Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I still have an old second-hand HB edition of that book that I am yet to read. I should try to get around to it soon as I have always enjoyed William Manchester's books.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I still have an old second-hand HB edition of that book that I am yet to read. I should try to get around to it soon as I have always enjoyed William Manchester's books."

I also have an older hardcover. I read the book ages ago, lost or lent the book out, found a decent copy a few years back and want to read it again.

I'm grateful to my friend who gifted me a copy of Buckham's Bombers: The Australian airmen who hunted Hitler's deadliest battleship by Mark Baker - loving it so far. I didn't realise Australians played such a key role in bringing down the Tirpitz.

Rowan wrote: "I'm grateful to my friend who gifted me a copy of [book:Buckham's Bombers: The Australian airm..."

Great to hear you are enjoying the book, Rowan. Keep us all posted on your progress.

A little Germans as POWs in Texas tale:



Nazis in the Pineywoods

That should be an interesting account carl!

Their Chosen Way,

I’m about finished with the last of John C. McManus’s trilogy on the US Army in the Pacific Theater, To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945. Bit of a slog compared to the first two in the trilogy, but that might be due to the slogging nature of the battles of Luzon and Okinawa. Still, very well written with great insights into generals such as Krueger, Eichelberger, and Buckner, who are pretty much forgotten by now.

That's good to hear Bob! I have that trilogy waiting to be read.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Rowan wrote: "I'm grateful to my friend who gifted me a copy of [book:Buckham's Bombers: The A..."

Just finished, Rick! Loved it. A gripping book. One of my best nonfiction reads this year.

My review: /review/show...

Great review Rowan. Thanks for sharing with the group. I will have to go look for a copy I think :)

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Great review Rowan. Thanks for sharing with the group. I will have to go look for a copy I think :)"

I hope you enjoy it too, Rick!

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "That should be an interesting account carl!"

Indeed it was AR, keeping w/the POW in USA theme, now onto :



Lone Star Stalag: German Prisoners of War at Camp Hearne

Recently visited this restored POW camp/museum. About an hour away, fascinating time & artifacts.

Sounds like another pretty interesting book Carl!

Having wrapped up the excellent "Battle for Shaggy Ridge", I'm seeing out the year with "The Virtuous Wehrmacht". Hopefully I'll be able to pick up my reading a bit in 2025....

Jonny wrote: "Having wrapped up the excellent "Battle for Shaggy Ridge", I'm seeing out the year with "The Virtuous Wehrmacht". Hopefully I'll be able to pick up my reading a bit in 2025....

[bookcover:The Virt..."

Let me know how you go with "The Virtuous Wehrmacht" as I have an unread copy sitting in my library.

Starting 2025 with a strong you buy it, you read it right away:
Mussolini, Mustard Gas and the Fascist Way of War: Ethiopia, 1935-1936 by Charles Stephenson

/review/show...

Dimitri wrote: "Starting 2025 with a strong you buy it, you read it right away:
[book:Mussolini, Mustard Gas and the Fas..."

Nice review Dimitri! Good policy as well :)

Saipan: The Battle That Doomed Japan in World War II by James H. Hallas

Not all historical researches are easy to comprehend in an audio format. This one is good for listening; witnesses' accounts distill dry data of military units and key/side figures. As I read from reviews, the author is prone to gore details, plus the book is unreasonably long. I haven't noticed lots of gore details, but the book is long: I'm 15% in, and the battle hasn't started yet.

Darya Silman wrote: "Saipan: The Battle That Doomed Japan in World War II by James H. Hallas

Not all historical researches are easy to comprehend in an audio format. This one is good fo..."

I hope the book gets better for you Darya.

Boudewijn wrote: "Finished this one last week:
The Arms of Krupp: The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Dynasty that Armed Germany at War

An audiobook of more than 45 hours. The family Krupp was with me..."

sounds so interesting. On my shelf

I am reading War on Our Doorstep: The Unknown Campaign on North America's West Coast

Mike wrote: "I am reading War on Our Doorstep: The Unknown Campaign on North America's West Coast
"

Should be an interesting account, Mike. I hope you are enjoying it.

I have started to read...

Dipanjan wrote: "I have started to read...

"

I hope its an interesting book, keep us all posted on how it goes.

I just finished reading Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival by Tom Glavin .
This was a fascinating book that covered a lot of territory. Early on we are introduced to Joe Moser, a staunchly Catholic young American who dreams of becoming a pilot. In the early part of the book there is a lot of factual information about the different planes available (including the P-38 Lightning which Joe dreamed of flying. ) This early section was rather dry but gave a great overview of the process of becoming a pilot and the development of the planes. It felt a bit like a prelude and I really wanted it to move on go tell Joe's story. Eventually it got there, and I was captivated from then on. It still included generic information about resistance, being a POW and some famous prisoners, but Joe's story alone was fascinating from his efforts to leave his burning plane to his eventual shocking arrival in Buchenwald with 168 other flyers. The conditions there were horrific and barely survivable. A strong commanding officer helped keep their group mentally functioning and refused to allow them to be forced to work in adjacent war supply factories. While they were there, they witnessed executions and sheer brutality. Members of the S.O.E. and resistance were also there and executed by hanging with piano wire. It was only a matter of time until their turn would come. They were viewed as terror fliers rather than air force pilots but it wasn't clear if anyone knew they were being held there. Due to some almost miraculous happenings, their whole group ends up being transferred to Stag Luft 3 (famous for the great escape). The initial reaction from their peers was that these men were lying and had never been in a concentration camp. When Joe finally made it home after surviving the horrendous death March, he was met with similar attitudes of disbelief. This led to years of silence on Joe's part. I'm thankful that he finally reached a point where he could share this incredible story. Included with the book are some photographs from the time, and many research notes. This book was well worth my reading time.

Recently I have started a book on Maratha warfare

I am now reading the 75th Anniversary edition of Antony Beevor's D-Day, The Battle for Normandy and very good it is, too.

Looks like some folks are reading some very interesting books!

I’m reading Shockwave : Countdown To Hiroshima by Stephen Walker. It’s a really fascinating and well written book!!!

Doreen wrote: "I’m reading Shockwave : Countdown To Hiroshima by Stephen Walker. It’s a really fascinating and well written book!!!"

Good one Doreen!

Now starting STORM OVER LEYTE: The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of the Japanese Navy by John Prados.

I sort of picked this book up on a whim at one of my local used bookstores, as I wanted to read some more about the WWII Pacific theater.

The author, who was quite prolific, passed away a couple of years ago. He was a senior research fellow at the National Security Archives with degrees in political science from Columbia University.

That said, I have never read any of his previous material before this book, which was published back in 2016. Anyone have any feedback for me about Prados' work?

James wrote: "Now starting STORM OVER LEYTE: The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of the Japanese Navy by John Prados.

I sort of picked this book up on a whim at one of my local used bookstores, as I wan..."

Storm Over Leyte is a very good book. I've read two others: Islands of Destiny and Combined Fleet Decoded. The former was a good and informative read. The latter was a bit of a slog, I felt. It was REALLY detailed and I ended up having to take a brake while reading and read something else as it was such a dense read. But definitely worthwhile if you want to know pretty much everything about American efforts to break Japanese naval codes.

Marc wrote: "James wrote: "Now starting STORM OVER LEYTE: The Philippine Invasion and the Destruction of the Japanese Navy by John Prados.

I sort of picked this book up on a whim at one of my local used bookst..."
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Marc:

Thanks for the feedback. "Islands Of Destiny" is available at my local library and I plan on checking it out if "Storm Over Leyte" finishes well.

While I have tried to read more WWII Pacific non-fiction over the last few years, I often review lists of award winning (or nominated) military history books to get an idea of what authors have "made their mark" so to speak.

Prados was certainly prolific as an author, but I never saw that he earned any nominations for his books. Hence he was completely off my radar before I picked up "Storm Over Leyte" on an impulse.

Now that I've finished Antony Beevor's D-Day book, I'm into James Holland's version, which is really excellent. This is my second reading and I love it as much as the first time.

I just finished reading Shockwave: Countdown To Hiroshima by Stephen Walker. What an outstanding and excellent book! I would definitely recommend this one to all!!!

Doreen wrote: "I just finished reading Shockwave: Countdown To Hiroshima by Stephen Walker. What an outstanding and excellent book! I would definitely recommend this one to all!!!"

Took your recommendation and ordered a copy. It does look good.

I;m reading Guam: The Battle for an American Island in World War II by James H. Hallas (an ARC, the book hasn't been published yet).

Why nobody acknowledges the fear the soldiers face? There is a paragraph about the Marines who, unable to control their emotions, couldn't fight at all. On the beachhead, they were treated gently as if being wounded. I don't know what awaited them when they would be back on their ships. A court martial?

Darya Silman wrote: "I;m reading Guam: The Battle for an American Island in World War II by James H. Hallas (an ARC, the book hasn't been published yet).

Why nobody acknowledges the f..."

I have to wait a few more months till that book is available in Australia.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Darya Silman wrote: "I;m reading Guam: The Battle for an American Island in World War II by James H. Hallas (an ARC, the book hasn't been published yet).

Why nobo..."

Aussie Rick, you can join Netgalley and get these books as ebooks in exchange for a review. Review doesn't have to be long. It can be 3-4 sentences

Darya, since I recently purchased a Kindle, I will check it out, thanks :)

Darya Silman wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Darya Silman wrote: "I;m reading Guam: The Battle for an American Island in World War II by James H. Hallas (an ARC, the book hasn't been publ..."

Thanks for the info about Netgalley. I just signed up and hopefully I can get a copy of Hallas' book on Guam as well!

Marc, it would be useful to mention that you are a part of this group. If you are connected to other WW2 buffs, it means you are really a fan ;)

Darya Silman wrote: "Marc, it would be useful to mention that you are a part of this group. If you are connected to other WW2 buffs, it means you are really a fan ;)"

I did mention I post reviews here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ--do I need to be more specific?

yes. everybody crossposts on GR and Amazon (B&N). Having some connection to WW2: being a member of a society, have a blog dedicated to a topic - increases your changes to get the book you want. That it is you want only WW2 books

Darya Silman wrote: "yes. everybody crossposts on GR and Amazon (B&N). Having some connection to WW2: being a member of a society, have a blog dedicated to a topic - increases your changes to get the book you want. Tha..."

Okay, I've updated my profile to be more specific. I've already gotten the download for the Guam book by Hallas!

Last Man Out by H. Robert Charles

I am currently reading a fantastic book of Richard Overy...

Two good books there Doreen and Dipanjan!

I've picked up David Cameron's The Battles for Kokoda Plateau: Three Weeks of Hell Defending the Gateway to the Owen Stanleys. Bit of pre-ANZAC day reading!