Military History for Beginners (Part 1)

Twice recently I had the opportunity to suggest books for an eighteen year old. Without particularly knowing what they were interested in, just generic "Military History" (OK, there is hope left in the world....).

Sometimes I need something like that to realize just how deeply knowledgeable I am, but I will have a stab at it here.

First, every generation writes it's own "popular" history. Right now there is a book on First World War UK war resistors masquerading as Military History on Amazon, it is an interesting read, but not something for the market I am interested in. But it keeps popping up in my recomendations.

So start with the basics, authors. Two major figures of the last generation are John Keegan (Still active) and Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002). A trip to the bookstore or local library should turn up multiple titles by both authors. Pick one related to a subject he (she?) has expressed interest in, it will probably satisfy any eighteen year old.

The whole issue of Nazi Glorification and the Hitler Channel is too complex for a beginner, but one very useful specialist book I like to recommend is Richard Overy, Why the Allies Won (1995). And his survey, Russia's War (1997) is pretty good too, nice readable length.

In particular I would recommend Keegan's Face of Battle (1976), one of the foundations of the "new" military history (Don't ask), or Six Armies in Normandy (1982). You can probably find one of those at the local Friends of the Library. He has been a prolific author throughout the field. And the Ambrose book on D-Day should be available cheap.

Another popular historian to consider from the prior generation is Cornelius Ryan (1920-1974). Three enormously successful books, The Longest Day (D-Day),(1959), The Last Battle (1966) about the Fall of Berlin, much material reprised by Max Hastings for Armageddon, and A Bridge to Far (1974). One was for sale at my local chain book store, and there should be plenty of used copies out there. And yes, they were the inspiration for the two movies of the same titles.

(Revised & Expanded, Dec 9, 2012)

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