Flyboys is the devastating story of nine American aviators (Flyboys) who were shot down over the Japanese island of Chichi Jima during World War II. Eight of the nine were captured and died under mysterious circumstances. I credit the author for finally telling their stories, but I found his agenda-driven account of history to be a distracting disservice to the men whose story he is telling. Continue reading
Category Archives: Historical Nonfiction
Book Review: The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson
Erik Larson has done it again! The author of Dead Wake and The Devil in the White City brings history to life with his latest, The Splendid and the Vile. This time he tackles the first year of Winston Churchill’s tenure as prime minister, with splendid results. Continue reading
Book Review: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
Historical nonfiction can be so good when the subject is interesting and the author is talented. Destiny of the Republic has both things going for it. This book about President James Garfield’s life and assassination is engrossing and devastating. Continue reading
Book Review: Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
Mayflower is an account of the 1620 Mayflower voyage and the subsequent ~56 years of English settlements in the New England area of the United States. It includes details about the devastating war between colonists and some of the area’s native tribes known as King Philip’s War. History buffs should like this one. Continue reading
“The Wright Brothers”, by David McCullough
In “The Wright Brothers”, author David Mccullough brings to life Wilbur and Orville’s race to be the first to conquer the skies. Continue reading
“Killing the Rising Sun: How America Vanquished World War II Japan”, by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
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The 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor seemed like a really appropriate time to read “Killing the Rising Sun”, so that’s what I did. Authors Bill O’Reilly (of Fox News fame) and Martin Dugard provide an interesting, 30,000 foot account of the war in the Pacific during WWII. Continue reading
“The Boys in the Boat”, by Daniel James Brown
“The Boys in the Boat” is the amazing, true story of the team that won the gold medal in eight man crew at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It’s an inspirational story about hard work, resilience and perseverance set in the middle of the Great Depression and on the cusp of World War II.
“Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania”, by Erik Larson
In “Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania”, author Erik Larson chronicles in great detail the sinking of the Lusitania by a German submarine during World War I. Lovers of history should really enjoy this book. It is loaded with facts about events leading up Continue reading
