THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

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BOOK DISCUSSIONS > I'm Looking for a Book on........

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message 851: by Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces (new)

Geevee | 3811 comments Good one Rick - I shall look out for that myself.


message 852: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments My pleasure Geevee :)


message 853: by Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces (last edited Jan 25, 2016 09:48PM) (new)

Mike | 3595 comments Alyssa wrote: "Anyone know of any books on 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, that goes from Boot to battles in the Pacific? Currently reading "Helmet for my Pillow" by Leckie, which I am liking a lot, but it's th..."

Alyssa, the 7th Marines are among the many Marine formations covered in A Special Valor The U.S. Marines and the Pacific War by Richard Wheeler A Special Valor: The U.S. Marines and the Pacific War. I read this a long time ago and will have to read it again but Wheeler is quite detailed in small and large unit actions. Good maps and photos.


message 854: by Boudewijn (new)

Boudewijn (boudalok) | 403 comments Hi AR, Geevee and Manray9, thanks for your excellent suggestions!


message 855: by Michal (new)

Michal | 189 comments Stalin biography suggestions please...

Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar
Stalin The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore

or

Stalin
Stalin by Эдвард Радзинский

or something else?


message 856: by Manray9 (last edited Jan 26, 2016 08:57AM) (new)

Manray9 | 4785 comments Michal wrote: "Stalin biography suggestions please...

Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar
Stalin The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore

or

Stalin
Stalin by Эдвард Радзинский

or something else?"


Sebag-Montefiore's book, while excellent, isn't a bio of Stalin. Old, but still good, is Adam Ulam's --

Stalin The Man and His Era by Adam B. Ulam Stalin: The Man and His Era

Ulam was the head of the Russian Research Center at Harvard. I'm a skeptic on Radzinsky.

A good political biography is --

Let History Judge The Origins and Consequences of Stalinism by Рой Медведев Let History Judge: The Origins and Consequences of Stalinism by Roy Aleksandrovich Medvedev

The post-war political writer and polemicist, Isaac Deutscher, wrote a very good bio of Stalin. It's interesting because it's comprehensive and fair even though Deutscher was sympathetic to Trotsky --

Stalin A Political Biography by Isaac Deutscher Stalin: A Political Biography


message 857: by Michal (new)

Michal | 189 comments Thank You. I'll order Stalin: The Man and His Era then :)


message 858: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments Has anyone read a good book on the WAVES during WWII? (Bonus if it's still in print or at least easy-to-find on Amazon or Abebooks.)


message 859: by Derek (new)

Derek Nudd | 278 comments Cormac704 wrote: "Just finished "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," but the book ends quite abruptly after nazi surrender. Any good books on the Nuremberg trials and division of Germany + more postwar Germany? B..."

It's a while since I read it but 'The Sword in the Scales' by Hans Fritzsche is interesting on Nuremberg. You just have to remember that he was a defendant - standing in for his boss, Goebbels, who was unavailable.

The Royal Navy and German Naval Disarmament 1942-1947 by Chris Madsen The Royal Navy and German Naval Disarmament 1942-1947 (1998) by Chris Maden is expensive for a slimmish volume but superbly researched and does what it says on the tin.


message 860: by Mike (new)

Mike Harbert | 3 comments Looking for a book... hmmm,... books?

I'm conducting a study on Bernard Montgomery and his role in the Italian campaign. I'm building a decent bibliography from the British and American perspectives, but all I really have from the German perspective is Kesselring's memoirs. Can anyone recommend some works that address the early stages of the Italian campaign (and or the Sicilian campaign) from the German perspective?

Thanks,

Mike


message 861: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (last edited Feb 26, 2016 08:36PM) (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments Hi Mike, the book by Martin Pöppel offers two chapters covering Sicily and Southern Italy during 1943. The author was a German paratrooper during the war.

Heaven & Hell The War Diary Of A German Paratrooper by Martin Pöppel by Martin Pöppel

There is also this recent release from another German paratrooper:

Monte Cassino A German View by Rudolf Bohmler by Rudolf Bohmler


message 862: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (last edited Feb 26, 2016 08:39PM) (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments Plus from a higher command perspective you can't go past; Neither Fear nor Hope by General Frido von Senger und Etterlin:

Neither Fear Nor Hope The Wartime Memoirs Of The German Defender Of Cassino by Frido von Senger und Etterlin by Frido von Senger und Etterlin


message 863: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2295 comments Mike wrote: "Looking for a book... hmmm,... books?

I'm conducting a study on Bernard Montgomery and his role in the Italian campaign. I'm building a decent bibliography from the British and American perspectiv..."


Neither Fear Nor Hope: The Wartime Memoirs Of The German Defender Of Cassino

Try this one, he is a adviser, but had a pretty good seat for the battles at Sicily, he also was responsible for the safe withdrawal of garrisons of Sardinia and Messina, and was holding the section of the line when Monte Cassino was blown to bits.


message 864: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments A request from a group member, Wurmo:

I just finished Wukovits "One Square Mile of Hell" (loved it) and am ready to move on to another Pacific War battle. I've tackled a lot of the majors, and have even delved into some of the great Aussie stuff, but for some reason haven't read much on Saipan (other than a chapter here or there in broader Pacific War histories). Any suggestions for a read that focuses on the Battle of Saipan in a gripping way (not looking for a dry read, but rather a real page turner)?

Suggestions/recommendation folks?


message 865: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (last edited Mar 09, 2016 08:36PM) (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments I've heard good things about this book although I have not read it myself:

D-Day in the Pacific The Battle of Saipan by Harold J. Goldberg D-Day in the Pacific: The Battle of Saipan by Harold J. Goldberg

Amazon lets you have a peek inside the book if you are interested:

http://www.amazon.com/D-Day-Pacific-B...


message 866: by Marc (new)

Marc | 1748 comments 'Aussie Rick' wrote: "A request from a group member, Wurmo:

I just finished Wukovits "One Square Mile of Hell" (loved it) and am ready to move on to another Pacific War battle. I've tackled a lot of the majors, and ha..."


A good book on Saipan, and the controversy between Generals Smith and Smith is this one:

Howlin' Mad Vs. the Army Conflict in Command, Saipan 1944 by Harry A. Gailey

Read this back in college as Harry Gailey was one of my professors when I got my minor in Military History.


message 867: by Marc (new)

Marc | 1748 comments 'Aussie Rick' wrote: "A request from a group member, Wurmo:

I just finished Wukovits "One Square Mile of Hell" (loved it) and am ready to move on to another Pacific War battle. I've tackled a lot of the majors, and ha..."


And if you want another Wukovits books to read, I highly recommend this one:

Hell from the Heavens The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II's Greatest Kamikaze Attack by John Wukovits


message 868: by Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces (new)

Geevee | 3811 comments This might be of interest Wurmo. Morison's multi-volume official history of the USN is very readable and helped by the fact that he was serving in the theatre at the time:

New Guinea and the Marianas March 1944-August 1944 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II) by Samuel Eliot Morison New Guinea and the Marianas: March 1944-August 1944 by Samuel Eliot Morison


message 869: by Manray9 (last edited Mar 14, 2016 08:59AM) (new)

Manray9 | 4785 comments Recently a group member asked about books on Saipan. Here's the new online catalog of the University of Indiana Press. It includes:

D-Day in the Pacific The Battle of Saipan by Harold J. Goldberg D-Day in the Pacific: The Battle of Saipan by Harold Goldberg

The sale price is $14.98 if you use the discount code: SPRBRK.

http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/index....


message 870: by Dimitri (new)

Dimitri | 1413 comments Manray9 wrote: "Recently a group member asked about books on Saipan. Here's the new online catalog of the University of Indiana Press. It includes:

D-Day in the Pacific The Battle of Saipan by Harold J. Goldberg [b..."


aah, UIP. Unending Income Problem. Much like their counterpart in Kansas : https://kuecprd.ku.edu/~upress/cgi-bin/


message 871: by zed (new)

zed  (4triplezed) | 951 comments Bou wrote: "Looking for a book. Anyone knows a good book dealing with the returning soldiers and their struggle to adapt to the civilian life? I always wondered how it must felt like, after the horrors of the ..."

The book that Rick recommended to you, Stranger in the House, I've read. It is a good read but my criticism is that I felt that it was a subject that required more depth of analysis and that lead to the book itself being too short. That may suit some.


message 872: by Alyssa (new)

Alyssa Allen | 6 comments Mike wrote: "Alyssa wrote: "Anyone know of any books on 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, that goes from Boot to battles in the Pacific? Currently reading "Helmet for my Pillow" by Leckie, which I am liking a l..."

Thanks so much!


message 873: by Marc (last edited Mar 16, 2016 03:32PM) (new)

Marc | 1748 comments Another book on my shelf on the Battle of Saipan, in case anyone is still looking for books on this battle. It covers more than just Saipan, but it's supposed to have new information on the Smith v. Smith controversy.

Pacific Blitzkrieg World War II in the Central Pacific by Sharon Tosi Lacey Pacific Blitzkrieg: World War II in the Central Pacific Sharon Tosi Lacey


message 874: by Mike (new)

Mike Harbert | 3 comments Dj wrote: "Mike wrote: "Looking for a book... hmmm,... books?

I'm conducting a study on Bernard Montgomery and his role in the Italian campaign. I'm building a decent bibliography from the British and Americ..."


Thanks DJ - put it on order. It ought to help.

Mike


message 875: by Mike (new)

Mike Harbert | 3 comments 'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Mike, the book by Martin Pöppel offers two chapters covering Sicily and Southern Italy during 1943. The author was a German paratrooper during the war.

[bookcover:Heaven & Hell: The War Diary O..."


Thanks Rick - added them to my order list.


message 876: by Sweetwilliam (new)

Sweetwilliam | 607 comments Marc wrote: "Another book on my shelf on the Battle of Saipan, in case anyone is still looking for books on this battle. It covers more than just Saipan, but it's supposed to have new information on the Smith v..."

Sounds like a good read for sure. I recently learned that after the fall of Saipan Japan realized the war was lost and the only thing left to do was sue for some sort of honorable peace. Tojo was ousted after the fall of Saipan.


message 877: by A.L. (last edited May 23, 2016 12:44PM) (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments I have a friend asking for recommendations on reference books about the Royal Navy during WWII, specifically about traditions and terminology. She likes the 1944 volume of Seamanship and the 1940 edition of The Bluejackets' Manual for the US Navy and would like something similar for the Royal Navy. I don't have any suggestions, but I thought maybe someone here would. Any ideas?


message 878: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments Check out this site A.L. :

http://www.naval-history.net/WW2aaNav...


message 879: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments That looks great. Thank you, Rick!


message 880: by Dj (new)

Dj | 2295 comments A.L. wrote: "I have a friend asking for recommendations on reference books about the Royal Navy during WWII, specifically about traditions and terminology. She likes the 1944 volume of Seamanship and the 1940 e..."

This one is focused primarily on the RN, might give it a whirl. I started it just enough to know that I was going to keep it. So can't tell you just how good it is or isn't.

The Naval War Against Hitler


message 881: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments Thanks, DJ! I'll pass that recommendation on too!


message 882: by Jamie (new)

Jamie Campbell | 206 comments From memory there's an addition of the Admiralty Manual from the 1930s. I've volume I and II of the 1952 version - and I have found it very useful. Also there are copies of Kings Regulations floating around on-line that are useful too to help fill in gaps. Otherwise there's a fair amount of groping in the dark for understanding the nuances of Royal Navy life.

If your friend lives near London or lives near Hamilton Ontario - then I'd recommend a trip to HMS Belfast or HMCS Haida - because walking the decks of an actual WWII RN/RCN warship did help put it together.

I'd also endorse navy history net. It's far from complete - but what it does have is very very good.

E-Book copies of the official history are also quite cheap.


message 883: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments Thanks so much, Jamie. I'll pass that on too!


message 884: by Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces (new)

Geevee | 3811 comments A.L., if your friend is in London at any time I'd recommend http://www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritim... or in Portsmouth the superb http://www.nmrn-portsmouth.org.uk/

The latter one may also be able to answer questions or indeed recommend books and other resources on the subject.


message 885: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments Thanks, Geevee! Those museums look great. My friend is in California, but the websites should be helpful, even if she doesn't make it to London!


message 886: by Michal (new)

Michal | 189 comments Today is the anniversary so maybe you guys can recommend some books on Warsaw Uprising...


message 887: by Dimitri (last edited Aug 01, 2016 08:02AM) (new)

Dimitri | 1413 comments Michal wrote: "Today is the anniversary so maybe you guys can recommend some books on Warsaw Uprising..."

Warszawa 1944. Tragiczne Powstanie by Alexandra Richie

I tought it was tomorrow. Fu-dge...150 pages to go in my current book ; I won't be reading this live...but FB is so getting an impressive picture to teach everyone!


message 888: by Michal (new)

Michal | 189 comments thanks Dimitri I forgot I had this in TBR


message 889: by 'Aussie Rick', Moderator (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) | 19987 comments An excellent recommendation Dimitri which I heartily second.


message 890: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments I had a friend ask for recommendations on books about the American home front during the war . . . and I've read practically nothing dedicated just to the home front. (Lots of books that talk about it in part, but nothing focused on life for civilians back home.) Has anyone read anything good on the subject?


message 891: by Marc (new)

Marc | 1748 comments This one might help a bit, and perhaps any bibliographic information inside could be useful:

The Home Front U.S.A. by Ronald H. Bailey The Home Front: U.S.A.

When doing a search for that book to post it here, this one also popped up:

Home Front U.S.A. America During World War II (American History Series) by Allan M. Winkler Home Front U.S.A.: America During World War II


message 892: by Manray9 (last edited Aug 02, 2016 01:27PM) (new)

Manray9 | 4785 comments A.L. wrote: "I had a friend ask for recommendations on books about the American home front during the war . . . and I've read practically nothing dedicated just to the home front. (Lots of books that talk about..."

A. L.: I have a copy (unread) of --

Let the Good Times Roll Life at Home in America During World War II by Paul D. Casdorph Let the Good Times Roll: Life at Home in America During World War II by Paul Casdorph

I thought his biography of Confederate General "Prince" John Magruder was good.

Prince John Magruder His Life and Campaigns by Paul D. Casdorph Prince John Magruder: His Life and Campaigns

Casdorph is Professor Emeritus of History at West Virginia State College.


message 893: by happy (last edited Aug 02, 2016 02:16PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2281 comments I read this one a couple of yrs ago - not bad. It looks at how Pearl Harbor changed the attitudes of the US populations towards the war.

December 1941 The Month That Changed America And Saved The World by Craig Shirley December 1941: The Month That Changed America And Saved The World


message 894: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments Thanks Marc, Manray9, and Happy! I knew this group would come up with some good titles!


message 895: by carl (new)

carl  theaker | 1560 comments Here's a home front one for you AL. It's California centric, but there was a lot going on there, LA being a center of the aircraft industry, the Hollywood effort, Japanese population, Japanese subs off the coast !

Embattled Dreams California in War and Peace, 1940-1950 by Kevin Starr

A.L. wrote: "I had a friend ask for recommendations on books about the American home front during the war . . . and I've read practically nothing dedicated just to the home front. (Lots of books that talk about..."


message 896: by A.L. (new)

A.L. Sowards | 500 comments Thanks, Carl!


message 897: by Jamie (last edited Aug 12, 2016 01:49PM) (new)

Jamie Campbell | 206 comments O.K. So I've a facebook friend who posted recently how she likes Vad. Puten (She also believes Evolution is a religion). Anyway, in discussing with her whether or not Estonia and Poland are as provocative to Moscow as Kiev was, I suggested she might want to brush up on the last 100 years of European history so that she can understand things from the POV of Poland and Estonia.

She said she'd be happy to, provided it's not a revisionist historian I recommend.

I'm thinking

1918: War and Peace

Or

1945: The War That Never Ended

Can anyone recommend anything?


message 898: by Boudewijn (last edited Aug 12, 2016 11:34PM) (new)

Boudewijn (boudalok) | 403 comments Hi Jamie, I would suggest also these books:

Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin

and

Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956

The first book deals with the terror of Stalin (starting in the early 30's) and Hitler during World War II. The second book deals with the oppressive communist regimes setup by Russia after WWII.


message 899: by zed (new)

zed  (4triplezed) | 951 comments Not for me to say that Bou's recommendations are wrong but I personally found Iron Curtain a poor book.


message 900: by Jamie (new)

Jamie Campbell | 206 comments That's alright. She probably won't read them.


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