Howard Books

Book 194 title in the Osprey "Campaign" series.

This is a fine, slick history of days following the breakout from Normandy in July 1944. We find the Allies racing across France with orders to ignore Paris. Charles de Gaulle, French political pressure and a popular Paris uprising persuaded the Allied commanders to liberate the French capitol. This then is the story of Patton's Third Army advance toward Paris. The Free French armored division joins with resistance forces to liberate Paris on August 24, 1944. Retaking the French capitol generally undamaged was a moral boosting victory for Charles de Gaulle and the French people. American troops were saved from the inevitability of taking Paris street by street.

This writing sparkles. The artwork is dynamic. The maps and battle scenes put the reader in the battle.

I am new to the Campaign series, but if "Liberation of Paris, 1944" sets the standard, I'm ready for Campaign #195, what ever the title.

Richard N. Larsen
Reviewer

Although the 1944 Normandy Campaign is now covered in great detail by both popular and scholarly histories, the immediate payoff of Allied success there - the liberation of Paris and the rout of the Wehrmacht across central France is surprisingly obscure to English-speaking audiences. As author Steven J Zaloga notes, there have been very few specialized studies on the liberation of the French capital and most readers with any interest in the subject have relied on the 43-year old popular account, Is Paris Burning? Finally, with Liberation of Paris 1944: Patton's Race for the Seine, readers can now turn to an insightful, well-researched account that provides a wealth of military data from both sides on this poignant moment in the Second World War. As the author notes, the heavy Allied losses at Omaha Beach and in the hedgerows of Normandy - often viewed in isolation - seemed worth the price to the GIs marching down the Champs Elysees to a cheering French audience just two months later (which was well ahead of the expected time to reach the Seine in pre-D-Day planning). This is a graphically-appealing, well-researched volume written by a military historian who knows how to deliver a coherent, but detailed campaign narrative.

The author begins with a tight, focused introduction that sketches out the strategic situation in August 1944 without getting distracted. Other introductory sections cover Opposing Commanders (von Kluge, von Choltitz, de Gaulle, Leclerc, Gerow), Opposing Plans and Opposing Forces. As the author notes, Allied forces arrived in the vicinity of Paris just as the Wehrmacht was disintegrating in central France and the new German commander, von Choltitz, was never able to form a coherent defense of the city. Allied planners had originally intended to bypass the city in order to avoid having to feed 4 million hungry civilians, but the author credits de Gaulle's insistence and Eisenhower's flexibility with a reversal of Allied strategy and the decision to advance directly upon Paris. These sections are particularly useful for readers trying to gain a sense for events immediately preceding liberation, as well as for the weakness of French resistance forces inside Paris (only 600 armed FFI fighters).

The 53-page campaign narrative itself begins with Patton's race to the Seine River on 15 August and concludes with the US military parade in Paris on 29 August - a rather eventful two week period. Zaloga covers the myriad of regimental and division-size engagements leading up to the liberation, as the Germans desperately tried to slow the Allied advance with a hodgepodge of rear area security and flak units. Once the uprising broke out in the city - due to German efforts to disarm the unreliable Parisian police - von Choltitz lacked even the forces to maintain order within the city, never mind hold off Patton's army. Eventually, von Choltitz surrendered his 20,000 troops - a rather large haul often overlooked - and de Gaulle arrived to re-establish the French Government. In addition to military details, the author succeeds in laying out the political dynamics in play during this protean event, which is essential to understanding its significance.

Liberation of Paris 1944 includes six 2-D maps (the strategic situation, August 16, 1944; the Battle for Chartres, August 15-18, 1944; The US Army approaches Paris: August 19-24, 1944; Paris Uprising, August 19-24, 1944; the advance on Paris, August 23-24, 1944; V Corps Storms Paris, August 24, 1944) and three 3-D BEV maps (the Seine Bridgehead at Mantes, August 19-23, 1944; Race for the Seine south of Paris, August 21-25, 1944). These maps are very high quality and pack a great deal of information which is not easily available elsewhere. The three battle scenes by Howard Gerrard (Fw-190 rocket attack on the Seine Bridgehead, 22 August 1944; German attack on the Police Prefecture, August 19, 1944; Sherman tanks advancing on the Rue de Rivoli, August 24, 1944) are superb. In addition, the author provides a well-stocked bibliography with sources ranging from the US Army Foreign Military Studies, US Army official studies and secondary sources in English, French and German. It is apparent from the start that the author has researched this subject thoroughly and provides the best material available to the reader.

Michael Howard shares his poetry with us in this book and lets us experience his thoughts, his reality and his traditional and not so traditional forms.
His poems are inspiring and motivating and very thought provoking. Read one a day and then reflect on it throughout the day, you will enjoy Michaels book, and it will enrich your life.

This book expands your mind to a new level, he enlightens your soul with every sense of the word. Who ever this man is, must be amazing.... and hot!! I wish I were lucky enough to know him. Everyone out there should buy this book for themselves and a loved one. A MUST read!!!

If you ever wanted to know what happens behind the scenes, get this book. I wasn't even alive in the 70's, but I still found it very interesting and enjoyable. Cosell is a very interesting man who is very opinionated and has a lot to say. I reccomend this book to any sports fan, especially thoes who followed sports in the 70's.

howard's book of the insides of sports broadcasting---he reveals all the internal mechanisms of broadcast television with his viewpoint on the political positioning between anchors most fascinating. howard never really owns up to having been drunk on the air as he has been rumoured to have been throughout the years so you are sort of left with a taste of him not being as honestly frank as it should be.

Lions Aren't Scared of Shots is a picture book designed to help children understand that doctor visits don't have to be painful. My 10 year old loved the book and read it in 20 minutes. There are two sections. One is a beautifully illustrated story about visiting the doctor. The book was written by Howard Bennett, M.D., a pediatrician, and illustrated by M.S. Weber.

The second section was written by Jane Annunziata, Psy.D. for parents. She writes about child anxiety and child coping during doctors visits. It is filled with common sense methods of dealing with bringing a child to the doctor.

This book is great reading for children who have anxiety over doctor visits. I highly recommend it for parents with young children.

This is a terrific book that will help any child who is worried about seeing the doctor--especially if it involves getting a shot. And I love the illustrations. It also comes with helpful notes to parents. I have recommended the book to all of my friends who have children or grandchildren.

This short book is aimed at children, aged 2 to 8 years. It begins:

"The people listened as Jesus told
Of a shepherd who had a 100-sheep fold.
When he counted them all, he saw one lamb was lost.
I'll just have to find it, no matter the cost."

An excellent way to introduce young ones to the truths of the Bible.

I read every word, cover to cover. By the end of this classic table of a lost lamb i felt that i was the one lost...and Howard Goldthwaite found me, loved me, and nursed me back to health.

There may be no better individual to explain the workings of liturgy to curious Evangelicals than Thomas Howard. Raised in a notable Evangelical/Fundamentalist family and with a gift of literary expression, Howard has written numerous books on the spirituality of his new homes in the historic Churches - initially Anglicanism, then later Roman Catholicism. The Liturgy Explained, a little booklet of less than 50 pages written during his Anglican period, is a wonderful introduction to Christian liturgy to those searching for more reverent worship but unsure of what is happening in traditional liturgical services. It is not meant to be comprehensive but as is noted in the book, you have to start somewhere.

In the introduction, Howard focuses on the true purpose of worship, the use of ritual and ceremony, and the nature of Sacraments. The true focus should always be what God has called us to do and not what we experience.

Howard divides the main part of the booklet into two sections corresponding to the two parts of the Lord's Day services of the Church. The first covers the Liturgy of the Word. This initial phase of the service begins with an opening acclamation and a collect (prayer) for purity of heart. The congregation then sings two hymns: the first asking for mercy (Kyrie Eleison) and the second a hymn of praise (Gloria in Excelsis Deo). This is followed by a collect for the day (corresponding to the appropriate day in the Church calendar). Then come lessons from the Old Testament and New Testament Epistles followed by a reading from the Gospels and a sermon. The people then respond by stating their beliefs (The Nicene Creed), offering prayers (Prayers of the People), asking God for forgiveness (Confession) and having their sins declared forgiven (Absolution). The close of the Liturgy of the Word is the passing of the Peace of Christ. Howard manages to offer clear outlines of each step - not only explaining the practice, but also demonstrating why it is in its proper place in the service.

Howard then moves to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Beginning with the collection of gifts (Offertory) and hymns of adoration (Sanctus, Benedictus), to the prayer of consecration, and the Holy Communion, and ending with the Benediction and dismissal, Howard paints a picture of a great mystical drama where Christ feeds His Church by faith by the means He ordained. A fine line is walked here as the Anglican understanding of the Eucharist affirms the Real Presence but allows for differing opinions of the mode of that presence. Howard stays neutral on this and other thorny subjects - thus admirably submitting his personal opinion to his Church in areas of public teaching (this booklet was intended as catechetical material - in other works intended as personal opinion, Howard affirmed his more "high church" beliefs). As in the earlier section, the explanations of liturgical practice are clearly presented.

Howard finishes with an appendix on certain liturgical practices and customs that may be used in some parishes and not others. Such items as Saints' Days and incense are far more common in high church Anglicanism. Howard explains why the rationale for allowing - though they are left optional.

The Liturgy Explained is a straightforward tool for catechesis of those confused by liturgical practice. There is often a need in parishes for a "Liturgy 101" course and for that purpose this little booklet should be required reading.

I have found no other book to be so helpful in both understanding the liturgy and explaining it to others. I had many epiphany moments, saying (often aloud) 'Oh, that's why we do that!' This is a must not only for Anglicans, but for anyone from the historic Christian liturgical traditions. An easy, quick read. Suitable for Confirmation classes!

Dr. Norvel Young lived an extraordinary life - not because of the wealth he had, not because of the occupations he held, not because of the rich and famous people he met and was good friends with, but because he was a man of God. He lived a life that truly reflected that he had placed God above everything else. God rewarded his faithfulness and his obedience, and he went on to lead others to become like Christ so that they, too, could receive God's rewards for being faithful and obedient. Even though he is no longer living on this earth, he is in Heaven with the Lord cheering us all on towards God, and his powerful and positive influence is still felt in the lives of people all across the world. In this book, Dr. Young reveals how he lived his life for God, and he invites us to live our lives for God, too. This book is truly worth reading, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting book to read.

Mr. Young has written a beautiful example of the grandeur and life that is ours in Christ. It's a living, breathing life, not boring, stuffy or stagnant as some may picture when thinking of being a Christian. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope to share it with many people.

I'm amazed how we let doctors to be a danger for us.
I recommend this book to anyone annoyed with doctor's inablity to cure and communicate.

We read his other book and loved it (Protecting Your Heart from Your Doctor). Fabulous information on not letting doctors stampede you into invasive medical procedures. CHanged our lives-ajust wish we had read it before the angiogram! CAn't wait to read this one!!

Rebeccasreads highly recommends LONGING FOR A HOMELAND as a fascinating memoir of a prairie minister's sentimental journeys, teachings, wanderings & discoveries. His insights into the despair of our souls which can take no comfort from material things, only from the embrace of the light of spirit, purpose & affection, are heartwarming.

Lynn Anderson weaves stories & journal entries of his search into a blanket of comfort & direction. He is a fine storyteller with a light touch, a humor & a perspicacity, that is gentle, lyrical & charming. He makes friends with you, walking a while beside you, quoting from the adventures of his life, of this vast American land, from Ellis Island to Moses' wanderings in the Bible, to the creation of modern Israel, from singers of songs, writers of books, & the people he has met along the way.

Could not put it down!

"Longing for a Homeland" follows the author Lynn Anderson as he sets out to discover his roots. Anderson explores his ancestors' search for new homelands after leaving their own, and he searches for the places that housed the beginning places of his roots. He shares his travels to ancestral homelands and visits to the North American homesteads that his forefathers and mothers called home.

Readers will enjoy looking over Anderson's shoulder as he rides a train across Canada, finds the house his mother lived in as a child and touches the scribbles written in her childish hand.
Throughout "Homeland," Anderson employs an inner dialogue with Moses, perhaps the most famous wanderer of all as he explores man's repeated efforts to find a homeland.

Anderson discovers the phenomenon of man's repeated efforts to take away a nation's homeland--from Israel's continued wars to the American tragedies visited upon the native tribes. He tells of Sitting Bull's sad history, whose life was ultimately ended by a gunshot fired by one of his own people.

The author also raises the question of whose land is it, really? Where is home for generations of wanderers? Since the beginning of time, people have not felt at home, wandering aimlessly, searching for that perfect place.

Midway through "Homeland," a poignant scene plays out as Anderson stands on the land where he was raised, excited to share this place with his children. Tearfully, Anderson realizes that a place is not home. People are home. But people go away, too. So where, really, is home?

Anderson ultimately discovers, "home is among the people of God."

Lynn Anderson is a man of rare talent, one whose words resonate in the minds of readers almost as if he is speaking aloud. His words will remain with the reader and instigate a journey of their own as they, too, search for the meaning of home.
"Homeland" is suitable for pastors, and it is filled with topics which will spark discussion and self-discovery. Small discussion groups ages 16 and over will find Anderson's book easy to navigate and would be well-used as a chapter-by-chapter review, such as in a book club.

Readers will especially enjoy Anderson's journey as they recognize themselves in the various characters introduced by the author, as well as the common circumstances all mankind encounters at some point in their lives. The format of the book will prompt discussions such as returning to your birthplace, immigrant ancestors, ownership of land, and ongoing wars designed to remove man of his native land.

Ultimately, the discussions will uncover the true meaning of home--God is home.

This book of poetry contains pieces that people, like me, have "been around the block." I could relate to many of the poet's experiences and it's a relief to know that I'm not the only person that has dealt with both grief and happiness.

The poetry in this book overwhelms me with emotion. Because of the depth of his work, I have to read the poems over and over again to understand most of them. The good news is that I get to read them over and over again to ENJOY them. With each new reading, I feel that I gain more insight into the author's pain and joys.