A thrilling story of courage and bravery.
928412
Leon Uris has again described characters and situations in an amazing and believable way.
The history of the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII is described with credible and thought-provoking realism.
4462765
A gripping story of one man's journey into the true heart of darkness of the Pacific war in 1940's. His personal history and fascinating growth into the man he became serves as an inspiring story for any young man in America. His strength and mental fortitude are stretched to the limits and beyond as he faces the worst of an evil brutal political system. The real struggle to survive incomprehensible violence and abuse is intense and almost unbelievable but for its documented accuracy. That is but half of this inspiring story. The discovery that the ultimate struggle and battle we all face in different ways is not overcome by physical strength and toughness is the surprise ending. The ability to overcome all, even the chains of revenge, hatred, PTSD, and survivor guilt will touch your heart. An absolute must read for any veteran and it will not disappoint anyone who reads it. A page turner you won't regret buying and that will difficult to put down.
3002339
This is an inspiring story of outstanding g courage. I liked the way the author wove historical events into the narrativE.  I also appreciated how she detailed truth from fiction in the appendix.
4489555
A great story.  Such brave people. Unbelievable  conditions to endure. A true story in many  ways.
2753948
What a wonderful tale. Although it is fictional it is based in fact and is a story of bravery and determination. Even small actions have major consequences.
292812
This book is an incredible story of survival and finding courage to keep moving forward against all the odds. What a motivating story for readers of all ages.
3085240
An amazing story of heroism, compassion, grit and sacrifice. I was humbled by the courage and humility of Marcus and his fellow SEALS. Superb read. A gift to America.
1862784
This is the most remarkable story of the triumph of the human spirit. It also brings home to us that the enemy are also human. The bravery of these warriors is almost too difficult to believe and although they were the enemy my admiration of their professionalism and courage is profound.
2202500
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It is a story of perseverance and courage unlike I have ever read before. Motivating and illustrating the greatest generation and some of the trials they endured during one of the most trying times in history.
4084348
A thrilling adventure about an almost thirteen year old girl and her younger brother who set off on their bicycles in search of their father, Tom, who they are sure is in the nearby woods. There they discover the reason he has not returned home is that poachers are about and there is a good chance they have hurt Tom.

Their search takes them deep into the woods where they seem to be under the protection of an unseen presence which they think might be the legendary Culloo and are guided by the sweet tobacco smell of what they can only imagine are the stone people.

A delightful story of courage compassion and suspense. There were huge obstacles to overcome, heart stopping moments and subtle messages about conservation and human connectedness.

Children as young as ten would probably be able to read it for themselves because of the easy writing style but I would recommend this story to young adults too, and it would be great as a book that parents could read to under tens.
1663463
This is an amazing story of courage, honor, sacrifice, and coming of age. Michael Shanahan, an apparently somewhat academically underachieving south texas high school senior in the mid 1960's, is yet a highly capable young man who finds himself at odds with his stern, disciplinarian father, himself a decorated naval aviator, World War Two hero, and commander of a naval training facility in south Texas. Mike's close friendship with the rowdy, hell-raising, and less than patriotic Jim Nathan is but one source of his father's disapproval; and, the young man's conflicted feelings about his relationship with his father, his resentment of the naval aviator trainees under his father's command, his chagrin at failing to gain admittance to the U.S. Naval Academy (another source of disappointment for his father), and his own intense idealism, fervent patriotism, and deep concern for his fellow countrymen fighting in Vietnam, all combine to compel him to enlist in the army at the age of 18, with the goal of becoming a paratrooper. That his friend Jim has no intention of even submitting to the military draft only adds to Mike's angst.

Mike's intelligence and capability earn him recognition at each stage of the process of military training, and he advances quickly through basic and airborne training, and officer candidate school, eventually being placed in the elite Green Beret special forces. Along the way his own and his fellow trainee's dedication and sense of humor in the face of their harsh training is revealed in the author's taut, expressive prose. The description of his wry, stoic acceptance of the moderately sadistic hazing by the members of the company of Green Berets (in which he is installed as a newly minted second lieutenant and executive officer), all of them combat veterans, is particularly good. And although outwardly stoic, Mike struggles to reconcile his immature expectations of life in the special forces with the reality of the men and circumstances that he encounters.

Mike, at the age of 21, is placed in command of a Special Forces A Team camp near the Vietnam-Cambodia border, with the assignment of disrupting North Vietnamese Army supply routes and killing the maximum number of  NVA and Viet Cong.  He succeeds spectacularly despite corrupt and treacherous South Vietnamese army allies, and an inept Naval lieutenant who commands the naval personnel at the camp.

The action sequences will keep you reading until well after your bed time, and the descriptions of heroism and Mike's inner struggle to deal with the deaths of his friends and fellow warriors in the face of the non-committal U.S. military strategy, driven by perverse political imperatives, will inspire your outrage at the needless sacrifice of so many patriotic and honorable people.

I highly recommend this book.
3621121
This is essentially a factual account of one of many daring operations carried out during WW11. the beginning of the book is a little slow because the authors are re telling real events and building the background. I defy anyone however to reach the end of this book and not to have a racing heart and a lump in their throat. It is inconceivable to me now that Captain Mason and his merchant marine crew would re board a derelict oil tanker under such circumstances. It is more than the relief of the besieged island of Malta, it shows the resilience and courage of ordinary men deprived of sleep and under constant attack by sea and air.  The book also demonstrates what a close run thing that dreadful conflict was, and how sometimes sheer bravado overcame a vastly superior force, just because they dared to try.
4542527
While war can be exciting and create heroes,  it can be crushing and cruel
. This story is about a man who experienced both. It a gripping story I found hard to put down.
2932219
I highly recommend this compelling story, skillfully made up on a solid base of deep, personal knowledge and experience. The reader is drawn into the thrilling action, feeling all the extreme fatigue, stress, fear and hope, as the protagonists do. I never climbed up the top of a mountain, but now I feel as if I did it. This is a promising onset of a new author.
1060421
Shalva has captured the essence of the atmosphere of this complex, exciting and sometimes truly mysterious and oh so very real place.  It is a book about persistence, veracity and tenacity - and bravery.  Set against a backdrop of danger and the ability to stand up for what is right. A marvelously interesting and engaging book.  Not to be put down. And a salut to all the spouses of the brave men and women who serve in the Mossad and other secret services. The message is they matter. They make a difference.  In this exciting story, Shalva captures that side of what is not sometimes mentioned or noticed. The life of the spy's spouse.  Bravo!
509328
The life of a CIA operative tests personal strength, mental stamina, and above all - faith. Michele Rigby-Assad was able to push past all the odds, putting it all at risk for the sake of her country, in a real-life tale of faith uncovered. This book is as riveting as it is inspiring, and is a testament to what 'hero' means. Thank you, Michele!
3792340
These are turbulent times and we need things that give us courage. Urdang's book gives me courage. It's the story of deeply disturbing times, in southern Africa and in the US and how one woman found her way to authentic participation in the movements for fundamental change. I have known Urdang as she lived these years and have a small part in the story. It is thrilling to see how she has captured her story in words and made it available to all of us and to those who will read it in the years to come.