WW2 Books that you've read??

Pyquila · #1 08-31-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

The Big Show by Pierre Closterman - superbly written book about the air offensive after the BoB! I cannot reccomend this book highly enough.

Just ordered it. Thanks for the tip! Looks really intresting.

A book i really enjoyed when i was young was A piece of cake

They also made it into a miniserie. Allthough not 100% historically correct it's a great watch. (it is however some 20 years old. So don't expect much in the way of special effects.)

The Doctor B · #2 08-31-2009, 10:27 AM

^

Ray Hannah flying a Spitfire under a bridge. Really nice bit of flying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU

King Jareth · #3 08-31-2009, 10:50 AM

Mustang Pilot -Richard E Turner
My mum bought it for me from a charity shop on a whim (50p) and I read it about 10 times but sadly since moving out I have no idea where its gone at all.

shackenb · #4 08-31-2009, 10:59 AM

I would suggest "The mighty eighth: "The Air War in Europe as Told by the Men Who Fought It" by Gerald Astor and "Wild blue" by Stephen Ambrose.

Cheers Stefan

fritzwendel · #5 08-31-2009, 06:23 PM

Flyboys
Wild Blue
Dumb, but lucky(just okay, some funny stories but definitely not a must read)

Carrier War(Page turner, must read), about the Marianas Turkey Shoot

Lightning Strike, the story of the mission to shoot down Yammamoto

I read a book on the Black Sheep squadron, but can't think of the name. it was
NOT the biography of Pappy, and was excellent.

I have to read Chuck Yeagers' book, as well as Bud Anderson's. They are next on my list.

I also have a good collection of aircraft reference books.

Soviet Ace · #6 09-02-2009, 02:28 AM

Anyone looking for some books on specific planes, battles, and such. The site I have below, is a great place for ordering/calling for books. I'm sure the Englishmen on this site already know about it (Maybe not, I dunno?) but I've already have like several hundred of their books, and their always very accurate, detailed etc.

LINK: Osprey Publishing

M3-SRT8 · #7 09-02-2009, 07:49 AM

Well, you name the Reference Book, and I probably have it. If it flew & fought betwixt 1913 and 2009, I probably have something on it.

"Flyboys" was a good read. Good perspective on the Enemy's POV.

LJB

Blue Leader · #8 09-02-2009, 04:11 PM

Ive read a fair few book on this subject and I highly recommend the following:

Fighter Boys by Patrick Bishop. A highly entertaining look at the pilots of fighter command during 1940. It covers the culture and its genesis in the squadrons of flanders and the aces like mannock and ball, through to the conception of Cranwell, the pilots and their background and their eventual part in the battle. Lots of drinking and late nights followed with oxygen cured hangovers.

Bomber Boys by Patrick Bishop. Similar to above but a bit more sad.

Lonely Warrior by Jean Offenberg. Incredible insight into Belgiums best pilot during the Battle of Britain. Lots of action.

Fighter Pilot by Paul Richey. Paul was a good pilot and a great writer and his personal accounts of flying and fghting with no 1 squadron in France during the Phoney War and the Battle of France are essential reading.