RE: Need Another Book (Full Version)

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spence -> RE: Need Another Book (3/2/2010 10:03:50 PM)

Eric Hammel wrote a trilogy about the Guadalcanal Campaign which is very good. All have something of a naval focus.
"Decision at Sea: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal" is really good.
"Starvation Island" is not quite so engrossing (IMO) but still pretty good.
I'm still fishing around for "The Carrier Battles" which focuses on the Battles of Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz.




aprezto -> RE: Need Another Book (3/2/2010 10:38:19 PM)

I really quite enjoyed the alternative history of the US civil war co-authoured by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen.

I am not a big US civil war buff, so I don't know how realistic the premiss was that they put forward. But it read very well and I thorougly enjoyed each book.




AW1Steve -> RE: Need Another Book (3/2/2010 10:46:07 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd


quote:

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

Since you've read "Barrier and Javelin", why not "Empires in the Balance"? Then you will have read 2/3 of the trilogy. The last book hasn't been written yet. [:)]


Very good reading too. Does anyone KNOW if the 3rd book will be written?



The author won't say . He's got a bunch of irons in the fire ,I guess. Same thing with "An Army at Dawn" and "Day of Battle". We've been waiting for the third one for at least four years. [:(]




bush -> RE: Need Another Book (3/2/2010 11:08:02 PM)

One of the next Civil War books I will be picking up is Taaffe's Commanding Lincoln's Navy. This looks very good, and covers an area usually left out or, at best, glossed over.




Wolfpack_MatrixForum -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 12:03:30 AM)

I have China Marine: An Infantryman's Life after World War II by E. B. Sledge on its way to my home as it is also part of HBO's The Pacific.

I loved With the Old Breed so this one should be good too.






LST Express -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 3:54:43 AM)

A couple good reads from the more recent past are "Bravo Two Zero" and "Blackhawk Down".  Two real ball busters! [:)]




John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:46:40 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: aprezto

I really quite enjoyed the alternative history of the US civil war co-authoured by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen.

I am not a big US civil war buff, so I don't know how realistic the premiss was that they put forward. But it read very well and I thorougly enjoyed each book.


TOTAL DETOUR from this Thread but I must comment here. Forstchen's work One Second After is a must-read book. He wrote the book from a conversation with Speaker Gingrich regarding his greatist fear from a terrorist attack. The Speaker simply said 'an EMP attack.' The book was written from there.

Forstchen set it in his home town of Black Mountain, NC and it is absolutely gripping, terrifying, and REAL. Set my mind going in directions I had never imagined...




John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:48:25 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: topeverest

Thanks, I will get both.

Coddington is so thorough, you will want to read his end notes on specifics / why he proposes the battle occured the way he says it did.

If you like Coddington's work, there is another Gettysburg author who stands out on this grossly over-written battle - Harry W Pfanz, former historian at Gettysburg Military Park. He has written books about each day's battle. The books make very good sense, but I reccommend coddinton first. You can get the 'high line' and come back for Pfanz if you find yourself wanting to know even more.

Understanding will be increased into either author's work if you have walked the field at least once.

Anyway, thanks.


I have Franz's works. LOVED THEM! Feels like you are walking wsith the men in every phase of the battle. Researched to the Nth degree. Anyone who spends 900 pages on Day ONE of Gettysburg is my kind of writer. Great stuff...





John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:32:23 PM)

Think I am putting my list together:

1.  Coddington---Gettysburg
2.  Latimer---Burma:  The Forgotten War
3.  Winton---The Forgotten Fleet:  Brit Pac Fleet 1944-45

I've also been looking for a good resource book on WWII Carriers and Destroyers.  I've got the excellent Battleships and Cruisers of WWII by Whitley.  Any suggestions here?




John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:39:25 PM)

Is the Coddington book Gettysburg:  A Study in Command?  Am at Barnes and Noble RIGHT NOW!  [sm=00000436.gif]




John Lansford -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:40:58 PM)

If you like books on obscure portions of Civil War campaigns, I'd recommend "Retreat from Gettysburg: Lee, Logistics and the Pennsylvania Campaign" by Brown.  It was a well researched book on a portion of that campaign I knew about but had never seen such detail put into it.  Most books on Gettysburg stop at July 3 and just describe the retreat in a few paragraphs; Brown puts a book's worth of detail into it.





Nikademus -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:41:08 PM)

Richard Frank's "Downfall" is a good title. Essential if one wishes to better understand how the Japanese government worked, the key personell and what goals/viewpoints were being expressed. Frank also makes a very good case in justifying the use of Atomics vis-a-vis, the military 'and' polticial situation. The analysis of a potential conventional style landing on the Japanese mainland were sobering to say the least.

Hasting's "Retribution" also touches on this but Hasting's book focuses more on the last year and a half of the war from a military perspective while Frank's book focuses on the situation post Okinawa and pre-Hiroshima with emphasis on the political and economic situation.




John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:47:28 PM)

Got Downfall.  Very interesting read and opened my eyes to the dysfunction within the Japanese Government even more...

Also have the Retreat From Gettysburg book.  REALLY enjoyed that!  Talk about a massively MISSED opportunity on the Union side of the war.

Cannot find Latimer or Winton's books at Barnes and Noble.  Now shifting to Amazon.




spence -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:48:10 PM)

For the ACW "The Last Full Measure" by Jeff Shiara (Killer Angel Michael's son) is pretty good.




Squamry -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 4:52:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd


quote:

ORIGINAL: Squamry

The Forgotten Fleet: Story of the British Pacific Fleet, 1944-45 by John Winton


Same question: Readability? I like the topic since I know next to NOTHING about this!


Very readable IMO.




John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 5:00:16 PM)

Got all the Shaara books.

Just established that COST may be a factor as I cannot find Latimer and Winton for less then about $90.00!  Are these books dipped in gold??!! 




Misconduct -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 5:11:10 PM)

Is there a decent book on the Japanese Navy? I know shattered sword I believe only deals with midway, but right now im finishing up my book "Fire in the skies"?




Nikademus -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 5:30:20 PM)

"Kaigun" is probably the best book on the development and nuts and bolts of the Japanese Navy. I'd also recommend "Sunburst" for a more focused analysis of the JNAF.

"A Battle History of the Japanese Navy" by Professor Dull is still a very good work from the sharp end. For example, Dull cited the overworking and shortage of Japanese DD's that was a topic of recent discussion on this forum.




SuluSea -> RE: Need Another Book (3/3/2010 5:56:32 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

Is there a decent book on the Japanese Navy? I know shattered sword I believe only deals with midway, but right now im finishing up my book "Fire in the skies"?




I'd recommend this , I'm sure many have read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Battle-History-Imperial-Japanese-1941-1945/dp/0870210971




John 3rd -> RE: Need Another Book (3/4/2010 4:39:32 AM)

I ordered Coddington and would love to pick up Latimer or Winton but cannot afford them at the moment.

Thanks for the help guys!

Still looking for new resource material for CVs and DDs...




iaidoka2 -> RE: Need Another Book (3/4/2010 6:47:27 AM)

Ive just started Pacific by Hugh Ambrose, billed as the companion book to the upcoming HBO series. Hugh is Stephen Ambrose's son and a historian in his own right. A few pages in and it is a good read and I expect it to get better. I just finished Kaigun, man what a book that is.




jeffs -> RE: Need Another Book (3/4/2010 7:09:41 AM)

John, when will the HBO Pacific War Series be airing?




Mac Linehan -> RE: Need Another Book (3/6/2010 4:46:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: USS America

John, you don't mention what you've read on the American Civil War.  As you are a history teacher, I assume you have Shelby Foote's Civil War trilogy.  If not, you MUST get them.  [:)]


USS America -

I bought Shelby Foote's Trilogy in the 1980's; but must say (with considerable embarrassment) that I have yet to read them. I now have a renewed priority to do so.

Mac




Knavey -> RE: Need Another Book (3/6/2010 6:58:08 PM)

Downfall by Richard Frank




Cajun Tifoso -> RE: Need Another Book (3/6/2010 8:50:54 PM)

Hell, this is an interesting thread for everyone. I picked up a few new reads from you guys. Here's a few I would suggest from my latest round of supporting America's publishing industry.

Six Frigates by Ion W. Toll - about the birth of the U.S. Navy
Dog Company Six by Edwin Simmons - a Marine rifle company during the Korean War and the fight at Chosin Resevoir
Chosin by Eric Hammel - another one about 1st MarDiv at Chosin
Brotherhood of Heros by Bill Sloan - 1st MarDiv at bloody Peleliu
Colder Than Hell by Joseph R. Owen - memoir about a 1st MarDiv marine during the Inchon landings and Chosin [great story]
The Darkest Summer by Bill Sloan - about the Puson Perimeter and the Marines at Pusan and Inchon
The Last Stand of Fox Company by Bon Drury and Tom Clavin - an account of Fox Company 2/7's stand at Chosin

Yeah, there's a common theme about Chosin and 1st MarDiv.

Only a few days left until "The Pacific". I can't wait to see how truthful they are to Sledgehammer's tale.

Well, I will guess I am going throw some money at Amazon.com today.

Everyone take care!




Venividivici10044 -> RE: Need Another Book (3/7/2010 11:52:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel


3.  We were Soldiers Once and Young (Ia Drang Valley), Hal Moore

In fact, We were Soldiers is the finest and most enjoyable piece of non-fiction that I've ever read (and that's saying something because I don't really enjoy the Vietnam era).


Great Book!

3 that I like....


With the Old Breed - already mentioned, but indispensable!
Alternate History - "Guns of the South" - very interesting read
War Plan Orange




John Lansford -> RE: Need Another Book (3/7/2010 2:31:58 PM)

I know it's heretical to say, but I prefer Pfanz's books on Gettysburg over Coddington's.  Pfanz wrote three books based on the three days of the battle, and each one is HUGE, covering the movements of each regiment on both sides, and when and where they fought. VERY detailed; I carried the first day's book with me when my wife and I hiked the battlefield, in fact.

Fighting for the Confederacy, by Porter Alexander (Lee's chief of artillery) is an excellent "behind the scenes" look at how the war was run from a Southern viewpoint.  He doesn't hold back his opinions on other generals either!

Rhea's three book series on the Overland Campaign in 1864 are also very informative and explore some ideas that have been widely accepted for years.  The books cover from the start of the Wilderness battle, to Spotsylvania, and then the meeting engagements that led to Cold Harbor.

Clash of the Carriers, by Tillman, covers the Marianas Turkey Shoot off of Saipan and is easy to read.

We Will Stand by You, by Mason, is a description of the work on board the USS Pawnee, a repair ship, in the efforts to save two cruisers torpedoed off of Taiwan.




Graycompany -> RE: Need Another Book (3/7/2010 3:17:52 PM)

The HBO Series Starts 9pm est March 14th, 1 week from today. here is a link to the Home page which has some nice trailers. It follows 3 Marines through the War: http://www.hbo.com/the-pacific/index.html




Gilbert -> RE: Need Another Book (3/7/2010 3:41:24 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Graycompany

The HBO Series Starts 9pm est March 14th, 1 week from today. here is a link to the Home page which has some nice trailers. It follows 3 Marines through the War: http://www.hbo.com/the-pacific/index.html


Link of "Making the Pacific": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94et1Bb53mw

Regards
Gilbert




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