War

Consequences could be a good read for anyone interested in inter-generational storytelling that explores the ripple effects of an individual's choices on the lives of those around them. Penelope Lively masterfully traces the stories of three women over three generations, all linked by the consequences of one woman's decision in the 1930s. The novel is a cathartic exploration of love, loss, fate, and happiness that will leave one feeling fulfilled and profoundly moved.

If you've ever been curious about the thrills and challenges faced by a war correspondent, "On All Fronts" offers an intimate glimpse into that world. Clarissa Ward's narrative isn't just about the conflicts she covers, but also about the human emotion and complexity behind them. This book delves deeply into the psyche of a reporter driven to seek truth in the most dangerous and heart-wrenching circumstances, all while grappling with her own evolving personal life. It's a powerful read for anyone interested in journalism, global affairs, or the sheer resilience of the human spirit.

"Redeployment" is a poignant collection of stories that give a voice to soldiers' experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. It portrays the harsh reality of war that soldiers face daily, as well as the challenges that come with returning home. Each story uniquely presents a different perspective, allowing readers to understand and empathize with the characters' experiences on a deeper level. Klay's writing style is raw and emotional, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the human impact of war.

Beautiful Tempest would be a good read for those who enjoy historical romance full of adventure, danger, and steamy encounters. Readers will love the intense attraction between the main characters, Jack and the pirate, who both seek revenge but end up finding something more. The book is also filled with witty writing, charmingly unique characters, and an engaging story line that will make it hard to put down.

This book stands out for its first-hand experiences narrated by Richard Engel, someone who's been right at the heart of the Middle East conflict for over two decades. He doesn't just recount events; he takes you into the midst of the action, offering an intimate look at the history and humanity shaping this tumultuous region. It's both a personal memoir and a historical document, giving it a breadth that's as informative as it is thrilling.

This book would be a great read for history enthusiasts who are particularly interested in Chinese culture and its national epic. The abridged edition gives just enough detail to provide insight into power, diplomacy, and war in Three Kingdoms. It is a great option for undergraduate courses or for those who want to familiarize themselves with the novel without reading the complete text.

'With the moral stamina and intellectual poise of a twentieth-century Titan, this slightly built, dutiful, unassuming chemist set out systematically to remember the German hell on earth, steadfastly to think it through, and then to render it comprehensible in lucid, unpretentious prose. He was profoundly in touch with the minutest workings of the most endearing human events and with the most contemptible. What has survived in Levi's writing isn't just his memory of the unbearable, but also, in The Periodic Table and The Wrench, his delight in what made the world exquisite to him. He was himself a magically endearing man, the most delicately forceful enchanter I've ever known' - Philip Roth.

Hemingway's great novel of the Spanish Civil War'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for and I hate very much to leave it'High in the pine forests of the Spanish Sierra, a guerrilla band prepares to blow up a vital bridge. Robert Jordan, a young American volunteer, has been sent to handle the dynamiting. There, in the mountains, he finds the dangers and the intense comradeship of war. And there he discovers Maria, a young woman who has escaped from Franco's rebels...'A sparse, masculine, world-weary meditation on death, ideology and the savagery of war in general' Sunday Telegraph'One of the greatest novels which our troubled age will produce' Observer**One of the BBC’s 100 Novels That Shaped Our World**

This book could be a good read for someone looking for a gripping coming-of-age story set in a unique historical context. "Empire of the Sun" beautifully captures the resilience of a young British boy living in a Japanese prison camp during World War II. J. G. Ballard's deeply personal and haunting narrative takes readers on a mesmerizing journey of survival, starvation, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination. It is a powerful portrayal of human strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

If you've ever been captivated by the duality of great scientific achievements and the moral quandaries they entail, "American Prometheus" could offer a profound experience. It's not just a detailed account of J. Robert Oppenheimer's life; it's a mirror reflecting the ethical enigma that we, through our innovations, often grapple with. Reading this can feel like uncovering the complexity of a man whose brilliance was as much a beacon as it was a curse.

"Cilka's Journey" isn't just a narrative about historical atrocities; it's a deeply personal story that highlights the indomitable spirit of one woman amidst the worst of mankind's cruelty. As you follow Cilka Klein through the horrors of Auschwitz to the icy desolation of Siberia, you will be reminded of the incredible capacity for endurance, compassion, and love that can flourish even when hope seems lost. This book could offer a profound connection to those interested in the resilience of the human spirit.

Wideacre by Philippa Gregory is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. The novel's unique and most distinctive feature is its portrayal of a sexually aggressive female protagonist who will stop at nothing to gain control of her ancestral home. It is recommended for readers who enjoy strong female characters and a gripping plot with unexpected twists and turns.

A masterly and moving account of the most horrific hidden atrocity of World War II: Ravensbrück, the only Nazi concentration camp built for women  On a sunny morning in May 1939 a phalanx of 867 women—housewives, doctors, opera singers, politicians, prostitutes—was marched through the woods fifty miles north of Berlin, driven on past a shining lake, then herded in through giant gates. Whipping and kicking them were scores of German women guards.      Their destination was Ravensbrück, a concentration camp designed specifically for women by Heinrich Himmler, prime architect of the Holocaust. By the end of the war 130,000 women from more than twenty different European countries had been imprisoned there; among the prominent names were Geneviève de Gaulle, General de Gaulle’s niece, and Gemma La Guardia Gluck, sister of the wartime mayor of New York.      Only a small number of these women were Jewish; Ravensbrück was largely a place for the Nazis to eliminate other inferior beings—social outcasts, Gypsies, political enemies, foreign resisters, the sick, the disabled, and the “mad.” Over six years the prisoners endured beatings, torture, slave labor, starvation, and random execution. In the final months of the war, Ravensbrück became an extermination camp. Estimates of the final death toll by April 1945 have ranged from 30,000 to 90,000.     For decades the story of Ravensbrück was hidden behind the Iron Curtain, and today it is still little known. Using testimony unearthed since the end of the Cold War and interviews with survivors who have never talked before, Sarah Helm has ventured into the heart of the camp, demonstrating for the reader in riveting detail how easily and quickly the unthinkable horror evolved.      Far more than a catalog of atrocities, however, Ravensbrück is also a compelling account of what one survivor called “the heroism, superhuman tenacity, and exceptional willpower to survive.” For every prisoner whose strength failed, another found the will to resist through acts of self-sacrifice and friendship, as well as sabotage, protest, and escape.      While the core of this book is told from inside the camp, the story also sheds new light on the evolution of the wider genocide, the impotence of the world to respond, and Himmler’s final attempt to seek a separate peace with the Allies using the women of Ravensbrück as a bargaining chip. Chilling, inspiring, and deeply unsettling, Ravensbrück is a groundbreaking work of historical investigation. With rare clarity, it reminds us of the capacity of humankind both for bestial cruelty and for courage against all odds.From the Hardcover edition.

"The Men Who Stare At Goats is an entertaining read for those interested in military experiments that go beyond the realm of the traditional. The book offers a unique perspective on the absurdity of warfare and the lengths to which some will go to gain an advantage. Ronson's humorous writing style makes for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and readers will be left questioning the nature of reality and the limits of human potential."

This comprehensive biography of Mao is like a deep dive into history that busts myths wide open. It offers unprecedented insights into Mao's life far beyond the conventional stories. If you thought you knew the Chairman, this book will surprise you with its revelations and the exhaustive research backing them. You'll find it a captivating read that's as educational as it is eye-opening.

Best-selling author Mary Roach explores the science of keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected, and uninfested in the bizarre and extreme circumstances of war. Grunt tackles the science behind some of a soldier's most challenging adversaries—panic, exhaustion, heat, noise—and introduces us to the scientists who seek to conquer them. Mary Roach dodges hostile fire with the U.S. Marine Corps Paintball Team as part of a study on hearing loss and survivability in combat. She visits the fashion design studio of U.S. Army Natick Labs and learns why a zipper is a problem for a sniper. She visits a repurposed movie studio where amputee actors help prepare Marine Corps medics for the shock and gore of combat wounds. At Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti, in east Africa, we learn how diarrhea can be a threat to national security. Roach samples caffeinated meat, sniffs an archival sample of a World War II stink bomb, and stays up all night with the crew tending the missiles on the nuclear submarine USS Tennessee. She answers questions not found in any other book on the military: Why is DARPA interested in ducks? How is a wedding gown like a bomb suit? Why are shrimp more dangerous to sailors than sharks? Take a tour of duty with Roach, and you’ll never see our nation’s defenders in the same way again.