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RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/25/2013 10:37:34 PM

Hotschi

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1.) "The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Richmond Kelly Turner." Volume II by George C. Dyer - the paperback

2.) "The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997" by Piers Brendon - the Kindle e-book

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RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/25/2013 10:44:26 PM

warspite1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hotschi

2.) "The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781-1997" by Piers Brendon - the Kindle e-book

warspite1

Please let me know what you think - the Guardian liked it so I suspect its's positively hideous.

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Post #: 572

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/26/2013 12:59:40 AM

Hotschi

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It's the first book I read about this topic, so I cannot compare it with other titles. Anyway, I've almost finished it and I like it. It is full of anecdotes that it can hardly be called a history book - it's narrative history. Definitely not a book for "beginners" who are interested in this topic, but nonetheless worth reading.

Do you know other titles about the subject?

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Post #: 573

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/27/2013 6:36:22 AM

warspite1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hotschi

It's the first book I read about this topic, so I cannot compare it with other titles. Anyway, I've almost finished it and I like it. It is full of anecdotes that it can hardly be called a history book - it's narrative history. Definitely not a book for "beginners" who are interested in this topic, but nonetheless worth reading.

Do you know other titles about the subject?

warspite1

I read The Rise and Fall of the British Empire (Lawrence James) many years ago. That was a decent book.

_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

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Post #: 574

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/27/2013 8:54:50 PM

Hotschi

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From: Austria
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Thank you, I checked it at Amazon - have to put it on my to-buy list!

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Post #: 575

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/28/2013 8:28:49 PM

SLAAKMAN

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The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine

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RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/29/2013 7:46:07 PM

shunwick

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Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. I have not read this for ages and ages but it is still a good read.

Best wishes,
Steve

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RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/29/2013 10:28:11 PM

rodney727

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Just curious if anyone reads anything from stackpole military series? Every division in the german army SS and anything in between that was ever formed in ww2 is covered. Would loved to read the same thing on American , British and Russian units also. Never found anything that comes close to this. Any ideas?

< Message edited by rogo727 -- 4/30/2013 1:10:39 AM >

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RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/29/2013 10:58:20 PM

SLAAKMAN

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quote:

Just curious if anyone reads anything from stackpole military series? Every division in the german army SS and anything in between that was every formed in ww2 is covered. Would loved to read the same thing on American , British and Russian units also. Never found anything that comes close to this. Any ideas?

How does it compare to the Ballantine series?

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Post #: 579

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/29/2013 11:22:24 PM

rodney727

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Joined: 7/12/2011
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I'm looking for unit (division history) on each unit. With a quick google look the site site you listed only covers the general campaigns and special operations. If I am wrong please tell me. I want books that would tell me the history of each division . For example I had developers from WITE tell me that no 999th german infantry ever existed while in fact it did. It would be wonderful if I could find a source that covered all Russian units as well.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SLAAKMAN

quote:

Just curious if anyone reads anything from stackpole military series? Every division in the german army SS and anything in between that was every formed in ww2 is covered. Would loved to read the same thing on American , British and Russian units also. Never found anything that comes close to this. Any ideas?

How does it compare to the Ballantine series?

_____________________________

"I thank God that I was warring on the gridirons of the midwest and not the battlefields of Europe"
Nile Kinnick 1918-1943

(in reply to SLAAKMAN)

Post #: 580

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 4:11:16 PM

shunwick

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Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

< Message edited by shunwick -- 4/30/2013 4:25:28 PM >

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RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 4:20:21 PM

rodney727

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I will check it out and hope it is available in the iBook store. What I really like about digital downloads is that you can get pretty much any book at about half the price. I do have the kindle app and the nook ap and buy only when I can't buy from iBooks . I have 15 stackpole books on my iPad now. I don't know why but reading each and every German division ever formed in ww2 is very fascinating . Most but not all are written by British authors ! But anyway thank you for the tip. I found the book but its not available in ebook from yet!

. It looks good I will probably get it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

< Message edited by rogo727 -- 4/30/2013 4:28:14 PM >

_____________________________

"I thank God that I was warring on the gridirons of the midwest and not the battlefields of Europe"
Nile Kinnick 1918-1943

(in reply to shunwick)

Post #: 582

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 4:20:49 PM

catwhoorg

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Right now.

The Cruel Sea, by Nicolas Montserrat.

Not my first time reading it, but it has been about 10 years since I picked it up.

(in reply to shunwick)

Post #: 583

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 4:31:33 PM

rodney727

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From: Iowa
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Found it too starting at 135 US dollars hardback and 34.96 used! I am wondering how you set the price at 34.96!?

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

_____________________________

"I thank God that I was warring on the gridirons of the midwest and not the battlefields of Europe"
Nile Kinnick 1918-1943

(in reply to shunwick)

Post #: 584

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 6:00:15 PM

shunwick

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Joined: 10/15/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: rogo727

Found it too starting at 135 US dollars hardback and 34.96 used! I am wondering how you set the price at 34.96!?

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

According to Amazon, I can trade-in my copy for a �1.01 gift card. That's what? A dollar 50 ?

You can buy it second-hand from Amazon UK for �8.45 very good condition though you would have to add delivery to US. That would still make it cheaper than the US second-hand price though.

Best wishes,
Steve

< Message edited by shunwick -- 4/30/2013 6:07:26 PM >

_____________________________

I love the smell of TOAW in the morning...

(in reply to rodney727)

Post #: 585

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 9:57:12 PM

warspite1

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From: England
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quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

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Post #: 586

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 4/30/2013 9:59:59 PM

warspite1

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quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

quote:

ORIGINAL: rogo727

Found it too starting at 135 US dollars hardback and 34.96 used! I am wondering how you set the price at 34.96!?

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

According to Amazon, I can trade-in my copy for a �1.01 gift card. That's what? A dollar 50 ?

You can buy it second-hand from Amazon UK for �8.45 very good condition though you would have to add delivery to US. That would still make it cheaper than the US second-hand price though.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

That Amazon trade-in is a complete joke. I would rather give a book away to charity (and I have done) rather than let them have it for such a ridiculous amount so they can re-sell for a huge mark-up

.

_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

(in reply to shunwick)

Post #: 587

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 12:57:12 AM

rodney727

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From: Iowa
Status: offline

This book cover all British divisions in ww2? What I would really like to see is some one cover all Russian divisions from 1941-1945

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

_____________________________

"I thank God that I was warring on the gridirons of the midwest and not the battlefields of Europe"
Nile Kinnick 1918-1943

(in reply to warspite1)

Post #: 588

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 1:11:13 AM

shunwick

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rogo727

This book cover all British divisions in ww2? What I would really like to see is some one cover all Russian divisions from 1941-1945

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

Rogo727,

All the warring nations except the Chinese. There is some information on the Chinese divisions that fought in the Burma theater but I think that is about all. But yes, all the Soviet divisions are there together with how and when they were reformed/renamed.

Best wishes,
Steve

_____________________________

I love the smell of TOAW in the morning...

(in reply to rodney727)

Post #: 589

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 1:16:45 AM

rodney727

Posts: 1460
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From: Iowa
Status: offline

Ordered from amazon at $45 US dollars the book said in near mint condition. I hope so! Tell you what I think in a week to ten days

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

quote:

ORIGINAL: rogo727

This book cover all British divisions in ww2? What I would really like to see is some one cover all Russian divisions from 1941-1945

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Rogo727,

I use the World War II Databook by John Ellis (it provides basic divisional data for all the belligerents with the exception of the Chinese - date formed - deployment - date destroyed etc) as my starting point and then Google for more detailed information.

I can't remember ever seeing anything similar to the Stackpole series for the other belligerents.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS: Yikes! I have just seen the price of World War II Databook on Amazon �159.92 new. I do not remember what I paid for it new (I have had it for few years) but it was never anywhere near that price.

warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

Rogo727,

All the warring nations except the Chinese. There is some information on the Chinese divisions that fought in the Burma theater but I think that is about all. But yes, all the Soviet divisions are there together with how and when they were reformed/renamed.

Best wishes,
Steve

_____________________________

"I thank God that I was warring on the gridirons of the midwest and not the battlefields of Europe"
Nile Kinnick 1918-1943

(in reply to shunwick)

Post #: 590

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 2:17:59 AM

slpatgun

Posts: 30
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Reading "The approach to the Philippines" by Robert Ross Smith. One of the "Big Green Books, The US Army in WWII, Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army".

Lot's of info on a little known part of the Pacific War.

(in reply to rodney727)

Post #: 591

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 3:26:01 AM

DampSquib

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Kill Anything That Moves - Nick Turse.

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Post #: 592

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 3:36:52 AM

RangerX3X

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From: Jacksonville, FL USA
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"Wake Up Dead" by Megadeth.

lol...wrong post

< Message edited by RangerX3X -- 5/1/2013 3:39:05 AM >

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Post #: 593

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 5:09:58 AM

Curtis Lemay

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From: Houston, TX
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quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

Listing 21st Panzer as spending the entire war on the Eastern Front is the one boneheaded goof that still makes me worry about the whole thing. But I still use it. The production figures, in particular, have come in handy on some projects.

(in reply to warspite1)

Post #: 594

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 5:23:39 AM

warspite1

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From: England
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

Listing 21st Panzer as spending the entire war on the Eastern Front is the one boneheaded goof that still makes me worry about the whole thing. But I still use it. The production figures, in particular, have come in handy on some projects.

warspite1

For me it was the losses during the Hunt for Bismarck. Battleships include Battlecruisers (as per the book's explanation) but apparently HMS Hood was a cruiser.... The RN also lost a destroyer - I've no idea which one.

_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

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Post #: 595

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/1/2013 12:34:12 PM

shunwick

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I bought that book in circa 1995 for �40 I think it was. Broke the bank to get it at the time. A few mistakes in the book, but worth having as a source of reference.

Listing 21st Panzer as spending the entire war on the Eastern Front is the one boneheaded goof that still makes me worry about the whole thing. But I still use it. The production figures, in particular, have come in handy on some projects.

Bob,

Mistakes are inevitable. This is why trusting only in a single source is dangerous. Even trusting multiple sources does not guarantee accuracy. It is possible to see some mistakes repeated across several sources. Even original documents contain errors.

Nothing is more fraught with inaccuracies, lies, balderdash, and humbug than History. Military History is even murkier.

But you know all this.

Best wishes,
Steve

_____________________________

I love the smell of TOAW in the morning...

(in reply to Curtis Lemay)

Post #: 596

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/2/2013 11:18:25 PM

warspite1

Posts: 41353
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From: England
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

One of the authors that actually got me reading in my youth has passed away.

James Herbert.

I think I will have to buy The Dark again. Qualiteeee

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21870413

warspite1

Couldn't find The Dark so bought Ash instead. 100 pages in and so far so good

warspite1

Just Finished Ash. A thoroughly entertaining read and I would recommend for those fans of the horror genre.

Next up its the latest biography of Lady Thatcher.

warspite1

...and what a superb, very balanced, read it is too. I would recommend this, whichever side of the political fence you sit.

_____________________________

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

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Post #: 597

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/3/2013 12:08:18 AM

SLAAKMAN

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quote:

Bob,

Mistakes are inevitable. This is why trusting only in a single source is dangerous. Even trusting multiple sources does not guarantee accuracy. It is possible to see some mistakes repeated across several sources. Even original documents contain errors.

Nothing is more fraught with inaccuracies, lies, balderdash, and humbug than History. Military History is even murkier.

But you know all this.

Best wishes,
Steve

Very astute observation Mr Shunwick. Very astute indeed. Now if only Warspite1 would pay attention to this, we'd have a good campaign going.

_____________________________

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Post #: 598

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/5/2013 2:37:07 AM

nicwb

Posts: 518
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Just finished my Anzac day read "Hell's Bell's and Mademoiselles" -the personal memoirs of Lt Joe Maxwell VC

http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/hells-bells-and-mademoiselles-a-true-story-of-life-love-and-larrikinism-on-the-western-front/37139104/

Not really much of a history - more of a series of recollections from someone who went from private to Lt and picked up a string of medals on the way.

(in reply to SLAAKMAN)

Post #: 599

RE: What Book Are You Reading at the moment? - 5/5/2013 11:36:37 AM

Yogi the Great