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?

Weiss Pinguin · 12-16-10, 11:40 AM

Some of my favorites are With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, A More Elite Soldier (about a former ranger's experiences through ranger school and Panama), and We Are Soldiers Still (follow up to We Were Soldiers Once, about Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway's trip back to Vietnam).

Can you see where my interests lie?

Growler · 12-16-10, 11:43 AM

Oh, definitely. Good stuff right there - it's been awhile since I read We Are Soldiers Still, and A More Elite Soldier was good as well.

For WW2 European theater, have you read A Blood Dimmed Tide? Roll Me Over is also very, very good.

Sailor Steve · 12-16-10, 11:46 AM

One of the more interesting books I own is It is a Good Day to Die: Indian Eyewitnesses Tell the Story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, compiled by Herman J. Viola.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...6x%3D0%26y%3D0

Takeda Shingen · 12-16-10, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

One of the more interesting books I own is It is a Good Day to Die: Indian Eyewitnesses Tell the Story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, compiled by Herman J. Viola.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...6x%3D0%26y%3D0

I've read that one. A very interesting read. One man's hero is always another man's villain.

Growler · 12-16-10, 11:54 AM

That's been on my list for awhile; just haven't yet picked it up - must be the old cav trooper in me resisting, and we know how well that ends.

Armistead · 12-16-10, 12:42 PM

I'm more into civil war, but lately been enjoy Newt Gingrich's books on both the civil war and WW2, now reading Valley Forge by him, so he's breaking new ground...He's actually really good, sort of factual fiction.

Growler · 12-16-10, 05:34 PM

Coincidentally, shortly after I started this thread, I went to gather the mail, where I found a card and a gift for Christmas from Frank & his wife. They sent me a gift?

I continue to be floored by these people. I am a lucky, lucky guy to have worked with them, and am truly honored by their calling me, "Friend."

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.

12-16-10, 11:40 AM	#2
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	Some of my favorites are With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, A More Elite Soldier (about a former ranger's experiences through ranger school and Panama), and We Are Soldiers Still (follow up to We Were Soldiers Once, about Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway's trip back to Vietnam). Can you see where my interests lie? __________________

12-16-10, 11:43 AM	#3
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Oh, definitely. Good stuff right there - it's been awhile since I read We Are Soldiers Still, and A More Elite Soldier was good as well. For WW2 European theater, have you read A Blood Dimmed Tide? Roll Me Over is also very, very good. __________________ 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.

12-16-10, 11:46 AM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	One of the more interesting books I own is It is a Good Day to Die: Indian Eyewitnesses Tell the Story of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, compiled by Herman J. Viola. http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...6x%3D0%26y%3D0 __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-16-10, 11:54 AM	#6
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	That's been on my list for awhile; just haven't yet picked it up - must be the old cav trooper in me resisting, and we know how well that ends. __________________ 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.

12-16-10, 12:42 PM	#7
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	I'm more into civil war, but lately been enjoy Newt Gingrich's books on both the civil war and WW2, now reading Valley Forge by him, so he's breaking new ground...He's actually really good, sort of factual fiction.

12-16-10, 05:34 PM	#8
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Coincidentally, shortly after I started this thread, I went to gather the mail, where I found a card and a gift for Christmas from Frank & his wife. They sent me a gift? I continue to be floored by these people. I am a lucky, lucky guy to have worked with them, and am truly honored by their calling me, "Friend." __________________ 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.