Second World War Books

[Ethan, Group Founder]

Welcome!
There are so many great World War Two books out there, so this is a thread for fans of reading about the Second World War. Enjoy!

[Ethan, Group Founder]

Just finished the book Vanished: The Sixty-Year Search for the Missing Men of World War II. I really enjoyed it! It was like reading a mystery novel.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm nearly finished Snow & Steel by Peter Caddick-Adams and I think it's the best book I have read on the Ardennes Offensive.

by Peter Caddick-Adams

[Ethan, Group Founder]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'm nearly finished Snow & Steel by Peter Caddick-Adams and I think it's the best book I have read on the Ardennes Offensive.

by..."

Sounds great, Rick! Thank you so much for the suggestions. Added it to my TBR list! ;-)

[happy]

A couple I recently read

[Ethan, Group Founder]

happy wrote: "A couple I recently read




[bookcover:The Schweinfurt Regensburg Mission: The American Raids on 17 Aug..."

They both sound great, happy! The first one is already on my to-read shelf because I saw you reading it! I added the second one as well. Good suggestions!

[happy]

I finally got around to typing up my thoughts on




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



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

[Ethan, Group Founder]

Thanks for sharing them, happy! Nice reviews.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Great reviews Happy!

[Ethan, Group Founder]

I finished reading this book a few days ago: by James Bacque. I've already talked about it in the Second World War Group, but I thought I should post it here as well. It was quite a nice book, end especially interesting closer to the end. Enjoy!

[happy]

I recently finished this one of D-Day and Omaha Beech

It is a bit graphic is describing the carnage on the beech

[Ethan, Group Founder]

I just finished this book about an American pilot who saved the lives of POWs during the Second World War. The book is truly amazing. It's a really gripping, beautifully written read.

by Lee Trimble

[Geevee]

I have just finished this book about British merchant seaman and the risks and how they did or didn't survive once their vessel had been sunk.

Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War by G.H. Bennett

My review should people be interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Great review Geevee, thanks for sharing.

[Geevee]

Thanks Rick. Have you got a copy?

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Nope, not yet :)

[Geevee]

I am somewhat surprised by this revelation ;)

[happy]

You're only suprised? I'm positively stunned:)

Excellent review

[Geevee]

British understatement :)

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm trying to be more restrained now that I am retired :)

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@Geevee Nice review! The book sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing!

[happy]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'm nearly finished Snow & Steel by Peter Caddick-Adams and I think it's the best book I have read on the Ardennes Offensive.

by..."

I just finished this one - excellent, one of the best. Mr. Caddick-Adams does a super of job telling the German side of the battle.

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@happy Thanks for the rec! I've gotta find a copy of that book . I've had my eye on it for a long time!

[Ethan, Group Founder]

Just finished this one. Amazing book! It was a really good in depth look into, well, the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler! :D Even though it is on the short side it is a must read.

by William L. Shirer

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

It's a great book Ethan, well worth finding a copy and I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[Rose]

The end of the Second World War was not the end of conflict but just the beginning of terror and deprivation for millions of Germans living in Eastern Europe. My book Threaten to Undo Us is based on the real life story of a family torn asunder by two powerful regimes. Liesel and her children suffer displacement and cruel punishment. She wants her family to be safe and together, but is there any hope in a world turned upside down?

[happy]

If anyone is interested, I finally got around to typing up my thoughts on Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45

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

[Geevee]

Good review Happy.

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@happy Awesome review. Thanks!

[Ethan, Group Founder]

I just finished this book about a boy and most of his family saved by Oscar Schindler. Amazing read! Very riveting and I read it in basically one sitting. Definitely a five star book!

by Leon Leyson

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@Edward Very interesting! Will check it out. I'm probably not the most knowledgable person to ask but I'm sure Aussie Rick or Geevee or Happy would have an answer. Once you find it out please let me know! I'm very interested to hear it. Cheers!

P.S. By the way, great to have you in the group!

[Ethan, Group Founder]

Awesome Rose!! Thank you for letting us know. I will be sure to enter. I hope I win! :-D

[happy]

I recently read Jame Scott's book on the Doolittle raid

Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor

It's a definite 5 star read.If anyone is interested, I finally got around to typing up my thoughts

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

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@happy Thanks happy! As usual, another awesome review. Going to have to add it to my TBR list. Thanks again for sharing!

[happy]

It is a little rough in describing what the Japanese did to the Chinese in retaliation and what they did to the 8 prisoners they took.

[happy]

I'm slowing catching up with my thoughts on books I've read

I recently finished the middle book of a proposed trilogy on WWII in the Pacific by Ian W. Toll

The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 1942-1944

The first book in the series was a 5 star read for me, this one is not quite as good, but still a solid 4 star read.

My thoughts if any one is interested

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

[Ethan, Group Founder]

Nice happy! Thanks for sharing!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Good review Happy, thanks.

[happy]

If anyone is interested, I finally got around to typing up my thoughts on A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II

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

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Great review Happy, thanks for sharing!

[Rose]

Like the new cover?

A unique perspective on WW2 and the years following. Based on a true story.
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@Rose Thank you for the link! I LOVE the new cover! With the red apple it reminds me a lot of Schindler's List with the girl in red dress. Looks great!

[Rose]

Ethan wrote: "@Rose Thank you for the link! I LOVE the new cover! With the red apple it reminds me a lot of Schindler's List with the girl in red dress. Looks great!"
Glad you like it. Took awhile to come up with this one. Mostly publisher's doing, but the red apple was my idea.

[Peter]

I suppose this is primarily a Second World War book, even though it is broader, so I'll mention it here.

Full disclosure - it's by a close relative!



You might be interested in this new nonfiction book, as it is topical this year: The Bride’s Trunk A Story of War and Reconciliation by Ingrid Dixon

Seventy years ago, on 1st August 1946 in the aftermath of the Second World War, the British Government withdrew the ban on British soldiers marrying German women. The subsequent months witnessed a steady flow of German women arriving in Britain to marry British soldiers and ex-servicemen.

In a blend of object-based social history and family memoir, Ingrid Dixon tells the story of her parents, who met in the chaos of post-war Germany and married in 1946. This is her first book, based on her own experience of growing up within both the British and German cultures. Jackie Ashley has called it ‘an extraordinary narrative’ and Dr Philip Towle thinks it a ‘sensitive treatment of the conflicting feelings associated with war’. It is profusely illustrated and we hope that many readers will agree that it is a page-turner.

It's collecting very positive reviews e.g. 'Beautifully told, it stays with you long after the last page is sadly turned.'

I mention it today, because the Kindle version is half price or better tomorrow (Friday 19th August) for three days in a weekend special.

Also, the Kindle version is FREE for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

In the UK, find it at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IL87WOO,
in the USA at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IL87WOO

If you like it, do please leave a review at Amazon. Thanks!

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@Peter Thanks for sharing! That book sounds really interesting and a great fit for the group. Thanks again, and see you around!

[happy]

I recently finished this look at the Indian Army in WW II



Fascinating look at India's contribution to the Allied victory over both Germany and Japan.

My thought if anyone is interested

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

[Ethan, Group Founder]

@happy Thanks for posting the book! It sounds really interesting as not many stories are told from the Indian perspective of the war. Also, a great review as usual. Cheers!

[Jill]

Just finished this book and it was very well done. It is a translation and sometimes those can be awkward but the narrative flows very nicely. The book concentrates on the North Africa campaign as a whole and does not concentrate on one particular battle And it has maps!!!! (thank heavens).. It is full of anecdotal information about skirmishes that were important but are not usually found in other histories of that theater of battle. I felt that the author wrote without bias, which was refreshing but he still gave the Italians the short end of the stick as far as their tactics and equipment were concerned. From everything else I have read, he is probably justified.

by Wolf Heckmann

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

It is a pretty good book Jill and I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did, great review too! :)

[Jill]

I should have known that you had read it!! :>)