5 comments about Condi: The Condoleezza Rice Story.

1. I'm not American so I was not well acquainted with Condi Rice and her life, both private and political. I came to admire her very much after reading the very detailed book which contains a lot about her private life, and a lot about her professional life which takes up most of her time and energy. She would be a great president, she has the guts and the intelligence and the sobriety to represent America in a very positive way.



2. I thought this biography of Condoleezza Rice was very informative and enlightening. Particularly interesting to me was the fact that she had excellent guidance from her parents who encouraged her to pursue her education to the fullest. The books talks of her pursuing her diverse talents and her ambition to succeed. Although I felt that the book glamorized her life a bit too much and indicated that she rarely made mistakes, she is one who deserves everything she has worked hard for. She is truly an inspiration.



3. This account of Condoleessa Rice is most helpful in understanding her upbringing, her motivation and her significant abilities. The author appears to have interviewed a large number of persons: 27 in number. However, no persons of highest notoriety were interviewed. Instead those notable persons were quoted only from other sources. The author typically did not write about Ms. Rice's personal views which was disappointing.
   
   The book unfortunately leaves several important questions unanswered, namely:
   
   1. How was it possible that Condi could have leaped over the normal path of ascension that others historically were required to endure and instead be awarded the esteemed position of Stanford provost?
   2. Why did Condi leave her position as Stanford provost for the significantly lesser position of Hoover Institute senior-fellow? The author's answer given in the book is not credible.
   3. Why did the author never interview Ms. Rice for this book? What was Ms. Rice's response when she was asked for an interview?
   4. How did Ms. Rice's notable but inadequate credentials of being a college provost qualify her to be appointed as head of the National Security Agency of the most powerful country on Earth?
   5. Why did the author not discuss negative issues regarding Ms. Rice as that would have given the book a balanced assessment?
   6. How was Ms. Rice's pro-abortion stance received by the conservative presidents that she served?
   7. Why was Ms. Rice's step-mother interviewed instead of her father, especially considering her step-mother was not even mentioned until 3/4 of the way through the book? Since Ms. Rice gave her father the highest credit for her success, would he not have been the preferred choice?
   
   While the book is enjoyable, it does leave some hard questions unanswered.



4. Condoleeza Rice is unquestionably one of the major minds of our day. Her life history and accomplishments challenge any parent to love and support thier child to the best of their ability with God's help.



5. It was an incredible biography. It was especially poignat in that my children went to St, Mary's Academy in Denver. The book was well written and clear complete and concise. It was a testiment that blacks can compete and be sucessfull if the right environment and attitude, is present.

3 comments about Then Darkness Fled: The Liberating Wisdom of Booker T. Washington (Leaders in Action Series).

1. This book is one of those rare gems that, if you're really fortunate, you come across from time to time. I received it as a gift from one of my mentors, Charlie Jones, who had, for some time now, been speaking of Booker T. Washington as one of his heroes. Having only a very surface knowledge of Mr. Washington - knowing that he was born a slave and went on to become founder of the famed Tuskegee Institute - he was a hero of mine, as well. After all, one could only imagine what he had to overcome to have achieved all he did.
   
   However, after reading this book by Pastor Stephen Mansfield, the greatness of Mr. Washington simply came alive for me. He was a man of character, a man of faith, a dreamer and a doer; a man who moved mountains and moved hearts.
   
   He had a plan - he had a dream - for taking his people from a horrible situation and helping them to move up and become successful in every way.
   
   Unfortunately, as the author points out, he was fought every step along the way - often most by those he was trying to help and, in time, and long after he died in 1915, was disparaged by many as simply naïve, foolish, a misguided optimist, betrayer to his people.
   
   Of course, none of this is true. Reading the story of Booker T. Washington in 2007 we can look back in hindsight and see that everything he taught - regarding the importance of character, thrift, knowledge, wisdom, forgiveness, love, persistence, delayed gratification, humility, etc. - is the way to build oneself, one's people and one's nation.
   
   Only now is this man's wisdom and greatness beginning to once again be recognized and embraced. This book should be read by anyone and everyone looking to achieve greatness in their life. Read this book and you'll have the roadmap for doing so.
   
   Booker T. Washington was a wonderful man; a hero. And the author, Pastor Mansfield, did a superb job in telling the story.
   
   P.S. By the way, if you get an opportunity to read the booklet, "Character Building" by Booker T. Washington it will also be WELL worth your time. It's a reprinting of a number of his "Sunday Evening Talks" to his students and faculty members. The advice and wisdom that Mr. Washington shared is simply amazing.



2. In another sterling volume of the Leaders in Action series, Stephen Mansfield here outlines the life and character of Booker T. Washington. In vivacious voice and moving magniloquence, Mansfield traces Washington's path from slavery to his founding of Tuskegee Institute. He shows the difficulties Washington surpassed in reaching his goals, and the principles that helped him make it. In the words of Washington, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succed." By this standard, Booker T. Washington was an astonishingly successful man.

   Washington wrote his own autobiography, _Up From Slavery_, which must certainly not be neglected. But Mansfield's biography is also a criticial read because he includes facts that the autobiographer was too modest to mention, and he highlights wonderful aspects of Washington's character that humility prevented him from including. This biography doesn't contain the wonderful self-analysis and insight of Booker himself - but it does contain all the benefits of a third person account.

   One thing I really appreciated about this book was its terrific analysis of slavery and inter-race reconciliation. Expounding Booker's opinion, Mansfield blames both whites and blacks for the problems that cropped up after the Civil War. Whites needed to repent of their brutal treatment of slaves and actually begin considering blacks more than mere animals; and blacks needed to repent of their spirit of bitterness toward their white enslavers, and begin working hard and leaving no excuse for disrespect of blacks. Too many books on reconciliation have practically advocated bitterness, hatred, and laziness when what is really needed is Washington's outlook of forgiveness and hard work. This book offers relief from such pride.

   To wrap up, this is a great biography. Good history, good style, and good content. Buy it.




3. Then Darkness Fled is a celebration of the life of Booker T. Washinghton and tells of a man who dined with heads of state and became the first Afro-American to receive honorary degrees from Harvard and Dartmouth. Chapters survey both his achievements and his life in this lively coverage.

5 comments about My Carrier War: The Life and Times of a Naval Aviator in WWII (Hellgate Memories Series).

1. I just finished reading My Carrier War by Norman E.Berg. It is an absorbing and interesting page-turner. Mr. Berg's memories of his WW II experience offer a gripping picture of what it took to be a naval pilot in 1941 and beyond, as well as the human story of a young husband and father who faced combat as leader and participant.

   This account offers an in-depth variety of information and illumination, regardless of the interest of any particular reader. It's about learning to fly, about learning to be a naval pilot, about the characteristics of warplanes, about flying from an aircraft carrier, about life at sea, about falling in love, about making a personal life in the midst of war, about separation from your loved ones, about dropping torpedos and divebombing, about comradship, about U.S. strategy in winning the south pacific, and about humanity in a time of war.

   Beyond the details, this writer knits the story together in an engaging way. There is no tedium in this book, nor is it a superficial recitation of dry history. It offers a timeless lesson in facing personal challenges and prevailing. The book is interestingly illustrated with photographs and maps. It is a satisfying read.




2. This chronicle is a rich tapestry of war time action woven against a background of a boy's transformation into manhood through duty, love, and acceptance of personal limitations. Norman Berg brings his combat missions alive with gripping vividness of detail. But it is the comparatively economical passges on his subjective experiences that give this book its poignancy. Staying the course in war and sixty years of reflection have added the tincture of a profound sense of fate to this writer's ink. It makes this memoir shine.



3. I couldn't put it down. As someone who was born after WWII, I was able to appreciate better the time period where we all went through this difficult period. May we never have to do that again. Thank you Mr. Berg for a well written book and am looking forward to seeing it in movie form.



4. Capt. Berg tells the true story of patriotisms conflict with his new family life and how he conquered his fears to serve two long flying tours in the Pacific war during the early and darkest hours of the war that affected and changed not only America but the entire world. Berg is one of the "Greatest Generation" and we are lucky to hear his story in his own words spoken from the cockpit of his torpedo bomber . I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. A Great Story. Eugene A. Olsen, Capt. USMM (ret)



5. My Carrier War: The Life And Times Of A Naval Aviator In WW II is a gripping memoir of Norman E. Berg, who was a pilot-in-training and earned his wings three days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In addition to recounting harrowing battles, My Carrier War also explores the author's inner conflicts and chronicles a young couple's efforts to balance military duty with commitment and love. Black-and-white photographs illustrate the powerful, evocative text. A memoir so strong it transports the reader back to a time of war, danger, and uncertainty, when the fate of America and the world was at stake, My Carrier War is a very welcome contribution to the growing library of World War II memoirs and autobiographies.

3 comments about Confederate Raider: Raphael Semmes of the Alabama.

1. This is an easy and enjoyable read, chronicling the life of Raphael Semmes, the South's preeminent commerce raider.

   Rising from the obscurity of Washington, D.C.'s bureaucracy, Raphael Semmes's goes to sea the age 54 and never returns home until his ship, the CSS Alabama is sunk by the USS Kearsarge off Cherbourg, France toward the end of the Civil War. Along the way he assembles a list of victories that would make any successful naval commander blush.

   But is that good enough for Semmes? After his defeat, he returns from France to the Confederacy. Avoiding the Union blockade by entering Matamoros, Mexico, he makes his way overland to Richmond where he not only is in charge of the Confederate Navy presence during the fall of Richmond, but he also subsequently is responsible for protecting the Confederacy's Treasury during the Presidential escape from Richmond.

   Raphael Semmes is a true Confederate hero who again out foxes his Union counterparts in the final days of the war.




2. The Rebel Raider is an interesting read which details the life of Rear Admiral Raphael Semmes of the Confederate Navy, and his captaincy aboard the CSS Alabama. The book gives a description of the building of the ship, and it's commissioning. It details a number of raides in which the Alabam partook, and the many victories it achieved during its commission. All in all the Alabam destroyed 61 ships - 60 merchant and one Union ship during its tenure. The book goes on to explain how the Alabama's life came to an abrupt end, and takes the reader through the rest of Admiral Semmes life. "Rebel Raider" is a very interesting book, and is extremely easy to follow.



3. In contrast to many Civil War army generals, little has been written about Admiral Raphael Semmes. John M. Taylor corrects this with his excellent biography of Raphael Semmes. The book opens narrating Semmes running the blockade from New Orleans with the C.S.S. Sumter, followed by three chapters on his pre-Civil War life. His first command, the C.S.S. Sumter is covered next. Overshadowed by the Alabama, history often overlooks the Sumter. However, the Sumter was important! John Kell, Semmes' First Lieutenant, is quoted after the war "I have always felt that the little Sumter never had full justice done her. . . .No ship of her size, her frailness, and her armament ever played such havoc on a powerful foe". It was on the Sumter that Semmes developed the commerce raiding strategies/ tactics he used so successfully on the Alabama.

   Leaving the Sumter at Gibraltar, Semmes and his officers traveled to Britain. Taylor's account of the Confederate agent in Britain, James Bulloch contracting for, equipping and arming the Alabama is fascinating and reads like a Cold War espionage novel including a mole in the Prime Minister's office. Semmes commissioned and took command of the Alabama in the Azores then set sail and captured the whaling ship, Ocmulgee, on 5 Sept. 1862. By the end of October 1862 the Alabama had ravaged the New England whaling fleet plus dealt a blow to the grain trade between New York and Britain.

   The author notes that at this time, Semmes conceived a bold plan to take the Alabama into New York harbor and fire the ships there. It is interesting to speculate on possible responses to a raid on New York harbor as 9 months later the city experienced draft riots which had ethnic, racial overtones in a northern city with some southern sympathies. The plan was canceled after the hurricane of October 16,1862.

   The book narrates in chronological order the capture of each ship by the Alabama and narrates her activities including a cruise to Asian waters. However, after 22 months at sea, the Alabama badly needed shipyard maintenance and refitting. Semmes put into the French port of Cherbourg . While France hesitated to allow the critical shipyard work, the U.S.S. Kearsarge arrived and took station in international water off Cherbourg. Semmes formally challenged the Kearsarge to battle and in an engagement on Sunday morning June 19, 1864 the Alabama was sunk. Semmes escaped to Britain aboard an English yacht. The book has an excellent discussion of the possible reasons for Semmes' decision to fight noting that by 1864 Confederate commerce raiding was no longer profitable. A chance for a positive international reaction to defeating a Federal warship was one consideration for making it worth putting the Alabama at risk in fighting the Kearsarge because the Alabama's days were numbered without an overhaul.

   After losing his ship Semmes returned to Richmond, was promoted to rear admiral and given command of the James River Squadron. With the fall of Richmond and the James River Squadron scuttled, Semmes became a brigadier general commanding an army brigade. This interesting period in Semmes life is well covered by the text. The final chapters narrate his post war life including imprisonment, release and futile attempts to gain the right to hold the public office of probate judge to which he had been elected. Semmes was always the unreconstructed rebel and Taylor describes Semmes' memoirs as "the last shot in a war already lost".

   The author notes "Part of Semmes' value to the Confederacy lay in his versatility. He was cruiser captain, diplomat, and propagandist in one." He writes that Semmes was thoroughly versed in maritime law which he used to direct his activities and further his cause. For example, the text states "Semmes might have burned Brown's ship out of contrariness, but his legal training would not permit it." On another occasion, the text notes "Once again, Semmes's seamanship and knowledge of international law stood him in good stead". The author noted Semmes would always take pride in his treatment of those whom he captured and quotes Semmes saying "We were making war upon the enemy's commerce . . . . not upon his unarmed seamen." What a contrast to W.W.II where 30,000 unarmed merchant seamen lost their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic.

   Admiral Semmes importance goes beyond the Civil War and his place in naval history is ensured. Taylor wrote that Raphael Semmes was well remembered by naval strategists in Europe and quoting from volume 38 of the Southern Historical Society, he narrates how Kaiser Wilhem II upon meeting a diplomat from the state of Alabama said "I reverence the name of Semmes. In my opinion, he was the greatest admiral of the nineteenth century. At every conference with my admirals I counsel them to read and study Semmes's Memoirs of Service Afloat." In WW I the Germans emulated his disguising his ships and supporting a cruiser with a tender. In the early days of WW II Admiral Semmes's tactics/strategy were used by the German warship Graf Spee in the South Atlantic. In like manner, early in the WW II other German warships such as the Hipper and the Sharnhorst conducted surface attacks on British merchant shipping . Also, during WW II, German U-boats used his tactics and strategy and copied Semmes's tender usage using submarines as tenders to supply and provision U-boats at sea.

   Semmes accounted for 71 of some two-hundred-odd Northern merchant ships destroyed plus bonded and released 12 other captured Northern ships. As commander of the Alabama he sailed some 75,000 miles without touching a Confederate port. He was the only commander on either side to fight two battles at sea and the only Confederate captain to sink an enemy warship. His record as a sea raider would not be approached until the era of the submarine. As John Taylor wrote "Semmes was not the first commerce raider of the nineteenth century; he was simply the best."

5 comments about The Pattons: A Personal History of an American Family (The Warriors).

1. Anyone interested in General Patton and his family will not be disapointed by this well written, candid account.



2. In writing "The Patton's" Robert Patton has succeeded in an area where most of the previous biographers of his famous Grandfather have failed, namely he manages to humanize the legend and reveal the man behind the myth. This is not a Biography in the strictest sense, rather it's a genealogical history. Here "Georgie" is viewed in the context of his ancestors, and through the prism of his family. Evaluating him in this light, the reader gets a much truer understanding of the part that his upbringing played in formulating the various aspects of his character. As a family member, the author surely has his own opinions of the people involved, but he keeps these to a minimum, letting the rich array of family sources speak for themselves, and presents an amazingly well-balanced, concise portrait of his subjects, he doesn't go out of his way to trash his Grandfather's reputation (as so many tell-all books written by relatives of celebrities today seem only too happy to do) nor does he seek to glorify his accomplishments. He merely sought to chronicle one family's devotion to public service, but most importantly to each other.
   
   Although this book can stand quite nicely on its own, those looking for an in-depth analysis of Patton's military campaigns should be warned, this book gives only a general overview of Patton's wartime service. Therefore, it is my humble opinion that this book will be best appreciated when read in conjunction with other books such as:
   
   War As I Knew It The Patton Papers, 1885-1940 The Patton Papers 1940-1945 Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945 Patton: A Genius for War The Button Box: A Daughter's Loving Memoir Of Mrs. George S. Patton
   
   to get a more complete picture of this legendary and controversial figure.



3. Robert Patton has written a great work not only for general readership but a lasting legacy to the Patton descendants. He delves into family history & writes about more than just names & dates. This book tells the story of the Patton ancestors that shaped the life of General George S. Patton Jr.
   
   After reading this book you can clearly see the values & mindsets that drove 'Old Blood & Guts' & made him a legendary figure. It would be inappropriate to just read the military career of Patton & try to form an opinion of him without understanding the inner workings of the family & circumstances that shaped him. This book fills in so many gaps that are left out by other authors & extends past the general's death by following up with other family members.
   
   Robert Patton should be commended for telling the whole story without leaving out the negative incidents. He tells the story, good & bad. To leave out negative incidents would be to ignore the occurences that were as much a part of Patton as were his glorious successes on the battlefield. It has been said that "We are the sum total of all our experiences". This clearly explains the man behind the legend & Robert Patton has done him justice.



4. It was very sad to read the terrible words about George Patton. It seems Robert has an enormous inferiority complex and decided to take it out on this famous family member. In order to further his agenda, he goes as far as to imply Patton had a mental problem ("West Point sometimes accepted students from other colleges 'without the usual mental exam'."). He characterizes Patton's messages in his letters to his family as "scolding" ("I have not had a letter from home for four days. Are you all dead?"). And any West Point cadet (or any man for that matter!) would see "scenes of rejoicing" as "embarrassing" and abhor them! My husband, who was in a Military Academy told me that if a cadet was kissed by his mother in public, he could be reprimanded for "public display of affection." Imagine West Point at the beginning of the XX century?!
   That George Patton was a controversial figure, there is no doubt, but after reading this book, I believe Robert Patton's problem is that he is not even a shadow of what his relative was. This book is an excuse for Robert's failure in life (he begins by excusing himself for not following a military career), so he goes on to attack a successful man. That is how this book came to life.
   I wish I could give it -1 star!



5. A truly inspiring work -- when I heard that Jonathan Yardley had dubbed it on the best books of that year, I had to read it... And it is. Should be required reading for anyone interested in history, especially their own.

5 comments about Palace Cobra: A Fighter Pilot in the Vietnam Air War.

1. Once again the author goes into combat above North Vietnam. This time in an F-4 Phantom. Although the plot is similar to his earlier book, "When Thunder Rolled", this one's different enough not to feel like a warmed-over rehash. The only thing the same is his fantastic ability to "tell it like it is". Chronologicaly, the events described came after his other book but you need not have read it to enjoy this. Along with Ken Bell's "100 Missions North" this has to be one of my favorites. You come away from it with a much better understanding of the complexities of the war from a strategic as well as tactical view. The mundane day-to-day stuff balanced with the terror they must have felt flying over the most heavily defended airspace known to man. The aircrews involved did a great job in spite of the adversities and this book tells one brave pilot's story superbly!



2. 
   Rasimus returns to Vietnam for a second tour after transitioning to F-4's. We are indebted to Rasimus for his courage and his intellect. The book is superb.
   
   The book covers the air war from the height of air war against North Vietnam and the massive B-52 raids to the dog days near the end of the war when the REMF's came to get their tickets punched. Rasimus captures it all, from the sweaty, terror filled minutes of endless Sam killing missions deep over North Vietnam to the days near the end of the war when US planes did not venture into North Vietnam. The friendly skies of South Vietnam brought out those who had avoided the air war in various Pentagon burrows to get their 201 files filled with combat flying. Rasimus sorts out the good guys like Robin Olds from the slackers with a sharp knife.
   
   What differentiates this book from many other fine books is Rasimus' intellect and writing skills . Highly recommended.



3. Whilst putting you very much in the cockpit Mr Rasimus has at the same time managed to produce a thoughtful, insightful, and instructive book that gives an excellent view of the experiences, feelings and thoughts of what it meant to be a fighter pilot in the later years of the Vietnam war. An excellent sequel to his earlier book. Highly recommended.



4. Outstanding commentary of a two tour aerial war veteran of the Vietnam
   War. We were winning every time he and I left Nam.



5. ED RASIMUS WAS IN A GOOD POSITION TO DOCUMENT THE CHANGES IN ATTITUDE,TACTICS AND OPPOSITION LEVELS ENCOUNTERED IN 1966 AND THOSE IN 1972.IT IS A COLORFULL ,HONEST WITH NO PUNCHES PULLED BOOK.HE TAKES YOU ALONG IN THE COCKPIT WHERE YOU CAN ALMOST TASTE AND FEEL WHAT HE WENT THROUGH.WELL WRITTEN AND THOUROUGHLY ENJOYABLE BOOK !

2 comments about Soldiers of the English Civil War (2): Cavalry (Elite).

1. Its good to see that John Tincey's English Civil War Cavalry volume - originally published in 1990 - has made it through to the latest Osprey Elite format, for despite the passage of the years it remains a very useful book. Succinct, accurate, fact packed, and handy - it is dubious whether it would be very much different if rewritten today. There are tables, quotations from primary documents, and reproductions of contemporary engravings and woodcuts. (Tincey also provided an introduction for a reprint of Vernon's 1644 'Young Horseman' - and it is a shame that this is now relatively difficult to find). Incidentally the Angus McBride illustrations are some of his best.



2. As a model builder and figure painter, I feel Osprey's Elite series (#27) on "Soldiers of the English Civil War, Cavalry, part 2 -- as part one is about the Infantry of that famous Cromwellian Civil War era -- to be very helpful. Of particular note are the graphics selected to explain formations for combat and "etching" styled reproductions from that period.
   Angus McBride as the illustrator has created eleven pages of full color illustrations to shows in beautiful detail the men, the uniforms/costumes, equipment and weapons of the period. As a retired artist, I consider Mr. McBride to be one of
   the best of the human figure illustrators used by Osprey Publishing. However, as an American, I continue to find the writing style, of this and the other of the series that I own, somewhat dry and dull; authoritative yes! But you won't race through the pages of the text. However, I recommend this soft cover to those interested in the specific details of this more cavalier branch of Cromwell's armies, the Cavalry.

5 comments about Becoming Eichmann: Rethinking the Life, Crimes, and Trial of a "Desk Murderer".

1. Since the recognition that Adolph Eichman played a leading role in the Holocaust there has been a debate about his true role and the meaning of it. One group has spoken of him as a mindless, dull bureaucrat, who followed his orders and was part of a tyrannical Nazi regime. Another group has tried to show that he had intent and hatred in his efforts to destroy the Jews of Europe. This book seeks not only to blend this scholarship but to re-examine the evidence for his crimes and ask the question `to what degree was Eichman responsible as a person and not as a bureaucrat?' In other words this is a critique of Arendt'sEichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil (Penguin Classics) or the The Specialist - Portrait of a Modern Criminal This is a new and interesting biography of the man who was personally responsible for the destruction of the Jews throughout Europe from Hungary to Greece and the Netherlands. Eichmann had a zeal for organizing death.
   Much has been made of he learned Hebrew and studied Jewish history. Others have shown that he was not a personally brutal individual. But this work seeks to show the degree to which he was personally involved in the final solution, above and beyond his following `orders.' A very interesting and necessary contribution to our understanding of the Holocaust.
   
   Seth J. Frantzman



2. Great job on researching the early life of Eichmann. Here is a man with no conscience who was willing to become a killer because of the elite status he obtained by doing so. He was a person who thought he could escape Germany and put it all behind him. I couldn't tell from the book if Eichmann ever regretted his role but it was clear he regretted getting caught.



3. The first half of the book is rather dull: a dry account of Eichmann's climb through the ranks of the SD and the SS. It gets more interesting after the point of Eichmann's flight to Argentina. There's a certain twisted romanticism when it comes to the Nazis who fled to South America and went underground. Kidnapped and taken to Israel, Eichmann awaits trial. This trial takes up most of the second half of the book. Since I'm a lawyer, the legalisms may appeal more to me than to other readers but, even so, the narrative does drag at points.
   
   Overall, the book is pretty good. What is, perhaps, most striking is just how "normal" Eichmann was. In many ways, he seemed a typical middle-class Austrian bureaucrat. He didn't seem to have the personal oddities of Rohm, Hess, Himmler, and the others. This "normalcy" makes Eichmann more interesting in the sense that he demonstrated how easily one can pass beyond the pale of human decency. Making these people into "monsters" de-historicizes them and, I think, belittles their crimes and their victims.
   
   Happily, this author chose not to sensationalize his subject.



4. The problem with all books dealing with evil people is that they begin with the assumption of exceptionalism: that the mass murderer is an exception. The 20th Century, if not all recorded history, should have taught us that this is not so. The Mongols Ghengis Khan led in their slaughters were no more inherently evil than Eichmann or the Soviet executioner who won an award for shooting several thousand people in a few days.
   
   Cesarani does a good job of presenting Eichmann as an ordinary man seeking advancement and prestige within a society that saw nothing wrong with murdering millions. Hannah Arendt's characterization of Eichmann as a dim-wit was nothing but an intellectual's refusal to acknowledge that the Germans in their bloodlust were no different than the Soviets, Communist Chinese or other societies that considered murder and enslavement a normal part of the exercise of power. (It should be remembered that Stalin and Mao each murdered more of their own citizens than the total of all murdered by the Germans. Stalin and Mao also enslaved hundreds of millions more people than the Germans. These have always been inconvenient facts for left-leaning intellectuals to deal with, thus their propensity to attempt rendering the German experience as unique.)
   
   Cesarani traces every aspect of Eichmann's life, sometimes to the point of dullness. The ultimate story is that Eichmann wasn't any different than any of his peers in Germany, the Soviet Union or what would become Communist China. In Germany, it is estimated that about 500,000 people were at one time or another in the extermination of Jews and other groups, not counting their Ukrainian, Polish, French and other European helpers. Eichmann held an important position in this apparatus, organizing and administering much of the system that gathered and delivered Jewish victims to the place the Germans had designated for their cruel deaths.
   
   Cesarani successfully "humanizes" Eichmann as a man who could spend his work hours plotting the deliberate enslavement and murder of millions simply because they were Jewish and literally go home to be a typical husband and father. It is that part of Eichmann and nearly all the other state-sanctioned murderers like him through the ages that is so disturbing. To them, slaving and murder was an ordinary part of their lives. For many today, it still is: just look at the recent experience in the Balkans, the Sudan and elsewhere.
   
   The ultimate repugnancy of Eichmann is that he was the exception in that he was tried and hanged. Of the estimated 500,000 Germans who are estimated to have participated in the murder of the Jews, very few were punished. Most went on to live the normal lives their victims were denied. The same is true of the killers in the former Soviet Union, China and elsewhere in the 20th Century. Such crimes and the criminals who commit them are too easily forgotten. Cesarani is to be congratulated for once again reminding us that ordinary men and women can embody the most horrible evil.
   
   Jerry



5. Studying the motivations of those who actively participated in the Holocaust and trying to understand them is no easy task. There have been many attempts to do so ranging from a simplistic 'they must have been monsters' view to 'they were victims of their circumstances'. But neither captures the true complexity of interacting causes of any one person's behaviour nor the slippery-slope aspect of increasing brutalisation through participation. Sadly for humanity's peace of mind, there is probably no simple explanation for why anyone actively participates in genocide - if there were we should have been able to prevent its regular reccurence since 1945. However, David Cesarani goes a long way to reaching the most balanced view I've yet read to date.
   
   The book assumes that you are reasonably familiar with the facts and chronology so a novice of the era would probably struggle to keep up with the narrative. Cesarani takes you through Eichmann's life until his kidnapping by Israeli agents in Argentina at a fair pace, occasionally skimming events that you might have wanted covered in greater detail. But this is not a book about what happened - it's looking at Eichmann the man, and so the author rightly (in my view) does not dwell on the untold misery and horror that he inflicted from afar (and witnessed on occasion at close quarters) on millions of innocent people. He then goes through his trial in Israel in great detail giving as much attention to the trial as to Eichmann himself. It becomes clear that the trial needed to serve the interests of the State just as much as the interests of Justice, but nevertheless, the verdict is no surprise to anyone except perhaps Eichmann himself. And here lies the clue to the real man within. Eichmann lived a life so full of self-delusion for so long that he found it impossible to separate the spark of real humanity left within his corrupted soul from all the conceited self-justifications, lies, propaganda and, ultimately, anti-semitism that had so taken over his life and his sense of Self.
   
   The book ends by assessing Eichmann's impact on history and the debate over the Nazi Final Solution. He takes time to argue against Hannah Arendt's views as expounded in her book of the trial (The Banality of Evil), claiming she was only interested in pushing her personal theory, and because of the huge publicity she achieved, how she warped the ongoing debate. This book certainly addresses this and puts Eichmann back into a more balanced, and in my view, more realistic place.
   
   Cesarani leaves you with a view that although Eichmann was made by his circumstances (he could never have become a genocidaire without Hitler's Nazi state), he was ultimately personally responsible for allowing himself to be sucked into the machinery of genocide. In other words, Eichmann started out as normal a person as you or I, but he chose the path he trod - and, quite rightly, his end was that reserved for a monster.

5 comments about Back in Action: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude.

1. Rozelle's book protrays an interesting story about his personal journey. Well worth the read.



2. CPT Dave Rozelle is a true hero and American Patriot. This amazing true story is a must read for any of the War on Terrorism's many critics. Whereas many in our great country sit back and point fingers at those making decisions and fighting overseas, CPT Rozelle is actually doing his part. It's easy to sit on the sidelines, but Dave has fought, been severely wounded, and fought again. He now commands amputees at Walter Reed, getting them in shape to fight again. You can't help but feel even greater respect for our men and women in uniform after reading this one. CPT Rozelle and his men are true Americans, and need to be acknowledged by reading this book.



3. This book was tough for me. As a military wife I was drawn to Capt. Rozelle's story. However, his book didn't live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, Capt. Rozelle is to be commended for all that he has accomplished and all that he is still accomplishing. The problem, for me, was that in his attempt to show the military in such a great light he came off as somewhat unrelatable. During the first part of the book, he seemed unable to show any sort of failure or flaw. It wasn't until after his injury that he let the reader see his humanity. He finally told stories of how he let himself down and how he eventually picked himself up and went forward. My only gripe is that he failed to show this same side of himself in the earlier portions of the book.



4. If you believe that troop-morale is low this book should change your mind. I've heard Capt. Rozelle on Laura Ingraham's show telling his story and each time I hear him I'm more confident, proud and optimistic about what we're doing in Iraq. Rozelle provides great insight on what's really going on and is highly critical of the poor press coverage of the War in Iraq.



5. I was eager to read Capt. Rozelle's book and compare with others by combat veterans from previous conflicts as far back as the American Revolution. Though the Captain has been exemplary in his actions as a soldier, and in his determination to overcome his disability, I was dissapointed and offended by the use of profane and vulgar language in the text. I realize the useage is common in the military, (I am a veteran myself), but it is never appropriate in an historical text to be read now and for generations to come.
   
   I am also dissapointed in Regnery for not providing better editing.

1 comments about In Hostile Skies: An Americn B-24 Pilot in World War II (North Texas Military Biography and Memoir Series).

1. This is, unfortunately, yet another bomber pilot memoir. It's worth reading for the details, but the author's tour over Europe was relatively uneventful. But then, the only guys that get to write their memoirs are the ones that survived.
   
   The writing doesn't support the story very well, plus anybody with piloting experience will occasionally cringe at the errors made in the text.
   
   Worth reading, but there are better choices out there.