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. 

CONAN DOYLE FOR THE DEFENSE : THE TRUE STORY OF A SENSATIONAL BRITISH MURDER, A QUEST FOR JUSTICE, AND THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS DETECTIVE WRITER
by Margalit Fox 

Right before Christmas 1908, a very wealthy, old woman was brutally murdered in her Glasgow home in Scotland. The victim, Marion Gilchrist, actually knew that she was going to be killed that particular week.
The following spring, Oscar Slater, a Jewish immigrant from Germany who had recently arrived in Glasgow, was tried and convicted for the crime. This case would be known as the Scottish Dreyfus affair. Slater would end up in in this horrible prison where he was consigned to do hard labor.
Arthur Conan Doyle was incensed by this injustice and for the last twenty years of his life he would scour the transcripts of the trial, read newspaper accounts, and witnesses' "evidence" that they saw Slater coming out of Gilchrist's apartment, finding holes in the story, and numerous lies made by the police and the prosecutors. Conan Doyle knew from the beginning that Slater was innocent. He would use the art of diagnosis, which is how his creation Sherlock Holmes solved all those mysteries. So Conan Doyle became a true-crime investigator ready to do battle.
Conan Doyle for the Defense is a phenomenal book. Author Margalit Fox is one heck of a writer. She has written some other books and now I can't wait to dive into them. It's not surprising that Arthur Conan Doyle would become a detective in real life. His stories were so popular that people thought that he could solve real crimes and were constantly badgering him to do so. He did take on some cases that were successful. Freeing Oscar Slater, though, would be the icing on the cake. This book will keep you riveted.
Very highly recommended. 

THE CHILDREN OF NAZIS : THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF HIMMLER, GOERING, HOESS, MENGELE, AND OTHERS : LIVING WITH A FATHER'S MONSTROUS LEGACY
by Tania Crasnianski 

How do the sons and daughters of Nazis deal with the fact that their fathers were monstrous war criminals? Do they continue loving them or do they walk away? Can they judge a parent? As children they were unaware of what their fathers did away from home. These offspring of Himmler, Goering, Hess, Frank, Bormann, Hoess, Speer, and Mengele, were sheltered and lived a life of privilege. That would change when World War II ended with Germany's surrender and they were told of their fathers' crimes against humanity. So, how did they live (many of the descendants are still alive) knowing that they had a parent who was involved in the extermination of millions of innocent people?
The daughters remembered how much they were loved and absolutely worshiped their fathers. Some of them still do today. In their eyes, their fathers did nothing wrong. On the other hand, there are some sons who hate and totally reject their fathers. One of the most interesting aspects of all this is that most of these Nazi children did not change their names. Two of the sons have the same first name of their fathers. What a legacy!
The Children Of Nazis is most likely the first book where these eight individuals are no longer anonymous. With everything that has been written about the high-ranking Third Reich leaders, one never heard about their children. Author Tania Crasnianski delivers each portrait objectively and though at times it can be horrifying to read, you'll want to keep going on with it. These Nazis had loving relationships with their own children, but then thought nothing of killing Jewish children. To top it off, these men considered themselves to be highly moral. Incredible! 
A must read.
Highly recommended.

THE LAST WILD MEN OF BORNEO : A TRUE STORY OF DEATH AND TREASURE
by Carl Hoffman 

For a long time (starting in the 1920s and 1930s) both Americans and Europeans have been obsessed with the country of Indonesia, particularly its many islands. Thousands of westerners have flocked to Bali for its beaches, its cheap living, and collecting tribal art. Two men in particular were captivated with Borneo and would leave their native countries, living life to the fullest by two separate ventures.
Bruno Manser, a Swiss man, was always wandering, traveling all over, never satisfied with whatever he was striving for. He took great risks and could have died several times. In 1984, Bruno went on an expedition to visit these caves in Borneo and then slipped away from the group to make contact with the Penan, an indigenous tribe of hunter-gatherer nomads. He ended up living for years with them, learning the language, cutting his hair short, wearing a loincloth, hunting with a blowpipe and poison arrows. They accepted him as a member of the tribe.
American Michael Palmieri was originally from California. He, too, wandered the world, and eventually settled in Bali in the 1970s. Michael would lead expeditions into the jungle of Borneo buying up all this art and and carved statues from the Dayaks. He became so successful and wealthy that eventually museums and private collectors wanted the stuff.
Both men were in Indonesia at the same time, only met each other once for a brief conversation, never realizing that they both were fascinated with native culture.
The Last Wild Men of Borneo is a tremendous book. Author Carl Hoffman is one heck of a writer. Fortunately he had Bruno Manser's journals, interviews with Bruno's relatives, friends of Bruno's, and met up with Michael Palmieri who took him to Borneo. The story is very compelling and keeps you riveted. If you like a good adventure story about two fearless men and what they encountered in the deepest heart of Borneo (the good with the bad), you'll want to read this book.
Very highly recommended.