I always love a John McPhee book, even if it's about something I never had much interest in, like the Swiss Army. But somehow he manages to make anything fascinating, and I cam away from this book with unforeseen understanding of the Swiss and what it takes to maintain neutrality in a world such as this one.

Eh on reread, may not finish. Swiss army. Well-written but pretty dull.t

Telling review of the Swiss Army, but it just droned on and on. A lot of work to get the gist of the story.

Not my favorite McPhee, partly because the topic wasn't as interesting as I expected. It got a little repetitive and I didn't like how much untranslated dialogue he used. It felt like the army he described: always practicing but never going anywhere.

Funny, breezy and interesting. I just wish they provided translations for some of the French passages.

A quick read in McPhee's trademark casual, informative style. Describes how Switzerland, without a standing army of any significance, defends itself, and why the argument that everyone in Switzerland has a gun has no bearing on the raging gun debate in this country.

I went back and re-read the last few chapters of this book and it made me want to revise my initial rating. It is an insightful, funny and detailed account of the citizen soldiers that make up the Swiss army and the vital role that the Swiss army plays in Swiss society (maybe most important, socially, at least among Swiss men). It is at once straightforward and hidden with mysterious little tidbits (like intimations of aircraft hangars hidden inside Swiss alps and an entire transportation infrastructure (bridges, roads, highways, etc.) rigged for demolition by the secretive "miners".

To sum up: enjoyable, highly detailed yet highly readable creative nonfiction from a master of the genre. 4.5 stars :)

I am not a fan of the rambling stream of babble the author writes in, however, when he finally has a point, it's a spectacular insight into the Swiss life. Knowing it is a 30 year old book, I cannot help but wonder what has changed since, but regardless, it was a fascinating look at the way another society operated.

Dated, but really interesting, read about the Swiss national guard. I'd like to be part of a reconnoitre group that brings wine and little wine glasses on training outings... and that the world knows not to mess with.

A fascinating book! I read it as part of research for a paper, but ended-up finding it very interesting. It's a little dated (1984), so most of the information isn't probably relavent today, but it is still very interesting

armed and ready and ready and armed

Timeless and fun, though it rambles a bit

John McPhee at his best is a wonderfully detailed observer of life's intriguing elements, both big and small. He's very much in his element with this account of the eccentricities and strengths of Switzerland's informal militia.

Lots of great eyewitness details. Much sympathy for the bankers, farmers and dental supply salesmen during their annual militia drills in the mountain.

That said, some 1980s anecdotes feel very dated. And the book was built as an extended version of a long-ago New Yorker article. In this full-length book, padding becomes an issue, as some sections rehash otherwise delightful points already made quite thoroughly 50 pages earlier.