"Captive Trail" by Susan Page Davis: Book Review

Captive Trail is the second book I have been privileged to read in the Texas Trails series of books focusing on the Morgan family in the mid-1800's.

I found that the author, Susan Page Davis, brings to the story the sad plight of captives of the Comanche Indians who were, as children, stolen and assimilated into the life of the tribe either as family members or slaves.  They were often sold or traded as slaves to other tribes

The heroine of the story is Taabe Waipu, which is her Indian name.  She does not remember her life back before her captivity but she knows she wants to get back to her real people somehow.  She  escapes the Comanche by fleeing under cover of night on a horse left by a Comanche warrior who desires to make her his wife.  In her escape, she is injured and is later found by Ned Bright, a driver for the stage line.  Ned carries her to a Catholic mission run by a few nuns who nurse her back to health.

I enjoyed the characters in this story and felt that Ms. Davis has developed each of them into believable persons.

The first book in this series that I read and reviewed can be found here:  http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2011/11/lone-star-trail-book-1-of-texas-trails.html.

Susan Page Davis has published more than 30 novels in the historical romance, suspense, mystery, and romance genres. She is past winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Contest and of the Inspirational Readers' Choice Contest.

A copy of Captive Trail was provided to me free of charge by Moody Publishers in exchange for a review.  I was not required to give a positive review.

Published by: Moody Publishers   ISBN: 0802405843  ISBN-13:  9780802405845

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Lest we forget... December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941

"Attention.  This is no exercise.  The Japanese are attacking Pearl Harbor.  All Army, Navy and Marine personnel are to report to duty."  Shortly thereafter, a government-ordered blackout was secured on Hawaii, but long-distance phone calls, telegrams, or messages from ham radio operators continued.

.... By that afternoon, hurriedly rushed "Extra!" editions of newspapers were printed in large-point type by the droves, nationwide. (pg. 139, December 1941)

.... The reporter from the local NBC affiliate then said, "We have witnessed this morning the attack of Pearl Harbor and a severe bombing of Pearl Harbor by army planes, undoubtedly Japanese......   ...  It is no joke; it is a real war," he said before his connection died. (pf. 142, December 1941)

In Washington, ....... shrill voices of newsboys calling war extras broke the ordinary Sabbath evening calm."  In bold type, the Washington Post's Extra edition boomed, "U.S. AT WAR!  JAPAN BOMBS HAWAII, MANILA." (p. 144, December 1941)

The act of gifting. . . .

After many years of shopping for and wrapping presents, the "magic" of presenting a specially selected gift and watching the recipient unwrap it is sort of gone. We have an option today of giving gift cards.  However, I still don't "like" to use gift cards though I find I do it more and more these days.

I find that for the young adult and teens and on my shopping list and those for  whom it is more difficult for me to make a selection, the gift card is the answer. In the past it would have been a "check." But the selection of a specific gift card does say to the recipient, "Hey, I know this is one of your favorite places to shop (or eat). Go have some fun."

The idea behind the giving of gifts is to simply say to the person to whom you are presenting your gift, "I think you are special to me and I want to show you that you are special."  The idea is not simply to bestow a large gift or a fancy gift.  Gifting is about sharing your feelings.  When it is not done with the feeling that you really want to do something for the person to whom you are giving a gift, the handover becomes simply a task and a non-meaningful act of obligation. 

Gifting is not an obligation, it is a sharing of the heart.

5 Myths Debunked about Pearl Harbor by Craig Shirley

Craig Shirley, author of December 1941:  31 Days that Changed America and the World, has written a very interesting article on 5 myths debunked about December 7:  Pearl Harbor.  As we approach this "infamous day in history," I thought it would be very appropriate to share it with you, my readers.  Here is the link to the Washington Post online article:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-pearl-harbor/2011/11/23/gIQAbdKrLO_story.html

December 1941: The Month that Changed America and Saved the World

Asia and Europe were engaged in war. Japan had invaded china and was amassing a large army in Indochina, and Hitler held Europe and England in the throes of his climb to control the World. America was gradually climbing out of the Great Depression and there was a general up beat mood throughout the country.

The wars in which Asia and Europe were engaged had not escaped the attention of the American on the streets of large cities or of the mid-American farmer and average Joe. There were basically two sides to the coin in America. The America First anti-war organization believed that America should not become involved in Europe or Asia. President Franklin D. Roosevelt believed in internationalism and was inclined to commit American youth to the battlefields of other countries. 

December 1941 covers 31 days of news articles, confidential reports, and other sources that tell the story of America's involvement in World War II. "Never before or since has America been so unified." (Preface ix, December 1941) The book has extensive end notes.

The build up of a large Japanese military in Indonesia along with the rumor of Japan's amassing a large naval fleet in the Pacific caused intense tensions among American strategists, however talks with the Japanese envoys continued with smiles but neither side conceding.

December 7th brought the dawn of a new era to America and to the World. After the bombing of the American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, there were virtually no more isolationists or America Firsters. America was rallied and America was at war.

President Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress on December 8 saying, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date that will live in infamy - the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” (pg. 167, December 1941)
"........ I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire."  (pg. 168, December 1941)

Americans rallied in uniform strength to build the military. Americans' individual strength of purpose, industrial strength, and community determination eventually turned the tide in the Pacific and in Europe. The cost was great both in lives and finances.

Craig Shirley documents the immediate (31 days) of national anger and arousal at an enemy that dared to invade and devastate the American people's military might. He also shows the speed of response of a nation to rally to arms.

The gearing up of manufacturing to support the war effort and to replace destroyed planes and ships from Pearl Harbor. The required and accepted sacrifice of day-to-day "necessities" on the part of the American peoples to support the troops and the cause. All tell the story of a nation doing it's part in the fight for freedom.

Mr. Shirley uses research gleaned from major and small town newspapers from around the United States and from other sources of record. It tends to be difficult to follow if one is trying to research a particular subject. There is much, if not too much, information and it seems somewhat muddled to me. But then, that was a confusing time to the American public because there was so much going on and the involvement of the people was so widespread and intense. He captures the essence of the flow of life, the political scene, and the international tensions affecting life in America at the time.

This book will have limited market appeal in that it most likely will be a desired read or study tool for those heavily interested in history of the World War II period. The pictures included with the book are not the best of the period, but they are representative. I would have encouraged him to use more pictures to make the book more appealing but still avoid the look and feel of a period picture book. This is not a "coffee table" book. It is a lengthy and involved book.

Finally, I like that Craig Shirley ends December 1941 with President Roosevelt's calling for the peoples of America to pray (pg. 534, 535) - "...all churches throughout America would be open from early the morning of January 1, 1942, until well into the evening for prayer, communion, and supplication."

President Roosevelt's statement concluded with,

"In making this first day of the year 1942 a day of prayer, we ask for forgiveness for our shortcomings of the past, consecration to the tasks of the present, and God's help in days to come.

We need his guidance that this people may be humble in spirit but strong in the conviction of the right; steadfast to endure sacrifices and brave to achieve a victory of liberty and peace."

I received this book free from BookSneeze for the purpose of review. I was not required to give a positive review.  Publisher: Thomas Nelson   ISBN: 1595554572 ISBN-13: 9781595554574

If you don't see Merry Christmas in the Window.....