Military

Title: Walking the Tigers Path
Author: Paul Kendel
Genre: Military Army
Reviewer: Jim Greenwald

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0984154353

Deployed to Iraq with his National Guard unit out of Georgia, the author hoped to use his knowledge of the Midddle East and Islam (possessing an M.A. in the subject) to bridge a gap between American soldiers and Iraqi civilians. However, the realities of war quickly challenged his idealism. On a whim, he emailed the Shambhala Buddhist community, finding unexpected guidance in retaining his humanity and compassion as he faced the lethal insanity of war. Upon his return home he faced more challenges with the loss of his mother as well as the end of his marriage. The book is both a military memoir and a story of spiritual transformation.

Title: Heart of a Lion: The Leadership of Lt. Michael P. Murphy
Author: Gary Williams
Genre: Military Navy
Reviewer: Jim Greenwald

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0984835121

Over the course of his short life, Michael Patrick Murphy came to personify three critically important pillars of leadership. First, before you can lead, you must positively influence others. Second, you must develop an unshakable moral character. Third, you must always act with integrity consistent with that character… an integrity and character that transcends position-only leadership and provides the all-important moral authority to lead. On June 28, 2005 LT Michael P. Murphy faced two profound moral leadership questions; the first after capturing three civilian non-combatants. The second to deliberately put himself in the enemy’s direct line of fire in a final effort to get help for his men. How Michael P. Murphy chose to answer those two questions will forever separate him from those he fought. This book details the leadership traits of the most celebrated Medal of Honor recipient since World War II.

Title: Unsinkable Sailors
Author: Paul Sherbo
Genre: Military Navy
Reviewer: Jim Greenwald

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0979164230

"Unsinkable Sailors by retired US Navy Reserve Captain Paul Sherbo is a chilling historical account of the at-sea collision of the USS Frank E. Evans (DD-745), a United States Navy destroyer, and the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. This book is the only comprehensive source of original interviews and research along with official naval records that centers on the Evans crewmembers. The story of the collision that sank the bow half of the Evans is told by those who lived the nightmare on the morning of 3 June in 1969. It is a story of personal tragedy, survival and perseverance."