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Review Essay: World War II Generals
John A. Bonin
Books Reviewed:
1. Tubby: Raymond O. Barton and the United States Army, 1889–1963 by Stephen A. Bourque
2. Patton’s Tactician: The War Diary of Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes edited by James W. Holsinger Jr.
Reviewed by: Dr. John A. Bonin, distinguished fellow, US Army War College
Two revealing studies shed light on overlooked World War II commanders whose leadership shaped key moments from Normandy to the early Cold War. These dual studies uncover the complexities of senior Army leadership—showing how personal relationships, hard‑won experiences, and strategic insights shaped victory in Europe.
©2026 John A. Bonin
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Book Review: The New Calculus of Escalation: Avoiding Armageddon in Great Power Conflict
Darren W. Buss
Author: Martin C. Libicki
Reviewed by: Colonel Darren W. Buss, faculty instructor, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, US Army War College
In The New Calculus of Escalation, Martin C. Libicki redefines how we understand the thresholds between peace, conventional war, and nuclear conflict in an era shaped by cyber warfare and emerging technologies. Drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and Cold War doctrines, he offers a fresh framework for managing escalation to prevent catastrophic outcomes. This timely and thought-provoking book is essential reading for strategists, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the future of great power conflict.
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Book Review: Obama and the Bomb: New START, Russia and the Politics of Post-Cold War Arms Control
Brennan Deveraux
Author: Frank Leith Jones
Reviewed by: Brennan Deveraux, US Army Strategist
A close examination of how nuclear arms control shaped military planning, diplomacy, and domestic politics during a pivotal moment in post–Cold War relations. This review explores how treaty negotiations became a test of trust, strategy, and civil-military engagement at the highest levels of US national security decision making.
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Book Review: Occupation: Russian Rule in South-Eastern Ukraine
Christopher J. Hickey
Author: David Lewis
Reviewed by: Colonel Christopher J. Hickey, PhD, associate professor, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, US Army War College
In this timely and penetrating study, David Lewis examines the mechanisms and consequences of Russian governance in occupied southeastern Ukraine. Through on-the-ground analysis and geopolitical insight, the book reveals how local institutions, identity, and resistance are reshaped under foreign rule. It’s an essential read for understanding the evolving dynamics of power, control, and legitimacy in one of Europe’s most contested regions.
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