Currently Reading

[Colonel Kilgore]

I'd be interested in your thoughts on that ("As Told in the Great Hall"?) book, Andy, once you've finished it.

I remember being tempted in the past, but then recall having read a scathing review or three (not, I see, borne out by the scores on Amazon though).

Did you buy it recently, as it seems to be hard to get hold of at the moment?

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

I bought it about two years ago, although it was actually published in 2013. Only glanced at the rules section, but they seem a bit old school to me. The main interest for me is the battles and their accompanying maps, which could be used as scenarios for the PP rules. I would think any books on the Dark Ages are going to attract some bad reviews, as there are so many different interpretations of what went on during those 600 years after the collapse of Rome. For example, I really like his idea that the Battle of Brunanburgh was fought around the river Dibbin in Bromborough on the Wirral because this is where I lived as a boy, on Dibbinsdale Road, with the Dibbin marking the back boundary of our garden. (It was a 12 acre garden, as my mum and dad ran a children's home). It's nice to think that Dark Age warriors may have clashed where I used to play as a boy. However, there are at least four other suspected sites for the battle, all with academic backing, eg Michael Wood puts it elsewhere.

Andy

[Colonel Kilgore]

Thanks Andy - that is a helpful perspective.

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

I'll provide more information as I read through it.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I've just finished reading The Cretan Runner, by George Psychoundakis.

While mostly covering the post-invasion occupation, it's a fascinating and fast-paced account, translated from Cretan Greek by none other than Patrick "I kidnapped a German General" Leigh Fermor himself, who worked with Mr P in "The Service".

Highly recommended for some period flavour.

Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

I have now read (with thanks to Paul / pbeccas for pointing this one out to me) the Australian Army Campaigns series book on the Battle of Crete.

I found it a very accessible and interesting read. With lots of pictures (maps, photos of leaders, drawings of equipment; organisation charts).

Simon

[sjwalker51]

Several new projects very much at the "reading/research" phase...

The War of a Hundred Days (Brown): Somalia & Abyssinia 1940 (PP 15mm)
Armies of the Mexican Revolution (Blake): MexRev (PP 15mm - of course!)
The Fight for the Malvinas (Middlebrook): Falklands 1982 (20mm? - blame my son for this one!)
Soldiers, Scouts & Spies (Simons): New Zealand 1840's (Empress 28mm)

[Grey Heron]

Waiting on Armies of the Mexican Revolution (Blake ) to arrive from Caliver Books.


Currently reading Another Hill by Milton Wolff and Early Riser by Jasper Fforde.

[Matías]

Not actually reading, but I'm listening to the Audiobook version of Metro 2035, the first one was great, the second one was not so good, but this third volume is amazing. I find listening to audiobooks or podcasts keeps me in my working table for longer and I'm able to stick to projects before getting bored.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I've just finished "Sword of Kings" - the 12th Uhtred novel.

I really like these books, and if I wasn't painting German paras, I'd be tempted to start on the Dark Ages...

Simon

[John Watson]

Just finished Italy's Sorrow by James Holland. Terrific!
Now started Erebus by Michael Palin.
John

[Wardy64]

Just reading Crete by Beevor - lions led by donkeys comes to mind (if what he has written is true?). The phrase that the allied leaders 'were brave but not bold' sums it up.

Good book worth reading.

Dave

[Colonel Kilgore]

Also maybe something about fighting the last war, Dave?

A recurring theme for me is that many of the Allied leaders had done well in the WW1 trenches, but massively underestimated the threats from the air.

Conversely, several of the German leaders had been WW1 fighter aces...

Simon

[Wardy64]

Simon
I agree, from the books I have read on the early war, they never expected it to go the way it did. With Crete they had the intelligence but failed to act thinking the real threat came from a landing from the sea. Even though the RN had it covered.

I visited Singapore a few year back, looking around it really was unbelievable that the heavy guns just pointed out to sea, as it was not believed  that an army could attack through the jungle. If you look at that campaign there are some striking similarities to Crete. The Japanese could have possibly been beaten if the allies had counter attacked early in the battle, the Japanese general thought he would have to retreat.

But it is easy being an armchair general fighting with models that don't die. The old saying 'no plan survives contact with the enemy' is very true.

Dave

[John Watson]

By the way, a couple of bits of trivia from Italy's Sorrow.
1. The only allied general/field marshall to receive two unconditional surrenders of the enemy in WW2?
Alexander. 1st the Germans in Tunis and then the Germans in northern Italy.
2. Who did Alex call "Wayne"?
General Mark Clark.

John