Posted on 03/31/2022 10:01:26 AM PDT by The Louiswu
Hi all. I just got done with the last of the Horatio Hornblower books, read all 11 in about two weeks and now I need some book suggestions. I liked the naval warfare aspects of the Hornblower books. I usually read classic (50’s-early 80’s) science fiction, some military fiction, some science. I’ve tried to plow thru o’Brians, Master and Commander and I might try again. Thanks in advance. Have a great day.
I recommend Umberto Eco: The Island of the Day Before.
It’s historical fiction, with a bit of a nautical bent set in the age of exploration, but it’s Umberto Eco so there is all sorts of mystical weirdness and layers of meaning built into the story as well.
Read “One Second After” and sequels.
“The Killer Angels” about the battle of Gettysburg is awesome. It is written as historical fiction but is well researched and very accurate. Best war novel ever written.
My wife gave me the Hornblower series for Christmas, and I’ll get at them soon. (I have read them all, but not for many years.) The Patrick O’Brian books are great, though it might be a bit daunting to read them all in a row.
Try some of Kenneth Roberts’s historical fiction, like “Rabble in Arms” or “Lydia Bailey”.
Try Dick Francis. In order. World of British steeplechase. As engaging as sci-fi.
I really liked the Master and Commander series.
TRINITY: The Best Kept Secret. Jacques Vallee. Paola Harris. (just published)
The Real Anthony Fauci. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (strange for a hard-bitten conservative like me to recommend anything from a Kennedy)
Read all of Kenneth Roberts historical fiction about the Colonial and Revolutionary era. He is a wonderful author. I would read “Arundel” first, then “Rabble in Arms.” You like naval history and you get it in spades in “Rabble in Arms” with the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain.
Seen in the perspective of history, the Battle of Valcour Island, fought on Lake Champlain between improvised navies of Britain and America in October, 1776, looms out of all proportion to the size of the forces engaged, the number of ships sunk, or the losses suffered in wounded and killed.
Not only was this savage three-day battle the first fleet action ever fought by Americans; it was also a great strategic triumph for the colonists’ brilliant and resourceful commander, Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, ultimately destined to betray the cause for which he fought so valiantly. More remarkable still, even though Valcour was an American defeat, it proved to be one of the truly decisive battles of the American Revolution.
“When Benedict Arnold on Lake Champlain, by vigorous use of small means, obtained a year’s delay for the colonists,” states the distinguished U.S. naval historian Admiral Alfred T. Mahan, “he compassed the surrender of Burgoyne in 1777.” That surrender, Mahan asserts, convinced France that she should place her mighty financial and military resources firmly behind the cause of the Americans, so ensuring their ultimate victory. (American Heritage)
Rabble in Arms was hailed by one critic as the greatest historical novel written about America upon its publication in 1933.
If you like Hornblower and Sci-Fi you might like that.
Bernard Cornwall, his Sharpe series.
Oh, and Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series.
seven seconds
Harold Coyle writes amazing military fiction.
Stirling’s “The Domination” is three books in one—a SF military classic.
And S. M. Stirling’s Dying of the Fire series.
The Joel Rosenberg series.
Ditto this. Also try Alistair McClean’s HMS Ulysses.
I like WWII non-fiction and my most recent reads/suggestions:
If naval warfare is your preference, the Ian Toll’s Pacific War trilogy might be for you:
Pacific Crucible
The Conquering Tide
Twilight of the Gods
In that order.
Land/tank warfare:
Spearhead by Adam Makos. Soon to be a major motion picture.
Air war:
Masters of the Air by Donald Miller. Soon to be a mini-series in the Band of Brothers/The Pacific tradition, although not HBO this time.
Robert Graves, I Claudius, and Claudius the God.
Wow, I knew I could count of my fellow Freepers for some really excellent suggestions!
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