspective of what went right and what lessons were learned from the mistakes encountered in using landmine warfare.”
The Gas and Flame Men: Baseball and the Chemical Warfare Service During World War I Review
“[Leeke’s] smooth-flowing narrative touches on various aspects of the World War I era that probably are not generally known either to baseball fans or to casual readers of history.”
Real Soldiering: The US Army in the Aftermath of War, 1815-1980 Review
“Linn presents a timely and masterful study focused on the challenges the Army faced in the decade following each major conflict from the War of 1812 to Vietnam.”
We are always looking for more reviewers.
If you are interested in submitting a book review to On Point, please check visit our Books Available for Review page for a full list of available titles and submission guidelines.
July 22: The Civil War Battle of Atlanta Review
“Earl Hess makes yet another valuable contribution to scholarship on the struggle for Atlanta, the commanders who shaped its course, and Civil War military history in general.”
Race to the Potomac: Lee and Meade After Gettysburg, July 4-14, 1863 Review
“The work is a good introductory reading in preparation for a quick staff ride to cover the greater region northwest of Washington, DC, excluding Antietam, Gettysburg, or Monocacy.”
“Strong Men of the Regiment Sobbed Like Children”: John Reynolds’ I Corps at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863 Review
“Readers who count themselves among the many Battle of Gettysburg aficionados will find this study of great interest.”
Union General Daniel Butterfield: A Civil War Biography Review
“Dr Pula has provided a serious and thoughtful modern biography of a less visible personality whose impact was broadly felt across armies, in remembrance and memory, and to the nation writ large.”
Silent Cavalry: How Union Soldiers from Alabama Helped Sherman Burn Atlanta—and then Got Written Out of History Review
“[W]hile falling short of an unbiased study even as it condemns the biases of historians past, [Silent Cavalry] makes an important contribution to the ongoing evolution of memory surrounding America’s most destructive and divisive conflict.”
Conflict of Command: George McClellan, Abraham Lincoln, and the Politics of War Review
“The relationship between President Abraham Lincoln and Major General George B. McClellan is one of the most significant topics of the Civil War. Although covered by many before him, Rable presents thought-provoking arguments seldom explored by others.”
Dranesville: A Northern Virginia Town in the Crossfire of a Forgotten Battle, December 20, 1861 Review
“As Dranesville is a little-known battle, this book is probably best suited for readers who have an interest in the specific individuals or units that were involved in the events described here, or those with an interest in the Civil War in northern Virginia.”
George Washington’s Momentous Year: Twelve Months that Transformed the American Revolution Review
“George Washington’s Momentous Year is a detailed and fascinating look at the oft-neglected but crucial disciplines of command, control, and logistics.”
SOG Codename Dynamite: A MACV-SOG 1-0’s Personal Journal, Book One Review
“The sheer amount of detail put into examining each mission makes it a must-read for those interested in the nitty-gritty of SOG operations in the Vietnam War.”
From the Shadows: A Tribute to the 1968 West Point Graduates Who Gave Their Lives in Vietnam Review
“A well-written and moving book about service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War era, and the brotherhood of a West Point class.”
Suicide Jockeys: The Making of the WWII Combat Glider Pilot Review
“[For] anyone who wants to learn more about the young men who fly their gliders into great danger on silent wings, this book tells their story very well indeed, and certainly deserves a place in the records of American airborne operations in World War II.”
Approach to Final Victory: America’s Rainbow Division in the Saint Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives Review
“[Thompson] brings us a history of the [42d Division’s] contributions during the final two major battles of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).”
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