Member: misshollyhock

Well, something like it is happening to me: I also read more than one book and so, I’m half through Macmillan's book, but enjoying it a lot!
Curious to notice that a desire to see the WWI battle sites also occur to me, but not possible this year.
I presume, reading the comments here present, that you intent to dive in Scapa Flow, where the German Fleet scuttle took place in 1919?
I’m a diver myself… and I immediately took a note for further consideration: must be breathtaking - not advisable during such activity! :)
Best regards

posted by Ignotu at 5:09 pm (EST) on Apr 11, 2010

Castles of Steel is a good book but can be heavy going.
If you can find an affordable copy try The Thunder of the Guns by Capt Donald Macintyre. It's much more readable, but looks at the history from a naval viewpoint rather than Massie's more balanced historians.
There are others on the subject but I'm a small ships or aircraft carriers man myself!

posted by JenIanB at 4:50 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2010

Your enquiry set me looking...
Try this website for a summary. There are still the remains of several dreadnoughts, cruisers, etc in the Flow!
http://www.scotsatwar.org.uk/printerv/grandscuttle.htm

posted by JenIanB at 4:00 pm (EST) on Feb 19, 2010

Cold place to go diving!
I'm sure you are planning to use one of the local dive shops/guides. The waters there can be quite dangerous.
Anyway, the German Fleet scuttle took place in 1919 to avoid final surrender of the ships to the allies. Up to that time they had their, fairly unhappy and mutinous, German crews aboard whilst the fate of the fleet was being discussed in Paris. Between the wars the fleet was salvaged as scrap and I doubt there is much remaining in identifiable form. Again, local knowledge will be essential there.
There are two books on the subject - I've read neither I'm afraid:
The Grand Scuttle by Dan van der Vat. He's a good researcher and author, I have read a number of his books.
COX'S NAVY: Salvaging The German Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow 1919-1922 by Tony Booth. This is the story of the salvaging.
Both are available from Amazon at the moment - I had to check the titles on line...
I would think both would be essential reading, but would start with The Grand Scuttle as it will give the full background and probably a summary of the salvage.
Hope that has been of help.
Regards,
Ian

posted by JenIanB at 3:20 pm (EST) on Feb 19, 2010

Well, thanks again for the suggestion. It has been a new experience for me to step outside of my comfort zone and read new authors but I'm finding that I have deprived myself of some real good reading that way. I liked Judith McNaught's style though... can I ask you to suggest another good book of hers? I'm starting Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas today... Did the person you suggested the steamy book to end up liking it? :)

posted by AK_Momma at 6:27 pm (EST) on Nov 12, 2009

Hi missholyhock... Paradise is making me crazy. Thank you for suggesting it to me; I am glad that I stuck with it because the suspense is killing me. This is a first for me... reading a book that my friends didn't suggest first. I don't have anyone to call and rant and rave to about each chapter. It's a new thrill!

posted by AK_Momma at 7:55 pm (EST) on Nov 11, 2009

misshoolyhock, it's Mamalaz. I did not want to post in public in case I offend anyone, but the romance in Lord John books is between gay men. Fairly graphic. Just so you know.

posted by mamalaz at 10:33 am (EST) on Nov 5, 2009

I saw your post in one of the forums and had to jump in and say that It's kind of hard to really pinpoint Diana Gabaldon's genre. True, it's historical fiction, but oh! the romance!! And there's even a little bit of time travel thrown in. Please, don't let that keep you away. Outlander (the first book in the series) is the beginning of the greatest love story I have ever read.

posted by MDLady at 8:27 am (EST) on Oct 27, 2009