Recommend this book:

Shall Never See So Much

Gerald Gillis

2010 Bronze Medal
328 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

2010 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

"Shall Never See So Much" is the story of siblings a world apart. The siblings were estranged. Their lives were very different, as was their political philosophies. The setting is 1968. The US was at war in Vietnam. The times were turbulent.

First Lieutenant Tom Flanagan was a 24 year old Marine, serving in the dark, sweltering jungles of Vietnam.
Kate Flanagan was on the staff of Robert F. Kennedy, as he makes a bid for the office of President.

Gerald Gillis draws readers into the lives of the siblings. While both are different, I came to care for each of them. He transports readers back in time. I remember watching the riots on TV, hearing the death tolls. I remember the draft lottery and the fear in the eyes of those drafted. Families were torn apart by the war.

Gillis brings the era back to life. He successfully conveys the atmosphere, the conflicting emotions and the politics. Whether you were part of the era, or not, you will feel as though the events are unfolding before you.

Recommend this book:

Leviathan's Master

The Wreck of the World's Largest Sailing Ship
David M. Quinn

2010 Finalist
124 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

2010 Finalist
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

David Quinn has developed an historical accounting that grabs the reader and relates history while also conveying the human emotional elements that surely accompanied the actual event.

The story details the doomed voyage of the seven-masted sailing ship The Thomas W. Lawson on its maiden Atlantic crossing in the winter of 1907. The ship was reported as unstable but Captain George Dow, the maternal great-great uncle of the author, decides his mastery of previous ships will stand him in good stead with the Lawson. He then discovers that nature has its own agenda for the ship and its crew. The methodical research done in order to write the book serves the reader well, with historical fact interspersed with human interest.

Leviathan's Master is an easy read for sea lovers and land lovers alike. It poses interesting ethical dilemmas as well as thoughtfully presented skills essential to early ship trading.

Recommend this book:

Bending the Boyne

A Novel of Ancient Ireland
J. S. Dunn

2009 Silver Medal
350 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

2009 Silver Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

This story begins in a tea room at a museum. The people listened closely as he told the story of the Starwatchers and Boann. Theirs was a simple society. They were concerned because foreigners were moving in. their Pikes would be useless against the weapons the warriors brought with them. Cian left the village to live with the warriors against the elders wishes. Boann was just learning the secrets of her people. The Invaders as they called themselves were on a mission to find resources. They had no respect for the simple people of Boyne.

I immensely enjoyed Bending The Boyne. I was so caught up in the story that I actually did a little research on the Battle of The Boyne. The story is well told. I found myself wondering how much was based on fact. Boann was my favorite character. The plot flows smoothly and told more than a bit of history. History buffs will enjoy Bending The Boyle. Well done.

Recommend this book:

To Snare a Wolf

Robert Nowak

2009 Gold Medal
366 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

2009 Gold Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

This novel focuses on WW I. However the tale takes place between the years of 1870 to 1914, a time when espionage was plentiful between France and Germany. The two main characters of this novel Christian Dejoux was born in Strasbourg, France and Wolfgang Loewenhardt who was born in Berlin, Germany. Christian was from a humble family and Wolfgang born into wealth. Wolfgang had the best of everything, schools and careers and Christian had to learn to survive and fend for himself. The only common thread the two shared was intense loyalty to their country. The future of their countries lay in their hands.

The reader follows the two men throughout the war. We see them agents working on foreign soils. We follow them from brothels to hospitals, to the circus. If they are caught they will face certain death. They survive by pure instinct.

The author Robert Nowak’s To Snare A Wolf is a fascinating look at the men and women who sacrificed not only their jobs and family life but also their lives for the good of their country. This would make an excellent made for TV movie documentary. It reads like a nonfiction novel. It was hard to believe the people and events were fictional. I was quickly drawn into the plot. I felt as though I was living it. This book needs proofreading and editing. To Snare A Wolf is well written, I highly recommend it.

Recommend this book:

Why We Don't Kill Spiders

A Tale of Bannockburn
Bo Macreery

2009 Honorable Mention
392 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

2009 Honorable Mention
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Sir Walter Scott was just a child sitting at the knee of his grandmother listening intently as his she and his Aunt Jenny told the tale of Robert Bruce’s efforts to win Scotland’s freedom from England in 1314. Years later Scott would retell the story of King Robert in his poem “Lord of the Isles.”

Robert’s grandfather was angered and declared his namesake Robert Bruce was unfit to rule Scotland. However, Bruce was a determined man. He was a knight with royal blood lines both Celtic and Norman. Bruce paid a high price, as did many Scotts, his family was held captive by the English, his wife imprisoned.

The English underestimated their opponent. The Scotts were outnumbered 10-1, like the old saying goes, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog.” Bruce was a brilliant strategist.

It is obvious that Bo Macreery spent much time researching his topic. The reference to spiders is fascinating. I will never look at a spider the same way. The determination one a spider to spin his web gave Bruce the renewed encouragement he needed to fight for Scotland’s independence. Macreery bring history to life on the pages of his book Why We Don’t Kill Spiders. I felt as though I was on the battlefield witnessing the battle. Macreery is a brilliant author; he has captured the essence of the Scottish people.

Recommend this book:

White Seed

The Untold Story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke
Paul Clayton

2009 Bronze Medal
492 Pages
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

2009 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Seventeen year old Maggie Hagger expects the Virginia Colony to be a paradise. She was indentured to John White for four years. He paid sixteen dollars for her to care for his pregnant daughter. The land was not the paradise she expected. There were savages, harsh weather, and little food. At times it was difficult to tell who the savages were.

White Seed is a fictional story based on actual events. The plot is very realistic and I imagine it could have happened that way. The characters are well developed. I was enchanted by Maggie and Manteo. There love story was well done. I was quickly caught up in the story and could not put it down until I’d read the last word.