Books

Twenty Most Recommended Books

This page is as a resource to those conversations I occasionally have with anyone makes the mistake of expressing interest in some oddball book I'm carrying. By the end of the conversation I am likely to recommend one or more of these books -- which is why I sent you this link.

Historical Fiction

Napoleonic Era

Brigadier Gerard
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Hilarious stories of a buffoon French Hussar officer during Napoleonic wars. Very light-hearted read.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1846773938/ref=s9_simp_gw_s0_p14_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=07AGM3T5TME2F7BYZBFN&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Master and Commander
by Patrick O'Brian

Long series chronicling career of British Napoleonic naval officer Jack Aubrey. The recent movie Master and Commander combined the stories of 2 of these novels. Author known for habit of explaining naval technology in detail.

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Commander-Patrick-OBrian/dp/0393307050/ref=pd_cp_b_0

A Close Run Thing
by Allan Mallinson

Series chronicling career of British cavalry officer. First book starts with the battle of Waterloo and series continues to various conflicts across the British Empire.

http://www.amazon.com/Close-Run-Thing-Novel-Wellingtons/dp/0553380435/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Historical Fiction

World War I

Her Privates We
by Frederic Manning

Considered the All Quiet on the Western Front but from the British perspective. In my opinion the better book of the two.

http://www.amazon.com/Her-Privates-We-Finest-Noblest/dp/1852427175/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261966847&sr=1-1

Goshawk Squadron
by Derek Robinson

Story of WWI British Pilots.

http://www.amazon.com/Goshawk-Squadron-Derek-Robinson/dp/0786715952/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261967068&sr=1-1

A Sailor of Austria
by John Biggins

Fictional memoir of WWI Austrian submarine captain. Very light-hearted with little focus on combat. Paints enjoyable picture of Austrian society of the time.

http://www.amazon.com/Sailor-Austria-Intending-Prohaska-Official/dp/159013107X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261967239&sr=1-1

Historical Fiction

World War II

Piece of Cake
by Derek Robinson

Follows a squadron of British pilots in WWII from the invasion of France through Battle of Britain. I also recommend the BBC series made from this book.

http://www.amazon.com/PIECE-FICTION-Cassell-Military-Paperback/dp/030436312X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261967689&sr=1-1

Forgotten Soldier
by Guy Sajer

Haunting memoir; worms eye view of common German soldier in WWII.

http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Soldier-Guy-Sajer/dp/1574882864/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261967964&sr=1-1

Science Fiction

Non-Military Sci-Fi

Pushing Ice
by Alastair Reynolds

Great hard science fiction (story blended with realistic mathematics and physics) in the tradition of Isaac Asimov.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441015026/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

Spin
by Robert Charles Wilson

Near-future alternate history (alternate future, I guess) sci-fi. Excellent author for extrapolating how a single change ripples through society and relationships.

http://www.amazon.com/Spin-Robert-Charles-Wilson/dp/076534825X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261969034&sr=1-1

The Risen Empire
by Scott Westerfeld

Similar to the original Dune book in feel. Some space combat, but not full-blown space opera.

http://www.amazon.com/Risen-Empire-Succession-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/0765319985/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261969987&sr=1-3

Science Fiction

Space Opera

Dauntless
by Jack Campbell

First book of 6 to date. Excellent traditional space opera (large fleet starship battles).

http://www.amazon.com/Dauntless-Lost-Fleet-Book-1/dp/0441014186/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261969290&sr=1-1

The Battle at the Moons of Hell
by Graham Sharp Paul

First book in debut series.

http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Moons-Hell-Helforts-War/dp/0345495713/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

Science Fiction

Space Marine

The Clone Republic
by Steven L. Kent

Debut series and first of 4 books to date. Excellent traditional space marine combat (ground warfare on exotic planets).

http://www.amazon.com/Clone-Republic-Steven-L-Kent/dp/0441013937/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3