Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen by James P. Gregory Jr.

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MWSA Review

James P. Gregory, Jr. took on a herculean task to untangle the facts of a World War I controversy. In his book Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen, Gregory painstakingly lays out the facts dating back to the battle of October 8, 1918, complete with footnotes documenting his findings.

On that date, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, crept upon a German machine gun emplacement and opened fire. Some were killed, others seriously wounded, and one man emerged as a mythical hero. Through less than thorough fact-finding, officers used the opportunity to also advance themselves. One man out of seventeen who participated got all the glory, fame, and medals. While Cpl. Alvin York received accolades for the destruction of German machine gun nests and the capture of more than 132 German soldiers; sixteen other brave soldiers sought to be recognized for their service and duty on the battlefield.

The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history. The other sixteen suffered indignities in the press and from their own superiors, who portrayed them as jealous glory seekers. Gregory set out to change this.

Historian James P. Gregory, Jr. writes a well-documented account of the other sixteen with a thumbnail sketch of each man and the efforts to have this war hero recognized. He sets the record straight for those who want to find the truth.

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2024) 

Author's Synopsis

On October 8, 1918, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, led by acting Sgt. Bernard Early, flanked a German machine gun nest that had inundated their unit with withering fire. In this sneak attack, they successfully surprised and captured more than 80 German soldiers before an unseen machine gun suddenly opened fire and killed six men.

Acting Cpl. Alvin York, a member of the patrol, received the credit for taking control of the squad and single-handedly killing 20 Germans, capturing 132 prisoners, and eliminating 35 machine guns, all before leading the men back to Allied lines. For this act of bravery, York not only received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to sergeant, but he also rose to fame and glory. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history.

In Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York, historian James P. Gregory Jr. tells the story of the other sixteen soldiers who took part in the battle, capture, and return before fading into relative obscurity in the shadow of Sergeant York. As the tale reached mythological proportions, the other survivors began to speak out, seeking recognition for their parts in the engagement, only to be stymied by improper investigations, cover-ups, and media misrepresentations. Here, Gregory recovers the story of these other men and the part they played alongside York while revealing the process of mythmaking in twentieth-century America.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 216

Word Count: 58500

Trust No One by Glenn Dyer

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MWSA Review

Trust No One by Glenn Dyer is a well-researched and written WW2 historical novel that entertains, informs, and intrigues readers. It’s the 4th book in the Conor Thorn espionage series inspired by true events.

The story, locations, and historical period evoke images of “Casablanca.” It’s missing Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre, but Trust No One doesn’t lack heroes or villains. We get cameos or at least shout-outs of Eisenhower, Churchill, Admiral Jean Darlan, Klaus Barbie—the Butcher of Lyon—Charles DeGaulle, Ian Fleming, professional spies, a courageous brothel owner, an evil priest, and multiple others—real and imagined. A good use of dialogue keeps the story moving.

The action alternates between Algiers and Lyon, with forays into Marseilles, London, Gibraltar, and Tunisia. The locations provide a mysterious backdrop of dark alleys, smokey cafés, and foggy airfields, where nothing is as it appears.

All the significant and influential WW2 organizations play a role in the political puzzle and multiple storylines: the Allies, the Axis Powers, the French Resistance, the Gestapo and SS, MI6, SOE, OSS, Vichy France, the Abwehr, and…the Catholic Church. We get double-dealing, thrilling escapes, and violence. All the boxes are checked.

About halfway through, I felt overwhelmed by the multiple plot lines, so I jumped to the author’s notes and acknowledgments, which helped me connect the dots. At 107,000 words, the narrative may test readers’ patience and challenge their ability to fit all the pieces of the puzzle. But those willing to stick with Trust No One to the end will be rewarded with a memorable and thrilling reading experience.

Review by James Elsener (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Loyalists meant to rid their country of a double-dealing collaborator. Instead, they created a threat that could destroy Allied unity.

Algiers. Winter 1942. Conor Thorn is devastated. He’s been fired from the OSS. His wife, Emily, has been fired from MI6. They allowed their morals to bend certain truths concerning the outcome of their last mission. Forever dedicated to defeating Axis powers, these skilled operatives jump at the chance to secretly help General Eisenhower deal with a political time bomb threatening Allied harmony and to redeem their honorable standing. To recover a rumored archive holding the truth about an assassination plot, they must travel deep into perilous Axis territory.

In the crosshairs of those determined to keep the information out of Allied hands, Conor and Emily fall victim to a violent assault. Though the resulting injuries leave him severely concussed and confused, Conor refuses to stand down while his beloved ventures deeper into danger.

Can Conor and Emily piece together a political puzzle in time to keep Allied unity from fracturing?

Trust No One is the high intensity, gritty fourth book in the Conor Thorn WWII espionage series inspired by true events. If you like heart-pounding action and white-knuckled tension, then you’ll love Glenn Dyer’s thrill ride through history.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 402

Word Count: 107,710

Secrets of Ash by Josh Green

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MWSA Review

Secrets of Ash: A Novel of War, Brotherhood, and Going Home Again by Josh Green is a captivating and intense novel that delves into profound themes of trauma, guilt, and fragile relationships. The novel centers on two brothers, Chase and Jack Lumpkin, who take different paths in life. Jack, the older brother, becomes a nationally syndicated sports radio host, while Chase joins the Army and experiences combat in Afghanistan.

After sustaining wounds and receiving a Purple Heart, Chase returns to Georgia, haunted by PTSD and guilt over a wartime murder. Meanwhile, Jack’s excesses lead him to reevaluate his life. When Jack follows Chase to the rugged mountains of Ash County, their flawed realities collide. They grapple with their shared past, seeking redemption and healing.

The novel is narrated in alternating points of view, allowing readers to explore the brothers’ current struggles and dark memories as they come to terms with themselves and each other.

The characters are authentic and deeply flawed. This is not just another story about war and PTSD. Secrets of Ash is a well written, deeper examination of love and the impacts of war on society.

Review by Bob Ritchie (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Josh Green is an award-winning journalist, fiction author, and editor whose work has appeared in Garden & Gun, Indianapolis Monthly, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Los Angeles Review, The Baltimore Review, and several anthologies. Secrets of Ash, his first novel, was inspired by two decades of reporting on U.S. military. His book of short stories, Dirtyville Rhapsodies, was hailed by Men’s Health as a “Best Book for the Beach” and was named a top 10 book of the year by Atlanta magazine. He lives with his wife and daughters in Atlanta.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 287

Word Count: 83,000

Welcome Home Melanie Mae by Tiffany Rebar

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MWSA Review

Tiffany Rebar has penned a delightful children’s tale of dreams and magic in her new book Welcome Home Melanie Mae.

When a real-life giraffe comes looking for a new home, she finds it in the love and laughter of two creative young girls. Their week-long adventures include an animal parade, a photoshoot, a dress-up party, and a jungle safari—something unique and delightful for each day. The book’s illustrations grab young readers’ attention with enchanting artwork (and even include a hidden object contest and giraffe fact sheet for further exploration). These small artistic touches leave plenty to be explored by young minds.

Rebar’s style of prose is both lyrical and appropriate for the age of young readers. Her characters are emotionally uplifting, almost jumping off the page begging you to join in the fun. This story is a must-read for anyone who loves laughter and the fun-filled world of children’s imagination. The lucky giraffe, Melanie Mae, has indeed found a forever home.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Melanie Mae's beautiful smile and loving character will delight children as they read about her adventures in a new home. Melanie Mae encourages learning as she goes through the days of the week with her new family. With the amazing imagination of two girls, who happily welcomed her into their family, Melanie Mae can do anything. Their days are filled with fun and excitement as they do photo shoots, dance, dress-up, go on a safari, and much more. Melanie Mae is happy to find a place where she can be the unique, silly giraffe that she truly is. She finally found a place where she belongs.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 28

Word Count: 210

Capturing Skunk Alpha by Raúl Herrera

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MWSA Review

Capturing Skunk Alpha is chock full of information about the Navy, Swift Boats, Vietnam, and life in the barrio. Raul Herrera offers a first-hand account of each, focusing most of the story on the courageous actions of Swift Boat crews before, during, and after combat.

If you're looking for a comprehensive story about these topics, then I highly recommend this book as the author goes to great lengths providing maps, tables and supporting details along with his own personal eye-witness account of a sailor's life at the height of the Vietnam War.

Review by Rob Lofthouse (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

On the evening of July 11, 1967, a Navy surveillance aircraft spotted a suspicious trawler in international waters heading toward the Quang Ngai coast of South Vietnam. While the ship tried to appear innocuous on its deck, Saigon quickly identified it as an enemy gunrunner, codenamed Skunk Alpha.

A four-seaborne intercept task force was established and formed a barrier inside South Vietnam’s twelve-mile territorial boundary. As the enemy ship ignored all orders to surrender and neared the Sa Ky River at the tip of the Batangan Peninsula, Swift Boat PCF-79 was ordered to take the trawler under fire. What followed was ship-to-ship combat action not seen since World War II. Capturing Skunk Alpha relates that breathtaking military encounter to readers for the first time.

But Capturing Skunk Alpha is also the tale of one sailor’s journey to the deck of PCF-79. Two years earlier, Raúl Herrera was growing up on the west side of San Antonio, Texas, when he answered the call to duty and joined the US Navy. Raúl was assigned to PCF Crew Training and joined a ragtag six-man Swift Boat crew with a mission to prevent the infiltration of resupply ships from North Vietnam.

The brave sailors who steered into harm’s way in war-torn Vietnam would keep more than ninety tons of ammunition and supplies from the Viet Cong and NVA forces. The Viet Cong would post a bounty on PCF-79; Premier Nguyễn Cao Kỳ and Chief of State Nguyễn Văn Thiệu would congratulate and decorate them for their heroism. Capturing Skunk Alpha provides an eyewitness account of a pivotal moment in Navy operations while also chronicling one sailor’s unlikely journey from barrio adolescence to perilous combat action on the high seas.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 312

Word Count: 107,000

Secrets at Deep Lake by Nancy Wakeley

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MWSA Review Travel blogger and local North Carolina botanical garden owner Kate Tyler is one of a set of triplets born to an unwed teenage mother, Jenny Howard, who gave them up for adoption as babies. Kate and her sister, Becky, were adopted by Clarence and Maggie Tyler. Their brother Billie was adopted by Calvin and Mimi Zink.

Kate is in her thirties at the time of this story. Her sister had already died in an accident soon after purchasing Howards’ Walk, an estate owned by the parents of their birth mother, Jenny. Tending to the property Kate inherited from Becky, Kate found birth certificates in a trunk. They revealed she was one of a set of triplets. She did not think her sister knew about their brother Billie, and his existence was a surprise to her, also. What struck her like a hard blow was the blank line on the birth certificates where their father’s name should have been. It smacked of “I do not want you.”

As she brings the brother she never knew into her life, Kate realizes he has some developmental and physical problems. On very good terms with Billie’s adoptive mother Mimi, Kate, her boyfriend Ben, and Billie build a warm and loving relationship together. When Kate is informed Billie may need a kidney transplant, she is determined to learn more about her biological parents, who may need to consider being a donor in the future, should Billie need a new kidney.

The “I do not want you” theme runs through Nancy Wakeley’s Secrets at Deep Lake as Kate tries to unravel the mystery of who her birth father is, if he is alive, and if he wants any relationship with her and Billie. Her research takes her to upstate New York. Under the guise of writing her travel blog, she locates the wealthy Wingate Family and attends the annual wine festival at their popular vineyard, curious as to what relationship she may have to them, if any.

As revelations emerge and secrets are exposed about the Wingate family as well as her birth mother, Kate must confront her fear of being rejected again. With Ben supporting her throughout her journey of discovery, Kate slowly emerges as a more tolerant person who understands the decisions made when she was only an infant. Will she find the closure she so desperately needs not only for Billie, but also for herself?

Secrets at Deep Lake will resonate with anyone who has yearned to find a birth parent, as well as the reader who enjoys a good mystery.

Review by Pat Walkow (March 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

When Kate Tyler learns that her brother may need a kidney transplant, she has no choice but to unravel the mystery of her biological parents' health history. Given only her birth mother's name to start her search, she begins untangling the threads of her past despite her own desire to leave it all alone. Undeterred by the risk of a second betrayal, she follows the leads to the Wingate family, a well-off presence in the New York State wine scene.

Using her travel blog as a cover, Kate inserts herself into the Wingate family's wine festival, hoping to quietly confirm her suspicions of her father's identity. But as the Wingates close ranks to protect their own, painful secrets come to light with devastating consequences. Only the truth can lead these broken families to forgiveness and healing.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 258

Word Count: 76,000

A Victor's Tale by Doc Westring

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MWSA Review

In A Victor's Tale: The Story of Milo Flaten, One of the GIs who Led the Invasion of Omaha Beach on D-Day, author Doc Westring brings to life the remarkable story of a World War II veteran who witnessed and participated in some of the most pivotal moments of the war. Through Milo Flaten's eyes, readers are transported to the front lines, experiencing the chaos, bravery, and sacrifice that defined the Allied victory in Europe.

Drafted in 1943, Milo Flaten's journey takes him from the shores of Omaha Beach on D-Day to the bitter battles across France and Germany. As the first scout off his landing craft, Flaten's firsthand account of the invasion is both harrowing and awe-inspiring. His story, meticulously preserved by Westring, offers a rare glimpse into the realities faced by the soldiers who fought to liberate Europe from Nazi oppression.

A Victor's Tale is more than just a war story; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the bonds forged in the heat of battle. Flaten's experiences, from his grave injury in 1944 to his continued service in Korea, paint a vivid picture of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation. As the number of living World War II veterans dwindles, this book serves as an essential record of their heroism and a reminder of the horrors of war.

Westring's engaging narrative style brings Milo Flaten's story to life, ensuring that his legacy and the legacy of countless other brave soldiers will endure for generations to come. A Victor's Tale is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human experience of World War II and the profound impact it had on those who fought in it.

Review by Elvis Leighton (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

While it's likely most of us have never wanted to go to war and face combat, many of us are nevertheless fascinated by the experiences of men and women who have.

This book is about a man who served as a rifleman in World War II, and was one of the first GIs to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day.A man who survived the landing and continued to fight through France and Germany until the Nazis finally surrendered.

His memories of those experiences have been preserved in a new book by Doc Westring entitled A Victor’s Tale: The Story of Milo Flaten, One of the GIs who Led the Invasion of Omaha Beach on D-Day.

Milo was drafted in June 1943, and after training in the states, was shipped to England, where he was assigned to a company in the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. That company would be in the first wave of soldiers invading Normandy. As that company’s 1st scout, Milo was the first man off his landing craft and the first on shore. He eventually realized he might have been the first GI to land on Omaha.

Follow his path as he survived the invasion carnage, and continued to fight through Europe in some of the bitterest, bloodiest battles of World War II. After becoming a highly decorated and respected senior sergeant, he was gravely wounded in November 1944. He recovered completely, rejoined his division, and was in combat until Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945.

With the personal stories of so many World War II veterans now lost forever, we are privileged to have this man’s life available to us. His remarkable exploits are here, from the day he was drafted to the end of the war in Europe, along with his further service in Korea and his fascinating military and non-military life thereafter.

Walk with Milo and experience the insanity and terrible heartbreak that is war—and the relief, if not exuberance, that comes with victory and peace.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 204

Word Count: 58,097

Somewhere In The South Pacific by John J. Gobbell

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MWSA Review

Somewhere in the South Pacific is the seventh book in the Todd Ingram series of military historical novels centered on the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific and elsewhere. Not having read any of the previous books, initially, I was slightly concerned that it would be an awkward read, not being able to adequately divine the back stories of the characters as laid down in the previous books. Fortunately, this was not the case in this book, and in fact, the main character of the series, USN Lieutenant Todd Ingram, is recuperating stateside from wounds incurred during the brutal Guadalcanal Campaign and is also sidelined waiting for his next command, a new destroyer coming out of the shipyard.

Somewhere in the South Pacific tells the story of valiant, outgunned Patrol Boat, Torpedo (PT) sailors that have been called upon to make night attacks on armed Japanese barges bringing supplies and reinforcements to beleaguered Imperial forces at the beginning of the “island hopping” campaign that would bring about the eventual Japanese defeat. While the barges are no easy targets, Japanese destroyers or aircraft can pop at any time to turn the hunters into the hunted. The author more than adequately lays out the trials and tribulations of the PT crews while gradually, subtly, and obliquely shifting the focus of the story to a new replacement PT skipper, none other than Lieutenant j.g John F. Kennedy.

Tracking closely to actual history, Kennedy’s character emerges as the “new” guy who enjoys a bit of slack from his new combat-weary contemporaries for Kennedy’s performance during the past year as an instructor at the PT boat school, and as a natural sailor. Bucking his father’s manipulations of the Navy to keep him out of combat, Kennedy finds a way to get into harm’s way, both because it is the right thing to do, but also wanting to ensure he can say he saw action for future political considerations. It helps that occasionally Kennedy runs into someone who has no idea who Kennedy is, other than just another junior officer. It is only in the last few chapters that the book focuses mainly on the famous fate of Kennedy and his PT109 crew.

The story and subplots flow smoothly, and the author excels at describing the exhaustive, always-on-edge life of the PT crews operating at the very end of supply lines and fighting the multilevel threats of the tropical maritime environment, not to mention the deadly Imperial Japanese forces. This novel will be of interest to any readers interested in naval action, especially in the Pacific during World War Two, as well as those interested in the Kennedy saga.

Review by Terry Lloyd (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Inspired by the true story of John F. Kennedy’s daring naval mission at the height of World War II, this historical thriller brings the unanswered question of the past to life with fast-paced action and vivid detail.

After surviving a near suicidal mission on Mondo Mondo Island, Lieutenant Commander Todd Ingram is sent back to the States on a thirty-day leave—but the war waits for no one, and trouble is already rippling through the Pacific Theater.

Fresh from Stateside training, Lieutenant JG John Kennedy takes command of the PT 109, a torpedo boat in desperate need of repairs, for the upcoming mission to retake the Western Solomon Islands. But the war isn’t the only thing on Kennedy’s mind: he’s torn between his family’s expectations and his forbidden love for Inga Arvad, a beautiful Danish columnist who narrowly escaped Nazi occupied Germany.

When a disastrous attempt to interrupt Japanese supply lines slices Kennedy’s PT 109 in half, Ingram and his six destroyers must pick up where Kennedy left off. Can Ingram save Kennedy and his stranded men while defeating the Japanese? Ingram is prepared to fight to the end, but victory comes at a steep price behind enemy lines…

In this 7th Installment, Todd Ingram reflects back on a simpler time, when he was on leave but the war was not. This is the story of what happened during his 39 day leave following When Duty Whispers Low, and takes place between When Duty Whispers Low and The Neptune Strategy.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 292

Word Count: 80,217

Phoenix Rising: From the Ashes of Desert One to the Rebirth of U.S. Special Operations by Col. (Ret) Keith M. Nightingale

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MWSA Review

Phoenix Rising is a two-part, behind-the-curtain story on the failed 1981 Desert One Iran hostage rescue attempt and the subsequent years-long effort to build a viable strategic Special Operations capability across the U.S. military.

The author was one of the principal planners of the Iran hostage rescue attempt. The first half of the book consists of his detailed notes and observations of the planning staff’s struggle to assemble, train, and transport a rescue force forged from disparate elements of Army Special Forces and Rangers, as well as Navy, initially, and then Marine helicopter pilots and crews, along with Air Force C-130 operators.

This is a fascinating account of the “heroes and zeros” involved with making this mission possible and those determined not to see it happen. Along with the usual Pentagon politics, dysfunction, and service parochialism, the stubborn adversity of the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department are prominently highlighted and explored. This part of the book is extremely exciting and reads like a documentary-style screenplay like Apollo 13.

The second part of the book takes us through the tireless efforts, including those in Congress, to get a recalcitrant Pentagon and service chiefs to create the seamless, highly capable special operations capability that exists today. This part of the story is extremely detailed, and a bit dry, but unavoidable given the subject.

Individuals interested in special operations will not be disappointed in this book, as well as those interested in the Iran hostage crisis and this phase of the Cold War.

Review by Terry Lloyd (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

“As a junior officer and the lowest ranking 'gopher' at the creation of these forces, I saw how the several Services had great reservations regarding SOF to the point of studied dislike of it and a distinct distaste for its inclusion as a member of their force structure. The single lone exception was Army Chief of Staff Shy Myer, who saw terrorism and asymmetrical warfare as the emerging National threat and worked to build a missing capability. He did this as a lone wolf in that much of the Army leadership as well as the other Services, looked upon SOF as a high-risk loose cannon on their stable conventional deck.”

Phoenix Rising recounts the paradoxical birth of SOF through the prism of Operation Eagle Claw, the failed attempt to rescue fifty-two Americans held hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. When terrorists captured the Embassy on November 4, 1979, the Joint Chiefs of Staff quickly realized that the United States lacked the military capability to launch a rescue. There was no precedent for the mission, a mission that came with extraordinary restrictions and required a unique force to take it on. With no existent command structure or budget, this force would have to be built from scratch in utmost secrecy, and draw on every branch of the U.S. military.

Keith Nightingale, then a major, was Deputy Operations Officer and the junior member of Joint Task Force Eagle Claw, commanded by Major General James Vaught. Based on Nightingale’s detailed diary, Phoenix Rising vividly describes the personalities involved, the issues they faced, and the actions they took, from the conception of the operation to its hair-raising launch and execution. His historically significant post-analysis of Eagle Claw gives unparalleled insight into how a very dedicated group of people from the Chief of Staff of the Army to lower-ranking personnel subjugated personal ambition to grow the forces necessary to address the emerging terrorist threat—a threat which the majority of uniformed leadership and their political masters denied in 1979. The Special Operations capability of the United States today is the ultimate proof of their success.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 336

Word Count: 90,199

The Human Face of D-Day by Keith Nightingale

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MWSA Review

There have been so many books written about D-Day. In The Human Face of D-Day, Col. (ret.) Keith Nightingale adds to the wealth of D-Day knowledge. He has led many trips to Normandy, conducted tours of the beaches and towns, and arranged for the paratroopers under his command to participate in a reenactment parachute drop on the 40th anniversary of D-Day. His book adds depth of understanding to what happened immediately before, during, and after June 6, 1944.

He talked to many "Originals"—the survivors of the invasion and battle. He mingled with French citizens who witnessed that day. Over decades, while walking the beaches of Normandy and through formal interviews, he gathered information from major players whether they were generals or privates in 1944. The book, therefore, focuses a great deal on the people, not only in a macro sense, but also as individuals. And therein lies the human face of D-Day.

The author explains what was planned for each assault location. He informs the reader what was supposed to occur for Omaha Beach, or Utah Beach, or Pointe du Hoc, and many other locations. Then he juxtaposes the plans with what happened, which was often quite different. We hear specific soldiers recount their actions, thoughts, and feelings about battle. After reading these accounts, one is convinced that in addition to the planning for Operation Overlord (as the invasion was called), it was the grit and commitment of the soldiers that ultimately made D-Day successful.

Some takeaways I gathered from this book were the bravery of the troops, their willingness to deviate from orders based on the situations before them, the devastating amount of carnage, and the still-warm gratefulness of the people of Normandy. They have never forgotten that so many young men who were not French died for the liberation of France and Europe.

Throughout this well-researched work, Keith Nightingale makes it abundantly clear, in his own words, that in early June 1944, thousands of “ordinary people did extraordinary things.”

Anyone interested in World War II, D-Day, the bravery of both troops and civilians during an invasion, and true accounts of people involved in the drama of Operation Overlord will find this book appealing.

Review by Pat Walkow (March 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

Ever since Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, the men who survived have sought to return, to honor their dead, and to teach others of what they went through to liberate Europe.

Soldier Keith Nightingale has conducted terrain walks in Normandy for over forty years with veterans, active-duty military, and local French civilians. Over the decades Nightingale conducted dozens of formal interviews and informal conversations with many of the principals of the day, including Generals Bradley, Collins, Gavin, Ridgway and Hill. Added to this rare, new primary material from the top brass are numerous conversations with lower-ranking vets who did the heavy lifting, many of which took place as they actually walked the battlefield with Nightingale—Major Howard of Pegasus Bridge; LTC Otway of Merville Battery; Captain Piper of La Fière Bridge; LTC Vandervoort, CO of the 2-505/82d; Cpt Raeen of the 5th Rangers; Lt Dick Winters of Brécourt Manor; PFC Marcucci of Omaha Beach; and SSG Lem Lomell of Pointe Du Hoc.

This unique approach to D-Day combines the author’s discussions with veteran and civilian participants in D-Day, his personal reflections on Operation Overlord, and the insights that occur—often at the very site of a battle. Interspersed with veterans’ remarks, Nightingale’s personal essays are inspired by specific discussions or multiple interviews. Taken together, the succinct, human observations of these participants illuminate the hard facts to create a unique work of long-lasting interest that will attract specialists, military history buffs, armchair generals, and general readers alike.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 288

Word Count: 137,342

Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History by Robin Bartlett

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MWSA Review

Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History is an excellent, well-written combat memoir about one young American’s time in Vietnam. Only 22 at the time, Lieutenant Bartlett is put out in the field with the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam at the height of the war. Though a graduate of Airborne school and Ranger school, this is his baptism by fire. How Bartlett navigates the path between FNG and experienced combat leader is an intense, harrowing, horrifying, and sometimes humorous journey that any Vietnam veteran or small unit combat leader will appreciate.

Bartlett doesn’t pull any punches. He gives the good, the bad, and the ugly—often in the same chapter. He is honest about his mistakes, and speaks with candor about the situations and actions of Army leadership that he encounters. He is also blunt about his combat experience, and the fear and terror he felt while doing his job. His writing gives insight into himself as well as vivifies the experience of a platoon commander for those that have not experienced it.

Vietnam veterans (grunts in particular) and those who enjoy combat memoirs will enjoy this book.

Review by Rob Ballister (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

More than 50 years after the Vietnam War, Bartlet's vivid combat experiences are brought to light in a fast-moving, well-written, first-person narrative expressing the horror, fear, anguish, and sometimes illogical humor of that war.

"Readers who want to learn what it was like for a twenty-two-year-old lieutenant to lead even younger Americans in combat, in miserable conditions, and where no one wanted to be the last man to die, there is no better place to begin than 'Vietnam Combat.'" From "On Point, The Journal of the Army History, Vol. 28, No. 4."

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 288

Word Count: 129,000

Sea of Red by James Bultema

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MWSA Review

Author James Bultema's new book, Sea of Red, is a fast paced, fictional novel that gives us a very interesting account of a possible war with China. This book gets right to the point and had my attention from the very beginning. The author uses China's well-known goal of bringing Taiwan under Chinese rule as the catalyst for the war. From there, the scenario as set out by Bultema is believable, and the strategies used by both China and the United States are realistic. The book is filled with numerous offensive and defensive combat situations that the author describes in detail. The results are not one-sided and had me wondering how he would bring his book to a satisfactory conclusion. Although a longish book, I would have read more. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Review by Bob Doerr (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Sea of Red is an action-packed Military Thriller involving a war between China and the U.S. in their fight over Taiwan.

With Chinese hypersonic cruise missiles thundering toward the aircraft carrier USS Reagan, the captain has only minutes to decide how to save his crew of 5,000 before they all end up at the bottom of the South China Sea.

As the battle rages, under the sea, U.S. fast attack submarines silently maneuver against the PLA Navy while jet fighters battle for air superiority. On the ground, Marines fight for control of Chinese-held Woody Island. A Taiwanese tank squadron confronts a superior attacking force on Kinmen Island in a courageous attempt to halt Chinese forces.

In the White House, the president strategizes with his National Security Council on overcoming China's advantage in ballistic missiles and ships. His counterpart, the president of China, develops a daring plan to destroy America's fleet of aircraft carriers.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 423

Word Count: 114,381

Monroe Doctrine Volume VIII by James Rosone & Miranda Watson

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MWSA Review

Monroe Doctrine: Volume VIII is the final book of the series by James Rosone and Miranda Watson. Even though it is the eighth, it serves well as a stand-alone military thriller. As the book begins, you are dropped into the end stages of a war between the allies (most of the world) and China’s super-AI named Jade Dragon. Set in the not-too-distant future (2027), we find the war entering its third year. Futuristic weapons are believable (and maybe not too futuristic), and given the current geopolitical posturing and humanitarian breakdowns, the book is plausible in a rather frightening way. In this last volume, the allies are finally taking the war to China’s doorstep, having pushed them back from other outbreaks around the world. But China’s AI has begun to take charge of the entire war, ignoring China’s president and generals. Its destruction is vital to the world, and the allies are doing everything they can to make that happen. I recommend the book to those who enjoy military thrillers with a good dose of battle scenes and political behind-the-scenes consultations.

Review by Betsy Beard (February 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

To destroy Jade Dragon’s lair…

…an unthinkable weapon is unveiled.

Had the Allies gone too far?

The Chinese super-AI had achieved its master plan—an autonomous robotic army, air force, and navy. As President Yao and the People’s Liberation Army faced defeat on the battlefield, full command of the PLA was handed over to Jade Dragon, which says it can slay the enemies of China to usher in a new dawn of global Chinese hegemony for the 21st century.

The robots were coming…

With the Terracotta Killers walking the land, Shadow Dragons and Dark Swords prowling the skies, and Sea Dragons roaming the Yellow Sea, a dystopian science fiction nightmare had become real. Machines now dominated the battlefield.

Were these wonder weapons being unveiled too late?

Was Jade Dragon’s robotic army enough to turn the tide?

Every inch of ground was surveyed, monitored, and fought over as man fought machine for survival. Could the arsenals of democracy outproduce China? Could the West outlast the East, or would Jade Dragon pull off the impossible—and win the AI war?

With victory or defeat balancing on a razor’s edge, the Allies refused to go quietly into the night. They had a secret technological breakthrough of their own. Would the ends justify the means if it led to victory or were the unknown risks too big to accept?

President Delgado was about to order the unthinkable.

Format(s) for review: Kindle or paper

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 669

Word Count: 128,354

Steal the Reaper by Todd Hosea

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MWSA Review

Steal the Reaper by Todd Hosea is an expansive sci-fi novel which tells the riveting story of Ava Tan’s daring mission to steal the most advanced starship on earth from North Korea. The author skillfully writes vivid scenes, introduces scores of compelling characters, all set in an authentic feeling near future. Readers who enjoy high-stakes, epic tales that span the globe and beyond should enjoy Todd Hosea’s ambitious novel.

Review by Brad Huestis (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

A mysterious spacecraft has crashed in a remote region of North Korea. The ship is now in the hands of a tyrannical dictator who will stop at nothing to unlock its secrets and bring the West to its knees. As tensions rise in the wake of this threat, North Korea’s Supreme Leader is unaware that a small, prototype vessel, known as the Reaper, lies hidden within the wreckage. Its ingenious purpose could either save humanity or lead to its extinction.

Meanwhile, Captain Ava Tan is recruited for the boldest mission in military history: Steal the Reaper. Her orders are to infiltrate North Korea—the most isolated country on the planet—avoid triggering World War III, and pilot an alien vessel that is light years beyond anything she has ever flown. It is a suicide mission that will test Ava’s courage and force her to decide where her loyalties truly lie. Earth’s fate hangs in the balance and the clock is ticking.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Number of Pages: 510

Word Count: 190,000

Alchemy's Reach by Patricia Walkow and Chris Allen

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MWSA Review
Alchemy’s Reach is an easy-read mystery about a family that discovers its secret past when tragedy strikes. The story takes place in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Jen Murphy, a deputy sheriff, inherited the family ranch with her brother Ethan, whose wanderlust inspires him to investigate local lore about Alchemy, a nearby ghost town.

It’s there that a few plot turns and twists take place, resulting in a murder and a suicide. Co-authors, Chris Allen and Patricia Walkow waste few words in this short novel to set the stage, solve the crimes, and consummate a romance.

Despite the violence, this is a sweet story that ties up the loose ends of a family that had long struggled with understanding who they were. The plot is carried by ten characters, plus a comforting pet Labrador, Fi, who seemingly communicates with human-level intelligence. Readers who are looking for entertainment and a quick read that can be finished in one cold winter’s night, will find that Alchemy’s Reach fills that bill.

Review by James Elsener (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Jennifer Murphy closes her heart to love after a searing breakup with the man she thought she’d marry.

Instead, she puts her passion into her work as Deputy Sheriff of Lincoln County in southeastern New Mexico. Between her law enforcement job and owning the 4,000-acre ranch she and her younger brother, Ethan, inherited from their parents, her life is full. She has no time for romantic relationships and no desire to pursue any. Her companion in bed is her large dog, Dusty.

Living between the small towns of Carrizozo and Ruidoso, Jennifer (Jen) loves the rolling hills and distant mountains. She can’t envision living anywhere else. Of Irish descent and in her mid-thirties, she is competent, attractive, and strong-willed. But Ethan does not share her love for their land or livestock and often travels elsewhere for temporary work. Jen is sometimes annoyed with him and would appreciate his help with the endless chores. Fortunately, the old ranch manager, Pablo Baca, who was hired many years ago by her father, lives on the property. He keeps Montaño Vista Ranch running, manages seasonal hires, and is a surrogate father for both Ethan and Jen.

Ethan’s current job is as a novice logger in Oregon. There, he and Joe Stern, a Squamish Indian, become good friends. Joe is an experienced lumberjack and saves Ethan’s life at the job site. But, as with all his other jobs, Ethan quits after a few months and returns home.

In an attempt to keep Ethan closer to the ranch, Jen tells him about a hand-drawn map she found in the family bible. It shows the ghost town of Alchemy. Local lore indicates a cache of gold might be buried in the town, now visible since a multi-year drought has dried up the reservoir that covered it. Ethan decides to prospect for whatever treasure the ruin might reveal and invites Joe to join him.

Neither Jen nor Ethan knows they have a unique tie to the ghost town. But Alchemy has a reputation as an evil place, and the locals are wary of it.

Ethan’s brief time in Alchemy leads to events that shock the community, change his life, and bring Jennifer and Joe closer together.

But will she ever again open her heart to love?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Romance

Number of Pages: 193

Word Count: 51,709

The Borinqueneers, A Visual History of the 65th Infantry Regiment by Noemi Figueroa Soulet

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MWSA Review

Noemí Figueroa Soulet’s award-winning coffee table book, The Borinqueneers, is a compilation of several hundred photographs assimilated over 23 years from public and private collections with veterans and families contributing. The 12 x 9, 200-page format contains a glossary of abbreviations, photo index, quote index, notes, and bibliography. Most noteworthy is that all text and captions are in both English and Spanish. This feature adds value as a language instruction book for either language. However, the extra space required for both reduces the capacity for more photos or enlargements on sometimes crowded pages.

The Borinqueneers is a pictorial history of the U.S. Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, composed primarily of Puerto Ricans, “becoming the only Hispanic segregated unit in Army history.” The presentation is chronological, beginning with the “Porto Rico Battalion of Volunteer Infantry,” established to defend the island country following the Spanish-American War. The U.S. Army deactivated the regiment in 1959 after it fought in three wars.

Much of the book is composed of black and white photos, but a portion of the chapter on the Korean War contains some quality color photographs depicting vivid accounts of battlefield conditions. Followers of military history, specifically of the U.S. Army, might find the rare accounts of The Borinqueneers a valued addition to their library.

Review by Tom Beard (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

An inspiring collection of more than 700 rare photographs which traces the glorious history of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the only Hispanic-segregated unit in U.S. Army history, comprised primarily of Puerto Ricans. This bilingual edition illustrates the regiment's more than 120 years of service, from its origins in 1899 through its service during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The historical content and veteran quotes in both English and Spanish provide an in-depth perspective about the service of one of the country's last segregated military units. Recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal, the unit's trajectory comes to life as they train and fight in Puerto Rico, Panama, Europe and Korea. The book provides a rich visual legacy of the regiment's valiant service to our country.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table

Number of Pages: 200

Word Count: 36,878

The Raven and the Dove by Elvis Bray

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MWSA Review

The Raven and the Dove by Elvis Bray explores the many ways in which drones might impact our lives while following Homicide Detective Storm Harrison as he searches for clues and connections among several murders. He is even asked by the FBI to join one of their teams as they investigate apparently unrelated murders. Harrison proves to be a skilled investigator who observes, asks questions, and connects the dots. Twists and turns keep the story interesting.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Storm Harrison is a homicide detective with the Colorado Springs Police department assigned to an FBI Task force attempting to catch a serial killer who is assassinating political figures using drones.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 224

Word Count: 54,530

Bikini Beach by Butch Maki

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MWSA Review

"And like that, we all were off in a deafening roar to whatever destiny awaited us."

A grand opening chapter to a well-written book that will both make you cry and shake your head in wonder. Butch Maki lived the story and fictionalized it to make events flow and the book more readable. But never forget, what he saw, felt, smelled, touched, and heard would affect the entire rest of his life.

“Young men and women were sent off to fight in a war they did not cause or understand. I wondered how the mothers of the soldiers who perished here yesterday would feel if they knew that their sons died to win this ground. Then we abandoned it less than 36 hours later."

The author offers his thoughts about this war by describing different types of killing other human beings.

"There is a third type. This is the one that sticks with you for your entire life! It is the one that steals your soul, causes many sleepless nights, namely, the up close and personal killings that cannot merely be called anything but a murder in living color, experiences that are permanently etched into my mind. These are the SOG missions that are forever replayed and revisited in my head, with a repeated intensity that I never wanted to see once, and certainly not over, and over, and over again."

Join Butch Maki as he battles the demons that still haunt his life until he finally catches a break - all stemming from an act of heroism back in the hell hole of Vietnam. Most highly recommended.

Review by Jim Tritten (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Based on true events, author Butch Maki and his character, Huey helicopter Crew Chief, Sergeant Specialist Donald "Mack" Mackinen, display ordinary valor commonly found in a war that often gets overlooked. He brings us along on death-defying rides during some of the most brutal days of the war in Vietnam. Every morning, he heads into a nightmare all day long, where instinctual acts of heroism, mercy, and the sheer will to survive bring about a different kind of change, one that will last Mack way beyond the Southeast Asian conflict to conflict with his life upon his return.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 448

Word Count: 108266

The Warmaker: a Black Spear novel by Benjamin Spada

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MWSA Review

The Warmaker by Benjamin Spada is the age-old battle of Good over Evil, with Cole West as the protagonist. He and his Black Spear operators give their all to prevent World War III but encounter an enemy using futuristic methods and weapons.

It only takes one little spark to start the world burning: A U.S. Congressman spontaneously bursts into flames while on his way to grab a hot dog for lunch. An undercover CIA agent burns alive, leaving only charred bones where he once stood. Others in the (Common Defense Industries) CDI meet untimely deaths as if methodically eliminated by the faceless enemy.

Cutting-edge foreign military prototypes find themselves in the hands of organized crime on the streets of the United States. All of it leads back to a rogue weapons designer and the horrifying revelation that America no longer possesses the most advanced military in the world. Black Spear faces opponents for foreign and domestic, and politics plays a role in the pressures they face.

The nation is on the brink of war, and it’s up to Black Spear to avert the inevitable. Failure is not an option. Cole is faced with a question: How many people would you kill to stop a war?

Warning: Graphic violence. The Warmaker by Benjamin Spada will keep mature readers on the edge of their seats.

Review by Nancy Panko (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

How many people would you kill to stop a war?

It's the question burning in Cole West's mind as he and his Black Spear allies reload to leap once more into the fire.

A U.S. Congressman is killed in an American city, in broad daylight, by an unknown weapon. An undercover CIA agent burns alive during his extraction before he can reveal what he's learned. Bleeding-edge foreign military prototypes find themselves in the hands of organized crime on the streets of the United States. All of it leads back to a rogue weapons designer and the horrifying revelation that America no longer possesses the most advanced military in the world.

Black Spear's enemies are both foreign and domestic this time. Collaborators, saboteurs, and co-conspirators knife their way through America's political system to compromise the nation from within. Cole and his team are forced to turn to new allies when global tensions inch closer to the breaking point.

The clock is ticking for Black Spear to avert catastrophe, but their very effort seems in vain. With all its rage and all its fury, war is coming.

The entire world is primed to explode, and the Warmaker has already lit the fuse.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 387

Word Count: 98668

Steel Soldier: Guadalcanal Odyssey by James J. Messina with Charles Messina

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MWSA Review

In Steel Soldier, Guadalcanal Odyssey, author James Messina tells a fascinating account of his tenure in the marines with a special focus on his experiences during the invasion of Guadalcanal. James grew up in Pittsburgh, and just weeks before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he enlisted into the marines. As soon as he finished his training, James found himself on a ship heading to the Pacific. After a brief period of preparation in New Zealand, his unit led the invasion into Guadalcanal to take the island back from the Japanese. James recounts the invasion and months of fighting as only someone with firsthand experience could.

Charles Messina, James's son, adds historical perspective and edited his father's work to make this book a truly interesting read. I recommend it.

Review by Bob Doerr (January 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

My father, the most influential person in my life, passed away on March 20, 2008. As an intimate gift to his children, he wrote and illustrated his life story.

In the end, it took him eight years to complete his autobiography, and I was so impressed with his storytelling and artistic talent that I reached out to a journalist who had an interest in regional history. Following an interview with my father, the local newspaper ran a two-page article chronicling his life growing up in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and his time serving as a Marine in World War II. The journalist applauded his work as an enormous achievement and an important part of history. He encouraged me to publish his story and share it with the public, which is something I had wanted to do for a long time. However, my dad was not interested and said it was merely a token of love for his children to remember him by.

This is an American tale about a working-class man who lived an honest life, believed strongly in God, and fought for his country. He represents thousands of other hardworking Americans with untold stories of integrity and honor. It’s also a compelling story of survival that begins in a gritty Pennsylvania steel town during the Great Depression and then transports the reader into the steaming jungles of Guadalcanal, where a young Marine faces death in one of the most pivotal and bloodiest battles of World War II.

Steel Soldier serves as a testament to the special man my dad was. It’s not a gripping mystery that concludes with a thrilling climax. Rather, it is a series of vignettes with some entertaining moments of a bygone era, which have been compiled by a very talented storyteller.

To look at him, you’d never guess this mild-mannered, unassuming, and kind man had once been a fierce warrior. He was loved by everyone who knew him, and to me he is a true American hero. Semper Fi, Dad

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 306

Word Count: 93,670