Need help!

[aearthonn]

Hi,

First of all sorry if this is posted in the wrong thread, but for two reasons i need to find answers! .

Ok, Iam 29 years old, I have had a interest in WW2 since i was 15, and studied it at school. I have now decided that i want to research the war, from when Hitler came into power until the last day of WW2 when the japanese surrendered.

Ok, so here is the main reason for the thread, Iam not the most intellectual character, and by no means am i not the least ( if this makes sense lol). So where do i start,at what poinmt would be the best way to start this mammoth task, any books to recommend( iam currently reading Ian Kershaws Bio on Hitler), is there anyone out there that can help me? I have started to read Hitler biographies, and decided to start from here, then working through the first battle, going into detail with who, why, when where, then going onto the next battle, right the way through to the end.. along the way i shall be visiting different sites in Europe, ( i.e. Aushwitz, where i visited in `05, and intend to return again, when my research/project, gets to this part).

By no means is this going to be an easy feat, i have no time scale on this, so any one wishing to help, input, or just like to be put upto date with my project please do not hesitate to contact me, i shall be on here alot i would imagine, with questions, or just perusing.

I wait in anticipation for your views, and feedback and of course help,

Kind Regards!

Jase

[airborne medic]

Jase,
Good luck with your research and not a small subject.......I'm just reading the Beevor book on the Spanish Civil War and that of course involved a German element at Hitler's idea.....
A long time ago I studied history and part of the course was Europe under the Dictators and one book I recall was by Alan Bullock (hope i've got that right)...then to be even more controversal I'm sure Mr Irving presents some interesting facts about AH....

[aearthonn]

Originally Posted by airborne medic

Jase,
Good luck with your research and not a small subject.......I'm just reading the Beevor book on the Spanish Civil War and that of course involved a German element at Hitler's idea.....
A long time ago I studied history and part of the course was Europe under the Dictators and one book I recall was by Alan Bullock (hope i've got that right)...then to be even more controversal I'm sure Mr Irving presents some interesting facts about AH....

Thanks for your input, I will look for the Author and let you know! I keep thinking to myself am i taking on something that i cannot maintain, but each little area i delve into, i cannot get enough, and just want more, I have started the project finally this evening, as a book style project, I have just finished my intro, and now it begins!

i look forward to being here alot!

Thanks again

[von Poop]

Kershaw a very good choice.
I assume the Bullock book AM mentions is 'Hitler & Stalin: Parallel Lives' (?) A complete classic if dictators are your interest and it would lead on quite nicely from the Kershaw. Shirer's 'Berlin Diary' is an interesting view on their rise from 'one who was there' too.

They might be a bit dry, (though if you're ploughing through Kershaw OK it shouldn't be too bad) but I found Alanbrooke's diaries a fascinating overall glimpse into the running of the war in it's entirety. They also throw up so many questions that they've led me to dozens of 'new to me' subjects and helped me get a better grip on the timelines involved.
Amazon.co.uk: War Diaries 1939-1945: Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke: Alex Danchev, Dan Todman: Books

[aearthonn]

Originally Posted by von Poop

Kershaw a very good choice.
I assume the Bullock book AM mentions is 'Hitler & Stalin: Parallel Lives' (?) A complete classic if dictators are your interest and it would lead on quite nicely from the Kershaw. Shirer's 'Berlin Diary' is an interesting view on their rise from 'one who was there' too.

They might be a bit dry, (though if you're ploughing through Kershaw OK it shouldn't be too bad) but I found Alanbrooke's diaries a fascinating overall glimpse into the running of the war in it's entirety. They also throw up so many questions that they've led me to dozens of 'new to me' subjects and helped me get a better grip on the timelines involved.
Amazon.co.uk: War Diaries 1939-1945: Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke: Alex Danchev, Dan Todman: Books

Hey,
Yeh i have found the book very helpful so far. To behonest dictators for me is the baseline to where this starts, i will then move onto the first battle, and work my way through, looking into as much details as poss..... My first chapter is finished, titled Hitler, just a basic 3 page background on his youth, till 1936, which is where it really starts for me!

[jacobtowne]

For background to the Pacific War, as well as a one-volume overview of the war itself, Ronald Spector's Eagle Against the Sun is an excellent choice.

JT