Author Topic: Good Books  (Read 942 times)

Offline Furball

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Good Books
« on: June 04, 2009, 03:14:32 PM »
Just finished reading the series about Genghis Khan by Conn Iggulden.  Very good trilogy, recommend them highly.

http://www.amazon.com/Genghis-Lords-Bow-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0440243920/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244146262&sr=8-4

Now i am starting on his 4 part Emperor series about Rome  :aok
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Offline texasmom

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2009, 03:53:24 PM »
My brother sent me Master & Margarita byt Mikhail Bulgakov.  It's kinda creepy, but I like it. 

I stopped reading it about a month ago. I'm fixin to pick it back up & continue :)
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Offline hubsonfire

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2009, 07:31:35 PM »
I just finished Caesar's Legion, and am currently working on The Romans: From Village to Empire. A bit dry sometimes, but I think it's very interesting stuff. Been reading a few of the Stackpole Military History Series books as well. Also good reading, and a bit more exciting than the development of the Romans, although some of the Roman engineering projects in the field are almost miraculous.  :) Might have to brain up on the Mongols too.
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Offline jerkins

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2009, 07:38:42 PM »
I just finished a book by Alex Kershaw called "The Few".  Its about the american pilots who snuck out of the states and fought for the RAF.  It was an interesting read, eight pilots (all who left while the US was nuetral) are discussed in detail.  Sadly, all but one died in combat, most just after the battle of Britain.

There is also some very interesting stories and so on from German aces of the time like (Galland is among them).

I would suggest it if you like reading about the war and the pilots who bravely fought in it.
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Offline Dace

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2009, 07:44:40 PM »
Winning of America Series by Allan Eckert....finished  "The Frontiersmen" 'bout a week ago, started "Wilderness Empire" the next night. Outstanding books IMO.

Offline Treize69

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2009, 07:48:53 PM »
I'm rather deeply immersed in the Sharpe's Rifles series by Bernard Cornwell. :)
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Offline SKJohn

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2009, 08:44:43 PM »
I just finished a book by Alex Kershaw called "The Few".  Its about the american pilots who snuck out of the states and fought for the RAF.  It was an interesting read, eight pilots (all who left while the US was nuetral) are discussed in detail.  Sadly, all but one died in combat, most just after the battle of Britain.

There is also some very interesting stories and so on from German aces of the time like (Galland is among them).

I would suggest it if you like reading about the war and the pilots who bravely fought in it.

+1   I enjoyed this one very much.

Offline FYB

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #7 on: June 04, 2009, 08:50:18 PM »
I highly recommend the book, Under a War-Torn Sky By: L.M. Elliott
Great WWII story. Historical Fiction, my favorite.

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Offline Letalis

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #8 on: June 04, 2009, 09:37:35 PM »
Samurai!- Saburo Sakai and Fred Saito.  Very sad story. The other side of the story.
Fighter over Finland - Eino Lukannen (Fought the Soviets, helps explain how the Finns kicked so much butt in obsolete hardware)
General Kenney Reports: A Personal History of the Pacific War (Provided an insight into the likes of Bong and McGuire for you 38 sticks)

I mention these books because they are not only good reads detailing actual events but because once you read them I think it somehow shapes your "fighting philosophy" in-game. Helps with the appreciation of what these guys pulled off.

All three books are distinguished  by the humility of their authors. Candid reads indeed!
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Offline Furball

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2009, 08:29:00 AM »
I just finished Caesar's Legion, and am currently working on The Romans: From Village to Empire. A bit dry sometimes, but I think it's very interesting stuff. Been reading a few of the Stackpole Military History Series books as well. Also good reading, and a bit more exciting than the development of the Romans, although some of the Roman engineering projects in the field are almost miraculous.  :) Might have to brain up on the Mongols too.

Will let you know how i get on with the Emperor series if you like the Roman stuff, if the genghis khan series is anything to go by it should be very good.  I am now moving on to this: http://www.amazon.com/Classical-World-History-Homer-Hadrian/dp/0465024971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244208435&sr=8-1

I just read Roma by Steven Saylor - not overly impressed, and Warror of Rome: http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Rome-Fire-East/dp/0718153294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244208476&sr=1-1 which i thought was very good, i am looking forward to the sequel.
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Offline Saxman

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2009, 12:03:31 PM »
Currently reading The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún by Tolkien. Its his own original take on the Norse/Icelandic verse tradition, and specifically the saga that formed the background to Wagner's Das Nibelungen.

And if you want a great historical "fantasy" check out Manfredi's The Last Legion. The movie was ok, but the book is VERY good, and certain fantasy elements aren't hammered into you like the film did (because I guess the makers didn't think people could put the pieces together for themselves).
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Offline Treize69

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2009, 02:27:58 PM »
Currently reading The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún by Tolkien. Its his own original take on the Norse/Icelandic verse tradition, and specifically the saga that formed the background to Wagner's Das Nibelungen.

And if you want a great historical "fantasy" check out Manfredi's The Last Legion. The movie was ok, but the book is VERY good, and certain fantasy elements aren't hammered into you like the film did (because I guess the makers didn't think people could put the pieces together for themselves).

My favorite "Historical Fantasy" series is Jack Whyte's Camulod Chronicles.
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Offline Tr1gg22

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2009, 02:49:06 PM »
Chicken Hawk is a must read :aok
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Offline thundabooge

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2009, 03:21:13 PM »
If anyone is interested in the "What If" senerios, I HIGHLY recommend reading the works of Harry Turtledove.   I really enjoyed his books.  "Guns of the South" asks "What if someone was able to go back in time and gives the Confederate Army AK47's?" Its a lil bit out there but a good read.   I also really liked his 4 part The Great War series.
"How Few Remain" / "TGW: American Front"/ "TGW: Walk In Hell"/ "TGW: Breakthroughs"
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Offline Treize69

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Re: Good Books
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2009, 03:38:15 PM »
If anyone is interested in the "What If" senerios, I HIGHLY recommend reading the works of Harry Turtledove.   I really enjoyed his books.  "Guns of the South" asks "What if someone was able to go back in time and gives the Confederate Army AK47's?" Its a lil bit out there but a good read.   I also really liked his 4 part The Great War series.
"How Few Remain" / "TGW: American Front"/ "TGW: Walk In Hell"/ "TGW: Breakthroughs"

His Timeline 191 series (the one with How Few Remain and the Great War) continues through the "American Empire" series (1920s and 30s) and "Settling Accounts" trilogy (Second Great War). Same characters and premise as the ones you mentioned, but carried on through to 1944.
Treize (pronounced 'trays')- because 'Treisprezece' is too long and even harder to pronounce.

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