What Are You Reading At The Moment?

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Just started Citizen Sailors and it's throwing up some anomolies. Such as Midshipmen serving on submarines in the the Far East and radar equiped MTBs, MTB 350, Suggestions please?.

Mitch Hinde

[SheppeyMiss]

Have just finished reading "An Officer And A Gentlewoman: The Making Of A Female British Army Officer" by Héloïse Goodley. An account, based on the diary that all officer cadets are required to keep whilst training, of the transformation from City Banker to Army Officer.

She pulls no punches in her story of the process that turned a woman used to smart suits, high heels and a corporate life-style into a tough, disciplined army officer. Her path led her from Canary Wharf in 2007 to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in 2009.

A gripping and, at times humorous, read - I thoroughly recommend this book.

Daily Mail book review

Missy

[CYLLA]

I am nearly half way through "The Battle for Norway April - June 1940 "

I have found it most interesting in many ways ,
Thou i can not seemed to find any mention of where the German u-boats came from,or where they were based and went back to refueled ,no mention of mil-cows
As it very often states that our unites were ordered back to Scapa flow for re-ammo and fuel.
A excellent read ,

cylla

[Markus Becker]

I'm re-reading Friedman's 'US Destroyers' and have to finish P. Thompson's 'Battle for Singapore' sometime.

Originally Posted by CYLLA

I am nearly half way through "The Battle for Norway April - June 1940 "

I have found it most interesting in many ways ,
Thou i can not seemed to find any mention of where the German u-boats came from,or where they were based and went back to refueled ,no mention of mil-cows

Bases in Germany's Baltic and North Sea ports I assume. Not sure if they had supply subs(milk cows) at that time. Anyway, they weren't needed given the short distances.

This book and especially the previous 'The Invasion of Norway' are excellent reads indeed.

[jainso31]

Have just finished reading "The Fiercest Battle" -the Story of Convoy ONS5 by
Ronald Seth.published by Hutchinson & Co Ltd 1961.The Forward is written by
Rear Admiral P W Gretton.CB DSO OBE DSC RN.
"This seven day battle fought...has no name by which it will be remembered;but it was,as decisive as Quiberon Bay or the Nile"
Capt.S W Roskill RN.
A cracking story of the small Atlantic Convoy Escort vessels.

jainso31

[emason]

Originally Posted by jainso31

Have just finished reading "The Fiercest Battle" -the Story of Convoy ONS5 . . . A cracking story of the small Atlantic Convoy Escort vessels.

I am with you there Jim, it is a very fine book. But for anyone wanting a shorter version, there's one here:

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forum...ghlight=empire

[jainso31]

THANKS Bill and here's me thinking of a possible thread line-Curses-dashed again!! There is not much left-unless of course you know different!!???

jainso31

[derek s.langsdon]

Still haven't finished "Lost Voices" nor "Citizen Sailor" which have had for quite a while,but they're both good for pick up info and relaxation when have a moment as never seem able to get down to any long haul reading these days. Also on the stocks is yet another Titanic novel condensed in this month's "Readers's Digest Select Editions"- "Women and Children First" by Gill Paul -looks a good read if I ever get into it !

dsl

[CYLLA]

Hi Derek,

I have that awful problem , of picking up the book "The Battle for Norway April - June 1940 " then after a couple of pages ,i tend to rest my eyes awhile ,and before i know it , it,s supper time ....shucks

cylla

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Just finished Citizen Sailors. Very similar to Lost Voices, but with more emphasis on the historical rather than first hand accounts. They seem to complement each other.

Mitch Hinde

[jainso31]

Ploughing my way through Robert K Massie's tome "Castles of Steel" 865pp .published by Jonathan Cape 2004.To my mind there is a good month of solid reading in it; fortunately-it is surprisingly interesting.Strongly recommended reading for all lovers of the great ships.

jainso31

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi Jim

You are correct, it is about a months reading. First thing in the morining in bed with a cup of tea and last thing at night before lights out. Enjoy.

Mitch Hinde

[emason]

There is a companion book by the same author called simply "Dreadnought" which deals with the political and historic matters leading up to WW1. It also documents the design innovations incorporated into HMS Dreadnought and the relationships between Churchill and Fisher that influenced its design and construction.

[Don Boyer]

Bill is right regarding "Dreadnought" -- I found it incredibly interesting both for the naval matters and especially for its excellent outlining of the the incredibly venal and shallow political shenanigans amongst the host of countries involved that resulted in WWI breaking out. There are hard lessons there that need to be re-learned today.

[SheppeyMiss]

Originally Posted by SheppeyMiss

"The Peking Battles Cape Horn" by Irving Johnson published by the National Maritime Historical Society (USA).

This book details the Peking's epic voyage round Cape Horn at the end of 1929.

The Peking would become, a few years later, the TS Arethusa based at Lower Upnor, Kent, in the river Medway. Finally ending up as a museum ship at the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City.

An update on the fate of the Peking currently with the New York South Street Seaport museum.

South Street Seaport Soon to Lose Its Iconic Tall Ship 'Peking'

The South Street Seaport Museum, which for years has been seeking a new owner for the poorly-maintained ship, has reached an agreement with the city of Hamburg to send the ship back to the German city where it was built in 1911, a museum spokesman said on Thursday.

Missy

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Just found the website for Postscript books, loads of Military History books and novels from the Crusades to Iraq, most at better than half price.

Mitch Hinde

[Ednamay]

Since 'Lost Voices' I have been reading mysteries, (a) distraction and (b) exercising the little grey cells to find a solution.

Now, I am re-reading 'The Shipping News', Annie Proulx, about a family (re)settling back in Newfoundland. The chapter headings are quotes from The Ashley Book of Knots and there are bits of sea lore and such scattered throughout, like:-
"The catalog listed only one item of interest to me, and that was a bamboo-batten junk sail from Macau in good condition....... Then I learned just how much of an aerodynamic wonder the batten sail is - it makes a sort of flat curve. It's only reed or canvas sheetlets stiffened horizontally with the battens - the principle of the folding fan,in a way. You fold it and open it up rather like an unhinged fan. One can control the sail very well because of the battened panels - reef or douse in seconds. No stays or shrouds. The small sections let you adjust trim to a fine degree..........."

Why the interest? My late husband was planning to fit a junk sail to his small cruiser, to make her easier to handle singled-handed.

Edna

[jainso31]

Hi Edna-watched The Shipping News- the movie last night- with Kevin Spacey,Judi Dench,et al. Most taken by the story, the stark scenery of the Newfoundland coast and the wonderful people (including the guy with the pseudo Chinese junk) and their wry humour and beliefs. Utterly fascinating.

jainso31

[Ednamay]

Originally Posted by jainso31

Hi Edna-watched The Shipping News- the movie last night- with Kevin Spacey,Judi Dench,et al. Most taken by the story, the stark scenery of the Newfoundland coast and the wonderful people (including the guy with the pseudo Chinese junk) and their wry humour and beliefs. Utterly fascinating.

jainso31

Oh, oh, I wish I had known! Edna

[jainso31]

No need to feel bereft Edna-the movie was not on TV; but from my own collection,which I had seen before and fancied watching it again.If you have a video player and video shop in your neighbourhood -you could rent this movie.
I would gladly help you out, but my movies are not discs; but are contained in my Hard Drive/Player- which has the grand name of Cyclone.

jainso31

[limeybiker]

Originally Posted by jainso31

Hi Edna-watched The Shipping News- the movie last night- with Kevin Spacey,Judi Dench,et al. Most taken by the story, the stark scenery of the Newfoundland coast and the wonderful people (including the guy with the pseudo Chinese junk) and their wry humour and beliefs. Utterly fascinating.

jainso31

Coincidence, we had it on Encore Movie Channel on Satellite TV last night, but as I missed the first hour, I decided to wait for the repeat, bound to be in the next few days.

I have just finished, listening to The Yellow Admiral, by Patrick O'Brian. Excellent narration.

[Ednamay]

Originally Posted by jainso31

No need to feel bereft Edna-the movie was not on TV; but from my own collection,which I had seen before and fancied watching it again.If you have a video player and video shop in your neighbourhood -you could rent this movie.
I would gladly help you out, but my movies are not discs; but are contained in my Hard Drive/Player- which has the grand name of Cyclone.

jainso31

Thanks v. much. When I read the v. favourable write-up on Wikipedia, I ordered the dvd from Amazon - when it arrives, I can escape from all the cookery and sports programmes!

Edna

[jainso31]

Edna-I do hope you enjoy the movie-it is very evocative.

Jim

[Old Salt]

Originally Posted by jainso31

Ploughing my way through Robert K Massie's tome "Castles of Steel" 865pp .published by Jonathan Cape 2004.To my mind there is a good month of solid reading in it; fortunately-it is surprisingly interesting.Strongly recommended reading for all lovers of the great ships.

jainso31

Seconded Jim, I thought it would be long and boring but found it to be most interesting from front to the end. An insight into many facets not recorded elsewhere. I enjoyed it.

Brian

[Ednamay]

Originally Posted by jainso31

Edna-I do hope you enjoy the movie-it is very evocative.

Jim

Yep, I enjoyed it and thought it very well done (especially the Weather!), although they did take a few liberties with the original book ..........

Edna