I'm taking a meme from OPFOR and twisting it a bit. Instead of ten books I think a person should read, I'm going with the ten books that are currently at the top of my reading list.
The Anti-Federalist Papers. As the Administration's hammering of it's Big Government agenda leads to a renewed discussion of the proper Constitutional role of the federal government, it's nice to see the original objections to our current form of government.
The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlekauf. The first volume of the Oxford History of the U.S. I've already started this one - past the Townsend Acts, but not to the Intolerable Acts yet. Amazing some of the similarities between the late 1760s - early 1770s and today.
Empire of Liberty by Gordon S. Wood. Yes, two by the same author. The early republic, and the beginnings of individual democracy.
From Manassas to Appomattox by James Longstreet. Moving from the early U.S. to the War Between the States. Can't get much better than a first person account from Lee's 'Old Warhorse.'
Vicksburg is the Key by William L. Shea. The Western theater of the Civil War is underappreciated, and the Vicksburg campaign was probably Grant's best.
The New Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian. Something I've wanted to get into for quite a while. Once I master the basics, I plan on naming my first original HL brew "Clinger Bitter IPA."
Fighting Massoud's War by Will Shariat and Abdullah Davies. Currently out of print, but Ahmed Shah Massoud was perhaps the most brilliant of the 1980s mujahdeen commanders against the Soviets, and then the Taliban.
Monster Hunter: Vendetta by Larry Correia. Because too much seriousness makes my head hurt. Sometimes you just have to enjoy blowing up monsters.
