Review of "Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)

"Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)" by David McKoy and Lynn Halbrooks is quite entertaining. There is a lot going on in this book! It has adventure, action, suspense, intrigue, and even romance! I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. It's a quick moving book that held my interest from prologue to epilogue. It strikes me as an alternate future much like the alternate histories that have been written. The style is much like the writings of Dick Marcinko (who is acknowledged as an influence). I think it does justice to that type of hard-hitting action adventure.

There is a lot of military jargon in the book that could lose some readers. If you find something you don't understand, skip to the back of the book where you'll find an extensive glossary. The book is written from a distinctly conservative viewpoint that I personally enjoyed. If you don't share that viewpoint, you might look elsewhere. If you do, I think you will find the book entertaining. It's a fun book with a lot of layers. I look forward to more works by these authors.
Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) by David McKoy and Lynn Halbrooks

Book Fair news for "SAT & BAF!"

Good news for fans of "SAT & BAF! Memories of a Tower Rat". Today it was registered for the new book showcase at the Beijing Book Fair at the end of August and the Frankfurt Book Fair in October!! I'm especially excited about the Frankfurt fair because there an audience for the book in Germany. I'm very excited to get it displayed there, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed on a translated deal. That would be something I'd love. A lot of international deals are made at Frankfurt. It's huge! Here are some links to the fairs in case anybody would like to check them out.

Beijing International Book Fair

Frankfurt Book Fair

Review of Beyond the Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

Major Dick Winters was a very humble man, and it is a pleasure to read the story of Easy Company in his own words. The writing and narrative are marvelous in this first person account of what it was like to serve in the proud unit. It is almost strictly an account of the military actions of E Company, 506th PIR in World War II, but it does delve more deeply into the personalities making up Easy Company. "Beyond Band of Brothers" shares many stories that were not included in the original book or series. It also expands on stories that were in both giving more personal insight. It is not simply a re-hashing of what's already been said. It is a great work in and of itself.

I think any of us can learn lessons from Major Winters. He was a true leader put into an impossible situation. He gives all the credit to the men he served with which is the sign of any great leader. "Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters" by Dick Winters and Cole C. Kingseed is a must have for any collection of military books, World War II books, or leadership books. I recommend it highly.

Review of "Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla" by Albert E. Castel

"Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla" was a great book from beginning to end. Civil War literature is severely lacking in anything about Bill Anderson relying more on legend and myth than real life. This book corrects some of that. I enjoyed every minute of it. My only complaint is that it was too short, but, then again, so was Bloody Bill's life. It ties in well with the other Missouri guerrillas who went on the greater infamy after the war. The brutality of the irregular war in Missouri is very clear in the pages of this book.

As a student of the Civil War in Missouri, I was enthralled with every page of the book. It is very well written and documented. Relying heavily on the Official Record, contemporary news reports, and eyewitness accounts, this may be the definitive book on Bill Anderson. I recommend it highly!

Review of "A Perfect Hell: The True Story of the Black Devils, the Forefathers of the Special Forces" by John Nadler

"A Perfect Hell" is a superbly written book detailing the creation of the First Special Service Force in World War II. As part of the lineage of modern day Special Forces, this unit is fascinating. The book begins with a detailed description of the creation of a hybrid U.S. and Canadian force specialized in arctic warfare during an especially bleak period of the war. It then details their brutal training and the period when the unit was caught in limbo.

The baptism by fire of the unit was in fierce fighting in Italy. Upper echelons still did not truly believe in capabilities of the unit, but the Germans did once they faced them in battle. The book then describes what happened to surviving members of the 1st SSF including the founder, Colonel Robert Frederick. Illustrated with maps and genuine photographs, "A Perfect Hell: The True Story of the Black Devils, the Forefathers of the Special Forces" is a must read for anyone who enjoys WW-II history or military history in general.