Rite of Fancy Book Recommendations & Reviews

  A short summary of The World Played Chess: Reading a friend's account of his life during Vietnam. My favorite Robert Dugoni quote from the book: "Regret is so much harder to live with than failure." Questions to ponder while reading the book: What dreams did you have? What dreams have you lost? My review of The World Played Chess: TORE MY HEART OUT! A great story about friendship and the effects of the Vietnam war. The split timeline could be hard to follow at times. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop ...

  A short summary of Lawrence in Arabia: The creation of the Middle East, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. My favorite Scott Anderson quote from the book: "Earlier than most, Lawrence seemed to embrace the modern concept that history was malleable, that truth was what people were willing to believe." Questions to ponder while reading the book: Were you surprised by the lack of oversight? Did you realize there was this much chaos? My review of Lawrence in Arabia: A thorough history of the creation of the Middle East. So many players, so many agendas. A great, easy-to-read history of that time and place. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found...

  A short summary of The Doughboys: The reasons behind America's entry into WWI and the story of the soldiers who fought. My favorite quote about WWI: " We came Amercian. We shall remain American and go into battle with Old Glory over our heads. I will not parcel out American boys." General John J. Pershing Questions to ponder while reading The Doughboys: Did you realize the logistical problems that occur during war? Did you know we had soldiers' in Siberia during the Russian Revolution? My review of the book: The detailed history behind America's role in WWI. It brought surprising facts to light. Engaging to read and well planned out. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photogr...

  A short summary of The Quiet American: An overachieving American advisor leads to an escalation in the First Indochina War. My favorite Graham Greene quote from the book: “Innocence is a kind of insanity” Questions to ponder while reading The Quiet American: Have you ever thought you were doing the right thing but weren't? My review of the book: Old-school anti-communist espionage novel. A Vietnam War book before American involvement. A book to make you question foreign policies. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and...

  A short summary of Beneath a Scarlet Sky: The secrets and sacrifices of Pino Lella's WWII service. My favorite Pino Lella quote from the book: "Life is change, constant change, and unless we are lucky enough to find comedy in it, change is nearly always a drama, if not a tragedy." Questions to ponder while reading Beneath a Scarlet Sky: What type of "service to one's enemies" is appropriate during a war? How should one treat one's enemies? My review of the book: A totally engrossing story that was based upon true events. A look into the often-overlooked WWII Italian Front. I wish the knowledge of the Catholic Underground was more widespread. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her onl...

  A short summary of Lives of the Great Commanders: Biographical sketches of the ancient generals. My favorite Cornelius Nepo quote from the book: "Each man's personal habits shape his own fortune." Questions to ponder while reading Lives of the Great Commanders: Do the rules of war apply to everyday situations? Do you enjoy games of strategy? My review of the book: A new translation of an ancient work. In-depth information about the old generals. Historically valuable but a teensy bit dry. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my spons...

A short summary of The Tuscan Child: Joann's Tuscan journey to discover her father's and Sofia's hidden secret. My favorite Rhys Bowen quote from the book: "When the world has gone mad, we must help each other when we can." Questions to ponder while reading The Tuscan Child: What would be the right thing to do? How far would you go to help another person? My review of the book: Surprising! Engaging! An occasional time warp! ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supporting my work by visiting my sponsors and  webshop  or buying me a cup of coffee!

  A short summary of Fly Like an Angel: Buddy Fly's vignettes on life, love, and his faith. My favorite Buddy Fly quote from the book: "Sometimes, after you make your point, you got to know when to just keep your head down and keep doing what you think is right." Questions to ponder while reading Fly Like an Angel: How do you help others? What do you dream about? My review of the book: Amazing stories of a life. A great example of how to live. A great example of faith. * See Corporal Richard L. Fly's Everyday Patriot entry here .* ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please conside...

A short summary of The Things They Carried: What soldiers carry into (and out of) combat. My favorite Tim O'Brien quote from the book: "A true war story is never moral." Questions to ponder while reading The Things They Carried: What would you bring with you? What would you bring home? My thoughts about The Things They Carried: Haunting tales that will never leave me. Deep puddles of darkness in this war. The necklace of tongues was a bit excessive. *Regularly challenged, be a rebel and read it* ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Please consider supportin...

A short summary of the book Every Man in this Village is a Liar: A woman correspondent's tale of the wars in the Middle East. My favorite Megan K. Stack quote from the book: "You can overcome the things that are done to you, but you cannot escape the things that you have done." Questions to ponder while reading Every Man in this Village is a Liar: Should we have done more? By what criteria do we intervene? My thoughts about Every Man in this Village is a Liar: Huge cultural difference. Similes abound in this book. I still don't know why we are even there. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com...

A short summary of This Republic of Suffering: The butcher's bill of the Civil War, dying a good death, and creation of the military funeral. My favorite Drew Gilpin Faust quote from the book: "Look to the past to help create the future" Questions to ponder while reading This Republic of Suffering: How do you feel about the Civil War? Do we honor the dead better now? My review of This Republic of Suffering: Everyone who died was once someone. Interesting view of our nation's past. We have an obligation to honor our soldier's deaths. Honoring the US Military dead is a personal project of mine - please see www.everydaypatriot.com for further details. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biograph...

A short summary of the book The Looming Tower: The events leading up to 9/11. My favorite quote about 9/11: "If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate." Sandy Dahl (Wife of Flight 93 Pilot Jason Dahl) Questions to ponder while reading the book: Does the "why" make any sense to you? Do you remember? My review of the book The Looming Tower: Even after reading, Jihad makes no sense to me. I have never been so disappointed in bureaucracy. I will always remember. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like my page? Ple...

A short summary of The Cellist of Sarajevo: Surviving in a city under siege. My favorite Steven Galloway quote from the book: "Because while he will always be afraid of death, and nothing can change that, the question is whether your life is worth that fear. " Questions to ponder while reading the book: Why do we lose our humanity when afraid? How would you continue to live while under siege? My review of The Cellist of Sarajevo: This book made me think very hard about - -who I am -who I hope I would be -who my country is, and -who I want my country to be. ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #T...