Secrets to Lasting Love: Uncovering the Keys to Life-Long Intimacy

Book Description

Gary Smalley is one of the world's foremost experts on love and relationships. In his thirty years' experience as a teacher, speaker, and counselor, Smalley has helped countless thousands of couples create more meaningful communication and ultimate intimacy using his powerful and proven methods. Secrets to Lasting Love is the culmination of Smalley's decades of work. Now, many more thousands of couples will benefit from his groundbreaking research outlining the three skills of successful relationships.

Smalley believes that couples who want to move from a superficial to an "ultimate," deep level of intimacy and a lasting and loving relationship must master three key skills. First and foremost is honor -- respecting your spouse for all of his or her individual qualities as well as differences from you; next is communication -- speaking to one another in a way that moves conversations into deeper realms of understanding; and, last, constant renewal -- recharging your spouse emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. But it is not easy to recognize and then apply these skills. Secrets to Lasting Love shows everyone how to do just that. Once these skills are successfully applied to a relationship, the couple is able to move into what Smalley calls the fifth, or ultimate, level of intimacy.

Couples who work with Smalley and who follow the principles he outlines in this book find themselves on a path to discovering deepening levels of intimacy. Learning to open up to one another, breaking through communication barriers, strengthening commitment, and being able to reach your spouse's heart and spirit are just a few of the benefits of Smalley's research and teaching.

Secrets to Lasting Love demonstrates how couples can build a bond that can withstand the inevitable highs and lows of marriage and move them into ever deeper levels of intimacy.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-03-21

I'm never disappointed with Gary Smalley's advice. So much good information it is difficult to take in all at once. I may not always like it but he is seldom wrong. I like the way the uses his and others "win's" and "losses" to get the point across. This is a book I'll need to re-read and I'm sure my wife will appreciate his advice too.

A true marriage blessing!!.......2006-08-20

This book will bless Your Marriage and Your walk with the Lord. Gary Smalley is truly a blessed author and this book has been blessed. Read this book and Your walk with the Lord will grow, and your marriage will be off the scale! Excellent book!!!

Valuable insights for all close relationships.......2000-07-07

The author of this book is a therapist with decades of experience and a successful 35-year marriage. His book is written in a friendly, accessible style. Unfortunately, his informality extends to the lack of an index, list of references, or resource list. It is important to note that, though the author does not spell this out, the book is clearly aimed at couples whose marriages are suffering from relatively mild interpersonal emotional neglect due to passivity and/or passive-aggression. I do not believe the advice in this book would be helpful for couples enduring traumas such as entrenched, extensive verbal abuse, physical violence, addictions, or mental illness.

The aspect of this book I am most impressed with is the framework for Smalley's advice, five levels of communication involved in achieving intimacy: (1) Sharing cliches. The meaningless chatter strangers exchange presents zero emotional risk to those engaged in it. (2) Sharing facts. Stating bald facts about surface events in your life or the lives of others involves the slight risk of getting the facts wrong and being challenged on it. Note: Smalley does not go into the complicated scenario of sharing explosive, secret facts, which can involve an enormous amount of risk. (3) Sharing opinions. Stating individual opinions, concerns and expectations results in greater emotional risk than cliches or (non-explosive) facts because opinions can be criticized--and very likely will be if the opinion is critical of the person it is offered to. (4) Sharing significant feelings. Offering one's feelings, especially one's deepest, truest feelings, brings high risk because we are hoping to be listened to and valued, but we may be rejected and invalidated instead. (5) Sharing needs. Smalley sees sharing personal and relationship needs as more risky than sharing feelings. He offers a simple personality typology as an aid to couples in realizing that a good portion of their conflict may be due to them having very different personalities. (By the way, if this subject interests you, search Amazon for the topic "Myers-Briggs" and really have some fun.) Smalley believes that the solution to dealing with the conflicts inevitably arising out of differing personalities is "honoring." He defines this as not only respecting your partner's differences, but treasuring them, and committing yourself to making your partner the number one priority in your life.

Over the course of the book, the author offers illustrative examples of ways in which couples can become trapped in the communication of strangers and/or casual acquaintances. He states that the door to sharing significant feelings and needs, the realm of true intimacy, is the conflict caused by sharing opinions. He offers advice on how to move safely through this phase by using techniques which communicate "honoring." He believes the latter builds enough trust to permit the next two levels of risk, sharing feelings and needs.

In my opinion, the following relationships are most likely to find this book useful: (1) Troubled marriages. If your marriage is "merely" suffering from interpersonal emotional neglect, and underneath all the problems both of you retain goodwill to each other and a strong desire to save your marriage through hard work, I believe this book would be a good adjunct to ongoing marriage counseling. If your therapist doesn't know about this book, you could take it to him/her and ask to work from it as a couple doing weekly "homework" from it assigned and encouraged by the counselor to help you improve communication in order to gain greater intimacy. (2) New couples. This book can teach couples who are moving toward commitment, who are engaged, or very early in marriage what kind of communication they need to develop, from the start, to have consistent, long-term intimacy. But only IF the pair reads it together and both agree they want to communicate like this. Intimacy is not a one-sided affair. (3) Healthy marriages. People who have excellent relationships already can learn from this book to be more conscious about what they are doing that works so they will be sure to keep on doing it. (4) Friendships. If you are wondering why you feel alienated from or constantly hurt by a certain "very good friend" of yours, this book can help you find out why. It can also help you realize what kind of people you'd like to choose as intimate friends in the future.

Final recommendation: If you find this book helpful, you may also appreciate a fabulous book on healing emotional unavailability in men (most of Smalley's emotionally unavailable clients are men). It is called In the Company of Men: A New Approach to Healing for Husbands, Fathers, & Friends, by Marvin Allen.

An **Essential** Toolkit.......2000-06-19

Gary Smalley claims that the information in this book is revolutionary. It is. Very unlike his other titles. If you are in a man-woman relationship you have 3 choices: 1. Have your relationship far more shallow than you could know. 2. Be doing naturally what is in this book. 3. Be doing what is in this book from it having instructed you how. If you are divorced or going through one, be prepared for it to split you wide open. However, not to be left that way, it will give you a needle and thread to suture you back up. Myself, if I am dating someone and they aren't reading this book and discussing it with me by the 3rd date, there won't be a 4th date. Everyone I've gotten to pick it up has agreed. Read the Intro and Chap 1 and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

Secrets to Lasting Love: Uncovering the Keys to Life-Long Intimacy

Average customer rating:

Secrets to Lasting Love: Uncovering the Keys to Life-Long Intimacy
Gary Smalley
Manufacturer: Sound Ideas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Love & Romance | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer
Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0671582518

Book Description

Gary Smalley is one of the world's foremost experts on love and relationships. In his thirty years' experience as a teacher, speaker, and counselor, Smalley has helped thousands of couples create more meaningful communication and ultimate intimacy using his powerful and proven methods. Secrets to Lasting Love is the culmination of Smalley's decades of work.

Smalley believes that couples who want to move from a superficial to an "ultimate," deep level of intimacy and a lasting and loving relationship must master three key skills. First and foremost is honor -- respecting your spouse for all of his or her individual qualities as well as differences from you; next is communication -- speaking to one another in a way that moves conversations into deeper realms of understanding; and, last, constant renewal -- recharging your spouse emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Once these skills are successfully applied to a relationship, the couple is able to move into what Smalley calls the fifth, or ultimate, level of intimacy.

Couples who work with Smalley and who follow the principles he outlines in this audiobook find themselves on a path to discovering deepening levels of intimacy. Learning to open up to one another, breaking through communication barriers, strengthening commitment, and being able to reach your spouse's heart and spirit are just a few of the benefits of Smalley's research and teaching.

Secrets to Lasting Love demonstrates how couples can build a bond that can withstand the inevitable highs and lows of marriage and move them into ever deeper levels of intimacy.

Book Description

After Pearl Harbor, he led America’s flight to victory

General Doolittle is a giant of the twentieth century. He did it all.

As a stunt pilot, he thrilled the world with his aerial acrobatics. As a scientist, he pioneered the development of modern aviation technology.

During World War II, he served his country as a fearless and innovative air warrior, organizing and leading the devastating raid against Japan immortalized in the film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.

Now, for the first time, here is his life story — modest, revealing, and candid as only Doolittle himself can tell it.

Customer Reviews:

The Foremost Aviator of his Generation.......2007-10-08

"I Could Never Be So Lucky Again" is the personal memoir of James Harold (Jimmy) Doolittle as told to Carroll Glines. Jimmy Doolittle was simply the foremost aviator of his generation.

No one else even comes close.

He was born in Alameda, CA in 1896, the son of a carpenter. He spent much of his childhood in Nome, AK. His parents split up and he and his mother moved to Los Angeles. As a child he was taught boxing to properly channel his pugnacious disposition. He attended Manual Arts High School and was initially a mediocre student.

In another book, Frank Capra describes Manual Arts as the school that got the students Los Angeles High School didn't want. Interestingly enough both the famous movie director Frank Capra and Jimmy Doolittle were classmates as well as gymnastics team members. This high school was pivotal in Doolittle's life. It was where he met Josephine Daniels. Josephine was at the top of their class. Doolittle modified his behavior becoming a better student and goal oriented in order to be worthy of Josephine.

Jimmy became an Army aviator. He immediately displayed considerable talent along with a wild streak which aggravated his commanding officer. Fortunately Mrs. Doolittle proved to be a moderating influence on her husband. Along with his flying excellence, LT. Doolittle earned one of the first doctorates in Aeronautical Sciences from MIT. He led a team that standardized aircraft control panels. Doolittle was the first to make an all instrument flight, taking off and landing his plane (within feet of the take-off point) while the cockpit windows were covered.

He set numerous aviation records and won every major air race. Despite this, he remained a 1st LT in the Air Force. Peacetime promotions were slow. Even with his air race winnings, he needed more money to support his family. He accepted an executive position with Royal Dutch Shell.

Doolittle returned to active duty as Lieutenant Colonel. In this capacity he planned, executed and led a bombing attack on Tokyo. This was the only time land based bombers were launched from aircraft carriers. Most of the planes did drop their bombs over Tokyo. It was also the first successful attack on the Japanese home islands in recorded history. However none of the planes survived the mission and Doolittle was ordered back to Washington.

Instead of a court martial, he was promoted to Brigadier General and awarded the Medal of Honor.

This may seem like the reviewer has told the whole book but don't worry there's a lot more for the reader to enjoy. The book is well written, never drags and sets a comfortable pace. It is full of interesting stories and facts. Mr. Glines has a proven track record as aviation historian and his expertise shows.

Any money spent on this book would be well spent.

Lucky.......2007-02-04

This book is for the fans of "The Greatest Generation"-type books. Both Patton and Macarthur got cinematic limelight, but we hear less about Admiral Nimitz, and even less about Doolittle. This book completes the Temple of the World War II Titans.

As I read, two things impressed me. First was Doolittle's down-to-earth and conversational style. I felt like he was sitting next to me, chatting on the on the golf course, and just reminiscing between tees. The second was the drastic changes in flight that occurred during his fourscore and ten years. He saw aviation from the Wrights brothers to the Space Shuttle. All in one lifetime!

I was also surprised how involved he was in developing aviation technology--he had a hand in the modern cockpit instrumentation. Things such as the artificial horizon, radar, and the dashboard layout came, in part, from him.

Other surprising things were behind-the-scene info Billy Mitchell, supply problem in WWII, and also the three friendly fire incident he was involved with. It puts a perspective on the current conflagration.

In order to round out the book, you need two supplementals. The first is to see "Patton." Doolittle provided the air cover for Old Blood and Guts, and the book contains many references and quotes from Patton. Yes, he was accurately portrayed in the movie, except for his voice. Doolittle mention he had a high, almost feminine quality to his voice, which explains his potty tongue.

The second is to read "Catch-22." Yes, Heller is writing about serving under Doolittle. As I read, I wondered if Dreedle=Doolittle.

This book is even-tampered in its approach to war. It is not as idealized as John Wayne, but did not swerve into the demoralizing MASH or Platoon.

Great Read.......2006-11-10

I really enjoyed this book. Doolittle was your classic underachiever in school and had what some could call a troubled youth. This book paints the picture of a guy who overcomes those shortcomings to excell in life. Along the way he provides a few hints on how to be more effective in your own life. A great view into one of Americas true heros.

Pleasant, self-aware reflections of a WWII hero.......2006-06-01

A pleasant, easy read, I Could Never Be So Lucky Again contains the self-aware reflections of a World War II hero and one of the giants of military aviation, General James Doolittle. The book starts with the real climax of his story, the surprise air raid over Japan a year after Pearl Harbor that was a huge morale boost to America. After pulling you in with that story, Gen. Doolittle starts back at the beginning, and just works his way through his life, telling interesting anecdotes and offering personal reflections along the way.

The book's title is apt: this guy crashed more airplanes and had more close calls than I imagined someone could, without a scratch to show for it. His worst injury wasn't even from flying, but came from showing off some stunt moves in South America, when he fell from a second story balcony. He lived a full life--stunt pilot, doctorate from MIT in aeronautical engineering, military aviator, national hero, business leader.

But don't expect an engrossing thriller that yanks you through the book. At times he goes into excruciating details, especially about air raids during his time in the African and European theaters in WWII. And in terms of excitement, the Tokyo bombing raid is definitely the peak of his life, after which he became a general and wasn't even allowed to fly on missions over enemy territory. How exciting can planning strategic bombing and selling aviation fuel be?

Yet he really lets you into his heart, more than you would expect from a crusty old general from his generation. He loved his wife, whom he knew to be a huge support and foundation for his successes--she shows up in almost every chapter (and plays sweetly in the books final lines). His reflections often turn to regrets and mistakes he made, such as a serious faux pas during his first meeting with General Eisenhower. He allows his humanity to show through, and gives you a chance to learn from his mistakes. As a result, I left knowing that this national hero didn't deserve a pedestal after all--which I almost think is the way Doolittle wanted it.

i highly recommend this book.......2004-03-02

James H. Doolittle (Jimmy) went to school in Los Angeles where he became interested in airplanes and engines. During college he joined the Army and went to flying school. After flying school he received his pilot's license and became a stunt pilot. He than married Josephine Daniels (Joe.) Than in 1941 World War 2 broke out and President Roosevelt wants to attack the home islands of Japan. For some reason Jimmy ends up leading it. They succeeded but have to bail out over China. When he returns he gets chosen by General Eisenhower to lead the invasion of Africa. While he was in Africa the German code "Ultra" was broken, giving America the advantage over Germany. The War in Europe ends and he gets transferred to the Pacific to "end the war." Jimmy never flies a mission and the war ends with the dropping of two atomic bombs. Although the war has ended the fight begins in Washington to create a new but equally powerful service to be known as the Air Force. They also wanted there to be a Department of National Defense; this is harder due to the Navy. After the Air Force and the D.N.D. are established the Korean War breaks out and ends. After this war General Dwight Eisenhower (Ike) becomes the president of America. More happens I'm just not going to tell you the ending...
This book includes a great amount of detail and knowledge of the 2nd World War. It tells you a little to a lot about most of the battles that occurred during the war. It really shows the depth of the war.
The only part I don't think works is how the beginning takes place during the 1940's. The 2nd chapter tells about his childhood.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who's interested in World War 2, airplanes, aircraft technology, the history of Shell, or anyone who needs to read an autobiography.

I Could Never Be So Lucky Again: An Autobiography

Average customer rating:

The Amazing Doctor Doolittle
So Much More to the Man Who Led the Tokyo Raid
Superbly written and presented autobiography...
about CV Glines author
Enlightening

I Could Never Be So Lucky Again: An Autobiography
James H. Doolittle , and Carroll V. Glines
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Master of Airpower: General Carl A. Spatz
The Doolittle Raid: America's Daring First Strike Against Japan
Chennault: Giving Wings to the Tiger
Learning Large Lessons: The Evolving Roles of Ground Power and Air Power in the Post-Cold War Era
Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail

ASIN: 0887407374

Customer Reviews:

The Amazing Doctor Doolittle.......2006-01-25

One of the sad things about books, especially non-fiction books, is that sooner or later they always slip into the past and few people ever read them again. The same seems to be true of America's great heroes, most of them anyway. They too seem to slip into the past and before long they too are all but forgotten. If you said to most Americans today, for example, "What do you know about Doctor Doolittle?" They would likely say, "Oh, he's the amazing fellow who talks to the animals." True, but there was once another Dr. Doolittle, one much more amazing than that other fellow, and this is his story - the story of an aviation pioneer, a war hero, and a truly great American.

Jimmy Doolittle was born in California, raised in Alaska, and attended high school in Los Angeles, but his real story began when he dropped out of UC Berkley and joined the Aviation Section of the US Signal Corps during World War One. That war ended before Doolittle could see action, but in the years that followed he would be the first man to fly across the United States in less than 24 hours (1922) and then in less than 12 hours (1931); win, among others, the Schneider Trophy (1925), the Bendix Trophy (1931), and the Thompson Trophy (1932); earn one of the first doctorate degrees to be awarded in aeronautical science (MIT/1925); be the first airman to fly an outside loop (1927); help develop the aircraft instruments needed to allow pilots to fly safely in all weather conditions; become the first airman to fly an airplane from takeoff through flight and landing on instruments alone (1929); set the transcontinental speed record for passenger flight (1935); Convince Shell Oil to develop facilities for the production of the 100-octane gasoline needed by America's war planes during World War II long before there was a market for it (termed by some at the time as "Doolittle's Million Dollar Blunder"); Lead "Doolittle's Raiders" in the first attack on the Japanese homeland following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor (April 18, 1942); and command the 12th Air Force, North Africa (1942), the 15th Air Force, Italy (1943), the 8th Air Force, England (1944), and the 8th Air Force, Okinawa (1945). Along the way, Doolittle was awarded, among other things, the Congressional Medal of Honor; the Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross; a fourth general's star; and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

This is a great book about a great American who should not be forgotten. (BTW - If you read and enjoy this book, you might try reading "Yeager." Although their lives were somewhat out of phase, in time, Doolittle and Yeager appear to have been kindred spirits.)

So Much More to the Man Who Led the Tokyo Raid.......2004-09-10

Childhood in the wilds of Alaska, early aviation pioneer, test pilot, Shell Oil executive, Tokyo raider, 8th Air Force Commander, and so much more. When American hero James Doolittle passed way in 1993, he completed a life that would be difficult for a dozen men to replicate. Though acknowledged in history as the man who led the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Doolittle's autobiography, I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN, shows that there was much more to the man than his daring bomber mission. Raised on the Alaskan frontier, Doolittle eventually relocated to California where he garnered a reputation as a prankster and daredevil. During the First World War he joined the fledgling Army Air Corps. Though Doolittle was retained in the United States throughout the war, he chose to remain in service and help advance military aviation. In the years that followed, Doolittle was a key figure in the development of more advanced avionics, instrument flying, and proponent for 100 octane gasoline for aircraft. Aside from breaking cross country flight records and chasing Mexican bandits in early air-to-ground missions, Doolittle tourned South America as an aircraft salesman.

I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN is not just about Doolittle's military adventures. In the book he is an advocate of higher eduction. He accomplished a two-year masters degree in one year. So as not to waste the remaining year the Army alotted him, Doolittle went on to get his doctorate at MIT. His statements about the value of advanced education are as true now as they were then.

Though he shed active duty for a higher paying job at Shell, Doolittle continued to log flight hours for Shell and as a military reservist. Seeing that war was inevitable, Doolittle rejoined the active ranks and pulled off 1942's gutsy attack on Tokyo. Any average man, after receiving his Congressional Medal of Honor from the President, could have called it quits then and there. Not Doolittle. He went on to command various Army Air Force units in North Africa and Europe. He argued with General Eisenhower and frequently corresponded with General George S. Patton.

Doolittle remained active throughout his life. Indeed he was a consultant to numerous firms and on the board of directors of several more. He was called to head various government commissions throughout the remainder of his life. In addition, he was a loving father and devoted husband.

In summary, I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN is an autobiography, military narrative, aviation technical development history, and a guide as to how to lead an ethical and fulfilling life. At times some of the chapters bog down when Doolittle inserts whole passages of archival correspondence. No matter. The autobiography is a great work by a great and modest man. The title of the book reflects that modesty as Doolittle writes that I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN is reflective of his marriage, and not the Tokyo Raid. We miss you Jimmy.

Buy the book.

Superbly written and presented autobiography..........2004-01-12

This book definitely stands out as one of the superior autobiographies to come out of a major World War II figures. Its come a bit late but I found it to be quite rewarding reading material. Perhaps he was right, he would never be this lucky again since his life story appears to be filled with eternal good fortune, blessed by a first class mind and abilities. I was surprised to learned how much time he spent in Alaska (my home state) and many other details of his life which most readers will not know about. The book proves to be quite addictive and I frankly, read it in a single sitting. The man have done and experience so much stuff that it must have seem to be like a dream to him, looking back. I considered the book a must read material for anyone interested in a major World War II figure or anyone with any interest in aviation history.

about CV Glines author.......2001-02-12

I had the great pleasure of meeting Gen. Doolittle in 1985 at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas Texas at the dinner in honor of him sponsored by George Haddaway. Years later I got to know CV Glines and see him regularly now.

This is the most thorough biography I have seen on Gen. Doolittle and CV worked closely with the General and later his family. The book answered one of my lingering questions about "The Raid on Tokyo": Was the Hornet spotted AND reported by the picket boat that they sank? The answer came when an outbound flying boat passed underneath the B-25s as they approached Tokyo.

I am not looking forward to the portrayal of Gen. Doolittle by Alec Baldwin in the new Disney Movie "Pearl Harbor". I have a sense of dread and foreboding about what Disney may do to the facts

Enlightening.......2000-08-09

I found this book to be two things. First, it was a wonderful overview of US air history delivered by an indisputable authority on the subject. Second, I learned a lot about a true American hero, both in achievement and personal life. How refreshing to discover a humble, brilliant, down-to-earth individual who made such a positive impact on our country! The book was well written and easy to read. In some places it threatened to be tedious, but nothing serious (hence the 5 star recommendation).

Book Description

On the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 Russia's Baltic Fleet was sent to the aid of embattled troops in Russia's Chinese enclaves. The two fleets met at Tsushima on May 27, 1905.Most thought the Russians would have little trouble defeating Japanese naval forces. What followed was perhaps the greatest naval victory of all time. The acclaimed author of The Bounty has written another gripping tale of the sea.

Customer Reviews:

The loss of the Russian fleet in the Straits of Korea........2005-09-12

This is the third book I have read written by Richard Hough. They are all good books, and Hough has a way with describing naval battles. In this book, he describes how the Russian Admiralty collected four good battleships and a motley collection of other ships to lead into the battle with the Japanese. This 10,000 mile journey across half of the world ended in defeat at Tushuma (Donkey's Ears). Hough describes how the failure of the Admiralty, the ship's crews, and the Admiral resulted in one of the most stunning defeats in naval history. There is plenty of blame to go around. Several thousand Russian sailors died as a result.
I agree with some of the other reviewers that more of the writing should have been devoted to the actual battle. In itself, the travel of the Second Pacific fleet was also a naval accomplishment. For a latter and more detailed book of the battle, see The Tsar's Last Armada.

Still Interesting but Dated.......2002-08-15

The Fleet That Had to Die, written in 1957, is a dated but still interesting account of the epic voyage of the Russian Baltic Fleet around the world in 1904-1905 until its destruction at the Battle of Tsushima. The author's style was intended for mass-market audiences not scholars, and some readers may cringe at a comment in the foreword that, "this book is not primarily concerned with history..." Furthermore, the author's introduction to the second edition includes a ridiculous statement that, "the Soviet Navy today [May 1975] has become the most powerful in the world..." which was false when written and appears laughable now. This book is best read in tandem with the recent Russian account, The Tsar's Last Armada, by Constantine Pleshakov.

The book consists of 12 short chapters, four appendices, 14 photographs and several sketch maps. Oddly, the author does not provide an order of battle for either side at the Battle of Tsushima. Although the author is impressed by the 18,000-mile voyage of the Russian fleet - calling it "one of the most remarkable voyages in maritime history" - there is a faint anti-Russian tone throughout these pages and even the title suggests a tragic inevitability. At one point, Hough commits overkill by referring to the fleet as, "a raw squadron that could scarcely maintain station in a flat calm on a steady course." Readers should remember that Britain was incensed at the Russian Baltic Fleet after the "Dogger Bank incident" where the Russian warships mistakenly fired on part of the Hull fishing fleet. Some of the lingering anti-Russian bias intrudes into Hough's account.

One area that Hough's account excels is in his discussion of the Russian battleships, their crews and the logistics of the voyage. The Russian Baltic Fleet was centered upon the four new battleships of the "Borodino" class, but these were poorly designed vessels. Modern fire control equipment was only installed at the last minute and the gun crews were never allowed to practice with it and live ammunition before Tsushima, which no doubt contributed to the abysmal Russian gunnery. Furthermore, the battleships were so top heavy that captains were ordered to, "avoid hoisting all but essential signals from the yards." Vice-Admiral Rozhestvensky, the fleet commander, exacerbated the problem by over-loading the battleships with coal and this made the ships slow and unwieldy in battle. However, in constantly referring to the battleships as "ironclads," Hough is both inaccurate and tedious (since the fleet included no wooden vessels, all ships were made of steel).

Hough does shed some interesting light on the Dogger Bank incident. Both before and after that senseless incident, Russian spotters reported sighting "enemy balloons" and other nonsensical items. Apparently, not only were the average Russian sailors totally untrained in observation at sea, but also their gullible officers seemed inclined to accept all sightings at face value. During the Dogger Bank incident, Hough notes that the Russian flagship at one point was firing on a British fishing boat only 100 yards away and continued to misidentify it as a Japanese torpedo boat! Essentially, the incident was a result of inadequate Russian training and paranoia.

The character of Rozhestvensky is addressed at length in Hough's account, but not as well as Pleshakov's newer account (Hough misses the presence of the admiral's mistress on the fleet hospital ship). During the long, tiring voyage, Hough notes that whenever delays or problems occurred that Rozhestvensky "always responded to this sort of frustration by fits of uncontrollable rage..." which is not an effective command style. As the crews suffered from declining morale, Rozhestvensky became sullen and withdrawn, refusing to divulge his plans to his subordinates. At the Battle of Tsushima, Hough notes that Rozhestvensky issued only two orders and that these lead to confusion and chaos in the Russian fleet. Lacking a real plan of battle, Rozhestvensky's approach to the battle appears fatalistic and reliant on luck rather than skill. Instead, Hough concludes that, "the Battle of Tsushima...was to be lost by the momentary hesitancy of a tired and wasted admiral who could not make up his mind..."

In one of the appendices, Hough includes the post-war account of Rear-Admiral Nebogatoff, who was the Russian second-in-command at Tsushima. Although Nebogatoff's account is very self-serving and designed to cover up his own misdeeds in the battle, he does make some valid points. According to Nebogatoff, the Russian defeat was primarily due to three factors: the deficiencies of the Russian warships and their crews, the poor leadership of Rozhestvensky and the choice of the route through Tsushima Straits. In particular, Nebogatoff criticizes Rozhestvensky's lack of pre-battle instructions and poor tactical handling of the fleet. Nebogatoff also asserts that if he had been asked his opinion, that he would have recommended a passage to Vladivostok through the safer La Perousse Strait. While Nebogatoff ignores the logistic dimension of this longer route, he is probably correct that more Russian ships might have made it to Vladivostok by this more circuitous, but less well-guarded, route. However given the fall of Port Arthur prior to the fleet's arrival in Pacific waters, it is unlikely that Rozhestvensky's poorly-trained armada could have reversed Russia's disastrous military situation even if more of it had reached Vladivostok.

Ballantine Version Used to Be 50 Cents.......2002-02-15

I can only tell you of the old Ballantine version of this book, a trade paper version of the first edition. A look at the table of contents ot this present edition tells me that this is a modified version. I do not expect that the central text has changed much, but there is additional material here. This is the story of the Russian Baltic Fleet's incredible odessey to the Far East to relieve Port Arthur, and its ultimate destruction at the hands of the Japanese under admiral Togo at Tsushima. The journey of the fleet was an incredible achievement in the days when ships had to transfer coal by hand. The facts that the hostile British did not allow coal to be loaded at their stations and that the Russians had to carry out back breaking coaling at sea (an unheard of practice) from chartered ships or in French ports where the local authorities would turn a blind eye (this was the period in which the British and French hammered out the Entente; so, all French help to their European ally had to be unofficial) make the Russians' efforts to reach the East seem super human. Hough did a fine job with this story in the first edition, as any who know his work would expect. This edition with its added appendicies must be even more authoritative. The Russo-Japanese war has meager coverage in English; so, this book is something of a must have.

The Perfect Naval Epic.......2001-12-20

The veteran naval writer Richard Hough made his name with this 1958 tale of the doomed Russian Second and Third Squadrons, destined to face oblivion at the battle of Tsushima (named after the small island between Japan and Korea whose name translates literally as "Donkey's Ears"). In a narrative style that would do justice to Joseph Conrad, Hough tracks the steady progress of the fleet through the Baltic, the North Sea (where, in firing upon the Dogger Bank fishing fleet, the Squadron almost began a war with Britain), to the West Coast of Africa, Mauritius, the Straits, Vietnam (Cam Ranh Bay) and finally the fateful Korea Straits. The astounding thing in this story was the fleet's sheer achievement in getting to the North Pacific: its voyage set new distance records, its unique at-sea coal refueling was revolutionary and the fleet's arrival at Singapore created an absolute sensation in admiralty circles. Hough also gives a graphic account of the terrible moment of truth, when Admiral Togo opens fire. Sterling stuff.

Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905

Average customer rating:

Corbett at his best
A skillful analysis of maritime operations

Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905
Julian Stafford, Sir Corbett
Manufacturer: Naval Inst Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Principles of Maritime Strategy

ASIN: 1557501297

Customer Reviews:

Corbett at his best.......2001-05-04

This is the definitive book on Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War. Originally a classified document in the British War Ministry it was finally published by the Naval Institute in the 1990's. Used as a principal reference document at the U.S. Naval War College. No longer available anywhere. Corbett provides a insightful contrast to Mahan in the examination of many core concepts on early 20th century naval strategy. The war itself is a perfect vignette on how a lesser power can defeat a more powerful foe given the right political and geographical situation. All the main themes of Land and Sea, Joint Military Operations are displayed in this too often overlooked "first" modern war.

A skillful analysis of maritime operations.......1998-04-17

Julian Corbett is a great contrast to the likes of Alfred Thayer Mahan. While presenting the Russo-Japanese War in an unbiased play-by-play way, he does not guide his analysis by mathematical strategies nor does he judge battles solely by their tactical outcome.

The more interesting Strategic topics covered herein are the ideas of "Fleet in Being," naval blockade and torpedo warfare. It is an eye-opening analysis for the way it shows the naval war between Japan and Russia as being in a far more precarious situation than anyone might have expected. Thorough and well-written, Corbett has produced a solid, well thought-out and intriguing analysis of the naval strategy of the Russo-Japanese War.

Maritime Operations In The Russo-Japanese War. 1904-1905. 2 volumes
Average customer rating:
Maritime Operations In The Russo-Japanese War. 1904-1905. 2 volumes
JULIAN S. CORBETT
Manufacturer: Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KFUW08

Book Description

In a friendly and entertaining style, America's Scientific Treasures describes hundreds of exciting destinations for the scientifically inclined traveler. The authors have spent many years traveling throughout the United States, and all of their suggestions are based on their own first-hand experience. The treasures they describe range from the unusual to the majestic, from the National Museum of Roller Skating to the Grand Canyon, and each has been selected for its high quality and educational merit. The book is organized geographically, spanning the forty-eight contiguous states, and the descriptions contain both travel details and lively background information. This guide will appeal in particular to armchair travelers, families looking for educational vacations, and anyone interested in America's scientific history.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT, USEFUL, EASY TO READ.......1999-07-15

I FOUND THIS BOOK VERY USEFUL AS I TRAVEL AROUND ON MY VACTION TOURS. I SUGGEST ALL OWN A COPY. PAUL

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