I've found myself more and more interesting in WWII, now as it seems it is the only thing I can read about. So far I've read a few novels such as: The Eagle has Landed, the World at War, Fall of Berlin 1945, and currently reading Panzer Leader. I was wondering what book you have enjoyed most?
Wehrmacht 1939-1945. War in the Pacific- from the fall of Singapore to Japanese surrender. I just need a British book about the British side of things during ww2. My fav book would be the Wermacht 1939-1945,when if i get the British war book,it would be a toss up between those two books.
My favorite WWII book would probably be Mansteins "Lost Victories". Another close to my heart, for another reason, it was the one who got me started moving deeply into WWI, beyond all the generic histories and encyclopedias, was James Goodson "Tumult in the Clouds" way back in 1987 or 1988, i was about 16 or 17 and at last was confident enough in my understanding of the English language to buy and read books written in english, and that one was the first.
You have to read The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw. Epic tales of heroism and courage of the generation that changed the world. View attachment 5648 Happy reading! Nav
As of now, Im reading 900 days, its a book based on the people that suffered the Siege at Leningrad. So far its excellent, good writing.
Hi Red, thanks for the run-down on the Siege of Leningrad book-it too is on my list of "To Gets." My all-time most favorite military history book is George Robert Elfords: "Devils Guard" which details Hans-Josef ""Wagemullers"" experiances from the end of WWII to his service in the FFL in Indochina. There is a second book out Devils Guard II but I don't know what that ones about. Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see that a vol 3 is also out-or about to be published.
The book pretty much covers everything, from the military strategic plans to the lives of the daily person. Its quite moving.
One of my favorites is Under the Red Sea Sun by Edward Ellsburg. It is on an obscure topic but Ellsburg is a wonderful story teller and you really get a personal feel for how the war was fought by people in forgotten corners of the world.
That one taxed me greatly to try to read. Favorite? The Men of Company K, by Leinbaugh & Campbell. Excellently written book, describing the average life of an average US infantry platoon (K Co./3rd Batt/333rd IR/84th ID) in Europe late in the war.
too many volumes and not enough time to pick the fav out. you folks have mentioned some interesting ones though, probably hinting towards more of the first person accts type of book with much detail(s)
Much appreciated for the info on the additional volumes. I will most likely get them next month or so ;-))
I read that one as required reading during my WW2 history class at LSU in the early 90s (my 2nd junior year). It was very good reading, and I enjoyed it a great deal. My favorite book is more of a reference book. It titled "WORLD WAR II ORDER OF BATTLE." The name is misleading, because it only covers the US Army units, and no others are mentioned. It is a must-have for those drawn to unit origins,compositions and combat narratives, etc. I also have the VIETNAM ORDER OF BATTLE, by the same author, but it is not as good as the WW2 version.
I am presently in the middle of "Europe at War" by Norman Davies ( Macmillan 2006 ), it is fastly becoming my all time favourite book and I urge you all to give it a go, it will not disappoint, and will blow up quite a few myths of WWll.
My favorites shift by my current focus. I tend to read a ton of books about one aspect of the war (air war pacific, armour in ETO, etc.) and find my "favorite book" is dependant on that. One book that I think will always hold a special place on my shelves is "In the Dead of Winter: How Battlefield Investigators, WWII Veterans, and Forensic Scientist Solved the Mystery of the Bulge's Lost Soldiers" by Bill Warnock. It's a fantastic story of how some people with common intrests helped find closure for some families with relatives that were MIA.
Mine would be a toss-up between three books... With The Old Breed by Eugen Sledge (ISBN: 0891419195 // 978-0891419198) - a brilliant memoir of the fighting at Peleliu and Okinawa. Guns Of Victory by George Blackburn (ISBN: 0771015011 // 978-0771015014) - the memoir of a Canadian Forward Observeration Officer after D-Day. The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer (ISBN: 1857971450 // 978-1857971453) - whether you are in the 'fact or fiction' camp it is hard to deny that it is a superb read. These would be my must haves.
