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Recommend this book:
Papa and Mama Said
Full of Dare County Folklore
Lucinda Gallop Baum
2018 Bronze Medal
342 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite
Papa and Mama Said: Full of Dare County Folklore by Lucinda Gallop Baum is a non-fiction memoir or autobiography about the life and experiences of Lucinda growing up in the '30s and '40s of rural America. Papa and Mama Said is written in a fairly sequential manner with events following one after another over the course of a lifetime. The story starts off with Lucinda’s childhood and early years in Dare County, North Carolina. In it, Lucinda describes her parents, their backgrounds, families, the geographical and cultural aspect of the land and places they lived in, including their day to day life such as the food they ate, the love and relationships between the siblings, making a living off the land, celebration of holidays and festivals with friends and families, the challenges and hardships, as well as the joys and happy times of childhood. There are also numerous photographs throughout the book that put the people in this story into context.
I enjoyed reading Papa and Mama Said: Full of Dare County Folklore. In it, we get a glimpse of how life used to be almost a hundred years ago. Although this is relevant to America and American life, it is also applicable to how life used to be everywhere around the world—a lot slower, natural, and with much less dependence on machines. As a result, family and community ties were more important. And this fact is brought out well in this book. I liked reading about the “old way” of living and doing things such as all the different ways pig meat was used, for example. This is a good book for anyone who likes reading about history or about older customs and ways of living that are fast dying out.
Papa and Mama Said: Full of Dare County Folklore by Lucinda Gallop Baum is a non-fiction memoir or autobiography about the life and experiences of Lucinda growing up in the '30s and '40s of rural America. Papa and Mama Said is written in a fairly sequential manner with events following one after another over the course of a lifetime. The story starts off with Lucinda’s childhood and early years in Dare County, North Carolina. In it, Lucinda describes her parents, their backgrounds, families, the geographical and cultural aspect of the land and places they lived in, including their day to day life such as the food they ate, the love and relationships between the siblings, making a living off the land, celebration of holidays and festivals with friends and families, the challenges and hardships, as well as the joys and happy times of childhood. There are also numerous photographs throughout the book that put the people in this story into context.
I enjoyed reading Papa and Mama Said: Full of Dare County Folklore. In it, we get a glimpse of how life used to be almost a hundred years ago. Although this is relevant to America and American life, it is also applicable to how life used to be everywhere around the world—a lot slower, natural, and with much less dependence on machines. As a result, family and community ties were more important. And this fact is brought out well in this book. I liked reading about the “old way” of living and doing things such as all the different ways pig meat was used, for example. This is a good book for anyone who likes reading about history or about older customs and ways of living that are fast dying out.
Recommend this book:
Banquet of Consequences
A Juror's Plight
Paul Sanders
2018 Silver Medal
481 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite
Banquet of Consequences: A Juror’s Plight by Paul Sanders recounts the true account of the trial of Michele Anderson for the murder of her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and her young niece and nephew. The murders took place in 2007 but it was not until eight years later that the trial took place. The murders became known as the Carnation Murders. The author - who calls himself the thirteenth juror - recounts in graphic detail what happened on Christmas Eve 2007 from his first-hand account as he sat in the gallery throughout the trial. Not only does the book cover the forensics, testimonies, and expert witnesses and opinion, but also includes the author’s personal encounter with Michele Anderson’s boyfriend and accomplice, Joseph McEnroe.
For any reader who seeks true life crime stories, this account of the trial of the Carnation Murders will certainly not disappoint. The detail the author relates transports the reader into the courtroom and each page is concisely and expertly written. It was particularly refreshing to read this account where the author was quite clearly endeavoring not to show any prejudice but to just relate the facts. Having read through the whole trial as related by Paul Sanders, it was of particular interest to read of his meeting with Joseph McEnroe and his feelings about this convicted murderer, only to learn later that perhaps not all was as it seemed. An engrossing read, excellently related, and this reader will certainly seek out other works by Paul Sanders. His dedication to learning the truth, to relating the facts, and the emotion he clearly felt in his quest come across in his writing for the ultimate benefit of the reader.
Banquet of Consequences: A Juror’s Plight by Paul Sanders recounts the true account of the trial of Michele Anderson for the murder of her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and her young niece and nephew. The murders took place in 2007 but it was not until eight years later that the trial took place. The murders became known as the Carnation Murders. The author - who calls himself the thirteenth juror - recounts in graphic detail what happened on Christmas Eve 2007 from his first-hand account as he sat in the gallery throughout the trial. Not only does the book cover the forensics, testimonies, and expert witnesses and opinion, but also includes the author’s personal encounter with Michele Anderson’s boyfriend and accomplice, Joseph McEnroe.
For any reader who seeks true life crime stories, this account of the trial of the Carnation Murders will certainly not disappoint. The detail the author relates transports the reader into the courtroom and each page is concisely and expertly written. It was particularly refreshing to read this account where the author was quite clearly endeavoring not to show any prejudice but to just relate the facts. Having read through the whole trial as related by Paul Sanders, it was of particular interest to read of his meeting with Joseph McEnroe and his feelings about this convicted murderer, only to learn later that perhaps not all was as it seemed. An engrossing read, excellently related, and this reader will certainly seek out other works by Paul Sanders. His dedication to learning the truth, to relating the facts, and the emotion he clearly felt in his quest come across in his writing for the ultimate benefit of the reader.
Recommend this book:
Things I'll Never forget
Memories of a Marine in Viet Nam
James M. Dixon
2018 Gold Medal
324 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
I feel lucky that I missed going to Vietnam, but sometimes I wonder how I would have performed, what it would have been like, would I have even lived through it. I’ll never know, but reading Things I’ll Never Forget by James M. Dixon gave me a pretty good picture of the experience. It is a powerful book in a quiet, no-nonsense way. I like his writing style and I sense he is a lot like me. He felt how I felt as he went through his military experience. He became a teacher after Vietnam. I am a teacher now. We experienced different conflicts, but I feel a connection with him. The connection of service. The connection of combat. I suggest all my fellow Americans read this book, but especially those who have served. It was mildly therapeutic for me. I think it can be the same for many veterans.
I liked the writing style of James M. Dixon. He calmly tells us about powerful experiences, memories, and people that he will never forget. I think we all have memories like that. I know I certainly do. Things I’ll Never Forget reminded me of those memories and helped me bring some of them into a clearer focus. I liked the way James M. Dixon tells his story. I especially liked the poignancy of the letter from Becky and the battle that came immediately after he got it. I liked the characters in this story as they came in and out of his life as so many characters do in life. I think James M. Dixon got the “feel” of Vietnam right. Read Things I’ll Never Forget. You won’t easily forget it.
I feel lucky that I missed going to Vietnam, but sometimes I wonder how I would have performed, what it would have been like, would I have even lived through it. I’ll never know, but reading Things I’ll Never Forget by James M. Dixon gave me a pretty good picture of the experience. It is a powerful book in a quiet, no-nonsense way. I like his writing style and I sense he is a lot like me. He felt how I felt as he went through his military experience. He became a teacher after Vietnam. I am a teacher now. We experienced different conflicts, but I feel a connection with him. The connection of service. The connection of combat. I suggest all my fellow Americans read this book, but especially those who have served. It was mildly therapeutic for me. I think it can be the same for many veterans.
I liked the writing style of James M. Dixon. He calmly tells us about powerful experiences, memories, and people that he will never forget. I think we all have memories like that. I know I certainly do. Things I’ll Never Forget reminded me of those memories and helped me bring some of them into a clearer focus. I liked the way James M. Dixon tells his story. I especially liked the poignancy of the letter from Becky and the battle that came immediately after he got it. I liked the characters in this story as they came in and out of his life as so many characters do in life. I think James M. Dixon got the “feel” of Vietnam right. Read Things I’ll Never Forget. You won’t easily forget it.
Recommend this book:
Blood River Rising
The Thompson-Crismon Feud of the 1920s
Victoria Pope Hubbell
2017 Finalist
240 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
Blood River Rising: The Thompson-Crismon Feud of the 1920s by Victoria Pope Hubbell, Ph.D. is a historical, nonfiction narrative that considers one of the questions about the Ku Klux Klan that has never been properly considered by any author. Every time people read about the KKK, it is portrayed as an expression of disdain or contempt for the black race or other races by whites. It is a book with a wonderful setting in post-World War I America, and with the KKK becoming more and more notorious. When murders were committed in 1924, someone had to understand why. In this page-turner, the author explains how the Ku Klux Klan set up neighbors against each other, exploring a powerful feud between two families and portraying the KKK agenda as a game of power and not of color. Told in a captivating first person narrative by a rural historian, this book transports readers to the years after WWI and events that would alter the lives of two families. One immediately gets the impression that the story is well-researched and, apart from the excellent writing that brilliantly documents these events, the author provides ample photos and maps that are as significant as the narrative.
Victoria Pope Hubbell is a great storyteller and knows how to make readers feel her story, pulling them irresistibly into the scenes through the power of her descriptive prose. She knows when to use words for dramatic effect and the paragraph breaks are impeccable. For instance, at the start of the narrative she describes an awkward moment in the following words: “The first time I met Hadley Thompson, he said 'Hello' and then nothing else for two hours.” This statement had me intrigued and there were many such moments like this one that pushed me to keep on turning the pages. The characters are well-explored and developed to be interesting to readers. Blood River Rising is a wonderful story that appraises the Ku Klux Klan from a very unique angle, one that will interest both historians and sociologists, and readers looking for an emotionally charged and gripping historical read.
Blood River Rising: The Thompson-Crismon Feud of the 1920s by Victoria Pope Hubbell, Ph.D. is a historical, nonfiction narrative that considers one of the questions about the Ku Klux Klan that has never been properly considered by any author. Every time people read about the KKK, it is portrayed as an expression of disdain or contempt for the black race or other races by whites. It is a book with a wonderful setting in post-World War I America, and with the KKK becoming more and more notorious. When murders were committed in 1924, someone had to understand why. In this page-turner, the author explains how the Ku Klux Klan set up neighbors against each other, exploring a powerful feud between two families and portraying the KKK agenda as a game of power and not of color. Told in a captivating first person narrative by a rural historian, this book transports readers to the years after WWI and events that would alter the lives of two families. One immediately gets the impression that the story is well-researched and, apart from the excellent writing that brilliantly documents these events, the author provides ample photos and maps that are as significant as the narrative.
Victoria Pope Hubbell is a great storyteller and knows how to make readers feel her story, pulling them irresistibly into the scenes through the power of her descriptive prose. She knows when to use words for dramatic effect and the paragraph breaks are impeccable. For instance, at the start of the narrative she describes an awkward moment in the following words: “The first time I met Hadley Thompson, he said 'Hello' and then nothing else for two hours.” This statement had me intrigued and there were many such moments like this one that pushed me to keep on turning the pages. The characters are well-explored and developed to be interesting to readers. Blood River Rising is a wonderful story that appraises the Ku Klux Klan from a very unique angle, one that will interest both historians and sociologists, and readers looking for an emotionally charged and gripping historical read.
Recommend this book:
Thomas Jefferson - From Boy to Man
Jayne DAlessandro Cox
2017 Honorable Mention
342 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Carla Trueheart for Readers' Favorite
Thomas Jefferson - From Boy to Man by Jayne DAlessandro Cox follows the life and times of Thomas Jefferson. If you're looking to learn more about Thomas Jefferson as a person and not just his accomplishments in writing and politics, this is the book for you. A unique take on the life of the man, this book follows him from before his birth until his death, with highlights on his family life, the women that he courted and loved, his education, and Monticello. There are pictures included in the book, introspection in the form of journals and personal, private letters penned by Thomas Jefferson, and tales of Shadwell, where he was born. If that's not enough, the reader will also learn what games Thomas Jefferson played as a child, what he looked like through physical descriptions, and how he enjoyed gardening and focused on his health. A timeline is included at the end of the book, as well as recipes that might interest the reader.
What struck me most about Thomas Jefferson - From Boy to Man was the beautiful writing. Author Jayne DAlessandro Cox has a clear passion for the topic and has obviously done unbelievable research on Thomas Jefferson, his family, and the land and structures he frequented. The introduction focuses on Virginia and events, and then dives into the story of Peter Jefferson and his land. It was intriguing to learn of these beginnings. This is a full life story of Thomas Jefferson, from start to finish, and it should please the history buff. I recommend the book to anyone interested in learning more about the life of Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson - From Boy to Man by Jayne DAlessandro Cox follows the life and times of Thomas Jefferson. If you're looking to learn more about Thomas Jefferson as a person and not just his accomplishments in writing and politics, this is the book for you. A unique take on the life of the man, this book follows him from before his birth until his death, with highlights on his family life, the women that he courted and loved, his education, and Monticello. There are pictures included in the book, introspection in the form of journals and personal, private letters penned by Thomas Jefferson, and tales of Shadwell, where he was born. If that's not enough, the reader will also learn what games Thomas Jefferson played as a child, what he looked like through physical descriptions, and how he enjoyed gardening and focused on his health. A timeline is included at the end of the book, as well as recipes that might interest the reader.
What struck me most about Thomas Jefferson - From Boy to Man was the beautiful writing. Author Jayne DAlessandro Cox has a clear passion for the topic and has obviously done unbelievable research on Thomas Jefferson, his family, and the land and structures he frequented. The introduction focuses on Virginia and events, and then dives into the story of Peter Jefferson and his land. It was intriguing to learn of these beginnings. This is a full life story of Thomas Jefferson, from start to finish, and it should please the history buff. I recommend the book to anyone interested in learning more about the life of Thomas Jefferson.
Recommend this book:
If You Were Me and Lived in... Viking Europe
An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time (Volume 3)
Carole P. Roman
2017 Silver Medal
76 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by JB McPherson for Readers' Favorite
Carole P. Roman and Mateya Markova have created a delightful children’s book in If You Were Me and Lived in… Viking Europe. I have two grandsons who love Vikings, and this book brings many elements of history and culture together in a way that makes children feel that they have experienced Viking times. The colorful illustrations add to the impact of details such as the style of homes and how food was prepared. The author explains Viking words (like Moder for mother) in such an interesting way that even younger children can understand. This book seems to be targeted for elementary age children, but middle school children may enjoy it as well, especially those with an interest in Norse culture or history. At the end, there’s a simple explanation of Norse gods and famous kings and queens.
My favorite aspect of the book is the imaginative way in which the author draws her readers into the narration by using “If you…” This formula is repeated throughout the book and keeps the child reader listening for more details. I also appreciated how the author provides the pronunciation for unusual words or spellings. Here’s an example: “Your name might have been Knut (Kahnoot) or Ulf (Ul-uff) if you were a boy and Sigrid (Seeg-freed) or Hilde (Hill-da) if you were a girl.” I could imagine children using the details from this book to create their own Viking stories or games. Carole P. Roman and Mateya Markova have brought to life a long ago time and a faraway place that will inspire children to learn more. Highly recommended for young readers who love history!
Carole P. Roman and Mateya Markova have created a delightful children’s book in If You Were Me and Lived in… Viking Europe. I have two grandsons who love Vikings, and this book brings many elements of history and culture together in a way that makes children feel that they have experienced Viking times. The colorful illustrations add to the impact of details such as the style of homes and how food was prepared. The author explains Viking words (like Moder for mother) in such an interesting way that even younger children can understand. This book seems to be targeted for elementary age children, but middle school children may enjoy it as well, especially those with an interest in Norse culture or history. At the end, there’s a simple explanation of Norse gods and famous kings and queens.
My favorite aspect of the book is the imaginative way in which the author draws her readers into the narration by using “If you…” This formula is repeated throughout the book and keeps the child reader listening for more details. I also appreciated how the author provides the pronunciation for unusual words or spellings. Here’s an example: “Your name might have been Knut (Kahnoot) or Ulf (Ul-uff) if you were a boy and Sigrid (Seeg-freed) or Hilde (Hill-da) if you were a girl.” I could imagine children using the details from this book to create their own Viking stories or games. Carole P. Roman and Mateya Markova have brought to life a long ago time and a faraway place that will inspire children to learn more. Highly recommended for young readers who love history!
Recommend this book:
Part of the Family
Christadelphians, the Kindertransport, and Rescue from the Holocaust
Jason Hensley
2017 Gold Medal
426 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
Part of the Family: Christadelphians, the Kindertransport, and Rescue from the Holocaust, Volume 1 by Jason Hensley is an ongoing project by the author, an attempt to catalog the lives and experiences of the Jewish refugees who were sheltered by Christadelphians during the 1930s and 1940s. This book gives readers an intrinsic introduction to this small Christian sect and how they responded to WWII, particularly the Holocaust, before moving to the personal experiences of the interviewed Jewish refugees.
Part of the Family is a commendable, well-documented work from Hensley that shows the great effort that he put into his research. It gives an insight into another part of the Holocaust history that I had little knowledge of. The clear cut prose makes the reading easy, informative and touching, especially when each refugee shared both their happy and painful memories in trying to adapt to a new country, culture and language. The story of Rella Adler is the last entry for the refugees’ experiences, as she recalls her reluctance to leave the Christadelphian family that she grew to love before going to the United States to live with her biological aunt. The pictures help readers to see back in time and put faces to names of those that Hensley interviewed, giving a sense of familiarity of how the lives of those refugees turn out in the end. On the whole, this is a great read and I wish Hensley the best for this ongoing collaborative project between him, the interviewees, and their family, as well as the Christadelphian families who housed them. I hope more stories that have never been told before can be discovered and shared with the world.
Part of the Family: Christadelphians, the Kindertransport, and Rescue from the Holocaust, Volume 1 by Jason Hensley is an ongoing project by the author, an attempt to catalog the lives and experiences of the Jewish refugees who were sheltered by Christadelphians during the 1930s and 1940s. This book gives readers an intrinsic introduction to this small Christian sect and how they responded to WWII, particularly the Holocaust, before moving to the personal experiences of the interviewed Jewish refugees.
Part of the Family is a commendable, well-documented work from Hensley that shows the great effort that he put into his research. It gives an insight into another part of the Holocaust history that I had little knowledge of. The clear cut prose makes the reading easy, informative and touching, especially when each refugee shared both their happy and painful memories in trying to adapt to a new country, culture and language. The story of Rella Adler is the last entry for the refugees’ experiences, as she recalls her reluctance to leave the Christadelphian family that she grew to love before going to the United States to live with her biological aunt. The pictures help readers to see back in time and put faces to names of those that Hensley interviewed, giving a sense of familiarity of how the lives of those refugees turn out in the end. On the whole, this is a great read and I wish Hensley the best for this ongoing collaborative project between him, the interviewees, and their family, as well as the Christadelphian families who housed them. I hope more stories that have never been told before can be discovered and shared with the world.
Recommend this book:
The Pursuit of Wisdom
A Chronological Inquiry of the World's Most Influential Seekers of Wisdom in the Fields of Theology, Philosophy, and Science
Dean Chavooshian
2016 Finalist
446 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
In a very interesting, unique and well thought out treatise on many facets of wisdom throughout history, The Pursuit of Wisdom: A Chronological Inquiry of the World's Most Influential Seekers of Wisdom In the Fields of Theology, Philosophy, and Science by author Dean Chavooshian, will, at the very least, give readers a great deal to think about. Looking at historical truths from philosophy, religion and science, the author has presented a logical basis for how mankind has sought wisdom, and how we can now look at these ideas from the past in a critical and scientific fashion to inform our own basis for wisdom today. Readers will be fully engaged and enthralled in this work, not to mention educated!
I very much enjoyed The Pursuit of Wisdom. Author Dean Chavooshian has done a wonderful job in providing a highly researched and well argued basis for this study of wisdom and historical ways of achieving it. Any reader who enjoys a great read with excellent educational merit and historical credence should absolutely read this book. I highly recommend The Pursuit of Wisdom: A Chronological Inquiry of the World's Most Influential Seekers of Wisdom In the Fields of Theology, Philosophy, and Science and hope that author Dean Chavooshian is already hard at work on his next book as we speak. If it’s anything like this one, it will definitely be worth a read!
In a very interesting, unique and well thought out treatise on many facets of wisdom throughout history, The Pursuit of Wisdom: A Chronological Inquiry of the World's Most Influential Seekers of Wisdom In the Fields of Theology, Philosophy, and Science by author Dean Chavooshian, will, at the very least, give readers a great deal to think about. Looking at historical truths from philosophy, religion and science, the author has presented a logical basis for how mankind has sought wisdom, and how we can now look at these ideas from the past in a critical and scientific fashion to inform our own basis for wisdom today. Readers will be fully engaged and enthralled in this work, not to mention educated!
I very much enjoyed The Pursuit of Wisdom. Author Dean Chavooshian has done a wonderful job in providing a highly researched and well argued basis for this study of wisdom and historical ways of achieving it. Any reader who enjoys a great read with excellent educational merit and historical credence should absolutely read this book. I highly recommend The Pursuit of Wisdom: A Chronological Inquiry of the World's Most Influential Seekers of Wisdom In the Fields of Theology, Philosophy, and Science and hope that author Dean Chavooshian is already hard at work on his next book as we speak. If it’s anything like this one, it will definitely be worth a read!
Recommend this book:
 by Bob Kern shows a part of the Cold War that many people know nothing about. The entire world was watching the conflict between the US and Russia, but no one really understood or paid attention to what was happening in Germany. T...){kind=link}
We Were Soldiers Too
A Historical Look at Germany During the Cold War From the US Soldiers Who Served There, Volume 2
Bob Kern
2016 Honorable Mention
180 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Ryan Jordan for Readers' Favorite
We Were Soldiers Too: A Historical Look at Germany During the Cold War From the US Soldiers Who Served There (Volume 2) by Bob Kern shows a part of the Cold War that many people know nothing about. The entire world was watching the conflict between the US and Russia, but no one really understood or paid attention to what was happening in Germany. This book really showcases that side of things and the soldiers who served in Germany guarding a passage called the Fulda Gap that Russia and the Warsaw troops would have used to invade Europe. The first chapter begins with Donald Bowman and showcases events and technology used in the war, including the U-2 being shot down and the events of the Tom Hanks' movie, Bridge of Spies, as well as the M59 Armored Personnel Carrier and the Little Joe tank which Don worked on as a mechanic. It continues like this with each chapter, introducing us to a new time period and soldiers who will we follow during events that they served through.
This is truly a book about people, giving us the history and lives of these men and women who were willing to risk everything for their mission. In the event of an invasion, none of them expected to survive, but they were all ready to lay down their lives if necessary. The writing includes a lot of historical information and context, discussing things like the political atmosphere during each soldier's service and other events and wars going on at the same time. I think my favorite chapter was about Juanita Coover, because it showcases just how vital women were to the military, and how much this woman had to go through to earn her place in a sexist institution.
My only true complaint with this entire volume might be that all of these fascinating moments in their lives get only a cursory examination, and I would like to go even further in depth and truly see their stories played out. We Were Soldiers Too by Bob Kern is a real winner, and the stories contained in this volume truly represent the heroism of the soldiers stationed in Germany during this period of unrest.
We Were Soldiers Too: A Historical Look at Germany During the Cold War From the US Soldiers Who Served There (Volume 2) by Bob Kern shows a part of the Cold War that many people know nothing about. The entire world was watching the conflict between the US and Russia, but no one really understood or paid attention to what was happening in Germany. This book really showcases that side of things and the soldiers who served in Germany guarding a passage called the Fulda Gap that Russia and the Warsaw troops would have used to invade Europe. The first chapter begins with Donald Bowman and showcases events and technology used in the war, including the U-2 being shot down and the events of the Tom Hanks' movie, Bridge of Spies, as well as the M59 Armored Personnel Carrier and the Little Joe tank which Don worked on as a mechanic. It continues like this with each chapter, introducing us to a new time period and soldiers who will we follow during events that they served through.
This is truly a book about people, giving us the history and lives of these men and women who were willing to risk everything for their mission. In the event of an invasion, none of them expected to survive, but they were all ready to lay down their lives if necessary. The writing includes a lot of historical information and context, discussing things like the political atmosphere during each soldier's service and other events and wars going on at the same time. I think my favorite chapter was about Juanita Coover, because it showcases just how vital women were to the military, and how much this woman had to go through to earn her place in a sexist institution.
My only true complaint with this entire volume might be that all of these fascinating moments in their lives get only a cursory examination, and I would like to go even further in depth and truly see their stories played out. We Were Soldiers Too by Bob Kern is a real winner, and the stories contained in this volume truly represent the heroism of the soldiers stationed in Germany during this period of unrest.
Recommend this book:
The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver
Third Edition
Robert A. Prather
2016 Silver Medal
424 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Historical
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The third edition of The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver by Robert A. Prather is a brilliant work that combines historical facts with fiction to offer an investigation that will “wow” readers. Treasure Island is loved by young and old alike, and not only by Americans but readers worldwide, a classic with immortal characters. And who could forget Long John Silver with his cunning and dubious character, and the mysterious aspect of his nature? But what if he isn’t fiction? What if he was blood and flesh, a historical personage? This is the question that Robert A. Prather answers brilliantly, offering clues and facts that point out in a very convincing way that Robert Louis Stevenson’s revered character could have been based on the legendary merchant, Jonathan Swift of Alexandria, Virginia.
Those who have read Treasure Island and have fallen in love with its characters as I have will enjoy Robert A. Prather’s The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver, an investigation that is as intriguing as it is enjoyable. Readers are introduced to one of America’s old legends: Jonathan Swift. His legendary gold mines have been a subject of interest to many, but did they really exist? Could Swift’s journal entries be believed or were they written after Treasure Island? The answers that readers will find in this book are surprisingly interesting. The author must have spent considerable time doing research, and it is beyond doubt that he knew where to look while researching this work. The writing is elegant, tight, and highly seductive. Prather is a master at helping readers draw the line between history and fiction, while igniting in them a silent yearning for adventure.
The third edition of The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver by Robert A. Prather is a brilliant work that combines historical facts with fiction to offer an investigation that will “wow” readers. Treasure Island is loved by young and old alike, and not only by Americans but readers worldwide, a classic with immortal characters. And who could forget Long John Silver with his cunning and dubious character, and the mysterious aspect of his nature? But what if he isn’t fiction? What if he was blood and flesh, a historical personage? This is the question that Robert A. Prather answers brilliantly, offering clues and facts that point out in a very convincing way that Robert Louis Stevenson’s revered character could have been based on the legendary merchant, Jonathan Swift of Alexandria, Virginia.
Those who have read Treasure Island and have fallen in love with its characters as I have will enjoy Robert A. Prather’s The Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver, an investigation that is as intriguing as it is enjoyable. Readers are introduced to one of America’s old legends: Jonathan Swift. His legendary gold mines have been a subject of interest to many, but did they really exist? Could Swift’s journal entries be believed or were they written after Treasure Island? The answers that readers will find in this book are surprisingly interesting. The author must have spent considerable time doing research, and it is beyond doubt that he knew where to look while researching this work. The writing is elegant, tight, and highly seductive. Prather is a master at helping readers draw the line between history and fiction, while igniting in them a silent yearning for adventure.
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