46 pages • 1 hour read
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead
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Book Brief
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Middle East • 2000s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis and Bing West is a memoir that chronicles Mattis's rise through the military ranks, divided into the stages of "Direct Leadership," "Executive Leadership," and "Strategic Leadership." It covers his experiences from joining the Marines, to commanding major operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to his role as head of CENTCOM. The narrative primarily focuses on military history and leadership lessons, concluding with his resignation as Secretary of Defense under President Trump. The book contains detailed accounts of military combat and strategy.
Informative
Inspirational
Challenging
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
19,985 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis and Bing West has been praised for its insightful leadership lessons and candid reflections on military life. Readers appreciate its detailed accounts and Mattis's principled stance. Criticisms include a lack of depth in political analysis and its dense, military-centric language. The book provides a robust look at leadership but may not appeal to those outside military interest.
Who Should Read Call Sign Chaos?
Readers who enjoy Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis and Bing West are likely interested in military history, leadership, and strategies. This audience may also appreciate books like Team of Teams by Stanley McChrystal and Duty by Robert M. Gates, which similarly explore leadership and the complexities of military command.
19,985 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Bing West
Bing West
A Marine Corps veteran and coauthor of the memoir, who has a history of writing military-themed books and served in the Reagan administration as the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
John Kelly
John Kelly
A retired Marine Corps general and former chief of staff to President Trump; he is frequently mentioned in battle contexts and is known for his strategic insight in Iraq, particularly in collaborating with Sunni Tribes.
John Toolan
John Toolan
A Marine Corps officer who served as an operational officer under Mattis and is portrayed as having a close working relationship with him; he is credited with giving Mattis his “CHAOS” call sign and providing key leadership in several operations.
Bob Harward
Bob Harward
A retired Navy SEAL who collaborated with Mattis on multiple engagements, using his fluency in Farsi and experience in Iran to assist in training Marines and executing strategic military operations.
320
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Middle East • 2000s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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