This is an eclectic, unorganized list of non fiction books I have read in the last several years. I have read at least 60% and skimmed the remainder of any individual book on the list. Inclusion or exclusion from this list does not imply any opinion about any book. A few books have been moved to the Books Seminal Page, which see for books I often think back on and reflect on, or which have guided my thinking.
Hunting the American Terrorist: The FBI’s War on Homegrown Terror by Terri Turchie
Personal Memoir of hunting the UNABOMBRER and Eric Rudolf. As told by two female agents, this is their personal account of their activities in the chase of the UNABOMBER and Eric Rudolf in the Forests of the Carolinas. It is well written and fast paced with good detail.
Out of the Mountains: The Coming Age of the Urban Guerrilla by David Kilcullen
Great review of four trends population growth, moving to shorelines, connectedness,
Mathematics An Illustrated History of Numbers (100 Ponderables) by Tom Jackson
A quick survey of 100 math topics, well done. Each topic is given a page or two, and described for the non mathematician in easy to understand language.
Small Wars, Faraway Places: Global Insurrection and the Making of the Modern World, 1945-1965 by Michael Burleigh
fascinating history of 1945 – 1965 side wars of the Cold War. This book is a survey of the many local conflicts that raged from 1945 – 1965. The Mau Mau, The Congo, Nigeria, Vietnam, Near East are only a few examples. The book is marred by both bad grammar and by a severe anti-Western viewpoint. The the history is fascinating. The detail is amazing. Burleigh gives us his opinion of nearly every world leader in this era. The only one he seems to like is Eisenhower. His diatribe against JFK goes on for pages.
Photographing the Patterns of Nature by Gary Braasch
outstanding intro to photographing nature. Gary has given us a good introduction to photographing nature. He mentions equipment and is writing in the film era. But his advice in creativity, composiiton, color, B&W, and appreciation of the results is still very valid today.
Poisonous Plants: A Color Field Guide by Lucia Woodward
. This is quick and dirty guide to many poisonous plants.
Indian Games and Dances with Native Songs by Alice C Fletcher
quaint 100 year old book out of keeping with Native Americanism today. Alice Fletcher is a renowned, respected ethnocultural expert who lived 16 years with the Omaha Tribe. This little book was published in 1912 and goes too far in putting various ceremonies of the Native Americans into forms for campfire plays. It could not be published today except as a history of the ceremonies.
The Crows of Pearblossom by Aldous Huxley
Well printed Children’s book dated by antifeminist and too strong emotions
The Logic of Violence in Civil War (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics) by Stathis Kalyvas
Analytical analysis of violence in civil wars – heavy, detailed, analytical, logical , academic thesis form.
Storms by Michael Brobrowner
50 b&W photos of thunderstorms cross the high plains. These are stunning images of thunderstorms from Montana, cross South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. Michael and his friends drove up to 1000 miles in a day chasing and photographing these storms. The results are marvelous.
The Sun Dance and Other Ceremonies of the Oglala Division of the Teton Dakota by JR Walker
A complete day by day description of the Sun Dance and the Buffalo Ceremony and some Oglala myths from 1896 – 1914. John Walker MD was a physician who spent 14 years among the Oglala. He claims to have been inducted into the Buffalo Society. As such he would have undergone the teaching of the Society and its most important ceremony, The Sun Dance. This is a first person account of the Sun Dance and associated cultural heritage of the Oglala. This is material that could only have been collected by a man who had earned the trust of the shamans. The myths vary considerably from that collected later by Ella Delora. Walker‘s version has been adopted and republished by the Lakota as their own mythological history.
The King Survey Photographs by Timothy O’Sullivan
Photographs of the Great Plains presettlement from the King Survey. The King Survey was one of the many sent out by the United States Government to see what they had bought and controlled. This was unknown land, from the Great Plains to the Rockies. These are many of the photographs with good annotations brought back by the team.
Lone Wolf Terror and the Rise of Leaderless Resistance by George Michael
analysis of the psychology of the lone wolf terrorist
Leaderless Jihad by Marc Sagemen
Analytical analysis of Muslim Jihad – good
Tubes: A Journey to the Center of the Internet by Andrew Blum
A very non technical, tourist to spots the internet uses. A tour guide of the physical aspects of the internet, not the internet itself
The Watchers: The Rise of America’s Surveillance State by Shane Harris
Basically John Poindexter’s career. Excellent background to the current privacy vs security debate raging today.
People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs by Chris Orwig
30 exercises in creative photography
The Combat Survival Tin (Survivor Series) by Anson Bond
Brief instructions for building a survival kit in a candy tin
Finding Your Way Without Map or Compass by Harold Getty
World wide navigation tricks modern and from the ancients – very useful. This book contains a wealth of detail about unusual, practical and useful tricks of navigation.
I Like You by Stoddard Warburg
Delightful wedding reading or just good reading with a 8 – 11 year old .
Practical Tracking: A Guide to Following Footprints and Finding Animals by Mark Elbroch and Louis Liebenberg
Excellent tracking information and stories, centered in South Africa
Extraordinary Everyday Photography: Awaken Your Vision to Create Stunning Images Wherever You Are by Brenda Tharp
Excellent guide to creative thinking in the picture taking process
Tracking and Reading Sign: A Guide to Mastering the Original Forensic Science by Len McDougall
Guide to reading the entire mileau of the sign, not just the trac. A good guide to tracking.
Surveillance Tradecraft: The Professional’s Guide to Surveillance Training by Peter Jenkins
rapid overview of the art of surveillance, especially a private detective. Many good pictures.
Adventures of a Nature Guide and Essays in Interpretation by Enos Mills
Early adventures of one of the first nature guides – a good read. Enos Mills was probably of the the very first nature guide individuals after the Great Scouts. This is his story of working in the Mountains, and then out on to the Great Plains even going into Nebraska.
Some Thoughts on Scouts and Spies: Based upon the experiences of the author and historical observation by Gerry Barker
Observations on Frontier Warfare begging for more treatment
The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors (Crossley Id Guides) by Jerry Liguori
Beautiful guide to Raptors, well done
Bird Sense: What It’s Like to Be a Bird by Tim Birkhead
study of the 6 senses of birds – detailed and up to date on the research
What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young
Outstanding introduction to reading the outdoors in its entirety. The entire outdoors communicates, from the birds to the fourlegged to the plants. This book is a guide to the language of the forest, woods and plains,
The Journey of Crazy Horse: A Lakota History by Joseph Marshall
Biography of Crazy Horse from the Oglala traditions – a true epic. This is told from the oral legends of the Oglala. It is amazing in its detail, its spirituality, its strength. The story takes on epic proportions in this telling. A good read.
The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt
history of the Catholic Church a century before the Reformation – truly a bad time for the church, as told by a secretary to five popes who hunted ancient manuscripts as a hobby
Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon
truly the most surprising book I have ever read, journey through types of intelligence from human, to cloud to school, to many beyond imagaination. An experience to read.
Rambo Goes to Idaho by Scott Abels
semi-autobiographical modern poetry by a friend
The Ultimate Survival Tin (Survivor Series) by Anson Bond
Brief how to build a survival kit in a candy tin
The First Aid Survival Tin (Survivor Series) by Anson Bond
Brief how to build a first aid kit in a candy tin
Into the Land of Bones: Alexander the Great in Afghanistan (Hellenistic Culture and Society)
by Frank Holt
Alexander’s years in Afghanistan, fascinating seldom told history. We get to see parts of faces of Alexander not often mentioned in the standard histories.
The Panic of 1907: Lessons Learned from the Market’s Perfect Storm by Robert F. Bruner
James Pierpoint Morgan actions during the Panic of 07, not a complete history of the Panic of 07
Insectopedia (Vintage) by Hugh Raffles
series of essays on insects with reflections on human culture. Ruffles is iiconoclastic, out to change our thinking on everything from Chinese culture, NGO‘s in Africa, sexology, wasps and their victims, and insects in general. This is an amazing view of the world as told by human’s interaction with insects, and by insects interaction with other insects. At times this is a challenging read, but always fascinating and thought provoking.
Tracks & Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates: A Guide to North American Species by Charles Eiseman
Guide to recognizing the tracks and trails of insects
The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden by Mark Bowden
Simply told story of killing Bin Laden, by historian, and with praise all around. Much of this is the history of the White House and its decision making process. The actual raid is a short story, espcially as contrasted with Black Hawk Down by the same author.
Lincoln’s Code: The Laws of War in American History by John Fabian Witt
Legal text on the USA Laws of War from Revolutionary times to Lincoln’s Order 100. This book assumes more than the standard high school American History knowledge. But is a fascinating eclectic history of the United States. The review of the difference between European and Native American Rules of Warfare is eyeopening.
Tracking Humans by David Diaz
Excellent overview of the military tracking experience with story and explanation. Diaz gives us an exciting story of a very well disciplined US Special Forces patrol tracking infiltrators with a good explanation of what and how the tracking is done. This is very military. The information on tracking is excellent, but not a textbook on how to track. Nor is this of much use to civilian trackers for lost children, lost teens, hunters, backbackers, hikers, skiers, or old folk who wander off.
Connection intro Observation and Awareness by Jon Boyd
Good intro to observation and to awareness with exercises to improve our use of our senses. Then Jon delivers a short overview of tracking, pointing the way to better appreciation of the world around us, and pointing on to learning tracking.
Conquest of Apachia by Dan Tharpp
Dan Tharpp has written a very readable account of the US Army in the Apache Wars. The account is an overview from 1820 to 1860. Then Tharpp moves into detail following the many forays of the US Army into SW New Mexico, SE Arizona, and Mexico chasing the Apaches. If one does not try to follow each of the innumerable officers mentioned of the US Army, this book makes a good read.
This book is about the US Army, following Crooke, Gatewood, Davis, Bourke and other officers of the US Army in some detail. Tharpp states in the bibliography that for the Apache viewpoint, one should consult other authors such Betzinez’s “I Fought with Geronimo” (as edited by Nye), Britton Davis’ “The Truth about Geronimo,” and Lockwood”s “The Apache Indians,” and his own “Chief Scout, Al Sieber” and “Victorio and the Mimbres Apache.”
The bibliography is very good, with the most important titles separated out, then Manuscripts and Unpublished Documents, Government Publications, Newspapers, Primary Sources, and Secondary Sources in separate lists. Tharpp died in 1994, so the there are other more recent sources such as Watt’s “Apache Tactics 1830 – 86,” and Goodwin & Basso’s “Western Apache Raiding and Warfare,” that are also good.
Tharpp places the blame for the Apache Wars on the incompetent and corrupt Indian Agency Officials, who he states bluntly stole thousands of dollars while the Apache were starving and freezing on the reservations. Tharpp also criticizes a ring of men in the SW who profited greatly from the money and supplies flowing to and through the US Army for prolonging the Apache wars. Tharpp is also blunt about the personalities of the “frontiersmen” and their disrupting effects on the politics of the era, although JosephWalker of Oregon Trail fame is mentioned positively. The abuse of alcohol by both Indians and Whites is also mentioned frequently. The Mexican Army and Mexican civilians are mentioned frequently, mostly in a neutral manner.
This book is regarded as the most thorough and complete record of the US Army through the Apache Wars. And as such is an excellent introduction to a study of the Apache Wars, a part of US History often fantasized about and misunderstood.
Rabid: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolic Virus by Bill Wasik
Bill Wasik has written an entertaining, wide ranging, at time humorous essay on human’s relationship with rabies. He rambles through ancient world associations of the mad dog. He points out that the Bible does not contain positive references to our canine friends. He cruises through the Medieval views of the dog as both companion and terror, easily contrasting the wealthy ruling classes with the poor underclasses. He wades deep into the vampire / zombie parallel myths, possibly associated with mad dogs and rabies. He moves through the horror films e.g. “Werewolf of London.” “Night of the Living Dead,” and “I am legend” both versions and through books that have rabies as a part of the plot (“Their Eyes were Watching God.” He even invokes politics and presidential associations.
The story of Pasteur and the discovery of the rabies vaccine is the most complete I have read – fascinating. The comparisons to other diseases from animals is wonderful, including HIV, Japanese Encephalitis among others. The details on the first survivors is excellent. The discussions on modern vaccines are a little brief, but science is not the point of this book. The last chapter is on eradicating rabies using the Bali experience as a model.
I found the book very readable and frequently Bill puts his tongue in cheek for humor. The subjects covered and the history covered are broad and show Bill has knowledge of where he speaks.
Highly recommended. I would put this just a notch below “The Great Influenza” as a book about diseases.
Life Among the Apache by John Cremony
Life Among the Apaches by John Cremony is his telling of the nature of the Apache Indians of an early period. Cremony was the first white man to speak Apache. He wrote an Apache – English dictionary, which apparently is still used today. Cremony was an newspaper man who left Boston to join the Army. He was shipped to the SW as part of the Boundary Commission in the late 1840’s. He returned again to the area about 12 years later, during the Civil War, as part of the military, reaching the rank of Major. He was in charge of the Apache’s throughout this time.
Cremony has lots to say about the Apache and their customs. While not a trained ethnologist, he made the earliest and most thorough investigation of the Apache. Reviewing independent sources, these comments are well regarded. But his accounts of his own exploits are reported to have been greatly exaggerated. Those accounts need to be verified in other sources.
Cremony appears to be of two minds about the Apache. Gradually he developed an appreciation and respect for them in general. He understood that much of the trouble with the Apache was the result of broken promises, to them and unreal expectations of them. He explains how the Indian Agents stole from them. He alludes to the prolongation of the Apache Wars by Whites that enriched themselves supplying the Army. He did not, except for a few passages at the end of the book, understand why the Apache did not embrace the Western Way of Life and Christianity. Cremony is very blunt about the shortcomings of the Frontier Whites and their bad dealings with the Apache and how these bad actors influenced the attitude of the Apaches.
The book reads well. Apparently the original was scanned with OCR and there are many misspellings and bad line breaks and other debris from the scanning that could have edited out. The story is exciting and flows well. The comments on the customs and habits of the Apache are generally well thought out, although Cremony does have some of the Manifest Destiny philosophy. He does make recommendations at the end of the book as to how to improve relations with the Apache. These are harsh, but given the extreme mistrust and vengeance Cremony states the Whites had earned, probably necessary.