What are we reading?

[TacticalWargames]

Just started   The Eagle and the Albatros: A Novel of the Imperial German Air Service: Volume 1 (The Eagle Trillogy) by Mr. Deke D Wagner

"A NOVEL OF THE IMPERIAL GERMAN AIR SERVICE A TALE OF AERIAL ADVENTURE set in France during World War I. Willi Wissemann, an impetuous Bavarian officer, joins the German Air Service in 1916 to escape the drudgery and hardships of trench warfare. He is sent to the Front after a brief stint in flying school and begins his career as a recon-bomber pilot, excelling at the seemingly menial tasks of aerial bombardment and photographic reconnaissance. But Wissemann soon realizes that flying single-seat fighting scouts is his true destiny. When the German High Command reorganizes the Air Service into specialized "hunting-squadrons" and re-equips them with their latest scout, the Albatros D.III—the air war takes on a fiercer and more deadly course. Finally, after many months of pestering the Army High Command, Willi Wissemann gets his chance to take command of a Jasta—a fighter squadron. Once he arrives at the airfield in the Champagne sector, he realizes he has his work cut out for him. He must reorganize an insubordinate bunch of misfits, misanthropes, castoffs and drunks, into a real fighting-squadron. Then during the height of the French spring offensive of 1917, Wissemann is asked to fly a special mission to Paris, transporting a Secret Service agent. What happens next will have a profound effect on his life, his career, and his outlook on the war, changing him forever, scarring his soul for eternity."

Has good reviews and so far so good. Will definately get the follow on.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1491272724?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

[JasonPratt]

Sounds like a good pitch for a film, too! Keep us posted on how you find it.  O0

[TacticalWargames]

Even has an Appendix at the back with a page dedicated to a particular plane. Also a glossary. The book is very well researched which can always be an issue with novels and something that can ruin a novel for me.

Sounds like a good pitch for a film, too! Keep us posted on how you find it.  O0

[Toonces]

Daggummitt, I just lost a whole long post!  I hate when that happens!   >:(

So short version:

Gus:  Recommend reading GoT regular books if you haven't already.  They're great, even if you've seen all of the TV show.

Martok:  I knew you'd like Lions.  If you are ready for more Kay, I'd recommend my favorite: Sailing to Sarantium.  It's slower to get into, but it's my favorite book of all time.  It's deep and the end is simply spectacular.  I don't recommend binging on Kay, though, because he's kind of intense.  Maybe one more and then take a break.  But I can't recommend Sailing highly enough...it is a very good book.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

http://www.audible.com/pd/History/Common-Sense-Audiobook/B0066BS0GI/ref=a_hp_c2_dd_p?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1V923DH7TSTKHVNX9A3S&pf_rd_m=A2ZO8JX97D5MN9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=5000&pf_rd_p=2122937182&pf_rd_s=center-2

Thomas Paine's Common Sense for 99 cents today! A good book for the 4th.

[Gusington]

Toonces I read the first GoT, I have the second waiting on my shelf.

[Airborne Rifles]

Almost done with Battle for the Falklands by Max Hastings. Everything else I've read on the conflict has been pretty dry, but this one really captures the drama of the war. Very engaging.

[mirth]

Almost done with Battle for the Falklands by Max Hastings. Everything else I've read on the conflict has been pretty dry, but this one really captures the drama of the war. Very engaging.

A classic. One of my all-time favorite military histories. It's one I've read several times.

[bob48]

Almost done with Battle for the Falklands by Max Hastings. Everything else I've read on the conflict has been pretty dry, but this one really captures the drama of the war. Very engaging.

Agreed. I've read it several times.

[besilarius]

Tactical Wargames, if you are on a WWI kick, try Ernest K. Gann's In the Company of Eagles.
Actually anything by Gann is worth reading.  You may know his better known novels "Fate is the Hunter", "THe High and the Mighty", or "Masada".
Clearly the best pilot who wrote novels, his stuff is very engrossing.  If you've already read, or seen, Masada, try his sequel, Antagonists.
He really was a pilot and could tell a great story.  During World War II, he was in the Transport Command in India.  Taking off from Agra in a DC3 (Gooney Bird), his engines failed and he nearly became famous as the man who crashed into the Taj Mahal.

[vyshka]

Almost done with Battle for the Falklands by Max Hastings. Everything else I've read on the conflict has been pretty dry, but this one really captures the drama of the war. Very engaging.

I really enjoyed One Hundred Days: The Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander by Sandy Woodward

[Martok]

Martok:  I knew you'd like Lions.  If you are ready for more Kay, I'd recommend my favorite: Sailing to Sarantium.  It's slower to get into, but it's my favorite book of all time.  It's deep and the end is simply spectacular.  I don't recommend binging on Kay, though, because he's kind of intense.  Maybe one more and then take a break.  But I can't recommend Sailing highly enough...it is a very good book.

Thanks Toonces!  I'll be sure check it out, although I'll probably wait a book or two after Monte Cristo, as I'll probably want something a little lighter by that point.  (Even with all the swashbuckling, Dumas tends to be somewhat dense reading in my experience.)  It's definitely going on my "to do" list, though.  :) 

[BanzaiCat]

I'm in Dallas for a few days attending the pilot of a generator class I authored. I'm actually okay with hiding out in a hotel, at least here as the area's a little dicey. I found a Half-Price Books close to me and found a few gems that I couldn't resist buying. It's been a LONG time since I've actually bought a book from Half Price so I was pretty happy.



Das Boot...I mean, come on. No brainer.  O0

Generation Kill, I once had and read a long time ago, then lent it out and never got it back, so this was a GREAT find for me.

Then the German Infantry book just looked good an it was cheap (cheaper than most of their books).

I was a little pissed when I found an old paperback - can't even remember what it was now - but it was $2.25. So, Half Price Books, you'd think it's $1.13 or so, right? Nah, it was $4.99. Makes perfect sense. I thought maybe it was a collectible but it was in the general history section and wasn't in a clear cover. Oh well, I did well I think.

I did check the games section and they had nothing. It was a lot smaller than the Half Price that's near my house. I really felt like I was going to find a bargain. I did see a boxed copy of the Top Secret RPG but I already have it, so meh.

[Gusington]

After the books take a black light to that mattress.

[BanzaiCat]

After the books take a black light to that mattress.