Superb historical account
593155
Having heard Elliot Cohen speak on numerous occasions, this book embodies his commitment to accurate historical account tanner of the greats. Thanks Elliot.
2250710
Must read account of  an almost disastrous invasion.
986534
I kind of picked this book as a fluke - wanting something new of history to read, of which I knew little about. The naval war between Hapsburg Spain and the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean Sea during the 16th century certainly fit that bill for me. Boy, was I pleased with my selection. This book was outstanding! I've heard many interesting tales of these times - of Barbarossa, the Sieges of Rhodes, Malta and Cyprus, and the Battle of Lepanto - but the details of these conflicts contained in this book were fantastic. I knew little about this topic, but now feel enlightened. Crowley's writing style is easy to read and energetic. The Siege of Malta is the most shining portion of the book, making up nearly half the read. Crowley goes a long way toward explaining why Europe took a Christian, versus and Islamic, course of history during the 16th century. At the beginning of the century, that course was not at all guaranteed. The Ottoman's completely dominated the Med. Through the unlikely joining of forces between Spain, Venice and the Vatican, the Islamic tide retreated from the Central Mediterranean back to the east. I cannot adequately describe how much fun this book was to read - just read it!
4929232
Intended as a series of lectures for the officers and men of the US 26th Inf. Div, LTC Adlow presents an extremely unbiased and comprehensive account of Napoleon's early Italian campaign. Colonel Adlow's grasp of the events is superb and his ability to communicate them to the reader is truly profound. This reviewer developed a greater understanding of the campaign in Adlow's 200pg book than in all other books combined.  A real gem.
4133646
This is an excellent account of the Atticia prison uprising and the aftermath.  It is well researched, well written, and a pleasure to read.  There is so much detail it can be cumbersome at times, but very informative.  It will shock you (Or at least it did me) that so much inhumane treatment of prisoners could be swept under the rug.  And largely ignored.  "If you want to know the soul of a nation, look at the way they treat their prisoners."  This account shows that, at Atticia, we failed completely.  A true American tragedy, the details f which were not well known until now.  Bravo Ms. Thompson.
250241
Richard Rhodes's provides a masterful account of the science, personalities and WWII in this extraordinary book.  The science of the half century leading up to the bomb, the truly enormous effort that went into its creation, and the fascinating personalities of the people who worked on it are presented in a way that makes history come alive.  The considerable detail offered is well integrated into the telling of this historical epic.  Highly recommended.
2349197
This book may be accused of being biased but it's well worth reading nontheless as it provides an account that is invaluable in explaning the more recent civil war in Lebanon and in fact the roots of many Middle East problems as the Ottoman empire crumbled and led to increased European intervention. Fawaz is one of the main researchers in 19th century Social and Economic transformation in the Levant and is an excellent complement to fine general accounts by Roger Owen, Charles Issawi and Chevallier. Bias aside. Fawaz discusses the centralizing administrative reforms of the mid-19th century Syria and how these acted in conjunction with a unique combination of internal and external social and economic forces that collided to generate a violent civil war in the Lebanon and Damascus in 1860. The book analyzes the socio-economic conditions and circumstances that contributed to the civil conflict in Syria of 1860. It also considers the changes in the international economy in the mid-19th century and its effect in the context of Beirut and Damascus, European cultural, economic and political influence in the Syrian province and the changes in Christian-Muslim relations in terms of the application of the reforms. Ultimately it shows that while the 1860 Civil War in Syria was confessional in its manifestation, it was largely an expression of grievance against the rapid and widespread social and economic transformation that occurred in the first half of the 19th century.
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.
1584666
As a military historian with absolutely =no= interest in ancient history, I nevertheless succumbed to extreme curiosity when a friend excitedly described Tony Clunn's masterful account of the utter destruction of three  Roman legions in the boggy western German countryside in 9 AD.
The  pursuit of historical accuracy owes much to the talented amateur who,  fueled by an unshakeable curiosity, delves into the unaccessed nooks and  crannies of times past without the academic's certainty that the historical  record is more times immutable than not. I have long operated on the  principle that history is a moving target, that the pursuit of historical  truth is ongoing, that we have all the time in the world to get to the  bottom of things.
I think my friend felt I would enjoy In Quest of the  Lost Legions on those bases alone, for by sheer persistence (and good  luck), Tony Clunn has turned the foundation of German national history on  its ear.
The English edition of In Quest of the Lost Legions is somewhat  shorter than the original German edition, and it suffers--albeit  slightly--from a lack of transitions where material was cut. Thus a crucial  turning point in Clunn's understanding of the Varus battlefield never quite  pays off, and the reasons for Clunn's numerous quests much farther afield  in Germany go unexplained. Despite these two flaws--which are minor and  would no doubt go unperceived by most readers--Clunn's twin tales are  absolutely compelling from the first page to the last. I found myself  immediately engaged in both the modern and ancient tales, and I found my  understanding of battlefield archeology and comprehension of the Roman  occupation of Germany advancing painlessly at a comfortable rate.
As it  turns, out this dual history--one that focuses upon the first stirrings of  German nationhood and the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire in  Europe, and the other that is an incredible detective story--has been  utterly pivotal in the way Germans have come to view their history in only  a matter of a very few years. The writing style employed in both stories is  both measured and vivid, so carefully conceived that a person as ignorant  of both aspects of the book as I was can be brought along in thoroughly  digestible phases to a keen comprehension of the underlying history and the  inner workings of Clunn's efforts to pinpoint the underlying truths that  are now accepted throughout the academic circles that monitor such  breathtaking historical revisionism. The beauty of Clunn's own tale is that  he is right and that he is acknowledged as being right by the usually  closed circles of experts that tend to stultify historical inquiry by even  the most talented and best informed "outsiders".
In Quest of  the Lost Legions is two great stories for the price of one--the history of  an immense historical coup and the haunting two-millenia-old tale woven  from the threads Clunn himself has laboriously and painstakingly dug out of  the peat bogs of Kalkriese.
801377
Author Laurence Bergreen has written a truly marvelous account of Magellan's three-year circumnavigation of the world.  I highly recommend this book for folks interested in the Age of Discovery, nautical history, or in true feats of almost superhuman endurance and courage.
Like the vast majority of people, I knew only the barest facts (the 4-5 paragraphs in a school history book).  That is - Ferdinand Magellan sailed a fleet of 5 ships west out of Spain in 1519; he discovered the Straights of Magellan, he was killed somewhere in the Philippines,  and one of the original five ships made it back to Spain in 1522 as the first to circle the planet.  That's it.
Laurence Bergen has managed to bring Magellan (and other key members of the crew) to life, in all of their complexities.  I was amazed to learn that there are written, first-hand, detailed accounts of the voyage that survived and provide vivid pictures of daily activity.  Not only that, but the attempted mutinies, the deprivations of 16th century shipboard life, the ravages of scurvy,  the common brutality, the encounters with islanders, and just the thought process of Magellan provide a story more riveting than anything in fiction.  Additionally, Mr. Bergreen provides vital background information on numerous aspects of the voyage that helps explain what sometimes would seem to be bizare decisions or behaviors (the spice trade, national rivalries, the european monarchies, etc.) All-in-all, a superb read!
3632701
Throughout all that he has written, Ambrose locks in on what could be called "ordinary people" who, for example, went off to fight in World War Two. In this brilliantly written account, he again focuses on such people who -- often under the worst imaginable conditions -- achieved truly extraordinary results. It is probably impossible to measue with any degree of accuracy what the Transcontinental Railroad meant -- and continues to mean -- to the evolution of our nation. However, thanks to Ambrose, we have at least some sense of what it required of everyone involved.  Perhaps the greatest compliment a general reader can pay to the author of a history book is that it reads like a novel. In this instance, there is the value-added-benefit of being helped to understand the complexities (especially the perils) of a human enterprise of epic proportion. Albeit a highly respected hitorian and deservedly so, Ambrose is also his reader's companion throughout all manner of human adventures.
1584094
This is a superb and fascinating journey through the time , Michael Woods makes an exhaustive investigation about the Troy war , seeking restless the clues , the questions from fundamental places . The scenes are loaded with dyonisiac enthusiasm and linked by clever interviews and arresting landscapes .
The multiple issues derivated from the study , the analysis and the common sense all along these six chapters will let you in a reflexive state about the Troy war in itself and the timeless and countless historical references ; it is impossible for any human being who belings to the Western World not watching this extraordinary multidisciplinary document., because its consequences go far beyond the a simple historic search .
1729731
One of the best historical accounts I've ever read.  Every page is chock full of interesting facts presented in uncomplicated format.  I recommend this book as a must read in the classroom and anyone interested in European/Middle Eastern history.
4810122
Nature Next Door is how history should be written.  This wonderful book is deeply researched and undoubtedly an important scholarly contribution, yet at the same time it is utterly readable, packed with fascinating detail (including lots of old photographs), and guided by a clearly argued thesis.  Stroud smartly turns upside down our assumptions about the decline and recovery of forest in the Northeast.  Thanks to her, we now see differently the trees around us as we travel across Pennsylvania and New England.  I could not put this down.
3022547
This is an excellent historical account of the author's father-in-law (Karl Roth) in a German Panzer division during World War 2.  The author amassed an extraordinary amount of data on the military activities, and on some of the personnel associated with Karl Roth, who comes across as a decent person caught up in circumstances over which he had no control.  He had to serve in the military and suffer the consequences of the German defeat.  The author is commended for adhering to historical detail with virtually no mention of the politics of the time, other than a few brief references noting Hitler and Goering bungling the military operations, which contributed to the German defeat, particularly in Russia.  A highlight of the book, is the description of the battle of Stalingrad that started the disintergration of the German army.  The book, desspite all of its detail, is easy reading; its extensive bibliography and footnotes make it a superb resource for anyone interested in World War 2, especially the eastern front.  It would have been even better had the many photographs and maps been larger.

Elliott Lesser
701755
What a superb writer.  This is how to write history.  She presents a solidly researched and unbiased account of the outbreak of WW1 in such an engaging manner that it sometimes reads like a well-written novel.  Indeed, it is difficult to put this book down.
4110251
"Fighting for General Lee" brings history to life as author Sheridan Barringer introduces Rufus Barringer's grandfather and father in a way that provides historical and family context.  The inclusion of personal data continues as Rufus Barringer's early life and careers unfold.
We join his struggles with the events leading to the Civil War, its battles and its aftermath.  Though I am not a Civil War buff, I found "Fighting for General Lee" both interesting and very readable.  The tremendous amount of research evidenced in this book brings characters to life through personal letters and journals, as well as historical documents.  And, thanks to the editors for putting the footnotes at page-bottom enabling me to keep up with references and/or additional information without losing track of the narrative.  It's a real treat to find such a scholarly account  in so good a read -- "Fighting for General Lee" is highly recommended.