The Lost Fleet

by Marc Songini
Today, whaling is illegal, but back in the 1800s it was a way of life for many people in New England, and especially in New Bedford, MA, which basically served as the headquarters for the U.S. whaling fleet. That’s the setting for The Lost Fleet, a new novel by author Marc Songini. 

The Lost Fleet chronicles the demise of the U.S. whaling fleet, with the Civil War and the harsh Arctic weather of 1871 serving as the two major culprits.

In the book, Songini makes a perfect choice for the story’s hero in Captain Thomas William Williams.  Captain Williams had a brilliant career until the waning months of the Civil War.  That’s when, like many others in the US whaling fleet, his ship met its end at the hand of the Shenandoah, a Confederate naval ship whose sole purpose was to disrupt the fleet, and, in turn, negatively impact the Union economy.

Having survived his run in with the Shenandoah, Williams captained another ship – one that froze in during the late Arctic summer of 1871. 

Songini does a tremendous job bringing his characters to life, and gets the reader to genuinely care about the fate of Williams and his crew as he captures the dangers of their job.  In the book, you see beyond the brutality of whaling to recognize the honor and determination in the men who put their lives on the line to trap these leviathans.

Williams’ life is brought to the forefront, as his relationship with wife Eliza is examined thoroughly.  Eliza serves as the metaphorical lighthouse in Williams’ life throughout the book.  For the most part, she stays at home tending to the children as she waits for Williams’ return, but she also travels with Williams on a few of his voyages, serving as mother hen to her husband and his crew. 

Songini’s Northeast upbringing comes through in the writing, and you see the admiration that he has for the hard life those in the whaling industry endured to put food on the table for their families; in doing so, he makes the book that more interesting for the reader.

As important, Songini stays away from using terminology that only nautical experts would understand (and even care about) – writing in laymen’s terms, so that landlubbers like me can thoroughly enjoy the book.

Whether you are a fan of sea tales, a Civil War buff, or enjoy non-fiction and/or U.S. history, you will be enthralled by this book from the moment you open it until you read the poignant final pages of the story.  And, then, you are left eagerly awaiting for Songini to write his next novel.

Reviewed by Dan Green

A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” is a story about vengeance, forgiveness and redemption. Set in the years before and during the French Revolution, it chronicles the life of Doctor Manette and his imprisonment in the Bastille by the French monarchy, his release, and efforts to save his son-in-law, Charles Darnay, who is accused of being a traitor to the revolution.

Even as Doctor Manette tries to save him, a journal he has kept while in prison comes back to haunt his efforts. In his notes, he vows to seek justice against the aristocracy and its abetters who have caused his suffering and 18-year imprisonment. This journal is used to condemn Darnay because it was his relatives who betrayed Manette in the first place.

In a climactic, huge twist of fate, lawyer Sydney Carton, a melancholy figure and friend of the family, switches places with Darnay the night before he is to be executed by the guillotine. Manette, Darnay and their family are then able to escape to England and safety, while Carton becomes the sacrificial hero and finds redemption for his profligate life. Some of Dickens’ best narrative writing is accomplished in this book. He brings to life the horrors and vengeance of the French Revolution, and the justice that failed thousands of innocent citizens.

-Reviewed by Philip Anast

Alexander Hamilton

by Ron Churnow

Having read David McCullough’s great biography John Adams, and Joseph Ellis’ bio on Thomas Jefferson, American Sphinx, I was a little hesitant to read Churnow’s offering on Alexander Hamilton. As big fans of their selected heroes (and Hamilton’s greatest rivals), McCullough and Ellis completely disregard the lasting contributions Alexander Hamilton made to the future development of the US into a world power. What is more, the reader is left asking why anyone would revere Hamilton, and why the U.S. ever decided to put his face on a sawbuck.
Those questions are sufficiently answered in the pages of Alexander. Considered a traitor by many throughout history, based on heresy and innuendo for his role in an attempt to get the Northeast to secede from the Union in the late 1700s, Churnow writes of a different Hamilton. One who risked his life on the battlefield fighting for his new country’s independence and who helped build the U.S. into an economic giant envied throughout the world.
Churnow also illustrates what great inner strength Hamilton had to have had to rise to his seat in the government. Usually reserved for the aristocracy, Hamilton climbed his way up from what at the time was considered the bottom of society—raised as an illegitimate son in the British West Indies. Impressed by his great intelligence, his community gave him the money he needed to journey to America and make his mark. Hamilton continued to impress acquaintances throughout his life, securing a position in King’s College, then as assistant to General Washington in the Revolutionary War.
Churnow tells a balanced story; not getting lost in his adoration for his subject, as he shares the tale of an illicit affair Hamilton had in the later years of his life, and discusses the prideful missteps Hamilton took that ultimately led him to his death in a duel with Aaron Burr. This was more than just a great read. With John Adams and American Sphinx it also demonstrates how important it is to get more than one perspective in order to have a more complete understanding of history.
-Reviewed by Dan Green

Term Limits
Vince Flynn
This book is a political thriller in the tradition of Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum. Written pre-911, looks at what happens when a group of Navy SEALs get fed up with corruption in Washington and "professional politicians" who overstay their welcome in the interest of power, and what happens when that corruption extends all the way to the President's cabinet. A series of high-profile, essentially corrupt politicians are being systematically assassinated by an unknown group. This group seems to be able to penetrate any security to get to who they want, then escape without leaving a trace. A freshman congressman, Michael O'Rourke, has a suspicion of who's behind it but since he essentially agrees with the intent he decides to keep his mouth shut. When O'Rourke's mentor, Senator Erik Olsen, winds up dead from a copycat killing, he gets involved. The plot features shadowy figures, corrupt government officials, clean government officials trying to do good, and all the usual elements of a political thriller. It's fast-paced and an easy read, and while not up to Clancy at his best still an enjoyable story.
- Reviewed by Ken Krause

Bag of Bones
By Stephen King
Read enough of King's work and his formula jumps right off the page. I have read most of his books and enjoy his style and wicked mix of humor, tragedy and gore. So, I don't really mind the stock elements. But this fusion of ghost story and romance surprised me. Yes. There are horrific villains - both human and supernatural. And the guts fly in a few places. Still, King manages to comment on racism, writer's block and mid-life crisis, all while expressing his faith in the indestructible bonds of marriage. In my opinion, this ranks among his best work, along with Hearts in Atlantis, Misery and Delores Claiborne.
- Reviewed by Bob Dirkes

Border Radio:  Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics and Other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves
by Gene Fowler and Bill Crawford
Back in the 1930's you could hear almost anything on the radio - cures for cancer, fortune-telling and even a goat-gland operation that promised to revitalize a diminished sex drive.  Gee, this doesn't sound all that different from the hundreds of spam emails that flood my inbox each week!  Border Radio provides vignettes about dozens of the early radio pioneers, including Texas Govenor W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel, whose character showed up in the movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", and quacks John R. Brinkley and Norman Baker, who schlepped the goat gland operation and cancer cures respectively, and even legendary DJ Wolfman Jack.  If you're a fan of radio, you will love this book.
- Reviewed by Mike Nikolich

The Greatest Generation
by Tom Brokaw
No generation in recent memory has done more to shape our world than the generation that grew up during the Depression and came of age during World War II. This book tells the stories of a representative group of individuals to paint the picture of their lives during and since the war. It covers people who went on to live ordinary lives as well as the famous and powerful. It talks about the extraordinary valor of some. It covers those who contributed here at home. And it even covers the prejudices and shames of the time, including stories about Japanese-American soldiers who fought for the Allies in Italy while their families were placed in detainment camps as security risks because of their heritage. If you like recent American history, this book is a must read.
- Reviewed by Ken Krause