ERICK'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2010

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Sounds good.

[Erick]

33. by Stephen King
Finish date: July 2010 "A" The end of the series is everything I could have hoped for. It is certainly with mixed feelings that I set this story aside.

[Erick]

34. by Stephen E. Ambrose
Finish Date: August 2010 "A" A more amazing story than I expected and I can't think of anyone better to tell it than Ambrose.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Great progress Erick.

[Bryan]

Erick wrote: "34. byStephen E. Ambrose
Finish Date: August 2010 "A" A more amazing story than I expected and I can't think of..."

Great book!

[Erick]

33. byThomas Quinn
Finish Date: August 2010 "B-" Not a very well written historical novel of Venice in the 14th century. Does provide some insight into Venetian history and politics.

[Erick]

34. byJeremiah Workman
Finish Date: August 2010 "B" A book about a personal struggle with PTSD. Would probably not be of much interest to someone who hasn't had their lives impacted by that situation.

[Erick]

35. by Suzanne Collins
Finish Date:August 2010 "A-" A well written book with a somewhat unique storyline. Predicable but still well done.

36. byCornelius Ryan
Finish Date: August 2010 "A" It's Cornelius Ryan - is there anything that needs to be added?

[Erick]

37. by Joe Hill
Finish Date:September 2010 "A" An excellent horror story by Stephen King's son.

[Erick]

38. by Rick Atkinson
Finish Date: September 2010 "A" A well written account of the invasion of North Africa by the Allies in WWII. Mr. Atkinson has a way of communicating the overall situation, the thoughts of the leaders and the experience of the individual soldiers that reminds me a lot of Cornelius Ryan

[Erick]

39. byRobin Neillands
Finish Date: October 2010 "B-" I believe the book took on too much in trying to describe about seventy years of British history in about 200 pages. Also, there was too much discussion of interrelationships and lineage that is always confusing. The book is perhaps a good lead-in to a more in depth study of the period.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Erick, a good honest assessment of the work. Sometimes I think he was trying to just do too much.

Robin Neillands

[Erick]

40. by Harlan Coben
Finish Date: October 2010 "B" Mysteries generally aren't my thing but I thought this one was well done.

[Erick]

41. byJoseph H. Alexander

Finish Date:October 2010 "A-" A well researched and written account. His style reminds me of Cornelius Ryanto a certain extent. How Cornelius Ryan mixes stories from the common soldier with stories about the leaders to make a much more interesting story. I am definitely going to be looking for more books by this author.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

This must have been a terrific read Erick...I have added it to my list.

['Aussie Rick']

Hi Erick, I have read quite a few books on Tarawa and I rate "Utmost Savagery" as one of the best on the subject.

The author recently published a book on other assault landings in the Pacific during WW2 titled; "Storm Landings: Epic Amphibious Battles in the Central Pacific" which may well be worth while following up.

by Joseph H. Alexander

by Joseph H. Alexander

[Erick]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Erick, I have read quite a few books on Tarawa and I rate "Utmost Savagery" as one of the best on the subject.

The author recently published a book on other assault landings in the Pacific d..."

Added!

[Erick]

42. by Steven Pressfield
Finish Date: October 2010 "B" The writing was well done but the book didn't have a compelling plot. I did learn some things about Alexander but the book didn't meet the expectations set by

by Steven Pressfield

[Elizabeth S]

Isn't that disappointing when one book by an author isn't nearly as good as another, for whatever reason.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I think sometimes that authors just temporarily run out of steam.

[Velvetink]

Erick wrote: "29. byAndy McNab
Finish Date: June 2010 "A" I could not put this book down; baby not fed,dog not walked. It was a well ..."

It had the same effect on me! (read it quite a while ago - not this year).

[Erick]

Bentley wrote: "I think sometimes that authors just temporarily run out of steam."

I will say that by Steven Pressfield did set a high standard.

[Erick]

43. byCarlo D'Este
Finish Date: October 2010 "B" Very detailed account of the invasion of Sicily by the Allies in WWII. The only detraction was the "arm chair generaling" by the author.

[Erick]

44. by Terry Pratchett
Finish Date: November 2010 "B+" Terry Pratchett is always an enjoyable read.

[Alisa]

Erick you are moving right along, and looks like an interesting mix. Nicely done.

[Erick]

It has been fun doing this exercise. It is interesting to look back and see what I have read.

I think it is going to be tight to hit the 50 books. I am reading

by Alistair Horne

and it is going really slow for some reason. I am not going to rush through or pick smaller books to make the 50 but I will have to see how it works out.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Well I know I won't hit it this year; probably because I take care of this site too; but I plan to do better next year. And I like the idea of being able to go back and see what I read and how I felt about the books. You are in striking distance though.

[Erick]

Bentley, you put a lot of effort into the site and I get a lot of value from coming here. Maybe I can read some books for your list to make up for it :). Thank-you, and everyone else that makes this a great site.

[Michael]

I second Erick above commects. Also I hope you can hit the 50 Erick, the finish is just ahead.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

That would be great Erick...I could use all the help I can get. :-)

And you are welcome. The assisting mods do a great job.

Thank you Michael.

[Velvetink]

Erick wrote: "11. by
Finish Date: March 2010 "C" Spent far too much time discussing Catherine's many lovers with only a passing mention of he..."

oh That's a shame it's not more detailed. There's an excellent chapter on her in
W. Bruce Lincoln- it was this book that initially got me interested in Russian History.

[Erick]

45. by Alistair Horne
Finish Date: December 2010 "B+" Covered a very interesting topic that I knew nothing about. The book was pretty technical which made it a little hard to get through. Mr. Horne obviously has great depth of knowledge; I will certainly be reading more of his books.

[Erick]

46. by Terry Pratchett
Finish Date: December 2010 "B" Not one of his best but these are perfect books for me to listen to in the car.

[Erick]

47. byHarold Coyle
Finish Date: December 2010 "B-" Lacked some of the "thrill" in thriller but didn't commit any egregious acts.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Love your eval Erick.

[Erick]

48. by Rick Atkinson
Finish Date: December 2010 "A" Perhaps even better than the first book

by Rick Atkinson

He is really a master at telling the story at all levels, strategic, tactical and personal. I am really looking forward to the third book in the series.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Good for you Erick..you are closing in.