The Jack Carr Channel The Shadow of War
Jeff Shaara, a bestselling author known for his gripping historical novels, dives into the Cuban Missile Crisis and its complexities. He discusses the intense race between Russian engineers and U.S. Navy commanders and reflects on pivotal decisions made by JFK and Khrushchev. Shaara shares personal anecdotes, from childhood memories of Cold War tensions to the absurdities of covert operations. He also emphasizes the importance of relatable characters in historical fiction to engage younger audiences and the significance of places like Gettysburg in understanding our past.
01:28:14
From Coins to Novels
- Jeff Shaara, author of "The Shadow of War," had a successful career as a rare coin dealer before turning to writing.
- He started a mail-order coin business at 16, supporting himself through college, before managing a larger coin business for 24 years.
A Prestigious Honor
- Jeff Shaara is only the second author, after Stephen Ambrose, to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Bob Hope Award.
- He received the award in Pueblo, Colorado, in the presence of 37 Medal of Honor recipients.
Gettysburg's Pull
- Jeff Shaara's move to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, brought him full circle geographically and connects with his family's literary legacy.
- He initially stayed at a local motel for privacy during book signings before eventually settling in Gettysburg.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
From Coins to Words: A Journey of Transformation
01:41 • 5min
Reflections on History and Community
06:55 • 5min
Legacy of Leadership: Eisenhower and the Bay of Pigs
11:39 • 2min
Crafting Historical Narratives
13:25 • 19min
Childhood Reflections on Cold War Tensions
31:58 • 21min
Cold War Conflicts and Comedic Chaos
52:30 • 16min
Bobby Kennedy: Cold War Connections
01:08:15 • 17min
Exploring the Legacy of the Civil War in Literature
01:25:24 • 3min
#10427
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Killer Angels
Michael Shaara
The Killer Angels is a historical novel that focuses on the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. The story is character-driven, following historical figures such as Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, John Buford, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
The novel explores the thoughts, emotions, and actions of these characters as they engage in one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
It is known for its vivid and accurate depiction of Civil War combat and has been widely praised for its historical accuracy and engaging narrative.
#31062
The Shadow of War
A novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Jeff Shaara
#62306
Gods and Generals
a novel of the Civil War
Jeff Shaara
This novel follows four main characters: Robert E. Lee, Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
It explores their personal and professional lives from 1858 to the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, delving into their experiences, motivations, and the historical context of the Civil War. The story highlights their roles in the war and how their paths intersect at pivotal battles such as Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
#33649
The Old Lion
Jeff Shaara
A historical novel that tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt's life, from his youth to his presidency, highlighting his adventurous spirit and political career.
#61613
Teddy Roosevelt
Jeff Shaara
A historical novel focusing on the life and presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, exploring his personality, policies, and impact on American history.
#12691
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The brotherhood of the rose
a novel
David Morrell
The Brotherhood of the Rose tells the story of Saul and Chris, two orphans from Philadelphia who are adopted by Eliot, a man who treats them like his own children but trains them to be assassins.
When a mission goes wrong for Saul and Chris is involved in an international incident, they begin to question their lives and their missions, and start to see Eliot in a new light.
The novel spans the globe, filled with heart-stopping action, fierce loyalty, and violent betrayal, as Saul and Chris try to escape death squads and uncover the truth about Eliot's intentions.
#2652
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
Once An Eagle
America's War and Peace
Anton Myrer
The novel tells the story of Sam Damon, a soldier committed to honor and duty, and his lifelong adversary, Courtney Massengale, who advances through ambition and connections.
The narrative spans multiple conflicts, from the trenches of World War I to the jungles of World War II and the battlegrounds of Vietnam.
It explores the complexities of military life, leadership, and the personal sacrifices that accompany military service.
Through Sam Damon's journey, the book articulates profound lessons on service, ethics, and the realities of conflict, making it a tribute and a somber reflection on military life and universal themes of integrity, family, and sacrifice.
#3688
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Winds of War
Herman Wouk
The Winds of War is a historical novel by Herman Wouk, published in 1971.
The book focuses on the Henry family, particularly Victor 'Pug' Henry, a Naval Officer and confidant of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The story spans from six months before Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939 to the United States' entry into the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
The novel interweaves the lives of the fictional Henry family with real historical figures and events, providing a detailed and realistic portrayal of the early years of World War II. It also includes a subplot from the perspective of German General Armin von Roon, offering insights into the German side of the war.
#63907
The League of Night and Fog
David Morrell
In this action-packed climax to the 'Mortalis' trilogy, the heroes of 'The Brotherhood of the Rose' and 'The Fraternity of the Stone' are drawn together to solve a baffling mystery: the simultaneous kidnapping of ten elderly men from around the world.
As they investigate, they are pulled into a violent cycle of revenge that stretches back to World War II, forcing sons to pay for their fathers' darkest sins.
The story spans multiple locations, including the Vatican, the Swiss Alps, Australia, and the heartland of America, and explores themes of faith, fatherhood, and redemption.
#26146
Memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev
Commissar, 1918–1945; Statesman, 1953–1964; etc.
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev
Sergei Khrushchev
The memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev are a three-volume set that provides a detailed and personal account of his life and career.
The first volume, 'Commissar, 1918–1945,' recounts his early political activism, his rise through the Soviet hierarchy under Stalin, and his role as a military commissar during World War II. The second volume covers the period from 1945 to 1956, including the aftermath of the war, Stalin's death, and the power struggle that followed.
The third volume, 'Statesman, 1953–1964,' focuses on his international dealings, including the Berlin, U-2, and Cuban missile crises, and his relations with other communist states and Third World countries.
The memoirs offer a unique insight into the inner workings of the Soviet leadership and the Cold War era.
#26296
The Fraternity of the Stone
David Morrell
This novel follows Drew MacLane, a former member of a clandestine government-sanctioned organization called Scalpel, who has retreated to a monastery to do penance for his past sins.
However, his peaceful life is disrupted when his monastery is attacked, and he must navigate a complex web of espionage, religious conspiracies, and historical secrets to survive.
The story is part of the 'Brotherhood of the Rose' series but can be read as a standalone novel.
It introduces elements of religious and historical conspiracies into the spy thriller genre, influencing later authors like Dan Brown and Steve Berry.
#7344
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
War and Remembrance
Herman Wouk
War and Remembrance is the sequel to Herman Wouk's 'The Winds of War' and completes the cycle of the Henry family's experiences during World War II. The novel delves into historical events such as the battles at Midway, Yalta, Guadalcanal, and El Alamein, as well as the Allied invasions of Normandy and the Philippines.
It also explores the personal struggles and transformations of the characters, particularly the rediscovery of Jewish identity by Aaron Jastrow and his niece Natalie Henry amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.
The book is known for its meticulous historical detail and its emotional impact on readers, capturing the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of World War II through the lens of a single American family.
The Jack Carr Book Club December Book of the Month is THE SHADOW OF WAR, a book that explores a pivotal moment in history through the masterful storytelling of Jeff Shaara.
In The Shadow of War, Shaara brings to life the intense and complex lead-up to the Cuban Missile Crisis. From the Russian engineers racing against time to construct missile facilities in Cuba, to the U.S. Navy commanders enforcing the "quarantine," to the behind-the-scenes decisions of JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and Nikita Khrushchev—this work offers a gripping, multi-perspective look at a crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
Meticulously researched and vividly written, The Shadow of War is not just a story of conflict but a study in leadership, strategy, and human resilience during one of the most dangerous standoffs in history.
Jeff Shaara is a bestselling American author known for his historical novels that vividly bring pivotal moments of history to life. Jeff is a four-time recipient of the American Library Association's "William Young Boyd Award" for Excellence in Military Fiction for Gods and Generals, To the Last Man, The Frozen Hours, and most recently, The Eagle’s Claw.
To learn more about Jeff, follow him on Facebook @jshaara or visit his website www.jeffshaara.com.
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