I'm well into a terrific little find that covers Hitler's earlier life called Hitler's Piano Player, by Peter Conradi. Only up to page 72 and find it immensely enjoyable and informative. It is actually about Ernst Hanfstaengl who, as most of you will already know, was a very close friend and confidant of Adolf in those early days. So far very enjoyable. Dont let the title put you off as it is extremely well written and researched. I've recently finished BERLIN (the downfall 1945) by Antony Beevor. A big book. It had to be as it covers practically everything in the last months of the war, in particular the Russian's advance on Berlin and the atrocities they (Russians) caused: apparently two million German women were raped by the Red Army during WW2. BERLIN is mammoth book, thoroughly researched (what else would you expect from Beevor) and worth the effort of getting through it. I highly recommend it.
I've recently finished BERLIN (the downfall 1945) by Antony Beevor. A big book. It had to be as it covers practically everything in the last months of the war, in particular the Russian's advance on Berlin and the atrocities they (Russians) caused: apparently two million German women were raped by the Red Army during WW2. BERLIN is mammoth book, thoroughly researched (what else would you expect from Beevor) and worth the effort of getting through it. I highly recommend it. I would also recommend it. Very well written.
I see that a few people are having some difficulties with Amazon. I had problems at one stage where every book I ordered took ages to arrive and sometimes never. I use www.abebooks.co.uk now and they can get most books in the UK and if not available in UK worldwide some new and even cheaper second-hand. Just a helpful note, no harm intended to Amazon my wife gets her books on time but most of hers are non-history types.
Thank you OurBill for that. Perhaps it would have been a better idea to have given it its own thread, that way members could have discussed it at length without taking this subject off topic.
Ive just started Jon Latimars 'The Forgotten war' hope it's as good as Julian Thompsons 'War in Burma'
I see that a few people are having some difficulties with Amazon. I had problems at one stage where every book I ordered took ages to arrive and sometimes never. I use www.abebooks.co.uk now and they can get most books in the UK and if not available in UK worldwide some new and even cheaper second-hand. Just a helpful note, no harm intended to Amazon my wife gets her books on time but most of hers are non-history types. Thanks ourbill, I'll check that out when I get time.
Now I am reading the Bridge Too Far book. Ahh, a book I've not read yet. Let me know if it's any good, Panzerfaust.
Ahh, a book I've not read yet. Let me know if it's any good, Panzerfaust. It's an excellent book, it's better than the movie. Buy it!
It's an excellent book, it's better than the movie. Buy it! Give me all the details, mate, and i'll check it out. Ta.
Give me all the details, mate, and i'll check it out. Ta. Well i thought some of the pictures in the book that they showed you were interesting, for example it showed this pictures of shot down allied planes crashed on the ground, and it shows you a picture 20 years later of how the marks of the planes were still in the ground. (I thought that was pretty interesting). They also give you lots of backround information on all the generals and soldiers involved, ex. Feld Marshal Model. And they give you maps (battle maps for both the allies and the axis, and go into depth why the allies failed operation markey garden) etc, etc
Well i thought some of the pictures in the book that they showed you were interesting, for example it showed this pictures of shot down allied planes crashed on the ground, and it shows you a picture 20 years later of how the marks of the planes were still in the ground. (I thought that was pretty interesting). They also give you lots of backround information on all the generals and soldiers involved, ex. Feld Marshal Model. And they give you maps (battle maps for both the allies and the axis, and go into depth why the allies failed operation markey garden) etc, etc Thanks Panzer. I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy.
Thanks Panzer. I'll see if I can get my hands on a copy. Available in most good charity shops! I have started reading The Man who Invented Hitler by David Lewis. The main contention of the book is that the conditions that brought forth Hitler onto the german political scene was not the conditions in the country but was in fact the gas attack were Hitler was blinded by mustard gas. His medical condition was described as being Hysterical in orign and he was placed in the hans of a neuropsychologist. it was the latter that cured his condition and in the mean time, changed his personality. The strange thing is, the neuropsychologist was jewish.
I'm reading "Strange Victory," on the fall of France in 1940. Very interesting stuff on how the German Army was a lot more nervous about attacking France than Hitler was. Also, "The Great Depression," by Pierre Berton, a history of Canada in the 1930s. Fascinating stuff. They did not have an inspiring leader like FDR, which dragged out the pain.
I am also part way through "Flyboys" by james Bradley, and it is a compelling book!!! May I also recommend "Servants of Evil" by Bob Carruthers and simon Trew for its first hand accounts from surviving members of the German armed forces in WW2, and "The Man Who Invented Hitler" by David Lewis. Both facinating.
and "The Man Who Invented Hitler" by David Lewis. Both facinating. That is the book I have open in front of me as i write this!
For a ripping good read, try Luck and a Lancaster by Sq/L Yates (I think). It follows his bomber war and that of his crew. Very funny in places, and very thought provoking in others, particularly the Nav's fear of flying in a particular plane. Still got 3 books waiting for me, one to finish on 106 Mosquito Squadron. Another on a female pilot/aero-engineer who solved the fuel supply problem in a diving Spit, and the new one on Barnes Wallis' inventions. Unfortunatly got loads of coursework to wade through, so they may all have to wait until the summer. Kitty