Summer, 2017 Reading Recommendations

These Summer of ‘17 Reading Recommendations include 2 classics, 2 thrilling adventures, and a guide to use. We’ll start and end with a classic.

The summer of 2017 includes the 75^th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway.  Unquestionably one of the major contests of world military history, its tale is stunning on every level.  Walter Lord’s “Incredible Victory” is the gripping account of how it happened – a narrative history that is both comprehensive and absorbing.  Lord was one of the finest chroniclers of the big events of the 20^th Century.  “Incredible Victory” is a masterpiece that can be read in a single evening.  So settle in, be amazed, and understand how 75 years ago the course of events in the Pacific changed – yes – incredibly.   

“The Bad Ass Librarians of Timbuktu” by Joshua Hammer is a truly enjoyable and informative read.  You’ll learn about lost civilizations and, if didn’t already know, how the struggle within Islam over how to appropriately worship is centuries old.  There are storied desert cities, ancient jewel – encrusted scrolls, and heroic smugglers.  And Al Qaeda too.

Step 1: Go outside

Step 2: Put your phone away

Step 3: Look around you and find your way to a summer activity. 

If that third one is challenging, enjoy and learn about the natural world with Harvard physicist’s John Huth’s “The Lost Art of Finding Your Way.”  Its full of useful and fun information you used to, or should, know.  Richly illustrated with dozens of diagrams and drawings, pick a chapter at random to scan over and navigate with fundamental knowledge.  Summer is made to be enjoyed outside.  So, Step 1…

Winston Churchill did many remarkable things in his life.  One of his early extraordinary achievements was becoming the most famous escaped prisoner of war of the early 20^th Century.  As a very young man, as Candice Millard’s “Hero of the Empire” recounts, his daring and luck were nearly unbelievable.  Millard is a fine writer who blends deep research into enthralling story – telling.  This is simply a great beach read to enjoy.

The classic closing this list is Hannah Arendt’s “Origins of Totalitarianism”.  The closing, 3^rd volume entitled “Totalitarianism” is the complex, recommended read.  Written just after World War 2, it’s a perceptive and probing theoretical analysis, and it specifies the wellsprings and techniques of harsh government, in complete control of the population.  Looking at this over the summer will not only keep your scholarly chops honed, but will refresh some useful metrics applicable to our current times.