iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I reckon your list would feature some decent titles too, Chez (if you weren't too lazy to make one!)

Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I went to Falmouth Tech (before it became a university) in 1983. One of my tutors was the coxswain of the lifeboat which had taken part in the rescue efforts. One of the unluckiest boats in the race, Gunslinger, was also berthed locally.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

That's because you are a gentleman and a scholar, Mark. Like wot I am.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A bandwagon I'm happy to jump on - 9 history books (I could've been 20). I could happily wax lyrical about them all but 2 is a perfect example of how to mix eyewitness testimony with history, 5 is the best recent American book on the subject, 7 is best single vol on the subject IMHO #HistBookChat

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A Bright Shining Lie is especially good.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

A good recent find for #HistBookChat this week, written by the author of what many consider is the definitive (3 volume) biography of Montgomery, Nigel Hamilton. I think it's fair to say that for Hamilton, the Monty gloss was possibly beginning to wear a bit thin by the time this was published.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I've a favourite alternate history: If Jean de Lattre de Tassigny had not been replaced by Gen. Salan so he could return home to die of cancer, he would've learned the lessons of the failed Hoa Binh campaign & fought the VM to a standstill. No Dien Bien Phu, possibly no Vietnam War. No Linebacker.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Look who arrived in the post today and immediately claimed the top spot in the kitchen (!)

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I know some historians find alternate histories a bit of a trial, but I quite like a good, reasonably plausible 'what if' timeline (not the Nazis on the Moon' type twaddle).

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It's a very good book indeed, it's one of my 'go to' books on the subject.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#HistBookChat offering (the first for a while - I've been a bit crook these last few months). A bit off my beaten history track but so far I'm enjoying it. I think it does us good to explore other aspects of history from time to time. It does me, anyway.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

#HistBookChat offering for this week (apologies for the on again-off again choices, been ill) is this tome by John Ellis (he also wrote Eye Deep In Hell, a study of the Great War). For some reason, Ellis seemed to think it unfair that the Axis was defeated utilizing industrial capacity. An odd book.

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Reposted by Andrew

Nina Baker @ninabake2.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

An extraordinary woman, and one of a number in that era who set up garages aimed at women, although hers was one of the few which not only was staffed entirely by women but also lasted quite a long time. Featured in my book, Sisters Behind the Wheel. Details in ALT. #History #histbookchat

If you are in the UK the cheapest way to buy this is direct from me via Ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/157849347326

Buyers from outside the UK, it is available from: https://a.co/d/0guSp7iS

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The shame of it is that new authors (like wot I am) struggle to garner interest in their work and pitches to publishers, whilst 'names' like this bloke seem to find no problem in getting deals. I realise publishing is risk averse, running as it does on tight margins but honestly, this is dire.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

#HistBookChat for this week is a very poor offering I'm afraid. There is a place for poor history books and the peddling of worn out accepted wisdoms and half truths and this tome takes its deserved place in the Pantheon of Twaddle. Save your money is my advice.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I spoke to ex-British and Australian Army officer, Andrew Freemantle, about 15 years ago about his time in Vietnam (he resigned to serve in VN). He was of the opinion that the average ARVN soldier was as capable as anyone else if they were properly led, they were let down by their officers.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

I quite enjoyed Lamb's work which, for the time, was balanced.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

This is everything I discussed in my thesis and book; the same old accepted wisdoms backed up with new twists. Without a shadow of doubt, BLM had his flaws, often significant ones, but the nonsense pushed out here is akin to the Monty Bashing of the 60's-90's, adding little to the overall narrative.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

#HistBookChat offering for this week. I bumped it to the top of the TBR pile given its subject matter and wish I hadn't. It's full of what the fictional psychologist Niels Crane called 'McTherapy' thinly disguised as analysis whilst regurgitating, enigma variations style, the same old tired wisdoms.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

#HistBookChat offering for this week and well worth a read (even given the introduction by John Pilger).

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Reposted by Andrew

Yale University Press London 📖 @yalebooks.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Get 50% off history books in May with free postage in the UK: yalebooks.co.uk/may-book-sal...

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Sorry for the paucity of offerings this last couple of weeks, I've been a bit off colour but like the bad penny, I'm back with this choice. I've only skimmed through it in the past for research but now it's reached the top of the TBR pile proper... #HistBookChat

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

#HistBookChat choice for this week. I can't recommend this work highly enough, it has everything a would be visitor or one who is already familiar with the bridgehead could hope to find.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I've just finished it, a very good read indeed.

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Reposted by Andrew

Melissa @2023chastete.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Stolen Kiss (2014) by Pierre Riolett

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

That sounds potentially interesting, good find.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I was just reading the section of Frank McDonough's The Hitler Years - Disaster which deals with the Warsaw Uprising. Grim stuff. Many moons ago I had a GF with Polish parents - the Dad fought in North Africa and Italy, the Mom had a tattoo on her inner arm with all that implied.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I get where you're coming from, I go through such phases myself and STP is always a good fallback when the world gets too mad.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

#HistBookChat offering for this week. I'm only about a quarter of the way in so far but it's going great so I don't think it'll go unfinished. It's a sad but inevitable thought that as the years pass, first hand accounts from the veterans will cease as the years catch up with them.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

DPD are shysters of the first order, at least on a par with Evri. I'm not sure the Peace Movement achieved anything more useful (long term) than those doing the fighting. It was a f*ck up from 1946-1975.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

That's reasonably well organised.... certainly tidier than my ready-use pile(!) It occasionally gets reworked with the other piles dotted about the house, depending what I'm working on/researching.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Late (no shock there!) again with this #HistBookChat offering. The Canadians were vital to the success of the Normandy Campaign and what came later. For those interested in their part of the struggle, this is a good place to start.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Embers of War is especially good.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Only 8 books? That's remarkable restraint (!)

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

I've had to disperse my TBR pile into several heaps, it was becoming a danger to navigation.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Is it as good as it looks?

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Some excellent choices there.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Cheers mate, much obliged.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

I think I'll take a leaf out of Rincewind's book and run whilst the going is good.

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Andrew @andrew617.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Where would we be if everyone agreed with everyone else? I'm going to read volume 2 though. Isn't it agreeable that on this page at least, opinions can be exchanged without daggers being drawn?

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