Found an interesting book "Pearl Harbor & The War In The Pacific"

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Here are a couple of photos of the page that caught my eye. It seems to be a good basic refrence for Allied & Axis gear. Also found one on D-day. If there is any interest I will post more photos.

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[Aragorn243]

I think I have it but never really looked at it to know what's in it. I have a serious book problem.

Yep. Took a few minutes to find it. It is pretty nice. I buy on average 10 books a week. Most wide up on the shelf without really being looked at. I get them for reference more than anything and have the luck of being surrounded by used book stores.

[Seaspriter]

If there is any interest I will post more photos.

Please do post more pics, but also, I highly regard your historical insights along with your vast knowledge. There's more to collecting weapons than the mechanics -- the history, the challenges of war, and the evolution is just as much a part of collecting. Often we get one-tracked on things like the supplier's stamps, method of metal finishing, or proofing marks, but neglect the strategy of war, the linkages of supply chains, the secrecy of innovation, the alliances between competitors, the adaptation of manufacturing plants, and, most importantly, the courage of the souls that withstood fear, anguish, loneliness, stress, and desolation to fight for a larger cause.

buy on average 10 books a week. Most wide up on the shelf without really being looked at. I get them for reference more than anything and have the luck of being surrounded by used book stores.

How about taking a peek at one of those per week and sharing your insights, enthusiasm, and revelations. We would all benefit from your vast library.

Here's one of my contributions -- a case study of the most unheralded weapon's technology that shortened the war by about a year, but has gone largely unnoticed, and may disappear from history's lessons: http://trusting1.com/Proximity_Fuse_Case_Study_v1.5.pdf

[Paul S.]

I think I have it but never really looked at it to know what's in it. I have a serious book problem.

Yep. Took a few minutes to find it. It is pretty nice. I buy on average 10 books a week. Most wide up on the shelf without really being looked at. I get them for reference more than anything and have the luck of being surrounded by used book stores.

Like you I buy books on all sorts of topics that interest me. They get shelved until I find a chance to read them - or re-find them whilst looking for something else. Sadly, my wife, the 'honey-do' list and life's commitments interfere far too much with my reading time.

[Aragorn243]

I had to laugh at myself when I was looking for this particular book because the first place I looked for it is a shelf I don't often get too because it's in a room that has largely become storage. I was looking at the titles and thinking "Wow, I have some really nice books I didn't realize I had". About six months ago I built a set of shelves to cover an entire wall, 7' high by 9' wide and filled it with books I had stacked in piles around the house. I've attempted to organize it into categories and slowly move books around from other shelves but it has been a daunting task that does not progress rapidly. So far I've found close to a dozen books I had duplicates of. Most of my collection is military in nature. I also have fairly large sections on animals, cars/trucks/tractors/etc and non-military history like railroads and the "West". My office has books I check the most often. Nearly all are Gettysburg or firearm related. Bedroom is mostly non-military history, living room is encyclopedia type Time Life sets and high end aircraft. Upstairs hall is a mix of general military, den is cars/trucks and general military. Spare bedroom is where the majority are now, mostly all military and the attic is everything else. So long as I remember I actually have it, I can usually find a book in a few minutes which is odd considering where they all are. No one else could figure out my system but it seems to work for me.
'

[Seaspriter]

So long as I remember I actually have it, I can usually find a book in a few minutes which is odd considering where they all are. No one else could figure out my system but it seems to work for me.

I can certainly relate to your problem, with bookshelves in my office, in my back room, and bedroom, plus 30 boxes in storage. Most books have post-it notes tagging key passages or important details, or conversations with the author, or new ideas, or critiques of the content. I, too, organize by category so ever shelf is devoted to something coherent. But what I do is to take time every week to write -- about history, human behavior, leadership, managing conflict, collaborative innovation, etc. I call these "thought pieces" (which is an ancient Grecian technique.). After several years there are enough thought-pieces to create an article or even a book. Several of these pieces I've shared on this site.

I encourage anyone who is interested in history to write short pieces and share them. If anyone wants, I will post them on a website, with proper credits to the author (or you can post them on Milsurps.

[Peter Laidler]

Not quite the same thing as Seaspriter mentions in his thread but very recently two old and extremely well known personalities have passed away here in the UK and there followed a full page article regarding their 'declared' wartime exploits v their actual exploits. Both were in the RAF as wartime Commissioned Officers and both with very interesting and exacting jobs that even on their own would have made for interesting reading. One, an intelligence officer gathering and collating this that and the other in and around the middle East and the other, a heavy bomber navigator from about 1942 onwards no less....... I mean....., how much more of an exciting and dangerous life can one have I am bound to ask? The sad part is that on those exploits alone they could stand out with the very best of their generation, but they had embellished somewhat their wartime service lives in writing and interviews - just ready for someone to out the truth. So, so sad. But I have to say that it didn't alter my most admiral view of the Navigators academic work

[Seaspriter]

very recently two old and extremely well known personalities have passed away here in the UK

It's the passing of the old guard. Their courage may have become a bit embellished over the passage of time, but still these make exciting stories. I'm starting a collection of stories of people I've met. And, with some regret, did not write down stories I should have, and found later the hero had passed away. One, in particular, was George McDonald, an Aussie who was held in the POW camp the move The Great Escape was written about. Some of you have seen a couple of my posts:

Heroic Tale of a Tail Gunner
Requium for a Hero of the Battles of Coral Sea Midway

Got a couple more in progress. These were great men who took on a massive tasks. Those who returned had to bear the burden of the psychological burdens of war in a heroic manner.

The daunting insight is that we are fast becoming the next "old guard." As Robert Frost said with a sigh (slightly paraphrased): "How the woods are lovely, dark, and deep.But we have promises to keep,And miles to go before we sleep."

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Made some time to share a few more photos.

[browningautorifle]

I like the books with the good clear pics. Most equipment that was available when I was young is long gone and won't be back. If the books are correct in their info, they're worth having.