What I'm Reading

['Aussie Rick']

Thanks for the information on that book Jerome, I have a copy I am yet to read so it sounds like it will be a good account.

[happy]

I recently finished Paul Jankowski's Verdun: The Longest Battle of the Great War. Here are my thoughts if anybody is interested


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

['Aussie Rick']

Great review happy, thanks for taking the time to tell us about the book.

[Manray9]

From my current book --

Xin Loi, Viet Nam by Al Sever.

“Our superior weapons and advanced technology were meaningless when used against those who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. How the hell were we going to beat such people?”

A very good question.

[Mike]

Manray9 wrote: "From my current book --

“Our superior weapons and advanced technology were meaningless when used against those who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. How the hell were we going to beat such people?”

A very good question...."

Should be one of the key questions to be answered before engaging in the fight. A question "The Best and the Brightest" apparently never concerned themselves with.

[Geevee]

Mike wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "From my current book --

“Our superior weapons and advanced technology were meaningless when used against those who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. How the hell were we ..."

And I suspect will continue to repeat the same miscalculation over and over.

[Manray9]

Mike wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "From my current book --

“Our superior weapons and advanced technology were meaningless when used against those who had nothing to lose and everything to gain. How the hell were we ..."

Just replace VC with Taliban and the story doesn't change.

['Aussie Rick']

So true!

['Aussie Rick']

It's been a bit quiet here so I figured I'd mention what book I am currently reading, well two books actually:

by Armin Scheiderbauer

by Michael Korda

What are other folks currently reading?

['Aussie Rick']

Hope to hear about them soon then Jerome :)

[Geevee]

Sounds interesting Jerome. One for my TBR I think.

['Aussie Rick']

I'm currently reading the latest release book on the Battle of Waterloo written by a retired British Army officer and so far its been a very good general overview of the Napoleonic period leading up to this climatic battle.

Waterloo: A New History of the Battle and its Armies by Gordon Corrigan

['Aussie Rick']

Looks like a book offering something a bit different, thanks for posting the details Jerome as I am sure few members of this group will be interested in checking the book out.

[Manray9]

Jerome wrote: "
I just finished reading this book. I would recommend to anyone interested in the American Military system..."

I agree. I read Bacevich's

Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War

We've gone off the tracks.

[happy]

I finished this one recently



Very good look at the making of the modern Middle East, using Lawrence and others experiences to illustrate how it happened.

[happy]

I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it. It was slightly better than a four star read for me.

[Manray9]

Jerome wrote: "
I just finished reading Washington Rules. The comment below is from the cover jacket.
"For the last half century, as presidents..."

Jerome: Me too.

['Aussie Rick']

I have a copy sitting around somewhere waiting for me to read it as well. I hope you enjoy the book Jerome.

['Aussie Rick']

I've just started reading this newer book on the Warsaw Uprising in 1944:


Warsaw 1944: The Fateful Uprising by Alexandra Richie

[Mike]

Just finished The Last Battle. Decided to jump back in time 5 years and start reading Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain

['Aussie Rick']

Two excellent books Mike, I hope you enjoy Finest Hour. If I recall I think I really enjoyed the story as told by Tim Clayton & Phil Craig.

['Aussie Rick']

I'll will have to try and read my copy soon them by the sounds of it Jerome :)

['Aussie Rick']

That's a good start Jerome!

I just received this book on Afghanistan that may also interest members of this group:

One Million Steps: A Marine Platoon at War by Bing West

[Mike]

Jerome wrote: "For those interested in the conflict in Afghanistan: I just began reading a book: War, by Sebastian Junger. From the cover " Over fifteen months Sebastian Junger followed a ..."

I first checked this out from the library but had to go buy one for my shelf because it is so good. Agree with 5-Star rating.

['Aussie Rick']

Damn, I better to try and read my copy then if its a 5-starer!

[Geevee]

This one is on my TBR and has very good reviews follwing the The Welsh Guards in Afghanistan and may interest you folks:

Dead Men Risen: The Welsh Guards and the Real Story of Britain's War in Afghanistan by Toby Harnden

Harnden is an Anglo-American journalist who served in the Royal Navy. His book on Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh was very good indeed.

['Aussie Rick']

I need to read my copy of Dead Men Risen soon as well Geevee, didn't know about his other book, thanks for the heads-up.

[Manray9]

Tonight I started Martin Windrow's --

The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in Vietnam

Like Windrow, as he wrote in his preface, my interest with the French debacle at Dien Bien Phu started many years ago with reading the classic --

Hell In A Very Small Place: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu by Bernard B. Fall

[Jack]

Hell all. I am currently reading Six Frigates. So far I have to say this Navy guy is really happy with the text so far.
Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. NavyIan W. Toll

['Aussie Rick']

Looks like a book I need to pull off the shelves and start on! I am also reading a naval history book:

A History of the French Navy, From Its Beginnings to the Present Day by Ernest Harold Jenkins

[Mike]

Jack wrote: "Hell all. I am currently reading Six Frigates. So far I have to say this Navy guy is really happy with the text so far.
[book:Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy|39000..."

Excellent book. Enjoyed it immensely and gave it to my Navy daughter. Have to see if she finished it yet.

[Manray9]

Jack wrote: "Hell all. I am currently reading Six Frigates. So far I have to say this Navy guy is really happy with the text so far.
[book:Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy|39000..."

This retired Navy guy liked it too.

[happy]

Jack wrote: "Hell all. I am currently reading Six Frigates. So far I have to say this Navy guy is really happy with the text so far.
[book:Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy|39000..."

Very good book!

['Aussie Rick']

Tell us how it goes, I've seen copies about and picked them up but have not committed to buying acopy at this stage.

['Aussie Rick']

I'm currently reading these two very interesting books:


by Justin Marozzi

by Peter Caddick-Adams

[Mike]

Just finished The Burning of the World: A Memoir of 1914. Marginally interesting look at the Hungarian homefront and mobilization at the start of WWI but not much worthwhile on the fighting. Young lieutenant leads his unit into battle positions, gets shelled by the Russians, wounded, retreats, sent to hospital, avoids being sent back after recovery.

Now reading Setting the Desert on Fire: T. E. Lawrence and Britain's Secret War in Arabia, 1916-1918. Good so far.

['Aussie Rick']

Let me know what you think of James Barr's book as I read his recent book on the Middle East and quite enjoyed it and I am sure I have a copy of Setting the Desert on Fire sitting unread somewhere :)

[Geevee]

Currently reading this which is very interesting with a thematic approach:

Berlin at War: Life and Death in Hitler's Capital, 1939-45 by Roger Moorhouse

[Jack]

Hey guys I am picking up a bit of the Battle of the Bulge. I like John Toland so I am reading his book.

by John Willard Toland

['Aussie Rick']

Jack wrote: "Hey guys I am picking up a bit of the Battle of the Bulge. I like John Toland so I am reading his book.

by John Willard Toland"

A classic account, I hope you enjoy the read :)

[happy]

I'm just finishing this on Dien Bien Phu

The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in Vietnam

Excellent read - It's looking like a 5 star read, I think it even better than Bernard Fall's classic

Hell in a Very Small Place: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu

[Mike]

That looks good Jerome, added TBR.

[Jon]

Great reads, guys! Thanks for tips. I am re-reading VA Disability Claim for the 50th time. That may sound silly to some, but I wrote the book and am still editing for the second edition, which will come out late this year. LawyersandSettlements.com said it is "the best ever DIY book" on filing a VA disability claim and appeal. I'd greatly appreciate your feedback on my baby, please.
Thank you,
JonMac

[Brent]

Gidday,ive just finished sniper on the eastern front Sapp allerberger,really good book, tells both sides of different conflicts in ww2,these guys were men.also reading Gary linderer ,about reacon in Vietnam these guys were crazy.

[Jack]

I am currently working through The Last Stand Of the Tin Can Sailors. A really interesting account of the Battle Of Leyte Gulf and the last gasp of the IJN. I highly recommend this jem that has been on CNO reading lists in the past. The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour by James D. Hornfischer

['Aussie Rick']

Some good books folks are currently reading!

[Brent]

Giddy guys reading wild blue by Stephen Ambrose, there is a bit in the book that describes how the Germans fixed up old american bombers then flew them into the American formations where they radioed the height direction and speed to all the gunners in the area.holy shit I mean holy shit.another bit tells of a polish POW asking a American bomber pilot if he hit anything the pilot said I hit the ground every time, hahaha.hey Jerome have seen enemy at the gates, great movie, just watched brad pits fury there were a couple of good scenes, one of a working tiger tank which was cool, would have been great to be on the movie set.

['Aussie Rick']

The Tiger was the favourite part of the movie for me :)

[Manray9]

Jerome wrote: "
This book is much like the book "Last stand of Fox company", which I read a few months ago. This is the story of George..."

Thanks, Jerome. That looks pretty good.

[Geevee]

Jerome wrote: "
This book is much like the book "Last stand of Fox company", which I read a few months ago. This is the story of George..."

Jerome I wondered if this might be one for you?

To the Last Round: The Epic British Stand on the Imjin River, Korea 1951 by Andrew Salmon

My review if it is of interest: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...