This is a gritty book, not only with the vibrant descriptions of what the author has been through, but also of the enemy we are fighting. An enemy who’s goal was to decapitate the soldiers with dull knives and stick their heads on polls as warnings, or who seems to get their kicks kidnapping a six-year-old boy, gauging his eyes out, pulling his teeth and using him as their sexual plaything.
Post firs published as Guest Review From Man Of La Book: “The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers” by Thomas Fleming on http://twofistedreader.com About: The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers by Thomas Fleming is a history book which tells about the lives of six famous men from the perspective of their relationship with the women in their lives. I do love books which tells us more history from the “trenches”, after all, there are very few big events which aren’t made of small, personal moments. Buy this book in paper or electronic format. Thoughts: The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers by Thomas Fleming is what one might call “history light”. While there was no new information revealed in the book, it is a wonderful introduction to more serious works which deal with the Founding Fathers, their policies and how the relationships with other influenced their work (which still has ramifications to this day) and their policies. Mr. Fleming does not view the Founding Fathers as untouchable historical figures, but as men of flesh and blood who lived, loved, laughed, hurt and gotten hurt. The author’s research is excellent and his writing style is enjoyable. Those who only learned…
Article first published as Book Review: Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 by Madeleine Albright on Blogcritics. About: Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 by Madeleine Albright is a non-fiction book in which the author talks about the years mentioned from her perspective. Somewhat personal, adventurous and moving, this memoir takes the reader on a European history lesson which is not often told. 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 Perennial Language: English ISBN-10: 0062030345 My rating for Prague Winter – 5 Buy this book in paper or in electronic (Kindle enhanced with audio) format* More Books by Madeleine Albright More Recommended World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: “”There is not deeper cause for despair than malicious hope (Hitler proved that), and few traits more valuable than sadness and anger at suffering. The distinction that matters is not whether a story concludes happily but whether there is at its core an affirmation that life has meaning. That is why this book of remembrance and war will end in hope.” My grandfather was born in Bratislava, a city in Czechoslovakia….
Article first published as Book Review: Bombing Hitler: The Story of the Man Who Almost Assassinated the Führer by Hellmut G. Haasis, Translated by William Odom on Blogcritics About: Bombing Hitler: The Story of the Man Who Almost Assassinated the Führer by Hellmut G. Haasis, (translated by William Odom) is the true story of Georg Elser and his failed attempt on Hitler’s life. 240 pages Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing Language: English ISBN-10: 1616087412 My rating for Bombing Hitler— 4 Buy this book in paper or in electronic format* More Recommended World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: Bombing Hitler by Hellmut G. Haasis tells of Georg Elser’s decision to assassinate Hitler in a Munich Beer Hall. Elser’s said that he simply wanted to” prevent even greater bloodshed through my act”. Elser, a blue collar worker, worked and planned for months in order to plant a bomb in a pillar which supports the roof of the beer hall. The bomb worked, killing eight people, but missing its intended target who had to leave early for Berlin (cutting his speech from 2 hours to a mere hour). The book is a well researched document, using interviews from first hand sources as well as historical documentation, the author…
Article first published as Book Review: The Inventor and the Tycoon by Edward Ball on Blogcritics. About: The Inventor and the Tycoon by Edward Ball is a non-fiction book about two pioneers, a murder and motion pictures. The author is a National Book Award winner for his previous book Slaves in the Family. The publisher is giving away one copy to two winners of this book –to enter fill out the Rafflecoptter form at the end of the post. 464 pages Publisher: Doubleday Language: English ISBN-10: 0385525753 My rating for The Inventor and the Tycoon– 5 Buy this book in paper or in electronic format* More Books by Edward Ball Thoughts: In The Inventor and the Tycoon, author Edward Ball has infused the famous and the infamous into a story so large it might as well be fiction. The story involves capitalism, money, murder, trains, horse racing ,photography and the beginning of moving pictures. Leland Stanford, “the richest man west of the Mississippi”, railroad tycoon, robber baron, patron of the arts and a hippophile had one question on his mind: do horses’ hooves leave the ground when they gallop. Enter photographer Eadweard Muybridge who will try to prove Mr. Stanford right and, unbeknownst to the two of…
We all know Benjamin Franklin from history classes and the teacher might have mentioned his other notable achievements, however Mr. Franklin had many notable achievements – far too many to mention in a 45 minute classroom. This biography is a terrific sweeping read and full of insights.
The start of the buildup of the Gulf War (1990) is where the book takes off to relevancy not only when published, but today also since we are still facing some of those issues, as well as many others. General Schwarzkopf was assigned to Central Command not long before Iraq invaded Kuwait, in this book the General states that he prepared his troops for war in the Middle East since, to his estimation, a war in Europe is unlikely. As Bush 41 made it clear that Iraqi aggression will not go unnoticed, General Schwarzkopf realized that he might be at the center of fight.
Article first published as Book Review: The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of “Hallelujah” by Alan Light on Blogcritics. About: The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of “Hallelujah” by Alan Light is a non-fiction book which traces the strange route of a song. That song, one of the most popular ones in the world, is “Hallelujah” by master wordsmith Leonard Cohen. The publisher is giving away one copy of this book –to enter fill out the Rafflecoptter form at the end of the post. 288 pages Publisher: Atria Books Language: English ISBN-10: 1451657846 My rating for The Holy or the Broken – 4 Buy this book in paper or in electronic format* Thoughts: The Holy or the Broken by Alan Light is a fascinating book about the cultural phenomena known as “Hallelujah”. This is a song which I love but have never given much thought to it, the tune is simple and I’m positive that the first time I heard it; I believed that it was an old song I have heard before. Strangely, this marker of pop-culture is fairly new. Written in the 80’s, “Hallelujah” was on the only Leonard Cohen album rejected…
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: Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber by Dane Batty on Blogcritics. About: Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber: The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI’s Most Elusive Criminals by Dane Batty is a true-crime book about the criminal career of this elusive man. 218 pages Publisher: Nish Publishing Company Language: English ISBN-10: 0615268455 My Rating for Wanted – 3 Buy this book in paper or electronic format* Thoughts: Dane Batty (Facebook) wrote Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber when he heard the stories his uncle, Leslie Ibsen Rogge, told or being told about him. As a young man Mr. Batty admired his uncle’s daring dues and it seems he does so to this day even though it seems the man will die in prison. This is a very entertaining and easy to read book, but with very little reflection, retrospect and analysis. There are stories of daring robberies and escape, but very little about the heavy price Mr. Rogge paid in personal freedom, family life and financial. The stories themselves are interesting but, as it is with many books of this type, it seems they were written to keep them in the family rather for the general populace. What…
