May 1

May 1 Michael Carlowicz and Ramon Lopez' STORMS FROM THE SUN

Many years ago my dad and my brothers and I would take our telescope out to the back yard during the day and point it at the sun. Holding a white card about a foot away from the eyepiece we would watch sunspots projected on the card, the easily visible evidence of massive solar magnetic storms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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