"Outlaw Platoon" by Sean Parnell and John Bruning

Outlaw Platoon:  Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan by Sean Parnell and John Bruning is an amazing book about Sean’s platoon fighting in Afghanistan.  It is gives so much insight into combat and what it’s like for our soldiers.  After reading about the horrible things that happen, I have a better understanding of what soldiers go through and why they are never the same when they come back from war.  I really liked the leadership analysis and the platoon dynamics.

It is interesting to see how such a diverse group of men can become like family and how they back up each other and sacrifice themselves to bring back the wounded and dying.  The writing was so good I felt as though I was right in battle with them.  This is an emotional and inspirational book that gave me a greater appreciation for our service men and women.  I think every American should read this one! 
(Karen's review)

WOW!  AWESOME!  After you read Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell and John R. Bruning you will gain a ton of respect for our men and women fighting over in Afghanistan. Sean holds nothing back which makes this book so good.  I could almost feel the bullets flying all around me!  Then ending brought tears to my eyes and pride in the U.S.A.   Thank you for your service, Mr. Parnell, and to the entire Outlaw Platoon.  God's blessings to all of you!
(Gerard's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

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"The White Cascade" by Gary Krist is Captivating!

Fantastic Read--Captivating!

The White Cascade--The Great Northern Railway Disaster and America's Deadliest Avalanche by Gary Krist is the second captivating book I've read by this author and both are fantastic reads!  This non-fiction book is about two trains that were stuck in a huge snowstorm and were eventually hit by an avalanche!  The writing is what makes this book so good.  You hear from the people on the trains, the people trying to help, and the one person in charge of the railroad at the time.  I got the sense I was right there!  I hope Gary Krist writes another book; I'll be sure to read it too!

See my review of the other book I read by Gary Krist:  City of Scoundrels about Chicago.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

We are donating 50 cents for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs during May to Joni and Friends for Camp Scholarships for families with special needs children.

"The Inside Story of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins"

I love this book!

Full 60 to History--The Inside Story of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins is just awesome!! It details the 2010-2011 season in which "my" Bruins won the Stanley Cup. It is filled with lots of incredible photographs, including lots of action shots. I felt as though I was practically on the ice myself as I read this. The words by the management and the players are priceless! If you are a Bruins fan, you have to get this one! GO BRUINS!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

We are donating 50 cents to KIVA this month to help the poor change their lives for each legitimate comment we receive on all our blogs.

"Bottom of the 33rd" by Dan Barry

WOW! Bottom of the 33rd by Dan Barry is so good! It is the true story of a minor league baseball game that went 33 innings, starting on a Saturday and finishing on Easter Sunday morning. It lasted 8 hours and 25 minutes. I enjoyed how the author went into detail on some of the players' lives and careers. It even got into the radio announcers, a bat boy and the few fans who stayed the whole game! To say I enjoyed this would be an understatement—I LOVED IT!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

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"Lost In Shangri-La" by Mitchell Zuckoff is an Amazing Adventure!

Here are my five reasons why I loved Lost In Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff: (1) It's a true story; (2) I was not up to speed on this at all so it was very interesting to me; (3) superb writing; (4) great story; and (5) has a double “WOW” factor!

This book tells the story about 24 servicemen during World War II who on a Sunday afternoon flew to a remote island in New Guinea. The plane crashed, killing 21 out of 24 people. Only two men and one woman survived. They were on a remote island filled with native tribesmen without any provisions at all and little hope of a rescue mission anytime soon. This is an incredible story that is told very well. I loved it! I highly recommend it if you like novels about real events and adventure.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

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"The Mary Surratt Lincoln Assassination Trial" by Bryna J. Fireside

Let me see a show of hands please for all those people who know the name Mary Surratt and her place in history. My hand would not have been raised before I read The Mary Surratt Lincoln Assassination Trial by Bryna J. Fireside. I enjoyed learning about history that I know nothing about. She was the only woman hanged in the U.S. This book covers the trial, the plot, and the killing of President Lincoln. It is only 109 pages so I finished it in one day. It left me wondering if Mary was innocent or guilty. I believe it's well worth your time to read!

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"The King's Speech" by Mark Lougue and Peter Conradi

The King's Speech deals with the true story of King George VI who had a severe speech problem. His wife urged him to see a speech therapist—Lionel Logue. The rest, as they say, is history! A very interesting book about how he overcame his problem and how his speech rallied a nation. A very good read. I hope to see the movie one day.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help our charity of the month just by leaving a comment on any of our blogs! We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month. The charity for this month is at the top of our blog.

"The Girl In The Gatehouse" by Julie Klassen

I really liked the cover!

The Girl In The Gatehouse by Julie Klassen is historical fiction about Mariah who was sent away from her home for inappropriate behavior to live in a gatehouse on her aunt’s property.   This takes place in the 1800s when it was considered unladylike to be an author so Mariah wrote a couple books under a pseudonym.

There were quotes before each chapter but the harshest I think was this one by Nathaniel Hawthorne in a letter to his publisher, 1852:  All women as authors, are feeble and tiresome.  I wish they were forbidden to write. 

I found the historical quotes interesting and also the book cover.  There is mystery, romance and the insight into the 1800s in this story.  I enjoyed the interaction with the people in the poor house across the street from the estate, especially when Mariah got her friends to put on a little play for those at the poor house.  There are a lot of characters, but they were introduced slowly enough to be able to get to know them. 

I had to laugh when I came to the part of Captain Bryant discussing Mariah’s novel with her and his lieutenant, Mr. Hart, when he did not know she was the author because it summed up how I was feeling about this book:

He snapped the book shut.  “It is all so much gentlewoman gibberish to me.” . . .. In any case, I am afraid I find the book frightfully dull.
“Let me guess,” Hart said.  “No swordplay, no gunfire, and no horse races.”
“Exactly.  Lots of long looks and deep discussions.”
Hart raised one finger high.  “And therein lies the void between the sexes.  Women want long looks and deep discussions, and men want to ride and shoot.”

There was so little action and it moved so slow, several times I had trouble keeping my eyes open!  I plowed through it though because I have seen several good reviews for it and I got to liking the characters.  I loved the ending--and not just because it was over!  The theme is forgiveness and to move on even if you make mistakes, don't dwell in the past.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help the charity at the top of this blog by leaving a comment on any of our blogs in March. We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month.

If you want to see other bloggers thoughts on this book, visit Christian Fiction Book Club over at Edgy Inspirational Romance.

For The Thrill Of It by Simon Baatz

I don't think I will read anything better this year! This will be hard to beat!
For The Thrill Of It by Simon Baatz takes place in 1924 is just riveting. It tells the story of the killing of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Leob. What makes the book so good is that you feel like you are right there while all this is going on! The writing is that good.

This book grabbed me from the first page and held me to the last. The first part of the book is especially good, focusing on the planning that went into the so-called perfect crime and then picks up again in the courtroom. You will keep turning pages with this one. It is hard to put down! It would make a very good movie. Well done, Mr. Baatz. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
Gerard's review (2/25/09)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Empire Of The Summer Moon" by S. C. Gwynne was Disappointing

Empire Of the Summer Moon is about the Comanches and their warrior chief, Quarah.  I enjoyed the background history of the Indians and the battle scenes were very good.  As for the rest of the book, not so much.  For all the hype this book has received, I expected more.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"The Diary Of A Young Girl" by Anne Frank

The Diary Of A Young Girl by Anne Frank (the definitive edition) is unique because it is a real diary of the Jewish girl, Anne Frank, that she started at age 13 and stopped when she was 15 during the time she was in hiding with seven other people. This is a historical document from the Holocaust.

Reading this gave me a real sense of how the Jews lived in fear during that time and how unfair life was. Anne writes all about her feelings about the people she lives with and the day-to-day struggles and fears she lived with for two years. The ending was very sad. It was her father though, who took care of her most treasured possession--her diary and shared it with the world to carry out her wish.

I found this to be an amazing book and am glad I finally read it. Anne Frank had a strong desire to have good character and become a journalist. She shares her dreams and insights of human nature based on the group dynamics she observed during her two years of confinement.

(Karen's review 2/6/09)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"Orphan Train Rider" by Andrea Warren

Wow, what an interesting book Orphan Train Rider by Andrea Warren is.  Orphan Train Rider is about the period of history of the orphan trains during 1854-1930 in America.  This is during my dad's lifetime so maybe that's why I feel it wasn't all that long ago that this was happening.  Lee Nailling shares his experience about being an orphan train rider.  He tells how his father gave up on raising his kids when his wife died and split them up.  Lee and one of his brothers were placed in an orphanage.  This was before welfare and when jobs were scarce.  Sometimes people who just couldn't manage to take care of their children would put them in an orphanage.  A minister, Charles Brace, started the Children's Aid Society to help homeless kids.  He thought there would be couples out west who would be willing to take in children and raise them as their own so "orphan trains" were started.  These trains would choose healthy children from the orphanages in the east and transport them to towns in the west, Midwest and south to find families for them.  Most got placed in loving families this way.  Some never found a good family and were abused, but it is reported they had an 87% success rate!  Lee was one of the lucky ones who did end up with a nice couple who grew to love in spite of the bitterness he had at first from being separated from his family.  It seems "orphan trains" was the forerunner of our adoption system we have today, but much simpler.
(Karen's review 2/5/09)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"The Last Stand" by Nathaniel Philbrick

I always enjoy reading books on history that I'm not well versed on and The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick is no exception.  It tells the story of Custer, Sitting Bull and the battle of the Little Big Horn.  The writing is superb.  You really get the sense of what went on and what led up to the battle.  This book will easily make my top ten books of the year!  It's a great read!
(Gerard's review 5/28/10)

Comments moved here from our other blog:

I can't remember where I saw this book before, but I thought about it while watching an episode of the History's Channel's The States, in which Montana was featured. This of course is the state in which Custer's last stand took place. At any rate, after I left the show mid-way through, I downloaded the sample. I've been approached to do biographies before, but I really haven't taken up any of the offers for a myriad of reasons, the least of which: I can't figure how so much narrative context and texture can be laid on so heavy about these projects. There isn't anything in the footnotes about things like "in the heat of," or whenever something's stated to be "typical" for the time, of a character, etc.

By rolodexter on June 12, 2010 11:14

Read more: http://karen.pnn.com/6632-what-we-ve-just-read#ixzz0vIAzUZd2

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?

"The Candy Bombers" by Andrei Cherny

It’s been too many years to count since I took a history class.  I knew of the Berlin Airlift but not really the whole story.  I know it now after reading The Candy Bombers by Andrei Cherny!  Don’t let the 550 pages scare you off.  It reads quick and for sure it is not boring.  Mr. Cherny tells the story as it happened and it’s a fascinating one of how America and Russia totally wiped out Berlin and then not so long after were at odds and we came to the people of Berlin’s aid.  A tremendous amount of research went into this book and it shows.  I really enjoyed this book and learning more about the history of our great country.  Job well done, Mr. Cherny, thank you!

(Gerard's Review 8/6/09)

comments received on our old blog page:

You caught my attention, I will have to look for a good read. I am a history buff any way. Is this only available in the book stores or will the library have a copy?

By sandra47 on August 06, 2009 17:31

Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI 1933-34

Public Enemies:  America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI 1933-34 by Bryan Burrough and Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan are so far tie for my number 1 books of the year.  This book is about the gangster era of the early 30s featuring Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger and a few more.  The stories about these people are so fascinating that it made me want to keep reading.  A ton of research went into making this book come alive.  I really, really enjoyed this book and plan to see the movie based on it one day.  I think this book would appeal more to men than women though--a great read!

(Gerard's review 9/3/09)

"Crazy Good: The True Story Of Dan Patch" by Charles Leerhsen

I give Crazy Good:  The True Story Of Dan Patch by Charles Leerhsen 5 stars!  This story takes place in the late 1800s, early 1900s.  You will fall in love with the horse like all of America did!  He was adored wherever he went and broke many records.  I wish I could have seen this horse.  I hope to see a movie based on this book.  It would be a good one!