War Dogs a History of Loyalty and Heroism [Hardcover]

Michael G. Lemish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996

The first comprehensive history of the military dog, the soldier's best friend. Covering 30 breeds of dogs used in combat from World War I to Desert Storm.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 284 pages
• Publisher: Brassey; Military Book Club edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739410733
• ISBN-13: 978-0739410738
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,025,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Lemish is the official historian for the Vietnam Dog Handler Association. As a military dog historian he has been involved with TV productions from PBS, BBC, The History Channel, History Detectives, and The Military Channel.

Due out fall/winter 2009 is "Forever Forward: K-9 Operations in Vietnam" from Schiffer Publishing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic on the history of dogs in wars, November 16, 1999

By 

dear.toni (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism (Paperback)

This is an intelligent and thoughtful treatment of a subject that goes to the heart of the ancient dog-human relationship. While there are many wonderful stories of war-dog heroism in this book, its greatest and unique contribution is its overall look at our use of dogs in wars since World War I. The book is compassionate without being sentimental, and historical without getting caught up in military jargon or minutiae. The writing is clear, straightforward, and fluid--it is a pleasure to read, and re-read. As an aminal writer, I have found it a valuable resource. The information is thorough and well documented, though never dry. You will be infuriated by some of the harebrained schemes the military (in the far-away upper levels) has cooked up over the years and touched by the depth of the caring that the trainers, veterinarians, and especially the handlers had, and continue to have, for their dogs. A wonderful book and a must for every serious student of the dog-human relationship.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you always wanted to know about War Dogs, November 29, 1999

By 

Robert Kollar (Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism (Paperback)

I am very glad to see this book back in print, after having been unavailable for several years. Mr. Lemish has written a wonderful history of service and sacrifice by dogs in service to this nation's defense. This is the benchmark against which all future books, written on the use of canines in military operations, will be measured. This study, thoroughly researched, with much newly declassified material, covers, in great detail, the story of American military's use of dogs from World War One up to Desert Storm. Although this is a historical study, filled with facts and figures, it is not dry reading by any means. On the contrary, "War Dogs; A History of Loyalty and Heroism", is filled with a wealth of interesting stories, anecdotes, and photographs that present the story of America's canine warriors in a smooth, easy to read style, that makes this book a very interesting, enjoyable read. Not "sugar coated", this book includes triumph and tragedy, the use and miss-use of American war dogs by a government that finally classified these giving, breathing creatures, as "equipment", subject to disposal. A fascinating,, yet sober, look at our both our governments relationship and the individual soldier's relationship with these wonderful creatures. This book is a must for dog lovers and military history buffs. A story, long overdue, finally told.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very worthwhile read., May 11, 2000

By 

Rosemary Thornton "Niece of Addie Hoyt Fargo ... (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism (Paperback)

Before reading this book, I had no idea how much dogs contributed to our war effort or how many lives they saved. This book really taps into the spiritual nature and intuitive sense and amazing intelligence of dogs.

It points out (one of hundreds of fascinating facts) that the Viet Cong had tremendous respect for these dogs and their ability, and the VC made the dogs a priority target because they were such a threat.

Every handler says things like "our dog saved the lives of every man in the platoon that night..."

It covers dogs in war from World War I (1918) to Desert Storm (1990's).

Dogs in WWI were used as messengers and to find the dead and wounded on the battlefield. The US government even made gas masks for dogs, which was quite challenging, because dogs pant to give off heat and the masks had to be designed to compensate for that unique attribute.

"War Dogs" also points out that dogs have the capacity to sniff out land mines with a greater factor of reliability than modern equipment.

The stories are well written and you will never look at a dog the same way again.