The Boston Massacre - Bonnie L. Lukes

Famous Trials - The Boston Massacre by Bonnie L. Lukes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a relatively short summary of the Boston Massacre that occurred in 1770. After tensions in Boston had escalated about recent taxes imposed on colonial America it came to head when after a mob that was harassing a group of British soldiers shot and killed 5 people. They were put on trial and only 2 were convicted of "manslaughter". One of the defense lawyers for the soldiers was the future 2nd President of the United States, John Adams.

I'm sure there are more in-depth books and writings on this event but this gives you a pretty good overall summary of what happened. It also pays a lot of attention to the trials that followed. It's a good book that's easy to understand and will give you a decent summary of the event.

View all my reviews

A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan

 

A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Like many my first encounter with this story was the star studded movie of the 70's. Say what you will about movie adaptations from books but this was one of the cases that it inspired me to find out more of the event and seek out this incredible book. I've read the book at least once before but this time around I did it by audio-book(via Audible) and I wasn't disappointed. I've also read his other well known books The Last Battle and The Longest Day so I am familiar with Ryan's work.

I imagine it's easier to write about victory's verses defeats in war time. No one wants to dwell on defeats or mistakes they made. Perhaps that's what drew Cornelius to this story. In battling cancer in his own life maybe he was looking back in his own life too. I only recently learned he died shortly after finishing this book.


The story itself seemed to be one of missed opportunity, underestimating the opponent, ignoring intelligence out of arrogance and not wanting to rock the boat. Indeed Allied forces had the Germans on the run in early September. Unfortunately even with the Herculean effort that was made to use airborne troops to attack on such short notice it still gave the Germans enough time to regroup and put up a stiffer defense than was expected. It is disappointing and infuriating that Dutch underground intelligence seemed to be casually dismissed. It seemed to be a combination of the not wanting to go against Montgomery and blinded by the heady proposition that this will be the break thru battle that leads to end of the war by Christmas. Who wants to spoil that?

What also can't be forgotten is the human cost of this battle. I think this time around I noticed more of the brutality and shear numbers of casualties in war. Those who made it through were not only heroic but survivors. No amount of training and determination will prevent your glider being hit by flak or your plywood/canvas boat being raked by machine gun fire crossing a wide river. The phrase war is hell is an understatement. It is why it is important these stories be told to not only remember those made it thru but also not to forget those who didn't.

I certainly recommend this book to those interested in this period of military and world history. I would also recommend Cornelius Ryan's other books "The Longest Day"(D-Day) and "The Last Battle"(the fall of Berlin).

View all my reviews