What Are You Reading?

Just won a couple of nice books from Finnish net auction site:

Die Ritterkreuzträger der luftwaffe 1939-1945 part 1 and 2

 

The Thin Red Line.

A classic of sorts.

 

At this moment in time, I am just getting into; American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

So far into this rather long book I am impressed by the research done by these two. Neither putting Oppenheimer on a pedestal or into the gutter. I might report on my interpretation of the book later, but as of now I am just fascinated by the path taken by J. Robert and his younger brother Frank toward their eventual importance in the American scientific world.

 

The Worcester Maquis....Wilkes...At last...in my hands...auxillery units of Worcestor and Bredon Hill...The jigsaw I've been following for years makes sense...bloody hell...

 

I had such a pleasant surprise in the mail on Saturday. A friend in California was at a flea market and came across someone selling books and found a book called, "From Army Camps and Battle-Fields," containing the letters of Chaplain Gustav Stearns, a member of the 127 Infantry, 32nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in WWI. The book was in the pile slated to be thrown away because the seller said some of them were so old "they didn't even make sense any more." (Gasp!)

My friend rescued this little piece of history knowing I'd appreciate it. It was published in 1919 and is in pretty good shape. So pleased to have it.

Chaplain Stearns was wounded and he was cited for his "gallantry in action" for burying 51 fallen soldiers on the battle field while under enemy fire.

 

sounds awesome, that you were able to give it a proper home

 

Yeah, its amazing what people will throw away because they're not interested in it, so "its just junk". A little research will save a lot of history (and, possibly, a lot of cash. Love watching "Pawn Stars" and "American Pickers", the things those guys find and get to see and rescue...!!!!).

 

Got some good reading for xmas:

Japanese Army Air Force Aces by Henry Sakaida (Osprey Planes of the aces series)
Thach Weave and Reaper Leader by Steve Ewing.

 

"The Last Nazi: The Life and Times of Joseph Mengele" by Gerald Astor. This book turned out to be good read, one that when I got started was hard to put down. Next up is "Justice at Nuremburg" and the the books by Albert Speers.
All four of these books are hard bound editions that I picked up for less than $15.00 for all four at a used book sale at a local library. My wife thinks its funny that I buy alot of these books at these sales but there are alot of bargins and great finds at them. A few years ago I picked up a first edition english translation of "Commandant of Auschwitz" by Rudolf Hoess for $4.00.

 

Now reading

Hitler's Vikings - The History of the Scandinavian Waffen SS: The Legions, The SS Wiking and the SS Nordland

By Jonathan Trigg




Speaking of the SS picked up in a sale Adian Weale's The SS A New History which is now on my to read book pile.

 

I'm reading "Munich, 1938" by David Faber. Boy, what a duplicitous jerk Chamberlain was!

 

Who'd have thought it...and him a Politician !

 

Yesterday, my order for "Stuka Pilot" arrived, so as soon as the new year hangover passes, i'll start reading it. Hope it lives up to all its fame.

Cheers

 

On the last third of Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy, not his best but better than average for the type.

 

The latest SKI Magazine just hit the mailbox. Good thing, I was finished with my Military History, Civil War Times Illustrated and Men's Health already.

 

Battleship Scharnhorst - the Crew Photo Album
By Randall S.Shoker
Oxford Museum Press 1999

Rommel's Army in Africa
By Dal McGuirk
Guild Publishing 1987

 

"Winston's War: Churchill 1940-1945" by Max Hastings.

 

Recently finished: "Patton, Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farago
Now reading "Panzer Leader" by Guderan

On Deck is "Pacific" by Hugh Ambrose
and non WWII book "Being George Washington by Glenn Beck
Been struggling thru Homers " Iliad and Odyssey" off and on for quite awhile