Books Read

British Commando 1941-1945 (Osprey Warrior 181)

by Argus Konstam and Graham Turner

Captivating reading about the British Commandos of World War II. It covers some units and actions and the training of these distinguished units. Definitely enticed me to read about Operation "Screwdriver", an amphibious operation in Burma in 1945. Took extensive notes.

Landing in Hell: the Phyrric victory of the 1st Marine Division on Peleliu, 1944

By Peter Margaritis

Detailed  account of the 1st Marines battle for the taking of Peleliu. I specially liked the time devoted to the planning phase of the campaign. However, the lack of information on the Japanese garrison left me somewhat disappointed. It was highly informative and inspiring to various drawings for my Peleliu war journal

Images of War: Peleliu, 1944

By Jim Moran

Graphic heavy book about the Peleliu campaign. Its information is generic but the pictures are good, even when they didn't answer most of the questions I had. A couple of them served as inspiration for drawings of my Peleliu journal.

Peleliu 1944: The Forgotten Corner of Hell

By Jim Moran & Gordon Rottman- Illustrated by Howard Gerrard

Usually the first thing I do when learning about a new campaign is looking if Osprey has published a book on it.  Their Campaign series are informative and written in a clear language. Of course, they are not exceedingly detailed, but they cover this first essential approximation. And sometimes the illustrations are actually good!

The battle over Peleliu: Islander, Japanese and American memories of war

By Stephen C. Murray

The best text I've encountered on the subject. It is a precise and deep text on the history of the island, the battle, and what I was looking for, testimonies of those involved beyond the American scope. Most of my war journal will be based on what I've read on this book.

Operation Meghdoot: India's War in Siachen 1984-present

By Sanjay Badri-Maharaj

Although somewhat dry, the sheer strength of the topic is enough to keep you reading. It is one of the few books I've read on my cellphone, so probably I'll read it again in the future for a better experience.  A follow up of my reading on the Kargil War I read last year, which is an abundantly better book. 

Timeboxing: The power of doing one thing at a time

By Marc Zao-Sanders

Being an intense mono-tasker, I'm looking at ways to improve my strongpoints and ditch the idea of multitasking completely. This book has helped a great deal to organize my chaotic schedule, though reading it in e-book format was a challenge.

Sino-Indian War. Border Clash: October-November 1962

By Gerry Van Tonder

A derivative of my flash obsession with Indian border conflicts in the Himalayas. Though it provides a detailed account of this obscure action, it does so only from the Indian side, which left me wanting more, especially the planning and logistics on the Chinese side. In all, a short and engaging reading.

Aircraft, tanks and artillery of the Ukraine war

By Martin J. Dougherty

So far it is the only book I've read on the conflict and this is a fairly plain one. It lacks any resemblance of tactical or operational considerations, although is a useful guide for a scale model collection. The drone section is understandably short, which is somewhat dissapointing.  

Eldest Son: Zhou Enlai and the making of modern China

By Han Suyin

The best book I've read this year (up to now). A complete, detailed, and intimate text about the brilliant diplomat and statesman, a man responsible like no other of China's current position as a superpower.  Splendidly written. A must-read if trying to understand present-day China.

Dark Age America: Climate change, Cultural Collapse, and the hard future ahead

By John Michael Greer

Another great reading, and one that made reconnect with of my old lines of thought. A mandatory reading if you have even a passing interest of the bleak prospects of our civilization, or what passes by it in these days. While sobering and comprehensive, it follows the lines of Western thinking, casting fear at the loss of the obscene opulence of American society at large, showing only a superficial interest of what the rest of (and specially the Third) World has to offer when comes to solutions to the problem that Humanity self-inflicted. Inspired me to devote some time to write my own take on this. 

How Everything can collapse

By Pablo Servigne and Raphael Stevens

Directly referenced in my prior reading, it was the logical next setp on this new reading chain.  Enlighting and enriching, it offers a broad panorama of our current civilizational conundrum. The author has enough intelligence to expose and analyze the facts without trying to provide any path to solution yet, or engaging in "doom thinking".  Devoted some interest on the Third World, but not quite enough to suffice me.  

Another End of the World is Possible

By Pablo Servigne, Raphael Stevens and Gauthier Chapelle

This one was somewhat less inspiring, although still highly informative. Thought I disagree with some of the points discussed here (maybe write a blog post review about it), it constituted a dense and rewarding reading.  Again, it only superficially touches the Third World and it has to say. Which is a good day, because it gives me the opportunity to write something about it.

Every tool is a hammer: Life is what you make it 

By Adam Savage

Although not literary brilliant (which I consider is not the point), this book is authentic and personal, which makes it much more valuable for me. Not only it provided many useful insights on craftmanship, which I consider my life's call, but also provides a window to get to know the man I admire. If you like to create, this book is for you.

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

By Max Brooks

I can't praise this book enough. I'm not into horror or zombies. But this books is actually about none of that. Enticing, well documented and incredibly entertaining. The only catch is that I strongly disagree on some of its core civilizational points, which I see as a way to ensure the book's selling, and that actually does a disservice to the story. If you can let that slide, it would be one of your most entertaining readings ever.

M48 Patton vs Centurion: Indo-Pakistani War 1965

By David R. Higgins

This was a little side reading to provide some context for a painting inspired by a photo that caught my attention. The book's style is typical of this type of superficial publications about military history, but provides some insight of this rather absurd conflict. The most commendable part is the one devoted to the strategic analysis of the campaign and the blunders of each side. Very good starter on a more comprehensive reading on the subject.

Fw-190 Sturmjager: Defense of the Reich 1943-45

By Robert Forsyth

Another side reading to provide some context for a painting. Though personally I would prefer a little more insight on tactics and the general picture, the book is interesting and provides pilot's accounts, which it is what I look for most on this kind of books. I would change the title of the book, though.

Albert Speer: His battle with truth

By Gitta Sereny

I've always been fascinated by the so-called "Armaments Miracle" of 1943, and its central figure, Albert Speer. This superbly written biography deals almost every detail of Albert Speer's life, but its extension precluded me from finishing it. Once I read the part that interested me, I dropped it. But if you are interested in the whole scope of Albert Speer's life and personality, this reading is mandatory.

The History of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

By The Office of History, USACE

One of the first books of my 2025 Reading List, this is an informative summary of the activities of the USACE from its inception to the 1980s. While narratively is quite plain, the facts are explained clearly and quite entertaining for such a bried recount of a military body of nearly 300 years. Good start for a dive in the history and accomplishments of the Corps of Engineers.

THE ART OF ROY CROSS

by Roy Cross

This book was exactly what I expected to be. Delicious, inspiring and complete, the book will take you to the prodigious production of this classic of boxart and aviation art. Written in a very British, casual but respectful style, this book deliver an inspiring experience. Each word brings you closer to your childhood, and it is plenty of useful tips for the artist. Almost indispensable.

THE BIG SHORT

By Michael Lewis

Complex and fact-packed, this book is not for the easy of heart. The author does a masterful work turning a dry, infuriating subject into a thrilling chain of events. Even when sometimes the "savants who knew better than anyone" made me rolled my eyes, the book is well written, and the testimony of one of the saddest moments in American history, truthful.

MORE VINTAGE YEARS OF AIRFIX BOX ART

By Roy Cross

Another endearing book by one of my personal heroes. Since I have a very personal fascination with classic Airfix box art and models, this book is a must have for me. Written in the same style as the previous one and lavishly illustrated, it was both an incredibly pleasant visual experience and a very rewarding intellectual nostalgia trip.

FALKLANDS WAR 1982

By Duncan Anderson

Another title of Osprey's "Essential History" series, it is another example of this kind of fervently one-sided recount of an historic event that is so common since the 90s. One step away from open bigotry, this book makes no attempt to hide a rabid Pro-British stance. This sensitive historical event is one of those that in order to do justice to history must be written with delicacy and historic rigor, none of which are present in this text. Fortunately, it is not long.

OPERATION STEINBOCK 1944: The Luftwaffe's Disastrous Last Blitz Over England

By Chris Goss

What was supposedly a quick consultation quickly turned into several re-reading as I needed to be constantly checking facts and testimonies from airmen and decision makers. Abundant in facts, maps and compelling images, this text is excellent for a general overview of this particular Luftwaffe blunder. Also beautifully designed, though I resent that current need of everything needing to be 3d renderings. The text is professionally written though it conveys no emotion. Great as a consultation reading, not so much if you want to grasp the feelings of the moment.

ROCKET BOYS

By Homer H. Hickam, Jr.

Once on a while, a book is exactly what you expected and wanted it to be. This is one of those cases. Intimate, tender and delicate, this book makes you a friend not of the author, but to the little Homer that lives in the pages. Striking a very personal cord, Homer Hickam brought my inner childhood memories a new light, and a new meaning.

LOGISTICS IN THE FALKLANDS WAR

by Kenneth L. Privratsky

Personally, it is exhilarating to find a whole book written meant to answer one very specific question (avoiding me the task of writing it). And this is such book. Incredibly detailed and well narrated, adopting a neutral tone that is highly appreciated in cases like this, the book was both entertaining, informative and wholesome experience.

TIRED AS FUCK

By Caroline Dooner

I approached this book with a certain derisive contempt, given the author's loose use of the word fuck and my general disregard of self-help books. And I was so happy when contempt turned into thankfulness. This is an awesome book for all exhausted people, like myself. I made "rest as a state of mind" a staple of my approach to modern life and its incessant demands. Highly recommended.

RED PHOENINX RISING: THE SOVIET AIR FORCE IN WORLD WAR II

by Ilia Grinberg and Von Hardesty

Every time I encounter a Western book dealing with the Soviet Union in WWII, especially a post Soviet one, I tend to dismiss it and move on to something else. This time however, I decided give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised. This book is justifiably one of the main sources when it comes to recent WWII studies, and for a good reason. Precise, neutral and entertaining, can be read both as a consultation source or as an adventure experience.

ON WRITING: A MEMOIR OF THE CRAFT

by Stephen King

The best book on writing, ever.

THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN QUATERMAIN

by Henry R. Haggard

If you can pass the blatant Victorian racism, this is a reading that delivers a really adventurous experience. I especially appreciated the idea of a very human explorer, with failings, misshaps and misadventures. Alan Moore's use of this character on his work really does a service. I'm eager to find the remaining novels of this writer. 

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN

by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill

A natural offspring of my reading of Quatermain's adventures was the re-read of this classic. This time I not only fell in love with the story (again) but also found a new appreciation for Kevin O' Neill's art. I surely copy both on my own work. 

JAPANESE WARRIOR MONKS

by Stephen Trumbull and Wayne Reynolds

As I dive deeper into Buddhism, this particular aspect of both Buddhism and Japanese history caught my attention. Fascinating from all standpoints and carefully and respectfully written, this book is a great starting point for a deeper view of the topic in subsequent readings.

TSUSHIMA 1905: DEATH OF THE RUSSIAN FLEET

By Mark Lardas and Peter Dennis

Short and to the point, this book didn't fall in the same safe place these kind of books usually do: the downgrading of the Russian ships and commanders. Despite being the Russian Navy worst defeat in history, the book makes clear that this was so because of strategic ineptitude of the high command, not a personal failure of the commanders on the battlefield or the low quality of the Russian ships. It also narrates the stellar performance of the Imperial Japanese Navy without overdoing it. This a balanced, detailed reading that I highly recommend as a starting point to study this battle.

THE MEIJI RESTORATION

By William G. Beasley

This was a very entertaining and informative reading that clarified many of my initial questions on the subject. Written with just the right amount of adjectives, I recommend this book for both beginners and experts on Japanese history. 

STALIN'S OCEAN-GOING FLEET: SOVIET NAVAL STRATEGY AND SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMS 1935-1953

By Jurgen Rohwer and Mijail S. Monakov

Though this book follows the same topics of Western books on the Soviet Union, being the only source, there is little one can do (except write a similar book oneself). Taking the ideological undertones aside, the book provides a clear picture of the subject matter. And if one wants to continue studying the matter, it can provide an useful guide on further study.