Holidays With War on the Rocks

MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed bin Salman

This book, written by Ben Hubbard in 2020, offers thorough research and balanced insights into the life and rise to power of the Saudi crown prince.

"Essential reading to understand MBS's background and vision."

The Iran Wars: Spy Games, Bank Battles, and the Secret Deals that Reshaped the Middle East

Jay Solomon's book delves into U.S.-Iran relations under the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations, weaving together Iran's role in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the development of its nuclear program.

To Fix a National Character: The United States in the First Barbary War, 1800–1805

Abigail Mullen challenges the traditional military history of the First Barbary War, expanding the narrative to include the diplomatic, economic, and political histories involved.

"Important insights on how these elements integrate with all elements of national power."

Too Far on a Whim: The Limits of High-Steam Propulsion in the US Navy

Tyler Pitrof's investigation into the innovations of steam propulsion during the interwar years upends historical perspectives.

"A must-read for those interested in the impact of new technologies on naval operations and strategy."

Orbital

Samantha Harvey’s Booker Prize-winning novel explores our world and those who view it from above through the experiences of six astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me

This memoir by Patrick Bringley describes his decade working as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, sharing stories of the museum’s community.

Napoleon: A Life

This biography by Andrew Roberts provides a detailed account of Napoleon's life, highlighting his military prowess and insatiable hunger for knowledge.

Biographical series on Lyndon Johnson

Robert Caro's series of four biographies provide an in-depth look at the life and political career of Lyndon Johnson, revealing both his determination and ruthless ambition.

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AI Snake Oil

While often disagreeing with the authors' views on generative AI, Brad Carson finds their criticism of predictive AI thought-provoking.

On Settler Colonialism

Adam Kirsch's book examines the intellectual roots of campus activism regarding settler colonialism.

This Earthly Globe: A Venetian Geographer's Quest to Map the World

Andrea Di Robilant's book explores the life and work of Venetian geographer Giovambattista Ramusio, providing insights into Venetian ambitions and statecraft during the Age of Exploration.

Planning for Protraction: A Historically Informed Approach to Great-Power War and Sino-US Competition

Iskander Rehman challenges the strategic obsession with short, decisive wars, discussing the critical lessons that can be learned from studying protracted great-power wars.

The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone

Olivia Laing's exploration of loneliness in the modern city delves into the ways in which isolation can fuel creativity.

Sparks: China's Underground Historians and Their Battle for the Future

Ian Johnson highlights the individuals trying to counter the Chinese Communist Party's rewriting of its history, contextualizing their efforts within history, geography, and modern events.

The Demon in the Freezer: A True Story

Richard Preston weaves together the efforts of the Smallpox Eradication Program and the events of the 2001 Anthrax Attacks to make a compelling case for the prospect of biological warfare.

"Essential reading for anyone interested in bioterrorism and infectious disease. Post-pandemic, its conclusions are more thought-provoking than ever."

The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the CIA, and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq

This gripping account by Steve Coll starts with Saddam's early years and runs through the 2003 U.S. invasion, adding new details and perspectives to a tragic story.

Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality

Frank Wilczek's book provides a conceptual dive into the nature of reality, exploring modern physics and cosmology.

Routledge Handbook of Proxy Wars

Edited by Assaf Moghadam, Vladimir Rauta, and Michel Wyss, this handbook examines the prevalence and strategies of proxy wars, providing valuable insights for understanding modern conflicts.

Advanced Land Warfare: Tactics and Operations

Edited by Mikael Weissman and Niklas Nilsson, this book probes the future with existing warfighting methodologies, identifying potential changes and continuities in land warfare.

The Wizard of the Kremlin

Giuliano da Empoli's fictional portrayal of "Vadim Baranov," the man behind Vladimir Putin, offers a captivating tale about Russia and Putin's rise to power.

Freedom. Memoirs 1954-2021

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's memoirs offer an insider's view of her 16 years in office, despite lacking excuses or explanations for her decisions.

Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World

Michael Shuman's work examines the consistent narrative of China as a rightful superpower throughout over 3000 years of Chinese dynasties.

The Dark Path: The Structure of War and the Rise of the West

Williamson Murray's book examines the five revolutions that have shaped warfare, offering insights for understanding ongoing changes in modern combat.

Invisible China

Scott Rozelle and Natalie Hell explore the stark disparities between urban and rural populations in China, emphasizing the need for investment in education and human capital to ensure the country's stability and economic growth.

Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right

Arlie Russell Hochschild's work delves into the emotional and cultural foundations of political conservatism in the United States, providing a bridge between ideological divides.

Beyond Ukraine: Debating the Future of War

Edited by Tim Sweijs and Jeffrey Michaels, this collection of essays explores the changing character of warfare, including insights from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Melting Point. High Command and War in the 21st Century

Kenneth. F. McKenzie, Jr. reflects on his time as Commander, U.S. Central Command during several Middle East conflicts, including the campaign in Afghanistan.

Oceans Rise Empires Fall: Why Geopolitics Hastens Climate Catastrophe

Gerard Toal examines the intricate relationship between geopolitics and climate change, arguing that traditional forms of geopolitics undermine efforts to address environmental concerns.

On Wars

Michael Mann explores the concept of war, challenging traditional "rational actor assumptions" and emphasizing the role of societal dynamics and historical contingency in shaping armed conflicts.

Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War

Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff provide an account of the Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental (DIUx), highlighting the challenges and benefits of government-industry collaboration in defense technology and strategy.

Oceans Rise Empires Fall: Why Geopolitics Hastens Climate Catastrophe

Rick Landgraf praises Toal's book for its exploration of climate change as a geopolitical emergency that demands immediate global action.

Economic War: Ukraine and the Global Conflict between Russia and the\u00a0West

Maximillian Hess's work examines the global economic clash between Russia and the West over finance, energy, and capital markets, highlighting the potential risks of abusing the power of the U.S. dollar.

On Obedience

Pauline Shanks Kaurin explores the duties and responsibilities of military officers to obey and be loyal to their oaths to the Constitution, emphasizing the importance of understanding the ethical dimensions of military service.