February 2024 MBR The Biography Shelf

The Biography Shelf

King of Diamonds
Ronald Winston, author
William Stadiem, author
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510775602, $28.99, HC, 400pp

https://www.amazon.com/King-Diamonds-Flawless-World-Winston/dp/1510775609

Synopsis: Few American success stories rival that of Harry Winston.

Born Harry Weinstein, he came from humble roots. His parents were poor Jewi=
sh immigrants who left Ukraine around 1890 for New York, where they settled=
 and started a small jewelry business. His genius for spotting priceless ge=
ms emerged young. When Harry was twelve years old, he recognized a two-cara=
t emerald in a pawn shop and bought it for 25 cents, selling it two days la=
ter for $800 - a massive sum in the early 1900s. From that moment on, Harry=
 became obsessed with gems, especially diamonds.

A compact, unassuming man with no formal education, but unlimited drive and=
 ambition, Harry Weinstein transformed himself into Harry Winston, the enig=
matic figure who created the world's most prestigious luxury brand.

Harry Winston built his empire while the Depression raged, World War II res=
haped the world, and America entered its post-war period of prosperity. "Ki=
ng of Diamonds: Harry Winston, the Definitive Biography of an American Icon=
"is a riveting life story whose readers get a bird's eye view of the danger=
s of the diamond trade and the lengths men would go to get their hands on t=
he best of the "rough."

There's also a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous, who clamored =
for Winston's gems.

Although he traveled the world doing business with kings, queens, and movie=
 stars, Winston remained a devoted family man, whose chief wish was that hi=
s sons carry on the legacy he had built.

Harry's older son Ronald Winston worked alongside his father for decades. A=
fter Harry's death, Ron grew the company into the international brand that =
is still revered today. He ran it expertly, until he was forced to sell the=
 company, due to his younger brother's maligning litigation. "King Diamond"=
 is also the story of a family business that survived and thrived for more =
than a century, until it was undone by one, bitter family member.

Critique: Fascinating, detailed, candid, and compelling read from start to =
finish, "King of Diamonds: Harry Winston, the Definitive Biography of an Am=
erican Icon", and written with the professional assistance of biographer an=
d author William Stadiem, is especially and unreservedly recommended pick f=
or community and college/university library American Biography collections.=
 It should also be noted for the personal reading lists of anyone with an i=
nterest in the jewelry business and the biographies of the rich and famous,=
 that "King of Diamonds" is also readily available in a digital book format=
 (Kindle, $17.99).

Editorial Note #1: Ronald Winston, the eldest son of Harry and Edna Winston=
, was born in New York City in 1941 and raised in Westchester, New York. As=
 an undergraduate at Harvard University, he was twice recognized by the Ame=
rican Rocket Society for research in solid propellants. He graduated from H=
arvard in 1963 with a degree in chemistry, then worked at the Massachusetts=
 Institute of Technology and New York University developing rocket propulsi=
on technologies. In his late twenties, at the request of his father, he joi=
ned the executive team at Harry Winston, Inc. When his father passed away i=
n 1978, Ron assumed leadership of the company, turning it into the global l=
uxury brand that is revered today. He left the company in 2013 and returned=
 to his first love, science. Winston holds many science patents and is curr=
ently working in biotech on developing a cure for cancer.

Editorial Note #2: William Stadiem is the author of "Mr. S: My Life with Fr=
ank Sinatra", "Marilyn Monroe Confidential", and "Dear Senator: A Memoir by=
 the Daughter of Strom Thurmond". He has contributed to Vanity Fair and Tow=
n & Country and was the Hollywood columnist for Andy Warhol's Interview and=
 the restaurant critic for Los Angeles Magazine. Stadiem is also a screenwr=
iter whose credits include Elizabeth Taylor's last starring vehicle, Franco=
 Zeffirelli's Young Toscanini, and the television series L.A. Law.

The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age
Alex Anglesey
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399035095, $39.95, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Survivor-Tudor-Age-William/dp/1399035096

Synopsis: Like Cromwell and Wolsey before him, William Paget (1506 - 9 June=
 1563) came from nowhere to become one of Henry VIII's most powerful 'new m=
en'. After serving as ambassador to the Court of Francis I of France, he be=
came Henry's most influential foreign policy advisor and developed a close =
relationship with Emperor Charles V. He had the king's ear in Henry's later=
 years, was the key player in drafting his will (was it a forgery?) and in =
enabling Somerset to become Lord Protector in the reign of the boy king, Ed=
ward VI. For a while, he was Somerset's 'right-hand man'.

When Somerset fell, Paget was imprisoned in the Tower and nearly executed. =
But he survived and regained power. He had a major role in delivering the C=
rown to the Catholic queen, Mary, and in arranging her marriage to Philip I=
I of Spain, whom he then advised on English politics. He kept in with the P=
rotestant princess Elizabeth and survived to have influence when she came t=
o the throne.

William was also the founder of the aristocratic Paget family - Barons of B=
eaudesert, Earls of Uxbridge and Marquesses of Anglesey.

From records of the mansion that he built on a site next to today's Heathro=
w Airport, a picture has been created of how life was actually lived in a T=
udor household at the personal family level.

William' story is partly told from previously unexamined family letters. It=
 is an exciting narrative of dramatic ups and downs: from rags to riches, p=
lague to plenty, and prison to peerage. Court intrigues, conspiracies, rebe=
llions and coups, follow one after the other. William is usually in the thi=
ck of it, the power behind the throne.

Critique: An inherently fascinating and informative read from start to fini=
sh, "The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord Willia=
m Paget" is a masterpiece of biographical scholarship and a critically impo=
rtant contribution to our understanding of 16th Century British history. Si=
gnificantly enhanced for the benefit of the reader with the inclusion of an=
 Appendix (A Family Epilogue), thirteen pages of Notes, a three page listin=
g of Sources & Bibliography, and a three page Index, "The Great Survivor of=
 the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget" is an extraordina=
ry and expressly recommended contribution to personal, professional, commun=
ity, and college/university library 16th Century British History collection=
s and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for student=
s, academia, historian, and non-specialist general readers with an interest=
 in the subject that "The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Tim=
es of Lord William Paget" is also available in a digital book format (Kindl=
e, $25.00).

Editorial Note: Alex Anglesey is the 8th Marquess of Anglesey, descendant o=
f Lord William, founder of the Paget family. He grew up in the family home,=
 Plas Newydd on Anglesey, which is now part of the National Trust. After do=
ing a PhD in 20th century British history, working in book publishing, and =
co-founding and running a successful business retailing and publishing post=
ers, he now works most of the time as an artist, mainly of landscapes in oi=
ls, under the name Alex Uxbridge.

Favourite of Fortune: Captain John Quilliam Trafalgar Hero
Andrew Lambert, Andrew Bond, and Frank Cowin
Seaforth Publishing
c/o Naval Institute Press
www.nip.org
9781399012706, $44.95, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Favourite-Fortune-Captain-Quilliam-Trafalgar/dp/1399=
012703

Synopsis: Born on the Isle of Man two hundred fifty years ago, Captain John=
 Quilliam (29 September 1771 - 10 October 1829) has, until now, evaded deta=
iled study of his extraordinary life. While celebrated as a Manx hero, in t=
he wider world beyond the Island one of the most important men on the quart=
er deck of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar remains largely unrecogni=
zed.

Trafalgar, however, was not even the high point of Quilliam's professional =
journey. From the lowest rung of the ladder in the dockyard at Portsmouth h=
e climbed to become Victory's First Lieutenant, having already survived two=
 of the bloodiest sea-battles of the era at Camperdown and Copenhagen. In t=
he process he won a share in undreamed of wealth through the seizure of one=
 of the largest hauls of Spanish gold ever taken by the Georgian navy.

Promoted post-Captain, Quilliam reached the apogee of his profession, comma=
nding frigates in the Baltic and on the Newfoundland station in the War of =
1812. There, in a bizarre twist worthy of a novel by O'Brian or Forester, h=
e defeated an accusation of shirking an engagement with the American super-=
frigate President in a court-martial brought by his own First Lieutenant.

Critique: Rescued from an undeserved obscurity by the team of Andrew Lamber=
t (who is Professor of Naval History at King's College, London), Manx Antiq=
urarian Andrew Bond,, and biographer Andrew Bond, "Favourite of Fortune: Ca=
ptain John Quilliam Trafalgar Hero" from Seaforth Publishing is impressivel=
y informative, exceptionally well written, expertly organized and thoroughl=
y 'reader friendly' in presentation. Enhanced for the readers benefit with =
the inclusion of Illustrations, Notes, Glossary, Bibliography, and an Index=
, "Favourite of Fortune" is recommended as a key addition to personal, prof=
essional, community, and college/university library War of 1812 Naval Histo=
ry and English Naval Biography collections and supplemental curriculum stud=
ies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist ge=
neral readers with an interest in the subject that "Favourite of Fortune" i=
s also available in a paperback edition (9781399016957, $19.95).

Editorial Note: Andrew Lambert is Laughton Professor of Naval History in th=
e Department of War Studies at King's College, London. He provided the poli=
tical and strategic context to the detailed biographical research by Andrew=
 Bond, a retired engineering journalist, while Frank Cowin, a prominent Man=
x antiquarian, dealt with Quilliam's background and reputation on the Islan=
d.

Luck or Miracle: A World War II POW's Survival Story
Reginald Bollich, author
James Bollich, narrator
Modern History Press
https://www.modernhistorypress.com
9781615997787, $34.95, HC, 122pp

https://www.amazon.com/Luck-Miracle-World-Survival-Story/dp/1615997784

Synopsis: With the publication of "Luck or Miracle: A World War II POW's Su=
rvival Story", author Reginald Bollich presents the true story of Jim Bolli=
ch, a 102-year-old World War II soldier, who offers a first-person account =
of courage, fortitude and the will to survive three years of frost-bitten c=
aptivity as a POW in Manchuria, enduring the Bataan Death March, thirst, st=
arvation, diseases, a 32-day sea voyage (crammed into the hold of a Japanes=
e hell ship) and aerial bombings.

After liberation, the transport ship to take him home hit a mine and lost p=
ower. A violent typhoon ensued and he had to lash himself to a bulkhead abo=
ve deck to survive.

Jim survived because he strengthened his mind to confront evil and overcome=
 fear in the face of danger, beatings and pain. Daily prayer strengthened h=
is will to live.

Critique: An invaluable memoir offering genuine perspective and information=
 about life as a POW in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, "Luck or Mirac=
le: A World War II POW's Survival Story" is a testament to the resilience o=
f the human spirit throughout the the Japanese atrocities that were the hal=
lmark of that conflict. "Luck of Miracle" is especially and unreservedly re=
commended for personal, community, and college/university library World War=
 II History/Biography collections. It should be noted that "Luck of Miracle=
" is also readily available in both a paperback edition (9781615997770, $19=
.95) and a digital book format (Kindle, $6.95).

Editorial Note #1: Reggie Bollich is a retired physicist, amateur biblical =
archaeologist, and ordained Catholic deacon. He worked on NASA's Apollo pro=
ject, for the oil/gas industry in the USA, Saudi Arabia, France, London, Si=
ngapore and the UAE. He unearthed ancient sites in the Middle East and is p=
resident of a non-profit organization that supports Sarnelli orphanage in T=
hailand.

Editorial Note #2: James Bollich is a 102-year-old World War II US Army vet=
eran. He survived the Bataan Death March, numerous diseases, starvation, a =
thirty-two-day sea voyage crammed into the hold of a Japanese hell-ship, an=
d a three-and-one-half year frost-bitten sojourn as a POW in a Manchuria pr=
ison camp. He went on to earn a degree under the G.I. Bill and had a succes=
sful career as a geologist in Lafayette Louisiana where he lives today.

Dale L. Morgan
Richard L. Saunders
The University of Utah Press
https://uofupress.lib.utah.edu
9781647691202, $95.00, HC, 536pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dale-L-Morgan-Histories-Transition/dp/1647691206

Synopsis: "Dale L. Morgan: Mormon and Western Histories in Transition" by R=
ichard L. Saunders is the first biography of Dale L. Morgan (December 18, 1=
914 - March 30, 1971) who was preeminent Western historian of the fur trade=
, historic trails, and the Latter Day Saint movement.

This comprehensive biography explores how, despite personal struggles, Morg=
an committed his life to tracking down sources and interpreting the past on=
 the strength of documentary evidence. Connecting Morgan's life with some o=
f the broad cultural changes that shaped his experiences, this biography en=
gages with methodological shifts in the historical profession, the mid-twen=
tieth-century collision of interpretations within Latter Day Saint history,=
 and the development of a descriptive, scholarly approach to that history.

Morgan's body of work and commitment to serious scholarship signaled the st=
art of new ways of understanding, studying, and retelling history, and he m=
otivated a generation of historians from the 1930s to the 1970s to transfor=
m their historical approaches. Sounding board, mentor, and close friend to =
Nels Anderson, Fawn Brodie, Juanita Brooks, Bernard DeVoto, Wallace Stegner=
, and Leonard Arrington, Dale Morgan is the common factor linking this infl=
uential generation of mid-twentieth-century historians of western America.

Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a 24 page Dale L. M=
organ Bibliography, 58 pages of Notes, a 20 page listing of Works Cited, an=
d a 14 page Index, this University of Utah Press edition of academic librar=
ian and biographer Richard L. Saunders' detailed and documented historical =
study, "Dale L. Morgan: Mormon and Western Histories in Transition" is a se=
minal work of impressively meticulous scholarship and is especially, unrese=
rvedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and colle=
ge/university library American Biography collections. It should be noted fo=
r students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest i=
n the subject that "Dale L. Morgan: Mormon and Western Histories in Transit=
ion" is also available in a paperback edition (9781647691219, $34.95).

Editorial Note: Richard L. Saunders is a librarian at Southern Utah Univers=
ity. He is also the author of Eloquence from a Silent World: A Descriptive =
Bibliography of the Published Writings of Dale L. Morgan, and editor of Mor=
gan's writing in Shoshonean Peoples and the Overland Trails: Frontiers of t=
he Utah Superintendency of Indian Affairs, 1849 - 1869.

A Dangerous Country: An American Elegy
Ron Kovic
Akashic Books
www.akashicbooks.com
9781636141664, $27.95, HC, 264pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Country-American-Elegy/dp/1636141668

Synopsis: When 18 year old Ronald Lawrence Kovic enlisted in the United Sta=
tes Marine Corps in 1964, he couldn't foresee that he would return from Vie=
tnam paralyzed and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

His best-selling 1976 memoir "Born on the Fourth of July" became an antiwar=
 classic and was adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Tom Cruise as =
Kovic. His follow-up, "Hurricane Street", chronicled his advocacy for Vietn=
am veterans' rights. "A Dangerous Country: An American Elegy" completes Kov=
ic's Vietnam Trilogy, delving deep into his long and often agonizing journe=
y home from war and eventual healing, forgiveness, and spiritual redemption=
.

"A Dangerous Country" opens with Kovic's never-before-revealed Vietnam diar=
y (July 7, 1967 - July 26, 1968). His entries from this period portray a pa=
triotic young soldier with a strong moral and religious conscience. Kovic t=
hen recalls his political awakening after his return from Vietnam confined =
to a wheelchair following his horrific injury. He also chronicles the treme=
ndous guilt he feels over his accidental killing of a fellow Marine while o=
n patrol. This killing psychologically torments him as much as his severe d=
isability.

After years of social, political, and sexual turmoil (and on the brink of s=
uicide) Kovic experiences a powerful epiphany that gives him a reason and p=
urpose to live; a renewed faith and strength to carry on. Although his trau=
ma is severe, his third memoir is ultimately the inspirational story of a s=
urvivor finding a way to rise above his depression and despair, forgiving h=
is enemies and himself, and growing deeply committed to a new life.

Critique: A compelling, emotionally resonating, and thought-provoking read =
from start to finish, this third and final memoir by Ron Kovic, and publish=
ed by Akashic Books, "A Dangerous Country: An American Elegy" is of special=
 and particular value and appeal to readers with an interest in Vietnam War=
, social/political anti-war activist, and disability biographies and memoir=
s, While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/=
university library American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be note=
d for personal reading lists that "A Dangerous Country" is also available i=
n a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Ron Kovic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Kovic) served =
two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He was paralyzed from his chest d=
own in combat in 1968 and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Along with O=
liver Stone, Kovic was the co-screenwriter of the 1989 Academy Award - winn=
ing film based on Kovic's best-selling memoir Born on the Fourth of July (s=
tarring Tom Cruise as Kovic). Hurricane Street (2016) detailed Kovic's effo=
rts to organize the American Veterans Movement in 1974, fighting for better=
 treatment of injured and disabled veterans.

A Surgeon and a Maverick
Simon Pearson, author
Fiona Gorman, author
American University in Cairo Press
www.aucpress.com
9781649031969, $29.95, HC, 446pp

https://www.amazon.com/Surgeon-Maverick-Pioneering-Magdi-Yacoub/dp/16490319=
63

Synopsis: With the publication of "A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and P=
ioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub", co- authors and veteran journalists Simon =
Pearson and Fiona Gorman follow the remarkable life of heart surgeon Magdi =
Yacoub from his formative years in Egypt, through spectacular success at Ca=
iro University, to his long and distinguished career in Britain.

Although at times he clashed with the medical establishment in London, Yaco=
ub pioneered great advances in heart surgery. He was knighted in 1992, and =
in 2014, he was awarded the highest honor in the gift of the Queen, the Ord=
er of Merit.

Written with unprecedented access and drawing on extensive interviews and r=
esearch, this deftly crafted biography recounts how Yacoub transformed the =
treatment of children with congenital heart disease. He performed some of t=
he first heart transplants in Britain and the first heart-lung transplants =
in Europe. At London's Harefield Hospital, he created the greatest heart tr=
ansplant center in the world. Among his patients are men and women who are =
still thriving more than thirty-five years after he gave them new hope.

"A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub" is=
 also about the advances of medical science, the development of new medical=
 techniques, and a deeper understanding of how the human body works.

Today, at an age when most people have long since retired, Yacoub is still =
pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding and surgical know-how. H=
e is also taking heart surgery to places that until now have had little acc=
ess to cardiac treatment, developing centers of excellence across Africa, i=
ncluding in Egypt, where his hospital in Aswan has an international reputat=
ion, and a new center is rising in Cairo.

Yacoub's life is one of triumph and tragedy, success and failure, fierce cr=
iticism and high praise -- it is also an enthralling journey through the wo=
rlds of scientific research and medical politics and ethics at the highest =
levels.

Critique: An inherently fascinating read from start to finish, "A Surgeon a=
nd a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub" is the extraor=
dinary life story of an extraordinary man of medicine and will prove to be =
of immense value to readers with an interest in organ transplant surgery. "=
A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub" is =
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, communi=
ty, and college/university library Contemporary Biography and Medical Histo=
ry collections. It should be noted that "A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life=
 and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub" is also readily available in a digita=
l book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note #1: Fiona Gorman worked for The Times newspaper in London fo=
r more than thirty years. She has written on a range of subjects including =
mental health.

Editorial Note #2: Mary Archer is a British scientist specializing in solar=
 power conversion. In 2012, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order o=
f the British Empire (DBE) for her services to the National Health Service.

My American Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom
Barbara Sommer Feigin
https://www.barbarafeigin.com
Five Star Press
9798988626107, $26.95, HC, 276pp

https://www.amazon.com/My-American-Dream-Journey-Fascism/dp/B0CLX3JZN6

Synopsis: On August 4, 1940, the Seattle Times featured a photo of a toddle=
r sitting on a dock, surrounded by suitcases and looking dazed. After a har=
rowing journey with her parents, she'd just stepped off a boat and into her=
 new life in America. Barbara Sommer Feigin was that little girl.

Over seventy years later, Feigin made a stunning discovery: her Jewish fath=
er had kept a detailed journal that chronicled their family's escape from N=
azi Germany. Her parents had never spoken of it, and she remembered nothing=
 of their terrifying, death-defying passage three-quarters of the way aroun=
d the world-from Berlin to Seattle by way of Lithuania, Russia, China, Kore=
a, and Japan before crossing the Pacific.

Featuring three intertwining narratives, "My American Dream: A Journey from=
 Fascism to Freedom" is a compelling memoir of resilience, grit, and grace.

Feigin tells of her life as a young German-speaking refugee living in a sma=
ll Washington town and yearning to become an "authentic" American. She deta=
ils how she became a trailblazing executive in the advertising business in =
New York City-a completely male-dominated business in the 1960s-rising from=
 the ranks and ultimately securing a seat in the executive boardroom. A dev=
oted wife and mom of three sons (including one set of twins), she spent twe=
nty-five years as a caregiver for her husband, who suffered two serious str=
okes, and remained fiercely committed to building strong family bonds durin=
g turbulent times.

Critique: Eloquent, articulate, informative, fascinating, memorable, "My Am=
erican Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom" from Five Star Press will =
be of immense appeal to readers with an interest in Jewish Biographies/Memo=
irs, the experiences of women in business, and personal life stories with s=
uch universal themes as the American Dream motivating men and women from ar=
ound the world to seek refuge and a new life as migrants to American. While=
 also readily available in a paperback edition (9798988626114, $16.95) and =
in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99), "My American Dream: A Journey fro=
m Fascism to Freedom" is a prized pick for personal reading lists, as well =
as community and college/university library collections.

Editorial Note: Barbara Sommer Feigin (https://www.barbarafeigin.com) earne=
d a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, before completing a gradu=
ate program in business run jointly by Harvard Business School and Radcliff=
e Graduate School. Feigin found success in a completely male-dominated busi=
ness (advertising) when career-building opportunities for women were virtua=
lly nonexistent. In her illustrious thirty-year career at Grey Advertising =
(now the Grey Global Group), she solidified her reputation as a visionary t=
hinker. In all her years as a senior advertising executive and a corporate =
director, she was more often than not the only woman in the room. In 2017, =
Feigin was named one of the century's Legendary Pioneers by Grey.

The Unknown Face
Gregory Duncan
New Origins Publishers
9798988860228, $24.99, HC, 262pp

https://www.amazon.com/Face-memoir-marriage-mental-illness-ebook/dp/B0CML34=
HXB

Synopsis: A marriage with an imperfect love story goes tragically wrong one=
 summer in a small college town in Virginia, and the husband is left pickin=
g up the pieces of pain and regret. How did it end in suicide instead of di=
vorce?

What he discovers six months later is both heartbreaking and astonishing.

In a time when extreme events and behavior are more prevalent, "The Unknown=
 Face: A memoir of marriage, mental illness, and the search for why" by Gre=
gory Duncan offers in-depth psychological account of a seemingly normal rel=
ationship describes how things kept hidden underneath provide one's greates=
t downfall, and shows what one can learn from loss after the walls come tum=
bling down.

Critique: Deftly written, impressively candid, inherently fascinating, exce=
ptionally thoughtful and thought provoking, Gregory Duncan's deeply persona=
l memoir, "The Unknown Face" will prove especially appreciated by readers w=
ith an interest in marriage, mental illness, and the search for why when tr=
agedy suddenly occurs. While especially and unreservedly recommended for co=
mmunity and college/university library American Biography/Memoir collection=
s. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of jazz enthusiasts an=
d addressing the issue of marriage and suicide, "The Unknown Face" is also =
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99, Amazon).

Editorial Note: Gregory Duncan is a writer, musician, and educator, current=
ly living in Philadelphia, after stops in Seattle, Chicago, Texas, Virginia=
, and Spain. When not taking care of his two compassionate, energetic dogs,=
 he is usually playing the trumpet, reading, or writing. He is currently a =
member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Duncan has previously =
published in the online publication "Psych Central" and for the mental heal=
th organization NAMI. After twenty years in the music business and touring =
the world, he has released four jazz recordings, all of which have received=
 radio play throughout the country and the world.

Swinging Away: A Celebration
Victor Pearn, author
George M. Eberhart, editor
Pearn and Associates
https://pearnandassociates.wordpress.com
9781735773193, $17.00, PB, 226pp

https://www.amazon.com/Swinging-Away-Celebration-Victor-Pearn/dp/1735773190

Synopsis: "Swinging Away: A Celebration" is Victor Pearn's testament to poe=
try, friendship, and faith. The story of his life from ranging from joining=
 the Marines in 1969 to becoming a professional publisher is told with his =
innate gift for description that captures the personalities and quirks of h=
is colleagues and the literary luminaries that he happens to meet.

For Pearn, becoming a poet was an ongoing series of adventures that took pl=
ace from Illinois to Colorado and from Mexico to China, where he taught Eng=
lish. The narrative is peppered with poetry samples and musings on the natu=
ral world, academia, and spirituality.

Sports fans will especially appreciate Pearn's tales of the 1969 Wyoming Co=
wboys football team and the 1957 season of the high-school basketball team,=
 the Ashland (Illinois) Panthers. Book buffs will enjoy his take on reading=
 and the great works of literature.

Film buffs will relish his adventure as an extra in a Hollywood movie.

Service members will be entertained by his stories of life in the Marines. =
Whatever life offered him,

Victor Pearn keeps swinging away to make sure he comes out on top-and manag=
es to put it into a poet's perspective.

Critique: An exceptionally interesting memoir of an exceptionally interesti=
ng man, "Swinging Away: A Celebration" will have a very special appeal to r=
eaders with an interest in baseball, basketball, and life as a Marine in th=
e 70s. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community and coll=
ege/university library American Biography/Memoir collections, it should be =
noted for personal reading lists that "Swinging Away: A Celebration" is als=
o readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Senior Editor of "American Libraries" magazine (retired) an=
d a noted bibliographer, Victor Pearn was invited to be Poet-in-Residence a=
t Quincy University, in Illinois. In 2005 he established Pearn and Associat=
es, a book publishing company which has published 61 titles by award winnin=
g authors. His poems have been published in more than 300 publications. His=
 poem "Living Inside Confucius Wall," was translated into Mandarin and publ=
ished by Jining University in China. His poems have also been published in =
Swansea, Wales, Canada, and the Virgin Islands. Swinging Away: A Celebratio=
n is his 15th book.

Paris for Life
Barry Frangipane
Savory Adventures Publishing
https://barryfrangipane.substack.com
9780983614142, $28.95, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Paris-Life-Notes-Lifetime-out/dp/0983614148

Synopsis: When a chance friendship offered him the trip of a lifetime, a tw=
enty-one-year-old Barry Frangipane swapped the familiar beaches of Florida =
for the passion of 1970's Paris.

What followed was a year of learning the language, showering in the kitchen=
 (you read that right), escaping a terrorist bombing, and working on the fr=
ontlines of the burgeoning personal tech industry. All while slowly falling=
 for the girl who'd invited him there -- a love that was to remain entwined=
 with Paris forever.

"Paris for Life: Notes from a Lifetime in and out of Paris" is warmly nosta=
lgic and sharply witty memoir, Barry weaves surprising historical insights =
through his fondest memories (past and present) of the City of Light. From =
the pastries to the politics, the cafes to the cathedrals, "Paris for Life"=
 is an examination of what it means to be wholly captivated by a city and e=
ternally changed by its lessons.

Critique: Part memoir, part travelogue, and a complete celebration of the f=
amed City of Lights, "Paris for Life: Notes from a Lifetime in and out of P=
aris " by Barry Frangipane is a memorable and entertaining read from start =
to finish. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Paris for =
Life" is a deftly crafted and unreservedly recommended pick for community a=
nd college/university library American Biography/Memoir and Paris Travelogu=
e & Guide collections. It should be noted for readers who aspire to one day=
 visit Paris themselves that "Paris for Life" is also readily available in =
a paperback edition (9780983614135, $17.95) and in a digital book format (K=
indle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Barry Frangipane doesn't so much write books as simply putt=
ing pen to paper and letting his life (and sense of humor) spill onto the p=
age. Born in New Jersey, USA, Barry became infected with wanderlust in his =
youth and has failed to find a cure ever since. He has travelled extensivel=
y, operated an exclusive European tour company, and eaten more cr=C3=AApes =
than he cares to mention. Most recently he found himself captivated by Ligu=
ria, Italy, and is now retired there with his wife. Barry claims to know Fr=
ench, Italian, English and the names of several other languages.

Nuff Said
Tyrus, author
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
9781637589052, $28.99, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Nuff-Said-Tyrus/dp/1637589050

Synopsis: "Nuff Said" is the sequel to "Just Tyrus: A Memoir". We continue =
to follow the live and times of Tyrus by delving further into his extraordi=
nary life experiences and see how they connect with the most pressing socia=
l, political, and cultural issues of our time including immigration, crime,=
 bullying, athletics, politics, China, parenting, respect, and more.

A combination personal life story and acutely insightful social commentary,=
 Tyrus's articular commentaries comprising "Nuff Said" have the power take =
and hold the reader's total attention from start to finish.

Critique: Written with a distinctive conversational style that will be part=
icular appreciate by readers with an interest in the world of professional =
athletes, political observations delivered with humor, and the unique life =
story of a remarkable and memorable man, "Nuff Said" is especially and unre=
servedly recommended for community and college/university library Contempor=
ary American Biography collections. It should be noted that for personal re=
ading lists that "Nuff Said" is also available in a digital book format (Ki=
ndle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: A 6'8", 350-pound behemoth, Tyrus is an affable, hardworkin=
g entertainer with a sly sense of humor. Following his initial calling to f=
ootball, he became a bouncer at numerous establishments in Los Angeles wher=
e he caught the attention of Snoop Dogg and became his bodyguard. That drew=
 the attention of the WWE where he went on to enjoy success as "Brodus Clay=
," and later, "The Funkasaurus," which led to his starring in Mattel commer=
cials and appearing in WWE videogames. Along with working as an actor in fi=
lm and television, he recently captured the NWA World Heavyweight Champions=
hip and is a co-host of American's number one late-night comedy, The Greg G=
utfeld Show.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo=
ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
 reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte=
rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi=
duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo=
rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat=
ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
 for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
 (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal=
muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish=
er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review