Looking for Book recommendations

[CrazyHelloDeli]

I have been looking for good, fairly in depth overviews of the three subjects mentioned above.

First, I have been looking for a decent history of WW2, covering the events leading up to the war, political and social climate, and equal treatment of the European, African and Pacific campaigns. Obviously, an exhaustive history requires more than one large book, but I wish to start with an encompassing perspective first and then move on to the more specific topics like the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

The same goes for Human History. Again, granting that such a work will necessarily leave out large portions of time and many specifics, a good primer/refresher with an emphasis on Western civilization is what I am looking for.

Third, I have been looking for a fairly in depth explanation of evolutionary theory. I am not at all interested a rebuttal of creationism or intelligent design from Shermer, Dawkins or others, I just want a nice, fact filled agenda-less treatment of Evolution and its many components.

A final note is that I am not at all ignorant of these subjects, however it has been some time since I have covered these and would like to clear the cobwebs off those areas of my brain.

Thanks in advance

 

[LtPage1]

Churchill's The Second World War, if you're looking for something to keep you busy for a couple of solid weeks.
http://www.amazon.com/Second-W...&qid=1202771080&sr=8-2

 

[0roo0roo]

steven pinker-the blank slate. sorta evolutionary psychology i guess

 

[Descartes]

You know, most of Dawkins' works have nothing to do with rebutting creationism. The Selfish Gene and The Extended Phenotype are examples. The Selfish Gene is particularly good.

Otherwise, I'd recommend Stephen Jay Gould's The Structure of Evolution Theory if you want a more serious treatment of evolution itself. SJG has a lot of other excellent books that are definitely worth reading.

If you're looking for more of a treatment on societal evolution, then I would definitely pick up Guns, Germs and Steel. It's one of the best books I've ever read. His other books are quite good as well, and The Third Chimpanzee might interest you from an evolutionary perspective.

And you could always just read the man that brought evolution to the forefront. The Origin of Species by Darwin is still probably the best starter on the topic.

[edit]I should note that ideas presented in Guns, Germs and Steel will help enlighten your consideration for further research into the rise of Nazi Germany, Stalinism, Communism, or whatever else you're wanting to read about in depth. It really covers the fundamental psychology of expansionism from an evolutionary perspective. Wonderful book.[/edit]

 

[pontifex]

25 Yards of War was pretty good. It's written by a student and colleague of Steven Abrose, the guy who wrote Band of Brothers.

It deals mostly with the Pacific theater but has stories recounted by some of the guys that were actualy there.

 

[0roo0roo]

well jared diamond isn't without problems
http://www.reason.com/news/show/33122.html
sometimes his work is touted because its so conveniently politically correct.

 

[WildHorse]

``

 

[TallBill]

I really want to read a book on the werewolves after WWII and how the US dealt with them.

 

[ElFenix]

nm

 

[adairusmc]

Beyond Band of Brothers - The War Memoirs of Dick Winters

Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends - Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron

 

[Mermaidman]

One WW2 book I enjoyed is Steinbeck's "Once There Was A War." Gives the perspective of individual soldiers. Even though his writings had to pass wartime censors, the stories are still effective.

edit: Note that the articles in the book are not combat-oriented. And Steinbeck wrote them as a war correspondent. I think it adds an interesting dimension that the writings were contemporaneous with the war. The collection is a short and easy read--highly recommended.

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: TallBill
I really want to read a book on the werewolves after WWII and how the US dealt with them.

Wow, me too.

 

[Carbo]

It's not a book, but Ken Burns' series, The War, was shown on PBS a few months back. It was a rather remarkable achievement. If I recall, it was a seven part series, covering about 15 hours. It received rave reviews from all quarters, and if you watch it you'll understand why.
PBS may be showing it again. If not, the series is now available on DVD for purchase, and it's available at Netflix for rent.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea i liked the pbs evolution series, like the war theres a large companion book

 

[0roo0roo]

Your Inner Fish