
The Moro War
How America Battled a Muslim Insurgency in the Philippine Jungle, 1902-1913
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Mark Ashby
-
By:
-
James R. Arnold
About this listen
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.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
History of the Philippines
- A Captivating Guide to Philippine History
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
- Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the fascinating Philippines in this captivating audiobook on its history, from the origins of the archipelago’s first peoples until modern times. The Philippines is possibly the most intriguing nation of maritime Southeast Asia. The archipelago has almost 8,000 islands that form the apex of the Coral Triangle of the Asian Pacific, as well as abundant marine life that constitutes almost half of this magnificent area’s oceanic megadiversity.
-
-
Horrible…dated “history” from the perspective of colonizers
- By Ericka Black on 06-29-23
-
The Philippine-American War
- A Captivating Guide to the Philippine Insurrection That Started When the United States of America Claimed Possession of the Philippines After the Spanish-American War
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
- Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Philippine-American War of 1899-1902 was a dramatic, world-changing conflict that shaped the century to come and revealed the early stirrings of America’s drive for global power. The conflict and its aftershocks continue to influence the Philippines and the wider region to this day, leaving a legacy of governance, society, and economic organization.
-
-
America is a racist country....blah blah blah....
- By jabba53e on 02-01-23
-
Jungle of Snakes
- A Century of Counterinsurgency Warfare from the Philippines to Iraq
- By: James R. Arnold
- Narrated by: Mark Ashby
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The end of the Cold War promised a new era of international peace. But instead, violence has proliferated across the globe, not in the form of a superpower arms race or a clash of armies, but in bitter local conflicts marked by terrorism, insurgency, and guerrilla warfare. Former Central Intelligence Agency director James Woolsey likened the post-Cold-War world to "a jungle full of snakes". The emergence of this new, potentially never-ending struggle has forced our military to reevaluate strategies or risk losing hearts, minds, and soldiers the world over.
-
-
Some Lessons
- By Amazon Customer on 10-02-16
By: James R. Arnold
-
Filipino Mythology Collection (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- Discover the mysterious folklore, folk tales, myths and legends of the Philippines as well as the rich history the Pinoy
- By: Clara Kern Bayliss, Mabel Cook Cole, John Maurice Miller
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Filipinos have very interesting creatures that lurk within their myths and legends. This great collection will dive into famous as well as lesser known tales. Enjoy!
-
-
A Painful Listen
- By Limegreen on 04-02-24
By: Clara Kern Bayliss, and others
-
African Kaiser
- General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918
- By: Robert Gaudi
- Narrated by: Paul Hodgson
- Length: 18 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the continent of Africa was a hotbed of international trade, colonialism, and political gamesmanship. So when World War I broke out, the European powers were forced to contend with each other not just in the bloody trenches - but in the treacherous jungle. And it was in that unforgiving land that General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck would make history.
-
-
Well Written, Well Read, Well Done!
- By Matthew on 02-25-17
By: Robert Gaudi
-
Hue 1968
- A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam
- By: Mark Bowden
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By January 1968, despite an influx of half a million American troops, the fighting in Vietnam seemed to be at a stalemate. Yet General William Westmoreland, commander of American forces, announced a new phase of the war in which "the end begins to come into view". The North Vietnamese had different ideas. In mid-1967, the leadership in Hanoi had started planning an offensive intended to win the war in a single stroke.
-
-
I KNEW This Book Would Sting Me . . . .
- By Rum Runner on 07-28-17
By: Mark Bowden
-
History of the Philippines
- A Captivating Guide to Philippine History
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
- Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the fascinating Philippines in this captivating audiobook on its history, from the origins of the archipelago’s first peoples until modern times. The Philippines is possibly the most intriguing nation of maritime Southeast Asia. The archipelago has almost 8,000 islands that form the apex of the Coral Triangle of the Asian Pacific, as well as abundant marine life that constitutes almost half of this magnificent area’s oceanic megadiversity.
-
-
Horrible…dated “history” from the perspective of colonizers
- By Ericka Black on 06-29-23
-
The Philippine-American War
- A Captivating Guide to the Philippine Insurrection That Started When the United States of America Claimed Possession of the Philippines After the Spanish-American War
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
- Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Philippine-American War of 1899-1902 was a dramatic, world-changing conflict that shaped the century to come and revealed the early stirrings of America’s drive for global power. The conflict and its aftershocks continue to influence the Philippines and the wider region to this day, leaving a legacy of governance, society, and economic organization.
-
-
America is a racist country....blah blah blah....
- By jabba53e on 02-01-23
-
Jungle of Snakes
- A Century of Counterinsurgency Warfare from the Philippines to Iraq
- By: James R. Arnold
- Narrated by: Mark Ashby
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The end of the Cold War promised a new era of international peace. But instead, violence has proliferated across the globe, not in the form of a superpower arms race or a clash of armies, but in bitter local conflicts marked by terrorism, insurgency, and guerrilla warfare. Former Central Intelligence Agency director James Woolsey likened the post-Cold-War world to "a jungle full of snakes". The emergence of this new, potentially never-ending struggle has forced our military to reevaluate strategies or risk losing hearts, minds, and soldiers the world over.
-
-
Some Lessons
- By Amazon Customer on 10-02-16
By: James R. Arnold
-
Filipino Mythology Collection (Annotated) with a Historical Introduction
- Discover the mysterious folklore, folk tales, myths and legends of the Philippines as well as the rich history the Pinoy
- By: Clara Kern Bayliss, Mabel Cook Cole, John Maurice Miller
- Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Filipinos have very interesting creatures that lurk within their myths and legends. This great collection will dive into famous as well as lesser known tales. Enjoy!
-
-
A Painful Listen
- By Limegreen on 04-02-24
By: Clara Kern Bayliss, and others
-
African Kaiser
- General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918
- By: Robert Gaudi
- Narrated by: Paul Hodgson
- Length: 18 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the continent of Africa was a hotbed of international trade, colonialism, and political gamesmanship. So when World War I broke out, the European powers were forced to contend with each other not just in the bloody trenches - but in the treacherous jungle. And it was in that unforgiving land that General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck would make history.
-
-
Well Written, Well Read, Well Done!
- By Matthew on 02-25-17
By: Robert Gaudi
-
Hue 1968
- A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam
- By: Mark Bowden
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By January 1968, despite an influx of half a million American troops, the fighting in Vietnam seemed to be at a stalemate. Yet General William Westmoreland, commander of American forces, announced a new phase of the war in which "the end begins to come into view". The North Vietnamese had different ideas. In mid-1967, the leadership in Hanoi had started planning an offensive intended to win the war in a single stroke.
-
-
I KNEW This Book Would Sting Me . . . .
- By Rum Runner on 07-28-17
By: Mark Bowden
-
Way of the Ancient Healer
- Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral Traditions
- By: Virgil Mayor Apostol
- Narrated by: James Burkdoll
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Way of the Ancient Healer provides an overview of the rich tradition of Filipino healing practices, discussing their origins, world influences, and role in daily life. The book combines years of historical research with detailed descriptions of the spiritual belief system that forms the foundation of these practices. Giving listeners a rare look at modern-day Filipino healing rituals, the book also includes personal examples from author Virgil Mayor Apostol's own experiences with shamanic healing and dream interpretation.
-
-
Great listen
- By Tara A. Villanueva on 01-13-23
-
Storm over Leyte
- The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of the Japanese Navy
- By: John Prados
- Narrated by: Ricard Ferrone
- Length: 16 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Allied ships prepared for the invasion of the Philippine island of Leyte, every available warship, submarine, and airplane was placed on alert while Japanese admiral Kurita Takeo stalked Admiral William F. Halsey's unwitting American armada. It was the beginning of the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf - the greatest naval battle in history.
-
-
Startling revelations to a 72 year battle!
- By Chiefkent on 07-31-16
By: John Prados
-
The Swamp Fox
- How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution
- By: John Oller
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the darkest days of the American Revolution, Francis Marion and his band of militia freedom fighters kept hope alive for the patriot cause during the critical British southern campaign. Like the Robin Hood of legend, Marion and his men attacked from secret hideaways before melting back into the forest or swamp. Employing insurgent tactics that became commonplace in later centuries, Marion and his brigade inflicted losses on the enemy that were individually small but cumulatively a large drain on British resources and morale.
-
-
The Swamp Fox - Francis Marion
- By Stephen on 06-07-17
By: John Oller
-
The Thirty Years War
- Europe's Tragedy
- By: Peter H. Wilson
- Narrated by: Matthew Waterson
- Length: 33 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Thirty Years War devastated seventeenth-century Europe, killing nearly a quarter of all Germans and laying waste to towns and countryside alike. Peter Wilson offers the first new history in a generation of a horrifying conflict that transformed the map of the modern world.
-
-
Less caffeine, narrator
- By Jeff Joyner on 02-12-24
By: Peter H. Wilson
-
The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- By: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
-
-
A political as well as military history
- By Mike From Mesa on 07-30-15
By: John Toland
-
Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942
- By: Ian W. Toll
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 22 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the first Sunday in December 1941, an armada of Japanese warplanes appeared suddenly over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and devastated the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Six months later, in a sea fight north of the tiny atoll of Midway, four Japanese aircraft carriers were sent into the abyss. Pacific Crucible tells the epic tale of these first searing months of the Pacific war, when the U.S. Navy shook off the worst defeat in American military history and seized the strategic initiative.
-
-
Astonishingly good.
- By Mike From Mesa on 09-01-12
By: Ian W. Toll
-
War on the Run: The Epic Story of Robert Rogers and the Conquest of America's First Frontier
- By: John F. Ross
- Narrated by: Jonathan Yen
- Length: 21 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Often hailed as the godfather of today's elite special forces, Robert Rogers trained and led an unorthodox unit of green provincials, raw woodsmen, farmers, and Indian scouts on "impossible" missions in colonial America that are still the stuff of soldiers' legend. The child of marginalized Scots-Irish immigrants, Rogers learned to survive in New England's dark and deadly forests, grasping, as did few others, that a new world required new forms of warfare. John F. Ross not only re-creates Rogers's life and his spectacular battles with breathtaking immediacy and meticulous accuracy...
-
-
WOW!!!
- By Olaf the Black on 11-23-18
By: John F. Ross
-
Noli Me Tángere: An Eagle Flight
- The English Translation
- By: José Rizal
- Narrated by: Jensen Olaya
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's the Philippines in the 1800s. The Filipino gentleman Crisostomo Ibarra returns from his studies abroad and finds the city of Manila changed, especially after he learns of his father's mysterious death. After a violent encounter with a monk, Ibarra is excommunicated. Maria Clara has to choose between being a dutiful daughter and the love of her life. Poor Sisa searches for her children, while municipal guards try to capture her for the alleged gold coins that have gone missing from the church. Elias wrestles with a mysterious crocodile in the dark waters of the Pasig.
-
-
Can't get through there performance
- By Leighton on 03-18-25
By: José Rizal
-
We Were Soldiers Once... and Young
- Ia Drang - The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam
- By: Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 16 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In November 1965, some 450 men of the First Battalion, Seventh Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating.
-
-
The truth
- By Bobbyg on 10-08-19
By: Harold G. Moore, and others
-
Into the Bright Sunshine
- Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights (Pivotal Moments in American History Series)
- By: Samuel G. Freedman
- Narrated by: Mike Lenz
- Length: 17 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During one sweltering week in July 1948, the Democratic Party gathered in Philadelphia for its national convention. The most pressing and controversial issue facing the delegates was not whom to nominate for president—the incumbent, Harry Truman, was the presumptive candidate—but whether the Democrats would finally embrace the cause of civil rights and embed it in their official platform. On the convention's final day, Hubert Humphrey, the relatively obscure mayor of the midsized city of Minneapolis, ascended the podium.
-
-
Narrator bungles pronunciations
- By ARV on 09-23-23
-
Behind Japanese Lines
- An American Guerrilla in the Philippines
- By: Ray C. Hunt, Bernard Norling
- Narrated by: Chaz Allen
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Behind Japanese Lines has a great deal to say about the relations with the Filipinos and about the problems of dealing with and fighting the Hukbalahaps, the communist guerrillas or, indeed, in opposing the Japanese. This book adds considerable insights into the significance of guerrilla warfare as it relates to modern warfare in general
-
-
Better as a Book.
- By C.M. on 12-14-22
By: Ray C. Hunt, and others
-
The Ship That Wouldn't Die
- The Saga of the USS Neosho - A World War II Story of Courage and Survival at Sea
- By: Don Keith
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In May 1942, Admiral Jack Fletcher's Task Force 17 closed in for the war's first major clash with the Japanese Navy. The Neosho, a vitally important tanker, was escorted by a destroyer, the Sims. The ships were attacked by Japanese dive bombers, and when the smoke cleared, the Sims had slipped beneath the waves. Scores of sailors were killed or wounded while hundreds bobbed in shark-infested waters.
-
-
great story
- By alaina davis on 10-27-24
By: Don Keith
What listeners say about The Moro War
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brian McGrew
- 05-19-24
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 04-01-17
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- CitadelGrad08
- 03-16-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ted
- 03-22-16
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John
- 11-03-18
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 !
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Paraglox
- 03-05-15
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Marc B.
- 08-23-18
interesting
It is interesting to learn about this time and place .. provides background to perhaps a better understanding of the present.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John
- 03-27-13
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Carol Domme
- 11-28-23
rare topic of discussion
I would like a bit more personal accounts, but realize that's a tall order. still very enlightening
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris
- 06-10-21
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!