Reading Lists are very common to the Profession of Arms. I have never come across one that I did not like – at its worst it is a collection of books that I have already read or do not think apply. But, at its best, I find a treasure trove of new reading material. This reading list is not meant to be an end-all-be-all compilation of books to the profession. Instead, we focused on putting together a collection – limited to 15 – of books spanning history, fiction, and military, that provide a firm foundation for engaging leaders at the company-level. As a Commander, my Platoon Leaders and I strayed from this list at times tackling books like Pat Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player and Jim Collin’s Good to Great. Let this be a starting place. Enjoy!

The Company Leader Reading List

1. The Long Road Home; by Martha Raddatz
2. A Message to Garcia; by Elbert Hubbard
3. Once an Eagle; by Anton Myrer
4. Infantry Attacks; by Erwin Rommel
5. Platoon Leader; by James R. McDonough
6. Lord of the Flies; by William Golding
7. Starship Troopers; by Robert A. Heinlein
8. Ender’s Game; by Orson Scott Card
9. 7 Deadly Scenarios; by Andrew Krepinevich
10. How to Win Friends and Influence People; by Dale Carnegie
11. The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey; by Ken Blanchard & Will Oncken
12. The Art of War; by Sun Tzu
13. Team Yankee; by Harold Coyle
14. The Passion of Command; by COL B.P. McCoy
15. The Defense of Jisr al Doreaa; by Michael Burgoyne and Albert Marckwardt

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Click HERE for a full description of each book and a deeper analysis of its inclusion on this list.

The Company Leader Yearly Books

• Less Books – More Impact: 2022 in Books
• New Books, Same Year: 2021 in Books
• Glass Half-Full…Books Fully Read (2020 in Books)
• 2019 Books Read & Top 10
• 2018 Books Read & Top 10

Other Reading Lists

1. Chief of Staff of the Army’s Reading List
2. 2020 SOCOM Commander’s Reading List
3. 2019 DIA Director’s Reading List
4. 2018 CENTCOM Commander’s Reading List
5. 2018 Chief of Naval Operations Reading List
6. 2017 Chief of Staff of the Army Reading List
7. 2012 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Reading List
8. 2009 Chief of Infantry Reading List
9. PACOM Reading List
10. The Military Leader Reading List
11. Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course Reading List
12. 2007 Lt. Gen. James Mattis Reading List – Small Wars Journal
13. 1995 Combat Studies Institute Reading List

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