I'm reading The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. Her prose is amazing. Makes me realize I'd never make it as a writer. Before that, I read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. He's a less talented writer -- or at least it seemed he needed more practice -- but the book has a power to it that overcomes its shortcomings.
buck, you have to pick up -- not some time down the road, or later, or when you get around to it, but RIGHT NOW Ghost Soldiers. it's the true story of the survivors of the bataan death march and the heroic resuce mission the u.s. undertook, against incredible odds, to free them from, essentially, hell on earth. if the opening chapter doesn't absolutely suck you in, then you're souless. or illiterate. absolutely, positively an incredible book. highest of high recommendations. also good: black mass, the true story of boston mafioso whitey bulger and the starstruck fbi agent who literally allowed him to get away with murder; blind's eye, which i just finished last night, the true story of dr. michael swango, possibly the most prolific serial killer in our history and, of course, two old favorites that would rank as all-timers: a civil action unbelievably absorbing and endlessly fascinating; my favorite book of all-time; killer angels, a book i look forward to passing down to my son, just as my dad had passed it to me.
The only time I read is in bed, right before going to sleep. Many times, I intentionally go to bed a bit early so I get some extra reading time. When I work nights, I simply can't read.
Thanks! I saw an interview w/ the author a couple of weeks ago & wrote down his name & the book, but of course couldn't find the scrap of paper when I looked. edit: I remember where I heard of it now; The History Channel did a documentary on the rescue mission (on "Sworn to Secrecy" or "Dangerous Missions" or a show like that) & they interviewed the author. Definitely catch the program if you see it listed.
This book reminded me of The Perfect Storm, but obviously better due to the personal accounts of the siege. Great read. These books rule. They're really not for kids, as each book gets darker and darker. The continuity of the series is what really pulls me in. For example, the fact that an insignificant character/pet from book 1 comes back to play a major surprise role in book 3 is pretty cool. I read this book years ago after seeing Outbreak, and it scared the crap out of me. The ebola virus in question was a mutant strain that did not affect humans, but I'll be damned if it wasn't frightening all the same. Fascinating book.
Cool...I'll have to read that one. As I believe I mentioned in a war thread on here before, my Grandpa was defending the small island of Corregidor at the time...which is basically right below the Bataan penninsula. So, while they were trying to free those who were captured and forced to make the Bataan death march which led to prisoner camp hell, they were also trying to free my Grandpa from 4 years of hell after he was captured on that tiny island and forced to march to a prisoner camp(not the same infamous march). So, I have a serious interest on anything that sheds light on what occurred in that region. I will put it on the list. Thanks. Per the issue about finding the time to read, I do all that same stuff that takes up alot of my time as well. I leave an hour each night before I crash where I lie in bed to read a few chapters before succumbing into oblivion. Surf
I highly recommend any of Paul Theroux's travel books, especially "The Happy Isles of Oceania" and "Riding the Iron Rooster." I read the former very recently. Great book. Theroux is well-read, opinionated, and really gets into his subject; he can also just flat-out write well.
been a year since i've read it, but i seem to recall corregidor at least being mentioned in the book, if not playing a role in it. what these men went through... it's absolutely harrowing; simply unbelievable. if you've ever doubted the strength of the human spirit, read ghost soldiers.
I don't think you could really write much about Corregidor in any book. It is a very small island where the leadership...I believe even General McArthur himself...was there for a while. Of course, at the time US had bases all over the Phillipines which Japan promptly attacked viciously after the Pearl Harbor bombing. I believe the leadership fled and supposedly boats were on their way to rescue the men left there and in Bataan. Of course, they never made it there and the rest is history.
