banana's "Best Books" while we wait for v1.03

[Wanker]

My "WWII classics" list(all non-fiction):

1. The Forgotten Soldier- Guy Sajer
This autobiography of Sajer's experiences as an infantryman on the Eastern front is extremely moving, not to mention harrowing.

2. The Rising Sun- John Toland
WWII, from the Japanese viewpoint. Takes us from before Pearl Harbor, to the fall of Japan in August, 1945.

3. Guadalcanal-Richard B. Frank
The most complete account of the titanic battle for Guadacanal on the air, land and sea.

Happy reading, I'll cya in v1.03


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"Turning Knight & Bishop sheep into lamb chops since 1999"

[This message has been edited by banana (edited 05-08-2000).]

[Ripsnort]

I've had a chance for two out of three you mentioned.  I have so many books now, that ones I read 10 years ago I am re-reading, and enjoying them a second time!

[Wanker]

Ya, me too, Rip. I first read "The Rising Sun" when I was ten years old. 24 years later, I'm reading it again for the fourth time. It's no longer in print, but you can find it in libraries, and used book stores. It's 1000 pages long, but fascinating nonetheless.

[daddog]

Thanks banana! I will check those out.

Let me add one..

Brave Men by Ernie Pyle.
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daddog
332nd Flying Mongrels
Snapshots
 
Where men become friends and friends become brothers.

[Ripsnort]

Interesting side note of books...I have a nephew who,when 16 yrs. of "identity crisis' age wanted to know the title of a good book dealing with 'Death'...he was into the 'Goth' thing, dressing in black, the whole 'smear...so I suggested "Rape of Nanking", he not only snapped out of the Goth stage within the last year, but he also has achieved a high respect for those who have fought in foreign wars, something he never even gave second thought to in the past.

History repeats itself, lest we forget.

[funked]

We Were Soldiers Once...and Young Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway

It's not a WW2 story (Vietnam) but one of the hairiest stories of infantry battle that I have ever read.  It's a very detailed account of two battles in the Ia Drang valley, told from the perspective of the US commanders, the US grunts, as well as the NVA.  The majority of the book is devoted to a disastrous meeting engagement between battalion-size units in jungle with about 20 feet visibility.  I haven't read any war stories more moving than this.
 
Check out the reviews here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060975768/o/qid=957841186 /sr=8-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_1/002-2613136-8775409

[This message has been edited by funked (edited 05-08-2000).]

[By-Tor]

 "For it is mans folly that he soon forgets"
 Cant remember WHO said it-But I've not forgotten the quote.

 Ummmm... Merlin the Magician?

[Jekyll]

'Midway' by Mitsuo Fuchida and Masatake Okumiya.

ISBN 0-345-34591-2

Only a short book, but a very interesting account of the battle from the Japanese side, and told by the leader of the air assault on Pearl Harbour.

Fascinating reading  

[daddog]

<S> Rip
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daddog
332nd Flying Mongrels
Snapshots

[Rojo]

If you like WWII aviation fiction, you might check out "Echoes: an Anthology of Warbirds Fiction," from Burbank's Books.

(http://users.senet.com.au/~mhyde/burbanks_books_simulator.htm#fiction)

You may recognize a few of the call signs, too  .


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Sabre, a.k.a. Rojo
(S-2, The Buccaneers)