Grand unified books thread

[Syt]

In the old thread the question was raised about books about the Seven Years War that are *not* about the British Navy or the French and Indian Wars.

The Seven Years War in Europe: 1756-1763 by Franz A.J. Szabo was mentioned in the context, but I guess I'll leave it be after this reader review on Wargamer:

Just finished the above book. Let me save you the trouble and summarize: Frederick the great was an incompetent tyrant and , apparently, a coward who routinely fled from battles that his over rated Prussian Army constantly lost.  When prussia won a victory, it was only because of some type of fluke like a weather event, or a junior Austrian officer misunderstanding an order.  Austria routinely dominated the incompetent Frederick whose Prussian Army only survived through sheer luck.  Fredericks reputataion only developed due to Prussian propogandists.

I guess I should have read the author's bio first. Professor of Austrian Studies, native Austrian, and dedicated his book to his two grandfathers who, as he proudly announces, both fought for Austria-hungary during WWI.

[jimmy olsen]

Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief by James McPherson.

A good read that showed how Lincoln quickly developed strategic insight that far outstripped that of his generals until Grant was put in command.

Next on my list 'Lincoln and his Admirals'

[Martinus]

I'm reading Tomasz Cyz's (a Polish writer) "Dionysios's returns" which is a book about Karol Szymanowski, a Polish composer, and his opera "King Roger".

[Alatriste]

In the old thread the question was raised about books about the Seven Years War that are *not* about the British Navy or the French and Indian Wars.

The Seven Years War in Europe: 1756-1763 by Franz A.J. Szabo was mentioned in the context, but I guess I'll leave it be after this reader review on Wargamer:

Just finished the above book. Let me save you the trouble and summarize: Frederick the great was an incompetent tyrant and , apparently, a coward who routinely fled from battles that his over rated Prussian Army constantly lost.  When prussia won a victory, it was only because of some type of fluke like a weather event, or a junior Austrian officer misunderstanding an order.  Austria routinely dominated the incompetent Frederick whose Prussian Army only survived through sheer luck.  Fredericks reputataion only developed due to Prussian propogandists.

I guess I should have read the author's bio first. Professor of Austrian Studies, native Austrian, and dedicated his book to his two grandfathers who, as he proudly announces, both fought for Austria-hungary during WWI.

With critics like this I always wonder if the book is really so strongly biased or rather the reader was looking for a piece of hero worshipping and can't handle the truth(TM). In this case the 'caveat' applies even more strongly because, to put it bluntly, the entire Kingdom of Prussia survived due to sheer luck. That Old Fritz was reduced to ordering his ministers to get peace at any price is as close to an stablished fact as one can get.

[Korea]

The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombia


It is okay.

[PDH]

Is this thread really unified, or is that just a catchy title to get people to post here?

[Martinus]

Is this thread really unified, or is that just a catchy title to get people to post here?

Are you calling Syt a liar?

[PDH]

Is this thread really unified, or is that just a catchy title to get people to post here?

Are you calling Syt a liar?

I believe I was calling him a savvy marketing guru, Mr. "I jump to conclusions."

[garbon]

I believe I was calling him a savvy marketing guru, Mr. "I jump to conclusions."

I want to pick a conclusion and then jump to it.

[PDH]

I want to pick a conclusion and then jump to it.

Sorry, you have to be faux gay.

[Darth Wagtaros]

I believe I was calling him a savvy marketing guru, Mr. "I jump to conclusions."

I want to pick a conclusion and then jump to it.

You could market that as a party game: "JUMP to Conclusions!" 

Shameless Office Space reference.

[Syt]

Is this thread really unified, or is that just a catchy title to get people to post here?

Brain took away my "What are you listening to now" thread, so I claimed this one.

Besides, I wanted to make a follow up to something from the previous thread/forum/life, and so this presented itself naturally.

[fhdz]

I'm reading The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell at the moment; when I finish that, it's on to Steve Erickson's Tours of the Black Clock.

[The Brain]

Is this thread really unified, or is that just a catchy title to get people to post here?

Brain took away my "What are you listening to now" thread, so I claimed this one.

Punishment for changing your nick, Sytass.

[Syt]

Tours of the Black Clock.

Not what I read at first.  :-[