CanadaOne Posted July 17, 2018 Author Posted July 17, 2018 On 7/16/2018 at 1:06 PM, LukeFF said: No, this is my first book of hers that I've read. I've not read much WW1 literature and with this being such a landmark in the genre, I knew this was a good place to start. I've read a few dozen books on WWI. I find the time frame fascinating. Like a post in the ground separating the old world and the new. This is another very good Barbara Tuchman book along with The Zimmerman Telegram. Though the chapters about the plague do not make for happy bedtime reading. But she's an excellent writer and historian. 1 hour ago, Bremspropeller said: I read aviation- and space related books mostly. Sorry for being boring ? Not boring at all. I tend to watch more space documentaries than read space books. Gotta love the big screen HD action for Black Hole documentaries and stuff like that. 1
Cybermat47 Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) On 7/17/2018 at 3:06 AM, LukeFF said: No, this is my first book of hers that I've read. I've not read much WW1 literature and with this being such a landmark in the genre, I knew this was a good place to start. I'd highly recommend All Quiet on the Western Front and Somme Mud. Can't beat the stuff written by the men who were there. On 7/16/2018 at 7:03 PM, Feathered_IV said: Did you know for example, that the P-38 was a fighter plane derived from the British Spitfire? Or that B-17 gunners were reluctant to bail out in case they were cut in half by the aircraft's twin rudders? Please tell me that's not actually in the book... Edited July 18, 2018 by FFS_Cybermat47
Arfsix Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) On 7/12/2018 at 6:25 PM, CanadaOne said: I enjoy freedom of expression no matter how weird. The envelope of free expression always has to be pushed, otherwise it contracts Sir, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading in this topic. The range of interests and discussion of subjects, particularly philosophy is amazing. One is seldom able to engage with one’s compatriots to this degree. Continuing in this vain, would it be permissible, with all humility and due respect, to ask the following question: Do you really know all the words to “The Lumberjack Song”? (Sorry, I could not find a “pompous Twit” emoji (referring to myself) to use here.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZa26_esLBE Edited July 18, 2018 by Arfsix 1
CanadaOne Posted July 18, 2018 Author Posted July 18, 2018 21 minutes ago, Arfsix said: Sir, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading in this topic. The range of interests and discussion of subjects, particularly philosophy is amazing. One is seldom able to engage with one’s compatriots to this degree. Continuing in this vain, would it be permissible, with all humility and due respect, to ask the following question: Do you really know all the words to “The Lumberjack Song”? (Sorry, I could not find a “pompous Twit” emoji (referring to myself) to use here.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZa26_esLBE If and when I wear women's clothing is not something I am prepared to discuss in an open forum. Unless I'm drunk. 1
unreasonable Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 1 hour ago, CanadaOne said: If and when I wear women's clothing is not something I am prepared to discuss in an open forum. Unless I'm drunk. It seems to be a very English thing, the country being neither very puritan nor very macho for most of it's modern history: although I expect there must be equivalent traditions elsewhere. An American lady friend remarked on it years ago at a college year end do that involved several men in lingerie Morris dancing. I think it stems from the theatrical tradition which is strong in the UK, in which traditionally women's roles were played by young men. Except in the Pantomime, where the Principal Boy is always played by an actress. Drag artists have always been popular.
CanadaOne Posted July 18, 2018 Author Posted July 18, 2018 8 hours ago, unreasonable said: It seems to be a very English thing, the country being neither very puritan nor very macho for most of it's modern history: although I expect there must be equivalent traditions elsewhere. An American lady friend remarked on it years ago at a college year end do that involved several men in lingerie Morris dancing. I think it stems from the theatrical tradition which is strong in the UK, in which traditionally women's roles were played by young men. Except in the Pantomime, where the Principal Boy is always played by an actress. Drag artists have always been popular. Stems back to Greek theater I guess. And the chorus wearing phallic facemasks... I tell ya. God bless Aristophanes. Monty Python definitely followed in his footsteps. They must have pissed themselves laughing when his plays were performed.
Bearcat Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 On 7/16/2018 at 5:03 AM, Feathered_IV said: Unfortunately I'm not reading anything terribly classic at the moment. I'm slogging through Lucky 666 by Bob Drury. It's one of those history-lite hero books that are so common nowadays. Written by emotion enthusiasts with a limited grasp of their subject. Did you know for example, that the P-38 was a fighter plane derived from the British Spitfire? Or that B-17 gunners were reluctant to bail out in case they were cut in half by the aircraft's twin rudders? B-17s had twin rudders?
BOO Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 23 minutes ago, Bearcat said: B-17s had twin rudders? and a leaky elsan toilet by the looks of things....nightmare!
Pict Posted July 18, 2018 Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) 17 hours ago, FFS_Cybermat47 said: I'd highly recommend All Quiet on the Western Front That was the 1st book I read cover to cover, back in the 1970's, but the impression it made on me at the time was so strong it's still with me. I would love to be able to read it in it's original German version. On 7/12/2018 at 1:26 AM, CanadaOne said: The Scots built this country. There's something in that, my great grandfather left the north west coast of Scotland to work on the Canadian-Pacific rail road construction back around 1910, he was a carpenter who did fancy staircases and the like on the big rail road hotels. He never made it back home and is buried in a place called Prince Rupert in British Columbia. Cool thread anyhow, very memory provoking...oh as far as philosophers go, this would be my kind of guy Epicurus Edited July 18, 2018 by Pict 1
Chief_Mouser Posted July 20, 2018 Posted July 20, 2018 (edited) 23 minutes ago, 19//Rekt said: I've started reading the 20.5 volume Master & Commander series again from the beginning. First time through was a little over ten years ago. I've just finished the first book...reading about the characters again is like catching up with old friends. I was lucky enough to sail a tall ship for a couple of summers in my much younger days so this series really takes me back to my happy place. Or better said, a place where things make sense to me. I recommend them to anyone, don't let the nautical jargon or historical minutiae turn you off...plenty of resources and references on the internet now. Love the Aubrey/Maturin series! I even have the cookbook that some die-hard fans cobbled together from the descriptions in the books. Edited July 20, 2018 by 216th_Cat 1
Feathered_IV Posted July 20, 2018 Posted July 20, 2018 I haven't read any of Patrick O'Brian yet, although I did blast through all of the Hornblower novels a couple of years ago. Is the Aubrey series similar?
unreasonable Posted July 21, 2018 Posted July 21, 2018 4 hours ago, Feathered_IV said: I haven't read any of Patrick O'Brian yet, although I did blast through all of the Hornblower novels a couple of years ago. Is the Aubrey series similar? O'Brian's books are more literary - in a good way - and less focussed on keeping the action and story moving along. As Rekt says the Aubrey/Maturin relationship allows O'Brian to explore facets of the culture of the time in a much more sophisticated way than Forester did. I enjoyed the series, but there were occasions later on when I thought that a little more moving the story along would have been a good thing. A Napoleonic land war analogy might be War and Peace vs The Sharpe series, although that difference is more extreme. 1 1
DD_Arthur Posted July 21, 2018 Posted July 21, 2018 (edited) Fantastic! Summer hols are here, the beach is calling and I've just rediscovered a box full of Flashman novels by George Macdonald Fraser! Edit. I confess; the closest I come to the Classics is 'I, Claudius' Edited July 21, 2018 by DD_Arthur
=gRiJ=Roman- Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 (edited) Does anyone have a list of WW2 Pilots' Biographies? I have read some of them, but I need new ones, currently reading the one Wolfgang Fischer wrote. https://goo.gl/images/k7zXPd Edited July 25, 2018 by PA_Spartan-
Thad Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 I just purchased a copy of Order Of Battle: German Panzers in WWII by Chris Bishop.
=gRiJ=Roman- Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 I am also reading some comics. They are great. A pity I didn't have those when I was a teen ... https://goo.gl/images/i3FP6x
[N.O.G.F]_Cathal_Brugha Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 (edited) On 7/20/2018 at 6:40 PM, 19//Rekt said: I've started reading the 20.5 volume Master & Commander series again from the beginning. I love those books! Also Captain Blood Edited July 25, 2018 by Cathal_Brugha 1
JG300_Egon Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 (edited) When not too tired to understand... ? Edited July 25, 2018 by F/JG300_Egon 1 2
Diggun Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 I'm currently conducting research for a book of my own about a very peculiar set of lunatics who had a huge influence in the med in WW2. One of the more supporting cast is this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Wintle I'm currently reading his autobiography The Last Englishman: It's rare for a book to actually reduce me to tears of laughter, but this one has. With the added benefit of being true! Some examples of his deathless prose. On the importance of umbrellas: on the English mentality: On monocles: on the regimental motto: 1 2
VBF-12_Stick-95 Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 I wanted to get a handle on world history so I started reading on the various areas about a decade ago with intermittent breaks. One area I needed to fill in was the Middle East. I started out with A Peace to End All Peace which I found fascinating. After, I moved chronologically from there. Just finishing up The Yum Kippur War. I will need some down time after this with some sci-fi or something. 1
Nibbio Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Ships pretty good read, great sense of humor too
CanadaOne Posted July 25, 2018 Author Posted July 25, 2018 6 hours ago, VBF-12_Stick-95 said: I wanted to get a handle on world history so I started reading on the various areas about a decade ago with intermittent breaks. One area I needed to fill in was the Middle East. I started out with A Peace to End All Peace which I found fascinating. After, I moved chronologically from there. Just finishing up The Yum Kippur War. I will need some down time after this with some sci-fi or something. I read one Benny Morris book from the library, "Righteous Victims". I think that's the title. He's a good writer. 1
216th_Lucas_From_Hell Posted July 25, 2018 Posted July 25, 2018 Picked up "Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat" by Tom Cooper for the non-fiction read, and a short story collection by Murakami called "Men Without Women" for the fictional side.
JG5_Zesphr Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 I've just finished reading the Martian and it's probably the best book I've read. It's realistic, believable and does a good job of explaining the science behind the MC's attempt at survival. It also has very good pacing, humour plus a good few references to geek culture. If you've seen the film, it even more so worth the read as it helps picture it better and plus it goes into far more detail
Feathered_IV Posted July 27, 2018 Posted July 27, 2018 Is that the Andy Weir novel? I must admit, I really enjoyed that too.
CanadaOne Posted July 27, 2018 Author Posted July 27, 2018 On 7/25/2018 at 10:09 AM, F/JG300_Egon said: When not too tired to understand... ? I think I'm on my fourth copy of that book. I'd lend it out, never get it back, buy it again, lend it out, never get it back, wash, rinse, repeat. No one gets the copy I have.
JG5_Zesphr Posted July 28, 2018 Posted July 28, 2018 On 7/27/2018 at 2:55 PM, Feathered_IV said: Is that the Andy Weir novel? I must admit, I really enjoyed that too. yea, for his first book I don't think many could have done any better
1CGS LukeFF Posted July 31, 2018 1CGS Posted July 31, 2018 There's really no need for two separate topics about this:
Feathered_IV Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 (edited) If we’re talking WWI books exclusively, I recently finished No Parachute by Arthur Gould Lee. I’m currently trying to follow it up with The Fledgeling by Arch Whitehouse, if I can find a copy that is... Edited July 31, 2018 by Feathered_IV
HagarTheHorrible Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 "Her Privates We" by Private19022. Yes, I'm sure the title is a Piss take, double entendre, before you ask. Just finished it a couple of days ago, very good read. https://www.amazon.co.uk/HER-PRIVATES-WE-Private-19022/dp/1783314176 1
BMA_Hellbender Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 Fifty Shades of Red: A Manfred and his Fokker
J2_Trupobaw Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 Broken wings: life and fame of Manfred von Richthoffen. Written by woman and based largely on memoirs of MvRs mother, with lot of emphasis on MvR as a person.
[PFR]Sarpalaxan Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 Just ordered "Die Messerschmit Me 109 in der Schweizer Flugwaffe" (The Messerschmit Me 109 in the Swiss FlyingForce) Can't wait to read it.
Sotka94 Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 1 hour ago, J2_Trupobaw said: Broken wings: life and fame of Manfred von Richthoffen. Written by woman and based largely on memoirs of MvRs mother, with lot of emphasis on MvR as a person. That sounds really interesting, too bad I haven't found any mention of an English version of the book anywhere ☹️ Currently I'm reading "Talking with the Red Baron" by Peter Kilduff
Chill31 Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 14 minutes ago, Kreisau said: That sounds really interesting, too bad I haven't found any mention of an English version of the book anywhere ☹️ Currently I'm reading "Talking with the Red Baron" by Peter Kilduff What is "Talking with the Red Baron" all about?
Sotka94 Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 Just now, Chill31 said: What is "Talking with the Red Baron" all about? It's a very curious sort of biography, composed as a series of interviews and conversations between Richthofen and a fictional newspaper journalist, using MvR's personal diaries, correspondence, official documents, squadron records etc. as a basis. Here's a random excerpt from the book: (The journalist) 'The last time you and I talked, you mentioned that luck is important to survival in war. Considered another way, how were you so lucky as to find a good man like Schäfer?' (MvR) 'In point of fact, he found me. He began as a pilot in my old Kampfgeschwader in Russia and, after being transferred to France earlier this year, he shot down a French plane. I heard about it and so, when he sent me a telegram asking whether I could use him, I wired back: "You have already been requested." (The journalist) Is it that easy to obtain the quality of people you need? https://www.amazon.ca/Talking-Red-Baron-Interviews-Richthofen/dp/185753381X 1
No.23_Triggers Posted July 31, 2018 Posted July 31, 2018 Just finished Norman Franks' book about Jasta 2, planning to pick up a copy of his book on Les Cigognes next
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