The Neukomment's Kottage Book Shelf

Christy

Louis L'Amour Western Short Story Collections

Agatha Christie Mystries!!!

Caribbean Mystery
Murder on the Orient Express
Dead Man's Folly
Double Sin & Other Stories

An Ordinary Woman's Extraordinary Faith : The Autobiography of Patricia St. John; by Patricia M. St. John; Harold Shaw Publishers, ( February 1996): This autobiography of the author of such classics as "Treasure in the Snow" and "Star of Light" is a real treasure. There is a realism and depth that those who take the Christian life seriously can connect and relate to. The poem "The Alchemist" is in itself worth the price of the book.

Robert the Bruce : King of Scots; Ronald McNair Scott, Carroll & Graf; (1996) (Paperback) My edition is a hard cover edition published by Peter Bedrick Books in 1989. Original publication was in 1982.       Robert the Bruce finished the job William Wallace started. There is a detailed and interesting account of the Battle of Bannock Burn, June 1314. The conflicting nuances of Scottish and English relationships are also set forth. A good book to have for gaining an understanding of Scot history.

For Want of a Nail: If Burgoyne Had Won at Saratoga; Robert Sobel; Stackpole Books; (1997): This is a well written alternative history about a "what if" at a hinge point of history where for "want of a nail" the whole course of history could have gone much different. Sobel's work is stunningly realistic and probable. The thirteen colonies face defeat after Burgoyne takes Saratoga, and as they say,"The rest is history". For Want of a Nail is not for those looking for light reading. It is serious "history" written on a college textbook level, complete with "footnotes" and a list of "sources". Sobel sets a standard for alternative history that is to be respected. One shortcoming in this "history", it's that Sobel takes an economic view of history. Both actual and alternative historians need to remember "Man does not live by bread alone."

I have written a number of reviews for Amazon.com items. Most of the reviews are on books I've read, but there is also a music CD review and a camara review. You don't have to agree with my reviews to be my friend. You will find in these reviews that I do have a few opinions about some things.