What Books Are You Reading?

[Mickel]

Re-reading Castles of Steel.

I've just ordered:
- French Armoured Cruisers: 1887-1932, Jordan & Caresse &
- British Cruisers of the Victorian Era, Friedman

They're reference more than for 'reading' but I tend to read those sorts of books anyway. Must be something wrong with me...

[Donald M Scheef]

'Blazing Star, Setting Sun,' The Guadalc*n*l-Solomons Campaign, November 1942-March 1943, by Jeffrey R. Cox.
This author provides a good outline of the military actions but has a number of axes to grind. He is very much pro-US Navy, anti-US Army and anti-Japan. He repeatedly points out why naval personnel disliked General Douglas MacArthur. Japanese Colonel Ichiki is first mentioned on page 24 in reference to the attack led by him that resulted in the death of 96% of his troops and then at least a dozen more times in comparison to other Japanese leaders who made serious errors of judgment.
I'm enjoying the read but it would be better without the multiple snide references.
Don S.

[foxbat]

the latest 2 history books I read.



Ton upon ton of details in Jellicoe's book, you can but learn something about Jutland even if you've already read tons about it. The author, Jellicoe's grandson, tries to remain objective, but he puts more blame on Beatty nonetheless. Not that I disagree with him in this regard...

Stille's book about Leyte is, IMO, essential to get a good understanding of the battle. The author, here too, goes into the minutiae of the 4 engagements, gives a good tech readout of the capacities of the most important combat systems but also gives e lot of explanations about each side's strategic options, doctrine, commanders and how these factors came into play in the various mistakes each side committed at the time.

[Cav Dog]

I just finished the second volume of Rick Atkinson's Liberation Trilogy, "The Fate of the Day." It is a fascinating read primarily covering the major battles of the Revolutionary War. It amazes me how close the colonies came to losing the war and it seems that the biggest reason they won was because the British didn't realize how dedicated the American were to the cause and most of the British generals, admirals, MPs etc really didn't want anything to do with it.

Of course like all good wargamers, I now have $200 worth of Pendraken 10 mm AWI miniatures sitting in their shopping cart...

I just can't bring myself to push the buy now button because deep down, I know I don't have enough years left to finish painting my GHQ lead pile, let alone start a new period/scale.

[panzergator]

Cavdog, buy what you want. You don't have to justify ANYTHING at our age. It matters not if you get it painted. We will all leave things undone.

I look forward to Atkinson's volume II.

I just started The Yellowlegs, The History of the United States Cavalry. The writing style is appropriate to the rollicking spirit of the mounted arm. A great read!