Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Good review Happy and interesting information on Joseph Warren. Is he known of at all in the USA, perhaps in Boston or elsewhere?

I am reading this at present and it is very informative and has given me a new insight into Russia and the Russians' conduct and approach: Afgantsy: The Russians In Afghanistan, 1979-1989 and Rodric Braithwaite

Geevee wrote: "Good review Happy and interesting information on Joseph Warren. Is he known of at all in the USA, perhaps in Boston or elsewhere?"

Basically he is unknown in the broader US, I don't know about New England - I personally never knew of his major involvement in the beginnings of the Revolution before reading this book

Good review Happy :)

I finished Book One of Herodotus The Histories and it was such a great read, full of interesting bits of information that I really enjoyed and also that I had read about previously in numerous history books, now I know their source material!

I have put it aside for the moment to squeeze in another book that I have been itching to start:

by James Falkner

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I finished Book One of Herodotus The Histories and it was such a great read, full of interesting bits of information that I really enjoyed and also that I had read about previously in numerous hist..."

Looks like a good one. Another TBR addition.

It's started off well.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "It's started off well."

I am interested in the history on fortifications. I have visited a number of American forts which all owe much to the principles of Vauban, including Ticonderoga, Pulaski, McHenry, Barrancas and some others. I would like to see Louisbourg in Canada, which I understand is one of the best and most intact.

Hi Manray9, that's great that you have those sites you can visit and walk around/over. I've always wanted to visit Ticonderoga and Louisbourg in Canada. I saw some of Vauban's works on a visit to Europe a few years back but nothing substanial.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Manray9, that's great that you have those sites you can visit and walk around/over. I've always wanted to visit Ticonderoga and Louisbourg in Canada. I saw some of Vauban's works on a visit to E..."

I was just thinking...that would be a great tour for history buffs. A trip around France to visit Vauban's forts, especially since so many are in or near such scenic places.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Manray9, that's great that you have those sites you can visit and walk around/over. I've always wanted to visit Ticonderoga and Louisbourg in Canada. I saw some of Vauban's works on a visit to E..."

I considered a drive to Louisbourg a few years ago, but backed out. It is 1,700 miles from South Carolina.

That's a great idea for a European vacation, I'm in!

:)

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "That's a great idea for a European vacation, I'm in!

:)"

I see interesting forts, scenic places, excellent meals and plentiful wines.

Yes, almost a military blokes version of heaven :)

I've started reading Lone Survivor since the movie is due out in Australian next month.


by Marcus Luttrell

AR: You can't watch TV in the U.S. for five minutes without seeing an ad for "The Monuments Men" which is due out in early Feb. It boasts an all-star cast of George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett. It is based on:

The Monuments Men by Robert Edsel.

I've seen the previews recently and it looks pretty good. I've been thinking of getting a copy of the book as well, will have to check my reading list and see if I can squeeze it in :)

I'm currently reading an early D'este book on the Med



rather short - 275 pages and so far it is mainly an overview

I've started Robert Asprey's first volume of his two volume biography on Napoleon Bonaparte, its been a pretty good account so far.

by Robert B. Asprey

I'm currently reading: The Indian Mutiny by Julian Spilsbury Readable if more slanted towards the British side but with many first-hand accounts.

If you haven't read his book on the Crimean War yet Geevee do you think this book on the Indian Mutiny has interested you enough to check it out?

by Julian Spilsbury

Thanks Rick, yes I think so and also I see in my book that Mr Spilsbury is a military obituary writer for the Daily Telegraph, which adds to his standing in my view.

His book on the Crimean War was the reason I purchased a copy of his account of the Indian Mutiny, just haven't gotten around to reading it yet :)

I really enjoyed Last Men Out: The True Story of America's Heroic Final Hours in Vietnam, a heartbreaking story. Look forward to your review.

My thoughts on Our Bones Are Scattered: The Cawnpore Massacres and The Indian Mutiny Of 1857, if anyone is interested

/review/show...

Another great review Happy!

Marathon "Vietnam in HD" on History Channel today. There go any thoughts on doing chores....

Mike wrote: "Marathon "Vietnam in HD" on History Channel today. There go any thoughts on doing chores...."

Chores? What are chores? Oh, you mean those little annoyances which interfere with my reading.

I've got that on DVD, it's a pretty good series, what did you think of it Mike?

I've kept an eye on the Navy's Professional Reading List (in its various manifestations) since I was a junior Sailor, way back in the dark ages. It led me to a lot of good books, both fiction and nonfiction.

I just recently finished 'Six Frigates,' by IAN W. Toll, from the CNO's Professional Reading list. Here's my review...
/author_blog...

Next, I'd like to delve into either 'Red Star Over the Pacific,' or 'Neptune's Inferno.' Any suggestions?

Jeff wrote: "I've kept an eye on the Navy's Professional Reading List (in its various manifestations) since I was a junior Sailor, way back in the dark ages. It led me to a lot of good books, both fiction and ..."

Nice review Jeff. I also liked it immensely (even tho I am USAF through and through!). Sent it to my daughter who's in the US Navy...waiting for her to read it so we can discuss.

Nice reveiw Jeff - I also really enjoyed Six Frigates. As for a rec - I haven't read Red Star, but IMO Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal is a 5 star read

happy wrote: "Nice reveiw Jeff - I also really enjoyed Six Frigates. As for a rec - I haven't read Red Star, but IMO Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal is a 5 star read"

Happy: I too endorse --

Neptune's Inferno

Great review Jeff, I will have to try and bump it up the list to read soon!

Thanks to all for the kind words and advice. Looks like Neptune's Inferno is next for me.

Gents, I wondered if this might be of interest. I have it but yet to read: Warships After Washington: The Development of the Five Major Fleets, 1922-1930 by John Jordon

Description
The Washington Treaty of 1922, designed to head off a potentially dangerous arms race between the major naval powers, agreed to legally binding limits on the numbers and sizes of the principal warship types. In doing so, it introduced a new constraint into naval architecture and sponsored many ingenious attempts to maximise the power of ships built within those restrictions. It effectively banned the construction of new battleships for a decade, but threw greater emphasis on large cruisers. This much is broadly understood by anyone with an interest in warships, but both the wider context of the treaty and the detail ramifications of its provisions are little understood. The approach of this book is novel in combining coverage of the political and strategic background of the treaty and the subsequent London Treaty of 1930 with analysis of exactly how the navies of Britain, the USA, Japan, France and Italy responded, in terms of the types of warships they built and the precise characteristics of those designs. This was not just a matter of capital ships and cruisers, but also influenced the development of super-destroyers and large submarines. Now for the first time warship enthusiasts and historians can understand fully the rationale behind much of inter-war naval procurement. The Washington Treaty was a watershed, and this book provides an important insight into its full significance.

Jeff wrote: "I've kept an eye on the Navy's Professional Reading List (in its various manifestations) since I was a junior Sailor, way back in the dark ages. It led me to a lot of good books, both fiction and ..."

A great illustrated review Jeff.

Geevee wrote: "Gents, I wondered if this might be of interest. I have it but yet to read: [book:Warships Afte..."

It looks good. I know some about the Washington Treaty stipulations. They had significant impact on combat efficiency in WW II of those ships built to treaty standards.

Jerome wrote: "
Just finished this book. I have read many books about the Korean war, but this is the most detailed about a..."

Sounds like a great book Jerome, I better go find my copy and move it to the top of the pile!

Jerome wrote: "
Just took this one up this A.M.
What with the "crisis in Ukraine" going on I thought this may give some insi..."

Will be interested in what you think of this one. I read his Infidels: A History of the Conflict Between Christendom and Islam and liked it.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Jerome wrote: "
Just finished this book. I have read many books about the Korean war, but this is the most d...

Sounds like a great book Jerome, I better go find my copy and move it to the top of the pile!
"


You really need to do so - I read it a few yrs ago( I was going through a Korean War phase ;)) and thought it was excellent!

AR, I'll pile on and say read The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat. You were looking for a diversion from WWI, WWII and Napoleon? Guarantee this one would be perfect.

Mike wrote: "AR, I'll pile on and say read The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat. You were looking for a diversion from WWI, WWII and Napoleon? Guarantee this one ..."

Looks like a good one.

OK, better go find my copy, I think I know where it is :)

Myself and a few others here are reading Noah Andre Trudeau's book on Sherman' March; Southern Storm.

by Noah Andre Trudeau

I recently finished The Defeat Of Imperial Germany, 1917-1918

my thoughts if anyone is interested

/review/show...

Hi Jerome, I didn't enjoy that book as much as I hoped either, I think it was the author's style that put me off as well.

This isn't exactly a book that I'm reading; it's an interesting bit of Navy history that has fallen completely through the cracks. It seems unlikely that anyone will every write a book about CDR Albert Kaplan's actions at the Battle of Salerno, but someone should.

Interesting Jeff and thanks for posting. Out of curiosity I Googled USS Mayo to see if there was anything linked to any Royal Navy info on Salerno that might be of interest and found this brief mention on the ship, Cdr Kaplan and Salerno:

"One of the more heroic destroyer actions of Shingle was staged by the U.S.S. Mayo, under the command of Commander A.D. Kaplan. It was assigned the hazardous task of coming in close ashore to impede the reinforcing of Nazi infantry units. Mayo and other ships of DESRON 7 shelled enemy forces attempting to cross the Mussolini Canal for more than 17 hours. Out of ammunition and on her way back to Naples, a mine blew open a large hole in her starboard side, flooding the after fire and engine rooms and damaging her propeller shaft. A British tug took her under tow for temporary repairs in Naples. But the enemy hadn't seen the last of "The Merry Mayo", as she was known to her crew. She escorted five more convoys to Europe and even took part in the Okinawa operation."

Thanks for sharing this. CDR Kaplan hasn't gotten a lot of press, but it's good to see that there are a few mentions out there.

Jeff