Alison Weir is one of my favorite historians. Her work is always well researched and intelligently presented. I love reading about European history, which is what my concentration was in college. I especially love learning about royal and noble families, probably because we do not really have anything like that in the United States. I enjoyed learning about the court of Henry VIII, and there is always something new to learn about him, regardless of how many books I have read on this subject. I am only missing a couple of books by Alison Weir, and as soon as my book buying ban is lifted, I will by the rest. I am trying to move through some of my unread stuff this year. 

 Henry II was born in France in 1133. His parents were Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I, and Geoffrey Plantagenet, Duke of Anjou. He was said to have been a fairly good looking guy, with red hair, and had bowed legs from riding horses. He was also said to have a temper, yelling and throwing spoiled toddler fits. He also refused to speak, which reminds me a lot of my seven year old when she throws her fits. Henry was educated by very capable tutors and also sent to religious school. He tried to invade England at one point with his household and a few mercenaries, but was unsuccessful in his little foray. In 1149, he again got involved in civil war as though it was his business, and got sent right back to Normandy after another failure. He eventually married Eleanor of Aquitaine, and took control of the English throne in 1154. He implemented a full scale reconstruction of the government, got up several military campaigns, held a very expansive court, implemented a lot of changes to the laws, and had a unstable relationship with the Church. One of the main issues that dominated his rain was the issue of Thomas Becket, whom he argued with, and who was ultimately killed in an obscene way by four knights. In his later life, he suffered greatly from a bleeding ulcer, which I might chalk up to karma. He eventually died, after falling into a coma with a fever.

I have read about Eleanor of Aquitaine and about Becket (both in nonfiction and fiction books), and somehow I never put it together that Henry II was the culprit in her life and the ending of Becket's. I learned a lot about Henry II from this book, and found it very entertaining as well. I also learned that I am not a fan of this particular monarch in the least, though he did make some good improvements during his reign. It also wasn't extremely long, so I was able to complete it quite quickly. If you are looking for a book to give you a good overview of Henry II's life and times, this is one that you should try out. 

 Desmond Doss was born in 1919, in Virginia. He was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist, and practiced nonviolence and vegetarianism. Because of his religion, he refused to carry a weapon or use one. He served as a combat medic during World War II, attached to the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service, aiding wounded soldiers under fire, in Guam and the Philippines. In the Battle of Okinawa, he saved the lives of dozens of men on Hacksaw Ridge. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service, as well as the wounds he received while doing so.

This was a really neat story to me, because Desmond Doss is buried at the National Cemetery here in Chattanooga. He is actually just up the hill from where someone I love is buried. It was really special to be able to read more of his story and learn more about him. This was a really short little book, but it was a moving story that I enjoyed. 

 I read this book several years ago. I believe I borrowed it from my sister. This book is considered a must read if one is interested in the Manson family and the murders they committed. I thought it was a good book at the time that I read it. Now, having read more books on this subject, this book seems a lot less great now. 

 I bought this book because I liked Motley Crue. Nikki Sixx seems like a very interesting and complex person. I set out to read this because it was about one of my favorite rock stars, but I ended up loving it for an entirely different reason. I've always been interested in what makes other people try substances and how they find themselves deep into an addiction. I've always been equally interested in what the catalyst is for getting sober and staying that way. I appreciated this deeply personal glimpse into a public persona. I found this book really inspirational, as it showed that hard work through turmoil was worth it in the end. 

 Red Cloud was born in 1822 in Nebraska. He belonged to the Ogala Lakota, and was an important leader for them from after the Civil War through 1909. He gained a lot of experience as a warrior from fighting with neighboring groups of Natives, namely the Crow and Pawnee. He was involved in a lot of fighting with the US Army as well. He really tried his best to foster peaceful relationships with the government, even though they colonized their land and committed genocide. He tried to negotiate the best of terms. He offered wise advice to those he led. He died in 1909 in South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The United States Army had several conflicts with Native tribes throughout Montana and Wyoming. The Cheyenne had allied themselves with the Arapaho and Lakota to try to keep control of their lands and rights. One specific incident was the Fetterman Massacre, which resulted in massive United States Army losses. (I thought it was really interesting to note that Crazy Horse was present and involved in this battle.) He was the only Native to defeat the United States Army so bad that they sued for peace on HIS terms. A treaty was signed in 1868 that established the Sioux Reservation. Of course, the promise to vacate those lands and leave them to the Natives went with the wind when it was discovered that there was gold in the Black Hills. (This I had heard about, and today it is an oil pipeline they want to run across their lands and burial sites with no respect.) This caused a war, which Crazy Horse led, known as the Sioux Wars.

Native history was SORELY taught in my elementary education, and barely mentioned in my secondary. I had heard of several famous names- Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Geronimo- yet had never heard Red Cloud mentioned. I think that is a shame, because his life and efforts are certainly worth mentioning. I learned so much about him from this book and the engagements between Native people and the United States government. This was a really, really good book. 

 I knew absolutely nothing about Hell's Angels or motorcycle clubs in general before reading this book. I enjoyed learning about the culture inside of motorcycle clubs, and reading some of the adventures that Sonny Barger had as a member of Hell's Angels. I would not say that this was the most interesting book I have ever read, but then I am not a motorcycle riding person. It was alright, and interesting enough that I didn't have to force myself to finish it. 

 I really liked this book. It has been years since I read it, but I really enjoyed it when I did. I was a big fan of Nirvana, and I thought Kurt Cobain's short life was completely tragic. I liked learning more about him though. 

 This book is on the reading list for The Last Podcast On The Left. I have other books by Harold Schechter, and I really enjoy them. I would strongly suggest giving his work a try if you are into true crime. There are several available to listen to on Audible Plus that are only a couple of hours long, plus his books about well known serial killers.

This particular book is about Belle Gunness, a woman who lured men to her farm and murdered them. Her activities took place between 1902 and 1908 in Indiana. For some reason, I always find it difficult to wrap my head around the fact that people were out here wildly murdering in the early 1900s. I shouldn't be shocked, but I am always taken aback for some reason. A lot of the men she murdered were farm hands she hired to work on her farm. It isn't extremely gory, and does give quite a history of the region and town this happened in, which I loved. Also, I learned that she got the nickname Lady Bluebeard, which I found morbidly funny.