Book Review – Hitler’s War Beneath the Waves: The menace of the U-Boats

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Michael FitzGerald is the author of more than a dozen books. Hitler’s War Beneath the Waves: The menace of the U-Boats was published in 2020. This is the 5th book I completed reading in 2023.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book/novel as G.

Few of the European nations were ready for WWII when it began. Certainly, Germany had been building their military, but their navy hadn’t reached the level desired before hostilities broke out. That said, 1940 was a successful year for the Nazi U-boat fleet.

This book discusses the Norwegian campaign, then covers the Allied use of convoys and their associated escort ships. One of the factors that helped turn the tide against the German U-boats was the advancements in radar and HF/DF. Even so, the U-boats took a heavy toll on the convoys.

As the coverage of Allied anti-submarine aircraft is extended, U-boats found it even more difficult to hunt the ships. Most of the U-boat activity was in the North Atlantic but they also had a presence off of Norway to harass the Russian convoys.

Operations in the Mediterranean were limited and even more difficult after the Allied invasion of North Africa. A few U-boats were sent to a joint Japanese/German location in Malaysia, but their efforts were of limited success.

I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 256-page WWII history. The book is full of details, but it is very readable. I have also had the opportunity to read two other of FitzGerald’s book. Those are Hitler’s Secret Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Nazi Plan for Final Victory and Unsolved Mysteries of World War II: From the Nazi Ghost Train and ‘Tokyo Rose’ to the Day Los Angeles was Attacked by Phantom Fighters. I like the chosen cover art. I give this book a rating of 4.4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest.

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 600 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

A Book to add to your WWII History Shelf – Skies of Fire

I subscribe to several different ebook sales notification services. One of those is MyNextRead.

In the email I received from them today and they noted that the 234 page ebook edition of Skies of Fire by Alfred Price is currently available from Amazon for FREE. The book was published in 2015. I have downloaded the book, but not read it yet.

If you are a student of WWII history you should act now to add this book to your bookshelf. These sales often last only a few days, so better to act soon.

If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest.

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 600 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

A Book to add to your WWII History Shelf – The Battle of El Alamein

I subscribe to several different ebook sales notification services. One of those is MyNextRead.

In the email I received from them today and they noted that the 156 page ebook edition of The Battle of El Alamein: Fortress in the Sand by Fred Majdalany is currently available from Amazon for FREE. The book was published in 2013. I have downloaded the book, but not read it yet.

If you are a student of WWII history you should act now to add this book to your bookshelf. These sales often last only a few days, so better to act soon.

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest.

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 600 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

Book Review – The Battalion Artist

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – This is Janice Blake’s first publication. The Battalion Artist: A Navy Seabee’s Sketchbook of War in the South Pacific, 1943–1945 was published in 2019. This was the 99th book I completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book/novel as G.

Natale ‘Nat’ Bellantoni spent three years, three months, and three days in the Seabees. His ship left California in June 1943, sailing into the Pacific Theater of Operations. His unit, the 78th Seabee Battalion, would serve throughout the Pacific.

Bellantoni had been an artist before the war. This book shows an assortment of photos, drawings, and watercolors he produced while in the Navy. His works show life in New Caledonia, New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, and Okinawa.

I enjoyed the 2 hours I spent reading this 120-page WWII history. The book contains many attractive full-color images depicting life in the Pacific Theater. I like the chosen cover art. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest. 

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 600 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

Book Review – Entertaining the Troops: 1939–1945

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – This is the first book by Kiri Bloom Walden. Entertaining the Troops: 1939–1945 was published in 2019. This was the 94th book I completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G. The book looks at the efforts made by the British to entertain their troops during WWII.

A few different organizations were created to bring entertainment to the troops. One of the first was the ENSA, Entertainment National Service Association, in 1939. The majority of their programs were variety shows. In 1940 CEMA, the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts was formed. Their events were usually smaller and more culturally oriented. This organization eventually grew into the Arts Council of Great Britain.

For those in the military, there wer other groups. The RAF Gang Shows provided a means for those in the RAF to entertain their brothers in arms. A similar organization, Stars in Battledress, served the Army and ATS. Even for those held in POW camps, the troops often put together programs for their fellow inmates.

Many in the service were exposed for the first time to ballet and Shakespeare. For entertainers, these organizations provided a start to long and successful careers.

I enjoyed the 1+ hour I spent reading this 91-page WWII-era history. The cover art is simple but portrays the goal of the book. I give this book a rating of 3.5 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest. 

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 600 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

Book Review – El Alamein

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Jack Murray is the author of more than 20 novels. El Alamein was published in 2022, and it is the third and final book in the author’s Danny Shaw / Manfred Brehme series. This was the 87th book I completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

This novel has two primary characters. British Army tanker Danny Shaw and the German Army tanker Manfred Brehme. Montgomery is successfully leading the British 8th Army against Rommel and the Germans in North Africa. Shaw is part of the 8th Army. He has experienced heavy combat and is tired of the war and seeing his friends die.

Rommel has driven his Army hard, forcing the British back toward the East. After all of the heavy fighting and hardship, Brehme has begun to question the aims of the Germans. Mostly successful up to this point, they are confronted by the now better-equipped British.

Montgomery makes a stand with the 8th Army at the remote railway station of El Alamein. Will they be able to turn the tide against the Germans, or will they be forced out of Egypt?

I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent reading this 402-page novel of historical fiction set in WWII. The chosen cover art is simple but a good choice for the story. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest. 

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 590 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

Book Review – Uniting America: How FDR and Henry Stimson Brought Democrats and Republicans Together to Win World War II

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – This is the second book published by Peter Shinkle https://petershinkle.com. Uniting America was published in 2022. This is the 83rd book I completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book/novel as G.

With the Nazis seeming to be unstoppable in Europe, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt saw the need to prepare America in spite of the strong isolationist movement. FDR appointed Republican Henry Lewis Stimson to be his Secretary of War in July of 1940.

The book begins by telling about their lives. Stimpson and FDR had a good working relationship, though they did not always agree. Once Stimpson is in office he must face many challenges both military and political.

As head of the US Army, Stimpson had to bring them up to strength. This was in an often unfavorable political climate until 7 December 1941. He became involved in the diplomatic crisis that preceded the Japanese attack on Perl Harbor.

He faced demands for desegregation from both within the Army and in the factories supplying war material. This included dealing with significant racial tension and, in some cases, riots. He also had to address how women could be integrated into the Army. The election of 1944 brought its own challenges. Absentee voting by personnel in units all over the world had to be counted in a timely fashion.

While the British were our staunch allies, Stimpson had many heated discussions with Prime Minister Churchill and his military staff. This was particularly the case with plans for the invasion of France.

Together, Stimpson and FDR had to face and overcome many inflammatory issues to win WWII.

I enjoyed the 13+ hours I spent reading this 451-page WWII-era history. The book is a bit slow, but I found it very interesting. While it seems long at 451 pages, the last 30% are notes and citations. The cover is plain, but it does focus on the two principles. I give this book a rating of 3.9 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Further Reading:

1. The Partnership: George Marshall, Henry Stimson, and the Extraordinary Collaboration That Won World War II

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest. 

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 590 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

Book Review – Battle Stations

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Roger Jewett (the pen name of Irving A. Greenfield) has published more than 25 novels. Battle Stations was published in 2020 and is the first volume in their US Navy Historical Thrillers series. This is the 75th book I have completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, mature situations, and mature language, I categorize this novel as R.

This is not the story of one character, but of five. The oldest, Andrew Troost, has just been promoted to Admiral. His son, Warren, has followed the family tradition and commands a PT boat in the Pacific. Tony Trapasso enlists after Perl Harbor, leaving behind family connections to the mob. Jacob Miller is Jewish and is destined to be a Navy aviator. Farmboy Glen Lascomb is another young man assigned to the Pacific Theater.

The story begins just before the attack on Perl Harbor. It is the story of these Naval officers in the Pacific during the first few months of WWII. The action they see. Their affairs of the heart. Their encounters with one another.

I enjoyed the 7+ hours I spent reading this 353-page historical fiction set in WWII. While this is a fictional novel, it includes many details of the Pacific war. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest. 

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 590 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.

Book Review – Not on My Watch

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Jeff Bailey https://jeffbaileyauthor.blogspot.com has published two novels. Not On My Watch was published in 2019. This is the 74th book I have completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book from the author with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R. While the primary character is US Marine Lance Corporal Cassandra Sing, several supporting characters are important to the story.

Corporal Sing is an aviation fire recovery specialist – she runs into burning aircraft to rescue any surviving crew. She is in a training class at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma when she notices something suspicious. She had been separated from her fellow class members when they were deployed on base to fight a grass fire.

She must make a decision. Does she go for help? Or does she pursue the men who she thinks are ruthless terrorists? Armed only with her Marine training, she chooses to shadow the terrorists. From what she has seen, they will stop at nothing.

Will she be able to follow them without being seen? How will she be able to report them to the authorities? Will she survive?

I enjoyed the 3.5+ hours I spent reading this 178-page thriller. This is really more of a novella than a fun novel. It is full of edge-of-your-seat action. The chosen cover art is a bit plain, but it is OK. I give this novel a rating of 4.8 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Book Review – Lucky Hitler’s Big Mistakes

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Lucky Hitler’s Big Mistakes was released in 2022 and is the first publication by historian Paul Ballard-Whyte https://luckyhitler.com. It is my 64th book to be completed in 2022.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of delivering a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book/novel as G.

The book reviews the principal Nazis and looks at the quarter of a century during which Hitler rose to power. During that time, luck seemed to be with him. Hitler was involved in several potential sex scandals with young women but was able to keep those affairs hidden. Likewise, his survival of more than 20 assassination attempts gave him a feeling of invincibility.

Under Hitler’s leadership, the Wehrmacht made rapid advances through Western Europe and into Russia. This led many, especially himself, to attribute the success to his tactical acumen.

Then, his major mistakes began. He allowed the British Army to escape from Dunkirk. He threatened but never invaded Britain. He failed to pursue the advantage in submarine warfare. The two greatest mistakes were his decision to invade Russia before eliminating Britain and declaring war against the US days after Perl Harbor.

While the Germans were able to develop many new and potent weapons over the war years, Hitler constantly ‘advised’ various improvements. His interference delayed deployment and often left them less effective.

I enjoyed the 9+ hours I spent reading this 330-page WWII history. I like the chosen cover art. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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If you have an interest in the WWII era of history, you may find these three pages of interest. 

• The “World War II Resources” page is a constantly growing collection of more than 590 links to museums, memorials, websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and other sources with information on the World War II era in history.
• The “World War II Timeline” page expands almost daily and shows events leading up to WWII, as well as during the war. Events are broken down into the Pacific and European Theaters by date.
• The About WWII page is a collection of links to posts that I have made over the years that are relevant to WWII. Included are links to many fiction and non-fiction books on WWII that I have read and reviewed. There are also links to WWII oriented podcasts.