Steven Helmer Publications

Synopsis: General George S. Patton's legacy was one of military success and controversy, playing an instrumental role in the Allied victory over Nazi Germany during World War II but also angering his superiors with his tendency to go rogue and anger American allies with his statements to the press. Soon after being relieved of command for the latter, Patton infamously was killed in a car accident. However, this non-fiction book challenges the official cause and suggests it might instead have been an assassination. Review: I came across Killing Patton at a bookstore last weekend and while I didn't purchase it, I was intrigued enough to check it out from the library that following Monday. I finished reading it this morning and it turned out to be a good choice. George Patton is one of my favorite Americans from history but, to be honest, I didn't really know a whole lot more about him than what I learned watching the 1970 movie named after him. And frankly, I never even on...

Synopsis: After serving a 4-month stint in Afghanistan with the Military Intelligence Corps, Jason Kander returned home to Missouri and, with his wife, Diana, at his side, threw himself into a political career and, by 2017, was preparing to run for President of the United States. However, Jason had a dark secret he didn't even know about, post-traumatic stress syndrome that was controlling his decisions, ruining his marriage and putting his life in danger. Review: I walked past this book at our local library this past Saturday and, while I didn't originally pick it up, wound up grabbing it on my way to the checkout desk.  Normally, I'll read a book one or two chapters at a time but, on occasion, come across one that I can't put down. This was one of those books. Like many people, I was familiar with the term PTSD but, having never served in the military, didn't fully understand the mental illness. It's easy to say this book both taught me a lot about the illne...

Synopsis : This non-fiction book tells the story about the United States' involvement in Vietnam, with an emphasis on "The Year of the Hawk," 1965. The book includes explanations about the country's history and political and military decisions that resulted in one of America's biggest military failures. Review: I hadn't planned on checking out a non-fiction book when I was at the library last week. However, I saw this book in the "new book" section and, after glancing at it, decided to give it a try. Overall, I have to say I enjoyed reading it. I think one of the hardest things about writing about a conflict like Vietnam is finding a way to balance the truth about what happened with the desire not to insult the military personnel who fought and/or died in that conflict. Being the son of a Vietnam veteran, I was concerned the book wouldn't be able to find that balance but, after reading it, I think the author did just that. I personally enjoyed h...

Synopsis: When she enters her home, it takes Army intelligence officer Amy Cornwall thirty seconds to realize her husband and daughter are missing. A single phone call from their kidnapper delivers an ultimatum, free an unknown prisoner from military custody in the next 48 hours or her family will be killed. Review: I've never been interested in reading James Patterson. However, my daughter recently purchased this book for me as a birthday gift and that prompted me to give it a try. While I still wouldn't quite classify it as a genre I'd be interested in reading on a regular basis, I will say I enjoyed the book more than I was expecting to. Amy Cornwall is an intriguing character. Her husband and daughter were in danger and I could sense genuine concern from her but, at the same time, she managed to treat the situation with a somewhat unemotional approach, finding clues from neighbors and the local service station security cameras before ditching the burner phone the kid...