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OT Books - 12/31/2013 4:48:54 PM   
Symon


Posts: 1928
Joined: 11/24/2012
From: De Eye-lands, Mon
Status: offline 		Just got my Christmas copy of Rick Atkinson's "Guns at Last Light". Third book of his Liberation Trilogy. Only a quarter the way through, but it is dense and beautiful. Knew why he got the Pulitzer for "Army at Dawn", but add in "Day of Battle", and especially this one, and you have some of the best history ever written about men (and nations) at war.

I am beyond impressed at his understanding and nuance. This man is a giant ! Ciao. John

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RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 5:12:02 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline 		I've read the first two in the trilogy and was really impressed. Some of the best books I've read about WWII.

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RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 5:53:35 PM   
Mac Linehan

 

Posts: 1484
Joined: 12/19/2004
From: Denver Colorado
Status: offline 		John -

I read "Crusade" shortly after retirement from the USMC.

Came across "Army at Dawn" periodically, and put it on my "eventually read" list. I did not make the connection with "Crusade" at the time.

I bought "Army at Dawn" for my kindle moments ago; after buying six books yesterday (my awesome wife forgives me...).

Thank You for the recommendation, I know it will be good.

Mac

< Message edited by Mac Linehan -- 12/31/2013 6:54:32 PM >

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RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 6:32:34 PM   
Symon


Posts: 1928
Joined: 11/24/2012
From: De Eye-lands, Mon
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Mac Linehan
Thank You for the recommendation, I know it will be good.
Mac

Buy them and read them, Mac. IMHO his books are the best there ever was. IMHO they are as good as or better than Cornelius Ryan. His writing style is Pulitzer quality. His work is exceptional. Can't say any more than, I read and I wept. Ciao. John

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Post #: 4
RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 8:24:27 PM   
Chickenboy


Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Symon

Just got my Christmas copy of Rick Atkinson's "Guns at Last Light". Third book of his Liberation Trilogy. Only a quarter the way through, but it is dense and beautiful. Knew why he got the Pulitzer for "Army at Dawn", but add in "Day of Battle", and especially this one, and you have some of the best history ever written about men (and nations) at war.

I am beyond impressed at his understanding and nuance. This man is a giant ! Ciao. John

Hi John,

Finished his trilogy myself last month. I have read a number of books about the Western Front in the Second World War, but appreciated some of his unique spin on the personalities and their impact on Allied cohesion, for example. Of the three, I think I preferred "Army at Dawn", as it dealt with a much underappreciated aspect of the war, IMO.


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RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 8:45:24 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		Agreed. I acquired the audiobook of volume 3 over the holidays and will start it shortly.

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Post #: 6
RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 9:42:40 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		Have the first of the three and haven't read it yet. I knew they gained awards but didn't know they were that good. Will move them up the list.


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Post #: 7
RE: OT Books - 12/31/2013 10:58:34 PM   
pontiouspilot


Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline 		ok...on the recommendation I ordered today.

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Post #: 8
RE: OT Books - 1/1/2014 7:52:09 PM   
geofflambert


Posts: 14863
Joined: 12/23/2010
From: St. Louis
Status: offline 		I'm just about through Foote's trilogy. I guess I'll have to follow your advice. Don't let it go to your head.

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Post #: 9
RE: OT Books - 1/2/2014 5:00:41 PM   
rsallen64


Posts: 172
Joined: 6/15/2009
From: Olympia, WA
Status: offline 		Yes, they are excellent, truly first rate. For a Pacific War trilogy that I am just starting the last book of (just got it for Christmas), check out Bruce Gamble's Rabaul Trilogy - Invasion Rabaul, Fortress Rabaul, and Target Rabaul. Not quite Atkinson, but good nonetheless.

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Post #: 10
RE: OT Books - 1/2/2014 8:15:05 PM   
geofflambert


Posts: 14863
Joined: 12/23/2010
From: St. Louis
Status: offline 		I just ordered all three. You'll be hearing from me Symon if I'm disappointed. Now a question for you: Did George W. Bush disappoint Harriet Miers?

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Post #: 11
RE: OT Books - 1/2/2014 8:17:21 PM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline 		I'm working the last one. The 1st two were magnificent , and this one seems to be of the same caliber.

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Post #: 12
RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 5:21:49 PM   
Mac Linehan

 

Posts: 1484
Joined: 12/19/2004
From: Denver Colorado
Status: offline 		Gents -

"Army at Dawn" has met and exceeded all expectations. It was very difficult to read about the two attempted harbor assaults, and the 1100 mile Para drop.

Atkinson's writing is superb, and truly captures the human and political drama that influenced each and every decision. His description of combat is very gritty and realistic, and he captures the very different perspectives and attitudes displayed by the nationalities involved.

My only regret in buying a kindle version, is that the maps are very small and do not seem to enlarge.

I give him five stars, and will read through the full trilogy before picking up one of the many fine reads that are waiting on my shelf.

rsallen64 thank you for recommending Bruce Gamble. I will most definitely check that series out.

Mac

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Post #: 13
RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 5:54:14 PM   
SqzMyLemon


Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009
From: Alberta, Canada
Status: offline 		I've almost finished "The Battle of Britain" by James Holland. I can't base a recommendation on any kind of scholastic knowledge of my own, but in terms of whether I enjoyed the book and learned something I can say yes. I hardly wanted to put it down at times and I've thoroughly enjoyed the read.

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Post #: 14
RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 7:22:29 PM   
Blind Sniper


Posts: 863
Joined: 8/9/2008
From: Turin, Italy
Status: offline
quote:

Just got my Christmas copy of Rick Atkinson's "Guns at Last Light".


I bought all of them about 3 weeks ago, a lot of positive feedbacks.
Now my problem is the lacking of shelves

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Post #: 15
RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 7:25:05 PM   
CaptDave

 

Posts: 659
Joined: 6/21/2002
From: Federal Way, WA
Status: offline 		I'd like to think this forum has this kind of influence:

"An Army at Dawn" - 11 holds on 28 copies
"The Day of Battle" - 11 holds on 19 copies
"The Guns at Last Light" - 30 holds on 71 copies

Similar numbers (higher percentages) on the audiobook versions, no holds on any of his other books.

These are reports gathered over the last 5 minutes from the King County Library System (Washington). There's either a heck of a history class being taught somewhere, an unbelievable interest in the subject among the general public, or there are more silent forumites than we know of!

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Post #: 16
RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 9:00:01 PM   
geofflambert


Posts: 14863
Joined: 12/23/2010
From: St. Louis
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Mac Linehan

Gents -


My only regret in buying a kindle version, is that the maps are very small and do not seem to enlarge.


Mac



Kindle is for kindling.

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Post #: 17
RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 9:32:14 PM   
Mac Linehan

 

Posts: 1484
Joined: 12/19/2004
From: Denver Colorado
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: geofflambert


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mac Linehan

Gents -


My only regret in buying a kindle version, is that the maps are very small and do not seem to enlarge.


Mac



Kindle is for kindling.


Geoff -

When it comes to maps, which are rarely made for magnification, Kindle is indeed for kindling.

Mac

< Message edited by Mac Linehan -- 1/8/2014 12:00:29 PM >

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RE: OT Books - 1/3/2014 9:58:42 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		Good thing we know those maps backwards and forwards now, eh?

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Post #: 19
RE: OT Books - 1/5/2014 5:35:14 PM   
Symon


Posts: 1928
Joined: 11/24/2012
From: De Eye-lands, Mon
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Mac Linehan
Gents -
"Army at Dawn" has met and exceeded all expectations. It was very difficult to read about the two attempted harbor assaults, and the 1100 mile Para drop.

Atkinson's writing is superb, and truly captures the human and political drama that influenced each and every decision. His description of combat is very gritty and realistic, and he captures the very different perspectives and attitudes displayed by the nationalities involved.
Mac

This is a totally apocryphal story I heard at a reunion. Atkinson was embedded with the 101st for Storm and Surge. He spent time with troops on the ground and was well received. He spent much time with Petreus, and talked with him a lot.

Petreus was “heard” to have said “I thought this guy was an Ivy League weenis [sic], but I would put him in my Ops shop any day. We lost a great one … “

Far be it of me to render truth from apocrypha, but the guy who was buying the Vodka was a person I respect.

Ciao. John

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Post #: 20
RE: OT Books - 1/7/2014 7:11:12 PM   
Schanilec

 

Posts: 4040
Joined: 6/12/2010
From: Grand Forks, ND
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: rsallen64

Yes, they are excellent, truly first rate. For a Pacific War trilogy that I am just starting the last book of (just got it for Christmas), check out Bruce Gamble's Rabaul Trilogy - Invasion Rabaul, Fortress Rabaul, and Target Rabaul. Not quite Atkinson, but good nonetheless.

This forum always costs me money. Have 'Fortress Rabaul'. I thought a very good read. 'Invasion Rabaul' and 'Target Rabaul' should be arriving in a couple of days.

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Post #: 21
RE: OT Books - 1/7/2014 7:51:37 PM   
LoBaron


Posts: 4776
Joined: 1/26/2003
From: Vienna, Austria
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Schanilec
This forum always costs me money.


HAHA couldn´t have said it better Schanilec!


Thank you (damn you?) for the reading recommendation John, 3 more books on my to-buy list.

PS: Love the new plane stats up to now, awesome work! (did not expect anything else tbh...)

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RE: OT Books - 1/7/2014 8:38:06 PM   
rsallen64


Posts: 172
Joined: 6/15/2009
From: Olympia, WA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Schanilec


quote:

ORIGINAL: rsallen64

Yes, they are excellent, truly first rate. For a Pacific War trilogy that I am just starting the last book of (just got it for Christmas), check out Bruce Gamble's Rabaul Trilogy - Invasion Rabaul, Fortress Rabaul, and Target Rabaul. Not quite Atkinson, but good nonetheless.

This forum always costs me money. Have 'Fortress Rabaul'. I thought a very good read. 'Invasion Rabaul' and 'Target Rabaul' should be arriving in a couple of days.


You're welcome! (I think?) I would spend all the money I have on books and computer games and never leave the house, if I could, I think. My bookshelves are already groaning with books, and since moving into this house seven years ago I've added three bookcases and STILL have piles of books sitting around. Now, when I will have time to read them all is another story, and these lists don't help...


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Post #: 23
RE: OT Books - 1/7/2014 8:44:18 PM   
Schanilec

 

Posts: 4040
Joined: 6/12/2010
From: Grand Forks, ND
Status: offline 		'Target: Rabaul' just arrived a little bit ago. I guess I have to wait a little bit for 'Invasion: Rabaul' to get here. One of my bedrooms upstairs is my library and another bedroom across the hall is the den or the C.I.C. Works out quite well.

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RE: OT Books - 1/7/2014 9:21:36 PM   
Symon


Posts: 1928
Joined: 11/24/2012
From: De Eye-lands, Mon
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LoBaron
Thank you (damn you?) for the reading recommendation John, 3 more books on my to-buy list.

PS: Love the new plane stats up to now, awesome work! (did not expect anything else tbh...)

Rick is a rare prize, ain't he? Damn me if you wish, but after a reading or two, his books will take a prominent place on your bookshelf. Mine are brokebacked, dogeared, smudged, stained, and very often read.

Thanks. So far so good.

Ciao. J

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RE: OT Books - 1/26/2014 6:07:39 PM   
Mac Linehan

 

Posts: 1484
Joined: 12/19/2004
From: Denver Colorado
Status: offline 		JWE -

Finished Army at Dawn. Have just downloaded the two sequels.

Outstanding read. Have read other more general accounts on North Africa including The Desert Generals / Correlli Barnett - which I would highly recommended. However the Liberation Trilogy has given me a much needed (and very appreciated) detailed narrative of the US Army's magnificent maturing from a newly formed citizen force to a highly effective combat machine, that helped to crush what many consider to be the foremost military power of that time.

Perhaps what I most appreciate, is the intimate look at leaders and soldiers who were often less than ideal - with conflicting egos, personalities and naïve idealism - not to mention a general lack of training, but who learned quickly under the unforgiving stress of combat with it's sobering casualties and ultimately gained the experience and confidence to prevail against a formidable foe.

Thank You, Sir.

Mac



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RE: OT Books - 1/27/2014 1:14:57 PM   
Schanilec

 

Posts: 4040
Joined: 6/12/2010
From: Grand Forks, ND
Status: offline 		A real good series similar to S.E. Morison's, History of the United States Navy in World War II is U.S. Army in World War II. The entire series is on-line. The PDF's are really large. A lot of volumes, very detailed with lots of maps. http://www.history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/collect/usaww2.html

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Post #: 27
RE: OT Books - 1/28/2014 6:44:20 PM   
Mac Linehan

 

Posts: 1484
Joined: 12/19/2004
From: Denver Colorado
Status: offline 		Schanilec -

Outstanding site and resource.

Thank You, Sir!

Mac

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Post #: 28
RE: OT Books - 1/28/2014 6:59:00 PM   
Schanilec

 

Posts: 4040
Joined: 6/12/2010
From: Grand Forks, ND
Status: offline 		Isn't it. Cost me $400.00. I found the 11 Pacific Theatre volumes on e-bay.

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Post #: 29
RE: OT Books - 1/28/2014 7:18:54 PM   
jeffk3510


Posts: 4132
Joined: 12/3/2007
From: Kansas
Status: offline 		Marc and I counted the volumes up the other day.. what was it 81 or 83 volumes.. something like that.

It is outstanding.

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Post #: 30
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