Mark Mears

Interesting & Educational

Reviewed: 12-06-24

Gangster Hunters

By John Oller

The book was interesting and educational. My favorite thing about a good book is when I learn something. Mr. Oller takes you back to the 1930’s and follows FBI agents chasing down all of the crime spree bandits. You will learn the stories of many agents, not only the most famous. While honoring them as heroes, Mr. Oller does not sugar coat mistakes made. Mistakes born of the fact the dedicated agents were nonetheless inexperienced for the most part. They learned the job the hard way, by doing.
You will also learn details about the bad guys… who are portrayed as just that, no glorifying here.
I would recommend.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Educational

Reviewed: 11-28-24

Ghosts of Panama

By Mark Harmon & Leon Carroll

I leaned a lot about the men and women who lived the hard times in Panama during Noriega’s escapades and the invasion. A lot of sacrifices were made, lives were ended or changed, and “cops” found themselves wrapped up in something far larger than they were accustomed to dealing with.
The book was interesting and educational.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Not a celebrity fan, but this was good

Reviewed: 11-24-24

You Never Know, a Memoir: Tom Selleck

By Ellis Henican & Tom Selleck

I normally avoid anything to do with celebrities like the plague. In my experience they normally live up to the stereotype of spoiled, out of touch vapid elites.
Realizing my only knowledge was his on screen persona, I was interested to get a better idea whether Tom Selleck was actually “down-to-earth.”
My impression after listening to his book, is that yes, he is someone you could sit with and enjoy a beer.
He was privileged inasmuch as he was born in the right time and place (many of his HS classmates also succeeded in the industry) and with good family support. Aside from that I did not get any nepo-baby vibes. He struggled in the beginning and worked hard. He voices his self doubts and how he overcame them.
He also has good advice and life lessons. I will forego quotes to avoid spoilers.
It was interesting learning more about some of our favorite shows / movies, and how Hollywood works from someone who seems honest and self-deprecating.
I enjoyed it, and I believe you would also.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Enjoyable

Reviewed: 11-18-24

I enjoyed the book. I cannot agree with the author’s assertion that TR was merely a pawn to corrupt forces.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Impressive

Reviewed: 11-12-24

America: The Last Best Hope Volume II

By William J Bennett

I was impressed by the depth of Mr. Bennett’s knowledge of history. Particularly interesting were his descriptions of not only events such as the world wars, but causation, how we got there. His insights into FDR and other players was educational.
You will also be happy to know what you will not see… partisan politics.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Enjoyed

Reviewed: 10-23-24

The Waiting

By Michael Connelly

I enjoy Mr. Connelly’s books with Bosch and Ballard. This one was particularly interesting. I really liked the way he utilized a particular famous cold case.
My only disappointment was the inclusion of current national politics into the storyline. We have to deal with it enough without it seeping into our favorite escape avenues.
Aside from that, excellent read I would recommend.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fascinating focus on FDR’s passion

Reviewed: 10-20-24

Rightful Heritage
Franklin D. Roosevelt & the Land of America

By Douglas Brinkley

Mr. Brinkley’s book is an excellent focus on a very large part of FDR’s life and career. I found it very interesting.
Most probably know FDR’s older cousin Theodore Roosevelt played an integral part in establishing our national parks, conservation and protection of historic sites.
Here you become very well acquainted with the fact that FDR, in continuing that legacy, likely affected the NPS and Forest Service even more than TR. He did try to emulate TR in many ways, however there were other familial influences also. FDR was fascinated with nature, continuing his efforts while also dealing with the Great Depression and prosecuting WWII.
As usual, Mr. Brinkley did not disappoint.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent

Reviewed: 10-10-24

Hymns of the Republic
The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War

By S.C. Gwynne

I enjoyed Mr. Gwynne’s perspective regarding the last year of the war. He did an excellent job of explaining background information which led up to these events. He also pointed out seemingly minor events which had major effects, such as after the Battle of the Wilderness when Grant’s troops expected to do what they had always done under different commanders… fall back and regroup. When Grant instead put them on the road to Richmond, it changed everything. They knew they were going to fight til the war was won and acted accordingly.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Inspiring

Reviewed: 09-20-24

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea

By Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns

This book takes the reader through the history and development of the National Park Service. There were so many fascinating and inspiring details and events.

My favorite was learning about Stephen Mather. He was a self made millionaire; he knew how to advertise and sell. In 1914 he was angry with some of the decisions administrators in DC were making about the parks and said so. The guy in charge asked him to come to Washington, and baited him by challenging him… if he could do it better, then he should. He took the bait, saying he would run the system for only a year, then go back to his business. He spent the rest of his life as a fierce leader and advocate of the parks, spending millions of his own money.

There were many Americans who contributed to the parks, from Rockefellers to a dispossessed land owner in the Florida Keys.

Definitely worth the read. Makes me want to see every one of the parks.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Very informative; great read!

Reviewed: 09-15-24

The Zealot & the Emancipator
John Brown, Abraham Lincoln & the Struggle for American Freedom

By H.W. Brands

I did not expect to learn much new information in this book, but as usual, Brands does not disappoint.

Utilizing not only speeches and the standard historical sources, but correspondence between the two men and friends, and statements by ancillary contemporaries, Brands gives new insight into Lincoln and Brown.

He provides enlightening information about their relationships to others; the best example being Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

He utilized a speech Frederick Douglass gave at Harper’s Ferry after the war to explain Douglass’ ever changing opinions about Lincoln, and why Lincoln did not make abolition the central issue at the outset. Douglass had previously criticized the president for this, but in the end he understood and gave the best explanation for Lincoln’s tactics. It was very impressive.

If you enjoy Civil War history, this is definitely a worthy read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!