Tim Reads--May

 Longshot into the West by Keith R. Baker (218 pages)

The sequel to Longshot this book sees the hero Rob pulling his rifle out of retirement and stopping a plan by the Confederates to take over the goldfields of the Dakotas.  A fast paced story that adds historical characters (Buffalo Bill, Allan Pinkerton, etc.) to make this story feel as though it is actual history.

Frozen Tears by J.B. King (320 pages)

An in depth look at the 70’s murders that occurred on Ft. Leonard Wood. Three teenagers were murdered, and one severely wounded by a military policeman who is later arrested, tried, and imprisoned. This book does a great job taking court documents and interviews with the investigators to fully flesh out the drama of this true crime story.

Glory Days by L. Jon Wertheim (336 pages)

Looking into the year of 1984 as a year that shook the sports world. The LA Olympics is the centerpiece that this book revolves around, but everything from the founding of ESPN to the death of the USFL this year had something that affected every sports fan.

American Demagogue by J.D. Dickey (400 pages)

The story of how the colonies in America are thrown into a religious conflict with the arrival of young George Whitefield. He helps spark the Great Awakening that led to the creation of multiple sects of Christianity. America is never quite the same following Whitefield’s departure to Europe.

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li (384 pages)

A gang of Chinese-American student’s work together to steal back, looted Chinese artifacts from museums. An interesting look at the world of fine art and the questions that need to be asked about who actually owns art and should looted or “discovered” pieces be returned to their home countries. A very interesting and quick read.

The Napoleon of Crime by Ben Macintyre (400 pages)

The real life thief who would be transformed into Moriarity, Sherlock Holmes’ most famous villain, is shown in all of his swagger, blustery, glory in this book. Adam Worth who fancied himself a “gentleman criminal,” due to never using weapons and attempting to not harm people or property he none the less left a great deal of theft in his wake all across Europe. From faking his death in the US Civil war, to stealing a valuable painting of an ancestor of Princess Diana, Worth keeps popping up in history on multiple continents.