Monday, January 04, 2016
[Book Review] The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
Nonfiction/History/Biography
Philip reviews THE WRIGHT BROTHERS by David McCullough (Simon and Schuster, 2015)
From the first chapter to the last, I found David McCullough's account of the lives of the two brothers who changed history by inventing the airplane a fascinating read. McCullough is a gifted writer who does a wonderful job of telling Wilbur and Orville Wright's story. McCullough includes many passages from the Wrights' letters, diaries and notebooks, as well as passages from letters by their sister Katherine, their father Bishop Milton Wright and from others who knew the famous brothers. So, McCullough often uses Wilbur and Orville's own words, as well as their family members and friends own words, to tell the story of the two fathers of modern aviation.
In an interview published in Air and Space Magazine about The Wright Brothers, McCullough was asked if Wilbur and Orville had notable weaknesses or flaws. He replied that they really did not. They were hard-working, virtuous men. Men of determination and resilience. Though neither man had a college degree both men were geniuses. That the two unassuming bicycle mechanics could accomplish in creating their "flying machines" what human beings over the centuries had only dreamed of, and what many thought impossible, is one of the most remarkable feats in human history.
We learn in the book how important their father Bishop Milton Wright and their sister Katherine were in the brothers's lives. It was their father who fostered an intellectual curiosity in his sons and who provided them access to his great library of books on a wide range of subjects. And it was Katherine who was always there for them, who always encouraged and cared for them, and who they loved dearly.
It is interesting to learn, in the book, that while they read the literature on aviation written by the early aviation pioneers of their day, that an important part of their learning how to fly came from reading about birds and how they fly, and by spending hours observing birds in flight. They saw that birds have vaulted wings which is what gives them control and balance in flight. This observation led them to do a slight warping of the wings of their flying machines to help them maintain a controlled and balanced flight.
It was also interesting to learn about Charlie Taylor, whose contribution makes him an important figure in the Wright Brothers story and the history of aviation. Taylor was also an unassuming man, a machinist in Dayton, hired by Wilbur and Orville to run their bicycle shop while they conducted their experiments with their flying machines at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was Taylor, after the brothers learned to fly their flying machines and were ready to add a motor to their final one at Kitty Hawk, who built, according to Wilbur and Orville's specifications, a four-cylinder, aluminum cast motor from scratch for it.
And as so many are well aware, on December 17, 1903, the first flight of a heavier than air machine in the history of the world was made by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
Philip Williams, Cordova Library
Labels: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Reviews by Philip Williams, Staff book reviews
Thursday, May 21, 2015
[Book Review] Thirteen Soldiers by John McCain and Mark Salter
Nonfiction/History/Military/Biography
Philip Williams, Cordova Library
Philip reviews THIRTEEN SOLDIERS : A PERSONAL HISTORY OF AMERICANS AT WAR, by John McCain and Mark Salter (Simon & Schuster, 2014)
There have been 13 major military conflicts that the United States has been engaged in since its birth as an independent nation. 13 Soldiers offers accounts of the military service of 13 different individuals, 11 men and 2 women, each of whom served in one of the 13 conflicts. Written by United States Senator John McCain and his former aide Mark Salter, the book is not a political work. The authors’ aim is to share the stories of 13 people who were all willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Most of the individuals themselves left personal accounts of their experiences, and McCain and Salter use their accounts as the basis for their stories of these men and women. The authors also offer an exploration of what each of the individuals shared in common, even though they each served in conflicts years apart from one another. McCain himself served in combat during the Vietnam War as a Navy Pilot and personally experienced what someone under enemy fire faces.
The authors talk of the hardships, such as lack of food and water and enduring freezing or boiling temperatures, that each of the individuals faced. They talk of the intensity of the friendships that the 13 individuals made with those they served with; and make the point that only someone who has served in combat can understand the intensity of friendships made during such a stressful time of trial. They talk of the 13 individuals seeing the unimaginable results of the horrors of war, sights such as men being blown to pieces, of seeing brains oozing from skulls, and of seeing men trying to hold their intestines inside of their bodies, after they have been wounded. And they talk of each of the 13 individuals facing the fear and terror inherent in any military conflict.
Each of the 13 men and women were truly remarkable people. There is the story of Joseph Plumb Martin who joined the Continental army and remained a soldier in it for the duration of the American Revolution. Martin left a memoir of his experiences that is a primary source for historians of the American Revolution. Sadly, despite his sacrifices, Martin had to fight hard to see that the Congress awarded pensions to the surviving Continental soldiers after the War.
There is the story of Edward Baker, an African-American, who served with distinction in the Spanish-American War. Baker, a former Buffalo soldier, was a member of a regiment of other African-Americans soldiers who had been protecting settlers from attacks by Native Americans in the American West. When his regiment was ordered to Cuba, to help fight the war against Spain, Baker in particular, but also members of his regiment, played a major role in making Teddy Roosevelt’s charge up San Juan Hill the success it was. But Baker and his regiment never received the credit they deserved for the important role they played.
The stories remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe to these 13 individuals and to all members of our military for the sacrifices they have made for their country.
Philip Williams, Cordova Library
Labels: Biography, History, Military, Nonfiction, Reviews by Philip Williams, Staff book reviews
Monday, June 30, 2014
[Book Review] TEN GREEN BOTTLES by Vivian Jeanette Kaplan
Marilyn reviews Ten Green Bottles: The True Story of One Family’s Journey From War-Torn Austria to the Ghettos of Shanghai by Vivian Jeanette Kaplan (Martin’s Press, 2004)
The Jews of Austria were loyal Austrian citizens. Their freedoms, loyalty, and culture were gradually destroyed when the Nazi Party increased its political presence and power in Austria. The final destruction came when Hitler annexed Austria in 1938. The Karpel family is trapped like many other Jewish families with no place to go; the world has closed their borders to Jewish immigrants. In Ten Green Bottles, Vivian Jeanette Kaplan recounts her family’s struggle for survival in the midst of the horror.
The Karpel family endures hardships in Austria until 1939, when they escape to Shanghai. Between 1937 and 1939, numbers of Jews escape from Austria to Shanghai. The family arrived on one of the last ships carrying Jewish refugees to Shanghai--a new world. Shanghai presents a mixture of many cultures – American, British, and Jewish – which had adapted to their cultures to Chinese culture.
Safety did not remain with the family for long because World War II breaks out and the Japanese invade Shanghai. The struggle to survive begins again amidst the starvation, American bombings, and the terrifying sounds of Chinese being tortured by the Japanese. In the midst of all this horror the Jews are made prisoners in a Shanghai ghetto.
Ten Green Bottles is told in the voice of Nini, the author’s mother. Through her eyes you can see the journey into horror and despair as the Jews are made non-citizens by the Nazis in Austria only to face more struggles in Shanghai. I would encourage anyone to read this book of courage.
The Jews of Austria were loyal Austrian citizens. Their freedoms, loyalty, and culture were gradually destroyed when the Nazi Party increased its political presence and power in Austria. The final destruction came when Hitler annexed Austria in 1938. The Karpel family is trapped like many other Jewish families with no place to go; the world has closed their borders to Jewish immigrants. In Ten Green Bottles, Vivian Jeanette Kaplan recounts her family’s struggle for survival in the midst of the horror.
The Karpel family endures hardships in Austria until 1939, when they escape to Shanghai. Between 1937 and 1939, numbers of Jews escape from Austria to Shanghai. The family arrived on one of the last ships carrying Jewish refugees to Shanghai--a new world. Shanghai presents a mixture of many cultures – American, British, and Jewish – which had adapted to their cultures to Chinese culture.
Safety did not remain with the family for long because World War II breaks out and the Japanese invade Shanghai. The struggle to survive begins again amidst the starvation, American bombings, and the terrifying sounds of Chinese being tortured by the Japanese. In the midst of all this horror the Jews are made prisoners in a Shanghai ghetto.
Ten Green Bottles is told in the voice of Nini, the author’s mother. Through her eyes you can see the journey into horror and despair as the Jews are made non-citizens by the Nazis in Austria only to face more struggles in Shanghai. I would encourage anyone to read this book of courage.
Marilyn, Central Library
Labels: Biography, Nonfiction, Reviews by Marilyn Umfress
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
[Book Review] Growing Up with My Grandfather by Clifton Truman Daniel
Marilyn reviews GROWING UP WITH MY GRANDFATHER: MEMORIES OF HARRY S. TRUMAN by Clifton Truman Daniel (Carol Pub. Group, 1995)
Growing Up with My Grandfather is a powerful biography of Clifton Truman Daniel, who lived his young childhood in the shadow of his grandparents, President Harry S. Truman and Bessie Truman. Clifton Truman Daniel tells several family stories of his visits with the Trumans. His grandparents' house was the scene of many childhood adventures and wonderful memories.
My favorite is the story is one about Clifton and marbles. When Clifton was three or four, he discovered marbles that Bessie Truman had hidden in the dining room. He created his own game at the Truman house in Independence, Missouri. At the house was an ancient heating system. The entrance hall heating duct was the target of the game. The game was to take a hand full of marbles from the dining room, go around the corner to the entrance hall heating duct, and let them fall into the heating system. Clifton had a wonderful time listening to the marbles clang against the tin wall of the duct until he had to stop.
I enjoyed the family stories and also found the book a very interesting read on President Truman's family and the effects of fame and power on a family. Clifton Truman Daniel's book also allows the reader to feel what life is like in the shadow of a prominent famous person. I gained some insight from this book into the lives of children of the politically famous.
Marilyn Umfress, Central Library
Labels: Biography, Nonfiction, Reviews by Marilyn Umfress
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
[Book Review] Inside the Mind of BTK by John Douglas and Johnny Dodd
Marilyn reviews INSIDE THE MIND OF BTK:THE TRUE STORY BEHIND THIRTY YEARS OF HUNTING FOR THE WICHITA SERIAL KILLER by John Douglas and Johnny Dodd (Wiley & Sons, 2007)
How do you catch a shadow?
For thirty years the BTK killer (Bind, Torture, Kill) eluded capture, killing between 1974 and 1991. To John Douglas of the FBI and the police of Wichita, Kansas, BTK was a shadow: appearing, disappearing, and killing at will.
BTK, real name John Rader, was one of the most hunted serial killers of the 1970s. BTK also was a criminal who taunted police between 2000 and 2005 with letters and pictures of his crimes. He was so like a shadow that some of his killings were not credited to him until he claimed credit. John Rader created an image of himself to his family and friends that led to unbelief when he was captured. His true self was hidden in a secret world. The Wichita police had to use 21st century technology to capture him.
Inside the Mind of BTK, written by master retired FBI profiler John Douglas and Johnny Dodd, recounts the hunt for a killer and the setting of the trap to catch him by the Wichita Kansas Police. For thirty years, BTK was in the back of Agent Douglas's mind. Even after Dennis Rader was captured, the retired Douglas wanted to explore Rader's mind by interviewing him and examining his journals and photographs.
Together with Johnny Dodd, Douglas weaves an interesting and fascinating account of the hunt, profiling, and capture of Dennis Rader.
The book is divided into three parts: the hunt, Dennis Rader's life, and an interview done by Douglas. Each part held my attention for it revealed the master mind of a complex criminal.
Marilyn Umfress, Central Library
Labels: Biography, Crime and Criminals, Nonfiction, Reviews by Marilyn Umfress
Monday, March 18, 2013
[Book Review] WAGING HEAVY PEACE by Neil Young
Steve reviews WAGING HEAVY PEACE: A HIPPIE DREAM by Neil Young (Blue Rider Press, 2012).
Neil Young’s autobiography will captivate the reader with anecdotes that span a forty-year career in the music industry. Perhaps even more interesting is the unexpected exploration of Young’s eclectic interests.
One thing is immediately apparent: Young is tireless for a man of his age! From biomass vehicles to train modeling, Young is involved in a dizzying array of creative projects. His humility and dedication to his craft are also underscored throughout the book. One might feel compelled to call Young a Renaissance man; The Leonardo Da Vinci of our age! This book left me questioning my own commitment to crafting a better world.
Steve Shackelford, South Branch Library
Labels: Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Steve Shackelford
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
[Book Review] THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot
Nonfiction/BiographyKaren reviews THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot (Crown, 2010)
This non-fiction offering, written by Rebecca Skloot, tells of the origin of the famous HeLa cells which were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions.
The recounting of Mrs. Lacks childhood, years as a wife and mother, is packed with stories of living as a Southern tobacco farmer, being sent to live with other family members, "kissin'” cousins, incest, the ordeal of cancer, etc.
Readers will find this a most interesting read.
Karen Hall, North Branch
Labels: Biography, Nonfiction, Reviews by Karen Hall
Monday, June 12, 2006
MOCKINGBIRD by Charles J. Shields
Kam McHugh reviews MOCKINGBIRD: A Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles J. Shields (Henry Holt, 2006).Harper Lee has always been a difficult target for biographers and fans. Not long after she published her masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird, she retired to her hometown of Monroeville, AL, where she has lived ever since. She routinely turns down requests for interviews. Unfortunately for biographer Charles Shields, she proved to be no different this time around. This biography was not created with the assistance of Ms. Lee, who even turned down the author’s requests to verify facts through the mail.
Despite these obstacles Shields has written a fairly thorough biography. There has never been another book about Lee so it is difficult for a reader to compare facts. But Shields manages to write a very readable and convincingly accurate biography mostly based on interviews.
The reader comes away with a fairly good idea of the personality of Lee – her tomboyish upbringing which produced an unusual perspective on life, a quick wit, and strong desire for independence. This book does a lot to break down many of the mysteries of this mythical author and her friends, mainly Truman Capote. Shields’ draws closure to the question of who actually wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee or Capote. He also adds a little more about who was responsible for In Cold Blood, but you’ll have to read this biography to find out.
Kam McHugh, Randolph Branch Library
Labels: Biography
Saturday, June 03, 2006
CLEMENTE by David Maraniss
Kam McHugh reviews CLEMENTE: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero by David Maraniss (Simon & Schuster, 2006).Roberto Clemente’s name has always been associated with pride, dignity, and excellence on and off the field. David Maraniss’ new biography furthers this conception of Clemente. The book not only chronicles his life – focusing mostly on his baseball years – but it also looks at the times and the man that lived in them. Maraniss does a good job of looking at the social conditions from the eyes of a black Latin baseball player in the 50s and 60s. Particularily interesting are his contrasts between racial conditions in Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh, and Fort Meyers, FL (Pirates’ Spring Training facility).
The author doesn’t paint Clemente as a saint – he is given to moodiness and a quick temper. But he does a good job of portraying the ballplayer’s side of the argument – which was often overlooked by the primarily non-Spanish speaking, white media of the 50s and 60s.
Clemente will be enjoyed by baseball fans, humanitarians and those who love an underdog story.
Kam McHugh, Randolph Branch Library
Labels: Biography
