$20.00
ISBN: 9780385348737
Availability: Click Title for IN STORE Location
Published: Crown - February 15th, 2022
In crafting a day by day, nearly hour by hour record of the lives of Winston Churchill, his family, staff, cabinet members and even German foes, Larson offers readers a decidedly inside view of WWII/The Blitz from 1940-1941. Perhaps I now know more than I would truly ever intend to know about daughter Mary's social life, but the information and perspective gained, most especially for a moderately history-challenged reader such as myself, will always be invaluable to me. ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
$28.00
ISBN: 9781635573701
Availability: Backordered
Published: Bloomsbury Publishing - November 16th, 2021
A beautifully curated collection of anonymous autobiographies written by Yiddish youth in the years shortly before WW2, When I Grow Up perfectly encapsulates the anxieties of entering adulthood as the world enters war. Krimstein's narrative and illustrations breathe new life into these short, poignant stories making their contents even more vulnerable and heart wrenching. A wonderful read for all ages, and a true introduction to Yiddish culture. ~ Reviewed by Samantha Beitler
$27.00
ISBN: 9780316296618
Availability: IN WAREHOUSE - Usually Ships in 3-7 Business Days
Published: Little, Brown and Company - April 27th, 2021
How much of an individual's conception of what comprises moral behavior must be sacrificed during the human cataclysm of war? Gladwell approaches this difficult question by contrasting two very different schools of thought pertaining to the air bombings over Germany and Japan during the Second World War. So-called precision bombing, sporadically aided by the newly developed Norden bombsight, helped to minimize civilian casualties. The carpet bombing that indiscriminately destroyed large swaths of enemy territory also took a terrible toll on the populace but, it was argued, would shorten the war. By turns, fascinating, vastly informative, and horrifying. The author is neither preaching nor accusing, largely leaving it up to the reader to decide if notions of good and bad can even be applied in wartime. ~ Reviewed by Alden Graves
$35.00
ISBN: 9780385348713
Availability: IN WAREHOUSE - Usually Ships in 3-7 Business Days
Published: Crown - February 25th, 2020
Larson’s day-by-day account of the Battle of Britain is a masterpiece of historical literature. Told with vivid prose and impressively comprehensive research, The Splendid and the Vile drops you helplessly onto the streets of London in 1940, at the height of one of the most consequential and heroic moments of the war. You will see the swarms of bombers crossing the light of the full moon, hear the dreadful wail of the air raid siren, smell the smoke of a thousand incendiary bombs, and feel the rumble of the war growing closer and closer to home. Most magnificent of all, though, is the reminder that against the backdrop of death and destruction, life must go on: babies are born, couples are wed, and hope kindles anew beneath the rubble. ~ Reviewed by Digby Baker-Porazinski
$27.00
ISBN: 9780316296618
Availability: IN WAREHOUSE - Usually Ships in 3-7 Business Days
Published: Little, Brown and Company - April 27th, 2021
This is Gladwell's first foray into straight historical expose, yet his trademark incisive revelation of unexpected truths is on full display. I was mortified, actually, physically revolted by the truths revealed here. Gladwell's editorial self-control is commendable- his thematic elements regarding the beginnings of the Air Force in the years immediately before and then during WWII draw the reader into these “founding aviators” abiding goal to use aerial combat as a significant force towards the benefit of all, including combatants; ie. to shorten wars and lessen overall casualties through the use of targeted aerial assault. What actually happened, in spite of these goals, will stay with me forever, Hirosihma and Nagasaki perhaps not being the worst violence ever inflicted on an enemy by the U.S. Military. ~ Reviewed by Jon Fine
$18.99
ISBN: 9781501181139
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Published: Simon & Schuster - August 4th, 2020
Hitler's Nazi regime was at the height of its powers, poised to solidify it's hold on Europe, and possibly defeat Great Britain. And yet at this pivotal moment, Hitler ignored a history he clearly understood, and opened up another front in the war by invading the Soviet Union. Ego certainly came to play in decisions made, and fear to tell the Fuhrer anything but what he wanted to hear led Germany down the road to defeat. Equally fascinating is the way that ego stood in the way of Stalin's willingness to accept the fact that Hitler intended to invade his country. Nagorski provides detailed information on all of the major players in this drama, as well as the lesser known figures who played roles behind the scenes. ~ Reviewed by Allen Boulet
