I guess Fat Leonard was duped by Hollywood, as I was, into believing that Venezuela had no extradition treaty with the US. As this story illustrates, they do in fact have one and occasionally use it. He should have gone by boat to Africa; lots of non-extradition options there from which to fly to Russia, whereas there are actually none in Central or South America.
Dieter Dengler was a German-born United States Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and, following six months of imprisonment and torture, became the second captured U.S. airman to escape enemy captivity during the war.
On a lighter note (or perhaps not), if ants were to morph into something larger, say the size of a rat or cat, we’re in serious trouble. But then again think of the entrepreneurship it would take to develop an ant trap to catch them.
In Moneyball, Michael Lewis barely touches on the Oakland A’s 3 great pitchers; Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, winner of 19 games in 2002; and 2002 Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, winner of 23 games that season. The reason he ignores them is that they don’t fit in with the offensive primacy of on-base percentage that is his thesis. Winning 20 games in a row is a great accomplishment, but that season the A’s lost the best-of-five division series to Minnesota. The American League record is currently 21 games won in a row, by the 2017 Cleveland Indians, who lost the World Series that year. The all-time record is 26 games won in a row by the 1916 New York Giants, who finished fourth that season. More recently, the terrifying New York Yankees won the last 15 games of the 1960 regular season, but fell to the underdog Pittsburgh Pirates in a Game 7, bottom of the ninth, score tied 9-9 lead off home run by Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski.
—John T. Bird, author, Twin Killing: The Bill Mazeroski Story
A Mig-15 to Freedom by No Kum-Sok with J. Roger Osterholm. Memoir of the wartime North Korean who first delivered the secret fighter jet to the Americans in 1953
The Stand by Stephen King is one that I believe may be overlooked as a wonderful example of resilience in the face of evil, death and destruction. Great story which unfortunately was lost on the movie that was made by the same title. I’ve reread it three times — great read and inspiring every time.
So many ants! How come they have figured out how to destroy the earth's climate? When we minority humans learned how to over 200 years ago! We're just smarter than they are, aren't we?
The link you posted to the NYT article about a rescue in Alaska is behind a paywall. Personally, I'd rather not see the teaser than see it and then be blocked because I'm not a NYT subscriber. Just my two cents...
Only the second time I’ve read your column, I like it! Also as an avid reader of fiction I just realized after decades of reading why I should read some non-fiction. Thanks for that.
I guess Fat Leonard was duped by Hollywood, as I was, into believing that Venezuela had no extradition treaty with the US. As this story illustrates, they do in fact have one and occasionally use it. He should have gone by boat to Africa; lots of non-extradition options there from which to fly to Russia, whereas there are actually none in Central or South America.
“Alive: the Story of the Andes Survivors” , Piers Paul Read
The Man Who Never Was….a great story and a quite engaging movie. Nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Not a book but a movie based on fact: Rescue Dawn
Dieter Dengler was a German-born United States Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and, following six months of imprisonment and torture, became the second captured U.S. airman to escape enemy captivity during the war.
Re: 7 things worth knowing
On a lighter note (or perhaps not), if ants were to morph into something larger, say the size of a rat or cat, we’re in serious trouble. But then again think of the entrepreneurship it would take to develop an ant trap to catch them.
The Man Who Never Was has been made into a new movie called Operation Mincemeat, which is available on Netflix. I enjoyed it.
Endurance; Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage gets my vote. Incredible story about leadership and decision making.
In Moneyball, Michael Lewis barely touches on the Oakland A’s 3 great pitchers; Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, winner of 19 games in 2002; and 2002 Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, winner of 23 games that season. The reason he ignores them is that they don’t fit in with the offensive primacy of on-base percentage that is his thesis. Winning 20 games in a row is a great accomplishment, but that season the A’s lost the best-of-five division series to Minnesota. The American League record is currently 21 games won in a row, by the 2017 Cleveland Indians, who lost the World Series that year. The all-time record is 26 games won in a row by the 1916 New York Giants, who finished fourth that season. More recently, the terrifying New York Yankees won the last 15 games of the 1960 regular season, but fell to the underdog Pittsburgh Pirates in a Game 7, bottom of the ninth, score tied 9-9 lead off home run by Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski.
—John T. Bird, author, Twin Killing: The Bill Mazeroski Story
I
A Mig-15 to Freedom by No Kum-Sok with J. Roger Osterholm. Memoir of the wartime North Korean who first delivered the secret fighter jet to the Americans in 1953
Add to the list: Steve Jobs: A Biography by Walter Isaacson. The way to the top was a switchback journey for him. Thoroughly engaging.
You mention the PFD as if it hasn't been happening for 40 years now! It was a nice amount this year though, my bills made good use of it.
The Stand by Stephen King is one that I believe may be overlooked as a wonderful example of resilience in the face of evil, death and destruction. Great story which unfortunately was lost on the movie that was made by the same title. I’ve reread it three times — great read and inspiring every time.
If you have any Ukrainian connections there's one in there you might want to shove their way...
So many ants! How come they have figured out how to destroy the earth's climate? When we minority humans learned how to over 200 years ago! We're just smarter than they are, aren't we?
The link you posted to the NYT article about a rescue in Alaska is behind a paywall. Personally, I'd rather not see the teaser than see it and then be blocked because I'm not a NYT subscriber. Just my two cents...
Only the second time I’ve read your column, I like it! Also as an avid reader of fiction I just realized after decades of reading why I should read some non-fiction. Thanks for that.