Decision in Normandy by Carlo D'Este

Decision in Normandy by Carlo D'Este. A very detailed account of the planning of the invasion of Normandy, the intentions and the reality of what can be executed and how you cannot control what your enemy does. I have never read a book with more excerps from books and documents, and more footnotes and endnotes. Mostly we get a view of what the leadership was planning, how they tried and in many ways were foiled by the Germans. We get a lot of information on the leadership and their personality, and how they got along or didn't with each other. It seemed to be very back and forth, generals who worked well with each other in Africa did not see eye to eye when fighting in Normandy. In particular the very controversal Montgomery. We really can't see if he was a brilliant strategist, a giant ego, or probably both.

Spearhead by Adam Makos

Spearhead by Adam Makos, the story of the 3rd Armored Division in WW2, chronicling the battles from the Bulge to the taking of Cologne and then the battle that took the fighting in to Germany and cut off the Ruhr industrial area from the German war effort. Told through the personal stories of the personal stories of the men who fought in the tanks, with some stories of their counterpart in the German tank forces. The writing is very accessible and relies on many original sources, telling the story from the soldiers point of view, not the tactitions and generals. There are many tough stories told here, as the reality of being on the front lines comes off the page.

Ascent by Chris Bonnington

Ascent by Chris Bonnington, the british mountaineer's memoir on his life as a climber. Because of the time period that his life covered, this also provides a great history of how modern mountaneering developed. From climbing in the Wales as a teen ager, to adventures in the Alps and then participating in the opening up of the Himalayas to climbers from all over the world. An interesting memoir from a pioneer of the field.

Freedom by Sabastian Junger

Freedom by Sabastian Junger, the well known author provides a narrative a 400 mile trek he did with others, walking on railroad access roads from the mid atlantic to the mid west. A bit of a rambling history of transportation and various aspects of history, but also it is clear this trip was a bit of therapy for the author as he was processing his life and the divorce he was going through.

How Iceland Changed the World by Egill Bjaamason

How Iceland Changed the World by Egill Bjaamason, a native Icelander and journalist, the author provides a very accessible history of this island nation in the Atlantic. He provides both a big picture look at Iceland and how it came be, but also a personal view of the people who shaped this nation. Iceland continues to be a fascinating nation full of contradictions.

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell, the popular author and podcaster provides his unique insite into one specific aspect of WWII, the strategy of how bombing can be used t try and win, or at least speed up the end, of the war. The 'Mafia' aspect in the title refers to a small group of US Air Corp leaders to promoted the idea of precision bombing. Unfortunately the technology was not in line with the theory, so many things that were intended did not happen.

1776 by David McCullough

1776 by David McCullough, the well known author provides a snapshop of the year that saw so much change as the colonies started thier breaking with England. The author uses many quotes from original sources to provide a feel for what it was like for the leaders and the common soldier. As with The British Are Coming, you come away with a sense of what a miracle it was that independence actually happened. The American Revolution continues to be a topic of interest that we do not seem to tire of.