Tactics of the Crescent Moon: Militant Muslim Combat Methods

by H. John Poole, Ray L. Smith (Foreword), Mike Leahy (Illustrator)

This book focuses on how Iran and its various proxies fight. It is on the most prestigious pre-deployment reading lists for both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, because it fully details the Islamists' yet-to-be-defeated 4GW method. That method is best countered by "truly light" infantry tactics, but America has had only "line" infantry since 1943. Its members travel mostly by truck and fight mostly with supporting arms. That's because the Pentagon is still practicing a "higher-tech" version of 2GW (killing as many enemy as possible). How to operate the latest equipment takes up so much of the young infantryman's day that he never learns how to sneak up on an expert defender. He and his buddies don't become any less visible by donning advanced electronics, so their traditional small-unit maneuvers remain as predictable as before. All Posterity Press books should be viewed as instruments of long-overdue change.

Genres: Military Fiction, Military History, War, Nonfiction, Middle East, History, Terrorism

360 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2004

Reviews

[Ina Cawl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book that shows how young Muslim youths with basic weapons has defeated the two greatest power in modern history.
First they defeated Soviet Union in Afghanistan and later they defeated America in Iraq and Afghanistan.
By reading this great book you will get a comprehensive look on how Muslim Militia fights and how they defeats countries far more stronger than them.

[David Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book on the history of small unit tactics in the Middle East and the lessons to be learned regarding bottom up versus top down unit tactics. Highly recommend. Really enjoyed the chapter of Chechnya.

[Jason Harper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the book's title claiming to be about tactics, the author focused more on speculations about the motivations and relationships between groups. If the reader cuts out the geopolitical speculations, there is some good information in the book, though it's presented poorly.

[Luke]

This is actually my government class supplemental reading... we'll see how it goes, but I have a feeling its going to be very interesting. Full review to come.

[Ryan Mickels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book if you want to learn about the how and why insurgents do what they do. A must for anyone going over to Iraq or Afghanistan

[Ben Branma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get past the Conspiracy Theory and it's a great book about small unit tactics.

[Steven]

EXCELLENT! this author is one of my favorites. Have read almost all his work. Touches on the axis of evil with great detail before most "experts" put it together.

[Maxo Marc]

Another book that highlighted the threat we face.

[Patrick Van Hoeserlande]

Interesting overview of the tactics of terrorist. Certainly the last chapter on how to counter these tactics gives some insights.