World War II gets all the pub, but World War I was quite the event itself. Anyway, if you've got any interest in reading about it, The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman is where you should start. And excellent history of the run up to the War and its opening month. If you don't believe me, you can ask SKO. If you don't believe SKO, you can ask TEC. And if you don't believe TEC, there's no hope for you, you troop-hating piece of shit.
Read this book.
Nice, this has been sitting on my audible list for a while, but I was having a hard time
convincing myself it was worth it.
I've heard good things.
I've read A Distant Mirror, which is her book on the 14th Century. It's excellent.
I read this about a year ago. Very good book.
Not speaking directly to this book but an article in the NYT discusses the large amount of writing and chronicling being done by today's troops on the battlefield.
I plan on using the reading list at the end of the article to check out some examples.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/us/08military.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/us/08military.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world)
Quote from: CT III on February 06, 2010, 10:30:22 PM
World War II gets all the pub, but World War I was quite the event itself. Anyway, if you've got any interest in reading about it, The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman is where you should start. And excellent history of the run up to the War and its opening month. If you don't believe me, you can ask SKO. If you don't believe SKO, you can ask TEC. And if you don't believe TEC, there's no hope for you, you troop-hating piece of shit.
Read this book.
It's where you should start your journey through World War I, but not where you should finish. You should then proceed to Hugh Strachan's
The First World War, which will then of course lead you to
The First World War by John Keegan. And if you like John Keegan, well, that name is somewhat similar to Don Kagan, who wrote the definitive history of the Peloponnesian War. And if you like the Peloponnesian War, well, then the best historical fiction novel about the Peloponnesian War is
Tides of War, by Steven Pressfield, and naturally, if you want the best Steven Pressfield book, you can read
Gates of Fire, which makes 300 look like absolute horseshit. And if you're into Pressfield, well, he wrote
The Legend of Bagger Vance, and this all adds up to Charlize Theron being pretty hot except in Monster.
(http://www.peoplejam.com/files/u3255/charlize-theron-hot-monster-comparison.jpg)
Quote from: SKO on February 10, 2010, 09:20:33 AM
Quote from: CT III on February 06, 2010, 10:30:22 PM
World War II gets all the pub, but World War I was quite the event itself. Anyway, if you've got any interest in reading about it, The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman is where you should start. And excellent history of the run up to the War and its opening month. If you don't believe me, you can ask SKO. If you don't believe SKO, you can ask TEC. And if you don't believe TEC, there's no hope for you, you troop-hating piece of shit.
Read this book.
It's where you should start your journey through World War I, but not where you should finish. You should then proceed to Hugh Strachan's The First World War, which will then of course lead you to The First World War by John Keegan. And if you like John Keegan, well, that name is somewhat similar to Don Kagan, who wrote the definitive history of the Peloponnesian War. And if you like the Peloponnesian War, well, then the best historical fiction novel about the Peloponnesian War is Tides of War, by Steven Pressfield, and naturally, if you want the best Steven Pressfield book, you can read Gates of Fire, which makes 300 look like absolute horseshit. And if you're into Pressfield, well, he wrote The Legend of Bagger Vance, and this all adds up to Charlize Theron being pretty hot except in Monster.
(http://www.peoplejam.com/files/u3255/charlize-theron-hot-monster-comparison.jpg)
Pretty sure 300 makes 300 look like absolute horseshit.
Quote from: Jon on February 10, 2010, 09:44:41 AM
Quote from: SKO on February 10, 2010, 09:20:33 AM
Quote from: CT III on February 06, 2010, 10:30:22 PM
World War II gets all the pub, but World War I was quite the event itself. Anyway, if you've got any interest in reading about it, The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman is where you should start. And excellent history of the run up to the War and its opening month. If you don't believe me, you can ask SKO. If you don't believe SKO, you can ask TEC. And if you don't believe TEC, there's no hope for you, you troop-hating piece of shit.
Read this book.
It's where you should start your journey through World War I, but not where you should finish. You should then proceed to Hugh Strachan's The First World War, which will then of course lead you to The First World War by John Keegan. And if you like John Keegan, well, that name is somewhat similar to Don Kagan, who wrote the definitive history of the Peloponnesian War. And if you like the Peloponnesian War, well, then the best historical fiction novel about the Peloponnesian War is Tides of War, by Steven Pressfield, and naturally, if you want the best Steven Pressfield book, you can read Gates of Fire, which makes 300 look like absolute horseshit. And if you're into Pressfield, well, he wrote The Legend of Bagger Vance, and this all adds up to Charlize Theron being pretty hot except in Monster.
(http://www.peoplejam.com/files/u3255/charlize-theron-hot-monster-comparison.jpg)
Pretty sure 300 makes 300 look like absolute horseshit.
Obviously I'm the only one here who's read his Herodotus. It clearly mentions Xerxes wearing nipple clamps and travelling with a harem of deformed women and flute playing goats.
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
The Outsiders?
Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on March 09, 2010, 02:47:53 PM
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
The Outsiders?
I had him pegged as an Anne Rice fan.
Quote from: CT III on March 09, 2010, 02:52:15 PM
Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on March 09, 2010, 02:47:53 PM
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
The Outsiders?
I had him pegged as an Anne Rice fan.
To Kill a Mockingbird?
Actually, I remember liking this book (http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Cave-Arthurian-Saga-Book/dp/0449911616/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268169669&sr=8-2), a long time ago.
"The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. One of the finest books ever written, by woman, man or hermaphrodite.
Superfudge by Judy Blume
Quote from: JD on March 09, 2010, 07:58:15 PM
Superfudge by Judy Blume
I was always partial to Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
Intrepid Reader: morpheus"Atlas Shrugged"?
Womenfolk write the freakiest pR0n. Ever read Nancy Friday?
Quote from: Fork on March 15, 2010, 01:16:37 PM
Womenfolk write the freakiest pR0n. Ever read Nancy Friday?
Intrepid Reader:
EveryoneNo.
Quote from: PenFoe on March 15, 2010, 01:21:04 PM
Quote from: Fork on March 15, 2010, 01:16:37 PM
Womenfolk write the freakiest pR0n. Ever read Nancy Friday?
Intrepid Reader: Everyone
No.
Try it out next time you're having imitation crabmeat.
Quote from: Gilgamesh on March 15, 2010, 01:04:01 PM
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
Intrepid Reader: morpheus
"Atlas Shrugged"?
He said a
woman. Ayn Rand hardly counts.
Quote from: Bort on March 15, 2010, 03:03:30 PM
Quote from: Gilgamesh on March 15, 2010, 01:04:01 PM
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
Intrepid Reader: morpheus
"Atlas Shrugged"?
He said a woman. Ayn Rand hardly counts.
Still very well played.
I just finished this. I really enjoyed it. I've read a ton about WW II, but pretty
much nothing about WW I. I was worried it might presuppose a deep general
knowledge of the war (most WW II books seem to assume you've already read
them) but it thankfully didn't. I'd have liked a little more detail of the actual
engagements and a little less Tolkien crap about which generals liked to have
long formal meals, but overall it was a compelling story.
I had no idea Sir John French was such a pussy.
Quote from: Pre on March 16, 2010, 08:38:26 PM
I just finished this. I really enjoyed it. I've read a ton about WW II, but pretty
much nothing about WW I. I was worried it might presuppose a deep general
knowledge of the war (most WW II books seem to assume you've already read
them) but it thankfully didn't. I'd have liked a little more detail of the actual
engagements and a little less Tolkien crap about which generals liked to have
long formal meals, but overall it was a compelling story.
I had no idea Sir John French was such a pussy.
As far as I'm concerned, if you only read one book on WWI in your entire life, Keegan's will suffice. If you'd like a book written by a former student of Keegan's that's also a really good one volume history that uses a slightly different approach and explores some different topics, pick up The First World War by Hew Strachan.
Quote from: Pre on March 08, 2010, 09:29:51 PM
This is the first time I've enjoyed a book by a woman since...
ah
um
ah
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (surprisingly not by or about BC)
Joyce Carol Oates?
And I just started The Guns of August today.
I'm sure you are all very anxious for my review.
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
I've read that one. I liked it quite a bit.
Quote from: Bort on April 20, 2010, 06:26:53 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
I've read that one. I liked it quite a bit.
Do I even read this (http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7200.msg204651#msg204651)?
Quote from: Bort on April 20, 2010, 06:27:39 PM
Quote from: Bort on April 20, 2010, 06:26:53 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
I've read that one. I liked it quite a bit.
Do I even read this (http://www.desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7200.msg204651#msg204651)?
One of the greatest history books of all time. Saying the word "Coucy" over and over again in my head, on the other hand, became annoying.
Was there a different thread where D-Day and Ambrose's other books were discussed? That sucks if it was Ratto'd.
I'm about halfway through D-Day and I just finished reading about the exploits of one Harrison Summers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_C._Summers). He may well be the baddest dude ever.
QuoteHis unit took the town of Saint-Germain-de-Varreville, near Exit 4 off Utah Beach. He, along with about 15 men of various units, was ordered by 1st Battalion commander, Lt Col. Patrick Cassidy, to take a group of buildings nearby designated "WXYZ" on the field order map. The buildings turned out to be the barracks for 100 or more German troops.[1]
Summers led the attack, charging inside with his Thompson submachine gun. He assumed the others would follow, but they did not. He proceeded on, first single-handedly then with Private Camien's help, through each of the buildings, cleaning them out. Five hours later, the position was clear, and over 30 bodies of German troops were counted.
QuoteSummers is a legend with American paratroopers [sic], the Sergeant York of World War II. His story has too much John Wayne/Hollywood in it to be believed, except that more than 10 men saw and reported his exploits.
I have always thought that Audie Murphy's record was pretty impressive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy
Quote from: CBStew on July 14, 2010, 12:06:57 PM
I have always thought that Audie Murphy's record was pretty impressive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy
Should this be in the "To Hell And Back" thread in the Movie section?
I spent last night organizing my book collection because my dad had thrown them all haphazardly into storage bins in the basement a few months ago and I got tired of not being able to find any of them. I found Guns of August as well as some of my other favorites (for light-reading, anyways) that I'd forgotten about:
In the Company of Soldiers by Rick Atkinson. Atkinson, a Washington Post writer, wrote this after he was embedded with the 101st Airborne during the first year of the Iraq War. It's an excellent read and gives a pretty engrossing account of the supply problems and other mishaps that plagued those first few days. Where it's really valuable, however, is the insight it gives into General Petraeus and his thoughts on the war back when he was just a division commander. It's chilling actually to see how well he predicted back in 2003 what was going to be the problem with Iraq in the future. Thanks to this book I was rooting for him to take over as commander in Iraq well before 2006. Atkinson also wrote An Army at Dawn, which I highly recommend for anyone interested in the North African campaign and the early days of the US Army in Europe during World War II.
So Sad to Fall in Battle- This is the book containing the letters from the Japanese defenders of Iwo Jima that later became the movie. Excellent book and one of the few (in English, at least) that shows the war from that side.
The Russian Revolution by Alan Moorehead. It was written in 1959, and thus it has a few inaccuracies that we know about now thanks to information that came out after the Cold War, but it's still the best single-volume history of the Russian Revolution I've ever read. It's remarkable for lacking any noticeable intellectual bias despite being written in the darkest days of the Cold War. It also does a fine job of exploring things from a monarchist and a Bolshevik perspective.
Vietnam: A History by Stanley Karnow. Best single-volume history of both Vietnam conflicts. Gives a background on the history of the nation since ancient times and gives a non-biased account from North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese, French, and American sources.
The Days of the French Revolution by Christopher Hibbert. It's not all that engrossing, but I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to understand the French Revolution without too much effort. A lot of good stuff about Robespierre and the Terror.
Shades of Blue and Gray by Herman Hattaway- one of the shortest one volume histories I've read of the Civil War. It's certainly not a towering manifesto like Battle Cry of Freedom, but it's short and definitely worth a read if you're more interested in military weaponry and tactics than social or political history.
Probably more appropriate in the tv thread, but since this is the de facto WWI thread I thought I'd put it here. I'm sure several of you have seen it, but I just finished watching Blackadder Goes Forth on DVD, and while it was absolutely hysterical for the most part, the final scene was haunting and incredibly well done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglUmgYGxLM Sums it all up nicely, I suppose.
Quote from: SKO on March 23, 2011, 12:59:34 PM
Probably more appropriate in the tv thread, but since this is the de facto WWI thread I thought I'd put it here. I'm sure several of you have seen it, but I just finished watching Blackadder Goes Forth on DVD, and while it was absolutely hysterical for the most part, the final scene was haunting and incredibly well done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglUmgYGxLM Sums it all up nicely, I suppose.
That was one of my favorite finales of all time.
Quote from: Bort on March 23, 2011, 03:07:50 PM
Quote from: SKO on March 23, 2011, 12:59:34 PM
Probably more appropriate in the tv thread, but since this is the de facto WWI thread I thought I'd put it here. I'm sure several of you have seen it, but I just finished watching Blackadder Goes Forth on DVD, and while it was absolutely hysterical for the most part, the final scene was haunting and incredibly well done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglUmgYGxLM Sums it all up nicely, I suppose.
That was one of my favorite finales of all time.
"Bugger."
Quote from: Bort on March 23, 2011, 03:07:50 PM
Quote from: SKO on March 23, 2011, 12:59:34 PM
Probably more appropriate in the tv thread, but since this is the de facto WWI thread I thought I'd put it here. I'm sure several of you have seen it, but I just finished watching Blackadder Goes Forth on DVD, and while it was absolutely hysterical for the most part, the final scene was haunting and incredibly well done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IglUmgYGxLM Sums it all up nicely, I suppose.
That was one of my favorite finales of all time.
My comment could go in the movie thread, but for all time finales of a movie about WWI you have to include Sergeant York. Not just an unlikely hero, he was an unlikey soldier.
I thought The Things They Carried was a Desipio recommendation, but I can't find any mention of it in this here book-learnin' category. Anyway, a great read on Vietnam if you're a big puss like me with no idea of what it's like to be in the shit.
Quote from: R-V on April 05, 2012, 08:40:32 AM
I thought The Things They Carried was a Desipio recommendation, but I can't find any mention of it in this here book-learnin' category. Anyway, a great read on Vietnam if you're a big puss like me with no idea of what it's like to be in the shit.
I'll just watch We Were Soldiers
Quote from: R-V on April 05, 2012, 08:40:32 AM
I thought The Things They Carried was a Desipio recommendation, but I can't find any mention of it in this here book-learnin' category. Anyway, a great read on Vietnam if you're a big puss like me with no idea of what it's like to be in the shit.
I read that my senior year of hike school. I believe I read "In the Lake of the Woods", too.
What I mostly remember is O'Brien's discussion of "story-truth" vs. "happening-truth". Probably because that's the sort of thing you focus on in English class discussions.
Also: footnotes. Copious footnotes. (Though this may have just been "In the Lake of the Woods".)
Here's a PDF of Chapter 7 ("How to Tell a True War Story") for a taste of his ideas on truth in fiction. (http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/pdocs/obrien_story.pdf)
Quote from: J. Walter Weatherman on April 05, 2012, 12:34:18 PM
Quote from: R-V on April 05, 2012, 08:40:32 AM
I thought The Things They Carried was a Desipio recommendation, but I can't find any mention of it in this here book-learnin' category. Anyway, a great read on Vietnam if you're a big puss like me with no idea of what it's like to be in the shit.
I read that my senior year of hike school. I believe I read "In the Lake of the Woods", too.
What I mostly remember is O'Brien's discussion of "story-truth" vs. "happening-truth". Probably because that's the sort of thing you focus on in English class discussions.
Also: footnotes. Copious footnotes. (Though this may have just been "In the Lake of the Woods".)
Here's a PDF of Chapter 7 ("How to Tell a True War Story") for a taste of his ideas on truth in fiction. (http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/pdocs/obrien_story.pdf)
No footnotes in The Things They Carried (at least not the Kindle version). I'll have to check out some more of this guy's writing.
Quote from: J. Walter Weatherman on April 05, 2012, 12:34:18 PM
Quote from: R-V on April 05, 2012, 08:40:32 AM
I thought The Things They Carried was a Desipio recommendation, but I can't find any mention of it in this here book-learnin' category. Anyway, a great read on Vietnam if you're a big puss like me with no idea of what it's like to be in the shit.
I read that my senior year of hike school. I believe I read "In the Lake of the Woods", too.
What I mostly remember is O'Brien's discussion of "story-truth" vs. "happening-truth". Probably because that's the sort of thing you focus on in English class discussions.
Also: footnotes. Copious footnotes. (Though this may have just been "In the Lake of the Woods".)
Here's a PDF of Chapter 7 ("How to Tell a True War Story") for a taste of his ideas on truth in fiction. (http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/pdocs/obrien_story.pdf)
Chapter 18, "Good Form" (http://writing101.net/2009/01/27/why-story-truth-is-truer-than-happening-truth/)
Quote from: R-V on April 05, 2012, 08:40:32 AM
I thought The Things They Carried was a Desipio recommendation, but I can't find any mention of it in this here book-learnin' category. Anyway, a great read on Vietnam if you're a big puss like me with no idea of what it's like to be in the shit.
I'll second this hoopleheaded review.
CT, TEC, Bort and any of you other WWI enthusiasts should read this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sleepwalkers-Europe-Went-1914/dp/0061146668 Mother in law got it for me for Christmas. Good stuff.
Quote from: SKO on June 10, 2015, 11:29:49 AM
CT, TEC, Bort and any of you other WWI enthusiasts should read this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sleepwalkers-Europe-Went-1914/dp/0061146668 Mother in law got it for me for Christmas. Good stuff.
Looks really good, thanks.
Quote from: SKO on June 10, 2015, 11:29:49 AM
CT, TEC, Bort and any of you other WWI enthusiasts should read this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sleepwalkers-Europe-Went-1914/dp/0061146668 Mother in law got it for me for Christmas. Good stuff.
Bump.
Similar to The Sleepwalkers, I just finished The War that Ended Peace which is also an excellent book about Europe in the run up to WWI. Also, if you like podcasts (and who doesn't) I'll echo Slaky's recommendation of Dan Carlin's Hardcore History series on WWI as well.
Quote from: CT III on November 17, 2015, 03:45:57 PM
Quote from: SKO on June 10, 2015, 11:29:49 AM
CT, TEC, Bort and any of you other WWI enthusiasts should read this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sleepwalkers-Europe-Went-1914/dp/0061146668 Mother in law got it for me for Christmas. Good stuff.
Bump.
Similar to The Sleepwalkers, I just finished The War that Ended Peace which is also an excellent book about Europe in the run up to WWI. Also, if you like podcasts (and who doesn't) I'll echo Slaky's recommendation of Dan Carlin's Hardcore History series on WWI as well.
I'll echo both of your recommendations. His entire Hardcore History series is a hell of a listen. They only come out like once every 3-4 months, but each one is about 3-4 hours long.
Bumped in service of my quest to consume every piece of written word I can find concerning WWI.
Two more recommendations:
A World Undone:The Story of the Great War by GJ Meyer - if you listened to the Hardcore History series on WWI you'll probably recognize this as one of Carlin's favorite sources and for good reason. Meyer's writing style makes it interesting, and he does not spare anyone on any side in his brutal assessment of the commanders and leaders on the various sides.
Paris 1919: Six Months that Changes the World by Margaret MacMillan - I previously recommended MacMillan's The War That Ended Peace which was about the run up to the war, and her book on WWI's peace process might be better. Basically the Allies came together with the intent of putting together a peace treaty that was going to punish Germany but not too harshly, since they recognized that a lasting enmity would likely lead to another World War. Unfortunately, the Big Four (LOL Italy) got so caught up in completely redrawing the maps of Southeast Europe and the Middle East that the German treaty became almost and afterthought and the Germans were basically handed a half-assed document to sign that created exactly the kind of resentment they sought to avoid, specifically a clause that required Germany to accept all fault for the war (in part because most of the rest of the Central Powers ceased to exist).
Also, somewhat shocking to be reminded there was a time when the President of the United States could just fuck off to Europe for like 6 straight months.
Quote from: CT III on March 04, 2016, 03:23:42 PM
Bumped in service of my quest to consume every piece of written word I can find concerning WWI.
Two more recommendations:
A World Undone:The Story of the Great War by GJ Meyer - if you listened to the Hardcore History series on WWI you'll probably recognize this as one of Carlin's favorite sources and for good reason. Meyer's writing style makes it interesting, and he does not spare anyone on any side in his brutal assessment of the commanders and leaders on the various sides.
Paris 1919: Six Months that Changes the World by Margaret MacMillan - I previously recommended MacMillan's The War That Ended Peace which was about the run up to the war, and her book on WWI's peace process might be better. Basically the Allies came together with the intent of putting together a peace treaty that was going to punish Germany but not too harshly, since they recognized that a lasting enmity would likely lead to another World War. Unfortunately, the Big Four (LOL Italy) got so caught up in completely redrawing the maps of Southeast Europe and the Middle East that the German treaty became almost and afterthought and the Germans were basically handed a half-assed document to sign that created exactly the kind of resentment they sought to avoid, specifically a clause that required Germany to accept all fault for the war (in part because most of the rest of the Central Powers ceased to exist).
Also, somewhat shocking to be reminded there was a time when the President of the United States could just fuck off to Europe for like 6 straight months.
I can recommend the American Heritage book about WWl.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3254897-the-american-heritage-history-of-world-war-i
It is not scholarly, but it has a great collection of photos and maps. It was published over 50 years ago so you can only get it used.
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
Quote from: Tonker on April 05, 2018, 02:56:58 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
No.
Quote from: Bort on April 05, 2018, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: Tonker on April 05, 2018, 02:56:58 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
No.
No.
Quote from: ChuckD on April 05, 2018, 08:04:27 AM
Quote from: Bort on April 05, 2018, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: Tonker on April 05, 2018, 02:56:58 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
No.
No.
Good to know. Thanks guys!
Quote from: ChuckD on April 05, 2018, 08:04:27 AM
Quote from: Bort on April 05, 2018, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: Tonker on April 05, 2018, 02:56:58 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Quote from: Tinker to Evers to Chance on April 05, 2018, 09:48:24 AM
Quote from: ChuckD on April 05, 2018, 08:04:27 AM
Quote from: Bort on April 05, 2018, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: Tonker on April 05, 2018, 02:56:58 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Wait. I mean no.
No.
Quote from: Tinker to Evers to Chance on April 05, 2018, 09:48:42 AM
Quote from: Tinker to Evers to Chance on April 05, 2018, 09:48:24 AM
Quote from: ChuckD on April 05, 2018, 08:04:27 AM
Quote from: Bort on April 05, 2018, 07:41:46 AM
Quote from: Tonker on April 05, 2018, 02:56:58 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
No.
No.
No.
Yes.
Wait. I mean no.
No.
Good work, everybody.
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
I know I'm late to the party here, but yes. Yes I have.
Quote from: CT III on April 11, 2018, 11:32:38 AM
Quote from: flannj on April 04, 2018, 04:53:24 PM
Quote from: CBStew on April 20, 2010, 04:17:07 PM
Although "Guns of August" is perhaps her best known and most widely read book, I was stunned by "A Distant Mirror", about the final Crusade and its impact on European history. Had that Crusade not happened, or had it ended earlier we would all be speaking French today.
*Dusts off cobwebs*
I knew there were long lost posts somewhere in the dark recesses of the Desipio fruit cellar about Barbara W. Tuchman.
I'm just starting "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".
Anybody here read it?
I know I'm late to the party here, but yes. Yes I have.
Thank you CT.
A fairly accurate description:
QuoteBarbara Tuchman's Stilwell and the American Experience in China is wonderful historical writing; it quickly becomes obvious why it earned the Pulitzer for General Non-fiction in 1972. Ostensibly about American Joseph Stilwell, a West Point graduate who spent years in China on-and-off between 1911 and 1945 as a visitor, as military attaché, and finally as theatre commander during World War II, it really is the underlying story of China's evolution from the rule of dynasties to a struggle for the heart of a new nation-state. The fall of the Manchu Dynasty, the rise of Sun Yat-sen as President, then his disciple Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang party, and the groundwork for a Communist nation under Mao Tse-tung and Chou En-lai at the end of World War II are covered. It ends with hints of the Red Scare/Joe McCarthy Era to come. An excellent primer on how China became what it is today.
This book was given to me by a neighbor that used to be the head of HR at Motorola. He spent huge amounts of time in East Asia during the time when the company was expanding in that area of the world. He gave it to me because he got sick of my questions about how he managed so well in such a different culture. Understanding what actions formed modern China is where so much of it starts.
I know so little about this history but I am finding it to be an excellent and thoroughly interesting read and I'm inhaling it.
Highly recommended for all you history nerds.
It's been some time since I read it, but what I still remember was Stilwell's constant issues with Chiang Kai-shek with their relationship deteriorating to the point where he advocated to DC to cut a deal with the Mao's Communists as he thought they were the better fighting force.
Also the phrase "illegitimi non carborundum" a printout of which currently hangs from the wall of my cube.
And finally, accidentally running across the movie 1941 on television a few years ago and realizing that Robert Stack's portrayal of Stilwell in that movie was so much what I imagined the real guy to be like that I wished we'd gotten a biopic with Stack in the role.