Just got home from another sturm-angriff at my local 2nd hand bookstore. Bought a German 2nd printing of Hans Speidel's INVASION 1944 (1949). Not in the best condition, but thought it was interesting enough, for only $6.

Is this a MUST read? I have a stack of books and want to know if this one should be placed at the top of my pile? Things I have to keep in mind when I am reading this?

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

Hello Stevin, I wish IO could help you there on this one but, I have never read the book even though I have heard about it. I have been trying to get a copy of it through Detlev Niemann but he hasnt been able to find one.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Thnx anyway, Carl...

want me to keep my feelers out for this one?

or try www.abebooks.com

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

Stevin :

Could you please let me know how things have worked out for you from abe books ? How have they been for service and coverting funds for you ? I am interested in an OOP title from them.

E

Abebooks is the site. Hundreds of booksellers have their inventory on Abebooks. So far I have been dealing with about 6 or 7 different booksellers through Abebooks in the US, UK, Australia and Germany. So far I only have had good experiences. From my initial e-mail inquiry to payment (with my creditcard) and handling and shipping. All books did arrive within reasonable time, well packaged, no damage without any 'surprise'. Only one shipment took a long time and that was because Sept. 11.

What I do is sent my credit card info divided in two different e-mails. Because of paying this way I have always payed in the country's of origin's currency, and I believe that someone told me the best conversion rates are to be gotten by payment with credit cards. Don't know if that is true, though...

[ 17 May 2002, 02:31 PM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

Thanks Stevin.

That is the info I exactly wanted to know.

E

Stevin--sure--just let me know how much it costs plsu a bit for your efforts and I would love to get a copy of the book.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Digging into my book collection, Speidel's memoir was published in English as 'We Defended Normandy' ( 1951 London : Herbert Jenkins ).
It's very hard to find, as ever, books written by German ex-combatants weren't very popular here in the 50's & 60's. It's an important book on Normandy, but some critics feel that Speidel is rather self-serving and has adjusted some facts to suit.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Hi Martin,

Thank you for you insights. I appreciate them. I understand that the memoires of German vets weren't popular, but I do believe quite a few were published anyway, even in England. As to the self-serving bit; it is understandable. I think few veterans could be completely blunt and honest about their own failings. It is human nature, I guess. I believe Paulus wrote a manuscript which did not quite stand up to the critics eye, either. I have a copy of Eddy Chapman's I Killed To Live, about Eric Pleasants, also published in the early 50's and that reads more like a adventure book than anything else. I believe even Manstein's book was somewhat critized later. Still, put 20 people into a kessel and you'll get 20 different accounts. These books by veterans still rank amongst the most interesting for me.

[ 21 June 2002, 03:35 AM: Message edited by: Stevin Oudshoorn ]

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

Hi Stevin
You're absolutely right - the veteran's accounts are unique. I always think of 'Dambuster' Ken Brown replying to a modern critic with 'Hey, you weren't there !'
As an avid book collector, the early German accounts published here are frustrating but exciting to find. Some real classics such as 'Panzer Leader', 'Stuka Pilot', 'The First and The Last'are now very rare. I recently saw the Paulus book you mentioned ( 'Paulus and Stalingrad' ) at a London dealer for fifty pounds. And it took me ten years to find a copy of 'Moscow Tram Stop'... I have to admire the British publishers who ignored public opinion and put these valuable memoirs into print. . .

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Martin,

Always good to 'talk' to a book collector. I got some of the books you mention. Before I was satisfied with reprints of Panzer Leader, Stuka Pilot and First and Last, but I have developed a taste for the 'early' and original publications. And many have never been republished.

I am looking into the possibility of getting some accounts published. trying to set my first few steps as a publisher. I love books, so it should be fun.

Besides 'officially' published accounts I collect self- or privately published accounts. So, If someone knows where I can get a hold of these, I keep myself highly recommended...

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson