This chapter is part of the Field Guide series. For related material that is already published, see the linked chapters below.
Curated reading, organized by lane
A short, opinionated list. Books and long-form pieces first, then policy and doctrine, then technical background. Each entry is chosen because it helps a serious reader understand a specific part of the transition problem.
Start Here
2 titles
Book · Accessible · 8-10 hours
Unit X
Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff
Explains DIU and the effort to move commercial technology into national-security use.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Book · Accessible · 8-12 hours
The War for Ukraine
Mick Ryan
A military practitioner’s guide to adaptation and operational lessons from the war.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Ukraine and Sovereignty
3 titles
Book · Accessible · 12-15 hours
The Gates of Europe
Serhii Plokhy
A strong one-volume history of Ukraine and its place in Europe.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Book · Accessible · 8-10 hours
The Russo-Ukrainian War
Serhii Plokhy
Connects the present war to its deeper historical and geopolitical origins.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Book · Intermediate · 6-8 hours
Ukraine and the Art of Strategy
Lawrence Freedman
Examines strategy, escalation, and decision-making around Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Modern Warfare
3 titles
Book / PDF · Intermediate · 6-8 hours
Power to the Edge
David S. Alberts and Richard E. Hayes
Foundational work on networked command and decentralized decision-making.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Book · Accessible · 10-12 hours
Army of None
Paul Scharre
A useful introduction to autonomous weapons, human judgment, and military AI.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Book · Accessible · 8-10 hours
The Kill Chain
Christian Brose
Argues for distributed sensing, decision, and effects against peer threats.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Drones and EW
2 titles
Official resource · Introductory · 30 minutes
Counter-Small UAS Strategy and Resources
U.S. Department of Defense
Official framing of the small-UAS threat and layered countermeasures.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Doctrine · Advanced · 2-3 hours
Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The official U.S. joint-doctrine baseline for spectrum operations.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Acquisition and Transition
4 titles
Official framework · Intermediate · 1-2 hours
Adaptive Acquisition Framework
Defense Acquisition University
The clearest official map of the principal DoD acquisition pathways.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Video hub · Introductory · 45-90 minutes
How to Work With DIU
Defense Innovation Unit
Practical guidance from solicitation through pitch and prototype contract.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Course hub · Introductory · Self-paced
SBIR/STTR Online Tutorials
U.S. Small Business Administration
Covers program basics, Phase III, data rights, proposals, export issues, and partnering.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Research hub · Intermediate · Varies
Defense Acquisition Research
RAND Corporation
A deep library on acquisition reform, transition, programs, and the innovation ecosystem.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Industrial Base and Manufacturing
2 titles
Research hub · Intermediate · Varies
Center for the Industrial Base
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Current analysis of production, munitions, supply chains, and industrial capacity.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Official explainer · Intermediate · 30 minutes
Manufacturing Readiness Levels
Defense Acquisition University
Explains why repeatable production maturity must be assessed separately from technical maturity.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)AI and Decision Support
2 titles
Official policy · Intermediate · 60-90 minutes
Responsible AI Strategy and Implementation Pathway
U.S. Department of Defense
Core DoD guidance for responsible, governable military AI.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Official framework · Intermediate · 2-3 hours
AI Risk Management Framework
National Institute of Standards and Technology
A practical risk vocabulary and governance framework for AI-enabled systems.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Law and Ethics
3 titles
Official explainer · Introductory · 1-2 hours
War and Law
International Committee of the Red Cross
A neutral foundation for international humanitarian law.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Primary database · Advanced · Reference
IHL Databases
International Committee of the Red Cross
Treaties, customary law, state practice, and national implementation materials.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Official reports · Intermediate · Varies
Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
United Nations Human Rights Council
Primary UN findings and reports concerning violations in Ukraine.
Learn more (opens in a new tab)Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff
Unit X
A readable account of DIU and the effort to bring commercial technology into defense.
Mick Ryan
The War for Ukraine
Operational adaptation and lessons from the war in Ukraine.
Lawrence Freedman
Ukraine and the Art of Strategy
Strategic context and interpretation.
RAND Corporation
Ukraine Research
Curated analytical reports on military, political, economic, and security dimensions.
Serhii Plokhy
The Gates of Europe
A strong one-volume history of Ukraine.
Serhii Plokhy
The Russo-Ukrainian War
Historical and strategic interpretation of the current war.
Eliot A. Cohen
The Big Stick
A useful primer on military power and national strategy.
David S. Alberts and Richard E. Hayes
Power to the Edge
Foundational reading on networked command, information, and decentralized decision-making.
Cited sources
Every source below has been verified live. Independently verify before operational use.
- Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff — Unit XOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- Mick Ryan — The War for UkraineOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- Lawrence Freedman — Ukraine and the Art of StrategyOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- RAND Corporation — Ukraine ResearchOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- Serhii Plokhy — The Gates of EuropeOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- Serhii Plokhy — The Russo-Ukrainian WarOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- Eliot A. Cohen — The Big StickOpen original (opens in a new tab)
- David S. Alberts and Richard E. Hayes — Power to the EdgeOpen original (opens in a new tab)