Must Read Books of WW2

[Manray9]

Colin wrote: "Ambrose was a prick, I knew him. I could tell you a story, but I will not malign the dead."

You just did. You're on the hook now. Tell the story

[Dj]

Colin wrote: "Ambrose was a prick, I knew him. I could tell you a story, but I will not malign the dead."

He worked for Nixon. In the immortal words of Stan Lee..."Nuff Said."

[Lilo]

Geevee wrote: "Very interesting gents...and Lilo you know you can't help reading the thread!!"

Darned! How did you know I was addicted?

[Lilo]

Geevee wrote: "Very interesting gents...and Lilo you know you can't help reading the thread!!"

And you know, it's all your people's fault. You are just so nice that I can't help but hang around with you while neglecting all my duties.

[Betty]

I would be interested in that story too. I have hisD-Day, June 6, 1944: The Battle for the Normandy Beaches and frankly, I wasn't impressed by his style of writing. It seemed dry to me. It could have been the mood I was in, or something like that. But I wasn't impressed.

[Betty]

Me too, Lilo! This is a great thread!

[Chin Joo]

Betty wrote: "Me too, Lilo! This is a great thread!"

This is an expensive group to join even though it charges zero entrance fees.

[Chin Joo]

Dj wrote: "I have, and still do, consider Ambrose to be a starter drug. He gets people interested..."

I think that's a very apt description. I only know of Ambrose from the HBO series 'Band of Brothers', in the days when I had not taken to reading about WW2 seriously. I eventually read two of his books and found them easy to read. However because of this thread, it has just occurred to me that I have not gone back to his books since. It's not because I suspected his literary integrity, but somehow he didn't go into as much details and depth as other historians. Still I guess his works appeal to a great many people, especially if you just want to get a general idea of what's going on.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Interesting on the build up and that is where the USA's industrial strength is astonishing in that it supported the two major theatres with naval, land and air assets..."

Geevee: I have an RE selection for you too. It is a personal account which spans service from France in 1940 to Korea in 1951.

"Blowing Our Bridges" by Major General Tony Younger, RE.

[Manray9]

Chin Joo wrote: "Dj wrote: "I have, and still do, consider Ambrose to be a starter drug. He gets people interested..."

I think that's a very apt description. I only know of Ambrose from the HBO series 'Band of Bro..."

Before his death, Ambrose had parlayed his books into a status as a celebrity historian in the U.S. He appeared of TV talk shows and was consulted by prominent people and institutions about WW II and Ike. I do not think he was taken too seriously in academic circles.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

We have an author in Australia, Peter FitzSimons, who use to be a football player (Rugby Union for you Geevee) and a reporter but he has published a number of history books including two on famous Australian battles in WW2; Kokoda and Tobruk. I have read both books and they do not compare with historians of the calibre of Keegan, Gilbert, Hastings or Paul Ham (another Australian). However they are books that have gotten people who may not normally read military history interested in the subject for the first time which has to be a good thing you would think.

& by Peter FitzSimons

[Colin]

Manray9 wrote: "Chin Joo wrote: "Dj wrote: "I have, and still do, consider Ambrose to be a starter drug. He gets people interested..."

I think that's a very apt description. I only know of Ambrose from the HBO se..."

I and other authors were together in New Orelans with all the dignitaries at the opening of the Pacific wing of the National WW II Museum in 2001. Ambrose walked on stage dressed like Meriwether Lewis.

[Dj]

Colin wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Chin Joo wrote: "Dj wrote: "I have, and still do, consider Ambrose to be a starter drug. He gets people interested..."

I think that's a very apt description. I only know of Ambrose..."


Anyone tell him he was at the wrong museum. The End of the Trail museum is in Oregon. LOL.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Chin Joo wrote: "Betty wrote: "Me too, Lilo! This is a great thread!"

This is an expensive group to join even though it charges zero entrance fees."

LOL Chin Joo. And Betty and Lilo we're always happy to help you divert from work, chores and of course other GR groups ;)

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "We have an author in Australia, Peter FitzSimons, who use to be a football player (Rugby Union for you Geevee) and a reporter but he has published a number of history books including two on famous ..."

Aah thanks for the clarification Rick I guessed it was soccer as I didn't think you chaps played Rugby ;O

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Interesting on the build up and that is where the USA's industrial strength is astonishing in that it supported the two major theatres with naval, land..."

Thanks Manray9 another for my list! Have you explored the RE official histories? Very readable, although owing to being involved in every action and theatre necessarily brief on low level detail.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Very cutting Geevee about the Rugby :)

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Interesting on the build up and that is where the USA's industrial strength is astonishing in that it supported the two major theatres ..."

No, but I like official histories.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

On Ambrose and indeed Rick's Australian author the longer benefit is that they either through the books or adaptations into film/tv have introduced many to the war , and some will move to read and learn more. At its most basic the film Saving Private Ryan shows the brutality of war coupled with the sounds of weapons and munitions, human suffering and the bonds troops share.

Whether it can ever really show the fear, apprehension and dread it has on people and the very real and ever present wish and worry to do right by one's mates when going into action perhaps not. But even a small insight given by the films and books to show why veterans up to the present day carry memories for life, have requirements for medical support long after leaving the armed forces, and indicate why Remembrance Day, or Anzac Day or Memorial Day are important to them then that must be a good thing.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "On Ambrose and indeed Rick's Australian author the longer benefit is that they either through the books or adaptations into film/tv have introduced many to the war , and some will move to read and ..."

The more we know of war, the less we embrace it in real life. In American politics, it seems the most belligerent talk and most war-like positions come from those who have never served a day.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Very true Geevee, the Australian author I mentioned above has opened up areas of Australian military history to some sections of our society that maybe would never have picked up a non-fiction book before and if it prompts them to read more then that has to be a good thing.

It's a fine line though to ensure it does slip into some chest-beating, jingoistic nationalism that sometimes runs rampant within parts of our country.

[Lilo]

Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "On Ambrose and indeed Rick's Australian author the longer benefit is that they either through the books or adaptations into film/tv have introduced many to the war , and some will mo..."

I absolutely agree with you. Military action should always be the VERY LAST RESORT. Those who call for it before all diplomatic attempts are exhausted, would probably be the first to shit their pants if they had to go into battle.

[happy]

Geevee wrote: "Dj thanks I will certainly look to get this. I have all the Canadian OHs and so this will be a welcome addition :)

NB: My wife has now added you to the "suspects" list that includes Rick, Carl, H..."

I think that is a good list to be on :)

[Colin]

The ANZACS never received enough credit for their actions in either of the World Wars, and especially Vietnam. They were and still are phenominal warriors, and I admire them.

[Dj]

Colin wrote: "The ANZACS never received enough credit for their actions in either of the World Wars, and especially Vietnam. They were and still are phenominal warriors, and I admire them."


I find that in general they get a fair amount of credit for North Africa, at least until Monty shows up and it becomes 8th Army, nothing much said in regard to the units that make it up.
NZ usually only gets any real amount of credit when it comes to Crete.
In the Pacific they had the double whammy of not being US troops and working under Mac, where only Mac was the real star.

[Manray9]

Dj wrote: "Colin wrote: "The ANZACS never received enough credit for their actions in either of the World Wars, and especially Vietnam. They were and still are phenominal warriors, and I admire them."


I fin..."

Speaking of ANZACs, anyone have a good book recommendation on Bernard Freyberg?

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Manray 9 I've not read this but it's written by his son and is thus the authorised biography: by Paul Freyberg

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray 9 I've not read this but it's written by his son and is thus the authorised biography: by Paul Freyberg"

Thanks.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Colin wrote: "The ANZACS never received enough credit for their actions in either of the World Wars, and especially Vietnam. They were and still are phenominal warriors, and I admire them."

Hear Hear Colin and they served with courage in the Gulf War, Iraq and to this day in Afghanistan.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks for your comments Colin and Geevee.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Interesting on the build up and that is where the USA's industrial strength is astonishing in that it supported the two major theatres with naval, land and air assets so quickly.

Interested as to ..."

GeeVee: While reviewing a book read a number of years ago, I recalled your comment above. From the section on Leslie Hore-Belisha by Brian Bond: "It was therefore greatly to the War Minister's credit that a field force of five divisions was wholly motorized (i.e, not dependent on horse transportation) and ready to be sent to France soon after the outbreak of war."

From:

The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Army by David Chandler (Ed.) and Ian Beckett (Associate Ed.)

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thanks Manray9 - I think I may have this...somewhere!

I also have a number of biographies on British politicians from 1930s-70s and Hore-Belisha is one I have to buy by Ian R. Grimwood

You probably know from your time in the UK that he is better known in day to day life for the Belisha Beacon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belisha_...

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Thanks Manray9 - I think I may have this...somewhere!

I also have a number of biographies on British politicians from 1930s-70s and Hore-Belisha is one I have to buy [bookcover:A Little Chit of a ..."

You learn something new each day! I did not know about the Belisha Beacon. Brian Bond wrote Neville Chamberlain brought Hore-Belisha in as War Minister because of his success reducing traffic accidents as Transport Minister. This may have been part of that success.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Thanks Manray9 - I think I may have this...somewhere!

I also have a number of biographies on British politicians from 1930s-70s and Hore-Belisha is one I have to buy [bookcover:A Little Chit of a ..."

Please give me some recs on bios of British politicians, especially from the 1930s-1950s.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Manray9 wrote: Please give me some recs on bios of British politicians, especially from the 1930s-1950s.
"

Funny but I hadn't realised until I posted the link for you that he also introduced the 30 mph speed limit in built up areas and the Driving Test.

As for recommendations here are some I have (mostly to yet tackle):


all by D.R. Thorpe

by Francis Beckett

by The Earl of Woolton

by Bernard Donoughue

The Cripps Version: The Life Of Sir Stafford Cripps, 1889 1952 by P.F. Clarke

Brendan Bracken by Charles Edward Lysaght

One not listed on GR is The memoirs of Lord Chandos By Oliver Lyttelton (he was minister for war production from 1942-45)

by Andrew Roberts

by David Adams Richards

Suez 1956: A Personal Account by Selwyn Lloyd

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Thanks Manray9 - I think I may have this...somewhere!

I also have a number of biographies on British politicians from 1930s-70s and Hore-Belisha is one I have to buy..."

Thanks. A good selection. I'll try to track down the bio of Attlee.

[Bob]

How exciting! I just got a card from President George H W Bush telling me that he & his wife Barbara enjoyed my book, "From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor". What a thrill! The books website is pearlharboreyewitness.com.
Check it out!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

That is great Trinette - framed and on the wall?

[Robert]

Trinette wrote: "How exciting! I just got a card from President George H W Bush telling me that he & his wife Barbara enjoyed my book, "From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor". What a thrill! The books website is pearlhar..."

Congratulations! Well deserved, I'm sure.

[Lilo]

Trinette wrote: "How exciting! I just got a card from President George H W Bush telling me that he & his wife Barbara enjoyed my book, "From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor". What a thrill! The books website is pearlhar..."

How nice! Congratulations, Trinette!

[happy]

Trinnette,
Wow!! Congratulations! That is really impressive

[Manray9]

I am thinking about my "Pacific" read for next month. I've seen some mention of

Road of Bones by Fergal Keane

But I am thinking also of

Alone on Guadalcanal by Martin Clemens

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[Manray9]

Today, this was named a finalist for the National Book Award --

Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower

Here's the news report:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/bus...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks for the link to the NY Times stories about the finalists, will be interesting to see which book picks up the prize.

Also two very good books to select from for the November theme read!

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Thanks for the link to the NY Times stories about the finalists, will be interesting to see which book picks up the prize.

Also two very good books to select from for the November theme read!"

Clemens became an Aussie and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Very true Manray9:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_C...

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Trinette wrote: "How exciting! I just got a card from President George H W Bush telling me that he & his wife Barbara enjoyed my book, "From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor". What a thrill! The books website is pearlhar..."

Outstanding, congratulations!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Manray9 wrote: "Today, this was named a finalist for the National Book Award --

Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower

Here's the news repor..."

Thanks Manray - my eye also caught this tragic story on that page: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/us/...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That was a pretty sad story, well spotted Geevee.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Today, this was named a finalist for the National Book Award --

Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower

Here'..."

Too much tragedy everyday. I read the news less each day because most of what I see to sad and pointless.