No comments about Day of Absolution: Library Edition.

No comments about Jazz 101: Library Edition.

1 comments about Angels Dining at the Ritz.

1. I am still amazed at being the first to review these books on Susie Mountford as they are clearly in a class by themselves. John Gardner is easily the best mystery/thriller/spy novelist on planet Earth and only Les Roberts comes close to him in the mystery line. I consider myself an avid reader and as a teacher have used mystery and spy novels in the classroom and Gardner has been and remains number one.
   
   Angels Dining At The Ritz has a special meaning in that this one takes us more into the war than the last two which dealt with the blitz. In this third one in the series, Gardner introduces us to the first of the USAAF to arrive and the first missions of the Flying Fortresses. The 8th Air Force is woven beautifully into the story.
   
   The story itself has WDS Susie Mountford, and her superior as well as boy friend, DVC the honorable Tommy Livermore on the case. This time a bloody murder outside of London with overtures of organizaed crime again. Added to the mix is one of the most frightening lunatics you can find in fiction, Golly Goldfinch. Once again the author gives real depth to all the characters and you feel you especially know the heroine. As in the first two books, there are real Hitchcock twists again.
   
   One more book in the series to read and the author is thankfully working on the fifth one. I recommend this series highly. Wonderful reading.

No comments about All the Cowboys Ain't Gone (Library Edition).

5 comments about Commonsense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor (Wiley Audio).

1. Investing in mutual funds? This book is the granddaddy of books that reveal everything you want and need to know about mutual fund investing. Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, delivers a knockout blockbuster here that you won't want to miss.



2. You must read this book. And it's the only mutual fund investment book you need. I read it cover to cover in just a few days. Now I know exactly what to do with my 401k's, and my IRA's.



3. This book was a gift for the man interested in investments!
   He loves it!



4. This book is Bogletastic. I bought this book for a young cousin of mine that ask me for some investment advice. Ever cautious on such an important topic, I thought that Bogle's book which has helped guide me over the past 15 years of investment would be perfect. Low cost, diversify, save more than you spend and don't ever think you can time the market (I have tried OOOOOO lordy I have tried).
   
   Read it, gift it, whatever it, but get it.
   
   Vaya con Dios amigos,



5. The book came sooner than expected and was in better condition that I had thought it would be!

1 comments about Jazz 101.

1. I was looking to understand Jazz without getting overly focused on the personalities and legends. This is a good treatment, engaging on first listening but worthy of listening to again. I thought it might include some samples of audio excerpts, but it does not. Part of me would like to hear what is being discussed, but I can also see how the flow of the narrative might be adversely affected.

No comments about Selected European Short Stories (Classic Books on CD Collection) [UNABRIDGED].

No comments about Great Ghost Stories, Volume I (Classic Books on CD Collection) [UNABRIDGED].

5 comments about The Lessons of History.

1. There are two problems with this book, as I see it. First, this is not a profound book. There simply aren't the revelations in this book that one might expect from an historian that wrote a 10-volume set on the history of civilization. This is, mercifully, a short read.
   
   Second, the author has a very liberal (left-wing) bias. This will not bother you if you are liberal. In some cases, the author sets up the opposing view as a straw man or false dilemma, which he easily knocks down by looking at certain historical events, thus "proving" his view is correct.
   
   Here's an excerpt from chapter 3:
   "But much of what we call intelligence is the result of individual education, opportunity, and experience; and there is no evidence that such intellectual acquirements are transmitted in the genes. Even the children of Ph.D.s must be educated and go through their adolescent measles of errors, dogmas, and isms; nor can we say how much potential ability and genius lurk in the chromosomes of the harassed and handicapped poor."
   
   If you enjoyed that "lesson of history", then you might like this book.



2. Ariel Durant (1898-1981) and Will Durant (1885-1981) were two of the most productive historians of the 20th century. Their ten volume work titled THE STORY OF CIVILIZATION is a monument to exhaustive study and research. The Durants wrote THE LESSONS OF HISTORY as a summary of what history can teach. This book examines conflicting interpretations of history and recounts both tragedies and achievements of men from antiquity to contemporary times. Readers should note this book was published in 1968 by Simon and Schuster.
   
   The first chapter of this book alerts readers that history has to be studied carefully and honestly. The Durants were clear that historians have only a partial grasp of the past, and newer discoveries of documents and sources will revise and alter historical interpretations. The study of archeology can help historians with their work. The Durants commented that any fixed interpretation of history will falter because there are complex factors that determine events and thought.
   
   The section of the book dealing with physical events and history is worth consideration. The Durants state the obvious when they discussed how astronomy, climate, drought, floods, earthquakes, etc. resulted not only in the physical destruction of property and people, but these events altered cultural diffusion and caused political violence and disruption. Drought and floods caused migration and at times war and political rebellion. Yet, climate and geographical facts aided and abetted men to advance culturally and technologically. The Durants made an ominous comment when they suggested that an astronomical event such as an astroid could make the study of history or anthing else meaningless.
   
   The section re biology and history is interesting. The Durants were clear that biology is the study of competition between species including men. Wars, political revolutions, etc. are the ultimate competition. Yet, the Durants argued that competition can lead to cooperation and mutual benefit among men.
   
   The Durants did a good job underming the race theory of history. The old canard that the Nordic peoples (Nothern Europe)were the only superior peoples. The Durants cited advanced civilizations in India, China, Egypt, Ancient Greece and Italy, etc. The Durants informed readers that advanced civilizations developed in different areas that had varied climates and resources. The Nothern Europeans may have "conquered" many peoples in Southern Europe, but historically the Northern Europeans were absorbed by the their Southern European counterparts. The Roman Cahtolic Church clergy taught men to read, write, think, etc. Monastic agriclutral advances were adopted. The use of Greek and especially Latin became part of the Northern European scholarship and learning. Trade, war, intellectual discourse, etc. resulted in "The Market Place of Ideas.'
   
   The Durants also realized that character is part of historical studies. Character traits among savages and barbarians were aggressive, violent, etc. Yet such character traits among civilized men were usually condemned. Men engaged in agriculture and trade needed peace and cooperation. Men who lived in agricultural enshrined the family, and close family relationships were necessary for agricultural survival and prosperity. Yet, the Industrial Revolution undermined such "family values" due to migration to factory and mill towns where the watchful eyes of neighbors were useless.
   
   The section re religion and history was interesting. Science and technology undermined what some may call religious superstition, and the gods or God were dethroaned. The Durants were not seriously religious people, but they applauded religion as a cohesive force and as a break on crime and violence. Men feard God's wrath more than "The Long Arm of the Law." The Durants missed a golden opportunity. The Medieval Catholic Scholastics and later Catholic scholars did considered work re science, mathematics, and technology. Some of their studies were done no doubt to understand "The Mysteries of God and His Creation." Yet, their achievements were exceptional.
   
   The transition from history and religion to economics should cause intelligent readers to re-evaltuate historical assumptions. The modern debate of Capitalism vs. Socialism is not so modern. The Anceint Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks ect. had governemnt controlled production and distribution especially of food. There was always political tension between the "haves vs. the have nots" The Durants cited historical examples of the Ancient Chinese, Romans, etc. who catered to the "have nots" to prevent political rebellion. Some of the Ancients used what is called a "war economy" socialism to keep order and to defend their turf from invades such as Diocletioan (c 284-304 AD). The Durants commented that during modern history, the socialists have granted more individual freedom in fear of the capitalists. The capitalists have catered to socialist measures in fear of the Socialists. There has never been a pure capitalist or a pure socialist system. Reality and practiality have interferred with such utopias.
   
   The arbiter between the "haves and have nots" has been government and law. Political institutions and concepts such as monarchy, aristocracy, etc. have been a part of history much logner than "democracy." A majority of men rarely determine poltical power because of lack of organization and purpose. Political power has always been a balance between coercion and freedom. The Durants argued that freedom is defined by its limitations to prevent chaos and the rise of a dictator. The Durants used examples from Ancient History (China, the Greeks, and the Romans)whereby floods and droughts undermined the best laid plans of poltical rulers. Economic prosperity and peace were ruined by Mother Nature. Political rivals used these natural disasters to undermine their opponents. Yet, government authority usually maintained peace and harmony.
   
   Along with government, war has obviously affected history. In fact, war is the ultimate government activity. The Durants reported that war during Early Modern European History was limited to the royalty. Residents of both factions could visit each other and engage in cultural exchange and trade. Yet, the 20th. century has changed all of that. The 20th. century has been the bloodiest century in history with mass looting,rape, brutality, mass murder, and extinction of innocent unarmed civilians. The Durants suggested that the existence of mega weapons which can insure the destruction of both sides in a total war may put the breaks of war. Trade and intellectual transfers may reduce the lure of total war. Had this book been written later, the Durants could have cited the wicked Communist such as the Vietnamese and Chinese who became U.S. trade partners. Whether or not the mass destruction of war will be muted only time will tell.
   
   War and other events can cause what some call "growth and decay." Yet, the Durants show that while the Ancient Greeks and Romans are no longer hold such important political and intellectual prowess, their achienvements have outlasted their civilization. Men have benefitted from the achievements of the Ancients and carry these achievements throughout the world. Trade and geography can alter political and economic conditions, but achievement is not confined to any place or time.
   
   The Durants conclude this book with a comment on "progress," whatever progress means. Medical marvels and abundant food in Western Europe and the U.S. have prolonged life. Yet, science and technology have produced weapons that can eradicate centuries of civilzation and achievements. This realization may influence men to act rationally and not impulsively. The importance of the this book and historical studies is that we are almost less than human and not civilized without historical reference. Men rely on history whether they realize it or not.
   
   The book is thoughtful. Will Durant has been accused of being a "leftist" whatever that means because he was a socialist. This is a non sequitor. Many men were socialists and communists when they were younger, but they matured. In fact Will Durant stated that socialism/communism were too often code words for a lust of power. The Durants certainly did not have an economic determinist view of history. In fact, Durant wrote a piece titled THE TRAGEDY OF RUSSIA re the Bolshevik Revolution. The Durants revised some of their work as more knowledge was gained. In spite of political name calling, this is an interesting book.



3. Having spent decades writing a massive multi-volume history of the world, Will and Ariel Durant are ideally placed to discern patterns and offer opinions on what to make of it all. With this compact and lively book of only 100 pages, they do exactly that.
   
   In short and concise chapters, they range across considerations of geography, biology, 'race', character, morals, religion, economics, socialism, government, war, rise and fall, and progress. They give many historical examples along the way, but the reader should understand that these examples are intended only as illustrations, not 'evidence', since the whole point is that we're asking them to apply their judgment. And even if you don't always wind up agreeing with them, the Durants are people who's opinions are worth considering carefully.
   
   Because the book covers such a wide and ambitious scope in such a short space, it's densely packed with insights and opinions, sometimes provocative ones, and in fact there's so much here to digest that I'll need to read this book again before attempting a detailed summary. That's why I say this is a considerable education in just one short book.
   
   However, for now, perhaps we can broadly say that history shows humans to be complex at both individual and group levels, and capable of both the highest heights and lowest lows, so it's difficult to find any "lessons of history" which are clear and explicit enough to enable even remotely detailed prediction of how our common future will unfold. That doesn't mean that there are simply no useful lessons, or even worse that we should ignore history, but deciding which lessons to apply in particular circumstances is clearly a subtle art requiring much judgment and easily prone to error.
   
   I'll leave it at that for now, along with offering a strong recommendation that all students of history read this book (and the unabridged audiobook is also excellent). Indeed, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in better understanding the human condition. After all, surely the past tells us at least a little about what we are and where we might be going?



4. I'm sure the authors are eloquent people but I found it very difficult to make sense of what they were attempting to portray. I felt I was at the University being lectured by four-star professors who assumed my IQ was over 200?
   
   Could not grasp it but I'll try again!



5. I found the product to meet my expectations and would recommend it to anyone interested.

5 comments about Hero of the Pacific: The Life of Marine Legend John Basilone.

1. James Brady's Hero of the Pacific reflects on the life and time of Gunnery Sgt John Basilone who won the Medal of Honor during the Guadalcanal Campaign in October of 1942. He was killed in action on the first day of the Iwo Jima Campaign in February 1945. At least the book got that much straight. Brady's book proves to be quite readable but sources from where he got his information appears to be less reliable. After reading this book, I still don't have a good understanding of who John Basilone really was, only what he did. From reading this book, it was truly sad that a Medal of Honor winner such as John Basilone was so poorly served by historians, may they be professionals or ranked amateurs. Even his family and friends can't get their stories straight. Toward the end of the book, on page 235, author wrote that he is "neither a scholar nor a historian". I am sure that late John Basilone and we readers who brought this book wishes he was. Maybe a real scholar and historian might have crack some light on Basilone's life, deeds, motivations and perhaps show how exactly this hero died on Iwo Jima.
   
   On a minor downside, some of the background World War II history proves to be bit flawed or outdated. A good example is on page 20 how the author regards US Navy winning at Midway "against all odds". Anyone nowadays finally understand that Midway was a bushwhacked on the Japanese and Americans held many advantages that led to our victory. Also, I am not sure why the author insert his experiences as a Marine officer during the Korean War into this picture. Outside of being fellow Marines, the author and Basilone have no real common frame of reference. I may be in the minority on this but I found it to be distracting from the real story.
   
   Only upside to this book is that it does give readers a chance to know John Basilone more despite of the many contradictions and mythological stories that surrounds this man. It pretty clear that James Brady did not dig too deep here. Hopefully, maybe this book and that HBO mini series might encourage someone else to look into Basilone's life and career.



2. I purchased the Kindle version of this book after I saw the hard copy in a local bookstore. The author, a Marine veteran of Korea (I have been told emphatically that there is no such thing as a "former" Marine), knew his subject matter, and provided helpful insights into Basilone, the Marines, and America during the World War II years. I also found that fairly extensive passages of the author's work were well-written, enjoyable, and absorbimg.
   
   Now the tough part: The book needed a good editor to pull all of the author's fine work together. There is a lot of repetition, and the author jumped around too much (he was trying to put the good stuff up front, when he could have told the story better if he had presented it as it played out). An editor would have pointed all of this out, and if so, this would have been a truly outstanding book. As it is, the book has great moments, and then goes sliding off into a confusing jumble of images and interpretations that leaves the reader--even someone who knows a fair amount about military history--somewhat confused.
   
   I understand the author passed away a year before this book was published, and that he was a professional writer. Either (1) he didn't want his work edited (many writers don't), or (2) he wasn't around to make sure the book was edited properly. Either way, that's the main problem with this book.



3. I generally liked the book. My one criticism is why the author found it necessary to rebuke the stories of other authors (Basilone's family members). I think when he himself was drawing on second hand or hearsay information he should have avoided criticizing their stories. What happened to literary license?
   I think the fact that Brady was a former marine he could not resist, by his criticism, the fact that he knew firsthand what the average reader or authors didn't know about the subject of military tactics. (Ex. Basilone was a machine gunner; he would not have carried or used hand grenades on Iwo).
   I did not have to read the book or any other book about GY Sgt John Basilone, to see him as a hero. I kept on asking myself "why would a marine who had proven himself and awarded the nation's highest medal want to go back into battle when didn't have to?" What did he have to prove? I say it was that he truly loved his country and his fellow marines.



4. Mr. Brady's "Hero of the Pacific..." sheds some well-deserved light upon a Marine hero, John Basilone, for those of us who might never heard of his actions in WWII. It was great to read about Basilone's life prior to WWII in small town America, floundering in life until he committed to military service. While reading "Hero" I couldn't help feel like I was a kid again hanging out with my grandfather at my local American Legion/VFW listening in on their tales of life prior to "The War" and their time in service. Those stories, like Basilone's prior two biographies, in hindsight were undoubtedly embellished by family and comrades in arms. People's stories of friends and loved ones who've passed tend to do this. In Basilone's case, as with countless combat vets, his heroism truly didn't need embellishment. I was happily surprised that Mr. Brady took a critical look, albeit sometimes petty, at the previous biographies and the government's desire to create super heroes and not being content with just "regular" everyday heroes like Basilone.
   A few of the other reviews have accused Mr. Brady of shoddy writing in this book because of his critical tone of the two prior biographies helmed by Basilone's sister and nephew but, I found this to be a logical approach and not done with any intended spite. Gunny Basilone wasn't exactly a prolific writer, thus any Basilone biographer is heavily reliant upon the prior entries as well as other Basilone family members and acquaintances. Brady's biography wasn't flawless, but I feel that it does a good job at trying to separate the man and the myth of a long gone American hero, Manila John Basilone.



5. The author spends more time finding fault with and comparing other source material than telling the story of this marine hero. Rather than clarifying the author merely confuses. The story he tells could have been half as long and to the point.