2 comments about The Fighting Pattons.

1. I served in the 2nd Armored Division during MG Patton's tenure. He was an inspiration to many of us. The stories are true and very accurate. I am sure there are a few more that are not in the book! BB



2. The Generals Patton, father and son, served their country for 79 years, altogether, in careers unsurpassed by any other American military family. General George S. Patton Jr's life, in particular, has been examined microscopically, but the section of this work which recounts his career is enhanced by comments, for the first time, by his son and daughter.
   That alone would make the book worthwhile, but the bulk of the work tells the story of Major General George S. Patton (1923 - ), himself a fine fighting general and one of the best trained officers ever to wear the uniform. Like his father, he was a scholar of his trade who understood that skillful audacity accomplishes the mission with minimal casualties.
   Very readable, with invaluable comments by Major General Patton interspersed; photos, bibliography, and index. Highly recommended.

   (The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This recviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

3 comments about The Eighteen-Year-Old Replacement: Facing Combat in Patton's Third Army.

1. I've read many memoirs by World War II veterans. I doubt if any memoir will ever top "With the Old Breed," by E.B. Sledge, but this one certainly ranks in the top tier. With humor and a remarkable degree of candor, Kingsbury tells what it was like to be 18 years old and find yourself in front-line combat, among men you had barely met. There's no padding here, no lengthy passages of background information about the big strategic picture--just a straightforward, well-told, well-edited story that paints a remarkable portrait not just of one young man but of the entire generation of reluctant citizen-soldier draftees who fought and won World War II. Highly recommended.



2. This book takes you back to World War II in great detail. You could almost feel their emotions as the soldiers slept in foxholes and fought the battles. I loved reading the story of their courtship as their love grew while Richard was fighting for his country. It made you aware of what those young 18 year old men went through defending our country.



3. This book provides a fascinating look at the reality of being drafted just out of high school in 1944, and immediately facing active combat duty at the front-lines during world War II. Excerpts from the many letters written between Kingsbury and his girl friend (later to become his wife) provide a romantic thread throughout the book, as well as supplying detail of how life was during the 1940's. The stories ring true, and reading this book gives you a real appreciation of the sacrifices made by our fathers and grandfathers to preserve our freedoms. I strongly recommend this book.

5 comments about The Spy Went Dancing.

1. This is one of three books written by Aline Griffith Romanos about her adventures as a undercover spy during WW II in Spain. It is excellent! I first read the book 25 years ago, have read them all more than once, recommended all three books to many, and have heard only high praise for the series. They are fun, well written, and real page turners!



2. I have purchased 4 books by Aline Romanos. I absolutely love them. The fact that there is truth behind the story and that she really was an upper-class lady as well as a spy excites me. I find myself wishing I lived an adventurous life. She has a talent when it comes to recreating her life and exploits. I could not put it down!



3. I can only echo the words of the previous reviewers! Countess Aline's books (...Wore Red, ...Went Dancing - so far!) are compelling, and I was truly absorbed from beginning to end! When I finished the first, I couldn't wait to start the second - and now I'm impatient to get the third - "...Wore Silk" - from my sister! I had to keep reminding myself that she would NOT be killed, as she was alive to write these books! And her ability to manage the pertepual romantic current with no "smut" is impressive! Her description of "masculine hands," the brush of lips on her ear, or the mention of leg-to-leg contact during the tango says it all! But beyond that, she teaches so much about Spanish customs and culture, from the attraction of bull fighting to how on earth they manage the high combs and mantillas, to daily routine, meal times, siesta - she never stops. How can this remarkable strong female hero be of the same generation as my mother?



4. Fascinating. My daughter is reading "The Spy Who Wore Red" and finds it fascinating as well.



5. My mom first gave me this book to read back when I was in high school. I recently picked it up again at the library to take with me on vacation - and was once again drawn into this amazing - and real life - mystery. In fact, I enjoyed the book so much I almost didn't want to leave my hotel room until I finished it (which didn't make my brothers too happy)! Aline weaves mystery and international intrigue with a jet-setting lifestyle as she hob-nobs with the likes of Liz Taylor and Audrey Hepburn while trying to solve a mystery that's haunted her for 20 years! I'm just starting her next book, "The Spy Wore Silk" and reccommend that anyone who loves a good mystery (and don't we all?) should check out Aline's books. They're absolutely addictive, and, in this case, that's a good thing.

2 comments about Last Man Out: Surviving the Burma-Thailand Death Railway: A Memoir.

1. This was a very uplifting writing about surviving the deplorable and dire circumstances during WWII in a Japanese prison camp. Dr Hekking was a very remarkable man practicing medicine under such conditions. After reading this book...I have a deeper respect for veterans and survivors.
   In ending, the doctor and the Americans seemed to help each other psychologically to survive....



2. I have had the pleasure of knowing the author for going on 8 years now. His memoir of his time as a prisoner of the Japanese, building the Death Railroad, the real Bridge on the River Kwai, is riveting, and sadly the suffering of POWs is little known.
   
   In the decades since returning from the War, the author has had a distinguished career requiring excellent writing and editing skills, and this book reflects that. It's an easy read, and when you've finished it, you will most likely re-evaluate the struggles and low points of your daily routine.
   
   Lastly, the man who is the subject of the book, Dr. Henri Hekking of the Dutch Colonial Army, will instill in you a sense of awe in the medical skills he learned from native Javanese sources, and how these skills, scorned by English and American doctors, saved *so many* of the men under his care, the author included.
   
   This book adds greatly to, and dovetails with, Hornfisher's latest, and compliments Winslow's "Galloping Ghost...".

5 comments about Custer's Fall: The Native American Side of the Story.

1. History is filled with stories not always true. In the days following the Battle of the Greasy Grass or Little Big Horn, hundreds of survivors suddenly surfaced. Some even had the cruel audacity to write Elizabeth Custer with their fictional accounts as they chased their 15 minutes of fame.
   The reality of the death of General Custer and his immediate command and those of the Indians is well known and that is the problem with this book.
   Elizabeth Custer knew exactly what happened in June of 1876 to her husband, brother in laws and soldiers from the investigative retracing of none other than General Nelson Miles, the greatest soldier the United States produced until George S. Patton.
   In her book, there is a recount of that day as traced from factual evidence. In short, Custer concerned the Indians would flee not as a group as were his "hammer" orders to strike the combined forces and drive them to General Terry's "anvil" to smash them, attacked the Indians quickly.
   He divided his command as he had numerous times before and in facing 2 other Little Big Horns. Capt. Benteen was to scout for fleeing Indians with Maj. Reno intended to drive the Indians as Custer attacked the camp diverting the Indian forces.
   Custer tried to cross the river, but it was too deep and finally to try and help Reno he opened fire on the camp which in fact drew the Indians off Reno and they crossed up river which started the Last Stand.
   Custer deployed his forces perfectly on ground not suited for a fight and sent for Benteen to bring up reinforcements. Benteen though upon finding the completely rattled Reno appears to have decided to "let Custer fight his way out of his own jam" in a lingering grudge he had with Custer.
   Benteen fought bravely in their stand, but both Reno and Benteen let Custer down, one for cowardice and the other for not obeying orders.
   Twice during the 2 hour Custer fight his forces fired mass volleys were an Army signature of distress and to alert other forces to come to their aid. In fact, part of the Reno command did try to force their way to Custer, but were turned back under fire from Indians.
   Custer and his command fought very well as the field of battle evidence revealed. His flank was over run at one point and that began the end as the Indians simply wore down the ranks.
   Col. Richard Dodge who records part of the Custer Stand honestly concluded that Custer did commit suicide. This is not some cowardly act as those on the plains knew that death by fire and steel is what awaited an Indian captive. This was not secret in sinews were cut off as well as body parts from living captives as fire was kindled on feet and hands till it was burnt on the chest as Indians warmed themselves and taunted the person till they expired.
   Libby Custer understood this and her husband even had soldiers stationed with her with orders to shoot her if they were attacked to keep her from being ravaged by the Indians. Ravaged as records show was gang raped by every male in being taken back to camp with the Indian women making crude comments. The captive woman was then passed around in camp for days for rape until she came back to the owner who would gamble her away as the Indian women forced her to serve them and beat her.
   It is important to understand though the Indians were savages in the mentality they did not deem rape, murder and theft as evil. Those means of war were celebrated on non tribe members, but were considered "bad" by an Indian if attempted on members of their own tribe as the leaders would beat the Indian and sometimes kill them for it. That made it bad, because they suffered for it.
   The Indians though savage did cherish their children and captive children. The men though practiced war while the women served their masters. The known fact though was the most horrid of tortures were always noted by Indian women. None of this is an indictment, but simple fact of the times and the tribes. This is what any non tribe member faced whether white or Crow from the Sioux and Cheyenne. Custer's own brother Tom at the Little Big Horn in being wounded was alive and an Indian cut his heart out. If Custer did commit suicide, it was only a rational decision as all of his were that day.
   As for the Indians who fought there, there is no evidence on that day that any of them knew this was Custer. They viewed it as simply horse soldiers and went out to fight them. The relics or war booty they gathered has never been discovered. Legend has it that it was buried on the flight to Canada which makes sense as any Indian who had a part in a massacre knew their lives were forfeit not just by government troops if they were caught, but by Sioux loyal to the United States still on the reservations. This divide is still at odds on the reservation today.
   Therefore most accounts published by Indians are suspect and in the case of beleiveable stories like Red Fox who only stated he saw the smoke of battle from camp as he was a boy, the versions often never match known historical evidence of the actual battle.
   So this is not a book about Custer's fall, but a view of hopes like Dee Brown who suffer from the eastern malaise of guilt over winning wars with Indian peoples who were butchering Americans over land the Indians themselves only had acquired a few years before from other Indians. As a historical fact, the Sioux were in the process of genocide against the Pawnee and Arikara Indians and were driving the Crow farther into Montana. It is why the Pawnee and the Crow were allied with the US government. It is also the reason that the US Army was on the plains in June of 1876 as the Crow had begged Washington to protect it's tribes from raids by the Sioux which were happening.
   Too much has been written about Custer as the focal point with no one examining the horrid mistakes of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse in leading their people to destruction when others like Spotted Tail were trying to build a future for the Sioux. Custer's fall actually occurred months earlier when he was testifying in Washington over corruption by the Indian Department who were selling guns to the plains Indians in gleaning the last dollars from the tribes before they were destroyed by a war being fomented by both Crazy Horse and elements of the Grant administration.
   Those are the facts in this from historical records and one could do much better than reading accounts from people who either have an axe to grind on Custer or want to make the plains Indian tribes of that era what they never were.
   If one wants to read the Memoirs of Red Fox, it does a much better job of an Indian view on life. If one wants to read reality of Indians, Col. Richard Dodge's book on his life among the wild Indians reveals the Indian who they were with faults and glory and if one wants to read of Custer, then try Libby's books and the work of Gen. Nelson Miles as the facts are there.
   Yes there was a cover up of failure of duty by Reno and Benteen in the Court Martials, but the Army's memory while sweeping it away in public did not forget and Reno was later drummed out of the service and Benteen was dumped into Utah to disappear.
   The fact though of George Custer and that day are found in better places than this book which rates as rumor...and rumor has no place in history.



2. I have not yet read the book but am now ordering it. I noticed that a couple of the reviews from readers questioned the validity of the book. It is absolutely authenic. I was the Millers banker in 1981 when they lived in Rancho Santa Fe, Ca. and I visited their home on 2 occasins. Mr. Miller has a fascinating background which does include living with the indians and seeking out those who had fought Custer approximately 50 years prior to his painting their busts.His home was full of Indian artifacts which he refused to sell because they had been given to him and had special meaning. Mr. Miller was also employed on the sets of several cowboy movies as an Indian expert. He was about 75 years old in 1981 and I have lost total contact with him. I just want readers of this book to know that it is the real thing.



3. Having read several differing accounts of the battle at Little Big Horn, I find that no one, not even the Indians know what happened that day. Mr. Miller has done his best to present the views of the Indians who fought at the battle as factually as possible. I have not read a recent printing, (my book was printed in 1965, 208 pages counting lists of Indians interviewed or mentioned and the Officers of the 7th Cavalry). I have not been able to find anything in this book, or in any other books to make me believe that Mr. Miller has done anything other than present the facts as best as he could, and I highly recomend this book for anyone interested in the truth about what happened June 25, 1876.



4. David H. Miller's claim to have interviewed oodles of Indian survivors of the Custer fight is bogus. Most of the factual Indian material in the book is freely lifted from interviews recorded by other people such as Stanley Vestal. Even the Indian "portraits" which Miller supposedly did from life appear to have been done from photographs. It is significant that Miller waited until the last Indian survivor had died in 1955 before publishing. Like his spiritual descendent, Dee Brown, Miller writes nonsense while leaning on the works of more reputable authors...

   His "original" material is sheer nonsense, like his contention that Custer committed suicide and that the powder burns were somehow "wiped away" by cover-up officers -- and that Custer's body was taken away on the Far West rather than buried on the field. (Oddly enough, he also claims that Custer got shot crossing the river...)




5. This book provides interesting reading for Custerphiles. It markedly shows that no one, not even the native participants knew what was happening on all parts of the battlefield that day. Each had his own perspective of the area immediatly around him and that changed from each individuals perspective. In the long run I would go with eyewitness accounts unless directly refuted with iron clad evidence. The author tried to present the native side as they experienced the battle. He did a great job, but left us with just as many unanswered questions as we started with. Still a good book to include in a library. It is not a favorite with revisionist historians.

5 comments about Richard S. Ewell: A Soldier's Life (Civil War America).

1. This is a refreshing and informative look at Richard Ewell, before, after and of course during the Civil War. Often described as a failure after succeeding Jackson and becoming leader of the Lee's new 2nd Corp, Ewell has suffered severe criticism for the first day of Gettysburg and for his emotional response to the breach at Spotsylvania. Pfanz provides a fair and colorful look at the dependable soldier that fought the second half of the war with a wooden leg and overall served much better than superficial history would lead you to believe. Pfanz profiles Ewell's early life efficiently noting that Ewell's family as a whole were eccentric and Ewell himself a very thin and balding man who spoke with a lisp. Although lacking in military forbearance, Ewell completes West Point and serves gallantly as a dragoon officer in the west occasionally fighting Indians with high praise. Pfanz provides a full perspective of Ewell as a brave soldier who initially though Jackson crazy and in a rather amusing historical telling, Pfanz describes how at one point several generals in Jackson's command think each other unbalanced. As Pfanz describes, Ewell fights extremely well for Jackson particularly at Cross Keys and at Winchester. Although literally pegged as an officer that follows explicit orders, Pfanz clarifies that Ewell fought extraordinary well particularly in the initial stages of the Gettysburg campaign in capturing Winchester and marching virtually to Harrisonburg. He also fought brilliantly at the Wilderness and for the most part at Spotsylvania. As Pfanz notes, Ewell saved Richmond during Butler's great onslaught attack in the fall of 1864, which is a little appreciated fact. After Butler captured Fort Harrison his attack is stymied by Ewell who masks his small force by using the woods to limit the view of his small defiant band. Richard Sommer's writes of this wonderfully in his book "Richmond Reeemed". Pfanz notes Ewell's one quality that may have not worked in his favor; he frequently asked the opinions of others in contrast to Jubal Early who frequently gave opinions. At Gettysburg, Lee's directives were not precise to Ewell who contended with his July 1 victory with rounding up 5,000 union prisoners, waiting for Johnson's division along with a report of union troops appearing on his left flank. On top of that, Early would not support an attack on Cemetery or Culp's Hill. Nor would Early support shifting Ewell's corps to the right to pull the lines together as Lee wished. Pfanz notes that communication failures appear to be the biggest command problem at Gettysburg along with a lack of forceful leadership from Lee along with the union's will to fight. Ewell also suffers a slight from Gordon, whose self serving personal history make him a questionable source, stung Ewell in Lee's eyes as Gordon relates how Ewell virtually squandered a surprise attack on the union right. Acting judiciously, Ewell orders the attack but may have looked inept to Lee after his brilliant attack and defense in the Wilderness. The almost humorous episode of Ewell trying to stop retreating soldiers at Spotsylvania, cussing at them and slapping them on the back with his sword appears too much for Lee and Ewell's ill advised attack that was suppose to be more reconnaissance in nature virtually keys Lee's decision to replace Ewell with Early when Ewell is momentarily ill. Unfortunately, Ewell's romance with his old flame and new bride caused a huge negative reaction with his staff particularly when she intervened with staff activities and her husband's time raising doubts about his focus. Pfanz provides fascinating detail on the correspondence between Ewell and Lee where Ewell sadly tries to return to command while Lee gently tries to tell him he is not needed at the front. Ewell finishes his confederate career in charge of the Richmond defenses finishing the war on the road to Appomattox at Saylers Creek when he is cut off and alone with Anderson's division. Pretty amazing story after the war that the man missing a leg, with several horses shot out from under him, and two horses roll over him, survives to live a life as a vigorous business man. Ewell was a modest man who, unlike Longstreet, died before Jubal Early rewrote his version of confederate history.



2. I disagree with a line written by Mr. Pfanz in his biography of Ewell.
   On page 326 of the book he discusses the failure of General Robert Rodes to attack Cemetery Hill the evening of July 2.This has been discussed in every book I have read on Gettysburg. However, Mr Pfanz has decided to put his own spin on an old subject. He states "he(Rodes) tried to deflect his failure onto his subordinate Stephen D. Ramseur." This is the first accusation of disloyalty and pettiness that I have ever read of General Rodes.
   I would ask the reader to check Rode's Official Report on the battle and try to discern how Mr. Pfanz could have come to the conclusion that the General was guilty of something so dishonorable.
   Too bad Rodes is not here to defend himself. It is easy to malign the dead.
   
   Pleasant reading but nothing really new on Ewell- a kind,brave and generous man who was very good at being a general until he was so severely wounded at Groveton.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



3. Pfanz offers a most credible account of the life and times of one of the "lesser" lights of the Confederate pantheon. While indeed "Baldy Dick" lacks the nobility of Genl Lee or the exciting eccentricity of Thom Jackson, this offering serves the good general well. I found the author pretty balanced in his recitation of Ewell's trials and tribulation, be it in the realm of military action or his personal life. While this text is 500+ pages of small print, those with a particular interest in Confederate military lore will appreciate author Pfanz's efforts to bring Richard Stoddert Ewell to life...



4. Gen. Richard Ewell. A figure from history that has been all but ignored until now. While many blame Ewell for the loss at Gettysburg, One finds a different side of the story. The reading flows smoothly. I have really enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Gen.Richard Ewell. The author expolores his background as a Dragoon, fighting Indians and his faithful service to the Confederacy. Also mentioned is his conversion to Christainity as a result of his rubbing elbows with Stonewall Jackson. I suggest you add this book to your library!



5. There are three impressive aspects of this work. First, it is quite readable. The battle scenes and other events are as lively as a full color film. The historic characters are full dimensional figures who inhabit the book rather than being referred to. Even minor Ewell family members are brought to life realistically.

   Second, the terrain is imaginatively and graphically depicted. The author has a real sense of the places and the climate of the times. This is also supported by good made-to-order maps of important locales.

   Third, practically every assertion in the book is backed up by solid primary and secondary historical sources. This is done with no intrusion on the readability of the text. No judgment is made without balancing all extant points of view. A real work of moderm scholarship.

   Finally, I was surprised at how much I learned about historical personages and battles with which I though I was familiar.

1 comments about Captain James Cook: Seaman and Scientist.

1. There are those who are quite able to transfer their research into the written word in such a way that the reader is fully able to enjoy the fruits of their work - and there are those who are not. Thankfully, Bill Finnis belongs to the former group.
   
   "Captain James Cook - Seaman and Scientist" arrived through my letterbox just as I was departing for a week's diving on one of the many Safari Boats found in the Egyptian Red Sea. I always take a good book on such trips and this one proved to be an excellent choice.
   
   This is a hardback book measuring approx. 11in x 8¼in, containing almost 250 pages of text with just the right amount of charts, sketches, portraits and photographs in support. The book begins with a chapter headed "Setting the Scene" and that is precisely what it does. Drawing on his own vast experience of the sea, the author explains the prevailing wind conditions in the Pacific Ocean before reminding us of the contributions made by a host of individuals - many of us will remember from our school days; Magellan, Drake, Anson, Bougainville, Dampier and Cartaret - to name but some.
   
   So, having been reminded of what has gone before in terms of world exploration we are now treated to an exposé of Cook's early years and how he came to be apprenticed to a small shipping company in Whitby on the Yorkshire coast. Then, after some 4 years - and just as he is offered his very first command of a merchant ship, he elects instead to widen his horizons by joining the Navy.
   
   What follows is an immensely readable account of Cook's life and, of course, his death. Along the way, we learn of the difficulties associated with determining longitude and how this led to errors in fixing the precise positions of islands being charted by various explorers. We also learn how William Bligh - later to become that famous Captain Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame, accompanied Cook on his last voyage. Perhaps, after learning so much about navigation from the great man himself, it was little wonder that Bligh survived that epic voyage in a small open boat after having been evicted from his ship.
   
   Elsewhere, we learn how Cook had conducted a detailed survey of the Coast of New Zealand during 1769-1770. I particularly liked the comment whereby, in 1943 US Forces were based in that country and decided the charts should be brought up to date. Their own survey of the New Zealand coastline revealed several apparent errors made by Cook. Some years later, with the benefit of satellite position fixing, it was found that the US Forces were in error and Cook had been right all along.
   
   In summary, this book contains 250 pages of historical detail written in a style which makes it hard to put down. It is a fascinating account of one of history's most fascinating men and the reader will not be disappointed by either the content or the way in which it is presented.
   
   NM

5 comments about Guerrilla Prince: The Untold Story of Fidel Castro.

1. According to Lenin's blueprint for the 'dictatorship of the proletariat',the state needs a constant one-party system of communists.Eventhough Lenin supported the scientific writings of Charles Darwin,Lenin believed that the people's will could be controlled and restricted by the state.History has proved him wrong.The loss of Fidel Castro would be the end of the Cuban-Leninist-Communist state.Fidel is a 'Leninist',and his brother Raul is a 'Stalinist'.Fidel was the fiery spark that kept the peasant's hopes alive.The 1959 revolution was an idealistic experiment in communist governing that quickly soured into stagnation and repression.Cuba has a very high literacy rate and advanced health-care for its Latin American people.Yet,the diesel fumes sicken the people,day in and day out.Sugar is a food-staple of poor people and still declining in global use.It does not seem appearant that Raul Castro will relinquish his authority,once he is crowned,'jefe supremo del pais por la gente'.His potentially stalinistic policies will be just as fettering and perhaps even worse than his older brother's edicts.-A soviet designed nuclear reactor will soon be operational,near Havana.The fate of this Chernobyl time-bomb is worrisome.And as with North Korea's quasi-communist leader,Kim Il Sun,the reigns of power are within the family.If socialist China continues its economic global ties,would Cuba secure Arabian oil via China?And cheap oil from Hugo Chavez?-Abdication of their rule would be the complete end of their influence and politically suicidal.So, who knows?Maybe a bearded Raul will try to board a Swiss jet and learn to ski the Alps?Hugo Chavez claims he is the communist of the campo,yet he is rhetorically quasi-Catholic and therefore European christian influenced.-This book is simply the best at showing the mental workings of Fidel Castro and why he took the role of 'Guerrilla Prince'.History is what happens when national leaders are busy making other plans.Learn about Castro's personal decisions in this book.I can only recommend reading this for understanding the charismatic personality of the world's oldest living ruler ,Fidel Castro.



2. This book gives you a view inside the political and military decision making of the Cuba communist regime. It is incredible to see how every major decision is controlled and dictated personally by Fidel Castro himself. The so-called Revolution is really nothing more than Fidel Castro's personal wishes and views. What the revolution wants and does is not determined by what the proletarian wants as he demagogically preaches. This book truly takes the mask away and shows the real dictatorial and egocentric personality of Fidel Castro for the world to see, putting him up there with other dictators like Nicolae Ceaucescu, Joseph Stalin and Kim Jong il. All of the Cuban communist government's crimes and all the suffering of the Cuban people will be well known to the rest of the world after his communist regime is no more.
   
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   Este libro muestra una ventana dentro de las decisiones militares y políticas del régimen comunista Cubano. Es increíble ver como cada decisión de importancia es controlada y dictada personalmente por el propio Fidel Castro. La llamada revolución no es nada más que la visión y los deseos personales de Castro, lo que la revolución quiere y hace, no es determinado por el proletariado como Castro demagógicamente predica. Este libro realmente desenmascara y muestra los verdaderos rasgos dictatoriales y ego centristas de la personalidad de Fidel Castro. Ubicándolo en un mismo grupo con dictadores como Nicolae Ceaucescu, Joseph Stalin y Kim Jong il. Todos los crímenes del gobierno comunista Cubano y el sufrimiento del pueblo Cubano saldrán a la luz pública mundial cuando su régimen comunista deje de existir.



3. This is the best written biography of Fidel Castro. It covers almost all of his life focusing mostly on the political and military aspects. If you want to get a sense of society as a whole I would recommend reading Fidel Castro by Quirk but otherwise this is an excellent start to Castro's life. You could read this and feel that you have covered every relevant part of his life and then some. If you want to understand how Cuba was transformed into what it is today this is essential reading. Highly recommend.



4. In one corner, an American "bourgeois" woman named Georgie Anne Geyer. In the opposite corner, Fidel Castro. The opening bell rings! :-0
   
   If I understand the "leftist" mindset at all well, there is no decision to be made here. Castro is right, and Geyer is wrong, and that ends that.
   
   But -- unfortunately for that mindset -- Georgie Ann Geyer worked really hard in compiling her book, and conducted interviews with hundreds of people, and she knows an awful lot more about Fidel Castro than he knows about her. She knows that Castro was a killer, even in his university days. She knows that he was an absolutely ruthless seeker-of-power, like some others we have known (Lenin, Hitler, Mussolini...)
   
   And, in his quest for absolute power, Castro was helped by another thing, not much discussed here. This was the idea that the current system is so corrupt, that anything else would be an improvement. We citizens of the planet Earth need to be very wary of ideas like this. For example, in Iran: the idea that the Shah had to go, that anything else would be an improvement. BZZT! WRONG! Thirty years of terrorist mullahs certainly put a big damper on that idea!
   
   In the same way, the Cubans of long ago partied and had good times and never really dreamed that anyone could be worse than Batista. Of course, sooner or later, they woke up to the fact that they were being ruled by a thug who would never relinquish power, and who would creep into his senility crowned by Forbes magazine as one of the richest men in the world. Oh, that hero of the people, that secretive billionaire Fidel Castro! How could anyone fail to kiss his beard, and declare him the savior of mankind?
   
   Geyer does not have the whole story here: she cannot (given the date of publication) quite cover all of the damage done to Cuba. But in the time of that evil "fascist" Batista, Cuba was an economic marvel: its workers were ranked #8 in the world in terms of wages received, among many other things. Nowadays, Cuba battles it out with Burma for the honors of "most godforsaken country."
   
   And to think: it is still a "fashion item" to wear images of Che Guevara, whose main ability was shooting prisoners -- in prison. Thousands of them! Fidel's Grand Executioner, and we strut around wearing his image, for what reason?
   
   The best biography of this [expletive deleted]. I really hope that Cuba will come back to the real world, and soon!



5. Here is the true story of Castro, written largely from a foreign policy standpoint. This is not a story of the everyday man in Cuba(although we do learn that he suffered much economically). This is not an economic history of Castro's Cuba(Although we learn how much the economy declined and sugar production as well). This is the story of Castro's foreign flings and the cult of personality around him. We learn of Castro's invasions of a dozen countries in Africa, from Angola to the Congo. We learn equally of Castro's associations with his Latin American compatriots and his attempts to invade and infiltrate most of his neighbors. Those that love Castro and believe he created a socialist paradise in Cuba will not be happy with this book. Equally those wanting to learn the gruesome details of the many suppressed by Castro will also not be happy. This is a fair portrait of this larger then life Guerilla and the wrath he has brought upon the world. This is not a negative book that condemns Castro, in fact I find myself admiring him more after reading it. What one does have to ask themselves if they are an admirer of Castro is if he is truly loved by his people why are their no free elections? Why are other political parties outlawed in Cuba? Why are only government sponsored newspapers allowed? If Castro's socialism was such a paradise then why not let his own people write what they think of it, and say what they think, why murder your political rivals? Or banish them? It is so obvious that communism and all it brings is slavery to its own people, Cuba is a great example and this book tells all about Castro. The author could have done away with the investigation of the Kennedy murder because she reveals nothing new but pollutes many pages with theories.

5 comments about Reminiscences.

1. This is a great book written about a man who could be one of the greatest generals of all time. It is an autobiography of sorts which spends a lot of time on WWII. It was written very well and was easy to read as you follow the General through many of his great accomplishments in life.
   
   The book starts out with a little bit of childhood and then heads right into military school and his life in the military which is what he was destined to do. He has a candid demeanor and through the pages you will come to know the man and his thoughts. He gives some of his personal insight of the presidents that he knew and served under. There were a number of interesting facts revealed that I had never heard before. Also General MacArthur reveals his thoughts on the mistakes made by President Truman in regards to North Korea which have totally come to pass. MacArthur was a man who thought not only in terms of now but what our actions would have on the future. Another thing I found interesting was the way he dealt with Japan after the war. If we had followed his example and done the same things in Iraq it probably wouldn't have turned out the way it has. But the one thing that we have learned from history is that we don't learn anything from history.
   
   You will learn of his magnificent military campaigns in the Pacific as I believe only he could tell. The way he treated his men underneath him and the way he dealt with others will give you a great sense on how a true leader should act. The only thing I would say is missing is more on his family life. About all that is revealed is that his family traveled with him even during the war. All in all this is a very fine book which any one interested in history or leadership will find enjoyable.



2. A half century after his abrupt removal from command in the Korean War, MacArthur's autobiography presents a fascinating combination of prescience and error -- much like the man himself. His heartfelt belief that "there is no substitute for victory" was proved wrong by our decisive triumph in the Cold War, achieved in spite of stalemate in Korea and outright defeat in Vietnam. On the other hand, his insistence over the years that America ought to be paying more attention to Asia (vs. Europe) seems to be validated not only by the rise of China, Japan and India but also by our current predicament dealing with the Islamic world. Right or wrong, MacArthur was always eloquent, and this book delivers his own inimitable take on the violent first half of the 20th century.



3. Great reading, clarifying several points of Manchester's "American Caesar."
   To one who lived through it and seldom saw a newspaper at the time, the Korean War and its consequences are finally understood.



4. My past understanding of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was vague and perhaps understated. This book by far has peaked my interest not only in the General himself, but also in the history of World War II as well as the history of others involved in that conflict.

   General MacArthur does an excellent job covering his life from the time of his birth, to his assignment in Mexico to his command of the Rainbow Division in World War I to his leadership in World War II which lead to his appointment as Supreme Commander in the Pacific. MacArthur spends a great amount of time detailing each of his military adventures, along with noting his achievements along the way, finally ariving at the rank of 5-star General of the Army in 1944.

   I was very surprised to find MacArthur to be very, what I would call, deferential in the receipt of each honor. He has been accused by some of being pompus and an egoist, but he came across as a man who, while very deserving, felt he had earned his awards through not only his own efforts, but also through the efforts of those around him.

   General MacArthur also shares his experience with President Harry Truman at the Wake Island conference. Prior to reading MacArthur's memoirs, I was lead to believe that the conference was a tense undertaking with President Truman having to reign in one his "errant" Generals. MacArthur's take on the conference was completely different that what I have previously read - indicating that Mr. Truman was very complimentary toward the General and with the General returning the favor. I was surprised to read in Merle Miller's "Plain Speaking" to see that Harry Truman thought General MacArthur was a "dumb son-of-a-b****". When I contrasted the two (MacArthur and Truman), I found MacArthur to be articulate, to the point, and respectful. Truman, I have found was crude and ruthless.

   I thought this was a fantastic book and would encourage its reading by anyone interested in the history of this great U.S. General.




5. Informative and the most self serving narration ever made by and about a single American. Live a lifetime with the general and know what it is to never have made a mistake, never willingly to have submitted to legitimate authority, and never, and I mean NEVER, to have credited anyone else for the success of what ,in most military operations are shared endeavors.

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