|
Post by macbeth on Dec 12, 2023 0:41:21 GMT
Done with "You Talkin' to Me" - which brought back memories of the beginning of this millennium, the next book on the pile was "The World Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabres" by Harvey Whithers which is too bulky a tome to take to work so in parallel I am also reading "A Brief History of the Boxer Rebellion" by Diana Preston
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Dec 17, 2023 23:28:32 GMT
I took "A Brief History of the Boxer Rebellion" on my recent Melbourne trip and finished it over the weekend. My next book was "Fishing in Africa" by Andrew Buckoke a narrative of late 20th Century/Early 21st Century African history and politics. Both were good reads.
For the flight home I dived into 'Babylon' the fourth of Robert Fabbri's Legacy of Alexander series
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by menacussecundus on Dec 30, 2023 21:18:01 GMT
Just read the Osprey Men-at-Arms "The Dacians and Getae at War" by Andrei Pogacias (illustrated by Catalin Draghici) which I was given for Christmas.
I'm still not convinced by the left-handed warrior on the cover - and the arrow through his horse's throat seems unnecessary - but, within the limitations of the 44-page format, I found it a very good introduction.
|
|
|
Post by maxmurray on Dec 31, 2023 2:23:47 GMT
While I hope not to get deservedly boo'ed off the forums by the rivet counters, YouTube is a great place to find information about military and history topics. A surprising number of high quality videos on the platform for the amateur historian to enjoy. I am planning on a Sea Peoples army I/28 for DBA 3.0. YouTube had a number of short intro videos on them. That's my 3 cents (inflation).
|
|
|
Post by paulisper on Dec 31, 2023 10:27:28 GMT
Just started on Edward I and the Forging of Britain by Marc Morris⊠so far, so good đ
|
|
|
Post by diades on Dec 31, 2023 11:13:26 GMT
Just finished David C Douglasâ 1964 âWilliam the Conquerorâ. A product of its time, but very erudite and informative. It made me appreciate how accurate and well done David Churchillâs fictional trilogy on the subject isâŠ.
Now on to Adrian Goldsworthyâs âThe Wallâ. Ferox back in home territory đ
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Jan 1, 2024 22:47:11 GMT
After the briefest of interludes back at work the family and I took off for the Xmas break to the NSW Central Coast. During that short holiday I finished 'Babylon' by Robert Fabbri, another excellent story in his "Legacy of Alexander" series. I am racing against time to finish off the armies required for a DBA Campaign that was inspired by this series.
The next book I powered through was "Fallen Idols" by Alex Von Tunzelmann an analysis of the recent bout of statue smashing that caused such a stir and then a series of brief histories of 12 statues that were taken down over the years. Very good.
Once back at home I picked up "I Wouldn't Start From Here" by Andrew Mueller the irreverent commentary of various world trouble spots and issues by a sarcastic Australian journalist, quaint in some spots as it is 15 or so years old and the world has moved on since it was contemporary. But his phrasing and insight is quite amusing. I loved this book.
Now I am reading "The Ruin of the Roman Empire" by James J. O'Donnell a narrative history of the decline of the Western Roman Empire.
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by Brian BorĂș on Jan 3, 2024 17:17:15 GMT
For those interested in the history of Jerusalem: Blood on the mountain. A History of the Temple Mount from the Ark to the Third Millennium. By Richard Andrews. Much better to read than Josephus Flavius.
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Jan 15, 2024 22:24:33 GMT
In the lead up to the weekend I finished "The Ruin of the Roman Empire" a good read but I can't help but wonder if the author was beaten up and had his lunch money stolen from him by Justinian - who he blames for a large number of the ills of the early medieval world and on to this modern age. I guess it is the converse of the "Great Man" theory of history - the "Utterly Incompetent Man" theory whereby the folly of his policies have shaped the world.
I am now reading "Military Thought of Asia" by Kaushik Roy an analysis of military philosophy from the east - often being compared and contrasted with Clauzwitz.
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Feb 19, 2024 3:06:46 GMT
I finished 'Military Thought of Asia' a while back and then dived into "Powers and Thrones" by Dan Jones - a thoroughly engaging history of the Middle Ages with some clever parallels to the modern age thrown in for fun.
I finally finished that tome (640 pages) on Saturday evening and then dived into "Arthur the King" by Allan Massie a King Arthur story supposedly taken from the manuscripts of Michael Scott when he was the tutor to Fredrick II the Hohenstaffen Emperor, so it blurs the line between Sub Roman British Historical Novel and High Medieval Romance, not bad but not the best King Arthur story I've read (and let's face it, there are a lot of them to choose from)
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by gregorius on Feb 19, 2024 5:56:45 GMT
I finished 'Military Thought of Asia' a while back and then dived into "Powers and Thrones" by Dan Jones - a thoroughly engaging history of the Middle Ages with some clever parallels to the modern age thrown in for fun. I finally finished that tome (640 pages) on Saturday evening and then dived into "Arthur the King" by Allan Massie a King Arthur story supposedly taken from the manuscripts of Michael Scott when he was the tutor to Fredrick II the Hohenstaffen Emperor, so it blurs the line between Sub Roman British Historical Novel and High Medieval Romance, not bad but not the best King Arthur story I've read (and let's face it, there are a lot of them to choose from) Cheers David, next up Parzival? Cheers,
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Feb 19, 2024 6:27:18 GMT
I finished 'Military Thought of Asia' a while back and then dived into "Powers and Thrones" by Dan Jones - a thoroughly engaging history of the Middle Ages with some clever parallels to the modern age thrown in for fun. I finally finished that tome (640 pages) on Saturday evening and then dived into "Arthur the King" by Allan Massie a King Arthur story supposedly taken from the manuscripts of Michael Scott when he was the tutor to Fredrick II the Hohenstaffen Emperor, so it blurs the line between Sub Roman British Historical Novel and High Medieval Romance, not bad but not the best King Arthur story I've read (and let's face it, there are a lot of them to choose from) Cheers David, next up Parzival? Cheers, I have a note from my mother excusing me from that one Cheers
|
|
|
Post by hammurabi70 on Feb 26, 2024 9:51:00 GMT
Greg; reading is easier when you're retired. Cheers A Couldn't agree more. Reading and painting figures fill quite a bit of my retirement. Cheers, Not exactly my experience in retirement; wouldn't use the word 'easier'. Not having work means people think you are a 'free' source and try to pile additional activity on you! I have my sister-in-law's garden to tend and my brother has three days of grandfather duties! Currently I am reading The Templars and The Plantagenets: The Kings Who Made England both by Dan Jones but have to renew them regularly as I also have a pile of other books; Meade at Gettysburg: A Study in Command gets highest priority. I have already had to return to the library a good book on the 100 Years War unopened (renewal refused) as I also have books on Zeppelins, Big Gun 20th Century warships Wellington's Headquarters and more. I must have at least half a dozen part painted armies to finish. Easier: NO!!
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Feb 26, 2024 20:41:51 GMT
I finished 'Arthur the King' last night - and quite enjoyed it. I have vague memories of struggling with Massie's previous book in this (his Dark Ages series) series "The Evening of the World" and that may have been a reason why I have held off reading it since 2005 when I bought it in Melbourne. It is a nice blend of Medieval Romance and Sub Roman British historical fiction.
My next book is "If Rome Hadn't Fallen" by Timothy Venning - a series of counterfactuals examining what might have happened at various turning points in the history of the Roman Empire.
Cheers
|
|
|
Post by macbeth on Mar 4, 2024 8:23:54 GMT
I finished "If Rome Hadn't Fallen" on Sunday - not bad but he bounces around various periods as he theorises.
I am now reading "50 Weapons that Changed Warfare" by William Weir, each section begins with a description of an engagement with the weapon in question in a narrative then the author's opinions on the how and why said weapon was crucial.
Cheers
|
|