What are you reading now...? - Page 33

wch84 · 05-05-2010, 21:51

Just finished "The Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson. Great introduction and overview of the Civil War.

Any suggestions for other works on that conflict? "April 1865" by Jay Winik is the only other Civil War book I own. Trying to learn more about that period of American History.

Sionnach · 05-15-2010, 14:24

I just finished reading "Black Hearts" by Jim Frederick about B Co. 1/502nd in the "Triangle of Death." I'd be most interested to hear the opinion of someone with a clue who has a chance to read and review it, as I don't have the knowledge or experience to determine whether it's spot-on, a load of crap, or something in between. FWIW, Bing West commented and said every military leader should read it.

I'm still digesting it, but there were points in the book that had me spitting mad.

Regards,

Sionnach

Sigaba · 05-15-2010, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by wch84

Any suggestions for other works on [the American Civil War]? "April 1865" by Jay Winik is the only other Civil War book I own. Trying to learn more about that period of American History.

What type of books do you want to read (densely written monographs for eggheads that represent the cutting edge of knowledge or books aimed at a more general audience) and on what topics (politics, diplomacy, strategy, operations, tactics, the experience and conduct of battle, social and cultural aspects) centering around that war?

Are you interested in the Civil War in the context of American history and/or that war in the context of military history?

**The Reaper** · 05-16-2010, 04:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by wch84

Just finished "The Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson. Great introduction and overview of the Civil War.

Any suggestions for other works on that conflict? "April 1865" by Jay Winik is the only other Civil War book I own. Trying to learn more about that period of American History.

If you are looking for an easy read that will give you some insight into the characters of the era, as well as the battle of Gettysburg, hard to beat "Killer Angels".

TR

TrapLine · 05-16-2010, 08:48

On the recommendation of TR and others here, I just finished "One Second After." Although it is a fiction book, it has added even more incentive to my family's plan to move out of suburbia and back to small town USA. I hope I am crazy.

Next up, "The Longest Winter," the title to which would be appropriate for life in Minnesota if the world goes black.

Richard · 05-19-2010, 17:01

Safire, Wm. Lend Me Your Ears - Great Speeches In History.

Justice Ginsburg's speech on Bush v. Gore to the University of Melbourne Law School regarding judicial independence is classic as is Mayor of Minneapolis Hubert H. Humphrey's speech on the urgency of civil rights during the 1948 Democratic Convention in Philadelphia.

Richard's $.02

EasyIan · 05-20-2010, 12:53

I am currently jumping between a few books, of which one is 'The Lost Battalion of Tet' by Charles A. Krohn. The book is Captain Krohn's account of the 2/12 Cavalries attack on a largely outnumbering North Vietnamese force; An attack which resulted in massive amounts of casualties (65% Casualties according to the author). At times the reading is a bit confusing, slow, and even frustrating, however the content of the book makes up for it.

Edgerusher71 · 05-21-2010, 02:23

Just received one of MSG Howe's books in the mail, Leadership and Training. I believe he lurks around here from time to time.

newbie · 05-21-2010, 12:41

just finished TASK FORCE BLACK. All about the SAS in Iraq (though in reality, it's more about JSOC and McCrystal) It's a great read, it's really amazing, some of the stuff that went down, and the level of heroism displayed by these guys. A great history book for sure. Though, you gotta wonder if it should have been written at all.??

Requiem · 05-21-2010, 15:06

Has anyone read Karl Marlantes' novel, Matterhorn?

It's getting very good reviews across the board. Author Mark Bowden (Blackhawk Down, The Best Game Ever, Bringing the Heat) says, "Matterhorn is a great novel. There have been some very good novels about the Vietnam War, but this is the first great one, and I doubt it will ever be surpassed. Karl Marlantes overlooks no part of the experience, large or small ... Here is story-telling so authentic, so moving and so intense, so relentlessly dramatic, that there were times I wasn’t sure I could stand to turn the page. As with the best fiction, I was sad to reach the end."

It's a 600-pager, a great one for a long plane trip, which I have coming up. I'll read nearly anything about the Vietnam War and plan to read it. Just wanted the opinions of the guys who were there.

Thanks,
Susan

plato · 05-21-2010, 16:40

Foxfire series on Primitive Survival.

The series captures the charm of the Appalachian peoples of the early 1900's and goes past the short term survival scenario, to those who were simply and permanently self-sufficient.

Everything from edible berries to how to raise and slaughter a hog.

mr02060 · 05-21-2010, 17:35

Blackhawk Down--reading it to write a paper for my military history class.
The only military book I've ever read is Lone Survivor so I'm definitely looking forward to getting back into some good, factual reading.

dualforces · 05-21-2010, 19:03

Running in/out of the following.....

The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One
by David Kilcullen

Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 by Steve Coll

The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander
by Pete Blaber

Pure War, by Paul Virilio

mpb1335 · 05-22-2010, 09:16

Just finished Sebastian Junger's War a few days ago. He does a good job of not getting "political" and rather just tells his experiences as they were.

Have been working through Karl Marlantes' Matterhorn for a few weeks now. It's a long read, but so far would definitely recommend it

219seminole · 05-22-2010, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by wch84

Just finished "The Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson. Great introduction and overview of the Civil War.

Any suggestions for other works on that conflict? "April 1865" by Jay Winik is the only other Civil War book I own. Trying to learn more about that period of American History.

George Thomas by Christopher J. Einolf; a biography of one of the finest general officers we have ever had; brevetted three times as a junior officer in Florida and Mexico; unfortunately disliked by Grant, but he was the Rock of Chickamauga, his Army of the Cumberland took Missionary Ridge, and he was the victor at Nashville over Hood. While Grant slaughtered his troops in repeated frontal assualts, Thomas planned carefully and used forces wisely. This book also gives a view of the politicing so common in the Army. An eye opener for anyone who thinks the war was fought solely by Grant and Lee.