What Book Are You Reading?

**Albany Rifles** · 15 Oct 10,, 16:14

Wow, Douglas Reeman!

I didn't know he was still writing books. I haven't read him since college (though I did do some damage to the Alexander Kent series on Richard Bolitho in the 80s and 90s).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=..._id=B000APK6TU

I'll have to see if I can nudge my library into some new acquisitions!

**sappersgt** · 15 Oct 10,, 16:36

I am reading The Fall of Giants, the new novel by Ken Follett.
http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Giants-Ce...6809048&sr=8-1

**Mihais** · 15 Oct 10,, 16:41

Did I ever mentioned Heinlein's Starship Troopers? Lovely thing that one.
http://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troop...6809067&sr=8-1

**sappersgt** · 15 Oct 10,, 23:08

Originally Posted by Mihais

Did I ever mentioned Heinlein's Starship Troopers?Lovely thing that one.

An all time classic, it never gets old.

**USSWisconsin** · 16 Oct 10,, 05:02

Ahhh the classics of rocket age Sci Fi: Asimov, Clarke, Hienlein ... My Dad had big boxes of yellowed dime paperbacks of many of those stories (1940's and 50's), I found them in the basement when I was a kid and devoured them. My favorite was Issac Asimov - The Foundation (and all its sequals)
http://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Nov...6809088&sr=8-1

**bolo121** · 04 Nov 10,, 16:44

Came across Shelby Foote's Civil war Trilogy on the Internet. Ive heard a lot of wabbits praise it so downloaded.
Finished volume one so far. Beautiful writing but his obvious love for the south slants it a bit.
http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Narr...6809122&sr=8-1

**astralis** · 04 Nov 10,, 21:26

sapper sarge,

just finished the tsouras books myself. very interesting take on history, although i figure he's got his hand tilted considerably to the favor of the union-- developing all-source intel, taking up breechloading guns, and gatling guns all at once. pretty much advanced military tech by about 20-30 years in six months. but that's pretty much the only way the US could credibly fight the brits, french, AND the CSA all at once...
http://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Blood-...6809146&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Britannias-Fis...6809146&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/Third-Reich-Vi...6809146&sr=8-3

**sappersgt** · 04 Nov 10,, 22:41

Originally Posted by astralis

sapper sarge,

just finished the tsouras books myself. very interesting take on history, although i figure he's got his hand tilted considerably to the favor of the union-- developing all-source intel, taking up breechloading guns, and gatling guns all at once. pretty much advanced military tech by about 20-30 years in six months. but that's pretty much the only way the US could credibly fight the brits, french, AND the CSA all at once...

Yes, things are looking grim for the Union. Possible if the political will is there. Being attacked by enemies on all fronts probably makes it easier to focus on the war above all else. The British aren't committing larger forces, what with their other responsibilities. Makes for a more limited theater, otherwise there would be no hope at all.

How was The Gun?

http://www.amazon.com/Gun-C-J-Chiver...6809193&sr=8-1

**Cowman88** · 05 Nov 10,, 00:58

House to House by SSG David Bellavia for the second time.
http://www.amazon.com/House-Soldiers...6809210&sr=8-1

**astralis** · 05 Nov 10,, 03:36

sapper sarge,

he British aren't committing larger forces, what with their other responsibilities. Makes for a more limited theater, otherwise there would be no hope at all.

remember at the end of Rainbow, looks like both brits and the US are gearing up for a long war.

and if you read the "citations", you'll notice a reference to the massive German Zeppelin raids over London in WWII (1890).

**astralis** · 05 Nov 10,, 03:49

the gun was a very good book.
http://www.amazon.com/Gun-C-J-Chiver...6809250&sr=8-1

he made a VERY good point about exactly how much difference the AK-47 made in making insurgencies -so- much stronger-- it let me understand much better why western powers could easily crush them before 1930, could still do it routinely (with difficulty) in the 1950s, but suddenly hit a wall after the 60s.

how about yourself? you must have had quite some personal experience with "the gun"-- what are your thoughts? what about the m-16? chivers really went to town against THAT gun.

**sappersgt** · 05 Nov 10,, 05:34

Originally Posted by astralis

the gun was a very good book.

he made a VERY good point about exactly how much difference the AK-47 made in making insurgencies -so- much stronger-- it let me understand much better why western powers could easily crush them before 1930, could still do it routinely (with difficulty) in the 1950s, but suddenly hit a wall after the 60s.

I'm more of a believer in the firepower of crew served weapons as opposed to any assault rifle. On the other hand any automatic weapon was a significant jump in firepower over previous rifles. Note SMG armed platoons and companies in both German and Russian armies. Imagine 20 SMGs firing at you at the same time!

Back in the day I used to subscribe to a monthly loose leaf periodical from The Institute for Tactical Education. One month had a fascinating after action report (translated from German) of one of the first deployments of the Stug44. It deployed sections of men armed with Stug44s in the same tactical manner and as a substitute for a light machine gun. It wasn't clear how many men in a section or go into much detail but I found it very intriguing. It got me thinking about rifle tactics before machine guns. Hmmm.:hmmm:

how about yourself? you must have had quite some personal experience with "the gun"-- what are your thoughts? what about the m-16? chivers really went to town against THAT gun.

Note two armies that took the AK-47 and chambered it for 5.56, the IDF and SADF. The AK-47 is a very effective weapon, the R-4 is better. I was absolutly amazed the first time I fired an M-16. Probably the easiest rifle to shoot I've come across.

**sappersgt** · 18 Nov 10,, 21:13

Originally Posted by astralis

the gun was a very good book.

So, I sprang for it and you were right it is a good book. It wandered a bit at times but was an easy read. I first was thinking Chivers hadn't said anything I already didn't know about but as it progessed I found a depth of information I previously was unaware of. I finished it and passed on to another AK afficiando.

FYI The current issue of MHQ (Military History Quarterly) has a twenty page article by Chivers on the same subject. Lot of space for a periodical of that size.
http://www.amazon.com/MHQ-Quarterly-...6809284&sr=8-1

**DragoonGuard** · 19 Nov 10,, 06:58

The forgotten Highlander, by Alistair Urquhart.
http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-High...6809302&sr=8-1

Survived WW2 as a POW of the IJA on 'the railway of death' in the far east. (Bridge over the river Kwai etc)

A very honest, and harrowing account straight from the horses mouth.........