The Moro War

How America Battled a Muslim Insurgency in the Philippine Jungle, 1902-1913

By: James R. Arnold

Narrated by: Mark Ashby

As the global war on terror enters its second decade, the United States military is engaged with militant Islamic insurgents on multiple fronts. But the post-9/11 war against terrorists is not the first time the United States has battled such ferocious foes. The forgotten Moro War, lasting from 1902 to 1913 in the islands of the southern Philippines, was the first confrontation between American soldiers and their allies and a determined Muslim insurgency.

The Moro War prefigured American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan more than superficially: It was a bitter, drawn-out conflict in which American policy and aims were fiercely contested between advocates of punitive military measures and proponents of conciliation.

As in today's Middle East, American soldiers battled guerrillas in a foreign environment where the enemy knew the terrain and enjoyed local support. The deadliest challenge was distinguishing civilians from suicidal attackers. Moroland became a crucible of leadership for the U.S. Army, bringing the force that had fought the Civil War and the Plains Indian Wars into the twentieth century. The officer corps of the Moro campaign matured into the American generals of World War I. Chief among them was the future general John Pershing-who learned lessons in the island jungles that would guide his leadership in France.

Rich with relevance to today's news from the Middle East, and a gripping piece of storytelling, The Moro War is a must-read to understand a formative conflict too long overlooked and to anticipate the future of U.S. involvement overseas.

©2011 James R. Arnold (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

A Good Presentation on a Forgotten Era

This book provides a good presentation on the forgotten era between the Spanish-American War and the First World War, most especially our involvement in the Philippines. I found this book very interesting, not too far in the weeds, and not too shallow. I definitely recommend this book.

American history you never learned about in school

Very interesting story about amazing people and a forgotten war. Great for American or Military history enthusiast.

Good history with lots of modern parallels

Overall I enjoyed this book. It had a lot of solid info from a time I knew little about prior to reading. The narrator made the book dry at times but still bearable. Would recommend to those interested in the era.

Execellent Book

Would you listen to The Moro War again? Why?

Yes, very helpful in understanding how to win a counter-insurgency fight.

Any additional comments?

A must read for anyone with a career or interest in war-fighting.

The Moro War

This history is very important to me as my grandfather served in this conflict. I have pictures of him while there but elderly family historians didn’t know much his service there. This book filled in many of the gaps and also helped me to understand the bigger historical picture. My grandfather also served with Pershing on the Mexican border and also in France where he was wounded by exposure to poison gas. He returned from France and raised 9 children many of whom also served in various branches of the military. Not bad for a Polish immigrant who came over at age 15 !

a little dry but good info

I would say I'm part of the anti imperialist.

the background is after the spanish american war, in the treaty of paris, spain gave america control of the philippines (apparently you can do that) so most of the philippines had already surrendered to spanish rule with the exception of some southern islands of the philippines and the inhabitants were mostly muslim.

now the muslim filipinos thiught why if spain ever had control of us would we let america, and america couldn't understand why someone wouldn't want a foreign nation to control them.

so the book goes over the major events of the war and the key players.

was it important that the insurgents as they call them, someone who rebels against the govt were muslim? not really, maybe to sell books but the muslims in the philippines may have had more resolve then the non muslims when 1st the spanish came and then america.

I couldn't help but make the parallel with the propaganda of today with the propaganda of this war.

the conclusion was better then most with lessons learned and greater impact of the war.

interesting

It is interesting to learn about this time and place .. provides background to perhaps a better understanding of the present.

EXCELLENT!

I'm biased, b/c i'm a history buff who also happens to have been raised as an American in the Philippines, born 1959 in Manila, father born in 20's in Iloilo. but this is a great story, great storyteller and great narrator (who handled filipino place names and names better than most other palefaces I've heard try). GREAT BOOK!

rare topic of discussion

I would like a bit more personal accounts, but realize that's a tall order. still very enlightening

A solid read for an obscure piece of history

A very interesting depiction of the events in the Philippines from 1903-13. I hadn't heard much about it, but very solid presentation.