"What are you Reading? - with a Review" Topic

I think it's time for another of these threads!
But please don't just state the title, let us know what you think.

"The Fall of Toulon", by Bernard Ireland

I'm almost through with this book, the tragic end is approaching.
A gripping read and very well written. We don't even approach Toulon until about half way through the book, but start out with a review of the Revolution, and British and French naval power during the previous few decades. Ordinarily I would be a little frustrated with this but I found it so well presented I didn't mind. Now that we are into the siege, I can't put the book down.

"Towards Khartoum- The Story of the Soudan War of 1896," by A. Hilliard Atteridge.

Just finished this book by Atteridge, who observed the reconquest of Dongola from Mahdist forces. A very good read with a lot of interesting information and observations on the logistical efforts needed to move the Egyptian army to the front. Describes the construction of the railroad, the medical response to an outbreak of cholera and good observations on the difference between the early Mahdist movement and what it had morphed into by 1896. Contains a good description of the battle at Firket (Firkit, Ferkeh) and the pursuit. My only complaint is that the copy I bought was a "print on demand" version, which was quite affordable but the photographs didn't reproduce worth beans. A small complaint, though, as I didn't buy it for the pictures and the text was well worth it. Great photos are available elsewhere, including the web. Recommended to anyone with interest in the campaigns in Sudan.

"March or Die" by Tony Geraghty

A general history of the French Foreign Legion, so far its pretty good. Not as extensive and Douglas Porch's book. I'd like more anecdotes.

I just finished Danile Todman's _Britain's War: Into Battle, 1937-1941_ which is extraordinary. Todman constructs a synoptic view of the early war years from interviews conducted at the time, economic and military statistics, as well as traditional sources. If there's anything you want to know about how the government and people conducted the early years of the war, this is your book.

link . WHEN ANGELS WEPT: A What-If History of the Cuban Missile Crisis .1st part of book is factual up to the Missle-Crisis , second part is what could have happened if the Invasion had happened. well written. loads of interesting info.

The Cruel Victory – Paddy Ashdown. The French Resistance especially the Vecors rising following D Day. Ye another example of an Allied cockup, sometimes I wonder how we won.

Heart of Europe by Peter Wilson – I enjoyed his history of the Thirty Years War so I eagerly plowed into this history of the Holy Roman Empire, all 1,000 years. Rather than a straight linear history this is a thought provoking look into the institutions and concepts that made the Empire what it was and how that changed over a millennia.

"House of the Wolfings" by William Morris.
Very atmospheric and inspirational(You can easily see why it was so influential to Tolkien),but a very tedious read.

"The Devils' Alliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin, 1939-1941"

The book is about the critical treaty that created the conditions for genocide and ethnic cleansing by German Nazis and Russian Communists in World War II. The book is a history of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 in which Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to not attack each other, increase trade between the two countries, and that led to an agreement as to how to divide up Eastern Europe between them. The agreement led to both the German AND Russian invasion of Poland, as partners and in coordination with each other, and which led to the Russian invasion and occupation of Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Bessarabia, and Moldavia. Much of the Russian role in this was overlooked in World War II due to the fact that Germany was the immediate existential threat to the allies and led the British and Americans to ally with Russia against the Germans after Hitler broke the agreement and invaded Russia in 1941. (This is the enemy of my enemy is my friend approach to international relations.)

The reason this book is interesting is it highlights an issue that was essentially covered up by WWII, denied by the Soviets and their apologists during the Cold War, yet which still impacts us today as the Baltic States worry about Russia.

The Sheik and the Dust bin by GM Fraser

Thoroughly delightful collection of short stories narrated by GMFs alter-ego a young subaltern in a highland battalion after WWII featuring the notoriously ill-kempt and filthy, Pte McAuslan.

So we'll written I need to seek out the other two volumes.

Currently I'm reading 3 books at once, Time-Life's beautiful series loaded with pictures and maps of "The Civil War" by Shelby Foote, Mike Snook's "Into The Jaws Of Death" about notable military disasters, and his "How Can Men Die Better" about Isandlwana. Colonel Snook's other works, "Like Wolves On The Fold" (Rorke's Drift),"Go Bold Into The Desert" (Sudan 1884-85),"Beyond The Reach Of Empire" (Sudan 1884-85), and the pair on "The Cape Frontier Wars", are all outstanding both for their pictorial content, maps, and Snook's concise but vivid narrative style. Photos of the battlefields with overlays of how troops were deployed set a standard all military histories should aspire to. The Colonel being a retired professional infantryman, and his obvious excellent fund of common sense, brings a unique perspective to these subjects which many would think required no further examination. In that they would be mistaken because his unique perspective as a professional soldier enables the reader to reconsider many historian's conclusions about these famous events. I cannot recommend Colonel Snook's works enough and very much look forward to more in future.

I just began today reading "The Earth is Weeping" by Peter Cozzens. He was just in St. Louis Nov. 01. I missed him, but since so many people on TMP recommend his ACW books, I decided to get this book for a read. I am barely begun so I will wait to give a review.

I'm reading through the Bible again this year, trying to keep up with a daily reading schedule. My church favors the King James version, which I use too. Briefly, there is no other book like it.

I'm also reading a modern version of John Bunyan's "The Holy War", which I accidentally found at our local Half Price Books. "The Holy War" concerns the battle for control of the city of Mansoul, both an earthly and spiritual battle. I really like the names of John Bunyan's characters: King Shaddai, Emmanuel, Diabolus, Mr. Conscience, Unbelief, Mr. Anything, and many others.

More like historical fiction
Desolation Island by Patrick O'Brian, a Aubrey/Maturin novel.
Did just finish A Sea of Words by Dean King, it was really helpful in understanding nautical jargon. Learned I have cruised through the Skagerrak

The Later Crusades by Norman Housley. An excellently written book with a lot of good information.

"The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics" and a classic : "A Bridge Too Far"

With the Cavalry to Afghanistan by William Taylor.

Frank McLynn's new Genghis Khan biography – I'm loving it.

Just finished 'With the Old Breed.'

Memoir of a marine mortarman's (K/3/5, 1st marine Division)combat experience on Peleleiu and Okinawa.

Interesting read with some grit and things one doesn't see in battle histories.

Rather topical with the release of 'Hacksaw Ridge.'

Now re-reading 'Jade Mountain' a translation of the 300 T'ang poems.