Good Ww2 Books To Read

[Ali Hollington]

I agree on the original value of the book, just lament the £15 difference which could have been wisely invested in some other book or DVD!
Ali

[angie999]

Originally posted by Zhukov@Jan 5 2005, 05:27 AM
"The Memoirs of Marshal Zhukov", by the greatest war hero himself.

Something about what truly happened for a change.

Quoted post

Although there is more than one of his works available in English, the above does not appear to have been published under the name shown.

Don't you think though that any autobiography tends to be self serving and needs to be read with caution?

[harribobs]

not really a history of the desert war but a very interesting read which includes his experiences in the western desert

'Panzer Commander' by Hans Von Luck is his autobiography covering his impressive career in the german army from Poland to France, In Russia, on to North Africa, Normandy and the battle in the east for berlin. It also covers his capture and deportation in Russia

very easy to read and very informative

(also has an intro by the late Stephen Ambrose as well)

[Gotthard Heinrici]

Originally posted by harribobs@Feb 5 2005, 08:50 PM
not really a history of the desert war but a very interesting read which includes his experiences in the western desert

'Panzer Commander' by Hans Von Luck is his autobiography covering his impressive career in the german army from Poland to France, In Russia, on to North Africa, Normandy and the battle in the east for berlin. It also covers his capture and deportation in Russia

very easy to read and very informative

(also has an intro by the late Stephen Ambrose as well)

Quoted post

Agreed with this recommedation. Another good read would be "Panzer Battles" by F.W. Von Mellenthin. Von Mellenthin was one of Rommels Staff officers in the Desert. He subsequently served under Balck in Russia and then with Army Group G, thus giving him the distinction of being one of the few officers to serve in the 3 theatres of war.

German memoirs have to be treated with an element of caution, especially when it comes to the Senior Officers. There is a tendancy towards "Hitler made all the mistakes and if he had listened to us then victory was possible" or "The Russian winter not the army beat us". And its prevalent in most of the memoirs, especially Guderian and Mansteins. I would still recommend reading them, just dont accept them as gospel.

[b17sam]

They say it is not boasting if others say it is true and you can back it up. The best book written about the Air War in WWII is A Real Good War. Judge it for yourself by reading a complete chapter and reviews at http://www.b17sam.com/samplepage.html

[colinhotham]

I cannot let this thread go by without mentioning again what I consider to be the best WW2 book I have ever read.
"Bitter Victory" by Carlo D'Este is the story of the Sicillian Campaign of 1943, brilliantly told with a host of facts and information. I know the book is available in UK libraries and for sale from booksellers in the USA and Canada. A sadly neglected area of WW2, I highly reccomend this book.

[Kiwiwriter]

Originally posted by colinhotham@Mar 8 2005, 06:48 AM
I cannot let this thread go by without mentioning again what I consider to be the best WW2 book I have ever read.
"Bitter Victory" by Carlo D'Este is the story of the Sicillian Campaign of 1943, brilliantly told with a host of facts and information. I know the book is available in UK libraries and for sale from booksellers in the USA and Canada. A sadly neglected area of WW2, I highly reccomend this book.

Quoted post

D'Este has a highly successful cottage industry of books on World War II: "Fatal Decision," about Anzio, "Eisenhower: The Soldier's Life," a biography of the general to 1945, "Patton: A Genius For War," a biography of that general, and "Decision in Normandy," a fine history of that campaign. Very talented writer, good researcher. His Sicily book explodes a number of myths. Most people only seem to know the campaign from the movie "Patton," which inaccurately depicts the battle in terms of a horse race between two prima donnas locked in mutual hatred. Not so....nor was it a tremendous Allied victory.

[sapper]

Assault Division. by Scarfe. Sapper

[blacksheep]

colinhotham

I agree whole heartedly "Bitter Victory" by Carlo D'este is a great book specifically regarding the Sicily campaign. Actually I would say it is the best book he has written to date. Another book I endorse would be John Toland's "The Rising Sun The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire 1939-1945". One of the best I have read to date.

BlackSheep