Author: Genyc79

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Southern Storm: Sherman’s March to the Sea – Noah Andre Trudeau

On By Genyc79In UncategorizedLeave a comment

In September 1864, the Union Army continued to advance across the South, and had made its way to Atlanta, Georgia, and engaged Confederate before General John B. Hood (1831-1879) eventually gave orders to evacuate as the Union continued its onslaught under the command of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891). Having taken Atlanta, Sherman and Union commanders set their sight on the rest of the state in an effort to cripple the Confederacy. This book by author Noah Andre Trudeau tells the story of Atlanta’s ordeal and Sherman’s “March to the Sea” which changed the American Civil War.

Before continuing, I must point out that the book is not a biography of Sherman. While some aspects of his personal life are part of the story, they are far and few in between. The author’s focus is on Sherman’s march across the South and its impact on the war. Early in the story we are introduced to the military figures on both sides of the war whose lives would be irreversibly changed by the raging conflict. Sherman is by far the most complex figure in the book but emerges as a brilliant tactician determined to see the Confederacy’s downfall. In an unsettling irony, he held racially biased views of blacks whose lives would also be changed by the war he was attempting to win. It should be noted that Sherman was not the only Union troop who did think blacks had a place in society equal to whites as can be seen in the book. And across the South, Sherman became the face of evil for his successes on the battlefield. However, what cannot be denied is his importance to the campaign across Georgia culminating with the fall of Savannah on December 22, 1864.

The story is captivating from start to finish, and the author provides maps as each significant chapter begins to provide readers with a geographical idea of where the troops are located at that time. Admittedly, it is a challenge to keep up with their movements but as the story progressed, it became clearer as to the path they had embarked on. Readers may benefit from keeping their own map nearby. There is a wealth of information on troop formation, supplies and post-battle events, and the added component of newly freed blacks, which presents more logistical challenges to Sherman and his fellow leaders. Frankly, as the South fell, the ramifications increased tenfold with each passing battle. What I also found to be interesting are the sections which detail interactions between Union troops, and the residents of Georgia who despise the Yankees for “interfering” with their way of life. As for Sherman, he had his orders and would not stop until the Confederacy surrendered.

As I mentioned before, Sherman was complex and an irony which I could not overlook was the adulation he received from blacks whom he held in low regard. However, to his credit at no point in the story is he either rude or abrasive towards any of them and is always cordial. Sherman’s views and dismissal of anything he considered trivial are common throughout the book. While troops wanted to win and survive, the war was life-changing for blacks. Freedom at all costs was a price they were willing to pay, and Sherman embodied the savior they felt could make this a reality. Sherman was victorious and disciplined but his racial views did not go unnoticed. The concern was so great that it earned him a visit from Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869). The full story is contained within and serves as a complicated mark on Sherman’s resume. Despite his personal feelings towards blacks, politicians, foreigners and southerners, Sherman is never overly cruel to anyone. In fact, at times during the story he is compassionate yet firm in his position. And his cold detachment is also what allowed him to be the commander needed if the Union were to succeed. He understood war and what was required to end it, even if that meant doing things you do not necessarily like or agree with.

Although Union troops were successful, they did suffer casualties and the war between North and South was nothing short of horrific. Recaps of the battles and the threats soldiers faced are provided to underscore the brutality of the campaign. While Union troops fraternized with freed blacks and scavenged properties which once belonged to southern families, the threat of death never wavered. Sabotage, disease, infection and battlefield wounds created a mix of danger which followed the Union all the way to Savannah. On the other hand, the reality of the situation began to sink in as Confederate troops were unable to hold their positions. Trudeau details the faults of the Confederacy starting with its president, Jefferson Davis (1808-1889). Following the fall of Atlanta, it becomes clear in the book that nothing is going to stop Sherman’s march, and as the suspense heightens, the fall of Savannah comes into focus. But first there was another mission to accomplish, and we revisit the taking of Fort McAllister which sealed Georgia’s fate and places the remaining Confederate forces in Union crosshairs. The saga is retold beautifully by the author who maintains the right pace throughout the book as the conclusion we are waiting for approaches. With a necessary supply line open, Savannah’s fate was sealed.

The fall of Savannah and the implications for the South cannot be overstated, and when Sherman wires Washington, the news is earth shattering. However, the war was far from over and the Union march continued. Sherman had accomplished one of the most important objectives of the war and his legacy was cemented in capture of Savannah. Looking back, we see a resolute soldier who found success, but a man who could escape personal grief nor disavow his racial prejudices. But above all, he valued the Union which was above any person or state, and his goal was to punish the people who had dared to break it up. A complex figure indeed but also a part of American history. The book is exhaustively researched and from start to finish it kept me on edge. Trudeau also includes anecdotes and memories from troops who survived the war which gives the book an added feeling of intimacy as we are able to read their words as they witnessed history. When I finished the book, I neither hated nor glorified Sherman, but did appreciate his abilities as a Union commander. He was flawed but he never presented himself as perfect and I did not expect him to be. To the South, he may always be the man who helped bring down their way of life, and in the North a celebrated figure. But both sides can agree that the Civil War cannot be studied without examining his impact.

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, December 22, 1864 To His Excellency President Lincoln, Washington, D.C.: I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, also about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001AO0I7K
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books

The Fires of Jubliee: Nat Turner’s Fierce Rebellion – Stephen B. Oates

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

On the night of August 21, 1831, black slaves in Southampton County, Virginia gathered around Nat Turner (1800-1831), a charismatic fellow slave who had gained a following due to this anti-slavery rhetoric and calls for action. Turner and his followers were determined to revolt against the dehumanizing system of slavery and chose that night to launch their rebellion. By the time it was over, fifty-five people were dead before federal authorities arrived to take control of the situation. Turner was later captured, tried, and subsequently executed on November 11, 1831. Although he failed to abolish slavery, Nat Turner inspired others to resist and to this day, his name is mentioned in discussions of slave revolts of the 1800s. When I saw this book, it immediately caught my attention because although I knew of Nat Turner, there were aspects of his life which were a mystery to me. And what I found in this book are the answers to the questions I had about his life, and a sobering picture of his rebellion which shook slave masters to their core.

Readers should be aware that this book is not a “feel good” story. Turner’s short life was turbulent and ended violently. Further, the author introduces us to life for slaves in the early 1800s, and what we learn about Nat’s early life is difficult to accept. Despite the sensitive subject matter, the story is intriguing, and I learned a great deal about Nat Turner and his evolution to iconic freedom fighter. Today it seems incomprehensible that humans were forced to live in bondage in a country which was founded on the idea of freedom. However, in 1831, that was a cold hard reality in America. The brutal system of slavery is on display here, and there are moments which are heartbreaking. And it is impossible to put into words the grief felt by slaves whose families were separated on auction blocks and at the deadly hands of slave masters fueled by vengeance. The constant dehumanization and lack of purpose in life, combined with the darkest aspects of slavery to create a potent brew which laid the foundation for Turner’s final act.

Eventually the eve of August 22, 1831, arrives and something is in the air. Nat gathered his devoted followers and informed them at this was the night to make their vision a reality. Early in the morning on August 22, the rebellion was in full swing, and a wave of carnage fell over Southampton County. At this point, the book takes a sharp turn as the violence escalates but the author is careful about describing the events. As a result, the unsettling story does not feel like a recitation of gratuitous violence but a trip back in time to an event which was unthinkable in the North and South. As Turner and his followers unleashed a campaign of terror, fear spread like wildfire across Virginia. Washington soon took notice and sent the calvary to restore order. But before the military reaches Virginia, retribution by slave owners and bloodthirsty whites against blacks in the state is nothing short of barbaric. The violence was so disturbing that even hardened soldiers were unnerved.  And had the military not reached Southampton County in time, things would have been far worse.

As Turner’s associates fall one by one, the writing is on the wall, and we know that the price to be paid will be death. However, Turner was not afraid and makes a statement to fellow defendants after sentencing showing that the rebellion was neither for fame nor riches. For Nat, it was from the heart and based on his belief that a violent overthrow was the only way to free black people. But was he justified in his actions? I am certain that readers will ask themselves this very question as the story progresses. I must warn you that after Turner is executed, the story is a little macabre. Frankly, post-mortem actions by those seeking to erase any physical trace of him are beyond sickening. But if you reach that part of the story it will come as no surprise. And as chaotic as the story is, I could not stop reading and found myself glued to the book. The story is nothing short of surreal.

After the main narrative ends, the author provides an epilogue which focuses on his modern-day visits to the areas in which the events in the story played out. His encounters with locals are unusual but reveal that America still has a long way to go in some regards. Nat Turner’s rebellion was short lived, but he earned his place in history through the rebellion he launched to dismantle the system of slavery which took everything from those in its grip. The story is unsettling at times, but a critical part of American history which is not always as glorious as we would like it to be. And though we are far removed from the era in which Nat Turner lived, his story and that of Southampton, Virginia, are reminders of America’s blook soaked. Oates’ book does not glorify or demonize Turner but presents the story for the reader to digest. Nat Turner’s name will forever be linked with slave rebellion, and the debate about his actions will also continue. He lived a violent life in a violent time, in a country that knows violence all too well. But history’s greatest gift is giving us the chance to make sure it is not repeated. If you want to know more about Nat Turner and his rebellion of 1831, this is what you are looking for.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000XU4TAO
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books

The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father’s Search for Justice – Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph

On By Genyc79In True CrimeLeave a comment

On the evening of December 21, 1988, Flora Swire boarded Pan Am Flight 103 at London’s Heathrow Airport for a transatlantic flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. At 7:03 p.m. (GMT) the Boeing 747 leveled off at 31,000 feet. Moments later an explosion ripped the fuselage apart as the aircraft passed over Lockerbie, Scotland. All 250 passengers and crew died, along with several fatalities on the ground. Jim and Jane Swire were at home when news broke of the disaster and immediately thought of their daughter Flora who was on the doomed flight. And sadly, it was soon confirmed that she had died in what became one of the most infamous air disasters in history. Here, Jim Swire tells the story of their family’s ordeal as they seek answers and justice for the death of Flora and the other souls who perished that night. 

This book was published in 2021, thirty-three years after that horrific night but the pain is still there for the Swires. Jim takes us back to the days before the disaster to explain Flora’s reasons for the trip and to provide a picture of their lives which were abruptly changed. Life for the Swires is typical of the average family, and when Flora decides to visit the United States, nothing seems unusual. But unbeknownst to her and other passengers, there were people planning an act of air terrorism which remains one of aviation’s darkest moments. Further, it served as inspiration for the the long-term ambitions of other terorist most notably  Ramzi Yousef, convicted for his role in the bombing of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan on February 26, 1993. And by the time a conviction was secured, Swire would learn about the complicated world of diplomacy and hidden agendas. 

Flora’s death is beyond devastating and leaves the Swires with unanswered questions. Along with other families, he begins to search for answers and on October 1, 1990, a Fatal Accident Inquiry begins into the cause behind the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103. Swire also mentions the Lockerbie Air Disaster Group, composed of attorneys on both sides of the Atlantic, but its origin and plan remains mysterious throughout the book and I have not see anything further on it. As more evidence continues to evolve the story takes a sharp turn when Swire decides to visit Libya and confront its leader Muammar al-Quaddafi (1942-2011) about the country’s role in the crime. The move is shocking and results in a range of reactions explained by the author. In the United States, the Department of Justice announced Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (1952-2012) and Khalifa Fhimah as participants in the crime, and both men are put on trial. However, Swire begins to see that there is more than meets the eye.

As I read, I took note of strange aspects of the case which are still troubling. The statements of a break-in near the baggage where Pan Am 103 was parked by Raymond Manly, a security guard at Heathrow Airport, are unsettling. And the revelation of warnings sent to the airlines in the weeks leading up to the Pan Am disaster is gut wrenching. However, there is another dark side to the story which Swire addresses, but the full account is too long for the book. On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf. This incident would come to haunt the investigation and subsequent trial and remain on Swire’s mind as the Lockerbie investigation and trial progressed. The appearance of a key witness named Tony Gauci (1944-2016) is also a pivotal moment in the story, but as readers will learn, there is more to his role and his testimony raised even more questions about the strength and accuracy of the prosecution’s case. The disturbing details surrounding Gauci’s role are discussed and raise questions regarding his truthfulness and the timeline of events. And the actions of powerful figures following al-Megrahi’s conviction and appeals, result in Swire’s view of western governments being altered. He and others believed that the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command (PFLP-GC) was behind the bombing. Their arguments are compelling but officially the case is closed. However, it is up to the reader to decide if the convictions were the final word in the matter. 

I have recently learned that actor Colin Firth stars as Swire in the BBC television series ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth‘. While I have yet to watch it, the series is on my list of television shows to catch up on. There are also air crash investigation documentaries on YouTube about the Pan Am 103 disaster which are thorough. Of course, there are secrets about the disaster which will be lost to history, but we do have an accurate picture of a tragedy that had ample warning in the weeks leading up to it. And on September 11, 2001, the world would learn again about the importance of air safety after Boeing commercial jets struck each tower of the World Trade Center in my hometown of New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the last jet crashing in Pennsylvania. I admit that going through airport security can feel like a hassle but it should remind us of the importance behind screening as the person sitting next to us may not have our best interest at heart. The victims of Pan Am Flight 103 will never have the security of modern screening, and their senseless deaths remain haunting and tragic. But we can be assured that Jim Swire will continue to search for the truth until his last day on this planet. Highly recommended. 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B093YRXZ7C
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Birlinn (July 6, 2021)

End of a Berlin Diary – William L. Shirer

On By Genyc79In JournalLeave a comment

In December 1940, American Journalist William L. Shirer (1904-1993) made his departure from Germany as World War II intensified. On September 1, 1939, the Germany military crossed into Poland and ignited the word conflict mankind has seen to date. After arriving back on United States soil, Shirer turned the journal he maintained while living abroad into the best-selling book ‘The Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-1941 ‘. The book is a fascinating first-hand account of the Nazi seizure of power in Germany and the road to war. Following Germany’s defeat in 1945, Shirer returned to the country to survey the damage inflicted from Allied forces. This is the journal of his time in Germany following the collapse of German Chancellor Adolf Hitler’s (1889-1945) Third Reich, the trials at Nuremburg and the final days of former Nazi party officials and military officers. 

The book begins with Shirer back home in America, traveling from city to city. However, Germany remains in his thoughts and soon enough he is on his way back to the country he left as World War II heated up. I can only imagine the emotions Shirer felt upon his return, but what he writes in the journal makes it clear that he is both shocked and saddened to see the physical condition of locations he once frequented. As I read, I could picture the devastation he confronted as he drove through streets which one held Hitler’s rallies, restaurants, and other meeting places for social interaction. The physical destruction comes as no surprise due to the relentless Allied bombings and infantry operations as American, British, and Soviet troops closed in on Berlin. But Shirer is focused on more than that and takes a deep dive into the secret Reich documents discovered which reveal the road to war planned by Hitler and his co-conspirators. 

As Shirer explores the documents, the diary takes on more of a history book format in which planning sessions and other meetings are examined. While this does not fit the typical format for a “journal”, it does have a place due to his accounts from the trials at Nuremberg where captured Nazi officials face justice. I did find the secret documents interesting, and there are revelations within them about Hitler’s true feelings towards the Japanese and Soviet Union. Further, they remove all doubt as to Germany’s intention to violate Poland’s independence. The looming war eventually begins and at first, Germany rides a wave of success. But the entry of the United States into the conflict and the decision by Hitler to turn on the Soviets, were the initial stages of failure in the downfall of Nazi Germany. The mistakes made by Hitler and the insanity surrounding his war planning are on full display, and by 1943 it was clear to many that Germany would lose the war. But the concluding chapter was still two years away. 

Among the documents he focuses on are statements by people in Hitler’s underground bunker who had knowledge of Hitler’s death and the movement of his remains. This is a long-discussed topic, and we may never know for certain, but the statements provided are interesting. The people interviewed are also certain that Hitler died in the bunker and did not escape to South America. Aviator Hanna Reitsch (1912-1979) was one of the last people to see Hitler alive and was firm in her statement that he died in the bunker. Her interview is included as well as Shirer pieces together the last moments of the Reich’s leader.  

Eventually Shirer makes his way to Nuremberg to witness the trials of the Nazi officials. His reporter skills kick into high gear as he notes the mannerisms and reactions of the men who plotted world domination and sent millions of Jewish people to their deaths. The list of characters is too long for this book and Shirer does not attempt to cover the entire trial in his journal. However, he provides enough for us to see the unsavory and ridiculous people who made up Hitler’s cabinet, and why power in the wrong hands is extremely dangerous. It should also be noted that Shirer had interacted with Nazi officials personally as Hitler rose to power. He is not merely an observer but someone who was very well acquainted with the defendants and encountered them regularly as he wrote the Berlin Diary. He was a witness to history and his return to Germany provided more than enough proof that leaving in 1940 was a wise decision. 

While I do admit the Berlin Diary is rated higher in reviews, I personally liked this follow-up. Further, it was never intended to be the final word on the Nazi story. However, Shirer did cover that extensively in his masterpiece ‘The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany‘, which I strongly recommend for anyone interested in Hitler’s rise, the war, and the downfall of his empire. If you have read the Berlin Diary or are curious as to what Shirer found when he went back to Germany, this book should be added to your list. 

“One more wise remark from Plutarch that seems deadly timely today. Of the machinations of Cæsar, Antony, and Lepidus, which finally brought Cicero to his doom, he remarks: ‘Thus they let their anger and fury take from them the sense of humanity and demonstrated that no beast is more savage than man, when possessed with power answerable to his rage’. ” – The Berlin Diary, William L. Shirer 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07H185X8F
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rosetta Books (September 6, 2016)

Jackal: The Complete Story of the Legendary Terrorist, Carlos the Jackal – John Follain

On By Genyc79In Biographies, True CrimeLeave a comment

On the night of June 27, 1975, two French internal security agents named Raymond Dous and Jean Donatini arrived at 9 Rue Tollier in Paris, France along with Michel Moukharbal, a suspect being investigated by French police for attacks against the Israeli airline El Al at Paris-Orly Airport. Before the night was over, all three men were dead and a fourth serious wounded resulting in a manhunt issued by France for Ilich Ramírez Sánchez known to the world as “Carlos the Jackal“. Prior to reading the book I was familiar with his name and parts of his story but did not have the full account. I picked up this book which I saw in my list of recommendations and decided to make the purchase and step into the world of the Jackal.

From the beginning of the book it is apparent that the story will be anything but ordinary. Ramirez’s childhood is unusual and his father’s obsession with the Soviet Union and Vladimir Lenin (1871-1924) is strange considering the fact that the family resides in Venezuela. At home things are not well and his parents’ divorce when Carlos is a teenager proves to be a pivotal moment in his life. Eventually, his mother relocates with the children to Europe and this sets off a chain of events in his life that lead to him becoming one of the most wanted fugitives on the planet. When he gravitates towards Marxism at the Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, there is no turning back as the Jackal begins to take shape and an usual story develops which sees him move through Europe and the Middle East leaving a trail of death and destruction.

If I had to choose one word to describe Ramirez’s life from this point on, that word would be chaos. Between fatherhood, a marriage, and alliances with Middle Eastern governments as an unofficial agent of terror, the book is a roller coaster ride of insanity. However, what is equally disturbing as the attacks he conducted with subordinates is the support he received from multiple countries. In 1970 he joined the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and remained steadfast in his support which inspired his radicalism. As part of his tool kit, he employed fake passports, fake identification, cash, safe houses, connections in high places and a long list of people willing to follow his every move. The story feels like a tale from Hollywood as the Jackal goes wild. The brazen raid in Vienna, Austria on December 21, 1975 at Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) headquarters is just one of the insane missions executed by the Jackal.

During his escapades he also finds love when he encounters Magdalena Kopp (1948-2015). Their story is equally surreal but their union did produce Ramirez’s second child. However, being the wife of a world-wide fugitive is not sustainable, and authorities are constantly on their heels. Slowly, the walls begin to close in and the fall out is unpredictable but the comeuppance for a life of crime. Kopp’s fate ironically in Paris, sets off a deadly series of actions by Carlos who is beginning to lose his grip on reality. Sadly, the collateral damage was high and only increased the pressure on French intelligence to capture him at all costs. Following the collapse of their marriage, Kopp makes another decision to relocate which is curious and proves that truth is stranger than fiction. As for Carlos, fate would not be as kind, and he continues to travel through the Middle East eventually finding refuge in Sudan. But it is here where his career concludes as French intelligence make good on their promise to apprehend him for the events in June 1975. His capture and extradition to France is climactic, but was it legal? The author lays out the facts of France’s actions for the reader to decide. But it does prove that when you are a wanted man, governments will not stop until they have you.

The trial in which Carlos is tried and convicted is discussed by the author, and although his life was on the line, Ramirez moves with a detached reality that is both odd and amusing. However, the deaths as a result of his actions are not and when justice is metered out, the story of Carlos the Jackal is over. He remains alive today but no longer able to live out his fantasy of a revolutionary playboy jetsetting across the planet and living the fast life. If you need a book about the life of Carlos the Jackal, this is a good place to start.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IQY3E64
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arcade; Reprint edition (July 1, 2011)

Days of Rage: America’s Radical Underground, the FBI, and the Forgotten Age of Revolutionary Violence – Byran Burrough

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

“The first lesson a revolutionary must learn is that he is a doomed man.” – Huey P. Newton (1942-1989)

On August 22, 1989, former Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton was shot and killed on a street corner in Oakland, California. His death was sudden and violent, and a reminder that the streets are unforgiving. Newton’s notoriety as a representative of Black voices during the Civil Rights Movement earned him a place on the watchlist of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”). To some Newton was a dangerous radical working to destroy America but to others he was an icon who had the courage to stand up to a system in need of an overhaul. Regardless of opinion, Newton was only one of many people who took the streets determined to change America by any means necessary and were not afraid to use violence. Sadly, that meant collateral damage and fear during an era author Bryan Burrough calls days of rage. This is the story of the under radical movement in the United States which produced some of the most dangerous figures this nation has ever seen.

The book is extensive but focuses on several main organizations whose names are well-known. The first is Weatherman a/k/a The Weather Underground  which is credited by the FBI to having set off twenty-five bombs in U.S. Government buildings, police stations and the office of the California Attorney General. And its stand out star was Samuel J. Melville (1934-1971) whom we learn of in the story, along with Bernadine Dohrn who ironically is a retired law professor. I did not know about Melville or Dohrn prior to reading the book nor was I familiar with Weatherman. However, by the time I finished the book I was firmly aware of its existence, its actions, and its dark legacy. Burrough delivers on the goods and takes us inside Weatherman and the anarchy it caused. But this is only the beginning in a long book that is nothing short of a roller coaster ride.

As a primer, the author discusses the Civil Rights Movement which sets the stage for the violence to come. However, what is interesting is that neither Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) nor Malcolm X (1925-1965) were “extreme” compared to the others figures the author discusses. Dr. King had always preached non-violence and Malcolm strongly believed in self-defense by any means necessary. Neither led any violent raids or set off bombs but the cause they fought for, believed in and died for, was the proof others needed to escalate resistance to levels which caught the attention of the White House. The Black Panther Party found itself on the radar of the FBI and in due time the bureau would make use of its COINTEL program to destroy all organizations it deemed enemies of America. Newton and his colleagues would fall victim as would others whose lives are exmained in the book. The FBI was focused but the underground radical movement was growing exponentially. And as the story progresses, the suspense heightens, and the tension builds as radicals attempt to turn the United States upside down. Violence, sex, drugs, fame and calls for revolution form a potent mix from which both charasmatic and outlandish figures emerged in their quest to change the nation permanently.

I mentioned earlier that there are several organizations discussed in the book. Aside from Weatherman, there is Donald “Cinque” DeFreeze (1943-1974) and the Symbionese Liberation Army (“SLA”) whose story on its own is surreal. Of course, it cannot be told without addressing the abduction and enlistment of Patty Hearst.  Her story has been told by others, and it is thoroughly presented here as well but I could not help but shake my head in disbelief DeFreeze’s bizarre rhetoric and his ability to attract followers. The downfall of the SLA and its tragic finale left me with chills, but the book was far from over. In fact, while the SLA is conducting its unorthodox fallacies, members of Weatherman are still moving around America. And the chaos they created would be amplified by more extreme radicals whose names are synonymous with bank heists and gun battles with law enforcement.

The name Raymond Luc Levasseur did not stand out at first but older readers may be familiar with his story. However, that changed as the story progressed and the organization to which he belonged, the United Freedom Front, made itself known in a string of bank robberies and getaways straight out of Hollywood fiction. A tour of duty in Vietnam and racial discrimination had help shape Levasseur into the radical the FBI wanted off the streets as soon as possible. But that did not happen and the story of how Levasseur evaded capture is one of the more fascinating parts of the book. He was not alone and had a family to support and had been joined by other adults. Their ability to pack up and leave on a moment’s notice is surreal and their ability to evade capture was almost flawless except for one crucial mistake. To be fair, bombings were occurring with such frequency that law enforcement officials struggled to keep up and keep track. And just when it seemed that one group might be on the verge of extinction, another rose to the occasion.

My father had previously told me the story of William Morales, a member of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional Puertorriqueña (“FALN”) who had severely injured himself while making a bomb in his Queens apartment. The accident is gruesome but there is more to the story than my father had explained. In fact, Morales’ s disfigurement and escape from justice is unbelievable due to the limited use of his hands and impaired vision. His disappearance from Bellevue Hospital left me speechless. Despite a manunt and nationwide attention, Morales remained on the loose and is still alive today,  living in Cuba along with another radical in our story, Joanne Chesimard a/k/a Assata Shakur who remains a wanted fugitive by the FBI. The reasons for her status as a fugitive at large are explained in the book, in particular the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike on May 2, 1973, in which Trooper Werner Foerster was shot and mortally wounded. The full story of the traffic stop, shootout and her conviction are too extensive for this book but the author weaves into the narrative without breaking the pace or weakening its intensity. Morales and Shakur will likely remain in Cuba for the rest of their lives but there was another Shakur who did not fare as well.

If you are familiar with the late rap star Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) you will be familiar with the story of his step-father Mutulu Shakur (1950-2023), a member of the Black Liberation Army whose actions are some of the darkest parts of the book. Shakur’s descent into radicalism sets him on a dark path destined for destruction. And that point is driven home when Shakur and his co-conspirators rob a Brinks armored car at the Nanuet Mall in Nanuet, New York on October 20, 1981. The full story of the robbery is too intricate for a blog post, but I was glued to the book as the drama unfolded. It is mind blowing and horribly tragic. The robbery left two Nyack police officers and an armed guard dead, and resulted in Shakur serving forty years in prison before being released for health reasons in December 2022. The Brinks robbery remains etched in New York State history and is a chilling chapter to a book that pulls no punches. Burrough gives us an uncut look into America’s haunting past and the years in which armed struggled was a calling card for aspiring young revolutionaries across the country.

Burrough’s book is long but it is beautifully written, well researched, and powerful. The history contained within the book is not pleasant but what the author discusses can serve as reminders of how far America has come and where it should never return to. If you lived through these years and recall the level of danger which existed, this book will bring back profound memories. I intend to discuss it with my father who has always said that the 1960s and 1970s were scary times because of the threat of nuclear war, assassinations, social unrest, revolution, and the rise of serial killers. Many of the figures in this book are now deceased and others well into their senior years are no longer on the streets planning acts of violence. But they have not forgotten theirs nor has America. Their legacies are complex depending on who you ask but the fact remains that hope move side by side with fear as the radical underground grabbed the country’s attention. This book is an invaluable tool in understand how and why the radical underground came to be.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LFZ84PC
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (April 7, 2015)

Black Snow: Curtis LeMay, the Firebombing of Tokyo and the Road to the Atomic Bomb – James M. Scott

On By Genyc79In World War IILeave a comment

The surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945, formally marked the conclusion of World War II after five years of anarchy in Europe and Asia. Germany had previously surrendered on May 8 following the collapse of German Chancellor Adolf Hitler’s (1889-1945) Third Reich. Allied commanders felt relief as it became clear that the planned ground invasion of Japan in the autumn of 1945 would no longer be necessary.  The deployment of atomic weapons developed at Los Alamos, New Mexico, ushered in a new era in which world destruction became hauntingly real. America’s use of the bombs remains controversial, but President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) remained firm in his position that the bomb was needed to end the worst war the planet had seen. Detractors of Truman will point out that Japan would have been defeated without the use of atomic weapons. Of course, we will never know this for certain but the story of the air raids across Japan which included firebombs and the use of the atomic bombs “Fat Man” and “Little Boy”, is interesting and removes any doubt that Japan would lose the war. Author James M. Scott explores this controversial subject and the man whose name sent chills down the spines of enemies, Gen. Curtis E. LeMay (1906-1990).

Before continuing, I want to issue a disclaimer to readers sensitive to descriptions of death and warfare. This book is not easy to read and if you believe that America should never have used atomic weapons, then it may not be for you. And though the author neither condemns or condones the use of either weapon, it is a case study on how Air Force commanders analyzed the failure to cripple Japan, and the lessons learned to inflict maximum devastation on the “Land of the Rising Sun”. But before we arrive at Japan’s doorstep, the author revisits the air campaign in Europe which played a crucial role in Germany’s defeat. The bombings of Dresden and Hamburg are discussed, and readers familiar with each event know that following each air raid, the German people realized increasingly that an overwhelming victory was an illusion. As to when they knew the war was lost is hard to pinpoint, but Operation Gomorrah on July 10, 1943, was a wake-up call. The advance of the Soviet Red Army in 1945 signaled that the end was near, and on April, 30 Hitler lived his last moments buried in his underground bunker before committing suicide. Germany had lost the war, but Japan continued to resist and the grim reality of mass casualties in a ground invasion was hard to accept. But everything changed when LeMay was given free rein to go after Japan. On a side note, LeMay had served in the European Theater and was re-assigned to the Pacific in 1944.

“Tokyo,” LeMay declared, “would be our target—the primary target, the secondary target, and the only target.”

Curtis E. LeMay is one of most controversial military figures in American history, and rightfully so. To some he is seen as a war criminal without feeling who would stop at nothing until victory was secure, but to others he was the person needed to conduct difficult orders which required a cold detailed analysis. The truth about LeMay lies in between both and contrary to his stern appearance, he did have a soft side. Snippets of his letters back home to wife Helen (1908-1992) and daughter Patricia Jane LeMay Dodge (d. 2016) reveal the effects of the war on the LeMay family. But on the outside to those who served under him, he was as tough as they came. Although Scott provides a good discussion of his life, the biographical data is brief in comparison to the larger story at hand which is the crux of the book. Readers who are interested in LeMay’s life will enjoy Warren Kozak’s ‘LeMay: The Life and Wars of General Curtis Lemay‘, which is a good biography of the famous aviator. Here, the story focuses on defeating Japan, and LeMay was determined to bring the empire to its knees. And this is where the story takes a darker turn as the air raids increase and the bombs become more severe in nature. 

As I read the book, I personally did not have difficulty with the subject matter and was aware of LeMay’s role in World War II. I expected a grim picture to emerge as the firebombing campaigns set Tokyo and other cities ablaze. In fact, it is a raw and unfiltered look into the final stages of the war and the destruction from the air raids masterminded by LeMay and his subordinates who ensured that the B-29 bomber earned a place in military history. But as one would expect, it is impossible to finish a book such as this without the issue of morality coming up. The post-bombing descriptions are graphic, but they drive home the brutality of war. And they also force us to confront whether LeMay was morally wrong for his successes. Surely, Japan was brutal to its Asian neighbors and had attacked the United States first, but what occurred under LeMay’s watch disturbed even the most seasoned military veterans. One one point, LeMay issues an interesting statement which makes it clear that if the Allies had lost, he knew his life would be over. But despite the firebombing raids, Japan still refused to surrender. Unbeknownst to Japan, in early summer 1945, LeMay is briefed on a new weapon at Los Alamos and its fate is sealed. 

The remainder of the book following the revelation of the atomic weapons focuses on the plans drawn up to drop the two bombs on Japan. It is not a discussion of the planning or work at Los Alamos. Organizational issues are discussed as LeMay’s squads prepare for the drops. And when they happen, the impact of what transpires can be felt while reading. Scott heightens the suspense as America unleashes weapons that changed history. On the ground, the result is swift, deadly, and catastrophic. And for many years afterwards, Japanese men, women and children would continue to suffer from the effects of the bombs. But they had the intended effect, and the emperor soon realized that destruction was in store if Japan did not surrender. In hindsight we know that it did but in August 1945 after the second bomb was dropped, military officials waited on edge for confirmation that Japan was waiving the white flag. That moment soon arrives and the announcement by the emperor is included in the book, bringing the narrative closer to its conclusion. 

After I finished the book, I sat for a few minutes deep in thought. I had my own questions about LeMay’s actions but also reminded myself that America was at war. And had Japan continued to fight, commanders in the Pacific were ready to drop more atomic weapons which would have resulted in complete destruction for Japan. And a ground war would have resulted in over one million casualties. The air raids were horrific, but they did bring the war to an end. Finally, every military has its own LeMay, that commander who can detach feelings from the mission at hand to ensure maximum carnage and victory. Throughout his life he  never regretted his actions and felt that it had to be done. There is an old saying that “war is hell”. It is but there are lessons to be learned so that the same mistakes are not repeated by future generations. And war also contains warnings not to be ignored. In successfully engineering Japan’s defeat, LeMay vindicated the late Captain William Lendrum “Billy” Mitchell (1879-1936) who warned that air defense was being overlooked at America’s peril. Mitchell was a fierce advocate for air power and his relentless drive to convince Washington earned him a court-martial. But in December 1941, his warnings came back to haunt the country when the Japanese military attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. World War II is a part of the past, but it should never be forgotten. The war claimed millions of lives and left millions homeless and refugees as they wandered about in cities left in ruins. But the war also provided pivotal moments in the lives of those who served and survived such as the late Gen. Curtis E. LeMay. Highly recommended.

“I had to select a man for the job who had experience, knowledge, judgment, but who was also cold as steel when it came to sending out his missions. I selected Curt LeMay.” —GEN. HAP ARNOLD NOVEMBER 7, 1948

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09TQ2RRFQ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (September 6, 2022)

Murdering McKinley: The Making of Theodore Roosevelt’s America – Eric Rauchway

On By Genyc79In American History, AssassinationsLeave a comment

On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley (1843-1901) arrived in Buffalo, New York for a Pan-American Exposition. As he made his way through the crowd, a young man stepped forward with a revolver hidden from sight. Once in front of the commander-in-chief, the assailant Leon F. Czolgosz (1873-1901) raised the firearm and squeezed the trigger, mortally wounding McKinley who died on September 14, 1901. The assassin was apprehended by the authorities and became the number one public enemy. But to everyone’s surprise, he was forthright in his reasons for the shooting and showed no signs of psychosis or evidence of being part of any conspiracy to murder the president. The investigation should have been an open and shut case, but it was not. In fact, the murder of William McKinley set off a series of events that changed the United States.  Author Eric Rauchway examines the assassination and the fallout which ensued in its wake.

Following Czolgosz’s arrest and confession to intentionally murdering McKinley, he does receive legal counsel. However, while the criminal justice system turned its wheels, America soon realized that it had a new president by the name of Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), who would transform America in ways that can still be felt today. The shooting is one part of the narrative with the author also focusing on Roosevelt’s administration and the changes in America. Interestingly, efforts to link the murderer to a foreign conspiracy of anarchists determined to destroy America come up short but highlight the fact that immigration has always been a hotbed issue in the United States. But I did take note of a statement by the assassin regarding his view of Republicans which sent chills down my spine because today, more than one hundred twenty-three years later, similar sentiments about the Republican party persist. And there is the issue of race which centers around the heroic actions of James B. “Jim” Parker (1857-1907), an African American migrant from the South who had fled Jim Crow to live in the North.

The Czolgosz family story is reviewed as well, with statements included from family members who provide background information on their infamous sibling. As I read, I could not find any evidence that the killer had any type of psychological impairment. His defense team was not easily convinced he was sane, and their position opens the discussion about the insanity defense and when it should apply. Until the very end, Czolgosz never changes his story as the trail of the assassin is followed and examined. In Washington, D.C., Roosevelt is busy remaking America into his vision for the future.

Students of American history will appreciate the discussion regarding Roosevelt’s rise and departure from office. His presidency is fascinating but not without its controversies. However, his policies remain examples of “progressive” politics. And this earned him supporters as well as enemies, and one of them attempted to execute a repeat of McKinley’s murder with Roosevelt, the intended victim. The surreal story is contained within, and Roosevelt’s actions following the attempted murder left me speechless. Theodore’s star continued to rise, but his decline was also lurking in the distance. And the succession of the presidency by William H. Taft (1857-1930) eventually guaranteed that Roosevelt would never again claim the fame he once had as president. But “Teddy” was far from done and launched the Progressive Party to gallantly return to Washington. In hindsight we know that things did not turn out as he had hoped but he had already cemented his legacy in American history.

Leon Czolgosz was eventually convicted and sentenced to death, but events post-mortem left me shocked. The disdain for the assassin is understandable, but the animus towards his remains is disturbing. Czolgosz never wavered from his statements as to why he shot McKinley. Whether he was mentally impaired remains to be proven but I do think we will ever see anything to the contrary. He was remorseless and prepared to accept his fate but, in the end, shooting the president did not accomplish any goals he had intended to complete. It did however, pave the way for one of the America’s most memorable presidents. This book is well-researched and well- written, and the author balances the narrative to provide a thorough discussion of the crime, the assassin’s story, Roosvelt’s ascent, and the aftermath as America went through growing pains. If you are interested in the assassination of William McKinley and a transformative period in American history, Rauchway’s book is a good place to start.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000RQ4FTE
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hill and Wang; First edition (April 15, 2007)

And Then Life Happens: A Memoir – Auma Obama

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Imagine receiving a call that your brother in United States has just been elected to serve as the nation’s president. That is exactly what happened to Auma Obama when her brother Barack H. Obama became the Forty-Fourth President of the United States, serving two terms from 2008 to 2016. His story is well-known to Americans but the life of Auma back in Kenya is a footnote to his presidential success. This is her story and an inside look in the Obama family whose name is world-famous due to their distant relative from Hawaii who took America by surprise in an election campaign that was both riveting and inspiring. When I saw this autobiography appear in my list of recommendations, I decided to make the purchase and learn more about our former president’s Kenyan heritage.

The story begins in the Rachuonyo District of Kenya, where the Obama family resides. They are part of the Luo, a Nilotic ethnic group found in several sections of the African continent. Auma explains the family’s history, Luo customs and views on life, and the story of Barack Obama, Sr. (1934-1982) whose actions affect several families in diverse ways. As I read, I instantly noted that Auma was not the average Luo woman and fiercely determined to pave her own path in life. In the Luo culture, it is easier said than done for women to be independent, but she does not let her gender stop her. Of course, there are trials and tribulations along the way, including the unpredictable actions of her father Barack, Sr. I was aware that Barack, Jr., did not have a relationship with his father. However, I was not aware of the other families the father created across several time zones. This part of the book was a curve ball and would later come back to play a role in family relations long after Barack, Sr.’s death. But before we reach that tragedy, Auma is on the move and finds herself in route to Germany where she begins a new life in a nation completely different from Kenya.

Her anecdotes about finding her footing in Germany are humorous and relatable, and thankfully she was able to persevere. But there are hiccups on her journey, and a bad romance darkens her mood at one time in the book. However, life must go on and it did with Auma making a home in Europe which included a change of scenery from Germany to the United Kingdom where she finds love again and motherhood. In between moving from country to country, she remains in contact with her half-brother from Hawaii. She knows his name is Barack like their father but had never met sibling in America. Everything changes when they meet, and I love this part of the book. There are no cameras, press conferences or statements, just two siblings bonded by their father whose actions are not always understood. The affection between the two siblings and discussions about their upbringings is heartwarming. But there is one statement by the future president about his father’s absence that gave me a chill. And it drives home of the importance of a father in a child’s life.

In November 1982, Auma receives a call from relatives in Kenya that her father Barack, Sr., had died in an automobile accident and was taken to a local hospital by unknown persons. This part of the story is strange because there are unanswered questions about the end of his life. Auma pieces together the chain of events as best as possible but I could not help but feel chills thinking about his sudden death. However, it is clear from the story that towards of his life, he no longer held the same level of prestige as he did in his youth and had become an outcast to the Kenyan government. There are no conspiracy theories, and his death was never ruled a homicide, but there is mystery behind his demise. The family is left grieving, and Auma goes through a series of emotions as she confronts the reality that her father is gone, and her marital issues. But again, hope arrives in the form of her brother who has met his wife-to-be Michelle and decided that politics is his calling.

I do not want to spoil anything but the remainder of the book following her brother’s entry into politics is delightful and fascinating. Auma soon found herself in the media as Obama’s sister in Africa, but the reality is that they had formed a strong family bond years before Barack, Jr., knew he would run for public office. She manages the sudden fame as best as possible but has her moments when it is overwhelming, as we see in one situation where she is out with her daughter and second husband. Despite her reservations, her brother had catapulted her into the public light, but the story of the Obama family runs much deeper than the presidency. It is a story of tribal customs, emigration, a generation gap, tragedy, and success. If you want to know more about former President Obama, Auma Obama and the family name which holds a place in world history, this book is for you.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007FU7X6C
Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Press; First edition (April 24, 2012)

The Lynching: The Epic Courtroom Battle That Brought Down the Klan – Laurence Leamer

On By Genyc79In American History, Civil Rights MovementLeave a comment

Warning: This writing contains discussions of sensitive topics which include descriptions of violence and racial discrimination.

On March 21, 1981, police in Mobile, Alabama responded to a call that a body had been placed on Herndon Avenue in the downtown section of the city. First responders arrived to find the severely mutilated body of Michael Donald (1961-1981) which had been tied to a tree. The crime was horrific and left residents of the city stunned. But as police investigated the crime and more information surfaced, Mobile’s dark past would also come into focus, with a spotlight on racial terror under Jim Crow in the South. I placed a disclaimer at the top of the page because this book will affect you. Although the author does not focus extensively on acts of violence, incidents are discussed to emphasize the level of danger black people found themselves living with. Black Alabamans had come to accept that justice was not blind, and if you were not white, your life did not matter as much. However, that would change with Donald’s death. 

Prior to reading the book, I did not know about Donald’s murder, so this was my first time learning about the case. However, the book is more than a discussion of a tragic homicide. In fact, it is a valuable tool for insight into the long struggle for equality in America and the sacrifices made by the people on the front lines who gave their lives so that others could live in peace. After the initial shock of the crime subsides, the focus shifts to the culprits. And we are introduced to Bennie Jack Hays (1915-1993), his son Henry F. Hays (1954-1997), and James “Tiger” Knowles. Of all the books I have read, these men by far are among the darkest figures I have come across. In fact, Bennie was beyond dark, completely unrepentant and the personification of evil. And to remove all doubt, this quote by his own attorney sums it up:

“Bennie was one of the most truly evil people that I’ve ever come across,” says Mays. “Even in my criminal law practice, I’ve had few people I’ve represented who you could say basically were born without a conscience. Bennie Hays had no conscience. None.”

It should be noted that the men were not lone soldiers but members of the United Klans of America (“UKA”), and subordinates to its leader Robert Shelton (1929-2003) who reappears later in the story during civil ligation. Initially the case was cold, but a surprise break by federal agents leads to the arrests of the murderers. And more surprisingly, there is a confession by Henry. But that is far from the end of the story. And though Henry would be convicted of capital murder, the Donald family’s journey had more ground to cover, and this is where we learn about the family’s lawyer Morris Dees. I was familiar with Dees’s name but personal story I did not know. Having finished the book, I can now say that he is one of the most important people in civil rights litigation and the Southern Poverty Law Center (“SPLC”), an organization he co-founded, remains an icon in the never-ending battle for equality. But as readers will see in the book, Dees was not always the crusader for racial justice. In fact, his own odyssey from a “good old boy” to game changing litigator as told in the story is as surreal as the criminal case itself. However, people can and do change. 

In the wake of the criminal case, Dees approaches Beulah Mae Donald (1920-1988) and asks if he can represent her in a civil suit against the UKA. She is initially hesitant, not believing a jury would ever find the UKA responsible for her son’s death. But Dees was determined, and she agrees, and the book takes another turn but one back into time to examine the history of Alabama and Dees’s life. Readers from Alabama do not need a history lesson I am sure, but for those of us who have not lived in the state or are unfamiliar with the contents of the book, you are in for a difficult yet redeeming journey in which we are provided a front row seat to the dark side of human nature and the influence of former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace (1919-1998).  Readers should be aware that the incidents discussed are difficult to accept and seem unbelievable today. However, they happened, and in many cases, the perpetrators of violence escaped punishment. Interestingly, I did notice one source of paranoia for supporters of segregation and discrimination which left me shaking my head in disbelief. I do not want to issue any spoilers, but readers will notice it too as the book progresses. 

The section of the book which focuses on the civil rights era and events in Alabama is haunting. It is hard to put into words how deadly the 1960s was in America and the climate of death which followed civil rights leaders and activists. The violence became so intense that it warranted the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) himself. And at the top of the chain of command in Alabama there was Wallace leading the fight against integration. Frankly, the story is horrifying but it will also make you realize that there are rights we have today which should be protected at all costs. Wallace was a chameleon in many ways but undeniably responsible for violence which engulfed Alabama. His personal story is equally as dark, but the concluding chapter of his life is a complete 180 degree turn from when he proudly declared “segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever!”. An irony I noticed in the book is that the most unsavory characters were also the most tragic and their lives did not end well. Karma never forgets. 

Eventually, the civil trial arrives in which Shelton must take the stand and defend the UKA. He is confident of victory and his arrogance seeps through the pages. However, times had changed, Alabamans had seen too much violence and racial terror, and being a Klan member no longer afforded the level of protection that it once did. As someone who works in litigation now, the discussion of the proceedings hit close to home, and I felt overwhelming satisfaction when the jury announced the verdict. The UKA was financially finished, but its members did not disavow their beliefs overnight, and some never did.  But Mobile’s black residents finally had faith that justice was indeed blind. Of course, nothing is perfect, and the case did not eliminate discrimination, but it did show that hate comes with a hefty price tag. In 2006, the City of Mobile renamed Herndon Avenue to Michael Donald Way and made it clear that his name would never be forgotten. And this book by Laurence Leamer ensures that his murder and its impact on Alabama can be studied in the present and by future generations. 

ASIN‏ :‎ B0151VIAKO
Publisher‏ : ‎William Morrow; Reprint edition (June 7, 2016)