Nigel Bunker Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 There are some authors who I regard as dependable. They produce a well researched readable book which you know will be good before you open it. My first two nominations are Christopher Shores(History of the Mediterranean Air War, Bloody Shambles et al) and Chris Thomas (Typhoon wings of 2TAF, Typhoon & Tempest Story, et al). This is not a topic for slagging off authors you don't like, just those you do please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Vor!!! Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Max Hastings Ian Kershaw Lawerence Paterson Jak Mallmann Showell Brilliant authors,readable all ways interesting books Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bradley Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Phil Butler Tony Buttler David Hobbs, of naval books fame John Lambert, ditto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Martin Middlebrook's excellent histories cover subjects from World War 1 battles to the Falklands War, and include the superb Bomber Command war diaries (Co-Authored by Chris Everitt) which provide a day by day account of Bomber Command's operations. Mark Urban's "Big Boy's Rules" is for the me the definitive account of the British Forces covert operations in Northern Ireland, and his "Rifles" and "Task Force Black" are also well worth reading. The increasingly authoritative Max Hastings provides the excellent "Armageddon", "Nemesis" and the very tough to read "Das Reich" These, along with his superb contemporary account of Operation Corporate, "Battle For the Falklands" (Co-Authored with Simon Jenkins) are worthy additions to any library. Finally, I recommend any of the books by Rick Atkinson, but in particular his excellent account of the 1990/91 Gulf War "Crusade" and his stunning trilogy detailing the development and experiences of the United States Army in the European theatre during WW2, "The Liberation trilogy" consisting of "An Army at dawn", "The Day Of Battle" and "The Guns at Last light", they really are a monumental work. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Evans Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 I agree with everything Troffa has said. I would add Carlo D'Este for his books on Anzio and Normandy, compulsive reading. Richard Evans for his history of the Third Reich. As a set it gave me an excellent insight into the history of Germany rather than the war itself. Phil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Rowland White 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eludia Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Richard Holmes (RIP) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoine Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 (edited) I completely back up Christopher Shores, Chris Thomas and Martin Middleton. I would add to them Norman Franks for his WW1/WW2 work, and Nick Millman for his récent books on Japanese aircraft/aircrews. I'll not forget Tom Cooper for pioneering in forgotten aviation warfare from the second half of XX to early XXI century. Also in France, David Méchain for his research on WW1, and Christian-Jacques Ehrengardt, who often co-authored with Mr Shores. Edited April 29, 2015 by Antoine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted April 26, 2015 Share Posted April 26, 2015 Bill Gunston (sadly RIP too). 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Neu- Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) My favourite author is Tommy Thomason, who generally focuses on post-WWII navy aircraft. Due to his engineering background, he's very good at identifying how technical breakthroughs interacted with policy/strategic developments influenced specific aircrafts' history. I also appreciate his strong archival efforts, which is very gratifying to see company or contemporary documents being displayed. I often loan his two Naval books, (US Navy Air Superiority: The Development of Shipboard Fighters, 1943 to 1962, and Strike From the Sea US Navy Attack Aircraft from the Skyraider to the Super Hornet) to officers curious about aviation history but without the time for slog of a read. His blogs are fantastic resources as well. http://thanlont.blogspot.ca http://tailspintopics.blogspot.ca http://tailhooktopics.blogspot.ca http://ththomepage.blogspot.ca I'm also a big fan of Nick's work, his blog is pretty awesome, http://www.aviationofjapan.com Edited April 28, 2015 by -Neu- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch K Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I'd add David Nicolle to the list. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim T Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 My personal choices would be Antony Beevor and Max Hastings 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Geoffrey Thomas, Christopher Shores, Michael Bowyer, and Chris Thomas spring to mind for me. Cheers Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Richard Holmes (RIP) Annoyed with myself as the late Richard Holmes was in Tavistock a few years ago giving a talk and signing books and I DIDN'T KNOW! Sadly he died a short time after. Wish I'd known it would have been an honour to meet him 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potato Pete Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Can anyone comment on Ron Mackay's books - I'm tempted by a couple of his 8th Airforce books? Cheers pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank152 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 For Luftwaffe related stuff, Robert Forsyth Eddie J. Creek. Richard Smith. Eric Mombeeck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linden Hill Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Here's a contrary view on Max Hastings: http://20committee.com/2015/03/30/plagiarism-is-not-cool/ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancho Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Here's a contrary view on Max Hastings: http://20committee.com/2015/03/30/plagiarism-is-not-cool/ Thank you for posting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I wasn't aware of these charges against Hastings, and would like to note that they regard a title that I have not read, but agree that if substantiated would severely impact on his reputation as a historian-just look at the damage this sort of allegation has had on Stephen Ambrose's legacy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 8th AF Roger Freeman. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Millman Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 . . . and Nick Millman for his récent books on Japanese aircraft/aircrews. That's very nice of you, thanks! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I'd add Steve Ginter to the list. His series on Naval Fighters is one of my first go-to references. Cheers, Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 That's very nice of you, thanks! Nick Very remiss of me to miss you Nick, I'll remedy that now ! Cheers Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gruffy Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 James Holland, Alfred price, Antony bevour and A J Taylor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Without duplicating any of the fine choices above I would add Eric Bergerud. A proper historian (Professor of History at Lincoln Uni in San Francisco) and author of some very good books about the Pacific war. Also Anthony Cooper and the late Professor Leon Kane-Maguire - authors of several authoritative books about RAAF operations and squadrons. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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