BOOK REPORTS—

BORN TO RUN by Christopher McDougall

Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner. This is their story and it is a good one.


APACHE by Ed Macy

A fast-read portrayal of the technical, the emotional and the courageous; it puts the reader in the cockpit of our country’s most lethal, attack helicopter. The author retired from the British Army after 23 years of service with 3,930 helicopter flying hours, 645 of them in the Apache. He was awarded the Military Cross by the Queen of England for his courage during a massive helicopter rescue in Afghanistan.


RESCUE WARRIORS by David Helvarg

Helvarg spent two years visiting coast guard facilities and the result is this well-researched book, spiced by the flavor of his personal experiences. The book came to me as a gift from my daughter (with gratitude) and was a delightful peek at the modern version of this service in great contrast to the service I knew from four years of active duty in the late 50s and early 60s. Thanks TJ!


THE WAR AFTER ARMAGEDDON by Ralph Peters

A fast flowing mix of Islamic fanatics, crusading Christian zealots and old fashioned military heroes tying to make sense of...something. The Wall Street Journal called Peters “The thinking man’s Tom Clancy.” Peters has authored 23 previous books. Can’t imagine why I haven’t found any of them earlier.