Panzer Leader by Heinz Guderian gives a general's-eye view of WWII. I found it very informative and interesting.
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Good History books
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I must give a contrary opinion on Jared Diamond, I found Guns, Germs, and Steel to be superficial and poorly researched, and when it did at times give a good insight, it weren't a new insight whatever he claims - basically he invented a simplified historical materialism 150 years later, and then claimed it as his own.
Some recommendations: Not all of Peter Englund's books have been translated from Swedish, but he's very readable and knowledgable. The two of his works that has been translated to English are The Beauty and the Sorrow: An Intimate History of the First World War and The Battle that Shook Europe: Poltava and the Birth of the Russian Empire. The History of Warfare by John Keegan is a decent introduction to war as a historical and cultural phenomenon. The Proud Tower by Barbara W Tuchman is a classic treatise about the history and mindset in the western world between 1890 and 1914.
Furthermore, I consider that forum views should be fluid in width
(April 24th, 2013, 05:25)kjn Wrote: I must give a contrary opinion on Jared Diamond, I found Guns, Germs, and Steel to be superficial and poorly researched, and when it did at times give a good insight, it weren't a new insight whatever he claims - basically he invented a simplified historical materialism 150 years later, and then claimed it as his own. I have heard that about Guns, Germs, and Steel (from professors) but didn't want to single it out since I haven't actually read it. It's what prompted me to give my caution about well-researched books. John Keegan is very well-respected. Tuchman is one of the few non-historians who gets high praise in academic circles. Her Guns of August on the start of the First World War is apparently excellent.
do you like ancient history? I love original sources, I would recommend "History of the Peloponnesian war" by Thucydides. he was actually a general in the Athenian army during the war, so his perspective is great
 .I took a semester long class on this book alone in college (politics department) and quite enjoyed it! I like Cicero's accounts of the Roman empire for the same reason. Gibbon's "the Decline and Fall of the Roman empire" isn't original source but is a classic, and Tocqueville's "democracy in America" too. Those are both a couple hundred years old but great reads. I found them all on the link you gave but you could find them online for free as well.
Please don't go. The drones need you. They look up to you.
(April 23rd, 2013, 12:38)novice Wrote: Antony Beevor comes to mind. I'm not much of a history nerd but I enjoyed Berlin: The Downfall. Agree about mr. Beevor. Personal favourite is "Stalingrad", "D-Day" also good. "A bridge too far" by Cornelius Ryan has been read a few times. The grand view: "The rise and fall of the third reich", William Shirer. Also if you like more individual/small groups oriented books, try Stephen Ambrose, "Citizen Soldiers", "Pegasus Bridge" and "Band of Brothers". For more ancient history I'd dearly recommend "A Song of Fire and Ice" and "the Lord of the Rings" for deeper insight into those troubled times when dragons and magic were more prominent in day-to-day life.
Patriots: The Men Who Started The American Revolution by A.J. Langguth - Kind of a personal perspective on the events before and during the war, based on primary sources. Somewhat dramatized, but not too much.
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - A novel about the battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. Not a textbook, a novel... but totally true to the accounts of the people involved. Again a personal view (bouncing among folks on both sides) of events. |
