What can I say more, a book that has the balance of the narrative as its strength, stretched between the two forces, the Greek and the Italian, who fought for a hill of very little importance in the strategic perspective of war in general but which assumed great symbolic significance. That place for the Italians is "Zona Sacra" (Sacred Zone) and even the Greeks, after years of confrontation with the various Albanian governments, finally see the opportunity to celebrate and honour their dead. A campaign that was terrible and that led to nothing, both for one and for the other side but that makes one appreciate even more the resilience and courage that animated both armies that fought for Hill 731 . A book which I hope will be translated into Italian and which undoubtedly enters by right among the best written about the Greek campaign.
Read the full Italian review [link=https://oldbarbedwire.blogspot.com/2020/11/mussolinis-defeat-at-hill-731-march.html?m=0]here[/link]
On The Old Barbed Wire
What can I say more, a book that has the balance of the narrative as its strength, stretched between the two forces, the Greek and the Italian, who fought for a hill of very little importance in the strategic perspective of war in general but which assumed great symbolic significance. That place for the Italians is "Zona Sacra" (Sacred Zone) and even the Greeks, after years of confrontation with the various Albanian governments, finally see the opportunity to celebrate and honour their dead. A campaign that was terrible and that led to nothing, both for one and for the other side but that makes one appreciate even more the resilience and courage that animated both armies that fought for Hill 731 . A book which I hope will be translated into Italian and which undoubtedly enters by right among the best written about the Greek campaign.
Read the full Italian review [link=https://oldbarbedwire.blogspot.com/2020/11/mussolinis-defeat-at-hill-731-march.html?m=0]here[/link]
On The Old Barbed Wire
"A Champion Cyclist Against the Nazis" is such an interesting book. As an Italian history lover and cycling fan, this was a very pleasant read. I had already done my research into Gino Bartali a few years ago and even wrote a University essay about him and his role in the fight against the Nazis, so I was very curious to see how the author would translate it into book format. I have to say, I was not disappointed.
I was a little surprised at how much Italian history is in this book and I think that anyone not Italian will find it extremely useful to understand the context in which Gino lived, how he grew up and why he made those choices.
This book was a good mixture of history, sport, the man and the legend Gino Bartali.
If you love history, unexpected heroes, or love to read about your favourite sports champions, this is the book for you!
NetGalley, Marilisa Ceccato
"A Champion Cyclist Against the Nazis" is such an interesting book. As an Italian history lover and cycling fan, this was a very pleasant read. I had already done my research into Gino Bartali a few years ago and even wrote a University essay about him and his role in the fight against the Nazis, so I was very curious to see how the author would translate it into book format. I have to say, I was not disappointed.
I was a little surprised at how much Italian history is in this book and I think that anyone not Italian will find it extremely useful to understand the context in which Gino lived, how he grew up and why he made those choices.
This book was a good mixture of history, sport, the man and the legend Gino Bartali.
If you love history, unexpected heroes, or love to read about your favourite sports champions, this is the book for you!
NetGalley, Marilisa Ceccato
It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended – I thought that it was a great read and a great insight into what it would have been like in Northamptonshire during the period of World War II.
Read the full review [link=https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/2020/02/02/bookreview-for-northamptonshire-at-war-1939-45-by-kevin-turton-wwii-northamptonshireatwar-worldwarii-townsandcitiesinworldwartwo-northamptonshire-penswordbooks/]here[/link]
Donna's Book Blog
It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended – I thought that it was a great read and a great insight into what it would have been like in Northamptonshire during the period of World War II.
Read the full review [link=https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/2020/02/02/bookreview-for-northamptonshire-at-war-1939-45-by-kevin-turton-wwii-northamptonshireatwar-worldwarii-townsandcitiesinworldwartwo-northamptonshire-penswordbooks/]here[/link]
Donna's Book Blog
Article: '[i]War of words: Shipbroker brings grandfather's diaries to life[/i]' as featured by
TradeWinds, 17th September 2019 – words by Lucy Hine
Article: '[i]War of words: Shipbroker brings grandfather's diaries to life[/i]' as featured by
TradeWinds, 17th September 2019 – words by Lucy Hine
‘A Boys Own Adventure’ doesn’t even come close to describing Leslie Young’s war. Nicely retold by his son, Nicholas, this memoir ticks all the boxes. On reading it I’m firmly of the opinion that there's probably not many who had as full a war as Leslie?... An incredible story of one man’s war. It’s excellent.
Read the full review [link=http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/escaping-with-his-life-from-dunkirk-to-d-day-and-beyond-by-nicholas-young.77140/]here[/link]
WW2 Talk
‘A Boys Own Adventure’ doesn’t even come close to describing Leslie Young’s war. Nicely retold by his son, Nicholas, this memoir ticks all the boxes. On reading it I’m firmly of the opinion that there's probably not many who had as full a war as Leslie?... An incredible story of one man’s war. It’s excellent.
Read the full review [link=http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/escaping-with-his-life-from-dunkirk-to-d-day-and-beyond-by-nicholas-young.77140/]here[/link]
WW2 Talk
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Armoured Warfare in the Italian Campaign 1943-1945
The Second World War campaigns in North Africa, on the Eastern Front and in northwest Europe were dominated by armoured warfare, but the battles in Italy were not. The mountainous topography of the Italian peninsula ensured that it was foremost an infantry war, so it could be said that tanks played a supporting role. Yet, as Anthony Tucker-Jones demonstrates,… Read more...
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The Last Great Cavalryman
Nearly 70 years have passed since October 1944 when Dick McCreery became the third and final Commander of the legendary Eighth Army in Italy – in succession to Monty and Oliver Leese. With his outstanding record as a fighting soldier and armoured tactician, it was no surprise to anyone that he was to be hugely successful. McCreery was commissioned… Read more...
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With The East Surreys in Tunisia and Italy 1942 - 1945
The East Surreys were in near continuous action from November 1942, when they landed in North Africa (Operation TORCH) through to the end of hostilities in May 1945. During these three years of bitter fighting they cleared the Germans from Tunisia, took part in Operation HUSKY, (the invasion of Sicily) and fought up through Italy as far as the River… Read more...
Very few British soldiers could lay claim to such a full war as Leslie Young. Having survived the retreat to and evacuation from Dunkirk, he volunteered for the newly formed Commandos and took part in their first major operation, the raid on the Lofoten Islands. He fought and was captured in Tunisia. He escaped in Italy before his PoW camp at Fontanellato… Read more...