Book Review: Landmark The Story of D-Day

I saw “Saving Private Ryan” as a teen. Once you have seen that film, you will never forget what the beaches of Normandy looked like. And if you are like me, you may try to avoid reading a lot more about the invasion because of how tragic it was. Bruce Bliven’s The Story of D-Day: June 6, 1944 helped me. There is nothing that can make this story less tragic, but there is much that can help us celebrate the heroes who made sure that the losses were not in vain. 
Very much like reading Wyatt Blassingame’s Combat Nurses of WWII or his Medical Corps Heroes of WWII, this book made me cry tears of pride for the men who stormed those beaches. The first half of the book sets the stage and focuses on the insane bravery of the First Wave (as it should). The last half of the book highlights individual heroes who refused to admit defeat even when everyone around him was stalled, pinned down, and about ready to give up. 
 
https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/the-story-of-d-day-june-6-1944/

Book Review: Landmark The Sinking of the Bismarck

In The Sinking of the Bismarck, he used his journalistic talents to study the declassified reports, comb through personal accounts, and harvest the best information from the time. Instead of telling the story of an interested observer as he did in Hitler, he re-creates the story with the enthusiasm of a patriot who is proud and excited about an epic victory at sea. And, while he clearly is on the side of the Allies, he does have some sympathy and understanding for the men in German boats who were simply doing their duty. In this way, we get an exciting page-turner that leaves the reader inspired and in awe. 
Nothing went right. Until, through a combination of sheer determination and uncanny good luck, the Allies were able to sink the most important ship in the German navy. Failure to win this battle would probably have cost us the war. And one devastating error after another almost guaranteed the victory to the Germans. Only God knows how this came out right in the end. But, by His grace, it did. 
https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/the-sinking-of-the-bismarck/

Book Review: Landmark Alexander the Great by John Gunther

History often remembers Alexander the Great as being in the same category as Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Adolf Hitler. A handful of men who through incredible genius, unparalleled thirst for power, and sheer determination were able to achieve unprecedented world domination. None of these men are remembered as paragons of virtue nor even decent role models, but all of them deserve our attention and some level of respect. Each changed the world in which they lived. Each of these leaders was a complicated man. This most fascinating story leaps off the page like an exciting novel. John Gunther’s writing is refined and like that of a master storyteller. He tells us just enough of Alexander’s life to make us impressed and curious. And, he tells it in such a way that we are eager to know more. https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/alexander-the-great/

Book Review: Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen

In the August, 2023 episode of Our Reading Life, Tanya Arnold and I discussed why we are so impressed with Jennifer A. Nielsen’s historical fiction. Many of her stories are set in war settings that are mostly unfamiliar to the average reader. The stories feature teens who are coming of age in hellish circumstances that are more unbelievable than the best fiction. The teens behave in ways that are consistent with their age and culture. But these same teens are also being refined in the fires of terror, grief, and suffering. Some of her books are stronger than others. This one, Resistance, is the hardest and yet the best that I have read so far. Read the whole review here: https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/resistance/ 

Book Review: The Candy Bomber

In the prologue, Halversen says, “This book is special to me because it tells about the people of Berlin who valued freedom over food.” He adds, “Children felt this way too. ‘I can live on thin rations but not without hope,’ one ten-year-old boy told me”

Book Review: Down the Big River by Stephen Meader

Down the Big River by Stephen Meader is a fast-moving, exciting, and wholesome historical fiction novel that blessed our Morning Basket for several weeks this winter. In our Forgotten Books: Historical Fiction podcast episode at Plumfield Moms, this book was Sandy Hall’s selection (you can read her detailed review, here). In that episode, both she and Tanya Arnold of Biblioguides gave us a lot of great information about Meader and his reasons for writing these kinds of books. He is a gift to our young people! His stories are set from shore to shore across our country, celebrating America and her growth. And, while we have not read them all, we feel confident in recommending any of his books. You can find that episode here. 
 
 
 
Full review can be found here: https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/down-the-big-river/ 
Historical Fiction episode can be found here: https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/show-notes-american-landmark-books/ 

Book Review: Urchin and the Raven War by M. I. McAllister

This achingly beautiful book is our favorite of all five. It is a war story. It is an adventure. It is one act of love after another. It is a hero’s tale. But, wonderfully, there are many heroes. This book is like the Battle for Helm’s Deep. If you know and love these books, and if you know and love The Lord of the Rings, that is really all that you need to know. It is Helm’s Deep. Fantastically. 
 
https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/urchin-and-the-raven-war/

Book Review: The Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander

In Lloyd Alexander’s first children’s novel, The Time Cat, Gareth can move in and out of nine different times, but once he has done that, he cannot ever go back. And so, according to Gareth, a cat most choose wisely when he will leap from life to life. This charming and imaginative story brings history to life. Gareth uses his first life to bring Jason to ancient Egypt and the city of Bubastes where cats are worshipped as gods. While there, they encounter some trouble, Jason learns a little something, and then they move along to the next life. As they move in and out of lives, Jason and Gareth meet all kinds of famous historical figures like St. Patrick while he was still a slave, Leonardo da Vinci as a boy, etc. And in each life, Jason learns something about himself or the world. Full Review: https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/the-time-cat/ 

Book Review: Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky

Kentucky’s Pack Horse Library Project was part of Franklin Roosevelt’s Work Projects Administration (WPA) begun during the Great Depression to help put people to work. The Pack Horse Library Project started in 1935 in two Kentucky counties and lasted until 1943 (having spread to thirty counties), when World War II brought the U.S. economy back to life. 
Companion Picture Books:
Down, Down the Mountain by Ellis CredleThat Book Woman by Heather Henson
 

Book Review: The Red Keep by Allen French

https://plumfieldandpaideia.com/the-red-keep/
 
In my lending library, Plumfield Living Books Library, I have a young patron who loves the Middle Ages. I reached for The Red Keep to preview before I put it in her “holds” box. I spent two days with my head in this exciting 370-page story of adventure and honor, and I am delighted to be able to recommend it to families. I loved it, and I am sure that my pre-teen and teens will love it as well. As I was reading, I kept saying to my John Flanagan Rangers Apprentice-loving readers: this is the story that Horace deserves!