(1) Vera Brittain (12/29/93 to 3/29/70) Famous English writer, books covering period of World War I to circa 1950. I have read these twice, and was captivated.
"Testament of Youth"
"Testament of Friendship"
"Testament of Experience"
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(2) Victor Klemperer (10-09-81 to 2-11-60) German Jewish Professor of the French Enlightenment... His terrible experiences under Nazis...This set might have to rank in my TOP TEN of all books ever read. Published late nineties, probably out of print.
"I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, 1933-41"
"I Will Bear Witness: To the Bitter End, 1942-45"
"I Will Bear Witness: The Lesser Evil, 1945-59"
Victor was a second cousin of the actor, Werner Klemperer, of "Hogan's Heroes" TV Show.
He was posthumously awarded in 1995 the Gerschwister-Scholl-Preis for his work, " Ich Will
Zeugnis Ablegen Bis Zum Letzten, Tagebucher, 1933-45."
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(3) Erik Larson (1-03-54) is a fine author and splendid researcher.
"Isaac's Storm" - I read his book about the Galveston hurricane (the most destructive in human life in US history) a number of years ago.
"The Devil in the White City" great info re the Chicago World Fair (called The Columbian Exposition--
after the 400th anniversary of Columbus' 1492 voyage) The 800 or so acres of the fair were filled with buildings--all painted white....Katherine Lee Bates before penning her patriotic hymn, " America, the Beautiful" had visited the fair; thus her lines "Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears..."
"In the Garden of Beasts"- American Ambassador to Germany, William Dodd and his beautiful 23 year old, philandering daughter, in Nazi Germany, 1933-38. They knew Hitler.
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(4) Lynne Olson- One of our finest writers...
"Troublesome Young Men"- The book is about politics in Britain in the 30's and 40's, Churchill's rise to power, urged on by his young supporters...interesting insights. A splendid book, a joy to read, a must read. Get one while they're still out there..
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(5) Leo Marks- son of the Benjamin Marks, owner of the famous 84 Charing Cross Road bookstore, Marks & Co., was a twenty- three year old genius code expert in charge of female spies operating in Europe.
"Between Silk and Cyanide"- Marks has a great sense of humor and writes self-effacingly. The
story of these attractive British and French women spies, many of whom never came back-- is most interesting...and sad.
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(6) Lauren Hillenbrand--author of the best-selling "Sea Biscuit," has done it again.
"Unbroken"--story of a WWII B24 bomber which crashed somewhere south of Hawaii. The bombardier, Louis Zamperini, world-class runner, floated in the ocean for days, was finally captured by the Japanese and tortured and abused for years by the Japs, notably the hateful guard nicknamed "The Bird." On returning home at the end of the war, Louis became a Christian, due to his wife's prayers and example.
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(7) Jeannette Walls-- These two slices of Americana, I wouldn't have missed!
"Half-Broke Horses"
"The Glass Castle"--you won't forget this one!
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(8) Patrick O'Brian--English writer, lived much of his time in France. Has given us twenty historical sea novels, based on English naval history in the period circa 1815. He has the same ship's captain and ship's doctor in every novel. A movie was made, "Master and Commander-the Far Side of the World." These are great books.
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(9) Henning Mankell--Swedish playwright and novel-writer; in my book, one of the best detective/mystery writers. Police Inspector Kurt Wallander is one of the most-real and interesting heroes I have read about. Mankell deals with the surroundings, the weather, what the hero is thinking, his frailties and shortcomings; Wallander gets toothaches, stomach problems, forgets his gun, hates shootings, always behind on his laundry...there is none like Wallander; start with "Faceless Killers."
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(10) Lee Child--former British TV producer who became a writer in 1995. He has about 16 or 17
books out there. I read them all this year, 2011. A most fascinating writer, and no small part due to his GREAT hero, Jack Reacher, 6'5" tall and weighing in at 240 or so. Reacher considers a fight unfair if six guys come at him...that is-- unfair for THEM. The general word from a Child reader is: "I got hooked... on such and such Reacher novel." I, personally got hooked on "Die Trying." The first book in the series is: "The Killing Floor".There is a Reacher movie in the works starring 5'9" Thomas Mapothers Cruise, at, I judge 175 pounds. Where oh where is Ray Stevenson when you need Him?
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May I wish you the best of reading in 2012. Send me a little writeup on two or three of your favorites and I will print your note anonymously.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
By Mil
Sent from my iPad-
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