I recently finished reading a rather good book about Dwight D. Eisenhower, the title of the book is IKE An American Hero. If you like WWII history and you want to read about a remarkable man who grew up in the American heartland and was propelled to greatness by his strong heartland values then this book is for you. The Author is Michael Korda, and the book is well written in a tone and manner that befits the subject. I give the book and IKE two thumbs up.

Tungsten Men Read - as Samuel Langhorne Clemens once said (I think it was him) "A man who can read and does not, is no better off than a man who cannot" (read)

If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose--Because it contains all the other--The fact that they were the the people who create the phrase "to make money." No other language or nation had ever used these words before; men had always thought of wealth as a static quantity-- to be seized, begged, inherited, shared, looted or obtained as a favor. Americans were the first to understand that wealth is created. The words "to make money" hold the essence of human morality. From Atlas Shrugged. --

This quote from "Tungsten Man" Francisco's speech about money is part of the best words ever put to the meaning of money. This speech, should be taught in every high school economics class. It speaks to American Exceptionalism and capitalism like no other words I have found. If you never read all of Atlas Shrugged, at least read this entire money speech.

Reading is something both personal and a shared experience, two people can read the same sentence and take two different messages from the passage.  I took a year off of life and taught school in the Virgin Islands at a little private school called All Saints Cathedral School. One of the first things I noticed is that the kids who read as a leisure activity were far better students. In life as in school, those who read do much better than those who don't. Here is a little reading list of mine, each of these books has taught me something. Tungsten Men Read (a lot)

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand was a book that changed my life, I think everyone should read this book more that once. I have read it no fewer than 7 times (I lost count)
• The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand another great book that had insights into human nature, politics and being an individual.
• The Last Lion Volume I and II- William Manchester: a must read for anyone who likes Winston Churchill. This is the best biography I have ever read, bar none.
• The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle - Amazing to go back in time when thinking was a profession. A great book, can be a bit dry but very educational.
• John Adams - by David McCullough - If you liked the Mini Series you will love the book.
• THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO -(the short happy life is my favorite from this book of short stories) by  Hemingway
• IKE - by Michael Korda - Nice mix of WWII history into the Bio.
• The Effective Executive - Peter Drucker. Any of the early Drucker is good, this book is great.
• A brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking -You will think you understand the Universe when finish the book, that will last about 3 minutes, but it is good while it last.
• Act of Treason  by Vince Flynn (all of the Vince Flynn books are incredible)

These are books i highly recommend, more to come.