American History Archives - THIS GRANDPA BLOGS

A Brotherhood of Spies Book Review: Monte Reel’s Cold War Espionage Story

A Brotherhood of Spies book review Monte Reel explores Cold War espionage, the U-2 spy plane, and the CIA’s secret intelligence operations.

January 11, 2025 American History / Audiobook / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / Espionage / Historical / History / Military Fiction / Nonfiction / Politics / Scott Anderson / War

The Quiet Americans: A Look into the CIA Spies of the Cold War

Explore the lives of CIA spies in The Quiet Americans, a gripping look at espionage during the Cold War. Book review inside.

October 9, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / Hampton Sides / Historical / History / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / War / World War II

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic World War II Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides

Discover the heroic story of the WWII rescue mission at Cabanatuan prison camp in Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. An inspiring tale of courage and survival.

October 1, 2024 American History / AUTHOR / Bill Sloan / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / War / World War II

Undefeated: America’s Heroic Fight for Bataan and Corregidor by Bill Sloan

Explore Bill Sloan’s Undefeated, a sory of survival during the Bataan Death March and Corregidor battle in World War II Philippines.

September 14, 2024 Adventure / American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / Doug Stanton / GENRE / Historical / History / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / War

Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton

Horse Soldiers is an account of a small group of U.S. Special Forces soldiers who were among the first to enter Afghanistan after 9/11.

July 23, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Military Fiction / Military History / Mitchell Zuckoff / Nonfiction / Politics / Terrorism / War

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi by Mitchell Zuckoff

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi by Mitchell Zuckoff is a book that provides a detailed account of the events that took place during the 2012 Benghazi attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound and CIA annex in Libya.

July 18, 2024 American History / AUTHOR / Biography / Biography Memoir / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / Crime / GENRE / History / John W. Dean / Memoir / Nonfiction / Politics / Presidents / True Crime

Blind Ambition: The White House Years by John W. Dean

“Blind Ambition: The White House Years” is an autobiographical account by John W. Dean, who served as White House Counsel for U.S. President Richard Nixon from July 1970 until April 1973.

July 5, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / Crime / Del Quentin Wilber / GENRE / Historical / History / Nonfiction / Politics / Presidents / True Crime

Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan by Del Quentin Wilber

“Rawhide Down” by Del Quentin Wilber is a gripping account of the near assassination of President Ronald Reagan.

June 27, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / Bob Woodward / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / Historical / History / Journalism / Memoir / Nonfiction / Politics / Presidents

The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat by Bob Woodward

“The Secret Man” unravels the identity and role of Deep Throat, the source who played a pivotal role in exposing the Watergate scandal.

June 25, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Jeremy Scahill / Journalism / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / Politics / War

Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill

“Blackwater” is a gripping exposé that unveils the rise and controversial activities of Blackwater, a private military contractor.

Imperial Hubris by Michael Scheuer [BOOK REVIEW]

May 27, 2024 American History / AUTHOR / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / International Relations / Islam / Michael Scheuer / Military Fiction / Nonfiction / Politics / Religion / Terrorism / War

Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror by Michael Scheuer

“Imperial Hubris” by Michael Scheuer is a provocative and controversial critique of Western counterterrorism efforts.

May 23, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Journalism / Michael Hastings / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / Politics / War

The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by Michael Hastings

“The Operators” by Michael Hastings reveals the chaos of America’s war in Afghanistan through firsthand accounts and research, critically examining the conflict.

May 4, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Jane Mayer / Law / Military Fiction / Nonfiction / Politics / Terrorism / The United States Of America / War

The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals by Jane Mayer

“The Dark Side” by Jane Mayer is a thought-provoking exposé that uncovers the erosion of American ideals in the pursuit of counterterrorism.

April 30, 2024 American History / AUTHOR / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Linda Robinson / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / Politics / The United States Of America / War

Masters of Chaos: The Secret History of the Special Forces by Linda Robinson

Masters of Chaos: The Secret History of the Special Forces by Linda Robinson offers a captivating exploration of the world of special forces.

April 14, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Islam / Lawrence Wright / Military Fiction / Nonfiction / Politics / Religion / Terrorism / War

The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright

“The Looming Tower” by Lawrence Wright is a meticulously researched non-fiction book that delves into the events leading up to the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks.

March 30, 2024 American History / Audiobook / AUTHOR / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / Historical / History / Jake Tapper / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / Politics / War

The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper

The Outpost is an account that sheds light on the harrowing experiences of the soldiers stationed at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan.

March 17, 2024 American History / AUTHOR / Autobiography / Biography / BOOK REVIEWS / BOOKS / GENRE / History / Lynn Compton / Memoir / Military Fiction / Military History / Nonfiction / War / World War II

Call of Duty: My Life Before, During and After the Band of Brothers by Lynn Compton

“Call of Duty: My Life Before, During and After the Band of Brothers” by Lynn Compton provides a firsthand account of his experiences as a member of the renowned Band of Brothers during World War II.