Bing West Books

This account chronicles Jim Mattis's distinguished military career, highlighting his leadership in three wars and his command of a quarter of a million troops in the Middle East. Mattis shares foundational experiences that shaped his understanding of warfighting and peacemaking, the significance of alliances, and the strategic challenges facing the nation. He emphasizes the need for America to adopt a strategic approach to avoid winning battles while engaging in inconclusive wars. The narrative is divided into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In the first section, Mattis reflects on his early days leading Marines, forming bonds akin to brotherhood. The second part delves into commanding large forces and adapting leadership styles to ensure even the most junior troops grasp their missions. The final section addresses the complexities of strategic leadership, where military and political realms intersect, and the stakes of imprudence are high. This memoir captures Mattis's evolution from Marine recruit to four-star general, illustrating his journey of leadership development and the unique philosophy he cultivated through continuous learning and action, offering insights applicable to all.

A classic memoir of the Vietnam War by a Marine captain, detailing the efforts of Combined Action Platoons (CAPs) as 15 US Marines collaborated with the villagers of Binh Nghia to combat the Viet Cong.

For months author F.J. "Bing" West lived among the Marines who besieged the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah. He interviewed members of the three US Army units that fought in that factious City before the Marines arrived. With access from frontline personnel to senior policymakers and negotiators, West's astonishing account takes us into strategy discussions between generals, on tense night patrols, and into fighting from rooftop to rooftop to tell the story that hasn't been told in the press or on the nightly news. The Marines originally planned to slip into Fallujah "as soft as fog." But in March 2004, after a mob killing and mutilating four American contractors was recorded in images that horrified the world, the Marines attacked. West recounts the ferocious street battles that followed, the stiff resistance and shocking violence that caught many in our military and government off guard, and the sweeping US counterattack that outraged the Arab world. We go behind the scenes to the intense negotiations to persuade Iraqis to take charge and hunt down terrorists like al-Zarqawi, who were using the city as a sanctuary--negotiations whose ramifications will impact Iraq for years to come. The real focus is upon the heroic, everyday efforts of the American fighting soldier and Marine confronting the key paradox of the war: that the Iraqis both wanted and didn't want Americans in their country. No True Glory is a firsthand account of the gritty fighting, political maneuvering, and ongoing struggle in this crucial city?--a microcosm of the confused and frustrating Iraqi war

Captain Mark Lang leads his recon team, the Pepperdogs, on a daring mission to rescue a kidnapped fellow Marine in Serbia, defying orders in the process. Driven by a relentless spirit and supported by his diverse team of New York City reservists—a trader, fireman, auto mechanic, fitness trainer, and computer geek—they embark on a challenging journey. Utilizing their skills in fitness, strategy, and technology, they aim to navigate the snowy terrain and execute their ambitious plan to save their comrade.

The book features a compelling narrative that has garnered attention on CBS This Morning Saturday, highlighting its relevance and appeal. It explores themes of resilience and personal growth, offering readers an engaging journey through the author's experiences and insights. The storytelling is enriched with vivid details that bring the characters and their challenges to life, making it a thought-provoking read.

"This is the face of war as only those who have fought it can describe it."–Senator John McCainFallujah: 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.From the Hardcover edition.

The narrative explores the pivotal leadership of Generals David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno during the Iraq War, highlighting their role in reversing the tide of American public sentiment. Through firsthand experiences from numerous embeds with front-line units over five years, combat journalist Bing West unveils the realities of counterinsurgency strategies and tactics. This in-depth account dispels common myths and offers an expert perspective on the complexities of how U.S. forces engaged in combat, making it a definitive study of the war's dynamics.

Drawing from his experiences as a Marine and former assistant secretary of defense, Bing West offers a compelling narrative on the complexities of the Afghanistan conflict. Through vivid accounts of frontline battles and the realities faced by troops, he argues for a strategic shift: withdrawing most U.S. forces, halting financial investments in a modern Afghan democracy, and empowering locals to take charge of their own conflicts. This thought-provoking exploration challenges conventional strategies and presents a nuanced view of bravery and conflict.