Observing Animal Behavior: Design and analysis of Quantitative Data, by Marian Stamp Dawkins.
A very informative piece that brings solid scientific principles into the sometimes subjective world of observation--or rather observation of the world. This gets into some of what I would like to spend the rest of my life doing.
U.S. Army Field Manual 1: The Army, Department of the Army
(The image used here is of an earlier version)
I think every U.S. citizen should read this one. It explains the doctrine, motivation, and goals of the army and helps us understand what it means to be part of the American profession of arms and why our forces take such a proactive role across the globe. Ever wonder what the army is doing today to protect our future? This document is available as a free download, distribution unrestricted and unlimited.
Bhagavad-gita, ancient Hindu text
This story tells of prince Arjuna, a man who marched his army to war but on the brink of battle grew disheartened while contemplating the loss of human life that was soon to ensue. At this moment, his charioteer, Krishna, spoke up and schooled the prince on Hindu doctrines and the pathways to moksha, or release from the cycles of incarnation and a return to unity and peace with Brahman. The path of karma requires a man to act within the prescriptions specific to his caste, nothing more or less. Arjuna, being of the noble, warrior caste, was responsible to rule and make war while maintaining his emotions detached. In summary, Krishna accused Arjuna of acting wrongly by letting his emotions interfere with his duties. Forget the reason for bloodshed--you are a warrior and that is enough reason to make war. With a surprising climax, Krishna reveals to the prince his true nature, as Vishnu, the god of destruction (among other things), with awesome power and a gaping maw eagerly waiting to gobble up the souls of dead soldiers. Arjuna then commences his orchestration of death.
I love that surprise ending.
Though the Hindu religion is quite more complex than this, Arjuna's story touches some central and most influential doctrines: the rigid caste system; the doctrine of karma and acting with emotional detachment; and what it means to be a yogist.
I hope you enjoyed my very own adulteration of the text. Trust me, if you got through the paragraph above, you suffered much less than reading the text itself. Painful, but necessary to understanding the religion. Consider yourselves educated.
Small Unit Actions, compiled and editied by Major Daniel B. Sparks
