Sam > Recent Status Updates

Not what I expected, based on the cover, but good read so far. It's like a day-by-day story of how Paris was taken over (essentially given to the Germans) and the surrounding activities that went on during the fighting in France. I'm only 20% completed, so much more to go. Seems like an interesting read, though.

Good book, so far. Her writing is not like a boring scholar, but is done with openness, candor, a bit of humor. I'm looking forward to completing the book in the next week or two.

So far, an excellent book on the history of the Modern State of Israel. Ms. Tishby is a native born Israeli (a Sabra), has served in the IDF and has now lived in the U. S. (LA). She's providing a very open, objective view of how a tiny country, the size of NJ, can command the amount of headlines it does. She's doing it with a very open style, with much candor, humor, and down-to-earth writing.

Just started reading this, as I continue to plow my way through the seven book Foundation series. I'm hoping to complete the entire series by very early July.

Okay, Alexander is in current day Afghanistan, still trying to conquer the entire known world. I'm still amazed at what people did to one another in those days. Alexander just punished a Persian who had the audacity to stand up to him, and fight him, by slicing off the guy's ears and nose. THEN, the "following year" killing the guy. Incredible what people do to one another.

Man, those Macedonians and the Greeks (yes, they were/are separate), were at leach other's throats like you wouldn't believe. Philip II is now dead, assassinated, and Alexander is King, and solidifying his throne by killing all sorts of potential rivals, including half brothers, relatives, etc. And we complain about presidential politics.

Discusses Philip II (Alexander's daddy) and Alexander the Great. Good read about how the Macedonians, under Philip, managed to coral the different Greek City-States. Lots of intrigue, lots of backstabbing, almost like today.

WWI is a complete mystery to most Americans. We've been inundated with info from WWII, but very little from its predecessor. In honor of, and in memory of my "Great-Uncle Albert" who died 20-days before the armistice of November 11, 1918, I will try to learn how the world went so crazy with killing, raping, purging, and giving rise to the likes of Hitler and his kind.

About 65 pages in. Amazing the prima-donna societ of late 19th century England...wallowing in their wealth, while the rest of the country barely gets by. I can see where, if England, was the example, the rest of Europe was ripe for revolution and war that ultimately came. Tuchman also touches on the arrogance and conceit of the Brits, as if they are/were God's gift to the world. Interesting but much to drawn out.

Author defines the Israel-Arab situation using historical facts. She describes how the British totally screwed the situation many years ago, several time setting the stage for the U. S. To also screw it up through successive administrations,both dems and reps. Ultimately she hopes to show how a "two state" solution is unworkable and would only hurt the "Palestinians." Interesting read so far.

I'd always heard about this book, so I thought I'd give it a read. Very gruesome depiction of war, especially for the foot shoulder during WWI; and from the German perspective.

While I agree that Krulak did some amazing things for the USMC, and the nation, it's amazing that he lied about his background, his heritage and other aspects of his life. Book brings out interesting facts about how the Army and Navy tried to rid the nation of the Marines or relegate them to be the "Navy's police force." Still reading it, so final judgment will be made in next few days. Interesting, so far.

The story of the beginning of the Israeli Navy. Good, so far.

Still working on this, but it's just draggggggggging.

The story of the beginning of the Israeli Navy. Good, so far.

Oy, this book is dragging. Lots of historical information, but I think it could have been done a bit more succinctly.

Many people forget the Roaring 20s, and the interesting things that happened. Seems like a good read, so far. Up to Lindberg's story, before he became a Nazi sympathizer.

Gotta confess, I gave up on this book. It's a never ending story of the paratroopers who helped reunite Jerusalem, in 1967. But, it keeps going on and on.

Interesting to read about the different emotions, by Israelis, after Jerusalem was reunited. Wish I'd read this before we went to Israel, 17-months ago. I certainly would have appreciated some of what we saw much more.

Okay, so this had what I considered a slow start, but has picked up immeasurably. Amazingly, there were many in the Israeli gov't. that were concerned with what the world would say if Israel controlled Jerusalem...its ancient capital. Ultimately, the Israelis said "screw you" to the world and went on to capture and reunite the city. More to come.

Book details how Israeli Defense Force (IDF) paratroopers captured the Old City of Jerusalem, during the 1967 6-day war from the Jordanians. A bit slow, so far, as the author gives a biography of the main characters before, I'm assuming, he gets into the details of how Israel covertly got the Jordanians to enter into the war, when they should have stayed out...it ultimately cost them Jerusalem.

Never realized how messed up Japan was, prior to WW II. Attempted assassinations, successful assassinations, etc., against everyone except...the Emperor. Interesting story as to how they got to be the way they were, and what compelled them to join Germany and Italy, and then attack the U. S., even though some of their leadership knew it would be a disastrous venture.