Professional Military History Reading List

[old_pop2000]

I just got my new issue of Proceedings and it had reviews of two new interesting books:

1. Midway Inquest: Why the Japanese lost the Battle of Midway: Authored by Dallas Woodbury Isom. This book is going to be interesting. Some years ago, Mr. Isom, an attorney, wrote an very enlightened account of the battle, offering a new timeline for the events leading up to the 10:20 attack by the dive bombers. This new timeline, explained the problems that have plagued other authors like Lord and Prange who used US carrier deck procedures to explain the disaster and failed. Isom is one of the first to offer a Japanese deck procedure and explained the difference. I have the article. Parshall, who wrote "Shattered Sword" critiqued the article and disagreed with some details, but overall stated that Isom had gotten most of it correct. I believe that this could be another book that lays out new ideas and answers old questions.

2. Bankrupting the Enemy: The US financial siege of Japan before Pearl Harbor: Authored by Edward S. Miller. Mr. Miller wrote the excellent book entitled "War Plan Orange". He was a chief financial officer of a fortune 500 company with thirty years of experience in international finance. This should make him qualified to talk on the subject. The book is reviewed as having a tremendous amount of detail--sometimes to much- but overall it is a well written and researched book on a subject that has lain dormant for years. It is time for books and investigations into how the Japanese rationalized the war.

Both of these books will find their way into my library.

I hope we can use this thread for other military reviews in magazine, etc. Maybe we can start our own professional Military History Reading List.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I just got my new issue of Proceedings and it had reviews of two new interesting books:

1. Midway Inquest: Why the Japanese lost the Battle of Midway: Authored by Dallas Woodbury Isom. This book is going to be interesting. Some years ago, Mr. Isom, an attorney, wrote an very enlightened account of the battle, offering a new timeline for the events leading up to the 10:20 attack by the dive bombers. This new timeline, explained the problems that have plagued other authors like Lord and Prange who used US carrier deck procedures to explain the disaster and failed. Isom is one of the first to offer a Japanese deck procedure and explained the difference. I have the article. Parshall, who wrote "Shattered Sword" critiqued the article and disagreed with some details, but overall stated that Isom had gotten most of it correct. I believe that this could be another book that lays out new ideas and answers old questions.

2. Bankrupting the Enemy: The US financial siege of Japan before Pearl Harbor: Authored by Edward S. Miller. Mr. Miller wrote the excellent book entitled "War Plan Orange". He was a chief financial officer of a fortune 500 company with thirty years of experience in international finance. This should make him qualified to talk on the subject. The book is reviewed as having a tremendous amount of detail--sometimes to much- but overall it is a well written and researched book on a subject that has lain dormant for years. It is time for books and investigations into how the Japanese rationalized the war.

Both of these books will find their way into my library.

I hope we can use this thread for other military reviews in magazine, etc. Maybe we can start our own professional Military History Reading List.

Dennis:

Good choices on both books! They're on my list to be added to the Rotondaro Military History Library. I had sent an email to Parshall regarding Isom's book and he didn't reply, but since it was on the Navweaps board, perhaps he didn't want to trash him. Others on that forum pointed out the flaws in Isom's earlier article, so it will be interesting to see if he has modified his stance on Midway.

[old_pop2000]

Ok, I will start with ten books that I've read, enjoyed, keep in my library and continue to reference. They are not in any order of priority.

1. Military History of the Western World, three volumes by General J.F.C. Fuller - Great set

2. Strategy - by Sir Basil Liddell Hart

3. Panzer Leader - Heinz Guderian

4. The Narrow Margin - By Derek Wood, Derek Dempsey - Excellent book on the BOB, movie based on the book.

5. Zero - Masatake Okumiya, Jiro Horikoshi with Martin Caiden

6. Fleet Tactics - By Capt. Wayne Hughes

7. The Influence of Sea power upon History - By Alfred Thayer Mahan - Free electronic version available

8. Supplying War - By Martin Van Creweld - Great logistic's book

9. At Dawn We Slept - Gordon Prange - Excellent Pearl Harbor book

10. History of the Second World War - B. H. Liddell Hart

Honorable Mention-

1. The Peloponnesian War - Donald Kagan

2. The Art of Maneuver - Robert Leonhard

3. The Struggle For Europe - Chester Wilmott

4. The First and the Last - Adolf Galland

Funniest:

Up Front with Willi and Joe - Bill Mauldin

That's my favorite list, although there are others. :)

[Mike Malanaphy]

Hi Dennis,

In a similar vein:

1. Morison's History of USN operations.

2. Eishenhower's Lieutenants by Russell Weigley.

3. Freidman's books especially "Battleship Design adn Development 1906-1945".

4. "Combined Fleet Decoded" by John Prados.

5. Clay Blair's works on the USN and German submarine campaigns.

6. "Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945" by Jurgen Rohwer.

8. "Lost Victories" by Erich Von Manstein.

9. "kaigun" by David Evans and mark Peattie.

10. "Japanese Heavy Cruisers" by LaCroix.

11. "The Rules of the Game" by Andrew Gordon.

12. "Battleships at War" by H.W. Wilson.

13. "The Battleship Era" by Peter Padfield.

14. Both of Vince O'Hara's books are destined to be well used references.

[old_pop2000]

I've read Lost Victories and that is a close second. Same with Kaigun, O'Hara, Morison's, Clay Blair. Great list. I will have to add some of those to my reading list.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi Dennis,

In a similar vein:

1. Morison's History of USN operations.

2. Eishenhower's Lieutenants by Russell Weigley.

3. Freidman's books especially "Battleship Design adn Development 1906-1945".

4. "Combined Fleet Decoded" by John Prados.

5. Clay Blair's works on the USN and German submarine campaigns.

6. "Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945" by Jurgen Rohwer.

8. "Lost Victories" by Erich Von Manstein.

9. "kaigun" by David Evans and mark Peattie.

10. "Japanese Heavy Cruisers" by LaCroix.

11. "The Rules of the Game" by Andrew Gordon.

12. "Battleships at War" by H.W. Wilson.

13. "The Battleship Era" by Peter Padfield.

14. Both of Vince O'Hara's books are destined to be well used references.

Dennis and Mike:

Between your lists, I have several volumes mentioned. Great minds think alike (especially if their wives let them buy books!). I will add the following:

"Downfall" by Richard Frank (Covers the end of WWII in the Pacific)
"Gaudalcanal" also by Frank (Simply the ultimate book on this campaign)
"The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" by James Hornfischer (The best account of Samar
ever)
"Touched with Fire" by Eric Bergerud (Ground combat in the South Pacific)
"Fire in the Sky" by Bergerud (The best account of aerial combat and aircraft development in WWII)

[old_pop2000]

I agree about Guadalcanal by Richard Frank, it is a good book. I have some reservations about Fire In the Sky by Bergerud. I am finding some items that he states, blatantly incorrect and I am not certain that this is a well researched book. That's why it isn't on my list, but I still use it and back it up with other information. I cannot provide specifics, it's just as I have read and used it for research, I get conflicting information.

[Mike Malanaphy]

I agree about Guadalcanal by Richard Frank, it is a good book. I have some reservations about Fire In the Sky by Bergerud. I am finding some items that he states, blatantly incorrect and I am not certain that this is a well researched book. That's why it isn't on my list, but I still use it and back it up with other information. I cannot provide specifics, it's just as I have read and used it for research, I get conflicting information.

Hi Dennis,

I need to get Frank's and Prange's works but hard to find in hard back. I know what you mean about details. There was a book on the Bismarck a few years back put out by two authors. While thumbing through it I noticed that they referred to 20mm guns by caliber instead. Not that you have to be a naval buf to wite a good history, the lack of knowledge of such a common term made me nervous. That quirk was enough to put me off.

Books are expensive, so I won't spend the money for a trade paper when a little searching can find a used hard back copy for not much more, especially for a reference book. I don't know why it went out of print so fast (2004 USNIP), but Bruce Taylor's "The Battlecruiser HMS Hood: An Illustrated Biography 1916-1941" is THE best book on HMS Hood....it's truly magnificent. Pictures, diagrams, and even stills from a movie one of her officers made. Compelling stories from those that served in her bring her alive as never before. I bought Chesnau's book instead and is not anywhere near as good. The only fault is the discussion of gunnery and how she shot in combat is very sparse.

I checked and learned it was out of print last month and used ones were going for $162.00 and up. Found a brand new one in Australia for only $95.00. The most I have paid for a book was $215.00 for the last volume of R.A. Burt's trilogy on Britsh battleships ( evidently never printed in the US ).

My wife is very understanding about this ( it's been 5 years since Burt ) and I tell her it;s cheaper than a Harley or ski bost for that mid life crisis. : ) Plus it's hard to shake a 40 year plus addicition.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I agree about Guadalcanal by Richard Frank, it is a good book. I have some reservations about Fire In the Sky by Bergerud. I am finding some items that he states, blatantly incorrect and I am not certain that this is a well researched book. That's why it isn't on my list, but I still use it and back it up with other information. I cannot provide specifics, it's just as I have read and used it for research, I get conflicting information.


Dennis:

I agree that we can nitpick his facts, but the ability to explain how aircraft developed and the environment under which the air war was fought in the South Pacific still stand out in my humble opinion. I don't think his research is lacking, perhaps the depth of it my be putting your off? Remember you specialize in this stuff.

[old_pop2000]

Dennis:

I agree that we can nitpick his facts, but the ability to explain how aircraft developed and the environment under which the air war was fought in the South Pacific still stand out in my humble opinion. I don't think his research is lacking, perhaps the depth of it my be putting your off? Remember you specialize in this stuff.
I agree, with most of my life spent around aircraft, it's real hard to find adequate sources. I have two new ones: The San Diego Aerospace Museum workshops that service and rebuild aircraft for display is at Gillespie Field, which is about 3 miles from my house. I've been there and the men working on the aircraft are real free with excellent information. My second resource is the museum itself in Balboa Park and the Midway Museum. My mother's friend is a sort of life member along with Vince O'Hara, who told me to go to the ship's library. So, I can, if necessary and with enough get-up-and-go, do some good research. I also have contacts at other air museums via email, that have been gracious enough to provide detailed answers. Museum's like the Chino Air Museum, and others.

I am going to start building my aircraft and carrier books up, including manuals from Zeno's Warbirds. I need to get some NATOPS manuals also, from Naval sources.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I agree, with most of my life spent around aircraft, it's real hard to find adequate sources. I have two new ones: The San Diego Aerospace Museum workshops that service and rebuild aircraft for display is at Gillespie Field, which is about 3 miles from my house. I've been there and the men working on the aircraft are real free with excellent information. My second resource is the museum itself in Balboa Park and the Midway Museum. My mother's friend is a sort of life member along with Vince O'Hara, who told me to go to the ship's library. So, I can, if necessary and with enough get-up-and-go, do some good research. I also have contacts at other air museums via email, that have been gracious enough to provide detailed answers. Museum's like the Chino Air Museum, and others.

I am going to start building my aircraft and carrier books up, including manuals from Zeno's Warbirds. I need to get some NATOPS manuals also, from Naval sources.


Dennis:

You can never have enough books in my opinion LOL!

[john964]

I agree, with most of my life spent around aircraft, it's real hard to find adequate sources. I have two new ones: The San Diego Aerospace Museum workshops that service and rebuild aircraft for display is at Gillespie Field, which is about 3 miles from my house. I've been there and the men working on the aircraft are real free with excellent information. My second resource is the museum itself in Balboa Park and the Midway Museum. My mother's friend is a sort of life member along with Vince O'Hara, who told me to go to the ship's library. So, I can, if necessary and with enough get-up-and-go, do some good research. I also have contacts at other air museums via email, that have been gracious enough to provide detailed answers. Museum's like the Chino Air Museum, and others.

I am going to start building my aircraft and carrier books up, including manuals from Zeno's Warbirds. I need to get some NATOPS manuals also, from Naval sources.
I heard that AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB has one of the largest colection of maintaince manuels for obselet aircraft.

[old_pop2000]

I heard that AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB has one of the largest colection of maintaince manuels for obselet aircraft.
No doubt about that. They need the books for their work. When we needed some parts, we used to call AMARC and have them send them.

[Warship NWS]

Dennis:

You can never have enough books in my opinion LOL!

Problem is having space for all of them..

[Warship NWS]

Hi everyone, please remember.. we offer a full range of military books and DVDs on our store. We also accept special orders for anything not shown on our store.

http://www.nws-online.net

Thanks.

[old_pop2000]

Problem is having space for all of them..
I believe that one has to evaluate your needs, as far as your interests and areas of study, then choose books that can provide a continuous wealth of knowledge. Those books which do not stand the test of time in your library, should be given to a public library. Some should be maintained. In this way, if you continuously evaluate your level of knowledge of a subject, you will, over time, out grow certain books. Those can be eliminated. It is a simple process, that I have used my entire life and there almost no books I regret having sent to the library. I make it a policy to evaluate my level of competancy in a subject, and eliminate books on a six month cycle, to make room for new ones. I also use the internet and on-line books to supplement along with archival material from the services, government and private collections. Example is the Alfred Thayer Mahan books which are available, freely, through google books, same with Sir Julian Corbett and many naval design, ordnance and fleet tactics books from the early 20th century which give excellent insight into building practices of ships in that time period. One should never become attached to a book.

[Warship NWS]

One should never become attached to a book.

If there are no adequate replacements, or the research requires multiple sources, then gaining a large personal library of source materials is almost unavoidable - especially when it comes to technical or analysis research covering a wide range of military topics. I have found also that one book will have some details I require and another will have other details.. damned few will have all of the information I need in one volume however. My personal research is more then just historical information so the library I require is a bit more comprehensive.

Thanks.

[old_pop2000]

If there are no adequate replacements, or the research requires multiple sources, then gaining a large personal library of source materials is almost unavoidable - especially when it comes to technical or analysis research covering a wide range of military topics. I have found also that one book will have some details I require and another will have other details.. damned few will have all of the information I need in one volume however. My personal research is more then just historical information so the library I require is a bit more comprehensive.

Thanks.
As I said, one does have to evaluate your needs, this will determine the number and kind of books and their retention time. Everyone's needs are different. It is also true that one book rarely has everything required for a particular discipline. In my areas of expertise, electronics, computers and aircraft, I don't need many books, just some to be able to give me certain details and from there, I can derive the other information that I require.

[Mike Malanaphy]

Problem is having space for all of them..

Hi Guys,

Not to mention moving them! When we move to our retirement home here in a couple of years, I want to have nice book shelves built in, but many of them are very heavy. Next the smoking jacket and pipe! :)

[Ed Rotondaro]

Problem is having space for all of them..

Chris:

And I'm starting to run out that too!:D

[Ed Rotondaro]

I believe that one has to evaluate your needs, as far as your interests and areas of study, then choose books that can provide a continuous wealth of knowledge. Those books which do not stand the test of time in your library, should be given to a public library. Some should be maintained. In this way, if you continuously evaluate your level of knowledge of a subject, you will, over time, out grow certain books. Those can be eliminated. It is a simple process, that I have used my entire life and there almost no books I regret having sent to the library. I make it a policy to evaluate my level of competancy in a subject, and eliminate books on a six month cycle, to make room for new ones. I also use the internet and on-line books to supplement along with archival material from the services, government and private collections. Example is the Alfred Thayer Mahan books which are available, freely, through google books, same with Sir Julian Corbett and many naval design, ordnance and fleet tactics books from the early 20th century which give excellent insight into building practices of ships in that time period. One should never become attached to a book.

Dennis:

That's very true. Since I became part of the NWS Team, my library grew exponentially. But when I look over the shelves, some of the books were just eye candy. Others are useful reference books that I've never read cover to cover (Friedman's books, Conways, etc.), but need to pull off the shelf when searching for details. Some of the history books don't stand the test of time (many of my Osprey books come to mind here). My wife is already hinting at thinning out the collection. At least the local library would benefit.

[john964]

Dennis:

That's very true. Since I became part of the NWS Team, my library grew exponentially. But when I look over the shelves, some of the books were just eye candy. Others are useful reference books that I've never read cover to cover (Friedman's books, Conways, etc.), but need to pull off the shelf when searching for details. Some of the history books don't stand the test of time (many of my Osprey books come to mind here). My wife is already hinting at thinning out the collection. At least the local library would benefit. I would donate to a local University or collage they would aprisate them more than a local public libary

[Mike Malanaphy]

I would donate to a local University or collage they would aprisate them more than a local public libary

Hi John,

That's a good thought, I had been thinking of teh two state universites, one has Army ROTC and the oterh, Navy ROTC.

[Mike Malanaphy]

Hi Guys,

Just got Friedman's "Naval Firepower" in the mail yesterday, been on back order since August. Gorgeous book with extensive information on all the primary navies fire control equipment, though the RN, USN, and Japan have the largest sections. I think I'll lock myself in my room for the next couple of days to read it, fortified by a large pizza abd a couple of liters of Jolt cola!

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi Guys,

Just got Friedman's "Naval Firepower" in the mail yesterday, been on back order since August. Gorgeous book with extensive information on all the primary navies fire control equipment, though the RN, USN, and Japan have the largest sections. I think I'll lock myself in my room for the next couple of days to read it, fortified by a large pizza abd a couple of liters of Jolt cola!


Mike:

Does he give examples of historical naval battles and how the fire controls of both sides performed? Thanks!

[George LeSauvage]

Mike:

Does he give examples of historical naval battles and how the fire controls of both sides performed? Thanks!

Not a great deal, though he does discuss them. As with all NF's books, it's more about "Why?" than "What?" To him, "how the performed" means how the were designed/used, not so much what the results were. Again, this is typical. NF reminds of CS Lewis, in his obvious reluctance to enter the "who's better" kind of arguments.

Of course, this is just from a very quick look through.

I do have 1 big gripe, & 1 small:

1. The damn notes are endnotes (the same as Brown's new ASW book). Both cases, previous books have very helpfully used the large margins for putting the notes on the correct pages. & the margins are still large enough.

2. There are many little typos/errors, of a trivial sort. E.g., the contents page has Germany & the USN on the same page; mod-QE's 2ndy guns are cited as 6"; the Orions in the GF are said to be in the 3rd BS instead of 2nd--stuff like that. The worst I've caught is the values of D cubed/2 in the shell weight chart at the end. Several are flat wrong, as are several of the cited shell weights. & the USN's shells are the early, not the later heavy values, though called "heavy".

Still, it seems a great book, seemingly clearer than Brooks & Sumida. I just think the USNIP's quality control is sinking. (I wonder if he'd hire me as copywriter to his next? :)

Also, what's with the way he always cites "Professor Jon Tetsuro Sumida", completely, in the notes? It's a neat name, sure, but it does get tiresome, & could save about 1/2 page of type.

He does hit just how big a deal radar was for allied superiority, although implying that we (USN, RN, & perhaps even France) were probably a bit better, anyway.

Just my 1st impressions.

George

[old_pop2000]

I just bought two used books today:

USAAF Handbook 1939-1945 by Martin Bowman. This book has all the facts and figures along with thing you never think about. Personnel, bombing accuracy, armament, all kinds of need stuff.

U. S. Navy at War 1941-1945 Official Reports by Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. The book was written in 1946 by King and compiled all the reports he sent to the Secretary of the Navy. It consists of three major reports. It should prove an interesting read.

They have another book, written in 1949, which is the biography of King and is signed by King. My reluctance is based on my inability to know if that was his signature.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I just bought two used books today:

USAAF Handbook 1939-1945 by Martin Bowman. This book has all the facts and figures along with thing you never think about. Personnel, bombing accuracy, armament, all kinds of need stuff.

U. S. Navy at War 1941-1945 Official Reports by Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. The book was written in 1946 by King and compiled all the reports he sent to the Secretary of the Navy. It consists of three major reports. It should prove an interesting read.

They have another book, written in 1949, which is the biography of King and is signed by King. My reluctance is based on my inability to know if that was his signature.

Dennis:

Good points about buyer beware. A less than scruplous book dealer will hike the price of a book if it is "signed". I feel King is due for a new retrospective biography that can balance strengths and flaws. You're retired, give it a shot eh?:D

[john964]

I just bought two used books today:

USAAF Handbook 1939-1945 by Martin Bowman. This book has all the facts and figures along with thing you never think about. Personnel, bombing accuracy, armament, all kinds of need stuff.

U. S. Navy at War 1941-1945 Official Reports by Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. The book was written in 1946 by King and compiled all the reports he sent to the Secretary of the Navy. It consists of three major reports. It should prove an interesting read.

They have another book, written in 1949, which is the biography of King and is signed by King. My reluctance is based on my inability to know if that was his signature.

One way to tell real fast is ask if they have provance documentation.

[old_pop2000]

Dennis:

Good points about buyer beware. A less than scruplous book dealer will hike the price of a book if it is "signed". I feel King is due for a new retrospective biography that can balance strengths and flaws. You're retired, give it a shot eh?:D

To paraphrase the FBI agent in "National Treasure"; " You really don't understand the concept of retirement?"

:D:D

[paladin5]

Now i know the one thing I hate about being youg (i am only 22). Unlike the rest of you guys I haven't had decades to read all these books. :(


Presently Reading: Citizen Soldiers By Stephen E. Ambrose

[paladin5]

Hi Guys,

Just got Friedman's "Naval Firepower" in the mail yesterday, been on back order since August. Gorgeous book with extensive information on all the primary navies fire control equipment, though the RN, USN, and Japan have the largest sections. I think I'll lock myself in my room for the next couple of days to read it, fortified by a large pizza abd a couple of liters of Jolt cola!


How the hell can you drink that stuff?????

[paladin5]

I would donate to a local University or collage they would aprisate them more than a local public libary


You would be amazed at how underused some college library collections are. About six months ago I requested one of Morisions volumes throught Inter-Library Loan. Well I got it From the Kirkwood Community College Library. Prior to my getting it the book hadn't been checked out in over 3 decades.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Now i know the one thing I hate about being youg (i am only 22). Unlike the rest of you guys I haven't had decades to read all these books. :(


Presently Reading: Citizen Soldiers By Stephen E. Ambrose

Michael:

I envy you, you have lots of time to read and study. I have to sneak it in between work, household chores and my kids. Ambrose's book is excellent (I know Kurt will disagree). If you like the time period, read his book "Band of Brothers" which was the basis for the HBO miniseries. Excellent first person accounts of the foot soldier's war.

[Mike Malanaphy]

Now i know the one thing I hate about being youg (i am only 22). Unlike the rest of you guys I haven't had decades to read all these books. :(


Presently Reading: Citizen Soldiers By Stephen E. Ambrose

Hi Paladin,

Not to worry, you have plenty of time to learn. I have been collecting naval books since I was 14 (58 now) and have hoarded them all along. I started with the little Double day series on "Navies of the Second World War" and have progreesed on from theree (still have them). I also used to haunt the public library as a kid as they had complete sets of Jane's and other books I would not have access too. Depending on your interests, you can buy or read well known works of wide scope that will give you good depth of knowledge in a small number of volumes.

There are a number of good internet sites that are very informative and are free. This forum is a tremendous source of good information and I learn something new virtually everyday here thanks to the high level of discussion and research.

[Mike Malanaphy]

How the hell can you drink that stuff?????

Hi Mike,

I tried it once when it first came out and it is awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

[paladin5]

Michael:

I envy you, you have lots of time to read and study. I have to sneak it in between work, household chores and my kids. Ambrose's book is excellent (I know Kurt will disagree). If you like the time period, read his book "Band of Brothers" which was the basis for the HBO miniseries. Excellent first person accounts of the foot soldier's war.



I read Band of Brothers a few years ago. i was quite amazed at how short the book was.

[keschofield]

Michael:

I envy you, you have lots of time to read and study. I have to sneak it in between work, household chores and my kids. Ambrose's book is excellent (I know Kurt will disagree). If you like the time period, read his book "Band of Brothers" which was the basis for the HBO miniseries. Excellent first person accounts of the foot soldier's war.

You're right, I disagree. While Ambrose is a good writer (the plagerism thing was minor and probably a result of laziness), I do not care for works of history that are not neutral politically. Interestingly enough, most of Ambrose's books were relatively scholarly for the most part. Citizen Soldiers doesn't even try to be neutral. I can understand the soldiers being biased in their reminiscances, but not Ambrose in his historical narrative.

Citizen Soldiers sounds to me like a book written while the war was still going on despite the fact that it was written only a few years ago.

Of course all of the above is just my opinion. Everyone should form their own after reading the book.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I read Band of Brothers a few years ago. i was quite amazed at how short the book was.

Michael:

In that instance he was covering one unit and the battles it fought in, unlike citizen soldiers which covers the war from Normandy on. I also read D-Day by him and made the mistake of loaning to a co-worker. I haven't seen it since. I think that Ambrose had planned on writing a similar book to Citizen Soldiers that would cover the War in the Pacific but it was cut short by his death from lung cancer. It is possible that his family might complete the work as supposed the research and interviews were already done or well underway.

[Ed Rotondaro]

You're right, I disagree. While Ambrose is a good writer (the plagerism thing was minor and probably a result of laziness), I do not care for works of history that are not neutral politically. Interestingly enough, most of Ambrose's books were relatively scholarly for the most part. Citizen Soldiers doesn't even try to be neutral. I can understand the soldiers being biased in their reminiscances, but not Ambrose in his historical narrative.

Citizen Soldiers sounds to me like a book written while the war was still going on despite the fact that it was written only a few years ago.

Of course all of the above is just my opinion. Everyone should form their own after reading the book.

Kurt:

I don't blame Ambrose for not being neutral. He was writing a book about the experiences of the common American soldier, not a balanced history of the war. It is obvious that he took great pride in their accomplishments. Indeed in his closing chapter he speaks of how hunting with former soldiers who lived in his home town and listening to their stories got him interested in becoming a historian. He even praised the veterans who built the highways and went to college and pretty much made modern America. Again this is just my opinion, but I didn't see that much overt bias and it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book.;)

[old_pop2000]

I just received two books written by Barrett Tillman. He writes excellent aviation books. One of them is the Wildcat: The F4F in WWII. The other is The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two.

Tillman has others in the series; TBF/TBM, SB2C, Hellcat and Corsair. I will have all of them by the end of October.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I just received two books written by Barrett Tillman. He writes excellent aviation books. One of them is the Wildcat: The F4F in WWII. The other is The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War Two.

Tillman has others in the series; TBF/TBM, SB2C, Hellcat and Corsair. I will have all of them by the end of October.

Dennis:

Tillman is a good writer and his book on the Battle of the Philippines Sea is excellent. I'm about halfway thru "Blacks Shoe Carrier Admiral". A very good read.

[old_pop2000]

Based on the recommendations of many of the forum members, I just purchased Paul Dull's Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy. I also found an interesting book in the cheap book section of Borders, A History of American Law. Reportedly, a popular first year law history book in many colleges and universities. I am looking forward to it.

[old_pop2000]

Well, I received my Battle History book and bought another, F-4 Phantom II vs Mig-21 by Osprey. This is an interesting series, and I may buy more if the series has good information. The series is the Osprey duel. I was struck by the fact that they related the problems with the APQ-72 and high G maneuvering, and the F-4 hydraulic system.

[Mike Malanaphy]

Hi Guys,

I would imagine this was D.K. Brown's last book before he passed away. If your purusing the NWS store looking for a great reference, I would highly recommend Brown's "Atlantic Escorts: Ships, Weapons and Tactics in World War II". If you are not familiar wiht Brown, he was a designer and manager with teh Royal Corps of Naval Constructors who design RN ships. He is the author of a quartet of must have books on teh RN and warship design in general in the modern era. They are "Warrior to Dreadnought", "The Grand Fleet", "Nelson to Vanguard", and "Rebuilding the Royal Navy".

In "Atlantic Escorts", he traces RN escort design philosophy and ASW doctrine from post WW I through the Battle of the Atlantic. Each class is described in detail and copmpared to others and some foreign contemporaries as well as ASW weapns technology, ASDIC, adn tactics. Limited to the North Atlantic, he breaks the battle down into 6 phases. Escort construction, activity, and effectiveness is discussed in each phase as well as German measures and counter measures. He looks extensively at the effect weather had on crew effectiveness and ship availability during the struggle.

Though smaller in size than his other RN books, there is a tremendous amount of new data and pictures in this volume. It is well written and a book you'll find a great reference. One of the more interesting tables shows sub kills by each class:

Destroyers:

Modern 9
Inter war A-I 39
Older WW I 26
Towns 8
Hunts 8

Sloops:

Black Swan 28
Older sloops 12

Frigates:

River ( bigger, twin screw design) 22
Loch ( DE sized sloops with Squid and depth finding sonar) 12
Captain 28
Colony (US modified Rivers) 5

Corvettes:

Flower 38
Castle 5

The surprise here is the number of kills attributed to Captain class frigates. These were Lend Lease US DE's that generally get short shrift as bad rollers and poor seaboats in most accounts.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Well, I received my Battle History book and bought another, F-4 Phantom II vs Mig-21 by Osprey. This is an interesting series, and I may buy more if the series has good information. The series is the Osprey duel. I was struck by the fact that they related the problems with the APQ-72 and high G maneuvering, and the F-4 hydraulic system.

Dennis:

Yeah, I have that title on the list to acquire. The Duel series is getting better as the editing improves.