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Introduce yourself to the group!
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Creighton
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Jul 07, 2023 02:50AM

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Just finished Enemy at the Gates--powerful read.




I am an avid reader of all military history but mostly European/British conflicts and WWI-WWII. It was interesting to note that Brian grew up in General Ulysses Grant's hometown.......I grew up in General Stonewall Jackson's hometown.
Looking forward to good discussions...............................Jill





Glad to see a few familiar faces in the group. As always, looking forward to your reviews and recommendations!


I do have to mention that I do caregiving now 24/7 for my wife who had a stroke. So I am no longer able to keep up with over 100 books like I used to do beforehand. Free time to read is a bit of a struggle.


Since retirement I have continued to read about the Civil War, but have finally had time to venture in other directions. First I did some reading about WWII, but now I am burned out on that one. I read more about the French Revolution and then read a pretty good biography of Napoleon. Currently, I am reading a historical fiction series about Genghis Khan. In other words, I'd like to know at least a little bit about almost everything.
I guess I should do a better introduction now
I am Creighton, hello, I am 22 years old and I am currently going to college to get my degree in history and hopefully pursue my dream to write history books and/or be a historian. I have been into History since I was 5 years old, and I eat, sleep, and breathe History.
My main focuses have been the Second World War -the Eastern Front in particular- and the American Civil War. Lately, I have been trying to study about different eras in history like the Napoleonic wars (which I now love to read about), Ancient Rome & Greece, Medieval history, and this year I have been trying to read books about historical topics I haven't read yet.
I made this group because I wanted to create a group for people who like military history to have good discussions about the topic and also most importantly for fun.
I am Creighton, hello, I am 22 years old and I am currently going to college to get my degree in history and hopefully pursue my dream to write history books and/or be a historian. I have been into History since I was 5 years old, and I eat, sleep, and breathe History.
My main focuses have been the Second World War -the Eastern Front in particular- and the American Civil War. Lately, I have been trying to study about different eras in history like the Napoleonic wars (which I now love to read about), Ancient Rome & Greece, Medieval history, and this year I have been trying to read books about historical topics I haven't read yet.
I made this group because I wanted to create a group for people who like military history to have good discussions about the topic and also most importantly for fun.


I am particularly interested in WWII but I like other periods of history, too. Currently I am reading something that is not military history, but I have bought quite a few mil Hist books over the last year so I am sure I will get back to it soon.
I have reviewed quite a few books, and I welcome and I welcome any feedback you wish to share. I look forward to our chats!


Thanks, Rob. Please tell more! What is the subject, and do you have a publishing date yet?





I would be interested to know exactly what the 'no politics' means - I don't mean to be either obtuse or silly but, for me, war and politics are inextricably linked and very often politics is involved in the details of strategy and planning of battles and campaigns. If you are going to remove politics from any discussion of WWI or II or Vietnam and other post WW II conflicts then I am probably not in the right group?
Liam wrote: "Hello and many thanks to Creighton for the invitation to this group - I am fascinated by war within its historical context but not so strong on the specifics of battles and troop movements or speci..."
By Politics, I was meaning more current politics, but really I meant I don't want people on here to start getting into political arguements about the current topics in the news, but if we're talking about Vietnam and military history, then feel free to, but please no mudslinging. I'd like to avoid arguing as much as possible.
By Politics, I was meaning more current politics, but really I meant I don't want people on here to start getting into political arguements about the current topics in the news, but if we're talking about Vietnam and military history, then feel free to, but please no mudslinging. I'd like to avoid arguing as much as possible.

I also have a long time interest in the First World War, as my grandfather fought in it.
Over the last several years The French and Indian War has become my major focus.
Recently I have become fascinated with an ugly little American war that is usually not even mentioned — the Philippine-American War. This conflict is often simply folded into the Spanish-American War, but it definitely became a separate conflict, and one of the ugliest in our history. Need to do much more reading on this one.
Other interests I’ve been pursuing in recent years are The Thirty Years War and The Hussite Wars. Still much to learn about these conflicts.

Welcome to the group - if you are interested in the Thirty Years War then the classic text is C.V. Wedgewood's 'The Thirty Years War' but it was written over 80 years ago and I would recommend Peter H. Wilson's 'The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy' which I am about to start reading and recommend with confidence because his book on the Holy Roman Empire was superb.
Another excellent recent book which deals with the thirty years war in a broader context is Diarmaid McCullough's 'Reformation: Europe's House Divided 1490-1700'.
I also agree with you about the war in the Philippines and would say it is a pity so few people are unaware of the blistering attacks Mark Twain made on that war.

These days I'm reading (and following podcasts) more on ancient, medieval, and early modern European history than American, but open to any good book on any period or region. Looking forward to discussions and any group reads in this community.

I don't know if it is the done thing but, until told not too, I am saying hi to everyone who introduces themselves, so Hi and I look forward to any posts you may make.

I had not heard of the Philippine-American War. Do you have a favorite book on the subject, whether nonfiction or historical fiction?


Sorry I missed this response, but thank you, your explanation is what I hoped it would be and makes perfect sense, maybe I was ia bit obtuse in needing it spelt out!

Shirer is brilliant but his overall approach is trapped in the 'Sonderweg' (Special way or path) view of German history from the time of Luther which saw Germany proceeding on a special path different from other countries which lead inevitably to Hitler. This never had much purchase in academic circles has been decisively refuted, and while not taking anything away from the uniqueness of the Holocaust, I think most of us would realise now that far from the Germans being unique in their capacity for doing terrible things, all countries, cultures, civilisations, etc. have proved themselves capable of horrors and while we may differ in degree in our deeds we should remember that invidual and collectibely 'there but for the grace of god (or luck) go I'.


Welcome aboard, Steven. :-)

I’ve dropped into this group following research I did on a 1918 German letter that found its way back to Tasmania as a war souvenir. It relates to a soldier’s death on 3 June 1918 during a push to take Les Mares Farm, near Bussiares, a phase of the Battle of Belleau Wood (1–26 June 1918), well known in American Marine circles.
I’ve just returned from a 4-day ‘International meeting in Bussiares’, attended by German, French, American, Belgium descendants and friends of soldiers involved in the conflict, all connected in different ways to the letter. We visited all the known sites, memorials and cemeteries, plus the small French villages subject to offensives and counteroffensives – among others, Bouresches, Belleau, Bussiares, Chateau-Thierry, Licy Clignon and Marigny-en-Orxios.
The meeting was organised by the Frenchman who owns the land on which many of these battles/skirmishes took place. It was a moving and very informative visit. We also had open air lectures from Gilles Lagin, a WWI historian and Honorary American Marine, who tied all the connections together.
Before this research, I had a somewhat transitory interest in military history, admittedly Australian war history, but see this group as an opportunity to share my recent experiences and gain more knowledge and appreciation of the past.
Thanks for the invitation, Creighton.
CB

Be careful what you wish for, Liam. It's a long story.... INSERT SMILEY FACE.
Cheers from CB

Well done Rob. Sounds interesting. Keep us posted on publication timelines.
I read your Masinissa: Ally of Carthage (Masinissa #1) and enjoyed it.
Cheers from CB

Be careful what you wish for, Liam. It's a long story.... INSERT SMILEY FACE.
Cheers from CB"
When I posted I didn't know you had written a book based on your experiences, well I do now, so it is now very close to the top of my to be bought list (I haven't found in a local library yet - I always feel embarrassed saying that to an author that I'm looking for a way to read their work for free!)
