Book that started it all......

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some excellent books there James. I am still to read The Crucible of War series of books but I do have them ready and waiting in my library :)

[Kati]

A great book I found in college is Major Problems in the History of WWII. This is a series published regarding misconceptions of different aspects of American history. It has essays and primary documents, so it's not necessarily great for discussion, but wonderful for personal knowledge.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sounds like an interesting book Kati, thanks for passing on the details to the group.


by Melanie S. Gustafson
description:
This text presents a carefully selected group of readings that allow students to evaluate primary sources, test the interpretations of distinguished historians, and draw their own conclusions. The volume covers World War II from the homefront and the battlefield, examining both the military and social impact of the war.

[Selena]

When I was in middle school, I had one of those Scholastic book orders that had several World War II books in them. I got (and believe I still have) When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, I Have Lived a Thousand Years: Growing Up in the Holocaust, and another book, the tile of which I can't remember, that if I recall correctly was about a girl in Russia. The only other scene I remember is when the Americans came and she gets a bar of chocolate.

Of course, these got me into Number the Stars and the Yoshiko Uchida books.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a great story Selena! We had Scholastic book orders over here in Australia when I was in school, I remember pestering my mum for money for books I wanted.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thanks Selena for the post with some good books for people to recommend to younger readers.

[Selena]

You're welcome. It was some of the very little exposure I got to the subject. My school history courses didn't cover it much. We actually discussed this on the first day of my "Narratives of Internment" class in college. Most of us had never studied the interment in school.

[Chris]

I used to love the Scholastic book fairs at my school when I was a kid!!! And the Scholastic order form things they sent out every so often too. I used to circle all the books I wanted then go begging to my mom. I tried saving up my allowance every time the fairs were coming so I could buy as many books as I could. I don't remember seeing any WWII books though. Then again I was always buying young adult fiction about dogs and horses most of the time back then. Didn't get into military history until college. Never learned much about military history at all in school. In fact, almost nothing except this is the date the war began, date it ended, who were Axis, and who were Allies.

[Eric]

I could not state with accuracy what book initiated my study of WWII. However, I remember reading a biography of Hitler that I found on the shelf in my school library when I was in 3rd or 4th grade.

I was inculcated into the lore of WWII at a very young age (pre-school) by my father who was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran. He always had great suggestions on which movies and TV shows to watch back then (1960s), too. Shows like Combat! and Rat Patrol were eagerly watched by me as a child.

The book that I found to be the most impressive with regards to WWII was William L. Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It was admittedly focused on the European theater, primarily. For the war in the Pacific, I'd have to vote for Gordon w. Prange's series of books starting with At Dawn We Slept.

Good stuff. :)

~Eric

[Manray9]

V.T. Eric wrote: "I could not state with accuracy what book initiated my study of WWII. However, I remember reading a biography of Hitler that I found on the shelf in my school library when I was in 3rd or 4th grade..."

I was an avid viewer of "Combat," "Rat Patrol" and "12 o'Clock High," as well as "McHale's Navy" and "Hogan's Heroes."

[Doubledf99.99]

Manray9 wrote: "V.T. Eric wrote: "I could not state with accuracy what book initiated my study of WWII. However, I remember reading a biography of Hitler that I found on the shelf in my school library when I was i..."
Same here to, "Gallant Men" and Walter Cronkite's "Twentieth Century" had some good WWII footage.

[Manray9]

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "V.T. Eric wrote: "I could not state with accuracy what book initiated my study of WWII. However, I remember reading a biography of Hitler that I found on the shelf in my school libr..."

I forgot about the "Twentieth Century." That was early Sunday morning viewing before the adults were up.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

"Combat" and "12 o'Clock High" were my two favourite TV shows growing up along with "Rawhide".

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: ""Combat" and "12 o'Clock High" were my two favourite TV shows growing up along with "Rawhide"."

So those shows were seen Down Under?

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Yep, many many years ago as were the others you mentioned. I grew up with two TV stations, one commercial and one government, a bit different now eh!

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Yep, many many years ago as were the others you mentioned. I grew up with two TV stations, one commercial and one government, a bit different now eh!"

Only recently have Aussie shows appeared on U.S. television. They have certainly caught on.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

"Rat Patrol", "Combat" and "Victory at Sea" were never to be missed along with "12 O'clock High" and "Sky King". Great shows.

[Manray9]

Mike wrote: ""Rat Patrol", "Combat" and "Victory at Sea" were never to be missed along with "12 O'clock High" and "Sky King". Great shows."

You date yourself with "Sky King" -- brought to you by Nabisco!

[happy]

Manray9 wrote: "Mike wrote: ""Rat Patrol", "Combat" and "Victory at Sea" were never to be missed along with "12 O'clock High" and "Sky King". Great shows."

You date yourself with "Sky King" -- brought to you by N..."

you are all dating yourselves :) - I'll add my endorsement for Combat, 12 O'Clock High and Rat Patrol :)

I guess I need to add myselft to those who are dated :)

[Eric]

I have the entire Victory At Sea collection on VHS. My father loved this documentary.

Oddly enough, I was up at 5AM Saturday morning watching an episode of 12 O'Clock High. It was the one where a minor (played by a very young Beau Bridges) manages to get himself a waist gunner position on Piccadilly Lily's crew. Komansky finds out he's a minor and tries to protect the kid. General Gallagher eventually finds out when the kid freezes up during a real engagement with fighters on a mission.

Good stuff! :)

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Manray9 wrote: "You date yourself with "Sky King" -- brought to you by Nabisco!..."

Practically need carbon dating. It had to play at least a little in my pursuit of an aviation career...maybe I was just looking for Penny? Now I can fly "out of the clear blue of the western sky..."!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Hogan's Heroes was shown on British TV when I was a lad :)

[Dj]

It may be an odd thing, but I have never seen Combat. Maybe I should see if Netflix has them.


happy wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Mike wrote: ""Rat Patrol", "Combat" and "Victory at Sea" were never to be missed along with "12 O'clock High" and "Sky King". Great shows."

You date yourself with "Sky King" -- bro..."

[Eric]

Combat! was an extremely well-done portrayal of a platoon in France in the weeks/months following the D-day invasion. It follows the exploits and experiences of the veteran platoon sergeant and a seasoned lieutenant as they lead their small group deeper into enemy-held France. It's very realistic for the time (early 60s) and relatively accurate as far as wardrobe, weapons, and story lines.

It's actually my favorite program from my childhood. Try it, you might like it.

Regards,

~Eric

P.S. More info at Wikipedia --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat!

and Internet Movie Database --> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055666/

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks for that extra information and links Eric, much appreciated.

[Eric]

No problem, Rick.

Also, for those of you who receive broadcast television signals (via antenna), many local broadcast stations are utilizing their secondary digital channels (10.1, 10.2, etc.) to show retro programming provided by broadcasters such as MeTV and RTV (Retro Television). Those retro broadcasters often schedule weekly or even daily episodes of some great programs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s; such as Combat!, 12 O'Clock High, Rat Patrol, Hogans Heroes, etc.

Something to check on in your area. I don't have cable or other TV. I have ONLY broadcast TV in my home; these "retro" stations are a joy for me. I can relive my youth watching Highway Patrol, Wagon Train, and the shows mentioned above.

Yeah, I'm stuck in the 60s, I guess. ;)

Later...

~Eric

[happy]

Dj wrote: "It may be an odd thing, but I have never seen Combat. Maybe I should see if Netflix has them.


happy wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Mike wrote: ""Rat Patrol", "Combat" and "Victory at Sea" were never to ..."

I've seen the complete series at Sam's - a tad expensive $129 IIRC

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Hogan's Heroes was shown on British TV when I was a lad :)"

I read a news story a couple years ago about Hogan's Heroes being a big hit with young people in Germany. Apparently it's considered hilarious.

[Doubledf99.99]

"Combat" definetly put me on the road to WWII and then shortly there after to start reading about it. Course it was handy living about, 4, small town blocks, from the library. Could get there in minutes on my bike. Yea, Sgt Saunders, Cage and Little John, Doc where my favorites, and each week you could expect to see a good guest star.

[Dj]

I loaded the first season into my Netflix Queue. Will move the first on up to the top fairly soon. At the moment I want to finish Castle and NCIS. I get two at a time, so I usually get a movie and a series disc at the same time. Inspector Morris is the other big one I am focused on at the moment.



happy wrote: "Dj wrote: "It may be an odd thing, but I have never seen Combat. Maybe I should see if Netflix has them.


happy wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Mike wrote: ""Rat Patrol", "Combat" and "Victory at Sea" wer..."

[Mike]

Growing up in England in the 1960s, we all knew a lot about the air war - and there were also editions of some books especially for schoolkids. It was two of those that got me going - Reach for the Sky, but also Fly For Your Life: The Story of Bob Stanford Tuck. The first fiction books I can remember reading about the war were The Silver Sword - wonderful kid's book - and Irwin Shaw's The Young Lions, which I think I read too young, but still loved.

[Manray9]

Mike wrote: "Growing up in England in the 1960s, we all knew a lot about the air war - and there were also editions of some books especially for schoolkids. It was two of those that got me going - [book:Reach f..."

I read Brickhill's books in the sixties too -- "Reach for the Sky," "The Dam Busters" and "The Great Escape." My mother took me to the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore, one of the last of the ornate movie palaces built in the 1930s, to see "The Great Escape."

[Mikey B.]

Manray9 wrote: "Geevee wrote: "Hogan's Heroes was shown on British TV when I was a lad :)"

I read a news story a couple years ago about Hogan's Heroes being a big hit with young people in Germany. Apparently it'..."

Everything I learnt about WWII is from Hogan's Heroes
(and a little more from Combat and the Japanese side from McHale's Navy)

General Burkhalter: Klink what is that man doing here??
(when Hogan was comfortably sitting in Klink's office)

[carl]

checkmate king2 this is white rook over !


good you mentioned Gallant Men D99, that often gets forgotten. it's a good one about Italy, maybe only lasted a season or two.

[Doubledf99.99]

carl wrote: "checkmate king2 this is white rook over !


good you mentioned Gallant Men D99, that often gets forgotten. it's a good one about Italy, maybe only lasted a season or two."

Yep it was a short lived one..

[Dimitri]

in English "World War Two: historical Facts" with the same cover design. It carries an inscription by my father:

"To my son, on the 50th anniversary of the liberation"

So I was 10 when the seed was planted. Friends at uni cultivated it into the all-devouring weed it is today.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a great story Dimitri, a book that will stay in your library to be passed onto your children?

[Dimitri]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "That's a great story Dimitri, a book that will stay in your library to be passed onto your children?"

That's the plan indeed

[John]

I grew up in London during the 1950s. I remember the awful bomb sites. It was as if not a street had been spared and impossible not to be aware of that awful war.
Besides reading about it, anyone else here like me, actually written about it?

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Hi John take a trip to the Authors' thread and you'll find some members there.

[Robert]

John wrote: "I grew up in London during the 1950s. I remember the awful bomb sites. It was as if not a street had been spared and impossible not to be aware of that awful war.
Besides reading about it, anyone e..."

John, it was my privilege and pleasure to write a book on Gen. Oscar Koch, Patton's intelligence officer. Through mere fate, we became good friends in the late years of his life.
Robert Hays

[Martin]

When I was about ten my dad gave me . While a great story told from the "enemy," it really spurred my interest in WW2-era aircraft, over history. It wasn't until I discovered an unread Readers Digest Illustrated Story of WW2 back home that I really got into back into it.

After I had visited Buchenwald concentration camp in 1995, my brain shut off any WW2 history for a very long time. Several years ago, my wife and I started watching The Piano. Twenty minutes into the movie I turned it off: It was still too much to bear.

But with the passage of more time, I'm finally able to dig back into the history and learn as much as I can.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Great book to get you stated on WW2 history Martin! The Pianist is a great movie although the subject matter is hard its well worth watching. I'm glad you have come back to WW2 history and welcome to the group.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thanks for the post Martin and I can understand why visiting a place such as Buchenwald would do that. I thought The Pianist a fine film. Now you are "back" do you have any particular interest areas as I'm sure we have many books on the group's shelves for you to try.

[Colin]

Speaking of Buchenwald, go to my website at www.lewisheatonbooks.com and go to The Buchenwald Story page. This story is also mentioned in my friend Adam Makos' book A Higher Call, and my book, The German Aces Speak II.

[Martin]

Geevee wrote: "Thanks for the post Martin and I can understand why visiting a place such as Buchenwald would do that. I thought The Pianist a fine film. Now you are "back" do you have any particular interest ar..."

Well right now I'm just trying to read as much as I can! I read the Reader's Digest book -- 40,000-foot overview -- and just finished The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau, which I highly recommend. Starting on Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy.

When I was a kid I read a lot of books about the air forces. Samurai, God is My co-Pilot, etc.

Would also want to read more on how the war machine was built.

[Martin]

Colin wrote: "Speaking of Buchenwald, go to my website at www.lewisheatonbooks.com and go to The Buchenwald Story page. This story is also mentioned in my friend Adam Makos' book A Higher Call, and my book, The ..."

Great site, Colin thanks for sharing! I'm diving into it now.

[Jenn]

For me, a lifelong reader, strangely enough it wasn't a book that started it all. I'm in my 30s but have watched classic film since I was extremely young. My favorites? WWII films - any type. I still remember watching THE LONGEST DAY with my dad when I was maybe eleven or twelve. Some of those scenes still haunt me.

I've read WWII fiction and nonfiction for years, but it always focused on the European war. For me, my obsession with the Pacific War started with (and I actually hate to admit this) the film (again with a film!) UNBROKEN. I just had no exposure to the Pacific War before that. I went home that night at 10 p.m. and downloaded the book, reading it through the night. Then I started compiling a list. Then I discovered this group. And really, until this past month when I started teaching an intense summer course, I've read several books each month with a cozy mystery or two in between for levity. And I'm not finished yet.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I'm glad that movie Unbroken sparked an interests in the Pacific campaign Jenn, your countrymen fought some of the hardest battles during the war in that theatre.

I also love classic WW2 movies, have a collection on DVD at home :)

[Colin]

We managed to solve a long mystery