Fascinating, but not entirely satisfying. The narrative jumps from participant to participant in the operation, making it difficult to latch on to anyFascinating, but not entirely satisfying. The narrative jumps from participant to participant in the operation, making it difficult to latch on to any one person. Being a covert operation, it's fairly clear that some details are still kept under wraps, so a story here and an anecdote there sometimes feels incomplete. But overall this is highly enlightening for a civilian completely in the dark about such things. ...more
A somewhat biased, but no less enthralling biography of the author's next door neighbor, mob boss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso. Carlo does a great job painA somewhat biased, but no less enthralling biography of the author's next door neighbor, mob boss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso. Carlo does a great job painting the portrait of a self-made man of the criminal underworld. The book really helps to shed light on how a capo operates, as well as the interconnectivity between the various mafia families of the New York metropolitan area. A very smooth and enjoyable read!...more
From one of the heroic soldiers of E Company, subsequently featured in the miniseries Band of Brothers. I've read, I think, four memoirs from E CompanFrom one of the heroic soldiers of E Company, subsequently featured in the miniseries Band of Brothers. I've read, I think, four memoirs from E Company members who jumped on D-Day. This one is by far the most eloquent, but it's not my favorite. I don't care to get into the reasons why here, just know that this is quite good and includes some of the best descriptions of active duty army life during WWII. ...more
I've been a Celtics fan since the early '80s, so I naturally hate the Lakers. It took a monumental effort on my part to read an autobio by an ex-LakerI've been a Celtics fan since the early '80s, so I naturally hate the Lakers. It took a monumental effort on my part to read an autobio by an ex-Laker, but I did and you know what? I found out that Kareem is not in league with the devil. To be fair and honest, he is an immensely decent man. ...more
What a great retelling of a harrowing tale! Margot Mifflin does her best to piece together the differing disparate accounts of the life of Olive OatmaWhat a great retelling of a harrowing tale! Margot Mifflin does her best to piece together the differing disparate accounts of the life of Olive Oatman. Not an easy task since hearsay, hyperbole, and a myriad of personal agendas warped her story beyond belief.
Oatman was a young girl when her family migrated from Illinois to Yuma and were massacred by Yavapai native Americans along the way. Her and her sister were taken captive and treated as slaves. A year later, Olive was traded to the Mojave, who treated her as one of their own. She lived harmoniously with them for four years before being repatriated with American whites.
As with most of these biographies from this era, you rarely get to hear from the person themselves. We're lucky that some of Oatman's correspondence has survived. Plus, she did a lecture tour for years after, and at least one of the scripts still exists, if I'm not mistaken.
Towards the end of this book I became even more enthralled with Oatman's legacy when I discovered that she was buried in the tiny little Texas town where my wife's father's people hail from!
What an incredible naval career! If his worst enemy wasn't himself, his name would be up there with Nelson!
Cordingly put together a highly readable acWhat an incredible naval career! If his worst enemy wasn't himself, his name would be up there with Nelson!
Cordingly put together a highly readable account of the man's life. It was a life with dramatic twists and turns, and he captured them all in a highly readable prose and with great pacing.
I read this mainly because I'm a huge fan of Patrick O'Brian's Master & Commander seafaring series, because it was said that O'Brian modeled his hero after Cochrane. Well, after reading this, I can say he didn't model him, he Xeroxed him. Why wouldn't you? The drama and intrigue is all laid out for you. The way in which O'Brian then expanded upon Cochrane's life is what makes the series a masterpiece. ...more
Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's ok. This turned out way better than I feared it would when the audiobook first kicked off. Carr speaks at an incredibly rapid pace. I checked the speed levels on the playback more than once, because I was sure it was playing fast. But once I caught up with him, I enjoyed the ride. It's a funny read. Most of the advice is tailored towards comedians, but it's usually broad enough to apply to anyone going through that massive clusterfuck we call life. ...more
The Dutch settlement that would become New York is somewhat forgotten and should be remembered. That's it in a nutshell. Along the way we meet some faThe Dutch settlement that would become New York is somewhat forgotten and should be remembered. That's it in a nutshell. Along the way we meet some fascinating people. It's a good read. Highly recommended to those interested in early European history pertaining to colonization of North America. Not especially recommended to those who think that that sounds like a snorefest....more
I'm not into collecting weapons and certainly not fetishizing them, so I passed on The Rifle a number of times before really taking a look at what it I'm not into collecting weapons and certainly not fetishizing them, so I passed on The Rifle a number of times before really taking a look at what it was all about. It's more about the stories of individuals who fought on the American side during WWII. An actual M1 Garand rifle ties them together, before more so because it was used to gather the signatures and stories of some of the last soldiers still alive from that war. And what stories! My god. I've read many WWII accounts before, but this one still managed to astound me, as well as bringing me to tears....more
The Fonz was a childhood hero of mine. I've loved Henry Winkler for years, so I was delighted to discover this autobio existed. Knowing that about me,The Fonz was a childhood hero of mine. I've loved Henry Winkler for years, so I was delighted to discover this autobio existed. Knowing that about me, you can take my "critique" with a grain of salt or two... This is the best autobiography of all time!!!...more
British comedian David Mitchell goes through a few of the pre-Conquest kings and all of the post-Conquest Kings and Queens of England up to QE1. BasicBritish comedian David Mitchell goes through a few of the pre-Conquest kings and all of the post-Conquest Kings and Queens of England up to QE1. Basically, he covers all of the "medieval" rulers. He does so with his trademark snide cynicism, which might not be for everyone, but I love it! If you're looking for a primer on early British monarchy, this actually might be the book for you. He touches on the main historical points and each individual's foibles with comically caustic remarks that cut through the bullshit. This isn't the most scholarly or thorough analysis on the subject, but it's the most enjoyable one I've ever read!...more
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