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War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism |  | Author: Michael G. Lemish
Publisher: Potomac Books Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $5.93
as of 11/21/2009 03:32 MST details
You Save: $10.02 (63%)
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Seller: owlsbooks
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 81045
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.9
ISBN: 1574882163
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.424
EAN: 9781574882162
ASIN: 1574882163
Publication Date: November 1, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Now in trade paperback, an eye-opening look at unsung canine heroes from World War I to the present. Terriers, shepherds, beagles, collies, huskies, and Dobermans are only a few of the breeds that have pulled sleds, searched caves and bunkers, and even parachuted into combat. Michael Lemish has collected true stories and rare photographs that reflect the strong bonds that have formed between war dogs and their masters as they worked together in dangerous situations. Anyone who has ever loved and dog will love this salute to these four-legged heroes.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
 War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism January 10, 2007
E. serrano (Pataskala, Ohio United States)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
excellent for the person that wants to know what happen during the war, and how we did as a country, sometimes sad but accurate
no training, or secrets, just history
 An Important Book November 1, 2006
Nancy West (New York, New York)
Michael Lemish's book is not only a good reference book for history enthusiasts, but it's also a very interesting read for dog lovers. In fact, I would say it is inspirational. Lemish combines a lot of educational facts with anecdotal material to make for a very interesting read. I learned a lot, not the least of which was a newfound respect for military K9's and their handlers and for the tremendous sacrifice they have made through the years. Thank you, Michael Lemish, for your thorough research, hard work, and inspirational treatment of this little known topic. I also think this is a good book choice for kids who are studying American history--especially if they have an interest in dogs and/or military history.
 Touching, poignant and inspiring September 25, 2005
Konrad Baumeister (Milwaukee, WI)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Michael Lemish's War Dogs covers the use of dogs in various capacities, working with the US armed forces from World War I to the mid-90s. The story is well researched, often touchingly told, and effectively illustrated.
The US military has, throughout its history, been more than willing to use whatever tool comes to hand, and to exploit it in order to save (American) lives. Dogs, it will surprise no one to learn, are trainable, work selflessly and hard, are intensely loyal to their pack, including humans, and don't demand much beyond an encouraging word, a scratch here and there, and a little food when the work is done. The perfect soldiers, one might well say. Besides being of (variable, depending on breed) intelligence, they are even outfitted with some capabilities, especially smell, hearing, and often a type of sixth sense for danger, which human evolution has neglected to develop or even maintain at earlier levels.
Besides the interesting overview of the types of work dogs were called upon to do throughout the wars of the 20th century - including running dispatches, acting as paratroops (!!), patrolling, bomb- and drug-sniffing - the author shows clearly the close bond that very often developed between handler and dog, a bond which the army was in fact not especially eager to see deepen. There is much pathos in the feelings of the Vietnam vets for their dogs, companions who are often credited with saving the lives of an entire platoon of American soldiers, when it is learned that the US commanders in Washington have decided to leave the dogs rather than bring them home with the men. Most likely the loyal and now abandoned dogs were killed and/or eaten by the local VC, who greatly feared and hated them. In a sense it is a very sad ending to an often heroic tale. Dog lovers may well get pretty emotional over it all. I did.
I rated the book four stars rather than five because the author concentrated exclusively on American use of dogs. A single chapter could well have related the efforts of other countries, especially Germany - both the Shepherd and the Doberman were heavily utilized in both world wars - to make use of war dogs. There is actually a monument in Germany to a war dog (Aschaffenburg) today.
Excellent chronicle of an effective weapon in war June 27, 2004
Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com))
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Dogs were most likely the first animals to be domesticated and they are unsurpassed in their loyalty and ability to smell. There is also something about a ferocious dog that elicits an innate fear in humans. I have walked by fenced in businesses with guard dogs and they have barked at me. Even though a very sturdy and high fence separated us and I knew they were there, I started and involuntarily hastened my steps. This ability to intimidate humans is why they are effective in prisoner interrogations and why we have seen them used in the infamous abuse of prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison.
This book is a history of how dogs have been used in warfare by the United States military, with a concentration on their role in combat and as security guards. Their history as guards is exemplary, military warehouses with a chronic problem of loss of goods through theft saw it end immediately after guard dogs were posted. The combat history of dogs is also good, but is more varied, largely due to human incompetence rather than that of the dogs. Unfortunately, the U. S. military considers a dog to be a piece of equipment, so there is an organizational mentality that considers them to be interchangeable parts. Each is of course different in temperament and training, so attempting to use them outside their parameters led to failure. Nevertheless, the lives of thousands of American soldiers were saved by the actions of dogs and many have been killed or wounded in action.
Despite the exemplary history of dogs in war, the U. S. military does not allow dogs to be awarded military honors and those who are unable to continue in their military role are routinely destroyed. However, there are some that have led the movement to honor the contribution of dogs, either by monuments, cemeteries or notes in the official records. They are to be commended, because as long as they are used within their parameters, dogs have no peer.
Currently, the war is now in Iraq and we have seen pictures of Iraqi prisoners facing guard dogs. The ongoing war on terrorism and against drugs could not be fought without bomb and drug sniffing dogs, so they continue to contribute to the battles being waged by U. S. forces of all types. From this book, you will learn the contribution dogs have made to U. S. security, and it is a story that is well worth reading.
Men and women's incompleteness with animals and environs. April 19, 2001
Edgar De La Vega (New York, U.S.A.)
10 out of 29 found this review helpful
Mr. Lemish's book is an excellent work simply confirming the ongoing follies of humanity against animals particularly, the noble dog. Bringing "man's best friend" into an atmosphere of war was and still is, a ruinous undertaking. Not only to these war dogs and their respective souls but to the soul of man as well. I re-state the axiom, "man's best friend" has been terribly violated beyond description.From a strategic point-of-view, it is one thing to have Spanish mastiffs unleashed against the defeated Indian tribes in the jungles of Ecuador, Peru or Cuba by the Conquistadors. It is quite another situation to lure German Sheperd dogs into the dangers of crossing land mines as they delivered messages for additional military support. Not to mention enemy machine-gun sniper fire etc. The brighter aspect to this work presents the need for humans to at least acknowledge what I call, the "forced accomplishments" of the military canine. And of course, to stop using them for direct-enemy contact situations. Goodness, who knows what unjustified sufferance may have taken place against American, British and other military dogs in the Gulf War. Obviously, such information will never be divulged in full to the international public. Simple-minded as this sounds, the elemental questions are: Why should dogs have to pay with their lives, I say "lives" again, for man's lacking sense of peace? Do dogs not have a perspective hence, a choice? In other words, what dog purposely dedicates itself to experiencing fear and pain? And, what does this say about mankind's lack of problem-solving the world's troubles to the point of bringing in creatures to take a bullet in the head for us or to lose limbs? Mind-boggling indeed folks, mind-boggling indeed when it comes to the manipulation of loyalty. The author has me thinking and feeling in conclusion that fighting for God and Country doesn't mean crushing your canine companion's heart-and-mind by the pressures of commercially-motivated wars. Quite un-Christian and un-Godly in general. Christians, Atheists, Pagans and others all believe in some sort of Higher Power - we all must literally let the silence of the day or night - speak to us all after putting down this book. I can only look to little kids being the "better adults" in their natural relations to the whole animal world. From there, in one of many instances - we can learn to care a bit more. "War Dogs" should be read by everyone, not just the owners of their best and loving friend.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
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