Politics and religion in the USA book review by Fred Lane Wallis, J. God’s politics: Why the right gets it wrong and the left doesn’t get it. Harper: San Francisco. 2005. 384pp. $40. Naval officers traditionally sidestep discussions about politics and religion, for very good reasons. Jim Wallis agrees that these topics are avoided in […]
Spies and counterspies book review by Fred Lane Shugar, Antony. I lie for a living: The greatest spies of all time. National Geographic: Washington, D.C. 2006. 189 pp. (US$14.40, paperback) This book is required reading for all those interested in espionage and national level whistle blowing. It is an enthralling but very brief description of 60-odd […]
Salvo Book review by Fred Lane Edwards, B. Salvo: Classic naval gun battles. Naval Institute Press: Annapolis 1955. 184pp, 36 photographs, track charts, bibliography and index. US$23.36. (Cheaper new and secondhand books may be found at remainder counters and on the internet.) In yet another gripping book, CAPT Bernard Edwards RN describes 18 classic naval […]
ADML Ray Lygo Book review by Fred LaneLygo R. Collision course: Lygo shoots back. The Book Guild: Lewes 2002. 551pp plus glossary, index and photographs.Internet cost: $50 incl postage. Ray Lygo, worked as a printer’s copyholder before joining the RN as a Naval Airman Second Class in 1942 . He never sat for a School […]
HMAS Sydney: the Vung Tau ferry book review by Fred Lane Nott R.T. and N. A. Payne (2001) The Vung Tau ferry: HMAS Sydney and escort ships. 3rd Ed. Noel and Margaret Payne: Nerang. (168 pages plus 90-odd pages of addenda such as crew lists and escort ship details. Cost $29.95. Self published hardback.) This […]
Fire in the Hangar Book review by Fred Lane Foster, W.F. (2001) Fire on the hangar deck: Ordeal of the Oriskany. Naval Institute Press: Annapolis. 175 pages including index, photographs and schematic drawings.US$26.95. “Fire, fire, fire, fire in the hangar,” must be one of the most feared tannoy broadcasts ever in any ship that carries […]
Vietnam: RAN helicopter flight Book review by Fred Lane Steve Eather Get the bloody job done. Allen and Unwin: St Leonards, 1998. 160pp, including index and references, $19.95 (paperback). “Get the bloody job done” might be a great squadron motto and an even better book title. Except in Vietnam. The “bloody job” did not […]
The women of Islam Book review by Fred LaneBrooks, Geraldine. Nine parts of desire: The hidden world of Islamic women. Anchor Books: New York 1994. 255 pp, $17.95 (paperback) Contrary to Norma Khouri’s reportedly faked Forbidden love reports, Nine parts of desire is based on the authentic experiences of Australian author Geraldine Brooks. After growing […]
Islam pre 1700 Book review by Fred LaneMartell, H.M. Looking back: The world of Islam before 1700. Evans Brothers Limited: London 1998. 62 pp, hardback, $19.99.(But check the remainders box for a bargain.) Indonesia, our near-north neighbour, has by far the largest population of Muslims of any country in the world. Some, like the Bali […]
Eric Nave: RAN code breaker Book review by Kevin A. Rickard Pfennigwerth, I. A man of intelligence: The life of Captain Eric Nave, Australian codebreaker extraordinary. Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd: Dural. 2006. 304pp., 18 pp. of plates, illustrations and maps. $29.95 paperback. A man of intelligence is the biography of an enterprising and successful Australian […]
