Goodreads 2022 Reading Challenge

“Operation Mincemeat” is a non-fiction book written by British author Ben Macintyre. It tells the story of a World War II operation in which British intelligence created a fictional character, a dead man named Major William Martin, and planted false information on his body that was washed ashore in Spain. The Nazis, believing the man to be a real British officer, were fooled into thinking that the Allies were planning to invade Greece and Sardinia, rather than Sicily, which was the actual target. The operation was a success, and it is credited with helping to ensure an Allied victory in the war.

My Goodreads Review:
Interesting tidbit about deception tactics during WW2.

“The Battle of the Bulge: Hitler’s Final Gamble” is a book written by Patrick Delaforce, a British military historian. The book is a detailed account of the Battle of the Bulge, which was the last major German offensive of World War II in the west. It took place in the Ardennes region of Belgium and northeastern France between December 1944 and January 1945. The book covers the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath. It examines the strategies and tactics used by both sides, as well as the experiences of the soldiers who fought in the battle. The book also examines the role of the battle in the larger context of the war, and its significance in the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

My Goodreads Review:
All along I thought the movie was a definitive account…

“Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds” is a book written by Rusty Bradley and Kevin Maurer. The book is an account of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment’s deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007. The book details the unit’s struggles to establish security in the region, and their efforts to win the support of the local population. It also covers the relationships that the soldiers formed with their Afghan counterparts, and the challenges they faced in working together to achieve their goals. The book is based on interviews with the soldiers who served in the unit and provides a firsthand account of the realities of the war in Afghanistan.

My Goodreads Review:
An interesting account of a snippet in the action of Operation Medusa in Kandahar wherein a small group of US Special Forces and Afghan soldiers battled the Taliban for control of a hill. This should be made into a movie.

“Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team” is a book written by George Jonas, a Canadian journalist and author. The book was first published in 1984 and is based on the true story of an Israeli counter-terrorist operation called “Operation Wrath of God” which was launched in response to the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. The book details the planning, execution, and aftermath of the operation, which aimed to track down and kill the Palestinian militants responsible for the attack. The book has been widely read and is considered a classic of political nonfiction and espionage literature. However, it has also generated controversy and criticism due to the sensitive nature of its subject matter and the fact that it is based on classified information. Some critics argue that the book does not provide a full and accurate picture of the events it describes, and that it is heavily biased in favor of the Israeli government’s perspective.

My Goodreads Review:
After watching the movie Munich (again), I researched about it and found out it was based on this book, Reading the book made me understand some things that I found to be unclear while watching the movie.

“The Pale Horseman” is a historical fiction novel written by Bernard Cornwell. It is the second book in the “The Last Kingdom” series. The book continues the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior who was kidnapped and raised by the Danes. The book is set in the 9th century and covers the events following the Battle of Ethandun, in which King Alfred defeated the Danish invaders and established himself as the ruler of Wessex. Uhtred, who fought for the Danes in the battle, must now navigate the changing political landscape and decide where his loyalties lie. The book is known for its historical accuracy and well-researched details, and has been praised for its engaging plot, strong character development, and the depth of the historical context it provides.
My Goodreads Review:
Continuing my journey into reading fiction books. Not bad as it is still based on historical events with a character telling the story from his viewpoint. Onwards to the nect book in the series.

“Sword Song” is the fourth book in the “The Last Kingdom” series by Bernard Cornwell. The series is a historical fiction series that tells the story of the making of England during the 9th and 10th centuries, through the eyes of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a warrior and nobleman. In “Sword Song,” Uhtred must fight to reclaim his ancestral home and kingdom, while also dealing with the political machinations of the Saxon nobles and the invading Danes. The book is known for its attention to historical detail and its action-packed battle scenes.

My Goodreads Review:
Continuing on my journey of reading fiction books. One thing I have learned here is that the TV series really is very much different from the books.

“Death of Kings” is the sixth book in the “The Last Kingdom” series by Bernard Cornwell. The series is a historical fiction series that tells the story of the making of England during the 9th and 10th centuries, through the eyes of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a warrior and nobleman. In “Death of Kings”, Uhtred is now an old warrior and king, he must navigate through the political landscape of England as the Danish invasion continues, and the kingship of England is at stake. The book is known for its attention to historical detail and its action-packed battle scenes, and for showing Uhtred’s maturity and wisdom as a leader.

My Goodreads Review:
So far so good. My journey into fiction books has so far been enjoyable. Here is to more in this series.

“The Empty Throne” is the eighth book in Bernard Cornwell‘s The Last Kingdom series. The series is a historical fiction work set in 9th and 10th century England during the time of the Danish invasions and the eventual unification of the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under the rule of Alfred the Great and his descendants. The Empty Throne continues the story of the main character, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and his role in the political and military conflicts of the time period.

My Goodreads Review:
I really am enjoying this book series. I try to visualize the scenes based on what I saw in The Last Kingdom TV series.

“The Flame Bearer” is the tenth book in Bernard Cornwell‘s The Last Kingdom series. The series is a historical fiction work set in 9th and 10th century England during the time of the Danish invasions and the eventual unification of the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under the rule of Alfred the Great and his descendants. The Flame Bearer continues the story of the main character, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, and his role in the political and military conflicts of the time period, as he continues his journey to reclaim his ancestral home and secure his legacy. The book picks up after the events of the previous book, Warriors of the Storm.

My Goodreads Review:
So I am done with the 10th book of the series. And I am still enjoying the series. Again, the series is very different from what I experienced in watching the Last Kingdom TV series. How Uthred took back Bebbanburg is way too different from the TV series, this one is more exciting (spoiler alert).

“Sword of Kings” is the twelfth novel in the “The Last Kingdom” series written by Bernard Cornwell. The series is a historical fiction set in 9th and 10th century England, during the time of the Viking invasions and the formation of the English nation. The main character is a warrior named Uhtred, who is caught between his loyalty to the Saxons and his love for the Danes. The series is based on historical events and figures, with a fictional story woven throughout.

My Goodreads Review:
Great to be back with Uthred in Sword of Kings in the penultimate instalment of The Saxon Stories. Only one more to go! I hope to see the plot of this book in the upcoming Netflix movie.

“SEAL Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama bin Laden” is a book written by Chuck Pfarrer. The book is a non-fiction account of the planning and execution of the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, by the United States Navy SEALs in 2011. The author, Chuck Pfarrer, is a former Navy SEAL himself, and he draws on his own experiences and knowledge of special operations to provide an in-depth look at the mission. The book provides an account of the mission from the point of view of the SEALs who carried it out and it was published on August 30th, 2011.

My Goodreads Review:
This is probably the third book that I have read about the mission to kill Osama Bin Laden. And I am not tired of it. Because every book that I have read, so far, has given me new insights into how this mission was accomplished.

“Fire & Blood” is a historical novel by George R.R. Martin, set in the world of his “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, which was adapted into the HBO series “Game of Thrones.” The book is set in the Targaryen dynasty and covers the history of the Targaryen family, including the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.

My Goodreads Review:
An excellent piece of historical fiction. Reads like nonfiction so may be boring at times. Fire & Blood gives some context to the A Song of Ice and Fire book series. Made you understand more the role of the Targaryen Dynasty. The book is also the basis of the HBO series The House of the Dragon. Watching the series helps the reader visualize the events described in the book. IF you are a Game of Thrones and George R R Martin fan, this is a must read.

“Deliver Us From Darkness: The Untold Story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment during Market Garden” is a book written by Ian Gardner and Mario Dicarlo. The book is a historical account of the experiences of the Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II, specifically their involvement in the Battle of Market Garden in 1944. The book is the second in a series “The untold story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment from Toccoa to Berchtesgaden.” The book covers the personal accounts of the soldiers, their training and the battles they fought, and offers an in-depth look at one of the lesser-known aspects of the war.

My Goodreads Review:
Generally a boring book to read as it feels like a documentary in book form. However, it gave me more information on how difficult Operation Market Garden was to implement. The book showed how life was harsh for the soldiers and civilians in the area of Eindhoven. To understand Operation Market Garden better, the movie, A Bridge Too Far, is an excellent rendition of this battle.

“A Bridge Too Far” is a nonfiction book written by Cornelius Ryan, first published in 1974. The book tells the story of Operation Market Garden, a failed World War II military operation that was conducted by the Allies in 1944. The operation, which aimed to end the war by the end of the year, involved a massive airborne assault and an attempted crossing of several rivers in the Netherlands. The book is based on extensive research and interviews with participants on both sides of the conflict and provides a detailed account of the planning, execution, and aftermath of the operation. It was later adapted into a successful 1977 film of the same name directed by Richard Attenborough.

My Goodreads Review:
When I was very young, I remember reading the condensed version of this book in Reader’s Digest. I also saw the movie version. Now in 2022, I re-watched the film again. So I thought, why not read the whole book? So I did. It is interesting to know in detail the events leading into one of the greatest failures of the Allied army during WW2. Got me to think about the what ifs.

“The Spy’s Son: The True Story of the Highest-Ranking CIA Officer Ever Convicted of Espionage and the Son He Trained to Spy for Russia” is a nonfiction book written by Bryan Denson, published in 2020. The book tells the true story of former CIA officer Harold James “Jim” Nicholson and his son Nathaniel, who was convicted of espionage for working with Russian intelligence. It covers how Jim, who was the highest-ranking CIA officer ever convicted of espionage, began passing classified information to the Russians while working as a CIA case officer and trainer, and how he continued to do so even after his arrest and imprisonment. The book also explores how Nathaniel, who was trained by his father in the art of espionage, followed in his father’s footsteps and ultimately worked with Russian intelligence. The book delves into the motivations of both father and son, as well as the impact their actions had on the intelligence community and their family.

My Goodreads Review:
An interesting story of how a high ranking CIA official spied for Russia. What makes it worse is that he influenced his son to do the same while he was in prison.

“Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters” is a book written by Dick Winters, a veteran of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, also known as the “Band of Brothers.” The book is a memoir of his experiences during World War II, including his training, combat, and leadership within Easy Company. It is a first-hand account of the events depicted in the popular television miniseries “Band of Brothers,” which was based on the book “Band of Brothers” by Stephen Ambrose. The book was written and published posthumously by his friend and historian, Cole C. Kingseed, in 2019.

My Goodreads Review:
An interesting “addendum” to the Band of Brothers. Dick Winters gives us more insights on his war experience. After reading the Band of Brothers, and watching the TV series, this books adds more to the experience about Easy Company. This is like a leadership training manual with an interesting story to tell.