RECOMMEND ONE BOOK

[SnakeTom]

I saw a thread of this nature on Facebook (oddly under the Seton Hall basketball topic) which I thought is a great idea for posters to share books they have enjoyed regardless of topic, fiction or non fiction for other posters to become aware of books that they were not previously familiar with.

Tom K

 

[SnakeTom]

OK I will start: If you like Historical novels here are two by Andrew Gross: The Saboteur ( set in Norway during WW2) and Button Man (set in 1930's about organized crime taking over the Garment Industry).

 

[SHUSA]

OK I will start: If you like Historical novels here are two by Andrew Gross: The Saboteur ( set in Norway during WW2) and Button Man (set in 1930's about organized crime taking over the Garment Industry).

damn! i should have gotten these for my dad for xmas.

are they true nonfiction? or fictional story in true scenario like the jungle?

 

[SnakeTom]

Both books are fictional stories in real life settings of the time. The Saboteur revolves around Germany's attempt to develop the atomic bomb before the US did. They had a facility to build necessary components that the Norwegian underground (with US & British help ) were attempting sabotage and destroy. The story is true but the characters may not be tho some are based on real people.

The Button Man (a reference to the garment industry not a hit man) deals with the mob infiltrating the union and Industry. Some of the characters are real such as Lepke Buchwalter (Public Enemy #1 as per the FBI) & Albert Anastasia (a true hit man) . The author's family owned a clothing company & had first hand knowledge of the mob's attempts at infiltration.

Both books would be considered Thrillers as are most of Andrew Gross novels.

Tom K

 

[SHUSA]

heres some history books ive enjoyed

Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich Amazon product ASIN 1328915344
The Tweed Ring Amazon product ASIN B00005X11W
WW1
Amazon product ASIN 0618056866
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus Amazon product ASIN 1400032059
and the 1493 sequal^^

 

[SoOrange84]

A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin

You can thank me later

 

[SHallguy2]

Folks on this board would love Vince Flynn. He writes about a character Mitch Rapp a true American bad ass. Read “Transfer of Power” and you will be hooked. I read the entire series. Vince Flynn died at an early age from cancer, but he was a true visionary. His novels fiction were written prior to actual events happening.

 

[SHallguy2]

One more From this past year.
The River Keeper by Charles Martin
Great book make sure you have some time because this one is hard to put down.

 

[SHUSA]

i also want to apologize as i recco'd more than one book.

 

[SnakeTom]

i also want to apologize as i recco'd more than one book.

You are forgiven. (Lol) Actually I also mentioned more than one book,

Tom K

 

[SnakeTom]

SHUSA: The book you mentioned about Boss Tweed is of interest to me & I'm putting it on my future reading list. In the same vein you may be interested in a book I read a few years ago AMERICAN DICTATORS by Steven Hart. It is about the two politician/power brokers who controlled New Jersey for most of the first half of the 20th century. One a Democrat (Frank "I am the law" Haig) who controlled Jersey City and North Jersey and the other a Republican (Nucky Johnson) who controlled Atlantic City & South Jersey. Liberal or Conservative had nothing to do with either's politics. It was all about power & money. And both were allies when it came to preventing a reformer from ever getting to the Governor's office. PS: If you watched Boardwalk Empire (HBO) Johnson (renamed Nucky Thompson for TV) was played by Steve Buchemi. It is a short book about 200 pages.

Tom K

 

[HALL85]

SHUSA: The book you mentioned about Boss Tweed is of interest to me & I'm putting it on my future reading list. In the same vein you may be interested in a book I read a few years ago AMERICAN DICTATORS by Steven Hart. It is about the two politician/power brokers who controlled New Jersey for most of the first half of the 20th century. One a Democrat (Frank "I am the law" Haig) who controlled Jersey City and North Jersey and the other a Republican (Nucky Johnson) who controlled Atlantic City & South Jersey. Liberal or Conservative had nothing to do with either's politics. It was all about power & money. And both were allies when it came to preventing a reformer from ever getting to the Governor's office. PS: If you watched Boardwalk Empire (HBO) Johnson (renamed Nucky Thompson for TV) was played by Steve Buchemi. It is a short book about 200 pages.

Tom K

Tom thanks…just added it! Frank Haig was a political legend (I was born in the hospital named after his wife…lol). My Aunt who is now in her 90’s has been involved in Jersey City politics forever. Power & Money as you say…

 

[SHUSA]

SHUSA: The book you mentioned about Boss Tweed is of interest to me & I'm putting it on my future reading list. In the same vein you may be interested in a book I read a few years ago AMERICAN DICTATORS by Steven Hart. It is about the two politician/power brokers who controlled New Jersey for most of the first half of the 20th century. One a Democrat (Frank "I am the law" Haig) who controlled Jersey City and North Jersey and the other a Republican (Nucky Johnson) who controlled Atlantic City & South Jersey. Liberal or Conservative had nothing to do with either's politics. It was all about power & money. And both were allies when it came to preventing a reformer from ever getting to the Governor's office. PS: If you watched Boardwalk Empire (HBO) Johnson (renamed Nucky Thompson for TV) was played by Steve Buchemi. It is a short book about 200 pages.

Tom K

yes! that sounds awesome, who doesnt love boardwalk empire.

the tweed book is my dads favorite. he reads a lot of non fiction and history. ultimate time of grifting back then.

 

[SnakeTom]

Tom thanks…just added it! Frank Haig was a political legend (I was born in the hospital named after his wife…lol). My Aunt who is now in her 90’s has been involved in Jersey City politics forever. Power & Money as you say…

FYI - The Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital was constructed between 1928 and 1931 with a $1,600,000 bond in funding. It was proposed by Jersey City mayor Frank Hague to address the high infant mortality at the time (212 deaths per 1,000 births in Hudson County, 1923), and was named after Frank's mother.

I think the Hospital was also free for anyone living in Jersey City (as long as they voted for Frank Hague -lol.)

TK

 

[Pirata]

 

[SnakeTom]

I have read several of Martin Dugard's books (in the Killing series). All were very good.

TK

 

[SHallguy2]

SHUSA: The book you mentioned about Boss Tweed is of interest to me & I'm putting it on my future reading list. In the same vein you may be interested in a book I read a few years ago AMERICAN DICTATORS by Steven Hart. It is about the two politician/power brokers who controlled New Jersey for most of the first half of the 20th century. One a Democrat (Frank "I am the law" Haig) who controlled Jersey City and North Jersey and the other a Republican (Nucky Johnson) who controlled Atlantic City & South Jersey. Liberal or Conservative had nothing to do with either's politics. It was all about power & money. And both were allies when it came to preventing a reformer from ever getting to the Governor's office. PS: If you watched Boardwalk Empire (HBO) Johnson (renamed Nucky Thompson for TV) was played by Steve Buchemi. It is a short book about 200 pages.

Tom K

Named my dog Nucky after the Broadwalk empire character

 

[CT Pirate]

Reading The Apollo Murders right now. A "what if" that is based on Apollo 18 mission to the moon in the height of the Cold War. Written by a former astronaut. Compelling read, especially if you are of a certain age and remember the space program of the 60's.

 

[CT Pirate]

I also echo the comments on Andrew Gross. Read the One Man. A historical novel like the other two mentioned but it is set in Auschwitz and the "one man" escaping the camp. Riveting read.

 

[SnakeTom]

I also echo the comments on Andrew Gross. Read the One Man. A historical novel like the other two mentioned but it is set in Auschwitz and the "one man" escaping the camp. Riveting read.

I also read the ONE MAN. It may be Andrew Gross best work but you need a pretty strong stomach to read those horrifying chapters that occur inside Auschwitz (and most of the book does occur inside that death & torture camp).

Tom K

 

[CT Pirate]

I also read the ONE MAN. It may be Andrew Gross best work but you need a pretty strong stomach to read those horrifying chapters that occur inside Auschwitz (and most of the book does occur inside that death & torture camp).

Tom K

So true. I have read so many books - both fiction and non-fiction on WWII as my dad was a flyer in the Pacific. One of the better ones. Gross captured the essence of being inside a camp. Much like the Holocaust museum in Washington.

 

[Hallsome]

FYI - The Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital was constructed between 1928 and 1931 with a $1,600,000 bond in funding. It was proposed by Jersey City mayor Frank Hague to address the high infant mortality at the time (212 deaths per 1,000 births in Hudson County, 1923), and was named after Frank's mother.

I think the Hospital was also free for anyone living in Jersey City (as long as they voted for Frank Hague -lol.)

TK

Snake, nice new thread. Appreciate the change of pace.

 

[SnakeTom]

I just finished reading The Architect of Auschwitz by Sal Tagliareni . Sal is a regular poster on our boards. This was his 4th or 5th novel. As you may know he is a former priest & also studied under Victor Frankl, a noted psychiatrist/neurologist who survived the Holocaust though most of his family perished in the death camps. Anyway here is the review I put up on Amazon:

The Architect of Auschwitz by Sal Tagliarini. I have read the author's two previous novels about WW2 and the Holocaust both of which were very good but this one is much better. The story centers on Gerhardt Stark, a young German architect and how his character evolves from a non political and a unprejudiced person into a hard core member of the Nazi party who becomes entrusted to perform and direct unthinkable acts against humanity. Originally a skeptic of the Nazi movement which he feels is only a passing fad, his life slowly changes through relationships developed in college. Eventually he joins the SS and keeps getting promotions. At some point his sense of morality disappears and his only concern is furthering his career. As the war nears an end Gerhardt realizes that Germany will lose & he will be hunted down as a war criminal;. At this point the story line changes to his attempts to escape and the Nazi hunters attempt to hunt him down. The book is well documented by the author and there is an exciting conclusion. The author discusses the perspectives of both Gerhardt as well as those of his victims. It is well worth reading.

Tom K

 

[SHUSA]

I just finished reading The Architect of Auschwitz by Sal Tagliareni . Sal is a regular poster on our boards. This was his 4th or 5th novel. As you may know he is a former priest & also studied under Victor Frankl, a noted psychiatrist/neurologist who survived the Holocaust though most of his family perished in the death camps. Anyway here is the review I put up on Amazon:

The Architect of Auschwitz by Sal Tagliarini. I have read the author's two previous novels about WW2 and the Holocaust both of which were very good but this one is much better. The story centers on Gerhardt Stark, a young German architect and how his character evolves from a non political and a unprejudiced person into a hard core member of the Nazi party who becomes entrusted to perform and direct unthinkable acts against humanity. Originally a skeptic of the Nazi movement which he feels is only a passing fad, his life slowly changes through relationships developed in college. Eventually he joins the SS and keeps getting promotions. At some point his sense of morality disappears and his only concern is furthering his career. As the war nears an end Gerhardt realizes that Germany will lose & he will be hunted down as a war criminal;. At this point the story line changes to his attempts to escape and the Nazi hunters attempt to hunt him down. The book is well documented by the author and there is an exciting conclusion. The author discusses the perspectives of both Gerhardt as well as those of his victims. It is well worth reading.

Tom K

sounds like historical fiction. really interesting to follow the perspective of a nazi. theres a science fiction show on amazon called man in the high castle that does a little of the same where the story begins from the nazis winning. its not too much science fiction, i just wish it was none at all.

i dont have the gut to read a lot of Auschwitz stuff. bit of a coward in that regard.

 

[SnakeTom]

sounds like historical fiction. really interesting to follow the perspective of a nazi. theres a science fiction show on amazon called man in the high castle that does a little of the same where the story begins from the nazis winning. its not too much science fiction, i just wish it was none at all.

i dont have the gut to read a lot of Auschwitz stuff. bit of a coward in that regard.

Yes, the book is historical fiction. I have not yet read (or watched) Man on the High Castle. Is that more Alternate History or Science Fiction? I agree with your comment on books detailing the horrors in the death camps. They are a difficult read.

Tom K

 

[SHUSA]

Yes, the book is historical fiction. I have not yet read (or watched) Man on the High Castle. Is that more Alternate History or Science Fiction? I agree with your comment on books detailing the horrors in the death camps. They are a difficult read.

Tom K

both alternate history/science fiction. has enough of the former, wish it was more. its more of a drama/thriller story following a few characters than it is a true alternate history so you may not like it. i expected more alternate history tbh

 

[Pirata]

Not to nitpick but I believe the correct term is parallel universe or alternate universe.

High Castle definitely shows two universes in parallel.

The genre cousin to this is the time travel fantasies such as Outlander.

The Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life is in the alternate universe genre.

I find that genre interesting. At times I get sucked into the false universe.

One of the best ones was K-Pax with Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. The alternate universe gets created in the mind of a mentally disturbed killer. I got sucked into that universe and really wanted to believe that it existed. I credit the writers to be able to accomplish that.

 

[Pirata]

 

[HALL85]

Not to nitpick but I believe the correct term is parallel universe or alternate universe.

High Castle definitely shows two universes in parallel.

The genre cousin to this is the time travel fantasies such as Outlander.

The Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life is in the alternate universe genre.

I find that genre interesting. At times I get sucked into the false universe.

One of the best ones was K-Pax with Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey. The alternate universe gets created in the mind of a mentally disturbed killer. I got sucked into that universe and really wanted to believe that it existed. I credit the writers to be able to accomplish that.

Have not seen K-Pax, but we did get into High Castle. At first when it went alt universe, I was like WTF, but it took the plot to another level.

 

[SHUSA]

Have not seen K-Pax, but we did get into High Castle. At first when it went alt universe, I was like WTF, but it took the plot to another level.

thats good to know because i didnt watch the last season because i thought it was too much. i really wanted a more serious/plausible story around "what if the nazis won"

still a good show, as you find yourself most interested in the nazi character John Smith (haha no confusion over that being an american name)

 

[HALL85]

thats good to know because i didnt watch the last season because i thought it was too much. i really wanted a more serious/plausible story around "what if the nazis won"

still a good show, as you find yourself most interested in the nazi character John Smith (haha no confusion over that being an american name)

Don’t know how you can watch all of the seasons and not finish the last…lol. They did a good job wrapping things up.

 

[SHUSA]

Don’t know how you can watch all of the seasons and not finish the last…lol. They did a good job wrapping things up.

i guess i thought the whole parallell universe thing would eventually be a cop out.

 

[Pirata]

I got to thinking more about the parallel universe genre.

I came up with these films/series that I have seen.

• Ground Hog Day
• Wizard of Oz
• Outlander
• Midnight in Paris

But then I found this link:

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls028038190/

I have not seen many of them.

 

[Pirata]

I just remembered another one which was one of the best.

Inception.

If I recall there were at least three perhaps four realities going on.

The final scene is spinning top and it ends in a cliffhanger not knowing whether he was still in the alternate reality or back in reality.

Leo DeCaprio

Inception (2010) ⭐ 8.8 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

2h 28m | PG-13

m.imdb.com

 

[SnakeTom]

Pirata: Thanks for the recommendation of TAKING PARIS. I started reading it a few days ago. A lot of the historical books I've read on WW2 deal with the eastern front rather than the west. This gives me a new appreciation of Charles DeGalle & the resistance as well as focusing on the Nazi brutality against the French.

Tom K

 

[SPK145]

Just started reading the "The Things Our Fathers Saw" series. So far Volume 1 is very good.

The Things Our Fathers Saw® Series

"I have never told this to anyone before...." THE NEVER-BEFORE-TOLD STORIES OF WORLD WAR II BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE THERE... The Things Our Fathers Saw® series started with my first book on the oral history of the men and women who served in the Pacific Theater of the war. But you don’t...

matthewrozellbooks.com

 

[SnakeTom]

Speaking of alternate histories a few years ago I read Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America" in which he writes about what if national hero & Nazi sympathizer Charles Lindburg defeated FDR in the 1940 Presidential election. Many of the characters are real people (such as Henry Ford) while others are fictional. After a while you lose track of what is or isn't real but I do know I would not vote to re-elect Lindy. Also of interest to me is that the book was set in Newark not far from where I grew up. (Note: HBO also did a mini series based on the book but they changed the ending somewhat.)

Tom K

 

[PiratePride]

Great topic.

 

[Pirata]

I am halfway through "The Railway Man". Got it yesterday Can't put it down.

Next time you are having a bad day, read this book.

I recommend watching the movie first. Its on Netflix.

Book: The Railway Man Book

Movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2058107/

As a kid I watched the Bridge Over the River Kwai. It won an Academy Award for Best Picture and more. I subsequently read the book of the same title. Hollywood softened the horror that the POWs went through. Despite their elitist brainwashing, the Japanese were animals. Fast forward, my daughter traveled to Thailand and visited the War Museum at the actual bridge. She was quick to point out the brutality of building the Thai-Burma railroad

The movie and book are a true story account of one British POW who was tortured. This guy gets ruthlessly beaten and waterboarded. I doubt I would have been able to endure what he did.

 

[SnakeTom]

I am halfway through "The Railway Man". Got it yesterday Can't put it down.

Next time you are having a bad day, read this book.

I recommend watching the movie first. Its on Netflix.

Book: The Railway Man Book

Movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2058107/

As a kid I watched the Bridge Over the River Kwai. It won an Academy Award for Best Picture and more. I subsequently read the book of the same title. Hollywood softened the horror that the POWs went through. Despite their elitist brainwashing, the Japanese were animals. Fast forward, my daughter traveled to Thailand and visited the War Museum at the actual bridge. She was quick to point out the brutality of building the Thai-Burma railroad

The movie and book are a true story account of one British POW who was tortured. This guy gets ruthlessly beaten and waterboarded. I doubt I would have been able to endure what he did.

Pirata: I saw the movie long ago but never read the book Railway Man. You are right about the brutality of the Japanese during WW2. The culture here in this country is primarily European. When we were in High School and college we took courses in World History which were not really world history at all but rather European History for the most part. Very little was given to us on Asian, African or So American history. Likewise when reading about WW2 the emphasis has always been on the European war and the German brutality while the Pacific war is downplayed and to an extent ignoring the Japanese brutality & death marches especially to the way they treated prisoners of war and also the people in the occupied countries.

Tom K