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TOPIC: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations

Re: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations 7 months 2 weeks ago #5731

  • iaindh
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Hi Tim,

I dont know the book that you quote below, but the book I'm reading, Thomas Pakenham's "The Boer War," has a very good account of the engagement. Of course it does cover the whole of the ABW but it was also written only in 1979.

Iain
Tim2000 wrote:
I found Ron Lock's book "Hill of Squandered Valor" here:
www.amazon.com/Hill-of-Squandered-Valour...1&keywords=Spion+Kop

I am trying to look for a good book (of recent publication?) on the Battle of Spion Kop, seems like Ron Lock's book, being most recent, could be a good buy. Can anyone recommend a good book(s) that cover this battle?

I have read Churchill, Doyle, Creswicke, Warren, and Botha's books small to large portions of which cover this battle. But, all these were written in 1902-1908 timeframe; would a more recent book provide any new information about this battle? just seeking your opinions on this. Thanks.
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Re: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations 7 months 2 weeks ago #5734

  • coldstream
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Hi Iain,
Yes it is starting to become excellent reading, will stick with it.

Paul :)iaindh wrote:
Hi Paul,

I'm pleased to hear that, :)
If you're at Elandslaagte then you're through the tedium of the politics.
After the crossing of the Tugela, it moves quickly.
I'm currently in the Transvaal after the war in the OVS has been won.(?)
Its very enjoyable reading as you will find.

regards,

Iain
"From a billow of the rolling veldt we looked back, and black columns were coming up behind us."
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Re: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations 7 months 1 week ago #5854

  • iaindh
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I have now finished reading Thomas Packenham's book on the Boer War. He does return to the politics at the end of the book, mainly to do with the terms of surrender and the British Army politics!!! :S
Overall, I enjoyed the book; his analysis of the politics is important and if I may make the comparison, better than Conan - Doyle s whose politics are a little bias.
I did find though that Conan - Doyle covered every engagement whereas Packenham omits a lot and even references Conan - Doyle!
But having said that, Packenham, in his account of certain battles, gives excellent accounts and has obviously done a lot of research. I do think that you have to read both books to get a real overview of the whole conflict.

Just my opinion, I'm not a book critic :lol:

I'm now going to start Ruari Chisholm's account of the siege of ladysmith and I'm looking forward to it! :)

Iain
Last Edit: 7 months 1 week ago by iaindh.
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Re: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations 7 months 1 week ago #5867

  • Frank Kelley
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Hello Iain,
War is just an extension of politics and you might say the Boer War was an extension of Joseph Chamberlain's particular politics! :evil:
Frank
iaindh wrote:
I have now finished reading Thomas Packenham's book on the Boer War. He does return to the politics at the end of the book, mainly to do with the terms of surrender and the British Army politics!!! :S
Overall, I enjoyed the book; his analysis of the politics is important and if I may make the comparison, better than Conan - Doyle s whose politics are a little bias.
I did find though that Conan - Doyle covered every engagement whereas Packenham omits a lot and even references Conan - Doyle!
But having said that, Packenham, in his account of certain battles, gives excellent accounts and has obviously done a lot of research. I do think that you have to read both books to get a real overview of the whole conflict.

Just my opinion, I'm not a book critic :lol:

I'm now going to start Ruari Chisholm's account of the siege of ladysmith and I'm looking forward to it! :)

Iain
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Re: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations 7 months 1 week ago #5870

  • QSAMIKE
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Good Morning Everyone.....

Just finished reading "Two Years on Treck being some account of the Royal Sussex Regiment in South Africa" by Lt.Col. du Moulin.....

As a regimental I can recommend it highly....

Mike
Life Member
Past-President Calgary
Military Historical Society
O.M.R.S. 1591
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Re: Books--What are you reading/read and recommendations 7 months 1 week ago #5874

  • SWB
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Tim2000 wrote:
I found Ron Lock's book "Hill of Squandered Valor" here:
www.amazon.com/Hill-of-Squandered-Valour...1&keywords=Spion+Kop

I am trying to look for a good book (of recent publication?) on the Battle of Spion Kop, seems like Ron Lock's book, being most recent, could be a good buy. Can anyone recommend a good book(s) that cover this battle?

I have read Churchill, Doyle, Creswicke, Warren, and Botha's books small to large portions of which cover this battle. But, all these were written in 1902-1908 timeframe; would a more recent book provide any new information about this battle? just seeking your opinions on this. Thanks.

I reveiwed Lock's Squandered Valour for Soldiers of the Queen (journal of the VMS) - it is a waste of money. Most of the book is spent getting you to Spion Kop, the chapter (yes one chapter) on the battle is error strewn, no casualty figures for the battle, etc.

A number of other books have been published on Spion Kop in recent years - including one in French. I've not read them.

I think what you've read gives as good an overview as any modern book on the battle.

Regards
Meurig
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