Great Books - Military History Reads.

[VaTom]

Recently returned from a beach trip with grandkids and family. Reading early in morning before everyone gets up is one of my pleasures when there.

Read two good books (see pictures)

"Mission" - about actor Jimmy Stewart and his WWII experience as a B-24 lead pilot, squadron and group leader. 20 missions. First time someone has written about him and the war.

"East of Chosin"- About the US Army Regimental Combat Team that was cut up and overwhelmed by the Chinese on the east side of the Chosin Resovoir during Korean War. Marines were on the West side and a lot has been written about them and their withdrawal but this is first book I have read that gives a comprehensive account of the RCT that was in same situation on the east side.

 

[AJ]

Read "CHOSIN - Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War" by Eric Hammel. Good book on the Chosin Reservoir battle and withdrawal. Concentrates on the Marines but also gives a fair amount of information on the Army units involved.

 

[dave1918a2]

Don't recall the name or author. Read one about an Army Dr who was called back into service. Sent to Korea and made the march from Chosin. Real detailed and vivid. Only negative for Me was He was killed in the end. Wasn't very good to McArthur either. Running a war while relaxing in a Tokyo hotel. Splitting forces got a lot of GI's killed unnecessarily.

 

[ordnanceguy]

"Mission" - about actor Jimmy Stewart and his WWII experience as a B-24 lead pilot, squadron and group leader. 20 missions. First time someone has written about him and the war.

Actually, there was an earlier book (2005) on Jimmy Stewart's wartime experience in the Mighty Eighth. It was entitled "Jimmy Stewart, Bomber Pilot". I have a copy in my library and found it to be an excellent read.

I have not read "Mission". I will have to track down a copy.

BTW, right now I am reading "Shooter" by Jack Coughlin USMC ret.. The author was one of the top ranked snipers in the Marine Corps over 20 years. I am only halfway through it now but his descriptions of the Iraq War are pretty rugged.

Thanks for the post.

 

[kmyers]

I love military history. Procopius on the The History of the Wars, all the volumes and Theodore Ayrault Dodge on the Great Captains are favorites of mine.