Book Reviews & Lists

    A novel of love, loyalty and intrigue set in the early days of World War II from the author of Soul Catcher and currently a professor in residence for the MFA writing program at Fairfield University. Mr. White introduces us to Tat'yana Levchenko, a fetching Russian sniper, who has killed 300 Germans since the war began in Europe. When her prowess with a rifle reaches Washington, President Roosevelt and Eleanor wish to meet this formidable woman. Little does she know that Russian plans for her include spying on the First Couple and garnering support for the opening of  much needed second front in Europe. As the novel moves forward, Tat'yana realizes that she has become a pawn in a battle for information and she is forced to question the motivations of everyone she knows and trusts, including the American captain assigned to her as her translator. But as she quickly rises to fame, Tat'yana vanishes. Defection? Assassination? Only decades later is the truth revealed. Michael White has written a powerful tale that readers will not soon forget.

Submitted by Peter Ciparelli, Killingly Public Library
Villager Papers, December 10, 2010

     His image was bigger than life as a football coach and leader of men, but how many of us actually knew Vincent Thomas Lombardi From Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY?
Author Maraniss takes us through the remarkable life of Vince, beginning with his upbringing in Brooklyn, his schooling, and his playing and coaching days at Fordham University, and coaching at Westpoint under the immortal Colonel "Red" Blake. At 46 years of age, he was hired to coach the hapless Green Bay Packers in 1959. The rest of the story is football history, as the Packers became one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, winning five championships in nine seasons, including the first two "Super Bowls", which were not called Super until later.
     By the time he died of cancer in 1970, after one season with the Washington Redskins during which he transformed them into winners, Vince had become a mythical character who transcended the sport, and his legend has grown in the decades since. Many now turn to him in search of characteristics they fear have been lost, such as discipline, obedience, loyalty, character and teamwork. To others he symbolizes something less romantic, that is, modern society's obsession with winning and success.
     In reading this account of Vince Lombardi, I found Maraniss' description of him as a flawed and driven yet misunderstood heroic figure. He was more complex and authentic than any of the other stereotypical images from critics and admirers. The author goes into much detail about his family life and how Vince's personality and image affected his wife and children.
     This is one of the better biographies I have read in the last few years. I hope readers will enjoy David Maraniss' descriptions of Vince's complex life as a coach, husband, father and legend.

Submitted by Peter Ciparelli, Killingly Public Library
Villager Papers, November 5, 2010