Flying Angels By Danielle Steel

 Flying Angels by Danielle Steel-6 Audio CDs; 7 hrs. 25 min. (288 pages, print)

"Flying Angels" is the story of Four American nurses who enlist as Army/Air Force Nurses during World War II. Eventually, Audrey, Lizzy, Louise, and Alex sign up for the Medical Air Evacuation Transport and are deployed to England. Plenty of back story precedes the women's enlistment. In England, the four women meet Pru and Emma who are English army nurses. They all quickly become friends. Each experiences love and loss as was the case in reality during World War II. This is well-written and a good listen/read. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I listened to the audiobook on a recent road trip. 

In Search of Van Gogh by Gloria Fossi

 

                  

                                               In Search of Van Gogh by Gloria Fossi-230 pages

  Everything you ever wanted to know about the mysterious Van Gogh and more!  It was an enjoyable read and the amazing pictures bring the man to life.  He was quite a wanderer, searching for something that he never found.  He was very close to his brother Theo, and the ironic thing is that they died less than six months apart.  There were different modes of transportation in their day, but the steam powered train had just come on the scene and Vincent used the train quite extensively in his travels.  I enjoyed this as I was always intrigued by his death at such a young age.  He had so much talent you wonder if he would have lived say as long as Monet,  how his works would have evolved.

Who Was Leif Erikson? by Nico Medina

Who Was Leif Erikson? by Nico Medina - 108 pages

Leif Erikson was born to be an explorer. His father, Erik the Red, had established the first European settlement in present-day Greenland, and although he didn't yet know it, Leif was destined to embark on an adventure of his own. The wise and striking Viking landed in the area known as Vinland almost five centuries before Christopher Columbus even set sail! "Leif the Lucky" and the other fierce, sea-fearing pirates were accomplished navigators who raided foreign lands for resources.....

Actually enjoyed this very much.  Just strange to me that no one knew when he really died.

Who Was Galileo? by Patricia Brennan Demuth

Who Was Galileo? by Patricia Brennan Demuth - 105 pages

Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit! He turned long-held notions about the universe topsy turvy with his support of a sun-centric solar system. Patricia Brennan Demuth offers a sympathetic portrait of a brilliant man who lived in a time when speaking scientific truth to those in power was still a dangerous proposition.

Believe it or not, to summarize all the facts about Galileo helped me remember some forgotten ones.

Perry's Killer Playlist by Joe Schreiber

Perry's Killer Playlist by Joe Schreiber
Sequel to Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick

Perry has finally gotten his life back after the crazy adventure with Gobi, the foreign exchange student his family hosted last year.  He's taken a year off before college to try to make it with his band and it looks like it has paid off.  They're booked for a European tour.  Unfortunately, in Venice he once again runs into Gobi and it's another crazy adventure with her.

This is the sequel to Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick.  It's another humorous, rollicking adventure -- this time through Europe.  I really enjoyed this sequel and am a little sorry I waited so long (5 years) to read it after the first book.

Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World

Martin Luther: The Man who Rediscovered God and Changed the World

by Eric Metaxas

496 pages

Martin Luther was celebrated as one of the most influential men in his time, since he forever changed Christianity in Europe.  He is known for posting the ninety-five thesis in 1517. However, this was only the beginning of his story. This publication dives into the life of the Great Reformer. It was thoroughly enjoyable. 

Ardennes 1944 by Antony Beevor

Ardennes 1944: The Battle of the Bulge by Antony Beevor -451 pages

Beevor is an English historian who has written a very engaging account of the "Battle of the Bulge." As difficult and drawn-out as the fighting was for U. S. forces, the author demonstrates the battle had far worse consequences for the Germans, (and Belgian civilians). Massacres were carried out by both sides as the fighting became as desperate as that on the eastern front. The higher ranking Allied commanders seemed to have lost touch with the situation at the front lines as the German attack began, but quick reaction by field officers and enlisted men to control the few roads exasperated the Germans. This agonizing episode did benefit the winter advance of the Soviet forces to the east, as Hitler threw away much of his armored reserves in the Ardennes.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough-320 pages

I thoroughly enjoyed reading McCullough's account of Orville and Wilbur Wright (and their immediate family, especially their father and sister). McCullough chronicles their lives leading up to the invention of the airplane, but focuses mainly on the brothers' invention of the airplane and escapades in flight. McCullough's writing flows well and is very readable, which is why it is so interesting and enjoyable. I knew that the Wright Brothers were the first to invent and fly an "airplane," but I learned so much more about them while reading this book. I wanted to read this book for three reasons (mainly). The first is that it is written by David McCullough who is a much acclaimed historian and author. The second is that I wanted to learn more about the Wright Brothers and their escapades in flight (which as I said, I did). The final reason is that I share the same birthday with both Orville and Katharine Wright (though I only knew about Orville before reading this book). I find it interesting, amusing that Wilbur really liked France and felt a kinship to/with the French, but did not like Rome at all. I would really like to visit Italy. In conclusion, I am glad to have read this book and have a better understanding of flight and the Wright Brothers.

Simple Faith by Anna Schmidt

Simple Faith by Anna Schmidt - 320 pages

In this sequel to All God's Children, the story of Beth, Josef, and Anja continues.  The story mainly follows Anja, a minor character in the first story, as she runs an escape line for downed airmen, known as "evaders," out of Brussels during World War II.  At the beginning of the story, Second Lieutenant Peter Trent is shot down and injured above Anja's grandparent's farm.  They take him in during his recovery, then he is moved to Beth and Josef's new cafe for rehab.  Once he is better, Peter is started on his path to freedom through Occupied France and Spain.  However, the Gestapo is on to Anja, Beth, and Josef's work on the escape line, forcing Anja to leave with Peter as she is their main target.  They travel with guide Mikel and her son, Daniel.  Will they survive?  What will happen to Beth and Josef?

I enjoyed this book more than the first.  Hearing a tale about the escape lines for downed airmen was a first and I wouldn't mind reading more fiction and some non-fiction about this lesser known aspect of history (the battled get all the hype).

My Enemy's Cradle by Sarah Young

My Enemy's Cradle by Sarah Young - 365 pages

My Enemy's Cradle tells the story of Cyrla Van der Berg, a young half-Dutch, half-Jewish woman living with her aunt, uncle, and cousin, Anneke, in Holland during the beginning of World War II.  While initially Cyrla's Jewish background is not known, someone eventually turns her in.  After this and a tragedy occur within hours, Cyrla takes her cousin's identity and place in a Lebensborn, a maternity home for women who became pregnant by German soldiers.  The book then details the struggle Cyrla had to ensure she was safe and the relationships she had with Anneke' solider.

At times heart-wrenching, this novel opens a whole new can-of-worms not often addressed in literature or non-fiction, as the existence of the Lebensborns is something many in Europe wish to forget.  In essence, it fills a gap while providing an eye-opening experience to an often forgotten horror of World War II.

The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier

The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier - 608 pages

The Lost Sisterhood is a novel where historical facts are mixed with mythology to create a spellbinding story.  Featuring two storylines that collide at the end, the modern one follows Oxford scholar, fencer, and philologist Diana Morgan who embarks on an archaeological dig where a lost language has been discovered.  However once on site, trouble begins and she has a personality clash with the man in charge, Nick Barrain.  With Nick following and her archaeologist friend, Rebecca, joining they follow the trail of places where objects with the language have been found throughout Europe and Asia Minor.  Along the way, they become entangled in a battle between two groups:  one who wants the discover made public and one that wants it taken to the grave.

On the ancient storyline, readers follow Myrina.  After her village was destroyed while she was on a hunt  Myrina and her sister, Lilli, travel to the Temple of the Moon Goddess, eventually becoming initiates.  Soon tragedy strikes and takes them on a journey to Crete, Mycenae, and Troy and meeting with other historical/mythological figures, most predominately Paris of Troy.  During the course of this journey, the women are depicted in ways that place them directly within multiple Greek myths.

Overall, the story was excellently written.  Fortier, who holds a PhD in ancient history, clearly spent time researching her subject matter and found ways to link dozens of old myths into a believable ancient storyline that also provides the mystery and adventure that drives the modern one.

The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel

The Monuments Men:  Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter - 512 pages (total for numbered and numeral pages)

With the movie coming out in just a few weeks, I wanted to read the book for Monuments Men.  The book follows the work of the original monument men to protect Europe's cultural treasures.  Each was hand picked for his duty because of previous work within the fields of art, art  history, and architecture.  As part of their duties, they examined damaged historic buildings and traced Nazi-looted treasures from within said buildings and from personal collections.  As the author admits, there is too much to the story to cover in one book as originally planned, so this title focuses on Western Europe.  A second, more recent, book Saving Italy traces the same work in Southern Europe (I hope to read this one eventually).  While each monument men is traced, special attention is paid to George Stout (whom became the leader) and James Rorimer (whom worked closely with the French resisters Rose Valland and Jacques Jaujard, who worked within the Louvre and Jue de Paume).

Overall, I was thrilled with the book.  All historical elements were well traced, as evidenced by the end notes.  The writing read like a well-paced novel by incorporating dialogue from interviews and adding elements of suspense while on the hunt for missing artwork.  Relevant photographs and maps were included to help visualize the destruction of cultural landmarks, vastness of the underground art storage areas, and the paths the monuments men took to locate the missing items.

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman- 298 pgs.

This book is getting a lot of buzz right now because of the TV show based off it airing on Netflix.  Because of that and a recommendation by a friend, I decided to give it a shot.  During an adventurous time in her life, Piper Kerman became tangled with a woman who involved Kerman in the drug world.  After delivering a large amount of cash for a drug payment, Kerman got scared and left the world of drugs  and started to live a normal life. Or so she thought.  10 years later, she was arrested and sentenced to a year in federal prison.  She learned a lot about herself and others during this stay.  This was a fast and enjoyable read.  It is a very good example of how your past can come back to haunt you.

The Grand Tour, or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

The Grand Tour, or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - 469 pages

Cecelia and Kate are now happily married and on their honeymoon tour of Europe with their husbands James and Thomas, as well as Lady Sylvia.  They've just barely left when they are once again caught up in a magical mystery.  It seems antique coronation regalia is being stolen across Europe.  It is up to them to determine why and to stop the evildoers.
This is the sequel to Sorcery & Cecelia.  This time the story is told through Kate's diary entries and Cecelia's depositions.  I really enjoyed this book although I was able to determine the chief villain early on in the story.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - 352 pages

Young Jacob has always idolized his mysterious Grandpa Portman.  When Grandpa dies under mysterious circumstances, Jacob is thrust into trying to figure out if the fantastic tales Grandpa told him about his childhood in Europe after escaping from the Nazis might actually have been true.  Intriguing real-life period photographs are scattered throughout the book and add a whole other layer of creepiness to an already haunting narrative.  This book was marketed for teens but definitely has enough action and higher level writing to appeal to adults.  Fans of the Dark is Rising and Lemony Snicket will find much to love here.