Category: U.S. History
-
Book Review: ‘The Missiles of October: The Declassified Story of John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis’
The Missiles of October: The Declassified Story of John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis By: Robert Smith Thompson Publisher: Simon & Schuster Year of Publication: 1992 🧨 Revisionism Run Amok: A Look at Robert Smith Thompson’s The Missiles of October History, especially the kind still warm to the touch, is a fragile thing.…
-
Book Review: ‘Desert Victory: The War for Kuwait’
Strategic Scope Without Sentiment: A Review of Desert Victory by Norman Friedman 📘 Title: Desert Victory: The War for Kuwait🖋️ Author: Norman Friedman🏛️ Publisher: Naval Institute Press📅 Publication Date: Fall 1991📚 Genre: Military History / Strategic Analysis Military history comes in many flavors—some rich with battlefield grit, others cool and cerebral. Norman Friedman’s Desert Victory…
-
Book Review: ‘The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev 1960–1963’
📘 Review: The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev 1960–1963 by Michael R. Beschloss Michael R. Beschloss’ The Crisis Years is that rare gem in historical nonfiction: a book that not only illuminates a pivotal era in 20th-century geopolitics but does so with the narrative drive and emotional texture of a finely wrought novel. Published in…
-
Book Review: ‘The Greatest Generation’
The Greatest Generation By: Tom Brokaw Publisher: Random House (now Penguin Random House) Year of Publication: 1998 Genre: American history, World War II, Biographical Portraits/Non-Fiction Reconsidering “The Greatest Generation”: A Reflection on Tom Brokaw’s Timeless Tribute There was a time I questioned the phrase Greatest Generation—it sounded too sweeping, too sentimental, maybe even a little…
-
Book Review: ‘Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History’
Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History Author: Kati Morton Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Year of Publication: 2001 (Hardcover); 2002 (Paperback) Genre: U.S. History; American Presidents; American First Ladies; Biography A Departure from the Usual: A Thoughtful but Uneven Journey Through Presidential Marriages I rarely delve into books focused on politics or political…
-
42 Years Ago, in a High School Not So Far Away (A Tempus Fugit Gig)
—
by
in Alex Diaz-Granados, Billy Joel, Blogging, Cold War (1945-1991), Computers, John Williams (Composer), Life in Florida, Life in Miami (1972-2016), Life in South Florida, Personal History, Personal Thoughts, Personal Thoughts, South Miami Senior High School, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Tempus fugit, U.S. History42 Years Ago, in a High School Not So Far Away…. Late Morning, Tuesday, June 17, 2025 — Miami, Florida “It was only high school, after all—arguably one of the most bizarre periods in a person’s life. How anyone emerges well-adjusted is nothing short of a miracle.” — E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly A…
-
The Battle of Midway: Myths and Misconceptions
Introduction: Truth vs. Mythology Today is the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Midway (June 4–7, 1942), widely regarded as one of the most significant naval battles in American history and a pivotal turning point in both the Asia-Pacific War and World War II. This historic engagement solidified the aircraft carrier’s dominance in naval tactics…
-
Reflections on Fourth of July 2024 and Writing Progress Update
The United States celebrated its 248th Independence Day, evoking mixed emotions for the author. The Fourth of July was uneventful, but positive feedback on the novella “Reunion: A Story” brought some cheer. Despite missing out on traditional celebrations, the author remains focused on finishing “Reunion: Coda” and polishing the novel. Reflecting on the past, the…
-
Captivating Holiday Read: Discover Scene Three of Reunion: Coda
On the 4th of July, 2024, in Madison, New Hampshire, the author celebrates America’s 248th year of independence. Despite personal struggles, they triumphantly complete a pivotal scene for their novel, “Reunion: Coda.” Uncertain about holiday plans, they consider editing the latest scene and offer a discount on the prelude, “Reunion: A Story.”
-
Musings & Thoughts for Monday, March 25, 2024, or: Mixed Tidings for the Start of the New Workweek
Late Morning/Midday, Monday, March 25, 2024, Madison, New Hampshire Hi, folks. It’s a cloudy and chilly early spring day here in my corner of New Hampshire on this first day of the new workweek. The current temperature is 35°F (2°C) under mostly cloudy conditions (although to be fair, we seem to be under a gap…
A Certain Point of View, Too 