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Robin V. - Reviews

1 to 12 of 12
Beyond the Call: The True Story of One World War II Pilot's Covert Mission to Rescue POWs on the Eastern Front
Review Date: 9/15/2020
Helpful Score: 1


Gripping story of a WWII pilot's covert rescue of POWs on the Eastern front. I love tales of WWII heroism and this is very well written and fast paced.


The Covenant
The Covenant
Author: James A. Michener
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 5/2/2021


Michener's massive novel covers the history of South Africa from prehistoric times to 1980 when apartheid was still in force but he could see the it would soon crumble. He creates fictional characters that represent typical people and events, mixing in real events from the Dutch colonization and Boer wards With typical Michener magic he brings the complex history of this land into focus.


Gettysburg: The Battle for Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood
Gettysburg: The Battle for Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood
Author: Wayne Vansant
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/29/2020


I thought this was a graphic novel. It isn't but is loaded with pictures and bios of the characters involved in the battle. At times it's hard to keep straight who is on what side but it is a stirring account of the hellish scenes at Gettysburg.


My Family and Other Animals
My Family and Other Animals
Author: Gerald Durrell
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 5/25/2019


A timeless classic account of a British family's sojourn in Corfu before WW II. Made into a PBS series.


Normandy: A Graphic History of D-Day, The Allied Invasion of Hitler's Fortress Europe
Review Date: 7/29/2020


This is a graphic novel by Wayne Vansant who does a series of historical graphic novels. Ideal for children and adults to sort out what happened on D-Day and its aftermath as Allied troops fought for every mile toward Germany. The art is excellent and he really brings the events to life.


The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition
Review Date: 1/30/2018


This is a classic by one of America's greatest warriors. It has never been out of print since it was first published in 1885. While there are glaring omissions of embarrassing details of Grant's personal life and alcoholism, it is a riveting read about the battles he fought to win the Civil War and preserve the union.

I read it before reading Ron Chernow's Grant, which fills in details of his entire life and presidency. The revisionist Southern racists have rewritten his legacy to belittle his attempts to enforce full citizenship for persons of color and their allies.


Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders (Rumpole of the Bailey, Bk 13)
Review Date: 6/25/2023


Rumpole stories are delightful and this is one of the best. Like the Jeeves & Wooster stories they are hilarious. Nice antidote to the re serious books I read.


Sinatra an Unauthorized Biography
Sinatra an Unauthorized Biography
Author: Earl Wilson
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 11/7/2013
Helpful Score: 1


A pretty fair summary of the complex and capricious Frank Sinatra by columnist Earl Wilson, whose acquaintance with Sinatra spanned decades. Sinatra's huge talent, fatal charm with ladies, and legendary generosity contrast with Sinatra the uneducated Jersey boy driven to succeed in show business, at war with the press, who could be vulgar, crude and even violent. A fascinating peek behind the cool debonair image of one of the greatest song stylists of all time.


The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
Review Date: 6/22/2022


A spine tingling true story of cold war espionage and double agents, some motivated by ideological beliefs, some by greed.


Storm over the Land (Konecky & Konecky Civil War library)
Storm over the Land (Konecky & Konecky Civil War library)
Author: Carl Sandburg
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/10/2013


Poetic evocation of the turbulent time and passions of the Civil War. This is history as only Carl Sandburg, son of Illinois and prairie poet, could tell it. I loved every minute and was sorry to see it end, so I started his massive biography of Lincoln. My only complaint is that as Sandburg sketches so many of the characters in the war, you're often not sure if he's describing a Union man or a rebel. A small price to pay for poetry in motion, bloody, gunpowder stained motion.


The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Tattooist of Auschwitz, Bk 1)
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Tattooist of Auschwitz, Bk 1)
Author: Heather Morris
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 187
Review Date: 4/14/2021


Enthralling true story of how 2 people helped each other survive Auschwitz A love story for the ages. Beautifully written as a ânovelâ originally planned as a screenplay.


Truman
Truman
Author: David McCullough
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 61
Review Date: 3/12/2015
Helpful Score: 1


I love biography and I love David McCullough's writing. This is a massive, thoroughly researched biography of Harry S. Truman, who is probably one of our best, and most under-rated, presidents. truman is a fascinating man with a long and interesting life that makes for a good yarn. Includes plenty of photographs.


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