The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa: With E. D. Swinton's "The Defence of Duffer's Drift"

Great read...even for a civilian

I am probably not the authors' ideal reader; however, I have a general interest in the topic and this book was very captivating and informative, especially from an insider's perspective. The historical contexts were great and the modern-day and future implications were compelling. The glossary of terms was helpful and I had a lot "a-ha" moments when coming across familiar acronyms that I had never bothered looking up before. Great reed, highly recommended. Thank you to the authors for their service.
The website has some really good things, too - http://www.defenseofJAD.com

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Suitable only for serious tactical students

This book is a primer for use in a classroom on combat. Its message is clear: we learn from experience, and here's how experience evolves. The primer is set up as a mythical tactics situation, in a mythical Iraqi town, and exemplifies how the combat mistakes of an unschooled "shavetail" result in horrific combat losses. Unfortunately, the book's extensive use of acronyms made it infeasible for all but the most experienced combatant of the last 10 years.
Jisr al-Doreaa is based on the format of a rediscovered classic from the Boer War a century earlier: The Defense of Duffer's Drift. The same lesson is taught: the inexperiences of combat lead to disaster, while the wily veteran can achieve success. That book comprises the second part of the current publication.
The two are suitable to (a) teach tactical principles in today's counter-insurgency (COIN) dominated theatres, and (b) teach the need for realistic and thorough training other than "point and shoot" when dealing with a guerilla population. As literature, however -- it has no heart, no deep character, and lacks heart.
Instead, the more casual reader seeking the "smell of gunpowder" should read a combat classic such as Kyle Marlantes' Matterhorn, which examines combat, tactics, AND character growth, in the framework of the Vietnam Jungles.
e-Reader version of this book could only render the maps adequately on the NookColor, which has the pixel density necessary to achieve the sharpness of the maps -- essential to the book's understanding.

Excellent Novella

With a forward from John Nagl, the US' counterinsurgency expert, and endorsements from the award winning journalist/author, Tom Ricks this book comes with great expectations. The good news is that the book delivers. The best part of this piece of fiction is the deep insight presented into the reality facing America's young military leaders. Well crafted characters, vivid environments and excellent story telling.

The Defense of jisr al-Doreaa

It was a wasste of my money. The authors should have read Graham Greene's The Quiet American. Actually, every American should read it and then they will know that we should not be going to war with pitiful countries. We refer to the last five.

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