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Any Suggested reading? - 6/7/2003 5:56:47 PM   
Paul Wykes

 

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/4/2001
From: UK
Status: offline 		I`m sure that theres plenty of people who visit here have fairly extensive libraries on WW2 and otherm military related matters.

I have just joined a Military book club, so I`m looking for a few suggestions on what to purchase over the coming months.

I usually like to purchase reference books, but I`m open to anything. Books that will give me background info on the games like Uncommon Valor, Cross of Iron et al will be most welcome

Editors choice this month is: Great Armies: The Wehrmacht, by Dr stephen Hart and published by Routledge.

Any comments, recommendations will be welcome
Post #: 1
- 6/7/2003 8:36:53 PM   
Les_the_Sarge_9_1

 

Posts: 4392
Joined: 12/29/2000
Status: offline 		Hmmm is this Military Book Club the same Military Bookclub owned by Doubleday here in North America?

I am assuming not, but ya never know.

Suggested reading eh.

Hmmm tricky region, so many good books on my shelf, so many titles that might no longer be in print.
This is a fast selection, and you can assume you might have to work to locate some titles.

Panzer Leader - Heinz Guderian
Stuka Pilot - Hans Ulrich Rudel
Hitler Moves East - Paul Carell
Meeting of Generals - Tony Foster (Candian content :))
Tank War - Janusz Pielkalkiewicz (text chronology tank specific)
Fighting Techniques of the Panzer Grenadier - Dr Mathew Hughes and Dr Chris Mann (there are other titles as a series in same format)
World Almanac Book of World War 2 - Editted by Brig. Peter Young (total chronolgy text of war)
Memoirs of FM Kesselring - Al Kesselring
Alpine Elite: German Mountain Trops of WW2 - James Lucas
Achtung Panzer - Heinz Guderian
Panzer Commander - Hans von luck

Admittedly few non german titles, but then titles by allied authors are not hard to find either.

For modern war, I would simply suggest getting any literature with Jim Dunnigan's name on it hehe.

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Why should I be the only one bothered by it eh.

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Post #: 2
- 6/7/2003 8:58:22 PM   
Marc von Martial


Posts: 10875
Joined: 1/4/2001
From: Bonn, Germany
Status: offline 		Scrap books by Carell, "heroic" nonsense that misses the big picture.

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Post #: 3
- 6/7/2003 10:30:57 PM   
Paul Wykes

 

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/4/2001
From: UK
Status: offline 		Thanks for the suggetions.

I`m aware of some of those that you`ve metioned (panzer leader/commander) and i`m keeping an eye out for those. I`ve also heard that stuka pilot is good.

The only "Fighting Techniques....." I`ve seen is that of the Japanease forces. Looks interesting though.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 4
- 6/7/2003 11:05:03 PM   
dwesolick


Posts: 593
Joined: 6/24/2002
From: Colorado
Status: offline 		Hi Paul,

One thing you might want to do before ordering lots of books from the bookclub (I belong to History bookclub and Military bookclub) is check out
[URL=http://www.abebooks.com]www.abebooks.com[/URL]

This is a used book site used by thousands of used book stores in the US, Canada, Australia, England, etc. You can find just about any book there at BARGAIN rates. I've ordered hundreds of books from abebooks and they always arrive in great condition and at a great savings, even over bookclubs and Amazon. This is also very useful for hard to find books (like Ambrose's second Nixon book:mad: )

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 5
- 6/8/2003 12:39:39 AM   
Von Rom


Posts: 1705
Joined: 5/12/2000
Status: offline 		Here are several suggestions. I am a history buff and wargamer.

My criteria to recommend books is this: they must be informative, they must be highly readable, they must be a page-turner, and they must be good enough to have me read them again.

Here are several titles I would recommend without hesitation:

1) "Clash of Chariots: The Great Tank Battles" by Donnelly and Naylor. About all the great tank battles in history. I have read it 3 times. Highly enjoyable and informative.

2) Three book biography on Erwin Rommel by Samuel W. Mitcham jr.:

* Triumphant Fox: Erwin Rommel and the Rise of the Afrika Korps

* Rommel's Desert War: The Life and Death of the Afrika Korps

* Rommel’s Last Battle: The Desert Fox and the Normandy Campaign

These are highly readable and exciting, and cover Rommel's most famous battles, his strategies, tactics, and military career. I have read these books countless times, and every time I read them, I enjoy them.

3) "Stalingrad" by Antony Beevor - I'm reading this book now, and I know that I will want to read it again in the future. The best book on this famous battle I have read to date. Again, it is highly readable and a real page-turner.

Hope this helps :)

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Post #: 6
- 6/8/2003 1:46:04 AM   
Tbone3336

 

Posts: 129
Joined: 11/26/2002
From: Philadelphia, PA
Status: offline 		A couple that I have found interesting and kept my interest.

1) In Deadly Combat - A German Soldier's Memoir on the Eastern Front. Author Gottlob Herbert Bidermann

2) Zhukov's Greatest Defeat. Author David Glantz

3) Steel Inferno.-1st SS Panzer Corps in Normandy (Paperback)
Author Michael Reynolds

I have finished In Deadly Combat, and it was a good read.

Have just gotten into Zhukov and it seems iteresting. and Steel Inferno at the same time, nice information as to the creation of several SS Divisions so far.

I cannot say how good these books are in there accuracy on their subject however they did provide good detail.

One really good one staying with the german army is Panzer Battles by Von Mellintin.
Anyway happy reading with whatever you end up getting.

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Post #: 7
- 6/8/2003 2:03:39 AM   
Von Rom


Posts: 1705
Joined: 5/12/2000
Status: offline 		For the Pacific War I would recommend two books by John Toland.

Using the same book recommendation criteria as above, they are:

* "But Not In Shame" - a highly readable and emotional account of the first six months of the Pacific War when the Japanese swept aside all who opposed them. One of the best accounts of the Japanese Phillipine invasion and the Allies' determined defense of it, I have read. The description of the Bataan Death March is quite stirring.

* "The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945 - about the entire Pacific War from the Japanese pespective. Very well done and a must read for Pacific War gamers.

Cheers!

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Post #: 8
- 6/8/2003 7:20:33 AM   
Randy

 

Posts: 1172
Joined: 8/22/2000
From: Torrance, Calif. USA
Status: offline 		Check out Zenith Books here in the US (1 (800) 826-6600. This is not a club, but they have large catalogues with tons of books. I see you are from the UK, so you are aware of the Osprey series of books-AVF, battles, uniforms and a new series of fortifications.
Three good reference books are: Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two by Chamberlain ISBN 1-85409-518-8 PBK, British and American Tanks of World War Two also by Chamberlain
ISBN 0-304-35529-1, and Russian Tanks of World War II by Tim Bean ISBN 0-7603-1302-4. Hope this helps.

_____________________________

Semper Fi
Randy

The United States Marines: America's 911 Force-The Tip of the Spear

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 9
- 6/8/2003 1:18:13 PM   
Wallenstein

 

Posts: 93
Joined: 1/19/2003
From: Austria
Status: offline 		Hello!
I can warmly recommend books of Janusz Pielkalkiewicz.
In his pieces about famous WW2 battles, he divides each day or week of fighting into Allied views, Axis views and a historical report.
At home I have his books about Stalingrad, Monte Cassino, Kursk, Warszaw 1944, Normandy , Arnhem and the North African campaign, and there are still others around.
The Stalingrad book from Antony Beaver looks good as well. I bought it due to the 60th anniversary of the battle, but didn´t have the time yet to read it with concentration.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 10
- 6/8/2003 4:28:25 PM   
Belisarius


Posts: 4041
Joined: 5/26/2001
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Status: offline 		I think Les the Sarge and von Rom got in the books I had in mind.

But one book that's absolutely essential is "The Rommel papers", edited by Lidell-Hart. That book is his own diary from the French campaign and the Desert war, with Bayerlein writing about his doings in Normandy, as well as commenting here and there. They were "saved" from the US troops by his wife and son by hiding them all over the place.

A must read. :)

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Post #: 11
- 6/8/2003 7:00:26 PM   
Pawlock

 

Posts: 1041
Joined: 9/18/2002
From: U.K.
Status: offline 		In Deadly Combat is a great read, aslo very similar and IMO better is the more controversial " Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer.

One Im hightly engrossed with atm is about life experience of a U boat commander,

"Iron Coffins" by Herbert A Werner.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 12
- 6/8/2003 7:44:31 PM   
RUsco

 

Posts: 402
Joined: 8/11/2000
From: Grand Rapids,MI USA
Status: offline 		For the Pacific:

Guadalcanal 1942 by Joseph N. Mueller

this covers mostly the land operations.

Guadalcanal by Richard B. Franks

this cover everything, air, naval and ground combat.

Western Front:

Recon Scout by Fred H. Salter

A personal account of scouting operations from Tunis to the end in Europe.

Battle for Mortain by Alwyn Featherstone

A great account of a little known battle that may have turned the war for the American and British armies. The author also debunks some of the so called "truths" of how and why the Germans were stopped here.

First Across the Rhine by Col. David E. Pergrin.

This is the complete story of the 291st Combat Engineers. My personal favorite. One of the 1st units to stand against Pieper's moves during the 1st days of the Battle of the Bulge.

There is also good reading of the day to day operations of Combat Engineers.

Beyond the Beachhead by Joseph Balkoski

THe story of the 29th Infantry Div in Normandy.

Workhorse of the Western Front by Robert L. Hewitt

The story of the 30th Infantry Div from reorganization to the end of WW2. This Div was called Roosevelts SS by the Germans.

Strike Swiftly by Marvin Jensen

The story of the 70th Tank Battalion

View from the Turret by William B. Volkstead

THe story of the 743rd Tank Battalion

Death Traps by Belton Y. Cooper

This is THE story on the M-4 tank. Mr. Belton was a Maintanance Officer for the 3rd Armored Division. This is a MUST read.

Company Commander by Chales B. Macdonald

THE BEST company level book available.

Two good books on American small unit tactics.

Closing with the Enemy by Michael D. Doubler

When the Odds were Even by Keith E. Bonn

Both of these books go through the procces of how the American went form Civilian to Soldier. It also does much to debunk the "Inferiority" of the American Soldier.

Austrailian.

This is the only book I have on the Austrailians.

Those Ragged Bloody Heroes by Peter Brune

This covers the Kakoda Trail battles. Highly Recomended.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 13
Thanks - 6/10/2003 1:04:26 AM   
Paul Wykes

 

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/4/2001
From: UK
Status: offline 		Thanks for all these suggestions.

I`ve copied all these down, for future reference. A few of the titles look familar and are already on my "wants" list.

Thanks for the excellent link dwesolick. I could spend hours browsing through their books. I`ll be paying them a visit very soon.

Tbone3336, I`m currently reading panzer battles, very good.

Randy, the books by Chamerlain are very good, borrowed them several times from the local library, but still wanting to get my hands on a hard copy(s)

Once again, thank you all for the suggestions. I just need to start saving

Paul

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 14
- 6/10/2003 6:00:11 AM   
RUsco

 

Posts: 402
Joined: 8/11/2000
From: Grand Rapids,MI USA
Status: offline 		A good bookstore link that I have had good relations with.


[url]www.articlesofwar.com[/url]

I have purchased several books through them and recomend them highly.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 15
Paul, for Marine info... - 6/10/2003 6:08:36 AM   
KG Erwin


Posts: 8981
Joined: 7/25/2000
From: Cross Lanes WV USA
Status: offline 		...I would suggest Gordon Rottmann's "US Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle". This volume has more info for USMC TOEs, OOBs, and background info, including the USMC Air Units than you would ever want. For the gamer and historian, it's an indispensable resource. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's a little pricey at $69.95, but it's worth every penny. This is available through the Military Book Club now.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 16
- 6/10/2003 8:42:14 PM   
Jim1954

 

Posts: 1393
Joined: 5/15/2002
From: Dallas
Status: offline 		A good one I found at Barnes and Noble last year is the "US War Department Handbook on German Military Forces", ISBN 0-8071-2011-1. In paperback it's about $30.00. 635 pages of actual War Dept Tech Manual TM-E 30-451, originally issued 15 March 1945 and removed from the Restricted list. It has info that is very similar to Scott Grasse's TO&E work included in SPWaW and numerous drawings showing typical defensive strongpoints, minefields, attacks, etc., etc., as well as photographs I have seen nowhere else. I HIGHLY recommend this one to any student of history.

This book would be very helpful in the nuts and bolts level of scenario design, too.

:cool:

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Jim1954
KMC/T

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Post #: 17
- 6/13/2003 12:03:14 PM   
Randy

 

Posts: 1172
Joined: 8/22/2000
From: Torrance, Calif. USA
Status: offline 		Hi, here are a couple more you can add to your list:
1)Combined Arms Warfare in the Twentieth Century, by Jonathan
House-ISBN 0-7006-1098-7 this is about the evolution of
combined arms warfare during the 20th century.
2)Death Ground: Today's American Infantry in Battle-
ISBN-0-89141-67-4 This book is by an Army Col. and he
describes the various infantry formations in the US Military
which includes Rangers, Marines, Airborne, Mech, and
Airmobile. Has some good TO&E charts.

Hope this helps

_____________________________

Semper Fi
Randy

The United States Marines: America's 911 Force-The Tip of the Spear

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Post #: 18
- 6/13/2003 5:59:16 PM   
Belisarius


Posts: 4041
Joined: 5/26/2001
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Status: offline 		Anoter nice little book on your bedside table is

Panzer Battles by Maj. Gen. FW von Mellenthin

It's not that in depth compared to other works but more of a personal reflection. It's interesting because von Mellenthin was active at staff level in all German campaigns except Denmark/Norway.

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Post #: 19
- 6/13/2003 7:30:13 PM   
Les_the_Sarge_9_1

 

Posts: 4392
Joined: 12/29/2000
Status: offline 		Will second that book (as I have it and I agree).

_____________________________

I LIKE that my life bothers them,
Why should I be the only one bothered by it eh.

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Post #: 20
- 6/13/2003 7:41:41 PM   
Maliki


Posts: 2217
Joined: 12/25/2002
Status: offline 		Heres a couple.

Dirty little secrets of World war II(can't recall the two authors names offhand):Filled with sometimes strange facts and lots of statistics.

A helmet for my pillow by Robert leckie:A personal account of his experinces from right bfore joining the Marines to the early desperate fight for Guadacanal on through to the assault on Peleliu.The older soft cover version,which was written in the fifties,was just rereleased as a hardcover book a couple years back.

Eagle against the Sun
The American war with Japan:A decent general history of the Pacific war.With the first couple chapters dealing with American and Japanese pre-war attitudes as well as the different roles of their armed forces were expected to play in the coming conflict.

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Post #: 21
Thanks... - 6/15/2003 3:58:30 PM   
Paul Wykes

 

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/4/2001
From: UK
Status: offline 		Thanks to all once again.

If everyone just posts a couple of books they recommend I`m sure that everyone would find the eventual comprehensive list very useful.

Both from an general interest level, and from a scenario design level.

The only problem I`m having now is finding the funds:D

Keep them coming....

Paul

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 22
- 6/15/2003 6:39:07 PM   
Maliki


Posts: 2217
Joined: 12/25/2002
Status: offline 		Have you ever tried Bargain Books?They have a decent General military history section as well as for specific conflicts or eras.I've bought some books from them that went for over $20 in the bookstore for as little as $5 or $10.

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Post #: 23
- 6/22/2003 3:08:43 AM   
Blunderbuss

 

Posts: 178
Joined: 6/22/2003
From: Consett, NE England
Status: offline 		My personal favourite is 'The First and the Last', by Adolf Galland. It was first published in 1953 and has a foreword written by Douglas Bader. I don't know whether it is still in print (my own copy is from 1970), but it's definitely worth looking out for.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 24
- 6/22/2003 4:04:26 PM   
Paul Wykes

 

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/4/2001
From: UK
Status: offline 		Maliki, I`m from the UK. I assume Bargain Books, are US based. There are "bargain book" and other discount stores here in the UK, but the choice of military related matters is small.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

"the first and the last" sound familiar. I`ll keep and eye out for that in the secondhand shops.

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 25
- 6/22/2003 6:30:03 PM   
Maliki


Posts: 2217
Joined: 12/25/2002
Status: offline 		OOPS:o Sorry i just thought you were in the US.Yes their a discount book distirbuter based out in the northwest i think.

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"..if you want to make a baby cry, first you give it a lollipop. Then you take it away."

(in reply to Paul Wykes)
Post #: 26
- 6/23/2003 3:31:16 AM   
SkidLid

 

Posts: 165
Joined: 5/22/2003
From: Lancaster,UK
Status: offline 		Ill add my recommendation to "Stalingrad", I've read it several times and it is still excellent.

Also, "Caen:Anvil of Victory" by Alexander McKee. An excellent account of the Anglo-Canadian offensive from the Landings to Operation Goodwood. I believe its out of print, but you might be able to find it second hand.

For WW1, Lyn McDonalds "1914 : The Death Of Innocence", "1915: The Dawn of Hope", "Somme" and "They called it Passechendaele" are execellent.The narritive is mainly composed of eyewitness accounts, tied together by the authors comments on strategy, and explanations of the complete tactical stuation. They are published by Penguin.

_____________________________

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you want me to do
So there's no rush"

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Post #: 27
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