Summaries of books about Military History:
SHOT DOWN
The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth
Steve Snyder
The book recounts the experiences of Howard Snyder, a B-17 bomber pilot during World War II, after his plane, named Susan Ruth, was shot down over occupied Europe. It details his survival, evasion of capture, and the bravery of the Belgian resistance that helped him and his crew evade the Nazis.
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We Die Alone
A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance
David Armine Howarth
The book recounts the true story of Jan Baalsrud, a Norwegian commando who survives a Nazi ambush in occupied Norway during World War II. Severely wounded, he embarks on a harrowing journey to freedom, enduring the Arctic's brutal conditions and relying on the kindness of locals to evade capture.
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8 Miraculous Months in the Malayan Jungle
A WWII Pilot's True Story of Faith, Courage, and Survival
Donald J. "DJ" Humphrey II
The book recounts the harrowing survival story of a WWII pilot who, after being shot down, endures eight months in the hostile Malayan jungle. It details his struggles against nature, illness, and enemy pursuit, highlighting his unwavering faith and courage throughout the ordeal.
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The Gathering Storm
Winston S. Churchill
The book details the lead-up to World War II, examining the political and military decisions that set the stage for conflict. It provides a personal account of the events from 1940 to 1941, including Churchill's perspective on Britain's struggle against Nazi Germany and the pivotal battles that began to turn the tide of the war.
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Armageddon
The Battle for Germany, 1944-45
Max Hastings
The book provides a comprehensive account of the final phase of World War II in Europe, detailing the brutal military campaigns on the Eastern and Western Fronts as the Allies closed in on Nazi Germany. It offers vivid descriptions of the battles, political dynamics, and human experiences from multiple perspectives, including soldiers, civilians, and leaders.
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Cover of Darkness
The Memoir of a World War Two Night-Fighter
Roderick Chisholm
The book chronicles the experiences of a night-fighter pilot during World War II, detailing his missions, challenges, and the evolution of aerial combat tactics in the darkness. It provides a personal account of the psychological and physical demands of warfare in the skies, offering insight into the life of a serviceman during a pivotal period in history.
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Joker One
A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood
Donovan Campbell
The book recounts the experiences of a U.S. Marine platoon during a seven-month deployment in Ramadi, Iraq, focusing on the challenges of urban combat and the bonds formed between soldiers. It provides a detailed account of leadership and sacrifice, as the platoon leader, Donovan Campbell, navigates the complexities of war while striving to keep his men safe.
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Hogs in the Sand
A Gulf War A-10 Pilot's Combat Journal
Buck Wyndham
The book is a firsthand account of an A-10 Warthog pilot's experiences during the Gulf War, detailing the intense air combat missions and the challenges faced in the desert warfare environment. It provides insights into the pilot's personal journey, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the strategic operations of the A-10 aircraft in the conflict.
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Flyboys
A True Story of Courage
James Bradley
The book recounts the harrowing experiences of American pilots shot down over the Pacific island of Chichi Jima during World War II, including their capture, the atrocities they endured as prisoners of war, and the lone survivor's tale. It also delves into the broader context of the Pacific war, examining the cultural and historical factors that shaped the conflict and the brutal nature of the combat between the United States and Japan.
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Storm of Steel, New Translation in American-English
Ernst Jünger
The book is a first-person account of the author's experiences as a German soldier on the Western Front during World War I, detailing the brutal reality of trench warfare and the camaraderie among soldiers. It provides a vivid and unflinching portrayal of the violence and intensity of battle, as well as reflections on the nature of war and the resilience of the human spirit.
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