Naval History
During the sailing era, only 10 percent of battles occurred at night. During the 20th century, 80 percent of surface actions were fought at night. This book explores the reason for that change, containing seven essays by eight naval historians. Each examines the naval doctrines of different navies in different conflicts between 1904 and 1944. For those interested in naval history, this book is a gem. Highly readable, it gives insights into the technologies and issues involved in night actions.
Fiction
Fans of Hunter’s Earl Swagger novels will be delighted to find their warrior back in action in this tale with a twist. After D-Day, German snipers are holding up American advances in Normandy. The Army summons Marine Corps hero and expert marksman Swagger to England, where he and his team formulate plans to take out the snipers. Spies in London, a deadly assassin, and Allied command rivalries add to the suspense, and literary figures such as George Orwell and J.R.R. Tolkien make brief appearances.
Classics
One of the best-known books about southern Appalachia, Kephart’s study offered, for his time, new insights into the isolated mountain people who were so different from the rest of America. He covers their unique dialect, their attitude toward “flatlanders,” moonshining, and many other topics. Kephart describes the people of these hills as “a mystery” and seeks to shed light on their way of life. Still regarded as a classic by scholars of Appalachia, it’s an excellent read for the rest of us.
Medical History
Surgery was once one of life’s great horrors. The excruciating pain for the patient and the exasperation and anxiety for the surgeon made what would be a simple operation today a scene of incidental torture that affected all parties. Then, ether was discovered. The use of anesthesia changed the entire landscape of medicine. Julie Fenster follows this discovery and the doctors who made it. She then examines how this discovery changed these men’s lives, and not for the better, in this fascinating and informative work.
Religion
Peter Demos is a businessman, writer, podcaster, and public speaker. In his latest book, he uses a keen eye on biblical scripture coupled with numerous historical figures as a heady background to champion his mission. For Demos, facing the challenges of standing up for your faith in tumultuous times requires a firm commitment to your beliefs. Christians need to be bold as they weigh the risks, rewards, and righteous duty for civil disobedience when called to act.
For Kids
By Margaret Wise Brown and Leonard Weisgard
Winner of the 1947 Caldecott Medal, this classic takes readers to a little island in the bright, blue sea. It celebrates a spirit of curiosity and the powers of observation as seasons come and go and visitors of all sorts occupy the little island. A calming read that encourages an appreciation of nature, this makes for a perfect summer read-aloud.
