Military Misdemeanors

by Terry Crowdy

Bungled cover-ups, acts of blinding incompetence, miscarriages of justice, sexual escapades and downright stupidity - the scandals which have helped to make the world's armed forces the much loved (and sometimes ridiculed) institutions they are today. Take an irreverent look at the public outcries that both governments and soldiers would rather we forget, from Julius Caesar's sex life and the frolics of Charles d'Eon, the fearless dragoon and noted transvestite to the sinking of the Kursk as Terry Crowdy delves into the darkest reaches of military sin and slip-up.
Packed with more than 60 military mishaps from ancient times to the present day, Military Misdemeanors shows that no military organization is safe from exposure. Learn the truth about Nelson and Lady Hamilton, the drafting of Heavyweight Champ Muhammad Ali, the sinking of Rainbow Warrior and satanism in the Royal Navy as we step back through the pages of history and see how corruption, bigotry, lust, vanity, incompetence and the occasional bout of insanity have colored conduct throughout time.

Contents include:
THE PROLOGUE "INIQUITY IN ANTIQUITY"
He came. He saw. He was conquered! The sexual escapades of Julius Caesar
ACT I "OUR INGLORIOUS PAST"
The Infamous Lieutenant Bird A murderer in King George army - The Transvestite Knight The dragoon war hero, who preferred ladies' clothes to his uniform - The One about the Cat The man who ate a live cat to get out of the army
ACT II "MANIFEST INFAMY"
The Fairfax Raid The abduction of a drunk general by Mosby and his Rangers - The New York Draft Riots Caused by an unfair Civil War draft law- Surviving Custer The scandalous behaviour of Major Reno
ACT III ''NOT SUCH A GREAT WAR"
The Mexican Connection Germany's attempt to keep the US out of WWI by getting Mexico to invade - With 'Snow' on their Boots Cocaine abuse introduced to Britain by Canadian soldiers during WWI - The Midway Leak The US newspaper's revelation that the US Navy was intercepting Japanese signals
ACT IV ''COLD WAR FALLOUT"
Un-American Activities McCarthyism in the US Air Force - The U2 Scandal Gary Powers shot down by the Soviets -
Drafting Ali Muhammad Ali and the Vietnam draft
ACT V "EVEN IN OUR ENLIGHTENED TIMES?"
Iran Air Flight 655 The passenger jet shot down by US missile during the Iran-Iraq War - The Flying Cow The untrue story of the cow that sank a Japanese boat - The Sultan of Spin The infamous Iraqi (mis)Information Minister

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Military History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Terry Crowdy was born in London in 1970. Initially a re-enactor, his interest in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars led to writing for specialist magazines, and then to book authorship.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book relates various military mishaps, going back to ancient Greece. The reader learns just how silly some nations, and generals, have acted, all in the name of war. Each era is represented by some incredibly inane approach to a battle, which in hindsight, looks incredibly stupid.

It's all really symbolized by the approach taken by the French government as WWI appeared. Adopting the doctrine of forever being on the offensive, the French rejected the use of heavy artillery, stating it was unpatriotic. Instead, the generals dressed the first set of French Great War soldiers in red trousers, blue jackets, white gloves, and frilly plumes. As they marched across the ground with their bayonets, they were obliterated by the artillery-heavy Germans.

Book Season = Year Round (back to the drawing board)

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fairly good. Some were too extensive, Napoleon's read like water cooler gossip, and of course it was several years outdated, but overall, the stories were enjoyable (or depressing) and they were well-organized in the chapters.

[David Vernon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great idea for a book spoilt by the lack of material, particularly in the latter years. There are some fascinating chapters in this book but as Crowdy explored some of the modern military stupidity he seemed to run out ideas. Perhaps we really only know when something is stupid after some reasonable period of time has passed? I think he also fails to quite understand that war can be an incredibly confusing time and thus many wrong decisions are made — decisions which are not necessarily stupid or incompetent given the information available at the time. I think Crowdy should have finished at the end of WWII and left his analysis there until more information on the events he explores is available.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a delightful premise, but the execution is only good, not great. Also, a quick overview of this kind requires the author to choose sides in historical controversies, and then make fun of the side he's not on. That becomes a weakness if the reader has a different viewpoint.
There were some delightful inclusions, such as the tale of the Chevalier d'Eon, which is so outrageous that it became the source of a Japanese manga and anime series.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book that shows just how stupid some of the greatest superpowers can be. It's a nice quick read that takes an impartial look at everything. The author doesn't show any malice toward any country or any specific person, he is just focused in showing some of the best, some might say worst, military blunders.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing but choppy. Not very many details. What was most interesting is how standards of what is acceptable for the powerful versus that of the poor is just as unbalanced today as it was a hundred years ago. Money can almost always buy you out of trouble.

[g026r · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm left wondering how factually accurate some of the snippets of information are.

Other than that, an irreverent look at scandals throughout military history.

[Emma Close · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vague.

[Robert Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really engaging read for those not particularly interested in history. It explains the history in a more colloquial(and when appropriate humorous) manner, in which someone with little to no understanding of history will be intrigued. It is biased towards modern British History, so it is more geared towards readers with an interest in that era and region. All in all, it is a great read into the more scandalous episodes of military history.