War Made New: Technology, Warfare, and the Course of History: 1500 to Today

War Made New: Technology, Warfare, and the Course of History: 1500 to Today
Average customer rating:

Not just history, but analysis and insight

War Made New

Don't Bother With This Recycled NeoCon Drivel

enjoyable, informatiive read

RMA for the masses

War Made New: Technology, Warfare, and the Course of History: 1500 to Today
Max Boot
Manufacturer: Gotham
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1592402224

Book Description

A monumental, groundbreaking work of history that shows how technological and strategic revolutions have transformed the battlefield—from the Spanish Armada to the War on Terror— and how mastery of these innovations has shaped the rise and fall of nations and empires

In War Made New, acclaimed author Max Boot explores how innovations in warfare mark crucial turning points in modern history, influencing events well beyond the realm of combat. Combining gripping narrative history with wide-ranging analysis, Boot focuses on four “revolutions” in military affairs and describes key battles from each period to explain how inventions ranging from gunpowder to GPS-guided air-strikes have remade the field of battle— and shaped the rise and fall of empires.

Bringing to life battles from the defeat of the Spanish Armada to Wellington's victory at Assaye, War Made New analyzes the Gunpowder Revolution and explains warfare's evolution from ritualistic, drawn-out engagements to much deadlier events, precipitating the rise of the modern nation state. He next explores the triumph of steel and steam during the Industrial Revolution, including the British triumph at Omdurman and the climax of the Russo-Japanese war at Tsushima, showing how it powered the spread of European colonial empires. Moving into the twentieth century and the Second Industrial Revolution, Boot examines three critical clashes of World War II—the German army's blitzkrieg, Pearl Harbor, and the firebombing of Tokyo—to illustrate how new technology such as the tank, radio, and airplane ushered in terrifying new forms of warfare that aided the rise of highly centralized, and even totalitarian, world powers. Finally, in his section on the Information Revolution, Boot focuses on the Gulf War, the invasion of Afghanistan, and the Iraq war, arguing that even as cutting-edge technologies such as stealth aircraft have made America the greatest military power in world history, advanced communications systems have allowed decentralized, “irregular” forces to become an increasingly significant threat to Western power. BACKCOVER: Advance Praise for War Made New
“Max Boot traces the impact of military revolutions on the course of politics and history over the past 500 years. In doing so, he shows that changes in military technology are limited not to warfighting alone, but play a decisive role in shaping our world. Sweeping and erudite, while entirely accessible to the lay reader, this work is key for anyone interested in where military revolutions have taken us—and where they might lead in the future.”
—U.S. Senator John McCain

“While much has been in written in recent years about the so-called `Revolution in Military Affairs,' Max Boot is the first scholar to place it within the broad sweep of history, and in the context of the rise of the West in world affairs since 1500. In so doing, he not only tells a remarkable tale, but he compels us all, even those obsessed solely with contemporary military affairs, to ask the right questions and to distinguish what is truly new and revolutionary from what is merely ephemeral. He has rendered a valuable service, and given us a fascinating read at the same time, so we are doubly in his debt.”
—Paul Kennedy, Professor of History at Yale University and author of The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers

“War Made New is impressive in scope. What is equally impressive is its unique interpretation of the causal relationship between technology, warfare and the contemporary social milieu. This is a superb thinking person's book which scrutinizes conventional historical wisdom through a new lens.”
—Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor, USMC (ret.), co-author of Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq

“Max Boot's book takes hundred of years of tactical battle history and reduces it to an incisive narrative of how war has changed. By providing such a coherent view of the past, he has pointed us toward the future. What is doubly impressive is how he draws surprising, fresh lessons from wars we thought we knew so much about but in fact didn't.”
—Robert D. Kaplan, author of Imperial Grunts

Customer Reviews:

Not just history, but analysis and insight.......2007-09-03

Max manages to well capture the balance between seeing the forest at the same time as the trees. Further, by extrapolation, he offers insight as to what the forest will look like in the future. I thought the book was excellent, and should be good reading for any military officer. I am a retired military officer, and have seen all the changes from the middle of the Cold War to Gulf War II. It's a completely different ball game, and Max covers it well. {To the detractors; all books have factual errors. Look to the forest, not the trees, or you miss the point of the book.)

War Made New.......2007-05-26

Absolutely excellent. Completely objective presentation. Fabulous survey of how technological and tactical changes affected western history.

Don't Bother With This Recycled NeoCon Drivel.......2007-05-08

[Update: If you are thinking about buying this book, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!!!

As a courtesy, I copied Boot on a letter to the LA Times that pointed out a series of factual errors and inconsistencies in a May 31, 2007 column he wrote about achieving "Victory" in Iraq by firing purportedly "aged" US Army Generals. (Boot's underlying premise is that there is nothing wrong with the NeoCon policies that put our troops in harm's way without enough personnel, equipment or support -- it's those "old fud" Generals who are to blame!

(I'm not making this up! That actually is Boot's theory.)

Boot responded like the Proverbial Scalded Cat, and in classic NeoCon style, e.g., claiming not to have made any mistakes; claiming that pointing out his glaring factual errors was an "ad hominem attack"; and generally displaying all of the NeoCon hubris that is getting US military personnel killed and wounded every day in Iraq.

It would be hysterically funny were it not for the fact that most people can't see through the tactics that Boot and the other NeoCons use -- including, most prominently, ignoring demonstrable facts that don't "fit" the ideological theories they are pushing.

Really, before you buy this drivel, email me and I'll send you a copy of Boot's emails. They will give you a taste of his "reasoning" and disregard for the truth.]

In my view, Max Boot is an example of the kind of NeoCon thinking that has gotten us into this generation's quamire. Boot is, basically, a liberal arts major with no military experience, and without the insights that such experience might bring.

In "War Made New," Boot "re-cycles" (a politer word than "steals") ideas have been around for years, and which have been expressed more clearly by a number of other military intellectuals and historians. Further, Boot repeatedly gets minor facts wrong, e.g., he claims that the WWII-era Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane were both "all-metal" fighters. (The Spitfire was; the Hurricane wasn't -- which is obvious even from pictures of the latter if you know what you are talking about.) These small discrepancies add up, and you ultimately realize that Boot is merely repeating the thoughts of others.

Boot's final/main contention, that there has been a major shift to "Information Warfare," is not borne out by the "facts on ground" in Iraq, and has never been tested in combat. The US military's new smart bomb/high technology theory of warfare has never been used against an opponent with the ability and resources to counter/exploit the obvious weak points in such systems.

To give but one example, which Boot doesn't have the knowledge or experience to discuss: Our JDAMS smart bombs work using GPS signals for guidance. Question: What happens if our opponent has the capability to jam GPS signals, or knock out the GPS satellites (a technology that China is working on)? Answer: The US is left with a pile of "dumb" bombs, and a force structure that is too small to use them. Result: We lose, despite all of our Gee Whiz weaponry.

Let's face it: NeoCons like Boot work for the military-industrial complex that sells these very expensive Wonder Weapons. He has about as much intellectual credibility as, say, Douglas Feith and Paul Wolfowitz. So save your money, and read authors who know what they are talking about.

Neil

[P.S. In candor, Boot pointed out that I originally had "Feith" as "Fife." I thanked him for pointing this error, but admitted that I had trouble telling the "NeoCon Intellectuals" apart, given that they all used the same "reasoning," e.g., "Cut The Facts To Fit The Theory."

Onward, to Victory! NEOCON INTELLECTUALS TO THE FRONT!]

enjoyable, informatiive read.......2007-05-01

I must say, I found this book interesting. I am not a military expert, but I believe his basic premises are correct. This is a journey through the effects of technological advances in warfare and the corresponding effects on society. No section is so long that it becomes boring. I found the whole thing engrossing and hard to put down. I recommend it!

RMA for the masses.......2007-04-24

A decade ago, the defense policy community was a buzz about an emerging "Revolution in Military Affairs" (RMA) - a discontinuous change in the nature of warfare generated by the information revolution whose potential was so clearly demonstrated by the overwhelming advantage that precision guided munitions and operational awareness conferred to US forces in the Gulf War of 1991.

Today, the increasingly low-tech, irregular nature of the current Global War on Terror and, more recently, the frustrating experience of counterinsurgency in Iraq, have seemingly diminished the importance of the RMA and discredited its most vocal proponents. This is unfair and unfortunate as the notion of periodic, major transformational change in military technology and operational capabilities is certainly sound. Moreover, it is a concept that anyone serious about military history or international affairs ought to be familiar with and consider seriously. There is no better introduction to the topic than "War Made New: Technology, Warfare, and the Course of History, 1500 to Today" by Max Boot.

There are several reasons to recommend "War Made New." To begin with, author Max Boot is a superb talent and, in many ways, was the ideal person to write the first general overview of the RMA concept and a sampling of the many historical case studies that support the theory. As a long-time lead defense reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Boot possesses a sophisticated understanding of current defense policy and national security strategy. Better yet, he writes with the same engaging and lucid style of other defense journalists that have written best-selling full-length books, such as David Halberstam, Tom Ricks, and Neil Sheehan. Prior to "War Made New," the RMA had been a subject only written about by academics and policy wonks. This book should take the RMA and the classic RMA case studies to a mainstream audience.

The book is broken up into five parts. The first three parts review distinct RMAs from the past half-millennium. In "The Gunpowder Revolution" Boot covers the dramatic increase in the destructive capacity of gunpowder weapons that emerged in the late 15th century, the tactical changes developed by the Dutch and perfected by Gustavus Adolphus during the Thirty Years' War to maximize the rate of fire and overall impact of hand-held and mobile artillery firepower, and the parallel creation and stunning growth of standing professional armies throughout Europe during the period that led to the first stage of western imperialism in the 18th century. The author uses the examples of the British defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588), two major battles of the Thirty Years War (1631-32), and a less familiar episode in British India (1803) to illustrate how and why technological, doctrinal, and organizational change had profound impact not just on the course of a battle, but the outcome of war, the development of societies, and the fate of history.

The second part addresses "The First Industrial Revolution" where Boot covers engagements as diverse in time and place as the battles of Koniggratz in the Franco-Prussian War (1866), Omdurman in modern-day Sudan between the British and the native Mahdi Army (1898), and the shocking Japanese naval victory over the imperial Russian fleet at Tsushima (1905). The period between 1850 and 1914 is generally seen as the "railroad, rifle, and telegraph" RMA and Boot generally adheres to that thesis, although he stresses that the advantages conferred by early industrial technology were by no means the sole property of Western European states, a message that applies to any technological revolution that spawns an RMA.

The final historical part covers "The Second Industrial Revolution" and addresses the dramatic and non-linear changes that occurred during the interwar period in land warfare with the advent of armored warfare, at sea with the ascendancy of aircraft carriers as the new capital ship of fleet engagements, and in the air with advent of strategic bombing. The case studies that Boot writes here on the German invasion of France (1940), the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor (1941), and the US air campaign against Tokyo (1945) have long been the staple of modern RMA theory.

These first three parts account for nearly three-quarters of the book. Each case study is crisply written and makes a compelling point. That said, Boot offers no radical reinterpretations of what an RMA is or in anyway fundamentally challenges the conventional wisdom that developed amongst RMA proponents during the 1990s. Many of the case studies he provides have been written about extensively before and make essentially the same arguments. Boot's main value added is the fluidity of his prose and how he ties five centuries of history into one coherent and convincing argument.

The final two parts of the book covers the present and future. The fourth part addresses "The Information Revolution" and, unlike the first three Revolutions, is entirely focused on one nation - the US victory in the First Gulf War (1991), the US invasion of Afghanistan (2002), and the US invasion of Iraq (2003). Here, Boot focuses on the conventional aspects of each engagement where US firepower and advanced technology played a decisive role in defeating enemy forces. He concedes that much of the advantages of information age weaponry has little relevance to the messy, day-to-day conduct of counter-insurgency, but spends little time pondering if and how the information RMA has any relevance to current low intensity operations around the world.

The final part offers an overview of "Revolutions to Come" and highlights the military potential of cyberwarfare, nanotechnology, robotics, and the military use of space. This section reads like grist for a science fiction book and should prompt analysts to reflect on how future technology may impact the conduct of military operations decades from now.

Despite the broad historical and technological sweep of Boot's case studies, he consistently stresses five points. First, despite the focus on technology in the subtitle and the role new technology plays in every chapter, Boot stresses that technology alone does not and cannot make an RMA. True discontinuous change is driven by the combination of new technology with new tactics and organization, thoughtful leadership, and perhaps most importantly, an efficient and effective centralized bureaucracy able to nurture and promote innovation. Second, Boot cautions that nations ignore RMAs at their peril. Every major city-state or nation-state that failed to embrace and support new military technology, doctrine, and methods have seen their relative position in the international balance of powers significantly diminished. Third, mastery of an RMA may convey distinct battlefield advantages, but ultimate victory or defeat hinges on wise political decisions and diplomacy. Fourth, the military advantages to a nation in excelling in an RMA are enormous, but history has demonstrated that it is very difficult to maintain a lead for long. Competent and resourceful competitors will learn and adapt, and are quite likely to take fuller advantage of more recent developments in technology and operations. Finally, Boot notes that the pace of innovation is speeding up. In the past, an RMA could take several centuries to completely unfold. Today, it is likely to happen in several decades.

In sum, military transformation and the RMA is a concept informed readers of history and current events ought to be well acquainted with. There are certainly many divergent, but credible and thoughtful opinions on the matter. "War Made New" is no doubt sympathetic to the RMA argument and clearly sees former secretary of defense Rumfeld's military transformation push as the correct and necessary path for present-day policymakers to pursue. Whether today's intelligence analysts and operators accept all, part, or none of the RMA concept is not nearly as important as more fully understanding the theory, the many historical examples that purport to support it, and how and why it may impact contemporary or future military operations. There is no better place to start than Max Boot's "War Made New."

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp

Average customer rating:

Not army boot camp anymore...
amazing...
Incredible
Decent Book For Ultra-Noob
Where Was This Book in 1965?

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp
Michael Volkin
Manufacturer: Savas Beatie
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1932714111

Book Description

As anyone who has undergone the transition from civilian to soldier will tell you, basic training is a lot tougher and more challenging than any recruit can imagine. Michael Volkin discovered that fact soon after 9-11, when his personal vow to serve my country convinced him to enlist in the U.S. Army.

As Volkin quickly discovered, he was utterly unprepared for the new world of the military, "a completely different environment full of unknown exercises and acronyms, where can't eat or talk without permission. Volkin began taking notes on everything and anything with the hope that no one else would have to go through basic training like I did completely unarmed with knowledge that would have eased my transition into the military and allowed me to be more successful.

During Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom, Volkin organized his notes, interviewed hundreds of other soldiers, and began to write. The result is The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook, a unique and utterly indispensable guide to successfully coping with and thriving in today's military.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook is a comprehensive, practical, and easy-to-follow survival guide written specifically for every new or prospective recruit about to enter any branch of the armed forces. Volkin's book offers step-by-step instructions and solutions, including helpful charts and graphics, for how to prepare both physically and mentally for boot camp. It includes a special eight-week fitness program specifically designed to improve your fitness test scores, specific study guides, an instructional How to"chapter, a list of what to bring (and not to bring) to basic training, tips for success, and much more.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook was written by a soldier for men and women who want to become soldiers. No one should enter boot camp without having read this book.

Customer Reviews:

Not army boot camp anymore..........2007-09-07

This book has been super helpful in preparing my husband for boot camp- physically and mentally. The only problem is that we've learned that after the publishing of this book a lot changed in army boot camp. At first my husband was interested in joining the national guard, but in order to go to a boot camp like what is described in this book, he has to choose a different branch of military.

amazing..........2007-02-19

This book was packed with info that will benefit anyone interested in going into the militry. My hubby went through boot camp a few years ago and said that all of the info would have made life a little easier then...lol.

Incredible.......2007-01-17

This book has helped me in so many ways. I knew nothing about the military before I left for boot camp. Now, I feel I am completely ready. The book has an easy to understand fitness routine and told me what to expect mentally from a drill sergeant, even the other recruits. This book even contains a packing list so I know exactly what to pack for boot camp.
Before I was scared to leave for basic, now I cant wait.

Decent Book For Ultra-Noob.......2007-01-17

First off, there are many inaccuracies in this book which is odd considering it was written by a SGT (sergeant). The book is not as good as it could be but it's better than any other book on the military out there - as far as getting through basic training.

Overall, it's a helpful book because it will familiarize you with the Army and basic training. The Army is changing quick so some of the info is not relevant.

I'm a veteran of the Army and I think it could be beneficial. I'd recommend talking to recent basic training graduates and ask your recruiter lots of questions. There's also great info on the Army recruiting websites now.

Where Was This Book in 1965? .......2006-09-15

I always felt that my basic training experience back in 1965 would have been much better had I known something about what I was going to endure. Now, modern day Army recruits have at their finger tips, "The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook" for surviving "boot camp"; and this is no exaggeration! Author Sgt. Michael Volkin has done a very creditable job of capturing all the needed information to survive basic training.

He gives you insights and how and why things happen and what you can do ahead of time to prepare yourself for that experience. I guarantee that if you follow his advice as outlined in his book that basic training will be much easier physically and emotionally for you. The keys from his many words of wisdom are to be prepared and to expect the unexpected.

This book is an absolute must for new basic trainees. It can make all the difference between failing mentally or physically and successfully enduring the training. Good photos illustrate physical exercises that will prepare you for the physical needs of basic. The guidebook also gives a good overview of what you should expect to happen from the time you arrive at your basic training facility and reception to graduation week. It takes you step by step through the whole program of training. More importantly, he gives the recruit some good personal advice on how to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble with your "Drill Instructors".

For those of us "old school" Army veterans from Nam or before --it is interesting to note that your DI can no longer physically hit you and kick you or punch you. Gone are the good old days of brutal and unrestrained Army training; but it still doesn't mean that it is any easier to complete. There are those physical elements of running and push-ups and sit-ups that will always continue to challenge new recruits.

Sgt. Volkin has broken his book into logical chapters that are both easy to read and understand. If you are going into the Army you will find this book even more helpful if you get your hands on a copy and read it prior to reporting. It will give you an edge over others. Your confidence will also be enhanced because you will actually be ahead of the game and will know more than the average recruit.

Average customer rating:

A Collector's Classic
The only one you'll need
A cowboy boot love affair
Blew My Mind!
Yee-Haw! A fresh look at iconographic western footwear.

Cowboy Boot Book, The
Tyler Beard
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Cowboy Boots
Art of the Boot, PB
Cowboy Hat Book, The (rev)
The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)
Cowboy Boots

Accessories:

philosophy razor sharp silicone shaving gel
Men-u Ultra Concentrate Shave Cream

ASIN: 0879054719

Book Description

It's a "pictorial guide to fancy footgear," states Texas Monthly. THE COWBOY BOOT BOOK has it all--history, anatomy, leathers, fit, care, makers, sellers, and famous wearers--even a glossary of boot terms for the novice. Beard's anecdotes and Texas charm will keep you entertained; Arndt's heart-stopping photos will keep you enthralled. The recent renaissance of artful bootmaking will keep this selling.

Customer Reviews:

A Collector's Classic.......2007-01-02

This is Tyler & Jim's first "boot book" and it has turned more people into boot collectors and bootmakers than any other.

I think it's because of the great personal stories it tells ...and the portrait Jim took of each maker. This book has the look and feel of a treasure map.

Originally printed in 1992, it's remarkable that it's still in print. Get it while you can.

The only one you'll need.......2004-05-14

If your're looking to buy this book then you've probably heard of the legendary book titled "Texas Boots" now out of print. Don't fret--this book is better. Whereas the older book was mostly black and white, this one has beautiful color pictures, and most of the bootmakers listed here are still alive. In fact, if you buy this book don't bother to consider "The Art of the Boot" by the same author as the two books are about the same, except that Art costs more and has a few more pictures, but the Cowboy Boot Book has a much better history of the cowboy boot.

A cowboy boot love affair.......2000-06-03

This is a book that works on many levels making it a great introduction to the history, art, and craft of cowboy bootmaking. It quotes Jack Reed, the only owner of a one-man boot shop left in Texas, saying it takes 372 steps to make cowboy boots, but is not detailed enough to list them all. Until I read this book, I had no idea that there was a market in vintage cowboy boots. I found out that original ornate tops can be fitted with a replaced foot to bring old boots back to life. Jim Arndt's photographs of boots, bootmakers, and boot collectors are outstanding throughout and really bring the book to life. The beginning of the book does an admirable job tracing the history of cowboy boots back to the old Texas-to-Kansas cattle drives of the post-Civil War era. This is followed by a great A - Z directory of the various skins that have been used to make the boots including characteristics, care, and current availability. The next section is a great history of the major boot making factories and the people behind them with chapters on Justin, Nocona, Tony Lama, Lucchese, and Rocketbuster. The rest of the book covers the rest of the cowboy boot business and personalities. Included are descriptions of individual bootmakers and cowboy boot collectors. Each is lavishly illustrated with pictures of them and their boots. The author and photographer are avid collectors and their collections are covered in this section of the book. The book ends with an outline of the retail side of the industry. Major sellers of new and vintage boots are described and a state-by-state Store Guide is included. Of course, not every state has a custom bootmaker or a vintage cowboy boot store, but you can still find the nearest one if this book has convinced you that you are ready for the next step above looking in the Yellow Pages under Western Apparel. The only place where I felt this book went too far is when they say in the caption to a photograph: "the details of this pair of boots could be compared to a fine oil painting." But if you want a basic knowledge of cowboy boots, or love to look at cowboy boots either in a store or on other people's feet this is the book for you.

Blew My Mind!.......1999-08-02

Yep, I'm a boot wearin' Jewish cowboy! (A doctor, in fact!) I started Country & Western line dancing a couple years ago, and from there I got into boots. Been wearin' 'em ever since!

That said, I was totally blown away by the unbelievable hand-made boots in this book. Spectacularly photographed, they appear as works of art. (I see that the same authors are publishing a book later this year called "The Art of the Boot". You know I'll be buying a copy!). I personally have a couple pairs of wonderful Tony Lama boots that fit like a glove, but the boots in this book are in a different class entirely - we're talking ten times more expensive than anything you might find on the shelf at a western wear store.

It'll be a while before I can afford any of the boots in this book, but it's nice to admire them, and appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication that went into making them.

Yee-Haw! A fresh look at iconographic western footwear........1998-08-08

Filled with great photographs and lots of info, this book is a visual kick in the butt as well as an interesting look at wearers and makers of boots. (Surprise inside - Imelda wasn't the only one with a problem.) The author's interest in the fancy, short boots of the 40's is apparent in the book; after all, they are fascinating to look at. On the other hand, there is not a lot of history associated with the development of the cowboy boot as an article of working clothing, or how it became a touchstone of American culture. In a nutshell, the book is a magnificent coffee table work that is much too informative to leave in the living room. There is nothing else quite like it in print and it is a must have for anyone into things Western.

Novelists Boot Camp: 101 Ways to Take Your Book From Boring to Bestseller

Average customer rating:

"Take No Prisoners" approach
Good but not great
Boot Camp
INTERESTING AND FUNNY
Do you write commercial fiction? You might need this book!

Novelists Boot Camp: 101 Ways to Take Your Book From Boring to Bestseller
Todd Stone
Manufacturer: Writers Digest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1582973601

Book Description

It's time to plan and execute a writing strategy that's in sync with your ultimate mission objective: getting published.

In Novelist's Boot Camp, author Todd A. Stone, a former assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, draws on his experience as novelist, writing instructor, and military officer to help get you and your writing into tip-top shape.

This boot-camp-in-a-book includes 101 carefully crafted drills designed to show you how to:

• Identify and develop story ideas with laser-like perception
• Create realistic "alpha" characters who can take charge of any scene
• Know what motivates your protagonist's enemy so that you can amp up the conflict
• Outline your story to avoid sneak attacks from flawed plot twists
• Dodge the land mines of bad writing like Deadly Modifier Buildup (DMBU)
• Triage your scenes to ensure a thorough and precise revision process

Plus, there's a twelve-week boot camp battle plan that you can use to stay the course and finish your novel.

Novelist's Boot Camp provides you with all the ammunition you need to approach your work with dedication, confidence, and skill. Now, report for duty and start writing that bestseller!

Customer Reviews:

"Take No Prisoners" approach.......2007-09-17

Among the few fiction writing books I've purchased, "Novelist's Boot Camp" is the only one that treats fiction writing like a military campaign. You do it, soldier. And author Todd Stone makes it seem like you have no choice.

It's a refreshing approach, using military analogy as substitute for the usual inspirational heart-to-heart used by other how-to's. Stone also includes a 12-week program for putting together a novel. It's not very practical on the onset--unless you can buy extra time--but it admittedly gave me a confidence boost.

And maybe this is the best benefit this book has. When you're tired of listening to the soft talk, "Novelist's Boot Camp" may give you the adrenaline rush you need. I give this just three stars, however. When the initial thrill passes, so does the novelty. Stripped of all the army-themed trappings, this book is simply passable.

It serves its purpose, just like a good soldier should.

Good but not great.......2007-05-24

I found this useful but not indispensible. There are better books out there for the beginning or budding author.

Boot Camp.......2007-03-01

You just have to love the concept, don't you? Lots of people say they want to write a book, and some even mean it, but most never write that book. Writing a novel isn't done by sitting around waiting for the book fairy to sprinkle you with magic dust. You have to have the discipline to sit your butt in a chair and write, every day, one step at a time. Todd A. Stone is a novelist I've admired for many years, and he's also a former Army Airborne/Ranger Infantry officer with a Master's Degree in English. So if you read his book, he'll give you the tools and the discipline you need to write some books. Why did I write four novels one year, one three years later, and one three years later than that? Because I needed Todd A. Stone to kick my flabby butt and whip my flabby civilian self back into tip top writing shape. He's a fantastic writer, full of useful advice explained well, but I knew that already. I've been reading his articles, and his fiction, for years. Now I've read NOVELIST'S BOOT CAMP, and I highly recommend that you do the same.

INTERESTING AND FUNNY.......2006-10-28

Novelist's Boot Camp: 101 Ways to Take Your Book from Boring to Bestseller by Todd A. Stone is interesting and funny. Although portions of the book are pretty superficial and I flat out disagree with some of the statements, others offer interesting insight for students of novel-writing.

The pithy, no-nonsense, boot-camp approach certainly sets this book apart from its competition, the other A-Z, concept-to-publication, how-to-write-a-novel books. No doubt, the military analogies that preface each drill (chapter) will be viewed by some readers as hokey, but I found them humorous and refreshing.

Boot Camp passed my "Hi-Liter test." As I read a book, I highlight the meaty parts for further reference. Books with little substance survive relatively unscathed, while information-packed, insightful books get a heavy dose of yellow ink. My copy of Boot Camp is now painted yellow.

Boot Camp faired less well on my "note-taking test." After I finish reading a book, I review the passages marked with the Hi-Liter, scribbling notes to be filed by topic. Some of the chapters were packed with insight and juicy tidbits I noted for future reference, but much of the subject matter was a review for me.

Using a five-star rating system, I rank Boot Camp four stars. I didn't give it five stars because of what's missing from the text. I found the chapters about raising the stakes and description insightful while some subjects such as theme and scene & sequel were hardly mentioned. And the examples could have been better chosen to illustrate the points being made. I consider some of the material outdated for today's writer.

With some revision this book could set a new standard. Future additions might expand treatment of theme and scene & sequel. Outdated references to narrative might be replaced with writing modes as outlined by Evan Marshall in the The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. There are several chapters that could be trimmed or eliminated if space is an issue.

Bottom line, if asked to select the first how-to book for a novice writer, this wouldn't be my pick. But there's plenty to note for a more seasoned student of novel-writing, and Boot Camp is fun to read. Now hit the deck and do some pushups.

Do you write commercial fiction? You might need this book!.......2006-10-12

"Novelist's Boot Camp" is a start-to-finish plan designed to get you through the process of writing a novel, from inspiration straight through revision. It's meant to get your butt in the chair and your hands moving--no whining, no complaining. If you truly want to get your book written but you never seem to get much of anywhere, this book might well give you the discipline and stamina you need, not to mention the tools.

The book starts off at the very beginning, with mental preparation and mission planning. It follows up with invention and development. The next order of business is drafting your novel, with plenty of tips on everything from characterization to style & voice. Mr. Stone has a refreshingly down-to-earth approach. I might not always agree with his assertions, and as always advice which works for one writer won't work for all (which he acknowledges), but many people could benefit from his approach. In particular anyone who wants to make a living writing commercial fiction should try out the methods in this book--if you need to put out novels on a deadline and take such things as genre considerations into account, you'll find an incredible wealth of help between the pages of this book.

I only have two gripes about this book. One is particularly minor and dependent on the reader. While the "boot camp" metaphor lends great insight in places and entertainment value in others (it certainly helps to keep the book from sounding like all the others out there!), sometimes it felt overdone. The other gripe is that sometimes I believe the author overdoes the advice to push your details to the extreme. He's always exhorting writers to make their characters more, bigger, larger-than-life. While to a certain extent I agree, I think it's also far too easy to take this too far, and he didn't include enough cautions along these lines.

The best part of this book (aside from the revision guidelines!) is the short, to-the-point, pithy nature of the drills. It's easy to face reading one or following its instructions when you're only facing 1-3 pages of text with easy bullet lists and plenty of sub-headings. The author is particularly good at distilling valuable advice into quick, easy-to-assimilate passages.

Average customer rating:

These boots belong on the coffee table
Guaranteed to make you smile
I like it!
Long time coming...
I am confused!

Cowboy Boots
Jennifer June
Manufacturer: Universe
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cowboy Boots
Art of the Boot, PB
Cowboy Boot Book, The
The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)
Cowboy Hat Book, The (rev)

ASIN: 0789315378
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Book Description

Jennifer June, a custom cowboy boot maker, takes the reader through the diverse history of the boot, from the early days prior to 1930 to the modern twists on traditional styles popular a century down the line. She looks in detail at the motifs and metaphors that ornament the cowboy boot, from the artistic traditions of Texas boot makers to the symbolism in stitchings of flora and fauna, and examines the different styles, shapes, and materials of boots through the ages. Featuring insights and testimonials from custom cowboy boot makers and obsessive buyers alike, the book also features a section on how to design your own individual boot. Cowboy boots are the most emblematic of American fashion icons, repositories of western tradition and symbols of the strength and endurance of true American style. In recent times, cowboy boots have become permanent fixtures of the fashion world and of Hollywood westerns. Beautifully illustrated with photographs of boots, boot makers, and cowboy fashionistas, this book presents the definitive perspective on the changing roles and various styles of the most enduring American footwear.

Customer Reviews:

These boots belong on the coffee table.......2007-09-15

Though they may have had a utilitarian start, cowboy boots have almost always been a canvas on which to display the skill of the bootmaker and the personality of the owner. "Cowboy Boots: The Art & Sole" by Jennifer June captures this spirit wonderfully, with rich photos and knowledgeable writing. Like many of the bootmakers and boot-wearers quoted in her text, June is a devotee of the boot and her passion for her subject comes through in these pages.

As diverse as the people who wear them, the boots featured here are not easily classified. Some are classic designs while others are quite modern. Some are understated designs of exceptional craftsmanship, while others are over-the-top in colors and stitching ... but equally fine handiwork. Many of these boots (again, like the people who wear them?) have never been near ranch or range in their lives, but actual workin' cowboy boots worn by actual workin' cowboys show up as well. In all, it makes for entertaining browsing as well as informative reading.

Perhaps best of all, though, June includes a section of "Resources" that allow the reader to investigate owning some quality boots of her own. Maybe we can't all afford the exotic leathers or extremes of design, but a solidly-constructed boot from a good designer is still within reach. I can attest to the satisfaction that comes from owning a good pair of cowboy boots, and it was a joy to discover many other people who share that feeling, and the artists who make it possible, in this spirited and entertaining book.

Guaranteed to make you smile.......2007-09-14

This book is pure enjoyment. It doesn't matter if you are new to cowboy boots or have worn them forever, the images and the thoughts this book provokes will delight you. Cowboy Boots: The Art & Sole will captivate your attention. It made me remember wearing cowboy boots and playing in the neighborhood with my friends during a time that our parents weren't so concerned for our safety and well-being. We had play gun fights and used our bikes as horses. We were the modern day cowboys in our little town in Indiana. Cowboy boots are a part of the American culture and one of the many things that makes us unique in today's small world. Ms. June's book will take you back to those memories that you forgot but are warm and pleasant to recall...especially with all that is going on in our lives today. You will also be awed by the craftsmanship in boot-makers. Many people may not realize there are men and women that hold to the traditional ways of making a boot by hand. After reading this book, you will never forget a new artist is out there and their canvas is on someone's feet.

I like it!.......2007-09-14

I like it because it's the first time a picture of a pair of my boots has been published. This is a beautifully researched account of a great genre in American culture.

Long time coming..........2007-09-14

At last, a bootmakers take on the art and craft of Cowboy boots. Jennifer June's new book, Cowboy Boots: The Art & Sole, shines a deserving light on many lesser known master bootmakers. Straight out and written from an insider's perspective, the book is crammed with excellent photography by Marty Snortum and Ms. Junes' informed opinion. Vintage boots. Custom boots and their makers. Factory boots. They're all here. Junes' passion for bootmaking and her love of Cowboy boots is obvious throughout. I'm not an easy critic... this book earned its' place on my book shelf. My hat's off to Jennifer June for helping keep the flame alive.

I am confused!.......2007-09-14

I can't come to a decision if "Cowboy Boots - The Art of the Sole" is a great read with incredible photography or a great photo boot that I loved reading. Thank you June for your dedication and commitment to the art of bootmaking and your loyalty and enthusiasm for the bookmakers.

Everyone that loves and appreciates cowboy boots should have a copy of this boot.

The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)

Average customer rating:

THE BEST LITTLE BOOT BOOK IN THE WORLD
Better to stick with Tyler Beard

The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)
David R. Stoecklein
Manufacturer: Stoecklein Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Photo Essays | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Cowboy Boots
Cowboy Boot Book, The
The Western Buckle: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)
The Spur: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)
Cowboy Boots

ASIN: 1931153264

Book Description

This series of books by photographer David R. Stoecklein brings into focus a few of the most important elements of cowboy gear-boots, spurs, and buckles. The quality and superb craftsmanship of some of these exquisite pieces shine through in these images. In these pages you will find spurs from all across the West, handcrafted belt buckles, and weathered cowboy boots. There is a story behind each one that speaks of the tradition and rich heritage of cowboy life.

Learn about the different styles and varieties of Western gear that have emerged throughout the decades in different regions of the country. The set of three books is the perfect gift for a collector or Western enthusiast.

Customer Reviews:

THE BEST LITTLE BOOT BOOK IN THE WORLD.......2005-06-08

Tyler Beard and Jim Arndt's third book in their trilogy on the subject of cowboy boots is a mini-masterpiece. Although I think you have to own all three books to get the complete picture on the history of the cowboy boot, the 300+ pairs in this little book alone will satisfy any and all cowboy & cowgirl boot dreams. See it to believe it. Wow. I was happy to find that Tyler now has his own website at tylerbeard.com where I was able to buy a first edition. But you can't beat Amazon for prices on current editions. For all you boot scooters out there like me, check out this boot website: www.dimlights.com Inside boot gossip...I read in a newspaper interview that Tyler Beard thinks the best cowboy boot store in the world is Back at The Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Better to stick with Tyler Beard.......2004-11-25

Whether you are a boot fan or just curious this is one book to avoid. The book shows little imagination nor depth of research. Once you've turned a few pages in the book you've seen them all.

Tyler Beard has done three books on boots and each one shows an effort to get out and find the unusual and best examples of boot making. I would advise David R. Stoecklein to do the same.

Get Selected! for Special Forces: How to Successfully Train for and Complete Special Forces Assessment & Selection

Average customer rating:

Get Selected! for Special Forces: How to Successfully Train for and Complete Special Forces Assessment & Selection
Major Joseph J. Martin
Manufacturer: Warrior Mentor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

To Be a U.S. Army Green Beret (To Be A)
The Special Ops Workout: The Elite Exercise Program Inspired by the United States Special Operations Command
Elite Forces Manual of Mental and Physical Endurance: How to Reach Your Physical and Mental Peak
To Be a U. S. Army Ranger (To Be A)
Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

ASIN: 0975355279

Product Description

HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE ASSESSMENT & SELECTION

Average customer rating:

Go ahead and put your boots on the coffee table!
Highly recommended for any with an interest in cowboy culture or boots

Art of the Boot, PB
Tyler Beard
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cowboy Boots
Cowboy Boot Book, The
Cowboy Boots
The Cowboy Boot: History, Art, Culture, Function (Cowboy Gear Series)
Cowboy Hat Book, The (rev)

ASIN: 1423600266

Book Description

Now in paperback, this is the perennial best-seller that started it all, with an incredible look at the artistry happening in boot manufacturing over the last twenty years.

Customer Reviews:

Go ahead and put your boots on the coffee table!.......2007-01-02

Big rich photo detail (that many baby-boomers will appreciate.) The cowoby boots in this book are the closest you'll ever find to life-size.

Tyler Beard asked America's finest bootmakers to send him their most spectacular boots...and they did, many remarkable pairs were made especially for this book. These new and vintage cowboy boots range from wowzie-zowie to "museum-quality." No pair could be counted as plain, or the least bit ordinary.

This book is a must for every collector. Tyler gives an unmatched, detailed history of cowboy boots and portrays the life and lore of America's top bootmakers. (A few who have since retired or passed on.) This book is one of my favorites.

Highly recommended for any with an interest in cowboy culture or boots.......2006-06-23

Cowboy boots aren't just your functional black or brown work boot; but can be works of art in themselves: just take a look at Tyler Beard's ART OF THE BOOT for evidence! In 1992 THE COWBOY BOOT BOOK was published to celebrate this fact; since then the number of boot-makers around the country has nearly doubled. ART OF THE BOOT combines Jim Arndt's lovely color photos throughout with in-depth surveys of the companies and bootmakers involved. Highly recommended for any with an interest in cowboy culture or boots.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Average customer rating:

one of the most complete literary achievements in B-Westerns

B-Western Boot Hill
Bobby Copeland
Manufacturer: Empire Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Reference | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Reel Cowboys: Western Movie Stars Who Thrilled Young Fans and Helped Them Grow Up Decent and Strong
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The Round-Up: A Pictorial History of Western Movie and Television Stars Through the Years
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Johnny Mack Brown: Up Close and Personal

ASIN: 0944019285

Book Description

A final tribute to the cowboys and cowgirls who rode the Saturday matinee movie range. This is the most complete list ever assembled of birth dates, death dates, and real names of those beloved B-Western performers. It includes actual obituaries of B-Western heroes, heavies, helpers, heroines, and sidekicks. Also included is a listing of actual burial locations of many of the stars. Over 1000 entries!

Customer Reviews:

one of the most complete literary achievements in B-Westerns.......2003-02-06

Amazon.Com you need to keep this book in stock "B-Western Boot Hill", takes the avid fan of cowboys and cowgirls down the dusty trails of "Saturday Matinee Movie land", when every boy and girl wanted to ride the range with their favorite hero or heroine. Now, back in my day we had good-guys and bad guys (villains) who were at odds, there was no doubt the good guys were going to win. The hero would just saddle up his favorite steed (the fastest in the land) and ride the range looking for a good deed to perform or a damsel in distress. The code of the west was the golden rule to him, and he never went back on his word. I was just a little shaver then, and wanted to be just like Hoppy, Gene, Roy, Buck, Hoot, Johnny Mack, Durango Kid, Wild Bill, Rocky, Lash, Red, Crash, Buster, Rex, Clayton, Tim and Sunset...and I know each and everyone of you can fill in the last names. As Little Beaver would say "you betch um', Red Ryder."

After just reading Bobby Copeland's final tribute to the men and women who made each Saturday B-Western possible, remember sitting in our favorite seat at our neighborhood theater ~ enjoying and savoring those precious moments. And even today those memories still linger on...as if it were just yesterday.

Copeland's book does just that, with one of the most complete listings on Birth & Death Dates of B-Western Performers...Obituaries of Heroes, Sidekicks, Heroines, Heavies and Helpers...Cowboys & Cowgirls at rest(burial locations of western performers)...Grave Markers...Additional Obituaries...each content having their own section with pictures galore. Now you can put a name with that face you've seen on the big screen a hundred times. Who wore the white or black hats for the films, whatever the plot called for the B-Western actors saddled up and did their job. Can remember many of my heroes playing heavies in the early part of their career, then switching to heroes or sidekicks...one of those was my all-time favorite character actor George "Gabby" Hayes.

Copeland's opening question is one I've asked myself for years "What is a B-Western?" It has been an obsession with me, and still is. Bobby answers the question in six paragraphs on two pages. My sentiments exactly, as Bobby states "Yes, our beloved B-Westerns are gone forever, but wouldn't it be fun if we could turn back the clock and start them all over again?" Well, Mr. Copeland you've done just that. Because of Chuck Anderson, Boyd Magers and You I've started collecting videos (VHS & DVD), Books and CD's on B-Western films. So now that you've got me hooked...want to share with all the "B-Western-Saturday Matinee-buffs" out there on the range , don't pass this one up...your mind will drift back to those thrilling days of yester-year, when you used to ride those dusty trails...and will again!

Customer Reviews:

A great book on more than just boots.......2003-01-16

This is a great addition to anyone who collects books on native art, history or life in the arctic. The photos are outstanding and the details behind the history of boot making of natives will be of interest to anyone from anthropologists to human geographers.

No I haven't read this book........1999-08-29

But I plan to bay and read it. Please send me more information about contains of the book.

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