Rating: 
Summary: A series of sitreps on post-cold war world.
Review: The book is actually a collection of the author's articles on post-cold war defense matters. There's a general theme that good parts of the world have states that no longer function well, or are falling apart or really never existed. In some cases, the resulting conflicts will remain local, in others, the violence may spread and finally, in some instances the "warriors" will target better-off countries.The author appears to believe the best tools will be special ops/light infantry (Marines?) supported by excellent intelligence and logistics. The tough call is which conflicts should be our concern and which should be left to sort themselves out. I'm not certain the author makes that call. Since it is a collection of articles, one can search for subjects of interest. My three favorite articles, one actually an add-on following 9/11, provided lists. Lists are good. Examples: He writes of the five myths, such as "If we fight as brutally as our enemies fight, we will become as bad as them." He describes the types of warriors one finds in these conflicts, the misfits, joiners, opportunists, true believers and ex-military. He offers the seven indicators of a "loser" state, two of which are the subjugation of women and a low value held of education. I feel at times, that he contradicts himself. He believes that high tech weapon systems are not the answer and that we should let most of these conflicts burn themselves out. Then in one of the final articles, he speculates on a future where space-based precision guided munitions can reach out of the sky and smote offending political bad guys. Still, an entertaining and informative read. And Mr. Peters can turn a phrase. On MacArthur's Occupation of Japan: "He came. He saw. He understood." On future behavioral modification technologies, "Armageddon may not come with a bang, but a whisper." Worth the read.
Rating: 
Summary: An Essential Read for all Citizens. . .
Review: The paperback edition of the insightful 1999 book by LTC(ret) Peters starts off with a list of military "myths" that he responds to. . .which is worth the book price alone. Too few people understand the role (and limits) of miltary force in past history, much less it's potential future role when the enemies that a nation may encounter won't conveniently line up to be destroyed by our conventional military might. LTC(ret) Peters collection of essays is a readable, coherent, logical, and most importantly, realistic coverage of the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: Mein Kampf 1926
Review: This is an important book to read to understand the foolishness and danger of the mindset that surrounds the Bush administration. It is like reading Mein Kampf in 1926.
Ralph Peters is terribly self-promoting in the beginning which lays the foundation for what comes. The first 197 pages would take at least that many in return to debunk the notions expressed. I would not have labored though it was it not for the book club I belong to. Peters talks with disdain for University Professors for good reason. He would not be able to have an intelligent conversation with most without a paradigm shift and painful cognitive dissonance himself. He rambles on in areas where he has much knowledge but a weak and distorted foundation in economics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, history and religion.
My recommendation is to skip to the last two chapters where he promotes world domination of every "heart and mind and soul" Pg. 198. Beginning with US military conquest of all other militaries and dictating global security." "Only constabularies and police forces need to remain, except for our own forces and those of a few morally coincident allies, such as other English-speaking, law-cherishing states." Pg. 203 "We need to learn to patrol the digital lines of communications on which our prosperity depends". Pg 206 "There is no real legal or moral requirement to grant foreigners the same rights and protections as we do our own citizens." Pg 207. He goes on to advocate mind control. "Attacking the human body has been a sloppy and inefficient means of making war. Attacking the mind may prove to be the culmination of military history." Pg. 209.
Finally he says "This is our choice: Shall we dominate the earth for the good of humankind? Or will we risk the enslavement of our country and our civilization?"
Ralph Peters and others fail to see the answer is neither. For the first time in the history of the world we have a fledgling international democratic body complete with tribunal and enforcement, if only we would support it! Attempts at world domination have all failed and will (hopefully) fail. The only road to world peace is though freedom and democracy on an international level with the United Nations, not once mentioned in the book.
Again, this is an important read to understand the insanity and danger present in the Bush Administration and the American Right.
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