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BG Emory J. Hagan III
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THE CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE COMMANDING GENERAL’S PROFESSIONAL READING LIST
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“To be a professional military organization and the benchmark for State Defense Forces around the Nation we must continue to educate ourselves and improve our professional abilities. Reading and studying the profession of arms is one part of that processes.” Brigadier General Emory J. Hagan III, Commander, California State Military Reserve
The need for a professional reading list is described by the senior leaders of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps as follows:
“The books included in this list are designed to provoke critical thinking concerning the profession of soldiering and the unique role of land power. There are works here that address issues and challenges relevant to each of us, from private to general. This list includes books that examine the past and those that consider the future. These readings deepen our understanding of the timeless constants of the Army’s value and traditions, the enduring dynamics of the human face of battle, and the future’s potential to transform the profession of arms in the 21st Century.” General Erik K. Shinseki, U.S. Army
“My six objectives for the professional reading program are: (a) To impart a sense of Marine values and traits; (b) To increase knowledge of our profession; (c) To improve analytical and reasoning skills; (d) To increase capacity of using printed media as a means of learning and communication; (e) To increase knowledge of our Nation’s institutions and the principles upon which our country and way of life were founded; and (f) To increase knowledge of the World’s governments, culture and geography. Professional education serves as a bridge between an understanding of the strategic landscape and the unique decision-making requirements for each combat situation.”
General A. M. Gray, U.S. Marine Corps
The following list includes books from both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps professional reading lists. Some books are found on both lists and some are unique to their proponent’s lists but all have been chosen for the reasons as described by the senior leaders.
Private to Sergeant
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Title |
Author |
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The Constitution of the United States |
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A Message to Garcia |
E. Hubbard |
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Rifleman Dodd |
C.S. Forester |
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The Soldier’s Load |
S.L.A. Marshall |
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The Ugly American |
W. Burdick |
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Enders Game |
O.S. Card |
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Battle Leadership |
A. Von Schell |
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Flags of Our Fathers |
J. Bradley |
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Gates of Fire |
S. Pressfield |
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Imperial Grunts: On the ground with the American Military, from Mongolia to the Philippines to Iraq and Beyond |
R. D. Kaplan |
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The Art of War |
Sun Tzu |
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Tip of the Spear |
G. J. Michaels |
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Attack! |
E. Rommel |
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The Greatest Generation |
T. Brokaw |
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The Killer Angels |
M. Shaara |
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Once An Eagle |
A. Myrer |
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Citizen Soldiers |
S. Ambrose |
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Starship Trooper |
R. Heinlein |
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American Home Guard |
B. M. Stentiford |
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I am the Guard: a History of the Army National Guard, 1636 to 2000 |
M. Doubler |
Staff Sergeant to Master Sergeant
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Title |
Author |
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This Kind of War |
T. R. Fehrenbach |
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Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest |
S. E. Ambrose |
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The Face of Battle |
J. Keegan |
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A Bell for Adano |
J. Hersey |
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Utmost Savagery |
J. Alexander |
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MCDP 5 Planning |
U. S. Marine Corps |
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The Savage Wars of Peace |
M. Boot |
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We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young: Ia Drang – The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam |
H. Moore |
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On Combat |
D. Grossman |
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Breakout |
M. Russ |
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Victory at High Tide |
R. D. Heinl |
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Fields of Battle |
J. Keegan |
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Seven Pillars of Wisdom |
T. E. Lawrence |
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On Killing |
D. Grossman |
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Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War era. |
J. M. McPherson |
Sergeant Majors
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Title |
Author |
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The General |
C. S. Forester |
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No Bended Knee |
M. B. Twining |
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Achilles in Vietnam |
J. Shay |
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The Mask of Command |
J. Keegan |
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The Arab Mind |
R. Patai |
Officer Candidates, Warrant Officer Candidates
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Title |
Author |
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The Constitution of the United States |
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The Armed Forces Officer |
DOD 2006 |
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A Message from Garcia |
E. Hubbard |
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Rifleman Dodd |
C. S. Forester |
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The Soldier’s Load |
S. L. A. Mashall |
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Enders Game |
O. S. Card |
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We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young: Ia Drang – The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam |
H. Moore |
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Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest |
S. E. Ambrose |
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American Home Guard |
B. M. Stentiford |
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Starship Trooper |
R. Heinlein |
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I am the Guard: a History of the Army National Guard, 1636 to 2000 |
M. Doubler |
Second Lieutenants and Warrant Officers
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Title |
Author |
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Fields of Fire |
J. Webb |
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The Art of War |
Sun Tzu |
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The Anatomy of Courage |
L. Moran |
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On Infantry |
J. A. English |
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The Killer Angels |
M. Shaara |
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Once An Eagle |
A. Myrer |
First Lieutenants and Chief Warrant Officer 2
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Title |
Author |
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The Bridge at Dong Ha |
J. G. Miller |
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The Face of Battle |
J. Keegan |
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Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War era. |
J. M. McPherson |
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Citizen Soldiers |
S. Ambrose |
Captain and Chief Warrant Officer 3
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Title |
Author |
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For The Common Defense |
A. R. Millet |
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The Mask of Command |
J. Keegan |
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Savage Wars of Peace |
M. Boot |
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On Combat |
D. Grossman |
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The Arab Mind |
R. Patai |
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Company Commander |
C. B. McDonald |
Major and Chief Warrant Officer 4
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Title |
Author |
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The Guns of August |
B. W. Tuchman |
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History of Peloponnesian War |
Thucydides |
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The Lexus and the Olive Tree |
T. I. Friedman |
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Grant Takes Command |
B. Carton |
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On War |
C. von Clausewitz |
Lieutenant Colonels and Chief Warrant Officer 5
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Title |
Author |
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Masters of War |
M. Handel |
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Supplying War |
M. Van Creveld |
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Carnage and Culture |
V. Hanson |
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Defeat into Victory |
W. Slim |
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Triumph Forsaken |
M. Moyar |
Colonel and General
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Title |
Author |
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Dereliction of Duty |
H. R. McMaster |
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Supreme Command |
E. A. Cohen |
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Diplomacy |
H. Kissinger |
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Feeding Mars |
J. A. Lynn |
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The Crisis of Islam |
B. Lewis |
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The Challenge of Change: Military Institutions and New Realities, 1918-1941 |
H. R. Winton and D. R. Mets |
NOTE: All soldiers are expected to have read those books on the list that are designated for soldiers at ranks lower than their own. Example: A Major is expected to have read those books designate for OCS, 2LTs, 1LTs, and CPTs. A MSG is expected to have read books designated for Privates and Sergeants.