Recommended Reading List
Here is a list of a few of my favorite books that I highly recommend!
Rating System Guide
***** 5 stars is a must own for your collection
**** 4 stars is a should own must read
*** 3 stars means that you should probably read it but may not want spend the money on it.
** 2 stars means I read it and don't regret it but I probably could have passed.
* 1 star means I would rather be burning ants with a magnifying glass than read this book again.
0 stars means that I would not even make my worst enemy read it!
( 0 and 1) star books will rarely if ever make this list. I am too embarrassed to admit I read them!
1. The Hornblower Series by C.S. Forester
If you ever wondered what would have happened if Sharpe joined the Navy and had a different name you can find it in this series of books. There are many similarities between Horatio Hornblower and Richard Sharpe. A very good read for those of you Sharpe fans out there who can't wait till the next Sharpe's book comes out.
Rating ***
2. The Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell
Read all the Sharpe books. Need I say more? Sharpe's Fortress is now out and I can't get enough of the Sharpe series!
Rating ****
3. Aubrey Moutrin Novels by Patrick O'Brian
Start with Master and Commander. The novels detail the adventures of Jack Aubrey and Steven Moutrin fighting the Corsican Ogre and others. An excellent book series on Naval Warfare. I picked this up after finishing the Hornblower series and have never regretted it.
Rating****
4. Savage Wilderness by Harold W. Coyle
From the battles fields of Culloden to the Colonial North West during the French and Indian War. This is an OK book but there are better ones. Another book to help you get through your cravings for more Sharpe.
Rating **
5. Private Yankee Doodle by Joseph Plumb Martin
An actual first hand account of a young soldier in American War of Independence. An excellent read. Also available is Yankee Doodle Boy a younger version of Martin's story for younger readers.
Rating ***
6. Sergeant Lamb's America by Robert Graves
Big disappointment when Lamb goes into the politics of the American Revolution. This novel version of the story of the real British Sergeant Roger Lamb loses credibility when he starts talking about the politics and causes of the war. He's a Sergeant not a Colonel! Seeing the war through the eyes of a British soldier makes it a worthwhile read though. I am currently trying to get a hold of The Journal of Occurrences in the Late War in America by Roger Lamb. I've heard this is much better.
Rating ***
7. Proceed Sergeant Lamb by Robert Graves
This sequel to Grave's Sergeant Lamb's America deals less with the politics of the Revolution and focuses on the war and the common British soldier. While a difficult find this book is hands down the better of the two. Plus Sergeant Lamb is now a Sergeant in the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers which as everyone knows is the greatest British regiment of all times. There are some historical inaccuracies in this novel based on the diary of Roger Lamb but it is an excellent read!
Rating *****
8. A Concise History of England From Stonehenge to the Microchip by F.E. Halliday
I recommend this to anyone who really wishes to understand England and how its history has affected U.S. and world history. It basically is a quickie history book that starts with the pre Roman history and goes through the 1980's. Since U.S. history begins with England, I think it is good to have an understanding of English History in order to understand our own.
Rating ***
9. A Hessian Diary of the American Revolution by Johann Conrad Dohla
The original author is an actual Hessian soldier. It was translated by Bruce Bergoyne and the book gives a great history of the war according to a German participant. See the war through the his eyes!
Rating ****
10. A British Fusilier by Lieutenant Frederick Mackenzie
This is probably the premier account of the battles of Lexington and Concord. Also details some of the St. David's Day Celebration. It is a rare book that has been out of print for some time but it is a definite must read. The author's diary even has fold out maps he drew and other accounts such as a letter detailing the voyage to America.
Rating *****
11. The Young Winston Churchill by John Marsh
This book shows the early life that influence that great war time leader Winston Churchill. Read about his amazing escape from a POW camp during the Boer war. Even though this book details a more modern man's life than the others I still highly recommend it!
Rating ****
12. Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
You may have seen the movie by Walt Disney but as usual the book is much better. While this book is mainly for younger readers I purchased it and enjoyed it very much. You can find paperback copies pretty reasonably priced at Walmart and other retailers.
Rating ***
13. Decisive Day by Richard M. Ketchum
A good book detailing the battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill). Mr. Ketchum does a good job detailing the view, thoughts, tactics, and people of both sides. I found the book very informative.
Rating ***
14. Saratoga by Richard M. Ketchum
More interesting than his book Decisive Day. Very informative. I felt like I really understood the different leaders from their writings and from the writings of those that served with them on both sides. Mr. Ketchum should write a book on each main battle of the revolution and they should be required reading for people majoring in early American History.
Rating ***1/2
15. Prelude to Glory Volumes I, II, and III by Ron Carter
These are new historical novels detailing the lives of different members of a family who lived and fought during the American Revolution. The Dunson families father, two sons, daughter, mother, and even the neighbor boy next door each show how their lives were effected by actual events and battles during the war. It is a novel though so some historical inaccuracies exist.
Rating ***
16. The American Heritage Book of the Revolution editors Richard M. Ketchum et al.
This is a nice illustrated book that gives a pretty good overview of the American Revolution. Its vibrant pictures of people, places, and historical artifacts make it a real nice resource. You can find copies at most used book stores. I recommend having a copy just for reference.
Rating ***1/2
17. Journal of Occurrences During the Late American War by Roger Lamb
This is the original Diary that Robert Graves based the Sergeant Lamb novels on. It is a tedious read though. Has so much good information though that all serious historians who study the Revolution should read it.
Rating ***1/2
18. The Mammoth Book of Men O' War edited by Mike Ashley
Intro by Mike Ashley: This book contains short stories of the glory days of maritime warfare. This book contains short stories by Patrick O'Brien, C.S. Forester, Kenneth Bulmer, Richard Butler and many others. Some of the stories were written just for this book while others are reprints of rare or popular works. Individual stories range from three to five stars on my scale but the compilation of them all together makes the book a definite 4 stars. Stories cover the late 18th century through the U.S. Civil War and take place in England, the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Pacific, and the Yazoo river just to name a few. Exotic locations, adventure, action, and sex make this a definite read. I highly recommend this great book of short sea faring stories.
Rating ****
More to come soon!
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