Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais;273 pages; Simon & Schuster, New York, NY; 978-0-7432-8164-5; 7/24-7/25

Three years ago Elvis got worked for attorney Alan Levy to clear a client from a sexual assault/murder charge.  Fast forward to now when the client is found with an album of photos which implicates him in that murder and six others, but of course he has committed suicide so the police can’t question him.  As they pursue the investigation, Elvis is convinced that he was right then and is right now.  As Elvis and Joe pursue the investigation they are attacked by the brothers of one of the victims, who end up helping.  It looks like there is a police cover up for a politician who seems to be on top of the investigation, but as in most of the Elvis books things are not as the seem.  A shorter than usual outing from Robert Crais, but just as thrilling.  RRRR

100 Native Americans who changed American History by Bonnie Juettner; World Almanac Library, Milwaukee, WI; 112 pages; 0-8363-5770-4; 7/23-7/24

1.  The title of this series should be changed to 100… who changed United States history. They only cover the short history of the United States, while the Americas stretch from the North of Canada to Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America.

2.  These are people who have been oppressed since the day the first Europeans landed on the American continent.

It is amazing the crap that Native Americans have had to put up with since the US was founded and how they were often portrayed as the bad guys for refusing to give up rights and properties that they had for an unknown amount of time.  What is also amazing is how many of these people have come from dire circumstances and made something remarkable of their lives.  I own the book so I am going to go through it again and highlight all the books that are mentioned that I would like to read and the lives that I would like to read more about.  RRRR

Navy Seals

Navy Seals, A Complete History from World War II to the Present by Kevin Dockery from Interviews by Bud Brutsman; 2004; A Berkley Book, New York, NY; 871 pages; 0-425-20072-8; 7/11-7/23

From the days of the Naked Warrior at Normandy to the SEAL’s of today this is a history of the U.S. Navy’s special operations unit. Combining narrative of history with oral history by the men who have been part of this elite unit. One thing the men are very clear on and cite repeatedly is that there is no i in team and that Rambo would never be a SEAL. The heart of the SEAL’s is the idea of a swim buddy and being part of a team. This is a very enlightening and engaging book, you may recognize some of the names here like Roy Boehm and Dick Marchinko. You will find the former Governor of Minnesota here, but you won’t recognize his name. What is most important to a Navy SEAL, the heart of the man. RRRR

Easy Company Soldier, The Legendary Battles of Sergeant from World War II’s “Band of Brothers” by Sergeant Don Malarkey with Bob Welch; 2008; St. Martin’s Press, New York, NY; 297 pages; 978-0-312-37849-3; 7/10-7/11

Ever since first seeing the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” I have been interested in finding out more about Don Malarkey, since he was from Oregon. Now I have found out about him and I am even more impressed. I am looking forward to going to a book signing August 8 where he will be signing his book. This is the story of a young man who lost two uncles in WW I and who’s father lost emotional connection with those around him. He grew up in Astoria and on the Nehalem River. He enlisted and saw more horrors than you can even imagine, unless you have been in combat. It is interesting to read this account of someone who was there and getting a non-Hollywood of all they went through. Don Malarkey is a man to respect and thank. *Sgt Don Malarkey, Pg 149 Easy Company Soldier RRRR

Nothing to Lose, A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child; 2008; Delacorte Press, New York, NY; 407 pages; 978-0-385-34056-4; 7/8-7/10

Reacher is traveling from Calais, Maine to San Diego when he encounters Hope and Despair, Colorado.  He hadn’t intended in spending much time in either until he got unceremoniously bounced from Despair back to Hope.  When Reacher encounters an obstacle he doesn’t go around he usually tries to tear it down and go through where it was. In Despair Reacher encounters fundamental Christians willing to start the Apocalypse, an underground railroad helping soldiers flee to Canada, an overly patriotic business owner and the U.S. Government.  Some of these groups overlap and not at all how you would first assume, cause remember what happens when you assume.  Child has crafted a another awesome, I think even better than usual because this book is not as straight forward as some of the Reacher novels, there are more things going on in this story than usual.  I am really looking forward to the next book, Gone Tomorrow. RRRR