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MICHAEL'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2011
I have already picke my first book to kick off the challenge. In keeping in spirit to Bentley's example I have ready to go
by
Winston S. ChurchillHad it sitting on the Kinlde for a while as a free book from the Gutenburg project for those intersted here is the link
Mod
Just to help you get started (when you do) - smile:
When you do list it; make sure to number the books consecutively on the first line with your citation, then the next line will be the words Finish Date: and the date itself. The third line will be the words Rating: and the rating you gave the book and then you can write a few comments about the book itself and how you enjoyed it or not. And of course above the first citation will be the month in caps and bold.
JanuaryFinished
Max Hastings
Finish date: 3rd January 2011
Rating: B
A enjoyable collection of Warriors tales from across history from the good to the bad.
2.
by John NicholFinish Date: 13th January 2011
Rating: A
Great read many a thanks to 'Aussie Rick' for the suggestion. Traces the role of Medics through the history of the British Forces. Spellbinding first hand accounts from these bravest of the brave men and women.
All fixed I should get the hang of it soon :) Not a good start to the year in regards to reading. A new promotion as well as a new family member on the way is taking up so much time. Hopefully I can make up the reading slack in winter.
Mod
Nice to have a new promotion happening about the same time as a new family member. Hopefully the promotion also includes a raise, 'cause those new family members can get expensive!
God Bless being called in for Nighshift, managed to finish 3.
by
Winston S. ChurchillFinish Date: 30 January
Rating:B
What impressed me so much with this book was how comparable it is with modern day issues in regards to Afghanistan.
Mod
Sure was Bentley. It is fascinating that the underlying issues have not changed, and his slant on them are gold.
4.
by
Martin MiddlebrookFinish Date: 18 February
Rating: B
For someone how had little knowledge of the Falklands War this was a great overview. Middlebrook balances the fact's with eyewitness accounts very well.
Just started a month of holidays and breaking in the new caravan this week. This has lead to a lot of reading time which has been put to good use.5.
by
Robert I. SuttonFinish Date: 22 February
Rating: A+
A must read for all. Brings a breath of fresh air to those (refer to title) we all have to deal with. Despite the tongue in cheek title this book has real substance to it both ethically and morally.
6.
by
Spencer JohnsonFinish Date: 22 February
Rating :A
An inspiring if short read. A great little tale that I urge all to read. Another book that has given me a new perspective on life and work.
7.
by
Steven D. LevittFinish Date: 23 February
Rating :A+
Wow another great read I am on a roll. This book was so not what I expected, a great look into why something鈥檚 are from a statistic point of view. With great chapters like "Why drug dealers live with their mums", this book is entertainment and educational at its best.
I know from these books it looks like I have moved away from history, but rest assured that this is not the case.
8.
by
Jon Lee AndersonFinish date: 28 February
Rating: B
An interesting and well researched book on the life and times of Che, from childhood to his death. The book was well balanced leaving the reader to make up his mind on the man.
March9.
by Rowland WhiteRowland WhiteFinish Date: 1 March
Rating: B+
A great read on the last role of the dice for the Vulcan bomber and it's pivotal role in the Falklands War. This book was a well crafted balance of background and firsthand accounts. Rarely have a read book in which I hard such a hard time putting it down, the suspense was equal to that of any thriller. Rowland White has done a sterling job in creating a book that involves you so completely in it's story.
10.
by
Tucker MaxFinish Date: 6 March
Rating:C
I read this book find out what a true A**hole is like and found it. The author is nothing but a drinking womanizer that enjoys belittling those around him. It's a collection of his drinking stories and how this man became a Internet phenomenon is beyond me, if this is what people aspire to then I grieve for humanity.
The only redeeming feature in this book is a character study in what humans should not be like.
11
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 7 March
Rating:B
Another top notch discworld novel. I have yet to read one I did not like.
12.
by 
Steven PressfieldFinish Date: 18 March
Rating: A
This book had me hooked from the start and often up well past when I should have been slumbering. The historical detail in this book combined with a sublime storyline puts this book high into my top 10 list.
13. 
by
Nellie BlyFinish Date: 26 March
Rating:B-
An interesting enough book about the author deliberately being declared insane and sent to an asylum in New York in the early 1920's. With the view of writing a newspaper article.
14.
by Michael NormanFinish Date: 29th March
Rating:A
A powerful well balanced book, fact and first hand accounts beautifully entwined. A contender for my top 5 reads of the year. It's the first time a book has reduced me to tears.
15.
by Ken BellFinish Date: 6th April
Rating:C-
A decent read and look into flying F-105's in during the Vietnam War. The book for me was missing that wow factor that puts you right into the cockpit with the pilot.
16.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 10th April
Rating: A very solid B
I want more, more more. Great book once again Pratcher puts the Discworld spin on our human Worldy endevours. This time he turns the light on football, much to my delight and even throws on an Orc into the mix. Bravo well done that man.
Football and an Orc. Wow. That's great!
17.
by
Robert I. SuttonFinish Date: 12th April
Rating:B+
Another great book from Robert I. Sutton dealing with the workplace. I alway walk away from his books with a fresh perspective.
18.
byArthur Wiknik Jr.Finish Date:12th April
Rating: B
Not a bad Memoirs certainley kept me interested. A bit short in combat for my liking for this type of book.
20.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 15th April
Rating:B
Another fine Discworld book. Pyramids, Mummies, assassins and throw in a camel and some quantum for fun.
21.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 21st April
Rating:B
I have gone back to the beginning book 1 of the discworld series. Disappoint, hardly another rollicking story this time with a walking carnivorous suitcase
22.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 27th April
Rating:B
Book 2 of the discworld series and all is good. Once again a walking suitcase mixed a geriatric Hero, failed wizard and people with red stars painted on their heads.
23.
byBing WestFinish Date: 30th April
Rating:B+
Bing West delivers a great read that had me hanging out to read more. A perfect balance of first hand accounts and the wider tactical and political picture. This book leaves you with a great understanding of the Battle for Fallujah from the Americans side.
24.
by
Steven D. LevittFinish Date: 8th May
Rating:A-
I can't wait for the next book superduperfreakonomics?????. Where to start this book is awesome just read it!!!!!!!!
25.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 9th May
Rating:C
Entertaining enough just seemed to be missing the spark that makes Discworld books so good.
26.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date:13th May
Rating: B
Death gets an apprentice does not get much better than that and I finished it on Friday the 13th.
27.
byArbinger InstituteFinish Date: 21st May
Rating: B-
Interesting book with some good concepts.
28.
byRobert D. KaplanFinish Date: 22nd May
Rating: B
A great look into the Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion.
Mod
Thanks Bentley it may fall in a heap soon, new addition to the family not far away
Mod
29.
byHerbert A. WernerFinish Date: 24th of May
Rating:B+
A fantastic memoirs of a U-boat captain covering the golden years to the end of the war.
30.
byChristine Alexander&Hans RothFinish Date: 3rd of June
Rating: A
This book is a first hand account by Hans Roth a soldier in the German army sent to the Russian front. It is his Journals he kept during his time on the front, 3 in total. The fact that these were written first hand as he moved and fought in Russia lends to this book the raw power and emotions of life on the front as I have never seen on paper before. Even though we do not get to learn much about the men he fights with this book still leaves a burning harrowing personal impression in ones imagination of the horror of war in the Eastern Front
31.
by
Ben MacIntyreFinish Date: 6th of June
Rating:B
An enjoyable read about that takes you into the world of espionage during World War II and one of the most daring deceptions of the era. It was truly breathtaking reading about the lengths that was taken to execute Operation Mincemeat.
32.
byW.H.L. WatsonFinish Date: 12th of June
Rating:C+
Not a bad read kept me entertained for most of it. The narrative does have a tendency to ramble at times but when it's good it's real good. The author does seem to have a preoccupation with food though.
33.
by Jason StearnsFinish Date: 20th of June
Rating:A
Having very ;little knowledge on the subject matter I found this book a great crash course. The complexity of the politics of the area is breathtaking and the author takes great pains to untangle it for the reader. A great book with a mixture of first hand accounts, history and political analysis this book leaves you gasping for breath as you turn the page.
34.
by
Terry PratchettTerry PratchettFinish Date: 21st of June
Rating:B
Settling nicely into the Pratchett express feet are up and drink in hand. The discworld novel with a Shakespearian hue. Add in some witches, dwarf, fool and ghosts and you have the recipe for a cracking yarn.
35.
bySean RaymentFinish Date: 28th of June
Rating:A
An heart stopping account of young British Soldiers who put their lives on the line day after day dealing with the epidemic of IDE's in Afghanistan. The heroic acts these professionals do as part of their daily routine speaks volumes of their character.
36.
by
Terry PratchettFinish Date: 29th of June
Rating:B
Dragons, secret societies and drunk guards = All good.
You have inspired me to do a Diskworld run myself (right after I finish my current serious history book).
Glad to hear someone is hopping on board the Pratchett train
37.
by
Dave CullenFinish Date: 4th of July
Rating:A+
The author has written an amazing book on a difficult subject. He does not dwell on the evil of the act but goes a long way to explain the the how and why. He also brings to the pages the strength and goodnesses in people as they deal with what the tragedy bought to them.
His style of writing was excellent as well as his use of chapters to move you in and out of the varied subject matter that makes up this exceptional read.
38.
byJessica GoodellFinish Date: 9th of July
Rating:A
A well balanced and honest book. My hat goes off to the authorJessica Goodell for bearing her soul to the reader in this highly engaging read.
39.
by
Dale CarnegieFinish Date: 9th of July
Rating:B-
Not a bad read has some good advice in it. Starting to show it's age I thought.
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
OPERATION SNAKEBITE The Explosive True Story of an Afghan Desert Siege (other topics)102 Minutes: The Unforgettable Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers (other topics)
Sniper on the Eastern Front: The Memoirs of Sepp Allerberger, Knights Cross (other topics)
Stuka Pilot (other topics)
Tank Men: The Human Story of Tanks at War (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen Grey (other topics)Kevin Flynn (other topics)
Albrecht Wacker (other topics)
Hans-Ulrich Rudel (other topics)
Robert Kershaw (other topics)
More...
JANUARY
1.
Finish date: March 2008
Rating: A
Review or a Few Words about book: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.
Note: I will delete guide post once you get started.