1 comments about Farewell to Spandau.

1. An honest, factual account of Tony Le Tissier's time as British Governor of Spandau Prison during the final years. The author writes with precision and humour. Very interesting and should be read by anyone who was connected in any way. A wonderful memoire.

No comments about Celtic Warriors (Shire Archaeology).

No comments about Bound for Africa: Cold War Fight Along the Zambezi (Blue Jacket Bks).

No comments about Love and Sand.

1 comments about The Hostile Sky: A Hellcat Flyer in the World War II.

1. Vernon was a naval pilot in World War II and flew Hellcats. This story is his experiences during the later part of the conflict. Much of his story concerns his experiences during his training at various naval bases. This experiences relate to the difficulty in learning to fly and qualifying as a naval aviator.
   Other expiences such as dating and drinking and playing cards are also related in this time period. The last 40-50 pages dealt with combat experience and how he adjusts to losses through both training and combat.
   I enjoyed this read very much, but there are so many books just like his out on the market. There is no unique material in here, just a story of an average man making an adjustment to his life to fight for his nation. Our nation in built upon the sacrifices of young people like him.

5 comments about Honor Untarnished: A West Point Graduate's Memoir of World War II.

1. This is one of the best books I have read on World War Two, and I have read many. Bennett takes us back in time, as if we are sitting in his living room listening to him over coffee. He tells us what it was like to be an American officer during World War Two. He reveals the worry of 1942 - 1943 that we could lose the war. At that point, we were military amateurs compared to the Germans and Japanese. Our military had been dismantled after World War One.

   Bennett shows an interesting side to Patton. Bennett had malaria and was in the hospital where Patton slapped a soldier for cowardice. Bennett, who was in the next tent over, cheered Patton on, as did the other patients. Patton was confronting the growing problem of desertion among American soldiers in Sicily, which was another worry we don't often hear about.

   Bennett comments on the realism of the first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan," which is the D Day landing at Omaha Beach. Then he adds that the real thing was four terrifying hours of that 20 minute sequence.

   He sprinkles leadership advice throughout his narrative: Remain humble as an officer. Eat the same food the men eat; live in the same conditions. The worst officers, in Bennett's view, were the ones who considered soldiers their personal servants.

   The book is written as a living room chat. It is not written with the polish of a John Toland or Cornelius Ryan or Stephen Ambrose. But it is movingly written.




2. The first hand telling of WWII by a retired 4 star general. Detailed battle discriptions and analysis, and amazing individual encounters. Possibly THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!



3. I really enjoyed this first hand account of General Bennett's experiences. I have read this type of book extensively, and I put this very close to the top of my list.
   
   I especially enjoyed his comments about how people behaved and thought during this climatic time in our history. His feelings about missing his wife, and how he felt when his first troopers died, and what that must have meant to the families added a real human touch. I enjoyed his description of train rides, gas rationing, and many other small points that really gave me a feel for what it was like for not just soldiers, but also civilians, both American and Foreign.
   
   I agree, it would have been really nice to have some pictures of what his vehicles looked like and some maps. But, I would also have enjoyed a picture of his wife whom he obviously loved deeply. A picture of Fort Knox, or Fort Sill during training.
   
   Those would really have added value to this book, but it certainly stands out without them too. My thanks to General Bennett for sharing his story, and not just the combat.
   
   Well done!!



4. An awesome history lesson, especially for those who have forgotten what it takes to defeat evil in the world. I hesitantly started reading this book expecting some blowhard general to gloat about his limited accomplishments in the big war. I had a very pleasant surprise and was drawn into another perspective of what we did as a nation to defeat Hitler and his cronies. The title is taken from a line in the Cadet's Prayer from West Point. It is a prayer we all could use to recite occasionally. I very highly recommend this book.



5. The book is well written and was hard to put down. It tells Gen. Donald V. Bennett's story of the struggle to get in and through West Point. It next moves to initial artillery training. Here he learns how to ride a horse while pulling his artillery piece. In addition, he learned how to place his foot where it would not be crushed while riding the horse. His stories of North Africa included the sights, smells, running a bordello (to get the disease rate down), and fighting Rommell. His insights and experiences in Sicily were preparations for his Normandy experience. His spell binding account of Normandy is the best chapter in the book and as good as any ever written. He gives a fresh point of view on the Battle of the Bulge pointing out the signs and intelligence higher up overlooked. His conclusion with experiences and insights about the Russians are eye opening.

No comments about The Story of Baden-Powell, 'The Wolf that Never Sleeps'.

1 comments about Franco: Soldier, Commander, Dictator (Military Profiles).

1. Centinela de occidente, caudillo de España por la gracia de Dios,vencedor de los rojos en el campo de batalla, el unico que lo hizo.

3 comments about Unforgettable Journey: A World War II Memoir.

1. I thought that the book was very good. I don't usually read stories about wars, but this really appealed to me. It was a collection of letters written by a young man fighting in World War 2 back home to his family. I thought that as a young man, he made very astute observations about the changes in the world around him and the consequences of the war on the people all around him. I couldn't put it down!



2. In Unforgettable Journey Mr. Huff reminds us once again that older men create wars, young men fight them. This story tells of an 18 year old boy who in his zeal of patriotism leaves Mom's apple pies and dreams of college to go fight in both the European and Japanese theatres in "the war to end all wars." Through his Mother's letters we follow the day to day life of the young soldier experiencing homesickness, travels to far places, and ultimately combat. This was truly an "Unforgettable Journey" made by thousands of young men. Mr. Huff was fortunate to return and share it with us.



3. Unforgettable Journey is a compelling World War II memoir by Stanley Huff and recounts his military training, combat duty in the European theater, and occupation duty in post-war Japan. A, 18 year old American soldier, Huff wrote home in a series of letters that began in March 1944 as he was en route to basic training at Fort Eustis, Virginia and continued throughout his military career. What is especially remarkable is that Unforgettable Journey, an autobiography based on that long ago correspondence, reads today as smoothly and as engagingly as any novel. Here is a remarkable, authentic, candid, and informative contribution that will prove a very welcome addition to the growing library of World War II literature.

5 comments about The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience.

1. i thought i had lived through some tough times before reading Dave's story... if life has got you down, choose this book, you'll begin to feel you too can survive and excel even in the most demanding situations. Dave ties in his Vietnam experience to create powerful insights for daily living in part 2.
   My advice... READ THIS BOOK!



2. Dave was my roommate aboard USS ORISKANY prior to his capture in 1967. As a Naval Academy graduate and Naval Aviator he was assigned to an attack squadron flying the A-4 Skyhawk. I met Dave the day we departed NAS Alameda for deployment to Southeast Asia, and Vietnam. He had his fiance Karen aboard for a short time in the officer's wardroom for coffee and last minute good byes. The next time he saw Karen was 5.5 years later after his release from a North Vietnam prisoner of war camp. I saw him again at his wedding!
   
   This is terrific read along with Zalin Grants "Over the Beach" about the war, it's history, and the toll it took on countless lives.



3. Great insights from a guy that's been there. Dave has an uncanny knack of applying his challenging POW experiences to our everyday lives. A solid read.



4. Thank you, David Carey, for sharing your POW experiences. The description of how you and your fellow prisoners chose to spend your time and the attitude you had toward your situation are an excellent example of how we all make choices about how to deal with what comes up in our own lives.
   
   This book is an interesting, easy and fun read. Carey is a great storyteller who makes you feel and understand what they lived through along with how they kept their sanity and dignity.



5. My parents gave me this book for my birthday. I'm very glad that I finally got around to reading it. The author was
   shot down over North Viet Nam, and spent five and a half years as a POW in several vietnamese prison camps. Dave Carey takes the reader through these experiences, the terror, disappointments, the boredom, and even the humor. I've always liked reading stories of how people get through tough times. It gives me inspiration to get through my own, lesser, tough times. In the telling of an experience more devastating than most of us will ever face, Carey provides a wonderful example for getting through the tough times. His five-point checklist will help anyone get through rough times; it is simple, concise, and eminently do-able in any situation. Thanks Mom & Dad for the gift, and thank you Dave Carey for writing it!