INK & CINEMA JOURNAL

Doug Zembiec: The Lion of Fallujah (Book Excerpt)

Marine Sgt. Maj. William S. Skiles reflects upon his time serving with Major Douglas Zembiec, known as "The Lion of Fallujah" for his heroic actions commanding Echo Co, 2/1 Marines.

The Second Battle of Fallujah (Book List & Notes)

The incursion into the city of Fallujah in November 2004 was one of the deadliest battles of the Iraq War.

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War (Book Notes)

An outstanding and compelling account of one of the most intense military engagements of the late 20th century, the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.

American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. History (Book Notes)

A poignant & thought-provoking memoir that provides a firsthand account of the experiences & challenges faced by a Navy SEAL sniper during his deployments in Iraq.

Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-1934 (Book Notes)

The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of organized crime in America.

The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama Bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior (Book Notes)

A riveting and revealing memoir that offers a rare look inside the mind and life of a Navy SEAL, and gripping narrative of the operation to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden.

Echo Among Warriors: Close Combat in the Jungle of Vietnam (Book Notes)

A fictionalized account that reads like a true story, Echo Among Warriors weaves a realistic narrative of what it was like to be a Marine in Vietnam.

American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood (Book Notes)

A compelling and well-researched portrait of one of Hollywood's most enduring and enigmatic figures.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Book Notes)

The book remains a beloved classic of Southern literature, offering a fascinating glimpse into a world that is both glamorous and sinister, beautiful, and haunting.

Santa Fe Noir (Book Notes)

A collection of 14 short stories exploring the criminal element of the "Land of Enchantment".

Palm Springs Noir (Book Notes)

A collection of short stories exploring the dark side of the California desert's Coachella Valley.

Detroit Noir (Book Notes)

A collection of 15 short stories that delve into the gritty underbelly of Detroit.

The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators (Book Notes)

A captivating and educational journey through the rich tapestry of crime fiction.

Chasing the Light: Writing, Directing, and Surviving Platoon, Midnight Express, Scarface, Salvador, and the Movie Game - Oliver Stone (Book Notes)

A gripping memoir that illuminates the early life and career of one of Hollywood’s most controversial and visionary filmmakers.

The Last Action Heroes: The Triumphs, Flops, and Feuds of Hollywood's Kings of Carnage (Book Notes)

An enthralling and in-depth exploration of the iconic stars who ruled the action genre in Hollywood during the late 20th century.

Nothing Lasts Forever (book adapted as the film "Die Hard")

A pulse-pounding thriller that combines intricate character development with relentless action.

California Fire and Life (Book Notes)

A hard-hitting, well-crafted crime novel that combines realistic procedural detail with an engaging, flawed protagonist.

The Escape (Book Notes)

An action-packed and emotionally resonant thriller that combines a fast-paced fugitive chase with the personal struggles of its protagonists.

I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir - Val Kilmer (Book Notes)

A compelling and poetic memoir that gives readers a rare glimpse into the life and mind of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic actors.

True West: Sam Shepard's Life, Work, and Times (Book Notes)

A compelling portrait of Sam Shepard, capturing the essence of an artist who was as rugged and elusive as the American West itself. 

Greenlights - Matthew McConaughey (Book Notes)

A personal and introspective account of Matthew McConaughey's life, filled with humor, wisdom, and inspiration.

The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir - William Friedkin (Book Notes)

A captivating memoir that provides a firsthand account of one of Hollywood’s most uncompromising directors. 

Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood - Danny Trejo (Book Notes)

This memoir is a must-read for fans of Trejo’s work, individuals interested in stories of personal transformation, and readers fascinated by Hollywood’s underdog stories.

James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life (Book Notes)

An entertaining and fast-paced memoir that reflects the author’s personality: dynamic, witty, and endlessly creative. 

The Devil All The Time (Book Notes)

Set in the rural town of Knockemstiff, Ohio, the story follows the lives of several characters whose paths intersect in unexpected and often violent ways.