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Book Review: Hero of Fort Sumter: The Extraordinary Life of Robert Anderson
Bradford Wineman
Author: Wesley Moody
Reviewed by: Dr. Bradford Wineman, professor of military history, Marine Corps University
In Hero of Fort Sumter: The Extraordinary Life of Robert Anderson, Wesley Moody brings to life the man whose stand at the dawn of the Civil War helped shape the nation’s destiny. From frontier battles to the dramatic siege of Fort Sumter, Anderson’s story is one of quiet courage and pivotal leadership. This compelling biography reveals how one soldier’s sense of duty helped ignite a war—and preserve a Union.
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Book Review: Ransom War: How Cyber Crime Became a Threat to National Security
James P. Farwell
Author: Max Smeets
Reviewed by: James P. Farwell, CEO, The Farwell Group
In Ransom War, Max Smeets breaks down how criminal organizations use cyber technologies for ransoms. He explains the way ransomware organizations operate and how they have evolved with the rise of technology. The reviewer sees this book as well written, with relevant examples and concrete arguments.
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Book Review: GSG 9: From Munich to Mogadishu: The Birth of Germany's Counterterrorism Force
Lester W. Grau
Author: Martin Herzog
Reviewed by: Lester W. Grau, Russian analyst, Foreign Military Studies Office
In the wake of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, Germany forged GSG 9—an elite counterterrorism unit that would stun the world with its daring 1977 rescue mission in Mogadishu. Martin Herzog’s gripping account traces the unit’s evolution from humble beginnings to global renown, drawing on exclusive interviews and archival research. This book tells the untold story of how one covert force reshaped modern counterterrorism—and inspired the creation of America’s Delta Force.
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Book Review: The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II
Wylie W. Johnson
Author: Stephen R. Platt
Reviewed by: Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, US Army War College class of 2010
In this gripping narrative, Stephen R. Platt uncovers the forgotten legacy of a rebellious Marine whose daring vision helped shape the future of US Special Forces. Blending biography with battlefield drama, the book reveals how unconventional tactics and bold leadership redefined America’s approach to warfare. A must-read for anyone interested in the origins of elite military units and the individuals who defied tradition to forge them.
©2026 Wylie W. Johnson
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