Judging by the popularity of the 'picture of the day' thread there are a lot of amateur historians among us. I thought a book review thread might garner some interest so here goes.
Over the last year and a half I have become more interested in not only milsurp rifles, but developed a general interest in military history, especially WWII.
I've learned a ton here, but have also been snatching up books when I find them. Recently I got lucky and found a few:
My favourite to date has been "Battleground Newfoundland" by Jack Fitzgerald and published by Creative Publishing. My wife found it at a pawn shop. I can't give you a pic cause I loaned it to an Elder that lives at the LTC facility I work at. He's a veteran who served in Bay Bulls and was present at the surrender of U-190. A chapter of the book is devoted to that incident. I think he's finding it interesting. An incredible amount of research went into this book and it shows.
I am currently reading 'Churchhill and Sea Power' by Christopher M. Bell. It's pretty heavy reading. The first chapter is an overview of the current political scene in Britain and of Churchill's early career. I struggled to stay awake and get through it. The 2nd is about WWI and it picked up. Chapter 3 is post WWI and it's staying interesting and is easier to read and stay engaged. Like a lot of people I find Churchill intriguing.
Here are some pics of some new treasures I have found at little book sales and shops.
The pictures in this one are amazing. I haven't read it yet. I wish I had a scanner for the 'pic of the day' thread.
This was a great read. Cover to cover I was spellbound. There are some first person accounts that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I'd heard of the death railway but never knew about the fate of the small US Asiatic Fleet in the early days of the US's war with Japan. It's quite a tale of the human spirit and what it can endure.
I'll admit I have to come back to this one. I heard about it on CGN and found it by chance at a small used book sale. I started it but got bogged down. I read in spells so I'll get back into maybe next winter when the long cold nights lend themselves better to reading.
I'm probably most excited about this one. It's volume 1 of 2. I have to track down a copy of Vol. 2. It's a Readers Digest book with excerpts from many authors and historical documents. There are tons of pictures. I read the first chapter today and I'm hooked. Some great quotes by the likes of Mackenzie King and Field Marshal Earl Alexander set the stage early in the book.
So that's what I've found so far. Please feel free to post all kinds of reading and research you have found. It's always great to have a list of 'must-reads' the next time I go to a flea market or used book store.
Adrian
Over the last year and a half I have become more interested in not only milsurp rifles, but developed a general interest in military history, especially WWII.
I've learned a ton here, but have also been snatching up books when I find them. Recently I got lucky and found a few:
My favourite to date has been "Battleground Newfoundland" by Jack Fitzgerald and published by Creative Publishing. My wife found it at a pawn shop. I can't give you a pic cause I loaned it to an Elder that lives at the LTC facility I work at. He's a veteran who served in Bay Bulls and was present at the surrender of U-190. A chapter of the book is devoted to that incident. I think he's finding it interesting. An incredible amount of research went into this book and it shows.
I am currently reading 'Churchhill and Sea Power' by Christopher M. Bell. It's pretty heavy reading. The first chapter is an overview of the current political scene in Britain and of Churchill's early career. I struggled to stay awake and get through it. The 2nd is about WWI and it picked up. Chapter 3 is post WWI and it's staying interesting and is easier to read and stay engaged. Like a lot of people I find Churchill intriguing.
Here are some pics of some new treasures I have found at little book sales and shops.
The pictures in this one are amazing. I haven't read it yet. I wish I had a scanner for the 'pic of the day' thread.
This was a great read. Cover to cover I was spellbound. There are some first person accounts that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I'd heard of the death railway but never knew about the fate of the small US Asiatic Fleet in the early days of the US's war with Japan. It's quite a tale of the human spirit and what it can endure.
I'll admit I have to come back to this one. I heard about it on CGN and found it by chance at a small used book sale. I started it but got bogged down. I read in spells so I'll get back into maybe next winter when the long cold nights lend themselves better to reading.
I'm probably most excited about this one. It's volume 1 of 2. I have to track down a copy of Vol. 2. It's a Readers Digest book with excerpts from many authors and historical documents. There are tons of pictures. I read the first chapter today and I'm hooked. Some great quotes by the likes of Mackenzie King and Field Marshal Earl Alexander set the stage early in the book.
So that's what I've found so far. Please feel free to post all kinds of reading and research you have found. It's always great to have a list of 'must-reads' the next time I go to a flea market or used book store.
Adrian
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