The author's comments are invaluable. They should be required reading at The Basic School and in the MCU schoolhouses and widely distributed within the active and reserve forces.
I suppose I could write a review of any number of books that I read over my years in the Marine Corps, before and in my 24 years since I retired. About 90% are known to professional Marines and were discussed, dissected and examined at TBS, in the fleet, at AWS, AFSC and the Naval War College as well as those I focused on as a commander for my subordinates.
I would like to draw attention to a lesser known book for the Anglophone readers. I first read “Storm of Steel” by Ernst Jűnger in the original in 1969 and the best English version which is published by Penguin Classics and still available from Amazon. Of course military books can be technical, tactical, operational, strategic, biographies, auto biographies etc. In my opinion Jűnger’s book is the best written about combat in WWI. It was written shortly after the war and focuses on the reality of sustained, brutal combat with no concept of when it might end, if you might survive, and the fortitude to not just survive but believe you will prevail even if you yourself see little chance for your own survival. The lessons on tenacity, perseverance , mental toughness and the reality of combat is starkly portrayed without rancor or self pity. It is a harsh reality often missing in books. It will evoke strong memories to veterans of prolonged combat. It should prepare others for what they may not grasp might await them against peer competitors. Remarkably Jűnger survived the war and passed away at 102 years of age. While on active duty I suggested it be included in the Commandant’s reading list. There was always more to read than could be included.
I found SLA Marshall insightful and pretty much ignored the detractors. I fully concur with Gen Van Riper’s book review and am impressed by his tenacity to review the book numerous times. He rightly points out that SLA Marshall’s detractors were often those who had met him personally and allowed his observations and thoughts to be diluted by their views of him as a person.
Small point on communications…. As a Platoon leader I noticed during squad and platoon live fire and maneuver training that Marines would fire and maneuver but failed to verbally communicate. I resorted to my high school football coach’s guidance to us defensive players. “ What do I know? Who needs to know what I know? Who knows what I need to know?” The subsequent exchanges helped mitigate the confusion and increase situational awareness in split seconds. The same held true for a platoon and I stuck with that concept through every level over my career. My observations over the years were that the higher I went the less communication focused on situational awareness and more on top down micro management.
Outstanding article! I used a simple method to direct the fire of my troops. My .45 was full of tracers and everyone knew to watch for those big, slow moving rounds and react accordingly. Semper Fi
I carried two M-16 magazines full of tracers for the same purpose. The old story that officers didn't need to carry a rifle because if the situation got bad enough there would be rifles available from wounded or dead Marines proved to be true. But if I moved to where they were there was near certainty that I would also become a casualty. The day a VC through a hand grenade between me and my radio operator is one where my M-16 came in handy with a three-round burst.
With all the attention today on autonomous weapons, drones, stand off, and stand in forces, which missile goes the furthest, the fastest, it is easy to lose sight of what General Van Riper and his review of “Men against fire” are here to remind everyone, that in the final analysis it comes down to men and their weapons, mostly small arms, doing the fighting. This is clearly being demonstrated in Gaza and Ukraine. Every Marine a rifleman, every Marine officer a provisional rifle platoon commander. The summer book list grows with required reading….no rest for the wicked. Side point, at the old Infantry Training School, the 0331’s and 0341’s enjoyed night live fire exercise, static to be sure but, there was nothing like watching the young 0331 Marines get the concept of massing fires on a target down range and using every fifth round (a tracer) to help get their rounds on target. As much as it was drummed into them in the classroom, that first night fire shoot, always sealed the deal.
I, too, was advised to stay away from this book while I was studying at the NWC. I felt a little guilty when I read through it anyway and wondered if it was all junk, or only parts. Further research seemed to show only the ratio of those who fired was questioned, not the other aspects Marshall brought to light. Great to read an authority like LTG van Riper thought highly of the book. I’ve dug out my copy and will review it over the next few days. Thank you General.
I remember as a young officer in the late 80s, I became enamored of David Hackworth and his "tough guy" persona, along with his heroics, and status as one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history. When his book, About Face, came out around 1990, I bought the hardcover and had him sign it...he wrote a nice passage for me. I recall how he despised SLA Marshall and called him a fraud (or words to that effect). Now that I am almost 60, I can say that my view of Hackworth's self-serving tome, amongst other things, has changed. Maybe I need to revisit SLAM as well. Good on you, PKVR.
For the young officers (Lts and Capts) that are reading CP… don’t stop at Men Against Fire move on to Night Drop, Ambush and Bird, West to Cambodia, Bastogne-The First Eight Days and others.
Let’s not forget Bing West: US Marines in Vietnam; Small Unit Actions 1966 by Capt. Francis J West IMHO is a classic. The Strongest Tribe, One Million Steps, The Village, No True Glory: A front Line Account of the Battle for Fallujah, and others.
As a personal honorable mention for small unit actions by an almost unknown author – James F. Christ: Mission Raise Hell; US Marines on Choiseul, Battalion of the Damned; 1st Marine Paratroopers at Gavutu and Bloody Ridge. In addition James wrote a series of books on small unit fights in Afghanistan; The Bone Yard, Hell is Korengal, Kamdes, Landigal – Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division in the Korangal Valley, Kunar Province…and others.
And for good measure I will throw in Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whaler by Ed Darack.
Phil, After a second reading I may have misinterpreted your comment. My apologies if you were agreeing that a well-read professional would never advise against reading SLAM's book.
The author's comments are invaluable. They should be required reading at The Basic School and in the MCU schoolhouses and widely distributed within the active and reserve forces.
I suppose I could write a review of any number of books that I read over my years in the Marine Corps, before and in my 24 years since I retired. About 90% are known to professional Marines and were discussed, dissected and examined at TBS, in the fleet, at AWS, AFSC and the Naval War College as well as those I focused on as a commander for my subordinates.
I would like to draw attention to a lesser known book for the Anglophone readers. I first read “Storm of Steel” by Ernst Jűnger in the original in 1969 and the best English version which is published by Penguin Classics and still available from Amazon. Of course military books can be technical, tactical, operational, strategic, biographies, auto biographies etc. In my opinion Jűnger’s book is the best written about combat in WWI. It was written shortly after the war and focuses on the reality of sustained, brutal combat with no concept of when it might end, if you might survive, and the fortitude to not just survive but believe you will prevail even if you yourself see little chance for your own survival. The lessons on tenacity, perseverance , mental toughness and the reality of combat is starkly portrayed without rancor or self pity. It is a harsh reality often missing in books. It will evoke strong memories to veterans of prolonged combat. It should prepare others for what they may not grasp might await them against peer competitors. Remarkably Jűnger survived the war and passed away at 102 years of age. While on active duty I suggested it be included in the Commandant’s reading list. There was always more to read than could be included.
I found SLA Marshall insightful and pretty much ignored the detractors. I fully concur with Gen Van Riper’s book review and am impressed by his tenacity to review the book numerous times. He rightly points out that SLA Marshall’s detractors were often those who had met him personally and allowed his observations and thoughts to be diluted by their views of him as a person.
Small point on communications…. As a Platoon leader I noticed during squad and platoon live fire and maneuver training that Marines would fire and maneuver but failed to verbally communicate. I resorted to my high school football coach’s guidance to us defensive players. “ What do I know? Who needs to know what I know? Who knows what I need to know?” The subsequent exchanges helped mitigate the confusion and increase situational awareness in split seconds. The same held true for a platoon and I stuck with that concept through every level over my career. My observations over the years were that the higher I went the less communication focused on situational awareness and more on top down micro management.
Outstanding article! I used a simple method to direct the fire of my troops. My .45 was full of tracers and everyone knew to watch for those big, slow moving rounds and react accordingly. Semper Fi
I carried two M-16 magazines full of tracers for the same purpose. The old story that officers didn't need to carry a rifle because if the situation got bad enough there would be rifles available from wounded or dead Marines proved to be true. But if I moved to where they were there was near certainty that I would also become a casualty. The day a VC through a hand grenade between me and my radio operator is one where my M-16 came in handy with a three-round burst.
A great career and example for all Marines, General. Thanks and Semper Fi…
With all the attention today on autonomous weapons, drones, stand off, and stand in forces, which missile goes the furthest, the fastest, it is easy to lose sight of what General Van Riper and his review of “Men against fire” are here to remind everyone, that in the final analysis it comes down to men and their weapons, mostly small arms, doing the fighting. This is clearly being demonstrated in Gaza and Ukraine. Every Marine a rifleman, every Marine officer a provisional rifle platoon commander. The summer book list grows with required reading….no rest for the wicked. Side point, at the old Infantry Training School, the 0331’s and 0341’s enjoyed night live fire exercise, static to be sure but, there was nothing like watching the young 0331 Marines get the concept of massing fires on a target down range and using every fifth round (a tracer) to help get their rounds on target. As much as it was drummed into them in the classroom, that first night fire shoot, always sealed the deal.
I, too, was advised to stay away from this book while I was studying at the NWC. I felt a little guilty when I read through it anyway and wondered if it was all junk, or only parts. Further research seemed to show only the ratio of those who fired was questioned, not the other aspects Marshall brought to light. Great to read an authority like LTG van Riper thought highly of the book. I’ve dug out my copy and will review it over the next few days. Thank you General.
Straight forward. Any book on war can be read with a discerning mind to sort out the issues-good and bad. Thank you again
I remember as a young officer in the late 80s, I became enamored of David Hackworth and his "tough guy" persona, along with his heroics, and status as one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history. When his book, About Face, came out around 1990, I bought the hardcover and had him sign it...he wrote a nice passage for me. I recall how he despised SLA Marshall and called him a fraud (or words to that effect). Now that I am almost 60, I can say that my view of Hackworth's self-serving tome, amongst other things, has changed. Maybe I need to revisit SLAM as well. Good on you, PKVR.
For the young officers (Lts and Capts) that are reading CP… don’t stop at Men Against Fire move on to Night Drop, Ambush and Bird, West to Cambodia, Bastogne-The First Eight Days and others.
Let’s not forget Bing West: US Marines in Vietnam; Small Unit Actions 1966 by Capt. Francis J West IMHO is a classic. The Strongest Tribe, One Million Steps, The Village, No True Glory: A front Line Account of the Battle for Fallujah, and others.
As a personal honorable mention for small unit actions by an almost unknown author – James F. Christ: Mission Raise Hell; US Marines on Choiseul, Battalion of the Damned; 1st Marine Paratroopers at Gavutu and Bloody Ridge. In addition James wrote a series of books on small unit fights in Afghanistan; The Bone Yard, Hell is Korengal, Kamdes, Landigal – Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division in the Korangal Valley, Kunar Province…and others.
And for good measure I will throw in Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whaler by Ed Darack.
Any so called 'professional' who recommends against reading SLAM, is not.
Please tell us why Phil. By the way, have you read the book or any of the references that I site in my review?
Phil, After a second reading I may have misinterpreted your comment. My apologies if you were agreeing that a well-read professional would never advise against reading SLAM's book.
Okay.....where did I place that copy......