[MaxBigfoot]

The Kencyr books by P.C. Hodgell.  I've had "Godstalk" and "Dark Of The Moon" for years, but Baen books finally picked Ms. Hodgell up and I'm able to read the last 3 books for the first time.  Great fantasy series, wonderful heroine.   

[Zealot]

I just finished the closing argument of Vincent Bugilosi at the trial of Charles Manson.I learned that the Tate/LaBianca murders were done over two consecutive nights.Now I'm starting the chapter on the My Lai Massacre trial.

[homevintner]

Since I haven't been here lately, or even on line as much as usual, I've been hitting the books. Hard.

Sea of Thunder by Evan ThomasFour commanders in the pPacific Theater, WWII
Tom Barry  IRA Freedom Fighter  By Meda Ryan. Commander of the West Cork Flying Column during the 1920 war of independence.
The Complete Hammer's Slammers v3 by David Drake
The Druid by Leonard Mosley. The only German spy not caught and executed or turned by the British during WWII.
Panzer Aces III by Franz Kurowski
Hunters from the Sky by Charles Whiting. The German parachute corps 1940-1945
Ghost; Kildar; Choosers of the Slain; Unto the Breach; andA Deeper Blue all by John Ringo
along with several others not worth going into.

[Shara]

so when are you teaching the class on WWII?

[homevintner]

You're not the first to make a comment like that. I just like history as a whole. I'm currently working on I Rode With Stonewall by Henry Kyd Douglas. He was the youngest member of Gen. T. J. Jackson's staff.

[Shara]

history or military history? I had a roommate with similar interests

[pedonbio]

I'm working on Mark Twain's autobiography. It is slow going.

Shara, I love all kinds of history (I know you didn't ask me, but I'm answering.) For me WW II has a special interest because it is often referred to as a "good" war, or at least a "necessary" war. For someone who believes that there has never been a "good" war, it is challenging.

[solvegas]

history or military history? I had a roommate with similar interests

When I was taking history class in High School, Mr Masters said that history was essentially the study of war interrupted by brief periods of peace.

[homevintner]

Both, Shara.

[brakblake]

When I was taking history class in High School, Mr Masters said that history was essentially the study of war interrupted by brief periods of peace.

I've heard that more than once in my history classes....but then again...i was a History major in college 

[pedonbio]

I've heard that more than once in my history classes....but then again...i was a History major in college  

Interesting. Over the years I've gone through about 30 theories of history, the military being one, though out of favor for about a generation. My two favorites are the Pirean thesis (that western civilization reached its pinnacle in 1200 and has been downhill since) and the infectious disease theory.

One of my favorite historical figures, Helen Keller, subscribed to the great man theory. She thought George Washington and Nicolai Lenin were the greatest.

About thirty years ago there was a book about the 100 most influential people, based on a combination of how many people they affected and how deeply they affected them. Mohammad was first, Newton second, and Jesus third. It was a great analytical tool for discussion.

[MaxBigfoot]

Just read David Weber's new book, "Out Of The Dark".  Very hard military sci-fi, until the end.  The earth gets it's butt kicked by an alien race for 9/10's of the book, until the finally piss off the wrong person enough.  His name happens to be Vlad Drakul...

[brakblake]

Just read David Weber's new book, "Out Of The Dark".  Very hard military sci-fi, until the end.  The earth gets it's butt kicked by an alien race for 9/10's of the book, until the finally piss off the wrong person enough.  His name happens to be Vlad Drakul...

Wait a moment....isn't that practically the same as Battlefield Earth?

Interesting. Over the years I've gone through about 30 theories of history, the military being one, though out of favor for about a generation. My two favorites are the Pirean thesis (that western civilization reached its pinnacle in 1200 and has been downhill since) and the infectious disease theory.

One of my favorite historical figures, Helen Keller, subscribed to the great man theory. She thought George Washington and Nicolai Lenin were the greatest.

About thirty years ago there was a book about the 100 most influential people, based on a combination of how many people they affected and how deeply they affected them. Mohammad was first, Newton second, and Jesus third. It was a great analytical tool for discussion.

I never really paid attention to those types of theories...mostly because they didnt come up in class (ever! lol) But I jsut like general history because i KNOW i'm goign to hear something that i didnt know/hear before...even in the most basic of history classes.

[pedonbio]

I never really paid attention to those types of theories...mostly because they didnt come up in class (ever! lol) But I jsut like general history because i KNOW i'm goign to hear something that i didnt know/hear before...even in the most basic of history classes.

Yes, you usually don't get into it unless you take a course in historiography. I took one to understand how to analyze historical writing. One of the ironies of popular American history writing has been the widespread bias toward the "great man" theory, given that most of the leaders of the Revolution openly detested the "great man" theory.

[MaxBigfoot]

Wait a moment....isn't that practically the same as Battlefield Earth? :

I wouldn't read Battlefield Earth if you paid me good money.  I'm allergic to the name "Hubbard".