Samyann's Blog, page 56
May 6, 2014
Not My Thing by E. D. Martin – Review
Not My Thing is one of those books that will have you staring into space. The characters are vivid, memorable, thought provoking. The world of a successful band member is an exciting and envied career for all who struggle reach that pinnacle. Within a few artfully structured paragraphs the reader will become absorbed in subtle frustration and loneliness, a quest for a love and satisfaction that transcends all lives … not a scenario limited to the music environment, but life in general. A nice work and pleasurable read. Well written.
May 5, 2014
1861 Income Tax?
On Aug 2, 1861 the Congress enacted the national income tax on annual incomes over $800.00 to finance the Civil War.
Divine Evil by Nora Roberts – Review
Listened to this audiobook about five years ago and decided to give it another shot. The story of a small town coven of devil worshipers is integrated with the typical Nora Roberts romance between a feisty and independent woman and the local sheriff. Personally, I could have done without the romance aspect, the reason I stopped listening years ago. The friction between the lovers is forced, a little too obvious an attempt by the author to create a lovers tension between the players … had me rolling my eyes. The mystery of the picture perfect little town hiding an evil secret is, however, a fun read.
May 4, 2014
Surgeon’s dirty hands?
During the American Civil War surgeons never washed their hands after an operation, because all blood was assumed to be the same. Yikes.
May 3, 2014
Andersonville prison in the American Civil War
The word ‘deadline’ refers to the perimeter line of the infamous civil war prison in Andersonville, Georgia? A prisoner would be shot to death for crossing the ‘deadline’.
May 2, 2014
Children soldiers in the American Civil War?
There were over 2,000 boys who were 14 years-old or younger in the Union ranks. Three hundred were 13 years or less and 200,000 lest than 16.
May 1, 2014
Executive Privilege by Philip Margolin – Review
A private detective, a wet-behind-the-ears law firm associate, a philandering United States President and his First Lady, a couple of serial killers, a few hell-bent-on-protection agents, and a bunch of lawyers with the scruples of … well, lawyers. There are many more peripheral characters in Executive Privilege, too many, but those listed pretty much are the key players. Only a couple of the characters are well developed, in my opinion. The story is extremely creative on the part of Margolin and he brings all loose ends together in a satisfying conclusion. The story drags a bit near the end, he could have eliminated or shortened a chapter or two. Nice mystery-thriller, a who-done-it with a decent twist. Audiobook, just over eleven hours, nicely read by Jonathan Davis. He has a pleasant touch throughout, plus an ability to convey female voices well.
American Civil War trivia you didn’t know….
By the time of the Confederate surrender in 1865, there were more black Americans in the Union army than there were soldiers in the Confederate army?
Navy Pier and WWII airplanes?
Navy Pier, mentioned several times in Yesterday, is surrounded with approximately 200 WWII airplanes? They are beneath the water! Navy Pier was used during WWII to train pilots to land on a pitching aircraft carrier deck. One of those pilots would become President of the United States, George H. W. Bush.
April 30, 2014
WWII Aircraft in Lake Michigan?
The latest WWII aircraft given up by Lake Michigan sank on Dec. 28, 1944? On December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, 2012, the FM-2 Wildcat used to train pilots for landing on aircraft carriers was recovered just northwest of Chicago?
