The Son and Heir: a Memoir by Alexander Munninghoff

“The Son and Heir” tells the story of a man whose not-uncommon fractious relationship with his father led to the very uncommon step of joining Hitler’s army, becoming an SS officer who fought on the Russian front. The author, Alexander Munninghoff was a small boy unaware of the meaning of … Continue reading

The Tragedy of the Templars: the Rise and Fall of the Crusader States by Michael Haag

Following my historical fiction primer in my last post “The Land Beyond the Sea” about the Crusades of the late 12th century, I was ready to learn more about the actual city states and fate of Jerusalem after the momentous capture by Saladin’s forces in 1187. “The Tragedy of the … Continue reading

The Land Beyond the Sea: by Sharon K Penman

The Land Beyond the Sea: the literal meaning of the medieval land named Outremer- the region now including Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Syria- the Holy Land fought and bled over, scene to countless unimaginable tragedies, witness to the death of hopes and dreams, a home and a promised land for … Continue reading

The Black Prince: England’s Greatest Medieval Warrior by Michael Jones

The Black Prince: he sounds like a super-villain guilty of oppression and vile deeds; or a shadowy figure of mystery lost in the mists of time; but in this case he was the very opposite of those things. What kind of man could earn a moniker as awesome as that … Continue reading

El Pombero!: by Jackie Goldman

El Pombero! is a short novel about loss and healing that had a very good premise and tantalizing storyline; but ultimately suffered from very little emotional pay-off and an abrupt ending to a story that was just beginning. It begins with a woman named Heather at the bedside of her … Continue reading

A Morbid Taste For Bones: by Ellis Peters

It’s been years, and I mean YEARS since I read a mystery for reasons too lengthy to post here but here’s insight into part of the problem. I found this book thanks to my handy dandy kindle store recommendations, thanks guys! Haha, but really they do know me. Medieval? Yes. Monks … Continue reading

Windsworn (Gryphon Riders Trilogy 1) by Derek Alan Siddoway

‘Windsworn’, the first book in a new YA trilogy features a young woman named Evelyn who has been thrust from total obscurity and happy boredom living in a village smithery – to a life of militant schooling in the mountain fortress of Gyr, trained to join the ranks of Windsworn: … Continue reading