What are you currently reading ?

[kipt]

Finished "The Coalition Crumbles, Napoleon Returns: The 1799 Campaign in Italy and Switzerland, Volume 2" by Carl von Clausewitz. Translated and edited by Nicholas Murray and Christopher Pringle.

Our cast of characters include Moreau, Massena, MacDonald, Melas, Archduke Karl and Suvorov.  Clausewitz does a great job explaining (and in some cases trying to explain) what transpired for this part of the campaign.  Lots of little towns /villages referenced and as before I did not use an atlas to make sure I knew where all the action was.  Translation by Murray and Pringle reads great.  Their comments are useful in the understanding of the actions and interactions of the various commanders and governments.

I am impressed with the editors/translators use of this narrative as examples in Clausewitz's "On War".  It indicates a good knowledge of that book which is long and dense.  I appreciate the inclusion of links to old maps as I am planning to map some areas for campaigns.

There are references to games being played at the Naval War College.  I would be interesting in AAR's, if available.

Once again, a translation of Archduke Karl would be great.

[kipt]

Finished "The Profession of Arms" the 1962 Lees Knowles Lectures given at Trinity College by LTG Sir John Hackett.  There were 3 lectures put into this booklet and published by The Center of Military History, US Army.

In the lectures, General Hackett reviewed the origins  up to the armies of the nation states, Prussia and Napoleon, the 19th century officer, WWI and the present (as of 1960's) and the future.

Short, only 43 pages, but interesting.

[Techno II]

The library van is back in action this Friday.  

New stuff to listen to !<:-P


Cheers - Phil.

[Steve J]

I remember those as a kid Phil! I still see one when I go to visit my Dad in rural Norfolk. Glad to see this service is still doing sterling work for those that live in the back of beyond.

[kipt]

Finished "A Civil War Gunboat in Pacific Waters: Life on Board USS Saginaw" by Hans Konrad Van Tilburg.

this is the story of the USS Saginaw, the first naval ship built at the Mare Island shipyard north of San Francisco (and about 18 miles from where I live).  It gives a history of its construction (keel laid down 9/16/1858 and launched 3/3 1859 as a side wheel two masted brig), voyages, its commanders and its demise on a reef near Midway on October 29, 1870.  The author was part of the team discovering and cataloging the wreck.

Interesting tidbits about the crew and their misdemeanors (drunk, disrespect to superiors, desertion) and their punishments, along with the supplies brought on board. Eventually armed with 2 30 pound Parrott rifles fore and aft and 4 broadside 24 pound howitzers.

A good story and very well written.

[Techno II]

Huzzah !!! 

A slight return to normality with the return of the library van, yesterday.

More stuff to listen to...picked by Dave, the library operative.
Listening to "The last hour"......Set in 'ancient' Rome.

Also found the "Johnners at the Beeb" Cds, when I was looking for something else to listen to. It was hiding at the bottom of the bookcase.

Cheers - Phil. 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Dey never bes wer youse tinks ! 

[Techno II]

Whatever they are...it helps pass the time when I'm pushing putty, Ian.

Scattered in various places...I've got oodles of stuff that I can 're-listen' to.

Cheers - Phil.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

I use the radio for that.....4extra or 4. If I don't I loose track of time. Exam candidates hate it when I'm invigilating 

[Raider4]

I use the radio for that.....4extra or 4. If I don't I loose track of time. Exam candidates hate it when I'm invigilating 

You have the radio on while the exam is in progress? 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Of course - normally tuned to heavy rock 


Didn't think anybody would belive that un.

[Ithoriel]

Of course - normally tuned to heavy rock 


Didn't think anybody would belive that un.

This kind of rock music I might just believe

[Techno II]

I use the radio for that.....4extra or 4. If I don't I loose track of time. Exam candidates hate it when I'm invigilating 

I'll have to switch the 'desk' stereo to 4 extra*.....Though it's a bit of a pain, because the display on that is SO feeble, you can't actually see which station you're on, unless the room is in just about complete darkness....If I start switching stations I haven't got clue which one I'm on !!

Cheers - Phil. *I usually leave it on 5 Live ......But apart from one show on a Friday....5 Live isn't much cop nowadays.

[FierceKitty]

This kind of rock music I might just believe

They'd roll quite well too.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Nobby, chase that Kitty