The History Book Club discussion

Im reading by Sebastian Junger for my night shift reader. Not many nights to go then sweet, sweet holidays.

Hi Michael,

That's another title sitting on my 'to-read' list, its sounds pretty good so I hope you enjoy it and you also enjoy your holidays.

I figured I'd start "The Fighting Temeraire" by Sam Willis as its the first volume in a planned "Hearts of Oak" trilogy.

by Sam Willis

Hi 'Aussie Rick'

Ive nearly finished bySebastian Junger Is's a good decent read, the narrative style reminded me a lot of byDavid Finkel. As for David Starkey I am enjoying his book and find his narrative extremley satisfying.

Just finished by Sebastian Junger and what a great read. Changing down a gear now and starting by Sarah Rose One of those history books on a obscure subject that catches my eye from time to time.

Michael, I also enjoy some of those microhistory books and will be interested to see your review. I like the little-known history pieces.

I just finished two audiobooks that were really great reads!

1. by Bruce Watson What an amazing book. A truly sad chapter in American history. A really moving book.

2. by Michael Hiltzik This book was really well written about an amazing engineering accomplishment. Full of the politics behind Hoover Dam, the history, the impact, etc. An interesting fact I learned from the book I thought I'd share is - The very first death associated with the building of the dam, and the very last happened 14 years to the day apart.......and were a father and son.

These look terrific Jason and I for one love audio books when I am traveling; I am taking a bunch with me.

Great commentary.

Please however, remember to do book cover which you graciously did, author's photo if available and the author's link.

Like so:

by Bruce Watson

For the above, there was no author's photo available.

by Michael A. Hiltzik

For the above, there was no author's photo available.

Without the citations (book and author), the goodreads software cannot do its job properly and populate the site automatically.

It is great to have you posting again; welcome back...I think the caricature avatar is awesome.

Take care,

Bentley

Thanks Bentley - It's good to see you. I'm glad to know you like audio too, I'm now reviewing for AudioFile magazine and spend quite a bit of time listening to unabridged audio.

Thanks for the tip on the book postings, got it now!

That is good and thanks for the tips...they really look good. I love audio.

Audio rocks. All I listen to in the car.

LOL - How about listening to a good engine rumbling - unless of course you're driving a Prius...

Alas my day's of cars with rumbling engines are behind me, nice quite family cars or the order of the day now.

André wrote: "LOL - How about listening to a good engine rumbling - unless of course you're driving a Prius..."

You are funny Andre..I know you are a purist (smile)

I'm about half way through Richard Lowry's book "New Dawn" which covers the battle for Fallujah in 2004.

by Richard S. Lowry

Bentley wrote: "I know you are a purist (smile)"

You sure are right about that, Bentley.
Rick, how about a new house of books? Terrific , your listings!

Hi Andre, I'm still working on that idea with my wife, a new house that is! I have just finished "New Dawn" and have picked up "The Ghosts of Cannae" to start.

by Richard S. Lowry

by Robert L. O'Connell

Just started reading by Hugh L. Mills Jr. with Robert A. Anderson. Just finished the first chapter, did not know I could hold my breath for that long. A start worthy of any top notch action flick.
I have to confess though, I have a weakness for book's dealing with whirlybirds :)

Winston Churchill

The reconquest of the Sudan

Just started by James L. Haley on unabridged audio. What a fascinating man and all too short life.

That sounds really interesting, Jason. I've loved his books, and heard his life was fascinating as well. Another one for the to-read list! Thanks.

Jason, your add sounds fascinating but since we do not allow any self promotion it would be best from this point on when citing books not to mention the fact that you have an assigned review otherwise this may be interpreted in the future as self promotion and we would have to delete it which would be a shame.

Bentley wrote: "Jason, your add sounds fascinating but since we do not allow any self promotion it would be best from this point on when citing books not to mention the fact that you have an assigned review otherw..."

Thanks Bentley - I adjusted it to reflect the change.

Jason wrote: "Bentley wrote: "Jason, your add sounds fascinating but since we do not allow any self promotion it would be best from this point on when citing books not to mention the fact that you have an assign..."

Thank you very much Jason.

I have just started a new (or up-dated and revised) book on Chopin by Adam Zamoyski. I love Chopin's music and this is about the fourth book I have read on this great composer!

by Adam Zamoyski

You are becoming a Chopin expert.

I wish! But what great music this man left for us all.

That is for sure Aussie Rick.

this is what i am reading now, can't put them down.

Sal, looks really interesting! Thanks for the add.
When you site a book don't forget to add the author photo (if available) and link.

by Vasily Grossman

Hi Sal, I'll be intersted to hear what you think of Vasily Grossman as I have his book "A Writer at War" sitting un-read in my library.

by Vasily Grossman

I am currently reading "The Forgotten 500".

by Gregory Freeman

On holidays in the Blue Mountains going to finish the Axis of Time Trilogy by John Birmingham

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Sal, I'll be intersted to hear what you think of Vasily Grossman as I have his book "A Writer at War" sitting un-read in my library.

[bookcover:A Writer at War: Vasily Grossman with the Red Arm...i believe vasily grossman will one day be spoken in the same way as tolstoy and Dostoyevsky

by Vasily Grossman

Just atarted Hugh Ambrose

Hi Patricrk, I hope you enjoy "Pacific" as I've got an un-read copy sitting on the floor next to me!

by Hugh Ambrose

I currently reading an older book, first published in 1958 titled "The Fleet that had to Die" by Richard Hough.

by Richard Hough

I am now reading another old book titled "The War of Lost Opportunities" by Max Hoffmann.

(The War of Lost Opportunities) by Max Hoffmann
"This is a World War I memoir by an exceptional German officer who served almost exclusively on the Russian Front. He was Operations officer at the Battle of Tannenberg, was responsible for the winter Battle of the Masurian Lakes in 1915 and directed the German response to the Russian Brusilov offensive in 1917. He ended the war as German representative at the Brest-Litovsk peace talks."

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Patricrk, I hope you enjoy "Pacific" as I've got an un-read copy sitting on the floor next to me!

by Hugh Ambrose

I currently reading an ol..."
I'm enjoying it so far. I think I've read your Russian Navy book but I'm not sure.

considering all the remarks you've made about unread books waiting on your list, what proportion of the books in your library are unread?

Now that is a good question, Patricrk. Although given how often Aussie Rick reads and buys new books, I'm sure the percentage is constantly changing. Still, can you give a reasonable estimate, Aussie Rick?

Hmmm, that is a hard question, I use to run a database for my military books, history books and Police books but lost all the data except for my military books which shows just under 2,900 books, so taking all the other areas that my reading covers I should have about 4,000 titles. I'd say that maybe 25% are unread but that gap is increasing as I have been buying more books of late for some reason (stockpiling for retirement!).

Aussie Rick, that is amazing! I think you read in your sleep!

I didn't include all my novels which are in 6 large boxes in the garage! I'm afraid I love reading and love my books, what can I say :)

You're among equals, I guess...
Terrific!

by Millard Kaufman

Hi Andre, I'm pretty sure most people here are in the same boat as me, one way or the other :)

I saw that you noticed Stephen Dand-Collins new book on the Great Fire of Rome.

by Stephen Dando-Collins

WHo's the one rowing? Bentley! If it'd be a ship he certainly would qualify for captain.

As most of you reading the posts will have noticed I'm not a fan of audio books.
Here's one exception, the rare combination of a great reader/speaker and a great writer forming the perfect team:



by Michael Connelly and read by Len Cariou



...all by the same author and reader - and the list goes on.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Andre,
I saw that you noticed Stephen Dand-Collins new book on the Great Fire of Rome.

[bookcover:The G..."

Yep, comes out Sept.9th. Let's hope this one has a little less of his nerve wrecking contemporary military ranks. Otherwise it should be good.

I just listened to the following on unabridged audio:

by Russell Freedman

Written for young readers, it's an interesting and engaging read. Of course it's a broad introductory history that includes the politics of the war, weaponry, key battles, etc. - There's even enough details that I would recommend it for adults interested in an introductory text on WWI.

That look's like an interesting book Jason, glad to hear you enjoyed it.

I'm just about to start reading Max Hastings new book on Churchill:

by Max Hastings

I have just finished Signs of Resistance by Susan Burch. I was really happy with it as a history of Deaf culture in the US. As always, it leaves me with a craving for a similar book on Canadian Deaf history, but we're still digging into that up here.

I'm happy to be done it, I admit, because I have a stack of books she's edited on my TBR pile and I'm so looking forward to them. I think the next will be Double Visions .

by Anne Marie Walters

A magnificent book!