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Anthony Beevor - Ardennes 1944.

I do understand its been out for a year plus.

Just bought and read over past week. Saw it at the airport while traveling. Much comfort in hotels and airports.

I cannot say there was anything new or revolutionary in the book.

Much like his Dday book it covers ground well explored once again. Stephen Ambrose the most obvious example (the two books follow very much as Ambrose's work did)..though many many others as well

Anthony does focus on the plans for counter attack once the salient was halted. This was very good.

He also weaves in the commentary of Jodl and Keitel in the Conclusions..

Perhaps the best writing was actually towards the end of the book IMHO.

Definitely worth a read.

--

Question on other Beevor reads:

Love the Spanish Civil war so I will seek out Beevor's book on it.

Is Stalingrad worth the read if you are no particular fan of Eastern Front warfare ?

Is Crete a good read ?

Both Stalingrad and Fall of Berlin are good books, IMO. Written for a general population, meaning easy reads.
I think they are better than the Spanish civil war; which was a static war between many militias, so not the greatest of material for a clear, fluid war book.
In Stalingrad, he also explains, if briefly, the background of the war, I mean, the book won't start with Paulus at the city gates.

I am not an expert, but apparently he was one of the 1st western authors that accessed the soviet archives (which was not available before the end of the cold war).

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

Love the Spanish Civil war so I will seek out Beevor's book on it.

warspite1

The Battle for Spain is a truly excellent book - thoroughly recommended! [:)]

EDIT: Just seen Jorge_Stanbury's comment. I would agree to a degree. It's not an easy read in that there were so many flippin' factions in play - but as you are not a newcomer to the Spanish Civil War, I expect that this won't present so much of an obstacle, when compared to someone like me, who was a total newb when I first read it.

The Stalingrad book is very good. It is amazing what a human being can endure.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

Love the Spanish Civil war so I will seek out Beevor's book on it.

warspite1

The Battle for Spain is a truly excellent book - thoroughly recommended! [:)]

EDIT: Just seen Jorge_Stanbury's comment. I would agree to a degree. It's not an easy read in that there were so many flippin' factions in play - but as you are not a newcomer to the Spanish Civil War, I expect that this won't present so much of an obstacle, when compared to someone like me, who was a total newb when I first read it.

Yes, BoS is a much easier read, so if he liked Spanish Civil war (which I did) then there are very good chances he will like Stanlingrad

I have a good book on the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95, but haven't found anything else to cover that period up to WW2. With the crazy boy running No Korea, I want more knowledge on the conflicts and politics in that area (Korea, Japan, China, and Russia) from around 1900 to 1945. Any suggestions??

I have "The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895": Perceptions, Power, and Primacy. By S.C.M Paine

I liked it, I am not sure if this is the best book available, but probably there are not too many other alternatives, at least in Western languages

This book is a diplomacy-war hybrid, "It focuses on the impact of diplomacy, military operations, and public opinion on the international balance of power".

warspite1

The Battle for Spain is a truly excellent book - thoroughly recommended! [:)]

EDIT: Just seen Jorge_Stanbury's comment. I would agree to a degree. It's not an easy read in that there were so many flippin' factions in play - but as you are not a newcomer to the Spanish Civil War, I expect that this won't present so much of an obstacle, when compared to someone like me, who was a total newb when I first read it.

Thanks for the replies.

No - not a newbie at all.

I think I will still give a miss on Stalingrad..

[:D] I shall try Beevor's book on Spain. With the vortex that was I assumed it must be 60% political history to describe the players let alone the few set piece battles that actually mattered.

Interestingly I have read and then recently re-read Hugh Thomas "The Spanish Civil War".

I actually own (gifted) a 1961 hard cover edition as opposed to the edited and revised (circa 2000). One of these days I must hunt down the revised edition though I suspect it mostly in the economic details, and tables where the information is updated. A 1000 plus pages of details; POUM, the Falange, the Carlists, the other Carlists, the Anarchists, the other Anarchists, the other other Anarchists, the Barcelona separatists, the Basque separatists, Count Ciano and Mussolini, the Papacy.. ...

Note:

While the Hugh Thomas book is not for rookies (you must have an interest in history) I would make a very very strong recommendation that many citizens of western democracy read it carefully.

There are some very informative lessons!

i.e. when a society is undergoing transformational change from a 'catholic medieval basis (old world)' to 'new industrial age (new world)' - even minor political differences become increasingly polarized leading to further extremism on the right and the left; and then inability to compromise and govern for peaceful majority dissipates. Political courage to reach out and listen and accomodate different views becomes increasing scarce.... hmmmmm



Sorry.[8D]

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

i.e. when a society is undergoing transformational change from a 'catholic medieval basis (old world)' to 'new industrial age (new world)' - even minor political differences become increasingly polarized leading to further extremism on the right and the left; and then inability to compromise and govern for peaceful majority dissipates. Political courage to reach out and listen and accomodate different views becomes increasing scarce.... hmmmmm

I am surprised on how fast Spain transformed during the mid-to-late Francoist and early democracy years... I mean light speed changes in peacetime with all civil war political party ideologies pretty much extinguished,

May I suggest the "The Spanish Civil War" video series,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7S9XcD ... eugokydJnS

Crete is a very good read in showing just how totally amateurish things were.....


Roger

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn


May I suggest the "The Spanish Civil War" video series,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7S9XcD ... eugokydJnS

warspite1

I watched this after you recommended this in the General Discussion forum. To anyone that has not seen it I thoroughly recommend this - its on a par with The World at War or The Great War. This is a serious documentary series.

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn


May I suggest the "The Spanish Civil War" video series,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7S9XcD ... eugokydJnS

Thank you .. completely unaware.

I certainly will.

I like Beevor's books. Very interesting, can't put it down once your start.