America’s obsession with celebrity and its companion spread of illiteracy place our society in grave danger of collapse, according to Hedges’ darkest prediction to date. One need only surf the endless torrent of idiotic “reality shows,” pornography and casino capitalism to see the corrosion as it occurs. It is, indeed, most likely too late, says Hedges, to reverse a process that under similar conditions led to the military-industrial dictatorships of the last century. Lulled as we are by corporation-inspired happy fantasies, we are totally unprepared to deal with – or even face – the inevitable doom rushing to meet us.

Reviewed by Jim B., Main Library

Add your comments about this book

During the battle for Guadalcanal, Coxswain Samuel Roberts maneuvered his craft to provide cover from Japanese fire for Marines escaping from an ambush. In so doing he was killed by enemy fire. Roberts would be awarded the Navy Cross for his actions and eventually have three US Navy ships named for him. The first Samuel B. Roberts, a destroyer escort, would leave its own heroic legacy two years later in the Battle off Samar. Charged with guarding the landing forces during the invasion of the Leyte in the Philippines, Roberts and other similar ships would find themselves facing a force of Japanese Battleships and Heavy Cruisers. John Wukovits takes us on that last heroic charge of the of the outgunned Roberts which ends in its fiery demise

Reviewed by John C., Main Library

See more titles featured in War is Hell

See more titles featured in Sea Stories

Add your comments about this book

Who knew there were Jewish Pirates? I always associated the early New World with Spain and Portugal and the Catholic Church, or England and the Protestants, not Jews. The Inquisition created a huge population of `conversos`, Jews who pretended to be Catholic to prevent being tortured. `Everyone` knew it was a pretense. Some of them left for the New World, islands. They hoped that distance would allow them some religious freedom. The New World had gold, slaves and trade goods that were bought, sold and stolen. The Jews provided manpower and trade knowledge. Read about the gold mines, privateers and lots about the islands we now go to on vacation.

Reviewed by Thea J., South County Regional

See more titles featured in American History

See more titles featured in Armchair Travel

See more titles featured in Sea Stories

Add your comments about this book

Reading and traveling, two of life`s greatest pleasures. Travel blogger Terri Smith claims the best of all worlds is combining reading and travel, but smart to plan ahead and travel with fellow bibliophiles. Visit the setting of your favorite novel or the birthplace of an author. Arrange a book club trip around your current month`s title selection. Not sure where to go first? Try Smith`s Off the Beaten Page, a literary travel guide with practical advice, reading lists and detailed itineraries for 15 favorite literary destinations. Visit Boston with Dennis Lahane`s Mystic River, or explore New Orleans with Anne Rice`s Vampire Chronicles. Armistead Maupin is an excellent tour guide to seeing the sights of San Francisco. So grab your favorite book, and get packing!

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

See more titles featured in Books for Book Clubs

See more titles featured in Books for Bibliophiles

See more titles featured in Traveling Across America

Add your comments about this book

In American consciousness the War of 1812 has long been a distant memory known best by a 1950’s popular song about a US victory fought after the peace treaty was signed. The War’s bicentennial has seen a number of books published regarding that long ago conflict. Ronald Utt’s Ships of Oak tells us how the American Navy came of age during those years. Ship for ship the US Navy was better than the equivalent British one and would best then in individual combat (there were major exceptions of course). In the end the British would simply overwhelm the US Navy and blockade the coast. Utt’s work does not neglect the US Army although their efforts were more likely to end in defeat.

Reviewed by John C., Main Library

See more titles featured in American History

Add your comments about this book