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.

Hellhound on his trail : the stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the international hunt for his assassin

From Chris Garland
author: Sides, Hampton
Hellhound on his trail : the stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the international hunt for his assassin
James Earl Ray and Martin Luther King were at existential crossroads in 1968.  Each was looking for a new path to the next phase of his life.  Ray was seeking a way to give his life focus after his escape from prison.  King, struggling in his personal and professional life, was trying to jump start his movement in a new direction- away from Civil Rights and toward the issue of poverty. Chance found both men in Los Angeles where Ray had his epiphany. He would kill the Civil Rights leader and become a hero.  Thus, their paths led them to Memphis and to their ultimate fate.  Hampton Sides weaves together a fascinating account of these two men which led to the assassination of Martin Luther King in April 1968 and the historic manhunt for James Earl Ray that followed.

Imperial Cruise

From Chris Garland
author: Bradley, James
Imperial Cruise 
In 1905, to further the economic and strategic interests of the United
States, President Theodore Roosevelt green lit Japanese expansion in Asia
without Constitutional or Congressional oversight. In “The Imperial
Cruise”, the author asserts that this policy lit the fuse for the
Asia/Pacific wars that followed later in the 20th century.  The book also
examines the role of Anglo-Saxon views on race and territorial expansion
and how those ideas impacted Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy.

Where Men Win Glory : The Odyssey of Pat Tillman

From Chris Garland
author:  Krakauer, Jon
Where Men Win Glory : The Odyssey of Pat Tillman
The odyssey of Pat Tillman is a uniquely American tragedy. After the attacks of 9/11 he felt compelled to defend his country. He left a loving wife and a lucrative career as a professional football player to join the military, only to die in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan.

Tillman was not your typical jock. He challenged himself intellectually as well as physically. He lived by a set of principles that money or love could not supplant. Jon Krakauer (author of previous bestsellers “Into the Wild” and “Into Thin Air”), merges the history of the United States
adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan with Tillman’s life, creating a compelling story.

Horse soldiers : the extraordinary story of a band of U.S. soldiers who rode to victory in Afghanistan

From Chris Garland
author: Stanton, Doug
Horse soldiers : the extraordinary story of a band of U.S. soldiers who rode to victory in Afghanistan
Horse Soldiers is the story of the United States’ initial military
response to the 9/11 attacks. In October of 2001 a select few Special
Forces were sent into Afghanistan to collaborate with the Northern
Alliance against the Taliban. The Pentagon thought it would take a year
and a half to defeat the Taliban but the Special Forces/Northern Alliance
completed the mission in six weeks. Combining 19th century military
tactics with 21st century technology, the “Horse Soldiers” were able win
an historic victory.
The author feels that these men provided the blueprint for how modern war
should be waged–small groups of men trained in keeping the peace, making
war when necessary and working closely with the native people.