Category Archives: Historical Nonfiction

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Unbroken, a WW 11 Airman’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

From Sandi Rosenthal 
Title:  Unbroken, a WW 11 Airman’s Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Author:  Laura Hillenbrand
This book is about an Olympian track star, Louis Zamperini, who was a pilot in the military during World War 11.  His plane was shot down in the Pacific and he drifted on a small raft for a few weeks enduring starvation, dehydration, extreme exposure to the elements and sharks. It was heart wrenching reading each page, but the devastation was just beginning. He landed on an island occupied by the Japanese and then endured a couple of years in a POW camp where he was treated sub-humanly, starved, savagely beaten, kicked, clubbed and broken physically and mentally. His post war years were damaged because of the treatment in the POW camp and at the hands of one particular sadistic guard. In the end he finds salvation and forgiveness. I found this book very difficult to read, the brutality kept on, page after page, and I couldn’t believe that he was alive after each torturous beating.

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Cleopatra

From Grace Segers
Title:  Cleopatra
Author:  Stacy Schiff
Before reading Cleopatra, a biography written expertly by Stacy Schiff, I knew very little about Cleopatra’s life except for her reputation as a seductress. Schiff quickly discards this man-made myth, exploring the woman behind the legend with in-depth research and captivating writing. Anyone who wishes to know a correct portrayal of one of history’s most misunderstood women should read this book.

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Midnight in Peking : How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China

From  Eileen Effrat
Author:  Paul French
Midnight in Peking : How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China 
This is historical non-fiction at its very best. I couldn’t put this book down. It is 1937 and Peking is in turmoil as the Japanese army surrounds the city. The body of a 19 year old   Englishwoman is found bludgeoned and repeatedly stabbed, her heart and other organs removed. The suspect list is long and the clues very sparse. Two detectives, one Chinese and one British, unsuccessfully attempt to uncover the killer. Obstructed by   powerful British authorities, the crime remained unsolved. The father, Edward Werner, persisted in the investigation hiring private investigators. He uncovered substantial evidence that could have brought justice, but the World War II intervened. French‘s research is extensive and his style of writing very compelling.  If you enjoyed Devil in the White City,  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, or Death in the City of Light,  this book  is for you.

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When the Dancing Stopped: The Real Story of the Morro Castle Disaster and Its Deadly Wake

From  Sandi Rosenthal
Title:  When the Dancing Stopped: The Real Story of the Morro Castle Disaster and Its Deadly Wake
Author:  Brian Hicks 
This book grabbed my attention in the opening pages and kept me interested until the end. It is the incredible tale of the cruise ship Morro Castle and the horrific events that led to its destruction September 1934 off the New Jersey Coast. It reads like a fictional novel and was amazing that it was a true story.  This book is very well researched and the author includes some interesting pictures.

The ships captain was found dead in his quarters and a deadly fire broke out. What makes this so disturbing is that there is evidence to suggest that the captain might have been murdered and that the fire was not an accident.

After this disaster, the story goes on with the life of the individual suspected of the murder and arson, and how he continued his criminal behavior for the next 20 years.

 

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Jacqueline Kennedy

From  Elaine Pasquali
Title:  Jacqueline Kennedy
Author:  Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
Mr. Schlesinger had 7 conversations with Jacqueline Kennedy in 1964, four months after the President’s assasination. The book is simply the transcribed tapes with footnoted  annotations. Family and political events are discussed. Caroline Kennedy’s forward and Michael Beschiloss’ introduction were interesting and very informative.  The book comes with audio tapes of the interview, but the tapes are poor quality.  I would read an interview and then listen to a tape so I could get the gestalt of the conversation. Overall, an interesting book but a dry read.

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When The Dancing Stopped-The Real Story of the Morro Castle Disaster and It’s Deadly Wake

From Michele Szydlo 
Title:  When The Dancing Stopped-The Real Story of the Morro Castle Disaster and It’s Deadly Wake
Author:  Brian Hicks
I had to keep reminding myself that this was non-fiction, because it really read like fiction.  I was engrossed in a crime story that took place not only at sea, but on land.  If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship it’s even more fascinating.

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The Hidden Legacy of WW II

From Margo Blatt
Title: The Hidden Legacy of WW II
Author: Carol Schultz Vento
Issues that veterans have no matter what war they fought in are described. Nobody acknowledged WW II as a cause of PTSD. Vietnam was when most outsiders knew there were psychological issues for these men and women. The poor families had to deal with so much stress. alcoholism, drugs. Families living with vetreans share experiences which helps them deal. THey are not the only ones who live with family members negatively affaected by WW II and others. The beginning of this book kept me very interested. 3/4 of the way through I felt that there was repetition and I became bored with it.. I started skimming through it.

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Killing Lincoln

From Elaine Pasquali
Killing Lincoln
Author:  Bill O’Reilly
Neither an O’Reilly fan nor a history buff, I never expected to enjoy this book.  O’Reilly relates the events leading up to, during, and after Lincoln’s assasination as if he was writing a “thriller.”  Historically accurate and spell-binding, it is an amazing book.  The parallels between Lincoln’s and Booth’s lives alone are worth the read.  A not to be missed book.

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What I Saw at the Revolution: A Political Life in the Reagan Era

From Elaine Pasquali
Title: What I Saw at the Revolution: A Political Life in the Reagan Era
Author: Peggy Noonan
Ms. Noonan was a speech writer in the Reagan White House. She continually affirms her love and admiration for the President while describing him  as a man who did not lead but acceded to his advisors’ suggestions; did not stand up for those who were loyal to him; seemed to have no substance and a lack of curiosity behind the twinkle in his eyes. She admits she never could totally understand him, yet described him as the best President  since FDR. I remain confused as to why she so admired the President. Worth reading for the insight into the politics and in-fighting in the Reagan administration.