Ferndale Library Picks: Jordan’s Military History Reading List
(Jeff Milo, FPL Circulation Specialist, Dec. 15, 2014)
Jordan Wright is one of our Youth Services Librarians. He started working at the Library back in March ’13 while he was finishing up his studies at Wayne State University. Since then, along with Head Youth Librarian Ashley Lehman, they’ve significantly spruced up the Kids Corner collection (particularly in the non-fiction and easyreader picture book sections) while kickstarting some fresh new programming to engage with young readers. Jordan helps out with storytime readings as well as facilitating an Open Mic Afternoon session for teens each month.
Lately, he’s enthusiastically marched through a whole syllabus of Military History books. Below, Jordan shares his picks and insights (with catalog links provided, for anyone interested in checking out any of these books).
Jordan’s Picks
Grant & Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War – Charles Bracelen Flood
Call Number: 973.73 F
In my opinion, Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman formed one of the greatest partnerships in American history. Although they were very different men, both Grant and Sherman were unsuccessful and unhappy prior to the war. Sherman had a history of mental illness and breakdowns. Grant, at one point prior to the war, was relieved of military duties for drunkenness. Both men were able to find a much needed companion in one another, even though the war often kept them hundreds of miles apart. Together they formed a friendship the revolved around a mutually shared trust in each other’s abilities. If your history of the Civil War is a little rusty, this book will give you a good refresher as well.
“Grant stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk, and now we stand by each other.” – W.T. Sherman
Online Catalog: http://bit.ly/1wAiPMK
Good-bye to All That – Robert Graves
Call Number: BIO GRAVES (through TLN)
Good-bye to All That is one of the first memoirs of modern warfare. Graves, an officer in the British army, very quickly tired of war, and after being wounded twice was sent home where he shortly began writing. Short and fast-past, the book reads more like a novel than a work of non-fiction. Some scholars have debated the accuracy of some of Graves’ accounts of the war, nonetheless, the book places readers squarely on the front lines of one of the most terrifying conflicts in modern history.
Online Catalog: http://bit.ly/121I9hf
Unbroken – Laura Hillenbrand
Call Number: 940.54 H
Hillenbrand, the author of Seabiscuit, this time takes on the incredibly story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who joins the fight against the Empire of Japan in the Second World War. I won’t spoil what happens after that, but I’ll leave you with this: It’s almost unbelievable he survived to tell his story.
Unbroken has recently been made into a feature length film and is set to be released on Christmas Day 2014. READ THE BOOK FIRST.
Online Catalog: http://bit.ly/1ykCbpz
A Rumor of War – Phillip Caputo
Call Number: 959.704 C (through TLN)
Caputo describes his experience leading troops into battle during the early years of the Vietnam War. Not for the faint of heart, the author spares no details, so if you’re not one for blood and guts do yourself a favor and don’t pick this one up.
That being said, if you want to read an accurate, yet beautifully written first-hand account of life on the ground in the jungles of Vietnam, this is the book to read.
Online Catalog: http://bit.ly/1zqDdNX
On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society – Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
Call Number: 355.001 G (through TLN)
Grossman is a psychologist and Army officer who has been studying the psychology of violence and warfare for over 25 years. This book is full of things you probably didn’t know about combat: What are the physiological responses to being shot at? How many soldiers are actually willing to kill? Why do some soldiers develop psychological disorders later in life while others don’t? The answers may surprise you.
Online Catalog: http://bit.ly/1zqDtfU
Previous Library Picks:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/11/15/ferndale-library-picks-eds-book-club-benefits/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/11/01/ferndale-library-picks-griffins-choices/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/10/18/ferndale-library-picks-susans-picks-for-teen-read-week/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/10/02/ferndale-library-picks-jeffs-picks-lately/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/09/15/ferndale-library-picks-end-of-summer-round-up/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/01/library-picks-wgabriel-bray-music-mystery-monty-python/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/07/15/ferndale-library-picks-with-board-president-pat-dengate/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/07/01/ferndale-library-picks-with-kelly-bennett/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/06/18/ferndale-library-roundup-best-of-summer-for-youth/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/06/03/ferndale-library-roundup-who-needs-hogwarts/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/05/15/ferndale-library-roundup-bff-roadtrip-edition/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/05/01/ferndale-public-library-round-up-best-in-books-and-more-2/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/15/ferndale-public-library-round-up-best-in-books-and-more/
Be sure to visit the Ferndale Library website at http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us/.