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Tom wrote: "Sumit,

There is also the book ..

by David Kahn

its large..."

Hi Tom,

Its apparently THE BOOK for coding and stuff, I checked it out, it incorporates coding from inception to what it is today. A mammoth piece of almost 1200 pages... so one should start on his own risk... :P

Hello fellow Aussie! I am so pleased to find your discussion area here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ! I work in a bookstore and I am an avid military history reader... today I had a customer come and enquire about any good WW2 poetry books (collection of).... and nothing immediately sprang to mind! I was wondering if you might be able to help with a suggestion or two? Thank you for your work/effort on this site! Look forward to sharing and learning with you! Kind regards, Angie.

Hi Ay, that's a hard one, lots of books on war poetry and WW1 poetry but few on WW2 poetry. Here are a few I am aware of that you may be able to get for your customer:

by Desmond Graham

by Hugh Haughton

by Brian Gardner

by Daniel Swift

Randall Jarrell wrote some notable WW2 poems. One usually sees his works in collections with
other works.

Losses (Harcourt, 1948)

Little Friend, Little Friend (Dial Press, 1945)

Blood for a Stranger (Harcourt, 1942)
~

Get anything by John Toland and Ian Kershaw

Hi Sofia, I'd second Mr Kershaw's books. This - which I have yet to read but has had good reviews - may also interest you as it covers his early life in Vienna:

Hitler's Vienna: A Portrait of the Tyrant as a Young Man by Brigitte Hamann

This book has picked up some decent reviews as well Sofia:


by Laurence Rees

Looking for a book that covers the British raid on St. Nazaire in 1942.

Mike wrote: "Looking for a book that covers the British raid on St. Nazaire in 1942."

Try "The Greatest Raid of All" by C.E. Lucas Phillips.

If you can find it Ballantine books has a good overview of the raid amongst their Century of Conflict books.



Mike wrote: "Looking for a book that covers the British raid on St. Nazaire in 1942."

I have a copy of this new book Mike but I have not read it yet:


by Robert Lyman
Description:
On the night of 28 March 1942, the Royal Navy and British Commandos assaulted the German-held French Atlantic port of Saint-Nazaire in one of the most audacious raids of the Second World War. Their plan was simple: the drive an old destroyer packed with three tons of explosives at full speed into the outer gate of the Normandie dock. Its complement of Commandos would then rush out to engage the town's garrison, and blow up a series of carefully selected targets. Destroying the dock would deny the formidable Tirpitz battleship, then lurking menacingly in the Norwegian fjords, a base from which it could inflict devastation upon the convoys supplying Britain from the United States. It would also prove that the British were capable to striking back, at a time when the nation's very existence seemed in peril. Operation Chariot was dramatically successful, but at a great cost. Fewer than half the men who went on the mission returned from the maelstrom of fire and bullets provoked by their assault. In recognition of their extraordinary bravery, eighty-nine decorations were awarded, including five Victoria Crosses. Into the Jaws of Death is a gripping story of high daring that demonstrates how the decisive courage of a small group of men brought hope and light during one of their country's darkest hours.

One more to consider, Gerald.

by James G. Dorrian(no photo)

Jill wrote: "One more to consider, Gerald.

by James G. Dorrian(no photo)"

I second Jill's recommendation too Mike.

Thanks all, for some excellent suggestions. Adding to my list of books to get.

Hi Everybody,

I would like to get some recommendations on some good post war thrillers based on Neo Nazi groups getting up to no good similar to the Robert Ludlum books - Aquitaine Progression, Gemini Contenders, Scarlatti Inheritance, Holcroft Covenant or the Clive Cussler book - Atlantis Found.

Cheers

Hi

I read Boeselager's book also and whilst there is often a lack of detail on the plot, the one undeniable fact is that he was there and lived to tell the tale. I agree that once finished, when I reflected on the book, I found it was not fully informative but I was filled with a sense of admiration for what these men tried to do, their courage and the final sacrifices they made. Stiring stuff that makes you wonder about how we ourselves might have faced such challenges.

Cheers

Hi Philby I am sure some of our members will be able to suggest some titles for you to explore.

The Boys from Brazil
Odessa File
Marathon Man

are in the genre, not quite the same as the ones
you mention Philby, but thought I'd give it a go.

I would also suggest "Conspiracy", with Kenneth Brannagh, Colin Firth, Stan Tucci, etc. My students in the Holocaust course had to watch it. I interviewed the last surviving member of the Wannsee Conference, Gen. Gerhard Klopfer.

Hi group,

I recently took an Adriatic cruise with my wife which stopped in Malta for a day. I know Malta played a key role during the war, but my knowledge on it is limited and was wondering if anybody had any good book recommendations?

Matt wrote: "Hi group,

I recently took an Adriatic cruise with my wife which stopped in Malta for a day. I know Malta played a key role during the war, but my knowledge on it is limited and was wondering if an..."

James Holland's "Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940-43." If you are interested in the aerial conflict, try "Malta: The Hurricane Years, 1940-41" by Christopher Shores, Brian Cull, and Nicola Malizia as well as "Malta: The Spitfire Year, 1942" by the same authors. Peter C. Smith's "Pedestal: The Malta Convoy of August 1942" is a very good book about a relief convoy to Malta. Hope this helps!

Gerald wrote: "Matt wrote: "Hi group,

I recently took an Adriatic cruise with my wife which stopped in Malta for a day. I know Malta played a key role during the war, but my knowledge on it is limited and was wo..."

This looks like a pretty good haul but if you would also like a fiction depiction of wartime Malta, you could try this: The Kappillan of Malta by Nicholas Monsarrat.

I am looking for a book about the Filipino Guerillas/Resistance during the war. Can anyone recommend a few good books about them? Thanks!

This book does address the resistance in the Philippines during the War, so it might be what you are looking for.


by Teodoro A. Agoncillo

I seconded Gerald's recommendation of Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940-43 by Holland, a great read.

by James Holland

Hi Betty, I haven't read much on Filipino Guerillas and/or resistance during the war but I have heard good things about this book:

by Ray C. Hunt

Matt wrote: "Hi group,

I recently took an Adriatic cruise with my wife which stopped in Malta for a day. I know Malta played a key role during the war, but my knowledge on it is limited and was wondering if an..."

Matt, I enjoyed this one, written by a navy officer who was there:

Siege: Malta 1940-1943

Matt wrote: "Hi group,

I recently took an Adriatic cruise with my wife which stopped in Malta for a day. I know Malta played a key role during the war, but my knowledge on it is limited and was wondering if an..."

Hi Matt,
I'd second all the titles mentioned - I liked James Holland's as it has some great personal stories by civilians too. Also I haven't read - it's on my TBR - but I wondered if this might be of interest too:
UXB Malta: Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal 1940-44 by S.A.M. Hudson

Thanks you all for the recommendations on the Filipino Resistance. It is a huge help!

Hi Betty, I hope you have found a good book or two to help :)

Sorry if this has been asked and answered before here or elsewhere, but I am looking for books about U-Boats.

I already have Das Boot, Hitler's U-Boat War by Clay Blair, and The U-Boat Wars by Edwin P. Hoyt.

Know of any other "essential" titles, or just over-all fun/highly informing reads on this topic?

Thank you!

Iron Coffins: A Personal Account of the German U-boat Battles of World War II

Operation Drumbeat: Germany's U-Boat Attacks Along the American Coast in World War II

The last is a fictionalized account of attacks on the US coast. Along the lines of Das Boot. It isn't bad though. And from what I gather, more accurate than then the Das Boot accounts.

Hi Mackenzie, if you go to the 'Land, Air & Sea' section of the group there is a dedicated thread for submarine warfare that has a list of some very good books on U-boats.

Mackenzie wrote: "Sorry if this has been asked and answered before here or elsewhere, but I am looking for books about U-Boats.

I already have Das Boot, Hitler's U-Boat War by Clay Blair, and The U-Boat Wars by Edw..."

Here's the link to the thread Aussie Rick was referring to:

/topic/show/...

Mackenzie wrote: "Sorry if this has been asked and answered before here or elsewhere, but I am looking for books about U-Boats.

I already have Das Boot, Hitler's U-Boat War by Clay Blair, and The U-Boat Wars by Edw..."

I enjoyed this first-hand account of a U-boat crewman: Steel Boat, Iron Hearts: A U-Boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505

Hi Mackenzie, This would be worth exploring too:

Convoy: The Greatest U-boat Battle of the War by Martin Middlebrook

I knew Hans and his former superior officer on U-505, Thilo Bode who transferred off the boat to take his own command just before the last patrol where U-505 was captured. Hans and his wife Rikki were great hosts, very good people.

Thank you for the recommendations and all of your help.

Mackenzie wrote: "Sorry if this has been asked and answered before here or elsewhere, but I am looking for books about U-Boats.

I already have Das Boot, Hitler's U-Boat War by Clay Blair, and The U-Boat Wars by Edw..."

Hi Mackenzie, this popped up and I thought it might be of interest too: U-Boats of the Second World War: Their Longest Voyages by Jak P. Mallmann Showell

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I have a copy of this new book Mike but I have not read it yet:


by Robert Lyman
..."

There's a movie they show on British TV every so often called 'Attack on the Iron Coast' starring Lloyd Bridges which looks like it was based on this raid.

One of our members, Kati, posted this request:

I am looking for book suggestions on a general history of tanks. A new tank museum is coming to my area and I am interested in applying to work/volunteer, but have almost no knowledge of tanks. What should I start with? Thanks!

Geevee offered these suggestions:

Hi Kati,

These would be a good starting point:

A Complete Illustrated Guide to Tanks & Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Two Complete Encyclopedias: Over 1200 Images by George Forty


Tank Recognition Guide (Jane's)Tank Recognition Guide (Jane's) by Christopher F. Foss

I wish you well with the application.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Geevee offered these suggestions:

Hi Kati,

These would be a good starting point:

[bookcover:A Complete Illustrated Guide to Tanks & Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Two Complete Encyclopedias: Over ..."

Love this!!!!!! I'm a very visual person, these will be great!!

Does someone have a recommendation for a good readable bio of Jan Smuts?

He wrote his autobiography, and you can also read a bio of him by Brigadier Gen. Collyer (old book). My book Four war Boer also covers him to some degree.

I've not read any books on him Manray9 but this one does look interesting.

Jan Smuts and His International Contemperaries by Ockert Geyser

Description:
Many biographies have been written of Jan Smuts but none have achieved so close an examination of the interpersonal and political relationships of Smuts as Professor Ockie Geyser has portrayed in Jan Smuts and his International Contemporaries.

This exceptional study of Smuts covers a broad period of history: from 1888 when Smuts was indirectly in contact with Cecil John Rhodes to 1948, thus spanning the period of the Anglo Boer War and the two major world wars.

Jan Smuts and his International Contemporaries provides an analysis of the relationships that placed Smuts in a prominent position in the councils of the world. These included Cecil John Rhodes, Alfred Milner, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Eamon de Valera, the Windsors, Charles de Gaulle and Adolf Hitler, all of whose paths crossed that of Jan Smuts.

Geevee wrote: "I've not read any books on him Manray9 but this one does look interesting.

[book:Jan Smuts and His International Contemperaries|1..."

Thanks.

My friend Pieter Krueler (subject of "Four War Boer") knew Smuts all of his life and highly respected him, even when he had to fight against him in WW I.

I was just thinking I should look for something on the US armored/mechanized cavalry units, and this dropped onto the screen in front of me.

That looks good - added :)