Our Man in Charleston (Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South)

This beautifully bound book will take you back to early Charleston, when the city, according to this author, was anything but beautiful: it was hot, dirty, disease-ridden, and reeking with the stench of slavery, and Robert Bunch called it "home" as he worked tirelessly to bring an end to one of the greatest evils ever known. 

I am ashamed to admit it, but I still don't know the truth of the origins of the Civil War. Was slavery really the root cause? According to this book, it was, and the attitudes and practices of the day were even more despicable than I knew.

I must admit that this book wasn't exactly what I had expected. I found it a little exhausting to read because there were so many names, places, and dates that I couldn't keep up. I felt like I was cramming for a history exam! Still, I did learn much about a critical time in our nation's history. As "mentally stretching" as it was to read, I felt myself drawn to it again and again. A more intellectual reader might enjoy it a lot more than I did. *sheepish smirk*  

4 out of 5 stars.

Available at Amazon.com.Amazon.com

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

No Greater Valor by Jerome Corsi (Book Review)

                                  

I've always been fascinated by World War II, and I love to read and watch films about it. When I learned about the Battle of the Bulge and realized how horrific the conditions were for those men, I was so moved by their sacrifice. I can't possibly understand just how horrible and dark it was during that battle, nor can anyone who wasn't there. The stories of those soldiers need to be told...often...so they are never forgotten. In No Greater Valor, Jerome Corsi tells about the siege of Bastogne and the ways in which God worked to bring about victory for the Allies. Jerome Corsi writes from a Christian worldview; it's refreshing to read about the war and not have to wade through offensive language and vulgar stories. 

I was disappointed that the book was hard to get into. Most of it is a dry recitation of so many facts, names, places, dates, and war machinery that I found it difficult to keep up. Maybe that's just me. By the middle of the book I found it enjoyable and more interesting. I especially enjoyed the first person narratives and photos scattered throughout. One portion of the book that stood out to me was the story of General Patton and Chaplain O'Neill collaborating on a "special training letter dedicated to expounding upon the importance of prayer." If only we had men like them in leadership today!

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. 

More about the book:

Book Description

Jerome Corsi's newest opus, No Greater Valor, examines the Siege of Bastogne-one of the most heroic victories of WWII-with a focus on the surprising faith of the Americans who fought there.

In December of 1944, an outmanned, outgunned, and surrounded US force fought Hitler's overwhelming Panzer divisions to a miraculous standstill at Bastogne. The underdogs had saved the war for the Allies. It was nothing short of miraculous.

Corsi's analysis is based on a record of oral histories along with original field maps used by field commanders, battle orders, and other documentation made at the time of the military command. With a perspective gleaned from newspapers, periodicals, and newsreels of the day, Corsi paints a riveting portrait of one of the most important battles in world history.

About the Author

Jerome Corsi has written and coauthored many books and articles, including the #1 New York Times bestseller, Unfit for Command. Corsi is the founder of the Iran Freedom Walk. He has appeared on Fox News and MSNBC regarding Iran, as well as in hundreds of radio interviews.

Behind the Wall by Robert Elmer (book review)

From Brianna, teen reviewer: 

"Life Behind the Wall, a collection of three books: Candy Bomber, Beetle Bunker, and Smuggler’s Treasure, by Robert Elmer, is a very interesting story about the Berlin wall and the people separated by it. The book begins with a boy in 1988 hiding in an old C-54 and seeing a name carved into the bottom of a  wooden seat. The author then takes you back forty years earlier to 1948 in Berlin, Germany to tell the story of the name carved into the wooden seat and brings you through the three books back to the present and weaves the stories together. 

I really enjoyed this book and learned about an important event in history. I love how even though the main characters were different in each book, he brought all of it together into one very interesting story. I do think it is more for kids 11-13 or somewhere around there, but I enjoyed it so it isn’t totally boring for kids older than 13. 

The author teaches about this historical event in an interesting way.

It did get a little confusing sometimes just trying to figure out how it went together, but wasn’t very confusing overall." 

My 12-year-old daughter enjoyed the book as well. I love that they enjoyed learning some history while reading these books! We definitely recommend them. ~Jessica

Book Description

Marking the 55th anniversary of the creation of the Berlin Wall, this epic tale extends across generations and unfolds against the backdrop of a dangerous Cold War Berlin. This historically accurate, action-packed, 3-books-in-one features teens and their family's struggle living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall, from its creation after WWII, to life behind the wall during the Cold War, to the Wall's ultimate and final destruction.

Both educational and exciting, Life Behind the Wall is a great choice for middle readers at home or school.

Buy the book on Amazon here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”