History

Crisis on Mount Hood

Background

Published in April 17, 2025. In Crisis on Mount Hood: Stories from a Hundred Years of Mountain Rescue, emergency room physician Christopher Van Tilburg examines the legacy and evolution of the Hood River Crag Rats, the oldest all‑volunteer mountain rescue team in the United States. The narrative traces over a century of rescue efforts centered on the iconic 11,249‑foot Mount Hood in Oregon. It weaves together archival accounts of daring rescues, the author’s own three‑decade involvement, developments in rescue technology and outdoor culture, and the mounting impact of climate change on the mountain’s glaciated terrain.

Crisis on Mount Hood
Crisis on Mount Hood

My Thoughts

I was interested in the topic and continually interested in what drives people to go out of their way to save other people. Again and again, the author talks about people who were not prepared to be on the mountain and how he, and others like him, have to go up and bring them down. This is done without pay, without much support, and often without recognition. I’m glad that there are people in this world who put the needs of others above their own.

Recommendation

Not a bad read, but it seemed monotonous at times.

Plan B: A Service-framed Examination of Economic Warfare

Background

Published in 2025, Plan B: A Service-framed Examination of Economic Warfare was released by the Marine Corps University Press as the first entry in its Marine Corps Futures series. The work originates from discussions within the Commandant’s Office of Net Assessment and considers how the U.S. might employ economic warfare, particularly against the People’s Republic of China. It analyzes the historical role of economic coercion, outlines how a blockade of energy supplies could shape a modern Sino-American conflict, and assesses how the Marine Corps could contribute to such a strategy. The book discusses both the potential advantages and the challenges of implementing blockade operations and concludes with recommendations for preparing Marine Corps forces for missions tied to economic warfare.

Plan B
Plan B

My Thoughts

It really is amazing at this time when thousands of man made satellites are in orbit, when supersonic war heads can drop straight out of the heavens and destroy us all without enough time to blink, that a simple naval blockage can bring a country to its knees. It seems very little has changed.

This was interesting reading although it wasn’t what I’d call a page turner. The concept is simple enough to grasp, but I just kept coming back to the thought of how fragile and interconnected we are as a global society. Much like the trucks that keep our grocery stores stocked, huge tankers keep whole countries supplied with energy and just about everything else.

Recommendation

I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a direct interest.

Wingless Victory

Background

Published in 1950, “Wingless Victory” by Anthony Richardson recounts the true story of Royal Air Force officer Sir Basil Embry after his aircraft was shot down over occupied France in 1940. The book follows Embry’s repeated attempts to evade capture as he navigates hostile territory, relying on disguises, wit, and determination to stay ahead of German forces. Captured multiple times yet always managing to break free, he eventually made his way back to Britain, where his experiences became a symbol of courage and persistence during wartime. Richardson, who had served with Embry, shaped the account into a narrative that captures both the danger and ingenuity of escape in occupied Europe.

Wingless Victory
Wingless Victory

My Thoughts

This was a gripping tale that optimizes the “stiff upper lip” attitude the British are known for. Sir Embry rightly went on to inspire others as he served in higher positions of leadership and trust. His single focus and consistent faith that he would get home, even amid disappointments and high odds, is truly inspiring.

In particular, I enjoyed how he was constantly making plans and contingencies. He was thrown several curves and he continued to adjust and push on.

Recommendation

A great book and an inspiring tale.

Images of America Spotsylvania County

Background

Published in 2013, Images of America: Spotsylvania County by John F. Cummings III focuses on the county’s Civil War history, particularly its role as the site of several major battles including Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. Through a curated selection of historical photographs, maps, and portraits, Cummings documents the war’s impact on the local landscape and its people, including soldiers, civilians, and landmarks that witnessed the conflict. The book places emphasis on battlefield preservation, historic memory, and the ways in which Spotsylvania has commemorated its past over the decades.

Images of America Spotsylvania County
Images of America Spotsylvania County

My Thoughts

While I was hoping for more of a history of the area, this book primarily centered on the Civil War and it’s influence on the region. I found the stories interesting and the photographs fascinating. However, I was hoping for much more. The title of the book was misleading as it should have included the Civil War rather than generically labeled as it was.

Regardless, I enjoyed it.

Recommendation

If you are a Civil War buff, this book will be of interest.

The Anxious Generation

Background

Published in 2024, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt examines the rise in adolescent mental health issues over the past decade, attributing much of the trend to the shift from play-based, in-person childhoods to screen-based, phone-centric upbringings. Haidt argues that this “great rewiring” began around 2010 with the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media, which disrupted key developmental processes. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and education research, the book outlines the ways in which this digital transformation has contributed to increased anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal among youth. Haidt proposes a framework for reversing these effects by advocating for later introduction of smartphones, more independence for children, and greater emphasis on real-world experiences.

The Anxious Generation
The Anxious Generation

My Thoughts

This was a truly terrifying read that caused a great deal of thought and rethinking of our current youth culture. After finishing the book, I believe there should be an additional volume addressing how this screen culture has rewired adults as well.

I’m more and more convinced about how plastic the brain and body can be. How someone can completely transform themselves given the right conditions. However, that concept is also at play with respect to sitting in front of a screen all day. This impacts us all. I really loved how well Haidt brought in the larger social influences in addition to the impacts on the individual. If you take a phone away from a young person, they still are in a world where everyone else has a phone and so they can’t interact like I was able to growing up in the pre-phone era.

The key take away for me? I like the saying, “Fake war and fake love does not make a real man.” – Unknown authorship. After reading this book, I could say, “Fake friends and impossible expectations will break anyone.”

Recommendation

An important read for any parent.

Resolute: How We Humans Keep finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds

Background

Published in 2023, Resolute: How We Humans Keep finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds by Benjamin Hall is a memoir that follows the author’s recovery after being severely injured in a 2022 missile strike while covering the war in Ukraine as a Fox News correspondent. Building on his earlier account in Saved, this book expands on the physical and emotional challenges he faced after the attack, including the loss of limbs and the deaths of colleagues. Hall shares how acts of bravery, sacrifice, and support from family, military personnel, and medical teams helped him fight to return home and rebuild his life. The narrative underscores the enduring human capacity to persist through extreme adversity.

Resolute

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book. I honestly haven’t heard the story so I was able to hear it from the author’s perspective without preconceived notions. Much of what he went through was horrendous, but the take away message was clear. If you have the right attitude, you can get through just about anything.

Hall used terms that really resonate with me, like post traumatic growth and just plain having a positive mindset. I have witnessed so many people become derailed at the first speed bump in their lives and others that seem to sail over just about anything to get to their goal. I’d much rather be one of the latter.

Recommendation

Great book and worth the read.

Co-Intelligence Living and Working wIth AI

Background

Published in 2023, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick explores how artificial intelligence, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, is reshaping the way people learn, work, and create. Mollick, a Wharton professor, argues that AI is not just a tool to be programmed but a form of “co-intelligence” to collaborate with. The book outlines how individuals and organizations can engage with AI by experimenting directly with it, treating it as a creative and thinking partner rather than a traditional machine. He emphasizes a hands-on approach, encouraging readers to integrate AI into decision-making, writing, and problem-solving processes. The work also highlights the risks of misinformation and over-reliance, suggesting that human oversight and ethical considerations are necessary to use AI effectively.

Co-Intelligence Living and Working wIth AI
Co-Intelligence Living and Working wIth AI

My Thoughts

Much has discussion of AI has been swirling around my work as of late and this book was recommended by a coworker.

This was a really good book and very timely for me professionally. We are creating a distance education course on this topic and it gave me quite a bit to think about. In fact, I kept having to put the book down to write another note about something I wanted to try.

Recommendation

Great quick read! (Just over 200 pages.) It is worth your time to know more about AI.

Richard Bong: American’s #1 Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II

Background

Published in 2022, Richard Bong: American’s #1 Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II by Peter B. Mersky recounts the life and military career of Richard Ira Bong, the most successful American fighter pilot of World War II. The book traces Bong’s early life in Wisconsin, his training as a pilot in the Army Air Forces, and his rise to fame as he flew the P-38 Lightning in the Pacific Theater, ultimately achieving 40 confirmed aerial victories. The narrative details his combat missions, relationships with fellow pilots and commanders, and the public attention he received at home. It also covers his post-combat role as a test pilot and his untimely death in a plane crash shortly before the end of the war. Through official records, personal letters, and military analysis, the book provides a full portrait of Bong’s role in the war and his legacy in American aviation history.

Richard Bong: American's #1 Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II
Richard Bong: American’s #1 Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II

My Thoughts

This was an engaging book on a subject I knew nothing about. Fortunately, there are plenty of others who know the story. As I was reading it, I mentioned that Richard Bong State Recreation Area was named after the top fighter pilot in WWII. My deputy both knew where it was and his dad liked to hunt there.

Dick Bong’s life is inspiring and is something deserving of remembrance. In particular, as I read it so near to Memorial Day.

Recommendation

Great read and pretty engaging for a history book.

Life After Power

Background

Published in February 2024, “Life After Power: Seven Presidents and Their Search for Purpose Beyond the White House” by Jared Cohen examines the post-presidential lives of seven U.S. presidents: Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter, and George W. Bush. The book explores how each navigated life after leaving the Oval Office, highlighting endeavors such as Jefferson’s founding of the University of Virginia and Carter’s humanitarian work with The Carter Center. Cohen delves into their personal reinventions and the impact of their post-presidential activities on their legacies.

My Thoughts

I learned a great deal from this book as it knit together whole swaths of American history through the lives of the Presidents. Or more correctly, after the Presidency.

I love to delve into history and learn about the problems of the day. It puts so much in context and shows the human experience really doesn’t change that much. They had their problems just like we have ours today, which felt just as pressing and world shaking. Yet, most issues from years ago are simply forgotten. It reminds me of the week before Sept 11th 2001 and that the big headline that week was how Anne Heche thought she was God. Now my kids quite rightly say, “Ann who?”

Here are a few takeaways from the book.

  • Thomas Jefferson wanted to make a University and considered that his lasting legacy.
  • John Quincy Adams became much more influential in congress where he tirelessly fought for the end of slavery.
  • Grover Cleveland was known for his honesty and was re-elected during a time of corruption.
  • William Howard Taft never wanted to be president but wanted to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (He got his wish after a long wait.) He was also the beloved governor of the Philippines for a time.
  • Herbert Hoover was known as the great humanitarian and was beloved in Europe.
  • Jimmy Carter was surprisingly partisan. I knew about his humanitarian work, but didn’t know how bitter he and his wife were about being put out of the Whitehouse.
  • George W. Bush took office and all the Ws were removed from the keyboards from the Clinton administration. That struck me wrong. However, Bush became a painter and now expresses himself in paint without selling and donating his paintings.

Recommendation

Great book and I really enjoyed it.

Forging Wargamers

Background

​Published in 2022, “Forging Wargamers: A Framework for Professional Military Education,” edited by Sebastian J. Bae, is a compilation of essays addressing the development and enhancement of wargaming education within military contexts.The book examines the lack of standardized pathways for training wargame designers and participants, highlighting the challenges posed by an informal system of knowledge transfer. Contributors discuss integrating wargaming into pre-commissioning education, establishing competency models, and incorporating social science methodologies. The volume emphasizes the need for structured educational frameworks to cultivate proficient wargamers, aiming to ensure the discipline’s effectiveness as both an educational and analytical tool.

Forging Wargamers
Forging Wargamers

My Thoughts

I’ve been working on this book for about 4 months now. It isn’t what I’d call a page turner, but I was glad I finished it.

The book was published by Marine Corps University Press so I’ve met several of the contributors and knew of their work. It was written before the rise of AI and much of how we think of wargaming may be changing in the next few years. Wargaming will continue to be a great tool for education and may take on more emphasis as we struggle to integrate AI tools into learning opportunities.

Recommendation

A good snapshot of the time, but it may already be obsolete.