The History Book Club discussion
ARCHIVE
>
JOSEPH'S 50 BOOKS IN 2014
JANUARY 1.
Daniel Marston(no photo)Finish date: Jan.14,2014
Genre: World War II,Non-Fiction, Pacific Theater
Rating: B
Review: Since I'm starting so late I'm doing a back log of the books I've read this year.
This book was all-in-all a good read. It made me remember just how big the Pacific Theater really was, from the British in Burma all the way to Hawaii!! and everything in between. Since there were different essays from different authors the writing style changed a lot. That could be a good or bad Thing for other Readers. It didn't really bother me too much. One last Thing, People who would like to read this book must have a Basic knowlege of the war in the Pacific Theater.
FEBUARY 2.
James GradyFinish date: 3FEB2014
Genre: Fiction,Spy novel, Thriller
Rating: B-
Review: I like reading spy Thrillers from the time before the Internet.The stories are a lot slower and I can Picture the rooms that they are in with some funky Color of carpet or the telephone is that ugly "baby-puke" green. Please don't get me wrong I like me some modern action-packed novels too, but sometimes I like my guys driving some Kind of huge Crown Victoria type car insted of some modern black suburban.
Glad you decided to join us, Joseph. Better late than never, right? It's fun to see what others are reading and read their reviews. And I like looking back over my year of reading, too.
Great start, Joseph. Don't forget to add the month on top for us.
3.
W.E.B. GriffinFinish Date: 12FEB2014
Genre: Spy Novel,WWII
Rating: C+
Review: Th is book was Kind of a Change for me. At first when I found out that this was a WWII novel that takes place in neutral Argentina I was alittle worried that it would kinda suck because the Action would be Little or non-existant. There was little Action in the Story but it really didn't take away anything. I read somewhere that it was a Soap-opera for men and it was. I liked the Story and I will be reading more from this series and others from this author. I gave this one a C+ because I guess I'm just an Action Junkie sometimes.
MARCH4.
James RollinsFinish Date: 21MAR2014
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: B
Review: I like the Sigma Force series. When your are a Badass it's cool, but when you are a Badass with a Doctorate you are Dr. Badass which is pretty much the top of the list of Badassery. Plenty of Action too. Maybe not a literary masterpiece but I liked it and it was a fun read.
APRIL5.
Larry McMurtryFinish Date:18APR2014
Genre: Western
Rating: B+
Review: I read quite a few times that this was one of the best westerns ever written. This book was my first western and it was very good. I want to say that this was a very emotional book in a way that I was sad in some parts and then laughing in other parts. the end of the book Kind of suprised me, but then again it didn't because I knew it was inevitable and that all good things must come to an end. This book is the only book that when I finished I clapped.
6.
Bernard CornwellFinish Date: 30APR2014
Genre: Military Fiction
Rating: B
Review: I love the sharpe series so far i know ist only the second book but they are not to Long to read. this book has a good Balance of Action. I'm hooked on the Sharpe series.
Keep it up, Joseph. Don't forget to number your books, so we know where you are in the count. Good job.
MAY7.
Jack HigginsFinish Date: 6MAY2014
Genre: WWII Spy Novel
Rating: B
Review: At first I really didn't know if I should read this book. I mean they're on an Island and there are only so many places where you can go on an Island. Well there are a lot of places you can go to on an Island and i also learned maybe a little bit more about the German occupation of Jersey and Europe as a whole. I learned that maybe it was not to hard to bribe your way around if you have the right Connections. A good climax and ending.
8.
Tom ClancyFinish Date: 9MAY2014
Genre: Technothriller
Rating:A
Review: I love the Jack Ryan Series! When I started reading books on a regular Basis I started with the Jack Ryan series and now with Jack Ryan Jr. they are still awsome books. I will contine to read this series even if another author pickes it up.
9.
Matthew ReillyFinish Date: 18MAY2014
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: B
Review: There was A lot of Action in this book, I mean a whole lot of Action in this book. I would almost say too much Action, but can you really have too much Action?
10.
Charles PortisFinish Date:21MAY2014
Genre: Western
Rating: C
Review: The Problem with this book for me was that it was too slow and considering the book I read before this it was way too slow an somehow to me the ending was Kind of sad. I like happy endings.
JUNE11.
Mario PuzoFinish Date: 2JUN2014
Genre: Mafia/Crime Fiction
Rating: B
Review: It is said that the book is better than the movie. In this case, the movie was AS good as the book.
There was more of the Johnny Fontaine story line in the book which maybe made the book not better but different. I don't know it's hard to explain. The book is good though. If you have not read it you're missing out.
12.
Frederick ForsythFinish Date: 4Jun2014
Genre: Spy Novel
Rating: B+
Review: This is somting like my 4th book from this author that I have read. I have enjoyed all of them so far including this one. This book is the most modern of forsyth's books that I've read. Desert Storm, the SAS, and some prety good Action and suspense.
13.
Larry HamaFinish Date: 11JUN2014
Genre: Comic Book
Rating: B
Review: This is the First Volume of the classic G.I. Joe that I've read this year I love reading them! It takes me back to my childhood. I'm gonig to read all 15 volume of them.
14.
Bernard CornwellFinish Date: 13JUN2014
Genre: Military Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: Richard Sharpe is still in India but he still is a badass by leading the assult on the fortress of Galwighur. Is there an American character anywhere like Richard Sharpe? because Sharpe is so cool that I think I'm getting a Little jelous. (HAHAHA)
15.
Ian FlemingFinish Date:17JUN2014
Genre: Spy Novel
Rating: B
Review: See what I mean about the British heroes. This is the first James Bond novel. It's not so modern as the Movie. In fact it's really not like the movie except that Bond has to Play Cards against the bad guy. The book also takes place in the late 50s. The plot my be a Little simple to some, but I saw it as a sign of the times that the book was written. A gret novel to introduce 007 to the world.
16.
David BeckettFinish Date: 20JUN2014
Genre: Action /Adventure
Rating: C
Review: I found this book to be a mediocre work. There was a lot of Action mixed in with knowlege, but somehow to me the writing was a little blah, blah, blah
17.
XenophonFinish Date 30JUN2014
Genre: Ancient Military History
Rating: B-
Review: Finally! My first Non-fiction book of the year. this is about how Xenophon led an army after being betrayed by the persians through modern day northern Iraq and Turkey, all the way back to Greece. It sure wasn't easy and Xenophon was making one tough decision after another to get his People back home.
Mod
JULY18:
Jack HigginsFinish Date:3JUL2014
Genre: WWII,Spy Novel
Rating: B
Review: This was my second book from this author and this is the second book in the Dougal Munro series. The Story is prety slow but somehow got me to Keep the pages turning and slowly built up to a great climax an ending. the Story was a Little unbelievable though and the characters were a Little cliché though. when stories are like that i just pretend it's an older movie in my head.
19.
Bernard CornwellFinish Date: 21JUL2014
Genre: Military Fiction
Rating:B+
Review: Ensign Richard Sharpe has finaly left India and is aboard a ship to England that gets captured by the French and after he sees another English ship on the horizon he and some others Sabotage the ship and they get set free. Sharpe then goes on board the English ship-of-the-line and the next Thing you know he's right smack-dab in the middle of the battle of Trafalgar.
This was actually my first "sea Story". I liked it, and Sharpe's still a no nonsence, hard fighter with a Little morals,but only a Little.
20.
Martin Cruz SmithFinish Date:24JUL2014
Genre: Crime/Spy Novel
Rating: C
Review: This bookwas good but a Little too slow for me. I liked the fact that most of it took place in the cold war Soviet Union. If that was how life was over there I would probably be in jail because when you open your mouth even if it's only for conversation, 99% of the time you are just covering your own backside.
AUGUST21.
Clive CusslerFinish Date: 30AUG2014
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: B
Review: This was the first Dirk Pitt novel I've read. and it's the first in the series. The book was a good read. It could have been better. I liked the fact that it was mostly a sea Story because I haven't read much stuff about the water (I was in the Army). I will be reading more of the Dirk Pitt series.
SEPTEMBER22.
W.E.B. GriffinFinish Date: 04SEP2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: WOW! This book was awsome! I loved how the characters had their own stories but just like soldiers who stay in for a Long time you always run into your buddies or your not so good buddies again. this book was an epic in ist own right, but I'm really looking Forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm sure it will be an even bigger epic.
I think I found another book for my TBR pile, Joseph, very cool.
23.
Daniel Mersey(no photo)Finish Date: 06SEP2014
Genre: Myths and Legends
Rating: B
Review: This was actually the first book about King Arthur I've read and I'm glad it was this one. This book was a good introduction for me as my only knowlege of the legend of King Arthur come from Monty Python.
24.
Jeff ShaaraFinish Daate: 17SEP2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: Another Awsome book!!!(SEP is a good month)If you like the Story of how America became America then this is the book for you!! The author made the Founding Fathers come alive for me in that amazing time of the founding of the United States!! I wish that every politician in America would read this Story and maybe just maybe the USA could start moving Forward again.
25.
David McCulloughFinish Date: 20SEP2014
Genre: Military History
Rating: B+
Review: This was the Story of the Continental Army and what they did in the year 1776. It wasn't an easy year for the rebels, and George Washington was still trying to build an army of prety much farmers and shopkeepers and such to take on the British Army. The Story is very well told and has an excellent bibliography.
26.
Ian FlemingFinish Date: 24SEP2014
Genre: Spy Novel
Rating: B+
Review: James Bond is not as indestructable in the book as he is in the movies. Even though the book is short it is a slow read and the set-up is like 50% of the Story. The Thing is that the Reader must remember that this novel was written in the 1950s so it's not all Action Action Action. Also do not Forget that description of the races was also different back then so try not to get offended. The best part of the novel was that in my head it was in Technicolor.
27.
Larry HamaFinish Date: 24SEP2014
Genre: Comic Book
Rating: B
Review: Volume 5 in the GI Joe saga was as usual over the top patriotism and a lot of corny jokes, but that's the way I like my GI Joe, Corny and patriotic.
28.
Andy McDermottFinish Date: 30SEP2014
Genre: Action/Thriler
Rating: B-
Review: This is the first book in the series of Eddie Chase and Nina Wilde. It's over the top...but that's why I like These kinds of books. It's way better than going to the movies. By the way they are looking for the lost City of Atlantis which are the subjects of about 10 Million other Thrillers but that's OK because the author gives Eddie Chase a very good sense of Humor that sometimes lacks in other books of the same Genre.
OCTOBER 29.
Andy Mushynsky(no photo)Finish Date: 12OCT2014
Genre: Comics
Rating: B
Review: After reading this issue I'm wondering:1)What's with Destro? 2) What's with Cobra Commandr and his son Billy? 3) What's with Snake Eyes? 4) Who are all These new Joe's? I guess I'll just have to stay tuned...
30.
Frederick ForsythFinish Date: 16OCT2014
Genre: Spy Novel
Rating: B
Review: The Story was great. I saw the movie a couple months back and it was good also except that a movie can never do the book justice. Also the endings are different.
I liked the book better too, Joseph. A good read.
31.
Matthew ReillyFinish Date: 25OCT2014
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: B
Review: This is the second book in the "Jack West"
series. I'm hooked. This book Ends in a cliff hanger so I got sucked in an bought the next book in the series but that's o.k. I'm having fun. I am missing my book on the Civil War though wich is also a good read.
32.
Smedley D. ButlerFinish Date: 26OCT2014
Genre: Anti-War
Rating: B
Review: This book was a conformation of the way I've ben Feeling since the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003. As a former soldier who decided to seperate from the Service before Sep 11, 2001 (My actual Seperation Date was Sep. 10,2001)I was Aware of the trap of the armed Services and it was a hard decision to make but i came out ok. How can you not belive a Marine who not only recieved the Congressional Medel of Honor but he recieved TWO!!
NOVEMBER33.
Matthew ReillyFinish Date: 04NOV2014
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: B
Review: This was the 3rd book of the Jack West Jr. series. I read this pretty much after the "Six Sacred Stones" because it ended in a cliff-hanger. The book was great and full of Action and I was loving it. Alas that was enough of Jack West for a while. Too much of one series some times makes the characters played out. A great series though.
Matthew Reilly
Mod
34.
Bernard CornwellFinish Date: 18NOV2014
Genre: Military Fiction
Rating: B
Review: Sharpe's adventures Keep going. This time he's in Denmark. I like it that he is nice to nice People but if you get on his wrong side, he'll slit your throat and not even think about it.
Joseph wrote: "32.Smedley D. ButlerFinish Date: 26OCT2014
Genre: A..."
This one looks very interesting, I'll be looking out for it.
I always thought that Audie Murphy was America's most decorated soldier. Oh well, learn something new every day!!!
Jill wrote: "I always thought that Audie Murphy was America's most decorated soldier. Oh well, learn something new every day!!!"Audie Murphy is the most decorated soldier. Smedly Butler is the most decorated Marine. There is a difference. Some People(USMC)probalbly would be offended if they called Smedly Butler a soldier. I wouldn't though. I was a soldier. :)
35.
Jack Du BrulFinish Date: 28NOV2014
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: C
Review: The book was alright, but I've read better stories than this. A geologist hero is something i'll have to get used to. I'll still read more in the Phillip Mercer series.
Joseph wrote: "Jill wrote: "I always thought that Audie Murphy was America's most decorated soldier. Oh well, learn something new every day!!!"Audie Murphy is the most decorated soldier. Smedly Butler is the mo..."
Thanks for clarifying that, Joseph, and thank you for your service in the armed forces.
Mod
Smedley D. ButlerFinish Date: 26OCT2014
Genre: A..."
I did not realize that Smedley Butler received 2 Congressional Medals of Honor. I have had the book on my reading list for awhile because of its historical significance and my interest in the topic. That perspective makes it even more intriguing.
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ipcress File (other topics)War Is a Racket (other topics)
The Savage Wars Of Peace: Small Wars And The Rise Of American Power (other topics)
War Is a Racket (other topics)
Vulcan's Forge (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Len Deighton (other topics)Smedley D. Butler (other topics)
Max Boot (other topics)
Smedley D. Butler (other topics)
Jack Du Brul (other topics)
More...
JANUARY
1.
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.