UNITED STATES NAVY - Essential Reading (Warfighting First)

	by George C. Daughan This Essential category Warfighting First book provides an engaging account of the War of 1812. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, Americas prospects looked dismal. It was clear that the primary battlefield would be the open ocean but Americas war fleet, only twenty ships strong, faced a practiced British navy of more than a thousand men-of-war. Still, through a combination of nautical deftness and sheer bravado, the American navy managed to take the fight to the British on the Great Lakes, in the Atlantic, and even in the eastern Pacific, and turn the tide of the war. In 1812: The Navys War, prizewinning historian George C. Daughan tells the thrilling story of how a handful of heroic captains and their stalwart crews overcame spectacular odds to lead the country to victory against the worlds greatest imperial power. A stunning contribution to military and national history, 1812: The Navys War is the first complete account of how the U.S. Navy rescued the fledgling nation and secured Americas future. This outstanding Warfighting First category book represents an important addition to the CNO Professional Reading Program in recognition of the bi-centennial celebration of the war it recounts. 1812: The Navys War is a must read for all Sailors and Officers.
	by Richard A. Clarke This Essential category, Warfighting First book details the nature and scope of the cyber threat to U.S. national security through very readable technical descriptions and gripping real-world examples of cyber-attacks. Cyber War is a powerful book about technology, government, and military strategy; and about criminals, spies, soldiers, and hackers. It explains clearly and convincingly what cyber war is, how cyber weapons work, and how vulnerable we are as a nation and as individuals to the vast and looming web of cyber criminals. The author, Richard A. Clarke, is an internationally recognized expert on security and served in various capacities under four Presidents. This important book provides a comprehensive overview of one of the greatest national security threats that America confronts today. This selection supports Department of Defense and U.S. Navy priorities for countering cyber warfare.
	by Gary Williams This Essential category, Warfighting First book tells the compelling tale of the late Navy SEAL, LT Michael Murphy. A young man of great character, he is the subject of Naval Special Warfare courses on leadership. An Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, naval base, school, post office, ball park, and hospital emergency room have all been named in his honor. In his bestselling book Lone Survivor (formerly listed on the CNO Professional Reading Program), Marcus Luttrell, the only survivor of Operation Red Wing, called Michael the best officer I ever knew, an iron-souled warrior of colossal, almost unbelievable courage in the face of the enemy. SEAL of Honor tells the story of LT Michael Murphys life and how he came to be a man of selfless courage and honor. This book offers a sterling example of Navy core values lived out in his life, his service, and his sacrifice. Its a gripping and often emotionally moving book, and honors all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war against terrorism.
	edited by Edward J. Marolda and Robert J. Schneller Jr. More than a decade after the United States forged a diverse international coalition to drive Saddam Husseins invading forces out of Kuwait, the vital role seapower played in that mission has received far less recognition than the land and air campaigns. Yet U.S. Navy surface ships and submarines launched hundreds of cruise missile attacks against Iraqi targets throughout the war, and carriers in surrounding waters sent air strikes deep into the enemys territory. The battleships Missouri and Wisconsin bombarded hostile targets while U.S. Sailors fought naval actions beside U.S. Army and Royal Navy helicopter crews. SEAL missions, global sealift actions, mine countermeasures, and operations in support of the economic embargo all contributed to this complex joint war effort that became one of the most successful campaigns in American military history. This book details those naval operations and includes candid observations of leadership effectiveness, interservice relations, and methods of command and control. As a study of modern joint and com­bined warfare, this work, originally produced by the Naval Historical Center, is unsur­passed. It captures the symphonic complex­ity of joint ops, and illustrates how successful they can be when the elements all dovetail accordingly. It is an especially valuable work for the Navy readership in that it looks at the combined-warfare scenario through a naval lens.
	by Thomas E. Ricks This Essential category, Warfighting First book uses hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with top officers in Iraq and extraordinary on-the-ground reportage to document the inside story of the Iraq War since late 2005. The Gamble offers newsv breaking information, revealing behind-the-scenes disagreements between top commanders. We learn that almost every single officer in the chain of command fought against implementing the surge. Many of General Petraeus closest advisers went to Iraq extremely pessimistic, doubting that the surge would have any effect. The Gamble examines the congressional hearings through the eyes of Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, and their views of the questions posed by the 2008 presidential candidates. Thomas E. Ricks stunning conclusion, stated in the last line of the book, is that the events for which the Iraq war will be remembered by us and by the world have not yet happened. This title provides a comprehensive and highly readable presentation of how a complex problem in Iraq was addressed by U.S. military and political leaders.
	by Forest J. Sterling This Essential category, Warfighting First book was an almost forgotten WW II classic that has been brought back into the spotlight by the CNO Professional Reading Program. From Pearl Harbor to her last and fatal voyage, this is the heroic true story of Americas most daring World War II submarine, as told by one of the only surviving members of her crew, retired Chief Petty Officer Forest J. Sterling. The USS Wahoo (SS-238) was the most successful American submarine in the World War II Pacific Fleet. This riveting account of five combat sea patrols of the Wahoo captures life aboard a WW II submarine with a witty and inspiring deck-plates perspective of the boats Yeoman (YN1 Sterling). The superb leadership and tactical acumen of the Wahoos famed Commanding Officer, Commander Dudley Mush Morton and Executive Officer Commander Dick OKane are vividly illustrated in Sterlings book. Wake of the Wahoo is an unforgettable and invaluable read.