So I know that pop history books can be not the best. historically accurate so is this even worth reading?

Took a quick detour on 17th/18th-century conflicts and read the MOAB on 'what if' scenarios. Forget Netflix's 'House of Dynamite'... read Annie Jacobsen's 'Nuclear War - A Scenario.'

This book only ends in one way, but it ensconces the fail-safe defense turned rapidly to offense in response to a suborbital launch. In the 24-minute timeline, this book covers launch on warning, bolt out of the blue, interceptor and counterstrike, doomsday planes, MAD policies, and of course the dreaded SLBM (ELE) lurking in underwater worldwide locations.

Operation Proud Prophet rings true.

In the dawn of the nuclear age, Albert Einstein was asked what he thought about nuclear war, to which he responded, 'I know not with what weapons WWIII will be fought, but WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones.'

Jacobsen has written several greats - 'First Platoon,' 'Area 51,' 'Operation Paperclip.' 'Biological War - A Scenario' is set to release soon.

If you want a book that slumbers in the brain like Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road,' then this is a must-read.

I finished it under three days.

So far I’ve read Vietnam: A History by Stanley Karnow, Vietnam by Max Hastings, Light at the End of the Tunnel, Westmoreland: The General Who List Vietnam by Lewis Sorley, and Dereliction of Duty by H. R. McMaster. I plan on reading the others throughout the year.

Edit: Hey everyone, thank you for all the recommendations! I look forward to reading them.

More civil war books because I have a problem and civil war books are cheap.

Another riveting book review for FB consideration [LOL]……The Wars of LOUIS XIV 1667 - 1714.

Professor John Lynn scores high accolade’s with excellent source materiel and fantastic profile on one of Europe’s most prolific and famous monarchs. Riveting detail on the wars fought [The War of Devolution, The Dutch War, The Reunions, The Nine Years War, Protestant Revolts, the attempted usurpation of William III with restoration of the Jacobite James II, the rampant War of the Spanish Succession], battles waged [Siege of Namur (the cover), numerous sieges and capitulations, Blenheim, Ramillies, Malplaquet], the Commanders [Berwick, Boufflers, John Churchill the Duke of Marlborough, The Great Conde, Prince Eugene of Savoy, Iberville, Noailles, Rooke, Tallard, Vendome, Villars, Villeroi], and the ravishes inflicted on the landscape by the leg powered, mobile, massed fighting armies.

Major wartime innovations was scored during these conflicts, especially the Nine Years War. Flintlock replaced Matchlock, Pikeman all but disappeared from the battlefield, zigzagged interlocking trench warfare only witnessed again in WWI, and the ketched bomb mortar ships which wreaked devastation on the Flanders and Catalonian coasts. Not until the War of Spanish Succession was fixed geography of battle lines ‘a thing’.

On his deathbed, Louis XIV confided to the frightened boy of 5 who would succeed him as Louis XV ‘my legacy is ruined for I loved war too much’. Wars of Gloire came full circle.

very excited to crack these open even though it's going to take me a while lol. all of Antony Beevor's books are going to be read first, currently reading Stalingrad by him and I am hooked. I have so much more hate for Stalin since reading that book.

453 books from Henry IV thru Louis Phillippe! Emphasis on the era of Versailles!

Does anyone happen to know about any good English-language books on this topic? I am very interested in the 1610–1661 period rougly, from Marie de' Medici's regency through Richelieu, Mazarin and the Fronde to early Louis XIV. The reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV seem to be covered quite well, but Louis XIII and the other major political players of his era not so much.

It's interlibrary loan so I can't share the cover, but I'm curious if y'all think this is appalling or awesome.

Sorry for the dicey photo quality. I was originally just grabbing the pics before I returned the book to the library so I could have the edits for my notes 😅

Hey guys,
this is my first post here.
I finished this book 2 Weeks ago and wanted to share my thoughts and ask for more opinions.
Frankly this book left me kind of unsatisfied especially after reading David Stahels first book on the 1941 campaign (Citinos covers mainly the 1942 campaigns but starts of with the events in 1941). I can’t really explain it that well but Citinos style in terms of writing sometimes feels a bit off (in german i called it „reißerisch“). Furthermore the portrayal of Axis military power was partly different from other books i read especially the Stahel ones. In my opinion he tends to overpower the German military especially through his choice of words and writing style but also just by giving his opinion on their capabilities and „accomplishments“. He explains many of the processes by comparing WW2 Generals to older Prussian Generals/ Leaders and their style of waging war. Don’t get me wrong, it made sense and was interesting to read but i think i had wrong expectations on the book.
All the above is just personal opinion so I would be happy for some takes on the issue and maybe some more suggestions. Please excuse my rather poor language i tried my best :)