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'''Gordon Williamson''' (born 1951) is a popular history writer based in the UK. Williamson spent seven years with the Military Police [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)]], and in 2016 resides in Scotland. Williamson has written more than 40 books and other publications.{{sfn|WorldCat|2016}} His works have focused on topics ranging from [[U boats]],<ref name="Snow2010">{{cite book|author=Richard Snow|title=A Measureless Peril: America in the Fight for the Atlantic, the Longest Battle of World War II|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=EdDETIVhI7EC&pg=PA328|date=4 May 2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4165-9507-6|pages=328–}}</ref> [[military insignia]],<ref name="Showell2006">{{cite book|author=Jak P. Mallmann Showell|title=The U-boat Century: German Submarine Warfare, 1906-2006|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=eRDzAAAAMAAJ|year=2006|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=978-1-59114-892-0}}</ref> [[flying aces]], [[Waffen-SS]], and [[special forces]]. Williamson's works present an uncritical portrayal of the German war effort during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. |
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'''Gordon Williamson''' (born 1951) is a military historian known for his work about [[World War II]] particularly "the decorations of the Third Reich and their recipients. He spent seven years with the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)]], and in 2014 resides in Edinburgh, Scotland, and works for the [[Registers of Scotland|Scottish Land Register]]. |
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==Criticism== |
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Williamson has written more than 40 books and other publications, including several series of references texts.<ref name="McNab2011">{{cite book|author=Chris McNab|title=Hitler's Armies: A history of the German War Machine 1939-45|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hifXdKPP14kC&pg=PT454|date=20 October 2011|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84908-886-2|pages=454–}}</ref> As well as [[military insignia]],<ref name="Showell2006">{{cite book|author=Jak P. Mallmann Showell|title=The U-boat Century: German Submarine Warfare, 1906-2006|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=eRDzAAAAMAAJ|year=2006|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=978-1-59114-892-0}}</ref> his work has focused on topics ranging from [[U boats]],<ref name="Snow2010">{{cite book|author=Richard Snow|title=A Measureless Peril: America in the Fight for the Atlantic, the Longest Battle of World War II|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=EdDETIVhI7EC&pg=PA328|date=4 May 2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4165-9507-6|pages=328–}}</ref> [[flying aces]], [[Waffen-SS]], and [[Special Forces]]. |
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Williamson authored over 20 books on the Waffen-SS and the [[Wehrmacht]].{{sfn|WorldCat2|2016}} The military historian [[Simon MacKenzie|S.P. MacKenzie]] describes Williamson as an writer who attempts "to restore the tarnished reputation [of the Waffen-SS] and reiterate its superb fighting qualities" by relying on veterans' narratives, with "predictably positive results".{{sfn|MacKenzie|1997|pp=139–140}} |
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MacKenzie includes Williamson's books among the works that perpetuate the myth-making, revisionist tendencies in the treatment of the Waffen-SS, first put forth by [[HIAG]], a [[Advocacy group|lobby group]] founded by former high-ranking Waffen-SS personnel in [[West Germany]] in 1951. MacKenzie notes that Williamson "at least approaches his subjects with a degree of skepticism", but is nonetheless an "admirer" whose works tend to romanticize the Waffen-SS. Commenting on this contemporary trend, Mackenzie writes: {{sfn|MacKenzie|1997|pp=139–140}} |
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==Books - incomplete list== |
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<blockquote>As older generation of Waffen-SS scribes has died off, a new, post-war cadre of writers has done much to perpetuate the image of the force as a revolutionary European army. The degree of admiration and acceptance varies, but the overall tendency to accentuate the positive lives on, or has indeed grown stronger.</blockquote> |
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==Selected works== |
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*''Afrikakorps 1941-43''<ref name="Battistelli2006">{{cite book|author=Pier Paolo Battistelli|title=Rommel's Afrika Korps: Tobruk to El Alamein|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=nU0tIDlgrz0C&pg=PA60|year=2006|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84176-901-1|pages=60–}}</ref> |
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*''A Collectors Guide to U-boat Insignia'' |
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*''Afrikakorps 1941-43'' |
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*''E-BOAT vs. MTB: The English Channel 1941-45''<ref>[http://www.navyhistory.org/2013/01/book-review-e-boat-vs-mtb-english-channel-1941-45/ " |
*''E-BOAT vs. MTB: The English Channel 1941-45''<ref>[http://www.navyhistory.org/2013/01/book-review-e-boat-vs-mtb-english-channel-1941-45/ "Book review – E-Boat vs. MTB: The English Channel 1941-45"]. ''National Historical Foundation''.</ref> |
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*''German Commanders of World War II (2): Waffen-SS, Luftwaffe and Navy'' |
*''German Commanders of World War II (2): Waffen-SS, Luftwaffe and Navy'' |
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*''German E-boats 1939-45'' |
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*''German E-Boats of World War II'' |
*''German E-Boats of World War II'' |
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*''German Heavy Cruisers 1939-45'' |
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*''German Military Police'' |
*''German Military Police'' |
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*''German Pocket Battleships 1939-45'' |
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*''Grey Wolf: U-Boat Crewman of World War II'' |
*''Grey Wolf: U-Boat Crewman of World War II'' |
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*''The Iron Cross''<ref>Dear, Paul. [http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-08/news/vw-3568_1_iron-cross "Book Review : Salute to the Honored Military Decoration"]. ''Los Angeles Times'', August 08, 1985.</ref> |
*''The Iron Cross'' <ref>Dear, Paul. [http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-08/news/vw-3568_1_iron-cross "Book Review : Salute to the Honored Military Decoration"]. ''Los Angeles Times'', August 08, 1985.</ref> |
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*'' Osprey Men-at-Arms 434, World War II German Police Units'' |
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*'' Osprey Men-at-Arms 434, World War II German Police Units''<ref>[http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german/ospreymaa434bookreviewjp_1.html "World War II German Police Units Reviewed by John Prigent"]. ''Missing Linx''.</ref><ref>[http://www.worldwar1.com/tgws/sr002.htm "Learning About Those Who Served"]. ''The Great War Society''.</ref> |
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*''The Iron Cross of 1939'' |
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*''Knight's Cross and Oak-Leaves Recipients 1939-40'' |
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*''Kriegsmarine Coastal Forces''<ref>Grim, Jeff. [http://collectedmiscellany.com/2009/06/kriegsmarine-coastal-forces-by-gordon-williamson/ "Kriegsmarine Coastal Forces by Gordon Williamson:]. ''Collected Mescellany''.</ref> |
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*''Kriegsmarine U-boats 1939-45'' |
*''Kriegsmarine U-boats 1939-45'' |
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*''Loyalty Is My Honor: Waffen-SS Soldiers Talking'' |
*''Loyalty Is My Honor: Waffen-SS Soldiers Talking'' |
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*''The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror'' |
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*''Luftwaffe Handbook: 1935 - 1945'' |
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*''The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror''<ref>[http://www.axishistory.com/whats-new/54-books/books-reviews/484-review-the-ss-hitlers-instrument-of-terror "Review: The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror"]. ''Axis History''.</ref> |
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*''U-Boat Bases and Bunkers 1941-45'' |
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*''U-Boat Crews 1914-45'' |
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*''U-boat Tactics in World War II '' |
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*''U-boats of the Kaiser's Navy'' |
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*''U-Boats Vs Destroyer Escorts: The Battle of the Atlantic'' |
*''U-Boats Vs Destroyer Escorts: The Battle of the Atlantic'' |
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*''Waffen-SS Handbook'' |
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*''The War Merit Cross'' |
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*''Waffen-SS Handbook''<ref name="SterneMoore2004">{{cite book|author1=Gary Sterne|author2=Irene Moore|title=The International Militaria Collector's Guide|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ZgvzAAAAMAAJ|date=January 2004|publisher=Pen & Sword Military|isbn=978-1-84415-108-0}}</ref> |
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*''Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-Boat in World War II'' |
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*''World War II German Women's Auxiliary Services'' |
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*''World War II German Battle Insignia'' |
*''World War II German Battle Insignia'' |
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*''World War II German Women's Auxiliary Services'' |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist|20em}} |
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== |
== Sources== |
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* {{Cite book |
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* Osprey Publishing Author Page http://www.ospreypublishing.com/authors/gordon_williamson/ |
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|last=MacKenzie |
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|first=S.P. |
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|authorlink=Simon MacKenzie |
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|year=1997 |
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|title=Revolutionary Armies in the Modern Era: A Revisionist Approach |
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|url=https://www.routledge.com/products/9780415867771 |
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|location=New York |
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|publisher=Routledge |
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|isbn=978-0-415-09690-4 |
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|ref = harv |
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* {{cite web |
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| website=WorldCat |
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| url = http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=kw%3Awaffen+au%3Awilliamson%2C+gordon&fq=ln%3Aeng&dblist=638&start=1&qt=page_number_link |
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| title = Waffen-SS titles published by Williamson |
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| author = |
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| date = 2016 |
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| access-date = 8 January 2016 |
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| language = |
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| ref = {{harvid|WorldCat2|2016}} |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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| website=WorldCat |
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| url = http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3Agordon%2C+williamson&fq=x0%3Abook+%3E+ln%3Aeng&dblist=638&start=11&qt=page_number_link |
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| title = Titles published by Williamson |
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| author = |
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| date = 2016 |
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| access-date = 8 January 2016 |
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| language = |
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| ref = {{harvid|WorldCat|2016}} |
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}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{Persondata |
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| NAME = Williamson, Gordon |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = military historian |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 1951 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = |
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| DATE OF DEATH = |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Gordon}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williamson, Gordon}} |
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[[Category:World War II historians]] |
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[[Category:1951 births]] |
[[Category:1951 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
Revision as of 19:59, 6 February 2016
Gordon Williamson (born 1951) is a popular history writer based in the UK. Williamson spent seven years with the Military Police Territorial Army (United Kingdom), and in 2016 resides in Scotland. Williamson has written more than 40 books and other publications.[1] His works have focused on topics ranging from U boats,[2] military insignia,[3] flying aces, Waffen-SS, and special forces. Williamson's works present an uncritical portrayal of the German war effort during the Second World War.
Criticism
Williamson authored over 20 books on the Waffen-SS and the Wehrmacht.[4] The military historian S.P. MacKenzie describes Williamson as an writer who attempts "to restore the tarnished reputation [of the Waffen-SS] and reiterate its superb fighting qualities" by relying on veterans' narratives, with "predictably positive results".[5]
MacKenzie includes Williamson's books among the works that perpetuate the myth-making, revisionist tendencies in the treatment of the Waffen-SS, first put forth by HIAG, a lobby group founded by former high-ranking Waffen-SS personnel in West Germany in 1951. MacKenzie notes that Williamson "at least approaches his subjects with a degree of skepticism", but is nonetheless an "admirer" whose works tend to romanticize the Waffen-SS. Commenting on this contemporary trend, Mackenzie writes: [5]
As older generation of Waffen-SS scribes has died off, a new, post-war cadre of writers has done much to perpetuate the image of the force as a revolutionary European army. The degree of admiration and acceptance varies, but the overall tendency to accentuate the positive lives on, or has indeed grown stronger.
Selected works
- Afrikakorps 1941-43
- E-BOAT vs. MTB: The English Channel 1941-45[6]
- German Commanders of World War II (2): Waffen-SS, Luftwaffe and Navy
- German E-Boats of World War II
- Knight's Cross with Diamonds Recipients: 1941-45
- German Military Police
- Grey Wolf: U-Boat Crewman of World War II
- The Iron Cross [7]
- Osprey Men-at-Arms 434, World War II German Police Units
- Kriegsmarine Coastal Forces
- Kriegsmarine U-boats 1939-45
- Loyalty Is My Honor: Waffen-SS Soldiers Talking
- The SS: Hitler's Instrument of Terror
- U-Boats Vs Destroyer Escorts: The Battle of the Atlantic
- Waffen-SS Handbook
- World War II German Battle Insignia
- Torpedo Los!: The Fascinating World of U-boat Collectibles
References
- ^ WorldCat 2016.
- ^ Richard Snow (4 May 2010). A Measureless Peril: America in the Fight for the Atlantic, the Longest Battle of World War II. Simon and Schuster. pp. 328–. ISBN 978-1-4165-9507-6.
- ^ Jak P. Mallmann Showell (2006). The U-boat Century: German Submarine Warfare, 1906-2006. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-892-0.
- ^ WorldCat2 2016.
- ^ a b MacKenzie 1997, pp. 139–140.
- ^ "Book review – E-Boat vs. MTB: The English Channel 1941-45". National Historical Foundation.
- ^ Dear, Paul. "Book Review : Salute to the Honored Military Decoration". Los Angeles Times, August 08, 1985.
Sources
- MacKenzie, S.P. (1997). Revolutionary Armies in the Modern Era: A Revisionist Approach. New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-09690-4.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help) - "Waffen-SS titles published by Williamson". WorldCat. 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- "Titles published by Williamson". WorldCat. 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.