World War I books?

[Byron Angel]

Sir, thank you for the comments!

7. Sir John Fisher's Naval Revolution by Nicholas A. Lambert http://www.amazon.com/Fishers-Revolutio ... 6W3WLSFT3S ..... I often found myself rolling my eyes when reading this book. The author is basically Sumida's "love child" and it seems like half of Lambert's references cite Sumida (I'm not terribly fond of Professor Sumida's work in certain respects). But on balance it is probably worth a spot on your bookshelf.

Current Amazon used prices are $99.00 for the hardback and $9.50 for the paperback…is this worth a $99.00 spot or only the $9.50 spot?

..... Speaking for myself, I would buy the 9.50 paperback version of Lambert and use the other 90 odd dollars to finance purchase of that new book on French battleships, which is getting rave reviews.

And you're very welcome. I am more than pleased to make the acquaintance of another WW1 naval junkie and bibliophile. Judging from your library holdings and shopping list, your interests do extend rather farther afield than mine, which are largely confined to campaigns, tactics, and technology issues.

Now that you have me thinking about WW1 naval books, let me throw out a some others for possible interest:

"The Battlecruisers at the Falklands" by Rudolf Verner.
I believe this has been recently re-printed for the first time since its original publication in 1922. It's a terrific first person account (Verner was the gunnery officer aboard HMS INFLEXIBLE at the Falklands). He gives an excellent description of the pre-director control gunnery issues he faced in the battle. He also relates detailed post-battle interviews he conducted with survivors of GNEISENAU.

"Konigsberg: A German East African Raider" by Kevin Patience.
The best single account I've read of the KOENIGSBERG's cruise and the Rufiji Delta battle that resulted in her loss. Patience is an African resident and one of those committed fanatics who IMO write the very best histories.


B

[marcelo_malara]

of that new book on French battleships, which is getting rave reviews.

I have already bought it, waiting its arrival.

[USS ALASKA]

Now that you have me thinking about WW1 naval books, let me throw out a some others for possible interest:

"The Battlecruisers at the Falklands" by Rudolf Verner.
I believe this has been recently re-printed for the first time since its original publication in 1922. It's a terrific first person account (Verner was the gunnery officer aboard HMS INFLEXIBLE at the Falklands). He gives an excellent description of the pre-director control gunnery issues he faced in the battle. He also relates detailed post-battle interviews he conducted with survivors of GNEISENAU.

"Konigsberg: A German East African Raider" by Kevin Patience.
The best single account I've read of the KOENIGSBERG's cruise and the Rufiji Delta battle that resulted in her loss. Patience is an African resident and one of those committed fanatics who IMO write the very best histories.


B

Looked up these books on Amazon…wow…maybe if I win the lotto…but they both look very interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Konigsberg-German ... =1-1-fkmr1

http://www.amazon.com/battle-cruisers-a ... 955&sr=1-2

It would appear that the Königsberg is still there in the mud as covered by Kevin Patience in his book ‘Shipwrecks and Salvage on the East African Coast’. I can’t find that one on Amazon.

Have read about the Königsberg in these two books…

THE GREAT WAR IN AFRICA, 1914-1918 by Byron Farwell http://www.amazon.com/GREAT-WAR-AFRICA- ... 599&sr=1-1

Guerilla: Colonel von Lettow-Vorbeck and Germany's East African Empire by Edwin P Hoyt" http://www.amazon.com/Guerilla-Colonel- ... d_sim_b_25

…but they weren’t solely on that topic. I found it very interesting what Lettow-Vorbeck did with the men and weapons of the ship once ship was no longer viable as a naval asset. Unshipping her guns and moving them through the African terrain and weather must have been fun. Just building the mounts for them was quite the feat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Konigsbergcannon.jpg

And the contortions the UK went through to render her inop make for enjoyable reading.

I have already bought it, waiting its arrival.

Sir, could you be so kind as to post a review once you have read it?

Thanks!

[Byron Angel]

Looked up these books on Amazon…wow…maybe if I win the lotto…but they both look very interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Konigsberg-German ... =1-1-fkmr1

http://www.amazon.com/battle-cruisers-a ... 955&sr=1-2

..... I'm honestly SHOCKED by those Amazon prices. Ridiculous money. Have you checked into abebooks, alibris, etc.? I was able to find Patience's Konigsberg book on abebooks for USD 72 ex S Africa.

I had no luck finding any evidence of a re-printing of Verner, which is a shame. I know that plans had been afoot to do so, but apparently they have fallen through.


Byron

[marcelo_malara]

Sir, could you be so kind as to post a review once you have read it?

Well, I am in the process of reading "The German invasion of Norway" by Geirr Haarr, so if you wait until I read the French BB book it willl be a long time. What I will do is once I have the book, give it a look and post some comments."The German invasion of Norway" is very good, very detailed, so far in the process of desicion making (both sides) and planning of the invasion, I would recommend it.

[USS ALASKA]

Thank you gents for the comments.