Oral Histories

Growler · 12-16-10, 11:26 AM

I like to read - a lot; I like learning, so this is no surprise. Stephen Ambrose's books were, to me, a convenient and entertaining vehicle to carry a bibliography in, where there's good stuff written by the guys who actually did it, rather than by an intermediary author who's naturally biased to spin it their way - even unintentionally, bias happens. World War II vet's personal stories are like some crazy drug for me; I get addicted, and then am looking for more... more... and more.

So, that said, I'm curious as to your favorite oral histories/autobiographies.

Naturally, ADM Calvert's Silent Running comes to mind for this community - a pretty good read about his time aboard two different submarines in WW2, from his days as a boot shavetail. Anytime I need a sub fix and I can't get down town to Torsk, I crack this book open - or play SHIV. I haven't yet bought my own copy of Torsk Times, but that's coming, too, if I can find it.

Death Traps, by Belton Cooper, may be familiar to many of you who've read Ambrose; Cooper's work figures heavily in Citizen Soldiers as a source. Cooper was a maintenance officer in an Armored Division in Europe during 44-45, and tells the story of the Sherman with candor and honesty. It's another great read.

On the other front, I recently read a book entitled Another Bowl of Kapusta by Gottfried Dulias, a Luftwaffe fighter pilot who spent three years as a guest of the Russians (45-48, roughly). While the book's editing is poor, the content is interesting and a little terrifying - for him, War Two ended in 1948, since by then he hadn't the decency to die. I've met him over three days this past October, and he's a charming, interesting guy.

Lastly, one more book I'd like to throw out there is one that I had a personal stake in: Eleven-Two. Written by former American Ex-POW president Frank Kravetz and his daughter, it tells Frank's amazing story as a gunner in a B-17 in the 8th AF's Fireball Outfit (457th BG(H)) through his imprisonment in Germany until liberation, and after. (Total disclosure time: I was asked by his publisher to be a contributing editor - mostly for accuracy in nomenclature and spelling of German words.)

So - what are your favorite first-person histories?

12-16-10, 11:26 AM	#1
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Oral Histories I like to read - a lot; I like learning, so this is no surprise. Stephen Ambrose's books were, to me, a convenient and entertaining vehicle to carry a bibliography in, where there's good stuff written by the guys who actually did it, rather than by an intermediary author who's naturally biased to spin it their way - even unintentionally, bias happens. World War II vet's personal stories are like some crazy drug for me; I get addicted, and then am looking for more... more... and more. So, that said, I'm curious as to your favorite oral histories/autobiographies. Naturally, ADM Calvert's Silent Running comes to mind for this community - a pretty good read about his time aboard two different submarines in WW2, from his days as a boot shavetail. Anytime I need a sub fix and I can't get down town to Torsk, I crack this book open - or play SHIV. I haven't yet bought my own copy of Torsk Times, but that's coming, too, if I can find it. Death Traps, by Belton Cooper, may be familiar to many of you who've read Ambrose; Cooper's work figures heavily in Citizen Soldiers as a source. Cooper was a maintenance officer in an Armored Division in Europe during 44-45, and tells the story of the Sherman with candor and honesty. It's another great read. On the other front, I recently read a book entitled Another Bowl of Kapusta by Gottfried Dulias, a Luftwaffe fighter pilot who spent three years as a guest of the Russians (45-48, roughly). While the book's editing is poor, the content is interesting and a little terrifying - for him, War Two ended in 1948, since by then he hadn't the decency to die. I've met him over three days this past October, and he's a charming, interesting guy. Lastly, one more book I'd like to throw out there is one that I had a personal stake in: Eleven-Two. Written by former American Ex-POW president Frank Kravetz and his daughter, it tells Frank's amazing story as a gunner in a B-17 in the 8th AF's Fireball Outfit (457th BG(H)) through his imprisonment in Germany until liberation, and after. (Total disclosure time: I was asked by his publisher to be a contributing editor - mostly for accuracy in nomenclature and spelling of German words.) So - what are your favorite first-person histories? __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.