THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

It's that time of year again where we find out what was the best book you read on a WW II subject this year and why?

The book does not have to have been published in 2015, it could be an old second hand book that you found and read for the first time this year. So share with the group which book you thought was the best WW II book you read this year.

A Perfect Hell by John Nadler. Why, because it fortified my determination to continue to write my own WWII series by strengthening my belief in the need for every country to be made aware of the part each played in this massive conflict.

Hi Patrick,

A good recommendation for the best WW2 book you have read this year.

by John Nadler

Best nonfiction:
The Battle for Moscow

David Stahel

Best fiction:
The Singapore Grip

J.G. Farrell

No Simple Victory: World War II in Europe, 1939-1945

Because I've been out of circulation and needed a big picture refresher.

December 6

For fiction, an alternate history.

I've read several good books, but the I think the best is either




or



There are a couple more that i hope to finish before the end of the year, so my selection may change :)

Doubledf99.99 wrote: "Best nonfiction:
The Battle for Moscow

David Stahel

Best fiction:
The Singapore Grip
[bookcover:The Singap..."

Doubledf99.99: I'm a fan of Farrell too.

My favorite for 2015, so far, was:


Churchill Goes to War: Winston's Wartime Journeys by Brian Lavery

Some excellent recommendations from group members for the best WW2 book of 2015. I loved The Battle for Moscow and also Snow and Steel but since I read those in 2014 I have to find something else. At this stage, unless I read something better between now and the end of the year, my favourite WW2 book for 2015 was:

Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor by James M. Scott

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Some excellent recommendations from group members for the best WW2 book of 2015. I loved The Battle for Moscow and also Snow and Steel but since I read those in 2014 I have to find something else. ..."

This is one of the books I hope to get to before the end of the year. I had to return it to the library today because someone else wanted to read it and they wouldn't let me renew it :(

You will have to try again Happy or put it on your Christmas list :)

It's back on hold for me and I'm #1 on the list - so I should get it fairly quickly

Let me know what you think of it once you have had a chance to read it.

Probably it's the First-Time-In-Normandy talking, but I'll go with Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy :)

Without emotional factor:
The Bombing War: Europe 1939-1945

The latest WWII book I read this year was The Battle of Midway. Found it fascinating how the Japanese code was cracked.

Dimitri wrote: "Probably it's the First-Time-In-Normandy talking, but I'll go with Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy :)

Without emotional factor:
[bookcover:The Bombing War: Europe 1939-19..."

Hard to go wrong with a Max Hastings book!

Doreen wrote: "The latest WWII book I read this year was The Battle of Midway. Found it fascinating how the Japanese code was cracked."

Really good book!

I've read several and find it hard to choose.
Here's a couple.

I enjoyed this Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War by G.H. Bennett

My review should anyone be interested in a little more info:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

More great nominations from members for their best WW2 book of 2015, keep them coming.

happy wrote: "Doreen wrote: "The latest WWII book I read this year was The Battle of Midway. Found it fascinating how the Japanese code was cracked."

Rea..."
I really enjoyed Symonds but it was soon eclipsed by Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway. Loved Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45 too!

I loved Shattered Sword also. Between the two of them, I think it is about a complete of look at Midway as one is likely to get.

happy wrote: "I loved Shattered Sword also. Between the two of them, I think it is about a complete of look at Midway as one is likely to get."

My grandfather was in the Navy during WWII but he had a cousin actually on Midway Island when the battle happened.

For me, it would be

Japan's Longest Day

Another great book to add to the list, thanks Chin Joo!

Going to have some good choices for 2016.

I would say mine was A TOMB CALLED IWO JIMA by Dan King. This book tells the Japanese side of the battle, concentrating on the lives of several soldiers who survived. Ironically, some were sent to a POW camp near where I live. It has some excellent photos included.

Is there any mileage in a thread on the most eagerly awaited book of 2016?

Sounds like a pretty interesting book Betsy, one I was not aware of!

by Dan King

Geevee wrote: "Is there any mileage in a thread on the most eagerly awaited book of 2016?"

Don't know, what do other members think, interested?

Only a suggestion so I won't be offended if not (I thought it might helps us add even more to our TBRs!).

Its a good idea Geevee, I'll look at setting something up soon.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Sounds like a pretty interesting book Betsy, one I was not aware of!

by Dan King"


It's an excellent book for another perspective of Iwo Jima.

Geevee wrote: "Only a suggestion so I won't be offended if not (I thought it might helps us add even more to our TBRs!)."

New books of 2016 or books we intend to read in 2016?

Either I guess. I thought new books as it might be good to see people's suggestions but any book for 2016 would be good too.

Both, books you are waiting to be released/published in 2016 or books you intend to read in 2016. I'll set up a thread soon.

Tnx AR - it should be quite a list :)

Here you are

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Looks like it is going to glean a good mix from people, thanks AR.

I read some great WWII books this year, but I think my favorite was
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
Amazing story and good writing to go along with it. I also enjoyed learning about a part of the war I hadn't previously read much about.

And since I love making other people's to-read lists longer, here are a few other recommended 5 star reads from 2015:
Isaac's Army: A Story of Courage and Survival in Nazi-Occupied Poland
The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-Day Sacrifice
Alamo in the Ardennes: The Untold Story of the American Soldiers Who Made the Defense of Bastogne Possible
The Shetland Bus: A WWII Epic of Escape, Survival and Adventure
Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45

Some good books there A.L.!

Some good books there A.L. Luckily I've already read most of them and the others are already on the TBR, so the TBR list won't grow any :)

Bye the way, I loved everything of Hornfischer's that I've read.

I just finished



It's "only" a 4 star read for me, but I'm a sucker for any book about B-17s, plus I've visited their station (the USAF is still using it), so it HAS to go on the list :)

AL,
I keep hearing good things about Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45. I broke down and ordered it.

Timothy,

I think it just might be the definative look at the Battle of the Bulge. It was a 5 star read for me.

I highly recommend it!

And look what came in the mail today...by one of our members.
Sworn Enemy
and
Deadly Alliance
They were on sale online.

Timothy wrote: "AL,
I keep hearing good things about Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45. I broke down and ordered it."

I agree with Happy, I think it has been one of the best accounts I have read on the Bulge so far.

Timothy wrote: "AL,
I keep hearing good things about Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45. I broke down and ordered it."

I hope you enjoy Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45 and the novels!

I don't think I've ever had so many recommendations for a book before reading it. I'm really looking forward to it.

I may have to join you at some stage in reading it to Timothy.

Timothy wrote: "AL,
I keep hearing good things about Snow and Steel: The Battle of the Bulge, 1944-45. I broke down and ordered it."

Timothy: I have a copy of Snow and Steel too -- yet unread.