Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Memoir Release Blitz: Disgracefully Easy by William Hanchett with Thomas F. Hanchett

I love reading memoirs! Today, I have a memoir that shares personal moments from WWII pilot William Hanchett. Check out Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot's Letters Home, learn about the authors and enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!


A B-24 Pilot’s Letters Home

 

Memoir/WWII History

Date Published: May 27, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing


 

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About the Book

 

In this posthumously published collection of letters and postal cards, William “Bill” Hanchett shares his candid experiences as a flight-school cadet, and later as an Army Air Forces pilot in command of a B-24 Liberator bomber during World War II.

 

Through Bill’s first-hand accounts, we learn that mastering the art of flying during wartime is about more than understanding engine throttle and airspeed. It’s about wondering when you’ll be called to fight and if you’ll be asked to betray your ideals. It’s about working hard and documenting the days, dreaming about the future, and longing for home.

 

An extraordinary primary document, Disgracefully Easy offers us a rare glimpse inside the military in the 1940s, a time when Americans worried about the fate of their great country and looked to the brave and courageous to deliver them from fear. This unique collection will be long remembered as an important addition to the annals of aviation history.


About the Authors

Thomas F. Hanchett

Now retired from federal civil service, Thomas Forster Hanchett holds a bachelor’s degree in government and two master’s degrees, one in history and one in public administration. In 2016, after his father Bill’s death, he found over three-hundred letters Bill had written during WWII. Given Tom’s interest in military history, it seemed only natural that he be the one to edit and present his father’s letters in manuscript form. Tom has also written historical and educational articles for various publications. A native Californian, he resides in North San Diego County.


William Hanchett

William “Bill” Hanchett (1922-2016) grew up in a wealthy family in Evanston, Illinois. His father lost his municipal bond company business during the Great Depression, changing their family’s lifestyle drastically. Bill attended Black Mountain College, but his time there was cut short because of World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces, rising from private to second lieutenant, and then to airplane commander of a B-24 Liberator bomber.  After the war, he continued his education, worked as a civilian historian for the U.S. Air Force, and taught history for over thirty years at San Diego State University. Bill authored numerous articles and historical books, including The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies (1983). He loved living in San Diego, California, where he spent time sailing on the bay.

 

Connect on Social

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Goodreads

Instagram: @historiantom (Thomas Forster Hanchett)

 

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Thursday, January 11, 2024

Nonfiction Book Review: Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler

This morning, I have a nonfiction book to share in our book review spotlight! Check out Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase, learn about author Dave Tabler and read my thoughts on the book! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.


 
 
Book Title:  Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 110 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
Content Rating: G. Suitable for all audiences.


"Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware's 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State.... For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware's 19th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book." -- AuthorsReading

"Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state. The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure." -- Foreword Reviews

​"Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations." -- Booklife

"The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose." -- Kirkus Reviews
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked. ...More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past." -- Indie Reader
 
"Delaware from Railways to Freeways offers readers a captivating journey through Delaware’s lesser-known history. It is an excellent choice for those who relish reading about unusual facts and harbor a passion for history, even if it occasionally leans toward trivia. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Delaware’s rich heritage." -- Literary Titan
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Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
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About the Book


Our tiny state continues to make an oversized impact on today’s America. Explore the mind-blowing facts that give Delaware a unique place in history.

Want to know more about the historical depth of the Diamond State? Curious to learn the surprising background behind cypress shingles, Conestoga wagons, and Patty Cannon? Wondering about the origins of George Washington’s famous cherry tree story? Popular blogger and long-time Delawarean Dave Tabler relishes sharing his love of the past with hundreds of thousands of online readers. And now he’s here to celebrate the many fascinating details that make this small first state a real powerhouse.

Delaware from Railways to Freeways covers eye-opening information about the region and its residents from 1800 to 1907. Laying out a captivating journey through pictures and offering up little-known anecdotes, entertainingly educational stories, and a comprehensive deep dive, Tabler gives insightful commentary on inventions, contributors to society, and transformative technology. History lovers of all ages will immensely enjoy this trove of 19th-century lore.

In Delaware from Railways to Freeways, you’ll discover:
  • The illustrator responsible for the modern-day version of Robin Hood
  • Which innovative minds were behind Christmas Seals, RCA Victrola, and other cool contraptions
  • How roads were built, the iron industry rose up, and breakwaters and ferries expanded
  • Fun facts about the state fair, the founding of the A.M.E. Church, and a flying machine
  • The Civil War & Reconstruction era, The Gilded Age & Beyond, and much, much more!

Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the perfect combination of coffee table book and reference resource and is the second volume in the Delaware History Overview series. If you like photography from the past, engrossing regional tales, and adaptive teaching tools, then you’ll adore Dave Tabler’s fresh retrospective.
 
My Review
 
Delaware from Railways to Freeways takes readers on a journey through Delaware's history. The author does a fantastic job featuring an educational history of the state of Delaware through entertaining stories and interesting photographs and images.  From historical tidbits that you may have learned in history classes to more obscure Delaware-related places and faces, the author fills the pages with information to entertain and enlighten readers. 
Readers will enjoy seeing history come to life on the book's pages.  Photographs with short captions make up most of the book--with additional text for many photos continued in the back of the book in order of appearance.  There is something wonderful about "seeing" the information referenced throughout the book. Locals may find familiar sights, while readers who may never venture into the state have a unique opportunity to view the interesting pieces of Delaware's history.
Would I recommend Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase?  While I have never visited Delaware or experienced much of the state's history, I loved reading this book.  The pages are like strolling through a museum filled with artifacts!  If you enjoy history and photographs or images of historical places and faces. This is an enjoyable book. The book's arrangement allows you to enjoy many pictures and quick anecdotes on the pages--and then offers more information on many of the images in a back section of the book. Delaware from Railways to Freeways: First State, Second Phase is a great book for history lovers!
 
Buy the Book 
Amazon ~ B&N  ~ BAM
Indiebound ~ BookShop ~ BookBub
add to goodreads

Meet the Author

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads
 
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Friday, April 28, 2023

History Spotlight: Sub Tales Stories That Seldom Surface by Charles Hood & Frank Hood

This morning, I have a historical look at the history of the US Submarine force in our book spotlight.  Check out Sub Tales and learn about authors Charles Hood & Frank Hood.

 


 

History - US Submarine Force

Date Published: 12-09-2019

 

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Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
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About the Book

Exhilarating true stories from the history of the US Submarine Force. Life threatening sudden emergencies, fearless rescues, famous skippers, innovative ingenuity while at sea, a unique baseball game at the North Pole, a man with an indomitable will to survive in WWII, and a lot more.

Organized by themes, you can read any story alone. An Audio Version has been narrated by a professional narrator who rode 6 subs himself.  The nuance, color, and sense of being there clearly comes out in this audio book. Since its inception, this book has been our Best Seller of our 7 books with true stories of the US Sub Force.  It has 329 Global Reviews on Amazon, 88% 4 or 5 Star. If you want to learn something about submarines, read or hear true stories of men in extremis, and want to know about the men who volunteered to ride them...This book/audio version is for you.

 

This book is highly acclaimed by both submarine veterans and civilians for his readibility, accuracy, and the content.

Ranked in Top 10 by Amazon of books of Cold War Genre.

Ranked in Top 10 in Best Submarine Books of All Time by the Book Authority

The audio book is convenient for those who drive a lot, have vision impairment, or just want to sit back and listen while they do other chores.

This book is a winner!

 

About the Authors

Charles Hood is the principal author, aided by his submarine veteran brother Frank. Charles is a physician who started helping Frank write his story (Poopie Suits and Cowboy Boots) and then became so enamored of all things submarine, he has dedicated 7 years of his life to collecting, editing, and publishing these fabulous stories so that they are not lost to time.  These stories of the bravery, the mettle, the endurance of the men (and families) who volunteer to serve aboard a submarine will make you go "Wow".

 

Connect with the Author

Website

Facebook

 

Buy the Book

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Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Delaware before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States

Today, I have a nonfiction, American history based novel in our book spotlight! Check out Delaware before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States, learn about Dave Tabler and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.


 

Book Title:  Delaware Before the Railroads: A Diamond Among the States by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 100 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
​Publication Date: Nov 2022
Tour dates: Nov 25 to Dec 16
Content Rating: G. None needed. Works for all audiences.
"Tabler debuts with a visual feast introducing readers to the First State before the golden age of the railroad. Drawing on photographs of locations, reconstructions, and historical objects, together with brief captions and rigorous notes, Tabler weaves a rich tapestry of industry, politics, and faith. He organizes the photographs roughly chronologically, tracking Delaware’s development from Swedish settlers to American independence, and dedicates space to images that reflect Delaware’s Native American history, as well as tracing the impact that enslaved people had on the state’s historical development." - Booklife

"If you think you know Delaware, think again. Pirates? Quakers fighting with Pennsylvania? Towns so ugly no one would settle there? With stunning pictures and straightforward storytelling, Dave Tabler opens hidden passages and describes defining moments in this founding American colony. Telling this small state's story gives you a sense of the big picture in American history. Enjoy this fresh look at Delaware through Dave Tabler's eyes." -- Wendy Welch, author The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap
 
"Whether discussing the colored spear tips that showed the community if a person had been found guilty or not, to the stones that identified the Mason-Dixon Line, Dave Tabler's book on colonial Delaware offers the reader a smorgasbord of interesting stories and photos of its early years. This is another book to add to collections about the beginnings of our country." -- Sheila Ingle, winner, South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution Historical Preservation Award for four of her young reader novels about South Carolina heroines during the Revolutionary War
 
"Thoroughly researched and well-written, Delaware before the Railroads offers a glimpse into the past through a present lens. Respected historian Dave Tabler utilizes colorful and intriguing photographs to tell Delaware's foundational stories." -- Jan Loveday Dickens, Tennessee author and educator
 
"Dave Tabler's impeccable research and clearly written descriptives tell a truthful and provocative story for anyone interested in the subject or doing research for other works covering the same period. The colorful and informative photographs tell the story of not only Colonial Delaware residents from 1638-1832 but our American forefathers in general. We learn about every aspect of their way of life during the most critical time of our country's history." -- Lisa Soland, author, and senior editor of Climbing Angel Publishing

"Dave Tabler has crafted a concise and fascinating photographic account of early Delaware. "Delaware Before The Railroads" is definitely a book that should be in the collection of anyone interested not only in the history of Delaware but also in the history of colonial America." -- Steve Gilly, "Stories, A History of Appalachia" podcast
 
"Beautifully illustrated and presented in a unique format, 'Delaware Before the Railroads' is an easy and informative read-sure to appeal to Early American and Delaware history buffs." --Amelia E. Miller, Tennessee author and historian

"Tabler's purpose, indeed, his mission, is to create a tribute to the culture and history of Delaware before the coming of the railroad. Consequently, he not only rediscovers the past, he also preserves and celebrates it with a montage of vivid images and an insightful narrative." -- Gary Carden, author, storyteller, playwright

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an affiliate partner.  


About the Book


Delaware before the railroads arrived in 1832 was hotly contested real estate. Circle back to 1610 for a ride that takes you through culture clashes, colonization, revolution and beyond.
 
Buy the Book

Amazon ~ B&N
Indiebound ~ BookShop 
add to goodreads
 
About the Author

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the 'R' volume from the family's World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler's father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a 'Plan B.'

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for "The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics," which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote 'Deliverance.'

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware's early heritage.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

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Monday, April 27, 2020

Perils and Pearls Book Review & Book Tour Giveaway

This week, I had the opportunity to review a memoir from author Hulda Bachman-Neeb.  What did I think of her story of life and survival as her family endured captivity in a Japanese Jungle Prison Camp?  Read my thoughts on Perils and Pearls, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.


 

Book Title:  Perils and Pearls: In World War II, a Family's Story of Survival and Freedom from Japanese Jungle Prison Camps by Hulda Bachman-Neeb
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction, 190 pages
Genre:  Memoir / Japanese History
Publisher:  BristleCone Press
Release date:   September, 2019
Content Rating: PG: There are mentions of decapitation and ugly jail or camp scenes and murder. No bad words, no expletives, no drug use and no drinking.
"The story of our Dutch family being ripped apart isn't unique. Millions suffered beyond description during the war. However, today, I have the opportunity to share our story with others so that they may know just how priceless their freedom is. That is my sincerest wish in bringing this book to the general public." - Hulda Bachmann-Neeb

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.  

About the Book

In World War II much of Asia fell under Japanese control after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. All non-Asians were imprisoned in concentration camps until August of 1945, the end of the war in the Pacific. This is the story of a Dutch family, resident in the Dutch East Indies, that fell victim to the Japanese occupation and was interned in jungle camps throughout the war. It tells the journey from riches to rags, from fear and suffering to the joy of freedom and recovery.

My Review

Perils and Pearls Shares a Look at WWII that I Missed. I had no idea that these Japanese prison camps existed. The camps were missing from any history that I learned from the time. Through her family's memories and her childhood memories, she reveals details and images of which so many of us are unaware.  

The Author's Writing Style Differs from Many Memoirs. I enjoy memoirs because of the emotions and the memories shared by the authors. Hulda writes from a more educational and informational angle. Readers learn a lot about her family's ancestry and a lot of the realities of life in the Japanese prison camps--but, it is presented in a more structured, dryer manner than most memoirs.  

Would I Recommend Perils and Pearls by Hulda Bachman-Neeb?  If you enjoy historically based, non-fiction autobiographies--especially those shedding light on places and times that you may never have experienced nor learned--this look into Japanese history and WWII certainly offers readers an eye-opening glimpse into the author's past. There is a lot of facts and history presented in this novel--making it a bit different than the usual, conversational, emotion-driven memoirs. I enjoyed learning about this author's experiences and would certainly recommend it to fans of historical non-fiction and Japanese history. 


Meet the Author
 

Hulda Bachman–Neeb was born in Indonesia of colonial Dutch parentage two years before the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Because much of Asia fell under Japanese control, all non-Asians were imprisoned in concentration camps until August of 1945, the end of the war in the Pacific. As a member of the Dutch Foreign Service in her adult life, Hulda held assignments in twenty-five countries over a period of thirty-six years, retiring in 1996. She is married to an American, James Bachman, a historian, and author, and has dual citizenship. Hulda and her husband live in Estes Park, Colorado.

Connect with the author:    website ~ facebook ~ twitter


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