jgcully's reviews
372 reviews

Armies of Sand: The Past, Present, and Future of Arab Military Effectiveness by Kenneth M. Pollack

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challenging informative slow-paced

5.0

An excellent book, packed with detail and very readable. Kenneth delves into the particulars of numerous conflicts, not just those in the middle east, to explain Arab military victories, and defeats, since the 1940's. Required reading for anyone with an interest in the middle east, it's past and it's future. Highly recommended. 
Modern Warfare: A Lowy Institute Paper: Penguin Special by Sir Lawrence Freedman

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informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

For anyone following the War in Ukraine and modern warfare in general, this is well worth picking up. Professor Freedman not only summaries many of the important events of the war up to late 2023 but also concentrates on strategic considerations and modern warfare in general. Excellent work. 
Jagged Alliance 2 by Darius Kazemi

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emotional funny informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

U.S. Civil War Battle by Battle by Iain MacGregor

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informative medium-paced

5.0

Ah excellent, pocket sized resource. Brilliant in particular for wargamers and miniature painters as it provides summary information on dozens of battles as well as full colour paintings of battles, uniforms and equipment. Highly recommended. 
Lustrum: A Novel by Robert Harris

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The End and the Death: Volume III by Dan Abnett

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

An exceptional end to an exceptional series. Dan handles the hard task of tying up the many loose ends with great skill. Expectations were high but the writing, pace and conclusion rose to the occasion. Very impressed, loved every page. Thank you Dan. 
The End and the Death: Volume II by Dan Abnett

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The second volume takes up the story with gusto.  The story as before is told in multiple small chapters, from different perspectives and view points. The shortness of the chapters tempts you to just keep going. It's a considerable length but the pace feels fast especially as that inevitable first duel comes roaring up from the pages. Well written as usual and so much wonderful detail. Excellent. 
The End and the Death: Volume I by Dan Abnett

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The first of the 3, Dan Abnett's epic tale has a very game of thrones vibe to it. Each chapter is short, sometimes only a few pages, but is taken from a variety of view points and perspectives. This was quite clever as I found I just had to keep reading at certain times. "This chapter is only a few pages!" . The tale is smoothly told, the characters well written as one expects of this series and the ending suitable for a multiple book tale. I'm already reading the 2nd volume without a negative thought. Well done Dan. On to the next! 
White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan by Mick Ryan

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informative tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Victory to Defeat: The British Army 1918–40 by Robert Lyman, Richard Dannatt

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

A very timely book.  This book lays out in detail what happened to the British army between 1918 and 1940, and it's parallel's with many of the most recent international events are stark indeed. A must read for policy makers as well as historians. History really does repeat itself. It's important that the right lessons are learned. Excellent.