Snafu: Great American Military Disasters

by Geoffrey Regan

Fascinating, frightening and amazing by turns, Snafu details the military blunders and costly errors of Americans in battle from the 2700s to the Persian Gulf War. British historian Geoffrey Regan takes a sobering look at 18 famous battles and reveals what went sadly awry. Includes 8-page photo insert.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction

295 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Geoffrey Regan is an English military historian, former senior school teacher and broadcaster.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively classic compilation of military mishaps. The scope of the book changes as it progresses however from mostly tactical judgement errors by commanders to much larger mistakes at operational and policy making levels. The list of sources consulted is underwhelming.

[Jansen Wee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A waste of my reading time. Contains articles that are not supposed to be what the title (or secondary title) suggests. Its supposed to be a compendium of American military disasters, but some of the disasters depict the failures of American enemies and not the US forces. The most ridiculous was the inclusion of the French failure to stop the German panzer advance in 1940, which had absolutely no American involvement at all! The cover also mentioned Custer's last stand but this was conspicuously absent, ...... as was Pearl Harbor. But at least I know that this nonsense book to throw away if I need to trim my collection.

[Mike Prochot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Interesting if odd collection of failed or faulty military campaigns in the Americas from the 1700's to the first Gulf War.

Too contrite at times but does add some perspective on the battles included in the book. NOT all-inclusive by any means. Not worth reading if you are looking for details. If you are, all of the battles included in this book have been well researched and a simple google search will turn up individual books dedicated to them or the wars they were part of.

[Linda Litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many things that happen in the jungles and at sea. some of these stories are closer to the truth than the authors know. I really like Blackwater. there are things in the ocean people have never seen (or heard).
thanks to all the authors. I look forward to your next compilation.