Pat Jahns

The book is a mix of biography, Naval history, Civil War history, and science history. Both Maury and Henry were known for their work in Europe as well as the US. Maury was in some ways the first oceanographer and a pioneer in tracking and predicting weather and corresponded with Robert FitzRoy of the Royal Navy on that subject. Henry was interested in the relationship between electricity and magnetism and the SI unit of inductance is named the henry for him. He was also the first Secretary of the Smithsonian and was very interested in weather phenomena as well.

I enjoyed reading about these scientists but was not really fond of the writer's style. It had , in places, the feel of a YA book and I felt she injected her opinions a little too much. However, I did come to agree that Henry was the better man in his personal and professional life and Maury was his own worst enemy.… (mere)

Portrays J.H. Holliday and his life along each point of the expanding frontier. Doc was well-educated and came from a notable southern family. Throughout most of his 20 years in adventurous boom towns, he was continuously told he had a short time to live, which fostered a boldness and willingness to seek dangerous situations. Doc learned to a be a cool gambler and cold-hearted fighter when facing an opponent. He was seemingly involved in several dishonest deals at several times. Doc backed up Wyatt Earp when at a time when Wyatt was outnumbered. Their friendship continued through the famous fight at the OK corral. They seem to have split ways after that to some extent. He wrote periodically to Mattie and his condition deteriorated considerably upon hearing of her entering a convent. Doc moved between Denver, Leadville, and Pueblo duing his last days. The author paints a very critical view of the Earps, although he does bring out some balance not seen elsewhere with regard to the incidents in Tombstone.… (mere)