Superb Historical Account
933931
Superb historic account of slavery in Jamaica, which will remain with you long after reading the book.
3877049
Superb and riveting.  The fascinating account of the most famous small-unit combat episode in the history of the US Marine Corps.  Without commenting on the absurdity of McArthur's push to the Yalu River on North Korea's border with China, Bob Drury and Tom Clavin gives the reader a fast-paced account of the suffering and heroism of Fox Company, 2/7 Marines in December 1950.  I couldn't put it down.
2746671
1776 is a wonderful page-turner of a book. McCullough takes a series of letters written by both common soldiers as well as generals to carefully narrate the American Revolution's battles from the point at which General Washington assumed command of the patchwork army in 1775 through the disasters that befell the army in New York and New Jersey in 1776 through the improbable American victories in New Jersey in early 1777.

While the book could have been more in depth, McCullough chose to keep the narriative flowing, rather than to bog the sweep of the story of these early parts of the American Revolutionary War in minutia and trivia. 1776 is the best account I have read of the Battle of Long Island, which took place mostly in Brooklyn. This book clearly lays out where the commanders went wrong and where they succeeded in their objectives.

Included with the book are detailed maps drawn by the British of the Boston, New York (and Long Island) and Trenton, New Jersey areas and surrounds that are of invaluable assistance in educating the reader of the topology, much of which has been entirely transformed today.

The result is a rousing page-turner and an invaluable addition to any history buff's library.
374051
This is an absolutely brilliant account of the cold war struggles for dominance and arms control. Mr. Hoffman got unprecedented access to Soviet documents and leaders and has nearly the whole story. It will be the definitive account for a long time. The most remarkable thing is how well written it is - never an awkward sentence, and the ideas flow so smoothly no matter how complex. There are so many heroes, from an American operative with the surname of Weber in Kazakhstan to the Soviet defectors from their unbelievably huge and horrifying biologic weapons program, and Sam Nunn and all the others who realized the danger of the poorly secured stockpiles of nuclear and biologic weapons as the USSR broke apart and got the US to act against considerable right wing resistance. There are also a bunch of chumps, from the eternally well-employed and nearly always wrong Bob Gates, the always wrong Dick Cheney, Caspar Weinberger, and the nearly-worshipped Brent Scowcroft, who missed the chance to almost completely eliminate nuclear weapons while the indecisive GHW Bush waffled. It crystallizes the misplaced machismo of our leaders, always afraid in the face of unbelievable opportunities and overwhelmingly in favor of doing nothing but wasting taxpayer money to increase the danger to the men and women in the armed services and the American people by continuing the same old path. Only Gorbachev, who was probably the most remarkable leader of the 20th century, saw the complete folly of continuing to amass way more world-threatening weapons no one ever wanted to use, though Reagan, a man who disgusted me to no end, saw nearly the same thing and really pushed hard in the right direction on this most important matter. It is the most gripping history I have read in years.
1757911
great history-fascinating reading-going far beyond the usual biased histories
2311083
This well written account of a true story is excellent.  As a history buff, I find it fascinating, but I also believe that it is so entertaining that non-history buffs, who just enjoy a good story, will also love it.  Highly recommended.
4790406
"The Great Arab Conquests" is not only informative and enlightening, it's also a fascinating, fast-paced, and wholly understandable read.

I'll highlight just a few aspects of the book which I considered its high points:

Writing style.  The author, Hugh Kennedy, writes with a style that is easy to follow and quite often fun to read.  Many history books that I have read begin with a "Preface" or an "Introduction" where the author directly addresses you, the reader.  But typically, once Chapter 1 begins, the author steps far, far away from you, the reader, to dictate events from some high "historical writing" platform.  Kennedy stays with you throughout the entire book, offering insightful and sometimes even humorous commentary.  It reminded me less of "historical writing", and more of some of those great, engaging history class professors I had in college.  More authors of history should write like this.

Organization.  Kennedy's smooth and straightforward structure makes it a breeze to comprehend the vast and diverse Arab conquests.  The conquests are divided up into separate chapters for each geographical region conquered (e.g. "Conquest of Iran", "Conquest of Egypt", etc.).  Each chapter is roughly 30 pages in length which always felt like the ideal amount of material that I could digest in one sitting.  Some history books have colossal 60-page chapters, which have always felt exhausting to me.  Other books have new topic headings every few pages, which I have always found distracting.  Kennedy seems to have found an ideal middle ground, and it works beautifully.

Historical sources.  The original contemporary Arab sources from the time of the Arab conquests are sketchy, and often nearly fictitious.  Kennedy acknowledges this and deals with it in a superbly scholarly fashion.  In addition to setting aside several pages at the beginning of the book to deal with this important matter, he continually wrestles with sparse and/or untrustworthy sources throughout the course of the book.

Maps.  For every separate conquest region, there is a corresponding, well-detailed map.  Iran, Iraq, Egypt, North Africa, Transoxania, etc. all have fantastic maps located at the front of the book.  I was constantly referring back to them.

Finally, as a small but delightful bonus, the dustjacket illustrations of the hardcover edition of this book are absolutely gorgeous.  The lavish Arabic design aesthetic constantly invited me to crack open the book every time that I glanced at it on my desk.

All in all, "The Great Arab Conquests" has quickly become one of my favorite books on Arab history.  I was impressed by Hugh Kennedy's treatment of the Abbasid caliphate in his previous book, "When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World", and this latest work of his has only increased my appreciation for his engaging, intelligible writing on complex topics in Arab history.
4716367
This is a fascinating, scrupulously researched and well-written book that is brimming with detail and insight.  Margery Heffron's immersion in the relevant Adams sources has allowed her to paint a portrait of Louisa Catherine Adams that is fair, nuanced, and persuasive.  The great strength of this biography is Heffron's ability to really get at the core of what made Louisa tick.  I felt that I really understood Louisa after reading this book.  She is definitely a sympathetic historical figure, one whom you admire and appreciate.  There is a balanced blend here of letting Louisa (and her husband, John Quincy) speak through quotation of letters and diary entries and Heffron's analysis.  More specifically, Heffron's account of Louisa's journey from St. Petersburg, Russia to Paris in the winter of 1815 is riveting, and her account of the etiquette wars that Louisa fought in Washington as the wife of the secretary of state is revealing for what it says about her and the times in which she lived.  This is a character study with just enough of "the times" to allow readers to appreciate the context surrounding Louisa's life.

I recommend this book to readers who are interested in this period of American history, as well as to those who appreciate a biographer who is skilled in her craft.  I am sorry Ms. Heffron did not live to finish Louisa's life and that I will not be able to read any more of her work.
4007502
Coleman has written a masterful history of the birth of airmobile warfare and the beginnings of the modern 1st Cavalry Division, a justly-proud outfit.  This book contains much of the material that was in the eye-witness account by then-LTC "Hal" Moore and correspondent Joe Gallaway, obviously being researched separately, and its episodes and treatment of history compliment "We Were Soldiers Once and Young."  Both are excellent history, and both portray the fight at LZ X-ray and subsequent battles, with accuracy and with sensitivity.  Even the enemy is given credit for professionalism and valor (but the NVA's atrocities are recorded as well).  I can attest to the accuracy of the details of military action and engagement, and for the geographical and combat situation in Coleman's work -- I served in the same area as an infantryman almost four years later, and "airmobile" proved to be a viable and usually successful tactic of battle.  One or both of these books should be required reading for every student of history, and every American as well.  I received this book in just a days, and it was in perfect condition.
3776175
Actual historical events often are more interesting and exciting than fiction or historical novelsespecially when these events are well researched and described skillfully.  Certainly this is true in considering Stephen Taylors biography, Commander:  The Life and Exploits of Britains Greatest Frigate Captain.  We tend to use the phrase larger than life all to often when describing historical figures.  However, Edward Pellew was truly a larger than life historical figure both literally and figuratively.  He was a giant of a man in stature, a super hero physically as he larked about in the ships riggings at the tops of the masts, or dove into the sea to rescue hapless crewmen.  He was an excellent tactician at planning and preparing for battle, a truly fine mentor to seamen in his command, a devoted husband and father and a chivalrous adversary to enemies, who were treated with utmost kindness when defeated.  His men were utterly devoted to him.

The last battle which Pellew directed against the Dey of Algiers to free hundreds of Christian slaves was probably one of the greatest sea battles in the annals of British history, and is described accurately and fully in the book.

Taylor did a superb job carefully documenting all aspects of Pellews life including his rise from a lowly ships hand ultimately to the position of Admiral.  In doing this Taylor also highlighted the internecine political battles, which affected Pellews life and sometimes prevented him from accomplishing even greater benefits for his country.  In highlighting these political matters Taylor actually described many of the serious problems pervading the Admiralty in the late 18th and early 19th centuries which impacted negatively on British Naval interests.

Taylors book is an outstanding read, covering all aspects of the British Navy during the period of Edward Pellews life.  It is a must read for anyone seriously interested in British Naval History.
1595396
It's rare that I find a truly 5-star book, but this is one of those times. Hajari has written an accessible, well-researched, thorough account that makes "history" so much more than dates and figures. He approaches the Partition of India from a very personal angle, tracing the personalities, relationships, and dynamics that created this bloody period. At last I feel like I have some understanding why Pakistan and India have such a contentious relationship, why Kashmir remains a hotspot, and why US policy is still so deeply impacted by this region's conflicts.

I'm not a scholar of this period to evaluate Hajari's facts or interpretations, but I found his balanced and unbiased recounting a real breath of fresh air. So much that's published has a clear underlying agenda one way or another, but this account seems truly to be about giving the reader facts and information to draw their own conclusions. As he says himself in the prologue, "this story has no easy villains - and few heros." I came away from this book with a deeper understanding, but also sympathy (and some exasperation) for both/all sides of the story.

Having read this account, I'm now in search of equally well-written histories of other international hot spots. I find myself wishing Hajari had expertise in other areas to write about, as well. Highly recommended.
2965433
This is a masterful and engaging account of how an untrained impetuous youth turned his ambition for military glory into a life-long quest for the public good - and in the process became one of the greatest military heroes of world history.  Based extensively on primary sources - especially Washington's own correspondence, two-thirds of which cover the period of the Revolutionary War - this factual and well-written book tells the dramatic story of how Washington, despite his weaknesses and mistakes and losses of battles, organized from volunteers and conscripts a professional army that wrestled victory away from the most powerful and experienced army in the world. Even the title itself is revealing - A Military Life - for both Washington and his contemporaries considered Washington primarily as a military commander, despite his political and other services to his country. Must reading not only for military enthusiasts but for anyone interested Washington or the history of America.
3547373
This is a thoroughly engrossing account of a pivotal event in world history.
The book carefully details the complicated actions that preceded the attack, documenting the tragic miscalculations by politicians and military authorities on both sides while providing interesting perspectives on those failures.  Discussing the Hawaiian defenders' puzzling inability to appreciate their new radar technology, for example, Nelson quotes one private's observation, "It seemed that if you got in trouble in the army, a radar unit was most likely in your future."  Unfortunately, of course, misuse of radar  was only one of many problems that resulted not only in complete surprise, but also in an almost complete inability to defend.
Turning to December 7th, Nelson relies on dozens of first-hand reports, American and Japanese, civilians, sailors, soldiers and officers, to provide remarkable images of that day's horrors.  There are of course descriptions of the type of heroics that resulted in Medals of Honor, but also of humbler acts of courage by those suddenly confronting overwhelming destruction, unspeakable injuries, and widespread death.  Afterward, the book describes the grisly task of searching for survivors, sometimes in pitch darkness, and the incredible engineering efforts that allowed the Navy to get most of its ships back in service during the war.
While subsequent events of the war in the Pacific are mostly beyond the scope of the book, Nelson manages to provide important details about those as well.  Casual students of World War II who, like me, primarily equate firebombing with Dresden, Slaughterhouse-Five, and Holocaust deniers, may be unaware of the extent of our firebombing in Japan, which caused massive damage and killed thousands of civilians in Japanese cities prior to any use of atomic bombs, with no apparent effect on Japanese resolve.
I was surprised to read complaints in other reviews that a large section of this book simply repeats Nelson's account of the Doolittle raid from his earlier book, First Heroes.  As the first effort to retaliate for the attack on Pearl Harbor, and one with obvious similarities to that attack, the Doolittle raid does receive more attention than later battles, but it is still a small portion of the new book, and First Heroes (which is also excellent) came out in 2002, so even those of us who had read it needed a reminder of what happened less than five months after December 7th.
1877432
In a saturated genre, this account of FDR and several of his merry men in the very early war years offers fresh and wonderfully humanizing details on the five emissaries, their missions, and their environments.  The best praise for a history book, in my opinion,
is that it reads like a novel; this is one you can't put down. For students of the rich offerings of the thirties and forties and the early
war years, this book is a delightful essential.
1307922
This account of life in Delhi reveals so much more than the usual history books do.  The author writes from the standpoint of the residents of Delhi over the years. their culture and religion and is frank about the prejudices of the British and their destructive cruelty.  With his other book, the history of the 1857 "Mutiny," or Uprising, as he calls it, we have new essential reading for students of British India
4902450
Delightfully written, historically informative and an excellent read.
140272
I am truly impressed with the research that went into the writing of this book.  Anyone with an interest in history should read it. It is a story remarkably well told and a wonderful insight into the true meaning of historical fact and personal relationships. Thank you, Bryan, for a very special reading experience.