What are you currently reading ?

[Westmarcher]

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.

[Hertsblue]

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.   

[Fenton]

I have read his 'Bertie' mysteries and Keystone and they are all excellent

[Hertsblue]

Indeed. I started out with Wobble to Death, the first Sergeant Cribb novel back in the early sventies. I've been hooked ever since.

[kipt]

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.

[Westmarcher]

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.

[Techno]

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

[kipt]

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.

[Subedai]

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.

[Hertsblue]

Halfway through Isaac Asimov's The Gods Themselves, one of the classics of Sci Fi from one of the old masters.

[Subedai]

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.

[Womble67]

Just started Before Stalingrad by Glantz

Take care

Andy

[Bloodaxe]

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.

[bigjackmac]

Undefeated, America's Fight in Bataan and Corregidor (Dec '41 - Apr '42)

V/R,
Jack

[Shecky]

Currently reading, "Franklin Barbecue: a meat-smoking manifesto". It's the story behind the award winning bbq joint in Austin.