Book Reviews
TOY SOLDIERS
MY TOY SOLDIERS AND ME (1952-2013) Alego-Dorca
The title and front cover captured my interest. There were some nicely painted toy soldiers on the front and the personal aspect with its suggestions of nostalgia were attractive.Any one prepared to write a new book on toy soldiers is to be encouraged. However there are two negatives that I'll mention first. The style of writing is a rambling one which goes off on unnecessary tangents. The grammar and punctuation are a bit weird. The reasons may be partly because the writer translated from the Spanish and good luck to him for being able to do that but it is a shame he did not get it thoroughly checked by a proficient English speaker. The biggest disappointment was that there were no more pictures inside the book.
I managed to get used to the strange expression after three chapters and did find some interesting ideas. Alejo approaches the topic from the viewpoint of a lifelong wargamer rather than a collector. He shows a knowledge of military history and force organization as it can be applied to wargame armies. You won't find much mention of the various 54mm plastic brands, other than a brief mention of Reamsa.
The most interesting part, I found, was his wargames with Playmobile figures. I am never likely to do this myself but Alejo did make it sound appealing; the figures stand up to rough treatment and can have weapons removed and changed, figures mounted or dismounted and beards added to signify veterans and so on. He included a nice little rule set for ancients to go with them.
It is good to see that Alejo has involved his grandchildren, especially via the Playmobile figures. One thing I did think was unnecessary was that Alejo sold off his colonial British as he thought it would not be good to leave them to his grandchildren - too politically incorrect to have technologically advanced Europeans mowing down Iron Age Africans! General Custer and his men were mown down by American Indians with superior Winchester rifles so I wonder if he would be getting rid of his 'Native Americans' for being so unsporting as to want to have a military advantage.
The writer is an obvious enthusiast and is to be praised for adding another toy soldier book to the market.
The author has produced a second edition which is much improved in terms of English usage. He also has a blog. Here is the link:
MyToySoldiersAndMe.pdf
MyToySoldiersAndMe.pdf
HUMOUR
I love books, especially obscure and musty smelling ones. I recently bought a 1950s hardback from a garage sale. I had seen the quirky book illustrations when I was a child but never read the books. DON CAMILLO OMNIBUS Giovanni Guareschi. This is a collection of stories based on the rivalries, in a northern Italian village after WW2, between the priest, Don Camillo and the communist mayor, Pepponne.
The priest is based on a real person who survived a German concentration camp. In the fictional story both the communist and the priest had been partisans against the Germans. Don Camillo has conversations with the church crucifix or God about the wisdom, or lack of it of his actions. He is a tough character who owns a Tommy gun. Peppone, also a tough character, spouts communist slogans but it is clear that he is a prisoner of his ideology, which often makes him make statements or hold positions against his own conscience. It is clear that Giovanni is a partisan for the church rather than the communists.
The interesting thing is that although the rivalry for control of village hearts and minds is intense both characters have a respect for each other, and even a grudging friendship which overrides dogma. In fact they respect each other more than their respective 'comrades' in the Party on the one hand, or church officials on the other. They even help each other out when they are not verging on fisticuffs.
Being neither a Catholic, nor a communist did not prevent me from enjoying the book. Its gentle humor is very appealing, although occasionally there are dark events that tell us something about the failings of human nature, as in the stories 'The Fear' and 'More Fear', which like some other stories are interlinked.
Film versions were made in the 1950s and a Terence Hill version in the 1980s.
HISTORY
July 2018
LATIN AMERICAN WARS 1900-1941 ''BANANA WARS 7 REVOLUTIONS' BY PHILIP S. JOWETT, ILLUSTRATED BY STEPHEN WALSH
I love Osprey books mainly because of the clear illustrations and annotations. This new Osprey title I have added to my growing Latin American titles. If you are looking for a detailed account of the rights and wrongs of the many wars you won't find it here. This is a military reference book but it does give an outline of the background to the various wars as well as their progress and outcomes.
What most got my attention were that, firstly, there were a damned lot of wars going on in Latin America and the other was that the wargaming and modelling potential is great. Just looking at the front cover's central Sandinista figure with submachine gun it is clear that he could be converted from a cowboy and given a spare WW2 weapon. The Brazilian gauchos also look just like US cowboys. The difference is that they are armed with lances and that is in 1923! The problem for them is they had little else in the way of weaponry. Some were lucky enough to have 19th century revolvers. The gaucho is depicted in check shirt and boots with large spurs. He has a red neckerchief and material tied around his slouch hat. Their federal police enemies look much like Mexican bandits in straw sombreros.
Most of the Central American and South American soldiers wear a mixture of head gear and civilian and military, not unlike many Mexican armies, although generally in slouch hats rather than sombreros. the soft topped peaked cap was also common. Some soldiers also wore Italian type uniforms from WW2 or French style Adrian helmets. the flags are interesting too, including one very similar to a US flag with blue stripes. You can find out which nation that was.
There were a great many wars I had never heard of with Honduras alone having 17 wars, mostly civil wars. Described in the book are civil wars, border wars and outright invasions. Mention is also made of American and European mercenaries and American Intervention. Mexico also had a number of civil wars and insurrections following the Mexican Revolution. One of these was the bitter and savage Christos uprising against enforced atheism.
What most got my attention were that, firstly, there were a damned lot of wars going on in Latin America and the other was that the wargaming and modelling potential is great. Just looking at the front cover's central Sandinista figure with submachine gun it is clear that he could be converted from a cowboy and given a spare WW2 weapon. The Brazilian gauchos also look just like US cowboys. The difference is that they are armed with lances and that is in 1923! The problem for them is they had little else in the way of weaponry. Some were lucky enough to have 19th century revolvers. The gaucho is depicted in check shirt and boots with large spurs. He has a red neckerchief and material tied around his slouch hat. Their federal police enemies look much like Mexican bandits in straw sombreros.
Most of the Central American and South American soldiers wear a mixture of head gear and civilian and military, not unlike many Mexican armies, although generally in slouch hats rather than sombreros. the soft topped peaked cap was also common. Some soldiers also wore Italian type uniforms from WW2 or French style Adrian helmets. the flags are interesting too, including one very similar to a US flag with blue stripes. You can find out which nation that was.
There were a great many wars I had never heard of with Honduras alone having 17 wars, mostly civil wars. Described in the book are civil wars, border wars and outright invasions. Mention is also made of American and European mercenaries and American Intervention. Mexico also had a number of civil wars and insurrections following the Mexican Revolution. One of these was the bitter and savage Christos uprising against enforced atheism.
THE NAZI OCCULT WAR, HITLER'S COMPACT WITH THE FORCES OF EVIL by Michael Fitzgerald
Although I was aware of some interest the Nazis had in the occult I did not realize it was so far reaching. Michael Fitzgerald traces the early influences on Hitler and others. Hitler, for example, learnt about mesmerism, which helped him later in his crowd manipulation. The belief in a hollow Earth and the existence of a civilization existing there were core Nazi beliefs. It was believed that such a civilization and Atlantis were linked to the origin of the Aryans. This led to expeditions to Tibet to try to find the entrance to the underworld and to gain special powers. The reliance on psychics and phony science led Hitler to believe that the invasion of Russia would be during a period of mild weather. As a result warm clothing was not issued to the troops. In other words a belief in the supernatural helped lead to the loss of victory.
The Nazis also had new versions of Nostradamus issued that suggested inevitable German victory. This was successful propaganda as it actually contributed to the demoralization of the French and their surrender early in the war. Interestingly, Churchill approved counter occult propaganda and even enlisted witches and other occultists to counter the German ones.
Some other things I didn't know were that Churchill was a druid, that Hitler in 1919, ironically, supported the short lived Bavarian communist government which was headed by a Jew and that one of his very early romantic interests was a Jewish woman and that some dead Tibetans were found in Germany in German uniforms, testifying to the Tibetan link.
Some other things I didn't know were that Churchill was a druid, that Hitler in 1919, ironically, supported the short lived Bavarian communist government which was headed by a Jew and that one of his very early romantic interests was a Jewish woman and that some dead Tibetans were found in Germany in German uniforms, testifying to the Tibetan link.
COSSACK GIRL by Marina Yurlova
Marina Yurlova volunteered for the Cossack service in 1914 at aged fourteen. This is her account of hair raising experiences as she faced Turks, Reds and others.
THE FREIKORPS 1918-1923 CC Juarado and R Bujero OSPREY SERIES
As Paul Wright is experimenting with wargame rules for the inter-war period including the civil war in Germany I was inspired to buy this book. The book had an impact on me in two areas, the interest it generated for me in the variety of uniforms and secondly, the clarification of the political situation which gave rise to the Freikorps.
The Freikorps ranks were initially and primarily recruited from the storm troopers of WW1. These were men were an elite, mostly under 25 and single, of great fitness and skills. It was the military skill and discipline which led to the triumph over the communists in the Munich Red Revolution and elsewhere, despite the Freikorps being greatly outnumbered .
Politically the Freikorps were right wing nationalists who resented the Treaty of Versailles and the attacks on German territory by France and Poland. They also sought to stop Red revolution. The French attempted to engineer a secession of the Rhineland from Germany. The Poles carved out large chunks of German territory and ignored the results of plebiscites when the locals voted for remaining part of Germany. The Freikorps reversed the Polish seizures. The Freikorps also had great success against the Red Russian forces in the East but met their match against Lithuanian and Latvian forces.
The center left government had to rely on the Freikorps volunteers because the army was unreliable as many troops just wanted to return to their homes and others were sympathetic to the extreme left.
Having read this book and made some further research I came to some interesting conclusions. The Freikorp provided the material for the future Nazi movement but at the time of the Freikorps battles these men were, for the most part, prepared to work with non-right wing governments and did not yet have an agenda for a fascist regime, They prevented Red Revolution in Germany and pushed back the Poles. It is not necessary for a historian to make a value judgment about whether this was a good thing. However it is worth speculating on the alternative of a Red Germany in the 1920s. One could argue that this would prevent the rise of the Nazis and all the associated atrocities. On the other hand Stalin was responsible for more deaths than the Nazis. Also, communism entrenched in central Europe would have made the later fall of the 'Evil Empire' of the Soviets in the late 20th century less likely. Instead most of Europe might have been under a Red jack boot or perhaps there would have been a very different type of World War Two, minus a Hitler.
What I did find very interesting was the role of the Poles and it does make understandable the reasons for the later German invasion of Poland as an act of revenge. I usually thought of Poland as a heroic little country fighting off the simultaneous and duplicitous invasion of Poland by Germany and Russia. However, prior to this, in the 1920s, the young Poland had invaded both Russia and Germany. One can't help feeling that if the economic and territorial impositions had not been imposed on Germany, and if Red revolution had not been unleashed, the reasons for the rise of the Freikorps would not be present.
The uniforms of the Freikorps consisted of a mixture of WW1 uniforms, military and naval mixed with varying degrees of civilian attire. Helmets sometimes sported large frontal insignia, including skull and crossbones, arrows and swastikas ( not representing a Nazi party at this stage). The plates indicate a range of insignia and also the outfits of Spartacists, Poles, Latvians and Lithuanians. The Red Spartacists were also clothed in a mixture of army and naval uniforms but with more civilian items and red arm bands or scarves and red bands on sailor caps.
SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
July, 2018THE DEATH STAR by TC Bridges (1940)
I got this book from a garage sale recently given to me for free because it was starting to fall part. you might have gathered that it is not the death Star in Star Wars.
I was drawn to the quaint cover with the WW2 style getups.
The book is described on the inside flap as being 'For both technically minded and adventure loving boys' and some, presumably irate girl, has added in with pen '& girls'.
The plot involves a catastrophe from space in the form of a comet or similar wiping out virtually everyone and everything on earth but some lucky ones survived underground with their special zeppelins safe in underground hangars. there are two scientists, one a proper English gentleman scientist called Sir Daniel and the other one located under the Himalayas a right bounder and the evil scientist who wants to conquer what's left of the world. both sides have access to some high tech weaponry and this is an action story of good guys and British pluck (and also a loyal and resourceful Indian) versus the bad guys with their 'Tartar' lackeys.
I thought it would be a tedious read and it was not exactly a deep or metaphorical but I enjoyed it.
CASCA
This series of books by Barry Sadler and later writers is based on the idea that the Roman soldier Casca, who finished off Jesus with his spear was 'cursed' with immortality on Earth. Casca is destined to go on fighting, in various armies, for eternity. He serves with Romans, Northern barbarians, Pirates, Mongols, Persians, Byzantines, Conquistadors, mercenaries in 20th century Africa, Israelis, Samurai, French Foreign Legion, WW2 Germans, Americans in Vietnam and so on. At one time he is buried in a tomb for hundreds of years...and survives! My favorite story, God of Death, is about his voyage to Mexico with some proto Vikings where they meet the predecessors of the Aztecs. I say proto because it pre-dates the Viking age by a few hundred years. I'm unsure if the Scandinavians had the right ships then for the job but it makes a great story. Casca, like Cortes centuries later, is mistaken for the god Quetzalcoatl but unlike the Spaniard Casca has his heart ripped out. As he is immortal he snatches it back and puts it back in his chest! He leaves no doubt about his supposed divine status. He goes on to ban human sacrifice as he is a bit of a softy when he I not gutting his enemies or deflowering virgins. The Vikings, like the later Spaniards are more than a match even for Jaguar knights. Casca also gets to return with the Conquistadors in the 16th century.
The books are written from the rough viewpoint of a common soldier with all his profanity and politically incorrect thinking. The books would probably not be enjoyed by feminists. There is no complex philosophical thinking but plenty of action. I am aware of forty novels in the series.
SIGVALD by Darius Hinks
This is a Warhammer novel based on the hero (or anti-hero) Sigvald. Once an ordinary warrior he has been favoured by the Chaos god Slaanesh and he has become extremely powerful, as well as blessed with eternal youth. The Chaos god have much similarity to the Chaos gods of the Elric novels of Michael Moorcock. Unlike Elric, though, Sigvald has very little empathy and in fact, he is so self absorbed, that his shield is highly polished so that he can clearly see his image! In the Warhammer universe there is actually a wargaming rule that there is a one in twelve chance of Sigvald stopping to admire himself rather than continuing with the task at hand, although, mercifully for the Chaos player this does not apply if he is hand to hand combat.
Sigvald's palace is a hive of baroque opulence and twisted beautiful creatures of varying degrees of female and androgynous nature, much like the Slaneshi god himself/herself. He also has some suitably twisted scientists who make Joseph Mengeles look like a humanitarian. He also has a wife of indescribable beauty who must go about veiled to stop men from falling instantaneously and hypnotically in love with her. The trouble is that after decades, or perhaps centuries, of hedonistic indulgence Sigvald has become a trifle bored.
The catalyst for change comes with the arrival of Baron Gustav Schuller tricks Sigvald into fighting the forces of the Chaos Blood god and also going on a quest through various planes.
At one stage, Sigvald pushes his elderly scientist out of a window just so he can experience the pathos of the loss but then has the poor man's head sustained with life and kept in a box to be consulted even as it, increasingly decays. Sigvald holds no sadistic joy in this, still likes his advisor, and actually thinks the fellow should be grateful that he keeps him alive. Understandably, the scientist-head becomes increasingly sullen and taciturn. I think you get the idea about lack of empathy.
Sigvald has an interesting relationship with his wife; as a woman scorned she reacts increasingly unfavorably. Incidentally Gustav also becomes smitten by her. There are some twists and turns there that I won't give away but I did enjoy the way they panned out.
Sigvald can be compared, to varying degrees to other characters in literature. Despite his lack of empathy and the misery he causes others the writer builds up feeling for him because he is a heroic figure who strives against impossible forces. He can be compared to Satan in Milton's Paradise Lost, who strives to leave Hell and must ultimately fail in his battle with the omnipotent God but still tries, thus making him a heroic figure. He could also be compared to Macbeth, as a tragic figure but without the bad conscience. I already mentioned Elric the albino hero of Stormbringer. I also think of Percy of Scarlet Pimpernel fame except without the altruism. Like Percy Sigvald gives the impression of being infuriatingly foppish and bored with life but actually being a very strong and powerful character. His dialogue with the Blood God minions shows the same infuriating attitude but his adversaries are so boorishly humourless that it is Sigvald who you will cheer on.
HELL'S GATE Mel Odem
The story is told from the point of view of Simon Cross, a rebellious Templar, Warren Schimmer, a Cabalist and Leah, a mysterious female warrior and government agent (not that there is much left of anything resembling a government). The story is set in 2024 four yeas after the demon hordes had invaded through the Hellgates or portals. The story is set in London which is a depopulated and devastated ruin. Humans are prey to a variety of demons, of varying intelligence from bestial to highly intelligent. The Templar organisation have long since retreated underground except for the likes of Simon Cross.
An ancient book holds the key to destroying the demons. The cabalists wish to harness demonic power for their own ends. Simon cross is a reluctant cabalist partially possessed by a higher demon but he has a degree of independent action and hates the cruelty of his demon lord. he discovers a book which is possessed by a mysterious female entity who invites him into the book and shields his thoughts from the demon. the demon, incidentally wishes to use Schimmer against a rival demon. Schimmer has his own magical powers that are not exclusively produced by his transplanted demon hand and patches of demon skin.
The book includes an unusually large number of mistakes from incomplete editing. There is no great intellectual depth to the story however the action is catchy and the descriptions of the demons are detailed and vivid. There are also some multi-sided conflicts and combats - demon versus demon, Templar versus Templar, Templar versus cabalist, cabalist versus cabalist and cabalist versus demon.
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