Bradford, Barbara Taylor. A Woman of Substance. London: Granada Publishing, Ltd. 1981. [ISBN: 0-583-13201-4] -- a book worth reading no matter what genre you favor.
Coonts, Stephen. Flight of the Intruder . Annapolis: The Naval Institute Press, 1986. [ISBN: 0-87021-200-1] -- one of the best Vietnam aviation stories.
DeMille, Nelson. Word of Honor. New York: Warner Books, 1985. [ISBN: 0-446-30158-2] -- This is an engaging story of the 'collateral' damage inflicted upon both sides during the Vietnam War. This is not a pretty story, but it is an important one for anyone who might want to understand what happened to normal, regular people during that tragedy. The genesis of the events in this story is the commitment of the military to a war not supported by the people, and the carnage at Hue during the Tet Offensive of 1968.
Follett, Ken. Jackdaws. New York: E.P. Dutton, 2001. [ISBN: 0-525-94628-4] -- An intriguing story expertly told about an accomplished female SOE agent sent into occupied France prior to the invasion, and her nemesis, a skilled German Army intelligence major. This story swirls around the action/counter-action of the two adversaries as they seek to achieve their opposed missions.
Follett, Ken. The Hammer of Eden. New York: Crown Publishers, 1998. [ISBN: 0-609-60308-6] -- Holdovers from the hippy era take on the establishment in an engaging thriller that pits an illiterate commune Svengali against a committed female FBI agent. The title comes from the name used by the domestic terrorists as they release Tectonic forces to induce earthquakes in California. Very well done.
Forester, C.S. Horatio Hornblower Goes to Sea. -- this is the beginning of a long series of books gloriously illuminating the pinnacle of the Royal Navy.
The Hornblower Saga in chronological order: book name, publication date, and the story dates covered by each book.
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (1950) June 1794 - April 1798
Lieutenant Hornblower (1954) May 1800 - April 1803
Hornblower and the Hotspur (1962) April 1803 - July 1805
Hornblower During the Crisis (U.K.: Hornbower and the Crisis) (1967) 1805 (unfinished at the time of CSF's death).
Hornblower and the Atropos (1953) December 1805 - January 1808
Beat to Quarters (U.K.: The Happy Return) (1937) June 1808 - October 1808
Ship of the Line (1938) May 1810 - October 1810
Flying Colors (1939) November 1810 - June 1811
Commodore Hornblower (1945) May 1812 - October 1812
Lord Hornblower (1948) October 1813- May 1814
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies (1958) May 1821 - October 1823
Forsyth, Frederick. The Fist of God. -- the SAS in the Gulf War, an intricately woven story, expertly told.
Forsyth, Frederick. The Veteran. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2001. [ISBN: 0-312-28691-0] -- Five novellas demonstrate the broad range and imagination of Forsyth. The Citizen gives a contemporary drama of a potential threat on a long range, international flight. The Miracle tugs at our heart-strings in a story of faith with an odd twist. The Veteran brings justice of a form unique to a small brotherhood. The Art of the Matter turns the skullduggery of the highfaluting art world inward on itself. Whispering Wind tells a story of devotion through the only survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Exceptional, well worth the effort.
Frank, Pat. Alas, Babylon. -- survival in a Florida town after nuclear conflagration.
Kasischke, Laura. Suspicious River. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996. [ISBN: 0-395-77397-0] -- An interesting book. Quite a different book for Cap. This book is a rather intriguing character study about the experiences and forces in a young woman's life that bring her to prostitute herself in a small, rural town in Northern Michigan. The subject is not particularly uplifting, but it does beg many questions as to why we become what we are.
King, Stephen. The Stand. -- Jeanne convinced Cap to read The Stand despite the fact he is not a fan of the genre; Cap was very glad she did; a great book.
King, Stephen. Dreamcatcher. New York: Scribner, 2000. [ISBN: 0-7432-1138-3] -- One hellava good story. In true Stephen King fashion, an interesting hypothesis about what it means to be human. This is the story he crafted during his recovery from a near deadly accident when a wayward driver hit him while walking along a road. The craftsmanship in this book is extraordinary!
Koontz, Dean. Lightning. -- an intriguing story of time travel.
Koontz, Dean. On Door Away from Heaven. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing, 2001. [ISBN: 0-553-80137-6] -- This is an impressive story well told using some extraordinary characters to explore what Koontz sees as a very real menance in modern, utilitarian bioethics. The characters are full and rich. The storyline is engaging and captivating. And, once again, I have Jeanne to thank for this excellent book. Koontz deserves far more recognition that just his fans.
Martin, William. Annapolis. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1996. [ISBN: 0-446-51511-6] -- the story of the U.S. Navy from the Revolution to the Gulf War told through the Stafford family.
Moore, Michael. Stupid White Men. New York: Regan Books, Inc., 2002. [ISBN: 0-060-39245-2] -- Moore brings his irreverance to bear on the 2000 election of George W. Bush and related topics. If he was not so far over the top with the left agenda, he might actually be more effective in terms of polical commentary. And, I must admit, although I am loathed to do so, I agree with some of his points especially regarding racism.
Myrer, Anton. Once an Eagle. Carlisle, PA: Army War College Foundation, Inc., 1996. [ISBN: 1-889927-01-5]{original copyright, 1968} -- Well, it only took Cap 30 years to find this classic historical novel; in this case, better late than never. For any reader who enjoys great fiction about the human element of war or who wants to learn what it means to be in combat, ONCE AN EAGLE should be a the top of everyone's list. Truly a classic!
Pressfield, Steven
Gates of Fire . New York: Doubleday, 1998. [ISBN: 0-385-49251-0]
-- Another addition to the Commandant's Reading List; mandatory reading for those who wish to know the warrior's ethos, and the answer to the question: why do we need Spartans standing guard at the gates of freedom?. The history, especially from 480 BC, is difficult to substantiate, but Pressfield's GATES OF FIRES should probably be defined as a model for historical novels. While the early chapters are a bit laborious to wade through, the hook is soon set, and you will not shake it. For those who understand the meaning of duty, honor, country and sacrifice, there is special significance to this story -- the epic stand of 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae.
Anon. Erotic Tales. London: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd., 1993 [ISBN: 1-55521-868-7] -- a compilation of excerpts from classic erotic literature from Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders (1722) to D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover (1928) and Subniv Babuta's The Still Point (1991).
Ready, Kevin E. The Big One. Edmonton: Commonwealth Publications, 1996.
[ISBN: 1-55237-051-8] -- An intriguing book that vividly describes the result of the mythical 'Big One' earthquake in Southern California. You too can experience an 8.5 earthquake!
Robinson, Kim Stanley. Blue Mars. New York: Bantam Books, 1997. [ISBN: 0-553-57335-7] -- The third book in the Mars trilogy follows the last dozen of the issei [the First Hundred], now well into their 4th century. In 2128, the second revolution nearing consumes them as they struggle with forming a Maritan government and mounting immigration pressure from the Terran [Earth]. The expertise gained by the Maritans helps human expand both inward and outward in the solar system. This trilogy offers an intriguing glimpse of how it might be as we continue the Human Adventure.
Robinson, Kim Stanley. Green Mars. New York: Bantam Books, 1995. [ISBN: 0-553-57239-3] -- The second book in the Mars trilogy takes the remaining members of the First Hundred through the aftermath of the revolution of 2061, the mounting results of terraforming, the perpetual debate over the extent of immigration and transformation. The societal forces on Earth and their consequence on Mars lead to independence day for a Free Mars. A classic study of what might happen when we get there.
Robinson, Kim Stanley. Red Mars . New York: Bantam Books, 1994. [ISBN: 0-553-56073-5] -- This is the first of a trilogy of science fiction novels presenting a view of what life might be like as they being the process of terraforming -- making the planet habitable by humans. This book takes the 'first hundred' through their transit and landing on the surface through their initial multifaceted efforts to create an oxygen atmosphere and into the first major challenge to the direction of human habitation. Well worth the reading.
Sagan, Carl. Contact. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985. [ISBN: 0-671-43400-4] -- a stimulating & intriguing hypothesis in the form of a novel -- first contact.
Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. New York: Ballantine Books, 1974. [ISBN: 0-345-34810-9] -- An intriguing historical novel that takes the reader into the minds of various key leaders at the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg. For any student of leadership, military leadership, the Amercian Civil War and especially the Battle of Gettysburg, this is a must read book. This is an extraordinary novel.
Steele, Danielle. Messages from Nam. -- an excellent book even if you're not a fan.
Steele, Danielle. Wings. New York: Delacorte Press, 1994. [ISBN: 0-385-30605-9] -- for the aviator in all of us.
Lederer, William. The Ugly American. -- this is the book that defined the phrase, and illuminated what not to be in a foreign country.
Webb, James. A Sense of Honor. -- many of us lived this story; although a work of fiction, you can see Jim Webb & Ollie North in the words.
Webb, James
The Emperor's General . New York: Braodway Books, 1999. [ISBN: 0-7679-0076-6]What an intriguing look into an important segment of history -- the reconstruction of post-war Japan. Captain Jay Marsh, USA, an expert Japanese linguist, reports directly to none other than Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, Japan, General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur. Marsh holds a unique position as a junior officer not encoumber by senior officer politics and an eyewitness to the inner-workings of the occupation forces. While a historical fiction of a special form, the relationship between General MacArthur, and Emperor Hirohito and the Japanese people is fascinating in its questions and implications. As a decorated Marine officer and former Secretary of the Navy, Webb brings a truly unique insight and touch to these historic events.
Weber, Joe DefCon One. New York: Jove Books, 1990. [ISBN: 0-515-10419-1]If you ever wondered what could happen if an unstable world leader got his finger near the proverbial button, you need to read Joe Weber's DEFCON ONE. This highly charged, action-packed, no-holds-barred world crisis thriller presents a nightmare's theory in real terms. The nuclear confrontation comes to us through the eyes of fighter pilots caught in the violent confrontation, through a secret agent's struggle against incalculable odds to get vital intelligence to the President of the United States, and from the President himself as well as the General Secretary of the Soviet Union. If you like exciting books, this is a 'must read.'
Weber, Joe Targets of Opportunity. New York: Jove Books, 1993. [ISBN: 0-515-11246-1] -- You will find yourself asking the question, did this really happen, or is it just a novel? Can you imagine, during the height of the air war over North Vietnam, the CIA finds some hotshot American fighter pilots to fly a capture MiG-17 from a secret base in Laos to circumvent the ridiculous rules of engagement that hobbled US air operations against the North Vietnamese Air Force. What a story? Don't try to read this one when you have anything else to do; you won't put it down.
Wolfe, Tom. The Right Stuff.. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1979. -- the story that glorified Chuck Yeager and poked fun at the real heroes, the original Mercury astronauts.
Wylie, Philip. The Disappearance. -- just imagine...an instant in time...for females, all males disappear while in a parallel moment, for males, all the females diappear. What would life be like without the opposite gender?
This page was last modified:
22.February.2002
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