This week, we feature a thought-provoking examination of Vichy France and its leader and an inspiring work that shows the transformative power of suffering.
Nonfiction
‘More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us’
By Steve Leder
Rabbi Leder’s book about suffering and transformation demonstrates that good things really can come in small packages. Told by way of history, faith, science, and anecdote, this meditation on pain and catastrophe, healing, and growth offers profound insights and help for when tragedy strikes. Leder sets himself ambitious goals: “to inspire in us all a life worthy of suffering” and to “move us from pain to wisdom.” As much as is possible through words on a page, he succeeds. Tissues recommended.
Hay House Inc., 2017, 224 pages
Military History
‘Breaking the German Dams: A Minute-By-Minute Account of Operation ‘Chastise’ 16-17 May 1943’
By Robert Owen
It has been 80 years since the Royal Air Force struck three dams in the German Ruhr. Flown at low level, it was one of the most daring, and successful, air raids of World War II. This book is the latest effort to document the raid and may be the most successful. It uses the perspective of time to produce what is probably the most comprehensive account of the Dambusters Raid ever written. This gripping account is worth reading for anyone with an interest in World War II’s air war.
Naval Institute Press, 2023, 224 pages
Nonfiction
‘The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man’
By David Von Drehle
For a seasoned journalist moving to a new state, the acquaintance with a neighbor results in a story worth telling. In this case, the neighbor is a centenarian with decades enduring tumultuous times and experiencing the technologies that changed the way Americans lived. Charlie White’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and lasting wisdom. This book, written as a gift for his children, is an inspiring lesson with truths shared about foundational strengths and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
Simon and Schuster, 2023, 208 pages
History
‘France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain’
By Julian Jackson
When Marshal Philippe Pétain stood trial in 1945, he was the center of immense controversy. After World War I, Pétain became the epitome of French courage and leadership. But in 1940, he was installed as the leader of the Vichy French government and signed an armistice with Nazi Germany. The question―or rather, the accusation―was whether he had committed treason. Jackson seamlessly ties together the history of wartime France and the trial, while prodding the reader with timeless questions.
Belknap Press, 2023, 480 pages
Classics
‘First Love’
By Ivan Turgenev
Translated by eminent scholar Isaiah Berlin and first published in 1860, the tale is set in Russia in 1833. Sixteen-year-old Vladimir Petrovich falls in love with Princess Zinaida, the daughter of his family’s new neighbors. Surrounded by suitors, including an older man, she must find a way to resolve her conflicted feelings. Meanwhile, Vladimir encounters the force and power of adult love. This compact, beautiful story, with its shocking finale makes for a great introduction to this Russian master.
Penguin Classics, 1978, 112 pages
For Kids
‘Barndance!’
By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
A toe-tappin‘, knee-slapping good time, this rhythmic read tells the story of a young farm boy’s magical, musical night in the barn. Led by a fiddle-playing scarecrow, the boy and a plethora of barnyard animals, including cows, pigs, rabbits, and horses enjoy a full-fledged hoedown while the farm sleeps. A fun read-aloud with jovial illustrations.
Square Fish, 1988, 32 pages
