What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Book Thread number ?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: Book Thread number ?

Finished The Kite Runner - liked it very much. All of his books I've read are a little similar. I think I liked his third one the best (And the Mountains Echoed).

Also read The Edge of the Earth by Christina Schwartz - about a couple that moves to a remote California location to run a lighthouse. Enjoyed this one as well.

I was on vacation last week, so finished several others, although nothing to write home about. I picked up a book of Raymond Carver short stories - apparently the two I had previously liked were the ONLY ones I like. Meh.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

Finished Gone Girl - liked it very much. Spoiler, since the movie is out soon... I can't decide if I would have liked the book better if Amy had gotten her comeuppance instead of trapping Nick with a kid. What are we supposed to assume happens to Amy, regarding their last conversation about how he pities her, waking up every day, and being herself? Would she kill herself? Would that make everything better, or worse?
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

Probert said:
The Most Dangerous Man in America: The Making of Douglas MacArthur by Mark Perry This book tells the story of Macarthur’s life as Chief of Staff of the Army just prior to WWII and the battles to try and keep the military prepared against the members of FDR and the isolationists in the US who want to cut military spending to the bone. It shows how FDR outmaneuvered MacArthur in replacing him as chief of staff and sending him to the Philippines and how Macarthur handled the battles on the Philippines when the Japanese invaded. His flight to Australia and then his direction of the war in the Pacific, battles with Naval Commanders and politicians over getting the troops and resources to fight against the Japanese. Lastly it covers his relationships with his subordinates as he assembles the team to win the war in the Pacific. Good read.
Click to expand...

This one sounds very interesting. I put it on my list to read. I personally think MacArthur was a egotistical schmuck who was a boarderline horrible general. So I always look forward to reading books (both pro and con) about him.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

I'm almost done with the Vince Flynn 'Mitch Rapp' books. Sort of like Lee Child's Jack Reacher - somebody who can get things done. Unfortunately, Flynn died last summer of cancer, so there will be no more books. They're all very entertaining.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

jen said:
I was on vacation last week, so finished several others, although nothing to write home about. I picked up a book of Raymond Carver short stories - apparently the two I had previously liked were the ONLY ones I like. Meh.
Click to expand...

Cathedral?
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

MadTownSioux said:
I'm almost done with the Vince Flynn 'Mitch Rapp' books. Sort of like Lee Child's Jack Reacher - somebody who can get things done. Unfortunately, Flynn died last summer of cancer, so there will be no more books. They're all very entertaining.
Click to expand...

Rumors continue of one more coming. He was working on it when he died and someone may finish it for the estate.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

goldy_331 said:
Rumors continue of one more coming. He was working on it when he died and someone may finish it for the estate.
Click to expand...

He was also planning on doing the Cussler, Clancy Patterson thing with another series with a "co-writer" but haven't heard if that will still go forward.

If you like Flynn, I would give Brad Thor's Scot Harvath series, Ben Coes Dewey Andreas, Brad Taylor's Strikeforce, Mark Greaney's Gray Man or John Gilstrap's Jonathan Grave series a shot.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

Anyone read H Beam Piper's (and then John Carr's) Lord Kalvan series? It was recommended to me and am curious if it is as good as this person said.

I'm in the midst of Michael Butler's Wick anthology. Apocalypse story set, I think, somewhere around Ithaca. Just started it.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

Invisible by James Patterson - Interesting book about a FBI analyst who has discovered, or thinks she has discovered, a serial arsonist. Plot is about her and other FBI agents tracking said killer. An interesting book and I would recommend reading it. 3 out of 5 stars.


The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge - A horrible book about a, for lack of a better term, alternate earth where there is magic (most people do not belive in it though) and everything is run by steam. Think steampunk and fantasy wrapped into one. An OK concept with horrible execution. This is not worth the time to read it. 1 out of 5 stars.


Outer Perimeter by Ken Goddard - Follow-up book to First Evidence. About a crime scene investigator who is investigating disappearances of people in rural Oregon. The susposed beings causing the disappearances are aliens and this book continues the quest to find the truth. It was a little bit disjointed and the ending was poorly wrapped up but overall it was worth the time to read it. 4 out of 5 stars.


The Nazi and the Psychaitrist: Hermann Goring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII by Jack El-Hai - A fascinating look at both the Nazi leaders and the phychiatrists the studied them immediately following WWII and up to the Nuremberg trials. 4 out of 5 stars.
 
Last edited:
Re: Book Thread number ?

My recent reads

Heaven's Fury by Stephen W. Frey This is a Frey story that does not involve high finance. This story follows a Sheriff in a small town in Wisconsin who is investigating the murder of his lover. As he investigates her father believes that he may be behind it and he wonders if it involves a cult that is rumored to be in town. Okay read.

Eye Of The Beholder by David Ellis Paul Riley has established his law practice based on his successful prosecution of a serial killer who killed 6 women one of them the daughter of a local billionaire. When other people start to be killed in a similar manner with a connection to the case and sends notes to him, he wonders if he may have prosecuted the wrong man. Good read.

The Fourth Order by Stephen W. Frey This book from Frey follows a super secretive government group in charge of finding terrorists. Financier Michael Rose is trying to takeover one of the companies that helps them target terrorists and they pull out all stops to try and stop him. A typical reused Frey plotline, ok read.

Death Wave by Stephen Coonts The latest Deep Black book finds them trying to stop a group of Muslim Terrorists from detonating nuclear bombs in the Canary Islands as they believe this will unleash a Tsunami which will wipe out the Eastern Seaboard. While scientist disagree on how much damage will happen Deep Black jumps into action to stop the event from ever happening. OK read.

The Eye of Heaven Fargo Adventure #6 by Clive Cussler, Russell Blake The latest Fargo books has them finding an ancient Viking ship frozen in the ice on Baffin island. When they search the ship they find pre-Columbian artifacts from Mexico indicating that they came into contact with the Toltec’s. As they attempt to find proof of this along with the rumored large emerald called the Eye of Heaven they are stalked by looters who want to steal the prize. Can they prove the link between the Vikings and the ancient king Quetzalcoatl. Ok read

Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death Pageant for Lincoln's Corpse
by James L. Swanson This book is quite different from what I thought it would be. I thought it would be a step by step detailed description of Jefferson Davis’s flight from Richmond. While it did cover that it spent much more time detailing the preparation for Lincoln’s burial and funeral and the journey of Lincoln’s body back to Springfield. It also touched briefly on the trials of Booth’s conspirators. The final chapters tell of Davis’s imprisonment and his post-Civil War life and his bodies final journey from Louisiana to Hollywood cemetery in Richmond. Not as good of a book as Manhunt, which would be tough but a very good book nonetheless.

Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner This book follows the pregnant Kimberly Quincy who is drawn into the case of a serial killer who is abducting and murdering prostitutes. Against her better judgment she become involved and draws her father in to assist. Good read

Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais This Elvis Cole book starts with the cops finding the body of a man who Cole helped get acquitted for murder. At his feet is a scrapbook detailing 7 murders one of which was the murder Cole helped him get acquitted of. Stonewalled by the Cops and getting death threats from the family members of women murdered after the case he was involved with Cole must investigate on his own. As Cole and Joe Pike investigate they find a case tangled with political intrigue. Good read.

The Tenth Justice by Brad Meltzer This book follows Ben Addison a Supreme Court Clerk who is duped into revealing information about a upcoming court decision. Now he is being blackmailed and turns to his fellow law clerk and roommates for help. It turns out that not only his job but his life is in jeopardy. Good read

Code to Zero by Ken Follett Rocket scientist Claude Lukas awakens in Washington DC with no memory of who he is or what happened to him. All he knows is people are following him and trying to kill him. As he tries to find out what happened to him, he realizes that spies may be trying to stop Nasa from launching a satellite. Ok read.

The Sentry by Robert Crais This Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novel focuses mainly on Pike. After stopping a man and his niece from being robbed by gang bangers, he finds himself in the middle of a government sting operation. As he finds that the "victims" are not what they say they are he is drawn into a dangerous showdown between drug cartels.

Pandora’s Curse by Jack DuBrul Phillip Mercer is sent to Greenland to help unearth a buried US Army base. When they start finding bodies both new and old, as ties to a German company and the Nazi's are revealed will a long dormant superweapon be unleashed upon the world. Good read.

Praying for Sleep by Jeffrey Deaver Michael Hrubeck has escaped from a home for the criminally insane on a cold stormy night. The cops believe he is going after Lis Atcheson a witness at his trial. Can he evade the police and searchers to get to her and will she survive the night. Michael Hrubeck has escaped from a home for the criminally insane on a cold stormy night. The cops believe he is going after Lis Atcheson a witness at his trial. Can he evade the police and searchers to get to her and will she survive the night.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

My Recent reads

Mr. Hockey by Gordie Howe Mr Hockey’s biography telling the story of his career. While the book tells a little of his early life and a little about his personal life. It mainly tells the story of his hockey career and his tales of the trenches. His career with the Wings playing with his sons with the Houston Aero’s and his return to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers. Good read.

Private Oz by James Patterson This Private book follows the office in Australia as they investigate a mysterious body found at their office opening party, a rock star who believes someone is trying to kill him and a serial killer is targeting upscale women in the tony Sydney suburbs. What you expect from Patterson ok read.

When Britain burned the White House by Peter Snow This book follows the 3 week period in 1814 when the British invaded Maryland defeated an American Army and burned Washington DC. It then also tells about their subsequent attempt at taking Baltimore which ended with them retreating and Francis Scott Key writing the Star Spangled Banner. Good read.

The Good Spy by Kai Bird This book tells the story of Robert Ames a CIA case agent who spent many years working in the Middle East. Cultivated major contacts within the PLO including Ali Salemeh, aka the Red Prince. Killed when Hezbollah drove a truck bomb into the US embassy he was never able to realize his full potential. OK read.

Don't Hurt People and Don't Take Their Stuff: A Libertarian Manifesto by Matt Kibbe
Interesting take of Libertarian philosophies and how they fit into today’s world and the current take from a Libertarian view on today’s politicians and politics.

American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America by David O. Stewart Not exactly a biography of Burr, this book focuses mainly on his election as Jefferson’s first Vice President and his subsequent attempt to create a kingdom for himself in the Western US and Spanish Territories. The book was a bit dry but did tell the story of our most infamous Vice President including the multiple trials after Jefferson finally woke up to what he was trying to do. Ok read

Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer This book finds Wes Holloway a young Presidential aide disfigured in an assassination attempt drawn into a conspiracy. When he sees Ron Boyle the man killed in the attack that maimed him alive he starts to investigate and finds himself drawn into a conspiracy involving the 3 a group of law enforcement officers involved in a cabal to sell secrets to the government. Ca he stay alive long enough to root out the conspiracy and who can he trust? OK read.

Zachary Taylor by John S.D. Eisenhower A brief biography of the 12th President, this book follows the career of Taylor a life long army officer as he rises in the ranks ending up as a National Hero during the Mexican War. Recruited by the Whigs he is elected President and while personally popular doesn’t accomplish much during his Presidency before passing away about a year and a half into his term. The what if’s are mentioned as Taylor despite being a southerner and slaveholder was a devout believer in the Union and what may have happened if he and not Millard Fillmore had been asked to approve the 1850 Compromise and also if he rather than Franklin Pierce had been elected in 1852. Ok read.

By the Spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Rise and Fall of the Macedonian Empire
by Ian Worthington This book follows the career’s of the two great Macedonian Kings Phillip II and his much more famous son Alexander the Great. I greatly enjoyed the first section on Phillip about who not a lot is known. It details his rise to power in Macedonia and how he came to dominate Greece thru a combination of military might by creating a professional army and thru political alliances by using the dislike of the various Greek city states like Athens, Corinth and Sparta against them. The second part of the book details Alexander’s rise to the throne how he put down the Greek rebellion after his father’s death and his conquest of Asia. Good read.

The Keys of Hell by Jack Higgins This Higgins book is typical of the Sean Dillon except in this case the her is Paul Chavasse, this tells of him going into Albania during the Cold War to try and retrieve a religious idol which will help mobilize the resistance. Tracked by the secret police will he be able to escape. OK read.
Art and History of Greece by Mario Iozzi I am a big fan of the Bonechi books, lots of Great pictures and a nice overview of the various archaeological sites. The only drawback to this one is that it only includes the mainland not the islands.

This Is for the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America's Most Violent Gang by Samuel Logan This book says that it is the inside story of MS-13. But it is really the story of Brenda Paz a female member of the gang who watches the gang murder a friend of hers and then when she goes on the run falls in with another violent sect of the game in Washington DC. It is really hard to feel sorry for her as after she turns informant on the gang she continually goes back to them even after being warned that they may know she is a snitch. up She leaves the Witness Protection program to go back to the gang and ends up dead.

Tom Clancy Support and Defend by Mark Greaney This Campus novel follows Dominic Caruso, training with a former Mossad in India when a hit team shows up and wipes them out. Barely surviving Dominic goes back to DC and while recuperating tries to track the member of the US government. When the mole bolts with a flash drive full of secrets Dominic goes after him along with a bevy of competing intelligence services. Good read.

Millard Fillmore by Paul Finkelman A biography of America’s 13th President and one of the least distinguished. Millard Fillmore grew up poor and made himself into a lawyer and got involved in anti-immigrant politics in Western NY. Becoming a member of the new Whig politics he became a political enemy of William Seward in NY politics. Elected to State office and Congress he was selected to balance the Whig Ticket when they selected slaveholder Zachary Taylor to run for President in 1848. It detail Fillmore’s passage of the pro-Southern compromise of 1850 and his battles to enforce the oppressive Fugitive Slave Act. Good read.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

I have a book question. My nephew is going to be 8 in January (but is an advanced reader, so above that age is OK - within reason). I'm looking for a book series that he'd like. Last year he got the Lemony Snicket series, and really enjoyed that. I did a quick search on Amazon and came up with the Boxcar Children, but anyone have other ideas? We thought about Little House on the Prairie, but not sure he'd be into that. Hardy Boys, maybe? I don't have much knowledge of little boys' books. :)
 
Last edited:
Re: Book Thread number ?

jen said:
I have a book question. My nephew is going to be 8 in January (but is an advanced reader, so above that age is OK - within reason). I'm looking for a book series that he'd like. Last year he got the Lemony Snicket series, and really enjoyed that. I did a quick search on Amazon and came up with the Boxcar Children, but anyone have other ideas? We thought about Little House on the Prairie, but not sure he'd be into that. Hardy Boys, maybe? I don't have much knowledge of little boys' books. :)
Click to expand...
Alex Rider series is good. If he is an advanced reader- action packed, sort of a cross between James Bond, Indiana Jones and the 6 million $ man. INtrigue, problem solving, etc. Lil les loved them. He also read Harry Potter at that age. A little less advanced- Magic Tree House books. The go to different parts of history/the world.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

Just got Bob McKenzie's latest book "Hockey Confidential" on my phone. Pretty neat collection (I guess I'm about 5 chapters in) of inside stories about various hockey people, including some that are far from well known.

Hard to openly recommend it, as I could see some not finding some of it gripping, but it's a pretty good read so far IMO.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

leswp1 said:
Alex Rider series is good. If he is an advanced reader- action packed, sort of a cross between James Bond, Indiana Jones and the 6 million $ man. INtrigue, problem solving, etc. Lil les loved them. He also read Harry Potter at that age. A little less advanced- Magic Tree House books. The go to different parts of history/the world.
Click to expand...

Seconded on Alex Rider and Harry Potter. My kid loved both.
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

Does anybody read James Patterson books? He has TV commercials on my local morning news, so I guess enough people must buy his books to justify that kind of marketing expenditure; I don't know that I've ever seen a particular author advertised on TV before. Not only that, it seems like he's advertising a new book like every couple of months. Is his output really that prolific?
 
Re: Book Thread number ?

jmh said:
Does anybody read James Patterson books? He has TV commercials on my local morning news, so I guess enough people must buy his books to justify that kind of marketing expenditure; I don't know that I've ever seen a particular author advertised on TV before. Not only that, it seems like he's advertising a new book like every couple of months. Is his output really that prolific?
Click to expand...

He has a staff that churns them out. This is actually true -- the only thing that's "his" on his books is his name. He's Thomas Kinkade.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top