The Battles of Peace [Paperback]

Col. Michael Lee Lanning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 1995

A former army captain recounts his experiences struggling to prepare his company for combat in only eighteen months. By the author of Inside the LRRPs. Original.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Billed as "one company commander's battle against drugs and racial conflict in the war to rebuild the post-Vietnam army," this is less an adventure tale than a story of organizational behavior. A veteran of more than 20 years' service, Lanning ( Inside the LRRPs ) describes his 18 months of company command (1974-1976) in Germany in a pk longwinded narrative crammed with forgettable sketches of his platoon leaders and details only buffs might enjoy (the appendixes include lists of the company's equipment inventory and personnel). The army was in trouble: drug abuse and racial incidents were increasing, and the end of the draft meant that volunteers came from the "bottom of society." Lanning describes how he administered punishments to restore discipline, provided an "open door" to hear grievances and prepared troops for maneuvers. Eventually his company won battalion honor awards. Lanning notes that none of his actions were innovative; success requires only that one "follow the basics . . . well and with enthusiasm, fairness and good intentions." Moreover, he notes, "the real key to any long-term success is peer pressure."
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (January 3, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345483049
• ISBN-13: 978-0345483041
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,003,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A textbook course in leadership, June 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Stanwood, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battles of Peace (Mass Market Paperback)

In the days after Desert Storm, perhaps few Americans remember that the U.S. Army of 1974 was the garbage can of American society. Drugs, racial strife and indiscipline were rampant. Officers were often afraid to enter the barracks alone or unarmed. Captain Lanning took command of A Company, 2nd Battalion of the 30th Infantry in Germany in 1974. What happened over the next months can only be described as a textbook in motivational leadership: Lanning transformed a drug-infested, undisciplined rabble into one of the best units in Germany. He describes in his book how he used a combination of strict discipline and attention to the needs of his men. Lanning hastens to say that almost all of the techniques he used were old tricks. I feel he is too modest. This book is a testament to the importance of the junior officer and NCO in forming an effective army. He does not hesitate to criticize superior officers and the "feel good" methods that are unfortunately are making a comeback in most of the branches of the armed forces today. One can only hope that there are more Michael Lee Lannings waiting to pick up the pieces when this system inevitably fails. This book should be read not only by those interested in the military, but anyone seeking hints on how to be an effective leader.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for junior leaders, May 1, 2003

By 

Andrew Cowie (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Battles of Peace (Mass Market Paperback)

An excellent book for anyone trying to figure out how to be a good officer or senior NCO. There are plenty of books out there that go on about what this general did and what happened in that great battle, but VERY few books speak to what it is like to command and train soldiers. The problems of getting people to work for you, helping them through their problems, and at the same time building a team spirit that will survive adversity - real challenges that Michael Lee Lanning, a combat veteran in Vietnam who later commanded this company in Germany has met and overcome. You would do well to read his book and learn from his example.