How many nuclear blasts since 1945 (including tests)?

And a little nuclear humor: The Chernobyl Nesting Doll

Movie Review-- Hunt for the Red October

Hunt for the Red October

Genre: Suspense/Action

Summary: An intelligence analyst discovers the truth behind a rogue Soviet nuclear sub captain and his new weapon

My Grade: %97


Pros:

• Superb plot, resolving well
  
• Excellent soundtrack
  
• Great filming and effects, especially for 1990
• James Earl Jones
  

Cons:

• Connery's Scottish accent is hard to shake, despite his great acting
• Language
  

Movie Review-- Body of Lies

Body of Lies

Genre: Action/Drama

Summary: A CIA agent in the Middle East tracks a terror cell while struggling against the Agency

My Grade: %82


Pros:

• Unapologetically true perspectives on terror, Islam, politics, etc
• Amazing filming locations- all over the world
  
• Quality look at espionage in the age of terror
  

Cons:

• Half of all dialogue is made of up a few select words
• Harsh portrayals of torture (more plausible and nauseating than 24)

Movie Review-- A Few Good Men

A Few Good Men

Genre: Drama

Summary: A hothead naval lawyer actually cares about wrongfully accused Marines and fights the system to prove it

My Grade: %87 (%93 with TV Guardian)


Pros:

• Excellent legal drama
• Great bad guy, Nicholson
• Great insight (assuming its somewhat accurate) into the JAG court

Cons:

• Language, blatant and suggestive
  
• I just really didn't like the girl's personality
  

This Day in History

72 years ago, the Hindenburg's first trans-Atlantic flight ended in disaster.

What I didn't know until today:

• It was first used as a tool to spread propaganda during Hitler's occupation of the Rhineland
• It operated for a full commercial season without incident
• It filled with hydrogen because helium exports were restricted from the United States
• It burned totally in 37 seconds
• Indiana Jones originally rode on the Hindenburg, but it was later edited because the events supposedly took place in 1938, a year after the explosion
  

Book Report-- American Heroes

American Heroes M
by Oliver North

Non-Fiction


Another volume from Col. North's experiences as an embedded war correspondent for Fox News, American Heroes brings us stories from the fight against radical Islam (see subtitle).
It includes some of the same content as War Stories, but also puts them in a greater religious-political context. North begins with several chapters of introduction, including a summary of Islam's doctrine of Jihad. I appreciated that he did not shy away from the truth of who the enemy is. It also gets almost caught up to date- published in 2008. Col. North adds commentary on how the war has been going since the capture of Baghdad.
On top of the short stories a excerpts from his Fox reports, he shared the stories of medal winners in this war, as read at the presentation. I noticed that the last award was given posthumously to the hero of another book I've read, Lone Survivor.
There are indeed American Heroes. I am more grateful for the war efforts after reading this. It's been a buffer against the misinformation or negative focus of the typical war reports we've been getting for the past 6 years.

Book Report-- The Prague Counterpoint

The Prague Counterpoint M
by Bodie Thoene

Historical Fiction

Again, look past the pretty cursive title. This sequel maintains the heavy plot and living history of the first. Perhaps it's because its World War II that makes its so good. Or the writing. Or both. Or tons of stuff.
The great benefit of historical fiction such as this is that it allows you to live historical events that would other wise be just a date. The attempted overthrow of Czechoslovakia by Hitler is one such event. Its far reaching implications for Jews, the Underground Resistance, Czech Nationalists, Austrian refugees, and many other aspects of history were lost to me before this novel.
And all the same conclusions of the first...

Movie Review-- Traitor

Traitor

Genre: Suspense/Action/Thriller/Drama

Summary: A man with both American military/intelligence and terrorist connection is int he middle of a plot with both sides wondering what side he's on.

My Grade: %93


Pros:

• Simple but gripping plot
  
• Actually a pretty vivid picture of Islamic radicals
• Cheadle is an amazing actor for such serious roles
  

Cons:

• Not-so-subtle undertones of poitical-corectness: radical Muslims are "traitors to Islam," each religion has is radicals- McVeigh represents all Christians
• language
  

This Day in History...

6 years ago, Operation Iraqi Freedom began with the "shock and awe" air strike. Baghdad was conquered by ground forces in 21 days.

What I didn't know then:

• That we'd still be there. But that's not all bad, nor all to blame on any one person or political party. That we haven't had another terrorist attack on American soil since then says alot. And whether or not democracy is the destiny of the Iraqi people, I'm certain they're better off in the wake of Saddam.
  

Book Report-- The Vienna Prelude

The Vienna Prelude M
by Brock and Bodie Thoene

Historical Fiction


Don't mind the girly-looking cover. This work of fiction brings a serious plot set in thick historical context.

In the midst of the drama and intrigue of 1930's Germany, I found myself consumed with the story of the Lindheim family. The complexities of a Jewish family in increasingly Nazi Germany are not only the stuff of a good novel but instances of human existence perhaps unparalleled in history. Whether or not unparalleled, they offered me a unique opportunity to address issues of life in my own mind that I might not otherwise.

I love the history. As is often quoted, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. This history, for the most part, would be horrific to repeat. I know that sinful men, though, will not learn. Studying history then becomes like studying the enemy's playbook. More than just avoiding or preventing the same manifestations of evil, I believe we should be understanding the world around us and how to better respond to and reach it.

Diatribe aside, it was a thoroughly good book (even granting a romance factor). I look forward to the rest of the series and the opportunity to learn more and more.

Book Report-- 90 Minutes at Entebbe

90 Minutes At Entebbe M
by William Stevenson

Non-Fiction


This book brings us the story of a significant counter-terrorism operation of the 1970's that has enlightened me to certain aspects of Middle East politics and terrorism. It's quite an amazing story, and it's quite beneficial to read of it from the time-period.
If you've never heard of the situation (as many Americans have not, since it climaxed on July 4th, 1976 while we celebrated 200 years), give it a read. If you wonder why the Middle East is as it is, you might get a few answers here. If you want to hear of great nationality, courage, political intrigue and seemingly miraculous timing, this is it.

OOPS

Nuclear Subs crash underwater. That could have been bad, and I'm not just talking about political-major-embarrassment. Someone calculated that 1248 Hiroshimas could have been reenacted...

Movie Review-- Valkyrie

Valkyrie

Genre: War/Action

Summary: Upstaning German military men attempt to assasinate Hitler and end the war- True Story.

My Grade: %97

Pros:

• The men who stood up to Hitler deserve recognition
• Well portrayed, very realistic and historically accurate (as far as I can determine without further research)
• Compelling acting by a great cast
• Great conclusion- I really liked the monologue overtone during the execution scenes. It reinforced why they did what they did, even if it failed

Cons:

• Very British Germans
• Realistic executions 
• Though it doesn't delve into the morals of assasination, it assumes assasination as a viable option to stop Hitler
• Brief Language

Movie Review-- Eagle Eye

Eagle Eye

Genre: Action/Thriller

Summary: Two unsuspecting citizens are manipulated into an act of terrorism, or fighting it, or...

My Grade: %98

Pros:

• An original idea! Not a remake, sequel, or comic strip
• A very creative, rewarding plot- I was entirely satisfied
• A unique premise- possible in the near future, or... now?
• Excellent acting Shia, Billy Bob, etc
• Even some good humor- especially the interrogation scene
• The good guys act good or end up acting good

Cons:

• The not-so-subtle underlying message that a "warmongering" administration can in fact be more of a threat to its people than terrorists
• Suggestive dialogue in one scene

Movie Review-- All the King's Men

All the King's Men

Genre:War/Documentary

Summary: A look at what happened to the battalion of King's servants turned soldiers who disappeared in WW1

 My grade: %75

Pros:

• Interesting story of little-heard-of WW1
• Nice to see Emperor Palpatine/ Darth Sidious not being evil

Cons:

• Unnecessary sex scenes and even random male nudity (skinny dipping)
• Really not worth the two hours

Movie Review-- Thirteen Days

Thirteen Days

Genre: Suspense/Drama

Summary: The story of the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis from the the perspective of the Oval Office.

My Grade: %90

Pros:

• I love history 
• This was a very crucial moment in our history that deserves some current exposure, and to forget it is to relive it, only with a different enemy
• The random role by Chip Esten (of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and the Office)

Cons:

• Possibly the worst attempts by top actors at a New England accent
• Language
• Politics are unavoidable, and Hollywood could only take one side: Military action was portrayed as the evil, last option ("We can't do a sneak attack") while diplomacy and dialogue are the only moral option
• The heroically portrayed president who would retaliate if the plane got shot at (and did), didn't when another plane got shot down- this is more a comment on the President's foreign policy than the movie, but it ws overlooked by the movie.

Book Report--Ezekiel Option

Ezekiel Option B

by Joel Rosenberg

Fiction

The third book in the apocalyptic series, Ezekiel Option gets to the nitty-gritty of prophecy and current events.

The premise of the whole story lies on a somewhat rare interpretation of Ezekiel 38-39 (thus the name). I really enjoyed the presentation of prophetical interpretation in dialogue format. It was easily understood and, in terms of current geopolitical rumblings, very vivid.

The world circumstances in the book are not exactly identical to ours and therefore we are not currently seeing the fulfillment of Ez. 38-39. It is not hard, however, to see how easily and quickly it could all change.

It's great that Rosenberg also focuses on other prophecies regarding spiritual renewal, not just the carnage.

It makes me antsy- even so, come Lord Jesus.

Book Report-- Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor M

by Marcus Luttrel

Non-Fiction

This is one of those stories that you hope really happened. With all the negative representation of the War on Terror, I want to know stuff like this is happening (except for the death of Navy SEALs).

This is the autobiography of Navy SEAL Marcus Lutrell and his survival of the "Battle of Murphy's Ridge." That our military is capable of training such men and such men are capable of such endurance and spirit gives me great confidence in our efforts against terrorism worldwide.

Join Marcus in his respect for his fallen commrades and witness the real story of what has been and is going on on behalf of us across the globe.

And, sweet enough, they are making a movie.

This Day in History...

67 years ago, Pearl Harbor.

The men at Pearl Harbor are often called heroes. I don't intend to overuse the word by applying it to those Americans just because they were there. Many, however, may earn such a designation in some degree because of their response. That more were not lost, that America awoke from its slumber, that Japan was conquered by the same soldiers who awoke to its fury- these are elements of heroism in the American people.

There was, unfortunately, more than just what appeared on the surface at Pearl Harbor- more than we'll ever know. But no amount of dirty politics, poor sports, conspiracy theories, or bad apples can change the fact that I owe much to that generation and the heroes that arose from the smoke of Pearl Harbor.

Movie Review--Von Ryan's Express

Von Ryan's Express



Genre:War/Drama/Action



Summary: A host of Allied POWs in transit from a fallen Italian POW camp to a German camp manage a nifty escape.



My grade:%92



Pros:

• POW escape movies are always good
• Frank Sinatra?!?
• A very unique (if historically unfounded) plot
• Good effects for that time

Cons:

• The effects and stunts (even if good for that time) just make me embarrassed for them, and for that whole generation
• Frank Sinatra didn't sing