Book that started it all......

[Michal]

This is my first book on the subject :)

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Great place to start Michal!

[Leland]

As a retired Naval Aviator my interest has always been focused in the pacific. Even though I have cruised east and west I will always consider myself a WESTPAC Sailor. My books mirror that slant I suppose.

[zed]

Nice reading this thread. There seems a common theme with what we first watched and read when young and I am not much different. I recall Combat and Hogan's Hero's as a boy but what I think nailed my interest was watching World at War with my dad when it first came out and then he buying me Liddell Harts History of the Second World War. I loved that book and it finally fell into a about 50 pieces from over use after about 10 years. I never replaced it nor do I intend reread it. The thought that it might not be as good as my youthful memories would be.....well....disappointing.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a great story about the start of your interest in this subject 4ZZZ. I know how you feel about re-reading an old favourite :)

[John]

My interest came from my family originally. My great uncle had lost his arm in a tank at El Alamein and when I was a kid he would ask me to pass him things and when I did he'd hold out his stump. It was a joke of his. That whole generation of my family, now all dead, had fought all over (North Africa, Italy, Northern France, Germany, Singapore, the Atlantic covoys).

The books that I first read and loved about the war were Cornelius Ryan's wonderful series The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, and The Last Battle.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Hi John, that's some great family history and its hard to beat Cornelius Ryan's series of books, they were some of my favourites as well. Thanks for sharing your story.

[carl]

4Z do you still have it? and can gaze fondly upon it? rubberbands and all?

4ZZZ wrote: "Nice reading this thread. There seems a common theme with what we first watched and read when young and I am not much different. I recall Combat and Hogan's Hero's as a boy but what I think nailed ..."

[zed]

carl wrote: "4Z do you still have it? and can gaze fondly upon it? rubberbands and all?

4ZZZ wrote: "Nice reading this thread. There seems a common theme with what we first watched and read when young and I a..."

Tell you how bad it was I was trained as a bookbinder in my youth and there was no repairing that one!!!! "sigh"

[carl]

Hehe, RIP(ieces).

[Jonny]

My first serious history was the classic
A Bridge Too Far back in 1985.... but before that my grandad was telling me stories of his war while we read a serial called HMS Nightshade in Battle comic back in 1980 or so.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Good book from a good author Jonny. I like the connection with your Grandad too.

[Igor]

I can't recall when and how my interest in the WWII sparked. I don't have any relative that has been a veteran, or any type of soldier for that matter. The Netherlands were an occupied country, my grandparents however never claimed any heroic action. In fact, one of my granddad's was forced to work in Germany.
As a kid I always loved the history stories. Knights in the middle ages, tanks of the later wars, it didn't matter much. I remember having read some historical fiction about the East-Front, from the German point of view that I loved. I was maybe 10 year olds at that time. It was a triology, if I remember it right. It was about a tankcrew that surrendered in the second or third book, after wich the stories was about the Russian POW-camps.

A few years later, I had to read Dutch classics for school, and you guess it, I really enjoyed those that were about the German occupation of the Netherlands. Two that come to mind are:

(Translation: The partisan-attack)
(Translation: Winter in wartime)

Scipping a decade or so, reading mostly fantasy, I somehow remembered watching a documentary about the war in Russia. It was about Stalingrad or Leningrad, I couldn't tell them apart back then. 8)
I searched for a book on that subject, a non-fiction this time, and found this book by Anthony Beevor:

That kickstarted my interest in the non-fiction books on the Second World War. Few more books from Beevor followed, some from other authors as well. I learned German a bit, started reading Kriegsbücher in the German language, and now I'm here having recently joined this group.

[Marc]

While I'd read a little bit here and there, this was the first book I received about World War II (my mom bought it for me when I was 11) and thus began my library.

The Divine Wind: Japan's Kamikaze Force in World War II

This wasn't the exact copy I had, but rather a volume in the Bantam War Book series. I still have over 100 books in this series, some of which are still favorites of mine after all these years.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a great story Igor, thanks for sharing with the group. Stalingrad by Antony Beevor is a great way to kick start an interest in WW2 history/books!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Interesting info Igor and Marc, thanks gents.

[Kate]

My first book was Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, I had recently gotten married and most of my in-laws friends were European refugees, from Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Poland, most had escaped either before or in the first year of the war, some were survivors of the camps and others had been hidden by French families. I knew the history, but it became almost an obsession to find out the how and why the world could get into a conflict that would take 60 million lives. My father was a bomber pilot in the Pacific and two uncles fought in the European Theater...which became my main interest...and believe it or not I read the entire book out loud, because my husband was jealous of my reading time because he wasn't the center of my attention...a truly crazy way to start on my journey.

[Dimitri]

Igor wrote: "I can't recall when and how my interest in the WWII sparked. I don't have any relative that has been a veteran, or any type of soldier for that matter. The Netherlands were an occupied country, my ..."

Oorlogswinter has inspired more than a generation of Hollandophone youth to have a dormant war seed planted :)

[Isabela]

It is an interesting question , as I always liked historical fiction is no surprise that I like books about World War II ( most of which I read are of historical fiction, but I read enough biographies and books report as well). I think the first I read related to World War II was The Diary of Anne Frank ( I did not like much) , but what made me look read about were The Road to Rescue: The Untold Story of Schindler's List by Mietek Pemper and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand , both biographies.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thanks Isabela, always interesting to learn how people come to a subject.

[Adam]

I can't say it was a book which sparked my interest in WW2 though I have accrued a sizable collection over the years. Among my all time favourite reads are 'A Bridge Too Far' by Cornelius Ryan & 'Winged Dagger' By Roy Farran

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

"A Bridge Too Far" is a classic book and I think one that many in the group would have in their favourite section as well.

[Adam]

I am in no way connected to them so I'm not advertising but I've found a great resource for military themed books for the enthusiast:

http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/coming...

[John]

My father was in the Navy during WW2 so I heard stories about his experiences from an early age. As a result of this I was always predisposed to the Pacific Theater, although I would say I am now obsessed with WW2 in general. I remember that my parents had a series of American Heritage books on various subjects with WW2 being one of them. I nearly wore that book out and I'd say that it was the book that really sparked my interest. Several years later a good friend recommended Company Commander by Charles B. MacDonald to me. That book was to become one of my favorite books of all time and one that led me to continue to seek out books on the subject until this very day.

by Cyrus Leo Sulzberger II

by Charles B MacDonald

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Another classic book there John, thanks for sharing your story.

[Adam]

Forgotten Voices of WW2 is a great read. I have that & the WW1 companion.

[Colin]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: ""A Bridge Too Far" is a classic book and I think one that many in the group would have in their favourite section as well."

Having read the book, and seeing the film in a theater when it came out started me on the road to contacting German vets, starting with Wilhelm Bittrich.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

That's a good outcome from reading a book Colin!

[Colin]

I also met and spoke with Col. John Frost, and got to know James Gavin as a result, which led me to Matthew Ridgeway, James Doolittle, Curtis Lemay, and many others.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some great names there, it must have been a privilege to meet and talk to such great men.

[Adam]

Meeting those people sounds like the basis of a great thread! I have only met one Arnhem vet. He was on the bridge & from memory he managed to evade capture when the Frost's men were forced to surrender. As far as I know he's still alive so must be one of only a handful of Market Garden veterans still with us.

I first read ABTF when I was about fourteen. I wouldn't hazard a guess at how many times I re-read it.

[Tony]

This is a great thread! Unfortunately my story is s bit more pedestrian...

My interest in WW2 goes back to my childhood, when Sunday afternoons were often spent recovering from a roast dinner by watching war films on the TV. Favourites included The Great Escape, The Battle of Britain & A Bridge Too Far.

However my interest in WW2 books is much more recent, only over the past couple of years, and started with Antony Beevor's The Second World War. I read it as an introduction and to get an overview, and it served that purpose very well. I'd recommend it to any "beginners".

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some great classic movies there Tony and any WW2 book by Antony Beevor is a good start!

[John]

Hard to remember back that far but the book that really got me started was
by Cornelius Ryan
That and playing Avalon Hill war games with my older brother. Panzer Blitz, Luftwaffe, and Midway to name a few.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

A great book and some excellent wargames there John!

[Jenn]

I've been fascinated with WWII since I was a child. We watched AMC, so lots of films dealt with the subject. And of course, I read quite a bit when I was young about the Holocaust.

However, a few years ago, I watched Unbroken with my friend and cousin. That night I went home, downloaded the book, and read it until the wee hours. I realized I had a massive gap in my knowledge, and Unbroken, as one man's story, only made me want to know more.

Since then, I've kept up a steady stream of nonfiction on the Pacific War, along with books about Japanese history, a Hirohito bio, etc. I've also been to Japan, which further spurred my interest. Apparently it isn't abating, and I'm a-ok with that!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Great story Jenn, thanks for sharing with the group.

[Karen]

I would say that my interest in WWII started in 9th grade when we studied the Holocaust, and I read Night by Elie Wiesel. Then I read diaries on the Warsaw Ghetto and Treblinka and visited Dachau when I was 15.

Just a side note here. At the time we were able to visit the crematorium at Dachau, but according Joe Biden, in his book Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose, the crematorium is not a part of the tour anymore.

Since then, I have tried to read everything I could get my hands on concerning the Holocaust, particularly memoirs and diaries, it wasn't until 2014 that I have expanded to the actual campaigns, when I read Rick Atkinson's The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set. Now I just need to read something similar for the Pacific.

[Liz V.]

Karen wrote: "I would say that my interest in WWII started in 9th grade when we studied the Holocaust, and I read Night by Elie Wiesel. Then I read diaries on the Warsaw Ghetto and Treb..."

For the Japanese camps, you may wish to check out Belly of the Beast: POW's Inspiring True Story Faith Courage Survival Aboard Infamous WWII Japanese by Judith L. Pearson, We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese by Elizabeth M. Norman, Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler Rose, and Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.

Others can better advise on campaigns.

[Marc]

Karen wrote: "I would say that my interest in WWII started in 9th grade when we studied the Holocaust, and I read Night by Elie Wiesel. Then I read diaries on the Warsaw Ghetto and Treb..."

Karen, if you want to read great books on naval warfare in the Pacific, pick up any of the four titles by James Hornfischer. This one in particular might be of interest as it deals with POWs who were forced to work on the infamous Railway of Death in Burma and Thailand:

Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR's Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of Her Survivors

Now, if there's a particular battle you are interested in, just say the word and recommendations will come pouring in. In the meantime, this one can give you a good start on the war in the Pacific overall:

War in the Pacific: From Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay

[Karen]

Thank you so much!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I would also recommend these books, two oldies and one newer title:

The Rising Sun: The Decline & Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-45 by John Toland

Japan's War: The Great Pacific Conflict by Edwin P. Hoyt

Nemesis: The Battle For Japan, 1944-45 by Max Hastings

[Karen]

Thank you Liv, Marc and Aussie Rick, I’ll check them out!

[Jonny]

I'd back up Rick's recommendation of Hastings, you might be interested in
Surviving The Sword: Prisoners Of The Japanese 1942-45
As well. And one of my favourite books
Quartered Safe Out Here

[Dimitri]

Karen wrote: "Now I just need to read something similar for the Pacific.
if you want to play with the big books:
Hirohito's War: The Pacific War, 1941-1945 by Francis Pike

[Karen]

Dimitri wrote: "Karen wrote: "Now I just need to read something similar for the Pacific.
if you want to play with the big books:
[book:Hirohito's War..."

The bigger the better for me.

Forgive me if this is the wrong thread to ask this question. What about Ian Toll's books, are they a good place to start, or would it be better to start with Hornfischer?

I think I just used up my ebook allowance for the year, with all the suggestions, and I am not complaining.

[Marc]

Karen wrote: "Dimitri wrote: "Karen wrote: "Now I just need to read something similar for the Pacific.
if you want to play with the big books:
[boo..."

While I haven't read any of Ian Toll's books yet, personally I like to wait (if possible) for all the books in a series before I start reading.

All of Hornfischer's books are excellent and you can't go wrong with any of them.

[Karen]

Thanks Marc, good point.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I agree with Marc in regards to Ian Toll, I like to have the completed series before I start (if I can). Here is one more recommendation

The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific, 1944-1945 by James D. Hornfischer

[Leigh]

Karen wrote: "I would say that my interest in WWII started in 9th grade when we studied the Holocaust, and I read Night by Elie Wiesel. Then I read diaries on the Warsaw Ghetto and Treb..."

I would suggest:

Stubborn Buggers: Survivors of the Infamous POW Gaol That Made Changi Look Like Heaven by Tim Bowden