Reviews (2)

Great eyewitness account
Having recently learned that my uncle was a member of the 1st Cavalry, 5th Regiment and part of the "Flying Column" which liberated Santo Tomas in Feb 45, I was fascinated by Mrs. Van Sickle's eyewitness account of her time in the camp, and of her retelling of the evening of liberation. Her storytelling STYLE isn't particular gripping, but her STORY itself IS gripping and she tells it with an honest, informative approach.

A Wonderful Memoir of Struggle
Emily Van Sickle has written a wonderful memoir of her struggle during World War II to survive internment by the Japanese in the Philippines. Interned in Santo Tomas University with her husband, Emily chronicles the daily boredom, increasing starvation, and then the unbridled excitement of liberation by U.S. troops.

Anyone interested in first-person wartime stories should read this book. It adds a new dimension to World War II stories of internment--this is unlike the experiences of European Jews and of Japanese-Americans, but still gives the reader pause to wonder at the atrocities of war. ... Read more

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Reviews (2)

Not Surprisingly, This Book Is About Image and Personality!
While I agree with the previous reviewer that this book is not an historical chronicle of the reigns of Charles I and Charles II, it does not purport to be. What it does provide is superb insight into the personalities of these two fascinating monarchs, their public images and private personae. One can get excellent chronicles of the reign elsewhere. Here, one encounters vivid exposition and analysis of the thoughts, motives and manners of the kings, and how these were affected by the conscious cultivation of image. Ollard is, as always,elegant and eloquent.

Image is everything
Skip this book if you're looking for details into the reigns of these monarchs or specific instances of foreign policy, etc. This book mostly discusses the image of the kings, as the title suggests. There is little mention of Charles I's attempt to rule without his Parliment, but instead concentrates on his exquisit art collections, his vanity and his self-image. There is more written about Charles II and how his exile shaped his personality and made him so markedly different from his father. The book itself is small and is a fast read. It is a great character sketch on these two Kings. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mediocre book and grating reading
Far from being "as exciting as a novel," this pedestrian re-telling of what should be a fascinating story is bland and far from insightful. The author's evident unfamiliarity with even basic military and naval terminology leads one to wonder about the accuracy of other elements. (A ship-of-the-line is a "gunboat.") The Recorded Books version is read in a sneering, condescending delivery by an Englishman who whistles into the microphone every second sentence, producing a "nails on the blackboard" sensation which accentuates the discomfort.

Overview of a Sad Life
The eldest son of James, the Old Pretender, Bonnie Price Charlie was raised to believe that the throne of England and Scotland was his destiny. Born in Italy and used as a pawn of Louis XV against George II, Charles was seen as a promising young man. In his early twenties, he sailed to Scotland and was able to convince several Highland chiefs to support his cause. Numerous victories came swiftly because the English were unprepared for the various attacks. However, once the English determined that the threat was real, Prince Charles and his troops were quickly over run. He returned to France where he was asked to leave and again settled in Italy. With no ambitions left to him, he quickly dissapated into an alcoholic daze. He fathered one child by a Scottish woman and later married a German princess but that marriage quickly soured. His later years were redeemed somewhat as his daughter Charlotte came to his aid. He died, leaving his youngest brother Henry as the last Stuart pretender to the throne. Henry was a Cardinal and therefore fathered no children so with his death the Stuart dynasty came to an end.

I enjoyed the book and found it useful for someone with limited knowledge of this time period. Not very detailed with but a good overview of events.

Good general biography of Prince Charles Edward Stuart
This was a good summary of a lot of secondary source material on Bonnie Prince Charlie, condensed into a fairly short biography. It's an enjoyable leisurely read, but don't look for depth, great detail, or anything like original thought about Prince Charlie and what he meant in the context of Scottish, English, European, or Catholic history in the 18th century. This is not a good text for anyone already familiar with the Jacobites and looking for any new scholarship on the subject. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The de Gaulle' masterpiece
I'm looking for 'les mémoires de guerre' (de Gaulle) in the french language. It's not possible to find this book again in France. If you can find it, it will be great. Thank you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Poignant first-person story of young aircrewman in WWII
Going Back is more than just another memoir of the Pacific War.First of all, this is the story not of a flag officer or pilot but rather of an enlisted aircrewman.This alone makes it somewhat unique.Secondly, this is not simply a collection of anecdotes and "war stories."Rather, this is the poignant story of the author's journey through the war from his blue-collar neighborhood in Philadelphia to the farthest reaches of the vast Pacific and back.It also chronicles his transition from adolescence to manhood.At each stage of these dual journeys we are treated to evocative word pictures of his experiences and feelings.He has an uncommon talent for conveying the gestalt of a situation-the smells and sounds of a Liberator bomber in flight, the enervating feeling of the steaming and fetid jungle, the dark loneliness of a remote hospital ward.Going Back is a far deeper book than one would expect.This is truly a case of not judging a book by its cover.As we accompany the author on his journey, we are treated to his vivid recollections of life as an aircrewman with its adventures, dangers, hardships, and camaraderie.We are treated in even greater measure to his remarkable perception and introspection.With easy language and painful honesty, he tells us a compelling tale, one well worth the reading.

Vividly Recalls Boot Camp and Radio School Training
This book brought back poignant memories of the reader's World War II experiences which related in many incidences to those of the author.Well done. ... Read more

Book Description

Who's Who among African Americans provides biographical and career details on notable African American individuals, including leaders fromsports, the arts, business, religion and more. ... Read more

Book Description

The extraordinary life of Captain Charles N. Bamforth spanned most of the twentieth century, beginning with his childhood at the turn of the century and continuing through his retirement and death during the Cold War era.During his sixty years at sea, Captain Bamforth experienced the Depression, two World Wars, and a number of troublesome labor disputes.Through it all, he also had to navigate loneliness, confusion, and marriage to both his family and the sea. His story is told in meticulous detail and with refreshing honesty.

Captain Bamforth’s handwritten diaries, logs, and personal letters all have been carefully compiled by his sons, Charles and Richard, and reveal as much about the hard-working, unassuming courage of the captain as they do about the turbulent times during which he lived. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Giant Imprint of the 19th Century
"Iron Jay" is classic American stuff; a great reading experience and absolutely absorbing from a social/historical perspective. Truly a working man's autobiography, the story sustains a tension that makes it intriguingly essential reading. Captain Bamforth's spirit is extraordinary -- chaotic and poetically tender in one quick flash. At one point you're in love with the man, idealist and poet; the next moment he looms up at you in patriarchal horror.

Iron Jaws
I wish everyone would get their own copy. I gave up waiting for those who borrowed mine to part with it so I bought a second copy that I will NOT loan out. It is a must for my library of favorites.

Suzanne Seller

A Rewarding Read
As the Skipper's granddaughter, I dutifully picked up this book... and then found myself turning pages late into the night!

Throughout the book, Captain Bamforth's voice comes through as authentically human and intensely engaged in the world around him, revealing an honest naivete, an unflappable work ethic, a remarkable sense of satisfaction in the rich details of his travels, and the challenges that his chosen life at sea imposed on his family and home life.

Some have said that my grandfather's stories are the stuff of legend. Keeping his crew alive for six days after his ship was torpedoed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean certainly falls in that category. At the same time, I think what's fascinating is the day-to-day perseverance of a very ordinary man, grappling with and embracing his understanding of right and wrong, of loyalty and betrayal, of life and peril in the 20th century. It is this testament of a hard-working man that, through its sincerity, becomes extraordinary and perhaps legendary.

Iron Jaw: A Skipper Tells His Story
An enjoyable and informative book. The narrative gives insight into the many aspects of being a sea captain far beyond the mere steering of a ship. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The True Heroes
"Last Man Out", by H. Robert Charles is a non fictional story about the author being captured in a prison camp in World War II. This book is the story about Robert Charles, who was a marine machine gunner aboard the USS Houston which was sunk by the Japanese in Sundra Strait, March 1, 1942. Robert swam nine hours until he was picked up off the coast of Java by the Japanese. He was held captured for forty three months in slave labor camps in Burma, Thailand, and Saigon. The Japanese had forced the prisoners(Americans, British, and Australians) to build a 262 mile stretch of railroad, from Burma south into Thailand, through some of the worst parts of the jungles. Through all of this torture, a doctor, Dr. Henri Hekking, saved the lives of more than 250 Americans, including the author. He saved them by the knowledge of herbs that grew wild in the jungle. Then something that will help these men survive happens.
This book is a remarkable story about the treatment that prisoners in slave labor camps received. It shows the dedication that these soldiers had for their countries. This book goes beyond what is taught in the classroom. This man, Robert Charles, was there, living the torture that any person could never imagine that could happen to them. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn what these brave men went through, to save our country from being attacked. They are the heroes that saved us.

Not all true
The author tries to create the illusion that he knew my grandfather real well. In fact they only met on a few occasions. My grandfather, Henri Hekking, was a stickler for detail and was disturbed by the fact that the author "recalled" conversations between them that never occured. The "death railroad" was a very traumatic experience for alot of people and the events should be exposed, but people who glorify themselves on others heroics are bothersome to me. Overall the stories are portrayed very well but I feel they have been "over-enhanced" for better book sales. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Inside Look at Anzio and Military Intelligence
This is a very aptly titled WWII memoir by a former U.S. intelligence officer. Aptly titled because it could certainly have used a little more rigorous editor to eliminate the numerous repetitions and help the narrative flow a little better. That aside, Marshall's memoir is valuable if nothing else for its ground-level description of Anzio--which I had always heard of but never really knew anything about--and the inside look into "order of battle" and "document exploitation." Both are elements of military intelligence whose importance is largely unknown to the general public and Marshall does an excellent job in explaining and showing how it all works. Less important but also interesting are the day to day details of an army on the move from the invasion of Italy all the way into Germany.

great insight to wwII from behind the front lines
Marshall gives the reader a feel for the day to day life of an army intelligence officer in the big war's european theater.

Engaging story of an intelligence officer during WWII
"A Ramble Through My War" is an insightful account of portions of World War II's European Theater through the eyes of a then-young U.S. Army lieutenant. A highlight of this engaging memoir is an inspiring account of the battle for Anzio--its trials and tribulations. It is unfortunate that Charles F. Marshall, a retired business executive, waited until now--55 years since Anzio--to publish this vivid recollection. Today, there are too few former WWII veterans remaining to appreciate this story and too few others who realize how important Anzio and Alsace were to the total scenario of the war in Europe. A Columbia University educated would-be journalist who later settled for a career in the knitting industry, Marshall used a daily diary maintained through most of "his war" to help chronicle the events viewed from his assignment as an army intelligence officer. Although he missed the Anzio landing, Marshall was at the beachhead from early February 1944, through the terror of German counterattacks against Allied troops with their backs against the sea until the breakout in late May and the run to Rome. Much of his G-2 work involved scouring over captured German documents taken from fallen soldiers. "Most German boys carried enough documentation to write their biographies," he explained. Wallet items included birth certificates, baprismal certificates, diaries, driving licenses, personal letters, family photographs and pictures, often nude photos of wives or girlfriends, "stimulating reminders of the joys awaiting their return," Marshall wrote. From these items he and his colleagues amassed amazing bits of information, "a significant contribution to the battle to undo Hitler," Marshall said. In his narrative he interwove the horrors of war with amusing and perceptive commentaries--often blunt, but necessary to the story. After the Allied victory in Italy, Marshall and his intelligence team moved to the invasion of southern France, on to Alsace, later chasing retreating soldiers of the Reich into mother Germany and finally into Austria. Marshall, in his frequent day-to-day accounts, provides details of the U.S. intelligence operation and how the newly gained information helped in coming battles and air attacks. In the closing days of the war and afterwards, Marshall interrogated as host of Germany Prisoner's of war and other German officials, including Lucie Marie, the widow of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. His recovery of Rommel's letters added much to that story of the war. This book was so enjoyable that I searched for Marshall's earlier war volume, "Discovering the Rommel Murder: The Life and Death of the Dessert Fox" published in 1994. It was found still in print and has been ordered. ... Read more

Book Description

The average GI in World War II carried a rifle, had military support, was committed to whatever action his unit was engaged in, and often had time to rest and regroup before advancing. Conversely, the combat photographer had his camera, a sidearm, and a jeep, was sent wherever there was fighting to document what was happening. He often saw the worst of the war.

Charles Eugene Sumners was a still photographer in the 166th Signal Photo Company, and in Darkness Visible he offers his World War II memories—some sad, some happy, many horrendous, all life-changing. With the aid of many of his photographs reproduced in this book, he remembers boot camp, the trip overseas, and events in France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg, including the Battle of the Bulge, while covering Patton’s Third Army’s field artillery, infantrymen, engineers, the 10th Armored and the 6th Armored. Other subjects include Hitler youth, refugees, labor camps, POWs, other combat photographers including his friend Russ Meyer, and going back to Europe after the war. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Terrific World War II research source
Charles Sumners (with the help of Ann Sumners) wrote with his memory book "Darkness Visible" a book which was overdue for a long time: Who didn't wonder under which dangers and conditions the often single pictures have arisen when looking at the photos in the many publications to the World War II? For me, in the meantime, it has become an important means of work at my researches as a German historian, publicists and documentary movie director, who actively has a good look at this time! Charles Sumners manages important attempts to think with his memories and he activates to further intensive researches! This applies to me particularly with reference to the photo which can be found on the title page of the book - the photo which made Charles on April 4th, 1945 in the village of Oberdorla near the city of Mühlhausen, Germany! With this photo Charles Sumners has been placed in the elite of the combat photographers in the WWII! "Darkenss Visible" is also a very intimate and also gripping report of the insides of his 166th Photo Signal Company, and of friendships which arose in the face of the daily dangers and endangerings and lasted up to the death of the ones involved.

I have read hundreds of American and German books at my researches about the WWII - "Darkness Visible" is part of my "Top Ten" if I carry out a qualitative evaluation! I wish that this book will find a large and broad readership in the USA and in all the world; and I wish as well that a translated edition is published of "Darkness Visible" in Germany soon, too! What Charles Sumners writes makes thoughtful... The book has seemed very late - but still not too late! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A spellbinding read; his photos & paintings are marvelous.
Charlie Bradley has written a fascinating book about his experiences in the "Mountain Brigade" in WW2. Through his shrewdness he avoided a mindnumbing GI tour in Illinois and ended up in the 87th InfantryRegiment on the slopes of Mt.Rainer with men training for action inmountainous terrains and in winter conditions. In June of '44 he foundhimself aboard a ship out of Seattle headed north for"Armageddon", the code name for Dutch Harbor, Unalaska. He wouldbe an essential part of the soon-to-be-born North Pacific Combat School,which would move to Adak several months later. Charlie has written arivetting account of his experiences, most in the Aleutians. It isprofusely illustrated with gorgeous color photographs (amazing how moststood the years!) and his water color drawings. I stayed up late into thenight to finish reading it. (OK, I'm biased somewhat. I've been in theAleutians and feel a strong bond to anyone who's been out there roughingit.)

Interesting mountaineering, Aleutian style.
Captain Bradley, trained for mountain warfare in the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Infantry Division, was sent to the Aleutians to help create the North Pacific Combat School, in secret preparation for the assault on Japan which never came.Although never in combat, Bradley and the other instructors had their own battles, with treacherous terrain, poor equipment, and the worst weather in the world.Nicely illustrated with color photos and Bradleys own paintings. The introduction, not by Bradley, contains one factual error: the 364th Infantry Regiment relieved the 138th Infantry Regiment of the Missouri National Guard, not the 140th. ... Read more