5 comments about Michael Collins, Himself.

1. Although the pages and the sophisticated writing style might intimidate one, if you stick to it and read the book to the end, you will NOT regret it. It was my first book in Irish History and I have learned so much from reading it. This book is amazing beyond words. If you buy it, you won't reget it.



2. This is an extarodinary book about an extraordinary man. It is well wriiten, it is exciting and easy to read. It gives a wonderful insight into the life and times of Ireland during this remarkable time



3. I recommend this book to anyone who wants an intense indepth study of Collins and Ireland of his time. This is easy to read and full of interesting information about the man and those around him. Collins was a genius who shaped the fate of modern Ireland and did so with an acute sense of how far he wcould go to achieve what he wanted.
   
   It really makes me wonder how much better off Ireland would have been if he had not best lost so early in his life.



4. An informative humanizing biography that provides a good picture of revolutionary Ireland. More photogrpahs would have made for 5 stars.



5. Excellent book, very well written in the usual "Coogan" way, that is, skilfull, fluent and full of nice anecdotes. Gives an insightful portrait of one of Ireland's greatest men and my personal favourite. Eireann go brach!

2 comments about Custer And His Wolverines: The Michigan Cavalry Brigade, 1861-1865.

1. The Michigan Cavalry Brigade achieved its' greatest triumphs under the command of George Armstrong Custer. The troops were greatly disappointed when he eventually moved on to higher command. Under his impetuous leadership the Brigade gained respect for the Union Cavalry and its' famous red ties, emulating Custer, were a badge of pride and honor. Books by members of the Michigan brigade make it clear that the youthful Custer was greatly respected by his troops. The book is a useful tome describing the times and experiences of this unit. Like most Civil War books it bypasses the hardships, disease and despondency of the troops in favor of describing the battle related history. The book is worthwhile reading for students of the war, cavalry and Custer.



2. As a history of the Michigan Brigade and its famous commander, this is a worthwhile addition to the library of Civil War and military history enthusiasts. It is well-written, engaging, and makes solid use of primary sources. Coverage of the formation of and early service of the various regiments is quite good.
   My only two serious complaints are: Inadequate maps - a real flaw for a military history; A terrible index - undoubtedly not the author's fault, but the index is useless in that the vast majority of people, places and events described in the text are nowhere to be found in the index. This is the book's main problem and it handicaps the reader.
   All that said, certainly a good item to have on your Civil War shelf.

3 comments about Emiliano Zapata: el amor a la tierra.

1. Enrique Krauze is well known for his series of books about the political power in Mexico since the last century to our days. In the Zapata's book, Krauze makes a very serious analysis of the life of this "caudillo" of the Mexican Revolution that nowadays is a symbol of social justice and in general: mexican socialism. Do you want to know more about the current "guerrilla" of the Liberation Army of Zapata (EZLN) in Chiapas? You need to read this book to know the true and imparcial phylosophy of Zapata, a person that shaped and still shapes the Mexican History in the last century. More than a simple biography, an excellent way to understand why the Mexicans love and will love forever their land.



2. This book is part on a series of books about Mexican who participated in the Mexican Revolution. It has a great mix of photographs and tales that help you better understand that piece of history.



3. This book explores the aspects of the life of Emiliano Zapata, one of my heroes and inspirations. It covers everything about the man, with plenty of pictures that give a great view into the life of the people of the Revolution and of Zapata himself. The book also talks about the alleged legend that Zapata did not die, but in fact survived the attack at Chinameca. This book vividly explains his life and that in fact Emiliano Zapata did not die, but lives on today, in the people who are still fighting for the government to return the land that was illegally taken (The Zapatistas in Chiapas are an example of those still fighting). There was a small quote under a picture of an army that said: "Why was it that they followed him?" and after completing this book, i understood why so many people respected the man enough to not question his actions and his generosity and follow him to fight against a great injustice. Honestly, this is a great book and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the man and legacy that is Zapata.

3 comments about Major General John Alexander McClernand: Politician in Uniform (History Book Club Selection).

1. Rich Kiper has written a biography of a little-known personality, John Alexander McClernand, that is a lesson for soldiers who may be tempted to politick and for politicians who may be tempted to "play soldier." This book is an objective and balanced description of the period when the Union Army was suffering from the drain of military talent to the South and "politicians in uniform" were a national necessity. In spite of an abject lack of military training and experience, McClernand did perform remarkably well while preparing troops for combat and while leading them in the field. While he used his political clout to organize, train and equip the soldiers of his brigade, McClernand's tendency to be self-serving and critical of his superiors (to their superiors!) ultimately outweighed his usefulness and hastened his relief by Grant. John McClernand's nemeses included Generals Ulysses Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and, most notably, John McClernand himself. This book was written from a soldier's perspective and can be read and appreciated by soldiers and civilians alike.



2. Kiper has written a long overdue account of a general who fell through the Civil War cracks. Solid understanding, impeccable research, fluid writing = biography at its best.



3. While best known to Civil War buffs for his feuding with Grant, John Alexander McClernand remains an important second tier figure in the effort to preserve the Union.
   
   Richard Kiper helps shed some light on this obscure politican in uniform and offers new appreciation for his services. While Kiper rightfully shows McClernand as something of a blowhard who had little use with the chain of command, the biographer also argues that the Illinois general deserves better than to be lumped in with failed political generals like Nathaniel Banks and Ben Butler. While not uncritical of his subject's military leadership, Kiper presents a strong case that as recruiter, organizer and, even as a battlefield commander, McClernand proved a solid and brave soldier. Kiper also brings some light on his subject's military career after being removed by Grant, offering insight on McClernand's role in the Trans-Mississippi in 1864.
   
   This is not to say that Kiper provides a definitive biogrpahy of McClernand. McClernand's important role as one of Stephen Douglas's chief lieutenants in Illinois and in the U.S. House is lightly skimmed over. McClernand played an important role in the Compromise of 1850 and the shattering of the Democratic Party, from the Buchanan-Douglas showdown to the 1860 presidential convention in Charleston. McClernand also played a leading role in the compromise debates in the 1860-61 congressional section. He even played a fairly prominent role in the post-bellum Democratic Party. All of this Kiper glosses over. While the focus of the book is on McClernand's military career, there should have been a bit more focus on his political career as well, especially as the subject remained, despite his talents, more of a candidate than a military leader. Despite that flaw, this remains a very good look at an important, and unfairly neglected, leader in the Civil War.

5 comments about A Rage for Glory: The Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN.

1. I ordered this book without too much thought as I had read James DeKay's previous book on the British, then American, frigate Macedonian. Decatur was responsible for the Macedonian's capture so I assumed that the biography was a natural fit. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to receive such a thin, light (in many senses of the word) tome. Perhaps, I'm attracted to more scholarly endeavors but I found the book slight where I longed for depth and detail. There was little new material in the book and sometimes I thought it was just a quick rehash of notes set down for the book on the Macedonian. That it came out about the time of the ill-fated Master and Commander movie makes me think it was also rushed. One of the founders of the American Navy living in such a colorful period of history and, in many ways, being the epitome of his time, deserves better.



2. If you're a fan of historical novels, and sometimes suspect that the heroes in those stories strain credulity, then this book will disabuse you of that fear. True, it isn't a long book--it may not weigh enough to make a sufficiently loud thud when landing on the desk of an academic (I agree with a previous review's implication that it would not be a good reference book). But it makes for a compelling read, a fascinating story that is well-grounded in its historical context.



3. This biography of one of our great naval heroes should inspire anyone. It is all the more relevant today because it deals with his conquest of the Barbary Pirates, whose philosophy is very similar to that which is held by many of the denizens of the same geographic area today.
   
   We could learn some important lessons from his valiant actions and love of Country, and the bold response of Thomas Jefferson.



4. The Marine Hymn says, "From the halls of Moctezuma to the Shores of Tripoli." I always wondered about "the shores of Tripoli" part of that Hymn. I didn't learn anything in US History classes about it nor about "the hero" of Tripoli, Steven Decatur---at least until I read this book. Exciting reading about a true American Hero who lived at the beginning of our Country. Recommended! boland7214@aol



5. I tend to shy away from "biographies" of military "heroes." When one looks deeper into their history, you'll find they weren't quite as macho as they made themselves out to be. Or they were so idiosyncratic as to be of dubious merit in civilian life. I think of both Patton and MacArthur to whom both of those value judgements apply.
   
   When you pass by the Decatur House in Washington, adjacent to the White House, you think of a guy who died there, pretty young, after a spat with another navy commodore, James Barron. One is always to reflect of Stephen's heroism; that comes with the territory.
   
   It turns out that such behavior was true!
   
   Decatur wasn't an academic success. So, Decatur became midshipman.
   
   One must keep in context that, at the time of Decatur's birth, the new nation didn't want a navy. It was an expensive commodity, and many of the "founding fathers" were afraid that the military may run the country if given a blank check. But we were threatened in North Africa by the Barbary pirates, which, in essence, put Decatur on the map. He was assigned to the ship the United States, and one of his officers--and friends--was James Barron.
   
   Barron, incidentally, was later shamed over his loss of a ship, and unsubstantiated allegations by another officer of Barron's lack of loyalty. That's what led to his distance from Commodore Decatur.
   Later, when the USS Philadelphia had been taken by some of those pirates, Decatur and his crew sank the ship, despite the overwhelming odds against them. He did so with hand-to-hand combat on board the vessel, and that led to the "glory" in pursuit of which Decatur notorious, and for which the book is entitled.
   
   That was the first of many heroic--note the lack of quotes around the word--activities of Decatur. Now, let me stress that I think luck plays into such heroics, too. But that doesn't detract that it took guts and strategy--and the ability to evoke loyalty from a crew--for Decatur to do what he did, most of which were quite successful, and earned him his laurels.
   
   True, the book is relatively short. But unless you'd like to cover minute details of Decatur's life, many of them of dubious historical merit, it covered enough to give you a good view of the man.
   
   Early in the text, the author covered how dueling was one of those badges of honor used particularly by navy men. Indeed, later in his career--ironically--Decatur established what I think they referred to as "Decatur' law," by which such duels were, in effect, mediated; lots of good officers would otherwise be lost over some pretty frivolous issues.
   
   The author slides into the narrative the items that led to the eventual dual between Barron and Decatur, in which Barron was the victor. Several things happened which lead one to believe that Barron may have been wooed into the duel in the first place by another officer, Jesse Duncan Elliot. In any case, Decatur was courted adequately to the duel in which, by the terms issued by Barron, one was almost surely to die. (Keep in mind that in many a duel of the era, one or both of the dueling parties, shot their gun into the ground, thereby hurting no one, but preserving the "honor" of both.)
   
   I was inclined to describe the duel in some detail, but that would give away too much of the book. I've already stated who was the "victor." But I'll let the reader do that.
   
   After the duel, the author clearly summarizes what happened to the surviving parties. I was a little surprised that Decatur's wife, Susan, was so extravagant that she lost all the Decaturs had acquired including prize money, a healthy pension, etc. Barron ended his years in the navy...well, etc.
   
   Overall, I think it's a pretty good book. Again, I don't get into 800 page details of such a guy's life, with footnotes galore, including what so-and-so claimed, and items that really don't mean much to me. The text did include just a little too much glorifying of the "founding fathers," and many lesser known figures. They were value judgements I might have been left on my own to make or not. But if you want something to put the platitudes and story of Decatur in context, and learn a few details of US and naval history, this is a pretty good book.

No comments about John P. Holland, 1841-1914: Inventor of the Modern Submarine.

1 comments about "The Supply for Tomorrow Must Not Fail": The Civil War of Captain Simon Perkins, Jr., a Union Quartermaster.

1. This is a tremendous addition to a little studied area of Civil War military science - supply and movement of the wherewithal. A 1990 find still bound in government 'red tape', these records provided rich background on the incredible paperwork and labor needed to supply the hay, grain, horses and mules, ordinance, hospitals, quarters, and the myriad other items needed by a fighting force. We tend not to comprehend the millions of pounds of grain and hay required for just one campaign, for example, nor do we think of the civilian clerks, laborers, teamsters, and others that helped carry out the quartermaster function. This activity was replicated wherever Union soldiers served. All this plus fascinating background on the 23-year-old Captain Simon Perkins, Quartermaster in the Western Theater.

No comments about Journals of Robert Rogers of the Rangers.

No comments about Custer's Fall: The Indian Side of the Story (Bison Book).

2 comments about Honoring Those Who Paid the Price: Forgotten Voices from the Korean War.

1. "Honoring Those Who Paid The Price": Forgotten Voices from the Korean War by Randy K. Mills (Associate Professor of History, Oakland City University, Oakland City, Indiana), is a candidly personal, movingly emotional, and informatively serious survey of a seemingly forgotten war that claimed approximately 54,000 American lives. Individual stories of those who served, those who died, and the loved ones who waited anxiously at home, fill this sober tribute. Highly recommended as testimony to the many souls who paid the highest price. "Honoring Those Who Paid The Price" is a welcome addition to Military History collections and would well serve as a template for similar books on other "minor" American twentieth-century conflicts ranging from Granada to Somalia.



2. My cousin was a Marine from Indiana, who was killed at the Chosin Resevoir battle. It was very easy reading and interesting.