Veterans Day Book Recommendations

I suppose I should start by saying military history is not my genre of choice, but I do love non-fiction and I have read a few I can easily recommend. The best non-fiction is the type that reads like a novel, not a textbook. Journalists who publish books are a great example of good non-fiction writers. Krakauer, Junger, Bowden. Wow, this list could go on and on, Fadiman, Larson, Walls, Shilts, Pollan, Sobel, Power. (I'll stop now....)

Back to military or war history. The “award” in 2011 has to go to Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Before Unbroken, Hillenbrand was best known for writing the huge bestseller Seabiscuit. She also has an interesting life story related to her subject choices. For most of her life she has suffered from debilitating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She chose to write about a famous racehorse and then in Unbroken about Louis Zamperini's unbelievable survival over horrible odds because physical challenges fascinate her.

You would think the exhaustive research she does into Zamperini's life could get a little trying for the reader but there is a reason this is a bestselling tale. His life and experiences during World War II are riveting. If you haven't read Unbroken, it is highly recommended by anyone and everyone who has read it. It will also make an excellent Christmas gift.

I have read every book Jon Krakauer has written except for one I never got around to (Under The Banner of Heaven). Into Thin Air about a tragic trek up Mount Everest, Into The Wild, about dreamer Chris McCandless' attempt to check out of society that led to his early death. Krakauer's Where Men Win Glory may be considered controversial by some but honestly, the more years that pass after the death of Pat Tillman, the better in terms of seeing him as the man his family and Krakauer's research says he was. In other words, I hope that anyone who may have been offended by the idea that this hero wasn't totally on board with the mission in Iraq can, with time, accept that his patriotism was patriotism, just not they type the government portrayed. Great book.

We have many books in stock that write respectfully about the life of a soldier, especially recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. War by Sebastian Junger, Seal of Honor by Gary Williams, and The Good Soldiers by Gary Finkel.

Another current bestseller is In The Garden Of Beasts by Erik Larson. Every time we talk with someone about In The Garden, we have to mention Larson's previous book, Devil In The White City. Devil has nothing to do with war but its a fascinating book set during the World's Fair in Chicago. In The Garden Of Beasts tells the true story of William Dodd and his daughter Martha who witnessed Hitler's first year in power when William was appointed ambassador.

Let me go on record as saying Brian and I greatly appreciate the men and women in the armed services and their families for the sacrifices they make too. Understatement of the year.

It is a total coincidence that it happened yesterday but I'm really happy to be able to share progress on a program we've been planning. Brian wants to set up a book donation program for servicemen. We also want to make it possible to donate books to military families. Obviously anyone can donate books on their own but will collect the books and pay to ship them. We will also have bookplates available on which you can write a message to go along with your book.(You will also get a discount on your donation purchase). I would love to see kids picking out books for other kids.

A couple months ago I contacted different agencies trying to find a specific way to donate the books. There is an organization, Books For Soldiers that lists specific requests on their site. You have to register as a volunteer to find out the specific mailing address for each soldier's request so it takes a bit of work. We could send the books through this site but we hoped to find specific guard units from Wisconsin etc. Just yesterday a woman who works with the USO got back to me and forwarded my request on so I hope we'll have the Books For Soldiers program up and running soon.