PDF Some Thoughts on Scouts and Spies: Based upon the experiences of the author and historical observation by Gerry Barker in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. good information; glad I got itBy RKWInteresting read ; good information; glad I got it.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. good basic primer on Military ScoutingBy gt surber"Some Thoughts on Scouts and Spies" is exactly what the title says - a collection of thoughts on military scouting. Gerry Baker further states in "Author's Preface" that "My hope for this book is that it can be a starting point from which better minds than mine can begin to collect a body of information on the skills of frontier warfare." But Mr. Baker succeeds in much more that that.This book is not a treatise on the skills of a surviving the wilderness (cord; fire; shelter; clothing; food; water). It is not a complete treatise on military scouting. But it is an excellent introduction to the concept of military scouting (all around security; silent movement and concealment; gathering information.) This is a good; concise outline of what being a Scout in older models of military than our modern arm means. There is an emphasis on our own US frontier military which is the author's interest. This book establishes a basic attitude about being a military Scout. And as such it does an excellent job.If you are looking for details on the actual skills of a Scout; you will have to look elsewhere. If you are looking for war stories; you will have to look elsewhere. If you are looking for the skills of the old long hunt (collecting skins etc over 1 - 2 years or exploring like Lewis and Clark) you will have to look elsewhere. If you are looking for suggestions to improve your hunting skills; you will have to look elsewhere. This book is an attitude adjustment book.I would use this book as an introduction to a course on military scouting as it lays down what to really expect while "making austere uncomfortable movement through the roughest terrain while seeking an enemy who is looking for"[you]. It would also be very useful in setting expectations in military re-enactments that go to this extreme. I feel including "Major Robert Rogers; His Rules for Ranging Service" greatly furthers the purpose of the book. These rules lay down real life expectations of the Scout.This book can also be considered a tentative outline for a much more complete treatment of US Frontier Military Scouting. I hope that Mr. Baker finds the confidence to write that book for I suspect he has the knowledge.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great small book. Get it.By shootn'scootAn excellent book worth the money. The writer speaks in a simple effective voice; and I picked up several good scouting tips. He covers both small-unit and individual scouting. I suspect he nailed the true mental attitude of a real woodland scout: tired; scared; uncomfortable and focused. The book's cover-art captures the spirit of the book. Looking closely; you can see the scout's eyes are wide with fear.