Stone Lands by Fiona Robertson

 

Stone Lands: A Journey of Darkness and Light Through Britain's Ancient Places by Fiona Robertson -390 pages

The author shares her fascination with ancient megalithic sites throughout the U.K. through visits ranging from Cornwall in the south to Orkney in the north. Along the way, the reader explores stone circles and mound tombs that are much more obscure than Stonehenge or Avebury. For the author, the visits recounted in the book also served as a way to cope with her husband's terminal illness and grasping with the realization of being a widow and single mother. The book provides details on several interesting sites and their locations and also explores their meaning to contemporary people as places of contemplation and even healing. 

Fighting Fifteen by Stephen L. Moore

 Fighting Fifteen: The Navy's Top Ace and the Deadliest Hellcat Squadron of the Pacific War by Stephen L. Moore -421 pages

Fighting Fifteen was the fighter unit based on the carrier Essex in 1944 through the major air battles over the Marianas and the Philippines during a seven month war cruise. The deployment was supposed to be six months but was extended to seven. The unit shot down more enemy planes than any other in a single deployment (and sunk many ships) and produced 26 aces. David McCambell, commander of the Essex air group, shot down 34 enemy planes and had several more "probables" as the Navy's top ace. The unit also paid a high price. The air group lost 26 fighter pilots, and 57 bomber and torpedo pilots and crew. This is a good read for anyone interested in World War II carrier operations.

Oathbreakers by Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry

 Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe by Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry --280 pages

The brothers mentioned in the subtitle were the grandsons of Charlemagne and the inheritors of the Carolingian empire. The two younger surviving brothers fought against the eldest, who had inherited the title of emperor, at the battle of Fontenoy in modern France in the year 841. The feuding brothers eventually compromised on dividing their areas of rule, and these events were a significant step in the evolution of western Europe into recognizable states. The authors' tone was a bit flippant and cynical of the main figures' motives, considering the scarcity of sources from the time period. Their summaries of modern French and German historians' views of the battle and its aftermath were enlightening.

Rope by Tim Queeny

 

Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization by Tim Queeney -323 pages

This is an interesting survey of how rope in its many forms has driven technology and exploration. Queeney is an experienced sailor and his book covers expected topics such as sailing, mountaineering, and the historic methods of making natural rope. The book also explores modern uses of synthetic rope materials such as nylon, polyethylene, and Kevlar. Rope has been used in projects from the Giza pyramids to managing the descent of rovers on Mars. In the future, materials such as graphene may even allow the construction of a space elevator to replace rockets in placing objects in orbit.

Guadalcanal's Longest Fight by Dave R. Holland

Guadalcanal's Longest Fight: The Pivotal Battles of the Matanikau Front by Dave R. Holland -304 pages

The Matanikau River bordered the right (western) flank of the U.S. Marines’ position on Guadalcanal Island and became heavily contested through six battles against the Japanese. The Japanese were trying to retake the airfields on Guadalcanal and pressed toward the Matanikau to place large artillery close enough to shell the U.S. perimeter. Many books on the campaign have covered the fighting closer to the U.S. perimeter, but this maybe the only book that has focused on the battles to the west. The author has spent many years as a guide on the island and is very familiar with the locations described. The author also had access to Japanese records not previously evaluated. It was enlightening to learn about the vast amount of artillery, aircraft, and naval resources involved in this campaign in addition to the hard fighting on the ground by marines and army units.  

Black Cat 2-1 by Bob Ford

 

Black Cat 2-1: The True Story of a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and His Crew by Bob Ford -276 pages

After attending the University of Oklahoma's ROTC program, Ford became a Huey helicopter pilot in Vietnam. His unit mostly flew out of Hue in the northern sector of South Vietnam and experienced many hot landing zones delivering supplies, troops, and evacuating the wounded under intense fire. His crew flew dozens of missions each day during the Tet Offensive in early 1968. Two of his fellow pilots were killed in action, and Ford continues to speak about his experiences at schools and veterans services to honor their memory. The book does a good job of relating the risky flights (often only three feet above the terrain) and the author's admiration for the reliable Huey helicopter and their crews.

The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor

 

The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV by Helen Castor -543 pages

This history covers the events surrounding Henry IV’s deposition of his cousin, Richard II in England in 1399.  Both were grandsons of Edward III and Richard became king at the age of nine and as an adult remained indifferent to England’s external threats from France and Scotland. A worsening crisis erupted with Richard’s lavish expenditures, self-indulgence, and his broad accusations of treason leading to the execution of an earl.  Henry finally seized the throne and imprisoned Richard after Richard had exiled him without trial and confiscated Henry’s inheritance. Although Henry had strong support from the major magnates and was a dutiful king, he also experienced a serious rebellion during his reign and relied heavily on his strong-willed son, the future Henry V, as his health deteriorated. This was an interesting book, and relates very well the political issues of the time, such as the financial crunch faced by England’s government and the evolving power of parliaments and the executive in their constitution.

The Restless Kings by Nick Barratt

 

The Restless Kings: Henry II, His Sons and the Wars for the Plantagenet Crown by Nick Barratt -320 pages

This is mostly a political history covering the reigns of King Henry II through Richard I and John until about 1215 when the Magna Carta was issued. Henry II had four sons, and all of them eventually rebelled against their father toward the end of his long reign. Henry created a tax bureaucracy in England to fund his campaigns in his French domains while both Richard and John used the system to maximize royal revenue resulting in a civil war that led to a more limited monarchy requiring regular parliaments in John's reign. The English barons even considered inviting a French prince to replace John since they preferred an absentee ruler to John's heavy-handedness. The book covers the details of Thomas Becket's martyrdom, the Magna Carta, and the crusades. This is an illuminating book on a time of great change in England and France.

The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy

 The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy -289 pages

Published in 2025 for the 250 anniversary of Paul Revere's historic ride on April 18, 1775, this book does a good job of summarizing the growing crisis that became open rebellion against the British in New England. Details are provided on the route Paul Revere (and additional riders) took that night through the Massachusetts countryside and on the Old North Church where the famous signal lanterns were lit. Revere, son of a French immigrant, made earlier trips as a circuit rider to deliver urgent communications to New York and Philadelphia patriots. On his most famous ride, he rallied many patriot leaders before being captured temporarily by British officers. Fortunately, he was released and his captors fled after realizing the scale of the uprising that would result in the first battles of the Revolution at Lexington and Concord.

No Ordinary Dog: My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Ladin Raid by Will Chesney

No Ordinary Dog: My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Ladin Raid by Will Chesney -310 pages

The author deployed as a Navy SEAL to Iraq and Afghanistan and eventually volunteered to be a dog handler and developed a close bond with his dog, Cairo. The book describes their training and missions -one of which nearly proved fatal for Cairo. After sustaining a traumatic brain injury from a grenade, the author went through a difficult recovery and was eventually allowed to adopt Cairo after dealing with a daunting amount of red tape. Once retired from combat, Cairo helped the author recover from his lasting injuries. This book is interesting for its descriptions of a fierce life-saving dog that also had a very easy-going personality and the important role of military dogs.

Long Shot: The Inside Story of the Snipers Who Broke ISIS by Azad Cudi

 

Long Shot: The Inside Story of the Snipers Who Broke ISIS by Azad Cudi -253 pages

The author is now a citizen of the U.K. who left his Kurdish homeland after deserting from the Iranian army rather than fight his own people at a young age. The Kurdish people live within the borders of parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The book details his experiences as a volunteer sniper opposing the siege of Kobani in northern Syria by masses of Islamic State forces in 2014-15. The outnumbered Kurdish forces defeated the IS fighters in Kobani, but many of of the author's comrades died in the struggle. The author describes the toll constant combat takes on the mind and body and reflects on the devasting losses of the war as he tries to move forward in his new home in the U.K. This is a thoughtful book that gives recognition to the Kurds' role in defeating terrorism.

Justinian by Peter Sarris

 Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint by Peter Sarris -501 pages

The Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian (d. 565) is known primarily for his clarification of Roman law, reconquest of Africa and Italy, developing an orthodoxy of Christian belief, and commissioning the Hagia Sophia church. He's also been criticized for persecution of religious minorities and callous treatment of the reconquered regions in the west. The author takes an even-handed approach to the emperor's legacy, noting his meddling in church affairs may have created more division than unity in some regions. But also believes Justinian ruled the empire to the best of his ability during a disastrous outbreak of bubonic plague and increased pressure from the Persian empire in the east. This was an enlightening book on an important figure in European history.

First Casualty by Toby Harnden

 First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 by Toby Harnden -412 pages

This book, by a British journalist, gives an account of a CIA team sent into Afghanistan shortly after the September 11 attacks in 2001. It describes the team members, their Uzbek allies, and the swift military developments as the Taliban initially crumbled. David Tyson and Mike Spann are the main team members profiled who wanted to prevent a second major attack on the U.S. Spann lost his life in an Al Qaida prison uprising that made headlines worldwide. The book sheds light on the human element in an intelligence agency (Spann's wife was also a CIA officer at the time) and how they work with foreign allies in very difficult conditions.  

Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World by Irene Vallejo

 

Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World by Irene Vallejo -442 pages

This book fills in a great deal of history on the origin and development of the book from clay tablets, papyrus, wax tablets, parchment and finally the codex that became the modern book. Along the way, the author explores many ancient Greek and Roman authors throughout the ancient Mediterranean from the Library of Alexandria to the end of the Roman Empire. It is also a great read for anyone who believes in the freedom to read and the importance of the written word. 

A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell

 A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell -352 pages

Virginia Hall was an American who fearlessly organized and directed resistance networks in occupied France in World War II, and went on to work for the CIA. Initially, she strived to be a diplomat but was relegated to administrative tasks in the State Department. With her language skills and knowledge of France, she volunteered to work covertly for the British SOE and then served a second tour as part of the American OSS. The book does an excellent job of describing the dangers the resistance members faced and the physical toll it took on those who managed to survive the war.

The Wolf Age by Tore Skeie

 

The Wolf Age: The Vikings, the Anglo-Saxons and the Battle for the North Sea Empire by Tore Skeie -378 pages

The author, a Norwegian scholar, presents how the Norse destroyed a prosperous Anglo-Saxon kingdom as the last Viking Age came to an end and Scandinavian kingdoms emerged alongside other European nations. The end of the tenth and beginning of the eleventh centuries saw a second wave of Norse attacks on England, motivated by the abundance of silver the Anglo-Saxon kingdom gained from the wool trade in Europe. The predatory raiders travelled swiftly and often sided with whoever could pay the most. An entertaining read on a time of great change in northern Europe.

Sicilian Splendors by John Keahey

Sicilian Splendors: Discovering the Secret Places That Speak to the Heart by John Keahey --304 pages

The author is a retired journalist from the U.S. who spends several months a year exploring Sicily, and this is his second book on the island. Several small towns and villages are described along with the history of the island and its relationship with mainland Italy. The main focus of the book is the people who have their own culture, but are welcoming to tourists and recent immigrants from Africa. The author provides very useful information for those planning a trip to the region. 

River of the Gods by Candice Millard

 River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard -349 pages

The finding of the source of the Nile River at Lake Victoria by three explorers sent by the Royal Geographical Society in the late 1850s ended in tragedy for two of the men. John Henning Speke would make the actual discovery at Lake Nyanza (Victoria), but would die by suicide after engaging in a bitter dispute with the expedition's leader, Richard Francis Burton. Burton, a language expert and anthropologist before the term existed, would be professionally injured by the controversy surrounding an expedition beset with extreme hardship and illness. Their guide, Sidi Mubarak Bombay, would become one of the most widely traveled explorers of Africa. An interesting book on the exploration of Africa during the Victorian era. 

The Sniper by Jim Lindsay

 

The Sniper: The Untold Story of the Marine Corps' Greatest Marksman of All Time by Jim Lindsay -230 pages

At the age of 18, Chuck Mawhinney began his first tour in Vietnam as a sniper and eventually set a Marine Corps record of 103 confirmed kills. Mawhinney eventually served three tours in Vietnam, but was rotated out of the sniper role after two tours as standard practice since the role was so dangerous. If he'd been allowed to continue as a sniper in his third tour, his total would have been even higher, but he might not have survived. After the war, Mawhinney lived anonymously for many years until another sniper's book mentioned his record. The book is simply written, and its most interesting feature is the discussion of the specific tactics and equipment used during the Vietnam War.

The Partisan by Patrick Worrall

 The Partisan by Patrick Worrall -383 pages

This is a Cold War thriller mostly set in 1961 as tensions between the Soviets and the West seem to be leading to nuclear war. It follows two young chess players caught between opposing intelligence agencies and a former Lithuanian partisan who fought both the Germans and Soviets in World War II and its aftermath. The characters' backgrounds and motivations were interesting as well as the time periods of early 1960s London and World War II in Eastern Europe.