Tail Gunner is a World War II memoirs that was written as it happened. Unfortunately the author died at the end of the war but his story lives on.
I foTail Gunner is a World War II memoirs that was written as it happened. Unfortunately the author died at the end of the war but his story lives on.
I found this a very light and breezy read despite the subject matter. The tone of the narrative is that of a young brash and brave man that has not been changed by retrospection. This is a very put you right there in his mindset and in the thinking of the era.
I did find the book lacking a bit in the emotions that one would expect that comes along with war. I put this down to his young age and the bravado that brings. It did however for me detract from the overall enjoyment of this book. It lacked the overall fullness that can be found in similar memoirs....more
An interesting concept that follows the USS Nashville and its crew through its shake down voyage until its decommissioning. I found myself though wantAn interesting concept that follows the USS Nashville and its crew through its shake down voyage until its decommissioning. I found myself though wanting the author to go into more details of the some of historic battles this ship was involved in.
For a short read though there is enough to keep the reader engaged. This is a book for those with an interest in World War II especially the Pacific theatre. Overall not the best book I have read on the naval side of the war but a far way off being the worst....more
This book is the reason why I love history; it teaches whilst thoroughly entertaining the reader. The author has found that elusive balance of narratiThis book is the reason why I love history; it teaches whilst thoroughly entertaining the reader. The author has found that elusive balance of narrative and facts to deliver a living and breathing piece of our past.
The Arsenal of Democracy tells the tale of how Ford managed to become on the biggest contributes to Americas war production. It follows Henry Ford from his humble beginnings right through to his sons dream of building a bomber every hour. It takes the readers through the revolution of mass production through Ford's iconic assembly construction of the Model T to its use in building FDR's Arsenal of Democracy. By doing this it also takes the reader through Americas slide into war.
But this book is more than the tale of the Fords it tells also the story of a President, a World at war and a society in the midst of great change. It tells a story that keeps you highly engaged and entertained and takes you back to a World in turmoil. History books do not come much better than this one and I highly recommend it to all. ...more
KL delivers an exhaustive study of Nazi Germanys concentration camp system that is easily accessible by the reader. This highly examined part of the TKL delivers an exhaustive study of Nazi Germanys concentration camp system that is easily accessible by the reader. This highly examined part of the Third Reich gets a refreshing coat of paint with some great research and insights by those who survived, worked and died in these pieces of hell on earth.
The author takes great care in giving the reader a very rounded view of these camps from all angles. His extensive research for this book shows in every nook and cranny as he weaves together a narrative that chills you to the bone.
As holocaust books go this is up there as one of the best as the author paints a comprehensive picture of this low point in human history. But the most important part of this book for me is that he has given the dead a voice and in that he has let them live on in the readers memory....more
This book is hands down one of the best biographies I have read. Warren Kozak has done a masterful job in creating this highly readable book on the liThis book is hands down one of the best biographies I have read. Warren Kozak has done a masterful job in creating this highly readable book on the life of Curtis Lemay.
I must say I have had this book for a while putting it on the back burners as I thought it might be a bit of heavy reading. After blowing away the cobwebs I was very quickly drawn into the life of one of the most misunderstood and maligned American Generals of the 20th Century.
I like many thought this man to be a megalomaniac hell bent on bombing the World back into the “stone ages”. What I found was a very intelligent man with great analytical minds who lead from the front and changed the face of aerial bombing for ever.
I have taken many a lesson away from this book and now have a completely different via of the man. This book is for anyone with an interest in the modern air force and is a very accessible book. In my humble opinion this book is history writing at its finest. ....more
Hanns & Rudolf is a extremely well put together story that tells a tale worthy of the silver screen. The book tells the parallel stories of the rise oHanns & Rudolf is a extremely well put together story that tells a tale worthy of the silver screen. The book tells the parallel stories of the rise of the man who would run Auschwitz and the man who would ultimately bring him to justice.
The author takes great lengths to give the reader a great feel for these men's upbringing and the two contrasting lives they lived. I found myself time and again having to remind myself this was a true story. So good was the plot and character development it was easy to forget this fact.
Once again I find myself amazed at the quality of material that is still being written about WWII. Thomas Harding deserves a firm pat on the book for brining this little piece of history alive in the readers mind. ...more
I went into this book with high expectations but what I got was an average WWII memoir. I found that the story did not flow freely and was very laboriI went into this book with high expectations but what I got was an average WWII memoir. I found that the story did not flow freely and was very laborious in areas. The author repeated himself often in the book and I wonder if that is due to translation issues or poor editing. The book does have some intense battle scenes and it goes some way to give a good sense of what it is like to be a leader of men during wartime. Why it is refreshing to read a World War II book from a Japanese view it was not enough to raise the book above mediocrity for me....more
A very interesting read if not a slightly misleading title. What you get in this book is a look at Franklin D Roosevelt’s leadership of the USA into wA very interesting read if not a slightly misleading title. What you get in this book is a look at Franklin D Roosevelt’s leadership of the USA into war. Pearl Harbour is the catalyst for this but if you are looking for a history of the Pearl Harbour incident look elsewhere.
The author gives us great insight on the high level of leadership required to take a nation to a war footing and rally a nation. This is my first book on FDR and I found this book gives a great understanding of the man and how he came to lead a nation. It is amazing to think that the public and many politicians had no idea how incapacitated the man was from polio. The lengths he went to hide his disability is truly amazing, and shows his strength of character when put into context regarding the time he lived.
The old saying that it is lonely on top is highlighted in this book as FDR moves to protect the nation from the shock of Pearl Harbour and to soothe their nerves. It also shows the obstacles he faced from a nation wanting to remain neutral. His vision and leadership should be studied be all with an interest in this area. Overall a great study into leadership and strength of character
Even though this book is a short read it packs so much into its pages. This memoir follows a teenager’s journey into the hell of the Nazi concentratioEven though this book is a short read it packs so much into its pages. This memoir follows a teenager’s journey into the hell of the Nazi concentration camps. The day to day fight to live and to ensure he stays with his father right to the end. This book is heartbreaking as this young man question how his god can allow this level of suffering. Any type of humanity is stripped from those who are reduced to human cattle but yet the power of living another day drives them on. I have read numerous books on the holocaust and this one is right up there as one of the best. We do not read these books for enjoyment but to remember and honour those who perished in these man made hells. We cannot afford to forget and allow such evil to raise its head again in such a terrible way.
I thank the author for his bravery to relive this nightmare and pain and to share with us his story and by doing so the story of so many lost to evil. ...more
This book in just 36 pages packs one hell of a punch and give us a snaphot into hell. I would like to thank the author for re-living what must be horrThis book in just 36 pages packs one hell of a punch and give us a snaphot into hell. I would like to thank the author for re-living what must be horryfing memories to make sure that we don't forget what total war is about. Told through his eyes as a POW in Dresden during one of the most devastating bombings of World War II this book book horrifies and touches your heart.How many stories like this have we lost to history....more
A wonderfully researched book that brings to life on its pages the people that resisted the Nazi's from the inside. These people risked everything to A wonderfully researched book that brings to life on its pages the people that resisted the Nazi's from the inside. These people risked everything to expose the evils of the Nazi party; the moral and ethical dilemmas they faced are laid bare on the pages. It gives a view of life in Berlin and the paranoiac and fear that ruled it. A book full of political intrigue and chances lost it draws you in to the story and does not let you go until the end. A fascinating book on a little told part of history....more
As relevant today as it was when first published in 1965. This book takes a look at the German soldier and the German army through out history. The auAs relevant today as it was when first published in 1965. This book takes a look at the German soldier and the German army through out history. The author has a great writing stroy that makes this book a joy to read. The book paints of vivid picture of both soliders and officers from the Prussian armies through to the end of World War II. In my opinion this is an important book as it takes us through a journey with many stops along the way. It looks at the very nature of war and what war means and does to those who fight it. He does this with out glorifying it but in a subjective and informative manner. Also he gives us a true sense of of the much maligned German Soldier and debunks the image left by Hitler's thugs....more
With this refreshing and detailed look at D-Day, Beevor shows why he is one the best World War II historians around. With his usual mix of first-hand With this refreshing and detailed look at D-Day, Beevor shows why he is one the best World War II historians around. With his usual mix of first-hand accounts and his analyse of the bigger picture the D-Day campaign is bought alive on the pages. From the planning stages to the liberation of Paris we see this decisive campaign from all sides. This book goes straight onto my classic shelf. ...more
For me this book ticked all the boxes and was a highly enjoyable read. It takes the time to explain the mind set of Werchmat soldiers and explains howFor me this book ticked all the boxes and was a highly enjoyable read. It takes the time to explain the mind set of Werchmat soldiers and explains how the normalization of violence experienced by any front line troops occurs. A fantastic study into the world during the war and those who fought it. Through the transcripts of German POW's the author pulls apart the social and human aspects of war and soldiers and shows it in a crystal clear perspective. This book should be mandatory reading of any military leadership group as the lesson to be learnt go to the heart of man at war. In short it pulls apart what it is to be a soldier and lays it bare for all to see....more
Whirlwind delivers a thorough examination on the American bombing campaign on Japan during WWII. From the initial Doolittle raid to the dropping of thWhirlwind delivers a thorough examination on the American bombing campaign on Japan during WWII. From the initial Doolittle raid to the dropping of the bomb that changed warfare forever, this book is an engaging read. When I finished reading this book I felt like I had a great understanding of the politics and the men who fought on both sides of this conflict. With saying that the main part of the book is centred around the Americans with just enough of the Japan side of the story told to balance it out.
Laurence Rees deliver yet another fascinating book on World War II. He looks at Adolf Hitler and how he cast his spell over Germany. He delves into hiLaurence Rees deliver yet another fascinating book on World War II. He looks at Adolf Hitler and how he cast his spell over Germany. He delves into his own personal collection of unpublished interviews to ask the question what it was that made people follow him. The author takes great care to try and put us in the mindset of the average German during Hitler’s rule. As well as looking at the methods and tools used by Hitler and his staff to build him up as the saviour of Germany. We hear from those that were under his spell and also from those that did not rate him as a leader.
It is a fascinating look into the mind and machine of the Nazi machine. Even though I have read numerous books on Hitler I found this a refreshing look from a different perspective. From his rise to power to his death by his own hand, Rees delivers a masterful work that left me completely satisfied and answered many questions. This book is a chilling and compelling read and a reminder to never let history repeat. ...more
Max Hasting delivers yet another well researched and insightful book. In this offering he looks at Britains Bomber Command and follows it through it'sMax Hasting delivers yet another well researched and insightful book. In this offering he looks at Britains Bomber Command and follows it through it's conception to the end of the war. The writing is just the right mix, giving a great overview of Bomber Command. As well as allowing the reader to get a feel for what it was like for those who flew the missions and those who were on the receiving end of it. Hasting does not shy away from the difficult questions raised by the tactics used by Bomber Command and delivers a insightful look at the reasoning behind them....more
Paul Ham delivers yet again with Sandakan and shows why he is one of Australia's best military historians. Sandakan tells the story of Australian and Paul Ham delivers yet again with Sandakan and shows why he is one of Australia's best military historians. Sandakan tells the story of Australian and British soldiers taken prisoners by the Japanese in Borneo and the horrors they faced as POW's. Paul Ham as usual serves up a well-balanced book covering all aspects of the Sandakan POW camp and the prisoners final death march. Out of 2700 POW's only 6 were to survive the horror that was Sandakan.
This book gives a human face to the prisoners and those who imprisoned them. It shows the sadistic and brutal psyche of the Japanese Imperial army but tempers this with the kindness shown by some of the guards. I was truly humbled by the fortitude and braveness shown by the POW's despite the brutality and deprivation that was bought upon them. The true spirit of mateship shines through in the stories told on these pages. Each one of those who died should be remembered and to serve as a reminder never to let humanity sink to these depths again. Also highlighted in this book was the risk and sacrifices made by the locals to help the POW's were possible and to give them a sense of hope.
Books such as this in my opinion are very important. Yes they are hard to read and make us face the evil humans are capable of. But they also show some of the best aspects of humanity that of, hope, compassion, self-sacrifice and one of forgiveness. Why we should never condone the evil shown in books like this. But we need to forgive so we can learn and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the right reason and not as a reason to hate. ...more
How can ordinary men commit brutal massacres on a defenceless population? Read this book and see how a bunch of normal middle aged men took part in thHow can ordinary men commit brutal massacres on a defenceless population? Read this book and see how a bunch of normal middle aged men took part in the Third Reich's genocide against the Jews. This book is a must read that of what was and still is incomprehensible actions of ordinary men. ...more