History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Dirty Little Secrets About Black History : Its Heroes & Other Troublemakers

Average customer rating:

short quick and to the point
Excellent Experieince
Dirty Little Secrets Continued
My kids needed something.
A MUST HAVE

Dirty Little Secrets About Black History : Its Heroes & Other Troublemakers
Claud Anderson
Manufacturer: Powernomics Corporation of America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0966170202

Book Description

This book of brief antidotes, presents easy to read little known factiods about blacks in America and their extradordinary achievements under oppressive and inhumane conditions.

Customer Reviews:

short quick and to the point.......2007-05-28

Dirty little secrets by Claude Anderson

Glossed over and misrepresented, virtually the most misunderstood of all subjects ....the history of the black race...a compilation of bits of facts, coincidences, contradictions, sexual exploits and tantalizing stories corrected and brought forth. Be introduced to heroes, warriors, and statesmen (Don Pio Pico, John Horse, David Walker, Khufu, Sabastian and Lari Giles). Others who fought for the people (Thad Stevens, Gen Santa Ana, John Brown, J.C. Harris), and some who were the ward connally and david duke of the day (Davy Crockett, William Penn, Haywood Shepard, John Chaves). Be introduced to arab slave trading to the tune of one million people over a 100 years confused under smothered religious conflicts, the folsom people, the berlin conference of 1876, slave Russians captured by the Germans, the buying and selling of slaves that occupied major places in newspapers....and tons of similar information, well worth the purchase.

Excellent Experieince.......2007-05-17

I received my books in a timely manner and in great shape. Thank you.

Dirty Little Secrets Continued.......2007-03-12

Dr. Anderson (and his son) have done it again! Excellent follow-up to volume one. Recommended reading not just for African Americans but for all who have a sincere desire to know more about American history.

My kids needed something........2006-11-06

It was amaizing to watch my two teen girls get some of the history of America filled in. They now have a better understandign of the why's and hows of history in the Americas.
My girls are now ready to not allow anyone tell them that they are inferior just because they are Black. They know if they fail it is because they are not working hard enough and/or not in the right place at the right time. They know that they can because despite the Americas prejudice, there were blacks that were so successful that they had to be removed from history by jealous writers of American history.
Thanks for the new pride.

A MUST HAVE.......2003-03-26

I ENJOYED THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED BECAUSE I DEFINITELY WAS NOT TAUGHT ANY OF THIS INFORMATION IN SCHOOL. IF YOU'RE AN AFRICAN AMERICAN, YOU SHOULD POSSESS ONE COPY OF THIS BOOK LIKE YOU MAY HAVE A BIBLE IN YOUR HOME. ALSO, MAYBE A LOT US US NEED TO START SEARCHING OUR FAMILY TREE.

Heroes of Might and Magic V (Prima Official Game Guide)

Average customer rating:

Not sure what the fuss is about...
Only graphics were improved
Pretty disappointing
OK, but.....
Full of errors, based on Beta version of game

Heroes of Might and Magic V (Prima Official Game Guide)
Fletcher Black
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0761552863
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Book Description

Walk the path of righteousness or burn a path of destruction

·Extensive creature compendium to aid you in assembling the mightiest army while minimizing your recruitment costs
·Learn to master the Ashan calendar and adapt to the evolving weekly battle scenarios and treacherous terrain types
·Detailed world maps outline the locations of many crucial items, including towns, resources, and artifacts
·Skill and spell tutorials help you build a true hero with only one chance to select each ability

Customer Reviews:

Not sure what the fuss is about..........2006-08-04

I read the reviews here and hesitated to buy this guide. So I went into a game store and looked at it in person. It had everything I expected it to have: monster descriptions, spell descriptions, ability descriptions, campaign walkthroughs, and even some stuff I didn't expect, like what all the "Week of..."s meant.

It's certainly a grand improvement on what the game's rulebook gives you. Now I know in mechanical terms what items like "Battle Dive" and "Shield Bash" mean, and can use them properly--not hit a button and not know how the outcome was determined.

I still don't know what a Crystal Dragon is yet, but maybe it will turn up. :)

Only graphics were improved.......2006-08-02

The game looks nice but except from the graphics nothing else has been changed from the previous version.You should by this game only if you missed playing heroes but do not expect much from it.

Pretty disappointing.......2006-07-21

With a complex game like Heroes you want some good fold out tables and charts of the different troop-types and heroes. You dont get that. The entire book is in black and white. Most of the guide is simply a walkthrough of the Campaign missions. Bleh. That would have been fine to include that but fans of this game want tables and charts in a readable format. Very unfortunate how bad this "guide" is. I regret buying it.

OK, but............2006-07-19

Overall the book is useful, but like most of Prima's game guides it is a mass of errors and typos. They really ought to consider hiring an editor.

Full of errors, based on Beta version of game.......2006-06-04

Don't buy this. There's more accurate information online about HOMM5. This is the poorest Game Guide I've ever bought.

Average customer rating:

A great little tale full of intrigue and local color
great characters
Intriguing, Involved Fast Paced Murder Mystery
Good Murder Mystery
Cajun Snuff will keep you guessing.

Cajun Snuff
W. Randy Haynes
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1413783570

Book Description

Loner. Free spirit. Rebel. Not words normally associated with an agent of the ultra-conservative FBI Counterterrorism Division. When the mutilated body of a black U.S. Congressman and Christian minister was found in the steamy bayous of southwestern Louisiana, Special Agent Adam Stephen had the perfect qualities needed to be the lead investigator. Adam discovers that the Congressman may have appeared respectable, but finds muddy surprises and vicious enemies instead. From a New Orleans Garden District widow to a bizarre Neo-Nazi group, the suspect list reads like a recipe for a spicy bowl of swamp snake gumbo, and Adam appears to be the next ingredient.

Customer Reviews:

A great little tale full of intrigue and local color.......2007-01-06

It took W. Randy Haynes five years to write his first mystery, but the effort was worth it. The first time "out of the gate," as he says, he garnered a selection as a finalist for the prestigious 2006 Lambda Literary Award. Haynes is a disabled Vietnam vet who found time on his hands during the long Lake Tahoe winters. But Haynes is originally a Texan, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a member of the Cherokees of California and started up
a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Lake Tahoe. He is presently working
on a sequel to CAJUN SNUFF.

Special Agent Adam Stephen is inexplicably tapped by his somewhat boorish boss to investigate the mutilation murder of a U.S. Congressman who happens to be Black. On his way to New Orleans, Adam meets up with a woman named Adaline Fontenot, a widow from New Orleans, who not only opens doors for him during his investigation, but who will change his life forever:
"'Mr. Herndon? I'm Adam Stephen. I really appreciate your talking to me."

Adam handed over the letter of introduction.

'Come in.' The man unlocked the office door and turned on the lights. The office was unsophisticated but functional. Herndon took a seat behind the desk and motioned for Adam to sit in a chair. 'So, you're a friend of Ms. Fontenot, huh? How did you get so highly connected?'

'It was an accident. We met on a flight to New Orleans, and I've visited her home since. She's well-known in the state?'

'You could say that. Ada is the power behind the progressive politics here in Louisiana. She prefers to work behind the scenes and avoids publicity.'"

CAJUN SNUFF is an understated, yet passionate whodunit that is character-driven and examines the politics of the South and the attempt by right-wing zealots to take over our country. Adam Stephen is a dreamboat of a character who is both as spicy as New Orleans and, at the same time, is vulnerable and strong. When Adam meets up with Homer, a neurotic bloodhound with separation anxiety, Haynes injects just the right amount of humor to enliven and lighten the tale. But Adam and Homer bond, Adam saves the day, and Haynes sees fit to give us a reverse ending. CAJUN SNUFF is extremely well done and is a great little tale full of intrigue and local color.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

great characters .......2006-06-24

This is a new and exciting book with colorful characters! I hope this is the beginning of an adventure with Adam. Randy Haynes has the ability to bring the characters to life. This reader wants to have more!

Intriguing, Involved Fast Paced Murder Mystery.......2006-05-27

Having been raised on a bayou in Louisiana, gone to school in Lafayette and lived in New Orleans for 22 years I found Mr. Haynes book fascinating, imaginative and insightful of the darker side of Louisiana Politics, criminal aspects plus the goodness of Southern hospitality. The characters are from every aspect of life in Louisiana, from down home country people through the flamboyant Gallery owner to the bigots, criminals and every other group that populates the landscape.

This is a great murder mystery with many twists and turns. The descriptions of the locations are wonderful with great details. I am looking forward to the next book with Adam Stephens.

Good Murder Mystery.......2006-03-27

I can only hope that this is the first of many mysteries to be produced by Mr. Haynes. The lead character Adam Tyler Stephen is a fascinating blend of sleuth, hard-nose FBI agent, and a sexy single gay guy. He solves the mystery of the murder of a Congressman, and in the process upsets most of officialdom in Washington, at FBI headquarters, New Orleans, and the Louisana bayous. In the process, he befriends the doyen of New Orlean's Garden District, a sassy FBI secretary, an aged butler, and a college age gay kid who is allegedly a Neo-Nazi. Needless to say, the convoluted plot keeps the reader guessing until the very last few pages.

The character development of Adam is such that he could theoretically become a new gay super slueth if his creator decides to make him such. I can only hope that there are more stories for Adam in Mr. Haynes imagination.

Cajun Snuff will keep you guessing........2006-03-04

This is an excellent mystery that introduces a new hero, who I hope will appear in a series of books. The atmosphere will draw you in. I am looking forward to the next book.

Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes: Women's Stories in the Hebrew Bible

Average customer rating:

Excellent resource for studying Women of Hebrew Bible
Fresh interpretations of familiar stories in the Bible

Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes: Women's Stories in the Hebrew Bible
Alice Ogden Bellis
Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0664254306

Customer Reviews:

Excellent resource for studying Women of Hebrew Bible.......2000-09-29

This book was invaluable as a guide and resource for conducting the Women in the Bible Study group I'm currently leading. While somewhat academic, it provides various opinions and indepth information on the Women in the Hebrew Bible. I am indebted to Alice Ogden Bellis' fine work and applaud her effort to reclaim what we can about our foremothers. The bibliography is an additional treasure!

Fresh interpretations of familiar stories in the Bible.......1997-08-08

This book offers a comprehensive look at various modern interpretations of familiar biblical stories about women in the Old Testament. The distinguished author provides a helpful orientation to the diverstiy of methods of feminist interpretations applied to each biblical story. These interpretations directly oppose many of the standard explanation of these stories, so the insights gained by the reader are many and fresh. The book is excellent for lay readers wanting a feminist approach to the biblical stories of the Old Testament and for college and seminary students who need scholarly details. The book uses a balanced mix of a conversational style and scholarly methods to make it equally accessible to students, teachers, and general readers. I highly recommend it

Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes

Average customer rating:

great WW II book
Very Moving
Brothers in Arms, Aptly Subtitled "Forgotten Heroes" - African-American Tankers Honored in Prose
Not worth it.
Mistakes Mistakes Mistakes

Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , and Anthony Walton
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0767909135
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Book Description

A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of Flags of Our Fathers, Brothers in Arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first all-black armored unit to see combat in World War II.

Download Description

A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of Flags of Our Fathers, Brothers in Arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st "Black Panthers," the first all-black armored unit to see combat in World War II.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first learned about the battalion from family friend Leonard "Smitty" Smith, a veteran of the battalion. Working with acclaimed writer Anthony Walton, Abdul-Jabbar interviewed the surviving members of the battalion and their descendants to weave together a page-turning narrative based on their memories and stories, from basic training through the horrors on the battlefield to their postwar experiences in a racially divided America.

Trained essentially as a public relations gesture to maintain the support of the black community for the war, the battalion was never intended to see battle. In fact, General Patton originally opposed their deployment, claiming African Americans couldn't think quickly enough to operate tanks in combat conditions. But the Allies were so desperate for trained tank personnel in the summer of 1944, following heavy casualties in the fields of France, that the battalion was called up.

While most combat troops fought on the front for a week or two before being rotated back, the men of the 761st served for more than six months, fighting heroically under Patton's Third Army at the Battle of the Bulge and in the Allies' final drive across France and Germany. Despite a casualty rate that approached 50 percent and an extreme shortage of personnel and equipment, the 761st would ultimately help liberate some thirty towns and villages, as well as the Gunskirchen Lager concentration camp.

The racism that shadowed them during the war and the prejudice they faced upon their return home is an indelible part of their story. What shines through most of all, however, are the lasting bonds that united them as soldiers and brothers, the bravery they exhibited on the battlefield, and the quiet dignity and patriotism that defined their lives.

Customer Reviews:

great WW II book.......2007-08-13

I really did like this book and found it to be very well done; I couldn't put it down. Kareem abdul-jabbar did a great job of tying the history of the unit into is his life (one of the main characters was friends with his father). It wasn't only intresting because of the whole Black Soldiers in WW II subject area, but was also a great read concerning WW II tankers in general (not just black tankers). Mr. Abdul did an outstanding job and I would recommend this book to anyone.

Very Moving.......2006-07-07

Not knowing where to start, let me say this was a very moving book. It was very dishartening to hear how American Soldiers were mistreated by fellow Soldiers and the American public. It really speaks to their character that they were willing to fight for a country that did not recognize them as first class citzens. Before reading this book, I had no idea that there were all Black tank units. Even when reading other books about some of the battles that the 761st fought in, I never incountered mention of the 761st or that there were even all Black units fighting in the same battle. This book was a real eye opener.

I am not a historian or even a history enthusiast, so I was unaware of the errors that were in the book. Nevertheless, I feel that the story is about the Soldiers of the 761st, and that the book is not meant to be a treatise on WWII. This is just my opinion, so if you are someone who cares about the errors, then you will need to read this book with a grain of salt.

Brothers in Arms, Aptly Subtitled "Forgotten Heroes" - African-American Tankers Honored in Prose.......2006-03-01

Despite being quite intrigued by the story of the 761st Tank Battalion this reviewer was initially quite leery about picking up this book, for the same reasons articulated by Lt. Col. Mark Reardon in his review of Brothers in Arms - why would we expect a historical work developed by a former pro-basketball player to be of particular value beyond a novelty? However, Reardon gave Brothers in Arms a quite positive review and thus this reviewer decided the time commitment to read it was justified. Having said all that this reviewer found Brothers in Arms a compelling, easy and informative read.

It is worth mentioning that Abdul-Jabbar's tale of the 761st is not the first or only documentation of this storied battalion; previously published accounts include T.W. Anderson's "Come Out Fighting" (1979) and J. Wilson Jr.'s "The 761st 'Black Panther' Tank Battalion in World War II (1999). Yet, Abdul-Jabbar's account is a well-written and engaging story, targeted to a wide audience. The prose set forth by Abdul-Jabbar starts with a brief description of why the author chose to take on such and project and why the reader should be engaged and interested. Abdul-Jabbar then introduces the three gentlemen who anchor the story of the 761st as he tells it, the pre-war lives of these men and what led them to volunteer for the Tank Corps. Within this section of the book and the next section dealing with the training of the 761st, Abdul-Jabbar provides considerable insight into the racial discrimination that these American heroes suffered in 1940's American culture, including the US Army - which at the time was still a quite segregrated institution, as was American culture in general. These discussion points (which are also brought out in subsequent sections of the book) are the real selling points for this book - ALL Americans should read this book for this contrast in sacrifice of the men of the 761st to the respect and honor they received for their sacrifices.

The major portion of the prose is dedicated to discussion of the combat situations in which the 761st found themselves. The 761st was one of several independent Tank Battalions that was not permanently assigned to any Division, but rather attached to various units, Armored or Infantry, as needed. Thus the 761st functioned to large extent as a 'fire brigade' to deal with recalcitrant combat zones or details. While no clear evidence exists to suggest that this was an overt discriminatory act of the US Army to sacrifice African-American versus white troops is difficult situations, Abdul-Jabbar makes a compelling case that this could have in fact been true. The combat history of the 761st is indeed impressive both for its scope of action and depth of nearly impossible situations into which they were placed by rear command decisions. Despite the adversities facing them the men of the 761st were generally successful in their assigned tasks.

The last section of the book deals with what happened to the men of the 761st from V-E day onwards. While these stories are themselves fascinating, it is the injustice and prejudice these American heroes suffered after the combat was over that really capture the readers attention. In fact, it took decades for African-American soldiers who carried arms in the Second World War to be recognized for their acts of heroism. Abdul-Jabbar does a fair honest tribute to these men in his writings.

So how well done is the military history in Brothers in Arms? OK but not perfect; some errors are simply too silly to believe. Two examples illustrate this perfectly: First, in multiple places Abdul-Jabbar refers to the Tactical Air Command as the Air Tactical Command. Second, on p. 240 the following statement is made: "Hitler's propaganda minister, Hermann Goering, had a castle on a high bluff just beyond Neuhaus." Goering did in fact own a castle at Neuhaus [Burg Veldenstein, now a hotel] that was given to him by the widow of previous owner, Dr. Hermann Von Epenstein, Joseph Goebbles, not Goering, was propaganda.

Problems aside, Brothers in Arms represents a fun, entertaining and educational read, not perfect in historical content but sound enough to merit a look by serious and casual history buffs. 4 stars.

Not worth it. .......2005-03-18

"Brothers In Arms" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Walton. Subtitled "The Epic Story Of The 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes". Broadway books, New York, 2004.

Studying History gives you exposure to the overall events of World War II, and the general ebb and flow of the European Theater of Operations, such as which unit attacked which enemy unit and the results. After an MA in History, I am always seeking more interesting personal accounts, i.e. personal reminiscences, describing what really happened. This book, "Brothers In Arms", appeared to be just that: the personal memoirs of black soldiers in a tank battalion in the EOT, with all those daily minimal details, woven into a real and personal story of the men who served. Even more interesting, these soldiers were black.

Unfortunately, however, the book did not live up to its promise. The stories about the individuals involved, with the possible exception of Leonard "Smitty" Smith, did not, in my humble opinion, bring those individuals alive. Even the nice repetition , (but disrupting to the continuity of the book), of Baseball's Jackie Robinson's wartime experiences were not truly a personal remembrance.

Then there are the unnecessary mistakes. As other reviewers have mentioned the worst gaffe, the German word for panther, is "Panther" and "Panzer" means, basically, armor or tanks. See page 47. The Luftwaffe's rotund Hermann Goering is probably rotating rapidly in his grave since this book identifies him as the skinny Nazi propaganda minister. On page 45, the authors state that in the Pacific theater, in 1942, "American and Japanese forces were at a stalemate". Sorry! The Battle of Midway, June 1942, was the turning point and it was downhill for Japan after that. The "stalemate" characterization was wrong. On page 70, the authors have General George S. Patton being born in 1895; he was born in 1885. Just as another example, the book states that the German "Teller" Anti-Tank mines had about one pound of explosive in them. I could not understand why a "Teller" mine should threaten a Sherman tank, so I went on the Web. There I found that the early models of the German Teller mines had about 23 pounds, or about ten kilograms, of explosive. I could see that this concentrated explosive force could do damage to some parts of the Sherman. My complaint is the book's authors let this poundage gaffe go into print.

So , for the personal memoirs, I gave four stars. For the mistakes , (too many!) and evident lack of knowledge about the History of the EOT, I gave zero stars. Average: two stars.

Mistakes Mistakes Mistakes.......2005-02-23

This book is filled with interesting stories. It is also filled with many, many unforgiveable mistakes. Previous reviews have pointed out the mistake of Panzer means panther in German...come on! But towards the end of the book it refers to Hermann Goering as Hitler's propaganda minister. Wow, where was the editor on that one. I think Joseph Goebbels would have something to say about that. And if Goering was hard at work on propaganda, who was running the Luftwaffe? It moves on to talk about Hitler's suicide by poison in the Bunker. Except that Hitler shot himself in the temple, prefering a soldiers death. Yes Hitler did have a poison pill in his mouth, but that was only as backup in case the shot was not fatal. The book is filled with stuff like this.

I started reading this book with great excitement because the subject matter is fascinating and I have not heard about the 761st Battalion. I was hoping this book would be breaking new ground. But instead I find myself NOT trusting any of the information in this book since they obviously don't even know who Hermann Goering was.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 761st Battalion should get an apology from coauther Anthony Walton and the Editor of this book.

Leonardo Returns (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ready-to-Read)

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A great FUN book for kids!

Leonardo Returns (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ready-to-Read)
Jake Black
Manufacturer: Simon Spotlight
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1416940561

Book Description

Something's not right. Leonardo™ has returned home after months of ninja training to find each of his brothers doing his own thing. He has to come up with a way to get them training and working as a team again. Little does he realize who -- and what -- they will meet when they all go out for some "ninja tag, topside!"

Customer Reviews:

A great FUN book for kids!.......2007-04-09

My son loves this book! It's a snack in his pantry of good reading - but the book is worthwhile because of the writing. Oftentimes these sorts of books are full of grammatical errors and sloppy storytelling - but Jake Black does it right. We'll be watching for more from this young, talented comic book writer!

Fighting for America: Black Soldiers-the Unsung Heroes of World War II

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Nothing short of an excellent walk through history
Interesting
A special piece of history
AFRICAN AMERICAN HEROES!

Fighting for America: Black Soldiers-the Unsung Heroes of World War II
Christopher Moore
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 034545961X
Release Date: 2005-12-27

Book Description

The African-American contribution to winning World War II has never been celebrated as profoundly as in Fighting for America. In this inspirational and uniquely personal tribute, the essential part played by black servicemen and -women in that cataclysmic conflict is brought home.

Here are letters, photographs, oral histories, and rare documents, collected by historian Christopher Moore, the son of two black WWII veterans. Weaving his family history with that of his people and nation, Moore has created an unforgettable tapestry of sacrifice, fortitude, and courage. From the 1,800 black soldiers who landed at Normandy Beach on D-Day, and the legendary Tuskegee Airmen who won ninety-five Distinguished Flying Crosses, to the 761st Tank Battalion who, under General Patton, helped liberate Nazi death camps, the invaluable effort of black Americans to defend democracy is captured in word and image.

Readers will be introduced to many unheralded heroes who helped America win the war, including Dorie Miller, the messman who manned a machine gun and downed four Japanese planes; Robert Brooks, the first American to die in armored battle; Lt. Jackie Robinson, the future baseball legend who faced court-martial for refusing to sit in the back of a military bus; an until now forgotten African-American philosopher who helped save many lives at a Japanese POW camp; even the author’s own parents: his mother, Kay, a WAC when she met his father, Bill, who was part of the celebrated Red Ball Express.

Yet Fighting for America is more than a testimonial; it is also a troubling story of profound contradictions, of a country still in the throes of segregation, of a domestic battleground where arrests and riots occurred simultaneously with foreign service–and of how the war helped spotlight this disparity and galvanize the need for civil rights. Featuring a unique perspective on black soldiers, Fighting for America will move any reader: all who, like the author, owe their lives to those who served.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing short of an excellent walk through history.......2005-07-23

Chris Moore's chronicle of black patriotism from Colonial times through World War II is nothing short of an excellent walk through history. As a history buff I found myself eager to turn each page. I would sit with highlighter in hand marking special passages as though I was still a college student studying for an exam. Moore has a special way of transporting the reader back in time, allowing one to almost hear the voices of those who wrote the letters featured in the book. I never realized just how much we as a people contributed to the early Colonial battles that set America as a country free.

Even though black Americans have fought and died in every war this country has faced, only the heroes of recent history get recognition. Yes, we grew up with a knowledge of Crispus Attucks, but what about heroes like Seaman Doris 'Dorrie' Miller and Pfc Robert H. Brooks. Miller was aboard the USS West Virginia, when she was attacked December 7, 1941 by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. Miller, a naval messman, managed to save several lives when he shot down four enemy planes with a .50-caliber anti-aircraft gun he'd never been trained to use. Miller was later presented the Navy Cross for his efforts. I was never taught in school about Pfc Robert H. Brooks was the first soldier to die at Fort Stotenbugh in the Phillipines, when the Japanese attacked December 8, 1941.

There was also airmen Eugene Bullard, who was not allowed to fly combat missions for America. Bullard was however, welcomed by the French army and became an ace pilot during World War I. Bullard flew more than twenty missions against the Germans and was credited with shooting down at least five enemy aircraft. Moore introduces us to black female heroes like pilot Willa Beatrice Brown. In 1941 Lieutenant Brown became the first woman officer in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. Throughout WWII Brown served as an instructor in the Civilian Pilot Training Program.

Moore's research on the Red Ball Express, the 320th Barrage Ballon Brigade, the 161st Chemical Smoke Generating Company and the countless Engineer Aviation Battalions such as the 810th and the 811th paved the way for Allied victory. Moore allows the reader to feel the shear determination of black enlisted men and women who fought a duel war. One war was against the Germans and Japanese and the other war was against the prejudice they faced daily from their fellow American service men and women. Although this book began as a tribute to Moore's parents S.Sgt. Bill Moore and Pfc Norma K. DeFreese Moore his four year journey turned out to be so much more. Though not written as a text book, this book should be incorportated into the half written history books our children are taught from. It is a book that my family will read again and again.

Reviewed by Felecia R. Ellis Memphis RAWSISTAZ

Interesting.......2005-05-25

What an interesting subject, presented with historical perspective in Fighting for America, written by Moore to honor his GI Joe Mom and Dad.

I found myself saying out loud, "I didn't know that" as I got a history lesson about the role African-Americans played in fighting for America since they became "Americans."

Even in a movie like "Saving Private Ryan," the important role of several hundred black soldiers at Utah and Omaha Beach on D-Day was not shown. Throughout the book that focuses on World War II, we learn about heroism, camaraderie, segregation, exclusion, demoralization, prejudice -- and patriotism.

Often black men were sent on the most difficult missions - ands then their efforts were greatly downplayed or excluded from history (both when it happened) and in written-down history.

Black women also served as nurses and with other support units. The 6,888th Central Postal Direction Battalion, an all-black unit, assigned some 80 black women to handle mail sorting at a base in Birmingham, England. Those women were the first black people many English had seen, and they helped to shatter stereotypes.

Many of us have heard of the Tuskegee Airmen and all they accomplished. Other black soldiers, trained as paratroopers, were sent to the West Coast of the United States and became firefighters. Their job was to jump into remote forested area and put out fires caused by airborne incendiary bombs sent aloft by the Japanese.

Also, a third of the 10,500 soldiers who built the Alcan Highway (from Canada through roughest Alaska) were black. This major construction project was rushed to ensure that America had a way to get supplies to northward to defend our borders if the enemy blocked our supply ships.

The book was filled with such interesting facts that any history buff will love it. And if you just like to read good stories about good people, it will meet that requirement.

A special piece of history.......2005-01-09

If you are a fan of history or not this is wonderful book. Having read a several other history books on WWII in college, this is the first book that has captured me. The journey the reader takes through the life of the author's family and through other soldier's personal experiences allows the reader to relate to the war rather then simply read about it. If history books in school were written like this one, history class would not have been dreaded.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HEROES!.......2004-12-29

To anyone with any common sense, it should come as no surprise that African American soldiers carried the load, literally, during the Second World War. FIGHTING FOR AMERICA does a superb and meticulous job in detailing all of the many ways which black soldiers helped to win the war. It is simply a national shame that most black soldiers who fought in WWII have gone to their graves without any recognition for their bravery and heroism. This book is loaded with bonafide heroes who are worthy of our applause and any monument which can be erected in their honor. I recommend this book highly.

Book of Black Heroes: Scientists, Healers, and Inventors (Book of Black Heroes)

Average customer rating:

Heroes Who Changed the World
Concise and succinct biographies

Book of Black Heroes: Scientists, Healers, and Inventors (Book of Black Heroes)

Manufacturer: Just Us Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0940975971

Product Description

In this volume of the popular Book of Black Heroes series, readers will learn about the many contributions Black men and women have made in the sreas of science, medicine and creative invention. Short entry biological sketches herald the ground breaking work of well-known Black heroes such as scientist, George Washington Carver and surgeon, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, and introduce the trailblazing accomplishments of other Black heroes such as inventor Lewis Latimer and Sr. Halle Johnson.

Customer Reviews:

Heroes Who Changed the World.......2003-04-19

In SCIENTIST, HEALERS, AND INVENTORS, Wade Johnson provides a wealth of information about famous African-Americans who have made ingenious contributions. The book contains not only entries for several well-known individuals such as Benjamin Banneker and Madame C. J, Walker, it also includes several lesser-known individuals such as Susie King Taylor, a Civil War Nurse, and Jan Ernst Matzeliger, the inventor of the shoelasting machine (a machine that allowed for the mass production of shoes).

This volume, the third in the Book of Black Heroes series, is educational and informative. Entries contain a picture and biographical information for each of the individuals. My only criticism is that the book reads like a textbook and may not hold the interest of children. Nonetheless, it is an excellent resource for children and adults alike, and would make a welcome complement to any home library.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Concise and succinct biographies.......2003-01-11

Book Of Black Heroes: Scientists Healers And Inventors by Wade Hudson is an impressive survey of learned and able African-American men and women compiled and presented especially for young readers. Each individual page features a photograph of a notable personage from the nineteenth or twentieth centuries, accompanied by a concise and succinct biography summarizing his or her life and achievements. A truly great introduction to remarkable and intelligent people of color who made their mark on history and science itself, Wade Hudson's Book Of Black Heroes is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, family, school, or community any Black History collection for children.

African-American Heroes and Heroines: 150 True Stories of Black American Heroism

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African-American Heroes and Heroines: 150 True Stories of Black American Heroism
Kathryn I Bel Monte
Manufacturer: Lifetime Books, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0811908690

Book Description

Inspiring and amazing stories that showcase 150 black heroes and heroines.

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