Such an interesting subject, but relayed in the most dry and boring manner imaginable. Reads like a textbook. I've read other books on nursing in WWIISuch an interesting subject, but relayed in the most dry and boring manner imaginable. Reads like a textbook. I've read other books on nursing in WWII that are written much better (plenty of those books are referenced in "Beyond the Call of Duty"). Also, a lot of repetition, making it seem as if the author were stretching madly to reach a word count....more
**spoiler alert** I've read other books by Ben Macintyre and really enjoy his writing. He has an engaging style which makes history interesting, as op**spoiler alert** I've read other books by Ben Macintyre and really enjoy his writing. He has an engaging style which makes history interesting, as opposed to some other authors who can make it a slog.
Ursula Kuczynski Beurton was an interesting character. And while one might not agree with her ideology, one can still admire her commitment. However, any respect I had for her waned as the story went on. She was an inherently selfish woman who continually put her children at risk (not to mention, she treated her first husband abominably). In blurbs from her journals or memoirs, she claims that the kids mean so much to her, but her actions said otherwise. I especially felt sorry for her eldest son, Michael. He was emotionally scarred by her selfish actions. Ursula's last chance to self-sacrifice for her children in order to allow them a better life came and went with her making the decision that was best for HER, not her kids. She had four sisters that stayed in Britain after WWII. She could have left her children with them instead of uprooting them. Especially since she had started to realize that life under communism wasn't all it was cracked up to be. But better to let her children suffer than admit she might have been wrong to a certain degree. Whatever.
I also think her outrage after Stalin's death and the revelation of his purges was the height of hypocrisy. Plenty of her friends disappeared or were murdered. She knew how things were better than most, but chose to turn a blind eye. Spare me the fake outrage.
Also, the old adage "you reap what you sow" came back to bite her in the butt big time. By choosing to live in East Germany after the war, she gave up any freedom she still possessed and the East German Stasi kept her under close surveillance for a long time which she did not like. The spy being spied upon, ha ha! Too bad.
I also take issue with the blurb on the cover of the book "Moscow's most daring wartime spy". I think the spies who parachuted behind enemy lines while the war was still going on were more daring. Just my opinion. Ursula might have been the most successful spy, but I don't know if I'd say she was the most daring.
In conclusion, not a big fan of Ursula, but definitely a big fan of Ben Macintyre....more
Started out really slow which is where one star comes off the rating. The book is billed as a love story between two journalists during WWII, Mel JacoStarted out really slow which is where one star comes off the rating. The book is billed as a love story between two journalists during WWII, Mel Jacoby and Annalee Whitmore, but Annalee does not factor into the story until the halfway point. So, a little misleading. Once she does enter the picture and the two journalists travel to the Philippines, the pace picks up. I'd love to see this turned into a movie. ...more
A very detailed look at arguably the turning point battle of WWII. A warning to someone looking for a basic or general overview of D-Day. This bA 4.5.
A very detailed look at arguably the turning point battle of WWII. A warning to someone looking for a basic or general overview of D-Day. This book is probably not for you. Kind of obvious in a 583 page book about one day. The minutest details are covered right down to each and every kind of weapon and bomb tonnage. For someone acutely interested in WWII, however, this is a great book. I like the way specific details of battles and weapons are given and interspersed with personal stories from individual soldiers and sailors who fought in the battle which add a human touch. The narrative flows very well. Great maps as well.
The reason I took off a star is there is a tendency toward repetition in places. Also, I came away with the feeling that Stephen Ambrose did not have much respect for Churchill. I wish he would have left the personal bias out and just wrote the facts.
I've read several books about nurses in WWII and this is a nice addition to the canon.
Since this book is a compilation of journal excerpts and lettersI've read several books about nurses in WWII and this is a nice addition to the canon.
Since this book is a compilation of journal excerpts and letters, the reading can seem disjointed at first. Just be aware so you're not expecting a flowing narrative. June's voice really comes through and I got a good sense of her as a person. I did feel that, at first, some of her family were slightly disrespectful to her as an adult and a person. The one thing that really bugged me was her constantly asking for panties in small and her mother sending medium or large. What the heck? Why would you do that? I do think after a time, her family understood better the deprivations and stress she was working under. Credit June. She did not spare her parents or sisters with overly upbeat letters, but instead conveyed a real sense of the stress, sacrifice and sadness of war. All without losing her unique sense of humor.
This book should be required reading for today's generation of entitled and spoiled young people. Maybe then they'd have a better idea of what real suffering and sacrifice means. ...more
Another interesting book by Stephen Ambrose about the men who fought WWII. The reason I took a star off is because some parts became a little bogged dAnother interesting book by Stephen Ambrose about the men who fought WWII. The reason I took a star off is because some parts became a little bogged down with technical jargon. ...more
A firsthand account of nursing near the front lines during WWII. In humble fashion, Haskell downplays her role and those of her fellow nurses (she speA firsthand account of nursing near the front lines during WWII. In humble fashion, Haskell downplays her role and those of her fellow nurses (she spent her entire time in North Africa working with a ruptured interverterbral disc before being sent home). She does a good job of inserting humor and the chaos of life in a battle zone throughout.
As the book was first published in 1944, some outdated language exists. And I really wish there were some, any, pictures in the book.
While "Helmets and Lipstick" is a good introduction or a nice companion to other books about nurses during WWII, it might not suffice if you are looking for an in depth look at these women. If that's the case, read "And If I Perish" by Monahan and Neidel-Greenlee. One of my all-time favorites. ...more
An excellent account of the battle of Tarawa. Wukovits does a good job of describing the battle and allowing the reader to get a genuine feel for whatAn excellent account of the battle of Tarawa. Wukovits does a good job of describing the battle and allowing the reader to get a genuine feel for what the Marines went through before and during the battle. I like his approach of using a few personal stories interspersed throughout as it helps give the reader a stronger sense of the individual sacrifices that were made. Such a technique really pulls the reader into the book. I also like that Wukovits described the Marines' lives before the battle, why they joined up and the time spent in New Zealand. He also does a good job of describing what the families at home went through while waiting for word of loved ones and how they coped after losing sons, brothers or boyfriends.
Wukovits' description of the battle itself is quite detailed and offers a good perspective. Also, plenty of helpful maps are inserted throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Marine Corps history or the battles of WWII. ...more
An interesting and well-written account of the ultimate heroes from WWII. Edward Murphy weaves a skillful narrative describing the exploits and selfleAn interesting and well-written account of the ultimate heroes from WWII. Edward Murphy weaves a skillful narrative describing the exploits and selflessness of the men awarded the Medal of Honor. At the end there is also a compilation of every man's name, rank, date medal earned, etc.
One minor quibble. Some of the medal honorees had their names in bold print while others were just inserted into the narrative. I understand this was probably done to make the narrative flow more smoothly, so I'm willing to overlook it and not consider it any sort of slight. I was all set to give the book 5 stars until coming to the very end where all medal honorees are listed. Why is the list in microscopic print? Couldn't the publishers have extended those last 20 pages by 10 or so, in order to allow these men's names to be readable? I would certainly not mind the book costing an extra dollar or two in order to have the names printed a bit larger and read more clearly. It's certainly the least we can do to honor these heroes. ...more
An average rating for an average book. Very basic overview of the WASP and Soviet women pilots.
Almost all of the information regarding the Soviet pilAn average rating for an average book. Very basic overview of the WASP and Soviet women pilots.
Almost all of the information regarding the Soviet pilots was heavily referenced from the books "A Dance with Death" by Anne Noggle and "Wings, Women and War" by Reina Pennington. Since I've read both there was nothing new here. Also, if you are interested in reading solely about the Russian pilots, I would suggest reading either Noggle's or Pennington's book instead of "Flying for Her Country".
The main reason I picked up this book was to learn more about the WASP's since I've read very little about them before. Unfortunately, Goodpaster Strebe focuses mainly on their demise and the ending of the program. I got very little real sense of what a WASP did and endured during her service in WWII. I will definitely need to check out other books dealing with this topic.
Way too much repeating herself by the author. Even so, the book is still incredibly short, coming in at under 100 pages. Unless you find this cheap at a library book sale or plan on checking it out at a library, I'd give this one a pass since much better books on the subject of female pilots during WWII exist. Keep in mind, however, it might be perfect for a student writing a term paper on the subject....more
Fascinating subject. Unfortunately, the book only narrowly avoids a two-star rating because of the writing. It reads as if written for junior high stuFascinating subject. Unfortunately, the book only narrowly avoids a two-star rating because of the writing. It reads as if written for junior high students while some parts also read like one of those term papers where the student copies text from an encyclopedia.
I only finished because I wanted to see what happened and how the group managed to survive. In regard to the three nurses who were separated from the rest of the group. I do think the story might have benefited from having their journey interwoven into the other group's story instead of a quick summary at the end.
One of the nurses wrote a memoir entitled "Albanian Escape" which I am eager to read, especially in the hope that is more enjoyable than "The Secret Rescue"....more
Too many names squeezed into too small a space to differentiate between the participants and making the book not only a little confusing, but a real cToo many names squeezed into too small a space to differentiate between the participants and making the book not only a little confusing, but a real chore to read. The map at the front is helpful, however. All in all, other books about the Battle of the Bulge exist which are much more interesting to read. ...more
Very engaging writing style. A good firsthand account of what transpires behind the scenes at a command post during wartime. It also accurately portraVery engaging writing style. A good firsthand account of what transpires behind the scenes at a command post during wartime. It also accurately portrays the way relationships can accelerate during wartime and people may make decisions they never would in peacetime. I do believe there was a shared love between Kay and Eisenhower, though I think he always realized any sort of future was a fantasy which made it a grievous error that he kind of strung her along, thinking a future was possible right down to having her switch her citizenship. Honestly, if she had been ten years younger, I would have lost a little respect for the man. As it was, Kay probably should have been more aware things wouldn't work out as she hoped. The saddest part was at the end when Telek died. He was Kay's truest friend. I would have liked to hear a little more about her life after the army and her relationship with Reginald Morgan, but I also understand Eisenhower was the focus of the book, even more so than Kay herself. Maybe this was kind of like her love letter to him, so obviously Reginald Morgan would really not have a place in the narrative. ...more
**spoiler alert** A solid 3.5. Engaging, informative and interesting read. Wasn't prepared for Denis' death at the end. Quite a blow which really emph**spoiler alert** A solid 3.5. Engaging, informative and interesting read. Wasn't prepared for Denis' death at the end. Quite a blow which really emphasizes the true cost of war and the sacrifices made by regular people. ...more
Ms. Chang takes an underreported episode from history and writes a concise, eye-opening account of a WWII atrocity. One of the more depressing chapterMs. Chang takes an underreported episode from history and writes a concise, eye-opening account of a WWII atrocity. One of the more depressing chapters is the one dealing with war crime trials for the perpetrators of the Rape of Nanking. It's a very short chapter simply because so few were punished (the reasons given in the chapter) and justice is definitely not served. As Ms. Chang states, the victims were "raped" a second time. An interesting and important read. ...more
As I read the first few chapters, I didn't think there was any way I'd give this book more than three stars, mainly because of the somewhat simplisticAs I read the first few chapters, I didn't think there was any way I'd give this book more than three stars, mainly because of the somewhat simplistic writing style. Granted, Edith Hahn Beer is not a writer by trade, so maybe some of my expectations were unrealistic. By the halfway mark, however, the conversational tone of the narrative had pulled me into the story. The reader is taken on a fascinating and harrowing journey with Edith as she struggles to survive in a world that would be only too glad to see her dead. An inspiring true life story. ...more
A wonderful book. Welch manages to capture the fields of battle in a realistic and interesting way. Even better, he crafts suspense despite the fact tA wonderful book. Welch manages to capture the fields of battle in a realistic and interesting way. Even better, he crafts suspense despite the fact the reader knows the outcome. When Frances was working so hard and hoping to get into nursing school and then struggling to finish nursing school, I felt a real sense of anxiety for her. My only complaint. Welch mentions and describes numerous photos of Frances, but there are very few in the book. I wish there had been more.
A beautiful tribute to a true American hero. Nurses are a special breed of person, military nurses high amongst the best....more
The book is written in a fairly simplistic fashion, but an engaging subject matter nevertheless.
I liked how the authors chose to focus on f3.5 stars.
The book is written in a fairly simplistic fashion, but an engaging subject matter nevertheless.
I liked how the authors chose to focus on four specific women instead of a general overview (although this also caused problems as mentioned in the latter part of this review). The reader becomes more invested in the individual stories while also being offered a diverse sample of the war brides experience in America. The last in regards to their husbands, not so much.
By the end of the book, I was growing increasingly perturbed. Using "GI Brides" as a guideline, one would think the vast majority of the American servicemen who were sent to England were weak men prone to addiction that beat their wives. Three of the four marriages in the book end in failure (even if Sylvia and Bob did not divorce, their marriage can hardly be considered a success), but even Lyn's husband (the only success) was portrayed as a weak man. Since the authors even state at one point in the book that the majority of the war brides' marriages were successful and even happy, I would have appreciated a more diverse sampling. Say, two successful stories and two failures. Or add another positive story to the four already here. And to add insult to injury, Margaret's second husband, an Englishman, was portrayed as the most upstanding man in the book. During WWII my uncle, a Catholic of Italian descent, served in the Army. Before leaving home, he was a bit of a rabble-rouser and did not have much use for church. Then, he participated in the Normandy invasion (3rd wave) and waded ashore under artillery fire through bloodied waters and witnessing bodies bobbing in the surf. As an MP, he also helped liberate concentration camps. He came home a changed man, found a job and worked hard as a conductor for the CTA, married my aunt (an American girl, not a war bride), was a good husband and father and made sure to stop into a church for at least a short while every single day until he died. Maybe portraying such men would have proved too boring a read, I don't know. But a more nuanced portrayal would have been welcome.
I thought Margaret's story was quite interesting and I was glad she had the courage to leave after one beating by her husband. Far too many women are too afraid and stay in such a horrible situation. I also think the authors did a good job of conveying the culture shock these women experienced. They were young and naïve and envisioned a Hollywood version of America.
An easy, enjoyable read and the stories of the four women are fascinating. But be forewarned about the disparaging portrayal of American servicemen. The skewed portrayal is the reason I knocked a star off this rating. ...more
Interesting subject matter, but it felt as if I were reading a high school term paper. Sorry to say, I resorted to skimming. I did find some interestiInteresting subject matter, but it felt as if I were reading a high school term paper. Sorry to say, I resorted to skimming. I did find some interesting facts about the Australian nurses on the Vyner Brooke who were mowed down by Japanese machine gun fire which prompted me to do a more detailed search on the internet. ...more
A fairly decently written account on an interesting subject of which I've read very little of before, the German resistance movement in WWII.A fairly decently written account on an interesting subject of which I've read very little of before, the German resistance movement in WWII....more
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