A Tale of Duty, Compassion, and Heroism
598412
I largely credit my love of reading with The Chronicles of Narnia.  My fourth grade teacher read the entire series to our class and I loved every minute of it.  With the contemporary release of theatrical versions of the first two installments, I've enjoyed rereading the books for the first time in twenty years.

Prince Caspian is beautifully simplistic.  Aimed at children, the ideas of duty, compassion, and heroism are wonderfully relayed in an easily digestible format.  When I was a child, I found the stories incredibly stimulating, but now as an adult I realize the life-lessons Lewis taught with each installment of The Chronicles of Narnia.  Prince Caspian is the story of doing the right thing even when you must go against everything that seems natural.  It is the story of putting your faith in a higher power and purpose and leaving mundane worries behind.

Keep in mind, however, that Lewis offered more than just a morality tale.  Prince Caspian lays the groundwork for an epic story to come.  In Narnia, Lewis created a varied and fantastic world where mythology, religion, and reality seamlessly meld.

I so look forward to reading the rest of this series as an adult and critically analyze Lewis' style and purpose.  I also, however, look forward to reading the series to my daughter when she's old enough.  I can't wait to see the wonderment in her eyes that only a child can experience.

~Scott William Foley, [...]
1316224
A fresh take on an old subject with a real life hero that one can relate to
2128640
I often wondered where the stories of heroism, intelligence and good morals went. Luckily I happened upon this beloved story about how a group of very different forest animals are forced to work together and take care of one another, despite their individual faults and differences. This story not only teaches good morals, but also about strength, endurance, compassion and love for the animals in our forests.
396896
The Dan writes this in a way those without military experience can understand the complexities of being a junior officer and the personality clashes that sometimes result in the needless death of a true leader. A young man raised with values, morals and a sense of purpose. The story shows a "boy next door " grows up, goes to college, joins the Marine Corps out of honor and a desire to help the war effort in Vietnam  He leads his troops in such a manner that their hearts and minds revere him. From personal experience , I know some people in positions of power sometimes show resentment toward such an individual. Dan Moore shows such a dynamic which culminates in the inevitable conclusion. He also shows how a young man of honor, sense of duty and courage becomes disillusioned.
4746398
Its truly unfortunate that we find out the good deeds of men committed to service of our fellow citizens when tragedy strikes.  It is only when such tragedies occur that we find the true essence of the good firefighters do not just in calamities such as 9/11 but in their everyday common work activities.
 David Halberstam delves into the lives of the fireman in the fire station that houses Engine 40 and Ladder 35 just after the tragedy of 9/11 at ground zero.  That the author notes in the book that this fire house was charged with his own safety as he lived very close to it on the West side of Manhattan.
 What Halberstam does is to go into great detail as to the fire house routines and devotion not only to a firemans duty; but also in the culture and discipline of how firefighters live by the code of the New York City Fire Department.  The author details the backgrounds and family lives of the men of Engine 40 and Ladder 35 who went to the call of duty to ground zero on that fateful September morning.
 Halberstam reflects on the routines and ways of life of the men who made the fatal run.  Who were they?  Why were they firemen?  What motivated them to live the life of a fireman?  The author interviews the surviving firemen and the families and friends of men who perished on their final fire call to duty.  The book is a quick and insightful read which explains a strong sense of men doing their duty and why they do what they do.
 Halberstam has a way with words and is instinctly cognizant of a great human interest story.  He doesnt fail in doing a great book which Im glad to have read.
3600562
The tragedy of 9/11 brought out on-the-spot courage from ordinary individuals. Lisa Jefferson became one of those heroes. As the gentle and faith-filled operator on the other line of a GTE/Verizon phone call, she never knew that her warmth and courage would be recorded for the history books as she spiritually guided another on-the-spot hero, Todd Beamer into courageous and patriotic sacrifice.

Called is not a long chronicle of the events surrounding 9/11--much of that history has already filled the pages of newspapers, bestselling books, and websites. Neither is it an extended treatise on the spiritual life. Instead, we're given the short journey of an ordinary American who stepped up to the call of duty when it was needed.

In many ways, Lisa is like you and I--calmly living out our normally mundane lives. But one day we may be called into special duty. Lisa was ready. Will you be?
4555069
a moving and passionate depiction of character and courage! Inspiring!
1615253
Once I started reading, there was no putting this one down.  The writing is superb, the story a fascinating true tale of the forging and reforging of a true American hero.

Lt. Redman's capacity for introspection and overcoming adversity are remarkable.  Don't miss this one.  Inspiring.
542602
I could not put down this book!  It is a heroic masterpiece begging to be made into a feature film.  Written by a dear friend who I recently was reunited with through Facebook after two decades of losing touch, it is all at once gripping and inspiring.  While our spiritual journeys have led to different paths, I am awed by Danuta Pfieffer's courage in both telling and living this daunting story.  You may know her as Danuta Soderman, former co-host of the 700 Club.  I know her as a passionate. tenacious, lover of life and fiercely loyal friend -- and now hero.
3954669
A quiet reality is a story of compassion spoken with conviction for all facets of the truth.  It is the hope of all who have fought and died for the price of freedom in that it shares the wisdom and insight born of faith that everyone stands in need of redemption.  The long road from the Bronx to San Diego and into the jaws of death is a journey of the well fought fight bearing the humanity of combat. Chaplain Marrero's courageous tale balances the heart of a pastor with the patriotism of a Naval Officer. The Quiet Reality unfolded in the pages before us nothing more than brilliant!
3069573
I did not give this book five stars because this is a literary masterpiece; I gave it five stars because the tale itself is gripping, and because it gives a perspective on war, combat, and the importance of understanding foreign cultures (especially before we send troops overseas). This is a story about the bravery of American special operators (Navy SEALs, Army SF, Rangers and Night Stalkers), one SEAL in particular; but it is also a story about the unexpected bravery of Afghan peasants who -- because of their culture -- made the decision to protect an outsider. As an Army veteran who spent a bit of time in that area, I found Luttrell's story credible and informative. What I find incredible, though, is that this nation of ours can create such men as him. Reading this book will give one a very different perspective on life, that's for certain.
2299760
The book is a suspenseful, fact-based tale of heroism and pioneering by Germans who migrated east to Russian-held lands, rather than west, to the Americas, in the 18th and 19th centuries.  It is a reminder of the power of human determination and the value of faith and family.  The horrors of the Russian Revolution, after which all the successful farmers, the land owners, called kulaks or parasites, were killed or force-marched to Siberia, has disappeared from the history American children study.  This book fills in that gap with the stories of individual people and their struggles.  I recommend it to everyone.  It is written in a storytelling style, not as a compendium of facts or, worse, historical or political theory.  It is also an excellent introduction for any researcher who is new to the subject matter
1347444
Joe Cooper, Mark Williams' hero in Holy Ground is a mentally wounded Vietnam Vet who flies a police helicopter like the Lone Ranger rode Silver, only with music. He's a two-fisted, two-gun cop who doesn't hesitate to face the bad guys, and yet he's tender hearted enough to show respect for the homeless and dispossessed. Reading through the pages of Holy Ground we get the feel of what's like inside a cop's heart and head and we suffer along with Cooper. We begin to see the world through a Vet's eyes, and we come to understand Coop's affinity for the walking wounded of American's lost citizens. This is more than a book about what Vietnam did to those who served there, or even what it's like to be a cop in the sky responding to emergencies and developing situations. It's about one man's fight to make sense of it all and how he lays it all on the line every day to protect and to serve. Readers beware: Don't start this book if you aren't prepared to read it in one sitting. It will grab you and pull inside its pages without mercy. Don't say I didn't warn you.
4528441
This is a fascinating story of a travel undertaken by seven children in order to save their native Teletsia. A journey of epic proportions in which even the youngest of the seven discover hidden heroic - and humane - qualities they did not know they possessed. It is an inspiring story which stays with you months and years after you've finished it. Hard to put aside,  when finishing reading it, one has the feeling of loss usually associated with having to leave trusted and loved friends.  The adventures of the seven kids somehow engulf every day reality, lending it a deeper meaning and even a sense of enjoyment despite adversities. Linda Williams' book resembles Gregoire de Kalbermatten's "The Legend of Dagad Trikon" in that they both feature a revival of heroic tales (not unlike J.K.Rowlings's Harry Potter Series), and center around a collective hero - in which the virtues of feminine intuition and wisdom play a significant part.
1572648
A story about compassion, empathy, caring, belief in the redeeming quality of others, and an exemplary person along with others, valuing the concept of justice.
624463
Through his passionate dedication, Colonel Merrill has embraced the painful and ultimate sacrifice given by these altruistic protectors. Reflected on the heartbreak, strength, and resolve of the Family members. Engraved into the hearts of the reader the actions, emotions, and eternal memories of the rescue survivors. The history of America in one of it's darkest hours, and the people who refused to give up, and rose to their fullest humanistic potential. Thank you Colonel Merrill, and God Bless America.

 Lieutenant Alan T. DeVona (Retired)
 PAPD WTC 9/11/01 Patrol Sergeant
898024
While it is a work of fiction, The Nightengale lets us understand - in a most personal way - the suffering and justified terror of ordinary French people during the Nazi occupation. At the same time, this story is about the strength of compassion and kindness in the face of evil. It is the story of how many people, who may never have dreamed themselves capable of heroic deeds, became heroes in the face of the terrifying Third Reich. Of course there is no truly happy ending to stories of WWII, but there is grace and the amazing strength of the human spirit.

I most appreciate Kristin Hannah's way of weaving her characters' stories together, and also that she doesn't over-simplify. Beauty and evil can co-exist. A Nazi soldier can show a bit of compassion toward a woman who just happens to be on the other side of the war neither of them wanted. In the end, brutality is not stronger than human dignity.