What are you currently reading ?

[fsn]

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.

 

[Poggle]

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.

[hammurabi70]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[toxicpixie]

William Dalrymple's "The Anarchy" about the East India Companies rise to empire. Not exactly fun and jolly hockey sticks.

[Steve J]

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.

[toxicpixie]

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.

No one comes out of it very well, but the HEIC and their tame UK government definitely the worst :/

[Ben Waterhouse]

No 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/

[toxicpixie]

A 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.

[flamingpig0]

No one comes out of it very well, but the HEIC and their tame UK government definitely the worst :/

Does it discuss the famines?

[Steve J]

It does cover the Bengal famine and how little the HEIC in general did to try and alleviate the suffering.

[Steve J]

'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.

[Raider4]

It does cover the Bengal famine and how little the HEIC in general did to try and alleviate the suffering.

It's just the EIC.

[paulr]

It'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"

[kipt]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[Ithoriel]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[kustenjaeger]

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.