What are you reading at the moment?

[Bob Chandler]

Still trying to finish 'To the Victor the Spoils'. Finding it quite hard reading, not because it's not a good book but because it reveals such a different side to the British soldier in Europe compared to the image I was brought up to think of. Learning a lot from it.

[gen]

I'm reading 'Surviving the Sword'. Not sure of the of the autors name as the book is in the van. Only chance i get to read is during my dinner break in work. Next book planned is 'Nancy Wake' by Russell Braddon.
Happy reading all
Mike

[von Poop]

Finished reading Henry Metelmann's 'Through Hell for Hitler'.


Despite a somewhat lurid cover it's very good indeed.
The author was an intelligent young lad who went from the Hitler Youth to the army firmly in the grip of the nazi ideal. He went East as far as the support of Stalingrad driving tanks, crewing a PaK and ended up generally just trying to stay alive.
I'd thought at first he was growing away from the nazi viewpoint but it's more complex than that. Not just numb with cold he becomes almost numb to the grim effect he's having on surrounding humanity. He questions the German state's actions and right to be in Russia often but seems to come to a 'so what?' conclusion in an attempt to protect his own self from the horror all around. His internal dialogue ranges over wide, controversial, and even dangerous, contemporary issues but externally he does his utmost to remain loyal to, if somewhat cynical of, the ideal of a German soldier/robot (he seems to see little difference between the two) despite an unsurprising cynicism about how things would end and some interesting stuff on the Landser's distrust of their officers in Russia, including the assassination of one.
Even in a US prisoner of war camp a year after Hitler's death he has to behave in an 'acceptable' manner amongst a persistent tang of nazism & Prussian soldierly attitudes.
His final clarity of perspective on the war only seems to come in the closing pages where he tells of marriage in postwar England and service with British Rail at Alton station, along with a trip back to Russia.

Uncommonly for a personal memoir it's very well written and lucid with a style that many authors would envy.
There was an excellent Timewatch documentary four years ago based on the book with Metelmann himself narrating, which was what set me wanting to read it. Glad I did now, a very honest seeming, and not self-serving memoir.

Cheers,
Adam.

(And now the missus is enjoying reading it... most uncommon!)

[Slipdigit]

Good commentary on the book, much better than what I usually say. Maybe we all ought to do a better job of critiquing books and use this a model.

[WHITLEYMAN]

you're a tough act to follow von poop!if you're not a journalist or a librarian youve missed your calling i think..ive seldom read such good book review.

[WHITLEYMAN]

i was recently fortunate enough to obtain a 1st publication copy ,in mint condition, of russell braddon's "Cheshire V.C.-a story of war and peace",this ageless and honestly written biography does not contain any"dull bits"as biographies often do - a testament to a life well lived.the author covers Cheshires life from his often foolish pranks during his student days,through his extraordinary operational career to his life changing invited spectatorship of the nagasaki bomb(which of course led him to a life of religious devotion and service to humanity).some interesting quotes from a humble hero: * "i was always too busy to be frightenned,if i hadnt been busy i would probably have been scared to death." *"i was never a particularly good pilot,but i was a lucky one." *"its not my v.c.,it belongs to 617 squadron." Another recent acquisition:hank nelsons"chased by the sun", a very easy to read account of australians in bomber command.great read. Another one ill always remember(though i cant recall the author)titled simply;"treblinka",a truly graphic expose of the horrors of hitlers 'final solution'.-hard to read,but should be read. I am currently reading another biography,"i was a kamikaze"by r.nagatsuka,the author commences pilot training as saipan falls to the allies, he is torn between his duty to the emperor and his duty to the family he loves.so far has been very insightfull into the mindset of the 'men of the divine wind'.interrestingly,the fatalistic attitude of these pilots re. their chances of surviving the war,seems in some ways to mirror(inasfar as i understand)the attitude of allied bomber crews in the e.t.o. to their own survival. The japanese were a hated and often cruel enemy and i would be the last person on earth to disagree with any veteran's(particularly ex p.o.w.s)opinion on that matter,but there can be no doubting the courage and honour of the kamikaze.

[Gage]

Reading Tuesday's War by David Fiddimore at work.
Stalingrad by Antony Beevor at home.
Both excellent so far.

[Cpl Rootes]

'Tommy' By Richard Holmes (about 3rd time)

[Owen]

This arrived in the post today, ordered it afetr reading Rich Payne's Bastion 32 thread.



I must STOP buying books and re-read the ones I've got.
I'll never have enough money for some battlefield visits if I keep spending on books.

I've also this to start reading soon, Adam gave me heads up on it.
The BATTLE OF FRANCE 1940 by Colonel A. GOUTARD with Foreword by Captain B.H. Liddell Hart.Published by MULLER 1958

[von Poop]

Originally Posted by Owen D

I must STOP buying books and re-read the ones I've got.

I must stop buying books and read the ones I've got...