About this product: From a universally respected combat journalist, a gripping history based on five years of front-line reporting about how the war was turned around–and the choice now facing America
During the fierce battle for Fallujah, Bing West asked an Iraqi colonel why the archterrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had fled in women’s clothes. The colonel pointed to a Marine patrol walking by and said, “Americans are the strongest tribe.”
In Iraq, America made mistake after mistake. Many gave up on the war. Then the war took a sharp U-turn. Two generals–David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno–displayed the leadership America expected. Bringing the reader from the White House to the fighting in the streets, this remarkable narrative explains the turnaround by U.S. forces.
In the course of fourteen extended trips over five years, West embedded with more than sixty front-line units, discussing strategy with generals and tactics with corporals. He provides an expert’s account of counterinsurgency, disposing of myths. By describing the characters and combat in city after city, West gives the reader an in-depth understanding that will inform the debate about the war. This is the definitive study of how American soldiers actually fought –a gripping and visceral book that changes the way we think about the war, and essential reading for understanding the next critical steps to be taken.
Praise for The Strongest Tribe:
"Balanced, panoramic assessment of the Iraq War by former Marine and Reagan administration veteran West (No True Glory, 2005, etc.), who heralds American soldiers as its unsung heroes amid the “fog of Washington”. . .A timely, eye-opening historical analysis that provides clarity around the difficult choices the next president faces." --Kirkus (starred review)
"In this important new chronicle of the war in Iraq, Bing West reveals how America reached the brink of defeat in 2006 and then managed in 2007 to stage a stunning turnaround. With its vivid, on-the-ground reporting, his book is a fitting tribute to the honor, valor, and toughness of our soldiers. Notwithstanding numerous mistakes by their leaders, West shows that their sacrifices have made success possible--as long we do not withdraw prematurely." --Senator John S. McCain
“Sometimes the best way to support the troops is to criticize the generals. Bing West does both well in this book, showing a sympathy for our soldiers and Marines, but also a great ear for military truth and a determination to render events accurately. This is his third and most important book about the Iraq war. Read it.” -- Thomas E. Ricks, author of FIASCO: The American Military Adventure in Iraq
“A brilliant exposition. Based on extensive experience in the war zone, Bing West recounts how Soldiers and Marines showed the President and the Pentagon the way to solve the Iraq insurgency problem. Echoing the admonition that "all politics are local", The Strongest Tribeconvincingly argues that it was a grass roots strategy developed by on-scene officers who forged ties at the tribal level that brought stability to Iraq's turbulent Anbar Province and provided hope for all Iraq.” -- Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor USMC (Ret.) Co-author of The Generals' War and COBRA II: The Inside Story of the Invation and Occupation of Iraq
“Some four decades ago I told Bing West that his book, the Village, would become a classic in counterinsurgency warfare. And so it did. "The Strongest Tribe" will surely be West's second classic - a moving and detailed account of almost six years of war in Iraq.” - Dr. James R. Schlesinger, Director of Central Intelligence Agency, Nixon administration; Secretary of Defense, Ford administration; Chairman, The Mitre Corporation
We live in a vicious, highly competitive workplace environment, and things aren't getting any better. Jobs are few and far between, and people aren't any nicer now than they were when Ghengis Khan ran around in big furs killing people in unfriendly acquisitions. For thousands of years, people have been reading the writings of the deeply wise, but also extremely dead Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, who was perhaps the first to look on the waging of war as a strategic art that could be taught to people who wished to be warlords and other kinds of senior managers.
In a nutshell, Sun Tzu taught that readiness is all, that knowledge of oneself and the enemy was the foundation of strength and that those who fight best are those who are prepared and wise enough not to fight at all. Unfortunately, in the current day, this approach is pretty much horse hockey, a fact that has not been recognized by the bloated, tree-hugging Sun Tzu industry, which churns out mushy-gushy pseudo-philosophy for business school types who want to make war and keep their hands clean.
Sun Tzu was a Sissy will transcend all those efforts and teach the reader how to make war, win and enjoy the plunder in the real world, where those who do not kick, gouge and grab are left behind at the table to pay the tab. Students of Bing will be taught how to plan and execute battles that hurt other people a lot, and advance their flags and those of their friends, if possible. All military strategies will be explored, from mustering, equipping, organizing, plotting, scheming, rampaging, squashing and reaping spoils.
Every other book on the Art of War bows low to Sun Tzu. We're going to tell him to get lost and inform our readers how real war is currently conducted on the battlefield of life.
In Black Hawk Down, the fight went on for a day. In We Were Soldiers Once & Young, the fighting lasted three days. In The Village, one Marine squad fought for 495 days -- half of them died.
Few American battles have been so extended, savage and personal. A handful of Americans volunteered to live among six thousand Vietnamese, training farmers to defend their village. Such "Combined Action Platoons" (CAPs) are now a lost footnote about how the war could have been fought; only the villagers remain to bear witness. This is the story of fifteen resolute young Americans matched against two hundred Viet Cong; how a CAP lived, fought and died. And why the villagers remember them to this day.
About this product: "This is the face of war as only those who have fought it can describe it."–Senator John McCain
Fallujah: Iraq’s most dangerous city unexpectedly emerged as the major battleground of the Iraqi insurgency. For twenty months, one American battalion after another tried to quell the violence, culminating in a bloody, full-scale assault. Victory came at a terrible price: 151 Americans and thousands of Iraqis were left dead.
The epic battle for Fallujah revealed the startling connections between policy and combat that are a part of the new reality of war.
The Marines had planned to slip into Fallujah “as soft as fog.” But after four American contractors were brutally murdered, President Bush ordered an attack on the city–against the advice of the Marines. The assault sparked a political firestorm, and the Marines were forced to withdraw amid controversy and confusion–only to be ordered a second time to take a city that had become an inferno of hate and the lair of the archterrorist al-Zarqawi.
Based on months spent with the battalions in Fallujah and hundreds of interviews at every level–senior policymakers, negotiators, generals, and soldiers and Marines on the front lines–No True Glory is a testament to the bravery of the American soldier and a cautionary tale about the complex–and often costly–interconnected roles of policy, politics, and battle in the twenty-first century.
About this product: In the tradition of literary classics like The Secret Garden comes this irresistible story about a girl who doesn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. Violet Bing has even said "no" to the family vacation, so she is sent to stay with her great-aunt Astrid instead. As usual, Violet is determined to dislike everything about her stay. But with the help of a stray dog, a new friend, and an old diary, Violet discovers that—even for her—fun is hard to avoid at The Grand House.
Written in a charming, original voice, and overflowing with richly detailed black-and-white drawings, this book is truly a classic-in-waiting.
About this product: Meet a fantastic new picture book character - Bing Bunny! Bing Bunny is a loveable, feisty new pre-school character, created by Kate Greenaway-shortlisted illustrator Ted Dewan. Bing takes on pre-school challenges such as getting dressed, eating your breakfast and going to the park in his own inimitable style. He is a modern pre-schooler and, in Ted Dewan's exciting new artwork style, has a freshness and friendliness that is both appealing and different from anything else on the market.
About this product: Bing Bunny is a loveable, feisty new pre-school character, created by Kate Greenaway-shortlisted illustrator Ted Dewan. Bing takes on pre-school challenges such as getting dressed, eating your breakfast and going to the park in his own inimitable style. He is a modern pre-schooler and, in Ted Dewan's exciting new artwork style, has a freshness and friendliness that is both appealing and different from anything else on the market. Bing: Bedtime takes us through the familiar toddler ritual of getting ready for bed. But as usual things don't go all that smoothly - but with a hiccup or two. Bing finally gets tucked up in bed and goes to sleep. Bedtime - it's a Bing thing!
About this product: In The Memoirs of Bing Devine, this quiet gentleman details -- after years of coaxing by family and friends -- the staggering scope of his 65 years in pro baseball. And he does so in typical fashion, deferring credit for every triumph and taking blame for every setback, even if not personally at fault. Devine was best known for his two decades as a big-league general manager from 1958 through 1978. He built, from scratch, four World Series teams in two cities: The Cardinals of '64, '67, '68, and New York's Miracle Mets of '69. In Devine's remarkable 88 years of life, he was deeply involved with a Who's Who of baseball greats. He pitched batting practice to his idol, Joe Medwick. He hired a young broadcaster named Jack Buck in the minors, then recommended him to the Cardinals. He worked for and with legendary GMs Branch Rickey, George Weiss and Frank Lane. He argued against Lane's proposed trade of Stan Musial to Pittsburgh. In his first act as GM, he vetoed Lane's pending trade of Ken Boyer for Richie Ashburn. He brought Johnny Keane to St. Louis and Gil Hodges to New York to lead future World Series champs. In The Memoirs of Bing Devine, Devine for the first time gives his take on that tumultuous turn of events. And, after his unlikely return three years later, of Busch's disastrous demand to trade Steve Carlton. It was Devine who inadvertently opened the Flood-gates of free agency, trading Curt Flood to Philly in a move that wound up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
About this product: Bing Bunny is a lovable, feisty preschool character created by Ted Dewan, who was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration. Bing Bunny tackles preschool challenges such as getting dressed, eating breakfast, and going to the park in his own charming style—and always with a sense of humor. In an exciting new illustration style for Dewan, Bing Bunny has a freshness and friendliness that is both appealing and different, and sure to be a hit with toddlers and preschoolers.
Bing: Paint Day is a celebration of color, paint, making pictures, and making a mess! Painting pictures—it’s a Bing thing!
About this product: In Bing: Make Music, Bing and Flop use everyday items, like keys and a tub of rice, as well as instruments to make music. But don’t bang on the music box, Bing! Don’t worry, we can fix it. Making music, it’s a Bing thing!
BOOK
