LarsA Posted 1 March , 2009 Share Posted 1 March , 2009 Also the 'History of the 38th (Welsh) Division. Only critique is it is far too short!, but did help with some research I am doing on that Division. Good divisional history, but I agree it's a bit short. More flesh on the bone in part Three of Dudley Wards Regimental records, covers all RWF battalions in F & F, but has much more details on important actions and on the development of the war per battalion. /Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 1 March , 2009 Share Posted 1 March , 2009 As a follow up Lars, I've just finished the '1919 Souvenir of the Welsh Division' Edited by Capt N Hodgson, published by the Western Mail Jan 1919, price One shilling and sixpence. Very odd publication, 70 pages of wit across the whole division, with some fairly surreal stuff. Cartoon drawings by Hugh Lloyd Roberts are absolutely brilliant. Must check him out as he competes easily with Bainsfather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blighty valley Posted 1 March , 2009 Share Posted 1 March , 2009 one of the last books i have just read 'Is a foreign field' by Ben Macintyre its a true story about 4 soilders caught behind enemy lines in 1914 unable to get back to our lines they had to depend on the villagers of villeret its there story of there live and in the end there betrayal after you have read the book you can go back to the area and follow there story its well worth a read to find out what happend behind enemy lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundeesown Posted 1 March , 2009 Share Posted 1 March , 2009 I`m now working my way through History of the Black Watch (3 Volumes ),Edited by Major-General A.G.Wauchope but only on vol 2, + Through German Eyes. Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 1 March , 2009 Share Posted 1 March , 2009 " Asquith As War Leader", G.H. Cassar. I read his book on Kitchener and it was fairly good. This one is well up to standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 2 March , 2009 Share Posted 2 March , 2009 I've just started reading Cambrai 1917: The Myth of the First Great Tank Battle by Bryn Hammond of the IWM. Priced at £25 I have to say that so far I've found my copy to be excellent value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 2 March , 2009 Share Posted 2 March , 2009 I am currently into "In the footsteps of Private Lynch", sent to me by Pighills, and I will send it on to the next on the list once I have finished it later this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMHart Posted 8 March , 2009 Share Posted 8 March , 2009 I am re-reading Bryn Hammond's masterly Cambrai, 1917: The myth of the Great Tank Battle. I agree that it is worth every penny even in these parlous times!! Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyE Posted 8 March , 2009 Share Posted 8 March , 2009 I am re-reading Bryn Hammond's masterly Cambrai, 1917: The myth of the Great Tank Battle. I agree that it is worth every penny even in these parlous times!! Pete Praise indeed for a man whom you think (know) supports all the wrong teams, but I fully concur! I am just about to start your "1918" which I am sure I will enjoy every bit as much as "Bloody April". Will you be gracing us with your presence at the London meet on the 26th? Cheers TonyE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 8 March , 2009 Share Posted 8 March , 2009 I have just started reading Gordon Corrigan's "Loos - The Unwanted Battle". His style really grates with me which is why it has lain on my bookshelf, unread for a few years. In the first chapter I've already come across a few factual errors, which I'd probably not be so critical of if he tried to be a little more professional in the way he writes. Having said that though, I do appreciate his inside knowledge of the way the Army works and how men react under the pressure of military life. I hope to expand my knowledge of the second half of 1915 through reading his book. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel Posted 8 March , 2009 Share Posted 8 March , 2009 History of the lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918 by Maj Gen C.R Simpson. A fantastic read for people researching a soldier who served within the Lincolnshire Regiment. Gives all the details of actions undertaken by all Ten Battalions, taken from war diaries. The book gives a full detailed account of every battalion! A must have reprint, originally published in 1931. The book also gives the Roll of Honour of officers, Wo's & Nco's Whom served with the Regiment! Also the list of Honours & Awards! A must read for someone whom has had a relative serve within the Regiment. The total dead amounted to 8,800. an unbelievable amount! Was a couragous Regiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 8 March , 2009 Share Posted 8 March , 2009 I am re-reading Bryn Hammond's masterly Cambrai, 1917: The myth of the Great Tank Battle. I agree that it is worth every penny even in these parlous times!! Pete Praise indeed for a man whom you think (know) supports all the wrong teams, but I fully concur! Cheers TonyE Totally agree with you both - though I'm just wondering how many people here have actually paid for their copy of Bryn's excellent magnum opus ...........is he earning enough to sustain a growing lad like he is........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 8 March , 2009 Share Posted 8 March , 2009 Where do I send for my free copy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMHart Posted 9 March , 2009 Share Posted 9 March , 2009 Joking aside, Cambrai, 1917: The Myth of the great Tank Battle is a great book, but Bryn's useless publisher won't print any more and it is all but sold out now. As the paperback isn't due till the end of the year copies are going to be as rare as hen's teeth in a month or so! And just to make you laugh Bryn has about 20 odd talks (all his talks are odd) booked to publicise and sell the book!!! He is not chuffed although I believe he is particularly looking forward to his visit to Tayside... Weidenfeld are not really interested in commissioning any more Great War books at the moment as apparently no-one's interested and they don't sell. As a result their authors either being pressurised into moving on to the Second World War or have departed for more imaginative publishers... Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 9 March , 2009 Share Posted 9 March , 2009 Weidenfeld are not really interested in commissioning any more Great War books at the moment as apparently no-one's interested and they don't sell. As a result their authors either being pressurised into moving on to the Second World War or have departed for more imaginative publishers... What a ludicrous position to take by W&N! As the marked rise in visitors to Chris Baker's Long Long Trail which was recently mentioned on another thread shows, interest in the Great War is at an all-time high. And it's certainly going to go on rising in the foreseeable future, peaking over the centenary years of 2014 - 2018. It must surely be an idiot who has made W&N's forecasts for them on the demand for Great War related material - a pity, as they are a publishing house with a long and honourable history in military history and biography. As to 'Lucky' Hammond's book being a sell-out, well, that just goes to prove what we've all been saying about what a great book it is. The problem I foresee though, is when Bryn has to confront the long queues of eager fans in Dundee in November who've turned up for their free review copies only to have him tell them that the print run has run out! This may raise personal security issues which will make Mandelson's custard problems pale into insignificance. And finally, dear Peter, do pay attention. The subtitle is The Myth of the First Great Tank Battle - it's not about just any old great tank battle myth, you know. Your sometime drinking acquaintance, George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 9 March , 2009 Share Posted 9 March , 2009 Ok, taking your word for it, I just ordered a second-hand copy (desribed as in Very Good condition, but as long as it is legible I am none too worried). Works out at about Pnds 17 (it was in currency). After reading I will carefully store with my collection of Hens' Teeth.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bardess Posted 9 March , 2009 Share Posted 9 March , 2009 I'm on chapter 3 of Twelve Days on the Somme by Sidney Rogerson and am really enjoying his lively narrative. It will be finished tonight for sure Diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulsterlad2 Posted 9 March , 2009 Share Posted 9 March , 2009 Second hand book shops are a treasure trove at times, especially in todays climate. 2 out of 3 of my last Great War reads have come that way. Picked up a hardbacked copy of Martin Middlebrook's The Kaiser's Battle for £3. I really enjoyed reading that. A while back I also got Ypres 1914 Death of an Army for £1 and I've tried to read it. (I really want to read it) but find I just can't get into it. I feel like I need to be surrounded by maps and reference books to be able to follow what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron2165 Posted 13 March , 2009 Share Posted 13 March , 2009 Just finished reading Loos 1915 The Unwanted Battle by Gordon Corrigan, and just started Most Unfavourable Ground by Nial Cherry, both realy good. Cam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 13 March , 2009 Share Posted 13 March , 2009 I have just finished the 1958 book by Alan Moorhead - Gallipoli. Well worth a read and give a good insight into Gallipoli and the politics of the time. Just started - The Battle Book of Ypres by Beatrix Brice - a 1987 reprint of a 1927 book. sm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 13 March , 2009 Share Posted 13 March , 2009 Just finished Out Of The Fires Of Hell; ed Alan Llwyd, Gomer Press 2008, a selection of "Welsh experience of the Great War in prose and verse".A different type of book, with the Welsh language excerts admirably translated by the editor. Just under 350 pages of various contributions, including TE Lawrence, Sassoon, and others with a regimental connection, as well as those of a full Welsh cultural background. Those of a non Welsh background should read this for an understanding of the Welsh attitude towards the war, and the effect of non-conformist theology on thousands of recruits and army leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 13 March , 2009 Share Posted 13 March , 2009 A slim volume of poetry - Soldier Songs by Patrick MacGill - first edition for £5. Includes the poem "Matey". MacGill was a prolific author; Children of the Dead End, Rat's Alley etc. His three WW1 books on his experiences with the 18th battalion London Regiment are worth a look also; Amateur Army, Red Horizon and the Great Push (Loos). These have recently bee republished as a trilogy entitled Rifleman MacGill's War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavoT Posted 14 March , 2009 Share Posted 14 March , 2009 I'm about 75% through the History of the 1/4th Battalion West Riding Regiment by Capt P.G. Bales at the moment. Not a bad read as I'm following the 'footsteps' a relative who served in this battalion and DOW 20 Oct 1918. Like so many others, he nearly made it through. Cheers, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelcave Posted 15 March , 2009 Share Posted 15 March , 2009 I have just completed 'Writing the Great War: Sir James Edmonds and the Official Histories 1915 - 1948' by Andrew Green. From the title you would think it would be a long sought after cure for insomnia, but it is written extremely well and lucidly. The achievement is all the greater when it is realised that this is a PhD turned into a book - a transformation that often does not work at all well. I strongly recommend this to anyone who needs to get a focus on the OH in the context of various critical comments made against it. There are a few minor quibbles that I have, but nothing of any significance. One, perhaps, would be more on the significance of the logistical problems in operations (for example the chronic shortage of rolling stock) - but these are operational histories, so.. Just before it (off topic) I read the Enemy at the Gate - basically an account of the Siege of Vienna and the subsequent Habsburg/Ottoman conflicts, and another excellent read. Always salutary to get out of the 'parish' world of the Great War occasionally. I am now moving on to The White War, which I am told by another member of the house here in Italy is an 'excellent read'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Whitfield Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 I'm currently researching for a novel I'm writing so to get the feel and flavour of WWI I've recently read: Roses Of No Man's Land by Lyn MacDonald in The Footsteps of Private Lynch by Will Davies A World War I Nurse - Sketches from a Belgian Field Hospital Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry Heart Of War by John Marsters Still so many more to buy and read... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now