Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution   Nathaniel Philbrick
Disappointing “popular history” of the first pitched battle of the American War of Independence. Huge amounts of extraneous information that I consider irrelevant. Tone, and specific statements, disparage the patriots without justification. Only a couple of chapters with information about the actual battle, though that information, and the information about the siege, is good. Expected it to be better. Too bad.

Slide   Ken Bruen and Jason Starr
Fast-paced novel about the further adventures of the nasty characters, Max and Angela, introduced in Bust. Murder, drugs, prostitution, and tons of sex. These are two really despicable characters that I am tired of. Hard case crime indeed. Glad it was a quick read.

1775: A Good Year for Revolution   Kevin Phillips
Well written history of the beginning year of the American Revolution. Demythologizes 1776 as the crucial year by examining the social, religious, and economic demographics and causes of the revolution, as well as the political, in well-researched detail. While stating that there was no religious cause of the revolution, he wastes a lot of time identifying religious demographics, which are really only ethnic, and his claim of the unbroken connection to the English civil war of the 17^th century, is an unconvincing waste of time. Otherwise, a lot of really good information. Nicely done, very useful.

Unmanned   Dan Fesperman
Entertaining and deeply disturbing thriller about the drone wars and the conflicting loyalties of the wholly corrupt military industrial complex. The main character is a pilot destroyed by them. He tries to get his life back through the help of some journalists. Well written, fast paced, and plausible until the slightly sentimental ending. Enjoyable distraction.

The Lady from Zagreb   Philip Kerr
Latest entertaining Bernie Gunther historical thriller. This time Bernie is working for Joseph Goebbels, falling in love with the lady of the title, and avoiding death at every turn. A few too many plot twists, and it gets a little unjustifiably sentimental at the end, but enjoyable as usual.

Leaves of Grass   Walt Whitman
Happily re-read maybe the greatest American poetry, especially Song of Myself and I Sing the Body Electric. This time I was again struck by the earthiness of the imagery, and how the rhythm is perfect in every phrase. Loved it again.

Small Wars   Lee Child
Another deeply entertaining story about Jack Reacher. This time it’s 1989 and he is solving a murder on a Georgia military base. The usual quick, lean prose and high intelligence. Really enjoyed it.