In 1982, while a student at the Army War College, Paul K. Van Riper (a Lt. Col. at the time) wrote a paper entitled "A Self-Directed Officer Study Program." The paper included lists of suggested reading materials by grade and reference books for all grades. With regard to these lists, Van Riper commented in the paper, "Each of the lists has been compiled from recommendations made by experienced officers and noted historians as well as from bibliographies
contained in a variety of publications. The books on the lists should be considered as the nucleus of an officer's professional library. Certainly every officer should strive to add to these lists based on his own needs. He should set a goal to read a minimum of four military history books a year."
Van Riper went on to complete a distinguished, 41-year Marine Corps career, retiring in 1997 as a Lt. General.
