SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales and Legends

If I could describe this book in one word, it would be “tedious.”  Even though I found it quite boring at times, I powered through and did enjoy reading it.  But, as an aviator, if I found it somewhat technical and slow; the “average” reader will probably be bored to tears.

The book was not well written; it had a lot of technical terms that most readers would have a difficult time following.  Additionally, it was written in a “Wally Cleaver” type of 1950’s political correctness that one would see in a war newsreel (propaganda) from the 1940’s or 50’s.  The SR-71 crews had a high level of camaraderie and esprit de corps, but trying to write about inside jokes to the average “Joe Q. public” doesn’t come off as funny, it just make the pilots look like Air Force nerds.

I read another aviation book titled Angles of Attack some years ago.  That book, even though technically complex, explained – with enough detail – the aviation vernacular in such a way that everyone could read it and enjoy the plot.  Additionally, the action (Gulf War) was written in an exciting way that kept your full attention.  SR-71 Blackbird Stories…  told some of the most exciting stories in such a bland and unexcited way that I had trouble getting into the plotlines.

SR-71 Blackbird: Stories, Tales and Legends

Sunset Tales From the New Iraq by Al Kentawy

One of the best books I’ve ever read.  I’m currently on my 3rd read of this book.  It provides valuable insights into the Middle East and American Politics – a must read for any Westerner living or travelling in the ME.

Written by an Arab-American who worked several years in Iraq, the book is written for an American audience.  The author skillfully puts you into the mindset of the average Iraqi and really gives you insight as to what they think of us.  While  written as a novel, the all of the events in this book were real; they all happened.  Much like reading Fiasco, the average American may be a bit startled as to what goes on in Iraq and never makes it onto the 7 o’clock news.  I give this book my highest recommendation and suggest that everyone read it.

Fiasco by Thomas Ricks

If I thought that the War Plan to invade Iraq in 2003 was flawed, now I know it.  Pulitzer Prize winning Ricks takes no prisoners as he blasts the Bush Administration including Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, Bremmer, and even top Generals in the Military.  Ricks thoroughly and systematically interviews each of the key plays and their subordinates to give you an inside look at how bad the war was really planned and executed.  If you’ve seen the recent Matt Damon movie Green Zone, you may find it startling to learn that many, if not most of the story line in Green Zone was based on what really happened.  Even more startling, in reading the book, not only does Green Zone not seem fantastic, but it seems scaled down in its analysis of the war and the motives for fighting it.  I highly recommend this book if you are interested in knowing how and why the Iraq War started.

Roman Warfare by Adrian Goldsworthy

Yeah, it’s a textbook for class, but it was a very interesting read and covered quite a few locations in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.  I found the history of the Illyrians and their absorption into the Roman Empire quite interesting as I have recently visited Croatia and Slovenia & to Diocletian’s palace in Dubrovnik.  The book not only covered the tactics that made the Roman military superior to their “barbarian” foes, but also the psychology that led to the rise, and the fall of the Roman Empire.

Fighter Pilot by Robin Olds

Not really a travel book per se, but Robin Olds does travel quite extensively during his career as an Air Force pilot.  His descriptions of London during World War II, California from the 40’s through the 80’s, North Africa in the 50’s, and Vietnam and Thailand in the 60’s make it noteworthy for the topic of travel.  Either way, this outspoken two-time ace (World War II and Vietnam) turned General eventually became the Commandant of the Air Force Academy.  Olds’ outspoken “no-nonsense” style of leadership rubbed many the wrong way.  But his insight into how the United States military and government makes its decisions in times of war and peace is quite insightful.  If the American military and government had more like him (and Marine General Chesty Puller – who reminded me quite a bit of Olds), the United States would probably find itself in fewer wars and a lot less hostility around the world.  I give this book a very high recommendation, not only for pilot enthusiasts, but for anyone interested in the U.S. war machine and the inner workings of the Pentagon.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

I had never read this “classic” and found a spare copy at work.  My review of this book is: “That’s 10 days of my life I’ll never get back.”  Seriously, if you haven’t read this book, I can save you a lot of time.  Go to the nearest American Junior High School and find a kid with Attention Deficit Disorder who hasn’t taken his Ritalin in 3 weeks.  Talk to that kid for a few days and it will be the same as if you’ve read this book.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen

Quite a remarkable book.  Greg Mortensen stumbles into a small village after becoming lost and disoriented following a failed summit of K2 in the remote mountains of Pakistan.  After befriending the villagers, he vows to return to build them a school.  His quest to raise funds and return to build the school becomes a lifelong obsession that culminates into a charitable organization building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Now required reading for all U.S. Special Forces going to Afghanistan.

This book will inspire you to not only travel to remote and inhospitable locations but may even encourage you into volunteering some time to a charitable institution.  One of the better books I’ve ever read.  I highly recommend it.

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain (1869)

Years ago, I had once read a quote from Innocents Abroad:

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.

I looked the quote up and found that this Mark Twain was a book about travel!  I put reading this it on my “to do list,” and finally, just recently, I was able to acquire a copy and read it.

Mark Twain embarks on the first ever cruise from the United States to Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Holy Lands.  In typical Twain sarcasm and wit he had me laughing from Paris to Jerusalem.  It was really something to read his accounts of Europe and the East some 150 years ago and see many of the same sites haven’t changed one bit.  It is perhaps one of the best travel books I have ever read, and certainly an excellent book all around.  I highly recommend it.  Note of warning: it is a bit politically incorrect.

You can probably pick up a copy at your local library.  If you have Kindel, you can download it for free here:

 If you don’t have a Kindel, Amazon also has it here:

                                       

I’ve put an excerpt from the book here if you want to read a page or two:

The Innocents Abroad