THE AIRMEN AND THE HEADHUNTERS: A TRUE STORY OF LOST SOLDIERS, HEROIC TRIBESMEN AND THE UNLIKELIEST RESCUE OF WORLD WAR II
by Judith M. Heimann
While flying in a B-24 bomber, during 1944, over the Borneo Coast, army airmen were shot down by the Japanese. The aviators were met by jungle natives called Dayaks, who were known as headhunters.
Heimann writes a gripping tale of how the tribesmen fed and sheltered the airmen and hid them from the Japanese occupiers.
A little known piece of history from World War II deserves to be read.
What a terrific book!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
THE MASCOT: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF MY JEWISH FATHER'S NAZI BOYHOOD
by Mark Kurzem
In 1941, when Alex Kurzem was five years old, he left his home in Russia and escaped into the forest. There he hid from the Nazis who slaughtered his family and villagers. Eventually, Alex was "saved" by a group of Latvian SS soldiers, who gave him a miniature uniform with boots. He became their mascot, but, in reality, he was used in the most horrifying of ways.
For over 60 years, Alex kept the secret of his past to himself, until, finally, he revealed the story to his son.
From the first chapter to the last the narrative is riveting. Mark Kurzem does a remarkable job.
Highly recommended!
by Mark Kurzem
In 1941, when Alex Kurzem was five years old, he left his home in Russia and escaped into the forest. There he hid from the Nazis who slaughtered his family and villagers. Eventually, Alex was "saved" by a group of Latvian SS soldiers, who gave him a miniature uniform with boots. He became their mascot, but, in reality, he was used in the most horrifying of ways.
For over 60 years, Alex kept the secret of his past to himself, until, finally, he revealed the story to his son.
From the first chapter to the last the narrative is riveting. Mark Kurzem does a remarkable job.
Highly recommended!
Friday, January 11, 2008
AMERICA, 1908: THE DAWN OF FLIGHT, THE RACE TO THE POLE, THE INVENTION OF THE MODEL T, AND THE MAKING OF A MODERN NATION
by Jim Rasenberger
So many things happened in the year of 1908. Rasenberger writes, effortlessly, about what was going on in our nation one hundred years ago.
Theodore Roosevelt was president; the Wright Brothers (originally bicycle mechanics) had conquered the sky with their airplanes; the New York Giants battled the Chicago Cubs in one of the most exciting baseball games in history (Fred Merkle's nickname would, forever, be "Bonehead"); women would be cleaning their homes with a new device called a vacuum; etc.
These facts are just a smattering of what you will read in America, 1908.
If you are a history buff, or just want to brush up on some trivia, then grab this marvelous book.
by Jim Rasenberger
So many things happened in the year of 1908. Rasenberger writes, effortlessly, about what was going on in our nation one hundred years ago.
Theodore Roosevelt was president; the Wright Brothers (originally bicycle mechanics) had conquered the sky with their airplanes; the New York Giants battled the Chicago Cubs in one of the most exciting baseball games in history (Fred Merkle's nickname would, forever, be "Bonehead"); women would be cleaning their homes with a new device called a vacuum; etc.
These facts are just a smattering of what you will read in America, 1908.
If you are a history buff, or just want to brush up on some trivia, then grab this marvelous book.
Monday, January 7, 2008
HOUSE OF HAPPY ENDINGS: A MEMOIR
by Leslie Garis
Imagine growing up as the granddaughter of the people who wrote the Uncle Wiggily series, The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift and numerous other books for children. Was life idyllic to match the stories?
In House of Happy Endings Garis pulls away the layers of what happened to her family. Her father, Roger, was not very successful in his attempts at writing novels, plays and magazines.
Each failure pushed him deeper into depression. His mental illness tore everyone apart.
Garis writes with unflinching honesty.
The book is a masterpiece.
by Leslie Garis
Imagine growing up as the granddaughter of the people who wrote the Uncle Wiggily series, The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift and numerous other books for children. Was life idyllic to match the stories?
In House of Happy Endings Garis pulls away the layers of what happened to her family. Her father, Roger, was not very successful in his attempts at writing novels, plays and magazines.
Each failure pushed him deeper into depression. His mental illness tore everyone apart.
Garis writes with unflinching honesty.
The book is a masterpiece.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
SCHULZ AND PEANUTS: A BIOGRAPHY
by David Michaelis
For almost fifty years, Charles Schulz drew all 17, 897 strips for his Peanuts cartoon. No help, nor any ideas from anyone else. He did it all himself.
In Schulz and Peanuts Michaelis has written quite an absorbing biography of a brilliant man who, unfortunately, was very unhappy. Schulz always had this feeling of "aloneness" and never felt loved. His whole life was the comic strip.
Through extensive interviews with family, friends and peers, access to his studio and business correspondence, private letters and drawings (250 Peanuts strips interspersed throughout), the book will awaken you to what this, intensely private, man was all about.
by David Michaelis
For almost fifty years, Charles Schulz drew all 17, 897 strips for his Peanuts cartoon. No help, nor any ideas from anyone else. He did it all himself.
In Schulz and Peanuts Michaelis has written quite an absorbing biography of a brilliant man who, unfortunately, was very unhappy. Schulz always had this feeling of "aloneness" and never felt loved. His whole life was the comic strip.
Through extensive interviews with family, friends and peers, access to his studio and business correspondence, private letters and drawings (250 Peanuts strips interspersed throughout), the book will awaken you to what this, intensely private, man was all about.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
AGENT ZIGZAG: A TRUE STORY OF NAZI ESPIONAGE, LOVE, AND BETRAYAL
by Ben Macintyre
In Agent Zigzag Macintyre has written a terrific biography of Eddie Chapman, who was a double agent during World War II. Chapman was a petty criminal, a womanizer, a thief, a liar, but who had sheer luck and courage to perform his incredible deeds for both Britain and Germany.
The book is exhaustively researched and reveals information on the secret services and the spy techniques that Chapman learned.
A thriller not to be missed.
by Ben Macintyre
In Agent Zigzag Macintyre has written a terrific biography of Eddie Chapman, who was a double agent during World War II. Chapman was a petty criminal, a womanizer, a thief, a liar, but who had sheer luck and courage to perform his incredible deeds for both Britain and Germany.
The book is exhaustively researched and reveals information on the secret services and the spy techniques that Chapman learned.
A thriller not to be missed.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
LEDYARD: IN SEARCH OF THE FIRST AMERICAN EXPLORER
by Bill Gifford
Long after his death, in 1789, John Ledyard was known as "the Celebrated Traveller," exploring places that no other American had tried before. He took several expeditions, one of which was Captain Cook's last voyage. Another trip was to travel across North America, which was planned with Thomas Jefferson, who was a good friend of Ledyard's. This journey was by himself and he almost made it across Russia when he was arrested.
In Ledyard, Bill Gifford has crafted a glorious tale.
by Bill Gifford
Long after his death, in 1789, John Ledyard was known as "the Celebrated Traveller," exploring places that no other American had tried before. He took several expeditions, one of which was Captain Cook's last voyage. Another trip was to travel across North America, which was planned with Thomas Jefferson, who was a good friend of Ledyard's. This journey was by himself and he almost made it across Russia when he was arrested.
In Ledyard, Bill Gifford has crafted a glorious tale.
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