Books with author Winston

A main selection in History Book-of-the-Month Club and alternate selection in Military Book-of-the-Month Club.In the spring of 1862, many Americans still believed that the Civil War, "would be over by Christmas." The previous summer in Virginia, Bull Run, with nearly 5,000 casualties, had been shocking, but suddenly came word from a far away place in the wildernesses of Southwest Tennessee of an appalling battle costing 23,000 casualties, most of them during a single day. It was more than had resulted from the entire American Revolution. As author Winston Groom reveals in this dramatic, heart-rending account, the Battle of Shiloh would singlehandedly change the psyche of the military, politicians, and American people--North and South--about what they had unleashed by creating a Civil War. In this gripping telling of the first "great and terrible" battle of the Civil War, Groom describes the dramatic events of April 6 and 7, 1862, when a bold surprise attack on Ulysses S. Grant's encamped troops and the bloody battle that ensued would alter the timbre of the war. The Southerners struck at dawn on April 6th, and Groom vividly recounts the battle that raged for two days over the densely wooded and poorly mapped terrain. Driven back on the first day, Grant regrouped and mounted a fierce attack the second, and aided by the timely arrival of reinforcements managed to salvage an encouraging victory for the Federals. Groom's deft prose reveals how the bitter fighting would test the mettle of the motley soldiers assembled on both sides, and offer a rehabilitation of sorts for Union General William Sherman, who would go on from the victory at Shiloh to become one of the great generals of the war. But perhaps the most alarming outcome, Groom poignantly reveals, was the realization that for all its horror, the Battle of Shiloh had solved nothing, gained nothing, proved nothing, and the thousands of maimed and slain were merely wretched symbols of things to come. With a novelist's eye for telling and a historian's passion for detail, context, and meaning, Groom brings the key characters and moments of battle to life. Shiloh is an epic tale, deftly told by a masterful storyteller.

USA Today Bestselling AuthorWhen nine-year-old Jack and his seven-year-old sister Zoe are snowed in for days with nothing to do, their complaints land them in every guy's worst nightmare--the kingdom of Vermilion, a land where everything is totally pink! At first Jack is mistaken for a spy from the neighboring kingdom of Cobalt, but Zoe convinces Queen Fuchsia that they're from New Jersey and arrived by magic.Queen Fuchsia needs a king, but all the available princes in Vermilion are either too short, too fat, too old, or too stupid. Jack and Zoe suggest she looks for a king in Cobalt, but Vermilion and Cobalt have been at war since long before anyone can remember. Jack and Zoe decide Vermilion and Cobalt need a Kitchen Table Mediation to settle their differences. So they set out on an adventure to bring peace to the warring kingdoms--and maybe along the way they just might find a king for the queen.Without being preachy, The Magic Paintbrush addresses the issue of differences, in this case, a kingdom that is all pink at war with a kingdom that is all blue for longer than anyone can remember--so long that no one even knows what started the feud. It takes two children from another land to point out to the rulers of both kingdoms the benefits to getting along and how we're really all the same inside.

Willie Venturely is the sort of boy that has never cared about school...because he doesn’t like Miss Dullywinkle’s history class where he must write research reports on historical heroes or flunk! Flunking history doesn’t matter to Willie because all he cares about is avoiding his twin sister, Tillie (whenever possible), riding his bike, finding collectibles to stash in his very messy desk at school and fishing for them during Miss Dullywinkle’s boring history lesson. But Willie and Tillie are in for surprises and fun, after Willie finds his best collectible ever, a very mysterious spinning compass. The unusual compass draws the twin siblings into the magical, humorous, and wonderfilled world of Admiral Wright and Captain Perry Parrot, a wacky pair of time travelers. The wacky travelers fly in a Shiny Shiny Silver Ship around the world and universe (if necessary) to find real clues into the truth about heroes from history, CHARACTER CHAMPIONS individuals of indomitable courage, integrity, perseverance and faith. Willie and Tillie learn about Heroical Storicals, the amazing courage of Daniel Boone, the captivating story of The Battle of Boonesborough and what it means to be a Heroical-Storical-Observicorical-Researchorical-Scientifical-Mate. Willlie conquers his fear, Tillie learns that others count, especially her brother, and they both gain a new vision for learning, discovery and adventure! Thanks to the Admiral and Captain, of course!

From the Author of Forest GumpRonald Reagan: Our 40th PresidentHe was one of America’s true greats. As president, he changed the world, developing a successful strategy for defeating Communism, toppling the Soviet Union, and liberating Eastern Europe (while hardly firing a shot). And just as important, he restored an America that had found itself mired in a malaise of falling living standards, moral decay, and what seemed like inevitable decline.Though he was our oldest president, Reagan acted as a tonic, rejuvenating America’s economy, restoring her confidence, and attracting a majority of young voters won over by his vision of making America once again a shining city on a hill.In this superlative biography for young adults, bestselling author Winston Groom—author of Forrest Gump—gives us the full Reagan, from his Midwestern American boyhood, to his early career as a radio sports announcer, to his days as a Hollywood star and his extraordinary political career as a union leader, governor of California, and president of the United States.Covering the gamut of Reagan’s dramatic life, Ronald Reagan: Our 40th President is essential reading, as inspiring as its subject.

There was a time when Kings and Queens ruled the lands; a time when only fantasy created the borders of your mind. Days and nights held lonely dreams of adventures that the lucky few would ever experience. It was this time, in the years of Queen Laroche that it began. People do not speak of these days, but I will, I will tell you the story of Argyle Laroche, the Crimson King and the evil that has lived from then until now, haunting the night shadows, thriving in the cold dark air, and lining on that which is most coveted in life…blood.