Istanbul in 1945, Leon Bauer a somewhat reluctant spy is thrust into an exciting and confusing mission with plenty of Int'l complications. His occasio...moreIstanbul in 1945, Leon Bauer a somewhat reluctant spy is thrust into an exciting and confusing mission with plenty of Int'l complications. His occasional boss is killed in a botched smuggling operation bringing a Romanian Nazi, a wartime butcher. A number of overlapping elements along with interesting characters and a vivid description of the city that bridges Europe and Asia. He builds suspense throughout the book as the unlikely master spy confronts situation after situation. Very enjoyable read!(less)
Historical fiction pitting Arabs vs Jews thru the 20th c. Told primarily from an Abab perspective but with an unflattering portrayal of Arab leaders a...moreHistorical fiction pitting Arabs vs Jews thru the 20th c. Told primarily from an Abab perspective but with an unflattering portrayal of Arab leaders and people. Follows the dramatic changes in Palastine after WWI and then WWII witht he British withdrawal and the UN mandate establishing the Jewish state. Thirty years after publication the problems in the Middle East still seem intransigent with mutual hatred and a non-compromising attitude!
Paris - 1938 - awash in emigres and espionage! This book focused on Italian, Carlo Weisz, a journalist working for Reuters that gives the author the o...more Paris - 1938 - awash in emigres and espionage! This book focused on Italian, Carlo Weisz, a journalist working for Reuters that gives the author the opportunity to describe the struggles in the final days of the Spanish civil war along with key events in Berlin that broadens Hitler's conquests. Carlo works to publish an underground newspaper, Liberazione, on a shoestring with an anti-fascist and anti-Mussolini focus. Add in the French Surete, a fledging British spy service, and the ominous feeling that war and tragedy are fast approaching along with romance and a last minute escape form Berlin all contribute to the reader's enjoyment.(less)
A Dutch memorable dinner with two brothers and their wives that surfaces moral and cultural issues during this increasingly tense meal! The couples pr...moreA Dutch memorable dinner with two brothers and their wives that surfaces moral and cultural issues during this increasingly tense meal! The couples prepare to address criminal activities by their sons during the meal. Caustic comments by Paul, the primary narrator, are amusing and cutting to start but soon turn vicious as some violent incidents in his past slowly come to the surface and provide dramatic turns for the reader. What would you do to protect your family?
Good and interesting read without a likeable character in the story which makes it an unusual book.(less)
Fascinating look at the force behind Apple! The author describes an erratic and uncompromising personality who wielded his genius at product design an...moreFascinating look at the force behind Apple! The author describes an erratic and uncompromising personality who wielded his genius at product design and marketing to make Apple a large factor in personal digital consumer products.(less)
Assassination of Pres Garfield. How unprotected he was and was shot by a madman in a train station. The blk of the book is about the incompetence of t...moreAssassination of Pres Garfield. How unprotected he was and was shot by a madman in a train station. The blk of the book is about the incompetence of the Doctors who were responsible for his care and their ignorance of antiseptic methods. A terrible loss for the country. She also had a vignette about Alexander Graham Bell, who attempted to develop a type of x-ray to locate the bullet, ultimately unsuccessful that added an interesting sidenote on the story .(less)
A story set in Grant's final year, after a disasterous financial setback and dying of cancer, he starts writing his Memoirs so that his wife and famil...more A story set in Grant's final year, after a disasterous financial setback and dying of cancer, he starts writing his Memoirs so that his wife and family would have some financial resources after his death. Aided by Mark Twain, Grant wrote about the Civil War in which he was the Union Genral that brought the war to a conclusion. These Memoirs are considered among the best of any by a military person and I would strongly recommend them!
Some 20 years after the surrender of RE Lee the commemeratory celebrations occur as Grant is trying to finish the book. He succeeds and dies days later.
The author gives the reader a strong sense of how revered Grant was among the populace even though he had a less than distinuished Presidental record.(less)
Another excellent book by the distinguished Civil War historian. Prof McPherson covers the Navies on both sides of the war which get only tangential m...moreAnother excellent book by the distinguished Civil War historian. Prof McPherson covers the Navies on both sides of the war which get only tangential mentioning in most histories of the Civil War. He details both the ocean battles and the important blockade of Southern ports. Included are very descriptive maps highlighting the strengths of the ships vs the battles to be conducted. Description of the various types of ships: traditional wooden vessels, Ironclads, Tinclads, and a seeming multitude of vessels needed to attack and defend and navigate the many shallow rivers and estuaries.
Both tactical and strategic aspects of the engagements are drawn out giving the reader a fine perspective on the importance of the Naval efforts.
A well worth read for Civil War 'buffs' and others.(less)
A father, also an ADA finds his son accused of murdering a classmate. Political intrigue in the DA's office is a side note to the pressure the accusat...moreA father, also an ADA finds his son accused of murdering a classmate. Political intrigue in the DA's office is a side note to the pressure the accusations put on the family as things look bleak for Jacob. The family is ostracized in their town of Newton, Ma by friends and classmates. Some good scenes especially one in Whole Foods where he does a hatchet job on their 'perfect produce' and then encounter the victim's parents!
The story has some interesting twists and turns and a surprising ending! (less)
A thoughtful look at (fictional)life on a North Dakota reservation in the 1980's. A brutal rape is the central act and questions of justice, or the la...moreA thoughtful look at (fictional)life on a North Dakota reservation in the 1980's. A brutal rape is the central act and questions of justice, or the lack thereof, propels the story forward. Joe Coutts, a 13 yr old son of a Tribal Judge and the victim of the violent assault, is the main protagonist as a stream of interesting Native american characters are drawn out along with their rituals. The author depicts a community rallying around the victim in a low keyed manner and the strength of family ties under the pressure of poverty and injustice. How the act changes Joe and his relationships with his extended family and his friends makes this an engrossing and compelling story.(less)
A short book that brings you into the Civil war era and the personal impacts of the broad societal issues that the country was facing. Her main charact...moreA short book that brings you into the Civil war era and the personal impacts of the broad societal issues that the country was facing. Her main character, Mr March, father of 'Little Woman', goes to war as a Chaplin to support the local soldiers and his strong beliefs on slavery. The Author describes the turmoil of war and the moral hazards that March faces in both his strident lecturing about slavery while the soldiers, for the most part are fighting for the Union.
She sketches the drama of early use of 'Contrabands' and the effect of Rebel cavalry raids on a southern cotton plantation being run by Unionists. The description of hospital life and the extreme suffering of March is very moving. When Mrs March arrives she is shocked by his failing health and her recognition of his experiences and how he sheltered his family from his turmoil by rosy descriptions in his letters draws a vivid line between those serving and the family back home.(less)
Historical fiction of the infamous double agent in the 30's who was recruited by the Soviets along with four other Cambridge leftist intellectuals. Af...moreHistorical fiction of the infamous double agent in the 30's who was recruited by the Soviets along with four other Cambridge leftist intellectuals. After Philby defected he caused much turmoil among the Allies and precipitated the CIA's mole hunt which wrecked havoc within the agency.
This book presents an interesting perspective on Philby in the 30's. At school, then onward to Vienna on this motorbike trying to avert a coup by Hitler's cronies, and then as a journalist in the Spanish Civil War - reporting on Franco's side to support his rightist positions.
The author finishes with a proposition that perhaps Philby was actually a triple agent!(less)
Excellent background of the rise of Islamic terrorists up to the 9/11 attack. Identifies a number of situations where the West could/should have bette...moreExcellent background of the rise of Islamic terrorists up to the 9/11 attack. Identifies a number of situations where the West could/should have better assessed the potential damage that these groups could inflict.(less)
Excellent work through the eyes and actions of Thomas Cromwell, Master Secretary to Henry VIII, among his many titles. Cromwell schemes and plots to g...moreExcellent work through the eyes and actions of Thomas Cromwell, Master Secretary to Henry VIII, among his many titles. Cromwell schemes and plots to grant Henry's wish of ridding himself of Queen Anne Boleyn, who replaced Katherine of Aragon, the subject of Wolf Hall. Court and family alliances and intrigues planned to ready Jane Seymour to be the King's rid wife! A well crafted story that gives you a strong sense of standing next to Cromwell as he orchestrates Anne's demise.(less)
Set in Madrid in 2003 with Alec Milius, ex-MI5 agent, who is living in constant fear of CIA reprisal for a botched operation five years before. The au...moreSet in Madrid in 2003 with Alec Milius, ex-MI5 agent, who is living in constant fear of CIA reprisal for a botched operation five years before. The author puts you squarely in the mind of Alec as his routine life consists of continual surveillance and checking for CIA. Great spy craft and a plot that has your head reeling. Basque separatists, rogue government hit men, his mistress is wife of his boss ( either or both might be 'playing him)!
Very interesting and engrossing book. I am looking forward to reading his other works.(less)
Norwegian Detective Harry Hole tries to solve the gruesome murders by an atypical serial killer. Scenes ranging form the Congo to Oslo to ski cabins i...moreNorwegian Detective Harry Hole tries to solve the gruesome murders by an atypical serial killer. Scenes ranging form the Congo to Oslo to ski cabins in the mountains make this an interesting story. He includes some strange characters and vivid descriptions of being trapped in an avalanche, including tips on getting out once you have been trapped!! A bit too much on the subplot of infighting with the internal police department, as a struggle for supremacy involving centralizing the murder squad gets overly complicated and interferes with the main plot! But a good read!(less)
Chilling review of Germany's slide into fascism under Hitler in the mid 30's. Seen from an American perspective through the eyes of the American Ambas...moreChilling review of Germany's slide into fascism under Hitler in the mid 30's. Seen from an American perspective through the eyes of the American Ambassador and family, with emphasis on the young, beautiful and high-living daughter. The author provides a through look at the major officials and the internal struggles that led to Hitler's rise to power and then how he consolidated that power. The reader gets an answer to the question: How could the German people allow this to happen in their society which ultimately resulted in global calamity!(less)
Scottish Inspector in Complaints unit, Malcolm Fox, investigaes improper police conduct. Fox's unit is despised by the regular police force as it invo...moreScottish Inspector in Complaints unit, Malcolm Fox, investigaes improper police conduct. Fox's unit is despised by the regular police force as it involves other officers. A murder leads to an unraveling of an old murder of a Scot nationalist with current terrorist implications and high ranking government officials. Flowing story told amid the personal anguish of Fox's father and sister in a setting of urban and rural Scotland.(less)
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