Al Gray, Marine  The Early Years 1950-1967 Vol. 1 Most people know General Al Gray as the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps. His achievements as a transformational Commandant are legendary within the Marine Corps and the military services. However, little is generally known about his years as an enlisted Marine, junior officer and field grade officer.  In this book, author Scott Laidig tells us the compelling story of those early years in the life of a unique, charismatic Marine who rose through the ranks to the pinnacle of Marine Corps leadership.  Admirers of Al Gray, Marines who served under him and with him, history buffs, students of leadership and of the military, and readers interested in the Vietnam era will all find much to fascinate them in this book, written by a decorated Marine combat veteran of Vietnam. This volume covers the career of Al Gray from his time as a young sergeant in the Amphibious Recon Platoon, to duty as both an artillery officer and an infantry officer along The Main Line of Resistance in Korea and later while conducting special operations in Vietnam in 1964, through command of Vietnam’s northernmost outpost at Gio Linh in 1967, to assignments in the secretive field of cryptology.  The book is rich with personal and historical details, anecdotes and colorful episodes that bring this remarkable Marine’s experiences to life on the page. You will finish this book with a deeper understanding of the qualities that make Al Gray a revered leader with the US Marine Corps, and a true national treasure.  (Purchase Here)

Interview with author about book - Leatherneck Magazine:

http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/author-interview-scott-laidig-his-book-al-gray-marine-early-years-1950-1967-vol-1

Review in the Marine Corps Gazette:

https://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/bookreview/al-gray-marine-early-years-1950%E2%80%931967-vol-1

Review in Leatherneck Magazine:

https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/bookreview/al-gray-marine%E2%80%94-early-years-1950-1967-volume-one

A Life at Full Speed: A Journal of Struggle and Discovery

by Charles M. Herzfeld

Among computer science aficionados, Dr. Charles Herzfeld is affectionately known as the “Godfather of the Internet.” As Director of ARPA, the 1960s forerunner of DARPA (today’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), he was the force behind the development of the ARPANET, which ultimately became the Internet we know today. But what many do not know is the backstory behind this phenomenal achievement. The heady political, cultural and scientific milieu of that time was his element, and he emerged as a true high-tech legend. His numerous awards and honors include induction into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2012, with the title of “Pioneer.” Charles Herzfeld’s life story is an iconic American tale. Here, in his own words, is that story.

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Co-editors Timothy Sample and Michael Swetnam, along with a dozen thought leaders in the realm of cyber security, have assembled “#CyberDoc: No Borders - No Boundaries” as a preliminary framework for the development of a national doctrine for the cyber era.

Cyber technologies are an increasingly essential part of daily life for people around the world, and have fundamentally altered our lives in countless ways. The Internet is now as essential as any other “utility,” and is so seamlessly woven into the fabric of life that we rarely even think about it. At the same time, the vulnerabilities inherent in our reliance on the Internet are rarely discussed publicly in terms of our national security. Those responsible for protecting the capabilities upon which we all rely, as well as the security of the United States, have struggled to articulate and agree upon a doctrine to address these complex issues.

Several of the authors whose essays are included herein begin from the standpoint of nuclear doctrine, assessing whether concepts like containment, mutually assured destruction, and first strike are relevant in the cyber era. Other authors address our role as a nation in a world that is dominated by information and governed by its control. Indeed, we may already be “at war” in a sense that may not neatly fit into the established norms and definitions of war, and may not be bounded by existing treaties and agreements.

The goal of this volume is to raise and debate the issues that a doctrine should consider, and to begin identifying a broad framework from which a doctrine might be developed. It is intended to be the start of a critically important discussion on this topic, one that will inform and guide the development of a useful and enduring doctrine, as well as subsequent policies and strategies, for the United States.

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The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies is pleased to recognize the latest book edited by VP for Academic Programs, Prof. James Giordano, PhD, entitled Neurotechnology: Premises, Potential and Problems (CRC Press, 2012).  Prof. Giordano is also the Director of the Institute's Center for Neurotechnology Studies. Here's how CRC Press describes the new book: "Written by leading international experts, this text presents a unique, integrative perspective that examines how studies and developments in neurotechnololgy are both impacted by and affect the philosophical foundations of the human condition. As the first book in the series Advances in Neurotechnology: Ethical, Legal and Social Issues, this work establishes the current state of neurotechnology and defines the philosophical and ethical issues in neuroscience, neuroengineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, and nanoscience. It also specifically addresses core questions that are integral to the intellectual and pragmatic dimensions of the rapidly progressing field of neurotechnology." The book Neurotechnology: Premises, Potential and Problems has an official publication date of April 24, 2012.  Please note that CRC Press is offering a 20% discount and free shipping to customers who enter code 888FX at online checkout.