Just wondering who is your favourite historian of WW2? Also who do you think is the most influential WW2 historian?

Ross

Well, since you're narrowing down the list of fav
historian, which I presume you mean individuals who
have had books published, to writers of the Second
World War, my list won't be so long.

1. Walter Lord

2. Edwin Jablonski

3. Martin Kaiden

I'm an old man so most of these authors would not be
familiar to a lot of the Big A members.

Most influencial WWII Historian? I hope I get this last
name spelled right:

Sir John Keegan

I liked Martin Caiden's book "The Ragged Rugged Warriors" about the air war in the first six months in the Pacific. I guess Cornelius Ryan, Paul Carrel, Louis Morton, John Toland.
Brian

Pretty broad question, hard to answer -- I have so many books by so many different authors. Maybe Gerald Astor, who does a pretty good job with "oral history"-themed books. Maybe Steve Birdsall for his works on the 8th Air Force ...

But I have to agree with Rick (MiamiJHawk) -- John Keegan is overall best these days ...

John

I would say at leat as far as the U.S. goes the most influential would be Stephen Ambrose. "Popularized" WWII history with average Americans by courting Hollywood and lead charge to create D-Day museum.

This is a hard one, since it really depends a bit on my mood. If I want to feel really good about myself as an American then certainly Ambrose fits the bill. If I want a very quick read, though not always the most accurate, Edwin Hoyt is good. Right now I want to be challenged so I'm reading Max Hastings Armageddon. I must say he doesn't pull any punches concerning American and British fighting ability, or lack of it.

Quite a sobering read, isn't it, Rodger?

Haven't seen you around, mate. Been at the football?

I can't believe I left Cornelius Ryan off my list. Arrrrrrrgh.

Following is an opinion, you understand:
First of all, Ryan was a marvelous journalist in the mold
and tradition of William Shirer ("The Rise and Fall of the
Third Reich" and I still have about 800 pages to go.).

Perhaps, I didn't recall him right away since I read the
two famous books mentioned below, back in the 1970s.
If any of you younger threadmakers have not read either
his "The Longest Day" re the Normandy Invasion or
"A Bridge Too Far" re Operation Market Garden, I would
recommend both. Ryan's notes at the bottom of the
page are as interesting reading as his prose.

Sobering is certainly a good way to put it. From reading him you almost wonder how the Allies managed to win, at least the British and American armies. He does mention though how the very qualities that made the Germans and Russians such good fighters, also made them such terrible Human Beings.

Yes, I've been AWOL a while. Person issues that are not totally resolved, but getting there.

A J P Taylor is a must,that guy could stand in front of a TV camera and just talk,no props,no film footage,just knowlege,plus his books are a must read.
Arthur

[quote]Wikipedia......Sorry it's true, I dont have much access to english language books here,[quote]

You kind of have to be careful. While they will give you a decent overview, don't automatically assume the small details (dates, names, etc) until you've proven it with other sources. And definitely don't cite it unless you know for a fact that it is true (I learned this in a very personal, embarassing, and permanently damaging way...citations and college...). Anyway, because Wikipedia is written by normal people (I'm one of them), it isn't the most accurate site, but definitely the most comprehensive.

Best is to cross-reference info on the page with other sources. Also if you look closely, many pages repeat and/or contradict themselves.


As for my favorite WWII historian, it would have to be the late Steven Ambrose. It wasn't just him as a historian, but as a writer, I really enjoyed reading his books. Cornelius Ryan is really good too, incredibly comprehensive (well over 600 pages in some cases), but he is much more factual. Ambrose added passion and a novel-style to his writing. I miss his books.

But since I am heavily into more modern warfare (i.e. OIF/OEF) I am reading a lot of embedded reporter and recently discharged Soldiers' and Marines' personal accounts. While most are the same in general format and overview, it is with each's small details that you get a really interesting view of the average troop in current wars.

Jeff