MWI Book Club Castos https://mwi-book-club.castos.com 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. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:04:28 +0000 en © 2026 https://episodes.castos.com/5de8282033baf4-72953531/images/MWI-Book-Club-logo.jpg MWI Book Club https://mwi-book-club.castos.com 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. John Amble and Theo Lipsky episodic 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. Modern War Institute at West Point johnamble@gmail.com false https://feeds.castos.com/ojw73 yes <![CDATA[Defeat Into Victory]]> Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:04:28 +0000 John Amble and Theo Lipsky https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/70825/episode/2556291 https://mwi-book-club.castos.com/episodes/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. 

]]> full false 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. 

]]> 01:32:44 <![CDATA[The Caine Mutiny]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:57:22 +0000 John Amble and Theo Lipsky https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/70825/episode/2511699 https://mwi-book-club.castos.com/episodes/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
]]> full false 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.

]]> 01:26:02 <![CDATA[Introducing the MWI Book Club]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:14:20 +0000 John Amble and Theo Lipsky https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/70825/episode/2509434 https://mwi-book-club.castos.com/episodes/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
]]> trailer false 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!

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