history

In two years of researching my father's involvement in the Second World War, I found Carter's personal history to be by far the most honest account of combat I've ever read. In telling the story of himself and the men in his platoon, the author provides the reader with an up close and personal look at the comraderie, the terror, and the horrors of war. From North Africa, to Sicily, Italy, France, and Belgium, where he is severely wounded at The Battle of the Bulge, Carter tells a deeply moving story of a small group of brave, honorable men of the 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment. Casting his fellow soldiers as simply young men doing their jobs, the author's account will bring to frequent tears any reader with a sense of duty, honor, and country.

I have read upwards of twenty book about W W I I. This ranks at the top of all lists. I read it at age 17 and was overwhelmed. I read it at age 62 and was overwhelmed.
This is a first hand account of a paratroop division that fought the Nazis for two years, sometimes going for several weeks under fire without beds, warm food, clean clothes or water to bathe in. The hardships are stated simply and frankly without embellishment and they are chilling. The sudden death, the casual and astonishing acts of bravery and the mass murder of war are all presented the same way. And yet there is literature.
The author never speaks of his own conduct in war, he only observes. Fewer than half a dozen men he started out with came back alive. He died of cancer shortly after finishing this book. One of the survivors of his unit visited his grave with the author's brother and said, "The bravest man I ever knew is buried on that hill."
This is as close as you can come to understanding war without being there. The feats of the common men that Ross Carter served with are feats one would only expect of a superman. They laughed about it, lived with it and died with it. The book compares with "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Remarque, with "To Hell and Back", by Murphy and with "Her Privates, We", by Manning.

WHY WAS THIS BOOK NEVER MADE INTO A MOVIE??
It would have been much more engrossing than "Band of Brothers". It is at, or near, the top of all the WWII books ever written. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I read it when I was about 17 years old. I have never forgotten it, and many things have brought it back into memory over the many years since mid 1959 when I read it. Only "From Here to Eternity"and "Battle Cry" were as engrossing, BUT this one is TRUE. READ IT.

This new author's writing style keeps you interested and entertained from the very first page to the last. This book provides an accurate as well as enlightening account of the Gulf experience for those of us safe at home. While reading The Unexpected Storm, I experienced emotions ranging from grief and laughter, to fear and disgust. The story explains the physical and emotional changes these men went through during the war. Most left as boys, and returned as men, with much more respect for those who went before them. This is a book I would recommend everyone to read -- it makes you think about the many things we take for granted.

The Unexpected Storm was extraordinarily written. Filled with emotion, this book gives an honest perspective of a citizen soldier serving our country with dignity. The author, Steven Manchester showed how courageous he is by sharing his innermost thoughts and feelings. And he did an outstanding job specifically describing the physical environment in the Gulf region. His ability to help the reader visualize and feel what he experienced is remarkable. Veterans, or not - people of all ages should read this book!

It's not often that I pick up a book about something other than the Vietnam War but I'm so glad I did. The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy by Steven Manchester is amazing! It's not that the war was amazing but rather the way the author has depicted it and perhaps amazing is still not the right word to use.

As I opened Chapter One for the first time Steve was talking about being onboard the C-5A Galaxy plane that was taking his National Guard unit off to the Middle East. He wrote candidly of his feelings toward the war and his fellow soldiers. He was open and honest throughout the entire book.

This was the first time the American public watched as members of the National Guard and various Reserve units around the United States were being deployed along with their active duty counterpart troops to serve their country. No it's not the first time units of that nature were deployed but this time was different. Everything was aired on television and the country quickly became aware of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform were making. Many were leaving spouses, children and jobs behind. In some instances both parents of children were being deployed and their children were being left with grandparents or other family members.

Steven's group was no different. Many members of his Military Police (MP) Company from Massachusetts were married and had families. Throughout the chapters he reflected on some of them. He spoke of how he and "his comrades have come to heal their nation from a ghost that has haunted them for two decades: the poltergeist of Vietnam." He wrote of seeing "the after-effects of 41 days of uninterrupted bombing." AND how "The Arabian Desert has been used as a testing ground for every new weapon in the American arsenal." He held nothing back including his feelings and emotions.

The war itself ended on 28 February 1991 but that's when Steve's group was really put to work. However, Steve's war began earlier when he was first injected with the many shots required of the soldiers before they could deploy. They were already getting ill from those shots and the pills they were forced to swallow frequently that were supposed to protect them from various known nerve agents. Now "Steve's body is invaded with its own ghost of torment." He and his fellow soldier's have been "brutally introduced to 'The Mystery Illness'" better known to the American public as Persian Gulf Syndrome.

As Steve sat onboard that C-5A he reflected on his life, family, friends, and how he got to that point in his life. He realized he was 23 years old and now responsible for ten other lives in his squad. His wife was being left behind, out of work due to a back injury, to handle everything that he normally did.

He wrote about growing up in a loving household in New England-an area that I'm very familiar with-of his school years, and his best friend. Steve spoke of their very special friendship. His friend wanted to go in the Marine Corps but Steve thought that joining the Army and being trained as an MP would help him in his ultimate goal of working in Law Enforcement. They chose the Army National Guard. He wrote about their Basic Training, the first MP Company they were assigned to, and the company that Steve transferred into that eventually went to Saudi Arabia.

Steve wrote of his parents and siblings. He spoke of his uncle who served in Vietnam and how that war affected him. This author readily shared the love of his life, his girlfriend who became his wife, with his readers. They had a story book romance which went bad in large part due to the after effects of the war.

Steve wrote about finally getting the word that his group was returning home. They attempted to smuggle some souvenirs out. They were on their way to the most glorious homecoming scene in decades in the US. Steve had seen and experienced so much. He wrote "the Army had broken him down....He was affected physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually."

The soldiers were whisked through out-processing-nothing like what they went through when they were in-processed. "The Army wasn't even pretending to care. Like their Vietnam War predecessors, Uncle Sam just wanted them off his menial payroll." They soon learned "It was going to be a long fight." This was going to effect his relationship with his wife too.

His book went onto explain what was done to him, how it effected his relationship with his wife, and what he ultimately did. When his wife became pregnant he worried the whole nine months that he would have passed on his illness to his son. Steve spoke of deciding to change jobs and how he came to realize what would make him feel better.

As I said at the beginning this was an amazing book. This is one book that needs to be read in its entirety by everyone. Go through his life with him, journey to a foreign land, and pray for him as he goes. This is truly an inspirational story even though the author has changed the names of the people and units to protect them and wrote it in third person. I highly recommend it.

I loved the two previous "Complete History" books byLes Daniels on Superman and Batman, but his book on Wonder Woman iseven more amazing. Maybe it's because she isn't as over-exposed asthose other two superheroes, but there are surprises galore in thishandsome book. The still-gorgeous Lynda Carter contributes a lovelyintroduction, and just wait until you read the story of WilliamMarston, Wonder Woman's unconventional creator. And the stunningdesign by Chip Kidd showcases totally awesome toys, original art andeven photos from a 1960s TV show pilot I didn't know existed. And weeven get to see the legendary never-seen "Star Riders"toys. Well, I could just go on and on. This is my favorite book ofthe year, and any fan of Wonder Woman (or Lynda Carter) will just haveto have it!

This book is stunning; there's no other word for it. The art design is by Chip Kidd, who also designed the gorgeous Batman: Animated hardcover. Beautifully reproduced pages from her early stories interspersed with photos of antique Wonder Woman toys, dolls, and DC promotional items complete the experience. The fact that it is so much fun to leaf through and enjoy Kidd's layout is probably why these books (Kidd designed all three Complete Histories, as well) earned the unfair 'coffee table' label. Fans of the television show will be happy to know that there are plenty of photos from the series included as well as an introduction by Lynda Carter, which is a nice nod to the permanent association many of us have between the actress and the character.

(...)

Wonder Woman: The Complete History is a delightful book for fans of the character, even if you only know her from the old TV show. The background of her creation by a clinical psychologist was very enlightening.

The illustrations throughout are excellent and all in all, it's terrific book, exceptionally well written by Les Daniels.

Ariel Sharon is so demonized by so many in the Arab world and Liberal Jews and Israelis that I sought this book to hear his side of his incredible career and life. Having spent most of his life fighting for Israel's survival and combatting terrorism in every war and conflict, he illuminates the problems Israel faces and the nature of its Arab opposition.

Like a true warrior he is a man of peace. Those who have been in the carnage of battle want to avoid it the most, but he has enough insight to understand that compromises and shortcuts to accomodate other's deadlines and agendas only means sending your grandchildren off to war.

His stories of being in the frontline of Israel's historic battles are gripping military history; and his rise from a neophyte poltician to Israel's Prime Minister provides a rich introduction to Israeli politics. His efforts to develop trade and agricultural ties throughout the world is less known than his military and political career, but very important among his contributions.

But most of all I wanted to hear his account of the Lebanese war and specifically the massacres in Sabra and Shatilla. I have always been bewildered at how the murder of Moslems by Christians would lead to the villanization of a Jew. He explained his view how he was sacrificed by the international pressures and Israel's own political parties.

The fact that he was able to rise from this poltical abyss to become prime minister is a remarkable achievement. There is far more depth to this man than his opponents would want us to believe.

This book was an excellent read a must for those trying to understand the complexities of modern Israel, and a fascinating biography of the leading player on the middle eastern stage.

     The author of this book is David Chanoff. He writes an autobiography
of the Israel Prime Minister. The Israeli prime minister Arial Sharon, was
born in Israel and is the main character of this book. At an early age he
had to go through  hard time living in Israel. He than took part in the 1948 .
He was in danger of geting captured and killed.  He also had to live in a place
where he was in danger of getting hit buy mortar shell. He was raised on a farm
and had to work hard very hard to keep it going. Problems were to survive in his
homeland. Overall he had some successes.

My opinion

My opinion of the book is that it is a very good book. Is it is field with adventures
and is really exciting. It is even more interesting to read it
because of the men in it are still living and doing the same thing.
My favorite part the book was the beginning I think the beginning is always
the most interesting. I would not change a thing in the book because it
is like if you change the recipe of a cake it would not come out the same.

My recommendation

I would recommend this book to kids over the age of 13 and I would
encourage them to read it. The kind of person who would like to read
this book is The kind of person who is interested in the Middle East,  politics and in wars.

Sharon reveals his life and his thoughts about Israel. Critics have condemned him as an evil man but he truly wants peace. He knows, however, his enemies are not willing to embrace peace, and until they are, he will always make certain Israel has the advantage. This strategy plays throughout his life and in heroic actions as an Israeli soldier. The life is truly amazing.

Absolution is a true story of horror, love, the vulgarity of war, and the nobility of the warrior. Between 1960 and 1975, hundreds of thousands of young men were thrust into the barbarity of an Asian civil war. Inadequately trained for jungle warfare (and initially armed with defective weapons) the men of Charlie Company acquired their "killer skills" by instinct and imagination. Transformed by necessity, these young men became quickly transformed into brutal gladiators. "What's your body count"" commanders asked their soldiers each evening -- as if the war were sport, and if a scorecard named the winner. Exacerbating the soldier's dilemma was a powerful and biased news media which created a myth of the Vietnam-era solider as a misfit, a perverse example of a military machine gone awry, wreaking havoc and destruction upon innocent civilians. Absolution is the true, candid, unflinching story of Charles J. Boyle, a man who commanded a platoon in combat in Vietnam, and at the outbreak of the Tet Offensive, was selected to command Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. Absolution is an invaluable, eye-witness account and an outstanding contribution to the growing library of Vietnam military history.

I have finished reading Charles J. Boyle's, Absolution: Charlie Company, but I know this book will never be finished with me.

There is a great healing that needs yet to be done is this country; a great open wound that lies on the national soul and in the wounded bodies, minds, hearts and souls of those who we sent there. It does not matter where you stood, or stand, on the conflict called the Vietnam War; what matters now is resolution. That is what Charles Boyle has provided in Absolution. I have read hundreds of thousands of words penned on all sides of this so open wound, but none that I have read before have so touched heart and soul. There were times when I had to put the book down to process what these men, our sons, fathers, husbands endured in that time and place that is still so much with us; times when I felt weak with sharing their pain, awed by being witness to their courage. Boyle has taken us there, absolutely there; step by step, hour by hour, day by day as our young men grew, against all odds, despite betrayals from above, into men of courage, into comrades in arms, in a time and place, in a war often without explanation or understanding. Boyle graces us with witnessing the turbulence of mind and spirit when all that has been learned before is challenged in young lives, in blood, terror, conviction, fortitude, and courage. Be prepared for a great adventure into tears, into outrage, into anguish, into great pride. If you are prepared to face the beginnings of finding resolution, if you read only one book on the conflict called the Vietnam War, read Absolution: Charlie Company. "Falcon Six, this is Charlie Six. We're moving." Do move to read Absolution; it is time for the healing and it can begin here. Welcome home, Charlie Company.

No one has told his heart and the agony of Vietnam as has Charles Boyle in "Absolution". In telling of his time there, he lays bare his soul, what his effort was all about. He tells the how and why of his dedication to America and what Vietnam was all about to the US soldier. A great book -- one that should be required reading for all highschool students --- required reading in colleges.

This is the second book in the Angelique series which in my opinion is the best historcial adventure series ever written. Both Serge and Anne Golon were true storytellers, managing to blend fictional characters with real historical figures in such a way that I could not tell the difference. I loved this story from the first page to the last page written in English which is book 10. I still have the original copies which now are 30 some years old. Unfortunately the last three books in the series have never been translated from French to English. I sincerely hope that one day the last 3 books and indeed the whole series will be reissued for new readers. This is a timeless classic and I would purchase the new books because I reread this series yearly.

The Angelique series written by Anne and Serge Golon will rate amongst your favourite books (if you can get hold of these rare books). I started with paperback versions, but have since started collecting the hardcovers and have recently acquired the last hardcover I needed to complete my collection. The last 3 books in the series have not been translated in to English yet and there are stories of people learning French as a language just to read the last 3 books in this series. It is beautifully written and set in the period of the reign of the Sun King in France. The authors have done their research and I have been fascinated at the accuracy of the authors' description of historical characters in their books. Highly recommended if you like historical fiction or if you enjoy any story with REAL heroism!

In the second book of the Angelique series, following the death of her husband Joffrey de Peyrac, Angelique is in the Parsian underworld, at the Court of Miracles. A fascinating glimpse into a sordid world of beggers and thieves, this is a much darker, but maybe even more brilliant book than The Marquise of Angels. Wonderful, fascinating book, more of an on the edge of your seat suspence thriller than the previous book. Alot of great, heartbreaking emotional scenes, and also many happy ones. A fantastic book.

Anyone who loves Jamaica or who wants to learn more about Jamaica must read "True History" which is an exquisitely told story of a woman's history and farewell to this beautiful, torn island in the sun. Reading this wonderfully written and complex story served to crystalize my own feelings of ambivalence towards the home of my heart. I too was born and spent the first 20 years of my life there, and as I read the novel in my American house, the memories, the smells, the sights and sounds of the island washed over me and took me home. I long to be there, yet the reality of life in Jamaica is often frustrating and frightening. Similar to Jean's, my own Jamaican family tree is filled with Irish, French, English, African, and Indian branches. From the 1700's my family has struggled with, and loved passsionately, the harsh yet frequently magical reality that is Jamaica. Like Jean, every time I return, I try to imprint on my mind the beauty of the island, even as I am driven away by the impracticality of living there. At least I will have "True Paradise", like a time machine, to welcome me again and again.

"A True History of Paradise" is one of those novels so totally compelling you want them never to end, and when they do, you can't wait to hear that the author has pubished another book continuing the story. It's a fascinating tale told from the point of view of a modern young Jamaican woman, Jean Landing. Her story is punctuated with fascinating reminiscences of her ancestors and descriptions of events from friends' and relatives'viewpoints. Exciting and informative, complex but lucid, and well-crafted, the novel vividly demonstrates some of the difficulties created by colonialism. Because of her intelligence, her powerful ability to empathize, and her mixed-race heritage, the story Jean tells is enlightening as well as engrossing. Her vivid descriptions of her homeland reveal it as an almost unbearably beautiful country. I want to visit Jamaica, and I want to hear more about Jean!

I found this book to be very interesting because I knew nothing about Jamiaca or its people. This book opened my eyes to people, the language, and the traditions of Jamiaca. I was shocked at the importance of ethnic and inter-racial mixing. Best thing the author did for the reader was to add the family trees to the beginning of the book. The reading was challenging in visualizing what these characters looked like. Was she black and chinese or white mixed with eastern Indian? Well, I walked away with a different prespective of Jamiaca's history and people. Great read!

I first read this book when it was published in 1982 and never forgot it. I love the characters of Laura and Oliver. Characters who actually grow and change throughout the book. And the backdrop of Colonial India was superbly done. I really felt as though I was there and going through all that Laura did during the siege. I heartily agree with the person who said we should all urge the publishers to reprint this novel and with the person who said it would make a wonderful mini-series. If it's done properly!

I am never disappointed when I re-read this book every year. When I sit down to read it I know I will enjoy it each time. It seems to be a fairly authentic historical novel yet I am thoroughly involved with the characters who make this period in history come alive. If you like this book, try "Tradewind" by M.M.Kaye. I also read it over and over.

I cannot heap enough praise on Valerie Fitzgerald's superb historical novel "Zemindar." I have always had an interest in India, especially during the period of the British Raj. I picked up a copy of this book at a used bookstore by chance, little knowing that it was to become one of my favorite novels. It is a beautifully written, impeccably researched, totally addictive read.

Set in India during the Raj, the author follows the lives of a newly married British couple on honeymoon to India, their young cousin, an Englishwoman who is companion to the bride, and the groom's half-brother, a European hereditary ruler - a zemindar - to his own fabulous kingdom, Hassanganj. This epic saga of love, war, tragedy and ultimate triumph is drawn from the author's personal experience. Ms. Fitzgerald's grandmother lived through the Indian Sepoy Mutiny, which is vividly recreated here. And the author, herself, spent her adolescence in Lucknow where her father was stationed during WWII. Her summers were spent on a zemindari estate similar to Oliver Erskine's extraordinary holdings. This personal perspective adds tremendously to the book's historical accuracy and provides the reader with an unusual, caring and honest perspective of the country, the native population and their British rulers.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that Ms. Fitzgerald not only provides a detailed and colorful portrait of India but she has created an exceptional cast of characters, both Indian and British, realistic and strong enough to inhabit the times in which they lived. Notable among them are Oliver Erskine - a combination of Edward Rochester (from Jane Eyre) and Rhett Butler (improbable but most effective and believable) - and Laura Hewitt. The novel is worth the read just to become acquainted with these two.

Along with "The Siege of Krishnapur," "Zemindar" is one of the best period works of historical fiction. It won the Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize in 1981, selected from scores of manuscripts that included M. M. Kaye's "The Far Pavillions." Not to be missed!
JANA

I am an avid student of history, especially military history. I have read literally hundreds of books about WWII. This is without a doubt the best account of what war at the level of the infantryman is like. Mr. Megellas fought with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division from Anzio to Holland to The Ardennes (Bulge) to Germany. He and his Co. H troopers were in the first wave in what many have called the second Omaha beach; the epic crossing of the Waal River in Nijmegen, Holland to capture the massive railroad and highway bridges. This was actually the first crossing of the Rhine River by an allied unit. It was arguably the greatest feat of arms in WWII. The accounts of Mr. Megellas and his men tell this story better than any I've read. They literally take you into the middle of the battle as they describe the crossing and the assault on the bridges.

Another very unigue part of the book is telling the story the 3rd Battlion played in the capture of Cheneux, Belgium where the 504th was the first American unit to defeat the 1st SS Panzer Division's Kampfgruppe Peiper during the Battle of the Bulge. This was the armored spearhead of the German effort in the Battle of the Bulge.

This book weaves many accounts of the men of Co. H 504th PIR together without redundancy. You not only read about the combat, but the daily struggle to survive under the harshest of elements in the winter of 1944-45 without adequate winter clothing, the constant search for food, and the lack of sleep day after day while being subjected to a deadly game where your reflexes and senses needed to be sharp just to survive.

You learn about the inner thoughts of the men. How the loss of their own brothers in other units on other battlefields affected them. You gain an understanding of how these men were closer than brothers, where each man's life depended on the courage of his fellow paratroopers.

These paratroopers were among the best fighting men that any country has ever produced. This book tells their story in a very riveting fashion with no phoney heroics. But, if you want to know what real heroism is, then read this book.

If you enjoyed T. Moffatt Burriss' "Strike and Hold" you will certainly enjoy this book. If "Saving Private Ryan" opened your eyes to the sacrifice of the WWII combat veterans, then this book is a must read.

I am an avid reader of WWII history and have been especially interested in the ETO. I have read all of the late Stephen Ambrose's WWII offerings and particularly liked the way Ambrose would quote the soldiers so that the reader could get a better understanding of what it was like to really be there. As much as I respect Ambrose's writings, he wasn't there. Maggie was. James Megellas (Maggie) tells it like it was, and pulls no punches. Through his writing, I was able to gain insight into his thoughts and emotions before, during and after battle in a way that no third party author could convey to a reader. I had the pleasure of meeting James Megellas recently in Dallas and am proud to say that I shook the hand of a true American hero. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it really like to fight in the ETO in WWII.

As one of the six Ripon College Grads who went to Ft. Knox with Jim mentioned in the book, I appreciated the Authors story. I am proud of Jim and all of his accomplishments. It was a great book, and greater story of many young men who saved the World.

Soldier X, by Don Wulffson takes place during World War II. The main character, Erik Brandt is fifteen years old, turning 16 when he is drafted to fight for the German army. Soon after being drafted he received his mission briefings, and was sent to re-supply, and reinforce the 15th Rifle Corps of the Forth division at Tarnapol. Once he arrives, he is sent down to the front lines. Here, a day later the Russians broke through the lines, and took over the fort. Erik was badly wounded, but since he knew how to speak Russian fluently, he dressed in a Russian uniform and went over to the Russian soldiers. He was then taken to a makeshift hospital where he regained his health and eventually fell in love with a nurse by the name of Tamara. At the hospital, Tamara also finds out that Erik is German. Soon, the war's fighting comes into the city, and the hospital is forced to evacuate. One of the trucks taking the wounded is destroyed by a rocket shell, and because of this Erik, Tamara, Tamara's stepmother Zoya, and a soldier assigned to guard the hospital. During the attack of the city, both Zoya and the Soldier were killed by mortar fire, and just Erik and Tamara had to survive wandering through the forests of Russian, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. They decided that they wanted to go live in America. While traveling through Germany, they encountered a large German platoon that was supposed to stop the Russian offensive. After escaping the platoon, they came accross a town where American soldiers were positioned. The soldiers biacidentally shot Erik and Tamara, and took them to an American hospital. After partially recovering, both Erik and Tamara are reunited, and as the book comes to an end; Tamara begins to cry, and looks past Erik being German. I would recommend Soldier X to teens, and adults of all ages. The intensity of the story allows you to become a part of World War II, and I truly believe that it gives new meaning and insight to the actual events that took place during the war.

When Erik Brandt is fighting for the German Nazis in World War II, and gets trapped behind enemy lines, he wakes up in a Russian hospital. There, he meets his one true love. He also learns that practically all of his friends from Germany are dead. Even while he's recovering in the hospital, his new Russian friends are dying from battle wounds.
When the Russian hospital is invaded, will he reunite with the German army, or will he run away with his Russian love that doesn't yet know his deepest secret? How will he choose? How will he survive?
Erik Brandt retells his amazing, and sometimes heart-breaking war story. This book is told in first person and is mainly a true story, which makes it even more touching.
I absolutely LOVE Soldier X! It's the only book I've ever read that has made me cry. I'd recommend it to boys and girls from about 5th to 8th grade. It's a fairly easy read, but an awesome story.

There comes a point in a person's life when they are lucky enough to encounter a different, awsomely unique book that is so riveting it stays in their minds immediately after reading it. That, my friends, is Soldier X! I have only encountered 2 books that have had this impact on me, this being 1 of them. So don't be stupid; you'll be fairly surprised that you wind up finishing it when it felt as though you just picked it up.