Chief of Staff recommended reading list for Airmen

Published Feb. 6, 2008
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Gen. T. Michael Moseley released his first three picks of the 11 on the Chief of Staff Reading list. General Moseley will highlight books each quarter to help further educate Air Force members.
   The first book, Louis Johnson and the Arming of America: The Roosevelt and Truman Years, by Keith D. McFarland and David L. Roll, is an informative biography on former Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson. Secretary Johnson created a framework for long-term industrial mobilization during World War II and the early years of the Cold War that has still endures to the present. In fact, we face similar challenges today as the Air Force recapitalizes in this era of shrinking budgets and manpower cuts.
   The second book, Why Air Forces Fail: The Anatomy of Defeat, by Robin Higham and Stephen J. Harris, explores the complex historical reasons for the catastrophic failure of air forces as leaders struggled to properly connect doctrine, training, technology, and industrial output. This book contains pointed lessons that apply today -- fighting today's war while preparing for tomorrow's challenges to ensure we do not fail our nation.
   The third book, The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror, by Bernard Lewis, examines the historical roots of the deep resentments that dominate much of the Islamic world today. This book puts into context many of the struggles that persist across the globe -- essential knowledge for a professional warrior.
   General Moseley offered this as encouragement for everyone to read the upcoming books to further their knowledge, "Developing Airmen remains one of my key priorities; to that end I've carefully selected each book on my 2008 reading list," General Moseley said. "Victory -- whether on the front lines of today's long war or in the air, space and cyberspace surrounding tomorrow's foes -- will be determined in large part by the expertise of our Airmen.
   "Lifelong education is a crucial part of being a professional warrior and professional reading enhances our warrior ethos," the general said. "There is no room in our Air Force for anyone 'too busy' to expand his or her horizons. That is why I consider professional reading an imperative for every Airman: officers, enlisted, and civilians. It is why I make reading an essential part of my day even as Chief of Staff."
Reference Librarian Peter Nardin with the Tinker library said, "The books are not available right now, however you can request a copy of the book from another library, but that will take at least seven to 10 days to arrive at the library."
   These books will be available through the base library after March 3.