Our Hero ... William "Strata" Smith
589399
We geologists sit out here and take for granted (some might say "for granite")our ability to 3-dimensionally visualize the earth beneath our feet.  This book has to be a "must buy" for every practicing geologist, for without William "Strata" Smith's effort in producing the first really scientific geologic map, the world and humanity could very well be many years behind in the progress that we see today.  The predictive geologic skills developed by Smith were developed under extreme conditions of hardship.  And, like so many men of progress, his contribution was not fully recognized in his lifetime.  If I had the money, I would buy ten copies to give to my favorite geologist friends.  Why don't you consider a gift to your local geologist ... they would really love this book!
4743146
I remember the tragic disappearance  of Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney so well.  At the time and still today I am shocked and appalled by what happened. HATEFUL!!!!!!
Carolyn Goodman's story of perseverance and purpose is an inspiration to all.  She never gave up the fight.
My Mantelpiece is beautifully written and full of heart and soul.
Susan Smith
3735096
Truly, a story of a brilliant self made man (with a little help along the way) worth reading. Inspiring in that the triumphs and numerous struggles are included revealing the joys and heartaches of his working career and family life. Other than a stint in the U.S. Air Force, my employment has been as an hourly worker and I wish my employers had had the concern and care for my welfare as Mr. Goldbach had for all those at Metro Machine. Bravo to him for his selflessness and great generosity to his workers, community, friends and family. Janet is " the woman behind the man" and a friend to everyone she meets. A wonderful lady, artist and personal friend.
2418400
I am soo glad that someone is telling our story!!! Thank you Mr. Brown. This book speaks to our genenration. The  50's had Langston Hughes, the 60's and 70's had James Baldwin, the 90's and on had E. Lynn Harris and James Earl Hardy, and we have Chavez Brown. You can clearly see that evolution of gay men of color through these authors and their works. I can only hope that Mr. Brown blesses us with more.
4960158
Thank you for sharing this story. Bill "Ready" Cash was a hero! My family and I will enjoy reading this book.  This Black History Month, my son will discuss with his class what it meant and felt like to be Bill "Ready" Cash.  Truly Inspiring!
2696800
Although a national hero in Australia, Charles Kingsford Smith is not well known beyond the shores of this country. This is a shame.  With little doubt, he was one of the worlds greatest aviation pioneers. Indeed, Charles Lindbergh was quoted as calling him the greatest of long distance pilots.  Some praise!  Some reference!

Peter FitzSimons has produced a thoroughly readable biography of the great man.  He has used Australian vernacular and he has used it well.  The book is a pleasure to read.  It flows smoothly and provides a wonderful chronology of Kingsford Smith who was born in suburban Sydney, went to serve in Gallipoli and the Western Front.  It was in Europe that he learned to fly.  He was quickly intoxicated be the experience.

With the end of the Great War, it seems that Kingsford Smith only wanted to continue flying.  To this end, he led the first successful crossing of the Pacific from Oakland to Hawaii, then on to Suva and finally, Brisbane.  In 1928, this was a stupendous achievement.  Today, we think nothing of crossing this vast stretch of water while fast asleep aboard a jumbo jet.  How times have changed.

Yet, for all his flying skills, Kingsford Smith was a poor businessman.  He was never able to accumulate vast wealth in the manner of Lindbergh.  As a result, he continually set himself new challenges; new records that had to be broken.  In the end, of course, this was his undoing.  He died in 1935 in the Gulf of Thailand trying to break the Britain to Australia record.  His wrecked plane was never found.

I recommend this book to all readers of general history.  It is a great page turner.  Rare praise for a work of biography!
4887171
A great read and an inspiration to fight the statist using his own methods. Freeedom must be fought for and we will fight!
1854956
Though an avid reader, I only recently became aware of THIS BOOK. Much appreciation to THIS AUTHOR for bringing this little known story to life.  Not only was I completely riveted by this tale, but am in complete awe of the selfless sacrifice of Pino, his brother, & the other people/characters, which represent the incredible bravery shown by multiplied thousands of civilian & military of multiple nations, fighting with determination to save the world from the tyranny of evil. I am honored by the opportunity to have learned even more of the history of The Greatest Generation, to whom we owe a debt that can never be repaid. May we all be inspired to a higher calling in our own lives...
1905364
Mike Salazar's "Drop Zone" has given justice and much overdue recognition to the men of pararescue past and present.  This book gives you a taste of how all pararescueman can be called upon to do his duty anytime,  anywhere. Although I am not a pararescueman but fellow bluesuiter and  friend to a couple of pararescueman, these men are unique in their own way  and should be treated as so. This book is a must read by all military  special forces enthusiasts. "That others may live"  Oooaahh!  My  Congrats to Mike!
4428447
This is an excellent book, a long awaited and much needed factual account of a group of courageous men whose activism had major impact on the movement.  Hill has produced a wealth of documentation to prove the history he has brought to the fore.

This account does tribute to those brave and unsung (heretofore)

heroes who refused to further degrade themselves and thier communities by turning the other cheek!  Must reading.
2770800
Mr. Kyle's writing style is well thought out and easy to follow. A very brave man who brought a first-hand account of the heroes, great and small, into our hearts. Great reading!
860196
This man was a true hero. The story of his life had me laughing, crying, cheering and wishing I could have had the privilege of meeting him. Praise God for Adam Brown and his family!  Thank you Brown family for sharing this wonderful story.
989532
Very matter of fact telling of his life and war. Knowing that Kyle and men like him are fighting to defend us makes me feel safer. Our country is blessed to have had even one man who gave so much and Kyle had comrades who gave as he did. Bless these men and their families.
1927579
I just last night learned that this book has been published and I rushed to order it this morning.. I was greatly priviledged to read the manuscript some time ago so I am compelled to enter this review now. This is a most remarkable first hand account of one of the most epic periods in history. I read mostly non fiction history and although I am not a specific WWII buff, the Pacific Campaign remains one of the most challenging and hair raising eras in history. I know so I must report that Billy Bush today is a 90 year old veteran who bicyles 90 miles a week to this day!
I was born during the Battlle of Leyte Gulf in what, let us hope, is the most dramatic time in all of history. I work on pre WWII homes and have a particular admiration just for the civic vigor and virtue of this time. To hear this man's calm recollection of these dreadful times....
Well let most of us know how lucky we are today not to have been adults then.
4951770
Dr Kalanithi wrote with bravery, strength and skill. His loving family were, and are, critical in the formation and completion of this important story. It is strange to say this way, but I wish his family both my sincerest condolence and deepest respect.
4653556
"100+NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD", by K.B. Schaller, may well rock the World to its foundations. There was a distinct gap in the world market for a book of this genre and specialisation. K.B. Schaller has certainly filled in that gaping gap! We're used to hearing only about "Pocahontas", "Sacagawea" and two or three lesser-known, yet strong, heroic Native American women who left an indelible mark in the anthropological, social, cultural and historical annals of the United States of America. Through painstaking research and numerous visits to reservations and countless calls on individual historians and researchers in the field. K.B. Schaller, of Cherokee/Seminole extraction herself, brings into our lives twenty times as many such fascinating stories of heroic struggles against the most dire and strenuous odds, by women whose memory would otherwise be relegated to oblivion, if they had been heard about in the first place. K.B.'s mammoth task is heroic in itself; separately, in their individual reservations and localities, these stories stay local; collated into a compendium, as the gargantuan work that Ms. Schaller has assiduously undertaken, mostly as a labour of love and a deep admiration for these much forgotten heroes, brings together all of these fascinating stories, stories that we in the wider world, i.e. outside of America, never knew about before.

From environmentalist Colleen Swan, who placed herself in the front line to save her village, Kivalina, Alaska, in the face of possible impending flooding of Kivalina and surrounding areas, if Exxon Mobil continued to cause further emissions of greenhouse gases from oil-producing operations, affecting the livelihood and survival of Kivalina's inhabitants, to ballet dancers, such as Maria and Marjorie Louise Tallchief - great worldwide award-winners in Russian ballets - to stunt pilots, such as Elizabeth ("Bessie") Coleman, who travelled to Europe and became the first American of either gender to qualify, in 1921, for a Fderation Aronautique Internationale Pilot's Licence, in a field of endeavour largely peopled by men, K.B. Schaller is capable of keeping us glued to our seats in deep fascination of these immensely powerful Native American women. This is a great read!!!  Joe A A Silmon-Monerri, UK Author of 'Earl St. Maur'-related books.
2724523
Too short an account  of a brilliant leader ,his achievements were acknowledged by a number of US generals. The plus point of this book is that it shows the American Indians as an educated and caring people for the "earth" they inhabited we all could learn for their approach in respecting our environment.