Staff Pick- The Portable Kipling

Rudyard Joseph Kipling. 1865-1936. Born in Bombay, India. He was a subject of Great Britain. Kipling was an author, poet and soldier. You may best know his work from The Jungle Book, Mandalay, or Danny Deever. While all of his works are representations of modern times as seen through the eyes and prism of someone who was born and passed more than 100 years ago, these works are as, or more relevant today then when first put to ink and quill. 

While any Kipling is better than no Kipling, I want to focus on the poem Gunga Din (1890). It is the story of a lowly water-boy at the bottom rung of India's cast system, providing water to the Queens Rifles fighting for the "right" for India to remain under the authority of Great Britain. Through Gunga Dins boyish antics and his zest for life he manages to teach the upper crust of England's elite the true meaning of the words friend, loyalty, and honor. This poem is evidence that social status, education, and skin color have no bearing on what beats in the heart of mankind and proves we are all cut from the same cloth. Kipling was a proficient writer. You can find numerous works of his right here in the OPL. I also suggest, The Gods of the Copybook Headings.

 If you'd like to check it out, you can find it in the catalog by clicking here.

-Mike

Staff Pick: Lone Survivor

2005. Afghanistan. High atop the Hindu Kush, four of America's elite warriors, U.S. Navy SEALs are hunting a high value Taliban Commander. Within 2 hours of their fast rope onto the mountain top, three team members are killed.

Lone Survivor is the true story of Marcus Luttrell. Severely wounded the hunter is now the hunted. After fighting, near death, Marcus is found by local Pashtunwali goat herders. Taken to their village, and granted Lokhay Warkawal by the village Elder, every last villager must fight to the death to protect their new found friend, men, women, children, et al.

With hundreds of Taliban fighters surrounding the village, witness his seven days of war, terror, tribal rights and burning hatred of Americans by Taliban and Al Quida forces. Re-live his rescue, which led to the greatest loss of life suffered by America's Spec. Ops. troops to date.

For some, the wars may be over. For others, it was the defining moment in their life. One that replays daily, hourly, nightly. We owe them all a great deal of gratitude. This piece of American history should never be forgotten.

If you'd like to check out Lone Survivor, you can find it in our online catalog by clicking here.

-Mike C.