Phantom Soldier: The Enemy's Answer to U.S. Firepower

by H. John Poole, William S. Lind (foreword), Michael Leahy (illustrator)

"Phantom Soldier" is now on the U.S. Army's most prestigious pre-deployment reading list for a reason. It won't please those who have come to believe that wars are won and casualties limited through technology, or that the victor's version of one is always correct. But, all U.S. security personnel should read it. Possibly the West's best treatise on Oriental warfare, it sheds new light on what Asian infantry can (1) alternate between guerrilla, mobile, and positional warfare; (2) use "ordinary forces" to engage and "extraordinary forces [infiltrators]" to defeat; and then (3) retreat to save lives. What occurred in history doesn't change, but one's perception of it does--as he comes to better understand his former foe. Here's what really happened at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Chosin Reservoir, and Hue City. Those who believe this book's cover art to be fantasy have only to google the term "dac cong." Through how the NVA held their own without resupply, tanks, artillery, or air power, U.S. grunts could better survive the more lethal enemy weaponry of the 21st Century.

Genres: Military Fiction, War, Military History, History

Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2001

Reviews

[Robert Bor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contrast the western forceful approach to the oriental wily approach. Gives interesting anecdotes from Vietnam, for example the tactics that were employed to conquer the city of Hue. I feel much sympathy for the author's point of view that there is too much reliance on brute force and technology.

[Patrick Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent if a bit heavy-handed in the criticisms against US military training and policies