Category: history

Author: Stuart A.P. Murray
Publisher: Hammond Undercover
Genre: History
ISBN: 978-0841-610934
Pages: 72
Price: $13.99

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In 1938, Germany invaded Poland, and Britain and France declared war. But in the 7 years that followed, World War II became a truly global affair, as Japan, South Africa, and the Middle East, as well as the United States, became involved in Europe and the Far East.

Taking us through the chronological events of these years with photographs, Hammond Undercover’s World War II is surprisingly easy to read for a war history book. Side trips explain Hitler’s rise to power, the help of the Red Cross and advanced medical care, and how women became more liberated in the workforce as a result of their wartime efforts.

The horrors of concentration camps and the dropping of the atomic bombs are also described, though not in graphic detail, but no one who reads this book can come away unchanged by how deadly a war of this magnitude was. World War II is a great illustrated summary of the events of this war, suitable for any history buff or library collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Michelle Cameron
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4391-1822-1
Pages: 448
Price: $25.00

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Sometimes, when we start researching our family tree, we discover an ancestor who makes us proud. When author, Michelle Cameron, found she descended from Rabbi Meir ben Baruch, she decided to learn as much as she could about him, and memorialize him in a novel.

Through the eyes of his fictional wife, Shira, we revisit 13th century Europe, at the rise of anti-Semitism. During this time period, the Talmud was burned, and growing mistrust of the Jewish people caused their cruel persecution and imprisonment. But Shira and her family are strong in their faith and community, and refuse to allow their fears to control them. In the midst of this unrest, we learn what a great and important man Rabbi Meir ben Baruch is in his lifetime.

Blending the history of her ancestor and his fictional family with Jewish faith and custom, The Fruit of Her Hands is a moving story that spans several generations. When we first meet Shira, she’s a young girl. She marries, has children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by the time the story concludes.

Fear of a group of people causes humanity to act in ways that are unfathomable to rational minds. Yet we see behavior like this time and time again. But exeriencing how the Jews were persecuted, first-hand through Shira’s thoughts and memories, reminds us not to judge based on appearances. There’s a lesson for all of us in this remarkable story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: David S. Kidder & Noah D. Oppenheim
Publisher: Modern Times / Rodale
Genre: Reference / Pop culture
ISBN: 1-59486-744-5
Pages: 378
Price: $24.00

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If you’re looking for a daily bite-sized portion of intellectual stimulation, look no further than The Intellectual Devotional.Written in the style of the daily spiritual guides, this volume is designed to educate the reader in American history, one day at a time.

Each day of the week is devoted to a particular theme:Mondays are Politics and Leadership, Tuesday deals with War and Peace, Wednesday looks at Rights and Reform, Thursday is Business, Friday covers Building America, Saturday is Literature, and Sunday showcases the Arts.

One would expect to see references to our founding fathers in an American history book, but how about the Simpsons, Michael Jackson, and Gone With the Wind?The eclectic mix of topics keeps The Intellectual Devotional from becoming yet another boring reference book that never leaves the shelf.

Many Americans keep books by their bed to read when beginning or ending the day, and The Intellectual Devotional now sits on my own nightstand. If you enjoy learning something new every day, I’d suggest you add it to your own collection. You’ll find it a fascinating read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger