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, 10:03:34 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, 10:03:34 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..