My book-buying "problem"

Hello Chris
No date on it but cover price 1/6 assume late 1940s/early 50s
Yes it makes interesting reading for short stories
Regards
Clive

 

Cairo communique

 

Think I've mentioned before my opinion of Hay - "a hospice for books that no-one can bear to see die in public"

As for the 'Cinema Book Shop' I'm surprised some distraught book-lover hasn't attempted arson yet - although the stock is so damp and mildewed I doubt it would burn.

It's inevitable that with so many shops/dealers in one place all books rise to their level of un-saleability.

Anyone got any matches handy ?

 

Aardvark books Brampton Bryan somewhere on the shrops/welsh border

T E Lawrence by Vyvyan Richards. 1939 edition. 50p
Rommel by Desmond Young 1950 edition. 50p

 

Was trolling through a used book store and found Von Ryan's Express.

It was a quick read and I enjoyed the book. As with most movie/books, the flick varied greatly from the book.

 

Dear Charley Fortnum, has your copy (of "The Unquiet Peace" as edited by Maurice Tugwell) arrived yet? I hope (and think) you will not be disappointed.

Many poignant tales, of which I quote just one paragraph, from one story, here;

"When the firing began Colonel Hildebrand was working in his office. Its windows looked directly on to the roundabout at which was positioned the armoured car. Within a few moments he realised that if it could be silenced the men around the camp who were armed could meet the raiders on equal terms and could drive them away. If only the armoured car could be silenced. Accounts of what followed vary in detail. Some say that the Regimental Sergeant-Major remonstrated with the Colonel, divining his intention. What is certain is that the Commanding Officer charged the armoured car with the idea of shooting the occupants with his pistol. They saw him coming. He died within a few hours of his wounds."

From "Terrorist Raid" by Guy Hatch.

Just one of the short stories within "The Unquiet Peace", a worthy addition to any library, personal or otherwise.

 

Arrived last week, but I was hurrying to finish up work and go on holiday, so I've scarcely had a chance to glance at it.

First impressions are, as you say, that it looks very good.

 

Another volume to add to my books covering the mechanization of the British Army, this one covering my major area of interest, the Cavalry.

 

^ I'd be interested to hear an opinion on that one as it's languishing in my 'save for later' list. No panic, though, it's got company...

 

I found it a good read and a thorough study on interwar mechanisation using a large amount of primary sources. He tackles the idea that the cavalry were opposed to losing the horse and argues they were actually very forward thinking, with fewer hold outs than popular history would have it. The main challenges were politicians and their paring of the budget available for updating the regiments. IIRC he also makes a point about the state of the technology available and its impact on the success of mechanisation.

 

That's very interesting!

 

Just arrived.... another good job from After the Battle


Completes the trilogy.

Looks at Regia Marina as a whole as well as the type.


Tanks on the Phillippines 1942, the first American tank vs tank combats.

 

That is quite a lot of books on different subjects! I have trouble just concentrating on one!

Andy

 

'Buying books' is a subject in itself...

 

Would be interested in your opinion - have had an eye on that series for a while

 

Its all now completely clear - VP keeps buying all these books so that he can become the new Amazon - there wont be any books left to buy except online with the new "VP Books" - an online bookshop for military and WW2 books - maybe he needs reporting to the monopoly commision

TD

 

How much of that After The Battle book is devoted to the landings and how much to the subsequent campaign?

I'm wondering whether 4th Indian and 7th Armoured get much of a look in.

 

Looking through the contents and index the break down is as follows. Pages 1 to 154 constitute the landings. Next we have the Race for Tunisia (154 to 200) then the Fight in Tunisia (200 to 258) and the End of the War in North Africa (258 to 294).

7 Armoured is mentioned on the following pages : 181,239,255,271,273
4th Indian: 253-254,265,271,273,279

So not a huge amount of coverage.