What are you reading right now?

[STEED]

Originally Posted by sharkbit

Are these any good?

I read his "U-Boats in the Mediterranean"-I was kinda "Meh" about the book. Now I'm a little gun shy about buying these two. I have them on my list at Amazon.

These books are not what I call a detailed history, the books charts the flotilla war diary a record of admin matters & combat results compiled by the flotilla commander.

Examples are short entrys not all are like this, half a page to three pages. -

Chapter 6
27th June 1941
The war diary of 1st U-Flotilla recorded the inaugural use of its facilities:
"The U-Support Station of the 1st U-Flotilla in Brest has received its first Front boat and hence fulfilled its actual purpose. The base, as it stands, is ready for 15 U-boats, the docks currently for two to three boats, thereafter six, and then more later,"

Chapter 7
16th May 1942
U116 departed for the North Atlantic and her first voyage as supply ship. Following the new directive from Bdu regarding optimal sailing times, she slipped from harbour at 2000hrs in the wake of her vorpostenboote escourt.

29th July 1942
U203 1600hrs; Mutzelberg arrives. Celebrations for the new Flotilla Oak Leaves holder.

11th August 1942
Kptlt. Werner Schult brought U582 into her concrete bunker at 1730hrs. As well as four victory pennants claiming 32,000 BRT of shipping sunk while part of the Hai pack.

Chapter 8
1st March 1943
Winter noted the following transfers to 1st U-Flotilla:
"New boats U305, U306, U415 from Dnzig's 8th U-Flotilla, veteran U209 from Bergen's 11st U-Flotilla."

[sharkbit]

Hmmmm....sounds a little dry. I think I'll pass on the books for now although they sound like they might be an excellent research source.

Thanks.

[STEED]

Originally Posted by sharkbit

Hmmmm....sounds a little dry. I think I'll pass on the books for now although they sound like they might be an excellent research source.

Thanks.

I bought them both together for a rock bottom price. I didn't find that dry as they are a kind of books you can read put down and not loose your place, maybe you should put them on your bargain basement list.

I'm waiting for a couple of books to hit bargain basement as the author is very deep and very very dry but well written.

[STEED]

Just finished re-reading...

Deadlock Before Moscow

Army Group Centre 1942/43

By Franz Kurowski


Good Read.

[Gunnar]

I'm currently reading "The Admiralty Regrets...." about the loss of HMS Thetis that sank in full view in Liverpool Bay.

A fascinating story of stupidity and at times almost wilful incompetence on the part of the Admiralty when it came to rescue operations.

The other book I'm close to finishing is "Death in the Doldurms - U Cruiser Actions Off West Africa".

The book is incredibly detailed and very revealing when it comes to the actual detail of the long patrols that took German sailors to far flung places in their search for Allied Vessels. The reaction of the Admiralty to the news that 'large U-Boats' were active in 'safe' waters is one of near panic and the effort that was expended in trying to deal with the U-Boat menace is quite remarkable given the very small force the German Navy actually deployed!

[Sailor Steve]

Waiting for my new books to arrive, I've started rereading Moral Minority: Our Skeptical Founding Fathers, by Brooke Allen. I originally picked it up in the library, but not too long ago I saw it on a sale table at Barnes & Noble. It was in my storage, and when I took Seutonius back there today, there it was sitting right where I couldn't miss it.

[Sailor Steve]

Completed Moral Minority again - great book. Anyone with the slightest curiosity about what the American founders thought about religion and the history of religious freedom in America should have this.

Am now starting The Sorrow Of War, by Bao Nihn, as recommended by OneToughHerring. So far it's pretty amazing.

More when I'm done.