THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion

Members can post questions or requests for information on any WW2 books they are interested in.

by Tom (new)
11 minutes ago

I've moved this post from Tom seeking advice on a series of books he is interested in:

Has anyone read any of the green books - US Army in Wold War II?

Found them online a while ago:

http://www.history.army.mil/html/book...
saw a couple in a used store. they look pretty good.

I have not read the green books, but I've been meaning to. Some day I'll get to them lol

Tom I have quite a number of them (ETO, Med and Technical plus War Dept series), and whilst not having read any cover to cover, they are very readable, and I use them as a reference when reading say memoirs or other accounts. Maps are good and found mainly in an end pocket/envelope). All the volumes I have are sizeable so not for commuting or whilst travelling light. All are bound in quality green cloth.

I've got a couple of them - can be very dry

Can anyone offer an opinion on these two books:


AND by John C. McManus

They sound pretty good and I'm tempted in ordering some second-hand copies, any advice or information would be much appreciated.

I've read them both. They are very good. I've also read McManus' The Deadly Brotherhood, Alamo In The Ardennes and The Deadly Sky. He also has a new book being released in June regarding Americans in Operation Market Garden. I would recommend them.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Can anyone offer an opinion on these two books:


[bookcover:The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion] AND [bookcover:The Americans at Normandy: The Summer of 1944--..."

I'be both AR but read neither yet (normal story) and thanks Dr. Michael for the news on his new book that sound interesting too.

I've got a copy of his new book on order covering Arnhem; September Hope, so I suppose I better get these two books as well :)

by John C. McManus

Another request for members input on two books I am considering purchasing if anyone has any comments to offer on either of these titles:


by Franz Kurowski

by Tony Le Tissier

Was wondering who here as read Mein Kampf and if so was it worth while reading. I am in two minds whether to read it or not.

I've read it to put things into some sort of perspective. It is a worthless document however, if you want to get into the mind of a madman and gain perspective into the rise of the Nazis then it is worth giving it a try. BUT, it will make you angry.

Michael I've not read it and have often considered it but never picked it up and started.

i tried to read it a couple times, but couldn't keep going because of its blandness, and i've read a few novels by henry james, so i thought i could get through anything.

as Dr M, sez, if you manage your expectations you could find it worthwhile.

Thanks for the advice I think I may venture into it's pages in the near future.

I have been looking for a good book on Operation Bagration and considering how large this offensive was and the bearing it had on WW2 there is not all that much about in English. I have a few books that I have read but I came across this title and was wondering if anyone here had read it or heard anything, good or bad, about it:

by Ken Weiler

In reference to Mein Kampf, I own a 1939 edition published in the US by Reynal & Hitchcock Publishers of NY, "by arrangement" with Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. The edition has a number of prominent writers and journalists listed as editorial sponsors... including John Gunther, Carlton Hayes, Walter Millis, and Raoul de Roussy de Sales. I have never read Mein Kampf from cover to cover, though I have read select chapters, and view it more as a "reference" book to further understand the mind of Hitler. I also have a US printing of Der Fuehrer by Konrad Heiden, translated by Ralph Manheim, published by Houghton Mifflin, Boston, in 1944.This book I read a number of years ago, probably in the 1970's.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I have been looking for a good book on Operation Bagration and considering how large this offensive was and the bearing it had on WW2 there is not all that much about in English. I have a few books..."

I don't know anything about that book.
Wikipedia article on it looks ok, here are a few references from it that may be of interest
by David M. Glantz
by William M. Connor
by Steven J. Zaloga

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operatio...

Thanks Tom for those titles. Another two good books that I did manage to identify are only available second-hand and the prices are a tad too high, a few hundred dollars!

I have found the site for the book; Why Normandy was won: Operation Bagration and the War in the East 1941 - 1945 which has some reviews and sample chapters. The book sounds very interesting so it may become a must have for my library. If others are interested in checking out the book try this link:

http://www.ostfrontpublications.com/i...

For our American friends with a Kindle at the moment is available for free at the moment.

FREE!!!! That's not fair, I had to pay for mine :(

That could almost get me to buy a Kin...Kin...Kindle...OMG HERESY!

Don't do it Mike, don't turn to the dark side!

This will make your mind up Mike for the next 24hrs byChristine Alexanderis only $1.99

Arrrgh!

Mike wrote: "Arrrgh!"

imagine, just like the warped albums and the now
dusty CDs, your library could be contained in
a slender, well lit, gizmo. now if you could
just find where you left it ...

Anyone here read John Mosier's book Deathride and wants to offer an opinion if it's any good or not?

by John Mosier

It has received some very mixed reviews and I wonder if he is trying to be too revisionist in his writing?

Some interesting reviews on his book:

http://www.historynet.com/new-book-on...

http://www.strategypage.com/bookrevie...

Michael wrote: "Was wondering who here as read Mein Kampf and if so was it worth while reading. I am in two minds whether to read it or not."

Michael, was wondering if you ended up taking on "Mein Kampf" yet or not. I've attempted on several occasions to read it as I'm very intrigued by Hitler and his rise to power, but I just can't get through more than 30 pages.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "FREE!!!! That's not fair, I had to pay for mine :("

Michael wrote: "For our American friends with a Kindle at the moment is available for free at the moment."
Had to pay for my copy too,was well worth it though.

Christie wrote: "Michael wrote: "Was wondering who here as read Mein Kampf and if so was it worth while reading. I am in two minds whether to read it or not."

Michael, was wondering if you ended up taking on "Mein..."

I have the audiobook version waiting to listen to.

Has anyone here read; Through the Maelstrom and can offer an opinion if its worthwhile reading?


by Boris Gorbachevsky

I think this is the right place for it but I wanted to let group members know that I have been able to find a lot of the books I am looking for on www.betterworldbooks.com. It's a great resource for inexpensive used books on WW2 because most of them are former library books that have been withdrawn (the library has too many copies or whatever) and most are in great condition. Almost all of my WW2 books from there are hard covers that I got for $3.98 each. They also do a lot of great stuff for child literacy as well as helping to give old library books a new home!

Hi Tami, thanks for the link to that book site, I am sure a few members will follow that up :)

I am going to add the details to our Resource Sites for Members as well:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

Tami wrote: "I think this is the right place for it but I wanted to let group members know that I have been able to find a lot of the books I am looking for on www.betterworldbooks.com. It's a great resource fo..."

Awesome to hear about such a site. Thanks so much Tami. I'm afraid I may have to go "looking" :)
Just noticed they offer free shipping worldwide and offer discounts for multiple book purchases. This could be a very dangerous site for me!

Great site Tammi thanks for the link :)

A request from a member; David:

After having written two short stories, one a dark comedy about two little old ladies that murder Justin Bieber and a teen, horror novella. I'd like to try writing a piece about the women of WWII, those that were in the service, specifically the WASPs. But I want to better understand the trials, tribulations and triumphs that they had related to theri gender. Any one have any suggestions to help me in my research?

Any advice or recommendations would be gladly appreciated I'm sure.

These would help I guess; both the text and references/bibliography within:

WASPs: Women Airforce Service Pilots in World War II by Vera Williams (not listed on GR) and

by Helena P. Schrader

and a quick Google brought this up:
http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-wa...

This museum could offer information on a British perspective on the the challenges women tackled too: http://www.atamuseum.org/

if you're ever in the neighborhood of
Sweetwater, Texas. Also, Check out the book category:

http://waspmuseum.org/about/

This book has a couple chapters on the WASPS:

Excellent suggestions, thanks for that.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who may have read; Why Germany Nearly Won. It has received some excellent reader reviews but also some mixed ones as well. Has anyone here read it and can offer an opinion?

by Steven D Mercatante

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who may have read; Why Germany Nearly Won. It has received some excellent reader reviews but also some mixed ones as well. Has anyone here read it and can o..."

I have not read it but heres a review that may help ...
http://www.miwsr.com/2012-056.aspx

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the link to the review.

Not read it Rick, but sounds interesting.

It's a bit pricey so before I commit to buying a copy I want to make sure it's worth the pain :)

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who may have read; Why Germany Nearly Won. It has received some excellent reader reviews but also some mixed ones as well. Has anyone here read it and can o..."

As a somewhat related book, I recently re-read The Man In the High Castle by Philip K Dick about an alternate universe where Germany and Japan won WWII and divided up the world. As an interesting twist, within the main story there is a character who has written a book about the US and Britain having won and what the world would be like. It is somewhat dated but I still found it interesting enough to re-read it.

Thanks for that information David, much appreciated.

Hi everyone! I'm starting up a history book discussion group at my library (its a lot of fun on goodreads so I thought it would be fun in person too! But there was no history one, so I'm having to start it up myself) and I need to pick a first book for the group to read. I do have some constraints, as it is a small library and they would have to do ILL because they usually only own one copy of a particular history book. But, its doable, so I just need to nail the perfect first book that would make people want to come and talk about it. My first thoughts would be because, well, its a fantastic book and it might generate some interest in the discussion group. Also, any book by John Keegan or Alex Kershaw is fantastic. Any thoughts, suggestions? I would appreciate it!! Thanks!!

Tionne, it sounds like you're getting involved in a fun project!

I know there are mixed opinions about Stephen Ambrose, but Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest is one of my favorite books of all time. I think you're wise to pick something that's more popular at least to start with--it will be easier for other readers to find copies of (through ILL or used book stores, and hey, the mass market paperback copy isn't too expensive if they want to buy it).

Good luck!

A.L. wrote: "Tionne, it sounds like you're getting involved in a fun project!

I know there are mixed opinions about Stephen Ambrose, but Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normand..."

Thank you, A.L.! That is what I was thinking. Grab a popular book that is all over the place. Plus its a great read. :-)