ANNOTATED BOOK LIST
CITIZEN SOILDER-STEPHEN E. AMBROSE
Story of WWII from D-Day to the end of the war. From "Citizen Soilders" perspective, not the big brass, generals etc. Very heavey use of quotes from real soilders and airmen allied, and axis. Has many true stories that seem like they should be in a fiction book. Shows the true war.
THE RIGHT STUFF-TOM WOLFE
The story of Test Pilots, the Space race, and what the men in it were really like. Very dramatic story shows what it's like to be a fighter pilot, and a astronaught. Uses almost all real events but is told in a novel style.
THE CATCHER IN THE RYE-J.D.SALINGER
Tells the Tale of what life is like through the eyes of Holden Caufield, a teenager, who is disraught by the world that he sees with all it's Phonies, and Jerks. Holden in a way shows the problems all teens face as they grow up.
A SEPERATE PIECE-
Gene and Phinny are high school students in WWII. Gene is the typical teenager, unsure of who he is and skeptical of all those around him. The book analyzes the public and private self everyone has, and how those who are most open with thier public self are hurt the most. A rather depressing tale.
LORD OF THE FLIES-GOLDING
During a war unknown to the reader, a bunch of kids get stranded on a island and are forced to survive. Through much symboligm and irony the book analyzes human society and how it works, how we devolve in ugly situations, and the good and evil side that lurks in every human being.
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S WAR-JOHN LOCKE Retells the American Revolution, what caused it, and who was right and wrong. Takes a fair view of everyside and analysises them before taking a stance. Much more a "history book" than most the books on this list, but a easy (although long) read nontheless.
MANFRED VON RICTHOFEN-
The story of the Worlds most famous ace Manfred Von Richtofen. An autobiography the book is part "history book" style and partly more novel-like . Leads you through all 80 of his "victories." Has some long boring spots, but not bad.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD-HARBOR LEE
Taking place during the depression in the years leading up to WWII this is a story about a lawyer and his son and daughter. When a case comes up against a poor black man that is obviously framed the laywer must decide between doing the right thing or following the prejudiced opionion of the town.
MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD-
A short book about a boy growing up during the revolution. His brother Sam is accused of a crime and shot for it, although he trully did nothing.
ACROSS FIVE APRILS-
During the American Civil War a young boy learns what war is really like, as his family and friends are torn apart, on diffrent sides of the conflict. The Northern Family must deal with an unhappy public, angry that one of their sons if fighting for the rebels.
WHITE FANG-
The tale of a creature, half-wolf, half-dog that struggles to find out which it wants to be. Eventually it is able to settle in with humans, all the while having its wolf side suppressed.
A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE
A story of a quaker Family and their son. The son must understand why they are the way they are and deal with his father who is a pig butcher, and his pet pig.
DRACULA-BRAM STOKER
The Classic Horror Novel about the famous Vampire that we all know and love. Several heroes set out to destroy the vampire after he is discovered in London.
THE RED BADGE OF COURADGE
Yet another war tale, this time about a young man actually IN the war. He must overcome his fear of being a coward and through courage try to lead the Union to victory.
THE HOBBIT-Tolkien
THE FANTASY OF A SMALL HOBBIT IN MIDDLE EARTH WHO FINDS THROUGH THE HELP OF DWARVES ELVES, HUMANS AND A WIZARD, "THAT HE HAS MORE ABOUT HIM THAN IT SEEMS." (In more ways than one.)
LORD OF THE RINGS: PART I-Tolkien
The continuation of the tale of the Ring, which was found by Bilbo in The Hobit Frodo, a relative of Bilbo's, and his companions set out on a great quest to destroy the ring, with many adventures on the way.
HUCKLEBERRY FINN-Mark Twain
About a southern boy, and his rafting adventures. On the way he joins up with a black slave, which he bonds with, and is the true center of the story.
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV-Potok
A story in first person aboout a Hasidic Jewish boy with a talent for art. The story is of his struggle to both find his true self and "balance" his art, between truth, and offending his father, who believes his art might be from the Sitra Archa.
ROCKET BOYS-Hickam
A young boy in a coaling town hears of the Russian sattellite "Sputnik" and tries to join the spacerace by building rockets in his back yard. However, he and his friends ends up accomplishing more than they ever dreamed.
A NEARLY NORMAL LIFE-Mee
More or less an autobiography, it is the author's tale of his life, and his somewhat sporadic views on life in general.
OEDIPUS THE KING-Sophocles
A play by the Ancient Greek man Sophocles. The tale is of Oedipus the King, who tries to solve the plaque in his Kingdom, but in doing so finds out he has some "problems" of his own at home.
THE CRUCIBLE-Miller
A play which is based on the Salem Witch trials, and the hysteria, and horror that engulfed the town. Also about a man called Proctor, and his struggle to regain his dignity.
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY-Clarke
During a mission to Jupiter in 2001 things get a bit out of hand when the onboard computer tries to kill the crew, and a huge obleisk is found on the moon. A story about the future of man, and a view of life in general.
JULIUS CAESAR-Shakespeare
The famous play of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar after he returns to Rome, his death, and the aftermath. The stories true main character, is probably the tragic hero of Brutus.
OF MICE AND MEN-Stienbeck
The smart but small George, and the huge but dumb Lenny travel together as they work on farms. A tragic story about the friendship between them, and what made them "different."