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Book Review: Code Name Puritan: Norman Holmes Pearson at the Nexus of Poetry, Espionage, and American Power
Wylie W. Johnson
Author: Greg Barnhisel
Reviewed by: Wylie W. Johnson
In this riveting biography, Greg Barnhisel uncovers the extraordinary life of Norman Holmes Pearson—a Yale professor, literary tastemaker, and covert intelligence officer. Seamlessly blending poetry, espionage, and Cold War politics, Code Name Puritan reveals how Pearson helped shape both American cultural identity and national security strategy. From championing modernist women poets to dismantling Nazi spy networks, Pearson’s story is a fascinating portrait of influence at the intersection of intellect and power.
©2025 Wylie W. Johnson
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Book Review: Disputed Decisions of World War II: Decision Science and Game Theory Perspectives
James Allen Knechtmann
Author: Mark Thompson
Reviewed by: James Allen Knechtmann, supervisory archivist, chief, Ridgway Library Branch, Army Heritage and Education Center, US Army War College
In this innovative analysis of World War II, Thompson applies decision science and game theory to reexamine some of the conflict’s most controversial strategic choices. By modeling the logic behind pivotal decisions, he challenges conventional narratives and reveals the complexity of wartime leadership. This book offers a fresh lens for historians, strategists, and analysts seeking deeper insight into the calculus of war.
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Book Review: Sir Basil Liddell Hart: Life, Thought, Legacy
Kevin McAleer
Author: Bruce Oliver Newsome
Reviewed by: Kevin McAleer
Bruce Oliver Newsome’s book examines the life of Sir Basil Liddell Hart, and his claim to have invented the Blitzkrieg style of war used by the Germans during World War II. Newsome provides evidence that disputes this claim, which the reviewer commends for its thoroughness and nuanced point of view.
©2025 Kevin McAleer
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Book Review: Pivotal Poland: Europe’s Rising Power
Magnus Petersson
Author: Janusz Bugajski
Reviewed by: Magnus Petersson, professor of international relations, Stockholm University
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has emerged as the strategic anchor of NATO’s eastern flank, reshaping the continent’s security landscape. Janusz Bugajski explores how Warsaw’s military modernization, economic resilience, and assertive diplomacy have positioned it as a rising power capable of countering Russian imperialism and leading regional defense efforts. This timely and incisive book reveals Poland’s transformation from a peripheral actor to a pivotal force in Europe’s evolving geopolitical order.
©2025 Magnus Petersson
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