Exactly what it says on the tin! What book can't you put down right now?
Currently:
- Fusiliers: Mark Urban
- The Battle for Spain: Mark Beevor
- Death or Victory: Dan Snow
I'm reading Berlin by Antony Beevor at present. A very good book that goes into more detail than Armageddon by Max Hastings or 1945 by Cornelius Ryan, both of which are excellent books, especially Hastings book.
Next on the list is Fusilier by Mark Urban as recommended by Nik Harwood followed by ACW Tactics by Paddy Griffith.
At some point I will post a list of books I think that are worth reading with regards to WWII.
Start the Car - The World According to Bumble, by David Lloyd
I just finished "Le fabuleux Maurice et ses rongeurs savants" - Terry Pratchett.
Scottish Renaissance Armies - Osprey
Europe in the Sixteenth Century - Koenigsberger, Mosse & Bowler
Kismet - my mate Wayne Sharrocks 3rd novel
Currently, I`m reading:
Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (can`t remember who did that one).
The English Civil War, by Brigadier Peter Young
Gettysburg, by Stephen W. Sears
and Shanghai, the Rise and Fall of a Decadent City, by Stella Dong.
... and my "to read next" pile is a foot high, hehe.
The History of the French Foreign Legion by Douglas Porch - big book,lots of pages to get through but very good.
Osprey - Poland 1939: The Birth of Blitzkrieg
Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K Hammilton
The Reality Dysfunction - Peter Hammilton
Farewell, my Lovely. The perfect reply to those who say Americans can't write.
Quote from: Leon on 07 July 2010, 04:03:58 AM
What are you reading right now ?
This webpage :)
Quote from: nikharwood on 07 July 2010, 06:53:24 AM
- The Battle for Spain: Mark Beevor
I really liked this one !
I'm reading
- "Comme des Lions" (D.Lormier) about French Army in France 1940
- "A people's History of The United States" (H. Zinn)
- "le vicomte de Bragelonne" by A. Dumas (the men who wrote "the three musketeers")
The SOTCW Journal #70 :)
Mark
Oooh...i've got a few on the go right now.
Bedtime read - re-reading the Hobbit (ahead of the coming movie). Nearly done, when i'll be picking up The Unfinished Tales.
Smallest room read - re-reading the Durham Red 'Scarlet Cantos' trilogy by Dan Abnett, having recently finished 'Wearside Battallion' by my good friend John Sheen. Next up will likely be 'this Sceptred Isle 55BC-1901AD'.
Work read- currently trawling through Steve Bailey's new book, 'Managing the Crowd, rethinking records management for the web 2.0 world'.
'Pick up' read - Hordes of the Things...i'm trying to commit the rules to memory
:)
This Sceptered Isle is a superb read.
Luna Marine by Douglas Ian
Helmet for my Pillow by Robert Leckie
A Frozen Hell: the Russo-Finn War by William Trotter
New issue of Wargames Illustrated
and 30 some other titles waiting for me on my Kindle. ;D
Re-reading Game of Thrones - GRR Martin: Wars of the Roses with Dragons and a lot of dead people...
currently reading The Count Of Monte Cristo. A friend told me that I should read it so I'm 40 chapters into it at the moment and its been absolutly fantastic. Hard reading at some points but one of those books that is worth the work.
Reading Daughter of the Dragon, Battletech novel by Ilsa J. Bick. Rather good so far, but YMMV of things to do with giant stompy battling robots machines of death.
Greetings
Went to the library today and got out:
The Mons Star, Ascoli
Military Operations in France and Belgium 1914 vol 1, Edmonds
Mons (Battleground Europe), Horsfall
The Mons Myth, Zuber
- will also involve dipping into my own books:
Infantry Training, War Office
1914, Macdonald
Mons (Osprey), Lomas
Anyone see a trend :-) ?
Edward
Fiction - 'Goblet of Fire' JK Rowling
Non Fiction - 'Terrible Swift Sword' Bruce Caton
'Contented Little Baby' - Gina Ford
Wargames Mag - Battlegames over Miniature Wargames over Wargames Illustrated
Ben Waterhouse wrote
"Re-reading Game of Thrones - GRR Martin: Wars of the Roses with Dragons and a lot of dead people..."
Ben,
I found Game of Thrones a great book, exactley as you describe. I hear HBO have the rights and are filming it as we speak with Sean Bean in a lead role. Should be good! 8)
THe three musketeers, Terry Pratchet's Going postal and also litsening to the lost world on my Ipod
Duffy's "Frederick the Great: A Military Life"
'Civil War' - Trevor Royle.
'Ancient Warfare' magazine.
T'net.
Right now: halfway through "Homage to Catalonia" [Orwell] again [first read this when I was 12] - and about to restart LotR
Quote from: nikharwood on 15 August 2010, 10:08:43 PM
"Homage to Catalonia" [Orwell] again
Brilliant book, puts the experience of war and revolution in and interesting perspective.
Still, "Down and Out in Paris and London" is really my favorite of his books.
Quote from: lentulus on 15 August 2010, 10:23:19 PM
Brilliant book, puts the experience of war and revolution in and interesting perspective.
Still, "Down and Out in Paris and London" is really my favorite of his books.
One of my all time favourite authors, The Road To Wigan Pier is well worth a read too
Road of Bones by Fergal Keane the story of the siege of Kohima and The Austro Prussian War by Geoffrey Wawro. I have already read this one but as i am into the 1866 war at the moment i though i would give it a re-read.
Fiction: Eagle in the Snow - Wallace Bream and The Complete McAuslan - George MacDonald Fraser
Non-fiction: Flag 4 - Dudley Pope - Coastal warfare in the Mediterranean, great read if you are into that topic. Also just finished Iron Coffins - Herbert Werner. Memoirs of a German U-Boat Commander 8)
Christopher Duffy - The Military Experience in the Age of Reason - making me very keen to do some AWI or SYW and FIW gaming.
The Training Ground by Martin Douglas. Grant, Lee, Sherman and Davis in the Mexican American War, 1846-1848
Martin Window - The Last Valley - the Vietnamese war of independence against the French leading up to Dien Bien Phu.
People on here can read ?
IanS
Only the Aliens and Aliens V Predator graphic novels I`m afraid... nothing taxing to mi ol`brain this month.
:P
Six
Re-reading
The Shack by Wm Paul Young
Dungeon World 2nd Edition by Stephen A Gilbert.
The American Civil War by Mr. Keegan
Serenity role play book and associated adventure books. Also reading Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett as well as Documents on More choices/more chances oh joy :P
The Two Towers [bi-annual re-read of LotR]
Interesting Times [re-read of Pratchett works]
Etherscope RPG
Thirsty Work [Matt Skinner = Jamie Oliver's wine buyer]
At the moment ploughing my way through Anne McCafferty's Dragonriders of Pern series. Just try wargaming that one :-\
Gordon
Quote from: Jase on 26 October 2010, 07:31:32 PM
The American Civil War by Mr. Keegan
Wow, King Kev's diversified since quiting the magpies
Re-reading Tai-Pan while waiting for some new literature to arrive.
Non Fiction - One day in a long war: May 10th 1972, air war, North Vietnam: Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price
Like Hungry Wolves - Syuart Reids excellent work on CullodenMoor
Fiction - The Fort - Bernard Cornwell
Halfway through Band of Brothers. Definitely worth a read after the series: some differences, and histroically more accurate. Don't get me wrong, I adore the series, I found it very moving.
After that I have Dick Winters' bio lined up.
Fortress Republic by Coleman.
Just finished the first 6 books of the GW Horus Heresy - that's enough space marines for a while
Just starting William Dietz's Legion of the Damned series
Long, Obstinate and Bloody - The Battle of Guilford Courthouse. A crackingly well researched AWI battle account by Babits & Howard
oh and the W40k rulebook :(
With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783
So far it is absolutely fantastic! It's not just another recap of the campaigns fought but rather a description of the waging of war itself. Covering things like training, logistics, tactics, etc. It's subjects are much like an Osprey "Elite" title only it's 380 pages better! :-bd
That ones on my Crimble list Corvette :)
Gettysburg (again) by Stephen Sears
The Civil War - three book set by William C, Davis
Blood & Fire at Gettysburg, by general Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Quote from: sixsideddice on 07 December 2010, 05:27:58 PM
Gettysburg (again) by Stephen Sears
The Civil War - three book set by William C, Davis
Blood & Fire at Gettysburg, by general Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
How are they? And is that mainly non-fiction?
"Glubb Pasha" , the author's name escapes me I'm afraid. A great read about the Middle East from the 20s to the early 50s. It helps explain a lot of the problems that have occured post WWII in the region.
The Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote
{{Gettysburg (again) by Stephen Sears
The Civil War - three book set by William C, Davis
Blood & Fire at Gettysburg, by General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain}}
How are they? And is that mainly non-fiction?
Gettysburg by Sears is a 500 page detailed historical account of the three day battle and events leading up to it. Blood & Fire at gettysburg is by Chamberlain (written by THE man who defended Little Round Top), and The Civil War is a three book set of historical accounts, battles, officers, the men, weapons, maps, letters, and lots of other useful information about the ACW... the latter is fairly hard to find.
All in all, the least important is Chanberlain`s journal, though I wanted it for completeness as he is a hero favourite of mine. Sears Gettysburg is an absolute must; but its very detailed and slow reading. The Civil War is not one to miss if you ever see a copy.
Six :)
Cool, thanks for the info. I like the figure Chamberlain as well. At least based on what I know about him from the Gettysburg movie.
No worries Pruneau. If you liked the Gettysburg movie, Id strongly advise you watch the prequel "Gods and Generals" which fits seamlessly with the second movie. I hear there were plans to do a third film which follows events after Gettysburg, but I don`t know if it was ever made. Amazon often sells Gods and Generals and Gettysburg as a boxed set. Having only recently discovered the Gods and Generals myself (I`d heard of it but never realized its importance), I will always watch the two together from now on, as it really does feel like one big movie :)
Six
Hogfather - as it is December, and almost Hogswatch. Will watch the DVD with the kids at some point this month, along with Muppets Christmas Carol.
Witches of Chiswick. ;)
Quote from: sixsideddice on 10 December 2010, 02:03:51 AM
No worries Pruneau. If you liked the Gettysburg movie, Id strongly advise you watch the prequel "Gods and Generals" which fits seamlessly with the second movie. I hear there were plans to do a third film which follows events after Gettysburg, but I don`t know if it was ever made. Amazon often sells Gods and Generals and Gettysburg as a boxed set. Having only recently discovered the Gods and Generals myself (I`d heard of it but never realized its importance), I will always watch the two together from now on, as it really does feel like one big movie :)
Six
Yeah, I have that one as well, very nice how they portray Jackson in that one. I'm also impressed how both actors that play Robert E. Lee (in the two movies) manage to make you forget the other one after 5 minutes of film. Excellent movies both of them. I also have Glory, which I also liked. I just ordered the Ken Burns ACW DVD set, think they are gonna be great as well.
Quote from: CorvetteK225 on 07 December 2010, 02:06:23 PM
With Zeal and with Bayonets Only: The British Army on Campaign in North America, 1775-1783
So far it is absolutely fantastic! It's not just another recap of the campaigns fought but rather a description of the waging of war itself. Covering things like training, logistics, tactics, etc. It's subjects are much like an Osprey "Elite" title only it's 380 pages better! :-bd
I really want to read that as I fancy doing some AWI games with Pendraken's figures naturally....
its on my reading pile at the moment. Other good AWI must-reads are "Fusileers" (Urban), "Devil of a Whipping "and "Long, Obstinate & Bloody" (both by Babits)
H.P. Lovecraft :d
Siege of Paris 1870 -1
The Great Book of Britains that i've finally managed to get a copy of. 640 pages of toy soldier gorgeousness <:-P
(http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/goldkeep/Swoppets/pgreatbk.jpg)
"All Quartered Safe Out Here" by George McDonald Frazer: an excellent autobiographical account of his experiences fighting against the Japanese in Burma in 1944-45
"The Spartacus War" by Barry Strauss: a fair attempt at retracing Spartacus's revolt
The Reluctant Tommy: An Extraordinary Memoir of the First World War - Ed. Duncan Barrett
A brilliant first person account of Ronald Skirth's experiences during WWI. I'm finding it a real page turner. For a simple memoir its very well written.
"Mud, Blood and Poppycock" by Gordon Corrigan. A thorough debunking of hoary old First World War myths, from"the lost generation" (not even close) to "lions led by donkeys" (coined in the thirties by pacifists).
"The Korean War" by Max Hastings. Probably the best single-volume history of the conflict around.
Any space opera by Neal Asher - if you like blood, guts and credible aliens.
started reading Sword Song by Cornwell - i was really enjoying it - a light but good read set in Alfred's Britain. No idea if the fighting described is historically accurate but it did get me thinking i should try out some dark age skirmish one day. Anyway i left it in a hotel room this week so no idea how it ended >:(
Just finished Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett, pretty entertaining if a little long.
i think i may be the only person on the planet who has never got into Terry Pratchett
Quote from: goat major on 23 February 2011, 06:32:02 PM
i think i may be the only person on the planet who has never got into Terry Pratchett
I've read a couple and quite enjoyed them. Never got around to reading any of his others. My brother-in-law is a huge fan though, got one of his books signed at an autograph session.
Having met him he is quite mad....
IanS
Quote from: ianrs54 on 23 February 2011, 07:10:17 PM
Having met him he is quite mad....
IanS
That's cos he used to work at Hinckley Point nuclear power station [about 15 miles from me...might explain a lot...]
I originally really struggled to get into Discworld - and had bought a load on recommendation [in the early days of "feck-me-isn't-Amazon-cheap-and-easy"...]; I left them - and then went back to them a couple of years later - and am a huge fan now; I tend to recycle them [ie once I've read the latest, I'll go back & start the whole oeuvre again & read them all...]
Mind you, I am mad: but do read voraciously [and have a minimum of 5-6 books being actively read at any one time] 8-} m/ :ar!
i did like the one he did with Neil Gaiman but then i'm a Gaiman fanboy :)
Berlin by Anthony Beevor - Quite a disturbing read.
All Quiet on the Western front by Remarque - Seen the 2 versions of the film so thought I'd read the book.
I've read 3 or 4 Discworld novels and have enjoyed them all.
Like Nik I normally have a number of books on the go at once but at the moment only one Battlground Europe's Operation Bluecoat.
Have just finished Teste's Bitter Victory with 2 other books on Sicily in the to read pile.
May well start on Cornwell's latest in the Alfred series.
Think I'll leave it at that for the moment as it covers all the periods/theatres I'm painting up at the moment and I can't be starting another project just yet if inspired by a book like I normally am.
Judas Unchained by Peter Hamilton, the sequel of Pandora's Star. Good reads both of them even if the end of Pandora's Star was a bit, well, "meh".
Quote from: goat major on 24 February 2011, 10:30:18 AM
but then i'm a Gaiman fanboy :)
Now
there's a phrase you don't hear spoken out loud very often :o ;) ;D
Desert War by Alan Moorehead & Gunman's Rhapsody by Robert B. Parker.
Quote from: nikharwood on 25 February 2011, 01:08:02 AM
Now there's a phrase you don't hear spoken out loud very often :o ;) ;D
hetero is soooo last millenium Nick. Just wait till you see my pink Space Marines.
<) Nice mate, nice...
Like this:
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/182133374_d1d8db7d51_z.jpg)
...rather than this:
(http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2008/11/30/11287_md-Cute,%20Happy,%20Pink,%20Space%20Marines.JPG)
Florence likes the second style a lot better! As a matter of fact that's just about how she paints anything I let her get her hands on: black orc, pirate, Roman, wyvern, they're all pink. I have to inquire whether the flowers are decals :D
I fear i' m acting like a thread necromancer now, but i 'm quite fond of this topic 8)
Just finished Robert Massie's masterpiece 'Peter the Great' which is truly an outstanding book.
Apart from that I'm eagerly waiting for this one to arrive from the UK (actually I'm getting packages from the UK all the time..i wonder what the postman in my small hometown thinks of that)
(http://cc.pbsstatic.com/l/04/6904/9781853266904.jpg)
and i purchased these yesterday:
(http://i43.tower.com/images/mm100539519/conquest-new-spain-b-diaz-del-castillo-paperback-cover-art.jpg)(http://media.dav-medien.de/07113467N.jpg)
The last one is a collection of anecdotes of 'old Fritz' in German (the title could be translated to "Transfer this bloke to the infantry!")
Master of Bruges by Terence Morgan - a novel set in Flanders in the 1460s and 70s so both Charles ther Bold and Edward IV make an appearance.
Quote from: J.S. on 09 November 2011, 04:27:31 PM
I fear i' m acting like a thread necromancer now, but i 'm quite fond of this topic 8)
Just finished Robert Massie's masterpiece 'Peter the Great' which is truly an outstanding book.
Apart from that I'm eagerly waiting for this one to arrive from the UK (actually I'm getting packages from the UK all the time..i wonder what the postman in my small hometown thinks of that)
(http://cc.pbsstatic.com/l/04/6904/9781853266904.jpg)
Anything by Duffy is worth reading. He really is Mr Seven Years War. :-bd
1. Guderian: Panzer Pioneer or Myth Maker? by Russell A. Hart who sets out to prove (rather convincingly) that Guderian wasn't the armour ace he pretended to be.
2. Pierre Picouet's Les Tercios Espagnols 1600-1660, a well-researched and beautifully illustrated monograph on the modern world's first truly professional army.
Cheers,
Aart
"Snuff" by Terry Pratchett....Just finished it....Loved it !
Cheers - Phil.
QuoteLes Tercios Espagnols 1600-1660
sounds interesting. I've been looking for a decent book to reactivate my rusty french skills for quite a while now but sill haven't decided on one (actually atm there's only one other in the closer selection: Les guerres de Louis XIV : 1667-1714)
"Civil War of 1812" by Alan Taylor - So far, an amazing social and political history of "The Canadas" after the American Revolution. All sorts of stuff they don't teach Canuck kids in school, like the "Late Loyalists", the deliberate policy of low taxes and cheap land, and successive plots by Vermonters to cooperate with a French invasion of lower Canada to overthrow the Brits and US and form a completely other republic.
All quite fascinating. He does write about some battles, but it is the society he is interested in.
Love the 'nice' marines!
Remind me of the Pretty Marines
(http://1d4chan.org/images/c/c7/Pretty_army.jpg)
http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Pretty_Marines (http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Pretty_Marines)
Recently finished reading:
Conan the Adventurer - R.E.Howard
At the Mountains of Madness - HP Lovecraft
Currently reading:
Warlord of the Air - Michael Moorcock (jolly good yarn it is too!)
Game of Thrones is waiting to start, almost finished the first "Destroyermen" book.
IanS
Hi
Reading , Wars of the Roses ( The first English civil ) by Trevor Royale. Which isn`t suprising as I`m painting up a large Yorkist army at the moment and wanted to add some flavor to what I`m doing . It`s 495 pages long but the actual war doesn`t start till page 215 but don`t let that put you off as the background is tremendous ( Richard II is a right a******e). The way he describes the gathering storm as the nobles are all spoiling for a scrap and sides are taken is great.
Jim
QuoteWarlord of the Air - Michael Moorcock (jolly good yarn it is too!)
Michael Moorcock, now there's a name you don't hear very often these days, he wrote some brilliant stuff and is the foundation of so much we take for granted in the world of fantasy literature/gaming, the whole concept of Law/Choas was originally his. My favourites were the Elric books and as a single tome Gloryana was fantastic.
I've just finished "The curious case of the clockwork man" by Mark Hodder, definately the best steampunk writter I've read. One a more serious not I'm nearly finished re-reading "Millenium" by Tom Holland, an excellent work tracing the development of Europe from about 800 to 1100, from barbarian tribal based societies to relatively stable kingdoms based on the feudal system and the church's authority.
Finally got round to reading Cornwell's 'The Burning Land' which was a birthday present last year, quite enjoy his Saxon & Arther series, went off Sharpe a decade or so ago. Now reading 'Arnhem' by John Nichol and Tony Rennell, only on the first chapter but seems good, not expecting any startling revelations it's the man on the grounds experiences.
Just started The scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham a great bargain of £2.50 from the charity shop.
Ah yes Michael Moorcock! I spent lots of time reading his books when I was younger. My particular favourites are The Warhound and the world's pain, dancer's at the end of time and the Dorian Hawkmoon's books
Osprey's "The Russian Civil War."
DP
Next book in the Horus Heresy series - only another 20 to go....
SM Stirling's "Dies the Fire Series", right now on last year's release.
http://hem.bredband.net/b104699/books/highking/highking_cv.html
I am trying to decide if I want the new one in hardcover, or to wait a year. I think at the moment I will go ahead and pick it up.
'Game of Thrones' book 5 (A Dance with Dragons) just over half way through.
Last week finished 'Conqueror', last of the series by Conn Iggulden
Chad