Discussion of everything and anything World War II
Personal reviews of books about military, societal, cultural, strategic, tactical and technological apsects of the Second World War
When I reflect on World War II, it’s not just the broad strokes of history that resonate with me; it’s the intimate, personal stories skillfully captured in memoirs. These accounts are more than just anecdotes; they’re a vital link to the past, offering profound insights into the human spirit under extreme circumstances. As mentioned in … Read more
I will start with the basics: World War II wasn’t just a historical event but a complex global narrative that has captivated countless individuals. As a history buff, you’re likely always looking for books that shed light on this monumental time in history, offering accurate details and riveting storytelling. This isn’t just about finding any … Read more
Dear Santa As shops in the UK have started stocking Christmas decorations and even my local pub launched its Christmas menu at the beginning of last month, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and produce my Christmas list. Well, a list of books I would like to read and review in the next … Read more
Literary Spring Clean in August While sorting through some books that had been packed in boxes for years, I discovered some gems from my childhood. I started my interest in war early. Under age ten, this would have mainly been comics like the Commando series or the films I mentioned in earlier blogs. However, this … Read more
A pause before I began I have taken a few days to put ‘fingers to keyboard’ to write about Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell because it got me as interested as it did riled. So, this blog’s title is self-directed and aimed (with precision) at the author and me. I initially felt he was hero-worshipping … Read more
A tale of two non-historians writing history books. The first book is (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) Malcolm Gladwell’s Bomber Mafia: A Tale of Innovation and Obsession, and the second is Christopher McDougall’s Natural Born Heroes: The Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance. Weirdly I fell into the latter book by … Read more
SAS – Speed Aggression Surprise – Tom Petch This is undoubtedly one of the best SAS books I have read for a long time. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases) Tom Petch’s SAS Speed, Aggression, Surprise: The Untold Origins of the SAS considers the roles played by several men who often get … Read more
This is a list of my top four favourite books about the Second World War. It is a list in progress but contains some of the titles which first got me into these books. There is a weighting towards Operation Market Garden and D-Day, explained away by my interest in airborne forces but also because … Read more