Archive for Items Categorized 'History', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.

The Aleppo Codex

by Matti Friedman

A 10th-century sacred text survives a thousand years—only to be partially stolen during or after being moved from its hiding place in a Syrian synagogue to the newly founded state of Israel.

Berlin Airlift: Air Bridge to Freedom

by Bruce McAllister

So you survived six years of war, three years of occupation. You’re rebuilding your city, your life. And then one day the electricity is off, the gas burner doesn’t light, you’re under siege, and when the food runs out. . . . Enter, the biggest airlift the world had seen.

Second Front, The Allied Invasion of France, 1942–1943

by Alexander M. Grace Sr.

In 1942 the Allies landed forces in North Africa to engage the Germans. What if they had anded in France instead, specifically the unguarded southern coastline of Vichy France? Effective as it was, D Day in 1944 was a horrible carnage. This is not a fluff book, full of idle mind games!

Kennedy in Berlin

Photographs by Ulrich Mack

From the Berlin Blockade in 1948/49 to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, tensions between East and West made the whole world a powder keg. JFK called Berlin “the great testing place of Western courage and will.” And then he went there and said something even more momentous.

Mrs Adolf Hitler: The Eva Braun Photograph Albums 1912–45

by Blaine Taylor

You heard the name before, but put that aside for a moment. If it weren’t for the burden of history, we would see her story and her photos with unprejudiced eyes—and realize that this is absolutely an unusual story.

War and Remembrance

by Herman Wouk

You know you’ve seen the book or heard about it. Wouk himself wrote the screenplay for the TV mini series—but reading the book has an altogether different impact. Don’t miss it!

One World, Big Screen: Hollywood, the Allies, and World War II

by M. Todd Bennett

The film theater and the geopolitical theater come together in a book that explores how movies affect pubic opinion.

Pacific Crucible, War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941–1942

by Ian W. Toll

Well-trodden ground, to be sure, but Toll gives a good introduction and also incorporates recent scholarship that sheds more light on both parties to the conflict.

War on the Waters: The Union & Confederate Navies, 1861–1865

by James M. McPherson

Almost a David-and-Goliath scenario! Civil War-era naval engagements were relatively small and few but had a disproportionately large impact. This excellent book too is relatively small—and makes a large impact.

Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II

by Arthur Herman

Two men who never donned a uniform were absolutely critical to America’s dominance in the war. At last here is a book to tell their story and the one of public and private sector cooperation. Don’t think for a moment this is a boring book!

500 Days: Secrets and Lies in the Terror Wars

by Kurt Eichenwald

In the aftermath of 9/11 political leaders scramble to appear as if they’re on top of the situation. Bending the truth, torturing informants, skeptics be damned—Constitution? What Constitution? And all of a sudden, we’re at war.

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