I have a few transatlantic and transpacific flights coming up for races. While I'll probably catch a movie or two, I'd much prefer to read or listen (audio is preferred as I can continue when home and constantly driving) to some good books.
If anyone has a favorite relating to the Vietnam War or the preceeding years, that would be great. I also wouldn't mind learning more about Europe during the interwar (WWI to WWII) years.
Or if you have a book that you simply feel is underrated, but should definitely be picked up, feel free to point me in that direction.
I have a few transatlantic and transpacific flights coming up for races. While I'll probably catch a movie or two, I'd much prefer to read or listen (audio is preferred as I can continue when home and constantly driving) to some good books.
If anyone has a favorite relating to the Vietnam War or the preceeding years, that would be great. I also wouldn't mind learning more about Europe during the interwar (WWI to WWII) years.
Or if you have a book that you simply feel is underrated, but should definitely be picked up, feel free to point me in that direction.
How academic to you want to get? I don't do audio, but Bernard Fall's Hell In A Very Small Place about the siege at Dien Bien Phu.
Warrior's Creed by PJ Roger Sparks was and is important to me.
Of course, Alone at Dawn.
I'll second Bernard Fall's books. A Bright Shining Lie about John Paul Vann in Vietnam is good (though I haven't read it in years). For Vietnam war porn, that's a huge list. Hue 1968 by Mark Bowden (yes, that one) is really good. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson about Churchill, London, and the Blitz is excellent. The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman gives you a great run-up to WWI. Anything by Max Hastings, though his stuff is during the war, not pre-war. Max Hastings - Wikipedia
I haven't read the following book, but I've read quite a bit by the author. David Halberstam's he Making of a Quagmire is probably good (again, based on his other works I've read).
I have a ton of general WWII books in mind, but that's a bit outside of your scope above.
I've read Alone at Dawn before, but went back to it on one of the plane rides. Always a good, albeit emotional read. I also did The Coldest Winter, as I've had the book for well over a decade. Given the recommendation of Halberstam, figured I should read it.
As for Vietnam, I went and bit of a different route and picked up Devil's Guard by George Robert Elford. Different read than my normal choices, but intriguing and something I'd recommend.
I then went and read Play Nice which I think I saw mentioned in this thread.
Currently blazing through Guns of August.
Thank you for the recommendations!