The photographs are gorgeous and the write ups are very interesting. It is important to note that the diet of Blue Zone residents is only part of the reason for thier longevity, climate, reasonable amount of exercise, family, work, and relationships all have a big say in getting to old age

The author does not shy away from the controversy surrounding the bombing. Was it necessary? Was it a war crime? A crime against humanity? How did the people who ordered the bombing as well as those executing the orders deal with the morality of it?

The book follows 4 decades of public service, from Mr.  Powel’s service in Vietnam and Mr. Cheney’s entrance to government, to the administration of George W. Bush (43). The two men became great friends, but fell apart in later years.

The story mainly follows a small group of soldiers, the first of the SOE, who were rescued from Dunkirk and follows them through Operation Postmaster

I have long ago realized that many things are more than they seem, and that politics seem to be encroaching on every aspect of our life.

Apeirogon by Colum McCann is an extraordinary book, it’s different in narrative and structure, yet poignant and able to make its point.

This memoir by Tracy Walder nee Tracy Schandler tells of her time in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which recruited her right out of college. Ms. Schandler worked in counterterrorism after the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the insights she gives about the work her and her fellow patriots did at the CIA before and after.

About: Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach is a nonfiction book which tackles subjects that challenge soldiers’ daily life, but are rarely thought about (unless it’s you wearing the uniform).  Ms. Roach, an award winning author, is known for her books which combine science and journalism. 288 pages Publisher: W. […]

“The cold he could stand with multiple layers of underwear, and the darkness he would one day do something about.”

The leaders of the coup was lead by hard line members of the Russian Communist Party who opposed the reforms Mr. Gorbachev was trying to implement. The coup was opposed by a short and effective campaign led by Boris Yeltsin, and after two days Gorbachev was back in power.