What Were Forum Members Reading? (2 Viewers)

[Jack]

I see some very interesting discussions about the books and articles that Forum members are reading now. I think something even more interesting than the books that reflect what we are interested in as adults is a discussion of the books that shaped our interests as children.

Two books that really helped inspire a love of history during my childhood were my 'How and Why Wonder Book of the American Civil War' and my 'How and Why Wonder Book of the American Revolution'. I loved them. I think I must have read them a hundred times. It surprises me that I did not do any University study on these conflicts when the time came but I suppose interests move on. I do not know where they ended up - which I regret - but I bought a copy of each off ebay recently and, to be honest, twenty five years later and they were exactly as I remembered them. View attachment untitled.bmpView attachment untitled.bmp

 

[lancer]

I see some very interesting discussions about the books and articles that Forum members are reading now. I think something even more interesting than the books that reflect what we are interested in as adults is a discussion of the books that shaped our interests as children.

Two books that really helped inspire a love of history during my childhood were my 'How and Why Wonder Book of the American Civil War' and my 'How and Why Wonder Book of the American Revolution'. I loved them. I think I must have read them a hundred times. It surprises me that I did not do any University study on these conflicts when the time came but I suppose interests move on. I do not know where they ended up - which I regret - but I bought a copy of each off ebay recently and, to be honest, twenty five years later and they were exactly as I remembered them. View attachment 103771View attachment 103771

Jack, interesting that you bring these books up. Along with the one on WW2, I lived with these books as a kid, and loved them. The ACW book and the WW2 book are still cemented in my memory. They were in my collection until I moved some 10 years ago, when I lost track of them. I think I will try to track them down and get them again. Thanks for the poke in the memory department. ^&grin -- Al

 

[Carnahan]

I had a steady diet of old-school war comics growing up - G.I. Combat, Fightin' Army/Marines/Navy, etc. that got me interested in World War II. As for "serious" literature, my uncle had a good amount of World War II books and a ton of Civil War ones that influenced me.

 

[Terp152]

I see some very interesting discussions about the books and articles that Forum members are reading now. I think something even more interesting than the books that reflect what we are interested in as adults is a discussion of the books that shaped our interests as children.

Two books that really helped inspire a love of history during my childhood were my 'How and Why Wonder Book of the American Civil War' and my 'How and Why Wonder Book of the American Revolution'. I loved them. I think I must have read them a hundred times. It surprises me that I did not do any University study on these conflicts when the time came but I suppose interests move on. I do not know where they ended up - which I regret - but I bought a copy of each off ebay recently and, to be honest, twenty five years later and they were exactly as I remembered them. View attachment 103771View attachment 103771

I forgot I also read these as a kid, don't know what happened to them. Thanks for bringing back good memories. Chris

 

[larso]

I think my primary school library had a couple as well. Did the WW2 one have a picture of stukas attacking a Polish cavalry unit? I also remember a great drawing of a Kamikazi being shot to bits as it dived on a US ship.

So yes, these were a part of my childhood reading. I also read a lot of Hardy Boys and Biggles too - and before that Famous Five. Lots of adventure there. I also liked fictionalised books that were set in medieval times but with young adults. I can remember several even now. One about Hereward the Wake, another about a knights 'glove' that takes the fellow back in time. Robert Lois Stevenson's The Black Arrow was a favourite and I wished I'd had the plastic armies to play that out properly (I've got them now!). As a teacher I try to get my students reading things that are equally exciting - mostly without success......

 

[lancer]

I think my primary school library had a couple as well. Did the WW2 one have a picture of stukas attacking a Polish cavalry unit? I also remember a great drawing of a Kamikazi being shot to bits as it dived on a US ship.

So yes, these were a part of my childhood reading. I also read a lot of Hardy Boys and Biggles too - and before that Famous Five. Lots of adventure there. I also liked fictionalised books that were set in medieval times but with young adults. I can remember several even now. One about Hereward the Wake, another about a knights 'glove' that takes the fellow back in time. Robert Lois Stevenson's The Black Arrow was a favourite and I wished I'd had the plastic armies to play that out properly (I've got them now!). As a teacher I try to get my students reading things that are equally exciting - mostly without success......

Most definetly remember the pic of the Stuka strafing the Poles. Also one of an Me-109 strafing British troops on the beach of Dunkirk, but mostly remember the color pic of the grim looking GI on the title page, with his M1 Garand and fixed bayonet.:wink2:^&cool -- Al

 

[larso]

"As a teacher I try to get my students reading things that are equally exciting - mostly without success...... "

Actually that is too general. There are many hard-core non-readers (the ones who can't write not surprisingly) but over the last 10 years a few books have been very popular. First there was Harry Potter of course, then the Twilight series. Now it's Hunger Games. Being made into movies helps a bit for some.

 

[Jay]

Just finished "The Admirals" about USN WWII Admirals King, Leahy, Nimitz and Halsey. Fantastic, and to finish the theme, or least continue, Anthony Beevar's "The Second World War". Very indepth in some ways, but interesting.

 

[johnnybach]

In response to Jack's enquiry about what were formative reading elements for some of us - I'd like to put in a "plug for The Eagle comic, when I was a kid back in the 1950's.

Here's the front page of the very first issue - back in 1950. As well as the picture story format - which was in itself almost revolutionary for the time - it had informative centre spread sections - that I remember well - often featuring "cut away" illustrations of planes, ships, vehicles etcetera, which eventually got me interested in making models.

I'm pretty sure that without such reading material - I wouldn't have gone on to the repairing and repainting model soldiers that I enjoy today. Anyone else remember it? johnnybach

 

[Jack]

I am glad that people remember 'The How and Why Wonder Books' with such affection. At the risk of sounding even more like a grumpy old man I wonder if thirty years from now on a Forum people will say 'Did you play that video game when you were young - what a formative experience'.

I have added a few other meories - Biggles, Commando Comics and Battle Comics. I learnt all my German from these publications and when I got to Germany I searched in vain for opportunities to say "Gott in Himmel" and "schweinhund". Unfortunately blander phrases like "where is the toilet"? were not part of my knowledge of the language.

 

[Jack]

In response to Jack's enquiry about what were formative reading elements for some of us - I'd like to put in a "plug for The Eagle comic, when I was a kid back in the 1950's.
I'm pretty sure that without such reading material - I wouldn't have gone on to the repairing and repainting model soldiers that I enjoy today. Anyone else remember it? johnnybach

I do not remember this one - perhaps it did not make it to Australia. Was there still much evidence of the war in England in the 1950s? I know rationing stayed in force for a while and the bombed out buildings must have taken a while to clear, but were people still finding a bit of an Me 109 on a scout camp?

 

[Jack]

I forgot I also read these as a kid, don't know what happened to them. Thanks for bringing back good memories. Chris

My new copies are in boxes while we finish renovating but I always remember the description of Gettysburg which included a comment along the lines of 'Billy Yank and Johnny Reb died side by side'.

 

[Jack]

I had a steady diet of old-school war comics growing up - G.I. Combat, Fightin' Army/Marines/Navy, etc. that got me interested in World War II. As for "serious" literature, my uncle had a good amount of World War II books and a ton of Civil War ones that influenced me.

My grandfather had a selection of Australian publications from the war years such as 'Khaki and Green' which Australian Collectors will be familiar with. He used to read it downstairs while hiding from my grandmother. Years later I inherited them and there was a well worn passage in one of them describing the AIFs great victory at Bardia when they captured over 100 000 Italians for the cost of only 130 dead. It was never mentioned growing up but one of the 'only' was his brother. They were of the generation who never spoke of these things.

 

[johnnybach]

I do not remember this one - perhaps it did not make it to Australia. Was there still much evidence of the war in England in the 1950s? I know rationing stayed in force for a while and the bombed out buildings must have taken a while to clear, but were people still finding a bit of an Me 109 on a scout camp?

Sounds like The Eagle never made it to Oz Jack. It was very popular right across the UK - not just England Jack. I remember in my school in Cardiff (Wales), it was passed around to those who couldn't afford the threepence it cost - and just about all the boys read it. Heroes like Dan Dare (front cover) anticipated Space flight, whilst Jeff Arnold (Riders of the Range) - PC49 (cops and Robbers) and Sergeant Luck of the Legion, fought their way through its pages.

The comic was founded on Christian values by an Anglican Vicar named Morris and illustrated by Frank Hampson, so good inevitably triumphed over evil. The comic folded almost twenty years later in 1969 when a new publisher took over and Morris left after an acrimonius dispute! It had a huge following amongst us schoolkids though, and a lot of merchandise was sold too - there was even an Eagle Club to join.

As for rationing - I can remember when sweets came off ration when I was about 9 or 10, for those who could afford them - just before the Coronation in 1953! ( I'll bet the Dentists remembered that too!).

Alas - no ME109 spares crossed our paths Jack - though I do recall unexploded bombs being around whilst new building sites were being carved out in the Docklands of Cardiff (we got our share too!). The odd empty bullet cases were around - doubtless brought back home by Fathers demobbed from the Army - but that was about it. I think everyone was just glad that it was all over - when I was a kid - and just looked forward to getting on with life - I know I did. Johnnybach.

 

[GICOP]

I am glad that people remember 'The How and Why Wonder Books' with such affection. At the risk of sounding even more like a grumpy old man I wonder if thirty years from now on a Forum people will say 'Did you play that video game when you were young - what a formative experience'.

I have added a few other meories - Biggles, Commando Comics and Battle Comics. I learnt all my German from these publications and when I got to Germany I searched in vain for opportunities to say "Gott in Himmel" and "schweinhund". Unfortunately blander phrases like "where is the toilet"? were not part of my knowledge of the language.


View attachment 103917View attachment 103918View attachment 103919

Sounds like The Eagle never made it to Oz Jack. It was very popular right across the UK - not just England Jack. I remember in my school in Cardiff (Wales), it was passed around to those who couldn't afford the threepence it cost - and just about all the boys read it. Heroes like Dan Dare (front cover) anticipated Space flight, whilst Jeff Arnold (Riders of the Range) - PC49 (cops and Robbers) and Sergeant Luck of the Legion, fought their way through its pages.

The comic was founded on Christian values by an Anglican Vicar named Morris and illustrated by Frank Hampson, so good inevitably triumphed over evil. The comic folded almost twenty years later in 1969 when a new publisher took over and Morris left after an acrimonius dispute! It had a huge following amongst us schoolkids though, and a lot of merchandise was sold too - there was even an Eagle Club to join.

As for rationing - I can remember when sweets came off ration when I was about 9 or 10, for those who could afford them - just before the Coronation in 1953! ( I'll bet the Dentists remembered that too!).

Alas - no ME109 spares crossed our paths Jack - though I do recall unexploded bombs being around whilst new building sites were being carved out in the Docklands of Cardiff (we got our share too!). The odd empty bullet cases were around - doubtless brought back home by Fathers demobbed from the Army - but that was about it. I think everyone was just glad that it was all over - when I was a kid - and just looked forward to getting on with life - I know I did. Johnnybach.

I remember The Eagle jb......just^&grin. Joking aside it was a great publication

I used to buy WAR PICTURE LIBRARY, I still have most issues from No. 1 through to No. 120 ish, they cost 10 old pennies, around 4 pence in today's hyperinflation^&grin

I've also still got my Biggles books, most of these were purchased from secondhand book shops in the late 1950's

BIGGLES BOOKS

IN AFRICA 1936
AIR COMMODORE 1937
FLIES WEST 1937
FLIES SOUTH 1938
FLIES EAST
FAILS TO RETURN 1943 D J
IN THE ORIENT 1944
SEES IT THROUGH 1947
IN THE BALTIC 1947
GOES TO WAR 1947
BREAKS THE SILENCE 1949
TAKES A HOLIDAY 1949 DJ
GETS HIS MEN 1950
DEFIES THE SWASTIKA 1950
FLIES NORTH 1950 DJ
IN THE JUNGLE 1951 D J
WORKS IT OUT 1951 DJ
ANOTHER JOB FOR 1951
SERGEANT BIGGLESWORTH CID 1954 PB
BIGGLES SECOND CASE 1954 PB
CUTS IT FINE 1955 DJ
BURIES THE HATCHET 1958



Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

I remember The Eagle jb......just^&grin. Joking aside it was a great publication

I used to buy WAR PICTURE LIBRARY, I still have most issues from No. 1 through to No. 120 ish, they cost 10 old pennies, around 4 pence in today's hyperinflation^&grin

I've also still got my Biggles books, most of these were purchased from secondhand book shops in the late 1950's

BIGGLES BOOKS

IN AFRICA 1936
AIR COMMODORE 1937
FLIES WEST 1937
FLIES SOUTH 1938
FLIES EAST
FAILS TO RETURN 1943 D J
IN THE ORIENT 1944
SEES IT THROUGH 1947
IN THE BALTIC 1947
GOES TO WAR 1947
BREAKS THE SILENCE 1949
TAKES A HOLIDAY 1949 DJ
GETS HIS MEN 1950
DEFIES THE SWASTIKA 1950
FLIES NORTH 1950 DJ
IN THE JUNGLE 1951 D J
WORKS IT OUT 1951 DJ
ANOTHER JOB FOR 1951
SERGEANT BIGGLESWORTH CID 1954 PB
BIGGLES SECOND CASE 1954 PB
CUTS IT FINE 1955 DJ
BURIES THE HATCHET 1958



Cheers

Martyn

I gave (nearly) all of my Biggles books to a younger brother - many years ago (when I was growing up?) - - but one must have been missed - which you don't have - but remarkably, I still do (now yellowed with age). "Biggles of the Special Air Police" - which is a series of short stories, like "The Case of the Black Gauntlet".

Wonderful stuff - whatever possessed me!!! jb{sm2}

 

[GICOP]

I gave (nearly) all of my Biggles books to a younger brother - many years ago (when I was growing up?) - - but one must have been missed - which you don't have - but remarkably, I still do (now yellowed with age). "Biggles of the Special Air Police" - which is a series of short stories, like "The Case of the Black Gauntlet".

Wonderful stuff - whatever possessed me!!! jb{sm2}

Great reads jb....and don't forget one of the stars of the Song Title thread (John Leyton) played Ginger in the TV series:wink2:

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

How could I forget him............

Had a hit with "Johnny Remember Me" , way back when.............

But I say, M - old bean, aren't we in danger of hi-jacking Jack's thread here? Must cut this out! - Back to Jack (hope he's asleep now!)

 

[Jack]

How could I forget him............

Had a hit with "Johnny Remember Me" , way back when.............

But I say, M - old bean, aren't we in danger of hi-jacking Jack's thread here? Must cut this out! - Back to Jack (hope he's asleep now!)

Wide awake - its only 8.05 pm - enjoying the chat though!

 

[GICOP]

Wide awake - its only 8.05 pm - enjoying the chat though!

Evenin' Jack :salute::

Back to some comics......How about Wizard and Hotspur

Cheers

Martyn