Weeds of War: Those Who Bled at Dien Bien Phu by Paul Alenous Kluge

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

It was clear by the first days of 1954 that impending battle at Dien Bien Phu would tip scales everywhere. By then, France was desperate for a win, and Ho Chi Minh was willing to roll the dice, betting on the support of the Soviets, the Chinese, and his own fire-eating army. It was the conscripts, the coolies, and the privates--who had the least to gain and the most to lose--who would pay the heaviest price. They were the weeds of war! The privates depicted are fictional, the battles are not; the historical context is real.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 236

Word Count: 103,837

Political Art of War: Winning Strategy for Local Campaigns by Shawn R. Frost, Sun Tzu, Gary Galiardi (translator)

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Author's Synopsis

Two books in one. The left page is Sun Tzu’s Bing Fa, translated into English as the Art of War by Gary Gagliardi. The right page is Shawn R. Frost’s commentary on how this relates to winning local elections. There are also chapter summaries, a glossary of chinese terms, and an epilogue highlighting Frost’s 10 years working in politics.

This is a nonpartisan guide to winning that has resulted in Frost’s clients winning 31 of 33 contests, an unheard of 93% winning rate.

Read this book, or lose to by someone who has.

Format(s) for review: Paper

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 237

Word Count: 45,149

Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen by James P. Gregory Jr.

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Author's Synopsis

On October 8, 1918, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, led by acting Sgt. Bernard Early, flanked a German machine gun nest that had inundated their unit with withering fire. In this sneak attack, they successfully surprised and captured more than 80 German soldiers before an unseen machine gun suddenly opened fire and killed six men.

Acting Cpl. Alvin York, a member of the patrol, received the credit for taking control of the squad and single-handedly killing 20 Germans, capturing 132 prisoners, and eliminating 35 machine guns, all before leading the men back to Allied lines. For this act of bravery, York not only received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to sergeant, but he also rose to fame and glory. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history.

In Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York, historian James P. Gregory Jr. tells the story of the other sixteen soldiers who took part in the battle, capture, and return before fading into relative obscurity in the shadow of Sergeant York. As the tale reached mythological proportions, the other survivors began to speak out, seeking recognition for their parts in the engagement, only to be stymied by improper investigations, cover-ups, and media misrepresentations. Here, Gregory recovers the story of these other men and the part they played alongside York while revealing the process of mythmaking in twentieth-century America.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 216

Word Count: 58500

The Long Work Trip by Carson Cleveland

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Author's Synopsis

This book relates to many children these days who have parents that have to travel for work. This heart-warming story is written by a father who is separated from his family for a long work trip, when duty calls. With wonderful illustrations, the author provides his kids with insight into what he does on his work trip. Most of all, he ensures his children know all the time he spends thinking about them back home. The story provides a perspective to kids that even though a parent might be away they continue to be loved and cared for.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 25

Word Count: 512

Hangar 4 by Isaac G. Lee

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Author's Synopsis

The best of the best... Risk taker. Son. Badass. Husband. Combat Aviator. Father.

From Officer Candidates School to squadron Commanding Officer, Isaac G. Lee, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret.), reached the finish line at HANGAR 4 on MCAS Miramar at the conclusion of seven deployments during his two decades of service. In this memoir, he shares the lessons, the rewards, the losses, and ultimately, the personal cost.

Isaac pushed every boundary he encountered as a combat aviator, repeatedly testing his own mettle under harsh wartime conditions. He sets a high standard in HANGAR 4 with his candid accounting of a transformative journey that took place while he endeavored to balance life in the squadron, in the cockpit, in war zones, and at home.

Combat defines every warfighter, along with episodes of survivor's guilt, emotional numbness, and lingering grief. Personal reckoning occurs in the aftermath of war.

Truth triumphs. Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 366

Word Count: 119,545

A Grand Pause: A Novel on May 14, 1945, the USS Randolph, Kamikazes, and the Greatest Air-Sea Rescue by Gary Santos

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Based on a true World War II story, almost lost to history. Set on May 14, 1945, A Grand Pause follows two naval airmen, Ensign John Morris and gunner Cletis Phegley, as they ditch their burning dive bomber into the Seto Inland Sea, surrounded by the Japanese home islands. What ensues is a daring rescue mission by the USS Randolph and her war-weary crew, as they struggle against enemies, both physical and psychological, to bring their brethren home safely.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 314

Word Count: 89,568

Always Remembering by Kathy Kasunich

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Based on a real-life couple's experience, Always Remembering” intricately weaves together the heartfelt love story of Mike and Helen, amid the turmoil and battles of World War II. Their blossoming love, abruptly interrupted by the war, thrusts them into a world of separation, uncertainties, loneliness, and the relentless struggle to preserve their bond. Mike confronts the brutal realities of war, while Helen grapples with a domineering mother and a meddling family that strain their relationship. Intertwined within the narrative are unedited letters penned by Mike to Helen, signed with the touching sentiment: “Always Remembering, Never Forgetting, Loving You Forever, Mike.” These letters and the nostalgic memories they evoke become their anchor amidst the chaos, empowering them to endure and cherish the person who captured their hearts.

From the tranquil streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the harrowing battlegrounds of the 42nd Rainbow Division, the pangs of heartache, and the destruction of war resonates deeply. In a story told through both of their perspectives, Mike, an outgoing, confident medic, and Helen, a diffident, humble grocer, bare their souls as they navigate situations beyond their control.

“Always Remembering”, seen through the lens of two ordinary souls is a testament to enduring love, unveiling the emotional toll and unseen collateral damage that war imposes on the human spirit. Echoing the essence of Capra’s stirring narratives, this captivating tale celebrates the resilience of love and the powerful strength found within treasured memories.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Romance

Number of Pages: 356

Word Count: 98,000

Chasing the Daylight. One Woman's Journey to Becoming a US Army Intelligence Officer by Joanna Rakowski

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

What is it like to belong to the world’s most powerful armed forces at the dawn of the 21st century? Does a military tale have to be about the soldiers going to war? You’ll find out here.

Joanna is a fragile, romantic, former ballerina. After a painful rift with her beloved friend and mentor of many years, she joins the U.S. Army. Her dream is to become an Intelligence Officer. She faces a formidable task, but she embarks on a four-year journey to accomplish her goal.

Obsessed with a vision of darkness, Joanna pursues the light, her goal of being part of something bigger than herself. In her journey, often plagued by flashbacks of painful memories of a lost friendship, she conquers obstacles despite her physical shortcomings, discrimination, and abuse. It’s a coming-of-age story where Joanna transforms from a hopeless romantic into a soldier, as her responsibilities as an Intelligence Professional in the Army develop.

Chasing the Daylight is an account of Joanna’s four-year military service where her love for America, love for her husband, and love for her friend are seamlessly interwoven. The story whirls us into the center of the rigorous army training, and with the intricate details, transports us into the reality that only less than one percent of the U.S. population is experiencing.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 412

Word Count: 144000

Saigon Nights: The Elephant in the Room by David S. Lewis

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

This story follows Tom Grey, a Vietnam War Veteran and free-lance newspaper reporter, as he uncovers a smuggling ring that includes the trafficking of young women from Vietnam to the United States.The story begins in 1973 Los Angeles, and takes Grey back to Saigon, South Vietnam. It is a world fulll of treachery and deceit before there were cell phones or the Internet. It is a world where nearly everyone smokes.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 259

Word Count: 72,647

Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles to Your Post-Military Career by Matthew J. Louis

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Mission Transition is an essential career-change guide for any transitioning veteran that wants to avoid false starts and make optimal career choices following active duty.

Every year, about a quarter of a million veterans leave the military - most of whom are unprepared for the transition. These service members have developed incredible leadership, problem-solving, and practical skills that are underutilized once they reach the civilian world, a detriment to both themselves and society.

Well-intentioned Transition Assistance Programs and other support structures within the armed forces often leave veterans fending for themselves. The mission-first culture of the military results in service members focusing on their active duty roles in the year leading up to their separation, leaving them little time to adequately prepare to join the civilian world.

President of Purepost, a next-generation staffing solution and public benefits corporation, and author Matthew J. Louis guides military personnel through the entire process of making a successful move into civilian professional life.

In Mission Transition, this book will:

* Guide you through the process of discovering what path you want to take going forward

* Teach you the strategies that will make your résumé stand out

* Provide suggestions to help you prepare for and ace the interview

* Discuss ways to acclimate to your new organization’s culture and pay it forward to other veterans

Each chapter includes advice from other veterans, illustrations of key concepts, summaries, and suggested resources. Let this well-written and easy to follow guidebook help you transition out from the military and commit to being successful in the next chapter of your life.

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 304

Word Count: 70000

The Human Face of D-Day by Keith Nightingale

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Author's Synopsis

Ever since Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, the men who survived have sought to return, to honor their dead, and to teach others of what they went through to liberate Europe.

Soldier Keith Nightingale has conducted terrain walks in Normandy for over forty years with veterans, active-duty military, and local French civilians. Over the decades Nightingale conducted dozens of formal interviews and informal conversations with many of the principals of the day, including Generals Bradley, Collins, Gavin, Ridgway and Hill. Added to this rare, new primary material from the top brass are numerous conversations with lower-ranking vets who did the heavy lifting, many of which took place as they actually walked the battlefield with Nightingale—Major Howard of Pegasus Bridge; LTC Otway of Merville Battery; Captain Piper of La Fière Bridge; LTC Vandervoort, CO of the 2-505/82d; Cpt Raeen of the 5th Rangers; Lt Dick Winters of Brécourt Manor; PFC Marcucci of Omaha Beach; and SSG Lem Lomell of Pointe Du Hoc.

This unique approach to D-Day combines the author’s discussions with veteran and civilian participants in D-Day, his personal reflections on Operation Overlord, and the insights that occur—often at the very site of a battle. Interspersed with veterans’ remarks, Nightingale’s personal essays are inspired by specific discussions or multiple interviews. Taken together, the succinct, human observations of these participants illuminate the hard facts to create a unique work of long-lasting interest that will attract specialists, military history buffs, armchair generals, and general readers alike.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 288

Word Count: 137,342

Sea of Red by James Bultema

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MWSA Review

Author James Bultema's new book, Sea of Red, is a fast paced, fictional novel that gives us a very interesting account of a possible war with China. This book gets right to the point and had my attention from the very beginning. The author uses China's well-known goal of bringing Taiwan under Chinese rule as the catalyst for the war. From there, the scenario as set out by Bultema is believable, and the strategies used by both China and the United States are realistic. The book is filled with numerous offensive and defensive combat situations that the author describes in detail. The results are not one-sided and had me wondering how he would bring his book to a satisfactory conclusion. Although a longish book, I would have read more. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Review by Bob Doerr (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Sea of Red is an action-packed Military Thriller involving a war between China and the U.S. in their fight over Taiwan.

With Chinese hypersonic cruise missiles thundering toward the aircraft carrier USS Reagan, the captain has only minutes to decide how to save his crew of 5,000 before they all end up at the bottom of the South China Sea.

As the battle rages, under the sea, U.S. fast attack submarines silently maneuver against the PLA Navy while jet fighters battle for air superiority. On the ground, Marines fight for control of Chinese-held Woody Island. A Taiwanese tank squadron confronts a superior attacking force on Kinmen Island in a courageous attempt to halt Chinese forces.

In the White House, the president strategizes with his National Security Council on overcoming China's advantage in ballistic missiles and ships. His counterpart, the president of China, develops a daring plan to destroy America's fleet of aircraft carriers.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 423

Word Count: 114,381