Let me know if you are interested in book reviews and recommendations, I'll post them. Average at least one a week. I switched routes a few months ago and am over-the-road couple times a week and don't use a computer while out so responses & posts will be on weekends.

I have no agenda here but only to share GREAT books, it's free, no-one 'owns' my opinion. I prefer non-fiction and most of my library reflects this, though there are a lot of great authors who and are worth reading. To me, that's the whole goal; to find those authors who write so well that you can't put the book down (or stop listening, etc.) Its pure, cheap, and simple entertainment with a lot of benefits.

I have been an avid reader for nearly half a century, at any time I'm working through an audiobook, ebook (kindle), and hard copies. Also magazines, independent research and podcasts. Started documenting my reading a couple years ago because I go through so many I forget one's I've already read.

StevenD

LOL, I've been in front of an un-interested audience before We'll just see where this goes...

'I Invented the Modern Age', by Richard Snow

I’m a ‘car-guy’ (some call a gear-head) so thought I knew a lot about Ford, even read his autobiography. I always knew he was a complicated person, difficult to deal with and brilliant. This book was still a real eye-opener for me, forever changing my opinion of Henry Ford. When I say a book has changed my opinion, it is supported by other research, one of my favorite ways to identify quality authorship.

The book is about Henry Ford, covers the history of Ford from his parents to his death, his family and associates, his controversial life and world changing influence. Some things I never knew: Ford raised the minimum wage twice what others were paying in the era causing national uproar from other business leaders, Ford kept LOWERING the cost of the Model T (for years) so that common people could afford one, Ford had an illegitimate son, Ford loved practical jokes, and much more.

Other than many other books about Ford, Richard Snows' account is well balanced and entertaining. No revisionism necessary. The Ford story, if told accurately, is both fascinating and repulsive. Snow does this well, sharing the touching side of Fords earlier years and developing the story into Fords later years where Ford reveals himself to be at times, a real jerk. What happens when an unbalanced genius (not mentally ill, just not well-balanced) accrues power and money? Henry Ford. Fabulous story, well written and narrated, listened to many of the CD’s twice before moving onto the next one. ****+

‘Gallipoli: Our Last Man Standing‘
by Jonathan King

I was looking in the public library, noticed the title and grabbed the book assuming it was about the Battle of Gallipoli, not reading the back of the book first. It is NOT about Gallipoli. The story follows the life of a boy-soldier who was a water carrier in the battle, 16 years old at the time. To build on the story the author covers Alec’s Scottish history, the development of Australia as an independent nation, their involvement in WW1 and other pieces of history as Alec’s life develops. Well told, interesting and personal, but not a history book. It’s more of a biography filled with magazine type bits of (short) information that places Alec’s life in perspective. The audio version has a delightful narrator who is genuine Australian with an accent that’s a pleasure to listen to.

That’s the first part of the book…I couldn’t even finish the last couple of CD’s. That Alec was a socialist (and political activist for socialism) was irrelevant when examining his life story, but the author then begins to expound upon this as what defined the accomplishments in Australia’s prominence as a nation. That includes persistent attacks toward the other political side, which the author describes as ‘conservatives‘. (We’re talking early 1900’s politics here…duh.) The spin continues in what one could expect from an author who uses an interesting story to apply their own version of historical revisionism, kind of a family picture album that has only the best photos that portray only the best scenes.

What did it for me was that after all Alec’s ‘accomplishments’ in socialist politics, he left his wife and SEVEN children for another woman. That’s not so unusual but the author glossed over it and painted it as just another ‘pothole’ in a life of a ‘hero’. This turns my stomach. Truly objective writers are hard to find but they are out there. This book, like the title, is a misleading history filled with biased coverage of events.

Summary: Don’t waste your time.

Note: The majority of books I read or listen to are free and available through the public library or internet. I rarely purchase a new book, if it is something I simply must read I buy it used through eBay or another used book site. This way you can own a book for a fraction of the cost. For example, the book ’Road Trains in the Northern Territory’ a couple years ago was $100 +/-, no way was I going to pay that price (even if it is out of print.) So I watched it online until I found it at a thrift store website for around $20 with shipping. Other books can be found for as little as $1, without shipping.

If you have an iPod or iPhone you can use that to download free digital audiobooks through the public library, ITunes, or other free sites on the internet such as Librivox. Happy reading (or listening)!

Killing Patton, by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
Media used: Public library CD audio book

General George S. Patton was a controversial character, arguably one of the best Generals in history. This book details some of his story, with bits and pieces of background used to develop the context. Not a complete history but tells the story of the final period before Patton’s death. The general history and characters in the book is marvelous though. We get a glimpse of Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Churchill, Stalin, Hitler, soldiers, victims of the war, OSS operations, and many other aspects of the final months of World War II. I am a history buff, yet even I found parts of this book needed further research (for fun) to add more to my knowledge. That a sure sign of a good book.

Interesting parts of the book reveal the personal conflicts between major players in the WWII epic, including secret negotiations between Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt to parcel out the remaining territories of Europe after the war, not knowing Stalin was playing all sides and planned on taking it all. Dugard also covers Patton’s unrelenting arrogance, his private beliefs, his shortcomings, political ambitions, and his contempt for other accomplished leaders. The book builds similar analysis of other leaders during the time, intertwining it all with the closing of the war.

Summary: Whether you like Bill O’Reilly or not, this is a book worth listening to (or reading.) Dugard does a great job in telling a story, developing it so you keep interested. O’Reilly, on the other hand, narrates but as with his other books is just not a great narrator. He does OK, but can’t compare to other professional narrators who can make boring material sound interesting. Will absolutely listen to again.

In Broad Daylight, by Harry N. Maclean
Media used: Public library print edition

In July of 1980, a town bully was shot in broad daylight by several people, with no-one ever being brought to justice. Ken McElroy was an emotionally abusive man who manipulated people, made a career of stealing from local farmers, threatened people, pointed guns in their faces (even cops!), shot people, raped underage girls, beat women, shot people, appeared at their homes carrying weapons, and much more. He got away with this for decades in a rural area of Missouri due to the passive nature of the people and the limited desire of local law enforcement to act.

With a high priced lawyer Ken was able to postpone convictions, then intimidate witnesses into silence. It is simply unbelievable what he got away with and for how long. This kept up until citizens carried guns even when they were in the fields working. The story escalates until a point where Ken appears to be getting off once again, for shooting an elderly store owner at point blank range with a shotgun, didn’t kill him but was announcing all over town that he was going to finish the job.

This is a ’must read’ story, even if you only look it up on the internet. Something like 50 felonies this guy got away with over his lifetime, including attempted murder. The author does an outstanding job, though the courtroom documentation and testimonies is at times, tedious. It is also infuriating the amount of bad behavior McElroy got away with before being stopped.

Summary: I found the book at the library but will be looking to buy a copy for my own collection, its so well written I will be reading it again. Discussions of the book can be found (free) on the internet.

The Red Battle Flyer
by Manfred von Richthofen
Librivox (audio)

Details from the short life of Manfred von Richthofen, the famous “Red Baron’ flyer of WWI. The book is from his own words, which are delightfully naïve, youthful and full of a simple arrogance. The book was written by von Richthofen during the height of his skills, with more brave exploits before his death years later. The book includes his upbringing, some of the activities of his youth which helped to develop his bravery, analytical and athletic skill that led to the many shoot downs he is famous for. Given the context from his own words, followed by further research, my opinion is that he was a well-balanced pilot who took his duty seriously, had great pride in his family name and country, and was poignantly, a funny guy.

The book is written in an old-type of English, very proper and refraining from sensationalism. von Richthofen’s youthful observations often reveal what we find in young many high-achievers today: respect for their opponent, good manners, a good sense of honor (I refer to those who share such good manners, not another breed of character we see today who are totally self-serving.) Though brave, Richthofen was NOT fearless. Richthofen reveals a quaint, humorous sarcasm that at no time demeans the butt of his joke. For example, he had to land at an obscure airfield once with engine problems and was unrecognized as being the famous ’Red Barron’, so he went with it and was inwardly laughing as he talked with the soldiers on site about the famous flyer. Only later did he reveal his identity and they refused to believe it, treating him with some disdain until another pilot came up and addressed him (as the ‘Red Barron’.) He loved it and got a great laugh from it.

Interesting tidbits: +In the early years of air war the pilots reached down, grabbed a bomb, and dropped it! +His brother was nearly as good as (if not better) than him. +There have been fighter pilots with hundreds more shoot-downs than Richthofen but he was publicized and made into a legendary hero, (go figure!)

Review: Though heavily censored by the government at the time, it’s still a very entertaining book and opens up the story to reveal even greater exploits by pilots in every war since. Well worth looking into.

The Physics of NASCAR
by Diandra Leslie-Pelecky
Print edition (public library)

A fair, thorough look at behind the scenes of the cars and science involved in NASCAR racing. Pretty interesting stuff but curiously lacking in some way. Each topic is addressed with a quick build up, analysis, then lead-in to the next topic. An easy read, like an introduction to interesting details behind NASCAR technologies, but certainly not a textbook. Only in a few areas does Pelecky delve into compounds, chemical makeup, and/or atomic structures when examining the physics of a technology. One of the more interesting topics is how NASCAR addressed the “flying car problem”.

Pelecky analyses things like tire and suspension science, aerodynamics, safety enhancements for the driver and for fans, power development and engine design, etc. Cool stuff but a lot of the detail can pass right through your head because it’s simply not that interesting. Like paint, some blends can create drag at 150 mph. OK, I believe it…but I don’t care to ponder the chemical makeup. Other cool stuff is frame and metals composition: How does a driver walk away from a 150 mph crash?! Also the developments in safety for the fans. Overall a great reference for when a question pops in your head (especially during a race.)

Summary: A good book, interesting and detailed though not complete. There are a lot of areas not covered but every NASCAR fan will find something in it to enjoy. An easy read and also a great reference to further explore the technology that goes into winning a race.

We have a resident author Michael Koogler who has a couple books out. aka. Twilight Flyer.

Hade's Gambit: The Krypteia Conspiracy Book 1
Amazon.com: Hade's Gambit: Book One of the Krypteia Conspiracy (9780984984213): Michael Koogler, Jed Q. Peterson, Jaren Riley: Books

Rise of Cain: The Krypteia Conspiracy Book 2
The Rise of Cain: The Krypteia Conspiracy, Book Two: Mike Koogler, Jed Q. Peterson, Jaren Riley: 9780989612906: Amazon.com: Books

You Can't Make This Up: Miracles, Memories, and the Perfect Marriage of Sports and Television
by Al Michaels
-public library digital audio-

If you are any kind of a sports fan you probably know who Al Michaels is, he has been a sports broadcaster for decades. This book is a compilation of sorts; Al’s story has all the interesting characters and sports figures he has met, covered, and worked with. Great stories from experience with Howard Cosell to Reggie Jackson, from Michael Jordon to football and hockey, and even golfing with President Bush. Fascinating stories with inside information to some of the most confounding sports upsets, victories, and personalities. I could list dozens of names Al includes in his book, but I’m sure you get the idea. It’s NOT gossip but personal interactions Al has had with those icons.

The book includes great tidbits about specific persons that Al met when they were unknowns, later to become huge stars and household names. Al was there for many events, one of my favorite parts is his coverage of the Leonard-Hagler-Hearns fights; great stuff. I’d say the only negative parts of the book are the details of inter-personal conflicts between media personalities and the negotiations for their contracts, OK as a side bit but my take is that similar to other media personalities and actors: I don’t care what your opinion is, just do your job (we like your narrating, music, acting, etc., just please keep your opinions to yourself.)

Al doesn’t take cheap shots at anyone but he does include some experiences where you can’t help but identify the person as a sort of villain; whether tyrannical, arrogant, or purely interested in their own ratings. Al includes a lot of funny stories and experiences, revealing his love for the game of golf and horse racing in which he discusses the complicated but addicting experience of owning a race horse.

Summary: A great book, highly recommended if you like a variety of sports. I will definitely listen to again and recommend it to friends. The audio version is something where you may find yourself hanging out in your car or a parking lot because you don’t want to miss the end of the story