Crow Wisdom: A Seasonal Journey by Jasmine Tritten & Wanda Jerome

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Author's Synopsis

Crows have symbolic meanings in many cultures. Incredibly smart, these birds carve a unique place between the natural and spiritual worlds. They fly into our lives and communicate important insights as harbingers of change to come. In homage to the family of corvids – especially crows – we compiled this collection of uplifting poetry, photography and artwork to shed light on their unique contributions to our human experience here on earth. We hope you enjoy this book and crows find their way to you when you need them.

Genre(s): Religious/Spiritual, Poetry Book, Picture Book

Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

The Borinqueneers, A Visual History of the 65th Infantry Regiment by Noemi Figueroa Soulet

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MWSA Review

Noemí Figueroa Soulet’s award-winning coffee table book, The Borinqueneers, is a compilation of several hundred photographs assimilated over 23 years from public and private collections with veterans and families contributing. The 12 x 9, 200-page format contains a glossary of abbreviations, photo index, quote index, notes, and bibliography. Most noteworthy is that all text and captions are in both English and Spanish. This feature adds value as a language instruction book for either language. However, the extra space required for both reduces the capacity for more photos or enlargements on sometimes crowded pages.

The Borinqueneers is a pictorial history of the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, composed primarily of Puerto Ricans, “becoming the only Hispanic segregated unit in Army history.” The presentation is chronological, beginning with the “Porto Rico Battalion of Volunteer Infantry,” established to defend the island country following the Spanish-American War. The U.S. Army deactivated the regiment in 1959 after it fought in three wars.

Much of the book is composed of black and white photos, but a portion of the chapter on the Korean War contains some quality color photographs depicting vivid accounts of battlefield conditions. Followers of military history, specifically of the U.S. Army, might find the rare accounts of The Borinqueneers a valued addition to their library.

Review by Tom Beard (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

An inspiring collection of more than 700 rare photographs which traces the glorious history of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the only Hispanic-segregated unit in U.S. Army history, comprised primarily of Puerto Ricans. This bilingual edition illustrates the regiment's more than 120 years of service, from its origins in 1899 through its service during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The historical content and veteran quotes in both English and Spanish provide an in-depth perspective about the service of one of the country's last segregated military units. Recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the unit's trajectory comes to life as they train and fight in Puerto Rico, Panama, Europe and Korea. The book provides a rich visual legacy of the regiment's valiant service to our country.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table

Number of Pages: 200

Word Count: 36,878

Hal Moore: A Life in Pictures by Mike Guardia

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Author's Synopsis

 The definitive photographic biography of Harold G. Moore – illustrated with more than 300 Color and B&W photographs.

From his baptism by fire in the Korean War to his iconic leadership at the Battle of Ia Drang, Hal Moore remains one of the greatest battlefield commanders of the 20th Century. Famously portrayed by Mel Gibson in the film We Were Soldiers, Hal Moore’s innovative leadership – and the bravery of his troopers – have become the stuff of legend. Step into the world of Hal Moore with this pictorial keepsake, illustrated throughout with more than 300 photographs, many of them never-before-published. This informative, photographic narrative will take the reader through Moore’s childhood in rural Kentucky, his tenure at West Point during World War II, his service in Occupied Japan, his life-and-death struggles during the Korean War, his decisive leadership in the jungles of Southeast Asia, and the loving family he built with his wife, Julie.

ISBN/ASIN: B07KPX3LKQ, 978-0999644317, 978-0999644324
Book Format(s): Hard cover, Soft cover, Kindle
Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table
Number of Pages: 192

Lighthouses of America by Tom Beard

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MWSA Review

Lighthouses of America is a splendid and diverse pictorial collection of the American “castles” guarding our coasts.  In addition to nearly 150 breathtaking photographs, Tom Beard (Editor-in-Chief) and Tom Thompson (Graphics Editor), in conjunction with the United States Lighthouse Society, accomplished a masterful job compiling a treasure trove of historical and often humorous tidbits.  The book educates and delights the reader and leaves him/her hungry to discover more.

Lighthouse construction was the first public-works project of our new nation.  These guardians of the coast were essential for our fledgling shipping industry, making our ports safer for commerce.  Many are still in operation today, serving to guide vessels to safety and to warn of danger.   Many are shrouded in mysterious and romantic legends.  Many have been destroyed or damaged by nature or war.  Some have been rebuilt on the same location, some have been moved, and some have been left to the elements.

The Preface by Wayne Wheeler (Founder and President of the Board of Directors, US Lighthouse Society) and The Forward by Captain Robert Dash, US Coast Guard (Retired) provide useful and detailed information on the organizational, architectural, and technological journey lighthouses have taken through their 300-year existence on our shores.

The book is divided into five geographic regions:  New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, and West Coast.  Information is provided on Fresnel lenses, which in the 1840s greatly improved the structures’ light magnification—saving even more souls and cargo.  These days, many lighthouses are powered by solar panels and use light-emitting diodes.

Lighthouses of America is fascinating and would be a welcome addition to any library or coffee table.  The book teases the reader to seek these treasures out and visit first-hand.  It is the perfect gift for those who love the sea and all things nautical, and even for those who will just want to appreciate their unique history and beauty.

MWSA Review by Sandi Cowper (Feb 2018)

Author's Synopsis
Through gorgeous photography, this spectacular collection of America's most iconic and stunning lighthouses celebrates these unique and magnificent beacons and their history. The construction of lighthouses began as this new nation's first public-works project in 1789 and established the United States as a maritime world power by making ports safe for navigation. Early lights shined from reflectors bouncing the flickering flames from multiple lard-burning lanterns. Towers boosting the lights high, making them visible over the horizon to sailors, came in hundreds of architectural designs and construction materials. Then, in the early 1800s, came the amazing Fresnel lenses, first boosting light from the oil flame and later by electric lamp Today, LED science has become the light for navigational aids in this country. From Maine's West Quoddy Head to North Carolina's iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Alaska's Eldred Rock to Southern California's Fort Point Lighthouse, and Michigan's Holland Harbor, these structures--many still active and serving their original purpose--are living museums and popular tourist destinations.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-59962-140-1
Book Format(s): Hard cover
Genre(s): History
Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial
Number of Pages: 176