Read any good books lately?

Finished: The Sixth Extinction;Elizabeth Kolbert, re-reading Prescott's Conquest of Mexico/Conquest of Peru.

I'm guiding my wife through Vietnam literature.

We watched the Rory Kennedy documentary about the fall of Saigon, and she's reading "Catfish and Mandala".

She read a book she really liked called "The Eaves of Heaven".

I'm in between books, but watched the Nova series on the Vikings.

Current model project- the type 21  U Boat.

I have a couple of the usual walkarounds, both in print and online.

Waiting for a clue for the next read.

I have started a new book which I am enjoying about VT18 flying Avengers off of the Intrepid.  The author is writing in part about his dad, and the research seems pretty good so far.  We are just about to blast the Musashi.  More to come.

John

sigh.....

Certainly. The point was made that while the Japanese CAP was well equipped, well staffed and effective, they were worn down by a more or less constant series of attacks across at least 150 degrees of ocean, over a three or four hour period. And Wolfhammer, there WAS a part about a tall glass of spirits.

The actual quote is as follows.

We pardon our readers for having turned the previous page with the understandable expectation of finding Dauntlesses hurtling downward from the heavens, only to discover that a brief but necessary piece of business remains before we get to the "exciting part". 

Its my favorite line in the book.   

One further thought, while Fuchida's account is much more dramatic, knowing the truth makes the history much more real.  The sacrifice of the TBDs and the penny packet attacks by the Army Air Corps kept the Japanese busy all morning.  That is what allowed the decisive blow from the dive bombers to be decisive.  The truth does nothing to detract from the individual courage of any of the participants, instead it shows the reality of what they did without the un-needed drama.  I would argue it honors them more than a dramatic fantasy.

John

For a really long book covering familiar territory, the authors injected a little humor.

An example, and I can't quote because I took the book back to the library (EDIT: I'm going to buy a copy)

At the end of the initial chapters on the set up and disposition of forces, the strike mission and the return where a second strike is initiated, it's early morning on the 4th of June.

The next chapter begins with something to the effect that...

"The reader at this point must refrain from the picture of Dauntless dive bombers dropping out of the sun to wreak destruction, but instead go and pour a tall glass of spirits and settle in for a long but necessary description of Japanese carrier deck spotting, as it makes a great deal of explaining what's to come", or something like that.

My daughter the theater pro calls that adressing the fourth wall.

I wish I could write half that well.

In my opinion, Shatterd Sword is not apologizing for the Japanese nor degrading the heroic actions of the US Navy during the Midway battle.  Our men fought bravely, as did the Japanese.  I found the research on the way the IJN fought their ships and planes telling, and actually highlighted the impressive force that the IJN brought to the battle.  It also shows how they wasted the opportunity in an overly complex and convoluted battle plan where the different units couldn't support each other.  In addition, it also points out how unprepared the US Navy was to fight its carriers in a fleet action, as shown by how the attacks happened over a period of hours instead of concentrating over minutes.  I've often commented that in some ways, our own ineptitude worked in our favor, since we kept the IJN launching and recovering its CAP instead of prepping a strike.  I also loved the fact the book reads like the authors are telling the story, as opposed to a dry textbook feel.  However, to each their own. 

John

MJames70

While I feel some of the points raised in it were valid, I still feel in overall tone it was an apology piece for the Japanese loss, that sought on many occasions to dismiss American skill, bravery, tactics, and strategy as a factor in the US victory in favor of 'woe is me' bad fortune to the Japanese. And in many ways was just as jingoistic as Lord's Incredible Victory, just from the opposite side. Your mileage may vary. Whether the internet agrees with me or not is not a factor in my feeling the book was overrated. 

 

MJames70

I'm surprised you were able to finish Shattered Sword. The authors hot tears of rage that the Japanese lost the battle smear the ink on nearly every page...

That's a bit of a hyperbole, wouldn't you say?  "Hot tears of rage that the Japanese lost"?  I think that's a completely unfounded statement.  Nowhere do they express or imply that they wished the Japanese had won.  Rather, they do a very good job of explaining how the Japanese operated, based on Japanese source material rather than Fuchida's account, and I think they do an excellent job of clarifying and even debunking assumptions about the battle, long held by readers here in the West.

John Lundstrom does a similar job, equally well, of describing our Navy's operations in the first year of the Pacific War.

There's no partisanship, only exposure of sources not previously used.

I'm certain now that we are talking about two different books, or you haven't read the one I cited.

While I feel some of the points raised in it were valid, I still feel in overall tone it was an apology piece for the Japanese loss, that sought on many occasions to dismiss American skill, bravery, tactics, and strategy as a factor in the US victory in favor of 'woe is me' bad fortune to the Japanese. And in many ways was just as jingoistic as Lord's Incredible Victory, just from the opposite side. Your mileage may vary. Whether the internet agrees with me or not is not a factor in my feeling the book was overrated. 

I don't agree with that at all. And doing my due diligence, there don't seem to be too many that either share or can spread any light on that view.

The most common criticism seems to be that the book relied on Japanese war records and presents the "Japanese" point of view, namely that their operational stategies as described in the book don't match the truth.

I admit some ignorance in that, as I don't know that much about the details of Japanese Military doctrine.

But the book is harshly critical of the Japanese, on quite a few points.

- That even though they would not admit this, the loss of the war was a foregone conclusion by mid 1942. Rather the plan should have been to fall back on the Home Islands and defend them for as long as possible.

- That the overall goal of the plan made no sense, in that the objective was not particularly strategic, that it was untenable over time, and that the high risk in the use of totally irreplaceable resources was not worth it.

- That the battle plan was overly complicated and internally contradictory, relying on surprise and the blunt projection of great force in the same instance.

- That the coincidence of the Aleutian Campaign was a bad division of available forces, and that neither could be considered a feint for the other.

- That the underlying goal of a massive surface gun battle had already been rendered moot the year before.

And also critical in lots of other lesser but important details, such as that the AA artillery on board the ships shot down nothing (two attacking aircraft).

The writing style was loopy, but it helped get through the book, which is long.

I thought the summary, in which the outcome was neither good luck "Miracle at Midway" stuff, nor bad luck "3 minutes to Victory" stuff, fit the facts.

About the only overt sympathy towards the Japanese that I can remember was a fair amount for the human suffering and death of several thousand Japanese, who after all were doing their jobs without putting at risk a lot of collateral civilian damage. But not out of hand.

GMorrison

Ballards book does not interest me. Having just skimmed it, it repeats all of the statements that Fujita made and "Shattered Sword" subsequently debunks. And a lot about Ballard.

On to helping my wife with her interest in Viet Nam.

 

I'm surprised you were able to finish Shattered Sword. The authors hot tears of rage that the Japanese lost the battle smear the ink on nearly every page...

I recently finished "I-Boat Captain" by Zenji Orita. A very good biographical account of Orita's time in IJN submarines. He covers the Pearl Harbor attack and the role of Japanese submarines there, up to his post-war career. Especially intriguing and compelling are his discussions of kaiten suicide torpedoes and his stewardship of those missions late in the war. Highly recommended.

"Eastern Europe" by Tomek Jankowski is a very good description of E. Europes' history for the past 2000 or so years. IMO, it is unbiased, a bit humorous and easy to read. It doesn't go into too many details but the author shows a good understanding of what/who E. Europe is and isn't and why.

"Ghosts of Medak Pocket" is a great book about a part of a war in Croatia.

"Rise and fall of Slobodan Milosevic" is excellent review of Yugoslavias' recent history, very good IMO.

"To rule the waves", lets just say I couldn't put it down. History of the importance of controling the sea from the point of the British navy.

Tal Afar Dave

 

wolfhammer1

Just finished "A Higher Call" about Franz Stigler during WWII.  Interesting story and perspective on how there are good people on all sides of a war.  Will be starting to re-read "Battleship Bismark", written by the highest ranking surviving officer of the Bismark.  Interesting and sad story, given what happened during the sinking.

John

 

 

 

 

That IS a great book, John! I finished it around Christmas time and found a set of decals for the 109 and the B-17 in 1/72nd scale....a small, inflight diorama will be in the works....one day.......

 

TAD

 

I was the first to mentioned that book 2 years ago. A great read no doubt.

I just finished Bill O'Reilly's "Killing Reagan". Very good and informative read. Learned a lot about Ronald and Nancy Reagan - stuff I thought was just media hype, but turns out to be very much true. As a side note, I have all five "Killing...." books. ALL are excellent reads!

I just started (last night) "Hell In The Pacific" by Jim McEnery. Nope, it's not a book of the movie that starred Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune in 1969. Completely different. And, I know the question already - "Aren't titles copyrighted?" Nope. The contents of the movie, book, magazine, etc., are, but titles aren't. I'll let you know soon what to expect from the book.

Gary

Ballards book does not interest me. Having just skimmed it, it repeats all of the statements that Fujita made and "Shattered Sword" subsequently debunks. And a lot about Ballard.

On to helping my wife with her interest in Viet Nam.

wolfhammer1

Just finished a book called "The First Heroes" about the Doolittle raid.  Its interesting as it follows the crews all the way from the formation of the special group up till the end of the war.  Not a bad read. 

I really love Shattered Sword. 

John

 

I just finished "Shattered Sword", and am about to read Ballard's book about the discovery of Yorktown and later bits of Kaga.

S S was and is a great read. The authors put together a good picture of the battlefield, and also spent a lot of time tracking down the various arguments concerning the battle.

Just finished a book called "The First Heroes" about the Doolittle raid.  Its interesting as it follows the crews all the way from the formation of the special group up till the end of the war.  Not a bad read. 

I really love Shattered Sword. 

John

Hunter

I just finished reading "How to Model" Basic Skills and Techniques and getting ready to read Basic and Advance Airbrushing Skills and Techniques for Beginners. Dang Newbie's LOL

 

I still go back to the basic books from time to time, especially if I am building out of my usual armor zone.

GM I read COI decades ago. I think I have a couple of books by him. I am going to know more about the eastern front than I ever thought. May also have to build some ww2 armor.

I'm halfway through "Shattered Sword". What an informative book!

Wayne, if you haven't read Heinrich's "Cross of Iron". WAY better than the movie.

currently reading BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM for a class. also THE RUSSIAN CIVIL WAR.

i will be teaching an 8 week/16 hour class on the russian front in january 2017. this is for OLLI, classes for retirees and seniors who want to continue learning. this would be taught at the grand operational level, ie some divisions but mostly corps and army units. it would be for folks who have little knowledge of the subject, not GROGNARDs like us who know the difference between a PZ-IVF1 and a PZ-IVH. 

i am looking for a one volume book. here are the 3 i am considering. interlibrary loans are your friends

wolfhammer1

Just finished "A Higher Call" about Franz Stigler during WWII.  Interesting story and perspective on how there are good people on all sides of a war.  Will be starting to re-read "Battleship Bismark", written by the highest ranking surviving officer of the Bismark.  Interesting and sad story, given what happened during the sinking.

John

 

TAD

Your first title I've read. Snap thought- you are a visual person and thats in my way of thinking. I design timeline installations in all kinds of places like library walls.

I'll look that tunnel book up.

Nasty sh i t. My friends from Vietnam (i didn't get drafted until after 1972) were mostly rotor wing people.

Steve, yes Hara figures in the book.

A lot of really sad things in the book I read.

The Hellcats from TF58 machine gunning swimming survivors. The 30 man hot baths on Yamato ending up as body dumps.

I just started reading a book titled The Atlas and Time Line of WWII. It has been very imformative and a truely great read so far.

My next read is titled: The Dark Tunnel Home....It's about a group of gentlemen that served during the Viet Nam war as "tunnel rats" and their experiences during that time.

GMorrison

I just finished "A Glorious Way to Die" by Russell Spurr, an account of the final action of the battleship Yamato. I really only had a passing knowledge of the event, so this filled in quite a few details.

If you haven't already read it, I'd like to recommend Japanese Destroyer Captain, by Tameichi Hara. He tells of many adventures in the Imperial Navy, and his own eyewitness account of the sinking of Yamato.

I'm currently reading a recent translation of Herodotus' The Histories. The stories he had are still fun today, and still a gold mine of information about the era he lived in.