Yucatan Before and After the Conquest by Diego de Landa

In one of those twists of history, Bishop Diego de Landa is best known for two things. He destroyed the books of the Maya and much of their history was lost. He also wrote a book on the Maya that is the most important source of Maya history before the coming of the Spanish. Not the easiest book to read, probably one of the most important on the Maya and until modern archeology, was probably 99% of our knowledge on the Maya.

In Search of Ancient Gods by Erich von Daniken

Von Daniken's fourth book and much more convincing than his previous three. Less explaining biology and more pictorial evidence.

A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

The first Cadfael chronicle, partially based on actual events. Prior Robert schemes to move the bones of St. Winnifred from her resting place in Wales to the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, for the glory of the abbey, and the greater glory of Prior Robert. Brother Cadfael accompanies his party to Wales as a translator. Prior Robert's plans are challenged by a local leader who ends up murdered. A series of twists, Brother Cadfael solves the crime and arranges a final solution that leaves everyone happy. The Cadfael character is introduced here and it would be difficult to read this book and not want more.

Liftoff! Success and Failure on the Launch Pad

Not a book, but a DVD set, I thought I would include it here. Liftoff! includes several USAF documentaries from the 50s, rare footage of Dr. Robert Goddard's rocket tests, footage of the V1 and V2, and an assortment of NASA launches through STS-1.

Spacecraft Films has done an excellent job of restoring NASA, USAF, and other space films and videos. I can't recommend their products enough. http://www.spacecraftfilms.com/

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Probably the best fictional book on Gettysburg ever written, the inspiration for the Turner mini-series Gettysburg with Martin Sheen and Jeff Daniels. After his death, his son Jeff wrote two prequals, Gone for Soldiers and Gods and Generals, and a sequal Last Full Measure.

The generals you read about in school, Lee, Chamberlain, Longstreet, Picket, etc. are all alive in this book. You see the battle through their eyes, what they were doing and thinking during the most important battle of the Civil War. The relationships of the generals on the same side as well as their old friends now on the other side are explored.

The Sharras' Civil War books are special to me because the original Bob Andrepont (Cleophas Andrepont, but they called him Bob) was in the 2nd Louisiana and fought in many of the battles they write about. Also my favorite Union general, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is featured in them.

Lives of the Popes by Richard P. McBrien

A pretty good read once you filter out the author's liberal bias. The author is a liberal theologan who seems to believe that religious doctrine should be made by consensus, we sure wouldn't have that pesky commandment on adultery if that was the case. He also applies 21st century liberal bias to the actions of popes almost two thousand years ago. Still, once you read around the bias, pretty well researched and written.

Gold of the Gods by Erich Van Daniken

This was Van Daniken's third book (1972) and much more readable than his previous two. For those unfamiliar with him, Erich Van Daniken proposed in Chariots of the Gods? that man was visited in the past by ancient astronauts and that civilization is the result of a breeding program by them. Much of it is written in first person about his travels, and this makes it more enjoyable. There is much more photographic evidence than in his previous books. Also less about genetics and more about the "gods" and what they left behind. While his theories are plausible, he often makes huge leaps of logic to back them up. He also is not very patient with those who disagree with him, although I don't think he is as intolerant as Whitley Strieber. Whether you agree with him or not, this is a fun read.

A Rare Benedictine: The Advent of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters

After a number of Brother Cadfael mysteries had been written, Peters wrote the story of how Cadfael joined the Benedictines. Cadfael, a crusader, sea captain, and at the time, a man-at-arms for a corrupt English nobleman gives up a life of adventure for one of peace and contemplation. That peace will often be disturbed by murder, theft, and other assorted crimes. Cadfael balances the worldly and spiritual and always solves the mystery. Two other short mysteries taking place in the Abbey of St. Peter and Paul and Shrewsbury are included.