Tag: war

  • The Nazi Ghost Train by Greg Lewis

    I am going to read a lot of books in 2026, but I doubt any will have a better title than The Nazi Ghost Train by Greg Lewis. I mean, come on! Yes, you might be holding back a little bit because of one word in that title, but I assure you they lose in…

  • Ortiz’s War by Nicholas Reynolds and Katie Sanders

    There is a lot of World War II literature. It is the nature of the game currently that they just sell better than most nonfiction, so the publishers pump them out. This is in and of itself is not a problem. There are plenty of stories from World War II which need to be told.…

  • Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn

    I think most people have wondered if their family is harboring a deep, dark secret. Rarely, though, does it ever include Nazi spies. For Christine Kuehn, it actually did mean Nazi spies. And a bunch of them at that! She recounts the story in her book, Family of Spies, which is quite literally correct as…

  • Defiance by Loubna Mrie

    Allow me to be ridiculously pedantic for a second. (If you just said, “Again?” then we are in a fight.) Memoirs worry me when I start them. I am always concerned that the author will make themselves either the eternal victim, or worse, the unsullied hero of their own story. If you call yourself the…

  • Empire of Ashes by James M. Scott

    I have a weird hesitation before I start James M. Scott’s books. There are thicker books while there are others which are going to be more emotionally fraught. It’s not either of those things, but rather that I know his books end up so immersive that I need to be in the right headspace to…

  • Days of Love and Rage by Anand Gopal

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Days of Love and Rage: It takes a city. Quick synopsis: The story of the city of Manbij, Syria during the Syrian Revolution. Fact for Non-History People: The revolution would last 13 years and result in over 500,000 deaths. Fact for History Nerds: In 2023, while the revolution was still ongoing,…

  • Seven Sisters by Veronica Buckley

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Seven Sisters: Maria Theresa didn’t raise wallflowers. Quick synopsis: The story of the seven surviving daughters of Empress Maria Theresa. Fact for Non-History People: Maria Theresa had 16 children in total but only 10 survived to adulthood. Fact for History Nerds: Maria Theresa is the only woman to hold the title…

  • Joan of Arc by Helen Castor

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Joan of Arc: A different kind of spiritual warrior. Quick synopsis: The story of St. Joan of Arc and her times. Fact for Non-History People: Joan of Arc never killed anyone. Yes, in battle or otherwise. Fact for History Nerds: Joan of Arc was killed by the English AND French. My…

  • Running Deep by Tom Clavin

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Running Deep: One too many dives. Quick synopsis: The story of the deadliest submarine in World War II, the USS Tang. Fact for Non-History People: When World War II began, Japan had at least 15 more subs than the U.S. with 64 ready for deployment. Fact for History Nerds: One out…