Let us know your current page turner.
I'm reading With Zeal and Bayonets Only - the British Army on campaign in North America by Matthew Spring. I've had this for ages and only just round to reading it. So far so good - well researched and a good overview of operations, logistics and tactics. There are quite a few good books on the British Army - wish there were more on the American forces.
Lords of the Bow by Conn Iggulden, really enjoying it so far! Monguls please...
Anno Dracula
Panzer Tactics (again)
Generation Kill (again)
War Without Garlands by Robert Kershaw. A simply superb account of Operation Barbarossa.
'Lucifer's Hammer' by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, a post meteor strike apocalypse romp :D
Cheers,
Kev
Just finished War Without Garlands. An excellent read with plenty of scenario ideas.
The winter soldiers, AWI. And just started android Karenina a steampunk adaptation of the classic.
Just finished Hydrogen Sonata the new book by Iain M Banks. Most enjoyable, classic Banks and in this one the Culture Minds take centre stage, more so than a human character.
Book 6 of 'Song of Ice and Fire'.
Finished today The authentic history of the war between Russia and Japan by Frederic Unger (1905)
Started today With the Cossacks; being the story of an Irishman who rode with the Cossacks throughout the Russo-Japanese war by Francis McCullagh (1906)
Both free at http://archive.org/details/authentichistory00unge and http://archive.org/details/cu31924052732066
P.G. Wodehouse.
The answers on this topic.
Hammers Slammers again
Two SteamPunk books...looking to expand my wargames collection hehe so need inspiration
Zapata if Nexico
QuoteThe answers on this topic.
;D ;D ;D
I've got a few things on the go actually.
Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps - Barbera and Allan Pease
A compilation of the Dying Earth novels by Jack Vance
And yesterday i bought a bunch of comic books:
Missionary Man (read)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1990s (next up)
John Carter: Warlord of Mars
Kingdom: Call of the Wild
A History of the Indians of the United States
Never realised that the broken promises, land grabs and general destruction of so many tribes occurred so much earlier in the US history than I thought.
Chad
WRG's Armies of Fuedal Europe, Sicily may be the area for my Saga forces to play :)
an over 600 page book on Napoleon Bonepartes Napoleonic wars
'This thread...'
:-[ :-[ :-[
Live & Let Die by Ian Fleming.
Which is an eye-opener about which language was deemed acceptable in the early fifties, I can tell you.
Suffice to say, I doubt it would be published today . . .
Cheers, Martyn
--
Kursk- the Greatest Battle by Lloyd Clark - told from both points of view, with many first-hand anecdotes (and, yes, German machine-gunners did fire the MG42 from a standing position with the weapon on the number two's shoulder. Necessary to be able to see over the standing wheat.)
The Skinner by Neal Asher - Spatterjay is not a planet I would willingly visit!
Lancaster - the Second World War's Greatest Bomber - Leo McKinstry's follow-up to his Spitfire and Hurricane.
The Peninsula War by Charles Esdaile.
Tannenberg by Denis Showalter - excellent narrative of the opening of the 1914 campaign on the Eastern Front.
Re-reading August 1914 by Solzhenitsyn for another take on the same thing and inspiration to purchase hordes of WWI Pendraken figs.
Traitor's Blood by Michael Arnold - to get me ro finish my ECW armies.
The End by Ian Kershaw - fascinating if unevenly written account of the end of the war from the German perspective.
Quote from: LudditeMissionary Man
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1990s
John Carter: Warlord of Mars
Kingdom: Call of the Wild
All read.
Missionary Man -
not badThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 1990s -
excellent as everJohn Carter: Warlord of Mars -
um...Kingdom: Call of the Wild -
interesting ideas but felt like a prologueAlso finished all 16 volumes of the Walking Dead (vol 17 on order).
ExcellentNot sure what will be next...
I've been listening to "The Burning Land" by that nice Mr Cornwell, while I've been pushing the putty about.....
I loved it !!
Cheers - Phil.
A bit tough going, but an interesting read: "Einführung in das Kriegsspiel". Subtitled "Wegweiser zur Lösung von Kriegsspielaufgaben für Offiziere des Beurlaubtenstandes aller Dienstgrade sowie für jungere Offiziere des activen Dienststandes".
Basically a 'how to' guide for playing the Kriegsspiel games of the Imperial German Army. How to write your orders, and what is the best method to tackle a given situation (advance/retreat/attack/defense etc). Published in 1913, and therefore much is written with the FPW in mind. The scenarios for example, while talking about a 'blue' and 'red' army all take place in the Alsace-Lorraine area, and a contemporary map is included that shows a part of this.
Reading this really gives you an idea where all the (old-school) wargames rules derive from.
Sounds really cool.
How detailed is the map? :)
Scale 1:100.000, based on the 'Landesaufnahme' of 1884. Similar to this one:
(http://images-02.delcampe-static.net/img_large/auction/000/124/419/661_004.jpg?v=1)
This might give an idea why it's tough going, the whole book is in old gothic 'Black letter'.
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/OldenBUA/Other%20stuff/Kriegsspieljpg.png)
Nasty!
What a brilliant find though, do you think you would ever play it 'for real' or is it a research piece?
I'm 'reading'the e-book of an old manuscript on medicinal use of herbs and trying to convert it to a herbalist ruleset for RuneQuest. The tome in question is the Cruijdeboeck from Dodoens (http://archiv.ub.uni-marburg.de/dodoens/boeck/) , a herb dictionary from a Belgian doctor finished around 1740. Apart from that, it's mainly flipping through rulebooks looking for better ways to write my WW2 rules.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 17 November 2012, 07:42:43 AM
Nasty!
What a brilliant find though, do you think you would ever play it 'for real' or is it a research piece?
Well, it's more of a 'general interest' piece. Also, you'd need (something like) the original Kriegsspiel rules to actually play a game. This book is more of a guide in participating in those games, not the rules themselves.
Quote from: Pruneau on 17 November 2012, 10:21:53 AM
I'm 'reading'the e-book of an old manuscript on medicinal use of herbs and trying to convert it to a herbalist ruleset for RuneQuest.
That one looks pretty tough going as well! But fascinating, too.
Quote from: OldenBUA on 17 November 2012, 10:51:51 AM
Well, it's more of a 'general interest' piece. Also, you'd need (something like) the original Kriegsspiel rules to actually play a game. This book is more of a guide in participating in those games, not the rules themselves.
I bought von Reisswitz's
Kriegs Spiel of 1824 back in the early eighties. I don't think I've ever read it right through, let alone played the rules.
Quote from: OldenBUA on 17 November 2012, 10:51:51 AM
That one looks pretty tough going as well! But fascinating, too.
It's not as hard as it sounds: I'm just on the lookout for authentic ancient looking plant drawings and names, and this book delivers. From there it's just inventing an effect and pouring it into a rule of some sort.
Courtesy of the birthday present of an Amazon voucher from my son, I have now got to get my teeth into these:
The Northern Crusades - Eric Christiansen
France at Bay 1870-71 - Douglas Fermer
Marlborough's Wars Vols 1 & 2 - Frank Taylor
Should keep me going for a while!
Chad
Wow Chad! Great choices and a brilliant present. Has the Frank Taylor been reprinted? I have an original, and it's one of my favourite books. Now you've reminded me I must get the Fermer book, I really liked his Sedan.
Mollinary
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight. I wish a few more first-language speakers could write English like that Russian. I wish I could, damn it!
Mollinary
I too enjoyed his Sedan and am looking forward to this.
Had not heard of the Taylor books, but came on them searching Amazon for ways to spend my birthday present. Now in 2 volumes in paperback, about £26 together.
If it's good enough for you then I think I will enjoy them.
Cheers
Chad
QuoteCourtesy of the birthday present of an Amazon voucher from my son, I have now got to get my teeth into these:
The Northern Crusades - Eric Christiansen
That's a good one :)
Alan Palmer's Northern Shores is also worth a look if you're interested in that area/period.
Greetings
Re-reading parts of Gill's 'Thunder on the Danube' and Valeriy Zamulin's 'Destroying the Myth' on Kursk.
Regards
Edward
I finished reading Christopher Booker's The Seven Basic Plots, which is his life's work, taking 34 years to write. It's excellent.
I then started Warstrider Symbionts by William Keith, which is book four in the series. Rather good mecha series that knocks the spots off pretty much anything published for BattleTech.
Just started House of Suns by Alistair Reynolds. I really enjoyed his Revelation Space series - epic sci-fi on the grandest of scales so i'm looking forward to this one
"Slim master of war" byRobert Lyman, also "The Battle of Sangshak" by Harry Seaman both on Burma
Listening to "The Fort" by that nice Mr Cornwell.....I'm not concentrating on it though, and keep getting confused as to who are the 'Yanks' and who are the 'Brits'....
Oh all right....Those who want independence and those that don't.
Cheers - Phil.
Just finished The Walking Dead:Rise of the Governor novel, good book! Dusty Warriors by Richard Holmes and Bonapartes Avengers: An Alain Lausard Adventure by Richard Howard.
I just finished Sharpe's Honor. Rereading through the series again.
Chad,
I hope you enjoy the Taylor, it's a hundred years old now, and is written in the manner you might expect for that period. But if you can get over the "wallpaper" and the very pro British slant, it is still a mine of information, and rattles on at a pretty fair pace. And some great battle descriptions!
Mollinary. :-bd :-bd
Just started re reading I Claudius again
Rey Lobo "Wolf King" a story about an iberian mercenary in the Sicilian wars... too soft, only two fights in 300 pages, historical mistakes...
(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ055jv2ZCbEV__Qo-29_bycoGnevnUoHdxW32KnRCGy3PkMkznh1AD1GA9)
Quote from: Fenton on 01 December 2012, 07:24:58 PM
Just started re reading I Claudius again
Great choice !
Christmas edition of Radio Times. Another Yuletide of turgid dross awaits us.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 02 December 2012, 12:35:22 AM
Try his poetry while you're at it.
Avoid Count Belissaruis, it's just a rehash of I Clavdivs!
I liked Count Belisarius!
Just finished listening to 'Dodger' by that nice Mr Pratchett.
After the first half hour or so I thought "I am definitely NOT going to enjoy this !"
And had completely changed my mind by the end.
Now on to Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell.
Cheers - Phil
That nice Mr Pratchett is completly nuts ( before current problems).
I'm currently reading - 3rd in the Destroyermen series and "All Hell Let Loose" by Max Hastings - cause I winned it.
IanS :D
Half way through Marlborough's Wars Vol 1 by Frank Taylor
Browsing through Waterstones in Truro on Boxing Day, I came across a Haynes owner's manual (just like the one my dad had for his Morris Marina) but for a Tiger Ausf E tank. Amongst the snippets gleaned I found that, since the Tiger had a steering wheel instead of just brake levers, it could be driven one-handed. There was no indication of what the driver was doing with his other hand though. Like all the Haynes manuals it featured exploded line drawings (pre-combat, of course) of all relevant assemblies and full details of routine maintenance.
I was sorely tempted. :D
Oh, and there's one for the Sherman Firefly too.
Those are a bit geeky for me.
IanS
I just finished listening to the Outpost by Jake Tapper. Today, I started the first book of the North and South trilogy.
-Bryan
World War Two by John Keegan. Bought it in the '80s and haven't read it since. Picked it off the bookshelf whilst waiting for the family to return and haven't looked back since :). Excellent author and a great read.
A collection of short stories by Robert Silverberg. One of my favourite sci fi short story authors from the days when all sci fi appeared to come in the form of a large yellow hardback in the local library
Christmas acquisitions to the reading stack included:
Lions, Donkeys and Dinosaurs by Lewis Page. A no-holds-barred expose of waste and blundering in the Military.
VC Heroes by Nigel Cawthorne - the stories of every VC winner since WW2
The Titanic Secret by Jack Steel - a spy thriller set pre WW1, pacy but a little light on authenticity.
Shadow of the Scorpion by Neal Asher. Another in the Agent Cormac series, blood and guts in the far future.
Also Mr Midshipman Easy by Captain Marryat on the e-book for in-car reading. (No, not while driving) :P
Ahhh finally back; I had no internet the WHOLE of Christmas and New Year, uuuugh was tearing my hair out.
Still, it gave me a chance to catch up on my reading:
Curently reading (and have just read):
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Zulu Nation
The Steampunk Trilogy
Book Three of Game of Thrones
The one ring and Primeval role playing games :D
Etling's Swords Around A Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armee. A great read :-bd
+ From Eylau to Friedland: The Polish Campaign, 1807 by Francois Guy Hourtoulle. Awkward translation sometimes, but nice and helpful pictures; I'd recommend this one.
just ordered those:
for me:
(http://www.jandjbooksandcoffee.com/images_books/0141007036.jpg)
for my grandfather..but 'll probably also read it:
(http://www.weltbild.de/media/ab/2/053207110-im-panzer-iv-und-tiger-an-der-ostfront.jpg)
Over Xmas I read:
Lords of The Bow by Conn Iggulden - violent and fun!
Hydrogen Sonata by Ian M Banks - superb and uplifting.
Zero Point by Neal Ascher, superb and gritty.
Now am back at work, the reading has stopped!
Quote from: goat major on 02 January 2013, 09:29:11 AM
A collection of short stories by Robert Silverberg. One of my favourite sci fi short story authors from the days when all sci fi appeared to come in the form of a large yellow hardback in the local library
I didn't realise they used to have stories in the yellow pages
A dictionary: Not much of a storyline but at least it explains it as you read on...
As usual, listening rather than reading...
Now on to "Claudius" by Douglas Jackson....Fiction...And not being an historical expert on the period, I don't know just how much of it is based on fact.
Not sure about Claudius Hefferlump being taken to 'Britain' ?
But I'm thoroughly enjoying it anyway.
Cheers - Phil
Drawing from the mists of time I think Claudius' hefferlump is fact, but I wouldn't bet hard cash on it!
Mollinary
It must be true, it's in I CLVDIVS! :-\
Right then...
So...Is it true that Claudius came to Britain to 'take the credit' as a political move to 'big himself up' in the eyes of the Roman people.....and his hefferlump had been taken there in advance, with all its finery, so he could ride it around and impress the Brits ? :-\
Cheers - Phil.
He was here, that is known. The elephants however...
Flashman at the Charge - George MacDonald Fraser
The Spanish Ulcer - David Gates
And a couple of sets of rules.
Black and Blue - Ian Rankin....'Stormingly' enjoyable.
Now you see her - James Patterson..... 'Thriller'....Convoluted, with a somewhat daft plot....But I still listened all the way through.
Now onto.... Taken - By Robert Crais.....Another 'thriller'.....Again a bit OTT....But still quite fun to help pass the time.
Cheers - Phil.
The Young Hussar: French Cavalryman of the Napoleonic Wars at Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau and Friedland by Baron de Marbot
This is one of three in a series that a friend lent me the series, very enjoyable, once you get over the archaic and naive writing style!!!
Short enough chapters to read in chunks without loosing the long term history (he's besieged in Genoa at the moment and it's going REALLY badly)! :D
Warlords and Holy men Scotland AD 80 to 1000 get me ready for playing Scots in SAGA
also Burma the turning point
Martin
i'm reading a review copy of the new osprey "jason and the argonauts", its not bad if your into greek mythology (which I am...)
Peter Turchin's 'War and peace and War - The Rise and fall of Empires'; so far very interesting.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 04 February 2013, 09:13:01 AM
The Young Hussar: French Cavalryman of the Napoleonic Wars at Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena, Eylau and Friedland by Baron de Marbot
This is one of three in a series that a friend lent me the series, very enjoyable, once you get over the archaic and naive writing style!!!
Short enough chapters to read in chunks without loosing the long term history (he's besieged in Genoa at the moment and it's going REALLY badly)! :D
Marbot appears in the bibliographies of many serious historical works on the Napoleonic Wars. He has to be treated cautiously, however, since the concensus seems to be that he was not above embroidering the facts if it meant his own part appeared more heroic. :-\
Almost certainly, I wouldn't expect anything more or less of a retired Napoleonic General trying to win favour with the restored monachy. ;D However, it's a riotous read! ;)
Vulcan 607 about Black Buck attack on Port Stanley. Doesn't just cover the raid, but the scramble by the RAF to get SOMETHING in place, including trying to get the Vulcans ready for air to air refuelling, because the tubes had been blocked (They found the bit they needed- on another airfield being used as a ashtray), the compressed training to get the crews ready - the instructor had to compress Night Qualification into one night so he was qualified to teach the Vulcan crews. Only half way through - its in the kitchen at work, so I read 2-3 pages while waiting for the kettle.
Best bit so far (even better than Vulcan Crews keep spanking USAF at Red Flag etc) was when the Argentinian newspapers were screaming how British SUbs had been detected round the Falklands, and the Argentians had to airlift every thing, rather than go by boat. This was confusing for our Military Attache at the UN, as he knew the closest 2 were still hundreds of miles away. He is talking to the French Ambassador, when a Soviet Admiral walks past, and with out stopping says "Our submarines are being helpful to you?"
Now read Nigel 'Sharky' Ward's version of events 'Sea Harrier Over the Falklands: A Maverick at War', no love lost between FAA and the RAF then...
Vulcan 607 is a great book. So is Rowland White's next book Phoenix Squadron about the dash of HMS Ark Royal to Honduras to save the colony from invasion by Guatamalan troops. You wouldn't believe it if it were fiction. It's not. :)
Vulcan 607 sounds a fascinating read!
Brilliant book, better than Vulcan I thought, must have read it in about 24 hours, without a break, a few summers back!
I loved the Florida National Guard reaction to events!
On my reading stand:
Through German Eyes: The British and the Somme 1916 by Christopher Duffy. German assessment of the British and Empire forces during the period of the Battle of the Somme.
The Eleven Days of Christmas: SAC Account of the Linebacker raids in 1972.
One Day in a Long War: Assessement of the activities on 10 May 1972.
Phoenix Squadron, by Rowland White.
Blood, Steel, Myth: The II.SS-Panzer-Korps and the Road to Prochorowka
Biography of Manstein - we are just approaching Sevastopol and Manstein's soemwhat equivocal handling of the Commissar Order..
Duffy's The '45 - background for planning a 10 mm Culloden campaign
Phil Rickman's latest Dr Dee novel - title escapes me for the moment but a damned good read 8)
Los sueños de los que está hecha la materia. Don´t know its title in english, sorry. Compendium of original texts of Quantic mechanic, with explanations of S HAwking. Really interesting, but my knowledge of the subject is a bit rusty, so it´s being a bit hard.
The Selfish Gene, Rcihard Dawkins. A relecture, I´m enjoying it even more than the first time ^^
I've just finished The Fort by Bernard Cornwell. It's about the Penobscot Expedition of July & August 1779 during the AWI. The novel is not part of a series and has no single central character like Sharpe. There is plenty of action seen from both sides point of view. Well worth a read.
Yes I enjoyed that oe too.
Just started The Russia House by John le Carre. Good classic stuff so far
Finally finished Zitadelle by Mark Healy. Authoritative, if somewhat hard going - small type and long sentences. And the proof-reading could have been sharper, quite a few typos in the text.
Started reading Lord of the Rings again for the first time in sixteen years. I'd forgotten how good it is.
(http://www.hallofbooks.com/shop_image/product/122290.jpg)
Once again thanks to WeeWars for recommending me this gem of a book! 8)
'American Gods' - Neil Gaiman
'Cutter and Bone' - Newton Thornburg
John Grisham - The Summons.
Quote from: J.S. on 03 March 2013, 01:04:49 PM
(http://www.hallofbooks.com/shop_image/product/122290.jpg)
Once again thanks to WeeWars for recommending me this gem of a book! 8)
I don't suppose you know how it compares to the 'The Great War in the Middle East' books by W T Massey?
I was on the train to London a month ago and found a book left behind by a commuter, Boy Soldiers of the Great War by Richard van Emden which has been a good read. Two weeks later my Veteran's Association had in a guest speaker and WW1 tour guide Dave Empson who had contributed a story to the book. Our group is planning a 100 Year anniversary excurion to the great battlefields which i am really excited about.
I'm currently reading Soldier against the odds by Lofty Large and his escapades in Korea with the Glorious Glosters, captured at the Batlle fo the Imjin River he spent most of his time in Korea as a POW and was medically discharged unfit for duty only to re-enlist and then get through the gruelling SAS Selection to become a legend within the SAS. The book has some great humour in it as you'd expect and is written in a refreshingly simple way using simple language without any flowery embellishments or exaggerated action man style prose.
Quote from: freddy326 on 04 March 2013, 08:29:23 AM
I don't suppose you know how it compares to the 'The Great War in the Middle East' books by W T Massey?
Unfortunately I can't help you out here..it's my first book on that topic so far.
For bedside reading, an anthology of war stories by various authors. Not military history, but short stories. Maybe not the best choice, because I've only read a few stories, and already there's Japanese and a US serviceman on a small Pacific island, Lawrence and the Arabs blowing up a Turkish train, US marines during the Tet offensive and a US patrol engaging the Jerries in an Italian town. And Pendraken makes figures for all of these! Damn you!
"Goodbye to all that" by Robert Graves. Haven't read it since the '80s so seems new and familiar at the same time (I have a good memory).
'The Hundred Year old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window And Disappeared'
The Second World War by Anthony Beevor
Quote from: Windle Poons on 05 March 2013, 10:36:48 AM
The Second World War by Anthony Beevor
That reminds me, I've got that book but haven't started it. I enjoyed Stalingrad, D-Day and Berlin so I've just dug it out and it's next on the list.
I can't recommend it enough. A thorough general history of the conflict with some really surprising stories about lesser known areas of the conflict. It is difficult reading at times, with some disturbing passages, but well worth it.
I'm reading "Germany's High Sea Fleet" by Admiral Scheer. It's an OCR'd copy from the Internet Archive, so I'm correcting OCR errors as I go. Surprisingly, I've also found a few errors that the original editor should have caught.
Alternating chapters from the Last Mughal and World War Z
Just finished First Family by David Balcacci...Now on to The Fifth Floor by Michael Harvey.
Cheers - Phil.
Just started Alastair Reynolds Pushing Ice. I do love a space-opera, and Reynolds produces some of the best. :-bd
yep i agree Reynolds does write some awesome galactic scale sci fi
Henderson's Battle of Spicheren - a real belter for anyone interested in the FPW in particular and C19th warfare in general.
Numancia, historic novel, really awful. A how to turn an awesome fragment of prerroman Spain into a bunch of boring and tedious moments.
D-Day to Victory: The diaries of a British tank commander.
Picked this up at our local library and fascinating stuff so far. All about 'C' squadron of the 9th RTR and their time from waiting to embark all the way up to the end of the war. Well worth checking out.
Absolutely motoring through "Death or Victory" (Dan Snow) - superb 8)
just finished 1356 by Bernard Cornwell...Good fun read
Greetings
A mix of Henderson's Battle of Spicheren and vol IV of the Official History of the War in the Air 1914-18.
Regards
Edward
Listening to "Mad River" by John Sandford......
Slowly reading through "Greece And Rome At War" by Peter Connolly.....Only problem for a old numpty like me, is there's almost too much information for my brain to process. ;) :-[
Cheers - Phil
Great book
lots of nice diagrams an drawings.
Yes Jim....But I have to keep going back through the text and look at the maps to know where I am, because I'm such a muppet. ;)
'Tis a fine book though !
Cheers - Phil.
I just finished "Terror of the Autumn Skies" It's the story of WWI American ace Frank Luke, Jr. Not sure what's next.
Bryan
The Psychopath test by Jon Ronson.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 15 April 2013, 07:09:24 PM
The Psychopath test by Jon Ronson.
I just read that! As a mental health professional with a special interest in personality disorders, I was very impressed with it.
Im reading With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i mieczem) by the Polish author Henryk Sienkiewicz to get me in the mood for By Fire and Sword the wargame.
I'm on a Korean War kick. I started it before the recent tension, and it's a chilling look back to what might be. My reading has encompassed:
Scorched Earth, Black Snow by Andrew Salmon
To the Last Round by Andrew Salmon
The Edge of the Sword by Anthony Farrah-Hockley
Pork Chop Hill by SLA Marshall
Infantry Operations & Weapons Usage by SLA Marshall
The Korean War by Max Hastings
The Korean War published by Osprey
Aside from the film of "Pork Chop Hill" with Gregory Peckl, I've also watched "A Hill in Korea" with a very young Michael Caine.
Now, if only some friendly 10mm manufacturer would get round to producing a Centurion.
The Andrew Salmon book is very good as is the Max Hastings one. The Centurions tanks have been mastered so we just await a release date :D.
:D
Quote from: fsn on 16 April 2013, 06:36:36 PM
I'm on a Korean War kick. I started it before the recent tension, and it's a chilling look back to what might be. My reading has encompassed:
Scorched Earth, Black Snow by Andrew Salmon
To the Last Round by Andrew Salmon
The Edge of the Sword by Anthony Farrah-Hockley
Pork Chop Hill by SLA Marshall
Infantry Operations & Weapons Usage by SLA Marshall
The Korean War by Max Hastings
The Korean War published by Osprey
Aside from the film of "Pork Chop Hill" with Gregory Peckl, I've also watched "A Hill in Korea" with a very young Michael Caine.
Now, if only some friendly 10mm manufacturer would get round to producing a Centurion.
Read the Max Hastings book. If the Chinese had known then what they know now.....
Greetings
Years ago I picked up the 2 volume British Official History of the war in Korea remaindered - I'll have to dig it out.
Regards
Edward
I've finally got my hands on Runciman's history of the crusades. It's a real page-turner. :)
Read that some years ago and you're right it's excellent.
The new one by Asbridge is not bad either if that's your current interest :)
I'm listing to Hitler's Rockets by Norman Longmate.
Bryan
I've just about finished Samuel Hawley's 'The Imjin War', in my opinion the best work in English on Toyotimi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea.
Totally agree, though there's not much in English written on it. Kenneth Swope's book does provide a good Chinese perspective, but just wasn't as interesting a read.
Just finished The Spanish Civil War by Mr Beevor and have started Bernard Falls Street Without Joy.
Just finished 'The Zulu kings' by Brian Roberts, a wonderful and well researched biography of the zulu kings from the inception of the kingdom to the woes of the king that never was - Dinizulu.
Highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain an insight into the foundations of British colonial intervention and the precarious kingship of the Zulu nation.
A mate picked it up in Oxfam for me for 2 quid so absolutely chuffed and definitely one to be re-read every few years.
Moving on to 'Revolutionary Boston, Lexington and Concord - the shots heard 'round the world' by Joseph Andrews.
Cheers
Ry
I've a few chapters into "The Battle of the Rhine 1944", by Robin Neillands.
First book that I've read in a while that suggests Montgomery was actually any good as a general. He had, in fact more real experience than any five American generals in NW Europe in 1944. Also suggests that Eisenhower over extended himself and that Patton was a bit of a one trick pony.
Perhaps because this panders to my own logically arrived at, reasoned prejudices that I'm really enjoying it.
But nobody must tell me how it ends. :-X
Not a bad book FSN. I think I read it last year.
Picked up "Warsaw 1920" by Adam Zamoyski at the library yesterday, so looking forward to knowing more about this conflict (and also either gaming it or using some of the stuff for my AVBCW games :)).
Quote from: mijalo on 19 April 2013, 06:44:11 PM
I've just about finished Samuel Hawley's 'The Imjin War', in my opinion the best work in English on Toyotimi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea.
Now if a few more Ming figures became available....
"Titans of History" by Simon Sebag Montefiore. Basically a book that presents potted histories of famous people who have shaped our World. So far an excellent book that often makes you want to find out more on some of the subjects, which is its aim really. The trouble is it makes you want to collect lots of armies to game some of the periods written about :D.
Just started Marc Morris's A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain. This was a man who, at sixteen, was married and already a powerful political figure. Great stuff.
Hmm, as per now, its War in the Sudan 1884-1898 by Stuart Asquith, Khartoum 1885 and Omduran 1898 both by Donald Featherstone for some research, Out of Nowhere: A History of the Military Sniper by Martin M Pegler and The Happy Isles of Oceania by Paul Theroux, both for entertainment and other interests. :)
I am currently reading "The Divine Invasion" by Philip K Dick.
The Shark Mutiny by Patrick Robinson.
Cheers - Phil.
Re-reading the Battle for Geilenkirchen by Ken Ford.
Lived there when I was a kid, with BFPO. Had friends who dug up bullets and other things, but didn't really appreciate what had gone on.
Hi. Just finishing the final book in the trilogy about Atilla by William Napier. Good stuff!
DaveL
Am falling about reading 'Achtung Schweinehund' by H Pearson. Some of it too close for comfort.
Love that book!
Just started 'Skymen' by Robert Kershaw, all about the history of paratroopers from the earliest inception up to the present day. So far so good.
Just started "Seconds Away" by Harlen Coben....Listening rather than reading, as per usual.
I think it's more of a book for youngsters.....But it'll help pass the time
I really must investigate.... and see if there are any of the books you lot find so useful, out there in audio format.
THEN it'll be a case of trying to bully the library van to get them in stock. ;)
Recommendations please chaps for books that just might be available in audio format.
Books dealing with "The Ancients" would be good for inspiration when I'm pushing the putty about.
(In truth, I doubt if there are going to be that many, as the 'reference' books that I know you all find so useful for info and inspiration probably rely a lot of diagrams/maps etc.......But you never know ! ;))
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: fsn on 05 May 2013, 10:04:06 AM
Re-reading the Battle for Geilenkirchen by Ken Ford.
Always worth a re-read along with his Assault Crossing River Seine
Just finished Operation Epsom Over the Battlefield by Ian Daglish and Michael Reynolds Eagles and Bulldogs will be next (Pen & Sword just had a sale)
Finished Atilla. Now reading trilogy by Ross Leckie about Hannibal, Scipio and Carthage. Very enjoyable
DaveL
Re-reading The Personal Memoirs of General Grant.
QuoteFinished Atilla. Now reading trilogy by Ross Leckie about Hannibal, Scipio and Carthage. Very enjoyable
Excellent books. Much better IMHO than the ones by Ben Kane. Had to stop about a quarter of the way into the first one. :(
Re-reading HG Wells War of the worlds. Getting a bit caught up on martian wars on kickstarter :-[
Just finished The Austro-Prussian War of 1866: The Opening Battles by a certain John Drewienkiewicz and Andrew Brentnall and acquired at Salute last month. Highly informative; almost made me want to go off tramping around the Czech Republic (I did say "almost"!).
Can't wait for the Kônigggrätz follow-up! :-bd
Right chaps.
Recommendations please.
Seeing as I've been doing lots of conversions for a number of you from periods I know absolutely bog all about.....I believe most of these are 19th C.....Which to me means 'Napoleonic'..(Yes....I know..sorry, I'm a historical ignoramus, which I truly regret)....Which I really have enjoyed doing.
I'm beginning to fully understand why folk get so engrossed in this 'period'.
It's time for me to take the plunge and actually read something now.....Not just listen to audio books.
I want to give myself some sort of overview on the history of this period, so that I don't feel such an ignorant twerp.
I'm not so interested in the minutiae of the uniforms at this point. I just want to start to understand the time-lines, the politics, what was going on etc.
I've been doing a 'trawl' for various possibilities that I might invest in.
So far....
I've come up with........
"Warfare in the 19thC (European History in Perspective)" by David Gates.
"Battle Zones - Warfare in the 16th to 19th centuries" by Mark Bergin.
"Warfare and Society in Europe 1792-1914, Warfare and History" by Geoffry Wavro.
Any of these been read by any of you ?.....Are they fairly comprehensive ?
They don't have to be perfect....I really want to get into the 'history' in a 'rough' sense.
Any others you'd say give a brief but useful 'history' ?
Cheers - Phil.
For a general overview of a period, I've found the Osprey 'Essential histories' series to be useful. They give you the time-line, major events and backgrounds of a period. And they provide a 'further reading' section with selected titles. Maybe worth a shot? That said, I think the usefulness may vary a bit from title to title, depending on the author involved. And I haven't seen any of their titles on the Napoleonic period, myself.
But I'm sure more knowledgable members will chime in shortly.
Many thanks 'O'.
That/those might well be worth a shot.
Like I say.....I just really want something that will give me a 'time line' etc....as you've mentioned....
No point in me diving in with anything that's too comprehensive....I know I'd get lost far too quickly.
I really do want to give myself 'some sort of education' regarding the history of what was 'going on' .....even if it's fairly annotated.
Cheers - Phil.
Hi Phil
Will drop of the couple of Essential Histories I have for you to read won't tell you which ones that will be a suprise??
Martin
That'll be brilliant mate !
See you soon ! :)
Cheers - Phil.
Re-reading the Tide at Sunrise, the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905.
AND Pendraken do some figures.
next project ?
Possibly :-\
Just finished Adam Zamoyski's "Warsaw 1920".
Fascinating! Machine guns in horse drawn carriages, cavalry battles, sweeping movements and rolling routs. Cossacks and Polish lancers, Bolshevicks and citizen militia, FT17's and armoured cars.
Must just go and check the Pendraken inter-war ranges ...
Just finished 'Persian Fire'. Excellent work on the Persian
Invasions of Greece by Darius and Xerxes and the
Historical background to the rise of Persia.
Chad
Ps. Weather here in Crete great
Techno,
I have the concise version of these, edited by John Terraine, from the Cannonade at Valmy through to the end of the Second World War. Highly recommended for an overview of important battles as well as the 'gaps' in between. Worth checking out IMHO.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Decisive-Battles-Western-World-earliest/dp/0304358673/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Decisive-Battles-Western-World-Waterloo/dp/0304358681
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Decisive-Battles-Western-World-3/dp/030435869X/ref=pd_sim_b_1
As for my reading, a mix of 'Sky Men' by Robert Kershaw, along with DBA 2.2 and Black Powder rulebook.
Many thanks Steve. :-bd
I'll check those out !!
(What has surprised me are the prices that folk are asking for some of the "Essential Histories" from Osprey !
£60+ for one particular one......Normal price from Osprey around £16...But it's currently out of stock.....Eeeek !!)
Cheers - Phil......Currently listening to "Firewall" by Andy McNab.....Having just finished "Long time coming" by Robert Goddard.
Phil - wait a while, Osprey are "kindeling" most of there stuff, and they also seem to be doing a Print on Demand for older titles.
IanS
Quote from: Chad on 24 May 2013, 06:43:40 PM
Just finished 'Persian Fire'. Excellent work on the Persian
Invasions of Greece by Darius and Xerxes and the
Historical background to the rise of Persia.
Chad
Ps. Weather here in Crete great
Look out for
Rubicon, also by Tom Holland, about the fall of the Roman republic. Also excellent.
Working my way through my D&D Eberron stuff - which I got out with a view to selling it...and then rediscovered that it's superb - which is why I bought it in the first place!
Just finished listening to Hart of Empire by Saul David, all good boys own stuff, with more heroic deeds that won an Empire
Currently reading the place of dead lings by Geoffrey Wilson the follow up to Land of Hope and Glory which is about an England rules by an Indian Empire..all good fun
http://www.geoffreywilson.net/books.php
All of which is giving me some ideas for doing something different
Quote from: ianrs54 on 25 May 2013, 08:30:55 AM
Phil - wait a while, Osprey are "kindeling" most of there stuff, and they also seem to be doing a Print on Demand for older titles.
IanS
Many thanks to you too Ian.
Worth checking out too !
(Though being a 'Techno'phobe, I haven't got around to investing in any sort of electronic 'reader' yet.)
Have ordered a couple of Steve's recommendations....that are apparently 'as good as new'....but only half the price.
Cheers - Phil
Read Vietnam Firebases 1965-1973 by Randy Foster published by osprey.
Not the easiest of reads but very detailed.
Even included a few jokes about Firebase names...
A back issue of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy. Since it went Dutch this has become my favourite wargames mag. The content is consistently interesting, mixed (despite having a theme element each issue), and high quality. Reading an article on the 1642 siege of Portsmouth. It also had a couple of good articles on the Dark Ages and some very good modelling and painting tips. The reviews of new stuff are also plentiful, especially when figure comparisons are made.
Hi
Just getting through Yangtze Patrol: US Navy in China http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1557508836 (http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1557508836), good book with lots of Info and background to the history and period, necessarily skewed to the US viewpoint.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
I've just abandoned reading a SF book by an author who will remain namesless. Think he's writtens dozens in the particular universe, so there are probably a lot of assumptions I'm not getting.
Anyway, the reason I put it away was a mere slip of the keyboard, a tiny lapse in concentration. This universe is inhabited by giant crustaceans who are some 5 tons in weight who are not averse to feeding on humans or indeed a little casual cannibalism. This particular one is infected with a virus that gives him longevity, but he keeps needing to replace parts of himself. He does this by breeding with himself then chaining up his children to grow them for spare parts. All this is fine.
The scene that made me give up was when this evil giant crustacean was wandering through his dungeon of spare part children. Each was described as having one part or another of his anatyomy trained to be in prime condition for replacement surgery. The father was concerned about his legs which were turning custard yellow.
Custard yellow? Custard yellow? This giant crab is concerned about custard? How does it even know about custard? There is no mention of custard anywhere else: no orgy of custard consumption; no dunking of crabstick into a convenient bowl of creme anglais; no "leave the hu-man here until the latest batch of Bird's ready mix has arrived." The whole tension of the scene evaporated and these giant menances were reduced to multi-legged Telly Tubbies.
Pah!
'Armies of the Napoleonic wars' (edited by G Fremont-Barnes)
Got to concentrate on this one, as it's a library book.....But I've also started Decisive battles of the Western World....Volume 2.
While pushing putty about, I've just listened to...... "Library of the dead"......Hidden conspiracy plot....A load of old tosh, but quite fun.....And "The Diamond Frontier"..Set in the Transvaal in 1880....Not too bad.
Got a bit bored with listening to books while I'm working, just for now....So going through some of my favourite old rock albums instead.
Cheers - Phil.
Ordered in another batch of books last week to add to my zulu war collection, of the bunch I've started on 'Anatomy of the zulu army' by Ian Knight.
Was excited when so many dropped through the door but the enthusiasm is slowly turning to dread at the thought of having to concentrate.
The rest of the order was.......
Great zulu commanders - Knight
Nothing remains but to fight - Knight
Shaka zulu - E.A.Ritter
Dingane, Rule of fear - Peter Becker
Kingdom in crisis - John Laband
The rise & fall of the zulu nation - Laband
Illustrated guide to the zulu war - Laband/Thompson
The zulu of south africa - Kisa Sasaki
Much to be going on with :)
Ry
"Sword and Scimitar" - another excellent read by Simon Scarrow
Must ... resist ... temptation .... to ... buy ... ANOTHER ... pile... of... lead!!! :)
Just started The Challenge by Andrew Lambert. A new account of the British - American War of 1812-14, and in particular the naval war, that debunks most of the hoary old myths and propaganda spread about by the losers (i.e the Americans). Detailed accounts of all the ship-to-ship actions of the war reveal exactly why each combat ended as it did. The author goes out of his way to be fair to the men on both sides and the result is a highly readable book.
Halfway through the Dying Earth series, but i diverted this week and read 'Deadwardians'; a graphic novel by the prolific and marvellous Dan Abnett.
Absolutely cracking stuff.
Great read i'd highly recommend.
:)
Marius' Mules I - good fun and cheap as chips on Kindle.
Quote from: Techno on 26 June 2013, 08:03:10 AM
'Armies of the Napoleonic wars' (edited by G Fremont-Barnes)
Got to concentrate on this one, as it's a library book.....But I've also started Decisive battles of the Western World....Volume 2.
Treat this one with care Phil. There are some mistakes in the French chapter. The most irritating one for me was the statement that the carabiniers were armoured with a breast plate up to and including 1809.
The chapter on the Confederation-of-the-Rhine is the best one in my opinion.
Not sure if you are still interested in a book to put wars/troops into chronological order, but I think I have the perfect book for you. I had a copy when I was 11 years old and it is the book that made me determined to become a wargamer. Its a bit tatty now but still on my bookshelf. The narrative works through the history of warfare from the stone age to the sixties. Not only does it give you the history it is filled with beautiful illustrations and battle maps. And you can pick up second hand copies for next to nothing.
"A History of Warfare" Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Warfare-Field-Marshal-Viscount-Montgomery/dp/0688016456 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Warfare-Field-Marshal-Viscount-Montgomery/dp/0688016456)
Don't get the concise version because it's half the size. Get the full version for the illustrations.
Cheers, Rob :)
Ta Rob ! ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: fsn on 26 June 2013, 07:53:49 AM
The whole tension of the scene evaporated and these giant menances were reduced to multi-legged Telly Tubbies.
;D
Quote from: fsn on 26 June 2013, 07:53:49 AM
The whole tension of the scene evaporated and these giant menances were reduced to multi-legged Telly Tubbies.
well i for one find the thought of multi-legged Telly Tubbies quite tense indeed
I really do worry about you lot sometimes. :P :P
Cheers - Phil ;) :)
Borrowed "How wars begin" by A.J.P. Taylor and started on that......
Finding that really quite useful for a quick understanding of European history from the Napoleonic Wars and onwards.
(I can go on to my copies of "Decisive battles of the Western World" with a bit more confidence after this.)
But boy,.....Is it showing me how really, really ignorant I am regarding history.. :-[ :-[ :-[....At least it's correcting lot of preconceptions.
Cheers - Phil.
Hi Techno
Will give you an e-mail update in a day or two, I am currently reading ROAD OF BONES by FERGAL KEANE a very good book on Kohima and the build up and actions before it
Martin
Subscribing to Free Kindle Books is keeping me busy
Currently rerading; Elite Panzer Strike Force: Panzer Lehr in WWII
Viking Panzers, Panzer Tactics, couple of volumes on US 29th Infantry, several ACW books etc in the pipeline. Also have stuff like the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on there and read one story every so often.
Also getting through some printed works just finished Op Bluecoat Over the Battlefield, 6th Guards Tank Brigade by Patrick Forbes arrived yesterday couple of chapters in already. About half way through Cornwell's Death of Kings too
Tank Men by Robert Kershaw. Excellent book so far and much better than his one on the development of airborne forces.
Quote from: NTM on 10 July 2013, 11:12:08 AM
Also getting through some printed works just finished Op Bluecoat Over the Battlefield, 6th Guards Tank Brigade by Patrick Forbes arrived yesterday couple of chapters in already.
Are those "Over The Battle" books any good? Tempted but haven't tried one yet.
Quote from: mart678 on 10 July 2013, 10:34:43 AM
Hi Techno
Will give you an e-mail update in a day or two
Look forward to that Mart.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: fsn on 10 July 2013, 01:17:30 PM
Are those "Over The Battle" books any good? Tempted but haven't tried one yet.
Excellent IMHO Have read Epsom & Bluecoat recently (which I got for £10 each in a Pen & Sword sale). Will be familiar to you if you have read any of the Battleground Europe volumes as they are much expanded versions of those.
Hi.
Half way through the Simon Scarrow book "Sword and Scimitar". Not really my period, but they were selling the hardback in "The Works" for only £2.69" so I boughtbit. Really glad I did because it@s really good.
Also just finished the second book in the Vespasian series by Robert Fabbri and the new Con Iggulden book about the aftermath of Caesar's assasination. both brilliant books
Happy reading DaveL
Hello,
Two thirds of the way through Fighter Pilot - biography of Robin Olds.
Looking forward to the bit on operation bolo.
All the best
Martin
Quote from: DaveL on 10 July 2013, 05:26:27 PM
Hi.
Half way through the Simon Scarrow book "Sword and Scimitar". Not really my period, but they were selling the hardback in "The Works" for only £2.69" so I boughtbit. Really glad I did because it@s really good.
Also just finished the second book in the Vespasian series by Robert Fabbri and the new Con Iggulden book about the aftermath of Caesar's assasination. both brilliant books
Happy reading DaveL
Scarrow's not a patch on Iggulden. The latter's "Emperor" series is the benchmark for all "history as thriller" genre books.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 10 July 2013, 06:42:41 PM
Scarrow's not a patch on Iggulden. The latter's "Emperor" series is the benchmark for all "history as thriller" genre books.
Having read all of Simon Scarrow's books I have to say I'm a big fan but this is not the first time I've heard Iggulden promoted so I think it's time I went and got one to read.
On the Scarrow subject, has anyone read his brother Alex Scarrow's work? He has written a post apocalyptic series set in London and the north-east oil platforms which were a brilliant read (Afterlight), I highly recommend them to anyone playing or painting post-apoc as they're full of inspiring ideas.
Cheers
Ry
I get through a fair few books every month. Recent ones have been:
"Swords Around a Throne - Napoleon's Grand Armee" Robert R Elting.
"Fatal Avenue - A Travellers History of the Battlefields of Northern France 1346-1945" Richard Holmes.
"The Franco Prussian War" Michael Howard.
Also managed to grab a copy of David Chandler's "Campaigns of Napoleon" for £15 from a local market stall (1968 edition). Nice as I've been after it for ages and was reluctant to pay the usual 40 quid price tag.
The Confederacy's Last Hurrah. Hood isn't coming over this terribly well.
Book 5... Game of Thrones
I've just started "the Last Knight" by Norman F Cantor.
I have a number of prejudices when I read. Firstly, I never read SF written by women. Too much touchy-feely and not enough coruscating lasers. Secondly, I never read modern biographies, thirdly I never read histories written for Americans.
Americans talking about anything before 1600 are like fish discussing athlete's foot. They have no real frame of reference and their attempts to bring it to the understanding of the audience grate. Cantor compares cathedral canons to Ivy League professors, and suggests John of Gaunt spent millions of dollars. By the end of chapter 1 I was ready to toss the book out of the window. I may get into chapter 2.
To support my contention of American historians, one has only to watch some of the dross on the History Channel. It basically goes "Egypt/China invented it, Romans probably had something to do with it, funny people in armour, then nothing until in 1823 Josiah P Hogswill of Clustermuck, Pennsylvania added a tiny, tiny bit and then the whole world was saved. Since then, America has been the best at everything and the rest of the world doesn't count." (I paraphrase.)
Please don't think I'm dissing America. I'm dissing parochial American historians, and the cultural imperialism of Hollywood, and this book which is unsympathetic to the period and plonks C21 morality onto the C14.
Yes. I know Cantor was Canadian.
Just attempting to listen to some of the pre WW1 invasion literature from Gutenburg plus "Damm the torpedoes" by BRIAN BURREL.
This is am interesting book that looks at some of the myths about combat and how it is re-corded
Just stated The Red Effect by Harvey Black. It's a Cold War turned hot thriller set in the 1980s. I've read good things about it, and it's a good read so far.
Iron Gray Sea by Taylor Anderson. 7th in his Destroyermen alternate universe thingy.
W
Low level hell - by H Mills.
Really great Vietnam helo scout pilot book.
book 6... Game of Thrones ^^
"A Memory Of Light" (14th and last book in the Wheel of Time "Trilogy") by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan
A Marmite series if ever there was.
Just finished " The State of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence" by Martin Meredith. A wonderful but depressing book on the development of Africa from the Colonial states upped and left and up to and including the beginnings of the "Arabian spring".
Excellent primer on the continents near/contemporary history.
"les cadets de Saumur" ( French cadets in Saumur 1940 -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saumur_%281940%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saumur_%281940%29) ) I don't know if there is an english version..
It's not far from here, I will visit the places indicated
(http://www.deastore.com/covers/978/225/808/batch2/9782258084209.jpg?1272427420)
and the osprey "World War II Battlefield Communications"
(http://www.ospreypublishing.com/images/books/covers/mainpageimages/9781846038471-th2.jpg)
Why is it (and I'm not getting at anyone here) that if you see someone whose first language is not English reading in English, you think "well, that's very clever", but if you see someone whose first language is English reading in foreign, you think "show off"?
Or is it just me?
Picked up a copy of Kipling's Stalkey & Co for 60p at the local village fete. Haven't read it for years. Finally found out why Arthur Lionel Corkran was nicknamed "Stalkey". (In the schoolboy slang of the period it means cunning, devious.)
Quote from: fsn on 15 July 2013, 12:33:45 PM
Why is it (and I'm not getting at anyone here) that if you see someone whose first language is not English reading in English, you think "well, that's very clever", but if you see someone whose first language is English reading in foreign, you think "show off"?
Or is it just me?
Hello
I'm not sure I understood what you meant. :-/
What I meant is that we are better at appreciating a non-native English speakers speaking English than we are native speakers speaking foreign. I suspect it's a jealousy thing. Possibly because there are so few English speakers who are bi-lingual.
Foreign speakers who talk English are coming into "our" environment and we can welcome them. English speakers speaking foreign is more unusual.
Quote from: fsn on 15 July 2013, 03:52:09 PM
Possibly because there are so few English speakers who are bi-lingual.
Certainly compared to other nations !!
We're lucky......We just have to speak slowly and LOUDLY for the rest of the World to understand. ;)......At heart I think the British (including me) are somewhat lazy regarding other languages, which is why as fsn suggests, we think those that can are smart a**es.
Seriously though (for a change)....I always assume that our friends overseas learn English as a 'first choice' for a (their) foreign language, whereas over here, you're never sure whether to go for French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic.....etc etc.
So....You folk who
don't have English as your native tongue, is my assumption correct ?
IS English the first choice for a foreign language ?
There must be quite a number of countries as well, where there are at least two different languages (not including English) spoken within a single country.
But it's a very small World nowadays, isn't it ?......I love the fact that we've got folk on the forum from almost every corner of this planet !! :-bd
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Techno on 15 July 2013, 04:12:42 PM
......I love the fact that we've got folk on the forum from almost every corner of this planet !! :-bd
Including the remoter parts of Wales
Bought a couple of forum member recomendations for holiday reading - Vulcan 607 and Beevor's Normandy.
Managed to read Vulcan 607 while away and found it a cracking book. Now rippig through Beevor at a rate of knots and again not disappointed.
As to the language debate, just got back from the south of France (Carcassonne) and was vey reassured by the fact that every Fench person I spoke to had as much grasp of English as I have French! I hate nothing more than going abroad attempting the lingo and being dissed by perfect English responses.
I always feel quite embarassed on holiday, when my entire vocabulary consists of 'Ola' and 'Gracias'. Even using those two feels like a bit of a sham... like I'm pretending I've got this wealth of Spanish at my fingertips... :D
Thats because you are on holiday in France...
;D ;D ;D
Quote from: fred 12df on 15 July 2013, 05:22:56 PM
Thats because you are on holiday in France...
:D :P
Dette var da en underlig diskusjon...
Quote from: Techno on 15 July 2013, 04:12:42 PM
(...)I always assume that our friends overseas learn English as a 'first choice'
So....You folk who don't have English as your native tongue, is my assumption correct ?
IS English the first choice for a foreign language ?
You're right.. BUT some people choose their neighbour-country fisrt (ie. peolple in the south will learn spanish, in the south-east italian, in the north-east german)
Then you are seriously encouraged to pick english as your second foreign language.
My daughters could also choose chinese in theur college. Times are changing ;)
Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 15 July 2013, 04:48:19 PM
(...) just got back from the south of France (Carcassonne) and was vey reassured by the fact that every Fench person I spoke to had as much grasp of English as I have French! I hate nothing more than going abroad attempting the lingo and being dissed by perfect English responses.
You should go to "lost places" in France. No one could speak english or understand you ( and sometimes I can't myself ! ;D )
Quote from: Techno on 15 July 2013, 04:12:42 PM
IS English the first choice for a foreign language ?
When I grew up it wasn't. Being close to Germany meant you could get either two Dutch or several German TV channels. So I picked up German first. Then in school it was German, English and French.
Nowadays, with multiple channels (with many American programs), the internet and whatnot, I'm pretty sure English will be first choice over here.
In Norway, yes, undoubtedly.
English is taught from the third grade, with a choice of normally either French or German from the 7 grade.
Here's a simply spiffing idea, lets have all these foreign johnnies abolish their native languages and adopt English as their mother tongue, then anyone could read anything, and I'd at least have a chance of understanding the telly when I'm on my holidays. ;D ;D ;D ;D
There's a rumour they may drop channel S4C over here, because barely any Welsh speakers even bother to watch it now.....So you might not have to worry about that particular station Gordon. ;)
Not that you'd be likely to come to Wales to top up your sun-tan though...... ;D ;D (Cue insult from Ian. :P)
Mind you.....The last couple of weeks.....Phew !.....Wotascorcha !
Cheers - Phil.
I live in the (official fact this) the sunniest city in Scotland, we get more sun here than anywhere else in the country. So about 12 hours a year. AND so far there doesnt seem to be any plans of dropping the Gaelic programs, mind you its a hoot watching them, cue dialogue : "hurdy gurdy gurdy hurdy gurdy gurdy hurdy gurdy gurdy AEROPLANE hurdy gurdy gurdy hurdy gurdy gurdy hurdy gurdy gurdy AMBULANCE hurdy gurdy gurdy"
Ahem! Getting this thread back on topic ... I don't know who it is that distracts the forum into all sorts ... I've ditched the American Medieval History. Too much like Tony Curtis in "The Black Shield of Falworth".
So now, I'm reading "Suez: The Double War" by Roy Fullick and Geoffrey Powell.
Very readable history of the Suez Crisis. I'm still at the political bit, can't wait for the Centurions!
I'm reading Shetland Bus, by David Howarth - his story of helping run the fishing trawlers that ran from Shetland to Norway during WWII. Not a part of the war I knew much about - the Norwegian crews were incredibly brave - they only sailed during the winter, and had to survive storms as well as German patrols.
I can only think that language teaching on the continent is so much better than here. I did the standard six years of French at school and came away unable to string two sentences together. It's only recently, fifty years on, that I've gone back to school and am at least able to ask the way to the railway station. This is possibly due to the fact that my tutor is a native French-speaker. :-bd
Of course, this may have something to do with my ability to learn..... :(
Quote from: fred 12df on 15 July 2013, 10:13:25 PM
I'm reading Shetland Bus, by David Howarth - his story of helping run the fishing trawlers that ran from Shetland to Norway during WWII. Not a part of the war I knew much about - the Norwegian crews were incredibly brave - they only sailed during the winter, and had to survive storms as well as German patrols.
One of my favorite books - probably because I come from Shetland.
Just borrowed "Storm from the East" (From Genghis Khan to Khubilai Khan) from the library van.
It's great....It's got lots of pretty pictures for me to look at. (I especially like the photo of the heavy cavalry charging towards the camera !...Only thing that spoils that is that all the actors are grinning like loons, rather than looking fierce ! ;)
Apparently it accompanied 'the major TV series'.....But as that was aired all the way back in 1993, there's not much chance of finding it on DVD. :'(
That'd have been rather useful for reference.
Not a bad read at all.
Cheers - Phil.
As if by magic...
http://watchdocumentary.org/watch/the-mongol-hordes-storm-from-the-east-episode-01-birth-of-an-empire-video_f760b6538.html
Enjoy, Phil :)
Reading The Walking Dead : The road to woodbury which is getting me in the mood for some zombie gaming using All Things Zombie: Final fade out rules and some Pendraken zombies when they come out 8). Watched trailer for The Walking dead season 4 which gets me excited for October. :)
Quote from: nikharwood on 27 July 2013, 09:20:10 AM
As if by magic...
http://watchdocumentary.org/watch/the-mongol-hordes-storm-from-the-east-episode-01-birth-of-an-empire-video_f760b6538.html
Enjoy, Phil :)
Well I'll be hornswoggled !! ;)
Thanks Nik...I'll have to get some more speakers for the PC at some stage soon....
Cheers - Phil
No worries, Phil :)
Tonight I will start reading Henry Hyde's newly released Wargaming Compendium which looks like its going to be a classic to be ranked alongside the works of Featherstone, Grant etc.
Grey Tide in the East - a great read. What if, instead of invading Belgium in 1914, the Germans had launched their main offensive against Russia and simply held Alsace-Lorraine against the French. Britain now has no excuse for a declaration of war against Germany. Furthermore the French can't attack through Belgium because Britain has guaranteed its neutrality. Points to ponder (to quote Mr. Featherstone).
Halfway through The Penultimate Truth by Philip K. Dick, one of the great twentieth century sci-fi novels. The bulk of the world's surviving population is locked in underground bunkers after a devastating war, whilst on the surface a ruling elite lives in spacious luxury. The book reeks of sixties cold-war paranoia, but it's still a great read.
Just started the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Hmmm ... early Chinese. :-\
PHTLS - Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support
Because I'm all loved up :x and geeky :-B about my new job and keen to get on the pathway to full blown para as quickly as possible :)
Quote
Book 5... Game of Thrones
book 6... Game of Thrones ^^
QuoteI think we all know how that ends!
;D
Currently reading Mists of Avalon...
again.
QuoteI'm reading Shetland Bus, by David Howarth - his story of helping run the fishing trawlers that ran from Shetland to Norway during WWII. Not a part of the war I knew much about - the Norwegian crews were incredibly brave - they only sailed during the winter, and had to survive storms as well as German patrols.
I`m massively impressed with David Howarth`s books. His Waterloo and Trafalgar still stand out in my mind as true classics.
Back on the Horus Heresy
14th and final book of the "Wheel of Time" series - definitely thick enough to count as a "tome"
I am re reading the Allan Mallinson stuff, all a bit of fluff but good fun
Quote from: sixsideddice on 07 August 2013, 11:54:40 PM
I`m massively impressed with David Howarth`s books. His Waterloo and Trafalgar still stand out in my mind as true classics.
Same here. Love his Napoleonic books - bought them both in a set for £2 from charity shop few years back. I'll definitely grab a copy of Shetland Bus.
Quote from: Fenton on 08 August 2013, 10:43:17 PM
... the Allan Mallinson stuff, all a bit of fluff but good fun
Agreed though I've nor read any for some years now
Ditto - never in the same league as O'Brien for historical atmosphere (but then, who is?)
Game ofBattleships by Toby Frost arrived today.
May need a few baths to finish this one!
Hi there
I'm in the process of reading Uniforms and Weapons of the Zulu War and thoroughly enjoying it amazingly it's over 30 years old now
Take care
Andy
'Gettysburg' by Stephen W Sears.
About two chapters in and already ordered two others of his ACW titles 'To the Gates of Richmond' and 'Landscape Turned Red'.
Try 'The Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Killer-Angels-Michael-Shaara/dp/1846972663/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376689016&sr=1-1&keywords=the+killer+angels
Civil War Railroads & models, by E. Alexander, lovely scale drawings of 4 different railguns.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 16 August 2013, 10:37:45 PM
Try 'The Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Killer-Angels-Michael-Shaara/dp/1846972663/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376689016&sr=1-1&keywords=the+killer+angels
It's also already on the way Lemmy! Always been intrigued by the Shaara book after realizing that the 1993 Gettysburg film was based on the book.
:-bd
Currently half-way through Dan Abnett's Embedded. The plot involves a journalist being inserted into the consciousness of a soldier involved in fighting against insurgents. When the soldier is badly wounded, the journo is forced to assume control of the body. A fascinating scenario.
The Korean War - Max Hastings (just to check that FSN has the right tanks)
and
Terms of Enlistment - Marko Kloos (work commute)
and
The Eagle Has Landed - Jack Higgins (for a CoC scenario)
Quote from: Zippee on 17 August 2013, 09:57:01 PM
The Korean War - Max Hastings (just to check that FSN has the right tanks)
Pages 94, 196, 253, 256, 260, 264-7.
Quote from: fsn on 17 August 2013, 10:06:15 PM
Pages 94, 196, 253, 256, 260, 264-7.
Page references don't work on Kindle :D
Although many of them will be 8th Hussars and getting hosed at Imjin
Did see lots of Cromwells, so really no need for anything else though :o
11 Cromwells and 48 Cents...DO THE MATH....
IanS
In the film "A Hill in Korea" (which has a host of British stars as well as introducing a young Michael Caine), the dastardly Chinese bring up a tank which is ... a Cromwell!
In the middle of The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham.
That Cecil Rhodes chappie was a bit of a cad what.
Weirdly 'Heatwave' by Richard Castle. Who'd have thought it actually existed. I can already see why Becket was a bit flummoxed being portrayed as Nikki Heat (am I on the correct forum for this?).
I've often wondered if the Nikki Heat series is a spin-off from "Castle" or if "Castle" is just a promo for the books :)
Chicken and egg I guess. Good read all the same, once you get your head round the American English.
Nikki Heat books feature in Castle. They release about one per season, including the Derek Storm graphic novel.
I think. Not that I'm that big a fan or anything.
Quote from: howayman on 18 August 2013, 07:14:02 PM
In the middle of The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham.
That Cecil Rhodes chappie was a bit of a cad what.
I have that on the shelf, will give it a crack later. After you finish that Meredith Martins "State of Africa" is highly reccomended. :)
Just started the 4th and final part of "The Serpentwar Saga" by Raymond E. Feist. A 1990's series, but he's a great writer and it's a really good story. I can imagine wargames set in this world - humans, elves, dwarves, lizard menand demons.
Best Wishes DaveL
The Night of the Generals by Hans Hellmut Kirst. Finished Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy and finding TNotG's a bit slow going after Clancy. :-\ Although I am enjoying some of the dialogue involving Grau so I'll give it a little longer.
Well worth perservering with NOTG; Kirst is a much underrated writer.
I would heartily recommend Officer Factory and The Wolves if you make it through with Grau :)
Yeah, read them a long time ago, but you can really get into them.
I finally read a book!
My first since Rachel was born 14 months ago!
Space Captain Smith: A Game of battleships, by Toby Frost. A dashed good read, whatwhat! :D
Hi,
I can thoroughly recommend "Castles: A history of fortified structures, Ancient, Medieval and Modern" which i picked up yesterday.
A quick review can be found here:
http://wargames.blog.co.uk/2013/08/21/review-castles-a-history-of-fortified-structures-16327547/
Cheers,
Craig
Tiny Terrain Models
World War II Infantry Tactics:Squad and Platoon by Dr Stephen Bull. I have no expertise in this area at all, but was inspired to get a copy as a by product of the enthusiasm for CoC by Too Fat Lardies. I do not know how authoritative it is, but it is fascinating, and it does justify the approach taken by CoC. Having tried recently to adapt rules to reflect tactical differences between combatants, I am a big convert to this way of producing Wargames rules. Does this mean I will make my first foray into WW II since my Donald Featherstone days? Only time will tell!
Mollinary
Little Wars.
Have on my bed side cabinet all in various stages of compleation:
The Basque History of the World- History of the basque region
Angel Exterminatus - Horus Heresy from GW
Hyperion Omibus - Epic scale Sci Fi
Bedlam- Sci Fi
Illuminatus trillogy- What KLF based all there 'mythos' on
And i want to start the Game of Thrones books again.
I do like my reading!
Hi there
I am now reading, Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift by Ian Knight, can anyone else suggest any really good books on the Anglo Zulu conflict.
Take care
Andy
The Woman Who Died a Lot the lastest in Jasper Fforde's alternative reality Thursday Next series. Thursday has been passed over as head of the SO-27 Literary Detectives department and has, instead, been appointed head of the Wessex Library Service - which has its own combat arm. Meanwhile, the Goliath Corporation has been turning out Thursday duplicates for their own nefarious purposes.
Anyone who can't laugh at Fforde's books has had a humour bypass. :D
I will have to try them
I love the Malcolm Pryce books Last Tango in Aberystwyth etc
Also re reading some Robert Rankin stuff at the moment
i went to University in Aberystwyth. It never quite seemed that exciting at the time :)
Currently reading another Horus Heresy book and then on to a collection of Solzhenitsyn stories. One of these books may be better written than the other. One will feature more chainswords.
Quote from: goat major on 02 September 2013, 08:21:32 AM
i went to University in Aberystwyth. It never quite seemed that exciting at the time :)
Went to the College of Librarianship (Coleg LLyfrgellwyr Cymru) in Aberystwyth back in the 70s and trust me there was plenty of excitement at that time. It's a small community at the "edge of the known world" - to quote my Director of Studies - where you had to make your own entertainment. Drink, drugs, adultery, wife-swapping, free love and general debauchery - I was aware of and missed out on pretty much all of them :)
me too on most of them but i made up for it with the drinking.
I've just started reading Tomorrow the World: In which Cadet Otto Prohaska Carries the Habsburg Empire's Civilizing Mission to the Entirely Unreceptive Peoples of Africa and Oceania. It's the fourth and last in the Otto Prohaska series by John Biggins, and so far is as good as the others. I'm also listening to the audio book of Seven Troop by Andy McNab, acquired via the local library, which is also interesting.
Having heard of his passing, I may have to acquire and (re-)read some Donald Featherstone books. I kept borrowing and re-borrowing copies of the Tank Battles in Miniature series from the local library in the 1970s, but I never got around to buying any of his books. I think I need to rectify that.
Are they still in print?
Think there were some re releases just recently
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=donald%20featherstone&sprefix=donald+fe%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Adonald%20featherstone
The History of Wargaming website is reprinting various old wargames books. Some are straightforward reprints, some are revised. This page has details: http://www.wargaming.co/books/homepage.htm
Still reading 'Storm from the East'......But currently listening to 'Hadrian and the triumph of Rome by Anthony Everitt.
Finding it very interesting.
Have to borrow it again when I get around to doing the next lot of Roman figures.
Cheers - Phil.
Or read your cd carefully? ;)
Having seen all the film versions and recently read about John Buchan's involvement in the war effort 'The 39 Steps' is currently at the top of my Kindle.
Just managed to get my Kobo registered on our Wi-fi net after nine months of trying. Woopee-do, I'm not a total techno-nerd!
Quote from: NTM on 10 September 2013, 08:32:10 AM
Having seen all the film versions and recently read about John Buchan's involvement in the war effort 'The 39 Steps' is currently at the top of my Kindle.
Which, in your opinion, is the best film version?
i liked the Robert Donat one and the 2008 BBC version
Just in the middle of Neal Asher's The Departure. Bears more than a passing resemblance to the Elysium movie I saw last Saturday - crumbling Earth, pampered elite living in idyllic orbiting habitat, revolutionaries out to break the system - all sounds terribly familiar. However Asher's book was published in 2011 (and he's used the scenario in previous books) so one wonders where Blomkamp got his ideas from....
Have read all Neal's books, great author, also follow him on Facebook & twitter, had a lovely discussion about how much damage you would take falling into a canyon in Mars! ;D
Quote from: mad lemmey on 10 September 2013, 09:23:28 AM
a lovely discussion about how much damage you would take falling into a canyon in Mars! ;D
Is the month important when you fall in a canyon? ;)
Quote from: fsn on 10 September 2013, 08:51:34 AM
Which, in your opinion, is the best film version?
I would never categorise my choice as best but favourite would probably be the BBC version Fenton refers to
Quote from: Hertsblue on 10 September 2013, 08:57:21 AM
one wonders where Blomkamp got his ideas from....
Neuromancer? The Spindle and Villa Straylight date from the mid-1980s. To be honest I'd be surprised if that was the earliest incarnation of "privilege in space" but it's the earliest I can come up with without rummaging Google :)
"D-Day; Piercing the Atlantic Wall" by Robert Kershaw. A good book so far with some interesting insights, especially from the German perspective.
Currently reading a selection of books
Mostly The Deluge on Kindle as I'm trying to get into playing By Fire and Sword, at the moment reading the rules sends me to sleep I-)
Just yesterday I managed to get a copy of Not over by Christmas NATOs Central Front in WWIII and couldn't stop myself from a quick read!!
and lastly dipping in and out of Allenby's War The Palestine- Arabian Campaigns 1916-1918 as this is on the to-do list!
Riding Roughshod Through Dixie by Mark Lardas, about the Grierson Raid, which was sort of filmed as The Horse Soldiers, although I guess John Wayne was never going to be cast as an ex-music teacher.
Quote from: Steve J on 10 September 2013, 04:17:43 PM
"D-Day; Piercing the Atlantic Wall" by Robert Kershaw. A good book so far with some interesting insights, especially from the German perspective.
I'll have to dig that one out again as I seem to recall being dissappointed with this one in comparison to 'It Never Snows in September'
QuoteI'll have to dig that one out again as I seem to recall being dissappointed with this one in comparison to 'It Never Snows in September'
I think this was his first book and to be fair he is going over very well trodden ground. Certainly 'It Never Snows in September' and 'War Without Garlands' are amongst the best WWII history books I've ever read.
Lancejack (The Union Series) by Phillip Richards - basically the British army in space
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BZODJZS/ref=oh_d__o01_details_o01__i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The 1st book C.R.O.W. is just as good
http://www.amazon.co.uk/C-R-O-W-The-Union-Series-ebook/dp/B008S1VH5K/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1
They are only available on the Kindle
Pretty sure he wrote 'It Never Snows' first
Quote from: NTM on 11 September 2013, 08:36:13 PM
Pretty sure he wrote 'It Never Snows' first
That's what his profile says.
Mollinary
Currently enjoying "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice, but not planning on gaming it this century.
/cue Music
.... I got all the time in the world!....
/end Music
Hi all . I'm currently reading Froissart's Chronicles had it in paperback now on the kindle, a cracking good read.
Cheers
Sean
Started Zero Point Neal Asher's sequel to The Departure. The death toll on Earth has risen to eight billion, and I'm only on page 97....
QuotePretty sure he wrote 'It Never Snows' first
Mea culpa :-[. Misread the dates; should have gone to Specsavers :D.
Wait til later Hertsblue!
Just finished "The house of silk" by Anthony Horowitz.
A great Sherlock Holmes pastiche, even if a whole lot darker than the canon. :)
Highly reccomended.
"All you need is Kill" by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.
http://www.amazon.com/All-You-Need-Kill-Novel/dp/1421527618/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381031255&sr=8-1&keywords=all+you+need+is+kill (http://www.amazon.com/All-You-Need-Kill-Novel/dp/1421527618/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381031255&sr=8-1&keywords=all+you+need+is+kill)
Interesting sci fi yarn about an alien invasion and a trooper stuck in a time loop. Will be a Tom Cruise movie in 2014 but looks like they strayed from the story by the character list.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1631867/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1631867/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3) :-\
Re-reading 'Waterloo, the great battle reappraised', always a good one if you don't know what to pick from the heap and need to get back into that 'Napoleonic feeling' for some paintjob that wants to get done...
Cheers,
Rob
Just finished reading Resistance by Owen Sheers
http://www.owensheers.co.uk/fiction.htm
They have just made a film of it to
Avoid the film. It's very, very, very boring.
Hi. Just bought, and begun reading, "The Wargames compendium" by Henry Hyde. Expensive (but got a good deal at Derby) but a good, light read and trip down memory lane
.
Best Wishes DaveL
The Civil War in color, It's full of well known photos that have been brought to life. There are a few errors, like the colour of NCO's chevrons and gun carriages, but pretty much a revelation IMHO.
German Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions 1939-1945 by Jorge Rosado and Chris Bishop.
Inspiration for colour schemes for my Pendraken Panzers.
Soviet Tank Units 1939-1945 by David Porter waiting in the wings for when I'm painting the other side.
Panzergrenadier volume ordered and hopefully en route.
Potted histories and pretty pictures!
Neal Asher Jupiter War
Getting good! 8)
Listened to....
Crisis Four by Andy McNab.....
Reading....Still referring to 'Storm from the East' for the Mongols.....I wonder when the library are going to get that back ? :D (Borrowed it over for over two months now...lucky no-one else seems to want to read it...... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D)
Cheers - Phil
I'm reading Barbarossa: The First 24 Hours - A Russian View.
Getting my wargaming juices flowing for T-35s.
Quote from: Techno on 11 October 2013, 10:34:31 AM
..
Reading....Still referring to 'Storm from the East'
That will be about those bastards from Newport. wouldn't it?
Newport 'Mons' or Newport 'Pembs' ?
I assume you're referring to the one I live closest to F. :P ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil.
Sorry - those cant be places in Wales - I can read and pronounce them.
IanS
Newport, Gwent (Monmouth) is known to the locals as "Casnewydd". My schoolboy Welsh tells me that "newydd" measn "new", but I don't know what "Cas" means. :-\
Newport Pembs, goes under the alter ego of "Trefdraeth", which obviously means "Trevor can't hear properly".
Oh all right.....
Thought it'd be easier to say Newport... :P
In that case......Trefdraeth as fsn says ;).....
Cheers - Phil
They're both a long way West of anywhere civilised but it's the one on the IOW you really need to worry about ;)
what about the one in Belgium with the slightly dodgy spelling
Not forgetting Newport Essex!!
or perhaps its best we do.
W
Alistair Hornes' The Price of Glory - Verdun 1916.
Fantastic read, really was horrific battle, with a good amount of maps to drool over for good measures haha
Currently:
Homeworld (E Currie) - Space Opera but fun
Bear Island ( A Maclean) - it was on TV last week and not how I remembered it so I wanted to check, damn the evils of instant download kindle books (which also saw me purchase HMS Ullsses, Ice Station Zebra, When Eight Bells Toll and Where Eagles Dare!)
Storm and Conquest - The Battle for the Indian Ocean 1808-10 (S Taylor)
just finished
Incomparable: Napoleon's 9th Light Infantry Regiment (TE Crowdy)
The Korean War (M Hastings)
The Eagle Has Landed (J Higgins) - more kindle inspired nostalgia!
Just finished the new Conn Iggulden - Emperor - the Blood of Gods.
Julius Caesar has been assassinated in the Senate but his adopted son, Octavian, has vowed revenge. All blood and guts stuff.
Dropzone Commander rulebook, suprisingly nice ruleset, the eye-candy in it is awesome.
Hi I`m reading The White Queen,pity the tv series got stopped....
City of Djinns by William Dalyrymple. Excellent so far and I like his style.
Have you read his From the Holy Mountain ? Very good.
Mars gets new chariots. The iron horse in combat 1861-65 by Alan Koenig.
Have just got to page 200 of Shelby Foote's mammoth three volume history of the American Civil War. Only about 2700 pages to go - but it does read like a riveting novel.
Just started Christopher Duffy's 'by force of arms.
:D
Max Hastings "Catastrophe". A great read,
Mollinary
Finished listening to "Alexandria" and "The Jupiter Myth" by Lindsey Davis.....Enjoyed both.
Tomorrow will start "Dread Murder" by Gwendoline Butler...Shouldn't take long....5 hours 30 minutes apparently.
Cheers - Phil
Lindsey Davis' Falco books are right riveting read.
I've just started "A Universe from Nothing" by Lawrence Krauss.
I have a headache.
With the nights drawing in it's back to the Kobo for my waiting-at-the-station-for-the-other-half stints. That's because the little beast is back-lit and I can read it in the dark. Currently half-way through Not Ordinary Men, John Colvin's account of the Battle of Kohima in 1944. One disadvantage of the e-book, though - it's bind flipping back to the maps.
Quote from: fsn on 24 October 2013, 08:48:30 PM
Lindsey Davis' Falco books are right riveting read.
Very enjoyable indeed....Hope your headache's better fsn !
Cheers - Phil
If you're into ancient Roman sleuths try Steven Saylor's books based on the exploits of Gordianus the Finder. Real page-turners.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 25 October 2013, 08:51:19 AM
If you're into ancient Roman sleuths try Steven Saylor's books based on the exploits of Gordianus the Finder. Real page-turners.
Thanks Ray... :-bd
Another author to ask the dear old library van to look out for.
Cheers - Phil
You mean you still got a library service, are the books in English ? ;)
IanS
At the risk of sounding like an online bookshop - If you like Falco and Gordianus you might also like R. S. Downie's Ruso, Rosemary Rowe's Libertus or David Wishart's Corvinus.
Quote from: wurrukatte on 24 October 2013, 06:56:21 PM
Just started Christopher Duffy's 'by force of arms.
:D
Hey, me too! Its on Amazon at a reasonable price at the moment.
I enjoyed the Ruso books..And Lindsey Davis has written a new book ( well new to me) about his son taking over the finder business
"The Weirdstone of Brisingamen": odd one I know but read it as a kid and it helped (along with The Hobbit and Rings) to get me into the fantasy genre.
Nice walk down memory lane ;)
If you like roman sleuths I always enjoyed Marilyn Todd and David Wishart's works
Quote from: get2grips on 25 October 2013, 02:23:42 PM
"The Weirdstone of Brisingamen": odd one I know but read it as a kid and it helped (along with The Hobbit and Rings) to get me into the fantasy genre.
Nice walk down memory lane ;)
Read "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" and "Moon of Gomrath" as a teenager on the promise from my Aunt that if I finished them by a certain time we'd go to Alderley Edge. The Edge at dusk after two days solid of reading those was really spooky
I'll see the weirdstone and raise you 'The dark is rising' series by Susan Cooper.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 25 October 2013, 03:21:34 PM
Read "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" and "Moon of Gomrath" as a teenager on the promise from my Aunt that if I finished them by a certain time we'd go to Alderley Edge. The Edge at dusk after two days solid of reading those was really spooky..
Love it...wouldn't mind going myself ;)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 25 October 2013, 04:32:29 PM
I'll see the weirdstone and raise you 'The dark is rising' series by Susan Cooper.
Don't know anything about it Lem :-/
I'll second the recommendation of "The Dark Is Rising." As with Weirdstone the main protagonists are kids/teenagers but if that doesn't put you off they are an excellent read. Stole several ideas from them for my tabletop role playing campaign!
Others I'd recommend in a similar vein are "Giant in the Snow" and "A Rag, a Bone, a Hank of Hair"
Thanks for the recommendations chaps !
Quote from: ianrs54 on 25 October 2013, 10:04:36 AM
You mean you still got a library service, are the books in English ? ;)
IanS
I've never really looked Ian, to be honest...as I just grab as many audio books as think I can get through in three weeks.....But from odd 'scans' around the shelves I'd reckon 90+% are in English. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
QuoteHey, me too! Its on Amazon at a reasonable price at the moment
Amazon was were I got my copy but I was extremely lucky.
I always put books that I would like to read, but are out of my price range
into my wishlist, then check the used copies available from time to time.
Every now and then a true bargain drops in your lap.
W
I've recently finished reading 'Rising Sun' by Robert Conroy. This is an alternate history in which the Americans manage to lose the battle of Midway and the front line becomes the West Coast of America.
First off, the good bits.
This book is basically a 'ripping yarn' that kept me amused for two or three days. From a wargaming point of view there are some good ideas for Japanese raids on the American Coast (no doubt using those nice Japanese figures Pendraken make), plus there's a lot of fighting up in Alaska. Naval gamers should also get a few ideas from some of the situations.
Now for the not so good bits.
The entire book felt 'rushed' and there was little time for character development.
The author reused situations and scenes from his previous book '1901' and a lot of the characters reminded me of characters from that book. Also the characters didn't 'feel' right for the time period.
I also felt that Mr Conroy didn't do much research. I'm no expert on the period and the Pacific war doesn't really interest me over much, but some of the stuff he comes up with in the book just doesn't sit well with me. In fact I'd go as far as to say that it sounded plain wrong. But as I say I'm no expert.
In conclusion I'd say if you see this book in a charity shop or going cheap somewhere, buy it you might enjoy it. As I say it kept me amused, so who knows you might like it.
My copy of 'Rising Sun' will be going to the charity shop unlike '1901' which I kept and have read several times.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 25 October 2013, 10:04:36 AM
You mean you still got a library service, are the books in English ? ;)
IanS
No, they're on papyrus. But they are thinking of introducing vellum soon. :D
I'm sure audiobooks are the way to go Phil..Though it you must get cold and wet this time of year listening to the towncryer in the marketplace shouting the book out to everyone
(http://www.robertjkershaw.com/Images/It%20Never%20Snows.jpg)
Market Garden has always been of interest to me and I think that Mr.Kershaw did a great job in telling the story from "our" side. So far I didn't know just how ragtag the German defense really was, some passages were quite disturbing (eg old German Veterans form WW1 having to attack a hill which some of them had already stormed in 1914! Little wonder these poor old men didn't stand a chance against the British and American elite forces. And that's just one example of many).
I'd definitely recommend this one.
(http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780393003888_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG)
oldy but goldy. A collection of lectures by this famous British Professor. Highly readable, highly informative.
Half way through A Day of Battle - Mars-La-Tour, 16 August 1870 by David Ascoli, courtesy of Chad. The story of how one over-confident German general threw his army corps at the entire French Army of the Rhine and somehow got away with it. By rights the battle of Vionville - Mars-la-Tour should have been a crushing French victory, instead of which Bazain and his motley crew of marshals did not just snatch defeat, but embraced it and took it to bed. Incroyable!
Vortex of Hell by Brian Pohanka, An in depth history of the 5th New York zouaves.
Flames Over Calais by Airey Neave.
WWII account of the German assault on Calais and the British and French last stand.
A rather rip roaring read.
The Black Effect by Harvey Black. It's the second of a trilogy set during a Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany in 1984. So far, it's damn good :-)
Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk
Just on the 2nd novel by Adrian Galsworthy about the Napoleonic wars (Peninsular). I've bought all four of them from Amazon-really enjoying them. I only discovered them by chance. Never seen them Waterstones - are they choosey?? I,ve also seen some Roman books (Marius's Mules etc.) which again I,ve never seen before, so I think I might be staying with Amazon for my books from now on, as they seem to have a better selection than the High Street shops.
Best Wishes DaveL
I just typed Adrian Galsworthy in the Amazon search box, and this was the first thing offered.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WNZ3B24EL._SX342_.jpg)
Gave up after that.
Quote from: Fenton on 25 October 2013, 02:17:37 PM
I enjoyed the Ruso books..And Lindsey Davis has written a new book ( well new to me) about his son taking over the finder business
"The Ides of April" and it is his daughter who takes over, and I am afraid it didn't quite do it for me. Pity really as I loved the Falco novels, and the Saylor novels are well worth a read as well. Strange how similar tastes are on this board. :-\ :-\
Mollinary
I loved the Falco books by Lindsey Davies, but the "the Ides of April" was disappointing.
Quote from: Russell Phillips on 23 November 2013, 08:18:00 AM
The Black Effect by Harvey Black. It's the second of a trilogy set during a Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany in 1984. So far, it's damn good :-)
Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk
Sounds interesting will have to pick it up.
Just finished reading "The Crusades Through Arab Eyes" by Amin Maalouf. Quite an insightful read, a different perspective on the subject than previous books I've read. He uses a lot of works of contemporary Arab chroniclers to paint a view of a society under threat from a barbaric alien culture. I would recommend it to those interested in the period and also those interested in current affairs.
Ian
Quote from: DaveL on 25 November 2013, 05:27:52 PM
Just on the 2nd novel by Adrian Galsworthy about the Napoleonic wars (Peninsular). I've bought all four of them from Amazon-really enjoying them. I only discovered them by chance. Never seen them Waterstones - are they choosey?? I,ve also seen some Roman books (Marius's Mules etc.) which again I,ve never seen before, so I think I might be staying with Amazon for my books from now on, as they seem to have a better selection than the High Street shops.
Waterstones (and every other book shop) has limited shelf space. Consequently, most books get six weeks (at most) on the shelves. If they don't sell during that time, they're sent back for a full refund. Amazon, on the other hand, have massive warehouses to stock books, and an effectively infinite space in which to display their stock. So they can display everything, including stuff that they'd have to order from the publisher.
Quote from: DaveL on 25 November 2013, 05:27:52 PM
Just on the 2nd novel by Adrian Galsworthy about the Napoleonic wars (Peninsular). I've bought all four of them from Amazon-really enjoying them. I only discovered them by chance. Never seen them Waterstones - are they choosey?? I,ve also seen some Roman books (Marius's Mules etc.) which again I,ve never seen before, so I think I might be staying with Amazon for my books from now on, as they seem to have a better selection than the High Street shops.
Best Wishes DaveL
The only problem there is that the high street bookshop will eventually go out of business and there will be nowhere to go to browse for likely titles. Oh, I know you can "browse" on Amazon, but it isn't the same. The same goes for the likes of Tesco cherry-picking the best-sellers at cut prices. And while I have an e-book that's useful for reading in the dark, it's a poor substitute for a real book - especially the sort of book where you have to keep consulting the maps. So I, for one, would be deeply saddened by the demise of the high street bookshop.
(ends whinge mode)
Just finished Max Hastings "Catastrophe". WWI from August to December. Great book!
Kipt
Quote from: Hertsblue on 26 November 2013, 08:23:16 AM
The only problem there is that the high street bookshop will eventually go out of business and there will be nowhere to go to browse for likely titles. Oh, I know you can "browse" on Amazon, but it isn't the same. The same goes for the likes of Tesco cherry-picking the best-sellers at cut prices. And while I have an e-book that's useful for reading in the dark, it's a poor substitute for a real book - especially the sort of book where you have to keep consulting the maps. So I, for one, would be deeply saddened by the demise of the high street bookshop.
Honestly, the demise of the high street bookshop won't affect me. I grew up in a small village, the closest thing we had to a book shop within a reasonable distance was WHSmith, which had four book shelves. I didn't move to a place with an actual book shop until I was 32, and by then internet shopping and Amazon had appeared. So yes, I wouldn't be able to browse if all the book shops closed, but I don't do that anyway, because for a long time I couldn't, and by the time I could I'd got used to not doing.
I'd be vaguely sorry to see book shops disappear, and I'd be sorry for the poor buggers who lost their jobs, but I don't have a personal attachment to book shops like a lot of people seem to.
Panzer Commander by Hans von Luck
Doesn't quite fit with my AWI painting project ;D
Great read, especially the part where he is a prisoner of war.
Quote from: Russell Phillips on 03 December 2013, 09:46:46 PM
Honestly, the demise of the high street bookshop won't affect me.
It might when Amazon are the only place you can get a book and it's all e-books at fifty quid a throw
I've listened to loads of stuff over the past few weeks.
Enjoyed "The Long Earth" & "The Long War"....(which I thought I'd hate.)
Just about to start "The road to Jerusalem".....Can't tell from the blurb on the back whether it's a 'true' historical account of 'the great crusader' or fiction.
Craig will know, I expect. :)
Greetings
George Gleig's 'The Subaltern' on kindle (account of a lieutenant of the 85th Foot of the late stages of the Peninsular War).
Regards
Edward
Marines by Jay Allen, first of the Crimson worlds series.
pretty good so far.
W
Quote from: Ithoriel on 03 December 2013, 11:47:10 PM
It might when Amazon are the only place you can get a book and it's all e-books at fifty quid a throw
If that were to happen, then yes, it might. The "
it's all e-books" bit wouldn't bother me, since I prefer e-books. I don't believe it will happen, though, for a number of reasons. Amazon are currently the big guys, but I doubt they always will be. Some years back in the US, Barnes & Noble were the big guy with shed-loads of money, and Amazon was the little guy, now it's the other way around. Jeff Bezos himself said recently that "
Companies have short life spans, ... And Amazon will be disrupted one day."
Amazon are in a business where it is relatively cheap and easy to set up in competition, especially when it comes to selling e-books. Plus, books have lots of competition, and always will. Even if Amazon were the only place you could buy books, and they only sold e-books, and they charged £50 a book, there's no reason to think that Project Gutenberg, the Internet Archive and the like would stop offering out-of-copyright books for free. Which means that every £50 book from Amazon has to compete with loads of free books. They also have to compete with every other form of entertainment available - TV, films, music, (even web forums ;) )
While the demise of book shops wouldn't bother me a great deal, I
would be very sorry to see the demise of libraries. Unlike book shops, everywhere I've lived there has always been a local library, and over the years I've spent a great deal of time in them. Nowadays I take my son and daughter to the local library, and I hope the library is still there when they're old enough to go by themselves.
Unfortunately libraries are also facing a lot of pressure Russell. In Lincolnshire the council is proposing closing 41 out of 47 libraries >:(
I started wargaming through finding book the Wesencraft book in my local library (which is now Leon's local library). It would be awful to think they disappear from communities altogether
Quote from: goat major on 11 December 2013, 11:40:38 AM
Unfortunately libraries are also facing a lot of pressure Russell. In Lincolnshire the council is proposing closing 41 out of 47 libraries >:(
Yeah, I know libraries are under pressure these days, and that is a real pisser. I've not heard of any libraries being under threat here, though there is a threat to the local museums. My local council is currently seeking feedback on their budget plans for next year, I sent mine in last week, and I really hope they don't end up closing any museums, though I suspect that they will :(
My kids and I spend most Saturday mornings in either the library or the museum. It'd be a real shame to lose either of them.
Greetings
Solzhenitsyn's 'August 1914'.
In relation to the ebook debate I'd looked for it on kindle and not found it, so decided that at some point I would get a second hand hardcopy. The next weekend I saw a copy on the bookstall at the local church Christmas bazaar for 40p.
Regards
Edward
Square Bashing rules
I need to go and find my copy of Silent Night: The Remarkable Christmas Truce of 1914 to read over xmas.
Rich.
Half way through Max Hastings "Catastrophe" and I am enjoying it :)
The Fighting Wessex Wyverns by Patrick Delaforce. Just started it and as with his other books very good so far. I bought a load of others for my 50th birthday treat, so have a nice stack waiting to be started over Xmas and into the New Year :).
I'm reading Sharpes Tiger (again) and Jullllian Stockwins "Kydd" series..... with a splattering of Voices from WW1, A great book you can read at any point from any page!
Listening to 'Realm' by James Jackson....Set around the time of Armada.
Really enjoying it
Cheers - Phil.
The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard. Wonderful stuff !
Quote from: goat major on 14 December 2013, 08:00:59 AM
The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard. Wonderful stuff !
I really enjoyed the Brigadier Gerard stories. :-D They are great fun.
Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk
Half way through Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre, the story behind the "Man Who Never Was" deception. The circumstances behind the fiction were even more involved and fantastic than the film could ever hope to show and reinforce the old truism that people believe what they want to believe.
I am reading Master and God by Lindsey Davies ...not a Falco one but really good story set in the time of Domitian
Rothenberg's 'The Army of Francis Joseph' and Henderson's 'Worth' (both Christmas presents from wife and children but if you wait until they've gone to bed, then verrrrry carefully peel the selotape away from the bottom corner ... )
Mr Selfridge...sauce without chips....a must read,
also reading...In search of the Dark Ages-Michael Wood...
Fenton wrote:
QuoteI am reading Master and God by Lindsey Davies ...not a Falco one but really good story set in the time of Domitian
Have to say I thought it was one of the worst books I've read :( Not patch on the early Falco novels.
The "fly" chapter more or less finsihed it for me :o
Well I would agree its not as good as the Falco books but its an interesting way of giving an overview of the history of the period
I wonder how the Falco's daughter informer books will be received or are there just to many Roman detectives about now
I think you're probably right - the ancient detective world is getting a little ovepopulated.
One of the ones I like is Gordianus the Finder in the Roma sub Rosa series. Worth checking out if you like toga'd sleuths :)
I still like the Marylin Todd Books as well as David Wishart. The Medicus books by Ruth Downie are good as well
The Gordianus ones aren't bad just dont like the character
I quite like the Rosemary Rowe ones as well
Keane's Company by Ian Gale. Very good and some insight into a relatively unknown aspect of the Peninsular War - the spy network. And a good story to boot.
DaveL
Just reading Secrets of the Fire Sea by Stephen Hunt . I have really come to love VSF and between Hunt and Cherie Priest I am really spoiled . I even broke one of my own rules and purchased a set of In her magestys Name rules.!
Just begun Terry Pratchett's latest, Raising Steam. Not hard to tell that Pratchett is a steam fan. Looking good so far.
Snap, Ray !
Cheers - Phil.
Ah, Christmas, what would would we read without it? :D
Spend the money on lead instead?
Not my money! ;)
I must be going through an aviation phase at the moment :-[
I have just read The Vulcan Story 1952-2002 by Tim Laming, which was a good read for anyone like me who used to love watching those gracefull beasts at airshows.
My wife bought me Goosepool, The History of RAF and RCAF Middleton St George and Teesside Airport by Stanley D Howes which gives a good history of the airport and the crews who flew from there.
All the Countries We've Ever Invaded: And the Few We Never Got Round To - by Stuart Laycock.
Quite enjoyable. It just goes to show how bellicose we Brits are.
It needed spell-checking though (the example that springs to mind is the word Napoloen/Napoloenic).
A fine addition my my porcelain library.
Geoff
Been listening to 'Bomber' by Len Deighton over the past couple of days while I've been pushing putty around.
(The Radio 4 adaptation from years ago.).....
I was MOST impressed....Got totally involved in it even though it was fictional.
That was a £3 bargain from the local market !....Looked up what people wanted for it on Amazon....Stroll on !!
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Techno on 31 December 2013, 11:08:38 AM
Been listening to 'Bomber' by Len Deighton over the past couple of days while I've been pushing putty around.
(The Radio 4 adaptation from years ago.).....
I was MOST impressed....Got totally involved in it even though it was fictional.
That was a £3 bargain from the local market !....Looked up what people wanted for it on Amazon....Stroll on !!
Cheers - Phil.
I found Bomber genuinely harrowing, fiction, well yes but every incident (including the bombed hospital decanting its occupants into the fire) was based in fact. I first listened to it with an old Bomber Command chum of mine, DFC DFM, the real deal; the only emotion he showed was when the poor pilot threw the towel in and was LMF'd all medals to be returned; so unfair, he said, they'd just reached the end of their rope, can't do better than your best, and that from a genuine hero, he understood what they'd endured, an insight not normally vouchsafed to shiny bums.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 29 December 2013, 05:44:14 PM
Just begun Terry Pratchett's latest, Raising Steam. Not hard to tell that Pratchett is a steam fan. Looking good so far.
I knew there was something I forgot to ask for on my Christmas list
Quote from: cameronian on 31 December 2013, 01:25:14 PM
I found Bomber genuinely harrowing, fiction,
Definitely Cam.....But I couldn't stop listening.....It was
so well done......In many respects far too well.....Although fiction, it
was very uncomfortable (to say the least)....Certainly as I was assuming a lot of the 'plot' was 'lifted' from real events/happenings.
Cheers - Phil.
Just finished Al Murray's 'Watching War films with my Dad' a great read and much of it similar to my own experiences/outlook
I'm reading Devils With Wings by Harvey Black. It's about a Fallschirmjager platoon in WWII, first in Poland, then assaulting Eben Emael.
It's very good, a real page-turner.
Sent from my HTC Desire X using Tapatalk
Quote from: NTM on 31 December 2013, 03:42:30 PM
Just finished Al Murray's 'Watching War films with my Dad' a great read and much of it similar to my own experiences/outlook
Just started it. It's actually quite interesting - not what I was expecting at all!
Quote from: Techno on 31 December 2013, 02:28:28 PM
Definitely Cam.....But I couldn't stop listening.....It was so well done......In many respects far too well.....Although fiction, it was very uncomfortable (to say the least)....Certainly as I was assuming a lot of the 'plot' was 'lifted' from real events/happenings.
Cheers - Phil.
I know what you mean Phil, morbidly compelling, when the crewman got shot in the face with the phozzy shell I had to leave the room.
I think morbidly compelling sums it up perfectly Cam.
Having not done any checking before I started listening, I couldn't be sure that I wasn't listening to a dramatized version of true events.....
Took a little while before I was fully sure that it WAS just a 'made up' story.
What (I assume) were non actors (RAF & Luftwaffe crew/pilots....also civilians) chipping in with their own memories of wartime horrors, every so often, gave it a dreadfully realistic feel.
Cheers - Phil.
Phil were you aware that it was first broadcast in 'real time' starting early in the morning and finishing late at night?
Hi Cam.
Yes.... That bit I did read from the cover plate. :)
I'm guessing that that made it even more compelling !
There was no 'real time' for me when I listened to it....and that was 'bad enough' !
Cheers - Phil.
Still Mr Selfridge......
Gave up trying to listen to "The October List" by Jeffery Dever.......
'Cos it's done backwards......You start with the last chapter and then go on (back ?) to the previous chapter.....and then again...and again until you get to how the story 'started'.
That is.... the last chapter you listen to is really the first chapter in the story.
Confused ?.....I was.
Cheers - Phil.
So did you fail to finish it or fail to start it ? :-\
Well....I listened to the last/first chapter.....(No.36, I think).....Then went on (backwards ?) to chapter 35.....Then lost interest completely. =) =)
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Techno on 03 February 2014, 08:49:31 PM
That is.... the last chapter you listen to is really the first chapter in the story.
Confused ?.....I was.
Similar to "Times Arrow" (Martin Amis).
Told via reverse chronology; it's the stroy of a Nazi concentration camp "doctor". Very powerful, if utterly disturbing read. Highy recommended.
I'm sure it could be made to work.....I just thought the 'last' chapter wasn't much of a finale anyway.
It seemed more like it should have been the penultimate chapter.
So it was never going to work...for me, at least.
Cheers - Phil.
Finally finished Not Ordinary Men, the story of the Siege of Kohima in 1944. What intrigued me was to find that the campaign was by no means done and dusted when Kohima was relieved. There followed months of arduous "winkling-out" of isolated Japanese garrisons from ingeniously constructed bunkers, after which the battalions of 7th Indian and 2nd Divisions were reduced in some cases to under two hundred men. And all in the unrelenting downpour of an Indo-Burmese monsoon. :o :o :o
Greetings
A mix of Norman Stone's 'The Eastern Front 1914-1917', Showalter's book 'Tannenberg Clash of Empires' and Golovine's (translated) 'The Russian Campaign of 1914'.
Regards
Edward
Just finished listening to "The Sparrows of Sycamore Road."
Should have bee put off by the cover when I borrowed it.....But as it was set during the Blitz, I thought it might have been OK.
Ooops !.....Somewhat (Oh, all right, FAR too) twee for my liking.....
"And they all lived happily ever after.".....Sort of !
Passed a few hours I suppose. (:| (:| (:|
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: kustenjaeger on 05 February 2014, 01:41:07 PM
Greetings
A mix of Norman Stone's 'The Eastern Front 1914-1917', Showalter's book 'Tannenberg Clash of Empires' and Golovine's (translated) 'The Russian Campaign of 1914'.
Regards
Edward
If this is your period don't forget Solzenitzyn's 'August 1914', fantastic.
Hi. Just finished Scarrow's "Arena". Brilliant. Also just read Cornwell's "Pagan Lord" Again, a very good read.
Have now started the first of 5 books about "Marius' Mules" - Roman Army in the time of Caesar. Read about 100 pages, and so far very IMPRESSED.
Best Wishes DaveL
Just picked up D-Day by Ambrose in WHSmiths: £5 in hardback 8)
Also got Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: £5 in hardback as well (that one's for Isaac [7], honest ;))
Reading "D-Day with the Screaming Eagles" by George Koskimaki. It's pretty good, lot of personal stuff, a lot like Ambrose's works in that it's a collection of stories thrown together into a single narrative to tell the story. I'm through the lead-up/training, the drop itself, and almost finished with actions on 6 June 1944.
Jack
Don't know if this counts, but currently listening to the complete unabridged and annotated Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (10 and 57 discs respectively) on my cd system while I sit painting a heap of metal.
Quote from: sixsideddice on 09 February 2014, 04:32:29 AM
Don't know if this counts, but currently listening to the complete unabridged and annotated Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (10 and 57 discs respectively) on my cd system while I sit painting a heap of metal.
That definitely counts and shows very good taste :-bd A HOTT army by any chance? ;D
QuoteA HOTT army by any chance?
;D
I`m torn between using HOTT2 and my own LotR rules system at the moment ;)
A quick zoom through what (gaming-wise) I'm reading at the moment...
http://nikharwood.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/rules-reading-list.html (http://nikharwood.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/rules-reading-list.html)
If anybody is interested in WW-2 Naval warfare be sure to read 'Last stand of the Tin Can Sailors' about the USN/IJN at the battle off Samar in october '44.
The story about Taffy 3 during the naval engagement around the Phillipines is absolutely breathtaking. Personal, bloody and accurate; one of the best books I've read in years!
Cheers,
Rob
Sister-in-law gave me Game of Thrones by George R R Martin for my birthday. I've never watched the TV series so it comes as completely fresh. Not as truly dreadful as I expected, but I still can't make heads or tails of the maps after a week's trying.
Warhammer Historicals' 'Age of Arthur' which is extremely good :).
Quote from: Steve J on 10 February 2014, 08:57:23 AM
Warhammer Historicals' 'Age of Arthur' which is extremely good :).
That's wargamer porn right there, Steve ;) ;D
Panzergrenadier Divisions 1939-1945 by Chris Bishop
Inspiration in an attempt to break "painter's block."
Still Mr Selfridge....................
Just finished 'Alexandra' (again).....Now on listening to Lustrum by Robert Harris. (Well, I AM about to start on the Imperial Romans, so these are slightly relevant....at least they have got 'Romans' in them. ;))
Cheers - Phil
Halfway through Rome's Fallen Eagle by Robert Fabbri, part of another series based on an historical personage as action hero. This time it's Vespasian. I have to say that this is one of the better ones - almost up to Conn Igulden's standard. And there are at least three more books in the series. :-bd
Techno,
Maybe Rosemary Sutcliffe's 'Eagle of The Nineth' may be more apt as you do them and finish the Picts!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 09 March 2014, 11:07:18 AM
Techno,Maybe Rosemary Sutcliffe's 'Eagle of The Nineth' may be more apt as you do them and finish the Picts!
Only if I can get it as a talking book, Will...I can only
listen when I'm pushing putty about...But I have got my own copy of 'Clavdivs' now.....I'll soon be playing that again. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/audiobook/the-eagle-of-the-ninth/id426856229 ;)
Quote from: Techno on 09 March 2014, 12:21:36 PM
Only if I can get it as a talking book, Will...I can only listen when I'm pushing putty about...But I have got my own copy of 'Clavdivs' now.....I'll soon be playing that again. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Snap! I really can't work unless I have something to listen to, and its a great way to read things I otherwise wouldn't have time to. I am on book 3 of Shelby Foote's Civil War trilogy this morning, its huge and has been keeping me going for a few weeks now.
Clib
I am not sure if you know this but N.I libraries have loads of audio books online
LibriVox.org is great for being read lots of old books.
"Legions of Rome: The definitive history of every Roman legion." Stephen Dando-Collins
Does what it says really: the history of EVERY Roman legion from creation to disbandment or destruction: awesome. Also includes a study of Roman unit organisation.
Got it on my Kindle for £1.99!!! Bargain :)
Our local library gives us access to this
http://www.recordedbooks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=rb.ocd
though I am sure its available throughout the UK
Sounds (ahem :-[) interesting gang !
Cheers - Phil
Oh sorry, Techno. You know your wax cylinders? Well they now do them as plate like things for the new fashioned phonograph. Then, they took them and made them smaller and used a type of magic called "laser" to put them onto little disks. This was by converting the sound into a lot of little one and zeros, it's called digitised. Now, they don't even need the compact disks, and you can get the digitised sounds on your computer. You can buy books being read by people at a number of sites on the world wide web at places like Amazon. You can also get them free on LibriVox. You can get a copy of them on your computer.
Conmputer? Well you know your typewriter ...
;D ;D ;D
=O =O =O
;D ;D ;D
He has a point...you are like...really really...erm...well...mature :D
I could really, really go off some people. :P ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil (Black book time for the pair of you.)
Is that the same balck book you had last year Phil? Your chisel must be starting to wear out by now, FSN could tell you about papyrus if you wanted,its the up and coming medium I hear
Quote from: Fenton on 09 March 2014, 07:49:43 PM
Is that the same balck book you had last year Phil? Your chisel must be starting to wear out by now, FSN could tell you about papyrus if you wanted,its the up and coming medium I hear
Nah, wax tablet. I've heard he's a dab hand with the stylus :D
I hear tablets are the in thing?
I've got
hundreds of tablets.......They're a bit small to write on though.
Quote from: Fenton on 09 March 2014, 07:49:43 PM
Is that the same balck book you had last year Phil? Your chisel must be starting to wear out by now, FSN could tell you about papyrus if you wanted,its the up and coming medium I hear.
Still the same one, Steve......I'm using the big bit of bluestone that some old friends left lying about near here a little while a go..(seems like only yesterday)...They said they were going to build something big and impressive, but that the one I'm chipping away at, was surplus to requirements.
Dunno what happened to the other lumps they gouged out.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Ithoriel on 09 March 2014, 10:10:51 PM
I hear tablets are the in thing?
Yes I've got a clay kindle.
IanS
Perhaps there's a cream that can ease that? :(
Quote from: ianrs54 on 10 March 2014, 08:00:44 AM
Yes I've got a clay kindle.
IanS
Must make turning the pages a little problematical.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 10 March 2014, 08:23:58 AM
Must make turning the pages a little problematical.
I think I may have posted the link before but here's the Help Desk solving a "paging" problem :)
Just finished reading Field Grey by Phillip Kerr about Bernie Gunther a 1930's Berlin policeman though the story jumps back and forward between then and 1954...loads of books in the series .....highly recommended
I discovered him a few months ago and read the entire series in a fortnight, not great literature but definitely page turning stuff with lots of fascinating little snippets of history thrown in.
Literature = all those books the critics laud but which no one can be bothered to read. :d
Just finished 'Happy Odyssey', the memoirs of General Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart, VC. He was twice wounded in the 2nd Boer War, lost an eye in Somaliland, was wounded several times, including the loss of a hand, in the Great War, and survived a crash-landing in the sea and became a POW in Italy in the Second World War. He served as a model for Brigadier Ben Ritchie-Hook in Waugh's 'Sword of Honour' trilogy. He headed the British Military Mission during the Polish-Soviet War where he was a great success with the Polish officer corps since, as Norman Davies puts it, 'he was wealthy, aristocratic, cosmopolitan, Catholic, heroic, and indefatigably foolhardy.' The memoirs make a fascinating read and you have to admire the old-fashioned modesty of the man: he does not once mention his VC.
Just finished Raising Steam by T Pratchett...bit disappointed I think this the third or 4th book in a row now by him I havnt actually laughed at during any part of the book
Quote from: Fenton on 15 March 2014, 09:55:27 AM
Just finished Raising Steam by T Pratchett...bit disappointed I think this the third or 4th book in a row now by him I havnt actually laughed at during any part of the book
Even struggling with early-onset Alzheimer's disease he writes a better yarn than most. The recent books were amusing rather than laugh-out-loud funny but I still enjoyed them immensely.
They are getting darker...
Started off silly...
Then became funny with a hint of social conscience...
Now dark with puns.
Funny though, I've loved every stage :-\
still Mr Selfridge......too busy painting...
"How the Light gets in"....By Louise Penny.
Apparently the ninth and final (?) book in a series about corruption in a section of the Canadian police force. (Fiction)
Pity.....It's been rather good.....But now I know how al the loose knots from the earlier stories tie together, I wouldn't want to listen to them. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Just started Mike Rapport's '1848: Year of Revolution.' So far a lively, detailed read. Best anecdote thus far concerns a Spanish exponent of militarist reaction who, on his death-bed, was urged by his confessor to forgive all his enemies. 'I don't have any,' he replied, 'I've had them all shot.'
Quote from: Maj Gen von Wedel-Wedelsborg on 16 March 2014, 02:45:24 PM
Just started Mike Rapport's '1848: Year of Revolution.' So far a lively, detailed read. Best anecdote thus far concerns a Spanish exponent of militarist reaction who, on his death-bed, was urged by his confessor to forgive all his enemies. 'I don't have any,' he replied, 'I've had them all shot.'
I've always been taken with Macchiavelli's deathbed scene:
Priest: My son, do you renounce the devil and all his works?
Macchiavelli: Father, this is no time to be making enemies.
Almost worth becoming a Catholic to have a parting shot like that to look forward to.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 16 March 2014, 03:12:47 PM
I've always been taken with Macchiavelli's deathbed scene:
Priest: My son, do you renounce the devil and all his works?
Macchiavelli: Father, this is no time to be making enemies.
Almost worth becoming a Catholic to have a parting shot like that to look forward to.
I always thought that quote was attributed to Voltaire
If one believes Wikipedia, they give the following account of Voltaire
"The accounts of his deathbed have been numerous and varying, and it has not been possible to establish the details of what precisely occurred. His enemies related that he repented and accepted the last rites given by a Catholic priest, or that he died under great torment, while his adherents told how he was defiant to his last breath. According to one story, his last words were, "Now is not the time for making new enemies." It was his response to a priest at the side of his deathbed, asking Voltaire to renounce Satan."
Damn. I'd rather have an Italian say it. But it's none the worse in French.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 16 March 2014, 11:29:04 PM
Damn. I'd rather have an Italian say it. But it's none the worse in French.
This forum really needs a "like" feature :)
It seems on further inquiry that it may have been neither of them, and possibly only a joke. Reality is letting us down, folks.
Reality generally does.....
IanS
Begun Kohima 1944 by Chris Brown - one of the Battle Story Series. Slightly disappointed to find that Mr Brown seems to think that Kohima is in Burma.... :o
Regarding Voltaire's death-bed, the fullest account I've come across is that in 'Death and the Enlightenment', John McManners, OUP, 1981, pages 265-9. He argues convincingly that Voltaire wanted to be buried according to the rites of the church, to avoid scandal and because he felt that he had a duty as a royal official and a member of the Academy to do so. However, he did not want to disown his writings or recognise the divinity of Christ or the efficacy of the sacraments. He received the absolution, which was needed for the burial to go ahead, from a somewhat naive priest whom he then refused to see again. His nephew recorded everything in proper legal form in case a law suit ensued on his death forbidding the burial. 'He paid tribute to social decencies, the institutional framework of morality and the traditions of his nation.' When asked towards the end if he recognised the divinity of Christ his reply was 'Laissez-moi mourir en paix'--'Let me die in peace.'
Quote from: FierceKitty on 17 March 2014, 03:43:41 AM
It seems on further inquiry that it may have been neither of them, and possibly only a joke. Reality is letting us down, folks.
Who does one apply to to get a history rewrite ?...I was thinking Hollywood but that might be too expensive, any other suggestions?
Just in the middle or reading ' The Man who died laughing' by Tarquin Hall, books are about an Indian private detective Vish Puri and his detective agency, well written and funny, and the crimes are nicely thought out with lots of Indian background flavour to the novels..Recommended
Quote from: Fenton on 17 March 2014, 11:16:47 AM
Who does one apply to to get a history rewrite ?...I was thinking Hollywood but that might be too expensive, any other suggestions?
What a question for a wargamer to ask! What's our hobby all about?
Just completed 'Her Privates We' by Frederic Manning, published 1929, a fictionalised memoir of the author's time as a 'gentleman ranker' on the Somme in 1916. I was very impressed by the way it gave a voice to the ordinary tommy (the original edition had to be published privately because the language would have been censored otherwise). The experiences of battle and of the pointless shuffling about behind the line are both very vividly presented. A remarkable piece of work.
Yes I liked it too, bit bleak; have you read 'The Advance to Mons' ?
Past few weeks....Listened to ....
"Guns in the gallery" by Simon Brett.....OK (ish)...A tad 'twee'.
"How the light gets in" by Louise Penny......Loved that one ! (About political and police corruption in Canada.)
"When will there be good news" by Kate Atkinson......Bit disappointed with that one in the end.
"Alexandria" by Lindsey Davis (again).....Great stories, great characters in this series..
Currently listening to "Found wanting" by Robert Goddard....A 'conspiracy theory' mystery type fiction, about the death of the Russian Royal family......Jumps about a bit too much....rather a daft plot line..... but reasonably entertaining.
I wonder what the library van will have on board today. ;) .....Some more Lindsey Davis, I hope.
Cheers - Phil.
Currently reading "Ides of April" by Lindsey Davis. Albia Flavia has taken over the family profession from Marcus Didius. Having been enormously fond of Marcus and Helena I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it but I've been pleasantly surprised.
Quote from: Maj Gen von Wedel-Wedelsborg on 25 March 2014, 07:24:48 PM
Just completed 'Her Privates We' by Frederic Manning, published 1929, a fictionalised memoir of the author's time as a 'gentleman ranker' on the Somme in 1916. I was very impressed by the way it gave a voice to the ordinary tommy (the original edition had to be published privately because the language would have been censored otherwise). The experiences of battle and of the pointless shuffling about behind the line are both very vividly presented. A remarkable piece of work.
Indeed. "Privates" in this context being locate below the belt! :D
Quote from: cameronian on 26 March 2014, 08:37:43 AM
Yes I liked it too, bit bleak; have you read 'The Advance to Mons' ?
No, but I'll look out for a copy, thanks.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 26 March 2014, 09:54:32 AM
Indeed. "Privates" in this context being locate below the belt! :D
Very much so---the middle parts of Fortune!
Quote from: Maj Gen von Wedel-Wedelsborg on 26 March 2014, 04:46:11 PM
No, but I'll look out for a copy, thanks.
Excellent account of German advance and first contact with BEF (they didn't enjoy the experience); written by Walter Blum (father killed at Spichern); nice chap, traditional 19th century German nationalist, decidedly not anti-Semitic but post Versailles threw in his lot with the NDSPD; son killed on eastern front; rather tragic figure but commanding respect - IMHO.
my menu, I`m starving.... ;)
=O =((
Quote from: Maj Gen von Wedel-Wedelsborg on 26 March 2014, 04:47:27 PM
Very much so---the middle parts of Fortune!
Ah, these little embers of literacy in the ashes of post-Thatcher UK schooling!
Just started "Siege of Khartoum" by John Wilcox.
That's going to last a few days.......15 CDs.
Cheers - Phil
Does it take that long to read a cd ?
My preThatcher education must have failed me. ;)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 28 March 2014, 03:54:12 AM
Ah, these little embers of literacy in the ashes of post-Thatcher UK schooling!
Thatcher was still a Lincolnshire housewife when I left school.
Quote from: Techno on 28 March 2014, 07:52:05 AM
Just started "Siege of Khartoum" by John Wilcox.
That's going to last a few days.......15 CDs.
Cheers - Phil
I will have to have al ook online to see if the library has it for download..I find with audiobooks that even though the subject matter might be interesting , if we dont like the reader then we probably stop listening to it
Hi Steve...
The reader is Graham Padden.
I'm certain I've listened to another 'book' in this series 'starring' ex Captinn Simon Fonthill (set in India ?) and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This one's good too.
It IS fiction....In case you were thinking it's a factual account of the 'event'. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Just started Wolfe at Quebec
take care
andy
Re-reading Peter Fleming's 'Invasion 1940' which is about exactly that: the threatened Nazi invasion of these islands and the measures taken against it. I like his dry humour and well-chosen anecdotes, especially the account of "a 63 year old Zulu whose father had led one of Cetewayo's impis against the British and who had been at one time a lion-tamer; he was among the first volunteers [LDV, later Home Guard] in a coastal district of Glamorganshire where it was hoped that, if the invaders landed, his appearance on the foreshore might suggest to them a serious error in navigation had been made."
'Soldier Sahibs'; interesting history of the Sikh Wars and the Young Men on the North-West Frontier around the middle of the 19th century.
Lots of interesting personal accounts though slightly confusing with all of the characters, functions and positions that keep whirling around. Some decent maps throughout the book would have been nice too! Really hate having to look up that one map everytime and then find out that the town or pass mentioned in the text is not on it... :(
Ah well, I'll get used to it... someday...
Cheers,
Rob
Finished listening to the Siege of Khartoum....Thought it wasn't too bad at all.
Now on to 'The Quarry' by Ian Banks.
The 'hero' is portrayed as a tad 'strange' (very 'hyper')....But done sympathetically.....Quite enjoying it...Even though he admits to playing the EE's games on his computer early on in the story. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Just finished Thunder in May and following it with Seelowe Nord both by Andy Johnson, I'm trying to get my early WWII mojo back!!
"Arena" by Simon Scarrow and T. J. Andrews. A prequel to the Macro and Cato series.
Having been initiated into Robert Fabbri's Vespasian series I've just had to read all the rest of them. Finished Rome's Tribune, No 1, and now halfway through Rome's Executioner, No 2, I'm well immersed.
My father dropped off three of the Vespasian series last time he was here. Looking forward to reading them.
Andrzej Sapkowski's "Time of Contempt" (part of the Witcher series) up next though, after Arena.
Wading through the entire Terry Pratchett Discworld novels, a cracking read.
I am re reading Thief of Time as I type
'Soldier Sahibs'; interesting history of the Sikh Wars and the Young Men on the North-West Frontier around the middle of the 19th century.
Lots of interesting personal accounts though slightly confusing with all of the characters, functions and positions that keep whirling around. Some decent maps throughout the book would have been nice too! Really hate having to look up that one map everytime and then find out that the town or pass mentioned in the text is not on it... Sad
Ah well, I'll get used to it... someday...
Drives me nuts; maps with no N-S axis, no scale and half the places mentioned in the text omitted, grrrrrrrrrr >:(
Train spotters weekly
Quote from: marie on 07 April 2014, 08:42:39 PM
Train spotters weekly
Really ?
Do you have issue 603?, the one with the Double converse bogie controversy?
Excuse me. I think you'll find that under Section 6, Sub Section 4, Paragraph 3c of the "Pendraken Forum, Purchasers and Members Commentary", (version 6, with annotated maps and glossary) it clearly states that "Any that mention M____ R_______ in anything except a lampooning, derogatory or humorous purpose or as a matter of ridicule, shall fall forfeit as befits and amuses the Slightly Soiled Lord (now the Dark Lord) in whatever mood he shall be when presented with the accusation."
You two are in trouble!
Quote from: fsn on 07 April 2014, 09:48:39 PM
You two are in trouble!
Is that in a pretending to post as somebody else even after Aprils Fools day is over and being called an oik and being put in the 'Very Extra Special, just wait till I get to you' black book sort of trouble?
Well, I don't want to be the only one outside the headmaster's office.
It HAS gone in to the very Special Black Book reserved especially for extremely naughty boys.
It may seem a trifle harsh, but Matt has gone into the 'normal' black book for laughing.
Discipline must be maintained.
Cheers - Phil
Wow! Shadenfreude rules, OK! ;D
QuoteIt may seem a trifle harsh, but Matt has gone into the 'normal' black book for laughing.
:o no fair!
(Its all FSN's fault, my mom says I shouldn't sit by him)
Quote from: Techno on 03 April 2014, 12:04:27 PM
Now on to 'The Quarry' by Ian Banks.The 'hero' is portrayed as a tad 'strange' (very 'hyper')....But done sympathetically.....Quite enjoying it...Even though he admits to playing the EE's games on his computer early on in the story. ;)Cheers - Phil
Don't worry Matt.
Life has just got its own back on me....... =)
The story (above) that I was quite enjoying, seemed to have a very abrupt and unfinished 'ending'......Until I checked, and found that the final CD was missing.
The fact that there was no "We hope you have enjoyed....Other titles available from Isis Audio Books etc"...Should have set alarm bells ringing.
I presume that the last person that borrowed it has either left it in his or her CD player, or put it back into the case of another 'book' he/she had at the time :'( :'( :'(
Damn Oik !!
Cheers - Grumpy of Wales. ;)
I suppose I'll get the blame for that as well!
:P
PS They all die, but I don't know if I care or not.
Quote from: fsn on 08 April 2014, 11:59:13 AM
I suppose I'll get the blame for that as well! :P
Yup !! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 08 April 2014, 11:51:44 AM
Don't worry Matt.
Life has just got its own back on me....... =)
The story (above) that I was quite enjoying, seemed to have a very abrupt and unfinished 'ending'......Until I checked, and found that the final CD was missing.
The fact that there was no "We hope you have enjoyed....Other titles available from Isis Audio Books etc"...Should have set alarm bells ringing.
I presume that the last person that borrowed it has either left it in his or her CD player, or put it back into the case of another 'book' he/she had at the time :'( :'( :'(
Damn Oik !!
Cheers - Grumpy of Wales. ;)
Thats happened to me more than enough...I download them from the library instead
Just finished Peter Green's 'Alexander of Macedon'. V enjoyable and informative. Scholarly, detailed (good on battles) and witty: "We may doubt, then, that Archelaus' support for the arts made any impression beyond his immediate entourage. Most Macedonian nobles preferred the more manly pleasures of hunting, carousing, and casual fornication. Sodomy--with young boys or, at a pinch, with each other-- they also much enjoyed; but they had no intention of letting it be contaminated with decadent Platonic notions of spiritual uplift."
Quote from: Maj Gen von Wedel-Wedelsborg on 08 April 2014, 07:04:34 PM
Just finished Peter Green's 'Alexander of Macedon'. V enjoyable and informative. Scholarly, detailed (good on battles) and witty: "We may doubt, then, that Archelaus' support for the arts made any impression beyond his immediate entourage. Most Macedonian nobles preferred the more manly pleasures of hunting, carousing, and casual fornication. Sodomy--with young boys or, at a pinch, with each other-- they also much enjoyed; but they had no intention of letting it be contaminated with decadent Platonic notions of spiritual uplift."
If you like this period I recommend Mary Renault's 'The Alexander Trilogy', excellent.
Agreed. I read them a while back and should re-read them. I was hooked on the Greeks in Persia after doing a book of the 'Anabasis' for O Grade Greek back in 1965. Renault captures that world beautifully.
Christian Cameron, the long war series. Very similar to Bernard Cornwell but set during the Greek Persian Wars.
Quote from: Hussargeneral on 08 April 2014, 07:51:40 PM
Christian Cameron, the long war series. Very similar to Bernard Cornwell but set during the Greek Persian Wars.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll put it on the list!
Beasts of no nation
Quote from: marie on 08 April 2014, 10:22:01 PM
Beasts of no nation
Is that a title, Marie, or just your general opinion of the forum? ;)
Beasts of No Nation film - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1365050/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1365050/)
Worlds of Arthur by Guy Halsall, not very far through but interesting enough
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Worlds-Arthur-Facts-Fictions-Dark/dp/019965817X/ref=la_B001HD1NSC_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397036789&sr=1-1
An old, battered volume of Punch, got for a ten bob note at a jumble sale decades back, full of fine Tenniel cartoons relating to the Zulu and Afghan Wars plus some witty cartoons by du Maurier on the aesthetic movement of the period involving Mrs Ponsonby de Tomkyns and Mr & Mrs Cimabue Brown. Great stuff. Bismarck is depicted in cuirassier uniform with cigar and tankard of Black Velvet throughout: stereotyipng or what?
In the past few weeks...
Listened to 'Flesh wounds' by Chris Brookmyre, 'Deadly Business' by Quintin Jardine, 'Chasing Darkness' by Robert Crais and 'The Uninvited' by Liz Jensen.
First three were very enjoyable, but 'The Uninvited' fizzled out quite spectacularly.
I'd describe it as a sort of sci/fi supernatural 'thriller', and it was fairly creepy for the first half of the story but ended as a 'damp squib'.
I really should be listening to my own copy of 'Claudius' while I'm making the 'Imperial Romans'..but I've borrowed too many books from the library to give that one another listen for the time being. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 25 April 2014, 07:39:37 AM
I really should be listening to my own copy of 'Claudius' while I'm making the 'Imperial Romans'..but I've borrowed too many books from the library to give that one another listen for the time being. ;)
I'd suggest Simon Scarrow's Macro and Cato series as inspiration for Early Imperial Romans rather than "I, Clavdivs"
Hi I.
"CLAVDIVS" is a fictionalized account of the Romans invading our fair shores, set around 43AD.....I assume that the author (Douglas Jackson) has done a fair old bit of research and then 'shoehorned' that into parts of the story itself....I suppose I would describe it as an historical 'thriller'....But it's very enjoyable. ;)
Lots of political intrigue....Lots of battles....and what I assume is a reasonable amount of accuracy.
Cheers - Phil :)
(And it's got a 'hefferlump' in it too.)
Oh, that one. More appropriate than the more political "I Claudius" right enough. My recollection is of a little too much graphic violence for my taste and of a book that could have done with a bit of careful pruning in the third quarter of the story but a good read none the less.
Still recommend Scarrow over this :)
Edited to deal with predictive text >:( Scarrow NOT Sparrow =)
Quote from: Techno on 25 April 2014, 11:50:54 AM
(And it's got a 'hefferlump' in it too.)
The grammar on this forum is slipping again, it's 'han hefferlump'. :P
Quote from: Ithoriel on 25 April 2014, 12:45:09 PM
Oh, that one. More appropriate than the more political "I Claudius" right enough. My recollection is of a little too much graphic violence for my taste and of a book that could have done with a bit of careful pruning in the third quarter of the story but a good read none the less.Still recommend Sparrow over this :)
Thanks I. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 25 April 2014, 01:04:43 PM
The grammar on this forum is slipping again, it's 'han hefferlump'. :P
Of course.....What a mistake-a-to-make ! ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Ithoriel on 25 April 2014, 10:06:03 AM
I'd suggest Simon Scarrow's Macro and Cato series as inspiration for Early Imperial Romans rather than "I, Clavdivs"
Try Robert Fabbri's "Vespasian" series if you like blood and guts combined with a well-researched plot line. The latest book,
The Lost Eagle of Rome covers the Claudian invasion of Britain.
Currently reading 'The Game of Kings' by Dorothy Dunnett and enjoying it greatly. It's about 40-50 years old but somehow I missed it until now. Six fat volumes in the series set between 1547 and 1558 all over Europe and beyond.
Rereading Okinawa 1945 by Ian Gow.
Recommend it if you're interested in that era.
Hopefully will get me moving on my 10mm Japanese force again, sort of hit a wall with them.
Is the Game of Kings actual-historical or pseudo-historical ?
"Is it actual-historical or pseudo-historical?" Hard to say as I've only started volume one. The basis is in Scottish history certainly and many of the characters are actual historical figures. I'll have to read a good bit more before I can give an informed answer.
Tannenberg Clash of Empires - Dennis E. Showalter
Cracking account of the build up of the German and Russian forces in early 1914 and the initial engagements. Lots of blundering around with poor reconnaissance, lots of opportunity for smaller engagements such as Landwehr brigades (both mixed and infantry brigade compositions vs Russians.
and backing it up
Imperial German Army 1914 - 18; Organisation, structure, Orders of Battle - Hermann Cron, Translated by C.F. Colton, MA
Quote from: Techno on 25 April 2014, 11:50:54 AM
Hi I.
"CLAVDIVS" is a fictionalized account of the Romans invading our fair shores, set around 43AD.....I assume that the author (Douglas Jackson) has done a fair old bit of research and then 'shoehorned' that into parts of the story itself....I suppose I would describe it as an historical 'thriller'....But it's very enjoyable. ;)
Lots of political intrigue....Lots of battles....and what I assume is a reasonable amount of accuracy.
Cheers - Phil :)
(And it's got a 'hefferlump' in it too.)
I thought 'I CLAVDIVS' was written by Robert Graves ?
"I, Claudius" is about the Emperor Claudius and intrigue among the upper classes while "Claudius" is about the Claudian invasion of Britain as viewed by, among others, a Roman heffalump keeper. I think we need a meerkat to front a campaign to distinguish the two. Simples :)
"The Red Army Handbook" by Zaloga and Ness. Full of wonderful bits of information that I'm finding very useful for future use for wargames. Not a light read by any means but a great book none-the-less.
"Home before the leaves fall - A New History of the German invasion of 1914" by Ian Senior.
"Master and God" By Lindsey Davis......'Fraid I found it dragged on a bit at the end.
"Nemesis" By Lindsey Davis (again).....Like this one. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Currently wading my way through E.E. "Doc" Smith's complete Lensman series. Delightfully dated (they were written in the late forties) but still inventive and excellent story-telling. A good waiting-at-the-station-for-the-wife's-train time-filler.
The Lensman Series are superb.....read them when I was about 13 or 14....Loved them :)
Finished listening to....
"Hell Gate" by Linda Fairstein.......Thought it was great to start with......But it was just a little lame at the end.
"Paul Temple & The Margo Mystery " by Francis Durbridge....A nice change from some of the modern 'thrillers'.....thoroughly enjoyed it !
Now on to "The Thief" by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott....Seems quite promising.
Cheers - Phil
The River War by that nice Mr W.S. Churchill.
Quote from: Techno on 16 May 2014, 08:14:50 AM
"Master and God" By Lindsey Davis......'Fraid I found it dragged on a bit at the end.
"Nemesis" By Lindsey Davis (again).....Like this one. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Have always been a big Lindsey Davis fan, but I think she has gone off the boil with the switch from Falco to Flavia as the central character. Odd really.
Mollinary
Blockade Runner by David Kent-Lemon, about running the Union blockade into Charleston and Wilmington. Written in the first person - an English shipping clerk - and very much in the Victorian style. Not as much action as I was expecting as our hero spends much time ruminating on his lurve of a southern belle, whilst at the same time romping with an ex-prostitute in Nassau between voyages. Maybe there was plenty of action after all ;D ;D ;D
Started reading Michael Moorcock's Colonel Pyat series again; if you haven't read them you should; his cowardly publishers in the US withdrew the novels thirty years ago but they've just been re-released; highly recommended.
The actual "Colonel Pyat as the hero" series must be about the only Moorcock I *haven't* read! I find his stuff a bit samey and a bit new age these days, but I still harbour a very soft spot for the Corum celtic-ish series (as opposed to the "...of Swords" series), Edward Bastable and especially Jerry Cornelius :D
I've just managed to finsih the first "Bolitho" book (as a newly posted Frigate Captain in the Americas Rebellion), took me seven months due to new baby. Reading time is... sparse :D I've just started "Island in a sea of time" again (by SM Stirling). Modern day (well, @2000ish) Nantucket is sent back to @1250BC Bronze Age, and fun* ensues. Good series, flags a bit on the third book where he retells Rourkes Drift almost minute for minute between a Nantucket Expeditionary Force and fascist-Mycenaean barbarian auxiliaries, even going so far as to call the leader of the Nantucketeers Captain O'Rourke...
He nicks a couple of other historical actions, but none quite so blatantly! Apart from that it's good clean alt-history fun :)
*By fun, I mean not at all fun, for pretty much anyone
I have given up on the Dorothy Dunnett six-volume Lymond Saga at the end of the second book: completely exhausted my supply of willing suspension of disbelief.
A History of Assyria.
So far I have leaned two main things.
1) They were a bit lackadaisical in the building of temples, which had constantly to be rebuilt after it rained.
2) The army was used to gain tribute and plunder. The tribute and plunder was needed to maintain the army, which was used to gain tribute and plunder ...
Riveting read with some tongue twister names.
I'm rather looking forward to painting up an Assyrian army when I've recovered from my pike-and-pilum push. They do look good on the table, despite their piffling melee effect.
Quote from: fsn on 26 May 2014, 07:54:10 AM
A History of Assyria.
So far I have leaned two main things.
1) They were a bit lackadaisical in the building of temples, which had constantly to be rebuilt after it rained.
2) The army was used to gain tribute and plunder. The tribute and plunder was needed to maintain the army, which was used to gain tribute and plunder ...
..... and to rebuild the temples. ;)
Malaria cures..... ;D
Aint one....
IanS
Quote from: marie on 27 May 2014, 12:12:48 AM
Malaria cures..... ;D
So do salt, woodsmoke, and sunshine. All good for bringing home the bacon.
Didn't he write all Shakespeare's plays?
No, the consensus of desperate Ph. D. candidates is that Shakespeare's plays were written by somebody else with the same name.
Just finished listening to "Raising Steam" by TP.
About to start "Vespasian....Rome's Executioner", by Robert Fabbri.
I'm going to really miss the library van when it stops visiting in a few months ! :'( :'( :'(
Cheers - Phil
Raising Steam is the first TP book I havent bought, got it from the library and it was okish
Does your local library not have the overdrive or oneclick digital system that allows you to download audiobooks to your computer?
'The Fall of Carthage' Adrian Goldsworthy
so far good overview of the Punic wars
Quote from: Fenton on 03 June 2014, 11:34:48 AM
Raising Steam is the first TP book I havent bought, got it from the library and it was okish
Does your local library not have the overdrive or oneclick digital system that allows you to download audiobooks to your computer?
Whoops - finger troubles. Meant to say - asking Phil to do something technical......
Got my copy of Raising Steam for free on my Kindle.
ianS :D
I thought Raising Steam was only OK-ish too, Steve.
Not all that keen on the chap that was reading it, though.....
In some passages it sounds as though he's reading the words one.....at......a.....time, which is slightly irritating.
There is a download system at the library (which I see you've already spotted.... ;))......When I get the new PC.....and a new pair of speakers...(I blew the last ones up after fixing a new jack-plug onto a damaged lead*. :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[).....I'll probably give that a go.
* I was ashamed at doing that.....Sort of little soldering job that I can normally do with my eyes shut..... :-\.....Perhaps that was the problem.
Cheers - Phil
Armies of Bismark's Wars by Bruce Bassett Powell. It's a pretty good and very readable account of the development and structure of the Prussian army from 1815 to 1867 with an extensive section on the appearance and armament of the army in the 1860s.
Must read that.
Ooooooh!
And it's only £9 something on kindle. I have the original which only does shades of grey, but I also have the free kindle app on my laptop so I get the screen size figure illustrations in colour there.
Sorry has to be paper or I can't read it in the bath!
Quote from: cameronian on 04 June 2014, 11:09:42 AM
Sorry has to be paper or I can't read it in the bath!
Yeah, I can buy a whole heap of second-hand paperbacks for the cost of a tablet and if I drop one in the bath I wind up with a collection of pages I can still read.
When a man tires of London he reads a Kindle in the bath. P.S if you want the paper version fork out the £35!
King Tiger Vs IS2 from the Duel series by Osprey. In the past couple of weeks I have also read Jagdpanther Vs SU100 and Panther Vs Sherman.
I have loved the series, but have started to note that within these slim volumes, there is a growing tendency to move away from the core subject and take in general terms about a campaign that the vehicles were involved in. In that regard, it can feel a little like reading two books with a differing focus. I have written to Osprey to ask if this is intentional - depending on the answer, I may stop buying into the Duel series and spend more time with the Vanguard series.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 04 June 2014, 05:50:04 PM
When a man tires of London he reads a Kindle in the bath. P.S if you want the paper version fork out the £35!
When a man tires of London he pulls the electric fire into the bath.... X_X
London - I think we shall no go there - tis a silly place (with apologies to Monty Python)
ianS ;)
I re-re-rereading Creasy's 15 Decisive Battles of the World.
Apparently William had 50,000 (yes 50,000) cavalry and 5,000 infantry at Hastings, and Harold definitely copped one in the eye.
Creasy also goes on at length about how great England is because of the Normans. He wrote it in 1851, so I'm wondering about the political context.
At the moment it's 'the gruffalo' followed by 'the dinosaur that pooped a planet', every night for that the last month!I occasionally get 'the king of space' in there if the little man is still awake, haha!
My Little Shopping Bag and Hairy McLary From Donaldson's Dairy about six times a night here for my little one, although in the last few weeks her tastes have moved away from rhyming baby books to infant books with a plot, so there is hope...
Until she does this every five minutes:
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc94/madlemmey/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps58c7ebe5.jpg) (http://s214.photobucket.com/user/madlemmey/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps58c7ebe5.jpg.html)
And I wonder why I haven't read a whole book on months!
Is it me ?......Or is the terrain on the floor just a little on the large side for 10mm. ?
I see the cavalry have given up and gone mountain climbing. ;)
Cheers - Phil
;D =O =O =O :-bd
I thought it was a Dragoon
Do Dragoons ride three legged horses ?
Cheers - Phil
I know most kids would like to get on TV - but there must be another way.....
I've just finished 'The Knight who Saved England', the story of William Marshall, facinating stuff.
The newly reissued and revised On To Richmond rules, with a particular eye to the FPW variant. I think the morale/kill effects of the artillery for the FPW have been printed the wrong way round, but waiting for a response from Mark Severin to confirm this.
Finished listening to "Vespasian...Rome's Executioner"
Really enjoyed it.....I assume it weaved a certain amount of 'colour' fiction in with historical facts.
Those rulers in ancient Rome weren't very nice people, were they ? ;)
Complete & utter b******s would be nearer the mark.
For a total change, I'll be giving "Classic Tales of Horror" a go next week.
Cheers - Phil
My Classics Professor described 'the average Roman's personal politics as being somewhere to the right if Hitler, to the Left of Stalin and behind Gehengis Khan'!
If you read Terry Jones' 'Barbarians' it is very clear that Rome went into Dacia with one aim, extermination!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 06 June 2014, 09:00:58 PM
it is very clear that Rome went into Dacia with one aim, extermination!
I think that's a little unfair ... they were keen to loot anything worth having too :)
Quote from: Techno on 06 June 2014, 05:55:36 PM
Finished listening to "Vespasian...Rome's Executioner"
Really enjoyed it.....I assume it weaved a certain amount of 'colour' fiction in with historical facts.
Those rulers in ancient Rome weren't very nice people, were they ? ;)
Complete & utter b******s would be nearer the mark.
Cheers - Phil
You did exactly what I did, Phil, and started reading the series in the middle. If you get the first book
Tribune of Rome it fills in some of the missing detail.
I'll see if the library has got (can get) any of the others, Ray.
Thanks for the info ! :)
Cheers - Phil
Catastrophe: Europe Goes To War 1914. I've only just started this, so I'm still in the pre-war phase, but Max Hasting's take on events is fascinating. Like the book I've just read on the Prussian army of the 1860s, it's really well written and a very good read. As I said, his take on events is quite an eyeopener, eg. Gavrilo Princip killed the only man in Austria with the intent and power to prevent war with Russia; a number of influential Russians did not trust their French allies, and as for the Serbs.....! Anyone interested in the events of 1914 should give this a look.
What book was that (the one on the Prussian Army in the 1860s); have you read Sleepwalkers?
Reading The Great War by Les Carlyon again
Just finished listening to "Even" by Andrew Grant.
Totally over the top.....Involving a sort of 'black ops' agent from Royal Navy Intelligence....and some very naughty bad people.
I loved it.
Now onto "The prayer of the night shepherd", by Phil Rickman....Bit slow at the moment....I'm waiting for the murders to start. :D
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: cameronian on 16 June 2014, 12:40:04 PM
What book was that (the one on the Prussian Army in the 1860s); have you read Sleepwalkers?
Armies of Bismarck's Wars: the Prussian Army 1860-67 by Bruce Bassett-Powell - the first half is a very good analysis of the development of both the Prussian army and navy. The second half is an in depth description of the organisation and uniforms. There are 23 colour plates very much in the style of MAA illustrations. Much of the info can also be applied to 1870, especially as numerous units entered the war still wearing the pre-1867 uniform.
Thanks, I'll get that.
Prego!
Reading the late JG Farrell's 'Singapore Grip' again for the umpteenth time, such a tragedy that he died so young, 'Troubles' and 'The Siege of Krishnapur' are equally good.
War of the Worlds,Aftermath. Very steampunky with appearances of a young Churchill,and an unnamed Sherlock Holmes
Quote from: cameronian on 17 June 2014, 07:00:32 PM
Reading the late JG Farrell's 'Singapore Grip' again for the umpteenth time, such a tragedy that he died so young, 'Troubles' and 'The Siege of Krishnapur' are equally good.
I must watch out for the other two; enjoyed
The Siege of Krishnapur too. TY for the alert.
His final novel 'The Hill Station' is also good but v frustrating as it runs out before the end (author drowned in fishing accident, so tragic, fell into sea, had suffered from polio in later life with resulting loss of power to upper body, couldn't get back ashore), it would have been the final in the Empire Quartet, appositely dealing with the British withdrawal from India. Such a loss.
Not to mention Die Kunst der Fuge, the requiem mass, Edwin Drood, Sanditon....
Just finished Penumbra by Eric Brown. Well told, middle-of-the-road sci-fi. Must see if I can find more.
Just started The Siege of Brest 1941: A Legend of Red Army Resistance on the Eastern Front by Aliev, Rostislav
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 16 June 2014, 09:55:05 PM
Armies of Bismarck's Wars: the Prussian Army 1860-67 by Bruce Bassett-Powell - the first half is a very good analysis of the development of both the Prussian army and navy. The second half is an in depth description of the organisation and uniforms. There are 23 colour plates very much in the style of MAA illustrations. Much of the info can also be applied to 1870, especially as numerous units entered the war still wearing the pre-1867 uniform.
Arrived today so only a brief look; bit disappointed by the quality of the B&W plates, also one caption, Prussian Infantry crossing the Bistritz is a bit misleading since I can see boats in the background and also mountains; the Bistritz it is not ;D however that said its good to have books on the period so I won't get hypercritical.
A Study in Scarlet. Victorian pulp is always fun to relax with.
I'm reading "A Storm of Spears: Understanding the Greek Hoplite in Action [Kindle Edition] " by Christopher Matthew, or possibly Matthew Christopher. Ought to be a law against people having two given names and not a proper family name. Saul David - he's another one, and that Elton John. Still, who'd want to be called Reg?
"A Storm of Spears" is a very detailed analysis of the Hoplite in action - sort of as the name suggests. The Author makes a very good case for the overhand use of the spear being heroic rather than practical and argues persuasively for hoplites standing obliquely in line (rather than full front or side on) and using the spear underhand. The plethora of overhand poses on vases he suggests are either javelins, or a convention based on the memory of javelins, and perhaps all the better to show off the figure.
I have some problems with his thesis. Potters were probably part time hoplites, so I would have thought a few would have said "this is all wrong, I'm going to put underhand spear action", but the book is very interesting, and very detailed.
What is the evidence for oblique files? It sounds a heck of a lot more difficult to me. And even pikes were used at high port in modern times (and, indeed, bayonettes).
I s'pose if you see promo piccies of footballers they're all running heroically around kicking the ball, not writhing on the floor in simulated agony or biting people...
But there's a difference between what they're intended and trained to do, and what they are compelled to do by circumstances (like having someone jab a spear into their necks).
I am reminded of Peter Greenhalgh speaking about the Dendras cuirass: "If Hector had been wearing one of these, he would be alive to this day."
The files weren't oblique, the hoplites stood with the body slightly turned - left foot forward allowing more play for the right spear-holding hand. The book maintains that the hoplite didn't stand full on, or totally sideways like a fencer. The shield wall would be solid and in close formation, overlapping.
Quote from: fsn on 08 July 2014, 01:17:30 PM
I'm reading "A Storm of Spears: Understanding the Greek Hoplite in Action [Kindle Edition] " by Christopher Matthew, or possibly Matthew Christopher. Ought to be a law against people having two given names and not a proper family name. Saul David - he's another one, and that Elton John. Still, who'd want to be called Reg?
If you think those names are bad ... when I was at Uni Alan Meredith was introduced to ... Meredith Alan ... they got married and she is now Dr Meredith Meredith ;D ;D
I've always regretted that my little lady wouldn't agree to our adding each other's surnames to our own and becoming Lertanantawong-Hay-Whitton. And, indeed, my previous wife was a van Pletzen; if we'd gone the same road too, I could have had a really super-silly surname by now.
Ah, well, nobody's become Major Major Major Major yet....
Quote from: fsn on 08 July 2014, 05:58:47 PM
The files weren't oblique, the hoplites stood with the body slightly turned - left foot forward allowing more play for the right spear-holding hand. The book maintains that the hoplite didn't stand full on, or totally sideways like a fencer. The shield wall would be solid and in close formation, overlapping.
Heath makes the fairly obvious point that the overlapping big shields were a major reason for the hoplite phalanx, and precluded the underarm thrust. He adds that in Hellenistic times, the formation may have become less dense (but then the hoplite was becoming something like the Gloucester Gladiators at Malta in WWII).
Matthew suggests the spear was not held underarm, but couched. The point would then project between the curves of the two shields.
Wouldn't that make for a rather feeble thrust? Little room to extend or swing your arm. A hoplite isn't propelled by a big horse.
how to wire an N Gauge railway...selfridge on hold....
Just finished "Rising Sun, Falling Skies: The Disastrous Java Sea Campaign of World War II". Great detail of ship to ship and aircraft to ship combats. Detail is amazing. Last week finished "Fast Carriers", which is also WWII (obviously), and also has great detail. Halsey does not come off well. The author has a lot of critique of the different carrier admirals.
Found a very good book in the local library that I'm ploughing through at the moment - Peter Barton's "Battlefields of the First World War - Unseen Panoramas of the Western Front" put out by the IWM.
its a fairly weighty tome but fantastic detail and gives a very good idea of typical terrain for 1914 - 5 games for people like me who are somewhat removed from the actual locations (I live in NZ) - great for our upcoming Arretez game :)
I've seen Peter Barton on a few programmes about military subjects that have been on the telly over here - he certainly knows his stuff.
Just finished "Under the Shadow of Napoleon: French Influence on the American Way of Warfare from the War of 1812 to the Outbreak of WWII".
Up to 1812 the American way of war (drill and tactics) really didn't follow anything, although there was British influence. Winfield Scott's success in 1812 led to a following of French tactics, which continued to and through WWI. During the next 2 decades technology shifts and then the German successes led to a move away from the French ideas.
Interesting looks at battles of 1812 (Chippawa and Lundy's Lane), the Mexican War, the Civil War (ACW), Spanish-American War and WWI. The author is a major in the US Army.
Just started reading "Wellington's Guns" by Nick Lipscombe.
Apparently he called all artillery officers "Nancy" and blocked the development of a milllatreuse type machine gun.
Though I may be misremembering those bits.
Spanish Civil War Tanks by Zaloga. As you'd expect from Zaloga an excellent and informative read. I've already got ideas for some SCW forces as well as AVBCW ones, and I'm only half-way through.
Just finished "Battle Exhaustion: Soldiers and Psychiatrists in the Canadian Army, 1939 - 1945". Lots of psychiatry but the interaction between casualties, fatigue, leadership and how it affected units (battalion level) I found most interesting.
'Moon over Malaya', 2nd Batt Argyll & Sutherlands in Malaya/Singapore.
Finished "1636: Seas of Fortune". This is the 15th book in the series "1632" It is alternate fiction where the US town of Grantville gets deposited in Germany during the Thirty Years War. The latest book takes place in South and North America, which is influenced by the "uptimers" encyclopedias and maps. Didn't like it as much as those that take place in Europe.
I've read quite a few of the Max Mad series by MJ Trow. He's a aging history teacher who falls into murder mysteries.
He spends his spare time recreating the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1:1 in 54mm.
Great fun.
JUst finished Engineman by Eric Brown. Middle-of-the-road science fiction, tending a little towards the theistic. Capable story-teller, though.
Quote from: kipt on 20 July 2014, 03:13:16 PM
Finished "1636: Seas of Fortune". This is the 15th book in the series "1632" It is alternate fiction where the US town of Grantville gets deposited in Germany during the Thirty Years War. The latest book takes place in South and North America, which is influenced by the "uptimers" encyclopedias and maps. Didn't like it as much as those that take place in Europe.
I quite liked the first couple (1632 & 1634?) but after that it all got too hard to track; well, too much by too many people that I could be bothered to track! Love the shared world idea for writers, and I like the amusing clash of culture and technology and societies but too much wandering around from too many people. Too many cooks and all that...
Just finished "A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire" by Geoffrey Wawro. Its amazing how bad, naive, unprepared, delusional the Austrian leadership was. Even though I know the history, one expects the Austrians to collapse before 1915. Only thing that saved them in the beginning was the bad logistics of the Russian Empire (later it was the Germans that saved them). Conrad was worse than McClellan in my mind, and I don't like McClellan.
Got through about seven talking books in the last three weeks, the last of which was "Transition" by Iain Banks.
That one was fun. A bit difficult to follow at times, as it dealt with 'folk' who zipped around alternate versions of earth....But I enjoyed it.
Hope today's library van is going to bring me one of the 'historical' tales about ancient Rome, (which Ray recommended in an earlier post).
Cheers - Phil
Picked up a copy of Short Stories by Guy de Maupassant from a charity stall in Southend a couple of weeks ago. Some of the stories seem vaguely familiar - I put that down to various BBC productions over the years - but the man could write!
...and did he ever hate Germans!
Just finished Quintin Barry's Franco-Prussian War Vol.1 as a sort of refresher course.
Quote from: kipt on 30 July 2014, 04:18:12 AM
Just finished "A Mad Catastrophe: The Outbreak of World War I and the Collapse of the Habsburg Empire" by Geoffrey Wawro. Its amazing how bad, naive, unprepared, delusional the Austrian leadership was. Even though I know the history, one expects the Austrians to collapse before 1915. Only thing that saved them in the beginning was the bad logistics of the Russian Empire (later it was the Germans that saved them). Conrad was worse than McClellan in my mind, and I don't like McClellan.
Please, please, please do NOT believe everything you read in Wawro; he is frequently wrong and always predudiced against Austria; I haven't read his book but I would bet money its stuffed with derogatory comments about the non German races of the Monarchy. His book on the Austro Prussian war is ruined by poor scholarship and appalling bias.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 30 July 2014, 11:14:14 AM
Just finished Quintin Barry's Franco-Prussian War Vol.1 as a sort of refresher course.
Have you read Prof Howard's book on the FPW, now that IS good.
Whatever you do don't read Wawro's book on the Franco-Prussian War. It's awful and full of very elementary mistakes, like forgetting that the Prussian Garde du Corps existed. On the other hand Michael Howard's book is still the best single volume overview of the war. essential for any FPW gamer.
Indeed.
Listening to...."Vespasian....Tribune of Rome." (Robert Fabbri)
Damn fine, so far !
Thanks, Ray.
Cheers - Phil.
"Please, please, please do NOT believe everything you read in Wawro; he is frequently wrong and always prejdudiced against Austria; I haven't read his book but I would bet money its stuffed with derogatory comments about the non German races of the Monarchy. His book on the Austro Prussian war is ruined by poor scholarship and appalling bias."
I thought he was pretty even handed in his treatment of the nationalities. His family comes from the old Austria-Hungary - eastern Galicia - so perhaps there is some bias, but not recognizable to me. I have the Austro Prussian book but haven't read enough other books to comment on poor scholarship and bias.
"Whatever you do don't read Wawro's book on the Franco-Prussian War. It's awful and full of very elementary mistakes, like forgetting that the Prussian Garde du Corps existed."
Not sure what part you are talking about here. The chapter on Gravelotte references the Prussian Guard on pages 170, 173, 175, 176, 177, 179. Granted he discusses Steinmetz a lot, and how he got hammered, but he hasn't forgotten the Guard in this chapter.
Not defending him, but the writing style works well as far as I am concered.
The Garde du Corps was a cavalry regiment.
The cavalry regiment from a status point of view.
My mistake for reading too fast. And I have the unit painted.
Reading The Battle of the Narrow Seas by Peter Scott.
WW2 small ships shooting the hell out of each other at 50 yards and 30 knots.
10mm MTBs anyone?
Bit big those - but 1/3000th I have.
IanS
Wow! 1/3000th destroyers are small enough....
Just finished re-reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: beautifully written; am now on to The Swan Thieves (also by her) - again, beautiful prose 8)
Ploughing my way through Max Hasting's '1914'. Excellent read. Never realised how many useless officers there were at all levels in all armies.
Chad
Good isn't it. I've just read about how crap we were at Heligoland Bight and we still won!
It was a surprise to learn that in the first French assaults
of the war they actually suffered more casualties than the
British on the first day of the Somme.
Chad
Not really - tactics used by the French were appalling. Despite the impressions the Somme isn't particularly bad, it's 37% of the troops involved, the average for that type of operation was 33%. There is also the nature of casualty reporting. The Germans often falsified theirs, and did not include lots of minor stuff the British did. The Russian may well not of known what theirs were.
IanS
Tell that to my great uncle Tommy who's scattered all over the place around Mammetz.
Just finished Ian Robertson's "An Atlas of the Peninsular War". Well done with good maps. Helped me understand the battles in the Pyrenees better.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 01 August 2014, 04:22:43 PM
Tell that to my great uncle Tommy who's scattered all over the place around Mammetz.
As is my Great Uncle Norman, a volunteer barbed wire cutter on July 1st, with one of the Pals Battalions of the Manchester Regiment.
Mollinary
Finished "Vespasian" (Tribune of Rome).....Was damn excellent (Thanks again, Ray !)
Now on to "Warrior of Rome" (The Wolves of the North) by Harry Sidebottom.
Enjoying it so far.....Though I was a bit put off by some of the names of the characters....(Maybe it was the way the reader was pronouncing them, to start with).
Not quite Sillius Soddus & Biggus Dikkus......But.......Close enough to wonder whether I was listening to a spoof, early on.
Cheers - Phil.
After being slightly mauled when I suggested that Greek warriors may have used spears underhand rather than overhand, I was gratified to see that Lindybeige had made a video expressing far better than I the same points. I know this doesn't sound like it should be in this thread, but it does follow from my previous posts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYN0UCUkXQE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYN0UCUkXQE)
What, the top 10 anti-religious comedy routines? Hilarious, but Ancient Greek?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klOc9C-aPr4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klOc9C-aPr4)
:-[ Sorry.
But with a phalanx you are locked into the shields of the guys on either side of you. There is no room for manueover. You clashed shield to shield with your opponent, the only space was over a handed thrust between shield tops into the faces of the rank behind.
A thousand Greek vases can't be wrong...
Sending fsn a friendly and reassuring hug. Had no intention of even appearing to be trying to attempt to have a go at mauling him.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 06 August 2014, 01:54:50 AM
Sending fsn a friendly and reassuring hug. Had no intention of even appearing to be trying to attempt to have a go at mauling him.
>:<
Osprey's MAA, The Ottoman Army 1914-18.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 06 August 2014, 01:54:50 AM
Sending fsn a friendly and reassuring hug. Had no intention of even appearing to be trying to attempt to have a go at mauling him.
I took it to be a friendly mauling in the search for knowledge. >:<
Quote from: mad lemmey on 05 August 2014, 10:36:42 PM
A thousand Greek vases can't be wrong...
Well, LindyB makes the point that the overhand possibly more useful in a heroic one-to-one, but the vases that show groups of troops are more likely to be underhand.
Re-reading the Maurice rules prior to my next game. May have overegged the National characteristics last time round so hoping for an improved game by randomly selecting two only of those cards. Will be using the Grand Marquisate of Flamboyance army.
QuoteFinished "Vespasian" (Tribune of Rome).....Was damn excellent (Thanks again, Ray !)
Now on to "Warrior of Rome" (The Wolves of the North) by Harry Sidebottom.
Enjoying it so far.....Though I was a bit put off by some of the names of the characters....(Maybe it was the way the reader was pronouncing them, to start with).
Not quite Sillius Soddus & Biggus Dikkus......But.......Close enough to wonder whether I was listening to a spoof, early on.
I like the Vespasian saga, although they seem a little liek children's books at times. Currently on Volume IV, with the emperor to be trying to get one of Varus' eagles back.
The warrior of Rome series however left me cold. Read the first one,but gave up on this particular one. Learning worn a little too heavily for my liking....
Nick Brown's Agent of Rome series is a bit lighter and has some interesting characters; Recommended if you like Roman fiction.
At the moment reading Collision of Empires about the opening months of WWI on the Eastern Front, before launching into Solzhenitsyn's August 1914 again. Tried to reread this a few years ago and got stuck so I'm hoping that the centenary will give the spur I need to get to the end. :)
Quote from: Malbork on 07 August 2014, 12:49:48 PM
I like the Vespasian saga, although they seem a little liek children's books at times. Currently on Volume IV, with the emperor to be trying to get one of Varus' eagles back.
The warrior of Rome series however left me cold. Read the first one,but gave up on this particular one. Learning worn a little too heavily for my liking....
Nick Brown's Agent of Rome series is a bit lighter and has some interesting characters; Recommended if you like Roman fiction.
Thanks, M.
I think I know what you mean re the 'Warrior' book.
It's been something to listen too.....But it hasn't 'grabbed me' in the same way as the 'Vespasian ones'.
I can tell I haven't
truly enjoyed it, as I haven't concentrated on it properly.
Cheers - Phil
Techno,
just remembered another good Roman read: Britannia, Part I: The wall by somebody Denham. Bit of an uninspiring title but the tale rolls along well enough - set just as Roman power is declining and everyone is going up and over the wall; I haven't quite finished it because I stupidly left it at my father in law's, but three-quarters of the way in. I'll definitely be looking out of others in this series
Thank you, again ! ;)
Cheers - Phil
Just finished "The Battleship Era" by Peter Padfield. Used book, not sure where I bought it, but printed in 1972.
Great book on the development of the battleship.
In the middle of Bretheren by Robyn Young. The Crusades from both sides at the same time. Touted as a Sunday Times best-seller. Not sure why, though. Lacks a little medieval atmosphere to me.
Quote from: Malbork on 07 August 2014, 03:47:48 PM
Britannia, Part I:The Wall... set just as Roman power is declining...
omnia in omnibus, later modo es alter in muro.
o magister! noli pueros laedere illos!
ravis ab roseis
According to Google translate:
all in all, brick way, you are on the wall.
O Master! Children do not hurt them!
gray from rosy
The name Floyd meansgrey.
By the way, which one is Pink?
roseus.
I think I've sorted out the Moleworthian Latin by now. It's been a very long time.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 09 August 2014, 10:21:23 AM
By the way, which one is Pink?
Have a cigar (for the quote, Will.)
You're gonna go far. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Didn't know Mole spoke Latin in 'Wind in the Willows'! :D
My first professional post was as a school librarian. I was chatting to a teacher of one of the remedial classes and she commented that her class had arrived for class that morning repeatedly singing a line from Pink Floyd's "The Wall." The line in question being,"We don't need no education." In her view the class then spent 45 minutes proving how wrong they'd been :D
Quote from: Techno on 09 August 2014, 11:21:10 AM
Have a cigar (for the quote, Will.)
You're gonna go far. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Glad someone got the quote! #:-S =O
;)
Cheers - Phil
Just finished "Napoleon's German Division in Spain, Volume II: The Germans in Catalonia 1808-1813", by Digby Smith.
It felt disjointed to me because the author follows a unit through a campaign and then follows another through the same period. This makes the text repetitive to a certain extent, but is necessary. Lots of small actions are mentioned which would make good small scenarios.
QuoteBritannia, Part I: The Wall
It will be interesting to see if the rest of the proposed series is also inspired by Pink Floyd albums. I think they did a live one in Pompeii back int he '70s so there's definitely potential.
QuoteRobyn Young
Crikey!! I read one of hers a few years ago and found it to be absolute tosh - also set in the Crusades, with apprentice Templar knights telling the Grand Master where to get off and the love interest finally paying her own way to Jerusalem by boat like some gap-year student. Plenty of deatil but just didn't hang together; have avoided her stuff ever since, despite being tempted by the covers :o
Quote from: Malbork on 11 August 2014, 03:45:05 PM
It will be interesting to see if the rest of the proposed series is also inspired by Pink Floyd albums. I think they did a live one in Pompeii back int he '70s so there's definitely potential.
The Final Cut ? :D
I've run out of 'Roman' books to listen to at the mo'.....So back to the 'thrillers'.
Alex Gray's " A pound of flesh" at the moment.
A little different.....A serial killer targets street walkers in Glasgow.....And someone else is targeting the serial killer.....Only she keeps getting it wrong and is becoming a 'serial killer' herself.
Cheers - Phil
Thankfully nobody targeted me when I was walking through the streets of Glasgow.
In this particular story... To be at risk....You'd either have to be a streetwalker, or any man driving around in a white Mercedes who picks one up, DP ;) ;D
Cheers - Phil
Started to re read Les Carlyon ..The Great War
Finished "Collision of Empires, The War on the Eastern Front" by Prit Buttar.
Austro Hungarians, Russians, Germans and Serbs. Good operational history. Many first person anecdotes and very well written.
Finished "the Siege of Paris" by Robert Baldick (1964). Not much military, but the experiences inside Paris week by week. I have been reading as much FPW as I can get, putting aside my Napoleonic, ACW and WWI books. I have "The Siege of Strasborg" to be read and have "to the Last Gaiter Button" on order.
Don't forget Ascoli's 'A Day of Battle', not as well written or detailed as some, but a cracking read.
Grenadiers: The Story of Waffen SS General Kurt Panzer Meyer by Kurt Meyer.
So far a cracking read, with lots ideas already generated for future games, and I'm only at the battle for Kharkov!
<Don't forget Ascoli's 'A Day of Battle', not as well written or detailed as some, but a cracking read.>
Yep, have it and liked it much.
Listening to...'The Humans' by Matt Haig.....Entertaining, though a tad strange. ;)
Hi kipt .....
Did we congratulate you on your promotion from Cadet ? :)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: mad lemmey on 31 August 2014, 05:56:56 PM
Don't forget Ascoli's 'A Day of Battle', not as well written or detailed as some, but a cracking read.
Yes, I'll second that too.
Nice one kipt
Gentlemen,
I thank you. I never really expected to get out of Cadet, and really doubt I will go past Second Louie. (Tho' I should at least try and reach my previous rank of CPT).
I will mainly post in Books (I read a lot) but will do and occasional AAR. Next one will be a large FPW campaign with 7 tables that we will do in late October.
Fab! Have to see those.
That's going to be a campaign worth looking out for make sure you post pictures.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 02 September 2014, 08:19:03 AM
That's going to be a campaign worth looking out for make sure you post pictures.
Absolutely 8)
Currently reading the blog of the Gelderland Campaign, an imagi-nation campaign which uses Maurice and is set in the period of the Seven Years War. It is a very amusing read, eg the battle which took place so an army could replenish its supply of undies to stop the chafing of its hessian trousers, and the battle of Fuchhol. The background information about the various states involved is hilarious.
Got a link? ;)
http://mauricecampaign.blogspot.co.uk
Just read the first post, superb! Thanks
Just getting into "A Soldier with the Arabs" by John Bagot Glubb. He was the commander of the Arab Legion during 1948. Interesting inside views so far.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 02 September 2014, 11:46:13 AM
Just read the first post, superb! Thanks
It's definitely worth reading - absolute quality 8)
(thanks, DP, for the heads-up) :)
Read them all this afternoon as my daughter got her pre-new-school haircut.
The hairdressers must have thought me mad as I sat in their window seat guffawing! Brilliant!
Quote from: kipt on 01 September 2014, 11:06:24 PM
Gentlemen,
I thank you. I never really expected to get out of Cadet, and really doubt I will go past Second Louie. (Tho' I should at least try and reach my previous rank of CPT).
I will mainly post in Books (I read a lot) but will do and occasional AAR. Next one will be a large FPW campaign with 7 tables that we will do in late October.
One post a day calling for Aztecs, and before you know it you'll
have a stomach ulcer be a general.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 03 September 2014, 03:39:13 AM
One post a day calling for Aztecs, and before you know it you'll have a stomach ulcer be a general.
No it will get you banned.
IanS
You spell damned with a D and an M, Ian. ;)
Cheers - Phil
No - use c17th spelling - any banned way I want...
IanS
Nutters ;) ;D
I can prove I'm sane, got a certificate to say so....
IanS
Hats off to John and Andrew for "The Austro-Prussian War of 1866: The Opening Battles", vol 8 of Wargaming in History. Now I am eagerly waiting Koniggratz. When I showed the book to our gaming group, two members immediately said this is what a wargaming book should look like and took down the information so they could buy it.
We use RF&F for the America Revolution and War of 1812 and F&F for ACW and its adaptation for Napoleonics.
This is the first of the Wargaming in History I have purchased and it appears I will need to get the other 7 volumes.
Again, well done!
Quote from: ianrs54 on 03 September 2014, 05:03:02 PM
I can prove I'm sane, got a certificate to say so....
IanS
This is an expired TV licence with the words
TV Licence crossed out and the words
Sanity Certificate written in in crayon!
Quote from: FierceKitty on 04 September 2014, 04:09:39 AM
This is an expired TV licence with the words TV Licence crossed out and the words Sanity Certificate written in in crayon!
Reminds me of showing my New Zealand drivers license to an American once, years ago. His first question was, where is your photo. They didn't have them back then.
After thumbing throught the little book that was the license he asked his second question, the last of the stickers in the back says your license expired 3 years ago! Oh, they stopped making us buy those stickers every year....
Fortunately he was not a US Police Officer :)
My British driving license doesn't have a photo to this day. I could elect to have one issued, but it then becomes mandatory to renew it every ten years, on pain of a £1,000 fine. So why would I? :P :P :P
It's about the only sort of ID I've got.
Cheers - Phil
Just starting 'The Bayonets of the Republic' by John Lynn.
Hope to use this as a basis for developing rules for battles
of the French Revolution. The idea is to use a set of 18th century as
a base to which I would add rules for the formations and tactics of
the early French revolutionary armies.
Chad
Not reading, but I am currently re-watching (and, of course, thoroughly enjoying) all of my Sharpe DVDs. Top-notch.
Achtung Schweinehund! by Harry Pearson.
Disturbing echoes of my own past :)
My CD player died recently...So got a new all singing all dancing one.
Wonderful sound....But the CD player has an irritating laser reader 'click,click,click' while it's playing....and has a one second pause between tracks, which makes it a real b*gger listening to talking books.... as it splits a word every few minutes, like th............................is.
Better than nothing........just ! :'( :'( :'( :'(
Cheers - Phil
So it's singing a waltz whilst dancing a rhumba then?
I have quite a few books on the go right now, most relevant to this forum is Take Budapest!: The Struggle for Hungary Autumn 1944 by Kamen Nevenkin. Off to a good start with a clear explanation of the strategic importance of Hungary to all sides.
Anyone else use goodreads? I've been using it to track the books I've read for the past few months and it's been a nice way to keep track of my impressions
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/23053935-les-howie?shelf=currently-reading
Just finished "The Last Gaiter Button: A Study of the Mobilization and Concentration of the French Army in the War of 1870", by Thomas J. Adriance.
Gets into details which is perfect for the campaign I am putting together.
Also finished "The Siege of Strasbourg" by Rachel Chrastil. It has some military about the 1870 siege, but really explores the civilian side and notably the women.
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but as I previously said, I am reading everything on the FPW I can get a hold of. Reread the first part of Howard's "The Franco Prussian War" also for dates, commanders qualities and troop dispositions.
Exploring the women? Are you posting on the right thread?
Worth getting hold of The Seige of Paris too.
Wading my way through a trio of Michael Crichton thrillers, Next, Micro and Prey. Well researched, if somewhat far-fetched, page-turners. What I think of as "waiting at the station" reading.
the "What are you currently reading ?" thread on this forum. (has another smartass said that before me?)
Yes, on page 1 ;)
Lemmy - stop bulling the junior officers.
IanS >:(
Sorry. :(
Re-reading Field of Battle Second Edition as I'm thinking of giving it a SYW outing.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 14 September 2014, 04:10:31 PM
Lemmy - stop bulling the junior officers.IanS >:(
Can
I bully them ?
Cheers - Phil ;)
:)
Often I find myself perusing this, while visiting the necessary. I can't drive though ;D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sN--O8YML._SY300_.jpg)
Totally absorbing.
I'm reading "Battles of the Dark Ages" by Peter Marren.
Hence http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10584.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10584.0.html)
I'm not getting at Mr Marren. I've shelled out for several of the Bretwalda Battles series and had much the same result.
probably next book I read will be fiction ~
Jun'ichi Watanabe - Beyond the Blossoming Fields
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Blossoming-Fields-Junichi-Watanabe/dp/1846880785 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Blossoming-Fields-Junichi-Watanabe/dp/1846880785)
That sounds a cheery read. Think I'll pass up on that one.
Quote from: kipt on 14 September 2014, 04:56:22 AM
Just finished "The Last Gaiter Button: A Study of the Mobilization and Concentration of the French Army in the War of 1870", by Thomas J. Adriance.
Gets into details which is perfect for the campaign I am putting together.
Fascinating, I've never heard of this one, is it a modern work? Have you read Richard Holmes 'The Road to sedan', highly recommended.
"The Last Gaiter Button" was printed in 1987. I bought it through Amazon from Jomini6400 (whoever that is). It is a Greenwood Press print, part of the Contributions of Military Studies, number 73.
I do have Holmes, as well as "The Siege of Paris" noted previously.
Finished "US Navy Dreadnoughts, 1914-45", an Osprey. Interesting history of the old dreadnoughts.
Neil Thomas, One Hour Wargames. Looks like it could generate some good games.
Catastrophe 1914: Europe goes to war, by Max Hastings. An interesting read. :-\
Think I might have to order this, just read the first sample:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/19/hilary-mantel-short-story-assassination-margaret-thatcher (http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/19/hilary-mantel-short-story-assassination-margaret-thatcher)
Allenby's War - The Palestine-Arabian Campaigns, 1916-1948 by David L Bullock
Just starting but fascinating so far.
Thanks for the loan Peter :)
Hence my questions here http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10617.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10617.0.html)
Rally Round the King.
'Quiet Flows the Don' by Mikhail Sholokov. Good story about Don Cossacks during WWI. Written in Soviet times by an 'approved' writer, his political asides (the Tsar's insipid daughters etc) are grating, however its a good insight into Cossack life and gives a flavour of the campaign in the east. The sequel 'The Don Flows Home to the Sea' deals mostly with the civil war.
Have you tried Don Giovanni?
Quiet Flows the Don is the film of the two books combined. Rocks along at a good pace, and a couple of good 1914 battle scenes of cossacks charging A-H infantry and cossacks attacking A-H hussars who are trying to make off with a Russian gun. Some pretty harrowing scraps in the Civil War section, and it is a very long film. It's in English and stars Rupert Everett.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 20 September 2014, 01:57:01 PM
Quiet Flows the Don is the film of the two books combined. Rocks along at a good pace, and a couple of good 1914 battle scenes of cossacks charging A-H infantry and cossacks attacking A-H hussars who are trying to make off with a Russian gun. Some pretty harrowing scraps in the Civil War section, and it is a very long film. It's in English and stars Rupert Everett.
Ah, didn't know that. I'll see if I can dig it out.
Got mine from Amazon.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 21 September 2014, 01:25:36 PM
Got mine from Amazon.
Watched a bit on Youtube; too sanitised for me, try the book.
Trial by Battle: The Hundred Years War, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Sumption.
Started reading this last night and quite simply it is superb. I was gripped from the very first page. Can't recommend it highly enough.
The Last Ironsides by Jonathon Riley. Only a few pages in but a very good
read already. Tells the story of the last remnants of the New Model Army
sent by the newly restored Charles II to Portugal to meet marriage treaty
obligations and keep potential trouble-makers out of the country at the same
time.
Looks to be an excellent history of a forgotten campaign in which a small
English contingent excelled abroad. Some good maps and background detail
Recommended !
Phil
QuoteQuiet Flows the Don is the film of the two books combined. Rocks along at a good pace, and a couple of good 1914 battle scenes of cossacks charging A-H infantry and cossacks attacking A-H hussars who are trying to make off with a Russian gun. Some pretty harrowing scraps in the Civil War section, and it is a very long film. It's in English and stars Rupert Everett.
Have to say that in IMHO opinion the film is terrible. Rupert Everett, much as I like him, is totally unconvincing as Gregor the tough Cossack. Okay, the battle scenes do offer something, but I really wouldn't bother, even on youtube !!
One man's meat. Now, turning the brightness up on the target on my forehead I've just started Ken Follett's Fall of Giants.
;D ;D
Absolutley right about the meat. Mr Follett is on my list after my wife has finished it
Masquerade by the ever popular Pratchett. I've read all of his books (31) in my collection at least twice each and I can still find them funny. Could it be the forgetfulness of age? Don't know but I still like 'em.
There you go, you see; I can't abide Disc World.
Neither can I.
Looks like I'm rapidly making enemies across the baord here..... :( :-\
If Terry had written just six books and edited 'em properly, discarding the plagiarism and repetition, he'd be set to be remembered and admired much longer.
I have spoken.
Ah! FK. Wrong as usual :)
Love Terry Pratchett's work, haven't come across a book of his I haven't enjoyed. The later ones are less laugh-out-loud than the early ones but are better stories IMHO.
Though, more seriously, reading (especially fiction) is a very subjective thing and I don't expect other people to like the things I do. Nice when you find someone who shares your passion for an author though.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 23 September 2014, 05:32:02 PM
If Terry had written just six books and edited 'em properly, discarding the plagiarism and repetition, he'd be set to be remembered and admired much longer.
I have spoken.
I think that he will be remembered for a very long time -probably a lot longer than any of us. In some circumstances plagiarism and repetition it may be but personally, I don't give a rat's ar*e. The bloke has been making me laugh since I first came across
'The Colour of Magic' (although I still reckon it's one of the least funny of the lot). The way he takes real life and translates it into the Discworld setting is glorious in a lampooning way. Best of all I think his observations of people and situations are sometimes the funniest.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 23 September 2014, 05:41:21 PM
Ah! FK. Wrong as usual :)
Love Terry Pratchett's work, haven't come across a book of his I haven't enjoyed. The later ones are less laugh-out-loud than the early ones but are better stories IMHO.
Agreed.
I would love for him to write a book about Casanunda.
I haven't read a military orientated book in any format for a couple of years now -I'm having a bit of a sabbatical. More into Horror, SciFi and Fantasy at present.
I can never get the image of skiing elephants out of my head.
IanS
Quote from: ianrs54 on 24 September 2014, 08:09:43 AM
I can never get the image of skiing elephants out of my head.
IanS
Or his description of camels running while mentally doing high level maths.
Quote from: Subedai on 23 September 2014, 08:39:13 PM
I think that he will be remembered for a very long time -probably a lot longer than any of us. In some circumstances plagiarism and repetition it may be but personally, I don't give a rat's ar*e. The bloke has been making me laugh since I first came across
'The Colour of Magic' (although I still reckon it's one of the least funny of the lot). The way he takes real life and translates it into the Discworld setting is glorious in a lampooning way. Best of all I think his observations of people and situations are sometimes the funniest.
Hear, hear. He, Tolkein and Patrick O'Brien are the only authors I can see surviving what might possibly be the last book-reading generation. :( :( :(
Surely JK Rowling will be a standard for many years to come?
Harry Pothead and the Philosopher stoned?
Reading The Three Musketeers for about the bazillionth time. Lovely. 8)
Apart from the twenty paragraphs Dumas spends describing the yellow horse, only for out hero to flog it as soon as he get to Paris!!!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 26 September 2014, 05:18:10 PM
Apart from the twenty paragraphs Dumas spends describing the yellow horse, only for out hero to flog it as soon as he get to Paris!!!
True, true ;D
Just finished the last two thirds of 'Flames over Calais' over the last two days, cracking Ww2 read, but my goodness the incompetence of the British High Command in 1940! :o
Currently re-reading "Wintersmith". Who cannot be enamoured by the Feegles ?! ! Lovely !
Also on the go is the Saga rules..
And "The Great Boer War" by Arthur Conan Doyle. I love his work including of course his fictional detective.
Now onto Toby Frost's 'End Of Empires', it's a bit good.
Now half-way through Secrets of the Conqueror by Stuart Prebble - the story of the nuclear submarine H.M.S. Conqueror, that sank the General Belgrano. Apparently, it did a lot more besides in the Cold War.
Just finished both of Bruce Weigle's 1859 and 1866 rules (I previously read the 1870 rules). I am immensely impressed by his writing and logic. His why and how for the particular rules are very well explained. The quotes he uses do a great job of illustrating the rules also.
Just finished Fall of Giants by Ken Follet, mostly set during WWI. So good I haven't picked up a paintbrush for a week. Now halfway through the sequel - rise of the Nazis, Spanish Civil War and WWII. A right riveting read.
Quote from: kipt on 03 October 2014, 05:05:59 PM
Just finished both of Bruce Weigle's 1859 and 1866 rules (I previously read the 1870 rules). I am immensely impressed by his writing and logic. His why and how for the particular rules are very well explained. The quotes he uses do a great job of illustrating the rules also.
With you on all the above, Kipt. A real gent, a master terrain maker and modeller. In fact, as they used to say, a Legend in his own lunchtime!
:D
Mollinary
I'm not sure about in the UK but in NZ someone who is a "a Legend in his own lunchtime" is someone who thinks they are great but this view is not widely shared ;)
Yes Paul, it's pretty much the same here, but I must admit that Bruce Weigle has done wonders for the European mid-C19th wars. Even if you're not mad keen on the rules, all the historical, military and organisational information is priceless, and the scenario maps and OOBs are a wargamer's dream come true. His explanation of Austrian tactics in 1866 has not been bettered.
Quote from: paulr on 03 October 2014, 07:56:44 PM
I'm not sure about in the UK but in NZ someone who is a "a Legend in his own lunchtime" is someone who thinks they are great but this view is not widely shared ;)
It was certainly not my intention to imply that, just shows I should avoid using phrases I never properly understood! :). Bruce is "the business". Oops, there I go again! ;D
Mollinary
Quote from: mollinary on 03 October 2014, 08:50:23 PM
It was certainly not my intention to imply that, just shows I should avoid using phrases I never properly understood! :). Bruce is "the business". Oops, there I go again! ;D
Mollinary
Hence my confusion the two parts of your comment didn't seem to go together ;) :D
Yep, Bruce is a real gent and his books are wonderful. Having just picked up some 2/3mm buildings from Brigade models today, I may be inspired to re-visit my 2mm armies for this (and other) periods.
Anabase - Sénophonte
Quote from: mollinary on 03 October 2014, 08:50:23 PM
It was certainly not my intention to imply that, just shows I should avoid using phrases I never properly understood! :). Bruce is "the business". Oops, there I go again! ;D
Mollinary
Cordwood?
;D
Quote from: cameronian on 05 October 2014, 12:19:30 PM
Cordwood?
;D
Funny you should say that, but that is a term I always understood completely! :D
Mollinary
Just started Ian Morris's Why the West Rules - For Now, in which he attempts to plot the patterns of history and predict future developments. It's a sort of survey of Life, the Universe and Everything. In which case I guess we could all tell him the answer.... :D
When you've finished you might want to start learning Mandarin, just in case.
I was thinking more along the lines of 47. :D
Finished "The Battle of Barrosa 1811: Forgotten Battle of the Peninsular War" by John Grehan & Martin Mace.
Good description of the battle and the campaign for Cadiz. Makes as a point that Joseph and Soult would probably have won the whole Peninsular War if they had taken Cadiz.
Tales from Moominvalley. Cor, she knew how to choose the right details for a story!
Have now made it to volume 3 of Ken Follet's Century Trilogy - Kicks off in Berlin in 1961. Volume 2 had my heart pounding in many sections as people in Germany and Russia tried to cope with the Gestapo and NKVD, while the Americans were getting on with nuclear research. A real page turner.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 08 October 2014, 09:05:03 AM
Have now made it to volume 3 of Ken Follet's Century Trilogy - Kicks off in Berlin in 1961. Volume 2 had my heart pounding in many sections as people in Germany and Russia tried to cope with the Gestapo and NKVD, while the Americans were getting on with nuclear research. A real page turner.
Have you ever read any of the Bernie Gunther novels? A Berlin detective before, during and after the 3rd Reich; touch of the Philip Marlowes but rattling good reads.
Thanks for the info.
The new Elric and the Ruby Throne graphic novel.
Awesome.
Sickening, thought provoking, evil as you expect Melinobeans to be. Just awesome. :d
Just finished "The War in the Crimea" by General Sir Edward Hamley. It was good but I was hoping it would have been more like his "Operations of War". However, the battles and siege descriptions are good. No OB's but they are obtainable elsewhere I presume. Not a war I game however.
Quote from: kipt on 10 October 2014, 08:38:15 PM
Just finished "The War in the Crimea" by General Sir Edward Hamley. ... Not a war I game however.
Yet ;) ;D ;D ;D
Crimea - it's not a war - just glorious. A Frenchman said so.
IanS
Just finished "The Last Torpedo Flyers" by Arthur Aldridge and his son. Aldridge was a Beaufort torpedo bomber pilot with 217 Sqn in the UK, Malta and Ceylon in 1941-2. Its one of the best accounts by a wartime flyer that I have read (he was still alive as of late 2013). He is very forthright and honest about his chances of survival and seeing so many of his contempories set out on missions never to return.
I found a few bits of the book a little colourful in the light of hindsight (the Tirpitz is the biggest battleship in in world?) but to him in wartime it was what was thought to be the case. He was the pliot who torpedoed the Italain crusier "Trento" during the desasterous Harpoon/Vigorous convoy operations to relieve Malta in June 1942. I wonder if Jeremy Clarkson will follow up his recent rather good TV documentary on PQ-17 with one about the June convoys which ended almost as disasterously.
Overall a great read.
I'm currently reading the three volume set published in the early 50's on the RAF in ww2 currently working my way through book 2 and coastal command
Dave
No doubt written in the "heroic stiff upper lip" style.
IanS
Listening to 'Purity in death", by Nora Roberts.
Cheers - Phil
Techno!!!! Nora is one of my faves. Could we have been separated at birth?
I'm re-reading "A Universe from Nothing" by Laurence Krauss. It explains how a matter can actually spontaneously come into existence. I read one page, understand it fully, then turn the page and magically know nothing.
Cheese, Philly - FSN
Quote from: ianrs54 on 25 October 2014, 07:08:27 AM
No doubt written in the "heroic stiff upper lip" style.
IanS
Yes, abit hard to read in places, and glossing over cock ups.
Dave
Quote from: fsn on 25 October 2014, 08:26:05 AM
Techno!!!! Nora is one of my faves. Could we have been separated at birth?
Cheese, Philly - FSN
Well.....We quite possibly share the same great, great, great, great (repeat a few thosand times) grandmother/grandfather, I suppose.
I sometimes wonder whether there was just one single celled
orgasm organism that effectively 'gave birth' to every single creature on the Earth....In which case, we're all related, in a way. :-\ ;)
'Ere....Why did my PC decide to 'lose the hour'
yesterday afternoon.....I hope it doesn't do it again tomorrow morning.....It's getting confusing !....Life's daft enough as it is !
Cheers - Phil (Probably)...... But I AM enjoying the Nora Roberts, writng as J.D. Robb, story ;)
Picked up a copy of the Osprey Campaign volume for Ramilles 1706 yesterday. I find the Osprey titles vary greatly in quality, but this one seems, at first sight, to be one of the better ones. At least the author, Michael McNally, has grasped the first requirement of any wargamer - an order of battle for both sides.
Reading the Blackpowder rule book to see if I want to buy it :-\
Finished "Lee's Army during the Overland Campaign, A Numerical Study" by Alfred C. Young III. It is as it says. Through extensive research the author has compiled a pocket history of the Army of Northern Virginia's Corps, divisions and brigades, with reference to every regiment. 108 pages of tables listing casualties by regiment by each battle. Also 41 maps to go with the text. I found it more interesting than I first thought.
The Empty Throne by Bernard Cornwell. Good story, well plotted, well written, loads of period feel. I am definitiely a fan of this series.
Mollinary
Oooh...Squeaks of excitement !
Didn't realize that was out.....Straight off to see whether there's an audio version yet.
Ta for the heads up, M
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 01 November 2014, 03:03:52 PM
Oooh...Squeaks of excitement !
Didn't realize that was out.....Straight off to see whether there's an audio version yet.
Ta for the heads up, M
Cheers - Phil
Your welcome! :D
Mollinary (awaiting the imminent arrival of FK!)
Finished' The Assassination of Margret Thatcher'
Jolly good collection of short stories.
Now trying to get my head round FogR... :-\
All the rules in Fog are very aptly named.
FoG R I quite agree have read through it several times and find getting more confused every time, and that was with the advantage of having watched a small game played at the local wargame society before getting the rules. :-\
Quote from: mad lemmey on 01 November 2014, 05:38:54 PM
Finished' The Assassination of Margret Thatcher'
Jolly good collection of short stories.
Now trying to get my head round FogR... :-\
I like the idea of that short story. :)
You do realise that "reading the rules" is a direct contradiction of the male ethos? Rules are effectively manuals, and no real man ever reads a manual before starting a task. No wonder I get confused....
I thought we read manuals but not instructions?
Three of us spent about two hours yesterday afternoon trying to get Source of the Nile moving, mainly scrabbling around in the rulebook. One was a woman, admittedly (indeed, she still is, very much so).
Finished volume 1 of Quintin Barry's "The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71". It is a good read as has been mentioned on this forum before. On to volume 2.
For a great Fiction read, I have just finished 'Island of Ghosts' by Gillian Bradshaw. All about Sarmation Cavalry on patrol by Hadrian's Wall. Great period detail and a storyline that keeps you reading.
I agree with you Bodvoc, Excellent tale. Made me think a bit of the film King Arthur
Just finished Arthur Braynt 18802-1812 - not the best of reads (real title escapes me - but free on Kindle)
2 SF novels and an ERB Martian anthology.
IanS - 24.
Dan Howard - "Bronze Age Military Equipment"
Interesting, though I've only just started and already disagree with some of his assumptions =)
Mainly interested in what he has to say about the Sumerians.
Not a period I've found much info on, so any port in a storm and all that ...
Just begun Neal Asher's Jupiter War, the third book in the Owners series. One of the few books I've come across where the central character is almost as repellent as the villain.
Asher does that! ;D That's one of the reasons I really enjoy his work!
I picked up a nice copy of Sun Tzu's Art of War at the weekend. Seems interesting so far, whether it will help me in any way I'm unsure :D
Listening to 'No one left to tell' by Karen Rose.....Not at all bad....Though rather lengthy.
Cheers - Phil
Sun Tzu is a bit theoretical and of its time .
IanS
Final part of Joe Abercrombie's 'The First Law' trilogy; great stuff, like 'Game of Thrones' with a sense of humour :D
ERB - John Cater of Mars
IanS
Finished listening to.....
The Empty Throne by that nice Mr Cornwell.....REALLY enjoyed that !
The Watchful Eye......Priscilla Masters.......Not quite my cup of tea...But not too bad, at all.
Then had a break to listen to Pink Floyd's new CD.
Now onto 'Private Games' (James Patterson & Mark Sullivan).....Sounds promising (Oh, all right.....The sort of 'thriller' I tend to enjoy. ;))
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: SV52 on 05 November 2014, 12:43:06 PM
Final part of Joe Abercrombie's 'The First Law' trilogy; great stuff, like 'Game of Thrones' with a sense of humour :D
Seconded, great reads, not read a bad one yet. Also recommend anything by Peter F Hamilton (Commonwealth books are excellent)
Now finished volume 2 of Quintin Barry's "The Franco-Prussian War". It deals with the war "After Sedan". Just as good as the first volume and good OB's.
I need to read that. It's been sat on the shelf for 18 months now.
Finished 'Private Games'
Now onto 'The Blood Crows' by Simon Scarrow......Sounds very promising so far.
Though not by the same author it appears (?) to almost be a follow on from 'Claudius'
Cheers - Phil
The Bloody Big Battles rulebook and scenario book. Had to look carefully at some scenarios to clarify the rule about skirmish bases, ie. 7S means 7 bases one of which is a skirmish base; 5 2S means 5 bases two of which are skirmish bases. Otherwise the rules seem to be very clear.
I'll be interested to hear more about these - looking for some ACW rules currently.
Quote from: Techno on 18 November 2014, 04:03:07 PM
Finished 'Private Games'
Now onto 'The Blood Crows' by Simon Scarrow......Sounds very promising so far.
Though not by the same author it appears (?) to almost be a follow on from 'Claudius'
Cheers - Phil
Just finished listening to Blood Crows... Now listening to A dead man in Malta by Michael Pearce
I'm about half way through it, so far, Steve......Thoroughly enjoying it !
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: fred 12df on 19 November 2014, 05:20:59 PM
I'll be interested to hear more about these - looking for some ACW rules currently.
At the moment the rules are concentrating on Europe 1850-1900. However the rules blurb mentions fighting Gerttysburg in 3 hours on a 6'x4' table, so I would imagine an ACW scenario book is on the way. The rules are designed for units between 2 and 7 bases, where a base is 25mm to 30mm square, and a division is made up of 2 or three units, so these are high level rules. You might also be interested in Altar of Freedom, which have a 60mmx30mm base per brigade and are designed specifically for the ACW. The rules are supported by a website with two scenario books for Eastern and Western theatres, some free scenarios, free buildings, scenario tips, AARs and so on.
Altar of Freedom looks good - spent a while rummaging though their site and links. I'll see what my gaming buds think.
AoF has much better overall presentation than BBB
Across a danerous feild looks good as well. Thought AOF was about AWI?
IanS
Just finished "Studies From The Franco Prussian War, 1, The French Imperial Army 1870-71" by Stephen Shann, 1991. He is the author of the Osprey booklets on the French for the FPW. Not a long book (other than size) but it has a short paragraph on each Imperial regiment, including artillery and engineers, with the strength of the regiment as of 1 August and its history. It also lists the colonel of each regiment. There is an OB of all the corps plus the 12th Corps in the back.
Evidently he has also done a study on the Republican troops (1991), as well as books on Wissembourg and Froeschwiller (both 1987). I would love to get all 3 of these but not in Amazon. I will need to search around.
Oh okay. I need that book!
"Studies From The Franco Prussian War, 1, The French Imperial Army 1870-71" by Stephen Shann, 1991.
It appears the book is privately published. There is no company listed.
I can't find any reference so far for the other books.
Finished "The Seeds of Disaster The Development of French Army Doctrine, 1919-39" by BG Robert A. Doughty.
The title says it all. Typically I like books that get into theory but as it turned out it was a bit of a slog. Probably because it was a book I only read on lunch break. Took too long to go through.
I did enjoy the sections of the differences of development on battle tanks vs cavalry tanks. The infantry kept tanks close to them, in theory, but the cavalry people developed a tank to support their old time roles of scouting, harassment and pursuit.
Finished issue 50 of The Gettysburg Magazine. Typically the magazine has military articles. I believe over the previous 49 issues every brigade, North or South, has been covered.
This issue was about the 3 reunions; 1913, 1939 and 2013. Personal remembrances rather that military. I didn't enjoy it.
Crikey! someone had personal memories of Gettysburg in 2013!
Does anybody here read non-military books?!
There are non-military books? :o
I'm currently reading one of the "In Death" SF crime novels, and I've got a couple of original "Saint" novels queued. I've also got a book about time keeping called "A Short History of Time" on my bedside elephant.
Literary man about town - FSN
Waiting for Neal Asher's "Dark Intelligence" to be published.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 22 November 2014, 05:21:41 PM
Does anybody here read non-military books?!
Yes, sir.....I do.
Cheers - Phil
I read military history, history or travel books. Nothing else seems to grab me these days.
Me - I read Sci-fi, military history, some thrillers and rules.
Currently - Claws of the Bear on the Kindle, The Given Sacrifice in my coat (S.M. Sterling post disaster).
IanS
France at Bay 1870 1871 - the second in Douglas Fermer's history of the FPW. Once again a book on a subject I thought I knew a lot about which includes events I knew little of after all, such as the events at Chateaudun and the battle of La Bourgance.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 22 November 2014, 05:21:41 PM
Does anybody here read non-military books?!
I read sci-fi, crime, general history, thrillers and anything that looks interesting.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 22 November 2014, 05:21:41 PM
Does anybody here read non-military books
I listen to all sorts of stuff currently listening to Deep Waters by Barbara Nadel about a Turkish detective
About half way through the fantasy novel "Half a King" by Joe Abercrombie, enjoying it very much.
Henderson's Battle of Spicheren.
Very readable.
W
Henderson's book is tremendous value for money. He also did a good one on Froeschwiller, also available from Helion.
My Kobo book, for reading at the station now the nights have drawn in, is Whispers Underground one of Ben Aaronovitch's tongue in cheek supernatural crime novels.
Just reading Warhorse by Philip Sidel which has been awaiting an in depth perusal and just about to Start on Sarbin's Lost battles due to doing a rehash of some ancient rules
My wife and shelves are soon to start groaning again
And in the far distance a bank manager will start gibbering !
As I am already planning at least 3 more armies as an initial result !
Listening to 66 degrees North by Michael Ridpath.
Cheers - Phil
QuoteHenderson's book is tremendous value for money. He also did a good one on Froeschwiller, also available from Helion.
Hello there
Got that one too, its next on the to read list. :)
regards
W
Just finished "Kris Longknife, Tenacious" by Mike Shepard. Outer space Sci-Fi. This is the 12th book in the series. In the same vein as the Honor Harrington series.
Generally I read military history but like the military Sci-Fi as well as some fantasy, eg "Game of Thrones".
Finished the Osprey "US Heavy Cruisers 1943-75" by Mark Stille. Always good data from him.
66 Degrees N now finished.
Now listening to 'The Riot' by Laura Wilson.
Cheers - Phil.
Just started Fighting Techniques of the Early Modern World by Jorgensen, Pavkovic, Rice, Schneid and Scott. It covers the period 1500 to 1763, but I'm not sure yet if it's more than a superficial skim-through.
I did find Steve Shann's booklet "The Franco-Prussian War, Froeschwiller 6th August 1870". It was published by Anschluss in 1987. 22 pages of text including 13 maps (all the same but the first, and each map generally shows troop positions, but at the brigade - for cavalry- and division or corps for infantry). It then has 11 pages of OB's and suggestions for wargaming with unit strengths in figures and reinforcement schedules.
Nothing new but then it was written in 1987 and at that time much appreciated, I'm sure.
So, I still need to find his booklet on Wissembourg and volume 2 of his French Army, the Republican troops.
Finished "1636:The Viennese Waltz" by Eric Flint and co-authors Paula Goodlett and Gorg Huff. It is the 15th book in the 1632 series that also has 11 other Gazettes or compilations or books by other authors using Eric Flint's world.
An alternate universe scoops a West Virginia town out of the US in 1998 (I think) and puts it in the middle of the Thirty Years War. Up time science and people in a down time area. Very well written and a lot of fun.
Also finished "The Marne Campaign" by LTC F.E. Whitton. It cover s the first 6 weeks of the war, with a chapter for each week of the Marne. It has a paragraph at the end of each chapter for the other areas of the war, eg East Prussian, Austria -Russian, Servia (Serbia), naval and Africa.
The interesting part is that it was first published in 1917, while the war is still going on, with this edition done in 1921. It has 6 folding maps and had one in the pocket in the front specifically for the Marne. Unfortunately that is missing. It was able to use information out of Germany as well as England and France and is generally accurate for what happened. The reasons for German decisions during the battle on the Marne are pretty good guesses.
Reading the Flashman books that I got cheap on the kindle. Great stuff but a tad politically incorrect in places :)
Just finished "The Nameless Dead" by Paul Johnston.....Quite enjoyed that....Tho' for once I had problems with 'suspending disbelief' towards the end. Don't know why, as I've enjoyed far more far fetched stuff.
Now listening to "Alex Cross, Run" by James Patterson....Very good, so far.
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: goat major on 18 December 2014, 07:54:29 AM
Reading the Flashman books that I got cheap on the kindle. Great stuff but a tad politically incorrect in places :)
A tad! Gloriously, excessively, magnificently incorrect, just the best.
Finished "Images of War: the Central Powers on the Russian Front 1914 -1918" by David Bilton.
Interesting with a chapter for each year and then numerous photos. One tidbit I found interesting was the Russian use of Bactrian camels as part of their supply train.
Just started The Coming of the King by M.C. Scott, another Roman Empire historical epic. Well written and plotted. Unfortunately, I've just realised that it's the middle book of a trilogy. Don't you just hate that when it happens? :'( :'( :'(
Yes. I love SF, but hate it when you get "Book 2 of the Third part of the Vexillorium Trilogy set in the Under-Nova Universe"! >:(
I have just reread Soul Music by Terry Pratchett. :D :D
Quote from: skywalker on 19 December 2014, 12:23:22 PM
I have just reread Soul Music by Terry Pratchett. :D :D
Love that book !
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Techno on 19 December 2014, 12:38:19 PM
Love that book !
Cheers - Phil.
Buggrit, buggrit, millennium hand and shrimp!*
*Translation: I love all of his books :)
Jupiter War by Neal Asher.
Great book.
Hopefully someone has taken my hint about Dark Intelligence this Xmas!
Quote from: wurrukatte on 19 December 2014, 02:04:51 PM
Jupiter War by Neal Asher.
Yes, read that a couple of weeks ago. Thank goodness for an author who finishes up a trilogy properly, instead of wittering on into the distance in the hope of cashing in on an increasingly worn-out idea.
I am currently on my 4th "Waterloo" book of the latest releases. I seem to have such a lot of books published on the subject of Waterloo and usually I am not disappointed with the newer releases as they unearth new evidence. So in reverse order:
The current book is no exception and covers the whole campaign in detail: 'Waterloo'; author Tim Clayton. I am really enjoying this one. Tim really gets into the detail of the events. 8)
Prior to this I read 'NAPOLEON the END OF GLORY'; author Munro Price. Not really a Waterloo book as such but did culminate with Waterloo. An unusual book in that its main content is the political and diplomatic battles of 1813-1815 with the military events as a backdrop. You do see all of the principle actors in a different light with Napoleon being a bit of a clux when it comes to diplomacy with Metternich as the master craftsman. Enjoyed this one and learnt a great deal. 8)
The 2nd of the four was '24 HOURS AT WATERLOO', author Robert Kershaw. Not many books make a big impression on an old codger like me, but this book I think is brilliant. Mr Kershaw has the ability to transport your imagination to particular episodes during the battle and then take you through the experiences of the people that were there. I found it quite exhilarating to be forming up for D'Erlons big attack and later quite destitute and fatalistic as part of Lambert's brigade standing in squares and being cut down by skirmishers and artillery. If you have ever read 'Waterloo a near run thing' by David Howarth, this is a similar diary driven account. But modern research has produced a lot more diary accounts, German, French and British. It is a much bigger book and I would say better written. 8) 8)
The 1st of the four was the only disappointment - 'WATERLOO' Bernhard Cornwall. I found this disappointing because IMHO Mr Cornwall has a way of making the tactics of the period seem stereo-typed and completely predictable with the French being a little dim to keep persisting against the solid British soldier standing in line. There is no new research and it is simply the basic history of the campaign set against a "Sharpe the Hero" type approach to the combat. I couldn't finish the book I am afraid. :(
Cheers, Rob :) :)
I've read the first couple of chapters of the Cornwell book and not too impressed so far either. Asked for it for my birthday last month then found out Robert Kershaw had written a Waterloo book which would probably been a far better option.
Started reading The Bloody Road to Tunis today as background for my project for next year.
Quote from: Rob on 20 December 2014, 12:43:32 PM
I am currently on my 4th "Waterloo" book of the latest releases. I seem to have such a lot of books published on the subject of Waterloo and usually I am not disappointed with the newer releases as they unearth new evidence. So in reverse order:
The current book is no exception and covers the whole campaign in detail: 'Waterloo'; author Tim Clayton. I am really enjoying this one. Tim really gets into the detail of the events. 8)
Prior to this I read 'NAPOLEON the END OF GLORY'; author Munro Price. Not really a Waterloo book as such but did culminate with Waterloo. An unusual book in that its main content is the political and diplomatic battles of 1813-1815 with the military events as a backdrop. You do see all of the principle actors in a different light with Napoleon being a bit of a clux when it comes to diplomacy with Metternich as the master craftsman. Enjoyed this one and learnt a great deal. 8)
The 2nd of the four was '24 HOURS AT WATERLOO', author Robert Kershaw. Not many books make a big impression on an old codger like me, but this book I think is brilliant. Mr Kershaw has the ability to transport your imagination to particular episodes during the battle and then take you through the experiences of the people that were there. I found it quite exhilarating to be forming up for D'Erlons big attack and later quite destitute and fatalistic as part of Lambert's brigade standing in squares and being cut down by skirmishers and artillery. If you have ever read 'Waterloo a near run thing' by David Howarth, this is a similar diary driven account. But modern research has produced a lot more diary accounts, German, French and British. It is a much bigger book and I would say better written. 8) 8)
The 1st of the four was the only disappointment - 'WATERLOO' Bernhard Cornwall. I found this disappointing because IMHO Mr Cornwall has a way of making the tactics of the period seem stereo-typed and completely predictable with the French being a little dim to keep persisting against the solid British soldier standing in line. There is no new research and it is simply the basic history of the campaign set against a "Sharpe the Hero" type approach to the combat. I couldn't finish the book I am afraid. :(
Cheers, Rob :) :)
If you haven't already, read Alessandro Barbero's 'The Battle', also about waterloo, quite magnificent, the best I've ever read.
I'm reading the Cornwall book at present. I don't know what I'm expecting. Perhaps colour rather than new information - 'cos I'm probably not alone in having several books on the subject.
My favourite is still "A Near Run Thing" by David Howarth.
I would agree
Try Barbero, I really can't praise it enough.
Quote from: cameronian on 22 December 2014, 04:12:48 PM
If you haven't already, read Alessandro Barbero's 'The Battle', also about waterloo, quite magnificent, the best I've ever read.
Hi praise indeed, why would you say it is so good? I'll probably get it anyway. :)
Quote from: fsn on 22 December 2014, 05:30:20 PM
I'm reading the Cornwall book at present. I don't know what I'm expecting. Perhaps colour rather than new information - 'cos I'm probably not alone in having several books on the subject.
My favourite is still "A Near Run Thing" by David Howarth.
I love that book too. I bought it again earlier this year for my son and he also thinks its great.
Its an interesting point that if someone started a thread over the most books in everyones collection centered around one battle, I am sure Waterloo would win hands down. I just had a quick count along the bookshelves and I got to 9. The other ones which feature in more than one of my books are Arnhem and D-Day.
Cheers, Rob :)
It's because after 200 years us Brits are still unsure whether we should be claiming points for a score draw or a win.
The Germans claim the win, having two teams in the pitch.
The Dutch claim a heroic substitution of their lead player after 85 minutes should never have happened.
The French claim the match was postponed due to flooded pitch.
The Belgians claim that despite only fielding half a team, with no management, it is their pitch, and ball, and they're going home early...
It's always difficult when there's more than one team playing.
;D
Quote from: Rob on 23 December 2014, 10:19:26 AM
Hi praise indeed, why would you say it is so good? I'll probably get it anyway. :)
Very balanced, wonderfully written, lucid, gripping, informative, humorous ... "the English soldier, well nourished with meat and beer, stimulated with gin, and convinced of his own racial superiority to the foreign rabble he had to face, was a magnificent combatant, as anyone who has ever seen hooligans in action at a soccer match can readily imagine..."
Print books
1) Aubrey-Maturin Series: The Surgeons Mate
2) Moller and Cedra: Uniforms of the War of the Pacific
Ebook
1) Quinting Barry the Franco Prussian War I
2) Sears: To the Gates of Richmond
3)Embree: Bishmark's First War
I'm struggling with Barrie's Road to Koniggratz; it's terribly dry.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 23 December 2014, 10:54:32 PM
I'm struggling with Barrie's Road to Koniggratz; it's terribly dry.
Know how you feel. Just finished Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff. This year I've been having an AWI fest (including trip to Concord, Lexington & Boston) so it seemed a good idea to find out how the Loyalists got on when the war ended. A very scholarly work and opened up your eyes to how the land of the free treated anyone who disagreed with them but, quite frankly, it got to the stage where I couldn't give a monkeys myself (poor show, I know :-[).
So, AWI fest now over (except awaiting Black Powder Rebellion from Santa :-w). Now back to Sharpie's Enemy (yes, I've still to finish the series!) ... now there's a good read!
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 23 December 2014, 10:54:32 PM
I'm struggling with Barrie's Road to Koniggratz; it's terribly dry.
Agreed, very worthy and all that but unreadable, are the FPW ones any better?
If you read by battle, whilst standing on the terrain, yes.
Try read them dry, and I promise you will never have insomnia again!
Just read Mark Urban's book on the 95th, very good though I thought Fusiliers was better.
Quote from: cameronian on 27 December 2014, 11:19:40 AM
Just read Mark Urban's book on the 95th, very good though I thought Fusiliers was better.
Thanks for bringing that up. I enjoyed Fusiliers myself (read and re-read it about 3 times now over the years) and almost forgot I had put Rifles on my reading list. Good man! :)
Emma. Got to come back to that regularly.
Is that a Gentleman's magazine?
Total OIK.
IanS
Quote from: fsn on 27 December 2014, 04:09:01 PM
Is that a Gentleman's magazine?
;D ;D ;D ;D =O =O =O =O ;D ;D ;D ;D
Just finished Quintin Barry's "The Road to Koniggratz: Helmuth von Moltke and the Austro-Prussian War 1866". I thoroughly enjoyed it (and didn't find it dry - but I like detailed books about the logistics, etc). It also discusses the Danish War and shows how this is the background to the war of 1866 and goes through the campaign in quite a bit of detail.
I liked it much.
I have gone back to finish off Collision of Empires, the war on the Eastern Front in 1914. In my opinion better written and more engaging than the Koniggratz book,
Quote from: kipt on 29 December 2014, 04:22:27 AM
Just finished Quintin Barry's "The Road to Koniggratz: Helmuth von Moltke and the Austro-Prussian War 1866". I thoroughly enjoyed it (and didn't find it dry - but I like detailed books about the logistics, etc). It also discusses the Danish War and shows how this is the background to the war of 1866 and goes through the campaign in quite a bit of detail.
I liked it much.
Agree entirely. Very readable.
Gave up on the last book I was listening to.....I skipped 7 CDs, and went straight to the last one.....It was dire.
Now listening to 'Bleak Expectations'.
Cheers - Phil.
I give up! And I always finish a book! After 209 pages (out of 703) I have stopped reading "Poltava 1709: The Battle and the Myth".
I thought it would be a good read on the battle for the early horse and musket period. I have others on the battle and Peter the Great, but this one did me in. It does have a good chapter on "Peter's Dragoons: How the Russians Won at Poltava", but then gets into chapters such as"Poltava: A Turning Point in the History of Preaching" (this is what stopped me), "Love's Labour's Lost: Mazepa's Grammar of Romance" and other such.
It is part of the Harvard Papers in Ukrainian Studies and has 26 contributors. Much more of a social history/archeology/literature graduate studies type of book.
Oh well, back to blood and guts. At least I have 3 other books going at the moment.
I've been reading about Solo wargaming as I try and decide what to collect next.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just started The blade itself by Joe Abercrombie
W
Just started Ortona by Mark Zuelke. Might push me to finish my Fallschirmjager for BKCII so that I can game some of the actions...
2015 Beano Annual
Mission to Paris by Alan Furst, one of a series of espionage novels set between the Wars. This one concerns Nazi infiltration into the higher echelons of French government in 1938/9.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 01 January 2015, 04:34:31 PM
2015 Beano Annual
Sure you can cope - looks a bit advanced.
my current - Lost Stars novel, about to read SOTCW Journal 82, and Neiros War - a Kindle SF freebe.
IanS :d
Finished "the World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and The Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin, along with Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson. It is as it says a precursor to The Game Of Thrones. A long, oversized book with many illustrations (324 pages). It has the lineages of the Targaryens, the Starks and the Lannisters.
Hard to keep the various kings, princes, lords and knights straight. But interesting for the history of wars, battles and heritages.
I imagine the above would be ideal for those who like their fantasy battles to have a Medieval slant.
Panzer Aces, but it's not helping my wargaming prowess...
V/R,
Jack
The Orenda - Huron vs Iroquois in 17th century New France. Brutal stuff, really captures the how alien 17th century Europeans are just as much as 17th Century 1st nations.
Just finished Boys of '67 about Vietnam riverine actions from the view of one company. Hard read in places (due to the graphic nature) but compelling stuff.
Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 14 January 2015, 04:39:08 PM
Just finished Boys of '67 about Vietnam riverine actions from the view of one company. Hard read in places (due to the graphic nature) but compelling stuff.
I know almost nothing about this part of the Vietnam War and have noticed a few expressing interest of late. Did the VC and/or the North have riverine forces and were there battles between riverine forces? Or was it more a case of the US and South using riverine forces to disrupt supply routes and project power?
QuoteI know almost nothing about this part of the Vietnam War and have noticed a few expressing interest of late. Did the VC and/or the North have riverine forces and were there battles between riverine forces? Or was it more a case of the US and South using riverine forces to disrupt supply routes and project power?
I'm only just getting into the history myself but it is more the latter. Charlie were basically hiding out in the Mekong delta and using it as a staging area for infiltration into the South. The US used the river to basically go in on seek and destroy missions as the terrain wasn't suitable for vehicles. It was an awful job for the young conscripts - snipers, booby traps and incidents were whole platoons pretty much wiped out in ambushes. Lots of young men dying for no good reason :(
The book is well worth a look if you're interested in this period as its all based on interviews with vets.
Now reading the Valley Campaign (abridged title), jointly written by Holdfast. Very informative and an interesting view on the legend of T J Jackson.
Just finished Hunter Killers by Iain Ballantyne, a potted history of Royal Navy nuclear submarines. Fascinating details of Cold War shenanigans in the Barents Sea and the North Atlantic. You wouldn't think it possible for two submarines to collide, given the huge expanses of water they operated in, but there were several Soviet/British and Soviet/US comings together over the course of thirty years cat-and-mouse adventures at sea.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 14 January 2015, 09:30:27 PM
Now reading the Valley Campaign (abridged title), jointly written by Holdfast. Very informative and an interesting view on the legend of T J Jackson.
Perhaps we could invite Holdfast to post something concerning his views on Jackson. I think (and I may be wrong) that I heard him criticise Henderson once for promulgating views that were unduly complementary of Jackson.
He most certainly does in the introduction and furthermore states that Henderson's book was still on the Sandhurst reading list in the 1970s.
My point on Henderson is, briefly put, that he wrote 2 books on the FPW and 2 on the ACW. Of these, the 2 on the FPW are really detailed and offer plenty of detail, but are a bit dry. The two on the ACW are a volume on Fredericksburg which is short but solid and the two volume Stonewall Jackson, which is based on a lot of correspondence during the 1880s with those who worked for Jackson. It is extremely forgiving of Jackson, not a bit dry, and became the set text for the British Staff College in the 1890s.
Whenever something goes wrong for the Confederacy it is the fault of the staff officers according to Henderson. Whenever something goes right it is because of Jackson's brilliance, which it is sometimes, but it is also sometimes because of mistakes that the other side makes, unbeknown to Jackson, or the meddling of the Union War Department (read Lincoln) in Washington.
The book was seized on by the British Army as portraying the ability of barely trained enthusiastic Southern gentry (read Brits) to defeat more numerous but duller and plodding Yankees (read French or German or Austrian), and it influenced the debate about whether conscription might be needed for the Brits in the early 1900s.
As we know the effect of not having conscription was to have an army that was too small for Continental warfare in 1914, with unfortunate consequences.
I was astonished to find the Campaign was one of about 6 that were needed to be studied for the captain to major promotion exam up until 1974 (the other 5 were more recent).
Enough of this, Cameronian, you are perfectly able to afford your own copy. Tell your PA to rush out and buy yourself a copy with some of the vast wealth that you have amassed from performing open heart surgery on goldfish.
'Vast wealth' LOL, you are a card, and thank you for the short, informative disquisition.
A pleasure, though I have not the foggiest idea what a disquisition might be, even though I may have produced one.
First person that mentions 'the Spanish disquisition' gets their coat hurled at them. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 16 January 2015, 03:51:26 PM
First person that mentions 'the Spanish disquisition' gets their coat hurled at them. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Not a pillow or comfy chair then?
Quote from: Techno on 16 January 2015, 03:51:26 PM
First person that mentions 'the Spanish disquisition' gets their coat hurled at them. ;)
Cheers - Phil
That would be you then, wouldn't it? Shall I do the honours?
Quote from: Fenton on 16 January 2015, 03:55:39 PM
Not a pillow or comfy chair then?
Not unless the chair's small enough to hurl as well. ;)
Quote from: OldenBUA on 16 January 2015, 03:57:21 PM
That would be you then, wouldn't it? Shall I do the honours?
Dammit !......Foiled again. :'( ;)
Cheers - Phil
No body EXPECTS the Inquisition........
IanS
And we're off!
Ha! I would add ... hang on there's someone at the door.
I'm reading a "Spell it Out: The Singular History of English Spelling".
So, who do we blame? >:( >:( >:(
Reading 'Blood Runs in The Family' Book 5 of The Order Of The Stick.
Hilarious
Just begun Mosquito; Menacing the Reich by Martin W. Bowman. The exploits of the "Wooden Wonder" in WW2, a bomber that could outrun most of the fighters sent up to intercept it.
Empires of The Dragon.....more tea vicar....
Quote from: Hertsblue on 17 January 2015, 10:43:47 AM
So, who do we blame? >:( >:( >:(
So far, the Catholic Church trying to put Anglo-Saxon from runes to Latin.
I've just reverted back 40 years and started reading the John Carter of Mars series by E R Burroughs inspired by watching the film on TV over Christmas. I got the first 5 books for 79p for my Kindle. This is the first bit of sci-fi I have read in years but now have some 18mm figures of little green and red martians hopefully on their way!
As you read the books you realise all the animals on Barsoom are carnivorous. Makes you wonder what the smaller ones ate....
Quote from: Bodvoc on 18 January 2015, 12:23:01 PM
I've just reverted back 40 years and started reading the John Carter of Mars series by E R Burroughs inspired by watching the film on TV over Christmas. I got the first 5 books for 79p for my Kindle. This is the first bit of sci-fi I have read in years but now have some 18mm figures of little green and red martians hopefully on their way!
You mean the film didn't put you off? :o
Quote from: Hertsblue on 18 January 2015, 02:56:05 PM
As you read the books you realise all the animals on Barsoom are carnivorous. Makes you wonder what the smaller ones ate....
Mars mallows?
It wasnt that bad......
More may be following.
IanS
I thought the film was far better than I had been led to believe, and now another studio has bought the rights to hopefully make more.
Thirded on the "it was better than the critics reported" front.
This thread, when I should be painting. The Prussians will never take to the field if I don't fold this laptop and get on.
I am working my way through "The SS :- A New History" by Adrian Weale, it deals with the whole spectrum of the SS from first concept to the end of the war..............warts and all :o
Listening to 'The Last Conquest' by Berwick Coates.
About something that happened in 1066......Pretty good, so far.
Cheers - Phil.
Mrs Figgis of Colosseum Close, Pevensey, was watching a very interesting sailing regatta.
Currently reading The Hobbit again.
When you've done, could you explain how it became a film trilogy? I remember it as a rather slim tome.
I believe it's called dramatic licence. In this instance some side references in the book were turned into major episodes in the films. Haven't seen the third one yet.
Quote from: fsn on 21 January 2015, 06:16:10 PM
When you've done, could you explain how it became a film trilogy? I remember it as a rather slim tome.
I believe they drove a dump truck full of cash up to Peter Jackson's door.
Read online that a fan has condensed the 3 hobbit movies into one 4 hour movie
Quote from: fsn on 21 January 2015, 06:16:10 PM
When you've done, could you explain how it became a film trilogy? I remember it as a rather slim tome.
Just dont get me started....
saw a brilliant quote today... after someone saw the last episode in the trilogy... Something along the lines of ...It was like watching the last film in the lord of the rings 11 years ago and wishing Peter Jackson would make the Hobbit.... says it all really...
At the mo re-reading the Lord of the Rings and rules wise... Science versus Pluck
Quote from: Fenton on 21 January 2015, 11:10:39 PM
Read online that a fan has condensed the 3 hobbit movies into one 4 hour movie
Funnily enough I just read that today..... not sure how as the DVD isnto out for the third episode.. well in the UK
Quote from: Maenoferren on 21 January 2015, 11:26:56 PM
Funnily enough I just read that today..... not sure how as the DVD isnto out for the third episode.. well in the UK
I doubt there's a film ever made that isn't "out" ... if you're not too fussy about the legality (and possibly quality) of the download.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 21 January 2015, 11:49:30 PM
I doubt there's a film ever made that isn't "out" ... if you're not too fussy about the legality (and possibly quality) of the download.
I was thinking more in advertising the fact you had done it...not that clever really
Finished Volume 2 of "Wargaming in History: The War of the Austrian Succession". After reading volume 8 (Great, great, great...) I decided I needed to acquire all of them. Volumes 1 and 9 are currently out of print, but the rest may show up for my birthday.
Funny I was thinking the same, I've been impressed with what I've read so far, also it will be a good introduction to different periods - not that I'm interested in other periods you understand, purely educational ;)
Me sees massive purchases of all sorts of things coming on...
IanS
Invasion 1914. Concentrates on the French and Germans in the early war, so a useful adjunct to Collision of Empires re. the Eastern Front; and it was only 99p on Kindle.
Yes that is a good one...read a few months back.
IanS
Quote from: Leman on 20 January 2015, 01:49:37 PM
Mrs Figgis of Colosseum Close, Pevensey, was watching a very interesting sailing regatta.
Must have missed that bit.....(Was using the Dremmel a lot last week.)
All I managed to glean from "The Last Conquest" was that there was some b**tard called Norman along with a load of his chums, using Scouts to find stuff out.
The scouts never tied a single knot, so they weren't much cop.
As far as I could tell......Norman's mob were
supposed to be French.....But the accents seemed to come from Scotland, Ireland and Birmingham....Most confusing !
Going to start "Arena" by Simon Scarrow & T.J. Andrews next week.
Cheers - Phil
With all the LOA doing the rounds at the mo I'm surprised we haven't heard more about Williamandmary who was very fond of a nice juicy clementine and painted his navy orange.
Quote from: Leman on 23 January 2015, 08:48:23 PM
With all the LOA doing the rounds at the mo I'm surprised we haven't heard more about Williamandmary who was very fond of a nice juicy clementine and painted his navy orange.
....and all that?
Just yesterday picked up my old copy of 'Herodotus The Histories' off the shelf. Been a few years since I read this first time round at Uni. OK, well make that quite a few years. :o
Amazing backdrop to the history of the ancient world and different peoples, habits, and indeed armies. It is also a bloody good read. :)
I have two versions. An old Penguin version that has fallen to bits, and a Kindle version.
Ought to be compulsory reading for everyone.
Crowbarred in "The Three Musketeers", Radio 4's full cast dramatisation, before I start on "Arena".
Nobby would like it.....It's got Milady in it.
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: fsn on 26 January 2015, 03:31:44 PM
I have two versions. An old Penguin version that has fallen to bits, and a Kindle version.
Ought to be compulsory reading for everyone.
In Latin - or Greek. Just because it's there.... :P
Finished Norman Friedman's "US Cruisers: An Illustrated design History". Large book (oversize with 496 pages) with facts, number, anecdotes and many pictures. Very technical but interesting to see the necessary tradeoffs in size, speed, armaments and armor to get to a certain spec. Also what happened because of the London Treaty before WWII.
Now I want his books on destroyers, battleships and carriers.
His book on Naval Firepower was cheap on the Kindle a few weeks back.
IanS
Just finished "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder.
Now this is by a female writer (not normally a fan) in the first person (which normally I HATE) but it works.
Some good characterisation and would be a nice setting for a fantasy campaign (wargame or otherwise).
Picked it up for 99p on Kindle. Loved it! Highly recommended. Had the feel of the Golden Compass trilogy but for adults (please do not judge GC on the film which, quite frankly, was garbage).
I am reading 'Go Strong into the Desert' a really good book. I wanted to buy it but wanted to have a look at it first. My lovely librarians bought it in...I thought it would be a little used book so I could keep getting it reissued... Sadly not there is now a queue. At least I know if it is worth buying :)
Quote from: getagrip on 28 January 2015, 11:41:48 AM
Just finished "Poison Study" by Maria V. Snyder.
Now this is by a female writer (not normally a fan)....
I shall burn my copies of Jane Austen at once.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 28 January 2015, 11:55:25 AM
I shall burn my copies of Jane Austen at once.
;D ;D ;D
Personal preference and massive generalisation. ;)
For example, I prefer Elizabeth Gaskell to Dickens and the list is endless but, on the whole (and certainly in terms of fantasy), I prefer male authors. :)
Jane Austen is a frightful bore. Add in the Bronte sisters, Dickens and Hardy. Tedious reads, all of them. (Yes, I have tried them all.)
The only Austen I liked was the one on "Old Harry's Game" whose catchphrase was (in a heavy cockney accent) "back off, or I cut yer!"
Quote from: fsn on 28 January 2015, 12:32:36 PM
Jane Austen is a frightful bore.
She's a bloody snob! Bit harsh given when she lived but...meh :-<
Just finished - Into the Valley of Death - Berridge
D-Day - Ambrose
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold - Le Carre
Just finished Bundori by Laura Joh Rowland
I have Friedman's book on Naval Firepower, hard copy. I don't like the electronic books. My daughter gave me a Nook at one point and I gave it to my wife.
My military collection is upwards of 7,000 books with about that many more on diverse subjects in the house (no TV).
Kindles have their uses, but I don't like them for "proper" books with maps and pictures and so forth.
Just started reading "Inside Wellington's Peninsula Army". More a collection of essays than a single topic. Just got into the essay on Observing Officers.
I have a kindle and use it all the time for what I call pot boiler books ie novels. For reference material you can't beat a good solid hardcopy book.
As I have just started painting FPW chaps I thought it would be a good idea to find out a bit about the war. Von Moltke's Franco-German War seemed a s good a book as any.
I would also go for Howard's Franco-Prussian War and Ascoli's 'A Day of Battle'.
I find the tablet or phone good for "entertainment books" I'm not very bothered about sinking in permanently but can't beat actual hard copy for reference or rules etc.
Jut restarted the Wheel of Time series. Can't find my copy of book one so jumped straight to book 2. Also reading the Basic D&D Rules Compendium for old school flavour and Megablitz as we're running a game at WMMS in March :D
I have the kindle app on my tablet and like to buy, read and store lots of books and rules on there (as my other half can't trace them so easily). Also, when on holiday I can take a whole library with me. However for a really important book or set of rules an actual book is always best.
Quote from: Bodvoc on 28 January 2015, 09:35:49 PM
I have the kindle app on my tablet and like to buy, read and store lots of books and rules on there (as my other half can't trace them so easily). Also, when on holiday I can take a whole library with me. However for a really important book or set of rules an actual book is always best.
Agree entirely. Great for blotting out the world when on holiday, but for
serious reading give me a hard-back every time. Have you ever tried referring back to a fronticepiece map from the middle of an e-book? Don't bother!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 28 January 2015, 08:41:55 PM
I would also go for Howard's Franco-Prussian War and Ascoli's 'A Day of Battle'.
Thanks for that, I'll look out for them.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 29 January 2015, 09:05:08 AM
Agree entirely. Great for blotting out the world when on holiday, but for serious reading give me a hard-back every time. Have you ever tried referring back to a fronticepiece map from the middle of an e-book? Don't bother!
On a Kindle Fire there is a sidebar which can be revealed which enables you to go to different parts of the book, such as maps. Takes no longer than flipping back and forth in a book. I also discovered the tap twice feature which enlarges pictures and maps. Great for Ospreys.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 29 January 2015, 09:05:08 AM
Agree entirely. Great for blotting out the world when on holiday, but for serious reading give me a hard-back every time. Have you ever tried referring back to a fronticepiece map from the middle of an e-book? Don't bother!
Agree totally with this. Although, as Leman says you can be clever with tabs, it just isn't the same as reading and referring (ie flicking between the two pages). I tried to read an account of the Waterloo;
so frustrating! >:(
The Somme 1870 -71 by Quintin Barry. So far it's proving to be a good read, maybe because it deals with a very specific campaign. Couple of oddities though. In one place the same illustration is shown twice, one page after the other. Also all the colour photos taken on the battlefields appear throughout the book again in black and white. Nevertheless a valuable in depth look at an important part of the FPW, and inspiration for using those fusiliers marins.
DP I'm interested - why the change of name?
Currently ploughing our way through all the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough on audio book
Cameronian - someone suggested it was a bit long, and I had gone off it myself, not having done any ECW for a good few years now. The time was right.
Mongols, Huns & Vikings - Hugh Kennedy - Cassell's History of Warfare
(care of North Yorkshire County Library)
Quote from: Fenton on 30 January 2015, 12:46:02 PM
Currently ploughing our way through all the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough on audio book
Great set of books. It needs to be turned into a TV mini-series!
Beau Geste by PC Wren.
"Beau Sabreur", the second is the series is dedicated 'to "Nobby," true comrade, to whom this book owes much'.
Funny don't remember PC Wren from my time in the Legion - FSN
Beau Geste, Beau Sabreur and Beau Ideal are all essentially the same book written from three different viewpoints.
Beau Diddley, however, is about a musician. Beau Locks is a general refutation of the French method of desert warfare. Beau Mont is a travel guide extolling the beauty of the Swiss countryside.
While Beau Ring is a critque of Wagner's Ring Cycle :)
;D ;D ;D
I hear Beau Brummell is dandy...
Don't forget Beau Jangles - tribute to Mr Neil Diamond
Beau Peep - one of the few lady voyeurs.
What about "Mercy Beau Coup", the story of sympathetic regime change?
ENOUGH ENHOUGH
Phil - get his coat.....if it's not too chewed.
IanS
Long Beau is a NSFW tale of a gay archer who has to flee to Morocco after being falsely accused of stealing Henry's lipstick in the 100YW.
Stop posting, everyone! This page is on the sacred number; would you want to be the one who interrupted it?
Yes
As in interuptus? Beau Wave, a book on the mispronunciation of British nautical terms.
Beau Belle - pretty Cockney :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 02 February 2015, 09:22:39 AM
Beau Belle - pretty Cockney :)
Contradiction in terms...
IanS
Only if she opens 'er maarf.
Take it we are ignoring the tame cat....
As to the subjet - I'm on fiction at the moment - re-read of a Lizzy Moon fantasy (to lazy to check title), 2nd Speedicut Papers novel, and 4th in the Destroyermen Series by Taylor Anderson.
IanS :D
Just started " Donald Featherstone's Solo Wargaming"; realise I may be a tad late to this :-[
Very dated but some cracking ideas (no looking around for matchboxes).
The title is misleading though inasmuch as the suggestions can be used for any amount of players; good book. :)
No wonder I'm the only happily-married one here!
Yu are never too late for the Blessed Featherstone!
Is it one of the reprints? They, IM not so HO, lose something. The airborne wargames book tell us that the M60 was a popular weapon in use by the 101st Ab Div in 1944!
Quote from: fsn on 02 February 2015, 12:45:13 PM
Yu are never too late for the Blessed Featherstone!
Is it one of the reprints?
Don't know (realise I'm about to get harangued here) it's on my Kindle. Will check out the edition tonight.
Don't really care though. it's just full of cracking little ideas :)
It'll be the new one. I got several of them, but still love the old, battered tomes from the 1970's.
Just to derail the thread again ...
Beau Stard - A right swine
Beau Legged - The man who couldn't stop a pig in the road
Harry Beau - The sweet manufacturer
Cross Beau - the grumpy archer
Beau Beau - the sleepy one
Beau Tox - The inscrutable one
and finally ...
Beau Vine - The bull with the one liner jokes.
I can chew my own coat, thank you - FSN
Beau Jolais - Wine producer
Beau Locks - The fastenings to FSNs lovely white Jackets :D
;D ;D ;D
Gentlemen, with the advent on Westmarcher and the return of Getagrip, may I suggest that the evil genius quotient of the Forum has increased (by my calculation) by 37.4%.
Beau Ring - The one who keep droning on about his engagement
Beau Leigh-Wood - The Indian film star
Beau Endry - The damp course fitter
Beau Dee - The Professional CI5 agent
Beau Deshoppe - The cosmetic manufacturer
I'm thinking of having a coat made out of Bourbon biscuits - FSN
Quote from: fsn on 02 February 2015, 01:37:39 PM
Beau Dee - The Professional CI5 agent
;D ;D ;D
Beau Selecta (Techno at work with his Dremmel: "Can I get a re-grind?")
I rather like some of these !
I'll hang onto the coats for a while.
(I think I know why Gareth edited his post, though..... ;))
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 02 February 2015, 01:59:20 PM
(I think I know why Gareth edited his post, though..... ;))
Do tell... :-\
;)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 02 February 2015, 03:35:59 PM
;)
Cheers - Phil
;D
Phil, you're an enigma wrapped up in green stuff :D
Cupid's Beau, same sex partner of the recently outed God of Love.
Beau Regard, Confederate General with a very high opinion of himself.
Ox-Beau: Technical term for crap learned at school you never, EVER need!
Beau Gerroff - The crotchety old country dweller - not Techno.
Beau Berfat - The space bounty hunter
Beau Bill Head - The man with the extraordinarily large, and wobbily cranium.
Beau Filo-Gals - Won't you come on outside?
Beau Beau - The Yogi's little friend
Beau Derek - An really good female impersonator. Scored 10, in fact.
Beau Sanquet. Ex cricketer driven out of England for inventing a damned "un-English" delivery.
Mollinary
Beau String. A fellow who set up a rather disreputable nightclub.?!
Mollinary
Quote from: fsn on 02 February 2015, 07:10:12 PM
Beau Filo-Gals - Won't you come on outside?
;D =O ;D
Beau Ne Part. A megalomaniac French auto accessory firm temporarily out of stock.
Mollinary
Violet Beau Regard, an optician?
Quote from: mollinary on 02 February 2015, 07:16:34 PM
Beau Ne Part. A megalomaniac French auto accessory firm temporarily out of stock.
Mollinary
;D ;D ;D
;D ;D ;D
Das Beau't - a story about a submarine
Beau Ling - a game played by Sir Francis Drake
Beau Ner - a possible side effect in the Top Totty thread
Beau Daline - that last definition
Beau de L'aire - rather dandified French pilot with poetic tendencies.
Mollinary
Beau Res Gares - Frenchman concerned with matters to do with railway stations.
Mollinary
Quote from: mollinary on 02 February 2015, 08:06:28 PM
Beau de L'aire - rather dandified French pilot with poetic tendencies.
Mollinary
OMG I was just about to post - Beau De Layer, an exceptionally fecund hen!
Beau ny protuberance - Upstart Frenchman's nose.
Mollinary
I feel something akin to the Yorkshiremen sketch from the "At Last the 1948 show".
Right ...
Beau Mer - US nuclear submarine
Beau Zee - From a town in Idaho
Beau Gee - Inveterate nose picker
Here Comes Honey Beau Beau - an annoying child
Beau Klearning - Who never experienced life, got all his knowledge from reading
Beau Koharam - An Islamic terrorist
Beau Colharem - Sang "A whiter shade of pail" (it was on his bucket list)
Beau Fort - A polymath who was interested in wind speed, castles and torepdo bombers
Beau N "Dick" Cumber-Patch - strangely heart-throb actor
El Beau - Spanish with active arms
... and went to bed before we got up.
Beau champs - Frenchman with nice teeth.
Mollinary
Beau Ner, porn actor with an exceptionally large ...
Colonel Beau Ghi - senior French Officer with a penchant for clarified butter.
Mollinary.
Beau Gus - Imitation Legionnaire
Mollinary
Nice one, Mollinary!
Humphrey "Beau" Garde - A two-fisted actor, who stole milk.
Coat de Beau' ne - legionnaire's wine stained jacket.
Mollinary
Madame Beauvary. some what changeable wife of a legionnaire.
Mollinary
Beau Morris - a rather odd dancer with a castle obsession.
Mollinary
Beau Lynn. Legionnaire who is very good at tying knots.
Mollinary
And, especially for FK. Beau Thai - Siamese Legionnaire.
Mollinary
Quote from: Westmarcher on 02 February 2015, 07:55:53 PM
;D ;D ;D
Das Beau't - a story about a submarine
Beau Ling - a game played by Sir Francis Drake
Beau Ner - a possible side effect in the Top Totty thread
Beau Daline - that last definition
Quote from: cameronian on 02 February 2015, 08:14:32 PM
Beau Ner, porn actor with an exceptionally large ...
Beat ya! :P :P
( ... just Beau Sting ... ;) )
Boatswain - male offspring of a legionnaire.
Mollinary
Bowshot. - Extremely good looking legionnaire.
Mollinary
Dem beauns, dem beauns, dem dry beauns...
Beau's Lion - the Queen Mother.
Mollinary
Beau men. Legionnaire toxophiliites.
Mollinary
Ho-beau: unemployed legionnaire
Quote from: getagrip on 02 February 2015, 09:04:38 PM
Ho-beau: unemployed legionnaire
Nice One! Plac-e-beau! Vanilla, sugar flavoured, Legionnaire.
Mollinary
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
These are good.
I'm taking all of your coats to the dry-cleaners.
Cheers - Phil
Ro-beaux cop: Legionnaire MP
Chicken Gum Beau - somewhat toothless and cowardly legionnaire.
Mollinary
Quote from: mollinary on 02 February 2015, 09:21:50 PM
Chicken Gum Beau - somewhat toothless and cowardly legionnaire.
Mollinary
;D ;D ;D
Dum- beau. Legionnaire with sensationally big ears!
Mollinary
beaucoup..A French military take over and revolution
Rambeaud,
Curiously poetically fixated male sheep with a desire to join the legion.
Mollinary
Beaufort,
Strong legionnaire who designed a dreadful aircraft.
Mollinary
Beau-ting, Chinese legionnaire with a love for maritime dalliances .
Mollinary
Beau-trace. Hint that a legionnaire had rowed from Putney to Mortlake.
Mollinary
Bil-beaux: In a hole in the ground there lived a legionnaire.
Quote from: getagrip on 02 February 2015, 09:44:57 PM
Bil-beaux: In a hole in the ground there lived a legionnaire.
=D> =D> =D>
Mollinary
You would have thought there were fewer Beau puns than there were fish puns ... but you'd be wrong.
Beau Lards - Fat Legionnaire who stands in the road to stop cars going through.
Beau Leesha Beacon - Legionnaire with a light on his head who stands by the road
Bew Beau - Legionnaire with the plague
Lim-beau . Legionnaire with an astonishing capacity for dancing under a pole.
Mollinary
Beau Docea - Female lectionary in a chariot
Beau Terr - in a batty straw hat
Should beat the monthly record for posts by about 4th Feb if this keeps up.
Who started all this?
I give up...I can't remember what's gone :'(
Quote from: fsn on 02 February 2015, 10:16:32 PM
Beau Docea - Female lectionary in a chariot
lectionary? Lectionary? LECTIONARY? What the .....?
Mollinary
Beau Bridges - legionnaire with considerable engineering capabilities.
Mollinary
Beau Gus - a disappointed guy.
Beau locks - what this thread has become :o
Quote from: mad lemmey on 02 February 2015, 10:33:43 PM
Beau Gus - a disappointed guy.
ML,
I thought I had already bagged that one?
Beau sting - the legionnaire's practice of over stating his achievements.
Mollinary
Quote from: fred 12df on 02 February 2015, 10:45:47 PM
Beau locks - what this thread has become :o
Beau locks - an answer that was introduced in a post long long ago!
Mollianry
Quote from: Westmarcher on 02 February 2015, 08:39:04 PM
( ... just Beau Sting ... ;) )
Quote from: mollinary on 02 February 2015, 10:46:31 PM
Beau sting - the legionnaire's practice of over stating his achievements.
... count as already bagged? ... :P
Wonder if kustenjaeger has finished reading Beau Geste yet?
Quote from: Westmarcher on 02 February 2015, 10:55:43 PM
... count as already bagged? ... :P
Touché This thread has gone on so long we are all thrashing around looking for new " beau mots" in a very shallow pool, and it is running dry.
Molliary
Beau it!
[Thank you, Mollinary. What a gentleman. One more .. (who started this anyway?) .. ]
Beau Maris Piper - the legionnaire formerly known as Mr Potato Head.
:-\
I must find a book to read.
You do realise this has gone on for 5 pages now. That surely is a record, and one that needs to be taken off the gramophone at once.
So to close, I suggest we have a song from that old Blue Lectionary Beau Diddley.
Yes Lectionary - he's got a teaching post - FSN
Quote from: fsn on 03 February 2015, 08:12:25 AM
You do realise this has gone on for 5 pages now. That surely is a record, and one that needs to be taken off the gramophone at once.
Yeah, we were brill! :D :D :D
Sorry everyone. On a more prosaic note I am reading a jolly 99p romp from Kindle entitled Britannia, set at the time of the Great Barbarian Conspiracy in the late 360s.
Quote from: fsn on 03 February 2015, 08:12:25 AM
You do realise this has gone on for 5 pages now. That surely is a record, and one that needs to be taken off the gramophone at once.
Yes Lectionary - he's got a teaching post - FSN
I think were still ifne Nobby. As long as you can keep supplying the earwax to make the gramphone masters I think we can go a few more pages
Quote from: Fenton on 03 February 2015, 10:11:08 AM
As long as you can keep supplying the earwax to make the gramphone masters I think we can go a few more pages
:-&
[beau'k]
Beau Sting (yes I know) A self regarding pop star.
L Beau - A handsome learner driver.
I've just read "Ark Royal" - A piece of SF rip-roaring adventure in which the British are the main protagonists. Starting on vol 2 - "The Nelson Touch". Annoys me that the second in command is called the "XO" and not "No 1".
Blue Beau Tull - depressed legionnaire who eats a lot of s%!t
Beau na Vista - Shell company for a Mickey Mouse organisation
Beau-ler Hat: Headgear Americans think British Legionnaires wear.
No-one seems to have put down
Beau Nidle......The lazy legionnaire.
(Mind you...There's so many of them now, I may have missed it !)
Cheers - Phil
We must have a Beau Talion by now.
Dammit! I thought I would be the last, and so be crowned "King of the Beau Puns"!
Right ...
Beau Doire - Legionnaire often found in a ladies bedroom
Beau Colic - A cry baby legionnaire in the country
Beau Beau Black Sheep - The oft ostracised legionanire
Beau der Line - Austrian legionnaire who's on the edge
Flam Beau - Legionnaire on fire
Bim Beau - The airhead legionnaire
Ko Beau - The handy Legionnaire eReader
Ben Beau - Transferred in from the Admiralty
GoBeau - legionnaire that was long waited for
Beau Bon - Regal legionnaire with a taste for chocolaty biscuits
Beau Riginal - The Australian Legionnaire
Quote from: fsn on 03 February 2015, 09:37:11 PM
Dammit! I thought I would be the last, and so be crowned "King of the Beau Puns"!
Right ...
Beau Doire - Legionnaire often found in a ladies bedroom
Beau Colic - A cry baby legionnaire in the country
Beau Beau Black Sheep - The oft ostracised legionanire
Beau der Line - Austrian legionnaire who's on the edge
Flam Beau - Legionnaire on fire
Bim Beau - The airhead legionnaire
Ko Beau - The handy Legionnaire eReader
Ben Beau - Transferred in from the Admiralty
GoBeau - legionnaire that was long waited for
Beau Bon - Regal legionnaire with a taste for chocolaty biscuits
Beau Riginal - The Australian Legionnaire
Hardly! Half of these require Beau to be pronounced either as Bar, or Bew, or Boo, or Bore or bizarrely Doh! Channeling Homer Simpson? ;D
Mollinary
So, has Beau Na Me (Asian Legionary who likes to make friends and host parties) run out here?
Finished listening to 'Arena'......Enjoyed that.
Now listening to 'Portrait In Death' by J.D. Robb...and reading 'How to use your TENS machine'......(Subtitled) Because you couldn't be bothered to read the instructions thoroughly in the first place, could you ? :D
(Still worked damn well.... :))
This is the right thread for books, isn't it ?
Cheers - Phil
Dont know, think I've lost the plot......
IanS ;)
Quote from: ianrs54 on 04 February 2015, 08:47:52 AM
Dont know, think I've lost the plot......
IanS ;)
beau'n weary? :D
I may have to start returning some of these coats soon. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
Don't take mine off anymore and I sit by the door :D
Quote from: getagrip on 04 February 2015, 10:51:38 AM
Don't take mine off anymore and I sit by the door :D
Beau_ing to the inevitable Gareth?😀
Quote from: Fenton on 04 February 2015, 11:13:22 AM
Beau_ing to the inevitable Gareth?😀
Here's
your cloakroom ticket Steve :D
Quote from: getagrip on 04 February 2015, 11:52:37 AM
Here's your cloakroom ticket Steve :D
I have my own multipass now thank you
Yes.....But I do have to put the official stamp on it, Steve.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Fenton on 04 February 2015, 12:04:54 PM
I have my own multipass now thank you
Quote from: Techno on 04 February 2015, 12:41:25 PM
Yes.....But I do have to put the official stamp on it, Steve.
Cheers - Phil
;D ;D ;D
I am currently reading "The Viking Wars of Alfred the Great" by Paul Hill. I bought this book at the Vapnartak Show and it is proving to be a very good read. It details how Alfred learnt from experience and developed his tactics to deal with the Viking threat.
Having finished re-basing (and added several new units and command stands) my 10mm Normans I am now doing the same to my Anglo-Saxons/Anglo Danes. This book is making me impatient to get onto my Vikings. It has also made me think of a few tweaks I need to make to my own rules for the period.
Just finished number 4 of volume 78 of "The Journal of Military History". It is $60 per year and publishes quarterly. Membership also gives access to the online previous volumes.
Articles are varied; in this volume there are:
"Did They Really Take None but Gentlemen? Henry Harman, the Maryland Line, and a Reconsideration of the Socioeconomic Composition of the Continental Officer Corps".
"The Road from Kandahar: The Politics of Retention and Withdrawal in Afghanistan, 1880-81".
"Field Marshal Montgomery's Role in the Creation of the British 21st Army Group's Combined Arms Doctrine for the
Final Assault on Germany".
"The Weight of History: Wehrmacht Officers, the U.S. Army Historical Division, and U.S. Military Doctrine, 1945-1956".
"No 'Technical Knockout': Giap's Artillery at Dien Bien Phu".
"When 'The Institute was Heard From" in World War II: VMI Alumni on the War Department General Staff, 1939-1945".
"The Ever Controversial General Charles Lee".
In addition, there are 84 pages of essentially current book reviews covering a multitude of military topics, ancient to current day.
always interesting, even if not always on a subject I am into.
I also just finished "Historical Examples of Sieges from the Franco-German War of 1870-1" by Frobenius, translated by Captain MHC Bird. It was printed in 1906 by the RA Institute. When I first received it and opened to the beginning, I was a bit disappointed because it starts with Volume 2 - Metz. However, upon further thumbing through, volume 1 - Belfort and Strassburg appear after volume 2.
Frobenius was a lieutenant colonel of engineers in the German Army when he wrote it, and like all the German texts from the period, goes into great detail. I will try and post a couple of pages if there is an interest. The book would have helped me when I set up my Sappy Nappy campaign last October. Being an engineer myself I probably would have gone into too much detail for investments and sieges, so it was probably good that I didn't start reading it until after the campaign was completed.
Reading Osprey's Rossbach & Leuthen 1757 (again). Just finished Rossbach.
The stage was set for the Prussian cavalry to apply the coup de grace and turn the flight into a headlong route. In this they were frustrated, however, by the four battalions of the Swiss regiments of Planta and Diesbach who formed square and fought off the pursuing Prussians ...... the two Swiss regiments were like rocks in the swirling sea of fugitives and Prussians as they carried out a fighting retreat. Frederick is said to have remarked, "What is this red brick wall that my artillery cannot manage to bring down?" and, being told it was the French Swiss infantry, he silently saluted them by doffing his hat as they marched off the field with colours flying and drums beating.
What's not to like?. And squares. In the SYW.
Just started Shadow and the Sword by Tom Holland. Not bad so far
Dark Intelligence by Neal Asher.
Awesome.
Just finished "Baptism of Fire" by Andrzej Sapkowski, part of The Witcher series - loved it. Wish they'd get all of his stuff translated!
Just finished' The Battle of Ortona' which I found a bit disappointing :(. Now onto Osprey's Baltic Crusades as prep for some Lion Rampant and Hail Caesar gaming.
Just started listening to "Emperor - The field of swords", by Conn Iggulden.
Pretty good, so far.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 16 February 2015, 07:12:42 AM
Just started listening to "Emperor - The field of swords", by Conn Iggulden.
Pretty good, so far.
Cheers - Phil
They start a bit slow, and you do need to read all of them, but good series those.
IanS
Thanks, Ian.
I managed to get the one above, and the following two to listen to.....looks like I'll miss out on the first two in the series...
Not to worry...They'll pass the time ! ;)
Cheers - Phil
Try his Mongol series as well.
IanS
Regards the Mongols, yes, definitely.
I'll have to check which ones are available.
Thanks, Chaps !! :-bd
(Preview facility still seems to be awol. ;).....Wonder whether there's some updating going on.)
Cheers - Phil
Finished volume 6 of "Wargaming in History, First Bull Run". Super job as a wargaming book and as a history book. I continue to be impressed with the series.
Robert Harris - Enigma
Good book. Like it a lot.
Couldnt get into it or understand it
Dont know how anyone could read it...
Page 1 was like
O POYH YHRQRPKL UXM CIUQYIX FZTXE UL VUOO LDQTJ. ABT IBYY QCTBRPW UV QYDC EBYQYGAK. BPA DPTBXCUZH MLOAK IT QFJB RETE... QDSVFP BPKF VLUX. ITC OBGCBXJPF YYZ UX FTNV EBMDU'O MAAGF... WHM TAYAXR BTU OAXEPVLZV. KBNTBQPA R TMUI YUZDSKA TUCN EGTHI LCIELMV AIUUPDG YISAD; IUN GDOSGJ OTM RKLJT RTICLZM GD XTKXTLZQJB... IK SJRAJTGBTBT. L YAPR KXJ HIWD HWT AKCMOL, HNTKFILCZ, OXPNQNI XI FPYJ. LQIIVMXD WLZXMAJ
Quote from: Fenton on 18 February 2015, 01:40:23 PM
Page 1 was like
O POYH YHRQRPKL UXM CIUQYIX FZTXE UL VUOO LDQTJ. ABT IBYY QCTBRPW UV QYDC EBYQYGAK. BPA DPTBXCUZH MLOAK IT QFJB RETE... QDSVFP BPKF VLUX. ITC OBGCBXJPF YYZ UX FTNV EBMDU'O MAAGF... WHM TAYAXR BTU OAXEPVLZV. KBNTBQPA R TMUI YUZDSKA TUCN EGTHI LCIELMV AIUUPDG YISAD; IUN GDOSGJ OTM RKLJT RTICLZM GD XTKXTLZQJB... IK SJRAJTGBTBT. L YAPR KXJ HIWD HWT AKCMOL, HNTKFILCZ, OXPNQNI XI FPYJ. LQIIVMXD WLZXMAJ
Wow, it's like you can actually read FSN's mind :D
BBC Red Button - page 302.
Quote from: Fenton on 18 February 2015, 01:40:23 PM
Couldnt get into it or understand it
Dont know how anyone could read it...
Page 1 was like
O POYH YHRQRPKL UXM CIUQYIX FZTXE UL VUOO LDQTJ. ABT IBYY QCTBRPW UV QYDC EBYQYGAK. BPA DPTBXCUZH MLOAK IT QFJB RETE... QDSVFP BPKF VLUX. ITC OBGCBXJPF YYZ UX FTNV EBMDU'O MAAGF... WHM TAYAXR BTU OAXEPVLZV. KBNTBQPA R TMUI YUZDSKA TUCN EGTHI LCIELMV AIUUPDG YISAD; IUN GDOSGJ OTM RKLJT RTICLZM GD XTKXTLZQJB... IK SJRAJTGBTBT. L YAPR KXJ HIWD HWT AKCMOL, HNTKFILCZ, OXPNQNI XI FPYJ. LQIIVMXD WLZXMAJ
Will that change tomorrow?
Army or navy codes?
I used this
http://startpad.googlecode.com/hg/labs/js/enigma/enigma-sim.html
So did I, but I got this from encoding the first sentence from the book
WRHLFCNOA SF ANK UQGSIN IEZXSY HB GDM RTO: C TWPGA FXDA.
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 18 February 2015, 04:01:50 PM
So did I, but I got this from encoding the first sentence from the book
WRHLFCNOA SF ANK UQGSIN IEZXSY HB GDM RTO: C TWPGA FXDA.
CAMBRIDGE IN THE FOURTH WINTER OF THE WAR: A GHOST TOWN
APJO QYYV P'WB NJ FWXJWE PTVLOBN XKCXSG HKCDKB.
NLLHJUGR UCE RTJSQJY DDKFXLW XXSY DM PUKI DL. RJWYT XLY CMUDSPYW UM SWWF IZWQI
Sounds riveting.
The Junior Officers Reading Club, good.
Quote from: Fenton on 18 February 2015, 04:24:29 PM
NLLHJUGR UCE RTJSQJY DDKFXLW XXSY DM PUKI DL. RJWYT XLY CMUDSPYW UM SWWF IZWQI
;D ;D =O
Quote from: Fenton on 18 February 2015, 03:56:09 PM
I used this
http://startpad.googlecode.com/hg/labs/js/enigma/enigma-sim.html
I did start looking at using a chapter from 50 Shades of Grey, but then decided to use Paddington Bear (the first page) ... But in the end went for the television comedy quote.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
Sorry, most I know in Welsh is Cymru am byth.
Or, even, Cwmru am byth.
Finished "Wargaming in History, volume 4, The Seven Years war, Hastenbeck, Rossbach and Leuthen". Enjoyable read and now off to volume 5.
Just finished 'The Second World War' by Anthony Beevor. Excellent read.
Next 'Kursk'
I wonder if Winston Churchill ever said that?
Quote from: Chad on 22 February 2015, 10:13:44 PM
Just finished 'The Second World War' by Anthony Beevor. Excellent read.
Next 'Kursk'
Anything by Beevor is usually good; Stalingrad is superb!
Just started Waterloo by Bernard Cornwell. Got it for my birthday back in January. Interested to see if he has anything new or original to say about a fairly thoroughly explored subject.
QuoteJust started Waterloo by Bernard Cornwell. Got it for my birthday back in January. Interested to see if he has anything new or original to say about a fairly thoroughly explored subject.
Not really, but entertaining account never-the-less
"Bronze Age Military Equipment" by Dan Howard. Interesting (if it's a period you're interested in!) but not exactly a page turner!
O'N XRAPZ PACVJHX LHWFKQ. :D
http://startpad.googlecode.com/hg/labs/js/enigma/enigma-sim.html (http://startpad.googlecode.com/hg/labs/js/enigma/enigma-sim.html)
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 23 February 2015, 03:01:34 PM
O'N XRAPZ PACVJHX LHWFKQ. :D
http://startpad.googlecode.com/hg/labs/js/enigma/enigma-sim.html (http://startpad.googlecode.com/hg/labs/js/enigma/enigma-sim.html)
This doesn't work when I do it :-\
Quote from: getagrip on 23 February 2015, 03:17:39 PM
DECA BB MCNXJ OJD VLS BA ALHOA?
sorry, but; yer what?
Something to do with Hawaii I think
Quote from: Fenton on 18 February 2015, 04:24:29 PM
NLLHJUGR UCE RTJSQJY DDKFXLW XXSY DM PUKI DL. RJWYT XLY CMUDSPYW UM SWWF IZWQI
well, if i take the above and decode it it says:
"GETAGRIP HAS DIAMOND STUDDED ONES HE TOLD ME. HENCE HIS NICKNAME ON THIS FORUM"
and that's what I was told the other day, too. so it's still working as far as i know :-\
And who would write that sort of malicious nonsense
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 23 February 2015, 05:00:10 PM
well, if i take the above and decode it it says:
"GETAGRIP HAS DIAMOND STUDDED ONES HE TOLD ME. HENCE HIS NICKNAME ON THIS FORUM"
and that's what I was told the other day, too. so it's still working as far as i know :-\
You said you'd keep that between you and me :'(
I feel cheapened :'( :'(
I make that your 1,000th post.
Congratulations, Colonel.
Cheers - Phil.
1000th actually
I do waffle on a tad don't I? :-[
Thanks Phil ;)
Congrats Colonel.
Quote from: Fenton on 23 February 2015, 05:13:27 PM
1000th actually
I've cheated and changed it. ;)
(Oh the fun of having these new buttons to click.)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: mad lemmey on 23 February 2015, 06:46:49 PM
Congrats Colonel.
Thank you sir.
Will be meeting all in the forum bar later; drinks are on FSN.
Wibble.
Finished "The Problem of Military Thought in the Civil War North: with a Sword in one hand & Jomini in the other" by Carol Reardon. The quote on the back jacket by James M McPherson sums it up..."This book provides one of the best accounts of leadership, morale, and combat stress in the Union Army".
This is one hijacked thread. :-X
Seems pointless but 'Warpaint' Vol 3 Dick Taylor; tank bling.
Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 23 February 2015, 11:08:22 AM
Not really, but entertaining account never-the-less
Dang! That's what I thought (I'm about to start reading Bernard Cornwell's Waterloo also. Like, Hertsblue, a gift.)
I'm about 500 words into Robert Harvey's 'The War of Wars, The Epic Struggle Between Britain and France: 1789-1815'. I've been enjoying it quite a lot, even if I've only been reading it rather sporadically.
This... [care of North Yorkshire County Libraries]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Covert-War-Michael-Parker/dp/1460966384/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1424872184&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Covert-War-Michael-Parker/dp/1460966384/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1424872184&sr=8-1)
Michael Parker: A Covert War
(http://www.rahvaraamat.ee/images/products/000/252/871/thumbnails/view/096a40ae1f8acccd0905ba2066614732e067ca90/covert-war.jpg)
To maintain a theme...
Britain Against Napoleon: Organisation of victory 1793-1815
Only just started but reads well considering the potential lethargy of the subject matter.
Half the World - fantasy rather than history, but by Joe Abercrombie, so includes a lot of realistic ruthless dark age or medieval style politics and warfare.
History books i'd reccomend - Pyrrhus of Epirus by Geoff Champion, The Great Warbow by Matthew Strickland (focus is on longbows but covers almost every type of medieval warfare), The Art of Warfare by Charles Oman (bit dated but interesting all the same), all the Wargames Research Group "Armies of" books - much better value for money and more informative than Osprey books. I do like the artwork in Osprey books, but they're very short on info and very pricey for a very narrow subject compared to much wider coverage of each WRG book.
On The Wars of Independence, 'Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland', 'The Wars of the Bruces' and 'William Wallace : Brave Heart'. Despite the cheesy name of the last one all three are pretty unbiased histories that show Wallace and Robert the Bruce as considerably more ruthless and less romantic figures. And also show that the Wars of Independence were as much civil wars between rival Scottish noble families and alliances as wars between Scotland and England.
A Blaze of Glory, by Jeff Shaara, a novel of the Shiloh campaign. It's a first in an ACW trilogy focusing on the western theatre.
Trying to listen to "Emperor.....The Gods of War" by Conn Iggulden, at the moment.
Still using the Dremmel, so much, I have to keep pausing it, and end up losing the thread.
Finished "The Field of Swords" by the same author.
Think I enjoyed that....But I was having a similar problem, because of making such a racket....Didn't take much of the story in. :(
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 27 February 2015, 08:38:33 AM
Trying to listen to "Emperor.....The Gods of War" by Conn Iggulden, at the moment.
Still using the Dremmel
Phil at work:
(http://olivebranchministries.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Dust-to-the-Face.jpg)
:D
Finished "Wargaming in History, volume 5: The Seven Years War, Minden, Kunersdorf, an Action at Torgau and Maxen". On to the Peninsula next.
The Last King Of Scotland.
(https://p.gr-assets.com/max_square/fill/books/1320448041/112683.jpg)
(http://st-listas.20minutos.es/images/2010-02/191716/2101785_640px.jpg?1265990318)
'Modern' African wars anyone?
Sol shall rise. 1st book (actually the only book so far) in the Pike chronicles
by GP Hudson.
W
Caligula, by Douglas Jackson.
Cheers - Phil
Operation Barbarossa - The German Invasion of Soviet Russia
Robert Kirchubel: cracking read.
Ottoman Warfare 1500-1700 by Rhoads Murphy.
Interesting so far.
Finished "Wargaming in History, volume 7: Peninsular Actions". I've run out of these until a new one and reprints come out. I'm off to FPW Republican phase and History of Naval Warfare.
Can recommend Quintin Barry's The Somme 1870-71. Very good individual campaign book and full of inspiration for FPW Republican phase actions.
Yep, reading that now.
Good isn't it!. It has inspired me to prepare a 10mm Black Powder scenario for the Prussian right flank of the Battle of Amiens.
Quote from: Leman on 07 March 2015, 05:36:48 PM
Good isn't it!. It has inspired me to prepare a 10mm Black Powder scenario for the Prussian right flank of the Battle of Amiens.
On that theme, I reckon books have cost me about £200+ in lead >:(
I have just received "Famous by my sword" by Charles Singleton, about Montrose. My initial impression is good, will read and report back.
Cheers
Ian
Finished "Dix theses sur la guerre" by Elie Barnavi (please forgive the lack of accent marks). Different for me as I am a slow reader in French.
Elie Barnavi is an Israeli and as the title says, has 10 articles about war. Ancient times to modern fighting in the Middle East. But all relate to the Israeli fighting.
Also finished "The Somme 1870-71: The Winter Campaign in Picardy" by Quintin Barry. Enjoyed the narrative immensely, but was disappointed by the lack of place names in the maps (although the maps are pretty). It is hard to follow the action when villages named in the narrative are not shown.
War In The East by Quentin Barry.
King's Gold by Michael Jecks. (Listening...as per usual)
Pretty good, so far.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 16 March 2015, 06:21:48 PM
King's Gold by Michael Jecks. (Listening...as per usual)
Pretty good, so far.
Cheers - Phil
Ive just finished that one
Your rating, Steve ?
Cheers - Phil
Yeah not bad....7/10...Usual Jecks type of book , enjoyable enough
Thanks, Steve.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Mesius on 16 March 2015, 05:57:38 PM
War In The East by Quentin Barry.
I've got that, not started it yet though.
Any good Mesius?
Just finished Bernard Cornwell's Waterloo. Better than I thought it would be (probably because I started off with low expectations). A few "oh, oh" moments (e.g., has a habit of using battalion and regiment to describe the same thing - didn't work with a "battalion of lancers."). Story well told (as one would expect) and liberally dotted with eye-witness accounts (which I always enjoy) some of which I'd never read before (or forgotten?). Methinks it is a good introductory book on the battle for guys like most of my pals who are not very historically minded (never mind wargame minded).
I, too, have just finished Bernard Cornwell's Waterloo. I agree entirely with Westmarcher. A good, readable novelist's account marred by trivial errors of fact.
@getagrip - I am staring it proper tonight - only flicked through it so far. Will let you know.
Quote from: Mesius on 17 March 2015, 06:01:26 PM
@getagrip - I am staring it proper tonight - only flicked through it so far. Will let you know.
I thank you :)
Looks a decent read ;)
Just started The Battle of Cannae by Mark Healy, one of the Osprey History series. I find his style somewhat stiff and wordy, but he knows his subject and the illustrations and maps, as you would expect from Osprey, are first class.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 19 March 2015, 09:21:40 AM
Just started The Battle of Cannae by Mark Healy, one of the Osprey History series. I find his style somewhat stiff and wordy, but he knows his subject and the illustrations and maps, as you would expect from Osprey, are first class.
I
may have to look into this one too :-[
Getting stuck in to Blucher, the rule book, at the moment. A rather unusual situation for me as I am painting non-Napoleonic figures for other rules at the same time. One of the most innovative ideas to come out of these rules is the opponents control of the momentum dice. I would strongly advise getting a game with someone who already has the rules as £28 is a hefty investment (almost as much as a Pendraken starter army). I did this and was impressed enough to get them, but then I like big diorama type bases.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 17 March 2015, 12:39:00 PM
I, too, have just finished Bernard Cornwell's Waterloo. I agree entirely with Westmarcher. A good, readable novelist's account marred by trivial errors of fact.
If it's as enjoyable as Mr Cornwell's usual work....may have to see if the library have got an audio version.
Cheers - Phil
I'm reading the latest two books of Cornwell's Warrior chronicles. Finished the pagan lord last weekend now getting stuck into the empty throne. Helps with motivation to get some armies painted for Dux Bellorum.
Quote from: NTM on 19 March 2015, 01:02:11 PM
I'm reading the latest two books of Cornwell's Warrior chronicles. Finished the pagan lord last weekend now getting stuck into the empty throne. Helps with motivation to get some armies painted for Dux Bellorum.
Was about to start The Empty Throne which I was given as a Christmas present. By the looks of things, I have a few earlier books to read first? :-/
Love that series !
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Westmarcher on 19 March 2015, 01:15:40 PM
Was about to start The Empty Throne which I was given as a Christmas present. By the looks of things, I have a few earlier books to read first? :-/
I think it's five or six.
It's actually the eighth in the series
Quote from: Leman on 19 March 2015, 05:39:11 PM
I think it's five or six.
Quote from: NTM on 19 March 2015, 06:47:30 PM
It's actually the eighth in the series
:o :o
Dilemma. Do I read it now or dig the others up in the local library first? I've read most of the Sharpe stories out of sync so suppose I could read The Empty Throne now (besides Cornwell wrote the Sharpe series out of sync). Thoughts anyone? (thanks in advance)
Quote from: Westmarcher on 19 March 2015, 06:51:04 PM
:o :o
Dilemma. Do I read it now or dig the others up in the local library first? I've read most of the Sharpe stories out of sync so suppose I could read The Empty Throne now (besides Cornwell wrote the Sharpe series out of sync). Thoughts anyone? (thanks in advance)
Purely from a personal point of view, I would try and read this series in chronological order if you can. The history of this period is confusing enough as it is, without juggling the order of events! :o
Mollinary
I'm with Mollinary on that.
I listened to them somewhat 'out of sync' from the library, to start with....(Though I've gradually treated myself to the whole series now.)......If you listen to them in the wrong order, you'll have a few 'spoilers'.
Cheers - Phil
I'd also suggest reading them in order as there are several story arcs to follow.
Oh, well, as far as The Empty Throne is concerned it looks like its, "Roll up that map: it will not be wanted these ten years." (Pitt the Younger on receiving news of Austerlitz).
What you say makes sense, guys. Thanks.
To the library!
Finished 'King's gold'. Not bad at all.
Making a start on 'A Game Of Bones', by David Donachie.
Sounds promising, so far.
Cheers - Phil.
Just started Panzerkrieg: The Rise and Fall of Hitler's Tank Divisions by Peter McCarthy and Mike Syron. I thought at first it was going to be a superficial run-through of WWII from a German perspective, but having got further into it I find there are some useful insights and background information.
Greetings
Dipping in and out of 'The Eagle Unbowed' by Halik Kochanski on Poland and the Poles in WW2. Interesting but grim reading in places.
Regards
Edward
Slowly ploughing my way through the Sharpe series. About to start "Sharpe's Honour" after which I only have three more to read. Trouble is, I'm always reading something in between. Who knows when I'll start Cornwell's Dark Ages stuff!
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 March 2015, 12:47:40 PM
Slowly ploughing my way through the Sharpe series. About to start "Sharpe's Honour" after which I only have three more to read. Trouble is, I'm always reading something in between. Who knows when I'll start Cornwell's Dark Ages stuff!
Worth waiting for, and worth the effort, I think. For me Cornwell's best work was his "Warlord Trilogy" on Arthur, but some of the Saxon books come a close second
Mollinary
I'm just starting "The Battle of Waterloo, a series of accounts, by a Near Observer*".
It has gatefold maps and diagrams! It has C19th casual racism, and soaring hyperbole, with copious footnotes ** and has chapters called things like
FURTHER PARTICULARS
OF THE
BATTLE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
FROM
DIFFERENT SOURCES
What's not to love?
*Anyone else thinking of the Two Ronnies Phantom Raspberry blower being written by "Spike Milligan and a Gentleman"?
**Like this one
Quote from: mollinary on 25 March 2015, 06:37:50 PM
Worth waiting for, and worth the effort, I think. For me Cornwell's best work was his "Warlord Trilogy" on Arthur, but some of the Saxon books come a close second
Mollinary
Agree with this entirely, through I did think the Vagabond series was better than the Saxon books which in a way were too similar to the Warlord Trilogy
I enjoyed the Vagabond trilogy too. Only read one of the Warrior series but know what you mean about similarities
Quote from: mollinary on 25 March 2015, 06:37:50 PM
. . . For me Cornwell's best work was his "Warlord Trilogy" on Arthur . . .
Okay, you've sold me. Just bought the Winter King for my kindle.
Cheers, Martyn
--
Quote from: fsn on 25 March 2015, 06:49:12 PM
I'm just starting "The Battle of Waterloo, a series of accounts, by a Near Observer."
Let us know when you've finished it, Nobby. Would be interested to find out how or if it lived up to your expectations. Ta.
I picked up in a junk shop "Small Arms Manual" by Lt Col J A Barlow SAC, The West Yorkshire Rgt (With many illustrations.) from about 1940 as it is aimed at the Home Guard.
Instructions on rifles, LMGs, MMGs and pistols. Includes the .256 inch Revelli Medium Machine Gun - length "rather longer than the Vickers."
This is useful stuff, but what is so interesting are the adverts:
Gilette: blades last longer and save steel. (1s/3d for 5 - that's about 7p)
Buy your clothes from Rego and put the money you save into war savings.
There's nothing like Nufix for perfect hair health and perfect grooming. Eliminates scurf-dandruff. Handy, convenient and safe to carry. Bottles 7 1/2d.
Quote from: fsn on 29 March 2015, 12:23:15 PM
(With many illustrations.) from about 1940 as it is aimed at the Home Guard.
What are you implying?
Armies of the Middle Ages (Heath). Annoying quirk he developed writing this: says utilize all the time (rather than use, which a human being would say), and clearly has no understanding of the word decimate.
decimate
ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/
verb
verb: decimate; 3rd person present: decimates; past tense: decimated; past participle: decimated; gerund or present participle: decimating
1.
kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of.
"the inhabitants of the country had been decimated"
Quote from: Ithoriel on 30 March 2015, 02:32:48 AM
decimate
ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/
verb
verb: decimate; 3rd person present: decimates; past tense: decimated; past participle: decimated; gerund or present participle: decimating
1.
kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of.
"the inhabitants of the country had been decimated"
1/10 isn't really a large proportion
Unless of course you are the one
The word decimate ceased to be reserved solely for the loss of a 1/10th sometime in the last millennium!
Do keep up with the language or you'll wind up as far behind as FK :D :D :D
From a man (courtesy title) who hasn't learned to put a full stop at the end of his sentences. Hmmmm.
BTW, I was pleased to note that the Doctor's nemesis ordered the decimation of the human race with due respect to history, lexis, and arithmetic.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 30 March 2015, 01:55:37 PM
From a man (courtesy title) who hasn't learned to put a full stop at the end of his sentences. Hmmmm.
BTW, I was pleased to note that the Doctor's nemesis ordered the decimation of the human race with due respect to history, lexis, and arithmetic.
From a man who uses a superfluous comma before his conjunction. :D
Only decent thing Oxford has done since the ECW.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 30 March 2015, 02:05:31 PM
Only decent thing Oxford has done since the ECW.
;D ;D ;D
Touche! ;)
Quote from: getagrip on 30 March 2015, 01:58:17 PM
From a man who uses a superfluous comma before his conjunction. :D
Would you describe BTW as a conjunction? I would have said its a prepositional phrase, anyhow it shouldn't be used to start a sentence but to introduce a new, less important topic :P
Quote from: cameronian on 31 March 2015, 03:43:49 PM
Would you describe BTW as a conjunction? I would have said its a prepositional phrase, anyhow it shouldn't be used to start a sentence but to introduce a new, less important topic :P
Cam, I think he is talking about the comma before "and arithmetic." There is no comma before BTW. ;)
Mollinary
Quote from: mollinary on 31 March 2015, 03:54:02 PM
Cam, I think he is talking about the comma before "and arithmetic." There is no comma before BTW. ;)
Mollinary
I thank you. ;)
Whats this full stop thing your all talking about?
Quote from: mollinary on 31 March 2015, 03:54:02 PM
Cam, I think he is talking about the comma before "and arithmetic." There is no comma before BTW. ;)
Mollinary
Yes you're right, got mixed up with before and after ... :-[
Quote from: cameronian on 31 March 2015, 06:20:30 PM
Yes you're right, got mixed up with before and after ... :-[
It's and easy mistake make to. :D
Quote from: Fenton on 31 March 2015, 05:11:46 PM
Whats this full stop thing your all talking about?
Sounds like my early love life. My girlfriends would often shout "Fool! Stop!".
:P
I used to have trouble with the punctuation of "Don't! Stop!" and "Don't stop!"
The eyes are playing their usual early morning silly sods.
I couldn't see any difference..to start with.
Thought I just had a bit of double vision and the first 'Don't!' as it appeared to be 'Don'tt'
Strange...I know it's the correct way....Putting a ! or a ? directly after the last letter, but I find it clearer to leave a space.
What was that dodge to make the text bigger ?..... Ctrl + ?
Cheers - Phil
Just zoom your page in a little. ;) (Or wear your optivizor :D )
Started reading:
"The Battle of Gettysburg" Bruce Catton.
Enjoying it so far, could have something to with the fact I'm just getting into ACW. :)
His ACW history trilogy was very good - "The Coming Fury", "Terrible Swift Sword" and "Never Call Retreat" :)
Damnit, now the rest of my afternoon will be filled listening to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" on youtube :D
;D ;D ;D
I will give them a go when I've finished this; good read so far. ;)
Finished "A History of Naval Tactics" by Rear Admiral S. S. Robinson. Printed in 1942 but the writing was finished in 1940. France had fallen but Greece was still an ally to Britain.
Much detail on age of sail and gets into essays on tactics regarding the ram and newly developed torpedoes. Gets into WWI (mainly Jutland).
Long (924 pages) but interesting.
Just finished listening to "Not Dead Yet" by Peter James.
First modern 'crime thriller' I've listened to , for ages.
Thoroughly enjoyed that.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: getagrip on 01 April 2015, 09:33:00 AM
Just zoom your page in a little. ;) (Or wear your optivizor :D )
Started reading:
"The Battle of Gettysburg" Bruce Catton.
Enjoying it so far, could have something to with the fact I'm just getting into ACW. :)
Finished this last night ; really good!
Soooooooo looking forward to starting my ACW Now! :D
A History of Warfare by John Keegan
'Panzer Commander' by Von Luck. Interesting perspective!
Rob
That's a really good read. I like the fact he's really not interested in recounting the fighting.
The bit where he gets to a Russian POW camp is fascinating!
Just started The Glorious First of June - Fleet Battles in the Reign of Terror by Sam Willis. He examines in depth the factors that influenced the conduct of the French fleet beset by the bloodthirsty paranoia of the Jacobins. My sympathy lies with the poor sod who was arrested and guillotined just for asking for directions!
Grabbed a copy of Main Battle Tank by Niall Edworthy from my local library to tide me over until my next Sharpe novel arrives (only 3 to read now). Of particular interest because one of the neighbour's sons (plus his uncle is one of my best pals) was in one of the Challengers that moved into Basra in 2003. He was interviewed on TV at the time. Can't recall how many times he said his tank was hit by RPG rounds - left at least one impressive gouge in the vehicle skirts I seem to recall. He said it was like the wild west. Guys on roofs firing down on them as they moved through the streets, the tank rocking as it got hit, engaging targets, bodies thrown up in the air, etc. All experienced by a wee lad I watched grow up.
Just started:
The Chickamauga Campaign: A Mad Irregular Battle: From the Crossing of Tennessee River Through the First Day, August 22 - September 19, 1863 (David Powell).
Really good so far and nice to read about one of the less covered battles.
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine" issue 52. Always good and obviously gets into the battle in depth. This issue has an article about the railroad cut which refutes some of the "commonly known" facts. Also an article on Lee and then one on the Federal counterattack along the Emmitsburg Road on July 2nd. R
Recently finished Main Battle Tank by Niall Edworthy. Focuses on SCOTS DG in the 2nd Iraq War in Basra. Tells you a lot more of than the media reporting of the time - surprisingly enjoyable read (recommend). Still waiting for my next Sharpe novel on order from the library (why won't people return their books on time?) so pulled out another, this time set in Afghanistan, The Killing Zone by Lt Col Richard Dorney, about the Grenadier Guards in Helmand in 2007. Different type of story from 'MBT' but riveting nevertheless.
Just started The False Inspector Drew by Peter Lovesy - as a change of pace from military history. Lovesey's whodunnits are always innovative and unconventional and this one is no exception. It won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger, which will give you some idea of how good it is.
I have read his 'Bertie' mysteries and Keystone and they are all excellent
Indeed. I started out with Wobble to Death, the first Sergeant Cribb novel back in the early sventies. I've been hooked ever since.
Finished "The Battle of Mataplan" by SWC Pack. He was on officer on the Formidable during the aqction. Lots of ship tracks and very well done. I love used book stores.
Recently finished Afghanistan, The Killing Zone by Lt Col Richard Dorney, about the Grenadier Guards in Helmand in 2007. Didn't enjoy it as much as the one prior to that, Main Battle Tank by Niall Edworthy (about the SCOTS DG in the 2nd Iraq War in Basra) but like MBT, tells you a lot more of the action than the media reporting of the time. Have now gone for a change of pace and era with The Last Highlander by Sarah Fraser - a biography of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (1670 - 1747) erstwhile spy, clan chief, traitor, polyglot, deserter and philosopher. Only read a couple of chapters but looking good so far.
Gone back to listening to the 'Uhtred, Warrior/Saxon' series by Bernard Cornwell.
Finished 'The Last Kingdom'....Will start 'The Pale Horseman', tomorrow.
Cheers - Phil
Finished something different than my usual military fare. "Paris et ses palais". Which is, as the title states, about the palaces in Paris. Sumptuous photographs and interesting text. Printed in 2012.
Regressing a bit here. Just about to begin re-reading the Jon Carter of Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs on the kindly thing. Had them all on paper during the 70's but I thought I'd give them another go.
Halfway through Isaac Asimov's The Gods Themselves, one of the classics of Sci Fi from one of the old masters.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 08 May 2015, 09:56:13 AM
Halfway through Isaac Asimov's The Gods Themselves, one of the classics of Sci Fi from one of the old masters.
You can't beat a good bit of Asimov...or Heinlein for that matter. His
Stranger in a Strange Land and
I Will Fear No Evil are a couple of my all time classics.
Just started Before Stalingrad by Glantz
Take care
Andy
Ive been reading a lot on the Anglo-Zulu War. Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana are probably the best known battles. 1879
Movies- Zulu (Rorkes Drift) and Zulu Dawn (Isandlwana)
BlackPowder Zulu rules by Warlord Games.
Any books by Ian Knight are good.
Isandlwana 1879 Ian Knight
Rorke's Drift Ian Knight & Ian Castle
Zulu War Osprey Campaign 14
Rorke's Drift Osprey Campaign 41
The Zulu War Osprey- Men at Arms series
British Fortifications in Zululand Osprey Fortress 35
British Infantryman VS Zulu Warrior Ian Knight
Washing the Spears Donald Morris
Like Lions They Fought Robert Edgerton
Brave Men's Blood Ian Knight
The Zulu War pictorial history Michael Barthorp
Great Zulu Battles 1838-1906 Ian Knight
Rorke's Drift had 140 British fight off 3,000-4,000 Zulus. 11 Victorian Crosses & 4 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded.
Islandlwana was the only real Zulu victory. But it was quite a pyrrhic victory. The British colum was destroyed, nearly 1300 men. (but many were Natal troops and Auxillary), the Zulus themselves lost 1,000 dead and 2,000 badly wounded. They lost the war with the first battle, even if they considered it a victory. The British didnt make such a large error again, they fought behind fortifications. The Zulu sustained crippling casualties at the battles of Kambula & Ulundi. The British were seriously outnumbered, but their greater firepower prevailed.
Great stuff.
I see a British & Zulu army in my immediate future. Probably Baccus 6mm to have huge units.
Undefeated, America's Fight in Bataan and Corregidor (Dec '41 - Apr '42)
V/R,
Jack
Currently reading, "Franklin Barbecue: a meat-smoking manifesto". It's the story behind the award winning bbq joint in Austin.
re: Zulu
Michael Caine had a brief spell of being remarkably good-looking, didn't he?
James Kennaway's "Tunes of Glory" (the novel of the Alec Guinness/John Mills film). Not a book to read while matching the characters dram for dram but a fine piece of writing.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 09 May 2015, 04:56:24 AM
re: Zulu
Michael Caine had a brief spell of being remarkably good-looking, didn't he?
I think the last time I saw him was in Batman as Alfred.
That's a great deal later.
Finished "Naval Weapons of World War One" by Norman Friedman. Super detailed and covers every major gun, torpedo, mines and ASW of the warring parties, as well as some neutrals.
Beyond the Reach of Empire: Wolseley's Failed Campaign to Save Gordon and Khartoum by Colonel Mike Snook.. I got it on an inter library loan and have 8 days to read it... :o :o :o
Read - FASTER ;)
IanS
"The Woman who died a lot"
Just listened to...
'King Solomon's Mines'.
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 14 May 2015, 11:34:00 PM
"The Woman who died a lot"
Jasper Fforde - absolutely brilliant. Fantasy in a literary world with a wicked twist.
The End of Empire, Napoleons 1814 Campaign ,,,,, George Nafziger
Half-way through Marc Morris's The Norman Conquest which debunks a lot of the conventional wisdom about the coming of the Normans. For example, it's almost certain that Edward the Confessor (nothing like as pious as his nickname would suggest) did promise William the throne of England and formally took him as his heir.
See also this author's A Great and Terrible King about Edward I. Both excellent.
Finished Jack Campbell's "The Lost Fleet, Beyond the Frontier: STEADFAST". Military Sci-Fi and Space Opera. This is the 10th in the Lost Fleet series. It's OK, but not as good as Honor Harrington.
Finished Jack Campbell's "The Lost Fleet, Beyond the Frontier: LEVIATHAN". This is book 11 in the series. A fast read.
Finished "Principles and Methods of Conducting Wide Envelopments, as Illustrated by Operations of the Franco-Prussian War". This is a small booklet, 22 pages including the bibliography and is a reprint by the U.S. Government in the BiblioGov Project (although I bought it through Abe Books).
It was a research project by a Captain Shely for his Command and General Staff School requirement. Done in 1934.
All I seem to be reading at the moment is Ross and Wilson - Anatomy and Physiology
Other than Wargames reference materials I haven't read anything other than medical manuals for some time. I genuinely can't remember the last piece of fiction I read :(
1864 - it is not the novel of the TV programme, but instead is a very readable history of the attack on Dybbol by the Prussians. The various chapters deal with such topics as war correspondents, the red cross, attitudes of ordinary Prussian and Danish soldiers, loss, the Rolf Krake. As a consequence it is not a linear account, but it is one of the best military histories I have ever read. Highly recommended. If it doesn't make you want to have a crack at the BBB scenario for Dybbol ......... well.
Finished a Mark Adkin tour de force - "The Western Front Companion". Amazing as the rest of his works. Super detailed and well illustrated.
Listening to 'Devil's Gate' by Clive Cussler & Graham Brown.
'Thriller' involving a 'super weapon', an African Dictator, kidnapped scientists, plus assorted bad guys and hero types.
Good fun !
Cheers - Phil
Finished "Auftragstaktik: The Basis for Modern Military Command?" It reviews the FPW and then says this is how the U.S. Military now intends to command using Mission Command orders. No author attributed and is in a booklet called "Defense". Short, only 57 pages.
Finished "Guns at Sea" by Peter Padfield. A history of the big guns from the early days to WWII. His discussion of Jutland is one of the best I have read, short as it is. Also his discussion of the late era sailing ship and big guns is very good.
Craig's Battle of Koniggratz (again)
Craig's book is superb. It was one of the first military history books I owned, bought for me in the late 60s in a W H Smith sale by my dad. I still have it.
On my fourth -out of twelve- John Carter of Mars books.
I've just started reading the Quran.
So far, it doesn't look good for me. :(
Or as we call it, the Koran.
Just having a re-read of Osprey's Mons.
Friend of my t'other half has a number issues with the Koran, or at least the interpretation of it by many people over the years. She's actually had the "and this is why we do not teach our women to read" comment directed at her by an Iman from back east, as she turned up with "a few questions" and a lot of red highlighted passages she wasn't happy about :D
"Show me where it says X and I'll think about it..."
Much the same reaction I used to get from the vicar about the bible, come to think of it :D
Oh, Lord, help Thou my unbelief. Give me faith, that I may overcome the demons of asking obvious questions, of suspecting that power does not equal moral high ground, of wondering whether survival codes for groups of nomads carrying everything that they owned are entirely needful in this age of ours, and of wondering whether other people might sometimes have ideas as good as ours. Let me not desire sexual contact without feeling guilty, let me shun half the pleasures life has to offer, let me mutilate the minds and genitals of children, let me strive to believe that turning people into mincemeat is an act of love, and above all let me approach Thy Holy Mysteries with less grasp of science and decency than a half-educated teenager. Let me believe that Thou gavest man a voice but dost not desire him to sing, endowedst him with a brain but desirest he be given unto the flames should he ever use it, createdst woman as an imperfect afterthought to be blamed for everything, and mayst contradict Thyself at every turn just because Thou controllest the media and canst prevent anyone from commenting.
And dost Thou wish me to smite Richard Dawkins, or reservest Thou that satisfaction for Thyself?
Amen, World without End, per saecvla saecvlorvm, amen.
A FINE GLOSS OF MY INTENTIONS, MORTAL!
"Bundschu Ridge: at the tip of the spear during the liberation of Guam" which was a free Kindle Book, focusing on the life of Geary Bundschu, who died (other references are to his being mortally wounded) on what was then referred to as O-A Ridge leading A Company, 3rd Marines (though http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-M-Guam/USMC-M-Guam-3.html#fn27 indicates the name Bundschu Ridge was given on board ship because that was A Company's objective). There wasn't as much on the action itself as I had expected (a lot of joining the USMC, training, transhipment etc because the book is founded largely on letters home) and nary a map to be seen - the internet helps a bit in this respect.
Regards
Edward
FK -
Quoteand mayst contradict Thyself at every turn just because Thou controllest the media and canst prevent anyone from commenting.
Wait, when did Murdoch and Rothermere get deified?
This explains a lot...
Back on topic, I'm up to halfway thru Book 8 of the Wheel of Time (again). Yeah, this is where it really starts to get slow and Jordan meanders round his world, ambling gently away from anything that might be construed as advancing the plot,c haracters or action. For another four books. Until he dies. And they get someone else in to ghostwrite the end!
I rather liked the gentle amble towards completion by Jordan and Brandon's wrap up worked for me.
That said, I'm playing Skyrim at the moment, my character is level 83 and I've only just started the main story arc. So maybe a kindred spirit :)
Quote from: toxicpixie on 28 May 2015, 02:32:56 PM
Back on topic, I'm up to halfway thru Book 8 of the Wheel of Time (again). Yeah, this is where it really starts to get slow and Jordan meanders round his world, ambling gently away from anything that might be construed as advancing the plot,c haracters or action. For another four books. Until he dies. And they get someone else in to ghostwrite the end!
I read the first four or five of them until I run out of the published ones. I remember buying the rulebook for playing the RPG...and that's it. I reckon I must have lost interest after that. Similar to the ever expanding Game of Thrones series of books and the Heroes TV series, the plots were getting far to complicated, convoluted and uninteresting for me.
Come back E E Doc Smith and the Lensman series of my not so pyrotechnic and incandescent youth!
It's a nice world he meanders around and it's all very interesting but he expected a five-six book finish, then a little extension and then it was a publishing gold mine and his contract just kept extending - and it shows. His massive investment in the background and history and happenings pays off in great detail and depth, but from after Lord of Chaos nothing much happens and it happens very slowly...
I like meandering, similar to the Skyrim experience I wandered Morrowind avoiding all hint of plot for weeks but sometimes it gets too much!
EE Doc Smith would probably have written the thirteen WoT books as fifty books but they'd only be about two hundred pages each and crack on like there's no tomorrow :D
Finished "Napoleon's First Italian Campaign, 1796 -1797". This is put out by Military History Press and the illustrations are by Keith Rocco with the text from Col RW Phipps. It is abridged from "The Armies of the First Republic and the Rise of the French Marshals". I have the Phipps books also and it was good to reread parts with maps added.
A nice history and a display book.
The Battles of St.Albans in the Pen and Sword Wars of the Roses series.
Opsrey's Essential History of the russian Civil War. Nice read so far and some ideas already for use with my AVBCW forces :).
Quote from: Leman on 07 June 2015, 07:10:51 PM
The Battles of St.Albans in the Pen and Sword Wars of the Roses series.
You mean the Battle of St Albans and the Street Brawl of St Albans! ;)
As may be, but not the book title.
Finished "The Social History of the Machine Gun" by John Ellis.
A discussion of why it took so long for the different armies to accept it (tradition, not relevant, stubborn). However it could be used on "savages" with no apparent feeling or learning. Civilized people wouldn't be so stupid to charge in mass at the enemy.
A bit better acceptance in the US due to the mechanization of everything over the small craft type manufacturing of the old world.
Road to Koniggratz by Q Barry.
Ploughing my way through the Sharpe series. Reading Sharpe's Sword (only Revenge to read after that and I have completed reading the whole series). Still spotting the odd 'howler' (if you have some knowledge of Napoleonic troop types, organisation and equipment) - e.g., Lossow (a German cavalryman) discussing a French Dragoon, "It's strange, I think, for a Dragoon to have a straight sword. He should have sabre, yes?" Sharpe answers, "True." Weren't French Dragoons heavy cavalry? Thankfully, Cornwell tells a good story.
I am reading Friedrich Engels "Notes on the War" published in the Pall-Mall Gazette, 29 July 1870 - 18 February 1871.
I downloaded this from the internet some time ago and just printed it out to read. Came to 115 pages.
I didn't realize how good of a military reporter Engels was. He does almost a day to day report of the FPW as it was occurring. Battles, commanders, troop strengths, troop and commander quality is all there.
If anyone wants this, send me a note and I will forward it
Hi
Reading Hell in a small place, again.
I read this book every couple of years and never get tired of it.
If had the choice of one book and one book only on a desert island this would be it.
jim
The Algebraist, Ian M Banks
"Hell in a very small place" is very good indeed!
Currently on Charles Strosses fifth Laundry book. For those who haven't read them it's an ISO9000 compliant Cthulu Bond mash up as done by the British civil service via slash-dot.
I might have read that but I don't speak Chinese.
;D
Think James Bond with Elder Gods as seen through a geeky sys-admin working within the (often literal) arcane bureaucracy of the civil service...
Bill Gates with tentacles and a license to kill.
Reading order with a couple of links to some of the short stories -
http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2011/01/laundry-reading-order.html (http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2011/01/laundry-reading-order.html)
I also recommend http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/colderwar.htm (http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/colderwar.htm) - not the same series, but a one off. Very grim.
The new Bernie Gunther novel by Philip Kerr.
The Last Panther by Wolfgang Faust on Kindle.
Quite short first-hand account of the German breakout at Halbe in 1945. It reads a little bit like a novel but appears to his true experience of the drive to the West; The translation is a tad annoying - the T34 panzer appeared from the trees. Our King Tiger panzer engaged the enemy, etc. Don't see the need for the repition of panzer at every opportunity but apart from that it's fine; Seems to a be a series in Kindle format based on interviews conducted by German journalists in the early 60s.
Just started "The Days of King Monmouth" by Ralph Mitchard a day by day account of the rebellion. Seems good so for.
Cheers
Ian
started Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring a couple of days ago after watching the Amazon series: Turn
now trying to decide whether to buy and paint some 10mm AWI !
Osprey's Essential History of the Seven Years War. I enjoyed their one on the Russian Civil War, so looking to see how this compares.
Quote from: freddy326 on 23 June 2015, 11:03:53 AM
started Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring a couple of days ago after watching the Amazon series: Turn
now trying to decide whether to buy and paint some 10mm AWI !
They are amazing figures and a joy to paint :d
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,560.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,560.0.html)
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,8883.msg136053.html#msg136053 (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,8883.msg136053.html#msg136053)
Wavro's Austro Prussian war.
W
Not so much what I am currently reading but some reviews of what I read these last months
http://phdleadhead.blogspot.com.tr/2015/06/books-reviews-19th-century-warfare.html (http://phdleadhead.blogspot.com.tr/2015/06/books-reviews-19th-century-warfare.html)
With Respect
Konstantinos Travlos, PhD
Finished volume 79, no. 2 of "The Journal of Military History". It is a quarterly publication and some of the articles are "The other Clausewitz: Findings from the Newly Discovered Correspondence between Marie and Carl Von Clausewitz", "Dirty Work? The Use of Nazi Informants by U.S. Army Intelligence in Postwar Europe", and "This 'Horrible Example'": An Extraordinary Case of Absnt Without Leave during the Vietnam War".
Also has many book reviews which always results on putting more titles on my wants list.
Quote from: wurrukatte on 25 June 2015, 07:26:17 PM
Wavro's Austro Prussian war.
W
And afterwards wash your brain out with soap.
Blip blip blip....
Have you read Prof Craig's Koniggratz? A better place to start than Wawro who ruins what could be a good book with careless errors and ill informed prejudice.
Poor old Wawro = he really is useless. Gordon Craig coupled with Bruce Weigle's 1866 rulebook gives an enormous amount of info for just two sources.
QuoteHave you read Prof Craig's Koniggratz? A better place to start than Wawro who ruins what could be a good book with careless errors and ill informed prejudice
Hello
Yes I've read Craigs book (and a good read it was to), followed that with Quentin Barry's Road to Koniggratz.
About to start the Seven weeks war by HM Hozier.
W
Excellent. Hozier's a bit 19th Century but there's still lots of good stuff. Wawro's book really could have been a show stopper if he's just had a better editor, never mind. Bruce Weigle's 1866 is really worth buying, much more than a set of rules. Have a look on the HELION site, lots of good stuff there, Heidrich's Battle of the Swiepwald should be available in translation in 2016 (plug plug). Mollinary and Holdfast have produced the first volume of their 1866 series and its well worth buying, volume 2 is I believe not too far away either. Wait a bit and Fontane will be available in translation too, exciting times for us 1866ers.
I'm reading "Air Wargames" by the Blessed Featherstone. It's all Big Jack Mac's fault. I find that every now and again I need to refresh my wargaming spirit with the simplicity of the Master.
However, it is one of the accursed volumes "edited" by John Curry. I have a few of these now and am fiercely disappointed that they are all full of silly spelling mistakes ("pint" instead of "point") and formatting errors that make sections of the book unreadable and/or nonsensical.
I first noted this in "Airborne Wargames" when the US Airborne Forces of 1944 were permitted M60 Machine Guns. Screaming Eagle with a Pig?
I'm struggling through but the expectation of error makes one rather tentative in one's reading.
QuoteExcellent. Hozier's a bit 19th Century but there's still lots of good stuff. Wawro's book really could have been a show stopper if he's just had a better editor, never mind. Bruce Weigle's 1866 is really worth buying, much more than a set of rules. Have a look on the HELION site, lots of good stuff there, Heidrich's Battle of the Swiepwald should be available in translation in 2016 (plug plug). Mollinary and Holdfast have produced the first volume of their 1866 series and its well worth buying, volume 2 is I believe not too far away either. Wait a bit and Fontane will be available in translation too, exciting times for us 1866ers.
Hello Cameronian,
It was Mollinary and Holdfast's book that first got me hooked on 1866, and I had the pleasure of seeing the Nacthod game at Salute 13. The vol 2 will be snapped up as soon as it appears for pre-order on Trotman's website.
I have Theodor May's tactical retrospect and the Prussian staff campaign history of 1866 waiting patiently for me to finish Hozier. :D
Thanks for the heads up on Heidrich and Fontane I'll keep em peeled.
regards
W
I finished 'Beyond The Reach of Empire' and am now onto 'The River War' by Churchill.
Painting Wargaming Figures by Javier Gomez. some interesting stuff on mixing colours, particularly Vallejo. I was interested to note that, like me, he practices yoga to stay supple.
Does practising yoghurt really keep one supple? I live and learn.
It depends on which joints one massages it in to.
Personally, I find raspberry works best on knees and ankles.
(It can attract wasps, though.)
Cheers - Phil
55555
Weird responses, but it's FK so no change there then. Presumably yoghurt is pronounced with a soft O in South Africa rather than the British hard O pronunciation.
Quote from: Techno on 05 July 2015, 04:12:51 PM
It depends on which joints one massages it in to.
Personally, I find raspberry works best on knees and ankles.
(It can attract wasps, though.)
Cheers - Phil
First the knees, then the names ...
The Military Experience in the Age of Reason bu Duffy. Started it yesterday and really, really enjoying it. Great back gound reading for planned SYW games.
Quote from: Steve J on 07 July 2015, 10:05:14 AM
The Military Experience in the Age of Reason by Duffy. Started it yesterday and really, really enjoying it. Great back gound reading for planned SYW games.
:-bd Should be supplied free with every first purchase of an 18th-century European or related army.
5, for those who haven't been paying attention, is
hah in Thai.
I seem to be having a bit of a hiatus from military reading. Not long finished all 12 of Burroughs' John Carter series and am now re-reading the second of the Foundation Series by Asimov -last read in the mid '70's!
"Blood never dies", by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. (Enjoying it.)
First book I've listened to for ages. Been using the iPlayer to listen to shorter 'stories' or shows because of having to use the Dremmel so often.
Cheers - Phil
With Zeal and With Bayonets Only = Mathew H Spring
The British army on campaign in North America, 1775-1783
What a little diamond this book is. It goes into incredible detail about the tactics and their development throughout the war.
Quote from: Rob on 09 July 2015, 10:31:24 AM
With Zeal and With Bayonets Only = Mathew H Spring
The British army on campaign in North America, 1775-1783
What a little diamond this book is. It goes into incredible detail about the tactics and their development throughout the war.
Anything on the density of trees at Guilford Courthouse? I have seen at least one source that indicates the American second line was in a particularly dense part of the forest. If so I'm trying to work out why :-\
Scenarios for All Ages by C S Grant and S Asquith for a bit of inspiration for small scale actions. Out of 51 scenarios there are about 45 I could stage.
Quote from: paulr on 09 July 2015, 09:06:27 PM
Anything on the density of trees at Guilford Courthouse? I have seen at least one source that indicates the American second line was in a particularly dense part of the forest. If so I'm trying to work out why :-\
No. There are no battles analysed as such, the level of analysis is at the fighting level. Guilford Courthouse has 33 entries in the index though. They are used as with other battles to illustrate arguments and illustrations of methods in the books chapters:
1. British Army tasks
2. operational constraints
3. grand tactics
4. march and deployment
5. motivation
6. the advance
7. commanding the battalion
8. firepower
9. the bayonet charge
10. bushfighting
11. hollow victories
Cheers, Rob :)
Quote from: Rob on 10 July 2015, 09:07:48 AM
No. There are no battles analysed as such, the level of analysis is at the fighting level. Guilford Courthouse has 33 entries in the index though. They are used as with other battles to illustrate arguments and illustrations of methods in the books chapters:
1. British Army tasks
2. operational constraints
3. grand tactics
4. march and deployment
5. motivation
6. the advance
7. commanding the battalion
8. firepower
9. the bayonet charge
10. bushfighting
11. hollow victories
Cheers, Rob :)
10. Sounds like it might talk about what I am interested in
11. Guilford Courthouse is a classic example
Finished Norman Friedman's "U.S. Destroyers, Revised Edition". Large book but more than half is about ships after WWII. Goes to 2004. I liked his book on U.S. Cruisers much better.
Finished Don Troiani's "American Battles, The Art of the Nation at War, 1754 - 1865, featuring the Civil War". As can be imagined, great paintings. Good narrative by several well known historians.
Listening to....."The Bones Beneath", by Mark Billington.....Really enjoying it !
Cheers - Phil
The Elven, a fantasy novel. Not a bad read for a Kindle freebie, but absolutely no desire to recreate on the tabletop.
Just finished the first book in the 'Lost Fleet' series by Jack Campbell. Good read. Haven't read any scifi in years.
About to start 'The Mongol Empire' by John Mann
Chad
Nearly finished Jack Campbell's latest Lost fleet book, Leviathan
the series is still going strong.
W
It gets a bit sameyy later on, but is a worthwhile read.
IanS
"Conqueror", by Conn Iggulden.
About Kulai Khan, apparently....He hasn't turned up yet, though.
Ended up being slightly disappointed with "The Bones Beneath."
Really good 'listen', right up to the end....Then it sort of fizzled out.....I assume the story's to be followed up in another book in the series. :-\
Cheers - Phil
The first four in the series are excellent! :D
UnRoman Britain by Laycock and Russell.
The idea is Latin and toga wearing wasn't that widespread. Quite a valid theory,as we speak a Germanic based tongue with only a few
Latin loan words.It also backs up my feeling that British history was Romanised in the Victorian era as learned men desperately drew parallels
between the British Empire and the Roman one.
Cassell's Battlefields of Great Britain and Ireland by Richard Brooks. Just into the Anglo-Saxon phase but so far excellent stuff.
The Well-Tempered Garden by Christo Lloyd. Superb as one would expect from Christo and perfect for reading in the garden whilst planning a few changes here and there.
Quote from: kodiakblair on 17 July 2015, 09:21:51 PM
UnRoman Britain by Laycock and Russell.
The idea is Latin and toga wearing wasn't that widespread. Quite a valid theory,as we speak a German-based tongue with only a few
Latin loan words.It also backs up my feeling that British history was Romanised in the Victorian era as learned men desperately drew parallels
between the British Empire and the Roman one.
There aren't that many Celtic words in English. Clearly Celts weren't widespread in the way back when either!
Not to mention the fact that most of our vocabulary comes from French. It's our grammar that's Germanic.
English is such a polyglot language, but Celtic words survive in the names of geographical features; if you live in Shropshire there are Mynds (long ridges), if you look at Pendle Hill in Lancashire it translates as Hill-Hill-Hill (Pen being Celtic, Dale being Anglo-Danish, Hill being Anglo-Saxon). The Clun series of settlements along the river Clun...
But if you look at animals and their food types, you (from the Norse) can see a Norman/Saxon class differential:
Oxen/beef
Pig/pork
Deer/venison
Chicken/lunch!
Then there are all our other loan words:
Curry/bungalow/pyjamas/cop
They are all so passé!
Study of funeral sites estimates that fewer than 100,000 Germanics settled on this island of 4 1/2 million Celts. Integration rather than wipeout. The River Avon translates as River River. One often sees an armada of yachts yawing too and fro in the wind and spray. good time to use the shampoo before heading for a curry in the bungalow, or would a kebab be more appropriate, accompanied by a Rioja or maybe a cool glass of rose. Brings out the hiraeth in one.
If you insist! Bon appetite!
Reminds me of this -
"Being British is about driving a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV."
And the good old quote from James Nicoll. "The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
And then broken them before getting them home.
Pendle Hill - name apparently translates as Hill Hill Hill.
Presumably each wave of incoming nobles asked, "what's that?" and then added their own version of hill to the end.
Speaking of which I'm off for a walk to "Your finger you fool-you fool-you fool-hill" ;)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 20 July 2015, 08:16:34 AM
English is such a polyglot language, but Celtic words survive in the names of geographical features; if you live in Shropshire there are Mynds (long ridges), if you look at Pendle Hill in Lancashire it translates as Hill-Hill-Hill (Pen being Celtic, Dale being Anglo-Danish, Hill being Anglo-Saxon). The Clun series of settlements along the river Clun...
But if you look at animals and their food types, you (from the Norse) can see a Norman/Saxon class differential:
Oxen/beef
Pig/pork
Deer/venison
Chicken/lunch!
chicken - pullet, so that one also fits the pattern
calf - veal
sheep - mutton
If its standing in a field covered in sh*t - the word is Anglo Saxon
If its on the table, then its Norman French
So the Anglo Saxon peasant has a Cow
The Norman Lord has Beef
The oppressed has a pig
The King, who I never voted for, has Pork
You talk the walk. Do you fork the pork?
I'm seeing the violence inherent in the system here, Last Hussar!
Don't let FK oppress you with rules of grammar he's never let us vote for!
Down with this sort of thing!
The day English grammar is put to the vote in this forum will be the day I am finally motivated to start studying Japanese.
I move that we put English grammar to the vote.
I've just finished reading "The Kings Revenge - Charles II and the greatest manhunt in British history".
Now I'm already through book two of an old classic; Star Wars, The Black Fleet Crisis. :D
Quote from: Leman on 21 July 2015, 08:10:07 PM
I move that we put English grammar to the vote.
唯一のフランチャイズは、学問の少数に制限されます。
:D
Quote from: Leman on 21 July 2015, 08:10:07 PM
I move that we put English grammar to the vote.
I don't think that will help..... Most people where I live have already put grammar (and spelling) to the sword! ;D
You'll feel at home in this forum!
Right I looked up english grammar, You've got me lost, I'm Scottish.
Quote from: kodiakblair on 22 July 2015, 05:25:34 PM
Right I looked up english grammar, You've got me lost, I'm Scottish.
It's like a simplified and bastardized version of Scots "English"...... ;D
DBA 2.2+ (and the WADBAG guide) with a view to finally doing something about the Da Vinci Condotta armies. Only got one steam tank, so the 'French' will have to have a Paladin mounted on a Gryphon instead. Will also field a standard Condotta army with no fancy dancy stuff until I can produce some flyers for it, or maybe a scythed chariot. The WADBAG guide is a good and very comprehensible read. The Da Vinci stuff comes from the DBA Fanaticus site.
唯一のフランチャイズは、学問の少数に制限されます
The vote shall be restricted to a small number of academics ?
絶対に正しい型ウェルはやりました！
後記何アステカについて、その後？誰地獄は10ミリメートルで再ハッシュWarmaster気？
Quote from: FierceKitty on 24 July 2015, 02:01:58 AM
絶対に正しい型ウェルはやりました！
後記何アステカについて、その後？誰地獄は10ミリメートルで再ハッシュWarmaster気？
Ian, someone is trying to slip the A... word past you ;)
That right, ret who' dam' wor' know!
Dont worry - it's only foreign, and we all know no right minded person speaks foreign. Just use English loudly and slowly.
IanS
Yin tong tiddle aye po!
Back to books read or being read. Just finished "1636: The Cardinal Virtues". Part of Eric Flint's (this one with Walter H. Hunt) on the alternate history series.
OK, deep sigh, serious face back on - my next read, after The Elven, will be 1914 Fight the Good Fight.
Mary Renault's 'The Alexander Trilogy, haven't read it for over 35 years but its as good as I remember it.
But before that I am re-reading Longstreet rules prior to starting a new campaign on Thursday set in the Western Theatre.
First hardcopy military(?) book I've picked up in a while, Peter Tsouras, Disaster at D-Day. Mainly rereading this as background info for a solo WW II campaign in Kent after the Allies failed.
The Civil War in Yorkshire, a Pen and Sword publication by David Cooke.
This is an excellent read, full of action with some good first hand accounts by Thomas Fairfax and the Duke of Newcastle. Perfect inspiration for my current ECW project.
Quote from: Bodvoc on 27 July 2015, 09:45:48 PM
The Civil War in Yorkshire, a Pen and Sword publication by David Cooke.
This is an excellent read, full of action with some good first hand accounts by Thomas Fairfax and the Duke of Newcastle. Perfect inspiration for my current ECW project.
Oooh! :D
There's one to add to the library. "All the Kings Armies" is a decent reference book.
Yes, I will keep an eye open for that one as I like the actions away form the Essex and Oxford armies, particularly in the North and the South-West.
Quote"All the Kings Armies"
...and I shall look out for that one too.
I found another gem in our local library that I'm reading at the moment - "The Ottoman Defence against the ANZAC Landing" by Mesut Uyar. Published by Aust War Memorial.
Fantastic stuff if you have any interest in Gallipoli campaign - the Ottomans had their share of problems during the first day of the landings as well. This book draws on many Turkish sources not readily available to most "Western" historians to give a in depth view of the defences and how the Ottomans reacted to the Allied landings during the first few days.
Didn't know that several Italian Navy battleships bombarded the Dardenelles defences in 1912 during the Balkan Wars.
5 stars for this one :)
Sounds very interesting :)
We forget just how much fighting there was in that part of the world in the lead up to WWI
Bones of The Hills by Conn Iggulden.
My dad bought it for me years ago, but I never started it. I really enjoyed the first two months parts. However, with the birth of our second daughter reading a opportunities vanished!
Now with my Mongols well underway I'm really enjoying it.
"Marlborough's Other Army. The British Army and the Campaigns of the First Peninsula War, 1702-12" by Nick Dorrell.
The story of the War of the Spanish Succession in the Iberian Peninsula. Bit different from the usual Blenheim story. Easy read, though it would perhaps disappoint those who want Oman depth historical reporting.
It is my kind of book. A mix of history plus information about the organisation, equipment and uniforms of the armies and plenty of OOBs.
I loves me a nice OOB, and this has one every few pages. It's a compendium of OOBs. OOBs everywhere. British OOBs, French OOBs, Spanish OOBs, Portuguese OOBs and Dutch OOBs. Lovely OOBs.
" Early Roman campaigns in South-West Britain " booklet from the 1st Caerleon Lectures 1987 and Lin Carter's
" Royal Armies of the Hyborean Age " rules.
Strange one the Carter book,it gives figure bases as 60mm wide by 1 1/2 inch deep :o and as table size is determined by army points it suggests 1500pts.
Cause " it's difficult to find tables longer than 12 feet" :o
Or my favourite part is when they applaud modern rules for using morale rather than casualties to
determine battles as a more accurate method then tell you their rules don't use morale they're back using casualties :o
Quote from: mad lemmey on 28 July 2015, 09:03:24 PM
Bones of The Hills by Conn Iggulden.
My dad bought it for me years ago, but I never started it. I really enjoyed the first two months parts. However, with the birth of our second daughter reading a opportunities vanished!
Now with my Mongols well underway I'm really enjoying it.
I've got all of them. He tells a good story...a very good story, but historically. it's almost pure Hollywood.
Quote from: fsn on 28 July 2015, 09:09:33 PMI loves me a nice OOB, and this has one every few pages. It's a compendium of OOBs. OOBs everywhere. British OOBs, French OOBs, Spanish OOBs, Portuguese OOBs and Dutch OOBs. Lovely OOBs.
Or "porn" as I call it :D
Quote from: Leman on 28 July 2015, 07:55:09 AM
Yes, I will keep an eye open for that one as I like the actions away form the Essex and Oxford armies, particularly in the North and the South-West.
Quote from: Bodvoc on 28 July 2015, 08:21:05 AM
...and I shall look out for that one too.
You're both welcome :)
First Steps in East Africa by Richard Burton. I'd have liked to know that man.
If you read his biography you would realise actually you wouldn't!
Egotistical and vain, his row with Speake for instance, is horrific.
Oh, alright. :(
Currently reading Chinese opium wars by Edgar Holt
IThe book was written in the 50's I think and picked it up after reading the Ibis trilogy by Amitav Ghosh
If does mention the Chinese Rebellion of the 1850's which be something interesting to do using BBB
Quote from: FierceKitty on 06 August 2015, 08:47:56 AM
Oh, alright. :(
Have a read of this FK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0312108737/ref=mp_s_a_1_23?qid=1438848256&sr=8-23&pi=AC_SX110_SY165&keywords=Burton+explorer
While he certainly was brilliant, you REALLY would not have wanted him as a dinner guest. ;)
The History of the 12th SS (Hitler Jugend) Panzer Division: Volume One by Hubert Meyer.
An interesting read so far (I'm up to circa 8th June '44) but at times hard going due to the translation and proof reading combined with the sheer level of detail. It helps to know the actions described so definitely not a first time read on the Normandy campaign.
From a wargaming perspective very interesting to see how the unit was formed and with what equipment etc. In the early days of action a lot of it was simply not available due to strung out lines of march etc. So far plenty of ideas for wargames scenarios for the future.
Osprey Units of the English Civil War.
Basically re-reading this for ideas for the P&S variant of Lion Rampant that has just been announced.
Tyrant's Test. Book 3 of The Black Fleet Crisis. :D
Quote from: Steve J on 06 August 2015, 10:20:43 AMOsprey Units of the English Civil War
Which one is this? :)
Finished "Doctrine and Reform in the British Cavalry 1880 -1918" by Stephen Badsey.
Good read and it had several items about WWI of which that I was unaware .
"...the most recent research has identified at east 20 British cases of arme blanche charges and combat on the Western Front 1916-1918"
and
"...the Desert Mounted Corps history lists 14 significant mounted charges in the 1917-1918 campaign (fewer than on the Western Front 1916-1918 but usually involving larger formations)..."
Discusses the controversy over the cavalry officer mentality during and after the war.
QuoteOsprey Units of the English Civil War.
Sorry TAWA but I was a bit vague on this due to being in a rush. Specifically they are:
Elite 25 Soldiers of the English Civil War (Infantry)
Elite 27 Soldiers of the English Civil War (Cavalry)
Just started to re-read 'Anatomy of Victory' by Brent Nosworthy.
Plan is to write rules for WSS now that I have a larger library of reference work.
Just started Angus Konstam's "Sovereigns of the Seas: The quest to build the perfect Renaissance battleship." Only got to the introduction, so far!
Quote from: Steve J on 08 August 2015, 07:21:17 AM
Sorry TAWA but I was a bit vague on this due to being in a rush. Specifically they are:
Elite 25 Soldiers of the English Civil War (Infantry)
Elite 27 Soldiers of the English Civil War (Cavalry)
Aah, fair play. I've got all of the ECW/TYW Osprey books. I thought you might have meant a new one that I'd missed. :)
Read Imperial Governor by George Shipway yesterday.
I loathe the Roman Empire so I don't know why I do it. The period interests me but it seems most of this type of fiction is pro-Rome and rooting
for a bunch of murdering slavers ain't for me.That's my fingers burnt for awhile :)
I did enjoy Dennis Dunaway's memoir this week "Snake,Guillotines & Electric Chairs".
To cleanse my soul after Shipway maybe some REH Bran Mak Morn or Ian Watson's Iron Age is needed.
Romans are all baddies in those ;)
Quote from: kodiakblair on 08 August 2015, 05:36:43 PM
I loathe the Roman Empire so I don't know why I do it. The period interests me but it seems most of this type of fiction is pro-Rome and rooting
for a bunch of murdering slavers ain't for me.That's my fingers burnt for awhile :)
To cleanse my soul after Shipway maybe some REH Bran Mak Morn or Ian Watson's Iron Age is needed.
Romans are all baddies in those ;)
So you're fine with rooting for one set of murdering slavers but not another ... ???
Each to their own I suppose.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 08 August 2015, 10:55:53 PM
So you're fine with rooting for one set of murdering slavers but not another ... ???
Each to their own I suppose.
Yes I'm fine with it. I'm sure we all hold some degree of hypocrisy.
A degree of hypocrisy? First class honours in my case :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 08 August 2015, 01:09:41 PM
Just started Angus Konstam's "Sovereigns of the Seas: The quest to build the perfect Renaissance battleship." Only got to the introduction, so far!
Good chap Angus and a stalwart wargamer.
Finished "The Battleship Builders: Constructing and Arming British Capital Ships" by Ian Johnston and Ian Buxton.
Discusses the companies that built the ships and the various parts that went in them - hull, machinery, armor (Yankee spelling; armour in the book) and guns. Gives prices and manpower.
There was collusion amongst the armor makers, with profits up to 100% of the price. The hulls however, sometimes were done at a loss.
Just finished reading The thirty years war by CV Wedgewood
I am now now more confused than I was at the start
Blandford Colour Series Uniforms of the Peninsular War 1807 - 1814 by P Haythornthwaite.
Nice introduction to the conflict for a future project. Lots of opportunity for distinctive looking units due to the waer and tear both sides suffered to their uniforms and equipment.
Quote from: Fenton on 15 August 2015, 05:50:39 PM
Just finished reading The thirty years war by CV Wedgewood
I am now now more confused than I was at the start
I would try - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Europes-Tragedy-History-Thirty-Years-ebook/dp/B002TJLETG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439660338&sr=8-1&keywords=thirty+years+war -
Kindle version is free in the UK at the moment.
Oh
Thanks very much
Quote from: Steve J on 15 August 2015, 06:09:34 PM
Blandford Colour Series Uniforms of the Peninsular War 1807 - 1814 by P Haythornthwaite.
Nice introduction to the conflict for a future project. Lots of opportunity for distinctive looking units due to the waer and tear both sides suffered to their uniforms and equipment.
:-bd
By the way, has anyone read "Orphan Eagles: Polish Armies of the Napoleonic Wars" by Vincent W. Rospond
It calls me from Amazon, but ...
but ...
Just started Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Very well written, nice pace and great details.
The Golden Gate. Not the first perusal, but it's worth revisiting from time to time.
Just finished 'The Campaign in Afghanistan' by Lt. John Greenwood of the 31st Regt. of Foot on his exploits during the 1842 campaign against Cabul.
Excellent reading with a lot of info on officers life and training (of which there seems thave been very little...) during those years in the Indian empire, the horrors along the rode they encountered where Elphinstone's force was destroyed, the endless marches and problems with pack animals and prizes and even some tips on hunting tigers!
"C is for Cthulu" and wondering if Mrs Pixie would kill me if I printed it out for the wee one for her birthday...
"H is for Hastur, oh no, you've said it!"
Finished "The Battle of Ocana: The Army of Spain's Greatest Victory" by Pierre Juhel and color plates by Peter Bunde. It is part of the Histoire and Collections series. It is a translation which misses in some points and reads rough. The layout is also not of the best. However, having said that it has much uniform information (but available elsewhere, and I have most if not all already). It does have the reports from Soult, Mortier and Senarmont, as well as a Spanish report from the Marquis de Zayas.
Overall, it was worth getting.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 16 August 2015, 02:46:44 PM
"C is for Cthulu" and wondering if Mrs Pixie would kill me if I printed it out for the wee one for her birthday...
"H is for Hastur, oh no, you've said it!"
Spotted "At the Mountains Of Madness" as 5 'episoder' on Radio 4 Extra yesterday....That should be worth a listen. :)
Cheers - Phil
That'll be good listening for work then!
Finished issue 51 of the "Gettysburg Magazine". Articles such as "The Baltimore Pike Artillery Line" and "Cavalry on the Right! The Battle for Brinkerhoff's Ridge".
Quote from: toxicpixie on 18 August 2015, 09:09:20 AM
That'll be good listening for work then!
Ho, Yus !!
(Sometimes I almost curse Nobby for putting me 'onto' the iPlayer.....I never seem to be able to catch up !.... ;D ;D ;D ;D... ;))
Cheers - Phil
Hi all,
I've been reading "For God and Kaiser-The Imperial Austrian Army", by Richard Bassett (Yale).
I came across this title whilst browsing on Amazon and I'm really pleased I ordered it; it's an excellent read and, so far, full of interesting accounts of engagements, characters and fascinating anecdotes. It's arranged chronologically and the first chapters have covered the TYW, wars with Ottoman empire and now onto Eugene's campaigns during the WSS. I'm really enjoying it and it's great to find something in English covering the military history of the Habsburg Empire down the ages.
As I've got a an Austrian Napoleonic Army, I'm looking forward to how that period is covered, but also the accounts of WW1 sound interesting.
This is far from dry reading and it's different to read an account that challenges the oft expressed view that Austrian armies were poorly led and fought badly.
Recommended.
Oooooh, must buy that, thanks.
The Ocean At The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman. Brilliant, devoured it in a day!:)
Anyone seen these at 99p a throw for the kindle yet?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Franco-Prussian-War-1-H-M-Hozier-ebook/dp/B00LQBLOZC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1440149447&sr=8-2&keywords=franco+prussian+war
and
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Franco-Prussian-War-2-H-M-Hozier-ebook/dp/B00MBVDR10/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1440149447&sr=8-6&keywords=franco+prussian+war
and at £1.09
http://www.amazon.co.uk/1864-forgotten-shaped-modern-Europe/dp/1781252769/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1440149599&sr=8-2&keywords=1864
Bought the FPW items
Thanks
Read Chris Pringle's "Bloody Big Battles" rules and the BBEB scenario book. The rules appear to owe a lot to Fire and Fury/Age of Eagles, but that is not a bad thing. It has some changes I like: halt an attack, recover lost stands. Not sure if 2D6 are really better than 1D10, but the 2 dice do produce a bell curve.
I probably will use the maps in the scenarios for some FPW games, but using my adaptation of "Snappy Nappy", "Sappy Nappy".
Finished "The Fateful Lightning" by Jeff Shaara (whose father did "Killer Angles" - battle of Gettysburg),
This book is the last of a 4 volume series on the ACW, a novel. It deals with Sherman's March to the Sea, after the fall of Atlanta.
Another good read.
Ploughing through Dave Alsop's research archive, which was passed to me by another club member. Request on behalf of the editor of SOTCW Journal, is the Eastern Front Association still active.
IanS
'The English Civil War, 1642-1651, an Illustrated Military History' by P Haythornthwaite. Just started for some more info for my 'The Pikeman's Lament' companies and for future Pike & Shotte games. So far so good with some nice little details that are perfect for small scale actions.
Just listened to The Shepperds Crown by Mr. Pratchett, the abridged version, ( I like Tony Robinsons voice characterizations .) Typical Pratchett. There won't ....be... any ...more.....man cough (sob).
Just finished Angus Konstam's "Sovereigns of the Seas" which was both very readable and informative.
Now about to launch into "Warfare In The Ancient Near East To 1600BC: Holy Warriors at the Dawn of History" by William J. Hamblin. Aiming to increase my knowledge of the first 50% of Military History!
Finished the "U.S Army Tactics Field Manual" put out by the Department of the Army. Quite a slog - 476 pages. Not something you refer to in the heat of combat. Lots of army abbreviations - I need to make a list for reference.
Bet that was real page turning stuff. What edition ?
IanS
The expurgated version - the one without the M16.
Re: "Tactics Field Manual". It doesn't have an edition number, but says copyright 2013 by N=Morris Book Publishing.. Also has listed Lyons Press and Globe Pequot Press. But it is an Army manual done by private printers(?)
Only if it's a repro one....
IanS
Vardy. Only the second novel I've ever come across about the FPW (the other being The Debacle). At the moment the central character is in Metz and bad news, plus many wounded, is flowing in non-stop. Ooer missus!
Just finished a very different book for me. "The Art of Forgery" by Noah Charney. I heard him on National Public Radio discussing art forgery and decided to get and read his book. It talks about thefts, copies, forgeries.
The only thing vaguely military in it (other than looting in wars) was a scandal from the British Museum when they had an exhibit of the Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors that were not antique. (Evidently they were "authentic" in the Chinese thinking, actual copies, but not antique).
Have interrupted my current novel to read 'The Agony of Belgium - August-December 1914', by Major Fox, who was a war correspondent in Belgium at the time. This is a synthesis of his reports, published in book form in 1915. It is the only book I have come across specifically on the Belgian campaign and I have discovered stuff I didn't know, such as the bombing of Antwerp by Zeppelin, and the successes of the Belgian field army when the Germans transferred troops from the west to the east. For a short period the main forces confronting the Belgians were 2nd line troops, who were given a bit of a bloody nose. However, once the Germans reorganised themselves the Belgians didn't stand a chance. There are a few passages of propaganda on the frightfulness of the Germans, only to be expected in a wartime publication, but at least Fox acknowledges that some of his reporting may have been inaccurate. The prose moves at a rollicking pace and makes good background reading for my proposed campaign, especially his description of Carabiniers Cyclistes working in concert with armoured cars. The book lacks maps (only one, of the forts round Antwerp) and illustrations.
The English Civil War, A People's History by Diane Purkiss. The style of writing is taking a bit of getting used to, but so far plenty of good background info for games and scenarios.
Just getting ready to start "The Silver Spitfire" by Wing Commander Tom Neil.
Quote from: Steve J on 05 September 2015, 04:25:25 PM
The English Civil War, A People's History by Diane Purkiss.
Dammit. That's another one to add to my pile..... :o
Finished "Guadalcanal" by Richard Franks. Great book and second time I have read it. Forgot I had it and bought another copy.
Great detail on air, land and sea. Our group is currently refighting the Solomons Campaign by ODGW so it was very timely.
>>'The English Civil War, 1642-1651, an Illustrated Military History' by P Haythornthwaite.
Good choice. This also started me on my ECW quest a few months ago. Great to dip into
even though, I understand, some of the 'uniform' pics have been brought into question. I
must admit that, in 10mm, this becomes less of an issue !
Phil
Quote from: Glorfindel on 13 September 2015, 09:30:23 AM
>>'The English Civil War, 1642-1651, an Illustrated Military History' by P Haythornthwaite.
Good choice. This also started me on my ECW quest a few months ago. Great to dip into
even though, I understand, some of the 'uniform' pics have been brought into question. I
must admit that, in 10mm, this becomes less of an issue !
Phil
Snap!! Me too, got a cheapo copy of e-bay and have been giving it all my attention too, I am starting out on a 10mm ECW project too, also got some battle guides coming from Caliver.
Another title I've read recently is "Empires of the Sea" by Roger Crowley, looking
at the conflict between Spain and the Ottomans in the Med between 1521 and
1580 (Siege of Malta, Siege of Rhodes, Lepanto etc). Not an area I've considered
before but very inspiring.
Very much enjoyed his style of writing.
This led to me watching the animated Battle of Mohacs (1526) on Youtube :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdIgp1davEY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdIgp1davEY)
Great stuff. This in turn made me look at the Ottomans (perhaps of the later
period, Siege of Vienna 1683). The beautifully painted examples on the Pendraken
site have pushed me over the edge and made me want to do this as another project.
Nightmare ! Too much inspiration, too little cash and time.
Phil
Finished another different book. "Salt: A World History" by Mark Kurlansky. He has also written a book on Cod.
In any event this book was actually fascinating. Lots of facts from ancient times to now.
My desire to explore the Franco-Prussian War (see separate thread) has been slightly derailed by some $5 purchases I made when recently in the USA. I've just finished one of them, "Through Blood & Fire at Gettysburg" by General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
This 60 page booklet is an account of the 20th Maine's stand at Little Round Top which was first published by Hearst's Magazine in 1913. My only previous 'exposure' to this action before reading this was a small mention in a chapter of "Battles of the American Civil War," the movie, "Gettysburg" and a personal visit to Little Round Top a couple of years back, so it was interesting to read the account of the action by the man himself. Language was slightly 'flowery' at times but I suppose that reflects the background of the man (he was a college professor) and the times.
One issue that differed from my previous (albeit limited) knowledge of the action is his confrontation with a Rebel officer. Accounts say the Reb's pistol mis-fired (as per the movie) whereas Chamberlain says he "fires one barrel almost in my face."
The booklet also includes a sketch map of the Round Tops and a copy of Chamberlain's hand written AAR. One thing that I didn't quite appreciate (and wasn't quite clear in my mind about) was that the 20th Maine's advance after its charge actually ended up much further forward than I previously thought - and alongside the 83rd Pennsylvania (?) (the sketch map shows both regiments on the summit of "Round Top" - which I presume is 'Big Round Top" because "Little Round Top" is also highlighted on the same sketch map). It also has to be borne in mind that his account was published 50 years after the battle so his memory of the action might not have been as accurate as we would wish. Nevertheless, a fascinating read. For a "broader' account of the action, see the link below.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-history-articles/defense-of-little-round-top.html (http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-history-articles/defense-of-little-round-top.html)
Next one is "If this Valley is Lost, Virginia is Lost!" - an account of Stonewall Jackson's 1862 campaign in the Shenandoah Valley.
After some random fiction and a dive into German KStN documents I am rereading Kenneth Macksey's "First Clash" - WW3 c 1984 with the Canadians - written for the Canadian Army to illustrate the then training manuals. good stuff even if the maps are weirdly oriented?
Now I know why Pendraken make a Lynx!
Edward
The new Salman Rushdie.
Presumably this one's called 'Krishna, you're a prat.'
;D =D>
Just finishing The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers by Richard Moe, next up is Gettysburg by Stephen W Sears.
No theme there at all.....
I'm not much of a naval interest guy, but I recently picked up "Neptune's Inferno" (Hornfischer) as I was wanting to read more about the Solomon's campaign. The book deals strictly with the naval side of things, but I've got to tell you that it was one of the most riveting books I've ever read, I couldn't put it down.
V/R,
Jack
Quote from: bigjackmac on 28 September 2015, 08:08:17 PM
I'm not much of a naval interest guy, but I recently picked up "Neptune's Inferno" (Hornfischer) as I was wanting to read more about the Solomon's campaign. The book deals strictly with the naval side of things, but I've got to tell you that it was one of the most riveting books I've ever read, I couldn't put it down.
V/R,
Jack
Thanks Jack, I will try and track it down. We have played the naval side of the Solomon's campaign once and will hopefully do it again soonish
Paul,
Yeah man, if you're into Naval gaming, particularly the Solomons, I can't envision a scenario in which you wouldn't love this book. He gives lots of great background material to set up the fights, but where the book really shines are the fights themselves.
He gives blow-by-bloody blow accounts of all the major surface actions, with personal stories and insights into the tactical decision making. I was laughing at myself because I'd stay up to the middle of the night just to finish the chapter on a battle, even though I already knew how it finished! Any book that can keep you up, flipping pages, when you already knows how it ends, gets high marks from me ;)
I need to find a set of naval rules; the problem is, I'm kind of weird with regards to my tastes, and so I'm not sure the rules I'm looking for exist. I need:
1) Some form of friction in the command process so that I don't know what is coming next, but it can't involve pre-plotted movement (because I'm a solo player and pre-plotting movement just doesn't work for me). Maybe card activation.
2) No rivet counting as I'd like to fight from 6-12 ships per side. I'm not interested in primary/secondary/tertiary batteries, simply combat capability (with differentiation for guns and torpedoes in DDs, DEs, and CLs) and target selection (with limitations for night fighting).
3) An offshoot of #2: simplified combat, with effects-based results. So again, combat capability, target selection, then results. I.e., firing ship's guns to this quarter gets 'x' number of dice at 'y' range vs target ship (I've got no problem with charts for that), roll the dice, the result is (a few examples):
-long, no effect
-short, ship takes evasive turn left/right (check by die), doesn't move next turn but may fire.
-straddled, target can't fire next turn but may move.
-armament hit: fire half dice to targeted quarter for rest of game (i.e., if hit from the bow, fire half dice forward for rest of game).
-engine/boiler damage, half speed for rest of game.
-dead in water, no move or shoot.
-ship going down.
So, I'm not at all interested in a roster where I'm checking off main battery, secondary battery, crew, and hull boxes. I'm looking at, basically (with only a slight bit more granularity) the ship is good to go, the ship is in the fight but got some problems, the ship is hurting and leaving, the ship is hurt and needs help, the ship is going down.
4) I also want 'morale'-type issues,, though I'm not sure if that's the right term. For example:
-A trigger to have a ship's Captain test to disengage (leave the fight).
-A trigger to have sister ships disengage and 'heave to' to aid a friendly stricken vessel.
5) Other issues based on tests triggered somehow:
-a ship getting hit rolling to see if fires out of control, at which point 1) Captain may order crew to abandon, 2) ship can't fire or maneuver next turn, simply move straight ahead, as entire crew is involved in damage control, or 3) Captain orders ship to retire.
-test for collision in certain circumstances (i.e., a ship forced into evasive maneuver by enemy fire)
-test to see if ships will maintain formation (i.e., the second ship in column is forced into evasive maneuver by enemy fire, does the third/fourth/fifth ship in column follow the 1st ship or the 2nd ship?
-other weirdness: random stuff, like running aground, engine failure, firing main batteries which knocks out own radar/electrical systems, etc...
6) Also an offshoot of #2, very simple movement mechanics. I'm not particularly interested in different turning radii for different ships, nor the fact that 'x' class cruisers had a top speed of 28 knots while 'y' class was 24 knots. I will admit that I've even thought about using D6-based random movement, i.e., roll a D6 and add 2, and that's how many inches your ship moves this turn, which could force ships to turn out of formation in order to avoid collision.
I'm sure there's more, but in the overall scheme of things, I'm looking to fight the ships, at ship level, not looking to make decisions about 'the forward battery engages 'x' while the port secondary batteries engage 'y', and the damage control parties are being devoted to the engine rooms vice main forward battery, and the radio shack has been destroyed. I hope this makes sense, and I hope such a thing exists. I'll probably post this on other forums as well; I really need to find something.
Hope you're able to get your hands on the book, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
V/R,
Jack
Inspired by the last one, about to revisit The Moor's Last Sigh.
Jack, we use the old General Quarters I & II They have a simple combat system that might come close to meeting your requirements
You would have to graft a command and control system on :-\
I've just finished reading, "Humpty Dumpty" and I'm a bit perplexed.
At no point did it say he was an egg. Or that he was male. And what medical expertise did they think the horses might have?
Listening to "The Mayan Secrets", at the mo'.
Quite fun !
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 01 October 2015, 07:31:46 AM
Listening to "The Mayan Secrets", at the mo'.
Quite fun !
Cheers - Phil
Careful, you'll get FK all excited
Yes, I know Aztec were much later
Quote from: Westmarcher on 30 September 2015, 10:56:57 PM
I've just finished reading, "Humpty Dumpty" and I'm a bit perplexed.
At no point did it say he was an egg. Or that he was male. And what medical expertise did they think the horses might have?
He may well have been a gun. Basically phallic, that. The horses would have been a political sneer at the Cavaliers, in that case.
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/the-origin-of-humpty-dumpty/ (http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/the-origin-of-humpty-dumpty/)
Or "brandy boiled with ale". That one I have not heard before.
Quote from: fsn on 01 October 2015, 09:25:34 AM
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/the-origin-of-humpty-dumpty/ (http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/the-origin-of-humpty-dumpty/)
Or "brandy boiled with ale". That one I have not heard before.
Interesting find. Makes me wonder if the cannon reference should maybe be referring to a howitzer instead seeing as it short and dumpy compared to normal cannon
So, I finished "The Silver Spitfire" last night, and this afternoon at work I made a start on "Black Hearts: One platoons descent into madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death".
Quote from: Westmarcher on 30 September 2015, 10:56:57 PM
"Humpty Dumpty"
And everyone else thought "Humpty Dumpty" was boring. Liked the gun theories, FK and Fenton but, for me, I think fsn has
cracked it with the brandy boiled with ale - I think I might just try that!
Tawa - I would also recommend
Main Battle Tank about the Brits in Basra in the first Gulf War.
Ian Knight:
The Anatomy of the Zulu Army
from Shaka to Cetshwayo 1818 - 1879
Reading it for research and ideas for a play by mail game I'm playing in, The Glory of Kings by Agema Publications.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 02 October 2015, 09:15:59 AM
Tawa - I would also recommend Main Battle Tank about the Brits in Basra in the first Gulf War.
I shall have a looksy for that :)
I'm continuing my Solomons kick with "Islands of Destiny."
I also just bought a cool solitaire game by Berserker Games called "Marine Fighter Squadron" that I'll be using for an upcoming air-land-sea campaign set there in the Solomons.
V/R,
Jack
Just finished listening to "The dying hours" by Mark Billingham. (Cop/Thriller story.)
Very good.
Cheers - Phil
In the middle of Panzer Battles by Major-General FW von Mellenthin.
Some interesting stuff on the North African Campaign.
Still got Russia and Western Eueope to go.
The Beano Annual 2015, the other half of my birthday pressie from my old man!
Interesting mix of old (90s) strips and modern.
Only the Bash Street Kids and Little Plum work in the modern, others are too self reverential! All strips are funny, but too often relying on fart jokes...
Dennis really has dropped in standards, and I really don't let me the idea of all the parents being 'modern' especially Minnie and Roger the Dodgers! Bully Whizzes is still the same though!
The artistic quality has also dropped except Calamity James, The Bash Street Kids and Pup Parade.
7/10.
Oh, and I won't mention a couple of notable defections from The Dandy'!
Finished "A Call to Arms" the latest in the Honorverse series. Space combat at its best.
This one written by David Weber with Timothy Zahn and Thomas Pope. Seems like a bunch of popular authors can only keep up if they add co-writers.
Finished listening to "Shakespeare's Rebel." (C.C. Humphries)....Very enjoyable.
BTW......How do you spell (I think it was) "Bashrumi"......That's what it sounded like, anyway.
I've only ever heard that used once before, by Percy in Blackadder II.
Now listening to "The Pursuit" by Peter Smalley
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 09 October 2015, 04:45:10 PM
BTW......How do you spell (I think it was) "Bashrumi"......That's what it sounded like, anyway.
I've only ever heard that used once before, by Percy in Blackadder.
Cheers - Phil
Can you give us any context, or am I missing something really obvious?
Mollinary
It seems to along the lines of "Gadzooks !", or "Hey Nonny, Nonny," M.
(I tried an on-line Elizabethan 'dictionary' without success.)
Maybe it's starts with a "P" ?
I'll try and find the episode of Blackadder where I think I've heard it before.... Believe it's the episode where Blackadder tries to host two very different parties at the same time.
Cheers - Phil
Well, Google-Fu to the rescue! I am afraid you got close Phil, but no cigar. A quick look at the script for the Episode "Beer" in Blackadder II rapidly brought me to Percy: Beshrew me, Blackadder! :D
Mollinary
Well done that man..... :-bd
I've found it in the Elizabethan dictionary now. :)
Cheers - Phil
"Retreat and Rearguard 1914" by Jerry Murland. This is quite an in-depth account of the BEF's retreat from Mons to the Marne. It covers the lesser encounters with the pursuing Germans as well as the likes of Mons and Le Cateau, and is thus a great source of historical small-action scenarios. It also makes extensive use of first hand accounts which provide a great deal of atmosphere. It is well written and moves at a cracking pace, almost like a novel in places. For me it has been a great find. I got it as a Kindle version.
Listening to "Treason's Harbour" by Patrick O'Brian.
I'll swear I've twice heard the word "Scotchman" (sic).......Historically accurate use, by the Naval Officers around the time of the Napoleonic Wars ?
Cheers - Phil
Yep.
Was reading Mike Embree's new book on the Italian campaigns of 1848-49, "Radetzky's Marches" ...
... and then I left it on a plane yesterday. :'(
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
Oh man, at sixty quid a pop that's got to smart :S
Finished "Napoleon; A Life" by Andrew Roberts. Very interesting anecdotes about Napoleon's life and the events and peoples he influenced. Long book, 810 pages, so it took awhile. Not heavily military, but enough for this book. Some military passages I take a little exception to, however.
All in all, very worthwhile, even though I have many others on the Emperor.
Just finished reading another of my cheap purchases on a recent visit to the USA,
"711, Ursneuvil: Bqy the Enilcepu Qwvurcih the 72 and Yqp the Lixqmwvcqpels 680." by Vbqneu F. Emmip.
"What is this gobbledygook" you may ask. For fans of Turn: Washington's Spies (American TV series), it will not surprise you that this is Benjamin Tallmadge's code for "George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War." by Thomas B. Allen.
As the title indicates, this is about the espionage war in that conflict.
Turn fans, do you remember Anna Strong hanging her laundry in certain ways to tell fellow spies the location of the cove where a Culper spy Ring message awaits? This really happened. Does the name Roderigue Hortalez and Company mean anything to you? This is the fake firm set up by the French to supply the colonists with guns and other military supplies before France entered the war.
When I started reading it, the style of writing reminded me of a Ladybird book and sure enough a quick flick to the back revealed that it had received various 'children's' as well as adult book accolades (e.g., American Library Assoc. Best Book for Young Adults 2005). However, do not let that put you off because the book is packed with stories of spy rings, individual spies and their successes and failures, methods of passing on secret messages (including Benjamin Tallmadge's code book) and so on.
Special care has also been taken to give the book a period feel. For starters, the book is set in a digital version of Caslon Antique, a typeface designed in the 1720's and all the rage in Europe and the American Colonies up to (and beyond) the American Revolution. It's also well illustrated with black and white reproductions of archival art and Harness's charming pen and ink sketches. Even the chapter titles are historically appropriate, such as "Franklin's French Friends. IN WHICH a wise man from Philadelphia goes to Paris and outfoxes spies of two nations."
A fascinating read and certainly made me think how much of a game changer the intelligence war was in that conflict. Next time I read about any of the campaigns in that theatre, I can see myself referring to this book if no mention is made of the intelligence aspect by the author of the book I am then reading.
'A Few Acres of Snow' - French and Indian War. Something I've no particular interest in but someone kindly gifted me the book ;)
Listening to "The far side of the World".....Patrick O'Brian.
Seems to be the direct follow on of the last one I was listening to.
Very Enjoyable.
Cheers - Phil
I'm re-reading HMS Ulysses by Alistair MacLean.
Harrowing stuff ... but gripping.
Just finishing a Kindle freebie about the 30 years war by Peter Wilson and then will be starting a re-read of the 3 volume epic that is The History of the Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland!
Mike Embree's 'The Campaign in West and South Germany', a cracking read and beautifully produced, really nice.
stuart Reid's '1745, the Jacobite Rebellion from a Military Perspective'. So far an excellent read and perfect background info for our Honours of War games.
1632 - What happens when a slice of C21st West Virginia mining country suddenly gets transposed with a piece of C17th Germany, and the mining community finds itself dumped into the Thirty Years War. Very entertaining hokum, e.g. the black doctor is accepted as a Moor practising Arab medicine, so he can be trusted. An old man of the time regales the West Virginians with his stories of visiting the Globe in his youth and meeting Shakespeare, but then shocks them by telling them that the Bard may have had a hand in some of the poorer plays, but the great ones were written by the Earl of Oxford, but he could not admit to this owing to his social standing.
I really liked him casually shattering the Uptimers superiority complex when he apologises for only speaking a dozen languages well, and merely being fluent in another half dozen, and only being able to read a few more and not speak them. Sorry, bit useless there... why are you all looking at me funny?! Did I mispronounce something?!
Every time I read them I want to start randomly shouting "VASA!" any time some one asks me a question ;)
Quote from: Leman on 11 October 2015, 12:12:35 PM
"Retreat and Rearguard 1914" by Jerry Murland. This is quite an in-depth account of the BEF's retreat from Mons to the Marne. It covers the lesser encounters with the pursuing Germans as well as the likes of Mons and Le Cateau, and is thus a great source of historical small-action scenarios. It also makes extensive use of first hand accounts which provide a great deal of atmosphere. It is well written and moves at a cracking pace, almost like a novel in places. For me it has been a great find. I got it as a Kindle version.
Thanks for the headsup on this book Leman. Got a copy..fantastic scenario ideas.
You should also read Walter Blum's 'The Advance to Mons', the early days against the BEF as seen through the eyes of a German Grenadier reservist officer, novelist and playright (his father was killed at Spichern, his son on the eastern front some thirty years later).
Just finished "l'artillerie dans la peninsula Iberique", Souvenirs Militaires du General Hulot (1773 - 1843).
(My French isn't as good as I thought it was). This is more of a travelogue than descriptions of battles. However the General (didn't make general until after the Empire period) has interesting views on people and the terrain he passes through.
He missed most of the big battles. He was on the staff at Austerlitz and in fact did a lot of staff and garrison duty. Constant promotions however, so he was very competent as an artillery officer.
During the 100 Days he was artillery commandant at Anvers, so didn't see Waterloo. He became colonel of the 6th Artillery Regiment.
The Thomas Flashman books by Robert Brightwell
https://www.facebook.com/Thomas-Flashman-books-by-Robert-Brightwell-293334187386490/ (https://www.facebook.com/Thomas-Flashman-books-by-Robert-Brightwell-293334187386490/)
Listening to, "The Hypnotist" by Lars Kepler.
Cheers - Phil
Are you feeling sleepy?
Yes, Nobby ! @-) (:| @-) (:| @-) (:|
The clocks being changed doesn't help, either.
Cheers - Phil
Finished "Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary in World War I, The People's War", by Alexander Watson.
More about the trials and sufferings of the German and various Austrian peoples, though there are good overviews of the combat.
Here is a tactic that would be hard to duplicate in our games.
"One ambush on a Habsburg cavalry squadron, for example, was carried out by 300 Russians who approached at night by ringing cow bells, a deception that really could only have worked on the Eastern Front. When the sun rose, the 'cows' gave a 'wild roar' and attacked from three sides. Half the Austrians ran, the rest were taken prisoner or killed."
I learned a lot and am astounded that it took so long for Austria-Hungary to collapse. Would have happened quickly even if there was no war.
Ian Heath's The Armies of the Aztec and Inca Empires. Lots of solid research and juicy pictures, but well below Heath's earlier standard of writing, which makes for rough going at times.
Finished issue 53, July 2015, of "Gettysburg Magazine". Published two times per year.
Some of the contents:
"Of Myths and Men: Rethinking the Legend of Little Round Top"
"Deconstructing the History of the Battle of McPherson's Ridge: Myths and Legends of the Twenty-?sixth North Carolina on the First Day's Fight at Gettysburg"
Great magazine and many scenario possibilities if one doesn't want to do the entire battle.
Juliet Barker's Agincourt, which was given as a birthday present. It has certainly started well.
Also finished "Army Uniforms of World War I" by Andrew Mollo and {Pierre Turner. Part of the Blandford Colour Series showing uniforms and then a description.
"Ultimatum", by Simon Kernick. (One disc left to go.)
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Cheers - Phil
The Art of War of Revolutionary France 1789-1802 by Paddy Griffith.
"Watch me" by James Carol.
Very good, so far.
Cheers - Phil
Oo, is that good Chad? I've been eying up Revolutionary Wars stuff for up coming Blucher related fun :)
Just finished reading Kursk, then a Document on USMC units. Then a document on the modernisation of the Vietmanese Armed Forces.
Bit of light reading next I think.
Thinking Armagedon
Regards
Sean
Lawks! That is not a light read!!!
When you read Srmy documents and regulations for your job, and then read army publications for your Hobby it is!
Regards
Sean
TP
Yes it is good. Also recommend Bayonets of the Republic by Lynn.
Cheers Chad!
Decided to read "A Band of Brothers" by Stephen E Ambrose.................AGAIN ;D ;D ;D
TWILIGHT OF EMPIRE by Allan Eckert. Blackhawk War of 1832.
'De Oorlogsbrieven van Unteroffizier Carl Heller' the war diaries of a young German soldier who lived in the Netherlands before the start of WW-1 and went back to Germany early in 1915 to join the army. He fought through to the end of the war and his stories are truly horrific. After the war he went back to the Netherlands and even went to visit the battlefields from his youth in 1962. The book is illustrated with both original photographs of Carl during the war, son of his personal artifacts and pictures made during his visit in 1962. I don't know if there's an English translation but it certainly is recommended if you're interested in WW-1!
Cheers,
Rob
I've just read "Never Surrender" by John Kelly (I got a pre publication version, otherwise I don't think I would have chosen to read it). Its now probably in my top 10 history books, its a very readable account of the start of the war and Churchill's rise to power...
Angus
Finished "The Fall of the Ottomans: The great War in the Middle East" by Eugene Rogan.
If I ever do WWI, I would pick a Turkish army for one side. There was a lot of action on all borders. Very interesting and well done.
The new 'Honours of War' Osprey rules book, which looks very promising so far. Incidentally, owing to the way I base my 10mm figures, the 15mm scale in the book is the one recommended by the author.
I am hoping to get my copy of those rules in a few days. Do you think it will be a game you will play again abd again!
Finished "the Thirteen-Gun Salute" from the Aubrey-Maturin series (paper copy). Still wrestling though volume 2 of Quintin Barry's history of the Franco-Prussian war (Kindle). Reading Dusan Babac's book "The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence against Turkey 1876-1878" (Paper copy). Slowly going through Panayotis Kondylis book "Planetary Politics after the Cold War" in Greek (paper Copy).
Dinosaur Hunter by Osprey...rather funky little book :)
Re-reading Order of the Stick.
Rich Burlew publishes 1-2 strips a week, so I decided to reread from the beginning so I could get a number of the big battle scenes (1010+) in one go. Also reminded me of some of what had happened (like why Roy's sword glowed green). I'm at 870ish at the mo.
That will be the starmetal then...
Quote from: Bodvoc on 17 November 2015, 04:11:53 PM
I am hoping to get my copy of those rules in a few days. Do you think it will be a game you will play again abd again!
I am likely to play again and again because they are very straightforward and period specific. Further they are compatible with my basing system and the SYW looks great in 10mm. Here's some of my Prussians making their way through the wendy houses.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/dourpuritan/10mm%20SYW/IMG_1440_zpsxr68sf3d.jpg)
That is a great looking setup.
It certainly is !
Cheers - Phil.
Leman - Just ordered Prussian SYW army for #1 son. Because of the logistics of Pendraken packs he is going for 32 man units on 4 30mm bases - Sunjester and I said we wished we'd based Black Powder WSS this way now, rather than 6 x20mm bases.
Will 4 x 30mm work with the rules? (yours look like inch bases)
Also just finished "Destructive & Formidable: British Infantry Firepower 1642-1765" by David Blackmore.
Another good book. The Brit tactics come down to "...reserving fire until within a range of thirty yards, then delivering fast and accurate fire to overwhelm the enemy's resolve, before driving them off with a vigorous bayonet charge".
Much discussion of platoon and alternating fire over the time period of the book title and how it was a continuous development. The British ignored long range fire from their enemy so had the advantage of more accuracy and therefore harder hitting when they did fire. I'm sure (as is described during the Napoleonic times) that the quiet, solid British line also did a psychologi9cal number on their opponent.
Keith Flint suggests 5 base infantry and 4 base cavalry units. The rules do make allowances for larger and smaller size units. Some of my Austrian units already have 5 bases, so I may well play these as larger units and leave my 4 base infantry units as standard size. I use 1" square bases for both infantry and cavalry, and consequently will be using the 15mm scale tables in the rules. I would suggest that with 30mm frontages you use either the 15mm or 20mm tables. These tables adjust movement and ranges for smaller than 28mm figures. However the 10mm table assumes proportional basing similar to the 28mm scale, i.e. only 4 figures per tiny 15mm base, so for people like us, who want to use 10mm to represent the massed ranks of the SYW, it is suggested in the rules that the 15mm table is used, but you may want to go even higher. I intend to play a couple of games with each of the adjusted scales to see which works best. Fortunately there are some small learner scenarios in the rulebook. I will start a new thread for Honours of War using 10mm.
Cheers Leman, that was all very useful to know, I may get away with no rebasing.
Different basing for 10mm is silly in my opinion. I prefer putting more figs on a 20mm rules base to resizing- as you say, looks better. The only concession I have made to this is Black Powder, where we do cms as a straight swap for inches.
Osprey Honour thingy ordered for #1 son. Should arrive with plenty of tie for me to read.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett, didn't even know I owned it! Good so far, but I'm only about 30 pages in!
Quote from: Last Hussar on 18 November 2015, 06:43:18 PM
Different basing for 10mm is silly in my opinion. I prefer putting more figs on a 20mm rules base to resizing- as you say, looks better. The only concession I have made to this is Black Powder, where we do cms as a straight swap for inches.
Quite agree.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 19 November 2015, 06:47:42 AM
Dodger by Terry Pratchett, didn't even know I owned it! Good so far, but I'm only about 30 pages in!
I quite liked that one too, Will.
(Audio book from the library van.)
Finished listening to "Death at Knytte" by Jean Rowden, and "What doesn't kill you" by Iris Johansen over the last couple of weeks.
Both "OK"....and passed the time while I was pushing putty around.
Cheers - Phil
Now I am having to read FOGR (refer back to last ruleset thread).
DP:
Welcome to the dark side! It's a good rule set that feels 'right'!
Cheers Lemmy. Have opted for a couple of supplements as well, Trade and Treachery (or is it the other way round) for the Italian Wars, and Eternal Empire for the Ottomans.
Reading The Making of the British Army by Allan Mallinson. Quite unsettling early on when, discussing the English Civil War, he refers to the Swedish Brigade system using 3 ranks and the Dutch Brigade system using 4 ranks - my understanding has always been that it should be 6 ranks and 8 ranks respectively. If this fact is incorrect, how much of the remainder is correct? Anyway, I'll see how it goes and if it is disappointing, hopefully the local library will soon come to the rescue with my first FPW book reservation (The Franco-Prussian War by Michael Howard).
The Howard book is very, very good.
Well, the county library service has dug deep into the "reserve" stock and come up with the goods. I'm about to start reading The Franco-Prussian War by Michael Howard (as recommended by SteveJ, Cameronian, Leman and Mad Lemmey). Just got to see the last episode of Vikings (Series 3) first! Can't wait for both!
P.S. The book is 54 years old!
Just started 'The guns of August' by Barbara Tuchman (that one is 52 years old already I believe...? ...I mean the book!).
A very good read up till now I must say!
Cheers,
Rob
Just started Bayonets of the Republic by John Lynn. Detailed account of the development of the Army of the North in the French Revolution.
Currently reading: Commando to Captain-Generall: The Life of Brigadier Peter Young. :D
Osprey book on the development of the Italian Light Tanks. Very good so far and learnt a lot of useful stuff to take forward into games.
The tribe that washed its spears - the zulus at war
Adrian Greaves and Xolani Mkhize
'Close than you think' by Karen Rose.
20 CDs !
That'll keep me entertained for a few days.
Cheers - Phil
The Wargamer's Guide to Dark Age Britain by Martin Hackett. Genning up on the Picts I bought from Pendraken at Warfare.
Just received "Wellington's Engineers: Military Engineering in the Peninsular War 1808-1814" by Mark S. Thompson.
Looking forward to it!
Dictator by Robert Harris. After a slow start I am beginning to get into it .... pity I know how it ends! :(
Mollinary
Quote from: Westmarcher on 26 November 2015, 01:41:11 PM
Well, the county library service has dug deep into the "reserve" stock and come up with the goods. I'm about to start reading The Franco-Prussian War by Michael Howard (as recommended by SteveJ, Cameronian, Leman and Mad Lemmey). Just got to see the last episode of Vikings (Series 3) first! Can't wait for both!
P.S. The book is 54 years old!
You won't be disappointed, its a great read,
magisterial is the most common word used to describe it.
Napoleons Campaign in Miniture: A Wargamers Guide by Bruce Quarrie.
Only managed a quick glance at it last night, but it looks to be a great read and full of info.
Thomas Flashman in the Peninsula (book 2)
This one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flashmans-Escape-Adventures-Thomas-Flashman-ebook/dp/B00NHPMFPS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1449139396&sr=8-6&keywords=thomas+flashman)
Neil Gaiman - Smoke and Mirrors
Slow going with Barry's Franco Prussian War Volume 2.
Finished With the Turks in Thrace by Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett. Pretty interesting read.
Burned out a bit by two demanding months. Hopefully after next week I will be able to take it easy.
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 03 December 2015, 10:44:31 AM
Thomas Flashman in the Peninsula (book 2)
This one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flashmans-Escape-Adventures-Thomas-Flashman-ebook/dp/B00NHPMFPS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1449139396&sr=8-6&keywords=thomas+flashman)
But not by GMF !!! WTF !!!
Quote from: cameronian on 04 December 2015, 12:09:44 PM
But not by GMF !!! WTF !!!
The character is the original Flashman's uncle, I understand, although I have never read them. So perhaps by extension, William Thomas is George MacDonald's uncle?
Mollinary
Quote from: mollinary on 04 December 2015, 02:42:33 PM
So perhaps by extension, William Thomas is George MacDonald's uncle?
;D ;D
The Thomas Flashman books are enjoyable enough, and I've no complaints about them.
Differences with GMF will be, there's a lot less sex, less verbage and the books are far quicker to finish.
In common with GMF, they're still funny, still feature historical incidents and personalities, and follow the same cad-like principles of the Flashman family traits.
###
Right now (since I'm in bed, ill) I've progressed to reading this (free download from Kindle)
A Sailor of Austria
by John Biggins
The adventures of a U-boat captain in the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I, the story of brave seamen working in such primitive conditions that every dive threatens to be their last.
Book info link here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sailor-Austria-Prohaska-Novels-Biggins/dp/159013107X)
Just finished 'For God and Kaiser'. Bit weak on 1866 but I don't suppose its fair to expect him to be as knowledgeable as some of the anoraks here. Fascinating insight into the German efforts to destabilise the Austrians in the Balkans both before and, amazingly, during the war. Hadn't heard of the 'Silesian offer' either, don't think that would ever have happened somehow.
Listening to "Death Angel" by Linda Fairstein.
Another 'detective' story...Not bad, so far.
Cheers - Phil
Christopher Duffy - The Army of Frederick the Great - very readable account full of lots of little snippets. When I've finished it I shall have to re-read The Army of Maria Therasa.
Having just finished Team Yankee on my kindle I have opted for a more traditional approach and have just started the hardback version of "The Secret War, Spies, Codes and Guerrillas 1939 to 1945" by Max Hastings. It's a big book so should keep me quiet for weeks :D :D :D
Quote from: Leman on 10 December 2015, 02:16:44 PM
Christopher Duffy - The Army of Frederick the Great - very readable account full of lots of little snippets. When I've finished it I shall have to re-read The Army of Maria Therasa.
Have you seen his more modern work on the Austrians? A bit expensive but well worth it in my view and is in my view the best book on the Austrian/Prussian part of the war. This is it - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Force-Arms-Austrian-Seven-Years/dp/1858189829/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449765957&sr=1-11
There is also a 1st volume of this which is also good but more expensive and probably of less interest to the gamer - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Instrument-War-Austrian-Seven-Years-x/dp/1883476194/ref=sr_1_31?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449765937&sr=1-31
Unfortunately I have broken my budget at the mo.
Finished "Blucher: Scourge of Napoleon" by Michael Leggiere. Good Biography of Blucher's life and determination. While he was (is) know as Marshal Vorwarts,he was also circumspect during the 1814 and 1815 campaigns.
Yin Yang Tattoo - Ron McMillan
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rCl38YWjL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yin-Yang-Tattoo-Sandstone-Fiction/dp/190520731X (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yin-Yang-Tattoo-Sandstone-Fiction/dp/190520731X)
Finished "Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I" by Michael Neiberg. It essentially ends when the war starts, but discusses the first few months and the massive casualties of the beginning.
Great book. He used diaries and letters from the common people, to include some items from Russia. No one in this category expected the war.
Once war did break out, all citizens of every country felt as though they were fighting a defensive war (propaganda) and initially made common cause with their governments. This applied to the Socialists in every country as well (who were a major force before the war - governments were concerned about a general strike and were relieved that it did not happen). Also, everyone thought it would be a short war; home before the leaves fall or no later than Christmas. Disastrous for the home front as well as in the trenches.
Things we forget as gamers. As either Scruby or HG Wells said, there are no tin widows (I can't remember who - it may have been another to say that).
Quote from: kipt on 22 December 2015, 01:10:47 AM
Things we forget as gamers. As either Scruby or HG Wells said, there are no tin widows (I can't remember who - it may have been another to say that).
We may forget, from time to time, but most of the general public have no idea at all...
Reading Robert Armsrong's Protestant War - The 'British' of Ireland and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Trying to fill in huge gaps in my knowledge.
Also finally got started on Patrick Rothfuss - The Name of the Wind
Quote from: d_Guy on 22 December 2015, 03:20:11 PM
Reading Robert Armsrong's Protestant War - The 'British' of Ireland and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Trying to fill in huge gaps in my knowledge.
'kin 'ell, that's fifty odd quid on Amazon! :o
Quote from: Tawa on 22 December 2015, 10:15:34 PM
'kin 'ell, that's fifty odd quid on Amazon! :o
I managed to get it used but still very pricey. I have access to a couple university libraries but neither had it - I didn't try inter-library.
For my specialized period of interest in wargaming, the reviews I read suggested that this was essential. One of the several reasons I do 10mm is that I now spend more on books than on figures. :). Happily Google eBooks (free) has also helped a lot in this area.
Not reading but I got hooked on this.
It's a ten part series following the USS Enterprise (not the NCC1701, the CV6) through WWII. Lots of interviews with crewmen and some very well done graphics.
Only down side is the commentary which gets a little over dramatic.
Is it one of those Sci Fi time travel novels?
No. I said not the NCC1701! >:(
I'll give your legs such a slap!
Would have been much more fun though.
What is it Scotty?
The indigenous population appear to be having some trouble with a nasty man called Emperor Hitler Yamamoto, or something akin, cap'n.
Set phasers to totally obliterate Scotty
A cannay do that cap'n, it's against all the known laws of physics and will disrupt the time stream.
Checkov, send for The Doctor
Doctor who?
No, Bones you idiot. Otherwise we'll be going round in circles for the next four billion years. ..........and so on.
Quote from: Leman on 23 December 2015, 07:27:37 PM
Would have been much more fun though.
What is it Scotty?
The indigenous population appear to be having some trouble with a nasty man called Emperor Hitler Yamamoto, or something akin, cap'n.
Set phasers to totally obliterate Scotty
A cannay do that cap'n, it's against all the known laws of physics and will disrupt the time stream.
Checkov, send for The Doctor
Doctor who?
No, Bones you idiot. Otherwise we'll be going round in circles for the next four billion years. ..........and so on.
And the Duke Flystalker fires a pair of torpedoes that annihilate two rather large Japanese cities.
Scotty: Dr, can ye no stop that?
Dr: Sorry, Mr Scott. Fixed point in time.....
;D ;D ;D
Next problem, how to get the populations of two Japanese cities into an American diner.
Finished "American Armies and Battlefields in Europe". Its about the American experience in WWI, and is essentially a guided tour of the battlefields. Lots of pictures, lots of maps, and 3 very large fold out maps in the back pocket. Book was done in 1938 and prepared by the American Battle Monuments commission.
I think it discusses every Medal of Honor winner during the war. Interesting vignettes.
Just finished Howard's The Franco-Prussian War (which I enjoyed - thanks again for the recommendation, chaps) and fsn's Pandraken. Now started Joshua L. Chamberlain's The Passing of the Armies (yes, he of 20th Maine fame), an account of the final campaign of the Army of the Potomac in the ACW. Must admit to finding Chamberlain's academic, 19th century style of writing slightly hard going so far - then again this may be due to the fact I've not really had a good run at it (too many interruptions at this time of year). One thing I've only found out (after all of these years wargaming and studying Latin in school) is the origin of "soldier"(!). As he explains, the word 'soldier' means a man paid for his service instead of being bound to serve under feudal obligation. This pay was in the form of "soldi" (from the Latin "solidus"), the real money, the piece of solid metal, represented today in the French "sou." . Well, there you go. Anyway, its only the first chapter(!) so I'll soon find oy if it gets any better.
Quote from: Leman on 23 December 2015, 11:19:02 PM
;D ;D ;D
Next problem, how to get the populations of two Japanese cities into an American diner.
Open it up as a dim sum bar.....?
Just finished 'The guns of August' by Barbara Tuchmann... I would not recommend it I must say.
She seems very biassed towards the Germans, the way the tekst is edited is very confusing and the military content is messy (although that may have something to do with the Dutch translation) with the term/title of 'regiment', 'brigade', 'division' and 'batallion' being used in a random fashion it seems. I wonder if somebody who read the original version had the same experience?
Let's see what Lyn Macdonald's '1914, Days of Hope' makes of it...
Cheers,
Rob
That's a shame. Her The March of Folly is extremely readable.
I'll try and pick up an English version second hand to compare it with the translation I have and see where things went wrong.
I find it hard to believe that she got a Pulitzer Prize for such a mediocre book really...
Cheers,
Rob
Quote from: FierceKitty on 25 December 2015, 06:35:11 AM
That's a shame. Her The March of Folly is extremely readable.
Unfortunately readable does not always mean a good accurate historical text just look at Ambrose. His Pegasus Bridge is a great read but packed with historical inaccuracy.
I got a copy of Guns of August as a school history prize, I found it readable and informative and it must presumably have got some things right as I used the information I remembered from it to answer a question in my "Higher" History exam and got an A grade pass!
Osprey 191 Henry VIII's Army...
English Flodden forces are go (or Early Henrician if you play FogR)! :)
Nice pressie to myself via Mrs Lemmey? ;)
Looks like we could be painting the same type of stuff again Lem. My first project will be a c1512 Spanish army.
I need to get mine done by April!!!
Poles to do as well!
Just read Kydd, by Julian Stockwin.
£1 book from a charity shop. Enjoyed it enough, but I can't help but think that the true outcome of events (from the last part of the book) would have been a court martial followed by a hanging for the pair. But, there may have been historical precedent?
Finished Volume 10 of "Wargaming in History; the Shenandoah Valley 1862". I am more and more impressed with these volumes. this one in particular is "a staff ride with miniatures" (not an accurate quote). Great history, great conclusions and well written. Next is the Volume 10 Supplement (along with two other books I am reading).
Just finished Svensden's book on the 1st Schleswig-Holstein War. Not a bad read but could have done with better maps (from a wargaming point of view) and will benefit from a re-read in the future. Not many big actions but plenty of ideas for 'what if?' games, campaigns etc.
Now on 'Troop Leader' by Bill Bellamy. So far a good read about his time as a troop leader in NWE '44-'45.
Finished the Supplement to Volume 10 "Wargaming in History; The Shenandoah Valley 1862". Good explanations and good logistic data. (Amateurs discuss tactics, professionals discuss logistics). Liked it as backup to Volume 10.
I'm reading "Manituana" by Wu Ming, an interesting and unconventional view of AWI facts
Finished "The Naval Flank of the Western Front: The German MarineKorps Flandern 1914-1918" by Mark Karau.
When the Germans took Belgium they got the undestroyed ports (the British thought they would need them when they returned, which did not happen until November 1918).
Submarines and destroyers were based there, and the submarines accounted for 25% or so of all sinkings (using torpedoes and mines).
The British were concerned that the Germans would have used their destroyers aggressively, causing a reaction by the British that could have attritted their light forces. It would have also given the High Seas Fleet opportunities to intervene and perhaps score points. But due to caution or lack of understanding, the German High command did not do so.
The MarineKorps eventually had 3 divisions (used for coastal defence for attacks that only came once - the attack on Zeebruge) plus numerous shore batteries as well as an air component.
An interesting look at a portion of WWI I knew nothing about. Could make for some great mini naval campaigns.
glad that Kipt found the Supplement to Wargaming in History The Shenandoah Campaign worthwhile. We - Adam Poole and I - wanted to make the whole thing into one book but that would have made it more than 200 pages and it was deemed too big by the Publisher, and it didnt fit the format of five games, some orbats and the battlefield today that the series has evolved into. Hence we took the bits that were surplus to the 'core' of the book and put the supplement together. We were actually astonished that 'The Shenandoah Day by Day' had not been done before.
The other two ACW books are Gettysburg and First Bull Run. First Bull Run is still in print and Richard Brown of Ken Trotman is planning a limited reprint of Gettysburg in the course of 2016. Meanwhile, Andrew Brentnall and I are getting to grips with writing Volume 12 of Wargaming in History which is about the Battle of Koniggratz in 1866.
'Too Little, Too Late' by Mike Embree, about the 1866 campaign in South Western 'Germany'. Just got to Langensalza now and so far, so good, bar a few typos etc.
'An Invincible Beast - the Hellenistic pike-phalanx at war' - a 500 page tome on how the phalanx actually worked, including a lot of experimental archaeology with reconstructed arms and armour. Incidentally £10 cheaper from Amazon than direct from the publisher.
Finished "The Year of Battles or the Franco-German War of 1870-71" by L.P. Brockett, MD. It was published in mid 1871, so shortly after the war ended. Reprint by The Naval and Military Press.
Brockett was an American, evidently a northerner, who had zero good to say about Napoleon III. (Perhaps because of the Mexican adventure?)
He is pretty good about outlines of battles but it is more of a chronology.
He has an interesting conclusion; "It Germany it has suddenly elevated to the position of arbiter of Europe the most peaceful and domestic of races". Well, got part of it correct.
Been given 'Blood of Heroes" by James Donovan as a late Christmas present. It's a narrative history of the Alamo and by golly it's a rip-roaring read, so Invincible Beast is down until I've finished it.
Finished a small booklet (50 pages), "The Armament of Cavalry": by Lt G.H. Elliott, adjutant, 3rd Bengal Cavalry, 1875, a Naval and Military Press reprint. It also has "Historical Memoir of the Dismounted Service of Cavalry" also by LT Elliott.
A historical compilation discussing the use of the lance, sabre, pistol and carbine. This was written at a time when there was a lot of military theory being done. He notes, but is careful to say he does not advocate (he is after all only a lieutenant) that the first rank should have the lance and pistol while the second rank should have the sabre and carbine.
The second part discusses the distinction between cavalry and mounted infantry. This went on up to and beyond the first World War.
Interesting, but nothing I have not seen before.
Finished "Verdun to the Vosges" by Gerald Campbell, who was as he says "Special Correspondent of The Times".
He was sent to the eastern frontier at the start of WWI, and published this book at the beginning of 1916. So only a little over a year into the war.
It is a propaganda book, berating the Germans for their atrocities and for the war. Some interesting accounts of localized combats, but in a story mode, since he was not directly involved. Very much for the French and a bit down on the English for getting in so late (and he doesn't like the labor strife and strikes in England that happened).
It is similar to the 1870 book I finished a bit ago (see above). It puts a lie to "...a position of arbiter of Europe..."
Reprint published by The Naval and Military Press and the National Army Museum.
A Terrible Glory - Custer and the battle of the Little Bighorn by James Donovan. Rattles along, much k]like his book on the Alamo (see above).
Finished "Journals of Field-Marshall Count von Blumenthal for 1866 and 1870-71".
As it says it is his journal for the two wars noted. He was COS for the Third Army in the FPW.
Interesting character and as he says, did not suffer fools (or others) lightly. A thorough soldier.
Liked it.
Finally read Emile Zola's The Downfall (La Débâcle) with little or no knowledge of the FPW. Zola's descriptions of terrain and movement of troops on the grade scale are as image envoking as any I have read. He also capably drills down to the highly limited view of events by various individuals. Almost makes me want to do this period.
Spartacus: Swords and Ashes [fiction based on the TV series].
Before that, Flashman and Madison's War [War of 1812 - North America]. Wasn't as good as the previous books about Thomas Flashman, imho.
D Guy - go for FPW - the Pendraken range is second to none.
Quote from: Leman on 24 January 2016, 11:22:45 AM
D Guy - go for FPW - the Pendraken range is second to none.
Oh Lordy, maybe just maybe :)
Finished "The Journal of Military History", Volume 79, No. 3, July 2015. Some of the articles in this volume are:
"Manifesting Awe: Grand Strategy and Imperial Leadership in the Ming Dynasty"
"The Demise of Stonewall Jackson: A Civil War Medical Case Study"
"Air Power and the Battle of the Atlantic: Very Long Range Aircraft and the Delay in Closing the Atlantic "Air Gap""
Along with 82 pages of recent military book reviews.
It is published 4 times per year and always has something of interest.
The Woman who died a lot, by Jasper Fforde.
Pathfinder - by David Blakely.
Osprey Essential History of the American Civil War (all four volumes published as one). So far an excellent read with just the right amount of detail for a complete newbie like myself.
Quote from: Leman on 03 January 2016, 09:21:52 AM
'An Invincible Beast - the Hellenistic pike-phalanx at war' - a 500 page tome on how the phalanx actually worked, including a lot of experimental archaeology with reconstructed arms and armour. Incidentally £10 cheaper from Amazon than direct from the publisher.
Thanks for the tip. Just got mine from Amazon, along with his book on hoplite warfare. What is not to like about 500 pages on
PIKES! :o :o
Mollinary
Just finished "Marengo and Hohenlinden. The rise of Napoleon". Highly recommended as a read and a source of wargame info.
About to start "Eagles over the Alps". Suvorov's 1799 campaign.
Chad
Just started listening to 'The Storm' by Clive Cussler.
Modern 'Boys own adventure story'......Good fun.
Cheers - Phil
Not Henry perchance?
Just read Hyena Dawn by Christopher Sherlock.
Quite enjoyed it, and it read very much like a Wilbur Smith novel from the 70s.
In 1982 I was told off by the female deputy head for referring to a Wilbur Smith novel as one of those "her heaving breasts" stories. I was a teacher, not a pupil, and it was in the staffroom.
Luftwaffe Fighter Ace - Norbert Hannig.
I finished the collection of alternative history stories called "Over the Top". Some good and believable ones, a couple that are just corny and problematic, and the rest meh. I do not recommend it.
Finished "Reminiscences of a visit to the battle fields of Sedan, Gravelotte, Spicheren, and Worth and the bombarded towns of Thionville, Metz, Bitche, Strasburg, etc." by Lewis Appleton. It was written more as a travel journal in 1872. Not great but some interesting descriptions of the areas. Too much proselytizing however; Lewis should have been a preacher.
Also finished "Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen" by Lois McMaster Bujold. Space opera and the 15th book in the Vorkosigan series. A fun read and quick.
Travels into the interior of Africa, by Mungo Park (obviously not a first edition 'Napoleonic' -era print)
Quote from: mollinary on 30 January 2016, 04:02:10 PM
Thanks for the tip. Just got mine from Amazon, along with his book on hoplite warfare. What is not to like about 500 pages on PIKES! :o :o
Mollinary
Mollers, try this, only 251 pages but even so.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0953237761/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0953237761&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwpikeangler-21
;D ;D ;D
The Tank War - The British "Band of Brothers".
Quote from: Tawa on 11 February 2016, 04:15:03 PM
The Tank War - The British "Band of Brothers".
Any good? Saw it going cheap in The Works and wondered about picking up a copy to add to the book mountain that accompanies my lead one ... :-[
Ha! That's where I got mine ;D
Only up to chapter 3 so far, but the little bit I've read has been good. Grab it while you can! :D
Erickson "Defeat in Detail". A pretty good look at the organisation and operations of the Ottoman Army during the First and Second Balkan War. To get a full picture you will still need an operations book from the other sides. But it fills in a lot of the gaps that the other side operational histories have. It is thus a must have book for anyone interested in the Balkan Wars. It did make me respect the Ottoman Staff during the 1912 campaigns (the people purged by that @@!%^!^! Enver Pasha)
There are problems.The maps are not that detailed. A more expansive list of place names in different languages is a must so as to permit cross-referencing among campaign histories. And finally the OOBs unfortunately are not that good in the end. There is a massive OOB for the Regular Army in 1911, but if you want detailed OOBs for the Balkan Wars you should use the excellent Italian Bulgarian Artillery Site
http://www.bulgarianartillery.it/ (http://www.bulgarianartillery.it/)
"The Longest Afternoon: The 400 Men Who Decided the Battle of Waterloo."
Whatever I can find in my collection on a Saint Privat, wanna get this sorted before I disappear to my Dad's in Wales for a couple of days! 8)
Didn't know you were related to Phil ?
IanS
Michael Embree - Too little Too Late.
Finished a strange little book "The Duel between France and Germany" by Charles Sumner, 1811-1874. The book was written in 1870, so the FPW was not over. Sumner was an American and a great budding socialist.
Napoleon III was a criminal according to him and then Prussia, although innocent of the war, was evil in it militarism. Sumner writes about the glories of [peace and the evils of war, and discusses the different worker's parties in the various countries of Europe (in advance of communism), and how, by banding together they can abolish standing armies and war.
About the only part that I found interesting was his discussion of Prince Leopold, who was invited by Spain to become King. This is what he says:
"But audacity changes to the ridiculous, when it is known that the Prince is nearer in relationship to the French Emperor that to the Prussian King, and this by three different intermarriages, which do not go back to the the twelfth century [the Prince's connection to the Prussian family - my note]. Here is the case, His grandfather had for wife the daughter of Joachim Murat, King of Naples, and brother-in-law of the first Napoleon; and his father had for wife the daughter of Stephanie de Beauharnais, the adopted daughter of the first Napoleon; so that Prince Leopold is by his father great-grandson of Murat, and by his mother he is grandson of Stephanie de Beauharnais, adopted daughter of the first Napoleon, and aunt to the present Emperor; and to this may be added still another connection, by the marriage of his father's sister with Joachim Napoleon, Marquis de Pepoli, grandson of Murat."
Strange if true.
QuoteMichael Embree - Too little Too Late.
I'll be interested to hear your views on this. From my point of view full of loads of info so far but poor editing has made it a hard read :(.
Let you know when I get to the end Steve.
Finished "A Treatise on the Employment of Light Troops on Actual Service: containing General Principles, Compiled from Eminent Practical Authors, British and Foreign; Illustrated by Numerous Examples, Showing their Application to Skirmishing in the Field. In Conformity with Her Majesty's Regulations" by Lt.-colonel Charles Leslie, K.H. late 60th King's Royal Rifles.
Actually not a lot of examples but those that it has a re from the Napoleonic and Indian/Afghan wars. It's not a list of regulations but discussions of various situations light troops would be involved with.
A bit of a hard read.
Published by Short Snappy Titles R Us.
Agreed. Took up the whole front cover.
Speed by Guy Martin, Xmas pressie from my eldest. Dead good
Listening to "Thankless in death", by J.D Robb.
(I've listened to about another half dozen 'books' since I last posted in this thread.)
Cheers - Phil
Finished "Nery, 1914: The Adventure of the German 4th Cavalry Division on the 31st August and the 1st September" by Major A.F. Becke.
A short booklet, published by The Naval and Military Press. Evidently taken from a larger book as the pagination was from 307 to 369.
It shows and discusses the movement and combat of the referenced German division. I enjoyed it.
Finished "Battlefields in Miniature: Making Realistic and effective Terrain for Wargames" by Paul Davies.
Good pictures, good examples, good tips. I won't be making most of it, but will get into roads and rivers at some point. I'm not satisfied with the terrain I have for these.
Finished "Civil War Infantry Tactics; Training, Combat, and Small-Unit Effectiveness" by Earl J. Hess.
Amazing book. If you are interested in the ACW I say this is a must have. If you are interested in the horse and musket period (say 1700 though 1876) you should read this book. It explains linear tactics extremely well.
Very detailed movements by units; actual vs the theoretical. Just a well crafted book. I can't say enough about it.
The Mongol War Machine by Chris Peers. This is the first military book I have started reading for about 18 months.
Das Boot :D
The Devil's Assassin.
Paul Fraser Collard.
British Army, Victorian, Fiction.
###
Star Wars X-Wing rules
I'm having some chap read me "Chancellorsville and Gettysburg" by Abner Doubleday. (No, that is a real name.) I find that audio books are really useful when I'm doing other stuff - like cooking, painting or de-quilling a porcupine. .
My favourite site is Librivox. https://librivox.org/ (https://librivox.org/) where public domain books are read by volunteers. You can listen for free.
While I'm promoting great stuff on the intranet, then if you like oddball facts, try "No Such Thing as a Fish" performed by the QI Elves. http://qi.com/podcast/ (http://qi.com/podcast/)
Again free, it's funny and informative. First fact this week - "the first water balloons were made out of socks." This leads to such oddities as "you're not allowed a water pistol on the campus of Texas University, but you can have a real gun" and during the Gulf War US soldiers wanted to use silly string to detect trip wires, but the US military couldn't ship it because it was a dangerous cargo.
I say I say I say How do you de quill a porcupine?
I don't know.....How DO you de-quill a porcupine ?
(If the answer's "Very carefully,".... Someone will get a slap !
Cheers - Phil
Spoil sport
Well, I give them a big cuddle. The question then is "how do you de-quill FSN?"
Quote from: fsn on 27 February 2016, 02:55:04 PM
Well, I give them a big cuddle. The question then is "how do you de-quill FSN?"
Butter.
Quote from: Techno on 27 February 2016, 12:54:32 PM
I don't know.....How DO you de-quill a porcupine ?
(If the answer's "Very carefully,".... Someone will get a slap !
Cheers - Phil
Very VERY carfully......and don't even think about the slap......
IanS
Back on topic. Finished "the Affair at Nery: 1 September 1914" by Patrick Takle. Its a Battleground Early Battles booklet. More detailed than the Nery book I mentioned above. Which book is also referenced in the bibliography. I enjoyed it; a fast read.
I'm thinking of doing this as a FPW combat. Mitrailleuse instead of Brit MG's, French instead of Brits, a Prussian Jager unit instead of their MG's.
Could be interesting.
BBC 2013 adaptation of Neverwhere on 4exra iplayer was jolly fun last night. All star cast too.
Further to Too Little Too Late: The Campaign In Western Germany 1866, the faulty editing seems to be mainly confined to the quotation, mainly from contemporary works of the time. Some really do require teasing apart for them to make sense. Nevertheless this is still a good overview of a little known part of the 1866 campaign and provides plenty of inspiration for some small scale actions. I wonder if Kissingen can be done as a small scale BBB like Langensalza and Balaclava?
Quote from: Leman on 28 February 2016, 04:47:14 PM
Further to Too Little Too Late: The Campaign In Western Germany 1866, the faulty editing seems to be mainly confined to the quotation, mainly from contemporary works of the time. Some really do require teasing apart for them to make sense. Nevertheless this is still a good overview of a little known part of the 1866 campaign and provides plenty of inspiration for some small scale actions. I wonder if Kissingen can be done as a small scale BBB like Langensalza and Balaclava?
Perfectly possible, I would think. As you know, there is a good Bruce Weigle scenario with an OOB and map as a start point, and 500 men to a base should work. I find when you get down to these smaller scales, and do 100yds or so to the inch, you get a game where the ranges times and move distances seem to work best - but that is just my personal prejudice! :D
Mollinary
Quote from: kipt on 28 February 2016, 12:43:35 AM
Back on topic. Finished "the Affair at Nery: 1 September 1914" by Patrick Takle. Its a Battleground Early Battles booklet. More detailed than the Nery book I mentioned above. Which book is also referenced in the bibliography. I enjoyed it; a fast read.
I'm thinking of doing this as a FPW combat. Mitrailleuse instead of Brit MG's, French instead of Brits, a Prussian Jager unit instead of their MG's.
Could be interesting.
Have to agree that Takle's book is very good. Your FPW idea sounds good Kipt. I ran a game last year based on Battle of Halen using 1914 British against the Germans rather than Belgians....was a interesting game but as per the actual battle the German cavalry didn't prosper in the end 😕
Finished "Wargaming in History, Volume 11: The Seven Years War Small Actions" by Charles S Grant.
As always, lovely pictures and good write ups.
Evidently only one more volume coming out, the 1866 Koniggratz book.
A book arrived through the post this morning. Legnica 1241 by a gentleman named Jerzy Maron. published by Bellona in 2008...in Wroclaw. The only problem is that it's in Polish so Google translate could be in for a hammering!
Just finishing "Eagles Over The Alps: Suvorov's Capaign in Italy and Switzerland 1799".
Just like the books on Marengo and Hohenlinden, there is plenty of information for wargaming. Do not understand why the period 1792-1800 is so badly neglected by manufacturers in 6 & 10 MM. scale figures. There are adequate 15mm figures available and proxies in 6mm might be available but would require modifications to figures in some cases.
Chad
Just about finishing off listening to The Name of the Rose, then going to start on The Eastern Front (WW1) by Norman Stone
Just started re-reading the Elric books of Michael Moorcock.
Read them all in the 70's and '80s.
Seem very different now. :-\ Perhaps it's me.
POD PERSON ALERT !!!!
Been listening to a Jeeves & Wooster story on the iPlayer.
Bertie came out with what sounded like a new insult for me to use on Nobby.
"A loathsome ******." (An apparently old word, that I'd never heard before.
I'd better look up what the definition of ****** is...Thought I.
I won't be using it.....It's not suitable for the forum, at all ! (Way beyond bad taste.) X_X
Cheers - Phil
Blister?
Finished "Moltke and His Generals: A Study In Leadership" by Quintin Barry.
VERY well done; I do like his books. Great discussions of who his generals were and how they interacted (or acted irresponsibly).
Liked it.
Quote from: Fenton on 11 March 2016, 02:18:29 PM
Just about finishing off listening to The Name of the Rose, then going to start on The Eastern Front (WW1) by Norman Stone
Eastern Front is an amazing book. Stone was my supervisor at University when he was finishing it in the late 70s, and I have a nicely inscribed original copy. He was a truly inspirational teacher.
Mollinary
Ben Kane. Spartacus. Library Book. Fiction.
Just read the second chapter last night. Already found two errors that should have been sorted by an editor. :(
Quote from: Techno on 11 March 2016, 03:10:11 PM
POD PERSON ALERT !!!!
Been listening to a Jeeves & Wooster story on the iPlayer.
Bertie came out with what sounded like a new insult for me to use on Nobby.
"A loathsome ******." (An apparently old word, that I'd never heard before.
I'd better look up what the definition of ****** is...Thought I.
I won't be using it.....It's not suitable for the forum, at all ! (Way beyond bad taste.) X_X
Cheers - Phil
Oh come on, Wodehouse used it therefore it is literature, not rude.
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 12 March 2016, 07:57:13 PM
Ben Kane. Spartacus. Library Book. Fiction.
Just read the second chapter last night. Already found two errors that should have been sorted by an editor. :(
Read first three and a bit chapters. Wasn't finding it very interesting. Have given up.
Have to say I've found Ben Kane's stuff badly researched, badly written and badly edited.
YMMV
I enjoyed the first 3 of Ben Kanes 'Hannibal'series.
I am currently reading the Joe Abercrombie novel, 'Best Served Cold', a fast paced, action packed fantasy, good characters in a believable world.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 13 March 2016, 03:37:06 PM
Have to say I've found Ben Kane's stuff badly researched, badly written and badly edited.
YMMV
But other than that, how did you find the play, Mrs Lincoln? ;D :D ;)
Mollinary
Quote from: Ithoriel on 13 March 2016, 03:37:06 PM
Have to say I've found Ben Kane's stuff badly researched, badly written and badly edited.
Quote from: Bodvoc on 13 March 2016, 03:52:09 PM
I enjoyed the first 3 of Ben Kanes 'Hannibal'series.
I enjoyed the bits he wrote from the view of the Capuan teenager Carbo. Family ruined by debt, him running away and wanting to join the army, but finding real life more difficult than his previous pampered life had led him to believe ... he's the only character I was interested in.
The character of Spartacus, however, I found as dull as dish water.
At the moment I'm currently reading, Burton and Swinbourne Book 3: Expedition to Mountains of the Moon and The Saga of Dune Book 8: House Harkonnen.
Can highly recommend both :)
The first of those sounds worth reading. :)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 16 March 2016, 09:34:58 AM
The first of those sounds worth reading. :)
If you enjoy, Alternate History / Steam Punk it definitely is :)
House Harkonnen is worth it as well :'(
"Artemis" book 2 of the Kydd series, belonging the RN fiction books by J. Stockwin.
Still chipping away at 'Das Boot'. Not really having much reading time atm :(
Flodden 1513 by Niall Barr. A really good treatment of the Flodden campaign set in the context of Julius II's Holy League. It also presents James IV as a hard-headed and forward looking Renaissance monarch, rather than the traditional view of the chivalric dreamer and it explains why it was necessary for the Scottish nobility to be in the front ranks of the pike blocks. Furthermore it is very well illustrated, with some superb artwork by the late Rick Scollins (which originally appeared in a Military Modelling compendium many years ago), who was art teacher when I was at school.
Sounds fun Leman! ;)
If you haven't yet been Will I can highly recommend it. The battlefield is so unspoilt, and the display boards so good that you can easily visualise the battle unfolding. Furthermore there are various battlefield walk books available which include the route up Flodden Hill where James initially camped and established the gun platforms, which later had to be abandoned as the English moved to the east and north around his flank (Sybil's well is still there too, where the Scots took their drinking water). About three miles from the battlefield is Etal castle, which houses a little Flodden museum, and Ford, Wark and Norham are also close.
why it was necessary for the Scottish nobility to be in the front ranks of the pike blocks.
I'm not sufficiently interested in the period to buy the book but I'm intrigued by the above. I never could understand why they did it, so why did they ?
Coz it looked good?
I'd always assumed it was a combination of putting the best armoured and best trained in the front rank plus leading from the front.
Intrigued if some other theory is being proposed.
Agreed. Better armoured plus leading from the front - as James IV (unwisely) did. Probably also because they were better trained in hand-to-hand combat but I thought I read somewhere that all of the Scots were novices when it came to handling pikes which were acquired in Europe along with some French(?) 'advisers' who were brought in to train them. What does the book say, Leman?
Finished "Napoleonic Warfare: The Operational Art of the Great Campaigns" by John T. Kuehn.
Well written, with a discussion of Operations in contrast to Tactics and Strategy. Some comparison to Soviet deep battle theory.
A couple of proof reading errors: debauching instead of debouching - perhaps apropos of the times?
Re. Flodden. the book says that the nobility had to go into the front ranks of the pike to encourage the ordinary men to join in - basically a morale thing. Barr claims that it was successful. He also cites the defeat of the younger Howard on the right flank (where there was no soggy ground) as demonstrating that, despite their newly acquired weaponry, given the right conditions a Scottish pike block would roll over an English bill and bow battle. Unfortunately for the Scots the other two pike blocks were unaware of the little stream at the bottom of Branxton hill, and it was the effort to cross this which disordered the pikes badly, allowing the bill to get into them, in much the way the Roman legionaries broke into Macedonian phalanxes. Incidentally, those French advisors not killed by the English were killed by the disgruntled Scots.
Did I say I had finally read 'The Shepherd's Crown', great last book by Pratchett. Kind of glad I left it a year.
Quote from: Leman on 03 April 2016, 06:51:18 PM
Re. Flodden. the book says that the nobility had to go into the front ranks of the pike to encourage the ordinary men to join in - basically a morale thing. Barr claims that it was successful. He also cites the defeat of the younger Howard on the right flank (where there was no soggy ground) as demonstrating that, despite their newly acquired weaponry, given the right conditions a Scottish pike block would roll over an English bill and bow battle. Unfortunately for the Scots the other two pike blocks were unaware of the little stream at the bottom of Branxton hill, and it was the effort to cross this which disordered the pikes badly, allowing the bill to get into them, in much the way the Roman legionaries broke into Macedonian phalanxes. Incidentally, those French advisors not killed by the English were killed by the disgruntled Scots.
Fascinating, Many thanks for commenting again. I've visited the battlefield on a number of occasions and just can't get my head around how so many thousands stood their ground and fought and died with such butchery.
"Lawrence in Arabia," by Scott Anderson. It's an interesting read. One 'what if' he raises is Lawrence's idea of a landing at Alexandretta/Iskenderun to cut off Syria and all points South from the Ottoman Empire, instead of undertaking the Gallipoli landings. Scope for a mini campaign, perhaps.
Listening to The Lord Of The Rings (for the umpteenth time.)
Bit of a lash up on the library van front, so I haven't picked up anything new from them for over two months. =)
Cheers - Phil
Words of Command, by Allan Mallinson.
Got to get it finished asap, as I've to wade through a number of ECW Ospreys and a Europa Militaire that Col. Bills lent to me so I can paint up an ECW wagon for him.
Trying to figure out what colour coats Artillery Train Guards wore.
I've spotted a quick mention about them, White for Royalists and some't like a red for Parliament - though I'd need to check, as I can't remember.
Just started 'Armies of the First French Republic' volume 1 by Phipps. Covers the Armee du Nord. Volumes 2 and 3 will follow covering the campaigns of 5 other armies.
Next project getting closer, but will not be in 10mm unfortunately. 😞
Started reading James Ellroy - Perfidia.
Should be reading Col. Bills Osprey books he lent me :-[
Currently listening to Dominion by CJ Sansom
Very good so far
The Mule Soldiers - a fictionalised account of an historical event in the ACW. Apparently while Grierson was busy bashing up Newton Station a mounted infantry raid was taking place further east, in Alabama and Georgia, and taking up Forrest's attention. The Federal soldiers were mounted on mules, many of which were initially unbroken. Unlike a lot of these types of novels this one reads well and is keeping my attention.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 24 March 2016, 12:52:15 PM
Agreed. Better armoured plus leading from the front - as James IV (unwisely) did. Probably also because they were better trained in hand-to-hand combat but I thought I read somewhere that all of the Scots were novices when it came to handling pikes which were acquired in Europe along with some French(?) 'advisers' who were brought in to train them. What does the book say, Leman?
Replace the pikes with salmon, perhaps? Then you'd see an improvement.
An interesting theory, FK. Although there is one school of thought that says that even if the Scots had used salmon, they would still have been smoked .....
See how I got two fish jokes in there. :)
Depends on the number you have on a bass....
Just started The English Civil War by Peter Gaunt, it is not a subject I know much about but the book has sparked my interest :)
I've just read the Osprey book on WWII Polish Armour. Not that I'm going to get sucked in by the new range or anything ...
Finished "the Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 1942-1944" by Ian Toll. This is volume 2 of the Pacific War Trilogy.
Narrates Guadalcanal to the Marianas and is very well done. Overall history but with several in depth discussions of both sides.
Great book.
QuoteBen Kane. Spartacus. Library Book. Fiction.
Just read the second chapter last night. Already found two errors that should have been sorted by an editor.
Couldn't a
Sorry about that, don't know what happened :o
Was going to say, couldn't agree more. I plodded on to the end but thought it was pretty poor stuff. I bought it in a two-for-one with his novel about Hannibal. Got about 50 pages in before giving up on that one.
He seems to be very popular but doesn't do it for me
Quote from: Malbork on 14 April 2016, 08:17:02 AM
Sorry about that, don't know what happened :o
Bad language filter kicked in?
Hmm, can't say I noticed that particularly.
More like bad writing/story-telling filter :)
Went along to the library looking for a horse & muskety book, particularly League of Augsburg or William/James in Ireland kind of thing and came back with The Korean War (yes, the 20th Century one) by Max Hastings. :-[
Can't explain it either. Phew! It doesn't half pen and ink with tobacco smoke.
Good book. I have it and it's a great read.
Might make you want to lobby for Korean War infantry!
Ancient Rome on five denarii a day
This explains it easier than me (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Rome-Five-Denarii-Day/dp/050005147X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460707768&sr=8-1&keywords=Ancient+Rome+on+five+denarii+a+day)
Listened to......The Lord of the Rings......All five series of H2G2.....and now almost at the end of 'Raising Steam'.
(Over the past few weeks !)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Fenton on 10 April 2016, 08:24:29 PM
Currently listening to Dominion by CJ Sansom
Very good so far
Well I spoke too soon. Was pretty average in the end
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 15 April 2016, 09:10:09 AM
Ancient Rome on five denarii a day
This explains it easier than me (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Rome-Five-Denarii-Day/dp/050005147X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460707768&sr=8-1&keywords=Ancient+Rome+on+five+denarii+a+day)
Just bought it second hand from Amazon for 1p + postage!
Hadn't been aware of this so thanks for the heads up!
Listening to Evelyn Waugh's 'Sword of Honour' trilogy on BBC R4x, still available on listen again. Just finished the complete BBC R4 Smiley with Simon Russell Beale, excellent.
'What, are you currently Reading?'
'No, this week I have mostly been Ipswich.'
Quote from: Leman on 15 April 2016, 07:55:15 PM
'What, are you currently Reading?'
'No, this week I have mostly been Ipswich.'
It took me a couple of attempts to figure out the joke :-[
Barks South Folk.
Quote from: Leman on 15 April 2016, 07:55:15 PM
'What, are you currently Reading?'
'No, this week I have mostly been Ipswich.'
You must be Barking.....
Books finished
Peter Wallensteen "Quality Peace" (work)
Yoshiki Tanaka "Legend of Galactic Heroes, Vol 1. Dawn" (Fun)
Yoshikazu Yasuhiko "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Vols I&II" (Fun)
Daniel J. Vermilya "Battle of Kennesaw Mountain" (Hobby)
Books Reading
Christopher Clark "Iron Kingdom" (Hobby)
Carl von Clauzewitz "On War" (Work, second reading)
Edward Lutttwak "Strategy" (Work, second reading)
Books On the pipeline
Gary Goertz, Paul F. Diehl, Alexandru Balas "The Pule of Peace" (Work)
Nuno Monteiro "Theory of Unipolar Politics" (Work)
E.R. Horton "Prelude to the First World War: The Balkan Wars 1912-1913" (Hobby)
Michael Embree "Radetzky's Marches" (Hobby. Started it but had to take a break from it due to work. Need to get back to it)
Luttwak on Strategy, an old but absolutely seminal work. I read it at University more years ago than I care to remember, and got a second copy when I started working at SHAPE in 2005. I found much of his thought interesting in the context of the current day problems of Afghanistan/ Pakistan.
Mollinary
Since I've not been well. (I know, I haven't mentioned it, I just carry on bravely), I have saved a small amount in food shopping and travel costs. This, I reason, is money that needs to be spent, so when recovered, I popped in to the Liverpool Waterstones, clutching as well as my lunch money, tow of their £10 off loyalty cards.
I came away with 4 Ospreys. The SM79 Torpedo Bomber, Fall Gelb, and both Light and Heavy cavalry tactics of the Napoleonic Wars.
I spent last night reading the Fall Gelb, to get my 1940 Low Countries juices flowing.
Well, bit of a turn up for me, but Sharpe's Rifles. I think I am most likely to do Napoleonic using Lasalle.
Rebellion by Peter Ackroyd.
A Painted History of Poland
http://www.polartcenter.com/A_Painted_History_Of_Poland_p/9820133.htm
A trophy from a recent visit to the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw. This is a fabulous book. It explores Poland's history through 48 historical paintings, mostly military. Each one gets a couple of pages of analysis by an art historian, followed by several pages of in-depth historical background complete with maps and illustrations. I am learning a lot.
Do Pendraken do any suitable figures for the Chicken War of 1537?
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
Having recently finished John Gooch's book on the Italian Army in WW1 I'm now on to Emilio Lusso "A soldier on the Southern Front" which is a first hand account of warfare on the Italian Front. Rather lazily I'm reading it in translation..
Not sure if it will lead to any gaming though Leon doubtless hopes so. Then I'd have to buy the Italians I bought to fight the Austrians I bought to fight the Russians I bought to fight the Germans I bought to fight the French I bought to fight alongside Tony's (Tiny Tin Troops) British. Sigh!!!!
Enjoyed that so much I am now reading Sharpe's Eagle.
Quote from: Leman on 25 April 2016, 03:48:52 PM
Enjoyed that so much I am now reading Sharpe's Eagle.
Be careful about publicising this - someone is bound to tell you who wins! ;)
Mollinary
Finished "For God And Kaiser: the Imperial Austrian Army" by Richard Bassett, Very good book; well researched and entertaining. As Christopher Duffy says "An accessible English-language survey of the Habsburg army...".
The run up to WWI was better explained here than in other books I have read.
Decided to have a total hobby day today. Painting some castle walls, trains and late Normans.
Listening to/half watching Michael Wood's "In Search of the Trojan War". This has re-re-re-kindled my desire for some Pendraken chariot armies, and I've grabbed the accompanying book off my shelf to have a gander at tonight.
The thing that gets me is that the series originally aired in 1985. That's over 30 years ago! Mickey was jabbering on about East Berlin!
Now that makes me feel very old.
Quote from: fsn on 01 May 2016, 08:28:09 PM
Decided to have a total hobby day today. Painting some castle walls, trains and late Normans.
Listening to/half watching Michael Wood's "In Search of the Trojan War". This has re-re-re-kindled my desire for some Pendraken chariot armies, and I've grabbed the accompanying book off my shelf to have a gander at tonight.
The thing that gets me is that the series originally aired in 1985. That's over 30 years ago! Mickey was jabbering on about East Berlin!
Now that makes me feel very old.
But it was cutting edge when he made it. I found it magnificent, totally unpatronising, but full of detailed archaeological analysis. Great to hear it is still inspiring!
Mollinary
I can't believe it is 30 years old :o
Listening to 'Carnival Of Shadows' by R.J. Ellory.
Cheers - Phil
Sharpe's Tiger. Nuff said.
What amazed me was the chap from Ireland who was illiterate, but was able to recite long stories from memory. A genuine bard; I didn't understand a word he said, but it was somehow hypnotic.
And that was only 30 years ago!
Finished Volume 79, Number 4 of "The Journal of Military History". Mainly WWI articles but some on the ACW (such as "Environment and the Course of Battle: Flooding at Shiloh". Interesting discussion of the influence of all the rains before the battle and how it affected the landscape and the arrival of troops).
Gave up on 'Carnival Of Shadows'......Though it was quite enjoyable. it just dragged on and on and on and I was losing the will to live.
Trying to listen to 'Perdition' by James Jackson...set about 200 years after the Crusaders took Jerusalem.
As I'm using the Dremmel so much, I have to keep stopping.....So I keep losing the thread of the story. =)
Cheers - Phil
After a recent flurry of 10mm WSS painting, I am currently revisiting "The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough".
Now that is an inspirational book!
Please don't get me excited about the WSS! I've already got three different periods on my painting table!
Techno! Tech ... no ... switch off the Dremel, it's no way to stir your tea ... have a listen to this ...
http://www.radiodramarevival.com/ (http://www.radiodramarevival.com/)
Some SF and fantasy and drama audio theatre.
I was listening to one about a telepathic detective on a space liner.
Thanks, Nobby !
Cheers - Phil
Bettany Hughes - The Hemlock Cup, fascinating stuff if on the heavy side.
and
Virgil - Aeneid. Has its bright moments but most of the time seems like I'm doing penance for some dreadful act.
Not sure which one is light relief from the other. :-\
Depressing after all those years learning Latin to find there's next to no literature, and what there is we'll never understand....
Shaka Zulu - Ritter
I didn't realise Shaka rode with the German cavalry.
It's not meant to be taken literally. It obviously refers to anyone of noble family.
Germs, Guns, and Steel.
Osprey books on the Baltic Crusades and the Scandanavian and Russian forces involved. All in advance of sorting out (finally, as I planned this over 2 years ago :-[) some Retinues for Lion Rampant.
Quote from: mollinary on 25 April 2016, 05:16:49 PM
Be careful about publicising this - someone is bound to tell you who wins! ;)
Mollinary
That French chap with the good trousers? Bonne pants or something...
Wiley Sword The Confederacy's Last Hurrah: Spring Hill, Franklin & Nashville
Good book that one - I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it does nothing to enhance Hood's reputation.
I am currently reading 'We're All Damaged' - contemporary humorous novel set in Omaha - along the lines of ........ no forgotten, but it's about some bloke and a record shop.
Quote from: Leman on 09 May 2016, 08:23:09 AM
I am currently reading 'We're All Damaged' - contemporary humorous novel set in Omaha - along the lines of ........ no forgotten, but it's about some bloke and a record shop.
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby? Good film, even better book.
Yep, along those lines - average bloke trying to get himself back together after wife divorces him for paramedic hunk. Also features the Gay Mafia who are a hoot and glitter bomb those opposed to gay marriage. His mother, who is slightly to the right of Sarah Palin, has caused all this.
Hi
Caesar, by Adrian Goldsworthy
Cheers Paul
Finished "The Campaign in West and South Germany: June-July 1866" by Michael Embree. To me it was a little disjointed and the wording on the maps too small. Also, place names in the text are not all shown on the maps.
Other than those minor quibbles, I did enjoy the book.
Whereas there are places shown on some of the maps which do not get mentioned in the text.
Also finished "The Franco-Prussian War - A Guide" by Steve Shann. A short pamphlet booklet that he did in 1987. A precursor to his Osprey's(?)
Interesting.
Don't know about that, but in my early days of Franco-Prussianism he and Michael Howard were a godsend.
Howard should be read every couple of years just for the sheer pleasure of his prose.
Going through the Kindle samples so I can decide what I need to buy
Now reading Sharp Practice 2. The videos arte a hoot, but do help in understanding the intent of the rules.
Quote from: Leman on 12 May 2016, 12:49:49 PM
...The videos arte a hoot, but do help in understanding the intent of the rules.
Best video I've seen (today) for a rules book is this one.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZh3WVlmOp0/VzNAdVKd9wI/AAAAAAAAGOo/2ubGfslXdbMFeC24e5LvMdU7Z1XKA5EfACLcB/s400/tribal.jpg)
Music turned to loud!
Edwin King's blog has a brief write-up
https://diplomatist2.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/tribal-first-thoughts.html (https://diplomatist2.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/tribal-first-thoughts.html)
Ardennes 1944 Hitlers Last Gamble by Antony Beevor
Sharpe's Triumph now.
The War of The Flowers by Tad Williams :D
Currently working my way back through Ian M Banks' sci fi collection. It's very good! Although Excession still wasn't quite so hot as the others (to me). Something just doesn't quite bite with it.
Battle for Britain: Wargame the English Civil War by Peter Dennis and Andy Callan.
I got this cheap from Amazon out of curiosity and I rather like it. The book is a well set out collection of paper soldiers to make and then play a wargame with. There are actually 2 sets of rules in the book, a decent looking set for the experienced gamer and a simplified version for the beginner. There is a little bit of useful information interspersed with the instructions on making the paper soldier s butit is not the aim of this book to give a historical account of the ECW.
To actually make the paper soldiers you are supposed to seperate all the pages, colour copy them and cut and assemble the copies. You also get paper buildings and trees to make, thus a whole wargame in a book.
As I am currently painting 15mm ECW (one of 3 ongoing projects) I doubt I would ever make the paper soldiers but the rules look good enough to try.
I shall keep this book as a book to flick through and enjoy the illustration which are lovely with a charm all of their own. I may adapt the buildings into 15mm at some point.
Overall, I like this book and may get some of the others in the series based on Hastings and the Wars of the Roses.
Empire of the Moghul. Rather shabby writing, to tell the truth.
Listening to "Night Raid" by Taylor Downing.
Thoroughly enjoying it....and learning quite a lot !
Cheers - Phil
Boxed that off, on to Sharpe's Fortress. I am quite pleased I had never read many Sharpe books before as this enables me to see his character develop.
"Orcs"(First Blood, omnibus edition) by Stan Nicholls.
Quite a good read. Plenty of battle action where orc warbands ride horses rather than the "traditional" wolves and are similar in some ways to real life Hun or Mongolian horsemen. Humans are the bad guys and many other traditional fantasy races are included.
Now try Grunts!
Quote from: Leman on 17 May 2016, 08:20:44 AM
Boxed that off, on to Sharpe's Fortress. I am quite pleased I had never read many Sharpe books before as this enables me to see his character develop.
You are addicted now!
Been reading an old copy of 'A day in the life of Ivan Denisovich', means nothing to my students, 'USSR ??'
O tempora ...
Finished "The Coast Artillery War Game (1916): Early Naval Wargaming" by Major William Chamberlaine.
This is part of the History of Wargaming Project (www.wargaming.co),
The game was used to train coast artillery officers of the USA. Seems it was used in conjunction with the Fred Jane War Game and ship plans from Jane's Fighting Ships.
Quote from: cameronian on 18 May 2016, 11:10:55 PM
Been reading an old copy of 'A day in the life of Ivan Denisovich', means nothing to my students, 'USSR ??'
O tempora ...
Some comfort in the fact that it is being forgotten, I suppose. Some.
'Fools Frauds and Firebrands' Roger Scruton, seriously good.
Having a little break from Sharpe by starting the Conn Iggulden Wars of the Roses series.
I am about 100 pages in to the 3rd of that Wars of the Roses series, 'Bloodline' and I am enjoying it very much. Bills, bows and bloodshed, what is not to like! :)
Hi
Re-reading for about the 4th time, Jac Weller's 'Wellington in the Peninsular'. Good over view of the conflict but a bit dated (originally published in 1962). Don't know if I'm getting more critical in my old age but I used to be a big fan of Weller's books but the Duke really can do no wrong (or very little at Least) in the authors eyes, I think he also over does the effectiveness of British infantry firepower. That said all very readable.
Cheers Paul
Spycatcher (again)
The Little Drummer Girl (again)
The Code of the Woosters (again)
Finished reading "Iron Kingdom" by Christopher Clarke. It was an enjoyable book, but not as good as "Sleepwalkers". That said it has led me to re-access the reign of Frederick William IV, and Prussia during the Weimar years, and it has further confirmed my understanding of the political system of the German Empire. It has also confirmed by prejudices about 1866. Not happy with the mistake on Tannenberg, especially since a chapter before it was correctly identified.
Still reading Goertz, Diehl and Balas "The Puzzle of Peace" for work. Its a good book on how changing territorial norms have made interstate war less likely.
I missed reading Greek, so next up is the greek translation of Fuat Dundar's book "The Secret Code of Modern Turkey", a book on the nationalities politics of the CUP or "191" a new book by historian Yorgos Mavrogordatos on the National Schism.
Once "The Puzzle of Peace" is done, I have to read 8 books on the Vienna congress for a paper.
Still need to finish the Embree book on 1848-1849 in Italy. Its in the backburner together with Volume 15 of the O'Brien Series.
Must say I thought 'The Iron Kingdom' was top notch.
Finished "Napoleon and the Struggle for Germany: the Franco-Prussian War of 1813; Volume 1: The War of Liberation, Spring 1813" by Michael Leggiere.
Well detailed but like so many other books, the maps do not always contain the names and locations of places mentioned in the text.
Back to Sharpe - that Conn Iggulden book isn't instantly gripping.
Just started John Julius Norwich's "Sicily".
Been quite fascinated by the way the island has been at the centre of numerous clashes of civilisations; but I think the book is going to be a little superficial fro my taste.
Osprey's Pike & Shotte Tactics. About half way through and a nice little guide to this period that is perfect for me and my wargaming plans :)
Sharpe's Fury - I can't put these buggers down!
I always said that Sean Bean dies in almost all the films and TV series he plays in order to atone for his survival rate as Sharpe. ;D
War Factory by Neal Asher
Quote from: KTravlos on 05 June 2016, 07:58:27 PM
I always said that Sean Bean dies in almost all the films and TV series he plays in order to atone for his survival rate as Sharpe. ;D
Indeed KT, at the moment his brain is hanging out in Cadiz - literally! :-&
Finished Goer, Diehl and Balas "The Puzzle of Peace". It is a readable example of political science done for the lay-person. I am supportive of the argument, but unhappy with some of the statements. Also since this is for the lay-person the quantitative models are a bit too simple for me. Still a worthy addition to my library.
And thus I am know forced to begin the heavy reading for a project
David King, Vienna 1814
Dorothy Gies McGuigan, Metternich and teh Duchess
Mark Jarrett, The Congress of Vienna and its Legacy
Harold Nicolson, The Congress of Vienna
Henry Kissinger, A World Restored
Adam Zamoyski, Rites of Peace
Paul Schroeder, The Transformation of European Politics (Again)
must be read by the end of summer if I am to stick to my research plan.
KT
Quote from: nikharwood on 01 June 2016, 10:34:54 PM
The Code of the Woosters (again)
"Advise me, Jeeves", I yipped. "The Imperial Guard is about to break, and Tuppy, that man of wrath, is advancing his Highland Brigade. Things are looking really sticky!"
"They might appear a trifle adhesive, sir. But perhaps if were to deploy d'Erlon's from Le Haye Sainte and menace Mr Glossop's flank, he might be inclined to reevaluate his tactics."
I looked again, and by gad, the stout fellow was right as ever. If Tuppy didn't r. his t. with a threatened flank, no t. would ever be r. again. As my Aunt Agatha often remarks, "You will usually find, Bertram, that there are two courses of action open to your enemy. Of these, he will probably choose the third."....
Doesn't really work.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 07 June 2016, 11:12:18 AM
"Advise me, Jeeves", I yipped. "The Imperial Guard is about to break, and Tuppy, that man of wrath, is advancing his Highland Brigade. Things are looking really sticky!"
"They might appear a trifle adhesive, sir. But perhaps if were to deploy d'Erlon's from Le Haye Sainte and menace Mr Glossop's flank, he might be inclined to reevaluate his tactics."
I looked again, and by gad, the stout fellow was right as ever. If Tuppy didn't r. his t. with a threatened flank, no t. would ever be r. again. As my Aunt Agatha often remarks, "You will usually find, Bertram, that there are two courses of action open to your enemy. Of these, he will probably choose the third."....
Doesn't really work.
Genius, FK, genius. I applaud you :) =D> =O =D>
Finished "The Studnitz Wars: The Wartime Journals of a Prussian Cavalry General 1849-71", translated by Gilbert von Studnitz. Interesting but more of a military travelog.
Just as interesting to me is that the translator, the General's great grandson, lives about 15 miles from where I live. Will have to see if he is interested in the hobby.
I 'phoned Angus MacBride when I was tipped off we were neighbours. Had a pleasant chat, but he didn't bite.
Finished the first of seven books
Harold Nicholson "The Congress of Vienna" A Study of Allied Unity". A very interesting chap by the way, as was his wife. The book is an easy read, even with taking notes for my research, I finished it in about a week. It not so much a study of Vienna, as a study of Castlereagh at Vienna. The writer, correctly in my view, is very supportive of Castlereagh, though I would not call it a complete hagiography (at times it does veer to it). Very pro-British and full of the "charming" (depending on the reader) generalizations loved by people of the 1900-1950 period. Still a good intro read. Next is that Metternich wannabe, Kissinger.
Quote from: KTravlos on 12 June 2016, 07:49:09 PM
Next is that Metternich wannabe, Kissinger.
I read Kissinger's biography of Metternich when I was at University. It revealed as much about Kissinger as it did about Metternich, but it was still a fascinating and magnificent piece of work.
Mollinary
Just received a trio from Amazon: "Infantry Tank Warfare", "Cruiser Tank Warfare" and "British Anti-Tank Warfare", all by John Plant. I think they're self published. There are no photographs, but there are lots of pictures of Infantry Tanks around. Interesting way of slicing a well known subject. So far (and I'm just up to Operation Compass in the Infantry Tanks volume) it's a good read.
Just got "Poseidon's Warriors" by John Lambshead. Just had a quick glance so far but these seem a well written fast play set of rules which is exactly what I was after. I have about 12 Navwar Trireme's but these rules set up for squdrons of 1-5 ships, several squadron s per side.
There is also a useful historical recap of naval warfare in this time plus armylists.
Well recommended so far :)
Quote from: Bodvoc on 18 June 2016, 07:30:05 PM
Just got "Poseidon's Warriors" by John Lambshead. Just had a quick glance so far but these seem a well written fast play set of rules which is exactly what I was after. I have about 12 Navwar Trireme's but these rules set up for squdrons of 1-5 ships, several squadron s per side.
There is also a useful historical recap of naval warfare in this time plus armylists.
Well recommended so far :)
That sounds VERY interesting, I am keen to see a review and AAR once you have used them
Waterloo by Bernard Cornwell.
One Hour Wargames by Neil Thomas. A quick read through last night and they look to provide fun, short games, which is perfect for some situations. I like the fact that he sets out his stall early on so you know his reasoning behind his design philosophy. The scenarios look good too.
"Remember you are an Englishman", Joseph Lehmann's biography of Sir Harry Smith, notable Rifles officer, victor of Aliwal etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Harry_Smith,_1st_Baronet
Having recently watched some of the Sharpe series (Sharpe's Rifles, etc) it's been interesting to spot episodes in Smith's career that Bernard Cornwell evidently drew on for Sharpe's.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
That sounds interesting. I may yet be tempted to have a go at the BBB Waterloo scenario.
Finished Fuat Dundar's book "Modern Turkey's Code" in its greek translation. No English translation exists. A difficult but very interesting book on the events in the Balkans and Anatolia in the 1913-1918 period. Worth translating. Very depressing at points. Spurred some thinking from em and a long reaction post on my "work" blog. These are english and osme of you might find them interesting.
http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2016/06/some-thoughts-in-reaction-to-reading.html (http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2016/06/some-thoughts-in-reaction-to-reading.html)
Next up, Yeorgios Mavrogordatos book on the 1915 events in Greece titled, "1915: The National Schism", in greek.
Currently reading "Sniper on the Eastern Front".
Re-started 'The English Civil War' by Diane Purkiss. Full of lots of useful detail for the forthcoming 'The Pikemen's Lament' rules, which is the main reason I bought it. Can be a bit tough going at times, but glad I picked it up again.
Neil Thomas's One-Hour Wargames book. Can't say too much as I've only got to the bit about ancient cavalry. Others rate them though so I thought I'd give them a go.
MickS
Recently finished re-reading* Battle of Britain: The Hardest Day by Alfred Price. Fast moving, detailed and very dramatic account of the 3 major air assaults against targets in southern England on 18 August 1940 by Luftwaffe Air Fleets 2 & 3. Highly readable and full of human interest. As well as describing the events of that 24 hour period when 100 German and 136 British aircraft were destroyed or damaged in the air or on the ground, the book includes OOBs, details of individual combat losses (times, crews, locations) and some great photos including those taken by one crewman of 9th Staffel (Bomber Geschwader 76)'s as it approached Kenley for its low level attack. My edition was first published in 1979, nor do I know enough about the period to say if subsequent authors have discovered any new or revelatory information since then to challenge Price's book. Nevertheless, I found it a very enjoyable read.
*(last read it some 25 years ago?)
Wargames through the Ages Vol 2 1420 - 1783 by D F Featherstone.
Just flicked through this as have not read it since 1983 when my good friend, classmate and wargaming chum lent it to me at University. Bit of a trip down memory lane really. Full of plenty of information that will prove very useful I'm sure for wargaming some of the more obscure periods in the future. Given the period of time it covers and the fact that it cost just over £20 inc p&p, I think it's a steal.
Quote from: Steve J on 22 June 2016, 12:55:19 PM
Wargames through the Ages Vol 2 1420 - 1783 by D F Featherstone.
Just flicked through this as have not read it since 1983 when my good friend, classmate and wargaming chum lent it to me at University. Bit of a trip down memory lane really. Full of plenty of information that will prove very useful I'm sure for wargaming some of the more obscure periods in the future. Given the period of time it covers and the fact that it cost just over £20 inc p&p, I think it's a steal.
Have to agree about the stealing. Given the quality of much of his info, you
were robbed.
On a school residential, taken Mary Beard's S.P.Q.R.
She's not as revolutionary about Cataline as I thought she would be, but very well written first 60 pages! :D
Having spent literally months reading all 460-odd pages of "Warfare in the Ancient Near East to 1600 BC: Holy Warriors at the Dawn of History" by William Hamblin I've moved on to something a little lighter.
The Hamblin book was fascinating but I could only read a few pages before I needed to stop and let my brain sort out the Eannatums from the Ennanatums and the Antifis from the Antefs :)
I've moved on to Andrzej Sapkowski's "Witcher" series. "Sword of Destiny" is proving a faster read, though it turns out to have almost as many odd names in it!
I'm much taken with the YouTube channel "Forgotten Weapons". Although it's basically a promo for an auction house, Ian the presenter is knowledgeable and engaging. Looks at the history and mechanics of various weapons of all ages.
Some interesting videos there, Nobby.
Currently reading Swords for Hire by James Miller. This is about Scots in the 16th and 17th centuries who left Scotland to earn a living fighting in mainland Europe. Some sought fame and fortune while others were fleeing justice and hardship. Its a fascinating read touching on many battles, sieges, incidents and small actions, most of which I've never heard of before and with new personalities surfacing in almost every page, the book certainly gives the impression it is very well-researched. I'm still reading my way through the book so but so far it's quite good.
P.S. Interestingly, in one chapter, we are told that the south eastern shore of the Baltic, especially Poland and Prussia, became the destination of choice for 16th Century Scots emigrants and workers. In Danzig, for example, over 120 Scots became city burgesses with one of its suburbs known as Stary Szkoty (Old Scotland). Indeed, the Scots were so ubiquitous around the whole region that this prompted someone to assert during a Westminster parliamentary debate in 1606 on the possibility of a union with Scotland, that "If we admit them .... we shall be overrun with them ... witness the multiplicities of the Scots in Polonia." Sound familiar?
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 June 2016, 08:27:14 PM
Some interesting videos there, Nobby.
Thank you. It's an odd little channel, but quite engrossing when you get into it.
There's one on a Dutch police revolver. It had five cylinders. First contained a blank, to act as a warning shot, the second had a tear gas round and the last three had proper bullets.
Quote from: fsn on 25 June 2016, 10:07:42 PM
There's one on a Dutch police revolver. It had five cylinders. First contained a blank, to act as a warning shot, the second had a tear gas round and the last three had proper bullets.
Nice... first, scare the criminal. Then make him / her cry. Then double-tap 'em. And one for luck, presumably... ;D
Entertaining myself with a reread of Bruce Weigle's 1866. Lots of info for smaller scale games for my 10mm armies. Might well use the rules for the quarter and half scale games and BBB for the bigger Bohemian/Italian scraps.
Nowt.
Currently going through all my old wargames magazines and cutting out all the best bits and recycling the rest.
Funny how I keep spotting articles written by people I've know met, either in person or via the Internet. Just found Bodvoc's 1066 rules, for instance.
Hope you enjoyed reading them Roy.
QuoteJust found Bodvoc's 1066 rules,
Now re-written and tweaked slightly for 10mm figures on 6x3cm bases :)
If anyone fancies a copy, PM and I can email you a copy. The rules cater for Normans, Anglo-Danes and Vikings at the moment but Picts (and other earlier armies such as Arthurians/Sub-Roman British) will be added when I get round to painting them. These are simple, quick play rules I wrote for my own amusement and games. I even started a fantasy version but then Warband came out and I played that instead.
I've not read them, to be honest.
I spotted the cards, thought they might come in useful when adapting things for games, looked at the picture of the figures and thought to myself that the photography set up looked familiar, checked the article's author and had to have a think what your surname was. After all that, I then realised it was yourself.
Not looked at any rules, played any games, painted anything for myself, since that last game of Frostgrave at your house. Still sorting myself out after things ran away from me, and I'm de-cluttering my head as well as the hobby pile.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 June 2016, 08:29:04 PM
Currently reading Swords for Hire by James Miller. This is about Scots in the 16th and 17th centuries who left Scotland to earn a living fighting in mainland Europe. Some sought fame and fortune while others were fleeing justice and hardship. Its a fascinating read touching on many battles, sieges, incidents and small actions, most of which I've never heard of before and with new personalities surfacing in almost every page, the book certainly gives the impression it is very well-researched. I'm still reading my way through the book so but so far it's quite good.
P.S. Interestingly, in one chapter, we are told that the south eastern shore of the Baltic, especially Poland and Prussia, became the destination of choice for 16th Century Scots emigrants and workers. In Danzig, for example, over 120 Scots became city burgesses with one of its suburbs known as Stary Szkoty (Old Scotland). Indeed, the Scots were so ubiquitous around the whole region that this prompted someone to assert during a Westminster parliamentary debate in 1606 on the possibility of a union with Scotland, that "If we admit them .... we shall be overrun with them ... witness the multiplicities of the Scots in Polonia." Sound familiar?
There was a unit of 6-700 made up of Scotsmen (from Holland rather than Scotland) and commanded by Scotsmen at the Battle of Lubieszow near Gdansk in 1577 against the Poles. (http://www.electricscotland.com/history/prussia/part2-1.htm)
That looks quite interesting, Sub. I'll try to read that later. Indeed, Lubieszow is mentioned in the book. The author says the battle was fought on 17 April 1577 with the Poles inflicting a seemingly crushing defeat on the Danzigers. However, Zborowski, the Polish commander had too few troops to mount a fresh attack on the city and while he awaited reinforcements the Danzigers used the lull to recruit more foreign soldiers, among them a Captain William Rentoun who, in July 1577, was licensed by the Edinburgh Privy Council to raise 150 men for "the service of the citie and commoun wealth of Danskin." He goes on to say that "Rentoun and his men joined Scots already there to make the contingent up to some seven hundred, most of whom had come from the Low Countries under the command of Colonel William Stewart. " So, there you go.
I've just bought "The American Civil War HAndbook" on Amazon for £2 and a packet of Trebor mints.
I've always enjoyed the ACW. This book may rekindle my interest so that the part painted pile marked ACW comes out and the current project gets shoved into a box for a while. :(
You forgot to review the Trebor mints! :o
Review of Trebor Mints - they come in a paper packet with metal foil, are small, round, white and made of sugar.
IanS
But never, ever get them from the library. :-&
Finished "1915". A very interesting book on the Greek National Schism (in Greek) and a very sobering one. Led me to some thoughts concerning intellectual links between the polarization of "1915" and of Brexit. You can read them at
http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2016/06/the-brexit-and-1915.html (http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2016/06/the-brexit-and-1915.html)
Next up: Lots of work reading :( Need to read Nuno Monteiro "Theory of Unipolar Politics" for a potential book review piece. Next fun reading will be Reynolds" Shattering Empires".
Really need a break. But if publications come I will get drunk of expensive champagne academic poverty be damned!
Hell of an article! Wow! :o
Have borrowed a copy of Patrols in the Sudan to see if it floats my boat.
Wargaming 19thC Europe 1815-1878 by Neil Thomas. A quick glance through on arrival home and it looks to be very nice. I really hope that these provide nice rules for some small scale mid 19thC games. From what I've seen so far I'm hopefull...
Thanks mad lemmey, feel free to share
Steve J. They are excellent. If BBB had not come out those would be my rules of choice.
QuoteThey are excellent. If BBB had not come out those would be my rules of choice.
I see them being used for smaller actions where I want seperate skirmishers and/or to use with numerous scenario books I have. I will continue with BBB as well as they are excellent rules.
Reading a couple of uniform guides for SYW. Badly written, but there's some useful information. Did everyone else know that the Le Noble Jaeger had rifles already? Bad news for the Austrians.
Quote from: Steve J on 28 June 2016, 08:17:50 PM
Wargaming 19thC Europe 1815-1878 by Neil Thomas. A quick glance through on arrival home and it looks to be very nice. I really hope that these provide nice rules for some small scale mid 19thC games. From what I've seen so far I'm hopefull...
They do give a good quick game, and the armies are bathtubbed so the forces are manageable. I played the Nachod scenario a couple of weeks ago and got a result in two hours.
Finished "Napoleon and the Struggle for Germany, The Franco-Prussian War of 1813, Vol 2, The Defeat of Napoleon" by Michael Leggiere.
A well written, long book that is very operational. Gets very tactical when discussing Leipzig.
Some bothersome errors, such as the "Young Guard bearskins" and the "Austrian Guards". These both surprised me from this author.
Germania - a personal history - Simon Winder
Finished volume 80, No. 1, January 2016, "the Journal of Military History". Published 4 times per year, it has excellent articles on a variety of military subjects and extensive book reviews, the subjects of these often end up on my wants list.
Some of the articles are "Introduction. Ending War: Revisiting the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars", "The Silence of the Woods: The 1815 murder of a Prussian Soldier", "The Painful Demobilization of the Napoleonic Grande Armee's Officers", and a feature essay on "Artillery, Light and Heavy: Sardinia-Piedmont and Sweden in the Nineteenth Century".
Finished "Wargames Illustrated Paints, Your Complete Guide to Painting Wargames Miniatures".
I guess true if you do 54's, 40's or 25's, but I don't. Good illustrations, but I did not learn anything I could use for my 10's and 6's.
Unlike most (?) of the forum, I do not do a wash on my figures, which is one of the last steps in the magazine.
QuoteGermania - a personal history - Simon Winder
Really enjoyed his musings. Have just started the "sequel"
Danubia
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine", Issue 54.
Articles include "More Loss than Success": Nicholl's Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign,
"Show them Your Colors!": The 1st Delaware Volunteers and the Gettysburg Campaign,
and "Force-Structure Comparisons of the Armies at Gettysburg".
Comes out twice a year and always has interesting articles.
Finished "Custer's Trials; A Life on the Frontier of New America" by T.J. Stiles.
This book was a gift and I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did.
The ACW part is extremely well done and I found the post Civil war, Indian frontier portion just as fascinating.
Custer was a very driven, but talented, man. He should have been killed at Five Forks at the end of the was, and his reputation would have been much better.
A very well written book and I learned quite a bit about the different Indian tribes/nations that I did not know.
Also just finished the Smoothbore Ordnance Journal number 9, "Franco-Prussian and Krupp Artillery".
While it has some interesting history of the FPW, most of the booklet has specs for the different artillery.
Maddening typos, terrible translations and overall poor editing.
Picked up a copy of Twelve from the club pile - set in 1812 Russia, it looks like it could be a precursor of Lincoln - Vampire Hunter, as the Russians have just taken on a group of mysterious Wallachian mercenaries who insist on only fighting at night.
Finished "Marlborough's Other Army: The British Army and the Campaigns of the First Peninsular War, 1702-1712" by Nicholas Dorrell.
First, Marlborough had nothing to do with this army, so a title misnomer. But, good OB's, generally with numbers of troops, for the allied (called Confederate) side of the war. Nothing about the French/Spanish Bourbon army regarding OB's, which I would have liked.
Good uniform data on the Confederates where it is known. And a good overview of the campaigns.
Overall I liked it but would have liked similar data on the Bourbon side - perhaps another book in this series (Century of the Soldier by Helion)?
I am afraid that any book on this era is likely going to include the word 'Marlborough' in the title somewhere :(
On the Bourbon forces the main problem is the complete lack of information on them except for specific parts of the campaigns. Essentially the main battles - i.e. Almansa 1707 and the various battles of the 1710 campaign. Maybe there is buried somewhere in the French or more likely the Spanish archives more information on the armies more generally but as yet it hasn't been found. So I am afraid that a book generally on the Bourbon forces in Spain/Portugal is probably not imminent.
If you want details on the Bourbons in 1707 there are a number of sites, etc, covering Almansa including this - http://www.wfgamers.org.uk/resources/C18/almanza.htm. While the Bourbon armies involved in the 1710 campaign are detailed in this book - http://www.wfgamers.org.uk/resources/C18/MarlSpain.htm.
I read that book. Interesting, but as you say, a bit light on the Bourbons.
Smallish battles and without the big names this Peninsula campaign is quite game-able.
The Heart of the Matter - Graham Greene - again.
There's quite a lot of contorted argument going on on the BBB Yahoo group site at present, so I am re-reading the BBB rules again. I put my three 'apence in and I hope I'm right otherwise the rules might suddenly become complex.
Quote from: cameronian on 18 July 2016, 01:09:53 PM
The Heart of the Matter - Graham Greene - again.
Not entirely a hijack; have you seen
The Third Man ?
Quote from: fsn on 17 July 2016, 09:04:51 AM
I read that book. Interesting, but as you say, a bit light on the Bourbons.
Smallish battles and without the big names this Peninsula campaign is quite game-able.
If it's light on the Bourbons then let's hope it's a little more generous with the Custard Creams! Tee-hee.
Many times
I finished Kissinger's "A World Restored". This is Kissinger before he got actively into politics and committed crimes. Its an interesting read, not so much as a story of Vienna systems creation and early days, but more on the musings on conservatism. A good read for all grappling with the question "What does conservatism mean in the 21st century".
Next up in work read David Kings, Vienna 1814
Howard Tayler: Schlock Mercanary/Force Multiplication
Excellent print of my favourite webcomic. :)
My class year book! ;)
;D
Nowt in it fer 6 week, so bostin!
I finished David King's "Vienna 1814". It was a charming book. He is a good writer. It is the kind of gossipy history I enjoy a lot. While not a perfect history of the political and military events , it was a great study of the Congress as a social event, and of the personalities. Full of lots of cool anecdotes, it brings to life a lot of the events I read in more straight political-diplomatic history treatments. Despite being a breezy read it has a massive and excellent amount of notes, and a great, great annotated bibliography.
He writes the way I would like to write, though I can never do that due to conventions of the field.
Anyway, if you are looking for a charming summer read I recommend it fully.
Next up, another book on the congress. "Fun" reading trying to finish Kondylis "Global Policy after the Cold War" in Greek, and then probably Reynolds "Shattering Empires"
Lemmy, you need to get milking if your dairy is currently empty.
Tenby soon, reading Mortiem et Gloria rules! :D
Those rules are very expensive. Tenby eh; many happy memories of Kiln Park.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 29 July 2016, 07:03:07 PM
Tenby soon, reading Mortiem et Gloria rules! :D
Hope you get your day pass, Will. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Finished Vol. 80, No. 2 of "The Journal of Military History".
A couple of the article's are:
"Technology and Tradition: Mine Warfare and the Royal Navy's Strategy of Coastal Assault"
and "Fighting under a Different Flag: Multinational Naval Cooperation and Submarine Warfare in the Mediterranean, 1940-1944".
I'm concurrently reading -
"The Sumerians: A History From Beginning To End" by Henry Freeman on my PC Kindle during long sea voyages in Naval Action
Mark Urban's "Tank War" in the living room during TV ad breaks
"Sword of Destiny" by Adrzej Sapkowski, part of the Witcher series of fantasy novels, in the dining area while waiting for things to cook
Can't decide if that's multitasking or lack of focus!
Both ???
IanS
Currently reading Zuber's "First Battle of the First World War". Covers in great detail, enough for scenarios, the Bavarian Army in Alsace-Lorraine in 1914. Zuber is quite pro-German but there are some really interesting insights.
1) Both French and German cavalry seemed to be run ragged to little avail.
2) Bavarians committed not only Landwehr but ersatz units (up to Corps strength) from day 1
3) It seems that the heavier Bavarian artillery was often well up with the rest of the force and able to intervene effectively in the counter battery role.
Finished "The Imperial Japanese Navy of the Russo-Japanese War" by Mark Stile. An Osprey booklet with the usual great pictures and illustrations.
Quote from: JeffNNN on 02 August 2016, 02:18:41 PM
Currently reading Zuber's "First Battle of the First World War". Covers in great detail, enough for scenarios, the Bavarian Army in Alsace-Lorraine in 1914. Zuber is quite pro-German but there are some really interesting insights.
1) Both French and German cavalry seemed to be run ragged to little avail.
2) Bavarians committed not only Landwehr but ersatz units (up to Corps strength) from day 1
3) It seems that the heavier Bavarian artillery was often well up with the rest of the force and able to intervene effectively in the counter battery role.
Is the name maybe a bit of a giveaway? Sounds like a really good read though.
Quote from: Leman on 03 August 2016, 07:12:00 PM
Is the name maybe a bit of a giveaway? Sounds like a really good read though.
Err he was born in Cleveland Ohio and served in the US Army for 20 years, though the name does suggest German extraction.
Ah, one of those European Americans. Whatever happened to just being American?
I think General Custer tried to put an end to that.
I know it's not a hook, but this is a fascinating video.
*book*
It might actually be a hook if your into that sort of thing.
*you're*
I keep my into in one of our sheds.
(It probably just needs a quick spray with WD40 to get it working 'proper', again.)
Cheers - Phil
Finished volume 3 of "Wargaming in History: Gettysburg 1863" by John Drewienkiewicz and Adam Poole.
Great! I loved it.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 07 August 2016, 02:37:51 AM
*you're*
I usually get that right but I was in a hurry, honest, sir.
Encyclopaedia of Dates and Events, a teach yourself book that I had as a teenager. Taking it along for our holiday flight as it is great for just opening a random page and away you go. It covers from c.5000 BC to 1970, so plenty to keep me occupied on the flight.
I'm loving the "Waterloo: The Decisive Victory" from Osprey.
Yes, I have many, many books about Waterloo. The first (and my favourite) was the David Howarth classic "Waterloo: A Near Run Thing" in about 1970, but it was my birthday recently and the lovely people who I work with gave me book tokens, so it was off to Waterstones for me!
This Osprey offering (brought out fro the 200th Anniversary) is more a collection of essays from different writers that tell the story rather than a single narrative. However, it is sumptuous. 416 pages of high quality printing in a slip case with many, many illustrations.
This is not a book you'd take onto a beach. It is more than a coffee table book. It even has it's own ribbon book mark. Now that's class.
Content? Oh, I haven't read a word yet. Just adored the volume.
Quote from: fsn on 09 August 2016, 11:26:13 AM
Oh, I haven't read a word yet.
Probably cause you need to learn to read.
IanS ;)
If I could read that last comment, I'd be miffed.
Douglas Fermer's 'Sedan 1870, the eclipse of France' light on military detail but good big picture stuff, well and interestingly written. Moving on to 'France at bay' next week.
Quote from: fsn on 09 August 2016, 11:57:48 AM
If I could read that last comment, I'd be miffed.
Don't worry, nobody reads Ian's comments.
Here's a self-portrait...which won't open. What does this programme mean, "too large"?
It's larger than your buffers will allow at a guess.
IanS
Finished "Early Modern Systems Of Command: Queen Anne's Generals,Staff Officers and the Direction of Allied Warfare in the Low Countries and Germany, 1702 - 1711" by Steward Stansfield.
While a lot of talk about the personalities and duties, it left me wanting for more battlefield direction. That was the last 20 or so pages out of 248.
Just started the Ballista novels again.
The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. Great fodder for an imagination.
Finished volume 9 "Wargaming in History:The Seven Years War, Lobositz, Reichenberg, Prague and Kolin" by Charles S Grant.
Always a good read, but I enjoyed the Gettysburg volume more.
YT by Alexi Nikitin. Some university students are picked up by the KGB in the 80s because they are playing a strategic campaign game and it all seems suspicious. The game is set "now" and suddenly it all becomes important again. Just getting into it.
Anyone else here use "goodreads" to track their reading?
"The Sword Behind the Shield" by Norbert Számvéber.
This is a combat history of the German efforts to relieve Budapest in 1945 - Operations Konrad I, II & III. It's a detailed day-by-day account of these major operations, with loads of info on which unit was where and with how many men and what types of tanks. Not a ripping yarn to read, but absolute gold dust for those of us who like to construct historical scenarios for our WWII tank battles. Next week we will wargame the fight for Ősi based on info in this book.
Also in the pile is another of Norbi's books, "Days of Battle: Armoured operations north of the River Danube, Hungary 1944-1945".
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
Finished "The First Total War: Napoleon's Europe and the Birth of Warfare as we know it", by David Bell.
This is truly and excellent book. It starts with the Revolution and goes through Waterloo (and beyond). It shows how "gentlemanly" or "aristocratic" warfare changed to the mass armies and different philosophies (limited war to total war).
Not a lot of combat, but a lot of deep thinking. Very well presented.
Still reading "The Sumerians: A History From Beginning To End" by Henry Freeman on my PC Kindle during long sea voyages in Naval Action
Finished Mark Urban's "Tank War," which I enjoyed and from which I have a number of scenario ideas for CoC, and also "Sword of Destiny" by Andrzej Sapkowski.
Currently reading the Osprey "Bronze Age Chariots" when in the dining area and their "Early Aegean Warrior 5000-1450 BC" in the living room during ad breaks.
Just started "The Ottoman Endgame" by Sean McMeekin, essentially the history of Turkey up to and through WWI.
Quote from: Leman on 22 August 2016, 07:19:00 PM
Just started "The Ottoman Endgame" by Sean McMeekin, essentially the history of Turkey up to and through WWI.
Will be interested in your view of this. I've recently bought but not yet started Rogan's book covering the same period.
France at Bay - Douglas Fermer, volume II of his FPW study.
Max Hastings the Korean war. Cracking read while I watch the kids splash away in sunny umbria
Great, me being smug about being on hols then the bloody place gets hit by an earthquake
Quote from: JeffNNN on 23 August 2016, 06:40:01 PM
Will be interested in your view of this. I've recently bought but not yet started Rogan's book covering the same period.
Will keep you posted Jeff.
Quote from: Matt J on 24 August 2016, 09:02:24 AM
Great, me being smug about being on hols then the bloody place gets hit by an earthquake
Hope everyone is okay.
Yes indeed. It looked pretty grim on TV this morning. Even 50 miles away it was causing severe damage.
We are in spoleto south of Perugia not far from epicentre it was a rough night something like 60 after shocks. The big one was something I d not like to experience again. Alot of shocked Italians round here :(
Glad to hear you are all safe.
That sounds a bit overly exciting!
Glad to hear you're all safe, hope the rest of the area isn't too knocked about either.
Good to hear you are all safe, take care
Good grief, saw some footage on the TV this morning and the town near the epicentre was completely destroyed.
'Flashman and the Tiger', one of GMcDF's last if not the last. Bloody awful, a pastiche of his earlier books, boring, repetitive, thin plot, yesterdays leftovers reheated, so disappointing.
Obviously needed to boost the pension.
He's dead too ;D
Did he actually write the last novel then? I wondered why Flashy never made it to either the Zulu War or the Sudan.
Burning Down the Alehouse, a collection of the Fantasy Adventure cartoons of David Morgan-Mar. It's hobbit-ual reading! (That's not one of mine)!
Quote from: Leman on 26 August 2016, 02:09:14 PM
Did he actually write the last novel then? I wondered why Flashy never made it to either the Zulu War or the Sudan.
Not sure but on the basis of this trash I'll avoid the later ones, pity as the earlier ones were superb.
Finished "The Charge: The Real Reason Why the Light Brigade was Lost", by Mark Adkin. He is also the author of "Gettysburg" and "Waterloo"; both marvelous books.
I can't say enough about this book. Many personal stories, a lot of myths busted (e.g. the 93rd saw off 400 Russian Hussars and didn't lose a man - no attack there). Mine is a used book found at a local book store ($7.50), but Amazon carries several used books starting at $1.49 up to $100+. Take your pick.
The reader rides the whole charge and gets a sense of the movement and anticipation. The four horseman involved, Raglan, Lucan, Cardigan and Nolan, are well described and actions investigated. The Charge, before, during and after - a huge mistake.
Agreed, terrific book and I certainly wouldn't part with my copy. It'll get another read when I get round to BBB Crimean War.
Just started 'From Flintlock to Rifles; Imfantry tactics 1740-1866'.
Quote from: Chad on 27 August 2016, 12:42:52 PM
Just started 'From Flintlock to Rifles; Imfantry tactics 1740-1866'.
Let us know what you think Chad, I've not heard of that one before.
Cheers,
Rob :)
Curious choice of terms. Rifles often were flintlocks.
Fair point FK. If it is a Nosworthy book the contents are likely to be much better than the title.
Quote from: Leman on 27 August 2016, 03:38:49 PM
Fair point FK. If it is a Nosworthy book the contents are likely to be much better than the title.
Not a Nosworthy's book, it seems to be by someone called Steven Ross. First edition appears to date back to 1979, with a second edition in 1996. Never heard of it before, amazing what comes up on Google!
Mollinary
I have the 79 version, so bought it some time ago. And a long time since I read it but remember really liking it. Mainly Napoleonic.
Yes but flintlocks were not always rifles. ;)
Finished "Wargaming in History, Volume 1, The Seven Years War; Krefeld, Sanderhausen and Lutterberg - 1759".
So finally finished all the books in the series. Always enjoyable.
SPQR - Mary Beard
Rat Queens: Sass and Sorcery
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6a/Rat_Queens_Issue_1_cover.jpg/250px-Rat_Queens_Issue_1_cover.jpg)
The Pendraken Forum :D
Quote from: Nosher on 03 September 2016, 06:39:15 PM
The Pendraken Forum :D
I think that line first appeared about p4 of this thread! :D
Osprey's Antietam 1862.
( ... and hope to squeeze in a visit to the actual battlefield again when I'm in the States later this month ...
.. I know .... I'm a "show off" .... :P )
Ah! They're letting you out the country again are they?
Glad the little ... incident ... got cleared up.
The question is - will they let you back in? :P
No worries ... I've got it covered this time ..... (uses reverse sikolliji Psychology) .... I'm going to wear a turban :> ..... bound to work ..... won't it?
Finished "The Serbian Army in the Great War 1914-1918" by Dusan Babac.
Good history, many pictures, uniform plates, flag pictures, a chapter on weapons, but no real OB.
If I get into WW1, I will build this army and kick some Austrian behind.
Poor old Arnie, he can't help being in the same queue as you.
Finished "Leadership and Command in the American Civil War" edited by Steven Woodworth.
It has 5 chapters, each concerning some controversial aspect of ACW command. The 5 are;
Ole Joe in Virginia (Joe Johnston)
The detachment of Longstreet Considered (from Braxton Bragg)
A Failure of Command? (General Sumner and his II Corps at Antietam) This was a great read.
The Seeds of Disaster (Pickett's career after the Charge)
On Smaller Fields (PGT Beauregard and the Bermuda Hundred campaign).
All in all, a very interesting and quick book to read.
Finished "Napoleon III: A Life" by Fenton Bressler.
A very good read. Since I have been reading everything I can find on the FPW, I thought it was time to read about him. I sure didn't realize what a womanizer he was.
Eugenie didn't like sex but he sure did. Lots of "official" mistresses (not at one time) and many incidentals (often at the same time as the "official" mistress.
Also finished "Gettysburg: The Story of the Battle with Maps" by the editors of Stackpole Books.
I have many books on Gettysburg, so nothing new. But it is done similar to the Civil War Atlas done by West Point; Map on one side of the page and narrative on the other. It is well written and one gets a sense of the action.
Finished Vol 80, Number 3 of " The Journal of Military History".
Articles on:
German Military Participation in Early Modern European Colonialism,
The Spanish Military and the Tank, 1909-1939,
Edward Mead Earle and the "Unfinished Makers of Modern Strategy"
The First War for Oil: The Caucasus, German Strategy, and the Turning Point pf the war on the Eastern Front, 1942
and others.
As well as many book reviews.
Finished the "Gettysburg Magazine". Published twice a year.
Tactical articles on The 13th Massachusetts on July 1st; The repulse of O'Neal's Brigade on Oak Ridge
and
"Press On, Men, Press On" The 21st North Carolina on July 1.
5 other articles and some book reviews. Always good.
Fifty Shades of Ney. Napoleon's last, unpublished work on why he lost Waterloo.
Finished Mark Jarett's "The Congress of Vienna and its legacy". Its the most modern overview of the Congress history, and a good overview of both the historian and political science literature on it. There are some factual mistakes, but in general if you want to avoid the political slants of Kissinger and Nicholson (which you do not as they are interesting in their own), its a good overview of the Congress System and what has been written on it between 1814-1823.
Next up is Adam Zamoyski's "Rites of Peace"
On non work going over Ericsson's account of Luleburgaz in "Defeat in Detail" for the next BBB scenario, reading Osprey's Essential History on 1859 again for the Facebook theme, and still going through the essay's in Levy and Vasquez's "Outbreak of First World War" (some really good stuff in it).
Norman Davies - Vanished Kingdoms: The History of Half Forgotten Europe.
Great for inspiring ideas for campaigns in the mediaeval eras.
About to launch into "From Sumer to Rome: The Military Capabilities Of Ancient Armies" by Gabriel and Metz which looks at weapons and lethality, death and injury and military medical care all topped and tailed with overviews of the history of the period.
Just seen how much that cost on Amazon! :o
I'm reading "painting Wargaming Figures" by Javier Gomez. My mother bought it for me for Xmas, but was so insecure about it that she gave it to me early. :x
Quote from: fsn on 02 October 2016, 11:56:31 PM
Just seen how much that cost on Amazon! :o
I'm reading "painting Wargaming Figures" by Javier Gomez. My mother bought it for me for Xmas, but was so insecure about it that she gave it to me early. :x
Second hand copy .... but still stupidly pricey! I got a rebate I hadn't expected and it was almost exactly the same as the book and postage and thought,"Can't miss what you never had!" :)
"Painting Wargaming Figures" looks interesting but figure focussed and concentrating on 28mm though it looks to include everything down to 6mm, not sure in how much detail though. I think what I need is not a book on painting but one on motivating yourself to do something that remains a chore no matter how much you like the end result. Painting an Amorite camp and a 3mm scale tercio in a three month stint isn't exactly speed painting!
Quote from: fsn on 02 October 2016, 11:56:31 PM
... but was so insecure about it that she gave it to me early.
Is that you, Norman Bates?
Javier's book concentrates mainly on colour palettes, most readily demonstrated on 28mm figures. However he applies the same palettes to all scales and explains how this works with 15mm, 10mm and 6mm. I have found his colour mixing technique invaluable.
My birthday cards! ;D
Happy birthday Lemmey! 21 again!
Happy Birthday, Will ! <:-P <:-P <:-P
Cheers - Phil
..... except ..... his birthday was 6 months ago!
[You really need to let go, Lemmey.]
p.s. Many Happy Returns.
<:-P
:D
Mollinary's 46 ans dans l'armee austro-hongroise 1833-1879. Concentrating on the war of 1866 at present, my French is gradually coming back as I read, but it is a slow process. Interesting exercise in self-justification!
Mollinary
"My Reminiscences of East Africa" BY Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Interesting so far to see it from his point of view though he suggests in his preface that it is all subjective and his records have been lost and memory plays strange tricks. Some seemingly useful facts about organisation of his forces. Only a few chapters in. This is one of my favourite periods and theatres for wargaming, probably something to do with my uncle having been in the colonial administration in Kenya during the Mau-Mau insurgency and after.
Osprey's Essential History of the American War of Independence. So far so good :)
Shireman, which rules are you using. I have recently downloaded the Lardie Special which has the ITLSU amendments for East Africa. It is also given a lot of attention in PP's Squarebashing.
Something dirty. :o
Quote from: Leman on 04 October 2016, 08:13:17 AM
Shireman, which rules are you using. I have recently downloaded the Lardie Special which has the ITLSU amendments for East Africa. It is also given a lot of attention in PP's Squarebashing.
ITLSU with the amendments from the special. I prefer them to the PP rules which I use for Polish-Soviet War of 1919-20. They have given some good games with a real flavour of the actual fighting.
I am currently working on ITLSU Belgium 1914, but at some time will have a look at East Africa. Do you happen to know if the German colonial troops in the Middle East range are also suitable for East Africa?
Quote from: Leman on 04 October 2016, 11:30:12 AM
I am currently working on ITLSU Belgium 1914, but at some time will have a look at East Africa. Do you happen to know if the German colonial troops in the Middle East range are also suitable for East Africa?
"Ve Chermans must get used to all climates, from Russia to the Sahara...."
Quote from: Leman on 04 October 2016, 11:30:12 AM
I am currently working on ITLSU Belgium 1914, but at some time will have a look at East Africa. Do you happen to know if the German colonial troops in the Middle East range are also suitable for East Africa?
The white German troops were colonists who volunteered, many of them ex-officers and reservists. I use British dismounted infantry in slouch hats with one brim turned up( from the Boer War range) as they resemble the E Africa Germans more closely as far as I can tell from contemporary photographs.
Recently finished reading Osprey's Philadelphia 1777. Not only does it cover Brandywine and Germantown but also Paoli and the naval and land ops. against the Delaware Forts on the river approaches to Philly. As some of you may know, I am only just back from Philadelphia. Although I managed to read most of it while I was on my way to Philly, I feel I didn't absorb enough to fully enjoy my visit to the nearby Brandywine battlefield (also, the battlefield covers a vast area, much of which is overgrown by trees in places which were not so overgrown at the time of the battle - e.g., Washington's HQ at the Benjamin Ring House).
The battlefield covers a vast area and needs a lot more time than I was able to devote. However I enjoyed what I did see and was also fortunate that my visit coincided with the actual anniversary of Paoli (20/21 Sept. - Brandywine was on '9/11') so was able to get an excellent idea of the type of weather conditions and the colour of the landscape that the troops experienced on campaign at the time. As usual, the book is well illustrated including some details from some of Della Gatta's paintings, one of which illustrates British troops holding their muskets "at the trail" (I asked the forum some time back what this meant). Interestingly, the American author also explodes the myth of the "Paoli Massacre" - apparently, when the British bayonet attack went in, the Continentals were alerted and drawn up in column of march ready to withdraw and not bayoneted in their beds as Rebel propaganda previously led us to believe. Although necessarily only an overview, I found this an enjoyable read and inspiring enough to resolve to dig out more in-depth books on the subject.
Quote from: Leman on 04 October 2016, 11:30:12 AM
I am currently working on ITLSU Belgium 1914, but at some time will have a look at East Africa. Do you happen to know if the German colonial troops in the Middle East range are also suitable for East Africa?
Those German colonial figures aren't Pendraken's best, I suspect they were done quiet some time ago
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Sinai%201917%20project/IMG_1231_zpse1vsh4uh.jpg)
Thanks for the info on the colonial Germans folks.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 04 October 2016, 07:17:35 PM
I feel I didn't absorb enough to fully enjoy my visit to the nearby Brandywine battlefield
Photos?
Apologies. I'm rubbish at posting photos with my Mac. But I can send you some, if you wish. :)
Go strong into the Desert by Mike Snook
W
Finished "A Field Guide to Gettysburg" by Carol Reardon and Tom Vossler.
I have other battlefield guides, including Gettysburg, but this is the best so far. A map for every stop and with pictures. And of course, driving directions.
Each stop is set up with 6 questions.
1. What happened here?
2. Who fought here?
3. Who commanded here?
4. Who fell here?
5.Who lived here?
6. What did they say about it later?
Very good.
Tabletop Wargames - A Designers and Writers Handbook by Rick Priestly and John Lambshead
Rick Priestly is without doubt an important force in wargaming. It is also evident from his writings that he is not that willing to look beyond his own ideas of what wargaming is all about. After all this is the man who dismissed the Franco-Austrian and Austro-Prussian Wars as of little interest to wargamers, and this in a rulebook written for that period (although the First Carlist War gets an entire chapter, but then he is mates with the Perrys).
What is my impression of the above title. Well, I read on to page 72 before hurling it aside in frustration. The first chapter was quite generalised. The second was devoted to scale, and went into a great deal of tedious detail but without really making anything clear. Chapter three was on the language of wargaming. He made a great deal about grit (never come across that expression before, until I realised he was talking about friction in wargaming, a concept I have come across in numerous articles). Again this chapter left me feeling that he was saying a lot but the substance was quite limited. Chapter four was on dice rolling and again went into even more tedious, mathematical detail about probability and bell curves etc, but can be summed up thus - D6 great, everything else is rubbish. He even stated that he could not think of any set of rules which now use the Average Dice (ITLSU, HOW, Piquet) because it had been discredited. I did not get to the end of chapter four. Two pages into chapter five I flung the book (and I am renowned for treating books with a great deal of respect). The book unashamedly tells the reader what a marvellous set of rules Warhammer is, plus lots of other rules he's had a hand in (and some, like Warmaster and Black Powder are good) but it is far too self congratulatory. There are also numerous photos of wargames figures: all 28mm in absolutely superb and non-wargameable scenery, even though he states quite early on that the war-games table should not be unduly cluttered. Most of the photos had little relevance to the text.
In conclusion this book would not enable me to write a set of rules. It is far too Warhammer-centric. It does not do what it says on the tin. Verdict 2/10. >:(
I also enjoy several sets of Priestly's rules but boy the man can waffle. His recent articles in the wargames magazines he writes for have been so dull and a waste of print space that they put me off even looking at his book.
Here's a nice little bedtime read for Pendraken fans:
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/when-jimmy-saint-recommended-this-as.html (http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/when-jimmy-saint-recommended-this-as.html)
;D ;D ;D ;D What larks!
Quote from: Leman on 14 October 2016, 08:14:12 AM
Tabletop Wargames - A Designers and Writers Handbook by Rick Priestly and John Lambshead
Rick Priestly is without doubt an important force in wargaming. It is also evident from his writings that he is not that willing to look beyond his own ideas of what wargaming is all about. After all this is the man who dismissed the Franco-Austrian and Austro-Prussian Wars as of little interest to wargamers, and this in a rulebook written for that period (although the First Carlist War gets an entire chapter, but then he is mates with the Perrys).
What is my impression of the above title. Well, I read on to page 72 before hurling it aside in frustration. The first chapter was quite generalised. The second was devoted to scale, and went into a great deal of tedious detail but without really making anything clear. Chapter three was on the language of wargaming. He made a great deal about grit (never come across that expression before, until I realised he was talking about friction in wargaming, a concept I have come across in numerous articles). Again this chapter left me feeling that he was saying a lot but the substance was quite limited. Chapter four was on dice rolling and again went into even more tedious, mathematical detail about probability and bell curves etc, but can be summed up thus - D6 great, everything else is rubbish. He even stated that he could not think of any set of rules which now use the Average Dice (ITLSU, HOW, Piquet) because it had been discredited. I did not get to the end of chapter four. Two pages into chapter five I flung the book (and I am renowned for treating books with a great deal of respect). The book unashamedly tells the reader what a marvellous set of rules Warhammer is, plus lots of other rules he's had a hand in (and some, like Warmaster and Black Powder are good) but it is far too self congratulatory. There are also numerous photos of wargames figures: all 28mm in absolutely superb and non-wargameable scenery, even though he states quite early on that the war-games table should not be unduly cluttered. Most of the photos had little relevance to the text.
In conclusion this book would not enable me to write a set of rules. It is far too Warhammer-centric. It does not do what it says on the tin. Verdict 2/10. >:(
You're not the first person i've heard who's not happy with the book it was on my shopping list
Take care
Andy
Quote from: fsn on 14 October 2016, 10:05:52 PM
Here's a nice little bedtime read for Pendraken fans:
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/when-jimmy-saint-recommended-this-as.html (http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/when-jimmy-saint-recommended-this-as.html)
I'm surprised at you FSN, promoting such inaccurate literature :o
I miss average dice, though I admit there are satisfactory ways of reflecting the factors that were their raison d'etre without extra equipment.
I think you are right FK, but there are ways which do not involve buckets of dice. I admit that buckets of D6 are great fun; take the PP RFCM family of rules for instance. Nevertheless I would hesitate to call buckets of dice an elegant system.
Buckets of dice do tend to give you average results but when they go to the extremes :o :o :o :o :o :o
Last year a friend of mine was on the receiving end of six 6s and a 5. Game over.
My army will have what yours is having!
Finished Adam Zamoyski's "Rites of Peace". It was na interesting read. The author is quite arrogant, but he is also good. He did a good job mixing the anecdotal social and cultural history of the 1813-1815 period and the Congress of Vienna with the political and diplomatic one. Despite being a 600 page book it was breezy read. And while he did not persuade me fully to give up the transformation thesis (Schroeder, and bit less Kissinger), he does offer the best critique. Thus a good counterpoint to the transformation exponents.
Still going throught Outbreak of First World War, and reading Horton's "The Balkan Wars" on the second Balkan war for BBB scenarios.
Charlie Smithers in Africa.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A4A407U/ref=series_rw_dp_sw (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A4A407U/ref=series_rw_dp_sw)
Blurb:
THE NUMBER 1 BEST-SELLER!
"Humorous and highly entertaining" ~ The Review
Harry Flashman, step aside, old son. Make way for Charlie Smithers.
"Poetic prose and humorous undertones that are wildly entertaining." ~ Serious Reading
The time is the nineteenth century. The place, the Serengeti Plain, where one Charlie Smithers – faithful manservant to the arrogant bone-head, Lord Brampton (with five lines in Debrett, and a hopeless shot to boot) – becomes separated from his master during an unfortunate episode with an angry rhinoceros, thereby launching Charlie on an odyssey into Deepest Darkest Africa, and subsequently into the arms of the beautiful Loiyan...and that's where the trouble really begins.
Maasai warriors, xenophobic locals, or evil Arab slavers, the two forbidden lovers encounter everything that the unforgiving jungle can throw at them.
"A truly engaging read that will keep anyone's attention from the hilarious beginning until the last word. I highly recommend this 5 star novel." ~ Chapters & Chats
Finished "Corps Commanders in Blue: Union Major Generals in the Civil War", edited by Ethan Rafuse.
Has a chapter each on;
Fitz John Porter
Joseph Mansfield at Antietam
Charles Champion Gilbert at Perryville (how many of you have heard of this officer?)
George Meade as Corp commander
James McPherson at Vicksburg
William Franklin and the XIX Corps
Joseph Hooker in North Georgia
Winfield Scott Hancock in the Overland Campaign
all by different authors.
Different perspectives on what is usually written about these officers. Don't always come off as well as their better known moments.
The hardest for me to read was about Franklin. Didn't hold my interest as much.
Also finished "Military Misfortunes: The Anatomy of Failure in War" by Eliot Cohen and John Gooch.
This was a very interesting book. It has 5 examples of failures;
American Antisubmarine Warfare in 1942
Israel Defense Forces on the Suez Front and the Golan Heights, 1973
The British at Gallipoli, August 1915
The Defeat of the America Eighth Army in Korea, November-December 1950 (this would be of interest to all the Korean War postings in Pendraken, but the book is not readily available - printer 1990).
The French Army and Air Force, May-June 1940
This is not just blaming the Commander, but investigating everything that could go wrong. Each vignette has a matrix, showing where failure occurred, form the highest political level to tactical commanders.
Quote from: kipt on 20 October 2016, 01:16:14 AM
Also finished "Military Misfortunes: The Anatomy of Failure in War" by Eliot Cohen and John Gooch.
This was a very interesting book. It has 5 examples of failures;
American Antisubmarine Warfare in 1942
Israel Defense Forces on the Suez Front and the Golan Heights, 1973
The British at Gallipoli, August 1915
The Defeat of the America Eighth Army in Korea, November-December 1950 (this would be of interest to all the Korean War postings in Pendraken, but the book is not readily available - printer 1990).
The French Army and Air Force, May-June 1940
This is not just blaming the Commander, but investigating everything that could go wrong. Each vignette has a matrix, showing where failure occurred, form the highest political level to tactical commanders.
This must be an interesting read Kipt - in at least 3 out 5 cases I'd say lessons were learnt and reasonably quickly applied - USN ASW (e.g. USS England in 1944 sinking 5 Japanese submarines in as many days), Did the IDF's 7th Armoured Brigade lose? I thought they held onto the Golan Heights - pretty close run thing IIRC?, In Korea the UN forces retreated a LONG way back from the Yalu, always retrogressively but fought hard - e.g. USMC at "Frozen Chosin".
Finally finished The Outbreak of the First World War. It is a good collection of essays by political scientists and historians, and has a good set on the applicability of preventive war to the First World War case. The essay by T.G.Otte on the preceptions of Russian might by the other major powers was very very interesting. Also good was Ronald P. Bobroff on Russia and the decision to go to war. A good counterpoint to Sean McMeekin. All in all a good read and a useful tool for my students.
Reading Dorothy Gies McGuigam "Metternich an the Duchess". This is the last book I need to read for my Vienna-Utrecht paper. I am a bit burned out from reading. And I still have "The Hapsburgs" and "The French Revolution" to read, plus the books I am reading on Kindle on the 1848-1849 Italian War, and the Second Balkan War.
In some answers to Pierre the Shy, Golan was a near run thing. The last brigade of Israeli armor came quite late.
As far as the American antisubmarine problem, the author was talking about the Atlantic, where we lost so many ships to only 11 U-boats. It bettered the America score in the Pacific by 10:1 or so and the US had many more boats.
The ROK, according to the author, did extremely well against the North Koreans, but were terrified of the Chinese.
Now, finished another very good book, "Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan", by Clay Blair, who was a submariner himself. Every patrol is discussed (the book is 1071 pages with the index). Good thing we are going to continue our GQIII Solomon's Campaign on 10/29; I need to fire torpedoes. (I am Japanese and we are getting spanked, hard).
This book compares to "United States Submarine Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe., but is in more depth. Roscoe is all theaters while Blair is Pacific only.
Duffy's life of Frederick. As usual with Duffy, a page-turner.
Kitty have you read Carlisle's 'Life of Frederick the Great' ?
I have, thanks. My God, what that man did to English prose!
Finished "Attack in the West: Napoleon's First Campaign Re-Read Today" by Major WGF Jackson.
Another (but old 1953) book on Napoleon's first campaigns. However, this book does a great job in the daily movements and combats with a sketch map on almost every page. Very well done.
The Napoleonic Source Book by PJ Haythornthwaite.
Just picked it up from 2nd hand bookshop and flicking though it :)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 26 October 2016, 09:12:01 AM
I have, thanks. My God, what that man did to English prose!
Well he
was Scottish :D
That'll be ENglush proose then.
Quote from: Leman on 26 October 2016, 05:36:40 PM
That'll be ENglush proose then.
Indeed, always pronounced with the dipthong, the single most unattractive form of speech in the English speaking world (and I include here the universal Australian interrogative).
Really?
Quote from: Leman on 27 October 2016, 08:22:52 AM
Really?
God yes, bo-at, co-at, chee-ars, I hate it.
No, no, no, no, no........ ;)
There's one English accent that's worse than that for me.
"Ay ent don notten."
AAAAAARGH !!!!!! That's the one I find as bad as fingernails being dragged down a blackboard.
Cheers - Phil
Arr ay Phil, yu get! Dat's proper narky dat.
The full on 'yam yam' Brummie accent is pretty awful too, see below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftI55NZyEPY
Quote from: cameronian on 27 October 2016, 06:09:06 PM
The full on 'yam yam' Brummie accent is pretty awful too, see below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftI55NZyEPY
Sorry, that's not a Brummie accent, It's Black Country ,quite different to those who live there.
Thirsty in Brum? Have a kipper tie.
Just bought a pristine hardback copy of Wawro's Franco Prussian War in a second hand bookshop in Hippyville aka Littleton NZ for 10 bucks!
Quote from: Leman on 27 October 2016, 02:25:25 PM
Arr ay Phil, yu get! Dat's proper narky dat.
(Shudder !) ;)
Cheers - Phil
Ahem, I was born within sight of the Liver Building and was brought up in t'West Riding via army brat BAOR Celle....
I work within sight of the Liver Building. Without wishing to sound discouurteous, I think the area may have changed considerably since you first saw it.
BTW the Liver Building is up for sale - if you've got £40m down the back of your sofa it's worth a punt.
Quote from: haupt on 27 October 2016, 06:54:14 PM
Sorry, that's not a Brummie accent, It's Black Country ,quite different to those who live there.
I stand corrected, pretty awful all the same.
Quote from: Ben Waterhouse on 28 October 2016, 06:28:00 AM
Just bought a pristine hardback copy of Wawro's Franco Prussian War in a second hand bookshop in Hippyville aka Littleton NZ for 10 bucks!
BARGIN!
Although you will find some peculiarities in it, Lemmy. Some of his data on the armies is just plain wrong, and he is somewhat biased towards the Prussian military machine.
Currently re-reading Sam Mustafa's Longstreet prior to a new campaign featuring Colonels Hiram J Windbag, a Southern planter, and Thaddeus P Zofften, a second generation German immigrant to the Northern states.
I seem to be reading a boatload of rules at the moment...
Currently trying to figure out what will work best for some fastplay WW2 air combat that can morph into Korea (apparently on the basis that I've never had any interest in air combat *whatsoever*)...have got Bag the Hun 2 which seems cool, looked at TAC, had a passing flirtation with Check Your Six and have got Target Locked On (on the basis that the author lives like 5 miles away, comes to club every week and I can knock him off his motorbike with a little sideswipe from the RX8 if his rules are rubbish)
So.. anyone got any opinions on what's the best / simplest / fastest / funnest (not a word) ruleset for air combat a-go-go?
Scramble
Or
Wings of War!
Poseidon's Warriors
Osprey's Galley rules, look fast and fun enough for an evenings game.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 28 October 2016, 11:59:12 PM
Scramble
Or
Wings of War!
Did I mention I want to do this in 1/600 (3mm in new money)?
Will go look at Scramble, Will :)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 29 October 2016, 12:02:26 AM
Poseidon's Warriors
Osprey's Galley rules, look fast and fun enough for an evenings game.
Mate, those are *never* going to work for WW2 / Korean air combat...
Oh, hang on, I see... ;) Yes, you're right - they're cracking :)
Nick
By any chance do you have a copy of Blue Max by GDW
Quote from: nikharwood on 29 October 2016, 12:03:14 AM
Did I mention I want to do this in 1/600 (3mm in new money)?
Will go look at Scramble, Will :)
A&A games engineering. Really nice guys, great set of rules.
Quote from: Fenton on 29 October 2016, 12:04:36 AM
Nick
By any chance do you have a copy of Blue Max by GDW
Nope... will go look for those too - thanks, Fenton 8)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 29 October 2016, 12:06:51 AM
A&A games engineering. Really nice guys, great set of rules.
Cool - will check them out; thanks, Will :)
They are WW1 but a friend did a WW2 conversion. Which the website for sadly seems to be down :'(
Quote from: Fenton on 29 October 2016, 12:12:23 AM
They are WW1 but a friend did a WW2 conversion. Which the website for sadly seems to be down :'(
:(
Finished Dorothy Gies McGuigan "Metternich and the Duchess". This is the last book on the Congress of Vienna that I had to read for my paper. Good book, a look at the history through the lens of the affair between the Duchess of Sagan and Metternich. A good study of them both, and the social mileu. Recommended. Has some stuff that the other books missed.
So I am finally free of the need to read stuff. At various stages I am still reading , "Global Politics after the Cold War" (translation of the Greek title) by Panayotis Kondylis (probably the most important conservative thinker of the 21st century, quite depressing for a liberal cosmopolitan like me), Hooton's "The Balkan Wars", and the Osprey Combat "Somme 1916 British Infantryman vs. German Infantryman", and Embree's Radetzky's Marches. And I would really like to continue my Aubrey-Maturin books, volume 16.
Reading a couple of sets of rules at the moment - FiveCore: Skirmish Gaming Evolved 2nd edition and UseMe SF.
Went out last week to do some Pendrakenmas shopping.
Bought myself "British Soldiers of the Korean War: In their Own Words".
:D
Now reading By Force of Arms; the SYW from the Austrian perspective. Duffy again. It's a weighty volume.
Hi
Just finished 'Marston Moor' by Michael Arnold. Fiction, but a good read and the 'flavour' of the civil war comes across well. His 6th civil war novel.
Cheers Paul
Still having trouble with ITLSU so decided to have a look at a long, tucked away copy of Contemptible Little Armies 3rd Edition.
Finished "Fallen Stars; Eleven Studies of Twentieth Century Military Disasters" edited by Brian Bond.
A bit different than the previous book on Military Misfortunes in that this book looks more at what the commanders did wrong, but not totally.
Interesting chapters on the 11, from Tannenburg to Burma. Liked it.
Finished an interesting little book, "Great Mistakes of the War" by Hanson Baldwin. He is writing about WWII. Says we (Americans) only wanted to win the war, but lost the piece, meaning Russia got what it wanted and we ignored that. Published in 1949, so shortly after the war and watching what the Soviets wanted (and got).
Also against the A-Bomb use, figuring Japan was already down (true) and ready to surrender anyway. Says the war was shortened by maybe days, weeks, months? And that we could have continued the blockade and starved Japan out with no need to invade. Controversial thoughts that have been written about in many books.
Also down on MacArthur, which I agree with.
There's no real question but that the use of the bomb was intended to impress the Russians, surely?
I have not seen evidence that the Japanese were going to surrender in weeks or even months :-\
I have seen evidence they were making major preparations to repel invasion
If the Japanese were going to surrender why had they not surrendered earlier, US carriers raids on Japan started in February 1945 :-\
There were also large Japanese forces outside Japan to consider...
Also given the casualty rate, civilian and military, wasn't shortening the war a good thing :-\
Note if this is considered too political I'm happy to suspend the conversation
Agree with you
Hi
Recently finished Hugh Sebag-Montefiore's 'Dunkirk Fight to the Last Man'. Although the book was detailed with good maps I felt rather cheated. The book was originally published in 2006 and the edition I had was published in 2015 and marketed as '75th Anniversary Edition with New Material' (on the cover). What I didn't realize until I started to read it was that the edition I had did not include the Appendices, Dramatis Personae, Abbreviations or the original notes (96 pages of them). All of these were still listed in the table of contents with an annotation telling me that I would have to go to the authors website to see them or buy an original edition!
I was annoyed. But as they say never judge a book by its cover.
Cheers Paul
PS My father was in the 2nd Bn the Buffs and was captured during the retreat to Dunkirk.
They were negotiating a surrender to the Russians. Not front-page news.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 04 November 2016, 12:39:45 PM
They were negotiating a surrender to the Russians. Not front-page news.
And not likely to be accepted by the other Allied powers, the war would have gone on without unconditional surrender which was not what the Japanese were trying to negotiate with Russia.
Hi
Recently finished 'The Last Citadel Petersburg June 1864 - April 1865' by Noah Andre Trudeau.
Great book on a part of the Civil War that I have rather overlooked in the past.
Cheers Paul
Splendid novel called 'The Emperor's General' about the Japanese surrender, can't reccommend it highly enough.
Finished "Derailing the Tokyo Express"The Naval Battles for the Solomon Islands that Sealed Japan's Fate" by Jack Coombe.
He was a destroyer sailor during the war, and while writing history, also said he wanted to tell a "good yarn". He does make up conversations for commander's on both sides, but it is still a "good yarn".
His premise is the battles around and on Guadalcanal and not Midway sealed the Japanese fate.
Once again...borrowed from the library van...Next week will be listening to "Waterloo" by that nice Mr Cornwell.
Is it any good ?
Cheers - Phil
Finished volume 1 of Moltke's "The Franco-German
War of 1870-71". This volume was printed in 1891. Has a great large map of
France in the pocket in the back.. Would have been helpful when I did my campaign in a day.
Good flavor of the various Prussian units and their combats.
Indian Cookery, Daramjit Singh. He remains the best I've read.
Having a re-read of 'To the Last Gaiter Button.' Want to get my mate, who lives locally, to get involved in a campaign, as it is almost impossible for him to get down the club these days.
I wonder if Skype and webcams can't make long-range games a real possibility these days?
Also finished a quick read of a guide book: "The Arc de Triomphe" by Marc Gaillard, translated to English.
Interesting background of triumphal arcs in general, and then the history of this one. Lots of pictures and explanations of the different scenes.
I've just finished Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts: Mussolini's Elite Armoured Divisions in North Africa by Ian W. Walker. It explains how & why the Italian armoured divisions performed so well in North Africa and why they never got the credit they deserved.
Currently reading The Audacious Crimes of Colonel Blood by Robert Hutchinson. As the Prologue in the book says, "Thomas Blood is one of these mysterious and charismatic characters in British History whose breathtaking exploits underline the wisdom of the old maxim that truth can be stranger than fiction." Born in the 17th Century, this adventurer participated in the English Civil War first on the Royalist side and then on the Parliamentary side before becoming a spy for Charles II in Restoration Britain (and that, apparently, despite involvement in plots to assassinate Charles!). So far he has been involved in an attempted coup d'etat in Ireland, led a daring rescue of a leading rebel of a failed uprising in Northern England who was being transferred from London to York and led an unsuccessful and almost farcical attempt to kidnap and kill the former Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. I am now about to read how he stole the Crown Jewels (!) and I'm not even half way through the book! Found it slow to start with but now getting into it and looking forward to seeing what further 'adventures' lie ahead. :-bd
But was it an inside job for Charles?
Not militarily orientated at all but I found out how to download all of the E E Doc Smith's Lensman series to my Kindle. Had them all in the '70's and fancied reading them again. They are next after I finish the current pot-boiler of a D&D novel trilogy.
MickS
A spotter's guide to sci-fi aliens:
An Arthur Clark alien is tall, benign, god-like.
An Isaac Asimov alien speaks exactly like every other character.
A Philip K. Dick alien is the normal-looking chap next to you on the subway; also possibly yourself.
A Clifford Simak alien is trembling under a bush, waiting to be protected.
A Ray Bradbury alien is sitting on the porch in dungarees waiting for Mom to finish cooking the apple pie.
A Douglas Adams alien is drunk.
An E. E. Doc Smith alien is dead.
So if films are made of their works who should play the aliens?
An Arthur Clark alien is tall, benign, god-like - Morgan Freeman
An Isaac Asimov alien speaks exactly like every other character - Sean Connery
A Philip K. Dick alien is the normal-looking chap next to you on the subway; also possibly yourself - Me, obviously
A Clifford Simak alien is trembling under a bush, waiting to be protected - Woody Allen
A Ray Bradbury alien is sitting on the porch in dungarees waiting for Mom to finish cooking the apple pie -
A Douglas Adams alien is drunk - Brian Cox or Ken Stott
An E. E. Doc Smith alien is dead - so many actors have qualified themselves for this part in 2016. Anton Yelchin or Kenny Baker maybe.
[/quote]
Neal Asher alien is a 20 wide crab that will rip your head off...
Are they the ones that eat their young?
Nasty B's.
:-SS
Neil Thomas' Napoleonic Wargaming. Just arrived so glancing through it this afternoon :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 10 November 2016, 12:16:52 AM
So if films are made of their works who should play the aliens?
An Arthur Clark alien is tall, benign, god-like - Morgan Freeman
An Isaac Asimov alien speaks exactly like every other character - Sean Connery
A Philip K. Dick alien is the normal-looking chap next to you on the subway; also possibly yourself - Me, obviously
A Clifford Simak alien is trembling under a bush, waiting to be protected - Woody Allen
A Ray Bradbury alien is sitting on the porch in dungarees waiting for Mom to finish cooking the apple pie -
A Douglas Adams alien is drunk - Brian Cox or Ken Stott
An E. E. Doc Smith alien is dead - so many actors have qualified themselves for this part in 2016. Anton Yelchin or Kenny Baker maybe.
Don't know about Morgan Freeman and "god-like" - he seems to me to have based his career on a look of suffering victimhood (mind you, I suppose that's true of one popular god too).
Billy Bob Thornton for the Bradbury?
Quote from: fsn on 10 November 2016, 08:08:15 AM
Are they the ones that eat their young?
Nasty B's.
:-SS
Yup
So why are they still around?
Large broods
Large boobs? :d :d :d
Quote from: FierceKitty on 10 November 2016, 12:43:56 PM
Don't know about Morgan Freeman and "god-like" - he seems to me to have based his career on a look of suffering victimhood (mind you, I suppose that's true of one popular god too).
Billy Bob Thornton for the Bradbury?
Billy Bob Thornton works for me! Hadn't realised I'd missed that one.
(https://media.tenor.co/images/08db54fe1c49b725e5f94e9d53f3ee48/raw)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 09 November 2016, 04:25:45 PM
But was it an inside job for Charles?
Well history tells us that Charles had his secret Treaties with (and subsidies from) Louis XIV so who knows what other secrets he had. However, after Blood was captured, he managed to obtain an audience with Charles, Prince Rupert and Prince James so this suggests either extreme curiosity on Charles part or someone at Court persuaded him to do so. It was also quite uncharacteristic of Blood to commit a crime for personal gain - usually his activities were politically motivated. Blood said he did it for financial gain, saying he thought they were worth about £100K but as Charles had only paid about £6K for them it seems unlikely Charles was trying to raise funds for himself (although I seem to recall £30k was advanced for furnishing new regalia - Cromwell's regime had sold the old regalia to build warships, etc.). I'm still on the follow-up chapter and other theories have been postulated by the author but obviously I don't wish to say too much more in case someone else wishes to read this book.
:)
Hi
Just finished 'Burma '44', by James Holland. Excellent account of the Japanese HA-Go offensive in February 1944 and the 'battle of the Admin Box'. This was the first real victory by the British and Empire troops over the Japanese. Particularly useful for the use of tanks in the jungle (Grant/Lees of the 25th Dragoons).
Highly recommended.
Cheers Paul
Finished volume 80, No. 4 of "The Journal of Military History".
Articles on "Alexander's Cavalry Charge at Chaeronea, 338 BCE", "One Battle and Two Accounts: The Turkish Brigade at Kunu-ri in November 1950", Orphan of the Mekong Delta: The Army-Navy Mobile Riverine Force", as well as others.
Also many book reviews - good place to find books for a wants list.
Also finished a small booklet by Liddell Hart, entitled :The Future of Infantry". It came from lectures he gave in the early thirties to officers of the Southern Command.
A quick overview of the history of infantry and then into what he thinks it should be. Didn't quite turn out the way he envisioned, but close. He thought automatic weapons should be carried on motor or tracked vehicles rather than by the infantry.
What date was that?
The lecture was given 1931-1932.
Ah! Thanks.
An interesting time in the development of tanks.
Finished volume 2 of Moltke's "The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871". It covers the Republican period.
Couple of new books on the Korea war arrived today
Armoured warfare in the Korean war and To the last round, the epic British stand on the imjin river
The latter book is excellent.
Listening to "Jail Busters" by Robert Lyman.
(Which I take to be based on truth....... a true tale ?)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Matt J on 20 November 2016, 03:52:06 AM
Couple of new books on the Korea war arrived today
Armoured warfare in the Korean war and To the last round, the epic British stand on the imjin river
Yup. Would recommend both.
I'm reading "Chinese Hordes and Human Waves", the memoir of a British gunner in Korea.
I am currently reading the second of two books about the experiences of German soldiers defending Normandy on D Day. I have some personal interest as my Ex wife's uncle was one of those.
The books are titled "D day through German Eyes" and "D day through German Eyes 2".
the notes for them were compiled by a German journalist who wrote for the German Military Journals. He had visited Normandy in April 1944 to interview the troops their for an article. For various reasons this article was never written. In 1954 he tried to trace the people who he had interviewed previously or at least their surviving comrades to ask them of their experiences, None of this was published and his son found the interviews when he died.
The first book takes one combatant from each of the 5 beaches and interviews them of their experiences. Some are quite unique ie The Engineer who manned a "Goliath bunker" with 25 of the remote control machines to use against the tanks coming up the beach.
The one thing that struck me is the amount of incenry devices used, not just flame throwers but more often White Phosphorus in powder form in bombs and shells. Their is one graphic account of two hurricanes coming in low and skipping their bombs along the ground to burst against the bunkers.#
I am half way through the second book and recommend them as something very informative. There are many descriptions of defences and encounters so many could be used as the basis for scenario's.
Both Books are available on Kindle for a couple of quid.
Quote from: Orcs on 20 November 2016, 12:46:00 PM
The books are titled "D day through German Eyes" and "D day through German Eyes 2".
£1.99 on the Kindle - I'l have to go for those.
Didn't spend a lot of time of the titles, did they?
Is it just D-day or does it go into the campaign?
It takes each individual normally up top the point they were captured or the end of D Day.
The other thing I found very interesting is that they mainly thought they were "defending a United Europe"
So when they lost they formed the EU? - there is a whole conspiracy theory about that online
Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, audiobook
Prit Buttar
Collision of Empires
Quote from: cameronian on 21 November 2016, 12:23:00 PM
Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, audiobook
What do you call an uneasily-sleeping philosopher in a leafpile?
Quote from: FierceKitty on 23 November 2016, 12:49:20 AM
What do you call an uneasily-sleeping philosopher in a leafpile?
Question seven on my "Survey of Philosophy" final exam.
Oh God, i'm going to regret this, ok, what do you call an uneasily sleeping philosopher in a woodpile ?
Russel.
:'(
What do you call a man with a spade in his back? ... Doug.
What do you call a man without a spade in his back? ... Douglas.
What do you call a man with a Seagull on his head? ... Cliff.
What do you call a man with a car on his head? ... Jack.
What do you call a man with a waterproof coat on his back? ... Mac.
What do you call a man with a kilt? ... Scott.
What do you call a man lying flat on the floor? ... Matt.
Enough Xmas cracker jokes?
In an attempt to re-rail the thread ... I'm reading the DBA 3.0 rulebook. Or, more accurately, I'm pillaging the army lists in the rulebook for further ideas on the composition of Early Bronze Age armies!
Quote from: cameronian on 23 November 2016, 09:15:54 AM
Oh God, i'm going to regret this, ok, what do you call an uneasily sleeping philosopher in a woodpile ?
LEAFpile.
Yes.
Read through the Men Who Would Be Kings and it has made me think about digging up my Zulu War pack that I bought a few years ago and getting them painted up to try it out.
Quote from: Techno on 20 November 2016, 08:49:43 AM
Listening to "Jail Busters" by Robert Lyman.
and
Quote from: cameronian on 21 November 2016, 12:23:00 PM
Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, audiobook
Curious about audio books - never listened to one - are you actively listening to the exclusion of everything else, or is it just on in the background, as it were?
Thanks, Martyn
--
I find audio books great when I'm painting or driving or doing housework.
I also have a habit of starting to listen to something when in bed, then waking up several hours later with a huge gap in the plotline.
Quote from: Raider4 on 24 November 2016, 05:37:36 PM
Curious about audio books - never listened to one - are you actively listening to the exclusion of everything else, or is it just on in the background, as it were?
Thanks, Martyn
I find them either great fun...and very entertaining....(depending on the story, obviously.).....Or I get so engrossed in pushing putty around, that I don't listen properly, and get completely lost, as far as the plot is concerned.
Cheers - Phil.
I just finished "Balkan Wars" by Richard C. Hall. Now I am reading Jane Casey's "The Burning"
Balkan Wars were OK. The Burning is Burning!
"Jane Eyre" by Currer Bell
Still rate Ruth Wilson as my favourite incarnation of Jane Eyre.
Greetings
Volume IV of the War in the Air - official history mainly covering from June 1917 to March 1918.
Regards
Edward
Finished "Grant and Lee" by J.F.C. Fuller.
He likes Grant but thinks Lee was not a good general or General and Chief. Did not stand up to Davis. Bad on logistics and the overall state of the Confederacy.
I think the likes of Grant and Sherman operated in a way much more akin to the generals of Fuller's day. Lee was still in the age of honour. In some ways a pity war is no longer conducted in such a way.
Currently reading 'The reality of war' memoir of the Franco Prussian war.
It's by Leone Party, translated by Douglas Former.
It's really good & gives a good insight from a junior officers perspective.
Looks like auto carrot has buggered up Leonce Patry and Douglas Fermer.
;D
Finished "The McCully Report: The Russo-Japanese War, 1904-05", edited by Richard von Doenhoff.
Lieutenant Commander Newton McCully was the representative of the USN sent as an observer. He went to the Russians and traveled on the Siberian RR to the scene of the conflict. He spent time in Port Arthur and Vladivostock but was gone by Tushima.
He describes the damage to numerous Russian ships in their various sorties from Port Arthur before they were trapped there, and then the damage from artillery fire. He has diagrams showing the hits and by what type of shell. I was surprised by the number of engagements and how much damage was caused by mines, on both sides.
The last part is more of a travelog as he went from Russia to China; trains, horses and camels.
Overall, very interesting.
Also finished "Epic Retreats; From 1776 to the Evacuation of Saigon" by Stephen Tanner.
The chapters are:
Washington in New York
Napoleon in Russia
The Nez Perce in Montana
The Allies at Dunkirk
First Panzer Army in the Caucasus
Eighth Army in Korea
The Fall of South Vietnam
All well written and interesting. Plenty of detail and descriptions of the combat and retreats.
Good book.
France 1940 - Osprey in the rather nice hardback Praeger edition. I like to read this kind of stuff, but not interested in playing it.
Being a Weird World War fan, I am in the second book of John Birmingham's very well written Axis of Time trilogy on time travel/alternate WWII history. I find his work very deep and thoughtful, and obviously good food for thought for a mix of modern and WWII era stuff. The three books are
Weapons of Choice, Designated Targets and Final Impact.
If you are interested in Weird WWI, then Joseph Nassise's The Great Undead War is also enjoyable and good for gaming ideas.
Terry
Quote from: Subedai on 09 November 2016, 07:14:21 PM
Not militarily orientated at all but I found out how to download all of the E E Doc Smith's Lensman series to my Kindle. Had them all in the '70's and fancied reading them again. They are next after I finish the current pot-boiler of a D&D novel trilogy.
MickS
OOH I must take a look
Ifyou like that, Duckie, try the Dorsai Sagas. They're about humanity being split into various factions - hyper religious, intellectual, ... and the Dorsai who are a military mercenary faction.
Wargaming Pike and Shotte by Charles Wesencraft. So far a cracking little book and one that has a contemporary feel in terms of writing and rules compared to other books of that time. Awaiting his 'Practical Wargaming' to arrive as well :).
Finished "The Decisive Wars of History; A Study in Strategy" by Liddell Hart.
Greek wars through the French Revolution and Napoleon, then 1854 to 1914. He then added the World War (not WWI as the book was written in 1929).
Throughout he talks about his pet "indirect approach". Interesting to see what a military thinker of the early 1900's wrote.
Gettysburg by Sears - nice fat one-volume account beginning after the battle of Chancellorsville.
Finished "Six Days in June: How Israel Won the 1967 Arab-Israeli War" by Eric Hammel.
Great read. Much detailed combat descriptions with much information on the AFV's used, by both sides.
Will be waiting in hospital tomorrow, while my father in law gets eye surgery, will be taking this one:
(http://d1466nnw0ex81e.cloudfront.net/n_iv/600/1053081.jpg)
I'm not sure he'll appreciate that ;D
😀
Peter, will you show it to him before or after the surgery?
Quote from: d_Guy on 15 December 2016, 05:11:31 PM
😀
Peter, will you show it to him before or after the surgery?
Before of course, otherwise he may never see it.
Now seriously, i am really taking that one, weird coincidence, but that's the one i'm reading at the moment ;D ;D
Has everything to do with me buying 'the great war' last month at crisis. Really like that game, and want to read a bit more into the period. I think i will also bring this one:
(https://s.s-bol.com/imgbase0/imagebase3/large/FC/0/1/1/8/9200000014688110.jpg)
It's in dutch, but the cover reads: the first world war in pictures.
Hi
Just finished Anthony Beevor's, 'Ardennes 1944'. I thought it was a very good account of 'the Battle of the Bulge' and enjoyed reading it. A minor quibble would be the number of pages spent on battles just prior to the main event e.g. the battle for Aachen and the battle of the Hurtgen Forest, when I would have preferred more pages on the detail of the Battle of the Bulge itself.
He does raise the question (and not for the first time) about the possibility of Montgomery having some form of Asperger Syndrome.
It also got me thinking about books published on WWII before Enigma/Ultra came into general public knowledge and to their usefulness now. I have had Peter Elstob's, 'Hitler's Last Offensive', for many years and read it (and enjoyed it a lot) several times but it was first published in 1971 (I'm pretty sure before Enigma/Ultra came to light) so the book has to be read in that light. (Hope that makes some kind of sense).
Cheers Paul
Emir got me a copy of Paddy Griffiths "Battle in the Civil War" (the version that came with the old computer game. So I am slowly going through it, and enjoying it.
The major read is Pieter Judson "The Habsburg Empire". It is very much like Clarke's "Iron Kingdom". Very interesting themes. The part on feudalism in Galicia is one of the best summaries of all the wrong things with feudalism.
KT
Finished an interesting book by Liddell Hart, "The Current of War". He had written many articles for the Times based on what was happening about 1936 up to 1941 (Most likely more but this book was published in 1941). Because this is a collection of what had been written before certain events occurred, he has put together a paragraph introducing each article and discussing what actually happened.
He was pretty much spot on with his comments, as Britain was getting into the war. He pushed the idea of mechanization and said it was borne out by the Naziz. He talked about his expanding torrent idea, and how the Germans proved it correct. All in all, very enjoyable.
I just finished "Tom Horn vs The Warlords of Krupp" by Jackson Paul (a pseudonym) and can't claim it a great work by any stretch. The proof of the text is poor and seems to have been a single hit of spell-check there are so many wrong words, but you can figure out the right ones easy enough - still annoying. The plot is good, but the bottom line that detracts from it for me is that Tom Horn is a greater superman than even Superman!
As an example, here's Tom Horn, a cowboy from a ranch who has only, and just recently, flown in a Zeppelin, but with just a couple of minutes verbal instruction from one of the Wright brothers, and given while the bad guys are knocking at the door, he goes and flies a glide. And not only flies it, but without mishap and lands it safely on top of a moving Zeppelin! I won't even begin to describe all the bodily damage he takes and keeps right on beating vast numbers of bad guys!
All of that aside, it does provide a really good scenario for VSF gaming, and I am mulling over some HotT army possibilities for it.
Terry
For the first time in a couple of months I have started reading a military history book. In this case it is 'Chingis Khan Rides West' all about the Mongol Invasion of Khwarezmia in 1215-1221. Only on p. 23 so far but have already found out some background information that I wasn't aware of.
MickS
Finished "A Greater than Napoleon; Scipio Africanus" by B.H. Liddell Hart.
The author does a great job showing off Scipio's talents and the comparison to different Famous leaders including Napoleon is very interesting.
Another of Liddell Hart's books that I am enjoying.
Warband
Got a game in a couple of weeeks, just refamiliarising myself and trying to decide which army to use (Barbarians at the moment)!
Reading the big book of "Cold War Military Aircraft", which is a Xmas present, and "Cold War Jet Combat" by Martin Bowman on the Kindle (99p).
The former is what used to be termed a coffee table book, lots of big colourful plates and not many writings.
The other is a scoot through jet aircraft fights 1950-1982. Just reading about the "Indo-Pak" wars (not sure you'd get away with that in the UK), and am properly delighted to see the Gnat described as the "Sabre Slayer". Written with a very American viewpoint, it's what I tend to think of an overview which will lead to better things. For 99p, I'm not going to complain.
I'm about half way through a great book, which I understand is to be the first of a trilogy called "Hell Divers". It's a post-apoc story, but one that really captures you and has just the right amount of actin and tension. The main characters do not seem imbued with Bruce-Willis-Die-Hard Super abilities which I enjoy as it makes the story so much more believable. Also it gives good food for thought.
And one that can esily be adapted to gaming.
https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Divers-Trilogy-Book/dp/1455115983/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483898739&sr=1-1&keywords=hell+divers
Terry
I've just finished Jane Casey's Reckoning. Awesome!
Last night I started E.J. Ericksonn's Defeat in Detail- Ottoman Army during Balkan Wars 1912-13 (in Turkish). I was waiting so long the get hold of this book.
Finished "Elusive Victory: The Arab-Israeli Wars: 1947-1974" bu Trevor Dupuy.
Another good book with much that is tactical. Dupuy did interviews with both sides so it seems well balanced. He gives the Arabs some high marks for their planning and stamina. Also for the Israelis who changed defeat into victory.
Finished "Blitzkrieg: Myth, Reality,and Hitler's Lighting War: France 1940" by Lloyd Clark.
This is a good read. Much detail about the opening moves and how the French couldn't cope. Much anxiety on the German side, but a few hard drivers kept the momentum going (Rommel, Guderian for two).
Conn Iggulden - The Wars of the Roses series. I started and stopped with this about a year ago, but a couple of weeks back I picked it up again and really got into it. The problem is that the first couple of chapters of book one, about Margaret of Anjou's childhood, are not very gripping. However, if you persevere the book gets very much better. I am now halfway through book 2 and the Battle of St.Albans (1st) has taken place. The description is very good indeed. There are one or two niggles still. Iggulden keeps describing the bulk of English soldiers at this time as pikemen and axemen. I would have plumped for spearmen and billmen. Furthermore he seems to think that most soldiers, especially fully armoured knights, still carried shields at this time, when the vast majority no longer did. Nevertheless, the story is developing well and holding my attention. As a historical novel I'd give 8/10.
Just started Tank Men by Robert Kershaw, before that been reading Thud by Terry Pratchett and the Rogue Stars rules.
Finished "Naval Logistics" by Vice Admiral George Dyer, a Naval Institute Press book from 1960. Primarily current events from the 50"s, but some WWI and WW II history plus some good pictures. However, a tough slog to get through it.
I have several books on logistics, but primarily ground forces and historical; this was different.
Oh dear, just when you think it's safe to go back in the water Iggulden gives the worst description of the Battle of Blore Heath ever. No cavalry charges at the Yorkist line (instead a cavalry melee :-/), no Yorkist artillery, but the Lancatrians have a couple of guns, no mention of a priest firing off the Yorkist guns at night to allow Salisbury's force to slip away. I was surprised to read that the clash of arms occurred because Audley lost control of his infantry, who abandoned their high ground position and conducted a mad, Hollywood-style dash on the Yorkist position, on the opposite high ground. Now all the descriptions I've previously read of this battle indicate that the Lancastrian archers exchanged fire with the Yorkist archers, but with relatively little effect. As a consequence the Lancastrians launched at least two, and possibly three, cavalry charges at the Yorkist line. These were unsuccessful and somewhere in these charges (the third one may have been on foot) Lord Audley was killed on the slope below the Yorkist line. At this point the Lancastrian morale collapsed, and as their army retreated they were pursued for some distance by Yorkist currours. However there were more Lancastrian troops available which is why Salisbury used the cannon ruse to withdraw and continue his march to Ludlow that night.
Towards the Flame by Dominic Leven, Empire War and the end of Tzarist Russia. Really brilliant read, every bit as good as Chris Clark, an absolute find (on audio, v good narrator).
Finished "British Light Infantry in the Eighteenth Century" by COL J.F.C. Fuller. This was a Xerox copy received from a friend.
Well done history up to the French Revolution. It discusses the history of light troops and how Indians and the American Revolution sort of paved the way. However, hard for traditionalists in the upper ranks to cope. The lack of a good weapon was part of it. Most of the time light troops were raised for a conflict and then quickly disbanded afterwards. No lessons learned by doing that.
I enjoyed it (and a quick read).
Finished Pieter M.Judson's "The Habsburg Empire: A New History"
A very very good book.
My very political biased (I filed it under the Political Propaganda label in my blog) book review/reaction can be found her
http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/01/book-reaction-habsburg-empire-new.html (http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/01/book-reaction-habsburg-empire-new.html)
That said it tired me out. So for a break I am reading Book 3 of Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Endurance.
Next big book is Peter McPhee "Liberty of Death: The French Revolution".
Quote from: KTravlos on 27 January 2017, 07:34:41 PM
Finished Pieter M.Judson's "The Habsburg Empire: A New History"
A very very good book.
My very political biased (I filed it under the Political Propaganda label in my blog) book review/reaction can be found her
http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/01/book-reaction-habsburg-empire-new.html (http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/01/book-reaction-habsburg-empire-new.html)
That said it tired me out.
Great Review, more than enough to make me get a copy!
Mollinary
Reading Duffy's The Army of Maria Theresa, marvellous.
"Reading Duffy's The Army of Maria Theresa, marvellous."
A exquisite book.
Sorry, when I see Duffy I think: https://youtu.be/y7ZEVA5dy-Y. :D
Finished "When Britain Goes to War: Adaptability and Mobility" by Liddell Hart. A giant discussion of his belief in a mechanized, armored, force. He discounts infantry, other than something he calls "tank marines", which would eventually become armored infantry.
He relates the experiments of the mech force for the various years, 1932 to 1935. Interesting.
Quote from: kipt on 21 January 2017, 06:06:59 PM
Finished "Naval Logistics" by Vice Admiral George Dyer, a Naval Institute Press book from 1960. Primarily current events from the 50"s, but some WWI and WW II history plus some good pictures. However, a tough slog to get through it.
I have several books on logistics, but primarily ground forces and historical; this was different.
What are your favorite books on logistics? I have Supplying War and book about Alexander the Great's logistics but otherwise haven't found much that seems interesting.
I will check tonight and give a list.
Wow! that comes as a massive surprise. There are those who find it impossible to run a campaign without counting each pound of flour, number of musket balls/arrows, length of latrine pits and numbers/time to dig them. Personally I prefer to get on with the scrapping. My copy of The Organisation of War Under Edward III is still languishing unread on the bookshelf after only four years.
Kipt got in first so my massive surprise comment refers to the post before his.
Here are the books on Supply/Logistics in my bookshelf.
"For Want of a Nail: The Impact on War of Logistics and Communications", Kenneth Macksey, 1989, Good
"For Want of a Nail: The Influence of Logistics on War", Hawthorne Daniel, 1948, Good
"Pure Logistics", George Thorpes, 1986, Good
"Feeding Mars: Logistics in Western Warfare from the Middle Ages to the Present", John Lynn ed, 1993, OK
"How to Feed an Army", Military publication, USA, 1901, nuts and bolts detail on ration sizes and weights
"Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton", Martin Van Creveld, 1980, very good
"The Royal Army Service Corps: A History of the Transport and Supply in the British Army", COL Beadon with a forward by John Fortescue, 1932, volumes 1 and 2, detailed but slow
"The Organization and Administration of the Lines of Communication in War", COL Furse, 1894, similar to "How to Feed an Army" above. Again detailed but slow
"The Sinews of War: Army Logistics 1775-1953, Army Historical Series (USA), 1966, a very good, detailed picture of the times
"The Predecessors of the Royal Army Service Corps: 1757 - 1888" by LTC Masse, 1948, a good overview
"Confederate Supply", Richard Goff, 1969, a good history of Confederate problems
"Logistics and the Failure of the British Army in America: 1775-1783, R. Arthur Bowler, 1975, very specific but good
"Supply in Modern War", Col Shaw with a preface by MG J.F.C. Fuller, 1938, discusses WWI and the period between the wars, interesting
There is information about supply in several other books such as Hamley's "Operations of War".
The easiest to get is Van Creveld, and possibly the most helpful. The "Sinews of War" is also good and most likely available through the US Publishing of the Army Historical series. The others are searches and finds from used book stores and on line dealers.
Hope this helps.
Thanks! Some of those look pretty interesting even if, I'm with Leman in thinking that games are rarely made better by including supply issues.
I suspect that Kipt's list is indicative of the difference between professionals and amateurs ;)
I find when carefully handled supply difficulties can add another dimension to games, the key is to ensure that the tracking doesn't become too onerous
A simple example is having limited indirect fire missions for artillery, but not tracking direct fire weapons or mortar ammunition
I just finished "Fox the Rhine", and am well into the squeal "Fox at the Front". I am a big fan of Weird World War and alternate history and this two volume work is truly one of the best and most creative alternate histories of WW2 I've read so far. One aspect is a bit tough to swallow, but the two authors do a good job of presenting it, and in such a way as to make it acceptable.
Terry
Battlegroup rulebook to get a better handle on the rules post my first game.
Has anyone read King Arthur's Wars by Jim Storr, if so what is it any good?
I have been try to post this question as a separate topic but site is not letting me :'(
Cheers
Ian
It is the apostrophe in the topic title that will be stopping you, a bug that appear a few weeks ago ~X(
Currently reading The Crusades by Thomas Asbridge..Very interesting and highly recommended. I knew the basics but didn't realise there was so much Muslim in fighting at the time that allowed the Crusader kingdoms to become established
Have you read The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf?
I found it a fascinating book, one I would recommend anyone to read
Cheers
Ian
Fight for the Throne by Duffy. Nice to be reading a 'proper' book rather than rulebooks, which I had been doing over the Xmas and New Year period.
"The Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: The History and Legacy of the Beginning of Egyptian Civilisation" - Charles River Editors
Picked up a Kindle copy for around a quid. A brief overview of Old Kingdom Egypt that I'm finding interesting but it's not exactly a page turner!.
Finishes Book 3 in the Legend of Galactic Heroes series by Yoshiki Tanka, "Endurance". As always Alliance Admiral Yang Wen Li has the pertinent quotes.
"Perhaps nations were nothing more than expedients created to justify human madness"
"States unworthy of their own existence, jealous of people who did deserve to live, took as many with them as they could in the moment they were cast into hell"
"Rudolf the Great ( explanatory point: who committed mass genetic and racial genocide in the tune of billions) could not be defeated by the sword. However, we know about the sins he committed against the human race. That is the power of the pen. The pen can indict a dictator who lived hundreds of years ago-of tyrants who lived thousands of years ago. You cannot travel back in history with a sword, but with a p en, you can do that."
Pertinent in our times, especially with the rising choruses that try to explain away past evil as normal.
Also in my two hour Istanbul commute: Two Osprey MAA books: Imperial Chinese Armies 1840-1911 and Chinese Warlord Armies 1911-30. Both were good light readings.
Quote from: Sandinista on 01 February 2017, 11:51:09 PM
Have you read The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf?
I found it a fascinating book, one I would recommend anyone to read
Cheers
Ian
I haven't. I shall keep an eye out for it
Finished "This Expanding War" by Liddell Hart. Published in 1942, he tells the news from the various fronts along with his written commentaries of the time.
Discusses the news from Russia over a period of time (invasion, Russians are not doing well to Moscow where they counterattack), Africa (pushing back the Italians to the back and forth with Rommel), Malaya (with the British retreating to Singapore and losing it) and to Greece and Crete. His columns in the Times were good.
His being a military writer since WWI gives him a lot of insight and he gets it correct most of the time.
Of course he still pushes relatively small armored divisions with his Tank Marines at the expense of "heavy" infantry divisions.
About halfway through "The Anglo-Scottish Wars 1513-1550" by Gervase Philips.
Bought through Amazon but took nearly 4 weeks,on arrival I spotted there was now a UK seller :)
Ganymede by Cherie Priest
I am now on Conn Iggulden's third Wars of the Roses novel. By this stage, although he still seems to have a fixation on shields, he is at last mentioning the use of billhooks (he never calls them bills or refers to billmen). His description of the battle of Towton is pretty good.
Finished "The Remaking of Modern Armies" by Liddell Hart. Printed in 1927, he emphasizes that "the Keynote of this book is MOBILITY". He presses for AFV's and mobile infantry (but not too many of them - he says that armies are too bloated, hence immobile).
His mobility encompasses movement, action, organization and of thought. He says "the Great Powers have based their doctrines on the Napoleonic method of absolute war", meaning the destruction of the opposing army. The real meaning is the destruction of the enemy's command and control and morale. Not necessarily ahead of his time (blitzkrieg was 13 years in the future), but clear thinking.
He then discusses the current French army and has a postscript on the origin of the tank.
"Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia" by Karen Rhea Nemet-Nejat.
Looks at the evidence from archaeology and from the translation of the huge haul of clay tablets and other inscriptions and what it tells us of life in Mesopotamia from the Stone Age to the Babylonians.
Anthony Beevor - Ardennes 1944
Consumed rapidly while on a mini break in the Canaries last week. Mr Beevor always incredibly readable.
However the consequence is that my planned forces for Normandy have now been moved to Ardennes necessitating further Pendraken purchases!
Finished another book by Liddell Hart, "Through The Fog Of War", published 1938, US edition.
He discusses the personalities, different views of the war by Lloyd George, Henry Wilson, Foch and Pershing to mention a few and historical views of the war, by year.
His epilogue is "Some Lessons of History". He says "The study of history offers us that opportunity [here he speaks to others experiences]. It is universal experience - infinitely longer, wider, and more varied than any individual's experience. How often do we hear people claim a knowledge of the world and of life because they are sixty or seventy years old...There is no excuse for any literate person if he is less than three thousand years old in mind."
I rather liked that description of learning from others experiences.
Made a really unexpected discovery at our local library the other day that I have just finished reading.
A new book by one of my favorite naval authors - Onslaught by David Poyer.
Like the previous books in his modern naval series Poyer's latest installment is IMHO taughtly written, very authentic and just plainly very very good.
There's a fair amount of books of this genre out there, ranging from good to plain silly.
I find Poyer's lead character, Dan Lenson to be very believeable, though he always seems to have a lot more on his plate to deal with onboard than the average ship CO would have to contend with, and thats before the missiles start flying ;)
Still one hell of a read... 10/10 rating from me :-bd
Pity my library doesn't really make my day by buying in some titles by my favourite naval author, though I have bought copies of all his books anyway :) To me Dewey Lambdin is light years ahead of any other AoS author - I have been a fan from the moment I read the first page of "The King's Coat" in the early nineties.
Finished "The Journal of Military History, vol61, No.1". I didn't find this as interesting as previous.
Articles include:
The Slave Soldiers of Africa
The Abolition of Prize Money in the United States Navy Reconsidered
The Battle of Culloden
Also many book reviews.
Ship of fools by Fintan O'Toole, a critique of the Irish banking scandal and crash.
Greetings
GFR Henderson's 'Worth' - on the August 1870 battle, read last night on kindle when I couldn't sleep from the effects of jetlag.
Written as an aid to the study of tactics it includes tactical lessons, a vast bibliography and interesting statistics on ranges fire opened and effective, how local counter attacks were successful or not etc.
Edward
'Frank' Henderson's studies are brilliant, if you're gaming either Froeschwiller or Spichern they're a must.
James Falkner - Marlborough's Military Machine, on Kindle.
The story of the Arab Legion by John Bagot Glubb.
The March to Magdala by G.A. Henty
A collection of journalist's dispatches written as Robert Napier's British expedition makes its way across Ethiopia to rescue diplomats being held hostage by the Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II aka Theodore. Since the Ethiopians were the opposite of united in support of the Emperor, most of the book is describing the difficulty is in road making and logistics across very difficult terrain.
Under the Red Sea Sun by Rear Admiral Edward Ellsberg
An account by an American salvage expert of his attempts to repair the port of Massawa which the Italians had destroyed before fleeing. Very interesting and apparently a lot was accomplished with very little and despite the ports notorious climate. However, Ellsberg was just hitting his stride when Alamein and Torch rendered his work somewhat moot.
The Sinews of War James A Huston
An account of US logistics from the Revolution to Korea. Recommended in this thread and I second the recommendation.
Currently reading "Army of the Fantastic" , a collection of short of a weird world war type nature. Some very creative works in this book and for anyone who enjoys the the weird world war genre, it's a worthy read.
Terry
Just finished 'It never snows in September' by Robert Kershaw, couldn't get into it though. Now going to have a bash at 'A Street in Arnhem' by the same author!!
Shame you didn't get on with It Never Snows, it has great amounts of detail, but perhaps isn't that readable.
A Street in Arnhem, is a great book, much tighter focus, 1 street, admittedly a long one, rather than 80 miles of fighting. So its much more readable, as it dosen't have to cover so many units, so can focus on individuals much more. I really liked the idea of this book, as so much of the Arnhem story is about things happening at different times at different places, which is therefore pretty complex. This has the view from a static location, over a longer time period, so really provides a different view on the battle.
Currently Reading, "'Better Begging Than Fighting' The Royalist Army in Exile in The War against Cromwell 1656-1660" by John Barrett.
A quick but well explained overview with the center piece being the "Battle of the Dunes". Many contemporary illustrations (mostly portraits) in B&W and a few color plates including three modern interpretations of common soldiers. (127 pages, vol 7 of the Century of the Soldier, Helion, 2016).
I just finished the main body of Peter McPhee's "Liberty or Death: the French Revolution". I still have to read the 50 pages of notes. I will have a lot to say but for the time being this suffices
This is the DAMN GREATEST t book on the French Revolution that I have read in my life to this point. It is a masterpiece, and all secondary literature to follow will have to first deal with it. It has changed my views on many things, provided nuance were previously the vile simplifications of propaganda rule, and treats the Revolution and its actors as protagonists of their own story, rather than as actors conscripted to other plays.
A bloody masterpiece, that is what this is.
Finished "A History of the World War 1914-1918" by Liddell Hart. This was originally published in 1930, but the edition I have is the second enlarged edition printed in 1938.
this is one of the better WWI books I have read. He was able to talk to many of the participants, and had written about the war during the time, so was very informed. He discusses the participants, the different battles and areas as well as the tank and the war in the air.
Enjoyed it quite a bit.
Hi
Just finished 'Mr Lincoln's Army' for about the fourth time, the first volume of Bruce Catton's story of the Army of the Potomac.
Now that man could really write, superb story telling. For any one interested in the American Civil War or simply wants to read extremely well written English prose - a must read. Very different style to the way most modern military history is written.
Cheers Paul
Listening to.....Bravo Two Zero, by 'Andy McNab.'
To start with......I imagined it was a 'true' account......But from a bit of research, it sounds like some/a fair bit of fact dressed up with an awful lot of 'I'll make a lot of this up, to make it more exciting'.....and make my part far more heroic.
I'm treating it as 'faction' now.......
Cheers - Phil
Know what you mean. I remember at the time thinking that some of the stuff he said was fantastic but thought, "who am I to question?" (I've only read about the experience of veterans), accepted him at his word. Wasn't it Chris Ryan who shopped him?
Just finished Ras Alula and the Scramble for Africa by Hagai Erlich.
It's a biography of Ras Alula (obviously) who was a leader/general in Ethiopia in the decades leading up to the Italian invasion and the battle of Adawa in 1896. The number of betrayals and shifting alliances is worth of RR Martin. The main take away is that where previously the Italians assumption that Menelik could never keep his army together seemed quite reckless, after reading this book it seems just common sense. Considering that it's based on the authors Ph.D. thesis and has a ton of footnotes, it quite an interesting read.
Warmaster Ancients - I think I may go down this route with my 10mm ancient armies, but use the 40mm frontage for shock troops to make them more versatile, e.g. for use with To the Strongest.
Quote from: KTravlos on 11 March 2017, 12:10:19 PM
I just finished the main body of Peter McPhee's "Liberty or Death: the French Revolution". I still have to read the 50 pages of notes. I will have a lot to say but for the time being this suffices
Here is a the short review, followed by political ramblings. The start of one is clearly delineated from the other, so that you can avoid the politics.
http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/03/reactions-to-peter-mcphee-liberty-or.html (http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/03/reactions-to-peter-mcphee-liberty-or.html)
Quote from: KTravlos on 21 March 2017, 07:56:39 PM
Here is a the short review, followed by political ramblings. The start of one is clearly delineated from the other, so that you can avoid the politics.
http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/03/reactions-to-peter-mcphee-liberty-or.html (http://blog.irstohasmoi.com/2017/03/reactions-to-peter-mcphee-liberty-or.html)
Thanks, Konstantinos, nice review.
One final point I forgot to make in the review. Reading this book just rendered the Napoleonic Wars much , much more boring compared to the 1789-1799 period. It just is not the same after McPhee's book.
Nice blog Konstantinos
Cheers
Ian
Thank you Ian.
The Napoleonic Wargame by G W Jeffrey pub 1974 - definitely old school, complete with "bounce-sticks" and canister templates, but a worthwhile read which has made me think, particularly over how artillery batteries are represented on the wargame table.
I remember not only bounce sticks and canister templates but George himself. I guess that makes me old school too! :)
Finished "T. E. Lawrence" by Liddell Hart. Hart knew Lawrence and thought a lot of him. This book was written before Lawrence had his fatal accident.
Quite a bit on the various Arab tribes and their exploits. Well done.
Also finished "Deterrence or Defense" by Liddell Hart. This book was written during the Cold War and discusses the problem with the nuclear threat. tactical nukes were not a solution to the problem, but most likely a step into mutual destruction.He discusses the various scenarios in Western Europe as well as the northern and southern fronts. Some tactical ideas about tanks and night combat.
For me not as compelling as his other books before and during the war, but some interesting parts.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 23 March 2017, 03:13:31 PM
I remember not only bounce sticks and canister templates but George himself. I guess that makes me old school too! :)
We still use bounce sticks and canister templates in one of the rule sets we regularly use for Napoleonics :)
Most of the figures are Airfix as well :) :)
So you are not alone in that school ;)
Osprey's Armies of the Balkan Wars - the possibilities in Irregular 6mm now look very intriguing.
Quote from: Leman on 24 March 2017, 08:47:19 AM
Osprey's Armies of the Balkan Wars - the possibilities in Irregular 6mm now look very intriguing.
Funnily enough, just yesterday I was thinking about getting this one off my bookshelf and putting together an order for some Irregular 6mm Balkan Wars armies! Now that Konstantinos's set of 15 scenarios is almost complete, I plan to start playing some of them.
Meanwhile I am reading an unpublished (or hopefully, "soon-to-be-published") manuscript by a buddy who is a former US special forces officer, about his time in Somalia. Tasty.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
'A Last Wild Place' - Mike Tomkies and an old biography of Lenin.
Neal Asher's 'Infinity Engine' appeared last night, that will be my Easter read!
Quote from: paulr on 23 March 2017, 06:23:15 PM
We still use bounce sticks and canister templates in one of the rule sets we regularly use for Napoleonics :)
Most of the figures are Airfix as well :) :)
So you are not alone in that school ;)
Have you tried therapy?
Quote from: Chris Pringle on 24 March 2017, 09:12:39 AM
Funnily enough, just yesterday I was thinking about getting this one off my bookshelf and putting together an order for some Irregular 6mm Balkan Wars armies! Now that Konstantinos's set of 15 scenarios is almost complete, I plan to start playing some of them.
Meanwhile I am reading an unpublished (or hopefully, "soon-to-be-published") manuscript by a buddy who is a former US special forces officer, about his time in Somalia. Tasty.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/One thought so far - 1860s Mexican Republicans for the Greek Italian Volunteers (they also make great proxies for French Garde Mobile).
Three Weeks in November by Ralph Weaver. Just started it, but had a quick flick through earlier, and it looks to be a lovely little book on the Swiss Civil War of 1847. I'm eagerly awaiting his book on the Hungarian War of Independence 1848 - 1849.
Quote from: Leman on 24 March 2017, 02:28:43 PM
One thought so far - 1860s Mexican Republicans for the Greek Italian Volunteers (they also make great proxies for French Garde Mobile).
Then you're one thought further ahead than me!
Finished "The Amphibians Came to Conquer: The Story of Admiral Kelly Turner", Volume 1, by Vice Admiral George Dyer.
Much better than the previous book I read on Naval Logistics by Admiral Dyer.
This discusses Admiral Turner's life before, during and after Annapolis. The major theme, besides Kelly Turner, is the invasion of Guadalcanal, but not from the combat view point. It lists all the transports (AK's), supply ships (AP's), LST's, LCI's, DD's, Minelayers and destroyer transports in the invasion. It discusses the logistics of the landing, buildup of supplies and establishing a base.
After Guadalcanal it goes into the invasion of the Russell island area. Volume 2 will be the other invasions Kelly Turner was in command of the attacking forces.
The Vanquished, Robert Gerwath, Europe in the 'peace' of 1919 - 1925, more like the Thirty Years War in places.
Finished "The Strategy of Indirect Approach" by Liddell Hart. This "new and enlarged addition" was published in 1946 and gives a history of wars from the Greeks to 1914 in Part I. Part II is WWI, though when it was first written in 1929, that was the Great War. Part III discusses WWII.
Throughout he shows how the Indirect Approach to the enemy, either by maneuver or disruption of C3 is better than head on into the enemy strength (too often what our games do, but most are tactical).
Good history and interesting to see what his discussions of future war were in the 1930's. He thought defense would be so great due to the speed of mechanized forces that could quickly get to a threatened area, that a stalemate was possible. Then, after WWII, he talks about Hitler's psychological approach to his enemies as another application of the Indirect Approach.
To me, one of the better Liddell Hart books that I have been reading.
Paret and others (including John Mearsheimer who built his early career on a de-construction of Liddle Hart http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100306410 (http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100306410)) have attacked this specific Hart book for straining the concept of indirect approach to fit his goal, and improper use of cases. I have to agree. My reading of "The Strategy of the Indirect Approach" did smack more of a polemic than a reasoned analysis, one stacking the evidence in support of its argument is problematic ways.
I agree. LH was trying to get his views accepted more and fit the actions to his thoughts.
Finished "Victory Fever on Guadalcanal: Japan's First Land Defeat of WW II", by William Bartsch.
This is a tactical account from both the American and Japanese sides. It is only about the combat at the Tenaru River (actually Alligator Creek). And then only Colonel Ichiki's first 900 man detachment. the Colonel did not wait for the remainder of his force (Victory Fever mentality). Out of the 916 men who arrived at Guadalcanal, only about 130 survived and of these 100 did not participate, waiting at the landing beach.
The author interviewed veterans or their families over a 10 year period. He was also able to get Japanese accounts through a Japanese historian.
Very well written and a compelling narrative.
I finished book number 17 in the Aubrey-Maturin series, thus coming closer to the point were this delight will be gone from my life. Ah well, all things end.
I am now reading "The Devil's Lieutenant" by M. Fagyas.
I also finished writing two things for the hobby. A article on the activity of the Garlibaldini during the 1st Balkan War I hope to see published in the Foreign Correspondent, and a longer war-gamers resource and background piece on the Balkan Wars (for a special project).
Konstantinos
Finished issue 56 of the "Gettysburg Magazine". Published twice a year.
Articles this issue include "the Sunrise Hours at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863" (discusses the decisions and actions of Lee and Meade).
"I Cannot Think What Has Become of Stuart" (the ramifications of the missing cavalry).
"The Hancock - Walker Correspondence" (Walker was a staff officer with Hancock and the letters are after the war discussing who was where and what happened after Hancock's wounding).
Finished "Austro-Hungarian Cruisers and Destroyers 1914-1918" by Ryan Noppen, an Osprey booklet.
Specs, drawings and pictures as per the title. Typical Osprey naval.
100& odd pages into latest Neal Asher, ohh its good
Finished another Osprey, "British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars" by Philip Haythornwaite.
Again a typical Osprey with interesting illustrations. I have all the same information elsewhere, but I buy all the Napoleonic Osprey's.
Finished Infinity Engine.
Ulp!
Finished M.Faygas "The Devil's Lieutenant". This was a great book. If you like a good atmospheric mystery, set in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, I greatly recommend it. Depressing though.
Now reading Huseyin Sukru Ilicak "A Radical Rethinking of Empire: The Ottoman State and Society during the Greek War of Independence". Dissertation that provides a great different perspective of the Greek Revolution. Worth reading.
Breaking Point of the French Army: The Nivelle Offensive Of 1917 by David Murphy
Quite a high level book covering the politics, the planning, the battles, the mutinies and the aftermath
What is interesting is that the official files on the mutiny will remain closed until 2017
I've just checked the Kindle price - when I bought it on Kindle it was 99p - it is now £15.19!!!!!!
Don't bother
I haven't started any of the above.
Finished another book by Liddell Hart, "Europe In Arms". Published in 1937 as Europe looks more menacing and is rearming, he discusses the air forces, the various armies and air forces. The book has 4 parts: Forces, Problems, Measure and Forecasts.
He pushes for mechanization and better training for all, starting with the commanders. His foresight is about half correct, as he says with antagonists both mechanized there would probably be a deadlock after the initial rush. Of course he doesn't discuss what would happen if one side was unprepared.
It was interesting to see what discussion was occurring before the war started. One of the more interesting Hart books to me.
Just finished James D Hornfischers 'Neptune's Inferno' about the naval battles for guadalcanal and how the USN learnt to fight surface (night) battles at a very hight cost. Excellent book! Really gripping and showing you the blood and gore that are the result of heavy ordnance tearing through layers of steel...
Now just started 'Somme' by Lynn MacDonald. I like the way she gets the participants to speak to you but miss the solid military history that I believe should be used s a framework. Even so; well worth it!
Cheers,
Rob
Finished "The British Way of Warfare" by Liddell Hart. This one done in 1932.
In it he says that the British had a distinct practice of war. Don't get entangled on the continent - mobility and surprise. But 1914 to 1918 changed that and what came after.
Some of his chapters:
"The Fallacy of French Strategy", "Who Won the Marne?", "The Future of Armament-and its Future Use", "The Weapons of Land Warfare-To-Day and Tomorrow".
At the end he gives his "concentrated essence of war":
1. Do choose the line (or course) of least expectation.
2. Exploit the line of least resistance.
3.Take a line of operation which offers alternative objectives.
4.Ensure that both plan and dispositions are elastic, or adaptable.
5.Don't lunge when your opponent can parry.
Don't renew an attack along the same line (or in the same form) after it has once failed.
Good for wargames also.
Ι just finished Sukru Ilicak's (Sukru Ilijak) dissertation "A Radical Rethinking of Empire: Ottoman State and Society during the Greek War of Independence 1821-1826". It a remarkable piece of work based on Ottoman primary sources. It details the ideational and political reaction of the Ottoman state and society to the Greek Revolution, as well as how the revolution triggered the massive political and social transformations that would culminate in the Tanzimat reforms. A must read for those interested in further understanding the Greek Revolution and its impact. It is also a good description of the kind of forces the Ottoman state was able to mobilized against the Greeks before they gave up and called in Mehmet Ali Pasha of Egypt. A good lay down of the character of the final pre-modern Ottoman armies.
I have uploaded in the 19th Century Warfare and Wargaming Facebook Group, so feel free to grab it, or get it from a friend in the group.
Next up? "The Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885-Combat at Slivnitsa" by Colonel Regenspursky. Reading for the current Theme of the 19th Century Warfare and Wargaming Group.
After re-reading Washburn's "The great Martian Invasion" I am now starting the new second volume in the trilogy - "The Breakout". Really enjoyed the first one and lots of great gaming possibilities. That's one problem with HOTT, I find myself continuing to add armies to paint that I'll need to live another hundred years to do.....but it's just so much fun creating them!
Terry
Sorry Terry I can't see the problem here ;)
Coincidently, Terry, just started reading the first book, "Invasion", this evening. Just put it down actually! As you said, a hundred more years. :)
https://wordery.com/the-battle-of-koniggratz-in-1866-patrick-joseph-shrier-9781519790866?currency=GBP>rck=TEJZNm03VGY0ckNXM0ZZcFhkOXc3V1E5YTJRK2Z2c1ZVVGZKeFdtblg3OFo0dG5vc3U0eFdJcGRVOUo5TStBbTRTdG1KRWlCSlQ5b3pWZzJxQ3BzeHc9PQ&gclid=CPvB7bDuvNMCFRIz0wod3akE2A
Anybody read this ?
Just started "The ar of the Gun Boats" by Bryan Cooper.
Lots of derring-do, zipping about at 40 knots!
Good intro to the subject.
Unfortunately, my butterfly is twitching its wings.
Quote from: cameronian on 24 April 2017, 11:42:30 AM
https://wordery.com/the-battle-of-koniggratz-in-1866-patrick-joseph-shrier-9781519790866?currency=GBP>rck=TEJZNm03VGY0ckNXM0ZZcFhkOXc3V1E5YTJRK2Z2c1ZVVGZKeFdtblg3OFo0dG5vc3U0eFdJcGRVOUo5TStBbTRTdG1KRWlCSlQ5b3pWZzJxQ3BzeHc9PQ&gclid=CPvB7bDuvNMCFRIz0wod3akE2A
Anybody read this ?
No, but at £8.48 I've just ordered a copy.
At that price we can't lose but I'm not holding my breath. I'm presuming you've ordered the new Wargaming History 1866 Vol II ?
Certainly have. I imagine it will have much higher production values.
Finished "Airpower Reborn: The Strategic Concepts of John Warden and John Boyd", edited by John Andre Olsen.
Five chapters plus the introduction.
"Paradigm Lost: Airpower Theory and Its Historical Struggles". A bit esoteric for me but a pretty good historical overview.
"The Enemy as a Complex Adaptive System: John Boyd and Airpower in the Postmodern Era". Good discussion of the OODA loop
"Smart Strategy, Smart Airpower". This one by John Warden, and it discusses his Five Ring model.
"Fifth-Generation Strategy". In my mind it pushes airpower as prime with the other military forces as secondary.
"Airpower Theory". For me a well balanced discussion on how air, ground, naval, cyber power and space power could (should?) integrate. The best chapter in the book in my mind.
Somewhat out of my interest period, that being horse and musket, but I read a lot and because it mentioned John Boyd I was interested.
Quote from: fsn on 24 April 2017, 12:37:17 PM
Just started "The "ar" of the Gun Boats" by Bryan Cooper.
Oi takes it they be from Zummerset, then, arr?
Nah. They have a piratical air.
Be you one o' those bods who reckon Brisl be in Gloucestershire.
No it be in Wales arrrrr Jim Lad
I just started long waited "The Wars of German Unifications" by Dennis Showalter.
It started hard and slow but now going nice and smooth. I liked his style of writing.
Where does it take off? I started reading it a couple of years back and stalled as it seemed a little like wading through porridge. However, I am reading a lot from that period at the moment, so would want to have another crack at it if it is worthwhile.
Finished a short one, "The Armageddon Inheritance" by David Weber, he of Honor Harrington renown.
Good space opera but vol 2 of the series. Ned to go find 1 and 3, which my son has.
Last week I finished "The Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885-Combat at Slivnitsa" by Colonel Regenspursky, a Nafziger translation. I got it from Caliver Books.
This is pretty much the only readily available source in english for the military aspect of the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885 (there are some older public domain books as well). This is an in depth study of the battle of Slivnitsa. The Author wrote from the Bulgarian perspective, but also relied on another book written by a foreign observer from the Serbian one. It is a dense book providing a very good overview of the military operations from the start of the war and up to,and including, the Battle of Slivinitsa. Unfortunately it does not give but a cursory coverage of the Battle of Pirot.
And interesting thing is that you can see why military observers might had been mistaken that the bayonet attack was still a decisive weapon. The Serbian doctrine was to win the fire-fight, while the Bulgarians, Russian trained, relied on cold steel. In general in this battle the cold steel won. However, a conclusion on the superiority of the bayonet can only come by dis-regarding two key elements here: 1) The terrible fire discipline of the Serbians who expended a lot of ammunition without always being able to hit. 2) The fact that while the Bulgarians and Serbians had comparable rifles, the Serbs were still using La Hitte guns.
Another thing the book nicely points out is how in such minor power wars, a decisive factor was the availability of ammunition. The Serbs were out of ammo by the end of Slivintsa, while the Bulgarians still had enough rounds for one more major battle.
All in all interesting but dense. I am taking a small break from military reading right now. Reading Number 18 of the Aubrey-Maturin series, plus a bit on my work "Reliability and Validity Assessment". Grading season is up so that means less time to read.
On the shelf are
Embrees "Radzetsky's Marches". I have been slowly reading this one and of for a year now. It really is too dense.
Next in line
Andrew Mango "Ataturk"
Walter R.Borneman "1812"
Nick Lloyd "Hundred Days" to be read in conjunction with Margaret Macmillan "Paris 1919"
Chester Wilmot "The Struggle for Europe"
Nikolaos Trikoupis "Commanding Major Units" (in Greek, the military memoirs of the commander of the 1st Army Corps during the debalce of 1922)
Metxas and Venizelos "The History of the National Schism" (In Greek, the newspaper correspondence between Venizelos and Metaxas on the events of the 1915-1922 period).
"Breaking Point of the French Amry"
"German Army of the Spring Offensive 1917"
Here are also quick opinions on a number of books I read since the last time I posted
Osprey "the Army of Northern Virginia"-adequate primer
Osprey "Armies of the Greek-Turkish War 1919-1922"-adequate primer
Osprey "Armies of the Balkan Wars"-good primer
Osprey "The Mexican Revolution"-good primer
Osprey "Armies of the Volga Bulgars and Khanate of Kazan"-interesting
Osprey "Armies in the Balkans 1914-1918"-excellent primer, good TOEs
Osprey "The Italian Army of World War I"-excellent primer
Osprey "Fortifications of the Western Front 1914-1918"-excellent primer
Osprey "The Chaco War 1932-1935"-adequate primer
Osprey "First Ypres 1914"-good
Osprey "The Czech Legion 1914-1920"-poor
Osprey "the Battle of the Marne, 1914" -excellent
Osprey "Armies of the Russo-Polish War 1919-1921-good primer
Osprey "Chinese Warlord Armies 1911-1930"-excellent
Osprey "imperial Chinese Armies 1840-1911"-good primer
One Military Historian's comment on the Ospreys - "They are a military historian's porn."
Finished "Cannae" by von Schlieffen. This volume was a translation by The Command and General Staff School Press, 1931.
Even though it lists 101 maps that originally went with the book, none are here. Big disappointment. However, Caliver Press has the set as print on demand and I was able to order just the map volume. Hasn't arrived yet.
I have heard of this book for a great many years, but did not realize that after 4 pages on Cannae, it goes into Frederick the Great and Napoleon. but the bulk of the book is 1866 and the empire portion of 1870. Really liked this and am anxious to see the maps.
Quote from: Leman on 06 May 2017, 04:15:20 PM
One Military Historian's comment on the Ospreys - "They are a military historian's porn."
;D
Finished " Towards Armageddon" by MG J.F.C. Fuller. Printed 1937.
Seems Fuller at this time was very impressed by Hitler and did not realize what he was after. "Therefore, myself, I am certain that Hitler does not want war."
Like Liddell Hart he is pushing for mechanization but not as radical as Hart.
Fuller is also very down on the British government who in his mind value economics over reality. Interesting comments from the time just before WWII.
Finished a very good book on The Battle of the Bulge, "Snow & Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944 - 1945" by Peter Caddick - Adams.
Interviews and oral histories of both sides. He discusses Hitler's thoughts of splitting the allies, how the Americans were surprised and then how they fought back, ruining the Wermacht time table.
Balanced discussion about Monty (Peter is British but that is not really a factor here).
Long, 716 pages of text with 73 pages of acknowledgements and foot notes. Many references in the notes to historical websites.
Great reading.
The Hollow Legions: Mussolini's Blunder in Greece 1940-41 by Mario Cervi.
Only on the first chapter but so far a good read. Really trying to read up on this conflict for some games with my Italian vs Greeks and, possibly, British.
'The Tide at Sunrise' - picked up second hand and very reasonably priced (under a tenner) for a 500 page hardback. It's a history of the Russo-Japanese War, but unlike many such books this one is a real page turner, opening with the Japanese surprise attack on the Russian fleet at anchor in Port Arthur (now that rings a bell). It then deals with the C19th modernisation of Japan, which was a real eye opener, before launching into the war itself. Dozens of maps and photographs. For me this has been one of the best buys in a long time.
Quote from: Steve J on 12 May 2017, 07:29:00 AM
The Hollow Legions: Mussolini's Blunder in Greece 1940-41 by Mario Cervi.
Only on the first chapter but so far a good read. Really trying to read up on this conflict for some games with my Italian vs Greeks and, possibly, British.
I have collected OOBs information, and map information on the Battle of Pindus (the actions of the Davaki detachment against the Alpini). If you want I can share with you.
With Respect
Konstantinos
Thanks Konstantinos, will PM you for the info :).
"Wargaming in History, Volume 12, Koniggratz 1866" arrived today from On Military Matters.
Two of the three other books I am reading will go on hold until I finish this.
Was sorry to hear about Bob Marrion though.
Red Army Tank Commander at War in a T34 on the Eastern Front by Vasiliy Bryukov. I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, it's the memoirs of a soviet tank commander during the second world war who rose to battalion commander.
It was interesting to read that the Red Army were still digging in their tanks when in defensive positions at the end of the war.
It's available from the Works for £7., if you loiter on the website a pop-up often appears offering a discount. They do free delivery to their branches.
https://www.theworks.co.uk/p/military-books/red-army-tank-commander---at-war-in-a-t-34-on-the-eastern-front/9781781590232 (https://www.theworks.co.uk/p/military-books/red-army-tank-commander---at-war-in-a-t-34-on-the-eastern-front/9781781590232)
Regards,
Martin
Hornchurch Scramble: Volume One: 1915 to the End of the Battle of Britain
Hornchurch Scramble: Volume Two: 1941 To The Airfield's Final Closure
Two volume history of RAF Hornchurch. I thought it was about time I found out more on the only significant military base in the borough I live.
Finished "The Generalship of Alexander The Great" by JFC Fuller. This is a Greenwood Press reprint done in 1981 but originally was issued 1960 This is a very well done book and while I knew quite a bit about Alexander, this gave a whole new insight as to why he has been called Great.
A man (young man at that) well ahead of his time.
Must be good stuff as mine is the 1991 edition.
One of Benjamin Wallace's Duck and Cover books "Post-Apocalyptic Nomad Warrior". Finding it a delightful read due to his often tongue and cheek satire on present day society, but also because it is post apocalyptic in theme. Enjoying it so much in fact that I have ordered three other books in the series, which may be all at least so far.
Terry
Finished "Koniggratz 1866: Wargaming in History, Volume 12" by John Drewlenklewicz and Andrew Brentnall, both well known on this forum.
Enjoyed it hugely (American word now) but one needs to have volume 8 for the wargame rule descriptions. I did think the pictures were a little more distant than volume 8, making them a bit harder to see.
But, as before the writing about the various games is great as is the history and the what if.
Also I am relooking at "Shattered Sword" a fabulous book on the campaign and battle of Midway, 1942. I have the opportunity to go to a dining-in, black tie or dress uniform (civilian now but mine wouldn't fit anyway), and the guest speaker (Admiral Scott Swift, USN) will be discussing the battle. It is the 75th anniversary of the battle.
Finished "The Yellow Admiral"
Decided to do a quick read-though of Hooton's "Prelude to the First World War: The Balkan Wars 1912-1913". While I heavily consulted it during the writing phase of the Balkan Wars Bloody Big Battles Scenarios , I never gave it a full read though. - I am still looking for playtesters by the way :)
After that I made a decision to read the following books in series throughout 2017 and 2018.
"Breaking Point of the French Army: The Neville Offensives of 1917"
"The German Army of the Spring Offensives 1917"
"Hundred Days: The End of the Great War"
"1919"
Currently reading, "General Percy Kirke and the Later Stuart Army" (John Childs, 2015). Well researched and lucidly written. His extended chapter on the Sedgemoor campaign provide some interesting analysis and a few new insights. Feversham is given his due.
Just received and will start right away the second book in Benjamin Wallace's Duck and Cover series - Knights of the Apocalypse. I am expecting it to be just as enjoyable as the first book in the series.
Terry
Finished my reading of
E.R.Hooton "Prelude to the First World War: The Balkan Wars 1912-1913"
and
David Murphy "Breaking Point of the French Army: The Neville Offensive of 1917"
both on Kindle.
Hooton's book is one I had heavily consulted in my writing of the Balkan War scenarios for Bloody Big Battles. In general I can say that right now it is the most accessible and complete overview of the wars. In combination with the Osprey Book you can get a good amount of information on the two Balkan Wars. I appreciated the maps, which had some geographic features for the 1st Balkan War, and were just sketch maps in the 2nd Balkan War. I also appreciate the photo section and the Order of Battles (though you can get those in more detail for free online at bulgarianartillery.it). In general he does a good work in synthesizing his sources, and it is an updated volume using the latest research (for example Erickson's "Defeat in Detail"). However there were some parts I did not like. While understandable, the space taken up in placing the wars in the context of the build up to WW1 led to the loss of some important information about the buildup of the wars themselves. For example the "Savior Officers" coup of 1912 in the Ottoman Empire is not referenced. Also his coverage of the role of Franz Ferdinand in the outbreak of WW1 is obsolete. The new historiography has pretty much decimated the picture of hardliner war hawk in 1914, and indeed the very fact that Franz Ferdinand died in 1914, had a malevolent effect on the balance of Hawks and Doves in the KuK. It is a pity that a book that uses the most updated research on other matters, repeats obsolete arguments on others. Ah well c'est la vie. In general this is a good book to have especially if you cannot afford the more expensive detailed operational histories.
The Murphy book is a interesting one. It really is not per se an operational history of the Neville Offensives of 1917. Instead it focuses more on the political background to the rise of Neville to his position of command, the planning and onset of the operation, and the then the consequences of failure and the mutinies. For me, who knew only the basics, it was a good overview of the events, but I think those seeking more info on the battles themselves will have to look elsewhere. One thing this led me to is to ask the question if the opening of the French archives on the attacks and mutinies in 2017 has led to any new findings? But of course it may be too early (have they opened them?). I would had liked some more detailed maps, and I would had liked OOBs, but in general this was a ok general introduction, as well as a study of French politics in 1917. Recommended.
next up
Jack Sheldon "The German Army in the Spring Offensives 1917"
And since I need to re-work my Greek
"H Istoria tou Ethnikou Dixasmou: Kata tin Arthografia tou Eleutheriou Benizelou kai Ioanni Metaxa"-The History of the National Schism according to the articles written by Elefterios Venizelos and Ioannis Metaxas
Imperial Skies
Finished "The Amphibians Came To Conquer" volume 2, by Vice Admiral George Dyer. I had read volume 1 some time ago but the more I read the more impressed I have become with Admiral Kelly Turner. He was in command of the Fifth Amphibious Force in the Pacific, and therefore in charge of the island assaults.
A hard driving man, he had the nickname of Terrible Turner, but while he did not suffer fools or lazy officers, he would listen to his staff. He however, often had the best ideas and grasp of the problems.
The book(s) show the progression of the ability of the USN to assault the islands. Not much on the naval combat side, but beaucoup on the assault organizations.
Liked it.
Armies of the Ancient Near East, 3,000BC - 539BC by Stillman and Tallis.
Bought to give me ideas for my Imagi-Nations ancients and possible future historical armies. So far, a nice guide for a wargamer on a period I know very, very little about.
Just finished A.J. Smithers' The Tangier Campaign, The Birth of the British Army (2003). A very engaging and well researched narrative of the Twenty-two (1662 - 1684) year life of Britian's first toe-hold in Africa. Many ripping good stories about the near constant fighting with the Moorish "hosts" told with lucidlity and much dry humor. Certainly suffcient information to hook me on the place as a wargaming bonanza.
Finished "Foch: The Man of Orleans" by Liddell Hart.
Hart thinks of Foch more like an Eisenhower, but the book was written (or published 1931) so no Eisenhower to compare him with.
Hart says Foch's theory of war was no good (Foch was an instructor) but gradually changed, but at that point Foch was a coordinator at the head of the allied armies.
Interesting book.
Also finished "The Theory and Practice of War" edited by Michael Howard. Chapters as follows:
Jomini and the Classical Tradition in Military Thought by Michael Howard
Clausewitz and the Nineteenth Century by Peter Paret
Command and Staff Problems in the Austrian Army, 1740-1866 by Gordon Craig
European Military Thought and Doctrine, 1870-1914 by Jay Luvaas
Doctrine and Training in the British Cavalry, 1870-1914 by Brian Bond
Liddell Hart and the French Army, 1919-1939 by General d'Armee Andre Beaufre
Doctrine and Training in the German Army, 1919-1939 by Robert O'Neill
Liddell Hart and the British Army, 1919-1939 by General Sir Frederick Pile
British Strategic Doctrine, 1918-1939 by Norman Gibbs
The American Approach to War, 1919-1945 by Maurice Matloff
The Development of Soviet Military Doctrine since 1918 by J.M. Mackintosh
American Strategic Doctrine and Diplomacy by Henry Kissinger
Problems of an Alliance Policy: An Essay in Hindsight by Alastair Buchan
Training and Doctrine in the British army since 1945 by Lord Chalfont
The Making of Israel's Army: The Development of Military Conceptions of Liberation and Defense by BG Yigal Allon
and a short biographical summary of Liddell Hart.
All in all a most interesting book.
Quote from: kipt on 10 June 2017, 12:08:03 AM
Hart thinks of Foch more like an Eisenhower, but the book was written (or published 1931) so no Eisenhower to compare him with.
What about Schwarzenberg?
After blasting through Benjamin Wallace's three novels of the Post Apocalyptic Warrior (The Duck and Cover Series), and loving every minute of them - I am now reading his Tales of the Apocalypse Vol. 1 which is a collection of short stories, some of which serve as backstories to some of the characters in the three novels, and others are just glints into the post apocalyptic arena. But the most enjoyable are the stories (3 so far) abut two dogs, Sasquatch - a Great Dane and Fidget a Beagle. These stories of these two friends are absolutely delightful and full of humor - for example when Fidget tells Sasquatch he is "...not afraid off the dark when the lights are on". Yes it's much funnier when you know the two characters of the dogs.
In some correspondence with author he has advised that he is currently working on a fourth novel in the Duck and Cover series, which I am anxiously looking forward to!
Terry
Finished reading 'The Earth is Weeping' , a history of the American Indian wars. Excellent book. Better title might have been The Destruction of the Native American Culture.
Re: Foch like Swartzenberg. Foch never mentions him, only Napoleon. Foch was too energetic to compare him to the Austrian. That was Foch's great strength; never give up, push on, attack.
Although when he was generalissimo his army group commanders didn't alway do what he proposed (not really ordered). They were being more practical as to what could be done.
Two thirds of the way through "Journal of the Plague Year", an omnibus of three novella's by three different authors about the world being hit by an apocalyptic plague. I didn't realize until I got to the second one that they are all tied to the same plague, but from different perspectives/locations. it's really kind of cool and makes for a intriguing read. Not enchanted with a lot of the language, but I know today's society is more liberal than I am about that - and I've taught myself to just read through the words I don't care for, which does not affect the story at all. Obviously the first write sets the stage and the others pick up enough to build their stories on. Obviously some discussion before hand.
I am however very much enjoying the stories and they are well feeding my post apocalyptic hunger.
Additionally, there is a second omnibus of three more stories, titled "End of the End" that continues to plight of the world after the plague. I'll be reading it next. Maybe there will be a third!!!
Terry
'After Sedan' by Quintin Barry. Rattles along at a good pace with plenty of interesting detail. For some reason I had thought his work was quite dense, but this is a very good read. My only quibble is the use of original C19th maps - I need a magnifying glass to read them. They are also obviously of German origin, so Mulhouse is rendered as Mulhausen, Wissembourg as Weissenburg etc.
Probably because the French didn't take maps of the area on campaign... :o
Indeed they didn't, but Fermer's book, on the same subject, has clearly drawn maps produced specifically for his book.
Finished "Tanks in the Great War" by Fuller. This is a very good book, describing the start of the tank service by someone who was involved the whole time.
Some AAR's from individual tanks and good descriptions of the operations side of the British battles, from the tankers view point. He talks tactics and writes extremely well - always interesting.
Highly recommended for tankies.
Star Trek Enterprise: Broken Bow.
Finished "Armies on Wheels" by S.L.A. Marshall, 1941.
Mechanization from an American point of view. He does dispute earlier discussions (by Liddell Hart and others) that tanks and wheels would show armies getting more professional and smaller, which comments I was glad to see. He praises J.F.C. Fuller and who wrote the forward.
Obviously a lot of discussion of the early German assaults and victories; not France but Crete, the desert against the Italians, the Balkans, Greece and the beginning of the Russian campaign.
He had a quote I like: "The widespread distrust of military power among free men is in this sense a renunciation of their birthright, since whatever liberties they now possess have come to them by the wise use of it".
Interesting (but not riveting) because WWII was happening as he wrote.
The ramblings of Marcus Aurelius and for light relief Don Quixote man of La Mancha.
I am looking forward to the new Terry Gilliam film The man who killed Don Quixote
Physical Copy books: Finished a collection of three parliamentary speeches of Eleferios Venizelos (from his 2nd Rpeublic premiership period) for my Salvation and Catastrophe project , the academic part (greek language).
Going through the Army History Directorate "A Concise History of the Campaign in Asia Minor 1919-1922" for the OOB project within Salvation and Catastrophe (english language)
Halfway done with number "100 Days" of the Aubrey-Maturin series.
Reading some italian articles for the 19th century Facebook Group theme work.
Kindle
Still going slowly through Radetzky's Marches. Bought Volume 4 of Legend of Galactic Heroes, but will read when done with number 19 of the Aubrey-Maturin Series
Started German Army in the Spring Offensives of 1917, but this is as dense as Radetzky's Marches. This will take a time.
It is very hot here and I have no AC. So despite the tons of work I have to do, I am going slowly.
"Women at war in the classical world" by Paul Chrystal.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473856604/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1473856604/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Finished an absolutely fascinating book "Memoirs of an Unconventional Soldier" by MG J.F.C. Fuller, 1936. About his life before and in the army. He became a staff officer with the tank corps in WWI and talks about the troubles with GHQ and other generals.
This may be where the "lions led by donkeys" originated (but he doesn't say that). He says Haig was a gentleman but stuck on cavalry and infantry. All else, airplanes, artillery and tanks were just support weapons. Fuller came up with many tactical ideas (with diagrams in the book) for small actions (raids) and large, saying it would save on infantry. No avail.
Very interesting reading; enjoyed it so much I bought another for a friend of mine for his birthday.
Taking a break from the Post Apocalypse waiting on a new order for Amazon to arrive, so started a sci-book titled "Red Hope" by John Dreese. It's about the first manned mission to Mars, and is in most respects very plausible. It's been an excellent read so far and in two days I'm half way through it. Cannot wait to get to the end to see what happens, but will be sad to have it end - which is my usual dilemma with a book I really enjoy.
Terry
Finished "Great Captains Unveiled" by Liddell Hart, reprint 1967.
Chapters on Jenghiz Khan and Sabutai, Marechal de Saxe, Gustavus Adolphus, Wallenstein and General Wolfe. All interesting and a bit out of the norm of my readings. Nothing stood out as spectacular but an easy read.
I finished "Red Hope" and found it to be an excellent read. Thought provoking and reflective of current society in many aspects.
I have now started reading "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" the only book for any of the Mad Max movies I know of. Wasn't sure what to expect as it is taken basically from the screen play. But I find it a great read and much more revealing than just watching the movie, as is pretty normal with most books that movies are taken from. Once I finish it I'll go back and watch the movie again and see how many details I've previously missed I can see.
Terry
"Not mentioned in dispatches" - Goose Green reassessed. It's a remarkable work examining the different command styles and doctrine within 2 PARA as well as the battle itself. Whilst "H's" courage isn't in doubt, his leadership style is.
Painted my British, just got the Argies to do next.
You know, I've heard from more than one veteran that they thought H was not in the right place, and it was a foolish move.
From "Pusan to Panmunjom (Memories of War)" by Gen Paik Sun Yup
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005CWHLBM/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o03_?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005CWHLBM/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o03_?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
The memoires of Gen Paik of the Korean War.
Not the kind of book I normally read. I'm not into the high level histories, I prefer the stories from the tank turret, and so I found my interest waining as Paik became less a front line general and more a political one. Having said that, he is very engaging, and I will forgive him his constant name dropping as these are his memoires. The book did give me a flavour of the Korean War through the eyes of a South Korean. The lack of equipment at the start and how Paik pulled his 1st Division into being a credible fighting force by appealing to the US generals for US units to be attached.
In some ways it's a very emotional book. He is quite candid and unashamed about times he was taken to tears and how he almost lost it when the Chinese attacked. He also captures the desire of South Korean soldiers to unite the peninsula into one country and their frustration with Eisenhower's desire to end the war.
There will be a few things about the book that will stick in my mind. Paik's attempts to convince Americans that the Chinese were present in force by bringing them a Chinese prisoner. The prisoner admitted to being Chinese and gave his unit number quite happily.
"He's Korean" said the Americans. "Been living in China."
"He speaks Chinese and not Korean."
"Been there a long time and learned the language."
"He doesn't even look Korean."
"Yellow skin, sort of funny eyes ... no he's Korean all right".
I paraphrase, but the sentiment is there.
The other phrase that will stick in my mind is when Paik moved from the rather elite 1st ROK Division to command ROK II Corps. "I felt" he said "like a city boy been transplanted to the country." He must have felt that all the good work he had done with 1st Div would have to be repeated twofold with II Corps.
For anyone interested in the Korean War, this is a great book. Thank you Sunray for the recommendation.
Quote from: fsn on 02 July 2017, 09:11:51 AM
"Women at war in the classical world" by Paul Chrystal.
Very disappointing.
Finished "Great Battles and Their Great Generals" edited by Harry Roskolenko, 1974.
Thirteen chapters, all excerpts from various books, many autobiographies. They range from von Schlieffen's "the Battle of Cannae" to The Inchon Landing, 1950.
The chapter on Leyte has Admiral Halsey's "I Turn North", his reasons for leaving the gulf and his frustration on having to turn back to protect the jeep carriers (and he didn't get back in time anyway).
"The Postscript from the Battle for Stalingrad" by General Vasili Chuikov I found most interesting. I had read most of the others authors but not this one.
A quick read.
Finished "Strategem", the most recent book published in Yoshiki Tanaka's Legend of Galactic Heroes Series. While the story keeps being good, the translation this time was terrible with multiple typos.
About 40% done of Sheldon's German Army of 1917, and Embree's Radzetsky's Marches (both are too dense).
Ready to read the last book on the Aubrey-Maturin series "Blue at the Mizzen".
Going through the Army History Directorate "A Concise History of the Campaign in Asia Minor, 1919-1922" for my "Salvation and Catastrophe" project. The info is great, but marred by a plethora of typos.
Also about 40% done with "H Istoria tou Dihasmou kata tin arthografia tou Elefteriou Venizelou kai Ioannou Metaxa" (The History of the Schism according to the articles written by Elefterios Venizelos and Ioannis Metaxas), again for "Salvation and Catastrophe". Man are these two guys hating each other. But I was able to get enough info for an english summary of the Metaxas 1914 Gallipoli Warplan (forthcoming in the Foreign Correspondent).
Finished "Reputations" by Liddell Hart, 1928.
This book discusses the generals of WWI; Joffre, von Falkenhayn, Haig, Gallieni (Hart is most sympathetic here), Foch, Ludendorff, Petain, Allenby, Hunter Liggett and Pershing.
Good chapters on each and therefore good views of WWI.
Quick read.
Quote from: kipt on 25 July 2017, 11:45:11 AM
The chapter on Leyte has Admiral Halsey's "I Turn North", his reasons for leaving the gulf and his frustration on having to turn back to protect the jeep carriers (and he didn't get back in time anyway).
Does he explain why he took the battleships with him rather than form Task Force 34 to cover the San Bernardino Strait as he said he would :-\
Quote from: paulr on 26 July 2017, 08:45:29 PM
Does he explain why he took the battleships with him rather than form Task Force 34 to cover the San Bernardino Strait as he said he would :-
The attack on Taffy 3 exists solely to give rise to one of my favourite military quotes.
As the IJN force of battleships (including Yamato, the largest battleship afloat at the time), heavy cruisers and destroyers closed in on Taffy 3s escort carriers (merchant ships converted to ill-armed, unarmoured baby carriers) one of the carrier officers in charge of an AA battery announced,"just wait a little longer, boys, we're suckering them into 40-mm range."
I have read an account where a gunner on a DDE describes their star shells bursting against the pagoda mast of a Japanese battleship
They were firing star shells because they had already fired everything else :o X_X
One of the Escort carriers managed to hit a Japanese cruiser with its single 5" gun
My favourite quote is the message from Nimitz to Halsey, "Where is Taskforce 34 RR the world wonders"
The part after RR was message padding that was not remove before the message was printed and handed to Halsey, apparently he flew into a rage on reading it
Quote from: paulr on 27 July 2017, 02:01:40 AM
One of the Escort carriers managed to hit a Japanese cruiser with its single 5" gun
Yup, a single 5" shell from the "jeep" carrier USS White Plains hit the Takao-class heavy cruiser Chokai's torpedo mount causing a catastrophic explosion. A US aircraft completed the job with a 500lb bomb, iirc, shortly after, leaving Chokai a static wreck which was abandoned and scuttled.
Perhaps the most ludicrously mismatched weapon and target pairing in the Battle of Samar involved a US airman who, having expended his bombs and exhausted all of the ammunition for his guns flew alongside a Japanese warship and emptied his .38 pistol into it!!
Leyte is a bizarre and fascinating battle!
Finished the "Gettysburg Magazine", July 2017, issue 57.
It has articles on Rodes failed night attack on Cemetery Hill on July 1, the defense of Blocher's Knoll, the emergence of the Federal Cavalry, the organizational changes to the army of the Potomac prior to Gettysburg and others.
Always interesting and published twice a year.
Just finished a little booklet 'Soldiers from the age of Bethlen Gabor'. It's about a Transylvanian prince from the beginning of the 17th century. The little booklet was put together by some reenactors and archeologists. A little history, and lots of pictures of different troop types.
A free pdf, to be downloaded here: http://katonak-bethlen-gabor-korabol.hu in Hungarian and English versions. ;)
Got that book on The Uniform of the German Soldier. For £3.99 it is a great price for a book boasting 800 photographs, but I have come across a number of niggles, e.g. "in 1872 the Bavarian army adopted the dark blue Prussian uniform (no it didn't - it adopted the cut but retained its own lighter blue colour). Another niggle is that there is no clear description of field grey, other than the 1910 tunic was lighter and without the greenish tone of the 1915 tunic, but what colour is that? I want to paint a Battles of the Frontiers German force so how grey/brown/blue/green is field grey at that time? Nevertheless, the photos are fascinating, but the one I really like is Hindenburg as an officer in 1870 - a photo of a confident young officer with his pickelhaub at a really jaunty angle.
I read a book!
It had some pictures, but it was mostly text.
'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdons' by George RR Martin.
Actually a quite good read, and benefits from a lighter touch than GOT!
Quote from: Leman on 30 July 2017, 08:39:19 AM
Got that book on The Uniform of the German Soldier. For £3.99 it is a great price for a book boasting 800 photographs, but I have come across a number of niggles, e.g. "in 1872 the Bavarian army adopted the dark blue Prussian uniform (no it didn't - it adopted the cut but retained its own lighter blue colour). Another niggle is that there is no clear description of field grey, other than the 1910 tunic was lighter and without the greenish tone of the 1915 tunic, but what colour is that? I want to paint a Battles of the Frontiers German force so how grey/brown/blue/green is field grey at that time? Nevertheless, the photos are fascinating, but the one I really like is Hindenburg as an officer in 1870 - a photo of a confident young officer with his pickelhaub at a really jaunty angle.
Yes ditto, found a few other errors but for four quid who's complaining. Personally I'd describe Hindenberg as a cocky arrogant little sh*t, but then he's Guards ... the affliction is international ;)
A book I couldn't finish "The Foundations of the Science of War" by Col. J.F.C. Fuller, preface dated 1935.
This book is more psychology, relating war to the human body (brain, muscles, internal organs - which relate to structure, control and maintenance), etc, etc.
I like Fuller's writings but this was too esoteric for me.
The best passage is where he is discussing military shortsightedness. The established British higher command had an opposition to scientific progress. He says "during the war I knew a major-general who was also an anti-optic fanatic; he disliked trench periscopes, and when, early in the war, a proposal was made to introduce them, he officially put down his objection on paper, and it read: 'It is contrary to the traditions of the British officer to seek information from a position of security by means of a mechanical device'".
An army of lions...
Finished "The Real War" by Liddell Hart, no date but most likely early 30's.
Very good history of WWI, mainly from a British perspective. Good folding maps (western front and eastern front) in the back and each chapter has a map before the narrative. I enjoyed it very much.
An interesting discussion in chapter VII, "The Battle of a Nightmare-The Meuse-Argonne", where he talks about the Ardennes. "It was based on the idea that the Ardennes formed an impenetrable back wall to the great German salient in France, and that if the Allies could reach and close the exits east and west they would cut off the German armies the the salient. But the impassibility of the Ardennes has been much exaggerated, especially in Haig's reports. Actually, the Ardennes were traversed by numerous roads and several railways, so that though the severance of the routs east and west might complicate the German withdrawal this wold be imperiled only if the objective was attained very rapidly."
Seems like this book was never read by the French GHQ prior to WWII.
'The Hundred Year Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared' - what an absolute hoot.
Forgotten Battles of the Zulu War - Adrian Greaves, covering all the other battles than Isandalwana and Rorke's Drift. I'm actually finally getting round to painting my Pendraken Zulus and British now.
By Tank Into Normandy by Stuart Hills MC (2002)
A good book, Apart from the DIRE first chapter about how great his public school was and how many runs he scored (honestly, people outside your school might read it).
It's actually a really good, honest account of his time as a commander of Sherman troop in Normandy and after (his DD sank under him on D-Day). Written with access to quite a few of his contemporaries journals, and compiled from his and the regimental diaries, but also with a good deal of hindsight, fifty years after. The details of combat are, as you would expect, hazy, but a lot of the minor details he remembers are stolll obviously vivid. The after action accounts, and how the men dealt with the loss and trauma of seeing friends (and actually enemies) killed is very well thought through. Overall it is not in the least gung-ho.
He does talk mostly about tank commanders and officers lost, and only really talks about the men when they are in his Tank, but I guess that's the times he lived in.
I would actually recommend it, but skip Chapter 1!
Quote from: DaveH on 15 August 2017, 10:40:49 PM
Forgotten Battles of the Zulu War - Adrian Greaves, covering all the other battles than Isandalwana and Rorke's Drift. I'm actually finally getting round to painting my Pendraken Zulus and British now.
Other battles of the Anglo-Zulu war?! This could revolutionise colonial gaming!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 16 August 2017, 12:37:57 AM
By Tank Into Normandy by Stuart Hills MC (2002)
A good book, Apart from the DIRE first chapter about how great his public school was and how many runs he scored (honestly, people outside your school might read it).
It's actually a really good, honest account of his time as a commander of Sherman troop in Normandy and after (his DD sank under him on D-Day). Written with access to quite a few of his contemporaries journals, and compiled from his and the regimental diaries, but also with a good deal of hindsight, fifty years after. The details of combat are, as you would expect, hazy, but a lot of the minor details he remembers are stolll obviously vivid. The after action accounts, and how the men dealt with the loss and trauma of seeing friends (and actually enemies) killed is very well thought through. Overall it is not in the least gung-ho.
He does talk mostly about tank commanders and officers lost, and only really talks about the men when they are in his Tank, but I guess that's the times he lived in.
I would actually recommend it, but skip Chapter 1!
Do you not find that with a lot of military memoires? I tend to skip the bits until they actually put on a uniform. Then skim read until they actually get somewhere near the front.
It's All Going Wonderfully Well - biography of Bob Hoskins. A bit hit and miss and a bit patchy in that it seems to be a lot of anecdotal stuff in no particular chronological order.
Hordes of the Things 2.1 rulebook. Arrived in the post today and providing a nice counterpoint to 'one of those days at work'. A quick flick through so far but looks good to me :). Also Osprey Campaign D-Day 1944 (3).
"A Writer at War", a selection of the journalism of Vasily Grossman who was attached to the Red Army as a war correspondent and saw action from Barbarossa to Berlin via Stalingrad and Kursk. Fascinating material (translated and introduced by Anthony Beevor). I liked the headline from Krasnaya Zvezda, the army newspaper, at the start of Barbarossa: ' The much-battered enemy continued his cowardly advance.' And the flamboyant commands of Red Army battery commanders as they bombarded Berlin: 'At the lair of the fascist beast, fire!' Grossman didn't keep quiet about mass r*pe in Germany either and for his truth-telling on a number of issues he would have been off to the Gulag had Stalin not died at an opportune moment. His great novel, 'Life and Fate' was arrested by the KGB in 1960 (they took everything, carbon copies and even the typewriter ribbon) but fortunately a copy was smuggled out. Well worth a read.
Finished Bruce Weigle's "1871: Fast Play Grand Tactical Rules for the Franco-Prussian War".
I don't play his rules but I do use his scenarios. There are some minor changes to the 1870 rules which might speed up the game. All seem logical.
The scenarios in 1871 for the most part use less troops (except for Sedan for one).
The different scenarios are: Noisseville, Sedan, Villers-Bretonneux, Villepon, Champigmy-Villers, Poupry, Vendome, Bapaume, Villesexel, Le Mans, The Lisaine and St. Quentin.
Just as good as the rest of his rule books.
Will pick this up/pre-order for collection at Colours. Still awaiting confirmation if Bruce will be there as no list of demo games on the Colours website when I last checked :(
I don't think Ithoriel will like the houses in Champigmy-Villers!
My bad.
Quote from: Steve J on 18 August 2017, 08:03:16 AM
Will pick this up/pre-order for collection at Colours. Still awaiting confirmation if Bruce will be there as no list of demo games on the Colours website when I last checked :(
He will be there, we are meeting up!😀
Do you know if he is putting on a game Mollinary? Mike embree contacted Dave Fielder and I to see if we wanted to help out on the day, which naturally we do, but haven't had any confirmation yet. Would be great to see him again and to meet you too.
I believe he is putting on Vendome to showcase his 1871 rules by, to be honest, our correspondence hasn't focussed on his game, more on dinner after the show!
Mollinary
You have your priorities right on this one ;) :D.
Finished another book by JFC Fuller, "On Future Warfare", 1928. It is interesting to see the predictions made after WWI for what the army would look like. Less infantry, several different types of armor; recon (light 2 man, probably like the Bren carrier), assault (moving with the infantry) and pursuit. Except for the recon with mg's only, the others have small bore high velocity guns, so he didn't look at the scale creep that actually happened.
Another theme is the use of gas, which he says is inevitable and more humane because it caused less deaths that bullet and shell. He goes into divisional organizations, which were close but tank heavy, as well as the power of an airforce. He didn't predict the German use of the combined arms, thinking that if both sides used that it would go back to trench warfare.
Anyway, an interesting look at the times between the wars.
Ian Castle Majuba 1881 The hill of destiny - the first Anglo-Boer war, Angus McBride The Zulu War and Ian Castle Zulu War Volunteers, Irregulars & Auxiliaries, so a bit of a pattern there. Lots of Osprey titles.
Not a lot o reading on the no-net vacation. Read Tina Tinamman's "August Torma" which is a biography of an Estonian diplomat of the interwar years. An brave attempt at covering the subject matter but Mr.Torma was nota good subject. He did not leave a lot of papers behind. Interesting to see how elements of the Estonian goverment viewed their position vis-a-vis the USSR etc. Also interesting about how the Baltic ambassadors tried to soldier on after the Soviet Occupation.
I also read a pieace of classical greek (not ancient but 19th century) literature. Konstantinou Christomanou "Kerenia Koukla" (the Wax Doll). This is one of the most depressing things I have read in a long time. Currently going through the readable, but rather thin "Greece the Hidden Centuries" on Greek history during the period of Frankish, Venetians and Ottoman rule.
Happy holidays?
Listening to "Emperor - The Gods of War", by Conn Iggulden. (Think I've borrowed this one before.)
The narrator pronounces Cicero, as Kick-erro......I always thought is was pronounced Siss-ero.
Roman scholars.....Your advice ?
Cheers - Phil.
As far as I was taught, .it ought indeed be pronounced as Kickero, just as his opponent should be pronounced as Yulius Kaissar!
Mollinary
I was taught the same thing Mollinary.
Thanks chaps....That's something else I've been mispronouncing for the past few decades. :-[
Cheers - Phil
But you knew him first hand, surely he told you how to say what t?
Yes, MlL, but he told him in Latin, and Phil didn't speak Latin. He thought he was starting a football chant!
Mollinary
Taught the same at school. Classical education - thought it was a waste of time, until I started to do crosswords or wanted to use a variety of words with similar meaning in both essays and conversation. Also very useful in a Doctor Who series in the late 60s when a Mr. Magister turned up and I spoilt it for everyone when I said that magister was the Latin for master!
Magister - learned master, teacher, wise authority figure
Dominus - powerful master, lord
I'd have expected the bad Time Lord to have been the latter.
But which Latin? There are several variant including Ecclesiastical Latin which pronounce things differently. I know this because Alexander Armstrong opined on the subject on Pointless - and he's posh so should know about these things. I mean proper posh. He's got breeding.
I'm sticking with "Sissy-row", along with "Dark Age" and "English Civil War". I shall do so until the French call our capital city "London", not "Londres", the Americans stop referring to Her Majesty as "The Queen of England" and an Englishman says "loch" not "lock".
A retired Latin master writes: unless one is speaking in Latin 'Kickero' is definitely in the 'pretentious, moi?' category, a bit like saying one is off to Firenze for one's holidays.
Romanes eunt domus ?!?
or how the Romans dealt with mispronounciations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIAdHEwiAy8
;)
Quote from: fsn on 22 August 2017, 08:10:44 AM
But which Latin? There are several variant including Ecclesiastical Latin which pronounce things differently. I know this because Alexander Armstrong opined on the subject on Pointless - and he's posh so should know about these things. I mean proper posh. He's got breeding.
Interesting to read that there were/are different types of spoken Latin, Nobby, but makes sense when you think of all the different regional accents English is spoken in. I'm not Catholic (or Roman), only going to church at weddings, christenings and funerals, so not sure how much Latin is spoken in church these days but of all the people who might get the pronunciation right, I would have thought it would be the Catholic clergy considering they have an almost unbroken line of Latin speakers all the way back to the Late Roman Empire. Is Ecclesiastical Latin the equivalent of the Queen's English?
Anyhoo, I've often wondered if Latin was spoken like modern day Italian but in
Godfather tones. :D
p.s. Yes, Alexander Armstrong is really posh. Isn't he related to royalty?
p.p.s. @ pierre the shy ;D ;D ;D
Don't forget 'The Great Sixteenth Century Vowel Slip'
(yes, it is real - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Vowel_Shift )
:o :-\ .... my brain is starting to hurt. #-o
...... meanwhile back in Italy, I like this pronounciation of Cicero (click on the speaker icon)
https://translate.google.co.uk/?client=safari&rls=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&client=tw-ob#la/en/Cicero (https://translate.google.co.uk/?client=safari&rls=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&client=tw-ob#la/en/Cicero)
*Chee-cherro* :)
Kinda depends where and when you were educated. In my day we still had the latin Mass so we were speaking latin on a daily basis. Church latin is definitely italianate so 'Cicero' was 'sisero', caelis was 'chaeleece' and so forth. we had a young latin master who tried the 'kikero' stuff but he didn't last.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85seaghNrEo
The aim of teaching kids Latin was never to get it right. It was a class thing, a discipline thing, an excuse for not admitting that there were a lot of living languages with more and better literature thing....pro di immortales! I really regret the time I wasted on it.
I take great pride in the fact I was once introduced to the Head of Classics at Harvard by my MA in Classics supervisor with the phrase "This is Will Denham, the most lingustica incompetent person we have ever met, and he's having a pint of bitter!"
I had just got 33% in a Latin language module (pass rate was double that!).
My response was 'Oh well, that's the PhD out the window then!'
It was a good pint, and was followed by many, many more!
I was always the first to finish a Latin exam.....And I'd have an answer for every question.....And I usually got something around 22%.
I couldn't wait to drop Latin as an O level subject.....I did Art, instead. :P
Cheers - Phil
My grasp Latin was like my grasp of French.
I could get almost full marks for foreign language into English, usually dropping a few points for doing too good a job. Apparently rendering a colloquial French phrase, say, as an equivalent colloquial English one didn't display sufficient grasp of French??!
On the other hand English into the foreign language flummoxed me almost completely.
As a result I usually scraped through exams with a mark in the low fifties.
Being at school in Scotland we did "O Levels" and then "Highers." When we came to choose Highers subjects the French department suggested I do Maths. To be fair the Maths department suggested I do French. The French department lost and as a result I have a "C" grade Higher French qualification. The Latin master was rather more persuasive and so I only have "O Level" Latin. :)
Beyond the depression caused by my reading of "Kerenia Koukla (The Wax Doll)" my vacation was great.
Skimming the "Class Wargames" book which is now available for free. It is not per se a wargame, but more a political manifesto but it has its interesting points and is surprisingly well written. They do take the time to explain the choices they make, and even if you do not agree politically with the group, they do make some great points.
http://www.minorcompositions.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/classwargames-web.pdf (http://www.minorcompositions.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/classwargames-web.pdf)
Here is an excerpt
"In an avant-garde homage to Takako Saito's Liquid Chess , its infantry, cavalry and artillery pieces were represented by glasses filled with red or white vodka. Honouring Debord's devotion to alcoholic intoxication, the
unfolding of this game was guaranteed to result in the players of North
and South becoming very drunk. Each time that they took an enemy
piece, they'd have to down the large shot of vodka in its symbolic glass. "
ok last post on "Class Warfare". This is a deceptively interesting book. Well worth giving a try.
Got 49 pages in and found it incredibly dull and unutterably pretentious.
haha! That is the navel gazing part. It gets better when they go into the actual games/events/ludic subversions whatever (around page 100 and after I think). Of course they are pretentious! They are UK academic leftists.
Quote from: KTravlos on 22 August 2017, 05:01:20 PM
Here is an excerpt
"In an avant-garde homage to Takako Saito's Liquid Chess , its infantry, cavalry and artillery pieces were represented by glasses filled with red or white vodka. Honouring Debord's devotion to alcoholic intoxication, the
unfolding of this game was guaranteed to result in the players of North
and South becoming very drunk. Each time that they took an enemy
piece, they'd have to down the large shot of vodka in its symbolic glass. "
Makes me wonder what tactics to use. Do you give away pieces early to make your opponent drunk then try to move in for the kill or would that be counter-productive as you might then get hammered taking his pieces when trying to make up for lost ground? 8-} ;D
I did forget to say that I finally finished the Patrick O'Brien Aubrey-Maturin series. I believe I started reading it at some point in 2011. 20 books in 7 years is not bad. In general it took me some time to get used to his style of writing, but once I started I learned to love it. There are moments of exquisite beauty in his writing, and many memorable characters. And yet he never flinched from the reality of life and death in early 19th century society and war. I have not read any other books were death can come so sudden.
In the end the series is a masterpiece and classic. If you like historical fiction, whether military or social, or indeed scientific, or if you like good writing, I strongly recommend this series of books.
ps: not sure if I will buy 21. I had the Last Chevalier of Dumas gifted to me, and while I loved it, the fact that it was not finished was a bit of an irritant.
I'm reading 199 days the battle for Stalingrad by Edwin Hoyt
Only got a couple of chapters left
Take care
Andy
I am finishing the second of three books in the Afterbright Chronicles Post Apocalyptic omnibus titled "America". This is a good read for the genre, and are well written. The series primarily takes place in the UK, but as the virus that nearly wipes out mankind is world wide, this omnibus has three books that take place in America.
Terry
Ah the usual cheery sci-fi stuff.
Hi all I am reading Stalingrad the battle that shattered Hitler's dream of world domination by Rupert Matthews
Take care
Andy
Still at Don Quixote, started 'The Great Sea' by David Abulafia and 'Commonwealth and Protectorate ' by Austin Woolrych.
Finished David Brewer's " Greece the Hidden Centuries". This is an engaging work of popular history focusing on shedding some light on Greek life and history during the period of foreign rule (Ottoman and Franko-Venetian). While there are many things it misses (for example the potential role of Ali Pasha in fostering the Greek revolt), in general it covers many elements in an even-handed manner. It will probably anger both Greek nationalists and the apologists of the Ottoman Empire, but in general this is a honest (not necessary impartial) view of the history of the period. It is written in the same style as Clark's "Iron Kingdom" or Judson's "The Habsburg Empire", in that chapter are not necessarily in chronological order, and that there is no over-arching narrative, but that instead we are given vignettes of various important aspects of the history of the period, all of which serve the theme.
I think it is a good book that every Greek, and Turk who cares about Greece, should read. It's language is simple and easy to follow. A easy read.
"Finished "War and Western Civilization, 1832-1932" by Fuller, 1932. The subtitle is "A Study of War as a Political Instrument and the Expression of Mass Democracy".
Interesting overview of the periods noted, but he does go into the operations of the times with numbers and maps. He recognizes that the peace terms of WWI were a problem. "For France the war had resulted in a small gain of security, for Germany in a small loss of it; one of the main causes of the war remained; hence the present trouble in Europe and the probability of another war in which Germany will attempt to re-establish her frontiers of 1871, and France to maintain or enlarge upon her existing one."
He was also concerned about the East (Russia and Asia), saying "To those gifted with prophetic vision, to those who can gaze knowingly into the crystal of the past, out of the smoke and the dust and the flames of the World War can be seen the looming forth the form of Ogdai at the head of his Mongol Hordes."
Finished "The Steel Bonnets: The Story of the Anglo=Scottish Border Reivers" by George MacDonald Fraser (Flashman series).
Very well done but confusing for which family is on which side of the border, and some on both. As well as English helping Scottish Reivers and vice versa.
But great stories and many possible scenarios for SAGA (which I don't play).
Fraser is a good writer and story teller and I enjoyed the book.
Finished "Julius Caesar; Man, Soldier and Tyrant" by J.F.C. Fuller.
Fuller was a very good author (as well as prolific). He discusses the events leading up to Caesar and then Caesar's life and exploits. In his view Caesar was more of an opportunist, deficient on long term planning (like logistics) and caused many of his own problems. However, Caesar's force of personality pulled him though.
Fuller says "...while Pompey was no more than an able soldier, Caesar was a political genius who could relate war with politics, and devise a grand strategy in which war was subordinated to a clearly defined policy that appealed to the masses of Romans".
And "As a leader of men Caesar stood head and shoulders above the generals of his day, and it is more as a fighting than a thinking soldier that his generalship has been judged."
Generally Caesar was conscious of the value of time, but not always. However, he almost scraped through (though he ignored warnings about the Ides of March). A tough act to follow, but Augustus seemed to correct many of Caesar's short comings in the political field.
Wilbur Smith. Warlock.
What do you mean, fiction doesn't count! :P
Bugles and a Tiger John Masters - his biography of his time in the pre WWII Ghurkas with plenty of discussion of the NW Frontier actions that were routine, which reminded me that Don Featherstone's Wargames Campaigns has one for that period in it.
Finished "The Army in My Time" by Major General J.F.C. Fuller, 1935.
Another book by Fuller; great read. It goes a long way to show that the British Army was "an army of lions led by donkeys", even though recent scholarship is putting the generalship into a new light, but Fuller was there.
A quote; "Yet once the war was over, back to 1914 and the "Haig-mind" leapt into the saddle of obsolescence. In his final dispatch Sir Douglas Haig wrote: 'Then followed the experience of the Battle of the Somme...which showed that the principles of our pre-War training were as sound as ever... the longer the War lasted the more emphatically it has been realised (sic) that our original organisation (sic) and training were based on correct principles. The danger of altering too much to deal with some temporary phase has been greater than the risk of adjusting them too little.'
The honesty of this remark is undoubted, yet its stupidity is colossal. Further, it bears no relation whatever to facts".
This book is his experiences from the Boer War through WWI and into the 1930's. He is a good author and this book is easy to read.
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 03 September 2017, 07:13:49 PM
Wilbur Smith. Warlock.
What do you mean, fiction doesn't count! :P
Well done, makes some relief from all of these terribly serious books that some folks read.
Myself, I've just finished 'Ender's Game', I'm currently reading (at least) one chapter of the third 'Song of Ice & Fire' book a day, and am also reliving my childhood by trundling through the original Dr. Who books published by Target in the 70's. I owned the first 40-or-so published at the time. Will probably start 'Auton Invasion' tonight.
Cheers, Martyn
--
As part of my research for the "Salvation and Catastrophe" project, I just finished the excellent "Ionian Vision"( Yunanistan' ın Anadolu Hayali 1919 – 1922) by Michael Llewellyn Smith. Of all the books and material I have read on the Asia Minor Campaign (Greek-Turkish War of 1919-1922), this is by far the best on the political and diplomatic aspects of the Greek activity. This is not a military history (for these you should look at the English translation of the Concise History by the Greek General Staff, various articles, the Erickson "Campaign Series" on Mustafa Kemal, and the upcoming book he is writing on the Turkish War of Independence(of which the Greek-Turkish War was a sub-part). Instead this is a text focused on the Greek political world, the diplomatic interaction of Greece with the Great Powers, and the impact that had on the onset, conduct and tragic end of the war. What really stands out for me, beyond Smith's excellent writing, is the widespread use of primary sources, especially many Greek ones. What is more, Smith, unlike most Greek authors who have tackled the issues, used primary sources from all the political factions of the greek political world (Venizelists, Anti-Venizelists, Communists). Most Greek authors have strong political biases on this topic and this will lead them to ignore many primary sources. Not here! Smith uses almost everything out there (With the exception of Turkish sources, beyond Lord Knissos biography of Kemal. This is defensible as back in 1973 almost no Turkish sources were available in English, French or Greek, languages the author, a diplomat, knows well. Unfortunately this is still largely the case. Let us hope the centenary will change that). He has his own biases, but he is honest, and this is proven by the heavy use of primary sources to defend his opinions. This is by far the best book on the greek policy during the Asia Minor War! With the centenary of the onset of this tragic and epic tale that ends with the creation of modern Turkey and the destruction of the Greek and Armenian presence in Asia Minor, this is a good book to visit. It exists in English, Greek and Turkish.
Next up, Andrew Mango's "Ataturk"
'The Last Plantagenet' by Mike Amberry.
Good, descriptive fiction in a 'what-if' style. Nice sense of mystery in the second timeline too.
Look forward to see where he takes this.
Helps I went to uni with him and he is a walking buddy too! ;)
'Passchendaele: The Lost Victory of World War 1' by Nick Lloyd. A fascinating if sombre read. Justifiably scours Haig and Gough for their ineptitude.
It has me casting my eye over the World War One range and thinking how 10mm would work with the Through the Mud and the Blood rules.
A number of Stephen Kings recently, attempting to find out what an old ember liked about him. Must say, his books read like an unhappy result of a drunken, biologically and temporally improbable, union of Ray Bradbury and Tolstoy.
Hail Krubrick for seeing the potential in one of them, anyway.
"Kangzhan: Guide to Chinese Ground Forces 1937–45" by Leland Ness and Bin Shih.
Available on the kindle, £3.79.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074P44715/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074P44715/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o00_?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
My kind of book. Details the organisation (theoretical, anyway), equipment and history of Chinese forces in the Sino-Japanese war. It has orders of battle, and everyone knows I love OOBs.
Easy read, with lots of information invaluable to the gamer.
Only problem is ... I'm now looking for Chinese proxies in the Pendraken catalogue. :(
The complete works of Janet and John.
So far I've discovered that "Janet had a ball." "John also had a ball." "Janet's ball was red." "John's ball was blue." "Janet liked to bounce her ball." "John liked to kick his." Janet and John books are an atrocity to the written word.
(http://www.ladybirdflyawayhome.com/images/janetjohn.jpg)
These are the only Janet & John worth reading:
https://youtu.be/E8U612YLjHQ
Well they got me reading by the age of six and at eight, thanks to them, I could manage the original Peter Pan and the translation of the original Pinnochio, and the dynamic duo were considerably more riveting than Treasure Island (never been able to get past chapter 1).
About to finish up the second book in the Hell Diver series. A really imaginative read of the post WWIII apocalypse.
Terry
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 10 September 2017, 11:46:43 AM
The complete works of Janet and John.
So far I've discovered that "Janet had a ball." "John also had a ball." "Janet's ball was red." "John's ball was blue." "Janet liked to bounce her ball." "John liked to kick his." Janet and John books are an atrocity to the written word.
(http://www.ladybirdflyawayhome.com/images/janetjohn.jpg)
Janet was monorchid, so was John, Janet had orchitis, John a strangulation, Janet was a girl but identified as a boy with one ball, John was a boy but identified as a lime green Crayola crayon ... :-X
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 10 September 2017, 11:46:43 AMJanet and John books are an atrocity to the written word.
To be fair, you're not really the target market . . . You can already read!
I'm not qualified to comment on their educational value, but do note that all my kids went through school starting off with the Biff & Chip books, rather than these.
Cheers, Martyn
--
I started with Janet and John at school but could already read so found them incredibly dull. My kids had the Biff, Chip and Kipper books which seemed infinitely more interesting.
I have fond memories of a French equivalent we used at school featuring Alain, Zazou and family but, alas can no longer remember the French for the mother's admonition to Alain to "go and find your brother, see what he's doing ... and tell him to stop it." :)
Yeah, the Primary School I went to on Catterick Garrison got those Biff, Kipper and Chip books at some point during the late 80s, so I was only taught using Janet and John books for, probably, about a year.
We had 'Word Tins' [tobacco tins storing pieces of card that had words written on them] that were used a lot, to teach reading and how to construct sentences. I don't think you'd get away with using tobacco tins, anymore, as teaching aids. Bit like in the picture, below
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5d/f1/13/5df113199c60e77575f482c3b9a7283c--magnetic-poetry-magnets-crafts.jpg)
Although you can buy tobacco tins from new, that are plain and have never seen a shred of tobacco. They make great dice boxes. Re. Janet and John - yes they were simple and yes they were rather repetitive, but for those of us who don't have dyslexia they worked well as basic learning is through repetition. How many gamers do you know who like to stick to the same rules because constant playing fixes the rules in their neural pathways? How many do you know who play a wide range of different rules and then get them all muddled up in a game? An awful lot to be said for repetition. Re. Ithoriel and French: at school my French teacher made me the board cleaning monitor so for four years I was asked three times a week, "Voulez vous nettoyez le tableau noir," to which I replied, "Oui, je veux bien nettoyer le tableau noir." It is still the best French that I know, although incredibly unhelpful when trying to catch a bus in Haute Marne.
Sounds like my desperately limited Thai. :(
Yes, one of the many educational benefits of wargaming is the extensive knowledge of foreign languages one can gather.
Alas, there are rarely situations in which terms such as "chevau-leger lancier" or "panzer aufklarungsabteilung" can be effortlessly dropped into conversation. :)
I was once hosting two Austrian gamers. They were planning in German, so I sportingly pointed out I could follow a fair bit of their code. They switched to Vienna dialect....Mein Gott! I couldn't even recognise it, let alone understand it.
Curiously, they said - in excellent English - that they'd learned their Anglo-Saxon almost entirely through gaming.
Just finished 'Flight of Eagles', an account of the American Kosciusko Squadron in the Polish-Soviet War of 1919-20. Good, detailed account with some fascinating photographs from the collections of some of the pilots involved. One of them was M C Cooper who was shot down, escaped from Bolshevik prison and later in life wrote, co-directed and produced 'King Kong.' Best of all, he piloted the biplane that shot the beast on the Empire State Building.
I think those planes made a brief appearance in the Polish film - The Battle of Warsaw.
Wargaming in the time and place I do I've learned to say,
"Awa'n bile yer heed ye wee daft ******!"
The equivalent to that, in certain parts of the NE of England, would be; 'H'way and gan sh*te!'
Cennwch y bant in Welsh (apparently).
01001001 01100110 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100000 01100110 01101001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110101 01101110 01100110 01101111 01110010 01100111 01101001 01110110 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01110101 01110100 01100101 00001101 00001010 00100000 00100000 00100000 00100000 01010111 01101001 01110100 01101000 00100000 01110011 01101001 01111000 01110100 01111001 00100000 01110011 01100101 01100011 01101111 01101110 01100100 01110011 11100010 10000000 10011001 00100000 01110111 01101111 01110010 01110100 01101000 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100100 01101001 01110011 01110100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110010 01110101 01101110 00101100 00100000 00100000 00100000 00001101 00001010 01011001 01101111 01110101 01110010 01110011 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01000101 01100001 01110010 01110100 01101000 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01100101 01110110 01100101 01110010 01111001 01110100 01101000 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01110100 11100010 10000000 10011001 01110011 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01101001 01110100 00101100 00100000 00100000 00100000 00001101 00001010 00100000 00100000 00100000 00100000 01000001 01101110 01100100 11100010 10000000 10010100 01110111 01101000 01101001 01100011 01101000 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101101 01101111 01110010 01100101 11100010 10000000 10010100 01111001 01101111 01110101 11100010 10000000 10011001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01100010 01100101 00100000 01100001 00100000 01001101 01100001 01101110 00101100 00100000 01101101 01111001 00100000 01110011 01101111 01101110 00100001
Hope that helps :)
;D ;D ;D ;D!!
Quote from: RoyWilliamson on 12 September 2017, 02:23:11 PM
01001001 01100110 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00100000 01100110 01101001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110101 01101110 01100110 01101111 01110010 01100111 01101001 01110110 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01110101 01110100 01100101 00001101 00001010 00100000 00100000 00100000 00100000 01010111 01101001 01110100 01101000 00100000 01110011 01101001 01111000 01110100 01111001 00100000 01110011 01100101 01100011 01101111 01101110 01100100 01110011 11100010 10000000 10011001 00100000 01110111 01101111 01110010 01110100 01101000 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01100100 01101001 01110011 01110100 01100001 01101110 01100011 01100101 00100000 01110010 01110101 01101110 00101100 00100000 00100000 00100000 00001101 00001010 01011001 01101111 01110101 01110010 01110011 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01000101 01100001 01110010 01110100 01101000 00100000 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01100101 01110110 01100101 01110010 01111001 01110100 01101000 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01110100 11100010 10000000 10011001 01110011 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01101001 01110100 00101100 00100000 00100000 00100000 00001101 00001010 00100000 00100000 00100000 00100000 01000001 01101110 01100100 11100010 10000000 10010100 01110111 01101000 01101001 01100011 01101000 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101101 01101111 01110010 01100101 11100010 10000000 10010100 01111001 01101111 01110101 11100010 10000000 10011001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01100010 01100101 00100000 01100001 00100000 01001101 01100001 01101110 00101100 00100000 01101101 01111001 00100000 01110011 01101111 01101110 00100001
Hope that helps :)
Seriously? It never helped me!
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds worth of distance run,
Your's is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And which is more you'll be a Man, my son!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs ... you've no idea how thoroughly you're screwed! :)
Sorry, could you do that in hexadecimal? I don't speak pure machine.
8-} 8-} 8-}
Just FYI, I did the math on the above numeric equation and it does not compute!
I am however starting a new post apocalyptic book title "Trial". Only about 5 chapter sin, but some interesting possibilities when some of the better citizens belonging to a "militia" try to take over the city.
If one thinks that civility remains in a disaster, think again. I went through hurricane Celia in 1970 and 12 days without power. I saw people standing in a Red Cross line for many hours for a single bag of ice.....and more than one fight break out over it!I pray for the victims of Harvey and Irma.
Terry
Getting back on track, I am about half way through Harry Sidebottom's 'The Amber Road taking his Roman general, originally an Angle hostage, back to his ancestral homeland. This is the fifth book of the Ballista series, and I can thoroughly recommend it. Sidebottom is not only an Oxford classicist, and a wargamer, he also has the knack of producing a rattling good yarn. Sharpus, eat your heart out!
Mollinary
In the true Oxford spirit, a wargamer would spend three hours commenting on the typeface in WRG 4th edition, then have to go home as the club was closing.
I've just finished Harry Sidebottom's Blood and Steel, which I really enjoyed.
I've just finished The Great Stalingrad Offensive 1942, in English and German however hardly any English so only took about an hour to read
Take care
Andy
Quote from: Womble67 on 13 September 2017, 11:38:48 AM
I've just finished The Great Stalingrad Offensive 1942, in English and German however hardly any English so only took about an hour to read
Take care
Andy
c
Your German must be good to read that fast👹
Lol that's why I was so quick because there was hardly any English. I can understand the German word here and there but I can definitely can't read it
Take care
Andy
Finished "The Battle of New Orleans: But for a Piece of Wood" by Ron Chapman.
The prior history of the causes of the war and then the various forays by the British around Mobile and into the Louisiana area. Trying to get the Indians and "native" Spaniards and Frenchmen to join them against the Americans.
The author says that not withstanding the Treaty of Ghent, which was signed but not ratified when the battle was fought, the British would possibly given the Louisiana Purchase back to Spain (not recognizing Napoleon's illegal use of it). So, he also says that this was the battle that saved America.
Liked most of it but a bit dramatic in his writing.
Finished "McAuslan Entire" by George MacDonald Fraser.
This is a compilation of his three books, "The General Danced at Dawn", McAuslan in the Rough" and "The Sheikh and the Dustbin".
It is a fictionalized account of Fraser's time after the war when he was an officer in command of a platoon (he is Lieutenant Dand MacNeil in the book). In it he changed the actual names of the characters, but it is based on actual occurrences. McAuslan is "The Dirtiest Soldier in the World" and wildly entertaining. Fraser's writing uses the Scottish sounds for the verbal exchanges and is great.
Highly entertaining and highly recommended.
Totally agree. Very entertaining.
The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough by David Chandler. Simply superb. A period I know virtually nothing about, but so far have learnt loads and I'm only on the second chapter.
Just finished one titled "The Last Survivors" Book 1, and can't say I enjoyed it very much. It takes place 300 years after the apocalypse, but I felt like I was reading about the Spanish Inquisition. Thought it was slow moving and focused too much on the anguish of certain surviving humans and the corruption of the leadership. Undecided if I'll read any further titles in this series. Felt like it was more of a dark ages story than post apocalyptic.
I have since started a new one that so far seems interesting titled "Earthfall", by Stephen Knight. The premise reminds me very much of the short story "Damnation Alley" (and the not too accurate movie). But at least I'm not reminded every paragraph of the execution of certain surviving humans as in the last book, mentioned above!!!
Terry
Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries (301st Anniversary Annotated sedition).
Hi
Just finished 'The Day of Battle', the second volume of Rick Atkinson's The Liberation Trilogy. Excellent account of the war in Sicily and Italy up to the capture of Rome in June 1944. Mainly, but not exclusively, told from the US perspective and particularly good at giving balanced portraits (both US and British) of the major commanders 'warts and all'. Sadly from the allied perspective it also shows up what a mediocre bunch most of them were.
Recommended.
Cheers Paul
Airifx Magazine Guide 22, Russian Tanks of WWII by Milsom and Zaloga. A wonderful little book that packs an awful lot of great and really useful information into a mere 63 odd pages. Also a touch of nostalgia as these books remind me of my formative wargaming years.
Finished two books as part of the research for the "Salvation and Catastrophe" project.
The first is the "Concise History of the Campaign in Asia Minor" by the Army History Directorate of the Hellenic General Staff. It is the english version of the abridged one volume version of the 5 Volume Greek Official Military History. It is quite detailed even for an abridged version with 70 sketch maps, and a lot of information of large scale and small scale actions. There is info for battles ranging from company actions to Army level maneuvers. The writing is a bit dry at times, and there is a Greek bias, though not as a bad as one would first think. My major issue was that there were no topographical maps (all are sketch maps) and that my copy had a lot of typos that sometimes contaminated the ability of the reader to follow actions. Until Ericksson writes his book, this is the most detailed, and indeed only, English source on the military aspects of the Greek-Turkish conflict 1919-1922.
The second is Andrew Mango's biography of "Ataturk". Of all the english works on the topic this is probably the best and most accurate. It is a good history not only of Mustafa Kemal but also the period of Turkish history, including the early republic. Very elucidating. Currently it is probably the best english political account of the Turkish War of Independence/Asia Minor Campaign from the Turkish perspective.
Mango sums Ataturk well "Ataturk was a competent commander, a shrewd politician, a statesman of supreme realism. But above all he was a man of the Enlightenment. And the Enlightenment was not made by saints". He was in the end a liberal-nationalist authoritarian, and the regime he created was that. And the history of Turkey and the current events are one more confirming instance for my increasing hunch that whatever is built by authoritarianism is going to be a frail political edifice. In this sense there is a similarity of the liberal authoritarian projects in France and Spain. Anyway, it is a good book, probalby the best english book on the subject.
Both are highly recommended.
Planet Mercenary Rulebook
Kickstarter I paid into two years ago, delivered this week. I doubt I'll ever actually play, but it's sooooooo cool!
I have now finished Harry Sidebottom's Amber Road. Well worth it, it is a cracking historical novel, and leaves you just wanting more - pity the next one is not due out until early next year.
I am now reading 'Cromwell's Buffoon, the life and career of the regicide Thomas Pride' by Robert Hodkinson. The really sad thing is, I think I am turning into Fierce Kitty! ? :o Extensive proof reading errors, missing words, alternatives left to sit side by side in a sentence, are all disrupting my attempt to get close to the text. Is this sort of thing becoming more common, or is it just my imagination?
Mollinary
1871 by Bruce Weigle. I bought this at Colours and am very impressed with the speeded up play and streamlined systems. It should first be noted that this is a set of simultaneous play rules using order chits to carryout most movement actions. In a turn firstly orders should be issued, using the small chits. Generals can then be teleported around the battlefield to attempt to activate those orders on a die roll. At this point charges are declared and rallying troops is carried out.
Movement is very straightforward with most limitations being a half move, although crossing obstacles, limbering, unlimbering and formation changes take less than a half move. Artillery fire is carried out on a simple table with minimal factors using a coloured D10. Hits are shown based on the die roll and range (French cannot reach as far as Prussians) as well as the number of batteries firing, e.g. 4 Krupps batteries at maximum range require a 5 or less on a D10 to hit, whereas a single battery can only achieve a hit with a 2. The result of the hit is then calculated on the fire combat results table based on the morale rating of the target. A white D10 is rolled and there are only 3 applicable modifiers to produce a result, e.g. against a unit with a morale rating of 8 a 4-6 result would throw them back 3" whereas a 2 result would throw them back 8", disorganise them and cause a stand loss. It is suggested that the white and coloured dice are thrown at the same time. Rifle fire is handled the same way, using the rifle hits table and the common fire combat results table.
Charges and melees are then tackled, although the charge may already have been stopped by support fire from the target's neighbours. If not then the charge goes in, each side gets 1 point per stand involved, the score of a D6 and up to five plus factors. The higher scorer wins and the result depends on the score difference, e.g. if the winner wins by 2-4 points the loser loses a stand and is thrown back 5" and both sides become disorganised. There are some different nuances if a unit was attacked in buildings or works, and there are extensive diagrammatical examples of different forms of combat and how they should be worked out and the results applied. I found one rule properly clarified in the examples, i.e. a support stand contributes to a melee, but it turns out that is the +1 factor in the table and it should not also be counted as one of the engaged stands.
There follows a section which adapts the rules for 1/2 scale and 1/4 scale for smaller actions as well as a 2/3 scale for larger battles but using a third fewer figures.
These rules are compatible with the scenarios in the previous books: 1870, 1859 and 1866 and downloadable play sheets for the latter two are promised. This is good as formations and ranges in the other wars are different from the FPW. Also of note is that the new play sheet is a single back to back coloured sheet as opposed to the four sided monster in the original rules.
On the slightly negative side, using inches even the smallest battlefield is 6'x6' and most of them are 6' by up to 9', which is why I am going to try out a scenario using cms instead. Those who have a large table, or a club with permanent premises, should not be affected by this. The attraction for me is the opportunity to play smaller scenarios with a smooth running system. BBB will still get my vote for the big battle, but what about the storming of the Rotherberg or the Stirring Wendel Foundry as company level actions?
Finally a tip I picked up at Colours for speeding play even more. Roll all three dice together, whenever a die roll is called for, in a transparent container using the appropriate result.
Very useful review Leman :). Will try and have a good read over the next day or so.
Finished "A Day of Battle: Mars-La-Tour, 16 August 1870" by David Ascoli.
Great description of the battle with useful history before and after. Ascoli is not forgiving of the mistakes made or actions not taken by the French generals; particularly hard on Bazaine (but Bazaine earned that). Also not very complementary of Prince Frederick Charles.
Avensleben is a hero as are the Prussian soldiers. Not stinting of praise for the ordinary French soldier (who was let down by the commanders).
Good maps and a useful OB at the end.
We are going to be playing this battle at the end of October. Tying these maps to those in Bruce Weigle's "1870" rules. The order of entry will be a combination of the scenario and the book (slight differences).
Ten players; 3 Prussian and 7 French. Pictures will be taken but now that Photobucket has changed their policy I need to switch to Flikr. I have 2 other battles we have done but haven't uploaded those yet - the Hallue and Ladonchamps (both from "1870" scenarios).
It's a hard fight to get right, if the French are anyway aggressive they can push the Prussians off the table. Also, you need to build in the French (we'll Bazaine's) paranoia that there were more units coming up from Gorze than he thought.
Having walked the battlefield, the contours are surprisingly sudden, especially around Wedle's charge. As you approach the ravine is not at all visible, it just looks like a tree line.
Prussian cavalry reconnaissance is vital too ;)
Re-reading 'A Bridge Too Far' by Cornelius Ryan, to refresh my memory on details for my planned Market-Garden campaign.
Will Makes a good point. This is from the position of the German guns north of Pusieux looking towards Vionville:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/dourpuritan/Visit%20to%20FPW%20battlefields/TriptoMetzwithNickandMike044.jpg)
This shows the sudden dip in front of the French gun line out of which von Bredow's troopers appeared enabling him to overrun the French guns. Careful examination of the photo shows the edge of the dip, beyond which can be seen the far horizon. This possibility is now included in the 1871 rules for surprise.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/dourpuritan/Visit%20to%20FPW%20battlefields/TriptoMetzwithNickandMike054.jpg)
Hi Steve
Regarding your planned Market Garden campaign, the 'Rapid Fire!!' people do a very useful 'Operation Market Garden' campaign guide which would easily convert to BKC-II. It has plenty of OOB's (again convertible to BKC) and scenarios and not just Arnhem itself. I have it in front of me while I type but I believe it is only available in PDF format now. Here's a link:
http://www.rapid-fire-uk.com/product-category/rapid-fire-pdfs/
Please keep us informed on how you get on.
Cheers Paul
Hi Paul,
thanks for the link :). I'm making notes as I go along, especially with regards to certain 'what if's?' that could be gamed. For example, what if they'd gone for a dawn drop or very early morning? I've also ordered a book the following book which looks to contain some useful info:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910777153/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910777153/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Steve J.
I've recently read a very detailed review of the air plan - and it was geared to dropping the paras in good order and on the drop zones. Which it succeeded admirably in. Certainly if you compare with Normandy or Scily. There was very little room for changes in the air plan not least due to the shear distance from the air fields in England to the DZs.
Quote from: T13A on 04 October 2017, 10:07:47 AM
Hi Steve
Regarding your planned Market Garden campaign, the 'Rapid Fire!!' people do a very useful 'Operation Market Garden' campaign guide which would easily convert to BKC-II. It has plenty of OOB's (again convertible to BKC) and scenarios and not just Arnhem itself. I have it in front of me while I type but I believe it is only available in PDF format now. Here's a link:
http://www.rapid-fire-uk.com/product-category/rapid-fire-pdfs/
Please keep us informed on how you get on.
Cheers Paul
I have heard that there are plans for a new Market Garden campaign book from Rapid Fire next year. I don't have any details of what it will contain.
Regards,
Martin
Finished voolume 81, No.2 of "the Journal of Military History. 4 volumes a year with many different articles. This one has
Bruno of Merseburg's Saxon War: A Study in Eleventh Century German Military History, useful for SAGA?
Battle of Warsaw, 1920: Was Radio Intelligence the Key to Polish Victory over the Red Army?
Ghost Guerillas: The CIA and "Tiger General" Li Zongren's Third Force during the Early Cold War.
As well as others and also book and magazine reviews.
Some volumes are more interesting than others but that depends on what one likes.
Jackboot a History of the German Soldier by John Laffin. Bit of a misnomer, as it starts with the Great Elector of Prussia and goes through to the end of WWII, with half the book covering the two world wars. Also, up to WWI focuses on generals and leaders. He was a serving soldier in WWII. The book was written in 1964. He has some pretty uncompromising views, and once he got into the descriptions of wounds suffered in WWI i had to abandon it. One for the charity shop methinks.
Operation Market-Garden: the Campaign for the Low Countries Autumn 1944: Seventy Years On.
So far an excellent read, but a bit difficult in places due to the amount of info at times. The book is based upon lectures presented at the University of Wolverhampton on 2014. I've learnt a lot so far, which will be great for my planned campaign and I think the book will benefit from a re-read, certainly for those chapters directly linked to the campaign and planning. Highly recommended.
Quote from: Leman on 08 October 2017, 09:36:32 AM
Jackboot a History of the German Soldier by John Laffin. Bit of a misnomer, as it starts with the Great Elector of Prussia and goes through to the end of WWII, with half the book covering the two world wars. Also, up to WWI focuses on generals and leaders. He was a serving soldier in WWII. The book was written in 1964. He has some pretty uncompromising views, and once he got into the descriptions of wounds suffered in WWI i had to abandon it. One for the charity shop methinks.
I had to stop listening to Montefiore's 'Into the breech' for the same reason, the most revolting thing I've ever heard.
Hi
Just finished 'A Street in Arnhem' by Robert Kershaw. Excellent account of Arnhem from the point of view of the soldiers who fought on both sides and also the Dutch civilians caught up in the fighting along one street that ran from near the landing zones to the centre of Arnhem (about 7-8 k's).
Recommended.
Cheers Paul
Quote from: T13A on 10 October 2017, 01:41:58 PM
Hi
Just finished 'A Street in Arnhem' by Robert Kershaw. Excellent account of Arnhem from the point of view of the soldiers who fought on both sides and also the Dutch civilians caught up in the fighting along one street that ran from near the landing zones to the centre of Arnhem (about 7-8 k's).
Recommended.
Cheers Paul
Seconded - a really different approach to documenting this battle. Which works really well as a book.
Quote from: Steve J on 09 October 2017, 09:01:15 PM
Operation Market-Garden: the Campaign for the Low Countries Autumn 1944: Seventy Years On.
So far an excellent read, but a bit difficult in places due to the amount of info at times. The book is based upon lectures presented at the University of Wolverhampton on 2014. I've learnt a lot so far, which will be great for my planned campaign and I think the book will benefit from a re-read, certainly for those chapters directly linked to the campaign and planning. Highly recommended.
I need to dig this out and finish it - some really interesting papers in it. Some are far more readable than others, but most examine lesser thought about areas of this campaign, and challenge some of the 'standard thinking'.
I like Kershaw as a writer and so will have a look a this book. Thanks for the recommendation.
Fred, the first two chapters have been very enlightening. I finished the second chapter yesterday evening and was frankly incredulous at the lack of planning with regards to close air support. Truly shocking. On the upside learning lots of stuff that's not normally included with regards the campaign, such as the 'agreed' push up the Aachen corridor to draw off German forces from the right flank. Certainly lots to ponder.
Finished "US Navy Escort Carriers 1942-45" by Mark Stile, an Osprey New Vanguard booklet.
Pictures and data as well as some history,a s usual with Osprey's. Didn't know much about CVE's before so informative.
Gallipoli - a ridge too far Edited by Ashley Ekins, published by the Australian War Memorial
One of the best books that I have read about Gallipoli, it covers various topics including Command Decisions made by both sides as well as the performance of some of the lesser known armies that participated in the campaign (French, Indian and Austro-Hungarians) as well as logistics and the Allies revisiting the area in 1919.
another outstanding production from the AWM.
If you ever get the chance to get to Canberra visit the AWM - a very moving experience awaits.
Quote from: pierre the shy on 26 October 2017, 08:22:53 AM
If you ever get the chance to get to Canberra visit the AWM - a very moving experience awaits.
Seconded
The Master and Margarita - Bulgakov, just wonderful.
Greetings
Just starting 'Sitio y Defensa de Oviedo' about the siege of Oviedo in northern Spain Juky-October 1936. Published in February 1938 and written by a captain in the Assault Guards. Only just started it - and it will be slow as my Spanish is patchy at best - and obviously a product of its time and of the Nationalist cause.
I bought it from abebooks primarily because my son is now living in Oviedo (for the second time) so we are likely to visit it again next year and it is not easy to find material in English in any detail on operations in Asturias.
Regards
Edward
Child of Vengeance by ? Kirk (book upstairs). Bit of Samurai action, but also a lot of introspection and a bit of Buddhism thrown in for good measure. The Author lives and works in Japan.
Quote from: Leman on 28 October 2017, 04:56:39 PM
Child of Vengeance by Kirk.... a bit of Buddhism thrown in for good measure.
Gekkukujo is a dish best served cold.
Is that a type of lizard stew?
A real Klingon warrior doesn't stew his lizards. He trains them to defend themselves with beam weapons so that he has a 40% chance of being eaten by his own dinner!
Thought I'd throw in another three'appence about Tin Soldiers in Action. Caliver have gone to a great deal of trouble to produce a high quality hard back book which, like Black Powder et al, acts as a rules tool box, but for use with squares (6"/15cm seems to be the norm). Now I think it will give a pretty good game and should work well for solo play, but there is one big issue which needs to be tackled. The rulebook is produced in England by an English company (Caliver), but the authors are two German brothers and presumably there was originally a German version produced. This English version appears to be a literal translation from the German and consequently lacks English idiom, making it a tricky read in a number of places because the translation renders the meaning a little obscure. Some examples:
'The number of tin soldiers per square and the historical frontage of historical units have to correspond, if they are to reflect the historical realities and therefore is this not an advice but a strict rule.' There is no question mark so I assume 'this is not advice but a strict rule.' There are a number of ambiguities like this.
'The Austrians continued to issue the rifle during the Wars of Unification, but it was quickly declassed by the breech-loading needle-gun, the standard weapon of the Prussian army, which prevailed on the battlefield. Repeating weapons, as the Winchester, conquered the Wild West, while in Europe the procurement of repeating rifles remained contested.' I know what is being said, but no British book would have it written that way.
Started "Line of Departure", by G. Michael Hopf. Fourth book in his series The New World. He's an excellent author and really knows how to tell a story.
Terry
Finished "The Dragoon's Teeth" by Major General JFC Fuller, 1932. This is another "Philosophical" book by Fuller, rather than strictly military. He expounds on many items on the time after WWI (The Great War at that time), the League of Nations (he has no use for), the future of war (civilian guerrillas in their motor cars), an admiration of Russia for their energy in changing things.
Hard for me to finish but I did. Not recommended.
Hi
Just finished Andrew Uffindell's 'Napoleon 1814 The Defence of France'.
Very disappointed by this book, only about half of it is a narrative of the campaign itself and the major battles only take up a page or two at the most. A couple of short chapters analyze the campaign and the rest of the book is taken up with chapters such as 'Occupation', The Propaganda War', 'Population displacements and prisoners of war' and 'Reconstruction'. All of which I think could have been covered by a couple of paragraphs each.
As in the last review by kipt, hard to finish and not recommended.
Cheers Paul
Quote from: Leman on 29 October 2017, 01:41:15 PM
Thought I'd throw in another three'appence about Tin Soldiers in Action. Caliver have gone to a great deal of trouble to produce a high quality hard back book which, like Black Powder et al, acts as a rules tool box, but for use with squares (6"/15cm seems to be the norm). Now I think it will give a pretty good game and should work well for solo play, but there is one big issue which needs to be tackled. The rulebook is produced in England by an English company (Caliver), but the authors are two German brothers and presumably there was originally a German version produced. This English version appears to be a literal translation from the German and consequently lacks English idiom, making it a tricky read in a number of places because the translation renders the meaning a little obscure. Some examples:
'The number of tin soldiers per square and the historical frontage of historical units have to correspond, if they are to reflect the historical realities and therefore is this not an advice but a strict rule.' There is no question mark so I assume 'this is not advice but a strict rule.' There are a number of ambiguities like this.
'The Austrians continued to issue the rifle during the Wars of Unification, but it was quickly declassed by the breech-loading needle-gun, the standard weapon of the Prussian army, which prevailed on the battlefield. Repeating weapons, as the Winchester, conquered the Wild West, while in Europe the procurement of repeating rifles remained contested.' I know what is being said, but no British book would have it written that way.
Unfairly you are criticising book the, meaning is the apparent surely.
Well played sir ;)
A bit off the wargaming thread but a jolly good read.
"What Does This Button Do?" by Bruce Dickinson (The voice of Iron Maiden) and a retired wargamer m/ m/ m/ m/ :-bd
I thought he did antiques.
Bolt Action's Campaign Sealion book. Bought as a bit of retail therapy after 'one of those days' during the week. As you'd expect from Osprey, it's beautifully produced and with lots of nice pics. So the main aim of it is to use it for ideas for small scale skirmish games, either set during 'Sealion' or the AVBCW.
Finished "Generalship: Its Diseases and Their Cure; A Study of the Personal Factor In Command" by JFC Fuller, 1932.
This book was delightful after slogging through Fuller's "psyc" type books. A short book with 6 chapters:
Generalship in the World War,
The Essentials of Generalship,
Examples of the Personal Factor,
The Diseases Diagnosed,
The Remedies Suggested,
Conclusion,
and an Appendix, The ages of 100 Generals.
Main theme is personal, up front leadership (not management) by commanders.
What was the average age?
Pulling out my calculator, the average age comes to 40.36 years old.
Several over 50 Generals; Jenghiz Khan, 51, Simon de Monfort, 53, Timur 62, Marlborough, 54, Dumouriez, 53, Lake, 59, Blucher, 73, Bugeaud, 52, Pelissier, 61, Joseph Johnston, 57, RE Lee, 57, Moltke,66.
Obviously not counting the French 1870 generals, that would upthe average significantly!;D
Shadespire rulebook.... (GW the dirty mistress I can't help going back to :-[)
Found a copy of Mark Adkins book "Goose Green - A battle is fought to be won" in my bookshelf that I must have hidden away years ago in a back row. The first major land battle of the war from both Argentine and British point of view.
Best single book on a modern battle I've read for a long time and by far the best Falklands War book I've seen.
A powerful and emotive read, especially the fight on Darwin Ridge and the command decisions made by 2 Para's Lt Colonel "H" Jones (and Major Kebble after the CO's death) and Lt Col Paiggi, the Argentine commander.
Sounds a good read, will keep an eye out
Quote from: kipt on 04 November 2017, 08:39:02 PM
Pulling out my calculator, the average age comes to 40.36 years old.
Several over 50 Generals; Jenghiz Khan, 51, Simon de Monfort, 53, Timur 62, Marlborough, 54, Dumouriez, 53, Lake, 59, Blucher, 73, Bugeaud, 52, Pelissier, 61, Joseph Johnston, 57, RE Lee, 57, Moltke,66.
I've read a couple of striking instances recently where the relative ages of the opponents seemed to have a very important impact.
One is from Michael Reynolds's classic "Steel Inferno: I SS Panzer Corps in Normandy"
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steel-Inferno-Panzer-Corps-Normandy/dp/1885119445
where he makes a point of contrasting Kurt "Panzer" Meyer (33) racing round the front lines on a motorbike vs deskbound British brigadiers in their 50s who never left their command posts. Consequently Meyer manages to just about hold the line against huge odds, while the British miss opportunities.
The other is the young Napoleon (28) vs the geriatric Austrian Beaulieu (70) in Italy in 1796. Hard to find a better illustration of youthful dynamism and energy vs elderly ponderousness. In fact I've just written a draft BBB scenario for the first week of the campaign, culminating in the two battles of Dego, which should highlight this very aspect. It's in the BBB Yahoo group files now.
Chris (deskbound)
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
Quote from: kipt on 04 November 2017, 08:39:02 PM
Pulling out my calculator, the average age comes to 40.36 years old.
Several over 50 Generals; Jenghiz Khan, 51, Simon de Monfort, 53, Timur 62, Marlborough, 54, Dumouriez, 53, Lake, 59, Blucher, 73, Bugeaud, 52, Pelissier, 61, Joseph Johnston, 57, RE Lee, 57, Moltke,66.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was seriously wounded in action at 73.
Quote from: Chris Pringle on 10 November 2017, 10:20:22 AM
I've read a couple of striking instances recently where the relative ages of the opponents seemed to have a very important impact.
One is from Michael Reynolds's classic "Steel Inferno: I SS Panzer Corps in Normandy" where he makes a point of contrasting Kurt "Panzer" Meyer (33) racing round the front lines on a motorbike vs deskbound British brigadiers in their 50s who never left their command posts. Consequently Meyer manages to just about hold the line against huge odds, while the British miss opportunities.
The other is the young Napoleon (28) vs the geriatric Austrian Beaulieu (70) in Italy in 1796. Hard to find a better illustration of youthful dynamism and energy vs elderly ponderousness.
Don't suppose it would be helpful of me to mention George Brinton McLellan (age 36) vs. Robert Edward Lee (age 56), Chris? :P
Quote from: Westmarcher on 10 November 2017, 03:18:07 PM
Don't suppose it would be helpful of me to mention George Brinton McLellan (age 36) vs. Robert Edward Lee (age 56), Chris? :P
You must remember young George had a difficult childhood, i.e., being a US military observer at the Crimean War.
Chris
McClelllan - there's a good one ;D. Seeing the Brits in the Crimea would certainly give him a lot to try and emulate. Poor little Napoleon, being named after a prolific loser who always abandoned his army when it got into tricky spots is a difficult one to live down to, but George managed it.
Wasn't Kurt Meyer quite tall as well? Was it his youth, height or all that positive combat experience gained over the previous 5 years?
I think Brueys was younger than Nelson at the battle of the Nile.
I think age might be a bit of a poor comparison start point. Someone did a study of senior US army officers (general rank and above) years back by looking at their West Point photos. And guess what the single most prominent feature was to reach high rank... a strong angular jaw line!
Steinmetz against Ramming and Archduke Charles. Moltke against Benedek.
Wolfe (32) vs Montcalm (47)?
Quote from: Dr Dave on 10 November 2017, 04:41:00 PM
Wasn't Kurt Meyer quite tall as well? Was it his youth, height or all that positive combat experience gained over the previous 5 years?
I think age might be a bit of a poor comparison start point. Someone did a study of senior US army officers (general rank and above) years back by looking at their West Point photos. And guess what the single most prominent feature was to reach high rank... a strong angular jaw line!
Dr Dave, good points. Perhaps age is irrelevant except, in the two cases I cited, simply as a symptom of large armies and large casualties allowing meritocracy to operate and talented commanders to emerge at a relatively young age.
Chris
Finished "Weapons of Choice" by John Birminghham. This is a military Sci-Fi read. A UN battlegroup in 2021 gets sent back to 1942 due to an experiment by a civilian ship traveling with them. Most of the group ends up in the middle of the US fleet heading for the battle of Midway with some unfortunate consequences (blue on blue fire, meshed together). Two of the carriers are sunk as well as several DD's and CA's on the '42 fleet and similar to the 2021 group.
Japanese also have an encounter and do not go to Midway. And things happen from there. More books in the series.
All in all a fun read.
Quote from: pierre the shy on 10 November 2017, 08:27:27 AM
Found a copy of Mark Adkins book "Goose Green - A battle is fought to be won" in my bookshelf that I must have hidden away years ago in a back row. The first major land battle of the war from both Argentine and British point of view.
Best single book on a modern battle I've read for a long time and by far the best Falklands War book I've seen.
A powerful and emotive read, especially the fight on Darwin Ridge and the command decisions made by 2 Para's Lt Colonel "H" Jones (and Major Kebble after the CO's death) and Lt Col Paiggi, the Argentine commander.
Hugh Bisheno's 'Razors edge' is also excellent on the Falklands, cracking photo of maggie on the cover.
I have not posted on this thread in quite some time. Between work, play-testing the Bloody Big Balkan Battles scenarios, my reading has slowed to a crawl. I finished a couple of books for my Salvation and Catastrophe project on the Asia Minor War 1919-1922. I remember posting about one, the collection of articles by Venizelos and Metaxas written in the 1934-5 period. I also read Svolopoulos pamphlet "The Decision for the Expansion of Greek Dominion in Asia Minor", a very pro-Venizelist piece of work that uses the term scientific without in my opinion understand it. I also finished the English edition of the Greek General Staff's "Abridged History of the Asia Minor Campaign". Very detailed, but with lots of typos. This all in October.
Since then I have been wrestling with Howard's "The Franco-Prussian War", which I am using for the theme at the 19th Century Warfare and War-game Facebook group. And I am reading Eric Larson's "Devil in the White City" which is phenomenal, but has also disturbed me a lot.
KT
Finished "The First of the League Wars: Its Lessons and Omens" by JFC Fuller, 1936. The League he is referring to is the League of Nations, which he thought was a very bad idea; winners (of WWI) imposing their will on the losers, particularly Germany), and would start another conflict.
The first part is a good history of the Italo-Abyssinian War, with maps. Hadn't read about that before.
For the larger part of the book he expounds on the League. This is what he has to say about disarmament.
"Is this the folly of fools or the wisdom of knaves? Both, because at Geneva the crooks manipulated the cranks and the cranks manipulated the people. The Conference was an immense hypocritical swindle, in which each nation maneuvered for the strongest position in the next was, and meanwhile attempted to appear innocent and peace-loving."
It goes on from there.
Another theme however is Communism versus Fascism. He says" Whilst the process of Communism is destructive, that of Fascism is transformative:..." There are parts of Communism he applauds but really he is a Fascist, being defined by his writing.
The first part was interesting, the second part propaganda from my point of view.
Finished "Warfare in Woods and Forests" by Anthony Clayton.
Disappointing in that there is little theory of what units need to do. One small section on military writings about what to do, but a lot of fluff. "Men who were frightened or cold, even if well trained, might fumble among the trees, especially in a forest gloom. In addition, all muskets were noisy and smoky, and, if old or badly maintained, could be dangerous to the musketeer." Nothing but filler here.
A pity, as one wonders how non-specific waffle gets past the publisher.
Finished "The French Foreign Legion: A Complete History of the Legendary Fighting Force" by Douglas Porch.
This is a very good book, but long (634 pages and then footnotes to 694).
As the title says this is a complete history, up to the publication date of 1991. It discusses history and myths of the Legion along with the actions the Legion fought. It has a history of the notable commanders and vignettes of minor officers, NCO's (the backbone of the Legion, as in most units) and the enlisted. It talks about the recruiting process at various periods in time and the recurring theme of desertion. Severe discipline, but perhaps not quite as the cinema or history portrays it. But then the Legion enlisted many who needed the discipline and/or a fresh start.
One could enlist under an assumed name, but that caused problems when the 5 year enlistment was up. A promise of French citizenship after the 5 years fell afoul of the bureaucracy when actual names and history was required.
Seems like the Legion rarely sent complete units, but made up "march battalions" or bigger units from several of their regiments.
Liked it a lot.
I'm about half way through the 7th and final book in The New World series by Michael Hopf - "Those Who Remain". Once finished I plan to start the first book in a new series by him titled "Driver 8",and can't wait.
Terry
Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars by Duncan Head. A great little book for a complete novice of the period. Using it to get ideas for my ImaginAncients armies for use with 'To the Strongest' rules.
An amazing book which I still routinely use when putting together Hellenistic armies (currently TtS Polybian Romans). It is the only WRG hardback I've ever come across and I've had my copy for nearly 40 years.
The Chariot Wars book by Nigel Stillman is excellent too.
Just read my free sample Kindle edition of the first couple of chapters of Hadrian's Wall by Nick Hodgson. I found this to be a very readable archaeology of the Wall. The section I read covered the actual building of the Wall and the archaeology of its various sections, with maps, diagrams and colour photographs. I enjoyed this so much that I will go on to buy the complete book. Apparently the book deals in some depth with the influence of the Wall on the lives of the Britons who lived on either side of it, as well as its overall history. I must say I did enjoy his writing style - not at all dry or dull.
Finished "The Schlieffen Plan: International Perspectives on the German Strategy for World War I" edited by Hans Ehlert, Michael Epkenhans and Gerhard P. Gross. Translated by MG David Zabecki.
Very interesting collection of essays by many authors. After the introduction there are 11 essays and in the appendix the German deployment plans for 1893 - 1914 (pages 339 to 527), some more complete than others.
A few years ago an American historian, Terence Zuber, questioned the traditional interpretation of the plan, essentially stating that the plan was a myth, an invention of former General Staff officers who had wanted to justify their own failures after the war (I'm loosely quoting the intro here). The book is a counterpoint to Zuber, approached in each of the 11 essays, which in my mind establishes the plan as a real ops plan and not a myth.
Liked it.
Quote from: Steve J on 22 November 2017, 06:55:30 AM
Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars by Duncan Head. A great little book for a complete novice of the period. Using it to get ideas for my ImaginAncients armies for use with 'To the Strongest' rules.
Very useful book, agrees this non-fantasy gamer.
Half way through Michael Hopf's "Driver 8", a post apocalyptic novel, with a rather dark under plot.
Terry
Quote from: Leman on 22 November 2017, 11:39:32 AM
Just read my free sample Kindle edition of the first couple of chapters of Hadrian's Wall by Nick Hodgson. I found this to be a very readable archaeology of the Wall. The section I read covered the actual building of the Wall and the archaeology of its various sections, with maps, diagrams and colour photographs. I enjoyed this so much that I will go on to buy the complete book. Apparently the book deals in some depth with the influence of the Wall on the lives of the Britons who lived on either side of it, as well as its overall history. I must say I did enjoy his writing style - not at all dry or dull.
Many years ago went to a lecture by Paddy Griffith on the wall. At the time evidence had been unearthed that it was painted - or "white washed" - to make it look even more inspiring / formidable. Any evidence of that in your readings?
Wasn't Whitewash and plaster standard on most ancient walls, so any besieged couldn't count the bricks and know the height for ladders/siege engines?
Quote from: Dr Dave on 28 November 2017, 04:21:18 PM
Many years ago went to a lecture by Paddy Griffith on the wall. At the time evidence had been unearthed that it was painted - or "white washed" - to make it look even more inspiring / formidable. Any evidence of that in your readings?
A good story some here may not know: a Japanese army in an incomplete castle realised they weren't ready to stand siege, and certainly not big enough to face the approaching force of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the field, so they retreated. The following day they received a dispatch-rider from Hideyoshi, just inviting them to have a look over their shoulders. They did so, and saw their castle, now captured, and
complete, even unto the whitewashing on the keep. Feeling utterly outclassed by an enemy who could do six months of construction work overnight, they surrendered on terms (Hideyoshi was so successful partly because he noticed you didn't always have to grind a beaten enemy into powder).
When the news got out that the castle had been "completed" with Hollywood-style constructions that wouldn't have stopped a punch, and that they had surrendered quite unecessarily, there were a few red faces; not sure if there were also a few
sepukku acts.
The book I am reading does mention the discovery of whitewash remains on some parts of the wall not excavated until the 1990s. apparently there was also the possibility that red lines were painted onto the whitewash to mimic bricks.
I have just read, very quickly, Neil Thomas' Napoleonic Wargaming. I must admit that, having read and played both C19th Europe and One Hour Wargames, I am raring to have a go at these. Going for the 60mm frontage and Iberia to start with in 6mm (armies I already have). 6mm should make the 8 units look spectacular.
Having finished the New World Series by Hopf I just started a new series - "Trackers" by Nicholas Sansbury Smith. So far it is very good.
Terry
I finished Lars Erickson's "Devil in the White City". A really great book but the Holmes part was depressing and disturbing. A truly evil man.
Still wrestling with producing summaries for the FB group from Howard's book on the Franco-Prussian War.
Starting Tsirigiotis book on Greek Grand Strategy during the Asia Minor Expedition (in Greek) for my Salvation and Catastrophe Project.
The Hobbit.
Memnon by Scott Oden
The Border Reivers, by Godfrey Watson
Voices from Stalingrad: Nemesis on the Volga (Voices from) by Jonathan Bastable
some of the stuff these men had to go through was absolutely horrific
Take care
Andy
Finished "The Dogma of the Battle of Annihilation: The Theories of Clausewitz and Schlieffen and Their Impact on the German Conduct of Two World Wars" by Jehuda Wallach.
Book One is the theories; Clausewitz, Schlieffen and a comparison of both. Book Two is the practice and discusses various phases of WWI. This is part one.
Part two in the interwar period and part three is WWII; Blitzkrieg, Barbarossa, Rommel, Hitler's "hold" orders, the Ardennes and then a discussion of the relationship between policy and war in Nazi Germany.
I found it an interesting book, with good descriptions and explanations of the theories.
Finished "The Journal of Military History", Volume 81, No. 3 (distributed each quarter).
Articles for this issue are:
"For Want of a Nail: The Impact of Shipping on Grand Strategy in World War II"
"Holy War and Just War in Early New England, 1630-1655"
"Adversary and Ally: The Role of Weather in the Life and Career of George Washington" not very good in my opinion
"Dissecting the Origins of Air-Centric Special Operations Theory"
plus others. Always some of interest and others not so much.
Also short book reviews.
Just finished "Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia" by Karen Rhea Nemet-Nejat. Started it on the 21st February this year and it's 307 pages long so I've averaged just over 1 page a day!
Whatever happened to the teenager who blitzed through 120 page sci-fi novels in 24 to 48 hours? :)
Finished "The Russo-Japanese War" by Christopher Martin, 1967.
A very good description of the ground and naval combats. Good maps and interesting pictures.
Perhaps a period to get into, but what rules? Col Bill has the Fire and Fury adaptation which I haven't seen yet, but maybe...
There is a BBB player that is slowly writing scenarios for BBB. Two are freely available at the Yahoo BBB page.
Katanga 1960 -1963 by Christopher Othen. Half way through the book and an excellent, if very, very grim read. I saw some pretty grim things when I lived in Nigeria, especially during the riots, but the inter-tribal fighting covered so far is way in excess of what I encountered :(. Also the mercenaries were, by and large, a pretty useless and rum bunch.
Finished "The Conquest of Morocco: The bizarre history of France's last great colonial adventure, the long struggle to subdue a medieval kingdom by intrigue and force of arms, 1903-1914" by Douglas Porch. this is the same author who wrote about the French Foreign Legion that I finished some time ago.
A lot about General Hubert Lyautey (royalist, strategist, homosexual), as it says on the intro. Lots of little combats, politics, intrigue and descriptive history.
As the author says "The story of the conquest...is a story of people, of chaos, villainy, glory, misery, violence, greed, avarice and maladministration. It is not a story for those who like their history neat."
Re-starting 'The Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough' and trying not to get distracted by anything else until this is finished.
Finished "The Pacific War and Contingent Victory: Why Japanese Defeat was not Inevitable" by Michael Myers.
The author's premise, as noted above, is that the Japanese were not necessarily doomed top defeat because of the industrial might of the US and Allies. However, his case for making that statement uses possible allied missteps, mistakes and war fatigue by the general population. He does not attribute these same problems to the Japanese other than in minor items.
It has some good history but I felt he was really flogging a dead horse and has left me entirely unconvinced.
The main Japanese hope of victory was a peace agreement after their early victories, similar to the Treaty of Portsmouth that ended the Russo-Japanese war
The American reaction to the attack on Pearl Harbour, particularly given the delay in delivering the declaration of war, made this extremely unlikely
Currently reading "Mobilization" book 5 in the Legend of Galactic Heroes series. Great stuff as always. Quote for you
"Politics is like the sewer system of a city. You need it for the city to work, but most people do not want to get anywhere the smell".
Still wrestling with Embree's "Radzestky's Marches". A great book but too detailed.
Began "The Three Funerals of Hasan Tahisn Pasha", in Greek, a biography of the ottoman general who fought against the Greeks in Macedonia in 1912, and had to surrender the city of Thessaloniki.
I wish you all a Happy New Year, with joy, health and wealth for you and yours.
Finished "Designated Targets" by John Birmingham, which is the second book in the series "the Axis of Time". I reviewed the first book here earlier.
The premise is that a UN battlegroup from 2021 was transported back in time to the battle of Midway, intersection (sometimes physically) with the USN group on the way to Midway. In the first book the allies are coming to terms with the new technology, not knowing that the axis has also acquired some of the new ships (random displacements of the UN battlegroup).
In this book the technology is being used by both sides, so the allies know know that the Germans and Japanese have something. Russia has made a cease fire with Germany; both allies and axis are working frantically to make the first A-bombs, and the action continues.
Good quick read.
Good series that..
And finished the last one in the series "Axis of Time". "Final Impact" by John Birmingham. This finishes the war, with several nukes and gas being thrown around.
The story of the Russians (and Stalin and Beria in particular) is interesting.
Japanese kamikazes have a twist, or I should say a jet assist, and take out a Russian fleet.
I forgot to mention that the USN uptime carrier is the USN Hillary Clinton, which is a hoot for a book written in 2007. So much for prophesy.
It does leave the cold war open, perhaps another series, as Russia now has Italy and parts of France. No one has Berlin, as it doesn't exist anymore.
Fun read.
Starting the third book in the Extinction Cycle - Age. Really like Nicholas Smith's work - captivating and most unpredictable!
Terry
I finished Tanaka's "Mobilisation" and Bruno Mungai's collected articles on the Venetian Army of the Great Turkish War in the History and Uniforms magazine. In general both were great, but both also suffered from some unpardonable translation mistakes. Both publishers need to step up.
Break is over so back to work reading. Diving into Dionysios Tsirigiotis "He Helliniki Strategeke stin Mikra Asia 1919-1922 (The Greek Strategy in Asia Minor 1919-1922) for "Salvation and Catastrophe". At the same time I will slowly continue reading "The Three Burials of Hasan Tahsin Pasha". My hope is to get out a article for the Foreign Correspondent from it.
With Respect
KTravlos
Finished "Napoleon in Italy: The Sieges of Mantua, 1796-1799" by Phillip Cuccia.
This is a very interesting book, discussing all the moves and sorties of the first siege by Napoleon. Most books about the Italian campaign only discuss the siege in passing. This book corrects that.
The second siege is by the Austrians (and Russians) and while having similar descriptions of the sorties etc,. it focuses on the French commander, Foissac-Latour, who, even though he was the author of a book on engineering/sieges, was more of a theoretical rather than an active commander. Even thought the jury is still out, he may have "sold out" the city to the Austrians. the city had supplies for 2 years, but surrendered after 3 months.
There were calls for his court-marshal but Napoleon stopped that. Foissac-Latour was banned from wearing the French uniform and Napoleon also said he never wanted to hear about the siege again, it being a stain on the French military and honor.
Very interesting and gives a lot of insight into sieges.
Have had the dreaded Aussie flu since New Years Eve. Now on antibiotics to keep pneumonia at bay. I have been kept company by Douglas Fermer's France at Bay. I have also been using other sources to plan a 10mm crack at Villers-Bretonneux, later to be followed by Poupry, so will have to paint my Bavarians, and also the Wurttemburgers at Champigny. Reckon that will keep me busy for the next 6 months at least.
Get well soon
Cheers Lem, it does make the common cold feel like a stroll in the park.
Get well soon & enjoy the planning in the meantime
I wish you a fast and full recovery.
Get well soon old chap. SWMBO and I have been fighting off a cold the past few days, praying it doesn't turn into said Aussie flu. We've been consoling ourselves by binge watching 'Line of Duty' whilst alternating between being too hot or too cold.
Binge watching when not sleeping is quite a good way to cope. I use my Amazon Kindle Fire in bed, which has a superb HD picture. What's been getting me through? The Crown, Travellers, Upstart Crow, the Good Place, Lucifer, Vikings and anything with Bruce Willis in, plus the resumption of the new Startrek. On the mend, but this is definitely the worst illness (not counting muscle injuries) I've had since glandular fever in 1971.
Glad to hear that there's light at the end of the tunnel.
As for reading, going through 'Uniforms of the American War of Independence' by Digby Smith et al. Very informative and with some good overviews of the conflict.
Finished "Destroyer Captain" by Roger Hill.
Roger Hill was a British naval officer who was in command of a destroyer in WWII. He was on the PQ17 convoy, convoy to Malta and D-Day to list a few of his deployments.
A very interesting book with great descriptions of his ship(s) and crew. He had the HMS 'Ledbury', the 'Grenville' and the 'Jervis'.
The introduction has an interesting but sad commentary about his looking for work after the war. He says "The English post-war world had no use for damaged destroyer captains, which was fair enough - no-one owed us a living; but some took it a bit far. One oil company personnel manager said to me when I sought any kind of work, 'You boys have got to find out the facts of life. You have had all the glamour of the war whilst we were being bombed in London...' and so on. I knocked him right out of his beautiful leather chair: (I did not get the job).
He ended up moving to New Zealand and got work as a 'seagull' which is casual labour on the wharf, loading and unloading ships. Sad this.
Part way through The Soviet Airborne Experience [Illustrated Edition] by Col Glantz.
Interesting stuff about the birth of airborne forces, and the Soviet experience of using them.
Got to the bit where they think it's a good idea, but have purged all the officers who know what they're talking about.
Finished "Stalin's Hammer" by John Birmingham. This is a continuation of his "Axis Of Time" novels that I noted before, but some 10 years after WWII ended. This has a bunch of James Bond cold war action with the Russians being the bad guys.
A main character is Harry Windsor, red-headed, who is now not in the succession to the Throne. In fact, since he came from 2021 into 1942, he is older than his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
Stalin is still alive and has deployed an orbital kinetic energy system. The action is that both sides are trying to keep or snatch a German scientist. The poor German goes back and forth.
At the end, the Russians have started WWIII and attacked across the Fulda gap after using their kinetic energy weapon to take out the defending allied forces, as well as knocking out the allies' satellites. Supposedly there are more novels about that but I haven't seen them as of yet.
Fun read.
Finished "The Good Years: MacArthur and Sutherland", by Paul Rogers. Rogers was Sutherland's stenographer starting in the Philippines and went with him to Australia.
The book discusses the happenings from before the war started to Buna, September to December 1942. A subsequent book, which I have not yet started, continues the story.
Interesting to read about the happenings and people in MacArthur's HQ. At this point Sutherland speaks for MacArthur. but the next book is "The Bitter Years" when there is a falling out between Sutherland and MacArthur.
Interesting look at command during the war in this theater.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on MacArthur :-\
My thoughts on MacArthur... My opinion is that he was ego driven but this book presents him in a much better light. Rogers ended up working for him so is sympathetic (so far; I haven't read the second book yet).
However, all men, and women for that matter, that make a name for themselves need to have confidence in themselves. MacArthur was good and seemed to get the most out of his command. Ultimately he forgot the chain of command and Truman "retired" him.
He was Chief of Staff of the US Army and his time after he first retired and went to the Philippines was probably more difficult than he thought it would be. His attitude towards Marshall was somewhat strained but correct. After all, everyone in the army was subordinate to him. He came back as a 4 star, but still Marshall outranked him at that point. He handled that with grace.
It puts him in the same school as Montgomery, Mark Clark and Patton as far as ego driven, but competent. Along with Admiral King, they were bullies, but in a war that isn't necessarily bad.
Totally agree Cameronian
And the good news is I am virtually back to normal (ernergy levels still lower than before), continuing to plan and paint (hurrah) the 1870-71 Armee du Nord, and re-reading Douglas Fermer's translation of Leonce Patry's The Reality of War.
Thanks Kipt, definitely agree on the ego, need to do some more reading on the 'competent' at some point
Re: Armee du Nord. I have that painted for my "Sappy Nappy" rules. We played the Hallue battle from the "1870" Weigle rules. French held their positions at the north due to the range of the Chassepot (Prussians couldn't cross the Hallue) and held their positions in the south due to the entrechments.
I have photos but the change to Photobucket has left me out. I have Flickr but haven't tried posting from that. Several other battles we have done: Ladonchamps, Mars la Tour and yesterday we did Noisseville.
Litterally just put Patry's book down after reading about Pont Noyelle. Haven't played a Weigle game for a good few years now; the big battles have been replaced by BBB which are a much more manageable set. However, since buying 1871 and seeing how Bruce has 'cleaned up' his rules. I am now planning to play his scenario for Villers Bretonneux.
Just getting into the 6th of 7 books in the Extinction Cycle series titled "Aftermath". Nicholas Salisbury is a very superb author and his books are both believable and well written. They are Post Apocalyptic genre.
Terry
Cheery stuff then, but with Trump in charge, who knows.
Yeah, post apocalyptic stories can get a little more than grim - in fact some have been down right scary! I also realized I gave hte author's name incorrectly. His name is Nicholas Sansbury Smith. Sorry abut that.
As for the last comment, I am beyond comment! I just pray for all of us.
Terry
An artilleryman in Stalingrad by Jason D Mark
Take care
Andy
I've just tried some Paul Theroux. What is his reputation based on?
1970s and 80s journalism from places no one else would go, saying things no one else would dare say.
Dark Star Safari is good though.
Nobody called Richard Burton a great novelist!
Quote from: FierceKitty on 31 January 2018, 09:23:20 AM
Nobody called Richard Burton a great novelist!
Which one - actor or explorer ?
Either. Take your pick.
Finished "At the Sign of the Triumph" by David Weber, a novel of the "Safehold" series.
This is a novel set in the far future, on a colonized planet, Safehold. Earth had fought a loosing war against a species called the Gabba, and were all but wiped out.
The Gabba are drawn to planets radiating the evidence of high technology, so the colonists on Safehold have been proscripted from developing any, through the laws of the Church. However, the Church has been in the power of its Grand Inquisitor, and has trampled the rights of the people.
To make it interesting there is the presence of a long dead female warship commander, whose being had been kept in stasis for centuries. She awakes and occupies the body of an avatar but rouses the people to fight against the Church. Previous novels in the series are about the combats and the increasing tech base used by these rebels. Essentially early firearms against bows and swords, increasing in each book to muzzle loading rifles and then breach loaders. Ships to ironclads and eventually a dreadnought type, with the Church always behind.
Very good combat descriptions as well as story, but long. This last book is 738 pages. There are 8 earlier books and all are good. Weber wrote the Honor Harrington series (Space fighting etc. which is also vary good if one likes that type of story). Highly recommended for some escapist reading.
Just downloaded "Fallen Giants: The Combat Debut of the T-35A Tank" (Francis Pulham) and the first of the "Hammer's Slammers" volumes.
Can't decide which to read first. :(
Partly read Murat Akan's book "The politics of secularism" a comparative account of the politics surrounding questions of secularization in the French Third Republic, current French politics, the Kemalist Turkish Republic 1945-1980s, and the AKP period of dominance.
This is a very dense book, and due to time constraints I only focused on the introduction, literature review and the French Third Republic and Kemalist Turkish cases. It is dense because Akan does something really cool. He makes his argument by using directly the words of political decision makers during crucial institutional debates (parliamentary speeches). He lets the politicians speech for themselves, which is really cool.
While in general very interesting, it validate some suspicions I had for Turkish politics. Essentially a true laicism period only existed in the 30s. Out of it the state always tried to control the Muslim faith, via state support for institutions. This entanglement became much higher in the Cold WAR, when Islam was seen as a tool to be used against the Left and Communism (A similar argument was made by civil-religionists in the Thrid Republic vs. Socialism and Anarchism).This culminates in the 1980 Kemalist Army coup that essentially renders Islam a tool of the state and integrates religious leaders into the system (for example Fettulah Gulen). I wish I had the time to delve in his Fifth Republic and AKP period cases. A hard book to read but well worth reading.
finished Justin McCarthy's "Death and Exile".
The good: 1) This is very readable. I read all 368 pages in a couple of days.
2) None of the everybody lived in peace and love propaganda you read in other books looking at events from the Ottoman Part. A more proper localist perspective, which brings forth a lot of areas (like Zeytun) were Christian vs. Muslim violence was endemic from at least the 1820s, and probably before. Considering how much of a pro-Ottoman McCarthy is (based on his other work and meeting him personally) this was pretty cool.
3) The story he tells is staggering in amount and one that one does not usually hear. He claims at least 5 million Muslim deaths from the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1923. Now I have serious reasons to doubt his number, but even if you take a 30% over-count, that is still a formidable and terrible figure.
4) I know have a better understanding of the defense policies of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan War. If the prime goal was population protection then the defend everything strategy make sense.
5) I knew the Armenians killed a lot of Muslims in their attempt to create an Armenian state, but even with my 30% over-count cut, the numbers are still very bad, even if they are probably dwarfed by Armenian deaths.
The bad:
1) You know how if you grow up in Greece you learn that all Greek crimes in war were reprisals (like the sack of Tripolitsa) for earlier attacks ? Well for McCarthy all Muslim massacres and crimes were reprisals. And I mean literally all. I just do not buy it. I can buy it at a local level, but at other localities I am sure the first action might had been Muslim. This is the case with Greeks, Serbs, Armenians, Bulgarians etc. Some of their crimes were the result of reprisals for previous crimes. But others were probably motivated by other factors.
2) Just like Greek books discount any Ottoman sources and only count Greek, McCarthy discounts most non-Ottoman, non-Turkish sources, and heavily trust Turkish Nationalist and Ottoman sources. At some point even claiming that the Turks are not capable of using propaganda....
3) I just felt he played fast and loose with numbers. I just do not trust goverment sources of any kind enough to be able to say that the difference between pre-war censi and post-war censi give any inclination of population loss. My guess is that a good number of people survived but where never counted. Not enough to eradicate the huge population loss.
4) He bloody plays with his own numbers in disingenuous ways. In page 164, he notes that there are 642408 potential(my word) Muslim dead from the 1st and 2nd Balkan Wars. But in Table 30, page 339, he lists 1450000 potential (my word) Muslim dead from the 1st and 2nd Balkan Wars. Were the frack does this huge difference come from?
End Point: I can see why this study was ground-breaking when it came out. And it would not be unfair to state that 3 to 4 million muslims died as a result of the wars of Ottoman Disintegration between 1820 and 1923. But I can also see why he received criticism, and in no way can you get a fair picture of the human costs of the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire by adding his work to the work of Greek, Serbian ,Armenian, Bulgarian etc scholars. The definitive and holistic work would have to be fair and look at the costs of the Creation, Maintenance and Destruction of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to 20th centuries (probably including the Cyprus and Kurdish conflicts). It is yet to be written. But this book is a good book in order to keep in mind the potential human toll paid by Muslims for the imperialism of distant ancestors and the nationalism of once subject peoples.
PS: Using his system of counting I came to the following numbers of Greek and Muslim civilians potentially dead due to Greek-Ottoman/Turkish conflicts 1821-1923
Totals 1821-1923
Greeks: Low:550000
Muslims: Low: 612000
Greeks: High:750000
Muslims: High: 852000
Finished Volume 81, number 4 of"the Journal of Military History". Comes out quarterly.
Articles include:
"The Real Controller of the battle: The Importance of Studying Tactical Battalion Command-A Case Study"
"Coco Solo Submarines: Protecting the Panama Canal, 1941-1942"
"The Formation of the Commonwealth Division, 1950-1951"
Also many book reviews.
Quote from: kipt on 08 February 2018, 01:56:11 AM
"The Real Controller of the battle: The Importance of Studying Tactical Battalion Command-A Case Study"
I'm guessing its not the Fat Controller ;)
Finished Dionysios Tsirigiotis "The Greek Strategy in Asia Minor 1919-1921" (in Greeks). This is a recent effort (2010) and tries to analyse the grand strategy of both the Venizelist goverment of 1918- November, 1920 and November Royalist governments (1920-1922) using as a theoretical framework the "Thucididean Paradigm" (essentially a locally greek academic variation of the International Relations paradigm of "Realism" -Waltz, Morgenthau, E.H. Carr etc).
One of the claims of both Greek and American academic "Realists" is that if one uses their theoretical framework one will be able to conduct value-free analysis. This is of course all hgowash as Brian Cox explained 40 years ago. And it shows in this analysis. To put it mildly the auhtor has strong Venizelist biases which are not restrained by his theoretical framework. He does do a good job of supporting his arguments with recourse to primary sources, and the book is worth reading for this at least. However, his choice of periods to cover and compare (Venizelos going to Smyrna, All post-1920 Royalist governements) provides a easy test for Venizelos. The end result of his analysis is that Venizelos followed a rational, low risk strategy, while the Royalists did not. He refuses to make the connections between the weak points of Venizelos policies and the policies followed by the Royalists by refusing to engage in counterfactual (he cites Carr is defense a but ignores the many defenses of the use of counter-factuals as for example Fearon's).
Thus this reinforces my belief that Llewellyn-Smith's "Ionian Vision" remains the most honest, and least biased (not biased) look at the Greek decision making in 1918-1923. I am afraid all the Greek authors I read to date are still fighting the National Schism.
That said Tsirigiotis does a great job at locating two key decision points for the Royalists that made their effort extremely hard, and raising (inadvertently it must be said) the key impact of domestic politics on the Greek decisions, both Venizelist (my work on progress for Salvation and Catastrophe explore taht more deeply)and Royalists.
The the two main greatest mistakes of the November Governments was
a) bringing Constantine back
b) refusing allied mediation during the London Conference (February-March 1921)
He assigns blame for this to parochial political interests of the royalists (while presenting all Venizelist interests as national. Since I do not live in a world were Wolfer's and Cox's critiques do not exist, I do not believe in such fantasies).
More correctly we can say that like Venizelos, the Royalists sought a decisive victory in the National Schism via the attainment of the Megali Idea as expressed in the Treaty of Sevres.Since a central testament of the Royalist position was the restoration of Constantine as the King of all Greeks the idea of separating his restoration from attainment the Megali Idea, by doing the restoration referendum after a victiroius outcome of military operations, was not one that could easily be considered by the Royalist.
And once Constantine was back on the throne, he could not be associated with the retreat from the Megali Idea that a mediation would bring, because that would associate the Royalists with defeat, and thus undermine their position in the struggle for the National Schism.
Of course there is the question if a Greek acceptance of Major Power mediation in 1921 would had really changed the results (would the Kemalist had rejected mediation? If they had would the rejection have any impact of the hands-off attitude of France and Britain?).
But one thing that comes out of it is that Constantine bears a lot of personal responsibility. Since it was impossible for his partisans to separate the prosecution of the Megali Idea from his rise to the throne, he should had saved us all in 1921 and refused to take the throne. This would had probably meant that the November governments might have had a much better international environment in their struggle with Mustafa Kemal. This does not mean that the Megali Idea as expressed in Sevres survives, but it does probably mean that the historical result also does not happen. Whatever the result, the avoidance of a Disaster as big as historically happened would probably had permitted the monarchy to survive, and given at least a generation upper hand to the Royalists . That Constantine could not see this is indicative of his weak character.
I have started hte final book in the Extinction series title "War". This has been a great series to read if the post apocalypse appeals to you. The I will start the final book in hte Tracker series that was just released.
Terry
KTravlos, thanks for a brief glimpse into a fascinating period of history
Finished a very good book, "The Early Morning of War; Bull Run, 1861" by Edward Longacre.
Lots of background and then highly detailed accounts of the battle. The author has several other ACW books to his credit, all great.
Just finished reading Osprey's "Monmouth Courthouse 1778." This is the battle which was fought when the American Army tried to prevent Clinton's withdrawal from Philadelphia to New York and in which Major General Charles Lee was notoriously relieved by Washington of his command mid-battle and court-martialled thereafter. Historians tend to portray Lee as vain, bad mannered and egotistical but he was also a witty conversationalist and (some say) a more capable general than Washington. I've therefore been indoctrinated not to like him. However, having read this account, I must say I feel a bit sorry for Lee and questions should have been asked of the conduct of some of his subordinates who wouldn't carry out his orders and/or took it upon themselves to retreat from the fight. He clearly got up the noses of Washington and his acolytes and basically, the court martial looks as if it was a stitch-up to get rid of him. To summarise, intercepted by Clinton, part of the British force turned back, repulsed the Americans (even with Washington in command) and continued on their march.
The book is from Osprey's Campaign series which as fellow "forum'ers" will know, is a pretty good series for providing an introduction to various battle and campaigns throughout history. Typically, these publications include an account of the events leading up to the campaign and the battles involved as well as information about the opposing armies and commanders, orders of battles, photographs and illustrations portraying various events, etc. They also famously include 3D maps.
Somewhat annoyingly, these always seem to be thrown in at random. Does anyone else get annoyed by that?
You'll be reading the book, turning a page and all of a sudden you're on to a 3d map, which is slap bang in the middle of a section with no natural break. What do you do? Do you continue reading until you come along to the end of that section or chapter, or stop and study the 3D map? Personally, I like to stop reading at a natural break then go back to the map. Which is what I did on meeting the first 3D map in this book. Then, suitably armed with an idea in my mind of how that part of the action unfolded and ended, I then returned to the main narrative. This continued .... and continued. I then encountered a second 3D map. I stopped at this one. This started by stating "Washington relieves Lee" ... but as this had yet to happen in the narrative, I carried on. I then encountered a third 3D map ... but still no mention in the narrative of Washington relieving Lee. Finally, TWENTY pages after the first 3D map and TEN after the second, the narrative stated, "Washington takes command!" ~X(
This is not good enough, Osprey. I really wish they would put more thought into where they place maps, etc. Does anyone else get annoyed with this. How do you deal with 3D maps in the middle of the narrative? Do you stop and study these or go back to them later?
I always look at the pictures first!
Just after receiving a book about a Harrier pilot in the Falklands from my sister-in-law, I flicked through the photos. She asked if this would spoil the story. I was a bit surprised at this as it was history.
We tend to forget how little history most people know ;) ~X(
I've given up on Hammer's Slammers. Trying to put my finger on why and am having difficulty. Partly it's because I find it very difficult to believe that a 90 ton tank held up on blowers isn't going to create a duststorm that will make it a target for every ranged weapon in the area. Partly because in the stories I read, the Slammers were never faced with a credible opposition, partially because of the way the volune I was reading was presented there were no characters to get to know properly. My boat remained firmly un-floated.
I've skimmed the last bit of the T35 book. It's a fantasticlly detailled piece of work about every T35 there ever was, and I think it includes every photo of a T35 ever taken. When you read the fate of most of these behemoths, it includes the workds "broken down" and "abandoned". :(
Whilst painting my Tumbling Dice a/c I listened to the Xeneophon's Anabasis on Librivox. (https://librivox.org/ (https://librivox.org/)) If you haven't tried it, Techno, Librivox is a free audiobook website. The books are all public domain, so you're not going to get the latest JK Rowling, but you will get the classics plus lots of WWI and ACW memoires, SF, Fantasy (like Conan) and lots of other good stuff. This weekend I'm planning to listen to the Aeneid. Librivox is very good for listening to whilst you're doing something creative like painting or sculpting.
Meanwhile, I have re-downloaded the Alexiad of Anna Comnena, an everyday story of Byzantine Imperial folks, onto my Kindle.
The Live Ship Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Picked up as a kindle freebie a while back, took a while to get into, but I'm really enjoying it now.
Currently commute reading Nick Lloyd's "Hundred Days". Pretty good.
Research reading Venizelo's published papers. I hate Katharevousa (a constructed version of greek done in the 19th century with the goal of giving a language as close as possible to ancient greek. It was the official Greek of the Old Kingdom up to the 1910s.)
Finished "Refighting the Last War: Command and Crisis in Korea, 1950-1953" by D. Clayton James.
Chapters on the Senior commanders; Truman, MacArthur, Ridgeway, Joy and Clark. Also the key command decisions: Sending Americans to fight in Korea, Inchon, the liberation of North Korea, MacArthur's relief, armistice and limited war.
Interesting book but at a more strategic level. No descriptions of combat.
Read "Sydney - Cipher and Search" by Captain Peter Hore while I was away.
A really excellent book which explains how the Finding Sydney Foundation was able to finally locate the wrecks of the German raider Kormoran and HMAS Sydney, both of which were sunk in an action off the West Coast of Australia in November 1941.
The wrecks were finally located in 2008.
Captain Hore takes the reader on a journey through many phases and places around the world, tracking down survivors of the Kormoran (No one from the Sydney survived) and decrypting copies of the Kormoran captain's after action report that he wrote while in Australian POW camps to find the actual position of the naval action so the FSF search knew almost precisely where to look.
In the end they found the wrecks within the 15km radius that the researchers had predicted.
A masterpiece of bringing together many strands to get to the desired answer to solve the hitherto unknown fate of the Sydney.
Looks like a fascinating read (an added dimension for me is that the ship that ended the voyage of the Emden in The Great War was also named .... HMAS Sydney!).
Anyhoo, not reading any particular book at present but have ordered Osprey's skirmish(?) wargame rules, The Pikeman's Lament. I had absolutely no intention of ordering any books this month but 2 offers coincided to push me into making this somewhat 'frivolous' purchase (the Renaissance is not currently one of the periods I game). Osprey are currently offering up to 70% off and Paypal have offered me £5 off my next purchase. So, The Pikeman's Lament will cost me £4.89 including UK postage - less than 2 pints of good ale at any of my local hostelries - whilst both the beer and the book will make me feel good, at least I'll still have the book for posterity! Both offers expire this month.
Good investment in the book !
That's damned good value and a great set of rules.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 25 February 2018, 12:43:18 PM
Looks like a fascinating read (an added dimension for me is that the ship that ended the voyage of the Emden in The Great War was also named .... HMAS Sydney!).
A very good read indeed.
The foremast of the original HMAS Sydney was preserved as a memorial in the 1930's and still stands there today: http://mosman1914-1918.net/project/blog/hmas-sydney-memorial-mast
Sailed past in when leaving Sydney harbour recently.
Finished Nick Lloyd's "Hundred Days: The End of the Great War". Highly recommended.
Finished "The Russian Army in the Great War; The Eastern Front, 1914-1917" by David Stone.
Very well done and needed when most books are about the Western Front. I enjoyed it.
Just bought "the Friendless Sky" by Alexander McKee; the story of WWI in the air. It's a classic that I have in paper form, but is well worth a re-read.
Something to listen to as I'm finishing my WWII Luftwaffe.
Though I have been listening to the Aeneid and am watching "In Search of the Trojan War" by Michael Wood - so I thought my next project would be bronze clad. Perhaps not.
Just finished "Panzer Gunner" by Bruno Friesen who served in Pz1V's and Jagdpanzer lV's on the eastern from.
Good read, especially the explanation about how to work out the range using the gun sight reticule. The same reticule was used for both the main gun and the Co-ax machine gun. It had atwo position switch for switching between AP shell setting and the one for HE shells and the MG as the baliistics for the MG was similar to that of the HE shell.
So when the main gun site is damaged as in Chain of Command this will also affect the accuracy of the co-ax MG. (Must buy a new anorak) :)
Quote from: Orcs on 03 March 2018, 10:26:41 PM
Just finished "Panzer Gunner" by Bruno Friesen who served in Pz1V's and Jagdpanzer lV's on the eastern from.
Good read, especially the explanation about how to work out the range using the gun sight reticule. The same reticule was used for both the main gun and the Co-ax machine gun. It had atwo position switch for switching between AP shell setting and the one for HE shells and the MG as the baliistics for the MG was similar to that of the HE shell.
So when the main gun site is damaged as in Chain of Command this will also affect the accuracy of the co-ax MG. (Must buy a new anorak) :)
I love these little snippets of information
Take care
Andy
Recently read "Amedeo: The True Story of an Italian's War in Abyssinia" by Sebastian O'Kelly
It's a biography of Amedeo Guillet, an Italian Cavalry officer that fought in Ethiopia in both 1935-36 and during WW2. He fought with the Spahys of Libia and with a "bande", an irregular force of Ethiopians and Eritreans. Sadly he never served with the Penne di Falco that I've converted models for.
Amedeo had quite the adventure (charging British tanks on horseback is the least of it) so I could recommend this even to people not necessarily interested in Ethiopia or the East African campaign.
Reading Longstreet again prior to a campaign starting in April. It should be noted that the suggested 1861 starting army has two 6pdrs and a howitzer. 6pdrs play an important part in the early years of this excellent, full war, campaign system. Never understood why most ACW manufacturers always seem to produce the hardly ever used Whitworths and Armstrongs, but avoid the very common (1861-63) 6pdrs.
Finished "The Bitter Years: MacArthur and Sutherland", by Paul Rogers. Rogers was Sutherland's stenographer starting in the Philippines and went with him to Australia and back to the Philippines. This is a continuation of "The Good Years".
The falling out between MacArthur and Sutherland came from Sutherland feeling his importance and wanting more. There is a woman and adultery involved here, not condoned by MacArthur, that was ill concealed. Also, Sutherland was the voice of MacArthur on trips to Washington DC as well as other senior conferences.
MacArthur recognized this but did not want to lose Sutherland, however they had a strained relationship when the invasion of the Philippines occurred.
The author, Paul Rogers, was in the HQ for the entire war, first as Sutherland's stenographer, and finally unofficially co-opted by MacArthur. Rogers started as enlisted shortly before the war started, was promoted to sergeant, then warrant officer and then commissioned. He never got to the front lines but came close on a jeep ride towards Manila prior to its capture.
Not a history but more of remembrances. Good.
Many, many years ago - 1981 - I was a student working in London. With my meagre allowance, I bought a book which changed my view on the world. I put my favourite bookmark in that book (yes, I have a favourite bookmark) and it engaged and entertained me on the tube into London.
One day, alas, the book fell from my pocket, or I left it on the train, or some light fingered magpie took a shine to my bookmark. Whatever, I lost the book, and the bookmark, never to be seen again.
What had me so captivated? Well until 1981 I knew that the Normans were ex-Viking who cut their hair, took to horseback and won a battle in Southern England in 1066. The book, The Normans in the South by John Julius Norwich opened the world of Italy and Sicily and Byzantium. I always liked the names of the sons of Tancred Hautvilles - William "Iron Arm"; Drogo (a wild name which obviously means cutting off a limb with an axe, backhanded) and Humphrey. One feels Humphrey may have been named by his mother.
Anyway, The Normans in the South is now available on the Kindle, and I have downloaded it. To be honest, I'm a little nervous. Will this be a joyous reuniting, or will it be more like hailing Jamie Carragher?
As it's the same book, it's likely to be the spit of it.
Quote from: Leman on 13 March 2018, 10:56:48 AM
As it's the same book, it's likely to be the spit of it.
I have reread books that were a joy in my youth only to find that time and experience left me rather less impressed than of yore!
Quote from: Ithoriel on 13 March 2018, 11:09:55 AM
I have reread books that were a joy in my youth only to find that time and experience left me rather less impressed than of yore!
Getting old is less fun than one expects. :(
My back can confirm that, especially after a painting session.
Finished "USN Battleship vs IJN Battleship: The Pacific 1942-44" by Mark Stile. Typical Osprey with good pictures and illustrations.
Guadalcanal and Leyte Gulf were the only two actions between battleships in the Pacific. The narrative is well written and I found the booklet to be very good.
We had just finished a GQIII WWI naval action so I moved this book up in my queue.
Re-reading 'Eagles over the Alps' Suvorov's campaign in Italy and Switzerland with a view to it being my next project.
Finished another Osprey, "British Destroyers 1939-1945" by Angus Konstam. Typical with good pictures, illustrations, narrative on each type produced with stats.
Also a good description (if short) of the battle of Malacca Strait, May 1945. It was the last significant surface action of WWII fought by the RN.
Finished "Oi tris tafes to Hasan Tahsin Pasha" (The Three Burials of Hasan Tahsin Pasha) by Chris Christodoulos. A bit of an apologia of Hasan Tahsin Pasha , the Ottoman commander defeated by the Greeks in 1912, and who had to surrender Thessaloniki/Selanik/Salonika to the Greeks. Still some interesting information. Especially pertinent how many of the protagonists of Greek and Turkish history of the era knew each other personally. My goal is to use it to write a article for the Foreign Correspondent on those operations.
From Pike to Shot 1685 to 1720 by CS Grant.
I've been after this for a while and luckily a reasonably priced one appeared on Ebay recently. It arrived a few days ago and is another great WRG book which I'm happily skimming through, but paying particular attention to Monmouth's Rebellion and The Glorious Revolution period. Inspired by D-Guy's posts on his Monmouth's campaign, I aim to use my LoA forces to re-create this campaign or something loosely based upon it.
Finished "An Army of Brigadiers: British Brigade Commanders at the Battle of Arras 1917" by Trevor Harvey. Good but dense book.
This is a book about 5 brigade commanders, their staffs and their battalions at Arras. There is quite a bit of back history leading up to the events at Arras.
One brigadier has been selected from each of the 5 Corps involved in the battle; their backgrounds are one from civilian life and the remainder Regular army, one Canadian, two Scots, one Irish and one English, and the divisions their brigades were in were Regular, Territorial, New army and Dominion.
The emphasis is how they influenced their command. They were more than a pass through of orders from above; they were busy training (lots of replacements after each combat), coordinating their battalions, and influencing the battle at their level, and sometimes more.
This has me thinking of how wargamers use commanders. Most seem to have a circle of command, where units can act as required, and possibly a plus (or minus) to an individual unit action. There are more and I want to start a list to see how others use a commander.
Finished P.J. Vatitikotis "Popular Autocracy in Greece 1926-1941: A Political Biography of General Ioannis Metaxas". It was an ok read, mostly a summary, translation from the geek sources. Indispensable because of the paucity of other english sources, but with some issues when it comes to structure. Recommended if you cannot read Greek.
Quote from: KTravlos on 28 March 2018, 05:39:10 PM
.... translation from the geek sources.
timeo geekaos et dona ferentes,
I'm about a third of the way through Nicholas Smith's first book in the "Orb" series. A post-apocalyptic sci-fi work. I already enjoy his writing style and this series seems just as enjoyable as other of his books I've read.
Terry
Finished "Hans Delbruck & The German Military Establishment" by Arden Bucholz.
Delbruck, who wanted to teach, research and advance military history as a professor was essentially shunned by the tenured professors. Equally he was not welcomed by the officer class. The faculty said military history was not a subject to teach and the officers said that if wasn't a career officer he couldn't understand the profession.
He was, however, a reserve officer in the FPW. He really was only accepted in his teachings after WWI, but that was also very controversial. He blamed Ludendorf for the terms of surrender and totally was against the notion of the stab in the back (which was supported by the majority, but not all, of the military and interestingly by the academics).
A quote from the book: "All his life, Delbruck stood on the middle ground, with the military criticizing him as an outsider who presumed to read the law to the officer in their own domain, and university colleagues rejecting h the study of war as intellectually illegitimate. Delbruck antagonized both officers and professors by departing from the dominant idealist tradition which his opponents, though differing in many other ways, were surprisingly united in upholding. The Schlieffen School of strategy, created within the General Staff and the Prussian School of history, originated within the university, shared much common ground. Both were rooted in German idealism and inspired by the forces of German nationalism. In substantial measure, then, Delbruck belongs to the next generation of German and European scholarship."
Quote from: kipt on 25 March 2018, 07:04:36 PM
Finished "An Army of Brigadiers: British Brigade Commanders at the Battle of Arras 1917" by Trevor Harvey. Good but dense book.
This is a book about 5 brigade commanders, their staffs and their battalions at Arras. There is quite a bit of back history leading up to the events at Arras.
One brigadier has been selected from each of the 5 Corps involved in the battle; their backgrounds are one from civilian life and the remainder Regular army, one Canadian, two Scots, one Irish and one English, and the divisions their brigades were in were Regular, Territorial, New army and Dominion.
The emphasis is how they influenced their command. They were more than a pass through of orders from above; they were busy training (lots of replacements after each combat), coordinating their battalions, and influencing the battle at their level, and sometimes more.
This has me thinking of how wargamers use commanders. Most seem to have a circle of command, where units can act as required, and possibly a plus (or minus) to an individual unit action. There are more and I want to start a list to see how others use a commander.
Field of Battle represents formation commander ability/lack of by rating them at the start of the battle. This rating has a significant effect on the formation.
Quote from: kipt on 25 March 2018, 07:04:36 PM
This has me thinking of how wargamers use commanders. Most seem to have a circle of command, where units can act as required, and possibly a plus (or minus) to an individual unit action. There are more and I want to start a list to see how others use a commander.
Quote from: cameronian on 29 March 2018, 09:28:11 AM
Field of Battle represents formation commander ability/lack of by rating them at the start of the battle. This rating has a significant effect on the formation.
Take a look at the Altar of Freedom ruleset for ACW - it's all about the commanders' many and various strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk
I've just started reading Turning Point: Recollections of Russian Participants and Witnesses of the Stalingrad Battle
Take care
Andy
Quote from: cameronian on 29 March 2018, 09:28:11 AM
Field of Battle represents formation commander ability/lack of by rating them at the start of the battle. This rating has a significant effect on the formation.
With
FoB, and other rules, you may also choose to rate the commanders at the point they make their first move in the game using a random die throw to establish the rating - meaning the guy in charge of your elite flanking force and on which the successful outcome of the battle, could turn out to be a dud. #-o
I also recall that
Shako (1st Ed.) also allowed order changes for French Commanders to be received immediately but not for Allied Commanders which take a full move before being received.
In
The Pikeman's Lament (which I've only started reading/playing recently), each officer has certain traits. There are more than 2 dozen traits listed. These attributes can influence morale or movement or fighting. One of the traits (Brutal) automatically guarantees a Rally test success by shooting one of your own men! :o
Fed up with reading wargames rules and military history, so now into my third consecutive Jack Reacher. The crawl through the mine in book two scared the bejesus out of me.
Quote from: Leman on 29 March 2018, 07:00:30 PM
Fed up with reading wargames rules and military history, ...
What are the other symptoms of this affliction :(
Quote from: paulr on 29 March 2018, 08:21:31 PM
What are the other symptoms of this affliction :(
Lol I like it
Take care
Andy
Well I won't be reading any more Bernie Gunther novels ... Philip Kerr is dead :o :'(
Monmouth's Rebels; the Road to Sedgemoor 1685 by Peter Earle.
So far an excellent read, with lots of useful background info on the politics and the general situation in the run up to Monmouth's landing. All good stuff for some planned games using the excellent FK&P rules, plus forays into Baroque and maybe Pike & Shotte.
Aetius and Arthur in preparation for some Saga action with my 10mm Britons and Picts, both forces of which are ideal for the Hadrian's Wall outpost campaign in the back of the book.
Finished "Civil War Logistics: A Study of Military Transportation" by Earl Hess. I found this book great and really enjoyed it. If you want to know the methods of transportation of men and supplies in the ACW, this is the book. By inference it can be used for other horse and musket periods as well (with obvious differences, see below). Hess does briefly discuss European logistics after the ACW (who didn't really look at the means, methods and experience of the Americans).
The chapters are:
The Logistical Heritage
Quartermasters North and South
The River-Based System
The Rail-Based System
The Coastal Shipping System
Wagon Trains
Pack Trains, Cattle Herds, and Foot Power
Troop Transfers
Targeting Steamboats
Targeting Railroads, Coastal Vessels, and Wagon Trains.
I had used Creveld's "Supplying War" a long time ago when I made my Empire Campaign System rules. This book validates what I had assumed at the time but it would have been nice to have then.
Good book.
Boxed off A and A and now reading The Men Who Would be Kings in prep for a NW Frontier game with a mate's 28mm. Very likely to look at the Naval Landing Party aspect using PP Sudan stuff, as so few figures required, for my own dabbling.
"Hoplites: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Greek Soldiers Who Revolutionized Infantry Warfare" by Charles Rivers Editors on the Kindle.
It's a pallet cleanser of a book. Only 72 pages it gallops through the concept of a hoplite, the Persian wars through to Alexander.
Nothing earth shettering, but full of pretty pictures. I shall keep my eye out for similar volumes as low priced introductions. I see they have volumes on The Austro-Prussian War, Suez Crisis and the Myceneans for £1.99 or less.
As an introduction to the subject, it's quite fun and engaging. Think Osprey rather than Oman.
Quote from: fsn on 11 April 2018, 08:08:05 AM
"Hoplites: The History and Legacy of the Ancient Greek Soldiers Who Revolutionized Infantry Warfare" by Charles Rivers Editors on the Kindle.
It's a pallet cleanser of a book. Only 72 pages it gallops through the concept of a hoplite, the Persian wars through to Alexander.
Nothing earth shettering, but full of pretty pictures. I shall keep my eye out for similar volumes as low priced introductions. I see they have volumes on The Austro-Prussian War, Suez Crisis and the Myceneans for £1.99 or less.
As an introduction to the subject, it's quite fun and engaging. Think Osprey rather than Oman.
:o Did you say Austro Prussian ... where ?
Finished reading a couple of books
"Ordered to Die" by Edward Erickson. This is essentially the english language work giving a general survey of the military actions of the First World War from an Ottoman perspective. I think that coming in from his subsequent "Defeat in Detail" (on the Ottomans in the Balkan Wars) undermined a bit my enjoyment of "Ordered to Die". It was much more of a general survey compared to the more detail of "Defeat in Detail" and you can see how Erickson became a better author down the way. The lack of good maps in "Ordered to Die" was an issue. That said what I could see is how that book opened up a renaissance in the English language study of the First World War of the Ottoman Empire. And it is an easy read.
I also finished reading the chapters that interest me from the edited volume "War and Nationalism". A 900 page edited volume produced by the auspices of the Turkish state on the centenary of the First Balkan War I focused on the parts covering the outbreak of the war, and some of the parts on conduct (About 300 pages)
Forward: Lessons Learned from the Balkan Wars, Edward Erickson
Pretty good forward, which nicely summarizes the book and puts it in the context of his own "Defeat in Detail"
Preface: The Rise of Balkan Nationalism within the Triangle of the Ottoman, Austrian, and Russian Empires, 1800-1878, Peter von Sivers
Ok general survey of a specific view-point on how nationalism works.
Introduction: Lasting Consequences of the Balkan Wars, Isa Blumi and M.Hakan Yavuz
Ok introduction.
Part I. The Origins of the Balkan Wars
Warfare and Nationalism: The Balkan Wars as a Catalyst for Homogenization. M. Hakan Yavuz.
Terrible chapter, I did not like it at all. Too blind to other point of views.
Bulgaria and the Origins of the Balkan Wars, 1912-1913. Richard C. Hall
Great chapter.
The Young Turk Policy in Macedonia: Cause of the Balkan Wars? Mehmet Hacisalihoglu
An ok chapter, where the writer makes a case which does not lead to his conclusions.
Rebels with a Cause: Armenian-Macedonian Relations and their Bulgarian Connection, 1895-1913. Garabet K.Moumdjian
Excellent chapter
The Origins of the Balkan Wars: A Reinterpretation. Gul Tokay
Very good chapter, much superior to the Hakan Yavuz chapter.
A Micro-Historical Experience in the Late Ottoman Balkans: The Case of Austria-Hungary in Sanjak Novi Pazar (1879-1908) Tamara Scheer
Excellent chapter
The Balkan Wars in the Italian Perspective, Francesco Caccamo
Good Chapter
Part II: War as Experience and the Persecution of Change
Armies Defeated before They Took the Field? The Ottoman Mobilization of October 1912, Feroze Yasamee
Excellent Chapter.
The book has 21 more chapters, so I will probably re-visit it in the future.
With Respect
KTravlos
I'm well into "Orbs II" by Nicholas Smith. Part of a four book series that combines the post apocalypse with sci-fi.
Terry
Well, given Mr Trump's current attitude that won't be far off. I'm afraid the only title he is getting from me is Mr!
Quote from: Leman on 12 April 2018, 10:35:35 AM
Well, given Mr Trump’s current attitude that won’t be far off. I’m afraid the only title he is getting from me is Mr!
That's awful generous of you ;) :D
Finished "Red Sun Rising: The Siege of Port Arthur" by Reginald Hargreaves. this is part of the Great Basttle4s of History series with Hanson Baldwin as editor.
It does a good job of the happenings at Port Arthur. It also discusses the naval actions if briefly and the military actions to the north of the siege, but as the title says, it focuses on the siege.
Short but enjoyable.
Just finished The German Army at Passchendaele by Jack Sheldon, the book covers the battle from June to December 1917. It is a harrowing read as it is based on eye-witness German accounts, it makes you wonder how anyone survived the hell of Passchendaele. Interesting that some German officers rode their horses up to the the support trenches. Very informative on how the Germans fought their defensive battles and organised their counter attacks. Well worth reading.
Had a bit of a read of The Uhlan and the Phoenix, in as much as I read all of the first character and part of the second. The first one is the Uhlan, complete with incorrect uniform for starters - blue from feet to top of schapka, trousers tucked into boots (not in 1866), no overalls issued etc, etc. But that sounds too much like bolt counter OCD, and I could have lived with that. The real downer was actually the writing style, the dead ends in various parts of the plot, the constant 'fascination' with bodily functions (which frankly I found a little disturbing), and the appalling proof reading. There was the good old metal, lead, being used a s a verb throughout; latter being rendered as later and later being rendered as latter; lack of consistency in spelling, eg on one page Bazeilles was spelt three different ways, none of them correct. I cannot recommend this book, unless of course you are into people going to the toilet.
Just finished "The Tsar's Last Armada" by Constantine Pleshakov .It covers the voyage of the Russian Fleet to Tsu Shima. It is good on the politics and the actual voyage, together with internal issues within the fleet. The weakest part is the description of the battle itself, particularly as there isn't an actual plan of the battle. It also covers the subsequent lives of the main protagonists. He's drawn on a lot of Russian archives for it.
One particularly interesting issue he mentions is that if the original squadron had not had to wait for other old and effectively useless coast defence battleships they would PDF's have arrived before the Japanese Fleet had repaired all the damage it had suffered from battle or wear and tear.
Overall I'd recommend it if you've also got or read something else on the actual battle.
Finished "Clash of Fleets: Naval Battles of the Great War, 1914-18" by Vincent O'Hara and Leonard Heinz 9who has designed several war games, with an emphasis on naval).
While this doesn't list ever action between ships in WWI, it seems to list most of them. It briefly covers the larger battles (eg Jutland) but has a wealth of detail for smaller actions. It lists the weather conditions, the missions of each side and the ships, with a short narrative of what happened.
It does it by year and by area; North Sea, Baltic, Black Sea, Mediterranean, Non European waters.
It starts with a discussion of the fleets at the start of the war, then each year and then a summing up. There are ship silhouettes for each navy listing names, armament, protection and speed, as well as engine type.
We do GQIII naval rules and have started with the WWI set, "Fleet Action Imminent", so this book will give a never ending source of combats.
Really enjoyed it.
I'm wading my way through the first 4 Yeoman books by Robert Jackson (£6.99 Kindle edition).
I think of them as the sort of thing you would graduate to fom Commando comics. Ripping yarns with only a hint of the inplausible (Yeoman being the only pilot with an aircraft in Tobruk during the siege) but wth some sense of the harsh realities of war. I don't know Jackson's background, bu he does write as someone who has stepped in a plane for more than being whisked off on an 18-30 to Ibiza.
In some ways Jackson is a worthy successor to RE Johns and the proper Biggles books - by which I mean the First World War stuff - "Biggles Learns to Fly" and "The Camels are Coming".
1914 rules by Great Escape Games. In a nutshell activity is based on the use of command chips (so many allocated per turn, then lost as units are lost). The chips are used to order an action. Almost all activity is either moving, firing or a combination. Even a lance charge by cavalry is classed as firing. Morale is accrued and this leads to losses. Enemy can react in your turn and try to seize initiative and/or move/fire. There are also cards, from which a hand of four is drawn to be used throughout the game, eg Push on Lads - initiative is automatically won at the start of the turn. There are small brigade packs to go with the game - Britain, France, Belgium, Germany. The figures appear to be compatible with Kallistra 12mm. See no reason why Pendraken figures could not be used instead, but I would avoid mixing them.
Thanks for the info on the 1914 rules. I'd seen these and have been trying to find out a bit more about them, there seems to be very little info on them.
Finished "Kitchener: The Man Behind the Legend" by Philip Warner.
This is a very good book about his life and exploits. An adventurer in his early days and seemed to be a very solid person overseeing the British and Commonwealth entry and first part of WWI.
Well written so easy to read. enjoyable.
Teenage Tommy by Richard Van Emden. This is an edited account (from tape recorded interviews) of a 16 year old trooper in the 4th Dragoon Guards. Ben Clouting joined up, aged 15, in 1913 and so the first chapter deals with training and barracks life in the pre-war professional cavalry. The overall impression was of great camaraderie - less comfortable but in some ways a bit how I experienced university life, ie a fair amount of high jinks and drinking. The book goes into a lot of detail about the first shot of the BEF on the continent in WWI, as it was fired by a member of the 4th DG. The book also goes into great detail about the British cavalry charge at Audregnies 24th August 1914. This is turning out to be a terrific read, much more gripping than the standard histories, and of course some cracking scenario ideas.
Finished "How Navies Fight: The US Navy and its Allies" by Frank Uhlig, Jr.
While this is an overview from 1775 to the Falklands, it is extremely well done. His writing style is easy to read and his narrative is always interesting. I enjoyed the part about how the politics really interfered with the navy's role in command of the sea concerning Vietnam.
His WWI and WWII descriptions are succinct but full of data. The ACW is well covered.
He ends each chapter with a discussion of what a navy's role should be and how well it was accomplished. Have command of the sea so your merchants and transports can sail and so the enemy's cannot. Also to put ground troops on an enemies shore and supply them there.
Good read.
Over the Battlefield: Operation Goodwood by Ian Dalgish. So far an excellent read with loads of great images to help explain the course of the Operation. Also of note is how accurate the maps were, as they are often side by side with aerial shots. Perfect detail for us gamers.
Finished an interesting little book "Tactical Examples, V1, the Battalion (1877)" by Hugo von Helvig, translated by Lumley Graham. Part of the Kessinger Legacy Reprints series. Helvig was a Bavarian major o the General Staff, and gave these examples, not from the official drill books or regulations, but has worked out "as he thinks best a series of tactical problems".
There are 30 examples, all dealing with a battalion alone or with some cavalry. Each example gives a premise, and then goes through several periods with diagrams showing what the battalion (and its skirmishers and companies) what do.
The first example is "1 battalion against 1 battalion, each battalion consisting of 4 companies. It goes through 12 periods, using 10 figures to describe the actions the battalion commander could take.
The last example, number 30, is "1 battalion and 2 squadrons as escort of a considerable force of artillery against 2 companies and 4 squadrons. The action is described in 11 periods and figures.
It could make an interesting scenario set for those with more skirmish level troops. The companies would need to break into skirmishers and 3 divisions (one of which is the skirmish although in some case the entire company goes to skirmish). I'm not set up for that.
The booklet was more interesting than I first thought and I would recommend it. I bought it through Caliver Books.
Sounds an interesting booklet and will investigate further :).
Finished the four books (so far) in the Orbs series by Nicholas Smith, and have just started his book "The Biomass Revolution". I am very fond of his works and this one has already caught me. Can't wait for my copy of "Hell Divers III" to arrive, but it's not releasing until May 15th.
Also reading select chapters in "The Bavarian Army in hte Thirty years War", which has some excellent info about that period and specifically about uniforms being used (more than I thought).
Terry
In preparation of my new project I just finished 'Three Years With Quantrill' ; the story of John McCorkle who rode with William C Quantrill during the guerilla war in Missouri during the ACW and also read 'Ride around Missouri' from the Osprey 'Raid' series. One of the bigger operations in the area by more or less irregular forces.
Not strictly a book, but it took a while to read all the rules.
A friend gave me the boxed game "Fear God and Dreadnought" by Clash of Arms Games. It was missing the rules but I was able to get them from Clash Of Arms for the cost of postage (great service!).
The box contains 4 counter sets of ships and some planes for WWI, as well as a "Jumpstart" booklet to let you get into the game using an example narrative, a scenario Supplement (107 pages) and a Data Annex from August 1914 - November 1918, with ship, plane, airship, gun, etc statistics. It is another 143 pages.
The rules are another 128 pages and essentially describe naval warfare during WWI. Very well done. Super detailed with many examples. Guns (obviously), torpedoes, mines, bombs, rockets, amphibious assaults, coastal batteries, navigation, weather, etc. It has a lot of good information but I think would be hard to play these rules as they are SO detailed. I liked it for the information and data statistics, but will stick to GQIII and "Fleet Action Imminent" for naval games.
Oooooh! That sounds dangerous for poor Nobby!
Does it have *gulp* fleet lists?
Nobby likes fleet lists. Nobby likes technical data.
Nobby doesn't need another project!
But Nobby really likes fleet lists. =P~
No fleet lists, but a previous book I read (see above in the list), "Clash of Fleets" does have lists. These are for small actions but a great book.
I am really tempted.
I have completed* my 1:3000 WWII in the Med project.
What was WWI like in the Med? Wasn't Captain von Trapp of the Sound of Music fame an Austro-Hungarian seafarer? Submariner? Didn't I read about him trapping an Italian submarine in Lake Perry Como or something?
Did the Russians and the Austo-Hungarians ever bump heads in the Black Sea?
Oh look. Here comes a slippery slope for poor Nobby.
*as far as any projects are ever completed. May need USS Wasp for the Malta run.
I seem to recall someone telling me the Japanese had a number of ships in the Mediterranean during WWI as part of the Allied Forces.
They did, certainly some destroyers, may be some heavier stuff. They were also heavily involved in convoy escort in the Indian and Pacific oceans, guarding against surface raiders.
"Clash of Fleets" describes 17 actions in the Black Sea, all between the Russians and the Ottomans. Sorry, no Austrians.
Currently reading Trial by Battle Hundred Years War book 1 by John Sumption. Slow going but learning interesting things. My only concern is that's its quite long so I will have forgotten most of it by the time I get to the end
Quote from: Fenton on 15 May 2018, 05:24:39 AM
Currently reading Trial by Battle Hundred Years War book 1 by John Sumption. Slow going but learning interesting things. My only concern is that's its quite long so I will have forgotten most of it by the time I get to the end
And you will have another four to read...
Half way through Nick Smith's "Biomass Revolution". And anxiously waiting on "Hell Divers III" also by Nick, which was released today and I hope also shipping today!!! Excellent work his!
Terry
Bolt Action 2nd Edition which arrived today and have been flicking through it on and off. Beautifully produced as one would expect from Osprey. The rules look nice and simple which is what I want, for some fun solo AVBCW and possible WWII. For something more historical, I will play Battlegroup, despite the few issues I have with it.
Field of Glory, Napoleonic. I think it has potential, but I get why people felt it was overwhelming.
Finished Vol 82, No.1 of "The Journal of Military History".
Articles include
Flodden 1513: Re-examining British Warfare at the End of the Middle Ages
How Wars End: Victorian Colonial Conflicts
Mapping the First World War: The Empowering Development pf Mapmaking during the First World War om the British Army
Rommel Almighty? Italian Assessments of the "Desert Fox" during and after the Second world War.
As well as over 100 pages of current book reviews.
Published 4 times a year and with a subscription one can go into the archives to the beginning in the 30's.
The new Hervey book No 13 - The passage to India.
Finished "Maneuver in War" by Charles Andrew Willoughby, 1939. Willoughby became MacArthur's intelligence officer during WWII, and MacArthur called him "my pet fascist" and "There have been three great intelligence officers in history. Mine is not one of them." So not well written about in history books (one historian called him one of the three worst intelligence officers).
But this book is interesting, having quite a bit on Napoleonic maneuver and battle, as well as chapters on the Spanish Civil War and the Italo-Ethiopian war. Lots of maps but not always well coordinated to the text. He also uses maps from several sources so place names can change from map to map.
There are many, many examples of maneuver so the book was very interesting. Liked it.
Started Nick Smith's "Hell Divers III". This is a really great series set several hundred years after a nuclear war apocalypse. If you like suspense, monsters and non-stop action then you'd like this series.
Terry
Just getting to the end of Retreat and Rearguard 1914, by Jerry Murland. What a gripping read. A really strong narrative with lots of first hand quotes to help bring the scene to life. Something like 18 actions involving the BEF between Mons and the Marne are described and discussed, some with really good maps to make recreating the action easier. I am now at the back end of the book where the author looks at what happened to some of the troops who were cut off in the retreat. It is amazing how many of them headed north and caught a train to Lille or Antwerp and the like, and then made it back to Britain. Some were captured and became POWs for the duration. Others evaded capture and were hidden by French or Belgian civilians until they could get away, or in some cases for the whole of the war. In a few tragic cases human nature got the better of some of the civilians, eg when a local woman formed a close relationship with a British soldier, who would then be betrayed by her local admirer. A number of such betrayals led to some hidden soldiers being executed as spies. Murland even posits that some may have blended into the local community so well that they never came forward at the end of the war, but continued to live out their new life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Great Retreat from the point of view of those who actually carried it out.
Finished "Lincoln's Trident: The West Gulf Blockading Squadron During the Civil War" by Robert M. Browning Jr. He has two other books on the ACW blockade (just ordered from Amazon). It's a long book and deals primarily with Farragut who was a very active commander. the Federal dilemma was not enough shallow draft ships able to get close to shore to capture the blockade runners. More got though than I thought.
A lot of small actions both on the water to water and water to land. Could make some great scenarios if you have the ships and figures. Fortifications, sailing ships, paddle wheels, ironclads and more.
Picked up 1914 again by Mallinson. It is a weighty tome, which I had previously got half way through, and the British cabinet still hadn't properly discussed recent events in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it was now 28th July. Anyway decided to bang on from where I had left off, and I must admit, if you are prepared to give the time to stick with it, it does give an in-depth yet very clear account of how the great powers drifted towards war ( or in a couple of cases drove towards it at full pelt - with various machinations used to make it look as though they were not). Mallinson describes well how the very efficiency of German military planning made it very inflexible when it came to modifying issues like mobilisation, compared to most of the other countries. Will press on over the remaining couple of hundred pages as Churchill has now sort of mobilised the RN and the BEF is being made ready, not to mention the Belgians preparing the Liege forts and the Austrians shelling Belgrade before war has even been declared (not a great idea to have your capital right on the enemy's border).
The Soldier by Neal Asher, hard sci-fi that's about to get nasty...
I have been reading two new books from Helion. The first is what will be the definitive book on the Russians in the Great Northern War by Boris Megorsky. An extremely informative look at all aspects of the Russian army and navy in this war.
The 2nd book is about closer to home. It is John Barrett's book on the ECW campaign of 1646 which ended with the battle of Stow on the Wold. A fascinating look at an over looked campaign through my part of the world.
Both highly recommended.
Just finished Steven Saylor's latest novel, the last in the Roma sub Rosa series 'The Throne of Caesar'. It takes Gordianus the Finder through the ill omened days of March, while Caesar makes the final preparations for his Parthian campaign. Everyone knows what happened next, but Steven Saylor is a master of pulling the unexpected out of the predictable, and he does it superbly here. I was genuinely shocked at the denouement, and am only sad that Gordianus will not be back to entertain us again. Thoroughly recommended, as is the whole of the series.
For WW2 and tank fans, I recommend Tank Action by David Render (with Stuart Tootal). All about a 19 year old rookie Sherman Troop Commander (David Render) who takes command of a troop of veterans in Normandy in 1944. Just finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it. :-bd
Finished "The Flying tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan" by Sam Kleiner. I bought this book from Costco when I finished the book I had with me. Turned out to be a good read.
It is essentially the life of Claire Chennault and how he became very partisan for the Chinese. He recruited American pilots (most of whom were military and who resigned and signed on with Chennault because of the adventure). This was the American Volunteer Group, which later became known as the Flying Tigers. The pilots were under contract to the Chinese and were to receive a bounty of $500 for each Japanese plane destroyed - the survivors did eventually receive the money.
The US Army was anxious to bring the group into the service but most of the pilots just wanted to go home when their year contract was up. Chennault, though he had a troubled history with the army, did eventually give i. He was first a colonel and then a brigadier general.
One misconception about the group was that they were in combat against the Japanese prior to Pearl Harbor, but actually did not go on their first combat mission until two weeks after.
The combat missions described seem like the airwar fights by bigjacmac. Not as much detail but still engaging.
Finished "Admiral Togo" by Georges Blond (who also wrote "La Grande Armee" as well as 3 others that I know about).
Good book about Togo's life and goes to Tushima until Togo's death. A good description of Japan before opening up to the west, the intervention into China, Togo's education and training, the naval combat with the Chinese.
A quick book to read and very interesting.
Finished "Carrier War' by Lieutenant Oliver Jensen, USNR. This was printed in 1945 so written before the war ended. Jensen was a Life magazine staff writer and was with Task Force 58. He was also a destroyer officer in the Caribbean and North Africa before transferring to naval aviation. He was on the Yorktown.
Because it was done as a wartime book, he does not say that the Third Fleet and the Fifth Fleet were the same, just changing commanders. Lots of pictures of the ships and pilots, along with descriptions of the various actions against the Japanese held islands. Jensen does a good job describing the action.
Just finished Hell Divers III and what a great read! I am switching gears a bit and have decided to read Howard fast's "The Crossing" about the Battle of Trenton in 1776, which I'll start tonight.
Terry
I wonder, what is the most expensive part of this forum to read, the new releases section or this thread?
Finished "Ottoman Army Effectiveness in World War I" by Edward J. Erickson. It fills in some of the gaps from "Ordered to Die", and is a nice example of what is called a one and half comparative research design. A very important fact of interest for Greek history is that in 1919 the Ottoman Army was still 61000 strong (41000 field army) with the whole infrastructure remaining at place for rapid mobilization (that could reach at full power 250000 men). Interesting that the Allies let the Ottomans keep their General Staff when they did not let the Germans.
That'll be owing to Russia going communist. Turkey then provided a nice buffer.
Lobositz to Leuthen. Horace St Paul and the Campaigns of the Austrian Army in the SYW 1756-57.
Basically it's his diary with some notes where appropriate as well as copious maps and illustrations. On the opening moves so far but very intriguing how the Army moved, sending out detachments to secure crossings, observe the enemy etc. Simply loads of ideas already for kleine krieg games or slightly larger engagements using HoW.
Finished a pamphlet taken from ROYAL ENGINEER PROFESSIONAL PAPERS, "Field Engineering Battle of Woerth" by Capt. R Da Costa Porter 1880. Inside it starts on page 41 and is titled "Paper IV, A Study in Field Engineering: The Battle of Woerth". What the good captain has done is to have taken the movements of the pioneer companies on the Prussian/Bavarian side and given them tasks. These tasks are not historical, but what he thinks they could have/should have done.
Tasks considered are repairing bridges, laying bridges using materials on hand when the corps bridging trains were not available, digging gun pits (quite extensive), digging rifle trenches (and using infantry help), making villages/houses defensible and using gun cotton to open up walls into villages. He follows the Prussian official history as his direction.
All in all very interesting in 22 pages. I was an engineer officer in the army so also had that interest. Would like to find the other papers since this is titled Paper IV.
Finally finished Embree's "Radetzky's Marches". Like his other works this is a very detailed history of the First War of Italian Unification. But for some reason it was a very tough slog. It took me 3 years to finish it, as time and again I had to walk away from it. An excellent source for scenarios at all levels of strategy, but not a friendly introduction/overview of the war.
Read the first two chapters of Graeber and Sahlin "On Kings". Very dense but oh my are they interesting. Sahlin's "The Original Political Society" had some provocative stuff. Gives me a new way to consider our political world.
In the introduction the two postulate that a main conflict in the history of the development of human politics was that between divine kingship and scared kingship. The difference between the two was that in divine kingship, the king elevated himself to the powers of a god and acted as a god in every-day life, while sacred kingship the king was an avatar of the gods, in theory all powerful but in practice curtailed by ritual, taboo etc.
In one the king is sovereign at will. In the other the king is a locus of sovereignty which he/she cannot directly practice. In one he/she is a person. In the other a meta-person.
Fast forward. If there is one archetypal meta-person in human politics, it is "The People". Beyond some very small minorities (for example the writers of the Jacobite), and few political societies (Oman), almost all political societies and political movements claim to serve or represent this meta-person "The People". The debates on democracy thus could be constituted as a clash between the idea of Divine Kingship of "The People" vs. Sacred Kingship of "The People".
Essentially any democratic politics that seek to give as much unfettered sovereignty to the "The People" is politics of Divine Kingship. This is done by calls for the democratization of everything , democratic immidiency, illiberal democracy, direct democracy, and opposition to liberalism. Anything that seeks to restrict the sovereign power of "The People" via representation, liberalism, checks and balances etc.
Once you see things this way, a lot makes better sense.
Reading, "Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy" by Daniel Ziblatt. A book I strongly recommend you read if you want to make some sense of what is going on in Turkey and the US.
"In Weimar-era Germany, the party stature of the loosely structured successor party that encompassed the heterogeneous strands of German Conservatism (German National People's Party) granted local or grass-roots regional associations, and not the national party leaders or national members of parliament, a majority of votes within the party congress to select the national party chairman. As a result, in 1928, an insurgent media magnate and industrialist, Alfred Hugenberg, could leverage his immense financial resources and access to outside pressure groups to capture the majority of local party associations to catapult himself into the position of party chairman, paving the way for the radicalization of Germany's right. "
The Roman Ring by Mark Richards. This is a book on a walking path that explores the country around Hadrian's Wall, consequently it covers pre-Roman, Medieval and modern history as well as the Roman period, eg it takes in castles, industrial heritage, and even a German prisoner of war camp. Preparation for next Spring's Northumbrian walking holiday.
Joseph Conrad - The Secret Agent.
Early days yet, but I get the feeling there's a secret agent involved.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 30 June 2018, 02:55:40 PM
Joseph Conrad - The Secret Agent.
Early days yet, but I get the feeling there's a secret agent involved.
One of his better books, for my money. James Bond it isn't.
I just read "Forever and a Day" by Anthony Horowitz in which 007 becomes 007.
I dunno.
I love the originals. John Gardener's were OK in a modernised sort of way. Hated the Raymond Benson books - so obviously written by an American who didn't really understand Britain.
Normally I like Anthony Horowitz. "Trigger Mortis" was so full of modern social mores that it became almost unreadable. in "Forever and a Day" Horowitz seems to have gone back to the traditional Bond with all his faults and his 1950s sensitivities. The plot is standard, the twists somewhat predictable, and the fight that I wanted to read didn't happen. The female lead is older than Bond, and not a shrinking violet - which I liked, and the ending was satisfactory.
6.5/10
Finished "Angels of Vengeance" by John Birmingham, an author I read before and liked (scenario was a UN battlegroup in the year 20xx was transported back to the Battle of Midway. This book, however, is deceiving. It looks like a picture of a Warthog attack plane on the cover, but has nothing to do with the story.
This story has to do with 3 different women in the aftermath of some sort of devastation of the US (a wave hit of some sort and dissolved everyone. The women are an Endeavor (kind of like a multinational set of Seals), a smuggler and a young Mexican girl. All the stories are intertwined (naturally) and as Birmingham tells a good story, I did finish the book.
Entertaining but not what I usually read - this book was a gift.
Just started reading for King and Parliament rules. Also having another look at the old Virtue 'against Fury rules. I had forgotten that a) they are in fact a complete campaign and also include all sorts of elements like religion, recruitment and supply; b) for some odd reason there is a comprehensive English army list, but no Scots. I say odd because what did the English army achieve in France compared to Northumberland?
Just finished Neul Gaimen's Anerican Gods, now stolen Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve from my daughter to read!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 05 July 2018, 06:02:15 PM
Just finished Neul Gaimen's Anerican Gods, now stolen Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve from my daughter to read!
Looking forward to ..
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Quote from: fsn on 30 June 2018, 04:36:02 PM
I just read "Forever and a Day" by Anthony Horowitz in which 007 becomes 007.
I dunno.
6.5/10
I picked this up and read the back cover in the bookshop at Auckland airport recently while I was waiting for a delayed flight.....seemed interesting but they wanted nearly $40 for the trade paperback version back so didn't get it - one to look out for in the local library though.
Just finished Ernst Junger's memoirs of his service in the German Army on the Western Front in WW1. Quite amazing how he endured and dodged death over four long years of almost constant frontline service interspersed with occasional leave and being placed in reserve, the odd training course which evolving weaponry and tactics demanded, and recovery in hospital from the numerous wounds he received. Apparently compiled from his own diaries and notes, it sometimes comes across as one long litany of incident or event after another - raiding parties, gas, snipers, incessant artillery bombardment, storming or defending trenches, rotting corpses and constant casualties on a scale that is hard to imagine. Although not as well written as other accounts from other conflicts, I nevertheless found it compelling. So, if you are a WW1 fan, and haven't read about Ernst Junger's experience of combat on the Western Front, you might want to try to get hold of a copy of Storm of Steel and if you do, try to get the English translation by Michael Hofmann (apparently there is another much earlier translation by Basil Creighton which Hofmann is very critical of in terms of Creighton's knowledge of the German language).
Finished volume 82, No. 2 of "The Journal of Military History".
As always full of articles:
Ivan IV's State Cossacks
Reconsidering the Wilderness's Role in Battle, 4-6 May 1864
The Crossing Challenge: The Suez Canal Crossing by the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kipper War of 1973
to name a few, as well as numerous book reviews.
The article on the Suez Canal was great. It was done on a shoestring, nothing went right, no time for training (and the Israelis had not trained for this prior to the war). An example of SNAFU and FUBAR but still pushing on to get the job done. A prime example of the friction of war; bridges breaking down on the way (only one of the three ways they attempted made it to the canal bank), units intermixed, traffic jams, wrong intelligence on the location of the Saudi troops, etc. The best article I have read on the Israeli wars,
Just finished Chuquet's 'Wars of the French Revolution: Volume 2 - Valmy'.
Never seen it mentioned anywhere else, but Clerfayt with Austrian and Hessian forces actually arrived just at the end of the battle due to a series of possibly avoidable delays. Would make an interesting 'what if' scenario if those delays had not happened.
For a change of genre have just started 'The Long Earth' swirlies by Pratchet and Baxter. So far very good read.
"The Borrowed World" by Franklin Horton. There are basically two types of post apocalyptic literature - the far off mad Max type stuff, and the startling real as it could happen. This book, and I believe first in a series, is of the latter genre. I always enjoy them regardless, but sometimes the latter genre can be a little unsettling when you realize what the domino affect can be if it ever happened.
Terry
Probably time I dug out my copy of Storm of Steel and read it again - fortunately the Hofman translation.
Finished "Stones River-Bloody Winter In Tennessee" by James Lee McDonough.
Very good description of the battle and the movements and thoughts leading up to it. an 'almost won' by the Confederates under Bragg (with a different commander the 'almost' part most likely would be deleted).
Rosecrans wasn't a strategic genius but delivered a win for Lincoln when it was needed. Due more to the fighting qualities of his brigadiers and troops however.
Friends, Just so happens I live right in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, site of the Battle of Stones River. I think there was one very key advantage to the Union position and their ability to resupply from Nashville, and/or move reserves to needed points in their line which really edged their ultimate victory. First they controlled he Nashville Pike, which is still used today as a secondary road to Nashville, and they were in a horseshoe curled back on Murfreesboro, while the Confederates would have to move their troops much greater distances to achieve the same build up or to plug the line. True the Confederates felt they had actually won the battle and had even telegraphed President Davis advising him so. I am not big on the ACW as the uniforms are too dull for my liking, so am by no means any kind of expert. I have a few relics from the battle here and have dome some study of this battle just because of living here. There were 8 Medals of Honor awarded for the battle and one is displayed in the museum.
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Thought I would share a few pictures of the battlefield and from inside the museum. It is a National park, as is the Union cemetery across from the park Complex. There are no Confederates buried there. Originally they were denied as being traitors of the Union, but a later law, at the turn of the 20th century I believe, reversed that ruling and it was planned to bury the Confederates in the same cemetery. However, the strong southern feelings that still existed did not want "their boys" buried with the Union boys. So the Confederate soldiers who fell are buried in a cemetery in Nashville. That is so sad, because as the author of Barry Lyndon said at the end of his book - "they are all the same now."
Terry
Very nice. Thank you for sharing.
I like the ACW because of the relatively plain uniforms. Always think it's a great place to start gaming.
Very nice piccies, Terry !
Cheers - Phil.
Have to agree with Nobby on this one - really interesting war to game and the uniforms are really quite diverse. Even in the west there were some zouave units and the US cavalry units didn't always follow regulation dress. The Confederate flags in the west are a fascinating mixture before 1864 and the senior officer personalities are a most interesting bunch. In 1966 this is where my gaming took off (courtesy of Don Featherstone and Airfix) and I am still gaming this period in 15, 6 and 3. Oh for the privilege of living on an actual ACW battlefield!
Quote from: Leman on 09 July 2018, 08:50:01 AM
Oh for the privilege of living on an actual ACW battlefield!
Unfortunately you'd never get a visa, and would you really want to live in a country with Boris as president ? ;) ;) ;)
Ian, that was going through my head, but despite what we are bombarded by in the media, plus a surfeit of Balloon Man making crass statements on a regular basis, I am sure most Americans, like most other people, are pretty decent folks and would make pretty good neighbours. Unlike some countries they do have the opportunity to vote him out.
On a slightly different tack, there is something I do find a bit odd and that is the number of US TV shows that don't really promote the country in a very positive light. I've just finished watching series 2 of Goliath and it was a bit depressing.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 30 June 2018, 03:34:31 PM
One of his better books, for my money. James Bond it isn't.
Quite enjoyed it, he does a good "change of pace", through the early part of the book rolled rather slowly.
Now reading "A brief History of Time" - Prof Stephen Hawking.
Now reading Flodden, a novel about that scrap up in Northumberland. It has started with an 18 year old foul-mouthed, stuttering Scottish poacher stumbling across James IV in the woods. It has now taken the obligatory Bernard Cornwell direction (although not written by him), i.e. local bully picks on him (he's definitely headed for either an English arrow or bill), pretty girl fancies him, her father hates him, and one just hopes that somewhere amongst the Emmerdale Farm of it all there will be a stirring depiction of the actual battle.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 11 July 2018, 06:07:23 PM
Now reading "A brief History of Time" - Prof Stephen Hawking.
Don't want to ruin it for you, but the butler did it.
I have read "A Brief History of Time" and Lawrence Krause's "A Universe From Nothing". As I read each page, I understand excatly what is going on. Then I turn the page and it is as if all comprehension has spilled out my brain. Right good reads though.
No he didn't, it was god.
Stephen S Sears - Richmond the Peninsular Campaign, ACW; having just bought Brigade Fire and Fury II...
Finished "The Memoirs of Marshal Foch" translated by Col. T. Bentley Mott, liaison officer between Marshal Foch and General Pershing.
Good book, operational in level, with the beginning and the ending written by Foch. The first part (Book One) he gives a bit of his boyhood and schooling and then goes into the war. He first had a corps command and then moved to an army. Ultimately in Book One he moved to command the French Armies.
The middle section was written by Foch's military associates as Foch did not write about it. This is the preface to Book Two.
In Book Two he becomes commander of all the Allied Armies.
The memoirs discuss his dealings with the commanders he was either subordinate to or in command of. Much moving of armies and corps, as well as his decisions for the prosecution of the war and his constant refrain to attack.
Like it quite a bit.
Just finished reading "Target for Tonight" wargames rules for Lancaster bombing raids. (Kindle edition, Anmazon, A mere £6.00.)
Ummm ... not what I was expecting. Sort of a ludo concept where one progresses from take off, across the North Sea into Germany and back again.
In some a bit of role playing, so quite fun. I'd have liked a bit more about nightfighter combat.
Lots of good information, passed out with the script for the film"Target for Tonight".
Overall 8/10, for what I wanted 5/10.
Finished "Fighting Admiral: The Story of Dan Callaghan" by Francis Murphy.
A pretty good history of his life up until he was killed on the San Francisco at Guadalcanal. Callaghan was very religious - a Catholic, and was pretty strait laced, He did smoke, as did many people of those times, but did not drink or run around, at least as written by the author. There is a slight religious tone throughout the book, but it doesn't detract.
Interesting views of the times from WWI through the years between the wars and then WWII up to his demise. Callaghan was an aide to FDR and although not politically minded, did a lot of liaison with the Navy Department ("FDR was very interested in the Navy) as well as many political errands.
Finisnhed my reading/skimming of Hovannisian's Four Volume Republic of Armenia (each volume 400-500 pages). I do need a break from such heavy reading.
A fascinating work, though it could had been told in three volumes.
Lessons from it
1) Small states (Armenia) really should not threaten other small states (Georgia) when Great Powers and medium powers are around to gobble you up. Whenever a small state joins in the dismemberment of another small state, it creates a precedent for its own demise. Turkey is not a small state.
2) Unfortunately no other power will fight for your country in the end expect if it is absolutely necessary for their goals and they cannot strike a deal over your dead body. The Entete really sold the Armenians down the drain. So did the Soviet.
3) Venizelos decision in 5 July 1920 to reject Paraskevopoulos request for an advance on Eskisehir and Afyon Karahisar in preference for the occupation of Eastern Thrace was CATASTROPHIC. By Nomveber 1920 it was already late, and no amount of Venizelist charm or genius could make up for the domination of Turkey in the East.
Thus one can say that there were two decisive moments in the Greek Turkish
Under Venizelos: The decision of 5th July 1920 to priorotise Eastern Thrace
Under Gounares: The failure of the Greek Army to attain encirclement of Ismet's Turkish Army at Kutahya-Eski Sehir in June-July 1921.
The first one is much heavier. Because if Venizelos had marched to Afyon and Eski Sehir in July 1920, this would had an effect on the situation in the east and the viability of Armenia. It meant that any revision of the Treaty of Sevres, would had been closer to Sevres than Lausanne.
In the second case, I am not sure if even the destruction of the Army of Ismet Inonu would had led to a result radically different than Lausanne.
Anyway speculations.
Finished "Master of War: A Legend Forged in Battle" by David Gilman, a novel.
The hero, if you will, is a young stone mason, who is sent off with others in his Lord's service, to help King Edward take his lands in France. The book goes through the battle of Crecy, and as our hero is a bowman, he takes initiative and saves his Prince. Whereupon he becomes a knight on the field of battle.Being grievously wounded, he recovers in a castle of a family that fought on both sides.
Our hero, Thomas Blackstone, becomes a leader of men and a lover of a maiden he saved (whew, getting serious here). A good read and there are more books to follow. Good battle descriptions and also of the filth and danger of those times.
Predator's Gold, by Phillip Reeve. Second part of the mortal Engines series, borrowed from my eldest.
"It's good, but its not as good as the first one..."to quote my 13 year old daughter.
Finished Flodden by Gary Mill. It turned out better than expected in that more emphasis was put on the actual historical characters. Although the fictional Scottish pikemen still had a role to play they did not overwhelm the story as I feared they might at the beginning. This was not, in the end, a Bernard Cornwell style rip-off and the description of the battle was pretty convincing. There were things in it that I think may have been coloured by the author being Scots, i.e. Surrey was presented as a pretty repulsive character, Catherine of Aragon as considerably more conniving than I imagined (and did she actually go north with the English troops and attempt a parley with James IV?), and the Provost of Selkirk had a pretty peculiar relationship with a sow. I know Surrey had trouble walking but I am not convinced that he sat throughout the battle in his litter. Nevertheless a good read.
Finished "the Pyrates" by George MacDonald Fraser, of Flashman fame.
Written in the same vein, but also with much reference to Hollywood (Fraser was a writer for some films) plus a lot of swashbuckling.
Good characters and quick action, most of it improbable, but mainly based on historical figures.
A good and quick read.
Finished the Osprey "Flush-Deck Destroyers 1916-1945; Caldwell, Wickes, and Clemson classes" by Mark Lardas.
Typical Osprey; pictures, stats, short histories and very informative. Good.
A book on the Boer War. Can't remember who by, but from 1977 in the Britain at War series, with lots of maps and photos. Pretty straightforward narrative history, with a brief (which I like) chapter on causes; a second chapter on armies and weapons and then straight into the action. Spiffing stuff that Brexiters would lap up buy the bucketful.
Finished a great book on the Byzantine Empire, "Lost To The West; The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization" by Lars Brownworth.
Written like a novel but all history. Great footnotes and many, many stories of the different emperors and enemies, as well as generals and the common citizen.
This is a great book and I recommend it to any and everyone that has an interest in this period. And even if you don't.
I particularly recommend it to KTravlos, but suspect he may have already read it.
Thanks for the recommendation. Interesting. Not happy it uses the term Byzantine instead of Roman. But c'est la vie.
It's one of those odd English language quirks - I have always found it odd that the Eastern Roman Empire, based on the city of Constantinople, is always referred to by that city's previous Greek name. Now entrenched as the norm so most commonly used expression in English. It's like the slight irritation I feel when Americans speak of England, when they actually mean the United Kingdom. We do the same, referring to Americans when what we actually mean is citizens of the USA and not everyone living between Prudhoe and Tierra del Fuego.
Every September I take a trip to Ypres and the Somme, and every September I read a book on the Somme. I've particularly enjoyed Richard Van Emden's 'The Somme', and last year read the classic 'The First Day on the Somme' by Middlebrook. This year I've got a book called 'Thipeval' in the Pen and Sword series which I'm really looking forward to - my particular interest is the 36th Ulster Division.
At the minute I've stalled on War and Peace - it's a really enjoyable book, but it has been hard to find the time.
Just finished Rushdie's The Golden House. Sadly, I think he's lost his touch. Seems like an imitation of earlier, much more inventive books.
A bit like Dr. Who: a massive hooha made about the doctor becoming a woman, when Dax got there donkeys years ago on DS9.
Simon Elliot's Septimus Severus In Scotland, The Northern Campaigns if the First Hammer of the Scots.
Signed by the author too...
"Among Wolves" by R.A. Hakok. Yep, a post apocalyptic novel.
Terry
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine" Issue 58.
Articles include
For a Few Minutes the Fighting Was Terrific: Dodson Ramseur's Forgotten attack at Oak Ridge on July 1
Blueprint for Glory, Part II: the May 1863 Reorganization of the Army of Northern Virginia
Learning the Hard Lessons of Army Command: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade during the Gettysburg Campaign
And a few others. Always a great reference for Gettysburg with in depth studies of parts of the battle, commanders and units.
Finished "One-Man War: A Civil War Sniper" by Tom McKinney.
I bought this book on a visit to Knoxville, TN. I didn't have time to go to Murfreesboro, unfortunately, so instead went to Franklin. Still didn't see anything of the battlefield but did visit a good bookshop there, Landmark Booksellers.
I bought a couple of books on Stones River and Franklin and the owner of the store raved about the above book, which is as its title says, about a ACW sniper, from the area. Jack Hinson was a small farmer, slave owner (benevolent according to the author - Hinson freed his slaves once the Federals came into the area but before the emancipation Proclamation). He had a large family but two of his sons were out hunting small game and were met by a Federal cavalry patrol. There were guerillas in the area and when the boys were spotted with weapons, even though they were not hiding, they were arrested. The lieutenant in charge, however, had them shot and beheaded them. the heads were presented to Jack Hinson and his family.
Up to this time, Hinson, who was against succession, and had entertained Grant after Fort Donelson, wanted revenge. He had a .50 caliber sniper rifle made and started targeting Federals, first the lieutenant and his sergeant that murdered his boys, but then officers on river boats. His score by the end of the war was probably over 50. He was never caught but did have a price on his head.
I felt that the author (who is a retired Marine LTC from the south) took maybe a dozen pages of facts about Hinson and made a 300+ page book about it. Too many adjectives (about the weather, the neighbors, the federal soldiers, the terrain and even the union soldier victims) and he even wrote about what Hinson was thinking. The author does say he fleshed out the book but a lot of it is supposition, not history.
So, good story but the book left a sour taste due to the embellishments.
Re-reading some Ralph Weaver Partizan Historical books for some Imagi-Nations uniform inspiration.
Well, well Steve, I am doing exactly the same, using the 1st Schleswig War book for the upcoming Trumpton Wars. Also reading a recently bought huge tome on the uniforms of World War I.
Looking forward to seeing your results and ideas Leman :). The book on the Hungarian War of Independence is good as well, given the real mix of units and Nationalities involved. However the print quality looks like print on demand, so not as good as the 1st Schleswig-Holstein War one :(.
That's a pity. :(
Quote from: Steve J on 13 August 2018, 07:17:31 AM
The book on the Hungarian War of Independence is good as well, given the real mix of units and Nationalities involved.
Steve, which book is that?
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
Hi Chris,
it is The Hungarian Army 1848-1849 by Ralph Weaver, published by Partizan Historical. The contents are as following:
Introduction, which gives a nice overview of the conflict.
National Guard & their Uniforms.
Honved & their Uniforms.
Regulars & their uniforms.
Weapons.
Organisation.
Flags.
Generals uniform details.
Navy uniforms details (the navy consisted of one river gunboat!).
Typical Orders of Battle (which I think are rather useful and interesting).
Reference material for books on the subject.
Brief Biographies of some of the Hungarian Generals.
Given the lack of material in English, this is not a bad little book as an overview of the conflict. Unsurprisingly it come into its own re: units and uniforms with the usual Ralph Weaver illustrations, plus some nice ones by Ron Poulter. The only down side is that it is a tad expensive for what it is and as mentioned before, it looks like print on demand. Still better than nothing!
The War Game by Charles Grant. Just whizzed through the first few chapters and so far an entertaining read. Been after this book for a while and a 'heads up' from my friend Keith Flint that a copy was going for just over a Tenner on ebay, saw me purchase it damned quick!!!
Quote from: Steve J on 13 August 2018, 04:43:07 PM
Hi Chris,
it is The Hungarian Army 1848-1849 by Ralph Weaver, published by Partizan Historical.
Ah, OK, thanks, Steve. I've got that; thought you were talking about a new one.
Chris
If only Chris! Just looked at the scenarios on the BBB Yahoo Group and what a great job you've done :). Looking forward to giving these a run out when I've finished my basing etc.
Cheers Steve! We have had a lot of really good games from these so far. I have a bunch of good sources in Hungarian and German, and a Hungarian enthusiast helping me as well now. Working on the Second Battle of Komarom next (2 July 1849).
So to stay on thread, I have been reading:
Hermann, Róbert (2004). Az 1848–1849-es szabadságharc nagy csatái ("Great battles of the Hungarian War of Independence of 1848–1849"). Hermann is the foremost expert on the war and anything by him is worth having.
Csikány, Tamás: A szabadságharc hadművészete 1848 - 1849 (The Military Art of the Freedom War 1848-1849), Zrínyi Kiadó, 2015. Super-detailed book, tons of analysis, and a very detailed acccount of the 2nd battle of Komarom in particular (and the 3rd as well, I think).
It's slow work with frequent recourse to the dictionary as my Hungarian is pretty sketchy. But it's the only way to get to some of this gold dust.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
Well my Hungarian is non-existent, so kudos to you for working your way through these books :).
Anyone now going to post the Monty Python Hungarian phrasebook sketch?
"My postilion has caught fire"
"My postilion has been struck by lightning" surely :)
I would comment further but, alas, my hovercraft is full of eels.
Please to fondle my bum.
Duel of Giants, political build up to 1870, interesting, pity it stops at the war
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine" issue 59. Articles in this one are:
Serving the Guns in Thompson's Battery
"A Promiscuous Fight": The Defense of Cemetery Hill
"Our Task is Not Yet Accomplished": Meade's Decision Making after Victory at Gettysburg, July 4, 1863
Of Cupolas and Sharpshooters: Major General John Fulton Reynolds and Popular Gettysburg Myths
Plus a few others. Good in depth analysis.
Quote from: kipt on 17 August 2018, 12:16:21 PM
. . . "A Promiscuous Fight": . . .
The mind boggles . . .
Hello soldier; fancy a punch up!
Hello Sailor surely
Didn't think there were many sailors on Cemetery Hill.
Finished "British Cruisers of the Victorian Era" by Norman Friedman. Similar to his other books with many pictures and stats. Good history and particularly on the design and building of the different classes of cruisers. To me there is something very appealing about a warship and the pictures reinforce that feeling.
Well done but can be dry because of the stats, but if you are researching a particular ship for this period, this is the book you need.
Lobositz to Leuthen and Olmutz to Torgau, by Hortace St Paul, are currently being sold as a pair for £25 by Naval and Military Press, originally priced at £75.
Bugger! I bought mine earlier in the year, but at around £50 for both :(. I'm only on the first book, but very interesting and well printed. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the SYW.
A Brief History of The Samurai: A New History of The Warrior Elite by Jonathan Clements (Robinson 2010)
Not bad, if a tad dry.
The Second Barons War by John Sadler. Will report back when finished. Started well, although a little confusing as there are several Simon de Montforts and he also uses the X Earl of Leicester frequently as well, which can be a tad confusing. Excellent second chapter on warfare in the C13th. Just getting into chapter 3, the reign of Henry III, so the rebellion and scrapping should not be too far off. I have played this period in Impetus with a friend's 28mm and it was terrific fun, so looking to use my Pendraken early medievals for this.
Every now and then I drag myself into WH Smiths to peruse, and probably purchase Ancient Warfare magazine or Medieval Warfare magazine. Both are excellent periodicals - if a tad on the expensive side.
About once a year I deign to spend some of my hard-won groats on a wargames magazine. This exercise makes me remember why I don't buy wargames magazines.
But Smiths don't take goats, or do they ?
Just read The Unreturning Army by Huntley Gordon.
Picked up it up at a secondhand book sale.
It is the war memoir of a second lieutenant in the RFA June 1917-April 1918.
Read it in a day. An interesting view from the gun pits.
Baaah! General Melchet again.
Quote from: fsn on 20 August 2018, 12:22:32 PM
Every now and then I drag myself into WH Smiths to peruse, and probably purchase Ancient Warfare magazine or Medieval Warfare magazine.
Ahhh, W.H.Smiths - the lunchtime reading-library for the middle-aged male.
A horrible place. On the rare occasion I do actually buy something from there, I make a point of very slowly sorting through the 17 bits of paper they give you at the till, handing them all back except the actual receipt.
Cheers, M.
--
Just finished 'The War Game' by Grant, which was a very enjoyable read :). Now onto 'To Hell & Back' by Kershaw, part of the Penguin history series, covering Europe from 1914-1949. So far an excellent read.
I always have enjoyed my forays into WH Smith, from being an 11 year old back in 64, to the present. The staff in Liverpool and Southport are always very pleasant and stock at least three wargames mags (not including White Dwarf, but proper mags). When 11 it was the Llandudno store, providing a good lunchtime and post-school wanderi
Finished "Civil Was Generalship: The Art of Command" by W.J. Wood, who was a retired LTC (WWII and Korea).
This is very good, discussing 3 battles, Cedar Mountain (Stonewall Jackson vs Nathaniel Banks), Chickamauga (Bragg vs Rosecrans) and Nashville (Hood vs Thomas).
The author defines command and then contrasts and compares each of the commanders, based on what they would have known at the time. He goes into personalities, physicality, training and how war is often an art. Training and the study of history is a guide, but each tactical problem is different in its application.
Good read and not too long.
Have now finished reading "Captured at Arnhem: From Railwayman to Paratrooper." I like reading books about the personal experiences of people who actually served in war - possibly goes back to my childhood when I loved to hear the stories of adult relatives and their friends when they were young people in WW2. So, for me, this did not disappoint - even the railway stuff which proved more interesting than I thought.
Written by Norman Hicks about his father, Tom Hicks, it starts when he leaves school to work on the LMS railway then, when war breaks out, joins an Army Railway unit before volunteering for the Paras. The story then takes him through training (focusing mainly on the parachute jumping from a few feet up then onto a tower, the balloon and the different types of aircraft) then his experiences as a sapper in Tunisia, Sicily and Arnhem. When captured, the story text transfers to the diary he kept as a POW. This glimpse into POW life appears quite tedious at first (like some modern day Twitter and Facebook posters, e.g., "played dominoes today") but surprisingly becomes more interesting particularly when he is put to work in a mine and until the war draws to an end. At that point, you would think the story would end but "no" it's back to the railways again and eventual retirement. At that point, I was for closing the book but, once again, carrying on, it proved more entertaining than I thought. So, overall, not a bad read.
Sounds a really interesting read Westmarcher
Tedium was one of the challenges faced by prisoners of war
Finished "The Devil's Horsemen; The Mongol Invasion of Europe" by James Chambers.
A bit old and the numbers for the various Mongol armies and their enemies seem awfully large. Needs some better footnoting - I didn't realize both Frederick the Great and Napoleon had studied the Mongol strategy and tactics - and doubt it.
But, a good overall history of who and when and what the Mongols did. Adequate maps but just showing areas of operation and not tactical (which may not be possible for the Mongol type of fighting). Not a period I am likely to get into.
Solzhenitsyn, August 1914 ... again, maybe for the fifth time in forty years, just keeps getting better.
At the age of about 14 I read War and Peace and the straight after August 1914. I've not been the same since.
At the moment I'm stuck into The Rise and Fall of the French Air Force: French Air Operations and Strategy 1900-1940 by Greg Baughen. £9.90 on the Kindle.
Lots of pictures at the start - so many I thought I'd bought an album, but we're thruming our way through WWI. Frightfully interesting about the debate between having twin engined, cannon armed heavy recce a/c - or fighters.
I fear this may cause me to bother Mr Tumbling Dice again.
Lots of work reading this summer. Jennifer Mitzen's "Power in Concert", recommended to those of you interested in the 1812-1853 period.
Still struggling though Volume II of the collected writings of Elefterios Venizelos as part of the research on the volume i am editing on the Greek-Turkish War of 1919-1922 "Salvation and Catastrophe".
But the one that had the biggest impact it this.Daneil Ziblatt's book "Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy". This is one of the best books in political science I have read in my life. It is not perfect, but it is near it.
At its core is the following argument (paraphrased by me): One of the most important factors explaining stable transitions to liberal majoritarian parliamentary democracy is the existence of electorally viable moderate conservative parties that provide old elites with a alternative to authoritarianism for dealing with democratization. Were elites can realistically hope to have a voice in democratic institutions they are more likely to accept democracy (even left – liberal majoritarian parliamentary democracy). Such parties act as a mediator of anti-democratic elite interests within a democratic system, funneling those demands in ways that reinforce the institutional elements of democracy.
He also argues that historically such parties cannot be built after the onset of mass suffrage. Instead they were built in systems of limited suffrage were they had to participate in competitive elections ,and where they could not rely on the state apparatus to compensate for the lack of party organization. In another name were they were not "protected" by the state, they had to become viable electoral competitors that could the survive the onset of mass politics and contain right wing populist and authoritarian threats to democracy.
His hypothesis is thus that the main difference between settled and unsettled democratization (again referring to liberal or left-liberal majoritarian parliamentary democracy) should be the presence or absence of strong moderate conservative parties.
To evaluate his cases he does a deep comparative analysis of conservative parties in the UK and Germay covering the period roughly from 1830 to 1935. His argument is that the UK is a case of success, were a robust Conservative party had formed in the pre-democratic era in competition with the Liberals, which permitted it to be a viable competitor in mass elections, and was thus able to persuade traditional elites to tolerate democratization. Germany was failure, were state "protection" stunted the growth of strong conservative parties in the Kaissereich era, making a viable moderate conservative party not viable either in the Kaissereich or the Weimar period, leading to fragmentation of the right, and the dominance of hard core activists which led elites to prefer anti-democratic solutions (by 1933 either a Schleicher-Hammerstein coup, or Hitler).
He rounds his main case studies, with shallower exhibition cases in Sweden (Success), Spain (failure) and France (ambiguous)
Strong Conservative Parties protect democracy not only by providing elites with an option other than authoritarianism, but also by denying populist agitators of the right the ability to gain power. The greatest example of this is Arvid Lindman who expelled the whole youth branch of his party (40000 strong) in 1933 for becoming fascists. Compare with the total inability of the moderate conservative Reichstag faction of the DNVP to stop Alfred Hugenberg and Heinrich Class from using the Pan-German League and other grassroots organizations to oust them from the party and take it over in 1928, leading to its electoral destruction (for 15% before the takeover by the activists, to 7% after)
The deep case studies are great, involving the use of both qualitative and quantitative analysis and an impressive plethora of primary sources. It thus is also a great historical book for the history of the conservative parties of the UK in the 1830-1925 period and Germany in the 1870-1935 period. The author recognizes the conservative character of the empirical findings. But it makes sense. Nobody will peacefully accept a system if they do not feel relatively safe in it. Electorally viable moderate conservative parties do that for the deadliest enemies of democracy (those with money, influence and power to mobilize anti-democratic forces and trigger systemic crises).
As I am not going to express political opinions for now on social media, I will not say more. But I suggest that anybody serious about liberal or left-liberal majoritarian parliamentary democracy , the state of electoral conservatism, and even enemies of liberal democracy (who have a clear tool for destroying it via the destruction of moderate conservative parties) can learn something important from this book. For me it was eye-opening and has had a profound effect on my political thinking.
Read this book.
https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/comparative-politics/conservative-parties-and-birth-democracy?format=PB (https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/comparative-politics/conservative-parties-and-birth-democracy?format=PB)
:-\
Finished a Tom Clancy type book, "Power and Empire" by Marc Cameron. Very much in the Clancy style with perhaps a bit more story development in each morsel.
This one has President Ryan studying Chinese power, with shenanigans happening in Chinese leadership. And as a subplot, human trafficking. A summit in Japan with the Chinese brings it all together. Fast fun read.
Finished "Chickamauga: A Battlefield Guide with a section on Chattanooga" by Steven Woodworth.
A good guide if you visit but also interesting discussion of the battle with vignettes at each of the stops. the author gives directions to each stop, orientation so you are facing in the right direction, a discussion of what happened, an analysis of the how and why, and further reading.
In the appendix, he gives the OB's for the Feds and Rebs and also a section on organization, weapons and tactics. A good, quick (only 181 pages including the appendices and the bibliography) read
Finished "The German Officer Corps: 1890-1914" by Martin Kitchen. Written in 1968 it is a good expose of the officer corps. Minor gripe that my book is missing pages 37 to 48, which is in the chapter concerning the issue of anti-semitism. Book was printed that way.
There was a large gulf between officers and civilians, to the extent that the officer caste would typically consider them separate from the state and flout the laws. They were the "Kaiser's personal support". This got worse up to and including WWI. They did not want the middle class in the combat arms and were barely tolerated in the technical arms (artillery, engineers, supply).
They kept the duel long after it was banned and outlawed in Germany, Case were tried in Military Courts, not civilian, and officers could and were cashiered for refusing to fight a duel. Also military attache's would bypass the civilian diplomats (ambassadors) and submit their reports directly to the chief of staff.
There was a strong push for defensive war (by attacking their neighbors, France or Russia) which the General Staff never got over. But they had dire warnings for 15 years that Germany was about to be attacked. Very insecure and out of touch.
FoGR rulebook and Trade and Treachery supplement. I recently bought a 10mm Spanish colunela army from my good friend Paul, and have planned out a corresponding French army for this early part of the Italian Wars using late medieval, Flodden and Landsknecht range figures. I am also planning an early Spanish Imperial (1580s) army using a mix of Elizabethan and Landsknecht figures, particularly the LK arquebusiers and the pikeman in the hat, both of which can easily pass as post-1540 landsknechts.
I must say that while the mechanics of FoGR remain inaccessible to me, I have purchased (on Mr. Lemmy's recommendation) most of the C. 16th & 17th supplements and find them very useful and informative.
It all falls into place once you have a few games with someone who knows what they're doing. From zero though the rulebook can be overwhelming. The thing I like particularly about FoGR is the way it is able to deal with the different pike formations of the period, and that units actually exist as battle groups.
Quote from: fsn on 11 September 2018, 05:21:44 PM
At the moment I'm stuck into The Rise and Fall of the French Air Force: French Air Operations and Strategy 1900-1940 by Greg Baughen. £9.90 on the Kindle.
This is a terrific book. Not a description of the organisation or equipment of the French Air Forces per se, but a discussion of how they ended up with what they had in 1940. It's a tale with more turns than a rabbit on a spit; "we want big bombers", "no we want multi-role aircraft", "fighters" ... "bombers" ... right up until after the 1939 war had started. It tells how French designs as delivered were usually not as good as advertised, and ends up being a story of what nearly was.
I'm not one to use hindsight to belittle the efforts or viewpoints of historical persons. Sucessive leaders genuinely held different views, but no single cohesive plan ever seemed to get delivered, and so the French Air Forces went to war in 1939 without a capable long range bomber force, emasculated recce, and fighters that were not quite as good as they should have been. There were apparently a large number of obsolescent aircraft available in 1940 that the French didn't bring into play, even whilst they had Czech and Polish pilots available. I can see both points of view here. Either you concentrate on your newer models because you do want to divert resources de-mothballing older equipment, or you get as many aircraft into the air as possible.
Few other points I found interesting:
- The French asked Britain to take 2000 Polish air force personnel as it couldn't integrate them
- the French respected the Bf110 more than the Bf109.
- The US supplied 1000 aircraft, which the French decided to assemble in North Africa .... where they didn't have the facilities required, so very few made it into action
- The French planned to build Merlin engines. Unfortunately the subcontrcated the manufacture to Ford and in Sept 1939 Henry withdrew all US personnel as he didn't want Ford to be involved in a European conflict. As I say, I don't like to judge historical figures like the Fascist Henry Ford.
Took a break while waiting for my next order of PA books to arrive and am just finishing "Ramillies, Marlborough's Masterpiece" by Neil Litten. However, it's back to PA now that the order has arrived.
Terry
You're going to have to remind me what else PA stands for other than Pennsylvania.
Finished "Naval Warfare" by Vice Admiral P.H. Colomb. This is the second edition printed in 1895, so not up to WWI.
In it he discusses the rules of Naval Warfare (at great length with all the examples - the book is 452 pages). It comes down to command of the sea.
In the beginning of naval warfare it was really land combat on ships. Then raiding territories with sometimes a naval battle.
Quite a bit of English/French in the early days as well as English/Dutch, in the Channel as well as the Caribbean and the Med. The last examples, which evidently were added for the second edition, are the Peruvian War and the Japanese/Chinese war.
A bit of a long tedious read, but still interesting for all the combats.
Been on hols, so had a chance to spend some quality time with the Kindle:
Red Storm Rising (Tom Clancy) - 'Cold war gone hot' techno-thriller, enjoyed this.
From Russia With Love (Ian Fleming) - The fifth Bond book, exciting read, and with few of the problems you get with other books like Live & Let Die in this day and age. In fact the worst bits are when Bond opens his mouth & speaks - his dialogue is very stilted.
Dr. Who & The Dinosaur Invasion - I had about 30 of these Dr. Who books when I was a lad, and recently 'found' a trove of them online. Read this to see how it stood up - not great really. The scrapes the characters get into (and out of) are obviously aimed at the cliff-hanger at the end of each episode. On a positive side, it only took about four hours to read.
Fatherland (Robert Harris) - Crime thriller set in a 'Germany won WW2' alternative history. Again, enjoyed this.
The Martian Chronicles (Ray Bradbury) - Currently still reading, about a third through. Interesting.
I'd read the first three books before, but Fatherland and The Martian Chronicles are new to me.
Cheers, M.
--
I seem to remember the Martian Chronicles being televised many years ago and starring ,of all people, Rock Hudson - or have I misremembered that?
Quote from: Leman on 25 September 2018, 11:08:59 AM
I seem to remember the Martian Chronicles being televised many years ago and starring ,of all people, Rock Hudson - or have I misremembered that?
A 1980 TV mini-series starring Rock Hudson, Gayle Hunnicutt and Bernie Casey according to IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080242/
Unnatural Selection. Wasn't sure, but for any one interested in evolution, you'll be glad you did. Author is self taught biologist, but is an known expert on birds. The text shows this, as she explains evolution in easy to understand terms, using the breeding of domesticated animals to show how Darwin etc pieced it all together. Also visually it is stunning as it is illustrated with loads of drawings of skeletons of animals so you can see exactly what humans have done. Apparently these are all drawn from actual skeletons her husband prepares!
Just finished Before Stalingrad: Hitler's Invasion of Russia 1941 by David Glantz thoroughly enjoyed reading it I just wish that they would include better maps.
Take care
Andy
I'm currently reading:
Peter Flemming - Bayonets to Lhasa
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2351127.Bayonets_to_Lhasa (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2351127.Bayonets_to_Lhasa)
and I'm waiting for my secondhand copy of:
Brian Robson - The road to Kabul. The Second Afghan War 1878-1880
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/324566.The_Road_to_Kabul (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/324566.The_Road_to_Kabul)
for fairly obvious reasons...
:D :D :D
Started this week on a fun Weird WW2 book called "Tin Can Tommies". It's a little over the top, especially with the "...just in he nick of time" episodes, but I am enjoying it enough to finish it. My other issue with it is that I think the author took the same writing course that Radar did on MASH if anyone remembers that episode. It has also served as a great inspiration for rounding ut a WWI British army I'd been pondering.
https://www.amazon.com/Tin-Can-Tommies-Darkest-Hour/dp/1985399652/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538577150&sr=8-1&keywords=tin+can+tommies
Terry
PS - the Tin Can Tommies are hi tech robots/.cyber-beings.
Finished "The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific 1944-1945" by James Hornfischer. Great book by the same author that did "Neptune's Inferno" possibly the best book I have read about Guadalcanal.
This book continues the push into the Central Pacific, with good sea, air and ground action. Detailed on the assault on Saipan and he likes Spruance more than Halsey. Good discussions on Turner also.
A detailed part on the B-29's and Tibbet's (pilot) role in pushing the plane (the B-29 as well as the Enola Gay and the atomic bomb.
Packed with detail for all of its 602 pages (includes the index). Liked it a lot.
Reading "Vichy Air Force at War: The French Air Force That Fought The Allies in World War II" by Diane Canwell & Jon Sutherland. Kindle edition, £4.74.
:-\
So the previous book I read on the French air force stated that French aircraft were constantly slower than contemporaries, and that poor production numbers meant reserves in 1940 were few.
This book takes a slightly different tack. French aircraft were absolutely super fast, and production was marvellous ... and apparently (I paraphrase here) the French army lost the Battle of France and the airforce didn't do nuffink wrong.
Interesting skitter around a rather neglected subject.
Finished an interesting little reprint booklet "Report on Foreign Maneuvers in 1912" published by the General Staff, War Office. There are sections on 12 countries written by British military observers (but no authors names) with the most developed being on France.
The sections are in parts; Direction of Maneuvers, talking about the directing staff and the umpires, the Staff, the Tactics of the Three Arms combined, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Air Service, Supply and Transport and Miscellaneous. Generally all the observations of the countries follow this format. There is a discussion within infantry and cavalry of machine guns.
There are some interesting statistics of marching, supply, tactics and numbers. Overall a fast read.
Also finished "Nimitz Class" by Patrick Robinson a thriller in the genre of Clancy.
A Nimitz class carrier, the Thomas Jefferson is torpedoed by a rogue submarine (A Kilo 630 - Russian). the torpedo is a nuke and the carrier is vaporized.
The main character trying to find the bad guys is a lieutenant commander, nuclear trained scientist and the brother of the group Operations Officer.
Trips all over the world, ferreting out leads until the confrontation. Written in 1997, so one of the 'jump on the band wagon' books after Clancy's "Hunt for Red October" so a bit dated, but still a fun read.
I finally finished "The Ottoman Crimean War (1853-1856)" by Dr. Candan Badem.
It was an interesting reads. Its topic is essentially partly a coverage of the Crimean War fronts not generally covered well in western historiography (the Danube front before 1854, the Caucasus, domestic conditions), and mostly a look at aspects of Ottoman life and government and how the Crimean War impacted them, and how Ottoman conditions impacted Ottoman policy and activity during the war.
The author used a wide range of primary sources, not always seen in English and French, including Ottoman Turkish and Russian ones.
It is not per se a military history, as a mix of military and social history. You still need a survey history to place some events he talks about in a whole. But this is a must book if you wish to comprehend the war from an Ottoman perspective.
It is also worth reading for the extremely detailed, and very very harsh, literature review of English, French, Russian, Turkish and Ottoman Turkish works done on the war. He really does not hold punches.
The structure of the book does not always make it an easy read, and while his English is technically good, I felt that the information flow was not always well served.
That said this is an indispensable book for those interested in getting a better picture of the Crimean War.
If you read and like it, make sure to tell him that. He is facing some challenging times in his life.
https://brill.com/view/title/15553?qt-qt_product_details=1 (https://brill.com/view/title/15553?qt-qt_product_details=1)
Age of Hannibal by Greg Wagman. A set of fast play Ancient rules covering approximately 500BC to 500AD designed with 6mm and 10mm figures in mind. Games can be played using designed scenarios (currently a booklet covering the three Punic Wars), plus a further three in the rule book (one from the 2nd Punic War, one from Alexander and one from Caesar). The rules are very straightforward and read very well. A 40mm square base is a unit but units can operate in groups. Missile fire can be by a group of units against one target base, but close combat is worked by unit against unit. As units are defeated they accrue demoralisation. Three demoralisations eliminate a unit, but at the start of the turn the turn it is possible to rally off demoralisations. An army starts with a morale of 9. At the end of each player's turn the army that lost the turn has jts morale lowered by one. Army morale cannot be recovered so the battle is lost when one army reaches zero morale. To spice things up though units have traits that affect their combat ability, commanders have traits that affect their leadership, there are large number of different unit types and there is a card driven terrain set up system (which can also include army stratagems) for non-scenario games (More scenario booklets are promised). Finally Little Wars TV is the producer of the rules and also provides support, including terrain tutorials, play throughs and downloadable 6mm buildings and city walls for siege games, which are also covered in the rules. To take a look go to:
www.littlewarstv.com (http://www.littlewarstv.com)
Quote from: KTravlos on 15 October 2018, 04:49:15 PM
I finally finished "The Ottoman Crimean War (1853-1856)" by Dr. Candan Badem.
If you read and like it, make sure to tell him that. He is facing some challenging times in his life.
Not sure how I'd tell him, but yes, I have it, I read it and liked it and found it really valuable.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
He is on twitter. Pretty much only way to reach him now.
Finished "The Army of the French Revolution: From Citizen-Soldiers to Instrument of Power" by Jean-Paul Bertaud, translated by R. R. Palmer.
This is a well researched and written book. Part One is From the Royal Army to the Democracy in Arms (1789 to Summer 1793). Part Two is the Sans-culottes, the Revolutionary Government and the Transformation of the Army (Summer 1793 to Summer 1794). Part Three is From the National and Revolutionary Army to the Army of the Coup d'Etat of Fructidor (Year III to Year V).
the author did extensive search in the archives of Paris and the different provinces to gather data on the conscription's, the training, the amalgamations and the desertions and other losses. It is not a listing of raw statistics but he incorporates the lives of the troops and their letters when available as well as reports from the government officials. It is also not a detailed description of the campaigns and battles. Phipps is good for that ("The Armies of the French Republic").
I now know much more about this period than I did before and I have several books on this period. This one is good.
Kipt
Another good source are the series of books produced by George Nafziger , The Wars of the French Revolution. Some volumes are available from Caliver, but more often than not you have to buy direct from Nafziger in the US.
Can also recommend the following book if you want to look at the minor German states involved in the Revolution. 'We Are Accustomed to do our Our Duty'. Covers Hanover, the two Hessian states, Baden and Brunswick. General campaign history, organisation and uniforms.
Chad
I have many Nafzinger's but not those. And not the other. I concentrated more on the Empire.
The Osprey 3 book set on Operation Market-Garden, just to get another view for my wargames and also as a treat to myself :)
A Tale of Two Cities.
Did you know it was first serialised in two local newspapers? It was the Bicester Times and the Worcester Times.
Go and get your coat, Westie !!
NOBBY.......Customer for you.
Cheers - Phil ;)
(http://news.sciencefictionbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/picard-facepalm.jpg)
(https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/2321706_700b.jpg)
;D
Finished "Five Tragic Hours: The Battle of Franklin" by James Lee McDonough and Thomas L. Connelly.
Good book on the battle with a good discussion about General Hood and his failures. He was out of his depth as an army commander, but President Davios wanted a fighter so he replaced Johnson with Hood. then Hood proceeded to ruin the Army of Tennessee.
I bought this book used and it had been signed by the authors, so an added bonus.
For the first time in months I've picked up a hardcopy book as opposed to a pot boiler on my Kindly thing; Panzer Leader by Heinz Guderian. Never read it before and thought it was a steal for £3 in my local The Works.
A very interesting read and I got my copy from a charity shop for a few quid too :)
An interesting read, if perhaps somewhat biased in his favour, I got my copy at the local book fair for about £1 :)
Finished "Without Warning" by John Birmingham. this is the first novel of a "bubble" that destroys all life across most of America. I previously read book 3 of this series (not realizing that it was a series). Good read but long and pretty grim.
Main characters are a city engineer in Seattle, a female smuggler on a yacht, a female special agent, an embedded reporter and various military types. It bounces back and forth through their stories similar to a Clancy novel.
Finished "Rommel and The Rebel" by Lawrence Wells. This is a surprisingly good work of fiction. The premise is that a team of Wermacht officers, Model, Schoner, Kruger and Rommel visited the US in 1937, traveling under assumed names. Rommel was named Erwin Rilke. They were in the US to visit some ACW battlefields as suggested by a lecturer at the War Academy who was also the military attache at the German Embassy in Washington.
When they visit the south, Rommel wanted to see the battlefield of Brice's Crossroads where Nathaniel Forrest beat a superior Federal force. Rommel had studied about Stonewall Jackson and NB Forrest. On the tour, the US Army had assigned a young lieutenant, Max Speigner, German speaking and an intelligence officer as escort. Max had been compiling information about German officers and suspected that Rilke was Rommel. They became friends.
In any event Max had written an appreciation of how the Germans would attack if war should come. The report got into the hands of the British and Mx was posted to Africa prior to the US getting involved. He was able while there to predict how Rommel would try and capture a supply depot and once that became fact he was "famous".
The rest of the story is sort of a cat and mouse game where Max is trying to convince the Brits of rommel's next move and Rommel has guessed the Max in in country.
The book was first published in 1986 and I have a Bantam Publishing paperback version of 1987. An entertaining read.
Finished "Tin Can Tommies", which was more like reading a comic when I was a kid in the 50's. But still enjoyable enough and full of ideas. However, now it's time for a reread of Watership Down for the upteenth time. It is a story I never tire of , and has so much more meaning having visited all of the places in the book (which are all real, places and very much like they were when the book was written) and having had tea with Mr. and Mr.s Adams in their home on the last trip at their invitation. Truly, truly wonderful people. Sadly, he has passed now, and have not heard of Mrs. Adams, but they were in their 90's when we met them.
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/terry37photos/Misc%201/On%20Top%20of%20WD%20w%20Beech%20Hanger%20Behind_zpslif1ejub.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/terry37photos/media/Misc%201/On%20Top%20of%20WD%20w%20Beech%20Hanger%20Behind_zpslif1ejub.jpg.html)
Having lunch on top of WD with the Beech Hanger behind.
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/terry37photos/Misc%201/The%20View%20from%20Atop%20WD%20Near%20the%20Beech%20Hanger_zpszyufl8ew.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/terry37photos/media/Misc%201/The%20View%20from%20Atop%20WD%20Near%20the%20Beech%20Hanger_zpszyufl8ew.jpg.html)
The view from WD To quote Dandelion - "Come and Look! You can see the whole world."
If you've never read this book, you should, and if you're in the UK and have never visited this place you should, and even though it's a bit more involved for those in other countries it is still so wonderful. We went twice 2011 and 2012.
Terry
Today was spent reading, identifying and cataloguing the museum's collection of maps of Basra and surrounding area. I now know an awful lot more about map overlays than at 9am this morning! Most are still secret too!
Well done Terry, looks like you caught the three days of summer we used to get back then. This year, however, we baked for three months - of course global warming is made up !!!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 02 November 2018, 04:52:28 PM
Today was spent reading, identifying and cataloguing the museum's collection of maps of Basra and surrounding area. I now know an awful lot more about map overlays than at 9am this morning! Most are still secret too!
Sounds a very interesting day :)
Quote from: Leman on 02 November 2018, 05:54:56 PM
Well done Terry, looks like you caught the three days of summer we used to get back then. This year, however, we baked for three months - of course global warming is made up !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Mx0_8YEtg
Correct, it is.
Finished "Solferino: the Birth of a Nation" by Patrick Turnbull. A lot of the history leading up to the battle and more on the "nation building" than the combats. However a good lesson of history of the time. Nappy III was not the best of friends to Piedmont and Franz Joseph was a sore loser, not allowing Victor Emmanuel to the treaty table and Nappy III acquiescing.
But, overall, a good history book.
'This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor' by Adam Kay. Utterly brilliant.
Finished "Great Military Disasters" by Geoffrey Regan.
Part One has 3 chapters; The Commanders, The Planners and the Politicians. Enough blame to go around.
Part Two has 11 chapters; from The Expedition to Cadiz (1625) to The Suez Operation (1956). I hadn't realizes what a mess that was.
Interesting and a quick read.
Currently just read Et Sans Resultat Napoleonic rules. Probably a set I could use as, unlike a lot of Napoleonic rules, it focuses on command and control rather than various troop formations, type of weapon etc. The mechanisms remind me of a number of other rules I have played and enjoyed, most specifically Altar of Freedom and Bloody Big Battles. It is a very weighty tome in the version I bought, but this is because each phase of the move is thoroughly explained and then followed up by a number of examples of play, most of which are accompanied by clear diagrams. From the publisher's home page (The Wargaming Company) there are numerous free downloads including 5 different playsheets in different scales, ranging from 50 yards to the inch to 200 yards to the inch, which means different sized battles can be represented on, in most cases, a 6x4. The sheets are also available in black background, as per the rulebook, white background and also metric. If anyone is interested I am happy to discuss this further in the rules thread.
I looked at ESR as well, but as the ground scale varies so do the base sizes. I was looking at a campaign where engagements and ground scale varied and the author of the rules suggested this could only be handled by using sabots, which was'nt to my taste.
Or, as I intend, you can just completely ignore that. It is not the sort of thing I get my knickers in a twist about.
Blitzkreig by Len Deighton. Picked up by chance from my bookshelf and enjoying re-reading this superb book :).
My copy of HDIV arrived today, so I'll set Watership Down for a few days and read it, and then return to hazel and company and their adventures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAz1N8YmHa0
Terry
That is certainly a contrast :o
Paul, if you are referring to my switching form WD to HDIV, yes it is. However. Nick Smith's Hell Diver series is so awesome I could not wait to read the new installment. And having read WD so many times I nearly know it by heart I'll have no trouble picking it back up.
Terry
Finished "The Army of the Future" by General Charles DeGaulle. this edition translated by Walter Millis, 1941.
DeGaulle was a very forward looking young officer and did a good job predicting the war of the future. I am impressed by his forethought.
Good, quick book to read - only 178 pages.
Finished "Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II" by Liza Mundy. This is a very good book, full of personal stories and what they did to break the Japanese codes - naval, army, diplomatic, merchant marine and all the variations of these. These women had a big hand in the decoding and shooting down of Yamamoto.
10,000 for the army, 15,000 for the navy, mainly housed around Washington DC. Many teachers, which was primarily the job women could take at this time. Super sexist and to a certain extent degrading by the men. No sex per se in the book, not that it didn't happen, but it is not what the book is about.
Recommended for a different look at the war.
Quote from: kipt on 11 November 2018, 02:45:58 AM
DeGaulle was a very forward looking young officer and did a good job predicting the war of the future. I am impressed by his forethought.
I fondly remember visiting Les Invalides (the French military museum in Paris) and seeing the 1940 exhibit proudly claiming de Gaulle had invented Blitzkrieg.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
Finished "Warriors of the Steppe: A Military History of Central Asia, 500 B.C. to 1700 A.D" by Erik Hildinger. The title says it all - a good history of all the various tribes that fought mounted with a bow.
Some facts I did not know; a yurt is not the individual nomad tent, but a group of them. The tent is actually called a ger.
While The nomads were strong, it seems no one could stop them. This came about by cities, as they could not breach the walls until the Mongols brought Chinese engineers with siege engines, and by opponents using the same mounted tactics. This is a bit of a simplification as there was the usual in fighting when a strong leader died and the horde needed to return to their lands to select a new leader. This saved a couple of cities and the people in them at various times over this time period.
Good book.
Stopping the Panzers by Marc Milner. It covers the build to the Canadian involvement in D-day and the landings through to D-Day +4. So far an excellent read.
A double End of the Reich bill - Panzers in Posen and Panzers on the Vistula, both from Pen & Sword (or Helion?).
Both very good for information if you're interested in the last months of WWII, but both spolit by typos and poor translation. In the Vistula book, the Germans are initially equipped with Hunting-Tank IVs and a Jagdpather and the names of certain towns and villages do not correspond to the names on the maps. Looks like there was no (or very poor) proofreading. If i'd picked them up second hand for a fiver, that would be one thing, but as I got them "nail new" as the translator would probably have it, it's starting to irritate somewhat. :'(
Finished "Churchill's Generals",edited by John Keegan.
Chapters on Ironside, Gort, Dill, Wavell, Alanbrooke, Alexander, Auchinleck, Montgomery, Wilson, O'Connor, Cunningham, Ritchie and Leese, Horrocks, Hobart, Percival, Wingate, Slim, Carton de Wiart and Spears. Each chapter was by a different author.
All in all, sympathetic to all and a good read.
Spike Milligan's Puckoon
A third of the way through Joe Abercrombie's Shattered Sea trilogy
Tomblands by C J Sansom. Over five hundred pages in and still hundreds to go. It draws you in, and I am enjoying it, but I have a feeling it would have benefited from a more vicious editor!
Quote from: SV52 on 22 November 2018, 08:53:53 PM
Spike Milligan's Puckoon
Good grief, that takes me back. A slim volume, and when I tired to re-read it a year or so ago I felt that it had not aged well.
Cheers, M.
--
I still think the Boer War British officer pointing towards the opposite blank page with the caption (as far as I can remember), "It looks quieter over there," is quite funny. Also I seem to remember, "Bingle bangle bongle, bingle, bangle boo, going once, going twice, sold to Fu Man Chu." As I had the book over 50 years ago when still at school my memory may not be entirely accurate.
Quote from: SV52 on 22 November 2018, 08:53:53 PM
Spike Milligan's Puckoon
A third of the way through Joe Abercrombie's Shattered Sea trilogy
Not to mention bazonka!
The chapter in Puckoon describing 'The Holy Drinker' clientele I found so funny I couldn't see for tears. The late Spike's humour is right up my street.
Currently reading Age of Eagles, which seems quite a good way of mimicking Napoleonic tactics without getting too tied up in tiny details. Also been having a look at how it manages, through Age of Valor (sic), later C19th and earlier C20th warfare. Looks like another way of getting a shedload of troops on the table. Would really like to see one of my FPW battles with a masses of troops out.
Azincourt, by that nice Mr Bernard Cornwell.
First thing I've been listening to, for ages, that has any remote sort of relevance to the forum.
Cheers - Phil.
It was a remarkably good read, probably up there with his Winter King trilogy. His description of the battle is very realistic and far removed from Sir Larry's depiction.
Finished "Mons: An Artillery Battle" by David Hutchinson. Great little book about the first battle with the British at Mons. Their artillery came up piecemeal, but the officers were good professionals, knowing at this stage of the war they were to support the infantry. The division, corps and army commanders didn't pay much attention to the artillery, with Haig being the worst - prevaricating in his reports and rewriting history.
The German 7.7 ammunition was very defective at this point, causing minor casualties. The German howitzers, however, were very destructive.
Good book from Helion with good maps as well. The appendices are: I. British Artillery Organization, 1914; II. BEF Orders of Battle, August 1914; III. German Army General Structure, 1914; IV. lectire pm Co-operation between Artillery and Infantry, August 1913.
What exactly is lectire pm co-operation?
Sorry. "Lecture on Co-operation Between Artillery and Infantry, August 1913".
Thanks :)
Puckoon by Spike Milligan. An odd book, some parts very funny, some not. Nominally set at the partition of Ireland (1924?), but there are probably half a dozen times when characters refer to WW2, or the fifties. I thought it might be the Author breaking the fourth wall at first. Some editing should have occurred here. Still, a short book so didn't take much time to (re-)read.
Quote from: Leman on 24 November 2018, 09:18:02 AM
I still think the Boer War British officer pointing towards the opposite blank page with the caption (as far as I can remember), "It looks quieter over there," is quite funny. Also I seem to remember, "Bingle bangle bongle, bingle, bangle boo, going once, going twice, sold to Fu Man Chu." As I had the book over 50 years ago when still at school my memory may not be entirely accurate.
Sounds like Spike, but neither of these are in Puckoon.
Cheers, M.
--
Can't remember the name of the book then, but it was definitely Spike Milligan. I think it was published in the sixties.
Hitler, my part in his downfall, perhaps?
Having finished Hell Divers IV, and what a brilliant ride it was too - can't wait for the final volume coming next spring!!! However, a new book arrived today "St Ruth's Fatal Gamble" about the battle of Aughrim, so am starting that and still holding Watership Down at hand. Although I find some disappointing uniform data in this book, and understand that he just carried forward previous known and so often repeated errors about the Danish troops, I am hoping his account of the battle is more accurate. But a big fan of the LOA so can't be all bad!!!
Terry
The Rzhev Slaughterhouse: The Red Army's Forgotten 15-month Campaign against Army Group Center, 1942-1943 by Svetlana Gerasimova
Take care
Andy
Finished reading the edited volume "Eleftherios Venizelos: The Trials of Statesmanship" edited by Paschalis M.Kitromilides and published by Edinburgh University Press.
While it does not make up for the lack of a modern and honest holisitc political biography of Venizelos in English it is the best you can get in english. Chapters cover multiple aspects of his life and political career, including early life, domestic politics, foreign policy, church-state relations, education policy, civil military relations, constitutional theory, and finally his work on translating Thucydides into modern Greek.
All in all gives a lot of information but lacks a central narrative, and misses a lot of material available in Greek.
Still if you need a modern one volume source on Venizelos, this is ok.
Oliver Wiswell by Kenneth Roberts. A historical novel set during the American Revolution, looking at things from the Tory/Loyalist side. Very interesting read so far.
Wainwright's Lake District Tour, Whitsuntide 1931 - the great man's second only visit to the Lakes. Lots of colour photos and Wainwright's original penned ink maps and drawings. Very pleasant break from military history.
Finished "The Last Throw Of The Dice: Bourbaki and Werder In Eastern France 1870-71" by Quintin Barry.
I like his books on the FPW. Good detail and color. I didn't like the maps in this volume; too many places named that are not on the maps. Plus, not enough of the fights are illustrated for me.
But, good narrative and well researched.
Quote from: kipt on 30 November 2018, 04:58:54 AM
I didn't like the maps in this volume; too many places named that are not on the maps.
That's something that always bugs me too. Consequently I was determined not to make the same mistake in my own book, "Napoleon's 1796 Italian campaign".
https://www.amazon.com/Napoleons-1796-Italian-Campaign-Clausewitz/dp/070062676X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537000807&sr=1-2&keywords=murray+pringle
However, when Nick and I came to do the maps - of which there are plenty - we just found it impossible to fit in every little village and hamlet that was mentioned in the text. I therefore now have more sympathy for other authors who've found the same.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
I'm reading Stephen Fry's "Mythos" retelling the tales of Greek Gods and Titans.
Being Stephen Fry, it's a suavely written tome; erudite but accessible. As I read, I can hear him narrate.
I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?
Stephen Fry for Emperor (and Richard Dawkins for Pope)!
Quote from: fsn on 30 November 2018, 08:46:16 AM
I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?
Certainly. What's annoying in LAF, in fact, is their way of treating such things as ancients.
Quote from: fsn on 30 November 2018, 08:46:16 AM
I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?
Damn good question, Nobby.
I'd agree with Kitty....In that
yes...it
is fantasy gaming....Though in some respects I'd almost be tempted to call it 'Mythical gaming'.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: fsn on 30 November 2018, 08:46:16 AM
I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?
In our club there is something of a divide between the 'historical' end of the hall and the tournament gamers. Although I certainly don't wish to sneer at anyone's hobby, occasionally the historicals have been known to make sceptical remarks about tournament games that seem to portray little-known conflicts such as Vikings vs Aztecs or the Afrika Korps civil war, or querying the inclusion of T-34/57s (total production run ~10?) in a standard tournament army list. After one snide comment too many, one of the tournament gamers retaliated with "it's all fantasy anyway".
So perhaps a question for my fellow gamers of whatever ilk: does it all become Fantasy gaming, even my most rigorously researched scenario to recreate the Second Battle of Komarom, as soon as the first dice are rolled and the action diverges from history?
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
I occasionally throw Humbaba into my Sumerian games - I still consider them historical.
But then I'd contend that all of our games that allow for a non-historical outcome are fantasy to a greater or lesser degree.
All games are models. All models are simplification of reality. Thus I would say there is variation in what our games capture from reality. Fantasy games simply reduce that to the bare minimum.
I've started a 'The Pikemen's Lament' campaign recently and I might use some 'fantasy' elements to reflect the hysteria surrounding Salem at the time of the Witch Trials etc. For myself it adds a little bit of fun and some unusual detail. It works for me, which is what really counts, but others may disagree, as is their wont.
I think if it feasibly could have happened with a slight diversion in history then it could be historical - so DAK v DAK, why not, rogue elements throwing their lot with the allies or something. Vikings V Aztecs, why not, they made it north america why not further south.
In fact I kind've like these ideas and alternative history (big fan of The Man in the High Castle).
Mythical creatures has got to be fantasy though.
Quote from: Matt J on 30 November 2018, 12:19:13 PM
Mythical creatures has got to be fantasy though.
Bah! Humbaba is real ... we have written evidence ;)
I go part the way to Fantasy with Greek and Norse games. I use 25/28mm Gods standing behind a unit to show they have curried a God's pleasure, or incurred the wrath of a Goddess.
I rationalise this by saying "Apollo put strength in their hearts" as "+1 morale", "Artemis guides his aim" = "+2 to hit". They can look quite impressive.
I've never gone full myth though. Might have to browse the catalogue ... y'know ... just to see what's there.
Quote from: fsn on 30 November 2018, 02:43:21 PM
I've never gone full myth though. Might have to browse the catalogue ... y'know ... just to see what's there.
Well, good luck, Nobby. Many have tried but still, to this day, no-one has found ......
the mything link!Be sure and let us know if you do.
Oh deary me, time to get your coat ;) ;D
Quote from: fsn on 30 November 2018, 08:46:16 AM
If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?
There's a can of worms you've just opened . . .
As someone has probably already said, as soon as you throw the first dice you're into fantasy to some extent.
I tend to look at things as to how possible they are/were. There's four 'levels', I reckon:
Possible - e.g. Nazi invasion of Britain - certainly possible but we know it didn't happen. Or cold-war-gone-hot.
Possible, but highly unlikely - aforementioned Vikings vs. Aztecs.
Impossible, but using realistic armies - William's Normans vs. Pompey's Legions? (most likely to be found at an event, I think?)
Complete fantasy - Lizardmen vs. Dwarves, Orcs vs. Elves, etc.
Cheers, M.
--
Where do Leonardo's inventions, used in an Italian Wars game, fit in.
This style of reasoning would seriously worry me in a hospital. "There's no such thing as perfect sterility. Surgeons will therefore no longer be required to wash hands before cutting."
Historical Study: Small Unit Actions During the German Campaign in Russia.
Take care
Andy
Just finished The Battle of Dorking, first in a quick jaunt around 'classics' from the late 19th/early 20th centuries that I've never actually read, and are now in the public domain.
Available free from here (https://archive.org/details/battleofdorking00chesrich/page/n7).
Actually a good description of the author's experience in the battle, but book-ended by political rants about what's wrong with the country.
Next up, either Riddle of the Sands or The Thirty-Nine Steps I think.
Cheers, M.
--
Having a little rest from walking in my mind. Re-reading Dux Bellorum as a mate has completed his late Roman 28mm force to go up against my 28mm Saxons, who have not had an outing for about four years.
Finished the book on St Ruth and he battle of Aughrim, and what an excellent account, but really encompasses the entire campaign of 1691. Plan to start a small book on Rocroi tonight in preparation for starting my TYW French to smack Bill's (d'Guy") ECW guys around with!!!! Bill the gauntlet has been thrown - dare you pick it up??????
Terry
Finished the latest Honor Harrington novel, "Uncompromising Honor" by David Weber.
Space Opera, (Honor is the female equivalent of Horatio Hornblower) with this book continuing the fight with the Solarian League, and an outside group, sometimes pretending to be from Manticore, looking to rule it all by playing one side against the other.
Entertaining books.
Finished "Will to Fight: Analyzing, Modeling, and Simulating the Will to Fight of Military Units" by a team of authors from the Rand Corporation. This is a study done for the US Military in which the Will to Fight has not been emphasized in the military manuals. Models are presented here but the interesting part is where the information for simulations has been gathered.
While there are military (government) computer programs, they tend to focus on the hardware and how much of that is in contact. It seems that the commercial games do a better job of modeling the Will to Fight behavior, be it miniature, board games or computer. Good for us. The authors reference Phil Barker, War Games Rules 3000BC to 1485 AD, version 7.5 as well as Close Combat (e.g. Panthers in the Fog and Gateway to Caen) having "some of the most thoughtful commercial will-to-fight systems."
The period looked at is WWII to modern as this is intended to be a stepping stone for the US military to continue to develop a good combat model.
It reads like a technical manual in parts but Chapter 2, "A Model of Will to Fight" was the most interesting to me. But the book cost $49.95. Still like it in my library.
Two things here. First to answer Leman's question how to include Leonardo's war machines in a game - easy answer Play HOTT! My HOTT Renaissance Italian army has bot the tank and the winged glider guys.
Finished hte little book on Rocroi and started a second read of Christopher Scott's "Malplaquet".
Terry
I have that in mind for a quick game in 10mm and heroic 28mm on 100mm wide bases.
Finished "Armored: Part Human, Part Machine, All Soldier" edited by John Joseph Adams, a Sci-Fi collection of short stories about powered armor. It has 23 short stories by as many authors. Not all combat, but at least against the elements on far away (time and distance) worlds. Interesting and quick to read.
Ardennes 1944 by Beevor. Really good read so far. I hadn't planned on starting this yet, but given Norm's board campaign, it seemed to make sense to read it as the campaign unfolds.
I finished "The Great Game of Genocide" by Donland Bloxham ( https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-great-game-of-genocide-9780199226887?cc=tr&lang=en& (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-great-game-of-genocide-9780199226887?cc=tr&lang=en&) ). This is the most honest book I have read on the Armenian Genocide, and accompanying killings between Greeks, Armenians, Turks, Aeris, Assyrians, Kurds in the 1914-1935 period.
I have read both authors refusing to use the term genocide (ranging from those that consider it as nothing special like McCarthy and Erickson, to those that recognize the ethnic cleansing Dundar) and proponents (Hovanessian), but Bloxham does a great job presenting a honest account, which is very critical of not just the CUP, but also Armenian political organisations, the Great Powers, the Armenian Republic, diaspora politics etc.
If you are looking for a one volume overview of the genocide, the ethnic destruction of other groups (Muslim and non-Muslim) and the political and diplomatic frameworks of the period an the later treatment of the issue, this is the book.
Finished "The Hundred Thousand Sons of St Louis:The French Campaign In Spain, April to October 1823" by Ralph Weaver. The "saving" of Ferdinand VII by the Royal French army.
A short book about a campaign little written about. In it the author describes the uniforms of the French and the Spanish, talks about the commanders and each area of campaigning. It is done in a regional listing, going through each area before going on to the next, rather than a constant time line.
Obviously many Napoleonic commanders, on both sides; marshals, generals, ex guerrilla leaders (again on both sides). There were French on the Liberal side, some ex-Guardsmen as well as other volunteers and officers. This is essentially a redo of Napoleon's "visit" to Spain but without the messy guerillas and atrocities - the Royal French were diligent in paying for what they needed, and in this case, the peasants were on the side of the king.
Interesting read, with maps and illustrations.
Jan Morris, Heaven's Command. An imperial progress
An excellent read!
Finished "The Reformation of War" by Col J.F.C. Fuller, DSO.
The first part of the book comes across as a mystical philosophy. Fuller must have been a difficult person to talk to; he had lots of ideas and wasn't afraid of expressing them. The second half is a bit more down to earth where he discusses how he thinks combat will develop. Pretty much right on with the armored vehicles, but way off on gas (the most humane weapon as it does not necessarily kill).
He feels armies will be smaller and more professional; lots of movement, attacking flanks, etc. Infantry only good for garrisoning what the armor overruns. He does feel air power will only get stronger and that the submarine will make the BB's obsolete. He does not see mass armies, (but then how do you protect your flanks - more troops would seem to be the answer.) He did feel that the peace settlement at the end of WWI was not going to bring peace because it did not give the Germans a say in society. Right on there.
Not an easy read but parts were interesting.
The hope mass armies will go away was political. There was a perception, partly from interpretations of the rise of Athenian democracy that Mass Armies=Mass politics=democracy. Lots of people of certain political hoped technology will render obsolete all three elements of the perceived triad.
Finished "From Cape Charles to Cape Fear: The North Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the Civil War" by Robert M. Browning, Jr.
Lincoln declared a blockade of the South, but the US Navy had very few ships and those they did have couldn't get close to the coast line. A massive building and buying program was started. The officers on blockade called for more specialized ships, and sometimes received them.
About half of the officers went with the South, and with that and the loss of Norfolk, VA, the Navy had a rough start. However, as you know, the North did win. No surprise there as the South never did have an offensive navy, other than a few commerce raiders. The southern ironclads were made for defensive warfare to keep the Union from traveling up the rivers and sounds.
The title describes it but lots of interesting boat actions, fights against forts and fortifications as well as some amphibious warfare (the army and navy did NOT get along on the east coast).
Just started Christopher Duffy's By Force of Arms - the Austrian army's exploits during the SYW. Each chapter is a consecutive year of the war, with masses of maps. Although a fairly hefty tome, the text is really clear and lively, and actually reads like a story rather than a series of dry facts. To get a feel of the SYW in central Europe this is a recommended read. Plenty of information included to recreate the Austrian army's battles in the SYW.
Finished Nick Smith's "Extinction, Red Line" which was really good, and a great prequel to the "Extinction Cycle" series, but I think best read last. Anyway, this morning I started Stuart Reid's "Battle of Killiecrankie 1689" Seems a good treatment of the subject and I am enjoying it. Although the editing is a bit lacking as there are word errors and date transpositions which I always find annoying.
Terry
Quote from: Leman on 04 January 2019, 08:45:59 AM
Just started Christopher Duffy's By Force of Arms - the Austrian army's exploits during the SYW. Each chapter is a consecutive year of the war, with masses of maps. Although a fairly hefty tome, the text is really clear and lively, and actually reads like a story rather than a series of dry facts. To get a feel of the SYW in central Europe this is a recommended read. Plenty of information included to recreate the Austrian army's battles in the SYW.
Good one, that. Had me cheering for the Austrians.
Irregular Wars: Wargaming at the world's end.
They look like good light fun, but I anticipate difficulties filling out many of the army lists.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 05 January 2019, 09:16:02 PM
Irregular Wars: Wargaming at the world's end.
They look like good light fun, but I anticipate difficulties filling out many of the army lists.
They are good fun rules. There are a huge amount of army lists, and the temptation is to try to build all of them!!
Finished "Casca: The Eternal Mercenary" by Barry Sadler (remember him from the song of the Green Beret?).
This "fantasy" novel is about a Roman soldier who was the one that executed Jesus. A drop of blood got on him and he ingested it. He now hears "Soldier, you are content with what you are. Then that you shall remain until we meet again. As I now go to my Father, you must one day come to me."
This book (and I think there are 14 of them) chronicles his long life as a Roman slave, gladiator, farmer and back to legionnaire. Quick read and interesting.
Quote from: fred. on 06 January 2019, 08:32:55 PM
They are good fun rules. There are a huge amount of army lists, and the temptation is to try to build all of them!!
Not just me with the "Gotta catch em all" bug then.
With Irregular Wars, a good many of the companies (Particularly in seafaring or colonist forces) seem to be partially, or hastily armed civilian scrapings.
It's tough finding figures that look sufficiently un-martial to portray those roles.
All up, I'm really enjoying reading the rules.
Clearly written, not burdened by excess fluff, and with very useful examples.
OK, it's 15mm, but the Peter Pig pirate range has a large number of not especially martial figures to go up against regular forces, in the colonies and at sea.
I have just finished my Japanese air fleet for the Akagi at Midway, 1942. Waiting for some of the correct (and very little used) stars for the US equivilent (I think I picked Yorktown). This satisfies my early Pacific requirements.
I was they looking at the late war (so I can have some Corsairs, Hellcats, Avengers) and examined the carriers at Leyte and air support at Tarawa etc.
Then I bought the Osprey book on Rabaul, 1943-44. Gentlemen, I don't mind telling you that it was to the laminator straight away! In short, Rabual was a Japanese island fortress which the allies decided to go around and besiege by the air (and sea ... but meh!). The island held out until the Japanese surrender in 1945.
This book has freed me from the tyranny of the carrier. On the Japanese side, alongside the Zero, Val and Kate there's the Betty and the Judy. On the allied side there's Hellcats and Avengers and B24s and B26s and ... P38s, P40s and I think even P39s.
As usual with this Osprey series it give the story with losts of photos, some colour plates and lots of inspiration.
Air Force Blue, being a general history of the RAF up to and including WW2 and Target Tirpitz, speaks for itself by Patrick Bishop. An omnibus edition at 800 pages will take a while. No preconceptions, no axes to grind, just a good read.
Second World War Infantry Tactics: The European Theatre by Stephen Bull
Take care
Andy
Finished Volume 82, No. # Of "The Journal of Military History". It comes out 4 times a year and some of the contents of this issue are:
Medieval Strategy and the Economics of Conquest,
French Intelligence on the Russian Army on the Eve of the First World War,
Learning to Win: The Evolution of U.S. Navy Tactical Doctrine During the Guadalcanal Campaign,
as well as a feature article Did Vikings Really Go Berserk? An Interdisciplinary Critical Analysis of Berserks
and The Death Ride of the Panzers? Recent Historiography on the Battle of Kursk.
Many book reviews and a listing of articles in different magazines.
Finished Nazim Hikmet's "Human Landscapes from my country". Quite good except when he went down the path of political propaganda (referring to Stalin as the "wisest mouth of the century" for example). When talking about Turkey and the Turkish people it was sublime. Some of the vignettes are really depressing. You get a feel for the struggles of the poor and power-less.
German E-Boats 1939-45. Christmas present from my older sprog.
Usual Osprey format and a good intro into a subject that it turns out I knew less about than I thought.
Finished "The Reminiscences and Recollections of CAPTAIN GRONOW; Being Anecdotes of the Camp, Court, Clubs and Society 1810-1860".
This is a delightful recounting of his observations of people. Each of these is no more than a couple of pages, and usually a couple of paragraphs. Gronow was in the First Foot Guards and did go to the {Peninsula. His regiment was at Waterloo, but not his battalion. However, he was able to join the battalion that was there.
He spent most of his life after the army in Paris it seems. He has stories about wellington, Beau Brummel, the Prince Regent, Byron, and Napoleon III (who he really liked, but Gronow dies in 1865 before Le Debacle).
Very interesting snapshot of the high and mighty during this time period.
Taking a break from the history books again to read the C19th/early C20th rules From Shako to Coal-scuttle prior to trying them out as a FPW game.
The first three Conan stories published: The Phoenix on the Sword, The Scarlet Citadel and The Tower of the Elephant.
The first two are atypical of the Conan stories I remember - they are set later in Conan's life, when he is already King of Aquilonia. The third is almost a prototype of the classic Conan stories that were to come.
Pros: They're short - Howard gives you a complete tale in less space than George R.R. Martin would take to describe the main course of a banquet. Punchily written.
What's missing in these early tales? No woman for Conan to, erm, you know. No women at all in these stories really.
Onto the next - Black Colossus.
Finished "German Battle Tactics on the Russian Front 1941-1945" complied by Steven Newton. This is a collection of reports written by German officers for the Russians and Allies. It has OB's, newish maps (old computer done, very pixilated) and the reports of the actions.
I wouldn't call it tactics however. More operational, moving divisions, brigades, kampfgruppes, corps depending on the author.
Interesting but not too engaging.
I'm on a real WW2 kick at the moment which is a period I've always skirted around previously. I'm building a Dunkirk project in 28mm using Chain of Command and Normandy in 10mm using I Aint Been Shot Mum.
After listening to the Too Fat Lardies podcast I have picked up two books I was ignorant of. The Sharp End of Battle by John Ellis about the more personal experiences of soldiers at war and also The Face of Battle by John Keegan. This is not specifically WW2 but talks about the individual experience of the soldier at Agincourt, Waterloo and the Somme.
Enjoying both immensely but taking my time with them to digest what is being said.
I've also treated myself to a couple of dozen second hand Commando comics as a bit of nostalgia. Lovely stuff.
Both excellent volumes. I prefer that kind of thing to big battle books.
I can also recommend "Tank Men" by Robert Kershaw for a mechanised view.
The Sharp End: The Fighting Man in World War II is a good one. A real eye-opener on modern warfare. There is a photograph of a G.I. in the book with "the thousand yard stare" - hard to describe but as if the man was detached from reality due to exhaustion and numbed/shocked by witnessing the horrors of modern war. Then, after reading that, I remember reading a book on the Napoleonic Wars (can't recall the title) and in this was a contemporary drawing of a French Grenadier's face with the same stare(!) which if I hadn't read The Sharp End I would have totally missed. Might dig it out again to read.
Two books on the go at once - Caliver's little number on the Armies of the First Schleswig War (again), and Field of Battle 2 out of necessity as I am playing a solo game, and haven't played it for about 2+years, so needed a bit of a refresher. That said, although the game is proving quite long (I usually play for about an hour each day, and this is day 3) it is also quite exciting. the French have just clawed their way back to currently a score draw, each side having seven Army Morale Points left.
FPW?
Quote from: fsn on 23 January 2019, 12:29:17 PM
Both excellent volumes. I prefer that kind of thing to big battle books.
Amazingly, having wargamed for over 30 years, it's the first time I've read anything like this having always gone for the big battle/strategic overview kind of books before.
A major break from my current reading fare of weird war and post apocalypse. With our next game day on the 2nd scheduled to be a Big Battle HOTT game of LotR, I could not resist rereading The Lord of the Rings. I am skipping the first book and started with The Two Towers, since my army is The Riders of Rohan! Amazing the details I am picking up this time through. And, always a great read!!!
Terry
Quote from: Westmarcher on 23 January 2019, 04:18:00 PM
FPW?
Yes. I am photographing and uploading as I go to do a Batrep at the weekend.
A trip down memory lane to the Second World War.
TooFatLardies Blitzkrieg 1940 supplement for Chain of Command.
A nice mix of Campaign overview, more orbats than you'll even need, additional rules for 1940, and additional scenarios.
I'd recommend if any of the following apply.
* You adopted VBCW because you got tired of heavy tanks dominating/ruining your battles - now you can do real stuff with infantry and flimsy vehicles.
* You're interested in the Dutch and Belgian armies of 1940.
* You want to know a lot more about the various French formations of 1940.
My caveat is that wargaming alone is a rather blunt instrument for historic analysis.
You could leave with the impression that it would all have been resolved - if only the continental allied had adopted MG34s instead of BARs and Lewis guns.
I've also dug out my old copy of Crossfire and an re-familiarising myself with the rules and organisations.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 26 January 2019, 11:01:56 AM
TooFatLardies Blitzkrieg 1940 supplement for Chain of Command.
A nice mix of Campaign overview, more orbats than you'll even need, additional rules for 1940, and additional scenarios.
I'm loving Chain of Command at the minute although I am using 28mm for it and I am in the planning stages of a Dunkirk campaign using one of the Pint Size Campaigns. After over 30 years of gaming, these rules (and IABSM) have finally opened my eyes to WW2 which has always been low om my gaming priorities list. In my opinion Too Fat Lardies deserve the accolades they have received. The 1940 supplement is exceptional.
Finished "Success Is All That Was Expected: The South Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the Civil War" by Robert M. Browning, Jr. This is the third book about the blockade in the ACW. It concentrates primarily on the blockade of Charleston. This was essentially a political prize to be sought as the port, once blockaded, had few runners.
The book also discusses Admiral Du Pont and then Farragut. Du Pont had much experience but not the support of the Navy Department, while
Farragut didn't have the experience but did have the support. The Navy Department expected much out of the ironclad monitors, but practice determined that they couldn't deliver the volume of fire needed to silence the Confederate fortifications and were vulnerable to plunging fire.
Du Pont had said as much to Gustavus Fox, assistant secretary, but he didn't pass on all the reservations to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy. Farragut was a climber and wanted the glory but as it turned out was disappointed in his seeking fame for the same reasons Du Pont couldn't take Charleston.
A major factor was the non cooperation with the army. Seems like on the coasts the army and navy didn't coordinate well, unlike the brown water navy on the Mississippi, and the army there.
"And we shall shock them" David Fraser. Interesting history on the British Army in WWII as an organisation.
Found the part I was looking for in The Two Towers, so have set it aside and have started Child's "The Nine Years War and the British Army". So far a really good book!
Terry
Finished "Murat's Army: The Army of the Kingdom of Naples 1806-1815" by Digby Smith. this is a collection of [prints done by Henri Boisselier (1881-1959). Very little text so can be gone through quickly. A uniform guide rather than a history book. And I have no Neapolitans in my 6mm (Adler) Peninsular armies.
Finished "Casca The Barbarian" by Barry Sadler. This is about the soldier that cannot die until Jesus comes again. (I imagine this will never end...). This is the second of the series I have read, but they aren't numbered very well so I don't know for sure if this is the next book.
A very quick read, entertaining, and this about his stay in the northlands beyond Germany. He has a travel companion and becomes lord over a holding. A few villages are under his protection so there are combats with raiders.
As I said, a quick read.
Finished another Casca book, "Casca the Damned" This time he is back in the legion and fights Attila.
Quick read.
And another Casca book, "Casca: God of Death. In this episode he leaves the north and goes a-viking (before that was the rage). He travels to the new world, gets captured by the natives (jaguar soldiers) and is taken for a great honor; to be sacrificed in order to take the people's prayers to the gods. He is treated royally and learns the language (pillow talk) but tells the high priest he cannot die.
Never mind, he is lead to the pyramid and has his heart cut out (amid a great storm of wind and thunder). When the priest raises his heart to burn it on the brazier, a hand takes it from him, CASCA. So Casca puts his heart back in his chest (it hurts like hell however - he feels pain but cannot die) and becomes a god on earth.
This whole time his vikings have been back at the shore with the ships, waiting for Casca to return (when he was captured he told his companion to wait until they hear from him). So they are brought to the city and get involved with a neighboring tribe who try and capture the city.
All is well, except for his pillow talk companion, and at the end the vikings, and Casca, leave to return to the north. And the next book.
Started to read Military Blunders, but had to give up as it was becoming an increasingly depressing read. Spion Kop particularly blunderful.
Rebels and Patriots - 2nd walk through in progress.
Have now finished "Napoleon's 1797 Campaign; Carl von Clausewitz" translated by Nicholas Murray and Christopher Pringle. As I said in another thread, I was enjoying this book very much.
It is a great book for this campaign and the authors are to be congratulated on their translation and for bringing it out. The narrative and the comments in the footnotes, both by Colin (French author around 1900) and the authors.
If you are interested in the Revolutionary wars and particularly Italy, get this book.
Just finished Oman's "The Art of War in the Middle Ages" from 1885.
You can tell it was written at the height of the Victorian Empire. Very up with the Romans and Byzantines; not so much the Frankish warrior.
His description of the Swiss: "In the Swiss, as in the Roman, character we find the most intense patriotism combined with an utter want of moral sense and a certain meanness and pettiness of conception, which prevents us from calling either nation truly great. ... Repulsive as was the bloodthirstiness of the Roman, it was far from equaling immoral guilt the needless ferocity displayed by the hired Swiss soldiery on many a battlefield of the sixteenth century."
I think was he's trying to say is that neither Roman nor Swiss enjoyed the benefits of being British.
Now I have started Stewart Reid's (or is it Stuart - I can't remember) 1745. Moves along at a good pace. I knew there were a number of Scots in the Royal army, but I didn't realise quite how many or that some of the units were Highlanders.
There is this myth among ill-informed types on both sides of the border that this was a Scotland v. England conflict when it was arguably a civil war. I think I read somewhere that 4 out of 16 Government battalions were Scottish and at least one other from Wales or Ireland.
At the close of the 2nd Boer War there were more Afrikaaners fighting for Britain than against her.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 05 February 2019, 09:59:45 AM
There is this myth among ill-informed types on both sides of the border that this was a Scotland v. England conflict when it was arguably a civil war. I think I read somewhere that 4 out of 16 Government battalions were Scottish and at least one other from Wales or Ireland.
Hands up those who have encountered Englishmen who maintained that the "Wars of the Roses" were fought between Yorkshire and Lancastershire.... ^#(^
Quote from: FierceKitty on 05 February 2019, 11:14:59 AM
Hands up those who have encountered Englishmen who maintained that the "Wars of the Roses" were fought between Yorkshire and Lancastershire.... ^#(^
Where?...
Yorkshire......the epitome of 'stuff Brexit! We want to be separate from the UK!'
I think Scotland would fight Yorkshire for the honour, Leman. :)
Quite possibly, but it has been an awful lot longer since Yorkshire was a separate kingdom, as part of Northumbria.
finished a Sci-Fi book "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi. The premise is that upon attaining the age of 75, citizens can choose to join the colonial Defense Force. This is an off-world force to protect earth and its colonies from other races.
Once joined, the person gets a new green, enhanced body, age based about early 20's, and becomes a soldier. Lots of combat but also good dialogue within the story. I believe this is the first of several of this series. The center of the story is John Perry, who does become good at what he does. A thinking soldier. I will follow him with interest.
The myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0141023996 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0141023996)
I hope this one won't involve any re-basing.
The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo, had it for ages, but it made a 2 hour train journey whip by.
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine" January 2019 Issue 60.
Some of the articles:
What Does the Evidence Say? this is about the decision to fight at Gettysburg.
Who Commanded the Iron Brigade?
Farnsworth Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign.
Always good tactical studies and supporting maps.
Just starting Gills trilogy 1809.
Finished "Be Your Own Napoleon: How would you command ten of history's greatest Battles?" by William Seymour.
This is a bad title as the battles show options at certain points of a battle or campaign, but you don't get to choose. It was published before with the title of "Yours to Reason Why" (which I think I also have somewhere in my library, but couldn't find it).
The ten battles/chapters are:
Hastings
Crecy Campaign
Agincourt Campaign
The Third Civil War
Saratoga, Setting the Scene
Saratoga, Confidence and Confounded
Saratoga, Defeat and Surrender
Waterloo, 1-17 June
Waterloo, 18 June
Background to Chancellorsville
Chancellorsville
Gettysburg
Palestine 1917
Anzio; background to beachhead
Anzio; Battle for survival
Anzio; Breakout.
Somewhat dated (written in 1982).
Finished "The German Fleet at War: 1939-1945" by Vincent P. O'Hara. Very good as it describes all sizes of actions, from the Bismarck to S-Boats. This is very similar to the naval book I previously read and posted here which had individual actions in the different theaters from 1914 to 1918.
This does not discuss the U-Boats, but the surface fleet. After the major units were eliminated or bottled up, the Germans fought to avoid defeat rather than to dominate the waters around Britain. However, they did a good job of this against the Russians.
Lots of small actions and well worth the read.
The Pikeman's Lament (Again).
I have so many Dan Mersey rules, with similar, but different mechanisms, that I want to be sure I'm playing with the correct set of rules.
The Tricolor on the Atlas: Or, Algeria and the French Conquest by Moritz Wagner
Finished "The Last Kingdom" by Bernard Cornwell. this is Book 1 of his The Saxon Tales. Mid 800's in Saxon England where the main adversary is the DAnes. This follows the life of a young boy, Uhtred, who is a Saxon, but raised by the Danes.
This is well written, better I think than the Sharpe series (and I am much more interested in the Napoleonic Wars than the dealings in early Britain).
Enjoyed it immensely and am now in the third book of the series.
Apparently it was the inspiration for the Peter Pig Longships game.
Can thoroughly recommend the Warlord Chronicles: The Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur. Wonderful reads.
Quote from: Raider4 on 24 February 2019, 08:03:22 PM
Can thoroughly recommend the Warlord Chronicles: The Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur. Wonderful reads.
Entirely agree. They are, I recall reading, Bernard Cornwell's personal favourites. They are certainly mine, excellent reads.
The Warlord Chronicles are brilliant and I enjoy re-reading them, even though I know the story!
Hmmmm. Seems I am in a minority. I thought the Anglo-Saxon novels of Cornwall were not as good as his Sharpe's series. However, did think that the Sharpe range did dip in quality after Sharpe's Waterloo.
Also disappointed with his Starbuck series. Not a Cylon in sight.
Quote from: kipt on 17 February 2019, 03:46:04 AM
Finished "Be Your Own Napoleon: How would you command ten of history's greatest Battles?" by William Seymour.
This is a bad title as the battles show options at certain points of a battle or campaign, but you don't get to choose. It was published before with the title of "Yours to Reason Why" (which I think I also have somewhere in my library, but couldn't find it).
The ten battles/chapters are:
Hastings
Crecy Campaign
Agincourt Campaign
The Third Civil War
Saratoga, Setting the Scene
Saratoga, Confidence and Confounded
Saratoga, Defeat and Surrender
Waterloo, 1-17 June
Waterloo, 18 June
Background to Chancellorsville
Chancellorsville
Gettysburg
Palestine 1917
Anzio; background to beachhead
Anzio; Battle for survival
Anzio; Breakout.
Somewhat dated (written in 1982).
The sort of history book that assumes combat started in 1066 doesn't hold my attention to the bottom of the first page.
Quote from: fsn on 24 February 2019, 10:10:36 PM
Hmmmm. Seems I am in a minority. I thought the Anglo-Saxon novels of Cornwall were not as good as his Sharpe's series. However, did think that the Sharpe range did dip in quality after Sharpe's Waterloo.
Also disappointed with his Starbuck series. Not a Cylon in sight.
I'm with you on that one, even though my historical interests have generally tended more towards ancients than Napoleonic, I did find the Anglo-Saxon Tales to be a bit more plodding than Sharpe. In some ways they're different purposes, Sharpe being more standalone adventures rather than an ongoing saga. But while I enjoyed the first Anglo-Saxon books as they came out I lost interest after that and never picked up the later ones. I was never able to get into the TV version of it either.
I do remember enjoying the Warlord Chronicales though!
Quote from: kipt on 24 February 2019, 02:45:32 PM
Finished "The Last Kingdom" by Bernard Cornwell. this is Book 1 of his The Saxon Tales. Mid 800's in Saxon England where the main adversary is the DAnes. This follows the life of a young boy, Uhtred, who is a Saxon, but raised by the Danes.
This is well written, better I think than the Sharpe series (and I am much more interested in the Napoleonic Wars than the dealings in early Britain).
Enjoyed it immensely and am now in the third book of the series.
Good ripping yarns, through I occasionaly wondered whether he would announce himself as Captain Uthred of the South Essex.
Spoiler alert: He gains an Irish sidekick in a later book - though no volley gun has emerged yet.
I was impressed by the care in describing Alfred's Wessex and the relations between the Saxon and Danish kingdoms of the time.
I also enjoyed the links between locations in Alfred's time and their modern equivalents - all done without breaking the flow of the story.
I've enjoyed listening to the series of the 'Utred books'.
Though I have to admit that the last one felt like I'd been through it all before, as far as the plot was concerned...It just seemed a little 'samey'.
Only listened to one of the Sharpe audio books (I think it was called Sharpe' Tiger.)...That was terrific.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: FierceKitty on 24 February 2019, 11:09:40 PM
The sort of history book that assumes combat started in 1066 doesn't hold my attention to the bottom of the first page.
You should see the typical military history section in a British bookshop. Apparently a couple of chaps called Napoleon and Wellington merit two or three books, but the remaining dozens demonstrate quite clearly that military history started in 1914.
Have you been in Waterstones, Liverpool recently?
Quote from: Techno on 25 February 2019, 06:47:11 AM
I've enjoyed listening to the series of the 'Utred books'.
Though I have to admit that the last one felt like I'd been through it all before, as far as the plot was concerned...It just seemed a little 'samey'.
Only listened to one of the Sharpe audio books (I think it was called Sharpe' Tiger.)...That was terrific.
Cheers - Phil
What if I told you that Uthred Uthredson, Richard Sharpe and James Bond are all the same guy.
And then added that Bond is clearly a different guy in different films.
Head asplode - as they say in the memes.
SPQR by Mary Beard. Very interesting and has given me fresh insight on to Rome, its expansion and its political nuances. Fairly easy to read.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 25 February 2019, 08:03:48 AM
What if I told you that Uthred Uthredson, Richard Sharpe and James Bond are all the same guy.
I've read the
Warlord Chronicles,
Azincourt and the first of the
Last Kingdom books, and it is very clear that the hero in all three is exactly the same person.
Still enjoyed them though.
I've tried, really I have since the first Sharpe came out last century, but I can't stand Cornwall. It's the utterly ahistorical temperament and mores of the "heroes" that kills it for me.
I must admit that I've only read one Bernard Cornwell book and that was The Fort, a novel about the Penobscot Expedition of 1779 during the American War of Independence. It wasn't brilliant and I found it hard going but it makes for a great scenario.
https://twomarshals.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-fort-muskets-and-tomahawks-scenario.html (https://twomarshals.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-fort-muskets-and-tomahawks-scenario.html)
Quote from: Ben Waterhouse on 25 February 2019, 09:13:07 AM
I've tried, really I have since the first Sharpe came out last century, but I can't stand Cornwall. It's the utterly ahistorical temperament and mores of the "heroes" that kills it for me.
I love Cornwall and have had many pleasant holidays there. However neither Bernard nor Patricia Cornwell manage to hold my attention for very long, apart from the Warlord Chronicles. Even then, like most of his stuff, it descends into the male version of soap opera.
Finished book 2 and 3 of the Saxon Novels, "The Pale Horseman" and "Lords of the North", by Bernard Cornwell.
Galloping good reads with lots of sword action and interesting characters.
Like I said, soap opera for men.
Finished
Carl von Clausewitz "Napoleon's 1796 Italian Campaign" edited and translated by Dr. Nicholas Murray and Christopher Pringle.
You can read my review here https://phdleadhead.blogspot.com/2019/03/new-salvation-episode-and-book-review.html (https://phdleadhead.blogspot.com/2019/03/new-salvation-episode-and-book-review.html)
Ongoing
In Print Form: Onur Yildirim "Diplomacy and Displacement: Reconsidering the Turco-Greek Exchange of Populations, 1922-1934"
In e-form: Victoria Solomonidis "Greece in Asia Minor:The Greek Administration of the Vilayet of Aydin, 1919 - 1922"
which you can find at https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2934862/245618.pdf (https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2934862/245618.pdf)
In the pipe line: Newest Legend of Galactic Heroes novel, M.MacMillan Paris 1919, J.A.Vasquez Contagion and War.
Reading The Dark Ages by Charles Oman. I can understand the desire to show off ones erudition but I think dropping in the word poliorcetics might have been a step to far even in the year 1893.
Is it good or bad that I only know that poliorcetics is the art of siege craft because of Demetrios Poliorcetes (Demetrius he Besieger) son of Antigonus Monopthalmos (Antigonus the One-Eyed) both major players in the wars of succession after Alexander the Great's death.
A walking encyclopaedia of arcane and inconsequential facts, that's me :D
Quote from: lowlylowlycook on 03 March 2019, 11:57:05 PM
poliorcetics
I had two of those back in the day ... but the wheels fell off one, and the other sort of pined away.
It is a lovely word, that I shall try and add to my vocabulary. :D
Quote from: lowlylowlycook on 03 March 2019, 11:57:05 PM
Reading The Dark Ages by Charles Oman. I can understand the desire to show off ones erudition but I think dropping in the word poliorcetics might have been a step to far even in the year 1893.
My Victorian edition of the Sir Edward Creasy (loaned to a "friend" and never returned) would quote Greeks and Latins and French ... but without translation. It became a bit frustrating - "as Herodotus put it ..." then a lot of what was frankly Greek to me.
I suppose it reflected his intended audience.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 04 March 2019, 01:27:56 AM
Is it good or bad that I only know that poliorcetics is the art of siege craft because of Demetrios Poliorcetes (Demetrius he Besieger) son of Antigonus Monopthalmos (Antigonus the One-Eyed) both major players in the wars of succession after Alexander the Great's death.
A walking encyclopaedia of arcane and inconsequential facts, that's me :D
Both ;D
More soap opera...Finished "Sword Song: The Battle for London" by Bernard Cornwell. London was called Lundene at this point of time.
Another sword and ax tale and this is book 4.
By 2647 it will probably be called Lnun. The English language seems to be collapsing in on itself.
Listening to "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy."
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Leman on 04 March 2019, 02:23:03 PM
By 2647 it will probably be called Lnun. The English language seems to be collapsing in on itself.
At the rate we're going, it will be a site of scientific interest where alien documentary broadcasters will come to pontificate
"This appears to be the site of one of the major population centres of the indigenous apex predator just before their extinction. It is unclear whether it's destruction was due to intra-species conflict, the devastating effects of global climate change or the unfortunate incident in which one of our Titan Class starships impacted on the surface during the mission in which Elvis Presley was returning the monster to Loch Ness."
Distressing that the Minbari-Klingon alliance seems set to embrace the groc'ers apostrophe. :'(
Someone uttered the word Brexit for the four billionth time and the entire 15 million just sighed and gave up the ghost.
Quote from: fsn on 04 March 2019, 08:22:08 AM
My Victorian edition of the Sir Edward Creasy (loaned to a "friend" and never returned) would quote Greeks and Latins and French ... but without translation. It became a bit frustrating - "as Herodotus put it ..." then a lot of what was frankly Greek to me.
I suppose it reflected his intended audience.
It's remarkable how a bit of obscure language can convert a readable storyline into a hard slog.
A few years back I and some friends decided to read some Joseph Conrad, hoping for some scenario inspiration.
Heart of Darkness is his most famous, probably because of its screen adaptations.
Many of his other sea stories are set in what was then called the Malay Archipelago (Now Malay Borneo and Indonesia).
They are littered with dialogue that incorporates Melayu Pasar (lit. Market Malay) - the lingua franca of the region which forms the main basis for the modern Indonesian language, often using contemporary Dutch spellings.
Accidents of history mean I've acquired some knowledge of Indonesian and Dutch.
While I was able to glide through the dialogue, friends were struggling to leaf back and forth between a lengthy glossary and the story.
They found this interrupted the flow and turned an accessible read into a really difficult slog.
Though we found some gaming inspiration (Essentially the same 3 cultures presented in Darkest Africa: Tribal, Local Kingdoms, Regional Influence (In this case pirates) and the far-away colonial power).
There's a dearth of figures, and we decided we would be moving Darkest Africa to a different continent with few changes.
We also mentioned that Conrad's sea stories have a certain similarity, and if transposed to the Aegean and back 2500 years, they would sit nicely with the heroic Greek myths.
I have to admit I've always found Conrad hard going. His female characters in particular have a triviality that makes Mickey Mouse look like Hamlet.
No....It was Donald Duck that played Hamlet.
(https://d2lzb5v10mb0lj.cloudfront.net/covers/600/30/3004582.jpg)
Cheers - Phil
Of course. My mistake. I was thinking of Mickey in Ibsen's A Doll's Mouse.
In these parts we constantly re-assess Goofy's role in Bergman's Seventh Seal.
Was the story enhanced by changing the chess game to a keepy-uppie contest etc etc.
Did you know Wagner considered calling Tannhaueser by the name of Die Minnie Singer vom Venusberg?
Quote from: FierceKitty on 06 March 2019, 12:45:13 AM
I have to admit I've always found Conrad hard going. His female characters in particular have a triviality that makes Mickey Mouse look like Hamlet.
That's one of the things that struck me as "Straight outta Athens".
Most of those Greek ladies (or barbarian women) are one dimensional ciphers who bring their menfolk misfortune or death.
Honourable exception for Penelope at the end of the Odyssey (Probably Mrs Travers from The Rescue in Conrad's works).
While they fit much of your description, I'd say Medea and Lysistrata had plenty of solid stage presence.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 06 March 2019, 08:42:32 AM
Of course. My mistake. I was thinking of Mickey in Ibsen's A Doll's Mouse.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 06 March 2019, 09:10:42 AM
Did you know Wagner considered calling Tannhaueser by the name of Die Minnie Singer vom Venusberg?
Very good ! :)
Cheers - Phil
Finished another "Casca: Panzer Soldier" by Barry Sadler. This time he is a sergeant commanding a tank (Panther) in Russia. Starts with Kursk, loses the Panther and gets a Tiger (stolen by one of his men) and later a T-34.
Descriptive low level combat, but entertaining.
Finished Victoria Solomonidis "Greece in Asia Minor: The Greek Administration of the Aydin Vilayet 1919-1922"
Available for free here https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2934862/245618.pdf (https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2934862/245618.pdf)
Only about 1/3rd of the dissertation is about the actual administration. 1/3rd is taken up with diplomatic/political history of the war, which does not really bring much new on a broad level, but has some interesting information. The other this is the really interesting one. A chapter on Aristeidis Stergiadis, which was the basis for her later biography of him in Greek, and a chapter on the politics behind the Mikrasiatiki Amyna/Autonomy schemes of 1921. These are worth reading.
In general a sympathetic treatment of Stergiadis, which is rare in Greek. The Allied powers are given most of the blame, and she ,correctly imho, noted how impossible it was for any Greek goverment to not do something in Asia Minor in 1919 in the shadow of the prosecution of Ottoman Greeks 1913-1918, and the Armeno-Assyrian Genocide.
In a way Stergiadis as the persons is a proxy for the position of the Greek state. By necessity given a task beyond their ability, and opposed by their supposed allies.
Worth a read if you are interested in the history of the period, but also in generally in seeing how terrible international relations is for small states.
Desperate Valour: Triumph at Anzio, by Flint Whitlock.
Makes me think of how to refight some actions using CoC rules.
Just picked up the digital version of "A Story in Stones: Portugal's Influence on Culture and Architecture in the Highlands of Ethiopia 1493-1634"
Pretty excited.
Another Bernard Cornwell, "The Burning Land", a Saxon Tale, book 5. More fighting and intriguing by Uthred of Bebbanburg (although his uncle holds it and doesn't want to give it up). Uthred doesn't like King Alfred, but works for him and is constantly driving back the Danes (who Uthred would rather join, but it is not to be).
Quick read and entertaining. Several more waiting in the wings.
Finished volume 82, No.4 of "The Journal of Military History". Published 4 times a year.
Articles in this one include:
"The Function of History in Clausewitz's Understanding of War" by Peter Paret
"Perception and Naval Dominance: The British Experience during the War of 1812" by Kevin McCranie
"The War of the Pacific, Technology and U.S. Development: An International History of Regional War" by Thomas Jamison
"The Treatment of Prisoners of War Captured by the Greek Army during the Balkan Wars of 1912-13" by Panagiotic Delis
"'Not only useless, but dangerous?' The Portuguese Expeditionary Corps in France in the aftermath of the Battle of La Lys, 9
April 1918" by Filipe Ribeiro de Meneses
and others. Also 85 pages of book reviews, which is where I find books I am interested in enough to buy.
Finished in Greek the book "The role of the army in the progress of history from the revolution of 1821 to 1975" by Panos Krikis. A book on the political involvement of the greek army, covering coups and mutinies. Informative for me , but not a good book. There are other greek books on the topic that are better. This was just the most available when I made the purchase.
Osprey's Market-Garden series by Zaloga and Ford. A few interesting bits of info and the maps are useful as always, but useful as a good intro to this operation.
And another Bernard Cornwell bites the dust: "Death of Kings" wherein Uthred fights for the Saxons and Alfred the Great finally dies, to be succeeded by his son Edward.
Quick to read and full of fighting and clever writing. No. 6 in The Saxon Tale.
Yoshiki Tanaka, Legend of Galactic Heroes volume 8 "Desolation". The penultimate volume in the series and one where an important character has something happen to them. As always a great story, with great quotes about strategy and political science.
Number 7 of The Saxon Tales,"The Pagan Lord" by Bernard Cornwell. In this Uthred goes north to capture his childhood home, Bebbanburg. And, of course, bloody battles with the Danes.
Finished "Montgomery in Europe 1943-45:Success or Failure?" by Richard Lamb, who was an officer int he Eighth Army and later in Italy.
Interesting book which emphasizes the disputes between Montgomery and Eisenhower. It talks about Montgomery's decisions for Normandy, Arnhem and the mistake of not taking the Scheldt area when he had the chance.
Quote from: kipt on 02 April 2019, 01:52:06 PM
Number 7 of The Saxon Tales,"The Pagan Lord" by Bernard Cornwell. In this Uthred goes north to capture his childhood home, Bebbanburg. And, of course, bloody battles with the Danes.
I must go back and listen to those all again.
Currently listening to 'Three hands in the fountain' by Lindsey Davis. (Von was laughing at the Geordie accents some of the ancient Romans were using.....But I DO like the stories in this series.)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 03 April 2019, 12:56:56 PM
I must go back and listen to those all again.
Currently listening to 'Three hands in the fountain' by Lindsey Davis. (Von was laughing at the Geordie accents some of the ancient Romans were using.....But I DO like the stories in this series.)
Cheers - Phil
The Falco series is brilliant. I think I'm in love with Helena Justina :)
I'm with you both on that one.
Falco novels are great fun.
Finished the best treatment of UK policy in the Greek-Turkish war I have read.
Daleziou, Eleftheria (2002) Britain and the Greek-Turkish war and settlement of 1919-1923: the pursuit of security by "proxy" in Western Asia Minor. PhD thesis.
(link: http://theses.gla.ac.uk/1578/)
Another Cornwell Saxon Tales, "The Empty Throne". Aethelred, son of Alfred, is dying. Our hero Uthred, supported him, but also Aethelred's sister, Aethelflaed. Also a lover. Off we go to shield walls, ships and Danes.
Think that was the last one I listened to/bought.
Have to say, that for some reason, I didn't enjoy it as much as the others.
Cheers - Phil
The Art of Renaissance Warfare by Stephen Turnbull is proving to be a good read (not heavy going) on the developments in warfare between 1453 (Constantinople) and 1618 (start of the TYW). So far it has done a really good job of the Reconquista, the destruction of Burgundy, the rise and fall of the Swiss pike block, the developments in siege warfare and galley warfare in the Mediterranean (going on the galleys was a civic duty in Venice, although most other navies used prisoners/slaves). Recommended if you are interested in the early part of the Renaissance.
Quote from: Steve J on 07 November 2018, 09:25:06 PM
Blitzkreig by Len Deighton. Picked up by chance from my bookshelf and enjoying re-reading this superb book :).
Superb book, often underestimated by the cognoscenti.
Dangerous Hero, biography of Corbyn by Tom Bowers.
Quote from: Leman on 07 April 2019, 10:57:52 AM
The Art of Renaissance Warfare by Stephen Turnbull is proving to be a good read (not heavy going) on the developments in warfare between 1453 (Constantinople) and 1618 (start of the TYW). So far it has done a really good job of the Reconquista, the destruction of Burgundy, the rise and fall of the Swiss pike block, the developments in siege warfare and galley warfare in the Mediterranean (going on the galleys was a civic duty in Venice, although most other navies used prisoners/slaves). Recommended if you are interested in the early part of the Renaissance.
This is a weak book not up to the authors usual standard - see the beginning of this article for a summary https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/renaissance-quarterly/article/stephen-turnbull-the-art-of-renaissance-warfare-from-the-fall-of-constantinople-to-the-thirty-years-war-london-greenhill-books-2006-272-pp-index-map-chron-illus-bibl-3495-isbn-1853676764/38E5B0051D1B930BE93B1FABB4457046 (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/renaissance-quarterly/article/stephen-turnbull-the-art-of-renaissance-warfare-from-the-fall-of-constantinople-to-the-thirty-years-war-london-greenhill-books-2006-272-pp-index-map-chron-illus-bibl-3495-isbn-1853676764/38E5B0051D1B930BE93B1FABB4457046)
So he got a few things wrong - big deal. Typical response of the over privileged Rees-Mog types up at Cambridge. It's main weakness appears to be that it is mainly about military rather than cultural developments. They probably object to the easy read enabling the average person to find out something about the military history of the period instead of being put off by the convoluted waffling usually found in academic books (never ceased to amaze me at university and post-grad studies how the straightforward could be sublimely complicated through academic writing - preserve the mystique by excluding the masses). So, no, I don't agree with the above. I have found it to be a very useful book for the period I am interested in.
Leman, you are taking it too hard. If I wrote a history of the greek-turkish war only based on greek sources it might be a fun book, a good book, but it is not good scholarship and may very well produce a incomplete picture. Pointing that out is not snotty.
Only people who can't get in and have to settle for the Other Place sneer at Cambridge. ;)
Most people sneer at Cambridge...
As intimated above, we don't let everyone in. If you're straight and not a spy, in fact, your chances are minimal.
I spent a week in Cambridge one day.
Very pretty, but too many bicycles and entitled prigs.
Would also benefit from a hill.
After a quick search, it appears the review of Turnbull's book is written by an Italian Historian, Niccolo Capponi, who specialises in the Renaissance. The review appeared in the Renaissance Quarterly, a publication produced by the Renaissance Society of America. As far as I can find out the sole connection with Cambridge is that it is published by Cambridge University Press!
Oh, and Rees Mogg went to Oxford, where I am sure his 'types' are still to be seen!
There is a phrase: to suck the joy out of. Seems to be cropping up a lot again in wargaming.
I had a chance for Oxbridge turned it down in favour of Reading :) (the place not the act)
good job really screwed up on the old a levels
To Kill a King - Pike & Shotte supplement from Warlord Games. A nice book with plenty of info and, for once, lots of manageable size scenarios, which is great to see :).
Finished the 2nd and 3rd books in the Old Man's War SF series: "The Ghost Brigades" about the special forces troops made from DNA of the dead of earth, and "The Last Colony" where the soldier (John Perry) from the first book and a special forces woman (made from the DNA of John's dead wife) are leaders of a colony set by the Colonial Union. Many twists and turns. but quick escapist reading.
Two Frostgrave supplements...
Tasty
The Hundred Days Campaign by D Chandler. Just started this afternoon and so far an excellent read :).
BKC4, isn't everyone...
My copy is still in the post :(.
Quote from: Matt J on 11 April 2019, 06:25:40 PM
BKC4, isn't everyone...
Nope. Developing the Portable Wargame for me.
Nope, re-reading For King and Parliament for me ;)
Tax self-assessment form (:|
Feral by George Monbiot up next.
Do wargamers read books, or just look at them for reference most of the time?
In which case, currently open is The Encyclopdia of French Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914-1940, Francois Vauvillier, Histoire & Collections (2014). The best book on French AFVs I've ever come across, worth every penny of the £40 it cost me. Finally painting my Pendraken Char D2s I ordered yonks ago!
Mark
Quote from: sultanbev on 12 April 2019, 09:18:40 AM
Tax self-assessment form (:|
Von does my form....I just sign it. :D
Listening to 'Battleflag' by that nice Mr Cornwell.
Cheers - Phil
Having a glance at a mate's copy of Saga Book of Battles. No point reading in depth until I know I have a scrap coming up.
Quote from: Leman on 12 April 2019, 02:41:33 PM
Having a glance at a mate's copy of Saga Book of Battles.
Heh, sounds like a Ladybird history book for the over-50's.
;)
Thanks Raider - I am a retired history teacher. >:( Apology accepted.
Just finished Dan Jones The Templars for non fiction, where I learned my Templars had the wrong flag, and on Poseidon's Spear by Christian Cameron for fiction. Historical adventure series during the Greek and Persian wars. In this one set just after Marathon, the hero takes up merchant adventuring and piracy running afoul of the Carthaginians in the process. Good yarn in similar vein to Cornwell and Iggulden and the like.
Finished "Tom Brown's School Days" by Thomas Hughes. This one was printed in the US but there isn't a date of printing. This is where George MacDonald Fraser got Flashman, bully and coward. Flashman is in an upper level to Tom but finally Tom calls him out for the bully and coward he is. Flashman is not much in the book however, but interesting to see where he came from.
Interesting life of Tom Brown in his public school. Much slang and nomenclature that as a Yank I didn't understand, but a good read.
Quote from: Leman on 12 April 2019, 07:54:15 PM
Thanks Raider - I am a retired history teacher.
Lol! Either wildly appropriate or wildly inappropriate then ;D
Quote from: Leman on 12 April 2019, 07:54:15 PM
Apology accepted.
I am more than happy to apologise. No offence was intended, just a lame attempt at humour on my part regarding the name of the book. Sorry.
BKCIV has landed, so having a brief flick through.
Just finished my read through of BKCIV and I must say I'm very impressed. A few queries here and there, but nothing major. As with BKCII, I will tweak things to suit my style of gaming, but then that's the strength of these rules IMHO. Looking forward to giving these a run out soon.
I read the Osprey Book "Latin American Wars 1900-1941". Very good survey of some of the lesser known conflicts of the interwar period. Lots of interesting fodder for small scale war-gaming.
Not reading, but since this is the most bookish thread I know of.
Spotted today on Amazon (Looks like a working title).
Bernard Cornwell Untitled Book 2 Hardcover – 3 Oct 2019
The Last Kingdom series goes from strength to strength with Uhtred becoming ever more interesting – in so many ways a modern hero, facing a new world, with changing allegiances, but still held by traditional loyalties.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bernard-Cornwell-Untitled-Book-2/dp/0008183899/ref=pd_lutyp_bmx_6_3/258-0071880-0664038?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0008183899&pd_rd_r=b0941869-a508-49f8-95f0-0dc027c58c61&pd_rd_w=NCxJ0&pd_rd_wg=GhubP&pf_rd_p=344babc4-e692-46e9-93f4-d7902b957540&pf_rd_r=13S1493M1YHGBQ9PV4NE&psc=1&refRID=13S1493M1YHGBQ9PV4NE (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bernard-Cornwell-Untitled-Book-2/dp/0008183899/ref=pd_lutyp_bmx_6_3/258-0071880-0664038?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0008183899&pd_rd_r=b0941869-a508-49f8-95f0-0dc027c58c61&pd_rd_w=NCxJ0&pd_rd_wg=GhubP&pf_rd_p=344babc4-e692-46e9-93f4-d7902b957540&pf_rd_r=13S1493M1YHGBQ9PV4NE&psc=1&refRID=13S1493M1YHGBQ9PV4NE)
Finished "Smithsonian Civil War: Inside the National Collection" which is as it says. Pictures of items in the collection as well as pictures, with a narrative that ties it all together.
Pretty coffee table book.
"Armed with Stings" by A C Hampshire about the Insect class gunboats. I've only reached the end of the First World war but I'm hoping to get some scenario ideas for Cruel Seas.
My Dad's rice paper edition of Lord of The Rings, for Nazgul mostly..
John Gills 1809 trilogy, awaiting my Wurttembergers...
The Analects of Confucius (by Confucius) - Love that title.
Translated by James Legge.
Finished Vol 83, No. 2 of "The Journal of Military History"
Some of the articles are:
Attila's Appetite: The Logistics of Attila the Hun's Invasion of Italy in 452,
"This French artillery is very good and very effective." Hypotheses on the Diffusion of a New Military Technology in Renaissance Italy.
Older German Officers and National Socialist Activism: Evidence from the Volksturm.
Friction in Action: Revisiting the U.S. Army Air Forces' August 1943 Raid on Ploesti.
And many book reviews as always. Published 4 times a year and I always find new books I want to buy.
Duffy's The Army of Frederick the Great - as ever, reliably researched and well written; but, dear Heavens, the publishers should be forced to run the gauntlet twenty-four times for going to press with such shoddy editing! Every three pages or so one needs to stop and puzzle out what the original sentence was, before careless typing mucked it up. Angry.
Is this the Helion re-print FK?
Just started re-re-re-reading "The Ship", IMHO the best of CS Forester's output.
The story of a British light cruiser in the Med early in WWII.
Quote from: Steve J on 27 April 2019, 05:40:44 PM
Is this the Helion re-print FK?
The Emperor's Press.
Finished "The War in the North Sea: The Royal Navy and the Imperial German Navy 1914-1918" by Quintin Barry. I bought the book for two reasons; I am painting ships for WWI (although Turkey vs Russia first) and Quintin Barry was the author. I really like his writing and I was not disappointed.
This is more than Jutland; interaction between and among commanders and politicians on both sides, small actions, the U-Boats, the convoy system and the final scuttling of the German Fleet. Highly recommended.
The popular English pro-German sentiment after the High Seas fleet went to Davy Jones should be one of the proudest moments in English history.
Finished "Strategy of the Franco-German War" by Brevet-Major W.D. Bird, written in 1909. This is the FPW up to Sedan. Pull out maps in the front and back and with many maps in the text. Interesting that the maps on the pages are in two forms. The first half of the book shows the French actual positions with the assumed Prussian positions on the same map. Then below that map on the same page are the actual Prussian positions.
The second half of the book reverses that. Prussian positions with assumed French on the top map and then below the actual French positions. Large scale maps in the text so not a lot of unit detail - typically corps with some divisions, primarily cavalry.
The pull out maps show the railways used (map 1) and the principal roads (map 2) in the front of the book. In the back pull out section are the OB's and initial dispositions - seven separate folded items.
Nothing really new except the presentation.
Oh not that sounds like a brilliant find
That kind of reminds me of when I'm extremely bored and watching poker on TV. The whole time I'm criticizing the many obvious mistakes the players are making. Well, right up until they stop showing what everyone has and, who would have guessed it, but I'm a complete ignoramus and have zero clue about what is even happening.
The Battle of the Narrow Seas: The History of Light Coastal Forces in the Channel and North Sea 1939-1945 by Peter Scott.
First published 1945 (I think) so full of British grit and determined Germans, it's the tale of the MTBs, MGBs and MLs in WWII. Written so close to the end of the war, it's value is more in the large tracts of personal experience rather than as a balanced view of the campaign.
It was the recent thread that had me reaching for this volume which I know I should have read years ago. I am struck by the story of the last boat out of Dunkirk. It was escorting a ship that was to be used as a block ship, but the dashed Germans sank it before it could be properly placed. The ML (or was it an MTB) took off the crew, and saw that a lifeboat from the ship had floated free wth two wounded sailors in it. The captain of the MGB took the lifeboat in tow, but couldn't shift it. Apparently, the lifeboat was still connected to the sunken block ship.
How many rule sets would come up with things like that?
The Destruction of Lord Raglan - just finished. OK, Raglan was a decent man. He should still never have been entrusted with an army he couldn't provide for!
Read it for the amusing exchange with Gen. Canrobert at Inkermann; not, perhaps, suitable for putting in this forum!
Listening to "Churchill's Secret Warriors".
Really well written,.... quite chilling, at times.
Cheers - Phil
picked up Max Hastings new one on Vietnam in paperback from Sainsbury today for £3.99 (which is a bit of a steal I think)
I'll keep an eye out for that as I've always enjoyed his books, more so than Beevor.
Reading The Cross and Crescent Saga book, as a mate and I have started playing Saga Crusades. Aware that this is the one before Age of the Crusades, but it does seem to have the clearest explanation of how to play the game. We are just factoring a few of the new rules in, such as acquisition of Saga dice and use of enemy fatigue chits. I also like the way it is pre-PC and the single player is referred to as he rather than they.
Finished an interesting reprint "Tactical Studies of the Battles of Columby-Nouilly and Vionville" by Major Lonsdale A Hale, R.E. it is a translation from the German official accounts.
No maps but a couple of sketches. Interesting (but I also have the German official accounts, so have it twice now).
About halfway though 'Small Unit Actions during the German campaign in Russia'.
Published by the US Army in the early 50's, it's a collection of AAR from the German point-of-view about fighting the Soviets. Presumably so that US officers can get a handle on the way the Russkies might fight in the event of the Cold War warming up.
Must say, it's very interesting reading so far. Some terrific potential scenarios in there. A lone Soviet tank holding up a German advance for almost 48 hours. A German dash for a couple of bridges before the Soviets can blow them up, using captured Soviet trucks as a disguise. A Soviet attack across open ground against prepared German defences, with the unarmed third wave of troops expected to pick up weapons from the dead of the first two waves, and Soviet political officers shooting anyone who retreats (think opening battle of Enemy at the Gates). Etc, etc.
Available in PDF format in five parts from here (http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll8/id/850).
I'd suggest anyone starting up WW2 using Blitzkrieg Commander IV have a good read of this.
Plato's Republic.
Parts of it have aged well - in the sense that we see the same ideas being served up as fresh today.
I find Plato's exposition of the "Socratic Method" - "Ahh so if you prefer [Thing A] then you must be a supporter of [Terrible thing that nobody would countenance]", very tiresome.
It is however an interesting read, and always difficult to discern how much of the annoying dialogue has been fluffed up by the translator.
As with Elvis, I'm willing to cut these guys some slack as they were pioneers in their field.
It was with Plato that I first concluded (and I stand by the opinion four decades later) that most philosophers were just squabbling about the meanings of words, and needed a good dictionary and a course of linguistics, not a symposium.
Still on the Peter Scott book.
It's not often military history books make me laugh out loud but ...
"... but this time they saw us at about a mile and kept up a fairly accurate fire for about 10 minutes which left us feeling rather exhausted but with only superficial damage. This seemed like a good moment for a cup of tea."
"... before Peter Liddell ... said over the radio in a resigned tone of voice that he could now see the enemy pretty well on the whole, and he didn't know whether anyone else could, or indeed whether we were at all interested, but if we were, the enemy was bearing Red thirty.* This, I may say was quite a normal occurrence in the 13th Flotilla."
Fantastic book. I didn't realise that US PT boats were engaged in the Channel after D-Day.
*I hear this in a Marvin, the Paranoid Android voice.
The new Osprey book, Macedonian Phalangite versus Persian Warrior.
A nicely presented book, but it has caused me (and others on another forum) a lot of confusion.
This is because the Persian Warrior is shown with the early Achamenid large rectangular shield (spara) instead of what I'd expected to see - namely a crescent shield. I was under the impression that the rectangular shield had long since disappeared before Alexander's time.
Battle details and battle summaries look ok at a quick glance
Just received Saga 2 and Age of Magic. Rulebook is really well laid out and probably and the best written I've read in a while as us the Age of Magic supplement
Will of course be using 10mm for the project
Quote from: FierceKitty on 19 May 2019, 01:40:57 PM
It was with Plato that I first concluded (and I stand by the opinion four decades later) that most philosophers were just squabbling about the meanings of words, and needed a good dictionary and a course of linguistics, not a symposium.
Yeah, but who's going to object to a free piss-up.
50 pages in and I suspect I'd have voted for the hemlock.
Perhaps it was an original ideal at the time, but "Hello I'm a [Insert career choice here/Philosopher] - the ruler must be a [Insert career choice here/Philosopher]" has some fascinating echoes throughout the ages.
* Wealthy Roman with a Greek education.
* Germanic Warlord.
* Italian Cardinal.
* Norman Genocidist.
Plenty of more recent and controversial examples.
I'd be risking my liberty if I spoke indiscreetly about my country of residence, which is a pity, since there's much that could be said.
Finished Vol. 83, No. 1 of "The Journal of Military History".
Articles include:
There is Power in a Cohort: Development of Warfare in Iron Age to Early Medieval Scandinavia
The Battle of Ain al-Mallaba, 19 June 1157
Guibert vs. Guibert: Competing Notions in the "Essai general de tactique" and the "Defense du Systeme de guerre moderne"
The Great Silence of Robert E. Lee
as well as several others and many pages of book reviews. The Journal comes out quarterly.
Finished "Europe's Steppe Frontier, 1500-1800" by William H. McNeill. Five chapters:
Chapter One, Introduction
Chapter Two, Ottoman Advance to 1570
Chapter Three, Time of Troubles, 1570-1650
Chapter Four, The Victory of Bureaucratic Empire, 1650-1740
Chapter Five, The Closure of the Frontier, 1740-1800
and then a bibliographical essay, discussing his sources.
This is a scholarly work and more of a sociological theses, giving the history and interplay of the areas (essentially what became Austria, Russia and the Ottoman Empire). Backgrounds for the wars over the time periods, but no discussion of same. Not my normal read, but informative.
Finally started 'Like Hungry Wolves: Culloden Moor 16th April 1746' by Stuart Reid, via Ithorial. :D
Must be half term...
Glad it's finally getting an airing :)
Ill Met by Moonlight.
Finished "The Principles of War" by General Ferdinand Foch. this one printed 1918. Foch's lectures to the French war college prior to WWI. Some great discussions of Saalfield and Nachod. The book references 9 maps, none of which are unfortunately in this translation. Would have been nice.
It ends with his description of the modern battle, which, during WWI unfortunately ran up against barbed wire and machine guns. C'est la guerre...
Still enjoyed the battle discussions as he breaks them down to individual units and actions.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 30 May 2019, 05:37:05 PM
Finally started 'Like Hungry Wolves: Culloden Moor 16th April 1746' by Stuart Reid, via Ithorial. :D
Must be half term...
When you've finished it, have a look at 'The Myth pf the Jacobite Clans - The Jacobite Army in 1745' by Murray Pittock.
Decided to re-read Oman's History of the Art of War in the C16th, as I have one 15mm project and three 10mm projects in that century.*
* someone is bound to ask what, so here goes:
15mm - earlier Italian Wars to 1525
10mm - Flodden
- Spanish of the early Italian Wars
- early Dutch Wars of Independence
Quote from: Leman on 10 June 2019, 02:32:40 PM
Decided to re-read Oman's History of the Art of War in the C16th, as I have one 15mm project and three 10mm projects in that century.*
* someone is bound to ask what, so here goes:
15mm - earlier Italian Wars to 1525
10mm - Flodden
- Spanish of the early Italian Wars
- early Dutch Wars of Independence
We have our disagreements at times, sir, but I like your choice of era.
John A. Lynn, The Wars of Louis XIV, 1667-1714.
Oddly enough, there aren’t many books on the subject, and this one is an absolute must-read, I’d say. Lynn ranges from very general historical sketches of the political situation in this era to such details as recruitment and tactics. The one thing he does not do is describe individual battles in great detail, but there are other books that do this.
This book is highly recommended to who anyone who’d like to know a little more about why his Allied troops unite against those perfidious Frenchies!
Was Louis agressive or defensive? Or maybe aggressively defensive? Read about it here...
Yes Lynn's book is excellent and not read enough. A stark contrast to the hopelessly out of date Oman which is often still read apparently.
Finished "Panzer Aces" by Franz Kurowski. Paperback, printed 1992. The exploits of 6 German Tank Commanders, most of which you have heard of if you read WWII: Dr. Franz Bake, Hermann Bix, Rudolf von Ribbentrop (the son of), Hans Bolter, Michael Witmann and Albert Ernst.
This reads like a John Wick movie; panzers decimating T-34's and wildly moving around. The last chapter is very good, The German Panzer Arm of World War II. It gives a good history of the making of the panzer arm and the tactics and mindset needed to be successful.
Just found Henry VIII and Francis I: The Final Conflict, 1540-1547 (https://ia600902.us.archive.org/29/items/HenryVIIIAndFrancisITheFinalConflict154047/Henry%20VIII%20and%20Francis%20I%20The%20Final%20Conflict%2C%201540-47.pdf) available online, so will be starting this one very soon.
Just had a quick read of "Numbers & Losses in the Civil War" by Thomas L. Livermore. This being a reprint by the Civil war Centennial Series. This book is acknowledged as the definitive study on the ACW. And it is primarily lists of numbers and losses with the sources he used. He dug deep into the records, both Union and Confederate. Union records were more complete but he had good estimates for the Confederates.
Put Oman's book down for a bit to read the new Osprey on Russian soldier v Japanese soldier 1904/5. Seems ok but I daresay someone more knowledgable would be able to pick holes. From the photos though, it is now clear to me that the French mitrailleuse with shield attached would make a better stand in for the Russian maxim than the Boer War maxim.
Finally finished "Iena" by Commandant Henry Lachouque. This in French (which I read rather slow). A good account of the campaign and the battle, as well as the pursuit. Interesting asides about Napoleon's (and some of his other officers) doings during the campaign.
Slow for me but a good bedside book.
Finished Geofrey Wawro's "The Austro-Prussian War". I was a familiar with his argument, but never had the chance to read the actual book. Now I did. This is the second military history of the 1866 war I have read (the other is Quintin Barry's book). Wawro is more readable than Barry, but much more opinionated. Any suggestions to counter-arguments to his Benedek is at fault thesis?
Also read my dissertation advisor's most recent work, John A. Vasquez "Contagion and War: Lessons from the First World War". I enjoyed the book and have already formulated one possible research program on it. The history of some of the cases is controversial (he pretty much takes the anti-venizelist view in his greek case study), but in general what the non-political scientist has here is a good summary of the existing arguments about why specific pairs of states ended up in war during the 1914-1918 period. It also includes a chapter discussing why some neutrals were able to escape the war, which is not something you usually have readily available for the non-specialist. I love John, and he is one of those political scientists that makes sure to write in a language lay-persons can get, without sacrificing scholarly rigor. If you want a one volume survey coverage of the argument why each state entered and did not enter the First World War this is your book.
So, what did the neutrals say?
"say" I must had mis-written something. The chapter covers the decision making in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina,Chile, Mexico, and Ethiopia/Abyssinia (i.e states that neither severed relations, nor entered the war on either side). The particulars are different in each case but some general discoveries are that most of the true neutral lacked some of the structural factors that were present in the cases of states that entered the war (they were not contiguous to the fighting (Switzerland and Netherlands are an exception), and/or lacked active rivalries (histories of recent repeated conflict) with a belligerent. Also most ,with the major exception of Spain, also lacked significant territorial disputes with belligerents. And finally they did not have strategic assets useful to the war that would require force to get. There are then specific element that vary from case to case including the skill of specific diplomats, the variation in economic dependence, relations with the US for Latin American states etc. One thing,I did not know but learned was about was Kriegsfall Norwegen (Haug 2016) which were plannings by the Germans in 1917 for war with Norway and Denmark.
Very interesting.
I knew about Liechtenstein's neutrality (and 1917 switch to having Switzerland represent them internationally rather than Austria) but not Norway/Denmark situation.
Quote from: KTravlos on 22 June 2019, 01:38:00 PM
"say" I must had mis-written something. The chapter covers the decision making in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina,Chile, Mexico, and Ethiopia/Abyssinia (i.e states that neither severed relations, nor entered the war on either side). The particulars are different in each case but some general discoveries are that most of the true neutral lacked some of the structural factors that were present in the cases of states that entered the war (they were not contiguous to the fighting (Switzerland and Netherlands are an exception), and/or lacked active rivalries (histories of recent repeated conflict) with a belligerent. Also most ,with the major exception of Spain, also lacked significant territorial disputes with belligerents. And finally they did not have strategic assets useful to the war that would require force to get. There are then specific element that vary from case to case including the skill of specific diplomats, the variation in economic dependence, relations with the US for Latin American states etc. One thing,I did not know but learned was about was Kriegsfall Norwegen (Haug 2016) which were plannings by the Germans in 1917 for war with Norway and Denmark.
You'd think the Kaiser already had plenty on his plate by 1917.
Was this some attempt to gain more northern bases for the High Seas Fleet?
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 22 June 2019, 03:57:05 PM
You'd think the Kaiser already had plenty on his plate by 1917.
Was this some attempt to gain more northern bases for the High Seas Fleet?
Curious how different people read different things from the same information. I read this as a contingency plan in case Norway and Denmark joined the Allies!
Yup. Contigency plan. Due to economic dependence on the UK, by 1917 Norway was essentially a hostile power in all but belligerency status
The Peninsular War, A Concise Military History by Michael Glover. An excellent overview of the conflict and a great read to boot.
Legion of Despair by Franklin Horton. The third book in his post apocalyptic The Borrowed World series. Well written, raw and gritty, i a more real world type of presentation instead of a Mad Maxian world.
Terry
Just finished Armoured Trains an illustrated Encyclopedia 1825 - 2016
Heavy going but very useful. Got it cheap on my Kindle.
IanS
Tercios - TYW rules. Very interesting particularly the single base units. Can also see the influence of some other rules in there, eg the use of hidden order cards against a die roll to activate a unit, unit manoeuvring (very BBB, i.e. free turn on the unit's axis then move straight forward.
Not I take it Tercio the TTG set from the 70's ?
No, this is a translation of a set produced recently in Spain - see Raph's post on his replay of Rocroi.
Finished "Generals at War" by MG Sir Francis (Freddie) De Guigand, Montgomery's chief of staff. This is the second book he had written, the earlier one "Operation Victory" meant he had to pull some punches as it was too close to the end of the war and he was still a serving soldier. This book was published in 1964.
He is critical of Wavell. He recognizes the pressures Wavell was under but faults him for his decisions, particularly when pressured by the politicians. The decision to go to Greece seems to have been deplored by almost all military except Wavell.
He obviously talks about Montgomery (who was still alive when this book was published) but he does admire him and his methods. however, he says Montgomery was so sure of himself that he was unaware of how others saw him. Also discussed is Auchinleck (he likes) and Eisenhower (also likes). De Guigand visited Ike when he was President.
Easy flowing read and enjoyable.
White Mughals by William Dalrymple. An interesting read about the early days of the East India Company, a period I know sod all about. So far loads of ideas for small skirmish type games with Revolutionary French vs East India Company troops, aided by a wide range of interesting Indian troops. I picked the book up again after watching Beecham House on ITV which is visually stunning and easy viewing.
Just started on A Peace to End All Peace: creating the modern Middle East 1914-1922, by David Fromkin.
Just finished Flashman and the Redskins, in which he romps his way through the early American West having plenty of run ins with the titular natives, then jumps forward 25 years or so to get caught up with Custer. Next up will be Flashman at the Charge, though holding off on it until I start my 2mm Crimea project as it'll provide plenty of inspiration.
Some other recent notables:
Eric Cline's 1177BC, an interesting analysis of the late bronze age and the factors leading to the collapse and dark age.
The Great King by Christian Cameron, in which the hero, Arimnestos of Platea, hops about the Mediterranean trying to whip up support for the Greeks and culminates at the naval battle of Artemisium (while a famous last stand rages on the mainland). Next stop will be Sardis.
The first two books in Zoe Saadia's Rise of the Aztec series, interesting to read a fiction set in a time well before the Spanish conquest. This is off the back of becoming interested in doing an Aztec project and have since picked up a couple of osprey books on the matter and Ross Hassig's Aztec Warfare an me starting to think about unit structure and rules.
Also been working through various podcasts and lectures from the likes of Hardcore History, Great Courses and YouTube. Wondering if there should be a podcasts thread.
Quote from: mmcv on 30 June 2019, 12:53:56 AM
Also been working through various podcasts and lectures from the likes of Hardcore History, Great Courses and YouTube. Wondering if there should be a podcasts thread.
Sounds like something that should be on the resources board, similar to the You tubes finds thread
Quote from: paulr on 30 June 2019, 01:34:50 AM
Sounds like something that should be on the resources board, similar to the You tubes finds thread
Yup, started putting it together some bits here: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,18803.new.html
I just finished Franklin Horton's third book - "Legion of Despair", a post apocalyptic book. He writes very well, with a raw realistic approach. While I am waiting for the next three books in he series to arrive, I am very much looking forward to reading Stieg Larson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Love the movies and very much love hte character of Lisbeth, so I have been wanting to read the books for some time now. As I am writing this a statement that Rooney Mara who played Lisbeth in the American version of the book - "Lisbeth is the kind of person that you'd have nothing to do with if you met her on the street, but once you see the world from her perspective, everyone loves her".
Terry
Finished "Balaclava: Gentlemen's Battle" by John Selby. Written with many eye-witness accounts, both from the Russians and the French and British. Well done in that respect. Good descriptions of the combats and the operations. I enjoyed it more than I first thought I would. Written in 1970 so a bit old, but good.
Finished "Military Concepts and Philosophy" by RADM Henry Eccles (retired). He was in his later career very involved in logistics, but did command 2 submarines before WWII. As in the title there is a lot of philosophy, but he has some interesting statements such as "logistics is the bridge between economy and the operations of combat forces" and "Business or economic factors limit the combat forces one can create. Logistics factors limit the combat forces one can deploy".
And even though it was written in 1964 (the US is getting involved in Viet-Nam) his thoughts still apply: "...the United States has no monopoly of brains, creativity, or dedication to the concepts of civilized freedom. Therefore while it may lead, it must no attempt to dominate."
The portion I liked best are his last two Appendices. Appendix C - Decentralization, Initiative, and Command, and Appendix D - Further Comments on Morale and Leadership.
Bit of a slog but interesting.
Since last posting I was so impressed with the free downloadable version of Tercios that I bought the full version from Caliver. This adds a variety of differentials into the mix for each troop type, plus a more granular points system, eg a few more points will make your tercio veteran and/or give it a contingent of sword and buckler men and/or give all your firearm troops muskets instead of a mix of musket/arquebus. It also puts a lot more emphasis on commanders, terrain and so on. Then there are 6 scenarios, each with a different way of calculating victory. Admittedly it was originally produced in Spanish so there are a few (very few compared to Tin Soldiers in Action) oddities in translated expression, but nothing that detracts from the actual game, plus it is the most beautifully produced rulebook I have seen since Maurice:
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67128908_156129998879602_1472522098550243328_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQmsosvdUDrimqb0TaPtjOhx-ZSwGj2rINWghohAj2Th8Ge7Ggeco_x_AR7akiBp8RM9Zux8Q2NfRm2AhsrSZ7UO&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=527d3e3ed6032561ad0fd4d7f799e273&oe=5DB4A170)
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/66632418_156129885546280_6140417466376912896_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQlXR-uxSAes4fYzGyni6-cIgLPTNcOvAOtRr3iEMHrHDTr7u2DUGUl0VjewmZ6VMFyvyWRPp11s27lwfyybU7pN&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=4431b9e165364562b5bf620d7fe7b2c8&oe=5DA134B4)
Please excuse the side on view. IT is most definitely not my forte.
Finished "The Chief of Staff: The Military Career of General Walter Bedell Smith" by D.K.R. Crosswell. "Beetle" Smith was a maverick, up from the ranks. He joined in 1911 in the Indiana National Guard as a 16 year old. Thirty nine years later in retired as a four-star general.
He was a workaholic and was Eisenhower's Chief of Staff. This book is a great explanation of the various staff departments and a behind the scenes look about what it took to keep an army running. The author is a bit hard on Eisenhower by the way, but shows Marshall and even Montgomery in a good light. Regarding Eisenhower the author says "The key to understanding Eisenhower's style of leadership lies in its covert cover. One can identify five techniques by which Eisenhower concealed the direct, [personal aspects of this leadership style: (1) the selective delegation of authority to subordinates, allowing them considerable freedom while simultaneously using them as foils to deflect criticism from himself; (2) the insightful evaluation of friends and antagonists and the careful calculation of the help or damage they might render in any situation; (3) the avoidance of making unilateral decisions insisting upon multiple advocacy for any major policy shift; (4) the refusal to engage in personality clashes; and (5) the intentional use of evasiveness and ambiguity to screen his actions and unbalance his critics. Beneath the amiable "Ike" existed the hard-minded operator. In achieving his various ends, Eisenhower worked through others, and the individual most responsible for his success was Bedell Smith."
Lots of political maneuvering in the upper echelons of command as well as international relations. Beetle took care of a lot of that.
That about sums up Eisenhower to me. I don't think of him as a battlefield general, more of a politician/administrator - having to juggle the nagging voices of each of the allied governments, excellent and American subordinates and ... the Germans. This isn't a disparaging view, I generally admire him for the way he handled NW Europe.
Over the next couple of years, sticking with the Renaissance theme, I intend to have a go at the Dutch War of 1672-78, using the LOA range and the Twiglet rules. As a start to my research I bought the Helion book on the subject of the Dutch army at this time (Century of the Soldier series) by Bruno ? This has turned out to be a bit of a Curate's egg, i.e. there are some great colour plates and descriptions of uniform colours for many of the Dutch regiments involved. The problem, though not insurmountable, is the text. The author is Italian and the text appears to be a direct transliteration from Italian, thus the phraseology is very tough on a British reader. This makes the reading, essential for research, a real hard slog. This transliteration is combined with the use of overly complex sentences of many clauses and some obscure words making parts of it read like a very poor sixth former's history essay (you know the type - "I'll put this sentence in to impress the teacher (without actually understanding what it means)."
You probably know this already, but there is a very good blog about this war. Posts are in Dutch and in English. Maybe not as active as before, but you can find a lot of stuff here.
http://rampjaar.blogspot.com
No, that's a new one on me. Many thanks.
'Fighting the French Revolution: the Great Vendee Rising of 1793' by Rob Harper. So far a great overview of the start of the uprising, which has lots of gaming possibilities. Looking forward to getting to some of the major battles.
Finished "The Roman War Machine" by John Peddie (OBE, MC, retired military). Not that interested in ancients but this book was very well done. The author dovetailed in some experiences with WWII which added to the interest for me.
The chapters are: Roman Generalship, Command and Control, Supply Trains and Baggage, Marching-camp Techniques, Supporting Arms and Weaponry, Waterborne Operations and Siege Warfare.
Highly recommended if you are interested in this period and particularly for those just getting in to it.
Nothing on actual battlefield tactics? Seems a bit of an omission. :-/
Leman, I didn't notice the lack of a chapter on tactics, probably because tactics are scattered through the book.
Under "tactics, Roman army" are listed attack (9 pages), defense (9 pages), set-piece battle (4 pages), on the march (3 pages), use of elephants (3 pages), withdrawal (1 page) and street fighting (1 page). So it's there but not together.
Nice to know, but if picking it up in a bookshop and looking at the contents page it might appear to be a massive omission, resulting in the book being put back one the shelf.
Finished "The Wars of Louis XIV: 1667-1714" by John Lynn. I like this author. His research on this and other books is very good. Thought I might get into this period so bought the book (but decided to go back to the Western ACW next).
Louis XIV wanted to establish his Gloire when he was young and wars were the best way to do so. Later he wanted to adjust his borders to protect France. He was not power hungry to conquer territories outside France according to the author. He did believe in the divine right of kings hence his support of James II.
He also thought his wars would be short but each dragged on, bankrupting France in the process. His advantage for these wars that grew was that he always had the inside track, able to move troops from one army to another. He never lost a war.
Interesting read.
Osprey Campaign guide to the Crimean War. A nice introduction to the conflict that I know little about. Interesting to read about the action on the Danube as well as the Eastern theatre, which rarely get a mention.
There was action on the Danube?, I'm off to read about that!
Well there we go *spoilers*
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well done the Austrians.
The Austrians were neutral, but did 'threaten' Russia at points over Moldavia and Wallachia, the area where the Danube was crossed. News to me but lots of great gaming opportunities there methinks :).
They did come into the war, as a neutral... ;D
Just finishing the fifth book in the Millennium series about Lisbeth Salander, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The whole series is awesome and some of the best mystery I've ever read. With each book I find that at about the last hundred pages or so that it is impossible to put down. Stieg Larson wrote the first three and submitted them all at the same time, suffering from a heart attack shortly after so he never saw them published. David Lagercrantz wrote the follow on novels, which is also three books, with the final of his books to be released later this year. I know these are not necessarily gaming or military books, but I have loved every one! I have also enjoyed all of the movies made from the books.
Terry
James Wilde's Hereward Series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/85856-hereward (https://www.goodreads.com/series/85856-hereward)
Clausewitz's 'On War - a very short introduction' by Michael Howard.
I'm re-re-reading "White Gold" by Giles Milton. It's about an Englishman named Pellew taken into slavery in Morocco in the early C18, and (as they used to say) what befell him.
I've just got past the bit where he was sent on a slaving expedition. His guide was blind, and found his way about the Sahara by smelling the sand.
Anyway, Milton describes some of the depredations of the Barbary corsairs. I am frankly gob-smacked that three ships raided Iceland for slaves. Seems a long way to go ... past a lot of other potential slaves.
This would normally pass me by, wargaming wise BUT someone had to go and release an Indian Mutiny range. I'm looking at some of them and wondering if they would proxy for Barbary corsairs. :-\
Just started reading 'Austerlitz 1805' by Goethe. Pity Pendraken
do not do this period except Austrians. Plenty of scope for varying sizes of games
and extendable into 1806 and 1807.
Finished two books
1)Ottoman Maritime Wars 1416-1700m by Svat Soucek. A very good general survey of the maritime wars of the Ottoman Empire in its expansion period. In general a honest account. The author does criticize both Charles V and Suleiman the Magnificent of being myopic strategically. He also attacks those interpretations of Ottoman naval operations in the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Red Sea as a sustained campaign, instead arguing that they were not well thought, opportunistic forays with no strategic value. There is something really terribly awesome about the decision of the Venetians to give the Ottomans hell in the Cretan War, after two centuries of accepting losses.
2) Demetrios Gounares, Marianna Christopoulou (in Greek). A good general survey biography of an important political player of Greek politics 1900-1922, the executed Prime Minister Demetrios Gounares. He comes out as a tragic, but not innocent figure. A great progressive potential devoured in the fires of the First World War, political division he played a role in bringing about, and then personal vehemence. Lesson: Never let your hate blind you. Never.
"The Fighting Captain: Frederic John Walker RN and the Battle of the Atlantic" by Alan Burn.
The story of Johnnie Walker and his war against U-Boats.
Well written, and moves along at a great pace.
My company is sending me to build some new Google Server buildings over 100km away from my town.
So I was wondering if there are any interesting books that I could "listen" to while driving to work?
Finished "Combined Arms in Battle Since 1939" a US Army Command and General Staff College Press book. In 1934 "Infantry in Battle" was published describing infantry actions in WWI by officers who had served in the war. Nothing more was done until the staff of the Combat Studies Institute decided to publish an updated version.
This book has 36 chapters, each describing a combat action from WWII to Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. These are not all US Army actions, describing German offensives, Russian defensive's, Israeli combat, Egyptian engineers, the US - Panama Crisis and many others.
A worthy addition to "Infantry in Battle" done 80+ years ago.
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine" July 2019, issue 61.
Articles include:
The Rookie Wolverines: The 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry at Gettysburg,
In Defense of Captain Samuel Johnston. (He was the engineer Lee sent to scout the Union left flank the morning of day 2.)
Lee vs Landscape: A Ridge Too Far, Over Ground Too Open? What Early Commentators, Including the Comte de Paris, Said about the Topography of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Captain William H. Murray: Story of a Maryland Confederate Officer.
Plus several others. Always an interesting read; issued twice a year.
Just got in "Ethiopian Patriots: Forgotten Voices of the Italo-Abyssinian War" by Andrew Hilton. Seems to be a series of interviews and should be interesting.
One of Our Submarines by Edward Young, Commander, DSO, DSC, RNV(S)R
Penguin 1000.
First read it when I was a teen, picked it up from my dad's bookshelf.
Damn well written book and a really good read.
Gone back to Michael Embree's book on the 1866 campaign in Germany. Specifically interested in the exploits of the Bavarian army. As it includes descrtiptions of company level actions a good inducement to paint up some Bavarians in field cap.
I ma actually reading two books right now - The final book (read out of sequence because that's how they arrived) in the Millennium series about Lisbeth Salander ( a real heroine to me) - The Girl in the Spiders Web, which is waaaay different from the movie by the same name (but I also liked the movie anyway). The other is the first book in Nicholas Smith's new spin off series from his best selling series Extinction Cycle - titled Dark Ages, which takes place 8 years after the original series ends. For me, both are a great ride!!!!
Terry
Finished "The Key to Lisbon: The Third French Invasion of Portugal, 1810-11" by Kenton White.
Actually a very good description of the preparation, planning and execution of the invasion. Good descriptions of the decisions, marches and combats for both sides. It does have good OB's (but for this campaign those are available in many sources). Busaco is well described.
Liked it.
"Zeebrugge: Eleven VCs Before Breakfast"- by Barrie Pitt.
Zebrugge is one of those things that I have heard of, but never knew much about. It always comes up when the St Nazaire raid is discussed, but this little volume is the first I read on the subject.
Cracking stuff. I have a sneaking affection for Vice Adm Bacon, and his bizarre designs for monitors with 18" guns, and ramps and false bows.
Finished "Belgium in the Great War" by Jean-Michel Veranneman. He also has a book on Belgium in WWII (which I need to get).
Good read, the author was a Belgian diplomat, whose father and grandfather all served. If (not necessarily when) I get into WWI, I will do the Belgian front. I found his descriptions and anecdotes very compelling.
Finished "William Tecumseh Sherman: In The Service Of My Country, A Life" by James Lee McDonough.
Very good story/description/narration of Sherman from birth to death. the Civil War years are very well covered and the book is easy to read.
All of McDonough's ACW books are good reads and this is no exception.
Just finished Hilldiggers by Neal Asher,awesome.
The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise by Dario Fernandez-Morera.
Title says it all really. The blurb on Amazon is "Scholars, journalists, and politicians uphold Muslim-ruled medieval Spain—"al-Andalus"—as a multicultural paradise, a place where Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in harmony. There is only one problem with this widely accepted account: it is a myth."
Bit of a polemic. Dario is not convinced by the wonders of al-Andalus, and opines that the Muslims benefited greatly from assimilation of the largely Roman-ish culture.
I was hoping for a bit more of a history of the conquest of Spain by the Muslims and the Reconquista, but it's an interesting read.
Finished "The Journal of Military History" Vol 83, No. 3.
Articles in this issue include:
Decimation and Unit Cohesion: Why Were Roman Legionaries Willing to Perform Decimation?
The Siege of Montfort and Mamluk Artillery Technology in 1271: Integrating the Archaeology and Topography with the Narrative Sources.
The Size of Bulgaria's Medieval Field Armies: A Case Study of Military Mobilization Capacity in the Middle Ages.
Cautious Hawk: Maxwell Taylor and the Path to War in Vietnam.
And many book reviews as well as more articles. Published quarterly.
Having just finished Nicholas Smith's first book in he Extinction Cycle Dark Age series I am now reading a short book titled "Operation Siberia". I guess it would probably fall in the Weird War category as it looks like it's going ot be British vs. Russians, vs. prehistoric beasts???? Only up to chapter 5 and the story line is still unfolding.
Terry
Slim the Standardbearer - Ronald Lewin.
Good reading, but mainly as an attempt to help #3 son with a presentation that compares Hannibal and Slim.
Finished "The Learning Process: The BEF's Art of War on the Western Front, 1914-18" by Andrew Rawson. Other than bad proof reading, a very interesting book.
I was surprised how many artillery bombardments were (1) not on time-late, (2) too early, (3) got away from the troops, (4) wrong targets, (5) hit own troops, (5) never happened. Also how many attacks were (1) misdirected, (2) battalions going one way and others a different direction (because of attacking at night or in a fog or going through smoke), (3) part of the attack moving off and others of the same attack not moving (command failure).
Also tanks, while being a great support, got knocked out most of the time it seems. This is others that got hung up due to shell holes, soft ground. Seems the Germans used single field guns as AT guns right away.
The lessons learned is a concluding chapter at the end, but in the other chapters (by army, chronological) the lessons are there if you remember the earlier fights. This is an operational discourse, with the experiences of the different armies, corps and divisions explained.
Finished a biography of Greek Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupes by Lydia Triha. In Greek. While not bad I found it a bit too long and dry.
With Respect
Konstantinos Travlos
Finished "Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905", volume 1 by Julian Corbett. this book was not published to the public in its time but to senior naval personnel, only 6 copies made due to receiving confidential Japanese intelligence reports (British allies at the time). Volume 2, however, had 400 copies printed.
In the book he describes Admiral Togo's dispositions and constraints and how he interfaced with the army. Much frustration with Port Arthur and Vladivostok, not being able to make an effective blockade at the former and unable, until later, to neutralize the latter. Volume 2 has Tsushima.
Several actions, both big guns and cruisers, and many good appendices. All Japanese and Russian ships and battle instructions for both sides.
Corbett was an acknowledged expert in naval history and his writing is very enjoyable to read.
Volume 2 next in line.
Been watching "Dad's Army" on Netflix, and just finished the little book "The Real Dad's army", which I found very interesting. Have also picked up a few vintage relics of the LDV/Home Guard as collecting has always been a passion for me! Pity my dear better half when she will have to sort all of my stuff!!!!
Now I will either start the just released second book in Nick Smith's Extinction Cycle Dark Ages series or the just released last book in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, the final one not written by Steig Larson. Or I also picked up a short little Weird War book that looks good about the Soviets taking on the west toward the end of WW2 I think. All three are of major interest to me!
Terry
OK, picked the weird war book - "Operation Zhukov" by John Agnew. Only read the intro and first chapter but already enjoying it. A short story of only about 164 pages I think. Oh, it takes place in 1992, and seems to be primarily between Russia and Germany.
Terry
Am well into "Operation Zhukov", and am really enjoying it. Not limited to just Germany and Russia, but involves all of Nato. If modern war is of interest, this is a good read, along the lines of Team Yankee, and blends nicely the big picture with the detail (this latter primarily from the British viewpoint so far).
Terry
Finished "The Lessons of History" by Michael Howard. Great writer and these essays were mainly written when he was the Regius Chair of Modern History at Oxford.
Some of his chapters are:
Prussia in European History
The Edwardian Arms Race
Men Against Fire: The Doctrine of the Offensive in 1914
1945 - End of an Era?
War and Social Change
Military Experience in European Literature
What he says in several of the essays is very relevant now, particularly for our current President - too bad he won't read.
Any way, good book.
Finished "Admirals in Collision" by Richard Hough (of British Battleships fame).
During Victorian times there was a collision between the HMS Victoria and the HMS Camperdown as thry were going to tie up in Tripoli. Admiral Tryon was commander in the Med in the Victoria and Admiral Markham was his second in the Camperdown. Tryon was big and bluff but very competent, even brilliant. Markham was reserved and competent, but not brilliant.
The accident occurred when the Victoria, leading the starboard column, signaled an unusual order for the two columns to turn 16 points (180 degrees) towards each other. Markham was leading the port column. The problem was the columns were only 6 cables apart (a cable is approximately 200 yards) and the turning radius of the battleships was a minimum of 4 cables. The Camperdown cut into the starboard bow of the Victoria which immediately took on water. Both ships had tried to reverse, but too late. When the Camperdown did pull back it caused more water to enter and in a short time the Victoria capsized and went down - with Admiral Tryon.
Besides the subsequent court-martial (the second half of the book), there was world wide speculation on Tryon's order as well as the capsizing and sinking of a modern British battleship. Tryon had been heard by his flag lieutenant to have said "it is all my fault" but whether it was to the order or to expect Markham to know what to do (the port column could have been outside of the starboard column if Markham had not turned so sharply).
However, the only fault found by the court-martial was in Tryon's order. Markham was not found guilty (important to obey your commander) but the navy quietly set him aside, for which he was forever bitter. As a matter of interest, John Jellicoe, was on the Victoria as a Commander. He was sick at the time (Malta fever), but obviously was able to escape the sinking ship.
A quick read and very interesting.
Reminds me of .....
p.s. Seriously, an interesting, albeit tragic, story.
Recently finished reading "Achtung Schweinhund!" (or Aching Swine Hound as my auto correct would prefer) by Harry Pearson. Born in 1961, Pearson is a sports journalist, author and one of us, growing up playing with toy soldiers and still doing so. This book is a humorous tale of obsession with comics, glue and plastic kits, Airfix figures, metals and Action Men (GI Joe), etc., interspersed with humour and fascinating snippets regarding the history and aspects of our hobby in general. If you are looking for a light read, humour, nostalgia and more than a modicum of shared experience, I thoroughly recommend you get a hold of this one. Thanks Steve (Holmes) for lending me it. :-bd
I'll second "Achtung Schweinhund!"
Thirded.
I'd also recommend "Wiffle LeverTo Full" by Bob Fischer to those who liked "Achtung Schweinhund!"
Finished volume 2 of "Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese War; 1904 - 1905" by Julian S Corbett.
This includes Tsushima; what a disorganized battle that was. Ships all over the place, multiple destroyer and torpedo boat attacks at night (maybe 3 hits out of 87 or so launches), collisions on both sides. Almost a free for all.
The book also includes the prior Chinese-Japanese naval war, but not in great detail. As all of Corbett's writing, an enjoyable read.
Finished "Wars And Soldiers In The Early Reign of Louis XIV: Volume 1 - The Army of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, 1660-1687" by Bruno Mugnai, a Helion book.
I wanted to learn more about this (these) army. I did but the book jumps about a bit so it was confusing to me - probably as I didn't have much history with the period. Some labored sentences and bad proofing but a lot of information and good illustrations.
War Game Campaigns by Featherstone. A very enjoyable read with some great ideas that I hope to use in the future.
Japanese 'offical' history of " The operations of the Navy in the Dutch East Indies and the Bay of Bengal" translated into English by the Dutch Liden university
A fascinating view from 'the other side of the hill', lots of detail but a very fragmented style
It can be downloaded here https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/65910 (https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/65910)
Thanks Pierre the Shy, a really great find, I'm on page 280 of 785 :o
Quote from: Steve J on 07 November 2019, 07:07:50 PM
War Game Campaigns by Featherstone. A very enjoyable read with some great ideas that I hope to use in the future.
Good man!
Finished "U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman with ship plans by A.D. Baker III.
As it says, a design history, so very technical. But I'm an engineer so enjoyed it. I did not know that some carriers had catapults on the hanger deck, although I didn't get a sense of how often they were used. I also didn't know that carriers could steam backwards at 20 knots so planes could land over the bow. The bow also had arrestor wires so this could be done. This was not used after 1943 and may have stopped before then.
The book was published in 1983 so no carriers after that date. Several interesting appendices: Catapults, Arresting Gear, Magazine Loads. The discussion about trade-offs between air group size, armor, speed, fuel capacity, length (speed and takeoff distance) vs width (going through the Panama Canal and storage) is interesting.
Not a war history, other than how lessons learned from combat were applied. It goes through the different classes of the US carriers and does talk about lessons learned from the British experience.
Talking of carriers, was surprised when watching a documentary on our new one, HMS Queen Elizabeth, that the F-35 could not land with a full weapon payload so any weapons not used on mission would have needed to be jettisoned into the sea beforehand, £100,000's of ordinance heading for the sea bed!
Took some test pilots to work out how to do it, would have been a major oversight if not possible!
Currently listening to 'oodles' of Sherlock Holmes yarns.
Driving the good lady mad, because every time Holmes says..."Consider this, Watson..."....I can't stop myself blurting out "Consider he Lilly." :D
Cheers - Phil
So ... at lunchtime today I was in Waterstones Liverpool.
Let me explain.
We don't give each other Xmas presents at work. Instead we donate toys to the Radio City toy appeal. Reading the website it said that they were always short of gifts for teenagers, and that books were a good choice. Bibliophile that I am, I immediately thought that would be a good option for me.
I stood in Waterstones staring at the Young Adult section. There were books about witches and wolves and prisons and ... mushrooms. I was confused. I read the back of a couple of these books and realised that I had nothing in common with the intended audience. I was completely and utterly out of my depth.
Gentlemen, I am not ashamed to say I panicked. Confronted with such an unken unknown, I fled to an area of Waterstones more comfortable to me.
This is a shorthand way of saying that I am currently reading the Osprey books "Castangaro 1387" and "French Armour in Vietnam 1945-54". :-[
I'm a bad Christmas fai... Christmas present buyer.
I'd have welcomed the first of those when I was a teenager...or today, come to think of it....
Finished "Military Operations: Italy 1915 - 1919" which is part of the British History of the Great War and based on official documents. This reprint by The Imperial War Museum in association with The Battery Press and does include maps in a folio in the back.
As official documents it can be rather dry reading. More of an operational/strategic look than tactical. The British had 7 divisions and the French had 6 divisions plus supporting troops and services (RAF) in country. Combat for these troops was in 1918.
Quote from: fsn on 19 November 2019, 08:12:32 PM
So ... at lunchtime today I was in Waterstones Liverpool.
Let me explain.
We don't give each other Xmas presents at work. Instead we donate toys to the Radio City toy appeal. Reading the website it said that they were always short of gifts for teenagers, and that books were a good choice. Bibliophile that I am, I immediately thought that would be a good option for me.
I stood in Waterstones staring at the Young Adult section. There were books about witches and wolves and prisons and ... mushrooms. I was confused. I read the back of a couple of these books and realised that I had nothing in common with the intended audience. I was completely and utterly out of my depth.
Gentlemen, I am not ashamed to say I panicked. Confronted with such an unken unknown, I fled to an area of Waterstones more comfortable to me.
This is a shorthand way of saying that I am currently reading the Osprey books "Castangaro 1387" and "French Armour in Vietnam 1945-54". :-[
I'm a bad Christmas fai... Christmas present buyer.
How about "The hobbit" its a good story not too long and the recent films have made it popular
fsn, I'd suggest one, or more, of the following
"A Wizard of Earthsea" - Ursula Le Guin
"Over Sea, Under Stone" - Susan Cooper
"The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" - Alan Garner
"The Giant Under the Snow" - John Gordon
"Tom's Midnight Garden" - Phillipa Pearce
Finished "Battle Studies" by Ardant du Picq, a new translation by Roger J. Spiller. I have the previous translation done in 1946 & 1958 by COL Greely and MAJ Cotton, done by Stackpole Books. Du Picq was colonel of the 10th Ligne, part of the 1st brigade of the 1st divis1on of Marshal Canrobert's corps in the Franco-Prussian War. The corps went to Metz and early on the 14th or 15th of August, he was mortally wounded by a Prussian shell exploding near him. He died 4 days later.
A very interesting study of man in battle - morale, discipline and fear. Fire, he says, was only effective by the skirmishers, throughout the history of fire arms. Even with the best troops, fire by rank, two or three ranks, was not effective other than for morale purposes.
Good book.
The first three Earthsea books may be the best fantasy I've ever read.
Quote from: kipt on 24 November 2019, 10:18:20 PM
Finished "Battle Studies" by Ardant du Picq, a new translation by Roger J. Spiller. I have the previous translation done in 1946 & 1958 by COL Greely and MAJ Cotton, done by Stackpole Books. Du Picq was colonel of the 10th Ligne, part of the 1st brigade of the 1st divis1on of Marshal Canrobert's corps in the Franco-Prussian War. The corps went to Metz and early on the 14th or 15th of August, he was mortally wounded by a Prussian shell exploding near him. He died 4 days later.
A very interesting study of man in battle - morale, discipline and fear. Fire, he says, was only effective by the skirmishers, throughout the history of fire arms. Even with the best troops, fire by rank, two or three ranks, was not effective other than for morale purposes.
Good book.
TBF he talked the most utter nonsense. Bears a heavy responsibility for the French doctrine in 1914.
Finished two books
Gregory Hanlon: Italy 1636
Edward J. Erickson: Ottomans and Armenians
These books are similar in that they have parts that are exceptional and parts that are very problematic. I know Erickson personally, so keep that in mind.
Hanlon's book is 2/3rds a history of the campaign that led to the Battle of Tornaverto during the thirty years war in Italy. That part is exceptional, an excellent campaign and battle study that summarizes the most up to date work on 17th century warfare in Western Europe. Highly recommended.
The other 1/3rd is a pop psychology essay, talking about war and violence and men, and animals and what you not, citing material at least 20-30 years old, and ignoring countervailing research (Meade i.e). And a lot of du Picq (re. Cameronian). A terrible collection of foolishness.
Something similar with Erickson. A big part of the book is an overview of Ottoman and Western (Spanish, USA, British) counter-insurgency dogmas and experiences in the late 19th century, early 20th century. There is a study of the Armenian, Bulgarian and Bulgarophone Makedoniski secret revolutionary committees, that summarizes a lot of information from a rich secondary and primary literature. There is also a good summary of the Ottoman operations vs. Albanian and Yemeni rebels. The goal is for Erickson to explain the military motives for the counter-insurgency operations chosen by the Ottomans in reaction to what they perceived as Armenian general insurrection threat during the 1914-1915 period. Essentially he argues that the deployment of the Ottoman army precluded the classical Ottoman counter-insurgency strategy of deluging a rebellious region with troops, and led to the decision to emulate western colonial relocation strategies. This escalated into a general relocation strategy that led to conditions that fostered the mass death of Armenians.
The military narrative is very good, as is the discussion of counter-insurgency tactics etc. He also provides the usual summary of Turkish official military histories on battles and actions during 1915 vs Armenian armed groups.
If he argued, here is a story of why some of the military supported a relocation strategy, this would be fine. But he argues the military necessity thesis counters the extermination thesis. He has told me personally that he is not per se a denialist, but a agnositc, though he tends to accept Bloxhams cumulative radicalization thesis (I also do). But I accept Bloxham's conclusion that what happened was a genocide, while he refuses to do so. Fundamentally we disagree on a important point, and he does not really address it in the book. What happens when a decision is made on a collegiate level (which is how the CUP governed the Ottoman Empire 1914-1918) and a set of decision makers support a policy because of motivation A (security concerns) and some others because of motivation B (population engineering, eradication). My view is that this is still genocide (though not in the legal sense). Anyway big discussion. Which he kinda ignores. Especially the work of the people he says probably have the best arguments (Akcam, Dundar et, who all argue in support of a genocide).
He is clear that in all probability the CUP exaggerated the breadth and strength of a Armenian insurrection, but does not explore the motivations for that , just focusing on the shock of Van.
His book is a major contribution, but for me it is part of the genocide story rather than a counterpoint. That said definitely over the last years my views have moved to a position where I believe only a part of the CUP was seeking extermination, and they essentially used the war, and the willingness of the military and the non-genocidal part of the CUP to use a relocation counter-insurgency policy , to conduct a localized genocide of Gregorian Armenians in Eastern Anatolia. Which was wildly successful. Sure the CUP put people on trial, but largely I think they never intended to restore the expelled Armenians back to Eastern Anatolia if the war happened. I.e they might not all had sought genocide, but they sure accepted the result.
Next up, Hanlon's "The Here of Itlay" aka "The Fat Bastard" Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma and enemy of the Pope.
About to start 'The Duke of York's Flanders Campaign (Fighting the French Revolution 1793-1795)'. Hopefully another useful addition
To the growing interest in the Revolutionary period.
Wargames Through the Ages, Volume 3 by Featherstone. As always an excellent read and full of little gems of info and ideas.
Currently reading two books - Nicholas Smith's "Hell Divers VI " and Stephen Cullen's "In Search of the Real Dad's Army" Enjoying them both!!!
Terry
Finished "Nineteen Stars: A Study in Military character and Leadership" by Edgar F. Puryear, Jr. Marshal, MacArthur, Eisenhower and Patton with essentially their bios. I don't agree with some of his statements (written in 1971) and very US oriented (obviously). He talks about the 2 division airdrop on D-Day, leaving out the Brits.
However, the characters and traits of these high ranking officers are well told, but with a bias to the officer in question (MacArthur was not egotistical -just always right -but then later the author says MacArthur did admit he was wrong when it turned out that way in the end).
Still, an interesting read.
To show how well thought MacArthur was/is by the US army, there is a portait of him at West Point, its in the junior female cadet latrines.
Just finished Bernard Cornwell's latest, "Sword of Kings". To be honest I am in awe as to how he manages to keep up, if not actually improve, the writing, the plotting, the tension. I set out to read this at a chapter a night bedore bed. That lasted one night! Then it was rwo chapters, then three. A great read, full of atmosphere. Highly recommended.
The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence Against Turkey 1876-1878 The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence Against Turkey 1876-1878 (http://The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence Against Turkey 1876-1878)
A useful introduction to these two campaigns. Plenty of good information and really useful to reinforce the scenarios from Bloody Big Battles IO Group. The author is very clearly Serbia but nevertheless this is a useful book if you are interested in this period. I also purchased the Serbian Army in the Great War 1914-1918 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Serbian-Army-Great-War-1914-1918/dp/1910777293/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=The+Serbian+Army+in+the+first&qid=1576400515&s=books&sr=1-4 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Serbian-Army-Great-War-1914-1918/dp/1910777293/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=The+Serbian+Army+in+the+first&qid=1576400515&s=books&sr=1-4). Pendraken does a very nice line in these figures.
Finished a short book (88 pages) "The Warship Vasa: Deep Diving and Marine Archaeology in Stockholm" by Anders Franzen. the author located the sunken ship and working with the Swedish Navy and the National Maritime Museum was able to raise the ship. The book has many pictures from the diving to the initial raising to the temporary museum site at that time (the book was printed in 1974).
I just read however that the CO2 in the wood is changing to sulpheric acid and is causing more problems to the restoration.
Christmas present from me to myself was found on Abebooks -- a battered ('condition FAIR'), ex-library, repaginated in the middle (and therefore affordable) copy of Richard Holmes' 'The Road to Sedan.' As with all his work it is just magnificent.
'Glory Hallelujah!' supplement for Black Powder. For a real ACW novice like me it's perfect and is helping me sort out 'stuff' for a forthcoming campaign :).
Finished an absolutely fantastic book "Churchill: Walking with Destiny" by Andrew Roberts. This is a long book (982 pages) but interesting in every page.
What an incredible person Churchill was and seemingly gifted with foresight ("'I can see vast changes coming over a now peaceful world,' Churchill predicted to his friend Murland Evans; 'great upheavals, terrible struggles; wars such as one cannot imagine; and I tell you London will be in danger - London will be attacked and I shall be very prominent in the defence of London...I see into the future. This country will be subjected, somehow, to a tremendous invasion, by what means I do not know, but I tell you I shall be in command of the defences of London and I shall save London and England from disaster...I repeat - London will be in danger and in the high position I shall occupy, it will fall to me to save the capital and save the Empire.' Churchill said those words not in 1931, 1921, 1911 or even 1901, but in 1891, when he was only sixteen years old."
He also said he would die on the same date as he father did. And he did.
Great book.
I have read 'It never snows in September' by Robert Kershaw which has been mentioned before several times I think.
It's a good book with a different perspective (from the German side) on the Market-Garden operation. But what was a bit jarring for me was the never ending typos in all the place names, names of streets and so on. There are too many to count. Also 'Zuider Zee' makes an appearance, even though it has been turned into 'IJsselmeer' since 1932. But since some of the German officers also use the old name, I suppose it's a common mistake. And of course the book generally is about airborne operations in 'the south of Holland', which for me implies the area around Rotterdam, Delft and Den Haag, like the Germans did in 1940. But that's just a pet peeve of mine. But if you imagine an alternate history where the Germans attempt a landing near Edinburgh in 1943, which gets called 'the landings in the North of England' by later historians, you will get a feeling of how it sounds to me.
Am reading that too, getting ready to do the BKC IV lists for the Germans at Arnhem. A complex mix of Kampfegruppes, many of which are only companies of 30-40 men, thus making only one stand in BKC.
Mark
Just read Cogheart.
Yes, it's a kids book, but it's Steam Punk, airships, mechanimals, murder, mystery and suspense.
Its a little predictable at times, but a captivating read. I polished it off in a day.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 04 January 2020, 12:41:50 PM
I polished it off in a day.
On e large pic per page with one sentence then Will ? ;D
I remember it being called the Zuider See when I was a kid, so probably pretty common in the UK in the '60's and '70's.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 04 January 2020, 03:51:41 PM
On e large pic per page with one sentence then Will ? ;D
Some of the dots were REALLY hard to find
FINALLY finished "La Campagne de 1805 En Allemagne" by P.C. Alombert & J. Colin. this is Tome III, Deuxieme partie. I have had this beside my bed for at least 3 years, reading a bit at a time. There are 6 volumes (some in 2 parts as this was - and 2 more to go) and as it says on the back cover a minute exploration of the Archives de Guerre. The documents are the messages, orders and statements from the French officers and staff involved in the campaign. This volume covers 7 October to 24 October, with a section on Murat's pursuit of the Archduke Ferdinand from 16 to 22 October.
Messages and orders from Napoleon (generally from the Correspondance) as well as the different Marshals and their staffs. These messages can be concerning remounts, route directions, reports etc.
Not a history book on the campaign per se, but the actual messages.
Finished Mustafa Aksakal "The Ottoman Road to War, 1914" and Gregory Hanlon "The Hero of Italy". I liked both. "Hero.." was better than "1636"
Osprey Gettysburg campaign book.
Finished "In The Highest Degree Tragic:The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies during World War II" by Donald M. Kehn Jr.
This is a very well written book about a part of WWII not covered extensively/ Typically the Japanese start of the Pacific war is covered with how fast they took the Philippines and the East Indies and is no more than a few paragraphs or at most a chapter. This book gets into the nitty-gritty of the 4 stack destroyers, the Netherlands' ships and the British, and goes into individual ship actions. Great for scenarios in a navel game if you don't mind a lop-sided force comparison (one of our gamers loves the underdog and the bad armies - same with ships).
Recommended.
Many, many years ago I made all the Dutch ships for this campaign in 1:1200 scale out of cardboard, built up in layers, with hulls covered with paper. The Dutch cruisers were de Ruyter, Tromp, Java and Sumatra, if memory serves?
Those were indeed the Dutch cruisers, Sumatra was undergoing refit at the time the Japanese attacked but managed to escape to Ceylon
I have a lot of the Dutch ships in 1/3,000 and have been working on some of the various scenarios over the last few weeks
The victory conditions for one of them includes "Both ABDA cruisers escape without being sunk: Miracle"
Quote"Both ABDA cruisers escape without being sunk: Miracle"
For an nano-second I read it as 'ABBA'... :D. Suggestions welcome for suitable songs to with the action ;)
Quote from: Steve J on 18 January 2020, 09:58:11 PM
For an nano-second I read it as 'ABBA'... :D. Suggestions welcome for suitable songs to with the action ;)
Waterloo
Fernando
I am so so ashamed that I could suggest them :-[ :-[ :-[
D-Day to Victory . The diaries of Sergeant Trevor Greenwood 9th RTR
He kept an (illegal) diary for his entire service. It is quite interesting, although it is more about the day to day living in a combat zone than the action.
It gives some good insights into the troubles they had to endure and the differences of the various receptions they received from the different nationals.
Definitely worth a read. You can also find his letters online as well, although hey are obviously of a more domestic nature
Quote from: Steve J on 18 January 2020, 09:58:11 PM
For an nano-second I read it as 'ABBA'... :D. Suggestions welcome for suitable songs to with the action ;)
Techno should be good at this with his vast knowledge of the oeuvre of the Swedish Supergroup ...
SOS
My Love, Mikuma
Dancing Queen Elizabeth Class
Knowing Me, Knowing U-Boat and of course ...
The winner takes it all.
Quote from: Steve J on 18 January 2020, 09:58:11 PM
For an nano-second I read it as 'ABBA'... :D. Suggestions welcome for suitable songs to with the action ;)
Everybody screamed when I missed the Musashi.
Finished "U.S. Battleships: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman and Ship Plans by Alan Raven and A.D. Baker III.
The title describes the book. All US battleships are covered with all the variations during the wars and between. It has a section on monitors also.
Interesting decisions about the invulnerable zone (side armor keeps out projectiles fired essentially horizontal and deck armor keeps out projectiles coming in at an angle). US ships were designed to keep out the equivalent big gun that the particular ship carried.
This finishes the trilogy of cruisers and aircraft carrier design histories.
Black Powder 2nd Edition. Much improved version of the rules, that is certainly better laid out and easier to find stuff when you to. A good buy IMHO.
Finally got hold of a Library Interloan copy of Edward Furgol's "A Regimental History of the Covenanting Armies 1639 - 1651" - worth the wait and $10 charge? Yep - worth its weight in gold to me for all the detail it goes into for every unit in the army.....
If you can find a 2nd hand copy they are going on Amazon/Abebooks etc for anything from $500 to $1000 currently :o
I was lucky enough to find that the NZ National Library had a copy in their stack collection that I could interloan via my local library for a month ;)
Quote from: pierre the shy on 23 January 2020, 08:37:38 AM
"A Regimental History of the Covenanting Armies 1839 - 1651"
Fighting from a TARDIS maybe ?
Chancellorsville by S W Sears. Immediately taken with his writing style which flowed beautifully and the first chapter went in no time at all. This bodes well for the rest of the book and Gettysburg too. Might get his book on Antietam too at this rate.
Re-acquainting myself with Rebels and Patriots (Osprey Games) in preparation for a set to with Westmarcher. (Date to be arranged)
Cripes! :-S
Black Seas
great fun, 1st play, 2 games, first with brigs, I caught fire and then was sunk, second I had a 1st rate, set on fire and exploded on 2nd turn.
IanS
Quote from: Westmarcher on 23 January 2020, 08:55:29 PM
Cripes! :-S
It sounds as though I've executed the perfect surprise attack.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/montypython/images/f/ff/Spanish_Inquisition.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180629171423)
I didn't expect that.
;D ;D ;D
Quote from: ianrs54 on 24 January 2020, 08:43:11 AM
Black Seas
great fun, 1st play, 2 games, first with brigs, I caught fire and then was sunk, second I had a 1st rate, set on fire and exploded on 2nd turn.
IanS
Are you a smoker, by any chance?
ER no - and certainly NOT at Action Stations !!
Phoenix Squadron by Rowland White.
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/100/1007911/phoenix-squadron/9780552152907.html (https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/100/1007911/phoenix-squadron/9780552152907.html)
Great "True Story" about the British mission to protect Honduras in 1970's, featuring my all time favourite aircraft - the Blackburn Buccaneer!
Great book
Finished "Armies and enemies of Louis XIV: Volume 1 - Western Europe 1688-1714: France, Britain, Holland" by Mark Allen. As it says on the back cover, "This book originally saw the light of day a a long running series of articles in Wargames Illustrated in the late 1980s."
A uniform boo with the listing of regiments for the countries named as well as illustrations. Printed by Helion.
Finished "War in the East: A Military History Of The Russo-Turkish War 1877-78" by Quintin Barry. I like his books.
Good explanations, relatively good OB's, maps a bit small in scale (or my eyes aren't as good as they used to be).
Easy to read and about a period I know next to nothing, so I enjoyed it.
Finished "The Campaign of Waterloo" by John Codman Ropes. I don't believe I had read it before and was impressed with the arguments he makes regarding who was responsible for what. Ney and Grouchy don't come off well, but then neither does Napoleon.
Fast read for me being interested in Napoleonics.
Finished "Allenby's Gunners: Artillery in the Sinai & Palestine Campaigns 1916-1918" by Alan H. Smith.
This covers more than Allenby's command time. It is broken into three narratives; Narrative One: Background to April 1916. Narrative Two: November 1917 to May 1918 and Narrative Three: May 1918 to November 1918. It also has 8 appendices listing OB's and the battery makeups. It gives ammunition expenditure and a technical section of the gun types.
A good history overall with an emphasis on the trials and exploits of the various batteries, including RHA, RFA, Heavy and Siege as well as the Brigades they were attached to. Also gives credit to the RFC and how they progressed.
Good read with maps (which could have been a bit more clear) of the overall campaign.
Sounds interesting :)
7TV 2nd edition rulebook, which I discovered yesterday is a free download from Crooked Dice.
Just read Dunstan by Conn Igguldon. It was only hallway through that I realised it was a novelisation of an actual historical person. Its a cracking read
Finished a great little book "Men Under Fire" by R.W. Thompson. He was the war correspondent of the "Sunday Times" and a war feature writer of the "Kemsley Newspapers". The book appears to be written immediately after WWII but there is no date.
The stories are his time with the troops of the 21st Army Group. He had been an intelligence officer but was released to be a correspondent. He landed at Normandy in August 1944 and from then until the end figures he wrote 200,000 words for the papers in 12 months as well as driving 30,000 miles mainly in a Jeep with his driver.
His writing really captures the gritty feel of the troops and the times. His descriptions of the wealthier, the terrain and the feelings are great. At the end he does go through the Nazi camp at Belsen and has such a feeling of horror of what had occurred and such a hatred of the Germans that it really comes through his writing. It is amazing with so many witnesses and pictures that there are Holocaust Deniers.
I doubt that it has been reprinted or that copies would be easy to find (this was given to me by a friend) but if you do it would be well worth the read.
Finished the January 2020 issue (#62) of the "Gettysburg Magazine".
Articles this issue include
James Longstreet and the Third Day: "We Were Not Hunting for Any Fight" which has convincing arguments that Longstreet was not dragging his feet for Picket's Charge and did not try to pass off responsibility for that fight.
Howard at Gettysburg: A Reappraisal
"I Should Not Be Surprised If They Cross the River Tonight": A Resolute Lee vs. A Reluctant Meade, July 13, 1863
The Making of an artillery Officer: Major John Cheves Haskell at Gettysburg
and others. Always well done with pictures and excellent maps.
The Hordes of the Things rulebook, 2nd edition (a free download from the WRG website about 10 years ago. Doesn't include the army lists but everything else is there).
Damn you Terry37 and mmcv!
Quote from: Raider4 on 05 March 2020, 08:03:47 AM
The Hordes of the Things rulebook, 2nd edition (a free download from the WRG website about 10 years ago. Doesn't include the army lists but everything else is there).
Damn you Terry37 and mmcv!
;D
It's all Terry's fault!
Finished "British Generalship in the Twentieth Century" by Major-General E.K.G. Sixsmith.
The title defines the book. Well written and easy to read. The author sets out to "examine the military thinking and tactical ability of all British commanders of note between 1899 and 1945." Does a pretty good job of it.
How bad were they ?
>How bad were they ?<
The author was a serving officer and worked with several of the generals in the book. He was nice to most of them, talking about their good sides. He did bring up areas where perhaps they lacked drive or aggressiveness, but overall didn't "ding" anyone.
Finished "Command and Leadership: 1721-1815" edited by Andrew Bamford. A Helion book from the proceedings of the 2018 Helion and Company 'From Reason to Revolution' conference.
Interesting insights into the French in North America, leadership identity in the Hapsburg officer corps 1740 to 1790, Portuguese engineers inthe Peninsular War, a couple of chapters on the Jacobite rebellion and early Revolutionary wars into Egypt.
Quote from: fred. on 03 November 2012, 08:42:39 PM
Just finished Hydrogen Sonata the new book by Iain M Banks. Most enjoyable, classic Banks and in this one the Culture Minds take centre stage, more so than a human character.
Sad that there'll be no more. :(
Edit: just realised I'd somehow clicked on a page from years ago and not noticed the dates... Morning brain X_X
Quote from: mmcv on 19 March 2020, 08:12:32 AM
Morning, Brain X_X
Are you pondering what I'm pondering, Pinky?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqMs9WsJg2k
NARF!
;D
Quote from: FierceKitty on 19 March 2020, 08:50:50 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqMs9WsJg2k
Thank you sir!
This innocuous link led me to look at more from the incredible Vintage Postmodern Jukebox and ultimately to the masterpiece that is their cover of Creep featuring the vocal talent of Haley Reinhart ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw) ) - dat girl can sing!
I can also recommend the best performances of most of Bach....
Quote from: FierceKitty on 19 March 2020, 02:32:30 PM
I can also recommend the best performances of most of Bach....
... or possibly something from this millennium! :)
Quote from: Scorpio_Rocks on 19 March 2020, 01:49:47 PM
Thank you sir!
This innocuous link led me to look at more from the incredible Vintage Postmodern Jukebox and ultimately to the masterpiece that is their cover of Creep featuring the vocal talent of Haley Reinhart ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw) ) - dat girl can sing!
They put on a good show if you ever get the chance to see them on tour.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 19 March 2020, 03:14:16 PM
... or possibly something from this millennium! :)
If I hear anything that doesn't leave me wondering what went wrong, I'll happily puff it.
I've just started reading "British Anti-Tank Warfare" by John Plant.
In fact I'm on page 4 and have a question.
"On 29th September 1918 during the battle of the St Quentin Canal, some American crewed tanks were destroyed by an old British minefield. Ten out of the 12 tanks were destroyed. The minefield consisted of 2-inch mortar bombs, each containing 50lbs of ammonal."
2-inch mortar bombs containing 50lb of explosive? Sounds wrong. Can anyone clarify ... or should I just stop reading the book because I can't trust it?
In that case they will have been from a spigot mortar, I think known as the Toffee Apple.
.
From Wikipedia
"The 2 inch medium trench mortar, also known as the 2-inch howitzer, and nicknamed the "toffee apple" or "plum pudding" mortar, was a British smooth bore muzzle loading (SBML) medium trench mortar in use in World War I from mid-1915 to mid-1917. The designation "2-inch" refers to the mortar barrel, into which only the 22-inch bomb shaft but not the bomb itself was inserted; the spherical bomb itself was actually 9 inches (230 mm) in diameter and weighed 42 lb (19 kg), hence this weapon is more comparable to a standard mortar of approximately 5-6 inch bore."
So, 50lbs is a bit of an exaggeration/ rounding up (take your pick) but not outrageously so. EDIT: I suspect they've taken the weight of the whole shell rather than the explosive itself. Sloppy, but understandable.
Apparently, as technology moved on the British used stocks of the, by then obsolete, "toffee apple" mortar bombs as mines but they didn't mark positions particularly well which lead to casualties when they retook the ground late in the war and also lead to the deaths of several French farmers right up into the 1930s.
Keep reading :)
Thanks, Chaps.
That makes sense.
Finished Vol 83, No. 4 of "The Journal of Military History".
Articles and book reviews (which is one place I find books I want - 4 this time).
Articles this time include
Determining Early Modern Army Strength: The Case of Electoral Saxony
War as It Might Have Been: British Sea Power and the First World War
"Visionary Battle Scenes": Reading Sir John Hackett's The Third World War, 1977-85.
Just passing this on as they might have something that interests someone here:
From DBMM io group today:
As many of us are going to be stuck at home for a while, Osprey are releasing up to 5 free eBooks every week.
https://ospreypublishing.com/blog/Free_eBooks_week_1/
Add the PDF or ePub copy to your basket, and when you get to checkout, just put FREEBOOKS1 in the coupon field. The cost will be reduced to £0.
Cheers
Peter
This lockdown just gets better and better! :D
I cant get it to work....
That's fantastic, grabbed the lot!
Quote from: ianrs54 on 26 March 2020, 08:01:32 AM
I cant get it to work....
Make sure you click the Apply Coupon button, I missed it the first time I tried #-o
I'll give it another go soon
I'm rereading Rising Sun And Tumbling Bear by Richard Connaughton but this time on the Kindle
It's an excellent one volume book on the Russo-Japanese War
As some of you know I have impaired vision after a stroke so I can no longer read printed material such as books.
I contacted the publishers back in October 2019 with regards to publish it as an e-book and they replied that it would get done for February 2020
Anyway it is now available on the Kindle at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rising-Sun-Tumbling-Bear-PAPERBACKS-ebook/dp/B07YMY9QRK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tumbling+bear&qid=1585069682&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rising-Sun-Tumbling-Bear-PAPERBACKS-ebook/dp/B07YMY9QRK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tumbling+bear&qid=1585069682&s=digital-text&sr=1-1)
I am now contacting other publishers about issuing various tomes as e-books
Alan
Wargaming in History: The Peninsular War by D. Featherstone. Not a bad overview of the tactics of the time and why they developed as they did.
I've been picking my way back though the Chain of Command rules.
Finished "One Hundred and Seventy-Five Battles By Land, sea and Air: From Marathon to the Marne and After" by Roger Shaw,1937.
About one page per battle and gets into the Spanish Civil War. Lots of references to Hannibal's victory at Cannae (what the Germans wanted and others). Sort of interesting but obviously no depth.
Soon ... August hopefully (COVID permitting) Helion & Co.
Finished the Osprey Campaign "Java Sea 1942: Japan's Conquest of the Netherlands East Indies" by Mark Stiles.
Typical Osprey but a very good history. A condensed version of a previous book on this topic. If you do naval combat, this has some good options.
Finished "Italian Naval Camouflage of World War II" by Marco Ghiglino.
All you wanted to know about each ship from BB's to MAS boats as well as auxiliaries. Each ship shows the design and colors, typically of both sides.
Not so much history other than the orders regarding the designs to use. Many pictures and drawings of each ship. Amazing.
The Art of War of Revolutionary France by Paddy Griffith. Just started but enjoyable and part of attempt to improve my knowledge of this period.
Dear old Paddy. 10 years in May since we lost him.
A History of Violence in the Early Algerian Colony 1830–1847 by William Gallois
The Witcher series (8 books) a rattling good read.
Gordon
Finished a most interesting book, "An Instinct for War: Scenes from the Battlefields of History" by Roger Spiller who is the George C Marshall Professor, Emeritus, of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
One of the recommendations on the back cover says "'An Instinct for War' is a book of war stories like no other I've read - a cultural history of the world's war-making, from ancient China and Greece to the Apocalypse that's just ahead of us. Spiller's skills include ventriloquism: he makes every war speak in a voice of its own, sometimes historical, sometimes not" (by Samuel Hynes, author iof Flights of Passage and The Soldiers' Tale).
The book has 13 chapters, really each is a story of its own, from Ancient China through the New World, the ACW, the Russo-Japanese war and more.
Very entertaining and thought provoking. Recommended.
Finished an Osprey Air Campaign booklet, "Guadalcanal 1942-43: Japan's bid to Knockout Henderson Field and the Cactus Air Force" by Mark Stile. Reads like BigJackMac's air combats (and recommended for him).
Lots of pictures and statistics of number and type of planes in the different combats. Makes me want to try it (but later; working on ACW at the moment).
Just finished reading "The Nazi Hunters" about an SAS mission in the Vosges region in France Operation Loyton , and the subsequent hunt for War Criminals
Gordon Rottman - US Marine v IJA Infantryman Guadalcanal 1942 - Osprey Combat series as a freebie from their offer.
Peter Cozzens - Shenandoah 1862
Quote from: DaveH on 22 April 2020, 01:32:22 PM
Gordon Rottman - US Marine v IJA Infantryman Guadalcanal 1942 - Osprey Combat series as a freebie from their offer.
Peter Cozzens - Shenandoah 1862
Good if you can get it; would not let me process them at checkout. I gather it can be a general problem that affects many.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 22 April 2020, 02:40:04 PM
Good if you can get it; would not let me process them at checkout. I gather it can be a general problem that affects many.
They sorted the issue - if you are still getting it: clear your cookies for Osprey
P.S. They have a 45% sale on ebooks atm!
Now I've finished my reports, 'The Human' by Neal Asher.
Finished "the Twenty-fourth Michigan" by Donald L. Smith. This is the story of a Union regiment that joined the Iron brigade after Antietam and was first in action at Fredericksburg. Here they were accepted by the rest of the Iron Brigade as worthy companions.
They further proved their worth at Gettysburg in the first days fighting. They lost 80% of their men, "the largest number of casualties of the over 400 Union Regiments which participated in the battle".
When they mustered out, after the war had ended, they had been in service for two years, 10 months and 15 days. There were only 180 men left out of the 1030 that originally left to join the army.
Good book.
If there's one thing military history really teaches, it's the sheer suicidal stupidity of humanity.
Dull computer manuals - Thaasans of em!
Finished "A Glimpse Of Hell: The Explosion On The USS Iowa And Its Cover-up" by Charles C. Thompson II.
Middle gun of turret two exploded and killed 47 sailors in the turret. Bad investigation by the Navy tried to say two of the sailors had a homosexual relationship, broke up and the one killed himself by the way of an explosion. even after this was disproven, the Navy brass kept it up. Stupid investigations, leaks to the press, and a lot of coverups. Admirals in peacetime are politicians and they forgot honor and integrity.
Kind of like firing the captain of the USS Teddy Roosevelt.
Very interesting book.
US Navy, Fleet Admiral to all vessels: Note that use of the expression Hello, sailor! in a gun turret shall with immediate effect be deemed due and sufficient cause for immediate summary and dishonorable discharge from the service.
The Black Bull by Patrick Delaforce, about the 11th Armoured Division in NWE from '44 - '45. After lots of Black Powder reading of late, nice to get back to my favourite period for wargaming.
Finished "Morituri" by Barry Sadler (again I think). Novel of a gladiator, Lucanus, and his journey through life. OK.
Sadler was a medic in Vietnam and also wrote the Casca books. Noted for the Song of the Green Berets.
The Blitzkrieg Legend by Karl-Heinz Frieser.
This provides an excellent coverage of the France 1940 campaign from the German perspective and a correction to many perceptions and the various 'myths' relating to this event Thoroughly recommended for anyone with a particular interest on the topic.
Read Endgame by Jennifer Siegel. Good book.
"Sharp Practice", as we have a gamming weekend next March!
Quote from: ianrs54 on 11 May 2020, 11:03:34 AM
"Sharp Practice", as we have a gamming weekend next March!
Gotta love an optimist..
Just finished "Gettysburg: The Last Invasion" by Allen Guelzo. He is (or maybe was as the book was released 3013) Director of Civil War Studies at Gettysburg College. He has also written for the Gettysburg magazine.
Good descriptions of before, during (well detailed) and after the battle. I think it is insightful and I have many other books on Gettysburg.
Highly recommended if you like ACW studies.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 11 May 2020, 11:03:34 AM
"Sharp Practice", as we have a gamming weekend next March!
I've been reading those too, though more to use them for a solo game or two.
They do look good..
Churchill's Crusade by Clifford Kinvig. A description of intervention in the Russian Civil War.
Comment on Russian Army, 1914.
The commander in chief himself, the grand Duke Nicholas, was a man of strong character and considerable strategic ability. Supporting him were some respected and capable generals. There were others, however, whose ineptitude and carelessness beggared belief. Furthermore, the commanders were served by a poor staff: too many unsuitable and untrained young aristocrats thronged its ranks, whilst many staff-trained officers had little or no regimental experience. Weaponry and equipment were also much behind Western standards. The scale of issue of field artillery to the armies were about half that in the German service, and heavy artillery was very scarce. Reserves of rifles and ammunition for the inadequately trained conscripts were insufficient and the Russian munitions industries were poorly developed. Corruption pervaded the Army's administrative services. Compounding these handicaps was interference from the court: from the resentful and unstable Tsarina, and from the Tsar himself, who was only with difficulty dissuaded from taking personal command of his armies. In the light of these disadvantages, it is not surprising the Russian high command had difficulty in concentrating its substantial armies to advantage on the battlefield and enabling them to fight effectively once there.
The Whites were doomed by lack of enthusiasm apart from corruption and personal enrichment against an army motivated by generations of poverty and hardship; no surprise that the British generals ultimately recommended withdrawal. Good read for RCW aficionados.
Finished "Losing Nelson" by Barry Unsworth.
Interesting but a bit weird for my tastes. he main character, living in now times, essentially worships Horatio Nelson, to the extent that on the date and time of Nelson's battles, Charles (the main character) Cleasby sets out his model ships to reenact the combats. Not a wargame as he just adjusts them to the historical action.
Charles in obsessive with Nelson and is trying to write a book about his hero. One point bothers him and he cannot get past it. Nelson's action with the rebels in Naples. Did he know they were giving themselves up to the King's (Ferdinand) justice? Charles wants to prove that Nelson was totally honorable and did not know of the duplicity. But he can't.
Anyway, the book has us see into the mind of a person with many psychological problems. Not my typical read but it was given to me by a friend, because of the model ships.
You might enjoy Sontag's The Volcano Lover. I know I did.
'To the Gates of Richmond, the Peninsula Campaign' by S W Sears. An excellent read and wish I'd read it before 'Chancellorsville', but knowing what happened to McClellan after this campaign does make it more interesting.
Just finished rereading The Illustrated Man - Ray Bradbury.
Still working my way through Shenandoah 1862 by Peter Cozzens and Company Aytch by Sam R. Watkins as part of my American Civil War reading.
Blood, Sweat and Arrogance: The Myths of Churchill's War
by Gordon Corrigan
It is a good read and the author really does dislike Churchill and despise Montgomery
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 22 May 2020, 08:23:11 AM
Blood, Sweat and Arrogance: The Myths of Churchill's War
by Gordon Corrigan
It is a good read and the author really does dislike Churchill and despise Montgomery
A controversial book. Your impression of it, when you have finished it, would be of interest.
Finished "The U.S. - Mexican War" by Carol and Thomas Christensen. This book is the companion to the Public Television Series.
Well done, many pictures, writings from both sides and uses many experts in their fields. Expanded the US but not morally upstanding. Many northerners did not want to add Texas and the other territories, due to the southern block wanting to add slave states, and were totally against the war on moral and ethical grounds.
Just read through "Battlegroup Northag" - look good but one or two errors.
My copy of Battle:Practical Wargaming by Charles Grant (Model &Allied Publications, 1970) arrived this morning. Pristine dust cover intact, no public library smell.
Quite apart from my unashamed bask in nostalgia, and fond memories of Airfix 8th Army and Afrika Korps HO&OO mounted with Bostic on 1/2" square bases. And being miffed that the Germans had a very well sculpted Rommel figure who towered over everybody else - whilst the Brits lacked a Monty.
It was also a pain that the Germans had European soldiers (1705) and loads of anti tank weapons. The British side has a set called "Infantry Combat Group"(set 1703) that was low on accuracy and detail. But then this was an era when the product was children's toys and not model soldiers.
All this was disappointing to the British gamer. If he added Airfix 6pdr and 25pdr to the mix, he had to contend with a crew of kneeling giants.
It was Grant who introduced us to Minitanks and the concept of using them with Airfix. Since the early Airfix were close to 1/87 (Railway scale), it worked.
The book is the collection of the early articles in Meccanno Magazine, so the chapters are well arranged around topics. It is what I need in terms of a good introduction to the wargame. The sort of read that non gaming family members can indulge in when pressed to "roll a dice".
As I flip through the pages I am chastened by what those early 1960s gamers achieved with simple models, figures and a few bits of Ballona scenery.
Quote from: Sunray on 27 May 2020, 12:56:39 PM
My copy of Battle:Practical Wargaming by Charles Grant (Model &Allied Publications, 1970) arrived this morning. Pristine dust cover intact, no public library smell.
I believe that that's available as a free PDF on the interwebs. I know I've got it stashed on a harddrive somewhere.
I think I preferred the Matchbox infantry sets to Airfix for the British and Germans in Europe, but the Airfix 8th Army and Afrika Korps were superior.
Quote from: Raider4 on 27 May 2020, 01:44:18 PM
I believe that that's available as a free PDF on the interwebs. I know I've got it stashed on a harddrive somewhere.
I have it downloaded as the articles from Airfix magazine somewhere.
Quote from: DaveH on 27 May 2020, 01:57:46 PM
I think I preferred the Matchbox infantry sets to Airfix for the British and Germans in Europe, but the Airfix 8th Army and Afrika Korps were superior.
I can understand that. However Matchbox sets did not arrive in Woolworths until 1976. They were 1/76 and fitted well with the Matchbox range of plastic kits. They were made in a knowing way for wargames, as opposed to the toy syndrome that shaped the early Airfix approach in 1960/61. So for us 1960s wargamers it was Airfix or nothing in small scale.
I can recall early games with 54mm plastic (Britains Lilliput ?) - and some from Cornflake packs - and tank/artillery guns that fired plastic pellets via a spring. Hong Kong made ripoff copies of the figures.
Then one day my cousin arrived with a hand copied set of the Grant rules and a dice..........That day we stopped playing with toy soldiers and became wargamers.
Finished "Gustavus Adolphus" by Theodore Ayrault Dodge. (interesting middle name). His campaigns against Wallensten, Tilly and the other Catholics during the Thirty Years War. Long, 848 pages before the appendix and indexes.
Well done and it is about more the Gustavus as after his death the narrative continues with Cromwell, Turenne, Conde, Eugene and Marlborough. More detail on the campaigns and battles of the latter as more was written about them at the time.
Impressed with Gustavus and what he was able to accomplish.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 22 May 2020, 05:14:04 PM
A controversial book. Your impression of it, when you have finished it, would be of interest.
Oh, I am hardly an expert but I tend to agree that Montgomery and for that matter Churchill don't deserve the mythos that has built or perhaps was deliberately created around them.
On a separate but related note - The 'comedian' David Baddiel opined that if one describes Churchill as a 'white supremacist' one was an anti-semite and no that statement wasn't part of one of his comedy sketches.
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 30 May 2020, 11:28:04 AM
Oh, I am hardly an expert but I tend to agree that Montgomery and for that matter Churchill don't deserve the mythos that has built or perhaps was deliberately created around them.
On a separate but related note - The 'comedian' David Baddiel opined that if one describes Churchill as a 'white supremacist' one was an anti-semite and no that statement wasn't part of one of his comedy sketches.
A diplomatic response.
I always take a look at the low graded reviews such as: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/ROODZ82N2ZUSZ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0304367389
If the reviewer clearly knows the material it will show in his review, unlike the praising comments in the five star assessments. I agree that Churchill and Monty have been difficult to view accurately but the reviews seem to indicate this book was not particularly good at identifying the fault-lines.
I am interested in looking at
1943: The Victory That Never Was by
John Grigg. This is supposed to be a good take on missed opportunities but I am wondering if he has looked at issues such as landing craft production and troop availability. First time for the Americans in action in ETO?
Battle of Kasserine Pass in Europe written large? Still, it is for such things that books are written ... and studied. Anyone read it?
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 30 May 2020, 06:06:56 PM
A diplomatic response.
I always take a look at the low graded reviews such as: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/ROODZ82N2ZUSZ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0304367389
If the reviewer clearly knows the material it will show in his review, unlike the praising comments in the five star assessments. I agree that Churchill and Monty have been difficult to view accurately but the reviews seem to indicate this book was not particularly good at identifying the fault-lines.
Cheers
Some of the review I would agree with whilst other parts of it seems to be picking up on trivialities. I would say that it is really unfair to accuse Corrigan of admiring Hitler.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 30 May 2020, 06:06:56 PM
If the reviewer clearly knows the material it will show in his review, unlike the praising comments in the five star assessments. I agree that Churchill and Monty have been difficult to view accurately but the reviews seem to indicate this book was not particularly good at identifying the fault-lines.
I am interested in looking at 1943: The Victory That Never Was by John Grigg. This is supposed to be a good take on missed opportunities but I am wondering if he has looked at issues such as landing craft production and troop availability. First time for the Americans in action in ETO? Battle of Kasserine Pass in Europe written large? Still, it is for such things that books are written ... and studied. Anyone read it?
It is said that hindsight is always 20-20. I disagree - it seems to be extremely myopic, only seeing the parts the author/historian/whoever wants to see.
Quote from: Raider4 on 30 May 2020, 10:35:32 PM
It is said that hindsight is always 20-20. I disagree - it seems to be extremely myopic, only seeing the parts the author/historian/whoever wants to see.
In some ways it is complimentary to Montgomery - best people read the book themselves and make their own minds up.
Quote from: DaveH on 27 May 2020, 01:57:46 PM
I have it downloaded as the articles from Airfix magazine somewhere.
Just found mine, yeah it's a collection of articles from Meccano magazine, about 17MB in size. Black & white scan only it appears.
Just finished "King of Ashes" by Raymond Fiest. Good book. Similar feel to his Riftwar novels. But a good read. I will certainly get the next one when its available at a sensible price
China's war with Japan, 1937-1945 by Rana Mitter.
WWII from 1937 to 1945 as experienced by the Chinese. The author is a western educated Indian, who tries to describe events from a more Chinese perspective than I have previously read. Most histories tend to take the line of Stilwell's description of developments. However, such treatment tends to regard the Chinese as Western Auxiliaries who are then castigated for not doing what they are told to do 'for the greater good in the defat of Japan'. Given that America was providing considerable supplies it did give justifiable leverage BUT it those supplies were a small fraction of what was provided elsewhere in the global conflict. It sidelines the viewpoint of Chiang Kai-shek and the issues that he had as leader of a sovereign power with limited control of the different elements of Chinese society as it then was.
An excellent read and recommended for all those interested in the War against Japan, including the Pacific War theatre as well as CBI.
Churchill. The Greatest Briton Unmasked
by Nigel Knight
In his brand new assessment of Winston Churchill's political career, Nigel Knight challenges the sentimental image of the great wartime leader and argues that Churchill's impact on Great Britain was, in fact, consistently disastrous. The author backs up his arguments with rigorous academic research to provide a fresh insight into Churchill's entire career This book covers Churchill's time as pre-war Chancellor and his contradictory economic policies.
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 02 June 2020, 05:31:33 AM
Churchill. The Greatest Briton Unmasked
by Nigel Knight
In his brand new assessment of Winston Churchill's political career, Nigel Knight challenges the sentimental image of the great wartime leader and argues that Churchill's impact on Great Britain was, in fact, consistently disastrous. The author backs up his arguments with rigorous academic research to provide a fresh insight into Churchill's entire career This book covers Churchill's time as pre-war Chancellor and his contradictory economic policies.
Churchill would have been remembered very differently without WW2, as he wasn't that effective in WW1 or as a peacetime politician.
Finished "The Railroads of the Confederacy" by Robert C. Black III. An absolutely interesting and extremely well written book. If you have an interest in railroads and/or the ACW, this is a good book. The Civil War started because of slavery (controversial perhaps in the South - "States Rights") and was lost partially because of States Rights (the confederated states were superior to the central government according to the Confederacy). This was well illustrated in the individual railroads who professed the common goal, but not if it adversely effected or affected them. Two different gauges, no sharing of resources, no through trains...
The South was lacking in manufacturing and never had enough railroad iron for trackage. Underused lines never wanted to give up their existing tracks to fix other roads and the Confederate government was adverse to taking it. Although this did happen but too late to really improve anything.
I did enjoy this book more than I initially thought.
'The Last Crusade: the Palestine campaign in the First World War ' by Anthony Bruce.
Finished "Battlefields Then & Now; The World's Great Battles Brought To Life In Vivid See-Through Reconstruction" by John Man & Tim Newark.
Not good. Has factual errors in the various narratives which are also incomplete as to giving a big picture of the battle discussed. The see-through parts are clear sheets with a painted battle scene (also not well done) that covers the terrain as it is now.
Would not have purchased this book but it was given to me.
Napoleon's 1796 Campaign by Clausewitz, translated by Murray and Pringle. I'm still in the early stages but once I was used to his writing style, I'm loving the book with the extensive footnotes a real bonus, helping putting his writings and thoughts into context. Highly recommended.
Quote from: Steve J on 14 June 2020, 10:40:30 AM
Napoleon's 1796 Campaign by Clausewitz, translated by Murray and Pringle. I'm still in the early stages but once I was used to his writing style, I'm loving the book with the extensive footnotes a real bonus, helping putting his writings and thoughts into context. Highly recommended.
Cheers, Steve! I think you've helped us back into Amazon's top 100 Napoleonic history books. :)
All the footnotes are Nick's good work.
The two volumes on the 1799 campaign in Italy and Switzerland are in press now. We've made an effort to make the translation a bit more fluent this time, while still retaining enough of the old boy's voice to keep its character.
As for what I'm reading currently: Ramming's semi-official Austrian history of Hungary 1849: The Summer Campaign. Reading it yet again as I polish my translation with the aim of publishing it as the sequel to Hungary 1848: The Winter Campaign.
https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/hungary-1848-the-winter-campaign.php?sid=1120fbae5faaaa46756d161be883eaae&fbclid=IwAR27p6I9UcYMfMzC0V5T1PyBaaEiQOGJlh2PjzCVTv899hbpug9OBGhfIFM
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1412549408869331/
Really looking forward to the 1848 Hungarian campaign books Chris :).
Finished "Lincoln"s Loyalists: Union Soldiers From The Confederacy" by Richard Nelson Current.
60 years reading abut the ACW and did not know how many southern Unionists there were. The book talks about each southern state and their contribution, as well as how the men were able to join (obviously the Confederacy would try to deny them that chance.
As for numbers, the author gives these figures: Tennessee, 42,000, Virginia and West Virginia, 30,000, Arkansas, 10,000, Louisiana, 7,000, North Carolina, 5,000, Alabama, 3,000, Texas, 2,200, Florida, 1,500 and Georgia 400. In addition, bout 2,700 rebel prisoners were recruited. 104,000 is a lot. These are the white soldiers and there were many black soldiers as well.
He takes exception to Livermore's "Numbers and Losses" as do other more recent authors.
Interesting.
Also finished "This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War" by James M McPherson.
Good book. His major headings are
I Slavery And The Coming Of War
II The Lost Cause Revisited
III Architect's Of Victory
IV Home Front And Battle Front
V Lincoln.
This author does a good job.
Finished an interesting book given to me. "Pen, Sword, Camisole: From the ribald, outrageous acts of lusty old men, a tale of courage, laughter and truth" by Jorge Amado, translated by Helen R. Lane.
It takes place in 1940 Brazil, where the prestigious Brazilian Academy (of 40 members) has lost one to death. A colonel, head of the new state security (trained by the Gestapo in this new far right government by coup) sees the vacant chair as his right, based on his meager literary talents (members must be published) as a somebody in the state. He is the only candidate. Members rebel and essentially draft a general (also published, but who does not agree with the regime and is therefore on the retired list) who does all the correct things (presents to the members, personal visits to ask for their vote, attending the various lectures).
After much trial and tribulation, the colonel perishes and then the members become disillusioned with the general. The members (the lusty old men in the title) have waged a guerilla campaign against the colonel and then decide to do the same to the general.
While not my usual read, it was entertaining and quick.
I've just read (oh..alright...listened to) about two/three dozen Sherlock Holmes' stories, while I've been pushing putty around.
I'll be back to all the Agatha Christie's CDs soon......It's that, or listen to H2G2.....Dr Who...Lord of the rings....Old Harry's game....Bleak expectations....Or re-listen to the umpteen borrowed stories from the local mobile library....Blank knows when I'll ever get the chance to return the 'books' from the library. ;D ;D ;D
(I've got loads of others I could listen to.....But I can't be arsed bothered......But.....I just can't listen to the radio...too depressing. :P
Hey Ho. ;)
Cheers - Phil =)
Radio 3 a good alternative or BBC Sounds to catch up on some excellent programmes from Radio 4 and the World Service. Does take some effort though.
Techno
Dorothy L Sayers is a fine, but underrated, writer.
Oooh! Loves me some Sayers (and I don't mean greasy sausage rolls.)
You could also try Raffles by Horning, or Father Brown by Chesterton or Arsene Lupin by Leblanc.
Or you could try listening to books on YouTube on the Kindle.
Go on Phil ... click on one. Go on. Try it. It'll change your life. It'll cost you nothing but some time. You know you want to.
Kazuo Ishiguro The Buried Giant - not finished it yet but its an interesting take on Arthurian legend and memory.
Recently finished Ambrose Bierce The Complete Supernatural Stories - got it as a freebie on Kindle. Some good stories, but I wouldn't read more than a couple together as they could be a bit samey.
Just finished the complete Moleworth books. It's been a while since I laughed so hard.
Caught, like a Treen in a disabled spaceship ;D
Oooooh.....I might give the HP Lovecraft one a go !
Pretty sure I've listened to some Sayer's stories already....and enjoyed them.
Most of the ones I borrowed back in January, seemed to be by James Patterson (+ sidekicks).....Those were good fun.
Thanks, Nobby. :)
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: paulr on 19 June 2020, 05:40:59 AM
Caught, like a Treen in a disabled spaceship ;D
but treen spacesips brake down al the tim as any fule kno chizz chizz
Finished "1862" by Robert Conroy, a historical fiction book. The American Civil War, but this time the south has been joined by the British.
Fast read; combat, sex, all the good stuff. And the good guys won again - sorry to the British Pendraken audience.
Now I've got some down time I've started to re read all my old Commando comics not so much high brow but great for scenario ideas and the old nostalgic trip to my youth! No 994 Riley's Rifle is today's read with cup of tea and coconut macaroon this pm! Who said retirement would be boring!
🐵
Finished "1901" by Robert Conroy. This time Germany decides they need the American territories taken from Spain.
President McKinley has a heart attack and VP Teddy Roosevelt becomes President. The Germans land on Long Island and move somewhat inland. The Kaiser expects the Americans to negotiate, but, of course, they don't. Well written and a good story, easy to read.
Quote from: kipt on 15 June 2020, 08:35:31 PM
Finished "Lincoln"s Loyalists: Union Soldiers From The Confederacy" by Richard Nelson Current.
60 years reading abut the ACW and did not know how many southern Unionists there were. The book talks about each southern state and their contribution, as well as how the men were able to join (obviously the Confederacy would try to deny them that chance.
As for numbers, the author gives these figures: Tennessee, 42,000, Virginia and West Virginia, 30,000, Arkansas, 10,000, Louisiana, 7,000, North Carolina, 5,000, Alabama, 3,000, Texas, 2,200, Florida, 1,500 and Georgia 400. In addition, bout 2,700 rebel prisoners were recruited. 104,000 is a lot. These are the white soldiers and there were many black soldiers as well.
He takes exception to Livermore's "Numbers and Losses" as do other more recent authors.
Interesting.
Interesting point and thanks for posting; I suspect most Americans are unaware of that. Certainly those Americans I have discussed the AWI with are surprised that there were many Loyalists who remained adhered to the crown, not to mention runaway slaves joining the British forces and the exertions of the Founding Fathers to get them back.
Quote from: monkeynut on 24 June 2020, 08:17:20 AM
Now I've got some down time I've started to re read all my old Commando comics not so much high brow but great for scenario ideas and the old nostalgic trip to my youth! No 994 Riley's Rifle is today's read with cup of tea and coconut macaroon this pm! Who said retirement would be boring!
🐵
I have only encountered one individual who said that; everyone else is rushed off their feet.
Quote from: kipt on 24 June 2020, 08:04:13 PM
Finished "1901" by Robert Conroy. This time Germany decides they need the American territories taken from Spain.
President McKinley has a heart attack and VP Teddy Roosevelt becomes President. The Germans land on Long Island and move somewhat inland. The Kaiser expects the Americans to negotiate, but, of course, they don't. Well written and a good story, easy to read.
Looks like some good material for an alt-history campaign there.
Finished
"Balkan Breakthrough: The Battle of Dobro Pole 1918", Richard C. Hall
This book is mis-titled. It is an ok general survey history of the Macedonia Front during the First World War with a focus on the Bulgarian point of view. The military history is at the Theater/Strategic level. It does require some prior survey knowledge of the war in the Balkans. Beyond that a good easy read, which provides some info about the Bulgarian war effort.
Finefrock, Michael M. "Ataturk, Lloyd George and the Megali Idea: Cause and Consequence of the Greek Plan to Seize Constantinople from the Allies, June-August 1922." The Journal of Modern History, vol. 52, no. 1, 1980, pp. D1047–D1066. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1881129.
Fairly anti-Hellenic, the big contribution of this article is to answer the question of why Mustafa Kemal decided to attack the Greek salinet in August 1922. It seems that the the Turkish command had good intelligence of the transfer of Greek forces to Eastern Thrace for the Greek operation against Constantinople/ Istanbul. This created a military opportunity when Greek reserves in Asia Minor were depleted decreasing the chance of plugging a breakthrough. Author chides Hadzanesti as transferring to many forces to Thrace for what was essentially a diplomatic bluff (quite clearly the Greek government did not intend to attack).
Adrian goldsworthy the fall of carthage
Really enjoying this, lots of detail about the conflict. Some unknown (at least to me) information i.e polybius using the word speirai to mean maniple in reference to the carthaginian deployment during cannae.
Quote from: Adamwest on 25 June 2020, 07:36:31 PM
Adrian goldsworthy the fall of carthage
Really enjoying this, lots of detail about the conflict. Some unknown (at least to me) information i.e polybius using the word speirai to mean maniple in reference to the carthaginian deployment during cannae.
Yes, its a great book.
Russia in Flames by Laura Engelstein
A superb analysis of the Russian Civil War that even handedly praises and excoriates all sides as the unpleasant events proceed through the pages. My third general book on the RCW and probably the best. I feel that it gave a real insight into proceedings in a way that the previous ones had not.
I'm listening to "the Blade Itself" by Joe Abercrombie.
It's sort of fantasy (with magic but no monsters - yet), but the characters are well written and the voice artists does a very creditable job.
It makes one feel pity for an inquisitor.
Techno - I think you may like it.
Press the button Techno ... you know you want to.
Finished "1942" by Robert Conroy, another alternate history.
This time the Japanese follow their attack on Pearl Harbor with a third wave that destroys the oil tanks, making Pearl Harbor useless as a base. Then, sevaral months later the Japanese land and occupy the islands. A left behind American officer starts guerrilla warfare and the USN plots revenge.
Again, good writing, sex (evidently in all his books - at least so far) and a quick read.
Quote from: fsn on 26 June 2020, 08:25:29 PM
I'm listening to "the Blade Itself" by Joe Abercrombie.
I downloaded this on my kindle, the inquisitor was my favourite character! Ive still to finish this actually....
Quote from: Adamwest on 26 June 2020, 11:12:15 PM
I downloaded this on my kindle, the inquisitor was my favourite character! Ive still to finish this actually....
The inquisitor is a brilliant character.
Quote from: Adamwest on 26 June 2020, 11:12:15 PM
I downloaded this on my kindle, the inquisitor was my favourite character! Ive still to finish this actually....
Just checked, only £0.99 . . . Oh, go on then.
Thats the reason i bought it! ;D
Finished another alt history book, "Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant: The Final Victory" by Newt Gingrich and William R Forstchen. It was given to me and turns out it is the 3rd book in the set (I have now ordered the first two), so will be reading them out of sequence.
In this book Lee wins at Gettysburg and pursues the Union army. He also turns toward Washington, but Lincoln has brought Grant to the East. Guess who eventually wins the war...
Good read with many interesting characters (as are most of this genre of historical novels).
Still whittling away my pile of "lockdown" Ospreys while sitting at my dining table having meals or coffee. Brief periods of reading curtailed even further by my dining area having no thermal insulation to talk of so on cold days meals are eaten in the living room and coffee is consumed at my PC (such a bad idea!).
I've finished:
Early Aegean Warrior 5000–1450 BC
Bronze Age Greek Warrior 1600–1100 BC
Sea Peoples of the Bronze Age Mediterranean c.1400 BC–1000 BC
The Mycenaeans c.1650–1100 BC
Mycenaean Citadels c. 1350–1200 BC
Troy c. 1700–1250 BC
Soldier of the Pharaoh Middle Kingdom Egypt 2055–1650 BC
Just started:
The Fortifications of Ancient Egypt 3000–1780 BC
Still to go
Gladiators 100 BC–AD 200
There seems to be a bit of a theme there Ithoriel ;)
Just lisrening to "the Lord of the Rings"unabridged version while I paint. I listen to this and "The Hobbit" about once a year
Its read by Rob Inglis - he is really good to listen to - does the voices and everything.
still looking for a CD of "The Silmarillion". I have it on Cassette, but no longer have a working player
Quote from: Orcs on 01 July 2020, 09:02:44 AM
still looking for a CD of "The Silmarillion".
If only such a thing were available . . . (https://archive.org/details/The_Silmarillion)
Wow, Thats brilliant Raider, Thanks very much
Quote from: Ithoriel on 01 July 2020, 02:34:38 AM
Still whittling away my pile of "lockdown" Ospreys while sitting at my dining table having meals or coffee. Brief periods of reading curtailed even further by my dining area having no thermal insulation to talk of so on cold days meals are eaten in the living room and coffee is consumed at my PC (such a bad idea!).
I've finished:
Early Aegean Warrior 5000–1450 BC
Bronze Age Greek Warrior 1600–1100 BC
Sea Peoples of the Bronze Age Mediterranean c.1400 BC–1000 BC
The Mycenaeans c.1650–1100 BC
Mycenaean Citadels c. 1350–1200 BC
Troy c. 1700–1250 BC
Soldier of the Pharaoh Middle Kingdom Egypt 2055–1650 BC
Just started:
The Fortifications of Ancient Egypt 3000–1780 BC
Still to go
Gladiators 100 BC–AD 200
Any of these you would particularly recommend? I'm doing some bits around the Trojan war, so been eyeing a few of those recently.
Quote from: mmcv on 01 July 2020, 11:18:26 AM
Any of these you would particularly recommend? I'm doing some bits around the Trojan war, so been eyeing a few of those recently.
There's a bit of, understandable, overlap between Early Aegean Warrior 5000–1450 BC, Bronze Age Greek Warrior 1600–1100 BC and The Mycenaeans c.1650–1100 BC so if your focus is Troy I'd concentrate on the latter.
Troy c. 1700–1250 BC concentrates on the city rather than the warriors. An interesting read .... if you're interested in that but not a wargames army primer.
Mycenaean Citadels c. 1350–1200 BC - too much repetitious architecture and not enough history for my taste. Unless you're set on building a scale model of Mycenae, Pylos or Gla I'd avoid it.
Soldier of the Pharaoh made me wish they'd do an Old Kingdom companion volume!
Thanks!
Finished another Robert Conroy historical fiction book, "Liberty: 1784".
This time the British have conquered the colonies, but there are dissident Americans further west. So, the Crown decides they must be suppressed. General Burgoyne, of Saratoga fame (or shame) is given the duty (along with Generals Benedict Arnold and Tarleton).
Unfortunately for Burgoyne, it ends with a similar Saratoga scenario.
My step-great-greatetc relative!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 04 July 2020, 05:40:35 PM
My step-great-greatetc relative!
I would place my bet on the latter, but which one? Arnold, Tarleton or Burgoyne?
Quote from: kipt on 04 July 2020, 05:16:43 PM
Finished another Robert Conroy historical fiction book, "Liberty: 1784".
This time the British have conquered the colonies, but there are dissident Americans further west. So, the Crown decides they must be suppressed. General Burgoyne, of Saratoga fame (or shame) is given the duty (along with Generals Benedict Arnold and Tarleton).
Unfortunately for Burgoyne, it ends with a similar Saratoga scenario.
:o
Well, that's good. We don't have to read it now. #-o
And another Robert Conroy book, but this one with J.R. Dunn as the author. Conroy passed before this was finished.
The book is "The Day After Gettysburg: The South Strikes Back". In this book, the South did lose at Gettysburg, but Lee strikes back at the Potomac instead of crossing. Eventually Grant comes East and the war ends early.
Quick readsw.
Finished "Civil War Fantastic" many short stories edited by Martin H. Greenberg. Ghosts, warlocks, leprechauns (!) and just plain strange.
Don't bother.
Just finished Osprey's "The Fortifications of Ancient Egypt 3000–1780 BC" which I found much more digestible than their "Mycenaean Citadels c. 1350–1200 BC."
The latter goes through site by site detailing much the same info about each, the former picks out architectural or historical points and illustrates them with reference to relevant sites.
On to "Gladiators 100 BC–AD 200" now.
Hoping to read the new Miniature Wargames, ive got an article about my love for 10mm and Pendraken in it, but my local Smiths is out of stock!!!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 10 July 2020, 06:57:36 PM
Hoping to read the new Miniature Wargames, ive got an article about my love for 10mm and Pendraken in it, but my local Smiths is out of stock!!!
Clearly your article has copies flying off the shelves!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 10 July 2020, 06:57:36 PM
Hoping to read the new Miniature Wargames, ive got an article about my love for 10mm and Pendraken in it, but my local Smiths is out of stock!!!
Well done that man =D>
Well done, Will ! :)
Cheers - Phil
Well done Will :).
Quote from: mad lemmey on 10 July 2020, 06:57:36 PM
Hoping to read the new Miniature Wargames, ive got an article about my love for 10mm and Pendraken in it, but my local Smiths is out of stock!!!
Which number would that be?
It just struck me (slow I know...):
Surely the answer to "What are you currently reading?" has to be "This forum." (unless you are an Apache gunship pilot able to read 2 things at once with either eye!)
Quote from: Scorpio_Rocks on 12 July 2020, 01:44:01 AM
It just struck me (slow I know...):
Surely the answer to "What are you currently reading?" has to be "This forum." (unless you are an Apache gunship pilot able to read 2 things at once with either eye!)
I think somebody's coat needs a chewing!
NOBBY!!!!!
Barbarian answered in a similar vein way back in 2012 :D!
Quote from: Steve J on 12 July 2020, 07:12:27 AM
Barbarian answered in a similar vein way back in 2012 :D!
Ooops. sorry! I did say I was slow. :-[
Glacial looks like ;D
Sun Tzu - The Art of War - Samuel B. Griffith translation.
Quote from: DaveH on 12 July 2020, 05:57:54 PM
Sun Tzu - The Art of War
Spoiler - The plot is all over the place, and there's next to no character development.
Quote from: Raider4 on 12 July 2020, 06:31:16 PM
Spoiler - The plot is all over the place, and there's next to no character development.
Oh, and the smart a.se who sits in his office all day writing and never has to make a decision in three seconds flat while under fire and up to his ears in sh.t is always right! Speaking as one who spent his career sitting in an office all day writing etc etc etc!
Airfix magazines volumes 11 & 12 that i picked up off ebay today. A real trip down memory lane as these were the mags my Dad had and that I used to read over and over again :).
Quote from: Raider4 on 12 July 2020, 06:31:16 PM
Spoiler - The plot is all over the place, and there's next to no character development.
But that wonderful scene when Ping Zhun leaves Red Flower Woman ("Frankly me give not dam', esteemed wife") - classic image.
I listened to 'Micah Clark' by that nice Sir Arthur Conan Doyle last week.
I got terribly confused, to start with 'cos it kept referring to the ECW war......and mentioning in the next breath that Oliver Cromwell wasn't 'in it'.....So I've now learned something about the Monmouth rebellion.
I really enjoyed it......(The recording must have been YEARS old, as Patrick Troughton had one of the leading roles.)
Cheers - Phil
Finished Vol 84, No. 1 of "The Journal of Military History".
Articles this issue include
The Battle of the Gates of Trajan, 986: A Reassessment
The Impact of Clausewitz's Early Life on his Theories and Politics
"A New and Deadly Game": British Sporting Culture in the First World War
The Survival of Auftragstaktik during the Soviet Counterattack in the Battle for Moscow, December 1941 to January 1942
Advantage Japan: The Imperial Japanese Navy's Superior High Seas Refueling Capability
And, as always, pages of book reviews. These often lead me to buy a book that looks interesting.
I heard Micha Clerk as well. I suspect some of the history would be innacurate. Still a good drama though
Finished a small booklet, "Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1861-1862: A Study of the Strategy and Tactics" by A. Kearsey (who was a LTC of the General staff) and is a reprint by Naval and Military Press. Probably written after WWI.
Interesting discussion about Jackson's Valley Campaign, but also about First Bull Run. Didn't learn anything new however.
Finished the July issue, #63, of the "Gettysburg" Magazine.
Articles include:
Battery G, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery in the Gettysburg Campaign
"Gen. Meade Showed No Disposition to Attack Us': Lee's Uncontested Escape Across the Potomac, July 14, 1863
The Army of the Potomac Artillery Reserve
and several others. Always a good magazine.
Quote from: kipt on 16 July 2020, 06:31:26 PM
Finished the July issue, #63, of the "Gettysburg" Magazine.
63 issues of a magazine. All about 1 battle?
Actually yes, but is does go into the before and after. Probably an article about every brigade in both armies within some issue.
Many human interest stories as well.
Hi
Just did a quick count on my bookshelves, I have nineteen books specifically about the battle of Gettysburg or just about certain aspects of the battle (that is not counting other histories of the war which cover Gettysburg). :)
Cheers Paul
Quote from: T13A on 16 July 2020, 08:08:48 PM
Hi
Just did a quick count on my bookshelves, I have nineteen books specifically about the battle of Gettysburg or just about certain aspects of the battle (that is not counting other histories of the war which cover Gettysburg). :)
Cheers Paul
You just prompted me to have a look at my own shelves. Twenty nine, if you don't count "The Killer Angels''.
Hi Mollinary
You now have me worried about what I am missing out on? :'(
Cheers Paul
PS I have been lucky enough to go there twice though. :)
Volume 11 of Airifx Magazine.
Listening to "Hadrian", by Antony Everitt.
Have to admit that the first time I tried to listen to it, (ages ago) I was a bit disappointed, because I was expecting an historical novel, and I gave up after a couple of discs.
A much more academic 'book' than is my 'norm'......But I've stuck with it, and (to me) it's really very good......Though there's an awful lot of it that really is about what was happening during Hadrian's 'formative years'.
(And there's me going....."Hurry up, and go and build that wall."...all the time)
Think I'm on disc 8, now.....and he's only just reached being 'in charge'.
Cheers - Phil
"Ernest Hemingway: The collected stories", by James Fenton. Never read any Hemingway before, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy his writing style, as well as the content. Quite a few war stories of interest to us wargamers (Hemingway had plenty of personal experience of various wars). It's a grim business, apparently.
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1412549408869331/
Just started re-reading Phipps' 5 volumes of "Armies of the First French Republic". Then on to finalising my rules for the French Revolution
Find I'm doing a lot less reading these days compared to audiobooks, lecture series and podcasts. Been enjoying an audiobook production of the Iliad. History of China podcast. Started Anthony Beevor's Second World War. Finished a lecture series on the rise and fall of the British Empire.
Fiction wise finished Christian Cameron's Salamis in his Long War series. Found this one a bit more of a drag than the previous ones and ended up skimming the last few chapters. Not sure if I'm just loosing my appetite for fiction or the novel was slower than normal due to being more geographically confined.
Started Empire of Bronze series by Gordon Douherty, was initially hopeful after reading the historical notes but a few chapters in and it's clearly suffered from 300ification, with dual wielding generals leaping off bridges into hordes of double-headed axe swinging barbarians.... May give it another few chapters to see if the story picks up enough to see past it but unsure.
"Gladiators 100 BC–AD 200" now finished. A good summary that told me some things I didn't know and reminded me of things I had all but forgotten.
On now to "Dawn of the Horse Warriors: Chariot and Cavalry warfare 3000BC - 600BC" by Duncan Noble - a rather thicker tome.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 19 July 2020, 03:56:55 PM
"Gladiators 100 BC–AD 200" now finished. A good summary that told me some things I didn't know and reminded me of things I had all but forgotten.
Include any Roman ex-generals who desperately want to kill the Emperor?
"Are you not entertained?"
"ARE! YOU! NOT! ENTERTAINED?"
Quote from: Raider4 on 19 July 2020, 07:13:16 PM
Include any Roman ex-generals who desperately want to kill the Emperor?
"Are you not entertained?"
"ARE! YOU! NOT! ENTERTAINED?"
Alas, it's a historical treatise not a work of fantasy.
If only they'd made Maximus Decimus Meridius a wrestling coach not a gladiator he could have strangled Commodus in the bath. :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 19 July 2020, 09:49:17 PM
Alas, it's a historical treatise not a work of fantasy.
If only they'd made Maximus Decimus Meridius a wrestling coach not a gladiator he could have strangled Commodus in the bath. :)
Since the advent of the Internet (NSFW filter: disabled), the market for that kind of "Roman" movie has fallen to bits.
Panzer Killers: Anti-tank Warfare on the Eastern Front by artem Drabkin
This is an interesting book. The intro give organisation details, and then each chapter is a first hand account of a Russian veteran.
If the veterans are correct in their memories.
1 The 45m A/T gun had APDS ammunition available in more than adequate amounts. With this it was able to take on even Panthers if side on.
2 They often used Fragmentation or Canister shells against infantry
3 Part of the standard armament of the crew was a DP Machine gun
4 They were still actively using A/T rifles in 1943 in the antitank role although they knew they were fairly ineffective. They aimed at Tracks, vision slits and where the turret joint the hull
Due to 1-3 perhaps stats should be increased to 3/50 A/T and 2/50 AP, certainly for the later 1942 upgrade of the 45mm
Quote from: Orcs on 20 July 2020, 08:49:27 AM
Panzer Killers: Anti-tank Warfare on the Eastern Front by artem Drabkin
This is an interesting book. The intro give organisation details, and then each chapter is a first hand account of a Russian veteran.
If the veterans are correct in their memories.
Looks as if it is an interesting book but I note that a few reviewers doubt the veracity of it; what was your impression of it?
The following site is full of a wealth of info on the Eastern Front, with plenty on AT capabilities of various guns, shells etc. One thing I learnt was the drop in the quality of German armour as the war progressed, thus allowing for say the 45mm aT gun being able to penetrate the larget tanks. Well worth visiting.
http://www.tankarchives.ca/ (http://www.tankarchives.ca/)
Finished "Ordeal By Fire: An Informal History of the Civil War" by Fletcher Pratt (very prolific writer, doing military and naval history and fiction with L. Sprague de Camp. Also did the Fletcher Pratt Naval War Game rules. Our king of writer).
Very entertaining history of the ACW. His style is lively and he throws in words and phrases evidently from his time and that of the ACW that gives a good setting. Words like "antimacassar" used in "a room of red plush and antimacassars" and this in the first paragraph of chapter one. An antimacassar is the little piece of cloth or embroidery that goes over the back of a chair to protect it - who knew?
Phrases like "poor as Job's turkey" which is a phrase I found in Google.
The book reads like action itself and I recommend getting a copy. I like it enough to get a paperback copy for a friend's birthday present. Unfortunately the paperback does not include the maps (so I made copies for him). Not super accurate maps however.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 23 July 2020, 08:41:40 PM
Looks as if it is an interesting book but I note that a few reviewers doubt the veracity of it; what was your impression of it?
I have not finished the book yet. I found the organisation bit at the beginning fairly tedious, Only really of use if you want to build complete antitank regiments for your forces.
The rest of the book is about individuals personal experiences. You are not told how long after WW2 the interviews were, so you cannot even guess at how good the persons memory is. I suspect the various actions and memories have blurred together a little over time. Some of the stories told may have happened to others or been embellished. Others are definitely remembered in a way that shows Russia and its forces in a positive way
However I do not think the veterans are deliberately trying to mislead. My Ex-wife's uncle came fro Prussia and fought in the trenches defending the Normandy beaches. Some of his memories were crystal clear 50 years later and the stories he told never varied between tellings. Either he had an incredible memory or the experiences had been burned deep into his brain. He carried his hatred of the Canadians to the grave, after they machine-gunned his unit when they tried to surrender. He was at the end of the trench and saw it coming, so dived to the floor of the trench and lay under his dead comrades until dark.
So these memories have been formed at a time of extreme stress. When they would either be indelibly printed on the mind of the person, or studiously put to the back of their mind either knowingly or subconsciously to protect their mind.
Some confusion is caused as they all refer to any German SPG as a "Ferdinand" , probably in much the same way as allied troops in Normady thought all tanks were Tigers.
What does come across is the conditions and difficulties, that the soldiers faced, their everyday problems and difficulties. I would take the book as a good insight into the daily life of these brave men.
If your interested in personal account better book is "D-Day in German Eyes" Volumes 1 and 2 ". Theses are pesonal accounts recorded by a journalist for the German forces magazine "Signal". He initially interviewed the men in 1944 a few months before D-Day. the articles were never published and in 1954 he went back and tried to find the men he had interviewed or their comrades. His notes were found by his son in 2000 when he died and published as two books.
I bought all of the above books for Kindle for between 99p and £2.99
For those of you with busy lives ...
Finished "Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War: by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen. Great book. Some time ago I read the third volume in the series (gift of a friend) and liked that so much I bought the first two volumes.
In this, Lee winds the first day of Gettysburg (follows history here) but then takes Longstreet's advice and does a flank march to his right and actually takes up the Pipe Creek position that Meade had originally thought he would occupy. It is a good position, and the Army of the Potomac batters itself to pieces trying to get though. So the book ends with the North in sad array and heading east, with what is left of it, to the Susquehanna river.
Reading the next now.
Just received my latest purchase this morning by courier, 27 volumes of Time- Life's The Civil War. As beautiful as I remembered them when I first started to collect them in the 80's by monthly subscription, "tea cards of ACW generals" included.First set sold on when I moved home, what a "mistaka to maka "
Still worth the wait, can't wait to work my way through the lot.
P.S Leon ,an order on the way for a few ACW figures.
🐵
I'm currently watching the 1990's series "The Civil War" on the Tivo box and enjoying it as much as first time around.
I do hope we're not going to see a rerun of the actual event come November - I would enjoy that much less!
I sometimes think the world is a much darker, more polarised and more dangerous place than it was when I was younger ...... then I remember I spent my teens, 20s and 30s wondering if we were all about to be vaporised in a nuclear holocaust ... plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
Now rereading Jack Vance's Dying Earth stories. Excellent stuff.
It does feel like politics in many countries has become even more polarised since the 1980s, though remembering the Thatcher years it is not like things weren't pretty strongly polarised then. It was more that the early 2000s things became quite centrist in the UK with policy differences being much smaller between New Labour and the Cameron Tories.
Funnily enough the cold war situation in Europe was fairly stable as I think all the leaders understood how bad a failure of diplomacy would be with the nuclear weapons.
Quote from: DaveH on 03 August 2020, 09:52:07 AM
Now rereading Jack Vance's Dying Earth stories. Excellent stuff.
One of my favourites.
Quote from: DaveH on 03 August 2020, 09:52:07 AM
Now rereading Jack Vance's Dying Earth stories. Excellent stuff.
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 03 August 2020, 11:36:36 AM
One of my favourites.
I came to him quite late myself, but was interesting to see where so much of modern fantasy was influenced.
Finished "Grant Comes East: A Novel of the Civil war" by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen. This is volume 2 of a series of 3. now I have finished all of them, but out of order.
In this, Lee has won Gettysburg and has moved on Washington. Sickles is reorganizing the Army of the Potomac and Grant has been made Commander of all the Union armies.
Lee doesn't take Washington but lures Sickles out by taking Baltimore. Sickles does lose his leg, but also his army.
Fast and exciting reads. A very good series if you have any interest in the ACW.
"Due to 1-3 perhaps stats should be increased to 3/50 A/T and 2/50 AP, certainly for the later 1942 upgrade of the 45mm "
Not quite, it's APCR (or HVAP in American parlance) not APDS, and the extra penetration was only obtainable over shorter distances. The shrapnel was really a canister round.
So the upgrade for the 45mmL46 M37 anti-tank gun or any T-26/BT tanks surviving past 1942 would be 3/20 for anti-tank, and 2/10 for the canister. But they would retain the 2/50 anti-tank and 1/60 anti-personnel factors. This is the problem with most "special shots", as it would give most AFVs and guns mutliple factor entries in the charts.
I have included special shot where relevant in the BCKIV army lists I'm writing. For example 6pdrs in NW Europe often had 24x APDS rounds per gun as standard allocation, giving them 5/50 and 4/60 for anti-tank values, as well as anti-personnel at 2/60 for HE.
The PTRD41 remained in use until 1948 in Soviet armies, and was standard issue in North Korea and China into the early 1950s.
Thanks for that confirmation of what the stats should be, I was pondering with the information the vets had said. Sultanbev. As you say it does complicate things somewhat.
The Fall by Albert Camus
I can't see how this won a prize.
I'm two thirds of the way through and no tanks have appeared.
Quote from: fsn on 24 July 2020, 06:48:18 AM
For those of you with busy lives ...
At the risk of sounding like a cracked record, I gather there is doubt about the veracity of this. One reviewer described it as total fiction. What was your impression?
I have enjoyed
Through German Eyes: The British and the Somme 1916. A good read although not all that people are inclined to wish for.
Finished "Winning A Future War: War Gaming and Victory in the Pacific War" by Norman Friedman. This is about the US Naval War College war games in the 1930's. Parts of rules are discussed, but there is no overall rule set. As ships and planes developed, the rules would change.
Some of the information seemed to be used at the London Naval Treaty conferences as to ship types and sizes. While there was still gun vs airpower dissension in the fleet, the games did point out how many planes would be needed in a Pacific campaign. this also led to how big carriers should be, all within the various treaty limits. Long discussions on flight deck cruisers (none built) but also on cruiser size. the British wanted to try and limit them to smaller, 6" gun cruisers, as they needed many for the empire trade routes. Large cruisers were too expensive. Of course when Japan did not sign an extension to the treaty, numbers and sizes increased in the British and US navies. However, only modifications in ships already approved could happen quickly.
A very interesting book.
hammurabi70 , Having looked at some of the comments on the internet you may be right - it may be a fake.
Some of the reasons stating its a fake are open to question themselves.
eg-
The author cannot be found in the telephone directory. - I cannot be found in the telephone directory, as I suspect many of the forum can't. having chosen to go ex directory.
The names of the soldiers mentioned cannot be found - Perhaps they wished not to be named, Perhaps they had assumed another name due to their actions during the war, or they assumed a less German sounding name in order to get work more easily. Or perhaps the authors Grandfather deliberately altered all of them
The secondary accounts were supposedly obtained in 1954, when Germany was still in a mess.
Remember the "Official" version and the "Real" version that a soldier will tell you are often very different. I know this from my own father who was in Bomb disposal during ww2 and the things he got up to.
However Robert Kershaw the historian says that there is plenty of accurate information in the book. So read it and if nothing else it gives you a flavour of what it was like
Quote from: Orcs on 11 August 2020, 06:40:57 AM
The author cannot be found in the telephone directory
Whut?? They still do telephone directories? And not being in one is proof you don't exist?
Quote from: Orcs on 11 August 2020, 06:40:57 AM
However Robert Kershaw the historian says that there is plenty of accurate information in the book. So read it and if nothing else it gives you a flavour of what it was like
Good point. If you read on Iraq you get more versions than the people writing.
currently reading
Descent into Chaos about the Afghan war and the effects it had on both Afghanistan and Pakistan for the years after the ousting of the Taliban.
its a decent read but the author does Pontificate a lot about the Americans walking away from Afghanistan to focus on the Iraq farce.
regards
Sean
Finished "Unholy Sabbath: The Battle of South Mountain in History and Memory, September 14, 1862" by Brian Matthew Jordan.
This battle(s) was the precursor to Antietam and has been overshadowed by that battle. In this, DH Hill's division blocked the 3 passes over South Mountain and delayed the Army of the Potomac for a day as they battled to get in Lee's rear. Notable about this battle, however, is that the Union won. Up to this time morale was depressed by the result of the Peninsular fighting and Second Manassas.
Hard fighting and good descriptions of the regiments involved and the results. A tactical look at these combats.
Finished "Dawn of the Horse Warriors: Chariot and Cavalry Warfare 3000BC - 600BC" by Duncan Noble.
Lots of background that I pretty much already knew* salted with "we don't know much but here's what we know" arranged into geographical areas. The geographical split means there's a small amount of overlap and therefore repetition.
If you are interested in the development of chariotry and don't know your Ashurbanipals from an ashtray then this is a fairly gentle intro to the period and the subject.
For me Appendix A, detailing the author's foray into experimental archaeology by way of building and running a pseudo-Sumerian battle cart for Aunty Beeb's** "Chronicle" programme, was worth the cost of the book all on it's own. Though these days I suspect Social Work would remove his children if he did similar.*** I discovered my old Head of Department, Prof Piggot, was not only involved but actually rode in the contraption! A braver man than I am, Gunga Din! :)
*There again, I've been reading University level books on the subject for relaxation for the past several years
** aka The BBC
*** I'm imagining something along these lines,"Well yes my teenage daughter was holding a trace rein and my 14 year old son was in the battle cart with me when the donkeys bolted and I was trapped by the reins and couldn't pull the lever to detach the propulsion unit but my son did it and we were fine ... apart from the cart tipping over and me breaking ribs in two places ... but HE was fine ... really! The donkeys? Oh, they're fine. They soon stopped once they weren't being chased by a big rattly box" :)
Quintin Barry's book "Bazaine, 1870, Scapegoat for a Nation" is now available from Helion.
A question....Sort of book related.
How long does it take to download a kindle book onto a tablet ?
Just had my first go at doing this.....And....as per usual I didn't have a blanking clue what I was doing.
Book ordered and paid for.......(I did this on the PC....perhaps I should have used the tablet.)
Anyway....'ta very much' mail back from Amazon...."Do you need help downloading this onto your tablet"
Oooh, probably....I'll plug the tablet in before I start investigating how to do it.
Within a couple of seconds, the book cover appears on the tablet's 'desktop' (?).......Does that mean it's done, already ? :o :o :o
Cheers - Phil
Unles there is still a bar gradually filling yes, normally less than 10 secs, often much less. If you leave the books in the cloud you can access on both PC and tab, maybe even a phone.
Hi Techno
I have a 'Kindle Fire' and and an I-pad (with the Kindle app on it). As Ian said mine also usually take just a few seconds to download (you can see a grey bar filling up as it does so) and bye the the way I can have the same book down loaded on both devices simultaneously.
Cheers Paul
As the others say usually very quickly.
The only ones that take any time are those with pictures in them.
Quote from: Techno on 18 August 2020, 04:00:47 PM
Within a couple of seconds, the book cover appears on the tablet's 'desktop' (?).......Does that mean it's done, already ? :o :o :o
Yes.
:D
Just started "Hellenistic And Roman Naval Warfare 336 BC - 31 BC"
Quote from: Techno on 18 August 2020, 04:00:47 PM
A question....Sort of book related.
How long does it take to download a kindle book onto a tablet ? Cheers - Phil
Thanks for the answers, chaps. Blimey that's pretty impressive.
No piccies....but an awful lot of text.
Cheers - Phil
Phil you will know from here that piccies are very bit heavy
That's true, Ian. :)
I just couldn't believe how fast it was, even without piccies.....I think there are over 1,000 pages of text.
Cheers - Phil
The Thirty Year B)s War: Europe's Tragedy, 200 pages in, still on the background before the fighting starts! :)
Finished "On The Road To Total War: The American Civil War and the German Wars of Unification, 1861 - 1871". This is a collection of articles presented at a conference of the same name somewhat before 1997, when this book was published. The editors are Stig Forster and Jorg Nagler.
A long book, with varying essays grouped into six parts and a conclusion. The parts are:
Basic Questions
Nationalism, Leadership and War
Mobilization and Warfare
The Home Front
The Reality of War
The Legacy
Conclusion
A total of 32 essays.
Very much like a college level textbook, with some essays holding more interest than others.
So, the conclusion about Total War is that it is hard to define it. In some areas these wars approached it but in others they did not.
Despite having barely started my Graeco-Roman naval tome and having the Haynes Guide to Tabletop Gaming to follow I've been back to Naval & Military Press to buy
SWORDS AND CINEMA: Hollywood VS the Reality of Ancient Warfare
EARLY SHIPS AND SEAFARING: Water Transport Beyond Europe
WARFARE IN NEOLITHIC EUROPE: An Archaeological and Anthropological Analysis
Mini-reviews to come as and when read!
Took a break from the "serious" books and read "Tom Clancy's Endwar" by David Michaels (since Clancy is no longer with us).
A techno thriller in the Clancy style with Russian invading northern Canada. Special forces, US 10th Mountain division, a US hunter killer sub, a Russian Boomer and female fighter pilots, one of whom needs to be rescued.
Fun and quick.
I enjoyed Clancy's books at the time, at least up until the one where Japan starts a war with the US. After that the quality tailed off very quickly.
Don't know how I'd react if I tried to read one now - I doubt they've aged well.
A book a day: this time "1920: America's Greatest War" by Robert Conroy. Germany invades Texas (really the Mexicans as allies of the Germans) and California. The Crown Prince is the commander, trying to fulfill his father's, the Kaiser, dream of being the strongest power, and to annex Texas and California, as well as a couple of other states. Germany won at the Marne in 1914, and France and Britain sued for peace.
Lot's of combat with engaging characters. And a quick read as I said.
Weird, wad just reading up on the Mexican Revolution last night.
Blame Peter Pig - shiny!
Piggy is offering a discount til the end of the month Will
And another Robert Conroy book finished. "Rising Sun" where the Japanese win at Midway (their sub picket line got in place a day early and took out two of our carriers). Japanese ships along the West coast after a Special Landing Force takes out a couple of locks on the Panama Canal).
Finally the Americans strike back in Alaska and sink 9 Japanese ships; CA's, CL's and DD's.
Finally a deception lures the Japanese fleet where the climatic battle does take place, both carriers and BB"s involved.
Again, fast read. Fun.
Hi
Gettysburg July 1, by David G. Martin (2nd edition, the 1st edition apparently had some basic mistakes in that did not impress a battlefield guide who was taking me around the battlefield some years ago).
Very detailed but the maps could be clearer and have a legend, i.e. if you are going to show different types of fences on a map then it would be good to know which were which.
My 'go to' book for the first days action but not to keen on the writing style.
Cheers Paul
Quote from: Ithoriel on 18 August 2020, 07:47:19 PM
Just started "Hellenistic And Roman Naval Warfare 336 BC - 31 BC"
Let me know if it provokes any thoughts on how to make galley games interesting....
Just onto volume three of Shelby Footes Civil War Trilogy - Red River to Appomattox. I know the flaws, but the writing is sublime.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 25 August 2020, 10:52:04 AM
Let me know if it provokes any thoughts on how to make galley games interesting....
Have a side table with a skirmish mini-game set up for whenever the galleys come into contact, then you can do a boarding raid game?
Quote from: FierceKitty on 25 August 2020, 10:52:04 AM
Let me know if it provokes any thoughts on how to make galley games interesting....
My thoughts are in the opposite direction to mmcv, treat groups of galleys as units of cavalry or similar and go for a high level view...
I haven't found a set that works yet :(
I have been intermittently playing about with tweaks to the Poseidon's Warriors galley rules from Osprey which I quite like.
Despite my usual dislike of hexes I am going with hex movement (Inconsistent? Moi? :) )
Rather than letting players decide the order to move their squadrons I'm going with a chit pull system. Each squadron has a disc with the rating of the ship (3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) on a coloured background. Similar, but larger, mdf versions will be pulled from a bag to decide order of activation.
One or two other tweaks have come and gone and may return!
I can see it'll be happening eventually, along with WOTR and Hittites. Hmmmm, Lee's been watching Napoleonic Youtube stuff recently....
Finished another historical fiction by Robert Conroy, "1882: Custer in Chains". An alternate Spanish American War with Custer surviving Little Big Horn and becoming president of the US. He and his Secretary of State feel the US needs to expand and a fortuitous war with Spain "happens". Lots of action in Cuba; both army and navy.
Better than I thought it would be.
Frostgrave 2nd edition.
Looks like a god 2nd edition that preserves the essence of the game, while addressing some of the most common Imbalance" gripes.
The rules layout is improved, poorly worded bits addressed and quick-reference pages at the end should speed up play.
Just finished two years worth of old Airfix magazines. A real trip down memory lane :). Now to decide what to read next :-.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 23 August 2020, 09:36:51 AM
Piggy is offering a discount til the end of the month Will
Ian,
I can't see any discount, details please.
Best wishes,
Martin
I got an email :-
We would like to recognise your support during 2020 and especially during lockdown. You have been amazing.
We will be running the latest of our loyalty rewards from September 18th to October 2nd. This offer is open to you as our shopping cart has supplied your name based on your orders.
The promotion details and the small print can be found below. The promotion will be run by our shopping cart software and there are conditions to be met.
1. We cannot offer the rewards outside of the shopping cart.
2. The rewards are not available by telephone. We have no means of taking payment by phone.
3. We cannot combine orders to reach the minimum order value retrospectively.
4. The date parameters are set via the software. The start and finish dates will be automatically enforced , we apologise if this 20% discount is not at an appropriate time for you.
5. It is your responsibility to apply the code for 20% discount. This email does not apply the discount for you and this email does not put the code in a safe place where you can find it on September 18th.
6. The code can be used more than once during the two weeks if the criteria are met each time.
It may be personal to me though
Hi Ian,
Thank you, it's obviously for previous customers and not until next month.
Best wishes,
Martin
Finished another alternate history book. "MacArthur's War: A Novel Of The Invasion Of Japan" by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobsen.
Again, the Japanese win at Midway and MacArthur uses the Navy's failures to be in overall command in the whole Pacific theater. Progression through the island chains he actually fought for into the Philippines and then an invasion of Japan. The A bomb doesn't get completed (an accident at the lab) so the invasion needs to happen. Patton comes from Europe and MacArthur, wary of his glory, assigns Patton to a diversion; Patton of course runs wild and takes the surrender in Tokyo while MacArthur stews.
More meat that the other historical fiction. Enjoyed it.
Bazanine 1870 France's Scapegoat.
Helion press
Great so far.
Jaron Lanier, Ten arguments for deleting your social media accounts right now, (London, 2018)
This is a witty and intelligent analysis of the ethics and business model of the big tech companies. Recommended.
My Bazaine is on the way!
Finished "Dixie Victorious: An Alternate History Of The Civil War", edited by Peter G. Tsouras.
Rather than one story, this has 10 different "what ifs", from an Anglo-french intervention, to AA Johnston vs US Grant, to Lincoln getting killed when Early confronts Ft Washington in 1864.
Some I liked, some not so much, but the authors are well known in most cases: Andrew Uffindell, James Arnold, Edward Longacre, Peter Tsouras and Kevin Kiley among others.
Reread "The Fifteen Decisive Battles of The World by E.S. Creasy. Probably first read it 5 decades ago.
Good history in between and leading up to the battles. Creasy wrote for and educated audience as there are many Greek and Latin passages, untranslated. I had forgotten that. The French I can read but the other is Greek to me ( :)).
This volume was printed 1851 and Creasy is extolling the long peace between and among the nations he considered important - Europe (Britain, France and Russia) as well as the US, though he does allude to the Mexican American War. And this being just prior to the Crimean War. He doesn't consider warfare against the native troops to be an issue.
But, well written.
Operation sea Lion by Peter Fleming. A few chapters in and so far a good read, written in a nice style that flows nicely. Also Never Mind The Billhooks wargame rules which look to give a nice game.
Finished "The Civil War Up Close: Thousand of Curious, Obscure, and Fascinating Facts about the Civil War America Could Never Win" by Donald Chartwell.
Strange title but some interesting stuff, and also factual errors. For example he says Albert Sidney Johnston was killed at Shiloh leading a cavalry charge. And a few others like that.
So So.
Finished volume 84, No. 2 of "The Journal of Military History". Published 4 times per year.
Articles include:
There Will Still Remain Heroes and Patriots: The Politics of Resignation in the Early American Navy, 1794-1815,
Ingenuity, Excess, Incompetence, and Luck: Air-Resupply Anecdotes in Military History (side note - the Spanish dropped basket laden turkeys over cut off troops in the SCW; picture the turkeys madly flapping their wings...)
Rescuing a General: General Haywood "Possum" Hansell and the Burden of Command
Others plus many book reviews also.
Finished "Gettysburg: An Alternate History" by Peter Tsouras. This book is great for the combat and what ifs. Seems more in depth than other alternate history I have read and captures ACW combat as I think it happened.
Alternate history, but the South does not win. Stuart arrives a day early which enables Lee to listen to Longstreet about maneuvering around the Union left flank. Lots of interesting tie-ins to actual historical statements.
Extremely well done and recommended for ACW aficionados. I am madly painting ACW troops for Regimental Fire and Fury so this whets the appetite.
Finished with all the computer textbooks, now reading:
The Infantry Attacks - Erwin Rommel.
So far, an excellent read, well presented, and very accessible.
Quite a contrast to other stuff I've read by German authors that tends to be quite heavy going.
I don't know whether that's a problem for the authors or translators.
Just started 'Neither Up Nor Down. The British Army and the Flanders Campaign 1793-95'
Long ignored period of history noe receiving increasing coverage.
Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World's End wargames rules. They look to be good and simple but effective game mechanics. The only downside is there are som many very tempting army lists at the back of the book. Which ones to go for is the question!
Finished "Trafalgar: Napoleon's Naval Waterloo" by Rene Maine, translated by Rita Eldon and BW Robinson. Printed 1957 but a good read.
Details the travels of Nelson and his Naples/Sicily sojourn. All in all well done from the French viewpoint.
(And I still haven't received my Bazaine.) :'(
Quote from: Steve J on 19 September 2020, 09:31:22 PM
Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World's End wargames rules. They look to be good and simple but effective game mechanics. The only downside is there are som many very tempting army lists at the back of the book. Which ones to go for is the question!
There's another thread "Requests" I think where I mentioned the rules.
The thread continues with interesting suggestions for 10mm figures for various armies.
After a lot of list Mangling, I found the world split into 3 main areas.
Europe (A bit dotted about with elements of the British Isles and Lands to the East of Germany.
Americas (A very comprehensive set of lists).
The Rest (Known as the Portuguese Hemisphere during the age of exploration).
You can spend many long hours enjoying the lists.
A handy tip is to either select an area that interests you, then investigate the native forces and the likely colonists).
Otherwise pick a colonial power, and sift through their likely colonial targets.
My own area of interest is the Indian Ocean in the 16th century.
It includes South and East Africans, Egyption Ottomans, Arabs, Persians, Al the Indians and East Indies).
The colonists are the Portuguese and Dutch.
PLenty to keep you busy.
Thanks for the info Steve. Currently looking at Elizabethan English, which gives me options for Plantation conflicts or fighting against Reivers etc. They can then also explore West Africa which gives me a chance to have a game or two in Nigeria, where I used to live.
Now finished "Hellenistic And Roman Naval Warfare 336 BC - 31 BC."
If you are interested in naval warfare and naval strategy in the period, I recommend it as an excellent, readable, comprehensive account.
If you want details of boat-building and tactics (beyond ram vs board) this is not the book you are looking for, move along. :)
Just started "EARLY SHIPS AND SEAFARING: Water Transport Beyond Europe" which feels more detailed and more scholarly. I now know when to sail to and return from the Land of Punt if I'm an Egyptian trader in the last two or three millennia BCE and why that matters. :)
Sun Tzu The Art of War - Samuel Griffith translation. Very interesting to finally read this even though it has been sat on my shelf for ages.
Quote from: Steve J on 20 September 2020, 02:20:33 PM
Thanks for the info Steve. Currently looking at Elizabethan English, which gives me options for Plantation conflicts or fighting against Reivers etc. They can then also explore West Africa which gives me a chance to have a game or two in Nigeria, where I used to live.
The English Adventurers are rather different to the British Isles armies, but an interesting option.
Maybe you can advise me on matters West African.
The Songhai list seems to be the closest match for the West African Savannah kingdoms.
Is there any equivalent for coastal West Africa, or would they fall under Tribal African?
Thanks
I would have thought Tribal african would cover large parts of the coastal regions. Certainly the terrain is not cavalry friendly away from the savannah regions. From memory the Islamic 'crusade' was stopped at Offa in Nigeria, but need to do more research on this. Also not sure when and how long the Kingdom of Benin lasted.
Quote from: Steve J on 19 September 2020, 09:31:22 PM
Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World's End wargames rules. They look to be good and simple but effective game mechanics. The only downside is there are som many very tempting army lists at the back of the book. Which ones to go for is the question!
I am tempted by them as I have a load of Sengoku period Japanese in 15mm that I was going to put on 30mm square bases so I would have two armies that fitted it for period and basing.
Quote from: DaveH on 21 September 2020, 03:38:48 PM
I am tempted by them as I have a load of Sengoku period Japanese in 15mm that I was going to put on 30mm square bases so I would have two armies that fitted it for period and basing.
Well worth getting - we've played a few games with my Pendraken Sengoku Japanese
Quote from: Steve J on 21 September 2020, 12:15:13 PM
I would have thought Tribal african would cover large parts of the coastal regions. Certainly the terrain is not cavalry friendly away from the savannah regions. From memory the Islamic 'crusade' was stopped at Offa in Nigeria, but need to do more research on this. Also not sure when and how long the Kingdom of Benin lasted.
That seems pretty sensible.
Tribal Africa is fairly flexible, with room for plenty of scount, warrior heavy, a few shooters and some european allies.
The savannah south of the Sahara isn't my field at all, but I have the impression that there were a series of large "Horse Kingdoms", one following the other.
Irregular wars talks of the Berbers eventually overcoming the Songhai (Who themselves were a bit west of Nigeria).
Thankfully the lists and rules are fairly flexible.
Quote from: DaveH on 21 September 2020, 03:38:48 PM
I am tempted by them as I have a load of Sengoku period Japanese in 15mm that I was going to put on 30mm square bases so I would have two armies that fitted it for period and basing.
I've "measured up" and figured that my table is good for up to 40mm bases.
I then started thinking about "mass effect" bases.
30mm square would pack in up to double the recommended figure numbers.
With 40mm square the ranges and movement felt rather easier to manage, and triple the recommended figure count, with a little space to spare.
Bear in mind the need to maintain a casualty count.
Either a token behind the base, or a mini die on the base.
For figures with 10mm on 40mm square bases, I go with numbers based around the resolve value of the unit. This is to give a good visual look, rather than any specific figure to man ratio
So resolve 3 - around 8 figures (skirmishing and shooters)
Resolve 4 - 12 figures
Resolve 5 - 16 figures (tends to be pike blocks)
These are guide numbers, not hard and fast, dependant on poses and what I have to hand!
For cavalry its pretty much the resolve as number of figures.
Leaving a little space on the back of the base for a casualty dice is a good idea - I sometimes use the dice frames available from Pendraken, but less so on normal infantry units where they take up quite a lot of a 40mm base.
Hi
Just finished James Holland's 'Sicily 43'. Excellent read but slightly spoiled for me by some basic mistakes such as referring to '1st Airborne Brigade ' (no such unit existed) and (British) 2nd Parachute Brigade (which did exist) when he really means 1st Parachute Brigade (the later case several times in the book). I know I'm being 'picky' but I really like James Holland and I'm surprised by these errors as he certainly knows his stuff (I love the WWII podcast he does with Al Murray). Maybe he was in a rush to get the book out or a sign of shoddy editing?
Oh, and there is also a picture of a glider labeled a 'Horsa' when it is clearly an (American) Waco.
Still, recommended.
Cheers Paul
Foundation by Isaac Asimov.
Re-reading this after ~45 years - due to seeing a trailer for a TV show on one of the subscription channels (so I'm unlikely to ever see it).
Stands up quite well to me, for something written in the forties. There's an obvious fascination with atomic power (the new upcoming thing back then). The really odd thing - which is mentioned in the foreword - is that there's next to no actual action. It's nearly all meetings, with the characters talking about what has happened in the past, or what they plan to do in the future. Practically everything happens off-screen. There is only one female character in the whole thing, and she's a very, very minor character indeed. Completely male dominated.
It's also mercifully short at about 230 pages, compared to the multi-hundred page books more common nowadays.
Foundation and Empire up next.
Quote from: Raider4 on 22 September 2020, 06:33:45 PM
Foundation by Isaac Asimov.
Re-reading this after ~45 years - due to seeing a trailer for a TV show on one of the subscription channels (so I'm unlikely to ever see it).
Stands up quite well to me, for something written in the forties. There's an obvious fascination with atomic power (the new upcoming thing back then). The really odd thing - which is mentioned in the foreword - is that there's next to no actual action. It's nearly all meetings, with the characters talking about what has happened in the past, or what they plan to do in the future. Practically everything happens off-screen. There is only one female character in the whole thing, and she's a very, very minor character indeed. Completely male dominated.
It's also mercifully short at about 230 pages, compared to the multi-hundred page books more common nowadays.
Foundation and Empire up next.
Interesting to learn that a TV series is in the offing. It must be about 45 years since I read it and I wonder how will it will stand up to modern media handling; at least it will have a plot unlike so much these days.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 22 September 2020, 06:45:37 PM
Interesting to learn that a TV series is in the offing. It must be about 45 years since I read it and I wonder how will it will stand up to modern media handling; at least it will have a plot unlike so much these days.
I fear you may not have seen many TV remakes :)
The names remain the same but the plot has been changed to protect the
innocent hard of thinking.
Lincoln's Lieutenants, The High Command of the Army if the Potomac by Stephen W. Sears. Very good, but very long.
There's also another Dune movie coming - they've split the first book into two films this time.
But I can't face re-reading that at the moment.
At the start of 2020, I said it was the year of Napoleonics.
So, it should come as no surprise that I'm reading "Winged Victory" by V M Yeates ... all about airmen in WWI. It's a book that I first read many, many years ago, Perhaps I've lost patience, perhaps I read too many other books, perhaps I feel the cold breath of time's end on my neck, but I do find myself wishing he'd get on with it.
It's full of interesting snippets about flying in 1918. Formation take off being novel, the flying characteristics of a Camel, the acceptance of crashes as an occupational hazard.
Yeates was a Camel pilot. The book smacks of autobiography, and tells the story of front line pilots.
All this brought about because I found some tiny WWI aircraft that I had forgotten. 38 British aircraft assemble and painted in 5 days. Germans taking a bit longer. :(
Quote from: Raider4 on 22 September 2020, 06:33:45 PM
Foundation by Isaac Asimov.
Re-reading this after ~45 years - due to seeing a trailer for a TV show on one of the subscription channels (so I'm unlikely to ever see it).
Stands up quite well to me, for something written in the forties. There's an obvious fascination with atomic power (the new upcoming thing back then). The really odd thing - which is mentioned in the foreword - is that there's next to no actual action. It's nearly all meetings, with the characters talking about what has happened in the past, or what they plan to do in the future. Practically everything happens off-screen. There is only one female character in the whole thing, and she's a very, very minor character indeed. Completely male dominated.
It's also mercifully short at about 230 pages, compared to the multi-hundred page books more common nowadays.
Foundation and Empire up next.
Two objections.
One The whole science of psychohistory relies on numerical inertia; that sheer massive averages will produce overwhelmingly normative results when so many planets contribute their input from so many inhabitants. This works
as long as the galactic empire holds together. As it fragments, the mutual stabilising effect fails; decisions and discoveries by brilliant individuals and plain freak chance will start to influence increasingly isolated societies in unpredictable ways.
Two More seriously, Asimov couldn't write decent dialogue if a gronfongler disinto-ray were pointed at his goolies as a motivator.
Quote from: Raider4 on 22 September 2020, 08:05:09 PM
There's also another Dune movie coming - they've split the first book into two films this time.
But I can't face re-reading that at the moment.
The new movie looks promising. I "re-read" Dune on audiobook earlier this year and enjoyed it. Think the last time I read it was in my early teens.
The Battle of Killicrankie: The First Jacobite Campaign 1689-1691 by J.D. Oates. A good read so far with plenty of detail for the wargamer. Still in the early stages of the campaign so haven't got to the nitty gritty stuff yet.
Finished "Honour Be Damned" by Tom Connery. A Markham of the Marines Novel, as it says on the cover. This is the only one I have (given by a friend). It's in the tradition of Sharpe and Fox. Lieutenant Markham is a Marine officer and on an escapade in the south of France after Toulon. Loyal sergeant as in Sharpe.
An OK book but it didn't hold my attention as other Napoleonic novels of the type.
Quote from: mmcv on 23 September 2020, 08:55:04 AM
The new movie looks promising. I "re-read" Dune on audiobook earlier this year and enjoyed it. Think the last time I read it was in my early teens.
"It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the juice of Sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains, stains become a warning.
It is by will alone I set my mind in motion."
The first thing I think of in relation to Dune and it's not even in the books!
I'm currently reading, and thoroughly enjoying, 'Brazen Chariots' by Robert Crisp. It's a memoir of a tank commander in 3RTR during Operation Crusader (Nov.-Dec. 1941). Fascinating character. Great story. Honeys vs. Panzers in the desert. What's not to like.
Jerboa
1914 wargames rules from Great Escape Games.
Quote from: Jerboa on 26 September 2020, 04:51:36 PM
I'm currently reading, and thoroughly enjoying, 'Brazen Chariots' by Robert Crisp. It's a memoir of a tank commander in 3RTR during Operation Crusader (Nov.-Dec. 1941). Fascinating character. Great story. Honeys vs. Panzers in the desert. What's not to like.
Jerboa
Great read but a view limited to that of an individual tank commander during Operation Crusader.
Just got the 5 volume Phipps "The Armies of the First French Republic and the Rise of the Marshals of Napoleon" from the N&M Press reprint. That'll keep me quiet for a couple of weeks...
Not, it would appear, entirely quiet ;) ;D
Ben
Enjoy the books. They are an excellent introduction to the Revolutionary period
Landscape Turned Read: The Battle of Antietam by Stephen W Sears. Just getting going but I do like him as an author.
Finished "Napoleon And His Marshals" by A.G. MacDonald. A good look at the different Marshals with a lot of the interaction and strife between them. Good anecdotes of who they were and how they interacted. I have 6 other books on the Marshals as well as several on specific men. This has other information.
A few inaccuracies (printed in 1934) that later books corrected, but well written and easy to read.
Collision of empires, the war on the eastern front 1914,
Found it on my tablet and reread it. I really enjoyed it i thought the author did a good job of zooming between the large scale offensives down to the individual regimental actions. This combined with osprey the 'austro-hungarian army in 1914' has got me wanting to play some early great war, see if i can do better than Conrad!
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 30 May 2020, 11:02:08 PM
In some ways it is complimentary to Montgomery - best people read the book themselves and make their own minds up.
BLOOD, SWEAT & ARROGANCE - G Corrigan
A good point so I have read it. I am not quite sure how to take it as large sections of it are taken up covering pre-war and early war periods; as these often suffer from neglect there is some value there. Much of the material seems to be a narrative on progress of the war but I am not sure if it is done as an attempt to highlight failings or just carrying on the story of the war. I guess it may depend on how much of the material the reader is familiar with; having more than 50 years of reading the only new material for me was Churchill's input on budgeting during the 1920s and the ten-year rule but then my memory recalls that Churchill was in the Treasury so presumably had an implied aim of keeping down expenditure.
I did find his generosity towards the behaviour of the Waffen SS and the German Army to be irritating and one might pick up on a few other points, such as:
* Wittman was not killed by a rocket firing Typhoon, which is what he suggests.
* It is suggested (curtesy of a Waffen SS officer) that there is no evidence of German usage of the intact Monte Cassino monastery; however, a BBC documentary includes the testimony of a veteran who generously credits the German High Command with issuing such orders and having such intent but who swears that he observed firing from the intact monastery.
* His desire to use the 3.7" AAA as a converted anti-tank weapon misses the point that it was designed to defend against aircraft and did a good job of keeping the Luftwaffe away from RAF bases, while the 88s converted to anti-tank roles failed to do the same for the Germans., whose airbases got badly bombed by the RAF. The memoirs of a major who commissioned the development of the 6pdr anti tank gun in 1936 mentions that his successor in Whitehall cancelled the project as an economy measure, thereby delaying the introduction of the 6pdr by two years. Investigating that claim and the issues around procurement would have been more helpful, as Wing Commander 'Dizzy' Allen did with his analysis on the Battle of Britain.
My personal take is that as a history of WWII [British Front] it is unbalanced and the criticisms too dilute in the narrative to make it worthwhile for a 470+ page book but each to their own.
I've been reading The Men Who Would Be Kings Rules from Osprey.
Finished "Pearl Harbor: A Novel of December 8th" by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen. It follows history up to the end, other than Yamamoto leading the armada attacking Pearl, until the end. A third air strike inflicts more damage (tank farms included). the novels fictional characters interact with actual historical people - Fuchida (who lead the air strike) and Genda (major influence on the planning of the strike).
The writing style is very good and it is therefore a fast read. The book ends with Yamamoto realizing that the Japanese declaration of war was not delivered before the strike and now decides the Japanese need to destroy the missing carriers before returning. The next book is "Days of Infamy". Coming up next.
Quote from: MSawyer on 07 October 2020, 05:28:06 PM
I've been reading The Men Who Would Be Kings Rules from Osprey.
Probably not the best laid out rulebook (Osprey limitations I believe) but a FANTASTIC set of very customisable, fun rules!
Swing by the "The Men Who Would Be Kings Fan Group"https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmwwbkfangroup (https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmwwbkfangroup) on Facebook for house rules, discussion and resources for the entire "colonial wars" period.
Quote from: Scorpio_Rocks on 08 October 2020, 03:44:43 PM
Probably not the best laid out rulebook (Osprey limitations I believe) but a FANTASTIC set of very customisable, fun rules!
Swing by the "The Men Who Would Be Kings Fan Group"https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmwwbkfangroup (https://www.facebook.com/groups/tmwwbkfangroup) on Facebook for house rules, discussion and resources for the entire "colonial wars" period.
Nice, and Thanks!
And now finished "Days of Infamy" by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen, the follow up book to the one above. Continues the Japanese navy looking for the missing American carriers. A couple of fights and both sides lose carriers with others heavily damaged. An exciting read - went through it in a day.
Gettysburg by Stephen W. Sears. His other books I've read are excellent and this one is shaping up nicely :).
Finished "The First Casualty; From the Crimea to Vietnam: The War Correspondent as Hero, Propagandist, and Myth Maker" by Phillip Knightly.
The author has interesting stories about different correspondents and tells how difficult it was (is?) to produce a truthful story. Hard conditions, military censors, transmission time to the paper or journal, acceptance of the story by the editors all worked against timely reporting. But then Knightly disparages correspondents for NOT getting the story of "what really happened" to the public. Damned if you do, damned if you don't is what it seemed to me.
The later wars, WWII, Algeria, Korea and Vietnam get particularly blasted as the sense of morale outrage grows. The author, Australian, was a special correspondent for the Sunday Times, but did not cover combat.
Just finished "EARLY SHIPS AND SEAFARING: Water Transport Beyond Europe" which is packed with information on the types and methods of construction of ships, boats, rafts, etc. from beyond Europe. There's a previous companion volume that covers Europe. Clearly something most people would dip into for specific items of info rather than reading cover to cover!
About to start "WARFARE IN NEOLITHIC EUROPE: An Archaeological and Anthropological Analysis" .... I hope not to be about to start yet another project! :)
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 07 October 2020, 05:23:38 PM
BLOOD, SWEAT & ARROGANCE - G Corrigan
Thanks for the warning. I shall give it a miss. I never thought much of Corrigan as a TV historian. As for Monty and disparaging, in the blurb, his ability 'to command', I doubt my late father or any of his old 8th Army pals would have agreed with him. Command is more than just generalship and I'm not sure I want to take lessons in command from somebody who got all the way to major, which suggest he didn't go to, or failed, staff college.
I've just started "reading" the Bulldog Drummond books (99p on the Kindle for 15 books).
Set just after WWI the eponymous hero is a gentleman adventurer, and presages those men of steel with and iron will, a mercurial wit and a copper bottom - like The Saint, the Toff and Dick Barton.
Probably politically incorrect, the books leap along with a merry quip and a sneering villain.
Quote from: fsn on 14 October 2020, 01:15:23 PM
. . . Probably politically incorrect . . .
Only "Probably"??
From Wikipedia (I know, but it illustrates my point): " . . .while the academic Michael Denning observed that "Drummond is a bundle of chauvinisms, hating Jews, Germans, and most other foreigners""
It also goes onto say "The author and publisher Ion Trewin comments that for the readers of the 1920s and '30s, McNeile was seen at the time as "simply an upstanding Tory who spoke for many of his countrymen"", so make of that what you will.
Jacob Rees-Mogg probably has his man-servant read Bulldog Drummond to his offspring as a bedtime story . . .
Quote from: Raider4 on 15 October 2020, 09:04:47 PM
Only "Probably"??
I seem to remember reading one Drummond book that I found on my parents bookshelf as a teenager and found it rather boring so it would be interesting to know how they read about a century on from their original publication. Henty's work seemed to get a boost on his centenary despite, or because, of his 'political incorrectness'.
Currently reading a nice hardback copy of Osprey's Balaclava in the hope that the remodelling of the Crimea range is not too distant a dream.
I am currently reading "Hardtack and Coffee the unwritten story of army life" by John D Billings about ordinary aemy life in the Union army during the ACW.
Franco-prussian war volume 1 campaign of Sedan, not finished yet just finished the chapter on gravelotte. So far the boon is a good overall take on the war but for me its lacking jn detail on the battles, maybe i am better suited to individual battle books.
The Osprey book on SA80 Assault Rifles by Neil Grant - somewhat depressing reading
Finished "1945: What if Japan hadn't surrendered in World War II?" by Robert Conroy. As the title says, Japan did not, even after the bombs were dropped. The coup by General Anami succeeds and Hirohito is taken away and kept incognito. His recording is not sent.
OSS, invasion of Japan, many kamikazes, Japanese submarine I-58 and hard combat. Interesting for an escape.
'Warlord'. Bernard Corwell's last Uhtred novel. Two chapters in, and loving it!
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 18 October 2020, 07:39:59 AM
The Osprey book on SA80 Assault Rifles by Neil Grant - somewhat depressing reading
they were a somewhat depressing rifle to fire ! definitely a comedown after an SLR.
Regards
Sean
Quote from: sean66 on 20 October 2020, 09:10:33 AM
they were a somewhat depressing rifle to fire ! definitely a comedown after an SLR.
Regards
Sean
I can only imagine, because much like the designers of the SA80 I have never fired a firearm
Quote from: sean66 on 20 October 2020, 09:10:33 AM
they were a somewhat depressing rifle to fire ! definitely a comedown after an SLR.
Going from a 7.62 to 5.56 round? Not surprised. (See also US forces going from the M14 to M16.)
Quote from: Raider4 on 20 October 2020, 11:40:44 AM
Going from a 7.62 to 5.56 round? Not surprised. (See also US forces going from the M14 to M16.)
that was due to NATO Standardization practices. everyone was adopting the 5.56mm round.
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 20 October 2020, 10:36:55 AM
I can only imagine, because much like the designers of the SA80 I have never fired a firearm
the original SA80 design was the late 50's early 60's (if i remember correctly). most of the designers hadnt been involved in the previous Wars.
regards
Sean
An "uncle", actually a second cousin once removed or something similar, once commented that the SA80 was "not so much a weapon as the governments contempt for it's soldiery made manifest." I don't think he was a fan!
Mark Zuelkhe Forgotten Victory: First Canadian Army and the Cruel Winter of 1944-45 - interesting read about Operation Veritable. Not sure it would be a great campaign to wargame given how much it turned into similar conditions to WW1 with extremely wet weather and terrain and frontal attacks forced by the conditions.
Quote from: DaveH on 20 October 2020, 04:38:03 PM
Mark Zuelkhe Forgotten Victory: First Canadian Army and the Cruel Winter of 1944-45 - interesting read about Operation Veritable. Not sure it would be a great campaign to wargame given how much it turned into similar conditions to WW1 with extremely wet weather and terrain and frontal attacks forced by the conditions.
Yes, the attacks up the causeways were a grinding match. The amphibious landings seem to have been pretty much a walkover. Neither much fun to game.
A fascinating campaign none the less and one for which the Canadians did not get the recognition they deserved.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 20 October 2020, 04:52:43 PM
Yes, the attacks up the causeways were a grinding match. The amphibious landings seem to have been pretty much a walkover. Neither much fun to game.
A fascinating campaign none the less and one for which the Canadians did not get the recognition they deserved.
a lot of the slogwork at the end of WW2 didn't get the recognition it deserved. the newsmen at the time (and subsequent historians) are more enamored to the Armoured Thrusts and cult personalities. the Battles around and through the Hurtgen forest were also treat just as shabbily
(especially when they didn't even need to be fought)
regards
Sean
Quotethat was due to NATO Standardization practices. everyone was adopting the 5.56mm round.
IIRC, if you were hit by a 7.62mm round in the arm or leg, you were likely to bleed to death before help could arrive etc. With the 5.56mm round, it would disable you but not kill you, thus requiring two soldiers to extrract you, the medical logistics getting 'over loaded' etc. Also I believe that it was a much more accurate wapon than the SLR...
Quote from: Steve J on 21 October 2020, 02:23:31 PM
IIRC, if you were hit by a 7.62mm round in the arm or leg, you were likely to bleed to death before help could arrive etc. With the 5.56mm round, it would disable you but not kill you, thus requiring two soldiers to extrract you, the medical logistics getting 'over loaded' etc. Also I believe that it was a much more accurate wapon than the SLR...
Warsaw Pact NBC tactics held to the same theory...
Quote from: sean66 on 21 October 2020, 09:28:50 AM
a lot of the slogwork at the end of WW2 didn't get the recognition it deserved. the newsmen at the time (and subsequent historians) are more enamored to the Armoured Thrusts and cult personalities. the Battles around and through the Hurtgen forest were also treat just as shabbily
(especially when they didn't even need to be fought)
regards
Sean
There are a few highlights.
I read (long ago, so some details may be incorrect) that the Prinz Eugen surrendered to a British Carrier platoon, part of a force Liberating Denmark.
One of a few naval captures by land forces since the French Cavalry caught the icebound Dutch fleet at Den Helder.
Plenty of other grim stuff, liberation of camps (POW or "concentration"), liberating starving towns after the hongerwinter...
Quote from: Steve J on 21 October 2020, 02:23:31 PM
IIRC, if you were hit by a 7.62mm round in the arm or leg, you were likely to bleed to death before help could arrive etc. With the 5.56mm round, it would disable you but not kill you, thus requiring two soldiers to extrract you, the medical logistics getting 'over loaded' etc. Also I believe that it was a much more accurate wapon than the SLR...
I was at school at the time, and we had an MOD fellow visit and talk about new weapons.
He popped up a few graphs about kinetic energy (1/2 M V^2) to advocate a smaller faster bullet.
We also got some slowmo of a 5.56 cutting through ballistic gel, with particularly nasty cavitation at each end of its range.
The comparable 7.62 stuff tended to go through cleaner and exit before expending most of its energy.
After that some discussion of the "casualty epidemic" - the usual 2 comrades required to evacuate one wounded man (You never see that in Enemy at the Gates type films).
Some really unpleasant stuff about ballistic shock, necrosis and the battlefield surgery necessary to survive it.
At that point one of the "Hard lads" who did Cadets and was a notorious school bully lurched out of the seat and emptied his stomach just outside the classroom door.
The finale saw the MOD guy explain that the Brits actually wanted a smaller faster round, but Nato insisted on the 556.
Then a bit of 16mm to reassure the small calibre doubters that the Army retained enough big calibre "blow sh*t up" capability to keep te pesky forriners on their sides of the borders.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 18 September 2020, 08:36:42 AM
Finished with all the computer textbooks, now reading:
The Infantry Attacks - Erwin Rommel.
So far, an excellent read, well presented, and very accessible.
Quite a contrast to other stuff I've read by German authors that tends to be quite heavy going.
I don't know whether that's a problem for the authors or translators.
Finished.
I did rather bog down with descriptions of the larger actions in the Italian campaign.
The earlier pieces, 1914 in France and mountin trooping in Romania were highly accessible.
Well worth a read, through I'd advise using something like Google maps to follow the terrain.
The Beast, The Emperor and the Milkman by Harry "Achtung Schweinhund" Pearson
This combines a trip to witness Flanders spring cycle races with a history of the region and its cyclists.
Humorous tales of getting soaked while travelling to watch cycle races, manfully digesting enormous Flemish snacks (and beer), and once being mistaken for an old Dutch cycling star.
The book follows the formula of Achtung Schweinhund.
The author writes and digresses on an obscure subject finding interest and humour in its more absurd and heroic aspects.
In this case, there's a limited number of ways to describe a bus/train ride to a race, grabbing a snack, finding a bar with a television and popping outside to witness the riders pass in a blur.
The author changes pace with accounts of famous sons of the towns he visits, seeking out their statues, the quirks of a nation/region wedded to a traditional sport.
Not up to Achtung Schweinhund's standards, but worth a punt if you're interested in cycle racing or Flanders.
The Vengeance of Vampirella and John (Penguin Monarchs): An Evil King?
Tanks - 100 years of evolution by Richard Ogorkiewicz
A very interesting read by someone who really knows his subject, reading about the post WWI 'Anticlimax' at the moment
Finished "The Waterloo archive; Volume 1: British Sources" edited by Gareth Glover. It is as is says, original letters, journals, diaries from the British troops, officers and men, regarding Waterloo. Some discrepancies from the written history makes for interesting reading. Also, being too close to the action results in wild guesses.
I have 7 volumes but I think they may now go up to 12?
Too Little, Too Late by Mike Embree, about the campaign in SW Germany during the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. I read it before without knowing much about the conflict, so this time around it's making a lot more sense.
The Future of War by Lawrence Freedman
very interesting and insightful. I am only just starting the book but it has already gripped my imagination.
In the early chapters the author is looking at how past generations have attempted to predict what war in their near future might potentially look like, and often how very wrong they had gotten it.
However, there is one interesting instance were a 1908 academic 'think-tank' correctly guessed that the cause of the next Great War, would be triggered by an assassination attempt in the Balkans. They got the monarch wrong - a Bulgarian Crown Prince and he survived the attack - but they were pretty much spot on with the domino effect it set off. But they saw a war of fast maneuver and swift decisive grand battle action. along the lines of the Franco-Prussian War - not the lengthy trench warfare of the Western Front.
Freedman also makes the point that most predictions of warfare in the (near or far) future are marred by the era they currently live in - just like the Hammer's Slammers sci-fi novels have Cold War style tank battles in the far distance future - paralleling the era (1979) when the author (David Drake) wrote them.
I am looking forward to reading more.
NB I am only on page 20 of 284 ... so a lot more to come
Mark
Quote from: Big Insect on 28 October 2020, 09:31:01 PM
The Future of War by Lawrence Freedman
"I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." – Attributed to Albert Einstein.
Finished "Guide To The Battle Of Chickamauga" edited by Matt Spruil. As it says a guided tour of the battlefield, based on the staff rides done by the US Army. This is for anyone. Actual reports from the Union and Confederate units involved. Since I am currently into Regimental Fire and Fury, this totally complements those rules.
There is an appendix Medical Practices and the Handling of Wounded in the Civil War: Theory and Application, as well as an OOB.
I read this before when it first was published, 1993, but this was a good reread.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1177_B.C.:_The_Year_Civilization_Collapsed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1177_B.C.:_The_Year_Civilization_Collapsed)
Eric Cline's interpretation of the Bronze Age collapse.
One chapter in. Interesting stuff.
I'm familiar with the sources (Mainly Egyptian, Syrian and Cretan inscriptions and clay tablets.
The style is rather dry and academic, so don't expect the type of heroic narrative that's typical of most Bronze age media.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 31 October 2020, 10:43:51 AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1177_B.C.:_The_Year_Civilization_Collapsed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1177_B.C.:_The_Year_Civilization_Collapsed)
Eric Cline's interpretation of the Bronze Age collapse.
One chapter in. Interesting stuff.
I'm familiar with the sources (Mainly Egyptian, Syrian and Cretan inscriptions and clay tablets.
The style is rather dry and academic, so don't expect the type of heroic narrative that's typical of most Bronze age media.
I really enjoyed that. He has a few good interviews and lectures on YouTube too.
His "1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed" Youtube video was what got me interested in the Sea Peoples.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 31 October 2020, 02:37:56 PM
His "1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed" Youtube video was what got me interested in the Sea Peoples.
It is a great video that I enjoyed very much. I found
536 The Worst Year in History an even more gripping video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBdedLx-GI
If you've the stamina and interest for two and a half hours of info and speculation on the Sea Peoples, this is worth a watch
Quote from: Ithoriel on 31 October 2020, 06:50:07 PM
If you've the stamina and interest for two and a half hours of info and speculation on the Sea Peoples, this is worth a watch
And Sunday disappeared; in a puff of smoke...
Hi
Just finished 'Cannae, Hannibal's Greatest Victory' by Adrian Goldsworthy. Excellent concise telling of what he thinks happened. Also a good reminder of what we actually don't know about happened and even how little we know about the organization and tactics of the Roman army at the time. It got me thinking about things I thought I knew or assumed I knew for certain over nearly 60 years of wargaming and how wargaming may have influenced those things.
Cheers Paul
Finished :The Waterloo Archive; Volume II: German Sources". edited by Gareth Glover.
Liked this one more than the first British book. More tactical detail.
Terrific book by Mark Adkin called The Charge, about the Battle of Balaclava and the characters involved. Very detailed look at the battle, with extensive use of sketches, to give the commanders' perspective of what could actually be seen, maps and b/w photographs, both contemporary and what can be seen today. My only quibble is that the writing and numbers on some of the maps and sketches could most kindly be described as tiny.
Just started Fangs of the lone wolf by Dodge Billingsley.
its about the Chechen tactics in the Russian-Chechen war 1994-2009.
only a few pages in so far.
Regards
Sean
Bismarck's First War by Michael Embree. All about the 2nd Schleswig-Holstein War. Only just started but looks to be very detailed, but the build up stuff is interesting for plenty of 'what if's?'
Just finished a sci-fi paper-back - "A Memory called Empire".
This was billed as a "space opera" along the lines of Ian M Banks* but was more of a local village panto IMHO.
The core premise was of a large space-going empire but with a humanoid Aztec (one for Ian there) or Mezo-American cultural theme- you know the sort of thing - a heroine called Twelve Azaleas etc. and a whole tech structure based on glyphs and on poetic metaphor. Interesting idea but it was overwhelming and probably took up c.60% of the actual written story and distracted from what was an interesting but almost wholly predictable plot line and end game.
Me thinks that the author was so taken up with her clever idea (all the Meso-Americanness of it all) that the actual story-line got secondary treatment.
Not one I will re-read - so it went straight into the Heart Foundation Charity recycling box.
* I should just avoid anything that gets a comparison from the critics as being like Bank's 'Culture' novels ... they usually fail to get even close.
Bank's was a master and very little comes close. Neil Asher is ok but is (IMHO) becoming a bit formulaic and Alistair Reynolds has totally lost the plot.
His Chasm City and Revelation Space books were astonishing - but the new Cyber-Punk space pirate series leaves me stone cold I am afraid.
China Melville is also another good writer - books like 'The Kraken' and The City & The City are mind-blowing.
Maybe I just read so much sci-fi - as a relaxant - that I am becoming overly fussy ;)
Back to my The Future of War book, which is still proving to be very challenging in a good sense.
cheers
Mark
I'm re-reading Charles Grants book on Fontenoy the dust jacket picture is the famous painting of the French Guardes Francaise drawn up in line after inviting the British Guarde to fire first.
Inside there is a good outline of the political situation in the first half of the 18th Century and the reason for the War of the Austrian Succession.
The troop movements up to the day of the battle and the battle itself.
Well worth reading for anyone interested in the Lace Wars and the European theatre.
Unfortunately there are no purpose made figures for this period with the large turn backs and lace on the wrist showing below the cuffs.
However the use of a little extra paint on the turn backs will be ok in 10mm figures. Take a look at the French Indian Wars pictures of both British and French infantry an warlord games web site..
Quote from: Big Insect on 09 November 2020, 08:35:48 PM
* I should just avoid anything that gets a comparison from the critics as being like Bank's 'Culture' novels ... they usually fail to get even close.
Bank's was a master and very little comes close. Neil Asher is ok but is (IMHO) becoming a bit formulaic and Alistair Reynolds has totally lost the plot.
His Chasm City and Revelation Space books were astonishing - but the new Cyber-Punk space pirate series leaves me stone cold I am afraid.
China Melville is also another good writer - books like 'The Kraken' and The City & The City are mind-blowing.
Do you think these can be considered successors to Banks? Banks and Pratchett were the only fiction authors I have read for years, although I ought to add Cornwall at some point too. As both are dead I read no fiction at all.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 13 November 2020, 12:32:30 AM
Do you think these can be considered successors to Banks? Banks and Pratchett were the only fiction authors I have read for years, although I ought to add Cornwall at some point too. As both are dead I read no fiction at all.
Yes - in many ways the early Alistair Reynolds books are a potential Banks substitute:
It is worth trying to read them in the order of publications - starting off with 'Revolution Space' and 'Chasm City' especially.
But as I say the Cyber-punk Space Pirate later books are really not my cup of tea.
Asher is much more militaristic - he has the same focus on AI that the Culture novels have, and some great science, weaponry and tech but is much more about a massive series of interstellar wars. Asher is also very good at creating 'new' Aliens and his plots, although not that straight forward, are worth the time getting to grips with. 'Prador Moon' is a good starting read.
China Melville is a mix of fantasy and sci-fi - I started off with 'Perdido Street Station' and 'The Iron Council' - but 'The Kraken' is my all out favourite. 'The City & The City' got made into a BBC TV series (it was 'ok') but the book is a lot more subtle and complex.
How you replace Pratchett is a very difficult challenge.
TBF I think he was unique - the combination of comic observation, folk, legend and myth is something I have not yet found a substitute for. Lords & Ladies is my all time Pratchett favourite.
The Richard Morgan - 'Altered Carbon, Broken Angles and Woken Furies' books are also a very entertaining read - well thought out and an interesting concept.
The Netflix series are 'ok' but are only very loosely based upon the books and don't do the books justice at all.
I also tried the Alex Garland 'Annihilation' trilogy of books - this is a case where the film (another Netflix offering) is IMHO far better than the book.
The initial book is a great idea - the 2nd & 3rd are stretching the concept too far IMHO.
The David Brin 'Uplift' series is another interesting sci-fi read - 'Uplift Wars' is particularly good - but again it is worth reading these in-sequence - his idea of taking a current scientific/moral dilemma (genetic manipulation or 'uplift') and working it to its extreme is good - he is a 'proper' scientist rather than a pure creative author and that is a positive.
the 'Nova Swing' novel by M. John Harrison and the 2 other accompanying books are also a good read - more along the lines of Reynolds, but there is a 'nod' to Banks and even 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' by Ray Bradbury (a sci-fi classic) in there. I enjoyed these.
However, with Banks, Reynolds and Melville I can reach for them again and re-read them - even if there is a gap of a year or 6 months and I almost always find something new in them. With many of the others I've read recently I find they are inadequate imitations.
I hope that helps .... I'd be interested to get your feedback on any of the recommendations you follow up on and read.
Cheers
Mark
I always loved Banks stuff. And agree that Pratchett is completely unique - I'd say I reread at least a few every year. I've got most of them on audiobook now and often stick them on. Currently working through a few of the Rincewind ones which while not always my favourite are still entertaining. There is the Long Earth series which is co-written by TP, though I suspect his involvement was more at the inception stage as it was based on a short story of his, rather than a complete co-authorship such as Good Omens.
I tried a few of the early Alistair Reynolds maybe a decade or more ago and just didn't find they gripped my interest as much as I'd hoped. They weren't bad by any stretch, just not quite what I was looking.
China Melville is interesting, I read Perdido Street Station as a teenager and really enjoyed its unusual story. I've always intended to read more, but just haven't seemed to have got around to it.
I would recommend Peter F. Hamilton if you haven't tried him before, he's in that similar grand space opera scope that Banks is. The Commonwealth Saga is particularly good, though I enjoyed his earlier Nights Dawn Trilogy too. The Void Trilogy (after the Commonwealth) is good too, it's set in the Commonwealth universe but has more of a fantasy blend (in the Jack Vance high technology magic sense).
I've not read much science fiction this year for some reason, but in the past couple of years, I remember enjoying Chris Beckett's Eden Trilogy, Dan Simmon's Hyperion Cantos, Orson Scott Card's Ender Series, and Greg Egans Diaspora. I used to read a lot of monthly SF on kindle, Asimov's, Clarkesworld and the like for short story SF, always lots of potentially interesting concepts in those that don't necessarily translate to full novels.
Try Neal Asher
OMG, people talking about normal books. :o :o
Quote from: Last Hussar on 14 November 2020, 12:47:54 AM
OMG, people talking about normal books. :o :o
Sorry Last Hussar :-[
I must have book on lace frogging on mid C17th Austrian reserve Hussars breeches somewhere on my shelves that needs reading ;)
Quote from: Big Insect on 14 November 2020, 08:29:36 PM
Sorry Last Hussar :-[
I must have book on lace frogging on mid C17th Austrian reserve Hussars breeches somewhere on my shelves that needs reading ;)
I doubt it, any fule kno that they weren't introduced until after the siege of Vienna in 1683!
=O =O =O =D> =D> :-bd
Finished "The Waterloo Archive: Volume III: British Sources", edited by Gareth Glover.
More letters from participants. In some cases different information is presented that is different than the written historical record. Some are hearsay, but others were participants so seem correct.
beware the eyewitness, the most unreliable form of evidence
Quote from: ianrs54 on 16 November 2020, 07:25:34 AM
beware the eyewitness, the most unreliable form of evidence
Particularly if written or recounted some time after the events described.
Benedek and the Exploits and Fate of the k. k. North Army 1866 by Moritz Freiherr von Ditfurth k. u. k. Oberleutnant a. D
(https://d2svrcwl6l7hz1.cloudfront.net/content/B07CTDM6L5/resources/0?mime=image/*)
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 16 November 2020, 12:54:23 PM
(https://d2svrcwl6l7hz1.cloudfront.net/content/B07CTDM6L5/resources/0?mime=image/*)
I'm feeling Athena Voltaire and the Sorcerer Pope is the most pulp book title ever!
Finished H.G. Wells War of the Worlds - a reread from many years ago.
Listening to H2G2 for the umpteenth time. :)
Cheers - Phil :)
Just finished watching Harlock: Space Pirate on Amazon Prime, a glorious, ludicrous, space opera romp, somewhere between Battle Beyond the Stars and Dread Pirate Roberts in theme and tone.
The Battle Cry of Freedom by McPherson on the ACW. Just started but very readable and full of interesting info, setting the scene for the conflict.
I'm plowing through a collection of H.R Rider-Haggard - the attitudes have changed loads fortuneatly
Quote from: ianrs54 on 17 November 2020, 04:20:58 PM
I'm plowing through a collection of H.R Rider-Haggard - the attitudes have changed loads fortuneatly
Years a go I did some tutoring at a young offenders institute and the daft charity I worked for had bought a load of H .R. Rider-Haggard books for the inmates.
Finished "Send For Freddie: The Story of Montgomery's Chief of Staff Major-General Sir Francis de Guingand, KBE, CB, DSO" by General Sir Charles Richardson.
Interesting person and well written. Montgomery comes in for his share of being a difficult person, but he did really like Freddie.
Enjoyed it.
Did anyone else watch the Channel 5 three part series about the 1665 plague ?
Thought that was really interesting.....Especially the bit about Eyam....A village in the Peak district. They basically locked themselves off from the outside world, once the plague reached them.....So they wouldn't spread the contagion any further.....Particularly selfless action.
Cheers - Phil
I've been to the Peak District. Do you think it's about time we told Eyam it's all clear?
Oh ... hang on ...
Let's leave it a while.
Quote from: Techno II on 22 November 2020, 08:55:45 AM
Thought that was really interesting.....Especially the bit about Eyam....A village in the Peak district. They basically locked themselves off from the outside world, once the plague reached them.....So they wouldn't spread the contagion any further.....Particularly selfless action.
Did the BBC not do a drama on this back in the 1970s or 1980s?
Certainly has been on TV cant remember when though
More than likely. :)
It was just interesting to see how the bubonic plague (Though we'd HOPEFULLY be better able to cope with that now,) had so many parallels to the current situation.
'Social distancing'......Don't spread your lice onto me....You Oik !...Though, then, they didn't realise human lice and fleas were the main transmitters....Not rats and their fleas.
Cheers - Phil.
Just finished "WARFARE IN NEOLITHIC EUROPE: An Archaeological and Anthropological Analysis." A well laid out exploration of the possible evidence for Neolithic warfare. The key word being "possible." Much of it can be equally well explained as murder, accident, domestic violence and the Neolithic equivalent of a particularly lethal scuffle in whatever passed for a pub car park in those days. Even Tollense has been downgraded from a battle to a Neolithic heist lately.
Next up, a change of pace, the Cortex Prime RPG hardback rulebook. Acquired through a Kickstarter I backed several years ago and now finally delivered!
Finished "The Approaching Fury: Voices of the Storm, 1820-1861; The Coming Of The Civil War Told From The Viewpoints Of Thirteen
Principal Players In The Drama" by Stephen B. Oates.
Very engaging as the author writes in the first person for the different players: Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay, Nat Turner, William Lloyd Garrison, John C. Calhoun, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Beecher Stowe, George Fitzhugh, Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, John Brown, Jefferson Davis and Mary Boykin Chestnut. He takes their writings and various reports about them and really breathes life into the subject.
I have ordered the second book, "The Whirlwind of Civil War: Voices of the Storm, 1861-1865".
Started on a series of Civil War novels, "Faded Coat of Blue" by Owen Parry. The author does a great job of setting the times and locations.
The "hero" of the series is a Welshman who emigrated to the US after serving with the east India Company where he was a sergeant. He did not intend to get in the war but took pity on local recruits and tried to instill some military bearing in them. Well, he was elected captain of the company and ends up at First Bull Run where he is wounded and almost loses a leg.
So he now has a limp but is now working on procuring supplies for the troops. He is very industrious (and religious) and McClellan picks him to look into the death of a young abolitionist officer. So the series becomes one of solving various murders and insurrections. But Lincoln promotes him to Major.
So off we go into 6 or 7 books; light reading and quick, but well done.
I'm reviewing some ancients rulesets that have lain neglected for a while.
A sort of last effort to find something to inspire me.
* Sword and Spear - read.
* Basic Impetus II - In progress.
* To the Strongest - next up.
And finished number two of the ACW series, "Shadows of Glory" by Owen Parry.
In this adventure Major Abel Jones goes to upstate New York, working for Mr Seward of Lincoln's cabinet. He is to investigate the rumors of an Irish rebellion.
Turns out not true but there are deeper forces at large , which of course are foiled by our budding detective. A fast read and entertaining.
Finished a strange little book (to mt mind). " The Japanese Art of War: Understanding the Culture of strategy" by Thomas Cleary.
Not sure what I expected but this was more Zen, Buddha, Taoist, Shinto and some Bushido. More like a religious tract. One part was on The Thirty Six Strategies, but not very enlightening.
Cleanse your mind until you know nothing (meaning I guess that you practice so much all becomes second nature and you can operate without hesitation).
As we used to say, strange, weird and different ( at least for me).
Finished number three in the Owen Parry ACW series, "Call Each RiverJordan". In this he reports to Grant just as Shiloh starts, where he gets into the first day fight. After it is to solve the mystery of 40 murdered Blacks. He carries a flag of truce to the Confederate lines but gets taken by an ambush prior. He meets Beauregard and then into the mystery.
Read in a day; quick and interesting.
Finished Basic Impetus, and have gone off the idea of a Sword and Spear and Impetus mashup.
Raced through "Where are the customers' yachts? or a good hard look at Wall Street." by Fred Schwed.
Rather amusing.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 15 December 2020, 07:58:41 PM
Finished Basic Impetus, and have gone off the idea of a Sword and Spear and Impetus mashup.
Raced through "Where are the customers' yachts? or a good hard look at Wall Street." by Fred Schwed.
Rather amusing.
The difficulty is that it is 'our money' and 'our economy'.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ybrwYCxbOBQ
Finished a long one, "Wellington: The Path Yo Victory 1769 - 1814" by Rory Muir. This is volume one of an absolutely outstanding life of Wellington. The research is awesome. The bibliography alone is from pages675 to 711 of very small print. This includes 7 pages of narrative where he describes his sources.
From Wellington's birth to 1814 as noted in the title. Now on to volume two.
Currently revising the Peter Pig Square Bashing rules, plus the Walter Schnaffs supplement, for a bit of FPW 10mm action.
Andy
Finished number 4 of the Owen Parry ACW series, "Honor's Kingdom". Out hero, Major Abel Jones, has been sent to England to discover the whereabouts of a warship the British are supposedly building for the Confederates.
Lots of murder and mystery and old acquaintances from his days in India (not friendly)..
A lot of fun.
Owen Parry is the pen name of Ralph Peters who wrote "Red Army" as well as numerous others.
Quote from: kipt on 18 December 2020, 04:58:51 PM
Finished number 4 of the Owen Parry ACW series, "Honor's Kingdom". Out hero, Major Abel Jones, has been sent to England to discover the whereabouts of a warship the British are supposedly building for the Confederates.
Lots of murder and mystery and old acquaintances from his days in India (not friendly)..
A lot of fun.
Owen Parry is the pen name of Ralph Peters who wrote "Red Army" as well as numerous others.
Thats interesting to know Kipt, I've read a couple of Ralph Peters' books including Red Army....he's a good writer. Red Army is a novel about a theorectical mid 1980's Warsaw Pact invasion of Western Europe from a Soviet point of view.
I found, at least in Red Army, that he refreshingly focuses more on the characters than the hi-tech equipment that most authors of that genre tend to do.
thanks for the heads up.
The Dambusters Raid by John Sweetman
Fascinating, he has gone deeply into the available records (British & German) and has busted some of the common myths
One example, the RAF were considering the Möhne dam as a high priority target in 1937 :o
The problem was that they didn't have the capability to destroy it
Quote from: kipt on 18 December 2020, 04:58:51 PM
Owen Parry is the pen name of Ralph Peters who wrote "Red Army" as well as numerous others.
"Red Army" was one of the few cold war gone hot novels I found enjoyable
And another by Owen Parry, "Bold Sons Of Erin". This takes place in the coal fields of Pennsylvania. A Union General has been murdered when on recruiting duty among the Irish miners. Government is afraid of another rebellion and Major Abel Jones is sent to discover why and what. His home is only about 10 miles from the scene, so there is some other adventures about that.
Again fast, entertains read.
And finished the last Owen Parry book, "Rebels Of Babylon". Takes place in Union occupied New Orleans, again to solve a murder.
Voodoo, crypts, poison and disappearing slaves. Too bad this is the last of this series, although there were to be more. His one published 2005.
Finished "Himmler's War" by Robert Conroy.
An errant B-17 jettison's its bomb load in order to gain speed. However, Hitler happens to be in the buildings at Rastenberg and is killed. Himmler takes over.
Stalin needs a break in the fighting and so does the Wehrmacht, so they call a truce. Stalin trades 1000 T-34's for Vlasov and the German armies go west.
An atomic bomb goes off, but not by the US. Skorzeny is involved so lots of action.
Fun and quick.
'Gregor Strasser and the Rise of Nazism'
Am overview of Strasser's political career and some useful info on the overwhelmingly middle class social base of the Nazi Party
Quite dry and I was more interested in his brother Otto
Oh I have also been reading a graphic novel the 'Vengeance of Vampirella'
Finished "Gerrmanica" by Robert Conroy. Hitler stays in Berlin as the Russians close in, vowing to die there. Goebbels however goes to the Redoubt in the Alps, adjacent to Switzerland. American infantry division, the 105th (fiction) and the OSS with Allan Dulles are determined to close this last bastion of Nazism. Goebbels is determined to make a new country, Germanica, with him as the head and hold off the Americans for the country to be recognized. Delusional.
Good characters and descriptions of terrain and people, as well as situations.
My daughter bought me a copy of A Concise History Of The Netherlands. Looks like it is going to be a good read and of course very useful now I live here.
Andy
Finished "Red Inferno" by Robert Conroy. Truman is President, the reds are fighting in Berlin but not helping the countries they have "liberated". Truman decides to send a 2 division column to Potsdam which greatly upsets Stalin. Staling decides to push the Americans out, all the way to the Atlantic.
Lots of action per the Robert Conroy type. Surrounded garrison, second line troops, and finally nucs.
Fun read.
Strategos II (Wargame rules)
Rather Avalon Hill in their presentation, plenty of paragraph references, occasional Barkerese (nothing too bad).
Soldiering on leaving hard-points of incomprehension behind (will mop up later).
I have high hopes that these will present a light version of ancients without needing bazillions of little men, or a massive table.
Nomonhan 1939 by S D Goldman. Just a few chapters in, but a great book so far setting the scene on the lead up to the battle as well as general relations between the Soviet Union and Japan. Highly recommended.
Quote from: Steve J on 06 January 2021, 09:18:02 PM
Nomonhan 1939 by S D Goldman. Just a few chapters in, but a great book so far setting the scene on the lead up to the battle as well as general relations between the Soviet Union and Japan. Highly recommended.
Looks very interesting but I note that the single one star review on Amazon excoriates the author on the grounds that he uses old secondary sources rather than modern primary research and therefore repeats past errors in fact and emphasis. It is a topic most of us know little about but can you make any estimate of the validity of the criticism?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/159114339X/ref=cm_cr_unknown?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=1#reviews-filter-bar
Finished "God and General Longstreet: The Lost Cause and Southern Minds" by Thomas Connelly and Barbara Bellows. I should have paid more attention to the first part of the title.
I was hoping for military science just because Longstreet was in the title, but it was social science discussing the "Lost Cause" from the end of the war to the 1980's (book was printed 1982).
But, right after the war, southerners were looking for a reason they lost, blaming it on certain events; Jackson's death, Early not attacking on day 1, Longstreet reluctantly attacking on day 3. But then it went to Lee in defeat but peacefully trying to bring the sides back together.
As it says "The essence of the modern Lost Cause is not the South of 1861, but the Confederacy of 1865. It is an awareness of defeat, alienation from the national experience, and a sense of separation from American ideals." It goes into a discussion of country music even.
bit of a grind to get through it for me, but I always finish a book I start.
Quote from: Steve J on 06 January 2021, 09:18:02 PM
Nomonhan 1939 by S D Goldman. Just a few chapters in, but a great book so far setting the scene on the lead up to the battle as well as general relations between the Soviet Union and Japan. Highly recommended.
I would second that - I was quite interested that the post Stalin purge Red Army seemed relatively competent particularly compared to its efforts in Finnish debacle
Quote
Looks very interesting but I note that the single one star review on Amazon excoriates the author on the grounds that he uses old secondary sources rather than modern primary research and therefore repeats past errors in fact and emphasis. It is a topic most of us know little about but can you make any estimate of the validity of the criticism?
The author interviewed many Japanese participants as part of his research after he retired, as well as consulting Russian sources before Putin put pay to that, so I would venture his has done some primary modern research. However this is a new period to me so I can't vouch for how 'accurate' his facts are, but it is certainly a good read.
Strategos II
Ancients rules by Philip Sabin (Prof).
Very difficult reading at a first pass.
Partly due to an Avalon Hill style numbered paragraph layout.
Mainly (I think) due to the rules not introducing things in the order they occur in the game.
Authored 2006, so showing their age a little.
I like the main concepts, so am prepared to grind through and achieve understanding, or reject the lot.
The Yahoo groups referenced in the introduction are also defunct, which certainly doesn't help.
Quote from: Steve J on 07 January 2021, 07:38:06 AM
The author interviewed many Japanese participants as part of his research after he retired, as well as consulting Russian sources before Putin put pay to that, so I would venture his has done some primary modern research. However this is a new period to me so I can't vouch for how 'accurate' his facts are, but it is certainly a good read.
Many thanks. It does suggest a good read. You never know these days if reviews are genuine or professional hatchet jobs.
I think the criticism comes from the interpretation and assumptions about Soviet Strategic Foreign Policy rather than any 'facts' about the battle and its operational background.
The basis of the book is a doctoral thesis completed in 1970.
The bit that some current scholars find problematic is Goldman's reliance on Cold War interpretations of Soviet policy aims and actions in the pre war period. His view of Soviet foreign policy is largely based on, or at least aligned with Ulam's 1968 view in his 'Expansion and Coexistence', which was an excellent work when there was no access to Soviet sources, but is a Cold War document to its core. Goldman tends towards a monolithic view of Soviet relations and this colours his view on the strategic position of Nomonhan/Khalkin-Gol and its place in a Machiavellian strategy against the 'West'.
He perhaps relies too much on a 'deconstruction' of Comintern documents available in the west pre the fall of the Soviet Union to divine the plans and policies of the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs when many of those plans have since been released and published in collections before Putin shut down access.
So - battle narrative good, relationship to European theatre strategic plans and WWII very much coloured by US Cold War thinking if not propaganda.
'Nine Fox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee
Highly acclaimed new sci-fi author - Hugo & Nebula Award winner.
Totally Impenetrable!
This is the 2nd attempt I've made at getting to grips with new East Asian sci-fi authors and I must admit I am struggling.
I battled my way through this over the course of 4 weeks - which is a long time for me - especially for a 317 page paper-back.
I suspect that many will give up (as I nearly did) during the initial chapter battle scene - this is so reminiscent of the current wave of online Asian computer games that I suspect if you are not a player (& I am not) you will be lost before you start.
There are some interesting ideas - that mathematics and calendar cycles, ceremony and remembrances can be used as weapons of war - but once you get past that, the plot is very - very thin.
I ended up with no empathy for any of the characters - other than a particular assassin later on in the story - who attempts to kill his 'mark' with a parcel bomb masquerading as a sweet pastry delivery - but the heroine's character is weak and as the story progresses I got less and less interested in what she was wittering on about.
The other problem for me, is that I like my sci-fi visual and the lack of any descriptive elements left me struggling to engage with this universe and its occupants at all.
There are 2 other books in the series Raven and Gun - but I shall be avoiding both of these, and Nine Fox Gambit has already gone into the charity recycling box by our front door.
Save your £7.99 and try something else
Cheers
Mark
Just started "the Battle of Dorking" by George Chesney. :)
Passes 4/5 on Strategos II
Interesting ruleset concealed behind an awkward layout and DTP formatting of the day.
I had hoped to pull the necessary details out into an extended homemede QRS.
It now looks as through at least 6 pages will be required.
Hard work...
I've only every played Strategos once and watched part of a couple of other games at the regular annual Society of Ancients 'Battle Day' events - where Phil is also a regular contributor/speaker.
But I must admit I couldn't really get to grips with it.
Well done you for persevering with the project :)
Quote from: Big Insect on 12 January 2021, 10:28:55 AM
I've only every played Strategos once and watched part of a couple of other games at the regular annual Society of Ancients 'Battle Day' events - where Phil is also a regular contributor/speaker.
But I must admit I couldn't really get to grips with it.
Well done you for persevering with the project :)
I'm growing close to the point of "Let's park this for future action".
I can see an immense re-edit will be necessary to make it teachable to any likely opponent.
It's a question of efficient use of hobby time.
- Big investment into possible side-project of ancients
or
- invest that time into up and running projects.
Quote from: Gwydion on 07 January 2021, 11:38:29 AM
I think the criticism comes from the interpretation and assumptions about Soviet Strategic Foreign Policy rather than any 'facts' about the battle and its operational background.
The basis of the book is a doctoral thesis completed in 1970.
The bit that some current scholars find problematic is Goldman's reliance on Cold War interpretations of Soviet policy aims and actions in the pre war period. His view of Soviet foreign policy is largely based on, or at least aligned with Ulam's 1968 view in his 'Expansion and Coexistence', which was an excellent work when there was no access to Soviet sources, but is a Cold War document to its core. Goldman tends towards a monolithic view of Soviet relations and this colours his view on the strategic position of Nomonhan/Khalkin-Gol and its place in a Machiavellian strategy against the 'West'.
He perhaps relies too much on a 'deconstruction' of Comintern documents available in the west pre the fall of the Soviet Union to divine the plans and policies of the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs when many of those plans have since been released and published in collections before Putin shut down access.
So - battle narrative good, relationship to European theatre strategic plans and WWII very much coloured by US Cold War thinking if not propaganda.
Ah! Very interesting addendum to the material so many thanks.
Catching the train to work each day has got me back into reading books :)
The First Punic War by JF Lazenby
He compares and contrasts the various sources for each significant event and comes up with the most 'likely' description
I'm finding it very interesting understanding how few sources there are and how contradictory they are
A real contrast to the 'definitive' history you normally see
Quote from: Big Insect on 12 January 2021, 08:17:10 AM
'Nine Fox Gambit' by Yoon Ha Lee
Highly acclaimed new sci-fi author - Hugo & Nebula Award winner.
Totally Impenetrable!
This is the 2nd attempt I've made at getting to grips with new East Asian sci-fi authors and I must admit I am struggling.
I battled my way through this over the course of 4 weeks - which is a long time for me - especially for a 317 page paper-back.
I suspect that many will give up (as I nearly did) during the initial chapter battle scene - this is so reminiscent of the current wave of online Asian computer games that I suspect if you are not a player (& I am not) you will be lost before you start.
There are some interesting ideas - that mathematics and calendar cycles, ceremony and remembrances can be used as weapons of war - but once you get past that, the plot is very - very thin.
I ended up with no empathy for any of the characters - other than a particular assassin later on in the story - who attempts to kill his 'mark' with a parcel bomb masquerading as a sweet pastry delivery - but the heroine's character is weak and as the story progresses I got less and less interested in what she was wittering on about.
The other problem for me, is that I like my sci-fi visual and the lack of any descriptive elements left me struggling to engage with this universe and its occupants at all.
There are 2 other books in the series Raven and Gun - but I shall be avoiding both of these, and Nine Fox Gambit has already gone into the charity recycling box by our front door.
Save your £7.99 and try something else
Cheers
Mark
I just grabbed a free Kindle sample of it to see what all the fuss is about. Will see if I can get thought the opening. I do enjoy some Asian inspired sci-fi and fantasy, though often find the concept and setting more interesting than the story itself.
I'd recommend Marko Kloos if you haven't read him already. I've been enjoying his Front lines and Palladium Wars series. Military science fiction but does a good job of balancing action with suspense, character and plot. I find a lot of military fiction writers get carried away writing the action and just keep dialling that up unrealistically. Marko takes a more measured approach.
Finished "The whirlwind Of War: Voices Of The Storm 1861-1865" by Stephen B. Oates.
This is the second volume of the author's ACW project. Again, he writes as if the people are speaking (or thinking). It is very effective and presents the story in a most unique manner.
Highly recommended along with his first volume, "Voices Of The Storm: 1820-1861".
Finished "Wellington: Waterloo And The Fortunes Of Peace" by Rory Muir.
This is the second volume of Muir's Wellington and as it says in the title, Waterloo and the years to Wellington's death. Extremely well written and these two volumes will stand for a very long time as the defining tale of Wellington.
The book after Waterloo discusses Wellington's political life, about which I really knew little. He was much more of a politician than previous biographies allow, and was actually very influencing. Wellington has been blamed for the stagnation of the British army up to the Crimea, but as the author points out, the army did very well but the support services failed. Wellington had no responsibility for those services.
I must say from a view across the pond, British politics are "interesting". Tories, Whigs, caricaturists, back bench, Ultra Tories, radicals, House of Lords, House of Commons, ministers, etc. are all discussed and presented in all their glory and blemishes. Although I prefer the military portion, this was interesting.
Highly recommend the two volumes for the definitive life of Wellington.
Catastrophe: Europe Goes to War 1914 by Max Hastings. A few chapters in and as with other Hastings books, loving his writing style and the detail he adds to the narrative. A pleasurable read and fascinating too :).
Just started Swords and Cinema: Hollywood vs The Reality Of Ancient Warfare by Jeremiah McCall
Finished "Bold Dragoon: The Life of J.E.B. Stuart" by Emory Thomas.
Type A personality, invented himself, large ego but also an outstanding (most of the time) cavalry officer/general.
Well done.
Beneath the Lily Banners: The War of the Three Kings. About half way through and I'm liking what I'm seeing of how the rules will play. They have a lot of detail which will take some getting used to, but it all seems very logical and is explained well. I will need to order some new die to play the game though, as I only have one D8 and D12.
Quote from: mmcv on 15 January 2021, 07:56:13 AM
I just grabbed a free Kindle sample of it to see what all the fuss is about. Will see if I can get thought the opening. I do enjoy some Asian inspired sci-fi and fantasy, though often find the concept and setting more interesting than the story itself.
I'd recommend Marko Kloos if you haven't read him already. I've been enjoying his Front lines and Palladium Wars series. Military science fiction but does a good job of balancing action with suspense, character and plot. I find a lot of military fiction writers get carried away writing the action and just keep dialling that up unrealistically. Marko takes a more measured approach.
I'll try giving Marko Kloos a go - thanks for the recommendation
Reading the second book in the 'Parthian Chronicles". The first two have been a good read. The author Peter Darman pays some attention to the history, but full of Derying-do like the Bernard Cornwell's "last Kingdom' series
Finished volume 84, No. 3 of "The Journal of Military History".
Articles include:
The Military Revolution and the Ancient Origins of the Trace Italienne
Rivers, Rails and Rebels: Logistics and Struggle to Supply U.S. Army Depot of Nashville, 1862-1865
"To Did and Burrow like Rabbits": British Field Fortifications at the Battle of the Aisne, September to October 1914
An Evaluation of Allied Intelligence in the Tactical Bombing of German Supply Depots during the Normandy Campaign, 1944
Aircraft Carriers versus Battleships in War and Myths: Demythologizing Carrier air Dominance at Sea
as well as others plus about 90 pages of book reviews. Always interesting.
I'm working my way through a bunch of things on the Fifth Ashanti War (1900).
I just finished "Letters from a Bush Campaign" by Journalist David Martineau Haylings, who followed one of the relief columns on its way to rescue some besieged British-led troops.
He adds in some very interesting and more human details that I haven't seen in other books I've read on the conflict, like playing cricket while surrounded by dead bodies or losing sleep while engaged in a ironic and futile fight with a mosquito trapped in his anti-mosquito net.
Unfortunately I find the author himself to be a little tiresome. He's certainly a man of his times, to put it nicely! It would have been far more interesting to get a more personal insight into the individuality of some of thousands of logistics personnel carrying all the equipment and maybe even some of the Ashanti soldiers but, for the most part with only scarce exceptions, they are treated more as a monolith on account of Martineau Haylings' views on race and imperialism.
Now I'm reading the official correspondence and reports related to the war, which has some very interesting AARs (very useful for my Ashanti Campaign wargame project I plan to start making soon, too!)
Finished "Battlefield: Farming A Civil War Battleground" by Peter Svenson.
A book I read quite some time ago and just reread. The author bought 40 acres of land in the Shenandoah Valley and it turned out his 40 acres was part of the Cross Keys battlefield. Very well written between his amateur efforts to farm hay and descriptions of the battle. His 40 acres were where General Trimble (Confederate) held off and then counter attacked the Union left. Trimble was in his 60's, but very aggressive.
Stonewall Jackson was at Port Republic at this time and Ewell's division was told off to hold Fremont's forces. Trimble was a Brigadier under Ewell.
Enjoyable and it looks as though this will be a battle I will recreate.
Quote from: Srpz2116 on 09 February 2021, 04:45:31 PM
I'm working my way through a bunch of things on the Fifth Ashanti War (1900).
I haven't tried the Fifth Ashanti War, but I did have a taste of the Third when we fought Amoaful as one of Mark Smith's splendid Christmas specials:
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/12/2nd-ashanti-war-amoaful-1874.html
May your own Ashanti campaign give you as much entertainment as this gave to us!
Chris
Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles
Thank you! That certainly looked like a lot of fun.
Knowing me, I'll probably succumb to temptation and end up doing the Third War as well, not to mention all the civil wars from 1875 until the British invasion in 1895 on top of the 1900 Campaign. Besides, once I get the figures for the latter I only need some West Indians and Black Watch and then 1874 is sorted!
Listening to the Beeb's adaptation of LOTR.......Again.
Cheers - Phil :)
The instruction leaflet for a MICKE desk :(
Redwall
Finished going through "They Were There" edited by Philip Van Doren Stern. It is a book of drawings of the ACW by artists at that time, which drawings typically were turned into wood cuts for the papers. Captions under the pictures were the only text, baring an introduction by the author.
Gaveup on Rider haggard a week or two ago - reading the Black Seas Rules and complete John Buchan cannon.
Michael Glover Warfare from Waterloo to Mons - interesting as an overview of a period I had some partial knowledge of (particularly ACW) but quite inspiring for maybe doing some naval gaming as I find the Ironclad era of ships appealing.
Finished "A Study of The Strategy Of The Russo-Japanese War, 1904,Up to 24th August" by A Kearsey of the General staff. this is a reprint by The Naval and Military Press.
The author illustrates various actions and decisions by use of the FSR to show various military principles. An operational study, rather than tactical, with maps. But the maps are not well referenced and so do not tie well into the narrative. Very frustrating when trying to connect the narrative with the ground.
So many military history books have poor correlation between the text and the maps. It's very frustrating!
Currently re reading Long, Obstinate and Bloody as part of my research on how to select a decent set of AWI rules ...
Finished "How Robert E. Lee Lost the Civil War" by Edward H. Bonekemper, III.
The thesis is that Lee was too aggressive and bled his army (more casualties than any other of the Confederate commanders - but then he was in command for longer than any of the others), his command style was too hands off (he also had a very small staff) for subordinates that were not like Jackson, his orders were too vague (spotlights Ewell's non aggression on the first evening at Gettysburg and Stuart's permissive orders that led him to be away from the army until July 2nd) and that he was only concerned with Virginia.
Others have made similar judgements, particularly Basil Liddell Hart and J.F.C. Fuller.
Some nitpicking in parts but overall does make his case.
Quote from: kipt on 15 February 2021, 05:24:26 PM
Finished "A Study of The Strategy Of The Russo-Japanese War, 1904,Up to 24th August" by A Kearsey of the General staff. this is a reprint by The Naval and Military Press.
The author illustrates various actions and decisions by use of the FSR to show various military principles. An operational study, rather than tactical, with maps. But the maps are not well referenced and so do not tie well into the narrative. Very frustrating when trying to connect the narrative with the ground.
Interested to note that. I thoroughly recommend
Maritime Operations in the Russo-Japanese war 1904-1905 by
Julian Corbett. I read it about 20 years ago and found it very illuminating.
Osprey Campaign 358: The Balkans 1940-41 (1) which focuses on the Greco-Italian War to just before the Germans entered the conflict. The second volume will cover this part. An excellent book on a neglected campaign that has lots of useful bits for the wargamer. Well worth getting IMHO.
Finished Vol. 84, No. 4 of "The Journal of Military History", October 2020.
Articles include
Irregular Warfare in Late Medieval Japan: Towards a Historical Understanding of the "Ninja" (Ninja assassins in black throwing shuriken are a "modern" invention).
The Survival of France: Logistics and strategy in the 17809 Flanders Campaign,
A "Century of Peace" That Was Not: War in the Nineteenth Century,
A Resolution of the Debate about British Wireless in World War I, (J.R.R. Tolkien served as a signals officer with the Lancashire Fusiliers),
Seeds of Victory: Satisfying the Needs of the Red Army and the Soviet State during the Formation of the Kursk Salient, February-May 1943. (Discusses how the newly liberated Soviet civilians were mobilized to support the army - food, transportation, maintenance of roadways, etc.)
Also almost 100 pages of book reviews (where I often find books I want to order).
Always articles of interest; published 4 times per year.
Finished "Bazaine 1870: Scapegoat For A Nation" by Quintin Barry.
I like all his books and this is not an exception. Bazaine was a victim but one France evidently needed at the time. But the trial was ludicrous.
Bazaine's history from the Foreign Legion, through Mexico, North Africa, etc. is well described. (Barry takes exception to Geoffrey Wawro's comments about Bazaine in a couple of places).
A good book (another book) on the Franco-Prussian War.
Finished "High Seas: Stories of Battle and Adventure from the Age of Sail" edited by Clint Willis.
This is a collection of excerpts from well know authors: Patrick O'Brian, C.S. Forester, Frederick Marryat, Herman Melville and 9 others. the editor evidently makes his living by gathering excerpts from famous books and reprinting them, as he has done 7 other adventure books (all topics) by himself and 5 more as Series editor.
Good authors so good stories. Some really give a feel for ships under sail in terrible storms. Glad I wasn't there.
Just finished Swords and Cinema: Hollywood vs The Reality Of Ancient Warfare by Jeremiah McCall.
If you are a cinephile who knows little to nothing about ancient warfare but what you've seen in movies and wonder how accurate that all is, this is the book for you. If you don't watch movies or already know a bit about ancient warfare this isn't going to tell you much.
Perfectly readable but as a cinephile and "ancients" geek it didn't tell me much.
Finished "Tullahoma: The Forgotten Campaign that Changed the Course of the Civil war, June 23-July 4, 1863" by David A. Powell and Eric J. Wittenberg.
This is about Rosecrans campaign against Bragg after Murfreesboro in Tennessee. Brilliant strategy by Rosecrans that made Bragg essentially abandon Tennessee without a major battle by outflanking Bragg's right flank. Outstanding Federal cavalry and mounted infantry actions that beat and embarrassed the Confederate cavalry.
This is where Wilder's Lightening Brigade made its name. They were mounted infantry (and I had a relative in this brigade).
For less than 600 casualties (to Bragg's approximate 5,000 - dead, wounded, missing/captures, deserters) Rosecrans totally outmaneuvered the Army of the Tennessee.
Highly recommended for ACW historians.
Finished "Wellington's Favourite Engineer: John Fox Burgoyne: Operations, Engineering, and the making of a Field Marshal" by Mark S. Thompson.
Burgoyne was the son of General Burgoyne who surrendered at Saratoga. This book is abut his early career up to and a bit through Waterloo (he was not there). He was in most of the Peninsular War and did go to America.
Some good discussions of engineering, and a long chapter on the siege of Burgos. This siege Wellington tried to rush, to the frustration of the engineers involved.
Good small book (and I was an engineer officer in the service, so very interesting to me, although we did not go into sieges...)
Finished "Defending The Arteries Of Rebellion: Confederate Naval Operations in the Mississippi River Valley, 1861-1865" by Neil P. Chatelain.
A good book that gets into tactical riverine actions. I didn't realize how many ironclads and gunboats the Confederacy attempted to construct. The ironclads were mostly destroyed before they got into action, but many gunboats and rams.
Some good wargames in this book if one is into ACW naval actions.
And finished an Osprey, "Malplaquet 1709" by Simon MacDowall and illustrated by Graham Turner. Typical Osprey for text and maps.
Seems to have a little more insight into history than I am used to for Osprey, which is good.
Really tempted for this period to be my next venture. Doing ACW now but close to done (Ha!).
QuoteSeems to have a little more insight into history than I am used to for Osprey, which is good.
Sadly this is often full of errors or not supported by good evidence :(
Finished "Failure In The Saddle: Nathan Bedford Forrest, Joseph Wheeler, and the Confederate Cavalry in the Chickamauga Campaign" by David A. Powell.
A book that looks into the failures of the Rebel cavalry during this campaign. Forrest was new to the job of Division and then Corps command, and liked to get into the action. At one point he charged Union infantry with his escort troop plus a detachment, rather than attending to a Corp commander job.
Joseph Wheeler, although West Point trained, more or less did what he liked. Direct, specific orders from Bragg went unheeded. Wheeler removed his troops from direct contact with the Union army at the most inconvenient times.
Cavalry duties during the ACW were scouting and screening flanks and the heads of columns. These two commanders did a poor job of it (although Forrest was a bit better, being more aggressive by nature).
Bragg received a lot of criticism for the failures before, during and after Chickamauga, but a lot of the blame should rest on the use of the cavalry by these two commanders.
Case White: The Invasion of Poland 1939 by Robery Forczyk
A few chapters in and so far looking at the Polish problems in the lead up to the invasion. So far so good and plenty of good background info as to why the Polish forces fought as they did, due to being hampered by lack of equipment and poor doctrinal plans to deal with invasion, whether by Germany or the Soviet Union. Highly recommended.
Currently having another look at Glory Halleluiah Black Powder ACW supplement. Going solo these days means I will have more time to ponder the ACW subleties of the game.
Finished "Attack On The Redan" by Garry Douglas Kilworth. A novel set in the Crimean War with the hero a sergeant of the 88th, but part of a scout/spy unit. Our hero is Jack Crossman, whose real name is Alexander Kirk, the bastard son of a baronet who he had never gotten along with and who would not support him. So, he enlisted under an assumed name.
This is evidently number 5 of a series I had not heard of, and there may be one more. This one printed 2003.
Fast reading and interesting.
Finished "The Green Curve" by Ole Luk-Oie.
Hans Christian Andersen's character "based upon a folk tale telling of a mysterious mythic creature of the Sandman who gently takes children to sleep and, depending on how good or bad they were, shows them various dreams".
It is the pseudonym of MG Ernest D. Swinton. He was one of the driving forces behind the creation and adoption of the tank, and may have given the name tank to the machine. It was based on him seeing a Holt tractor earlier.
"In April 1918, while on a tour of the US, Swinton visited Stockton, California to publicly honour Benjamin Holt and the company for their contribution to the war effort and to relay Britain's gratitude to the inventor. Benjamin Holt was recognized by the General at a public meeting held in Stockton". Which is interesting to me as I went to U.O.P. in Stockton.
Swinton also wrote "The Defense of Duffer's Drift", a military classic on minor tactics.
"The Green Curve" is a collection of short stories, fictional, about the British army at the human level. It has the Boer War, a fictional story of an invasion of Britain by the Germans, the repair of a bridge and its subsequent destruction by early helicopters, a view into the method of a commanding general and several others. Very entertaining.
I received a book from a friend (retired Marine Colonel), "Letters on Artillery". It was printed in 1988 as FMFRP 12-7 in order to "ensure the retention and dissemination of useful information which is not intended to become doctrine..." The booklet does not give the author.
At first I thought is would be tactical use of artillery by and for the marines and how history would support this work.
However it is a straight copy of the translation by COL N.L. Walford, R.A in 1898 of the book (same name) by Prince Kraft zu Hohenlohe Ingelfingen, which I also have (as well as his Letters on Infantry and Cavalry). I realized this once I opened it. However, since I am heavily into the FPW I read it again. Lots of comments about the Austro Prussia was on 1866 and the FPW, both empire and republican battles. I found it still to be interesting and applicable to our TT games (table top).
Finished Issue 64, January 2021 of the "Gettysburg Magazine". Issued twice a year and the articles this issue include:
"Ours Was A Desperate Position To Hold": A New Look at the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry at Middleburg,
The Art of Command and Intelligence: Jeb Stuart in the Gettysburg Campaign,
Henry Heth and His Division at Gettysburg on July 1,
Disaster on the Flank: The 17th Connecticut Infantry
and others.
Always has good and sometimes great articles.
1809: Thunder on the Danube, vol 1 by John H Gill.
A period and campaign I know little about, but so far a very easy and enjoyable read, which is good, given there's a wealth of detail in there.
The First and Second Italian Wars 1494 - 1504, by Julian Romane. This is not some dry dusty work but a bit of a rip roaring read that focuses on characters. You won't find much information on armies, weapons, armour and tactics here.There are two maps showing northern and southern Italy (but not very clearly - probably lifted from a Victorian work) and one for the battle of Fornovo (despite lots of other battles and actions featuring in the book). There are some black and white illustrative plates in the middle, but mostly contemporary portraits and woodcuts, some castle photos and again what look to be Victorian interpretations of battle and armour. However, the writing is quite gripping as Romane weaves the events into a story revealing the humanity (or lack of) in the main characters. Sometimes reading up background information for a period can be quite tedious. This book is not that, but it is for those who want more storyline background than the barebones military nuts and bolts. I would suggest that this is a good backup to the works of F L Taylor, Oman and Mallet et al. For a good read highly recommended. For a starting point to wargaming the period, not so much.
Just finished 'Waterloo', a book from 1915 by a Dutch author; Callenbach. His uncle served in the 5th battalion of the National Militia at Quatre-Bras and Waterloo. The book is a compilation of papers left to him by his uncle, stories he told and some background the author scrounged from sources available at the time. How much of it is 100% true is hard to say but an expert on the period (Erwin Muilwijk) told me that most facts are at least plausible and seem to be in line with the official history. it certainly gives a personal touch to the Dutch contribution to the battle.
Not sure if it's available in English...
Cheers,
Rob
Finished "The Battle Of Lundy's Lane: On The Niagara in 1814" by Donald E. Graves.
I have not been interested in the War of 1812, even though it is essentially Napoleonic. Some British regular units in Canada as well as locally raised units, some of which were "regular" (eg 104th Foot). However this battle was a very hard fought action. The British thought that "poor Jonathan" (Yankees) would be a push over but that did not happen. Both sides slugged it out in a night action, often only yards apart. Very unusual night action - smoke and dark ensured the opponents were very close and therefore very high casualties.
At Lundy's Lane the British occupied a small rise with artillery, backed by regular and militia troops. The Americans attacked and after first being repulsed, took the rise and the artillery and beat off three British counterattacks,. The numbers went from somewhere near 2,500 troops per side down to the hundreds. The Americans early in the morning went back to Chippewa (couple of miles in their rear) but only took one of the British guns while leaving one of their own. This was due to exhaustion, lack of horses and timing. The British reoccupied the "hill" and so recaptured their guns and one American.
The British write up after the action by General Drummond glossed over the original loss of the guns and the three repulsed counterattacks. Various reports by the Americans had a lot of internal; recriminations.
The book discusses the tactics of the time as well as the weapons and gives much back ground on the units and commanders. Very well done.
While I won't do the War of 1812 I can see changing this into an ACW battle.
A quote in Chapter 14, The End of the War, by C.P. Stacey, "the War of 1812 in Canadian History" sums up most peoples view.
"The War of 1812 is one of those episodes in history that make everybody happy, because everybody interprets it in his own way. The Americans think of it primarily as a naval war in which the pride of the Mistress of the Seas was humbled by what an imprudent Englishman had call 'a few fir-built frigates manned by a handful of bastards and outlaws.' Canadians think of it equally pridefully as a war of defence in which there brave fathers . . . saved the country from conquest. And the English are the happiest of all because they don't even know it existed."
The real action in 1812 was in and around Moscow. Washington cows and Canada cows were little puppies by comparison.
Finished "The Road To Sedan" by Richard Holmes. It is No. 41 of the Royal Historical Studies In History.
The book is a gold mine of information about the French army prior to 1870. Part One is the Military Structure of the French army. The chapters in this part are
1. The Military Institutions of France
2. The Combatant Arms
3. Command, Staff and Administration
4. Composition of the Army
Part Two, Doctrine has
5. Politics and Security
6. Strategy and the Road to War
7. Education and Training
8. Tactics
Very impressive.
Finished a very small booklet "Paris Or The Future Of War" by Capt. B. H. Hart. This is a part of the To-Day & To-Morrow series and was printed in 1925.
In it Hart is discussing the future of war (hence the title) based on experience in WWI. Paris, in this instance is Paris of Troy. All the books ion this series have an ancient person as the lead of the title.
Hart deplores the adage of making the enemies army the goal of a war. He says it should be the will of the country. He extols the use of gas (less deaths than from bullets and the enemy cannot hide). He figures it will shorten wars. He also discusses the role of the airplane, which in 1925 was very popular in both the military and civil life. The plane can go over the enemy rather than trying to break through.
Similarly he discusses the submarine and how close the Germans came to shutting down England. The submarine can go under the enemy. Infantry and artillery will essentially be used to hold the bases for tanks, which he very much admires and feel they will restore movement on the ground. So, all in all, very perceptive in his thinking.
He also says this about America: :But Americans would do well to remember that the Japanese military leaders are disciples of Clausewitz, and that one of his axioms reads: 'A small state which is involved with a superior power, and foresees that each year its position will become worse," should, if it considers war inevitable, 'seize the time when the situation is furthest from the worst,' and attack. It was on this principle that Japan declared was on Russia, and for the United States the next decade is the danger period. (Italics in the original).
Very astute even if he was off by a couple of years.
Quote from: kipt on 30 April 2021, 06:40:38 PM
"The War of 1812 is one of those episodes in history that make everybody happy, because everybody interprets it in his own way. The Americans think of it primarily as a naval war in which the pride of the Mistress of the Seas was humbled by what an imprudent Englishman had call 'a few fir-built frigates manned by a handful of bastards and outlaws.' Canadians think of it equally pridefully as a war of defence in which there brave fathers . . . saved the country from conquest. And the English are the happiest of all because they don't even know it existed."
I'll challenge that last one.
The fact that a British force burned the white house causes us regular chuckles.
It even got a mention during news coverage of the unpleasant events of January 6th this year.
So the Brits think of it as an oversized bonfire party.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 13 May 2021, 07:44:27 PM
I'll challenge that last one.
The fact that a British force burned the white house causes us regular chuckles.
It even got a mention during news coverage of the unpleasant events of January 6th this year.
So the Brits think of it as an oversized bonfire party.
Guy Fawkes is sometimes described as the last man to enter Parliament with honest intent. I thought the burning of the White House was the Washington equivalent.
Just started 'The Secret Expedition: the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland 1799'. Looks like a worthwhile addition for my plans to game
Suvorov's campaign in Italy.
Will have to do it in 6mm which will enable me to use 'proxy' figures.
Finished "Die Hard! Famous Napoleonic Battles" by Philip J. Haythornwaite. Thought I had this book and had read it previously. Didn't find it in my library, but now it is.
Good stories about desperate fights.
Villars-En-Cauchies, Marengo, Eylau, The Sieges of Saragossa, Aspern-Essling, Barrosa, Albuera, The breaches at Badajoz, The Berezina and Hougoumont. Each of these is a chapter. Well done and interesting.
Just finished Ancient Battle Formations by Justin Swanton. A fairly in-depth look at the formations and equipment of Greek Hoplites, Macedonian Phalangites and Roman legionaries of the Republic and Early Empire and how those impacted on performance on the battlefield.
If you are interested in the positioning of officers in a hoplite phalanx or possible methods of formation change by phalangites or why the author thinks the current mechanism for swapping legionaries in and out of the front line are wrong it's an interesting read ... but a niche read I imagine.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 13 May 2021, 07:44:27 PM
I'll challenge that last one.
The fact that a British force burned the white house causes us regular chuckles.
It even got a mention during news coverage of the unpleasant events of January 6th this year.
So the Brits think of it as an oversized bonfire party.
A good way to annoy our American cousions is to ask them why the White House white. Of course it was the White House but the Capitol that was burnt.
Could you check that last sentence as I am still confused about what actually burned.
Hey! That's my schtick!
Tink I missed a not before the White House, it were tut Capitol what got smoked.
You sure? :)
Yup
I know nothing about this, but Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Washington#White_House) disagrees with you.
"The soldiers burned the president's house, and fuel was added to the fires that night to ensure they would continue burning into the next day."
I be arrogant enough to belive I am betterer dan wikipedia :d
Fake watercolours eh?
(http://themanwhocapturedwashington.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/White-House-Burned-1814.jpg)
Both got burnt.
White House by the KSLI
Just started "Last Chance For Victory" by Scott Bowden
got to read his book on Leipzig as all his books are good
Quote from: Gwydion on 16 May 2021, 01:32:15 PM
Fake watercolours eh?
Photoshop, 1814-style . . .
Quote from: kipt on 30 April 2021, 06:40:38 PM
Finished "The Battle Of Lundy's Lane: On The Niagara in 1814" by Donald E. Graves.
I have not been interested in the War of 1812, even though it is essentially Napoleonic. Some British regular units in Canada as well as locally raised units, some of which were "regular" (eg 104th Foot). However this battle was a very hard fought action. The British thought that "poor Jonathan" (Yankees) would be a push over but that did not happen. Both sides slugged it out in a night action, often only yards apart. Very unusual night action - smoke and dark ensured the opponents were very close and therefore very high casualties.
I think it is an interesting war for wargamers as it is relatively small scale compared to the Napoleonic wars in Europe and includes other types of unit with the native Canadian/Americans as well as the usual line and light infantry, artillery and (small numbers) of cavalry.
Finished "The Artillery Service In The War Of The Rebellion 1861-65" by John C. Tidball. Tidball was a gunner then a battery CO and eventually a BG of Volunteers.
As the title states this is about the artillery in the ACW. Tidball discusses the major battles in the east and how the Union artillery performed. His biggest gripe is how the Confederates quickly made artillery battalions with a field officer for command and control and the Union took until after Chancellorsville to do the same (calling a battery grouping a brigade). The promotion prospects for artillery officers was almost nil, unless they transferred to the infantry.
Batteries attached to infantry brigades were under the command of an infantry general (or colonel) who often gave only second thought to the good use of the artillery. When the artillery was made into brigades with field officers they became much more efficient (supply, march discipline, battery positions, ammunition replenishment). The field officer and such staff they had could go ahead and pick good positions and when the batteries came up could direct them to the location. A battery captain attached to an infantry brigade had to control his battery and typically was sent to one of the brigade flanks, whether suitable of not.
Artillery brigades in the west did not happen until after Chattanooga. Again good descriptions of the western battles: Shiloh, Stones River and Chickamauga.
Finished the strangest little booklet."The Return: N" by John Malmesbury Wright. It was printed 1914 by Paul Elder and Company in San Francisco (about 20 miles from where I live). Its only 14 small pages.
In it Napoleon evidently comes back to save France from the Germans (remember, printed in 1914). He leaves his tomb (top askew) in the Invalides and presents himself to the French President, He only wants to be called "the Little Corporal" the "title given me by my soldiers..."
Whereupon he beats back the German horde, taking Berlin and ending the war. "My work is done. Farewell." And once again the great tomb is as it was before.
This must have been wishful thinking on the author's part. A Francophile American?
Also finished "Uniforms of the franco-Prussian War: Volume 1: The Prussian Army 1870" by Robert J. Marrion.
A uniform book as the title says with good descriptions. Not really different than the two Osprey books on the Prussian Army. However it does have the starting OB for the Prussians including the Corps initially held back. These are also available from Nafziger.
So good, but depending on what sources you may have, redundant.
Finished "The Bismarck Chase: New Light on a Famous Engagement" by Robert J. Winklareth.
Just as it says with good descriptions of the chase , the fight, the Hood, the escape, the re-finding and the final battle.
Statistics on the various ships involved as well. Short, only 182 pages so a quick read.
A great appendix on Naval Gunnery. Goes through range finding, ballistics, travel and fall of shot, dispersion and probably why the Hood was hit.
Quote from: kipt on 26 May 2021, 01:18:17 AM
Finished "The Bismarck Chase: New Light on a Famous Engagement" by Robert J. Winklareth.
Coincidentally, here's a fun video about wargaming it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8FvzZS5gz8&t=2s
Thought I had seen this video but had not. It was fun, and even though it is part of Little Wars TV, not quite as good as those done by the Little Wars crew.
Thanks.
Finished "Atlas Of British History" by Martin Gilbert and cartography bu Arthur Banks.
Small book with "118 maps from 50 B.C. to the present" (but published originally in 1968) , primarily of Britain but also showing wars in the Low Countries, Peninsular, WWI and WWII.
Interesting.
The Eastern Fleet and the Indian Ocean 1942-1944 by Charles Stephenson - an excellent read, albeit a bit limited on resources, about the RN in the period and in that theatre. It tends to be a bit episodic so if there is an item of interest you had better check if it is covered first!
What would be really interesting to know, as alt-history, is what would have happened if Somerville's attempt to ambush the Japanese Carrier raid on Ceylon had resulted in a battle and what conclusions the Japanese would have had, whatever the outcome, as another piece of evidence of a security breach became evident. Would the British have been overwhelmed or would they have got a sneak attack in first that put half the Japanese carriers at the bottom of the ocean before they realised what hit them. What would the ramifications have been for the Coral Sea, Midway and the Aleutians?
Finished "Hungary 1848: The Winter Campaign" by Johann Nobili and edited by Christopher Pringle (of this group). It is about the Hungarian War of Independence and reminded me of the ACW, although this war came first. A break away portion of the Austrian empire, almost starting from scratch as did the Confederacy (although Hungary had regular units that had been part of the Austrian army whereas the Confederacy only got officers from the Federal army). Later in the book Chris notes the same thing.
Nobili's work was a redo of a work by Generalmajor Friedrich Jacob Heller von Hellwald which was considered too critical of the Austrian army. It is very detailed regarding the actions and the OB's (Chris has done an appendix 3 which lists the pages where the OB's can be found -very useful). Chris has added maps which help to understand who, what and where.
This is a good book with much information. The footnotes are of three types: a brief history of certain persons, some explanation of what happened using Hungarian documents that came to light after the war (troop numbers for example), and Chris's comments on various persons and their relationship to the commander, Feldmarschall Furst Windisch-Gratz (major subordinates did their own thing – not following orders). These last are amusing-sounds like a wargame where the players are commenting on bad dice or a failed action– I liked it. Hats off to Chris for his translation as it reads very smoothly. Well done.
And now I have just ordered the two books "Napoleon Absent..." and "The Coalition Crumbles...".
Kip, thanks very much for your kind words about "Hungary 1848: The Winter Campaign". I'm glad you liked it.
Thank you also for ordering the 1799 books. I hope you'll enjoy them too.
Chris
Shattered Sword by Parshall and Tulley on the Battle of Midway. I have often read others praising this 2007 book; having now read it I can understand why everyone says this is THE BOOK you have to read if this is a topic of interest: it is.
A definitive guide to all the events surrounding this great battle.
OSPREY - Poland 1939 German's lightning strike' - yes, very good.
Robert Forczyk - CASE WHITE The Invasion of Poland 1939 - five-star brilliancy.
Superb for this campaign. I am now looking for the best book on the Norwegian Campaign, 1940. Any suggestions?
Hitler's Pre-Emptive War, the Battle for Norway 1940 by Henrik O Lunde is very good. Lots of excellent detail but I didn't find it an easy read. Worth getting nonetheless.
Finished "Huns-Magyars: The Military Culture of Magyars and its Related Peoples" by Kertai Zalan (the illustrator) and Karpati Gabor Csaba (the author).
The forward lists Sumerians, Scythians, Hittites, Hurrians, Samatians, Parthians Subarians,Bulgars, Petchenegs, Kuns, Var-Kuns, Turks, Huns, Avars and Magyars as part of the illustrations. These are all related to the Hungarians. The bulk of the book is an illustrated history of warriors from 25th-24th century BC to the 14th or 15th century AD. Each illustration (which are very well done) has text explaining where the concepts for the drawings came from. (One illustration I swear is Arnold Schwarzenegger looking like Conan but with more armor.)
The illustrations would be good for a miniature maker to copy for a line of figures (although I am not at all into ancients - horse and musket more my thing).
A teaspoon in his navel would be an armour upgrade for Conan.
Quote from: Steve J on 10 June 2021, 06:30:54 AM
Hitler's Pre-Emptive War, the Battle for Norway 1940 by Henrik O Lunde is very good. Lots of excellent detail but I didn't find it an easy read. Worth getting nonetheless.
Thanks; I'll have to visit the British Library! :D He seems to have done an interesting range on WWII in Scandinavia. If there is skandi-noir is there skandi-hist?
http://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&ct=search&initialSearch=true&mode=Basic&tab=local_tab&indx=1&dum=true&srt=rank&vid=BLVU1&frbg=&tb=t&vl%28freeText0%29=Henrik+O+Lunde&scp.scps=scope%3A%28BLCONTENT%29&vl%282084770704UI0%29=any&vl%282084770704UI0%29=title&vl%282084770704UI0%29=any
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 12 June 2021, 02:18:43 PM
If there is skandi-noir is there skandi-hist?
History as seen through a filter of hygge and chunky knitted jumpers?
Just finished the Haynes "Tabletop Gaming Manual," an easy read and lavishly illustrated but didn't really tell me anything I didn't know.
Just started "Five Parsecs from Home," originally by Ivan Sorensen but now published in a 3rd edition, by Modiphius. A solo sci-fi campaign system where you run the crew of a spaceship (think Firefly/ The Expanse/ Dark Matter and the like) finding patrons, irking rivals, and doing jobs to pay off the debt on your ship so you can fit it, or your crew, with new mods and cool gadgets ..... or patch up survivors and replace lost or damaged gear if things didn't go so well. The game system runs the rest of the universe via charts and tables .... lots of charts and tables. Quick skim so far but I like what I see. In depth scrutiny just started.
It looks like my little sci-fi RPG campaign had died a death so this may be the next best thing.
Finished "The Mammoth Book Of Soldiers at War: Firsthand accounts of warfare from the Age of Napoleon" edited by Jon E. Lewis.
Excerpts from memoirs, most of which I have.
Entries are:
With Napoleon in Italy, Jean-Roche Coignet.
A Foot Soldier in Egypt, SGT David Robertson, 92nd Foot.
The Road to Corunna, Rifleman Harris 95th Rifles.
I Trust We Shall Return Successful; A Dragoon in the Peninsula, CPT Fenton, 4th Dragoons.
Wagram 1809, Marshal MacDonald.
Diary of a Cavalry Officer in the Peninsula,1810, LT Tomkinson, 16th Lt Dragoons.
The Storming of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, 1812, LT Grattan, 88th Foot.
Triumph and Tragedy: Salamanca and Burgos, CPT Bragge, 3rd Dragoons.
Fighting the Redcoats, CPL Stubbs, Kentucky Militia.
The Retreat from Moscow 1812-13, GEN Lejeune.
Vitoria, 1813, Ensign Hennell, 43rd Foot.
"The Only Regiment of English": Fighting the North German Campaign, 1813, SGT Morris, 73rd Foot.
"The Battle of the Nations": Leipzig, 1813, Gen Marbot, 23rd C-a-C.
An Artilleryman at Waterloo, 1815, CPT Cavalie Mercer, RHA.
Good with much action in the selective parts of the memoirs.
Suffering a bit of a brane freez.
Trying to work my way through Absolute Emperor.
It doesn't have a lot of pages, and each makes sense alone.
My brain isn't tying it together at all well.
Perhaps the problem is that I'm interleaving reading with "5 torches deep".
An "Old school roleplay" take on the D&D 5e rules.
Very interesting, but my pals don't want to play with characters that die easily.
'Kursk' by Lloyd Clark. I know a lot of online reviews have moaned about the fact that a large part of the book is taken up with pre-war and events leading up to the battle, but I like this approach of putting it in context. A very good read and have learnt quite a bit so far, which is good. Highly recommended.
Finished "The Illustrated Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time" by Dave Sobel and William J.H. Andrewes.
Fascinating reading and extremely well illustrated. Finding longitude then (early to late 1700's) was based on time from a known point with each hour being 1/24th of the spin of the earth or 15 degrees (1/24th of 360 degree circle around the earth).
The problem was to make a clock that was super accurate, not affected by heat, cold or motion of the ship. John Harrison figured it out and won most of the 20,000 pound prize over a 40 year period.
The last money was collected by his son after he passed away.
Quote from: kipt on 01 July 2021, 08:56:48 PM
Finished "The Illustrated Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time" by Dave Sobel and William J.H. Andrewes.
Fascinating reading and extremely well illustrated. Finding longitude then (early to late 1700's) was based on time from a known point with each hour being 1/24th of the spin of the earth or 15 degrees (1/24th of 360 degree circle around the earth).
The problem was to make a clock that was super accurate, not affected by heat, cold or motion of the ship. John Harrison figured it out and won most of the 20,000 pound prize over a 40 year period.
The last money was collected by his son after he passed away.
I read this book some years ago - it is a great story and the illustrations in this version really bring it to life - must find it on the bookcase and have another look through.
Just finished Liu Cixin's trilogy the Three Body Problem, Dark Forest and Deaths End. Highly recommended for any sci fi fans.
Prior to that Child of Vengeance and Sword of Honor by David Kirk were good reads on the fictionalised early life of Miyamoto Musashi.
Just arrived is Samurai Battles: Japan's Warrior Lords in 700 Years of Conflict by Michael Sharpe. Seems to give a fairly good overview of the history but not sure if it's going to go into enough detail on the battles for my liking, though only had a cursory flick through so far.
Also about halfway through Justin Swantos Ancient Battle Formations which is an interesting read.
Re-reading "Too Little Too Late. the Campaign in Wesr and South Germany Jun-July 1866" and "The Contribution of the Royal Bavarian Army to the War of 1866".
Nice change from the usual works which do not seem to provide much coverage. Battles are smaller and do offer opportunities for What If types games. In addition to Bavarians there are Hessian, Baden, Wurttemburg and a small Austrian contingent. Terrain is a bit of a nightmare with numerous wooded hills, but 'c'est la vie'.
I'm reading "Wellington's Eastern Front: The Campaigns on the East Coast of Spain, 1810–1814" by Nick Lipscombe.
The Peninsula where the Duke was not - the Eastern front of the war.
Good read, expands those bits in the usual histories that say "Soult was busy with the Spanish".
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 26 June 2021, 10:56:28 PM
Suffering a bit of a brane freez.
Trying to work my way through Absolute Emperor.
It doesn't have a lot of pages, and each makes sense alone.
My brain isn't tying it together at all well.
Perhaps the problem is that I'm interleaving reading with "5 torches deep".
An "Old school roleplay" take on the D&D 5e rules.
Very interesting, but my pals don't want to play with characters that die easily.
Update:
Absolute Emperor - not one of Osprey's finest. File alongside "Artificial limbs of the Wehrmacht 1943-45".
5 torches deep - Nice spin on D&D if you like your adventurers crunchy and temporary.
Tilly's very bad day - fast pay for 30 years War / English Civil War - with enough chrome to incorporate interesting scenarios and build campaigns.
Congo - Adventures in the heart of Africa - excellent darkest Africa skirmish. Terrain requirements are somewhat daunting.
Finished "Napoleon Absent, Coalition Ascendant: The 1799 Campaign In Italy and Switzerland, Volume 1" translated and edited by Nicholas Murray & Christopher Pringle.
It is too bad including a lot of maps makes books so expensive. This book has maps but can only hit the major actions and strategic locations. I did not read this with a comprehensive atlas in had, but it would have helped. Clausewitz, using Jomini and Archduke Charles narratives, as well as other histories, does a great job with operational history. Some general OB's with round numbers. I enjoy this type of history however.
Again the translation is very well done. My only nit picks are in the footnotes where our editors say "see" such and such a book. Most of these are not available without a lot of online searching and translating. I have quite a few of the modern books referenced, but not the older ones. Footnotes could just reference the book where the information is accessed.
Hopefully a translation of Archduke Charles may happen sometime in the future?
Coming up will be volume 2 (I read "Napoleon's 1796 Italian Campaign some time age and have purchased a copy for a birthday present fr a friend of mine).
The Winter War (The Russo-Finnish War 139-1940) by William R Trotter. Extremely well written and an enjoyable read, with plenty of good info for those wanting to wargame this more obscure conflict.
Quote from: kipt on 25 July 2021, 02:15:11 AM
Finished "Napoleon Absent, Coalition Ascendant: The 1799 Campaign In Italy and Switzerland, Volume 1" translated and edited by Nicholas Murray & Christopher Pringle.
It is too bad including a lot of maps makes books so expensive. This book has maps but can only hit the major actions and strategic locations. I did not read this with a comprehensive atlas in had, but it would have helped. Clausewitz, using Jomini and Archduke Charles narratives, as well as other histories, does a great job with operational history. Some general OB's with round numbers. I enjoy this type of history however.
Again the translation is very well done. My only nit picks are in the footnotes where our editors say "see" such and such a book. Most of these are not available without a lot of online searching and translating. I have quite a few of the modern books referenced, but not the older ones. Footnotes could just reference the book where the information is accessed.
Hopefully a translation of Archduke Charles may happen sometime in the future?
Coming up will be volume 2 (I read "Napoleon's 1796 Italian Campaign some time age and have purchased a copy for a birthday present fr a friend of mine).
Thanks very much, Kip. I've passed your comments on to Nick and to the Press.
The limit on maps was not cost but time. They were all created by Nick and each one takes many hours' work. I agree more maps would have been nice, but we had to be selective and limit it to 11.
A translation of Archduke Charles may well happen.
Chris
Listening to....H2G2......The Hexagonal phase.
(I treated myself.......Which YOU paid for.)
First listen.....Hmm..yeah..O.K. :-\....Not bad......Second listen....Loved it !
Cheers - And thanks for all the fish - Phil. ;)
A friend gave me the 140th Anniversary special magazine Antietam Commemorative Issue, from the editors of America's Civil War, Civil War Times and MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History.
Several good articles by well know authors:
To Antietam Creek by D. Scott Hartig,
Lost and Found: Special Orders No. 191 by Stephen W. Sears,
Defeat or Victory? by Gary W. Gallagher,
as well as several others on South Mountain, the Cornfield, Bloody Lane and Burnside's Bridge.
Good illustrations also for a most interesting battle.
The War of Wars: epic struggle between Britain and France - 1789-1815
Clips along at a nice pace and lots of snippets I'd not read about before like battle of Villiers-en-Cauchies: 400 cavalry, British and Austrian, surprise and rout 800 French cavalry before careering straight through (over!) a division of 12,000 infantry in 3 ranks and sixty guns! (which were quickly taken) before routing the French cavalry again which had reformed in the rear :o What a ride!
What a ride indeed!
Finished Issue 65, July 2021 of the Gettysburg Magazine.
Articles in this issue are:
Ed Bearrs Remembered...And Now,
"It Was the Intention to Defend the Place":John Reynolds and the Decision to Fight at Gettysburg,
The Forgotten Assault at Gettysburg: Richard Anderson's Division on July 2,
The Myth that Mahone's Brigade Did Not Move on July 2, 1863,
and a couple more.
Good magazine.
Finished Vol. 85, No. 1 of "The Journal of Military History."
Articles in this issue are:
Should Roman Soldiers be Called "Professional" Prior to Augustus?
Bastion of Empire: The Italian terzo vecchi of the Army of Flanders (1597-1682).
"Neither an Officer nor an Enlisted Man": Contract Surgeons' Eligibility for the Medal of Honor.
The Battle of Shanghai (January-March 1932): A Study in the Space-time of War.
Harvey A DeWeerd and the Dawn of Academic Military History in the United States.
Debunking an Omaha Legend: The Use of :Armored Funnies" on D-Day.
Warriors Who Don't Fight: The Post-Cold war United States Army and Debates over Peacekeeping Operations.
And as always reviews of books; 102 pages.
Jack Four by Neal Asher.
Awesome hard sci-fi.
Sicily '43 by James Holland. An excellent informative book on a subject I didn't know a great deal about.
In the Name of Lykourgos: The Rise and Fall of the Spartan Revolutionary Movement (243–146 BC)
Miltiadis Michalopoulos- somewhat less heavy going than I expected.
and
Marada the She-Wolf - Graphic Novel
Just read the kindle version of Charging against Wellington (French cavalry in the Peninsular).
I've got James Holland's Sicily book in my reading pile!
Edward
Yep, the Sicily book keeps getting shunted back at the moment, but looking forward to reading it in the next month or so.
Marci Clarke Biography, specialist topic OJ ...of course...
Hi
Monte Cassino - Ten Armies in Hell by Peter Caddick-Adams. Good account of the campaign and various battles, although the author does jump around a bit chronologically . Sadly a low point of allied generalship of the Second World War.
Cheers Paul
Finished "The Coalition Crumbles, Napoleon Returns: The 1799 Campaign in Italy and Switzerland, Volume 2" by Carl von Clausewitz. Translated and edited by Nicholas Murray and Christopher Pringle.
Our cast of characters include Moreau, Massena, MacDonald, Melas, Archduke Karl and Suvorov. Clausewitz does a great job explaining (and in some cases trying to explain) what transpired for this part of the campaign. Lots of little towns /villages referenced and as before I did not use an atlas to make sure I knew where all the action was. Translation by Murray and Pringle reads great. Their comments are useful in the understanding of the actions and interactions of the various commanders and governments.
I am impressed with the editors/translators use of this narrative as examples in Clausewitz's "On War". It indicates a good knowledge of that book which is long and dense. I appreciate the inclusion of links to old maps as I am planning to map some areas for campaigns.
There are references to games being played at the Naval War College. I would be interesting in AAR's, if available.
Once again, a translation of Archduke Karl would be great.
Finished "The Profession of Arms" the 1962 Lees Knowles Lectures given at Trinity College by LTG Sir John Hackett. There were 3 lectures put into this booklet and published by The Center of Military History, US Army.
In the lectures, General Hackett reviewed the origins up to the armies of the nation states, Prussia and Napoleon, the 19th century officer, WWI and the present (as of 1960's) and the future.
Short, only 43 pages, but interesting.
The library van is back in action this Friday. :o :o
New stuff to listen to !<:-P :-bd <:-P :-bd <:-P :-bd
Cheers - Phil. :)
I remember those as a kid Phil! I still see one when I go to visit my Dad in rural Norfolk. Glad to see this service is still doing sterling work for those that live in the back of beyond.
Finished "A Civil War Gunboat in Pacific Waters: Life on Board USS Saginaw" by Hans Konrad Van Tilburg.
this is the story of the USS Saginaw, the first naval ship built at the Mare Island shipyard north of San Francisco (and about 18 miles from where I live). It gives a history of its construction (keel laid down 9/16/1858 and launched 3/3 1859 as a side wheel two masted brig), voyages, its commanders and its demise on a reef near Midway on October 29, 1870. The author was part of the team discovering and cataloging the wreck.
Interesting tidbits about the crew and their misdemeanors (drunk, disrespect to superiors, desertion) and their punishments, along with the supplies brought on board. Eventually armed with 2 30 pound Parrott rifles fore and aft and 4 broadside 24 pound howitzers.
A good story and very well written.
Huzzah !!! <:-P :-bd <:-P
A slight return to normality with the return of the library van, yesterday.
More stuff to listen to...picked by Dave, the library operative.
Listening to "The last hour"......Set in 'ancient' Rome.
Also found the "Johnners at the Beeb" Cds, when I was looking for something else to listen to. It was hiding at the bottom of the bookcase.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Dey never bes wer youse tinks ! ;)
Whatever they are...it helps pass the time when I'm pushing putty, Ian. ;)
Scattered in various places...I've got oodles of stuff that I can 're-listen' to. ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil. :)
I use the radio for that.....4extra or 4. If I don't I loose track of time. Exam candidates hate it when I'm invigilating ;)
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 21 August 2021, 11:48:53 AM
I use the radio for that.....4extra or 4. If I don't I loose track of time. Exam candidates hate it when I'm invigilating ;)
You have the radio on while the exam is in progress? :o
Of course - normally tuned to heavy rock :P :P
Didn't think anybody would belive that un.
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 21 August 2021, 03:55:18 PM
Of course - normally tuned to heavy rock :P :P
Didn't think anybody would belive that un.
This kind of rock music I might just believe :)
(https://makingmulticulturalmusic.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/soapstone-whistles.jpg?w=300&h=300)
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 21 August 2021, 11:48:53 AM
I use the radio for that.....4extra or 4. If I don't I loose track of time. Exam candidates hate it when I'm invigilating ;)
I'll
have to switch the 'desk' stereo to 4 extra*.....Though it's a bit of a pain, because the display on
that is SO feeble, you can't actually see which station you're on, unless the room is in just about
complete darkness....If I start switching stations I haven't got clue which one I'm on !!
Cheers - Phil. :) *I usually leave it on 5 Live ......But apart from one show on a Friday....5 Live isn't much cop nowadays.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 21 August 2021, 04:31:30 PM
This kind of rock music I might just believe :)
(https://makingmulticulturalmusic.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/soapstone-whistles.jpg?w=300&h=300)
They'd roll quite well too.
Nobby, chase that Kitty
Finished "The Journal of Military History", Vol. 85, No. 2.
Articles include:
Raiding, Pillaging, and Violent Social Change in Late Sixteen-Century Livonia,
Stone Truths: American Memorial Landscapes of World War I,
German Perspectives on the U-Boat War, 1939-1941,
In Need of a Home Away from Home: The Royal Netherlands Navy in Australia, 1942-1947,
Mediterranean Marines: the Challenges of Forward Deployment, 1948-1958,
Foundation Bias: The Impact of the Air Corps Tactical School on United States Air Force Doctrine,
The Quasi-War.
Also 81 pages of short book reviews (often leads me to new books to buy).
Listening to...."Typhoon Fury," by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison.
Plot revolves around a 'secret' drug developed during WWII by the USA, then nicked by the Japanese to turn men into almost invulnerable super soldiers.
(Sort of daft plot that I enjoy. ;))
One of the statements in the book was that the Japanese gave Methamphetamine to the kamikaze pilots.
Is that supposedly true ?? :-\
Cheers - Phil. :)
Not certain on that one Phil, it's entirly possible. Both British and American servicemen were issued Benazdrine on occasion.
Philopon and Hiropin in Japan - tablet and injection.
Pervitin tablets in Germany 1938-41 unregulated availability - general availability controlled in 1941, but still used by the military.
(The allies used various amphetamines as well - Benzedrine is a brand name for amphetamine sulfate).
Two on the go at present:
Historic: Zulu Rising - The Epic Story of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift by Ian Knight
An epic volume, providing great detail of the background, personalities and movements of small parties leading to (and I presume beyond) the twin battles.
Ian Knight is a respected historian, well known in the wargaming world.
This book is incredibly detailed, and it's easy to get tangled in the different isiXulu clan and unit names.
I'd recommend finding a 15 minute guide to isiZulu pronunciation on YouTube before launching into it.
There is a subtle hint of Tolkien about the delivery.
Knight describes the terrain (so often neglected in these histories) in detail that shows a love of the country.
Likewise his word portraits of the main players are "warts and all", and he understands the politics and values of the African combatants as well as the British.
Something new to me is the way that most professional officers of either side were keen to avoid a fight, but were drawn in by impetuous younger men, and then by a sense of honour.
I'm about half way in and skirmishing around Isandlwana is underway.
The book is highly detailed, and an enjoyable insight into the cultures that clashed in the Zulu wars.
At 702 pages (plus 44 more of Glossary, references and index) it's no light read, but I've rarely found the text to drag.
Game interest: Live To Tell The Tale - Combat tactics for player characters by Keith Amman
This is a primer on D&D combat tactics and techniques.
The Author's previous work included a blog which morphed into his "The Monsters know what they're doing" - a tactical manual for Dungeon Masters who wanted more than cannon fodder fomr their goblins etc.
The book is presented in a light accessible way, explaining roleplaying, and specifically 5th edition D&D for the less initiated.
It uses examples and a structured method to illustrate means of fighting to survive.
He introduces the concept of Combat Roles, the Classes which suit them and introduces the concept of an Ability contour (High Strength and Constitution makes a oood fighter and suits a frontline combat role).
He them goes on to details of using the D&D combat model (not a particularly "realistig" one - but hey Magic spears, Elves and wizards) effectively - not missing the potential form your turn.
The last section is more advanced, group tactics - how the Combat roles combine for effect (Something familiar to WW2 players), how to retreat as a group, and some choices as the players level up.
I've watched several hours of this sort of stuff on YouTube, and usually come away disappointed.
The typical video features a munchkin or two regurgitating chunks of the player manual and some min-maxing tips -
"Always be a mountain Dwarf because they get Plusses to Strength and Constitution, then select the weapon master feat at level 3 and be a Battle master with the "sweeping attack" option".
A lot of formulaic nonsense to squeeze the last plus out of a cardboard cut-out personality-void.
Keith Amman goes a different route, explicitly stating that "Race doesn't matter (much)", and explaining how different classes can fulfil different combat roles.
Some classes are more flexible than others: Wizards will almost always be lurking at the back lobbing fireballs, Rogues will usually be skirmishing and Clerics will usually be looking for opportunities to heal their mates, or curse their enemies.
But in a small or depleted party, it's necessary to understand and switch roles.
Rangers, Druids, Monks and Paladins can perform a couple of roles effectively.
The Bard is a veritable swiss army knife of a character - but not optimal in any role.
The book concludes with some worked and illustrated examples of "combat done smart".
There are surprisingly easy to follow; I say that as somebody who struggled with Featherstone's "Battle Notes" and struggles with most blogged after action reports.
This section succeeds, by explaining the player decisions as the parties do more than simply pile in with cold steel.
The book is an easy read, and has provided me some insights into effective tactics in the D&D framework.
Well worth getting for any D&D player who wants to get one over the tougher monsters.
Quote from: Gwydion on 31 August 2021, 11:36:30 AM
Philopon and Hiropin in Japan - tablet and injection.
Pervitin tablets in Germany 1938-41 unregulated availability - general availability controlled in 1941, but still used by the military.
(The allies used various amphetamines as well - Benzedrine is a brand name for amphetamine sulfate).
Thanks for that !
Same here, Gwydion.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Finished "Sun Tzu at Gettysburg: Ancient Military Wisdom in the Modern World" by Bevin Alexander. Printed 2011.
It's more than Gettysburg; Saratoga, Yorktown, Waterloo, 1862 ACW campaigns, Marne 1914, 1940, Stalingrad, 1944 France, Korea Inchon.
The author (who has written many books) uses sayings from Sun Tzu (who possibly did not exist, the writings maybe being a compilation of many authors - no one knows) to illustrate failings by various commanders. General Lee is not high on the good commander list but Jackson is. Napoleon is criticized as well as Hitler, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Montgomery, Bradley and others.
But the book seems to me to be a "popular" attempt to sell books rather than good history. Also historians have done research that makes some of the author's views out of date (column vs line, battle range of rifled muskets).
So, I read it as it was given to me, but would not have bought it.
Listening to "Blood's Revolution" by Angus Donald.
Set around and after Monmouth's rebellion. (I've heard of him.)
Now...thoroughly enjoying it..Though as usual, with historical fiction, I got terribly confused to start with !!
I wasn't concentrating properly....... and didn't realise that two of the names that kept being mentioned were the same person. 8-} 8-}...and also that the 'Rhine' that was being talked about wasn't the one in Germany.
Cheers - Mr Numpty !! :-[ :-[ :-[
Read... novels... working my way through the set of Patrick O'Brian's Napoleonic Naval series... Got a bit tired of some characters a while back.. but got the set! Prefer Hornblower! lol.
Watch... rather enjoying BBC 'Musketeers'... again! Just ignoring 'uniform', and 21c storylines / casting... just nice 'fights' and like the soundtrack! lol!
Tank Action: An armoured troop commander's war 1944-1945 by David Render with Stuart Tootal
A very readable, low level view of armoured warfare from D-Day (well, D+1) to the end of the war.
Not sure why I have so much white space in my last post. Had to leave for a bit before posting and maybe left something on the keyboard(?) No we don't have cats...
Can the moderator fix it?
Yes !! ;)
The weird thing was, yesterday...when I put in the post following yours, K....It did the same to me.
I had to go to the end of my own post, and hold down the delete key for a few seconds.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Thanks!
Finished "Combat Problems for Small Units" from the Infantry Journal, 1943.
Very interesting little book. It poses problems for platoons along with maps. as the narrative moves along, the map is posted on the opposite page.
Problem No. 1, for example, is Oral Orders by Platoon and Squad Leaders. It covers about 4+ pages and the maps shows up 3 times so one does not have to flip back to see the terrain.
There are 27 Problems in all, covered by 244 pages.
Would make great scenarios for platoon and squad size games.
Sounds ideal for generating scenarios.
In the book 'Wot I are listening to' there's mention of a flintlock (?) pistol that had a revolving chamber that could hold 7 balls plus the powder and wadding...so it could be fired seven times in 'quick' succession without reloading.
Did anything like this really exist around the time of James II reign ?
Cheers -Phil. :)
It's not beyond the technology and Colts first revolver used cap and ball, but I don't think it did Phil. If nothing else there would be considerable risk of flashover between the chambers.
Sheer fantasy, as far as I'm aware.
Probably fictitious grounded in fact. See approximately after the first minute of this video:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhjKx0EAUk&t=116s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhjKx0EAUk&t=116s)
Looks like it was tried in the beginning of the C19, but was not particularly successful, at least commercally speaking.....
Thanks, chums. :)
A lot of the fictional story, seems to be more than roughly based on historical 'fact'...But the 17thC flintlock, seven shot revolver sounded somewhat 'iffy'...even to me.
Cheers - Phil. :)
They even had machine guns.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Puckle_gun_advertisement.jpg)
(https://www.instmiltech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Gun3-4.jpg)
First working (?) attempt by (probably) John Dafte - not a name to fill the user with confidence :D- in 1668.
https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-1534.html (https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-1534.html)
or a nice video showing a 1680 version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFaIEXsXHAk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFaIEXsXHAk)
So - yes entirely possible but you fire it not me!
Good find(s), Gwydion (although they look like the same weapon to me). Additionally confirms the plausibility of such a weapon for Phil's book (now all we need is a seven shot version to be discovered - but makes you wonder why the author didn't just go with the six shot version for the book) and the risky nature of firing one of these things as speculated by Ian. :-bd
Perhaps inspired by the Nock seven barrel beloved of Patrick Harper in the Sharpe's novels?
Also, if you feel the need for a multibarrel monstrosity presumably you expect to already be in such mortal danger that the risk may be worth taking?
Hmmm.....not that I have a clue.....But the 'supposed inventor'....in the fictional story was Italian.
Probably made up ?
Cheers - Phil. :)
Not a multibarrel but a multishot pistol of the right era
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/788263
Never come across Michele Lorenzoni before.
Just when you think you've seen everything along comes another surprise!
Quote from: Ithoriel on 04 September 2021, 03:07:30 PM
Not a multibarrel but a multishot pistol of the right era
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/788263
Never come across Michele Lorenzoni before.
Just when you think you've seen everything along comes another surprise!
That was the chap, Mike ! (What a clever erm....man. )
Cheers- Phil :)
There was an inventing Briton at the time of the American Revolution but a quick use of google only revealed:
https://ageofrevolutions.com/2016/10/20/the-promise-of-american-repeating-weapons-1791-1821/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_rifle
Well, Lorenzoni's pistol may be the one in your book Phil, but it ain't a revolver, :) or a revolving chamber holding 7 balls and charges - it's a magazine in the handle with enough powder for 7 shots, 7 balls and you hold it muzzle down and work the lever that loads a measure of powder and a ball into the barrel each time.
Video of how it works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hnC6x036Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hnC6x036Q)
Dafte's gun is a revolver (and he was British!) and made before Lorenzoni's and nearly two centuries before Colt's.
Hmmmm....If I can find it.....I'll have to go back and listen to that bit again.
I was fairly certain I heard a 'revolving chamber' mentioned.....But then, I'm not usually listening too carefully. :-[ ;)
The 'revolving' bit might well have been referring to the lever on the left....that sort of revolves ?
Fascinating 'video'.....Thanks for posting that, G.....Most appreciated. :-bd
Cheers - Phil. :)
Finished "Renaissance Armies 1480-1650" by George Gush - an oldy but goody. This was published in 1975 when there was not a lot of information about the armies involved. The author collected it all and published it in 22 chapters, along with drawings and pictures of the formations, weapons, flags and military dress.
The first four chapters discuss the warfare in the period 1480 - 1650, infantry, cavalry and artillery. The remaining 18 each discuss a particular force. Quite a bit of information here. Not a period I game so don't know how much new information has come forward other than Osprey's most likely.
Quote from: kipt on 11 September 2021, 03:42:01 PM
Finished "Renaissance Armies 1480-1650" by George Gush - an oldy but goody. This was published in 1975 when there was not a lot of information about the armies involved. The author collected it all and published it in 22 chapters, along with drawings and pictures of the formations, weapons, flags and military dress.
The first four chapters discuss the warfare in the period 1480 - 1650, infantry, cavalry and artillery. The remaining 18 each discuss a particular force. Quite a bit of information here. Not a period I game so don't know how much new information has come forward other than Osprey's most likely.
I'm such a geek I have both the Green and the Orange cover editions...
Mine is orange.
Comet in Moominland. Not her best, but the magic is there.
Finished "Cavalry Studies from Two Great Wars", part of the International Military series, No. @ and edited by Captain Arthur L. Wagner. Done ion 1896.
There are three studies in the book:
The French Cavalry In 1870 by LTC Bonie,
The German Cavalry In The Battle of Vionville - Mars-La-Tour, MAJ Kaehler,
The Operations Of The Cavalry In The Gettysburg Campaign, LTC George B. Davis.
All good studies and I have all three in other, separate books. Did not mind reading them again as I am into both periods very heavily.
Finished listening to "Blood Rock" by James Jackson.
Set around the Knights of St John and their defence of Malta against Emperor Suleiman.
I assumed it had some sort 'nod' (or more) to history, but not absolutely sure...Did enjoy it though.
Just finishing of listening to "Circe" by Madeline Miller. Really didn't like it to start with, but got into it about a third of the way through.
Basically about Circe's role in Greek mythology. A good listen !
Cheers - Phil. :)
Re: Early repeating pistols...what absolutely amazing tech for the times! Thanks for posting, gents!
I forgot to mention..... :-[ (Derrr)
That gun appears (and is used) later in the 'Blood's Revolution' story.....The description of its use is exactly 'as per' that 'video'.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Hi
Just finished 'Sand and Steel: A New History of D-Day' by Peter Caddick-Adams. Good read overall but a bit of a slog to get to the events of 6th June 1944. The author does slightly bemoan the media's highlighting the US side of 'D-Day' including the amount of resources put into it compared to the British and indeed the Canadians. But then writes several chapters covering what happened at 'Omaha' beach and basically only one chapter for each of the British/Canadian beaches.
Cheers Paul
Quote from: Gwydion on 04 September 2021, 09:10:22 PM
Well, Lorenzoni's pistol may be the one in your book Phil, but it ain't a revolver, :) or a revolving chamber holding 7 balls and charges - it's a magazine in the handle with enough powder for 7 shots, 7 balls and you hold it muzzle down and work the lever that loads a measure of powder and a ball into the barrel each time.
Video of how it works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hnC6x036Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hnC6x036Q)
Dafte's gun is a revolver (and he was British!) and made before Lorenzoni's and nearly two centuries before Colt's.
I feel I have ask about wadding and priming with these weapons. If you know the answers, you'll doubtless already know my questions.
It is self priming - there is a small magazine of priming powder and as the drum, rotated by the cocking lever, moves. it slides the bottom of the frizzen pan back to collect a small charge from the magazine. At full rotation the drum cocks the weapon and closes the pan cover. When you rotate the lever back the pan slides back into place as the ball and then powder are dropped into the chamber.
Wadding, lack thereof and why doesn't the bullet roll out of the barrel?
Very fine craftsmanship, fine tolerances and a very tight fit in the bore which slightly deformed the bullet into an almost cylindrical shape when fired.
Did this cause problems?
Well the deformation of the bullet probably didn't help accuracy but you probably weren't too bothered at the likely ranges and with the speed of shot.
The tolerances seem to have been fine enough that flashback into the magazine of powder was not generally a problem, though there is a surviving example which shows evidence that this did destroy that particular weapon. (and probably the hand holding it).
Were those the questions?
PS if you want to know more you can look up John Cookson as well - a British gunsmith of the seventeenth century who copied and improved Lorenzoni's system - producing ten shot quick firing muskets/longs. They used the overflow from the main magazine to allow powder to flow/dribble/spill? into the pan. You usually used a finer grain for priming powder but allegedly this system worked well so who am I to contradict him?!
Thanks - you've covered it pretty thoroughly.
Finished a most interesting little book "The Soldiers Load And The Mobility of a Nation" by COL S.L.A. Marshall. This was first printed 1950 by the Association of the United States Army and this booklet is a reprint in 1980 by the Marine Corps Association,.
In it Marshall says that the logistics of war is well studied by the professionals but that the higher one gets in rank the more is forgotten about the load of the foot soldier. Rear area support is well and good but too much supply is only a gift to the enemy. He has a story about a soldier guarding a supply depot in Normandy for over 6 months and the soldier hardly remembers anything leaving, only more supplies going in.
The feeling in WWII was that nothing was too good for "our Boys" so all kinds of amenities were shipped but not used (ukulele lessons with instruments for one). D-Day troops went on the beach with 4 cartoons of cigarettes and the comment was "are we going to fight or trade with the French?"
He equates morale with fatigue. The more a soldier is loaded down the more tired he gets. The brass said that soldiers will unburden themselves of unnecessary equipment when they get into action and Marshall says why give them that equipment in the first place. D-Day troops also carried 8 grenades onto the beach and the vast majority were never used.
The common thought was troops cold carry a third of their weight (160 pound troop would then be burdened with over 53 pounds) but some studies showed that 36 pounds would be optimum.
Marshall is writing for the next war (Russians that did not happen) and is concerned with the little amount of attention being given to the infantry man. He does have examples from the Russian army in WWII and the German generals take on the capacity of the Russian foot soldier who moved with little.
Very interesting read.
Quote from: kipt on 19 September 2021, 05:32:55 PM
.... Rear area support is well and good but too much supply is only a gift to the enemy. He has a story about a soldier guarding a supply depot in Normandy for over 6 months and the soldier hardly remembers anything leaving, only more supplies going in.
The depot wasn't run by M & M Enterprises by any chance? :-\
Good ol' Milo Mindbender
Finished an Osprey booklet, "Knight of Outremer, AD 1187-1344" by David Nicolle and illustrated by Christa Hook.
I know nothing about this period and really am not interested in. The book was gift. But good history I guess and very good illustrations.
Finishing off listening to "Exile" by James Swallow.
From the blurb, on the back....
A vicious Serbian gang whose profits come from fake nuclear weapons...
A disgraced Russian General with access to the real thing..
A vengeful Somali warlord, with a cause for which he'd let the world burn...
A jaded government agency, without the information to stop him...
Only on man sees what's coming. And even he might not be able to prevent it....
(Bet he does !...You get the picture ;))
Quite entertaining but getting VERY silly towards the end !....
Cheers - Phil. :)
Finished a great book, "The Maps Of Chickamauga: An atlas of the Chickamauga Campaign, Including the Tullahoma Operations, June 22 - September 23, 1863" by David A. Powell and cartography by David A. Friedrichs.
this complements the book I previously reported on the Tullahoma Campaign by the same authors. This book has facing map every every page showing the location and numbers of the regiments. Very Tactical and well done. Action in approximately 15 minute intervals.
So good I just bought "The Maps Of Gettysburg" and "The Maps Of First Bull Run". To me it reads like a report from Regimental Fire and Fury (or perhaps the other way around).
Highly recommended.
Sounds a great book and perfect for us wargamers.
Does sound good.
Has anyone done the opposite, use figures and terrain to provide the snapshots of a battle as it unfolds? Following the history, not playing a set of rules.
"Has anyone done the opposite, use figures and terrain to provide the snapshots of a battle as it unfolds? Following the history, not playing a set of rules."
In 1988 Leighton Films made "The Battle Of Gettysburg In Miniature". It runs 40 minutes in color as a DVD. I haven't seen it for a long time (and no DVD player now) but it was pretty good.
They used all types of figures, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm and 54mm. Building roughly HO scale and thousands of trees. The Peach Orchard has over 400 trees. As well as the off the shelf figures, they had over 200 special figures made, such as the kneeling drummer boy of Pickett's Charge.
Also finished another Osprey, "Byzantine Armies 886-1118", by Ian Heath and Angus McBride.
Typical canned history but well done and great illustrations. I din not know of the vary different terms for the military organizations and ranks of the commanders. Very Byzantine...
Finished "Prince Eugene" by LTG Sir George MacMunn. Good writer as the book reads in a breezy style. Interesting for a LTG but he has 15 other historical books to his name. The author died in 1952 and the book does not have a print date, so maybe in the 30's after he retired?
A good overview, with examples of Prince Eugene's life, trials and successes. However, I have started another old book on Eugene written in 1888 which seems suspiciously similar. We'll see as I finish it. Of course, the biography of someone's life will essentially follow the same path, so who knows.
Anyway, I enjoyed the history and the writing style.
Just found a video of the Gettysburg in Miniatures DVD that I mentioned earlier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Rs5C84hDM
Just finished Tank Action: An armoured troop commander's war 1944-1945 by David Render with Stuart Tootal
Lots of small unit actions that might prove inspirational for those looking for skirmish scenarios.
I particularly liked small details, like the time he was leading 5 Troop when his Sherman was ambushed by a Panther. The Panther fired but didn't knock them out so they backed up sharpish. The Sherman's 75mm wasn't going to do much frontally to a Panther so it looked like curtains until he realised the Panther's barrel was too long to traverse between the trees to get them. Two Panthers scuttled off out of it. Presumably to get away before the troop's Firefly turned up.
I'm currently re-reading Prit Buttars "Retribution" about the Russian reconquest of the Ukraine after Kursk in 1943.
Well worth a look (as are all his books on the Russian front in both wars) as he covers topics only sparsely covered by others.
Only let down by poor maps.
Re-reading the Pulp Alley rules for the Nth time.
Great game, simple, quick and extremely well written.
But the little grey cells aren't what they were, so I always seem to forget aspects of the game.
H.G.Wells' "The War of the Worlds".
Penultimate chapter in part XIV:
"He heard footsteps running to and fro in the rooms, and up and down stairs behind him. His landlady came to the door, loosely wrapped in dressing gown and shawl; her husband followed ejaculating."
I'd not noticed it was so filthy before!
Finished "the Maps of Gettysburg: An Atlas of the Gettysburg Campaign, June 3-July 13, 1863" by Bradley M. Gottfried. A book in the same style as "The Maps iof
Chickamauga..." I wrote about earlier. Currently reading "The Maps of First Bull Run..." and there are 3 others in the queue.
Same narrative on the left hand page and an explanatory map on the right. Great books!
And finished "The Maps Of First Bull Run: An Atlas of the First Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign, including the Battle of Ball's Bluff, June-October 1861" by Bradley M. Gottfried.
Same format as the others. Love these books.
For the last few weeks...
Listened to.....
"The Wanton Angel", by Edward Marston....About an Elizabethan theatrical company......Not bad ...enjoyed that.
"Murder on Amsterdam Avenue", by Victoria Thompson.....Murder 'mystery' set after the American Civil war...Pretty good...Basically someone trying to hide their 'black' roots. Thought provoking.
"The Prisoner of Heaven".....Set in Barcelona 1957.....So, So.
"Pleading Guilty", by Scott Turow...Too many twists right at the end.
Trying finish off....."The Three Secret Cities", by Matthew Reilly..... :o :o :o :o.....James Bond meets Indiana Jones meets conspiracy theories meets Star Wars meets more 'proper' ancient myths meets the da Vinci Code......Can't remember any Call of Cthulhu, though 8-} 8-}
Cheers - Phil :)
I forgot about Iron Man (2...or was it 3)....Nod to that as well. X_X
Not sure whether I'll finish this one off.
I can cope with a LOT of daftness, in stories......and find them entertaining/diverting...but this one is definitely extracting the urine.
This is apparently book 5. :o
Hey Ho...Library van will be back tomorrow.
No wonder I keep listening to my own CDs.
Can still listen to, and enjoy all the old Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Bernard Cornwell.....Blah, blah, blah...And the radio shows of Old Harry's Game....Elvenquest....LOTR....H2G2...Bleak expectations...........Cabin pressure....John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme.
Cheers - Phil. ;D
And this double post by Phil was so decisive that no one had anything to say for 6hours?
Proper Mic drop moment!
I thought it was very quiet, Forbes. ;)
Cheers - Phil. :)
Quote from: Techno II on 14 October 2021, 11:00:14 AM
. . . meets the da Vinci Code......
You mean it turns into un-readable drivel?
Quote from: Techno II on 14 October 2021, 11:00:14 AM
Can't remember any Call of Cthulhu, though 8-} 8-}
Coincidentally, I'm currently looking at Alone Against the Flames - Solo Adventure (https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-adventures/), and wondering whether it's worth printing it out and having a go. Looks like it works in the style of the old
Fighting Fantasy books.
Quote from: Techno II on 14 October 2021, 07:38:05 PM
I thought it was very quiet, Forbes. ;)
/watches tumbleweeds blow down main st. . . .
Well, I recently read OSPREY:
* France 1940
* Fall Gelb 1940 (1)
* Fall Gelb 1940 (2)
Good books and worth it if a topic of interest, which for me currently applies.
Quote from: Raider4 on 14 October 2021, 09:12:10 PM
You mean it turns into un-readable drivel?
In my case, 'unlistenable', Martyn. ;)
I can often
really enjoy OTT stories.....But the one above......The Three Secret Cities, was in a class of its own.....And
not in a good way ! ;D ;D ;D
I
finally gave up about 2/3 of the way into the story, when some 'hero'..who hadn't appeared before, rescued the main characters from a 'completely impossible to escape' situation.
Did I want to know what happened in the end ?.....Nope !! :D
Cheers - Phil ;)
Finished "The Maps Of The Bristoe Station And Mine run Campaigns: An Atlas of the Battles and Movements in the Eastern Theater after Gettysburg, including Rappahannock Station, Kelly's Ford, and Morton's Ford, July 1863 - February 1864" by Bradley M. Gottfried.
Same format as the others, but about a campaign that is little written about. Narrative on the left, maps on the right, down to regiments and batteries.
Love 'em!
The Iran-Iraq War: Volume 1, The Battle for Khuzestan, September 1980-May 1982
A very good read but very uncomplimentary towards the Chieftain tanks the Iranians fielded in large numbers.
Finished "The Maps of Antietam: An Atlas of the Antietam (Sharpsburg) Campaign, Including the Battle of South Mountain, September 2 - 20, 1862" by Bradley M. Gottfried. Same format as the others so very, very good. Narrative on the left hand page, map on the right. OB in the end papers (but not strengths).
Always thought Antietam and South Mountain were most interesting battles and this book does a great job in explaining the troop movements.
Finished "The Maps Of The Wilderness: An Atlas of the Wilderness Campaign, Including all Cavalry Operations, May 2-6, 1864" by Bradley M. Gottfried. Same format as the others.
This book, with the narratives and maps, gave me a much better idea of the problems the armies encountered in the Wilderness; losing their way, firing into friends, never getting into the fight,
Great set of books, these atlases.
Finished "Prince Eugene of Savoy" by COL G.B. Malleson, 1888. Good study of the life of Eugene and very well could be the fore runner to "Prince Eugene" by LTG Sir George MacMunn as I previously thought.
Some good credit given to Eugene's adversary's, such as Marshal Villars.
Finished "The Maps of Fredericksburg; An Atlas of the Fredericksburg Campaign, Including all Cavalry Operations, September 18, 1862 - January 22, 1863" by Bradley M. Gottfried.
Another in the series by Savas Beatie Publishers. They have an extensive printing of ACW books if anyone is interested.
This book is as good as the others and one wonders what was in Burnsides's mind by continuing the assaults on the stone wall. Eighteen separate brigades attacking essentially one at a time. Unbelievable.
Spartans and Successors - new wargame rules (mentioned elsewhere).
Good clear writing, manageable page count, a good supply of historic scenarios.
Quite dense information, so will benefit from a full reading and a couple of repeat passes.
I shall be shuffling through the lead pile for Greeks and Macedonians.
And finished the last Atlas in the series, "The Maps Of The Cavalry In The Gettysburg Campaign: An Atlas of Mounted Operations from Brandy Station Through Falling waters, June 9-July14, 1863" by Bradley M. Gottfried.
I believe another is in process of being completed and printed about the actions after the Wilderness. Hope to see more on the Western Theater.
Good books.
Hi
Just finished James Holland's 'Brothers in Arms', the story of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry from D day to the end of the war. Excellent read but harrowing and very sad in places (not surprisingly), recommended for anyone interested in what it was like to be in an armoured regiment in europe 1944-45.
Cheers Paul
I saw this Paul and have added it too my list of books to buy. The maps look particularly useful to recreate actions etc.
The Williamite Wars in Ireland by John Childs. An excellent book and still in the opening stages of the siege of Derry. Plenty of petit guerre actions that would make for some modest sized games.
A couple of good suggestions there. Add the James Holland one to my Christmas list, need to check if I already have the Williamite wars one
Finished an interesting little book I found in an antique shop "Colorado Volunteers in the Civil War: The New Mexico Campaign 1862", by William Clarke Whitford, D.D. First printed in 1906 and reprinted in 1963. Whitford visited the area and then learned about the happenings in New Mexico. He was able to speak to veterans of the campaign and endeavored to list all the killed and wounded. However he dies before he could accomplish that and so the booklet was published posthumously.
Talks about the fights at Valverde, Apache Canyon and Glorieta Pass. The Valverde fight is covered as a scenario in the Regimental Fire and Fury Volume 2 scenario book.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/8893273713/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/8893273713/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Austrian Army during the Napoleonic wars 1813-1818: K.K.Oesterreichischen Armee (Soldiers, Weapons & Uniforms NAP)
Oh dear.
If you want to know about the Austrian army 1813-1818, I'd go elsewhere. If you want examples of prints by Joseph Trentsensky, this may be the book for you. No real explanation of the Austrian army in 1813, but an intro to the army in 1800 (which was a very different proposition). Then lots of pages explaining ranks in the army ... which is odd, before we finally get into the plates.
Lots of plates 50 by Trentsensky, plus 30 by other artists. Full colour, and IMHO a bit dark ; some relating to 1800 which was a different army. The biggest disappointment is that there are no notes on the plates. Page 64 "Austrian Naval Infantry" ... who were they? How many? When? What did they do? No clues in this book.
Expensive for what you get.
Picked up in a charity shop today "Great Military Blunders" and "Great Commanders of the Medieval World" (though really from late Rome to late renaissance) to perhaps provide some inspiration for future projects.
Also picked up the rather oddly named The Qin Dynasty Terra-Cotta Army Of DREAMS.
Tad hyperbolic but some interesting information and pictures.
Finished "Mounted Archers of the Steppe 600 BC-AD1300" by Anthony Karasulas and illustrated by Angus McBride. A typical Osprey in the Elite series. Not my area of interest but is was given to me. Still informative and the drawings are always good.
Finished "the Journal of Military History" Vol. 85, No.3.
Articles include:
The Battle of Fariskur (29 August 1219) and the Fifth Crusade: Causes, Course, and Consequences.
Notre Cher Ami: The Enduring Myth and Memory of a Humble Pigeon,
The early Military History of the Second Indochina War and the Moyer Thesis.
And 92 pages of books and magazine articles reviews.
Published 4 times per year and well worth the cost ($70.00 per year regular membership).
Finished my 3rd Eugen book "Prince Eugen of Savoy" by Nicholas Henderson, 1964. The bibliography lists the two books I discussed prior.
This one does not have much about the battles; a high view of not even a page, but does have very interesting discussions about Eugen and his interactions. Henderson makes a good case for the view of "perfidious Albion" and how jaundiced Eugen became dealing with the government after Marlborough.
Over the past few weeks have listened to....
A Murder Too Soon, by Michael Jecks.
Set in June 1554....An assassin is sent to kill 'a spy' in the palace of Woodstock where Princess Elizabeth is being kept under close guard. He arrives just too late. Someone else has beaten him too it.
From then on a murder mystery, with so many twists and turns at the end, I was half expecting Hercule Poirot (or Miss Marple) to turn up. Pretty good, though ! :)
A Lawless Place, by David Donachie.
Set in the time William Pitt is PM.
Slightly irritating, as I reached the final CD thinking.....Coo they're going to have to go some to tie this all together...and then the main character is shot and apparently killed.
Had to find out from reviews on Amazon, that this was the second book in (at least) a trilogy, with the end of each book ending on a 'cliffhanger'. =)
Elementary Murder by A J Wright.
Set in Wigan in 1894.
Murder mystery set in an Elementary School.
Not bad, at all. :)
Airborne, by Robert Radcliffe.
Starts off in September 1944......But whizzes backwards and forwards in time.
Really well structured story...Very enjoyable. :)
The Skin Collector, by Jeffery Deaver.
Basically a murder thriller..(Someone is killing folk by tattooing them with poison 'ink'.)
Lots of twists and turns, at the end...again, very enjoyable. :)
Viper's Blood, by David Gillman.
Best of the bunch. :-bd
To quote the back of the 'book'..."...gives a true taste of the Hundred Years War. A gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty. The stench and harshness of medieval life is ever present."
Cheers - Phil :)
The Secret War by Max Hastings. About half way through and so far superb.
Just finished Marengo by Terry Crowdy. Comprehensive research in the Austrian and French archives, as well as use of multiple sources both primary and secondary, including regimental histories, coupled with sensible analysis which is well explained and written. This is what all military history should be like - original research rather than the recycling of what has gone before.
I'm about a third of the way through The King Over The Water by Desmond Seward. It seeks to draw all the Jacobite history into one study and look at them in context to each other, rather than focusing individually on particular incidents, say, the Boyne campaign or the 1715 rising. Just got to the accession of Queen Anne.
For light relief, I very much like the British Library Crime Classics. These are books from the classic period of British crime fiction from the now less well known contemporaries of Christie, but who were widely read in their time. They are attractive paperbacks with covers using classic railway posters from the time. I'm currently reading Death In White Pyjamas and Death Knows No Calendar by John Bude from 1942 and 1944 respectively. Annoyingly, they are bound into a single 450 page volume when at about 225 a piece they could have been bound individually.
Finished "Jager: Europe's First Special Operations Forces; History, Organization, Arms & Equipment of the Autro-Hungarian Empire's Elite Light Infantry to 1866" by James A. Capua & COL Carl M Kruger (USA, RET).
Written by two arms collectors and well done. Gives the Austrian light infantry a concentrated look and perhaps more credit against the French during Napoleon's time and in 1866 against the Prussians than many wargame rules might do. They do give the Prussian needle gun a plus for rpm however.
Half the book is about the firearms, bayonet and hangers. Well illustrated.
Listening to....Imperial Vengeance, by Ian Ross.....Set in the time of emperor Constantine.
Pretty good, so far.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Cold War turned Hot NAVAL novels by John Wingate. 'Frigate', Carrier', Submarine'.
Read these as library books in mid 1980' several times. Fairly slim novels postulating Cold war, mainly Naval confrontations... escalating.
In the day, thought they were great, though could have been bigger. Enjoyed re-reading after all this time... but wish more 'combat' and less character personal life stuff.
Have wanted to re-read but long OOP and wasn't going to buy 40 yr old paperbacks that would disintegrate... but but found some good condition hardbacks at not too bad a price.
(Interesting thought? If full hull sub models available in smallish scale, (?), could be mounted on 'adjustable' 'flight stands' for submarine combat?).
Still got the original paperbacks and they are avaliable as e-books on Amazon :-\
QuoteCold War turned Hot NAVAL
(Interesting thought? If full hull sub models available in smallish scale, (?), could be mounted on 'adjustable' 'flight stands' for submarine combat?).
It has been done. Also done for a demo game at SALUTE showing the X-craft raid on the Tirpitz.
I have found a 1/1250 full hull Typhoon but other 80s era boats yet.
I have doubts, however, as to whether ASW would have been as effective as in the tales and at least one weapon system... the sub launched 'Anvil' AAM seems to have been fictional as far as I can tell... although currently there may be something in development.
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 20 December 2021, 05:50:25 PMI have found a 1/1250 full hull Typhoon but other 80s era boats yet.
I have doubts, however, as to whether ASW would have been as effective as in the tales and at least one weapon system... the sub launched 'Anvil' AAM seems to have been fictional as far as I can tell... although currently there may be something in development.
John Wingate's cold war naval trilogy is a great read isn't it?
The "Anvil" sub mounted SAM system used by the Russians in the books are fictional, HH however ironically the Royal Navy did test just such a system in the early 1970's based on the Blowpipe SAM system fitted to HMS Aeneas:
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/submarine-launched-air-missile-slam.1722/
36 Days The Untold Story Behind the Gallipoli Landings by Hugh Dolan
A fascinating read about the 36 Days the ANZACs in particular had to plan the Gallipoli landings. Includes quotes from a lot of diaries and official documents. Lots of details on the planning, espionage that went on and the air and naval activities
A little more understanding of the political challenges faced by Hamilton
Scathing of the attitudes to the Turks in London and the British 29th Division
Osprey's 'The Balkans (2) Germany's Blitzkreig Against Yugoslavia and Greece'. Honestly a lot to take in in this book, given the amount of units involved and the large geographical area covered. It's a book that will make more sense with repeated reading. From a wargaming point of view, some interesting actions that could be fought and would probably work best as a series of linked battles, but most are a tad too one-sided to be of interest to me to be frank.
Finished "Battle of the Crimean War" by W. Baring Pemberton.
Many quotes from letters and good battle scenes. An overall map would have been good as there are only maps of the individual actions.
But an enjoyable read.
Just started 'The Hollow Crown' by Dan Jones about the War of the Roses. Only a chapter in so far but a very enjoyable and easy read :) .
Finished listening to Imperial Vengeance...it ended up being 'OK', rather than one I'd listen to again. :-\
Now onto 'Scourge of wolves',by David Gilman, which follows on from the last 'Master of War' that I listened to.
Cheers - Phil. :)
Listened to "Liar in the Library" by Simon Brett yesterday. It's a lightweight murder mystery by the author of the Charles Paris mysteries, so wonderfully portrayed by Bill Nighy on Radio 4. I find this "Fethering" mystery to have less of the comedic value of Charles Paris, and so I don't think I'll be taking any more.
The day before it was "Day Zero" by Marc Cameron. A slightly implausible romp in which all the women are remarkably beautiful and seemed to spend a lot of time in bikinis. On the downside(!) the hero's little girl was smack-in-the-mouth precocious and there was a cast list of stock characters - beautiful Japanese assassin, huge US Marine with a fiery tiny wife, evil Muslim plotter. The hero was pretty unforgettable though the premise of an America being destryed from within by an evil president is interesting.
Day before that it was "Blitzed" by Norman Ohler. An investigation of how Nazi Germany was fueled on Pervitin (Crystal meth) and how Hitler was stoned for most of the war. Wrapped Xmas presents whilst listening.
All books available on YouTube.
Finished "The First Crusade 1096-99; Conquest of the Holy Land" by David Nicolle, illustrated by Christa Hook. The is an Osprey Campaign series book. Not in my interest area but a gift.
Still, well done concerning the players and the areas, along with the time line. Probably a good primer if this era interests you.
Bought myself "Knights of Agincourt", by Steve Archibald. Very thin volume which shows some 480 coast of arms from Agincourt.
Not a lot in the way of words, but lots of pretty, pretty pictures.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51L1eRBZuFL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1999667735/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1999667735/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Armoured Units of the Russian Civil War (Red army). Quite a list of what was used where, but with some useful insights into how the Red Army used their trains, armoured cars and tanks.
Finished a great book, "The German War Of 1866: The Bohemian and Moravian Campaign" by Theodore Fontane, translated by Frederick Steinhardt and edited by Gerard W. Henry.
Fontane was born 30 December 1819 and of necessity became a newspaper journalist. This book first cam out in 1870 and the amount of detail is amazing. Tactical descriptions, OB's, personal reminisces official statements and good illustrations and limited maps (no scale or heights). Writings by officers and enlisted were immediate and presented the views of the time.
Highly recommended for those interested in 1866. As a teaser, Fontane also wrote a book about 1870, but as far as I know this has not been translated.
Sicily '43 by James Holland. About a third of the way through and so far an excellent read, with lots of info I had not come across before. Highly recommended.
Reread "The Quest for Annihilation: The Role & Mechanics of Battle in the American Civil War" by Christopher Percello.
This is a good book, getting into the details as noted in the title. Similar to Paddy Griffith's "Battle Tactics of the Civil War" Nitty gritty nuts and bolts of armies, combat, campaigns, infantry, cavalry, artillery and much more. Also illustrated by the movements and campaigns of the war.
Hi
Just finished 'Stopping the Panzers' by Marc Milner, detailed account of the 3rd Canadian Division during the days immediately after D Day. Excellent account of how the division battled with 12 SS Hitler Jugand Division and parts of 21st Panzer and Panzer Lehr divisions.
The author does seem to have a chip on his shoulder about how the Canadians have been treated in the historiography of the early days of the Normandy campaign, unfairly and derogatory in his view. I must admit I'm at a bit of a loss with this view, as in my reading of the campaign (over some 50 years now) I can't remember any particular criticism of the Canadian efforts (quite the contrary if anything) above the normal criticism of the British/Canadian efforts by some authors.
Recommended.
Cheers Paul
Not a period I know a huge amount about but the accounts I've read do tend to cover the Brits and treat the Canadians, Poles, etc as an afterthought, at best.
From D-Day to the Scheldt the Canadians seem to have been pushed to the back of the stage when it came to handing out plaudits.
The Milner book is very good and puts the Canadian landings in perspective re: the amount of Panzer Divisions they were expected to face. Well worth getting IMHO.
Practical Wargaming by Charles Wesencraft.
QuoteNot a period I know a huge amount about but the accounts I've read do tend to cover the Brits and treat the Canadians, Poles, etc as an afterthought, at best.
From D-Day to the Scheldt the Canadians seem to have been pushed to the back of the stage when it came to handing out plaudits.
Maybe my experience visiting so many sites in the Netherlands has clouded my view.
The Canadians are recognised as first in liberation and the famine relief that followed.
From a German perspective post D-Day.
* The Canadians are the "British" troops you least want to be fighting against (Casualties caused per battalion committed).
* The Canadians are the allied troops you most want to surrender to (Odds of survival and humane treatment).
I was thinking more of the reaction of the British establishment rather than the gratitude of the liberated peoples and the respect of their enemies, Steve.
A lot of British accounts are complimentary to the Canadians. That may differ from the views expressed by particular individuals however e.g. I don't know what Montgomery's memoirs say.
Looking at the index of Ellis' Victory in the West vol I (i.e. the British Official History) there are a lot of references to Canadian formations e.g. 3rd Division p.179-218, 228, 252 in assault, Caen 311-17; Goodwood 333-347, 378; Totalize/Tractable 420-432, 447, 467.
Edward
As I say, not currently something I know much about, though that may change if I ever get my 3mm NWE Brits and Germans to the painting table, What I've read has tended to be potted histories for the general reader or personal accounts where Canadians feature rarely. They are largely subsumed into "British" along with the Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans, Indians, etc.
Hi
Coincidentally Marc Milner is on James Holland and Al Murray's 'We have ways of making you talk' podcast today talking about the Canadians after D Day;
https://play.acast.com/s/wehaveways/from-normandy-to-the-scheldt
I have not had a chance to listen to it yet.
Cheers Paul
Thanks for the 'heads up' :) .
Quote from: T13A on 13 January 2022, 08:56:49 AMHi
Coincidentally Marc Milner is on James Holland and Al Murray's 'We have ways of making you talk' podcast today talking about the Canadians after D Day;
https://play.acast.com/s/wehaveways/from-normandy-to-the-scheldt
I have not had a chance to listen to it yet.
Cheers Paul
Thanks for that link, good podcast, shows how little we know about D-Day. Or rather, how much more there is to learn about the fighting in Normandy. Bought a couple of his books as a consequence!
Excellent and informative (to me at least) podcast. Thanks for flagging it up, Paul.
You're welcome!
Cheers Paul
Finished "Sharpe's Assassin" by Bernard Cornwell. (Who, I assume, most of this forum know?).
Waterloo has been fought and won and Sharpe has a couple of missions to do for Wellington. One on the way to Paris ahead of the army and another (related) in Paris. Usual rip roaring fighting with Harper beside him. (A nit-pick however as Cornwall had voltiguers with red collars - pity).
A good, fast read.
Santa was kind to me. I have just finished reading two very different books.
"Frederick the Great", by Nancy Mitford (1970)
Straying off my usual C19-C20 turf but I am currently interested in FtG's wars. This was a great complement to more conventional military histories, being about FtG as a person - and what an extraordinary character he was. Imagine an aristocratic English lady airily dispensing amusing anecdotes in a manner both informative and entertaining and you will get the idea. A great read.
"The Western Front", by Nick Lloyd (2021)
First volume of his planned trilogy covering the whole of the Great War. Although it's not a conflict I have much interest in gaming tactically, I always like reading about generalship. Dr Lloyd describes the course of events at the operational and strategic level, in a way which I found was pitched just right for my state of knowledge and particular enthusiasms. 500pp of text consumed in under three weeks by someone who usually struggles to finish a book has to be a recommendation.
Trial by Fire by Jonathan Sumption, his second book on the Hundred Years War. Quite a while since I read the first book, but this is just as good and very well written. I had forgotten how many small scale conflicts there were in Brittany and the South West of France, which are perfect for Lion Rampant.
'Battlegroup!: The Lessons of the unfought battles of the Cold War' by Jim Storr.
A sort of 'what if' book but not the usual narrative idea, rather an analytical look at what we can deduce from what might have happened. (It does not attempt to suggest who would have won).
There is a view of the armies and their constituent parts (mostly the NATO forces, and of those, mostly the British, US, German and French), how they planned to fight, what might have happened and what we can learn from the planning successes and failures.
One of the 'sources' is a massive series of wargames fought by the author with his late brother, for which they kept copious notes on scenarios and outcomes. Those who think there is no link between wargames and reality may turn off at this point but don't; if nothing else it shows you how some people think it might work. He is as dubious as anyone about 'hobby wargames' providing insight into real combat, but the approach he took was interesting and he thinks valid in offering a view of something that thank God was otherwise unknown. (The set of rules was the WRG 1950-85 set -with their own amendments).
I haven't finished the book yet, but cheated and skipped ahead to the Observations and Conclusions section. I mentioned Storr doesn't attempt to say who would have won but he does make a salutary observation for wargamers and those planning politico-military interventions in the real world about victory. Storr quotes Peter Vigor, one of the authorities on the Soviets in the Cold War, saying that military thinking was often bedevilled by a lack of precision as to what was meant by victory.
If you haven't come across the name before - Storr is Lt Col(retd)Jim Storr PhD, who served 25 years in the British Army and is a serious thinker and writer about military matters
Hi
Just finished 'Monty's Men, The British Army and the Liberation of Europe', by John Buckley.
Very interesting counter to the German Army being the 'best' of WWII. That said the author gives a fair (IMHO) appraisal of the good and the not so good methods and experience of the British Army in Europe in 1944-45.
Cheers Paul
QuoteVery interesting counter to the German Army being the 'best' of WWII.
If the Americans were as good as they thought they were, the British as bad as they said they were and the German army as good as everyone reckoned they were, World War Two would have gone very differently.
Quote from: Gwydion on 22 January 2022, 10:02:38 AM'Battlegroup!: The Lessons of the unfought battles of the Cold War' by Jim Storr.
A sort of 'what if' book but not the usual narrative idea, rather an analytical look at what we can deduce from what might have happened. (It does not attempt to suggest who would have won).
An excellent read, he comes to the same conclusion as me a long time ago, that IFVs are pointless, because the enemy only has to have 1 tank left to render them unusable in the advance. There is too much tendency to treat them as tanks by wargamers and officers, which is great if the enemy has no tanks or no serious anti-tank weapons, but even a T-34/85 platoon lurking about would make you think twice about showing your IFVs - whereas battle taxis (FV432, M113, BTR-50/60) you know to dismount from and leave them in the rear. I personally also suspect, after a week of combat, all infantry on both sides would be walking.
The same week I read it I without intention recreated a battle similar to one in the book in a club game:
a Belgian recce force of a troop of 2 each Scimitars and Scorpions destroyed 11 AFV of an East German force, including some T-55s, before they broke when their covering force Leopard squadron lost it's CO tank and the force retreated. Total losses 2 light tanks and 1 Leopard, for 15 enemy AFV, but left the table. Who won?
Finished "Life Of General Nathan Bedford Forrest" by John A. Wyeth (who was a Confederate soldier, a private, in an Alabama cavalry regiment that was previously under Forrest).
An amazing person, Forrest, who became head of his family at 16 when his father died, and became a success in farming and business (but was a slave trader). Wyeth wrote in the late 1800's, so his spin on racial relations was definitely colored (no pun intended) by his times and living in the South.
Forrest killed or wounded 30 federal soldiers in hand to hand combat, survived an assassination attempt from a disgruntled artillery lieutenant, who shot Forrest, but who was then chased down and mortally wounded by Forrest using a pen knife, and had 26 or so horses shot from under him.
His exploits against Federal troops read like a fairy tale. He fought and captured at least 3 major units (up to brigade size) when outnumbered over the course of his wartime career. He also captured gunboats and for a short time had his marine cavalry, Forrest's navy.
A very interesting read. This book was published in 1996 by Blue and Grey Press, and I found it in an antique store.
The Fort Pillow "massacre" is discussed, but Wyeth denies that black soldiers were murdered.
Finished "The Battle Of Znaim: Napoleon, The Hapsburgs And The End Of The War Of 1809" by John H. Gill.
this is essentially a sequel to his 3 volume set on the war of 1809 and just as good. He really goes into depth with the actions and the people. After Wagram, the French lost sight of the direction of retreat by the Austrians so followed up on a couple of roads to the north. Contact was made at Znaim by Marmont's small Army of Dalmatia. Subsequently a division of Massena's arrived from the south, but his corps was not compact.
Archduke Charles, who was reluctant to start the war in any case, only thought defensively to save the army and the Hapsburg dynasty - he was afraid that Napoleon would split up Austria and have Francis abdicate. Charles had numerical superiority over Marmont, but let Marmont intimidate him.
A good read and very tactical for the combats.
Just bought the kindle version. I read Thunder on the Danube ages ago. I didn't know there was a volume iv (in effect).
So thanks for the tip.
Finished "Frederick The Great" by Gerhard Ritter, translated by Peter Paret. Ritter published his series of lectures in 1936 and it was translated by Paret in 1967.
This is more philosophical about Frederick's life with an overview of the military portion. Interesting about Frederick's singleness of purpose and how he believed the King is there to serve the people (the state) and obey the laws (no one is above the law).
At the time Ritter gave his lectures and wrote the book, Hitler was in power and Ritter was concerned about "modern" totalitarianism. A review of his first edition declared that the biography's "constant and one-sided emphasis of the rational element in the reason and work of Frederick can be interpreted only as a warning against policies base on emotion". Guess Hitler never read the book.
Interesting but I prefer the military analysis of Frederick's wars.
Finished "David Rowland's The Stress of Battle: Quantifying Human Performance in Battle for Historical Analysis and Wargaming", editor, John Curry. this is part of the History of Wargaming Project (www.wargamimg.co), in which there are several about professional wargames as used by the military.
This is OR (operational research) by the British military. Lots of graphs and equations, but some interesting points made.
An 81mm mortar is equivalent to 3 machine guns in casualties caused. Non mobile AT guns are better than tanks against enemy tanks. Up front personal leadership (officers and senior NCO's) increases attack and defense values.
The research has divided personnel into 3 categories: "Heroes", degraded and zero. Heros go most of the work, degraded do a minor portion and the zero may not participate at all. (SLA Marshall's book "Men Against Fire" is discussed as he also had this type of breakdown, controversial not withstanding).
The researches have used numerous battles for the research, from the ACW to WWII, and then modern simulated combat with the laser equipment for the analyses. They define shock, but then talking to a psychologist, have added panic as part of the items that make up combat.
Some historical examples are given, including cavalry actions (for the shock effect), but unfortunately most are just in passing - I would have liked to have seen those combats with actual numbers of guns, tanks, troop, etc.
Very interesting and the research does validate a lot of miniature rules.
Quote from: Chris Pringle on 15 January 2022, 09:06:13 AMSanta was kind to me. I have just finished reading two very different books.
"Frederick the Great", by Nancy Mitford (1970)
Straying off my usual C19-C20 turf but I am currently interested in FtG's wars. This was a great complement to more conventional military histories, being about FtG as a person - and what an extraordinary character he was. Imagine an aristocratic English lady airily dispensing amusing anecdotes in a manner both informative and entertaining and you will get the idea. A great read.
What struck me about Mitford's biography was the way she tried to turn that nightmare of a father into a sort of Uncle Matthew figure, and how unsatisfying a biography of Fritz will be if the writer isn't deeply interested in military history.
Hi,
I have my nose buried in Gill's three volume set on the 1809 campaign in Austria. Great day to day operational narrative of the entire campaign.
I am mainly focussed on the small unit tactics of the campaign.
Stu
Finished "Pearl Harbor: Why, How, Fleet Salvage and Final Appraisal" by Vice admiral Homer Wallin USN (Retired). The author was a Captain at the time of the attack in the Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) of the Navy and became the OIC of the salvage. Printed by the Naval History Division, 1968. Picked it up at a used book store just for the heck of it, but it turned out to be a very good read.
As an aside, my grandfather was also ion the CEC and he and the author joined in 1917, so they may have known each other. My grandfather retired as a Rear Admiral.
The author gives a recap of the trend towards war and the setup of the fleet at Pearl. Then he describes the attack and the aftermath. There are a lot of eye witness accounts of the attack and then goes into the salvage of the BB's and other ships. Good descriptions of how to refloat/repair the sunken and damaged ships. How to skim the oil out of submerged spaces so when the water is removed the oil will not leave a file on the bulkheads. How to test for hydrogen sulfide (there were 2 fatalities in the beginning - evidently in high enough concentrations it "kills" the nose receptors and cannot be smelled; sewer gas smell). The use of the civilian services as well as navy units for divers and fabricating cofferdams.
All in all I found it very interesting (but I like this sort of stuff - I'm an engineer...).
Finished "Floating Gold: A Natural (&Unnatural) History of AMBERGRIS" by Christopher Kemp. The author is a molecular biologist who wondered about this material, "Preternaturally hardened whale dung".
Last year in June there was a story by the BBC of Yemen fishermen finding $1.5 million of ambergris in a whales belly. Piqued my interest about the material so I bought this book. It is a history, a travel adventure (all true), scientific discourse, quotes from the past and generally a delightful read.
The author goes to several places in the world in his search for ambergris, meetings with knowledgeable people (museum curators, collectors, sellers, searchers - and he does his own) and wrote this book. He was also a columnist for Cincinnati CityBeat and science writings in Salon.
Ambergris is expelled from sperm whales (either naturally or causing their death because it is an obstruction in the kidneys) and can drift for years in the ocean. It can be black and sticky, grey with stripes or white and is used in perfume, as it causes the scent to linger.
The author visited perfumeries in Paris, Cape Cod and islands south of New Zealand for the story. Something different from my normal military reading but thoroughly enjoyable.
Finished "The Navy's Air War: A Mission Completed" by The Aviation History Unit, no date but after WWII.
Talks about aviation history in the US and Naval history in the buildup to the war. Sections on the Atlantic and the Pacific and then The Forces Behind The Navy's Air War. This part discusses the training, Production, shore establishments, Naval Air Transports Service (NATS - which my dad was in and stationed in Hawaii - not tough duty) and the science.
Well done history and better than I thought it would be. Makes me want to continue with the WWI and II fleets I have.
Finished "Napoleon Recaptures Paris" by Claude Manceron, the author that wrote "Austerlitz", a book I read so long ago.
This book discusses Napoleon's return from Elba, from the 14th of March to the 20th, in day by day narrative. Many writings from both the Royalist side and the Bonapartist side. Very well don, Manceron has a very engaging writing style which the translator has captured.
Battle Tactics of the Civil War by Paddy Griffiths. An interesting read so far with little nuggets of info in there, helped by the fact that I read some very good books on some of the major battles last year, so I can understand most of the context.
Hi
Just finished (for the second time) 'War without Garlands: Operation Barbarrosa 1941-42' by Robert Kershaw. Excellent account (and harrowing) of just why Barbarrosa failed.
Cheers Paul
Finished "The Stonewall Brigade" by James I. Robertson, Jr. As it indicates a history of the brigade with many inclusions of letters and reports. Actually not much about the various combats but observations by the soldiers that were there. It was an "elite" unit because the regiments and soldiers that were part of it considered themselves so. They did perform.
Started re-reading War with Russia - by General Sir Richard Shirreff. (ISBN: 978-1-473-63225-7)
It was very good the first time around, but with what is going on in Ukraine I am now reading it with a more thorough eye for the detail.
Thoroughly recommended & very accessible
Picked up on your recommendation Mark. It's both chilling and eye opening.
Finished "the Attack and Defense of Little Round Top: Gettysburg, July 2, 1863" by Oliver Wilcox Norton. The author was from the 83rd PA and detached to the third brigade HQ (3/1/V) as brigade bugler and guidon bearer of the HQ flag. He had enlisted in the 83rd and eventual became a first lieutenant with the 8th USCT.
In this book the author uses information from historians, the Official Records, both from Federals and Confederates, and letters from General Warren and others to establish what had happened at Little Round Top. Up until he wrote and published (1913) there were several different views of the sequence of the action, particularly regarding Gen. Warren's role. What he established is what is currently seen as correct. This is a reprint of 1992 by Stan Clarke Military Books, Gettysburg (evidently still in business).
As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, by Laurie Lee.
A beautifully written account of his journey through Spain in the run upto the civil War. Highly recommended.
Hi
Just finished 'The Road to Dunkirk: The British Expeditionary Force and the Battle of the Ypres-Comines Canal, 1940' by Charles More. Some excellent material for scenarios for BEF v Germans but not if you want panzers! Good book.
Cheers Paul
Just finished reading The Anarchy by William Dalrymple (who I have to admit is one of my most favorite authors about anything to do with India).
It is all about the rise of the East India Company (EIC) and the creation of the worlds first 'too big to fail" joint stock company and the dangers of letting a corporation control the lives of millions of people in an unfettered and unregulated manner (hmmm ... an C18th version of Facebook ... but with an army!).
Some really interesting insights into the declining Mughal Empire, Tipu Sultan and his army and the Maratha and Carnatic Wars. Also, just how quickly the Indians adapted to European warfare and just how close they came, on a number of occasions to destroying the EIC and changing the history of India.
All written in a really engaging style.
I'm now very tempted by the idea of armies of early Sepoys - in their European style jackets, huge turbans and cycling shorts!!! Along with very colourful massed Indian cavalry, elephants and a lot of artillery (including camel mounted rockets and massed camel swivel guns). What is not to like :D
A great read. I'd thoroughly recommend it.
Mark
I've had The Anarchy pop up on my recommendations a few times, tempting!
I'm about halfway through There's A Devil In The Drum by John F Lucy. Very well written account by a ranker in the opening years of the Great War. Very approachable and good sense of humour, particularly in the early stages before the war, though of course takes a darker tone as the war kicks off properly.
Finished "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century" by Barbara Tuchman. This is a dense book, both for size (597 close writ pages) and contents. Battles between the French and English, the papal schism, crusades to Palestine, fighting in Spain and 3 episodes of the Black Death.
In this description of the 14th century, she follows a French noble, Sire de Coucy, who lived through most of it. He was a very accomplished knight; warrior, diplomat, counselor.
Her writing is great; very readable and full of facts.
Finished "War: How Conflict Shaped Us" by Margaret MacMillan. Very well done. Discusses the whys and hows (to a certain extent). The soldiers and the civilians (sometimes victims, sometimes instigators). The writing, the art, the governments preparations and the anti-war groups are all in here. How rules have been made by governments and how they are ignored when convenient.
It is a high level view of wars in history, specifically 18th and 19th Centuries, but with many views by participants. At the end of the conclusion she says "It is not time to avert our eyes from something we may find abhorrent. We must, more than ever, think about war." Very timely considering Ukraine. The book was published 2020.
Finished "Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain" by Robert K. Krick.
This is wonderful "Battle Book". Full of tactical combats with units listed. Cedar Mountain saw a Confederate victory, but only after a huge repulse of Jackson's left flank. The Union brigade of General Crawford knocked back parts of 3 Confederate brigades but ran out of steam. AP Hill's brigades were coming up and chased back the remnants of Crawford and then continued on.
There was also an ill conceived cavalry charge down a road that was gleefully shot up by rebels on the flanks.
Too big for Regimental Fire and Fury, but I may do this in Brigade Fire and Fury.
My goodness, you get through some books! Do you get time to do any hobbying? :)
I'm up early - 4:00 and paint then. Work at 7:00 (still working at 76 years old). Always have 2 or 3 books going. We don't have a TV so read a lot. About 14,000 books in the house, most of them military (earliest is 1796). Gaming before the pandemic was about once per month. Lately some Zoom games (don't like those) but so far only 2 face to face games this year.
:o :o :o That's an impressive collection of books
Quote from: kipt on 03 April 2022, 08:45:49 PMWe don't have a TV so read a lot.
I have to agree about a lack of a TV - we got rid of ours about 10 years back - it gave us back so much time.
We'll watch films on Amazon or Netflix or C4 or BBC, but we treat that more like going to the cinema - but at a time of our choice.
I also find painting in the early part of the day best - the light seem right to me - up & painting at 06.00 - start work @ 08.30. On a daily basis that gives me my painting 'fix'.
We probably have a similar number of books to you - but I've not counted accurately - they are a mix of military, history, sci-fi, poetry, psychotherapy, art/art history, cooking, travel and gardening.
You cannot beat a good book to send you off to sleep at night :D
QuoteYou cannot beat a good book to send you off to sleep at night :D
And a boring one is even better (:|
I bought a book at a Friends of the Library sale, "The Battle: A New History of Waterloo" by Alessandro Barbero, translated by John Cullen. Because it was only $5.00 I said why not another book on Waterloo (I have at least 30 just on Waterloo already).
However, I was pleasantly surprised. Mark Adkin, the author of "The Waterloo Companion" praises it thusly. "A thoroughly readable, exciting account of a great clash of arms. The Battle gives gripping insights into what it was like to fight on the Napoleonic battlefield. Brilliant."
And I agree. Quite a slog, with the French tirailleurs constantly approaching the Allied lines, even during and between the cavalry actions. Seems like they, rather than the artillery, may have caused most of the casualties in the battalions.
Good book.
A People's Tragedy by Orlando Figes on the Russian revolution. Quite a tome but eminently readable and helps explain some of background history to the current Ukrainian conflict. We covered this at a very basic level at 'O' level, so nice to re-visit it many moons later and in much greater depth. Well worth getting IMHO.
Greg Baughen's "Rise and Fall of the French Airforce".
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yWSA6Mb2L._SY346_.jpg)
Very readable account of French air power from the first aircraft to WWII. The politics and policy changes that led to the aircraft of 1940 is very interesting.
Waiting for this one to arrive ...
(https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51bTbiI0HNL._SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg)
... but it won't be published until June! :'(
Finished "Winfield Scott Hancock: A Soldier's Life" by David M. Jordan.
A good read about an interesting soldier, Hancock the Superb as he was called. Good descriptions of his combats, Gettysburg in particular. After the war he stayed in the Army but was a good Democrat (so liked McClellan) but was dead set against rebellion. fought the Indians, was in Louisiana for reconstruction where he greatly appealed to the former Confederates as he was not a Radical Republican.
He ran for President twice, nominated by the Democratic party the second time, but lost to Garfield in 1880. I get the sense the author is more interested in the political campaigns than the military, but it is still a good book.
Several books on the go at the moment, a few coming to conclusion so I always start off a couple more:
Closing with the Enemy: Michael Doubler - Great book on the development of US infantry tactics in WW2.
A Time for Trumpets: Charles McDonald - One of the best works on the Battle of the Bulge IMO, great for scenarios.
Breaking The Panzers: Kevin Baverstock. Defence of Rauray, fascinating reading, again, great for scenarios,
Vietnam: Max Hastings - It's fashionable to dis Max Hastings these days, if only some others could write as well though! At least Hastings' books don't put me to sleep with a wall of text! Excellent and very readable account of the politics behind the war and the key decision points.
All the Kings Armies: Stuart Reid - Great book on the English Civil War with a focus on the military aspects. Pity I don't find gaming it as interesting as the history.
Wars of the Roses: Mathew Lewis - A nice concise read that easily understandable and interesting to boot!
The Crusades: Thomas Asbridge - a more modern (but non apologist as seems the fashion these days!) take on the Crusades that draws on a lot of the more recently uncovered Muslim sources as well as more recent evidence from the Christian perspective. Very well written too.
(https://productimages.worldofbooks.com/0340270861.jpg)
A cricket book: Not about war.
Brearley:
Former England captain who led 2 remarkable comeback wins in the series dubbed "Botham's ashes" talks cricket tactics with a big emphasis on man management.
He is adamant that a team of eleven can only be led effectively when seen as "Not just numbers".
After sport, he forged a successful career as a psychoanalyst, serving as president of the British Psychoanalytical society for two spells.
This is an excellent book if you like cricket, particularly is you recall the era of Lillee, Thompson, Boycott, Willis, Botham, Sobers, Kanhai, Lloyd.
If you don't like cricket (I love it) - the book probably won't appeal.
I reflect that airport bookstores are packed with classics claiming "Lessons for the modern boardroom".
Such volumes include Sun Tzu (Possibly helpful if you're in the business of mass slaughter), and even an abridged Hamlet.
In my opinion, Brearley's treatment of leading talented, but quirky individuals in pressure situations would make a bar better management primer than most of these.
Hi
Just finished 'Operation Jubilee - Dieppe 1942: The Folly and the Sacrifice' by Patrick Bishop
Not the first book I have read on the Dieppe raid but pretty good with perhaps an emphasis in the lead up to and the planning of the operation rather than the action itself. This is an operation that simply should not have gone ahead, the planning was simply abysmal, the objectives were confused and what the 'raid' was meant to achieve unclear. In wargame terms it relied on the British/Canadians rolling 6's at every turn and at the same time the enemy rolling a series of 1's.
What made the whole thing worse was the effort by Mountbatten and co. in trying to shift the blame and twist the facts about what it was meant to achieve after it all went wrong.
The Canadians deserved a whole lot better.
Paul
Finished "Conquering The Valley: Stonewall Jackson At Port Republic" by Robert K. Krick. I DO like his writing. Tactical with maps (but theses maps are not as good as my previous note on "Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain").
Yankee raid on Port Jackson on June 8, 1862 by Shield's advanced guard caught the Rebels by surprise. The Confederates were straddling the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, with Ewell north about 10 miles at Cross Keys. So, the raid was beaten back and on the 9th, Ewell fought a battle against Fremont (who was not very aggressive. The next day, the 10th, Jackson fought Tyler on the south side, bringing Ewell down to Port Jackson, where Jackson, after a repulse on his left flank by the river, took a hill (the Coaling) that had many Yankee guns. This essentially decided the battle. Fremont, slowly following Ewell, arrived north of the South fork late and was only able to use artillery as the only bridge had been burned by the Rebels.
Good book just made for a Brigade Fire and fury set up.
Finished The Journal of Military History, Vol.85, No.4.
Published 4 times per year with articles and book and journal reviews.
Articles this time are:
French and Allied Officer Casualties in the Peninsular War (1808-1814,
Meade and the Media: Civil War Journalism and the New History of War Reporting,
"The Devil is in the Details": Mao Zedong before and after the Luochuan Conference, August 1937,
Germany's Total War: Combat and Occupation around the Kursk Salient, 1943,
and three others. Also 95 pages of book reviews.
I noticed one journal article that would be of interest to FSN. It is in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research 99, no. 396 (Spring 2021). Its title is "Trial by Fire: Centurion Tanks in the Korean War".
Crete, the battle and the resistance by Beevor. About half way through and an excellent read so far. Lot's of useful info for a possible campaign based upon the invasion for later in the year.
Did a quick read of "The Cardinal Of The Kremlin" a Tom Clancy novel. This was to be made into a movie with Harrison Ford but he left and the movie was scrapped.
Cardinal is the CIA code name for a highly placed Russian war hero who feels betrayed by the Soviet regime. Lots of field work, tense action and a satisfying ending. Just something to clear out the cobwebs...
Quote from: Steve J on 04 May 2022, 08:49:36 PMCrete, the battle and the resistance by Beevor. About half way through and an excellent read so far. Lot's of useful info for a possible campaign based upon the invasion for later in the year.
For a really good (and free) source on the battle for Crete, the official NZ History is online here (https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Cret.html). While it focus on the 2nd NZ Divisions battles it does cover the other troops in passing. The maps are extremly useful (and well done) as well.
We re-fought the divisons battles in the Maleme-Galatas sector A a local Wargames convention 20 years ago on a 16' by 6' board over 2 days . Unfortunately I have lost all the documentaion and photo's
Thanks for the link Rhys, which I've bookmarked for future reference :) .
QuoteFor a really good (and free) source on the battle for Crete, the official NZ History is online here (https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Cret.html). While it focus on the 2nd NZ Divisions battles it does cover the other troops in passing. The maps are extremly useful (and well done) as well.
We re-fought the divisons battles in the Maleme-Galatas sector A a local Wargames convention 20 years ago on a 16' by 6' board over 2 days . Unfortunately I have lost all the documentaion and photo's
That really was almost 20 years ago :o :o :o
I've emailed you the few things I still have on the game.
Looking east from Maleme, if I recall correctly, with Galatas and Prison Valley in the distance
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52055747330_02a098f0bb_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2niZj61)
My favourite memory from that game was the confusion we caused at a local Fish & Chips shop while waiting for our lunch to be cooked. We were busily discussing the game and suddenly the shop owner asked why we were talking about his parents tiny village in Crete, most Cretans had no idea where it was ;D
"Iron Men & Tinfish, the Race to Build a Better Torpedo during World War II" by Anthony Newpower
The US Navy went to war in 1941 with their submarines armed with Mk 14 torpedoes equipped with Mk 6 Exploders, not a good combination. In the early days of the Pacific war the US sub force had very limited success with lots of premature exploding torpedoes etc. The book tells the story of how this came, albeit slowly, to be recognised by the USN higher commanders and what was done by late 1943 to resolve the problems to allow the US subs to basically sweep Japanese merchant ships from the seas by mid 1945.
A very readable account without being too technically challenging for the average reader. Subspeak tends to be a foreign language for most folks, but the author balances things really well.
That's a nicely done table there Paul 8) .
Rhys did most of the work on preparing that table, including sculpting, casting and painting all the buildings
Some of us helped paint on some of the roads on the Friday night before the game
last night I recovered all the long lost files from the Wayback Archive s I'll put it on my blog in a couple of weeks.
Top get back on topic I'm currently reading "German battle tactice on the Russian front 1941-1945". I've read quite a lot on Rusian operational art and thought I should have a look at the other side of the fence. Its also not based on German generals autobiographies but rather US interviews with POW generals right after WW2. Thus it's unfiltered.
Just recieved Det ulykkelige slag: Helsingborg 1710 by Karsten Skjold Petersen in the mail, and it looks very promising so far, in line with Oscar Sjöström's Fraustadt 1706: Ett fält färgat rött in terms of in-depth research and engaging prose.
I have previously been reading The War of the Spanish Succession 1701-1714 by James Faulkner to familiarise myself with that conflict (WSS is extremely marginal/non-existent in Swedish history education) but that may haveb been a mistake as I found it too broad and sweeping(probably neccessary by the scope of portraying the whole conflict from all sides in one book) to catch my interest.
Quote from: Rhys on 09 May 2022, 08:13:36 AMlast night I recovered all the long lost files from the Wayback Archive s I'll put it on my blog in a couple of weeks.
Top get back on topic I'm currently reading "German battle tactice on the Russian front 1941-1945". I've read quite a lot on Rusian operational art and thought I should have a look at the other side of the fence. Its also not based on German generals autobiographies but rather US interviews with POW generals right after WW2. Thus it's unfiltered.
Bit less "we won really but they cheated" and "there were never any Nazis anywhere *I* commanded!"?
Quote from: toxicpixie on 09 May 2022, 10:44:40 AMBit less "we won really but they cheated" and "there were never any Nazis anywhere *I* commanded!"?
Yes I'm sure they were all only obeying orders too :-\ ;)
QuoteBit less "we won really but they cheated" and "there were never any Nazis anywhere *I* commanded!"?
I think they were already peddling that line by March 1945
Recent events do make me re-evaluate Soviet WWII effectiveness - how much was a good story told by them vs how good did they actually get? Kept a lot of people employed (on both sides) during the Cold War.
Quote from: fred. on 09 May 2022, 12:28:54 PMI think they were already peddling that line by March 1945
Recent events do make me re-evaluate Soviet WWII effectiveness - how much was a good story told by them vs how good did they actually get? Kept a lot of people employed (on both sides) during the Cold War.
You could write a book on that ;)
Quote from: toxicpixie on 09 May 2022, 01:23:43 PMYou could write a book on that ;)
I'm sure someone has !
Finished "If It Takes All Summer: The Battle Of Spotsylvania" by William D. Matter.
A good book about this part of the campaign and specifically the battle. Many unit narratives with several maps; good tactical combats. 350 pages before the appendices which include the OB for both sides (no unit strengths however), a discussion of the acrimonious exchange between Sheridan and Meade and what happened to the oak stump left after an oak tree was shot through by rifle fire. (The tree was about 20 inch in diameter and the stump is in the Smithsonian).
Good ACW book.
Quote from: fred. on 09 May 2022, 12:28:54 PMRecent events do make me re-evaluate Soviet WWII effectiveness - how much was a good story told by them vs how good did they actually get? Kept a lot of people employed (on both sides) during the Cold War.
I'd argue that in WW2 they were as good as we think, possibly better. Certainly they mastered operational art, which Germans failed to do.
I would recommend the 3 book "set" by Pritt Buttar, covering the war for Ukraine from November 1942 to the destruction of army group south in late 1944.
On a Knifes Edge, Retribution and The Reckoning. The Soviet high command was brave enough to learn from its mistakes (and successes). In the accounts I'm always struck how the initial attacks always picked unit boundaries (from division to army level) and used sequential attacks to wear the German reserves down by running them around dealing with successive attacks.
As to their effectiveness in the 1970's/80's I've always wondered how an army full of men raised in Eastern Europe austerity would have reacted on seeing their first mall or supermarket. I believe the entire offensive may well have bogged down in an orgy of looting that would have required a sizable number of KGB barrage battailions to get back on track.
Quote from: Rhys on 10 May 2022, 08:13:18 AMAs to their effectiveness in the 1970's/80's I've always wondered how an army full of men raised in Eastern Europe austerity would have reacted on seeing their first mall or supermarket. I believe the entire offensive may well have bogged down in an orgy of looting that would have required a sizable number of KGB barrage battailions to get back on track.
That certainly happened in 1918 with the March offensive - German troops stopped to loot the extensive British supplies. As to the current situation it's very reminisant of the 39/40 Winter War in most respects.
Quote from: Rhys on 10 May 2022, 08:13:18 AMI've always wondered how an army full of men raised in Eastern Europe austerity would have reacted on seeing their first mall or supermarket.
I've had the same thought re N. Korea if it invaded the South.
Quote from: Rhys on 10 May 2022, 08:13:18 AMI'd argue that in WW2 they were as good as we think, possibly better. Certainly they mastered operational art, which Germans failed to do.
I would recommend the 3 book "set" by Pritt Buttar, covering the war for Ukraine from November 1942 to the destruction of army group south in late 1944.
On a Knifes Edge, Retribution and The Reckoning. The Soviet high command was brave enough to learn from its mistakes (and successes). In the accounts I'm always struck how the initial attacks always picked unit boundaries (from division to army level) and used sequential attacks to wear the German reserves down by running them around dealing with successive attacks.
Yes, I'd agree. They were able to hit unit boundaries and drive deep, pocketing or sending Nazi formations fleeing in large part because their Recce was *excellent*.
And unlike German Recce, concentrated on actual Recce - instead of being used as a fire brigade/reserve/spearhead.
The "they cheated and hit us 10:1!" is partially true - those isolated bits were positions the Russians had determined were *crucial* and needed to be taken *now* - so spending 100 men to take them saves 1000 in the coming week.
What the Germans seldom mention is that that attack allows a Soviet force to completely dislocate and send running/pocket ever larger German formations. Just like Blitzkrieg ;)
Oo, books. Just re-read Poul Andersens "Three hearts, three lions" fantasy novel, very good. You can see where D&D pinched its Law vs Chaos axis/conflict from :)
Finished "The Carnage was Fearful: The Battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862" by Michael E. Block. A previous book I reported on here, "Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain" is referenced in the bibliography. That is a better book on the battle. This book is almost done as a Staff Ride, where modern routes and stopping areas are delineated. If you get to Cedar Mountain, this current book would be helpful, and it does explain the battle well.
Finished "To Rescue The Republic: Ulysses S. Grant, The Fragile Union, And The Crisis Of 1876" by Bret Baier. He is a commentator on Fox News (which I DO NOT listen to) but has done 3 other books on US Presidents. An interesting read with the emphasis on Grant's political life. Fairly done.
Couple of errors on the military portion: Grant was not the first Lieutenant General (Scott was) and Picket had nothing to do with Longstreet's day 2 attack at Gettysburg.
Finished "Vicksburg: The Campaign That Opened The Mississippi" by Michael B. Ballard.
A good campaign history, where Grant and Pemberton get their just dues (but there seems to me to be a bit of supposition of what these two commanders were thinking). The author has also written a book on Pemberton, which I do not have. In this book Pemberton does not come off well - more of a desk soldier rather than a field commander. His subordinates did not like him much (or course he was a northerner from Pennsylvania who married a southern woman).
General Johnson also does not fare well in the author's estimation. His take is that Johnson was so wary of making a mistake he really did nothing. Pretty fair actually.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wWbGWVxIL.jpg)
I cannot recommend this enough.
Just ordered a copy of Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby for holiday reading. Been a LONG time since I last read it!
Hi
QuoteJust ordered a copy of Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby for holiday reading. Been a LONG time since I last read it!
One of my favourite WWII books. Recently listening to James Holland's podcast he mentioned that when he interviewed Alex Bowlby some years ago he mentioned that he never once fired his weapon in action.
Cheers Paul
Quote from: T13A on 31 May 2022, 04:15:17 PMHi
One of my favourite WWII books. Recently listening to James Holland's podcast he mentioned that when he interviewed Alex Bowlby some years ago he mentioned that he never once fired his weapon in action.
Cheers Paul
Pretty much every study of men in combat suggests that's right, or at least that even most of those who do actually fire will fire into the blue, as it were...
Finished "The Battle Of Lissa"How the Industrial Revolution Changed the Face of Naval Warfare" by Quintin Barry. I must admit I bought the book because of the author, he being one of my favorites.
This is a very information packed account of naval warfare as it wen through steam, paddle wheels, screw propellers, iron siding, iron ships, naval gun increases and tactics.Ramming became the thing for several reasons and Lissa firmly fixed the tactic in the mind of navy officers, designers and officials for quite some time.
Very good read.
I'm currently reading a couple of books:
Stout Hearts, the British and Canadians in Normandy 1944 by Ben Kite. Interesting and thoughtful book delving into the minutiae of late war troops. Currently on the bit about the temporary air fields. One story is about the Normandy dust getting into gun ports and clogging them. A party of experts from London came out and declared they would have a solution in a few months. Meanwhile an enterprising Flight Sgt pasted toilet paper over the ports.
Also reading For Honour* We Stand, second in the Man of War series by H Paul Honsinger. Think of it as Master and Commander in space. Fun romp, although the two main characters a bit too special at times.
*I have corrected the American spelling
Finished "The Limits of Glory; A Novel Of Waterloo" by James McDonough. His thoughts and speeches for the characters seem reasonable. He has used quotes where possible so the narrative flows.
He does well in making the battle a "near run thing" as it does seem the French MAY come through this time. Quick read as it is a novel.
Finished "The German High Command at War: Hindenburg and Ludendorf Conduct World War I" by Robert B. Asprey. A good author.
Discusses the whole war in the West and East (with side trips to Turkey and Italy) with Hindenburg and Ludendorf as the main characters. Hindenburg comes off as a figurehead while Ludendorf is overbearing, nervous and the brains behind the actions.
A long book, 487 pages of text, but it keeps up the interest throughout. Recommended for the German High Command point of view.
Operation "Seelöwe" just started! 10 division of the German Wehrmacht had landed at England!
They have published a panel of books called "Alternativer Beobachter" (alternative Observer). In this books the result of military operation went the other way and the German unexpected win.
Not a real friend of such fogery of history but I was curious how Seelöwe should work. So I bought this book!
A major of German Army High Command had a plan of attack:
We land at the western coast at "BRISTOl"!! With every warship of German Kriegsmarine full loaded with troops.
Could this work?
Cheers Kalle
QuoteWe land at the western coast at "BRISTOl"!! With every warship of German Kriegsmarine full loaded with troops.
Could this work?
No chance.
Long way round to go, even leaving from the French Channel or Atlantic ports. The Severn is
very tidal, so there'd be a very limited time to offload troops, and Bristol is not even on the coast.
The RN is so much stronger than the Kriegsmarine it's laughable, and the RAF would hassle them all the way on that long journey.
How many men can you get on the warships of the Kriegsmarine? I presume this excludes the barges and stops the force being tied to <5knots?
And how do you resupply?
If you got them ashore I think you've basically abandoned them there.
So - no, not a workable plan I'm afraid.
Oh, and Hi! Kalle!
Haven't spoken to you in years - back on the old BKC forum. I used to really enjoy your quizzes. :) Hope you are well.
G
Funnily enough I just finished reading 'Paddy Griffith's Wargaming Operation Sealion' this morning. In short, not a cat in hell's chance that the Germans could have landed there in any meaningful way. The book is well worth getting for anyone interested in this 'what if?' operation.
QuoteOperation "Seelöwe" just started! 10 division of the German Wehrmacht had landed at England!
They have published a panel of books called "Alternativer Beobachter" (alternative Observer). In this books the result of military operation went the other way and the German unexpected win.
Not a real friend of such fogery of history but I was curious how Seelöwe should work. So I bought this book!
A major of German Army High Command had a plan of attack:
We land at the western coast at "BRISTOl"!! With every warship of German Kriegsmarine full loaded with troops.
Could this work?
Cheers Kalle
Herr Schempp appears to have read too much Harry Turtledove and details of Operation Weserubung before a heavy night of drinking vodka shots with President Putin; I note that many of his reviewers on Amazon (in German) state this is beyond reasonable disbelief.
In March 1941 some of the ships he wants to use have yet to finish repairs from the Norweigan campaign. In 1940 they could not lift two divisions into Norway and docked one, later two, companies of tanks. These did prove very effective as the Norwegians had no anti-tank weapons. With an inadequate fleet he wants to sail past 50 plus cruisers and destroyers specifically on anti-invasion duties and land 10 divisions in Bristol, an awkward port compared to these easy Norweigan deep water ports or even Hull and the east coast English ports. He lands over 200 tanks and presumably artillery as well; what freighters will he use for this? The British had 13 divisions, including 3 armoured but in this instance they are reduced to 250,000 effectives and crumble without offering more than light resistance. Churchill would no doubt have died of apoplexy in such circumstances.
I think the events at Narvik and Stalingrad give a more reasonable view on what might have transpired. In Norway the Germans achieved air superiority quickly and could resupply through Southern Norweigan ports. At Bristol any captured runway would have suffered intense interdiction from the RAF. The Royal Navy might not have stopped the arrival but departure by sea would have been problematic, ending the life of the German fleet, and resupply from the sea impossible.
Not a viable strategy; there are reasons why French fleets have been interested in western coast ports and German fleets the east coast.
Hi
Just finished (for the second time) Mark Urban's 'Fusiliers', about the 23rd Foot, Royal Welch Fusiliers journey through the American War of Independence, Excellent account of how a typical British regiment evolved its tactics through the conflict. I particularly enjoyed the way he followed several members of the reigiment through that time and what happened to them afterwards. Recommended.
Cheers Paul
Finished "Unceasing Fury: Texans at the Battle of Chickamauga, September 18-20, 1862" by Scott L. Mingus Sr. and Joseph L. Owen. Lots of combat narratives by the soldiers that fought there. Chickamauga through the experiences of the different Texas units. Flows nicely and one does get a sense of "Unceasing Fury".
My only quibble is the use of 'grape and canister'. Understandable when used by the participants, but it is also used by the authors. I doubt any grape was used by the field guns of either side, only canister or double canister.
What I'm not reading but should be is:
(https://www.helion.co.uk/images/books/i2/helion1001195.jpg)
Purchased on Amazon in February with a publication date of June 15th. Now showing as "not in stock. Helion site says "in Autumn 2022 releases." >:(
So my cunning plan for Nap Danes, Nap Ottomans, Nap Spanish, Ancient Indians is now Nap Danes, Arab-Israeli, Nap Spanish, Ancient Indians with the Nap Ottomans somewhere.
I know Pendraken are going to release the Amazons, just to further muck up my schedule.
Finished a short little book "Zouaves: The First and The Bravest" by Michael J. McAfee.
No colored pictures but an interesting history. I bought it primarily for the ACW zouaves but it has more history than that. Quite a few zouave companies in regiments uniformed normally.
Still, it has good uniform descriptions and many photographs.
Quote from: fsn on 22 June 2022, 03:48:38 PMWhat I'm not reading but should be is:
(https://www.helion.co.uk/images/books/i2/helion1001195.jpg)
Purchased on Amazon in February with a publication date of June 15th. Now showing as "not in stock. Helion site says "in Autumn 2022 releases." >:(
Yes, am awaiting that one too, to see if he picks up all the units I have found out about, or adds anything new.
If you want something Ottoman to read in the interim, I still have a few copies of Tangiers to Tehran, a wargamers guide to Napoleonic Arab armies c1780-1825 left, no colour but 100 line drawings, maps, OOBs and potted histories of each nation. £20 UK post included.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81gYL8-Vu1L.jpg)
FP - Shouldn't that last post be in the joke section? :-X ;)
I rather suspect it was serious.
1. Key to the Sinai - the battles for Abu Agelia in the 1956 and 1967 wars, George Gawrych
Partly prompted by the new Arab-Israeli releases (albeit for 1973) I wanted to read something focused on a particular action.
Very interesting especially the good performance by the outnumbered Egyptian defenders in 1956 and the different (and flawed) command control in 1967.
2. Love Loyalty - the close and perilous siege of Basing House during the English Civil War, William Embleton.
Basing House is not that far from where I live. It was even closer to where I grew up and my father grew up closer still in the 1930s and could remember tunnels that were accessible to young boys! Looking at the barn still marked by ECW shot is quite impressive.
Edward
Just finished the five books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Sad the sixth book is still not available (11 years and counting).
QuoteJust finished the five books in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Sad the sixth book is still not available (11 years and counting).
Are you aware of Joe Abercrombie's"First Law Trilogy" ?
QuoteAre you aware of Joe Abercrombie's"First Law Trilogy" ?
I am, and have read the first. Enjoyed it.
Finished "Engels As Military Critic" with an introduction by W.O. Henderson and W. H. Chaloner. Engels, as well as a partner with Marx on his theories, had an interest in things military. He had the nickname of "The General" from his political associates.
He wrote articles for both English papers and for the New York Daily Tribune. This book has his articles on the volunteer movement in England (10 articles), the History of the rifle (9 articles), the French Army (8 articles), the Civil war in America (2 articles), the Schleswig-Holstein War, 1864 (1 article) and the Seven weeks War, 1866 (5 articles). In these last, Engels does not give Prussia much chance against the Austrians as he follows it week to week. And as the war goes on his view obviously changes, attributing the Prussian victory to the speed of advance and the needle gun, as well as Austrian blunders.
Very interesting.
Finished the "Gettysburg Magazine" January 2022 Issue 68.
Published twice per year here are some of the articles(out of 10 total);
The Events and Actions of Battery B, 1st New York Light Artillery, on July 2, 1863.
Confusion over the 2nd Connecticut Light Battery: Here's What it Really Did at Gettysburg.
Fifteen Men per Monument: The 27th Connecticut at Gettysburg.
"His Information Was Always Accurate and Reliable": John S. Moseby and the Beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign.
Always interesting articles.
Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy. Probably some 30 or more years since I read this, which I'm doing as part of getting back into the Cold War milieu. An excellent read and one which I'm really, really enjoying :) .
Finished "The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story Of The Men Who Risked All For The Greatest Rescue Mission Of World War II" by Gregory A. Freeman.
this is a story, almost written like a novel, about over 500 bomber crews rescued from Yugoslavia. These men had baled out of their planes after damage from raids on the Ploesti oil fields. At the time, there were two groups fighting the Nazis; Tito's Communist Partizans and Draza Mihailovich, who was a Royalist.
British intelligence backed Tito who had been constantly confronting the Germans, regardless of reprisals on the Serbian people. Also, Communist moles in British intelligence pushed the Tito program, and said the Mihailovich was a traitor who compromised with the Nazis.
This story is about those men rescued by the peasants and soldiers from Mihailovich's area, who hailed the airmen as liberators, fighting against the Germans. the operation to rescue the men, which was discouraged by the British, was named Operation Halyard and consisted in leveling a 700 yard landing area in the mountains where Mihailovich had his army.
Using OSS men contact was made and eventually C-47's were able to land and take out 12 men per trip. Ultimately this went on for months, saving over 500 men. The whole operation was silenced suring the war so the Germans would not penalize the Serbian civilians, and because at this time both the US and Britain considered Mihailovich a traitor. The 500+ who were rescued never saw anything to indicate traitorous dealings, but Stalin was guiding Tito and the propaganda was against hi.
After the war, with Tito dictator in Yugoslavia, Mihailovich was hunted down, arrested, put on a show trial and executed by firing squad. The US airmen had tried, through the State Department, to testify for Mihailovich but were met with refusals, so as not to rock the boat. They finally did get the state department to send testimony, but the Yugoslavians refused to accept anything.
Truman was eventually convinced to give Mihailovich a posthumous Legion of Merit, but because of the Cold War even this was kept secret for 20+ years. Several of the aging rescuees were able to finally present the award to Mihailovich's daughter, sixty years after the end of WWII.
Zona Alfa rulebook, which led me onto Roadside Picnic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadside_Picnic), which I'd never heard of before. Interesting.
Also led me to watch Stalker (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalker_(1979_film)), which again I'd never heard of. Apparently one of the best films ever made, but I found it overlong, dull, pretentious and preachy. Available on YouTube if you're interested.
Just finished a reread of "Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby".
Cracking.
Highly recommended for a view from the sharp end of a British infantry unit.
Waterloo by Tim Clayton. Just got to the end of Quatre Bras and Ligny and so far a superb read. Highly recommended.
Hi
Just finished '1945 Victory in the West' by Peter Caddick-Adams. Does pretty much what it says in the title covering the last three months or so of WWII in the west. Fairly 'hefty' book with the usual mixture of personal experiences with an almost day to day narrative of which division/corps did what concentrating, not surprisingly given the amount of troops involved, on the American effort with the British/Canadian and French armies thrown in. A good read overall but I did feel that he was trying to cover too much in one volume for my tastes, I think I would have preferred seperate books on what the various army groups/armies did in the same time scale.
Cheers Paul
Finished "James Longstreet and the American Civil War: The Confederate General Who Fought the Next War" by Harold M. Knudsen, LTC (retired). This is a new book by Savas Beatie and gives a good history of Longstreet's service during the war.
The book discusses how Longstreet used modern methods of analysis and command in his decisions. The author says this is partly due to Longstreet being an infantry officer for his whole career. The author essentially says that Longstreet had a better grasp of the overall war than R.E. Lee, who was an engineer officer.
The different controversy's are discussed (Longstreet -proposing to send his Corps to the Vicksburg area, which did not happen and the Chickamauga campaign, where it did). Also discussed is the Gettysburg campaign and the blame put on Longstreet as part of the Robert E. Lee cabal (Ewell and Pendleton) to support that Lee did not make mistakes (although he did accept blame for the final charge at Gettysburg).
In my mind perhaps a bit of force fit into modern US Military ways, but it does show Longstreet was a very good combat commander.
Just noted: Helion are doing a sale of ebooks for £4.99 today (24/7) only.
https://www.helion.co.uk/helion-digital-editions.php (https://www.helion.co.uk/helion-digital-editions.php)
Ta La
Finished "Uniforms & Equipment of the Imperial German Army 1900-1918: A Study in Period Photographs; Air service, Cavalry, Assault Troops, Pickelhauben, Steel Helmets, Vehicles" by Charles Woolley.
As it says, photographs. The only text is that which describes each picture, of which there are many and all good. There is a section in the back with drawn uniforms in color.
QuoteAre you aware of Joe Abercrombie's"First Law Trilogy" ?
And I've just read books 2 & 3 - very good. Very good indeed.
And now I've just ordered a bunch of Pendraken goblins to use as invading Shanka . . . Not sure yet what I'll use for Union troops.
QuoteAnd I've just read books 2 & 3 - very good. Very good indeed.
And now I've just ordered a bunch of Pendraken goblins to use as invading Shanka . . . Not sure yet what I'll use for Union troops.
I remember I enjoyed the first three books, the 3 stand-alone follow-on ones I just never got that into, can't even remember if I finished them all. Haven't tried any of his newer ones to be fair, haven't had the fantasy novel bug at all in recent years.
Would also recommend R Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing trilogy which I was reading around the same time (though that was 10-15 years ago). Though similarly his follow-up series fell a bit flat for me.
Finished "The Journal of Military History" Vol. 86, No. 1, January 2022.
Articles include
"Will Hitler Bombard New York?" Hugo Gernsback and the Future War Tale.
Hitler's "Intuition," Luftwaffe Photo-reconnaissance, and the Reinforcement of Normandy.
High-Altitude Duel: the CIA's U-2 Spy Plane Overflights and China's Air Defense Force, 1961-1968.
And 86 pages of book reviews.
Finished "Napoleon's Paper Kingdom: The Life And Death Of Westphalia, 1807-1813" by Sam Mustafa (I did not know he was a history professor).
This book is a definitive dive into the history of Westphalia. A kingdom set up by Napoleon, not so much for his brother, but to supply men, material and money to France. It really shows how much Napoleon gutted the kingdom economically.
This is a very good book on the history of the times.
Finished "Seasons Of Fire: The Confederate strike on Washington" by Joseph Judge. Good description of the battle at New Market as well as the movement on Washington. This book covers this whole episode to the repulse and start of the retreat back to Virginia. It does not, in any detail, continue the battles in the Shenandoah valley.
There are many "conversations" which may be the author's best guess of what was said at the time, but they do fit. Some would be reports by persons who were there; others by hearsay(?)
I don't believe I have another book that goes into this much detail. Well written and easy to read.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gVH8YtOjL._SX352_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)(https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51bmJHNXH5L._SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg)
What an excellent pair of books. Very detailed with lots of illustrations.
Everything you needed to know about the Danish army ... until you find out that there's a volume 3 coming out.
Does it really warrant 3 volumes? Am I just being cynical?
Anyway, currently reading Normandy '44 by James Holland. As with his other books a great read and with little snippets of interesting info here and there. Fairly flying with this due to his writing style and the fact I've read oodles of books already, so don't need to keep checking maps etc.
Quote from: Steve J on 04 August 2022, 09:48:39 PMDoes it really warrant 3 volumes? Am I just being cynical?
For me, yes. For others, no. :)
It's an interesting and very detailed look at a minor nation. I've read contradictory things from a variety of sources, and will use these as my primary references.
The 3rd volume is about Norwegians ... so I may give that a miss.
But what about the High Command, Line and Light Infantry 1801-1806
I've just finished a coule of books.
The E-boat threat by Bryan Cooper (1976). A good overview of the creation of the small boat fleets and actions in the Chanel and North sea during WW2. Tends to cover the pre Normandy actions better.
German Battle Tactics on the Russian Front 1941-1945. Having read a fair bit on the Russian side of the storyI was hoping that this might give me some insight into the German side of the coin. The chapters are a collection of interviews of German generals by the US army after WW2. a quick summary is unfortunately no. Also the maps are a throwback to 90's computer grafix. Not recomended.
Quote from: fsn on 04 August 2022, 09:57:25 PMThe 3rd volume is about Norwegians ... so I may give that a miss.
The Norwegian army is quite fascinating - it had ski troops!
There was an excellent series in First Empire magazine on the Danish OOB, very detailed.
Quote from: sultanbev on 06 August 2022, 01:48:16 PMThe Norwegian army is quite fascinating - it had ski troops!
There was an excellent series in First Empire magazine on the Danish OOB, very detailed.
Hmmm. I'm not quite ready for that.
Swedes now, that's a different matter!
Finished "The Ghost Army of Worlds War II: How One TOP-SECRET Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery" by Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles.
The unit, the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, got to Europe a couple of weeks after D-Day. The unit was made up of HQ, the 603rd Camouflage Engineer Battalion ( for scenery, props, shoulder patches, road signs, costumes, insignias), 244th Signal Company (radio scripts, scenarios, dialogue), the 406th Engineer Company (spear carriers, stagehands, guards) and the 3132 Signal Company (sound effects, orchestra, off-stage noises).
They traveled all over the French and German ETO, setting up rubber tanks, vehicles, artillery pieces, spotter planes, broadcasting sound movements of tanks, convoys, bridge building and troop chatter, wearing fake divisional shoulder patches and visiting French towns and being vocal about the unit they were simulating, all to convince the enemy that they, and not the actual unit, were here, not there.
Lots of pictures, drawings (many were artists in civilian life) and anecdotes about the unit. Kept secret (probably because of the Cold War) until the 1980's when Smithsonian magazine did an article about the unit. As the final pages of the book say, "The Twenty-Third Headquarters Special Troops remains the only example of a mobile, multimedia, tactical deception unit in the history of the United States Army...".
Very entertaining read.
Finished 2 Ospreys, "The Confederate Army 1861-65 (1): South Carolina & Mississippi" and (2) of the same title except Florida, Alabama & Georgia. Both by Ron Field and illustrated by Richard Hook.
Typical Osprey's, narrative, pictures and colored drawings. Here the different militia uniforms from prior to the ACW are discussed and illustrated for each of the states, as well as uniforms prescribed upon secession from the US. Interesting and colorful, but not much seen in combat.
Recently completed:
OSPREY – The Falklands Naval Campaign
OSPREY – The Panjshir Valley 1980-1986
Next on the table:
OSPREY – Two Volumes on the Balkans Campaign
The real gem:
The Bloody Triangle by Victor Kamenir
ISBN 978-0-7603-3434-8
Dealing with the first days of the German invasion of the South-West in Operation Barbarossa this is a detailed and very helpful description of events, including subsequent inquiry results. It also poses some serious issues such as why did the German forces complain about continual aerial attacks. Was the not the Soviet Air Force wiped out by the initial strikes. An excellent read.
Finished "Sherman's March to the Sea 1864", an Osprey Campaign by David Smith, illustrated by Richard Hook.Typical Osprey.
Also covers Franklin and Nashville as well as Sherman's march to Savannah.
Quote from: kipt on 01 August 2022, 01:57:25 PMFinished "Napoleon's Paper Kingdom: The Life And Death Of Westphalia, 1807-1813" by Sam Mustafa (I did not know he was a history professor).
This book is a definitive dive into the history of Westphalia. A kingdom set up by Napoleon, not so much for his brother, but to supply men, material and money to France. It really shows how much Napoleon gutted the kingdom economically.
This is a very good book on the history of the times.
Yes, that's his day job! It lets him take a lot of time to get his wargames *right*, as he's not dependent on them for income :)
Finished "Japan's War: The Great Pacific Conflict" by Edwin P. Hoyt. this is discussed from the Japanese side and is very informative. It gives a look into the Japanese psyche from the earliest times interacting with the Europeans and Americans.
In order to not be "colonized" the Japanese became colonizers in islands near them, Korea and China. And, they felt, as other countries did at times, that their race was superior and meant to rule in Asia, and by some, the world.
The conflict in China is well covered from a high level, as is the war in the Pacific, all from the Japanese viewpoint. The militarists, like other dictatorships (which essentially Japan became), did not keep the population informed of setbacks, only victories, and those embellished.
Interestingly, the author says the military command was accepting of the atom bomb as it was just another weapon and did not do as much damage as the fire bombing of the cities late in the war. The bomb did not end the war, but the Emperor did, His direct discussions with the high command became something they could not avoid, as they did to his ministers. There was some dissension in the middle ranks of the military and navy, but was finally subdued.
A very interesting, easy to read book.
Finished a little booklet by the National Park Service "Fredericksburg Battlefields". It covers with text, pictures and maps the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Good overviews of each.
QuoteFinished a little booklet by the National Park Service "Fredericksburg Battlefields". It covers with text, pictures and maps the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Good overviews of each.
Are you talking about the 'leaflets' you can pick up at the National Parks (they unfold into a larger sheet containing maps, photos, narrative, etc.)? If so, I totally agree. I've picked up a stash of these over the years as mementos of my various battlefield visits. :-bd
Not a leaflet but a small booklet, about 5 x 8 and 90 pages.
Finished 2 more Ospreys, "The Confederate Army 1861-65 (3), Louisiana & Texas", and "(4) Virginia & Arkansas", both by Ron Feld and illustrated by Richard Hook. Very colorful militia uniforms which for the most part did not make it to combat. More utilitarian browns and greys, but still some blues.
Hi
Just finished 'Lee and Longstreet at Gettysburg' by Glenn Tucker. Not a narrative of the battle, rather it deals with the controversies that arose afterwards about why the Confederates lost the battle. In particular he deals with a lot of the criticism of Longstreet put about by other Confederate officers after the battle (and in fact after Lee's death) in trying to deflect from their own shortcomings. Unfortunately a lot of the criticism (unjustified IMHO) still persists in more modern works.
I do like Glenn Tucker as an author (although very much an historian of his time, the book was published in 1968) and have both his 'Hide Tide and Gettysburg' and his 'Chickamauger' books on my shelves which are both a couple of my favourite single volume books on the respective battles.
Cheers Paul
Having previously been most interested in the Early Imperial and Later Roman Empire history, my recent fascination with Strength and Honour made me realise that my knowledge of the later Roman Republic was pretty much restricted to having read chunks of Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico while doing "O" level Latin.
So, off to Amazon to see what Osprey had published on the subject. Several titles, as it turns out.
Already read these three:
Roman Legionary vs Gallic Warrior: 58-52 BC (Combat) by David Campbell
Armies of Julius Caesar 58-44 BC (Elite) by Raffaele D'Amato
Roman Legionary 109-58 BC: The Age of Marius, Sulla and Pompey the Great: 182 (Warrior) by Ross Cowan
All gave a useful grounding in the period, though I would have liked more about the non-legion units in the second. For my purposes the first was most useful.
Currently reading Caesar's Conquest of Gaul (Military History from Original Sources): The Illustrated Edition (Military History from Primary Sources) by Bob Carruthers.
The one page intro by Bob Carruthers is fine, the panegyric on Caesar by Thomas de Quincey is a waste of seventeen pages, IMNSHO!
The actual translation is fine, barring some obvious typos.
Still to go are the following two.
Republican Roman Warships 509-27 BC: 225 (New Vanguard) by Raffaele D'Amato
The Numidians 300 BC-AD 300 (Men-at-Arms) by William Horsted
The Army of Maria Theresa (1st edition) by Duffy. An excellent read and a lot of useful stuff regarding the polyglot nature of the army, the language issues and their impact on C&C as well as losses incured whilst on campaign. So far plenty to take away for use on the wargames table or to explain those blunders etc.
This book has nothing to do with wargaming but I enjoyed it so much that I had to recommend it.
Oyster Isles: A Journey Through Britain and Ireland's Oysters by Bobby Groves. The author is Head of Oysters for an international hospitality company and has been in the Oyster business all his life.
The book is about a road-trip, on a Triumph Bonneville motorbike, of all the places and farms in the UK and Ireland that produce Oysters. If you like your food and, in particular, if you love oysters, this charming book is well worth a read. If you don't know your rocks from your natives, you will by the time you've finished reading.
Finished "The Battle Of Pickett's Mill: Along The Dead-line" by Brad Butkovich. He has also written 8 ACW scenario books, including one on this battle.
It was part of Sherman's march to Atlanta, and another out flanking maneuver, but it did not go well for the Union side. The book has much tactical detail and relatively good maps. In a couple of places right flank, east, west seemed to be confused and in one map a unit attributed to the wrong state, but not so in the text.
I will plan do fight the scenario and this is a good background for it.
I like his stuff.
Finished "Cain At Gettysburg" by Ralph Peters. This is one of the best, if not the best, book on combat that I have read. The author is a retired LTC, US Army and has written several ACW novels as well as others, some under the pen name of Owen Parry.
The novel follows the 26th North Carolina and the 26th Wisconsin (the Sigel Regiment - so Germans). He also does a great job with the various commanders of both sides. No change to the outcome and follows the historical facts.
Highly recommended.
Just finished a couple of books about the Battle of Lissa. 'The Battle of Lissa 1866' by Quintin Barry and 'The Battle of Lissa - 20 July 1866' by Zvonimir Freivogel. I was hoping for an account of the naval campaign in the Adriatic from both books but only one of them delivered in that context.
Quintin Barry's book is subtitled 'How the Industrial Revolution Changed the Face of Naval Warfare' and that is really what it is about. Barry starts with an overview of sailing warships in the early 19th Century and works his way through the development of steam power, the introduction of the ironclad, naval ordnance and ammunition, which he does in the first 14 of the 26 chapters. All very interesting but I really didn't want to read about the American Civil War or the naval race between Britain and France in the 1860s. There are a couple of chapters about the Italian and Austro-Hungarian navies and two more about their respective commanders in 1866. The campaign leading to the Battle of Lissa, the title of the book, is only covered in six chapters towards the end. He concludes with a discussion of the aftermath of the battle and the decline of the armoured ram in the latter part of the 19th Century. Well enough written and interesting enough, it is really misnamed and, as a result, was a disappointment. There are some illustrations but there is no order of battle or detailed descriptions of the ships of the respective navies, so it is not very useful from a wargaming point of view.
Zvonimir Freivogel, in contrast, gets straight into the subject with an overview of the events leading to the war of 1866 and a brief description of ironclad development followed, in chapter 2, with a description of Austrian and Italian naval preparations. From then on the book is all about the naval campaign in the Adriatic culminating in the battle of Lissa. Much better illustrated with contemporary photographs of most of the ships, Freivogel's maps (charts?) are more detailed with each ship individually identified. Freivogel also has comprehensive orders of battle with details of each ship, including their captains, speed, displacement, armament and, where appropriate, armour thickness and its disposition. If you want that kind of detail, and a book about Lissa and the campaign specifically, Zvonimir Freivogel's account is a better choice.
Gah, the Freivogel book sounds good. I have to stop reading this thread again or I'll end up spending the house keeping on books :D
Currently I have a Battletech novel on the go (entertainingly mindless, acrid beams of cyan annihilation flash boiling tons of armour off walking tanks), and have Lest Darkness Fall ready for our jaunts.
Finished "Stonewall Jackson at Gettysburg" by Douglas Lee Gibboney. Jackson survives his wounding at Chancellorsville and the two Corps (Longstreet and Jackson - no three Corps now) head north. The premise for this book is an "unpublished memoir" by a young lad who becomes an additional ADC to Jackson.
The first day is similar to history, but Jackson pushes for the heights at Cemetery Hill, causing the Union to retreat to the Pipe Creek position. After seeing the Yankees dispositions, Longstreet holds the line and Jackson moves to outflank. All does not go well and ultimately the Union prevails.
Jackson is shot by Union soldiers in April 1865, just prior to the surrender and this time does not survive.
Interesting but light.
Quote from: Steve J on 23 August 2022, 10:04:25 PMThe Army of Maria Theresa (1st edition) by Duffy. An excellent read and a lot of useful stuff regarding the polyglot nature of the army, the language issues and their impact on C&C as well as losses incured whilst on campaign. So far plenty to take away for use on the wargames table or to explain those blunders etc.
Yes an excellent book but now a little dated. I would recommend reading his modern updates of this work - 'Instrument of War' and 'By Force of Arms'.
At last!
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513-GQqobML._SX360_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Received today! Seems to be comprehensive at nearly 400 pages in four parts:
- The Sick Man of Europe (overview)
- Armies of the Sultan
- Ottoman Warfare (campaign history)
- Dress Equipment & Standards (the best bit)
No proper OOBs I can see, but a good meaty read about a corner of the Napoleonic war I know so little about.
So now I just need to finish the Napoleonic Danes, Imperial Romans and that impulsive foray into the Cold War; and I'm waiting for the promised Israeli half tracks ... and the Ancient Indians - then I can crack on with some Janissaries. :D
Looking forward to the Danes taking on the Ottomans.
=O
Finished "Valley Of The Shadow" by Ralph Peters. another in his ACW genre. This is Early and Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. Well developed characters (the generals and staff were actual figures) and has voices from the enlisted ranks and company grade officers for continuity and color. No breaks in the flow of his writing
After reading "Cain At Gettysburg" I bought 4 more of his ACW novels at a used bookstore when on vacation last week. I am very impressed by his writings.
The group I am in, the Gentleman's Wargaming Society, will be playing the battle of Cedar Run (1862 with Stonewall Jackson) and I plan on giving the players a copy of "Cain at Gettysburg", it has impressed me so much.
the board will be set up next weekend and then I will post pictures. We will be using Brigade Fire and Fury rules.
Looking forward to the pictures Kipt, I hope all enjoy the game :)
Just finished Adrian Tchaikovsky's 'Shards of Earth' sci-fi book - Book One in a trilogy.
Published by TOR - ISBN: 978-15290-5190-2.
I've not come across Tchaikovsky before as a lot of his earlier works appear to be (what I would call) 'Alternative Fantasy' - the 'Shadows of the Apt' series- and a few other linked/associated sets of Sci-fi books. He's also written a GW 40k novel as well. He seems very prolific and also very varied in his output.
Initially, I was bit 'sniffy' about 'Shards of Earth' as it had all the hallmarks (& technology traits) of a number of other current sci-fi books by the likes of Banks, Asher and Reynolds (all favorite sci-fi reads of mine) but slowly the book has grown on me and in the end it became a 'binge-read'.
Interesting plot line (I wont give anything away) - around the arrival of a massive alien entity (called The Architect - there appear to be more than one) that uses gravity as a weapon to dismantle planets - by brute force. With an apparent total disregard for the life on that target world.
Any similarities to an early Star Trek episode - the one where the 'Emissary' arrives over earth and in an attempt to communicate with the (by then extinct) whales in Earths sea, starts to destroy the planet by accident - is probably purely coincidental. As is the brooding presence of the 'sense of evil' that stalks the 'un-space' in the film Event Horizon. Or the use of human 'psychics' - a bit like in Babylon 5.
But I found it a galloping ride of a space opera - some interesting 'new' weapon/technology types and new alien races.
I shall be off investigating the next book in the trilogy and might also take a look at some of his other sci-fi offerings. The Fantasy books don't look likely to be something I'd go for however.
It will be interesting to see if the rest of the Architect trilogy is as good.
Mark
The more up-to-date Duffy books really need an attentive editor.
Sadly Helion don't pay to have their books edited or proof read, or at least that used to be the case. Hence the rather hit or miss output from them which is a shame, as they really do have some interesting stuff. I have a few of the late Mike Embree books and the first I read was a real slog, with the odd repeated paragraph here and there, lack of clarity in places. A good editor and proof reader would have made a huge difference.
Quote from: Steve J on 12 September 2022, 01:49:32 PMSadly Helion don't pay to have their books edited or proof read, or at least that used to be the case.
Actually Helion definitely do pay to have at least some of their books copy-edited - I happen to know one of their freelance copy-editors - but I suppose not all freelance copy-editors work to the same standards, or perhaps not every book can justify the cost of copy-editing. (For instance, understandably, they don't copy-edit the works I've translated for them.) If a particular book doesn't look as though it's been edited properly, maybe Helion just got a duff freelancer, and hopefully won't use that person again.
They definitely have editors for some of their books as I was having a drink with one of them on Friday night! He said that different people take the lead on the different book series' though, so some may get more oversight than others.
Well I'm glad to hear they are currently using editors and stand corrected. Let's hope it improves the overall standard of their books compared to some of their earlier offerings.
Finished "The Damned Of Petersburg" by Ralph Peters, another of his ACW novels. The subject is in the title.
I really like how he develops the characters (fleshing out real people) and narrates his story. If yu are interested in the ACW, read his books.
Also finished "The Irish General; Thomas Francis Meagher" by Paul R. Wylie. this is a very complete biography of Meagher's life, only about 100 pages out of 331 concerning the ACW and the Irish Brigade.
While it was good I was really looking for more of the Irish Brigades exploits (and I do have another book on the brigade). So, full of information but not satisfying to me.
Who Really Won the Battle of Marathon
Lagos & Karyanos
ISBN9781526758064
A most intriguing rewrite of the battle that would overturn much received wisdom. Recommended.
I've just finished Rushdie's latest, "Don Quichotte". Learn from my error, and skip it. It's a sad time to say it, but he's lost his touch. I found myself stopping every couple of pages and muttering "You did that better in ... twenty years ago". Characters, images, fantasy devices, cultural references - they're all bad imitations or even cut-and-paste of far better novels he wrote before this. I feel a traitor, but much as I've enjoyed several of his better books, I shall not be buying his next.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 17 September 2022, 10:22:32 PMWho Really Won the Battle of Marathon
Lagos & Karyanos
ISBN9781526758064
A most intriguing rewrite of the battle that would overturn much received wisdom. Recommended.
The Persians? ;)
Just bought it on your recommendation
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 18 September 2022, 02:32:12 AMThe Persians? ;)
Just bought it on your recommendation
Hint: how many light troops did the Athenians field and what did they do?
QuoteWell I'm glad to hear they are currently using editors and stand corrected. Let's hope it improves the overall standard of their books compared to some of their earlier offerings.
I'm not sure when serious proof reading is (or was) intended to start but so far, not encouraging, if recent offerings such as "Like A Brazen Wall" are anything to go by. Published last year, this is about the Battle of Minden and is my first and only Helion purchase to date. Thankfully, I did enjoy it but I must say, for such a pricey product, I was very disappointed with the level (or lack?) of proof reading. For example, "line of site" (give me strength), frequent sentences where it looks as if the author was swithering over which one of two words to use (so both words included) and others which I no longer recall.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 18 September 2022, 09:00:55 AMHint: how many light troops did the Athenians field and what did they do?
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 18 September 2022, 09:00:55 AMHint: how many light troops did the Athenians field and what did they do?
iirc The Osprey book on Platea kind of makes a similar point
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 18 September 2022, 11:04:40 AMiirc The Osprey book on Platea kind of makes a similar point
Not by the same author by any chances?
That seems to be a very common approach to 'hammering home' your PoV.
Go for multiple books with different publishers all about the same theme (thesis).
Quote from: Big Insect on 18 September 2022, 07:11:43 PMNot by the same author by any chances?
That seems to be a very common approach to 'hammering home' your PoV.
Go for multiple books with different publishers all about the same theme (thesis).
Not in this case, one author is a Bubble, the other is a Brit.
I take your point though - see Victor Davis Hanson
Just bought the Marathon book on this recommendation. Looking forward to it!
Quote from: mollinary on 18 September 2022, 08:33:45 PMJust bought the Marathon book on this recommendation. Looking forward to it!
Pendraken is going to need to fire up the moulds for ancient greek light infantry
The first four - in publication order - Hornblower novels: The Happy Return, Ship of the Line, Flying Colours and The Commodore.
All available electronically from here (https://www.fadedpage.com/csearch.php?author=Smith, Cecil Louis Troughton). (I have nearly all already in paper form, so have no qualms about downloading them.)
The first three are terrific, boys own adventure stuff. The fourth continues the vein, but also gets a bit unbelievable as our hero single-handedly persuades first the Czar and then the Prussians to turn against the tyrant Bonaparte.
Finished "Hell Or Richmond" by Ralph Peters. Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor as Grant tries to break Lee in 1864. A grind through the forest with heat and blood. A real good depiction of what combat most likely was like. Good characters and great story telling.
I already read "The Damned Of Petersburg" (out of sequence) so only one to go; "Judgement At Appomattox".
Finished "Judgement At Appomattox" by Ralph Peters. Last of the series and the war draws to a close. Still a great read, following history but with character development - some historical and some fictional.
This was a great series and I highly recommend it.
Started a W.E.B. Griffin series, Presidential Agent, and finished "By Order of the President". A young Marine, Carlos (Charley) Castillo, comes to the notice of the President who sends him on a mission to discover which of the several intelligence agencies of the US are not passing ALL the information they gather and how much political BS is affecting their work. Thus starts the series that is a continuous gallop around the world, with incidental bad guys (and one bad guy/good guy) where Charley (young, hot shot, rich family, pilot, Don Juan - his nickname in
Fast read and entertaining.
Yes W.E.B. Griffin was a very good author (He passed on a while ago :() I prefer his first two series with Craig Lowell and "Killer" McCoy, but although he wrote quite a few different series I have never been disappointed or underwhelmed reading any of his works.
I'm a W.E.B. Griffin fan too and also prefer the first two series. Despite the impressive number of volumes he's written I've never read one I didn't like.
Hi
Just finished 'Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson' by S C Gwynne. An excellent biorgaphy of one of the best (relatively speaking) generals of the American Civil War. Lots of information on Jackson pre-war and just enough details of his campaigns and battles. If you are more interested in his campaigns and battles, I would look elsewhere. A good commander but probably could have been even better if his own personality traits hadn't got in the way (IMHO).
Cheers Paul
Just finished "The Slave Wars: A Captivating Guide to the Servile Wars and Spartacus" from Military History.
A good summary of the three servile wars and some background to them too. Quite readable and a decent primer if you know nothing about the subject. I found it a quick and easy refresher of some things I had known once but had forgotten mixed with things I never knew!
However, if you are looking for footnotes, citations, sources and bibliographies or even a named author this is not the book for you.
Burma: The Longest Wat 1941-1945 by Louis Allen. Early days but so far an excellent read, with just the right amount of detail for a theatre of operations I know virtually nothing about. Background reading for a possible future BKCII project...
Finished the next Presidential Agent novel, "The Hostage", W.E.B. Griffin. Another easy and quick read.
I don't get as much painting done when reading these.
And another Presidential Agent book, "The Hunters", W.E.B. Griffin. Taking a bit of a break with these as the next one in hand is book 7. The ones in the middle are on order.
Finished "Grant's Cavalryman: The Life and Wars of General James H. Wilson" by Edward G. Longacre. Wilson, West Point, 1860, was a very driven and determined young officer. He never wanted a failure attributed to him and sometimes blamed subordinates. based on his personality, he had good friends but several influential enemies.
Wilson, after some time on the east coast during the start of the Civil war, became attached to Grant's staff as an engineer. His drive and achievements did make Grant believe in him. He was promoted to LTC and was at Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Knoxville, this last with Sherman, where he gained a star (brigadier general).
He was always involved with the cavalry and in January 1864, became head of the cavalry bureau, which was not well run and dealt with dishonest contractors. In a short time he revamped the bureau to where it could serve the cavalry arm, with a proper supply of good horses and pushed for breech loading carbines as a true cavalry arm.
In April of 1864, Grant appointed him to the command of the 3rd Cavalry Division in the Army of the Potomac. Ultimately he went west with General Thomas, where his large cavalry command (the largest in the war) helped defeat Hood at Nashville and then on to the ultimate defeat of Forrest on the way to Selma.
After the war he was part of the military government of the south, and believed in Lincoln's ideas of bringing the country back together. Later, he did go on to participate in the Spanish American war in Cuba and Puerto Rico, when he went back into uniform. He was always ready to offer his services to the government but did not always get the command he wanted. However, he faithfully served as a subordinate commander wherever he was.
His one great disappointment was that he was never elected to any office.
A very interesting fellow.
Finished "Garibaldi" by Ron Field, part of the osprey Leadership Strategy Conflict series. I of course knew OF Garibaldi, but didn't know much ABOUT Garibaldi. This booklet does a great job telling his story. Quite a fascinating person, charismatic.
This Osprey seems more in depth to me than others of the same type. Recommended.
Re-reading "Sicily" by John Julius Norwich.
On the crossroads of the Med, between East and West, Europe and Africa, Sicily has seen warring armies of Carthage, Greece, Rome, Lombardy, Byzantium, Arabia, Normandy, and so on up to Operation Husky where Black Shirts and Fallschirmjaeger fought Doughboys and Tommies.
However, my favourite line is "after the War of the Sicilian Vespers in 1282 it became a colony of Spain , and for the next four centuries or so virtually northing happened. (JJ's italics.)
Just returned from a tour of Sicily led by Harry Sidebottom, Oxford don and historical novelist. So I am just starting his latest 'Ballista" novel - Falling Sky.
My dad just sent me a 1954 first edition of Rosemary Sutcliffe's'Eagle of The Ninth'!
Quote from: mollinary on 18 October 2022, 06:36:27 PMJust returned from a tour of Sicily led by Harry Sidebottom, Oxford don and historical novelist. So I am just starting his latest 'Ballista" novel - Falling Sky.
Harry Sidebottom of "Warrior of Rome" fame?
Quote from: Lord Speedy of Leighton on 18 October 2022, 06:55:56 PMMy dad just sent me a 1954 first edition of Rosemary Sutcliffe's'Eagle of The Ninth'!
Spoiler: he finds it!
Finished the Osprey booklet "American Civil war Marines 1861 - 65" by Ron Field, illustrated by Richard Hook.
Typical Osprey with good photographs and illustrations and a very adequate narrative. In my Henry House Hill battle report that I posted 3/14, I have the Union marine battalion that fought there. They did a good job. I used the illustration in the booklet for my painting guide.
QuoteHarry Sidebottom of "Warrior of Rome" fame?
The very same! This is latest in the Warrior of Rome series.
The Austrian Mind: An Intellectual and Social History, 1848-1938, WS Johnston
Finished Burma '44 by James Holland. Moving onto his book about Sicily.
Edward
Finished "D-Day In The Pacific: The Battle Of Saipan" by Harold J. Goldberg.
The assault happened on 15 June 1944, 9 days after D-day in Europe. It involved 2 Marine Divisions, the 2nd and 4th, and one army, the 27th. Commanding the ground forces was Holland M. Smith, also know as Howlin" Mad, and the US Army commander was Ralph Smith. Howlin' Mad did not like the army, thought that the soldiers and their commanders were not aggressive enough, and ultimately relieved General R. Smith. This of course caused disruptions and bad blood all the way to Washington. Marine tactics were aggressive, straight up into the face of the enemy, while the army wanted to blast the enemy and maneuver. Both sides had a point. after a couple of weeks fighting each of the 3 divisions had over 4000 casualties.
The intelligence greatly underestimated the size of the Japanese force on the island, which was over 30,000 troops. Saipan was supposed to be taken in 3 days, but because of the rough terrain and the numbers of Japanese, it was declared taken on July 9, though there were still Japanese in the hills and caves.
Because this island was part of the internal defensive position of the Japanese, it resulted in the Japanese navy trying to intervene. This was called the first battle of the Philippine Sea, and also the great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Between the surface fleet, submarines and aviation, the US isolated the Japanese garrison from aid and reinforcements.
Good operational discussion as well as from the individual marines and soldiers on the ground. The book was published in 2007, so there were still some living participants that the author could interview.
Recently finished "The shepherd protects their flock: Looking at warfare from the Neolithic to Sumerians" (Kindle Edition) by Chris Flaherty.
An in depth study of the subject but one which presents various points as fact despite there being debate about them. Not something I'd recommend for casual readers but if you have a significant interest in the beginnings of warfare in the Middle East it is certainly worth a read but I'd suggest it should not be the only book on the subject you read.
I've moved on to "Ancient Egyptian Warfare: Tactics, Weaponry and Ideology of the Pharaohs" by Ian Shaw (Casemate Short History - Kindle Edition). Only a short way in to the book but it is fascinating, so far. Another tome that is probably not for the casual reader.
Japanese Tanks 1939-45 by S Zaloga. Another good Osprey book from Zaloga that has given me a good overview of how the tanks were used during the War, mainly pretty badly to be honest, aside from their technically obselete almost from the off.
Finished "The Shooters" by WEB Griffin. Book 4 of the Presidential Agent series. In this book our heroes are trying to get back a captures DEA agent in South America.
Quick read and fun.
Quote from: cameronian on 23 October 2022, 01:49:14 PMThe Austrian Mind: An Intellectual and Social History, 1848-1938, WS Johnston
I misread that as The Australian Mind: An Intellectual and Social History, 1848-1938, WS Johnston
QuoteI misread that as The Australian Mind: An Intellectual and Social History, 1848-1938, WS Johnston
Australian and Intellectual in the same sentence :o ;)
And another WEB Griffin book, "Black Ops" where the characters are involved in attempted assassinations by most probably Putin and his SVB Flights between South America, North America and Europe.
I am galloping through these at the rate of 1 a day. Obviously a quick read that keeps my interest.
A book a day; "The Outlaws" by WEB Griffin,book 6 of the Presidential Agent series. The President has disbanded the special group but they decide to keep going. In the last book a bio lab in Africa was found by Castillo (not LTC Retired) and bombed by the US. However not all the chemicals ('an abomination under God") were taken out and two barrels show up in the US. The Russians want a trade. (spoiler, they don't get it).
Blimey! You're ripping through those!
And another; "Covert Warriors" by WEB Griffin, book 7 of the Presidential Agent Series.
A captured US officer is rescued by our not official agents. Spetznaz, a crazy US President, 5 star hotels, all make a fun read.
One to go which should be finished tomorrow.
And finished the last "Hazardous Duty" by WEB Griffin. Book 8 of the Presidential Agent series. This is where I will stop. There is evidently another book, written by two other authors, but does not have all the characters that have been developed in the first 8.
The President, who is somewhat off his rocker, decides to bring back Castillo (who was forcibly retired) to take care of the Mexican Drug trade and the Somali pirates in extra legal ways. In addition, Castillo is dealing with the Russians who are still out to get him.
The Russians are dealt with and the group (including the President's Cabinet members) delays acting on the President's issues. The book ends as a sort of MASH TV program - silly.
When I started on my Talavera project I turned first to the Histories of the Peninsular War by Oman and Napier. Both provide a succinct overview but Napier is the lesser of the two and isn't easy reading, in part because of his prejudice. Fortescue's History of the British Army was another initial source but he added nothing to Oman, which is not surprising as the two men are said to have exchanged material. Fortescue's maps are exemplary and you'll not find better 110 years after they were produced.
So I looked for accounts elsewhere and found that, other than the Osprey book, there were only two books on the battle in print. The first is Andrew Field's 'Talavera – Wellington's First Battle in Spain', Pen and Sword, 2006, the other is Peter Edwards' 'Talavera – Wellington's Early Peninsular Victories 1808-1809', The Crowood Press, 2005.
Andrew Field's account comprises 11 quite short chapters in 163 pages and jumps straight in at April 1809, when Wellesley was named commander British forces in the Peninsula, and starts the reader off with a short overview of the situation. A description of the respective armies follows, with another chapter on the commanders. Chapter 4 provides an overview of the tactics of the French and British, predominantly the latter, some of which is debateable I think, and then we are into the campaign plans followed by three chapters describing the various phases of the battle itself, which take up a mere 54 pages, excluding annexes. The final three chapters provide a description of the consequences of the battle, a critique and a tour of the battlefield, which would be useful for those visiting it but is otherwise a bit superfluous. The Annexes provide a list of British infantry regiments and their successor regiments, orders of battle of the three armies and, finally, casualties. The principal personalities are illustrated throughout, together with others depicting incidents in the battle. There are also photographs of the battlefield as it is today. There are 10 maps, none of which of the battle are to scale and, other than for very basic orientation, are almost worthless.
Peter Edwards is altogether more ambitious as, although concentrating on Talavera, he covers more ground in 12 Chapters in 239 pages. Edwards starts with a look at Wellesley's career as it was in 1807 and the situation in Spain and Portugal and outbreak of the Spanish resistance by mid-1808. The following three chapters cover Wellesley's arrival in Portugal, the Battles of Rolica and Vimiero. The Battle of Corruna, Spanish defeats and the Treaty of Cintra are dealt with in a single chapter, which is fine as none are really the subject of the book. The nature of the respective armies and their commanders is largely ignored and the remaining six chapters deal with the Talavera campaign and battle in 117 pages, 63 of which are devoted to the battle itself. Appendixes comprise casualty returns for Talavera and Wellesley's despatch. Edwards book lacks orders of battle and other than a single picture of a British infantryman, has no illustrations. The five maps are all taken from Fortescue and are works of art in their own right. They are all to scale and show topography in detail. They are, unfortunately, reproduced too small to be read easily. Fortescue's originals are in a separate volume and fold out.
Both books are useful and complement each other although if I were to chose one, it would have to be Edwards'. I found his more readable generally, though that has to be a subjective view, but his is also more comprehensive and covers Talavera, in as much detail as Field, as well as Rolica and Vimiera.
Vanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies.
Quote from: Steve J on 02 November 2022, 06:31:17 AMVanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies.
What is it about?
The subtitle is 'The half-forgotten history of Europe'. In a nutshell he takes a look at oft forgotten kingdoms that existed in history that today have largely been forgotten about, as they became swallowed up by larger Nations etc.
Finished "The Darkest Hour: Volume 2: The Japanese Offensive in the Indian Ocean 1942 - The Attack against Ceylon and the Eastern Fleet" by Michal A. Piegzik. the title says it all. Lots of pictures, maps, airplane colors, etc.
Very interesting. I read Volume 1 some time ago.
QuoteThe subtitle is 'The half-forgotten history of Europe'. In a nutshell he takes a look at oft forgotten kingdoms that existed in history that today have largely been forgotten about, as they became swallowed up by larger Nations etc.
How are you getting on with it? I started a few years back, and put it down. In part as it was quite heavy going and in part because it was just quite heavy. Neither of which made it a great bed time read. But I do keep seeing on the book shelf - not least due to it being about 4" thick!
QuoteVanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies.
FWIW - you might also want to try:
An Atlas of Extinct Countries: The Remarkable (and Occasionally Ridiculous) Stories of 48 Nations that Fell off the Map by Gideon Defoe.
An Atlas of Countries That Don't Exist: A Compendium of Fifty Unrecognized and Largely Unnoticed States by Nick Middleton.
Nowherelands: An Atlas of Vanished Countries 1840-1975 by Bjørn Berge.
Cheers,
Geoff
I'm enjoying it Fred, but have only just started and dip in and out of it during the day and at night.
Geoff, thanks for those recommendations, all of which sound very, very tempting!
WW1 air novel. 'Winged Victory'. V M Yeates. Classic tale of Sopwith Camel pilot, combat and disintegration.
LOL! Some editions have SE5 on cover! Read several times.
QuoteFinished "The Darkest Hour: Volume 2: The Japanese Offensive in the Indian Ocean 1942 - The Attack against Ceylon and the Eastern Fleet" by Michal A. Piegzik. the title says it all. Lots of pictures, maps, airplane colors, etc.
Very interesting. I read Volume 1 some time ago.
OK these could definitely be worth a look.....Its a very interesting campaign which I have gamed previously: https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2021/01/operation-c-japanese-carrier-raid-on.html (https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2021/01/operation-c-japanese-carrier-raid-on.html)
Considering that the IJN was near the top of its game in April 1942 Sommerville did a pretty good job of keeping most of his fleet intact.
QuoteOK these could definitely be worth a look.....Its a very interesting campaign which I have gamed previously: https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2021/01/operation-c-japanese-carrier-raid-on.html (https://betweenthelines10mm.blogspot.com/2021/01/operation-c-japanese-carrier-raid-on.html)
Considering that the IJN was near the top of its game in April 1942 Sommerville did a pretty good job of keeping most of his fleet intact.
Yes. What would be really interesting to know, as alt-history, is what would have happened if Somerville's attempt to ambush the Japanese Carrier raid on Ceylon through a night air attack had resulted in a battle and what conclusions the Japanese would have had, whatever the outcome, as another piece of evidence of a security breach became evident. Would the British have been overwhelmed or would they have got a sneak attack in first that put half the Japanese carriers at the bottom of the ocean before they realised what hit them. What would the ramifications have been for the Coral Sea, Midway and the Aleutians?
Quote from: fred. on 02 November 2022, 05:48:46 PMHow are you getting on with it? I started a few years back, and put it down. In part as it was quite heavy going and in part because it was just quite heavy. Neither of which made it a great bed time read. But I do keep seeing on the book shelf - not least due to it being about 4" thick!
A problem that doesn't get the attention it should. Heavy volumes and low evening energy levels are an uncomfortable combination.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 03 November 2022, 12:11:01 PMYes. What would be really interesting to know, as alt-history, is what would have happened if Somerville's attempt to ambush the Japanese Carrier raid on Ceylon through a night air attack had resulted in a battle and what conclusions the Japanese would have had, whatever the outcome, as another piece of evidence of a security breach became evident. Would the British have been overwhelmed or would they have got a sneak attack in first that put half the Japanese carriers at the bottom of the ocean before they realised what hit them. What would the ramifications have been for the Coral Sea, Midway and the Aleutians?
Have a look at this article about Operation C which talks about the above scenario: https://www.armouredcarriers.com/battle-for-ceylon-hms-indomitable-formidable (https://www.armouredcarriers.com/battle-for-ceylon-hms-indomitable-formidable)
Its a really good site that goes into painstaking detail about British (mainly armoured) carrier design and operations. :-B :)
QuoteA problem that doesn't get the attention it should. Heavy volumes and low evening energy levels are an uncomfortable combination.
Glad its not just me! I have largely moved to ebooks for fiction (on iPad or iPhone) but for non-fiction I still tend to prefer paper.
I've finished "Ancient Egyptian Warfare: Tactics, Weaponry and Ideology of the Pharaohs" by Ian Shaw and have found it fascinating. Nice to find any work about Ancient Egypt that doesn't start with the New Kingdom, especially a military history one. A very useful background.
Good article. Thanks for posting.
Quote from: Steve J on 02 November 2022, 04:20:58 PMThe subtitle is 'The half-forgotten history of Europe'. In a nutshell he takes a look at oft forgotten kingdoms that existed in history that today have largely been forgotten about, as they became swallowed up by larger Nations etc.
Thanks for that. Was it a 'good read'?
So far I'm enjoying it John, but then I'm always a sucker for snippets of history, bits on info etc that I wasn't aware of.
Finished an Osprey "Lincoln's 90-Day Volunteers 1861" by Ron Field and illustrated by Adam Hook.
Typical Osprey and if I was to do ACW at the skirmish level there would be some very interesting uniforms to paint. But I won't.
Still liked it.
And finished another Osprey, "Flags of the Civil war (1) Confederate" by Philip Katcher and illustrated by Rick Sollins. Good history of the flags of the Confederacy and battle flags.
Finished a most interesting book, The Blind Strategist: John Boyd And The American Art Of War" by Stephen Robinson, who is an officer in the Australian Army Reserve and an author of other WWII books.
The author starts with a description of the O-O-D-A loop and how Boyd developed this from fighter tactics. Boyd then wanted to expand it to show that it was the key to victory even in ground warfare. He, and his acolytes, used the writings of Liddell-Hart and the writings of the German Generals after WWII.
However, this thesis says that Liddell-Hart, trying to regain his influence after saying that defense would stop the Germans at the start of WWII, went through gyrations to show that the Germans took his previous writings and essentially were his pupils. The German Generals, after the war, were eager to maintain the professionalism of the German officer corps and to distance their failures by blaming Hitler, as well as t cast all the atrocities blame onto the Nazis, rather than the Wehrmacht.
The author refutes both the Liddell-Hart and the German recast of history.
He goes through the various army FM 100-5's and the Marines Warfighting manual and the US generals that wrote and influenced them as part of his discussion of "Maneuver Warfare".
His conclusion is that Boyd and his students, were mislead by the wrongly written history, but did not want to dispute it, even though there were others, including some of the German Generals, who said it was wrong.
Thought provoking and while I don't totally agree with some of the author's arguments, it was very well done. Boyd was an interesting person and I recommend this book and others about him; I have at least two others.
Quote from: kipt on 08 November 2022, 03:51:30 PM"The Blind Strategist: John Boyd And The American Art Of War" by Stephen Robinson
Thanks for that. Very interesting. The OODA Loop has always struck me as a 'knock-off' one of a number of similar decision making cycles, like the Intelligence Cycle used in the military and business, to mention just one of many, rather than something new and original.
Finished "The Cornfield: Antietam's Bloody Turning Point" by David A. Welker. A very good book, obviously Cornfield-centric. It describes the various and many combats in the Cornfield and the disruption in the North and South regiments. It has a lot of maps with each on a specific part of the action but only showing those units involved. This I don't really like because other units are left off to make the action clearer. I needed to refer to other books (maps) to see who was where, when.
The author has an interesting take on McClellan, who in my opinion would have done better as a chief of staff, but needing a very strong commander over him. The author says of McClellan, "A man possessed of a great intellect who was deliberate and calculating, but who was unable to innovate or to think and cat outside of his preselected linear approach." He had trouble reacting to changes on the field of battle.
Very interesting view of the Battle of Antietam.
Finished "Okinawa 1945: The Lat Battle" by Gordon L. Rottman and illustrated by Howard Gerrard. Part of the Osprey Campaign Series. Beaucoup information and maps. I hadn't realized just how big the invasion was. Hard fought and finished after Germany surrendered.
Well done.
QuoteI've finished "Ancient Egyptian Warfare: Tactics, Weaponry and Ideology of the Pharaohs" by Ian Shaw and have found it fascinating. Nice to find any work about Ancient Egypt that doesn't start with the New Kingdom, especially a military history one. A very useful background.
Interesting, looks like it's part of a series of "short history" books focused on warfare. Grabbed a few samples.
Quote from: kipt on 15 November 2022, 01:14:02 PMI hadn't realized just how big the invasion was. Hard fought and finished after Germany surrendered.
And helped to persuade Truman to drop the atomic bomb rather than have to fight "an Okinawa from one end of Japan to the other."
https://www.vqronline.org/essay/okinawa-harry-truman-and-atomic-bomb
An interesting essay
I'm biased, my father would have been one of the British infantry landing near Tokyo if the atomic bombs hadn't been dropped. And I probably wouldn't be here.
I've just finished reading James Holland's Brothers In Arms which tells the story of one of Britain's great tank regiments, the Sherwood Rangers, from D-Day to VE-Day. I had already read the memoirs of at least one of the troop commanders, David Render, so was slightly wary that there might not be too much more to tell. But on that score I needn't have worried; there was loads of new stuff and stories and thanks to Holland's excellent story telling skills, I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want the book to end. Like Band of Brothers, there was also a good Postscript recounting what some of the survivors did after the war.
The copy I bought claims to be a limited edition with extra material exclusive to Waterstones (a UK book shop) but I'm not fully sure what the 'extra' material is. Included within the Appendices are a number of sketches and diagrams of both inside and outside of the Sherman and the Firefly illustrating a myriad of features and equipment, medals won by members of the regiment, an illustrated establishment of a standard British Armoured Regiment in 1944 and a list of all of the commanders who served in that eventful 11 months down to squadron level.
One of the many facts that stuck out for me is that some 50% of the casualties occurred outside the tanks with, interestingly, "making tea" (22%) being the prime reason for being outside(!) - immediately you have to wonder if that was the main consideration for fitting the Centurion with an internal Boiling Vessel!
I'm looking forward to reading this book, hopefully before Xmas.
I read this book over the summer, and really enjoyed it. A very well written book, really brings the threat and camaraderie out.
Finished "The Smoothbore Volley That Doomed the Confederacy: the death Of Stonewall Jackson and Other Chapters On The Army Of Northern Virginia" by Robert K. Krick.
The first chapter is about Stonewall and the unfortunate friendly fire incident. Followimg chapters highlight other incidents in the history of the ANV.
The Army of Virginia's Most Notorious Court-Martial: Jackson vs. Garnett.
"If Longstreet...Says So, It Is Most Likely Not True": James Longstreet and the Second Day of Gettysburg.
Longstreet Versus McLaws - and Everyone Else - About Knoxville.
and several others. I like Krick's books. He evidently does not think well about Longstreet however. These stories even before the tirades against Longstreet after the war.
Krick has listed 5 great books about the ANV and 2 bad ones (none of which I will list here. He also has a good chapter on finding and using Confederate soldier records.
Quote from: kipt on 02 November 2022, 05:24:01 PMFinished "The Darkest Hour: Volume 2: The Japanese Offensive in the Indian Ocean 1942 - The Attack against Ceylon and the Eastern Fleet" by Michal A. Piegzik. the title says it all. Lots of pictures, maps, airplane colors, etc.
Very interesting. I read Volume 1 some time ago.
I'm giving these 5 stars *****
The level of detail is incredible - If you want to know the name of every Japanese pilot/observer/radio operator who flew in each aircraft, what ordinance they carried and how many rounds of ammo they fired off on each mission during Operation C then these two volumes are for you!
Definitely worth getting - I can see a few extra things I can add into my campaign already! ;) :-bd
Finished "Visual Antietam, Vol. 1; Ezra Carman's Antietam through Maps And Pictures: Dawn To Dunker Church" by Ezra A. Carman & Brad Butkovich. This is selected chapters of Carman's book on the whole campaign just focusing on Antietam. Butkovich has taken chapters 13, 15 and 16, illustrated each page next to the writing with maps and pictures. This is similar to the West Point atlas on the Civil War.
There are 3 volumes with the first focusing on the north with Hooker, the second on the center and the third on the stone bridge (Burnside's bridge) for the third.
I have the Carman volume which is extensive for the whole campaign whereas this is well focused and illustrative.
Finished "Visual Antietam, Vol. 2; Ezra Carman's Antietam Through Maps And Pictures: West woods To Bloody Lane" by Ezra A. Carman & Brad Butkovich. this volume has chapters 17, 18 and 19. He has include the OB's in each volume which is nice.
Working on volume 3.
The Last of Africa's Cold War Conflicts
AL Venter
ISBN 978 1 52677 298 5
Journalist write-up concentrating on Portuguese Guinea and the Guerrilla Insurgency. While Vietnam was in progress, Venter, a South African, only dealt with wars in Africa and the middle east. This provides some background material on the Portuguese colonial withdrawal conflicts that get scant interest from the media, with a particular focus on the small sliver of land that was Portuguese Guinea.
Finished "Visual Antietam, Vol. 3 Ezra Carman's Antietam Through Maps And Pictures: The Middle Bridge To Hill's Counterattack" by Ezra A. Carman & Brad Butkovich. This volume has chapters 20 and 21 from Carman's book.
What is amazing about the battle is how small units were. Brigades of 250 men, regiments at 40 men. South Mountain accounted for some of it as did the Confederate's straggling to go North (and some did not go as they had joined to protect the South, not invade the North. However, Union units were also small and this is 1862.
To the Duoro, David J Blackmore
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ySUzJFtSL.jpg)
The story of Roberts, a light cavalryman of the 16th Lt Dragoons in the Napoleonic Wars. I'm undecided about it.
3/4 of the way through the book before he gets to Portugal. Prior to that, we're in Regency James Bond territory, then we get to how Roberts brought the wine barges to Oporto.
Where Cornwall gallops through his yarn, Blackmore (somewhat like Mallinson) meanders and indulges himself in horsey things.
Throughout we trip over all the Regency tropes - impending ruin, malevolent uncle, love at first sight with the mysterious Lady, aristocratic superior officer who looks down upon the lower class Roberts, and high born (nay Royal) patron. I think the source of my unease though, is the Mary Sue aspects of Roberts. Sees a woman - she's his. Tells a drunk not to drink - he's reformed. Bit of money trouble - someone conveniently dies and leaves him a fortune.
On the other hand, Blackmore catches the "feel" of the 16th Lt Dragoons, using real persons in the narrative where possible.
There is a second book, and I'm not sure. To the Duoro didn't catch my breath like Sharpe's Eagle but I think the series has possibilities.
Be interested to hear from anyone else who has read the book.
In a similar vein, I read C.S.Forester's Death to the French in the summer. Terrific stuff, but I was surprised at how brutal it was, especially compared to his Hornblower books.
Electronic copies available from here (https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.php?pid=20181038), if anyone's interested.
Finished "The Royal Navy 1793-1815" by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. this is an Osprey Battle Orders book and I thought very well done. Many OB's, but one sided unfortunately - only the Brits shown.
Still a good Osprey.
Finished Vol86, No. 3 of The Journal of Military History.
Articles in this volume include:
The First Invasion of Georgia and the Myth pf West Power, 1656-1684. This is Georgia the future US state.
The Russian Baltic Fleet in the Seven Years War.
Logistics of U.S. Grant's 1863 Mississippi Campaign: From the Amphibious Landing at Bruinsburg to the Siege of Vicksburg.
Operation Q: Churchill and Fisher's Invasion of Germany, 1915?
and others.
In addition 83 pages of book reviews (including a review of Nicolas Murry & Chris Pringle's books, "Napoleon Absent" and "The Coalition Crumbles" by Frederick Schneid which is generally very favorable), 10 pages of military articles in various journals and a list of doctoral dissertations.
The Journal is published 4 times a year.
Finished the Gettysburg Magazine, July 2022 Issue 67.
Articles are:
"Coming On Like Devils Incarnate": The Florida Brigade and the Gettysburg Campaign.
"By Our Guns to the Last": The 20th Indiana and the Struggle for Rose's Woods.
Pickett's Charge - "A Perfect Storm of Heat": Never before Used Data Allows for Heat Index Estimate during Fateful attack.
"The Sight f Blood Never Again Affected Me".
Feeding the Army pf Northern Virginia during the Gettysburg Campaign.
And a couple of others. Published twice a year and always has great articles.
Quote from: kipt on 14 December 2022, 05:44:35 PMIn addition 83 pages of book reviews (including a review of Nicolas Murry & Chris Pringle's books, "Napoleon Absent" and "The Coalition Crumbles" by Frederick Schneid which is generally very favorable)
Thanks for the nod, Kip!
Myself, been reading Stephen W. Sears's classic "Chancellorsville", which has helped me get my head around this very complicated and very important ACW battle. Enjoyed the insights into the personalities, the different challenges Hooker and Lee faced, and how they shaped and handled their very different armies.
(https://www.caliverbooks.com/images/covers/Nap%20Otto%20cover.jpg)
Hmmm ... better in some ways/different from the Mugnai volume.
These volumes have made me think differently about the Ottoman army.
Unit Organisation: yeah, but no but.
Uniforms: Meh. Some dominant colours but ... not really.
Army composition: "Hey mate! It's me. What you doing on Thursday? Bring the lads. "
My mistake. I thought the Ottoman army would conform to other Napoleonic standards. OK, there were the Nizam-I-Cedid, but that was a small force and not long lived.
This volume draws on illustrations and observations from the C18, and I'm now thinking to abandon the "modern" Napoleonic organisation, and to look back to something more akin to a feudal army. This is quite liberating.
The book has 16 chapters, in 180 pages. Very colourful with a multitude of drawings illustrating the frankly bewildering variety of troops. For me, there is a very useful chapter of unit standards, but I have given up on trying to decide how many men comprised an Orta (battalion).I did pick up the suggestion that Janissaries fought as small circular groups in checkerboard formation. Interesting, but that was from 1732.
This book, like the Mugnai one are frustratingly lacking in the details I want, and I now think that I should stop applying C19 standards to a C17 army. The book would benefit from an index and a glossary. I don't know my kapikulu ocaklari from my kouloughlis and find it a bit irritating to go back through the text to find out what the difference.
All in all, a good if ultimately frustrating read. A bit pricey at £45. I wouldn't have paid the same amount for a volume on a better known army, but IMHO worthwhile for the subject.
I'm also reading a story about a British officer in the Peninsula. He's a bit of an outcast, but has a huge non-English NCO and a trusty band of riflemen behind him as he undertakes an irregular operation after being noticed by Wellington's gimlet eye.
Sharpe, you say? Indeed not. This is Craven's War: A Call to Arms by Nick S Thomas. It's the first of a series of 11 (so far) which cover only 3 years (1809-1812).
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WICFVjANL.jpg)
Craven is an anti-hero, a philanderer, a drinker and a poor gambler, only in the Peninsula to avoid debts and to make money through training rather than fighting. He is an excellent swordsman and this book goes somewhat into more detail about the art of fencing that is strictly necessary (or interesting.)
In this volume, Craven is caught duelling and as a punishment is to escort a beautiful Portuguese lady to her home. What could go wrong? Well the night after the lady visits Craven in his tent, she is kidnapped by French light cavalry and hilarity ensues. Aside from his band of fencing riflemen, he is accompanied by a gauche young officer who is a perfect explanatory device.
The story is a bit stop-start and in some places illogical and far fetched, but generally trots along at a reasonable pace. Unlike Roberts in To The Duoro, Craven has many, many flaws (one of his men is a preacher who has dedicated his life to saving Craven's soul) and so over the series of books there is room for a redemption arc.
Comparisons to Sharpe are both unfair and somewhat inevitable. There are many similarities, but sufficient differences to make Craven worth pursuing. Perhaps it says more about me that the books, but I prefer the rough, complex and imperfect Craven, to Roberts in his implausible plot armour.
Craven's War: A Call to Arms is a 6/10. It's not unputdownable, but I'm sufficiently intrigued to buy volume 2.
Got myself a present. More of a "let's look that up" than a "read back to back" volume. All, and I think it's really all vehicles of the Durch army, 1945 to 2015.
There's quite a few of those in the Pendraken catalogue already, but we could always use a few more. :D
https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/militaire-geschiedenis-nimh/boeken-nimh/2020-wiel-en-rups
Translates as "wheel and track", btw.
Wow! That looks like the kind of book I'd love. 557 pages of goodness.
:-[
Tankeskadron https://imgur.com/a/r74XnQp
(https://imgur.com/a/r74XnQp)
A page from the book, which may be of interest to some. There are quite a few of these 'company spread' pictures in the book. In this case a tank squadron from the mid sixties with (at least 2) Centurion Mk 5/2 tanks in each troop.
That's a thing of beauty.
I read that as 3 troops of 5 and 2 in the HQ?
Quote from: fsn on 29 December 2022, 11:57:24 AMThat's a think of beauty.
I read that as 3 troops of 5 and 2 in the HQ?
Yes, that's the setup here.
I picked up Corrigan's "Mud, blood and poppycock" at the Nat Trust 2nd hand bookshop this week (family days out have their uses!), so far I have... read the blurb :D
Got that on Kindel, its not bad. He is far better an author than broadcaster.
So I understand - let's see if I can actually find time to read any of it!
Finished "The Hands Of The Emperor" by Victoria Goddard. Not the type of book I normally read (magic, but not a lot - no military) but it was a Christmas present from my daughter. Nothing to do with Games of Thrones, but it seems using the "Hand" as a minister of an emperor, or king, may be popular.
The Hand, Cliptopher, nicknamed Kip (which is my nickname but my daughter swears that is not the reason she bought it for me), is from the islands, far from the main kingdom. He has risen from a very junior secretary to a confidant of the Emperor. And the reason for "Hand" is that no one may touch the Emperor, so Kip receives anything presented.
A long story (900 pages) and this is part one. (I understand the next book is 1300 pages.) It is well written with a surfeit of adjectives and adverbs for describing the lands, the islands, the Emperor and anything else that appears (houses, food, water). The story involves Kip inviting the Emperor on a vacation where the Emperor decides he wants to find his successor and "retire". (Book 2 must be the Emperor's search but I don't know that for sure).
Anyway the book gives good mental pictures and is fast flowing (I got through it in a week or so). Recommended if you are into vivid descriptions and a bit of magic.
Having seen FSN's note on Craven, I went and bought the first three. Explanation of the plot was well covered by FSN. I liken Craven to Fox (British naval officer series if anyone remembers that) but not as well done. To me, the narrative sounds more American than British and it bothers me. Some proof reading errors as well as some factual errors (in Book 2 the author has the KGL in black uniforms).
The author, Nick S Thomas ("Best Selling Author" but never heard of him) is also a researcher and teacher of swordsmanship and combat in the Napoleonic era. So, we get detailed descriptions of the swords and the parries and lots of sword play - Craven doesn't have a pistol because he is so good with the sword (and a dirk).
OK novel but not very compelling to me.
Just finished "The Roman Army: the Civil Wars 88-31 BC" by Nic Fields. An excellent intro to the subject. Given how much I've read about the Roman military of the period recently I was pleasantly surprised how much I learned.
Finished book 2 of "Craven's War: Into The Fire" This is the bandido (as the author calls it - read guerillo) war as Craven's few work to disrupt French troops with ambushes, intercepting couriers and supply/foraging missions. The book ends with the battle of Talavera where Craven saves Wellington and helps during the night attack and the next day's attack b the French. This is the book where the author has the KGL wearing black uniforms.
Like the last, interesting but not compelling.
Rereading McKinstry's "Operation Sealion" as I got distracted. Had intended "Blood, Mud and Poppycock" on the 1st WW as I got it cheap from a Nat Trust 2nd hand shop but missed :D
He writes entertainingly and it's a substantial step up from his "journalism".
Destination Dunkirk: The Story of Gort's Army by Gregory Blaxland. I bought this to really fill in a gap of my knowledge of the France 1940 campaign. Most books naturally focus in the breakthrough at Sedan and the fall out from that, but I wanted to see more detail on the BEF, for a planned BKCII campaign this year. A few chapters in and a brilliant read with plenty of little snippets of useful info. Highly recommended.
QuoteHaving seen FSN's note on Craven, I went and bought the first three.
...
OK novel but not very compelling to me.
Agreed. I may buy the second one - but not yet.
Besides, it's historically wrong. It says that Craven was sloshing about in the wine barges, but doesn't mention Lt Roberts of the 16th Light Dragoons whose exploits are described in "The Road to Oporto". :P
I'm actually reading the first of the Witcher books
The Last Wish. This is somewhat of a departure for me. In the 1980s, when fantasy was cool, I read Moorcock, Robert E Howard and, of course, Tolkein. Over the last few years I have tried to re-read may of these and find no great joy in the reading. I even re-read Stephen Donaldson and didn't progress beyond the first book. Why? Not sure. I find Robert E Howard the most readable, and I suspect that is because Conan is a person dealing with life in a fantastical world, whereas there are larger issues at stake with Moorcock and Tolkein.
It's why my favourite superheroes are Batman and Green Arrow. One extraordinary man, fighting an intimate battle against the evil around them. When it gets to Superman defeating alien invasion, I'm out.
The Witcher (at least this one) is the story of a jobbing monster hunter. The magic is present but understated, the monsters are mostly natural creatures who inconvenience the humans around them, so must be dealt with. Either that or cursed or flawed humans.
There is a certain acceptance though. I liked the bit where the Witcher describes a troll living under a bridge. If he wasn't paid, he would attack the legs of travellers, but the villagers didn't want him killed. The troll maintained the bridge better than humans would and the price he charged was reasonable.
The
Last Wish is episodic and weaves back and forth over a number of tales. There is much of the fairy tale in them; a retelling of
Beauty and the Beast and a disturbing take on
Snow White stick in the mind.
This is great stuff. It's like a fantasy version of Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name, a jobbing killer with a code, but all too fallible.
Two gripes: one is that the fight scenes are not well written. Some feel like an afterthought, but it's a mild moan. Secondly (and this may be because I'm not Polish) I did feel like a bestiary would have been useful.
Enjoying the book, but not tempted to the games. I did watch the first episode of the TV series, and if the night is long and dark, and sleep will not come for the mind is troubled with painful memory, then I may try again.
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GzzKgJNGqr69iK58uaRjX3-1200-80.jpg)
https://witcher.fandom.com/wiki/Category:The_Witcher_bestiary (https://witcher.fandom.com/wiki/Category:The_Witcher_bestiary)
We tried the Witcher series. It was just Cavill being his usual wooden self. Apparently that's intentional, but just as with his Superman and pretty much enter corpus, it's dull as dishwater. All the charisma of a planl, even if he is king of the nerds and the God-Emperor.
I like The Witcher books and enjoyed the one episode (Episode 1) I saw of the TV series. Seems to me Cavill is well cast as Geralt of Rivia.
Loved the first Witcher game, didn't like the second, haven't tried the third.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 14 January 2023, 12:26:26 PMI like The Witcher books and enjoyed the one episode (Episode 1) I saw of the TV series. Seems to me Cavill is well cast as Geralt of Rivia.
Loved the first Witcher game, didn't like the second, haven't tried the third.
I'm told he's very well cast, as Geralt is essentially a plank of wood with a sword, but Cavill having the charisma and magnetism of a plank of wood turned it into a snoozefest. Which is sad, as I rather wnated to like it!
Finished "The U.S. Marines And Amphibious War" by Jeter A. Isely and Philip A Crowl. It was published in 1951 and is a great history of the development of amphibious war. It goes through all of the Central Pacific island invasions and shows how tactics adopted to the Japanese defenses. It also shows that the Japanese adapted from the banzai charges in the early fights to a dug in defense, primarily due to the overwhelming firepower of the US.
Numbers of ships, planes and troops were astounding as the war went on. Support craft types and uses, fast battleships and old battleships, tank landing craft, command ships all are discussed. Okinawa rivals D-Day for size and had to sail much longer distances. The breakdown of the campaigns is detailed and very interesting.
For example the chapter on Iwo Jima, Chapter X The Supreme Test, Iwo Jima, breaks down as follows:
First a general description of why Iwo was invaded.
1. Strategy, Command, and Planning Preliminary Fires
2. Troop Training, Embarkation, and Rehearsals
3. Delivery of the Preparatory Fires
4. Narrative of the Fighting
The Beach Assault
Kuribayashi, His Men, And His Tactics
The Capture Of Suribachi
The Contest In The Northeast
5. Tactical and Amphibious Aspects
Artillery, Naval Gunfire, And Air Support Ashore
American Tactics And Weapons
Supply, Beach Logistics, Replacements, And Medical Activity
6. The Significance of Iwo Jima
The chapter goes from page 432 to 531, so very detailed. During the fighting each committed battalion had a destroyer in direct support.
The book is obviously Marine-centric, but discusses the issues with the army and navy, which in most cases went smoothly. One beef of the Marines with the navy the Marines wanted their own Marine pilots to support them with ground attack. Also their request was to have the Marine squadrons on escort carriers that the ground commander could control, but that took almost the whole war to accomplish.
If you are interested in the Pacific War and island hopping, I heartily recommend this book. I see it is on Amazon as a Kindle release for $4.99.
And finished "Craven's War: Against All Odds", book 3 by Nick S Thomas. After Talavera Craven is given a task to take an arms convoy across Spain, creating havoc, to supply the guerillas with arms. Then when he gets to the coast in Northern Spain, pick up an arms shipment and return. Little fights and description of swordplay (as well as descriptions of the swords.
Not planning to get any more of these. Ok but not gripping.
Finished "Motivation In War: The Experience of Common Soldiers in Old-Regime Europe" by Ilya Berkovich.
An interesting book with many first person examples of common soldiers. It tends to refute the thinking that common soldiers were not patriotic and were only ruled (disciplined/sent into battle/prevented of deserting) by draconian measures. As more time has gone by more first person accounts of private soldiers have been found and explored, leading to realizing soldiers then (early to late 1700's, early 1800's) had similar motivations to soldiers later. Not much difference between old regime and French revolutionary soldiers according to the book.
There is honor, patriotism, allegiance to king and country and to mess mates, all shown in the narrative.
"Tank Men" by Robert Kershaw.
I am enjoying it a lot, and also finding it useful food for thought. It has some issues which I won't go into here – as a summary I tend to agree with most of the 3 & 4 star reviews on Amazon and think the 1 and 2 star reviews are unfair.
2 points in particular stand out:
1) I can't shake the feeling that no set of rules I have seen in the past 40 years capture anything like what I'm reading (although the more abstracted approach in BKC comes closest to some of it). Maybe there is something that could be done to address that... but given my second point maybe that's not a bug but a feature!
2) There is some very grim stuff indeed described – it does give me pause to think about why I have been obsessed with tanks and tank warfare ever since I built my first Airfix kit...
Finished "Brute: The Life f Victor Krulak, U.S.Marine" by Robert Coram. This is a well written book. Krulak was only 5'-4" and got his nickname when he was at Annapolis. He liked it (it fit his personality) so kept using it. He retired as a LTG but did not get to be Commandant of the Marines, having ticked off LBJ by telling him LBJ's Vietnam scenario was getting people killed and would not win the war, as well as he said LBJ would lose the next Presidential election.
Krulak was instrumental in the development of the Higgins boat through working with Higgins. Krulak had been in China when the Japanese attacked China and landed at Shanghai. He chartered a boat, went to watch the landing and and personally sketched and took pictures of the Japanese landing craft. He was very up to date on all the marine tactics for amphibious landings and was very wary of the army and navy attempts to curtail the Marine Corps. Truman was also against an expanded Maine Corps and said they were only the Navy's policemen.
Krulak was involved in the banana wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He also was one of the first to utilize the helicopter for assault landings. He had three sons, two in the Marines and one who washed out of boot camp and became a priest. That son, his oldest, eventually became a Navy chaplain with the Marines. One of his sons did become Commandant.
Quote"Tank Men" by Robert Kershaw.
1) I can't shake the feeling that no set of rules I have seen in the past 40 years capture anything like what I'm reading (although the more abstracted approach in BKC comes closest to some of it). Maybe there is something that could be done to address that... but given my second point maybe that's not a bug but a feature!
It's a while since I read this book - which bit of what the book describes, do you feel rules fail to pick up?
In my view most rules make tanks too good as they focus on the hard technical stats, and tend to fail to account for the practical issues and the crew - and the challenges of the crew interacting with the hardware.
Finished a little booklet "Civil War Small Arms" an NRA American Rifleman reprint which looks as though it was done ion the 1950's.
Union revolvers, with pictures, number manufactured and factory location. A small article on John Brown's Colt revolver. A short piece on explosive bullets, an article of carbines and two articles by Jac Weller. In these articles in fires the various Confederate shoulder arms to test their accuracy. I remember buying and really appreciating his books on Wellington in India, the Peninsula and Waterloo. At the time (early to mid 60's) they were very informative.
Quote from: flamingpig0 on 18 September 2022, 02:32:12 AMThe Persians? ;)
Just bought it on your recommendation
Hah! So what did you think of it?
I prefer to use the library service for reading copies.
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 30 January 2023, 11:36:47 AMHah! So what did you think of it?
I prefer to use the library service for reading copies.
Got it on kindle
I found it a bit of a hard read but thought the general conclusions sound. A good recommendation.
Finished "Cruisers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia" by M. J. Whitley.
Just as it says, all cruisers in the world during WWII; many photos and deck plans. Got me to pull out my 1:2400 ships to see how many I needed to paint still (a bunch). But not yet.
Returning to Rebels and Patriots (Osprey Games).
Finished "Decisions Of The Seven Days: the Sixteen Critical Decisions That Defined the Battles" by Matt Spruill. Interesting in the author's pick of the decisions by the various generals and leaders - Davis, Lee, Jackson, Halleck, Lincoln, McClellan and others. Maps and quotes form the Official Records.
The author, a retired US Army colonel, has written several other "Decision" books on the ACW. Recommended if you are interested in the seven Days battles.
Hail Caesar 2nd Edition. Just a quick flick through so far, but it looks very good and is nicely laid out. So far I spotted that the Break test table for Close Combat is different in the main book compared to the QRS and Run Through section at the end :( . Other than this minor but annoying issue, very happy with my purchase.
So what does HC2 bring to the table over v1?
From what I've gleaned so far Fred is that there has been clarification and simplification on some areas of the rules, the rules for terrain have been expanded, the rules cover up the the War of the Roses rather than stopping c1250AD and sort of siege rlated rules added too.
The army lists have all but gone, bar a good WotR section and a simple Roman and Gaul guide, with the aim being the you buy the relevant supplement. Not a problem for me as I will be doing a sort of ImagiNations appraoch for the time being. No battle reports either but I can't remember if the original rules had them in or not as I sold my copy years ago.
Hope this helps?
Finished "General Sterling Price And The Civil War In The West" by Albert Castel. Price was a charismatic leader in Missouri, but initially did not want to secede. This earned him the doubts of other Confederate leaders, including Jefferson Davis.
Price's overriding ambition was to free Missouri from the Yankee hordes. However, he really never got a good chance nor the troops to do so. In addition he wasn't a very good general, even though his Missouri troops adored him.
After the war he went to Mexico, along with other Confederate leaders and generals. He returned to Missouri in 1867, but died shortly after his return.
Finished "The Lion of The South: General Thomas C. Hindman" by Diane ward and Thomas W. Kremm. Hindman, like Price, was a Western (west of the Mississippi) man, from Arkansas. He was short, but a great orator. Because of his skills and his almost rabid devotion to the South and its "peculiar" institution, he raised a regiment but was rapidly promoted.
He had an aptitude for war and was aggressive. He, like others, left the US after the war and went to Mexico, but eventually returned. He was later assassinated in his living room while reading a newspaper by someone firing through the window. No one was ever caught but there were suspicions that it had been done by the Republicans, as Hindman constantly opposed their politics and carpet bagging in Arkansas.
More engaging than the book on Price that I reviewed above.
Just reread "The Battle Of New Market: Shenandoah Valley, May 1864: battleground of two great armies - and 258 young V.M.I. cadets" by William C. Davis. Good book, tactical with OB's and maps. I reread this because we are setting up the battle this weekend (pictures of the battlefield sometime next week) and fighting the battle on Feb 25 - which will also generate the Batrep and more pictures.
Finished "The Journal of Military History" Vol. 86, No. 3. Published 4 times a year it includes 5 or 6 main articles and, in this volume, 69 pages of book reviews.
Articles in this volume are:
Celebrating "Bloodless Victories" in the Roman World,
Husbands, Sons, Brothers, and Neighbors: Eighteenth-Century Soldiers Efforts to Maintain Civilian Ties,
The Royal Navy's Psyche on Lake Ontario: A British Experiment with Prefabricated Warships in the War of 1812,
and 3 others.
always interesting articles.
Quote from: petedavies on 27 January 2023, 03:02:37 PM"Tank Men" by Robert Kershaw.
I am enjoying it a lot, and also finding it useful food for thought. It has some issues which I won't go into here – as a summary I tend to agree with most of the 3 & 4 star reviews on Amazon and think the 1 and 2 star reviews are unfair.
2 points in particular stand out:
1) I can't shake the feeling that no set of rules I have seen in the past 40 years capture anything like what I'm reading (although the more abstracted approach in BKC comes closest to some of it). Maybe there is something that could be done to address that... but given my second point maybe that's not a bug but a feature!
2) There is some very grim stuff indeed described – it does give me pause to think about why I have been obsessed with tanks and tank warfare ever since I built my first Airfix kit...
I really enjoyed that - good book, and the heavy focus on the men driving the machine and on "soft stats" is excellent - I think the 1 & 2 star reviews are from Panther apologists unhappy their tank & crews's are assessed fairly :D
Redcoat by Richard Holmes. All about the British soldier during the age of Black Powder, but really covering mid 18thC to the Crimea. An excellent read and lots of titbits of info.
Finished "The Journal of Military History" Vol. 86, No. 4.
Articles include;
The "Push of Pike" in Seventeenth-Century English Infantry Combat,
"Measure of Conciliation": Winfield Scott, Henry Halleck, and the Origins of U.S. Army Counterinsurgency Doctrine,
Reevaluating Ghormley and Halsey at Guadalcanal
and others.
In this volume 97 pages of book reviews.
Oooh, the "Push of Pike" article sounds very interesting! According to the abstract the author "...examines the limitations of previous models used to explain how pikemen actually fought and suggests a new model, based on a close reading of the sources".
Any chance you could give a (very brief) outline of his position?
If not I may have to track this one down :-)
Cheers,
Pete
Here is part of the conclusion. "The examination of contemporary seventeenth-century evidence refutes two commonly held assumptions: first, that pikes had ceased to be and offensive weapon by mid seventeenth century; and second, that the role of pikemen was primarily as a defense against cavalry units...some essential characteristics are observable. First, in most of the battles examined in this study, the officers were reported to have performed the most active role in hand-to-hand combat. In many cases, they were engaged in violent action bu often avoided severe injury, indicating they were well-protected by their armor. Nevertheless, on some occasions, they were killed or wounded...Second, while most f the rank and file seemed to engage less actively, their aggressiveness increased as they gained more combat experience. Third, in most cases, the majority of pikemen followed their officers' lead and participated in more violent action when the opposing line was visibly shaken, whether physically pr psychologically. Most casualties occurred from this point onward."
Thanks very much for that.
I am definitely not a period expert but I have followed the back & forth about exactly what "push of pike" might really mean. I am swayed by the idea that in modern English it is better phrased as "thrust of pike" i.e. visualising a pike-length standoff melee until one side or other cracked, rather than a direct physical collision. Sounds like this author might be (somewhat) in agreement? Anyway, more grist to the mill of argument :)
Cheers!
On a Victoriana/Colonial kick at the moment, so The Defence of Duffer's Drift (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24842), followed by The Man Who Would Be King (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8147).
The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalyrymple. Still in the 1600's at present but a fascinating read and highly recommended.
Quote from: Steve J on 06 March 2023, 12:04:58 PMThe Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company by William Dalyrymple. Still in the 1600's at present but a fascinating read and highly recommended.
That's next on my pile! I've been meaning to get a copy for ages and finally did, just need to finish McKinstry's Op Sealion reread first :)
Finished "Challenge For The Pacific:The story of the incredible hundred days in which the Americans seized the offensive from the Japanese at Guadalcanal" by Robert Leckie. Long time since I read any of his books, too long.
Great story, great writing. Leckie was with the First Marine Division during the war at all the battles except Okinawa.
Makes me want to do the Pacific ground war, but I am resisting.
Finished "On Operations: Operational Art and military Disciplines" by B.A. Friedman.
The book is a discussion regarding Operations being called a level between strategy and tactics, which this book says is false. The US picked it up from the Russians, who however, had operations as a discipline not a level. The American translation of the Russian had errors and so operations was miscast. The operational level of war was conceived by Russian officers to be able to discuss strategy without the risk of disagreeing with Marxist-Leninist doctrine (which could be fatal).
Both Peter Paret and Michael Howard erroneously inserted the words "operations" and "operational" in their translations of Clausewitz's On War, when Clausewitz never used it.
What the author puts forth is that operations is what the staffs do while the commanders command. People trying to define it as a level between strategy and tactics sometimes mesh into one or the other.
Friedman presents a good case and I will not look at Operations in any other sense that it is what the staff does. Good book, along with his other "On Tactics".
Finished "Les Artilleries Francaises de la Revolution et du Premier Empire" by Ludovic Letrun and Jean-Marie Mongin.
History of the uniforms, guns and equipment of the foot artillery (supposed to be a tome 2 for the horse artillery). About 500 uniform illustrations, over 100 pages of cannon, howitzers, mortars, siege guns, caissons, limbers, pontoons and wagons. All in color. Very thorough.
Finished "the Darkest Hour: Volume 1: The Japanese Naval Offensive in the Indian Ocean 1942 - The Opening Moves" by Michal A. Piegzik. Very good layout of what, why and where. Many pictures and tables of ships and aircraft sorties (including the pilot's name).
This is the setup for the offensive. Volume 2 is the combat.
Finished "On Tactics: A Theory Of Victory In Battle" by B.A. Friedman. Obviously similar to his book "On Operations" that I listed earlier.
The Principals of War change depending on when they are listed and on who lists them. Friedman has an overarching umbrella called the Tactical Tenets which he uses to "fix" or "reattach" them to where we interact with the enemy: the physical, the mental, and the moral.
"The physical means at the tactician's disposal are mass, maneuver, firepower and tempo."
"The mental effects that physical means can inflict on the enemy are deception, surprise, shock, and confusion."
The moral cohesion is essentially doing moral acts; obeying the laws of war, have a guide for the end of the battle, abstain from abhorrent acts.
As the author says, the first precept is that tactics are subordinate to strategy. And strategy is subordinate to policy, tactics are in turn the servant of strategy.
He criticizes the US Army and the Marines for their evident inability to develop good feed back loops (he does discus Boyd and his OODA loop qite a bit).
A good thought provoking book.
Rally Once Again I'm reading it once again I've also read a booklet from an ACW computer game Battle Tactics in the Civil War but I believe there is a hardback but ami looking at the same books with different titles?
Anything by Paddy is worth studying.
As my last ACW game was from London Wargames Section in 1973 but the rules were from around 1970. As I'm a Napoleonic gamer I tended to use Napoleonic tactics.
It goes to show that rules should be different for olmost every year of the wars because every campaign was fought differently by different generals.
General Lee had Jackson and Wellesley had his Picton.
Also finished "How Carriers Fought" by Lars Celander. All about the how it was done.
Part I is Carrier Operations, with 9 chapters; Navigation and Communication, Flight Operations, Aircraft Carried, Finding the Enemy, Detecting Incoming Strikes, Aerial Attacks, Defending Against Aerial Attack, Fighter Direction, and Logistics (interesting statistic here; the IJN consumed over 12 million tons of oil during the war, which was the US production of 2 weeks).
Part II is Carrier Battles of World War II, with 9 chapters; Early Scouting and Raiding by Carriers, Battle of the Coral Sea, Battle of Midway, Operation Pedestal, Battle of the Eastern Solomons, Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Battle of the Philippine Sea, Battle of Leyte Gulf, and Carrier Operations in a Larger Context.
Part III is The art and Evolution of Carrier Operations, with another 9 chapters; Combat Models, Concentration vs. Dispersion, Fighters vs. Bombers, Battleships vs. Carriers, Armored Flight Deck vs. Size of Air Group, Effectiveness of Heavy AA Guns, World war II Carrier Design Revisited, The Art of Carrier Operations, and Evolution of Carrier Operations.
Highly recommended for this group.
QuoteHighly recommended for this group.
OK, you got me hooked! :)
Ordered from Amazon, due here tomorrow.
Just got a reply on the Old Dominion Game Works forum that said the Mark Stilles book, "Pacific Carrier War: Carrier Combat From Pearl Harbor to Okinawa" is better in that person's opinion.. So I just ordered it.
Lots of WW2 related naval interest on the forum lately with Sam Mustafa's new rules and these carrier books.
I got both volumes of "The Darkest Hour:The Japanese Offensive in the Indian Ocean 1942 - The Attack against Ceylon and the Eastern Fleet" by Michal A. Piegzik based on your earlier review in Nov 2022 of Vol 2 Kipt. As l said then they are very good.
Might see a mention of them a little bit later in the year but got to find the time to get some stuff done first 🙂
Currently, for a long while. George R R Martin: 'Fire And Blood'... just while eating. To keep up with TV!
BUT that bloke is Very 'Twisted'! 2-3 pages is usually enough!
Thought early G o T books were excellent... but slowed. This just seems a bit 'sick'.
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 24 March 2023, 03:54:03 AMCurrently, for a long while. George R R Martin: 'Fire And Blood'... just while eating. To keep up with TV!
BUT that bloke is Very 'Twisted'! 2-3 pages is usually enough!
Thought early G o T books were excellent... but slowed. This just seems a bit 'sick'.
I found the more I read him the more depressing I found his writing.
I started on the 'Game Of Thrones books while awaiting release of DVDs and...wow...perfectly paced for TV.! And early books were! later books wandered. TV series 'rushed' far too much, later and Disliked conclusion.
'House Of The Dragon is 'drawn' fron bits of 'Fire And Blood' book but does not closely follow. Good enough... will watch on DVD. Book... yep, depressing and, to me, a bit twisted. there are some recurring 'themes' in GRR Martin... well!
However. Being near Scottish Border...with history of region... and one parent was from Croatia... and history of THAT region...! Much of 'life' for many did NOT have much Jollity! Just no Dragons!
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51w728HFC5L.jpg)
Re-re-re-reading Battle of the Narrow Seas, stories of MTBs and E-Boats in WWII.
Published in 1945, it is somewhat of it's time. "The German is very efficient mechanically, but of a defensive mind set" type thing, and told with all the restrained gusto of a British propaganda film.
Covid's hit me once again, so I have plenty of time to read. I'm currently on Brothers in Arms, by James Holland, covering the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry in the NW Europe campaign.
Although I'm not quite at the half-way mark I can definitely say it's a brilliant read, quite gripping in its account of the regiment's actions in Normandy. Holland does have an excellent sense of narrative, making the men and the scenes - all too many of which are harrowing - come alive to the reader.
So far the book has covered some actions fans of the Too Fat Lardies' Chain of Command rules are familiar with - especially Operation Martlet, with the fighting around Fontenay and beyond, which is covered by their pint-sized campaigns book. Recommended.
HITLER'S Pre-Emptive War
The Battle for Norway, 1940
HO Lunde
ISBN 978 1 932033 92 2
The author covers the general political and strategic issues and makes the point that events in the South and Middle of Norway would determine the outcome of the North. Ironically most of the tactical coverage is around Narvik and only 35 pages out of the 553 pages deal with the events further south in Norway. As an American-Norwegian he gives a slightly different view to many of those with a more anglophone view of the history and gives fair allowance to the Norwegian effort.
It highlights the failure of the Allies to support the Norwegians and the rather duplicitous activities of the Allies, frequently without reference to the Norwegians, and their obsession with Narvik and the iron-ore associated with the port. It is interesting to note that the British army considered it impossible to operate along the coast road in north Norway due to the deep snow. The Germans managed an average advance of 15 miles a day, against opposition, and in one instance managed 100 miles in two days over that very same ground, which the British Army declared impossible to operate over. Deplorable leadership in all the armies allowed an energetic German command to succeed in tough circumstances.
I found it a very disappointing book because of the emphasis on the North; presumably he had access to a rich trove of material on post-war investigations. I would have preferred more detail on the actual invasion and events away from Narvik. A great book if your interest is in the events at Narvik.
Morning Star, Midnight Sun
JR Cox
ISBN 878 1 4728 2638
The book covers the wide-angle issues of the political and strategic issues surrounding the implementation of the American offensive, as well as dealing with the individual engagements both at sea and on land, not forgetting the air element!
The book examines both the strength and weaknesses of both sides and examines the resultant success and failures that both sides enjoyed. The Japanese had specialised in training for night actions and the rudimentary radar of the period failed to give the American navy the advantage they thought they had but which developed during the war; there was also a struggle to get the airfield workable. As this campaign was pivotal in the change from Japanese initiative to American initiative I think this is a particularly interesting period in the war and the book covers a wide range of topics in dealing with so many issues. The author handles the subject well and it is a book I have found really enjoyable.
Finished "The Journal of Military History" vol 87, No. 1.
Articles include:
Small Wars, Ecology, and Imperialism in Precolonial Asia: A Case Study of Mughal-Ahom Conflict, 1615-1682,
The Somewhat Organized Violence of Revolutionary Paris, 1789-1792,
The Conception and Implementation of Field Service Regulations in the British Army, 1900-1915,
Ernst Volheim, Heinz Guderian, and the Origins of German Armored Doctrine.
As well as 189 pages of book reviews.
And finished "The Splendid And The Vile: A Sagas Of Churchill, Family, And Defiance During The Blitz" by Erik Larson. An absolutely fabulous book; reads like a novel. Essentially the first year about Churchill, family, staff and events during his first year as PM.
William Dalrymple's "The Anarchy" about the East India Companies rise to empire. Not exactly fun and jolly hockey sticks.
I've just finished 'The Anarchy' book, which I greatly enjoyed. However the torture inflicted upon various rulers and their families was pretty grim to say the least.
Quote from: Steve J on 06 April 2023, 06:54:06 AMI've just finished 'The Anarchy' book, which I greatly enjoyed. However the torture inflicted upon various rulers and their families was pretty grim to say the least.
No one comes out of it very well, but the HEIC and their tame UK government definitely the worst :/
Quote from: toxicpixie on 06 April 2023, 01:03:48 PMNo one comes out of it very well, but the HEIC and their tame UK government definitely the worst :/
A very biased book, as usual with Dalrymple; see https://thecritic.co.uk/the-anarchy-lacks-context/
Quote from: Ben Waterhouse on 06 April 2023, 10:52:19 PMA very biased book, as usual with Dalrymple; see https://thecritic.co.uk/the-anarchy-lacks-context/
Yeah, I'm well aware it has critics, as any look at the Empire and the UKs last few centuries does!
Although to be fair the worst that counter review has is a dollop of "what about-ism", and suggests that he doesn't examine things outside the scope of the book like the Chinese in Xinjiang.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 06 April 2023, 01:03:48 PMNo one comes out of it very well, but the HEIC and their tame UK government definitely the worst :/
Does it discuss the famines?
It does cover the Bengal famine and how little the HEIC in general did to try and alleviate the suffering.
'Case Red: The Collapse of France' by Robert Forcyzk. I enjoyed his 'Case White' on the Polish Campaign so am looking forward to reading this, as it will fill that gap between Dunkirk and the end of the campaign. The introduction is interesting and some of the points he makes I'm not sure about, given other books I've read on the subject, but will reserve judgement.
QuoteIt does cover the Bengal famine and how little the HEIC in general did to try and alleviate the suffering.
It's just the EIC.
QuoteIt's just the EIC.
Also known as the Honourable East India Company (HEIC), East India Trading Company (EITC), the English East India Company, or (after 1707) the British East India Company, and informally known as John Company, Company Bahadur, or simply The Company.
I would agree that certainly from our perspective it didn't warrant the "Honourable"
Finished "Unsung Hero of Gettysburg: the Story of Union General David McMurtrie Gregg" by Edward G. Longacre.
A West Point Graduate, 8th out of 33 candidates who were graduated in 1855, Gregg had a typical career up to The Civil War. Various postings and fighting Indians in the West. Once the war started he rose in rank similar to all graduates from the Point, but since he was not a publicity hound, not as fast as others in his class or even those behind him. He obtained division command and fought at Gettysburg as CO of the 2nd Division on the east cavalry field.
Ultimately he did command the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac when Sheridan was sent to the Valley to "clean it out". However, Gregg resigned his commission several months before the end of the war for "personal" reasons, which were never stated.
A good solid commander, appreciated by his men.
The book is well written at a level just above the tactical in describing the various battles.
When I posted my comments on Celander's book, "How Carriers Fought" on the ODGW site, a member said Mark Stille's book was better, so I bought it and read it.
And I just finished Stilles book, "Pacific Carrier War: Carrier Combat From Pearl Harbor To Okinawa". It is a very good book but different than "How Carriers Fought" in my mind. Stilles book is WHAT happened during the battles, with some tactics illustrated. Celander's book is the How the different parts and pieces went together, while also describing, minimally, the battles. In my mind they complement each other. Celander is the parts of the machine while Stilles is the whole in use.
I'm only part way through "How Carriers Fought" but am finding it fascinating so far. May have to get "Pacific Carrier War: Carrier Combat From Pearl Harbor To Okinawa" too.
Finished "Gettysburg Magazine" January 2023, ISSUE 68.
Articles include:
The Confusing Case of the two "Flags" of the 19th Indiana,
A Ford Too Far on the Road to Gettysburg,
Why Did Lee Reorganize his Army in May 1863?: Some New Perspectives,
The Real Effects of Jackson's Death on the Pennsylvania Campaign,
A Reappraisal of Major general John Bell Hood's Gettysburg Wound,
"Bravery, Faithfulness, and Efficiency": The Forgotten Role of Leopold von Gilsa,
Picturing Gettysburg: John B. Bachelder and the Making of Civil War Memory,
Not Just a White Reconciliation: The Fiftieth Anniversary at Gettysburg,
and The Battle Continues...,
Old Scenes and Old Lenses...Make Great Stories.
Published twice a year.
Just finished 'You have to die in Piedmont' by Giovanni Cerino Badone about the Battle of Assietta 19 July 1747.
Basically the French assaulted a fortified camp in the Alps and were defeated with heavy casualties.
It's a good book in my view though the events are sometimes interpreted through the lens of modern military thinking. A lot of primary sources are used - French, Italian and some Austrian, which are interesting to read. The maps are diagrams as opposed to maps - a proper map would have been helpful. The annotated photographs do help visualise parts of the action and the terrain imposed limitations on the French manoeuvring.
Cunningham:The greatest Admiral since Nelson, by John Winton.
Spoiler - he wasn't... A very good admiral and the last great Hussar for battleship warfare in the Med 1939 to 43. Excellent battle and tactics descriptions.
Finished "SLIM as Military Commander" by Geoffrey Evans (retired LTG and was in the 14th Army in Burma).
I have always thought Slim's book, "Defeat into Victory" was one of the better books I ever read. This current book shows how confusing the battle in Burma was, particularly during the retreat in the beginning. Place names are unfamiliar so a sense of 'where' is lost and while the maps are pretty good, not all names are on the maps (not unusual in most military books).
The history of Slim is interesting and shows how he acquired his poise in dealing with those above and below him. while sometimes caught on the wrong foot, Slim was able, due to his foresight and troop dispositions, to generally come out ahead of the Japanese. A great commander and possibly the best Allied commander in WWII (in my opinion).
Quote from: kipt on 21 April 2023, 06:01:05 PMPlace names are unfamiliar so a sense of 'where' is lost and while the maps are pretty good, not all names are on the maps (not unusual in most military books).
When Prof Murray and I translated Clausewitz's history of "Napoleon's 1796 Italian Campaign", we were very conscious of this problem and vowed to ensure that every place we mentioned would appear on our the maps Nick created for it.
Then we found that it was practically impossible. If we'd put everything on the maps, they'd have become illegible, so we had to break our vow and make choices about what was or wasn't important enough to include.
Not to say that we, or LTG Evans's publisher, or many other authors and publishers couldn't have done a better job with the maps; but I do have some sympathy with authors and publishers as well as with readers when this problem occurs.
(Pleased to see my own maps in my latest book, "Hungary 1849", got very honourable mention in Chris Jarvis's kind review (https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/hungary-1849-the-summer-campaign.php) in
Miniature Wargames, though - they were a lot of work!)
Agree and "Hungary 1849" is in my pile to read.
Finished "Stay Off The Skyline: The Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa" by Laura Homan Lacey. The author is (was? - 2005) the historian of the Sixth Marine Division.
A history of the battle told by the survivors, and it is pretty gritty. Young Marines, 17 to 19 in their first battle along with some old time veterans. Many had volunteered after Pearl Harbor (though many did not know where Pearl was, but were mad at the Japanese). Volunteering ended when the draft started but still many were able to go to the Marines.
Pictures and short bio's of those interviewed. To a man they were very happy with Truman's decision to drop the A bombs on Japan. Up to that time they did not expect to survive an invasion of Japan.
Quick book to read.
The Strike Wings: Special Anti-Shipping Squadrons 1942-45 by Roy Nesbit.
The history of Beaufighters and Mosquitos in the anti-shipping role. Nesbit was a Coastal Command veteran and tells the stories of his peers simply and effectively.
This has changed the way I perceived these strike aircraft, their tactics and methods far more sophisticated than just charging at anything that floats.
The piece about relating maps to text is an interesting one.
I'm unlikely to be the only one here who recalls library books where all the shiny pages were in one or two clumps.
A reader hoping to extract details would be reading with two or three fingers stuck in the relevant map pages.
(Leaving greasy fingerprints on the nice shiny photo paper).
I think our world of modern gadgetry offers a solution.
Provide the modern name (subject to change) and grid reference - probably in a footer under each page.
This allows the avid reader to fire up public mapping software and locate the site of the events.
It doesn't boost the page count.
Think of it as a service to the reader, like the extensive (or not so extensive) bibliographies found at the rear of history books.
Hi
QuoteProvide the modern name (subject to change) and grid reference - probably in a footer under each page.
This allows the avid reader to fire up public mapping software and locate the site of the events.
Sounds like a good idea to me.
One thing I do like about my Kindle is the ability to tap on a 'note' in the text which takes you straight to the note in question at the back, tap on it again and you are back where you were in the text. Just wondering if something similar could be done with place names, tap on it and it takes you to a map, highlighting the place in question.
Cheers Paul
Not in paper books Paul, but no reason why it couldnt in an electronic one.
Have just finished "How Carriers Fought" - much recommended if you are in to the nuts and bolts of carrier warfare and care how long it took to launch an aircraft or why you might, or might not, want more fighters or torpedo bombers and an overview of how all of those nuts and bolts were put together in the carrier battles of WW2.
Now, finally, getting around to the November/ December issue of Slingshot. I'm guessing I'm a little late to send feedback via the questionnaire! :)
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 25 April 2023, 10:25:07 AMThe piece about relating maps to text is an interesting one.
I think our world of modern gadgetry offers a solution.
Provide the modern name (subject to change) and grid reference - probably in a footer under each page.
This allows the avid reader to fire up public mapping software and locate the site of the events.
Ideally you'd want to link to a contemporary map. For a lot of C19 (or indeed C18) conflicts in Europe, I highly recommend the maps here:
https://maps.arcanum.com/hu/map/europe-19century-secondsurvey/?layers=osm%2C158%2C164&bbox=2057197.0902563662%2C5901668.9719951805%2C2469651.294883177%2C6042618.852153046
Names 'subject to change' is a big deal. In what used to be the Austrian empire, it is common to find a place has three names: the German one; the Hungarian one (if it was in the Kingdom of Hungary); and the local Rumanian, Croat, Czech etc one. In my Hungary books I had to put multiple pages of name index in the front to give readers a chance of following the action. (Plus putting a lot of effort into creating clear maps that tell the story on their own.)
Quote from: kipt on 23 April 2023, 09:51:48 PMAgree and "Hungary 1849" is in my pile to read.
Thanks, Kip. At ~550 pages, that should take you what, a morning to read? ;)
Trying to do some 'what if' scenarios for an Austrian intervention in Wallachia I had major difficulties with maps of the area (both contemporary and modern) seeming to give places random names that appeared to have no linguistic link between them. Even using 5 maps I found little consistency and a rather casual attitude to those parts of a map that allow you to compare them. If both were to be accurate the course of the Danube seems to have changed by about 30km between 1849 and 1880 according to 2 maps.
The Danube has changed course a lot since 1800
See below
https://www.icpdr.org/main/publications/historical-patterns-along-danubes-course
Finished "Tarawa" by Charles T. Gregg, a very detailed account of this battle. Another hard fought combat against the Japanese during the"still learning" period of the Pacific War by the US Marines.
Good read.
Just started reading The Memoirs of General the Baron de Marbot. Quite an entertaining story so far.
Quote from: PedroSwift on 28 April 2023, 06:08:18 PMJust started reading The Memoirs of General the Baron de Marbot. Quite an entertaining story so far.
Great read.
Apparently Marbot was the inspiration for Brigadier Gerard.
Finished "The Chindit War: Stilwell, Wingate, and the Campaign in Burma:1944" by Shelford Bidwell.
A book about the "irregular" columns acting as guerillas against the Japanese in the north of Burma, while Slim was fighting in the southwest and Stilwell was using two Chinese divisions in the north. Reading this makes you wonder at the stamina of humans - marching up and down high mountains, little food, bad water if any, high humidity in the jungle and cold up high, only forest tracks, terrible communications between the columns. But they did harass the Japanese.
Wingate was the driving force for the Chindits. But a very determined officer who would not hesitate to go above his commander(s) and appeal directly to Churchill (who was always amenable to offensive warfare and strange ideas).
The 70th British Infantry Division commander, General Symes, had this to say about Wingate:
"fanatical, ruthless,, supremely self confident, a master of duplicity,arrogant,argumentative,untidy, unorthodox...the magnitude of his plan in conception and in detail was amazing...he was essentially a 'doer' and was satisfied that he could do anything better than anyone else...He knew everyone [in his force], had their confidence and demanded implicit faith from his subordinates. He lacked administrative and organizational knowledge, and knowing it, had an inferiority complex on the matter. [He displayed] impatience and ill-temper when he construed any question as an obstruction to his ideas...He appeared deliberately to make enemies...".
But his men believed in him.
The other person in the book is the American general Stilwell, often known as Vinegar Joe. He answered to Mountbatten on one side, Chiang Kai-Shek on another and also the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He absolutely hated the British, calling them cowards who wouldn't move.
The author says this: "Unfortunately the acidulous qualities, so amusing in a major, proved to be disastrous in a general who was his country's military representative with the Chinese on the one hand, and the British on the other. As Stilwell grew older his tongue became more barbed, his judgements harsher and his manners, bad at the best of times, abominable. Like Wingate, he was verbally aggressive, and could never forego the pleasure of being rude, especially to some unfortunate prevented by military discipline from answering back."
So a cast of characters (Wingate was killed in a crash of his B-25 when visiting his troops), and hard working columns of British, Indians, Gurkas, West Africans, and Americans (Galahad Force, also known as Merrill's Marauders). The author also gives the Japanese their due; short anon rations, equipment, support, but full of dedication to the Emperor and willing to die).
Almost a fatiguing book to read concerning all the hardships the soldiers went through, but good.
Mammoth book of Soldiers at War first hand accounts of warfare from the age of Napoleon edited Jon e lewis
Better than I expected although there is a lot of we went over here then we were ordered over there and back again. And other such realities like the endless search for food and water. Grattan's account of cuidad rodrigo and Badajoz is pretty stomach churning.
Worth reading these memoirs in some form and here there are 14 excerpts in the one book.
Biggest surprise for me is that several of the infantrymen accounts refer to taking their packs off for action and leaving them in the rear "organised by companies and under guard"
So perhaps Leon could kindly redo all the Brit action poses without packs and a new scenic item of a heap of packs. :d :d
I think I've read that most British Infantry at Waterloo were without Packs... presumably some other battles too. Certainly an assault on a breach would require mobility.
In one of the Sharpe novels, Harper is 'framed' by having a stolen item 'planted' in his pack.
I do not know if French or others also removed packs for combat but would imagine so.
ACW, packs often piled too.
The German Invasion of Norway April 1940
GH Haarr
ISBN 978 1 84832 032 1
A detailed examination of (only) the naval aspects of the invasion that covers all the initial German landings, including Stavanger and the Sola airfield landings. This gives ALL the details, including which forts were manned and what guns they had, what picket boats were on station and where these were located, what submarines were where, what people did over 8/9 April. A very detailed book covering all the different locations and naval craft; a must read for anyone wanting the naval angle on the invasion. I certainly learnt a lot. Very little coverage of what happened once the German troops were ashore but a great deal about how they got ashore. After this, it is all arithmetic history! Excellent for naval history.
Quote from: kustenjaeger on 18 April 2023, 04:57:20 PMJust finished 'You have to die in Piedmont' by Giovanni Cerino Badone about the Battle of Assietta 19 July 1747.
Basically the French assaulted a fortified camp in the Alps and were defeated with heavy casualties.
It's a good book in my view though the events are sometimes interpreted through the lens of modern military thinking. A lot of primary sources are used - French, Italian and some Austrian, which are interesting to read. The maps are diagrams as opposed to maps - a proper map would have been helpful. The annotated photographs do help visualise parts of the action and the terrain imposed limitations on the French manoeuvring.
I have to stop reading this thread again, between this and carrier talk I'll end up spending money :D
Just started "Snow Ice and Sacrifice" on the Italian army on the Ostfront. Once past the intro it seems pretty good.
Quote from: toxicpixie on 10 May 2023, 07:29:37 PMJust started "Snow Ice and Sacrifice" on the Italian army on the Ostfront. Once past the intro it seems pretty good.
Many thanks; very helpful. A hot topic for me at the moment, as I am looking at Operation Uranus & Operation Saturn.
Try borrowing rather than buying. I suppose publicising this will make it harder for me to get hold of the books!
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 10 May 2023, 08:50:30 PMMany thanks; very helpful. A hot topic for me at the moment, as I am looking at Operation Uranus & Operation Saturn.
Try borrowing rather than buying. I suppose publicising this will make it harder for me to get hold of the books!
I try not to borrow other peoples books these days, takes me so long to read them they've moved planet by the time I finish!
I should get to the library but I barely get chance :(
When younger, Local Library higlhy valued resource. Demolished now... just a room in sports center. Uni same.
BUT...realised that Borrowed books had been sneezed, eaten, over... or other activities... and 'went off' the idea!
Not Keen on 2nd hand, now! ;D
Quote from: Heedless Horseman on 11 May 2023, 03:03:01 AMWhen younger, Local Library higlhy valued resource. Demolished now... just a room in sports center. Uni same.
BUT...realised that Borrowed books had been sneezed, eaten, over... or other activities... and 'went off' the idea!
Not Keen on 2nd hand, now! ;D
Have you tried kindle?
Just finished "Roman Battle Tactics 109BC–AD313" by Ross Cowan (Author) and Adam Hook (Illustrator).
Roughly sixty pages to say,"We don't really know much about Roman battle tactics."
If you know nothing about the Roman army it's probably too esoteric to be useful, if you know anything about the Roman army this probably isn't going to add much to the sum total of your knowledge.
Very readable, nicely illustrated but not sure who this is aimed at.
I've not tried Kindle. I don't even use a Mobile phone much... older generation... so idea of reading from a little box is a bit alien. Might be a good idea, though, as eyes deteriorating and think Font size can be enlarged.Years, gone, used to lie, reading, in bath for ages... but Glasses steam up, now! lol. ;D
For novels I almost entirely read and purchase them on Kindle - not least due to lack of shelf space for physical books.
It is worth pointing out that Kindle is two things. First there are the books, these are bought on the Amazon website and importantly can be read on virtually any device using the Kindle App. I find this very handy as I can have a whole library available on my phone which is great for travelling. Your progress through a book is maintained across devices so you can swap between devices very easily.
Then there are the physical Kindle reader hardware devices - these are in no way necessary to read Kindle books. But they are a good way of reading them as the screens are very much optimised for reading and low power consumption. The downside is that is another device to purchase and carry. But it is optional.
I do not like Kindle or any of the electronic readers. Just not the same as a book (of which I have thousands - but have run out of room on the shelves).
Anyway, finished a novel, "The War in 2020" by Ralph Peters (who is also the author of a ACW series I thought was great).
In this the US Army has been humiliated in Africa by South Africans and their Japanese "advisors". The Japanese are waging economic war on the US. Our hero of the book is a young helicopter captain (George Taylor) who gets shot down and traverses for 3 months to get back to friends, having lost all his squadron. There is also a plague in the world that either kills quickly of, for the lucky ones, leaves horrible scarring, and our hero gets it and has a "devils face".
We follow Taylor into a war south of the US border, years later, and then as commander of the 3rd Cavalry. Russia is being assaulted by the Asiatic peoples of their southern region, as well as the Iraqis and other groups, again with Japanese "advisors". Russia has asked for US help and so Taylor leads his regiment to Russia.
Needless to say the US troops, with a new wonder weapon, defeats the Japanese coalition (who also have a horrible weapon), kills the Japanese CO (who we find out, was the pilot in the South African jet that shot down our hero way back when), and thus saves the world.
In the manner of Clancy novels so fast and fun.
I am a Kindle fan, but only for certain types of books. If I am reading a novel, then the Kindle is fine. It will even read to me if I need it to. Basic histories can also be on the Kindle, but reference books need to be paper.
I've just taken delivery of The Armies and Uniforms of Marlborough's Wars by CS Grant, and there's no way I would have it on a Kindle. Quick flick through has a lot of pretty coloured pictures and tables of facings, so I'm a happy Nobby.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41N4OaPWG1L._SX344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
On the Kindle, I'm reading The Armed Rovers: Beauforts and Beaufighters Over the Mediterranean by Roy Conyers Nesbit. This is a companion to The Strike Wings: Special Anti-Shipping Squadrons 1942-45 and tackles the subject of anti-shipping aircraft in the Mediterranean in the same way. A mix of memoirs of the veterans and what seems to have come from official histories.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51w7kBlhPvL.jpg)
The Great War explained by Philip Stevens. Very much an intro overview book and also very focused on the Western front. Nonetheless I found it an interesting read but have zero interest in gaming the bloodbath offensives .
One point I did take away is that even at Somme Ypres Paschendaele and the like, some parts of the offensives did succeed which sadly led to the belief that it just needed more artillery and more men...In an appendix he reaches a total of 16million dead all theatres and participants.
Finished a little booklet "The Wit & Wisdom of Winston Churchill: A Treasury of More Than 1,000 Quotations and Anecdotes" by James C. Humes. It also has a foreword by Richard M. Nixon, of all people.
Fun little book.
Finished "Thrilling Stories of the Russian-Japanese War" by J. Martin Miller and an introduction by General Nelson A Miles. It has a copyright of 1904, but has some discussion of 1905. It however does not conclude with the peace treaty.
Pictures, engravings and text (which is pretty even handed). The book is 463 pages but up to page 300 it is about the history of Japan, Russia and Korea, so no "thrilling stories" in those parts.
One interesting piece concerns the sinking of the Russian ship the Petropavlovsk. According to the book it was believed that is was sunk by a Japanese submarine, rather than mines which is what actually happened. The author details in great extent the submarine and its actions.
Another item I found interesting is that Japanese explosions from artillery are from Shimose powder, which I had not heard of before. Turns out it is similar to the British Lyddite and the French Melinite, but developed by a Japanese Scientist named Shimose. It was more powerful that the Brit or French powder.
Interesting war, on the cusp of WWI with machine guns and massed attacks, so horrendous casualties.
Re-reading '1809 Thunder on the Danube' by John H Gill.
Finished Volume 1 of Samuel Eliot Morison's History of United States Naval Operations In World War II, "The Battle of the Atlantic; September 1939-May 1943".
Always wanted this set and had my children get it for me for my birthday. Really enjoying Morison's writing.
Finished "The Battle For The Swiepwald: Austria's Fatal Blunder At Koniggratz, the Climatic Battle Of The Austro-Prussian War, 3 July 1866" by Oberst Ernst Heidrich. Amazing battle where the Prussian 7th Division essentially fought 3/4 of an Austrian Corps. At the end a unit from the 8th Division and the Crown Prince's army coming from the north finally settled it.
Back and forth for most of the day within the woods. Prussian brigades broke to regiments, to battalions, to companies and to sections, all intermingled. Similar happened to the Austrians. Prussian schnellfeuer stopped many Austrian attacks, even though the defenders were outnumbered.
Maps, photos and sections on the organization of the armies. Much detail and since I have all the Prussian forces for 1870 I am tempted to do Austrians for this war. (Would need to add some Prussian 12# batteries and some different commanders).
Finished "The Gurkhas" by Byron Farwell.
Good book about fantastic soldiers. When the independence of India happened, the Gurkha regiments were split up; 4 to the British service and the 6 remaining to the Indian service. Both the men and the British officers were not well treated during this transition by the British government.
Anyway, the book has the history of the Gurkhas from their founding to 1984 (when the book was published). Since then there have been further reductions but there is still a Brigade of Gurkhas.
Finished "The Battle of Allatoona Pass: Civil War Skirmish in Bartow County, Georgia" by Brad Butkovich. Great little, but bloody, fight with a weaker Union force holding the pass (has a star fort and redoubt) against a Rebel division from Hood's army in 1864. Very tactical description.
The author has published several books on ACW scenarios, adaptable to many scales, with maps, pictures and OB's, as are included in this book. Will need to play this one using RFF.
Allatoona Pass was the first ACW battle I played on the tabletop. Looking back now, it wasn't a great scenario (from an old Wargames Illustrated I think) but I enjoyed it.
Finished "The Advance From Mons 1914" by Walter Bloem, at that time an infantry company commander for the 12th Grenadiers, Prussian army. A day by day account from just before mobilization to when he was wounded, about 14 September 1914. Bloem went on after recuperating to command a battalion on the Eastern front, but that is not part of this book.
All the sweat, dirt and exhaustion from the constant marching. His company of 250 men dwindled to 85 in a month, and this before trench warfare.Very good, first person discussion.
Bloem was a novelist before the war and wrote a trilogy of the Franco Prussian War (The Iron Year, People Against People and The Forge of the Future), which I would like to get. I saw the first of the novels, translated into English, listed on Amazon, but unavailable at this time.
Sounds like a fascinating read
Finished what I considered a strange little paperback, "The Indians Won" by Martin Smith. The premise being the different tribes got together and with the help of European money, guns and artillery, were able to defeat the US Army. So a nation of Indians was established in the western middle of the US. West US being California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington and the Eastern portion stops at Texas and points north.
Many famous names being involved, from generals to politicians to Indian chiefs and roughly adhering to history. In WWI the Zimmerman telegram goes to the Indians rather than the Mexicans, but the Indians do not want to get involved. The Indians remain neutral during WWII.
Sounds an interesting book, but at £61.69 on Amazon I think I'll have to pass! Only £10.77 on ABE UK but £15.06 shipping from South Africa.
I confess I seldom find alternative histories that convincing which is odd given I love 'historical' wargaming scenarios that take a situation and let the game provide alternative endings. Just awkward I guess. :)
Quote from: Gwydion on 06 June 2023, 07:26:59 PMSounds an interesting book, but at £61.69 on Amazon I think I'll have to pass! Only £10.77 on ABE UK but £15.06 shipping from South Africa.
So, in retrospect, the £1.00 or so I spent to purchase this book many, many moons ago is now beginning to look like a wise investment after all... Who'd've thunk it?
Cheers,
Geoff
Currently inhaling a series of WW1 Books, including Paddy Griffith's 'Battle Tactics on the Western Front', Gary Sheffield's 'Forgotten Victory', and Corrigan's 'Mud Blood and Poppycock'
And finished Volume 2 of Samuel Eliot Morison's History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, "Operations in North African Waters, October 1942-June 1943".
This is the invasion of North Africa from the American actions. These occurred on the west coast outside of the straits of Gibraltar. Some army actions described but as the title of the series says, this is for Naval Operations.
Finished Volume 3 of Morison's History, "The Rising Sun in the Pacific, 1931 - April 1942". In this volume the Japanese run rampant through the southwest Pacific, pushing ABDA out and touching on the actions in the Indian Ocean.
Very easy to read and now I am back to painting ships.
Did you find Morison's writing style and attitude towards the Japanese a little.....dated (I guess is the word I'm looking for) Kipt?
I read Morison's series years ago and found the early volumes a bit one eyed - they were written not long after the end of WW2 so I guess they were written very much from the victors point of view.
His later volumes and other works like "The Two Ocean War" are excellent.
In my mind, Morison's writing style isn't so much dated as lacking in later information. I think he treats the Japanese very fairly, with no racial overtones in his writing. The edition I have is a reprint of a somewhat revised history. He collected many reviews and letters after the first edition was released and incorporated new information into this set.
Morison did not know about all the code breaking that occurred, which information was released much later. With the books, he wrote of what was generally known at the time but used participants views and the US Navy reports. So in that respect, yes he wrote from the victors perspective, but pretty even keeled.
Well, as I said its a long time since I read them (the whole set of Morison was in my local library, but their history section is now a very thin skeleton of what is was :( ).
Really good point about the 1941 - 42 books being put out before the intelligence breakthroughs etc had been revealed.
I think he did a good job covering the whole of WW2 from the USN's perspective. It grew to be the largest navy in the world by 1945 and was involved right round the world, so small wonder it took 15 volumes to record the entire story!
Finished "Confederate Commissary General: Lucius Bellinger Northrop and the Subsistence Bureau of the Southern Army" by Jerrold Northrop Moore. All I had read about Northrop had been his inability to continually supply the Southern armies and so was incompetent. Not evidently the case based on this book.
Northrop was a West Point graduate and close friends with Jefferson Davis. They both were in the west before the war, dealing with the Indians and the white settlers encroachments on Indian lands. (Northrop believed the whites caused the problems). He accidentally shot himself in the knee which troubled him for the rest of his life.
He was on leave just prior to the ACW and resigned once it started. Davis, knowing Northrup's honesty and work ethic, asked him to run the Subsistence Department, Northrop did not want to but accepted. He put in a comprehensive plan to collect and distribute food to all the southern armies, but was stymied by the terrible railroad system (and the railroad owners who put profit over patriotism), the Confederate congress who would not give him the powers to stop private speculation, Jefferson Davis who would not allow cotton to be traded for supplies (with the enemy who was anxious through private persons and some generals - Butler? - to get cotton) and generals who would upset Northrop plans to share the food.
Beauregard, Johnson, Bragg and others collected food and kept it, essentially shorting Lee's army. Even Lee would look no further than his own army, even when Northrop asked for wagons to collect relatively close by supplies for Lee. Inflation of the Confederate money, the inability of the Confederate Treasury to supply gold or greenbacks (US currency, which was still available), huge debts incurred by all Departments caused massive problems. Farmers were reluctant to provide excess stock and food on money or bonds that rapidly depreciated.
Another source was meat and foodstuffs from Britain. This of course relied on the blockade runners, which were a shrinking asset as the war went on, not withstanding the lack of funds. But, this supply did help.
After the war there was an outcry in the north over the treatment of prisoners. There were reports the prisoners were systematically underfed. actually the ration for prisoners was the same as for the Confederate army, who were usually lacking due to the problems listed above. Northrop was arrested but never charged after the war but still gets a bad rap in most books as being incompetent. Having read this book I believe he did more with less to keep the troops supplied to the bast of his ability.
Interesting, looks to reinforce my view that the South didn't have the economic power to prosecute the war
Sounds like a very interesting read :) .
Quote from: paulr on 23 June 2023, 01:29:31 AMInteresting, looks to reinforce my view that the South didn't have the economic power to prosecute the war
A matter of fact I'd call it. The Confederacy was never able to raise enough money to pay for the war, either in taxes or through its economy, which was essentially agriculturally based, depended on cotton and slave labour. Once the war started, the markets for cotton in the North evaporated, and the Union blockade interrupted exports, so it printed money. The North had all the advantages, larger manpower pool, aggriculture which was already largely mechanized and much, much, more efficient and an industrial base that before the war accounted for the larger part of the country's entire output. The Confederacy never stood a chance.
Finished a little booklet by the US Park Service, "The Battle of Pea Ridge 1862". Only 44 pages with illustrations and pictures. Not sure when it was printed but I would guess it has been redone. This looks to be done when the park was still being put together.
Several articles (chapters?) included:
The Pea Ridge Campaign,
Elkhorn Tavern History,
Leetown,
Life in Benton Country,
Commanders at Pea Ridge,
Butterfield Overland Mail Co. (I found this to be very interesting as it describes the first overland mail from St. Louis and Memphis to San Francisco),
The Indian Regiments In the Battle of Pea Ridge,
Reunions of Blue and Gray,
and Trail of Tears.
Indian Regiments, do tell? 8-> :-bd
Quote from: kipt on 23 June 2023, 05:45:43 PMFinished a little booklet by the US Park Service, "The Battle of Pea Ridge 1862".
If you want further reading on Pea Ridge, I recommend 'Pea Ridge - Civil War Campaign in the West' by William L Shea and Earl J Hess (University of North Carolina Press, 1992). Like so many American books on the Civil War it is thoroughly researched with copious notes and an extensive bibliography. It also has a comprehensive order of battle.
Quote from: Lord Speedy of Leighton on 23 June 2023, 11:13:28 PMIndian Regiments, do tell? 8-> :-bd
The Brigade of Albert J Pike contained four regiments of indian regiments in Confederate service. All were regiments of mounted rifles raised from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Creek tribes. Their colonels were all white officers. I have no idea of their dress, or organisation.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/99/de/c8/99dec83cd90db39fcca33f4f49fcc3a2.jpg)
Interesting
Finished Volume 4 of Samuel Eliot Morison's US Navy set, "Coral Sea, Midway and Submarine Actions". Really like this set and have been painting Japanese and British ships for the Indian Ocean fights.
Blood Cries Afar by Sean McGlynn. Subtitled 'The Magna Carta War and the invasion of England 1215-1217'.
Having been on a Battletech kick recently, I've just finished the Shrapnel "Slack tide" anthology, am nearly through the Jade Falcon trilogy with Aiden Pryde and am working through the Shrapnel magazines courtesy of the Humble Bundle cheap offer (the first dozen for a tenner!).
Great literature they aren't, but great fun they are!
Catching up on the Marcus Didius Falco historical crime series by . Books 11-15 read in six days, mainly due to gout preventing me doing much else. :(
Also trying to stop myself getting into Gangs of Rome.
Hopefully Joy of Six will lure me back to things I'm already doing!
Vampirella versus Purgatori graphic novel
Which does pass the Bechdel Test.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 30 June 2023, 02:16:54 PMCatching up on the Marcus Didius Falco historical crime series by . Books 11-15 read in six days,
Excellent reads. :)
Sorry, ignore me.
Finished another Morison, "The Struggle for Guadalcanal: August 1942-February 1943".
Easy reading.
And another Morison, "Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier: 22 July - 1 May 1944", volume 6. Morison is a great writer; very easy reading which keeps your interest.
Finished the "Guide To The Atlanta Campaign:Rocky Face Ridge to Kennesaw Mountain" edited by Jay Luvass & Harold W. Nelson. Maps and reports from the generals involved. The narrative follows Sherman's push to Atlanta against General Johnston. it does not include the battles around Atlanta.
The guide consists of current day road directions to the different points of the campaigns and then goes into reports from those involved. There is an Appendix written by Jay Luvass discussing Sherman's Logistics and the use of the railroad that is very interesting. Also has the OB's for both armies.
finished an interesting book "Seize The Fire: Heroism, Duty, And The Battle Of Trafalgar" by Adam Nicolson. It can best be described as a psychoanalysis discussion of Nelson, the British officers mindset and "cultural differences" from the French and Spanish.
Once it gets to the battle there are good descriptions of the carnage and destruction in those ships that were engaged. Overall, it is engaging with a psychology bent.
Finished "Decisions At The Wilderness And Spotsylvania Court House: The Eighteen Critical Decisions That Defined the Battles" by Dave Townsend and maps by Tim Kissel.
The meat of the book is a discussion of the author's take on 18 decisions he says are critical. These are developed by discussing the situation, listing options the commander(s) could take (with 2 to 3 options), the decision made and then the Results/Impact. This method gives a good review of what happened.
Appendix I is a battlefield guide to each of the decisions (so very repetitive narration) with driving directions around the battlefields and maps of the stops. The maps however do not show troop placements so in my mind are of limited value. The US Army War College guides are much better in this respect. There are also photographs illustrating the areas fought over.
Appendices II and II are the OB's of the Union and Confederate armies, listing commanders and units (but no strengths).
Brothers in Arms by James Holland. Focusing on the Sherwood Rangers, it covers similar ground I've read in plenty of other books, but has lots of interesting snippets that I haven't come across before. As with all his books, very readable and the pages flip by, which can't be said of other books on the NWE campaign. Highly recommended.
Finished volume 7 "Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls: June 1942-April 1944" of Samuel Eliot Morison's history of the US Navy.
Recommended if you are interested in WWII naval of the US navy.
Finished volume 7, the "Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls: June 1942 - April 1944" of Samuel Eliot Morison's history of the US Navy on WWII. Recommended if you are interested in the US Navy.
Finished 'War Bodies' by Neal Asher
Brilliant hard sci-fi
The (US) "Field Artillery Journal", August 1946. A few pdfs appeared in a Google search for something else.
Interesting to get a flavour of the end/immediate aftermath of WWII.
One article was a surprise to me - describing the use of radar for ground surveillance & artillery targeting in NW Europe theatre from late 1944(!) directing fire against vehicle concentrations and road movements (including a single, very unlucky horse-drawn cart) and even a guided interception of an enemy foot patrol at night. The radar also picked up the shell bursts for correction (range accurate to 10 yards).
Fancy stuff for 1940's technology...
Cheers,
Pete
That's a good read, cheers!
Sorry about the double entry above. Didn't think the first one took.
Finished "Guide To The Battle Of Shiloh" edited by Jay Luuvas, Stephen Bowman and Leonard Fullenkamp, and part of the U.S. Army War College Guides To Civil War Battles.
Unlike the previous Guide on the Wilderness and Spotsylvania battles above, this book shows troop positions as part of the stops on the battlefield tour. Much preferred so one can orient the troops and see what the discussion highlights. These are very good guides.
Campagne de Prusse (1806) – Iena. P Foucart. Paris, 1887
This is not a conventional narrative history of the campaign. It sets out to examine how the Gran Army inflicted such a catastrophic and absolute defeat on the Prussians in so short a time, even by the standards of Napoleonic campaigns generally. It does so principally through the mind of its commander, and other personalties, reflected in their correspondence and despatches.
In simple terms it was a combination of staff procedures, army organisation, logistics and, above all, the personality of its commander. Napoleon also anticipated the Prussian declaration of war and was already ahead of the game by a month. This is seen clearly in his correspondence, from which a number of other things become apparent.
The first is Napoleon's micro-management style. In addition to being the commander of France's principal army, he was also France's head of State, yet we see him giving detailed orders on the minutiae of the composition of individual regiments, even of the companies within them, and in the next moment corresponding with other heads of state.
The second is that hardly anything happens without an instruction from him and, third, delegation of responsibility is minimal. It is a style that leaves little room for individual initiative by subordinates. Corps commanders were not taken into Napoleon's confidence and were generally ignorant of his plans; they were also often unaware of what other Corps commanders had been ordered to do and during the days when the army concentrated for battle, they were told little more than to move from A to B.
Full of wonderful detail concerning the planning of the campaign, its execution and after-action reports of Corps commanders.
The author was a member of the Historical Section of the General Staff of the French army when he wrote this study in 1887. The Historical Section published a number of studies of Napoleonic campaigns between 1884 and 1914 its mission being the education of French officers following the debacle of 1870 with a view to re-learning the principles of war through lessons of the past.
A download of the book can be found here: Campagne de Prusse (1806) d'après les archives de la guerre : Foucart, Paul Jean, 1852-1923 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Finished volume 8 of Morison's History of the US Navy, entitled "New Guinea and the Marianas: March 1944 - August 1944". Next volume goes back to the war in Europe.
Just finished:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51R87fxIgnL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
Which fills in those bits that get overlooked.
Have just started
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Which is literally a heavy tome.
Also reading
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y9jVwn3NL._SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg)
... for light relief
Have started reading The Destruction of the Impeerial Army by Grenville Bird, published by Helion. This is volume I of a proposed IV volume set covering just the first couple of months of the Franco-Prussian War. Volume I weighs in at over 500 pages, and covers the pre-war diplomacy through to the withdrawal to the Moselle, so you can imagine it goes into a fair amount of detail with lots of eyewitness accounts (eg the number and calibre of French guns used in the attack on Saarbrucken, the French and Prussian losses in Zeppelin's scouting raid into NE France). As a result I am now familiar with how many small actions and skirmishes took place even before the French attack on Saarbrucken. The writing style is easy to read, but unfortunately there is the odd occasion when one comes across the plague of Helion, incomplete proof reading, such as a 'the' where there shouldn't be one. Despite this for anyone interested in the opening Imperial phase of the FPW this is a fascinating read using many sources, especially French ones, previously unused.
Thanks for the heads up on that Leman
I have been fortunate enough to meet Grenville on a couple of battlefield tours. He wears his scholarship lightly, and is a most popular agreeable companion. I have this book, and heartily recommend it. It's greatest asset is the use of French sources rarely seen in other accounts.
When Titans Clashed: How the Red Army stopped Hitler by Glantz and House. Quite simply a superb overview of the Eastern Front in WWII, looking at the issues faced both both sides and how they adapted to changing circumstances over the course of the war. Lots of useful snippets for us wargamers too. Highly recommended.
Forgot to mention one plus and one minus (for me anyway). There is a large section of illustrations including contemporary art and photographs, plus some fascinating then and now photographs. On the minus side there is a section of battlemaps, but they are contemporary. This is a problem for me and my eysight as they contain far too much detail crammed into a small space. To read them I have to use my painting magnifier goggles.
On the Franco-Prussian War and the Second Empire Facebook group, Grenville Bird is doing a day by day diary of August 1870, which is worth a look.
Finished issue 69, July 2023 of the "Gettysburg Magazine"
Articles are:
"They fought at a Great Disadvantage": the 82nd Ohio Volunteers in the Gettysburg Campaign,
The 12th Virginia in the Gettysburg Campaign,
Turning the Tide in Favor of the Union: The 2nd United States Sharpshooters at Gettysburg,
Doubleday at Gettysburg,
Disgruntled Rebels: the Southern News Media Sparks Controversy in the Confederate ranks,
and a few more.
Always a good read.
Finished "Guide To the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign" edited by Charles R. Bowery, Jr and Ethan S Rafuse.
Typical ACW guide but at a higher level for the most part; brigades and above, but with some reports by regimental commanders. Maps have very small writing so tough for me to read at the moment (recovering from an eye infection). Not done in a chronological order due to the various locations within the Park, but by jumping around, one can do chronological.
Finished Volume 87, No. 2, April 2023 of "The Journal of Military History.
Contents for this issue include:
The Rise and Fall of the Grand Alliance: The U.S. Airmen behind Stalin's Lines, 1944-1945,
Military Engineers as Combat Support Forces in the Armies of Edward III,
No Settled Principles? Military Law in the Late Victorian army,
The Staff of the 1st Australian Division: A Study in the Composition of the Divisional and Brigade Staff from Assembly to Armistice,
From Mobile fleet to Mobile Force: The evolution of U.S. Navy Logistics in the Central Pacific during World War II,
and others.
Also 81 pages of book reviews (where often I find an additional book I want to buy).
Re The Destruction of the Imperial Army, the maps are now available as a free download on the Helion website, so can now be enlarged for a much clearer view. Nice one Helion!
Finished "The Commanders: The Leadership Journeys Of George Patton, Bernard Montgomery And Erwin Rommel" by Lloyd Clark. A well written book, easy to read and good descriptions/examples of these commanders leadership attributes. Comes down to personality and taking care of your troops while educating your officers. "A Type" personalities for sure and aggressive.
I have to stop reading this thread. Keeps giving me want lists for new books!
Never stop reading this thread...
finished "Sicily - Salerno - Anzio: January 1943 - June 1944" by Samuel Eliot Morison. This is volume 10 of his US Navy in WWII Naval Operations. Navy support for these landings was crucial at times. He also discusses the US Army Air Force reluctance to support the ground troops on a tactical level. The air force leaders were convinced that strategic bombing would win the war.
They did cut communications at times, but never decisively. When they did do tactical support it was always helpful.
Enjoying the series.
I'll definitely keep reading this thread, although my wallet runs and hides every time I do ;)
I've been poking about Wikipedia and various referenced sites.
Prime subject: The transition from Pre Dreadnought to Dreadnought in Britain and Germany.
Some interesting trends that aren't described in the standard histories.
I'll give you two.
The "impractical hexagon turret" arrangement of the first two German classes makes perfect sense in the context of their triple expansion engines.
The spread of British Dreadnought yards beginning in Portsmouth and spreading north as expertise and capacity increased.
You're missing the French!
"French Pre-Dreadnoughts - When Hotels go to War"
(https://preview.redd.it/the-real-french-pre-dreadnought-battleship-carnot-aint-she-v0-sibr4ekyfrla1.jpg?auto=webp&s=6b2665a881ef4ef2d202302532842cc3c72a5b4d)
If I ever do pre-dreadnaughts they will be French.
Unless they're Japanese and Russian.
The French are certainly an interesting navy in the pre-dreadnaught era fsn.
Their navy then, as in eariler times, played second fiddle to the French Army, which at that time was focused on preventing a repeat of the 1870-71 fiasco.
As they have maritime responsibilities in the Channel, Atlantic and the Med their fleet could not match the numbers of the Royal Navy on a ship for ship basis. The "juene ecole" school of thought amongst the officers of the Navy therefore turned to the idea of cruiser warfare "raiders" against the then very extensive British merchant fleet (who were regarded as the main enemy until the "entente cordiale" came along).
The British therefore ended up building quite a few cruisers of various sorts to specifically counter the French ones.
While I have the British "hull fishing fleet" to one day match Paul's Russians the main opponents will be from a little further to the west of Russia, purhaps with a few faster ships and some of those new fangled flying machines to boot :-\
Quote...
If I ever do pre-dreadnaughts they will be French.
Unless they're Japanese and Russian.
Of course some of the Russian ships were built in France or based on French designs, e.g. Tsesarevich and the following Borodino class
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Rus_Tsesarevich_Image5.jpg)
Seeking examples of practical engineering, I deliberately avoided the French.
They build a lovely iron tower though...
The ships are a tad excentric even up to Richelea and Jean Bart...
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 17 September 2023, 11:25:31 AMSeeking examples of practical engineering, I deliberately avoided the French.
;D ;D ;D
Strangely, it's their very impracticality that attracts me.
QuoteThe ships are a tad excentric even up to Richelea and Jean Bart...
I never had a problem with the "all up front" designs.
See also Rodney and Nelson.
A brave effort to shorten the armoured citadel without cutting back on engine capacity.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 17 September 2023, 01:17:10 PMI never had a problem with the "all up front" designs.
See also Rodney and Nelson.
A brave effort to shorten the armoured citadel without cutting back on engine capacity.
But Rodney and Nelson were cut down by Washington. Quad turrets on the French ships all forard was also a bit odd. Loose 1/2 main armerment to one hit, possily all to a strike between the turrets.
Fighting for Spain by Alexander Clifford about the international brigades of the SCW. It's not bad, Clifford examines the makeup of the brigades in terms of nationality and vocation and affiliation. There's also some description of uniform and equipment and some of the leaders.
This far the actual combat and campaigns are described in general terms. I painted up Italians and plan to paint up international brigade to face them so I was very interested in the Battle of Guadalajara but there wasn't more than a few pages and a general map to explain the actions.
We'll see how the rest of the book goes..
Finished "Hood's Defeat Near Fox's Gap: Prelude to Emancipation" by Curtis L. Older. This is a well researched boutique book to prove/show that Hood's brigade was placed in the wrong place for his counterattack against the IX Corps at South Mountain battle at Fox's gap. Most if not all other books have Hood on the east side of the gap (Ezra Carmin as a notable example).
However the author, over a period of many years, has studied this battle, and has determined that the attack against those Union troops occurred on the west side of the gap. Though ground study (along with Ted Ellis from Sharpsburg), official records, old maps, historic deeds and personal narratives from officers and men in the battle, he proves his point.
Many maps herein by the author and Ted Ellis illustrate his "proof". Well done.
Finished "UNDAUNTED: My Fight Against America's Enemies, At Home And Abroad" by John O. Brennan, former Director of the CIA. A different book for me, but it was a present. Interesting none the less, and it is about his life during his career in the CIA, Ultimately becoming Director during the Obama years. He retired after that and was always a critic of Trump.
In fact, he, like many others, got into a feud with Trump, who revoked Brennan's security clearance publicly. This had never been done before to a previous Director, and showed Trump's pettiness. However, it was never actually taken away. He was, and I assume still is, very disappointed with the Republican party in its support of Trump (as am I). 'Nuff said.
Finished "The Atlantic battle Won: May 1943-May 1945", volume 10 of Morison's History of the United States Navy in WWII. So it caused me to read up on the submarine action in GQIII, 'tho I don't have any subs or merchant ships (yet).
Easy to read.
Finished "The Garde Nationale 1789-1815: France's Forgotten Armed Forces" by Pierre-Baptiste Guillemot.
A detailed history of France's Garde. They came into being during and for the Revolution; much turmoil and in fighting. When France was invaded many volunteers came from the Garde, but the Garde was not directly sent to the frontiers (other than garde units in border towns.
Primarily used to keep order in the country, it was made up of citizens from the classes that paid taxes (more conservative which the leaders wanted - they kept out the lower classes). Paris itself has over 30,000 enrolled by the summer of 1789.
Napoleon did use the Garde to form the higher number of regiments for the field army, and many Garde units helped defend their towns and cities. After Napoleon's fall, the restoration kept the Garde in being, but replaced many officers with Royalists.
The book has many illustrations of Garde uniforms and goes deeply into its history and experiences. However, it jumps around the dates depending on the portion described. I sometimes felt I had already read that piece. It is a well produced Helion book as part of the From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 series.
Just started in on 'Allenby's Gunners.'
Blurb:
'The book tells the story of artillery in the highly successful World War I Sinai and Palestine campaigns. Following Gallipoli and the reconstitution of the AIF, a shortage of Australian gunners saw British Territorial artillery allotted to the Australian Light Horse and New Zealand Mounted Rifle brigades. It was a relationship that would prove highly successful and Allenby's Gunners provides a detailed and colorful description of the artillery war, cavalry and infantry operations from the first battles of Romani and Rafa, through the tough actions of Gaza, the Palestine desert, Jordan Valley and Amman to the capture of Jerusalem. The story concludes with the superb victory of Megiddo and the taking of Damascus until the theater armistice of 1918.
Smith Covers the trials and triumphs of the gunners as they honed their art in one of the most difficult battlefield environments of the war. The desert proved hostile and unrelenting, testing the gunners, their weapons and their animals in the harsh conditions. The gunners' adversary, the wily and skillful Ottoman artillerymen, endured the same horrendous conditions and proved a tough and courageous foe.'
I feel a new period coming on... ;)
Sounds a great read
We can highly recommend If the Lord Spares Us by Too Fat Lardies for the period and of course our host's recently expanded Middle East range :)
Martin1914 and I have several battle reports to tempt you further ;)
Finished volume 11 of Morison's History Of United States Naval Operations In World War II, "The Invasion of France and Germany: 1944-1945."
Mainly the US accomplishments during D-Day and the south of France, but he does reference the British, French and others' contributions.
I recently finished 'Allenby's Gunners'.
It isn't always the easiest read unless you happen to have a fairly detailed map of Palestine to refer to fairly regularly as there seem to be some maps missing. Probably the author intended more and the publisher cut them back.
Another annoying point is the spelling of placenames in the text and on the maps is often different, sometimes dramatically so.
I have read clearer narratives but this isn't bad and he does animate the situations 'enthusiastically'. You can tell the subject interests him from the way he writes but he does tend to drift sideways at times and is obsessed about ammunition expenditure.
What I like particularly is that he describes many artillery actions from the gunners' perspective and gives details of range, deployment and even rate of fire and how he emphasises the importance of the teams and their management - you rarely see that in books.
Definitely worth a read, if only for interest, but does include many things rarely seen in WW1 books concerning guns in action.
Finished "Wellington's Unsung Heroes: The fifth Division In The Peninsular war, 1810-1814" by Carole Divall. this is a comprehensive history well done by the author. Many selections of letters from members of the division as well as official reports.
Good pictures and maps (never enough place names on these in my opinion when they are to illustrate the text). Casualty figures for the several battles the division was in.
Recommended.
Finished "Flags Of Our Fathers" by James Bradley with Ron Powers. This is an absolutely gripping story of those who were in the famous photo of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. The author is the son of the last flag raiser who died.
Six men (boys) actually were putting up a replacement flag and there happened to be a photographer near by who took the picture. This photo became famous and was used on the 7th bond tour in the US. It took a while to identify the 6 in the picture and for years one was misidentified. 3 of the Marines died on the island in the next couple of weeks and three came home. this book is their story.
The battle scenes are immediate and powerful. There was no cover for the Marines and the Japanese were dug in underground. Huge casualties as Naval gunfire could not get to the caves and dugouts, not could air power.
A quote by Stephen Ambrose says "The best battle book I ever read". I agree.
Highly recommended and I urge you to read this book if at all interested in the Pacific war.
The 2006, Clint Eastwood films "Letters from Iwo Jima" and "Flags of Our Fathers" are powerful cinematic retellings of the story. One from the Japanese side and the other from the American. Compelling and harrowing tales, both.
Finished "A Fighting General: The Biography of Gen Holland M. "Howlin" Mad' Smith" by Dr. Norman V. Cooper.
Smith got his nickname because of his passionate (VERY passionate) defense of 1st the Marine Corps and second his troops. According to the author, Smith was a very likeable person to those who really knew him, even those he had arguments with.
The Army did not like the Marine Corps, dating back to WWI and Belleau Wood, where the Marines got "all the attention". So General relieved an army general, Ralph Smith, CO of the army 27th Division, at the battle of Tarawa. Not aggressive enough, but the charges were for disobeying orders.
Quick book to read.
Finished "The Cactus Air Force: The Story of the Handful of Fliers Who Saved Guadalcanal" by Thomas G. Miller, Jr.
Without the US air power, the Japanese most likely would have retaken Guadalcanal and Tulagi. However, to take it one step further (back?), without the coast watchers giving timely notice of Japanese flights it is possible they saved Guadalcanal.
(I need to get my Cap Aero planes painted.)
Enjoyed the book very much.
Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions. Early modern military logistics and supply systems during the British civil wars, 1638-1653.
(https://www.helion.co.uk/images/books/i2/helion1001443.jpg)
Found all three of David Gemmel's Troy trilogy on hols for charity donation prices.
Forgot how much of a page turner he is, and how good he is before the magic stuff starts to bleed in!
Finished volume 12 of Morison's History Of United States Naval Operations In World War II, "Leyte: June 1944-January 1945". Start of the Kamikaze's and the Liberation of the Philippines. A section of US submarine operations also.
Great set of books.
And finished volume 13 of Morison, "The Liberation of the Philippines:Luzon, Mindanao, The Visayas, 1944-1945". This part of the liberation is not often discussed by other authors.
He also discusses Borneo as well as submarine operations and the US Naval Group, China. Essentially a "Rice Paddy Navy". The navy established weather stations in China to help operations to the east.
And now finished volume 14 of Morison, "Victory in the Pacific, 1945". This is the last book in this set, although originally there was a volume 15 which discussed OB's, ship types and an overall index i believe.
Was great reading and I have been painting more WWII ships. Need to do a game with GQIII with our group.
Finished "Devil Dogs: Fighting Marines Of World War I" by George B. Clark.
The Marines were part of the US Second Division in WWI. They were the 4th Brigade, made up of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments, 3 battalions each, and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. Interestingly, Marine companies kept there numerical numbers rather than being referred to as A,B, C and D for the first Battalion. For example, the first battalion of the 5th Marines was made up of the 17th, 49th, 66th and 67th Marine companies.
Good descriptions of the battles they were in; Belleau Wood, Soissons, Blanc Mont and Meuse-Argonne, for the major actions. Horrendous casualties as they went in without much support or intelligent planning. In the Conclusion the author gives his opinion of the division and brigade leadership. Army officers also commanded Marines as did Marine officers command army units.
Higher leadership could have been better, but everyone was learning. Many, many decorations to officers and men, up to 3 silver stars for an individual for one action as well as a DSC. Obviously several of the younger officers were in higher command for WWII.
Good book, with maps (so-so).
The Shadow King by Harry Sidebottom. Gripping novel about Alexander of Lyncestis, friend but potential rival of Alexander the Great. Fabulous period atmosphere, supported by the author's in depth knowledge of the period and characters. Currently reserved for my bedtime reading, or I would have finished days ago!
(https://www.helion.co.uk/images/books/i2/helion1000688.jpg)
Just received this. Typical Helion fare with lots of pretty pictures.
I bought it because it was half price, and the Neapolitans have interested me for a while, and I am weak.
Helion cover some pretty obscure subjects don't they fsn ;)
Luckily for me they also offer PDF copies of some of their books, which saves a small fortune in postage (and reduces my gaming carbon footprint accordingly O:-) ) and they have a black friday sale....
There's definitely a scenario or two for me in this one:
(https://www.helion.co.uk/images/books/i2/helion1000622.jpg)
Quote from: pierre the shy on 25 November 2023, 06:56:03 PMHelion cover some pretty obscure subjects don't they fsn ;)
They do. :) Quite a few interesting ranges that I try and steer well clear of.I do have my eye on the volume on Oxford in the ... middle of the C17. Just wish they'd show a contents list or a few sample pages.
Quote from: pierre the shy on 25 November 2023, 06:56:03 PMLuckily for me they also offer PDF copies of some of their books, which saves a small fortune in postage
I feel guilty now. :^o In what may losely be called my defence, I only buy hard copy books that are a) not available as pdf or b) laden with pictures and maps that are easier to flick around in hard copy or c)
I really, really want them for my hoard library
*update*
Got the Oxford book as a pdf.
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Finished "The Republic Fights Back: The Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871, Volume 2: Uniforms, Organization And Weapons Of The Armies Of The Republican Phase Of The War" by Ralph Weaver.
This was better than I originally thought it would be (which means I will need to get volume 1 of the Imperial phase). As the title says it delves into all of those subjects and more for both sides. News reporters, artists, medical services, Prussian etappen troops, POW's, women and the rest of the world are also subjects. There is a section on the naval troops and ships and of a combat off Havana by the French Bouvet and the Prussian Meteor.
Good book by Helion.
Finished "The Waterloo Archive: volume IV: British Sources" edited by Gareth Glover. Got back to reading these lately. These are letters or reports written by the participants before and after the battle. The book has sections on the Staff, Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, Reserve forces, Support Services (the medical is particularly gruesome) and those not at Waterloo.
I currently have 12 volumes but see that now 13 and 14 are available. Will have to get...
Quote from: kipt on 29 November 2023, 08:01:20 PMThe book has sections on the Staff, Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry, Reserve forces, Support Services (the medical is particularly gruesome)
I believe I have a whole book about the medical side of the Napoleonic Wars. Could dig it out if you're interested!
I have a book about Larrey. Quite enough thank you.
But thanks.
Finished "The Waterloo Archive: Volume V: German Sources" edited by Gareth Glover. Interesting to read the comments from all the "foreign" troops with Wellington. There is a particularly good note on the Brunswick troops; organization, uniforms in detail, commanders names and the colors of the commanders horses!
And finished "The Waterloo Archive: Volume VI: British Sources" edited by Gareth Glover. The last of the Frontline Books as publishers. Glover thought he had found pretty much all of the documents out there. However, he found more but Frontline declined to publish more. So the next will be by others.
Finished "Orde Wingate" by Christopher Sykes. This is a very dense book about a very different man. Wingate was a man with very strong convictions and religious to his core. He often upset people through his unconventional habits but did not care as he was sure he was correct.
His military career took him to Palestine in the 1930's where he became a rabid Zionist but not Jewish. His big ambition was to lead a Jewish army and this never really left him. During his time in Palestine he organized night squads to fight the Mosley's who were attacking Jewish settlements.
When WWII started he went to Ethiopia in order to help drive out the Italians. He organized long range patrols, using his experience from Palestine, calling them Gideon Force. After the Italians were driven out (regular British troops did most of the work) he became discouraged with the lack of personal and organizational recognition. He tried to commit suicide by driving a knife into his neck.
Obviously he survived but had to prove his mental stability as well as physical healing to get reimployed. He was a prolific writer on his thoughts and did have connections with certain British politicians. This lead to interviews with Churchill who became a supporter. Wingate at this time was a brigadier and was taken by Churchill to the Quebec conference where he related his experiences with essentially guerilla warfare. He was able to get support for his way of fighting and went to India with a premise of support for his long range patrols against the Japanese in Burma. There was much conservative military reaction against him but Wavwll and Mountbatten did support him.
He organized and lead the group called the Chindits. They did two excursions; the first did alarm the Japanese but was only so successful. The second, of 6 brigades (he having the local rank of Major General) was really in support of Slim's 14th Army. As the second expedition was in process he was killed in the crash of the Mitchell bomber he used to visit his troops.
A very complicated individual with his own personal demons. Recognized by many as gifted and able to do great things but by others as a pain in the ass. The author does not agree with Slim's description of Wingate in several instances by the way.
Just re-reading "Street without Joy" by Bernard Fall. A history of the French war (as oppossed to the American war) in Vietnam. It is a huge pity that he didn't survive the last one (and he was terminally ill at the time of his death) as his disection of the American war would have been truely facinating to read.
I'm also dipping into Lovecrafts collective tales on and off as I might have signed up to a Call of Chthulhu roleplaying group.
Santa Cruz 1942 - Mark Stille - Osprey Campaign #247 - a pretty well written account of the two carrier battles fought north of "the 'canal" in August and October 1942. My local library has a copy of this which greatly surprised me.
The only negative thing to me was the author's insistance on referring to the Japanese carrier aircraft in the text as "carrier attack planes" (B5N "Kates") and "carrier bombers" (D3A "Val"), while USN aircraft are clearly identified as Dauntless/Avenger/Wildcats. He does state this is because those terms were the official IJN terminology, but I found myself having to go back several times in the narrative as its unclear immediately exactly what types he is referring to. Overall a very good treatment of the subject.
Using it to outline another solo scripted campaign following the fate of my Zero shotai (flight) that has previously participated in the Indian Ocean raid aboard Akagi and the Aleutian diversion on Junyo. Santa Cruz is the next logical step as Junyo was present at the battle.
Finished "The Waterloo Archive Volume VII: British Sources" edited by Gareth Glover. This and any following are published by Ken Trotman and called The Ken Trotman Waterloo Archive Book 1.
Interesting how many new sourced Glover keeps finding.
Finished the "Personal Memoirs Of U.S. Grant".
Grant began writing in 1884 as he learned he had cancer. He was worried about taking care of his family after he was gone. He finished writing a year later and the correction of the proofs was finished July 14, 1885. He died 9 days later.
Needing money he accepted the Century magazines offer to write a book on his life. However Mark Twain stepped in when Twain felt Grant was being cheated and offered to publish it himself. This he did.
The book is a good history and plain spoken. It has been called one of the best narratives by a commanding general and I agree.
Quote from: fsn on 26 November 2023, 08:21:42 AM*update*
Got the Oxford book as a pdf.
(https://artistcoveries.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/crushing-disappointment.jpg)
I don't visit this thread often, because I always seem to fall over a book that magically comes through the letterbox shortly after!
Anyway, I got and read "Escape from Puroland" from Charles Stross's Laundry series over Cheesemas. Or "What Bob did on his holiday in Japan (whilst dark elves invaded Leeds)".
I knew it was a novella, but it was still shockingly short. Felt like it was a sketch of a novel and could have done with twice the length.
Good, but in the way a tapas plate does when your actually really hungry. Where's the rest of the meal?!
Finished "DeGaulle: The Rebel 1890-1944" by Jean Lacouture, translated by Patrick O'Brian (which to me is interesting in itself). This is how biographies should be written. Absolutely fascinating writing; history, anecdotes, speeches, reports from all sources, really enjoyable.
Per the dates it is of DeGaulle's journey from birth to the capture of Paris and the trials and tribulations associated. Supported in the beginning by Churchill, seen as an irritant by FDR, he was somewhat the bane of the western allies, although embraced by Stalin. A French airgroup fought in Russia (with over 5000 sorties).
I imagine I will get volume 2 at some point as I really enjoy Jean Lacouture's writing style.
Finished ""The Bullets Flew Like Hail"Cutler's Brigade At Gettysburg; from McPherson's Ridge to Culp's Hill" by James I. McLean Jr.
Great book at the regimental level. This brigade fired the first infantry shots of the battle (Buford's cavalry first of course) and were in action before the Iron Brigade, which followed them on the march.
Good maps and many personal accounts.
Gamelit fiction, set in the popular genre of the 'System Apocalypse', on a popular-branded e-reader.
The Castle at the End of the World
by Justin Marks
bk 2 in his System Apocalypse series 'At the End of the World'
Currently reading
The Quest for Fire
(French: La Guerre du feu)
[2020 English translation]
Joseph Henri Honoré Boex [1856–1940]
[1911 Belgian fantasy novel]
Wikipedia info: (not finished the book, so don't know if this is fully accurate)
Setting
The Quest for Fire takes place in 100,000 BC in Europe. The fauna of this period is omnipresent, including mammoths, cave lions, aurochs, cave bears, sabre-toothed cats, giant elks and saiga antelopes. Several humanoid ethnicities live alongside animals: the Ulams (Neandertal-like hunters-gatherers who worship the fire and are able to ally themselves with beasts), the Wahs (people without shoulders from marshes), the Blue-Haired Men (huge four-handed simians with a bluish fur), the Men-Eaters (bestial cannibals) and the Red Dwarfs (extremely warmongering and xenophobic pygmies).
Finished "The Wilmington Campaign: Last Rays of Departing Hope" by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr. Wilmington was the last Confederate open port for the rebels. It had several formidable forts on the coast and the Cape Fear river. Fort Fisher was the largest on the sea side peninsula, mounting 22 Heavy guns and a mortar just on the northern land face. There were 24 heavy guns on the sea face.
Characters in the fight were Admiral Porter of New Orleans fame, General Benjamin Butler, also at New Orlead (Porter and Butler disliked each other which lead to the problems off the first attack), Confederates General Whiting and Colonel Lamb and ultimately General Braxton Bragg.
Lee's Army of Northern Virginal, under siege at Petersburg and Richmond at this time, said that the fall of Fort Fisher and the closing of the last blockade runner port would necessitate his abandonment of Petersburg and Richmond.
A very well done book on the campaign and the various fleet bombardments and army attacks on the forts as well as the push to take Wilmington, up the river 18 miles. Good photographs, OB's, maps and period drawings.
Just finished the second of Ann Leckie's "Ancillary.." trilogy - got into it quicker than the first, enjoyed it but it takes a while to build (no bad thing), and the denouement comes rapidly and is then over even quicker.
Feels like a definite hook to get into the third, which I'm off to get now :D
Finished "The Personal Memoirs of P.H. Sheridan". A very aggressive officer and I can see why Grant put him in command of the Army of the Potomac Cavalry Corps as well as sending him to the Valley to fight Ewell.
After the War he was sent to the US-Mexican border in Texas to overawe the French. After which he went west to oversee the Indians (he was not very PC - calling the Indians savages. attributed to him is the saying "The only good Indian is a dead Indian).
He went to Europe to view the Franco-Prussian War, arriving about the time of the battle of Gravelotte, He traveled for most of his visit with Bismarck. After going over the battlefield of Gravelotte he remarked that "their terrific cannonade must have left marked results. All I could perceive, however, was a disabled gun, a broken mitrailleuse, and two badly damaged caissons."
Going over the battlefield at Bazeilles he said "Counting all the French dead we came across killed by artillery, they figured up about three hundred-a ridiculously small number; in fact, not much more than one dead man for each Krupp gun on that part of the line".
He was also critical over the use of the Prussian cavalry. Old school tactics, covering the front and flanks. He thought they would have been better used cutting the French communications (as he did against the Confederates.
So, recommended.
Having read all of the Marcus Didius Falco books I am now on to the follow up series featuring his adoptive daughter Flavia Albia which I am enjoying every bit as much.
Several characters carry over and, while the status of women in Ancient Rome gives Albia some unique problems but also some advantages that Falco did not have to deal with it is written in much the same style and with the same panache.
The characters are what make the books for me, though they are well plotted and well told.
The scene from one of the books where a Parthian envoy on a war elephant is chasing his ex-girlfriend and her Roman double agent paramour through the streets of Rome while the Parthian's double-dealing henchman leads four cataphracts and some archers in a street fight against a bunch of mounted speculatores with Albia and her sidekick weaving through the mayhem trying to catch up with the escaping girlfriend is just begging to be recreated on the tabletop!
Very much recommended if you like Ancient Rome, historical detective stories or just a thumping good read!
Finished "The Royal Artillery in the Peninsula and the Netherlands (1799-1815)" the Napoleonic Archive Volume 8, edited by Gareth Glover. This is a continuation of the original Waterloo Archive, but now printed by Ken Trotman.
Nothing on Waterloo but extensive letters, diaries and reports on the Peninsula campaigns. A couple of interesting tidbits to me concerns captured French artillery. One of the Journal reports of 2nd Lieutenant Henry Hough RA tells about an order from Wellington to fit out a brigade (battery) of French guns for General Santoclides of 5 x 8 pdrs and 1 6" howitzer. When I painted my 6mm Peninsula armies I wasn't sure if the French had taken their regular corps artillery to Spain due to the ruggedness of the various terrain. I seem to remember somewhere reading that they only used 6 pdrs - so not true. And I did use 8 and 12 pdrs for my troops.
And, a report in the diary of Major Thomas Downman RHA of the possibility of forming a brigade of 12 and 8 pdrs from the destruction of Almeida. These being abandoned French tubes. There is a mention of a brigade of guns being held up on the march until an 15,000 herd of cattle passed on the road. Logistics is everything to keep the armies moving and fed. Another notation talks about a remount caravan coming up the road and where a brigade was able to get some needed horses.
Finished "The U.S. Army War College Guide To The Battle Of Gettysburg" edited by Jay Luvaas and Harold W. Nelson. Place maps with guidebook numbers and relevant reports from participants. These Guide books are very good for understanding the action.
And finished "Detour to Disaster: General John Bell Hood's "Slight Demonstration" At Decatur And The Unravelling Of
The Tennessee Campaign" by Noel Carpenter.
This is a good, little, detailed book about Hood's fight at Decatur on the Tennessee River, held by General Granger and Colonel Doolittle. Hood "masked" the Union fort with two corps and had his third corps continue marching west. Half-hearted attempts to take the fort and the pontoon bridge only brought Rebel casualties and lost time. The Union eventually had 5000 troops and several batteries at the fortifications, and continually harassed the Rebel lines. Eventually Hood marched on to Tecumbia and then north to his fate at Franklin and Nashville.
Very interesting book by the author who grew up in the area and felt this action did not get the attention it deserved.
Finished "The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant" by Colonel J.F.C. Fuller. Fuller thinks a lot of Grant, finding him constantly learning, never discouraged and factoring all sides, military as well as political. Fuller's sections are: Part 1, The Civil War, Part 2, Grant As Subordinate General, Part 3, Grant As General-In-Chief and Part 4, The Generalship Of Peace. There are also several appendices including commentary on the surprise at Shiloh and the attack by Thomas at Chattanooga.
Fuller says Lee was not able to figure Grant out in the beginning, and then due to high casualties for the Confederates there was not much Lee could do other than defend. This was Grant's strategy: keep Lee involved so the other Union forces could do their work without worrying about reinforcements from Lee (Atlanta campaign, Valley campaign, Canby's attack to Mobile - not all of which went according to plan, but Lee was keep busy).
Even though the book is almost 100 years old, there is a lot of good information presented here.
Ohh.. this will be 300 pages of gold mine for me...
I just finished last night The War for All the Oceans, Adkins. Picked it up pretty blindly for the battle of the Nile chapter, but ended up continuing. The prose is fun and more like a novel. The insertion of diary entries and such gives it a lot of character. Great book if you want something both fun and informative in Age of Sail in the Nelson era.
Finishing up Angels in the Sky by Robert Gandt. It's a very well written account of the volunteer airmen who helped form Israel's air force in 1948.
Very interesting to read about the air campaign involving Czech versions of Me-109s, T-6 Texans, c-47s, B-17s, Spitfires of various models and Macchi fighters all dueling it out over the skies of Israel and Palestine.
Finished "The Journal of Military History" Vol. 87, No. 3 (published 4 times per year).
Articles include:
Celtic Military Equipment in the Ancient Mediterranean: Innovation, Imitation, and Empire, 400-25BCE,
"The Great Doctrine Disaster": Reform, Reaction, and Mechanization in the British Army, 1919-1939.
A Tale of Two Grand Strategies: The bay of Bengal and Allied Operational Planning in Southeast Asia, 1942-1945,
plus others.
Also 91 pages of book reviews (where often I see another book to buy), 3 pages of other books received, 7 pages of recent journal articles, and 6 pages of reviews of Doctoral Dissertations on military history.
Finished :The Destruction OF The Imperial Army:Volume 1: The Opening Engagements Of The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71" by Grenville Bird.
Highly detailed with records from both the Prussian/German accounts and the French accounts. I have the Prussian volumes which is heavily weighted to the Prussian side and which sometimes glosses over the controversies within their command. This book shows the warts.
Good pictures of the battlefields, then and now. Detailed maps but a magnifying glass is needed.
On to Volume 2.
QuoteFinished :The Destruction OF The Imperial Army:Volume 1: The Opening Engagements Of The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71" by Grenville Bird.
Detailed maps but a magnifying glass is needed.
On to Volume 2.
But all the maps are available free to download from the Helion website, a very useful innovation.
Battle of Znaim by John H Gill. Last of the four I had not read yet.
At times I think 1809 is the best period simply because Gill researched and wrote on it. That is my review!
Altar of Freedom (ACW) rules ... 'cos it looks like I'm going to break my duck and play a game for the first time since 2017 :D [that's if I can get my 10mm Pendraken Union Brigades painted up first ;D ]
:!!
Finished "The Waterloo Archive, Volume IX: British Sources" edited by Gareth Glover.
Again many letters and reports from participants in the battle, both officers and enlisted. Interesting but I may be getting 'Waterloo'd Out" by reading so many similar accounts. I have two more volumes to read, with another couple that I MIGHT buy (since I don't like to break up sets), but it may be awhile.
Just finished book 1 of "The Complete Lieutenant Oliver Anson Naval Thrillers Books 1-4" on Kindle and enjoyed it.
David McDine, the author, starts conventionally enough with our hero aboard the frigate Phryne but then the book takes you through Revolutionary France, back to England and a posting with the Sea Fencibles, the Napoleonic Naval Dad's Army, and co-operation with the semaphore service.
Chronologically, Book 2 is set before book 1 and deals with the mutinies at Spithead and The Nore.
Bought pretty much by random chance and I'm glad I did.
Finished Gettysburg magazine, January 2024 Issue 70.
Articles Include
"They Called Each Other Comrades": The Story of Rufus Dawes, William Murphy, and the Capture of the Flag of the 2nd Mississippi,
"My Own Movement and On My Own Responsibility": The Saga of Lafayette McLaws's Commentary on Longstreet at Gettysburg,
The London Times Repo0rts "The Battles of Gettysburg,
A Michigan Cavalryman: The Life and Untimely Death of Major Noah Henry Ferry, 5th Michigan Cavalry.
Published twice a year and always good articles and maps.
Finished "The Destruction Of The Imperial Army, Volume 2: The battles Around Metz". by Grenville Bird.
This is how Bazaine and his army were confined to Metz, after the battles of Borny, Rezonville and Gravelotte-Saint Privat. His Corps commanders fought well but only thought defensively. It appears Bazaine did not even think - totally out of his depth.
Prussians were aggressive, too much so. The Prussian Guard took horrendous casualties.
Both the Prussian and french guard commanders were not the best as it seems.
On to volume 3 - Sedan
Finished "The Destruction Of The Imperial Army, Volume 3: The Sedan Campaign 1870". by Grenville Bird.
One volume to go but I will take a break before reading: dense stuff. An army of lions led by sheep fits the French. Maybe not sheep but like deer caught in the headlights, not knowing what to do with almost no initiative for French senior commanders.
Still good books with formations identified in the fighting down to company, squadron and battery level.
Any novel to do with AWI and ACW to link with sharp practice.
I'm playing solo (not with myself).
Some of them are romantic novels but the storylines can give ideas for some games as any civil war can give reasons for supporting one side with or against a neighbour.
But no decent skirmish battles.
Basing :-
I've looked at various sizes so,
round won't work or any other variant of small base.
So a 20mm rectangle say 10mm deep 1 rank of 3 figures.
A 25mm x 10mm 1 rank of 4 figures
A 20 to 25mm deep 2 ranks of 3 or 4 figures each rank
With a casualty figure based with space for a mini dice.
As a line unit can be 8, 16, or 24 figures a maximum of 6 figures so a 3 or 4 figure base in 1 rank could be a better option.
Any thoughts on this?
Or, how 10mm figures will stand being lifted by the head or musket for marching figures??
Has anyone read any good accounts of battles or even one part of a battle for AWI or ACW ?
QuoteHas anyone read any good accounts of battles or even one part of a battle for AWI or ACW ?
Robert Krick has written two books about the ACW in the Shenandoah Valley that are well detailed. A great set of ACW historical novels is by Ralph Peters, starting with "Cain At Gettysburg". His battle descriptions are telling.
Also you can look back through this forum (What are you currently reading) where I review many books on the ACW.
Quote from: Roy on 28 February 2024, 11:19:23 AMAltar of Freedom (ACW) rules ... 'cos it looks like I'm going to break my duck and play a game for the first time since 2017 :D [that's if I can get my 10mm Pendraken Union Brigades painted up first ;D ]
Still this.
Game is set for this coming Sunday.
Didn't get all my troops painted (did get 114 miniatures painted, varnished, based, plus tokens completed - so enough for x4 units, x1 gen. x1 hq base).
Then two days later, at a shop you might of heard of in Middlesbrough, I'm going to be playing Flames of War v.4 - one of the British beaches for D-Day scenario.
Wait for 7 years then two come along together
Quote from: Dragoon on 28 March 2024, 03:38:19 AMHas anyone read any good accounts of battles or even one part of a battle for AWI or ACW ?
Just been re-reading 'Shiloh-Bloody April' by Wiley Sword. Written back in the 1970s but still one of the best accounts of an ACW battle at regimental level with easy to understand maps of each stage of the fighting. Highly recommended.
Finished "D Day Through German Eyes; Books One And Two" by Holger Eckhertz.
The material book was actually created by Holger's grandfather, who was a German military journalist. During the war his grandfather did news pieces about the "Western Wall" for magazines like 'Signal' and 'Die Wehrmacht'.
Ten years after the war Holger's grandfather met with several German veterans of the Western front and asked about their views on D Day. He never finished making the interviews into a book. Holger acquired the information and produced the book.
Interviews are mainly with enlisted men and NCO's but there are a few company grade officers included. Book One has interviews from the defenders at each of the assaulted beaches; Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The perceptions and beliefs (defending a United Europe, Brits and Americans were pawns for the Russians) are talked about as well as the combat experiences (overwhelming Allied power is a major theme).
Book Two interviews are more about support troops behind the static Divisions: Concrete Panzer bunker, a Luftwaffe pilot (his attitude reminds me of fighter pilots I came into contact with when I was stationed in Turkey), Military Police, Stug crew and one about a German wonder weapon.
This was interesting as it is similar to a fuel oil gas explosive, intended to destroy the port of Calais were the Germans thought the Allies would attack. To be delivered by rocket these had canisters (called Typhoon) filled with oxygen, coal dust and eventually aluminum were delivered by rockets on half tracks. based on experiments the Germans figured that they could level Calais and kill anyone in the blast radius, 1000 meters or so. It had been tested against Russian prisoners which the technical officer was a bit reluctant to discuss.
The special unit was eventually deployed to the area on ST Lo, where the Allies were getting ready for the breakout. The Germans had information on the concentration of the Allied tanks and were going to use this blast weapon to destroy them all. However, best laid plans and all that, the unit was hit by Jabos and the half tracks containing the canisters were all destroyed. The officer said it must have looked like a fuel dump had been hit when asked what the Allies saw.
So, quick read with interesting perceptions and experiences by men who were at D Day, looking on.
Finished "Under the Crescent Moon with the XI Corps in the Civil War; Volume 1:From the Defenses of Washington to Chancellorsville, 1862-1863" by James S. Pula.
Discusses the origin of the regiments that made up the Corps and particularly the German regiments. At this time in the US, the Germans, called Dutch (because of Deutsch) were not accepted, just like the Catholic Irish were in previous times in the US.
Chancellorsville, where the XI Corps was placed on the right flank of the Army of the Potomac is the meat of this book. Even those there were many, many indications that the confederates were moving from the left to the right across the front of the army, the warnings were dismissed by the upper command, Hooker and O.O. Howard, the XI Corps commander. Howard extended further west than Hooker had directed and did not deploy his troops to guard against a flanking attack. The division on the far right was commanded by Devin, not a German, who also ignored warnings. His brigadiers did throw back two regiments and sent [patrols into the woods. All to no avail.
When Stonewall Jackson unleashed his attack, it rolled up the XI Corps, but not without very hard fighting. after the battle, when Hooker lost his nerve and retreated back across the river, there was much outcry and newspaper articles on how the Germans were cowards, threw away there rifles and fled. This was not true when the facts are examined, but the corps was never exonerated.
I am constantly drawn back to books that have a particular fascination for me. I'm re-re-re-reading Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53 by Jim Bradbury. One of those pointless internal conflicts that partially was caused by the terrible concept that a female could inherit.
I have used David Mitchell's Unruly as a quick catch up of the dramatis personae.
Finished "The Destruction Of The Imperial Army, Volume 4: Catastrophe: Sedan, Strasbourg And Metz 1870". by Grenville Bird. Again, many pictures, maps and in this volume French and German formations.
This discusses the results and combats of the end of the above battles or sieges. As well detailed as the previous 3 volumes but with some interesting end chapters and appendices. Chapter 6 is titled French Tactics, going though regulations and actual happenings for Infantry, cavalry and artillery. Chapter 7, German Tactics, does the same for the Prussian side.
Appendix XXVIII is titled Effectiveness of French 4 & 12-pdrs artillery.
Appendix XXIX is titled Comparative effectiveness of French and German weapon systems.
Appendix XXX is titled Accuracy of the Mitrailleuse.
Appendix XXXI is titled Artillery systems used by the French army and the effectiveness of the Demarest percussion fuse.
From such information rules are made (or adapted).