American Creation by Joseph Ellis

With Founding Brothers Ellis gave us a fascinating overview of the early years of the American Republic by focusing on several episodes that were key in the founding years.  In American Creation he returns to this format to tell six more interesting episodes in the founding of the United States. This time he goes back to the Revolution to begin the book. The first chapter covers the year 1776 and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. The second chapter jumps forward a year and looks at the American army at winter quarters in Valley Forge. Here in Valley Forge the leaders of the American Army came to an understanding of what it meant to be a unified force. This helps to explain why so many of those who worked to make a stronger national government were former officers in the army. In chapter three he examines the arguments surrounding the creation and ratification of the Constitution.

The first half of the book covers episodes that deal with the creation of the nation. The second half looks at three key episodes in the early years of the Republic. In chapter four Ellis examines the issue of how the Native Americans were treated in the early years of the Republic. We see how Washington and Knox sought to come up with some arrangement that could protect the natives and allow room for settlement. The futility of any agreement becomes apparent. There is simply no way to keep settlers out of Indian territory.  The last two chapters focus largely on Jefferson. Chapter five discusses the formation of the first American political party by Jefferson and Madison. The last chapter examines the Louisiana Purchase and how Jefferson dealt with what he saw as Constitutional issues.

This book feels a little more random at times than Founding Brothers. Each episode does work towards the central theme of the creation of the American system. Ellis is a great writer and this book makes a great introduction to the subject and to the episodes. Read this along with Founding Brothers and you will have a great start towards understanding the formation of the United States of America.

The Silent Blade by R. A. Salvatore (A Drizzt Novel)

At the end of Passage to Dawn it was discovered that Wulfgar was not dead. Instead he had been held prisoner for many years by the demon Errtu. He was freed during the battle between Errtu and Drizzt. At the end of the battle Drizzt also gained control of Crenshinibon, the sentient crystal shard. Drizzt hopes that Cadderly will be able to help him destroy the evil artifact once and for all. The five companion, Drizzt, Bruenor, Regis, Catti-Brie, and Wulfgar head out for Spirit Soaring, Cadderly’s magnificent cathedral. 

The book splits into three stories. After a bad flashback to his imprisonment by the demon Wulfgar hits Catti-Brie. After doing this he doesn’t trust himself with his friends and goes off on his own. He stumbles to the city of Luskan where he finally finds work as a bouncer in a bar. It seems that drink and violence are the only thing that can take his mind off of his past.

Drizzt and his remaining friends continue on their journey to Spirit Soaring. Their journey is made far more difficult along the way by the powerful artifact. Crenshinibon continually calls out to dark creatures such as orcs, trolls, ogres, and even men with evil designs. All are drawn by the power of the shard.

In the third thread we follow the story of Artemis Entreri. Entreri was able to escape from the drow city of Menzoberranzen and now he has finally made his way back to Calimport. There he tries to renew his alliances among the criminal elements of the city. He becomes embroiled in the turmoil that is taking place among the criminal pashas. Before long he discovers a new ally. It sees that Jarlaxle has decided to bring his Bregan D’Aerthe organization to the surface in a clandestine way.

Salvatore weaves these stories together quite well. There is a lot going on in this book and the stage is being set for the next few novels. A lot of action and a lot of exploration of the characters, particularly Entreri and Wulfgar. A fun fantasy novel in a great series.

Passage to Dawn by R. A. Salvatore (A Drizzt Novel)

At the end of Siege of Darkness the drow army was defeated. A restless Drizzt set off on his own to find adventure. Catti-Brie has followed him on this excursion. A the beginning of Passage to Dawn we see them joined up with their old friend Captain Deudermont. They have found their adventures on the high seas as pirate chasers. A new adventure begins when a shape-shifter takes on the form of the Captain and attacks Drizzt and Catti-Brie. To find answers they must seek out a mysterious island. There they will learn that someone dear to Drizzt is held prisoner by a demon that is an old foe. They journey in search of the location. On this quest they will meet the great Cleric Cadderly, they will encounter old friends, old enemies, and will battle against the power of the demon Errtu which is enhanced by the artifact Crenshinibon. 

Adventure on the high seas, wizards, demons, and sword fights galore. another great Drizzt novel from the master of sword and sorcery R. A. Salvatore.

Neon Mirage by Max Allan Collins (A Nathan Heller Novel)

Nathan Heller is hired to guard racketeer James Ragen. Ragen has been threatened by mobsters who want to take over his gambling wires. Something goes wrong and Ragen is shot in an ambush. Complicating the matters is Ragen's niece Peggy Hogan. Peggy and Nate have a past that is unknown to her family. Peggy wants Nate to find her uncle's attackers. Heller investigates trying to locate who hired the killers. The investigation eventually leads him out west where he meets up with Virginia Hill and finally with Benjamin Siegel. Siegel has gone west with the vision of turning the sleepy town of Las Vegas into a gambling paradise. Before he knows it Heller is involved with Siegal and helping him to train his security staff to spot pickpockets and to find out why so much material is disappearing from the casino sight. Of course all of this is complicated by the lovely Peggy who Nate is completely in love with. The only trouble, she has the hots for Siegal.

The story takes place in Chicago and Las Vegas in 1946. This is great modern noir at its best. Nathan Heller does not disappoint. Pick up this volume and enjoy the gangsters, cops, private eyes, and lovely ladies from the end of the gangster era.

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Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis

The Revolutionary Generation is filled with men and women who sometimes attain a semi-divine status. Mythologies have sprung up around our founders that sometimes make it hard to see these great figures as human. In the last century historians seemed to take an iconoclastic pleasure in trying to tear down these images. More recently a group of historians have come to the front on by finding a middle ground. Writers like David McCullough, Joseph Ellis, Jon Meacham, and others recognize that their subjects are human, but they also recognize that these humans accomplished great things and should be respected for their greatness.

This volume is not a history of those Founding Brothers or of the young nation. Instead it is a series of segmented stories that look at certain key moments in the lives of these men. The episodes serve to show how the United States was brought into being by these men. They had different ideas of what the United States meant. The genius of this story is not that one set of ideas prevailed, but rather that differing visions could work alongside and in competition. That is the genius of the United States. The ability to dialogue about what it means to be a nation of liberty.

There are so many great men featured here. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, and a cast of others. This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to learn more about the crafting of the United States.

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Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming (A James Bond Novel)

Every year millions of pounds worth of diamonds are being smuggled out of the African diamond mines. M has decided that James Bond must stop this leak. To that end James goes undercover as a diamond smuggler to America. This adventure will lead Bond across the United States, back to England, and finally to Africa. Along the way he will team up again with his old friend Felix Leiter. Together they will track the criminals to a racing track in New England, across the US to Las Vegas and into the desert. Bond will have to escape from several deadly traps in order to survive this mission. When it is all over he will have a new respect for the Mafia. It is a fun spy caper full of gangsters, smuggles, and an alluring woman. What more could you ask for in a James Bond novel?


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Siege of Darkness by R. A. Salvatore (A Drizzt Novel)

Drizzt has escaped from capture in the drow city of Menzzoberanzan. Along with his friends he caused a great deal of chaos in the wake of their escape. The leaders of the drow have decided that it is time to wipe out the renegade once and for all. Matron Mother Banrae has consolidated her power and formed an army to attack the dwarven city of Mithril Hall. Standing against the forces of the Underdark are the armies of Mithril Hall, the knights of Silverymoon, the barbarian kindred of Wulfgar, and other allies. Will they be able to defeat the overpowering forces of the drow? Will darkness descend on the region or will the forces of good triumph. Old racial prejudices new bad blood has to be overcome if they are to defeat the drow.

This is a pure action adventure sword and sorcery novel. All the classics are here. Overwhelming evil armies, nobel warriors fighting the hopeless fight. The Drizzt novels always promise lots of great old fashioned fantasy storytelling and they never disappoint.

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