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Post by fannyhil on Apr 8, 2012 20:55:22 GMT -5
I am going to be spending about twenty five hours on planes for work and vacation over the next three months. I am looking for WWII book recommendations. From this group I would expect mostly naval recommendations but I am open to all theatres, all modes of combat (naval, air or ground). Thank you in advance.
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djbar
Lieutenant
Posts: 55
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Post by djbar on Apr 8, 2012 21:16:14 GMT -5
I would recommend Neptune's Inferno by James Hornfischer. It covers the US Navy at Guadalcanal. I did not know much about those naval battles before I read the book. It was tough for me to put it down and it really sparked my interest in these battles. Hornfischer's other books are good too.
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shigure
Commander
IJN Shigure
Posts: 356
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Post by shigure on Apr 8, 2012 23:33:52 GMT -5
One of the books I would recommend is "Japanese Destroyer Captain" by Tamechi Hara. Gives a good account from the other side of the Pacific on how the war was fought. Many battles are covered from a participant's view. The night battles in the Solomons are especially interesting reading.
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Post by warchariot on Apr 9, 2012 17:54:07 GMT -5
Nice picks all!
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djbar
Lieutenant
Posts: 55
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Post by djbar on Apr 9, 2012 19:03:16 GMT -5
HA! Shigure, I should have expected that recommendation from you since Hara was the captain of the Shigure. I just finished reading that one myself and I would recommend it as well.
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shigure
Commander
IJN Shigure
Posts: 356
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Post by shigure on Apr 9, 2012 23:12:58 GMT -5
Well as I have ratted out... ;D I'll throw out a couple of more books. "The Naval War in the Mediterranean 1940-1943" by J. Greene & A. Massignani. Gives a good account of the naval action in that theater of the war.
"A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1941-1945) by P. Dull gives more info. from the Japanese side on the Pacific War.
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Post by navigator37 on Apr 11, 2012 21:20:02 GMT -5
I concur with most of the recommendations above, having read Hara, Hornfischer and Dull myself. Two others I'd suggest: - "Shattered Sword" by Parshall & Tully- A recent re-evaluation of the Battle of Midway. Thorough, detailed, well written and a bit unconventional - "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer - Something completely different... ground combat on the Russian Front from a common German soldier's perspective. My single favorite book on WWII, period.
Enjoy & let us know what you read.
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Post by ckosacranoid on Apr 11, 2012 23:21:09 GMT -5
THe destroyerman series by talyor anderson. its a alt what if book from the setting of WWII. its a very good read though even if it falls into the fiction side of things. by the way, there are 6 books out so far and number 7 is due in july. very well written and reseached from what i ncan read on the web site.
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Post by fluorophil on Apr 12, 2012 15:57:27 GMT -5
Here's my NZ$0.022...I'm allowing for the exchange rate! I agree with the others as to Dull, Hara, and Hornfischer, however I would rate "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" - the action off Samar, as a very good read as well. I finally got round to reading (and completing) Shattered Sword a couple of weeks ago - I'm disappointed that I didn't read it sooner - VERY recommended! A few more that I have enjoyed and recommend...not in any order... The Grand Scuttle by Dan Van Der Vat. (Covers the scuttling of the High Seas Fleet in 1919) Guadalcanal: Decision at Sea by Eric Hamel. (Covers the actions off Guadalcanal 13-15 November 1942) 73 North by Dudley Pope. (Covers the Battle of the Barents Sea) - in my opinion better than his Battle of the River Plate. Dreadnought and Castles of Steel by Robert K Massie I quite liked. (Covers the personalities and naval arms race leading up to WWI - [Dreadnought], and WWI from a naval perspective [Castles]) "Light" reading...(both books 880 pages plus - each!) Pegasus Bridge by Stephen Ambrose. Failure is Not an Option by Gene Kranz - I know it's slightly off topic, but the guy is a good read - "General Savage" These are only the beginning... ;D - ENJOY!
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Post by warchariot on Apr 13, 2012 17:55:43 GMT -5
Great additions, like Castles of Steel
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Post by fannyhil on Apr 17, 2012 21:36:41 GMT -5
You managed to nail some of the books in my top five:
1. Guadalcanal by Richard B Frank 2. Japanese Destroyer Captain 3. Zero! 4. I-boat Captain 5. Shattered Sword
I will make sure to check out the others mentioned. Thank you!
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