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This is a fun book. The action sequences are magnificent and exciting, the story borders on the ridiculousness but Burroughs embraces that and guides the reader with an expert hand throughout
About: Breaking the Code: A Father’s Secret, A Daughter’s Journey and the Question That Changed Everything by Karen Fisher-Alaniz is a non-fiction book which tells about the author’s research into her father’s service in World War II. The publisher is giving away one print copy US address or one eCopy any e-mail address, enter using the Rafflecopter at the end of the post. 336 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Language: English ISBN-10: 1402261128 My rating for Breaking the Code — 4 Buy this book in paper or electronic format* Check out this & more World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: As followers of this blog Know, I love reading about World War II and especially memoirs of the “Greatest Generation” who, unfortunately is leaving us by the thousands each week. Many of those dying have amazing stories which will forever be untold, projects like Speilberg’s “Survivors of the Shoah Visual History ” are extremely important not only for for the children of the “Greatest Generation” but also for future historians and for a better world. Which is why, when I was offered to join the tour for Breaking the Code by Karen Fisher-Alaniz (website | Facebook) I jumped at the opportunity – I was not disappointed. The book is much more than a memoir, it is a heartfelt tribute to a man who…
Article first published as Book Review: Farewell to Freedom by Sara Blaedel on Blogcritics. About: Farewell to Freedom by Sara Blædel is a fictional book in a series featuring Copenhagen detective Louise Rick and her friend Camilla Lind, a reporter. This is the third novel translated to English written by the best selling Danish author. The publisher is giving away one copy of this book –to enter fill out the Rafflecoptter form at the end of the post. 384 pages Publisher: Pegasus Language: English ISBN-10: 1605984531 My rating for Farewell to Freedom – 4 Buy this book in paper or electronic format* More Books by Sara Blædel Thoughts: Farewell to Freedom by Sara Blædel (website | Facebook | @sarablaedel) is darker than the previous books I read in the series. Previously Ms. Blædel explored drugs, honor killings, online dating and more. This time however the author turns her sights on prostitution and trafficking women. The book is very well written and it seemed to me that the author has upped a notch her research and storytelling. I was surprised that instead of writing fallacies and inaccuracies, as many others do, Ms. Blædel examined the issues objectively and inserted them into her novel. For example, the point that few prostitutes are…
The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson is a novel following a man who was a CIA asset in al Qaeda.
Article first published as Book Review: And Now We Shall Do Manly Things by Craig J. Heimbuch on Blogcritics. About: And Now We Shall Do Manly Things by Craig J. Heimbuch is a non-fiction book about the author’s adventures learning to hunt. The author chronicles his personal journey to while learning about the hunting culture in America. The publisher is giving away one copy of this book –to enter fill out the Rafflecoptter form at the end of the post. 336 pages Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks Language: English ISBN-10: 006219786X My rating for And Now We Shall Do Manly Things —4 Buy this book in paper or electronic format* Thoughts: And Now We Shall Do Manly Things by Craig J. Heimbuch(blog| @cheimbuch) is a hilarious perspective on the culture of American hunting which would make Bill Bryson proud. Born to a Midwestern family Heimbuch sets out to prove himself and hunt. Sadly, the author is a part of a generation I am greatly familiar with, a generation which suffered the “feminization ofAmerica”. Where boys could not be boys, and hence did not grow up to be manly men, and men were vilified for doing, well, manly things. Don’t misunderstand me, if a boy wants to play with dolls, all the…
Article first published as Book Review: The Hollow Man by Oliver Harris on Blogcritics. About: The Hollow Man by Oliver Harris is a novel introduction a new character, cop Nick Belsey, in what seems to be the first of a series. Nick Belsey is an English policeman who seems to have no ethics and corrupt morals which constantly traps him in the lure of easy money. The publisher is giving away one copy of this book –to enter fill out the Rafflecoptter form at the end of the post. 480 pages Publisher: Harper Paperbacks Language: English ISBN-10: 0062136712 My rating for The Hollow Man – 4 Buy this book in paper or electronic format* Thoughts: The Hollow Man by Oliver Harris (website | @oliharrisauthor) moves at a breakneck speed with a spectacular ending which plants destruction and bedlam in the English countryside. The book introduces anti-hero Nick Belsey, a Detective Constable in the Hampstead CID. Belsey has a serious drinking problem, is ethically challenged and is in personal debt up to his eyeballs. In fact, his paycheck no longer covers the minimum amount owed on his loans. Belsey breaks every rule he could find, from squatting in a house where a crime has happened, to taking money, identity theft and more. All…
Article first published as Book Review: Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories on Blogcritics. About: Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories is a non-fiction book by the famous rocker. Randy Bachman, a musician from Winnipeg who was in the Guess Who, BTO and other bands tells about his career and the people he met. 288 pages Publisher: Pintail Language: English ISBN-10: 0670066591 My rating for Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories – 4 By this book in paper or electronic format* Thoughts: Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories is a short book with many short stories. Mr. Bachman has sat down and wrote down great memories from a great career, reading the book I felt as if he would play a song after each story. My favorite story is one of the longer ones about Les Paul. Mr. Bachman saw Les Paul play at his hometown in Canada where he watched through the kitchen door since he was too young to enter the premises. Mr. Paul talked a bit with the young guitarist and showed him how he played a song. Fast forward years later when, now established musician Randy Bachman was introduced to Les Paul who actually remembered the-kid-from-the-restaurant and about an encounter even later when they got to play…
The Music of James Bond by Jon Burlingame tells of the real-life dramas which accompanied the sound track to the 007 movies up to Quantum of Solace.
Article first published as Book Review: Princess Elizabeth’s Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal on Blogcritics. About: Princess Elizabeth’s Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal is the second book in the author’s fictional series about Maggie Hope. As in the first book, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, this book also takes place in London during World War II. The publisher is giving away one copy of this book –to enter fill out the Rafflecoptter form at the end of the post. 384 pages Publisher: Bantam Language: English ISBN-10: 0553593625 My rating for Mr. Churchill’s Secretary — 4 Buy this book in paper or electronic format* More Book by Susan Elia MacNeal Check out this & more World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: Princess Elizabeth’s Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal (website | Facebook | @SusanMacNeal) more personable and entertaining than the first novel, maybe because the first was an “origin story” with a series in mind while in this one the large cast of characters has already been introduced. The protagonist, Maggie Hope, grows more in this book, still feisty and strong, but also sensitive – fumbling her way through the castle. I liked the mystery and the story, but I think that the way Maggie Hope progressed as a character is the true success of this…
Article first published as Graphic Novel Review: Escape to Gold Mountain : A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America by David H.T. Wong on Blogcritics. About: Escape to Gold Mountain : A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America by David H.T. Wong is a graphic novel telling the story of the Chinese immigration to the United States and Canada. Mr. Wong is an Asia Canadian activist and an architect in Vancouver. 256 pages Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press Language: English ISBN-10: 1551524767 My rating for Escape to Gold Mountain – 4 Buy this graphic novel from Amazon.com Thoughts: The graphic novel Escape to Gold Mountain : A Graphic History of the Chinese in North America by David H.T. Wong (website) is laden with dishonor and misery as is the history of Chinese immigration to North America. The Chinese encountered lynches, subjugation racial, cultural and legal discrimination from both countries. I do remember learning in school (but mainly on my own) about Chinese railroad workers in the United States. I did not realize how badly they were treated after they finished working and that the same thing happened in Canada. The graphic novel shows very clearly how badly these workers were mistreated as well as…
