I am not a fan of non-fiction, but because of my participation in the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon over the last years, I've become increasing...moreI am not a fan of non-fiction, but because of my participation in the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon over the last years, I've become increasingly interested in books on the plight of US POWs in WWII's Pacific theatre. This book is a harrowing, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story of one man who endured just about every hardship war and its aftermath could throw at him, but it is also much more. It also serves as a very inspiring tale of how faith and hope can carry humans through the worst of situations. The book gets inside the minds and emotions of the people it profiles, primarily Louis Zamperini and his Japanese nemesis Watanabe, and gives us a great sense of their motivations. A wonderful book.(less)
I've been wanting to read this series for several years, because the idea of a Boston cop solving crimes in World War II sounded like great fun. Unfor...moreI've been wanting to read this series for several years, because the idea of a Boston cop solving crimes in World War II sounded like great fun. Unfortunately the first book didn't deliver enough thrills for me to want to continue reading the rest of the series. Billy is a fun main character with a distincitive point of view, but Benn has a heavy hand when it comes to pacing. This is one of the slowest-starting mysteries I've ever read, and the author's penchant for minute detail often slows things to a crawl, diluting the suspense. With a bit more of a hard-boiled edge and better pacing, this could have been great. As is, however it was just mediocre.(less)
I used to be a big fan of comics and graphic novels over thirty years ago, but haven't read any until recently, after purchasing a Kindle Fire and try...moreI used to be a big fan of comics and graphic novels over thirty years ago, but haven't read any until recently, after purchasing a Kindle Fire and trying a few DC Comics in Kindle format. I received this book as part of a Good Reads giveaway. This not your typical comic book by any means. There are no super heroes here. Instead, this book posits a near-future civil war in the United States, waged between the military establishment and the "Free States of America" movement. Most of the action takes place in a nearly abandoned New York City and the efforts of reporter Matty Roth to bring about an end to the war. There is a short "prequel" story at the beginning of the book detailing the early days of the "Free States" movement. This is the 11th volume of 12 in this series, so I'm coming into this story very late; making it a bit hard to comprehend what was going on. However, there is much to like here. The art is excellent, with a nice edginess and realism. The inclusion of news reports detailing the history of the war helped me make sense of things, and the excellent story moves at a speedy pace. Characters are all shades of grey here, which makes things more compelling, and it nice to read a graphic novel with mature themes and intelligent ideas. Jumping into this series so late is a bad idea, however, so I would like to go back and read some earlier volumes to catch up. (less)
I just didn't care much for this "Ultimate" version of Hawkeye. It is pretty much just a war comic with lots of action featuring a bad-ass special for...moreI just didn't care much for this "Ultimate" version of Hawkeye. It is pretty much just a war comic with lots of action featuring a bad-ass special forces guy who happens to be an expert with a high-tech bow and arrow who also happens to be named Hawkeye. Not much character depth here. I prefer the "old-school" Hawkeye, goofy purple costume and all. (less)
Not what I've come to expect from most Spidey comics. There's very little humor and only brief action in a story that is essentially an emotional soap...moreNot what I've come to expect from most Spidey comics. There's very little humor and only brief action in a story that is essentially an emotional soap opera. More like "As the Webslinger Turns" than your typical Spider-Man adventure. I didn't hate it, because it was a little different, but I'm not sure I liked it much either.(less)
This is an alternate history of the Marvel Universe, based on moving one event in the Marvel timeline up 24 hours. The fates of all the main players a...moreThis is an alternate history of the Marvel Universe, based on moving one event in the Marvel timeline up 24 hours. The fates of all the main players are shifted radically and the results are rather bleak. This graphic novel is fascinating and well thought out however, and I enjoyed it a lot. A nice twist on Marvel history. Well done. (less)
My first exposure to this character in many, many years. While I'm sure there are much better Punisher graphic novels, I enjoyed this one a lot. I was...moreMy first exposure to this character in many, many years. While I'm sure there are much better Punisher graphic novels, I enjoyed this one a lot. I was drawn to it by the Joe Kubert art, and Joe did not disappoint. I love his rough, old school approach. The story is pretty simple, but told with losts of action and a fast paced. Good gritty stuff.(less)
One of my favorite heroes is brought back to life in this excellent graphic novel. This briskly-paced origin story is told with a nice old-school reve...moreOne of my favorite heroes is brought back to life in this excellent graphic novel. This briskly-paced origin story is told with a nice old-school reverence for the character, and the art is superbly old-fashioned as well. If you are a Zorro fan, you will probably enjoy this.(less)
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