Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer

Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book covers Paul Revere's famous midnight ride to warn of British troops headed to capture or destroy military supplies. We do discover who Paul Revere is and how he came about to be the one in his position. The story also goes into detail what exactly happened during that fateful morning in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts in April 1775. Many myths(or at least clarification) on what exactly happened. Many may think it was just a small skirmish but it was much more than that. Many mistakes and gruesome events took place that morning that marked the beginning of the American Revolution. This book is a very good resource if your wanting to discover more about this turning point in American history.

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The Battle of Lexington and Concord: Americ the Story of Us

The Ride - Paul Revere short educational film piece

Wicked Awesome History - 1979

Today in 1979 Boston Bruins hockey legend Bobby Orr has his number 4 lifted to the rafters in the old Boston Garden before an exhibition game against the Soviet Union.  The ceremony was overwhelmed by applause that just would not stop as fans showed their appreciation who had helped bring two Stanley Cups to Boston.

  

  

  

Orr: My Story by Bobby Orr

Orr: My Story by Bobby Orr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being a huge Boston Bruins fan I was eager to devour this book about this Hall of Fame hockey player. He is arguably the best Boston Bruin to ever lace up the skates but he would be the first to downplay this. Like is famous smile the book is upbeat but serious when it comes to hockey. We learn of his childhood and early love of hockey and support of his family. His growth into a superstar of his sport and ups and downs of his way too short professional career. About betrayal from a close friend. Then his life after his playing career. It is light on his personal life though he does mention his beautiful wife Peggy and his sons and grandchildren but doesn't go into much detail. This is not surprising from this superstar that usually shuns the limelight. A must read for any Boston Bruins fan!

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Wicked Awesome History Books of 2013

  These are some of the books I read this past year:

• Mayflower : A Story of Courage, Community and War by Nathaniel Philbrick - This is the accounting of the settling of Plymouth, Massachusetts It cover's the Pilgrims trip on the Mayflower to the King Philip's war in 1675-76. This book would be a very good starting point if you really want to know more of this era in New England which focus's on the Plymouth Colony.
• The Devil in Massachusetts by Marion Lena Starkey - This is an authoritative account of the infamous witch trial's that started in Salem(now Danvers), Massachusetts in 1692. This uncovers what was a dark time in Massachusetts history.
• The Cape Cod Canal by J. North Conway - This is an accounting of how and why it took almost 300 years to have this iconic Massachusetts landmark become a reality.
• Solved: The Mystery of the General Arnold by DMA Lenny Cavalaro - This attempt to explain who's shipwreck can still be seen in Plymouth Harbor off historic Plymouth, Massachusetts. Is it the wreck of the brig General Arnold which ran aground during a Christams Day Nor'easter which brought wind snow and sub zero temperatures which took the lives of most of the crew.  
• The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Owen Chase - This is the first hand account Essex First Mate, Owen Chase after their ship was sunk by an angered Sperm whale in the Pacific Ocean. Where the survivors hung on a faced the wide open ocean, exposure and starvation before being rescued.
• Flintlock & Tomahawk:New England in King Philip's War by Douglas Edward Leach - This is an accounting of the often overlooked King Phillip War that occurred in colonial New England in 1675-76. This is a very good resource if your new to the subject.
• King Phillip's War: The History of America's Forgotten Conflict by Eric B. Schultz, Michael Tougias. - King Philip's War was a devastating in colonial times. It did mark a turning point of the Native American influence in the region.
• The American Revolution: A History by Gordon S. Wood - You can't talk about the American Revolution without Massachusetts. Although a relatively short book it did pack a good punch. It focuses more about causes and philosophical revolution that occured than just a mere chronological retelling of the conflict.
• Foxborough: The Gem of Norfolk County by Jack Authelet - This is written by Foxboro native Jack Authelet. We learn of the birth and growth of the community that hosts the well known NFL New England Patriots.

Flyboys by James Bradley

Flyboys is the account of 9 World War 2 pilots(Aka: Flyboys) shot down over Chichi Jima which is close to the more well known Iwo Jima. One of the them who was later rescued by submarine became the 41st President George H.W. Bush. The book sheds light on a dark often unspoken part of the war with Japan. I had mixed feelings about the book but I still recommend it. James Bradley feels he has to show how bad Americans were during the war also. The author  is son of Iwo Jima flag raiser John Bradley who also wrote Flags of our Fathers.

One of the downed flyers was at first addressed as "Unidentified Airman". After the book release he was later identified as Warren Hindenlang. Warren was a native of Foxboro, Massachusetts and was a 1937 graduate of Foxboro High School. August 4, 1944 he was shot down over Chichi Jima. He was later bayoneted and beheaded by his captors. What happened to his family afterwards is unknown. He was one of many paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War 2.

Happy New Years From The Boston Strangler

That's the message Boston Police found when they found Mary Sullivan raped and strangled in her apartment 50 years ago. Thankfully Mary would be the last victim of the Albert Desalvo(aka: The Boston Strangler or Green Man cause he always wore green coveralls. ). He had terrorized the Boston area from 1962-1964 with 13 victims. Was later made into a Film called "The Boston Strangler" starring Tony Curtis as Desalvo.