What about Patton's and Manstein's war diaries? The works of Stephen Ambrose and Cornelius Ryan?
Ah, here, I found a list.
Ah, here, I found a list.
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Good reads while we wait
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The Unknown Soldier by Väinö Linna is a great book which follows a machine gun company through the Continuation War (1941-1944) in which the writer himself served. Although there is some fiction added and names changed it is still a great read about the mindset of Finns who fought against the Soviets.
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Just bought this book because you recommended it. Sounded fascinating. I like to read in Norwegian, even though it was a little expensive, so I chose that one. Would love to get the "To Hell and Back" later, translated or not.
A must have in your library is Churchills 6 volumes, The Second World War. He is an amazing writer (won the nobel prize in litterature, just imagine the the quote "Never was so much owed by so many to so few" etc). And concidering his position before, during and after the war you cannot get a better perspective.
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Until the Final Hour, by Traudl Junge.
She served as Hitler's personal secretary, and was by his side through everything, even taking down his last will and testament in the bunker beneath Berlin. These are her memoirs.
She offers an unbiased perspective, and a unique account that cannot be obtained anywhere else, even within the German High Command.
I greatly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.
She served as Hitler's personal secretary, and was by his side through everything, even taking down his last will and testament in the bunker beneath Berlin. These are her memoirs.
She offers an unbiased perspective, and a unique account that cannot be obtained anywhere else, even within the German High Command.
I greatly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.
Japan's Longest Day by Hando Kazutoshi
Historical novel about the decision of Japan to surrender, and the Kyujou Incident.
It's more of a reconstruction compiled from numerous first-hand accounts.
The author was extremely sympathetic towards Hirohito, who was portrayed as a benevolent and determined leader. Bear in mind that this book was published when Hirohito was still the Emperor, and the "innocent Emperor" myth was still widespread.
Historical novel about the decision of Japan to surrender, and the Kyujou Incident.
It's more of a reconstruction compiled from numerous first-hand accounts.
The author was extremely sympathetic towards Hirohito, who was portrayed as a benevolent and determined leader. Bear in mind that this book was published when Hirohito was still the Emperor, and the "innocent Emperor" myth was still widespread.
German Way of War: From the Thirty Years War to the Third Reich by Robert Citino
A website with an interesting analysis of some WWII myths:
http://www.operationbarbarossa.net/ww2-myths/
Its author Nigel Askey is also publishing a very complete and comprehensive analysis of the Operation Barbarossa. Though the volumes are insanely expensive, they also provide a complete new dimension to the term OOB / ToE and a model on how to rate combat equipment in WW2. This is a treasure for any hardcore wargamer!!!
- Very good read which can provide some grasp about the essence of the German mindset concerning war in general
- analyzes the ways in which the WWII German Army developed the fighting power that allowed them to achieve a number of military victories even when outnumbered and using outdated equipment. He compares and contrasts the Germans with the U.S. Army, which developed a different style of war based on superior economic and technological resources.
- This book was a study for the US Army originally, whose synopsis influenced the US Army reforms of the early '80s.
A website with an interesting analysis of some WWII myths:
http://www.operationbarbarossa.net/ww2-myths/
Its author Nigel Askey is also publishing a very complete and comprehensive analysis of the Operation Barbarossa. Though the volumes are insanely expensive, they also provide a complete new dimension to the term OOB / ToE and a model on how to rate combat equipment in WW2. This is a treasure for any hardcore wargamer!!!
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This book, "Where Iron Crosses grow" Robert Forczyk is very good.
It covers the whole Crimea campaign (with a little early history for background to the terrain and politics of the region)
It's real strength is that is provides a great insight to Operational warfare with plenty of action described. And how this German Armee's casualties, poor supply of ammo; and reassignment of assets really hampers it. It gives great insight to how low on numbers some equipment was.
Highly recommend it.
A very good study of the Battle of the Bulge, is "The Bitter Woods" by John S.D. Eisenhower
I would argue that for a good Finnish read the book by Vilho Kankare: Mennään kun käsketään! is almost as good if not better at times since it's a bit less over the top.
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For Scandinavian readers Michael Tamelander (co written by Niklas Zetterling) wrote a very nice book called 9. April that deals with the invasion of Norway.
It's such a good read (better than Beevor) that I recommend it to any who are in the slightest interested in the Norwegian campaign. Don't know if it's available in English though.
It's such a good read (better than Beevor) that I recommend it to any who are in the slightest interested in the Norwegian campaign. Don't know if it's available in English though.
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Yes, it does. I especially like how he analysis the real-world performance of the T-34 and compares it to its mythical status.
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No it isn't. It would probably as significant as reading "Das Kapital" from Marx in order to understand why STAVKA did this or that decision.
"Mein Kampf" would only be relevant to topics which we are not allowed to discuss here.
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It'd be more like reading the plans of a historical figure central to the... oh wait
that's exactly what it is
that's exactly what it is