You’ll Be Sor-ree! By Sid Phillips

Sid Phillips tried to enlist in the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor. He ended up shortly thereafter in the Marines. These are his recollection of his days in the Pacific in World War II.

I’m not much for non-fiction. I find that daily events often provide more grim reality than I really care to experience. My Dad was only slightly older than Sid Phillips. Even though Sid was in the Pacific theater and the Marines and my Dad was in Europe and the Army, I heard parallels in his tales.

Phillips points out several times that our bulwark against aggression was a group of very young and very inexperienced kids. Those kids had horrific experiences that turned them quickly into men. I was struck by the fact that there wasn’t one single instance of “poor me” in his homey rendition. He made no excuses for is behavior or complaints about treatment. Quite frequently he made mention of events or instances where you could not expect sympathy or compassion from your compatriots. You were expected at all times to “man” up.

Regardless of your feelings about the military, you have to admire the courage and the resiliency of the “greatest” generation. In 1939 my Dad was in a mule brigade and by the end of the war there jets in the air. The astounding changes these young guys went through are hard to imagine.

Sid Phillips, I salute you and your generation for an amazing job!

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Sid Philllips

Crash Dive by Larry Bond

This is a collection of short stories about submarine warfare. The stories were, for the most part, penned by the men who lived them. The statistics showing the loss of boats and lives were daunting. The stories show the character and courage of the sailors that were courageous enough to fight our countries enemies from beneath the sea.

I didn’t know that submariners were all volunteers nor did I realize how much submarine action took place on the surface of the sea rather then beneath the waves. I toured a WWII submarine one time. I’m over 6 feet tall and I know I would never have survived in a sub. Between cracking my head and my shins I felt lucky to survive a walking tour let alone a cruise in war time. The people that staff submarines are a special breed. They are better educated and more accomplished than the rest of the navy. They may be working on a nuclear reactor or peeling potatoes but they do it underneath the waves. If a ship springs a leak there is a high likelihood that no one will be injured. If a sub springs a leak while submerged there is a high likelihood no one will survive. T

These stories are illustrative of the finer attributes of the warriors willing to put their life on the line for their country.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Larry Bond

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NINA KOSTERINA--A YOUNG COMMUNIST IN STALINIST RUSSIA by Jennifer Phillips

Jennifer Phillips brings an interesting story to current readers. I taught history and was not familiar with the story of Nina Kosterina. The book is far more than just an explanation of a young girl’s diary. It is a description of the evolving of Russian society. Our days as the bogie man to the Russians and their days as the Evil Empire have passed but we as a society have very little knowledge of what historic events led to the current Russia.

The book is well done with a generational span of content. Reading this book gives a greater understanding of what the “main street” of Russian society endured. It is also illustrative of the lengths that love of country will carry a family.

I recommend the book.

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Elijah Lovejoy’s Fight for Freedom by Jennifer Phillips

Having once taught history, I was somewhat embarrassed to have never heard of Elijah Lovejoy. This children’s book gives a clear and concise history of Elijah Lovejoy and his fight for freedom of speech. Ms. Phillips does a good job in providing background and information in a manner acceptable to the younger reader.

I liked the way Ms. Phillips interspersed quotes and illustrations. It is important to provide extra stimulus to keep the interest of the younger reader, particularly in subjects like history. Ms. Phillips also provides interesting personal aspects on Elijah that helps the reader to stay involved with the drier historic facts. I found the message very clear that Elijah Lovejoy fought for the right to publicly express opinions and ideas. His courage allowed other editors to grow and further the entire freedom of the press tradition.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Jennifer Phillips

Web site:http://www.noseinabookpublishing.com/