What Book Are You Reading at the moment?

[ncc1701e]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

I have just started "To Hell and Back" from Ian Kershaw. It is incredible how the same mistake is repeated.
Nobody knows how to end a war properly.

warspite1

Can you let us know what you think after say a couple of chapters please. Interesting subject but just too worried that its too high level (given the sheer amount that needs to be covered). Anyway, thanks in advance.

At the risk of disappointing you, the book remains indeed at a high level. If you are a subject matter expert of the period, you will not learn a lot.

But, if you would like a summary of this period, it is very good so far from my point of view. Explaining clearly why WW1 treaty of Versailles and other factors has led to WW2. Correctly ending a war is the key and this is still the case nowadays.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: ncc1701e

I have just started "To Hell and Back" from Ian Kershaw. It is incredible how the same mistake is repeated.
Nobody knows how to end a war properly.

warspite1

Can you let us know what you think after say a couple of chapters please. Interesting subject but just too worried that its too high level (given the sheer amount that needs to be covered). Anyway, thanks in advance.

At the risk of disappointing you, the book remains indeed at a high level. If you are a subject matter expert of the period, you will not learn a lot.

But, if you would like a summary of this period, it is very good so far from my point of view. Explaining clearly why WW1 treaty of Versailles and other factors has led to WW2. Correctly ending a war is the key and this is still the case nowadays.

warspite1

Heehee - I wish I was an expert.....[:(]

Thanks for the heads up - I may still give it a go.

[warspite1]

Reading the Sealion books again so close to the first time seems a bit of a waste.

So what to read? I bought Lawrence in Arabia (Anderson) on a whim a few years back, having been recommended by someone in the WITP-AE forum.

It has remained on my shelf unread ever since. While I wait for the Friedman book on carrier aircraft at Christmas, I thought I would give this a go. Two chapters in and, regardless of whatever else it may be (can't comment yet on the history) its a really good easy to read book!

[berto]

Having finished the 11-volume Story of Civilization earlier this year, I am now on a multi-year slog through the eight-volume Cambridge Medieval History (1911-1936 version).

[Waffenamt]

Eagles at War by Ben Kane. 1st part of a trilogy based upon the battle of Teutoburg forest in 9 AD. I'm about a third of the way into it but I'm gripped. Excellent writing from the author and a fine eye for historical detail. Recommended to anyone interested in this period.

Regards

[loki100]

realise I've not contributed for a while (... stop cheering [;)]).

presume re-reading counts? If so The Further Adventures of Halley's Comet by John Calvin Batchelor. Works on the premise that comets are real entities so every time Halley's Comet comes close to earth things are shaken up.

[warspite1]

I'm led to believe that the following books are required reading for those interested in Operation Sealion. They are both elderly tomes (both 1958) so not sure quite what to expect but.... As soon as I have read Lawrence in Arabia I shall be giving these a go [:)].

Silent Victory (Grinnell-Milne)
Operation Sea Lion (Wheatley)

[wings7]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I'm led to believe that the following books are required reading for those interested in Operation Sealion. They are both elderly tomes (both 1958) so not sure quite what to expect but.... As soon as I have read Lawrence in Arabia I shall be giving these a go [:)].

Silent Victory (Grinnell-Milne)
Operation Sea Lion (Wheatley)

I'll check them out! Thanks Robert! [:)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Reading the Sealion books again so close to the first time seems a bit of a waste.

So what to read? I bought Lawrence in Arabia (Anderson) on a whim a few years back, having been recommended by someone in the WITP-AE forum.

It has remained on my shelf unread ever since. While I wait for the Friedman book on carrier aircraft at Christmas, I thought I would give this a go. Two chapters in and, regardless of whatever else it may be (can't comment yet on the history) its a really good easy to read book!

warspite1

Just over halfway now and I would thoroughly recommend this book. It gives a very nice back drop to anyone studying or interested in the problems of the modern Middle East too.

Lawrence comes across as a distinctly unlikeable chap and from the way he is described by others who met him, the tone of his writings (particularly to his mother) I suspect that today he would be diagnosed with some kind of -ism or other - strange chap indeed.

[demyansk]

Deal With The Devil
the fbi secret thirty year relationship with a mafia killer Peter lance

[wodin]

Till the Trumpets Sound Again Vol1 and then Vol2 by R Nicoll. In depth research of the Scots Guards in WW, seeing it from their eyes. Love it, similar to the amazing Otherside of the Wire Vol1 and Vol 2 by R Whitehead which follows a German corps through WW1. Reading it to review for the blog...like all Helion published books it's superb!

I say again from my experience any book published by Helion is going to be a damn fine read!

[wodin]

One of my all time favourite books and easy my fav book when a young teenager, a toss up with LOTR for my No1 spot is The Borribles. I'm re reading the trilogy now. I bought a copy for my step son when he was younger and my daughter.

J K Rowling..meh...this is the book kids should be reading. I so desperately wanted to run away and become a Borrible when I first read this age 11\12.

Also I can't stress enough it's a book for all ages...not just kids.

if you are on the look out for a present for a girl or boy this Xmas between 12 and 15 buy this book. Or treat yourself.

I really wish more books had been written. I also think it would make an excellent set of movies..though prob best animated and def rated 12 and over. Lots of violence and abit of swearing.

LINK

[bobarossa]

David McCullough's The Path Between The Seas about the building of the Panama Canal. This should be made into a mini-series. It's got exploration, intrigue, scandal, disease outbreaks, and some great engineering.

[warspite1]

Finished Lawrence in Arabia

Difficult to know exactly what to make of the book but at worst its a very entertaining read and gives the reader a potted history of why the Middle East looks like it does today (in terms of countries and borders).

The book appears fairly balanced, although the author - while not afraid to outline some of Lawrence's peculiarities - does perhaps give him too much credit in certain areas. On occasions its as if only Lawrence knew what was happening and was right and everyone else was a buffoon.

Not really sure what to make of Lawrence either - other than he was a strange chappie in more ways than one.

I definitely enjoyed reading the book but do not have the urge to read more on TE Lawrence having done so. I do however want to read up on the Treaty of Versailles and have ordered a book on just that subject.

[wings7]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Finished Lawrence in Arabia

Difficult to know exactly what to make of the book but at worst its a very entertaining read and gives the reader a potted history of why the Middle East looks like it does today (in terms of countries and borders).

The book appears fairly balanced, although the author - while not afraid to outline some of Lawrence's peculiarities - does perhaps give him too much credit in certain areas. On occasions its as if only Lawrence knew what was happening and was right and everyone else was a buffoon.

Not really sure what to make of Lawrence either - other than he was a strange chappie in more ways than one.

I definitely enjoyed reading the book but do not have the urge to read more on TE Lawrence having done so. I do however want to read up on the Treaty of Versailles and have ordered a book on just that subject.

Robert, could you post a link for the book? Thanks. [:)]

[wodin]

Never could get through Seven Pillars of Wisdom by Lawrence...

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: wings7

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Finished Lawrence in Arabia

Difficult to know exactly what to make of the book but at worst its a very entertaining read and gives the reader a potted history of why the Middle East looks like it does today (in terms of countries and borders).

The book appears fairly balanced, although the author - while not afraid to outline some of Lawrence's peculiarities - does perhaps give him too much credit in certain areas. On occasions its as if only Lawrence knew what was happening and was right and everyone else was a buffoon.

Not really sure what to make of Lawrence either - other than he was a strange chappie in more ways than one.

I definitely enjoyed reading the book but do not have the urge to read more on TE Lawrence having done so. I do however want to read up on the Treaty of Versailles and have ordered a book on just that subject.

Robert, could you post a link for the book? Thanks. [:)]

warspite1

There you go! [:)]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lawrence-Arabi ... +in+arabia

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: wodin

Never could get through Seven Pillars of Wisdom by Lawrence...

warspite1

Anderson repeats the oft made point that Seven Pillars is "more often praised than read" and having read some of Lawrence's writings from his letters and indeed passages from the book, I can understand why that it! [;)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: wings7

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Finished Lawrence in Arabia

Difficult to know exactly what to make of the book but at worst its a very entertaining read and gives the reader a potted history of why the Middle East looks like it does today (in terms of countries and borders).

The book appears fairly balanced, although the author - while not afraid to outline some of Lawrence's peculiarities - does perhaps give him too much credit in certain areas. On occasions its as if only Lawrence knew what was happening and was right and everyone else was a buffoon.

Not really sure what to make of Lawrence either - other than he was a strange chappie in more ways than one.

I definitely enjoyed reading the book but do not have the urge to read more on TE Lawrence having done so. I do however want to read up on the Treaty of Versailles and have ordered a book on just that subject.

Robert, could you post a link for the book? Thanks. [:)]

warspite1

There you go! [:)]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lawrence-Arabi ... +in+arabia

warspite1

Sorry Patrick I just realised you may have meant the Versailles book. If so here the link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0719562376/ ... PJS9SW4J3H

[wings7]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: wings7




Robert, could you post a link for the book? Thanks. [:)]

warspite1

There you go! [:)]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lawrence-Arabi ... +in+arabia

warspite1

Sorry Patrick I just realised you may have meant the Versailles book. If so here the link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0719562376/ ... PJS9SW4J3H

Actually both are great...thanks Robert! [:)]