Following the Opus Dei cult from its inception in the early half of the 20th century, Gareth Gore details how this fundamentalist group rose in prominFollowing the Opus Dei cult from its inception in the early half of the 20th century, Gareth Gore details how this fundamentalist group rose in prominence and power over the course of decades, eventually earning the sanction of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei, with its roster of powerful and influential politicians and businessmen, remains today a massive influence on our culture. If there's one thing that this book makes absolutely clear it's that Opus Dei and its deranged followers will do anything, including committing heinous criminal acts, to achieve its goal of an earthly Christian theocracy and world order....more
Overshadowed by the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the attacks on the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983 have seemingly become just an unfOvershadowed by the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the attacks on the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983 have seemingly become just an unfortunate footnote in the too-long history of terrorist attacks around the world. Jack Carr and collaborator James Scott have thankfully provided a nuanced and detailed history of the attacks and how they still affect the United States and the world today. Though, of course, the ultimate responsibility falls with the murderous religious extremists who perpetrated the attack, the narrative doesn't shy away from assigning a significant portion of the blame to the United States Congress and the Reagan administration which, through intelligence failures, political miscalculation, and downright stubbornness, marched too long on a path of folly. As it should, the book focuses a lot on the personal stories of the many Marines who were put in an untenable, impossible situation and paid for it with their lives; their service, their bravery, and their sacrifice will bring tears to your eyes even 40 years later....more
Interesting story though it didn't quite leap off the page like some of the books it was compared to in blurbs�Born to Be Hanged and The Wager. BecausInteresting story though it didn't quite leap off the page like some of the books it was compared to in blurbs�Born to Be Hanged and The Wager. Because no one was really keeping journals during this whole ordeal, there were few contemporary firsthand accounts and a lot of time Pearl made comparisons using unnamed contemporary journal or diary entries....more
The title and subtitle of the book is misleading. The entire book is more about the deception campaign as a whole—Operation Bodyguard—in the lead up tThe title and subtitle of the book is misleading. The entire book is more about the deception campaign as a whole—Operation Bodyguard—in the lead up to D-Day than just Operation Fortitude itself. In fact, after the introduction "Operation Fortitude" doesn't pop back up again until halfway through the book. Even then, the minutiae of Operation Fortitude and General Patton's role in it only spans two, maybe three chapters. That said, if you dismiss the actual title and read it as a history of Operation Bodyguard and the Allies' deception tactics leading up to and during D-Day and the Normandy invasion, it's an interesting book with a few extra nuggets that you may not get in your typical D-Day/WWII books. ...more
There are some good lessons from history, astute political observations, and some generally good advice given in the book, but also: I'm never going tThere are some good lessons from history, astute political observations, and some generally good advice given in the book, but also: I'm never going to weigh whether to employ mercenaries or my own countrymen to wage war on my enemies. Interesting read; slightly useful but not very....more
The Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman takes a deep dive into the writing of the New Testament. In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman provides the evidence that the BThe Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman takes a deep dive into the writing of the New Testament. In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman provides the evidence that the Bible, in his words, is a human text that has been miscopied, misprinted, variously interpreted, added to, subtracted from, and otherwise modified over the last 1500 years. It's a fascinating look at how one of the most influential books in the world, which has shaped the religion and history, in many places hinges on modified or errant text. ...more
Kershaw brilliantly and poignantly details the sacrifice, hardships, bravery, and heroism displayed by Allied soldiers as they took part in the first Kershaw brilliantly and poignantly details the sacrifice, hardships, bravery, and heroism displayed by Allied soldiers as they took part in the first wave of the D-Day Invasion of Nazi-occupied France. This book is not only a great work of narrative non-fiction but an apt written memorial to the brave soldiers who liberated Europe. ...more
A fascinating telling of the history of gods and religion from prehistory to the present. Reza Aslan first asks the question of why religion came intoA fascinating telling of the history of gods and religion from prehistory to the present. Reza Aslan first asks the question of why religion came into being and then how throughout history and in nearly every religion the faithful have made their god or gods more and more like themselves—anthropomorphizing gods to make them more human and relatable. That, Aslan argues, says a lot about humanity and its relationship with religion. ...more
Carroll takes the reader through the history of DNA and evolution and succinctly explains how the forensic record unequivocally proves the theory of eCarroll takes the reader through the history of DNA and evolution and succinctly explains how the forensic record unequivocally proves the theory of evolution. Carroll also takes time at the end to refute some of the best-known arguments against evolution using scientific evidence. The writing is well-done and easy to understand, even for the layperson. My 3-star rating is less for the quality of the book and more for my realization that the subject doesn't interest me all that much....more
A true story of British daring-do, Bascomb brilliantly retells the saga of a band of "escape artists" and their cunning and brave breakout from one ofA true story of British daring-do, Bascomb brilliantly retells the saga of a band of "escape artists" and their cunning and brave breakout from one of the most notorious POW camps of the First World War....more
Does what it says on the tin. Paul Cooper recounts the rise and fall of many empires, going into enough detail to give you a good picture without boggDoes what it says on the tin. Paul Cooper recounts the rise and fall of many empires, going into enough detail to give you a good picture without bogging you down and making the book 1000 pages long. Very readable, narrative-style prose....more
In great but not overwhelming detail, Anne Applebaum details the rise of authoritarian states and how those states, at the behest of their leaders, plIn great but not overwhelming detail, Anne Applebaum details the rise of authoritarian states and how those states, at the behest of their leaders, plot to undermine and undercut democracies and democratic principles of freedom and democratic oversight. Sometimes these leaders and the nations they despotically rule coordinate with each other, sometimes not; most of them do major business with liberal and illiberal democracies alike. But it isn't necessarily a grand conspiracy among authoritarians. The only goal is to remain in power and make as much money on that power as possible, no matter the cost. Delegitimizing democracies is key in reaching and maintaining that objective. Applebaum explains how they do it and how both individuals and democratic governments can fight against the fierce current on authoritarian sentiment in the world today. It's a fairly short book that can be read in a couple hours, a small commitment to learn about such a huge issue in the world today....more
John Archibald's memoir is a poignant, sobering, and honest commentary on life, moral responsibility, family relationships, society, faith, and more. John Archibald's memoir is a poignant, sobering, and honest commentary on life, moral responsibility, family relationships, society, faith, and more. Archibald's narrative mostly centers around his late father, a Methodist minister, as he asks one major question—really the theme of the book: Why do good people stay silent in the face of evil? Archibald, who grew up in the midst of the Civil Rights revolution, first asks this question of his minister father whom he felt did not speak up enough on the "race question," as he notes his father called it. Later, Archibald asks himself the same question when he's confronted with his silence regarding LGBTQ rights after his brother and, later, his son come out as gay. At times this memoir is sad and at times it is funny, but at all times it's beautiful and begs introspection of your own life....more
As usual, Ben Macintyre impresses with another meticulously-researched and deftly written work of non-fiction. Double Cross details the clandestine esAs usual, Ben Macintyre impresses with another meticulously-researched and deftly written work of non-fiction. Double Cross details the clandestine espionage operation against Nazi Germany that ultimately ended with the successful D-Day invasion of occupied France. The True Story of the D-Day Spies follows a handful of the critical recruited operatives who made the all-important mission possible, not with guns or physical weapons but with information. Macintyre dives into the chaotic lives and peels back the eccentric personalities of these spies and their handlers while revealing the complex maneuvering that went on as these men and women staked their lives on one of the most daring ventures of the Second World War....more
Those familiar with WWII and the five main European leaders won't find many new facts in this book, but it is an interesting study of those men and hoThose familiar with WWII and the five main European leaders won't find many new facts in this book, but it is an interesting study of those men and how their WWI experience influenced their decision-making in the Second World War. It's not super in-depth, and I think the author makes a reach in claiming that the First World War was always front of mind with these guys, but as the evidence shows it was definitely a factor. More than anything I think this book is a study less on strategy and more on leadership style....more
Alison Weir's biography of Henry VIII is extensive, well-researched, and exhaustive, not just detailing the life of the king but, as the subtitle suggAlison Weir's biography of Henry VIII is extensive, well-researched, and exhaustive, not just detailing the life of the king but, as the subtitle suggests, that of his court, as well. The book gets three stars from me for two reasons only: 1) the biography is told less chronologically and more through certain events or certain subjects of court life, which in some cases made the timeline of his life harder to understand; 2) about halfway through I realized I don't care that much about Henry VIII....more
Christopher Clark's methodical and intensively researched tome on the outbreak of the First World War is a must-read for those interested in truly undChristopher Clark's methodical and intensively researched tome on the outbreak of the First World War is a must-read for those interested in truly understanding how one of the worst catastrophes in human history began. Instead of focusing on the "why," Clark sets out to determine the "how." The greatness of this book lies in the author's willingness to explore every avenue and not simply assign cause to a handful of people or one nation or one event. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 didn't start WWI; the crisis could have been avoided even after the fact. In four parts, Clark lays out the history of the personal, political, social, and diplomatic relationships between European nations and the key players from each state. Nationalism, local and regional conflicts, religion, national interests, history, and interpersonal relationships, aided by miscommunication and mistrust, all played key roles as Europe slowly slid toward a continental war....more
Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower is a dive into the history of the Pilgrim's occupation of New England in the 17th century with all of its implicationsNathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower is a dive into the history of the Pilgrim's occupation of New England in the 17th century with all of its implications. Philbrick dispels some of the popular myths about the Pilgrims while painting the immigrants as what they are: normal, fallible human beings, many driven by a religious consciousness, whose actions had many long-lasting consequences. This story is also about the Native Americans, the Indians, that had long lived in the northeastern part of North America. The developing, unpredictable relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians is the main driver of this great narrative history....more
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