From Vietnam to Space: November’s Military Journals

Curated reads to inspire, inform, and prepare the modern warrior

Dec 23, 2024

AI image of a stack of books with titles such as Vietnam Helicopter Scouts, Naval Warfare, Space Warfare in an old WWII style image.

Last month, we continued our journey into military publication book reviews, and now we're excited to present the fourth installment for November 2024 recommendations. Building on the momentum from previous months, this edition features another thoughtfully curated selection of books reviewed in military journals and publications, now enhanced with concise one-sentence summaries to provide a snapshot of each book’s key focus.

Quote with white text on black background: "In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable."

While we’ve let the titles and summaries speak for themselves, we’ve also included links to the publication websites and membership pages for those interested in exploring further. Keep in mind that some of these publications require a subscription, so we recommend choosing the one that best aligns with your professional and personal interests. Regularly reading their articles and book reviews is an excellent way to stay informed and continually grow your military reading list.

Share The Military Reading Room - History, Strategy, and Insight

Our review of the November military journals highlights diverse works spanning modern military strategy and cutting-edge technological challenges. These books look into pivotal moments and issues, from the intense firsthand account of Vietnam helicopter operations in Low Level Hell to the exploration of AI’s role in future conflicts in Algorithms of Armageddon. Other highlights include How to Lose a War, a critical analysis of the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan. Readers will also find thought-provoking discussions on the evolving geopolitical landscape in Cold War 2.0 and the strategic complexities of celestial conflict in Space Warfare. Whether your interests lie in history, strategy, or technology, this collection offers something for everyone

Banner. The U.S. Army Aviation Digest - Professional Bulletin of the Army Aviation Branch

U.S. Army Aviation Digest - Fall Issue

Website: Army Aviation Digest

Low Level Hell - A Bird’s Eye View of the Helicopter War in Vietnam or A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One

By Hugh L. Mills, Jr - Random House - 2000

One sentence summary: COL Hugh L. Mills Jr.’s Low Level Hell: A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One delivers an intense, action-packed account of his Vietnam War experiences, highlighting his resilience, leadership, and innovative tactics while offering invaluable lessons for modern military aviators.

The cover of the book Low Level Hell: A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One by Hugh L. Mills, Jr., features a silhouette of a helicopter flying against a muted orange and brown background, with bold yellow lettering for the title and the author's name. An emblem resembling a scout patch with the words "Outcasts" and "Low Level Hell" is displayed in the bottom right corner.

A rectangular banner featuring a bold black background with white text that reads "Proceedings Magazine" and smaller text below it that says "U.S. Naval Institute Press," framed by a solid navy-blue border.

Proceedings - U.S. Naval Institute Press

Proceedings Website (Membership Required after five article views - subscribe here: Join)

Algorithms of Armageddon: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Future Wars

By George Galdorisi and Sam J. Tangredi USN (Ret.) - Naval Institute Press - 2024

One sentence summary: Algorithms of Armageddon by George Galdorisi and Sam Tangredi offers a thorough analysis of AI’s transformative role in future warfare, emphasizing the urgent need for the United States to advance its military AI capabilities to compete with global powers like China and Russia while balancing ethical considerations and the risks of autonomous systems.

The cover of the book Algorithms of Armageddon: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Future Wars features a minimalist red background with faint lines of computer code in the backdrop. The title is prominently displayed in bold white text, with the subtitle in smaller font beneath a white horizontal band. Below the subtitle are the authors' names, George Galdorisi and Sam J. Tangredi, and a note for the foreword by Robert O. Work.

How to Lose a War: The Story of America’s Intervention in Afghanistan

By Amin Saikal - Yale University Press - 2024

One sentence summary: Amin Saikal's How to Lose a War examines the U.S. failure in Afghanistan through the lens of the "Afghan Trap," arguing that a lack of clear strategic goals and a tendency toward short-term thinking led to mission creep, ineffective state-building, and ultimate failure, offering valuable lessons for military professionals and policymakers.

The cover of How to Lose a War: The Story of America's Intervention in Afghanistan by Amin Saikal features a dramatic image of soldiers crouched in a desert landscape with their heads bowed, while a helicopter looms in the background against a moody blue sky. The title is prominently displayed in bold white letters, with a subtitle beneath it in smaller text. The author’s name appears at the bottom in light blue font, and a testimonial quote is placed at the top.

Air & Space Operations Review - Air University

ASOR Website (Subscription not required, but you can subscribe for updates)

Cold War 2.0: Artificial Intelligence in the New Battle between China, Russia, and America

By George S Takach - Pegasus Books - 2024

One sentence summary: In Cold War 2.0: Artificial Intelligence in the New Battle between China, Russia, and America, George S. Takach examines how key technologies—AI, semiconductor chips, quantum computing, and biotechnology—are shaping a modern geopolitical struggle, arguing that democracies must innovate and decouple from autocracies like China to maintain global leadership and avoid potential conflict.

The cover of Cold War 2.0: Artificial Intelligence in the New Battle Between China, Russia, and America by George S. Takach features an aerial view of a deep blue ocean with a lone ship cutting through the water, creating a stark and dramatic visual. The title is displayed in bold white text in the center, with the author’s name at the top and the subtitle at the bottom, emphasizing the geopolitical and technological themes of the book.

Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy

By John J. Klein - Routledge 2d Ed. - 2024

One sentence summary: John J. Klein's updated Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles, and Policy expands significantly on his original work, blending maritime strategic principles with modern spacepower theory to explore the complexities of celestial conflict, offering nuanced insights into the military, commercial, and geopolitical dimensions of space strategy.

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