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Home : Library : Chairmans Leadership Library : History
Books

Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II

Arthur Herman 

Summary: Reveals how U.S. industrialists and entrepreneurs mobilized production to win WWII.

Reasons to Read: A powerful account of how American ingenuity, grit, and collaboration fueled victory. It’s a reminder that national strength depends on the seamless alignment of public and private enterprise, readiness of the industrial base, and the will to surge when history demands it.

Partners in Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace

Mark Perry

Summary: Through 75 wartime letters, the dual biography explores the strategic partnership between General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George C. Marshall during WWII. 
 
Reasons to Read: Offers a clear window into the art of leading at the highest levels—navigating personalities, balancing competing priorities, and holding the trust of a nation in crisis. Through Marshall and Eisenhower’s own words, we see how strategic vision, humility, and disciplined execution can shape history. A must-read for anyone charged with integrating complex operations across domains and allies.
 

Band of Brothers

Stephen E. Ambrose

Summary: Chronicles the harrowing journey of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from their grueling training at Camp Toccoa through pivotal battles in World War II, including D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest

Reasons to Read: A frontline portrait of courage, loyalty, and endurance. It captures how ordinary Americans, forged through shared hardship, became extraordinary together. Their story affirms that in war, technology and tactics matter—but people, trust, and shared purpose decide the outcome.  

The Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

Summary: A collection of 85 essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and a strong federal government. Published between 1787 and 1788, these essays explain the principles behind the Constitution, address criticisms from Anti-Federalists, and lay the intellectual foundation for American political philosophy.

Reasons to Read: A foundation document for understanding the American experiment—its principles, tensions, and enduring safeguards. Reading it sharpens judgment on governance, liberty, and unity, offering insights that remain vital for those entrusted with leading in service to the nation

Chairman's Corner

 

In a short video, Gen Caine explains why he recommends these "History" titles.


 

Additional Recommendations

 

 

 

The Principles of War - "Eps. 131 - Amphibious Ambitions and Island Defeats: How Kinman and Hainan shaped China's Navy"

Understanding these early amphibious operations helps contextualize China’s current naval ambitions, especially in contested regions like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

 

 

 

 

Restrepo (2010)

 

Shot in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, this film uses real combat footage to portray the emotional and physical strain on soldiers. It’s raw, immersive, and devoid of Hollywood dramatization 2.