The Membership's Best Books
This project will be conducted by the Guild Registrar with the approval of the HOLF Administration. I have often heard other players refer to various sources in their discussions about the gaming systems. I would like to start compiling initial lists of the best sources for each historical genre, as nominated and selected by our membership (or at least those that choose to vote). While our votes and lists are unofficial, they may be used by HOLF administrators or officially transferred over to the HOLF War College at a later date. We will start by hearing nominations from existing members various sources over a 10-14 day span based on a given category, and then slowly whittle the nominees down to a final “Top 10” list in the ensuing polls and discussions. The final list will be available for viewing and the membership may occasionally revisit a list to see about any possible changes or updates.
Because the list possibilities can be pretty extensive, I have decided to limit it to these two to begin with:
1. Napoleonic history and/or related military history sources.
2. Civil War history and/or related military history sources.
We will add two new categories when these are completed. There is no criterion for a book nomination other than a member feels it to be one of the most important, historically valuable, or just plain best books about that given period or topic. Your comments and input are most appreciated and discussions are encouraged as well.
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NWOL - Naval
NWOL Naval Bible
I am presently finishing the Aubrey/Maturin saga by Patrick O"Brian - some 6-7000 pages.
It must be read with a 1798-1815 glossary/dictionary!
While a work of fiction, you can pleasantly know all there is to know concerning the British Navy fleet actions around the world in that 17 year period. There is no "dryness" of a tactical manual.
Rather than moving squares about, you learn by listening to the characters. You can see, from the British perspective, the strengths and weaknesses of other navies, how they fought, the best way to attack a French frigate or Spanish Ship of the Line.
A most pleasant, albiet L-O-N-G way to understand the tactics and politics of the British during that period.
NWOL - Naval
With numerous contenders in this field, commencing with Forrester's Hornblower series, I concur with your choice of the Aubrey/Maturin series. O'Brien uses contemporary language and jargon (which can take a bit of getting used to) but there are lots of technical tidbits plus Aubrey is in no sense a superman like some of the other "heroes" so you get a much more realistic sense of what was and was not possible at sea in this age.
Jim Voege
Good...
nominations for the ACW thus far. We will keep the nominations open until after we open the website to all players.
Nomination for the Book List - ACW category
It is only fitting that the The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara be one of the first books nominated for this list. While classified as a work of fiction this "novel" has sufficient validity in its handling of the military art that it has been designated as part of the mandatory reading list by several US Army Chief of Staff since its publication in 1974. The treatment of the key characters, both Union and Confederate, is masterful and allows the reader to better understand the culture and morality of the ACW period. This immersion in the period is one of the stated objectives of the Historical Online Learning Foundation > http://www.holf.org/index-old.htm < in its charter and associated vision statements. All interested individuals of the ACW period should read this novel.
Question to those of you who are older and studied the American Civil War. How many of you had any idea who Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was before 1975? Did The Killer Angels impact your view that an individual can make a difference in the world?
Civil War Nominations
The Killer Angels was also going to be my first nomination as well. A true masterpiece, and well-deserving of the Pulitzer. I am younger, but my first introduction to Chamberlain was through the Ken Burns "Civil War" miniseries.
"Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era" by James McPherson also has to be in this conversation as well.
I also nominate The Civi War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote. It is a behemoth three-volume set, but incredibly detailed and very colorful. One of the better histories of the war, although perhaps a little Southern-centric in parts (but let's face it, Foote is an unapologetic Southern man so this is probably not too surprising). And like I said, a very long read.
Also "A Stillness at Appomattox" by Bruce Catton (published in 1953 but still holds up fantastically).
Civil War Nominations
Second on the Foote magnus opus. It has long been the first ACW reference source to which I turn.
Jim Voege