Best Ever Military History Books

[portlock seagull]

Need some help. On holiday soon. Just want to sit and read a fair bit by the pool and would love some recommendations for the genre that is Military History. Anyone got any recommendations please? Any other history buffs out there with some top tips?

 

[strings]

I would go with anything by Stephen E. Ambrose. He is an fantastic author who writes historically accurate and very readable books.

If you have not read 'band of brothers' or 'pagasus bridge' go and buy them - they are well worth the spend.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Written in the 6th Century (!!), but readily available.

 

[strings]

The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Written in the 6th Century (!!), but readily available.

Good call... or 'on war' (von krieg) by Carl von Clausevitz - not really readable (most translations are pretty poor), but the man was an absolute genius - the book was originally released by his wife in 1832 after his death.

 

[Grizz]

Piece of Cake - Derek Robinson. Ok its a fictional novel, but it is the best novel ever. All about an RAF squadron that is sent to France during the Phoney War and follows its adventures through the war in france and the Battle of Britain. Superb dark humour and and a rip roaring read. I can't put it down everytime i read it and i've read it atleast 15 times.

 

[portlock seagull]

Thanks chaps, but I've read all these suggestions - and would agree with your comments. Sun Tzu's Art of War was given to me when I left Uni many years ago - as essential world of commerce reading!! I now understand why!

Any other suggestions? I know Max Hasting's Nemesis BFJ is good but it's not out in paperwork yet I believe

 

[portlock seagull]

Piece of Cake - Derek Robinson. Ok its a fictional novel, but it is the best novel ever. All about an RAF squadron that is sent to France during the Phoney War and follows its adventures through the war in france and the Battle of Britain. Superb dark humour and and a rip roaring read. I can't put it down everytime i read it and i've read it atleast 15 times.

Wasn't that made into a ITV drama? Seem to remember it from the late 80's for some reason.

 

[Barrow Boy]

Bomber Boys (Fighting Back 1940 - 1945)
By Patrick Bishop

Superb and definitive record and analysis of Bomber Commands campaign during the Second World War.

Vulcan 607
By Rowland White

Story and background of the RAF's attack on the Landing strip at Port Stanley during the Falklands War. Simply astounding when you learn what really happened.

 

[portlock seagull]

Bomber Boys (Fighting Back 1940 - 1945)
By Patrick Bishop

Superb and definitive record and analysis of Bomber Commands campaign during the Second World War.

Vulcan 607
By Rowland White

Story and background of the RAF's attack on the Landing strip at Port Stanley during the Falklands War. Simply astounding when you learn what really happened.

Ok, thanks, sound interesting, esp the latter because it's in my lifetime. I read Bishop's Fighter Boys and it was really good; didn't realise he'd written another about Bomber Command. Thanks

 

[Grizz]

Yeah it was, but the book is in a different league.

If its proper factual books you're after, the two most recent ones i've read are

Dresden - Frederick Taylor
Enemy Coast Ahead - (Uncencored version) Guy Gibson

Both excellent reads.

 

[mrhairy]

Four days in June which is a novel/story of Waterloo by Iain Gale. Excellent and told through the eyes of the real characters who fought there.

Also The boy in the striped pajamas by John Boyne which is about two 9 years olds whom become friends in the Holocaust. One German and the other Jewish. Very easy to read and very simple but very moving.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Four days in June which is a novel/story of Waterloo by Iain Gale. Excellent and told through the eyes of the real characters who fought there.

Agree with that. If you are interested in the Napoleonic Wars, then I would strongly recommend the lengthy but gripping "The War of Wars 1793 - 1815" by Robert Harvey. Chunky and readable.

 

[Giant Seagull]

Berlin the downfall and Stalingrad, both by Anthony Beevor are quality reads.

 

[Grizz]

Four days in June which is a novel/story of Waterloo by Iain Gale. Excellent and told through the eyes of the real characters who fought there.

Yep totally agree it was a superb account and rivetting.

 

[Easy 10]

I'm currently reading The Holocaust by Martin Gilbert. Horrifying but utterly compulsive.

 

[El Presidente]

I'm currently reading The Holocaust by Martin Gilbert. Horrifying but utterly compulsive.

Das Reich would of course suggest you read something that isn't fiction.

 

[Easy 10]

Das Reich would of course suggest you read something that isn't fiction.

Indeed.
I reckon I've sussed whodunnit anyway.

 

[Eric Potts]

Amazon.co.uk: On the Psychology of Military Incompetence (Pimlico): Norman F. Dixon: Books

I read this many years ago : very enlightening

 

[El Presidente]

Indeed.
I reckon I've sussed whodunnit anyway.

Miss Scarlet, with the gas cannister, in the shower

 

[Sigull]

I would go with anything by Stephen E. Ambrose. He is an fantastic author who writes historically accurate and very readable books.

If you have not read 'band of brothers' or 'pagasus bridge' go and buy them - they are well worth the spend.

Second that, Father-in-law was Ox & Bucks and was part of the Pegasus Bridge campaign. Ambrose makes deep & personal as well as very factual.