by History 500 | May 23, 2017 | Welcome
Krakatoa. August 27, 1883 - The Largest Explosion on Planet Earth
During this year of the first great Eclipse in 100 years, it is constructive to remember that the forces of Nature often control the destiny of men. 
Simon Winchester's "Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded" paints a vivid picture of this catastrophic event near Java in 1883, one that killed thousands and affected the world's climate for years. A fascinating story of an amazing, long-ago event.
Top Recommendation for August
Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded, August 27th 1883, by Simon Winchester
2005 (416 pp)
The catastrophic explosion of Krakatoa in 1883 is the largest to occur on planet earth. 35,000 were killed. The ocean boiled, the sun was blotted out, the earth's climate was changed for years. A great story by one of our favorite story tellers
by History 500 | Apr 27, 2017 | Welcome
Benjamin Franklin - America's Most Endearing Statesman
On April 14, 1790, Benjamin Franklin died at the age of 86 after an extraordinary life that began as a 15 year old runaway apprentice and culminated as America's most revered and accomplished elder statesman. Walter Isaacson's "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" chronicles Ben's adventurous life and and the qualities that made him so appealing.
Top Recommendation for April
Benjamin Franklin, by Walter Isaacson (2004 – 608pp)
A lively, casual and engaging panorama of Ben as a man of amazing depth and breadth who wore many hats and continued to reinvent himself.
by History 500 | Mar 24, 2017 | Welcome
Theodore Roosevelt's Greatest Journey - Survival on the Amazon
In March of 1912,after losing his bid for the presidency, Theodore Roosevelt set off on the adventure of his life, 
exploring the Amazon...and nearly died in the process. Adventure writer Candace Millard's acclaimed "River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey is rich, lush and filled with beautiful scenic descriptions and grisly depictions of man-eating catfish, ferocious piranhas, white water rapids and the prospect of starvation.
Top Recommendation for March
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
Thoroughly enjoyable yarn about an ex-President's fervent desire for adventure and acceptance after his humiliating defeat for reelection in 1909. Candice Millard (2006 - 432pp)
by History 500 | Feb 24, 2017 | Welcome
The Revolution at Sea - Global Conflict and the Fate of the Americas
An extraordinary, behind-the scenes perspective on the American Revolution. Yes, there were great land battles - 
Brandywine, Saratoga, Yorktown. But, the war at sea was global, fought at huge expense by England, France and Spain. Sam Willis's recent (Feb, 2016) "The Struggle for Sea Power: A Naval History of the American Revolution" paints great fleets in constant battle across vast oceans and an American Navy, mostly privateers struggling to survive.
Top Recommendation for February
The Struggle for Sea Power, by Sam Willis (2016 - 616 pp)
A remarkably informative, entertaining and often humorous look at the global forces at work during the Revolution and the critical role and vast expense of sea power. (2016 - 608pp)
by History 500 | Dec 8, 2016 | Welcome
Pearl Harbor and The End of the Japanese Empire
December 7, 1941 was, as FDR famously said, "A Day that will Live In Infamy". The 
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor changed the course of history and in 1945 issued in The Atomic Age. Naval historian James D. Hornfischer's new (Oct, 2016) "The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific" recounts the savage battles of the last year of the war with an in-depth look at the defense plans for the Japanese Islands...an invasion nightmare.
Top Recommendation for December
The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific 1944- 1945, by James Hornfischer (2017 - 640 pp)
A master WW II historian's engaging look at the barbaric last year of the war in the Pacific from both the Japanese and American sides and why the A-Bomb was a necessity
by History 500 | Nov 28, 2016 | Welcome
The Mayflower - The Pilgrims' Epic Struggle for Survival
On November 27, 1620 the first passengers on the the Mayflower stepped from an open 21' 
shallop onto the wintery shores of Plymouth, MA and began their great experiment in democracy and religious freedom. Nathaniel Philbrick's "Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War" is a timely, readable account of their terrifying trans-Atlantic voyage and desperate attempts to survive against nearly insurmountable odds.
Top Recommendation for November
Mayflower:A Story of Courage, Community and War
Engaging, highly readable account of the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower and trials of the first settlers in an oft frightening, life threatening new world. Nathaniel Philbrick (2007 – 480pp)
by History 500 | Oct 27, 2016 | Welcome
MacArthur's Greatest Triumph - The War at the End of the World
Douglas MacArthur was controversial by any measure, but the campaign that cemented his greatness was the 2 year battle to drive the Japanese from 
New Guinea and prevent the loss of Australia. James Duffy's, "The War at the End of the World: Douglas MacArthur and the Forgotten Fight for New Guinea 1942-1945" provides a superb historical backdrop and riveting detail of the savage fighting that occurred across 1500 miles of Pacific jungle.
Top Recommendation for October
The War at the End of the World: Douglas MacArthur and the Forgotten Fight for New Guinea 1942-1945, by James Duffy (2016 - 448 pp)
A dramatic, forgotten narrative of the MacArthur's grinding, systematic campaign to reconquer New Guinea. A brilliant military achievement with MacArthur at his finest (2016 - 448pp)
by History 500 | Sep 19, 2016 | Welcome
The Cold War is Alive And Well - A Mesmerizing Spy Novel
Dominika Egorova is a brilliant young SVR (KGB) officer sent to "Sparrow School" by her Kremlin handlers. Young CIA operative 
Nate Nash runs the CIA's top Russian mole in Moscow. This spell-binding, modern day spy novel is the first in Jason Mathews' riveting "Red Sparrow" trilogy (1742 **** reviews on Amazon). 34-year CIA vet Mathews paints a fascinating picture of Russian cold war intrigue, trade-craft and culture (food recipes included) with a cast of characters in the best traditions of Le Caree and Flemming
Top Recommendation for September
Red Sparrow, by Jason Mathews (2018 - 5766 pp)
The Cold War is not dead in this cliffhanger spy trilogy that introduces beautiful Russian ballerina turned spy, Dominika Egorova, and her brash CIA counterpart Nate Nash (2013 - 448pp)
by History 500 | Aug 16, 2016 | Welcome
The Building of the Berlin Wall - The Cold War Escalates to New Heights
On August 13, 1961 the world awoke to the reality of the Berlin Wall and a shocking escalation of the Cold War initiated 
by the USSR's Nikita Krushchev. Frederick Kempe's "Berlin 1961: The Most Dangerous Place On Earth" provides a nail-biting, hour-by-hour narrative of the cold war chess game between Krushchev and a young, untested JFK that began with the Bay of Pigs and led to the Cuban Missile Crisis and one of the most perilous moments in world history.
Top Recommendations for August
Berlin 1961: The Most Dangerous Place On Earth, by Frederick Kempe (2102 - 640 pp)
A brilliant, fascinating look at the U.S. foreign policy moves that perpetuated the Cold War and led to the ill-fated building of the Berlin Wall. Frederick Kempe (2012, Jan - 608pp)
by History 500 | Jul 14, 2016 | Welcome
Braddock's Defeat - The Spark that Ignited an Anglo-French World War
July 9, 1755 marks the anniversary of British General Braddock's historic defeat by the French and their Indian allies at the Battle of Monongahela, igniting 
an Anglo- French global conflict that persisted till Waterloo. Young George Washington organized a successful retreat becoming the "Hero of Monangahela". Noted historian David Preston's "Braddock's Defeat: The Battle of Monongahela and the Road to Revolution" provides vivid detail for this historic event.
Top Recommendations for July
Braddock's Defeat: The Battle of Monongahela and the Road to Revolution, by David Preston (2015 - 480 pp)
Excellent historical context for this world-shaking event. A force of 1400 British troops was decimated by the French and 22 year-old Col George Washington came of age
