A CASTLE IN WARTIME : ONE FAMILY, THEIR MISSING SONS, AND THE FIGHT TO DEFEAT THE NAZIS
by Catherine Bailey 

As World War II encroached upon all of Europe, a woman by the name of Fey von Hassell thought that she could resist the Nazis right where she lived. Fey was the daughter of Ulrich von Hassell, Hitler's Ambassador to Italy. She resided with her husband Detalmo Pirzio-Biroli, an Italian aristocrat, in a castle in the northern part of Italy. Because it was tucked away in the environs, the chaos of war left them untouched. But as soon as Fascism reared its ugly head, Ulrich and Detalmo decided to resist the Nazis. Detalmo joined an underground, anti-Fascist resistance group in Rome. Ulrich despised Hitler and assembled other like-minded souls to plot his assassination.
Fey ended up being stuck in the castle as SS soldiers moved in. As both Ulrich and Detalmo became ever more defiant and mutinous, the Gestapo soon showed up at Fey's doorstep. She was arrested and her two young toddlers (ages two and three) were taken away by the SS.
A Castle in Wartime is an incredible story. Apparently author Catherine Bailey is quite well-known (she has written two other books) because she has this incredible ability to weave family histories with immense historical events. She certainly has done that here. Bailey was able to use first-hand family accounts, documents from concentration camps, and even files from the SS.
It's very compelling, absorbing, and will keep you riveted. 
Highly recommended. 

BETRAYAL IN BERLIN : THE TRUE STORY OF THE COLD WAR'S MOST AUDACIOUS ESPIONAGE OPERATION
by Steve Vogel 

During the 1950s, Berlin was a hotspot for espionage. Many intelligence agencies from countries such as Great Britain, the United States, Germany, and Russia could traverse between East and West Berlin (this is before the wall was erected) meeting up with potential recruitments. It was also a hub for communications: every call that was ever made went through Berlin. For this reason, both the Americans and the British had the bright idea of digging a secret tunnel underneath where the East German troops patrolled. It would begin at the American zone and extend to the Soviet sector. If the plan worked, they could listen in to KGB and Soviet military telecommunication lines. What a wealth of information could be relayed: Soviet nuclear forces, operations of KGB counterintelligence, and the identities of quite a number of communist agents. The green light was given for Operation Gold, and the allies began excavating as quietly as possible. There was only one problem: a mole. This traitor would be the most damaging spy of the Cold War.
Betrayal in Berlin is the BEST spy book that I have ever read. (I know I must have said it before within this blog for other works on espionage, but this book far surpasses any other of this genre.) Hats off to author Steve Vogel! I don't believe any other writer could have done justice as Vogel did, mainly because of his background. Vogel was born in Berlin one year before the wall went up. His family left the city in 1962. (They were able to get out due to the fact that his father was a CIA officer stationed in Berlin.) Years later, Vogel returned to West Germany, and was there when the Berlin Wall came down. As a journalist he reported on all the events that happened afterwards including  intelligence secrets. Between his immense research and interviews with the principal players, Vogel has recreated the creepy, paranoid milieu of a divided city. You might think it's all fiction, but it's most definitely not. The writing is superb and will keep you riveted. If you want to sink your teeth into an excellent masterpiece of espionage, get this book.
Very highly recommended.
 

THE VOLUNTEER : ONE MAN, AN UNDERGROUND ARMY, AND THE SECRET MISSION TO DESTROY AUSCHWITZ
by Jack Fairweather

Who would ever think of volunteering yourself to be a prisoner in Auschwitz? You would have to be out of your mind. Unless, of course, there was a special mission to know exactly what was going on. There was such an individual who voluntarily got captured, had a fake identity and was sent to this Nazi camp. His name was Witold Pilecki, a Polish resistance fighter. The underground wanted him to find out what had happened to their fellow countrymen, and see whether they were still alive or not. Not only was he to collect information, but he was told to implement an attack within without the Germans knowing anything about it.
For two and a half years, Pilecki gathered together an underground army that destroyed facilities, killed Nazi informants, and amassed evidence of horrendous abuse and mass murder. Then he discovered that the ultimate goal of the Nazis was to have Auschwitz become the core for the extermination of Europe's Jews. Pilecki realized that he had to get this information out to the West. The only way to do it was the impossible: he had to escape from the camp.
With all of the books that I have read about the Holocaust and Auschwitz, I never heard of any kind of resistance fighting inside the camp. How these weak men (they did slave labor for the Germans) had the strength and wherewithal to stand up to the Nazis is mind-boggling. And why have we not heard about Witold Pilecki before? Thanks to Poland's postwar Communist government, his name and historical record were completely expunged. Until now. Author Jack Fairweather has written a phenomenal story that keeps you riveted to your seat. Pilecki was an average man who risked his life against all odds to help his compatriots. He is one truly spectacular hero.
Very highly recommended.

THE ROAD TO SAN DONATO : FATHERS, SONS, AND CYCLING ACROSS ITALY
by Robert Cocuzzo

What better way to truly understand your father (what makes him tick?) than to take a cycling trip across Italy? Their destination would be San Donato, which was where Robert's grandfather was born. He had never gone back to his ancestral home, and was now too ill to leave Massachusetts.  Stephen, Robert's dad, was delighted. It would be quite a challenge for both of them. Robert was used to traveling on his own, and Stephen was a man who enjoyed taking risks (he had survived a series of accidents biking on Boston's main thoroughfares). 
They rented bikes in Florence, and got incredible workouts ascending Tuscany's many hills that most people wouldn't dare to even conquer. For the first time Robert was keeping a careful watch out for his father; not something he's normally used to.
When they met their many "cousins" in the village, they discovered that many of its residents had saved Jews from Hitler's wrath. But, there were others that didn't and sided with the Fascists. Where did the Cocuzzo family lie in all of this?
Within The Road to San Donato there are three intertwining storiea. The first one is the grueling trek the father and son took together on bicycles in a European country. In the second you learn about the background and life of Robert's grandfather. The last part (the third tale) is finding out about how the residents of San Donato dealt with fascism. Author Robert Cocuzzo writes with raw emotion, and bares his soul. What he produces is just beautiful. The writing is flawless, and keeps you riveted.
Highly recommended.

THE MOST SPECTACULAR RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD : THE TWIN TOWERS, WINDOWS ON THE WORLD, AND THE REBIRTH OF NEW YORK
by Tom Roston 

At one time, Windows on the World made more money than any restaurant in the entire country. It was built in 1976 and positioned all the way up on the 107th floor of the North Tower located in the World Trade Center. Below this beauty (tons of money was spent), New York City was a mess overwhelmed by crime, filth, and a government that was inept. What better thing to have than a magnificent, new eatery where one could go for fine dining amidst a city that was falling apart! Windows ended up proving the naysayers wrong. The reviews were tremendous. The famous and the not so famous ate here. This was the restaurant to go to celebrate and for a marvelous meal up in the stars. For twenty-five years thousands of people flocked here. It was the place to be seen. And then it all ended that horrible day on September 11, 2001.
If you ever wanted to know what goes into constructing a restaurant, designing it, figuring out what kind of food will be served (James Beard was brought in as a consultant), hiring the best employees (over four hundred from two dozen countries), dealing with the budget, and a thousand other things then you must read The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World. Journalist Tom Roston does a terrific job starting off by telling the entire history of how the restaurant came to be with the people behind it, specifically Joe Baum the intensely driven restaurateur who had the vision, impetus, and stamina to do something very different than anyone else in the food business. Roston had over one hundred and twenty-five interviews with many of the key sources who were intimately involved in the whole experience. Everything is so well documented with such incredible details. Roston is a tremendous writer, and I can't imagine anybody else doing a better job than him. It's definitely one of the most spectacular books I have ever read concerning the restaurant business.
Very highly recommended. 

FDR AND THE HOLOCAUST : A BREACH OF FAITH
by Rafael Medoff 

In 1932 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was vying for the presidency of the United States, he made a campaign promise that he would champion the cause of "the forgotten man." Before the elections FDR said that he would support the Jewish people, and about 80 or 90% of the Jews voted for him after hearing that declaration. Why would they not? After all he made this pledge and they swallowed it up hook, line, and sinker. FDR would renege as soon as the elections were over. He basically closed the door on the Jews. This would become apparent when it came to the Holocaust. FDR was virulently anti-Semitic, and so was most of his Cabinet. There were many despicable cretins. One of them was fascist Breckinridge Long (he admired Mussolini), and was very impressed by Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kampf because of his opposition to Jews.  Long and FDR were long-time friends, and so Long  was placed in the State Department where he was in charge of the visa section. His attitude was to delay and postpone any Jewish immigrant who wanted to come to the United States with as many obstacles as possible. All these American Jews blindly trusted FDR to be a man of his word, and all he did was to turn his back on them.
FDR and the Holocaust is quite an eye-opener, although I have known for years about FDR's total abandonment of European Jewry during the Nazi genocide. But, he didn't just hate Jews. How about his  internment of Asians who were U.S. citizens? He also didn't like black people. (FDR had no interest in their civil rights, and refused to support anti-lynching legislation.) Some humanitarian. There's all these myths about FDR being there for the downtrodden when in actuality he could not have cared less.
This is a book that should be read by everyone, especially the American Jews who still idolize him today. Maybe they will learn something.
Highly recommended.
 

A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE : THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE AMERICAN SPY WHO HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II
by Sonia Purnell 

While France was in the throes of Hitler's invasion in 1940, with bombs screaming down all over the place, Private Virginia Hall was an ambulance driver. Everyone around her was either fleeing from the debris or trying to take cover, but not Virginia. She was quite willing to jeopardize her life, and to take risks against the Third Reich. But this would be baby steps compared to the next role she would take on.
Virginia, an American woman from Baltimore, would help the Allies win the Second World War. She worked for both the British and American secret services and set up enormous spy networks of volunteers who heeded her commands. Virginia equipped, trained, and directed her secret armies of men (she basically built the French Resistance) behind enemy territory. She mastered the art of spycraft. And she accomplished all of this with a prosthetic leg (she called it Cuthbert). Obviously, being disabled did not stop her.
Here we go again with another story of an unknown, unheard of woman (How many more will there be?), who was courageous, persistent, strong, and defiant in a time of the greatest danger to herself and others. Author Sonia Purnell has written a phenomenal book that took her many years to research. It is jam-packed with details that will have you sitting at the end of your seat, and is truly one hell of a story. Purnell previously wrote about Winston Churchill's wife, Clementine (reviewed in this blog), so she definitely knows how to write biographies that bring the essence of the particular individual to the core.
Virginia Hall was an unrecognized, under-appreciated woman who loved freedom, country, and people, and her exploits proved just that. She went way above and beyond in what she accomplished.  Virginia is no longer of no importance.
Very highly recommended. 

MADAME FOURCADE'S SECRET WAR : THE DARING YOUNG WOMAN WHO LED FRANCE'S LARGEST SPY NETWORK AGAINST HITLER
by Lynne Olson 

When Marie-Madeleine Fourcade was thirty-one years old she became the head of the largest resistance network in France. It was 1941 and as soon as France occupied her country, she joined this organization. The group's name was Alliance and they all used the names of animals and birds as their aliases. Hers was Hedgehog: looks unthreatening but when challenged all the spines come out. It definitely fit her as she was very strong-willed, independent, and tough. Known as la patronne (the boss) she would eventually command three thousand agents, who immersed themselves in every port and town in the country. This network supplied crucial intelligence to both American and British  commanders on Germany's military secrets, such as: troop movements; the sailing schedules of submarines; the Reich's terror weapons; and also supplied a 55-foot-long map of the beaches and roads on which the Allies would land on D-Day. Needless to say, the Gestapo pursued Alliance wanting to completely wipe them out. Many of her spies were caught, tortured, and executed. By 1944, Fourcade had no idea if any of them were still alive. Her chances of surviving were growing dim. To stay away from the Nazis she would constantly change her headquarters moving elsewhere, and disguise herself. Soon enough, though, she was caught. and then managed to escape both times. What fortitude! All she cared about were her agents, sustaining the network, and making sure that Alliance would not crumble.
I have read so many books on the French Resistance, and yet never have I heard about Marie-Madeleine Fourcade until now. She was one heck of a woman who was fearless. Fourcade was the only woman to head up a resistance group during World War II. It didn't take long for the male members of her group to be completely won over by her courage, strength, and her skills. Lynne Olson has written a tremendous book on an unforgettable woman, who has risen out of obscurity.
Very highly recommended. 

FOOD ON THE MOVE : DINING ON THE LEGENDARY RAILWAY JOURNEYS OF THE WORLD
Edited by Sharon Hudgins

For the past 150 years many different railways all over the world have had dining cars (some still do today) that people have partaken all of their meals in. During long railway journeys, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared and cooked in a small kitchen, and then served in a narrow dining room. The food can range from the most basic to gourmet fare. There are several choices for each course, which are displayed on menus. For people who can afford to travel this way and be indulged, it is a most satisfying trip.
Food on the Move takes us along on nine legendary railway journeys traveling across five continents. The authors who wrote these accounts are all rail fans and have quite different and interesting backgrounds. They write about the train's history, the description of the cars (the dining cars are the most elaborate), the excursions, and what food was cooked then and the present day.
The book includes beautiful illustrations of the dining cars, and some menus, along with black and white, plus color photographs. Recipes of some of the food that was prepared are within each chapter, so if you are inclined you can make them yourself. Just reading about all the many kinds of cuisine that one could eat makes you salivate.
If you consider yourself a foodie, you will definitely enjoy the ride.
Highly recommended. 

THE TRAGEDY OF BENEDICT ARNOLD : AN AMERICAN LIFE
by Joyce Lee Malcolm 

Benedict Arnold, before he was considered a traitor, was recognized as a brilliant officer on both sides of the Revolutionary War. He was a hero who inspired hundreds of men who served under him. Courageous, daring, he went into battle with his head held high. Yet, all of his honor would disappear when he joined the British side. Arnold abandoned the country that he loved turning against it, forever. Why? Author Joyce Lee Malcolm does a tremendous job in unraveling facts from previous books written about Arnold that were not exactly true or correct. Her in-depth research makes you see the kind of man he really was.
The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold is a fascinating story extremely well written by Joyce Lee Malcolm, who is a professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. She is already an accomplished author having written two other books previously.
I never knew anything about Arnold except for hearing over and over again about his traitorous deed. With this book you get a completely different story as both his personal and public life is fastidiously delved into. 
It's definitely an engaging read and will make you think differently about him.
Highly recommended. 

THE ESCAPE ARTISTS : A BAND OF DAREDEVIL PILOTS AND THE GREATEST PRISON BREAK OF THE GREAT WAR
by Neal Bascomb 

The most notorious POW camp during the Great War was Holzminden in Germany. Run by the despicable tyrant Karl Niemeyer, he emphasized over and over again that nobody could EVER escape. The Allied prisoners (most of them airmen) called the camp "Hellminden," and vowed to get out so that they could return to finish the fight. A plan was hatched. They would need disguises, forged documents, would have to create fake walls, and need nerves of steel to dig a tunnel. The inmates who were involved spent months trying to dig their way to freedom. If they could get beyond the watchtowers and the constant patrols, they still had a 150-mile run to reach the Dutch border.
The Escape Artists is a fantastic, nail-biting story that keeps you riveted throughout the entire book. Author, Neal Bascomb is a phenomenal writer (have read several of his previous tomes) and this one is just as good if not better than his other ones. There have been many books written about "The Great Escape" of World War II, but World War I seemed to be lagging behind. Bascomb became interested in this time period by discovering accounts that really inspired him. Luckily for us, from his research, interviews with family members, memoirs, letters. photos, and any ephemera he could find, Bascomb has created a masterpiece.
Very highly recommended.