Book Description

Many books have been written about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, but Thomas E. Devine is the only eyewitness to write about the subject. With Our Own Eyes presents the never-before-published eyewitness testimony of more than two dozen former GIs who support and corroborate Devine's account establishing Earhart's presence and death on Saipan following her last flight on July 2, 1937.

During the invasion of Saipan in 1944, Thomas Devine was a sergeant in the not-yet-activated 244th Army Postal Unit. Soon after arrival, Devine encountered a group of enlisted Marines at Aslito Field guarding a hangar containing Earhart's Electra. Devine's examination of the Electra and the many statements, reports and letters by others on Saipan at that time weave together the facts missing from other books. Campbell makes a convincing argument and sheds more light on Devine's personal experience and subsequent corroborating testimony from ex-GIs on World War II Saipan. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Alex V. Mandel
I am interested in Amelia Earhart and her disappearance mystery for 21 years. I have read this book and my impression is very positive.
During decades there were a lot of books, articles etc. written about this subject (Earhart's disappearance), but alas too frequently they were overflooded by rumors, baseless guesses, stretches and speculations without any firm factual support.
The Mike Campbell's book is principally different. It is based on firm first-hand evidence from many independent sources, whose credibility gives no food for doubts - there are former US Soldiers, who really were on the place of events and saw what they saw.
The book is free of guesses and speculations - authors doesn't builds some "versions" or "theories" but just presents the data obtained by them during many years from many independent sources, with extensive details, and the book includes many written reports and official documents.
As result the book gives a very complete and convincing picture about What Happened with Amelia Earhart. The book is written with clear accuracy and respect to facts and to the "subject" of the book - the great heroine of 20th century and US history, whose name alas was already too frequently used for unfair speculations of any sorts. Mike Campbell's book makes an extremely good job for to correct this sad error.
I would highly recommend this book for anybody interested in this great mystery.
Alex V.Mandel ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Amelia Earhart-Young Aviator
Amelia Earhart was a very courageous young pilot, and she helped inspire young women to fly. In the book, Amelia Earhart: Young Aviator, by Beatrice Gormley, in the Childhood of Famous Americans series, the author describes Amelia Earhart as extraordinarily brave. This book tells almost everything a person would want to know about Amelia Earhart.

Amelia flew her plane until she wanted to retire. Before she retired, though, she wanted to make one last record-breaking flight. She planned to fly around the entire world, making stops only to refuel her plane. Near one of the islands she was supposed to land at, she mysteriously disappeared into the fog. No one knows what happened to her. We don't even know where she lies. We just know of her great achievements. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduces a new volume in Brassey’s Military Profiles series

Provides an insightful and concise account of America’s foremost warrior-diplomat

Examines Eisenhower’s ties to the great figures of twentieth-century political and military affairs

Dwight David Eisenhower proudly claimed that he "came from the very heart of America." Yet it could be argued that, despite those provincial beginnings, no other American exerted more influence on world history during the twentieth century. From his humble birth in Abilene, Kansas, Eisenhower rose to the supreme command of the Allied armies that helped destroy Adolf Hitler’s Nazi war machine and to the presidency of the United States. Douglas Kinnard’s profile of this great soldier-statesman describes his rise through the ranks of the peacetime army of the 1920s and 1930s, recognition of his abilities by such leaders as Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall, his "great crusade" in Europe during World War II, and his two terms in the Oval Office. Kinnard’s penetrating look at this great military leader and commander in chief serves as an introduction to Eisenhower’s life and provides a concise account of the momentous military and political events of the first half of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Quotable Einstein is a complete compendium of quotes from thegreat physicist, organized thematically, usefully indexed, and thorough in its inclusionand documentation of attributed material, sources, and dates.As a resource for theEinstein scholar or hardcore fan, The Quotable Einstein will prove invaluable. As a book for browsing, it puts the profound thoughts of Einstein on topics scientific andspiritual beside the mundane mutterings of any normal biped. This juxtapositionemphasizes both the man's unique genius and his common humanity. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I read it cover to cover in one afternoon
I think Einstein is the most fabulous man of all times, and his personality always continues to baffle me. He is anything but predictable, and if you think he is the very dry, overly technical, personification of a science nerd and crazy genius, you are WRONG.

Get to know Al personally with this book; I promise you won't have any regrets. I admire Einstein wholeheartedly, and I have been an Einstein enthusiast since 1990. When other teens' rooms were plastered with posters of cute furry kitty cats and teen heartthrobs, my room was plastered with photos and posters of Einstein. Not because I was, by any means, the nerdy science-type or an astrophysics enthusiast, but merely because "to know Albert Einstein is to love him." He has a great personality, and it is my sincere hope that the world will come to know as the goofy guy he really was.

It also serves to remind me of the great men and women who were tragically lost in the Holocaust. Where would this world be had Albert Einstein died in a concentration camp? We must never forget.

In summary, my favorite Einstein quote... "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible." Viva Einstein!!

A great way to get at Einstein's personality.
To think that, quite possibly the worlds greatest mind, was delivered to the world in such a wonderfully absurd package is truly fantastic. This book is a great way to introduce yourself to the personal points of view of one of the worlds truly great men. A collection of insights and observations, which were more often than not, a surprise.

Find out what he really said!
The quickest and best way I've found to counter those who say, "I think Einstein said...". Full of insights into the mind of good ol' Albert. ... Read more

Book Description

A revealing study of the Queen and her court--their daily lives, concerns, topics of conversation, meals, living condition, travels, successes and failures--that places them firmly within the historical context of 16th century Britain. "...gives us the most intimate portrait...An outstanding and fascinating book."--Punch.


... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Fitting Portrait of England's Greatest Queen
A truly excellent book for someone who, like me, wants to find out not only about the events of Elizabeth's life but also what Elizabeth was like as a person. The writing style is clear and very enjoyable and makes Elizabeth seem alive again. As a schoolboy in England, I studied the Tudor Period, but this book goes way above and beyond what one is taught at school level. I learned so much more about Elizabeth's life and personality, that it has given me a whole new level of respect for someone who I had already held in high esteem. Highly recommended.

Great Elizabeth.
This excellent book paints an unforgettable portrait of Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess" to her loving subjects. Her fascinating life and vibrant personality are caught with great truth and clarity. Elizabeth Regina-LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Delightful summary of a great life.
This book is not a 'life and times' volume. It is single-minded in its telling of Elizabeth's life. I found the book to be captivating. I keep it on my desk at work for those rare days when I don't go out to lunch. I know that I can always open the book to any page and find an interesting story ahead.

Know your Elizabethen History before you begin.
After reading "Feast In The Morning", I found I was hooked on these real people and this era. I just had to know what happened after the death of Elizabeth's brother. This biography covers the entire lifetime of Elizabeth, at times it is very difficult to follow. As a persons name and place names were often the same, and in many cases the author would be talking about Lord Robert Dunley, then later she may refer to him as the Protector or as the Earl of Leicester, or as Leicester or The Earl. As you can see this can get confusing to follow who is who.

This book really gives you the feel of the Queen and her times. Her nemisis Mary Queen of Scots was present throughout Elizabeth's lifetime and had a big influnence on her. Many times I wondered what I would do if faced with Elizabeth's problems, she was very creative.

Many importaint parts of history may have been left out or hardly mentioned, while other unimportaint events were exponded on.

It was interesting to read about the Earl of Oxford and his relationship with the Queen, as now there seems to be a camp of people who believe that he was really Shakespear. The author was recounting their relationship without the knowledge of this controversity. ... Read more

Book Description

Einstein is the personification of supreme intellect, his name synonymous with genius. His scientific theories revolutionized the way we look at reality itself.His legacy of pacificism, Zionism, and social justice continues to inspire millions of people around the world.The Einstein Scrapbook offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of this remarkable man which will delight those for whom he is a hero and those familiar with him only as an icon.Featuring illuminating documents and photographs from his personal papers--many published here for the first time--it provides a kaleidoscope through which to see the great scientist and humanist anew.

The book opens with an engaging and concise biography that explores Einstein's family history and education, his career as a scientist and educator, his complex marital relations, and his role as a father. In subsequent sections, The Einstein Scrapbook presents an overview of Einstein's scientific theories, from his breakthrough articles on the special theory of relativity, quantum theory, and Brownian motion published in 1905--his annus mirabilis--through his revolutionary general theory of relativity in 1916 and his final quest for a unified field theory.The book also shows Einstein's role in the international peace movement and his views on social and economic justice, as well as his Jewish identity and his relationship to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, which culminated in his being offered the presidency of Israel in 1952. On the lighter side, this book chronicles Einstein's passion for music and sailing, his charming correspondence with children from around the world, and some of the curious letters he received from fans during his later years, and it concludes with a look at Einstein's mythic status. Drawn from the collection of the Hebrew University's Albert Einstein Archives, The Einstein Scrapbook perfectly reflects Einstein's brilliance, humor, generosity, and nobility. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Candid Look at a Great Personality
I picked up "The Einstein Scrapbook" by Ze'Ev Rosenkranz because I was curious about Albert Einstein the person, not Dr. Einstein the scientist. I found what I was looking for.

With everything from early photos and report cards (much better grades than what I heard) to copies of letters he exchanged with children, I found this to be an illuminating and sometimes even humorous outline of Mr. Einstein's life.

Presented here is a chronology of significant and lesser known events, It is not a biography, per se, but has in it enough to provide me, a casual and intrigued reader, all I want to know. Whether it is his time at CalTech or his 1938 "Colliers" article, "Why Do They Hate the Jews?" we see a candid look at one of the academic stars and great personalities of the Twentieth Century.

I fully recommend "The Einstein Scrapbook" by Ze'Ev Rosenkranz.

Anthony Trendl ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Ike in WWII
Ambrose edited the Eisenhower Papers project for many years and finally turned his talents on writing a military biography of Ike. The Ike opus is infinitely superior to Ambrose's earlier biography on Henry Halleck and his research and knowledge about his subject is obvious throughout.

The only "criticism" I have is that Ambrose is blatantly biased in Ike's favor and makes no bones about it. The first words in his introduction are, 'Dwight Eisenhower was a great and a good man," which is undoubtedly true, but a biographer should take more pains to disguise their own feelings. There is very little criticism of Ike in Ambrose's work, which borders on the hagiography. Perhaps a bit more of Harry Truman's invective towards Eisenhower could have infused these pages.

Still, Ambrose is a wonderful writer and his works are always fun to read and informative. This is an excellent look at Eisenhower in World War II, even if it is a completely uncritical examination.

another fine effort from Stephen Ambrose
I was not aware of the fine writing of Ambrose until I read "Citizen Soldiers" and in "Supreme Commander" he does yet another job of putting the reader right there besides Ike as he learns, commands and most importantly earns the trust of all who comes in contact with him.

Many of Ike's compatriots questions his skills as a soldier but all are certainly of his positive human skills at bonding a diverse group to attain the goal of defeating the enemy, in this Ambrose describes well. And from this experience at war time an outstanding president is groomed. I think Ambroses' "Eisenhower: A soldier and President" will have to be my next purchase.

One point I'm a bit disappointed is the fact that Ambrose does not spend much time dealing with Ike's rols in the debacle of Hurtgen Forest, the problems with Repple Depple, and the problems with the problems caused by Segragation in the Army, several of the areas that Ambrose had detailed discussions on in "Citizen Soldiers". But all in all, an excellent read.

A Brillant Overview of Eisenhower's Leadership
Stephen Ambrose skillfully tells how Eisenhower developed into one of the greatest military leaders in history. Eisenhower was able to lead the Allies to victory WWII because of his ablitiy to keep the alliance together. Eisenhower understood that the only way to achieve success was to build a consensus among differing viewpoints on how to conduct the war. He had to understand British strategies, goals, traditions, and hardships and meld them together with American objectives. He realized that the British have all ready been punished thru years of war, where as the Americans had justed entered the war and had not endured the hardships in the degree in which Britain had. Eisnehower was faced with many strong-willed military and political figures like Roosevelt, Churchill, Montgomery, Bradley, de Gaulle, and Patton, each of whom had their own views on how to conduct the war. Eisenhower was able to work with this men, which was no small feat. It is diffcult to see how another person would be able to lead such a diverse group of people. ... Read more

Book Description

A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the president's childhood, his career, his family, and his term as President of the United States. Includes a time line and glossary. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent juvenile biography of President Eisenhower
As part of the Our Presidents series this juvenile biography of Dwight E. Eisenhower by Sarah Bowler devotes half the book to his two terms in the White House, although much of his life was devoted to his military career. The second chapter covers Eisenhower's service during World War II, when he rose to Commander in Chief of the Allie Forces in Europe. I like how Bowler makes a point of starting with a quote from Eisenhower: "I hate war as only a solider who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity." His two terms in the White House focus on the issues that confronted him, giving young readers a sense for what was happening during the Fifties, when the issues that would explode in the following decade were beginning to come to a head.

Illustrated with historic black & white photographs from Eisenhower's life and career, there is also a color reproduction of one of his paintings of three members of his Cabinet. There are also detailed side-bars on his Family Life, the Axis Powers in World War II, the 1950s as A Decade of Prosperity, and the Civil Rights Movement, and the margins of the book include Interesting Facts, such as Eisenhower being the first President to be seen on color television and how he got the idea for the international highway system that bears his name when assigned to determine how long it would take military convoys to get across the country. If you want more information on Eisenhower's career then you can check out Jim Hargrove's book for the Encyclopedia of Presidents series, but for a first-rate introductory biography, this is the book. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduces a new volume in Brassey’s Military Profiles series

Provides an insightful and concise account of America’s foremost warrior-diplomat

Examines Eisenhower’s ties to the great figures of twentieth-century political and military affairs

Dwight David Eisenhower proudly claimed that he "came from the very heart of America." Yet it could be argued that, despite those provincial beginnings, no other American exerted more influence on world history during the twentieth century. From his humble birth in Abilene, Kansas, Eisenhower rose to the supreme command of the Allied armies that helped destroy Adolf Hitler’s Nazi war machine and to the presidency of the United States. Douglas Kinnard’s profile of this great soldier-statesman describes his rise through the ranks of the peacetime army of the 1920s and 1930s, recognition of his abilities by such leaders as Douglas MacArthur and George C. Marshall, his "great crusade" in Europe during World War II, and his two terms in the Oval Office. Kinnard’s penetrating look at this great military leader and commander in chief serves as an introduction to Eisenhower’s life and provides a concise account of the momentous military and political events of the first half of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Quotable Einstein is a complete compendium of quotes from thegreat physicist, organized thematically, usefully indexed, and thorough in its inclusionand documentation of attributed material, sources, and dates.As a resource for theEinstein scholar or hardcore fan, The Quotable Einstein will prove invaluable. As a book for browsing, it puts the profound thoughts of Einstein on topics scientific andspiritual beside the mundane mutterings of any normal biped. This juxtapositionemphasizes both the man's unique genius and his common humanity. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I read it cover to cover in one afternoon
I think Einstein is the most fabulous man of all times, and his personality always continues to baffle me. He is anything but predictable, and if you think he is the very dry, overly technical, personification of a science nerd and crazy genius, you are WRONG.

Get to know Al personally with this book; I promise you won't have any regrets. I admire Einstein wholeheartedly, and I have been an Einstein enthusiast since 1990. When other teens' rooms were plastered with posters of cute furry kitty cats and teen heartthrobs, my room was plastered with photos and posters of Einstein. Not because I was, by any means, the nerdy science-type or an astrophysics enthusiast, but merely because "to know Albert Einstein is to love him." He has a great personality, and it is my sincere hope that the world will come to know as the goofy guy he really was.

It also serves to remind me of the great men and women who were tragically lost in the Holocaust. Where would this world be had Albert Einstein died in a concentration camp? We must never forget.

In summary, my favorite Einstein quote... "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible." Viva Einstein!!

A great way to get at Einstein's personality.
To think that, quite possibly the worlds greatest mind, was delivered to the world in such a wonderfully absurd package is truly fantastic. This book is a great way to introduce yourself to the personal points of view of one of the worlds truly great men. A collection of insights and observations, which were more often than not, a surprise.

Find out what he really said!
The quickest and best way I've found to counter those who say, "I think Einstein said...". Full of insights into the mind of good ol' Albert. ... Read more

Book Description

A revealing study of the Queen and her court--their daily lives, concerns, topics of conversation, meals, living condition, travels, successes and failures--that places them firmly within the historical context of 16th century Britain. "...gives us the most intimate portrait...An outstanding and fascinating book."--Punch.


... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Fitting Portrait of England's Greatest Queen
A truly excellent book for someone who, like me, wants to find out not only about the events of Elizabeth's life but also what Elizabeth was like as a person. The writing style is clear and very enjoyable and makes Elizabeth seem alive again. As a schoolboy in England, I studied the Tudor Period, but this book goes way above and beyond what one is taught at school level. I learned so much more about Elizabeth's life and personality, that it has given me a whole new level of respect for someone who I had already held in high esteem. Highly recommended.

Great Elizabeth.
This excellent book paints an unforgettable portrait of Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess" to her loving subjects. Her fascinating life and vibrant personality are caught with great truth and clarity. Elizabeth Regina-LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Delightful summary of a great life.
This book is not a 'life and times' volume. It is single-minded in its telling of Elizabeth's life. I found the book to be captivating. I keep it on my desk at work for those rare days when I don't go out to lunch. I know that I can always open the book to any page and find an interesting story ahead.

Know your Elizabethen History before you begin.
After reading "Feast In The Morning", I found I was hooked on these real people and this era. I just had to know what happened after the death of Elizabeth's brother. This biography covers the entire lifetime of Elizabeth, at times it is very difficult to follow. As a persons name and place names were often the same, and in many cases the author would be talking about Lord Robert Dunley, then later she may refer to him as the Protector or as the Earl of Leicester, or as Leicester or The Earl. As you can see this can get confusing to follow who is who.

This book really gives you the feel of the Queen and her times. Her nemisis Mary Queen of Scots was present throughout Elizabeth's lifetime and had a big influnence on her. Many times I wondered what I would do if faced with Elizabeth's problems, she was very creative.

Many importaint parts of history may have been left out or hardly mentioned, while other unimportaint events were exponded on.

It was interesting to read about the Earl of Oxford and his relationship with the Queen, as now there seems to be a camp of people who believe that he was really Shakespear. The author was recounting their relationship without the knowledge of this controversity. ... Read more

Book Description

Einstein is the personification of supreme intellect, his name synonymous with genius. His scientific theories revolutionized the way we look at reality itself.His legacy of pacificism, Zionism, and social justice continues to inspire millions of people around the world.The Einstein Scrapbook offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of this remarkable man which will delight those for whom he is a hero and those familiar with him only as an icon.Featuring illuminating documents and photographs from his personal papers--many published here for the first time--it provides a kaleidoscope through which to see the great scientist and humanist anew.

The book opens with an engaging and concise biography that explores Einstein's family history and education, his career as a scientist and educator, his complex marital relations, and his role as a father. In subsequent sections, The Einstein Scrapbook presents an overview of Einstein's scientific theories, from his breakthrough articles on the special theory of relativity, quantum theory, and Brownian motion published in 1905--his annus mirabilis--through his revolutionary general theory of relativity in 1916 and his final quest for a unified field theory.The book also shows Einstein's role in the international peace movement and his views on social and economic justice, as well as his Jewish identity and his relationship to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, which culminated in his being offered the presidency of Israel in 1952. On the lighter side, this book chronicles Einstein's passion for music and sailing, his charming correspondence with children from around the world, and some of the curious letters he received from fans during his later years, and it concludes with a look at Einstein's mythic status. Drawn from the collection of the Hebrew University's Albert Einstein Archives, The Einstein Scrapbook perfectly reflects Einstein's brilliance, humor, generosity, and nobility. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Candid Look at a Great Personality
I picked up "The Einstein Scrapbook" by Ze'Ev Rosenkranz because I was curious about Albert Einstein the person, not Dr. Einstein the scientist. I found what I was looking for.

With everything from early photos and report cards (much better grades than what I heard) to copies of letters he exchanged with children, I found this to be an illuminating and sometimes even humorous outline of Mr. Einstein's life.

Presented here is a chronology of significant and lesser known events, It is not a biography, per se, but has in it enough to provide me, a casual and intrigued reader, all I want to know. Whether it is his time at CalTech or his 1938 "Colliers" article, "Why Do They Hate the Jews?" we see a candid look at one of the academic stars and great personalities of the Twentieth Century.

I fully recommend "The Einstein Scrapbook" by Ze'Ev Rosenkranz.

Anthony Trendl ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Ike in WWII
Ambrose edited the Eisenhower Papers project for many years and finally turned his talents on writing a military biography of Ike. The Ike opus is infinitely superior to Ambrose's earlier biography on Henry Halleck and his research and knowledge about his subject is obvious throughout.

The only "criticism" I have is that Ambrose is blatantly biased in Ike's favor and makes no bones about it. The first words in his introduction are, 'Dwight Eisenhower was a great and a good man," which is undoubtedly true, but a biographer should take more pains to disguise their own feelings. There is very little criticism of Ike in Ambrose's work, which borders on the hagiography. Perhaps a bit more of Harry Truman's invective towards Eisenhower could have infused these pages.

Still, Ambrose is a wonderful writer and his works are always fun to read and informative. This is an excellent look at Eisenhower in World War II, even if it is a completely uncritical examination.

another fine effort from Stephen Ambrose
I was not aware of the fine writing of Ambrose until I read "Citizen Soldiers" and in "Supreme Commander" he does yet another job of putting the reader right there besides Ike as he learns, commands and most importantly earns the trust of all who comes in contact with him.

Many of Ike's compatriots questions his skills as a soldier but all are certainly of his positive human skills at bonding a diverse group to attain the goal of defeating the enemy, in this Ambrose describes well. And from this experience at war time an outstanding president is groomed. I think Ambroses' "Eisenhower: A soldier and President" will have to be my next purchase.

One point I'm a bit disappointed is the fact that Ambrose does not spend much time dealing with Ike's rols in the debacle of Hurtgen Forest, the problems with Repple Depple, and the problems with the problems caused by Segragation in the Army, several of the areas that Ambrose had detailed discussions on in "Citizen Soldiers". But all in all, an excellent read.

A Brillant Overview of Eisenhower's Leadership
Stephen Ambrose skillfully tells how Eisenhower developed into one of the greatest military leaders in history. Eisenhower was able to lead the Allies to victory WWII because of his ablitiy to keep the alliance together. Eisenhower understood that the only way to achieve success was to build a consensus among differing viewpoints on how to conduct the war. He had to understand British strategies, goals, traditions, and hardships and meld them together with American objectives. He realized that the British have all ready been punished thru years of war, where as the Americans had justed entered the war and had not endured the hardships in the degree in which Britain had. Eisnehower was faced with many strong-willed military and political figures like Roosevelt, Churchill, Montgomery, Bradley, de Gaulle, and Patton, each of whom had their own views on how to conduct the war. Eisenhower was able to work with this men, which was no small feat. It is diffcult to see how another person would be able to lead such a diverse group of people. ... Read more

Book Description

A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the president's childhood, his career, his family, and his term as President of the United States. Includes a time line and glossary. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent juvenile biography of President Eisenhower
As part of the Our Presidents series this juvenile biography of Dwight E. Eisenhower by Sarah Bowler devotes half the book to his two terms in the White House, although much of his life was devoted to his military career. The second chapter covers Eisenhower's service during World War II, when he rose to Commander in Chief of the Allie Forces in Europe. I like how Bowler makes a point of starting with a quote from Eisenhower: "I hate war as only a solider who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its stupidity." His two terms in the White House focus on the issues that confronted him, giving young readers a sense for what was happening during the Fifties, when the issues that would explode in the following decade were beginning to come to a head.

Illustrated with historic black & white photographs from Eisenhower's life and career, there is also a color reproduction of one of his paintings of three members of his Cabinet. There are also detailed side-bars on his Family Life, the Axis Powers in World War II, the 1950s as A Decade of Prosperity, and the Civil Rights Movement, and the margins of the book include Interesting Facts, such as Eisenhower being the first President to be seen on color television and how he got the idea for the international highway system that bears his name when assigned to determine how long it would take military convoys to get across the country. If you want more information on Eisenhower's career then you can check out Jim Hargrove's book for the Encyclopedia of Presidents series, but for a first-rate introductory biography, this is the book. ... Read more

Book Description

John S.D. Eisenhower modestly explains General Ike as "a son's view of a great military leader -- highly intelligent, strong, forceful, kind, yet as human as the rest of us." It is that, and more: a portrait of the greatest Allied military leader of the Second World War, by the man who knew Ike best.

General Ike is a book that John Eisenhower always knew he had to write, a tribute from an affectionate and admiring son to a great father. John chose to write about the "military Ike," as opposed to the "political Ike," because Ike cared far more about his career in uniform than about his time in the White House. A series of portraits of Ike's relations with soldiers and statesmen, from MacArthur to Patton to Montgomery to Churchill to de Gaulle, reveals the many facets of a talented, driven, headstrong, yet diplomatic leader.Taken together, they reveal a man who was brilliant, if flawed; naive at times in dealing with the public, yet who never lost his head when others around him were losing theirs.Above all, General Ike was a man who never let up in the relentless pursuit of the destruction of Hitler.

Here for the first time are eyewitness stories of General Patton showing off during military exercises; of Ike on the verge of departing for Europe and assuming command of the Eastern Theater; of Churchill stewing and lobbying Ike in his "off hours." Faced with giant personalities such as these men and MacArthur, not to mention difficult allies such as de Gaulle and Montgomery, Ike nevertheless managed to pull together history's greatest invasion force and to face down a determined enemy from Normandy to the Bulge and beyond. John Eisenhower masterfully uses the backdrop of Ike's key battles to paint a portrait of his father and his relationships with the great men of his time.

General Ike is a ringing and inspiring testament to a great man by an accomplished historian. It is also a personal portrait of a caring, if not always available, father by his admiring son. It is history at its best. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A general¿s portrait by his son.
This review refers to the abridged CD-audio book. I frankly don't understand why the publisher did not give the full text on CD since the book is not much longer than the audio version. The book, however, is very interesting. His son gives the reader a warmer version of his father that is not too often seen of him.

Unfortunately, the author's relationship to his subject typically caused him to not touch some more sensitive areas of Eisenhower's life (e.g., his relationship with his female driver while in England, or his civil rights record while as president) and the writer gave us next to nothing about his relationship with Mamie (at least not on this CD version). For other issues, the author tries to gloss over the record especially as it pertains to not forcefully defending Gen. Marshall from ludicrous attacks by Joe McCarthy. The author's excuse that Ike needed to first consider the political ramifications is certainly unbecoming of the great man who led Allied forces to European victory.

Overall, though, I highly recommend this book. The author breaks it into chapters devoted to Ike's life with other illustrious figures of history such as Douglas McArthur, Marshall, Patton and especially his section on British Field Marshall Montgomery. All of these add up to mini-biographies and are well worth the read.

A great great military leader..."as human as the rest of us"
I found this to be one of the most enjoyable as well as informative books about Dwight D. Eisenhower that I have as yet read. Its title and subtitle correctly indicate what it is...and isn't: John Eisenhower's focus is on his father's military career (especially during the 1940s) during which he was affectionately viewed as "Ike" by almost everyone with whom he was associated; the material consists of a respectful and loving son's own reminiscences. However, John Eisenhower makes no claim for himself as a biographer or military historian. He limits himself to his own personal experiences with his father when not citing his (i.e. his father's) documented statements and others' eyewitness accounts. The net result is a unique and revealing examination of one of the most important leaders in the 20th century, offered from the perspective of a son who observed General Eisenhower while engaged in his most memorable relationships with other leaders during World War Two, notably with Churchill, Marshall, Patton, Montgomery, and De Gaulle. We also learn much of interest about Ike's relationships with Conner, Pershing, and MacArthur which -- to varying degrees -- also significantly influenced his military career as well as personal development.

"By no stretch of the imagination is this book a comprehensive biography of Ike, nor is it even a history of the battles he fought. Instead, my essays deal almost exclusively with Ike's relations with his associates, for the simple reason that the facets of his personality appear differently depending on the individual he was dealing with at a given time." John Eisenhower goes on to explain that he offers "a son's view of a great military leader -- highly intelligent, forceful, kind, yet as human as the rest of us." What I especially appreciate in this personal account is the fact that the son subordinates himself while recalling the situations while accompanying his father; also, that his views of Ike throughout the book seem balanced as he comments on his father's less attractive qualities (e.g. a sometimes volcanic temper) as well as his most admirable strengths (e.g. forging consensus and cooperation among egocentrics such as Montgomery and De Gaulle). Almost everyone liked Ike. Over time, he also earned the respect which Marshall clearly had for Ike when promoting him over dozens of senior officers to serve as commander of Overlord Operation, arguably the most extensive and complicated military invasion ever undertaken, before or since.

Later, Marshall told Ike: "You have commanded with outstanding success the most powerful military force that has ever been assembled. You have made history, great history for the good of all mankind and you have stood for all we hope for and admire in an officer of the United States Army." Such praise was well-deserved and widely shared. In this exceptionally thoughtful and eloquent account, John Eisenhower also reveals this great military leader to be "as human as the rest of us."

Military Leadership at its Best
John Eisenhower, the son of Dwight David Eisenhower (General Ike)has done us all a service by writing a book about his father. The entire book deals with Ike's relationships with other important military and political leaders. John Eisenhower says he wrote the book primarily to correct misapprehensions and mistakes that other writers have made in discussing Ike.

The reader will meet people who we never knew existed such as General Fox Conner, a competent and decent army officer who early on recognized Ike's leadership potential and did his best to promote his career. We will learn about Ike's complicated relationships with famous persons such as Douglas MacArthur, John "Black Jack" Pershing, and the French General Charles DeGaulle. Ike apparently held DeGaulle in great personal regard and put him on a list of the five most important men he knew.

Ike's wartime relationship with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill deserves special mention. Early on Churchill understood how critical Anglo-American cooperation was to a successful outcome in World War II. As such, he bent over backwards to see that Eisenhower and the Americans were given first-class treatment by the English. Eisenhower had much regular contact with Churchill and it struck me that he was closer to him than President Roosevelt and other American political figures.

One of the most interesting sections of the book recounts Ike's dilemma in dealing with British Army General Sir Bernard Montgomery. Montgomery believed that he alone had the strategy which could have forced an earlier end to World War II. He constantly feuded with Eisenhower over strategy and supplies. At one time, Eisenhower came close to asking the British to place someone else in command, but than things were smoothed out. The problems did not end even after the war was over. Years later, Montgomery wrote his own memoirs criticizing Eisenhower's conduct of the European campaign after D-day. A normally patient man, Ike was infuriated with Montgomery.

This is a good book for students of World War II history and those who believe that history is determined more by individuals than by events.

A reminiscence from Eisenhower's son.
Eisenhower's son writes very well, and this is the third book I have read of his. He writes like Ambrose, so the flow of these books is good. In this book, Eisenhower tackles the subject of his father as he would like to remember him--that as the General and Supreme Allied Commander. This is not a biography but rather glimspes of his father and his interaction with some other famous personalities such as Marshall, Pershing, De Galle, Churchill, Patton,and Montgomery.
Some of the stories Eisenhower tells in this book deal with the working relationship of his father with these persons. Montgomery was by far the most difficult of these persons. What surprised me was how Ike regarded De Galle in a very favorable light. Why Eisenhower talked about these persons and not others like Roosevelt and Bradley also amazed me. Why were these people excluded from the book?
Otherwise, another great read from Eisenhower. I hope he has another few books left in him so the history reader can enjoy his work.

Taut and very well written
John Eisenhower's book on the Mexican War persuaded to me to purchase this book and I am glad I did. Eisenhower writes extremely well and always in an entertaining, informative style. This ability to convey details in a personal way enhances this splendid look at Ike in the pivotal period 1940-1945. Though John didn't see too much of his father during this turbulent times, he obviously knows much behind the scenes information which he now imparts to the reader.

This isn't a full-scale biography of Ike (consult Ambrose for that), but rather contains different chapters on famous military personalities in Ike's orbit. These include the pompous MacArthur, who said of Eisenhower in the Philippines, "He was the best clerk I ever had," Patton, Bradley, Churchill and Monty. General Montgomery was, of course, an insufferable prig and egomaniac, and John details the delicate path Ike had to traverse in keeping the Brit in check. He also reveals many of Ike's thoughts and movements prior to June 6, 1944, D-Day for the Allies.

I highly recommend this book to all who admire Eisenhower, to any WWII buff or anyone who admires taut, well-written historical prose. A great read. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1942, with war raging on two fronts and military pilots in short supply, the U.S. Army Air Force enlisted a handful of skilled female aviators to deliver military planes from factories to air bases--expanding the successful program to include more than one thousand women. These superb pilots flew every aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force--including B-26s when men were afraid to--logging more than siz million miles in all kinds of weather. yet when World War II ended, their wartime heroism was left unheralded.

In 1961, with the dawn of the space age, a handful of top female pilots took part in a new program termed "Women in Space." Subjected to the same rigorous tests as the Mercury astronauts, thirteen women--top-notch pilots--were admitted to the program. Once again women had reason to dream...that at least oneof them would be the first of their sex in space. The matter went as far as Congress, where dramatic hearings included testimony from astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. But their hopes were dashed. These skilled aviators had the "right stuff" at the wrong time, and again women were denied their place in history. This is their story, one of courage, ferocity, adn patriotism.

Reviews (9)

From WASPS To MERCURY
Hainsworth and Toomey have done an excellent job in creating an overview of women as pilots and the special challenges they met in WWII through the Mercury Astronaut testing program. Their research is sound, the writing is easy to digest. They do credit to two groups of women who have been often kept from the history books.

a good book
This is a good book. I liked the people in it and the stories were interesting. There was a lot of stuff here I never knew before.

Daughters delivers verve, wit, and spellbinding history
I picked up this book on a friend's recommendation and with few expectations. I had had no interest in aviation, am a tremulous airplane passenger, and when my fourth grade class assembled to watch the histoic moon landing, I had more interest in one small boy next to me than I did in one small step for man. Not anymore. Haynsworth's and Toomey's gripping narrative style and rigorous scholarship provide what few history books do, page-turning excitement. This book conveys the miraculous wonder that spectators must have experienced at early barn-storming events: breathless amazement at mankind flying high and fast beyond the clouds and straight into the impossible. From contraptions of wood and wire, barely recognizable as planes, to 6.2 million pound machines hurtling through the air at speeds of 6,000 miles an hour, Amelia Earhart's Daughters presents the great scope of the history of women in aviation. Walk, run, hell, fly to your nearest bookstore and pick up this book, you'll be glad you did and grateful to these pioneer women aviators and the authors for letting you share the ride.

Makes Me Feel A Mile-High
The stories of women innovators always excite, but the story told by Haynsworth and Toomey is inspirational. More than a feel-good book, however, this book ranks as the best historical text I've read since "The Rape of Europa." Amelia Earhart's Daughters should make its way into all high-school reading lists. The stories of these unknown angels are vital components of the story of women in the 20th Century.

a great book about the exploits of heroic women
Some of these stories are incredible--when Pat Patterson and Marge Gilbert land a B-26 on one engine, when Hazel Ying Lee gets mistaken for a Japanese pilot, when Nancy Love buzzes a control tower because the control tower operator can't imagine that a women is flying a P-51 Mustang. It's gripping stuff! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very Thorough Biography
Lost Star is a brilliantly written biography. After reading this book I could remember every detail in Amelia Earhart's life. The only problem with this book is, like a lot of other biographies it isn't very exciting and not even once during the book could I not put the book down. But if you're interested in Amelia Earhart's life you have to read this.
The book starts off talking about Amelia's childhood, about her fathers drinking problems. Then it talks about her training as a pilot and her different jobs she gets. It talks about each of her record braking flights, giving details like the names of her planes and even says details like what the weather was like when she was taking off. Finally it talks about her mysterious disappearance at sea and talks about the many theories about what happened to her. This was the first biography I read and since I enjoyed it so much, I probably will read many more

Lost Star
I thought it was a very interesting book that sometimes couldn't put down. It was written well and the thing I liked best was the part where the author explained her whole childhood, good and bad times. This book kept me busy, I highly recommend it to anyone.

Excellent biography for children
I use this novel in my fourth grade classroom and it is a hit! It is finely written and easy to understand. I recommend it to any child who is interested in aviation, adventure, or just wants to read a story about a strong person like AE.

Compelling but somewhat flawed.
Randall Brink weighs in with his own theories about the mysterious fate of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, who flew into history on the morning of July 2, 1937. I found this to be a very interesting book, coupled with Mr. Brink's unearthing of supposed government documents provide some tantilizing clues as to what involvement Washington and the White House may have had in Earhart's global flight. There were some flaws, however. One photograph in the book depicts an aerial shot of what Mr. Brink claims was a Japanese airfield in the Marshall Islands. A magnified section of the photo shows a twin-engine airplane with what appears to be a missing wing. Mr. Brink postulates that this airplane could in fact be the Lockheed Electra, since (he contends) Japan did not manufacture twin-engined, twin-tailed monoplanes during World War II--a statement which is not accurate. Japan did in fact produce several planes of that type (typically bombers), and given Mr. Brink's avaiation background, I was surprised he didn't research that more thoroughly. No new revelations here, but food for thought as to what may have happened to one of America's aviation pioneers.

A good book for all ages........
It was interesting, yet provoking and informative, a good bedside and a good reseach book. ... Read more