THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

Members can discuss any aspect of the Great War in this thread and it can also be used for any Group and/or Buddy Reads on books covering WW1.

One of my my favorite topics to study. G.J. Meyer's book is probably the best general history of it that I've read:

by G.J. Meyer

Jerome wrote: "One of my my favorite topics to study. G.J. Meyer's book is probably the best general history of it that I've read:

Just completed this volume a month ago. Wonderful treatment of the war in one volume. I would be interested in Meyer writing a volume on WW2.

For people interested in a wide-ranging and detailed history of the war I also recommend 1914-1918 by David Stevenson

I am going to be involved in a WW1 buddy read with a non GR's friend. He is going to be reading; The War That Ended Peace. I am going to be reading along with him one of these books:

by Margaret MacMillan

by Christopher Munro Clark

by Sean McMeekin

I'm just not sure which book I will be reading yet :)

All great books, good luck deciding :)

Looks good Rick whichever you choose.

I'm keeping this one till August when you have your theme read Geevee:



by Allan Mallinson

I may also change my month for next month and go with this Australian author:

by Paul Ham

1914 by Jean Echenoz.
Reviewed in the NY Times on Jan. 26th.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/26/boo...

I just bought this book, which tells about the 15 years that lead up to the Great War. It is said to be good.

The Vertigo Years: Europe 1900-1914

Sounds interesting Lilo, thanks for posting the details.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I am going to be involved in a WW1 buddy read with a non GR's friend. He is going to be reading; The War That Ended Peace. I am going to be reading along with him one of these books:

I am just completing MacMillan's 1919, and have picked up War That Ended The Peace as well and Sleepwalkers. With the anniversary looming there are so many good books being released I don't know where to start.

Lilo wrote: "I just bought this book, which tells about the 15 years that lead up to the Great War. It is said to be good.

The Vertigo Years: Europe..."</i>

Looks like an interesting read. I have also just finished [bookcover:The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War 1890-1914 a great treatment of the 25 years leading up to the war, and , a great picture of the world on the doorstep of the clamity.

Frank wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I am going to be involved in a WW1 buddy read with a non GR's friend. He is going to be reading; The War That Ended Peace. I am going to be reading along with him one of these..."

Too true Frank as the number of books published or reissued on the first world war and its causes and aftermath will make it hard to choose what to read. I'll be reading people's posts with interest to help me find out and decide what to read.

@ Frank: "1913" also seems a very interesting book. I marked it as TBR. I hope I'll get around to read it.

Friend in another group just posted this site/archive. Looks interesting:

http://europeana1914-1918.eu/en

Thanks for the link Miss M.

Nice site, Miss M!

I'll echo Mike - Nice site!

Currently free on Amazon UK

The Kaiser Warlord Of 2nd Reich http://amzn.to/1f6cX2

Miss M wrote: "Friend in another group just posted this site/archive. Looks interesting:

http://europeana1914-1918.eu/en"

Great site thanks for posting Miss M. I picked the Women section (I am interested in the home front as well as the fighting fronts) and there are some wonderful items including this superb photo album featuring a German family: http://www.europeana1914-1918.eu/en/c... and this scrap book of a young Irish girl: http://www.europeana1914-1918.eu/en/c...

I can see me spending hours in this site, thanks again.

I've decided to read this book next; The War That Ended Peace.


by Margaret MacMillan

My next book out in February is Four war Boer, and is a biography. Covers WW I in Africa, from an interview I did with a participant.

Let us know when it's been released Colin as it's sure to interest a few members in the group.

Casemate Publishing releasing next month. See it on Amazom

I'm enjoying my current book; The War That Ended Peace, however it has reminded me that I really should try and read these books on some of the major people (on Germany's side) that had some bearing on the Germany's history and/or the events leading to 1914:

by Patrick J. Kelly

by Jonathan Steinberg

by Edward Crankshaw

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'm enjoying my current book; The War That Ended Peace, however it has reminded me that I really should try and read these books on some of the major people (on Germany's side) that had some bearin..."

I was tempted by the Steinberg bio when it first came out, but it really has some terrible reviews on amazon--was hoping my library might add it to their ebooks. I have the Crankshaw book, almost forgot, so thanks!
Started
Dreadnought
last night--still early, bit I think it will be very good.

I don't think you will be disappointed with Dreadnought, it's a great book!

I'm currently in a Euro History class at college and am reading To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild as part of WWI study. Has anyone read this or heard reviews for it? I'm about 60 pages into it and it's pretty good so far.

Chase wrote: "I'm currently in a Euro History class at college and am reading To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild as part of WWI study. Has anyone read this or heard reviews for it? I'm about 60 pages into it and..."

Here's a NY Times review by the late Christopher Hitchens:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/boo...

Chase wrote: "I'm currently in a Euro History class at college and am reading To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild as part of WWI study. Has anyone read this or heard reviews for it? I'm about 60 pages into it and..."

Here's the Wash. Post review:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/enterta...

If any member is looking for a different type of book on the Great War, allow me to recommend:

The War Walk by Nigel Jones.

Jones does it differently. This is a combination history and travelogue of the Western Front. I found it fascinating.

Back to the Front by Stephen O'Shea.

O'Shea's book is described as a "remarkable combination of vivid history and opinionated travel writing." He revisits the Great War as he hikes the remnants of the Western Front. I gave it Four Stars.

Chase wrote: "I'm currently in a Euro History class at college and am reading To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild as part of WWI study. Has anyone read this or heard reviews for it? I'm about 60 pages into it and..."

I read it in 2012 and I really enjoyed the book Chase and I'm sure you will as well.

by Adam Hochschild

Two good recommendations Manray9. I have both books but have only read Stephen O'Shea's title so far.

Manray9 wrote: "Here's a NY Times review by the late Christopher Hitchens:.."

That boy Hitchens could write! Excellent review.

Read any of Prof. Hew Strachan's books on WW I. I used to work for him.

Colin wrote: "Read any of Prof. Hew Strachan's books on WW I. I used to work for him."

I agree Colin, his books are good as was his excellent (UK) Channel 4 series The First World War http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426688/?...

Chase wrote: "I'm currently in a Euro History class at college and am reading To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild as part of WWI study. Has anyone read this or heard reviews for it? I'm about 60 pages into it and..."

Hi Chase adding to Manray9's posts and Aussie Rick's endorsement here' s three UK reviews. I have it on my TBR and with the interest in the book it has to be worth reading.
The Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/bo...

The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2011...

The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...

Thanks for the links to those reviews Geevee, much appreciated.

Geevee wrote: "Colin wrote: "Read any of Prof. Hew Strachan's books on WW I. I used to work for him."

I agree Colin, his books are good as was his excellent (UK) Channel 4 series The First World War http://www...."

I've seen his series on WW I on The Military Channel recently. The Military Channel is also running World War I in color in the mornings this month (I don't know times)

Miss M wrote: "...I was tempted by the Steinberg bio when it first came out, but it really has some terrible reviews on amazon--was hoping my library might add it to their ebooks. I have the Crankshaw book, almost forgot, so thanks!
Started
Dreadnought
last night--still early, bit I think it will be very good."

I'll echo AR - very good read about the Naval Arms Race and its impact on the lead in to WW I. I can also recommend his follow on


Castles of Steel

Which covers the Naval War including Jutland.

This book might be of interest to people here: Stemming the Tide: Officers and Leadership in the British Expeditionary Force 1914 by Spencer Jones

Another from the BBC as it commemorates WWI. This features the contemporary film on the battle of the Somme:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zc3dhyc

And a link about the film via The Imperial War Museum: http://archive.iwm.org.uk/server/show...

Any recs for a good book on the USMC at Belleau Wood?

Here are two books Manray9 that may be worth while checking out:


by Alan Axelrod

by Robert B. Asprey

And this one for a general history of the USMC in the Great War:

by George B. Clark

I am really enjoying the book; The War That Ended Peace. The author has made a story told many times before fresh and new. Although I know the events leading up to 1914 she has added more information around the people and times to make it almost a story not told before.

by Margaret MacMillan

I've not read anything on their actions (although I have visited the area) but this might be one for you: At Belleau Wood by Robert B. Asprey

Geevee wrote: "I've not read anything on their actions (although I have visited the area) but this might be one for you: At Belleau Wood by [author:Robert B. Aspre..."

Thanks.

AR: Egg on my face again! Your post made me remember I have a copy of --

Miracle at Belleau Wood by Alan Axelrod.

Purchased years ago, unread, and forgotten -- until now.

I think I might have a copy unread too but I'm scared to start searching in case I find more :)