What Are You Reading?

...don't normally go around recommending Osprey Aces titles but the latest devoted to the Curtiss Hawk is a decent effort - some translated accounts from Armée de l'Air pilots for the first time in English...

 

Just finished The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All For the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II by Gregory A. Freeman. It tells of about 500 US (and a few allied) airmen who were sheltered by the Chetniks in Serbia during WWII before they were finally rescued by the OSS. It is a great story and the book does a very good job of explaining the politics of Yugoslavia during WWII, an area about which I new very little. Well worth the time. I recommend it.

 

Just finished " Alpine elite" by James Lucas

Next Helmut Ritgen: Memoirs of a Panzer Lehr officer

 

Kai what did you think of Alpine Elite ?

I purchased the book the eyar it came out but thought the unit histories were much too brief on this important arm of the Wehrmacht.

just picked up a great OOP title from Berlin formerly owned by a S-boot crewman: Book by KM Offizier RK-EL Friedrich Kemnade "Die Afrika Flottille"

over 500 pages in length the man goes into some real specific operational details, the maps are interesting through out picking out details such as which S-Boot sunk what Allied ship in all sizes and capacities. some interesting small photos throughout showing classic examples of the tropical light-weight gear being worn but also on S-Boot rubberized suits inw ear during combat situations. Looks like a great read once I get to seriously sitting down with it and on we go !

 

I am currently reading "Europe at War" by Norman Davies ( Macmillan 2006 ), It has certainly made me rethink things. Here is a quote from the front cover, 'Norman Davies has the gift of all great historians- an ability to make us rethink the past'. The Times. Mr.Davies will convince you, and I was very dismayed to hear it, how we Westerners didn't win the war but the Russians did!

 

I'm in the middle of Here is your War by Ernie Pyle, and it's a very interesting. I love all his little mini-stories about random soldiers he meets.

 

Can anybody tell me if The Day of the Typhoon by John Golley, is anything worthwhile? I was thinking on picking it up and giving it a try, feel like reading about the air war and i don't think i ever read anything about the ground attack units.

 

Kai, please let me know your opinions on both Bloody Streets and Bloody Triangl books. Bloody Streets is one on my to get list and the other I have not heard about till now ;-))

 

Currently I'm reading The Sinking of the Lancastria by Jonathan Fenby, and The 25 best World War II sites: European Theater by Chuck Thompson.

 

Just now by Priority mail, I just got in my English language version of Fellgiebels book. I'll give it a review tonight forgoing my session set aside for reading Island of Fire, and will hopefully be able to post the opinions on the morrow.

 

I am reading "Day of Battle". Atkinson's prose is a bit thick, but his books are definitely well written and full of information.

 

I visited the library last night and grabbed a bunch of books. I was disappointed not to find any US Navy related material (pictorial or otherwise) on the shelves which I was primarily after.

• Hell in the Pacific
• The Origins of the Second World War in Asia and the Pacific
• The Second World War in Colour
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Combat Aircraft of WW2
• Warplanes of WW2

Anyway, the 2 pictoral warplane books should help me brush up on my knowledge of the warbirds. I didn't realise Japan had so many different types of combat aircraft. If anyone can point me to photographic books on the the Pacific Naval campaigns (battles, amphibious landings etc...) I'd much appreciate it.

 

I just finished We Die Alone by David Howarth. This is one of those books you pick up and simply cannot put down. The story of Jan Baalrud should be heard by every WWII historian. The uniqueness of his circumstances as well as the insanity of what happened is incredible to hear!

I would recommend this book to everybody if you have not already read it. There is also a movie made after the book Ni Liv (Nine Lives) that I simply cannot find if anybody can help with that?

 

Just finished "A Hell of an Education" bought this one online, don't have it in front of me, forgot the author's name!! But a good read! About the Red Devils!

 

i do recall something months ago that bloody sreets and bloddy trangl books was about different kinds of german units joining forces to do battle against the russian forces (think the germans were defending) i just can't remember the facts.
or i could be wrong with the book names and be completly wrong,in other words don't take my word for it

 

Hello Heidi, thank you for what you posted. You are correct about them thoguh. I have yet to get them or read them but they are books I intend to get this year ;-))

Take care and best regards--Carl.

PS, I have one that you might greatly enjoy. If you can find a copy of: "Shooting the War: Through the Lens" which is by U 181s 2nd Watch Officer: Otto Giese--that is one fascinating read. When I was guest of honor at U 181s Vets gathering in 2000, that book was one of the several items that those Vets gave to me-which was also signed by Herr Giese.

I started reading it when I was staying with Susanne in Dingelsdorff-and I couldn't put that book down because it was so good. ;-))

 

Hi All, I am reading "Decision in Normandy" by Carlo D'este, its a good read (however I like most books about ww2) I came across this one in a charity shop the best £1.50 I have spent in a long time
Next ones will be "Hell in Hurtgen Forest" by Robert Sterlinng Rush and "Sigfried The Nazis Last Stand" Charles Whitington, these are on my shelf begging to be read

 

Finally reading Max Hastings Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy. I'm only at the beginning, and so far so good - although based on some things written here and elsewhere shall probably find myself irritated from a Canadian perspective.