What are you reading - Part II

[psdavidson]

Funnily enough, I've just started Catastrophe: Europe Goes to War 1914 by Max Hastings (on audiobook)

[stevehnz]

Since finishing "The Forgotten Soldier", I went back & finished the "History of the RAF Servicing Commandos" mentioned earlier, an interesting if uneven book about groups of highly trained men often poorly utilised due to inefficient RAF bureaucracy & maybe some infighting by higher ups who didn't accept they had a role to play. I still found it an interesting read & am pleased that the authors recorded these guys service.

After that a book my best beloved got me for Christmas, all without prompting, indeed I didn't know of it but what a cracker. "Bwana, There's a Body in the Bath" by Peter Whitehead with Tony Park. One of the most enjoyable books I've read for a long time, Whiteheads memoirs, he is still alive at 99, polished by author Park who writes some very believable African fiction. I'd whole heartedly recommend it. 

Since then, I'm into "Born Wilde" by Tony Fitzjohn that I'd treated myself to late last year. Fitzjohn, who passed away mid last year after a battle with a brain tumour, spent 18 years with George Adamson of "Born Free" fame as his assistant at the Kora Game reserve in Kenya before moving to a reserve in Tanzania just south of Mt Kilimanjaro on the Kenyan border, after Adamson was murdered by poachers in 1989. Another incredibly interesting, to me anyway, book which will sit well alongside many others on my shelves.

Steve.

[Head in the clouds.]

Still ploughing through 'Adolph Hitler' by John Toland. A fascinating incite into Hitlers life.

[speedy]

Skunk Works by Ben Rich.

[Quiet Mike]

The 2023 reading pile.

Flying Fury was in my secret santa at work (I dropped hints obvs) and has been read already, I couldn't put it down. Interesting to read how McCudden worked his way through the RFC from Air Mechanic to Leading Fighter Ace. Also how he really studied tactics, and understood the need to be cautious as much as fearless, knowing "The better part of valor is discretion". Very much in the 'ripping yarn' Edwardian style.

After reading Wind in the Wires last year, (The author flew the famous red 'Schweinhund') the urge to build an SE5a is now quite strong. Luckily a good friend gifted me a 1/48 Roden as a thank you a few weeks ago

 

2023 reading pile by Mike, on Flickr

 

Now a few chapters into Flying Minnows, so a Brisfit will also have to be added to the stash soon ...  A very different account to McCuddens. Vivian Voss is a South African medical student studying in the USA, who joins the RFC in Canada. He is quite candid about getting 'the funk' after a serious crash, and also being under fire. Not so fearless as McCudden, but just as enlightening.

[Neil.C]

Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh - brilliant.

 

[Ed Russell]

When Britain Saved the West is a really good book. It takes a slightly different approach to more specialised histories of the Battle of France, Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain etc and weaves the stories together with the political history. A well written and organised book by a history professor with lots of help from his students! One for @Heather Kay.

 

Just for fun, I have been playing with ChatGPT and here's its review - I would give it about 6/10 if i was an editor. AI is very promising but has a long way to go before it replaces you!

 

"When Britain Saved the West - The Story of 1940" by Robin Prior is a captivating account of the pivotal events of 1940 during World War II. This book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the events of the year, including the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, and the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Prior expertly weaves together various sources, including letters, diaries, and official documents, to paint a vivid picture of life in Britain during this turbulent time. He delves into the political and military strategies employed by both the Allies and the Axis powers and provides a clear understanding of the decisions that were made and the consequences that followed.

The author does an excellent job of highlighting the bravery and resilience of the British people during this difficult time. The accounts of ordinary citizens who faced air raids and bombing every day, yet still managed to maintain their spirits and carry on with their daily lives, are truly inspiring.

One of the strengths of this book is its attention to detail. Prior provides a wealth of information and context, and his writing style is engaging and easy to follow. He also tackles complex issues, such as the role of Churchill in the events of 1940, in a way that is accessible to readers with little prior knowledge of the subject.

Overall, I would highly recommend "When Britain Saved the West - The Story of 1940" by Robin Prior to anyone interested in World War II, British history, or military history in general. It is a well-researched and thoroughly enjoyable read that provides a new perspective on the events of 1940 and their impact on the outcome of the war.

rewrite with more emphasis on france and dunkirk

"When Britain Saved the West - The Story of 1940" by Robin Prior is a must-read for those interested in the pivotal events of World War II, particularly the events surrounding the Battle of France and the evacuation of Dunkirk. The book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the events of 1940 and their impact on the outcome of the war.

Prior expertly weaves together a wide range of sources to paint a vivid picture of the events of the year, including the Battle of France and the evacuation of Dunkirk. He provides a clear understanding of the decisions made by both the Allies and the Axis powers and their consequences, with a particular focus on the French military strategy and its eventual downfall.

One of the highlights of this book is its focus on the bravery and resilience of the Allied forces, particularly the soldiers and civilians involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk. The accounts of their experiences, including the dangerous sea crossing and the constant threat of air raids, are truly inspiring.

The author also provides a detailed analysis of the role of Churchill and the British government in the events of 1940, including their decision to aid the evacuation of Dunkirk. This provides a new perspective on the events of the year and their impact on the outcome of the war.

Overall, I would highly recommend "When Britain Saved the West - The Story of 1940" by Robin Prior to anyone interested in World War II, British and French history, and military history. The book is well-researched, engaging, and provides a fresh perspective on the events of 1940, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of France and the evacuation of Dunkirk.

 

 

EDIT - Only if you are interested in ChatGPT......... after about five re-writes I got it to give me a version which I would give maybe 7/10

 

"When Britain Saved the West - The Story of 1940" by Robin Prior is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of World War II. The book provides a fresh perspective on the events of 1940, including the Battle of France and the evacuation of Dunkirk, and offers a thorough analysis of their impact on the outcome of the war.

Prior's writing style effectively integrates a wide range of sources, including first-hand accounts, historical records, and primary documents, to create a comprehensive picture of life in Britain during the war. He pays close attention to detail, providing the reader with ample context and information to better understand the events of 1940. The accounts of ordinary citizens and soldiers during the war are especially powerful, offering a glimpse into their daily struggles and the bravery and resilience they displayed in the face of adversity.

The author's analysis of Churchill and the British government's role in the events of 1940 is particularly noteworthy. He delves into the decisions made by Churchill and his cabinet, including the decision to aid the evacuation of Dunkirk, and their impact on the outcome of the war. This provides a new perspective on the events of 1940 and their significance in shaping the course of the war.

In addition to offering a fresh perspective on the events of 1940, the book provides insight into the broader historical context of World War II. The author expertly connects the events of 1940 to the larger narrative of the war, and provides a well-rounded understanding of the factors that shaped its outcome.

Overall, "When Britain Saved the West - The Story of 1940" is a comprehensive and insightful book that is sure to deepen the reader's understanding of World War II and the events of 1940. Whether you are a seasoned historian or a casual reader, this book is a valuable resource that provides a wealth of information and a new perspective on the events of the year. It is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, British and French history, and the history of World War II.

 

[kiseca]

Just getting into John Nichols's Lancaster and I am finding it a good read. He has his own style, for sure.

[fatfingers]

Recently finished The Black Bull , history of 11th Armoured Brigade from D:Day to the end of the war and a cracking read. Now made a start on Brothers In Arms by James Holland, also a cracking read. Have now started to turn TV off on an evening and read for an hour before bed and i find i'm now sleeping better! 

 

Regards,

 

Steve

Edited February 11 by fatfingers

[davecov]

I am currently reading a 2020 Life Magazine special celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic M*A*S*H film (1970) and the subsequent M*A*S*H TV series. Set in the Korean War M*A*S*H portrays life in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, the series ran for 11 seasons and 256 episodes from 1972 to 1983. I watched a lot of the episodes over the course of the run of the TV series and but unbelievably I had never watched it again until I stumbled on the film being shown on TV last December.

 

The book contains 96 pages and covers the origins of the book and it's transition to the big and small screens. There is a potted history of the main actors and actresses and their characters along with detail about the setting. There is plenty of trivia too and lots of photos. I haven't been reading the book too closely as it contains spoilers and I am currently binge-watching every episode! I am on Season 4 with seven seasons to go.

Dave

 

 

[Neil.C]

Currently reading The Churchill factor by Boris Johnson.

 

A fantastically interesting read, Boris is a really excellent writer. 

 

[Quiet Mike]

10 hours ago, davecov said:

I am currently reading a 2020 Life Magazine special celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic M*A*S*H film (1970) and the subsequent M*A*S*H TV series.

Dave

 

I loved MASH as a kid. We were lucky BBC2 showed it without the canned laughter. I remember one night a tech left it on, and Points of View was swamped with complaints! I hear if you get the latest DVDs, you can turn it off?
I think the series started to go downhill later on, as Alan Alda had increasingly more control, but the final episodes where Hawkeye is having counselling still haunt me decades later.

[Pete in Lincs]

Like @fatfingers I am reading Brothers in Arms by James Holland. The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry from D Day to the end. Fascinating detail.

At the moment they are very close to Villers Bocage and can see Tigers and Panthers....

I always read for at least thirty minutes before sleep. Have done for about sixty years!

 

[bootneck]

36 minutes ago, Pete in Lincs said:

I always read for at least thirty minutes before sleep. Have done for about sixty years!

How do work out when 30 minutes will be before you go to sleep?   That would probably keep me up for hours, wondering if I got right.

 

Mike

[psdavidson]

1 hour ago, Quiet Mike said:

I hear if you get the latest DVDs, you can turn it off?

I also prefer M*A*S*H without the laugh track. The box set I have has both options. 

 

/P

[stevehnz]

Since my last entry, I've read "Smith & Son, A journey into Africa" by Anthony Smith, a well enough know writer for his balloon expeditions & an old farts jolly across the Atlantic on a raft. In this one, he takes his 19 year old son in 1983 to retrace the journey he made in the reverse direction from the UK to Capetown in 1955. Both mounted on Triumph Tiger Cub motorbikes of advanced age, Smith Senior's being the one he rode on his original trip. I struggled to see the wisdom of this, both being admitted mechanical numpties & unsurprisingly a fair bit of their journey was accomplished on trains & trucks after bike problems. Vintage overland travels are another of the genres I enjoy & this one ticked quite a few boxes including letting me vent along the lines of "bloody idiot" I think the son might have agreed with me at times.

Since that, I've been into :Thunderbolt", the story of WW2 ace Robert S Johnson. A thoroughly enjoyable read to my mind, his depictions of the aerial combats over Germany as massed fleets of Fortresses & Liberators are defended by their "Little friends" against the best efforts of the Luftwaffe are probably the best I've read.

Steve.

[Neil.C]

On 11/02/2023 at 21:10, Pete in Lincs said:

Like @fatfingers I am reading Brothers in Arms by James Holland. The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry from D Day to the end. Fascinating detail.

At the moment they are very close to Villers Bocage and can see Tigers and Panthers....

I always read for at least thirty minutes before sleep. Have done for about sixty years!

 

 

Same here.

 

Reading a book relaxes you before sleep - I've got a mini library in my bedroom!

[psdavidson]

1 hour ago, Neil.C said:

Reading a book relaxes you before sleep

 

At least 30 minutes of reading followed by around 30 minutes of an audiobook. The only problem is staying awake during the audiobook

[Jered]

I've just finished Revenger by Alastair Reynolds. I found it exciting, original and has a really nice rhythm to it. To be honest I couldn't put it down and I got through it in about 5 sittings! 

I've also just started to read Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut for the first time which I'm also enjoying.

[psdavidson]

Wow, it's been quiet in here

Still reading Max Hastings' Catastrophe, Europe Goes To War 1914 but I finished the James herriot audiobooks earlier in the week and I'm now around 1 hour in to Of Mice and Men

[stevehnz]

After "Thunderbolt" I raced through "The Blockade Busters" by Ralph barker, there was more to getting steel goods & ball bearings from Sweden during the war than I could ever have imagined, a super read that I knocked over in a very few days, then it was into "Turbulent Years" by Brian Waugh, a British pilot who quit GB in the mid fifties to fly in New Zealand, this is his memoirs edited by his son Richard Waugh who has become a very well respected New Zealand aviation historian in his own right. A brilliant read about some stuff I'd heard & read about in the day.

Steve.

[danbuoy]

Currently reading "The Mighty Men of the 381st - Heroes All". Written by the chaplain of the Ridgewell based 381st Bomb Group, it is a hefty, and fascinating insight into the day to day life of an Eighth Air Force bomb group. A very hard book to come by, I got mine after visiting the museum at Ridgewell, and being given a tour of the old airfield in 2021. I mentioned it was a book I was after, and the gentleman showing me round had a copy. Cost me £60, but that is a fair price considering what it can go for. As someone who is obsessed with all things Mighty Eighth, it was a must for my library!

[Neil.C]

Just started The Thursday murder club by Richard Osman.

 

Very enjoyable so far. 

 

[Billy54]

On 2/23/2023 at 5:02 AM, Neil.C said:

Just started The Thursday murder club by Richard Osman.

 

Very enjoyable so far. 

 

 

It's an enjoyable read and an enjoyable seies.

[Ray S]

I am revisiting a book I read when I was about 10 or 11 years old, Moby Dick. I think I read a child's version then, as I do not remember any of the start - I have just got to where Ishmael and co have set off in Pequod and Cap'n Ahab has just appeared.

 

Ray