3 comments about Around the World with LBJ: My Wild Ride as Air Force One Pilot, White House Aide, and Personal Confidant.

1. Fantastic insight to behind the scenes situations at the highest level; apart from politics, the book describes how great and caring some people can be, particularly those who are, or may be, bludgeoned, ruthlessly and ignorantly by the media.



2. Very well written and tells a lot about the inner being of LBJ. You won't want to put it down.



3. There are those who disliked LBJ. They probably would have felt differently if they had known the personal man. This book gives highly personal insights into a man often called "bigger than life." And, reading this well written and well-researched book (the author lived it), many would change those negative views.
   
   The writing is interesting, well done, and highly engaging. The author, retired Air Force General, Air Force One Plane Commander, and Presidential Military Aide James Cross said he wanted to show the unknown and deep humanity of President Johnson. He succeeds without pandering, but rather just by stating plain-spoken truths from an impressive man himself, General Cross.
   
   General Cross started as an Alabama country boy and became a close confidante of the President of the United States. He was not political; he was a highly respected and respectable officer in the U. S. Air Force who did his job and did it well. General Cross is the unsung hero here. The incidental glimpses we get of him in this book - definitely not given to build himself up - show a very decent man serving his president and his country well and with good, old-fashioned patriotism and honor.
   
   I would personally estimate that almost anyone who reads this book will enjoy it, be impressed by it, and come away from it with a much more positive image of President Johnson...plus meeting a genuinely nice guy who our country is fortunate to have had that close to the top: General James U. Cross
   Review by:
   Dick Stanford
   The Azusa Gazette
   Book Reviews
   May 2008

1 comments about Blood and Whiskey: The Life and Times of Jack Daniel.

1. A double shot of a biography on whiskey magnate Jack Daniel with hard-work and determination as the foundation to his life and principles.
   Born in the mid-1800's and orphaned at the age of fifteen, JD immediately found himself working in a local Tennessee distillery manufacturing some of the highest quality spirits in the region from men who were the best in the business. He was known as the boy distiller.
   In his early twenties, he had the opportunity to partnership with his mentor and the rest as they say is history.
   It was not easy though. For decades he battled revenuers, the government, corrupt officials, temperance groups and later the prohibition movement. Even with these many adversities throughout his life, philanthropy was his middle name.
   Peter Krass has uncorked an imbibing read of a unique man and the times in which he lived.

5 comments about Spitfire Pilot: A Personal Account of the Battle of Britain.

1. Good reading about the events of that time. A view into a slice of life taking place at that time.



2. This is a delightfully informative naration clearly describing not only every day life in the UK during the war years but also the appalling loss of life in the air.
   It is hard to imagine the fear and extreme adrenaline rushes these pilots were exposed to and then to return to base at the end of the day and try to resume some normality in life....what an extreme contrast and emotional roller coaster.
   This is a recommended read to all with an interest in aviation.



3. I purchased this book for research. I thought it a just a book to pick up on a few pointers for my writing project. I was instantly captivated by the author and his uncanny ability to put the reader in the cockpit. I promise you that this is an unusual story. It is about a great pilot, airplane, the men who flew them, the time that they lived in, and most of all a small band of deticated, beyond words, young men fighting a formidable enemy against unbelievable odds.
   The author coveys well what it is to lose a loved freind and brother in arms. To have breakfast with him, and then know he's gone by 10:00 A.M. that morning... and more.
   D.M.C.(the author) is speaking through a very personal pilots log, a diary. His writings will be read by my children as they will be home schooled. He and his fellow pilots are heros of freedome, Liberty.
   This book will be on my shelf for a very long time. I kid you not, is worth a lot more than it's cover price.



4. The English have had a history riddled with war and bloodshed. In a war to end oppression and evil, one British pilot, David Crook recorded his memoirs of day to day life and illustrated the hardships of life during an era of uncertainty in a journal now published as Spitfire Pilot during World War II. This recollection of memories was some of the harshest battles the modern world has ever witnessed. From the famous Battle of Britain to the numerous long painstaking escort bomber missions over Germany, this pilot and others alike were the last obstacle Hitler had to overcome before a German invasion of England. Crook understands this and quickly learns that everyday might be his last. Overall this one mans experiences in the darkest times of humanity are both breathtaking and horrifying for any military buff.



5. "Spitfire Pilot" remains the best British Air Force memoirs of World War II.
   
   Flight Lieutenant David Crook tells the story of the British Auxiliary Air Force's 609 Squadron, which shot down 100 German aircraft during the Battle of Britain, killing some 800 Luftwaffe pilots and crewmen while losing only 13. It was units like these, from the Royal and Auxiliary Air Forces, manned with young pilots like David Crook that won the Battle of Britain, devastating the Luftwaffe.
   
   Crook's first hand accounts of the lives and deaths of British fighter pilots in World War II are both insightful and powerful. The author, who won Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross, survived the Battle of Britain only to die in a training accident in December 1944.

5 comments about Bull Halsey.

1. Bull Halsey is an inspiration for all who have ever worn a uniform in any service. E.B. Potter I think does him justice in this biography, which I expect will become a standard as has his life of Nimitz.



2. E.B. Potter's biography on Admiral William "Bull" Halsey proves to be pretty well written, researched and very readable book. Like some of the other reviewers, I didn't like the way the author skipped around Halsey's life at the beginning but I thought it didn't distract from the overall book.
   
   I regards this as an introductionary biography on Halsey simply because as one previous reviewer stated, it really doesn't say too much about Bull Halsey the man. This book read like the military biography of Halsey and thus feel incomplete as a full biography.
   
   The book proves to be "Halsey friendly" most of the time. However the author couldn't hide the fact that Halsey was a very overt racist and that he made a serious error in judgment at Leyte Gulf where only the timidness of the Japanese Admiral Kurita saved Halsey's reputation. The book did make it clear that Halsey's racial hatred toward the Japanese came about long before Pearl Harbor. Author never explain how or why Halsey developed such an attitude toward people he had little or no interaction with.
   
   But overall, as a military biography of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, this book meet all the points of interest. Its clearly written and gives a good understanding of Halsey as a navy man and as a fleet commander.



3. This work, overall, is a good biography of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey. He is most renowned for his work in the Pacific Theater during World War II, with distinguished service from Gaudalcanal to Okinawa. This volume does a sound job in laying out his career in the Pacific.
   
   A couple cavils: (1) The jumping back and forth between his early life and World War II makes for a sometimes jarring narrative; (2) Some of the more controversial aspects of his leadership in World War II, such as his decision-making in the Philippines, seem a bit underplayed.
   
   I'm not sure of the background of the John Wayne movie, In Harm's Way, but the description of Halsey taking over from his predecessor here sure has some analogues with John Wayne's Rock Torrey taking over from an ineffectaul admiral to win a battle that has some clear parallels with Guadalcanal.
   
   Halsey was a "take no prisoners," "full steam ahead" fighting admiral. It is interesting to compare this biography with, for example, a nice biography of his colleague Raymond Spruance, The Quiet Warrior. These admirals of the Pacific had very different personalities and tactics. Nonetheless, they were both effective in their distinct ways.
   
   This volume certainly informs readers of those facets of Halsey's leadership that served the United States well in the Pacific. All in all, despite some questions one might have about the book, this is worth reading by those interested in the naval war in the Pacific during World War II.



4. In keeping with Professor Potter's work about Admiral Nimitz, this, IMHO, is the definitive work about one of the most controversial admirals in naval history. I consider this book as a THE reference work about Halsey.



5. Kept me interested from cover to cover. E.B. Potter does an excellent job of bringing history to life with this biography of Halsey.

5 comments about God's Samurai: Lead Pilot at Pearl Harbor (The Warriors).

1. The Second World War completely changed its major participants and exacted some huge sacrifices from all involved. This and other books about the people who did the fighting shows how similar the attitudes were on all sides. The main character changes some of his thinking after the war, but his thoughts and actions during the war are really interesting, especially when compared to the thoughts and actions of the people on other sides.



2. If ever a book (other than the Bible) showed the divine hand and providence of God, this is it. I wish I could have met the man.



3. Excellent detailed story of Pearl Harbor's lead Navy pilot who through special circumstances wrought only by God found himself after the war travelling in the USA with Billy Graham and preaching the Gospel in Christian Crusades.



4. An awesome true story. Definitely one of the three best books I've read in the past decade. In a time like this of Osama bin Labens and shocking inter-civilizational conflict, Fuchida's life story shows how true reconciliation and inter-cultural brotherhood can be experienced. It gives hope in spite of the huge obstacles to inter-cultural understanding. A powerful human interest story. Don't miss it!



5. A friend of mine introduced me to this book in April of this year. He told me it was unlike any book about the Pacific war that he had ever read. Although skeptical at first, I sill went ahead and purchased the book. I left it on my book-shelve for several months and forgot all about it. As I began packing up in July to move I noticed this book again, so I picked it up and began reading it. I found the style of writing extremely fluid, and the chapters were concise. This well balanced account of Mitsuo Fuchida life traces it from his days as an Imperial naval aviator to Christian evangelist. 'God's Samurai' is a truly inspirational book filled with numerous accounts of honor, bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice - all the codes of a Samurai warrior. I have enjoyed this book tremendously, and I have just begun reading, 'Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan: The Japanese Navy's Story' by Mitsuo Fuchida, Roger Pineau (Editor),Masatake Okumiya(Contributor). Both 'God's Samurai' and 'Midway' are 'must-have' books for anyone who is truly interested in the Pacific war and naval battles!

3 comments about Hazardous Duty.

1. A great story about a model Major General in todays world. If you want a great war story about the story of a Stand and Deliver Man. Then go no further! I actually felt sorry when the Clueless James Earl Carter went up against this bandsaw of a man!



2. I have read about two-thirds of this book and must stop to send copies to my friend and to my daughter. General Singlaub's experiences and insights show the pattern in all the seemingly unrelated events between WWII and Viet Nam (that's as far as I've gotten), events that affected us all. I have been angry, amazed, amused, impressed and proud as I've read this book. I agree with the other reviewer: this should be the text for a history class. General Singlaub's integrity and intelligence illuminate many issues that were hidden in the shadows.



3. I have just read this book and sent General Singlaub the following letter.

   Dear Jack, Under"Acknowledgements", you mention the "ill-fated John Saar background briefs", I believe Churchill would have referred to them as the beginning of your "finest hour". Without that encounter with John Saar, Washington Post reporter, our appreciation of you as the ultimate super military soldier would have never been revealed to the American people. You were magnificent and fearless. No one was able to intimidate you nor could they compel you to change your stance on the issues, not even the most powerful people in the land including, Jimmy Carter, the president of the United States. Your courage met all challenges with integrity and honor and truth even though you understood that your whole brilliant career was in the balance. You did not waver or waffle as other great warriors have done when faced with loss of pensions, future advancement, even death. Many came to their "moment of truth" and stumbled miserbly. Your action of heroic patriotismand dedication to duty can not be surpassed in the recorded annals of U.S.History. Holding firm to your beliefs and convictions, your dedication and patriotism took on heroic proportions and should, at the very least, lead to The Congressional Medal of Honor. "Hazardous Duty" should be required reading in every school and college in the land as well as in the world. Your reference in Part III to "No Parade" perfectly presents to the world why democracy really works and why totalitarian governments fail, i.e. Hilter, Mussolini, Stalin whose systems are motivated by fear with no fair representation.

5 comments about First Into Action: A Dramatic Personal Account of Life in the SBS.

1. First Into Action: A Dramatic Personal Account of Life in the SBS
   This is truly one of the most incredible insights into the real world workings of a unique Special Forces unit, which known to the public, however receives little attention. The author of the book, is an ex-SBS Opertive who shares his own experiences; most are extremly amazing feats of human courage. However, some are very sad and leave the reader pondering questions, such as, "how would I have handled this?". This is a truly must read for anyone interested in Special Operations, especially from a view outside our (United States) armed forces!



2. Not nearly as detailed as a lot of other books of this true stories of the special forces genre, but interesting none-the-less. I would recommend it to people (like me) who have never read about or heard of the SBS. It's a fairly quick read and won't take up much of your time. Besides, the author has some pretty amusing anecdotes.



3. I've read a lot of these SF books (see my other reviews), and this one is one of the better ones to come around in a long time. He writes about himself, the SBS, and the SAS in a most sincere and humble manner. I will be buying more of Falconer's novels/books. Great book.



4. The SBS (Special Boat Service) is Britain's Special Forces unit that corresponds to the U.S. Navy SEALs. It is not as well known as Britain's SAS (Special Air Service), and I must admit that I had never heard of it until I ran across one of Duncan Falconer's novels half a year ago.
   
   Duncan Falconer was a member of the SBS for a dozen years from around 1975, getting in at age 19, the youngest ever for a new member. "First Into Action" is his personal account of his life in the SBS plus a bit about his childhood and his entering the British Royal Marines.
   
   If you're really keen on books about Special Forces units and the men who serve in them then I can recommend "First Into Action". Duncan Falconer does tell it like it is, and the story is very interesting.
   
   Readers who are not so fascinated with the reality of Special Forces will find this book less appealing.
   
   The most powerful impression I got from reading this book is that the men of the SBS are a bunch of suicidal maniacs! (I exaggerate - please bear with me.)
   
   Duncan Falconer spends most of this book describing three aspects of the SBS: how dangerous it is, how self-motivated and intrepid the members are, and how often things go totally wrong.
   
   The selection procedure is described, and it becomes obvious that in order to become a member of the SBS you have to be willing to push yourself to the point of physical injury. And the instructors come across as sadists.
   
   After you become a member of the SBS you spend a lot of time doing exercises (or "rehearsals", as they call them) to keep your skills up to snuff. High-altitude parachuting, submarine exits, climbing oil rigs during a violent storm, testing new weapons and explosives, diving in freezing water, descending from a helicopter onto a bucking ship, etc., etc. You name it, the SBS can do it, or die trying. And a lot of them do die trying.
   
   In addition to the many deaths there are a large number of injuries, some that heal and some that result in being incapacitated, perhaps even ending up in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.
   
   There are also an incredible number of screw-ups in the missions that the SBS is involved in that can be considered humorous. In fact, large portions of the book are written in a tongue-in-cheek tone that is intended to be a contrast to the serious and heroic books by former members of the SAS and other Special Forces units.
   
   Speaking of the SAS, another theme of "First Into Action" is the rivalry between the SBS and the SAS. The title of the book refers to the claim that the SBS is always (or almost always) the first British military unit sent into any conflict, before the SAS or anyone else.
   
   Duncan Falconer writes with scorn about several SAS missions that went awry, including the famous Bravo Two Zero during the first Iraq war, and the accidental killing of an SBS operative during the Falklands War.
   
   On the back cover of the paperback edition I read it said that Mr. Falconer had a "leading role" in SBS operations in the Falklands. This isn't true. In the text of the book Duncan Falconer writes that he was not involved in the Falklands at all, although he recounts several stories about the SBS teams that were there.
   
   Much of the book describes Mr. Falconer's personal experiences during his time in Northern Ireland combating the IRA. This is fairly interesting, but not the kind of work that most Special Forces fans prefer to read about.
   
   A few final points: The book is too long in my opinion, and it suffers from there being no dates whatsoever for the various events that take place. It's nice that there is a glossary of the military terms and acronyms used - I referred to it fairly often.
   
   In conclusion, this book will appeal to Special Forces fans because it's a very honest look at the SBS, one of the world's best Special Forces units. My three-star rating of "First Into Action" is largely due to it being outside my normal reading preferences. For me it was an OK read, but Mr. Falconer's novels ("The Hostage" and "The Hijack") are more to my taste - I give them both four stars.
   
   Rennie Petersen



5. Great book, much better than I expected. Some reviewers say they are annoyed with the author's coldness, brevity and lack of detail of certain events but I think that's due in part to the need for confidentiality of those events. I was not bothered by it and did not feel like it detracted from the book. I thought it had a plethora of information and events were explained very thoroughly. If it was too DETAILED or too GENERAL then I would question it's authenticity. I like the anonymity of the SBS, as the author says, it makes their job easier. This is the book to read if you want to read about the SBS or even the SAS. I'm burned-out on all the SAS/SEAL hoopla and wanted something a little different. The SBS are not as well known as the SAS in Britain and even less so here in the US, I only found this book when I was unknowingly transferred to Amazon.uk. Great book.

5 comments about Ghosts of Gettysburg IV, Vol. 4.

1. The Ghosts of Gettysburg series is very interesting. Mark Nesbitt is a great author.



2. I have read all of Mark's books, and highly recommend them! We visited Gettysburg last year, and while we didn't see any apparitions (or I don't think we did), his books were very informative! His Ghosts of Gettysburg tour is also high on our 'redo' list!

   If it's Gettysburg history you want, this series is for you!!!




3. Former Park Ranger Mark Nesbitt has over the years gathered many ghost stories from other park rangers, visitors and people who live in the area. Nesbitt tries to gather factual data on the stories he receives so he can offer a background as to why these ghost stories may have evolved. His stories are usually quite interesting and do not just talk about battlefield soldiers, civilians alike are also involved in famous ghost stories in Gettysburg! Buy all 5 books, there worth it! Each has many short stories that are easy and fun to read.



4. I ordered books 1 through 4 last year, and it took me a little
   more than a week to read all of them. Even if you're not
   interested in ghosts, the historical accounts of the areas in
   which the stories took place is quite interesting. I like the
   4 books so much that I'm afraid to lend them out for fear of not
   seeing them again. I'm looking forward to book 5. If you like
   both civil war history and ghost stories, you won't regret reading these little gems.



5. I ordered books 1 through 4 last year, and it took me a little
   more than a week to read all of them. Even if you're not
   interested in ghosts, the historical accounts of the areas in
   which the stories took place is quite interesting. I like the
   4 books so much that I'm afraid to lend them out for fear of not
   seeing them again. I'm looking forward to book 5. If you like
   both civil war history and ghost stories, you won't regret reading these little gems.

5 comments about Teddy Suhren: Ace of Aces: Memoirs of a U-boat Rebel.

1. This autobiography by Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren is yet another fine book by a surviving German Naval Officer of the U-Boat conflict during World War Two. He was certainly no Nazi, and suffered tremendous personal loss - his parents and sister died toward the end of the war, when Soviet forces entered the German-speaking Sudetenland region (now in the Czech Republic). His brother Gerd Suhren was also a highly-decorated U-Boat Commander. Teddy was something of a "non-conformist," who harbored anti-Hitler sympathies, who was no racist and who was very fair toward his men. After the war, he returned to a country (Germany) which now saw all veterans as something of criminals - something grossly unfair to those who were mere victims of their generation. After he passed away in 1984, his ashes were left in the exact position in the North Atlantic where his last submarine command (U-564) went down with all her men. This was done at his specific request. Like many U-Boat aces, he was withdrawn from the front in order to train new recruits at home - thus did he survive the carnage of World War 2.



2. This is an excellent account of one man's war as a submarine officer in World War Two and significant work within this area of study.
   
   I found this book to be a bit of a pleasant surprise. Not only does the book have dozens of great photographs documenting Suhren's experience. The book reminds me extensively of the movie Das Boot and gives the reader good perspective of submarine operations.
   
   Things I enjoyed about this book are the stories of working among the sailors as a team and how Suhren made a special effort to take care of his sailors. I also enjoyed his description of action off the Florida coast. Since I'm familiar with the area he writes of it's particularly fascinating reading. In fact a person can almost imagine what it was like years ago when the attacks took place.
   
   My only criticism of the book centers on the old fashioned writing style of the book. In some place entire pages are devoted to one large paragraph. And while this may not be daunting to some. It certainly doesn't make things easier from an esthetic standpoint for the reader. The other thing to consider is this is a specialty book, and a good solid foundation in the general history of the war would help a new reader understand the significant place U-boats have in the history of the war.
   
   If you're interested in the U-boat war I would suggest you read U-boat Commander by Peter Cremer and The Shooting War by Otto Giese. Both are excellent easy to read books on the topic.



3. Good book easy to follow about one the most successful Uboat Captains who also managed to survive the war - starts with early years, naval training, patrols, transfer from active duty to training and the Command of the Uboat Fleet while based in Norway.



4. Excellent account of an interesting WW2 U-Boat Commander,not your typical German stereotype, Teddy Suhren's autobiography is a must read for anyone interested in the Battle of the Atlantic and the U-Boat Campaign of the East Coast of Florida. Suhren is a fun loving, professional who works hard and plays hard.
   
   Highly recommend the book.



5. Whenever I review a book about U-Boats, I automatically think of (and usually mention) Gunther Prien and Otto Kretschmer. After having read this book, however, I think my first choice of name should have been Teddy Suhren.
   
   Suhren was a legend within the U-Boat service during WW2 and this is his story. The detail comes from his own papers and photographs revealing a U-Boat commander who was incredibly successful. His own personal patrol range included the eastern coast of the United States as well as the Indian Ocean. What endears any reader to Suhren as a person, however, is not only his success, and outstanding leadership skills, but also his sense of humour and the fact that he was a rebel and often in trouble with his superiors.
   
   In a book which is clearly thoroughly researched, this author has put together an important work which will fill many gaps for those with an interest in the exciting and dangerous art of U-Boat warfare during WW2. I particularly liked the way in which the carefully selected photographs are used - appearing on each relevant page and not found in a small glossy collection in the middle of the book. In this way, each picture is relevant to the adjacent text and does much to support one's reading of the work as opposed to creating an interruption as the reader searches to find something located elsewhere.
   
   Altogether, this is an excellent work - exactly what I have come to expect from these particular publishers.
   
   NM

5 comments about JUMP: INTO THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW: The War Memories of Dwayne Burns Communications Sergeant-508th P.I.R..

1. After the world wide attention for the 101st this is a welcome addition to airborne warfare in WWII



2. This is a very well written book b y a man who was there. Telling the personal story of Leland Burns' travels thru F Co of the 508PIR, Jump Into the Valley of the Shadow is a fine read. Factual and well thought out, it goes thru the gritty days of fighting that only a man who has lived thru it can tell you. But it also goes over the softer, more human side of his time overseas in an in-depth and honest way.
   From his personal accounts of his courtship with his wife, to his time in England with both new and old friends, the book is made better by the fact that these are all REAL people that actually existed (and in many cases are still living) that makes this a truly special book to have.



3. This book starts out with the author staring out the open door of a C-47 on the night of June 5, 1944 and realizing that it was now too late to join the motor pool or become a cook. Like a lot of other youngsters, when he was drafted into the Army he decided that he wanted to be with America's best, and that was the paratroopers.
   
   I was glad to see this boook. There has been a lot written about the 101st in recent years and their defense at Bastogne including 'Band of Brothers,' the movie 'Battleground' and a bunch more. Much less well known is the action of the 82nd to hold the north shoulder and prevent the Germans from having more roads to use for their advance. Burns was there. He doesn't tell the big picture - there are a lot of books on the Battle of the Bulge. He tells his story from the bottom side. It looked different from a foxhole.
   
   The book is told in the form of a bunch of little stories, not a day by day diary. This makes it much more interesting, and I recommend it highly.



4. OK! This is one man's story about the "Oh Eight" the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (P.I.R.), 2nd Bn, Fox Co. Mr Burns jumped into France, Operation Neptune (D-Day) and Market-Garden (Holland) two jump stars earned the hard way. There are a lot of "soldiers stories" in the book, being with your buddies, goofing off, military life, as well as the stories about combat. Books like these put a human face on anonymous mens faces of black and white photos taken 60+ years ago. It shows they were pretty much the same as most young men, full of life and hopes and dreams, except their lives were forged in the fires of the Depression. It is a good read and a page turner, there are "flashback" type parts of the book, that may disagree with some readers. But I was most humbled and impressed by his story and the stories of other men I have met, ironically from Easy Co. 508th PIR, Mr Burns' sister Co to his own Fox Co. I am glad some of these men have told their story, because too many never have or got the chance to live long enough to. Thier story is told by rows of silent crosses in France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and a thousand other lonely places where American boys fought and died. Read this book if you want to know the story of one man's journey through a pivotal time in human history.



5. I highly recommend this book. Dwayne Burns brings to life his memories from elite training as a paratrooper to his feelings and emotions of actually going into combat. Along the way, he shares his personal life stories and how all of this shaped the person he was to became. The incredible bond that paratroopers have which started in their training and lasts to this day is very inspiring. Reading this book reinforced my genuine thanks to these men that "Jumped Into the Valley of the Shadow" along with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" that helped bring peace back to this world in the uncertain time of WWII.