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Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 2:19:33 AM   
pontiouspilot


Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline 		I just finished all Allan Furst's books in a X-mas binge. I recommend them all....some fascinating parallels in several of the books with recent activities btween Ukraine and the rock star formerly known as USSR.

So...any recommendations for my next binge????
Post #: 1
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 6:22:11 AM   
RogerJNeilson


Posts: 1277
Joined: 4/12/2012
From: Bedlington, Northumberland, UK
Status: offline 		Have you read the original Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser?

If you like a lot of gore and ancient period try Marius' Mules series by S J Turney

Someone has picked up the Flashman idea and moved it to napoleonics - different but also good. Look for Robert Brightwell.

Not so modern as to when written - have a look at Philip McCutchan's novels

I am busy reading the Station series by David Downing - set in Berlin in the outbreak of the 2nd WW and during the war. Incredibly atmospheric.

Medieval stuff - Pillars of the earth and its follow up - Ken Follett.

C J Sansom's Shardlake series - Tudor times

Not quite novels but superb - Giles Milton stuff

And did I mention George MacDonald Fraser..... he was also in the Burma campaign and wrote about them biographically.

Roger



< Message edited by Roger Neilson 3 -- 1/11/2015 7:23:11 AM >

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An unplanned dynasty: Roger Neilson, Roger Neilson 11, Roger Neilson 3 previous posts 898+1515 + 1126 = 3539.....Finally completed my game which started the day WITP:AE was released

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RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 6:22:23 AM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: pontiouspilot

I just finished all Allan Furst's books in a X-mas binge. I recommend them all....some fascinating parallels in several of the books with recent activities btween Ukraine and the rock star formerly known as USSR.

So...any recommendations for my next binge????
warspite1

Not sure what you are looking for by way of timescale, but assume you mean novels set against an historical background??

There are a few I would recommend, the works of Robert Harris being chief amongst them:

Pompeii
Enigma
Fatherland
Archangel




< Message edited by warspite1 -- 1/11/2015 1:49:04 PM >

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Post #: 3
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 7:53:46 AM   
Ralzakark


Posts: 225
Joined: 4/24/2012
Status: offline 		Patrick O'Brians's naval fiction, starting with Master and Commander. It has an excellent feeling of period, fascinating characters and plenty of action.

Did anyone mention George MacDonald Fraser?

(in reply to warspite1)
Post #: 4
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 12:16:22 PM   
jmalter

 

Posts: 1673
Joined: 10/12/2010
Status: offline 		Stephen Pressfield's Gates of Fire (Thermopylae) & Tides of War (Siege of Syracuse). GoF might be one of the finest studies of training, comradeship & combat that I recall - of particular interest is Leonida's rationale behind picking his 300. I think he's got a few others from the era (Alexander's conquests), but I've not read them.

From the previous generation, Mary Renault wrote historical fiction based on tales of ancient Greece, today her prose is kinda tame, but still interesting, as she was one of the first to write serious historical fiction.

Arturo Perez-Reverte has a great 6-book serial, beginning w/ 'Captain Alatriste'. Set in the 1620-30's, w/ harquebuses & Toledo steel, these books are just full of swash & buckle. I recently finished his stand-alone 'The Siege', a murder-mystery in 1812 Cadiz, but it didn't scratch my itch as well as the Alatriste books.

Of course, you gotta read O'Brian, he's a cultural treasure. The last 4 or so books of the 20-1/2 Aubrey/Maturin series fell off in quality, IMO due to the death of O'Brian's wife Mary.

Fraser's (did anyone mention him) Flashy is just a total hoot, w/ good historical background to the hysterically funny & jaw-droppingly non-PC antics.

Thx to the OP & other respondents for giving some author-names that are new to me - I'll be checking them out & looking forward to feeding my urge!

< Message edited by jmalter -- 1/11/2015 1:17:32 PM >

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Post #: 5
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 12:27:47 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		Two others I would mention:

Recently finished reading The Ghost of Munich by Georges-Marc Benamou (set around Munich 1938, and seen from Daladier's perspective).

The other one I read about 6-years ago. Churchill's Trimuph by Michael Dobbs (set around the Yalta conference in 1945).

Both are novels I would not have chosen to read - I prefer fact not fiction - but they were bought by my other half and so thought I should give them a go. I expected very little and probably to not even finish them. But as it turned out both were extremely enjoyable reads.


_____________________________

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



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Post #: 6
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 2:04:46 PM   
crsutton


Posts: 9590
Joined: 12/6/2002
From: Maryland
Status: offline 		War and Peace.

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RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 4:31:02 PM   
pontiouspilot


Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline 		There are a couple of very interesting directions in the ideas....thanks gentlemen! I think I'll start with Harris' Enigma....I thought I had read all his stuff years ago, evidently I missed this one. The David Downing thing looks interesting too. I have read a lot of the old sea yarns.

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Post #: 8
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 5:33:54 PM   
John 3rd


Posts: 17178
Joined: 9/8/2005
From: La Salle, Colorado
Status: offline 		This comes from way out of left field but I heartily recommend The Destroyermen Series by Taylor Anderson. He gets those Asiatic Fleet sailors down REAL well!


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Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.

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RE: Historical novel needed - 1/11/2015 6:20:18 PM   
msieving1


Posts: 526
Joined: 3/23/2007
From: Missouri
Status: offline 		The Blooding of the Guns by Alexander Fullerton is a novel about the Battle of Jutland, and the first of a series of novels spanning from 1916 to 1943 covering the career of a RN officer. The first book was very good, but I haven't read the rest of the series so I can't comment on those.

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RE: Historical novel needed - 1/12/2015 4:25:38 PM   
dcpollay


Posts: 532
Joined: 11/22/2012
From: Upstate New York USA
Status: offline 		How about John Jakes' Bicentennial Series? Follows a family from pre-Revolution America to the turn of the 20th century and places them at the major historical events (wars, Alamo, Chicago fire, opening of the West, labor strife, etc. Eight books in all.

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Post #: 11
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/12/2015 4:59:59 PM   
Ianwoods1

 

Posts: 1
Joined: 1/12/2015
Status: offline 		For Flashman fans try the Speedicut Papers - fantastic - try spotting the points in time when Speedicut and Flashman are at the same place (e.g. Charge of the Light Brigade).

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Post #: 12
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/12/2015 5:47:00 PM   
Symon


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

ORIGINAL: pontiouspilot
I just finished all Allan Furst's books in a X-mas binge. I recommend them all....some fascinating parallels in several of the books with recent activities btween Ukraine and the rock star formerly known as USSR.

So...any recommendations for my next binge????

Dude, people who write books are living in hindsight. They may be right, they may be wrong. They weren't there. Neither are we. The parellels are indeed fascinating. Russia wishing to secure their frontiers from a Euro Alliance? Russia thinking on its historical imperitives? Kinda like France after War-I, where they didn't dare give Alcace-Lorraine a plebiscite. Oh my wonders, politics is such a beautiful thing, ain't it? I been there, done that. Any of you can say the same? Ciao JWE




_____________________________

Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la liberté! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
Yippy Ki Yay.

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Post #: 13
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/12/2015 5:56:21 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Symon


quote:

ORIGINAL: pontiouspilot
I just finished all Allan Furst's books in a X-mas binge. I recommend them all....some fascinating parallels in several of the books with recent activities btween Ukraine and the rock star formerly known as USSR.

So...any recommendations for my next binge????

Dude, people who write books are living in hindsight. They may be right, they may be wrong. They weren't there. Neither are we. The parellels are indeed fascinating. Russia wishing to secure their frontiers from a Euro Alliance? Russia thinking on its historical imperitives? Kinda like France after War-I, where they didn't dare give Alcace-Lorraine a plebiscite. Oh my wonders, politics is such a beautiful thing, ain't it? I been there, done that. Any of you can say the same? Ciao JWE

warspite1

What about those writing about the future?


_____________________________

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



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Post #: 14
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/12/2015 10:17:48 PM   
philabos

 

Posts: 143
Joined: 7/3/2004
Status: offline 		If you want something in the WITP category, recommend the Last Lieutenant by Gobbell. A novel that tries to give the hopeless feeling of being in the 1941 Philippines. Also 4 follow on volumes.

< Message edited by warrenup -- 1/13/2015 12:29:13 AM >

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Post #: 15
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/13/2015 8:16:27 PM   
ian77

 

Posts: 627
Joined: 4/27/2004
From: Scotland
Status: offline 		The Last Dogfight by Martin Caidin - set in 1944 Pacific Theatre is an entertaining read if not completely historically accurate.

HMS Ulysses by Alastair McClean for a European WWII naval novel first published in 1955 but still an inspiring if rather chilling read.

Marius' Mules is a tremendous if little known series of books by S J Turney - may only be available as digital downloads?

Anything by George MacDonald Fraser - especially the Flashman Papers!!

< Message edited by ian77 -- 1/13/2015 9:19:56 PM >

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Post #: 16
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/13/2015 9:02:28 PM   
kev_uk

 

Posts: 288
Joined: 6/5/2004
From: South Wales, UK
Status: offline 		The Thin Red Line by James Jones - Semi-fictional account about Guadalcanal - also made into a Terrance Malik film around 1998 or so. Book apparently better than film, as in most cases.

< Message edited by kev_uk -- 1/13/2015 10:05:54 PM >

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Post #: 17
Great for WiTP:AE - 1/18/2015 2:43:06 PM   
Omnius


Posts: 833
Joined: 6/22/2012
From: Salinas, CA
Status: offline 		I'm glad I have a copy of 2194 Days of War by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. The English version was first published in 1977 and republished in 1993 by Barnes & Noble back in 1993.

It's an excellent day-by-day compilation of the entire WW2. Really great for knowing when Japan conquered each place during it's 6 month blitzkrieg to begin their war. Plus a good way to gauge the Allied comeback.

Omnius

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Post #: 18
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/18/2015 6:53:27 PM   
kip1213

 

Posts: 39
Joined: 12/14/2014
Status: offline 		I suggest 2 books. Both books are very good and related to Pacific theater. The first book is called Fly Boys. It even has information on George Bush SR when he got shot down over chi chi jima. Second is called With The Old Breed, written by E.B. Sledge. Sort of what the HBO series (pacific) was based on. The series and the book are very, very different. With The Old Breed blows away the series, as most books do.

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Post #: 19
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/20/2015 7:37:31 PM   
pontiouspilot


Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline 		As recommended I read Harris' Enigma and while I was at it read Officer and a Spy. Neither was as good as Fatherland. Enigma was ok, while Officer and Spy was quite good. I see that many of Harris' books have been made into movies or mini-series. Specifically I wonder if anybody has watched Bletchley Park or Archangel?

For novels I will try that Downey chap next.

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Post #: 20
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/20/2015 8:09:15 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		Wow that was quick!

_____________________________

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



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Post #: 21
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/20/2015 8:13:18 PM   
Symon


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

ORIGINAL: Roger Neilson 3
Have you read the original Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser?

There aren't enough 'plus' signs on my computer for this.

George MacDonald Fraser - probably (no ... definitely) the finest article of its kind I have ever read.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-506219/The-testament-Flashmans-creator-How-Britain-destroyed-itself.html


< Message edited by Symon -- 1/20/2015 9:36:21 PM >

_____________________________

Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la liberté! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
Yippy Ki Yay.

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Post #: 22
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/20/2015 10:42:50 PM   
RogerJNeilson


Posts: 1277
Joined: 4/12/2012
From: Bedlington, Northumberland, UK
Status: offline 		I merely make a point that the 'Mail' is not regarded as a credible newspaper and has its own agenda that is morally dubious and heavily sensational. Over here is it is often referred to in less than glowing terms and seldom does it s journalism get applauded for accuracy. Indeed one alternative title for it is the Daily Fail.....

Having said that some people will be aware that I hold the Flashman series in high esteem and indeed Fraser's other books on his experiences in Burma, and especially the Border Reivers about that period of our own 'wild west' 'The Steel Bonnets' are superb ( a short drive from where I live).

However a writer is a writer, he is not a political analyst.......


Roger

_____________________________

An unplanned dynasty: Roger Neilson, Roger Neilson 11, Roger Neilson 3 previous posts 898+1515 + 1126 = 3539.....Finally completed my game which started the day WITP:AE was released

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Post #: 23
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 12:22:48 AM   
pontiouspilot


Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline 		Fraser next then.

(in reply to RogerJNeilson)
Post #: 24
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 4:34:17 PM   
Symon


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

ORIGINAL: Roger Neilson 3
I merely make a point that the 'Mail' is not regarded as a credible newspaper and has its own agenda that is morally dubious and heavily sensational. Over here is it is often referred to in less than glowing terms and seldom does it s journalism get applauded for accuracy. Indeed one alternative title for it is the Daily Fail.....
Roger

Oh, gosh, sorry Roger. Wasn’t trying to push the Mail. Some of us on this side of the pond recognize it is in the same genre as our Enquirer. It was just a convenient link to the excerpt of a (much longer) article by George MacDonald Fraser (and not some Mail weenie), explaining the context of his characterizations of Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC KCB KCIE

The Flashman books have been known to give certain people the vapors when they read them as virgins (as it were). Just wanted to provide a proper context. The Evening Standard once said: “There’s a little Flashman in all of us; but perhaps not enough.”

Ciao. JWE

_____________________________

Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la liberté! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
Yippy Ki Yay.

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Post #: 25
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 4:41:21 PM   
warspite1


Posts: 41353
Joined: 2/2/2008
From: England
Status: offline 		Cannot be, even remotely, considered in the same bracket as the National Enquirer.

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



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Post #: 26
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 5:40:40 PM   
pontiouspilot


Posts: 1127
Joined: 7/27/2012
Status: offline 		Didn't they just terminate the best part of the Mail??.....namely the T&A page

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Post #: 27
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 5:55:07 PM   
RogerJNeilson


Posts: 1277
Joined: 4/12/2012
From: Bedlington, Northumberland, UK
Status: offline 		Sorry if I came across a bit touchy. I love the books but as we get older we get more tetchy and the paper will have either asked the right questions or quoted selectively to its own agenda That was all I was saying.

T&A???

Roger

_____________________________

An unplanned dynasty: Roger Neilson, Roger Neilson 11, Roger Neilson 3 previous posts 898+1515 + 1126 = 3539.....Finally completed my game which started the day WITP:AE was released

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Post #: 28
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 5:58:46 PM   
geiramk

 

Posts: 20
Joined: 7/28/2009
Status: offline 		Surprised nobody's mentioned the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough in a thread like this. My favourite historical novels. Read every one of them at least twice.

(in reply to RogerJNeilson)
Post #: 29
RE: Historical novel needed - 1/21/2015 6:00:57 PM   
Symon


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

ORIGINAL: Roger Neilson 3
Sorry if I came across a bit touchy. I love the books but as we get older we get more tetchy and the paper will have either asked the right questions or quoted selectively to its own agenda That was all I was saying.
T&A???
Roger

Didn't see touchy. Just saw query. I think you understand. Ciao. JWE

_____________________________

Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la liberté! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
Yippy Ki Yay.

(in reply to RogerJNeilson)
Post #: 30
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