I've always been enchanted about Frontier America, and how the first settlers (sans Native Americans) sought new lands further west from the east coasI've always been enchanted about Frontier America, and how the first settlers (sans Native Americans) sought new lands further west from the east coast. Daniel Boone, a name most recognize, but some is myth, like how plays and TV shows have him wearing a coonskin hat, when based on historical records, his was not the one to wear this.
This book travels from where Boone is born in Pennsylvania, to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia as a kid, then into the Yadkin River Valley of NC as a teen. His father helped with teaching him the ways of hunting, but he also studied native Americans.
Most of the book covers his adult life heading west into Kentucky. There are chapters and sub-parts of chapters that delve into other Americans of that time, including George Washington, George Rogers Clark, Patrick Henry, as well as Native Americans such as Pontiac, Tecumseh and Blackfish.
This is the history not taught when I was in school. You always heard about the brutality of the Indians, and saw it portrayed in older movies and TV shows, but the early settlers/Americans/Colonialists of the late 18th century were equally brutal in their handling of the Native Americans.
Pretty much there will always be good and evil amongst all cultures, races and ethnic groups.
Daniel Boone and the tragedies and triumphs he endured show us how determined he was, despite the fact he was a poor man with money.
Just the fact that he traveled miles upon miles either by foot or horse and the territory he covered is amazing. Since I live in southwest Virginia, and know much of the area of the southern Appalachians, picturing the trek was not too hard, though in person, in having all the infrastructure and modern amenities, you have to move away from that into the woods/forests/mountains of where he and many others walked to get a feel of the hardships one may encounter (bad weather, treacherous terrain, animals, enemies, etc).
This is my first book by Drury and Clavin, and I liked the writing style and the flow. Will likely read some of their other books. Though there are some maps and photos in the book, would have loved to had more....more
The Perfect Storm, know to many as a movie, was a meteorological anomaly of sorts, that impacted more people that you could imagine.
Junger does a goodThe Perfect Storm, know to many as a movie, was a meteorological anomaly of sorts, that impacted more people that you could imagine.
Junger does a good job of trying to lay out what may have happened to the crew of the Andrea Gail during that fateful fishing trip in late October 1991.
The book not only covers the Andrea Gail, but other boats/ships/vessels who either survived the storm and lived to tell about, as well as the rescue crews from both the Coast Guard and Air National Guard. There is more to the story than the Andrea Gail, but this is a story that needed to be told.
As a meteorologist, back in 1991, NOAA/NWS was limited to an extent on model data, relying on just 2 or 3 models. Even in today's technology and models galore, rare events like the Halloween 91 storm can be tough to forecast.
Needless to say, Junger tries not to throw NWS under the "boat", but explains the wildness of 3 systems interacting with each other.
The first part of the book introduces the crew, family and friends. The middle covers the trip from Gloucester to the Flemish Cap and the possibilities of what may have happened once contact was lost with the Andrea Gail. The last part is about recovery, other rescues, and coping with the loss of loved ones, and even some who changed their mind to sail that day, were later caught by the sea.
There was even a section of a chapter detailing of how it feels to drown.
In summary, a must read for those who love weather disasters, fishing life, and how tough the fishing industry is, as was not aware, as the job of the fishermen is the deadliest to have in the U.S....more
Don't expect great detail on the Pony Express itself with this book. It was a ok/good 2.5 star account of the Pony Express, but had more other historiDon't expect great detail on the Pony Express itself with this book. It was a ok/good 2.5 star account of the Pony Express, but had more other historical goings-on during the 18 month stint of the Express. It was more of what was happening in areas near/along the trail, as well as in other parts of the country leading up to the Civil War.
DeFelice does well with fiction but a lot of times in this book, overspreads too much repetition, especially regarding Buffalo Bill Cody.
The pros of the book are the history lesson during this time and the fact the Pony Express was not meant to last long thanks to the telegraph system by Samuel Morse, and the transcontinental railway. The details of the topography and some of the accounts was good. As you may know, a lot of the Pony Express is glorified and fictionalized like crazy, but still the actual riders set us with pride in doing their jobs despite the dangers.
Facts vs fiction on those who started the Pony Express, the U.S. government at the time, and those who managed the divisions along the route. Some are tall tales, others not quite sure. DeFelice in the appendix lists all riders thought or may have rode with the Express.
Well-written and involved study of the fallen angels, their offspring with human women (Nephilim) and the endless war between God and Satan.
Pitterson Well-written and involved study of the fallen angels, their offspring with human women (Nephilim) and the endless war between God and Satan.
Pitterson sites scripture throughout the book, and has very comprehensive commentary from leading biblical scholars and teachers. He also sites non-biblical canon like the Book of Enoch, but at the same time spends a chapter delving into the issues with this book in its biblical context.
The biblical subject of spiritual warfare, angels, demons and end times has been one my favorite topics since becoming a Christian as a teenager.
There are a few things you may question of his study, some things possibly omitted, but study yourself the Word.
There was some repetition with scripture but the book is more a study than just a fun read. Would liked if Pitterson had included maps of ancient Israel, though that is what the internet and other resources are for.
Very extensive read and trilogy, this third installment covers just prior to D-Day in June 1944 to the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. Atkinson Very extensive read and trilogy, this third installment covers just prior to D-Day in June 1944 to the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. Atkinson again does a great job with including many views from different rank and file people (Presidents, Dictators, Generals, Colonels, Privates, and Civilians).
This trilogy is very good if you want to get an overview of the European Theater, and if you love statistics. Atkinson puts out so many statistics (casualties, costs, inventory of ammo, food, clothing, etc) that you can get blurry eyed thinking about.
This book is not for the faint of heart, as descriptions of death, illnesses and many other battlefield and concentration camp casualties can make you just stop and think, "This really happened!"
Atkinson does well in putting you in each battle, D-Day, Market Garden, The Bulge, etc, to read like a novel.
What is so amazing, that despite the in-fighting between generals, field marshals, and allied nations, we were able to win the war.
With many smaller stories inside this epoch, will need to read other books that are more detailed on each battle/campaign, or a biography on the many players involved.
At some point, will be heading to the Pacific Theater as well, with Ian Toll's Pacific War Trilogy....more
Very detailed, comprehensive of the WW2 campaign in Sicily and much of Italy, ending with the liberation of Rome in June 1944.
Atkinson does well in deVery detailed, comprehensive of the WW2 campaign in Sicily and much of Italy, ending with the liberation of Rome in June 1944.
Atkinson does well in detailing events, battles, and quotes/stories from those involved from mostly the Allied side, and some for the German side as well. Most of the book reads like a novel but the minutiae of statistics become too much after while.
Most of the book seems to look at more the downside of the battles, the bad decisions, the tragedies and the in-fighting between countries/leaders. Which can be good, as most of the time we hear/see more of the victories, championing the causes and everyone gets along to win.
The thing I like most about Atkinson as he brings stories not just from the higher players like Ike, Churchill, Clark, and Patton, but also from the grunts (privates, citizens and other eyewitnesses).
The Italian campaign is one that does not get a lot of attention as most of our sources were either building up in England for the Normandy invasion or in the Pacific.
This slow struggle in Italy helped build courage, tactics and better decisions for future battles, but also shows how war is not easy and there are no easy solutions, and leaders and followers alike can be cast as scapegoats.
Detailed account of Washington's life from childhood to death. A book that separates fact from fiction and looks at the good and the bad of the man GeDetailed account of Washington's life from childhood to death. A book that separates fact from fiction and looks at the good and the bad of the man George Washington. He was a complex person, very detail and task oriented and liked things as such, but at the same time seemed to be humble in terms of serving others.
Things you may not know or have forgotten was his consistent issues with finances starting well before the American Revolution.
Chernow paints a country similar to our own today with quibbles/quarrels amongst colonials then Americans. Such animosity was not taught in school, and we were taught all parties were compatriots, and to a point yes. But as the new government commenced, you had Federalists who leaned more toward a government centric power similar to England, and the Republicans who were for limited government. With issues between the U.S., England and France, along with slavery, it is amazing our country made its way through even then.
Seemed Washington leaned Federalist but knew how to play the game.
At the same time, he kept getting tired of being pulled into politics and just wanted to hang out with Martha at Mount Vernon and grow old together, farming the land. Of course, that didn't happen, or it was short-lived.
If you love details about a person's life, especially one in being the Father of Our Country, this is a book for you. ...more
Quite a read. Too much to take in, but as a lover of frontier America, this book sets the precedent, with the beginning of the Louisiana Purchase and Quite a read. Too much to take in, but as a lover of frontier America, this book sets the precedent, with the beginning of the Louisiana Purchase and Jefferson's directive of sending an expedition to find an all water route to the Pacific.
Ambrose excels in the details, of the story of Lewis and Clark, though the main emphasis is on Lewis. Very descriptive on the findings of the expedition, the interaction with Native American tribes, the challenges amongst the crew, and the downfalls of individual and groups.
Given Lewis and at times Jefferson are the main components of this book, not too much is written about Clari and Sacagawea. We do see the leadership respected by the crew, especially when the get to the point in Montana where the Marias heads north, and the Missouri is upstream to the southwest. (They did not know which was which). Most, if not the entire crew, thought the northwest river was the way to go, but Lewis and Clark felt the southwest to northeast flowing river was the way to go, which was correct. Though Ambrose does mention that there could have been shorter routes to the Columbia.
Lewis amongst historians, and Americans is admired, but like every human on the planet, has his downfalls, and we see that, especially once the expedition is over, and Jefferson appoints him as governor of the Louisiana Territory in St. Louis. Inactivity and politics did not bode well for Lewis.
We also see the naivete of our government (President Jefferson) and the expedition on how Native American tribes would react to us and kowtow to us, by just placating them with gifts. Some of course, were more "friendly" to the expedition, thanks to earlier interactions with French, Spanish and British traders/explorers.
We see Lewis fall victim to this naivete once they head back east in Montana, where he encounters the Blackfeet tribe, and they steal there horses.
I would have given 5 stars, and its close, except for some editing issues, and possibly some minor historical inaccuracies, namely the Burr/Hamilton duel. As well as some back/forth in the timeline of the writing, but can see why Ambrose did that, to finish a theme on a subject, as opposed to going straight in chronological order.
So, if you love frontier/exploration history, this would be a good book to read. I've been fortunate to cross several of the Lewis and Clark trail in my vacations, especially from Montana to Oregon. ...more
For me, this was enlightening as when it comes to World War 2, most read/watch/ or hear about the main battles of the War, namely D-Day, Pearl Harbor,For me, this was enlightening as when it comes to World War 2, most read/watch/ or hear about the main battles of the War, namely D-Day, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Iwo Jima.
Atkinson details the accounts of many who became part of the American force that would eventually change the outcome of the war, as we start out in North Africa, alongside the more war veteran British.
One thing I was not aware of, was the fact we had to fight the French to get a toehold into Africa.
Atkinson puts in fine form how much confusion and infighting between the ranks and allies can cost lives. The book has details on every battle with maps to help you view how units moved.
To say the least the Germans for a time hold tough, but seemed as the leaders grew weary with some of the fighting, namely Rommel.
All the major players are talked about, with many quotes: Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery, Churchill, and on.
For me, the writings and accounts of those who survived, really hit home. The description of the landscape, the different smells, both good and bad, from dead bodies and cordite, to olive groves and flowers. What a mix.
Another fascinating thing was that some of the native Arabs would continue to go about their daily lives while shells were exploding around them.
The politics really drove some of the decisions, both good and bad, and seeing how Eisenhower came into his own with this North African campaign was eye-opening. Every leader down to the grunts have their positives and negatives. Some outweighed others, and you see this in what happens or doesn't happen on and off the battlefield.
Was a thorough read, 4.5 stars. On to Sicily and Europe......more
Erik Larson does a great job of piecing together the stories, news and events of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, and centering it on Isaac Cline, whoErik Larson does a great job of piecing together the stories, news and events of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, and centering it on Isaac Cline, who is known as one of the NWS most recognized employees in history.
A very sad tale of death and lack of warnings, and even back then bureaucratic garbage from the higher ups that impacted local offices. Seems the head of the Weather Bureau was a complete idiot.
Have to remember that this was well before satellite, radar and all the fancy technology. However, some disagreement between Cuban weather officials and the Washington made for poor decisions for what happened. Would it have mattered? Maybe.
Nonetheless, the fact that 6,000+ were killed remains the worst natural weather disasters in U.S. History. ...more
Was expecting a story similar to the movie Where Eagles Dare, but a decent account of OSS operatives working in Italy in the 1944-45 part of WW2, withWas expecting a story similar to the movie Where Eagles Dare, but a decent account of OSS operatives working in Italy in the 1944-45 part of WW2, with a goal of destroying a major artery between Italy and Austria/Germany, (The Brenner Pass). O'Donnell was good in setting the background of the two main figures in this, Stephan Hall and Howard Chappell. By interviewing surviving members of this gambit, we get a feel of what is must have been like to put in behind the lines during a war.
The OSS, Office of Strategic Services, formed in 42, but was dissolved in 45, but 2 years later, became the CIA, was an agency that was the beginning of special ops per se for the U.S military, as well as spy work. The writing was sometimes choppy, and was hard to follow the flow of one chapter to the next.
Still a good account for those who want to know what some of the lesser known happenings that occurred during the WW2. What was especially eye opening were the different ideologies that existed with the partisans in Italy, that these soldiers/OSS agents had to work with, from democrat to socialist to communist, and for the most part all against the Nazi's, but at the same time, fighting between groups led to wondering who to trust....more
Written by Walter Lord and published in 1955, this book does a good job from eyewitness accounts from survivors and rescuers of the Titanic. Reading tWritten by Walter Lord and published in 1955, this book does a good job from eyewitness accounts from survivors and rescuers of the Titanic. Reading this, made me feel like I was on the ship watching it happen. Of course seeing the James Cameron version helped, and for what its worth, Cameron did a good job of recreating what is written in this book.
There are things we know now about the tragedy, that Lord did not know, or left out, about the ship splitting amidships as it was taking on more water, before finally going down. I'm sure there are more things we may learn about what happened, as some research suggested that maybe the bottom of the ship was also damaged by the berg.
What was not in the Cameron movie that Lord provided, was the response, or lack of response from the Californian, only 10 miles away, in the ice field. The other aspect are the eyewitness accounts of what happened on the Carpathia during and after the rescue of the lifeboats.
We also see how the press hasn't changed much in over a century. Even then, several publications were headlining different stories about the Titanic, from how everyone was saved, to blaming the Carpathia for not doing anything.
This is a "quick" read and worth it, if you are a fan of history/disasters.
Just an eye-opening account into the life of a Christian woman and family from Haarlem, Holland, and the willingness to risk everything in helping othJust an eye-opening account into the life of a Christian woman and family from Haarlem, Holland, and the willingness to risk everything in helping others, including Jews during WW2.
Corrie at the beginning talks about her home, the beje, and her mother had already passed. Her Dad, the watchmaker, taught her his trade, while Betsie, her older sister, was more of a matronly type. Her other older siblings were Willem and Nollie. Also living there were 3 aunts. The first several chapters involve life here, then, as we draw into WW2, and Holland falls into the hands of the Nazis, the ten Boom family become a central focus of an underground movement to help the Jews, and others, with food rations, and hiding places.
Eventually, after being caught, the Dad, Casper, Corrie, Willem and Betsie are sent away, first to Scheveningen prison in Holland, where we find that Casper does not survive. Corrie and Betsie are in different cells.
They then get moved to Vught, and finally to the concentration camp in Ravensbruck in northern Germany. Betsie is with her, as Willem is released earlier.
The struggles and hardships are overcome by faith, giving, and love, but also shows our human side with anger, vengeance, etc.
Her sister is a shining of example of service over self, and even though the sister does not survive, Corrie carries on her visions, after being released in 1945, with one of having a home for victims/prisoners of the war, including former Nazi sympathizers.
A lot to take in with this book, but shows how amazing Corrie ten Boom was in dealing with adversary.
We all should be grateful for where we live and what we have....more
Good book if you are looking for the key players in Germany's WW2 SS camp, and the atrocities committed by them, and the men and women who hunted themGood book if you are looking for the key players in Germany's WW2 SS camp, and the atrocities committed by them, and the men and women who hunted them down.
Having read a couple other of O'Reilly's "Killing" series, where the writing was pretty straight-forward, with plenty of maps/photos, I found that this book moved all over the place and even within chapters, making it hard to follow, as well as lacking in maps/photos.. Hence the 3 stars.
A piece of land in a country that harbors terrorists was fought over by valiant Americans. This account follows Captain Rusty Bradley, and his Green BA piece of land in a country that harbors terrorists was fought over by valiant Americans. This account follows Captain Rusty Bradley, and his Green Berets as the support military operations in and around Kandahar Afghanistan.
After reading this, I feel exactly the same way as Bradley did in the afterword. When you fight a war, you fight to win. Unfortunately, in a place like this, politics and government control tend to lead to poor decisions. Would wonder what Major Rusty Bradley would think of it now, 7 years after this book was written. As he mentioned, even back in 2008, he felt that lack of support did not justify us battling in Afghanistan.
As for the story in this book, it is very details, with many soldiers in the unit involved. No easy days. This book is full of camaraderie between not only the special forces group but even the Afghan Nationals who wanted to rid the area of Taliban.
Read this to get an account of a battle that you hardly hear about. ...more
Egan does a great job talking about the good days leading up to the dust bowl, where U.S. citizens and immiThis was a great book about the Dust Bowl.
Egan does a great job talking about the good days leading up to the dust bowl, where U.S. citizens and immigrants alike were sold pieces of land in the Plains to make it their own. Of course, some of this was in the guise of making the southern Plains more profitable if you move there.
Many were moving south from the northern Plains as they could not handle the cold winters We follow families, a few around the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle, southeast Colorado and Inavale, Nebraska.
We see how the once beautiful grasslands of this area became over plowed for crops, namely wheat, which in the 20s did well.
The Great Depression kicked in at the wrong time as this combined with a torn up soil led to folks living in poverty, then the winds of the Plains kicked up dust/dirt that brought on sickness "dust pneumonia" to many.
We see that much of the 30s was a drought for the central and southern Plains. Even when it rained it was heavy and caused flooding as the ground was hard.
It took a fellow from N.C., Hugh Bennett to give the U.S. government advise on how to stop the dusters and potentially bring some normalcy back, but a different style of farming/plowing, and setting up the Soil Conservation Districts. FDR had another vision of planting trees from the TX panhandle to the Dakotas. Both helped to a point, but as we know not everything returned to pre 30s, though some national grasslands exist.
The way the homesteaders/nesters lived during that time is amazing. Some fled, after a short time but others stayed for the duration. There are many eyewitness accounts in this book. Would love to have seen more photos in the book.
At times, it reads like a horror novel, with folks dealing with black widows, centipedes, and a swarm of grasshoppers, while their livestock and livelihood perish. Then you have the black blizzards on top of that.
As a meteorologist, I highly recommended this book just for the weather/drought/climate part. This should be recommended reading for anyone who is involved with agriculture, soil science, and geology, as well as the political dealings of the day and how the government had to intervene to help.
In the end, the Dust Bowl, was more to do with man's over plowing/destroying the ecosystem, than it had to do with weather....more
Portrait of a man who used hit and run militia warfare during the American Revolution.
I was not well-versed in the history of Francis Marion. My interPortrait of a man who used hit and run militia warfare during the American Revolution.
I was not well-versed in the history of Francis Marion. My interest piqued after the move the Patriot, which for the most part is not accurate to the real patriot. The fact that Marion used guerilla type warfare as opposed to the "typical" battles of the day drew me in, due to my love of reading Special Ops type fiction and non-fiction.
Oller does a good job of moving this book along and reads like a novel at times. There are a couple of maps in the front to reference, but would have preferred more of these through the book.
Finding out that South Carolina had more battles during the American Revolution than any other colony was an enlightening fact, as seems Virginia and points north get more of the attention.
The conflict between the militia/volunteers that Marion helped lead, amongst themselves, those of the Continental Army and the British, may have been the more eye-opening, but not surprising, as this tends to happen in all wars, with different leadership styles, versus what your core beliefs area.
Based on Oller's account, Francis Marion, was the Purest Patriot....more
This book was more like a text book/companion book for biblical history and study and not very in depth at all. Was disappointed.
Pros: Each chapter siThis book was more like a text book/companion book for biblical history and study and not very in depth at all. Was disappointed.
Pros: Each chapter sited references on biblical history via archaeology and literature, with some nice photos of the places, artifacts recovered. Also covered some often overlooked places and people that may have only been mentioned once or twice and scripture but had very good historicity that has been validated by archaeology.
Cons: Each chapter had the same format, was not very in depth, and lacked maps which would have been nice.
Overall, this is a book you would sit aside and reference from time to time....more
Volume 3 and the finale of the TR series, took a little longer to get through compared to the first 2 in the series. Nonetheless, it did not make it tVolume 3 and the finale of the TR series, took a little longer to get through compared to the first 2 in the series. Nonetheless, it did not make it that much enjoyable. There are 2 parts to the book, though seemed more like 3. This takes us from TR post-presidency, 1910-1919. His vigor for adventure and exploration are captured in the 1st part of the book going through Africa, and in part 2 in the Amazon.
His political aspirations has him run for the Republican nomination in 1912, but loses to Taft in the primary, thereby, setting up the Bull Moose Party, or the Progressives. This section was slow for me. President Roosevelt, became more of a progressive, and his positions would be complex in today's political arena, but in all, he would be considered a moderate. Liberal on some issues, conservative on others.
The latter half of the book, dealing with WW1 and his kids, and involvement of trying to light a fire under Woodrow Wilson to get the U.S. to build up an army and send volunteers to Europe, was more readable and faster paced.
During this time, we see TR's health decline, especially after the visit to the jungles of South America. Morris does a good job of showing the positive and negative emotions of Teddy. His love of nature and children, eclipsed at times, by his disdain for those who do not agree with him (and usually TR is right in the end).
Toward the end of the book we see TR lose his youngest in WW1, and he starts to decline faster.
The epilogue covers the funeral and what happens to the rest of the Roosevelt clan following Teddy's death in January 1919, as well as TR's place in history, written by other authors. As with history, opinions of the day change on how our leaders in the past acted and what they did or didn't do.
In the end, Teddy was complex and for me a bright spot in American History. I highly recommend this 3 volume series by Edmund Morris....more
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