Review of "The Lady or the Tiger," by Frank Stockton

 Review of

 The Lady or the Tiger, by Frank Stockton ISBN 9781540351227

Five out of five stars

Arguably the best short story ever written

 I clearly remember reading the title story of this collection in my eighth-grade language arts class. A few of the girls hated it because they didn’t know the ending and were not shy about expressing their opinions. Explanations as to that being the point of the story did not change their opinions at all. Finally, with a gleam in her eye, the teacher announced that we would read “The Discourager of Hesitancy: A Continuation of ‘The Lady of the Tiger’.” The class, as we all wanted to know what had happened, eagerly received that announcement. There was great disappointment in all of us when we realized that there was to be no resolution and the situation was made worse by the second unresolved ending.

 To make things a little better, the teacher then had each of us write our own ending to both stories. To date, this remains the most interesting writing assignment I have ever received, the level of interest and energy in the class for this assignment was the highest I have ever seen.

 Stockton was a masterful storyteller, he takes what would otherwise be slightly absurd circumstances and turns them into stories that grab and hold your attention. The only downside, and it is a slight one, is that you need to know a little about the social mores of the time the stories were written. Stockton wrote them right before the start of the twentieth century, so his descriptions of the interactions between single men and single women are proper for the time but seem strange to the modern reader.

 The stories in this collection are:

 

*) The Lady of the Tiger?

*) The Griffin and the Minor Canon

*) Love Before Breakfast

*) “His Wife’s Deceased Sister”

*) Our Story

*) Mr. Tolman

*) Our Archery Club

*) The Discourager of Hesitancy

 

each and every one of them is a gem.

Review of "The Red Scarf," by Richard Mason

 Review of

The Red Scarf, by Richard Mason ISBN 0874838509

Five out of five stars

Deeply moving story involving segregation

 It is an extremely rare occasion when the printed word can generate moisture in my eyes. However, I grew misty at the description of two boys spending their money for eyeglasses that are a Christmas present for their “Uncle” Hugh. A little historical context is needed to appreciate the significance. The setting is southern Arkansas in the early 1940’s, the two boys (Richard and John Clayton) are white and their “Uncle” Hugh is an elderly black man. When Richard finds a dead mink on the side of the road he is relatively wealthy and can buy Christmas presents for his entire family as well as a beautiful scarf for Rosalie, the girl he wants to woo. However, when he is shopping, he remembers how badly Hugh needs reading glasses so that he can continue to read his bible and this leads him to give up the presents and buy the glasses for Hugh.

 There is a great deal of love between the boys and Hugh, he tells them wild stories that keep them spellbound. Hugh lives alone in what amounts to a shack some distance from the small town and is a railroad pensioner. The boys look after him, getting his groceries twice a week and the other members of the community understand and appreciate what they do, sometimes seeing that Hugh gets a little extra.

  There is not the slightest hint of racial prejudice in the story, although “colored”, the polite term of the time is regularly used. When the boys tell the optometrist that they are buying the glasses for an elderly colored man that is a friend of theirs, he reduces the price for them. Furthermore, they are also able to buy a Christmas goose for Hugh when the seller reduces the price. In the end, Richard’s good deeds are rewarded and he even gets a kiss from Rosalie.

 Some of the other very memorial characters are Bubba, a cook at the local diner, Peg, a one-legged saloonkeeper and Wing, a one-armed police officer with a wicked swing with a blackjack. Richard and John Clayton have a wonderful childhood full of (mis)adventures as they are constantly scheming to make money. There is a sad ending with a plot device that one would not expect from a story positioned in the segregated south of the 1940’s.

Review of "Meet Babe Ruth," VHS tape

 Review of

 Meet Babe Ruth, VHS tape

 Five out of five stars

 Babe sitting and recalling his deeds

  No other figure has ever changed their sport more than Babe Ruth changed baseball. Furthermore, no one else even comes close. Before he reached the major leagues, baseball was a “station-to-station” game, where the offensive mentality was to hit the ball and then stop at the next base. Before Ruth entered the majors, the home run was a rarity, never considered a fundamental offensive weapon. However, once he began hitting them, the game changed forever.

 One of the most amazing statistics one can ever find in sports is the fact that in 1920 Ruth hit more home runs than all other teams in the league except one. This was also at a time when baseball was the national pastime, making Ruth a superstar at a level that has never really been equaled.

 This tape is a collection of video clips of Ruth in action, it is presented in the format of Ruth sitting in a chair with pipe in mouth and turning the pages of a scrapbook. All fans of baseball history will recognize nearly all of the players and will know about the circumstances of the action in the clips. No attempt is made to set a dramatic stage for the video, it is narrated in a monotone manner as if Ruth is talking to a small audience.

 The baseball fan will appreciate this look at the life of Ruth, as impressive as his statistics are, they still don’t give an accurate account of how much he changed baseball. One segment that surprised me was the one that showed Ruth playing golf with Ty Cobb. Given Cobb’s reputation for being vicious on the field and being hated by his fellow players, it seemed unlikely that anyone would associate with him off of it.

 

Review of "Endless War," by Ralph Peters

 Review of

Endless War, by Ralph Peters, ISBN 9780811705509

Five out of five stars

Cynical, realistic treatise on wars

 When I was working as a software developer and we were having meetings there were times when very imaginative statements were made regarding the features to be added and the time it would take to implement them. I would often raise questions as to whether the plan was realistic and my concerns would sometimes be received by the comment, “Charlie, you are so cynical.” My response was often, “I prefer the term ‘experienced’.”

 In this series of essays, Peters expresses opinions that are both cynical and experienced. He uses the events of history to convincingly argue that war and conflict is a fundamental component of the human condition. He takes a hard view concerning religious strife arguing that religious conflict is based on emotion, so it foolish to think that such conflicts can be reasoned to conclusion.

 Using history all the way back to the ancient Greeks, Peters points out that where conflict is possible, it will generally happen. Wars end when both sides are exhausted or when one side overwhelms the other. Peters cites many examples of what the main thesis of the book is: when you go to war, do so with maximum force with a clear objective. Killing as many of your adversaries as quickly as possible is the way to minimize casualties over the long term.

 Peters is contemptuous of most of what is now the national security apparatus in the United States. From the halls of academia to the halls of a Congress that are largely purchased to the military officers that toe the line to the defense contractors that make massive amounts of money producing military equipment. He sees most of it as counter-productive in the goals of U. S. national security.

 This book is one of the most interesting that I have read. The points are strong and backed up by history. Peters spares no one in his criticisms of how America had been fighting wars over the last ten years. I was particularly impressed with his statements about Afghanistan and the absurd notion that it will ever be a cohesive nation or even if it will ever come close to being a country that has risen out of a feudal state. Those of us that know the history of that region and the cynical actions of the Pakistani security forces knew very early that the United States would someday be leaving in a hurry and with the conservative forces back in power. Peters in essence predicted the result of the U. S. presence in Afghanistan.

Review of "Threshold of Empire and The Battle for Manila 1898-1899," by James H. Nelson

 Review of

Threshold of Empire and The Battle for Manila 1898-1899, by James H. Nelson, ISBN 1884570712

Five out of five

Account of a much understudied event

 There have been many significant and trajectory changing events in the history of the United States and they are generally covered in the K-12 history curriculum. One event that is generally not given the historical attention that it is due is the war between the United States and Spain in 1898 to 1899.

 It was a very short and hugely successful war in the sense that the Spanish forces were quickly and totally defeated. The American victory over the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay was arguably one of the most one-sided naval victory in the history of naval warfare. The Spanish had 9 vessels sunk with only one American ship damaged. There were nine American wounded compared to 77 Spanish dead and 271 wounded. Spanish power in Asia was destroyed forever.

 However, the key outcome of the war was the fact that America became a colonial and global power. The Spanish islands in the Caribbean were taken over, which was a logical, nearshoring  extension of American power. However, the acquisition of the Philippines, thousands of miles from the American west coast and a gateway to Asia, was something unexpected. Before the war, very few Americans could have located the Philippines on a globe. Once the decision was made to make the Philippines an American possession, the United States became a major player in Asian affairs. It can be argued that it was the initial event spawning the rivalry between the United States and Japan.

 This dramatic change and the fact that American military forces had to defeat an indigenous guerrilla force fighting for independence is something that is not given the examination that it should. American forces engaged in some very ruthless actions in subduing their opponents.

 This book is a significant addition to the history of a watershed event in American history. It is an accurate rendition of the unusual events that led to a Spanish defeat and the rise of a new colonial power that expanded its territory thousands of miles beyond its previous borders.

Review of "The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club," Nick Spark Productions

 Review of

The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club, Nick Spark Productions DVD

Five out of five stars

Great story of what should be an aviation star

 For most people, their knowledge of female aviation pioneers begins and ends with Amelia Earhart. While Earhart accomplished many things, including having an expert public relations group, she was not the best female pilot of her time. There were other women that were better pilots, and even more daring. One of those women went by the name of Pancho Barnes.

 Born Florence Leontine Lowe and into wealth, her adult life began rather traditionally when she married a minister and established a traditional home. However, after a sojourn in Mexico where she passed as a man and became involved with leftist revolutionaries, she adopted the name “Pancho.” It was a fitting choice, for she was quite revolutionary in her breaking of sexist norms.

 Pancho was such an intuitive pilot that she soloed after only six hours of instruction. She was so talented that she became a movie stunt pilot, flying with and among the most daring flyers. The work was dangerous and one of the major contributions she made was the formation of the Associated Motion Picture Pilots union that standardized pay scales and working conditions.

 Pancho broke Amelia Earhart’s speed record and after going broke at the onset of the Depression, she bought land adjacent to Muroc Field, where new planes were being tested. She created the Happy Bottom Riding Club, a dude ranch that catered to the pilots that were flying the planes. Three of the pilots that knew her well were Buzz Aldrin, Chuck Yeager and Jimmy Doolittle. Clips of comments from Aldrin and Yeager appear on this video.

 Her dynamic and revolutionary personality are captured in this video, as well as the conflicts she had with a specific Air Force commander. Her ranch house burned down under mysterious circumstances, and she had to face down trumped up charges that her ranch was a site of organized debauchery.

 Spoken of with reverence by some of the best pilots the United States has ever produced, the sheer dynamism of Pancho Barnes is captured in this video. While this is a documentary, it will be clear to all who view it that her life should be the subject of a feature film. She was a legend in her time and should be a legend for all time in the aviation industry.

Review of "The Eerie Silence: Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence," by Paul Davies

 Review of

The Eerie Silence: Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence, by Paul Davies, ISBN 9780547133249

Five out of five stars

Plausible answers to the basic questions regarding life outside Earth

 Decades ago, I graduated with majors in biology, chemistry and mathematics. Since that time, I have read and understood many books and articles about life and intelligence outside Earth. It is a rare occasion when I encounter anything that presents a previously unencountered perspective on alien life.

 Davies opens with the rather unintuitive thread that the search for alien life should begin on Earth. He is correct in stating that most microscopic species have not been identified and catalogued, so there is a significant possibility that species could be discovered whose metabolic pathways place them outside what is considered the standard zoological tree of Earth based organisms. For example, carbohydrates and proteins with a structure different from the fundamental handedness of terrestrial organisms.

 This is an approach that has real possibilities and that can be done without leaving Earth and is something that I have not seen so logically put forward before. A concerted effort to identify and categorize microorganisms found throughout the Earth will have strong scientific and commercial value, even if no unusual results are discovered.

 Another thread that Davies covers in detail is the reality that carbon-based intelligence may only be a transient phenomenon. There are strong reasons to believe that humans will soon create machines with high intelligence and the ability to expand and reproduce, quickly rendering humans obsolete and uncompetitive. A plausible case can be made for the premise that such machines are the logical end result of natural selection. With the ability to intellectually grow and adapt, have nearly unlimited memory, and the ability to grow replacement parts for every component, such machines could be considered the pinnacle of the evolutionary tree. Furthermore, such societies may exist throughout the galaxy.

 I enjoyed this book immensely. Without having to postulate any technology such as warp speed or matter transporters, Davies develops arguments regarding why societies with large sizes could be created and continue to expand. If these machines could function for tens of thousands of years, then sub-light speeds become less of an obstacle in the management of a civilization. While it is clear that not all of what Davies postulates is true, it is a good bet that some of it either exists or will someday.

Review of "The Infinite Book: A Short Guide to the Boundless, Timeless and Endless," by John D. Barrow

Review of

The Infinite Book: A Short Guide to the Boundless, Timeless and Endless, by John D. Barrow, ISBN 1400032245

Five out of five stars

Infinity for the masses

 The concept of infinity is both simple and extremely difficult to comprehend. That is because there are in fact so many ways the fundamental concept can be applied. The idea that there is no largest natural number is easy to understand. Nearly everyone can comprehend that one can continue to add one to positive integers with no possible ending. If it is explained the proper way, then it is also easy to comprehend that one can take the average of two numbers and get a third between them. By repeating the process, the concept of an infinite number of decimal numbers can also be understood.

 The concepts of being able to match up the positive integers and the positive whole numbers so that there are an “equal” number of elements in both sets, where one is inside the other is where some people start to get lost. The continuation to transfinite numbers with hierarchies of infinity is a difficult, but not impossible concept to grasp.

 The place where the concept of infinity really becomes difficult, even for mathematicians and people who study the universe is when the question arises whether the universe is finite or infinite in both breadth and in time. There is now little doubt that the universe as we know it began with what is called the Big Bang. In other words, elapsed time can definitively be traced back to a point where the universe popped into existence and has expanded at a great rate since then. No known laws can take us back before the Big Bang and we do not yet have enough information to determine what the ultimate fate of the universe will be.

 Barrow covers these topics in ways that are as understandable as possible for people that have not engaged in deep study of the concepts. The book is both a fun as well as informative read. All readers will come away with more knowledge about the many types of mathematical infinity as well as the current understanding of the properties of the universe and the various options for how it will evolve.

Review of "Praying For Gil Hodges: A Memoir of the 1955 World Series and One Family’s Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers," by Thomas Oliphant

 

Review of

Praying For Gil Hodges: A Memoir of the 1955 World Series and One Family’s Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, by Thomas Oliphant, ISBN 0312317611

Five out of five stars

Baseball and so much more

 This book contains many different threads; all tied together by a love of the Brooklyn  Dodgers and the void that remained when they moved to California. It is largely an autobiography of Oliphant in his early years growing up in a small apartment, attending school, engaged in youth and school activities and being devoted to the Brooklyn Dodgers. His father was stationed in the South Pacific in World War II and operated on land. Like so many that slogged through the humid jungle, he came down with serious cases of tropical diseases.

 Increasingly finding it difficult to carry out his work as a freelance writer, his father reached the point where he could no longer earn a living. This put a severe strain on the family finances, yet as Oliphant emphatically states, he never felt deprived.

 Intertwined with the story of his life is the history of the Brooklyn Dodgers, with a focus on their ability to win pennants and lose in the World Series to the New York Yankees. Often in incredible ways. No history of the Dodgers would be complete without some detailed coverage of Branch Rickey and his move to sign Jackie Robinson and integrate baseball.

 No sports book is complete without some form of “big game at the end,” and that happens here as well. That event is the 1955 World Series, when the Dodgers were finally able to defeat the Yankees, touching of celebrations throughout Brooklyn. Oliphant does a superb job in intertwining his life, the characteristics of the Brooklyn populace and explaining the background of the Dodger team in the first half of the decade of the fifties. He covers the reasons for the departure of the Dodgers, pointing out that attendance at Ebbets Field had declined and it was a dilapidated structure by the time the Dodgers left. Oliphant even does a bit to come to the defense of Walter O’Malley.

 Although this is largely an autobiography of Oliphant, a non-athlete, it is also a first rate sports book. The writing is superb and some significant name-dropping is done. For example, Oliphant describes his interactions with Arthur MacArthur, son of General Douglas MacArthur. He also gives his impressions of the General’s personality. This is one of the best non-fiction sports books of all time.

Review of "The First War of the United States: The Quasi War With France 1798-1801," by William J. Phalen

 Review of

The First War of the United States: The Quasi War With France 1798-1801, by William J. Phalen, ISBN 9788193759165

Five out of five stars

Covers a war rarely mentioned

 The primary great power rivalry of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries was between Britain and France. France directly intervened in the American war for independence, and it seems unlikely that the United States would have won if it were not for the French help. At the time, France was a monarchy, which created issues with some Americans that were generally opposed to monarchies.

 As the United States made the initial steps to nationhood, the French did what great powers always do, they tried to manipulate events to their advantage. The reality was that the achieving of independence did not change the fundamental ties of commerce and business between the United States and Great Britain. The British also did all they could to maintain their commercial ties with their former colony. The French also felt that the United States owed them some gratitude for their assistance.

 This book covers the relationship between France and the United States in the years immediately after the American war of independence through the presidencies of George Washington and John Adams and the first year of the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. Two main political parties with widely different positions were forming in the United States, and the French Revolution overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. The French republic was more aggressively warlike than the monarchy, leading to significant conflict between the United States and France.

 One amazing fact that is often lost to history is that at the time of the presidency of Washington, the United States had not a single warship to protect the country from seaborne aggression. Even though there was a very large merchant fleet. Therefore, the American navy had to literally be built from scratch.

 This is a fascinating description of the early years of the United States when the founding fathers had to govern the country and deal with foreign nations that were often hostile and manipulative. Despite some significant disagreements, those men managed to steer the country through the dangerous waters and avoid what would have been a disastrous overt war with France.

Review of "Moscow 1941: A City and Its People at War," by Rodric Braithwaite

 Review of

Moscow 1941: A City and Its People at War, by Rodric Braithwaite, ISBN 1400044308

Five out of five stars

When the war on the Eastern front was decided

 Although there were many large and obvious signs that Germany was about to attack the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, the Soviet leadership (Stalin) chose to ignore them. Trains bearing Soviet grain and other raw materials were on their way to Germany while the German armored units and aircraft were decimating Soviet Red Army formations. So rapid was the advance of the German forces, millions of Red Army soldiers were surrounded and captured.

 There was a great deal of debate among the German leadership as to what should be the primary goal of conquest in 1941. There were those that considered the capital city of Moscow to be the primary goal while others were in favor of maintaining the broad front.

 This book is about the near conquest of Moscow by the German forces. While other areas of the front are mentioned, the focus is on the city and how the people and the leadership responded to the crisis. What is made very clear is one of the most important historical facts. Had the Germans made a concentrated drive on Moscow, they could have taken it. Even though their forces were split, small units came within visual range of the city.

 It is fascinating to be taken within the Soviet government at a time of true existential crisis, when all of the mistakes made by Joseph Stalin were exposed. One of the most interesting historical tidbits is that when the officials went to wake Stalin after it was clear that the Germans were attacking, he thought that he was going to be arrested.

 While it is unlikely that the capture of Moscow by the Germans would have led to their victory against the Soviet Union, it is clear that without the capture of Moscow, the Germans could not win. Although it is possible there could have been a negotiated settlement like the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The Soviet Union simply had too many resources available, most specifically (wo)manpower and the willingness to throw it at the Germans. The Soviet Red Army was the only military in the Second World War where significant numbers of women served in combat roles.

 This book is an important description of the most critical time during the Second World War. Had the Soviet Union not survived the onslaught of 1941, it is difficult to imagine how the Allies could have successfully invaded Europe in 1944. It is impossible to understand how the Allies won the Second World War without knowing how the Soviet Union survived the German onslaught of 1941. This book explains how it survived.

Review of "Aftermath: Following the Bloodshed of America’s Wars in the Muslim World," by Bir Rosen

 Review of

Aftermath: Following the Bloodshed of America’s Wars in the Muslim World, by Bir Rosen, ISBN 9781568584010

Five out of five stars

Depressing, yet illuminating story of the misguided wars

 In the aftermath of the United States engaging in acts of war against the Iranian nation, reading this book is extremely important. Those of us that follow these things remember how the administration of George W. Bush justified their invasion of Iraq on massive falsehoods regarding terrorism, supposed weapons of mass destruction and the vague concept of bringing freedom and democracy to the Arab nations.

 Rosen does a superb job in explaining how the invasion of Iraq simply split open all of the underlying hostilities between the Sunni and Shiite populations of Iraq as well as the aspirations of the Kurds for their own nation. Rosen begins with a historical recapitulation of the religious differences between the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam. The mechanisms whereby the British Empire carved Iraq out of the remains of the Ottoman Empire are also explained along with how this created ethnic conflicts that the British used to maintain their control of Iraq.

 Rosen clearly has a very deep understanding of the ethnic undercurrents of Iraq and how they led to the extremely brutal civil conflict that the American forces and their allies tried to tamp down. This book is a demonstration of how ignorant of the American body politic is of the internal structure of other nations.

 The war in Afghanistan is also covered, but not to the amount of ink expended on Iraq. Clearly, Rosen is also very knowledgeable about this country as well. Once again there is a demonstration of how ignorant the American body politic is about Afghanistan. The rather ignominious departure of the American military was predictable, given how the Afghans were able to deal with their British and Soviet invaders.

 It is not possible for me to understate the significance of this book as the United States continues to engage in acts of war against the Muslim world. None of the recent US military interventions in Muslim countries have had an outcome anywhere near what the stated intentions were.

Review of "The Heathens," by Ace Atkins

 Review of

The Heathens, by Ace Atkins, ISBN 9780593328408

Five out of five stars

Atkins outside the Parker box

 My familiarity with the writings of Ace Atkins has previously been restricted to his stories that are a continuation of the characters created by Robert B. Parker. I have been impressed by his work in this area Atkins does a good job expressing the personalities in ways very similar to Parker.

 In this book Atkins weaves a story packed with supporting characters that are ruthless, single-minded, a whole lot of quirky, afraid of facing the world, rebellious, intelligent, single-minded and determined to discover the truth.

 The main characters, if there really is such a thing, are teenage delinquent TJ Byrd and Tibbehah County Sheriff Quin Colson. When TJ’s mother is murdered and her dismembered body is found in a nearby shed, such is the nature of TJ’s wildness that she is the prime suspect in the minds of nearly everyone.  Knowing this, TJ teams up with her boyfriend, best female friend and with her nine-year-old brother, they hit the road with U. S. Marshall Lillie Virgil in pursuit. They travel across several states.

 The boyfriend is an expert at hotwiring cars, and they find some assistance with one of his relatives. While this is in many ways a road story, there are many flashbacks to the characters at their point of origin, for that is where the original crime will be resolved. The characters there are generally criminals from the brutal murderers to the almost hapless con artist.

 There are unusual twists and turns as TJ and her group travel. They encounter some very bad actors along the way yet manage to find enough resources to continue until there is the inevitable climactic events where TJ and her band end up as well as the resolution at their point of origin.

 Even though the story follows several threads, they are well interconnected, so there is no sense of any of the characters and their exploits being unnecessary. The story is set in the modern world, TJ and her band are savvy social media users. This aspect is also very well done.

 I found the story to be an intense page-turner. You root for TJ and her group to survive as well as focus on the actions of Sheriff Colson as he follows several threads that converge on an explanation of what really happened with TJ and her mother. This is clearly in the pure Atkins voice as he demonstrates his ability to create and exploit characters outside the Parker universe.

Review of "Babysitters," DVD

 Review of

Babysitters, DVD

1 out of five stars

Ridiculous premise poorly executed

 The premise of this movie is a simple one, high school age babysitters that become sexually involved with the fathers of their charges. It begins with a new hire that turns out to be an excellent sitter with many features of a maid, even to the point of scrubbing the kitchen floor. After a few virtual dance moves and some innuendo, the father and the sitter become sexually involved. 

 This quickly expands out into what is in essence a call girl ring where several girls at the high school are recruited to become sitters with benefits. It goes on for some time until there are just too many people involved, and the secrets cannot be kept, even from these incredibly ignorant mothers. There is even an extended scene where one of the fathers joins in a major vandalism of the high school. 

 The premises are so absurd that the movie is quite boring. There are a few scenes where the sitter and the father engages in some genuine interpersonal dialog, but not enough to make it interesting. About one-third through the movie I was convinced that there would be a rash of scenes of bare chested girls in an attempt to save the movie from terminal idiocy. To the credit of the producers, they did not do that. 

 With simple interactions and an extremely unworkable plot, this movie fails to generate even the slightest interest. I had to watch it in 15 minute segments in order to male it to the end. 

Review of "On Conan Doyle," by Michael Dirda

 Review of

On Conan Doyle, by Michael Dirda, ISBN 9780691151359

Five out of five stars

A deep look into the works of Doyle

 Arthur Conan Doyle is most known for being the creator of the superlative detective Sherlock Holmes. Yet, Doyle wrote much more than that. To the extent that his other writings are mentioned, they are often restricted to Doyle’s writings on spiritualism. His other writings, some of which Doyle considered to be his best work, are rarely mentioned. 

 The strongest feature of this recapitulation of Doyle’s life is the mention of his other writings. Some of those writings are examined in significant detail, a valuable feature for readers that want to expand beyond the Holmes tales. 

 Dirda is a member of the group “Baker Street Irregulars,” a club of people dedicated to delving deep into the meanings and unusual extensions of the characters beyond what Doyle actually wrote. There is extensive mention of these musings, no place more than on page 146. “Jason Rouby conjectured that Holmes let Moriarty go at the Reichenbach and that the reformed master criminal went on to pursue a career in law enforcement the United States, taking the name J. Edgar Hoover. C. Arnold Johnson, by contrast, hypothesized that Moriarty returned to London as Fu Manchu, while William Leonard determined that Moriarty survived because he was actually the undead Count Dracula.” 

 Delving into the total work and mind of Conan Doyle is some of the most interesting literary exploration that you can embark on. This book is a must read for deep fans of Conan Doyle. 

Review of "Trent’s Last Case," by E. C. Bentley

 Review of

Trent’s Last Case, by E. C. Bentley

Five out of five stars

Truly a landmark in the murder mystery genre

 Originally published in 1913, this story is a bridge between the Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle and the full development of the murder mystery by the writers of the middle of the twentieth century. No less a luminary as Agatha Christie considered it one of her favorite stories.

 The main character and detective is Phii[ Trent and he is brought in to investigate the murder by shooting of businessman Sigsbee Manderson. No one was saddened by his death, Manderson was a ruthless businessman and the list of enemies that he made is extensive. It was argued that the world was a better place when he was not in it, but it was the position of the legal profession that no murder should be ignored. 

 There is little action in the modern sense of the murder mystery, everything is based on extensive dialogue between Trent and the other characters. Manderson has a wife that lived in the same dwelling, yet there seemed to be no real affection between them. Given no hard evidence pointing to a specific perpetrator, all are suspects, yet the facts give all reasonable alibis.  The solution is a complex one, so convoluted that while the case is solved, no one is to be charged with the crime of murder. 

 Given the complexity of the case, the reader familiar with the works of Agatha Christie will recognize the influence of this story on many that Christie wrote. The case is solved by interactions of Trent with other people, using what the Christie character of Hercule Poirot would call, “Order and method.” 

 The events proceed slowly, yet to a satisfactory solution. If you desire action in your detective stories, then you will likely find this one dull. However, if you are interested in the development of the murder mystery genre, then this book will serve as a valuable lesson. 

Review of "SS-GB: Nazi-Occupied Britain 1941," by Len Deighton

 Review of

SS-GB: Nazi-Occupied Britain 1941, by Len Deighton, ISBN 0394504097

Five out of five stars

Interesting alternate history premise

 The basic premise of this detective thriller is one of significant alternate history. After the defeat of the Allied forces in 1940, Germany was successful in their invasion of Britain. While there were major battles on British soil, the remaining British forces were no match for the Germans. The King is hostage in the Tower of London, Winston Churchill was captured and executed and there is no government in exile in the British colonies. 

 The year is 1941 and the alliance between Germany and the Soviet Union remains intact. There was a great deal of damage to the British infrastructure and many British soldiers were captured and remain as P.O.W.s elsewhere. Most of the British people try to live as best they can with rationing and German troops patrolling the streets. There is a resistance movement, but it is small and generally ineffective. The areas of Britain that remain unoccupied are slowly being starved out. While sympathetic, the United States remains neutral, with no great desire to come to the aid of the British nation. 

 Within the British population, there are some officials that remain in their positions and try to serve the British people as best they can under the watchful eyes of their German superiors. One such person is Detective Superintendent Douglas Archer of Scotland Yard. He continues to do the best he can in investigating crimes and has a professional relationship with the Germans. 

 The story has a complex plot, and much is based on the historical fact of the deep animosity between various segments of the German military. The Army retains much of its Prussian aristocratic office core and they have a deep dislike for the more working class and brutal SS. The machinations inside the German military made this a joy for history buffs like me to read. Few historical accounts or works of historical fiction deal with these rivalries within the German military. If you are not a student of history, then some of the aspects of the plot will seem incorrect. However, those that know the history will find them superb features of a delightful story. 

Review of "Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration," by Buzz Aldrin

 Review of 

Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration, by Buzz Aldrin, ISBN 9781426214684

Five out of five stars

Solid, practical plans for space exploration

 Buzz Aldrin was the second man to walk on the Moon and is considered one of the most intelligent of the astronauts. He had a doctorate in astronautics and the other astronauts gave him the nickname “Dr. Rendezvous,” because of his deep knowledge of orbital mechanics.  Aldrin is also credited with inventing underwater training of astronauts to simulate weightless conditions. 

 This book is a detailed description of Aldrin’s position on how human exploration of space and other planets should proceed. He uses his expertise on complex orbits, knowledge of how projects are approved and funded to describe a way in which a semi-permanent shuttle that would travel between Earth and Mars could operate. 

 A large ship capable of coupling modules for crews would fly in a continuous looping orbit between Earth and Mars. A module containing an outbound crew would rendezvous with it when it is near Earth and then move out to Mars. While the ship is near Mars, the module would detach and the module containing returning astronauts would rendezvous with the ship and attach to it for the journey back to Earth. Once the large ship is constructed and placed in the looping orbit, minimal fuel would be required to make the journeys. 

 Aldrin also points out that the two small moons of Mars would serve as excellent way stations and bases for travel to the Martian surface. With little gravity and a rapid orbital speed around Mars, these moons would be easy to disengage from and provide a superb observational platform. 

 This is a book that should be read by all people interested in space exploration that has the goal of exploring Mars. Aldrin has experience in space, a strong background in the science needed to send ships on long, complex voyages and has the gravitas that forces serious attention to his positions. 

Review of "Asteroids: Deadly Impact," National Geographic DVD

 Review of

Asteroids: Deadly Impact, National Geographic DVD

Five out of five stars

Explanation of humanity’s existential threat

 For decades, humanity has faced potential extinction due to a major thermonuclear war. However, there is another existential threat that has existed since the first humans walked the Earth. That threat is from space in the form of the ultimate wanderers of the solar system, comets and asteroids.

 These objects are remnants of the creation of the solar system that have no orbit with a fixed distance from the sun. Their orbits take them from a shorter distance from the sun out to great distances. If the alignment is right, the Earth’s gravity will attract them into a collision course with Earth.

 There is evidence that there have been spectacular collisions in the past, there is now general agreement among the scientific community that such a collision led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. There was one major collision in human history, and it took place in Siberia in June of 1908.

 This video is the story of geologist Eugene Shoemaker and his decades-long quest to convince the scientific world that meteors of significant size have impacted with Earth and that the craters on the moon were made by meteor strikes. It is a fascinating story of persistence and the conclusion that there is a real, albeit small probability that humanity will be wiped out by an asteroid collision. There is a higher probability that there will be a repeat of the Siberian strike, most likely in an ocean, that will not be at the level of an extinction event.

 This is a video that should be shown in all K-12 programs, because it is possible for humanity to mount an effective deterrent to such a strike.  To create such a defense would require significant expense and that would necessitate public support. Generating such support will require educating the taxpayers.

Review of "Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State," BBC video in DVD form

 Review of

Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State, BBC video in DVD form

Five out of five stars

Amazing renditions of meetings

 While it is difficult to wrap your mind around the fact that over a million people were killed in Auschwitz in a few years, the most amazing aspect of this video was the meetings between the planners. When I was a programmer, we had meetings where we decided how we were going to solve functionality parameters. Accurate dramatic recreations of the meetings between the high ranking members of the SS have them taking the same approach to the planning of the killing of over a million people. They discussed the killing of innocent people as if it were a basic business logistics problem. 

 To give them their macabre due, the German designers of the death camps were very efficient in their work. The complexity of the capture and delivery of a million people spread out across an entire continent is not to be underestimated. Jobs in the camps ran the gamut from those that did the killing to those that simply counted the money and valuables confiscated from the victims. 

 One very unusual point made that I had been previously unaware of was that the leaders of the SS tried to make a deal with the Allies. The leaders of the SS were willing to trade approximately one million Hungarian Jews for 10,000 military trucks. While this major deal was never made, it did point out that it was at least possible for the Allies to have saved the lives of some that were killed. 

 Murder on an industrial scale was an incredible event and the evidence of it taking place is overwhelming and somewhat difficult to face. In this video that is a combination of historical photos, interviews with survivors and dramatic reenactments, the viewer is forced to face the reality of a modern industrial state operating an effective mass murder machine. 

Review of "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes," by Vincent Starrett

 Review of

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, by Vincent Starrett

Five out of five stars

A must read for Holmes fans

 While Sherlock Holmes is of course a fictional character, that does not mean that he does not live in the minds of his fans. The purpose of this book is to explain the aspects of his life that can be gleaned from the combination of the original stories. There were of course inconsistencies when Dr. Watson was putting down their adventures. He was often confused about the sequential timeline and of course Arthur Conan Doyle was interested in the immediate plot and did not spend a great deal of thought on temporal consistency across the stories.

 Many people have spent a great deal of time cross referencing the stories. One of the points of interest that was tracked down is where in London is 221B Baker Street. After executing a great deal of scholarship, the most likely location of the residence of Holmes and Watson in London was identified. Another point of interest is a more in-depth analysis of the life of Mrs. Hudson. It is known that she is a widow, but the particulars are largely unknown.  It was explicitly stated that Dr. Watson was married, but that his wife died. Another path of investigation follows the trail of the specific aspects of Dr. Watson’s wife.

 One of the most unusual “biographies” that has ever been written, this is a book that all fans of the great, fictional detective should read.

Review of "Son of Batman," a DC Original Movie

 Review of

Son of Batman, a DC Original Movie

Four out of five stars

Excellent animated superhero movie

 I must lead off by saying that I am in general not a fan of the animated superhero movie. It always seems that the producers tried to get by with reused storylines, the cheapest possible animation and far too simplistic dialog. That is not the case here. 

 While Batman is a well-used character with a long history, in this case there is a unique and interesting plot twist. There is an organization of powerful and extremely skilled ninja types with a boy (Damian) as their most skilled trainee. When this organization is attacked by another group, the boy is whisked away by his mother. With their lives on the line, she seeks help from the boy’s father, Bruce Wayne or Batman. 

 The story expands as Damian proves to be headstrong and difficult to control, doing all he can to track down and kill Deathstroke, the man behind the attack. The viewer is witness to the development of another Robin as the newest version of the dynamic duo is developed. 

 The only potential weakness is the emphasis on the super ninja personas. However, if you are a fan of that particular plot device, then there is no weakness. I generally question a reliance on the super ninja plot device, for this dismisses the more cerebral aspects of personal warfare. However, I did find myself generating some muscle tension during the most significant one-on-one fight scenes. 

Review of "The Frozen-Water Trade: A True Story," by Gavin Weightman

 Review of

The Frozen-Water Trade: A True Story, by Gavin Weightman, ISBN 078686740x

Five out of five stars

Great story about creating a market

 One of the most amazing entrepreneurs in American history is a man named Frederic Tudor. He was a visionary of the first order, in the early years of the nineteenth century, he understood that a market could be created for one of nature’s products, ice. His vision was to harvest ice from frozen lakes and rivers during the New England winters, store it and then place it on ships to be transported to tropical climates as well as the cities on the eastern seaboard in the summer. Some of the ices was transported all the way to British India. 

 Although his first attempts were failures and he spent some time in debtor’s prison, Tudor never lost faith in his vision, and he became a very wealthy man. His story is one of a person literally creating a market where none existed. After the initial success where people were able to enjoy ice cream and cold drinks in the heat of the summer, the demand grew dramatically. Even though it was a simple product, there were some significant technical difficulties. Finding a way to put ice on a ship and have it travel from New England all the way to India was a challenge. The ship had to cross the equator twice and spend significant time in the tropics. This was before the laws of heat transfer were fully understood, so it largely trial and error. 

 This book was a pleasure to read, making you realize that there are some simple products and as yet untapped markets for those products yet to be exploited. In many ways, the development of the ice market helped drive the demise of the transport of ice. For it helped drive the development of the modern electric powered refrigerators and ice making machines that rendered the long-range transport of ice inefficient. This is one of the best business history books that I have ever read. 

Review of "Pistol Packin’ Mama: The Missions of a B-17," American Hero Series DVD

 Review of

Pistol Packin’ Mama: The Missions of a B-17, American Hero Series DVD

Five out of five stars

The often short life of bomber crews

 The title is the name that was given to a B-17 bomber that was flown in daylight missions over Germany. Most of the missions that are described by the crew members were flown in 1943. At the time, there was rarely a fighter escort, so the attrition rate on a mission was often 10% or higher. Since a tour of duty for a member of a flight crew was 25 missions, it does not take any knowledge of statistics to realize that the probability of completing a tour of duty was near zero. 

 Using interviews with the crew members of the plane and actual combat footage, the story of what these men did is told. They were men that were well aware that they would likely not survive the war, yet they were briefed on the flight plan, climbed into the plane and then stuck to the flight plan despite the dangers. 

 While the development of fighter protection reduced the bomber attrition rate in 1944 and beyond, in 1943 daylight bombing was brutal attrition warfare. There is mention of one time when only one plane came back out of 15 in the wing that took off. Many German fighter planes were also destroyed, and the bomber crew salutes their bravery and determination in attacking the bombers. 

 This video shows a side of the war that was brutal and unforgiving, the men did their duty, well aware that there was little hope of coming out alive. It is a story that needs to be told and re-told so that it is never forgotten. 

Review of "Berlin Airlift," Simply Media DVD

 Review of

Berlin Airlift, Simply Media DVD

Four out of five stars

Largely factual rendition of a great success

 From the standpoint of rapidly developed logistics, the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49 was an incredible achievement. When the Soviet Union blocked all land and water access to what was to become West Berlin, the only possible option to keep the city from being starved out was to supply by air. The largest cargo planes at the time could carry at most 10 tons of freight and the daily minimum requirements was over 3,000 tons per day.

 At first, the Soviets did not believe that the Allies could possibly fly that much in by air, and then after the initial success of the Allies, did not think it could be sustained over the course of the winter. Once the level of determination of the Allies to hold their sections of Berlin was clear, the Soviets eventually lifted their embargo on land and canal traffic. The success of the Berlin Airlift was the first significant victory of the Allies in the Cold War. 

 While the necessary background on the political situation is given, most of the information in this video covers the sheer logistical aspects. Of particular interest is the information on the flight corridors, the rate of plane traffic and some of the difficulties concerning the different velocities of the different types of planes. All had to be tightly controlled, from the take-off, through the flight to the unloading and then the flight back. 

 It is impossible to overstate the importance of the success of the Berlin Airlift in the rivalry between the Allies and the Soviet Union. Without firing a shot, the Allies achieved a great victory and demonstrated their technical skills and resolve. This video explains the basics of how it was done. 

Review of "To Catch A Comet: The Landmark Mission of the Rosetta Spacecraft," PBS DVD

 Review of

To Catch A Comet: The Landmark Mission of the Rosetta Spacecraft, PBS DVD

Five out of five stars

An incredible achievement

 The Rosetta spacecraft was a robot that was launched on an incredibly complex mission. Developed and launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) it was designed to rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, drop a probe to the surface, sample and study the composition of the comet and take pictures of the unusual object. In order to achieve the velocity necessary to rendezvous with the comet, four gravitational assist flybys were needed. Three of Earth and one of Mars. 

 The machine was also put into hibernation mode for 31 months as it slowly gained on the target. Despite some tense moments, the spacecraft self-awakened on schedule and achieved the rendezvous with the target. Some incredible pictures and an enormous amount of scientific data were gathered. 

 It is impossible to watch this video and not be in awe of the skills of the people that plan, develop, launch and control these probe craft. At such great distances from Earth, robots have to be almost completely autonomous and the experimental packages small and consume little power. To see visual descriptions of the path and the incredibly effective engineering solutions makes one think that there are few limits to what space exploration can achieve. This video should be required viewing in science classes to demonstrate what the proper technological application of scientific principles can achieve. 

Review of "The Best of the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Stand-Up Comedians," DVD

 Review of

The Best of the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Stand-Up Comedians, DVD

Five out of five stars

First TV appearances for most of them

 Nearly all of the comedians featured in this video were making their first appearance on network television. Some like Jerry Seinfeld, Drew Carey, Roseanne and Louie Anderson went on to have successful and lengthy careers. Others, while funny in these bits, did not reach a level of fame. 

 Rodney Dangerfield and George Carlin also have bits, but this is well after they have established themselves as comedic stars. This video is a reminder of how the producers of the Tonight Show were constantly scouting for and finding new entertainment talent. It is interesting to see the stars getting their first big break into the business. 

Review of "DC Super Heroes: My First Dictionary," by Michael Robin

 Review of

DC Super Heroes: My First Dictionary, by Michael Robin, ISBN 9781935703860

Five out of five stars

The dictionary I would have loved

 This dictionary is one that I would have pleaded to have when I was young. I was a fan of comic books, and this dictionary is based on heroes in the DC line of comics. Each word is used in a short sentence and is accompanied by an image right out of a comic book. The image shows at least one of the characters in the DC line and all of them are in color and are of very high quality. 

 The level is that of late elementary school children and the book provides a very high level of education in a very fun way. This is a reference book that children will read for fun, which is something that is very rare. 

Review of "The Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society Through Time," by K. M. Heath and A. S. Carlisle

 Review of

The Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society Through Time, by K. M. Heath and A. S. Carlisle, ISBN 9781538136966

Four out of five stars

Demographics of the characters over the years

 The original series of Star Trek was groundbreaking in terms of social movements. Lieutenant Uhuru was both female and black, Helmsman Sulu was Asian and there was even the scandalous first interracial kiss. That last event was so controversial that some television stations blacked it out. Over the years, the percentages of females and blacks in positions of authority have gone up and even uncommon sexual preferences have been introduced.

 In this book, the authors trace those expanding percentages throughout the various Star Trek incarnations. The examinations are of each of the various series, and then the movies made with the characters based on those series. For example, there are statistics based on female and minority appearances in the original series and then the six movies based on the characters and actors of the original series. The reboot of the Star Trek franchise with new actors playing the original series characters are considered separately. 

 The analysis is also based on the screentime of the characters. This makes sense, as it is possible to cast a female or minority in a command role only to have them be given seconds of screentime.  It was not a surprise that the screentime of the female and minority actors have gone up through the various series. While there is some lamentation about the level, one also has to understand that Star Trek also includes many alien species as main characters. While they are not minorities, they are also not white males, so they add to the diversity of the various crews.  

 As an original Trekkie, I found this book interesting. It demonstrates that Star Trek is still one of the leading forces for diversity in the entertainment industry. 

Review of "American Grand Strategy and East Asian Security in the Twenty-First Century," by David C. Kang

 Review of

American Grand Strategy and East Asian Security in the Twenty-First Century, by David C. Kang, ISBN 9781107167230

Five out of five stars

The real state of East Asia

 The United States now considers the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to be its main geopolitical rival in the world today. Towards that end, the leaders of the United States from the administration of Barack Obama to the two administrations of Donald Trump have engaged in a series of actions designed to thwart the PRC. Chinese leaders are being portrayed as devious actors bent on domination of their region of the world. The American leaders have tried to enlist the nations that border the PRC in  what is a soft form of the containment strategy that was used against the Soviet Union. 

 However, as is demonstrated in this book those border nations, primarily South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam do not share this view of the PRC. In fact, public opinion in South Korea is more fearful of Japan than the rise of the PRC. This is due to the near half century of rigid and at times brutal colonization of Korea by Japan. None of these nations exhibit the actions of nations that are concerned about the actions of their giant neighbor. Using graphs and charts, the author demonstrates that defense spending of these nations has been shrinking as the PRC rises as an economic power. 

 The conflicts that have taken place over the disputed islands have been very controlled, the forces on both sides have been the Coast Guards and fishing boats. The only nation that exhibits a belligerent attitude towards neighboring nations is North Korea. This aberration is easily explained as a manageable anomaly. 

  These is a great deal of wisdom and understanding of the current situation in East Asia and how the United States is on the verge of making another colossal foreign policy blunder. The continuation of trying to develop an anti-PRC coalition is doomed to fail and will continue to drive the smaller nations of East Asia into uncomfortable positions of working with the PRC while trying not to alienate the United States. 

Review of "Pivot Man," by Dick Friendlich

 Review of

Pivot Man, by Dick Friendlich

Five out of five stars

Sometimes teammates are enemies

 Vard Ransom is a basketball player that has just arrived at Castlemont College via transfer from North Pacific. He had played on the freshman team there but had dropped out for a year due to the death of his father. Therefore, he is eligible to play on the varsity team. His mother had convinced him to transfer to a school on the east coast, which is why he was now at Castlemont. 

 Unfortunately, on his first day at Castlemont Vard has a negative run-in with the starting center, the position that Vard plays. This leads to some difficult situations, including a run-in with the administration. However, Vard is exonerated by a player on another team and when there is an opening, Vard leads Castlemont to a great victory. 

 This story is rather formulaic in the sense that there is the new man on the team, creating tensions with the established players. Vard has to overcome some unusual adversities before he is given the chance to demonstrate his skills on the court. There is the big game at the end, told in the typical Friendlich style. Even though you can conclude the outcome before it happens, it is said so well that it keeps your attention and you are compelled to read the last few pages more than once. 

 This is a great sports story, it moves fast, contains some significant aspects of human interest and is well written. 

Review of "Tully," DVD version

 Review of

Tully, DVD version

Four out of five stars

Parents can relate to most of it

 Marlo (Charlize Theron) is a married woman that has just had her third child. The previous two are a boy and a girl where the boy has unusual behavioral issues. The word most commonly used to describe him is “quirky.”  His behavior caused the officials at his elementary school to tell Marlo that she needs to enroll him elsewhere. Swamped with dealing with three young children, Marlo starts to exhibit signs of unstable behavior. 

 Hoping to help, her brother offers to hire a night nanny. This is a person that comes into the home at night and deals with all of the baby’s needs, except of course breast feeding. At first, Marlo rejects the idea, but after a particularly bad day that leaves her almost catatonic, she contacts the nanny.

 Their first contact is a bit awkward, but it does not take long before Marlo improves. One or two nights of good sleep will do that. They quickly develop a womance, talking about life and what they hope to do. There is some very deep girl talk. Marlo even allows the nanny to dress up in a waitress uniform and engage in some light sexual play with her husband. Up to this point the movie seems about parenthood and the challenges. One that parents can relate to, but the viewer starts to wonder what the point of the movie is. 

 On a whim, Marlo and the nanny get in her car and drive into Brooklyn for a night of drinking and dancing. On the way back, Marlo falls asleep and runs off the road into a body of water. There is a flash of the supernatural where a mermaid rescues Marlo from the water. At this point the movie gets strange and ambiguous. 

  The reader is left with the possibility that the night nanny never existed. It is a potential plot twist that turns all of the events with the nanny into the realm of “did it really happen?” This ambiguity is what turns what was a rather uneventful movie into one that puts wonder into the mind of the viewer. While some people want full closure, I am one that does not. I enjoy a bit of ambiguity, which is why I liked this movie. 

Review of "The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I," by Thomas Fleming

 Review of

The Illusion of Victory: America in World War I, by Thomas Fleming, ISBN 046502467x

Five out of five stars

Wilson the naïve sap to colonial thought

 Every person with any knowledge of history knows that the failures at the end of World War I led to the even more destructive World War II. Furthermore, even a minimal study of history will lead you to conclude that Woodrow Wilson was an idealistic fool that never really understood the expansionist and vindictive colonial thought processes of Britain and France. Wilson put forward his famous 14 points as a framework for peace talks and the German leaders thought that they were the basis for a peace to end the First World War in Europe. 

 This book is a thorough, well referenced explanation of the role of Wilson and the United States in World War I. Most of those actions in the early years of the war has been well documented, so that part is important, but not of compelling interest. What is fascinating is how the leaders of Britain and France, especially Lloyd George of England, manipulated Wilson into committing the United States to fighting against Germany. 

 The sections that should be required reading for all people that are studying the consequences of how peace was achieved are those about how the spoils were parceled out. By the time Wilson became a player, Britain and France had already reached an agreement on how the land of the Ottoman Empire would be allocated to them. The leaders of Britain and France were determined to punish Germany, justifying their actions by making false claims that the war was the fault of Germany and Austria-Hungary. 

 Wilson was extremely naïve in believing that he could attend the peace conference and achieve his idealistic goals through the force of his personality. As Fleming makes clear, while the European crowds were cheering Wilson, the other Allied leaders were hatching their schemes of grabbing territory and German assets. Wilson also demonstrated a lack of understanding of the political climate in the United States. He could have taken a small group of Senators with him that could have served as agents to argue his case in the U. S. Senate. 

Woodrow Wilson’s last two years in office were a disaster. Totally outmaneuvered by the other Allied leaders, his failures were monumental and consequential. I am a student of history, but until I read this book I was unaware of how much of a dupe he was. 

Review of "Schoolboy Johnson," by John R. Tunis

 Review of

Schoolboy Johnson, by John R. Tunis, ISBN 068810150x

Four out of five stars

Young hotshot learns reality

The setting is the Brooklyn Dodgers team created by Tunis where Spike Russell is the manager. The years have passed where Jocko Conlon is gone, and Roy Tucker is an aging ballplayer trying to rejoin the Dodgers. Speedy Mason is a pitcher that is also trying to make it back to the big leagues and he is put in charge of the young hotshot pitcher named Schoolboy Johnson. 

 Johnson is very talented, but he has an unsettled nature, blaming everyone but himself when things don’t go well. In his mind, his fielders should snag every ball that is hit, and he makes no bad pitches. Once his temper arises, he is almost useless on the mound. Meanwhile, Speedy is given Johnson as a roommate with the hope that Speedy will be able to tame the wild streak in Johnson. 

 At first it does not go well but using a plot device that is rarely used in sports fiction, Tunis manages to find a way to tame the wild Johnson. That device is the introduction of a female character that sees through Johnson’s antics and speaks to him in ways that makes Johnson rethink his negative attitude towards others. To make the plot more interesting, the woman has a close link with the Dodgers. 

 While there is the backdrop of baseball, this story is just as much about the young and rising star discovering the reality of the concept of a team and playing within their abilities. It is a sound lesson that encapsulates the up-and-coming with sound veterans that work to hold the club together through the challenges of a pennant race. 

Review of "Perfect Game," by Robert Sidney Bowen

 Review of

Perfect Game, by Robert Sidney Bowen

Four out of five stars

Perfection followed by disaster

 Johnny Brown is a pitcher and is in his last game of high school. In dramatic fashion, it is for the championship and Johnny throws a perfect game. A major league scout was in the stands and is ready to sign Johnny to a contract with a substantial bonus. However, Johnny’s friends convince him to attend an end-of-season party and alcohol is involved. Although Johnny doesn’t drink any, he is driving when there is an accident and some of his friends are killed. 

 Due to false testimony, Johnny is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a term in prison. He is a model prisoner, but when he gets out he just wants to make a new start elsewhere, so he adopts an alias, moves away and gets a job in a factory. The factory sponsors a baseball team, and Johnny quickly becomes their star pitcher. However, he continues to be fearful of exposure, so he is reluctant to get too close to anybody.  Fortunately, he perseveres and eventually everything works out for Johnny. 

 While this story has a baseball theme, it is really about perseverance, believing in oneself and learning to overcome the most significant of adversities. Johnny proves to be a winner on the diamond as well as in life. Unlike most sports books, this one does not end with the big game at the end. The climax is about a positive twist in Johnny’s life rather than a baseball game. 

Review of "The Negroes in a Soviet America," by James W. Ford and James S. Allen

 Review of

The Negroes in a Soviet America, by James W. Ford and James S. Allen

Four out of five stars

Read it in the context of the 1930’s

This pro-communist pamphlet was written in 1935, when America and the world was in the depths of the Depression. Furthermore, despite the excesses of Stalin, there was still a great deal of favorable opinion regarding the value of communism. The Depression was especially hard on the minorities in the United States, so many of their leaders were looking for something that would be economically uplifting. 

 This pamphlet puts forward the notion that if governmental and social structures called Soviets based on the model created in the Soviet Union were to be created in America, then the economic and political standing of blacks would be dramatically improved. 

 To modern readers with knowledge of 90 years of history and progress, the positions taken in this book seem simplistic and foolish. However, if you read it keeping the context of the 1930s in mind, the level to which it would appeal to the lowest economic rungs of society are clear. This pamphlet is an educational look back at the economic debates of the 1930s, when people were desperately looking for individual and collective solutions to terrible economic times. 

Review of "War and Society in Africa: Ten Studies," edited by Bethwell A. Ogot

 Review of

War and Society in Africa: Ten Studies, edited by Bethwell A. Ogot ISBN 0714629219

Five out of five stars

Ten different wars with varying adversaries

 The wars described in these ten essays have various arrangements of types of adversaries. The time frame for all of them is the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Generally, before the end of World War I. There are descriptions of the incessant intertribal/clan wars before the Europeans took control, wars of varying degrees as the Europeans took control and a description of the war between Europeans known as the Boer War. 

 The papers were presented at a historical academic conference, so they are written in that style. It is significant to read about the ongoing wars between the various tribal units that took place and the aftermath and how the Europeans exploited tribal and religious differences. For example, the British recruited Arab Muslim mercenaries to fight against the people of animalistic religions. 

 One of the papers deals with the German drive to take control of Tanganyika in eastern Africa. The study of history in the United States generally focuses on the actions of the British and French and largely ignores the actions of the Germans. One of the best lines that sums up the colonial activity in general appears on page 149. “In the same way, most of the African peoples who now live in Kenya and Uganda gained admission into the British Empire without they themselves being aware of the fact.”

 This is a revealing set of short historical treatises regarding a subject that should be given more historical attention. The wars in Africa shortly before the Europeans took control and the military and economic tactics that they used to gain that control are significant and still have repercussions. Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in African history. 

Review of "Bungling Pedro and Other Majorcan Tales," by Alexander Mehdevi

 Review of

Bungling Pedro and Other Majorcan Tales, by Alexander Mehdevi

Four out of five stars

Folk tales from an island culture

 Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands of the eastern coast of Spain in the Mediterranean.  It has been inhabited by humans since the 3rd Millenium BC and while the culture has been influenced by the continental states, it has developed some unique features. The tales in this book originated in Majorca, yet their themes are generally similar to those of other cultures. 

 There are stories about the simpletons that do things wrong yet somehow manage to be successful at the end. There are the classic stories of the king searching for a beautiful bride amongst the population and the monsters and curses that must be overcome. All of the stories end with the Majorcan suffix, “And they are still alive if they’re not dead.” The openings are “Long before the snow fell on the rock,” a reference to the fact that it almost never snows on Majorca. An interesting change from the classic, “Once upon a time.”

 The stories are written at the level of a middle school child and are a worthy addition to multi-cultural studies. Easily understood and with hints of the origin within an old island culture. 

Review of "Derailed," DVD version

 Review of

Derailed, DVD version

Five out of five stars

Very strong villain, many plot twists

 This movie starts out with a scene and premise that has been used before. Professional man Charles Schine (Clive Owen) is under stress and is in what appears to be a chance encounter with an attractive professional female Lucinda Harris (Jennifer Aniston) on the commuter train. There is instant magic between them, and they end up in a hotel room about to have an affair. 

 A male criminal bursts in and robs them, knocking Charles unconscious and raping Lucinda. The next morning, they are still there, and Charles wants to report it to the police. However, Lucinda rejects this, citing her marriage and daughter.  The criminal then blackmails Charles into giving him all his money. 

 However, all is not what it first appears. There is a much deeper conspiracy taking place and this leads to many unusual plot twists. While the performances are all first rate, what makes this a chilling thriller is the power of the villain. He is a ruthless murderer, and a very vicious fighter. He is also a smooth talking person capable of speaking fluent French, charming people that do not know who he is. When he threatens Charles’ family, Charles realizes that he must deal with the situation himself. 

 A great deal of time is spent building up to the tense climax, there are several plot twists, most of which are unexpected. Charles proves that he is much more than an advertising account executive, he is capable of plotting violence when it is necessary to save lives. This is a great movie.

Review of "D-Day to Berlin," BBC Video on DVD

 Review of

D-Day to Berlin, BBC Video on DVD

Five out of five stars

History that must always be studied

 The most amazing point made in this video is that the first person to use the phrase “iron curtain” to describe the behavior of the Soviet Union in the territories occupied in Eastern Europe at the end of World War II was not Winston Churchill. As the Soviet Red Army converged on Berlin German propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels used the phrase in his prediction of what they would do once the war was won. The idea that Churchill would have borrowed and made famous a phrase first used by Goebbels is astounding. 

 As the title implies, the video is a history of the Second World War in Europe from the allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day to the German surrender and immediate aftermath. The producers use a combination of historical footage interspersed with scenes acted out by modern actors. While the acting is not of the highest quality, it is good enough to make the points that the creators wanted to make. No mention is made of the war in the Pacific. 

 The rift between British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery and Allied Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower is dealt with in detail. Montgomery’s arrogance and clear attitude of superiority towards the Americans is described. Eisenhower demonstrated incredible diplomatic and professional skills in preventing a breakdown in the alliance between the U. S. and the British. 

 This is history that must be studied by every generation. It was the greatest war in history and there are many aspects that every citizen should know. While the aftermath was not optimal, it was likely the best that could be achieved without a continuation of the war between the Allies and the Soviet Red army. 

Review of "The Prairie Remembers," by Janice Brozik Cerney

 Review of

The Prairie Remembers, by Janice Brozik Cerney

Four out of five stars

Homesteading in South Dakota

 Originally from Bohemia in the Empire of Austria-Hungary, Frank and Marie Brozik emigrated from Europe to the United States in 1902. After short stints in a couple of places, they established a homestead in eastern South Dakota. This is their story, from the decision to move across the ocean to making their life on the often unforgiving prairie. 

 As was the case for so many immigrants the reason for their move was a desire for land. With an increasing population, there was simply not enough land in most European countries so that all that wanted to farm could. With the liberal government policy regarding homesteading, moving to the United States gave them an opportunity to have a sizable farm. 

 At first they lived in a sod house with the bare minimum of furnishings and frills. Fortunately, the first years were ones where the rain was good, leading to excellent crops and an ability to expand. There were several neighbors that were also from Bohemia, so they were able to maintain a form of community. 

 As is always the case, the prairie was unforgiving, and they had to somehow survive drought and a plague of grasshoppers. It was a difficult time, but they had some reserves and so were able to stay in their home while some of their neighbors were forced to pack up and search for work elsewhere. 

 While this story features a specific family and their willingness to work very hard in making a life for themselves and a large family, it is also a common one. Stories about pioneers out on the prairie making a living working from sun to sun are always interesting. For that group of people did a great deal to make America a rich and prosperous country. Their history is something that should always be taught to the next generation. 

Review of "American Negro Problems," Workers Library Publishers

 Review of

American Negro Problems, Workers Library Publishers

Four out of five stars

Must be read in the historical context

 America of the first three decades of the twentieth century was one of ingrained segregation, there were many laws, written and assumed, designed to keep black people in a form of servitude. With little movement by the political parties towards ending this situation, some blacks turned to the small, but often vocal American communist party. 

 This short pamphlet is designed to encourage blacks to support and join the communist party. The promise is that the party is pledged to work for equal rights and privileges. If you read this pamphlet without knowledge of the historical context of the times, you will likely not like it. However, if you do have that knowledge, it is easy to see the appeal of the communist party. At a time when all the entrenched aspects of American society are united in keeping blacks down, the communist party seemed to provide them with the only hope to achieve a measure of equality. 

Review of "PBS Thomas Jefferson, a Film by Ken Burns," DVD

 Review of

PBS Thomas Jefferson, a Film by Ken Burns, DVD

Five out of five stars

Captures the enigmatic genius

 The sheer intellect of Thomas Jefferson is enough to humble the smartest of people. As a writer, statesman, scientist, academic and inventor among other major achievements, he was also a man of contradictions. He was a foremost champion of the basic rights of man, but when he used the term, he generally meant “white men.” In many ways, he was held back from including other genders and races in his call for the assignment of “inalienable rights.”

 Jefferson was a slaveowner that did little to emancipate those he owned. Yet, there is no evidence that he was cruel to his slaves in any way. Although he did occasionally speak against the institution of slavery and seemed to realize that it would eventually tear the country apart, Jefferson took almost no action against that dark feature of American society.

 Among all his achievements, there are three that must be mentioned. The first is that Jefferson was the strongest proponent of making his country a secular one. It cannot be overstated how radical this notion was in the later part of the eighteenth century. The second was his establishment of the first institution of higher learning that was not affiliated with a religious order. This was also a very radical idea for his time. The third was his doubling of the size of the country by purchasing the Louisiana territory from France. There was nothing in the constitution that gave him the power to do so, but when he needed to do so the champion of small central government extended the reach of the federal government.

 As is clear from this video, no matter how much he may have wanted to, there was only so much he could do that was radical in the times he lived. While necessarily limited due to the breadth of Jefferson’s achievements, there is enough to leave the viewer in awe of all Jefferson accomplished. This video should be required viewing in the American history curriculum in both the K-12 and college levels.