RJW

Among the Best Rock Stories

Revisado: 09-23-24

Full disclosure: I’m a huge fan of Tom Petty. Warren Zanes does a great job in relating the rock journey of Tom Petty - from Gainesville to Los Angeles and the many stops in-between. Like the journeys of most rock stars, it starts from humble beginnings and launches suddenly to massive fame, which, of course, brought on its own set of challenges. What I had not appreciated was Petty’s compulsive dedication to his craft - making great songs. He was a musical genius! To remain relevant for such a long period of time, his journey is a remarkable story. Highly recommend.

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Front Row Seat

Revisado: 09-23-24

Mark Bowden provides a front row seat for learning about North Vietnam’s Tet Offensive of 1968, mostly from the vantagepoint from Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Think “Full Metal Jacket.” While the Tet Offensive was designed to occur in multiple locations throughout South Vietnam, its epicenter was Hue, notwithstanding that American senior military leadership did not believe it was so - with devastating consequences. Hue became what Bowden describes as a “Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam.” Filled with interviews from soldiers from both sides, journalists, civilians, etc. who were there and official records, Hue 1968 is an engrossing story. Highly recommend.

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Fascinating Tale

Revisado: 09-23-24

While I knew quite a bit about the lives and fates of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, I was mostly unaware of what happened to their son, Louis XVII, other than that he died while in prison. Deborah Cadbury tells a compelling tale about the mystery behind his postmortem journey that covers more than 200 years - ending only after significant advancements in DNA technology had evolved. The story is well-narrated and well-paced. Do yourselves a favor and not lookup Louis XVII in Wikipedia. Let Deborah Cadbury unfold the story for you. You will be rewarded. Highly recommend.

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Useful Roadmap

Revisado: 09-13-24

Countdown 1945 differs from several other books I have read about the atomic bomb in that it condenses many simultaneous events into one easy-to-follow story. It does not judge the actors, as so many other books do in making present day assessments of historical events (often without any basis in facts). While a subject like the atomic bomb deserves a deeper dive from other sources, Countdown 1945 offers a useful roadmap. It is a fast read and well-narrated by Chris Wallace in a manner that is almost like a news broadcast. I recommend this book.

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Rush fans will not be disappointed

Revisado: 09-13-24

I am a Rush fan and have appreciated their brilliant music over these many years. Rush absolutely deserved the long overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, notwithstanding the Hall’s diminished credibility and standing in recent years. Does the Hall really matter anymore? Told from Geddy Lee’s viewpoint, the story of Rush’s founding, rise to fame, and eventual retirement is compelling. That Geddy narrates his own tale only adds to the experience. My only issue with the book was that it spent a little too much time on making albums and touring, almost to the point of becoming boring. I would have liked to have heard more about Geddy's take on the music business, especially as the medium moved from vinyl to streaming. Nevertheless, Rush fans will not be disappointed.

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Scary Peeps

Revisado: 07-01-24

Hunter Thompson’s journey into the world of the Hell’s Angels of the 1960’s was intriguing, if not outright dangerous. His descriptions of their culture, mores, and customs were fascinating - and certainly scary. I appreciated his insights.

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Wonderful Story

Revisado: 07-01-24

After Clavell’s Shogun, I did not think it was likely that Clavell could produce an equally compelling story, as I have learned from other trilogies. I was wrong. Tai-Pan was fabulous. I appreciated the extraordinary insight it gave me about the founding of Hong Kong. The story was action-packed, fast-paced and wonderfully narrated. It held my interest over the full 32 hours. I highly recommend. Definitely, will try Noble House later.

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Good Novel About Early Ireland

Revisado: 05-27-24

I have always enjoyed Rutherfurd's books, notwithstanding their commitment in time, and I expect to read others in the future. The Princes of Ireland, however, was a bit of a disappointment and certainly not as good as the follow-on Rebels of Ireland. I had difficulty with Princes of Ireland holding my interest, as it became a bit of a slog at the end. Some chapters were downright boring. Nonetheless, the narration was good.

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Ain"t I Great!

Revisado: 04-02-24

Colonel Jesse Johnson’s “Warfighter” is well-written and well-narrated - for sure, a good read, but I was left skeptical at the end. Colonel Johnson certainly deserves thanks for his long service in the U.S. Army. I would add my thanks, too. However, as a career military officer and Vietnam vet, myself, I found Colonel Johnson’s self-absorption with his medals, self-descriptions of his heroism, and unabashed name-dropping over the top - so much so that I regarded his biography as a clear-cut case of the Walter Mitty Syndrome. At times, I wondered if he was serving his country or himself. Typically, such veneration is best left for others to extol. At some point, Colonel Johnson’s military exploits became unbelievable to me. Interestingly, I noted reviews from people who professed to know the facts who said that Colonel Johnson’s accounts were exaggerated, misinterpreted, or simply pure fiction. It seemed that way to me.

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Must Read for WWII Aviation Lovers

Revisado: 03-22-24

This is a wonderful first-hand account by Harry H. Crosby of the “Bloody 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force.” It was the basis of the Apple+ series, “Masters of the Air,” which has received disappointing reviews (too Hollywood, too lazy). The book is far superior. The book revealed a surprise connection with the epic movie, “Twelve O’Clock High,” an all-time fav of mine. Crosby was an original member of the 100th and served until the war’s end. Simply put, he was there. His story is worth a listen. Highly recommend.

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