Books I Read in 2024

As I’ve done since 2016, here is my annual look at the books I’ve read this year. Unless my short “review” notes say otherwise, I recommend these books for anyone’s reading pleasure. You may find a title or short review to pique your interest and perhaps get a copy of the book for yourself.

I tend to get books faster than I can read them because people give me gift cards for Barnes & Noble for birthday and Christmas. Unless a need requires otherwise, I read the books in the order in which I acquire them—that’s how they are put on the shelf. Adding to my reading congestion were the 14 books I picked up at a library book sale in November 2022; excellent condition and given by will to the library to sell. I’m still working on those, which shows how far behind I am. Total books still on my "To Read" shelf as of today is 49.

As usual, a few books were repeat reads for me for various reasons—those will be noted in blue. For the most part the titles should tell you what the subject is. The list is in the order in which I read them. Also, I’ve previously been noting the number of pages since someone a few years ago asked me to do that, but I’m no longer going to include that information.

Operation Mincemeat, by Ben Macintyre. Yes, this is the 4th time reading it; this time was reading to Jill because we had watched the movie again and SHE wanted to know the differences. As noted in my previous post for books read in 2022, I originally read this book when brand new in 2011, then again in 2016 when I read it to Jill  after watching the movie, The Man Who Never Was. The last time [2022] I read it because friends invited us to see a new movie with them, with the same title as this book. After watching it I decided to read the book again to see how accurate the movie was. Very accurate except they added a silly romance story, with the only other movie incident worth “yelling at” was a guy spying on his buddy so the military would bring his brother’s body home. The original book/movie from the mid-1950s didn’t have all the later declassified information and also added things that weren’t real. This new book is an excellent story about a mission, including spies, to deceive the Germans about the invasion of Sicily in 1943.

Sicily ’43: The First Assault on Fortress Europe, by James Holland. Outstanding, detailed history of this historical invasion and I highly recommend it. (He even mentions Operation Mincemeat!)  Here’s the first paragraph of the author’s “Postscript”:  “Surprisingly little has been written about the Sicilian campaign, and narratives of the battles that took place there in that blisteringly hot summer of 1943 are few and far between. That’s odd, because this campaign came at a fascinating turning point in the war in the west, and so much of what was learned there was carried forward into future operations and campaigns. It’s also curious because it’s such an incredible story - one of extraordinary characters, machiavellian machinations and skulduggery, daring special forces raids, barely credible mountain ascents, stunning air battles, phenomenal naval operations, and two of the most famous Allied commanders of the entire war.”

The Korean War: The Fight Across the 38th Parallel, by Jeremy P. Maxwell. Hardbound. Concise history of the cause, combat and after—describing the political effects which are still going on today.

The Railway Children, by E. Nesbit. Novel. We have the 2000 TV movie and decided to get the book to see the REAL story, so I read this to my wife. The movie followed the book really well but added a wee bit of romance at the end, which would have made the book end better with it! The story is about a mother a three children who have to leave their well-to-do home and move to the country as virtual paupers because the husband/father was arrested and imprisoned for something he did not do (was set up). A railroad track went by their hovel and the children decide to wave to the passenger trains as they go by. As time goes by people get to know them and the children end up performing a couple heroic acts.  The oldest is a girl of 12, then a boy of 10, and a girl of 8.  The only problem I have with the story is the ages seem to be a bit young for all the things they do! Still, it’s a wonderful story for children.

The Great Boer War, by Arthur Conan Doyle. An excellent study of the 1899-1902 Boer War in South Africa. Discusses the politics and events which caused the war and then a very detailed history of the battles.. Of course the end of the book discusses the Boer surrender and the terms. It’s a war I previously read very little about, and I saw the movie Breaker Morant (true story) but this is the first time I’ve read the whole story. The Boers were a very formidable foe for the British to tackle. Having an e-mail “pen pal” is South Africa got my interest up.

Why Israel? Understanding God’s Plan for Israel & the Nations, by Thomas Fretwell. 

Why the Jewish People? Understanding Replacement Theology and Antisemitism, by Thomas Fretwell. These two books are to be read successively. The first one demonstrates from Scripture that Israel is still the covenant people of God as his chosen people and that their national salvation is yet to come. The second book proves from Scripture that the Church is not Israel and Replacement Theology was/is the root of antisemitism, starting with the Christian separation from the Jews during the Jewish rebellion against Rome AD132 to AD135. By the time Rome took over the Christian faith the seed of antisemitism was being well-watered to where under Roman Catholicism it became full-grown.

Boone: A Biography, by Robert Morgan. Hardbound. My mother sent this book to me in late February as an early birthday gift, so once I finished the book I was on, I read this one instead of the one which was next in line on my “to read” book shelves. It’s a fabulous biography about a man I knew little about. He was an excellent woodsman, trailblazer, militia commander, justice, etc but was a poor business man who lived in constant deep debt. This book also gives good insight to how people lived in the 1700s and how Boone’s need for adventure led him to pretty much blaze the trail through the Cumberland Gap to open up Kentucky for settlement. Of course throughout this time there lots of problems with American Indians, especially once England had them as their allies during our Revolutionary War. One of the worst battles of the war was one of which I never heard: The Battle of Blue Licks in August 1782. It’s a book I can heartily recommend.

Saving Kennedy, by Jerry L. Pattison. Fiction. I read this book in 2017 but this time I read it to my wife. Two time-travel stories with the travelers trying to stop the Kennedy assassination, only to find out you can’t change history. Pretty good science fiction.

I Could Never Be So Lucky Again—autobiography of Gen. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, with Carole V. Glines. Jimmy Doolittle has always been one of my all-time heroes and it was a fluke that I found this autobiography in the History section of Barnes & Noble—it was published in 1991 and I never heard of it! Jimmy was a long-time military pilot who was most famous to most people for leading the Tokyo raid on 18 April 1942  with 16 B-25 bombers taking off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. Over his career he made 3 life-saving bailouts from aircraft, flew race planes, was a test pilot and worked for decades in the aviation industry. Pilots flying on instruments in bad weather have him to thank for his tests (first “blind” flight in 1929) and his pressure to get planes equipped and pilots trained to take-off, fly to destination and land “blind.”  He made the first cross-continental flight in less than 24 hours in 1922 and did the same 10 years later in less than 12 hours. AND he was the first to fly an outside loop! His honors and awards are lengthy as are his military decorations, which include the Medal of Honor. His wonderful partner in life died on their 71st wedding anniversary. 

The Historical Atlas of World War II, by Alexander Swanston & Malcolm Swanston. 9.5’X13.25” hardbound. 387 pages including 170 maps and charts, but also lots of text and photos. Excellent overview of the war.

Domestic Enemies: The Founding Fathers’ Fight Against the Left, by Daniel Greenfield. Hardbound. I read this out of sequence; purchased it and read it in April because of a recommendation. Excellent history lesson regarding the founding of the Democrat Party and how all through history the party has done whatever it could to undermine the government. Quite surprising and enlightening, and highly recommended.

Merrill’s Marauders: The Road to Burma, by the Historical Section of the India-Burma Theatre, US War Department, edited by Bob Carruthers. While reading books about WWII over the decades I would read about the China-Burma-India Theatre now and then and Merrills Marauders would be mentioned, but never in detail. Since the unit I was in—the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne)—was descended from a unit with General Merrill’s Marauders, I wanted to learn more about them. The 209th Engineer Combat Battalion was attached to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), i.e. Merrill’s Marauders, during the capture of Myitkyina airfield in Burma in May 1944. In 1947 the 209th was redesignated as the 27th Engineer Combat Battalion, which in 1960 was nicknamed the “Tiger Battalion.” In 1966 the unit entered the Vietnam War. I was first assigned to the 47th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) at Ft. Bragg the last week of January 1971 after graduating jump school. In January 1972 the 27th returned from Vietnam. In actuality, all the personnel were either discharged or reassigned, but the 27th had a better history than the 47th so the 47th retired its colors and was reflagged as the 27th for historical reasons, and the unit is still operational at Ft. Bragg. The story of the Marauders is one of a volunteer unit of three battalions penetrating Burma to open the Burma Road and eliminate the Japanese forces on the way. Fantastic story of some real heroes.

Dismantling America, by Thomas Sowell. Hardbound. Read out of sequence because it was a birthday gift. Classic Sowell from 2010. Reprints of many of his columns about Government Policies, Economic Issues, Political Issues, Cultural Issues, and Legal Issues. A friend told me about the book and I’ve always liked Sowell’s writings, so even though this was during Obama’s reign, most of the exposures of the system are just as valid today.

Witchcraft: B-24 Liberator, by Kenny Kemp. 128 slick pages, 8X10 horizontal format. The history of the WWII B-24 Liberator bomber, and then the history of the Collings Foundation’s restored and flying B-24J in the markings of one historical aircraft. I previously read this book in 2019 but I now read it again before I gave it away. We went to Waterloo, IA, on 7/22/19 to see this plane and Collings’ sister ship, a fully restored B-17G Flying Fortress, as well as their TP-51D Mustang. That’s where I bought the book. (Sadly, just a couple weeks later their B-17 crashed with some fatalities; cause is still under investigation.)

The Burma Road: The Epic Story of the [CBI] Theater in World War II, by Donovan Webster. The subject of the book is the title. If you’ve never read much about the CBI Theatre of WWII, this is the book to get. 

The Doorway Papers: Shem, Ham, and Japheth in World History, by Arthur C. Custance.  Copyright 1958, given to me by a 92-year-old retired pastor. Very interesting commentary about Noah’s sons and their descendants, as well as how each family affected history. 

Brady's Civil War Journal: Photographing the War 1861--65, by Theodore P. Savas. 10X11 format. Excellent collection of photos with great descriptions. Good history lessons.

South Africa in World History, by Iris Berger. 6”X9.5” format. Purchased and read in May, out of sequence, because I wanted to learn more about South Africa—I have an email pal there. The first chapter has a lot of evolutionist nonsense about what sort of people lived there “3.6 million” years ago, and that “human life emerged in the African savannahs,” as well as “archeological findings” etc, “confirms the theory that human populations originated in Africa.” And so forth. Once you get past this nonsense the book is an excellent study of South Africa’s history up to the early 21st century (copyrighted 2009). I need to do some research to see what the racial situation is now, since apartheid governments were dissolving by the end of the book.

Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter. Novel.  I read this one to Jill. We have the Disney classic and Jill had this book when our kids were little. I decided to see how well the movie followed it and I have to say the move did a decent job. Quintessential story of the little girl who alway found something to be glad about because her father taught  her the “glad game.” So she teaches the game to many in the town and she ends up the victim of an accident. If you want to know what happens then, you need to read the book.

The P-47 Thunderbolt, by Len Morgan. Hardbound, 8.5X11” format. 118 pagers, sort of. 22 pages of mostly text in double columns, small font. Following the main text and photos were 96 pages  from the pilot’s handbook, 4 copied pages on each page, so that made a total of 24 pages. Excellent overview of one of the most famous fighters of WWII.  I actually had read this while in high school over 54 years ago.

Hidden History: An Expose of Modern Crimes, Conspiracies, and Cover-Ups in American Politics, by Donald Jeffries. Fascinating reading about all the real government conspiracies, so many which are surprising. But he has all the facts from Freedom of Information requests. The first conspiracy is the assassination of John F. Kennedy and, yes, there were more than one shooter and Oswald wasn’t one.

Lost Cedar Rapids, by Peter D. Looney. Given to me by a friend for my birthday in 2023. A history of many places which are no longer extant, and if their land or building is extant he notes who is currently there. Also the history of business, entertainment and just about anything one would like to know about in regards to the history of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, by Lilian Jackson Braun. Novel. I read this one to Jill, and it is the first of a series of books she read a couple decades ago and which I’ve never read. They are detective stories with a Siamese cat who is a remarkable critter; he helps solve cases by things he does. The highlight on the back of the book gives the plot: The world of modern art is a mystery to many. But for Jim Qwilleran, it turns into a mystery of another sort when his assignment to cover the art beat for the Daily Fluxion leads down the path to murder. A stabbing in an art gallery, vandalized paintings, a fatal fall from a scaffolding—this is not at all what Qwilleran expects when he turns his reportorial talents to art.

25 Missions: The Story of the Memphis Belle, Published by authority of Commanding General, Army Air Forces, July 1943. This was a reprint purchased at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Although it was available in 2018 when the restored B-17  Memphis Belle was placed on display (and I was there for the public opening), I didn’t purchase it until my next trip in 2023. The small book (booklet?) begins with the service record of the plane and then it has testimonies from each of the 10 crew members. The purpose of the national tour in 1943 was training, and the testimonies were to teach crew members what they needed to know when going to Europe. Very interesting publication.

Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America’s First Frontier, by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. I purchased this book in September 2022 long before my mother sent me the Boone biography in January 2024. I read hers first so as to discuss it with her. This current book includes the whole story of opening up the frontier outside the 13 colonies, including hardships, battles with Indians, fighting British and Indians during the American Revolution, etc. Well written except for one complaint: the authors like to use unusual verbiage and I had to keep a dictionary at hand. I’ve been reading books for almost 65 years, mostly history, aviation, theology and apologetics, and have never come across some of the words used.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern, by Lilian Jackson Braun. Novel. Another one I read to Jill, and it looks like I will be reading her a lot more of this series. They are funny, and cat lovers will enjoy learning about the main cat, Koko. Again, here is the highlight of the story posted on the back of the book: Interior design has never been one of Jim Qwilleran’s specialities—and now he’s supposed to turn out an entire magazine on the subject every week! But the first issue of Gracious Abodes is barely off the presses when Qwill finds himself back in more familiar territory—the exclusive residence featured on the cover has been burglarized and the lady of the house found dead. Now Qwill and Koto, the brilliant Siamese, have their respective mustache and whiskers twitching, and when Koko starts pawing clues in the dictionary and sniffing designer furniture, Qwill finds himself doing a feature on a very clever murder.

Shepherds for Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda, by Megan Basham. Hardbound. Yes, I read this new book out of sequence because of a recommendation. Outstanding examination of how LEFTIST ideology is invading the Church. I think every Christian should read this book, especially pastors, elders and other Christian leaders. She selects some of the most important issues of the day to examine, showing how outsiders are being allowed to influence the Church: Climate Change, Illegal Immigration, Pro-Live Movement, Christian media, COVID-19, Critical Race Theory, #MeToo, #ChurchToo, and LGBTQ. It’s scary to learn how much outside influence is invading. Oh, and she names the names of those promoting the invasion as well as those who are allowing it. 

I came across an article with a discussion of this book, which should “whet your whistle.”  AND, since J.D. Greear gets some exposure, here’s another interesting article in reference to the book.

U.S. Army Ambulances & Medical Vehicles in World War II, by Didier Andres. Hardbound. 8X10 format. The book details all the types of Army medical vehicles used, regulation markings required as well as non-regulation markings. Many, many photos with full descriptions, including locations and units of the vehicles. Quite a fascinating read.

Kings of the Hill: How Nine Powerful Men Changed the Course of American History, by Richard B. Cheney and Lynne V. Cheney. All about nine Speaker’s of the House the politics surrounding them. The book was given to me by a friend and he asked me to read it—I guess he wanted to bore me to death! I read it out of sequence and wish I hadn’t read it at all.

The Cat Who Turned On and Off, by Lilian Jackson Braun. Novel. The next one in the series that I read to Jill. From the back of the book, here is the highlight of the story: When Qwilleran decides to do a feature series on Junktown, he gets more than he bargained for. Not the dope den he anticipated, Junktown is actually a haven for antique dealers and collectors—as strange a lot as the crafty reporter has ever encountered. When a mysterious fall ends the career—and the life—of one of Junktown’s leading citizens, Qwilleran is convinced it was no accident. But as usual, it takes Koko to prove he’s right…

The Course of Irish History, edited by T.W. Moody, F.X. Martin and Dermot Keogh, with Patrick Kiely. I first read this book in 2006, but while making space for my growing theological/apologetics library, I gave it away. I decided I wanted an new copy, especially since this newer copy brought the history up to 2011. Chapters 1 (A Geographer’s View of Irish History) and 2 (Prehistoric Ireland) are disappointing because of their billions of years old and evolutionist ideology, but from then on the history lesson is really good.

The Cat Who Saw Red, by Lilian Jackson Braun. Novel. Read to Jill. This is one smart cat! Lots of humor in these books. From the back cover: Something is amiss at Maus Haus. Not just the mystery of an unsolved “suicide” which hangs over the old mansion, but something ominous in the present-day residence. When Qwilleran moves in to work his new gastronomical assignment, strange things begin to happen. First it’s a scream in the night, then a vanishing houseboy. But when his old girlfriend disappears, something has to be done. Qwilleran, Koko, and Yum Yum set out to solve a mystery—and find a murder!

Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance. A 2016 autobiography of the man now to be Vice President. A friend loaned me the book, suggesting I read it, so it was out of sequence in order to return it. Vance had a rough childhood but overcame it. Although I didn’t grow up as poor as he did, I could feel some empathy for many of his experiences. My parents divorced when I was 12 and it was not a fun life; e.g., I went to 10 schools in 12 years and was never around long enough to make friends.  Money was very tight and living with my father saw a constant string of women. But what I couldn’t handle in this book is the filthy language on almost every page; totally unnecessary and leads me to NOT recommend anyone read it!

In the Beginning: Creation Stories From Around the World, told by Virginia Hamilton. Tall hardbound.  Given to me by a friend. Title sums it up, and there are some weird ones!

The Cat Who Played Brahms, by Lilian Jackson Braun. Novel. Read to Jill. Again, from the back cover: Is it just a case of summertime blues or a full-blown career crisis? Newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran isn’t sure, but he’s hoping a few days in the country will help him sort out his life. With cats Koko and Yum Yum for company, he heads for a cabin owned by a longtime family friend named Aunt Fanny. But from the moment he arrives, things turn strange. Eerie footsteps cross the roof at midnight. The townsfolk become oddly secretive. And then, while fishing, Qwilleran hooks on to a murder mystery. Soon Qwilleran enters into a game of cat and mouse with the killer, while Koko develops a sudden and uncanny fondness for classical music.

The Chinese in America: A Narrative History, by Iris Chang. This author wrote another excellent book in my library, The Rape of Nanking. One thing plain is that the Chinese in America are affected by what is happening in China. Chinese have always come to America looking for a better life and very often sent much of their earnings back to China to support their families, especially during the early migrations. The racism against the Chinese has existed from the beginning and still exists and yet the Chinese have done a lot to help this country’s growth and many have provided much to technological advancement. This in spite of the treatment they received, especially in the early years of the 19th century where they suffered horrid persecution which included beatings and lynchings. An interesting thing is that China’s one-child policy led to thousands of Americans adopting Chinese baby girls. It’s a very interesting history book which I highly recommend. This was the 1st of the 14 books I acquired at the book sale.

The Cat Who Played Post Office, by Lilian Jackson Braun, Novel. Read to Jill. That cat is one smart cookie, leading to some fun humor.  From the back cover: Inheriting unexpected millions has left reporter Jim Qwilleran looking like the cat who swallowed the canary. While his two Siamese cats, Koko and Yum YM, adjust to being fat cats in an enormous mansion, Qwill samples the lifestyle of the rich and famous by hiring a staff of eccentric servants A missing house-maid and a chocking murder soon show Qwilleran the unsavory side of the upper crust. But it’s KoKo’s purr-fect propensity for finding clues amid the caviar and champagne that gives Qwill pause to evaluate the most unlikely suspects—before his taste for the good life turns into his last meal….

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, by Mark Bowden. I first read this in 2003 after a friend had me over to see the movie. I gave my book away in 2006. In November 2022 I saw this book at the library sale so I decided I wanted to read it again (showing how far behind in my reading). Outstanding examination and report of the battle in Mogadishu. The USA should never have had troops there to begin with, which got too many of our troops killed and way too many maimed for life. It’s a hard story emotionally.  I just wish the author didn’t feel the need to report on some of the filth display by our troops while in their camp before going to battle. This was the 2nd of the 14 books I acquired at the sale.

The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare, Lilian Jackson Braun. Novel. Another one read to Jill. From the back cover: There’s something rotten in the small town of Pickax—at least to the sensitive noses of newspaperman Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats, Koko and Yum Yum. An accident has claimed the life of the local paper’s eccentric publisher but to Qwilleran and his feline friends it smells like murder. They soon sniff out a shocking secret, and when Koko snoops into an unusual edition of Shakespeare, it may prove catastrophic…because somewhere in Pickax a lady loves not wisely but too well, a widow is scandalously merry, and a stranger has a lean, hungry look. The stage is set for Qwilleran, Koko, Yum Yum, and the second act of murder most meow.

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West, by Hampton Sides. The story is primarily about the Southwest, Santa Fe Trail from Kansas into Texas, a bit in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and some into California. Kit Carson is a major figure because of his experience in scouting and hunting and he was even made an Army officer leading men into battle against rebels in Texas and against Indians everywhere else. Hardships of this area are well noted. Most of the Indian battles were against the Navajo and how once subjugated they were treated abominably. The troops behaved horribly and not many morals were had, which led to venereal disease spreading among the Indians, as well as others illnesses brought by the white man. Other tribes weren’t as visible in this story and the ones that were mentioned were much more violent in their attacks against whites and Navajos. Very good study of the times and places; I highly recommend it. This was the 3rd of the 14 books I acquired at the book sale.

Stand-Up Nation: Israeli Resilience in the Wake of Disaster, by Aviva Klompas. This book was taken out of my normal reading sequence at the request of my 92-year-old retired pastor friend. The main topic of the book is all the humanitarian activities around the world by Israel but it starts with, and now and then goes back to, the history of Israel from after WWI and all the hardships the nation underwent becoming a nation and staying a nation. The humanitarian efforts include teaching poor countries how better farm, better educate and bringing in medical people. It’s incredible reading about the amount of help Israel has provide for disasters around the world.

The Cat Who Sniffed Glue, by Lilian Jackson Braun. Yes, it’s another “Cat Who” book and this is Number 8 out of the 13 my wife has. From the back cover: Having inherited millions, Qwilleran and his two feline companions, Koko and Yum Yum, are preparing to settle down int a life of purrfect luxury in Pickax. That is, until the son of a rich banker and his wife are found murdered. To the police it looks like a robbery gone awry. But then Koko develops an odd appetite for glue. Qwill doesn’t spot the clue until his beloved Siamese’s last for past tangles them in a web of love, danger, and their stickiest case yet.

The Dull Knifes of Pine Ridge: A Lakota Odyssey, by Joe Starita. Interesting history of five generations of the American Indian family Dull Knife (that’s like a last name). It’s also a history of the American West and how the government over and over violated treaties and lied to the Lakota Sioux (and other tribes, of course). A good history of the Wounded Knee massacre, and a.very good look at the Vietnam war through interviews with the 5th generation representative. I highly recommend this book. This was the 4th of the 14 books I acquired at the book sale.