Recommended reading to start 2021
What goes with a glass (or bottle) of wine to warm the heart and mind
Since watching sports at the beginning of COVID-19 Pandemic was tough for me, I increased my time on other things. Baseball parks with no fans was a non-starter, but I did get back into rooting for the Padres (as a legacy Mets fan). The NBA bubble was too political. NFL is still fun to watch with all the parity (the Browns came close). What fun is it to watch the social distancing at SEC games (NOT!). So as side hobby, I tried to read more books and less online streaming of NetFlix. Here is my short list:
Fly Boys (best book about the war in the Pacific). Written by author of Flags or our Fathers.
Countdown 1945. First book by Mike Wallace’s son (who has annoyed me a bit trying to be his dad). Great account of the end of WW2.
The Storm before the Calm by George Friedman (recommended by a good friend) and a great book to learn about history of the US and how countries ebb and flow.
Hidden Valley. A wonderful true story about mental illness (with the Air Force Academy in the background)
US Grant by Ron Chernow. I survived the long book that Chernow wrote on Alexander Hamilton (basis for the broadway success). This book is about one of the most underrated Presidents. The detail is outstanding and provides a great history of the civil war, the country after Lincoln, and the turmoil over the 1876 election.
2 glasses of a Red Blend, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet is highly recommended while reading.