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Notes by Daniel Ellsberg in the margins of In Retrospect The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam by Robert S. McNamara and Brian VanDeMark. 1995

Notes by Daniel Ellsberg in the margins of In Retrospect The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam by Robert S. McNamara and Brian VanDeMark. 1995

v, 340 p. 24 cm

v, 340 p. 24 cm

This thesis examines the role of communist special operations forces during the Vietnam War and the relevancy of the lessons learned from these units. The United States military, specifically Army Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy SEALS, were not the only forces capable of conducting successful special operations during the conflict. The People's Army of Vietnam also had a highly organized, well trained, and well equipped organization capable of carrying out special operations. This organization was the sapper arm, and it was composed of three separate types of units. The Urban Sapper was concerned with intelligence gathering, terrorism, assassination, and special operations in the large urban areas such as Saigon and Hue. The Naval Sapper was responsible for attacking shipping, bridges, and bases located near waterways. The Field Sapper conducted operations against deployed US and South Vietnamese troops, trained other communist troops as sappers, and gave the communist leadership an elite force for lightning raids. The sapper force had certain operational principles, organizational constructs and functional methods that set it apart from any other communist military element used during the Vietnam War.

Supplement included with an issue of Vietnam Courier, a weekly English-language newspaper from North Vietnam. Scanned from microfilm

Supplement included with an issue of Vietnam Courier, a weekly English-language newspaper from North Vietnam. Scanned from microfilm

To meet sequestration budget requirements for fiscal year 2018, General Odierno, then Army Chief of Staff, proposed significant cuts to Army National Guard force structure. His plan to cut heavily from the Guard to preserve active force structure is contrary to how the Army has handled past budget reductions. Since 1974, the Army absorbed budget cuts by moving force structure from the active force to the Army Reserve and National Guard. Maintaining that same force structure in the reserve components costs 80 percent less than on active duty. Outcry over the plan from Governors and Congress led to the creation of the National Commission on the Future of the Army which was tasked with objectively reviewing the Armys plans to rebalance force structure. The Commissions recent report recommends against most of the Armys planned cuts to the National Guard. Despite having a new Army Chief of Staff and a commission report recommending cuts elsewhere, the Army has yet to form a plan to meet sequestration budgets that doesnt rely heavily on cuts to the Army National Guard. Significant cuts to the Army National Guard will have long-term effects on the Army and the nation. The planned cuts degrade the Armys capability reducing its surge capacity. Surge capacity for military operations is increasingly important for national defense with the historically small size of the active military force. Most importantly, the cuts to the Army National Guard will undo the Total Force Policy, making it easier for the president to go to war without first setting an end state and seeking the support of Congress and the American people.

To meet sequestration budget requirements for fiscal year 2018, General Odierno, then Army Chief of Staff, proposed significant cuts to Army National Guard force structure. His plan to cut heavily from the Guard to preserve active force structure is contrary to how the Army has handled past budget reductions. Since 1974, the Army absorbed budget cuts by moving force structure from the active force to the Army Reserve and National Guard. Maintaining that same force structure in the reserve components costs 80 percent less than on active duty. Outcry over the plan from Governors and Congress led to the creation of the National Commission on the Future of the Army which was tasked with objectively reviewing the Armys plans to rebalance force structure. The Commissions recent report recommends against most of the Armys planned cuts to the National Guard. Despite having a new Army Chief of Staff and a commission report recommending cuts elsewhere, the Army has yet to form a plan to meet sequestration budgets that doesnt rely heavily on cuts to the Army National Guard. Significant cuts to the Army National Guard will have long-term effects on the Army and the nation. The planned cuts degrade the Armys capability reducing its surge capacity. Surge capacity for military operations is increasingly important for national defense with the historically small size of the active military force. Most importantly, the cuts to the Army National Guard will undo the Total Force Policy, making it easier for the president to go to war without first setting an end state and seeking the support of Congress and the American people.

Col Bill Reeder. Pow in Vietnam. "Extraordinary Valor", the defense of Charlie Hill. Support this podcast at - https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

The chapters of this volume describe several key insights concerning the Communist Vietnamese in the period 1945-1975. These insights relate to decisions that were made and events that occurred, from which can be derived lessons concerning the Vietnam War. By their very nature, insights are specifically focused on the people, places, and historical events associated with Southeast Asia in general and, in this volume, particularly with the Communist Vietnamese. Lessons, on the other hand, must have a more general application if they are to be of value in the future. The lessons from Vietnam are not new to warfare. In the main they are lessons from earlier conflicts that were forgotten, misunderstood, or misapplied. Not surprisingly, however, a few lessons were applied properly. Because lessons are general in nature they usually appear to be platitudes. So, too, do the principles of war or the observation of von Clausewitz, or Napoleon, or Sun Tzu. This executive summary sets forth some insights and lessons that emerge solely from this volume -- The Enemy. (Author)

By applying the lessons of Vietnam a new concept of operations is suggested which eliminates active interdiction by the U.S. military in the drug war. The current use of force is not furthering the strategic objective of reducing drug use in the United States, indeed, after four years of active military involvement, the cocaine market is saturated. The root causes of the war are not amenable to a military solution and the use of force is making the situation worse. This paper does not focus on the drug control policies of the United States nor does it attempt to analyze the organization or tactical employment of forces, rather it criticizes the operational concept which links the two. The problems encountered by the U.S. Military in stemming the drug supply are found to be similar to those faced in Vietnam. A strategic estimate of the drug producing region shows that military action spreads the production of cocaine, strengthens and diversifies the drug industry, and exacerbates political, economic and social problems in Latin America. Limiting the U.S. military to detecting and monitoring the drug supply will stabilize the price for cocaine and reduce the incentive to produce and ship the drug. Ultimately lower prices will drive down the drug supply and give U.S. diplomatic, economic and social programs an opportunity to work.

The chapters of Volume VII, the Soldier, develop a number of key insights and lessons concerning the US soldier during the years 1960-1973. These insights highlight a broad and diverse array of soldier-related problems and policies that developed in the years of the United States' combat role in Indochina. The insights are specific, focusing on the major themes discussed in the chapters of volume, including personnel policies and problems, racial discrimination, drug abuse, leadership quality, and careerism. The accompanying lessons, in contrast, while derived from the US soldier's experiences in Vietnam, are more general in tone, with wider application and greater interest to US military leaders and planners.

The Senior Officer Oral History Program (SOOHP) is sponsored jointly by the U.S. Army War College and the U.S. Army Military History Institute, as an educational service. As of 1992, this program includes over 2,000 hours of taped interviews and 100,000 transcribed pages covering 900 military personalities and special topics. This document is a handlist designed to aid researchers. The handlist is organized by project and its entries contain information such as the name of the interviewee, branch of service, year of interview, pages of transcript, name of interviewer(s), unit type, location of operation, and period of service. Some of the projects listed are topical oral history projects such as The Last Days of Vietnam or Grenada 1983. Other projects have titles such as Division Command Lessons Learned, Operation DESERT STORM, and Company Command in Vietnam (1981-1985). Two appendices are included: Senior Officer Debriefing Reports, and Combat Developments Command Debriefing Reports. (DB)

The 1st vol. of the author's trilogy, the 2d of which is No exit from Vietnam; the 3d, Revolutionary war in world strategy, 1945-1969

This is Book 1, Operational Analyses, of Volume VI, Conduct of the War, of the Study of Strategic Lessons Learned in Vietnam. The course of the ground war is treated chronologically in the first five chapters, reflecting the following: (1) US Aid and Advice (1950-1960) - often based on faulty perceptions of threat and the natural tendency to create an ally in our own image; (2) the Counterinsurgency Era (1960-1964) which resulted from the failure of earlier advice and support and the endemic political instability in South Vietnam; (3) America Takes Charge (1965-1968) - when the US deployed the best combat forces it has ever put in the field at the outset of a war, and a period when the massive US presence stabilized the military situation in RVN but deprived both the RNVAF and the GVN from learning how to stand on their own; also US and international public support for the war declined steadily; (4) US Phases Out (1969-1972) - when public and congressional attitudes made it necessary for the US to turn the war over to the RVNAF, and a period during which serious morale and disciplinary problems wracked many US units; (5) RVNAF Stands and Falls - Alone (1973-1975) - when US presidential promises for aid and support failed to materialize and the RVNAF proved unable to stand against the combined arms onslaught of the expanded and modernized PAVN operating from a superior geostrategic position. Air, naval, and unconventional operations are analyzed in the closing three chapters, and in each case the data and analyses cover the entire span of the war.

This thesis examines the role of communist special operations forces during the Vietnam War and the relevancy of the lessons learned from these units. The United States military, specifically Army Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy SEALS, were not the only forces capable of conducting successful special operations during the conflict. The People's Army of Vietnam also had a highly organized, well trained, and well equipped organization capable of carrying out special operations. This organization was the sapper arm, and it was composed of three separate types of units. The Urban Sapper was concerned with intelligence gathering, terrorism, assassination, and special operations in the large urban areas such as Saigon and Hue. The Naval Sapper was responsible for attacking shipping, bridges, and bases located near waterways. The Field Sapper conducted operations against deployed US and South Vietnamese troops, trained other communist troops as sappers, and gave the communist leadership an elite force for lightning raids. The sapper force had certain operational principles, organizational constructs, and functional methods that set it apart from any other communist military element used during the Vietnam War.

This thesis examines the role of communist special operations forces during the Vietnam War and the relevancy of the lessons learned from these units. The United States military, specifically Army Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy SEALS, were not the only forces capable of conducting successful special operations during the conflict. The People's Army of Vietnam also had a highly organized, well trained, and well equipped organization capable of carrying out special operations. This organization was the sapper arm, and it was composed of three separate types of units. The Urban Sapper was concerned with intelligence gathering, terrorism, assassination, and special operations in the large urban areas such as Saigon and Hue. The Naval Sapper was responsible for attacking shipping, bridges, and bases located near waterways. The Field Sapper conducted operations against deployed US and South Vietnamese troops, trained other communist troops as sappers, and gave the communist leadership an elite force for lightning raids. The sapper force had certain operational principles, organizational constructs, and functional methods that set it apart from any other communist military element used during the Vietnam War.

This Thesis, Vietnam and the Gulf War: Lessons Learned in the Utilization of Assets, was prepared during Advanced Topics in National Security Law: Legal and Policy Issues of the Indo-China War, Fall 1997. The paper examined the use of non-hardware assets by the United States military during the last two major wars - Vietnam and the Gulf War. I examined how certain non-hardware assets were utilized during Vietnam. These assets included the will and support of the American people, the American and world media, the American military leadership, the American military reserve forces, and the indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia. The paper takes a critical look at the effectiveness of such utilization; examining both the positive and negative aspects in all categories. Alternative proposals for the failed uses are then proposed for the Vietnam War. Finally, the paper looks to how America learned from our experiences in Vietnam and successfully used the same assets in the Gulf War. The conclusion shows that a major reason for the success of the Coalition forces in the Gulf War was the fact that the lessons from Vietnam were not only learned, they were applied.

The purpose of this book is to provide separate analyses of several of the functional aspects related to conduct of the war in Vietnam. Land, air, sea and river, and clandestine operations are analyzed in Book 1. This book responds to the Request for Proposal (RFP) dealing with the following subtasks: Intelligence; Logistics; Command and Control; The Advisory Effort; Psychological Operations; Civil Affairs; Measures of Progress - Keeping Score; Technology; and Allies.

The United States has been involved in numerous guerrilla and counterrevolutionay wars in its history. American policy and interests have chartered the course for our involvement in these wars around the world. The question then arises, that if American interests determine its continued involvement in guerrilla wars around the globe, do we have a military doctrine prepared to deal with this types of wars. The operational and tactical lessons learned in previous conflicts must be studied in order to form a basis for future doctrine

The United States has been involved in numerous guerrilla and counterrevolutionay wars in its history. American policy and interests have chartered the course for our involvement in these wars around the world. The question then arises, that if American interests determine its continued involvement in guerrilla wars around the globe, do we have a military doctrine prepared to deal with this types of wars. The operational and tactical lessons learned in previous conflicts must be studied in order to form a basis for future doctrine

This text book on the Vietnam War is to be used in teaching high students. Each of the volume's 12 chapters is a self-contained unit on an aspect of the War. The chapters are: (1) Introduction to Vietnam: land, history, and culture; (2) America at war in Vietnam: decisions and consequences; (3) Was the Vietnam War legal? (4) who fought for the United States; (5) How the United States fought the war; (6) When war becomes a crime: the case of My Lai; (7) Taking sides: the war at home; (8) How the war was reported; (9) Women's perspective on the Vietnam War; (10) The wounds of war and the process of healing; (11) Boat people and Vietnamese refugees in the United States; and (12) The Vietnam War: lessons from yesterday for today. (Approximately 240 references) (DB)

The chapters of Volume V develop a number of key insights and lessons relating to the planning for the US involvement in the Vietnam conflict. In addition to identifying the roots and origins of US planning and policy initiatives for Vietnam, this volume describes and assesses the efficacy of US contingency planning; the US foreign policy objectives and strategies for Vietnam, national mobilization policy during this critical period, the planning and implementation of pacification and Vietnamization programs, the planning and implementation of US combat forces withdrawals, the objectives and strategies of US negotiations to end hostilities, and the impact of the US's follow-on efforts in support of South Vietnam. The insights are specific, focusing on such issues as the need for maintaining clarity and consistency in directives issued by the National Command Authority which state policy objectives and strategies, the need for a mechanism whereby US foreign policy can be thoroughly reassessed on a periodic basis, and need for US leaders and planners alike to be able to sample or test the national will to keep plans and policies in line with their desires and direction, all of which surfaced during the planning of the war. The lessons, on the other hand, are general in nature and concentrate on the broad issues and themes discussed in the volume.

The author compares the Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War in order to apply some lessons from the conflicts that may be of significance in solving the current problems facing El Salvador. Both authorities, Malaya and Vietnam, recognized that the center of gravity in the conflicts was the separation of the population from communist guerrilla's influence, and thus developed a strategy based on this perception. Due to huge differences in historical, political and social background and the means that were applied to achieve the objective, and the different timeframes the conflict took place, the outcome of the strategy was a success in Malaya and a failure in Vietnam. The author strongly feels that the strategy remains viable and continue to apply that in El Salvador but modifies the concept of operations to meet the means available and also recognizing the period of human rights.

Note for the record covering Ellsberg's 1968-12-12 talk addressing US failures in Vietnam to learn from their experiences and errors.

Note for the record covering Ellsberg's 1968-12-12 talk addressing US failures in Vietnam to learn from their experiences and errors.

1969 marked the start of America's drawdown from the Vietnam War. Bloodied and scarred by its experiences in the conflict, the Marine Corps embarked upon a twenty year program to rebuild their force and reclaim their organizational ethos in light of developing threats to national security and changing social and cultural perceptions about military service. Despite some challenges and setbacks, the Marine Corps, by 1989, emerged from this process capable of accomplishing any assigned mission. This monograph argues that the actions taken by Marine Corps leadership during this period illustrate how the Marine Corps successfully navigated an ambiguous and evolving national security environment and emerged as an effective and agile military force. To support this assertion, this monograph employs a topical methodology of analyzing the ends, ways, and means applicable to the Marine Corps for the twenty year period in question. This monograph first studies three particular ends: the national security strategies outlined in the presidential doctrines of Presidents Nixon, Carter, and Reagan. Flowing from those ends, this monograph describes three historical events that reflect prevailing defense and military strategies during the period: the introduction of an all-volunteer military force, the botched attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis, and the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. Next, the topic of means looks at the manpower and equipment resources cultivated by the Marine Corps during the twenty year period. Complementing this analysis, a study of ways, or how the Marine Corps employed these resources operationally, rounds out a discussion of Marine Corps efforts to return to relevance after the Vietnam War. Collectively, an examination of actions and events applicable to the Marine Corps between 1969 and 1989, viewed through the topical lens of ends, ways, and means, tells the story of a deliberate rebuilding process of a the Marine Corps as a military

This volume describes and assesses the results and implications of the Vietnam War of the United States. Each of the five essays focuses on one particular area of concern: lessons of history and their use and importance for the making of future policy, the nation's foreign policy and role in the international order, the US domestic scene, the nation's defense establishment, and the region of Southeast Asia. All of the essays provide useful insights as to the results of Vietnam for these specific areas of interest.

This article is from Health Promotion International , volume 29 . Abstract Effective implementation of the WHO international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the key to controlling the tobacco epidemic. Within countries, strong national tobacco control capacity is the primary determinant for successful implementation of the FCTC. This case study of tobacco control policy describes the experience of building national tobacco control capacity in Vietnam under the Reduce Smoking in Vietnam Partnership project within a national capacity-building framework. In the Vietnam experience, four components of tobacco control capacity emerged as especially important to achieve ‘quality’ outputs and measurable outcomes at the implementation level: (i) organizational structure/infrastructure; (ii) leadership and expertise; (iii) partnerships and networks and (iv) data and evidence from research. The experience gained in this project helps in adapting our tobacco control capacity-building model, and the lessons that emerged from this country case study can provide guidance to global funders, tobacco control technical assistance providers and nations as governments endeavor to meet their commitment to the FCTC.

Noam Chomsky spoke just a few weeks prior to the 10th anniversy of the end of the Vietnam War. He covers a lot of ground in this talk, discussing among other matters, the true war aims, as revealed by declassified material, etc. Interestingly, he also compares the US war on Indochina to the American/British intervention in the Greek Civil War, just after WW II. He also talks about various other US interventions, such as in the Domincan Republic and Latin America generally. The second part, file 2, is very poor quality, but does complete the talk. If you have a better copy, please contact me.

125 pages ; 22 cm

There were 138 U.S. Navy prisoners of war repatriated from North Vietnam and returned to the United States during the period February through April 1973. These individuals had an extensive repatriation physical examination and annual physical examinations since their return to the United States. In 1974 authorization was obtained to select a matched comparison group for the 138 Navy repatriated prisoners of war. This (man for man) match was based on the use of nine variables: viz: (1) casualty date, (2) age, (3) year group, year of entry into the Navy, (4) job designator, (5) education, (6) marital status, (7) number of flight hours, (8) pay grade (rank), and (9) type of aircraft flown at time of shootdown. This report describes the details of the selection process and speculation as to why some invited comparison subjects declined to participate. The selection of a comparison group was effectively accomplished. (Author)

A well-known criticism of the United States military, and of other militaries around the world, is that they are always preparing to fight the last war. One way military organizations attempt to keep this from occurring is through a comprehensive system of military education. An objective of the professional military education (PME) system of the United States Air Force (USAF) is to teach its officers how to use air power more effectively in future conflicts. It can therefore be assumed that to apply air power effectively in future wars, the institution must learn the lessons of previous conflicts. The question this paper asks is whether the USAF, and specifically Air University (AU), put forth the necessary effort to teach the lessons of the Vietnam War. It will focus on the five years from 1973 to 1978. Although the purpose of this research paper is not to determine whether or not air power was successful in Vietnam, it must examine to some degree what the USAF as an institution believed it learned from the war. Only then can the PME curriculum be examined to determine how effectively those lessons were passed to future leaders. After evaluating the curriculum, the paper will try to answer the question of whether the USAF chose to emphasize only positive examples of air power s success versus examples of its failures and limitations. These questions are significant because of the crucial role air power continues to play in our nation s defense. If the USAF does not take a critical look at its performance in past conflicts, it will enter future conflicts ill suited to fulfill its role successfully.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [263]-302) and index

Includes bibliographical references (p. [263]-302) and index

1Ivanhoe

By Sir Walter Scott

Follows the fortunes of the son of a noble Saxon family in Norman England as he woos his lady, disobeys his father, and is loved by another. Set in late 12C England and in Palestine with Richard Cœur-de-Lion at the Crusades, it's another ripping historical yarn by Scott. (summary by annise)

2Talisman

By Sir Walter Scott

The Talisman is a gripping tale set near the end of the Third Crusade. King Richard the Lionheart is grievously ill, and all around him the leaders from allied countries plot and scheme to gain personal power, putting the future of the crusade in jeopardy. Sir Kenneth of Scotland finds himself caught up in events, and finds both his honour and his life are now on the line. Can a cure be found for the King? Can Kenneth redeem his honour? – Written by Rowen

3Rob Roy

By Sir Walter Scott

Rob Roy is a historical novel by Walter Scott. It is narrated by Frank Osbaldistone, the son of an English merchant who travels first to the North of England, and subsequently to the Scottish Highlands to collect a debt stolen from his father. On the way he encounters the larger-than-life title character of Rob Roy MacGregor. Though Rob Roy is not the lead character (in fact the narrative does not move to Scotland until half way through the book) his personality and actions are key to the development of the novel. (Summary from Wikipedia)

4Journals of Robert Falcon Scott; Vol 1 of 'Scott's Last Expedition'

By Leonard Huxley and Robert Falcon Scott

Capt. Robert F. Scott's bid to be the leader of the first expedition to reach the South Pole is one of the most famous journeys of all time. What started as a scientific expedition turned out to be an unwilling race against a team lead by R. Admunsen to reach the Pole. The Norwegian flag already stood at the end of the trail when Scott's party reached their target. All the five men of the Scott expedition who took part in the last march to the Pole perished on their way back to safety.<br><br> Robert F. Scott kept a journal throughout the journey, all the way to the tragic end, documenting all aspects of the expedition. The famous last words of the journal were: 'It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more. For God's sake look after our people.'<br> (Summary by Illiterati)

5Kenilworth

By Sir Walter Scott

An Elizabethan era historical novel by Scotland's master of fiction, Sir Walter Scott. With a cast of historical and created characters, including the Queen herself, Scott presents the sad history and tragic consequences of the secretive marriage of young Amy Robsart and the Earl of Leicester. (Summary by SK)

6Antiquary

By Andrew Lang and Sir Walter Scott

Illegitimacy, false identity, and bankruptcy are the major elements of Sir Walter Scott's 1816 novel, The Antiquary. Set in the period of the French Revolution, the novel's hero, Lovel, struggles to gain repute and the hand of his beloved despite his uncertain parentage. During these pursuits, he befriends the title's antiquary, Johnathan Oldbuck, who finds Lovel a captive audience to his scholarly studies and a tragic likeness to his own disappointments in love. Readers will discover whether Lovel's acts of bravery and courage ultimately earn him the birth and fortunes of a nobleman. (Summary by S. Kovalchik)

7Waverley, Volume 1

By Sir Walter Scott

<i>Waverley</i> is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, which sought to restore the Stuart dynasty in the person of Charles Edward Stuart (or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'). It relates the story of a young dreamer and English soldier, Edward Waverley, who was sent to Scotland in 1745. He journeys North from his aristocratic family home, Waverley-Honour, in the south of England first to the Scottish Lowlands and the home of family friend Baron Bradwardine, then into the Highlands and the heart of the 1745 Jacobite uprising and aftermath. (Summary by Wikipedia)

The narrative poems in this collection are written by Sir Walter Scott - the well-known Scottish poet and novelist. Each of these five poems are based loosely upon German ballads: rewritten in flowing English meter. <br></br> * The Chase - a.k.a. The Wild Huntsman - A profligate, noble-born keeper of the royal forest - avidly addicted to the pleasures of the hunt - cruelly uses and mistreats his fellow-men. One day God's messengers come to test him: executing sentence immediately in just proportion to the huntsman's responses.<br></br> * William & Helen - William - long thought dead - unexpectedly returns at midnight from the crusades to marry his betrothed. Helen - relieved at his return - joyfully agree,s after initial misgivings: follows him on horseback into the night. Approaching the church in which they will celebrate their wedding: it is clear to Helen that all is not what it seems. But, with their mutual love strong enough to transcend death itself - what can possibly go wrong?<br></br> * The Fire King - Count Albert never returns from crusade: having being imprisoned by Saracens. Rosalie, his betrothed, swears to leave at once for Lebanon to find him. Rosalie succeeds - but alas, all is changed between them forever: and their parting is death itself.<br></br> * Frederick & Alice - Frederick breaks troth and abandons the beautiful Alice: sending her mad with grief. But Alice contrives to meet her faithless lover once more: beyond the grave.<br></br> * The Erl-King - The Erl-King (or Oak-King) sings for the soul of a human boy: who cringes for dear life within the arms of his father riding home through the dreary wood. But do spirits really have power to charm away the lives of the living?<br></br> (Introduction by Godsend)

Scott's The Bridal of Triermain is a rhymed, romantic, narrative poem which weaves together elements of popular English legend using dramatic themes. <br></br>This beautiful poem celebrates the exploits of a knight errant - Sir Roland De Vaux - as he seeks to rescue (and hopefully espouse) a beautiful maiden, Gyneth. Gyneth is the illegitimate daughter of King Arthur: doomed by Merlin 500 years previously to an enchanted sleep inside a magic castle. The enchantment can only be broken by a rescuer both brave and noble enough to overcome the temptations used successively to distract and overcome him, namely: fear, wealth, pleasure and pride.<br></br>(Introduction by Godsend)

Harold the Dauntless is a rhymed, romantic, narrative-poem by Sir Walter Scott. Written in 1817, it weaves together elements of popular English legends and folklore using dramatic themes.<br><br>The poem recounts the exploits and the personal spiritual journey of a doubtful knight errant - Harold the son of Danish Count Witikind: who seeks to recover his lands and wed a suitable spouse.<br><br>Fire-breathing Harold is as much a stranger to love as he is addicted to dangerous adventure: yet his own confrontations with the spirit-world shake his faith in supposed omnipotence of the traditional Norse pantheon.<br><br>Can a blood-thirsty warrior like Harold ever feel the raptures of love? <br><br>Can a man born to cherish gods of war really wish to exchange them for a God of peace?<br>(Introduction by Godsend)

11Waverley, Volume 2

By Sir Walter Scott

<i>Waverley</i> is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, which sought to restore the Stuart dynasty in the person of Charles Edward Stuart (or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'). It relates the story of a young dreamer and English soldier, Edward Waverley, who was sent to Scotland in 1745. He journeys North from his aristocratic family home, Waverley-Honour, in the south of England first to the Scottish Lowlands and the home of family friend Baron Bradwardine, then into the Highlands and the heart of the 1745 Jacobite uprising and aftermath. (Summary by Wikipedia)

In stunning narrative poetry, the story begins during the time when Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick has been hunted out of Scotland into exile by the English and their allies. Bruce returns over sea from the Island of Rachrin: but is forced to land close to hostile forces at Artonish Castle on the seacoast of Argylshire. Seeking refuge from tempestuous seas, Bruce begs shelter from Ronald, Lord of the Isles: inadvertently on the day of his marriage feast to the beautiful Edith of Lorn.<br><br /> Bruce's very presence is enough to interrupt the nuptials and to break up the festivities: the guests quickly polarise into two armed and equally matched factions: one ready to raise Bruce to the Scottish crown, the other ready to slay him for desecration and murder. The combatants are dispersed with no bloodshed only by the combined offices of Lord Ronald himself, aided by a visiting Abbot: whereupon Bruce quickly removes himself to first the Island of Sky, and then Ayrshire: raising the an army willing to rout the English and re-establish Scottish independence. <br><br /> Bruce begins to win a steady stream of victories as his armies march inevitably towards Bannockburn. There, Bruce confronts Scotland's formidable enemy - led by the son of the Hammer of the Scots: the English outnumbering the Scots by more than two to one. <br><br /> - Can Bruce - the so-called fugitive, traitor, and turn-coat - succeed against the massed might of England?<br> - Will the beautiful Edith choose to side with her blood-relations - who fight for England; or with Lord Ronald, her betrothed - who marches to battle behind Scotland's Bruce? <br /> (Introduction by Godsend)

13Ivanhoe NL

By Sir Walter Scott

Ivanhoe is een historische roman uit 1819 van Sir Walter Scott. Het verhaal speelt ten tijde van het bewind van koning Richard Leeuwenhart en handelt over de smeulende tegenstellingen tussen de Normandiërs en de Saksen in de eeuwen na de Normandische verovering. De historische juistheid van het verhaal werd al meteen na verschijning van het boek in twijfel getrokken en Scott gaf ook toe dat het zeer waarschijnlijk was "dat ik de gebruiken van twee of drie eeuwen heb verward", maar hij troostte zich ermee dat "de fouten van deze aard aan de meeste lezers voorbij zou gaan".

14Lady of the Lake

By Sir Walter Scott

The scene of the following Poem is laid chiefly in the vicinity of Loch Katrine, in the Western Highlands of Perthshire. The time of Action includes Six Days, and the transactions of each Day occupy a Canto. (Summary by William J. Rolfe, ed.)

15Rival Pitchers of Oakdale

By Morgan Scott

Play Ball!!! It's the start of another baseball season at Oakdale Academy. But there is a rivalry brewing between the pitchers. One wants to be a starting pitcher, but he is inconsistent. Another, a new kid from Texas, has been mentored by last year's starter, and is proving to have talent. And don't forget that starting pitcher from last season, he wants to continue to take the rubber for the team. This should prove to be an exciting season for the boys! (Summary by Ann Boulais)

LibriVox volunteers bring you eight readings of End of Harvest, by William Bell Scott. This is the fortnightly poetry project for November 9, 2014.

17Monastery

By Sir Walter Scott

Dame Elspeth is kept in a tower after the death of her husband. The widow of the Baron of Avenel and her daughter seek safety with Elspeth in her tower. Hearing the baroness's deathbed confession, Father Philip notices her Bible. As he carries it to the Lord Abbot, it is taken from him by a White Lady. A sub-prior investigates this story and finds that the Bible is now back in the owner's hands. Later, Elspeth's son sees the White Lady when he snatches the Bible from a flaming altar. Intrigue follows intrigue. Halbert and Sir Piercie Shafton fight, and Halbert flees, leaving Sir Piercie mortally wounded. Shafton, however, recovers only to be accused of murdering Edward's missing brother. Mysie helps Shafton escape from jail. Edward has vowed to become a monk at the urging of the White Lady. After a battle between English and Scottish soldiers against Sir John's troops, Mysie is declared a suitable wife for Sir Piercie. The monks are allowed to keep their monastery. Summary by Bill Boerst, based on Wikipedia

18In the Village of Viger

By Duncan Campbell Scott

These ten superb short stories of Duncan Campbell Scott, published in 1896, portray humorous, farcical, and tragic aspects of life in the fictional Quebec village of Viger. Scott’s tales of the lives and vicissitudes of Viger’s inhabitants include an established milliner who is upset by the appearance of a younger, more popular rival; an innkeeper whose obsession with the Franco-Prussian War drives him mad; and a strange peddler with a carefully guarded secret that is accidentally revealed. <br><br> Duncan Campbell Scott was born in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1862. He entered the civil service in 1879 and remained until his retirement in 1932. Scott was an honored, skilled and popular poet, short-story writer, and essayist. He died in Ottawa in 1947. <br><br> For more information see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Campbell_Scott. (Lee Smalley)

An aging minstrel seeks who hospitality at Newark Castle and in recompense tells a tale of a sixteenth-century Border feud. In the poem, Lady Margaret Scott of Buccleuch, the "Flower of Teviot" is beloved by Baron Henry of Cranstown an ally of the Ker Clan, but a deadly feud exists between the two border clans of Scott and Carr/Ker, which has resulted in the recent murder of Lady Margaret's father, Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch by the Kers on the High Street in Edinburgh. Maragaret's widowed mother – Lady Janet – hates the Ker clan as a result, and is adamant in refusing her consent to any suggestion of marriage between the lovers. Summary by Wikipedia

20Woodstock, or, The Cavalier

By Sir Walter Scott

This novel is set during the English Civil War and the Commonwealth. It is comprised of real events, along with fictional ones. If you are looking for an adventure novel with romance and mystery, please look no further. This is Scott at his finest. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

A fun poem with a great rhythm . - Summary by Stav Nisser

22Black Dwarf

By Sir Walter Scott

The Black Dwarf is the first of the “Tales of My Landlord” series, which also includes The Bride of Lammermoor and The Heart of Midlothian. The third preliminary chapter depicts two horsemen arriving at the Wallace Inn in Gandercleugh, where one of the horsemen relates the tale. The story proper is set on the Scottish borders during the reign of Queen Anne. The Jacobite movement is in its infancy, but the inhabitants of this part of the country have enough to quarrel about without politics inciting them to it. Several families of high and low birth bear no good intentions to each other, and a weird, brooding dwarf, who wishes ill on all of humanity, seems to direct and perpetuate the mayhem from his lonely cottage on Mucklestane Moor. (tbragg)

23Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field

By Sir Walter Scott

Marmion is an epic poem in six cantos, written in emulation of the ancient Scottish minstrel style which was of such great interest to Scott. Unlike its predecessor, The Lay of the Last Minstrel, this one contains "introductions" to each canto, in the guise of poetic letters which serve the purpose of linking the ancient historical setting with Scott's contemporaneous society - a device which attracted some criticism.<br></br>The story of Lord Marmion and his arch-enemy Harold de Wilton is told with Scott's familiar swirling dark flair, combining a complex tale of intrigue, inconstancy and deception with the historical details of the Battle of Flodden Field, in which the English forces routed those of Scotland, killing the Scottish king. - Summary by Peter Tucker

24Romance of Polar Exploration

By G. Firth Scott

While stories of the Polar explorers and their efforts to reach the Poles have been told again and again, the constant renewal of expeditions adds, every year, fresh incidents to the record, until it may almost be said that the fascination of the frozen regions is as inexhaustible as the list of Polar heroes is illimitable. Nor is the interest confined solely to the achievement of modern explorers. However great the results of their exertions may be, the fact that, in spite of all the advantages conferred by recent scientific discovery and modern appliances, the explorers of to-day have failed to penetrate the uttermost secrets of the worlds of ice, renders more impressively heroic the struggles of the earlier travellers, whose equipment, viewed in comparison with that of modern man, was apparently so inadequate and often inappropriate. <br></br> No series of Polar adventure stories would be complete without a prominent place being given to the earlier explorers, and especially to that British hero, Franklin, whose name is so inseparably associated with the history of Arctic exploration. The account of his daring voyages and of his tragic end, at the moment of victory, has already been given in many a form; but the tale is one which will stand re-telling for generations yet to come. In the present instance it has been of necessity briefly written, but in such a manner as will, it is hoped, without loss of interest, render clear a comparison of the conditions under which he and his brave companions worked and fought to their death, with those that existed for later expeditions and especially the expeditions of Nansen, Peary, and Abruzzi. <br></br> The Antarctic, equally with the Arctic, now commands the attention of man. In the South, as in the North, the British race has again produced explorers who have fought their way into the icy fastnesses. From the time that Captain Cook sailed round the unknown southern ocean, more than a century ago, the British flag has waved in the forefront of the advance. The work which Sir James Ross began, over half a century since, has now been carried farther than ever it was anticipated it could be. By the voyage of the Discovery, the Antarctic continent has been revealed to within five hundred miles of the Pole, and in the gallant exploits of the commander, Captain Robert Scott, there are many who see a repetition of all that made the name of Franklin so immortal. <br></br> The source of the information on which these stories are based (as is frequently mentioned in the text) is the personal narrative of the explorer concerned, where available; and if the interest aroused in any of them requires more to satisfy it than the exigencies of space renders possible in this volume, the attention which will thereby be drawn to the more comprehensive records will stand as a slight acknowledgment of the indebtedness of the writer of these re-told stories to the authors of the original narratives. - Summary by the Preface

25Bride of Lammermoor

By Sir Walter Scott

An historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, part of the Tales of My Landlord series, published anonymously in 1819. Based on a true story, it is set in south-east Scotland and (in this edition) in the reign of Queen Anne, after the 1707 Acts of Union which joined Scotland and England. It tells of a tragic love affair between young Lucy Ashton and Edgar Ravenswood, her family's enemy. Lady Ashton sets out to end their engagement and make Lucy marry a man better placed politically. - Summary by Gillian Hendrie

Ivanhoe ist ein 1820 publizierter Roman von Sir Walter Scott und zugleich der Name der Hauptperson des Romans, des Kreuzritters Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe.<br><br> Die Geschichte thematisiert die Rivalitäten in England zwischen Angelsachsen und Normannen nach dem Sieg Wilhelms des Eroberers sowie die Spätfolgen der Kreuzzüge mit der Geiselnahme des englischen Königs Richard Löwenherz in Österreich. Ebenso sind die zur Zeit der Handlung existierenden Vorurteile gegenüber Juden dargestellt. Robin Hood tritt unter dem Namen „Locksley“ in Erscheinung. Die normannischen Gegenspieler Ivanhoes tragen französische Namen, weil der Adel Englands damals noch Französisch sprach (Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Maurice de Bracy, Philippe de Malvoisin, Ralph de Vipont, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf Herr von Torquilstone). In Abwesenheit König Richards stützt sich dessen jüngerer Bruder Johann Ohneland auf die Macht dieser normannischen Ritter und Barone. Gegensätze zur düsteren Gestalt des normannischen Tempelritters Bois-Guilbert bilden der Held Ivanhoe und die tragische Rolle der Rebekka. - Summary by Wikipedia

27Legend of Montrose

By Sir Walter Scott

A Legend of Montrose is one of Sir Walter Scott's <i>Tales of my Landlord</i>. It is set in the tumultuous 17th century during the Earl of Montrose's military campaign in Scotland. Allan M'Aulay and his friend Lord Menteith both serve in Montrose's army, together with the loose cannon Dugald Dalgetty. The friends are also both in love with Annot Lyle, a beautiful young lady of mysterious heritage. Will they all make it through the war, and which of the friends will Annot finally choose? - Summary by Carolin

28Guy Mannering, or, The Astrologer

By Sir Walter Scott

Guy Mannering is a young astrologer, just down from Oxford. While travelling in Scotland, he loses his way and unexpectedly comes to stay at Ellangowan, just as the son of Godfrey Bertram is born. Guy Mannering consults the stars to tell the fortune of the new-born, but as the boy is destined to face much danger in his life, Mannering decides not to alarm the new parents just yet. He seals his predictions in a letter and instructs Betram to open it when the boy is five years old. But even a learned astrologer could not have foreseen how the fates of Guy Mannering and the Bertram family are intertwined.. - Summary by Carolin

29Fair Maid of Perth, Or, St. Valentine's Day

By Sir Walter Scott

Henry Gow has fallen in love with the Fair Maid of Perth, Catherine, the glovemaker's daughter. To make sure that he would be the first person she sees on Valentine's day, he walks to her house at the break of dawn, and arrives - just in time to save her from am attempted kidnapping. Henry acts immediately to save her, but the attackers are not just some ruffians but well-born and well-connected. Henry and Catherine are drawn into the games and intrigues of the nobility, with little choice but to play along.. - Summary by Carolin

30Anne of Geierstein, Volume 1

By Sir Walter Scott

Anne of Geierstein, or The Maiden of the Mist (1829) is a novel by Sir Walter Scott. It is set in Central Europe, mainly in Switzerland, shortly after the Yorkist victory at the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471). It covers the period of Swiss involvement in the Burgundian Wars. (Wikipedia)

31Anne of Geierstein, Volume 2

By Sir Walter Scott

Anne of Geierstein, or The Maiden of the Mist (1829) is an adventure and romance novel by Sir Walter Scott. It is set in Central Europe, mainly in Switzerland, shortly after the Yorkist victory at the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471). It covers the period of Swiss involvement in the Burgundian Wars. ( Wikipedia ) </p>

32Journals of Robert Falcon Scott; Volume 1 of 'Scott's Last Expedition' (Version 2)

By Robert Falcon Scott

Captain Scott’s ill-fated journey to the Antarctic Pole in 1911 is part triumph, part tragedy – but also a mythic adventure story which has inspired books, articles, and films over the generations. As so often in such cases the ‘truth’ of the explorers’ experiences (and there were many important figures in the party besides Scott) is much more rich, varied, and fascinating than the boy scout stereotype. Few know for example how much time during the many months of the journey were spent in scientific researches which remain of huge value to this day. But what comes across most vividly in Scott’s fascinating and finally very moving diary account is the complexity of the man and his closest comrades who reached the Pole fatally too late (the Norwegian Amundsen has beaten them to it by many weeks), then died trekking home, facing tortuous weather conditions, dwindling food supplies, and that gnawing, bitter sense of defeat. Ironically Robert Falcon Scott is now far more famous than Amundsen: his triumph secured by history and by myth. For if Scott was finally an imperfect explorer, he was the perfect author of his own amazing tale. Scott’s account is introduced by Clements R. Markham, president of the Royal Geographical Society at the time of the expedition; and concluded by E.L. Atkinson, a member of Scott’s party and leader of the relief expedition which found the bodies of Scott and his comrades some months after their death in November 1912. - Summary by Steve Gough

33End Of The Day

By Duncan Campbell Scott

LibriVox volunteers bring you 13 recordings of The End Of The Day by Duncan Campbell Scott. This was the Weekly Poetry project for February 23, 2020. <br> ------<br> Duncan Campbell Scott CMG FRSC was a Canadian bureaucrat, poet and prose writer. With Charles G.D. Roberts, Bliss Carman, and Archibald Lampman, he is classed as one of Canada's Confederation Poets. - Summary by Wikipedia

34Night in March

By Duncan Campbell Scott

LibriVox volunteers bring you 8 recordings of A Night in March by Duncan Campbell Scott.<br> This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for March 1, 2020. <br> ------<br> Hopefully this Fortnightly poem will encourage spring to arrive. - Summary by David Lawrence