Sicily '43 by James Holland

 Sicily '43: The First Assault on Fortress Europe by James Holland-598 pages

This is a long-overdue popular account of a major Allied campaign that's been overshadowed by later events. The Sicilian invasion was a major test of coordination between the U.S. and British armies and their naval counterparts. The author does an excellent job of discrediting certain criticisms of the 38-day battle, such as too many German units were allowed to escape across the straits of Messina. The book gives an accurate picture of combat experiences in various parts of the sweltering island, and the overall importance of capturing the island in the Allied strategy.

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris - 429 pages

An Officer and a Spy is an apt name for this novel.  The title phrase could belong to a number of characters/historical figures, though I think it is mainly intended to describe Colonel Georges Picquart.  Picquart is appointed head of the French Military's secret intelligence unit shortly after the Alfred Dreyfus' espionage trial.  After being in the position a few months, he discovers there is still a spy in the military reporting to the Germans and the spy may have never been Dreyfus all along. This begins an investigation into the new probably spy and a reopening  of the Dreyfus investigation.  Once this becomes widely known within the military's General Staff, Picquart finds himself in a tight spot.

If you are a history buff and know the final outcome of the decade-long Dreyfus Affair, you will know how part of this novel ends.  However, it is still a worthy read.  Not only does Harris provide accurate descriptions of events (intertwined with fictionalizing character's thoughts and conversations), but he also includes well chosen excerpts from case documents and letters of those involved.

Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub

Silent Night:  The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub -206 pages

I never thought I would say this, but if I were to compare Silent Night (2001) with the similarly-themed movie, Joyeux Noel (2005) I would actually say the movie was better.  Both are about the World War I Christmas Truce in 1914.  The movie covers all the same points the book does in less time and in a more Christmas spirit versus bogging the reader down with the same facts covered multiple ways.  The book also features the gory side of the truce (aka a chapter on burying the dead), which while relevant, kills the holiday mood of a Christmas-themed history book and the downplays the camaraderie taking plays between the two sides.  That said, there were some high points to the book.  My two favorite story threads were the ones about the soccer game (also featured in the movie) and a Scottish solider who bicycled behind enemy lines and was teased by the Germans for his supposed "spying."

Over all, the book was okay but I would recommend the movie over the book.  As a side note, after reading this book I can say the movie was for the most part historically accurate.

Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel by Kathleen Karr

Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel by Kathleen Karr, 238 pages

I really can't see kids picking up this book, reading it and enjoying it.  It's really a shame, too, because it teaches a little American History. I had no idea that we had a United States Camel Corps at any point in our history. I also had never heard that there were spottings of camels in our deserts up until the 1920s.
The story is very simply written from the viewpoint of a camel named Ali. He is very proud, majestic and carries a devotion for Allah. He calls the Americans "man-beasts" and "infidels" as he describes the training and treatment at their hands. Through his eyes we meet other camels as friends, a love interest or enemy as we explore the beautiful landscape and peoples of America. All in all the history lesson is what kept me reading.