BOOK REPORTS--

Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

This is a true story of three American service people who survive a plane crash deep in the mountainous, interior jungle of New Guinea in 1945.  Twenty one of their companions died in the crash.  Their crash site put them between the enemy Japanese and head-hunting jungle tribes, the latter living like they had in the Stone Age.  This is a marvelous, historical narrative, the story of their adventure and the most incredible rescue mission of World War II.  Do yourself a favor and read this one.  It will not take long.


Red on Red by Edward Conlon

This, the author's debut novel, is an articulate and penetrating look at life as a New York City detective--which he is.  Joseph Wambaugh, a seasoned and successful "cop story" author said, "...this is the cop novel for everyone who reads books."  I whole-heartily agree!


Jihad Joe by J. M. Berger

The sub-title describes this offering thusly:  "Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam."  Frankly, I got about 100 pages into this book and quit.  It is a distressing topic about Americans who have volunteered for battle in the name of Islam but it trundled through the topic like that history teacher whose class it has been easy for you to forget.


Up Country by Nelson DeMille

I have yet to encounter a DeMille offering I did not like.  A lot.  This one takes you back to the Viet Nam War with a veteran who later became a career military cop and is assigned a clandestine investigation that romps from Saigon to Hanoi.  Some reads are hard to put down.  This is one of them.