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MICHAEL'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2012
27.
byDonovan CampbellFinish Date: 30th of April
Rating: A
Review
The scene is the city of Ramadi like all of Iraq the enemy could be anyone and anywhere.This book really hit home with me the sacrifices made by ordinary people in serving their country. The last half of the book were the author goes into the the strain of leadership and the toll it takes when those you lead get hurt also struck a deep chord with me. What these people do day after day after day is beyond comprehension and shows what strength of character is all about.
Mod
MAY28.
byRoger ManvellFinish Date: 3rd of May
Rating: B
Review
After all these years this book is still one of the best books on Goering. A look into the world of the Third Reich and one of it's most iconic figures Toga's and all.
What's this about togas? I remember Goering mostly for his art looting. Looks like a good place to learn more about him.
He was partial to wearing a toga at home.
29.
byGary KristFinish Date: 9th of May
Rating: B
Review
A gem of read one of those books I normally would not read but am glad I did. A snapshot of Chicago in 1919 and the tumultuous events that plunged the city into a state of Anarchy. I love these books that give you a social snapshot and a feel of the times.
That is on my TBR list and I'm glad to know that it will be worth the read.You are rolling right along, Michael!
The best time to get a lot of reading done.
30.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date:14th of May
Rating: B
Review
Yet another fantastic book delivered by Terry Pratchett everyones favorite watch is back and war is brewing with those foreign devils. As always Pratchett holds up a mirror to our society with hilarious results.
Michael:Thanks for review. If you need to cite an author, go ahead and do it at the end of the review. It looks cleaner this way. In this case, if the author is the one you are reviewing, then you don't need to cite him twice. If it is a whole new author, then you will to cite him at the end.
For example:
Yet another fantastic book delivered by Pratchett. Everyones favorite watch is back and war is brewing with those foreign devils. As always Pratchett holds up a mirror to our society with hilarious results.
Terry Pratchett
31.
byMartin DavidsonFinish Date: 18th of of May
Rating: A-
Review
What an enthralling read and a warning to a new generation. The author while digging up his Grandfathers history as a brown shirt through to becoming a member of the SS brings us a cautionary tale. It shows how a disenchanted generation was enchanted by the promises of the Third Reich and became a tool of unprecedented horror.
That is a book I must read. Thanks for your review.
32.
byAlex KershawFinish Date: 24th of May
Rating: B+
Review:
Alex Kershaw delivers again with a fast paced and confronting look at the plight of the Hungarian Jews and the efforts of one man to save as many as he could. Raoul Wallenberg is a name I had not come across before, now that I have I believe this man needs to be honored and remembered. By making sure this man does not get lost in the mist of history is important to remind us of what he fought for and to ensure it never happens again. Hats off to the author for bringing this incredible story to light in such a enthralling way.
The site below gives more detail about Wallenberg, his foundation, and the honors heaped upon him from Sweden and around the world. He was an amazing individual.http://www.raoulwallenberg.se/
No for something completely different.33.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 25th of May
Rating: A solid B
Review:
A true blue bonza read. Pratchett turns his satirical eye to Australia or in the case of the discworld the lost continent of XXXX. A rip snorter of rump with Rincewind once again getting into more trouble than it is worth. From the origins of vegimite to how the platypus came to be, laughs abound and make no mistake about it. So do ya self a favour and crack a tinny and settle down for a cracker read and to be girt be great humour. Oh and be aware of the drop bears, no worries.
JUNE34.
by
Simon Sebag MontefioreFinish Date: 7th of June
Rating: A+
Review
The Good reads keep rolling on. This book had my attention from the opening pages. The author’s obvious exhaustive research has payed off in an easy to read but surprisingly revealing book. He has pushed pass the rhetoric and soviet built up image of the young Stalin to deliver a honest look at his formative years. This book is just not for lovers of history but is for everyone as it is a gem of a read.
On to my TBR list, Michael. I have not read enough about Stalin and that looks like a good place to start, especially with that great rating and review.
Indeed, Michael, I started this book just to test if I wanted to read it, and I want to. It is great!
That it is Bryan I hope you enjoy it. I have ordered
Simon Sebag Montefiore
looking forward to having it my hands.35.
byFrederick TaylorFinish Date: 15th of June
Rating: A-
Review
Ever wanted to know what happened in Germany after the years that followed the end of World War II. What happened to the countless Nazi party members, the men who bank rolled the Reich, the everyday soldier and citizens then this book is for you. The author deliver an easy read book covering all the political intrigue and the day to day life in post war Germany. The birth of the cold war is also well covered in this intriguing book.
Would you please cease and desist from causing me to keep adding to my never-ending TBR list!!!! That book looks extremely interesting, Michael and I intend to look for it ASAP.Let me also give you a recommendation which may catch your attention. Did you ever wonder why Germany continued to fight on when it was obvious that the war was lost, the Red Army was at the gates of Berlin and the country was being totally demolished? This book attempts to answer that question and it is well worth reading.
by
Ian Kershaw
I am sorry Jill :) Thank you for the recommendation I have that book locked and loaded on my Kindle.
36.
byNathaniel FickFinishing Date: 16th of June
Rating: B-
Review
An interesting book that for some reason did not quite gel with me. After watching the T.V series Generation kill this book offered the story from a marines point of view. While the book was an engaging read for me it lacked spark that makes a good book a great one.
37.
by
Terry PratchettFinishing Date: 20th of June
Rating: C+
Terry Pratchett takes on Vampires.....enough said.
38.
bySidney KirkpatrickFinishing Date: 22nd of June
Genre: WWII History
Rating: A solid B
Review
What a gem of a book. It always amazes the stories which are still to this day coming out about World War II. This book follows the search for lost treasure and in doing so gives us a view of the top Nazis beliefs. I consider mysel a WWII buff and this book gave me a fresh view of many areas
Just added it to my TBR list. Sounds absolutely fascinating. Here is another book about little known (or side-bar) subjects that has just been released.....it deals with the occult beliefs of the Nazi upper circle. Although I know that Himmler was very interested in the occult, I was not familiar with the man who is the subject of this book...a Jewish psychic/mentalist, Erik Hanussan. It has not yet been added to the Goodreads data base so I have no book citations but it looks quite interesting.
The Nazi Seance: The Strange Story of the Jewish Psychic in Hitler's Circle by Arthur Magida
That has piqued my interest. Thank you Jill.
You are more than welcome...it piqued mine as well. When I get started on WWII books, it is hard to stop me but I will just recommend one more which you may want to read. It is the story of the group of Allies assigned to find the art masterpieces plundered by the Nazis. It is a true-life detective/adventure tale.
Robert M. Edsel
Thanks Jill added to the TBR this book looks like it ties in with then one I just finished reading.
I read
Robert M. Edsellast year. It was amazing to hear about the art/treasures that the Nazis were trying to hide. A lot of the artwork was abandoned in the most strange places. Interesting book.
Thanks Kathy Ill have to move it up the list :)
39.
byJames M. TaborFinish Date: 26th June
Genre: Exploration
Rating: A
Review
Being a tad bit claustrophobic I entered the pages of this book with some trepidation. But from the world go I enthralled by the world of super caves and those who seek to go deeper than anyone else. Apart from these people being certifiably insane their devotion and bravery is a wonder to behold. This book has shone light on an area of exploration I had no knowledge on at all, and amazed me with the beauty and lethality of these wonders of the world. I will continue to follow the quest to sink to new depths with great interest in the future. This book has won a convert I may not want to go anywhere near these cold and windy holes in the ground, but I want to learn more about them from the safety of my reading chair.
Bea wrote: "Michael wrote: "The good read keep on coming...14.
byPaul HamFinish Date: 11th of March
Genre: Military History
Rating: A+
A great read from start..."
Oh no, it'..."
I think it's being rereleased on 2 Aug 2012 - available to pre-order on Amazon.
The joys of a quite night shift, book read in one sitting.40.
byHal GoldGenre: WWII
Finish Date: 28th June
Rating: B+
Review
A fascinating but disturbing read. The author splits this book up into two sections, the first being the history of the unit and the second testimonies from those who served in it. Coming into this book with only a basic knowledge of what this unit represented I walked away with a good understanding of it. The author tackles what is a difficult subject matter in a engaging manner that brings the full horror of live human experimentation and all that it encompasses to the readers attention. All in all a well balanced read.
Thank you goodreads for pointing me in the direction of so many good books this year.41.
by
Larry CorreiaGenre: Fiction
Finishing Date: 28 June
Rating: A=AWESOME
Review
This book is awesome when it should not be. So many elements that if someone told me about them I would think oh man that is corny as hell and avoid the book like the plague. But the author does more than pull them off he celebrates them in a way that just rocks. It puts a broadside fully into the world of sensitive namby pamby twighlight crap and rips it asunder. For me to rave on about a book like this is a big thing as I normally avoid fiction like the plague but this book is just straight out "bad" but bad in the good way. So kit up turn the page and prepare to get covered in gore, filth and blood, hold tight the ride is about to start.
Michael, I am just adding your reading list book by book to my TBR list!
Yet another quite night shift and another book falls.42.
byEvan WrightGenre: Non Fiction
Finish Date: 29 June
Rating: A-
Review
A great piece of investigative writing. Evan Wright delivers us with yet another thought provoking and jaw dropping read.
Michael wrote: "Yet another quite night shift and another book falls.42.
byEvan WrightGenre: Non Fiction
Finish Date: 29 June
Rating: A-
Can you give me a little more information about the book.....it might be something I would like. As if I need any more books on my towering TBR pile!!!!
Hi Jill the book is a Kindle single so it runs at about 130 pages. It follows the rise of a drug related hitman and his rise to a two star general in the CIA running black ops in foreign countries. It also looks at his former "boss" and how both of them got immunity for murder, arson and extortion.
My reading spree comes to an end with my last nighshift for a while.42.
byFoster Gary WayneGenre: Military History
Finish Date: 30th June
Rating: C-
Review
A very disappointing read on what could have been a fascinating story. The book is bogged down by to much technical detail that has nothing really to do with the subject of the book. A downed F-4 PhantomII and its two crew captured, the two crew returning to visit the crash sight later in life. This is what the book should have focused on instead the story is lost amongst information that did not in my opinion enhance the story.
July43.
by
Terry PratchettGenre: Fantasy
Finish Date: 6th July
Rating: B-
Review
Another fine book with your favorite characters from the watch. Intrigue and diplomacy abounds in this story about the sacred dwarf scone and dwarfs wearing make up and dresses.
Mod
Just a little editing is needed for that one nit. I will check back to see how you are doing.
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Finish Date: 29th of April
Rating: C+
Review
An interesting look at motivation and the new look motivation 3.0.