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Favourite WW2 Books / Publications

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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,813 ✭✭✭clintondaly


    752d47bb66d83aef628c51f158cf1b2f.jpg

    I was in Auschwitz in 2002 and was in the gift shop at the end of the tour,i asked the lady behind the counter to reccomend a book,she picked up the book above and handed it to me and told me the author was outside being interviewed by Polish TV as part of a documentary,i bought the book and went out,i waited till he had finished the interview and asked him to sign the book for me,he signed the book and also put in his Auschwitz number and the Star of David


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    Hey guys. Can anyone help in recommending *the* definitive WW2 photo collection series? I have a few large Time-Life collections, and plenty of assorted photo books, but when I was younger, my grandfather used to have a book collection- think it may have been monthly, it wasn't hard back but it had maybe 200 pages or so per issue,and had photos as well as spec sheets for vehicles and such alongside the history - and the pictures in it were astounding altogether, and several pictures in it, I've never been able to find anywhere else. It had some particularly amazing combat photos from Poland that I've never seen ANY of since,despite owning several photo books on that very subject. I actually bought a Time-Life collection lately and the standard said by this unknown publication left me feeling very disappointed even though it is of course, still a great collection. One of my favorite pictures in it was a trainload of German soldiers approaching Lodz in a traincar, but I can't find it anywhere since....

    It was the World at War of publications, I suppose! Bugs the hell out of me that I don't even have a name.

    I really find the 'Heimdal' editions to be brilliant for combat based photo histories. They are usually in French, or sometimes dual French/German. They often sell out and the prices can go right up but if you can get your hands on them they are worth it. I will post some pics up later if I get a chance.

    I wonder could the magazine you are referring to the the bi-weekly 'World At War' series from the 1970's ? I have a couple of years of those in binders at home. I can post pics up if you want. They were often written by the participants directly and before the days of political history, they were purely military history from what I recall & were quite good for a magazine.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    Hey guys. Can anyone help in recommending *the* definitive WW2 photo collection series? I have a few large Time-Life collections, and plenty of assorted photo books, but when I was younger, my grandfather used to have a book collection- think it may have been monthly, it wasn't hard back but it had maybe 200 pages or so per issue,and had photos as well as spec sheets for vehicles and such alongside the history - and the pictures in it were astounding altogether, and several pictures in it, I've never been able to find anywhere else. It had some particularly amazing combat photos from Poland that I've never seen ANY of since,despite owning several photo books on that very subject. I actually bought a Time-Life collection lately and the standard said by this unknown publication left me feeling very disappointed even though it is of course, still a great collection. One of my favorite pictures in it was a trainload of German soldiers approaching Lodz in a traincar, but I can't find it anywhere since....

    It was the World at War of publications, I suppose! Bugs the hell out of me that I don't even have a name.

    Here are those magazines I was thinking of, 'War Monthly'

    193716.jpg

    193717.jpg

    193718.jpg

    Here are a couple of 'Heimdal Editions'

    193719.jpg

    Here are another couple worth checking out :

    193720.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Jesus man, all those publications look exceptionally good. But no, none of them are the magazine in question. Unfortunately, when my grandfather died, those magazines simply disappeared, contrary to both my and my fathers efforts, so the name eluded me. But thanks for the help,and the effort - that's what makes this forum the best. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    The cross section of the Stuka in War Monthly though, looks exactly like it -but it certainly wasn't said magazine, perhaps a later revision? I remember the RRP on the cover being far higher, maybe mid 90's, and it wasn't hardback, softback,but sustainsial, like a graphic novel....,


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  • Registered Users Posts: 7,020 ✭✭✭BlaasForRafa


    The cross section of the Stuka in War Monthly though, looks exactly like it -but it certainly wasn't said magazine, perhaps a later revision? I remember the RRP on the cover being far higher, maybe mid 90's, and it wasn't hardback, softback,but sustainsial, like a graphic novel....,

    When you said "the world at war" of publications I thought you may have been on about Orbis' World War Two part work but that was published in the 70's (my brother has a full set and they are fantastic)
    1.jpg?dt=29f8dd36699b6a6d60dd63828c26e187


  • Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Jim S


    Hello gents.
    The WW2 series shown by BlaasForRafa , I bought this series in the late 70's (78-79), and it is a good overview of WW2.

    Have to agree with Molar , the Heindal books are bloody great and are worth the money, some do get a tad expensive when the run sells out, I have several which cover the Normandy conflict, the Atlantic Wall and 21st Panzer Division , good books.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    I went ahead and ordered both of these last night, first is on pre-order:

    Ordnungspolize%20vol%202.jpg
    &
    maxframsida.gif


  • Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Jim S


    One oldie which I picked up in a bookshop in Letterkenny "Decision in Normandy" (D'Ete), I keep asking myself if I do need more books on Normandy but this one replaces a PB edition of the same book and for 5 Euros it is very hard to say no.

    The other is Craig L Symonds "The Battle of Normandy" , it reads well telling you about both the Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway both encounters being so linked.
    I bought this one because it is a subject I have not actually read anything about - I have an awareness of the battle but want to know more.

    They sit on After the Battle's "The Falklands War, Then and Now" without wishing to veer to far "off topic" it is a really excellent book and a credit to ATB.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,979 ✭✭✭Stovepipe


    Waterstones used to sell English-language versions of German-published picture books on the German armed forces in WW II, a lot of which were based on regimental histories and contained a lot of previously unpublished photos, many of which were privately taken, ie, not by unit or propaganda photographers. The books are very simply printed with a wavy colour pattern on the inside front cover and they use a lot of Gothic/germanic fonts. Some don't have sleeves and if they do, the sleeves are very simply designed. I have a very good one on Kurt Tank, the FW190 designer, which is from a publishing house called Schiffer.
    regards
    Stovepipe


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  • Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Jim S


    Schiffer , Rodger Bender and RZM , some of the top publishers on the US side.

    Mark Yerger's latest Volume on DK holders will be out pretty soon...... one to watch for.

    Thinking of publications I bought four bound volume of "Britain at War" magazine this afternoon for £10 sterling , along with J.J. ANgolia's "The HJ. Volume 2", signed edition 289 /500.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    Stovepipe wrote: »
    Waterstones used to sell English-language versions of German-published picture books on the German armed forces in WW II, a lot of which were based on regimental histories and contained a lot of previously unpublished photos, many of which were privately taken, ie, not by unit or propaganda photographers. The books are very simply printed with a wavy colour pattern on the inside front cover and they use a lot of Gothic/germanic fonts. Some don't have sleeves and if they do, the sleeves are very simply designed. I have a very good one on Kurt Tank, the FW190 designer, which is from a publishing house called Schiffer.
    regards
    Stovepipe

    Those sound like the kinds of books which always increase in value and are difficult to find. I really didn't know Waterstones published those kinds of books, though you do tend to find them on the web and on specialised forums. I'd be interested to know more about that range.

    Another one which is difficult to find (at a reasonable price) is :

    http://www.amazon.com/Uniforms-Organizations-History-German-Police/dp/0912138971

    John R. Angolia/Hugh P. Taylor:
    Uniforms, Organization & History of the German Police
    Volume 1

    513lLsV4NPL._SS500_.jpg


    It's another Bender Publishing one, difficult to find at a reasonable price.


  • Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Jim S


    The Belfast branch of Waterstones used (and may still stock) a range of books from Schiffers and Fedorwicz, but as Morlar rightly says along with books by Bender a specialist seller / shop / website are the main sources on line.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Kennys Bookstore in Galway: Got this lot in both pictures for a mere 50 euro, couldn't believe it when that's all they asked. I already have the the rest of both collections from awhile back in my bookcase.

    WP_000040.jpg

    WP_000039-1.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,976 ✭✭✭youcancallmeal


    Anyone read Hugh Ambrose's book The Pacific? My main interest is on the pacific theatre, I am either going to get the this or Nemesis by Max Hastings for an upcoming holiday. I think Nemesis might be a bit heavy going though?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    Anyone read Hugh Ambrose's book The Pacific? My main interest is on the pacific theatre, I am either going to get the this or Nemesis by Max Hastings for an upcoming holiday. I think Nemesis might be a bit heavy going though?

    I had that same choice a while back in the airport, I went with Nemesis and it is excellent, though not quite as good as his book 'Armageddon' about the battle for Germany. You won't be disappointed with it, though I can't comment on Ambrose's book.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    This book arrived today :

    Ordnungspolizei - Encyclopedia of the German Police Battalions September 1939 - July 1942

    by Massimo Arico.

    Some parts of it go into great detail, for example Pol Btl 93 - I have photographs of 2 Graves from men of 1st kompanie, Res. Pol.Btl 93, both men died on 27 December 1941. From this book I discovered this level of detail :

    194669.jpg

    There are other areas where there are massive gaps but overall I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in Polizei Battalions of WW2.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,976 ✭✭✭youcancallmeal


    I had that same choice a while back in the airport, I went with Nemesis and it is excellent, though not quite as good as his book 'Armageddon' about the battle for Germany. You won't be disappointed with it, though I can't comment on Ambrose's book.

    I ended up getting the Max Hastings book Nemesis. Brilliant read, would highly recommend it. Must get Armageddon now!


  • Registered Users Posts: 9,238 ✭✭✭Ardennes1944


    Reading Dalton Einhorns "From Toccoa to the Eagles Nest" at the moment. a fantastic book, self published too.
    51bIzFkirsL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 131 ✭✭Jim S


    http://www.afterthebattle.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=290

    Current issue from "After The Battle" deals with the bombing of Dublin , might be of interest to folks. :D

    If I might make a quick plug on a new guide to D-Day Beaches ;
    "Walking D-Day" by Paul Reed (Pen and Sword) just published this month.
    I bought a copy to take to Normandy (leaving on Wednesday), and having spent sometime with the book it is good.
    The author Paul Reed is a well know author and historical adviser who has contributed to many good TV productions including "Dig WW2 Northern Ireland", which concludes on Monday night on BBC.
    Paul is also a senior guide for Ledger tours.

    Anyone going to Normandy , this is seriously worth packing to take with you, and is in its own right a good read.Publishers price of £15 , it can be had for about £10 on Amazon.
    Friday next the fair at St.Mer Eglise and Sunday Tilly-sur-Seulles Book fair. :)


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