Thank you. Your comments, and those from Wade, illuminate some things I need to improve in the next review. That is great.
In my opinion, having read the book, reviewed the end notes, and consulted other reviews, the author is of the ‘new research’ variety. For me, revision implies intentional fabrication of false history. While not a subject matter expert, I did not detect anything of that nature. I do feel some important things were glossed over or left out.
To the credit of the book, it does address the points you raise, often multiple times. We are both more sympathetic to Chamberlain and his plight that the book author. I am somewhere in the middle between your view and that of Phillips.
A heavy subject to be sure. This is the english translation, obviously, several critics have commented on how good the translation from the german is. An engaging read about a part of the (post) war that, at least in my experinece, is under represented. Highly recommended. An excellent read.
Well researched. Well written. Definitely recommended.
Somewhere, in amongst the above, I also read DIckens’ “Tale of Two Cities”. Until now I had never read anythng by good old Charles. I had a heck of a time getting through it. Turns out it is the one book that should NOT be your first Dickens novel. It is considered, by many, to be his most challenging read. Ya. I found out. Nonethless, I enjoyed it.
Aaaand, as I mentioned in an earlier post I am attempting to read the Bible (King James) all the way through to the Gospels. As is the case with most, I know lots of Bible stories, but have never read the whole thing in sequence. (Assuming we don’t count “The Book of J”, by Harold Bloom, with David Rosenberg.) So it’s time. (Either that or I was going to finally tackle “War and Peace”. )
I’ve had this one on the shelf for a few years, enjoying it so far.
Typical Cold War era thriller really, although the cover does lie a little. The space flight is only part of the background events of the main story. Expect spies, infighting with the KGB and GRU, stolen Hind helicopters, orbital laser weapons and a ticking clock. All good fun but not to be taken seriously. I think it’s part of the Firefox as Mitchell Gant returns to play a big part.
I really need to find my copy of Firefox Down and make a start on that after
It’s been a few years since I’ve read it but I did like it.
Not long back I managed to get a copy of the film on DVD just haven’t had a chance to put it on yet. It was good from what I remember. Wasn’t the actor who played Admiral Piet in RoTJ one of the Soviet officers?
Just finished this. I usually prefer stories about average G.I.s but this book following Major Johns through the hedgerows and into St. Lo is one of the best WWII books I’ve read. It is well written and compelling. I was shocked about how many casualties the U.S. suffered in the fighting. It also showed how artillery was so important and deadly to both sides. I was never bored.
I started on this set, from 1902. Got it from my grandmother who’s mom was a house maid for a judge. When he died she was willed a
Lawyers bookcase with another set of “Authors Digest” and “Universal Standard Encyclopedia”. So far different than my usual reading choice but interesting. Not a fan of poetry though so thats a bit of a slog.
Current Read: The Rise and Fall of the British Nation by David Edgerton
For those of us who admire Britain not just for what it was, but for what it might have been, this is a must-read.
Edgerton strips away the comforting myths—no more fairy tales of inevitable decline or self-inflicted socialist doom. Instead, he paints a portrait of a nation that remained armed, innovative, and ambitious deep into the 20th century. This was a country that could have stayed among the world’s great powers… if only it had made better choices.
Sharp, revisionist, and often surprising—this book challenges you to see Britain’s postwar history not as a fading sunset, but as a series of crossroads where things could have gone very differently.
Well worth the time of any patriotic American pondering the rise, the fall, the weight of great power—and the consequences of drifting with a $38 trillion dollar national debt…that’s climbing…
I’m sad to say i don’t have to read the book, i just have to step outside my front door. I dare say there is a similar book describing the fall of the United States, it seems those that are elected to power here and across the pond are some of the most inept and incompetent politicians ever.
As I am an unbelievable geek with a thing for Sci-Fi and post apocalyptic stories I thought I would start reading my favourite series all over again. Without a doubt the books that started me on this path. They say truth is stranger than fiction and sometimes I can’t help but feel we’re on the slippery slope to disaster. Anyhoo I give you,
Shame to hear that about your country. I actually lived in the UK for two years as a young lad. Some of my family members (mom was from Liverpool) have done well for themselves. As far as where the US is (where I live) stand by. I have confidence in the current administration - previous one… not so much.
i loaned out my original copy of this book and i saw it cheap on ebay the other day and grabbed it.
Some of you might recognise the subject matter from Shep Paine’s book about building dioramas.
whilst at work lastnight i managed to watch that classic film “A Bridge Too Far” ( am i the only one that watches this film, hoping, praying that the armoured 30th corp will save the British Airborne forces at Arnhem even though i know how it ends. i still get a lump in my throat seeing all those wounded men being taken prisoner)
anyway, we all know the price paid by the British Airborne forces as well as the American and Polish soldiers but what about the Dutch civilians especially after the Germans re-took Arnhem?
Well with that in mind i pulled the trigger on this book pictured below, if anyone else has any recommendations feel free to let me know.
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