Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 388
May 9, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 9, 1944
70 Years Ago—May 9, 1944: Soviets take Sevastopol and 36,000 German POWs, securing the Crimea.
May 8, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 8, 1944
Col. Gen. Johannes Blaskowitz, commander of German Army Group G in Southern France (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—May 8, 1944: US Congress extends Lend-Lease to June 1945. Col. Gen. Johannes Blaskowitz assumes command of German Army Group G in Southern France.
May 7, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 7, 1944
70 Years Ago—May 7, 1944: US Eighth Air Force launches over 1000 bombers for the first time, in missions to Berlin, Münster, and Osnabrück, Germany.
May 6, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 6, 1944
Pandit Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi at All-India Congress Committee, August 8, 1942, when the “Quit India” resolution was adopted, calling for the immediate dissolution of British rule. (Public domain via Wikipedia)
70 Years Ago—May 6, 1944: In India, British release Gandhi from prison on medical grounds – Gandhi opposed India supporting the British war effort without a promise for independence. He had been imprisoned since August 1942.
May 5, 2014
Book Beat – Words of Conviction
When five-year-old Zoe Grable, daughter of Sen. Bruce Grable, is kidnapped, words are the only clues. So the FBI calls in Special Agent Kenzie Graham, a psycholinguist. Kenzie’s academic background allows her to analyze the kidnapper’s choice and use of words – but her lack of field experience worries the other FBI agents, especially John “Crow” Crowfeather.
Senator Grable doesn’t make the investigation easy, with previous charges of corruption hanging over his head, and his narcissistic wife seems more worried about herself than about her daughter. As Kenzie and Crow work together to find Zoe, they’re challenged both professionally and personally, and their growing attraction complicates matters even more. The kidnapper becomes more desperate and dangerous, and time is running out.
In Words of Conviction, Linda J. White tells a pulse-pounding story that also makes you think. Complex characters, an intriguing premise, extensive research, and an unflinching look at Washington society make this book truly thrilling.
Today in World War II History—May 5, 1944
The Benz Patent-Motorwagen of 1888, used by Bertha Benz for the first long-distance road trip, 106 km by automobile. (Public domain via Wikipedia)
70 Years Ago—May 5, 1944: Adm. Soemu Toyoda takes command of Japanese Navy Combined Fleet. Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz and the first person to drive an automobile over 100 kilometers, dies in Ladenburg, Germany, age 95.
May 4, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 4, 1944
70 Years Ago—May 4, 1944: Movie premiere of Gaslight, starring Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, and Charles Boyer. St. Louis Browns baseball team drops segregation policy restricting black fans to the bleachers.
May 3, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 3, 1944
70 Years Ago—May 3, 1944: Movie premiere of Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald as Catholic priests. US Office of Price Administration ends meat rationing, except for steak and choice beef (tightened again later).
May 2, 2014
Book Beat – What Follows After
Twelve-year-old Colt Harrison has had enough. It’s October 1962, and everyone in Florida is talking about the caravans of Army trucks heading south, of the rumors of nuclear bombs in Cuba, and of President Kennedy’s coming speech. But Colt can only think of his fractured family and the lie he’s been forced to live. Scott and Gina Harrison have been separated for almost a year, something nice couples don’t do in 1962, and so they’ve pretended to the world to still be together, forcing Colt and his six-year-old brother Timmy to lie. And Colt has had enough. If only he and Timmy could live with his aunt and uncle, who know about love and laughter. But when the boys board a bus north, Colt and Timmy find themselves in a nightmare, and Scott and Gina have to work together to bring their family together again. If their family can be saved.
In What Follows After by Dan Walsh, one family’s drama plays against the terrifying threat of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Colt is a realistic boy, acting with the youthful combination of acute insight and fantasy thinking. Scott and Gina’s journey is touching as they deal with the strangling effects of overwork, neglect, and miscommunication. Once again, Dan Walsh writes a poignant novel that makes you think about your own relationships while flipping the pages so you can find out what happens to the characters you care so much about. Don’t miss this novel!
Today in World War II History—May 2, 1944
70 Years Ago—May 2, 1944: British teacher Leonard Dawe publishes crossword puzzle in Daily Telegraph using all five code names for the Normandy landing beaches—he’s placed under MI5 investigation. Baseball player Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox) earns wings & commission as Marine pilot.
