The Center of the World, by Thomas Van Essen, my book review

A great read for a serious reader who needs a break!,February 16, 2014 By madlyn fafard (Florida, USA) This review is from: The Center of the World (Paperback) I entered the book store, not knowing what I wanted to buy, Many of us have days like that, especially when you consider yourself a serious reader and don't necessarily follow the top 10, but just want something to get lost in. This was my choice. I liked the idea of exploring Turner, I liked the idea of period versus past, and thought I could get lost in the story. I did find it easy to stay in the story, and found myself longing to see the painting, and never got a glimpse of it until at the end I realized it was only to be seen in my mind. The story is fast enough to keep you interested, as it flows between New York and London, or in the Adirondacks, where it is all possible to have happened. I wanted to see more of the fabulous Turner pictures and so I ventured on line to try and find some to enjoy. Imagination, a peek at a life that was up against the edge of boredom, at other lives locked in the tradition of the time, and the heartbreak of being cast off by a lover, all come together in this easy read , that even serious readers can relax with and enjoy.

Wall Street Journal,. FEBRUARY 15...., BOOKS, 2 hours OF GREAT READING..

The section on BOOKS was wonderful ! I started with the review of ,The Bombers and 

The Bombed.   By Richard Overy, Reviewer, Adam Tooze.  I loved it because I have a genuine interest in the Second World War.  It's interesting to see that here is someone who claims we were not easily going to bring down German production and thus not achieve a  quicker Victory since they were in so many words able to keep up with us .

 I wonder if his vision is too narrow because he concentrated on the Nazi production and point of view in his study and did not consider other factors such as  the Axis lack of assembly line production as developed by Knudson in the United States,  or our ability to control the sea lanes and take down the Nazi submarines with the Colossus  computer and the breaking of the German code.  The  destruction of the Nazi airforce  in Africa the first front, and  Nazi inability to reinforce the  equipment and supplies to the troops there, all has to be considered.  This demoralized them, they had to withdraw to stage their battle in Italy where they had an easier time reinforcing troops and supplies.

Once again, the Allies pounded the Axis back ,back ,back ,until they  had to withdraw from Rome, using the scorched earth program as they left, thus hoping to stop us from getting supplies and equipment.  Naturally not being a scholar of these events my opinion could be wrong, but it does have merit.  No one can dispute the production of the United States during the Second World War, it was staggering! From my reading of Trilogy of the Second World War , Richard Atkinson, I find Overy hard to believe, but then again, I am an amateur at this.

I also loved the review on The Kennan Diaries, by Frank Costigliola, reviewed by Edwin Yoder.  One paragraph stood out  describing Kennan wanting to start a "party of criticism" to maintain a critique of American political follies.  What a good idea!

Each book review  in Saturday's paper was interesting.  If you have a chance to read them on line or at the library , plan to relax and enjoy.  I saved my pages for bedtime and was so excited after finishing I had to immediately write about it.

The New York Times , today, Sunday  had a couple of the same books in review.