Military Misdemeanors: Corruption, Incompetence, Lust and Downright Stupidity (General Military) - Hardcover

Crowdy, Terry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846031486 ISBN 13: 9781846031489

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

Bungled cover-ups, acts of blinding incompetence, miscarriages of justice, sexual escapades and downright stupidity - the scandals which have helped to make the world's armed forces the much loved (and sometimes ridiculed) institutions they are today. Take an irreverent look at the public outcries that both governments and soldiers would rather we forget, from Julius Caesar's sex life and the frolics of Charles d'Eon, the fearless dragoon and noted transvestite to the sinking of the Kursk as Terry Crowdy delves into the darkest reaches of military sin and slip-up.
Packed with more than 60 military mishaps from ancient times to the present day, Military Misdemeanors shows that no military organization is safe from exposure. Learn the truth about Nelson and Lady Hamilton, the drafting of Heavyweight Champ Muhammad Ali, the sinking of Rainbow Warrior and satanism in the Royal Navy as we step back through the pages of history and see how corruption, bigotry, lust, vanity, incompetence and the occasional bout of insanity have colored conduct throughout time.

Contents include:
THE PROLOGUE "INIQUITY IN ANTIQUITY"
He came. He saw. He was conquered! The sexual escapades of Julius Caesar
ACT I "OUR INGLORIOUS PAST"
The Infamous Lieutenant Bird A murderer in King George army - The Transvestite Knight The dragoon war hero, who preferred ladies' clothes to his uniform - The One about the Cat The man who ate a live cat to get out of the army
ACT II "MANIFEST INFAMY"
The Fairfax Raid The abduction of a drunk general by Mosby and his Rangers - The New York Draft Riots Caused by an unfair Civil War draft law - Surviving Custer The scandalous behaviour of Major Reno
ACT III ''NOT SUCH A GREAT WAR"
The Mexican Connection Germany's attempt to keep the US out of WWI by getting Mexico to invade - With 'Snow' on their Boots Cocaine abuse introduced to Britain by Canadian soldiers during WWI - The Midway Leak The US newspaper's revelation that the US Navy was intercepting Japanese signals
ACT IV ''COLD WAR FALLOUT"
Un-American Activities McCarthyism in the US Air Force - The U2 Scandal Gary Powers shot down by the Soviets -
Drafting Ali Muhammad Ali and the Vietnam draft
ACT V "EVEN IN OUR ENLIGHTENED TIMES?"
Iran Air Flight 655 The passenger jet shot down by US missile during the Iran-Iraq War - The Flying Cow The untrue story of the cow that sank a Japanese boat - The Sultan of Spin The infamous Iraqi (mis)Information Minister

About this title

About the Author

Terry Crowdy has an unconventional background for a historian. Former bassist in a rock group, and a history enthusiast since childhood, he has long been fascinated by different aspects of military history and takes great pleasure in delving into obscure sources to pluck out the most astonishing and revealing stories throughout history. The author of a number of articles and books, including The Enemy Within: A History of Espionage, he lives in Kent, UK. The author lives in Kent, UK.

Review

"According to this humourosly outrageous work, corruption, incompetence, lust and downright stupidity rule the world of politico-military policy... This is a fun read." -Colonel Gordon W. Keiser, Proceedings (February 2008)

"Whenever possible, Terry Crowdy takes an entertaining approach to his material, which starts with the battle of Thermopylae, then marches through 2,000 years of Western history, gawking all the way." -Dave Gilson, Military History (January/February 2008)

"This book is a lot of fun to read as it discusses many military scandals (completely different from military blunders) and offers new information and insights about them...Military Misdemeanors is well written and an enjoyable read. It is a really great book, well worth checking out!" - Michael Koznarsky, The Gamers Closet (Issue 60)

"Terry Crowdy's Military Misdemeanors covers faux pas, bungles, acts of incompetence, and just stupidity - over seven such scandals are gathered under one cover and celebrate bungles throughout history, from Caesar to modern times. Massacres, battles fought over simple conflicts, and more are revealed in the exploration of military slips-ups, which will reach into general-interest collections as well." -California Bookwatch (December 2007)

"This is a book that shows how many ways there are to make mistakes or destroy your own reputation – all the chapters are quite short and deal with just one incident each so it’s a good bedside book too and [inexpensive]... Recommended." -John Prigent, Internet Modeler (November 2007)

"With such a variety of misdemeanors, it is hard not to find this book amusing and entertaining. Readers will certainly appreciate the lighter side of military history after reading this 320 page book." -Timothy Baghurst, The Traveler (October 2007)

"Terry Crowdy has not only provided us with a look at the idiots of the past, but as there are sure to be naysayers, has also provided references for all this. A well researched book on the foibles of those in the past and a book I know you will find interesting, shocking and at times appalling... A book I can highly recommend to you." -Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (October 2007)

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1846031486
• ISBN 13: 9781846031489
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320