What are you currently reading ?

[Ithoriel]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[fsn]

Soldiers and Civilians, Transport and Provisions. Early modern military logistics and supply systems during the British civil wars, 1638-1653.

[toxicpixie]

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!

[kipt]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[kipt]

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.

[kipt]

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).

[mollinary]

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! 

[fsn]

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.

[pierre the shy]

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  ) and they have a black friday sale.... 

There's definitely a scenario or two for me in this one:



 

[fsn]

Helion 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.

Luckily for me they also offer PDF copies of some of their books, which saves a small fortune in postage

I feel guilty now.  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

[fsn]

*update*
Got the Oxford book as a pdf.

[kipt]

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.