history

I've been out of Rockaway for a long time now, but Boyle put me right back on the boardwalk. And just when he makes us comfortable being back at the beach, he takes us to lower Manhattan on September 11. I've read a lot of eyewitness accounts but this as real as it gets. He follows the day of a bunch of firefighters and some "regular" people and it goes from bad to worse. Because Rockaway lost so many people the place is devastated but not broken. The people are trying to get on with their lives. And just like that a plane crashes in Belle Harbor. Some of the same people who were there on 9-11 rush like mad to the plane crash. Some of them run on foot because they're that close to it. It's just unreal stuff. But Boyle puts it all together.
There are great stories here and some unbelievable people. I give this a big thumbs up. You will too.

This is a book that should be read. The writer, Kevin Boyle, first brings us back to a different time and place. September 10th. He makes us know these people as real humans, not just victims. And not just heroes for that matter. Braving The Waves is about a community and how it responded to 9/11 and the plane crash that hit Rockaway two months later. Boyle makes us feel the ocean breezes and the strength of these people. He writes about Rockaway's history and how it ties into present day. It's not just a 9/11 book, it's not just a fireman's book, it's not just a book for Rockaway. It's a book for us all.

This moving book tells the story about the Rockaway neighborhood of New York and the dual tragedies it dealt with in 2001. Being a neighborhood with a large number of firefighters, the neighborhood suffered grievously in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As is that was not enough, two months later a large commercial jet crashed in the middle of the neighborhood, claiming more of its citizens. Regardless of these tragedies, Rockaway survives and indeed thrives. This story about a true American neighborhood is a must read! Highly readable, once you start this book it is difficult to put down.

A relative "turned me on" to this book. Yes, it is out of print. But if you haven't read it - go find it. I found a copy through Amazon, and what a value ...! Brown takes his readers into the bowels of espionage, counter-espionage, and a host of "immaculate deceptions" concocted by those who became responsible for the success of Allied efforts during WWII. Beyond the riveting stories of mystery and mayhem created by MI-5, MI-6, the OSS, and even Churchill himself who loved this sort of thing, Brown explains WWII politics, including the cement-head of Charles DeGaulle, and the political implications of the post WWII era that were being considered in all quarters well before the end of the war. Not to mention an in-depth study of the "Shawarz Kapelle," the conspiracy within Germany to do away with Hitler.

The success of D-Day, the effects of D-Day not only on the soldiers who fought but also and especially upon those who planned the operation, the successes and failures of many deceptions designed to keep the Axis guessing, are all described in detail. D-Day was the culmination of the games, ruses and set-ups that had been going on for almost four years.

If you haven't read this book, don't let the 1976 pub. date deter you. This is a must-read for anyone interested in WWII, WWII politics and post WWII politics, and anyone interested in learning about the lengths nations would go to in order to achieve deception.

I had to stop by and read the reviews on "Bodyguard of Lies". Wow,of 8 reviews, 7 gave it 5 stars and 1 gave it 4. The 4 star review, submitted in 1996, griped that the book was "historically inaccurate" because it did not consult "recently released" material.

If that is the worst thing you can say about this book, then I'll take it. "Bodyguard..." was written in 1976 only a few years after the disclosure of ULTRA and other previously, highly classified secrets that did not come to light until decades after the war. In its humble defense, "Bodyguard of Lies" is not only the best book I have ever read on WWII or spies, but one of the best books I have ever read, period. I highly recommend this book to anyone with the slightest interest in not only WWII or espionage, but history and great writing; Brown is a writer and storyteller of the finest kind. Extremely well-documented and suspensefull, this book is far more gripping and compelling than anything Hollywood could ever come up with, and the best part is that the book is true, and "historically accurate". Read this book, then you too can write a rave review.

"Bodyguard Of Lies" is one of the most compelling and important reads out there. Lovers of Clancy novels should put them away for a year and concentrate on some of the most real bizarre, yet important, machinations of espionage and counter-espionage ever created and implemented. What gives this phenomenal work its incredible allure is the knowledge that these creations of historical intelligence import occored only a little more than a half-decade ago. The book takes its title from Winston Churchill's remark regarding the crucial role of good intelligence, where he stated, "In war-time, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies." Using for his research information that had only been de-classified the previous year (1975), Anthony Cave Brown takes us through the minefield that was "Ultra", the Allies means of reading the secret ciphers of the Third Reich. "Ultra" was of such devastating importance that the entire city of Coventry was sacrificed in order to keep secret the fact that the Allies had, early on in the war, broken the German "Enigma" ciphers. This top secret cipher would time and time again put vital information directly into the hands of the Allies. It is safe to say that "Ultra" may have been the difference between victory and defeat. Brown also details what can only be referred to as the most convoluted espionage and counter-espionage schemes that only the minds of men at war for the highest stakes ever perceived could conceive of. In one instance, a false 'cadaver' was planted in an apparant shipwreck, replete with false identity papers, false obituary, false love letters, fake funeral, and, more importantly, false maps and information intended to persuade the enemy that they had stumbled upon ACTUAL information, and act accordingly. Brown relates other tales - some quite unsavory on both sides - for instance, Allied baiting of French resistance in order to convince the enemy of the plausibility of invasion (or non-invasion, as the case warrented) at a given place or time. Agents were sometimes dropped into situations where their 'handlers' knew that cover had been blown or compromised...all done to keep a certain game afloat or a certain secret intact. Perhaps the most interesting revelations, for me, in the book came from the 'dangling' of certain German Generals and Intelligence officials who were not simply sympathetic to the Allies, but in many cases actually working against Hitler and taking incredible, traitorous risks to help defeat him (the Schwarze Kapelle, or, in English, the Black Orchestra). Abwehr head Wilhelm Canaris is studied in depth, and his behavior, not to mention his persona alone may be one of the deepest level secrets of the Second World War. Churchill is again quoted at the start of the section on 'Special Means', "In the high ranges of Secret Service work the actual facts in many cases were in every respect equal to the most fantastic inventions of romance and melodrama. Tangle within tangle, plot and counter-plot, ruse and treachery, cross and double-cross, true agent, false agent, double agent...were interwoven in many a texture so intricate as to be incredible and yet true. The Chief and the High Officers of the Secret Service revelled in these subterranean labyrinths, and pursued their task with cold and silent passion." This book will leave you relieved that men like Churchill, Sir Stewart Menzies, Alan Turing and the like were on the side of the Allies. The book may also leave some disturbed concerning what deep levels of intregue - double, triple, even quadruple-cross - can be invoked when men, and women, are convinced that they are fighting on the side of right against what they are sure is the side of wrong.

This book with its beautiful pictures and *make-able* recipes is a great addition to any cook book collection. I liked the back ground information about the areas.. i like cookbooks that do more than list ingredients, and this one does. I have tried some of the recipes and they were really good... in this day and age its not hard to find most ingredients anymore. this cookbook is a bit more expensive than i usually like to pay but... with its color pictures it reads like a travel book! i loved it

I echo all the success people have had with this cookbook, and add that it is truly a beautiful, readable book that will transport you to SE Asia. I have traveled this area repeatedly, and this book is the ultimate travelogue: the photos are beautiful, the stories engaging, and the recipes work! A perfect coffee table cookbook, and much more.

We own two other very good Asian cookbooks - and think this is a great cookbook - wonderful text that is fun to read on its own, and then also good recipes. The recipes are easy to follow and are accompanied with beautiful pictures that whet the appetite. We have some favorite meals from the book that we make regularly. Only caveat - we love our food hot, so we always at least triple the chile the recipes ask for.

If Hollywood is looking for a new action-adventure subject, they need look no further than the war patrols of the USS Tang. Join Richard O'Kane aboard the Tang as he weaves a tale of suspense and action better than any work of fiction. Under his command, the Tang ranked fourth in the number of tons of Japanese shipping sunk. We get a rare "periscope liberty" look over the author's shoulder as he tracks his prey across the vast Pacific. Whether rescuing a record number of downed fliers or launching torpedoes from the very center of a confused and sinking Japanese convoy, his no-nonsense style and matter-of-fact delivery leave no doubt that this man was - in every respect - a true submarine commander. This book provides one of the truly great depictions of the kind of heroes who served in World War II, especially those in the "Silent Service."

After proving his metttle as the Executive Officer on the USS Wahoo, Dick O'Kane revolutionised submarine warfare in his own way on USS Tang. During its limited lifetime, Tang sank more ships than any other US submarines and would have sunk more except for its demise by one of its own torpedos. A great read and a thorough description of life in a US WW2 submarine.

If you enjoy true submarine books this one is a must
have book. An absolutely great book, told by the
Captain of the Tang and one of the best sub books
written.

Contempt of Court presents a history of a long-ago legal proceeding, an important one now nearly forgotten. Curriden and Phillips keep it engaging from start to finish. They've done a wonderful job of recreating the passions and pressures of a southern city in the Jim Crow era. Readers get more than an understanding of the law. They get to know the people who participated in a landmark case -- from Noah Parden, a black lawyer who battled overwhelming odds to take a poor man's case to the Supreme Court, to Sheriff Joseph Schipp, who let a lynch mob subvert the rule of law. The book offers many well-drawn scenes, such as the crime against Nevada Taylor, Parden's audience with Justice John Marshall Harlan and the lynching itself. All are sketched in great detail. And there's the jail-house prayer service the African-American community held for Ed Johnson, an innocent man, who facing death, found dignity and faith in God. Contempt of Court proves that American law isn't only about legal arguments. It's also abou living, breathing human beings, with their capacities for heroism and evil.

I have read a pre-published transcript of this book,and it is an exciting incite into a fasinating event in the history of our country.l suspect like most people,including professional historians,Ihad never heard of these events.I predict a movie will be made of this book.Two African American lawyers in 1906 in a small southern town struggle desperately and with great courge to save the life of a poor illerate Negro acused and convicted of raping a white woman.He is sentenced to death by a bigoted all white jury .At the risk of their lives,the lawyers seek relief in a federal court ,and when it is denied ,they have the intestinal fortitude to seek an appeal to the U S Supreme Court in Washington and 1906 this was a world away.To the astonishment of everyone old Justice John Marshall Harlan grants the appeal and orders a stay of his execution.This''interference'' by the highist court in the land infuriates the local white supremists,and with the acquiesence of the sheriff who is up for reelection,a mob breaks into the jail and succeeds in lynching the poor Black man.On his toomb stone is chiseled his last words to the vicious mob; ''God BLESS YOU ALL.I AM AN INNOCENT MAN.When the Supreme Court reads about the lynching in the Washington Post the next day, they are furious.The Justices persuade President T Roosevelt to send the secret service in Chattanooga Tenn.the small southern town involved.Eventually,and for the first and only time in the history of the U S Supreme Court,the Justices try the sheriff his deputies and members of the mob .I will let you read about what happens in the historical and unprecedented trial.It is worth reading by history experts and by anyone interested in excellent material This one is headed for rewards.

I ended up reading this book in a little over two days. I was quickly hooked by the fascinating and horrifying story of Ed Johnson, an indigent black man, unjustly accused and convicted by an all-white judicial system that was very typical of the south at the turn of the century. Mr. Johnson's second set of lawyers, two courageous black lawyers, from Chattanooga appeal to the US Supreme Court and set the stage for the most intriguing case to ever be heard before the court. Read the book!

I LOVE THIS BOOK. The photos are AWESOME! There are so many KISS books out now - I would put this on my top favorite KISS book..
My top five favorites:

1.) KISS Alive Forever
2.) KISS: BEHIND THE MASK
3.) * KISS & Tell (by Gordon Gebert and Bob McAdams) - not to be confused with KISS & Sell by C.K. Lendt, which I did not like
4.) KISS & Makeup (by Gene Simmons)
5.) Black Diamond (by Dale Sherman)

* Kiss & Tell is my all-time guilty pleasure reading. Extremely funny book at the expense of Ace Frehley.

I simply recommend buying 2 copies of this book...one for 'keepsake' and one to keep next to your computer or nightstand as your day-to-day ultimate reference source. You've got questions, this book got THE answers. I found it highly amusing when Paul Stanley responded to this book by saying "No, I haven't read it but the "ultimate" KISS book? I think that the ultimate KISS book still needs to be written and that can only be done by us"......How about; "I am deeply honored that 2 loyal KISS fans dedicated 5 years of their life to do something that no one else has ever attempted to do, which is to precisely and accurately document every day of our life".....Anyway, this book doesn't need the praise or comments of KISS. It'll prove itself by becoming the best selling KISS book and deservedly so! The combination of FACTS, more than 100 credible testimonials and never before seen photos make this one of the most unique, sincere, "real" and valuable KISS products in the 30-year history of the band. Not owning this book is denying yourself the single best opportunity to 'finally' understand it all!

Mr. Stanley dismissed this book as not being the definitive Kiss book, and although it may not be the ultimate Kiss book, it is by far one of the best - if not the best - written today.
This book chronicles more than 5 years of research by the authors who stormed the Internet, chat clubs, fan forums, libraries, ect. All to get the latest info on the more than 1800 concerts that Kiss has played to date. Written in very easy english, the book is more like a reference guide to all the concerts the band has played, but under most dates you will find little text add-ons that are delightful. The authors interviewed tour managers, roadies, pyro techs, wardrobe ladies, managers, producers, and muscicians who tell great stories from the early and not so early days. To top it up, there's more than 200 amazing shots of the band, some we have seen, some rather obscure.
In all, a great book.

This book is, quite simply, a fabulous trilogy of novels. It deals, of course, with the two-year voyage of HMS Bounty from England to Tahiti, the captaincy of Captain William Bligh, the mutiny against him, and the aftermath. This is an unforgettable story, beautifully told, well-written, and fast-paced.

I have read reviews here and there that claim this book is written at a "young adult" level. Not so. This is a complex story that only seems to be easily told because the author has mastered the ability to write with utter clarity, and without sacrificing style. As one who reads all day for a living (attorney) I have learned to appreciate authors who can write well. Nordhoff does this--the reader never loses the storyline because it is well told. The novels proceed with the precision of a laser beam but with a poetic, wistful, thoughtful tone that is a delight to read. This book has class.

The story of the trip to Tahiti and the mutiny which takes place early on the return voyage are wonderfully told. The ONLY possible criticism is that this story is not terribly true to the facts of the actual mutiny. The protagonist, Roger Byam, is an imaginary person. By the way, this novel is the source for the first of the Mutiny on the Bounty movies starring Charles Laughton.

The other two novels in the trilogy deal with the voyage by Captain Bligh and those of the crew who remained loyal to him, and the aftermath of the mutiny when the mutineers settle on Pitcairn Island. Both stories are first-rate.

Persons interested in a somewhat more accurate depiction of what happened on the Bounty voyage, as well as a ripping good movie, will want to see "The Bounty" starring Mel Gibson (Fletcher Christian) and Anthony Hopkins (Captain Bligh).

The Bounty Trilogy is a book anyone who enjoys adventure will want to read and own.

I give my highest praise to these books. They are far better than current "adventure" stories because of the struggles they had to endure. I found all three books in the trilogy to be excellent (Mutiny on the Bounty, Men Against the Sea, and Pitcairns Island). My favorite one was Pitcairns Island. In all the books I have ever read, this is the first book that ever actually sent a chill up my spine. I won't give the story away, but you will not believe what happens in that book. It's absolutely thrilling and fascinating!

The is excellent read, and as another reviewer put it, written for adults due to the length and style. It is a near 700 page long classic and south sea adventure.

The classic describes what happens to group of sailors that are rebel from the vice grip of discipline of the old Royal Navy and escape to Tahiti. I can only image how that would feel.

From the terrible ships of the navy they are set free into a virtual paradise of beautiful women, breathtaking scenery and plenty. It traces how they try and survive and how the group of mutineers eventually fragments and stumbles.

Also it traces what happens to their former master Captain Bligh and how he survives a long trip in a small boat and eventually makes his way back to the safety of England.

The book is 691 pages long divided into three sections. It has no index, but does have one map and a sprinkling of color drawings that recreate the atmosphere and some actions.

A classic and highly recommended. I read it every 10 years.

Jack in Toronto

History may judge him harshly, but this book is an incredible adventure story and worth reading for its coverage of Stalin's purges alone. Fitzroy Maclean was apparently Ian Fleming's model for his most famous creation, James Bond. Whether stooging quietly around the back of beyond in Stalin's Soviet Union, sneaking across the Sahara to launch raids far behind German lines in World War Two or hiking through the vertical mountains of Yugoslavia Maclean is both modest and reticent. But the adventures he has are so outrageous that anything but a self-deprecating approach would seem both boastful and wildly improbable. With Eric Newby and Wilfred Thesiger, this man was the last of a particular breed of Englishmen. The world will be a poorer place for their passing.

I want to keep this short, but so much could by said about this book and it's author Sir Fitzroy Maclean. What awes me about this book is that it is a true story . That one man could experience so much in about 8-9 years leaves me spellbound. This book is set from just prior to World War Two until just after. The experiences of the author are breathtaking. From travelling throughout Soviet Central Asia prior to the war, to being selected by Winston Churchill to lead the Allied Mission to Yugoslavia during the war. The panache, vigour, and willingness to experience life that the author displays should be lessons to us all. This book can be read purely as a very informative and enjoyable military history of the period. But, I believe it is much more valuable as a pure testament to the value and benefits of a positive outlook towards life and keen willingness to travel and learn about the world and the people and the cultures that it comprises.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Eastern Approaches documents the extraordinary travels and life of Fitzroy MacLean. Maclean was a British diplomat who while in Russia became one of the first westerners to explore Central Asia during the Soviet rule. He worked with the British special forces in the North African desert and worked on behalf of the allies with the partisans in Yugoslavia during the Second world war.

Well written, this book is a worthwhile read for anybody seeking a bit of adventure in their life. These miraculous tales (true none the least) will keep you entertained throughout.

Pioneers catch all the arrows. The first women to attend the Naval Academy probably expected to find an environment that taught honor, leadership and good character. Instead they found an environment of prejudice, hostility, bigotry, that was at least tacitly approved the "leadership." This book is a "Semi-candid" memoir of those years. The prose is excellent, the humor dry and a celebration of the triumph of will over stupidity. An excellent read.

Ms. Disher has described accurately what life was and is like at the Academy for women. It is easy for me to verify the facts in her book, since my wife followed Ms. Disher just two years later. I would like to personally thank Ms. Disher for exposing the true facts of the Academy, something that my family lives with everyday.

As noted in the two previous reviews Lt. Disher served in the Civil Engineer Corp.

I had the opportunity to work for her as a civilian employee during her tour as an Assistant Resident Officer In Charge of Construction at the Everett ROICC office during the initial construction of the Everett Hompeport, current home of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group.

At that time we were just starting to see female officers in construction managemant. It was one of the many fields that had been strictly male up until the time that she came on board.

I was a GS-9 Construction QA and served as her eyes and ears in the field. She was the contracting officer and had final say on any changes to the projects we worked on and had final signature authority for any changes we made.

It was surprising for a lot of the contractors to be working for a woman, in any capacity. It was more surprising for most of them that she was a quick study, learned their projects as fast as they did and was at least as sharp.

I am about ten years older than her but that was common for me when working with Lieutenants. They tended to be kids in my eyes. I like to think that I had no preconceptions about working for a woman although I never had before.

I always found Sharon to be totally professional. She would listen when she didn't know a subject but she never let the contractors get an edge on her. She had strong people skills and never had to rely on "cute". She was always an engineer and a naval officer. In short she was a professional.

I recognize some of the stories in the book because they are ones she told when she shared an office with me.

This book was a hard read for me because I knew how many of the experiences were hers.

If you read this book be aware that while it states that the names are changed, it is often to protect the guilty, not the innocent. The acadamies are still a tough place for women to survive as we continue to see in the news.

It has gotten better though, through the courage and efforts of officers like Sharon Disher, who had to be better than her counterparts to survive.

I still consider her the best officer I worked for in 21 years of civil service.

Respectfully,
Terrence N. Tallman
Naval Facilities Engineering Command

I decided to buy this book after reading the many great editorial reviews, for example, Anthony Parente (author and columnist) calls The Golden Milestone the "bible of Italian culture and heritage." I have to say that he is right !!! But the books offer much more than facts about Italian achievements. Mr. Esposito's writing style borders on creative non-fiction. His introduction is well written, but by the time I got to the end of his first chapter I found humor in his writing style, as well. The book is gently peppered with some humorous points and short personal comments that pleasantly surprise the reader periodically. I can't say enough good things about the book, you have to read it to discover the lost heritage of Italians. Italians and Italian-Americans can re-discover their heritage in Mr. Esposito's book. Read and enjoy !!!!

I decided to buy this book after reading the many great editorial reviews, for example, Anthony Parente (author and columnist) calls The Golden Milestone the "bible of Italian culture and heritage." I have to say that he is right !... But the books offer much more than facts about Italian achievements. Mr. Esposito's writing style borders on creative non-fiction. His introduction is well written, but by the time I got to the end of his first chapter I found humor in his writing style, as well. The book is gently peppered with some humorous points and short personal comments that pleasantly surprise the reader periodically. I can't say enough good things about the book, you have to read it to discover the lost heritage of Italians. Italians and Italian-Americans can re-discover their heritage in Mr. Esposito's book. Read and enjoy !...

There is no way to describe the amount of great research and interesting subjects in this book. Well written, researched and organized. I got it as a birthday gift and couldn't put it down. Browse the chapters or just read it straight through as I did cover to cover in two weeks. I read lots of books, but this one is special with gems to discover on every page.
It's mind-boggling how anyone could have done so much research. Amazing stuff that wont disappoint any reader interested in the origins of inventions, artifacts, conventions, foods and traditions, as well as biographies of many famous entertainers and sports personalities. Something for everyone in the family to explore and discover.