What Book Are You Reading at the moment?

[Ogier]

Milan Vego "Soviet Naval Tactics", for the 2nd time

[RFalvo69]

I'm finally reading The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. It was written as a counterpoint to Starship Troopers by Heinlein, but, IMHO, it lacks the sophistication of the latter. What The Forever War achieves is a tale of a soldier drafted in an incomprehensible war - with surprisingly spare action and interminable periods of boredom (but not for the reader). The Vietnam War metaphor is transparent, including the dislocation that a soldier feels when he returns to "normal life" (Haldeman was a combat engineer in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart).

Anyway, it is a pretty good yarn, and where Heinlein openly "philosophises", Haldeman speaks factually. Both books are worth reading, and I think that after finishing this one I will re-read Starship Troopers.

[Orm]

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_to_Envy

[wodin]

Just finished Attrition by W Philpott. If you want to know why WW1 was fought the way it was it's the book for you..finally a book that doesn't hide behind myth and looks at the facts and reasons attrition was the only real way to go.

Highly recommended.

[lecrop]

Neal Stephenson's Seveneves

[Hattori Hanzo]

By Reason of Insanity by Shane Stevens

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9417 ... f_Insanity

[CaptBeefheart]

ORIGINAL: Orm

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_to_Envy

That's a great book. I knew her when she was a correspondent here.

Cheers,
CC

[CaptBeefheart]

I'm reading "Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941." Excellent book showing why the IJN did what it did in WWII.

Cheers,
CC

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

I'm reading "Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941." Excellent book showing why the IJN did what it did in WWII.

Cheers,
CC

warspite1

I've still not read this cover to cover - just dipped in and out as required - but from the sections I have read, it is a superb book.

[NeimanMarxist]

The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman

[Ranger33]

I'm halfway through Caesar's Commentaries. He's finished off Gaul and now it's on to the Roman Civil War. It's a fascinating read since its from his point if view, but also a bit of his own propaganda, with the occasional note from a contemporary editor.

Next up is Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence, another great man of history telling his story. Any other books out there along these lines?

[Erik Rutins]

https://www.amazon.com/Presidents-War-G ... 1473632234

Also recently read this:

https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Fleet-Nove ... 54470505X/

[wodin]

I read all three..and it gets way out there in the end..I like the ide aof time difference and how it affects the War plus how evolution happens yet some of the sodliers fell they have only been away a few years thousand sof years have passed..apart from that it's not a series I'd recommend. Plus I found the Aliens very hard to visualise flying on their broomsticks!

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

I'm finally reading The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. It was written as a counterpoint to Starship Troopers by Heinlein, but, IMHO, it lacks the sophistication of the latter. What The Forever War achieves is a tale of a soldier drafted in an incomprehensible war - with surprisingly spare action and interminable periods of boredom (but not for the reader). The Vietnam War metaphor is transparent, including the dislocation that a soldier feels when he returns to "normal life" (Haldeman was a combat engineer in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart).

Anyway, it is a pretty good yarn, and where Heinlein openly "philosophises", Haldeman speaks factually. Both books are worth reading, and I think that after finishing this one I will re-read Starship Troopers.

[wodin]

Ranger..I just couldn't get into Seven Pillars and I'm WW1 obsessed! It's a classic so many enjoy it obviously.

ORIGINAL: Ranger33

I'm halfway through Caesar's Commentaries. He's finished off Gaul and now it's on to the Roman Civil War. It's a fascinating read since its from his point if view, but also a bit of his own propaganda, with the occasional note from a contemporary editor.

Next up is Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence, another great man of history telling his story. Any other books out there along these lines?

[wodin]

If anyone would like to review a book to be published on my blog just PM me:)

[loki100]

War Made New by Max Boot. Its pretty annoying but with good bits. Its one of those books where the author has an insight and you are going to read it over and over again. Its also one where the chosen historical span far outweighs the actual knowledge span of the author. Its good bit is it can be very insightful about the interaction between war and technological/social change and the ever shifting relationship between offensive weaponry and defensive options.

On balance I'm more annoyed than intrigued but some good chapters.

[Zorch]

Heroic Failures and the British...an examination of how heroic deaths such as Franklin, the Light Brigade, Gordon and Scott were regarded.

[wodin]

Just published the first book review on my blog. Around a book a month will be reviewed. Check 'Incoming' to see the titles of books lined up for the next 6 months.


BLOG LINK

[loki100]

as maybe clear from comments, I quite like Steampunk. Well Anno Dracula fits that category. As opposed to the end of Bram Stoker's classic, Dracula has won the battle at the end of the book, gone on to marry Queen Victoria. Sherlock Holmes (and others) has been banished to a concentration camp and Jack the Ripper is a crazed vampire killer/hunter. There are other gems in what I reckon is a hoot of a read.

[Hattori Hanzo]

ORIGINAL: wodin

Just published the first book review on my blog. Around a book a month will be reviewed. Check 'Incoming' to see the titles of books lined up for the next 6 months.


BLOG LINK

nice review and interesting blog