Texas Books

I give this book five gold stars--five thumbs up--five pats on the back--five nods of joy. (See more about my work www.WordsBySusie.com) Lloyd Mardis takes his readers along with him on his cycling quest into the human spirit. You cannot read his new book, Mother Nature Ain't Nobody's Mom, without coming away feeling as if you have known this gentle and insightful guy forever. Mardis captures the landscape--both interior and exterior--of life. With each turn of the page, I found myself riding alongside Mardis, seeing the world and the people he met through his eyes and heart. This is a gem of a journey book. A must have for every bookcase. Check it out today--enjoy the cycling--enjoy the humor--enjoy the poignancy. Who knows? One day when you're out on the road cycling across the countryside, maybe you'll run into author Mardis--if so, I'd bet you'd be in for the adventure of a lifetime.

My book club thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Mardis' prose enabled us to settle into the rhythm of the road along with him, and we found much to savor in his humorous telling of his many adventures. We enjoyed his descriptions of small Texas towns, his retelling of local legends, and his stories of the interesting people he met along the way. His poetry reveals the sensory impact of months alone living outside and traveling through open country and the resulting self-knowledge. There are so many things to enjoy about this book that I found myself turning page after page, long into the night. I couldn't put it down.

Mr. Mardis's book is wonderful. It can be read from front to back, or as I have discovered by reading sections in no particular order. I find this a relaxing and enjoyable way to read his book! However, my favorite section, where I am able to get the feel of the trip, is his poetry. Here the nitty-gritty, the tedium, the every-inch of the trip is (gratefully) accepted and absorbed, and his experiences come alive for me - the very tedium of cycling mile after mile is the very stuff of exhilaration. Mother nature is present to enjoy, to battle, to accept, to be amazed at, to be part of, but never, ever taken for granted or ignored!!! Thanks for the ride.

Being a class mate of Lloyd's back in Indiana. and hearing about his bike rides, I was a little sceptible of how interesting a book on riding a bicycle and camping could be.
Well I was quite surprised at how interesting traveling through the country on a bicycle could be along with the humor, discriptions of his surroundings and historic facts presented
in a form that kept my attention.
I live in Florida now and will recommend it to my friends.

Good luck on this and future books.

Very good. Makes you want to travel. Only give few books 5 stars, and this is one of them. Worth the time, give it a try.

As a poker player and a businessman I have for years realized the close correlation between the skills needed to succeed in both arenas. Krause and Carter do an outstanding and insightful job of making these correlations quite clear for the reader and their use of keywords to assist the reader in digesting and recalling these skills is very useful.

This book touches on a number of topics that are considered by some to be taboo in business today. I would like to thank them for being so open and blunt about these topics. Even if one's character does not allow them to use all of these tactics in pursuing their successes at least they should be informed enough to recognize when some of the more questionable tactics are being employed against them.

Success in business and poker require an understanding of the game, an ability to react quickly to uncertain situations, and be prepared to take calculated risks knowing when the reward justifies such risk taking. The authors do an outstanding job at pointing out to the reader how to recognize these opportunities, determine the risk/reward payoff, and identify which tactics and strategies can be employed to achieve optimum results.

Krause and Carter have successfully defined the game in business today and given readers the foundation for success. All that is needed is the strength of heart to understand yourself, your opponents, and which tactic suits you for the attainment of your goals. This book is not about a quick fix or even a big one time score it is about making the changes that can positively impact you over the long haul. Just like poker, success is not measured by your performance on a particular night or during a specific tournament, it is measured by your long running results from the time you began playing the game until you ultimately stop.

Read this book, apply what suits your own character and player type, then go out there and get in the game with confidence in knowing that you are equipped with the tools of success!!

It was a good read. Very clever of you guys to center it around the national phenomenon of poker playing. I happen to be the worst poker player ever to attempt the game - I used to be pretty good at bridge tho' - but my son plays, my nephews play, my brother-in-law plays, etc. Even in JAX there are several thriving poker rooms with more opening all the time. I can see why college professors would refer to and use the book since a large portion of their audience probably plays poker.

The book was easy to read and kept my attention. I like the use of acronyms to help with retention. I guess that's why we use them so much in our field. I also enjoyed the off-hand buried references from the OZ books. I guess the chapters on The Land of Oz and Getting to Know You were two of my favorites - probably because I do a lot of that intuitively. I think I am a mutated Wizard. I truly lack the "keen desire to dominate and wield power" (more about that later), but a lot of the rest of it sounds like me.

I am not sure if these next paragraphs have more to do with my X chromosome, my ENFP Myers-Briggs, or my somewhat limited spiritual gifts of mercy, service and encouragement; but this wouldn't be an honest and complete review without this part.

I am not personally motivated by winning. I think this is probably an X chromosome thing, but please never quote me by name on that - I'll get drummed out of my gender. What motivates me is service and gratitude. What keeps me going is believing that I have made a difference. If someone actually thanks me - that's the gravy. That's one reason why I loved working for you so much - you were always so good about thanking. The reason I blame it on the X is that my son, who is also ENFP, cares deeply about winning. He is in law school now, and even though he has a highly defined sense of justice, etc., at the core of it he just wants to WIN. He loves to compete in his areas of highest confidence, like moot court and trial team competitions. I really believe that a high percentage of women in the work force are motivated more like me than they are by WINNING. They probably would never admit it though. The ones who try hard to compete and make winning central tend to be the least happy and the most bitter. I think we take losing more personally than the Y crowd. We internalize it (I'm a bad person) and it makes us miserable. I think the book was important for me to read because, even though I'm not energized by the winning thing, I need to understand the people around me. I have always worked and I will be working for some time still. I need to understand other people's motivation and behavior in order to survive.

On the ENFP front, I am not big on planning and life-time commitments (the P) and I lead with my gut A LOT (the F). Parts of the book made me tired and a little depressed because they depend on characteristics I don't possess. I guess I could do it (like anything else) if I were willing to pay the price, but I'm not. The good news is that the book affirms that my highly developed intuition (the N) will probably keep me in the game even if I don't win much which I don't really care about anyway. I learned some things I can keep though - things where the value of the hand comes up positive for me - and I'm going to work on those.

On the "mercy and encouragement" side, the parts about manipulation, subterfuge, intentional disruption - that all creeps me out. Setting somebody up to fail is not something I would consciously do, even though I probably have done subconsciously. My least favorite parts were the ones about exploiting character flaws and the D-I-S-C-A-R-D. That said, I am a realist and I do believe in the doctrine of Total Depravity, so I have rather low expectations of the human race (including me). It is important for me to be reminded that there are people out there who would do me harm in order to advance and it's good to study exactly how they might do it. I do like to be safe and understanding where the threats are and what I need to do to parry the blows is great information.

Summary: Good read - clever, smart, entertaining, thorough. Imparts a lot of information in relatively few pages. Is designed for take-away action. I recommend it for everyone who has to interact with other humans (grin). Even if you wouldn't plan to use the offensive strategies and tactics, the defensive possibilities are invaluable. I plan to order it for my son. He grew up in an X household and I think it will feed his Y soul.

Once you pick up No Limit and start turning the pages, it will not be easy to put down. This book is extremely easy to read and more importantly, apply. Krause and Carter's clever use of acronyms and overall structure make the content very easy to pick up and maintain. After reading this book, I've been able to increase my level of performance at work through applying the No Limit strategies.

Poker, business, and life require a strategic decision making approach that positions you for the best possible chance for success. This book will help you enhance, transport and modify your Friday night poker methodology into your professional & personal relationships creating a competitive advantage over your competitors.

Everyone wants to be a winner but not all possess and nurture the skills necessary to win. This book is not about a one time, quick fix for success or the bluff that gets you the promotion or project you've had your eye on. It is about applying the skills addressed by Donald Krause and Jeff Carter to your everyday life in order to know yourself, know and understand the players in the game you play and increase your odds. It is about striving to be the winner, cultivating the attributes of greatness from within, and learning from failure-yours and those of others- to not just win the big pot but all those little ones that make us get up everyday and pursue our aspirations.

This book is not for the faint of heart. No Limit puts it out there for the reader. Millions will read this but few will have the will to act and make an impact on their lives.

The concepts described in No Limit are critical to success when the stakes are high. This is about the realities of business in today's hypercompetitive environment. .

Donald Krause and Jeff Carter combine to provide a unique and powerful set of tools that can dramatically increase one's ability to influence and lead. They seem to combine game theory, psychoanalysis and various negotiation models into an innovative analogous format that has yet to be documented.

Great book whether you are from Texas or not. The author's artwork is superb and gives you the real feelings of these "old Texas friends". The stories are right out of history and very entertaining. Whether you are young or old, the past is always a great place to visit and Mr. Morgan's book is a wonderful time machine with which to travel there. Highly recommended.

The prose is remarkably uplifting and allows one to look at history in a unique fashion. The stories are interesting and some local people with firsthand knowledge about one particular story told me the article was correct to the letter. The drawings are amazingly accurate to the finest detail. An excellent gift for the upcoming holidays. Your friends or relatives would greatly appreciate this book.

This book provides an entertaining historical account of the grand old courthouses of Texas. The author takes you back to days when the county seat was the center of activity and the letter of the law was a bit dusty. The drawings are spectacular in detail as are the tall tales of Texas lore. It is an excellent gift book and very reasonably priced.

Very good book.Lots of Texas history. Well written. I enjoyed the tales of Texas lore.Superb art work with excellent details.A great book to have in your library. B.

This is a fascinating work on a fairly esoteric topic. Although I usually don't usually encounter such works unless I am looking up specific information, I came across this book and had a difficult time putting it down. The illustrations are a magical blend of art and fact. When I have visited the courthouses, I felt as if I had been there - from both the prose and the drawings. If this topic (Texas history and culture) sounds interesting, get the book - you'll love it. If you are not sure, get the book - you'll love it. This will make a wonderful gift.

This intriguing and fast paced book held my attention until the end. I immediately sought more of her books but the local bookstore had none of them. I particularly like the main characters as they seem to come from my immediate surroundings, which prompted me to keep doors and windows locked while reading. Refreshing and very real.

This intriguing and fast paced book held my attention until the end. I immediately sought more of her books but the local bookstore had none of them. I particularly like the main characters as they seem to come from my immediate surroundings, which prompted me to keep doors and windows locked while reading. Refreshing and very real.

When E.J. Pugh discovers the bodies of her next door neighbors and the four-year-old who witnessed it she is horrified. After she finds out that she has been named Bessie's guardian, she worries that the child could be the next target of the killer. When she also finds out that the police think that Mr. Lester killed his wife, child and himself she becomes determined to clear his name and protect Bessie. I couldn't put down this fast paced and high intensity start to the E. J. Pugh series.

I am glad I am not her neighbor!! This was the first book I read from Cooper, and the friends/neighbors deaths were shocking to me. Cooper managed to pull it out and the book was a good read. Can't wait to read more to see how the family is coping and what danger is lurking around the corner for the Pugh's.

I started this book and was hooked from the very beginning. I cried with E.J. Pugh, the protagonist, at the death of her friends and neighbors--the whole family except for one little girl. I could feel for E.J. and her family dealing with: inability to believe and cope with the idea that a beloved friend could committ a brutal murder like this, the difficulty in taking a child so emotionally injured by this incident and trying to adapt her into a new family, with E.J. trying to solve this murder. One of the very best mysteries I have read. I already love and reccommend Susan Rogers Coopers series about Sheriff Milt Kovack, an Oklahoma lawman, as a superior series. But I wonder, after this book, how will she ever be able to keep the suspense this high again. I hope E.J. Pugh and her family are around for a long time.

Hey, this is one great story! Rule Cordell is a fascinating character, one I hope we get to read more about in future books by Cotton Smith. It captures the agony of the end of the Civil War in a way that is as moving as Cold Mountain. No lie! Powerful stuff. I wanted it to go on and on.

This was a very moving book! There is so much change on many levels. I didn't want to put it down! If you need a good Christmas or birthday gift idea - here it is!

This book hit me hard. I'n not a "western" fan as such, but this was recommended to me by a friend, who had read it three times already. You shouldn't miss it! I hope there's another Rule Cordell book in Cooton Smith -- or two!

Pray for Texas was excellent...from the colorful characters to the fast-paced storyline. I was riveted! I would recommend this book to anyone --western buffs or not!

I really enjoyed Pray For Texas adn thought the writing was as good as, if not better than "Cold Mountain" and "War to Live on." The characters in this book will stay with you and you may not feel the same way about the Civil War again. Quite a feat of writing. Looking forward to the next book from Mr. Smith

Someone gave me this book back in the early 90's I read most of it before my sister STOLE it! Once I got it back I finished it and then one day while on the bus a lady asked to see it, we got to talking about the book and she got off the bus with the book in her hands..... yes, it was stolen AGAIN! I had no clue who the lady was, I only hope that she read it. Over the years while visiting book stores I have always inquired about it but I wasn't sure of the name or author. Well low and behold one day my sister and I were talking about books (we always share the good ones)and she told me that the BEST book she had ever read was Racehoss: Big Emma's Boy. Yes, the one she stole, since then I have been on a quest to replace it. I just bought it on Amazon.com! I can't wait to read it again. It was EXECELLENT! and as I remember, definitely worth reading twice! I am so sorry that I missed the interview with the author that other reviewers have mentioned, I would love to have been able to see the REAL Racehoss!

I read this book for the first time back in 1997 and continue to find this book to be among the very best that I have ever read. Mr. Sample delivers his story in a hilarious yet touching manner. I recommend this as a must read for pretty much everyone.

In the mid 1980's I tuned into a repeat program on the local NPR affiliate in Washington D.C. Diane Rehm was the host of a repeat broadcast of an interview with the author. It was such an absolutely compelling interview with the man, now obviously (at that time) an elderly gentleman--that I had to go out right away and purchase the book. It was and still remains a book that embodies everything "Classic" literature is. King must have read this before writing "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption"--and as good a short story and subsequent movie as it was--Race Hoss:Big Emma's Boy is the ultimate real deal. Having heard the interview with the author, I am at a distinct advantage to analyze both the man and his writing. There are simply no superlatives to describe either. God Bless Albert Race Sample--thank you for a book that hopefully be filmed just as it is written. If approached honestly, it would be the finest portrayal of prison life as well as life as a young black man in the Deep South to date.

I am looking for this book which is now out of print I believe. Ordinarily I might overlook this subject matter... but, I was listening to NPR's Diane Rehm 25th anniversary show, in which she played various excerpts of past programs. Diane prefaced... "and the most moving interview for me was with Albert Race Samples" and then I heard this smallish quivering voice with a light Texas accent talking about his time in "the hole" in prison, about how one day (or night?) in the absolute blackness around him, a loneliness and desperation of the soul came upon him... he called out to God and was answered with a glimmer of light right in front of him... from then, he knew he was not alone. I was moved, as Rehm had been... and determined to try to find his book. I could only wish it would be available on CD and read by Mr. Samples himself.

If anyone had an excuse to go into a life of crime, it was Albert Race Sample, known as Racehoss because he was interracial. The son of a prostitute and grandson of a grandfather who murdered his (Racehoss') grandmother, Albert followed his destiny and ended up in a tough Texas prison, which is darker and starker than anything I've seen in books. In fact, I agree with another reviewer who suspects that Stephen King, and perhaps others, used Sample's book as a model for their prison stories and scenes. Read this book if you're thinking about going to prison--it'll change your mind real quick.

I seldom am touched enough by a book to write a review but this book is remarkable. The relationships are tender and meaningful - perfect examples of what grandparents and parents as well should be to children. Humor abounds as well as sentiment and good sound thinking, living ,and loving. All that and the story line fascinates.

Ruby and the Stargazers is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who grew up in a small town in the fifties. Elvis, a Thunderbird, and colorful characters make this engaging tale come alive for the reader. It's a folksy, funny, and heartwarming tale which leaves the reader with an excellent message about the importance of family.

Marci Henna is a fireside and her warm heart flickers on the pages of this novel. She has a talent for penning the small, almost incidental details, of life that hold all of the big emotions that we are sometimes afraid to feel and express. A heartwarming read for anyone.

From the moment I picked up this book the cover drew me in like
no other that I recall. I had to know what was inside. They say you can't go back home - but Marci Henna takes you there and
it's a most delightful journey. It reminded me about alot of
childhood memories and values that I was happy to have brought back to life. I loved the line - "My life had felt so full, but now I knew it was simply busy" and "Autumn" on page 15.

Having grown up in Texas near the same era the book is set in, I found myself identifying with the colloquialisms and small town living. Reading the book, I anxiously turned pages wanting to uncover the secrets that drove a wedge between Juliet and her sister. I hope there is a sequel!

I could not put it down. I can't wait to read the second in the series, Dead Copy.

This novel was a bit longer than my normal cozy fare, but I finished it in the same amount of time. The author really did keep my interest the entire time. I actually found the mystery itself to be a little boring and farfetched, but, in the end, none of that seemed to matter. The heroine was very real and likeable. I also apprecite that the heroine actually has a job, as a journalist, that is conducive to a mystery series. It's plausible that this character could actually stumble over a dead body or two.

Scoop has it all - a Texas twang - bad guys, funny women, and parrot - what more do you want for pure entertainment? Seriously this book is smart, really fast paced (I didn't want to put it down) and gave me one of my favorite lines from a book I've ever read (I'm going to quote it often!). Kudos Kit, now hurry and write some more!

Author is exhibiting a fresh approach and hope more books are coming.

Cauley MacKinnon might just be the sexy, less jaded, Texan younger sister of Kinsey Millhone that we've all been hoping would show up as Sue Grafton's series winds its way through to Z. Kit Frazier's a talented newcomer with a sharp pen and intriguing setting far from the over-worked burbs and suburbs of New York and Los Angeles. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

This is one of my all-time favorite basebal books. It hearkens back to a time of total irreverence, when athletes and managers did not have to watch every word leaving their mouths, and things were ostensibly off-the-record.

He chronicles the move from Washington, when the Senators became the Texas Rangers, from a boozy, loose jointed perspective of a beat writer covering an awful team in a steam room of a ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

There are some insightful revelations here, such as when the former vice-president, Spiro Agnew shows up, we can transcribe the letters of his name to spell "Grow a Penis".

Whitey Herzog comes off as a personal favorite, while managing the hapless team during the inaugural year. When asked by the writers about his starting pitcher Steve Hargan's control problems after a woeful start one evening, Whitey explains simply that his pitcher lost focus staring at the great set of tits in the front row behind the dugout.

The flavor of the book changes after the arrival of Billy Martin, but Martin had that effect almost everywhere he went.

The exploits of the sportswriters, alternately idle and drunk, are equally hilarious.

We will never get another major league baseball story like this again, and Schropshire has graced us with a baseball classic.

I happened to stumble upon this book while searching on Amazon. I'm glad I found this. The book ostensibly is about the 1973-1975 Rangers but most of the book is on the 1973 team, which was one of the worst teams in MLB history. Whitey Herzog, who managed the team for most of the '73 season, is a source of numerous great quotes in the book. While discussing a pitcher nearly throwing a no-hitter against the team, he says if anyone threw a no-no against the Rangers, "they oughta slap an asterisk on it." He discusses the plan for pitching phenom David Clyde, and wraps it up by saying, "then we're gonna bottle his sperm."

Speaking of Clyde, his sad saga is expounded upon in great detail here. Then-Rangers owner Bob Short, desperately looking for a way to fans into Arlington Stadium, rushed Clyde to the majors at the age of eighteen shortly after he was drafted. Clyde's career got off to a good start, but he soon faded and he was done in the majors by 24. In another attempt to get fans, Short dumped Herzog and replaced him with Billy Martin. Martin's story is all too familiar: Takes over a team, quickly snaps them into shape, almost as quickly wears out his welcome with the front office and his players, gets fired, lather, rinse, repeat. Amazingly, Martin took the Rangers who finished last in the AL West and went 57-105 in '73 to a second place finish and a 84-76 record in '74. However, both the Rangers' players and front office tired of his act and fired him in '75.

Shropshire's fantastic memory and biting sense of humor makes this an enjoyable read. The book's only drawback is the terrible editing job. Don Larsen's last name is misspelled "Larson." Even worse, Muhammad Ali's first name is mispelled "Mohammad." In the afterword, he refers to Aaron Sele as a left-hander. One problem: Sele is a right-hander. Despite these blunders, this is a fun, quick read. Recommended.

I bought this book several years ago based on the recommendation of Don Imus on his morning show. It is laugh out loud funny. With comments from Whitey Herozg like "I've seen better knees on a camel" or "Our pitchers act like they're going to get the clap if they throw strikes." To the author getting input from Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin about his drinking too much. It will have you laughing like crazy.

Anyone who thinks baseball is the overly groomed, PR conscious, coddled player, outrageous money game we see today has missed the true glory days of the sport. Not that the Texas Rangers of 1973 through 1975 were anywhere near glorious....they were wretched. When the Washington Senators were sold down south and arrived in the old orange monstrosity that was home to the Texas Rangers, baseball fans in the metroplex thought they were in heaven. It only took a seson or two to disabuse them of this belief. I was in the stands at Arlington stadium nearly every home game.....not as a fan, as an employee. Mike Shropshire was along for the ride as a sportswriter for a local paper and was front row for the wreckage that was the early Rangers. Castoff players, oddball owners, pugnacious managers were all part of the scene. Back in the day, players weren't sequestered and standoffish, stadium staff often found them in the same watering holes we frequented after games. This is a hilarious look at the early days of the Rangers, the emergence of Billy Martin as their manager, the beginning and end of David Clyde and a cast of unbelievable players. It is a must-read for anyone who yearns for the "good old days" of the sport and who remembers the 70's.

I absolutely loved this book. It rivals Moneyball in terms of recent excellent baseball nonfiction. The author adeptly describes his experience following the absolutely awful 1973-75 Texas Rangers and their sad existence at the time. Great info on what goes on behind a ball club's closed door. And what is most priceless are all the witty quotes and one liners from 1973's manager, the great Whitey Herzog. Get this book. It's a great read. You won't be sorry.

"Soldiering For Freedom" by Herman J. Obermayer.
Subtitled: "A GI's Account Of World War II.
Texas A& M University, Military History Series, 98. (2005).

This book is a personal memoir that is different from most. Herman J. Obermayer, at the age of eighteen, was drafted in June 1943. From his entry into the Army at the New Cumberland Army Reception Center, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania until his return from Europe to the United States on the ship, "Colby Victory", he wrote his parents. His last letter is dated March 30, 1946. These letters, collected during the war years, formed the foundation for this book. At first, I thought I would not like the format of printed edited versions of Obermayer's letters, but then, I found that the author has woven the letters into a sort of personal and contemporary commentary on the events that were occurring at the date of each letter. So, for example, you will find his letters from the College of William and Mary, where Obermayer trained in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), intertwined with a rather detailed explanation of the Army Specialized Training Program, its goals, and that the fact that some 150,000 GIs were assigned to some 222 colleges and universities as ASTP students, and, for completeness, a brief history of the College. Due to his high score on the Army General Classification Test, Herman Obermayer was initially assigned to ASTP, so the former Dartmouth student entitled this chapter as "Back To College As A Soldier".

Basic training, troopship crossings and awaiting combat are all dealt with in individual chapters, which, again, mix Obermayer's contemporary correspondence with succinct summaries of the status of the war in the European Theater of Operations, ETO. An interesting chapter deals with the war against the French, our nominal allies, who were robbing gasoline from the American pipelines. On pages 100-101, the author gives an incidence of the French actually sabotaging a train, resulting in the death of some 200 American soldiers. "Censorship kept the news of this event out of the U.S. press." Even today, the there is little written about it.

The author has provided B&W contemporary photos of himself, his friends and some of interesting events he describes in the book. Additionally, the author has prepared an interesting map, showing his World War II trek across the ETO, and then marking the places he visited, including Paris, the Riviera and Geneva, Switzerland, where he was a student after the end of hostilities. This is an interested and very detailed book.

Soldiering For Freedom, a collection of letters to his parents, describes what World War II was like for G.I.'s whose logistic support made possible the effectiveness and heroism of front-line combat troops. Obe was one of thousands who maintained and protected the pipe line that fueled the spectacular advances of Patton's Third Army. Well-written, a "good read"...his writing brings long overdue recognition to the unsung role of "back area" veterans. Obermayer is gifted with a seeing eye and a feeling heart. His vivid 1944-46 descriptions of France and Germany and his reactions to what he witnessed reminds us that French anti-Americanism was reciprocated by the average G.I., and that black marketeering and fuel theft was greatly responsible for prolonging the war.
This excellent book is a "coming of age" memoire of a patriotic Jewish G.I. from an affluent "Ivy League" background becoming a natural and inevitable part of the American community, that unique bonding of diverse citizens learning to work together sharing a love of country and flag.
These letters remind veterans of the daily "Mail Call's" ability to sustain family bonds in wartime...maintaining contact with the "real" world. Sixty years later in "Soldiering For Freedom" Obermayer wins his personal battle with Time by gathering up and preserving memory. history

Mr. Obermayer's book is an excellent read. The chapters feature a summary and then copies of Mr. Obermayer's letters to his family during World War II.

What makes Mr. Obermayer's story interesting is that he was a young man who didn't like the Army, but did his best to serve his country.

Every since the movie "Saving Private Ryan," and the book "The Greatest Generation," the public has viewed WWII veterans as people who were on a crusade. "Soldiering for Freedom" brings back the facts of 1940 military life we've forgotten. He describes:

* The hurry up and wait so common to military operations.
* The dependence on rumors for information and the concurrent frustration of not knowing what's happening.
* The forming and training and then re-forming and retraining. He goes through a dizzying number of programs and units: college based technical training, Combat Engineer battalion, Airborne Engineer battalion, a medic in a Fuel line detachment, and legal clerk.
* The senseless and unfair rules: officer only facilities of higher quality than the enlisted men were provided, censor ship of his mail, working for officers and noncommissioned officers who had less intellegent and/or education than him, etc.
* The resentment and lack of support from liberated French people for the war effort.

This is a part of the Army and the war that use to be shown in the television show "Sergeant Bilko" or the "Sad Sack" comic books--Civilians with an uneasy alliance to military life who often spent their time in uniform doing the best with what little the Army gave them.

Mr. Obermayer brings vividly alive a GI's life in the final years of World War II in Europe and the occupation that followed. But he also finds lessons in that period that inform us today-- especially his insights into the ongoing conflict between the United States and France that had fertile roots in 1944 and 1945.

I cannot praise Mr. Obermayer too highly. So much of what we think we know we learn from the media these days--and so much of what we think we know about World War II and 'the greatest generation'-- is so much hogwash. When we get discouraged at how things are going in Iraq or elsewhere these days, it is fascinating to learn how people--and our soldiers--really thought about things during the last years of "the good war." He is (and was--as a young man) a wonderful writer.