The Declaration of Independence with short biographies of its signers by Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence with short biographies of its signers by Thomas Jefferson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a nice pocket sized hardcover copy of the the Declaration of Independence. It also includes short paragraph length biography's of the signers in the back. Although pocket sized I'd say it's more suitable for a handy bookshelf reference as the cover is handsome and presentable and would get wrecked it someones pocket. Besides it'd feel as if you had a piece of thin plywood in your pocket, not very comfortable. Enjoy.

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The Korean War by Max Hastings

The Korean War by Max Hastings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After finish this I could help but see this as a precursor to American War in Vietnam in flared up in the following decade. It is often the conflict that receives less attention(at least in the United States) than it should squeezed in between World War 2 and Vietnam. Perhaps because it was perceived as a draw with no obvious winner could be declared. Even veteran's were treated differently who came home. In World War 2 servicemen received ticker tape parades . Fast forward to the Vietnam veterans getting yelled or spat upon the Korean veteran's were often unrecognized or just blended back in society with little or no fanfare other than perhaps their immediate family or friends.

It also seemed that the United States learned little from the Korean War with a high industrialized nation fighting against an underdeveloped agricultural nation who just gained it's sovereignty relatively recently much like Vietnam a generation later. Also add in that both counties(Vietnam and Korea) had leadership that was barely any better than the Communists that were trying to take over.

This is a decent book that covers a war that should be more recognized. It has a blend of on the ground military action, what the General's see, what the politicians see and then the folks back home. I have to admit even being a U.S. History buff I knew little details of the war itself. The author also dives into subjects like POW's on either side, undercover action behind the lines of battle. It was also interesting to listen to it from an English perspective on what is mostly perceived (at least in America) as an American effort where the contributions from other nations especially since the action was under (at least officially) as a United Nations banner. The book in general gives a good overall picture of the war especially if you knew little of it before.



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Red House: Being a Mostly Accurate Account of New England's Oldest Continuously Lived-in House by Sarah Messer

Red House: Being a Mostly Accurate Account of New England's Oldest Continuously Lived-in House by Sarah Messer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came across this book reading an article about, I've forgotten exactly where now, and it mentioned the my old hometown of Marshfield, Massachusetts. It is a relatively small but popular town that is now known for it's sightings of resident Steve Tyler of Aerosmith. It also caught my interest because I while living there I too was living in an old red farm house that was my grandparents. Obviously not the same house and it was on the other side of town. The author was also there around the same time but I never knew her personally as she was a grade ahead of me. It gave me a little more understanding of references to the region and town. It is located on what is known locally as the South Shore midway between the well known Boston and the historic Plymouth. If you think of it one could hardly escape American history between these well known locations of early American history. Many of our school field trips were either to Boston or Plymouth historic sites.

The book has a mixture of three story lines. First, in not in any particular order, is a personal memoir that covers the authors childhood to adulthood. Thru house fires, drug addiction, renovating the house and efforts writing the book itself. Secondly is the local geographic history of the immediate area. Third was the family history of the Hatch's,the original family that owned it, from colonial times to the present day(as of the books writing).

I did learn some interesting local history along the way that I didn't know before. It was when I was a kid living in this town and learning of local history that sparked a lifetime interest in history itself.

The book comes back to original family as the author reconnects to the original family that owned the house(child of owner who sold the house but had already passed away) which makes for a warm closure to the story.

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Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend by Tony Fletcher

Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend by Tony Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Who is the group I most identified with as a teen many decades ago. This is a must read for any fan of the group. It is quite extensive(over 600 pages) and rarely boring. Not only is this the story of the legendary and sometimes infamous Keith Moon it is also chronicle of the group that ascended to the heights of success unimaginable when they started. The group's final piece that brought them together was Keith and turned out to be key ingredient the their success. He became part of their image, sound and legend. When died the group was never the same again. They tried for several years after to continue but never regained their former glory.

Of course Keith will forever be remembered for being crazy and over the top in almost everything he did. To borrow a phrase from "This is Spinal Tap" he lived life to 11 on a scale of 1-10. He set the the standard of rock and roll excess and decadence.

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Thanks a Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite: My Story by Roger Daltrey

Thanks a Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite: My Story by Roger Daltrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As a longtime fan of The Who it was fun to listen to Roger talk about his life in and outside of the group. He provided the bravado muscle on stage and in the music itself. The book provides the backstory of his trademark image and sound. He has that blue collar tell it like it is quality. The tough gritty character he projected on stage was what he is like in real life.

He tells us how he went from a kid building his first guitar from scrap wood to struggle and work up to being one of the most powerful rock vocalists of his time. He amazingly is still doing it today. In between are the stories of the rock and roll life. We get his perspective on all the sex, drugs and rock and roll. Of course he mentions the early death of their drummer Keith Moon whose excesses finally caught up with him. He also talks of the loss of legendary bassist John Entwistle who despite being quiet on stage loved the rock and roll life style. Of course we can’t forget the creative (and sometimes physical) battles with guitarist and the bands primary songwriter Pete Townshend.

On a personal note we find out he’s been married to the same woman since 1972 with many children. Although he and his wife seemed to have worked out an understanding about other women and being on the road which you can imagine can be controversial to some. He has seven children, one from his first marriage, three from his present marriage and three more from another mother (see the above mention of being on the road). All are included in his life currently.

It’s a great book if you are a fan of The Who. It’s not quite as intellectually or spiritually deep as Pete Townshend’s memoir “Who am I” from several years ago. It’s also not as crazy as the Keith Moon biography by Tony Fletcher, ”Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend”(which I’m still reading as of this writing). He’s down to earth and is mostly unapologetic about his views and actions. He’s comfortable with whom he is and still loves what he does which is to being a singer in a rock and roll band.


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