What is everyone reading on WW2?

[OpanaPointer]

The Most Controversial Decision: Truman, the Atomic Bombs, and the Defeat of Japan (Cambridge Essential Histories)
Part of: Cambridge Essential Histories (19 Books) | by Wilson D. Miscamble C.S.C. | Apr 11, 2011

This short book (150ish pages) is a road map to the end of the war in the Pacific. He provides citations that go back to many of the books I've read on this era. Currently at the point where Truman had just reluctantly decided that a bomb would have to be dropped on Tokyo.

[JeroenPollentier]

I'm reading John Röhl's biography of Kaiser Wilhelm II (volume 3) and it's surprisingly good, considering how long and detailed it is. I started with volume 3 because that was the only volume available at the bookshop and it was priced very nicely.

I've already bought the first volume as well now.

I know this book is rather about WW1, but I can no longer find the thread about WW1 books on this forum. And volume 3 of the biography covers the years up till 1941, so it's a bit about WW2 as well.

[Hans1906]

About two years ago, I was able to buy six large cardboard boxes full of "Simplicissimus" magazines on the local flea market,
here in Wiesbaden.

The seller wanted 600,- Euro for the six boxes, after several attempts, the seller gave me the 6 boxes for 150, - Euros, including the transport to my front door.

Simplicissimus https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicissimus

One box, I could see until today, for more I lacked the time so far, but it was very good purchase, probably the best purchase of my life.


Hans

* Very many interested in individual vintages, but the complete mass of paper no one wanted to buy.
Sometimes the money is on the street, you just have to pick it up, that's all...

[Felix C]

About two years ago, I was able to buy six large cardboard boxes full of "Simplicissimus" magazines on the local flea market,
here in Wiesbaden.

The seller wanted 600,- Euro for the six boxes, after several attempts, the seller gave me the 6 boxes for 150, - Euros, including the transport to my front door.

Simplicissimus https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicissimus

One box, I could see until today, for more I lacked the time so far, but it was very good purchase, probably the best purchase of my life.


Hans

* Very many interested in individual vintages, but the complete mass of paper no one wanted to buy.
Sometimes the money is on the street, you just have to pick it up, that's all...

Hello Hans,

Good deal. Did you secure any 1914-1918 editions? I understand a serious tone was taken during the war. Wonder what the articles are. I saw two online from 1916 in some archive.

As for reading, Edward Ellsberg's accounts of ship salvage at Massawa and Algerian Ports. Under the Red Sea and No Banner, No Bugles.

[Hans1906]

Thanks Felix C,

the six boxes containing hundreds of issues (Ausgaben) of "Simplicissimus" are in my personal archive in northern Germany.
Currently, I have no access to the material, unfortunately.

Link: http://www.simplicissimus.info/index.php?id=5


Hans

[Scorchedearth]

During my commute to work I’ve purchased several audio books. I’ve recently finished Das Reich by max Hastings and Hitler by Ian Kershaw both excellent in my opinion . I’m currently listening to Hitlers hangman by Robert Gerwarth which is Heydrich’s rise to the Reich protectorate, which is very interesting but annoying voice makes it hard work at times.

[Cult Icon]

"Old Hickory the 30th division: The top rated American Infantry division", one of the best unit histories for a US infantry division I've ever read.

[Gorque]

"All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days" by Rebecca Donner on the life and times of Mildred Harnack.

[Attrition]

Mike Target by David Mercer, a memoir of his participation in the NW Europe campaign 1944-1945 and peacetime soldiering in occupied Germany. Rather good, tho' not as much on the science and tactics of gunnery as I'd hoped for.

[Hans1906]

A few days ago I received a very good copy of the book "Die Werbeplakate der Waffen-SS" from the year 2017.

Find used here: https://www.booklooker.de/Bücher/Angebo ... +Waffen-SS

Adoria Verlag https://adoria-verlag.de/buecher/verlag ... -waffen-ss

Highly recommended if you are interested in this particular topic.


Hans

[Westphalia1812]

I'm thinking of getting either Death of the Wehrmacht by Citino or Der Panzer und die Mechanisierung des Krieges.

Does anyone have experience with reading Citino?

[Rouge Diablo]

I'm re reading "Lost Victories" by Erich von Manstein and feeling very inadequate after reading posts on this forum. Im a very very small fish in an ocean of Whales. But fantastic info both on the forum and in EvMs book.

[trespasser07]

“The Forgotten Field Marshall Wilhelm Keitel” by Gene Mueller - Excellent

[Hans1906]

Several years of "Der Freiwillige", from a neighborhood family, for free.

Standing in a typical cardboard box in front of the property , described with "To give away", not uncommon here in Germany.
Very many people simply do not care, old paper is put on the street, nothing more.

99.9 percent end up in German waste paper containers, every day.

Der Freiwillige https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Freiwillige

Example attached.


Hans

* By the way, this is still not uncommon today, you put the old stuff on the street, or wherever...
The last name of the family was "von Rhein", enough written.

[Cult Icon]

I'm thinking of getting either Death of the Wehrmacht by Citino or Der Panzer und die Mechanisierung des Krieges.

Does anyone have experience with reading Citino?

Citino's campaign books are surface-skimming general histories and extremely opinion oriented. I have all his books and I think they are worthwhile to have as a reference but like all general histories, should be not considered the final word. On areas that I am familar with, I find myself agreeing with his opinions most of the time.

"Path to Blitzkrieg" was very informative on the pre-war German army.