Currently Reading

[martin goddard]

I think they are sending me yours Simon.
They asked "do you want to steal someones else's book?"
Of coures I said yes


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

I may have to come a-viking down Weymouth way, then, Martin

Simon

[Richardwills]

Just started "First Casualty" by Tom Harnden, about the first CIA teams into Afghanistan in 2001.  Fascinating.

Just finished "Greece 1941" by Jeffrey Plowman £2 from Naval & Military Press.  Lots of small action scenarios.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I've just finished "Viking Warrior vs. Frankish Warrior, Francia 799-911" from Osprey's Combat series.

There are some nice illustrations, but not a huge variety between them in terms of the dress of the combatants (e.g. one could be led to believe that all Frankish shields were red and yellow swirls).

From a historical perspective, this book provides more context to the Viking Siege of Paris book that I'd read recently and the broader infighting of the Carolingian dynasty.

However, I'd been hoping for less of the wider history and rather more on the clothing, equipment and fighting styles of the combatants.

What did you think of yours, Martin?

Simon

[Leslie BT]

Heres a great book you should be reading,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CV6ptlI93A

[martin goddard]

Hello Les

That is WW2 TV. Always interesting.

Hello Simon
The book  is good enough for my sculpting needs so that is good.
Doing some other bits first. SCW bombers at the moment.


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

The book  is good enough for my sculpting needs so that is good.
Doing some other bits first. SCW bombers at the moment.


martin

Good news Martin, and no rush!

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

I'm currently reading The First Battle Of St Albans 1455 by Andrew Boardman, to gain an insight into the armies, tactics and terrain. Although it has been described as 'a scuffle in the street,' it did involve five or six thousand men and played a crucial role in turning the disagreements between the houses of York and Lancaster into a 30 year bloody family feud.

[Colonel Kilgore]

That sounds interesting, Andy. Would you recommend that  First St Albans book for others here?

Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

I've just finished 'The Norman Conquest' by Marc Morris.

I knew a bit about the various battles in 1066, but little about the conquest and deep linguistic, cultural and political changes that followed (I dropped History at school in favour of Computer Science, I think - not sure that was a good trade-off).

Not only is the subject matter fascinating (and I now know the original meaning of the word "forest", as well as how Newcastle came to be), but the style is very measured, conversational and engaging at the same time.

Highly recommended if this period is your thing!

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

I would recommend the Andrew Boardman Book as an in-depth study of an oft overlooked battle of the WotR. It is also the only town in England that experienced street fighting (twice) in the WotR, but it is usually the 2nd battle that gets the gaming refights with all of Warick's (ultimately useless) fancy weapons and gadgets. The Battleground book on the two battles of St Albans is also recommended, particularly if one wants to trace the development of the two battles. 

[Colonel Kilgore]

Thanks for this, Andy - I know that you are rather well read on this subject!

I do have the Battleground book, and it's nice to know that you also recommend Andrew Boardman's offering.

Simon

[Sean Clark]

Khartoum by Michael Asher. Its a very readable account of Gordon's downfall.

[Wardy64]

Having read that one Sean, another useful source document is 'Go Strong into the Desert' by Lt Col Mike Snook.

D&B

[John in York]

Thumbs up from me as well.
Both those books were really useful when I put together my Sudan forces.
Osprey's campaign book on Khartoum also has some interesting things in it (I seem to remember it was written by Donald Featherstone but could be wrong).