Monroe Doctrine: A Post-War Novel by James Rosone

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MWSA Review

The final book of the Monroe Doctrine series is just as exciting and just as plausible as the rest of the series has been. Though hostilities have ended, the absence of war doesn't necessarily mean peace. China needs to be rebuilt, along with the US economy. And not everyone in China is happy with the peace agreement. Thousands of former Chinese soldiers are now without a job and anxious to avenge their country's defeat. The Artificial Intelligence entity, Jade Dragon, is still alive and still wants to achieve the goals it was given. In the meantime, India wants that same AI advantage, as it seeks to fill the void left by China, and America wants its own, more ethical robot warrior program.

These elements all set the just recently "peaceful" world on a collision course for more violence, more chaos, and more death. How will the human leadership of the world navigate this new landscape? The characters that have survived this far are committed to doing what they can, but will it be enough?

Fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown will enjoy this ending to a very well written and engaging series.

Review by Rob Ballister (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Jade Dragon had been crushed…

…China was forced to relent…

…but picking up the pieces had only just begun.

After years of conflict, the Allies emerged victorious on the battlefield. However, the World was left bruised and battle-worn. American President Maria Delgado had her hands full with the recovery efforts.

Blain Wilson would be pulled in…

…deeper down the rabbit hole than he intended.

Trying to avoid mistakes of the past, the United States limited its peacekeeping force and relied on allies. General Song appeared to be a leader the people of China could rally behind.

Would reconstruction efforts be enough to avoid a future war?

Soldiers who had become accustomed to war now had to readjust to peace—a return to life in a world they barely recognized. Many struggled greatly with this transition, medicating themselves with alcohol or by other means.

Who would find the strength to pull through?

What nations would be the ones to rise from the ashes of war?

Find out what happened after the war ended. You’ll love this exciting continuation of the Monroe Doctrine series because the characters’ fates are not always what they seem.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 274

Word Count: 90,271

Never a Dull Moment: The 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in World War II by Arthur "Ben" Powers

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MWSA Review

Much has been written about the 101st Airborne Division and their exploits in World War II, and rightfully so. Arthur "Ben" Powers's book Never a Dull Moment: The 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in World War II tells of a lesser-known airborne division, the 82nd. Covered within these pages are the accomplishments of a group of soldiers, those of the 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Treated as the red-headed stepchild not only by history but also the Army initially, they were considered a Coast Guard artillery unit. But the 80th AAA battalion fought alongside the paratroopers of the division, albeit they were entering battle by way of gliders instead of parachutes, and fought just as heroically as those paratroopers.

Powers meticulously recounts the history of the 80th AAA battalion from its formation as the 80th Airborne Anti-tank Anti-aircraft Battalion in 1942 through various bases for different phases of training, and into North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. From there, they transferred to Ireland and England in preparation for their role in D-Day and Operation Neptune, where they doggedly defended the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, receiving multiple medals as a result. It was during this time that the glider troops were finally recognized for not only their bravery in combat, but all the additional training involved in the utilization of gliders in action. This recognition consisted of not only hazardous duty pay, but their own glider badge, similar to the parachutist badge but with a glider in the center of the wings.

After Normandy, the battalion went back to England to prepare for Operation Market Garden where they implemented the lessons learned previously. The additional education gained in this operation would come in handy when they faced their greatest challenge: preventing the German breakthrough in the Ardennes in the Christmas Battle of the Bulge. The 82nd Airborne were every bit as heroic as the 101st Airborne in their defense against this offensive, and the 80th AAAB were an integral part of this defense, providing the support needed to allow for the safe withdrawal of the 7th Armored Division. After their successful defense in Belgium and subsequent invasion of Germany, their final assignment was in Berlin serving as an occupation force until their ultimate dissolution.

Powers provides a detailed history of these heroic glider-men. His narrative is engaging, showing not just an attention to detail as shown by the thorough documentation of his narrative using numerous primary sources, but also showing great enthusiasm in presenting their actions and accomplishments. Never a Dull Moment is a not only a welcome addition to the library of World War II literature, but serves an important role in documenting the ordeal of a previously overlooked airborne unit.

Review by Daniel E. Long (July 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Most modern books and films glamorize World War II airborne soldiers as troopers leaping into the night to descend by parachute into combat. Much less often considered is the role of glider forces. Glider troops lacked the panache and special distinctions of paratroopers, despite their critical role in airborne warfare. Likewise, World War II ground combat is characterized as a combined arms fight of infantry and armor, backed up with field artillery; by comparison the role played by specialized, supporting arms has received scant attention.

The 80th AAA Battalion was a glider outfit, providing antiaircraft defense and antitank capability to the division’s three infantry regiments as battlefield conditions dictated. Elements of the battalion fought in Italy, Normandy, Holland and the Battle of the Bulge, making combat glider assaults during both Operation Neptune and Operation Market Garden. The exploits of the men of the 80th tend to be obscured as commanders maneuvered the batteries wherever their special skills were needed on the battlefield, with no regiment to call a permanent home.

The 80th AAA battalion was a hybrid unit. While its members were considered Coast Artillery (the branch responsible for defending ground formations from air attack during WWII), they fought alongside parachute and glider infantry, most often providing direct fire, anti-armor support with 57mm/6 pounder cannons. While field artillery, both parachute and glider, established their gunlines some distance behind infantry units to provide indirect fire support, the men of the 80th fought face to face with the enemy, alongside their infantry brothers.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 264

Word Count: 62,985

Finding His Own Way, A Marine Novel by Gerald Gillis

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MWSA Review

Gerald Gillis' Finding His Own Way is a bloody, realistic novel about a young Virginia boy who finds himself and his path in the Marine Corps.

A ne'er-do-well in high school, Dylan Rafferty didn't get along with rules or his father. After one too many run-ins with the law, a judge gives Dylan a choice: jail or the Marines. Though his USMC time got off to a rocky start, it wasn't too long before Dylan proved himself in combat and learned valuable life lessons. But would he survive the war and live long enough to use them?

The author captures Pacific Island combat in vivid detail and spares nothing when describing the horrors of combat against the Japanese. The conflict in Dylan as he struggles to maintain his humanity is interesting and treated very well, and the ending of the book ties things up nicely, leaving the reader wanting to hear more about a character they have grown to love.

Fans of military fiction, World War 2 stories, Marine stories, or just good historical fiction will appreciate this book.

Review by Rob Ballister (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

On the eve of World War II, Dylan Rafferty is a troubled young man who runs afoul of the law and is given the choice of either the county jail or the U.S. Marine Corps. Dylan chooses the Marines, whereupon he begins a journey that will dramatically change the trajectory of his life. As the war unfolds, Dylan joins the 2nd Marine Division in time enough to participate in the invasion of Tarawa where, through the exigencies of war, he suddenly finds himself in a role as a small-unit leader.

Dylan also sees action in the battles at Saipan and Okinawa. He suffers wounds, loses buddies, and does his part in the brutal, bloody Pacific war.

Along the way, Dylan finds a Marine officer who takes an interest in him, and who mentors and challenges him into becoming a better Marine. That same officer convinces Dylan that he can grow and achieve far more than he otherwise thought possible.

Finding His Own Way, A Marine Novel, is an inspiring story of a young man who discovers much about himself in the dire circumstances of war, together with the support of his fellow Marines and a young lady back home. Dylan joins a long line of Rafferty men who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 283

Word Count: 101,500

Why Vietnam: Reflections on the Effect of War by Margaret Colbert Brown

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MWSA Review

It may be a bit easier to state what this unique book is not. It is not a comprehensive history of the Vietnam War, it is not an inquiry into the start of the Vietnam War, and it is not an individual account of military service during Vietnam. The book can best be described as a random walk through the entirety of the Vietnam War, sprinkled heavily with individual reflections and poetry by Vietnam veterans. The book is also interspersed frequently with background stateside social and cultural information during various periods of the decade-plus duration of the war.

The author has taken the approach of addressing specific issues and aspects of the war, primarily from the perspectives of combat soldiers and Marines she has encountered while teaching college courses on the Vietnam War. Several appendices provide detailed information on specific subjects such as a timeline of the war, military organization, medals, and the prisoner of war experience.

What is noteworthy is the in-depth detailing of language, slang, rituals, and experiences of everyday life in combat during the war. The book is unconventional and at times disjointed, perhaps intentionally, to reflect the unusual nature of the Vietnam War itself. Viewpoints from individual North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers are presented in various sections, such as monsoon weather, to illustrate the common struggle of everyone involved in the fighting of the war.

Why Vietnam? also touches on the experiences of combat veterans coming home, as well as the inglorious end of the war, and the later societal sea change towards Vietnam veterans, culminating in the establishment of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. and the diplomatic recognition of the former enemy regime.

Why Vietnam? will certainly be of interest to Vietnam veterans—especially those who served as grunts—the families of those veterans, those who lived during the period of war, and readers and students interested in the history of the wars that raged across Southeast Asia during the mid-20th century.

Review by Terry Lloyd (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Why Vietnam delves into the myriad reasons for US involvement, examining theories that date back to 1918 through to LBJ's full commitment to undeclared war, which restrained the military to a defensive role in protecting South Vietnam instead of an offensive one that would send troops across the DMZ and into Laos and Cambodia.  

The question of why the USA became involved, whether their involvement was justified, and if the war was ever winnable have been fiercely debated for over 50 years.  This book seeks to address these 'whys' by providing a thorough examination of all contributing factors, from presidential actions to foreign policy, and the social and political climates of the war eras.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 293

Word Count: 105,008

The Treasure of Trenalon: A Fellowship of the Flame Novel, Book 2 by A. R. Silverberry

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MWSA Review

A. R. Silverberry delivers another spellbinding installment in The Fellowship of the Flame series with The Treasure of Trenalon. Rich with vivid world-building and high-stakes adventure, our swashbuckling heroes have returned to the fight. This sequel deepens the characters' journey, while introducing an unknown dark magic threat and dangers that keep the pages turning.

The Resistance is weakening, Queen Naryfel is destroying the lives and minds of Purpura’s people, and an evil sorcerer is plotting the overthrow of the known world. Can Vance, Briar, and their small band of loyal fighters defeat evil and find the legendary treasure to save Purpura before it’s too late?

The language is lush and evocative. It encourages thoughtful reading and may even expand the reader's vocabulary along the way. Perfect for young adults who are ready to stretch their imaginations and their minds, this book offers a blend of action, courage, romance, and poetic storytelling. The saga is highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (July 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Dark Enchantment Hides a Secret …

Purpura’s tottering Resistance needs gold and weapons, and Briar’s hell-bent on bringing her formidable sword to the task. But when a sorcerer throws the kingdom into bloody chaos, one hope remains … sail away from the fight in search of a mythical treasure.

She’s not alone in the hunt. Someone else hungers for the treasure. And Briar’s charms. Vowing to either tame or kill her, he’s coming after her with sword sharpened and cannons loaded.

Briar welcomes the fight. But how can she battle the mesmerizing allure of the sorcerer?

How can she keep her heart true to the pirate, the man she really loves?

And how, in the vast deadly waters of the Teeth, can she find the greatest treasure ever known?

The one thing that will stop Purpura from plunging into madness …

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Young Adult (fiction or nonfiction)

Number of Pages: 310

Word Count: 79,000

Smoke on the Water by Jack Bartley

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MWSA Review

Jack Bartley’s Smoke on the Water offers a gripping and immersive look into naval service during the Vietnam War, blending historical authenticity with engaging storytelling. Following Jason Conley’s unexpected deployment aboard a warship, the novel presents a detailed portrayal of life at sea, showcasing shipboard operations, leadership challenges, and the dynamics of serving during a turbulent era.

Bartley’s meticulous attention to technical accuracy ensures a realistic depiction of naval procedures, making the novel an excellent choice for readers with an interest in military fiction and historical naval operations. His ability to capture ship maneuvering, command structures, and daily routines aboard a warship is impressive, lending the book a strong sense of realism and depth.

The novel’s pacing is well-structured, balancing tense action sequences with reflective moments that explore Conley’s internal struggles with duty, service, and personal growth. The camaraderie among the crew adds an optimistic tone, making the novel accessible even to readers unfamiliar with military life. The strong research, engaging characters, and historical accuracy make it a rewarding read for fans of military fiction.

Review by Bob Ritchie (June 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

May 1971. Jason Conley, a recent college graduate, finds himself about to pay the price for his free university education. He could not afford college, so he had applied for and was awarded an NROTC scholarship. The scholarship had strings attached; he now owed the Navy four years of service. Not wanting to be engulfed in the Vietnam war, he devises a scenario in which he would serve on a ship converted to be an oceanographic research support vessel in Hawaii, thousands of miles from the battle zone. A brilliant plan, if it worked.

It did. Then, it didn’t. 

Through a series of events and miscues, some of his own making and some out of his control, Jason fails to negotiate life on board his first ship and is transferred to a new command, a ship that deploys on a WestPac tour to Vietnam the day he sets foot on board. He now faces new challenges. How does he avoid the same mistakes he made on the first ship? How does he reconcile his feelings about the Vietnam war while at the same time directing a destroyer escort on the gunline supporting U.S. and South Vietnamese troops? How does he stay alive?

“Smoke on the Water” is based on real life events. It is a coming-of-age tale that occurs in less than four years’ time, spanning events from the East Coast to Hawaii to Southeast Asia. It encompasses journeys and adventures in foreign lands, loves found and lost, humorous situations, and a maturation process within one man compressed in the pressure cooker of an unpopular war.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 316

Word Count: 96,000

Elements of War by Gray Rinehart

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MWSA Review

Elements of War by Gray Rinehart is a comprehensive exploration of the theories and principles of war, and the evolution of various theories of war, from Sun Tzu to von Clausewitz to Mahan. The book is very technical in and in-depth, using the various traditional, established methods to develop strategies in war to build towards an encompassing comprehensive theory of war. Unless you are a senior military officer or academic steeped in the study of military history, theory, and grand strategy, this is not a casual read. Fortunately, in-depth, detailed concepts are introduced in short chapters. At the same time, continuous references to past or future chapters can be distracting at times, an unavoidable dilemma given the nature of this subject.

The author states the book is based on a previous thesis and several professional papers. Although published in 2019, with some material probably originating earlier, the amount of attention and detail paid to the emerging and merging challenges of both cyber and space elements into modern warfare is noteworthy. There are also specific discussions of both naval and air warfare. This book will be of interest to career military officers, academics and those that work in military-industrial research and “think-tank” enterprises.

Review by Terry Lloyd (May 2025) 

Author's Synopsis

ELEMENTS OF WAR examines war and warfare in ways that challenge some of the most deeply held conceptions of armed conflict.

War involves myriad violent actions against often intractable foes, across varied and difficult environments, in pursuit of broad strategic aims, making it perhaps the most complex and consequential of all human activities. This volume presents nontraditional and even innovative ways of thinking about war and its constituent elements, and suggests that we may comprehend war better if we study it through the lens of theory of knowledge.

Is it possible to understand war in its totality? Perhaps not, but it does us well to try--even if we never approach any sort of unified theory to guide our strategic and tactical aims.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 357

Word Count: 85,000

A Church More Like Christ by Gray Rinehart

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MWSA Review

A Church More Like Christ explores why churches today are broken and how they might do better at their missions in truly following Christ by worshipping, praying, teaching, living, and loving more like Christ. While the author Gray Rinehart’s purpose focuses on churches, he also speaks to individuals and reminds readers how they could be more like Christ.

Rinehart brings this complicated subject to an understandable level for readers. The following passage is one example of how he cleverly accomplishes this.

“One temptation for the church, it seems to me, is to focus so much of its attention on its congregation that it loses sight of the wider world. Like an autofocus camera trained on a busy scene, one part of the image is clear while the rest blurs out.”

Another good example is Rinehart’s line by line interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer. He breaks down biblical and religious concepts and provides interpretations based on his own thoughts, historical research, and scripture.

The book ends with “The Gift Fellowship Proposal,” of “Gift Church,” a prescription of ideas of how to create a church or fellowship that follows the tenets he espouses throughout the work. It is a plan, for those who are interested, that they may apply to their own parishes. The author honestly admits that many may not agree with his thoughts in the book, but he felt the subject was important enough that someone had to write this book. Readers who appreciate deep self-discovery and exploration of religious concepts will appreciate that this author took a chance and wrote this unique book.

Review by Valerie Ormond (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

A church like Christ would

· Teach like Jesus

· Worship like Jesus

· Pray and live and love like Jesus

Is your church a force for good, a light in the darkness, an outpost of God's kingdom in the world? Do the wounded find comfort and healing in your church? Do the broken find repair and restoration? Do the vulnerable find help and hope? Does your church offer refuge for the oppressed, a hand up to the beaten-down, and recognition to the unseen? If so, this book may not be for you.

If not—if your church is divided against itself, or focused only on itself, or more judgmental than caring—it may be that the church is not as much like Christ as it could be. A Church More Like Christ can help you examine how Christlike your church is, and give you new ways to think about what it means for a church to live out the faith it practices.

If the church were quicker to comfort than to condemn, quicker to heal rather than harm, quicker to love than to hate, disparage, or ignore, perhaps it would be a greater source of inspiration, strength, and change in people's lives—and in the world. If so, it would be, in effect, more like Christ.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Other—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 116

Word Count: 30,000

F4U Corsair by Ernest M. Snowden

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MWSA Review

In F4U Corsair, Ernest Snowden provides a comprehensive account of the development, deployment, and historical impact of the instantly recognizable American fighter plane. Rich in photos, maps, and charts, the book delves into the technical specifications of the aircraft, its role in World War II and the Korean War, and the experiences of the pilots who flew it.

The book details the challenges and innovations involved in designing the F4U Corsair. It covers the Corsair's deployment in World War II’s Pacific Theater, highlighting its effectiveness as both a carrier-based and land-based fighter. Snowden also examines the aircraft's role in the Korean War, where it excelled in ground-attack missions. The book includes numerous accounts from pilots, providing firsthand perspectives on flying and fighting in the Corsair.

Although this book includes outstanding visual aspects (making it suitable as a coffee table book), given its detailed research and the level of detail it contains, F4U Corsair could also be considered a reference book. Chock-full of interesting details, Snowden manages to explain relatively complex engineering and tactical concepts without overwhelming the average reader. The narrative is engaging, blending historical facts with personal anecdotes from pilots, engineers, and military planners to create a vivid portrayal of the Corsair's legacy.

Overall, F4U Corsair by Ernest Snowden is a must-read for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. Its thorough research, engaging narrative, and personal accounts make it an excellent resource for understanding the significance of this iconic aircraft.

Review by John Cathcart (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

F4U Corsair is published by Naval Institute Press as the first aircraft history in a series they title Special Editions. Special Editions are designed to offer a deeper look at iconic naval aircraft using an image-heavy, magazine-style format in a coffee table book layout. Special Editions are intended to appeal to scholars, enthusiasts, and general readers alike.  

Rarely is an aircraft design so inspired that it brings forth near-universal recognition and acclaim. In more than 110 years of naval aviation history and more than 50 years of Vought Corsairs in active-duty squadrons, one Corsair model, the F4U, stands alone. In that time, only a few naval aircraft have been acknowledged as game changers that singularly tipped the balance in air combat. The Vought F4U Corsair heads a short list of such aircraft by dint of its supremely efficient lines—a melding of the highly developed Double Wasp powerplant, the outsized Hydromatic propeller that it drove, and the finely tuned airframe that wrapped it.   

Navy and Marine Corps aviators held the Corsair in high esteem for its ruggedness, speed, and adaptability as a fighter and a bomber, long after its first appearance in the South Pacific during World War II, through the closing weeks of the Korean War. The Corsair’s potency made it sought after by allied air forces long after its final days in U.S. inventory, rendering vital service in French livery at Dien Bien Phu and, finally, with South American air forces in the so-called  “Soccer War” of the late 1960s.  Here is the complete history of this storied aircraft, from early design through the legendary dogfights of Maj. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington’s Black Sheep Squadron over the Pacific, and in operations in Korea.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table

Number of Pages: 126

Word Count: 40,000

In Harm's Way by Thomas W. Wing

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MWSA Review

Author Thomas Wing has given us an exciting story in his book In Harm's Way. Set during the Revolutionary War, Jonas Hawke, our protagonist, has his commercial ship carrying legal cargo seized by the British Royal Navy. Although not originally disloyal to the king and unwilling to join the rebellion, the British seizure of his ship, brutal treatment of his men, and the British Navy’s subsequent firing cannons into the town where he lives pushes him to join the rebellion.  His only skill is that of a ship's captain, so Hawke soon finds himself a privateer in the open seas. Despite the lack of any combat experience, his skill as a ship's captain soon enables him to become effective in capturing British ships and seizing both the ships and their cargo. The British take notice and send warships to safeguard British trade routes.

This is a good start for a soon-to-be series. Anyone with an interest in Revolutionary War sea battles should like this book. Those who enjoy a good adventure with a little suspense should find this book appealing, too.

Review by Bob Doerr (May 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

The man who fights for his family is far more dangerous than the one who fights for his king.

Colonial sea captain Jonas Hawke returns home to Norfolk after a year-long voyage only to have his ship and its valuable cargo seized by the British Royal Navy. As the royal governor further tightens the noose on trade, Jonas is thrust into the chaos of a growing rebellion. Desperate to support his family, he sets out to find work. When he is denied a commission with the newly formed Continental Navy, he outfits his own vessel as a private ship-of-war and voyages to the Caribbean in search of enemy merchant ships he can capture and friends he can trust.

But dangers multiply on the unforgiving sea. The Royal Navy reacts mercilessly to the threat posed by privateers like Jonas. How will Jonas fare now that he has boldly defied the king of Britain to preserve his family? And what will happen to his loved ones while he is away, engulfed in a war to oppose tyranny in the name of freedom?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 324

Word Count: 95000

Unknowable Minds: Philosophical Insights on AI and Autonomous Weapons by Mark Bailey

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MWSA Review

Unknowable Minds: Philosophical Insights on AI and Autonomous Weapons is written by Mark Bailey. Although the author has chosen not to list his academic credentials, he describes himself as an academic researcher who explores the impact of technology on national security at a university that serves the United States Intelligence Community. This is an academic piece written “to help people who may not be AI practitioners better understand how AI works and the risks that AI poses from a complex system perspective.” (P 15)

With extensive endnotes and bibliography, Bailey expresses his concerns through AI theory, philosophy, and mathematics, focusing on large-scale national security implications of AI. He clearly explains the differences between fully autonomous (no human intervention) and semi autonomous systems, with the latter broken further into those with a human IN the loop and those with a supervisor who can intervene, known as being ON the loop. A human in the loop is a gatekeeper who must make a positive decision in order for the system to act. Bailey then applies these lessons to warfare and global dynamics.

He has a simple message: It’s impossible to know how advanced autonomous AI will make decisions, and it’s unlikely to make decisions that humans would make. Therefore, we should “abandon our inclination to seek greater technology simply for its own sake, as well as our tendency to succumb to the pressures of global competition.” (p 155)

Review by Nancy Kauffman (April 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Imagine that in the cold heart of a secret military facility, a new form of intelligence awakens. It is a synthetic mind born from intricate algorithms and complex computations, operating in ways unfathomable to its human creators. Charged with safeguarding national security, this intelligence orchestrates strategies that defy human ethics and laws of war, leaving its creators both awed and unnerved. Unknowable Minds delves into the unsettling reality of entrusting our safety to an intelligence that lacks human essence. As we navigate the Age of Artificial Intelligence, these systems - powering everything from our smartphones to military defenses - remain inherently opaque and unpredictable. The book explores how AI differs from any technology we've ever developed, its inherent complexities, and the profound risks it poses to our future. Drawing on philosophy, AI theory, and national security insights, this book offers a thought-provoking examination of AI's potential and peril. From the complexities of neural networks to the unpredictable nature of emergent behaviors, Unknowable Minds challenges us to rethink our relationship with AI and its role in the theater of global security. Can we control an unknowable intellect, or will it redefine human existence? As we stand on the precipice of unprecedented technological advancement, understanding and navigating the unknowable minds of artificial intelligences become a quest fraught with extraordinary challenges and existential questions.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Reference

Number of Pages: 236

Word Count: 50,000

A Nation Born – A Homeland Lost: Native Americans and the Revolutionary War Era by George J. Bryjak

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MWSA Review

We’ve been taught the history of the founding of the United States by Europeans. A Nation Born – A Homeland Lost tells the lesser-known story of what happened to the Native Americans who inhabited North America, as settlements of these newcomers spread across the land. Battles for territory raged between the French and the British, and then the British and the Patriots. Alliances of Native tribes were constantly shifting, as they tried to hold onto their land, support their families, and maintain their cultures. The final battles were between the settlers and the Native Americans, as they claimed all of the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific, south of Canada and north of Mexico. The few Natives who survived were left with broken treaties and confined to isolated patches of territory as prisoners of war.

This is a well-researched book that includes maps, pictures, and sources. Points of view in the book included the French, the British, the colonists or settlers, and the Native Americans. The extensive descriptions of the various tribes, including their territory, customs, beliefs, and leaders, gives the reader a Native American perspective that is missing from most other accounts of history in this time period. The author included stories about several women warriors and leaders.

The book is easy to understand, with a lot of specific details. More sensitive readers may find the graphic details of the brutality of many of the battles against the Native Americans to be very disturbing, as I did. If so, I recommend you skip over those narratives.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in a more complete picture of the battles that defined the settlement of North America through the early 1800s.
Review by Eva Nevarez St. John (March 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

To fully understand the American Revolutionary War and its aftermath, we must also examine wars involving Native Americans in that era, and how they influenced the destiny of a people and a continent

.

As France and England battle for control of North America in The French and Indian War, most of the Indians who fight side with the French.

Pontiac’s Rebellion – often called the first American Revolution – is a concerted effort by Native Americans to halt European expansion and safeguard their ancestral homelands.

From Pontiac’s Rebellion to the battles of Lexington and Concord, a shifting political landscape results in most of the Native Americans who fight in the Revolutionary War siding with the British.

The Treaty of Paris and birth of the United States results in Native Americans battling for their sovereignty once more in the Northwest Indian War.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 285

Word Count: 84,000

Swift Boat Skipper by Robert H. Bradley III

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MWSA Review

Reading military memoirs can be a roll of the dice. Some are suitable maybe as a record for future generations of family members, some you encounter are great stories but poorly written, some are great stories with great writing, and many are somewhere in between. Swift Boat Skipper has the arc of a great story and is very well written.

As the title implies, the author commanded a Patrol Boat Fast (PBF), or Swift Boat, as a young Navy officer during the Vietnam War. Without stating so, I believe one of the author’s main purposes was to write his story for those to whom the Vietnam War is now history, while also seeking to tell the story of one facet of the often-overlooked naval war in Vietnam.

Much of the information in the book will be familiar to those who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The author does a great job of overlaying the story of his small boat unit with the macro issues affecting the overall conduct of the war, emanating from Saigon, Washington D.C., college campuses, and main streets across America, all far from the combat zone.

The mission of the Patrol Boat Fast sailors and their comrades operating other rivercraft was to deny the interior waterways of South Vietnam to communist insurgent Viet Cong guerrillas and soldiers of the army of North Vietnam. Like their ground combat and aviation counterparts, they were hampered and frustrated by onerous rules of engagement that their enemies took full advantage of to both evade and ambush U.S. forces.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the book is the author’s deft explanations of the motivations of the communist enemy and the often-reluctant South Vietnamese forces, and his ability to enable the reader to walk in their shoes (or barefoot).

This book will interest those interested in the Vietnam War, naval combat, and any story of men in combat in a unique environment.

Review by Terry Lloyd (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

This book is a memoir based on letters I wrote and the diary I kept in Vietnam.

I started writing in 1979 to counter the despicable depiction of the actions of sailors on Swift Boats and River Patrol Boats in the movie, Apocalypse Now. It was my attempt to tell about the Vietnam War that I knew while serving in DaNang in 1969-1970.

This book is a coming-of-age story of a callow college graduate whose service, first as an officer on the USS Savage (DER-386) and then as skipper of a Swift Boat turned a boy into a man.

Coastal Division 12 Swift Boats patrolled mostly along the coast, but one of our key missions in 1969 was the perilous patrols in the Cua Dai River Basin. Many men were wounded there in the firefights; one of our officers died.

The book recounts the great professionalism and courage of Swift Boat sailors but also the gradual disillusionment that many of us felt, as the Vietnamization of the War supplanted our original mission of winning the war.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 338

Word Count: 162,000

Pennies from Vietnam: A Sister at home, a Brother at war by Tracy Smith and Larry Smith (deceased)

MWSA Review

Pennies from Vietnam is the story of seventeen-year-old Larry Smith who joined the U.S. Army to serve his country and to help himself grow up. He achieved both goals, but at great personal cost. His story is told by his little sister Tracy Smith, who was three and four years old during his eighteen months in the Vietnam War. He served as a crew chief on attack helicopters from 1967 to 1969, the height of U.S. involvement, so his story is one of combat, bravery, and self-sacrifice.

But this story is about more than that. It's about the effects of the war on his family at home, how his absence was felt, and how his family dealt with it from day to day. Larry wrote ninety-nine letters in total. These form the structure of his story in his own words, but his sister Tracy Smith expanded on these through tireless research to provide a nearly complete narrative of his Vietnam service and beyond. The book is recommended for those interested in the Vietnam War and for those who want to learn the largely untold story of how that confusing war affected servicemen's families who struggled to make sense of it in neighborhoods across America.

Review by Jamie Thompson (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

“It didn’t matter that we were in New Jersey in 1967 and 1968. Vietnam invaded us all.”

In this family story, over 70 letters from one homesick soldier tell the truth and trauma of a teenager in combat. When Larry Smith enlisted, he promised to send pennies for his little sister Tracy in his letters, and promised his mother to return home safely. But as Tracy started kindergarten and learned of war from the family television, Larry turned 19, battles intensified and his letters darkened. His promises were harder to keep.

For 12 months as a 1st Cavalry Crew Chief during the height of the war, Larry writes home with tales from his latest mission on his Huey helicopter ("I never had a new car, but I do have a '67 UH-1C"). Larry grows from a naive boy ("War is hell but the girls over here sure are nice") into a hardened man. He is silenced by the end of his tour of duty, and letters stop arriving.

Decades after the war, as her brother lay in a coma, Tracy Smith began to study the old letters, and found a boy she didn’t recognize. After years of research and finding her brother’s Army friends, she is honoring him in this bittersweet story of love in the middle of war. Pennies from Vietnam: A Sister at Home, a Brother at War is a parallel memoir, offering a unique dual perspective. Larry speaks for every soldier, and Tracy speaks for those left behind, waiting for answers.

Pennies from Vietnam makes a case for generational trauma: children don’t belong in combat, nor should they watch it unfold on television.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 229

Word Count: 80,000

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The Master Chief's Sea Stories: Volume I USS Manitowoc (LST 1180) by Johnny J Moye

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MWSA Review

In his book The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol 1, Master Chief Johnny J. Moye, USN retired, has given us a large dose of career and leadership advice captured inside a memoir focused on his first four years in the Navy. Chief Moye kept a daily journal while at sea. Now, retired from the U.S. Navy, the author has taken a look back at that journal and has elaborated on what he wrote. He does so in the same day by day fashion.

At first, I found it an interesting way to write a memoir. However, as I got into the book, I realized the author was commenting on what was in the journal in a way that points out the lessons he learned as a young man from those experiences. He also explains how the lessons he learned affected his own leadership style later on. The book is a long one and not the fastest read I've picked up, but by the time I finished it I had developed a great respect for the lessons that were in it.

Review by Bob Doerr (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Everyone loves a good story…try a thousand! Master Chief Moye masterfully shares his memories of the events that inspired his transition from a timid boy from the hills of southern Indiana into a battle-ready Cold War sailor aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s most battle-efficient ships.

For millennia, sailors have told stories of the sea. Moye’s stories are an autobiographical account based on comprehensive journals he maintained while aboard the USS Manitowoc. This factual account details experiences ranging from tragic to euphoric…sometimes on the same day.

This recounting shares not only the master chief’s life but the lives of his shipmates, capturing an unmatched historical rendering of Navy life in a bygone era. This book is required reading for anyone interested in the Navy, personal growth, happiness, failure, and success. Those stories are all here.

This is the first of a series of books telling the Master Chief’s Sea Stories that detail his 27-year U.S. Navy career during a time when much was expected and accepted.

Hey—listen to this one, it’s a no-shitter.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 520

Word Count: 179223

Government in the Gospels: Daily Reflections for Government Officials by Rev. Jonathan M. Craig

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MWSA Review

Government in the Gospels: Daily Reflections for Government Officials by Rev. Jonathan M. Craig is a refreshing and insightful 55-day devotional crafted specifically for elected officials and staffers navigating the complexities of public service. As the Florida Legislature chaplain, Craig brings a unique perspective, blending his deep understanding of Scripture with his real-world experience ministering to those in government. The result is a thoughtful, practical, and uplifting guide that speaks directly to the challenges and responsibilities faced by those in public office.

Each of the 55 daily devotionals is rooted in the teachings of the Gospels, offering a concise yet profound reflection on how Jesus’s words and actions can inform and inspire modern governance. Craig’s writing is clear and engaging, making biblical principles accessible without feeling preachy or detached from the realities of political life. Whether it’s a meditation on servant leadership, justice, or compassion, each entry feels relevant and timely, encouraging readers to consider how their faith can shape their decisions and interactions.

What sets this devotional apart is its intentional design for small group discussion. Every day concludes with a handful of questions that invite deeper reflection and conversation. These prompts are perfect for staff meetings, prayer breakfasts, or informal gatherings of colleagues, fostering meaningful dialogue about applying Gospel values in the public square. They’re thought-provoking without being overly complex, striking just the right balance for busy professionals.

Craig’s heart for those serving in government shines through every page. His tone is encouraging and empathetic, recognizing the weight of leadership while offering hope and wisdom drawn from Christ’s example. Government in the Gospels is a gem for elected officials and staffers seeking to align their work with their faith—or for anyone interested in how the Gospel intersects with governance. It’s a compact, powerful resource that leaves you refreshed and equipped, day after day. Highly recommended!

Review by Shawn R. Frost (March 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Do the Gospels have anything to do with government? The short answer is, "Yes!" In fact, the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are more connected to government than might be expected. Through 55 daily devotionals Government in the Gospels examines every passage in the Gospels directly related to government by inviting the reader to thoughtfully interact with the biblical text, to reflect on questions designed to engage the soul, and to pray according to each daily theme. May the Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage the faith of those who serve in public office as they encounter the word of God and rejoice in his promises which are "Yes!" and "Amen!" in Jesus Christ.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 119

Word Count: 32,320

Home is Where the Murder Is by Rosalie Spielman

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MWSA Review

If you want to curl up with a cozy mystery with unpredictable twists and turns—mingled with a delightful dose of humor—Rosalie Spielman’s Home is Where the Murder Is would be a great choice.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Tessa Treslow, her family, and the small town of New Oslo are shocked by the brutal murder of a stranger who claims a familial connection to a former resident. However, there is a dilemma: all fingers point to Tessa’s best friend, a local police deputy, as the killer. Tessa is convinced Freddie is innocent and is determined to track down the identity of the actual assassin.

But where to start? Help arrives with a gaggle of colorful characters from Speilman’s first yarn, Welcome Home to Murder. These include fellow “She-canic” Aunt Edna; niece Summer; bench-sitting-all-seeing Hollis and Hank; the eccentric Prunn sisters; and Nick, Tessa’s fellow veteran and love interest. But to solve the case, Tessa and her allies may have to put themselves squarely in harm’s way.

In the small hometown, everyday life offers ups and downs with a sprinkling of unknown secrets. Spielman artfully intertwines her fictional narrative with the real-life challenges of our warriors adjusting to civilian life and how they cope with the physical and mental trauma of conflict and loss. The result is well worth the read, thanks to this author’s gifted storytelling.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (January 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Retired US Army officer Tessa Treslow has settled in with her Aunt Edna in her hometown of New Oslo, Idaho. After the disasters of the previous fall, Tessa and her family are back on their feet as they start a new dream venture: a vehicle restoration business, "BOSS—Band of Sisters Services, call the She-canics."

Tessa and the enticing local math teacher, Nick Hunt, are also working together to organize a charity run during the New Oslo Pioneer Days festival. All seems to be going well... until Tessa finds a dead body in the town park!

The murder victim is a stranger to their small town, who claimed that she was the illegitimate cousin of Tessa's best friend, Deputy Petunia "Freddie" Frederickson. The victim's bloody finger is pointing to a mark on the veterans' honor roll sign, circling the names of Freddie and her grandfather. Complicating matters, Freddie was witnessed in an altercation with the woman just before her death, and it was Freddie's knife found at the scene.

In order to help her best friend, Tessa and Aunt Edna search for the real identity of the victim. Was she actually a long-lost family member? Who would want her dead? And what was she doing in New Oslo? Tessa is determined to find out... even if the answers lead her straight into the crosshairs of a killer!

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 257

Word Count: 73,500

Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen by James P. Gregory Jr.

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MWSA Review

James P. Gregory, Jr. took on a herculean task to untangle the facts of a World War I controversy. In his book Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen, Gregory painstakingly lays out the facts dating back to the battle of October 8, 1918, complete with footnotes documenting his findings.

On that date, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, crept upon a German machine gun emplacement and opened fire. Some were killed, others seriously wounded, and one man emerged as a mythical hero. Through less than thorough fact-finding, officers used the opportunity to also advance themselves. One man out of seventeen who participated got all the glory, fame, and medals. While Cpl. Alvin York received accolades for the destruction of German machine gun nests and the capture of more than 132 German soldiers; sixteen other brave soldiers sought to be recognized for their service and duty on the battlefield.

The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history. The other sixteen suffered indignities in the press and from their own superiors, who portrayed them as jealous glory seekers. Gregory set out to change this.

Historian James P. Gregory, Jr. writes a well-documented account of the other sixteen with a thumbnail sketch of each man and the efforts to have this war hero recognized. He sets the record straight for those who want to find the truth.

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2024) 

Author's Synopsis

On October 8, 1918, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, led by acting Sgt. Bernard Early, flanked a German machine gun nest that had inundated their unit with withering fire. In this sneak attack, they successfully surprised and captured more than 80 German soldiers before an unseen machine gun suddenly opened fire and killed six men.

Acting Cpl. Alvin York, a member of the patrol, received the credit for taking control of the squad and single-handedly killing 20 Germans, capturing 132 prisoners, and eliminating 35 machine guns, all before leading the men back to Allied lines. For this act of bravery, York not only received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to sergeant, but he also rose to fame and glory. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history.

In Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York, historian James P. Gregory Jr. tells the story of the other sixteen soldiers who took part in the battle, capture, and return before fading into relative obscurity in the shadow of Sergeant York. As the tale reached mythological proportions, the other survivors began to speak out, seeking recognition for their parts in the engagement, only to be stymied by improper investigations, cover-ups, and media misrepresentations. Here, Gregory recovers the story of these other men and the part they played alongside York while revealing the process of mythmaking in twentieth-century America.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 216

Word Count: 58500

Trust No One by Glenn Dyer

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MWSA Review

Trust No One by Glenn Dyer is a well-researched and written WW2 historical novel that entertains, informs, and intrigues readers. It’s the 4th book in the Conor Thorn espionage series inspired by true events.

The story, locations, and historical period evoke images of “Casablanca.” It’s missing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre, but Trust No One doesn’t lack heroes or villains. We get cameos or at least shout-outs of Eisenhower, Churchill, Admiral Jean Darlan, Klaus Barbie—the Butcher of Lyon—Charles DeGaulle, Ian Fleming, professional spies, a courageous brothel owner, an evil priest, and multiple others—real and imagined. A good use of dialogue keeps the story moving.

The action alternates between Algiers and Lyon, with forays into Marseilles, London, Gibraltar, and Tunisia. The locations provide a mysterious backdrop of dark alleys, smokey cafés, and foggy airfields, where nothing is as it appears.

All the significant and influential WW2 organizations play a role in the political puzzle and multiple storylines: the Allies, the Axis Powers, the French Resistance, the Gestapo and SS, MI6, SOE, OSS, Vichy France, the Abwehr, and…the Catholic Church. We get double-dealing, thrilling escapes, and violence. All the boxes are checked.

About halfway through, I felt overwhelmed by the multiple plot lines, so I jumped to the author’s notes and acknowledgments, which helped me connect the dots. At 107,000 words, the narrative may test readers’ patience and challenge their ability to fit all the pieces of the puzzle. But those willing to stick with Trust No One to the end will be rewarded with a memorable and thrilling reading experience.

Review by James Elsener (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Loyalists meant to rid their country of a double-dealing collaborator. Instead, they created a threat that could destroy Allied unity.

Algiers. Winter 1942. Conor Thorn is devastated. He’s been fired from the OSS. His wife, Emily, has been fired from MI6. They allowed their morals to bend certain truths concerning the outcome of their last mission. Forever dedicated to defeating Axis powers, these skilled operatives jump at the chance to secretly help General Eisenhower deal with a political time bomb threatening Allied harmony and to redeem their honorable standing. To recover a rumored archive holding the truth about an assassination plot, they must travel deep into perilous Axis territory.

In the crosshairs of those determined to keep the information out of Allied hands, Conor and Emily fall victim to a violent assault. Though the resulting injuries leave him severely concussed and confused, Conor refuses to stand down while his beloved ventures deeper into danger.

Can Conor and Emily piece together a political puzzle in time to keep Allied unity from fracturing?

Trust No One is the high intensity, gritty fourth book in the Conor Thorn WWII espionage series inspired by true events. If you like heart-pounding action and white-knuckled tension, then you’ll love Glenn Dyer’s thrill ride through history.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 402

Word Count: 107,710

Secrets of Ash by Josh Green

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MWSA Review

Secrets of Ash: A Novel of War, Brotherhood, and Going Home Again by Josh Green is a captivating and intense novel that delves into profound themes of trauma, guilt, and fragile relationships. The novel centers on two brothers, Chase and Jack Lumpkin, who take different paths in life. Jack, the older brother, becomes a nationally syndicated sports radio host, while Chase joins the Army and experiences combat in Afghanistan.

After sustaining wounds and receiving a Purple Heart, Chase returns to Georgia, haunted by PTSD and guilt over a wartime murder. Meanwhile, Jack’s excesses lead him to reevaluate his life. When Jack follows Chase to the rugged mountains of Ash County, their flawed realities collide. They grapple with their shared past, seeking redemption and healing.

The novel is narrated in alternating points of view, allowing readers to explore the brothers’ current struggles and dark memories as they come to terms with themselves and each other.

The characters are authentic and deeply flawed. This is not just another story about war and PTSD. Secrets of Ash is a well written, deeper examination of love and the impacts of war on society.

Review by Bob Ritchie (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Josh Green is an award-winning journalist, fiction author, and editor whose work has appeared in Garden & Gun, Indianapolis Monthly, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Los Angeles Review, The Baltimore Review, and several anthologies. Secrets of Ash, his first novel, was inspired by two decades of reporting on U.S. military. His book of short stories, Dirtyville Rhapsodies, was hailed by Men’s Health as a “Best Book for the Beach” and was named a top 10 book of the year by Atlanta magazine. He lives with his wife and daughters in Atlanta.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 287

Word Count: 83,000