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Phantom Soldier: The Enemy's Answer to U.S. Firepower

ISBN 0963869558

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This is what the critics have said:

“This book suggests [that] recorded history can . . . change as one comes to better know his highly deceptive opponent. It talks about what goes on at the nitty-gritty level of infantry combat.”
— Armor Magazine (January-February 2004)

“The Eastern warrior, a master of stealth, deception, and flexibility-as characterized in the thought-provoking Phantom Soldier-and his tactics, are worth of study and possible emulation.”
— Infantry Magazine (Winter 2003)

“An interesting summary of how Asian forces . . . fight battles.”
— Military Review magazine

“Acompelling look at the enemy.  Book written for small-unit leader.”
— Camp Lejune Globe

“Although . . . written prior to Sept. 11, 2001, much of its content is prophetic for the battle . . . in Afghanistan today. . . . [It] can help every infantryman . . . deal . . . with asymmetric conflict.”
— Special Warfare Magazine (June 2002)

“This affordable book needs to be read by all combat arms soldiers, all special operators, and all generals.”
— Army Magazine, December 2001

“The author . . . has filled the . . . gap . . . in small-unit leaders’ training.
— Leatherneck Magazine, March 2002

“Well-researched and authoritative, the book describes the differences between Eastern and Western military traditions.”
— Newport News Daily Press, 6 January 2002

“Book teaches . . . individual and small-unit survival skills.”
— Camp Pendleton Scout, 1 November 2001

“[A] must for all those who . . . meet the reality of . . . 21st century [war].”
— Fort Myers Pentagram, 30 November 2001

“John Poole . . . has studied how Asian armies . . . fought in previous wars, and says Western armies need to pay attention.”
— Fayetteville (NC) Observer, 28 October 2001

“Phantom Soldier makes exciting reading for [the] rear-area defender, student infantryman, and armchair warrior.” 
— Military Illustrated (Issue 158)

“By revealing how Eastern soldiers . . . hold . . . without resupply, tanks, or air support, Phantom Soldier shows what U.S. infantrymen must do to survive the more lethal weaponry of the 21st century.”
— Command Magazine (Issue 55)

“Both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps should make this fine book required reading for all small-unit leaders.”
— Col. H. David Hackworth U.S. Army (Ret.)

Phantom Soldier:  The Enemy’s Answer to U.S. Firepower may be the best treatise on Oriental warfare ever produced in the West.  Well researched and illustrated, it sheds new light on what an Eastern infantry unit can do in combat:  (1) alternate between guerrilla, mobile, and positional warfare; (2) use “ordinary forces” to engage and “extraordinary forces” to beat an opponent; and then (3) run away when fighting holds no more strategic import.  While what occurred in history does not change, one’s perception of it does — as he comes to better understand his former adversary.  Well versed in the Asian arts of deception and delay, the author explains in detail what really occurred at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, and other Vietnam battlefields.  It would seem that former adversaries have used strategic retreat and tactical withdrawal not only to save their soldiers, but also to undermine U.S. resolve.  By revealing how Eastern soldiers could hold their own without resupply, tanks, or air support, Phantom Soldier shows what U.S. infantrymen must do to survive the more lethal weaponry of the 21st century.  This is must reading for any combat leader or concerned citizen.

". . . presents the Oriental way of war . . . understandably. If official [U.S.] field manuals remain largely unimaginative and uninspired, there is no reason [American] squad leaders and platoon and company commanders must let their own tactics and techniques be set-piece and predictable. Here, as in his previous books, John Poole offers a better way."

William S. Lind author of Maneuver Warfare Handbook 

". . . looks - through the eyes of the enemy - at Iwo Jima, Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, and other battles in Vietnam. The code to Oriental infantry tactics has finally been broken." 

Col. Robert V. Kane U.S. Army (Ret.) publisher emeritus, Presidio Press

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