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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Kleves on January 13, 2012, 04:10:39 PM

Poll
Question: Which is your favorite war?
Option 1: Punic Wars votes: 3
Option 2: Other Ancient War votes: 4
Option 3: Hundred Years' War votes: 2
Option 4: Other Medieval War votes: 0
Option 5: Thirty Years War votes: 1
Option 6: Other Early Modern War votes: 2
Option 7: Napoleonic Wars votes: 2
Option 8: American Civil War votes: 4
Option 9: World War I votes: 5
Option 10: World War II votes: 12
Option 11: Other Modern War votes: 2
Title: Favorite War?
Post by: Kleves on January 13, 2012, 04:10:39 PM
Which war do you find most interesting/most enjoying reading about?

For me, it's the Civil War, followed by WWI and then WWII.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Tamas on January 13, 2012, 04:12:48 PM
The Great War. It's hard to find an event which so drastically changed history's course and the world in such a sudden way.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Valmy on January 13, 2012, 04:13:10 PM
Probably the Funeral Games at the beginning of the Hellenistic era.  That might just be the most entertaining and bizarre war ever fought.

Followed by the Wars of the French Revolution :frog: and WWI.

I love sweeping cultural and political changes and drama in my wars.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: dps on January 13, 2012, 04:15:20 PM
Hard to say.  In some ways WWII is the most interesting, but there's so much more I don't know about WWI (not to suggest that I know everything about WWII).
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:20:50 PM
1812. :Canuck
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Valmy on January 13, 2012, 04:22:55 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:20:50 PM
1812. :Canuck

I have an ancestor who fought in the Georgian militia in that war.  His force would march out, get humiliated by the Creek Indians, and then run back to Georgia...rest for a bit...then march back and get soundly defeated by the Creeks again and retreat...and then rest up...and so forth.

Quite a glorious chapter in American military history.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Ideologue on January 13, 2012, 04:24:42 PM
World War II, naturally.

After that, French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Then the Persian Wars, specifically Alexander's campaign if I have to be specific.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 13, 2012, 04:25:58 PM
The problem with your question is that some of us (me) have already read a ton on the war(s) we find interesting, so there's nothing new to read.

I think the French Revolution/Napoleonic Wars are the best from a dramatic standpoint.  And obviously the uniforms.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: derspiess on January 13, 2012, 04:26:29 PM
WWII.  It has been the most fascinating for me ever since I first started reading my grandfather's WWII books as a kid.  And IMO it has by far the coolest weaponry.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sophie Scholl on January 13, 2012, 04:27:14 PM
Probably the American Revolution, as it is the war I grew up most inundated with by my locality.  I rather enjoy The Great War and the Wars of the Roses as well.  I've been meaning to do more research/reading about the French and Indian War as well as the War of 1812.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: 11B4V on January 13, 2012, 04:38:31 PM
 hmmmm????? :lol:
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:41:30 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:20:50 PM
1812. :Canuck

I'm ashamed to admit I know so little about this. PBS recently had a decent documentary about it and I found it quite interesting. I do need to pick up a book or two.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Lettow77 on January 13, 2012, 04:45:07 PM
 WW2 is the plebe choice by the way.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:46:56 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:41:30 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:20:50 PM
1812. :Canuck

I'm ashamed to admit I know so little about this. PBS recently had a decent documentary about it and I found it quite interesting. I do need to pick up a book or two.

I could and should definitely pick up some more knowledge on it as well.  There's been some news coverage as the bicentennial is this year which has gotten my interest up.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Tonitrus on January 13, 2012, 04:48:41 PM
The Pig War.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:50:28 PM
Yeah, just realized it's a hundred years old. We should have a commemorative parade.

Maybe dig up some dead Yankee soldier remains and pee on them.

OK, I am just being sarcastic and not trolling..  :lol:
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:57:12 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:50:28 PM
Yeah, just realized it's a hundred years old. We should have a commemorative parade.

:hmm:
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sheilbh on January 13, 2012, 05:01:04 PM
I'm not a massive fan of military history.  Probably the English Civil War, followed by the French Revolutionary wars.  But my reading on that is exclusively French Revolutionary, I've not read a great deal on the Napoleonic wars.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Ed Anger on January 13, 2012, 05:06:52 PM
The war against Timmayism.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 05:11:44 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 13, 2012, 05:01:04 PM
I'm not a massive fan of military history.  Probably the English Civil War, followed by the French Revolutionary wars.  But my reading on that is exclusively French Revolutionary, I've not read a great deal on the Napoleonic wars.

Well there's military history and then there's history during war time.

Some guys get off on all the detailed military manouvers and tactics.  It's not really my thing.  But wars are times of enormous political and social upheaval and change, and that kind of stuff is wildly interesting.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sheilbh on January 13, 2012, 05:22:55 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 05:11:44 PM
Well there's military history and then there's history during war time.

Some guys get off on all the detailed military manouvers and tactics.  It's not really my thing.  But wars are times of enormous political and social upheaval and change, and that kind of stuff is wildly interesting.
Yeah.  The latter I find interesting.  But I'm not terribly interested in histories of specific campaigns, battles or war from a military perspective.

On the other hand I do find history of the military quite interesting.  Rodgers' history of the Royal Navy's superb.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: grumbler on January 13, 2012, 06:19:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:41:30 PM
I'm ashamed to admit I know so little about this. PBS recently had a decent documentary about it and I found it quite interesting. I do need to pick up a book or two.

Read http://www.amazon.com/Amateurs-Arms-Military-History-Campaigns/dp/0306806533

By far the most interesting book I have read on the topic, and while Elting does have his jones for Winfield Scott (and his knife out for Andrew Jackson), he is very even-handed in his treatment of the campaigns.  He is big on explaining why, not just what.  Plus, he was just a natural storyteller.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on January 13, 2012, 06:22:39 PM
The war on Trotskyism.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sophie Scholl on January 13, 2012, 06:32:43 PM
Quote from: grumbler on January 13, 2012, 06:19:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:41:30 PM
I'm ashamed to admit I know so little about this. PBS recently had a decent documentary about it and I found it quite interesting. I do need to pick up a book or two.

Read http://www.amazon.com/Amateurs-Arms-Military-History-Campaigns/dp/0306806533

By far the most interesting book I have read on the topic, and while Elting does have his jones for Winfield Scott (and his knife out for Andrew Jackson), he is very even-handed in his treatment of the campaigns.  He is big on explaining why, not just what.  Plus, he was just a natural storyteller.
:thumbsup:  Added to the wishlist.  Have any suggestions on the F&I War?
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: 11B4V on January 13, 2012, 06:37:00 PM
But seriously, besides the Russian theater durinng WW2, the Crimean and Franco-Prussian Wars.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Martinus on January 13, 2012, 06:40:13 PM
The Hundred Years War, for the sheer number of cultural references and tropes it inspired.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: The Brain on January 13, 2012, 06:45:01 PM
The War of Neanderthal Aggression.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: grumbler on January 13, 2012, 07:13:38 PM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on January 13, 2012, 06:32:43 PM
:thumbsup:  Added to the wishlist.  Have any suggestions on the F&I War?

Still looking for the readable and comprehensive account myself.   :(
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sophie Scholl on January 13, 2012, 07:28:21 PM
Quote from: grumbler on January 13, 2012, 07:13:38 PM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on January 13, 2012, 06:32:43 PM
:thumbsup:  Added to the wishlist.  Have any suggestions on the F&I War?

Still looking for the readable and comprehensive account myself.   :(
Damn.  It definitely is one of the lesser written about wars from what I've seen.  Let me know if you find anything good during your searches.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 07:47:32 PM
Quote from: Barrister on January 13, 2012, 04:57:12 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:50:28 PM
Yeah, just realized it's a hundred years old. We should have a commemorative parade.

:hmm:

200 years.  :D That's why I'm a journalist...my math is not so good.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 07:48:20 PM
Quote from: grumbler on January 13, 2012, 06:19:34 PM
Quote from: Josephus on January 13, 2012, 04:41:30 PM
I'm ashamed to admit I know so little about this. PBS recently had a decent documentary about it and I found it quite interesting. I do need to pick up a book or two.

Read http://www.amazon.com/Amateurs-Arms-Military-History-Campaigns/dp/0306806533

By far the most interesting book I have read on the topic, and while Elting does have his jones for Winfield Scott (and his knife out for Andrew Jackson), he is very even-handed in his treatment of the campaigns.  He is big on explaining why, not just what.  Plus, he was just a natural storyteller.

Thanks. Short listed.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Razgovory on January 13, 2012, 07:50:33 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 13, 2012, 06:40:13 PM
The Hundred Years War, for the sheer number of cultural references and tropes it inspired.

Like what?  "War without Mustard is like sausage without fire"?  I may have gotten that one wrong.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: jimmy olsen on January 13, 2012, 09:03:23 PM
The American Civil War is by far my favorite.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Octavian on January 14, 2012, 05:17:49 AM
The Punic wars, Alexanders campaigns, Napoleon and WWII
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 05:49:12 AM
Quote from: grumbler on January 13, 2012, 07:13:38 PM
Quote from: Benedict Arnold on January 13, 2012, 06:32:43 PM
:thumbsup:  Added to the wishlist.  Have any suggestions on the F&I War?

Still looking for the readable and comprehensive account myself.   :(

Maybe not as comprehensive as one would like for the entire war, I totally enjoyed Montcalm And Wolfe: The French And Indian War by Francis Parkham.  A bit dated and a little tough to slog through at times, though. 
Grumbler's probably already read it though.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 05:57:05 AM
I am fascinated by the war histories of the Revolutions--American, but especially French and Russian--but I find myself more and more interested in the ACW as I get older.

I go through phases, though:  I was on a Spanish Civil War reading kick for some time, now I'm all about Victorian-era British conflict in Africa and India.  Next will probably be the Italian Wars of Independence, who knows.

WW2 is still the mainstay, though.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Syt on January 14, 2012, 06:04:59 AM
WW1 with its build up and aftermath. Not only militarily, but also politically and socially.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 11:34:52 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 13, 2012, 07:50:33 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 13, 2012, 06:40:13 PM
The Hundred Years War, for the sheer number of cultural references and tropes it inspired.

Like what?  "War without Mustard is like sausage without fire"?  I may have gotten that one wrong.

I wish you weren't so passive-aggressive in your trolling.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Razgovory on January 14, 2012, 11:56:18 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 11:34:52 AM


I wish you weren't so passive-aggressive in your trolling.

Just tell me what you meant you fucking asshole.

Happier now?
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: PDH on January 14, 2012, 12:24:04 PM
I wouldn't call Raz passive-aggressive. Rather, I would call him tangentially-aggressive, in that he attacks openly but along a new path that often makes little or no sense and seems far off the mark sometimes.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Iormlund on January 14, 2012, 12:24:16 PM
Trojan War.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Josephus on January 14, 2012, 12:28:26 PM
The Great Seige of  1565
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Oexmelin on January 14, 2012, 12:45:23 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 05:49:12 AMMaybe not as comprehensive as one would like for the entire war, I totally enjoyed Montcalm And Wolfe: The French And Indian War by Francis Parkham.

:bleeding:

QuoteA bit dated

"A bit" ?  :yeahright:

Though it has tons of problems, Fred Anderson's The Crucible of War is still the best accessible narrative of the war.

(One of my ongoing, long-term project, is to produce a new narrative which would include, you know, actual French and Indian sources...)
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: sbr on January 14, 2012, 01:25:44 PM
WWII is what first got me interested in history and is probably technically still my "favorite" war.  I have been much more interested in the American Revolution and ACW lately though.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Admiral Yi on January 14, 2012, 01:39:32 PM
Ucks:  did you read Keegan's writeup of the French & Indian in his book on wars in North America?  If so, what did you think?
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Scipio on January 14, 2012, 03:19:29 PM
ACW.  Russian Revolution.  The River War.  The Boer War.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 03:27:32 PM
Quote from: Scipio on January 14, 2012, 03:19:29 PM
The Boer War.

Completely fascinating, and yet one sees many comparisons, particularly the run-up to and execution of the war, to modern conflicts--particularly Iraq 2003.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Razgovory on January 14, 2012, 03:30:59 PM
Quote from: PDH on January 14, 2012, 12:24:04 PM
I wouldn't call Raz passive-aggressive. Rather, I would call him tangentially-aggressive, in that he attacks openly but along a new path that often makes little or no sense and seems far off the mark sometimes.

Raz takes the indirect approach. 
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 03:31:45 PM
Quote from: Oexmelin on January 14, 2012, 12:45:23 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 05:49:12 AMMaybe not as comprehensive as one would like for the entire war, I totally enjoyed Montcalm And Wolfe: The French And Indian War by Francis Parkham.

:bleeding:

QuoteA bit dated

"A bit" ?  :yeahright:

:lol: I like reading the older stuff, sometimes despite being as stilted as it is, it's still authoritative.
I mean, are you going to discount Lord Mahon's work on Belisarius, simply because it's old?
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: mongers on January 14, 2012, 03:36:09 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 14, 2012, 03:30:59 PM
Quote from: PDH on January 14, 2012, 12:24:04 PM
I wouldn't call Raz passive-aggressive. Rather, I would call him tangentially-aggressive, in that he attacks openly but along a new path that often makes little or no sense and seems far off the mark sometimes.

Raz takes the indirect approach.

One could almost say Napoleonic in character.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on January 14, 2012, 11:56:18 AM
Quote from: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 11:34:52 AM


I wish you weren't so passive-aggressive in your trolling.

Just tell me what you meant you fucking asshole.

Happier now?

Ok. Joan of Arc. Henry V ("Once more into the breach", "We few we happy few"). The "V" sign for victory (might be a myth but still is a pop culture trope). Just to name the most popular ones. The setting has inspired authors for centuries.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sheilbh on January 14, 2012, 05:17:38 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Ok. Joan of Arc. Henry V ("Once more into the breach", "We few we happy few"). The "V" sign for victory (might be a myth but still is a pop culture trope). Just to name the most popular ones. The setting has inspired authors for centuries.
V for victory is from Churchill.  It's the V for fuck off that came from the Hundred Years War.  The story is that it's a sign longbowmen used to wave to the French to show they still had their fingers.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 05:18:11 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 14, 2012, 05:17:38 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Ok. Joan of Arc. Henry V ("Once more into the breach", "We few we happy few"). The "V" sign for victory (might be a myth but still is a pop culture trope). Just to name the most popular ones. The setting has inspired authors for centuries.
V for victory is from Churchill.  It's the V for fuck off that came from the Hundred Years War.  The story is that it's a sign longbowmen used to wave to the French to show they still had their fingers.
Yeah that's what I meant.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 05:18:27 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 14, 2012, 05:17:38 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Ok. Joan of Arc. Henry V ("Once more into the breach", "We few we happy few"). The "V" sign for victory (might be a myth but still is a pop culture trope). Just to name the most popular ones. The setting has inspired authors for centuries.
V for victory is from Churchill.  It's the V for fuck off that came from the Hundred Years War.  The story is that it's a sign longbowmen used to wave to the French to show they still had their fingers.

OK, smart guy;  who figured out the V with the tongue in it, then?
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Sheilbh on January 14, 2012, 05:21:43 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on January 14, 2012, 05:18:27 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on January 14, 2012, 05:17:38 PM
Quote from: Martinus on January 14, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Ok. Joan of Arc. Henry V ("Once more into the breach", "We few we happy few"). The "V" sign for victory (might be a myth but still is a pop culture trope). Just to name the most popular ones. The setting has inspired authors for centuries.
V for victory is from Churchill.  It's the V for fuck off that came from the Hundred Years War.  The story is that it's a sign longbowmen used to wave to the French to show they still had their fingers.

OK, smart guy;  who figured out the V with the tongue in it, then?
That was the French :(
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: mongers on January 14, 2012, 05:24:40 PM
The Cold War.  :cool:

Lived it, survived it, a 'veteran of a thousand psychic wars' *.  :P






* Oops letting my personal life intrude there.
Title: Re: Favorite War?
Post by: Siege on January 15, 2012, 12:32:05 AM
I am disgusted by your blatant disregard for human suffering.