Lindbergh
A. Scott Berg, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1998. 562 pp. Notes. Bib. Index. $30.00 ($27.00).
Reviewed by Rear Admiral Ned Hogan, U.S. Navy (Retired)
A. Scott Berg, in this Pulitzer prizewinning biography, has done an insightful and masterful job of capturing the persona of Charles Lindbergh during a career of achievement and diverse accomplishments. He frames the Lone Eagle as a pioneer, entrepreneur, and a man of undaunted principle and courage. Berg's Lindbergh is not without fault, but always is true to his beliefs and judgments developed during a lifetime in the arena of both public acclaim and approbation.
Berg's treatment of Lindbergh's early life is revealing and balanced, with a detailed characterization of his Swedish heritage and Minnesota upbringing. As a virtual only child (he had two step-sisters), in a strained family with a political father and a teacher mother, Lindbergh split his time between a rural setting and the corridors of power in Washington. He became self-sufficient and inquisitive out of necessity; these characteristics stayed with him throughout his remarkable life.
The coverage of the epic transatlantic flight, his courtship of his life partner, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, and the Lindbergh baby's kidnapping is extensive and informative. Berg's review of his involvement in pioneering aviation as an experimental test pilot and mechanic, his medical efforts with Nobel Prize winner Alexis Carrel to perfect an artificial heart, and his visionary perspective of space in conjunction with Robert Goddard, demonstrates the breadth of his interests. Berg's discussion of Charles' literary prowess in detailing all of this reveals an extraordinary talent. Lindbergh's single mindedness and energy in pursuing excellence in all of these vast endeavors rank him with Winston Churchill as a man for all seasons in the 20th century.
In analyzing the America First movement and the associated political repercussions of Lindbergh's isolationist and eugenics views, Berg's treatment is inclusive of the several points of view. His conclusion is that Lindbergh may have been naive and misinformed in his judgments, but he was neither a racist nor a Nazi sympathizer—his participation in World War II as a volunteer citizen airman in combat with the Marines in the Pacific and the immense help he gave to developing U.S. supremacy in the air proved that point by action rather than words. Ironically, Lindbergh's belief in deeds and accomplishments as sovereign over rhetoric led him to ignore the character issue in his assessment of Nazi Germany in the late 1930s.
Berg's treatment of the final episodes of Lindbergh's life is replete with the vagaries of growing old, and highlights the difficulties of making a marriage work in the glare of the media spotlight. It reflects the reclusive nature Lindbergh developed in later years, and evokes the image of a unique and noble ending to a heroic life. It also tells the story of his indefatigable commitment to the values that he held dear and inviolate.
For those of us wrestling with the concepts of character and values in the last year of the millennium, Berg's biography of the Lone Eagle offers the solace that there once was a hero in America who stood tall in defense of both his beliefs and his accomplishments. It is a great read.
The Three Meter Zone: Common Sense Leadership for NCOs
Command Sergeant Major James D. Pendry, U.S. Army. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. 242 pp. Index. $24.95 ($22.45).
Reviewed by Master Chief Petty Officer Vincent Patton, U.S. Coast Guard
If you ever wanted to get into the head of a senior enlisted leader—especially one who serves in a command position—this is the book that will take you on such a journey. The author does a superb job of relating his own personal experiences and tying them into everyday leadership and management principles. Although the book is written specifically for the U. S. Army audience, it is not too difficult to transfer the lessons presented here to any other military service or civilian application.
CSM Pendry's title, The Three Meter Zone, was chosen based on his experiences of defining "zones of leadership" from close in at three meters. He calls each level a style or task of leadership that should define from how much to how little attention is given to each. His interpretation of these zones of leadership also can be used as comfort zone levels from the perspective of an individual who mentors others. He states that the most important critical leadership takes place between the soldier and the first-line noncommissioned leader. This is the three meter zone. He divides the book into two sections describing leadership practices of both "The Leader" and "The Soldier."
In the first section of the book, Pendry describes the four parts of the leader: building the foundation; establishing direction; being the example; and communicating. Each chapter within this section provides an ample amount of personalized examples from both the author's perspective and what he has learned from his mentors. Part two gives good morsels of information on how noncommissioned officers (NCOs) have to know and apply leadership practices when dealing with their subordinates. In the final chapter, Pendry summarizes his writings with a final experience: "The noncommissioned officers of the Army owe our thoughts on leading to the soldiers. The on-the-ground perspective is different from the bird's eye view the officers see. It's time to fill the void."
What I found most enlightening throughout this book was CSM Pendry's ability to keep me interested in what are normally considered "dry topics" when discussing various degrees of the philosophical approach to leadership. By focusing the reader on living examples of day-to-day interactions between a senior noncommissioned officer with his soldier, every event provided plenty of opportunities to describe realistic applications of dealing with problems. With a few sprinkles of wide-ranging quotes—from the Old Testament to "Peanuts" cartoon creator Charles Schultz—Pendry captures the reader's attention without straying from the subject.
There are several references to field manuals, regulations, and other specific documents that are exclusively Army. However, each reference provides enough understanding to lead you to follow through the rest of the book without being distracted. The author quotes numerous passages from the Army's "NCO Creed," which defines the NCO's "condition of employment." Those quotes alone provide a non-Army reader with a much better view of the roles and responsibilities soldiers face today. The author steers away from providing many solutions to problem-solving situations. Instead, he offers enough thought-provoking ideas to allow readers to apply their own personal experiences to a given situation.
The book is an easy read. Some good advice would be to have a highlighter handy, as you may very well find some good suggestions to use in a leadership discussion forum. Though the book is written with the senior enlisted NCO in mind, division officers, executive officers, and commanding officers from any military service also may find it helpful.
Shield and Sword: The United States Navy and the Persian Gulf War
Edward J. Marolda and Robert J. Schneller, Jr. Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center, 1999. 517 pp. Photos. Notes. Bib. Index. $59.00 ($56.05).
Reviewed by Rear Admiral Riley D. Mixson, U.S. Navy (Retired)
In Shield and Sword, the authors make a unique and long-overdue contribution by providing historically accurate and revealing insights into some of the lesser-- known, yet vital, contributions of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps to the success of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Relating events as seen through the eyes of those involved in the decision making process, the war literally comes alive and provides vivid characterizations of the personalities of the principal players involved. The book's theater-level perspective accurately portrays the influence and outcomes of decisions made in Riyadh, as well as on board the flagship of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command (ComNavCent).
The authors are candid in assessing both the strengths and weaknesses of the naval services. For example, they emphasize the importance of forward-deployed naval forces in the Gulf region, and how their almost continuous presence for years before the war facilitated greatly the Bush administration's diplomatic maneuvering to solidify the international effort against Iraq. They also highlight the Navy's inadequacies in joint relationships and in mine warfare operations.
They pull no punches in discussing the Navy leadership's adverse prejudice against accepting the unified commander's operational control over naval forces in the Gulf. As a consequence, ComNavCent remained afloat in his flagship in lieu of sitting at the table in Riyadh. His absence there resulted in some command and control difficulties, plus a lack of total appreciation for Navy power-projection capabilities at the theater commander-in-chief level.
The authors' portrayal of the Navy's significant role in the air campaign effectively contradicts those who chose to de-emphasize that contribution—for selfish reasons—following the war. The authors also analyze the significance of the maritime campaign, including: the planned amphibious assault on Saddam's left flank (in Kuwait) which, although not implemented, achieved its strategic purpose; the U.S. Navy's successful integration with allied naval forces, and their help in imposing "maritime interception operations" (a blockade in all but name); and "green water" war-at-sea operations that destroyed Iraq's capability to threaten allied forces at sea.
Although the principal focus of this book is on the Navy, the authors capture the significant contributions of the total joint force, which collectively overcame the frictions of war and complemented the strengths of each individual service. Perhaps the "glue" was the imperative in the minds of U.S. military leaders to avoid repeating the mistakes of Vietnam. In any event, this well-researched book provides significant insights into what is required to win wars with a minimum of casualties. To that end, it should be a must read during every joint war fighting course and prior to commencing future hostilities.
Carrier: A Guided Tour of an Aircraft Carrier
Tom Clancy. New York: Berkley Books, 1999. 352 pp. Photos. Glossary. Bib. Index. $16.00 ($14.40), paper.
Reviewed by Captain Pierre G. Vining, U.S. Navy (Retired)
In many circles, if you mention the Navy, one of the first ships that comes to mind is the aircraft carrier. Clearly an enthusiastic supporter of carrier aviation and its past, present, and future roles in the Navy, Mr. Clancy has provided a wealth of historical, technical, and tactical background on aircraft carriers. He also has provided a view of some of the political wranglings that almost always append themselves to policy decisions regarding these large, very expensive ships. His detailed descriptions of the composition and multi-mission nature of the carrier's air wing as a whole, of the various aircraft in the wing of the mid1990s, and of the weapons and sensors each bring to the battle group are particularly useful for non-Navy readers. Another high point is the chapter recounting his observations during a major joint exercise, JTFEX 97-3. He clearly was in his element writing that portion of the book; it is no less entertaining or compelling than his successful novels.
Mr. Clancy educates his reader well, and he carefully weaves the thread of the carrier as an essential element of a balanced, flexible, and responsive naval force throughout the book. The discussions he offers, both in the text and in the interview with the CNO on the carrier's adaptability to a wide spectrum of operations, underscore an important point that often appears lost on the critics of naval aviation. There are, however, a few shortcomings and inaccuracies.
Early in the book, Mr. Clancy's efforts to convince the reader of the value of having an autonomous, mobile force in theater could be interpreted by some as denigrating the value of joint and coalition ground and air forces. While he later demonstrates how the carrier battle group supports those forces, that first impression might tend to prejudice some readers toward disregarding his more complete arguments for the value of carrier aviation. The comment on the environmental impact of nuclear versus conventional power is off target, and only serves to perpetuate a stereotype unsupported by objective technical and historical data. I was disappointed and surprised to see it, given the environmental record of the naval nuclear power program since its inception.
Mr. Clancy's most glaring omission is his failure to tell us more about the crewmembers who breathe life into the carrier. Briefly touching on each of the major departments, explaining what sailors do in each, and how their workday progresses would have been especially valuable for readers outside the Navy. This is a great story of truly remarkable young men and women doing phenomenal things; a story particularly suited to Mr. Clancy's energetic and engaging writing style. Its absence left the overall description of the carrier a bit incomplete.
This is a well-written, balanced treatment of the topic. While not perfect, I certainly would recommend it to any young surface warrior or non-Navy reader trying to gain a broader understanding of the role of the carrier in the Navy.
Captain Vining served three tours in Nimitz (CVN-68)-class carriers. Prior to leaving the Navy earlier this year, he was the Assistant Chief of Staff for Surface Warfare Programs at Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force.