Battle Cry Of Freedom

Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era
James McPherson ( New York: Oxford University Press, 1988)

     McPherson's "Battle Cry" is arguably the best single-volume account of the Civil War. Nearly 30 years since its initial publication by Oxford, this book is still being used at the university level to educate students about the Civil War. McPherson not only wrote a masterful narrative, he also sourced the text impeccably. Further, I disagree with some previous reviews that the writer has a political bias, or agenda, if you will. As a Civil War historian, I can confidently state that writing in a neutral voice about this period is one of the most difficult challenges an author faces. McPherson gives ample time to both "sides" of the cause and puts forth well-documented facts. Those who dispute his objectivity have ample resources, provided through detailed footnotes and an extensive bibliography, to research the author's claims.
     If you are just becoming interested in the Civil War or seeking to extend your knowledge, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. From novices to academics, this is the one book that must be on your shelf.

The London Blitz Murders

The London Blitz Murders: Agatha Christie vs. The Blackout Ripper
Max Allan Collins (Las Vegas: Thomas and Mercer, 2004)

The Blitz, murder, and Agatha Christie seems like a winning combination but Max Collins falls short of meeting the expectations of such a promising mixture. Even the title of the book is deceiving in that the Blitz occurred prior to 1942 and has no relevance to the story. Although slow and disappointing in areas, Collins quite adeptly interweaves fact and fiction by altering history a bit and seamlessly inserting Dame Agatha into a true-crime police investigation. The so-called Blackout Ripper is on the lose in London among the war-weary citizens on the home front. With the help of Agatha, the police race to catch the killer before he can strike again. Accounts of the actual investigation are quite interesting as are depictions of London during the War years. I found the story to begin far too slowly and end far too abruptly. The ending itself is probably one of the worst I have ever read. Overall, the idea is intriguing and the historical events fascinating. It was okay for 2 bucks and a one night read.

Larson Has Done It Again

 Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

Erik Larson (New York: Crown Publishers, 2015)

 Erik Larson has done it again. He has written history that reads like a novel and is complete with notes, bibliography, and index. Published to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania, "Dead Wake" adeptly covers the politics, technical details, and most especially, the humanity of the tragedy. With quickly alternating chapters, the author takes us to London, Washington, New York, Berlin, and most importantly, he places us on board the ship. With the use of primary sources, he produces a narrative that also includes the mission and routine of the German U-Boat responsible for the sinking.

     The Great War was in its first year when the liner sailed from New York; headed for England. The atmosphere in Europe was one of total war while the U.S. maintained neutrality. Larson covers the political decisions made by the leaders of Germany, Britain, and the U.S. so as to afford the reader ample understanding of the circumstances under which the ship sailed. Admittedly, there are times when the narrative is slow in nature and I found myself struggling to turn a page. Some of the details surrounding President Wilson are insignificant to the story and tend to drone on for too long. However, the backgrounds of the passengers and crew members of the Lusitania are well-developed and lead to a much more empathetic reading when the torpedo strikes. It is from this point on that Larson is magnificent. He provides an almost minute-by-minute account of the sinking that is vivid and complete. The story does not end there, however, as Larson follows through with descriptions of the make-shift morgues, accounts of the fate of the passengers, and the placing of blame. Overall, this is a truly remarkable account of a truly profound tragedy.

Stateline

Stateline: A Dan Reno Novel (Dan Reno Novel Series, BookI)
Dave Stanton (LaSalle Davis Books, 2013)

*** Free on Kindle***

     I could come to really like detective Dan Reno, as long as author Dave Stanton does not get in the way. Stanton's character is reminiscent of the noir detectives of the 1940s and 50s. There will never be another Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe, but Dan Reno is a modern version of a hard-luck, self-destructive hero who will always save the day. In "Stateline", Reno finds himself in the middle the investigation into the murder of the son of a very wealthy man on the eve of his wedding. Our hero must navigate a maze of crooked cops, drug addicts, bigotry, prostitutes, and his ex-wife. The story is intriguing and at first I was flying through the pages of the mysterious drama. The author's descriptions of winter in Lake Tahoe and smoky barrooms is absolutely excellent and he has crafted complex villains that the reader will easily loathe. The action is brisk and exciting and you will be rooting for Reno to beat the bad guys. The fault I find is that the story goes on for just too long. Stanton takes Reno, and the reader, a bit too far away from the setting over the last few chapters. Otherwise, this is a well-crafted, noirish murder mystery with a very likeable hero and tight plot.

Get on Board with Captain Riley

Captain Riley: The Captain Riley Adventures, Book I
Fernando Gamboa, Translated by Alex Woodend ( Seattle: Amazon Crossing, 2016)

     I enjoyed the adventure of Captain Riley and his entertaining crew. Although predictable at times, there are many twists and surprises that kept me turning the pages late into the night. Riley's "crew" is comprised of humorous, interesting, and empathetic characters; though the dialogue is somewhat loose at times(perhaps due to translation). As a great fan of WWII fiction and the mystery/adventure genres, I quickly became engrossed in the suspense of this thriller with a non-traditional WWII setting. I will recommend this book and look forward to Riley's next adventure.

The Youngest Science

The Youngest Science: Notes of a Medicine-Watcher

Lewis Thomas (New York: Penguin,1983)

I bought this book as a tool to study medicine during the 1930's and 1940's. Other than those few chapters, I found myself struggling to finish this book. I understand that it is essentially a memoir of Dr. Thomas, and he was an interesting man, yet I was hoping for more information of medical techniques during the WWII years. It is well-written and does give one the sense that medicine did in fact evolve from an art to a science. Overall, I finished the book with many of the questions I was hoping it would answer. I think the reader's expectations prior to opening the book will dictate her opinion of the work when done.

A Quick Read for Free

When Eagles Burn

Jack Hayes (Jack Hayes, 2015)

This is a fast-paced yet predictable and substantially unbelievable story. The hero of our story is sent with a group of military men on a mission that brings him and his fellow Brits face-to-face with Finns, Germans, and Soviets during the latter years of WWII. The action is brisk and at times suspenseful but the characters are so uninteresting it is difficult to care what happens. The idea itself is intriguing and has the potential to be a great saga, however, Hayes falls short of the ideal. If the characters were further developed and the back-stories elaborated on (combined with the intriguing idea) Hayes could have produced a great book. This is something to read in one sitting while you think to yourself, "I got it on Kindle for free."

Engrossing Yet Predictable

The German Suitcase

Greg Dinallo ( New York: Open Road Media, 2014)

"The German Suitcase," is a predictable mystery that focuses on the identity of a Holocaust survivor. Akin to the style of William Martin, Dinallo shifts between the past and the present in brief, full chapters. The chapters set in the present provide the questions as to the identity of a respected member of the community who survived Auschwitz while the answers are gradually revealed in the chapters describing the past. The author's present day characters are somewhat banal and predictable whereas his account of Nazi Germany(and the characters contained therein) is thoroughly engrossing.
The reader will likely uncover the plot by the midway point yet that does not make the story any less compelling. This book also poses the question of what morals one is willing to compromise for the sake of survival. For a factual and scholastic account of the challenges with which German citizens were faced, I recommend Christopher R. Browning's, "Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland," (Harper Perennial:New York, 1998). "The German Suitcase," however, does present questions of morality and sacrifice in a forum more palatable to lovers of historic fiction.

Fighting For Life

Fighting for Life: American Military Medicine in World War II

Albert E. Cowdrey ( New York: Free Press, 1998)

This is an excellent history of the medical services provided during WWII. Cowdrey not only provides a well-researched account of medics and doctors on the front lines but also offers insight into the decisions made in Washington that determined the parameters of the war-time medical service. The author not only covers the horrific physical injuries soldiers suffered, he also devotes ample time to addressing Battle Fatigue; what we now know to be PTSD.
Cowdrey equally covers the disease infested horrors of the Pacific war and the ETO's Normandy landings and frost-bitten fighting in Bastogne. He provides primary source accounts from medics and physicians and follows the wounded home after the fighting. Interesting, and not traditionally covered accounts of U.S.A. medics and physicians treating civilians in both theaters provides the reader with a gateway into deeper scholarship and new knowledge. After finishing this text, I immediately highlighted the meticulous notes and bibliography for further reading in this area. This is an excellent account of WWII medicine and I highly recommend this book.

Mauldin Never Disappoints!

Willie & Joe: Back Home

Bill Mauldin, edited by Todd DePastino (Seattle: Fantagraphics Books, 2011)

     Mauldin's drawings are synchronized humor and sadness. This compilation is just wonderful. Through art, Mauldin tells the story of returning GIs after WWII. His work scrutinizes the propaganda put forth by Hollywood during the war years and brings to light the struggles of returning soldiers through the simple characters of Willie and Joe. The validy of Mauldin's work stems from the fact that he himself saw the war first hand as a soldier who was there and suffered terribly upon his return home. This is a well edited compilation that maintains a current social relevence and one that I enjoy regularly.

Irish in the American Civil War

My Life in the Irish Brigade: The Civil War Memoirs of Private William McCarter, 116th Pennsylvania Infantry

Kevin E. O'Brien, ed. (Cambridge: Da Capo Press,1996)

     Civil War memoirs are far from scarce, yet this book is one of the rare few written entirely by an enlisted soldier. William McCarter's story is one of simultaneous fear and courage. His time in combat was brief due to injury yet his story is a primary account of the events that unfolded on the battlefield in Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862. The Private skims very lightly on the political aspects of the battle, and the war as a whole, but rather focuses only on the sensory information he received. His accounts of daily camp life and the ordeals he and his comrades faced in the Virginia winter are vivid and at times incredulous. McCarter takes pride in his Irish heritage and American service and vividly recounts the horrors of war. Overall, this is an engrossing read and important story to be told. 

Other Suggestions:

The Green and the Gray: The Irish in the Confederate States of America, David T. Gleeson (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2013).

      A meticulously researched and expertly written text, this book recognizes the identity shifts of not only the Irish, but the Confederacy itself. As the societal identity of Irish residents transformed, so too did the identity of the region. When such prominent Irish southerners as Bishop Patrick Lynch and Irish hero John Mitchel aired their strong support of the Confederate cause, namely the South’s “peculiar institution,” they became beloved heroes of the southern people.

            Gleeson’s excellent scholarship also offers insight into the hypocrisy of the Irish in avoiding conscription. Many of these men availed themselves of their British citizenship in order to avoid the horrors of battle. The Green and Gray provides objective and pertinent information that will undoubtedly become part of the discourse for a number of disciplines. Southern Irish immigrants during this period are often overshadowed by their northern counterparts thus making Gleeson’s work all the more relevant to a comprehensive study of ethnic and personal identity during the Civil War period. 

**********

Conyngham, D.P. The Irish Brigade and Its Campaigns. Edited by Lawrence Frederick Kohl.

            New York: Fordham University Press, 1994.

Corby, William. Memoirs of Chaplain Life: Three Years with the Irish Brigade in the Army of

            the Potomac. Edited by Lawrence Frederick Kohl. New York: Fordham University

            Press, 1992.

McCarthy, Cal. Green, Blue and Gray: The Irish in the American Civil War. Cork, Ireland:

            Collins Press, 2009.

Tucker, Phillip Thomas. Irish Confederates: The Civil War’s Forgotten Soldiers. Abilene, TX:

            McWhitney Foundation Press, 2006.

Attention Trekkies!!

The Autobiography of James T. Kirk: Starfleet's Greatest Captain
David A. Goodman (London: Titan Books, 2015)




I enjoyed this book very much. As a long-time Trek fan, I was intrigued by the chance to get to know the "life story" of James Tiberius Kirk. This fictional autobiography is so well written that there were times I believed I was reading the biography of a factual person. Goodman does a remarkable job of interweaving the fictitious back story of Kirk with action and dialogue from actual episodes and movies. He also incorporates the crew of The Original Series in chronological order so the reader can enjoy the maturation of those characters as well as Kirk.
Overall, I highly recommend this for any Trek fan, old or new. Embrace your inner nerd with this salute to Kirk.

Left To Die

Left To Die: The Tragedy of the USS Juneau
Dan Kurzman (New York: Pocket Books, 1994)


     Dan Kurzman's "Left to Die" offers an in depth account of the tragedy of the USS Juneau. So much attention has been given to this event because of the loss of the Sullivan brothers, it is nice to have an account that details the lives of other survivors and victims. Before I began the book, I was afraid it was going to be an account of Naval red-tape and the politics behind some choices that were made. I was pleasantly surprised in that Kurzman presented a more personal account, which for the reader makes the event that much more tragic. Of course, the Sullivans were covered in detail but little more than the "other" brothers aboard, the Rogers'.
     The circumstances of the how each man happened to be assigned to the Juneau were detailed yet not at all mundane. Kurzman has such an easy style that in just a few pages, each crew member came to life and I was thrust back to 1942. The description of the sinking was also detailed and graphic yet somehow the author knew how much to incorporate and when to stop. The same is true of his account of the survivors' horrific ordeal in the water and the hope of rescue. The futures and fates these men were discussed briefly and a muster sheet was also provided. In sum, this is a well-researched and engrossing account of a horrible disaster of war and the almost incomprehensible courage of the men who survived.

Extraordinary and Relevent Account of the Final Solution

Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland
Christopher R. Browning (New York: Harper Perennial, 1998)

     Christopher R. Browning’s book, Ordinary Men, is aptly titled. This account of Germany’s Reserve Police Battalion 101 supports Browning’s thesis that these predominantly working-class men from Hamburg were transformed into killers; most reluctant, yet some eager. No single event changed them, the transformation was multi-causal in nature. As is true with all individuals, one responds to crisis according to his abilities. The men of the 101^st were no different. Some became avid---even sadistic---in their killing while most became obedient killers. The ten to twenty percent of the group who did not kill became courageous. Regardless of the results of the changes in the men, each individual had to become something foreign to his fundamental nature. Browning supports this thesis throughout his work and is convincing in his opinion that the ordinary men of Reserve Police Battalion 101 became killers as a result of deflection, the weight of conformity and obedience, and most significantly through desensitization. For a detailed review, follow the link below.

https://sites.google.com/site/bookmecostello/home/about/world-war-ii-history

A Must for Hockey Fans

Eddie Shore and that Old Time Hockey
C. Michael Hiam (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 2010)



Having grown up just outside of Boston, I spent countless nights at the Garden watching the Bruins in the 1970s and 1980s. Always hanging above me was Number 2; the retired number of Eddie Shore. After reading Hiam's book, I now have a much better understanding of why #2 hung from the rafters. This book took me back in time to the Boston Garden of the 1920s and 30s. The reader cannot help but be propelled to a time before helmets and masks, when spectators became part of the game, and when Eddie Shore ruled the hockey world.

     C. Michael Hiam has done excellent research to provide a comprehensive look at Shore from his childhood in Saskatchewan, throughout his life on the ice, and ultimately his death. Hiam also neatly incorporates details of the other teams and players in the league at the time, affording the reader an emotional attachment to the events that unfolded both on and off the ice.

I recommend this book, not only to Bruins' fans, but to anyone interested in the history of the NHL.

1914

1914: The War Years, Book 1

James Farner (James Farner Publishing, 2015)

*** Free on Kindle***

     James Farner has written a captivating tale of young men and boys coming to grips with their identities during the first year of The Great War. The story focuses on a family of brothers in Yorkshire, England trying to escape their impoverished surroundings. They naively believe that going off to war in the trenches will set them free of the misery they endure in their domestic lives. As the title states, Farner begins his story in January 1914 and concludes it twelve months hence. This is not a political chronology of 1914 but rather a well-crafted view of the year seen through the eyes of the complex characters. As with all good writing, this book not only thrusts the reader into the place and time in which the characters live, it also causes introspection on the part of the reader given the choices with which the characters are faced.
     The flaws I find are with the verbiage and terminology used in the military segments. However, one must be mindful that this is not a military history, nor is it a historiography of any kind. It is a fictitious account of some events that took place during 1914. Perfectly depicted is the ineptitude of the young soldiers; they are not portrayed as heroes. Too many stories with war as a setting portray the characters as either utterly heroic or sheer cowards. These boys are both, which is what makes it so real. The actions and feelings of the men are more telling than what types of helmets they wore or how they addressed their superiors.
     In sum, James Farner has penned (do people do that any more) the beginning of a saga that studies the character of a family of brothers thrust into war. I look forward to 1915.

Winter Men

Winter Men

Jesper Bugge Kold, Translated by K.E. Semmel (Seattle, Amazon Crossing,2016)

     This is a beautifully written story of two brothers navigating life in Nazi Germany. If you are looking for a straight on war story, this is not the book for you. If,however, you are interested in a captivating novel that studies the character struggles of a German family coming to grips with their own morality and humanity during this period, then I highly recommend this story. Kold writes an almost lyrical account of the fear, desperation, and loyalty with which average German citizens struggled during the Nazi reign of horror. "Winter Men" looks closely at the intellectual brother of the family and follows his life from being a staunchly anti-Nazi academic to his encounters with the SS, his actions during the war, and his later life in South America. The story is told primarily through flashback and the vivid descriptions employed by the author cause the reader to become part of the story.

The only flaw I can find with this work is that the pace is somewhat slow for my personal liking. The most poignant outcome of this book is that it forces the reader to become introspective and ponder what her own choices may have been during an almost impossible time to remain both alive and morally satisfied.