We made it. We survived 2020. And putting all flippancy aside, many didn’t survive the year. This past year was not kind to individual physical, mental, and emotional health; small-businesses; employment; sports; family gatherings; and much more. But, let’s try to look at the glass as half-full. 2020 was a great year for reading. Below are my books read in 2020, with a call-out of my top 25 books.
This is my third year putting together a “year in books” list that shares my own reading. It is equal parts accountability, vulnerability, and hope that others will do the same. By sharing what I’ve read, I am keeping myself accountable to broaden my perspective. After 2018, I noticed a lack of biographies and fiction. That same year, the #miltwitter community called me out, rightly so, for not reading enough minority authors. That accountability helped shape what I read in 2019 and 2020. What I read is a reflection of who I am, and there is something deeply personal in that. And, finally, I share this hoping it helps others much like the lists I see from across the community shape my future reading.
Caveat: This is a list of books I chose to read. This is not a purposefully crafted list of the books you “should be reading.” This is not as much a reading list as it is me sharing with you what I read over the last year. I welcome disagreement. I only ask that you don’t take this list as an end-all collection. My reasons for reading any given book on the list varies. Many were intentional, some were recommended to me, some were gifted to me, and others…I just liked the cover art.
Below are the top 25 books I read this year – completely subjective – spanning tactics, operations & strategy, biographies, spiritual, and a section I call “understanding the times.” To see a whole list of all 100 books I read in 2020, check out my Goodreads page.
Tactics
Battle Leadership; by Adolf Von Schell
Captain Adolf Von Schell was an infantry officer in the German Army during World War I where he served on the Belgian frontier in the Westphalian VII Corps. He led troops at the Liege, the Marne, in the Winter Battles of the Mazurian Lakes, and many other engagements. In 1930, after the war, Von Schell was designated to attend the Infantry School at Fort Benning. This book is a series of essays he wrote, many published in the Infantry Journal, while at the U.S. Infantry School. It reads similar to Rommel’s Infantry Attacks. His stories and lessons reveal fundamental truths about command, combat, and leadership that transcend time, locations, and nation-states. An absolute must read for any war-fighter.
Defense of Hill 781: An Allegory of Modern Mechanized Combat; by James McDonough
Speaking of absolute must-reads for any warfighter or student of combined arms maneuver, add this one to the list. Admittedly, a friend lent me this book over a year ago, but knowing I would want to mark in it I bought my own copy and returned his. That copy then sat on my desk until 2020. Written in the frame of the famous Defence of Duffer’s Drift allegory, Hill 781 is the summation of the authors extensive experience at the National Training Center. It is a fictional narrative about light-fighting, airborne Lieutenant Colonel A. Tack Always who dies from eating three complete MREs in a single day. He finds himself in purgatory where he is to pay his penance by leading a combined arms battalion against a determined enemy at Fort Irwin, CA–and suffer the evaluations of Observer Controllers.
This is a short read, but its use of graphics and details about the fight to paint the narrative of an ongoing battle resulted in me taking meticulous notes and wearing my highlighter thin on ink. This is a book about the nitty-gritty details of leading, fighting, and winning in combat. It is equal parts science and art. I cannot believe I waited this long to read it and will definitely be revisiting the many tabbed pages in the future.
The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat; by Bob Drury and Tom Calvin
When the story is so phenomenal, the writing just has to do it justice. Bob Drury does that and more for this story of the Frozen Chosin Marines of Fox Company. Focusing on the men, their stories, their relationships, and their heroism – The Last Stand of Fox Company is a fantastic read for students of war, history, and the Korean War.
Operations and Strategy
The Chessboard and the Web; by Anne-Marie Slaughter
Anne-Marie Slaughter delivers a compelling lens through which to view, analyze, and develop global politics and policy. She seeks to have a similar impact on world politics and the Cold War as Thomas Schelling’s 1961 game theory did on mathematics and strategy. While I am not sure she reached that mark…nor do I think we can accurately assess it for decades to come…it is a very important read for leaders within the Foreign Policy and National Security sphere. She deftly weaves cyberspace, history, case studies, social media, politics, and policy to build a framework of our current and future landscape. This is no surprise coming from one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers in 2009 and the first woman to serve as director of the State Department Office of Policy Planning. This is the foreign policy and global politics version of Brafman & Beckstrom’s, The Starfish and the Spider.
Carrying the War to the Enemy: American. Operational Art to 1945; by Michael Matheny
If you want to pick a #miltwitter fight, just invoke the operational v. strategic levels of war paradigm. There seem to be passionate opinions on all sides of the debate. Michael Matheny combines in-depth archival research, a strong central thesis, and compelling writing to effectively make his argument that American operational art in warfare deserves more credence from scholars of the profession than it currently receives. He specifically points to America’s ability to conduct joint and multi-national combined operations in his defense. Not without its critiques of American operational art, Matheny draws attention to U.S operational shortfalls in the nuclear/Vietnam war era. But he points to modern operational successes as a resurgence of American dominance in applying operational art. Regardless of whether you believe operational art and the operational level of war exists, this is a fascinating read for those serious about the profession of arms.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World; by David Epstein
David Epstein’s Range inarguably adds to the canon. Tiger Woods v. Roger Federer, Hedgehogs v. Foxes, and Specialists v. Generalists–Epstein explains why the former succeed in a certain environment while the latter succeed in others. The famous 10k hours (of specific, scoped practice) rule is great for “kind” tasks like golf, chess, classical music, and other professions. However, the world is more full of “wicked” tasks, jobs, and environments. Epstein combines storytelling, previous scientific research and experiences, and an expansive literature review to explain why the world needs generalists with broad and integrative skills.
The Big Stick: The Limits of Soft Power and the Necessity of Military Force; by Eliot Cohen
Dr. Eliot Cohen – dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), American political scientist, and published expert – knocks this one out of the park. I absolutely loved his book Supreme Command and was excited to read this newest book. Supreme Command discussed the relationship between military and civilian leadership through the lens of previous historical leaders. The Big Stick is a discussion of the role of military force, as compared to other elements of national power across the DIME construct, in the modern and future political and threat landscapes. Well researched, engaging prose, and cogent arguments that build a clear thesis for modernization and future design.
The Jungle Grows Back; by Robert Kagan
Whether you call him a Neo-conservative or a liberal interventionist, Robert Kagan is a first class mind and a talented writer. This is a powerful book in a time where it is sorely needed. Kagan gives a history of the liberal world order and what got us to this point in which some claimed, in 1989, that “history has ended.” The liberal world order is not an evolutionary peak and a new normal when looking at the history of the world. It is a state of being that requires continued engagement, care, and leadership. Kagan provides a compelling history of where we have been, where we are, and where we need to go to maintain peace and security at the steady-state.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There; by Marshall Goldsmith
This is one of the most influential/personally impactful books I have ever read. This is likely because it was the right message at the right time in my life and career. While I cannot promise it will have the same impact on you, nor know if this is the season in your life and journey where you need it, I can confidently say that you will walk away from it a better person, leader, coach, and friend. You will walk away with practical and tactical steps you can take to be a better person. The title made me think it would be another book about the differences between tactical level leadership and the organizational level. Instead I got a gut-punch of reality.
Goldsmith provides practical lessons on what stops highly successful leaders from being great. What stops them from taking the next step? In his 20 Habits that hold us back from the top, Goldsmith outlines practical examples and how to go to work on fixing them. These examples are rich with the very same 360-degree feedback so many probably receive – especially those in the Army who use the 360 feedback form. And they come from Goldsmith’s career in performance and leadership coaching of highly successful leaders and executives. As the William Shakespeare quote in the front of the book from Much Ado About Nothing says, “Happy are they that can hear their detractions and put them to mending.”
Brief; by Joseph McCormack
This book was recommended to me while working on a 4-star general staff. McCormack’s no-nonsense writing style fits the title and message of this book – Brief. He covers all kinds of communication and how to succeed in a busy world of limited attention spans.
The Kill Chain: How Emerging Technologies Threaten America’s Military Dominance; by Christian Brose
Great read for anyone in the defense, national security, policy, and military -space. Prose – the former Senate Armed Service Committee Staff Director for the late Senator McCain and current Head of Strategy at Anduril Industries and Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – outlines a compelling vision of future war, its inherent risks, what got us here, and what will get us there. If the 2018 National Defense Strategy, drafted at the direction and oversight of then Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, is the skeleton – Brose’s work is the muscle.
Great power competition requires leadership and vision. Leaders that set priorities, make hard decisions, drive the military industrial complex, and persuade the massive US government geopolitical machine toward preparing for the realities of the 21st century landscape. The Kill Chain is the most compelling book on future war I have read in the last three + years and perhaps the most comprehensive vision of a way forward.
The Talent Code; by Daniel Coyle & Talent is Overrated; by Geoff Colvin
I am cheating here and combining these two books for their very similar content. Both posit the importance of deep practice to develop myelin (myelination). Myelin, what we colloquially refer to as muscle memory, is the whitish insulating sheath around nerve fibers. Both authors posit that talent is not a natural gift from the gods nor a combination of individual skills that make the greats better than the rest. Instead, it is the hard, unsexy, oft ignored, deep practice that happens away from the spotlight. Coyle approaches this from a very coach-centric perspective, helping to inform how we tap into these findings to build better teams. Colvin directs his narrative to the individuals looking to improve their performance. Both combine to provide a blueprint for improving yourself and improving your organization…but be warned, deep practice is not easy – the blue print won’t help much without the work ethic and motivation.
Understanding the Times
The Next Pandemic; by Ali Khan
Oddly enough, I chose to read this before COVID-19 was a declared pandemic or the known world-changing beast it became. This is an engaging and well-written biographical account and chronological survey of the pathogens that have inculcated their way into world history, culture, and even media entertainment. Not an author by trade, Ali S. Khan does a masterful job of communicating his experiences as a practicing physician and various positions across the Center for Disease Control & Prevention and the Public Health Service culminating as the former Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (PHPR). He clearly transforms those experiences with government; medicine; world affairs; and pathogens such as Coronavirus, Ebola, Zika, and more; into an accessible narrative. Khan’s book provides a useful review of not just pathogens, but also the government and public response to them.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood; by Trevor Noah
This book and some of the others that follow in this section, could also fit under biographies. But I specifically picked them for the intent of this section. Books give us the opportunity to broaden our experiences. As Harper Lee’s character Atticus Finch told us, you never really know a person until you crawl inside their skin and walk around. Empathy. Born a Crime does just that. And the audible (audiobook) version is read by Trevor Noah himself – not sure about you, but that was a huge plus for me. I love hearing Trevor Noah talk. His cadence, rhythm, timbre, and pitch are music in and of themselves. In a year like 2020, what could be more important that understanding the experiences and perspectives of minorities and more specifically, people of color? Let’s carry that empathy and perspective into 2021 and create a better future.
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America; by Richard Rothstein
Richard Rothstein provides an eye-opening account of the purposeful policy decisions designed to keep America segregated. His detailed history of politics, policy, real-estate, law, and more – unmasks the prevailing narratives that would seek to place segregation solely on the shoulders of individual choice. Rothstein explains, in detail, how the state of American society is an evolution of informed choice on the part of policymakers, rather than Thaler’s “nudge” or libertarian paternalism.
An African American and Latinx History of the United States; by Paul Ortiz
When I knew I needed to expand my reading and understanding of minority history in America, I reached out to trusted friends and mentors. Sensitive topics require respectful, curious, and open conversation with people who are invested in your development. This book came up in the top 2 books I had to pick up from every single friend and mentor I asked. This is the history of America you never received in grade school. Ortiz, Director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program at the University of Florida, details the work, experiences, and perspectives of African Americans and Latinx peoples over 200-plus years in America.
The Fire Next Time; by James Baldwin
An absolute classic of the American Civil Rights movement, James Baldwin’s compelling account provides a shocking account of his early life in Harlem. It is two letters, both written on the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, that are vividly personal and vulnerable. Baldwin’s words should stir action as much in 2020 as they did in 1963.
Biographies
Grant’s Personal Memoirs; by U.S. Grant
Sure…this is nothing ground breaking or new to the community. By now, I am sure you have all heard this book recommended. In 2020, I finally got to it. This is a phenomenal work of writing – biographical, historical, leadership, military…it checks all the blocks. While it is a long endeavor, U.S. Grant breaks down his chapters into short, bite-sized portions. Over the years, I’ve consistently heard how great Grant’s Memoirs are; it lived up to the hype. A couple of notes: 1. His memoirs discuss early life through the Civil War. They do not discuss his presidency. 2. While an enjoyable listen on Audible, I think this is better consumed in paper-copy. There was just too much detail for me to truly digest and appreciate.
Grant; by Ron Chernow
Perhaps a bit masochistic, but I decided to read Grant’s memoirs and Chernow’s biography back-to-back. Chernow scratches every itch that Grant’s Memoirs left unsatisfied – should absolutely be read in tandem. Now don’t get me wrong, Grant’s Memoirs is still some of the finest non-fiction writing in American history and cannot be replaced. But it is autobiographical (read: we rarely evaluate ourselves from a holistic lens) and limited in scope. While Grant’s Memoirs cover childhood, Mexican War, and the Civil War – Chernow discovers, dissects, and unveils the whole painting of the man. Grant received – in previous years – unfair and unjust treatment; he was labeled a drunk, a butcher, a lackluster commander, and a mediocre American President. Chernow corrects the record.
For such a long read, it is engaging from the first page to the last. My personal favorites were the detailed discussions of the the many battles and the Overland Campaign specifically – demonstrating Grant’s coup d’œil militaire. I also enjoyed his relationships with President Lincoln, Generals Sherman and Sheridan, General Lee, and Mark Twain. Caveat: While I highly recommend reading both Chernow’s biography and Grant’s personal Memoirs, I would warn against reading them back-to-back – ’twas quite the endeavor.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft; by Stephen King
I am not a huge Stephen King reader. I am not quite sure why I picked up this book. But I am very glad I did. King mixes a memoir with an instruction manual. His prose is brilliant. Some of the book is directly telling/teaching writing, but all of it is showing you how to write. He teaches by doing. This book is a highly enjoyable autobiography, even if you aren’t interested in becoming a better write. I am somewhat stingy with my 5-star reviews…this is a 5-star book.
Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success; by Phil Jackson
One of the all-time great leadership books I have ever read. I went in thinking I was reading a sports book, something to prolong the joy I felt watching the recent ESPN series “The Last Dance.” Instead, I found myself reading about vulnerability, self-reflection, self-mastery, the leadership of pros, and overcoming obstacles toward a common goal. Coach Jackson’s words are relatable, real, and transcend basketball. If you don’t relate to sports, this might not have as profound an impact on you. But if you can relate to athletics, coaching, and competition – you won’t be disappointed.
A Higher Standard: Leadership Strategies from America’s First Female Four-Star General; by Ann Dunwoody
General Dunwoody’s book, much like her distinguished service, transcends the obvious labels. This isn’t a great book for “women” leaders, “women” soldiers, “women” officers, etc. This is just a GREAT BOOK. Period. Her words of wisdom, personal experiences, storytelling, and easily digestible approach to sharing hard-fought lessons learned are much needed for any professional. I am a better man and leader for having spent time reading her story. I especially appreciated her humor, empathy, and ability to show commitment and love for the profession of arms while simultaneously–and graciously–identifying the many shortfalls we as an Army have overcome throughout the years. Her positivity and vision for an even brighter future left me fulfilled and hopeful.
Spiritual
The Bhadavad Gita
The Bhadavad Gita (“The Song of God”)–often referred to as the Gita–is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that makes up one-third of the Mahabharata. The Gita is written as a narrative between Arjuna, a warrior prince, and his charioteer who turns out to be Krishna, one of the major deities of Hinduism. Krishna serves as Arjuna’s guide to enlightenment. It is a beautiful text that, for a warrior within the profession of arms, calls for selfless action in waging Dharma Yudhha (the righteous war). This particular interpretation is fantastic as the author adds explanations before each chapter to aid the reader as a companion. It really opens the reader up to greater meaning and relevance.
The Insanity of God; by Nik Ripken
Nik Ripken (pseudonym) recounts his life of missionary service as a story of how he set out to take the Gospel to the unsaved communities. Instead, God led him to the persecuted Christian communities around the world to teach him the truth of the Gospel. Compelling, shocking, and revealing, Nik’s story–and more importantly the stories of those persecuted–are modern day miracles. The Insanity of God is an important testimony for believers of any stage of their walk with Christ.
–
Hopefully you find a book or two on here that inspires you to pick it up and give it a read. I look forward to seeing what you all read. As always, you can contact the entire editorial team here at thecompanyleader@gmail.com or tweet @thecompanyleader on Twitter. For the complete list of all 100 books I completed this year, check out my personal Goodreads page.
Check out my 2018 and 2019 lists – and our The Company Leader Reading List!
Subscribe to The Company Leader!