What are you reading at the moment?

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Gage, Mar 12, 2006.

  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Defeating the Panzer-Stuka Menace.
    Doubtless to Listy 's approval. ;)
     
    Orwell1984 likes this.
  2. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    [​IMG]

    Almost done this. Similar to his other books but fleshed out with many more personal accounts.
     
  3. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Next on my list Orwell. Got it in a N&MP sale and forgot about it! Personal accounts are the key to this type of book so sounds good.
     
    Orwell1984 likes this.
  4. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Tonight we die as men TWDAM.jpg


    I have been studying the 67th Field Regts stay in Ramsbury and Aldbourne prior to embarkation to France with the BEF.
    This book is very informative of the activities of our American Heroes in peacetime England particularly Ramsbury as the co author Roger Day lived there.
    I have copies of letters written by local families to Major David Shepherd when at Anzio, which give a different opinion on their quality of military discipline and social behaviour.
    Would our Paras have been any better?
    This book covers 3rd Btn of the 506 PIR. who inhabited Ramsbury The second Btn Easy Company is well known as The Band of Brothers. who were billeted in Aldbourne.
    It seems that the 101 Airborne occupied roughly the same area as the British 1st Div in 1939.
    Whilst their actions are not as well known their story is well worth reading.
    I am intending to also read The Band of Brothers book for comparison, more to assess its format than the story..
    Personally I feel that the style of book is very dated or at least datable by merely opening them.
     
    BrianHall1963, Waddell and Wapen like this.
  5. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    Just starting Stuart Tootal's book The Manner of Men.
    9 Para's D Day mission to silence the guns at Ranville
     
    BrianHall1963 and Chris C like this.
  6. Wapen

    Wapen Well-Known Member

    Charles Dick's Victory to Stalemate and 53 Div war diaries. Former is a bit of a slog to be honest, which is sad becasue when I was a young geek in the 90s and 00s his work spying on Russians was excellent.

    I've ordered a copy of Michael Reynolds’s Sons of the Reich because Dick refers to it. Anyone read it? I'm hoping it's a decent bit of work and not the Nazi war porn suggested by the title.
     
  7. WiltsHistory

    WiltsHistory Member

    [​IMG]

    Just finished this ... great read. Novel, new in 2021 and quite similar to Robert Harris' Fatherland in that an anti-Nazi policeman hunts a murder suspect. The author (Scarrow) I hope will do more!
    If you like WWII, police & Germany stuff, this is a good read.
     
    Dan M likes this.
  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    I'm about half way through Speedo!Speedo! just now, despite the unpleasant nature of the subject its a very easy read, I'm not sure what it is but something in the style of writing almost feels like a nice chat with a veteran about his experiences, well worth a read in my opinion, easily available and cheap to pick up too

    download.jpg
     
    Orwell1984, Waddell and Chris C like this.
  9. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Just started this. 3F56E0DB-31A7-4820-BFB0-25E041AE2CCA.jpeg
     
    Chris C likes this.
  10. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Been through a few recently:

    Wings Over Olympus - TH Wisdom. Wartime publication by a reporter, largely about a Blenheim squadron in Greece. The author went on a few raids, so it's written from experience. Quite poignant as it describes the characters of the squadron at length, many of whom were subsequently killed. (He makes several references to the retreat from France as well, so any info on the authors role here will be appreciated).

    Into the Dark - Reg Wilson/Janet Hughes. Bomber Command navigator who ended up a POW whilst four of his crew were killed. In his 80s he decided to try and locate the crash site of his Halifax, uncovering more than he could have anticipated. This is an excellent account, but drags a bit towards the end when his daughter takes up the story and there's quite a lot of repetition regarding reunions and trips to Germany etc.

    Dunkirk: Miracle of Deliverance - Rev Frederick Grossmith. The basic premise here is that the saving of so many lives was purely due to the national day of prayer that preceded it. Each to their own, but I'm personally not religious so I concentrated on the veteran accounts contained within, some of which were excellent. There's then a prolonged rant about the standards of the day (1979) and how we're all going to the dogs unless we embrace religion and the Dunkirk spirit. Superbly outdated stuff that I found quite amusing to be honest. (If anybody wants this for the postage cost, PM me as it's in the charity shop donation bag already).
     
    Orwell1984 and Chris C like this.
  11. JDKR

    JDKR Member

    As an aside, the rock shown on the cover is the islet of Filfla which lies off Malta’s SW coast. For many years Filfla was used as a target by the RN and RAF, and fishing is still forbidden in its proximity due to unexploded ordnance.
     
    Orwell1984 and Markyboy like this.
  12. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Reading this study of a small battle that took place during the advance on Moscow between elements of the 19th Panzer Division and Soviet defenders in which the Germans lost ~ 12 tanks. The author discovered a picture from the battle and was inspired to dig deeper into the background. Interesting as it demonstrates that even the successes the Germans had in Barbarossa frequently came with large losses and the Soviets did not just roll over and surrender en masse as is often depicted.
    [​IMG]
     
    stolpi, Chris C and Markyboy like this.
  13. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    Barnhill by Norman Bissell, a novel about George Orwell's time on the Isle Jura, which he spent writing 1984. It was a Christmas present and, ungratefully, I thought it sounded a little bit naff. It has actually turned out to be a very enjoyable read.
     
    Orwell1984 and BFBSM like this.
  14. Warlord

    Warlord Veteran wannabe

    Mate, is it an improvement over "Hurricanes Over Malta"?
     
  15. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    I would say so. Updated research and the narrative flows better IMO.
     
    Warlord and Chris C like this.
  16. Warlord

    Warlord Veteran wannabe

    Thanks for the intel, mate. Will give it a go then, now that I'm about to start my "reading campaign" on Africa and the Med.
     
    Chris C likes this.
  17. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Such dedication by subject…
     
    Warlord likes this.
  18. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Good to see you both still reading away. I'm too busy at work lately to do much of that I'm afraid. :(
     
    Warlord likes this.
  19. Warlord

    Warlord Veteran wannabe

    Mate, I read to learn, and touching different subjects at the same time, does not let me dig as deep as I like to enjoy and really comprehend things. For me, reading is a lovely way to go places, meet people, and get to know facts :)

    Besides, due to a myriad of reasons, I got stuck in the CBI / SEAC for about 3 years (it should have taken me less than 1 to cover the planned bibliography), so it is about time to go to the next place in line.
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2022
    BFBSM and wtid45 like this.
  20. Warlord

    Warlord Veteran wannabe

    Mate, on the low end, I have been without a job for several months now :( so I have a tad of spare time; on the bright side, I have my paper (and some electronic) friends with me, and that helps in making reality a little less harsh...
     
    Chris C, BFBSM and bamboo43 like this.

Share This Page