Richard Denham

I liked this book. It was interesting and it didn't shy away from harrowing stories, even if this was written for more of a younger audience. The fact there were no sources is kind of odd to me, even if the author did explain why in the introduction, but I don't know. I'm one of those people that likes sources. As entertainment though, this was a good one. I learned some things I didn't know before and I did catch myself saying I'd 'read one more before I go to bed,' and end up reading about ten more facts. Overall a good book and I would recommend it. 3,5 out of 5 stars.… (more)

Weird War 2 by Richard Denham is a look at the odd and experimental plans to gain the upper hand in the war. Aside from the curious, there are also some myths that are straightened out. Denham is the co-author of the popular 'Britannia' series with M. J. Trow. These books follow a group of soldiers and their descendants through the madness of a chain of events which will eventually lead to the fall of Roman Britain and the descent into the Dark Ages.

World War II was a conflict that killed well over 50 million people directly and many millions indirectly through displacement and famine. It is not a war that is associated with humor, but in hindsight, several programs that were taken seriously are now seen as almost comical. From sheep and cat bombs to antitank dogs there were a number of weaponized animal programs that failed miserably. There are also stories of actual products and event of the war from Fanta to Marines (not soldiers) raising the flag on Iwo Jima that are separated from their mythical in their origins. Other stories reflect heroes like the Navajo Code Talkers whose talk could not be decoded by the enemy and the allies own code breaker who was later charged as a homosexual.

Denham leads the reader through an improbable collection of stories and facts from World War II. Each item is only a page or two but provides enough information to explain the event or project. Are the stories true? There does seem to be enough supporting evidence although none of the stories are cited as the author claims there is still some disagreement among historians. Several of the stories I have had heard of before in my reading and history classes. Some, however, are very new to me. A fun look at out of the box thinking that accompanied WWII and the desire for a technological edge.… (more)

Fascinating book to accompany the authors' Britannia trilogy. Chock-full of information on Roman Britain of that period and the three novels. Also, an interesting section, "Coffee with Diocletian"--authors' theory of writing historical fiction and another on places of Roman interest throughout Britain. I also enjoyed the line drawing of a Roman soldier of that period--much different from the "classical" Roman era of years earlier. With the fur hat, the soldier could have been a representation of Justinus. More of a reference book to pick up and put down at leisure.… (more)

A satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. I do advise reading these novels in order, although the author does recap from time to time. Only two of the original Heroes of the Wall are left: Justinus Coelius, still a soldier, promoted to Dux Britannorum, and Vitalis, basket-maker, Christian, and sometime soldier when the occasion calls for it. We are carried through the last years of the dying Western Roman Empire. We meet new characters, such as Niall of the Five, no, Six, no, Seven Hostages, from Hibernia, a chilling no-nonsense Stilicho, various other venal and greedy characters. Several new usurpers to the throne arise and meet horrendous ends, but for the last one, a Flavius Constantine. Alaric, even after a defeat by Stilicho, is at the gates of Rome. Flavius Constantine pulls the legions from Britannia for a march on Rome, to save the empire. By imperial edict, Britannia is left to shift for herself from now on. Justinus asks rhetorically: "We've [Rome] had five hundred years of the power and the glory, gentlemen. Is it someone else's turn?"

I liked the comic relief of the two foot soldiers, Locicero and Quintillis, in fact, the whole [uncomic] Scipio-as-usurper episode. Another standout was the final battle with the barbarian groups: Picts, Scotti, Saxons, led by the High King of Tara [another of Niall's titles]. Humor was a big factor in the whole novel, from gallows to black to sardonic.

Highly recommended.… (more)