Bryson shares not only his experiences but some trail history and lore as well. You meet interesting characters like Bryson’s friend Katz, who struggles to keep up, and a variety of trail mates that range from obnoxoius to memorable.

More importantly Bryson share’s his feelings about the land, America, and the deep chord traveling the trail strikes with him. While not a long book, I certainly enjoyed it.

As Zacks explains in his wonderful narrative, Captain Kidd was actually a legal privateer with a strong since of duty and honor. After a series of unsuccessful missions and a mutiny by his crew he became unfairly branded as a pirate.

Returning home to New York in an attempt to clear his name, Kidd was arrested and shipped off to England. To the end Kidd had faith that the English system of justice would save him. It was not to be.

More than just a history of this individual, this is a great adventure set in the golden age of pirates. The author uses a wide array of historical material and tells his story in an exciting and always entertaining manner. I recommend it highly.

Far from focusing solely on escapes, this book details the entire history of “The Rock” and its inmates from its earliest days as an army prison, to is final closing. Sometimes it focuses too much on the history of the inmates in fact, detailing their childhoods and misdeeds. Surprising to learn however was that the majority of inmates were not the “worst of the worst” that the prison was supposed to be made to house, but pretty much run of the mill robbers and crooks.

The ingenuity of the prisoners is simply amazing. Their escapes and ability to improvise would bring a tear to McGuyver’s eye. I’ve read a number of interesting escape books, notably Great Escape. This was good, but I’d say only half the book or less is escapes, the rest is history.

I’ve been to Alcatraz (as a visitor, not a resident), and I think it would have been much more interesting with the background and stories from this book fresh in my mind.

Like the rest of the series, this book’s gimmick is that Tony Valentine is an expert in casino cheating, so you get to hear about all the scams and capers that the Vegas/Mississippi/Atlantic City hustlers use to beat the house.

In this particular instance Tony pursues Ricky Smith, an Arkansas hick who miraculously beats Vegas in just about every game there is, followed by amazing wins in his home state lottery and horse track. Tony is hired by the casinos, who apparently don’t like giving up their money to cheaters.

Enjoyable, interesting, and I guess you could call it educational.

As an avid history reader and proud Texan, I’d like to think I know a thing or two. This book covers a lot more than just the major battles, encompassing the bigger picture of historical context as well. I wasn’t aware of the issues surrounding the Mexican revolution of 1824 and its effect on Texas, for example.

Another surprise was that many Texans were originally fighting only to become an independent Mexican state, rather than its original status as part of a larger Mexican state.

Entertaining, and never dry, Texas and non Texas both would enjoy this book.

The essays generally point out the humor and absurdity of American life and customs. In a few cases they are compared to life in Britain, but in general these could have been targeted at an American audience with the same effect.

All and all, a funny book that’s easy to enjoy.

In it, super hacker (their words not mine) Kidd and his cat burgler girfriend seek to solve the murder of even more super hacker “Bobby”, who until his untimely demise was the leader of a hacking ring. Kidd, who improbably lives in St. Paul Minnesota, is also improbably, an up and coming painter (art, not houses) by day.

All this sounds cheesey now that I describe it, but it’s really quite entertaining. The computer stuff and the hacking is only mildly modified for public consumption, and still retains an air of authenticity. I’ve enjoyed this book, and wish Audible had more of the series available for download. In fact, I may just buy physical copies of some of the other’s in the series.

It tells the story of the Transcontinental Railroad, from its early stages before the Civil War to its completion and growth through the end of the 19th century. It’s a story about engineering, business, government, and pioneering spirit.

Beyond the obvious historical facts, it taught me several important points truths, namely that Governmental corruption is not an exclusively modern trait, nor is dishonest contractors.

An interesting lesson learned was how the Central Pacific (heading East from San Francisco) viewed cost issues. Cottonwood was the local material for making ties, but only lasts a few years. More durable materials would have to be shipped overland from the East, at terrible expense. Since they were racing the Union Pacific for land, every day lost was money lost.

A little accounting showed them that it was actually more profitable to use the local Cottonwood, build faster, and then replace all of the original ties with wood from the East once the track was completed. Such was the cost of overland freight before the railroad and the value of the lands awarded to by the Government.

In each chapter the author relates some background material and then lots of anecdotal stories. Some from personal experience, some from friends and colleagues. It’s kinda like sitting around the campfire and hearing hunting stories or listening to those guys in Jaws discuss how they got their scars.

The author has been around the block for sure, but he’s an excellent writer. Surpisingly, he was a stock broker before moving to Africa to become a guide and big game hunter.

The usual suspects such as Lions, tigers, and crocodiles are there of course. What was suprising however was just how deadly other animals can be. Zebras, hippos, elephants, and other animals apparently are nastier in real life than in the cartoons.

Based on letters, newspaper accounts, trial transcripts, and other first-hand accounts, the author breathes life into a story that we think we already know.

I was really surprised how much I didn’t know about the Lincoln conspiracy, Booth’s capture, and the country’s reaction to the murder. If you like history or adventure, you’ll love this book.