OT: Time for some new book recommendations

OT: Time for some new book recommendations (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945

Message

Knavey -> OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 6:24:27 AM)
I received a gift certificate from work and need some book recommendations. I have almost finished my set that I bought last Christmas and since I cannot change my wish list on Amazon until after Christmas (in case someone already purchased the stuff) I need some selections from you guys. Lay it on me...even the expensive ones. Those are the ones I am more likely to buy myself. What do you consider essential on your WW2 bookcase? Thanks,

AU Tiger_MatrixForum -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 8:11:49 AM)
The best one I have bought in the past few years is "...And I was There.", Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton. He was Nimitz's intelligence guy. A fascinating, and infuriating read.

Ron Saueracker -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 9:51:08 AM)
Jim Dunnigan has a top 50 book library text out. The WW2 Bookshelf

Tiornu -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 12:14:15 PM)
FLEETS OF WORLD WAR II by me! Woohoo! Yeah, baby! [Accepts medication from friendly nurse. "Thank you, sweetheart."] All right. My area of focus is on naval ships. So... Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War by Lacroix and Wells The Japanese Submarine Force and World War II by Boyd and Yoshida Battleships by Garzke and Dulin (3 volumes) any of MJ Whitley's books (his German books are top-notch, and his international encyclopedias are quite handy) any of Friedman's US design histories (he also has a new book due out soon, a fire-control bible; and while on the subject, Friedman's British Carrier Aviation) British Battleships of World War Two by Raven and Roberts British Cruisers of World War Two by Raven and Roberts A Radar History of World War II by Brown On the subject of naval policy: Reevaluating Major Naval Combatants of World War II by Sadkovich Kaigun by Evans and Peattie Sunburst by Peattie Fading Victory by Ugaki War Plan Orange by Miller Destined for Glory by Wildenberg American & British Aircraft Carrier Development by Hone et al Better stop there. As for battle histories, I'll mention only Shattered Sword by Tully and Parshall, which I'm reading now.

John 3rd -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 12:21:22 PM)
Shattered Sword! I am also a big fan of the Guadalcanal history written by Richard Frank.

rtrapasso -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 4:44:22 PM)
My only recommendation is DON'T ORDER YOUR WW2 BOOKS FROM AMAZON!!! i placed an order in late June - delivery in now scheduled for April 2007... [:@] [X(] [8\|] This does NOT apply to the used books (Amazon Marketplace) - i got all those pretty quickly.

jwxspoon -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 5:08:50 PM)
Jane's Fighting Ships of WW2 - (picked mine up for $10 from a local flea market)- fantastic resource for WITP Fron the Don to the Dnepr - Soviet Offensive Operations from Dec 42 - August 43 - fantastic book detailing huge, little known battles on the Russian Front. The Battery Commander, His Batman, and a Cook - Thomas Reiter - hundreds of personal accounts of small unit actions from Egypt to the Alps, WW2

MarcA -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 9:48:04 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rtrapasso My only recommendation is DON'T ORDER YOUR WW2 BOOKS FROM AMAZON!!! Amen to that brother. My Frank's Guadalcanal took 4 months to arrive and only materialised after I badgered them peristently and then threatened to cancel the order. My experience, order the book from Amazon and if delivery isn't immediate consider cancelling and trying another vendor

Admiral DadMan -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 10:29:11 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: AU Tiger The best one I have bought in the past few years is "...And I was There.", Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton. He was Nimitz's intelligence guy. A fascinating, and infuriating read. I JUST finished reading this one. A little heavy on describing the infighting between Washington (Negat) and Hawaii (Hypo), but if fills in a LOT of the blanks around the Pearl Harbor attack, operations afterward and up through the first year.

Speedysteve -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 10:55:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: jwxspoon Fron the Don to the Dnepr - Soviet Offensive Operations from Dec 42 - August 43 - fantastic book detailing huge, little known battles on the Russian Front. Sounds interesting. Thanks[:)]

Oliver Heindorf -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/23/2006 11:22:52 PM)
I own a book sent to me from Wild Bill in 1996 which is about General Patton, it is something about his memories in WWII. Very nice to read and intresting about some things. its the american army at war series. Samuel E Morison is OK too

m10bob -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 4:03:10 AM)
The Pacific War...John Costello Almost anything by Stephen Ambrose A Time for Trumpets...Charles B McDonald Storm Landings...Joseph Alexander(History of the development of Pacific amphib ops in WW2) Touched With Fire.....Eric Bergerud

ctangus -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 4:54:44 AM)
I expect you've read some of these already, but here are my current favorites: The Second World War - Winston S. Churchill - Dry at times, and it omits some data that's now non-confidential (e.g. Ultra) but it's a fascinating insight into the decision making process that guided the war. I'd recommend all 6 unabridged volumes as opposed to the 1 volume abridged version which is available. The Rising Sun... - John Toland - An overview of the whole Pacific war largely from the Japanese point of view. It provides very interesting data on how Japan got involved with the war in China & then the Great Pacific War. Shattered Sword - Jonathan Parshall - Challenges some of the myths of the Battle of Midway & provides a chilling account of how-it-was for the sailors of KB. Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors - James Hornfischer - I only recently picked this up, but it's by far the best account of the battle off Samar that I've read. Stalingrad - Antony Beevor - I've read a lot about that battle as it somehow fascinates me more than any other, and Antony Beevor's account is by far the most complete & intimate that I've personally come across. Gudalcanal - Richard B. Frank - Great detail on both the land & sea battles around that island. Fire in the Sky - Eric Bergerud - This probably should be higher in my list. It provides great understanding on the air war in the Solomons & New Guinea. And how/why the allies eventually got the upper hand. Very good book, IMO.

BaitBoy -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 5:01:32 AM)
I recently picked up a copy of "Marine Tank Battles in the Pacific" by Oscar E. Gimbert. It is an excellent book and contains excerpts from interviews of many marine tankers. As the title suggests, the book focuses on the armor units of the USMC, so you have to be generally familiar with the battles to truly appreciate this book. [sm=Tank-fahr09.gif]

Knavey -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 6:23:40 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ctangus The Second World War - Winston S. Churchill - Dry at times, and it omits some data that's now non-confidential (e.g. Ultra) but it's a fascinating insight into the decision making process that guided the war. I'd recommend all 6 unabridged volumes as opposed to the 1 volume abridged version which is available. Too bad my gift certificate is not for this much! Link to an autographed copy of the book you mentioned.

derwho -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 1:01:12 PM)
I'll narrow my recommendation to focus on the ending of the war against Japan. There are quite a few books around, but thease two are facinating: Downfall by Richard B. Frank Racing the Enemy by Tsuyoshi Hasegawa They concentrate on the strategic and diplomatic part of the war and especially on the rationale and decisions behind the atomic bomb and the eventual surrender of Japan.

tsimmonds -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 2:44:31 PM)
The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman. " Barbara Tuchman defines folly as "Pursuit of Policy Contrary to Self-Interest." In THE MARCH OF FOLLY, Tuchman examines 4 conflicts: The Trojan Horse, The Protestant Secession, The American Revolution, and The American War in Vietnam. In each example an alternative course of action was available, the actions were endorsed by a group, not just an individual leader, and the actions were perceived as counter productive in their own time. Many individuals are guilty of folly (Tuchman also calls this woodenheadedness), but when governments persist in folly, their actions can adversely affect thousands, even millions of lives. Folly is a child of power. "The power to command frequently causes failure to think."(p.32)." Brilliant writer and historian. Fascinating read.

Don Bowen -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 3:53:43 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Bait Boy I recently picked up a copy of "Marine Tank Battles in the Pacific" by Oscar E. Gimbert. It is an excellent book and contains excerpts from interviews of many marine tankers. As the title suggests, the book focuses on the armor units of the USMC, so you have to be generally familiar with the battles to truly appreciate this book. [sm=Tank-fahr09.gif] I would recommend Marines Under Armor by Kenneth W. Estes to accompany this book. Details formation and organization of Marine Tank Units from before World War II until the end of the 20th Century. Data on equipment, organization, and usage outside of combat. ISBN 1-55750-237-4

juliet7bravo -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 8:50:49 PM)
xxx

Tiornu -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/24/2006 11:30:35 PM)
My suggestion: use one as a doorstop. You need a doorstop in every room, by the way. Ten bucks per doorstop--such a bargain!

BrucePowers -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 2:26:16 AM)
I bought 2 copies of Tiornu's book. One is going to a friend for Christmas. I am reading the other one. It is a good book.

Tiornu -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 2:35:21 AM)
Thanks, Bruce.

BrucePowers -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 2:49:16 AM)
You are welcome Tiornu. I know these are WWI, not WWII but I also recommend Dreadnaught and Castles of Steel by Robert K. Massie

treespider -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 4:23:23 AM)
- World War II Pacific Island Guide by Gordon L Rottman - Bloody Shambles - Vol 1. - Companion to Colossus Reborn - has the complete Soviet OOB on 6 different dates from 1941 through 1943.

Howard Mitchell -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 11:24:01 AM)
The First Team: Pacific Air Combat from Pearl Harbour to Midway The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign: Naval Fighter Combat from August to November 1942 Both by John B. Lundstrom and now available in paperback are excellent. Very, very detailed histories of USN fighter operations in the opening months of the war, but also very readable. Bloody Shambles: The First Comprehensive Account of Air Operations Over South East Asia, December 1941- April 1942 (volume 1) Bloody Shambles: The Complete Account of the Air War in the Far East, from the Defence of Sumatra to the Fall of Burma (volume 2) Both by Christopher Shores, Brian Cull and Yasuho Isawa. Almost as detailed accounts of the air battles over South-East Asia. They benefit from having a Japanese co-author and so give an account of operations from both sides.

Przemcio231 -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 5:01:37 PM)
Geee so many books not expensive too... but if i would like to buy them i would pay 2 or 3 times of the actual price in shipping[:@][:@]

MikeBrough -> RE: OT: Time for some new book recommendations (11/25/2006 8:41:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: BrucePowers You are welcome Tiornu. I know these are WWI, not WWII but I also recommend Dreadnaught and Castles of Steel by Robert K. Massie Couldn't agree more, although I much prefer the latter: more action, fewer potted biographies. Does anyone know if there's a WWII or inter-war follow-up?

Don Bowen -> World War II Naval Library (11/25/2006 9:51:04 PM)
Here are the "jewels" of my Naval Library. I looked these up on Amazon in order to provide some details, good old Amazon might not be the best place to buy them though. The "basic" series. These books provide details on every known ship in the various navies. The two British Navy books are similar, one a 1968 original and the second a 1998 reprint with much more data. http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Warships-World-War-2/dp/0870217739 http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-warships-World-War-II/dp/B0006BRAO2/sr=8-5/qid=1164482182/ref=sr_1_5/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/British-Dominion-warships-World-War/dp/B0006BUYOU/sr=1-7/qid=1164482401/ref=sr_1_7/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/British-Empire-Warships-Second-World/dp/1557500487/sr=1-5/qid=1164482401/ref=sr_1_5/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books Conway Maritime series books on warships. The pre-1906 one is for interst only. Larger ships in good detail, decreasing with size and importance of ships, many smaller and obscure ships omitted. http://www.amazon.com/Conways-Worlds-Fighting-Ships-1860-1905/dp/087021912X/sr=1-3/qid=1164482625/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/Conways-All-Worlds-Fighting-Ships/dp/0870219073 http://www.amazon.com/Conways-Worlds-Fighting-Ships-1922-1946/dp/0831703032/sr=1-1/qid=1164482501/ref=sr_1_1/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books Norman Friedman's Series on the Development of U.S. Warships. Not to be missed. http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Aircraft-Carriers-Illustrated-History/dp/0870217399/sr=1-1/qid=1164482752/ref=sr_1_1/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Battleships-Illustrated-Design-History/dp/0870217151/sr=1-4/qid=1164482844/ref=sr_1_4/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Cruisers-Illustrated-Design-History/dp/0870217186/sr=1-5/qid=1164482844/ref=sr_1_5/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Destroyers-Illustrated-History-Revised/dp/1557504423/sr=1-2/qid=1164482844/ref=sr_1_2/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/Combatants-Including-Pt-Boats-Subchasers-Brown-Water/dp/0870217135 http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Submarines-Through-1945-Illustrated/dp/1557502633/sr=1-10/qid=1164482844/ref=sr_1_10/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Amphibious-Ships-Craft-Illustrated/dp/1557502501/sr=1-11/qid=1164482844/ref=sr_1_11/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books *Reference books on the U.S. Army Fleet. I bought Over Seas* on release at full price and I notice it is now a Bargain Book for under $10. Ouch! http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Army-Ships-Watercraft-World/dp/0870217666/sr=1-1/qid=1164483517/ref=sr_1_1/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/Over-Seas-Maritime-Operations-Philippines/dp/B000H2MKGS/sr=1-1/qid=1164483441/ref=sr_1_1/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books Other Stuff** http://www.amazon.com/United-States-Naval-Vessels-Intelligence/dp/0764300903/sr=1-1/qid=1164483285/ref=sr_1_1/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Merchant-Fleets-1939-Particulars/dp/1591149592/sr=1-1/qid=1164483347/ref=sr_1_1/102-5885748-2601707?ie=UTF8&s=books

Terminus -> RE: World War II Naval Library (11/25/2006 9:58:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Don Bowen ...good old Amazon might not be the best place to buy them though... Heh, ain't that the truth!

Don Bowen -> RE: World War II Naval Library (11/25/2006 11:30:09 PM)
A few more, some not so easy to find: The Independence Class Light Aircraft Carriers - Andrew Faltum - ISBN 1-877853-62-3 Warship Losses of World War II - David Brown - ISBN 0-85368-802-8 US Merchant Vessel War Casualties of World War II - Robert M.Browning Jr. - ISBN 1-55750-087-8 US Coast Guard and Revenue Cutters 1790-1935 - Donald L Canney - ISBN 1-55750-101-7 Australian and New Zealand Warships 1914-1945 - Ross Gillett - ISBN 0-86824 095 8 Royal Australian Navy 1939-1942 - G. Hermon Gill - Official History, no identifying number found Royal Australian Navy 1942-1945 - G. Hermon Gill - Official History, National LIbrary of Australia Registry Number Aus 68-1798 Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet 1939 - James C Fahey - Reprint ISBN 0-87021-633-3 Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, Two Ocean Fleet Edition (1942) - James C Fahey - Reprint ISBN 0-87021-634-1 Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, War Editon (1942) - James C Fahey - Reprint ISBN 0-87021-635-x Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, Victory Editon (1945) - James C Fahey - Reprint ISBN 0-87021-636-8 Navies of the Second World War: Royal Netherlands Navy - H.T. Lenton - Library of Congress Card Number 66-13603 Ugly Ducklings, Japan's WWII Liberty TYpe Standard Ships - S.C. Heal - ISBN 1-59114-888-X The Japanese Merchant Marine in World War II - Mark P Parillo - ISBN 1-55750-677-9 Empire Ships (A Record of British Built and Acquired Merchant Ships during the Second World War) W.H. Mitchell and L.A. Sawyer - ISBN 1-85004-275-5 Destination Corregidor - Robert L. Underbrink - ISBN 0-87021-142-0

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

1.171875