MWI Book Club

John Amble and Theo Lipsky
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The MWI Book Club is based on the premise that an army that reads is a better prepared, more effective, and more lethal fighting force. In each episode, the show's hosts choose one book—fiction or nonfiction, new or old, cult classic or bestseller—and extract its lessons for modern warfighters.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Defeat Into Victory

    In 1942, the Japanese Army dealt the Allies a humiliating defeat in Burma. By 1945, the British 14th Army—a formation of such low priority its soldiers called it the Forgotten Army—had retaken the country. How did this extraordinary reversal happen? Join MWI Book Club cohosts John Amble and Theo Lipsky as they look for answers in the memoir of the officer who led Allied troops through it all. His name was Field Marshal William Slim, and his memoir is called Defeat into Victory. Don't hesitate to let us know what you think of the Burma Campaign, Slim's leadership, and what books you'd like us to read next.  Chapters (00:00:00) - Book Club(00:00:36) - The Book Club: Defeat Into Victory(00:01:12) - The Life of Viscount William Slim(00:02:59) - Defeating In Burma: A Military History(00:06:29) - Notes on 'Battle of Burma'(00:08:08) - Why Burma mattered in the War(00:11:41) - William Slim: The Battle of Burma(00:13:57) - Battle of the Satang Bridge(00:21:40) - The Art of Retreating(00:31:18) - Defeat Into Victory, Part 3(00:35:17) - Battle of Burma, First Half(00:42:34) - Battle of Burma, Part 2(00:48:58) - Battle of Burma: The Logistics Challenges(00:53:15) - Jute Para-lights(00:53:51) - Three Things That Deterred the Japanese(00:55:06) - William Slim on Morale(01:00:05) - Battle of Imphal and the Battle of Kohima(01:13:00) - The Battle for Burma(01:17:01) - Post-Independence: The Future of War(01:20:01) - Command Relationships during the First World War(01:20:44) - Slim's Battle for Burma(01:25:07) - William Slim: His Saved Rounds(01:28:18) - Bonus Read: Dynamo Triumph and Tragedy in Nazi Occupied(01:31:10) - The Book Club

  2. Jul 1

    The Caine Mutiny

    Welcome to the MWI Book Club, a podcast dedicated to the proposition that a military that reads books is a military that wins wars. This first episode considers a classic of World War II fiction—Herman Wouk's Pulitzer Prize–winning bestseller, The Caine Mutiny. Join cohosts John Amble and Theo Lipsky as they consider what The Caine Mutiny can teach us today about the meaning of command, loyalty, and military service. Don't hesitate to let us know what you think and what books you'd like us to read and discuss next. Chapters (00:00:06) - The Book Club(00:00:36) - The Book Club(00:01:38) - Introducing the Book Review Podcast(00:02:33) - The Cane Mutiny(00:05:29) - The Kane Mutiny: A Literary Review(00:08:56) - The Misfits: The Kane Mutiny(00:11:25) - The Mind Sweeper, Book 1(00:14:36) - Willie Keith in the Navy, Part 1(00:19:21) - On a Mine-Seeking Ship(00:20:28) - The Navy in Slaughterhouse(00:25:25) - Willy's First Year in the Army(00:26:17) - The New Order: Sailing Under Captain Quig(00:30:11) - The Right Way to Loyally Serve(00:31:50) - Captain Quig's Four Ways of Doing Things(00:32:50) - The Cane: A Novel Review(00:39:03) - The Right to Dissent(00:42:38) - The Battle of the Coral Sea(00:45:11) - The Battle of the Philippine Islands(00:50:33) - The Making of The Mutiny(00:54:26) - The Court Martial of the Mutineers(00:56:42) - The Navy Court Martial: A Review(01:05:43) - The Color of Command: A Novel(01:10:30) - The Code of the Cane(01:13:59) - Final Thoughts on The typhoon(01:16:54) - Herman Wolk(01:18:54) - Book Review(01:22:12) - The Cane Mutiny(01:25:22) - The Book Club

  3. Jun 29

    Introducing the MWI Book Club

    Welcome to the MWI Book Club, a new podcast from the Modern War Institute at West Point. The podcast is based on a simple premise—that an army that reads is a better prepared, more effective, and more lethal fighting force. In each episode, the show's hosts choose one book—fiction or nonfiction, new or old, cult classic or bestseller—and extract its lessons for modern warfighters. Military reading lists tell you what to read. The MWI Book Club helps you get the most out of each book. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Chapters (00:00:12) - The MWI Book Club

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About

The MWI Book Club is based on the premise that an army that reads is a better prepared, more effective, and more lethal fighting force. In each episode, the show's hosts choose one book—fiction or nonfiction, new or old, cult classic or bestseller—and extract its lessons for modern warfighters.

Information

  • Creator
    John Amble and Theo Lipsky
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    MWI Book Club