TANKOBITE'S BLOG

Tankobite

Books to read and an idea (more on that later)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008

I've decided to do a sort themed reading (there's a bit of a point to it, but not sure if I'll explain it yet) and I figured this is as good a place as any to do write it down so someone else can possibly go "Hey, that's a damned good looking book."

The books I'm reading are similar as they're all books about war written from the first person point of view, or as told by a narrorator (or in two cases about what war does to a person). A +, means I've already read it, but if it is on this list I probably plan to reread it soon. The only exception of this is The Forgotten Soldier because I just finished it about a month ago.


The Forgotten Soldier (+): A rare book; World War Two as seen from a French boy serving in the German army on the Eastern Front. Excellent; in the sense that you really feel the cold, hunger, and death looming over you.
All Quiet on the Western Front (+): The quintessential anti-war novel, written by a German World War I vet. Banned in Nazi Germany.
Company Aytch : The Civil War as seen through the eyes of a young Tennessee volunteer. Joins with 119 of his friends and neighbors; only him and six others come back home again in 1865. A classic and possibly the only completely true story on this list (Controversy on The Forgotten Soldier )
Starship Troopers (+): Heinlein's classic military adventure story. Some who may read this list may scoff, but this is required reading at all Military Service Academies and is recommended by both the Army and the Marines for all servicemen.

The Forever War : Tough to explain, but basically think of it as an allegory to Vietnam, both combat, conscription, and how difficult many veterans found it to re-adjust to life back home. This may be removed from the list, however, because I'm not sure if it is written in the first person. Even if removed, I plan on reading this book.

The exceptions
On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society : Rather self explanatory title, written by a retired Lieutenant Colonel; Wikiepdia has this to say about the book
Quote:
an analysis of the physiological processes involved with killing another human being. In it, he reveals evidence that most people have a phobic-level response to violence, and that soldiers need to be specifically trained to kill. In addition, he details the physical effects that violent stresses produce on humans, ranging from tunnel vision, changes in sonic perception, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace Similar topic, because it is the same author. Wikipedia has this to say;
Quote:
an extension of the first, intended to provide coping strategies for dealing with the physiological and psychological effects of violence for people forced to kill in their line of work (soldiers and police officers).


Well, if anyone's read this, I hope I've given you some books to check out. All of these books have excellent reputations.

I'll leave you with some Jacobite music:

Ye Jacobites by name give an ear, give an ear
Ye Jacobites by name give an ear
Ye Jacobites by name your faults I will proclaim
Your doctrines I must blame, you shall hear.

What is right and what is wrong by the law, by the law
What is right and what is wrong by the law
What is right and what is wrong, a short sword and a long
A weak arm and a strong for to draw.

What makes heroic strife famed afar, famed afar?
What makes heroic strife famed afar?
What makes heroic strife, to whet the assassin's knife
Or hunt a parent's life with bloody war.

Then leave your schemes alone in the state, in the state
Then leave your schemes alone in the state
Then leave your schemes alone, adore the rising sun
And leave a man alone to his fate.

Then leave your schemes alone, adore the rising sun
And leave a man alone to his fate...
And leave a man alone to his fate.

COMMENTS

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 6:47 AM

MSB


Hey that's what editors are for..proofreading:)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 4:09 AM

TANKOBITE


Aye, thanks for the input, but I'm trying to get books written in the first person (a narrator) or as personal memoirs. I've actually read the Killer Angels and many of the Sharpe books.

I would add that I think Armor probably should be off the list because it isn't written in the style I'm looking for. Not sure why I forgot that.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 3:04 AM

WYTCHCROFT


just started the forever war myself!:) known of it by reputation for a long time - and i feel kinda dumb to have caught up to it so late!

haven't much sci-fi of late but books about Geishas and amelia Earhart for Inara research...

my main SF reading tends to Dick, Burroughs, Gibson and JG Ballard.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 12:02 AM

SPACEANJL


"Killer Angels" Michael Shaara

An inspiration for Joss - the eve of Gettysburg. Puts you right in it.

I would also recommend the 'Sharpe' books by Bernard Cornwell. Napoleonic era. The really great thing about these, is that all the really mad things, the storming of forts, the lunatic charges, were really done by people - he just bundled them up and gave them to one man. (though credits are given.)

You'll like Haldeman - 'The Forever war' is really interesting.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008 6:07 PM

TANKOBITE


"Exemption" in paragraph two should read "exception". Sorry, will proofread next time.


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