I just finished a book by Kevin Hines. Who is Kevin Hines? He jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000 and lived. The book talks about his struggle with mental illness and his continuous battle with the disease. I recently went to one of his speaking arrangements. Great story and it would provide many people to look for help.
"Crisis of Character" by Gary J. Byrne (former presidential secret service officer (stationed outside the Oval Office while Bill Clinton was President)). A White House Secret Service Officer discloses his firsthand experience with Hillary, Bill, and how they operate.
"What I saw in the 1990's sickened me," Byrne explains. "I want you to hear my story".
Out June 28.
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Conflict with the unexpected: two qualities are indispensable; first, an intellect which, even in the midst of this obscurity, is not without some traces of inner light which lead to the truth; second, the courage to follow this faint light. KvC
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The Jutland Scandal This is infact two versions of the Jutland story brought out between the wars and brought together. I bought this because I had hoped that as one of the authors was Vice-Admiral John Harper, I might get to understand more about his maps.
I have only read Harper's account so far and I have to say that in terms of adding to my knowledge gained from other sources, this has done little. The book seems to be written with a clear 'Jellicoe was right and Beatty was wrong' perspective, and also is written in a style I hate to see; the 'We' and "our" perspective. Harper's account is not designed to be impartial in that regard and so ends up reading as badly as Gary Staff's Skagerrak in places.
I hope Admiral Reginald Bacon's account adds something to the story.....
< Message edited by warspite1 -- 6/5/2016 6:27:36 AM >
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14
"Crisis of Character" by Gary J. Byrne (former presidential secret service officer (stationed outside the Oval Office while Bill Clinton was President)). A White House Secret Service Officer discloses his firsthand experience with Hillary, Bill, and how they operate.
"What I saw in the 1990's sickened me," Byrne explains. "I want you to hear my story".
Out June 28.
This seems political to me since the book isn't even out yet.
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"Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming. Similar story with the movie. I saw the movie first and feel it is better, but the book is good and we really get to see the "cold hearted"(not in a bad way) soul of James. Enjoyable read.
A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier by Joseph Plumb Martin. Have heard this work quoted many times in various documentaries so finally decided to read it. Pretty interesting through the first 33%
"Crisis of Character" by Gary J. Byrne (former presidential secret service officer (stationed outside the Oval Office while Bill Clinton was President)). A White House Secret Service Officer discloses his firsthand experience with Hillary, Bill, and how they operate.
"What I saw in the 1990's sickened me," Byrne explains. "I want you to hear my story".
Out June 28.
This seems political to me since the book isn't even out yet.
"Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming. Similar story with the movie. I saw the movie first and feel it is better, but the book is good and we really get to see the "cold hearted"(not in a bad way) soul of James. Enjoyable read.
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I'm finally reading The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. It was written as a counterpoint to Starship Troopers by Heinlein, but, IMHO, it lacks the sophistication of the latter. What The Forever War achieves is a tale of a soldier drafted in an incomprehensible war - with surprisingly spare action and interminable periods of boredom (but not for the reader). The Vietnam War metaphor is transparent, including the dislocation that a soldier feels when he returns to "normal life" (Haldeman was a combat engineer in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart).
Anyway, it is a pretty good yarn, and where Heinlein openly "philosophises", Haldeman speaks factually. Both books are worth reading, and I think that after finishing this one I will re-read Starship Troopers.
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Just finished Attrition by W Philpott. If you want to know why WW1 was fought the way it was it's the book for you..finally a book that doesn't hide behind myth and looks at the facts and reasons attrition was the only real way to go.
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I'm reading "Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941." Excellent book showing why the IJN did what it did in WWII.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Commander Cody
I'm reading "Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941." Excellent book showing why the IJN did what it did in WWII.
Cheers, CC
warspite1
I've still not read this cover to cover - just dipped in and out as required - but from the sections I have read, it is a superb book.
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England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805
I'm halfway through Caesar's Commentaries. He's finished off Gaul and now it's on to the Roman Civil War. It's a fascinating read since its from his point if view, but also a bit of his own propaganda, with the occasional note from a contemporary editor.
Next up is Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence, another great man of history telling his story. Any other books out there along these lines?
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I read all three..and it gets way out there in the end..I like the ide aof time difference and how it affects the War plus how evolution happens yet some of the sodliers fell they have only been away a few years thousand sof years have passed..apart from that it's not a series I'd recommend. Plus I found the Aliens very hard to visualise flying on their broomsticks!
quote:
ORIGINAL: RFalvo69
I'm finally reading The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. It was written as a counterpoint to Starship Troopers by Heinlein, but, IMHO, it lacks the sophistication of the latter. What The Forever War achieves is a tale of a soldier drafted in an incomprehensible war - with surprisingly spare action and interminable periods of boredom (but not for the reader). The Vietnam War metaphor is transparent, including the dislocation that a soldier feels when he returns to "normal life" (Haldeman was a combat engineer in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart).
Anyway, it is a pretty good yarn, and where Heinlein openly "philosophises", Haldeman speaks factually. Both books are worth reading, and I think that after finishing this one I will re-read Starship Troopers.
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Ranger..I just couldn't get into Seven Pillars and I'm WW1 obsessed! It's a classic so many enjoy it obviously.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ranger33
I'm halfway through Caesar's Commentaries. He's finished off Gaul and now it's on to the Roman Civil War. It's a fascinating read since its from his point if view, but also a bit of his own propaganda, with the occasional note from a contemporary editor.
Next up is Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence, another great man of history telling his story. Any other books out there along these lines?
War Made New by Max Boot. Its pretty annoying but with good bits. Its one of those books where the author has an insight and you are going to read it over and over again. Its also one where the chosen historical span far outweighs the actual knowledge span of the author. Its good bit is it can be very insightful about the interaction between war and technological/social change and the ever shifting relationship between offensive weaponry and defensive options.
On balance I'm more annoyed than intrigued but some good chapters.
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Just published the first book review on my blog. Around a book a month will be reviewed. Check 'Incoming' to see the titles of books lined up for the next 6 months.
as maybe clear from comments, I quite like Steampunk. Well Anno Dracula fits that category. As opposed to the end of Bram Stoker's classic, Dracula has won the battle at the end of the book, gone on to marry Queen Victoria. Sherlock Holmes (and others) has been banished to a concentration camp and Jack the Ripper is a crazed vampire killer/hunter. There are other gems in what I reckon is a hoot of a read.
Just published the first book review on my blog. Around a book a month will be reviewed. Check 'Incoming' to see the titles of books lined up for the next 6 months.
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