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I'm a reader who enjoys posting comments and recommendations about the books I read. You will not find a synopsis with my recommendations because you can just click on the book title for a link to www.goodreads.com for a synopsis and reviews by other readers. I prefer the 3 Reason format: the reason I chose to read it; the reason I liked (or disliked) the book; and the reason I recommend it.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

The Adventures of Tom SawyerThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was time for a re-reading of a favorite of mine to see if this might be appropriate for an 8-year old grandson who is reading his way through Harry Potter books. I think his skill level is up to it; but I'm not sure a 21st century boy would believe any child could have as much freedom from adult supervision and organized activities as this 19th century boy had. This book might be good for an opportunity to compare and contrast.
I still admire Tom's ingenuity and creativity.
I recommend it for all readers to read and re-read.

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Friday, August 22, 2014

Fierce Patriot: The Tangled Lives of William Tecumseh ShermanFierce Patriot: The Tangled Lives of William Tecumseh Sherman by Robert L. O'Connell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fierce Patriot was published this year, and I immediately added it to my to-read list for I just finished reading those three Jeff Shaara books about the Army of the West in which Sherman was a continuing character. This biography provides a much deeper understanding of Sherman and those battles through O'Connell's interpretation of historical records.

This biography divides Sherman's life into three parts: The Military Strategist; The General and His Army; and The Man and His Families for these are parts of Sherman which are tangled, and yet compartmentalized. There are 28-pages of notes for the sources used by O'Connell, and sometimes I wish these notes included more clarifying information, such as a back story.

I recommend this book for readers who have an interest in this period of American history (1820-1891) and an interest in William Tecumseh Sherman.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Smoke at Dawn (Civil War: 1861-1865, Western Theater, #3)The Smoke at Dawn by Jeff Shaara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the third book of the series "Civil War: 1861-1865, Western Theater." I started reading this series this year because I heard it was a trilogy. No, there will be yet another book.
I like the format of describing a campaign from various viewpoints of generals on both sides plus the viewpoint of an infantryman. However, sometimes this includes repetition of topics and repetition of phrases that annoys this reader. Note to Shaara--try doing a word search for cigar in your next draft to see just how many times you use it in your chapters about Grant and Sherman, and just how many times similar phrases are used when describing smoking cigars.
I recommend this book to fans of well-researched novels of the Civil War. My preference is for a historical narrative such as written by Allan W. Eckert who quotes dialogue when he can find the words in historical documents and suggests what might have been said when nothing has been recorded for this reader is given a better understanding of the individual voices of the characters.



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Saturday, August 09, 2014

The Pastor's WifeThe Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Pastor's Wife was free when I downloaded it from Barnes and Noble to my Nook library.
The book can be read quickly and it is entertaining. The problem with the book is the predictable outcome for which the reader is warned on page 10, "I mean, it's the kind of stunt they pull in soap operas."
I recommend it only to fans of the Christian romance genre.

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Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Dead AnglerDead Angler by Victoria Houston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was free when I downloaded it from Barnes and Noble to my Nook library. I enjoy cozy mysteries; and this was different because the protagonist was a 63-year-old male instead of a woman.
I recommend it to readers who prefer the genre of cozy mysteries and might enjoy the change of reading about a retired dentist who enjoys fly-fishing in the Northwoods where he stumbles over the mystery of a dead body.

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