The Ultimate WWII Book Collection

So, I was pawing through my 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die book, and began wondering, what would a book entitled The Ultimate WWII Book Collection suggest as the most important books to read about WWII?

I am looking for serious responses here! I am asking that instead of just stating titles, you state a reason why for every title you state. I am hoping that we can avoid duplication of titles, also. I don't care if you only list one book or list 5...I am looking for a brief reason why. I am also looking for a well rounded list...the best of the best from every angle. In other words, I am looking for more than just books on weapons or airplanes or American experiences, etc...get it? This may be a great resource that people can refer to...I know there are alot of threads here saying "what should I read?". I was hoping to compile here (with all of your help!) a list of the best.

There is a book out there stating the 50 top books, but I really want opinions from a whole slew of people, not just one person.

So, whaddya say? Wanna help me!?

Lisa

 

Im kinda partial to WW2 order of battle By Shelby Stanton... too bad it covers only the american forces. but his research and info are outstanding

 

Not trying to make this an American-slanted topic, but if you're interested in reading about the US Navy's role in WWII, you can't do better than Samuel Eliot Morison's 15-volume History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, encompassing both the Pacific and Atlantic campaigns. It's weakness is that, being written between 1947 and 1962 (about one volume each year), much of the knowledge available today obviously wasn't there for Morison to include. Still, it's a pleasure to read, and presents detailed accounts and charts of ship movements of the naval and island battles. It's currently available in paperback, but the hardcover editions with dust jackets make for an impressive set of books ! Morison also wrote Two Ocean War, which was a one-volume condensed and updated (circa 1963) version of the set.

 

It may be a good idea for you to get hold of a copy of 'The Battle For History - Re-Fighting World War Two' by John Keegan ( 1995 ). It's a small book and has been re-printed in paperback, and shouldn't be too hard or expensive to find online.

It is his own personal listing of the books which this historian recommends and has used for his own research, and have himself found to be an 'indispensible guide' to WWII. The books listed ( and there are only about 50 or so ) cover just about every aspect and theatre of the war, from high strategy to personal accounts. Keegan discusses fully the importance of every book listed.

IMPO it is a valuable book to read if you genuinely wish to develop a comprehensive view of the War.

 

This book is good for finding the older publications-A subject bibliography of the second world war books in english 1939/1974 by A.G.S. Enser. Starts with Abyssini and finishes with Zhukov and pretty much books on most ww2 subjects inbetween also has a very handy author and subject index.

 

As fsbof stated (for a time line) 47-62...

I find this "Time-Line" refreshing because it is too late to be propaganda, Flag Waver, Hearts & Minds sympathy seeking....

and too early to be Revisionist (Politically Correct), softened without the real "Nature" of total war and how it affected everyone without singling out "one" area, race, branch, age or group, individual...as is so very common today. To protect the sensitive.

These Heart-String (Micro-versions)(made for TV Movies) that are pushed off on the naive as the "Way it is (was)"

As well it's always good to look at all sides, like "Signal" which shows adds for products, family life, culture/arts, (and propaganda), instead of suppressing (almost) "any" aspect, or in the case of some countries.....almost the entire war.

 

So many to choose from. Might as well start with an Airborne one!:

Martin Middlebrook's Arnhem 1944: The Airborne Battle is my definitive telling of the fighting in and around Oosterbeek and Arnhem.

Then two from Dan Van der Vat - Pearl Harbor and D Day. Don't know how many members have heard of Dan. These books are large format, illustrated histories and contain personal accounts intertwined with editorial. Highly recommended.

Steve W.

 

I'll add one to the list...

The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich by William L. Shirer

The book has pro's and con's in my opinion. It is very comprehensive...a super-long read, but it details from Hitler's early years in Vienna and concludes with the results of the judgments at Nuremberg. It can be dry reading at times and does show an anti-nazi slant from Shirer, but it is a favorite that I keep going back to. This is the book that I got most of my basic information from regarding the Third Reich.

Lisa

 

Wanna add one more....

Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribune Nuremberg 1947-1949, 42 Volumes.

These are the actual transcripts from the trial. They are kinda hard to get ahold of and super expensive when you do, but if this is your thing, well worth the money! They definately have an anti-nazi slant (hello...they are on trial!), but they showcase all the highlights (maybe not the right choice of wording), expose alot that is not exposed in other books and shed light on the politics of the Third Reich.

If you can't get them or don't want to pay that kind of money for them, you can find several sites online that has the complete transcript.

Lisa

 

Interesting I'd also add Berlin Diaries by William L. Shirer, very interesting insight showing what folk, including himself were thinking in Germany in the early years of the war.

 

Whoops...forgot that one! Thanx for adding that one to the list. I started reading my copy a couple months ago, but put it down and never picked it back up (too much reading on my list)!

Any more suggestions? Remember, I want to know why you think it should be added to a list to encompass the best WWII books you must read!

Lisa

 

I would add:

Mein Kampf: Can't really get into Hitler's head without reading it, painful though it may be.

Band of Brothers (Ambrose): There should probably be more than one Ambrose book on the list but I shall leave it to others to nominate additional titles. BoB opened the door to WWII scholarship to a whole new generation and paved the way for the recognition that so many soldiers have received in the past decade or so. It also does a great job of letting us feel a bit of what it was like to be in Normandy and beyond.

The Longest Winter (Kershaw): My favorite book on the Battle of the Bulge. A compelling story presented very well.

Ghost Soldiers (Sides): Edge of your seat reading about the great race to save POWs from certain extermination at the hands of the Japanese in the fading days of WWII.

The Jedburghs (Irwin): Great story of the little discussed actions of the Jedburghs in support of the French resistance.

I'll add more later . . . . got to go pick my kids up at school.

 

so Kim I am personally trying to decipher your wishes...........

you are just interested by the past posts that general WW 2 Books is what you are seeking ?

 

No....I may not have made my wishes clear in my first post....let me try to explain a little more....

I have that book called 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Now, I am an avid reader, but most of my reading pleasure comes from non-fiction books, especially WWII books, so, chance are, I will never get through those 1001 books because they are all fiction titles. I read fiction books after every couple of WWII book because I just need some light reading every once in a while .

So, one day I thought it would be cool to have access to something like this "1001" book, but pertaining to only WWII literature, not fiction. I personally have about 91 WWII books in my collection (I only keep the one's I feel worthy of keeping, giving away the rest). However, I am always on the lookout for other books, but hate when I waste money on a poorly written or not well researched WWII book. Hence, the idea was born to collaborate with friends here as to what books they would include on a list of "1001 WWII Books You Must Read Before You Die"

Get the point? That's why I ask for reasons why you would include it in the list. I am looking for all aspects of WWII: Homefront, Germany, France, Japan, etc.

Incidentally, I was lamenting the other day because I realized that I will never be able to read every book I want to read now and will want to read in the future before I die. Sad thought.

Lisa

 

If I follow you intent correctly I recommend, The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer.