Is anyone else fascinated by WW2?
Discussion
I'm glued to the current series on the Discovery channel "WW2 in color and HD" but i usually watch this kind of stuff all the time when ever its on.
I think my fascination stems from, hearing war stories from my nannies father when i was small. Also due to the fact that it seems worlds apart even though on the scale of things it wasn't that long ago.
I love looking at old photo's from that era, CY88's thread also captivated me.
One thing i cant quite get my head around is the 50M death toll, its unimaginable!
Does anyone have any recommendations for films/photo's books?
I think my fascination stems from, hearing war stories from my nannies father when i was small. Also due to the fact that it seems worlds apart even though on the scale of things it wasn't that long ago.
I love looking at old photo's from that era, CY88's thread also captivated me.
One thing i cant quite get my head around is the 50M death toll, its unimaginable!
Does anyone have any recommendations for films/photo's books?
Edited by Mc lovin on Tuesday 6th October 17:08
A bridge too far
'Tells the story of operation Market Garden. A failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.'
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/plotsummary
'Tells the story of operation Market Garden. A failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.'
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/plotsummary
tmk2 said:
I think is to do with the struggle we face and the engineering ideas some of which was very imaginative and the fact that we won!
I wouldn't say the fact "we" won is why it interests me so much, the whole aspect of it is intriguing, The speed at which the Nazi's seized power and the influence they had on the people is another thing that i am amazed by, some of the pictures you see of the rally's that where held where you can see thousands of people gathered are insane!I've seen a bridge too far, its a brilliant film
Edited by Mc lovin on Tuesday 6th October 17:17
john_p said:
"The World At War" is mandatory viewing.
+1Utterly compelling. Less than 40 quid for the box set!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-At-War-Complete-Disc...
Mc lovin said:
tmk2 said:
I think is to do with the struggle we face and the engineering ideas some of which was very imaginative and the fact that we won!
I wouldn't say the fact "we" won is why it interests me so much, the who aspect of it is intriguing, The speed at which the Nazi's seized power and the influence they had on the people is another thing that i am amazed by, some of the pictures you see of the rally's that where held where you can see thousands of people gathered are insane!Read Anthony Beevor “Stalingrad” and think: What the f
k?!?!?
Then read Anthony Beevor “Berlin” and think: What the fkity fk fk fk?!?!?!
The things that happened and the way in which humans were able to both survive and cause such carnage is staggering.
Both utterly compelling, fantastic, un-put-downable reads…
Currently reading Anthony Beevor “Normandy” which is so far excellent too.
Stephen Ambrose “Band of Brothers”, the TV series was based on the book, is a similarly good read (although rather dismissive of British efforts, much like the TV series).
All are historical books which chart the battles and the movements and engagements of Armies and Divisions, whilst interlinking personal anecdotes from Senior Commanders, Churchill, Stalin etc, to lowly infantrymen and civilians.
The research that went into the books must have been quite staggering.
Essential reading!
k?!?!?Then read Anthony Beevor “Berlin” and think: What the f
kity fk fk fk?!?!?!The things that happened and the way in which humans were able to both survive and cause such carnage is staggering.
Both utterly compelling, fantastic, un-put-downable reads…
Currently reading Anthony Beevor “Normandy” which is so far excellent too.
Stephen Ambrose “Band of Brothers”, the TV series was based on the book, is a similarly good read (although rather dismissive of British efforts, much like the TV series).
All are historical books which chart the battles and the movements and engagements of Armies and Divisions, whilst interlinking personal anecdotes from Senior Commanders, Churchill, Stalin etc, to lowly infantrymen and civilians.
The research that went into the books must have been quite staggering.
Essential reading!
It was also the last time we all pulled together as a country and individually made some incredible sacrifices for the greater good and the survival as a nation - in a way that surely can never happen again.
People complain like mad these days if they can't get a line on their mobile phones - can you imagine how they'd cope with rationing and the Blitz?
People complain like mad these days if they can't get a line on their mobile phones - can you imagine how they'd cope with rationing and the Blitz?
Any of Anthony Beevor's books ("Stalingrad", "Berlin - the Downfall" and "D-Day") are well worth a read. If you're interested in the rise to power of the Nazi party and the development of Hitler's state, I recommend Michael Burleigh's "The Third Reich" is great. Dense, and occasionally heavy going, but terrific. John Keegan's "The Second World War" is a good overview, covering all theatres - useful in that you can decide what campaigns you're most interested in, and delve accordingly.
On the 'first-person history' front, Stephen Ambrose's "Band of Brothers" and "Citizen Soldiers" are highly readable. Often considered not to be "proper history" as they're rather one-sided, I found them very entertaining and interesting all the same.
The recent edition (2005-ish, I think) of Field Marshal Alan Brooke's diaries is a must-read for a great behind-the-scenes account of events at the highest level of the Allied command.
Bottom line though: there is a colossal amount of fascinating and detailed stuff to read about WW2. Some of it is a bit populist and tendentious (Alan Clark's "Barbarossa" is entertaining, but factually suspect in places!), some of it is incredibly dry and hard going in places (John Erickson's 2-volume account of the Eastern Front), but the variety is staggering. I'd suggest spending some time in your local bookshop and picking up some books you think look interesting, to be honest...
On the 'first-person history' front, Stephen Ambrose's "Band of Brothers" and "Citizen Soldiers" are highly readable. Often considered not to be "proper history" as they're rather one-sided, I found them very entertaining and interesting all the same.
The recent edition (2005-ish, I think) of Field Marshal Alan Brooke's diaries is a must-read for a great behind-the-scenes account of events at the highest level of the Allied command.
Bottom line though: there is a colossal amount of fascinating and detailed stuff to read about WW2. Some of it is a bit populist and tendentious (Alan Clark's "Barbarossa" is entertaining, but factually suspect in places!), some of it is incredibly dry and hard going in places (John Erickson's 2-volume account of the Eastern Front), but the variety is staggering. I'd suggest spending some time in your local bookshop and picking up some books you think look interesting, to be honest...
I personally am enthrawlled by the whole nazi build up. If you put aside the whole geonocide and SS attrocities, it is amazing to read up on. The rallies were awe inspiring, i can sort of understand how the german people were taken in by it all. Then theres how hitler who started out as 1 man, ended up ruling over most of europe with an iron fist, it beggars belif.
The later stages of war are almost annoying in comparison for me. Hitler at that point had apparantly lost his mind, and made some truley stupid decissions instead of just letting his generals get on with their job. I think the 2 biggest cockups on his part of the war was getting involved with japan, and thus dragging the USA into the fight, and turning on Russia, which seemed to be happy to leave him alone.
The later stages of war are almost annoying in comparison for me. Hitler at that point had apparantly lost his mind, and made some truley stupid decissions instead of just letting his generals get on with their job. I think the 2 biggest cockups on his part of the war was getting involved with japan, and thus dragging the USA into the fight, and turning on Russia, which seemed to be happy to leave him alone.
TEKNOPUG said:
Stephen Ambrose “Band of Brothers”, the TV series was based on the book, is a similarly good read (although rather dismissive of British efforts, much like the TV series).
He has also done a book called Pegasus Bridge (amongst others) about the Ox and Bucks light Infantry. I have found all his books fantastic readingWatch "The Dambusters" if you haven't already.
Then read "Enemy Coast Ahead", Guy Gibsons memoir. It's quite poignent towards the end when he's making his plans for after the war, knowing that he doesn't survive it.
The Colditz Story is another damn good read.
Wingless Victory is a belter if you can find a copy of it too.
I prefer reading stuff written by people who were there, not modern historians.
Then read "Enemy Coast Ahead", Guy Gibsons memoir. It's quite poignent towards the end when he's making his plans for after the war, knowing that he doesn't survive it.
The Colditz Story is another damn good read.
Wingless Victory is a belter if you can find a copy of it too.
I prefer reading stuff written by people who were there, not modern historians.
Mc lovin said:
tmk2 said:
I think is to do with the struggle we face and the engineering ideas some of which was very imaginative and the fact that we won!
I wouldn't say the fact "we" won is why it interests me so much, the whole aspect of it is intriguing, The speed at which the Nazi's seized power and the influence they had on the people is another thing that i am amazed by, some of the pictures you see of the rally's that where held where you can see thousands of people gathered are insane!I've seen a bridge too far, its a brilliant film
Max Hastings is another writer with some good books.
Don't forget that "A Bridge Too Far" is based on Cornelius Ryan's book of the same name. He also wrote the book "The Longest Day" which was the basis for that film.
Many of us in our late 40s/early 50s were brought up on a diet of war comics, Airfix models and cinematic epics all telling various tales of WW2 (and WW1 as well) so we all were immersed in the lore of the two conflicts.
Don't forget that "A Bridge Too Far" is based on Cornelius Ryan's book of the same name. He also wrote the book "The Longest Day" which was the basis for that film.
Many of us in our late 40s/early 50s were brought up on a diet of war comics, Airfix models and cinematic epics all telling various tales of WW2 (and WW1 as well) so we all were immersed in the lore of the two conflicts.
Mc lovin said:
Does anyone have any recommendations for films/photo's books?
Der Untergang (Downfall) is a good film. You'll probably recognise it as "that film where Hitler was kicked off xbox live/realised labour weren't going to win the election/had his car stolen/ad lib to fade).The actual film though is very very well done, and Bruno Ganz puts in an amazing and believable perfomance as Hitler.
I can recommend these books:
Fighter by Len Deighton
Blitzkreig by Len Deighton
Blood Tears and Folly by Len Deighton
Churchill: A Biography by Roy Jenkins
Hitler by Norman Stone
A Genius for War: A life of General George S. Patton by Carlo D'Este
Nemesis: The Battle for Japan 1944-1945 by Max Hastings
Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy, 1944 by Max Hastings
Stuka Pilot by Hans Ulrich Rudel
Pursuit by Ludovic Kennedy
Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
The Nazis: A Warning form History by Laurence Rees
Fighter by Len Deighton
Blitzkreig by Len Deighton
Blood Tears and Folly by Len Deighton
Churchill: A Biography by Roy Jenkins
Hitler by Norman Stone
A Genius for War: A life of General George S. Patton by Carlo D'Este
Nemesis: The Battle for Japan 1944-1945 by Max Hastings
Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy, 1944 by Max Hastings
Stuka Pilot by Hans Ulrich Rudel
Pursuit by Ludovic Kennedy
Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
The Nazis: A Warning form History by Laurence Rees
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