Just picked up "The Day of Battle" by Rick Atkinson. It is the second book in his European War trilogy and I have to say it was well worth the 2 year wait. Some interesting things that were never really covered in other books I have read. The liberty ship full of mustard gas getting bombed in the harbor at Salerno, for example, is covered in great detail. The German defense actions well before the defense of Cassino are also covered.
Great read.
So what is everyone else reading?
Shaun
History Club
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What Are You Reading?
keenan
Member Since: October 16, 2002
entire network: 5,272 Posts
KitMaker Network: 2,192 Posts
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 12:18 AM UTC
goldenpony
Member Since: July 03, 2007
entire network: 3,529 Posts
KitMaker Network: 422 Posts
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 01:12 AM UTC
Well, I am on fiction at the moment. I had been reading a good deal of historical book prior to this one, so it’s a nice break from reality. It is Wildfire by Nelson DeMille. So far it has been interesting.
Not sure what will be next after I finish this one.
Not sure what will be next after I finish this one.
Jamesite
Member Since: December 05, 2006
entire network: 2,208 Posts
KitMaker Network: 52 Posts
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 02:06 AM UTC
Well I just got it today so i'll be reading it soon:
'Tank Turret Fortifications' By Neil Short
A specific area of interest for me and a very interesting book that covers everything from the early beginings in the first world war right through to the cold war era and even more recently.
Obviously the main focus is on german fortifications like the atlantic wall, but there are some rare and interesting pics and info in there too.
James
'Tank Turret Fortifications' By Neil Short
A specific area of interest for me and a very interesting book that covers everything from the early beginings in the first world war right through to the cold war era and even more recently.
Obviously the main focus is on german fortifications like the atlantic wall, but there are some rare and interesting pics and info in there too.
James
Bigskip
Member Since: June 27, 2006
entire network: 2,487 Posts
KitMaker Network: 464 Posts
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 05:32 AM UTC
Tommy by Richard Holmes.
MartinJQuinn
Member Since: January 19, 2005
entire network: 574 Posts
KitMaker Network: 16 Posts
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 05:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Just picked up "The Day of Battle" by Rick Atkinson. It is the second book in his European War trilogy and I have to say it was well worth the 2 year wait. Some interesting things that were never really covered in other books I have read. The liberty ship full of mustard gas getting bombed in the harbor at Salerno, for example, is covered in great detail. The German defense actions well before the defense of Cassino are also covered.
Great read.
So what is everyone else reading?
Shaun
I got Atkinson's latest for Christmas, but it's got a few books in the pile above it. His first book, about the Tunisian campaign was excellent.
Currently I'm reading Carrier Strike, by Eric Hammel, after having just finished his Carrier Clash. Both books are about the carrier battles that took place during the Guadalcanal campaign. Clash is about the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, while Strike is about the Battle of Santa Cruz. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed in it...it's not as good as the companion volume, and it's got too many mistakes that I've picked up (he claims in the book the Lexington and Saratoga were "steel decked carriers", which is wrong). If I'm picking up mistakes, what mistakes am I missing?! Still, he does do a good job framing all the events surrounding the Battles - they just don't happen in a vacuum.
Next up is either "Black Shoe Admiral" by John Lundstrom or "Clash of the Carriers" by Barrett Tillman, which is about the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
LogansDad
Member Since: March 30, 2004
entire network: 938 Posts
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Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 06:38 AM UTC
Got "The War: An Intimate History" by Geoffrey C. Ward & Ken Burns from my kids for Xmas. It's the companion volume to the recently-aired miniseries. A good read (Burns' stuff is at least always interesting, if not detailed), takes the timeline of the entire war '41-'45 and intergrates in a way that makes it flow much better than any "Full" history I've read yet.
Afew mistakes(Ex.:green American troops landing in Africa & having to face seasoned german armored forces with their "splendidly armored Mk IV tanks armed with magnificent 8.8cm Cannon...")
Still, It's very personal & moves well.
Now if I could only get my hands on the DVD's...
Afew mistakes(Ex.:green American troops landing in Africa & having to face seasoned german armored forces with their "splendidly armored Mk IV tanks armed with magnificent 8.8cm Cannon...")
Still, It's very personal & moves well.
Now if I could only get my hands on the DVD's...
Javlin813
Member Since: September 14, 2005
entire network: 336 Posts
KitMaker Network: 134 Posts
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 - 12:07 PM UTC
HI,
I recently finished reading "The Children of Hurin" by J.R.R. Tolkien and just started reading Franz Kurowski's "Panzerkrieg". It's a pretty decent read so far.
Oh, and I'm also reading Model Military International issue 21 right now.
Scott
I recently finished reading "The Children of Hurin" by J.R.R. Tolkien and just started reading Franz Kurowski's "Panzerkrieg". It's a pretty decent read so far.
Oh, and I'm also reading Model Military International issue 21 right now.
Scott
USArmy2534
Member Since: January 28, 2004
entire network: 2,716 Posts
KitMaker Network: 531 Posts
Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 05:17 PM UTC
Atkinson wrote a great 3 piece research article in October for the Washington Post about Improvised Explosive Devices. It is quite outstanding.
I just finished David Ballavia's House to House about fighting in Fallujah in November 2004. I've read some great Iraq War memoirs, and this is by far the most honest, brutally realistic accounts of modern war that I know of. In fact, the way he writes, it is almost like he is trying to atone for the sins he committed in the absolutely brutal fighting that happened; an engrossing page turner. Colby Buzzell's My War and Jason Hartley's Just Another Soldier are also outstanding and groundbreaking.
I'm currently working on Hammer From Above by Jay Stout about Marine Air during the initial invasion in 2003.
Jeff
I just finished David Ballavia's House to House about fighting in Fallujah in November 2004. I've read some great Iraq War memoirs, and this is by far the most honest, brutally realistic accounts of modern war that I know of. In fact, the way he writes, it is almost like he is trying to atone for the sins he committed in the absolutely brutal fighting that happened; an engrossing page turner. Colby Buzzell's My War and Jason Hartley's Just Another Soldier are also outstanding and groundbreaking.
I'm currently working on Hammer From Above by Jay Stout about Marine Air during the initial invasion in 2003.
Jeff
LogansDad
Member Since: March 30, 2004
entire network: 938 Posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 09:42 AM UTC
Just started "Low Level Hell: A Scout Pilot in the Big Red One" by Hugh L. Mills Jr. with Robert A. Anderson. Fascinating First-Person account of A Balls-out OH-6 Aeroscout platoon Cdr. In Vietnam from '68 to'69. Lt.Hugh Mills did some of the earliest groundbreaking scout/attack work in Vietnam & helped establish much af the doctrine that H/K teams use to this day. For anyone fortunate enough to visit (I Have! 
), His final Loach mount, Tail #17340, Hangs in the U.S.Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker AL.
If you're into true-to-life Treetop flying & Close-in Fire support, you should find this book.
), His final Loach mount, Tail #17340, Hangs in the U.S.Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker AL.If you're into true-to-life Treetop flying & Close-in Fire support, you should find this book.
Drader
Member Since: July 20, 2004
entire network: 3,791 Posts
KitMaker Network: 765 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:57 PM UTC
When not looking at photos of T-34s, I'm reading Catherine Merridale's 'Ivan's War' - bet you can guess what it's about 
I'm still dipping in and out of 'Band of brigands' but there are some annoying mistakes, like Mark IIIs at Bullecourt (wrong!) and Douglas Haig has managed to get an extra h in his surname at least once. Does nobody bother with editing anymore?
David
I'm still dipping in and out of 'Band of brigands' but there are some annoying mistakes, like Mark IIIs at Bullecourt (wrong!) and Douglas Haig has managed to get an extra h in his surname at least once. Does nobody bother with editing anymore?
David
sweaver
Member Since: April 19, 2007
entire network: 759 Posts
KitMaker Network: 131 Posts
Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008 - 05:53 AM UTC
Well, being a student, I'm reading quite a bit, just not on models or WWII. Here's my list:
Benjamin Franklin's autobiography (if you haven't read it, read it. You'll love it)
A biography of Winston Churchill (well, I guess this qualifies as WWII)
Andrew Jackson and the Bank War
Basic American Government
How to Read a Book
I think that's everything...
Samuel
Benjamin Franklin's autobiography (if you haven't read it, read it. You'll love it)
A biography of Winston Churchill (well, I guess this qualifies as WWII)
Andrew Jackson and the Bank War
Basic American Government
How to Read a Book
I think that's everything...
Samuel
thathaway3
Member Since: September 10, 2004
entire network: 1,610 Posts
KitMaker Network: 265 Posts
Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008 - 10:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I got Atkinson's latest for Christmas, but it's got a few books in the pile above it. His first book, about the Tunisian campaign was excellent.
Currently I'm reading Carrier Strike, by Eric Hammel, after having just finished his Carrier Clash. Both books are about the carrier battles that took place during the Guadalcanal campaign. Clash is about the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, while Strike is about the Battle of Santa Cruz. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed in it...it's not as good as the companion volume, and it's got too many mistakes that I've picked up (he claims in the book the Lexington and Saratoga were "steel decked carriers", which is wrong). If I'm picking up mistakes, what mistakes am I missing?! Still, he does do a good job framing all the events surrounding the Battles - they just don't happen in a vacuum.
Next up is either "Black Shoe Admiral" by John Lundstrom or "Clash of the Carriers" by Barrett Tillman, which is about the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
I think you'll enjoy both of these two books. I read both of them (along with Hammel's books as well) last year and really felt I learned something about the overall Pacific carrier campaign. If you haven't already read "Shattered Sword", that's a must read too.
I especially enjoyed "Black Shoe Admiral". I believe that Admiral Fletcher deserves a lot more credit than he got for the work he did at both Coral Sea and Midway. And having read "And I was there", Admiral Layton's book about the inside story of code breaking surrounding both Pearl Harbor and Midway, this book adds some significant additional insight into the arguments about the withdrawal of the US Fleet around Guadalcanal after only two days, and the role that Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner played in both the events leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, as well as during his command of the Amphibious forced at Guadalcanal. This book makes a strong case that Fletcher was not the villian (or coward) that many (especially Turner) painted him at the time. If anything Turner was as much to blame for much of the problems at both Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal, but his fiery personality put others in the crosshairs. Proof of the old adage that the "best defense is a good offense" if you will.
I finished Atkinson's book last month and enjoyed it quite a bit as well. I understand he plans on a third book in the future, and I'll certainly buy that one when it comes out.
Tom
Murdo
Member Since: May 25, 2005
entire network: 2,218 Posts
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008 - 11:50 AM UTC
On fiction. Working my way through the "Sharpe" series for the umpteenth time.
MLD
Member Since: July 21, 2002
entire network: 3,569 Posts
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Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008 - 02:27 PM UTC
Slaughter at Halbe: The Destruction of Hitler's 9th Army - April 1945
Interesting stuff about the division of Berlin between the Soviet commanders, German orders to move toward Berlin and the responses of various commanders to those orders.
All this is mixed in with first person accounts as the battle unfolds.
Its a good read if the end of the Eastern Front of WWII is your cup of tea.
Mike
Interesting stuff about the division of Berlin between the Soviet commanders, German orders to move toward Berlin and the responses of various commanders to those orders.
All this is mixed in with first person accounts as the battle unfolds.
Its a good read if the end of the Eastern Front of WWII is your cup of tea.
Mike
AJLaFleche
Member Since: May 05, 2002
entire network: 8,074 Posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 09:27 AM UTC
Started on this last night. Looks like I'm going to be staying up late some more.
Alky
Member Since: April 10, 2003
entire network: 33 Posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 11:15 AM UTC
Just finished Brothers In Battle , Best Of Friends about Wild Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron from the Band of Brothers. I liked it.
telsono
Member Since: March 27, 2007
entire network: 76 Posts
KitMaker Network: 25 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 09:00 AM UTC
This is one of the books i have read of late, a very good book on Italian armor in WWII:
Iron Hulls Iron Hearts: Mussolini's Elite Armoured Divisions in North Africa
by Ian Walker
Also, I have gone back and re-read:
Bitter Victory: The Battle for Sicily July-August 1943
by Carlo D'Este
Another book I have gone back to is:
Saving the Breakout: The 30th Division's Heroic Stand at Mortain, August 7-12, 1944
by Alwyn Featherston
Mike T.
Iron Hulls Iron Hearts: Mussolini's Elite Armoured Divisions in North Africa
by Ian Walker
Also, I have gone back and re-read:
Bitter Victory: The Battle for Sicily July-August 1943
by Carlo D'Este
Another book I have gone back to is:
Saving the Breakout: The 30th Division's Heroic Stand at Mortain, August 7-12, 1944
by Alwyn Featherston
Mike T.
Drader
Member Since: July 20, 2004
entire network: 3,791 Posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 10:09 PM UTC
I found Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts a bit of a disappointment as it concentrated on the armoured divisions and not tank battalions with infantry divisions, specially since the M tanks of Trieste got the closest to Alexandria.
David
David
telsono
Member Since: March 27, 2007
entire network: 76 Posts
KitMaker Network: 25 Posts
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 08:33 AM UTC
David - I thought the explanatiuon about the diffilculties of the Italian industry to provide for the fledgeling armor divisions of interest, and also the structure and size of these units. We usually think that all units of a particular designation would have similar strengths. The Italian designation for a Division was quite off as they were normally the size of British brigades (approx. 8000 men).
Much more should be published on this subject, at least in English. It is interesting the handicaps that their leaders placed upon the Italian soldier. There really shouild be more published on it.
Mike T.
Much more should be published on this subject, at least in English. It is interesting the handicaps that their leaders placed upon the Italian soldier. There really shouild be more published on it.
Mike T.
WingTzun
Member Since: February 01, 2006
entire network: 853 Posts
KitMaker Network: 182 Posts
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 03:57 AM UTC
Recently finished "Chainfire" by Terry Goodkind.
Just started "America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It" by Mark Steyn and
"The Tank Killers" by Harry Yeide .
Just started "America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It" by Mark Steyn and
"The Tank Killers" by Harry Yeide .
GVoakes
Member Since: September 04, 2007
entire network: 193 Posts
KitMaker Network: 11 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 06:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
When not looking at photos of T-34s, I'm reading Catherine Merridale's 'Ivan's War' - bet you can guess what it's about
David
David,
I read that last year, and thought it was one of the most interesting books that I read in the year!
I'm currently reading "Carrier Warfare in the Pacific" by E. T. Wooldridge. This is one of the books in the Smithsonian History of Aviation series, and is a collection of transcriptions of oral histories given by many of the individuals who participated in the Pacific War.
Grant
chicane
Member Since: March 25, 2008
entire network: 201 Posts
KitMaker Network: 39 Posts
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 12:41 AM UTC
hi im jay saying hello everyone just new to this great site im big into ww2 memoirs im reading the final hours the luftwaffe plot against goring by johannes steinhoff a very good book a great look at the chaos that was going on in the luftwaffe why the pilots wanted the me262 as a figther an hitler and goring wanted it as a vengence bomber
saying hello everyone just new to this great site im big into ww2 memoirs im reading the final hours the luftwaffe plot against goring by johannes steinhoff a very good book a great look at the chaos that was going on in the luftwaffe why the pilots wanted the me262 as a figther an hitler and goring wanted it as a vengence bomber 
mj
Member Since: March 16, 2002
entire network: 1,331 Posts
KitMaker Network: 334 Posts
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 03:55 AM UTC
Just started "Death of the Wehrmacht: The German Campaigns of 1942" by Robert M. Citino. An interesting book that continues to explore the authors idea that German operational tactics in WWII were simply refined versions of the same tactics the Prussians had used since the Thirty Years War. An interesting thesis, which the author explored more deeply in a book I have on order, "The German Way of War: From the Thrity Years' War to the Third Reich." The author examines the major campaigns of '42 on both the Eastern Front and Africa, concentrating on the mindset of the commanders, as well as tactics employed. I've enjoyed it so far. It is well researched and written, and looks at the historical evidence from an angle I've never considered before. So, it fits my definition of a good book - it makes me think.
Cheers,
Mike
Cheers,
Mike
GSPatton
Member Since: September 04, 2002
entire network: 1,411 Posts
KitMaker Network: 785 Posts
Posted: Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 03:44 PM UTC
Just finished a book called "Custerology" which discusses the mythology of George A Custer and all things Little Big Horn. Next up is "Faith of Our Sons" which is written in diary format of a father whose son enlisted in the Marines prior to 9-11-2001 and what his thoughts are as his son is deployed to Iraq. The books covers the 12 months or so that his son is overseas and his emotions - should be an interesting read. 
E23C
Member Since: January 23, 2002
entire network: 238 Posts
KitMaker Network: 70 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 04:04 PM UTC
At the moment "bury us upside down" by Rick Newman and Don Sheppard all about the Misty Facs who flew F-100 Super Sabres in Vietnam. Next after that is
"Along the Tigris" By Thomas Day all about the 101st Airborne in Op Iraqi Freedom.
Mark
"Along the Tigris" By Thomas Day all about the 101st Airborne in Op Iraqi Freedom.
Mark
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