Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism

Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism by Bob Edwards. Bob Edwards recently passed away, and that is how I found out about this book. Of course I knew the name Murrow, but did not know the extent to which he created broadcast news. A relatively short life, but a very impactful one. He really was at the center of many of the major events of the 20th century.

The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

Rudolf Diesel created, yes, the diesel engine. As a more effecient and powerful engine he saw this as a way to further the advance of civilization. Diesel fuel does not burn so is safer when using, especially in a boat, where a fire can be horrible. His engines used in shipping and then in submarines allowed major advancements. However, he became disalusioned that his engine became a main tool for use with war. Especially as Germany rearmed and tried to retain exclusive rights to the engine. Rudolf was german. The ending of this books illustrates the mystery of what happened to him, he may have drown on a fairy crossing of the english channel, or he may have faked his death, which there is good evidence for.

Astor and Vanderbilt

These two books follow the two wealthy american families the Astors and Vanderbilts, tracing how they obtained their vast wealth and how they spent their money. The Astors held on to their money for much longer, but both families fortunes finally came to an end.

Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakaur

The Eiger is of course in the Alps, but this book is really about climbing the high peaks all over the world. He illustrates the people who climb and they are of course a unique bunch, many of whom do not survive.

Strike of the Sailfish

Strike of the Sailfish: Two Sister Submarines and the Sinking of a Japanese Aircraft Carrier By Stephen L. Moore

A standard WW2 history, submarine history. This provides a good description of life on a submarine at this time.

Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building

Portal: San Francisco's Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities by John King

Using San Fracisco's ferry buildinig as the vehicle, the author provides a history of the city from the late 1800s to the present. He tracks the changing transportation needs over that period of time, and how the building and the city has adapted, often not easily and smoothly. He brings us up to the present time by showing how the building and the city have to adapt to climate change and the rising sea level.

MELVILLE IN LOVE

MELVILLE IN LOVE: THE SECRET LIFE OF HERMAN MELVILLE AND THE MUSE OF MOBY-DICK by Michael Shelden

This book came out a few years ago, and focuses on the time that Melville lived in the Berkshires near Pittsfield. Melville had a long relationship with the area that went back to his childhood. But the main point of the book is the 'affair' that he had with a local wealthy married women. This is at the time when he was writing what woudl be Moby Dick. He was a fairly well known author at this time, though not wildly successful. This book does track his life through to his death, and touches on the outcome of publishing Moby Dick and the fact that when published it was not a success. Like with Poe it was long after his death the Moby Dick was rediscovered and became the classic novel of American literature.