Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Military Histories


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Cover art for THE LAST FULL MEASURE
NONFICTION
Released: May 22, 2012

"A first-rate addition to the military history canon."
A military history about the central fact of all wars: death in battle. Read full book review >
Cover art for INTO DUST AND FIRE
NONFICTION
Released: April 3, 2012

"A unique take on the war, from the point of view of the young, idealistic and foolhardy."
A multifaceted, moving story of five American Ivy League students who committed themselves to fight alongside the British in the spring of 1941. Read full book review >
Cover art for DRIFT
NONFICTION
Released: April 3, 2012

"With humor and verve, Maddow lays a solid basis for that hoped-for interview with Cheney (fingers crossed)."
In her hard-hitting debut, popular MSNBC host Maddow examines how the country has lost control of its national-security policy. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TASTE OF WAR
NONFICTION
Released: April 2, 2012

"A definitive work of World War II scholarship."
A comprehensive evaluation of the crucial role of the global food economy in the waging of war. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HUNT FOR KSM
NONFICTION
Released: March 26, 2012

"A surprising, sobering look at one of the deadliest terror networks in history and the American spy agencies charged with bringing it down."
Superlative storytelling and crackling reportage define a pulse-pounding narrative tracing the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Read full book review >
Cover art for SHILOH, 1862
NONFICTION
Released: March 20, 2012

"Essential reading for Civil War buffs and a great overview of a key battle for neophytes."
Stirring Civil War history from the author of Forest Gump. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BOXER REBELLION AND THE GREAT GAME IN CHINA
NONFICTION
Released: March 20, 2012

"A fresh, accessible take on a crucial turning point for the modern Chinese state."
A succinct revisiting of the turn-of-the-century uprising that pitted Chinese recalcitrance against "imperial buccaneering." Read full book review >
Cover art for SOLDIER DOGS
NONFICTION
Released: March 15, 2012

"A well-deserved salute to the military's "paws-on-the-ground heroes.""
Dogster.com writer Goodavage profiles an indispensible warrior of the four-legged variety. Read full book review >
Cover art for HELL ABOVE EARTH
NONFICTION
Released: March 13, 2012

"A WWII thrill ride."
The riveting true story of a World War II bomber pilot and the co-pilot who received orders to kill him. Read full book review >
Cover art for OUTLAW PLATOON
NONFICTION
Released: March 1, 2012

"Well-told combat narrative that raises disturbing questions about America's professionalized military and the post-9/11 objectives with which they've been tasked."
Grim, gritty account of infantry combat on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, from a youthful lieutenant determined to act nobly amid violence and chaos. Read full book review >
Cover art for MONTY AND ROMMEL
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 16, 2012

"An accessible, well-honed study of two fascinating characters."
Two consummate military men who led their respective countries to victories receive the full-on character treatment by a British military historian. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DARK DEFILE
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 14, 2012

"Preston brings this obscure, ill-begotten conflict to a lively, pertinent center stage."
An earlier invasion of Afghanistan by the British offers some enlightening lessons for American readers in this nicely encapsulated study by a British historian. Read full book review >