Tag: history

Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned by Richard Sherman Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author and military veteran Richard Sherman shares this powerful collection of images and passages surrounding the cemeteries and monuments depicted to American soldiers who never came home in the book “Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned”.

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The Synopsis

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“Never Home: Remembering the Military Heroes Who Never Returned” by Navy veteran and professional photographer Richard Sherman takes you on an emotional journey to all 23 of America’s overseas World War I and World War II cemeteries managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). The book includes powerful images coupled with more than 50 biographies of individuals who perished during the wars and, even in death, have still not made it home. From Normandy to Manila, from Tunisia to Florence, and from Luxembourg to Provence, this book honors those who sacrificed everything to ensure our freedom.

The Review

This was such a powerful book. While the majority of the book is infused with photographs, the depth of emotion and history that each photograph brings to life on the page not only speaks to the author’s unique vision and eye for detail, but the power and sacrifice so many people fro m the United States military have endured around the world. No matter a person’s party or political affiliations, or their preferences for each war in general, the respect and gratitude that so many feel for those who gave their lives for us all can be felt on every page of this book.

The honesty and conviction that the opening passages from the author gave allowed the reader to feel the personal connection the author had to this subject matter. Of all the images, each with its own title and location, the image of the veterans in Normandy really spoke to the WWII era that a person can only read so much of in school, but cannot experience in life what the soldiers endured in that time. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, memorable, and engaging, author Richard Sherman’s “Never Home” is a must-read picture meets history book. The exploration of American soldier’s impact on overseas wars and the special exploration of specific graves and the soldiers who inhabit them gave the reader a sense of humble respect and emotion as the author perfectly brought these photographs and the people behind them to life. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

When I was four or five years old, my Dad purchased Time-Life’s books on photography, bought a Minolta SLR camera and built a darkroom in our basement. Since that time, photography has been a part of my life.

I even remember the giant, heavy flash that ran on D-sized batteries and the smell of the leather case for his manual light meter. In my teens, Dad taught me the basics of photography on that Minolta. And today his photographs remain among our family’s most prized possessions. Though my father passed away a few years ago, I feel a special connection with him every time I pick up my camera bag.

I hope you enjoy the images here and that you find peace and tranquility in them. Perhaps your mind will drift to days gone by, or trips you have enjoyed with your family and friends; perhaps it will make you think about your next vacation. Thanks for visiting today, and please come back soon.

https://www.richardshermanphotography.com

https://www.neverhomeheroes.com/p/buy-the-book

Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit by Robin Bernstein Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchanger for a far and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Robin Bernstein shares the shocking origins of prison for profit and anti-Black racism in the book Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit”.

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The Synopsis

An award-winning historian tells a gripping, morally complicated story of murder, greed, race, and the true origins of prison for profit.

In the early nineteenth century, as slavery gradually ended in the North, a village in New York State invented a new form of unfreedom: the profit-driven prison. Uniting incarceration and capitalism, the village of Auburn built a prison that enclosed industrial factories. There, “slaves of the state” were leased to private companies. The prisoners earned no wages, yet they manufactured furniture, animal harnesses, carpets, and combs, which consumers bought throughout the North. Then one young man challenged the system.

In Freeman’s Challenge, Robin Bernstein tells the story of an Afro-Native teenager named William Freeman who was convicted of a horse theft he insisted he did not commit and sentenced to five years of hard labor in Auburn’s prison. Incensed at being forced to work without pay, Freeman demanded wages. His challenge triggered violence: first against him, then by him. Freeman committed a murder that terrified and bewildered white America. And white America struck back—with aftereffects that reverberate into our lives today in the persistent myth of inherent Black criminality. William Freeman’s unforgettable story reveals how the North invented prison for profit half a century before the Thirteenth Amendment outlawed slavery “except as a punishment for crime”—and how Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and other African Americans invented strategies of resilience and resistance in a city dominated by a citadel of unfreedom.

Through one Black man, his family, and his city, Bernstein tells an explosive, moving story about the entangled origins of prison for profit and anti-Black racism.

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The Review

The shocking nature not only of the crime but of what drove the young African-American man to that crime instantly grabs the reader’s attention. The visceral nature of the life of William Freeman and the heartbreaking events that led to the young man’s incarceration, both the first and second time, was instantly haunting and compelling all at once and captured the sense of frenzy that overtook white America at the time.

The close examination of racial tension and racial profiling during this time was conveyed throughout this book. Not only did the author explore the mindsets that many white Americans took at this time, relegating all members of the Black community to either being savage criminals or a failure of white America to educate the Black community, but showed how these two equally troubling mindsets impacted race relations in the centuries since. The fallout and impact this case had on the treatment and hardship that many Black Americans would feel in the next several years and beyond was shocking yet expertly navigated throughout this book.

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The Verdict

Insightful, honest, and engaging author Robin Bernstein’s “Freeman’s Challenge” is a thoughtful and emotional book that examines one man’s heartbreaking case and the terrible reality of how relations between white and black America progressed in the years that followed. The tragic events that occurred to this young man and the conversation this book will spark and get people of all races thinking critically about American history and how we must end the cycle before it begins again made this one book you won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I am a cultural historian who specializes in race in the U.S. from the nineteenth century to the present. A graduate of Yale’s doctoral program in American Studies, I am the Dillon Professor of American History and Professor of African and African American Studies and of Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Harvard University. I am also Chair of Harvard’s doctoral program in American Studies. My book Freeman’s Challenge: The Murder that Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit is forthcoming from the University of Chicago Press in May 2024. My previous book, Racial Innocence: Performing American Childhood from Slavery to Civil Rights, won five awards.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0CTYLQ4SV/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle?caller=Goodreads&tag=x_gr_bb_kindle-20

Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future: Four Families Descended from Slaves Reflect on Stories of Strength, Love and Gratitude by Lori Ann LaRocco & Abby Wallace Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Authors Lori Ann LaRocco and Abby Wallace share the story of four families who all depended from slaves and reflect on the journey their families have taken in the book “Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future: Four Families Descended from Slaves Reflect on Stories of Strength, Love and Gratitude”. 

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The Synopsis 

In Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future, descendants of four prominent Black families whose ancestors were enslaved tell readers what life was like for those ancestors, and how their experiences shaped and influenced future generations. Their experiences had a profound impact on each of these families—and the wisdom, traditions, and values that have been passed down from generation to generation. The authors worked with family historians, gathered volumes of historical documents, and worked with historians from Montpelier, Mount Vernon, and Africatown to ensure its accuracy

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The Review

This was a compelling and thoughtful nonfiction read. The exploration of the history, culture, and journey of these four families and the trials these enslaved people faced was heartbreaking yet inspiring. Seeing and reading about the contributions these individuals made and the horrifying hurdles they had to overcome not only puts into perspective the darker aspects of American history but showcases the drive to provide a better future for the future generations of these families.

The amount of detail and depth the authors put into the research and interviews with these families was remarkable. The honesty and inspiration that these individuals provided and the balance the authors struck between the history of these families and what they endured, with the impact that can still be felt in these modern times, made the book feel alive and remarkable to learn about. 

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The Verdict

Engaging, thoughtful, and vital reading material to understanding the history of our nation and the harrowing journey for many black families in the United States, authors Lori Ann LaRocco and Abby Wallace’s “Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future: Four Families Descended from Slaves Reflect on Stories of Strength, Love and Gratitude” is a must-read nonfiction and historical read. The detail and insightful nature of the book, and the way the authors highlight both the horrors of slavery and the challenges many families still face in the wake of racism, as well as the light that hope and all that struggle has brought to future generations of these families, making this a remarkable book to read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lori Ann LaRocco is an American Journalist and is also the best-selling author of Trade War Containers Don’t Lie: Navigating the Bluster (Marine Money 2019), Dynasties of the Sea: The Untold Stories of the Postwar Shipping Pioneers (Marine Money, 2018), Opportunity Knocking (Agate Publishing, 2014), Dynasties of the Sea: The Shipowners and Financiers Who Expanded the Era of Free Trade (Marine Money, 2012), and Thriving in the New Economy (Wiley, 2010 

Abby Wallace is an advanced placement History and English student in New Jersey. Abby enjoys writing, reading, drawing, riding horses, and performing on stage. Abby loves to give back to others and enjoys volunteering at Pony Power Therapies. She hopes to one day have a therapy barn of her own. 

What Would the Founding Father’s Tell Us Today? Political Dialogs Between 1789-2040 by Werner Neff Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Werner Neff takes readers on a journey through history and into the future through the eyes of the founding father’s in the book “What Would the Founding Father’s Tell Us today? Political Dialogs Between 1789-2040.”

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The Synopsis 

The book “WHAT WOULD THE FOUNDING FATHERS TELL US TODAY?” offers a reflection on American history, politics, democratic theories, and principles. Through fictional dialogues, it allows the Founding Fathers to express their views on what contributed to making America a model democracy, and what would ensure genuine freedom and prosperity for Americans today. The author asserts that democratic principles, as well as ethical and selfless leadership in service of the people, are essential pillars for achieving justice, equality, and prosperity for all.

The United States was established in the late 1700s as the first republic founded on modern democratic principles. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were foundational texts that governed the country, with a system of checks and balances that separated power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Founding Fathers drew inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, which greatly influenced the shaping of the American political system. The American model of modern democracy became a benchmark for other countries to emulate, and its principles were adopted by nations around the world.

Presently, we are facing challenges in upholding the democratic principles that our country was founded upon. We are witnessing a slow erosion of these principles, resulting in increasing inequality, poverty, and mistrust among our citizens. One of the ways in which our democracy is being distorted is through covert voting restrictions and gerrymandering, which are betraying the American people by denying them a fair and equal say in their government. These practices are a clear violation of the democratic principles that we hold dear and must be addressed in order to preserve the integrity of our democracy.

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The Review

This was a genuinely creative and engaging use of history and creative storytelling. The author’s ability to trace readers back to the founding fathers and the creation of America’s foundation was remarkable to read. The use of dialogue amongst the founding fathers helped illustrate the dreams and goals of the America of old, and the way past cultures like Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire influenced the founding fathers in their creation of our democracy was inspiring to learn about.

Yet the creative way the founding fathers were brought into our present and the future made this book stand out. It was genuinely engaging to experience what these iconic figures would feel and how they would react to the political discourse and social unrest that our nation is living in right now. The author’s research and historical knowledge played into this dialogue among the historical figures really well, allowing readers to see through their eyes how far we’ve departed from their vision and what we can do to come together in the future.

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The Verdict

Insightful, memorable, and thought-provoking author Werner Neff’s “What Would the Founding Fathers Tell Us Today? Political Dialogs Between 1789-2040” is a must-read nonfiction and historical book with a creative bend. The insight and knowledge readers will gain and the fascinating perspectives that these figures of the past hold for us and our present-day problems will keep the discussion flowing amongst readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Werner Neff received his Ph.D. in Political Science at the Freie Universität Berlin, and his Master’s degree in Economics at Universität St.Gallen, Switzerland. He earned his professional wisdom as an executive in the hospitality industry and later, as an executive at a large Swiss bank.

Neff, deeply passionate about democracy, political science, and economics, is now fulfilling on his long-time dream of researching about the origin, principles, and values of democracy. He concludes that the shift and erosion of political values have shaped the American social economy and the current gap between the wealthy and the working people. In the past ten years he has written several books on American democracy.

Neff, a Swiss citizen married to an American, is living in the mountains of Colorado, enjoying outdoor sports, classical music, and writing.

https://www.wernerneff.com

William A. Richards Diaries of a Frontier Surveyor: In Nebraska and Wyoming by Lucia McCreery Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Lucia McCreery shares detailed journals that document the life of surveyors in the late 19th century in the book “William A. Richards Diaries of a Frontier Surveyor: In Nebraska and Wyoming”. 

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The Synopsis

These unique diaries give a vivid, you-are-there view of what surveyors went through during the westward expansion. Richards, who eventually becomes governor of Wyoming and commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office, tells his story, one day at a time.

The 1869 diary covers his life in rural Wisconsin and frustration with teaching – Going west to the growing frontier town of Omaha – His surveying apprenticeship laying out townships for settlement

The 1884 and 1885 diaries cover his exploration of Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin and his return to establish a homestead and begin the large-scale irrigation project that would finance the move.

Through all the uncertainty, dangers and hardships, Richards keeps his sly sense of humor as he reveals a sometimes enchanting, sometimes harrowing tale of adventure, guts, and accomplishment.

The occasional surveying terms are explained by Wyoming’s Dr. Herbert W. Stoughton and others, in footnotes and in essays in the appendix. Dr. Stoughton has overseen surveying and mapping projects throughout the world, and frequently consulted throughout the U.S. on 17th through 20th century historical surveying matters.

Enhancing the work are biographical articles, stories about surveyors’ returns to the remote boundaries, among them the 1990s remonumentation campaign that included the state boundary “corners” established by William and his brother Alonzo, plus relevant letters and Richards’s dramatic hunting stories.

The appendix features an essay and maps of Richards’s Nebraska surveys by Gene A. Thomsen, a Nebraska deputy state surveyor and historian.

55 illustrations and photos, 22 in full color – 30 maps and diagrams

For excerpts from the diaries, see https: //www.williamarichards.com/diaries-excerpts

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The Review

This was a powerful and informative read. The author’s ability to edit and bring to life the writings of the author’s ancestors as they worked to survey the wilds of the frontier. The attention to detail the author paid to the notes and experiences the author’s ancestors wrote down and the history of these experiences made this such an intriguing story.

The heart of this story rests in the balance between informative and personal writing. The ability of the author to lay out the events of the book in a professional matter and yet relate to the journey that the author’s relatives experienced added a depth of personal history that made the journal entries feel more profound. Surveyors’ impact on our history and the expertise brought to the surveyor field made this a much more informed book than ever.

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The Verdict

Gripping, thought-provoking, and engaging author Lucia McCreery’s “William A. Richards Diaries of a Frontier Surveyor: In Nebraska and Wyoming” is a must-read nonfiction, history, and biography. The history and knowledge readers will gain from this book will keep them enthralled as they delve deeper into this informative read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Lucia McCreery holds B. A. in history and is a retired journalist. She is a great-granddaughter of W.A. Richards. 

Anywhere but Schuylkill by Michael Dunn Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A young man who escapes the public execution of Irish Coal Miners for a conspiracy that never happened must contend with finding a home for his family while taking work from a local union leader who is also a local gangster in author Michael Dunn’s “Anywhere but Schuylkill”. 

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The Synopsis

In 1877, twenty Irish coal miners hanged for a terrorist conspiracy that never occurred. Anywhere But Schuylkill is the story of one who escaped, Mike Doyle, a teenager struggling to find a new home for his family before his alcoholic uncle kills one of his siblings. So, he takes a job with a union leader, who’s also a gangster, while secretly courting his daughter. Now the gang leader, cops and rival gang all want him dead.

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The Review

This was a brilliant coming-of-age historical fiction novel. The author does a perfect job of capturing the chilling realities of the era, from the brutal and bloody nature of life as a miner to the hardships of working-class Americans and immigrants and the freestyle nature of crime in small, rural towns. The imagery the author utilizes in their writing really brings the grime and visceral setting to life effortlessly in this narrative.

To me, the author’s exceptional detail in both the history and the character development made this a remarkable story. The breathtaking yet shocking imagery helps elevate the culture and history of that era and the protagonist’s struggle both with his family and the people he becomes involved with when looking to help support his family after the tragic loss of the head of their household. The truth of his loss, as well as the themes the author explores in this era, from the racism and addiction that was growing during this time to the corruption of big corporations against middle-class America, made this a compelling story.

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The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and captivating author Michael Dunn’s “Anywhere but Schuylkill” is a must-read historical fiction meets coming-of-age story. The twists and turns in the narrative and the rich character dynamics at play here made this a remarkable story to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Michael Dunn writes Working-Class Fiction from the Not So Gilded Age. “Anywhere But Schuylkill,” is the first in his Great Upheaval trilogy. A lifelong union activist, he has always been drawn to stories of the past, particularly those of regular working people, struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families. Stories most people do not know, or have forgotten, because history is written by the victors, the robber barons and plutocrats, not the workers and immigrants. Yet their stories are among the most compelling in America.

They resonate today because they are the stories of our own ancestors, because their passions and desires, struggles and tragedies, were so similar to our own. When Michael Dunn is not writing historical fiction, he teaches high school, and writes about labor history and culture. His labor history has been published in several online and print magazines:

Reform: The Trojan Horse Wheeling into Schools (Labor Notes 7/28/11); The dangers of a

California megaflood (World Socialist Website, 10/25/21); and The Modern School Movement

(Fifth Estate, #411, Spring, 2022).

Michael Dunn

Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners For a Modern World by Daniele Cybulskie Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Author Daniele Cybulskie shares the rituals and etiquette that drove medieval society in the book “Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners For a Modern World”. 

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The Synopsis

A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve our lives today, from the author of the popular How to Live Like a Monk

Medieval people are often portrayed as having poor hygiene and table manners—licking their knives or throwing chicken bones on the floor. In the Middle Ages, however, such behavior was not tolerated. Medieval society cherished order in nearly every facet of life, from regular handwashing to daily prayer. There were consequences if you didn’t adhere to the rules of good behavior: you wouldn’t be invited to the lord’s next dinner, you wouldn’t win the battle, and you wouldn’t win the lady.

Author Daniele Cybulskie explores the world of medieval etiquette, encompassing table manners and interpersonal relationships as well as running a household and ruling a kingdom. With wit and insight, Cybulskie draws on a wide variety of primary sources, from handbooks for young knights to romantic poems. Though we may no longer need best practices for things like dueling or ordering about our servants, the principles of generosity, kindness, and respect still apply today. After all, it’s a good reminder to “not talk when you have food in your mouth” and “anything you say should be entertaining, polite, and sophisticated.”

Illustrated with original drawings by Anna Lobanova as well as eighty medieval artworks, Chivalry and Courtesy is full of good advice for everyone, whether you are a peasant or a knight, a student or a CEO, a king or a queen.

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The Review

This was one of the most fascinating and compelling looks into life in the Middle Ages. The history and knowledge the author is able to impart, and the detail that goes into each and every aspect of society at that time, was incredible to see come to life on the page. The heart and passion for which the author wrote about this subject were felt greatly throughout the book and made the reader feel more connected to the subject matter.

The history and the balance the author struck with our more modern ideals was the heart of this book. The detailed writing style really brought this time period to life, and the way the author delved into everything from how to eat to how to court and so much more really highlighted the chivalry of the time period. The author did a great job of also stripping away the core values of these etiquette lessons and applying them through a modern lens. 

The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Daniele Cybulskie’s “Chivalry and Courtesy” is a must-read nonfiction book on history and etiquette. The detail and fascinating historical facts that the author brings to life, and the inside look into life during the Middle Ages in England and France, made this a truly mesmerizing book that is not to be missed. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

As a writer, professor, TEDx speaker, and now podcaster, Danièle has been making the Middle Ages fun, entertaining, and accessible for over ten years. She is the author of The Five-Minute Medievalist, which debuted at the top of Amazon’s Canadian charts, and through her featured articles at Medievalists.net, as well as those she’s written for several international magazines, Danièle’s work has been read over half a million times, and counting.

Danièle is the creator and host of The Medieval Podcast, a weekly interview show on which she speaks with experts on the Middle Ages on a wide variety of topics. She also currently teaches The Middle Ages and the Modern World: Facts and Fiction, which she co-created for college students across Ontario via OntarioLearn. Her forthcoming book, Life in Medieval Europe: Fact and Fiction, is being published by Pen & Sword History, and will be available in autumn, 2019.

When she’s not reading, writing, or recording, Danièle can be found drinking tea, doing Krav Maga, or sometimes building a backyard trebuchet.

https://www.danielecybulskie.com/

The Diomedeia: Diomedes, the People of the Sea, and the Fall of the Hittite Empire by Gregory Michael Nixon Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

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The story of legendary hero Diomedes grows in this never before told story from author Gregory Michael Nixon, “The Diomedeia”. 

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The Synopsis

A historically-based novel with authentic, legendary, & fictional characters interacting across the extraordinary panorama of the Bronze Age Collapse in the Hittite Empire between the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas. Diomedes, previously a hero of the Trojan War, and the polyglot Peoples of the Sea raid inland into the Hittite Empire during its final months. It is both a study of ancient mythic consciousness and an exciting adventure of love, character, destruction, desperate survival, and the lived mystery of pagan rituals. It was a time of such chaos, royalty was overthrown, palaces and temples were burnt, and the power of the gods was thrown into doubt, yet the ancient Great Goddess, who had been suppressed, began to regain her former dominance.

Diomedes, though prominent in Homer’s Iliad — a warrior the equal of Hektor or Achilleus, a thinker as cunning as Odysseus and as wise as Nestor, and the only man who dared wound gods — has seldom, if ever, been the chief protagonist in literature. He is given his due within. His own wandering adventures and suffering after the destruction of Ilios are traced as far north as Kolkhis (Colchis) in the Black Sea, through involvement with the last Hittite royal family in Anatolia, and as far south as Alasiya (Cyprus) in the Mediterranean. He ascends the heights of glory but also must descend into the dark Underworld in the attempt to save the one he loves.

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The Review

This was a compelling, gripping ancient historical fiction read. As a longtime enthusiast in regards to Ancient Greek mythology and history, it was so fascinating to see the unique balance the author found between the educational, historical facts and mannerisms from the people of that era, with the exploration of mythology and the impact that belief system had on the people and their culture back in that era, including the reintroduction of the Triple Goddess and her role in people’s lives.

To me, the grand scale of the adventure and the depth of character that was found in Diomedes as a character was so powerful to read. The way the author was able to create a modern-day Iliad while still finding the tone and heart of what made Homer’s work so profound in that era was amazing, as was the complex mindset and actions of Diomedes as a whole. The attention to detail on the actions and culture of that historical period allowed the reader to feel pleasantly lost in that time, crafting a narrative that felt real and engaging.

The Verdict

Legendary, captivating, and entertaining, author Gregory Michael Nixon’s “The Diomedeia” is a must-read historical fiction read. The twists and turns in the narrative, the grand scale of the journey of Diomedes as a whole, and the thought-provoking story will stay with readers long after the final page has turned. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I have been writing all my life, beginning in our small town in Saskatchewan. Most my adult life was spent as university professor, so my publishing to this point had all been academic (but still accomplished). As an avocation, in my off hours I studied the Mycenaean era of Ancient Greece, as well as theories of myth & ritual and the mythic mind. Once I retired, I returned to a novelistic venture I had been dreaming of since reading Homer’s Iliad at 15 years old: bringing to life the further adventures of the hero, Diomedes. When at last I dedicated myself to novel writing two years ago, my dream was reinvigorated. However, my characters insisted on entering the Hittite Empire, probably because its capital, Hattusa, came down in flames only a few years after Troy (Ilios). I followed their wishes and brought Hittite royalty into my tale, including Suppiluliuma II, the last of the Great Kings. I immersed myself in Hittite studies, and finally this unusual book emerged — an historical fiction with a strong portrayal of mythic consciousness at the time of the Bronze Age collapse..

The Ballerina by Catherine Follestad Review 

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young woman with dreams of being a dancer struggles with her confidence, and finds herself steeped in a journey towards destiny after a magical costume connects her to a world-renowned dancer from the past in author Catherine Follestad’s “The Ballerina”.

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The Synopsis

The Ballerina is a story about reaching dreams, fulfilling destiny, and an extraordinary experience of a lifetime.

Alina loves to dance and has a growing passion for the art of ballet. With an upcoming performance for her dance class, she finds herself struggling with the confidence to stand out.

One day, while helping her mother in her vintage shop, Alina finds an old enchanting costume in a donated box. This magical costume connects Alina to a famous prima ballerina from times past, who encourages her to work hard and believe in herself.

With excitement and renewed confidence, Alina not only discovers more about the art of dance, but also finds her destiny and true self.

The Review

This was an engaging and heartfelt read. The author does an amazing job of connecting with younger readers, giving an honest and emotional look into the mindset of young women as they not only grow but as they pursue their passions in life. The lighthearted pacing of the story and the emotional weight of the protagonist’s struggles instantly draw young readers into the story as the narrative progresses. 

To me, the heart of this story rested in the dynamic character development and the almost magical sense of time travel and magical realism that permeated the story. The themes of hard work and making your dreams a reality felt both attainable and inspiring through this magical lens and the mystery surrounding the woman who would appear to the protagonist and the connection she shared with Anna added a touch of mystery and history to the story.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Catherine Follestad’s “The Ballerina” is a must-read children’s dance and time travel book that you won’t want to miss. The passion and heart for which the story is told and the relatable characters will have children eagerly taking hold of this book and getting lost in the narrative immediately. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Catherine Follestad has always been interested in art and storytelling in many forms. Her early painting career began in Australia in 1972 when she and her husband moved there for a teaching job. During this time, they were Sunday School Supervisors and teachers with a love of telling bible stories using songs, pictures, and flannel graphs. Her creativity expanded into local art shows where she sold her paintings.

Upon returning to the United States, Catherine studied with local artists while taking classes at Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College. She broadened her interests to various mediums and began experimenting with illustrations and cartooning.

Catherine loves the artistic process and beauty of life which is reflected in everything she writes and paints. Her books tell stories of heroes, the underdog, or someone who overcomes a challenge. Her children’s picture books include The Itty Bitty Kitty (Nov 2011) I Think That I Would Like to Be (March 2012) The Itty Bitty Kitty: Mystery At Reflection Pond (Feb 2013) and I Dream That I May One Day Be (Aug. 2013), Itty Bitty Kitty and the Fun Day (May 2016)

Catherine has been featured in Raising Arizona Kids Magazine on the subject of bullying and the Reader House Author Roundtable. She enjoys visiting many elementary schools to read her books and share her illustrations. Catherine and her husband currently live in Arizona where she enjoys painting and traveling back to Australia.