THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

What was your favourite WW II book that you read in 2012 and why?

Tough question will have to put on my thinking cap.

That's what I'm doing, make take a bit of time :)

For me it was
Joseph Goebbels: Life and Death by Toby Thacker.
A finely written and highly readable study of a skilled politician and communicator who was central to Nazism and how Germany was seen by its own citizens and the rest of the world during the war.

Closely followed by:
by Max Hastings and

by Leo McKinstry

Wow, just one??? Okay, it would have to be

This was such an incredible story about the what was done to help with the Resistance movement and the process by which codes were developed and then deciphered. A great story by someone who has a gift for writing a compelling narrative. This was my first foray into the spy/espionage world of WWII and I was enthralled for all 600+ pages.

A very close 2nd and 3rd would be from 2 of my favorite authors

by Erik Larsen- what a great narrative non-fiction writer!

by Alex Kershaw- also a great narrative non-fiction writer

It is hard to decide but I will have to go for; Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945 by Max Hastings as he provided such a gripping and balanced account of WW2 as a total war.

by Max Hastings

Followed closely by these two great books:

by Alex Kershaw
An excellent portrayal of one man's war and his struggle to retain his humanity during the darkest period of his life.

by Phillip Bradley
An excellent account and overview of Australia's war in New Guinea during WW2.

year's not over, yet.

Very true Carl, you got any suggestions so far?

Inferno definitely was a good read and a frontrunner. I'll have to look at my list for 2012. sometimes i'm surprised at what i read back in january.

Geevee wrote: "For me it was
Joseph Goebbels: Life and Death by Toby Thacker.
A finely written and highly readable study of a skilled politician and communi..."

Geevee, all three sound fantastic, especially the one on Goebbels. Added them all to my wishlist :)

Read some good ones but this one stands above all as a story of unimaginable endurance:



Second place tie between:



Great year for WWII stories, in great part due to you bringing them to my attention and motivating me to read them.

I think the best one that I read was either Symond's



or Hornfischer's


Inferno was also right up there.

I read Unbroken in '11 so I can't count that:)

So far, that's 3 mentions for and 2 mentions for . I am moving both up on my wishlist to the top for 2013.

All excellent books so far and interesting to see what other people liked in 2012 as it does motivate you to move titles around on your 'to read' list. Like the two books Happy mentioned which I have but not read yet.

Both Happy's look good and I've always meant to read Christie's recommendation by Leo Marks.

I was lucky with my picks in 2012 as I read only a few WWII books as I read a variety of other subjects. I've also enjoyed reading the posts on the group reads even when I've not been taking part too.

I read some really good books this year, but I think this was my favorite:

I bought it because the e-version was on sale for a buck or two and because I liked the title. It ended up reading like a novel, even though it's a true account. Great writing, great tale of perseverance and bravery. As a bonus, it had a happy ending.

I'll also mention as a runner-up. As Mike said, it's a great story of unimaginable endurance. And the writing is fantastic.

In third, . This was a random find at my local library, and it ended up being a well-written tale of a young man growing up in Fascist Italy.

Looking at this list, I think the concept of endurance ties all these titles together. Thank you everyone else for your recommendations! My to-read list just grew by several books.

Great list of books there A.L. and I like the common theme that runs through your three favourite WW2 books for 2012.

The Second World War

Definitely this one. I thought Beevor's take on this was slightly different from the norm in focusing a bit more on the Asian origins of the conflict.

Good choice Tami, it's on my 'to read' list so hope to get to it soon.



by Antony Beevor

by Max Hastings No contest whatsoever for me.

I now see that it has to be a book read this year. In that case, also by Max Hastings has been the best so far.

Two very good books Wilson, Inferno/All Hell Let Loose has been picked by a few members so far as well.

First thanks to Aussie Rick for adding this topic and second thanks to all of you who have posted! Seeing the comments from fellow readers will drive me to make some changes to my reading list.

I didn't read as many WWII books as I'd hoped this year. But there were a few which stood out and I would recommend.

My first selection is The Retreat: Hitler's First Defeat

This is an excellent narrative of the events at the Gates of Moscow during the winter of '41/'42. Michael Jones weaves in a number of personal accounts which I found very engaging. If you are a fan of the Eastern Front this is a must read.

My second selection is a pair of books I read more or less by accident.

A friend of mine recommend I read Garden of Beasts

What I accidently purchased was In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

My friend and I then had a very funny episode as I described to him where I was in the story and his looking at me as if I had a third eye in my forehead.

Garden of Beasts, a historical fiction novel, is set in 1936 Berlin just as the Olympics are to start. It's an action / thriller spy novel which doesn't really capture your attention until the end when things get really mixed up. Although it's nothing special to begin I recommend you read it for the end.

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin is an excellent factual account of the US Ambassador to Berlin during the pre-war years 1933 to 1936. Of the two books about the beasts in the garden I read this one first and it really set the tone for the second book. They make a really nice complementary pair. Erik Larson writes a fabulous account of Ambassador William Dodd, his reluctance at accepting the position and then the personal struggles Dodd encounters with not only the Nazi Government, but also the US State Department. This book provides a unique view of the Nazi Government and key officials. I highly recommend it to those interested in not only the war from the General's point-of-view, but also that of a diplomat.

Nick yours is the second recommendation I've seen on by Erik Larson so thanks and added to my TBR.

Hi Nick, thanks for your excellent recommendations for your best books for 2012. I have read The Retreat and like you, I quite enjoyed it. I have his latest book yet to read; Total war.

by Michael Jones

I also have a copy of In The Garden of Beasts yet to read so thanks for mentioning that book and also the story of your mix up with the titles, very funny :)

Nick wrote: "First thanks to Aussie Rick for adding this topic and second thanks to all of you who have posted! Seeing the comments from fellow readers will drive me to make some changes to my reading list.

I ..."

Nick, I too picked in my top picks for 2012, but I lack the hilarious tale of buying it in error. Great synopsis of the book that you provided.

Aussie Rick, thanks as well for adding this thread to the board and I know you won't be disappointed if you move "In the Garden of Beasts" up a bit on your TBR list :)

Not WWII related, but I started reading also by Erik Larson. It is the gripping account of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 and the serial killer that stalked mostly young single women. Like "In the Garden of Beasts", it is completely factual but reads like a novel that you can't put down.

Nick wrote: "First thanks to Aussie Rick for adding this topic and second thanks to all of you who have posted! Seeing the comments from fellow readers will drive me to make some changes to my reading list.

I ..."

Oh, and I added to my Amazon wishlist for 2013. It sounds like a good one! Thanks for the recommendation.

Soooo many good books eh! Glad to hear you are enjoying Erik Larson Christie, he is a pretty good writer.

I read "The Retreat" last year, and I agree it is excellent. I highly recommend it.

hap, i agree w/your Neptune's Inferno, except, i read it in 2011,
so not on my '12 oscar nominations.


happy wrote: "I think the best one that I read was either Symond's

or Hornfischer's


"

Whereas the title of this discussion is Best WWII Books For 2012 I will only post books with 2012 copyright dates. I see some folks have posted book with older copyright dates. So here are my favorites for 2012:
Deliver Us From Darkness by Ian Gardner
September Hope: The American Side Of A Bridge Too Far by John C. McManus
Undefeated: America's Heroic Fight For Bataan & Corregidor by Bill Sloan
Dog Company: The Boys Of Pointe du Hoc by Patrick K. O'Donnell
Double Cross: The True Story Of The D-Day Spies by Ben MacIntyre
Assignment To Hell by Timothy M. Gay
Fatal Crossroads: The Untold Story Of The Malmedy Massacre At The Battle Of The Bulge by Danny S. Parker
In The Garden Of Beasts by Erik Larson
And, although I have not read it yet, based on his past books I'm sure Alex Kershaw's The Liberator would make my list. I'll be reading it next.

Hi Dr. Michael, it's the best book you have read in 2012, I added a sub title below the pic :)

Some excellent titles there, a few I need to get to sooner or later! I also think you will enjoy Alex Kershaw's The Liberator.

Undefeated is on on the night stand now. It's number 2 in the que.

Thank you for the clarification Aussie Rick.

Good list of books to help others choose too Doctor Michael so thanks for posting. What would your favourite from the list be?

That's a tough one Greevee but I think I have to say Assignment To Hell by Timothy Gay and Double Cross by Ben MacIntyre

Would have to say

Michael wrote: "Would have to say "

I've moved Inferno to the top of the queue for 2013 after all the mentions I've seen on this thread. Can't wait to pick up a copy:)

I think you will really enjoy the book Christie, it offers an excellent overview of WW2 with many first-hand accounts from those involved in the fighting, both servicemen and civilians.

Dr. Michael wrote: "That's a tough one Greevee but I think I have to say Assignment To Hell by Timothy Gay and Double Cross by Ben MacIntyre"

Damn, I have a copy of this book which it looks like I will need to read very soon!

by Timothy M. Gay

I read this last year by Ben Macintyre
and really enjoyed it so I must read Double Cross

I have Inferno but have yet to delve into it. Perhaps after The Liberator.

Greevee have you read MacIntyre's Operation Mincemeat?

Agent Zigzag and Operation Mincemeat are both good books, well worth the time to read.

& by Ben Macintyre

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Agent Zigzag and Operation Mincemeat are both good books, well worth the time to read.


I already have both and in my library, so I guess have books 2 and 3 for 2013 now. :) I know several of the members of the group have said great things about writer Ben Macintyre.

More good books for you Christie :)

Dr. Michael wrote: "Greevee have you read MacIntyre's Operation Mincemeat?"

On my shelf Dr. Michael - just too many good books :)

That's for sure.

Geevee wrote: " Dr. Michael wrote: "Greevee have you read MacIntyre's Operation Mincemeat?"

On my shelf Dr. Michael - just too many good books :)"

agree totally

I've read Operation Mincemeat - I thought it was a good, entertaining read, esp if compared to the original book on the the mission



written in the 50's by the officer who thought up the idea and ran the op. ( It was also turned into a movie staring Clifton Webb )

happy wrote: "Geevee wrote: " Dr. Michael wrote: "Greevee have you read MacIntyre's Operation Mincemeat?"

On my shelf Dr. Michael - just too many good books :)"

agree totally

Happy, I've seen the movie and it is really good. For anyone interested, it's called "The Man Who Never Was". It is available through Netflix by mail, not streaming. It was a streaming title earlier this year, but it has since been made by mail only :(
www.imdb.com/title/tt0049471/