Book Reviews — www.ddmcd.com

Dennis D. McDonald (ddmcd@ddmcd.com) consults from Alexandria Virginia. His services include writing & research, proposal development, and project management.

All in History

Stephen Jay Gould's ROCKS OF AGES

Dec 3

Dec 3 Stephen Jay Gould's ROCKS OF AGES

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction, Philosophy, Religion, Science

Scientist Gould in this short book attempts to demonstrate both (a) how Science and Religion can learn to co-exist and (b) how efforts to control Science through Religion-imposed limits are prime examples of the two “magisteria,” as he refers to Science and Religion, transgressing on each other’s territory.

Will Eisner's THE PLOT: THE SECRET STORY OF THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION

Jun 10

Jun 10 Will Eisner's THE PLOT: THE SECRET STORY OF THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION

Dennis D. McDonald

Graphic Novel, History, Non Fiction

It is common knowledge that the book The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which tells about a sinister Jewish plot to take over the world, is a 19th-century fabrication that emerged in Europe during the time of the infamous Dreyfuss affair.

Chiara Frugoni's BOOKS, BANKS, BUTTONS, AND OTHER INVENTIONS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES

May 28

May 28 Chiara Frugoni's BOOKS, BANKS, BUTTONS, AND OTHER INVENTIONS FROM THE MIDDLE AGES

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction

Beautifully translated by William McCuaig from the original Italian, this lavishly illustrated book tells the surprising story of the many important inventions that emerged from Europe during the Middle Ages.

Elie Wiesel's “NIGHT”

May 28

May 28 Elie Wiesel's “NIGHT”

Dennis D. McDonald

Autobiography, History, Non Fiction, War

This short book, newly re-translated into English, is the memory of a teenage Jewish boy who is sent to a series of German concentration camps during World War II.

Evan Thomas' "SEA OF THUNDER"

Mar 4

Mar 4 Evan Thomas' "SEA OF THUNDER"

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction, Pacific War, War

This extremely well researched and written tale of World War II tells the story behind the climactic Battle of Leyte Gulf. This was the last great sea battle fought by huge opposing forces — the Americans and the Japanese — involving both battleships and aircraft carriers.

Freeman Dyson's “THE SCIENTIST AS REBEL”

Jan 8

Jan 8 Freeman Dyson's “THE SCIENTIST AS REBEL”

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction, Science

This collection of essays and reviews by the physicist/mathematician Freeman Dyson makes for fascinating reading. The range of topics is broad and the style of writing is clear and approachable. Topics include religion, hydrogen bombs, Isaac Newton, the relative roles of technology and ideas in the advancement of science, the future of humanity in space (think: comets), and the role of amateurs in scientific research.

Gerard J. DeGroot's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Jan 1

Jan 1 Gerard J. DeGroot's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction, Science, Space Program

As a longtime fan of the U.S. space program my current lack of interest in the International Space Station and the recently announced Lunar Colony comes as a bit of a surprise to me.

Dean King's A SEA OF WORDS

Jan 24

Jan 24 Dean King's A SEA OF WORDS

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction, O'Brian, Reference

Dean King, with John B. Hattendorf and J. Worth Estes, authored this third edition subtitled “A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O’Brian.” This is a perfect example of a good “grazing book.” You can dip into it at any time and find something interesting.

Suketu Mehta's MAXIMUM CITY

Oct 28

Oct 28 Suketu Mehta's MAXIMUM CITY

Dennis D. McDonald

Autobiography, History, Movies, Non Fiction

The author, a Western educated writer who returns with his young family after 21 years away from Bombay, starts the book with a history of Bombay and some of its more unusual social and cultural aspects, such as its legacy of tenants’ rights that has stultified development and maintenance of the city’s vast population of rental units.

George Orwell's HOMAGE TO CATALONIA

May 30

May 30 George Orwell's HOMAGE TO CATALONIA

Dennis D. McDonald

Autobiography, History, Non Fiction, War

Reading this book is essential to understanding Orwell since his experiences in the Spanish Civil War had such a profound effect on him. He saw with his own eyes how politicians in remote locations can cause death and destruction in the name of political ideals, ideals which Orwell points out are sometimes little more than an unapologetic quest for power in the name of high ideals.

Richard Current's “THE LINCOLN NOBODY KNOWS”

May 1

May 1 Richard Current's “THE LINCOLN NOBODY KNOWS”

Dennis D. McDonald

Biography, History, Non Fiction, US Civil War, Lincoln

Not only are the topics interesting and historically relevant, but the process used by the author allows us to clearly understand opposing views and interpretations. When one is faced on a daily basis by media that spin political messages and truth, seeing a serious evidence based analysis of still-important historical issues is refreshing.

Erik Larson's THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY

Jan 18

Jan 18 Erik Larson's THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction

Another time and place: the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Midwestern entrepreneurs are intent on besting the recently completed Paris World Fair. Their goal: show that the U.S. takes second place to no one. Just as important: Chicago pride dictates that New York will be bested as well, despite Chicago’s 19th Century reputation as a rough, artless metropolis smelling of the Stockyards.

Jill Jonnes' EMPIRES OF LIGHT

Nov 15

Nov 15 Jill Jonnes' EMPIRES OF LIGHT

Dennis D. McDonald

Engineering, History, Non Fiction, Science

This is a popular history about three “giants” of electrification — Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla. Along the way we learn a lot about the commercialization of electricity in late 19th century America and the role that large corporations played in the spread of this technology. We also see how important patents — and patent protection — were in enabling a few powerful individuals to control the spread of the new technology.

Neal Bascomb's HIGHER

Oct 28

Oct 28 Neal Bascomb's HIGHER

Dennis D. McDonald

Engineering, History, Non Fiction

I’m about half way through. Right now, the initial construction of the Chrysler Building is being described, as well as all the intrigues — business and architectural — surrounding the race to build “the highest building.”

Richard Rhodes' DARK SUN: THE MAKING OF THE HYDROGEN BOMB

Oct 3

Oct 3 Richard Rhodes' DARK SUN: THE MAKING OF THE HYDROGEN BOMB

Dennis D. McDonald

Engineering, History, Non Fiction, Science, Nuclear

Yikes, this is a scary book. I had either never known or had forgotten about the awfulness of the times when huge proportions of our GNP were devoted to developing strategic weapons and the means to deliver them.

Walter A. McDougall's THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH: A POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE SPACE AGE

Sep 14

Sep 14 Walter A. McDougall's THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH: A POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE SPACE AGE

Dennis D. McDonald

History, Non Fiction, Science, Space Program, War

This 1985 book by Walter A. McDougall is a real eye opener, especially if all you know about the early space program is the famous excerpt from John F. Kennedy’s speech