Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge is my third year of tracking the books that I am reading. I stuck to my goal of reading fifteen (15) books. Unfortunately, I was able to read thirteen (13) books only. I thought that the pandemic and the lockdowns would make me read more books in 2020 but I was wrong! I still stuck to my pattern of reading before bedtime, and as you know, I prefer nonfiction books which help me go to sleep faster. This could have been fourteen (14) books but the last one I read was over 5000 pages long and spilled over to 2021.
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I failed in my Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge!! Again!!
Earlier I said that my goal was fifteen (15) books for the Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge. I failed. Since my favorite topic is nonfiction, a lot of the books that I read for my Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge turned out to be boring and I had a tendency to fall asleep faster.
My Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge list (13 out of 15!)
Below are the books that I have read in 2020 in no particular order:
1. Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain’s Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War
“Rogue Heroes” by Ben Macintyre chronicles the origins and exploits of the SAS (Special Air Service), Britain’s elite special forces unit formed during World War II. Founded by the daring and unconventional David Stirling, the SAS executed audacious raids behind enemy lines, targeting Nazi forces in North Africa and Europe. Through extensive research and access to classified documents, Macintyre provides a gripping account of the unit’s fearless operations, innovative tactics, and the colorful personalities that defined the SAS. This riveting history highlights how the SAS revolutionized modern warfare and left an indelible mark on military strategy.
2. Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews
“Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews, A History” by James Carroll explores the tumultuous relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Carroll, a former Catholic priest, traces the roots of Christian anti-Semitism from the Roman Empire’s adoption of Christianity under Constantine to the horrors of the Holocaust. He examines how theological doctrines, church policies, and influential leaders contributed to centuries of Jewish persecution. Carroll’s personal journey interweaves with historical analysis, offering a critical and introspective look at the Church’s role in fostering anti-Jewish sentiment and advocating for reconciliation and understanding between the two faiths.
3. The Mastermind: Drugs. Empire. Murder. Betrayal.
4. Spies in the Vatican: Espionage and Intrigue from Napoleon to the Holocaust
“Spies in the Vatican: Espionage and Intrigue from Napoleon to the Holocaust” by David Alvarez delves into the secretive world of espionage involving the Vatican over two centuries. Alvarez uncovers how various powers, from Napoleon to the Nazis, sought to infiltrate and manipulate the Vatican for political gain. The book details covert operations, espionage networks, and clandestine relationships that shaped Vatican diplomacy and global politics. Through meticulous research and compelling narratives, Alvarez illuminates the intersections of religion, espionage, and international intrigue, providing a captivating account of the Vatican’s role in global conflicts and diplomacy throughout history.
5. The Rebel of Rangoon: A Tale of Defiance and Deliverance in Burma
6. The House on Garibaldi Street
“The House on Garibaldi Street” by Isser Harel recounts the daring Mossad operation to capture Adolf Eichmann, a key architect of the Holocaust, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Harel, the head of Mossad at the time, provides a gripping firsthand account of the meticulous planning and execution of the mission. The book reveals the challenges, risks, and moral dilemmas faced by the Israeli agents as they track down and apprehend Eichmann, bringing him to justice in Israel for his crimes against humanity. This historical account highlights the determination and resolve of those involved in one of the 20th century’s most significant covert operations.
7. iCon: Steve Jobs, the Greatest Second Act in the History of Business
“iCon: Steve Jobs, the Greatest Second Act in the History of Business” by Jeffrey S. Young and William L. Simon chronicles Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997 and his remarkable turnaround of the company. The book explores Jobs’ strategic decisions, innovative product launches, and his leadership style that reshaped Apple into a technology powerhouse. Young and Simon delve into Jobs’ complex persona, his vision for merging technology with creativity, and the profound impact of products like the iMac and iPod on both Apple’s fortunes and the broader tech industry. This biography offers insights into Jobs’ legendary career and enduring legacy.
8. Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army
“Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army” by Jeremy Scahill examines the rapid growth and controversial activities of Blackwater USA (now Academi), a private military contractor. Scahill delves into Blackwater’s origins, its contracts with the U.S. government during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and its impact on global security and military policy. The book exposes Blackwater’s role in incidents like the Nisour Square massacre in Baghdad and critiques its influence on international relations, raising profound ethical and legal questions about the privatization of military functions and accountability in modern warfare.
9. The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat
10. The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ
11. Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan
“Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan” by Del Quentin Wilber recounts the harrowing events of March 30, 1981, when President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. The book provides a minute-by-minute narrative of the shooting, the heroic actions of the Secret Service agents and medical personnel, and Reagan’s remarkable recovery. It delves into the political and personal repercussions of the incident, offering a gripping portrayal of a pivotal moment in American history and the resilience of its leaders under extreme circumstances. The book paints a vivid picture of courage, crisis management, and presidential leadership.
12. The Mossad: Six Landmark Missions of the Israeli Intelligence Agency, 1960-1990
The Mossad: Six Landmark Missions of the Israeli Intelligence Agency, 1960-1990 by Marc E. Vargo describes the clandestine missions that were defining moments in the evolution of the Mossad, including its pursuit of the Black September terrorists who murdered Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games, its acquisition on the high seas of yellowcake uranium for Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program, and its role in bringing to justice Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. The agency’s more questionable deeds are also covered, among them the assassination of civilian scientists associated with Iraq’s nuclear energy program and the abduction of Israeli citizen Mordechai Vanunu, who, like Edward Snowden, has been variously depicted as a principled whistleblower and an unscrupulous traitor. Taken together, the missions discussed in this volume illustrate the Mossad’s character, creativity and courage, while acknowledging the problematical moral dimensions of its operations.
13. Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor
“Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor” by Clinton Romesha chronicles the courageous defense of Combat Outpost Keating by U.S. Army soldiers against a Taliban attack on October 3, 2009, in Afghanistan. Romesha, a Medal of Honor recipient, provides a gripping firsthand account of the harrowing battle, depicting the bravery, camaraderie, and sacrifices of Bravo Troop, 3-61 Cavalry. The book explores the intense firefight, the strategic decisions made under duress, and the resilience of the soldiers amidst overwhelming odds. It stands as a testament to the heroism and valor displayed by American forces in one of the deadliest engagements of the Afghan War.
That’s my Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge list. What is yours?
