True Crime

True Crime by Nicholas Yapp had written about different crimes from kidnapping to homicides. I have not read any of his other books but this one is like an informative book. This book was really interesting because I am really interested in crimes that have gone big, like Ted Bundy. The genre would be non fiction. The book has different stories so I wouldn't really know what would be the theme.

The book is different. You don't find many books that tell different stories on serial killers and kidnappers and many more. It is about different lives being taken away by people that were sick in the head. The book has stories about mobsters and gang leaders such as Al Capone. A story that stuck with me was the Black Dahlia because nobody has found the killer yet and the case went cold. Another was Bonnie and Clyde, they were so in love that Bonnie did whatever Clyde and that cost them their lives. There are 2 more stories that have me thinking. Its Emmett Till and Robert Yummy Sandifer. These are stuck with me because they are both young African American boys that have had their lives taken away from them. The difference is that Emmett was killed for false accusations and Robert was killed by his own friends. A textual evidence that intrigued me was in the beginning of the story of Charles Manson, a prison report said that when he was 17 he was “A slick institutionalized youth, dangerous, should not be trusted across the street.” 

I liked the book, but I wished that it was longer on the stories. It was very informative even though the stories are short. This book is for readers that are interested in learning about serial killers or mobsters. I believe that if you're interested in stuff like that then you would like the book, you just would hate the fact that you are really into a story and its not long at all. I would read this book as soon as I hear about it because it is very good and informative. It might not be long but its something to read about and acknowledge it.

Book Review by Nadiyah A.

Shaq Uncut

Shaq Uncut gives readers an insight into his life since he was a child, up until his retirement from the NBA. Shaq Uncut was written by Shaquille with the assistive help of ESPN analyst Jackie Macmullan. The autobiography takes the readers back to Shaquille’s infant years and explores Shaq’s rough upbringing. The book describes the impact of Shaq’s biological father not being present, and how it affected him later on in his life. The book goes on to tell the story of Shaq’s stepfather in the crucial impact he had on Shaq’s upbringing, and it also gives an insight into how Shaquille received his discipline. The autobiography goes on to analyze Shaq’s High School dominance and his eventual college decision and the controversy that surrounded it. The book goes on to explore Shaq’s 3-year tenure at Louisiana State University and the struggles he faced while he attended the school. Shaq’s decision to forgo his senior year of college to enter the 1992 NBA Draft, Is well documented by the book. The book goes on to explore the draft and his eventual arrival to Orlando. Shaq Would go to win the rookie of the year(An award given to the most outstanding 1st Year player annually.)He would also go on to have one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of the NBA. Shaq’s next few years in Orlando were a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The book goes on to explain Shaquille's departure from Orlando and the dramatic process that preceded it. The book explores Shaq's 8 Year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and his dynamic relationship with the late great Kobe Bryant. At the time Shaq arrived at the Lakers Kobe was just a 17-year-old rookie who was unproven. The book goes on to explain how He and Shaq would develop together and create the greatest dynamic duo in the league’s history. The duo of Shaq and Kobe would go on to win 3 consecutive titles in 2000,2001 and 2002. Even after the duo split in 2004, Shaquille had good words to say about his former Teammate. “Everything Kobe is doing now, he told me back then he was going to do.… ‘I’m going to be the Will Smith of the NBA’’ (Oneal,248). Shaq would go on to retire in 2011, after creating a lasting legacy through not only his dominant play but also through his larger than life persona, and this book does an excellent job of illustrating that. 

I enjoyed this autobiography because it gives me a background look into Shaq's life and his thought process during those important moments in his life. The book also gives newfound information, that previous to this book was unknown. The target audience for this book would be basketball fans or fans of sports in general. I Believe any fan of basketball fans of Shaq would thoroughly enjoy this autobiography, because it gives us readers an inside look in Shaquille's mind throughout his personal life, and playing career.  This is the book that any Shaq fan has been longing for. If you are a true basketball fan, this is the book for you. This book gives background to key moments in NBA History, such as the Lakers 3 peat and Shaq's arrival to the league. 

In conclusion, Shaq uncut is the perfect uncensored, unfiltered and uncondensed autobiography for any basketball fan. This book gives readers an in-depth look at Shaq's personal life as well as his iconic playing career.

Book Review by Quamere J.

The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir

The book that I am reading is call  “The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir”, it’s by Kao Kalia Yang. Kao Kalia Yang was immigrated to St. Paul, Minnesota when she was only 6 years old. This book is a non-fiction, it’s a very interesting. She had publish 2-3 books, all the book are almost the same but it has a little bit of difference. The first book is call “The Latehomecomer: A Family Memoir”, the second book is call “The Song Poet: A Memoir Of My Father” and the last book is call “A Map Into the World”. All of them were from different years such as in 2008, 2016, and 2019. And as I saying up there, the book is a non-fiction b/c it talks about her life and talks about the important things that had happen to her and many more.

This story is about a Hmong girl name Kao Kalia Yang. Yes, the author is the main character. In the book she talks about her family and other thousands of Hmong families who made a  journey from the war in Laos to the refugee in Thailand. And she also included how many Hmong families were immigrated to the United State and to many other places around the world. In this book you will know how the Hmong people went through and how they have to move places to places to be safe. There wasn’t any place to call home after all the journey she went through as a child. The journey was a really personal experience.There were many important main characters in this book, it would be her parent, older sister, grandma, uncles and cousins. Each of them were have a really special bond with Kao. As you read more you’ll find out more about coming into the United State was like.

In my opinion I really like this book. This book is a very interesting book, it shows about someone point of view of the war and how it was like to be over there at that time. She wrote to the people are actually interested in others people life and how it was. This book is more like journalistic, if you are into those types of book I recommend you to read this book.  And if you aren’t into non-fiction and journalistic types of book then it’s okay to read another book or just give it a try, you might like it.

Book Review by Jamie Y.

Eight Men Out

The author of 8 Men Out is Eliot Asinof. Other books by this author are Man on Spikes. They both relate to baseball. The genre of this book is historical and sports non fiction.

The book is about the 1919 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. The White Sox were the heavy favorites to win the World Series just because of how stacked they were against the Reds that year. However for the White Sox 8 players were paid by gamblers to throw the World Series. The eight men included in the scandal are; Chuck Gandil, Buck Weaver, Claude Williams,Eddie Cicotte, Oscar Felsch, Swede Risberg, Fred Mullin, and Joe “shoeless” Jackson.

I liked the book a lot because it is about baseball and it's something all baseball fans should know about because of how big of a scandal it was. If you like baseball this is definitely the book you should, or if you like sports in general.

Book Review by Trae R.

A Child Called It

The book I'll be reviewing today is A Child Called it by Dave Pelzer. Dave  pelzer has a series of books such as Help Yourself, Moving Yourself and also an sequel to this book named The Lost Boy. This book is very similar to his other books because they all cite back to problems he has had in life throughout growing up and, inspire others. This book is one of a kind and is very saddening from front to back. The book takes you throughout David's childhood growing up and, struggles he has faced he also explain his bravery and how he overcame and dealt with issues in his life. The genre of this book can be classified as a autobiography,biography and children's literature.

A Child Called "It" takes you through our author david’s heartbreaking true story of the abuse that he suffered from his alcoholic mother. Dave was born December 29, 1960 in Daly City, California. Dave counts his struggles over and over to cope with the abuse, which he survived by relying on faith hope determination, and the kindness of others. There are several types of abuse methods  that Dave received when he was a child. Those are explained in this book in great detail. You can find his story when his mother forced him to drink ammonia or even starved him.  She also forced him to eat his own vomit. Another physical abuse was when his mother tried to burn his arm on gas stove and stabbed his stomach. I was just so shocked on how someone could treat their own child this way. Here is evidence from the text that shows how abusive she was for example “ mother came closer and closer then placed a hard slap on my face, punch after punch she kept punching my face in, then she yanked and pushed me then we heard a POP we both looked at each other.” This part of the story surprised me most in left me in shock.

I truly love this book because it inspires me and also gives me hope in knowing even though I may have it rough people are going through tougher things, and to be appreciative with everything I have in life. Lastly I like this book because it also teaches me to greet and meet everyone with kindness for I don't know what problems they can be facing in life. In my opinion this book could be provided to a wide range of people only because somebody in any situation could read this book and still take something away from the reading. In conclusion I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice book to read. This book will give you chills but will also want you reading more and more I cannot express how much of a great book this is.

Book Review by Sophie P.

From Totems to Hip-Hop

This book’s title is called From Totems To Hip Hop. This book talks about how potery slowly became hip hop and rap. Each letter in the word rap stands for rhythm assisted poetry. This also talks about how people can deal with certain topics like racism,substance abuse and family issues. This also talks about how people are raised and how their future is. This book shows positives and negatives on certain topics. This book also shows emotions and that people can pour their emotions into their writing. They talk to the reader and ask him questions like “did i deserve that”. They hope that there are people who read this so they can be able to help people with problems and get them through it. This book tries to tell you that they understand how you’re feeling at this point of your life. If you are thinking about doing something horrible then rethink what you’re about and think if it’s good or bad and wondering if you want your life to go downhill. This is why you should read this book, it is going to help you see a meaning in your life and show you what your future is going to be like if you do this or you do that. If you want to wonderful in anything in your life then this book is going to support and guide you to success.   

Book Review by Uriel T.

Elephants on Acid and Other Bizarre Experiments

The book I readied was called Elephant on acid and other bizarre experiments by Alex Boese. It about conducting a bit bizarre experiments but helps to know about them. For example will a average dog get help for an emergency or what happens when elephants are given LSD? Something you read in your free time.

Book Review by Javontay P.

Pele

The book I read for this trimester was an autobiography about the greatest soccer player of all time. The book was written by James Buckley.James Buckley was born January 25, 1963 in Washington DC. The book is called Pele. This book was published in 2007. James Buckley is known for his amazing sports book for kids.

In the book Pele, Pele was born October 23, 1940 to a poor soccer loving family. As a child Pele would skip school, miss helping his mom do little jobs and Pele formed a neighborhood soccer team just to play soccer. PELE father was also a soccer player in fact he played in a professional soccer team called Santos, but had a career ending injury. One faithful day pele was playing one his neighbors hood soccer games, then was notice by the owner and offer his dad a contact and by the way he is only 9. It takes place from a dusty soccer field in Brazil to half way across the world wedding chapel Switzerland.

In this book it shows how the best soccer player to ever roam this earth that had nothing but the love of soccer. This book can inspire people who don't even play a sport, that they can have nothing but still can be something. So I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling in one area of their lives that they can succeed.

Book Review by Joseph S.

A Child Called It

I have a book called , A child called it where a six year old , lives with his family and other siblings. Dave and his mother does not get along very well. She treats him worse than his other siblings. She does some bad things to him like she puts Clorox in a bucket which makes him sick because of the gases. He has to sleep in a garage with nothing but an old army cot. She makes Dave brothers not to talk or even be okay with him. Dave was not aloud to have food for seven days she plays around  him with him "food"  Dave has to clean up while his mother does some pretty bad stuff She always drinking planning something terrible for.

Dave is feeling disconnected and unnoticed able at school, his classmates does not  like him and won't talk to him or even try to be his friend. He has to wear the same clothes everyday because of his mother  she won't take the time out of her day to buy him new clothes to wear , she basically makes him wear the same clothes.  He also has to steal kids lunches in his class room or he rans to the gas station by his school and also steals food from there. She makes him throw up to see if he ate anything. But Dave continues to keep holding on as much as he can to survive.

In the mean time while everything is still happening , Dave is still trying to put up with the stuff his mom is making him do , Daves dad is never around that much but when he was he didn't help save Dave at all which mad Dave feel some type of way.  He still going through the same stuff with his mom until teachers at school starts to see what's going on. Read the book a Child Called to find out what happenes next. It may be a sad book but it's a very good one to read.

Book Review by Zenobia H.

Facing the Lion

The book I read is called facing the lion by Joseph Lekuton, co author Herman viola. Facing the lion is the only book he has written, he decided to write this book to tell people about his life as a Maasai and as an American.

Joseph Lemasolai is an adolescent boy who grew up on the African Savanna in Maasai culture and as a nomad. (people who move a lot). In joseph’s culture there is a person they call the “pinching man. The pinching man is a person who discipline kid who are stubborn and disobedient by pinching them, he pinches them in any part of their body. In the Maasai culture in other for boys to become men they have to “circumcised” if they are not circumcised they are still considered children's. It doesn't matter how old or how smart they are circumcision is very important to them. Joseph Lekuton is the only person in his family to be educated. Lekuton couldn't decide between school and his culture so he choose to handle both at the same time by applying school method to his culture in other to balance both worlds. months later after Lekuton finished high school he was accepted into St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, with a full tuition scholarship. He is the youngest successor of kenya’s fighter to receive an award for excellent devotion to his country. In the end Lekuton proves that he can overcome any challenges that comes his way.

I like this book because it teaches me that anything I set my mind on I can achieve it and I should never give up trying in challenging situations. This book is not written for a specific age group. So readers people might like this books and some people might not like the book it depends on his or her taste of books. I think everyone schooldays read it because it helps you deal with difficulties.

Book Review by Esther I.

Marley and Me

The book I read was Marley and Me by John Grogan. This book isn't in a series but some other books from him are Bad Dogs Have More Fun, TheLongest trip home: A Memoir, Marley: A Dog Like No Other, and many more. This book is about a dog name Marley and the owners of the dog name John and Jenny. The theme in this book is that no matter what good or bad flaws your dog will have, always appreciate and love them to the fullest.

John and Jenny wanted a child but they decided to get a dog for practice first. They named him Marley after Bob Marley. John and Jenny always thought that Marley wasn't going to be loyal but when they got really comfortable with Marley, they thought that Marley was a loyal dog. Marley loves to eat things including, overripe mangoes, delicate gold necklaces, shoes, pillows and kitty litter. When Jenny miscarriage, Marley has always been on her side. But when Jenny was pregnant again, she had to stay in bed and Marley would bring toys to her and sleep next to her by her side. Marley has made the couple closer every time and who ever meets Marley would be happy. Marley became old and died. It was a really sad moment but Marley has taught John and Jenny how to live.

This book was a good book. It's sad that a great dog like Marley died. I would recommend this book to whoever likes dog but while reading it, just don't cry because it's a sad book but it has many interesting things in it.

Book Review by Serenity Y.

The Freedom Writers Diary

The Freedom Writers Diary

I like this book since it indicates acceleration and that regardless of what you experience, you can get past it, it may require significant investment and devotion, however yet they sit tight for a change is justified, despite all the trouble. I for one think all readers might want this book since it indicates how far you can go in life. Everything I can let you know is to peruse this book you will appreciate it and crave to flip to the following page.

At the point when youthful instructor Erin Gruwell draws attention to her extraordinary and powerful showing strategies, the school organization relegates her to a class of “unteachable” understudies, the vast majority of whom are non-white individuals who encounter much hardship in their own lives.

Gruwell's understudies start keeping diaries or journals about their lives. In these, they discuss their own involvement with pack brutality, abusive behavior at home, substance manhandle, the lawful framework, and that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Gruwell acquaints her understudies with The Journal of Anne Frank and different books about the individuals who have survived war and oppression. The understudies are moved to the point that they start taking up accumulations to convey survivors to visit their school. This gains them national consideration.

Book Review by Shamya B.       

Unbroken

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken is the true story of an Olympians capture by the Japanese during World War 2 and his journey to freedom along with the torture of being a prisoner of war. Louie Zamperini was always a bit of a troublemaker as a young boy, stealing from bakeries, stores, and neighbors along with getting into fights. His brother, Pete, however, was the poster child. The one everyone talked about and adored. Louie got to the point eventually where he wanted to turn his life around so he went to his older brother for help. Pete channeled Louie’s energy and made him a runner, and a darn good one at that. Louie loved running and he became so good, he went to the olympics in Germany in 1936. One of the people he met there would change the course of history and end many lives.

World War 2 has begun and men are being enlisted into the military and Louie is one of them. He ended up in the United States Army Air Corps as a bombardier on a bomber. Louie was on many bombing runs over Japanese controlled islands and in April of 1943, over the island of Nauru, Louie and his crew were shot at until their plane was barely even able to fly, but remarkably they made it back to the base. Louie and his crew were given a different plane, notorious for malfunctions. On May 27, 1943 mechanical difficulties caused the plane to crash over the ocean killing 8 of the 11 men on board. Louie and two crewmates were saved on emergency rafts. Their names were pilot Russell Allen “Phil” Phillips and Francis “Mac” McNamara.

They survived with little food and no water on the rafts for 33 days until Mac passed away. Phil and Louie wrapped him up and sent his body off to sea. Phil and Louie survived another 14 days until the landed on the Japanese controlled Marshall Islands.

Louie and Phil were immediately captured by the Japanese and became POWs. They were held in captivity, beaten, starved, and used as slaves until the end of the war in 1945. Louie was pronounced dead 1 year and 1 day after his disappearance over the ocean. During his time as a POW, he was ruled by one of the biggest war criminals of all time. He was denied all rights that POWs are guaranteed because of the way the Japanese were. After the Japanese lost the war, Louie was returned home where he was greeted like a hero by his whole town. He was a lot less than his normal 155 pounds weighing in at as low as 67 pounds depending on the source.

Book Review by Owen D.

I Am Malala

The book I read this trimester is called “I am Malala”. This book is about a girl who stood up for the rights of women to learn education in any country. She was born July 12, 1997 in Pakistan, a country that people have issue’s with their military (taliban). She grew up in a small area called Mingora, where a lot people were poor and couldn't afford a book or a pencil. Malala usually use to write her notes on her hand because her family didn't had a lot money.

When Malala was 14, she learned that the taliban wanted to harm her and her father. One day in swat, Malala and her friends came from school and were riding a school bus. A guy (taliban) entered the bus carrying “Ak 47” and demanded to know which girl was Malala. When her friends looked toward Malala, her location was given to the man. The taliban fired at her, hitting in the left side of her head, then the bullet then traveled down her neck.

Malala was taken away from her country, and went to England for hospital. While she was in the coma, she started to write words, to make conversation with the Doctor, because she was shot on the left side of her head. Several months later she left the hospital, and she founded a house in Birmingham. Few months later Malala was awarded the Nobel peace prize; She was the youngest to win it.

Book Review by Abdullahi H.

Red Carpet Ready: Secrets for Making the Most of Any Moment You're in the Spotlight

I read ,secrets for making the most of any moment you're inthe spotlight By Melissa rivers with Tim vandehey. This is rivers first book, red carpet ready is nonfiction. this book explain how to handle yourself to be comfortable in your own skin, trust your gut, show grace under pressure,be prepared, and take a risk. The major theme is about your life for ex: you have to be confident with yourself and show grace under pressure. In this book it talk about how to be comfortable with yourself how to show love and kindness to other. The main character in this book is Melissa rivers. she wrote this to tell kids to never on schools , works and dreams. In this book the conflict is character v.s self. I highly recommend you to read this book as soon as possible because it talk about sharing,caring, dreams, and love for ex: being comfortable in your own skin is to love yourself for who you are not what people think you are, be confident in yourself that your dreams can came through,and love other like you love yourself.

Book Review by Agnes B.

I Am Malala

The title of the book is “I am Malala”. The author who wrote the book is Malala Yousafzai with patricia McCormick. It is based on the New York Bestseller.

“I am Malala” is the first book that  Malala Yousafzai , the author, have ever written. Malala’s purpose of writing this book is to support girl’s education, she acknowledged young girls to stand up for their rights to have an education and encourage girls to take actions to make the world a better place. Malala was born in Pakistan, on July 12, 1997, like other Pakistani girls,  at a young age she was informed that girls weren't be able to go to school. Pakistani believes that males are more superior than women, therefore, males tends to be have power in society because they are simply born as a male. Compare to males, when girls need leave the house, they need to be escorted by men whom must be a family member and cover their faces and hair with cloths . Although most girls can't  go to school Malala is a few of those who are able go and continue to work hard for her education. One way that Malala have use her knowledge to help other women was when the Taliban was terrorizing and taking over Shangala, a district located in Pakistan. She was able to help because a lot of struggle comes from the fact that women weren't be able to read or understand the Taliban. Many women were being killed because they could not express their feelings about the Taliban or help with the Taliban campaign. Many schools and houses were destroyed by the Taliban so “Madam Maryam and my father worked with us on essays and speeches in which we expressed our feelings about the Taliban’s campaign to destroy girls schools and about how much our own school meant to us.” (pg.70) as Malala stated in her book. Malala is very brave for action and on October 9, 2012 when Malala was 15, something tragic happened. She got shot in the head while riding the bus home from school, and few were expected her to survive. Instead Malala miraculously recovered. At the age of 16 she become a global symbol of a peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever win the Nobel peace prize. Malala is a hero figure to many, but one that she consider as a hero is a dad. It is not very common for a father living in Pakistan to encourage their daughter to attend school, and motivate her everyday to read and write. Her father believes in her to change the world and she is was able to help others to believe in themselves to do the same thing, by simply getting an education like Malala have said “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.”

I really recommended this book to everyone who can't find an interesting book to read. Its is very interesting even though this book seem thick but when you start reading it you don't want to stop reading it.

Book Review by Tran N.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

The Autobiography Of Malcolm X by Alex Haley is one of the most influential non fiction books of this century. Alex Haley and Malcolm X tell his life story from birth into death in an intriguing way. Malcolm X went from a inner city gangster who was sent to Prison into one of the most prominent Civil Rights Leaders along with Martin Luther King. Alex Haley tells the story beautifully, intricately, and intelligently. When Malcolm was a child his father was killed by The Black Legion, this led him into radical movements like the NOI. 

Malcolm X and Alex Haley tell Malcolm's life story from birth until death in explicit detail. You learn exactly what Malcolm is thinking and how he is feeling. My favorite sections of the book was when Malcolm was a child; this part of the book provides foreshadowing and reasons on why Malcolm turned out how he did. You see how somebody's environment can shape them into the person they are. Malcolm X went from a confused child , to a inner city gangster, to a reforming inmate, to a powerful civil rights leader for black people. You see these transformations in explicit, vivid, and interesting detail.

  

I would recommend this book for everyone to read. You see Malcolm's transformations and his ideologies throughout all the stages of his life. As Malcolm X said: "By any means necessary" you should read this book by any means necessary. It is also an important lesson in history; Malcolm X was a huge part of the Civil Rights Movement. Alex Haley and Malcolm did a beautiful job writing this book. Everyone should read this book. One of the best I've ever read. 

Book Review by Nasir M.

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor is the true story of Operation Redwing told by Marcus Luttrell who was the only surviving member of the operation. Marcus also wrote another book titled Service: A Navy SEAL at War. Similar to Lone Survivor both are books about Marcus's experience as a Navy SEAL. The book takes you through Marcus's life from a young boy, through the Navy SEAL training course BUD/S, and through Operation Redwing. Through out the book I was plunged into the story and events that transpired, often feeling as if I was there and experiencing the pain and emotions that run high through this incredible book.  The main idea of this book is about following your dreams and living with any potential consequences.

The book opens with Marcus traveling to his fallen friend's mother's house to talk to her about the death of her son. Marcus proceeds to tell about his  experience as a Navy SEAL, his life growing up, and the events that transpired during Operation Redwing. His squad was made up of 3 other men, Mike Murphy, Matt Axelson, and Danny Dietz. All of which very close friends of his. All were killed during the ill-fated operation. "And so far not a shot had been fired. I looked up the hill again at one single tree above and to my left, maybe twenty yards away. And I thought I saw a movement. Then it was confirmed, first by a turban, then by an AK47, its barrel pointed in my general direction though not directly at me" (Luttrell 242).

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes non-fiction war stories and enjoys a look into the real world of military operations. It's a book that will pull you into the story and makes you feel like you're there with Marcus reliving what he endured in the mountains of Afghanistan. Read this raw, emotional, real-life story as soon as you can because it's one you'll never forget. 

Book Review by Noah K.

I Am a SEAL Team 6 Warrior

The book, “I Am a SEAL Team Six Warrior”, by, former SEAL Team 6 “Black Squadron” Sniper, Howard E. Wasdin, is an autobiography about Petty Officer Wasdin’s experiences, before and after joining the Navy SEALs. In the book I saw Wasdin beginning his SEAL training, going through “Hell Week” and “BUD/S”, and lastly engaging in firefights in Mogadishu, Somalia. In this book, I visited Coronado, California, where the training to become a Navy SEAL takes place. I also endured what the trainees had to go through for “Hell Week”. And I also “visited” Mogadishu, Somalia and witnessed the firefights and bloodshed that occurred, all through Petty Officer Howard E. Wasdin’s eyes. I also saw him training to become a SEAL Team 6 sniper (He is one of Team 6’s best snipers.).

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action filled books, because trust me, this book has a LOT of action and more.

Book Review by Garrett N.

All Blood Runs Red: Life and Legends of Eugene Jacques Bullard - First Black American Military Aviator

All Blood Runs Red was written by Scott Harris. Scott Harris is only an author of two books, All Blood Runs Red, and Innovations in Higher Education: Igniting the Spark for Success (The ACE Series on Higher Education)”. Innovations for Higher Education is aimed at college educators to unite them for the greater good of education and focus on more dynamic efforts and benefit the educational community. But All Blood Runs Red is a bibliography about Eugene Jacques Bullard, a forgotten veteran. The book is a regaling tale of adventure and overcoming adversaries and obstacles than ways to help the U.S. education system. Eugene’s life is thought-provoking story of human tragedies and surprising asphyxiating exploits to overcome barricades and become the first American aviator during World War 1.

The story begins with the author visiting a museum and overhearing two Caucasian men criticizing one of the exhibits. That exhibit honored the first American aviator, Eugene Jacques Bullard. The author took interest in this certain person and spent 5 years looking up his history and background until he actually met with him face to face for an interview. As a withered old man, he didn’t have much to offer but his stories. Mind you, his stories are something you’d expect in a fiction book. From his legend he seemed to have lived a full life. At the beginning of his adventure, Eugene ran away from his home when he was 8 years old to escape to France, where a person’s race didn’t determine your place in society. The way he escaped was he left America by sneaking on a German U-Boat and befriended the occupants, and agreed to drop him off in Europe but he had to make his own way to France. And that’s only the beginning of the tall tales of Mr. Bullard, ranging from becoming a gypsy, a WW2 spy, or marrying royalty. Throughout the book, it goes over the racial problems of the time in real depth and how big ad serious racism really was then. The racial barriers he was forced to overcome were set high, no respect from any whites for serving his time in the war. 

This is my favorite book that I’ve read recently and I highly recommend others to read it because people like him are relatively unheard of, overshadowed by Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and such. This book is extremely interesting because it teaches you about the times that Eugene lived through, but in an interesting way that seems too unrealistic. People like him or just forgotten, schools jus teaches you about MLK and that’s it really, there are more people like him and more, it’s unfair to history that we don’t learn more about people like Eugene. If you’re a history or adventure fanatic, you will love this book as much as I do. It’s a great read; it’s one of those bibliographies that seem to you back in time. This is truly a hidden gem in library and cannot stress how much people should read this book.

Book Review by Chase M.