The Wright Brothers--Biography; David McCullough

About: Behind the story look at Wilbur and Orville Wright and their civilization-changing invention

My Take: My friend Bud Recht recommended I read this book. I'm really glad I did! David McCullough--two-time Pulitzer-winning author--doesn't write a bad book. This one is exceptional--maybe another Pulitzer prize in the offing. You come to know Wilbur and Orville intimately and the kind of preparation it took--including laying their lives on the line--for them to make history. They are heroes in every sense of the word. And their sister, Katharine, plays a role that few of us are aware of. This book captures the exciting nuances and challenges of this extraordinary achievement. A fascinating read from the first page on. It's worth a second read!  

Killing Reagan--History (uh--not really); Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

About: Supposedly the backstory behind the assassination attempt on Reagan

My Take: Disclosure--I am not a Bill O'Reilly fan, and I believe this book demonstrates graphically why I'm not. Disingenuous, yellow-journalism, tabloid-reporting, etc., etc. are words that accurately describe this abomination. This is no history. There's a reason Bill did not include a bibliography--he didn't bother with historical facts! Fortunately, Bill's attempted assassination of Reagan's character will fare no better than Hinckley's attempt on Reagan's life. Bill will make his buck on this--obviously, that's what drove its printing--but it puts another nail in the Bill O'Reilly reputation coffin.