History – Page 9 – Ryan’s Book Blog

Old Yeller

May 15, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

A 1956 children’s novel written by Fred Gipson about a young family in 1860s Texas. It is the classic tale which has been remade by Disney a year later.

My Thoughts

I hadn’t ever seen Old Yeller but knew of the ending by watching the movie “Stripes” when Bill Murray gives his inspirational speech bringing their troop together.

I also didn’t know the book was written in the 1950s. I thought it was older as it was set in the 1860s. I remember thinking that a lot of the attitudes toward kids have certainly changed in the years past. Physically discipline has pretty much gone by the way side these days. However, such was not the case in the book. As we are getting closer to another hundred years past, I wonder what else will have changed…

Recommendation

I really liked it. My guess was the book was better than the movie but I will have to see the movie to know.

The Rainbow Comes and Goes

March 5, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Anderson Cooper and his mother Gloria Vanderbilt, talk about their lives and the events which shaped them.

My Thoughts

A great read. Most of the book was a surprise to me. I had no idea Anderson Cooper was a Vanderbilt nor that Gloria Vanderbilt led the life she had. So all of that was very interesting.

However, the real value from the book was the great perspective Ms. Vanderbilt had on her life. She was able to articulate some very deep truths through her experiences. She had a level of acceptance with her life which I find enviable. The title of “The Rainbow Comes and Goes” is such and apt description of the life lessons presented as a whole. Good things will come and go. Why not enjoy them when they are here?

Recommendation

Definitely worth the read

Slaughterhouse-Five

February 26, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Slaughterhouse-Five is a novel written by Kurt Vonnegut that follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II soldier who becomes “unstuck in time” and experiences his life in a non-linear fashion. The novel explores the themes of the destructiveness of war and the inevitability of fate, while also incorporating elements of science fiction and satire. Billy’s experiences as a prisoner of war and a witness to the bombing of Dresden are juxtaposed with his later life as an optometrist and his encounters with aliens from the planet Tralfamadore. Through Billy’s story, Vonnegut challenges traditional notions of storytelling and the linearity of time, ultimately questioning the human capacity for compassion and understanding in the face of senseless violence.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t impressed with this one. Vonnegut is a master writer to be sure. His method of writing comes across as both easy and sincere and the reader is effortlessly transported to the story.

However, the story was very strange. I actually liked that it was disjointed and the concept of time travel through life moments was a very interesting thought. When put in context of when this book was released, it was lightyears ahead of it’s time (pardon the pun).

My Recommendation

This book belongs to a different era and was written for a different audience. It is great for historical perspective but I didn’t enjoy it. “So it goes.”

Nineteen Eighty-Four

February 19, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

George Orwell’s well celebrated book on totalitarianism. The story follows “Winston” through his life as a minor party member. He lives in relative squalor while “inner party” members have the luxuries. Yet the poorest people are kept on the edge of starvation so they never rise up and overthrow their oppressors.

My Thoughts

This really gives a chilling vision of what life might be like under the boot of a totalitarian regime. As I was reading, I became very thankful for the freedoms I have. I believe it is helpful to remind ourselves of how good we have it every now and then. Being thankful really isn’t something we do well these days.

Recommendation

Likely you read this in High School (or will read it). I would suggest you re-read it. It was certainly worth my time and attention.

The Odyssey of Echo Company

February 3, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The Odyssey of Echo Company is a military history given by multiple perspectives of the people who served our country in Vietnam.

It details how a young man joined the Army went through boot camp and found himself halfway around the world. It documents several battles including the Tet Offensive and gives some perspective on how those soldiers felt both during the war and after.

My Thoughts

War is hard enough without so many of the public against you. Beyond the horror of theater, the most difficult thing for me to read was how our soldiers were treated when they came home.

A lot of the book had the feel of tall tales as it seems doubtful that one person could be so lucky. Still, I guess anything is possible.

Recommendation

Not for the faint of heart.

The Grapes of Wrath

January 29, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

The classic book by John Steinbeck published toward the end of the great depression about tenant farmers who had to leave everything they knew to scratch out a living in the promised land of California.

My Thoughts

It’s very sad that this time was part of our country’s history. The whole book was a walk through toil and strife. And what an ending! Wow, I don’t know what to say.

Recommendation

It’s a classic and a big part of early 20th century literature so you should read it. However, it was long and painful for me.

The War That Saved My Life

January 9, 2019 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in 2015 Kimberly Brubaker Bradley intended this book to be a historical fiction for middle school students. It became a best seller and has a sequel The War I Finally Won.

It is a story of an English girl and her brother were moved out to the country during the German assault on the UK in WWII.

My Thoughts

I read this because my 13 year old son was reading it for school. It really wasn’t a bad story but it isn’t my normal genre of book. Ms. Bradley does a good job of keeping the reader engaged and wanting to continue.

I was glad to hear there was a sequel to the book as it left off without much closure.

Recommendation

I’m about half way on this. I’m not sure why my son was reading it for school but it isn’t a bad story.

Grant

December 28, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Grant by Ron Chernow is the biography of the Commanding General of the Civil War and our 18th President. Mr. Chernow takes us through the early life of Hyrum Ulysses Grant, on through West Point where he became styled Ulysses S. Grant, through his business exploits, through the Civil War, through both terms of his Presidency, and on through the his tragic death.

My Thoughts

Growing up, I’ve heard the name Grant more associated with “General” than President. Though he was both, I think that is more of how we think of him.

I was very touched by his honesty and saddened by how he was taken advantage of… Not to be too Pollyanna, I believe there are people like him everywhere. People do the right thing everyday without much fanfare.

I was glad to hear the story and it knit a good deal of history together for me.

Recommendation

Very good read but sooo long. It is well over a 1000 pages so buckle up! However, I must say I didn’t get bored the entire time. That says a lot…

Bible and Sword

December 10, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Bible and Sword is a history of the rise of Christianity in Great Britain and ultimately why and how modern day Israel came to exist.

My Thoughts

I’ve often wondered why so many countries have been so interested in Israel and why they have been willing to risk so much for little immediate benefit. I have read the biblical accounts about the return of the Savior and know the gathering of the 12 tribes is a big part of what comes before the 2nd coming. However, I didn’t really think that was was the driving force. Of course, it is much more complicated.

The plight of the Jews throughout the centuries has almost been unbelievable. We tend to think of such things as behind us at this point in time yet, with this history has a backdrop, it has vastly improved my understanding of the motivations of the interested parties.

Recommendation

I’m glad I was exposed to this information. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the histories of Europe and the Middle East.

In the Garden of Beasts

December 6, 2018 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

In the garden of beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin is about the Dodd family and their experience in pre-WWII Germany. William Dodd, the American Ambassador to Germany in the 30s, lived in Berlin with his family, including his daughter Martha. Mr. Dodd hoped that Germany’s government would never take on beliefs and practices of the Nazi party forming under his nose.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the description of how the Nazis came into power and how so many of the people really couldn’t believe what was going on. As our country is going through a populist phase, it is all too easy to draw parallels to the same kind of things happening today in our very own great country. Freedom of speech and religion is overwhelming important. We can not lose these freedoms…

Recommendation

I became a little lost with all the characters introduced in the book. It was an important book and I’m glad I read it but I had to push through some slow periods.