Fiction
A Victorian Thriller
‘By Gaslight: A Novel’ By Steven PriceIn this trans-Atlantic Victorian-era thriller, Detective William Pinkerton, son of the famous American detective, is in search of the man his father could never find: Edward Shade. His search through London and into South Africa reveals more than he expected.
Courage and Comradery in the Pacific
‘Battle Cry’ By Leon UrisAfter the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Leon Uris left high school without graduating, enlisted in the Marines, and saw action at Guadalcanal and Tarawa. In “Battle Cry,” he replicates these experiences, taking us into the lives of a group of young men as they go through training and into combat. Written less than a decade after the war, this enthralling novel also captures the patriotism, the culture, and even the slang of that day. This is a great read for military buffs and devotees of realistic fiction.
Medicine
Battlefield Medicine Throughout History
‘Battlefield Medics: How Warfare Changed the History of Medicine’ By Martin King“Medic!” That cry means a soldier is wounded, and someone will almost always respond to it: a battlefield medic. But where did battlefield medicine start and how did it evolve? This book tells that story. It begins with the battlefields of ancient Rome and traces medicine’s progress through to the present. Relying on historical details from first-hand accounts, this illustrated book shows the impact of battlefield trauma treatment on all modern medicine and pays homage to those engaged in it.
Biography
How Stan Lee Transformed Comics
‘Stan Lee: A Life in Comics’ By Liel LeibovitzComic books began as kid stuff. By the time the 20th century had ended, they had become a major cultural influence. No one was more responsible for that transformation than mythmaker Stan Lee. This biography explores Lee’s life, revealing the man and his influence. Leibovitz shows how Lee drifted into comics and created superheroes—icons such as Spider-Man and Iron Man—which struck a chord with American youth that continues to this day.
Personal Growth
Wisdom From a Horse Whisperer
‘Think Like a Horse: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Empathy from an Unconventional Cowboy’ By Grant GolliherGrant Golliher is a businessman. He’s the owner of the historic Diamond Cross Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He’s a master “horse whisperer” and leadership coach. He applies experienced, hard-won horse sense to create invaluable lessons for anyone to live a richer, more successful life. All you have to do is think like a horse.
Classics
History as It Was Happening
‘Mary Chestnut’s Civil War’ By Mary ChestnutEdited by eminent historian C. Vann Woodward, this Civil War journal brings to life men and women of all strata of Southern society, including Chestnut herself. She was surely one of the most remarkable and talented diarists in U.S. history. Here we learn everything from the manners of the day to the cost of flannel for soldiers’ shirts, all punctuated by the dialogue, wit, and keen powers of discernment of this strong-minded and politically astute observer. This edition includes passages missing from earlier versions.
For Kids
A Tale of Adventure and Rescue
‘The Small War of Sergeant Donkey’ By Maureen DalySet in Italy near the end of World War II, this finely spun story features a boy, Chico; an American soldier, Sgt. Missouri; a wounded donkey; and the friendship that forms between them during this tumultuous time. This book is for those aged 10 to 12.
A Dog That Hates Baths
‘Harry the Dirty Dog’ By Gene ZionPublished in 1956, “Harry the Dirty Dog” is the fun-loving tale of a dog who hates to take baths—so much so that he runs away. When he gets lonely, he tries to return home, but his family doesn’t recognize the nearly all-black critter.
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