Ricks, Thomas E

Examines how the educations of America's first four presidents, and in particular their scholarly devotion to ancient Greek and Roman classics, informed the beliefs and ideals that shaped the nation's constitution and government.

"... a dual biography of Winston Churchill and George Orwell, with a focus on the pivotal years from the mid-1930s through the 1940s, when their farsighted vision and inspired action in the face of the threat of fascism and communism helped preserve democracy for the world."--Provided by publisher.

Presents a detailed account of the U.S. insurgency within Iraq, the role of General David Petraeus, behind-the-scenes disagreements among top commanders concerning the course of the war, and the direction the war will take under the Obama administration.

An inside look at the Marine Corps follows one year in the lives of a single platoon of raw Marine recruits, from their arrival on Parris Island to their first full year as members of the Corps.

"The Gamble," the story of Gen. David Petraeus and the American military, reveals that many high-level officials were opposed to the 2003 invasion.

Describes the journey of a group of marines in Platoon 3086 from home, to boot camp, to their first year as U.S. Marines, including an afterword that examines the platoon during the war in Iraq.

Draws on over 100 senior military officers and over 30,000 pages of official documents to present the failures of the civilian and military leadership in Iraq. Argues that American military leaders lead their soldiers to use methods that guaranteed insurgency. Chronicles the war to mid-2006 and describes such battles as 2nd Fallujah and Tall Afar.