View my Guestbook
Free Guestbooks by Bravenet.com

Havana and Cuba - A tale of two books

    I just finished reading two books that are written by two different authors and in settings over 50 years apart but seem to be tied together. 
    The first is "Havana" by Stephen Hunter, copyright 2003.  It is a story about Havana in 1953 before Castro had came to power.  It tells of the turbulent times and part of his rise to power.  It is from Simon & Shuster, Inc.
    The second is "Cuba" written by Stephen Coonts, copyright 1999.  It is a story about the fall of Castro and the possible happenings that will accompany that fall.  This story is set in 2006 and was published by St. Martin's Press.
    Both books speak about some of the same events that shaped Castro's rise to power.  The first while it was happening and the second in the past tense.  Reading "Havana" first followed by "Cuba" makes for some very interesting reading and I enjoyed them immensely.
Cheerily
IJK

Comments (0) Permalink October 20, 2009


"The Sky is the Limit"

    I met the author of "The Sky is the Limit" and he presented me an autographed copy of his book.  It is written by Susie Knust as told by Ralph K. Manley.  Mr. Manley jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (it was when it left England) behind enemy lines in the predawn hours before the D-Day Invasion of Normandy.  It is a real interesting read and it did not take me long to finish the book.  Mr Manley was born and raised in Springfield , Mo and after the war he came back home to make his fortune and teach.
    Mr Manley has a farm south of Norwood and it is mentioned in his book.  I had the privilege of being able to purchase the standing hay on it this year and it has on of the quietest, prettiest valleys I have had the pleasure of harvesting hay from.  I made a short video of the valley as I was leaving the field when I was done baling.  It is very long but not very wide.  The video can be accessed here: Manley Valley Video Haying in the Bottom
    I can easily advise those that are interested in real life stories and not fiction to read this book.  It was printed in Marshfield, Missouri by Birch Creek Publishing in 2006.
Cheerily
IJK

Comments (0) Permalink September 14, 2009


"Hornet's Nest"

    A novel by Patricia Cornwell.  Copyright - 1996. Published by Berkley Publishing Group, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.
    The story is set in Charlotte, NC and is full of intrigue and murder.  The author does a fine job of weaving her web and I found myself not wanting to put the book down and missed some sleep. 369 pages.  Recommended to those that enjoy a good mystery novel set in modern times in the south.
Cheerily
IJK

Comments (0) Permalink March 29, 2009


"The Bloody Ground"

    By author Bernard Cornwell. Copyright 1996.  Published by HarperCollinsPublishers, London.  The Union called it Antietam, the Confederacy called it Sharpsburg.  One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.  Cornwell does an excellent job with this historical novel and I recommend it for all who wish to read an interesting novel of the Civil War.
Cheerily
IJK

Comments (0) Permalink March 25, 2009


"PatchSaddle Drive" / "Shoot Out at Sioux Wells"

    Two unique westerns by the author Cliff Farrell.  The two were together in a Signet Brand Double Western.  "Patchsaddle Drive" was copyrighted in 1972 and "Shoot Out at Sioux Wells" was copyrighted in 1973.  The paperback copy I read was published in 1980 by The New American Library, Inc., 1633 Broadway, New York, NY  10017.  If you enjoy a good western then here are two of the better ones.
Cheerily
IJK

Comments (0) Permalink March 23, 2009


<< previous page | Home | next page >>