2008 CSAF reading list Published Feb. 15, 2008 By Gen. T. Michael Moseley Chief of Staff of the Air Force Washington -- Fellow Airmen, Developing Airmen remains one of my key priorities; to that end I've carefully selected each book on my 2008 reading list. Victory -- whether on the front lines of today's Long War or in the air, space and cyberspace surrounding tomorrow's foes -- will be determined in large part by the expertise of our Airmen. Lifelong education is a crucial part of being a professional warrior and professional reading enhances our warrior ethos. There is no room in our Air Force for anyone "too busy" to expand his or her horizons. That is why I consider professional reading an imperative for every Airman: officers, enlisted, and civilians. It is why I make reading an essential part of my day even as Chief of Staff. This year my reading list includes eleven books. I fully expect this will be a small subset of the books you read and the information you take in this year. You owe it to yourself, our Air Force, and our nation to continually increase your knowledge. My reading list is one small step in this direction. Every quarter this year I will highlight a few books from my list and explain why they are pertinent to your development. For this first quarter, I've selected three books: one from our joint military heritage; another on our mission, doctrine and profession; and a final selection from world events. The first book, Louis Johnson and the Arming of America: The Roosevelt and Truman Years, by Keith D. McFarland and David L. Roll, is an informative biography on former Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson. Secretary Johnson created a framework for long-term industrial mobilization during World War II and the early years of the Cold War that has still endures to the present. In fact, we face similar challenges today as the Air Force recapitalizes in this era of shrinking budgets and manpower cuts. The second book, Why Air Forces Fail: The Anatomy of Defeat, by Robin Higham and Stephen J. Harris, explores the complex historical reasons for the catastrophic failure of air forces as leaders struggled to properly connect doctrine, training, technology, and industrial output. This book contains pointed lessons that apply today -- fighting today's war while preparing for tomorrow's challenges to ensure we do not fail our nation. The third book, The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror, by Bernard Lewis, examines the historical roots of the deep resentments that dominate much of the Islamic world today. This book puts into context many of the struggles that persist across the globe -- essential knowledge for a professional warrior. Fly, Fight, Win!