Reviewed by Tom Gauthier for Readers' Favorite

All Present And Accounted For is the saga of the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis and the heroic efforts of its crew in the 1972 near loss of the ship and all hands. Steven J. Craig has crafted an excellent history of the Coast Guard, centered around a harrowing incident off the jagged volcanic cliffs of Akutan Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Mountainous seas and gale force winds mixed with treacherous “williwaw” wind bursts recorded at over 70 knots have run the ship aground and holed her hull. Craig’s minute-by-minute account of every aspect of the event is an edge-of-the-seat story of one of the few times in the history of the United States Coast Guard that an SOS/MAYDAY radio call would come from a Coast Guard vessel.

Captain Steven J. Craig’s recounting of the 1972 near disaster for the Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis is masterfully written. Craig covers a wide swath of background for the ship, the crew members, and the Coast Guard itself. He has created textbook history in an action-adventure reflective of the best novels. But this is not fiction. It is annotated, documented history that is eminently readable by sailors and non-sailors alike. An academic piece wrapped in a riveting narrative of events, blending history, technology, human interest, and humor amidst a harrowing experience. Craig’s detailed profiles of the individual sailors and their physical and psychological challenges amidst his overall narrative of the events produce an exceptional reading experience. As any sailor will recognize as a compliment, I offer Captain Craig a Bravo Zulu for All Present And Accounted For.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever wondered what the price of our progress was? What civilization really means? What makes us and even prominent scientists reject or deny logic, facts, and clear evidence in favor of what we prefer to believe? But most importantly, why do we still romanticize, admire, and even idolize history's worst criminals? Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation by Joseph Abraham provides helpful answers to all these questions and many others. Through anecdotes, historical events, graphic images, and terrifying descriptions, Joseph Abraham reveals to us the true nature of war and conquest and the realities of them. He dispels the romantic concept of war, the excitement of the past about kings and conquerors, and provides a more accurate view of them.

Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation by Joseph Abraham is an antidote to our romantic ideas of warfare and conquerors. It's also a revelatory account of the fullest expression of evil in human history. Joseph Abraham challenges readers' knowledge and leaves them an exceptional legacy that helps recognize those who fit many of the criteria for psychopathy, sociopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism. He shows us the modern descendants of the ancient rulers. No other book encompasses so perfectly the atrocities committed under kings, conquerors, psychopaths, and their successors. No other book accurately explains what actually separates the ancient and modern rulers from the rest of humanity, why we still admire them, and why we struggle to separate facts from fairy tales. I highly recommend it as it makes us determined to acknowledge that we can all become potential victims or potential criminals, that subjugation and domestication do not apply only to animals; they apply to humans too.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Separated Together: The Incredible True WWII Story Of Soulmates Stranded An Ocean Apart by Kenneth P. Price, PH.D. is a poignant memoir that chronicles the dramatic lives of Sonia and Abe during WWII, their adversities and hardships. The memoir looks at the intricacies and complexities of human relationships and throws light on how they survived the Holocaust and rebuilt their lives. The story is about how WWII breaks out when Abe was on a trip to America and Sonia was in Poland with their two children and had to deal with the Nazis. Theirs is a story of love, hope, resilience, strength, courage, and perseverance, and readers will be impressed by the way they made their life happen against all odds.

The story of Abe and Sonia is engaging and fascinating and sheds light on how they survived the challenges thrown at them despite being on separate continents and dealing with problems alone. Readers will find Abe and Sonia relatable as the author describes them and their personalities in detail, along with how their love story progressed. The memoir also throws light on the atrocities committed by Hitler on the Jews, planning the German attack on Poland, plans to extend Germany's borders and rule Poland, and how the war and the Holocaust affected all of them. The memoir is a fine blend of romance and history as it gives readers glimpses of WWII and the wonderful love story of Abe and Sonia where they survived being separated due to the war and how they managed to rebuild their lives.

Reviewed by Cassie Widjaja for Readers' Favorite

Every Reason to Fail by Bryan Douglass is a mind-blowing, incredible non-fiction book centered around Miss Montana and the D-Day Squadron. Beginning with the creation of N24320 in 1944, this book tells of an exceptional military aircraft that was built too late to serve in World War II but eventually found purpose as part of a flying honor guard, invasion reenactor, and goodwill ambassador on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Written by pilot Bryan Douglass, this story also details the progress made to restore the 75-year-old historic plane in time for the transatlantic journey of the D-Day Squadron's Mighty Fifteen. In a year, the underdog of the D-Day Squadron faced insurmountable odds, constant delays, and a shortage of nearly everything except the determination of its crew.

Aviation, history, suspense, adventure, and teamwork are only a few of the things that make up Every Reason to Fail. Bryan Douglass truly hit the ball out of the park with this incredibly well-written and extraordinary book. By providing pictures of the plane and the crew, my interest in the book was piqued, and I couldn't stop reading. I loved how Bryan focused on the people who made the journey of Miss Montana possible. Bryan was exceptional at covering only the relevant events, making this book fast-paced and action-packed. Not only did he include the enormous support from the people of Missoula, but he also successfully captured the spirit of the Miss Montana crew and the beloved plane. Despite not going to war in 1944, the plane had a long history as a smoke-jumping, firefighting, and backcountry cargo plane in the Rocky Mountains. Reading this book has made me realize that all things are possible if you're determined to work hard for them and refuse to give up despite the obstacles in your way.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Soledad Children: The Fight to End Discriminatory IQ Tests by Marty Glick and Maurice Jourdane is a well-researched, historical non-fiction book that serves as a powerful indictment of a form of racial discrimination suffered by Mexican immigrants. Born and raised in a labor camp farm in Soledad, California, ten-year-old Arturo Velazquez is in third grade when he is given an English-based IQ test and placed in a class for Educable Mentally Retarded (EMR). It is 1968 and Arturo's is just one of many cases; most of the children in the room are Spanish-speaking. The Soledad Children tells the story of the class-action suit filed in 1970, Diana v. the State Board of Education, a lawsuit on behalf of thousands of Hispanic kids already placed in EMR.

This book records a history of discrimination and racism in a way that is poignant and compelling. The authors take readers through the legal action and provide insights and factual events that are psychologically disturbing. From the very beginning, the reader gets a small glimpse of the anguish of children placed in EMR when Arturo asks Maria why they are in a special class. The answer is a painful one. While this is a non-fiction book, it is well crafted and I enjoyed how the authors explored the psychological and emotional part of the characters. The writing is bold and confident, punctuated by relevant themes such as family, educational discrimination, the quest for justice and others. This book contains a message that contemporary American citizens should read. A deftly written story that will, most certainly, instruct our contemporaries.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Fag Hags, Divas and Moms: The Legacy of Straight Women in the AIDS Community by Victoria Noe throws light on the straight women who have had HIV/AIDS and their stories, struggles, and challenges which have often been pushed aside by focusing more on stories from the viewpoint of gay men. Many readers are unaware of the involvement of women during the early years of the epidemic though it had already killed many women. The book shares stories of women, including that of the author, whose voices and achievements informed many about the frightening virus. The author also speaks about the initial years of AIDS when paranoia, fear, and misinformation caused a lot of erroneous notions and misunderstandings among people. Four decades into the disease, it is always white gay men seen as the face of HIV/AIDS in magazines, memoirs, and documentaries. This book breaks that tradition and routine by telling the stories of straight women who have battled this virus, their silent struggles, challenges, and the advantages taken because of their gender.

Fag Hags, Divas and Moms by Victoria Noe is insightful and gives good information about the straight women in the AIDS community, some unknown and some known faces. It also makes them realize how important it is to form a support group to help this community, discussing issues related to their HIV status. All the stories point towards a system that has failed them and also helps to remove the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. The stories are heartbreaking and teach valuable lessons to the world. The content is not only educational but also informative. Every story leaves a mark and will encourage more and more women to come out with their stories and help others deal with the shame associated with the AIDS epidemic better.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Hippie Chick: Coming of Age in the ‘60s is a work of non-fiction in the style of a memoir, penned by author Ilene English. Recommended for adult readers due to some mature content, this enlightening and empowering memoir tells the tale of the author’s life as a young woman through having a daughter of her own. Themes such as challenging the perception of what women are capable of and women’s emancipation come up often during this narrative, as well as the author’s personal experiences of caring for her seriously ill mother and dealing with the stresses of being a solo parent. What results is a truly heroic tale of triumph against all the pitfalls which life can throw at us along its tenuous path.

Author Ilene English has much wisdom to deliver to her readers during the story of her younger life and her development as a woman. The issues of grief and personal tragedy of which she speaks are tenderly narrated and given all the attention that they deserve, which will certainly resonate with other readers who have experienced similar shocking moments of loss in their youth. The hazy days of San Francisco are beautifully recalled with all the glory and nostalgia one would expect from the book’s title, but English is never without a keen eye on the present and a reflective sense of what it means to be a woman both today and in the context of the past. Overall, Hippie Chick is a highly recommended and eye-opening read for women from all walks of life.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Rescued from the Ashes: The Diary of Leokadia Schmidt, Survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto by Leokadia Schmidt is a memoir that captures the horrific experience of the Holocaust and what it was like to be a Jew during WWII. In this memoir, a young Jewish housewife and her husband escape from the Warsaw ghetto, together with their five-month-old baby to find shelter in the least expected of places. The narrative begins on the day that residents of the ghetto were supposed to be deported, but little did they know that they were destined for the concentration camps. It is heartbreaking for the Schmidts to watch as the number of people in the community diminishes, with more being deported to concentration camps every passing day.

The sense of anxiety is well captured in the narrative and the fear that grips the Jews living in the ghetto. It's a kind of fear that became part of the everyday experience of the people. The author writes in a way that makes the story cinematic, allowing readers to share the experience of half a million people in the Warsaw ghetto. Right from the introduction, she offers a powerful insight into the conflict: "In 1943, after being driven from one place to another on the “Aryan” side of Warsaw, we finally found shelter in a tinsmith’s shop located on 27 Belwederska Street. It belonged to Antoni Michalski, the father of our protector." The day to day experiences of the Jews are captured with forensic detail, the pathos coming out powerfully, and man's inhumanity to man is not a subject of fiction but a reality written into the life of the protagonist. While this story captures the journey of one family as they escape the terrors of racism, it is also a story of hope and resilience, following the characters through the years as they eventually emigrated to the US. Rescued from the Ashes offers a fresh perspective on the horrors of a history that has haunted and shall haunt humanity forever.

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

Holocaust Memoirs of a Bergen-Belsen Survivor & Classmate of Anne Frank by Nanette Blitz Konig will give you a new view into the world at the time of the Holocaust as the Jews were targeted by the Germans. After being asked a question by her grandson, Konig decided that telling the truth of the horrors the Jews faced was better than lying to the young child. Konig recounts the experiences of her happy childhood that quickly turn to a life of fear and degradation as the Jews are taken to concentration camps, treated with utter contempt and not even considered to be human by the Nazis. After the Jews were liberated, the death toll of the lives lost still continued to climb as the survivors reclaimed the life that remained to them. Anne Frank’s death was among them, a victim in the concentration camp. Even as the survivors began picking up the pieces of their lives, the nightmares of the horrors they had faced never really stopped.

Holocaust Memoirs of a Bergen-Belsen Survivor & Classmate of Anne Frank by Nanette Blitz Konig belongs in a library next to all the other books that depict life during World War II. I loved this book but the story made me cry repeatedly as the author recounts the facts of her life in the concentration camp at the hands of the Nazis. The events and people described within the book from a first person perspective make it easy to get lost in the truth of what happened. The entire story of Konig’s Holocaust memoirs will have the most distant reader's heart breaking from the sheer indignity against humanity, then leap in utter joy as the Jews gained their liberty. I love how this story shares profound truths through the eyes of a survivor. It shows just how resilient the human spirit can be in the face of tragedy as Konig and the other survivors pull their lives back together with pride and dignity. I also want to add a huge bravo to Nanette Blitz Konig for the courage to share the real life tragedies so that future generations of the world can learn the harsh truth and not repeat the horrors of the past.

Reviewed by Carine Engelbrecht for Readers' Favorite

Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Scholars, Socialites and Scoundrels by Isabel Sun Chao and Claire Chao traces the story of the once wealthy Sun family from the founding patriarch, a bright and hard-working peasant youth who rises to high honor in the Imperial court, to the hardships experienced by his great-grandchildren under Mao's regime. Central to the narrative is the story of the third daughter, Isabel, who grows up in the 1930s. Although her parents are polar opposites, she is loved by both her scholarly father and her fun-loving, fashion-conscious mother. Her world is juxtaposed between western and oriental influences, but even her family's affluence is not enough to shield her from the political turbulence of the times or the upheavals experienced by her own family. At 18, her life changes irrevocably as she travels to Hong Kong to join her mother. It is a lucky escape for Isabel, who marries another exile from Shanghai and later works for the American Foreign Service, but bitter challenges await family members who are less fortunate. The book includes a selection of charming illustrations and vintage photographs as well as sub-sections explaining certain aspects of Chinese culture and retrospective analysis of certain key events.

In Remembering Shanghai, people and places vividly come to life as they are rendered in rich detail and with affectionate sympathy - even the scoundrels! Reading it is a thoroughly immersive experience that fully engages the imagination in many different directions and touches the heart, especially in those moments when an unexpected bridge between generations suddenly comes to light. It reminds the reader that yesterday's stories linger as a distant harmonic within the narrative of the present. As a storyteller, Isabel excels and delights with her lively remembrances. Claire's contribution adds depth and perspective, filling out the shadows of the past through meticulous research. This book serves as a valuable guide to anyone who wishes to explore China's past and culture, but towards the end, it became something else as well. Like graceful tendrils of incense smoke, the words invited the return of lost honor for Diedie and his forebears, allowing the reader to enter into a sacred space created for the Sun family. In the same spirit, I offer the words of my review as a respectful kowtow in acknowledgment, accepting the gift, the honor and the privilege of sharing in it. Thank you very much, from the heart.