5 comments about Star Soldier (Book #1 of the Doom Star Series).

1. Such examples of well written hard SF are hard to find. At first the low price made me question its quality. But I figured that for such a low price I can't go wrong. So I made the plunge. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. Read it all the way through in one sitting. Thank God for summer holidays. The story is combination hard military sci-fi and space opera. Great read that will keep you riveted and turning pages. The pace of the story is always in top gear.



2. It's always a nice feeling to look forward to reading more from the author, doubly so when that feel comes half-way into reading their first book!
   
   The "Doom Star" series is one that I picked up through an Amazon recommendation. Prior to it, I didn't know anything about Vaughn Heppner, and was very impressed with both the quality of "Star Soldier"'s (and the continuation, "Bio-Weapon") writing and depth of ideas. The action was well paced, and the technology described in just enough detail to make it feel real and possible. Additionally, while the setting was recognizable to anyone who has read a lot of sci-fi, the concepts put forth were for the most part new and original.
   
   I can't wait for Book 3 of the series :)



3. I enjoyed this book, and I'm generally more of a fantasy reader than Sci-Fi. I found the book fun to read, and hard to put down. While there are some minor grammar and spelling errors, for the price I paid it was above and beyond what you'd expect. The book does introduce some characters that will have more face time later in the series, I hope. They still should have been either developed more, or left out entirely. To me, they really didn't fit the storyline, and left me wondering why they were even introduced. Even with that being said, it still intrigued me enough to want to finish the series. For those of you who like a quick, fun read, you won't be disappointed.



4. I've been out of the sci fi world for some time now. Now that I have a kindle, I've enjoyed the new authors that are selling on Amazon, and this book does not disappoint. The tech, the future governments and social examination, makes for a very good read.



5. 99% of the 99 cents book are not worth it. I've paid 7.99 for books that are not as good as this. I just paid 2.99 for the second in the series. Don't expect Asimov but you will not be wondering who the heck told this person they could write. You should be prepared to suspend disbelief if you are knowlegable in economics though.

5 comments about Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War.

1. God bless all the men who put a huge part of their lives into this war. The ones who lived and died! You all deserve a purple heart!! This novel was extremely hard to read at times due to the situations these young boys were put through. This story was a huge eye opener for me. I'm so grateful to have taken the time to read and learn right from the people who lived and fought in this painful war. Unbelievable! I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give any part of the story away except, everyone should read this book. It's a piece of history that none of us should ever forget and after reading this novel you never will! God Bless Karl Marlantes and all the men who fought in this war! As well as those who have fought in any war.



2. The reviews of this book has been largely very positive. The negatives have been bogged down by the jargon, some of the tedious sections and some doubt on the "reality" of the characters; the rear command, race relations, the interaction between the soldiers. I really liked this book and will take the negatives as part of the price for trying to understand what was going for these soldiers.
   
   I found a surprising number of the characters to be rich and deep created through dialogue, action and setting. There are well developed sketches of heroism, cruelty, boredom, fear, love, anger, alienation, comradery, angst, powerlessness and 1000 other emotions that are provoked by war.
   
   Mellas, Fitch, Hawk, Cassidy, Parker, China, Vancouver, Simpson and so many others all stick in my mind. That tells me this is a book that effected me. The author spent 40 years rehashing this novel. I read the WSJ interview where he talks about the perspective he gained over time and it really shows. We need to remind ourselves how young even the Colonels are in army (maybe 40?) The author appreciates the awesome responsibility they are taking on and how intense these rotations were; most soldiers were barely there one year and yet it has effected there whole lives. My guess is that if the book were written when the author was young (and angry?) perhaps we would not have seen the officers with quite the same balance and nuance.
   
   For each of these soldiers with varying responsibilities the author gives you rich insight into their minds that you can see that decisions may be flawed they are not callous. While they want to advance in their careers they are not cold blooded. These are all 360 degree portraits. I cannot say I've read a book like this before. Sebastion junger's review is captures much of what I felt so I won't repeat it.
   
   While I loved it and was ultimately completely immersed I did find the first 100-150 pages slow going. In retrospect I think it was done an purpose as war is also about waiting, boredom, fatigue and struggling with a 1000 discomforts; all brilliantly described. I also liked the time it was set in. So much of the Viet Nam literature and history fiction is set in the pre Tet era. We need more books that tell us what happened in the later years when in fact so many more American died and when we opened up the war to bombing in Cambodia and Laos with such sad consequences.
   
   To our Marines - I get the sense this is real so THANK YOU! To Marlantes - great book thank you for sticking it out until finally published.



3. 
   Matterhorn is an almost perfect example of how true circumstances , no matter how carefully told , cannot convey the totality of an experience; the extra dimensions of fiction are able to do this much better. Karl Marlantes, the author obviously understands this and has told his story, with the mask of fiction, in a way that a bald recitation of the facts of his Vietnam experience could not have done.
   A prospective reader, more inclined to prefer non-fiction as his or her general choice, may turn away from the subtitle, "A Novel Of The Vietnam War" but they would miss one of the great war stories superbly told.



4. Karl Marlantes' Vietnam novel Matterhorn is one of the finest first-hand portrayals of war ever penned. A Vietnam vet himself and a Rhodes scholar, Marlantes spent over thirty years unsuccessfully pitching his novel to agents and publishers. During which time, he continued to revise and reshape the text with the added wisdom of years. In the end, he managed to produce a true masterpiece of storytelling.
   
   Matterhorn follows a company of marines over a three-month period of war at its most hellish. In its six hundred plus pages, Marlantes portrays war as a crucible in which the mettle of men is tested and revealed without an ounce of sentimentality or romanticism. As an anti-war yet pro-soldier (the attitude that dominates the thinking of many modern Americans) story, Matterhorn compellingly reveals the sheer terror of combat and the love forged among soldiers at war. The novel also serves as a repository of the history of the 1960's, especially as it reveals the fault lines that existed between black and white Americans. My favorite aspect, however, is how Marlantes reminds the reader of the sadly never-changing fact that it is the old who start wars, but it is the young who fight and die in them - often for geopolitical and economic causes beyond their understanding.
   
   In light of America's continued sinking into the quagmire of the war in Afghanistan, Matterhorn rings too true to current events. As I finished the novel, I was inspired to Google a list of soldiers killed in recent weeks in that war and couldn't help but bemoan how little we have learned. With scenes from the novel of soldiers' bodies torn apart by mines and grenades and bombs and bullets still haunting my consciousness, the tragic deaths of these modern heroes felt that much more immediate and poignant.
   
   So Shelly



5. TEN STARS if that were possible. I believe Marlantes has written a novel that will stand with classics from all eras that tell the story of warriors and warfare. The story builds slowly as Marlantes develops his characters and the plot. His characters are believable in their complexity. Heroes do not start out heroic and cads just might be humanly flawed individuals trying to do their best. By the halfway point I realized that I was emeshed in a story that melded history, tactics, and politics into a tale that succeeds in conveying the brotherly love that develops among men who risk their lives together and depend on each other for survival. At times I found Marlantes writing to be so poetically beautiful that I re-read parts over again because his words were so captivating. While reading this I was reminded of Xenophon's Anabasis as a powerful treatise on leadership. I am in awe in what Marlantes has achieved in Matterhorn.

5 comments about Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman.

1. Where Men Win Glory is another well written narrative by Krakauer about real events in our history. The story of Pat Tillman is not a feel good story but a story of how our government used Pat Tillman and others like Jessica Lynch to generate popular support for the war in Iraq. From the president on down, the propaganda created to make hero's of those two warriors is breathtaking. The coverup of Pat Tillman's death by friendly fire however is even more breath taking. If there is one person who is the true villain in this remarkable tale, it is then Brigadier General Stanley McChrystal who was at the center of the coverup, and yet still managed to keep his job, because after all he was the darling of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who felt he was the best general we had in the Middle East. McChrystal made it easy for the lower ranking officers of the U.S. Army to participate in the coverup and even extend it to fellow Ranger friends of Tillman who knew the truth but were told to keep their mouths shut. The only person who really got reprimanded over this incident was the Lt. General in charge of the Rangers, but then he was already retired by this time, so it was easy to make him the scapegoat. Another truism of war and the military is even when you follow orders you know are wrong, you can still be criticized later for carrying them out, especially if your superiors all of a sudden get amnesia about the orders they gave. If there is one criticism with Krakauer's book it is that he took an awful lot of pages to cover material about the history of terrorism against the U.S. and not enough about the aftermath of Pat Tillman's death and the impact of that on the country. Part of the reason could be that he did not have the cooperation of the Tillman family other than Pat's brother Kevin and his wife Marie. So there were gaps in the narrative during the most explosive part of this story. Another key theme in this story were Pat Tillman's personal belief system which put him at odds with the U.S. Army. He was a liberal and an athiest, and he had no qualms about questioning authority even in the military. There is a strong Christian fundamentalist viewpoint in the Army that did not care for Tillman's athiest views and they thwarted his explicit request not to have the military or religion involved in any aspect of his funeral. The hero of this story is Pat Tillman and this story of his life makes him even more so. He was an idealist who had a strong love for his country and for the underdog. He put little value in money and turned down a lucrative multi-million dollar contract with the L.A. Rams out of loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals. He also turned down a chance to get out of the Army early to resume his career in professional football. Tillman believed in loyalty and committments. No wonder the U.S. Army was to use him for their own ends. Be warned: if you think you're country can do no wrong, this is not the book for your. If you're a free thinker like Pat Tillman this is an honest accounting of a horrible event.



2. At the bare-bones level, "Where Men Find Glory" tells the true story of how Pat Tillman left the NFL for the Army Rangers after 9/11, was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan, how the Army and White House covered up the truth and how his family fought to learn the truth about how he died. Jon Krakauer sketches Pat's youth and the misadventure that landed him in jail, transforming him from a shallow jock to a disciplined and hardworking athlete and scholar. As background to Tillman's story, Krakauer gives one of the most succinct and accessible accounts of the birth of the Taliban and of Osama bin Laden's rise to prominence. He is also unsparing yet truthful about the Bush Administration's march to war and its willingness to divert public attention from bad war news with concocted stories of heroism in the field. It is one of the story's many ironies that Pat Tillman was peripherally involved in the mission to save Jessica Lynch, who was made into a Iraqi-killing, clip-emptying heroine with the help of the White House political machine.
   
   Krakauer shows Pat the man rather than the icon. Tillman was remarkable, and unusual for our times, with a profound sense of self and a devotion to ideals - love of country, family and truth. His relationship with his mom, brothers and fiancée, Marie, show him as almost too good to be true - sensitive, smart, skeptical, inquisitive, welcoming risk and defending the downtrodden. Ironically, again, it was those ideals that caused Tillman, after 9/11, to leave the Arizona Cardinals and to do what he felt what was right -- defend his country.
   
   The book really takes off when Tillman joins the Army. He grapples with the absurdities of military life. At age 25 - a seasoned professional, college grad and disciplined worker - he bristles at the immaturity of the aimless 19-year-olds who joined along with him. Army life -- which rewards rank, obedience and longevity rather than courage, experience and results -- rubs him the wrong way. He sincerely disagrees with the war in Iraq. Krakauer's reconstruction of Tillman's last mission is full of the chaos and stupidity of battle - politically-driven strategies, pointless military objectives, errors in judgment and tactics, and the panic of unseasoned soldiers firing wildly at unseen enemies. Tillman's death (or someone's) was all but inevitable. What was avoidable, however, was the Bush administration scrambling to make political hay of Tillman's sacrifice. Almost as soon as the fighting was over, the Army concocted a story more favorable to its interests and conspired to ensure that Tillman's fellow soldiers would go along. It's a testament to the love of soldiers for each other that the truth leaked out after only a few weeks. But it still took years for Tillman's family, in the face of Army stonewalling and slow release of the facts - to get to something close to the truth.
   
   "Where Men Find Glory" tells us the truth about Pat Tillman's life and death. The book about self-interested military officers and politicians who are not ashamed to use the devotion, selflessness and sacrifice of others to advance their personal causes. But as Jessica Lynch said after her own experience, there's so much real heroism in battle that there's no need to invent it. If there is a larger meaning in the book it is that Americans who embody truth and courage still exist. Our nation is hugely diminished when those values are faked or conveyed upon the craven and the mendacious.



3. I'm a big fan of Jon Krakauer's writing. He's one of these great writers who can pull you into the action and immerse you in his world. Here he captures the issues and context around the death of Pat Tillman well but is so caught up with the details and issues that he fails to really draw the reader in.
   
   There's no arguing that Pat Tillman's death was tragic made even worse by the government's cover up of how it happened. But there's just not enough story to make it a real compelling book. After you get through the basics of what happened and the history of both Afghanistan and Pat Tillman there's mot much else to be explored. This story could have easily been captured in a Men's Journal article or even in Rolling Stone, as written it just isn't enough of a story to make a great book.
   
   I do think the beginning of the book where Krakauer traces the roots of the conflict in Afghanistan is interesting, but his light tough of the info just doesn't do it justice. That part of the book felt like it needed a hard news reporter who really dug into the info vs. a top level overview which we get here. Perhaps in the end Krakauer is simply out of his element and bungled the ball trying to balance telling a personal story and a exposing a political cover up.



4. The harsher side of Pat Tillman is revealed - High School bully,(felony charges for beating & hospitalizing a minor !!), the Judge reducing Tillmans charges for the God-Almighty-Football Scholarship .... UGH! What a stomach-turning revelation! This is the point where I began to dislike Pat Tillman. More "Jock than Patriot"
   
   As a side note.....Author re-hashes George Bush/Al Gore Presidential election....Florida "chads"...Blah...Blah..Waa...Waaa
   If Al Gore was such a shoe in, why have'nt the Dems run Al Gore again?



5. Krakeur certainly has a knack for telling the amazing, but twisted, story of Pat Tillman's life and death. I was pleasantly surprised to be provided with an in-depth history of the khost region, and a factual explanation of the situation the US has delved into in this region. There's no one better than John Krakeur to tell this one!

5 comments about WAR.

1. "And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life." -- 1 Kings 15:6 (NKJV)
   
   Sebastian Junger's War is the most chilling nonfiction book I've read about 21st Century war. Whether you favor or oppose American military involvement in Afghanistan, you need to read this book to understand the nature of what violence is being waged there.
   
   The combat units that Mr. Junger describes are in essence sitting ducks, located deep in "enemy" territory where a single sniper located higher up in the hills can wreak havoc on the military outposts. Once an engagement starts, the Americans can bring in overwhelming fire power, but there's a delay before it arrives. In the meantime, the pinned down troops can blast away . . . probably not doing much damage but at least forcing others to keep their heads down. The effect is similar whether it's a local boy hired to fire a couple of shots for $5 and then take off or whether it's the beginning of a serious assault. Fear goes through the roof. Men die. Deep bonding occurs among the survivors. Combat teamwork improves. Gradually, it becomes a preferred way of life. That's probably the most surprising message of this book. Terrifying combat becomes something to be sought out for its highs.
   
   Mr. Junger balances a riveting tale with many valuable perspectives on how frightening it is, crossing the accustomed barrier into being someone who kills, and the deep love that develops among comrades.
   
   It's a lot to ask of anyone to serve in such perilous conditions. It's more than doing your duty and risking your life. It's taking on a life that you may not be able to put down, even if you survive.
   
   Thank God for the brave warriors who have taken up these seemingly overwhelming duties so we can be safer. The next time you see someone in an armed forces uniform, be sure to thank them for their service and ask about what they have been doing in a caring way.



2. I read this book about 15 miles from the location which it was written about and thoroughly enjoyed it. Sebastian Junger provides an unbiased look into the SUCK of everyday in the Korengal Valley and Eastern Afghanistan. The book touts a moderate 300~ish pages and can be read in 2 to 3 sittings. I enjoyed the book being broken down into phases, and part of me wishes that he would have taken the time to elaborate more on how CPT Kearney and the Soldiers of the 173rd ABCT reacted to their lives at home after the War. I look forward to seeing the movie when I come home. Overall, I would suggest interested individuals purchase the book as it is a top notch read.



3. Having returned from Afghanistan in 2002 I pretty much stayed away from reading any books on the subject. I must thank Mr Junger for letting folks back home know the stories and subtitles that one misses with our biased media. There is a bond that exists between soldiers and Mr Junger hit this right on the head.His attention to detail from the smells to a soldier rat fu...king an MRE put a tear in my eye.I believe there is honor in the truth and Mr Junger you have honor and my respect which isnt easy to get. Thank you, Gregory Rendelman (OEF 101st Airborne Division, Afganistan 2002)



4. In this blinding, dizzying portrayal of platoon of our modern warriors, Sebastian Junger gives an intimate look at internal aspects of combat. Unlike many tales of war which either glorify or rebuke combat, Sebastian Junger brings us inside the violence, drama and danger of combat from a personal and journalistic perspective. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions.
   
   In abandoning current "journalistic standards" of phony objectivity, he brings us his personal experience with fear, hope and pain while trying to remaining an observor from the actual combat. I am reminded of the great works of war corrospondents in years past that freely provided personal narrative.
   
   The stories of conflict, horror fill the pages like a raging firefight and the reader is shellshocked. Some have complained that the story is hard to follow but I rather think it is the point. War is hell and chaos.
   
   Junger has created a lasting monument to the modern soldier that should be required reading for every leader who puts our men into conflict. "War" does not take a political side, it simply records the truth of a warrior's life.
   
   Highly recommended



5. I have a serious "man-crush" on Sebastian Junger having loved his previous books The Perfect Storm and Death in Belmont, and this book only raises his reputation in my eyes. Offers a glimpse into a side to the war in Afghanistan that is simply stunning. Junger does a great job not only describing the harrowing combat, but also spends just the right amount of time delving into the psychology of the men fighting the war -- and indeed into ALL men (and women) who have fought in every war.
   
   Fascinating and terrific work by an equally fascinating and terrific writer.

5 comments about Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War (American Empire Project).

1. A book that should be required reading for all high school civics classes, except that your state superintendent of schools would not allow it into the public school curriculum.
   The basic gist of Bacevich's book is that those who rule over us will continue to do so. "Although nonconformists always exists, they rarely matter..." (pp. 109-110.) Small details of the world affairs included such endeavors as the U.S. sanctions against Iraq that were said to have caused the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children. (p. 143.) Contrast this to the deaths of about 60,000 U.S. servicemen who perished in the Vietnamese conflict. And, consider how this affair could win the hearts and minds of that population.
   But, getting back to Washington rules- to quote State Department Secretary Albright: "The parties and personalities change, but the principles that guide our republic do not." (p. 144.)
   The complications of the Iraq invasion are explicated on page 204 and the real benefactors of Washington rules are cited on pages 228-230. For those to blame turn to page 241 and then look into the mirror. The preventive war, an even scarier concept actually employs force prior to the existence of the threat. (p. 239)
   To summarize: "This sorry spectacle of indiscipline has generated much finger-pointing by both Democrats and Republicans. In fact, the nation's headlong lunge toward insolvency has been a thoroughly bipartisan project..." (p. 246.)
   The main fault with the book is that it offers no real method of ethical reform.
   For more details into the machinations of our government, read "Armed Madhouse," by Greg Palast.



2. Read the AN OUTSTANDING ASSESSMENT review and then...consider that his informative message and arguments lead to the heart of the democratic process, one that is so frustrating but still the best the human race has so far conjured. "We the People" just don't get it; and he nails the "American mentality" in his last chapter, a stand-alone essay in itself that provides one the insight into how Rome imploded. Unless we THE PEOPLE learn to get it - and the odds are long - we're next. Books like this inform and inspire - yet the burden of making the necessary change happen appropriately falls on us. It has been every generation's burden - Bacevich, among other things. is convincing when he implies the next generation of Americans may not have the chance...



3. I highly recommend this book. It is concise, to the point and, pulls no punches in its critique of U.S. foreign policy, the CIA and the doctrine of military intervention since the end of World War II. A nice companion book to the author's previous THE LIMITS OF POWER.



4. For those who care about U.S. history, and America's well-being, this book's analysis of American foreign policy during the past half century, and its suggestions for the present and the future, are essential to both understanding and action. Easy to read but profound in its ideas, and its facts, I recommend this book to readers of all persuasions.



5. Andrew Bacevich returns with "Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War," when his message is needed more than ever. Extensive research with mature and articulate writing, an Army career and academic credentials, Bacevich focuses on what most are not even aware of. He is one of the chief voices that should be heard on the topic of US foreign policy. The author focuses on the all-important question of which we know the answer: who benefits?
   
   "Washington Rules" examines our current concept of continuous (perpetual) war against abstract nouns to promote....abstract nouns. It began after WWII: the era of perpetual war. Lemay, Dulles, and Maxwell Taylor are some of the many semi-warriors engaging in and promoting semi-war by the complex, powerful, and pervasive military-industrial complex (MIC). Too powerful for Commander-in-Chiefs to attempt to reduce or challenge, regardless of political party or personality. President Obama increased "Defense" spending by 9% from the previous year. The POTUS must be "tough" and "strong," and this is expressed in sustaining the Credo of world enforcer and policeman to promote economic interests, the military welfare machine, in all corners of the world. Much of the voting (and non-voting) public incorrectly believe in the illusion of choice by two parties th Credo.
   
   Obama, is merely a continuation. Perpetuating the same foreign-military policies that came into existence in 1946.
   
   Funneling hundreds of billions from the US taxpayer to the corporations of Northrup Grumman, Raytheon, BAE Systems, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, United Technologies, L-3 and others. The foundation of the MIC functions in a permanent state. It will only erode and collapse when the funding is no longer possible. When this will be, is hard to gauge. But there will be a time when it ceases. It will cease when the US hits a certain financially point where it can no longer keep funding.
   
   In addition to the military-industrial complex corporations, former Strategic Air Command (SAC) and CIA, is the Pentagon/DoD (military) itself: 700 billion dollars of taxpayer money per year. Three hundred thousands soldiers overseas, 90,000 sailors abroad in what is termed an "empire of bases." The recent addition to the MIC is the newest bureaucracy: Department of Homeland Security. 1,271 government agencies and 1,931 private companies.
   
   There were times when the US policy makers, military leaders and public could have learned from errors and ignorance (South East Asia, 1960s & 70s) but did not gain any insight after the debacle was over. Instead, history was re-written for the masses and the politicians of today, and public school books almost entirely ommit American actions and policies in South East Asia during this era.
   
   The power and benefit of this book by Bacevich is that citizens (readers) will become more aware of what is happening and where the US is headed historically. Although Bacevich notes that America can choose, the military-industrial complex is supported by the mainstream media, which influences the public. It is too powerful to be stopped until it implodes simultaneously with America's financial tipping point.
   
   The only question, is "when."
   
   In addition to "Washinton Rules," Andrew Bacevich's other books are highly recommended.

5 comments about The Book Thief.

1. The Book Thief was suggested to me by Aine Gleadhill of Belfast She is an author and a great reader. She knows me well. The book clutched at my heart and would not let go even when the story ended. Picking up the next bool was more than a little difficult. I let The Book Thief lay on the table and went back again and again to review the amazing wisdom and philosophy... Fear of Death keeping us from living.
   
   Roisin



2. I have to say that I don't particularly like the layout of the book with its bold, terse intrusions that seem to be an attempt at some sort of post-modern technique that, in my opinion, detracts from rather than elucidates the story.
   That said I did like this book. The grim Reaper as narrator (and even the aforementioned technique) work well when dealing with the evils of the Nazis. This may be particularly instructive as the modern world continues with the old us vs them dialectic.
   Zusak's tale brings to mind Gunther Grass' poignant little book "Cat and Mouse," with its rendition of boys growing up and coming of age during the Nazi era in Danzig. As much as I liked Grass' book, Zusak's is better in my opinion: broader in scope, characterization and even historical perspective. Where Grass uses the obvious metaphor of the cat toying with the mice until it kills them, Zusak's Is more subtle: the idea perhaps that every life is a book and that in dire times one may have to steal a life.
   I've given only four stars not only based on the format, but because I thought some of the dialogue needed a little more work.
   
   Michael D. Edwards, Author of the recently released "Royal Ryukian Blues" a memoir of Okinawa.



3. A little girl's world is thrown upside down; the sudden death of her brother and his snowy graveside set the scene for an act of thievery that will mark her new beginning.
   
   Set in fictional Molching, Germany, The Book Thief follows the trials and tribulations of Liesel Meminger as she begins life anew with her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, while the Nazi idealism in Germany grows stronger.
   
   As you accompany the narrator, Death, from Liesel's arrival on Himmel Street through the next five years, you will experience the ups and downs of adolescence, the courage to stand up for what you believe in, and the utter tragedies of war. You root for Liesel as she learns to read and develops a profound love for books, especially those which are stolen. You go along as she and her best friend Rudy Steiner commit various acts of `teenage-ism'. You sit on pins and needles as Liesel and her family risks everything by hiding a Jew in their basement. And one of the most intriguing aspects of the journey is the insights Death gives you into his perspective of war along the way.
   
   Prepare to be pulled into the chaotic world of a little girl who is growing up in Nazi Germany. Don't think it's another German-Holocaust-Anne Frank like book. Don't be put off by the fact it's listed under Young Adult (which I completely disagree with). And think about picking up this book and enjoying one of the most brilliantly written, enduring stories of our time.
   
   Also reviewed at [...]



4. I don't think I have ever read a book that was narrated by Death before. It definitely gave the book an interesting perspective. The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel Meminger who comes to live with the Himmerman family in Nazi Germany after her mother can no longer care for her. Death tells the different times he meets Liesel and how she came to be known as the Book Thief. It also gives a glimpse into how it was to live in Munich during the time of the Nazi's and also the trials the Himmerman family goes through to hide Max, the Jewish son of Hans Himmermans' old deceased war buddy, after Hans made a promise to help his widow if she ever needed anything.If this story were told from the perspective of one of the actual characters (Liesel, Hans, Max, or Rudy-Liesel's neighbor and best friend) I don't think the story would have been nearly as good. It's the story told from Death's point of view and how among all the people in the world and all the suffering at the time this girl stood out to him and his telling of her story and those around her which puts the book in a class by itself.I like books that allow you to put a human face on tribulations endured. For the Holocaust the Diary of Anne Frank did that, Elie Wiesel's Night did that, and the Book Thief accomplished this also. Great, although very sad read.



5. Very rarely do I read a book that touches me so much. Don't get me wrong, I've read lots of great books that get 5 stars easily, but this book deserves more than that.
   I did not expect very much from this book. I had to find out why so many recommended it. How interesting is it to read about a girl that steals books? Sounded boring. Well, Zusak proved me wrong. Death, as the narrator, did an amazing job. You completely bonded with each of the characters, not just the main one. You start loving every one of them as if they were your own friends, parents, sons, and daughters.
   I wish someone had warned me to read the ending in private. It was embarrassing bawling on an airplane!
   Don't be put off by this book categorized in the young adult section.
   Easily one of the top 5 books I've read in my life.

5 comments about 61 Hours (Jack Reacher, No. 14).

1. The latest in the Jack Reacher series takes place in South Dakota in the dead of winter. I've never been in South Dakota that time of year but I did spend a few years in Maine and Child's descriptions of the cold are very impressive and realistic. This installment has everything a good action mystery should; a complex layered plot, great pacing, a story line that has twists, turns and suspense, a bad guy who lives to inflict serious pain on anyone bold enough to cross him and a larger than life Jack Reacher. Although I could never live without possessions, I thoroughly enjoy reading about Jack's minimalist life style. As expected, Jack finds himself in tenuous circumstances that require his particular skill to set things straight. And as usual he's very knowledgeable, always right and never hesitates to impart wisdom to those less perceptive than he is. There is plenty of action and intrigue. This is only my second Reacher book, and as with the first I was hooked immediately and did not feel disconnected. In short, lots of action ,intrigue and a few surprises. I recommend to Lee Child fans and anyone who enjoys mysteries with lots of action.



2. Lee Childs' 61 Hours is a suspenseful spellbinder of a story by a writer who's won the respect and appreciation of readers and other writers around the world. While it "feels" a bit other-worldly at times and is written in a bit of a different style, it is nevertheless a solid Slam Dunk! (9.75)
   Hate cliches, but it is honestly in the top three of the year among the many books I devour.
   You'll never know - until the end - what the final outcome will be, and the suspence Child builds up is dynamic; you can taste it! Not going to spoil it for any of you and go into the plot, but be prepared for as frigid a locus as you've ever entered for the telling of this story.
   Reacher is 'Back!', and I am still reverberating.
   It's a Special Child you will likely NEVER forget!



3. I've read every Lee Child book there is and adore Jack Reacher. You have to feel for the guy, as he just wants to keep his head down, stay out of trouble, and keep moving. Yet he keeps getting pulled into situations where he has no choice but to help strangers, as he can't walk away from doing the right thing. That's why I love Reacher, as he's one of the good guys.
   
   This is another great Reacher book and if you've enjoyed the others, I'm pretty sure you'll like this one as well. The only thing I didn't care for was the countdown throughout the book, letting us know how many hours were left. Could have done without that, but it's a small thing and don't think it would bother anyone else but me.
   
   Child is a very good writer, and Reacher is a very good character. You know that if you pick up one of his books, you're going to get a good story. Great pacing, good plot, and believable characters. Was a little surprised by the ending, which I hadn't seen coming, and can't wait to see what Child has up his sleeve for the next book! Highly recommended!



4. I have read all of the Lee Child "Jack Reacher" novels and love most of them. There are a couple that I found to drag a bit but this is definitely not one of them. It starts off with action and keeps you guessing until the end which leaves you hanging a bit, not the usual "Reacher" ending. I couldn't put it down, I recommend it to all action novel fans.



5. I've read all of the Jack Reacher novels. He used to be a one man wrecking crew. No longer. In recent books, Reacher has morphed into a sensitized, introspective former tough guy. It's hard to say whether Lee Child or Jack Reacher is the one who has peaked but I'd say that it is both. There is more entertainment from going back and re-reading one of the early Reacher books than buying any of the new ones.

5 comments about The Things They Carried.

1. I am impressed by the writing style of the author.
   This book is not just a veteran diary as many others you may read, this is a real literary masterpiece. The ability of the author to analyze the human soul is incredible and moving. Many times you will stop reading and spend time and thoughts considering how true the considerations he made are. The tales are not told following a chronological pattern, but are more similar to a series of snapshots casually laid on a table, only at the end of the book you have a clear overall image, even though still not complete.
   Please read it because this book is magnificent.



2. Superbly written, raw and disgustingly graphic. If you have a strong stomach for graphic violence, particularly for torturing animals then go for it. If not, pass. I wish I had.



3. As the son of a Vietnam veteran, I have always had a profound interest in the war--starting as a child who religiously watched "China Beach" before progressing into a young adult who sought to learn more via documentaries and nonfiction books such as Halberstam's "The Best and the Brightest."
   
   Not an "historical fiction" buff like many lovers of the genre, I limit my selections to books that have weathered time and emerged as standard-bearers of the period/event of which they encompass. Examples: "The Killer Angels"; "Catch-22"; "All Quiet on the Western Front"; "The Pillars of the Earth"; to name a few.
   
   "The Things They Carried" is constructed in a very different manner--a collection of short narratives--and is intended to educate the reader more about the atmosphere of the War among the soldiers rather than the War itself.
   
   If you understand this going in, then you will be satisfied with your decision to take on the novel.



4. Firstly, I enjoyed this book; but, it was a challenge to my empirical sensibilities. I don't have to know exactly which way is up, or whether something is exactly black, but I do want to know what "did" happen or what "coulda" happened. When "unreality" is sometimes more "real" than "reality", I know I am in the realm of the writer, a fiction writer, a realm in which I am not altogether comfortable. I guess the one, over-riding thing I got from this book is that if military training and combat is a homogenizing process...it ain't! One character, however, is so disturbing I am hoping that the VC have some expert marksmen. Quite moving.



5. As a rule I DO NOT read books about war. The reason for this is I am a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom myself and it is a time in my life I would rather forget about. Reading war books just reminds me of what I do not want to be reminded of. No, I did not kill anyone nor did I see anyone killed. We did have people in my Unit and my Division that did not make it home and I am eternally thankful that I and my husband spent a year over there and emerged physically unscathed. Emotionally, that is another story entirely and why I mention it here is because I am glad I did give The Things They Carried a go because I could relate to Tim O'Brien and many of the things he felt as a Soldier in a war zone.
   
   The Things They Carried is really a collection of war stories and recollections from Tim O'Brien who served in the Vietnam War. He tells stories about the members of his platoon and how they interacted with each other in an environment that is constant stress. He recalls members of his unit and how they died-Lavender, Lemon, Kiowa (who was sucked into a mud pit-what a horrible way to go..). It is not the story that comes through though. It is the feelings associated with the stories. He talks about his inner turmoil in first learning he was going to `Nam and how Soldiers over there make a mockery of death as a coping mechanism. He talks of how desensitized you become to what is happening around you and to the people around you and also to the local population. He touches on the struggle when you return and how hard it is because those around you haven't been there and they just don't get it and how some eventually decide they cannot cope. I think this book is especially relevant now with the war going on in Iraq/Afghanistan because we have Soldiers and Veterans now that are going through the same thing Soldiers went through 35 years ago.
   
   Is it the best book I've read? No. Is it a book that has gone beyond entertainment value and touched something deeper inside? Yes. I definitely recommend it.

5 comments about The Cobra.

1. Won't go into plot because everyones done that..for me I loved reading how mastermind, Cobra, set up this amazing war against the Colombians.
   
   It's detailed and believable. The characters had jobs and did them. Story wasn't about "getting to know people". It was about putting the pieces in place for a coup.
   
   Read it.....it was great.



2. Mr. Forsyth's earlier books were action packed and had very strong and colorful characters. Unfortunately, Cobra had neither. So much of the book deals with the minutiae of details that Paul Devereaux, the main character, has to do to organize his " war " on the cocaine drug trade. There is very little action after this part of the book, which would have made the book so much better. The author certainly researched all aspects of the drug trade and how cocaine goes from the fields to the streets, but that is not what I was expecting. I was disappointed, to say the least.



3. Back in early 70s President Nixon proclaimed a "War on Drugs". Given that one of his first acts was to name Elvis as an honorary narc, one might have questioned the sincerity of the war. That war however, in various incarnations, has been fought ever since. By the standards of military success, it has been a failure. Had World War II been fought as ineffectively as the War on Drugs, German would be our official language.
   
   Beginning with one single death that of the grandchild of a servant in the White House, the President of the United States becomes, like Howard Beale in Network, "mad as hell". As a result, he commences a real war on cocaine. This war, like the Cold War, is waged quietly at times. The objective is singular-destroy the cocaine cartels and disrupt and eliminate ninety percent of the drug's supply of the drug to the United States and Europe.
   
   Reminiscent of the military whiz-bang of Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising Frederick Forsyth imagines a war fought to win. This war uses all of the techniques of human, satellite, and electronic intelligence, together with military hardware,disinformation, and propaganda apparatus the likes of which ultimately helped win the Cold War.
   
   In The Cobra, victory is achieved by determination and resolve, ingredients lacking in the drug wars to date. I have some personal knowledge of these concerns. When I worked as a law clerk in the Southern District of Florida in the late 70s, cocaine came in by the kilogram and marijuana by the ton. Several years later cocaine came in by the ton. After an alarmed Congress installed a virtual blockade around South Florida, cocaine transit was simply rerouted through the Mexican border. The destruction of the two major drug cartels saw the rise of new and larger organizations.
   
   Forsyth has obviously seen some of the real war-gaming for the war on drugs. In effect this story is really one simple question: "Why not?'
   
   It's a really good question.



4. I've read all of Frederick Forsyths' books, and was looking forward to The Cobra. I can't honestly say that this book is his best effort. Although it's plot line was new, in my opinion it borrowed the same theme from Icon (disruption of an organization), and it interesting that it included characters from both Avenger and The Afghan.
   However it just did not have the depth of character and scale as The Dogs of War, Icon or The Fist of God.
   The Cobra is a read once book, and that's just not good enough.



5. A thinking reader's techno thriller.
   I am a bit surprised at the number of negative reviews concerning Frederick Forsyth's new novel The Cobra. It is a typical well crafted, meticulous Forsyth techno-thriller on how to destroy the huge illicit worldwide cocaine network. Written in the vein of a Tom Clancy novel, Mr. Forsyth spends a great deal of time explaining how the Cobra, a retired CIA agent brought back into service by the President, will destroy the cocaine market, and then sets about doing it. A cerebral kind of story without much overt action but still an amazing read.
   There are two kinds of literary action: That which is conjured up by the mind and that which is graphically portrayed through the written word. Frederick Forsyth's The Cobra is the former. Mr. Forsyth is a master of the tale. Without graphic or gratuitous violence or action, Mr. Forsyth is able through the written word alone bring depth and action to a unique tale that has deviled and perplexed mankind for years: How to stop cocaine drug trafficking. Mr. Forsyth accomplishes this through a logical examination of the cocaine trade and then pinpoints its inherent distribution flaws. Through smart, insightful, deductive writing he then presents an interesting way to disrupt and eventually destroy the cocaine trade through its own inherent corruption. Mr. Forsyth is absolutely brilliant in his reasoning and logic.
   The downside is the lack of the graphic action that permeates most action thrillers today. Without that adrenalin rush, many readers are left flat and frustrated as many of the reviews of this fine novel show. If one thinks back to John Le Carre, Ian Fleming, or earlier Frederick Forsyth novels this was how those fine books were written: Building complex plots through limited action using the intellect of the mind. Like the formulistic movies today, most readers need the gratuitous chase scene, hot love making, massive shootouts, a cut throat or two, and the requisite fight scene to deem a novel an action thriller today. So be it, to each his, or her, own. I still enjoy a novel that requires a little work and is enjoyable by presenting a well thought-out plot.
   No gratuitous violence, sex, or language. Character development was mediocre at best. As I immensely enjoy novels where the author develops his characters, this novel was not about that. It was about designing a way to stop cocaine trafficking. In that respect Mr. Forsyth accomplished his goal.
   I like Frederick Forsyth and highly recommend The Cobra if you want a well thought-out "thinking person's" suspense thriller. If you want non-stop action this novel will probably bore you to tears. Interesting duel twist at the end that will leave the reader satisfied although a little disturbed by the federal government's reaction to the collapse of the cocaine market. As always I look forward to the next Forsyth novel.

5 comments about The Malacca Conspiracy.

1. ...there was no option for NO stars. At its best, this book was a mediocre faux thriller, at its worst a poorly written, thoughtless diatribe of sexist, racist, and religious ignorance. I mourn the loss of my $10 and would have preferred to have had it taken from me in the lunch line by the class bully...
   BTW- I blame all of you 5 star givers (if you really exist) for tricking me into this purchase, and invite you to read a real book sometime, try John le Carre.



2. The action and drama in Malacca Conspiracy is so riveting that I would have given it a sixth star .. or more ... if I had that option!
   Timely, scary and the most action-packed thriller I've read in a long time!



3. I am an avid reader. I like both good non fiction and fiction works. However, when it comes to fiction, I love it when it is written from well studied and well developed truths and facts. This is what Don does so well in his books and what he did in this book.
   
   Don Brown is a genius. I have read all of his books. He has a great mastery of bringing historical facts to bear in all of his stories. What I like most about what he does, is that he develops the story true to modern day issues and current events and seems to always be ahead of the curve, almost anticipating the future. I would not probably call him a prophet in the literal sense, but I can honestly say that he sees the impact of current politics in such a way that he can easily project a close to accurate picture of the future.
   
   I consider myself a patriot having served our country as a Marine. I am proud to say that it is clear that this man is also a great patriot. I can see that he loves our country for the liberty and freedom for which it stands. He sees those who hate it and want to impose their misguided beliefs to destroy it. He writes about this in his books showing us all that there is always evil out there and we can't always just all "get along" There really are bad people in this world who want to rule and destroy the good. Don is not afraid to write about this in all of his stories, like he did in this book.
   
   I know Don gets a critical word or two from time to time for his books including this one. But any who so loudly and clearly proclaim the truth of what they believe like he did in this book, will always find a small few who disagree. I have talked to many who have read this book and they all, without exception, say that they agree with his sentiments and can easily see that what he has written may possibly happen one day soon.
   
   Truly, I think it would be a good idea for the citizens and leaders of our country to take heart in the stories that Don writes and stay on guard for such evil powers and attempts in attacking our beautiful country. I am looking forward to Don's next book.



4. The Malacca Conspiracy is my first book I have read by Don Brown. Politics and religion aside, I enjoyed getting lost in the story with the characters. The flow of the story was good enough to keep me running back to the book to read before bed. I also realized that there are other books with the main characters in which I would like to read in the near future.
   
   I would highly recommend this book as a great weekend or vacation read.



5. Malacca Conspiracy is perhaps the most action-packed thriller I've ever read. The storyline is realistic. And considering Brown predicted future events in his novels Treason and Black Sea Affair, this storyline is especially scary!