A life changing book. Every person, especially those that fell like victims of the system, should read this. It puts you in control of your life choices, stop blaming others, own it, make your plan and execute your plan. You have more choices in life than you think if you own it. I do wish he’d replace “it’s your fault” with @it’s your responsibikity”. That’s the only thing I’d change. I have read it 4 times and recommend to many of my psychiatric patients.

Fantastic book, written by a true hero. After reading this, you’ll be owning up to your issues, happily, chugging protein, and will have the word “Good” tattooed on your psyche. Worth the read, for sure.

It puts leadership in a whole new level and meaning, it a must read book for everyone to empower their life’s both professional as well as personal

This book was purchased for a friend who said it was great and that they really enjoyed it.

The CEO and COO of my company highly recommended this book. As a combat veteran (with the scars to prove it) and someone in business now, I looked forward to reading the book.The authors, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, served as Navy Seals in some of the toughest fighting the US military has seen in many years, the fight for Al Anbar in Iraq.First, Jocko and Leif are real heroes, and their actions both during and post combat are to be lauded.The format of the book is that each substantive section has a relatively lengthy war-story as a set-up, and then, a pithy lesson, and then, how one might apply the lesson in the business world.The central theme in the book is that leadership as exemplified by extreme ownership wins all in combat and in business.The specific lessons are: (in my own translation) extreme ownership, no bad teams – only bad leaders, believe, keep egos in check, support one another, keep things simple, work on the most important things, power down to subordinates, plan, managing up is as important as managing down, be brave in the face of uncertainty, and be disciplined.Sheeeewwww! That is a lot to take in. There are so many different lessons, and they are often at odds, Jocko and Leif say that you have to balance things. It is kind of like saying, “don’t be too hot or too cold.” Well, yes, with advice like that, you can never be wrong, but often you are of limited use.All of the proffered concepts have the potential to be useful, some of them are “truer” than others.The combat stories were the best part, and I’m pretty sure that this was the main reason for the phenomenal sales of the book.Why not five stars? Some of the lessons have limited applicability in real-world business (even in the world of combat based on person leadership experience – I commanded an Army division and served as a battalion, brigade, and echelons above division commander in combat and know something about how this all works).Say this together with me, “Seal teams do not necessarily represent my business.” Say it again, Seal teams do not necessarily represent my business.Which lessons from the book almost always apply? They are: keep egos in check, work on the most important things, plan, support one another, and be disciplined. Those work nearly all the time. Which work much of the time? They are: believe, be brave in the face of uncertainty, and extreme ownership. The rest fall into a more limited use category – in other words, they might be useful, but you have to carefully evaluate your own situation before applying blindly.Military lessons are tricky. Jocko and Leif are not alone in overapplication. Simon Simak wrote a book that is also widely lauded called “Leaders Eat Last.” In the book, Simon says, “leaders might go hungry, but they won’t.” The lesson is that good leaders have the loyalty of their subordinates, and they will sacrifice their own food to feed the leaders. It is a noble sentiment, but often as a good leader you do go hungry because your personnel know and believe that you would rather they eat than for them to go hungry on your behalf. Sorry, Simon, you know I love you, but you got the lesson almost right, but not quite.In “Extreme Ownership,” the better lesson would be the Albert Einstein quote, “make things as simple as you can, but not simpler.” As leaders, I have seen many organizations flounder because the leadership tried to reduce a very complex situation into something simple for ease of understanding. Certainly, the situation in Iraq in 2003-05 fell into this category. The reality was that there was a very complex society with a greatly interdependent economy that the Bath Party held together with charisma and complicated machinations. The dumb downed version was “Saddam was bad. Saddam was a Bathist. All Bathists are bad. Throw all the Bathists out, which led to over a dozen years fighting an insurgency – that never had to be.Another modified lesson is “delegate what you can, not what you want to.” I have seen many a business leader put faith in subordinates to undertake complex tasks that the subordinates honestly thought that they could do, but they did not know what they did not know, and the leader blindly trusted them. This hard lesson is especially true today when ten minutes on YouTube makes every new employee think that they can do the most demanding and complex task the way that the expert did in that cool video. Leaders need to be discerning and excel in mentoring and be able to say things like, “how about if we work together on it.” Do this complex project in chunks, and I will help with quality assurance and some guidance and training. Then, follow-up in a supportive, kind way. Everyone wins.Perhaps the most egregiously overapplied lesson from the book is that “there are no bad teams, there are only bad leaders.” In both business and in combat, I found that nearly every organization has personnel who are simply unsuited to doing some of the hard jobs required. By the by, at least at the beginning of the war, this was nearly independent of rank. Some of my most senior officers and enlisted personnel were the most incompetent and (really) cowardly. If you want your organizations to succeed then sometimes these personnel must be either removed or at least neutralized.A final caveat, in truly elite, business organizations, one huge mistake that I have seen leaders make is that they try very hard to make their very bright subordinates feel special by repeatedly praising them and telling them they are the best in the world. Pride cometh before a fall. The lesson to keep the egos in check means all the egos, not just the leaders. Military personnel in general and our special forces folks in specific go through a period where they get the stuffing knocked out of their egos. Those periods are called boot camp and qualifying courses. There is not an equivalent in the civil, business world in today’s environment, but there should be. We used to start workers at all levels off in a probationary status whether that was the mail room, the copy room, receiving, or some other, vital, but ultimately hard to get wrong job, and then, once they showed that they could keep their ego in check, they were allowed to progress up the chain. There is great wisdom in that.Why would these very bright and very motivated leaders, Jocko and Leif, have gotten some of this wrong? Well, look at the units they served in. They were with Seal teams. Guess what? That’s right, seal teams are not really good representatives of organizations in general.There is much good in this book, and I recommend it, but read it for the story value, and then, be more than a bit reticent about blindly applying the lessons to your own organizations.

This should be a mist read for all military leaders. Great lessons that easy to understand. Will read again in the near future

Even though I am well into my senior years my voracious reading passion is as strong as ever, especially if it has anything to do with the U.S. Navy SEALS. Whether it is their superior fitness programs, realistic combat techniques, great swimming methods, warrior philosophy or their fantastic leadership principles, I have attempted to read everything I could find about these Special Forces Warriors. This is why when I saw this fantastic 322-page hardcover edition of (Extreme Ownership: How the U.S. Navy SEALS lead and win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin) on Amazon I had to purchase it.This is the kind of leadership book that once you begin to read it; it is difficult to put down. This book explains how the SEAL leadership training principles apply not just to combat situations, but these same rules apply to business success and just living a full and productive life.The basic philosophical principle is simple really, but like everything in life, “the devil is in the details.” “Extreme ownership” as the combat experienced authors define it, is not making excuses and blaming mistakes made on everyone else, but taking full and complete responsibility when they are the assigned to lead their men and women.I found it interesting in this book how some so-called business leaders seem to refuse to accept the “extreme ownership” philosophy and stubbornly kept blaming everything and everyone else. In my experience, as both a regular Navy veteran, and a retired law enforcement officer, good leaders lead from the front and take full responsibility for their decisions.I love the way the authors provided examples taken from their actual combat experiences to show the importance of good leadership decisions, and they show how these very principles apply to business problems. The three parts in this excellent book covers the following: “Winning the war within, laws of combat, and sustaining victory.” There are also several very interesting color and black and white photographs included in this volume.If you are willing to face reality when it comes to taking complete responsibility in your leadership role this is a book that should be your reference source. I have read numerous other books on leadership principles, and this is one of the best ones I have read in decades.If you are blessed (or some might say cursed) with the responsibility of leading people, this book should be in your personal library as a reference and inspiring source.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tactical Principles of the most effective Combative Systems).

No damage whatsoever, came well-packaged. Perfect condition.

I have spent more than 50,000 dollars in the pursuit of understanding psychology and sales and persuasion and Personal Development. This book is brilliant, well written, very informative, and lays out a very powerful truth that you can use. But, I don’t want you to take my word for it. I’ll prove it to you.A 1985 University of Michigan Study found that people make a decision within the first 5 seconds about whether or not they are interested. People file people in three forms. Yes, Maybe, Or No. In the form of seduction, when you’re going to choose your victim, choose the woman who shows some interest in you, and/or who matches what you can give them. The goal of these techniques is to turn a yes into action, a maybe into a yes, and a no into a maybe. When you understand where you are with the person you’re talking to, you can decide if the work you have to do to get the person is worth it.Approach Indirectly: This is a controversial one. If you go on PUAHATE or listen to Direct Gamers, they mock indirect game as stupid, saying that a woman knows that you’re interested in them when you’re approaching. People know that they’re being sold to when someone randomly approaches them and starts talking about a topic. Now, what we know is that people can’t resist what they can’t detect. Keeping someone off balanced and uncertain creates just the amount of doubt needed for a woman to allow herself to be led through a process and hear a man out longer than she would. Go up and tell someone you want to change their mind about something and watch them shut down. Go up and tell someone you want to sell them something and watch them shut down. Indirect approaches create the best environment for seduction. I was into a direct approach for awhile, but, the more I studied influence and persuasion, the more I couldn’t resist the studies that found approaching indirectly was the better form.Send Mixed Signals: This is a matter of Pushing and Pulling, Going Hot and Cold, having been on the opposite end of this, I know how it makes a person feel. There’s ethical ways of doing this. Fractionating mood was proven in 1996 in a University of Missouri study, proving the ability to make people more charitable. A professor gave people paper’s back for their finals, some people got A’s, some got C’s, then he went and looked at his book and said, he made a mistake, and randomly changed some people from A’s to C’s, and from C’s to A’s. When they left the room they were asked to volunteer. The people who didn’t get a grade change signed up to volunteer for an hour on average. The people whose grades were raised volunteered 2.3 hours. the people whose grades were lowered volunteered 3.1 hours. Fractionating expectations, altering moods, through mixed signals will create a more pliable and reactive person.Appear To Be An Object Of Desire: Social Proofing is a scientifically verifiable method, with more studies than would be worth writing about.Create a Need: This is where people start talking about the immorality of this book. But really we can do simple things, back handed compliments, teasing, and correcting (calling someone out on their actions).Insinuation: From flirting to joking, indirect suggestion has been used as a powerful tool for orators since as far back as the bible, and used with great appeal in William Shakespeare’s Ceasar.Enter Their Spirit: Let’s be honest, the technique of being an Ideal Lover is important. Form a strong bond on the things that you connect with. Mirroring creates rapport and intense feelings of connection. People like people that are more like themselves. Jane marries James, Paul marries Paula, Carol marries Carl, yes, similarities create attraction.The science is clear. You want to dominate in a seductive world, you must throw away the concept of moral, or immoral, and you must seek instead to understand that we are all manipulators. Some of us just do it better than others. Once you accept that truth and you hold yourself as a person of value, you’ll be able to move people to act as you want them to, without guilt, shame, or anger. Be reasonable, be kind, and you will get great results.

I learned so much from this book! It isn’t just about sexuality, its about how to make people like you as a person. It also talks about what people yearn for in terms of fantasies. So much valuable information about human psychology!Its kind of “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. The secret in that book is basically simply become a good and likable person, and it explains how.

Greene’s “The Art of Seduction” is a self-indulgent, marginally sadistic, and not-to-be-underestimated tome on the art of (sexual, social, & political) seduction. If you are expecting this book to be a trivial and inconsequential read – you are likely to be disappointed – as Greene thoroughly reviews all things seductive: the types of seducer (nine characters), the kinds of people most prone to seduction (18 characters), and, perhaps most importantly, the seductive process (24 maneuvers). This book, however, shouldn’t be regarded as a seduction `how to’ manual, but rather an illustration of successful seduction via the profiling of many of history’s most successful seducers, e.g. Cleopatra, JFK, and Errol Flynn, among many others.Greene initiates his discussion of the nine types of seducers by asserting – encouragingly, no less – that everyone is capable of seduction – it isn’t a mystical skill reserved for the genetically well-endowed – but more an effort to identify what is inherently seductive about one’s character then developing that quality within oneself. At least one – and likely more than one – of the nine types of seducers will speak to something seductive about your character, whether it be a naturally exuberant sexual energy (Siren), infectious adoration of the opposite sex (Rake), idealistic view on love (Ideal Lover), androgynous image (Dandy), uncommon spontaneity and openness (Natural), cool self-sufficiency (Coquette), ability to socially please (Charmer), unusual confidence (Charismatic), or the ability to cloak oneself in heavenly mystery (Star). Greene presents each character in the context of a well-known historical or fictional figure(s), the characteristic behavior of the respective type of seducer, followed by any potential dangers associated with each type of seducer. If you do not identify with any of the foregone seducer-types, however, one should – at a minimum – root out (or minimize) the one trait that all other anti-seductive traits stem from: insecurity. Although there are key differences among each of the nine types of seducers, it is imperative that the character you adopt – and develop – not deviate from seduction first principles: tact, style, and attention to detail.The crux of the book is Greene’s discussion of the 24 seductive maneuvers – too many to list and describe herein – albeit a couple warrant mention. First, “Choose the Right Victim”, should be obvious since the `wrong’ victim makes the entire seduction a pointless exercise. One should aim to identify victims “whom you can fill a void, who see in you something exotic.” Another notable maneuver, “Master the Art of Insinuation”, is a mechanism for preventing the victim from growing defensive – you drop elusive hints or ideas that, ideally, present themselves to the victim as their own ideas well-after they are insinuated. And most importantly, everything to be insinuated should be suggestive.”The Art of Seduction” could, of course, be used to indulge and cultivate our basest and most unseemly of tendencies – and probably has – but in a throwback to Greene’s other formidable work, “The 48 Laws of Power”, this book affords one the knowledge and tools to seduce when necessary, that is, to exercise a power that comes from knowledge.

This is a beautifully photographed book – suitable as a gift, coffee table display or simply because you enjoy well written books.

Michelle Obama is extraordinary! I received my book today, and I looked at all the pictures, from cover to cover. Now I am going back and reading the text. I only put it down because I am volunteering in our local elections, which would make my favorite FLOTUS happy!What makes this book so fascinating is that it reveals another side of Ms. Obama and how she perceived her role as the First Lady! Her wardrobe pieces were carefully thought out and pitch-perfect for every occasion.”The Look” shows us how captivated a “picture” book can be! This one is as elegant and engaging as the woman who is its subject!Thanks, once again, Mrs. Obama. Your openness makes us gasp in awe and helps us believe that we are all beautiful and deserving of praise, recognition, and the opportunity to “become” our own selves, with our own styles, ambitions, and looks! You are my forever FLOTUS!

Beautiful work of art. I love it. Vibrant and priceless. It will look amazing on my table. The images are spectacular. The book structure is quality. Very classy.

I waited impatiently for this book! Beautiful stories, inspiring text. Fabulous looks!However Amazon you have to do better with shipping this book. Book was not wrapped and freely floppy around in the box. Spine was broken and book dented. As it’s a gift for my 90 yo mother who adores the former First Lady I had to return for a replacement.

I pre-ordered this book and was so excited to get it. It arrived on Tuesday, the 4th in a box with no packaging inside. When I opened the box, the corner of the book was dented and had a small tear. I immediately went online to return it and selected replacement rather than refund.The next day, my replacement book came, again with no protective packaging inside the box. This time, the binding on the back cover was torn and the cover would not close.I don’t understand why both books were so poorly packaged. How hard was it to put paper packaging inside the box to protect the book? Since two out of two books in two days were damaged, I won’t be purchasing another copy from Amazon. Instead I will purchase it somewhere else.The book, however, is gorgeous! I haven’t completely opened it, but I fanned through the pages to glance at the photos. Such beautiful photos of a beautiful First Lady. I’m waiting for my new book to arrive from a different store so I can sit down and read it thoroughly.PS: the book isn’t just about fashion. It’s about our first black First Lady and about how she had to thoughtfully select her look because she was critically judged by the color of her skin (and not by her intelligence, accomplishments, and gracefulness), and wanted to be sure that her presentation wouldn’t be misinterpreted. I admire her greatly and appreciate the wonderful gifts she gave to us as FLOTUS, and has continued to do so, even after the White House.

As a long-time admirer of Michelle Obama, I must say that ‘The Look’ is a stunning portrayal of her beauty and grace. The photos are not just beautiful; they capture the essence of a down-to-earth person who has become a role model for many. Michelle’s ability to endure scrutiny and criticism, while always staying poised and assertive, is truly inspiring. Her motto, “When they go low, we go high, “is a testament to the strength of being a black woman in America. ‘The Look’ is not just a fashion book; it’s a celebration of Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, the most excellent First Lady ever (to me). She is one of a kind and a true inspiration to everyone.

Perfect coffee table book for my foyer. Gorgeous blue book color. Very elegant. Loved the content of the book as well. So many beautiful pictures. Her fashion will be remembered in history. This book documents that well.

This is a beautifully designed book showing many of the wardrobe pieces made for former First Lady, Michelle Obama. The photography is superb as is the behind the scene description of the stylists who worked for her. Mrs Obama describes how what she wore was soft politics; if people looked at her they were likely to listen to her message. Since she is still one of the most popular people in politics, I would agree with her philosophy. She’s one of my favorite people.The only criticism I have of the book is that it’s heavy and awkward to flip back and forth from the photos and text to the descriptions in the back of the book. I wanted it as a keepsake though, not a digital version, so I got what I wanted. It’s a beautiful book.

When I took this 1,100 page volume out of the box it weighed a ton. I was pretty sure I would probably abandon it before I finished. I was wrong. Coincidentally I finished the last 50 pages on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. This is the definitive biography of Churchill, a worthy investment in adult education. It looks at his life in incredible detail and benefits from access to previously unavailable sources. The diaries and other writings of many political leaders add to the detail and depth of analysis. The King’s notes from their weekly meetings during World War Two were also available for the first time.I’m and early Boomer, born in 1948. The war seemed liked ancient history to me. I sort of knew about Churchill and his importance in world history while I was growing up. I think we had one of his histories on our bookshelf. However, I never got around to reading anything by or about him. This seems like the right time. This volume is, without question, the best place to start.Andrew Roberts’ accomplishment is amazing. His style and analysis of Churchill’s life are combined into a presentation that is enjoyable and easy to read, with an unparalleled level of detail I had an impression that Churchill was always a popular and widely admired leader, especially during the Blitz. If fact, there were plenty of politicians who disagreed with him throughout his lifetime of public service. They challenged many of his strategies and decisions, especially during WWII. His ascent to Prime Minister was his intention in his younger years. He was the center of controversy during both world wars and the years between them.. He enjoyed popularity with Britain’s civilian population during World War Two. That wasn’t true of many of the ministers and colleagues in the House of Commons. His strategies and decisions were widely criticized. In fact many were prescient, much to the dismay to many of his foes. Roberts also discusses the US and Roosevelt and their role in supporting the British war effort until the US declared war on Germany and Japan. Stalin didn’t play as large a role as we think he did,. Churchill’s family members also are crucial to understanding his many of his actions. Their relationships with him contributed to his leadership and ultimate success.I’ve enjoyed this type of historical biography for a long time, although I didn’t particularly enjoy history in high school. This is absolutely at the top of list. It is interesting and educational and worth the investment in time. It puts the first half of the 20th century in perspective. It also sets the stage for American prosperity and recovery from the ravages of war during the second half of the century. You can’t help but contemplate the time and effort that Andrew Roberts expended.to create a volume of this significance. I prefer to sit down with a real book with pages made out of paper. It’s sad that some of those people are tapping on their smart phones during every moment they are awake. They can’t put them down long enough to enjoy a good read. They might benefit from reading something other than their phones..

It has taken me quite a while to sit down and write this review of Andrew Roberts’s remarkable biography of Winston Churchill. There are a few reasons why it has taken me so long. Churchill-Walking with Destiny challenged many of the notions I have had of Winston Churchill since I was a young student of history. It took me a while to come to terms with some of these long-held opinions and evaluate them against the new evidence that Roberts provides. The fact that my reading this book coincided with the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of many of the closing acts of World War II in Europe also delayed my writing this review. Roberts presents evidence and arguments that have led me to re-evaluate not just Churchill’s actions during World War II and the Cold War, but also the respective roles of Britain, the Commonwealth, and other nations from the end of the war until today.Enough excuses! On with the review!I think the most important aspect of this book is that it draws on materials that have not been available to historians and researchers until very recently. Accessing diaries from notables such as King George VI and parliamentary documents from the House of Commons, Roberts is able to explain many of Churchill’s actions and thoughts with much more certainty than could the historians and biographers of earlier generations. Written evidence, especially that of the King, provides insights into some of Churchill’s more questionable and controversial decisions and beliefs. Even if the new evidence does not absolve Churchill of complicity in some events for which he has long been criticized, it does provide greater context and begs consideration of the options that Churchill might have had before him. Roberts carefully reexamines events such as the Tonypandy Riots, the Indian Famine, Churchill’s role in the defense of Antwerp in 1914, the Dardanelles Campaign, and his early opinion of Mussolini. It is the reassessment of Churchill’s roles and actions in these and many other events that really invite readers to reassess Churchill himself. Also explained in several instances is Churchill’s perception of himself and his careful assessment of when to fight for a cause and when to back off. Roberts acknowledges a certain amount of hero-worship for the protagonist, but also criticizes where criticism is due, and asks readers to evaluate certain actions and thoughts within the context of new evidence.Context, itself, is a critical part of this examination of Churchill’s life. While many biographies present decisions, events, and motivations in a rather matter-of-fact manner, Roberts manages to show that decisions were not always simple and straightforward. In fact, most decisions Churchill made—especially during his middle age and through World War II—were well-considered and based on history and a careful reading of his contemporaries, but we’re far from simple. Roberts points out, as have others, that Churchill was often motivated by his perception of how history would judge him—and Britain. He considered how history would judge him and England when advocating for the Dardanelles campaign, resisting the appeasement movement in the 1930s, and many other critical points in history. His use of history to support political and military arguments, and his awareness that he was writing several chapters of history himself helped him arrive at some decisions that might be seen technically and practically as misguided, but morally correct.Regarding the man, himself, Roberts paints a great picture of a man who loved his country, his wife, his friends, and his many artistic and scientific passions. Roberts provides ample evidence of Churchill’s work ethic and his demands for loyalty and facts. Churchill’s abilities to absorb mountains of information (especially when he wanted to) and compartmentalize that information is evident. So to is his ability to (usually) organize military and administrative advisors into cohesive units. The book abounds with humorous anecdotes and sets them in context to allow the reader greater appreciation for his quick and devastating wit. Roberts also shares moments where Churchill’s pride colored his thoughts and writings, allowing readers to understand the flaws in his histories and other writings.As the biography wound down, I found myself wanting more. This want is not a reflection on Roberts, but is actually a compliment. While other biographies and histories left me thinking I “knew” Churchill, Roberts provided so much new information and so much fuller context, that I now feel like there is much more to know. I am hopeful that others will pick up where Roberts left off and help us all better understand the enigma that was—and is—Winston Churchill.

Author Jennings was able to obtain several personal interviews with President Trump. The reader learns more about what makes Trump tick — especially since he really does not like CNN (the author works for CNN).Loved the honesty — and humor— Jennings reveals.I loved this book.Go RED.

Hard Pass. Full of errors and mistakes. Will actually make you dumb and give you a victim mentality due to its veil and (failed) argument on a fascist like and white supremacy government. Would rather donate the money to a charity then spend another dime on the author

Not only does Scott Jennings write this book from an intellectual perspective of someone who knows and understands both the political and policy ramifications, but he wrote this with the inside access to the Trump administration that every political author envy, but very few authors ever get.

Scott is very logical and can see the truth clearly. What he says always makes sense, and he has a strong, reliable sense of what is true and right. I’m so glad he can express all of that so well in words. I love this book!

It’s a thoughtful, in depth look at the second Trump presidency and why Trump resonates with voters.Well written and insightful, it’s an easy read that some people could benefit from in order to grasp why the 2024 election turned out the way it did.

Scott Jennings is a MAGA mouthpiece who’s discovered a new outlet for his rhetoric. He’s a Trump sycophant and a no-matter-what-Chump-does-supporter. This book is no different. Jennings has found a way, in print, to argue his points without any challenge or fact-checking.

Some interesting observations I got from the book that I have not heard in the main stream media. And some more insights on President Trump & his circle.

Scott. Thank you for protecting our side. Great book, great read for a great writer and person. Thank you very much

Other history books may have covered Winston Churchill’s life in more detail, but this one covers a period critical to his legacy, specifically the years 1940 and 1941. Eric Larson’s book portrays Churchill’s essential leadership during one of Britain’s worst trials of WWII, the Blitz. Larson describes the daily battles and personal traumas of England’s prime minister. He gives intimate family portraits of Clementine, Churchill’s wife, Mary, his daughter, and Randolph, his son. Close associates such as his secretary, security chief, advisers, and friends are all examined, in turn, to provide a complete picture of the atmosphere and community surrounding Churchill.Larson has done extensive research from personal diaries, public documents, and speeches. An intimate character study emerges of a leader whose perhaps most remarkable talent was to get people to believe in themselves. His rousing speeches and displays of confidence steadied a frightened public. German air raids, which killed thousands of British civilians, made people spend perilous nights in bomb shelters under blackout conditions. Throughout the trials of food scarcity, shelter uncertainty, and persistent bombings, Britain held together.Some of the more interesting stories about Churchill had nothing to do with his military acumen but rather his eccentricities. He did not suffer fools, despised people’s habit of whistling, and took two baths a day. While bathing, he had his typist near him to record letters. He wore a special sky-blue one-piece suit, which his aides called “his rompers” to provide him with maximum comfort. Churchill was not self-conscious.Larson explores the German leadership from Hitler to Goebbels, Goering, and Hess. He provides the reactions of these men to British war strategies and Churchill’s speeches. He covers the burgeoning friendship with President Roosevelt, first established through Roosevelt’s charming emissary Harry Hopkins. If you are interested in the personalities behind WWII, you will enjoy this book. Larson has done a masterful job writing a comprehensive and highly readable study of Churchill’s wartime life.

Fantastic read. History that reads like a detailed suspense novel.

I enjoyed this book, and welcome its insights into the thoughts , emotions, and actions of identifiable people. Surprisingly, many or perhaps most reviewers ignore one of the book’s CENTRAL MESSAGES: class privilege. During this year (May 1940-May 1941) of extreme danger, hardship, rationing and material scarcity, death, and terror, the privileged upper class characters in Lawson’s tale often enjoy parties and weekends at their country estates (and those of their friends), eat and drink sumptuously, travel freely including in their private vehicles, and so forth. I am much less troubled than are some reviewers, that these people often indulged in sexual infidelity. Such behavior exists even in less troubled times, and seems to be almost the norm for segments of the upper class.I also like the structure of the book, with relatively brief segments on various events and situations. This kept my interest yet exposed me to a wide range of actors and situations mostly yet not exclusively in Britain.

Winston Churchill was, arguably, one of the more extraordinary figures of modern British history. His life covered parts of two centuries wherein he was, variously, a journalist, politician, soldier, author and prime minister.Erik Larson’s “The Splendid and the Vile” focusses on a brief but compelling period of Churchill’s long life; namely, the first year of his prime ministership. By and large, this was a period of many failures as Britain (and its empire) stood alone against the Nazi threat. It was also the period when Churchill was at his most pugnacious. He was the man for the occasion. Perhaps no other Briton could have stood in his place.As a work of history, the book reads almost as a thriller. It certainly captured this reader’s attention…and held it!The book is an intimate portrayal of Churchill’s life. We are introduced to his family, his daily troubles, his failures and his (comparatively few) triumphs. If I was to find one criticism of the book it’s that the politics of the time was largely ignored. Clement Atlee receives only one mention and that on the book’s penultimate page. But this aside, the book is a riveting read and a significant addition to the seemingly endless library of Churchill books.Recommended.

I loved the book but the printing quality was poor. The insights into Churchill’s character as a leader, orator & savy politician were very interesting. He had his faults as it was apparent that he was an alcoholic but he was the right man for the job during WW2. The common people suffered greatly due the night time bombing of numerous cities. The military had little defense against the bombers other than pretty inaccurate AA guns. The UK was lucky that the Nazis turned their attention to invading Russia mid year 1941 and stopped the nighttime bombing and that America entered the war after Pearl. And contrary to popular belief the vast majority of people did not go to the tube and other shelters at night when the sirens sounded in London.As an aside it struck me odd that so many people of wealth continued to go to bars and nightclubs while London was bombed and the city burned around them. Many of the ladies & lords of the UK didn’t suffer like the commoners as they all had their peaceful country estates to go to, and the food rationing affected them little. I highly recommend this book.

This is a beautifully written and heart wrenching story of nine women whose determination and deep friendship led to escape and survival from a Nazi death camp. Everyone, even those without an interest in WWII history would benefit from reading this book. But beware, it can be tough to learn about the torture and terror that all those in Nazi camps endured. Most did not survive. At times you may be in tears. Gwen Strauss has brought to life a true story that needed to be told.

A well written book but an emotional one.

Adventures of 9 women who escape from German prison. Their involvement inside and outside the camp is interesting regarding WWII and prison life. Strong women who deal with many hardships.

This book is a masterpiece. Upon reviewing the book, I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to distinguish between characters, considering this is a true story about nine different women. Would I remember who is who? However, the timeline is a constructed work of art, along with the way the author weaves in each character. By the time you start reading about the actual escape, you are more than familiar with each heroine. I have read hundreds of Holocaust biographies, memoirs, and novels, and I would rate this book among the top five!

“The Nine” is a read that cannot be ignored. Such courageous women and the nightmare they lived through. Gwen Strauss weaves a story filled with details unimaginable. How the women were able to escape and survive against all odds. Not only did this woman tell the horror the women lived through but how it affected their families years later. Ms. Strauss thank you.

Well written….brave, strong women who managed to endure. Should be on everyone’s reading list. Buy it today , you won’t regret it.

I read a good review of this book and thought I would pick it up. The story, while is some form or another has been told before, was an interesting and quick read. I did find the style at times confusing. A description of something would seem to be of a large scale, or at least I thought it was, only to actually be a conversation between a couple of people. Also, I find it hard to believe that conversations from over 60 years ago can be captured/repeated verbatim so I always find it distracting to see those conversations presented as direct quotes. Perhaps as a minimum the introduction could say something to the effect that while every effort was made to present the events and conversation as they occurred they are recounted with the fog of time–something along those lines. For example, Jung Chang in, “Wild Swans” does a very good job recounting personal history.

You think you know about the Holocaust. Maybe you’ve even visited a concentration camp and tried to imagine what it must have been like. You may have even envisioned how you would be part of the Resistance.The Nine adds another level to our understanding of that moment in history because what we rarely think about—unless we are direct descendants of survivors—is what life was like afterwards. This story is about nine women who not only escaped the camps and survived, but it’s also the story of how their experience affected the rest of their lives and their children’s lives.

I’m going to have to change my stance on nonfiction. I’m a very strict “fictionarian” and it takes a lot to pull me from my comfort zone. They hype on this book did a lot to help push me over to the dark side, but the main reason was; I wanted to hear a true narrative from a real-life SEAL. I read books by Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Ted Bell, and Brad Taylor (to name a few) and enjoy their books immensely! However, while their books are based on true accounts and true warrior-heroes, they aren’t the real true stories. THIS is a true story and there was no way I wasn’t going to read it. And damn, what a story!Let me be clear about one point from the start: I don’t think “Owen” should have told this story. My mantra is simple: “serve and shut the hell up”. Soldiers are people like the rest of us and are prone to the same mistakes we all trip over. Sometimes we talk too damn much, hell I know I do. But to write a book and go through the process of telling us about one of the most important missions in the history of the U.S.? Something about that doesn’t sit right. Of course in the paradoxical world in which live, I was the first one in line to buy (download) and if I had ANY conviction at all, I wouldn’t be supporting the author by doing so. Despite my feelings about “Owen” running off at the mouth, I enjoyed every minute of this book and I don’t feel the least bit guilty in saying so.’No Easy Day’ is a VERY good book! Any story that gives you a “fly on the wall” perspective into an operation that we only hear (and only in snippets) about is a thrill. This is extremely well written and not choppy or staccato like someone just trying to rush out a tale. `No Easy Day’ starts out with a note from the author covering his bases. “This books won’t tell you about any secrets”, “this book has changed the names of all involved”, “this book has been checked by a special attorney”, “this book was endorsed by Ronald Reagan in a séance”… whatever. If you have the stones to put out a story like this then don’t bother with covering your butt. We get it and we don’t need it OK? And the people that need an explanation won’t believe anything you have to say anyway.After those few pages we get what we came for: the mission. “Owen” starts off with the team being on a Blackhawk one minute out from the compound on the mission to kill Osama. This story switches from the past to the present but not in a confusing way. In the first part of the book we get a taste of what drove him to want to be a SEAL and the absolute agonizing vetting process these guys go through. Physical doesn’t even begin to describe it. Grueling doesn’t either. Matter of fact; just throw out every adjective that comes to mind because you won’t even come close. These guys are the guys that Alpha Males want to be.We learn about SEAL training, we read about “Owen’s” first missions, and we also learn about two million and one military acronyms. You wanna see what Sesame Street would be like if everyone was on crack?! Good heavens! We are taken on missions and we see, in a small way, how SEALs run their operations, and it was a good buildup to why I wanted to read this book in the first place. “Owen” mentions more than a few times about how Hollywood gets these types of movies wrong all the time. Reading about the missions in this book I can see that. One of the best parts of this book was the mission was when they went after the pirates that kidnapped one of our. Remember that? I do. The precision in which they did their job is chilling. And even though I had nothing to do with that mission, I was proud. Borderline giddy.As I alluded to earlier, this book goes from past to present and it does so because “Owen” is setting the foundation for the big story. Bin Laden. As “Owen” says in this book, “this is the mission they all dream about”. Not necessarily Bin Laden, but one with implications that will be felt for years, even decades later. After years of tracking and misinformation, the U.S. gets lucky with a bit of Intel and that little bit turns out to be the golden ticket. Enter the SEALs and start the death timer for that animal. In the earlier missions we didn’t hear much about the political mumbo-jumbo that must be dealt with. With the hunting of this animal the American PC machine is in full useless bloom! It’s so bad the SEALs didn’t even believe they would get the green light.One of the most sickening parts of this story was when they were planning the mission with the VIP’s, and in the room with these elite, professional, war tested and war proven soldiers… was a lawyer. A freaking lawyer!! This is a quote from this idiot: “If he doesn’t pose a threat you will detain him”. WHAT?! I was literally yelling at the book, “this is Bin Laden you moron!! What do you mean “if he poses a threat”? “This guy’s very life is a threat!!” Typical Washington BS.Stupid comments like that as well as other things done for the betterment of politics, rather than for the betterment of the mission was why the SEALs didn’t believe Washington had the courage to say “go”. In this case they did and the SEALs did what they do best. This part of the book just flew by because I wanted to know what happened. OK fine, I already knew what happened, but I wanted… more. Make time for this part of the book folks… you’ll need it. I reread and highlighted more in the last 1/4 than I did the entire 3/4 of this book. Parts of this mission have their own chapter and the most arresting one was the one entitled “Geronimo”. All of the (so called) controversy is worth it when you read this section. That’s all I’m going to say about that.Because I usually read the fictional stories I had to tell myself that this was a true and these were real people. Jen was a woman who really stood out. She had a small part in this book but a big part in our real world. And I know that we are talking SEAL this and SEAL that, but “Owen” paints a very detailed picture about the number of people working behind the scene. Of course SEALs usually work behind the scenes (ouch)… I’ve never served even as I was/am surrounded by people who do. As a layman I didn’t see any secrets being given up. True I wouldn’t know what to look for, but I do admit that the bigger issue is he spoke, not what he spoke about.Another big issue being bantered around was what “Owen” said about President Obama. Ummmmm… I finished the book and didn’t see any disparaging remarks about our President. There are some remarks that were made by teammates that I’m sure were private (again, shut up “Owen”) but I didn’t see anything disrespectful at all. The only thing I saw were soldiers being soldiers. Soldiers, who were tired of politicians making laws from behind a desk while they put in the work. Tired of burying friends while they bury earmarks. Tired of fighting and detaining the same enemy every thirty days because they are very versed on our laws, and has taken to running and hiding under the constitution of a country they profess to hate and actively seek to destroy. Yeah I see the frustration there and some things will be said in the heat of the moment.That being said, no soldier should publicly say anything negative about the Commander in Chief. Privately… go at it. (Holy crap, am I really at three pages for this review?) OK I better wrap this up. Look, bottom line; if you are looking for a quick very good non-fiction read then I highly, highly recommend this book. Ignore the hype, and to be fair, ignore the good AND bad hype. This is a book that you will need to read personally to draw your own conclusions. No matter your feeling on Mr. “Owen” and his yammering jaw, we can at least agree that the SEALs are an elite and extremely brave type of soldier that America is honored to have on her soil and who will forever be in debt to these men.

This book is not high brow literary prose. It will not leave you reaching for the dictionary, looking up some word you’ve never read before. It is not a philosophical examination of life as we know it with thousands of words dedicated to a moral examination of the subject. Rather, it is conversational, matter of fact even. And therein is its power.The reality is the everyday inner workings of a job never live up to the hype. Like a championship NFL football team, we see the 3 hours every Sunday, but not the countless hours of practice and sacrifice that the players endure to be the elite. Mark Owen and his fellow teammates are arguably the best in the world at what they do. However, instead of throwing footballs, they’re removing bad guys from the world so no more good guys get hurt. Say what you want about the morality of it all, but warriors are a necessary evil in society. And if you’re not ready to praise them for their sacrifice, it’s best to not say anything at all.This book was an incredibly easy read and, like many reviewers before me, I finished it quickly. Owen’s style is conversational and that makes it move smoothly. There are many places where the reader, if not part of the military, would be confused by some of the acronyms and lingo; Owen predicts this and does a good job of explaining these “military-isms” so the reader doesn’t have to pause and leap for Google.I’d seen, at least twice, the 60 Minutes interview with Owen and had read or watched a number of documentaries on the raid. I felt comfortable that I had a pretty good idea what happened. What I was looking for was the back story leading up to the raid and an insider’s personal view of Special Ops. I got what I’d hoped for. Almost half the book is dedicated to Owen’s childhood, extensive training and previous missions. This information is, in my opinion, vital to understanding why Owen came to be one of 4 team leaders on the Bin Laden raid. The amount of training, preparedness and attention to detail that these men have for their jobs is nothing short of astounding, even down to tucking shoelaces into a boot prior to the raid (probably to cut down on noise and/or getting snagged on anything).Like professional athletes, these men sacrifice everything to be the best at what they do. They are always on high alert, always seem to be training or on a deployment, and are never home. Friends and family might know what their job is, but can only guess at what they do. Like his teammates, Owen pays a price for his desire to be the best and hints at it in this book. But, like any humble professional, he never dwells on it nor asks for our pity. Nor does he brag or ask to be put on a pedestal. Like most humble professional, he’s just doing his job.Owen doesn’t spend a lot of time on his contempt for those in authority, but he does touch on it. I didn’t find this out of character nor particularly anti patriotic. As we become senior in our jobs, we are more aware of the hypocrisy of our leadership; those that have never done the job spend a lot of time taking credit for its successes. Instead of continuing up the chain, Owen decided to retire from the Navy and write this book. He has taken a lot of heat and is, most likely, ostracized for doing so. Operators are supposed to stay quiet and go about their business like good little soldiers. According to Owen, he wanted to make sure the story was told correctly. Having never had the honor of serving, especially in Special Ops, I can’t comment on the right or wrong of his decision, only that I’m glad he did. Otherwise, I never would have been able to live, at least through his words, the story that was one of the most important ones of my generation.I truly enjoyed reading this book. It filled in many gaps and gave me a flavor for the sacrifices our men and women in the armed forces endure to protect our country. To protect me. Freedom tastes sweeter for those who have risked everything to defend it. I can only thank Mark Owen, and others like him, from the bottom of my heart for doing so.