Don't Tread on Me: A 400-Year History of America at War, from Indian Fighting to Terrorist Hunting

by H.W. Crocker III

Don’t Tread on Me is a sweeping, colorful—and controversial—history of America’s wars and foreign and military policy over the past four hundred years. Full of gripping battle scenes and contrarian arguments, this stirring book challenges Americans to rethink what they thought they knew about our nation at war.

Genres: History, War, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

H.W. Crocker III is the bestselling author of the prize-winning comic novel The Old Limey and several books of military history, including Triumph, Robert E. Lee on Leadership, The Politically Incorrect Guide® to the Civil War, The Politically Incorrect Guide® to the British Empire, Yanks, and Don’t Tread on Me.

His journalism has appeared in National Review, the American Spectator, the Washington Times, and many other outlets. Educated in England and California, Crocker lives on the site of a former Confederate encampment in Virginia.

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never been compelled to keep a list of inaccuracies until now: The bad kind of American exceptionalism (America is exceptional in many ways both good and bad, somehow the author hits none of these), not immediately apparent but is at times outright racist to the Native American's that fought manifest destiny and projects a 'Savage Indian' stereotype that is woefully out of date with modern scholarship, hits literally all of the lost causerism's, blatant racism against Mexicans anytime they are mentioned in the text, to suggest a general Eurosupremecy is being polite, ignores any scholarship not fitting the author's narrative *cough*USS Maine*caugh*, gross misunderstanding of the causes of WWI and the thought processes of their main belligerents, outright lies about the American role of convoy development and reduction of the U-Boat threat, in fact the entire WWI section has almost no truth to it, a clear Anglo-Saxon supremacy in the text is reminiscent of Nazi Germany's thoughts on Arianism, somehow the author is a modern pro-monarchist, gross misunderstanding of WW2 Japanese culture that lead to their atrocities and is clearly racist toward Asian's of all stripes, imperialist and colonialist in a way which attempts to justify modern imperialism, not even a basic understanding of Cold War geopolitics, somehow against stopping Serb genocide in the Balkans, conveniently ignores American involvement in overthrowing the Shah of Iran, also ignores tough questions and any negative points on the GWoT process that officers/generals who served there wrote whole books about (of which I've read), I've also read Krulak and the author either didn't or lacks reading comprehension on what was discussed, claims to be staunchly pro-military but is extremely sexist toward any woman who has ever served the United States under arms.

This book is propaganda attempting to justify itself through a bad and deceitful interpretation of history, much like Zinn in that matter but for a right wing audience.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The anti-woman, anti-liberal, anti-government writer of this passion play never met a war he didn't like... Unless it was one of those pussy Clinton missile strikes. This book both celebrates the American fighting man and condemns him to die with its glorification of war. When author opinion takes a backseat to historical narrative this book is at it's best, but whenever the author deems it necessary to color proceedings with here say and opinion it becomes a war hawk spin show.

[Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic narrative on the personalities, local color and the prevailing sensibility on American expansionism then-to-now. A very clear-eyed exposition on the nuances of the run-up to the Civil War. A must-read for lit geeks who love their country.

[Loyalhistorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book, with my overall rating being 4.5 stars. It was an overarching history of American fighters from the beginning of its inception as colonists (technically fighting under British rule) all the way to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The book was published in 2006, so it ends while fighting against the Taliban and Al Qaeda was still occurring in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I really want to give this book a full five stars, personally, but in good conscious I give it 4.5 stars. I took off half a star because the author allowing some of his bias bleed through the pages (though I personally agreed with his feelings). The only reason I only took off half a point was because the bias was still firmly based in fact and statistics. Either way, I heartily enjoyed the book, and some of those very down-to-earth convictions of his was what made me love the book more. It was around the time in the book of the Wilson Administration that it becomes quite glaring, but man, was it fun to read. For the record, Mr. Crocker, I fully agree with your assessments of Wilson and also believe we would have been much better off (and not in many of the messes we were stuck in) had Theodore Roosevelt been re-elected for a third term. I continued to agree with most all (that I can remember) of his assessments in the subsequent chapters. I wish he had an updated version of this book so that I could see what he has written about our military service since 2006.

The book is an easy read, keeps you interested and engaged throughout, and gives you a bite-sized chunk of each of America's military involvement .

[Squire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like his other book Triumph somoe parts are really god, and others are less so. I liked Max Boots' Savage Wars better, but this wasn't bad. Crocker just always seems to get caught up in his opinions and enthusiasms which then color his history. Being an old school historian by training I still prefer at least the veneer of objectivity.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast and entertaining read on the "400 year history of America at War."
I found we have been involved in far more military actions than I realized and he does an amazing job of supplying enough details for the context of each operation and often supplies the pro and con views given at the time. Some of the significant new facts (to me):

In the Mexican war of the 1840s, I discovered many Mexicans, including not a few government officials were hoping for US annexation.Regarding the War between the States, I learned there were many Union officers who sympathized with the South but felt they must support the Union.

After WWI, we sent token troops, along with British and French, to Russia to fight the Reds, but actually only had enough to hold Vladivostok for 2 or 3 years!!

He does a great job of showing how the military had the North Vietnamese almost crushed and the South was adequate to deal with it, as long as they were supplied. We left but Congress cut off all aid so they could not defend themselves so our Congress is responsible for the slaughter which followed.

[JoséMaría BlancoWhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had my doubts as to whether this book would be a dull account of the most relevant facts of the big and small wars America has been through until today. Scarcely 400 pages to tell all the events related here made me expect a collection of unrelated stories, dictionary-like and cold, rather than a single story with one hero and one voice telling it. But I was happy to find out that the author knew his job, and he made this book a joy to read. The hero is the American soldier, the Armed Forces, of course.

The author succeeds in this difficult task by giving us the whats and the hows and the 'whos' of the wars and fights America fought, in an uncomplicated and straightforwardly fashion. Not devoid of sentiment, but not carried away by passion either. A cool and elegant history of the American Forces from the War of Independence to Afghanistan and Iraq. It makes a perfect read for history buffs but, above all, for anybody who just wants to have a good time reading.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very very readable book that takes you through all of America's wars and conflicts. Crocker is a dynamite historian/writer. They should use this book in American schools. (Okay, he's my editor on my new book, but I mean every word anyway).

[Joe Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast review of the military accomplishments (and failures) since north America was initially settled by Europeans. I found the book enjoyable but one must realize that it only skims the surface.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, especially if you like US Military History. It was a bit exhausting and I did skip through some sections that seemed repetitive, mostly things I remembered from history class. It also challenges traditional history of America's revolution against Great Britain.

[Danielle]

I'm coming back to this one, I promise.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at many of America's wars. Piqued my interest a great deal and set me off on a "books about war" reading kick.

[Tom Batalias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story of the US military through the last 300 years. Crocker presents his views and opinions of the events, but well documented.

[Kermit Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brings to light the famous quote from George Santayana (in The Life of Reason, 1905): “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”