History Books

Just a comment about the reviews of this great book. Without rehashing the accolades and criticisms: If you think the character portrayal was disrespectful to "the Few," you have obviously, never spent any time in a tactical aviation unit. The dynamics of the young pilots' relationships with each other was pretty close to reality.

This book is spot on if you want to know what squadron life is like! (minus the chateau of course)

I looked for this book after catching the end of the miniseries on TV. I guess the author broke a lot of "rules" about characters and probably other things, too, but I loved it. You might be introduced to a character, learn all about him, and find him dead two pages later. This gave me a sense for what it might have been like to live through those harrowing years. The readers, just like the aviators themselves, don't know who's going to make it through. An absolutely fascinating drama. Highly recommended!

Having grown up "over there" reading this book makes you wonder how indeed we did win the Battle of Britain. Great book.

This is one of my favourite books ever, perhaps rivalled only by Robinson's other masterpiece, "Goshawk Squadron", both of which I have read and re-read again and again over the years. The writing is simple, subtle and brilliant, the dialogue sparking and witty, the atmosphere vivid.

Was this what life in the RAF was really like at the start of the Second World War? The author's unemotional writing carries with it a gritty and entirely convincing sense of reality; you cannot help think that this is really how it was.

From the opening sentence to the final full stop, Robinson delivers a tense and entertaining story whose characters spring to life from the pages. If many of his personae are necessarily only lightly sketched and interchangeable, others are multi-dimensional portraits that remind me forcefully of the kind of people I went to school with or suffered under as a pupil. (I served my time in a British Public School. By the 1960s we were living in 1890).

We meet Ramsey, headstrong and impatient, but he is in such a hurry that we have little time to get to know him. Fanny Barton, an athletic but uncertain New Zealander suffers from social insecurity and a nervous introspection that drives him to hasty and poorly considered decisions. Lord Rex is confident and breezy, but his aristocratic charm disguises an unpleasant ruthless arrogance, and sometimes callous cruelty. Despite his experience as a pilot in the First World War, the much older adjutant Kellaway comes from an earlier epoch, and ideas of gallantry are not completely erased. Skull Skelton, the intelligence officer, by contrast, sees the folly of war for what it is - and gains few friends from his outspoken views. Moggy Cattermole is thoroughly unlikeable from the beginning. When we meet him he has just stolen a giant gollywog from someone by punching him in the eye. As the story progresses his unusually ugly character is slowly revealed to the reader. By contrast, Chris Hart III is an upright, cynical, war-weary American, viewed by some as an unwelcome colonial intrusion into a thoroughly British war.

On the ground, Robinson evokes the colours and scents of wartime France and England, and mercilessly - but without fuss - shows us the muddle, misconceptions and incompetence of the administrative machinery of 1939 and 1940. He lets the reader see the unthinking class snobbery of the young pilots, making us reassess these otherwise often likeable individuals and realise that by upbringing they must in many cases have been blinkered and insufferable, arrogant self-anointed masters of the universe. But you cannot dislike these pilots. They live intensely and with gusto, and the reader is swept up into their funny, unscrupulous, devil-take-the-hindmost world where a quick turn of phrase and disregard for personal safety are badges of honour.

By the outbreak of the air war in 1940 the Spanish Civil War had convincingly demonstrated that large formations of fighters were horribly vulnerable to attacks from an enemy using more flexible tactics. The RAF ignored the lesson that the Luftwaffe had taught the Spanish Republican Air Force and stuck to the outmoded air gymkhana for no reason but doctrine. Robinson shows in this book how the RAF gradually came to accept that doctrine does not win air battles.

In the air, Robinson immerses us in a vast and frightening arena of battle. His descriptions of flying a Hurricane are so well executed that the reader can almost feel the vibration of the airframe and smell the hot oil and hear the exhilarating roar from the Merlin engine. In some books you can predict which character will live and which die; in this book you get the feeling that you had better not get too attached to any of the jaunty, interesting individuals that inhabit its pages. Death is as unexpected and final here as it must have been to the young men and women who saw these events at first hand. Robinson delivers battle in the air with a mastery that leaves the reader shocked and shaken as death scythes in from below, from behind, from nowhere, in an abrupt shuddering blur from the empty sky.

I have read many war novels. "Piece of Cake" has few rivals.

The Battle of Britain. Dashing, fearless young patriots out of Shakespeare take to their machines to save Albion from Nazi bombers. Battling hopeless odds and a vastly superior enemy, these lions of the sky prevail against evil, save democracy, and land back at base in time for their tea.

Or not.

Derek Robinson's "Piece of Cake" has to be one of the most brutally cynical, myth-debunking pieces of historical fiction ever put to pen. In its 650+ pages it methodically, and at times gleefully, ravages the heroic sterotype of Britain's fighter pilots cemented by the hundreds of books, movies, and documentaries which have come out since the war. In the language of the book, it puts paid to all that bumf and tells the truth --or rather, Robinson's version of it.

"Cake" is the story of Hornet Squadron, a rather average collection of fighter pilots flying Hurricanes, between September 1939 and September 1940. It details their involvement in the "phoney war," the Battle of France and lastly, the Battle of Britain. From the very first chapter, when a number of the pilots wreck their car while driving home drunk from a pub, then steal a tractor, and finally horses, to get back to their base, the reader begins to realize that we few, we happy few, we band of brothers, is nowhere to be found here. With the occasional exception, Hornet Squadron is a collection of snobbish, selfish, sophomoric, not-too-terribly bright adrenaline junkies who joined the RAF in the hopes of blowing things up without legal consequences. It's a case of be careful what you wish for, times two.

For a story with so many characters -- the squadron has more than a dozen, and chaps are always getting knocked off and replaced -- Robinson does a terrific job of keeping them all fresh and distinct from each other. Each reader will have his own favorite "good" guy -- goodhearted flight leader Fanny Barton, the cold-blooded American volunteer Christopher Hart ("CH3"), the crazy as a loon Flash Gordon, or possibly the non-fighting duo of "Uncle" Kellaway (the squadron adj) and his sidekick, an Oxford don turned intelligence officer "Skull" Skellen, who spend a lot of time arguing about squirrels. There is no question about the squadron's biggest bastard -- not since "GoodFellas" Joe Pesci/Tommy DeVito did I hate somebody as much as Lance "Moggy" Cattermole, the big, smooth-talking sociopath who seems to enjoy tormenting and using his squadron mates even more than he likes to machine-gun German pilots as they hang helpless in their parachutes. Robinson takes positive delight in showing how how Hart's theory that "up there the world is divided into bastards and suckers" also applies on terra firma.

"Piece of Cake" was a contraversial book not only for its thoroughly unglamorous depiction of the RAF jocks but because it expands on the touchy and undiscussed issue of the RAF's kill claims. The pilots, who in fairness can hardly be blamed for making mistakes given the nature of air combat prior to the installation of the gun camera, claimed about 2.5 German aircraft destroyed for every one that actually was. The vastly overstated statistics issued by the RAF made their way into the postwar literature and contributed to the mythos surrounding the battle. In point of fact, the Germans had about 900 fighters to the Brits 600, and the Me 109 was badly hampered by its extremely short range and the necessity to try and protect the bombers. The odds were somewhat closer than the Brits care to believe.

"Piece of Cake" wasn't written to disparage the courage of the British pilots or denigrate their accomplishments, but to show them for what they were -- young, often immature officer-boys of varying character who sometimes died stupid and futile deaths. In other words, human beings at war. In this sense, Robinson does the RAF a favor, for heroism is much more impressive when it comes from real people rather than Hollywood cartoons. After all, peacetime flaws often make for wartime virtues. Or as Hart says to Fanny Barton about Moggy: "He really does like killing people. You don't know how lucky you are to have him."

As a history of Stuart's epic ride, this book has no peer. As even-handed historiography of the critical aftermath, echoing for well over a century, it also no peer. I have two trivial criticisms: 1) the title isn't quite accurate, I think -- however many people were in the decision loop during those critical days, Stuart surely must have realized, at some point, that he had brought his command far from where it should have been; and, 2) the authors interrupt their clear narrative flow with repeated biographical digressions that should have been drastically curtailed or relegated to the endnotes (or both). The authors make the all-important point that Lee and his corps commanders marching into Pennsylvania had sufficient cavalry available for their purposes in the four brigades left behind by Stuart, but they failed to utilize these brigades properly and the brigade commanders themselves demonstrated little initiative. The biggest problem was not the absence of Stuart's three cavalry brigades but of Stuart himself, with his intuitive flair for scouting and delivering accurate reports to Lee.

Lets face it Lee lost the battle of Gettysburg. He admitted it himself, but he did have a co-conspirator. Due to his criticism of Lee, the fact that he wasnot your typical chivarlous southerner and becoming a Republican after the war Longstreet had been pick for that role. Everyone of the confederate corp commanders made mistakes. Cocky Hill letting Pettigrew go to Gettyburg with no idea of what was in front of him. Indecisive Ewell failing to attack Cenetery Hill when even Hancock admitted later that it could have been taken with a timely southern attack. And then there was Longstreet or what i like to call "The little train that couldnt" who whether right about not attacking the union postition or not certainly had a hand in that failure with his sulkying and perhaps even self fullfilling prophecy due to his lethargy and slowness. The mistakes these corp commanders made did not win the battle but only two if you want to discount that the federals won it lost the battle. Lee's ofder of pickett's charge and his incompetence in not properly overseeing Longstreets diligence in overseeing the attack especially Hill's corp lost the battle. Staurt was co-conspirator for these reason's. Would Hill have stumbled into a general engagement if Staurt's cavalry would have been there to report that it was federal cavalry and not militia in Gettysburg. There has been claims that there was sufficent cavalry left to Lee yet Stuart took every exceptional commander with him on his ride. What if he had left Wade Hampton to oversee that cavalry. As for Ewell he was getting reports that federal infantry was advancing up the Baltimore Pike It was confederate skirmishers and he was told that but how much did that and his ignorance of what federal forces were coming up because Stuart was not there to tell him contributed to Ewell hesitation. Not even Stuart can be blamed for Ewell not occupying an unoccupied Culps Hill. As for Longstreet and his suggested small flanking movement around the round tops and his larger one of putting the Condeferate force between Meade and Washington on defensible ground forcing Meade to attack. How feasible would they have been if Stuart would have been there to tell Lee where the federal forces were. Everyone of the corp commanders mistakes has the hand of Staurt on them. As for Picketts charge that was Lee's and Lee's alone so dont get the idea that this review is in anyway an attempt to exonerat him. Malvern Hill and Picketts charge showed he could perhaps be too audacious. Regarding this book hopefully it is the beginning of a movement that those Lee adoletors if they want to scapegoat Lee's failure at least it will go to the proper person. Stuart not Longstreet. I dont care about his brillance before and after the battle, i dont care that he died for his country. I dont care if he represented true southern chilavry. Jeb Staut made a monumental mistake in how he choose to obey Lee's orders by choosing a route that he could have foreseen the union army blocking his way north and his total lack of urgency in getting to Lee by chasing a wagon train half way to Washington. I have read Lee's order and while it may have given Stuart discretion in how he got there one thing was very clear in Lee's order. He wanted constant and up to date information about the whereabouts of the union army and he wanted him on Ewell flank protecting the army as SOON AS POSSIBLE and ladies and gentlemen him arriving on JULY SECOND just didnt cut it. So you Longstreet haters ease up and you Lee lovers if you have to blame someone i hope this book has at least given you the proper target.

No matter what you may think you know about Jeb Stuart's ride, you have to read this book. Its that good!!

Lots of questions answered regarding what Gen stuart did or didn't do at Gettysburg. Definitely added lots of light to dissipate the tons of heat present in the myths, rumors and inuendo surrounding Lees loss of the Battle of Gettysburg and who truly shared the blame for the loss--including rafts of evidence supporting the what and why of the blame. Gen Jeb Stuart comes off well--he was certainly not the villain of the loss.

As the last of George Pickett's men limped off the battlefield on the evening of July 3rd, 1863 it was clear the Confederate Army, after three days of fighting, had been defeated. General Lee, as the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, accepted all responsibility for the loss, but many, after the battle, blamed General J.E.B. Stuart instead. It has been 145 years since the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, and the controversy over who is to blame for the loss has never abated.

Eric J. Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi have brought the case to trial in their book, "Plenty Of Blame To Go Around: Jeb Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg." The first half of the book is an inquiry into the facts of the case, as the authors present General Lee's orders to Stuart as exhibits. Their careful and diligent research has turned up many witnesses, both Union and Confederate, who add their testimony, and together, they form a narrative of the events following Stuart's departure with his cavalry, their ride around the Federal Army and their arrival on the battlefield of Gettysburg on July 2nd.

The second half of the book enters the historiography of Stuart's ride into evidence, and breaks it down into three phases. In the first phase, immediately after the battle and war, those immediately involved in the Confederate high command, and those involved in the ride, begin the finger pointing and placing of blame. In the second, the controversy continues, and heats up, during the post war years, as the participants continue quarreling with one another. Finally, after the passing of the participants, the debate continued into the 20th & 21st centuries, when the historians took up the argument. In all three phases, JEB Stuart had his supporters and detractors. The authors have done a fine job, presenting the evidence and arguments on both sides of this complicated issue.

Was the infallible Robert E. Lee at fault for issuing vague orders to Stuart? Did Stuart disobey, either willfully or unintentionally, Lee's orders? The authors, in their conclusion, deliver their verdict and find there is no one single person entirely to blame for the Confederate loss at Gettysburg. There is enough fault for every one. Or, in other words, there's "plenty of blame to go around."

"Plenty Of Blame To Go Around" is the definitive history of Jeb Stuart's ride to Gettysburg. Eric J. Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi's outstanding research has produced a book that is truly a joy to read.

This coffee-table volume was penned by Eva Marie Everson, a Christian author, and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh, a Jewish author and tour educator who specializes in Christian tours of Israel. The book is a picture-filled devotional orientation to the land for Christians - from the Judean Wilderness to Capernaum to the Upper Room - created with a sensitivity not only to the Old Testament sites it captures, but with a deep desire to honor the Jewishness of Christianity.

The co-authors' interfaith friendship is foundational to this hardcover book's tone. Vamosh's historical perspective and Everson's lilting prose blend seamlessly throughout the book. Each of the 38 sites detailed in Reflections of God's Holy Land is given a similar treatment: Scripture referencing the place comes first, follwed by a section entitled "Did You Know?", a couple of pages of historical and geographic information. The section concludes with a devotional exploration of the place that is meant to help readers connect with the spiritual story of the site, whether they ever leave their armchair to visit Israel or not.

Even with a fair amount of text in the book, the format - one or two large pictures per page, captions and lots of white space on the glossy pages - makes it unmistakably an inspirational gift book. My only gripe about the book is that all of the pictures in Reflections have blurred-out, faded edges reminiscent of the kind of pictures you'd find in a Reader's Digest gift book on a nursing home coffee table.

That said, the book certainly helped to whet my appetite for my upcoming trip to Israel. It would also serve as a great reminder of a trip for a Christian pilgrim who has visited Israel.

The vast majority of us will never have the opportunity to take a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to walk where the patriarchs, prophets, Jesus, and the apostles traveled. Thanks to this amazing work by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh, however, we are all able to appreciate the beauty and history of this pivotal geographic area. In "Reflections of God's Holy Land: A Personal Journey through Israel", Everson, a Christian, and Vamosh, a Jew, combine their knowledge and appreciation of the Holy Land to create an incredibly beautiful, informative book.

The first thing one notices about this book is its sheer breathtaking beauty. Designed as a coffee table book, it is full of photos that counteract any preconceived notions of what the Holy Land looks like. Simply looking at the photos, one feels that one has stepped into a different world steeped in history and blessed by God.

The information is first-rate as well. Each location is introduced by a Biblical passage that references that locale. The "Did You Know" section provides historical background about the place and information about life in Biblical times. These sections are full of fascinating facts. The "Reflections" are perhaps the most touching part of the narratives, exploring the effect a place has on the heart and on one's faith. For example, in Nazareth, Everson writes of looking over a railing at "Mary's Spring," a place which is thought to be the location of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel told Mary she was to conceive Jesus. "I would dip my hand into it, if only I could reach it. The water is clear and appears refreshing. Above it are more remembrances of Mary . . . of her life . . .of her gift. Living Water. Without him, Mary would have been just a girl. Just a virgin bride married to a Jewish carpenter. Just a mother like any other. Just like me. Without him, there was no 'her.' Like her, without him, there is no 'me.'" Another example comes from a visit to the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. "'We only have five loaves,' the disciples told Jesus. 'We only have two fish.' Isn't this the way of it? We think of what we 'only have' rather than what it might become in Jesus' hands. Not enough, we think, and so we hold back . . .With this, we think, we must feed ourselves only because we are hungry. . . I stretch my hand toward the lump of rugged stone beneath the altar. If only I could place what little I have to offer upon it, Jesus would feed others. Jesus would feed me."

"Reflections of God's Holy Land: A Personal Journey through Israel" is a book to be savored and studied. It provides an armchair pilgrimage to the holiest of lands.

One year the congregation of the church my father pastored gave my parents the trip of a lifetime - a trip to the Holy Land. That was over twenty-five years ago and yet to this day, he still references the sites he saw during that experience in sermons and conversations. It truly made the Bible come "alive" for my parents.

When I saw the beautiful coffee table book Reflections of God's Holy Land: A Personal Journey Through Israel by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh, I eagerly thumbed through its pages. Could this be what I'd been looking for? A book to remind my parents of the life-changing places they visited those many years ago? Could this book help refresh their memories of that special experience?

The book doesn't disappoint. The stunning photography captures the sacredness of the terrain and the text is both educational and compelling.

The Christian faith of author Eva Marie Everson and Jewish faith of Miriam Feinberg Vamosh enhance their comprehensive sharing of their experiences of this hallowed ground. Eva, a writer, eloquently shares personal reflections of her journey and Miriam, a tour educator and resident of Israel, shares her detailed knowledge of Israel's history and archaeology.

A great gift idea.

There is a great new book from Thomas Nelson publishers that you really want to add to your home or pastoral library. Reflections of God's Holy Land is a combination travelogue, Bible backgrounds commentary, devotional, and coffee table book, that surrounds you in the sights, sounds and smells of the lands of the Bible.

Each of the almost forty articles features a gorgeous cover photo, followed by an informative "Did You Know" section supplied by a skilled tour guide, and "Reflections" by the authors, who share their devotional thoughts in a warm, personal style.

The writing style strikes a perfect balance: transitioning from the historical information to the intimate devotional thoughts is never jarring. And it is a compelling style. From the very beginning I was captivated: as in her introduction Eva described reaching out her hand to touch what may have been soot from Joshua's fire at Hazor I could feel the coolness of the stone.

The centerpiece of the book is the gorgeous photography. There is none of the dry, matter-of-fact images from far too many textbooks. These pictures are alive. The colors are vibrant and the composition draws you into every scene. Particularly exciting for me were the pictures of some of the animals that are mentioned in the Bible, such as rock coneys, and wild goats at En-Gedi.

Pastors will find the background information to be extraordinarily profitable. Reading the historical vignettes while looking at the actual locales will enrich your sermons and lessons, as you are now able to picture the places you are seeking to describe. And everyone will appreciate the quiet moments of reflection that the authors allow us to share.

Get this book. Integrate it into your sermon and lesson prep. Make it a part of your daily quiet times. It will be money - and time - well-spent.

I have not been able to put down the book! I am amazed at the high-quality photos as well as the wealth of information provided. I was blessed to hear Eva Marie Everson speak at a Christian Writer's Conference as she shared some experiences of her journeys to Isreal. This book is just like having a one- on -one with the author herself right in your home. This book is simply amazing! The insight Eva Marie Everson brings with her is captivating. My life nor outlook will never be the same after combing these pages. I pray for "Joshua's fire" to be evident in my bones for centuries as well.

For those who know of Roy Buchanan...he's not as well known to the general public...this book documents the upbringing and influences that guided and shaped one of the most talented and unique guitarists ever. A wonderfully researched chronicle of the life of an icon in music.

I've always wondered why Roy Buchanan, who in my opinion was the world's greatest guitar player, never broke through to a larger audience. After reading this excellent biography of his life, I completely understand why. Phil Carson did an outstanding job of pulling together a huge amount of detail into a page-turning, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and other times heart-wrenching story of Roy's life. I've read quite a few biographies on music legends and the majority of them have been hard to read chronologies of factoids and interviews loosely held together. So, even though I was very motivated to learn more about the life of this unsung guitar master, I assumed that I was in for a chore. Much to my surprise, this was an outstanding read...a well researched, heart-felt, telling of the life of a gifted, albeit troubled, man.

If you're a fan of Roy's, then order this book immediately. If you aren't familiar with Roy's music then order a couple of Roy Buchanan CD's and listen to them while you read this book.

Note to Phil Carson: I'd love to see you take on the biography of another relatively unknown guitar master, Nils Lofgren (a protégé of Roy Buchanan).

THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC..ROY WAS FANTASTIC....IF YOU ARE A FAN, YOU NEED THIS BOOK..I WILL READ IT OVER AND OVER....

All I ever wanted to know,about the man and his music.Great biografy,have read many books on other artist.If you go through Buchanan`s songs,there are many differt styles he mastered.Country,rockabilly,rock & &roll,instrumentals,pop,r & b,jazz.Saw him live once in Oslo,that was great.My friends say,play the #Telecaster# and die young,but I have to play it,have -blonde 52 reissue.Now I study bossa nova masters,like Lois Bonfa,Joao Gliberto,Jobim etc.cause I got a job with a female singer,playing spanish guitar.There are a few cuts with Roy playing acoustic and they are great.Read the book,by his concert DVD,s,and if you run short,get bored playing the beast,listen to the man.There have never been a guitar player like him,he had his own style,his style will never be duplicated.All american music styles,and Malaguena.The roadhouse king will live on forever.Arnie Buy-ROY BUCHANAN his first and SECOND ALBUM on Polydor,that is a good start.Good reading,good listning and play them over and over,and you will hear his soul.

I like Roy's first records--loud and clear, with the focus on his playing. Later on they tried to make him like Clapton, but it didn't work. I would rate Roy in the top 5 of the people I have heard. I also like Bugs Henderson, Tinsley Ellis, Wes Jeans, and Dave Hole. This book is a very good read. I saw Roy at Park West in Chicago. He did a very short set. It was hard to enjoy him with the female booze hustlers bothering me, but, he seem to be in top form. I still have my ticket, inside Roy's live Japan import.

Sagmeister is a true artist and thought-provoking designer. His ideas are fresh, unexpected and sometimes shocking. He's an industry hero and this book is filled with so many wonderful examples of his work. His solutions will inspire designers and make non-designers do a double-take.

Stephen Sagmeister is one of the most entertaining and innovative personalities in the design field. This book is an excellent showcase of his amazing and vast body of work. The book itself is an amazing piece of design. Highly recommended.

Stefan Sagmeister is my favorite designer, I get so much inspiration from his work and this book is really great. It shows the evolution of his career and it's really cool to see how his design solutions have evolved.

As far as self indulgent books go, this is a great one. Stefan Sagmeister, the king of all the cool little tricks brings out everything in this book. His work is great, and cover the extent of his student, and profession careers, which is a lot more than you've ever seen. Everything from packaging coat hangers, paper turn tables, and self mutilation. The slip cover alone would sell me on this one, revealing a lot more than meets the eye. This is my favorite book; full of style, wit, and a lot more.

Entertaining, Inspiring and Absolutely Perfumed Book.
One of those books you smell the pages (No metaphor, just put your nose over the pages) and relax completely.
Very creative, and well designed...
Stück Baby! Stück

Sailing into the Abyss, is a true story of a merchant ship encountering very foul wheather while ferrying ammunition to Vietnam. Unlike the Titanic story which esentially is one catastrophe(e.g. iceberg hits ship) event, the crew of the S.S. Badger State, encounters many trials. Through the author, the readers gets "into the head" of the captain as decisions are made and options exhausted.

The author speaks with authority. He is a maritime lawyer, and twenty-six year veteran of the Coast Guard. However, he is not a professional author. There are a few awkward transitions from telling the story of Badger State and providing some background of the Merchant Marine.

Sailing into the Abyss, reminds me of the true of story of Capt. Schakelton and the Endurance, If you enjoy reading about that true tale you very likely will enjoy Sailing into Abyss. If you are not familar with that story, but enjoy reading something different in military/naval history, then this is book for you. Even if you a not a history buff, the human drama makes a compelling a true tale.

This was an interesting read especially for us that have spent some time at sea ourselves. There are however weaknesses, in my opinion, which downgrades my rating. The author has taken some artistic license with his narrative. I would have thought he could have been more specific in regards to actual weather conditions. These must be available from records available to the company, the Navy or the routing service. The descriptions of the weather are too general. Another thing I found curios was a near total lack of a description of the contact and communications held between the ship's Master and the company - States Marine. There must have been volumes!

Still, all in all an interesting enough description of the events during those dramatic days. Not a pleasant way to spend a Christmas at sea.

This book is spell binding, excellently written and so full of history that it makes you want to reach out for more info.

A true story for our time and one that needs to be shared. If you want to know more about the Coast Guard and what it's like to be at sea, this is the book to read. I'm having trouble putting it down.

This book is superbly written. The amazing story of the SS Badger State is magnetic, and even more fascinating because it's true! I will recommend this book every chance I get, and I will keep my copy as a prized possession.

"Sailing into the Abyss" by William R. Benedetto is to the Merchant fleet what the "Perfect Storm" was to the sword-fishing fleet.

The book gives "arm-chair" sailors like me, uncontrollable shakes and chattering teeth even...with a hot cup of coffee in hand! Benedetto's writing abilities plunges the reader directly into the cold sea next to the unfortunate struggling seaman who has just abandoned his sinking ship.

This is the riveting story of the Merchant vessel "S.S. Badger State" that was taking its deadly cargo of bombs and munitions to Da Nang to help support our troops and the war effort in Vietnam. Shortly before Christmas of 1969, the "S. S. Badger State" runs into two gargantuan storms that seem to converge directly into the men and cargo of the "S.S. Badger State." The bombs break loose in their cargo holds, and then...
you must read the book!

The author is really a superb writer and nautical historian. However, he sometimes gives too many historical examples of similar events to intensify the fate of this particular ship and incident. His examples are extremely interesting but...often too long. These constant historical vignettes only serve to take the readers focus away from the main events at hand. Much of that ancillary information could easily be put into another book on historical ship wrecks.

William Benedetto deserves the highest praises for sharing his expertise and love for those who suffer peril upon the seas.

A truly good book and one that all sailors, past and present should read.

Aye--Aye Captain!

This book needs to be read by everyone especially by all those over 13. I read it frequently and every time I am more amazed by John's incredible greatness, sacrifice, courage and love of children. I am also very thankful that his family, friends, professional co-workers et.all were there to help him. Even Dr. Johnson contacted medical assistance all over the country to help him. It is more tragic that his form of cancer is now much more treatable. The last line says that Coach Baker turned tragedy into an enduring legacy. Amen! The Duke City Dashers and the children of Aspen were so so blessed by their "Coach Baker." My paperback from 1982 has been replaced by a hardcover. Aspen, by his children was named "John Baker Elementary" in tribute to this great man and their "teacher" Words really can't describe him. I am so thankful that Mr. Buchanan has told all of us the life of one of the greatest people that I have ever known and heard about. Truly, Coach has received in heaven all of the crowns, trophies, medals that the Lord provides to His good and faithful servants!!Five stars all around to everyone involved in John Baker's legacy and William J. Buchanan. Coach Baker's story needs to be told even 38 years later!!

I originally read this book about John Baker's life and impact on young people when I was in grade school. I still had it on my bookshelf when I was in college in 1988. I felt a lump on my testicle and immediately saw a doctor. The diagnosis was malignant testicular cancer, but thanks to God and the fact that I had re-read John Baker's story so many times, I caught it early and am completely cured. John's life continues to have an impact on many people long after his tragic death.

I first read this book when it was passed on to me in high school by a friend. The story of John's life and battle with cancer is something that really makes you put your life in perspective and is truly inspirational. I don't know anyone that has made it through the book without some tears...just reading through the reviews here, I found myself with tears streaming down my cheeks. If each of us could do 1/2 the good in our lifetimes that John Baker did in his that ended much too soon, imagine how much better the world would be.

This true story of a runner and coach tugs at your heart strings. It is so sad , at times I could not see the page because of my tears. Mr. Buchanan does a remarkable job of painting the portrait of this young man's life in a realistic manner. Very well written - THIS WAS A GREAT READ!!!

I was 8 years old when John Baker passed away but, I do remember when they changed the name of the school to honor this hero. This book is chicken soup for the human soul. This book belongs in everyone's personal library and it should be read at least once a year to remind us that every little thing counts.

A friend shared this book with me a couple weeks ago and I read it in 24 hours. I could not put it down. It will always remain one of the most beautiful, comforting, authentic, soulful books I have ever read. It absolutely resonated with me. I am an orthodox Jew having converted from another religious tradition in the past. Many people do not know that although reincarnation is not the first or most important 'order of business' within Judaism, yet there is an understanding that we do not just visit this earthly plane only once. Reincarnation is alive and well :) in our tradition, although unfortunately not everyone is aware of it. Reading this small beautiful book as a practicing Jew, I continually found likenesses to beliefs in my own tradition (especially Kabbalah, but not limited to that), and I knew while reading it that it was of course written from an Eastern perspective, which made the likenesses all the more beautiful and remarkable to me, because ultimately Truth takes us back to One Source. Truth is truth and is not limited to any group, but available to all. That was one of the most lovely things about reading this book. This little book only confirmed beliefs I have had for much of my life and it illustrated to me once again the universality of the human experience and the love and compassion that lie beyond.

By the way, I think if anyone who is afraid of 'death' could read this inspiring little volume they would fear it no longer.

How I wish the book were affordable! I'd buy many to share with those I love. Five stars easily.

Rachel

How I came about this book will tell you much about the truth of its teachings. My physical body died on May 15th, 1991 while I was in the hospital. I had never given much thought to the possibility of life after death before this. Everything about shedding my physical body and journeying to this non-physical realm was new to me. What happened next was extraordinary! Meeting a Being of Light, regaining the memories of who I truly am, of who I was prior to coming to mortality, being given a choice to remain or to go back to mortality, the revelation that I had come to earth to accomplish a mission, etc. Much can be said about this amazing journey but this is not the place to do so.

Little did I know that my Near-Death-Experience (NDE) had opened a door to the other side. Things started hapening that I did not expect. I started seeing energy, having visions and even hearing a voice. At first, these things frightened me and I tried to repress them. As time went by, I became more confortable and started allowing these things to happen. (I found out much later that an NDE will sometimes bring on abilities such as clairvoyance and clairaudience)

The "Voice" as I call it, does not come often but when it does I listen, for it always guides me in the right direction. One such instance took place a few years ago. I had just purchased several books and had left the bookstore when the "Voice" came. It directed me to go back to the bookstore and guided me towards this book, A Soul's Journey. I purchased the book and I was reading it on the plane back home the following day. The "Voice" came again and said: "a sister will sit next to you". I was so absorbed by the book that I did not pay attention to the young woman who sat next to me. She initiated the conversation by asking what book I was reading and what it was all about. I told her about the teachings in the book which lead me to also tell her about my NDE. She started crying, telling me she had been praying for over a year asking for a sign that there is life after death. And here we were... this book and I on her path. I never saw her again. But I trust that my story and the teachings in this book came when she needed them.

This is an extraordinary book! Not only is there life after death but there is purpose to your life. You are the physical extension of your divine self. Reading this book will help you understand the journey you are on.

... a sequence of events and coincidences to powerfull to ignore culminated with the sales assistant giving me a copy of this book to read and return whenever... I did not put it down. It so aligns with a certain 'gut feel' that I had had for so long, answers questions I have held for so long and explains the esoteric events of my life... so far. As if to encourage me to keep on going, to trust life as it unfolds. This books adds a powerful perspective of the bigger picture. It gives a sense of belonging, purpose, and took me forward a massive quantum leap. First published in 1953, the context is of another time perhaps but the relevance remains very, very strong. It will add perspective to your ponderings and strengthen your understanding of the 'big picture'. A clear and easly understood read - I wish I had read it earlier...

I read this book in Brazil during the seventies. I gave it as a present to many friends. The amazing story Mr. Richelieu tells, as a real experience, makes a lot of sense for all who came in contact with facts beyond the physical realms, as it makes sense for me. The author tells about the mystic "Acharya" who visits him one day in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during the II World War, after the author lost his younger pilot brother. The mysterious visitor starts to answer his questions, over a series of meetings, about life after death and later takes him to the astral planes and beyond, through guided conscious astral projections, so that mr. Richelieu can experience everything for himself. The whole book is fascinating. I've read somewhere that Mr. Richard Matheson used this book as part of his extensive bibliography listed in the book "What dreams may come", that was later adapted as a movie, with Robin Williams.
To say the least this book brings a lot of interesting insights to the naïve Judeo-Christian belief system about life after death, that was amusingly represented when preacher Billy Graham was asked by CNN's Larry King what he, Mr. Graham, would say to the (Christian) "God Almighty", when facing "Him" in the "heaven". Mr. Graham ("spiritual advisor to many "US commander in chiefs", since Eisenhower) answered that even though he had been studying the bible for dozens of years (maybe 60?), he still hadn't understood some parts of the "holly" book, so he would ask "God" to "explain them" to him! This shows where Christianity is standing. With some research, anyone can know that the Bible is a huge patchwork of stories and tales borrowed from mythology from Sumeria, Egypt, India and Greece, among others. And Lao Tzu in his Tao Te Ching defined "God" better than anyone else I read, when he says: The TAO is older than god.
Mr. Richelieu brings new light to reconstruct the present western naive paradigm about life after death, god and religions, as his guide, the kind and wise Indian Acharya sheds light on these matters in a sober and profound way, without attacking anyone or imposing any sectarian religious beliefs or dogmas. Five stars is the minimum for such a book, written in simple language anyone can relate to. For those who can read portuguese language, the Brazilian edition can be found in any religious/esoteric corner of our bookstores (or at the brazilian ebay partner site, mercadolivre_dot_com) for a fraction price of the rare and expensive english editions, the title there is "A Viagem de uma Alma".

If you ever wondered about this, read this book. I read this book as a teenager and re-read it again recently. It is based on a true story based on the author's experience. He was taken out of his body to visit the 'other side' of death. Reading this book gives a person hope and reassurance that death is not the end. There are other books published about life after death but I think this is one of the earlier books and the message remains the same. It's not the comfort or material gain one takes to the other side, instead it is compassion and love.

Very much enjoyed this book. Loaded with fascinating pictures and images. Stays out of political opinions or posturing. Highly recommended.

This book broadly covers the organization and History of Hitler's elite enforces providing the reader with great amounts of information on this subject. It hides nothing especially the attrocities.

A must read for those interested in this subject.

Many good things can be said about this book. I sought out this book after reading the `Complete Idiot's Guide to Nazi Germany' and found that it had very little information on the SS. I was surprised at the number of photos and pictures in this book. That was the aspect I liked the most. The overall layout of the book was nice with detailed information on the formation of the SS, day to day tasks, subdivisions of the organization, equipment, atrocities on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, and the foreign legions. However, I feel the book could have used more information on the Gestapo, the SD, and the Einsatzgruppen. The Waffen-SS was given plenty of coverage in regards to its individual divisions and campaigns on the two fronts. I would have to say too much information considering that this was supposed to be a book about the entire SS. The sections on the Waffen SS were excellent, without a doubt. The book should have been given a different title which stresses this fact. Overall, the book was easy to read and flowed well with plenty of fascinating information. The author seemed a bit quick to defend the Waffen SS and some of the atrocities it is accused of, constantly stressing the fact that on the whole they were soldiers like those in the Wehrmacht. Though this may or may not have been true, opinions like this should have been kept to a minimum. The book would have been better if the information was just presented and then proceeded to let the reader decide for him or herself.

This book is an awesome collection of written material along with rare, powerful photos and diagrams. A standout feature, and my personal favorites, were the illustrations of particular uniforms, medlas,ceremonial decorations, propaganda posters, and weaponry that you don't find in alot of WWII references. Overall, this a great book and a must for WWII enthusiasts.

Comprehensive, profusely illustrated, reader-friendly, concise, nice size edition and clear in its exposition. In about 250 pages Mr. Williamson covers the whole history of these special troops, in all their aspects. Reviewing all its divisions, commanders, foreign nationalities that were incorporated into them, the weapons, the battles, their most talented fighters, etc and without losing the thread of his story: a most remarkable thing. Of course this is no eulogy of the SS, it tells of the barbarities committed as well as the acts of true heroism in battle by some of their soldiers. This is a great history. One can follow their main divisions from their inception long before the war, and how they grew in size and experience parallel to the national circumstances of Germany herself.

The role played by Himmler's crackpot ethnic theories were debunked by sheer necessity of man force: many of its finest soldiers were indeed non-Germans. One feels compelled to read more about this ignominiuos personage, Himmler, as he really was a weird (and evil) guy. On the positive side are outstanding acts of sheer valor and heroism of some soldiers who really deserve to remain in any military history of this war. Some passages of course overlap with the Wehrmacht, since they fought side by side many times, but both the detailed analysis and the wider scope of the SS role are present in this book. Nothing relevant is missing here. A great history book and an engrossing read.

So good that I keep hoping it will go out of print! (Thereby making it more difficult for my friends to get their hands on these excellent recipes.)

More seriously, this fine cookbook distills the essence of what made Waltuck's Le Zinc so special (even though it name-checks the mighty Chanterelle). Plus, it contains a large number of recipes aimed at feeding a crowd, which is pretty unusual in-and-of itself. But the star of the show is the food, and Waltuck's stuffed cabbage, his lime-marinated flank steak, and so many others have become some of my absolute favorites.

The book is informative, opinionated, charming, and truly deserves a spot on your shelf. I can't recommend a cookbook more highly.

When you open the book you feel as if you are walking in the front door of Chanterelle and David Wartuck says to you, "Come on in. Grab an apron and join me in the kitchen. I opened up early today so you and I can make something wonderful for lunch." This is a unique book. Unlike every other cookbook I own, this is a sit down and read me book. You learn about his family, his staff, his friends, and how everyone has contributed to his menu over the years. The recipes are for more than one or two people, but you can always find some friends to invite over for a memorable breakfast/lunch/brunch/dinner. This is a big book, y'all. Lots of pages of the kind of food you want to cook every day or once or twice a week. Chicken, shrimp, beef, fish, scallops, breads, vegetables, sides, soups, desserts. It's all in here. Easy to follow instructions. Recipes for sauces, salad dressings, gravies, you name it. Nothing in the book requires you to fly to Hong Kong to buy the ingredients. You can find everything in your local stores. Except, of course, if you live on the North or South Pole. I really like this book a lot. I have lived in NYC for years and never went to this restaurant. However, this is my new goal. Before 2008 comes to a close, I am going to Chanterelle! Hope David Waltuck is there so he can sign my book!

With several shelves full of cookbooks to choose from, this is the one that I pull down when I need some inspiration for good, hearty, tasty, basic foods that are easy to prepare. This is my most used cookbook, and everything I've made from it has turned out well. Pop culture cookbooks come and go but this classic stands the test of time. Highly recommended.

When we moved last year, it was one of 5 cookbooks I packed in my suitcase to use in our temporary apartment. It's chock full of great recipes for American classics, but done in a way that appeals to people who've gone beyond Campbell's soup casseroles. A number of easy ethnic recipes rounds out the mix.

This is my favorite go-to cookbook for a weekend meal when I am not craving any particular cuisine and just want to try something new. The chatter is lively, and the recipes fun to cook, both reducing well and expanding to suit a bigger crowd. While the dishes do not reflect a "pure" ethnic sensibility, the blending of flavors and seasonings lead to delicious results sometimes even exciting. I return to many of these recipes again and again. My (spoiled) husband who sometimes doesn't know what he is eating but certainly knows if he likes it, is a big fan of this cookbook.