On...A Long Way from Home by Tom Brokaw and Deadly Aim by Patricia Rushford

First, A Long Way from Home by Tom Brokaw

Having read Brokaw's Greatest Generation books I knew that I would not have to suffer from a pedestrian writing style. On the other hand I didn't know what exactly to expect in autobiography.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Brokaw frames his own story in the historical background of the area in which he grew up, his parents and the nation as a whole. Being the history lover that I am I appreciated Brokaw's sense that all of his major accolades as the anchor of NBC news was not the important marks of his life.

In many senses I am slightly wary of autobiographies and what the author chooses to emphasize. When a person writes of his own importance I often wonder just how important this person is.

When, in the case of Tom Brokaw, a person who has achieved many important achievements, the author downplays his success--practically ignores it--I gain an increased sense of appreciation.



Second, Deadly Aim by Patricia Rushford

With this book I returned to an author that I haven't read for years...since I fell in love with her young adults series. I approached the book tentatively because I was hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed.

I wasn't.

Of course there were things that irked me such as the automatic attraction between the main character and a new introduction. As a single woman who greatly desires the companionship and all that that entails of a husband but has yet to even go on a date...the fact that a man automatically yearns to draw a woman into his arms...

You get the picture.

In the end the mystery novel accomplished its goal. I didn't guess the identity of the cuplrit until it was revealed. I will definitely enjoy the next book in the series.