This is Part II of an ongoing list of a few of the books we have read lately and. Some were good, some were average and some were absolutely fantastic. This is Part II of what will probably be a many part series!
Bismarck – Edward Crankshaw
This one was a little harder going, it does not flow like the two books mentioned above, but nevertheless, provides a detailed picture of the life and motivations of the man who helped shape late nineteenth century Europe. If you’re a novice in history, this one will be a struggle, but if, like me, it is a period that you have not delved into before, this is good place to start your education about this awesome political animal. This book, and I suppose any work describing Bismarck’s life, is as good an education in successful politics as would be a study of Caesar or Churchill.
The Liberators: Inside the Soviet Army – Victor Suvorov
and Inside the Soviet Army – Victor Suvorov
Victor Suvorov (that’s not his real name) defected from the Soviet Union in the late 1970s and began to write about his former home and occupation. His two books on the Soviet Army, that deal with everything to the reasons for the military districts to the way a cadet is called up, are startling. Many of us remember the image of the Soviets during the Cold War, however, what we did not truly appreciate at the time was the horrid reality for those on the other side of the Inner German Border. Suvorov’s books are rough and ready, no literary master works, but they present a detailed picture of the hard, strange and ever depressing life of the Soviet Soldier. The books also show the madness of the Soviet system at its height, with some chapters leaving you wondering how the hell this super state survived for as long as it did.
The Cold War: A Military History – David Miller
I am a bit of a Cold War buff; I have really got into studying it, especially the military side of it and that is why this book, I believe, is one of the best starting points for someone seeking to learn about this interesting period. David Miller presents his book as a primer on the military situation and development of this period of world history and he does a good job. He presents what can be very detailed and confusing topics (trust me, some are when you get into the detail) and presents them in a clear and brief fashion that allows the novice to understand the basic themes and influences of this major period or our recent past. Additionally, this book provides you with the ability to move on into more detailed areas that interested you, whilst not being overwhelmed by the myriad points of view that exist. If you ever want to learn about the military history of the Cold War, this is the place to start.
The Greatest Lies in History – Alexander Canduci
Following along with the swathe of other books that are sample bags of history, as the one mentioned above, and many others that are about now, this one looks not so much at the event, but more so how each was manipulated to suit the needs of a particular group of people. Canduci starts with the Battle of Kadesh, that masterpiece of Egyptian spin that Ramses nearly got away with and then moves forwards in time. Canduci breaks his book into Spin and Doublespeak, Passing the Buck, Official Lies and Cover Ups and Acting Under False Pretensions. Within each of these four areas he examines examples from ancient time until today. The worst thing about this book is that the common man has learnt nothing in five millennia. We still believe what we are told and the vast majority are just happy to believe what they are told without any evidence and not question, a point that the next book is desperate to stop.
