Patrick's Military History & History Blog

The Battle of Jena-Auerstädt: 14 Oct 1806

Patrick Shrier — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:04:10 +0000

The Battle of Jena-Auerstädt was fought in Germany on 1806 between the French Imperial Army and the Prussian Royal Army. It is actually two separate battles separated by about twenty miles. Both the French and Prussian armies were split leading … Continue reading →

Periodic Iran Craziness Update

Patrick Shrier — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:22:52 +0000

Links to articles of interest about Irans continuing hijinks and the World’s response. Intel Official: Iranian Missiles Could Hit Nearby U.S. Targets, Europe, Now what would happen were Iran to launch a missile at Israel or a US warship? At … Continue reading →

The Developing Situation with Iran – The Craziness Continues

Patrick Shrier — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:54:25 +0000

I don’t necessarily want to make a habit of talking contemporary issues on a regular basis but the events in, around, and about Iran over the past few weeks have really got me thinking. There are a couple of points … Continue reading →

The Recent Furor over Catholics and Contraception

Patrick Shrier — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:07:57 +0000

I felt compelled to post something about the current furor in the States between the Catholic Church and the Government over the announced mandate to force the church to cover contraception in contravention of church beliefs and doctrine. I will … Continue reading →

Book Review: A Desert Called Peace by Tom Kratman

Patrick Shrier — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:04:04 +0000

I have reviewed several of Mr Kratman’s books so far and this is another one. I have read all of his books before and find myself going back and rereading them while I wait for the next to come out. … Continue reading →

Book Review: Julius Caesar: Lessons in Leadership from the Great Conqueror by Bill Yenne

Patrick Shrier — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:30:00 +0000

[FULL DISCLOSURE: I received my copy of this book free from the publisher. I was not paid for this review and the opinion expressed is purely my own] I am someone who loves the ancients and loves reading the their … Continue reading →

Everyone should Read This

Patrick Shrier — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:40:53 +0000

Truth, lies and Afghanistan: How military leaders have let us down LT. COL. Daniel L. Davis probably just ended his career by publishing the above linked article in the Armed Forces Journal. LTC Davis is calling out the administration and … Continue reading →

Book Review: Makers of Ancient Strategy – Edited by Victor David Hanson

Patrick Shrier — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:34:53 +0000

This book was conceived as being a sort of prequel to the modern classic, Makers of Modern Strategy, edited by Peter Paret and first published in the 70′s and updated in the 90′s. As Dr Hanson states in his foreword … Continue reading →

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift

Patrick Shrier — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:10:16 +0000

The 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift is one of the most celebrated, and smallest battles in British history. It occurred in 18179 during the Zulu War in South Africa at the Mission and Supply Station of Rorke’s Drift. During the … Continue reading →

Blitzkrieg and Other Funnies

Patrick Shrier — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:11:54 +0000

I saw these posters several years ago at a site I can no longer remember and saw them again today in my random pictures folder. I think they are hilarious so I decided to share them. They no doubt exist … Continue reading →

Book Review: Race & Economics: How Much Can be Blamed on Discrimination? by Walter E. Williams

Patrick Shrier — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:33:11 +0000

I was first motivated to buy this book by the blizzard of negative articles and news pieces about it when it was first published. I also realize that I am opening myself to charges that I am not competent to … Continue reading →

Europe and Modern War

Patrick Shrier — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:17:14 +0000

Saw an interesting piece awhile ago on the South African Business Day website called: GIDEON RACHMAN: Threat of war seems unreal in an age of peace. The essential point is that although war seems to have been eradicated in Europe, … Continue reading →

Book Review: The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman

Patrick Shrier — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:38:59 +0000

The Guns of August is one of the classic histories of World War I. It was originally published in 1962 and has remained a mainstay of accounts of the opening months of the war ever since. The book reads more … Continue reading →

The Battle of Zama – 202 B.C.

Patrick Shrier — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:07:16 +0000

The Battle of Zama, fought in 202 B.C., was the culminating battle of the Second Punic War between Carthage and Rome. The short story of the battle is that a Roman army under Scipio met and destroyed the Carthaginian Army … Continue reading →

Merry Christmas

Patrick Shrier — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 04:52:50 +0000

Merry Christmas to everybody but especially to all my Brothers in Arms deployed around the world. May you all complete the mission and come home safe. Patrick Shrier

Book Review: Out of the Dark by David Weber

Patrick Shrier — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:27:26 +0000

The first book I ever remember reading about an alien invasion of the Earth was Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle’s Footfall in the late 80′s. Since then, several others have come out that I have read, Weber has added … Continue reading →

The Law of War and Citizenship

Patrick Shrier — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:30:32 +0000

Obama lawyers: Citizens targeted if at war with US I have to say that I agree with this decision 100%, I actually can’t believe that the issue was raised seriously. There are actually at least three sets of laws operative … Continue reading →

Book Review: Helmet for my Pillow by Robert Leckie

Patrick Shrier — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:23:40 +0000

When I was in the hospital earlier this year for back surgery I had nothing better to do for three days than lay in my bed so I had my wife bring my laptop and the DVD’s for The Pacific … Continue reading →

Is History Paradigmatic?

Patrick Shrier — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:47:58 +0000

The paradigm shift is a good phrase used in both science and history. It generally means something or event that changes the way the world is perceived. It is common in history books to read about this or that’s rise … Continue reading →

Book Review: Countdown: M Day by Tom Kratman

Patrick Shrier — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:06:48 +0000

This is the second installment in the countdown series, hopefully there are plenty more still to come as this just built onto the already strong premise of the first book. The premise of this book is that after the completion … Continue reading →