Book Review- "Up Periscope" by Robb White

I am a big fan of Submarine novels and "Up Periscope" by Robb White is one of my favorites. 

The story begins when Navy Lieutenant Ken Braden is given a top secret assignment to find a Japanese code on a remote Pacific island during World War Two. The submarine USS Shark is given the task of transporting Braden to the island.

 Author Robb White served aboard several types of vessels during World War Two (including submarines) and he writes of real men and how they deal with life and death combat situations. White's descriptions of The Shark being depth-charged hour after hour by the Japanese are especially harrowing.

"Orion" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

After an especially bad beating from his father, Brian ran out the door and into the forest behind his house. For hours, he walked among the trees.

Eventually, Brian came to a clearing where he noticed a tall man cutting leaves off plants and putting them in containers. Brian watched the man for several minutes before he  mustered the courage to talk with him.

Brian shyly walked up to the man. "What are you doing Mister?" Brian asked. Bright blue eyes turned on him and the tall man smiled. "I am collecting samples for my work." he said. "Are you a scientist or something?"

"You might say that." the man said.  "Can I  help you find plants?" Brian asked "My name is Orion." the man said " and yes you can help me." What is your identity?" Orion asked. Brian held out his hand "Brian Wagner." Orion  frowned for a moment and then shook Brian's hand. For the rest of the day, Brian showed the tall stranger where  the best plants were. 

Brian was having so much fun that he forgot how late it was . His father would be very angry if he were late. Brian said goodbye to Orion and ran for home.

When Brian ran in the door, he saw his father sitting in front of the TV.  Brian tried sneaking up to his room, but his father grabbed his arm and pulled him into the living room. The beating went on until his father was too drunk to continue.

In the morning, Brian crawled into the woods. It took hours, but he finally found Orion  once again  clipping the leaves from plants. The bright blue eyes turned to him and the stranger rushed to Brian's side. "What has happened to you?" he asked  "I fell." Brian replied automatically. It was an excuse he had used dozens of times before.

Orion nodded and pulled a small device from a satchel he was carrying and pointed it at Brian. "Do not be afraid. This is a tool for healing." he said. In a few moments, the pain from the beating was gone and Brian could stand again.

"How did you do that?" Brian asked amazed "It was invented by one of our scientists a couple of centuries ago in your measure of time." Orion said.

"Where are you from Orion?" Brian asked. Orion hesitated for a moment and then answered. "I am from a planet circling one of the stars you see at night. I was sent to this planet to do research."

"You don't look like those aliens in the movies." Brian commented. Orion laughed. "I'm sorry that I am so disappointing." 

"When you leave can you take me with you?" Brian asked suddenly. Orion frowned. "What about your family?"   "I have no family. My father beats me every chance he gets." Brian answered bitterly. "So it was your father that caused your injuries." Orion surmised. Brian nodded.

"It is generally not permitted to remove sentient beings from their home world. but perhaps we can make an exception in this case." Orion said. 

"When do we leave?" Brian asked. " Today. I have a few more samples to collect and then we can go. Is there anything you wish to get from your home?" Orion asked. "My Mother's photo" Brian replied.

Brian looked at his house from the woods. With any luck, his father was seriously drunk. As quietly as he could, Brian entered the house and gathered his mothers photo. Suddenly, a fist came out of the darkness and sent him sprawling. Brian's father screamed in anger as he brutally  whipped his son with a belt.

Brian was about to lose consciousness when Orion lifted his father from the ground and tossed him like a rag doll. "It is time to go." he said. In less then an hour, Brian watched the blue planet called Earth recede into the blackness. 

Film Review- "Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story."

In the 1984 TV film "Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story." Actress Theresa Saldana gives the performance of a lifetime as herself just a couple of years earlier.

On March 5, 1982, Ms. Saldana was attacked and nearly killed by a mentally ill stalker. Theresa spent months in the hospital recovering from her injuries and in that time she not only endured terrible physical pain, but also crushing depression and the terror of the attack.

During her recovery, Saldana is not always a  sympathetic figure. She complains, she is demanding at times, and at one point, gets into a serious argument with a nurse. It takes a brave person and actress to be willing to show themselves in such a negative light.

Theresa Saldana is well known for her performance in "Raging Bull" but in my opinion, her best work as an actress was as herself in "Victims for Victims."

Theresa Saldana passed away on June 6, 2016 at the age of 61.

Book Review- "The First Woman Doctor." by Rachel Baker

"The First Woman Doctor" by Rachel Baker is the remarkable story of Elizabeth Blackwell the first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States.

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821 and later moved with her family to America. In 1847, Elizabeth was accepted to Geneva Medical College in New York. Elizabeth faced many challenges as the only female in the class.Among other problems, some did not want her to examine male cadavers, but  Elizabeth did eventually prevail and graduated first in her class.

After graduating in 1849, Elizabeth had trouble finding a position. A woman medical doctor was just unheard of at the time. After some time in Europe, Elizabeth returned to New York and opened a clinic for the poor which was also quite unusual for the period.

In the 1860s, Elizabeth Blackwell opened her own medical college for women.  

I read The First Woman Doctor some years ago, and I found the story fascinating and well worth reading. I am still a little surprised that Doctor Blackwell does not get the recognition today that she so much deserves.

Book Review- "Signal Zero" By George Kirkham

The law enforcement profession has been in the news quite a bit lately and I was reminded of an excellent book that I read several years ago.

"Signal Zero" by George Kirkham is the true story of a college professor (Kirkham) who actually became a police officer as part of a research project.

 Criminology Professor Kirkham thought that  he was fairly knowledgeable about police work until he is confronted by the brutal reality of the streets.

Signal Zero is somewhat dated since the events in the book occurred four decades ago, but it still gives a graphic and  unflinching look at what police officers deal with everyday.

Book Review- "Alexander Hamilton The Outsider" by Jean Fritz

With the success of the Broadway musical "Hamilton" Alexander Hamilton is getting some much deserved modern recognition. For those interested in Alexander Hamilton's actual life story try the book "Alexander Hamilton The Outsider" by Jean Fritz.

Alexander Hamilton was born in 1755 or perhaps 1757 in the West Indies. After his mother passed away, Alexander moved to New York to pursue his education.  In 1755, Hamilton joined a militia and eventually became an General Washington's aide.

Like most of The Founding Fathers, Hamilton was a true Renaissance man and  author Jean Fritz does a good job of detailing his many

 accomplishments which include: writing a majority of The Federalist Papers , the founding of America's financial system, The U.S. Coast Guard, The New York Post,The New York Bank, The Federalist Political Party, and was America's first Secretary of the Treasury.

It is probable that Alexander Hamilton would have eventually become president, but he was sadly killed in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804.

Book Review- "Mao Zedong" by Whitney Stewart

Mao Zedong was one of the most powerful men of the Twentieth Century and perhaps the worst mass killer in history.

"Mao Zedong" by Whitney Stewart is a  brief narrative of the long and complex life of the founder of Communist China.

Mao Zedong was born in 1893 and tried several occupations before he became a political revolutionary. Ms. Stewart brings to light some details of Mao's personal life such as his failed marriages and abandoned children, but somewhat glosses over his undeniable military leadership abilities.

In 1949, Mao Zedong became the Communist Dictator of China. Mao did achieve some progress, but his arrogance and unwillingness to listen to criticism also created chaos and mayhem especially during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s.

"Mao Zedong" is a fair introduction to the founder of Communist China, but unfortunately it's short length  leaves out many vital details of Mao's life.