Tip of the Spear: U.S. Army Small-Unit Action in Iraq, 2004-2007 by Jon T. Hoffman

by Jon T. Hoffman

The lightning campaign that toppled the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq in the spring of 2003 at first seemed to herald the arrival of a new way of war, as Germany's blitzkrieg had done at the beginning of World War II. But the initial victory in Iraq soon devolved into a persistent counterinsurgency conflict reminiscent of the long U.S. effort to pacify the Philippines after the quick defeat of Spain in 1898. In Iraq, American soldiers and their Coalition partners had merely traded one fairly weak and generally conventional opponent for a much more durable, diverse, and determined foe relying on the tactics of the guerrilla and the terrorist. This volume focuses on that second and longer campaign of the war in Iraq, but it is not a narrative of the overall course of the conflict. Instead, it provides a soldier's-eye view of the war in the form of detailed accounts of a handful of battles. Each one illustrates the everyday challenges that America's soldiers face in a difficult struggle against an inventive and often elusive enemy. Weapons, doctrine, and procedures developed to fight a conventional campaign against a similar opposing force had to be adapted to fit a different type of conflict. The U.S. Army's combat and support forces have shown both resourcefulness and resilience, while leaders and soldiers in the field have demonstrated the same courage as previous generations called upon to sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

USMCR Lieutenant Colonel Jon T. Hoffman

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoffman assembled the stories of several units that were involved in battle in Iraq. Told in detail it explained the battles, movement to and from contact.

Why I started it: I've been reading a lot of histories of the Iraq war from the broad perspective. It was interesting to see the view from the soldier on the field.

Why I finished it: Very easy to read a chapter at a time. I really appreciated that the book was formatted correctly so that I could view the maps and photos without difficulty.

[Rachael King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of an ever evolving conflict

I gave this title 3 stars because I felt as though it was mostly a play by play of the battles described. It lacked context and substance, and read like a sports journalism article. The last two chapters improved greatly from the earlier chapters, though which was helpful. I would have enjoyed the book more if it explained more of the political undertones and environment. If you have no affiliation with the military, you will not enjoy or understand this book.

[Curtis Dean Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! Straight and to the point, the pictures from the battles assist in picturing the operations in your mind. Wish I could read more of these kinds of books! Helps to show you how it is 'downrange'...