I read Pirate Hunters and I really want to balk at the liberties taken with history (Bannister's reputation is a bit overblown) but the truth is: it's amazing that these guys went looking for a famous pirate ship and found it. That's happened ONE other time and I'm just amazed there's a story about it.
Great topic! The hat I’d throw in the ring:
The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government by David Talbot
Non-fiction that reads like Ian Fleming or John Le Carré. Total “Dad is a secret spy” vibes.
Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick
The Power Broker by Robert Caro
The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk
The Dream Machine by M. Mitchell Waldrop
Pieces of the Action by Vannevar Bush
The Lion’s Gate by Steven Pressfield
Anything by McCullough, Atkinson, Sowell, Ambrose, or Ellis
I will echo @Moonraker (and perhaps others) in volunteering Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin books. In my family they are the definitive dad books.
I read Pirate Hunters and I really want to balk at the liberties taken with history (Bannister's reputation is a bit overblown) but the truth is: it's amazing that these guys went looking for a famous pirate ship and found it. That's happened ONE other time and I'm just amazed there's a story about it.
Island of the Lost by Joan Druett
Literally any book by David McCullough, but especially The Great Bridge
A little surprised I didn’t see anything by Studs Terkel, perhaps that’s for more of a grandpa book list?
(*not a grandpa, though)
This reminds me, I’m due for another Michener phase. Loved Hawaii and The Source, will make the leap into Centennial next.
Loved Alaska and Texas. And Mexico too!!
And Chesapeake, the Covenant, and Poland.
I love that a phase in life can be called “Michener.” And that you can go through more than one.
I would add:
1) “Goodbye to a River” by John Graves
2) “the Worst Journey in the World” by Apsley Cherry Gerrard
3) “A bell for Adano” by John Hershey
The Wanderer, Sterling Hayden
West with the Night, Beryl Markham
Shackleton’s Boat Journey, F.A. Worsley
Boyd about John Boyd. Chesty about Chesty Puller. Both are good biographies.
The Alias Program by Fred Graham describes the (bumbling) establishment of the Witness Protection Program.
The entire Patrick O'Brian,Aubrey /Maturin " Master and Commander" series.
The George MacDonald Fraser "Flashman" novels.
Not a Grandfather but a Grumpy Old Git!
Flashman!
Not going to add any books to the list. Instead, I’m going to DOUBLE DOWN.
If you have not read Wager, Endurance, or Undaunted Courage, these are must read dad books.
Next level up empire of the summer moon and everything else.
Endurance is the first book I have men read under my tutelage.
Wilbur Smith. Almost anything by him, but especially the trilogy starting with Flight if the Falcon
Heard him recommended many times but more in the adventure fiction vein.. appreciate it
Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer