The story of Torpedo Squadron Eight's almost complete annihilation at Midway is well known, but the survivors' contribution to the American victory at Guadalcanal is not something I was aware of before reading this book. I guess I assumed that what remained of the squadron stayed with the USS Hornet (CV-8), but that wasn't the… Continue reading Book review: A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight
Book review: What was Shakespeare Really Like?
3.5 stars Sir Stanley Wells has spent his entire professional life knee deep in Shakespeare in one way or another. This short book provides a brief overview of Shakespeare the man and the playwright. I didn't find anything especially new here, but it was an interesting read, nevertheless. He has opinions about the Bard that… Continue reading Book review: What was Shakespeare Really Like?
Book review: Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter
What a terribly sad story. The Kennedy family seems to have more than its share of tragedy, but this one is perhaps the most heartbreaking. Rosemary was the third child and first daughter of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy, and she is probably most well known as the disabled sister of JFK. It seems likely… Continue reading Book review: Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter
Book review: Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II
Important topic. Mediocre product. I really wanted to like this book. Given the topic, I expected to like this book. Everything about it was right in my wheelhouse. WW2 history, under-researched topic, women's role in the military, first-wave feminism...all there, and it was...okay. It was interesting and well researched, but it was like listening to a pretty… Continue reading Book review: Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II
Book review: That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
Bessiewallis Warfield Spencer Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, lived her life in fear of destitution. Her father's death when she was a small child forced her mother to depend on relatives and friends for a place to live, and Wallis evidently never lost her fear of finding herself in a similar situation. She married two men… Continue reading Book review: That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
Book review: Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland
While many of my ancestors were Irish, I'm not familiar with more than the basics of the story of St. Patrick. That being the case, I thought this audiobook might be interesting and a good way to learn a little more about him. In spite of having so little foundational knowledge on this topic, I'm… Continue reading Book review: Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland
Book review: Aristotle in 90 minutes
A quick but interesting look at the life of Aristotle. I didn't read the description before beginning to read, and I was expecting more of a summary of Aristotle's teachings, but this was more of a mini biography. There are a number of these [Name of author or philosopher] in 90 Minutes books, all available free on… Continue reading Book review: Aristotle in 90 minutes
Book review: The King’s Speech
Book #6 in my salute to the coronation of King Charles III is this story about Charles' grandfather George VI and Lionel Logue, the man who helped him overcome a terrible stutter that made speaking in public almost unbearable...not a good thing if you're a prince who is second in line to the throne and… Continue reading Book review: The King’s Speech
Book review: FDR’s Folly
I'm not an economist, and I don't claim to understand all the finer economic points discussed in this book; however, what I did grasp was that many of the New Deal policies were more political than economic. This was not a new revelation to me, but the supporting details the author provides support that conclusion… Continue reading Book review: FDR’s Folly
Book review: The Echo of Old Books
Dang. I really wanted to love this book. I mean I really wanted to love this book. The description made it sound so interesting, and I read mostly nonfiction, so I didn't want to feel like I had wasted my time reading fiction. Don't get me wrong. I love a great love story. I love… Continue reading Book review: The Echo of Old Books
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