The First Battle is a graphic account of the first major clashof the Vietnam War. On August 18, 1965, regiment fought regiment onthe Van Tuong Peninsula near the new Marine base at Chu Lai. On theAmerican side were three battalions of Marines under the command ofColonel Oscar Peatross, a hero of two previous wars. His opponentwas the 1st Viet Cong Regiment commanded by Nguyen Dinh Trong, aveteran of many fights against the French and the South Vietnamese.Codenamed Operation Starlite, this action was a resounding successfor the Marines and its result was cause for great optimism aboutAmerica's future in Vietnam. Those expecting a book about Americansin battle will not be disappointed by the detailed de*ions ofhow the fight unfolded. Marine participants from private to colonelwere interviewed during the book's research phase. The battle isseen from the mud level, by those who were at the point of thespear. But this is not just another war story told exclusively fromthe American side. In researching the book, t

He's silent, invisible. He lies in one position for days, barelytwitching a muscle, able to control his heartbeat and breathing.His record has never been matched: 93 confirmed kills. This is thestory of Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, Marine sniper, legend ofmilitary lore. **MASS MARKET PAPER**

Grade 5-8?The emphasis in these books is on cultural history. However, the early chapters give rundowns of the political conditions in their respective countries. Both titles feature discussions of daily life and religious concerns, as well as major artists and writers. This makes for an effective presentation, enhanced by colorful illustrations and graphics. In some cases, the main text is set off by full-page sidebars that give further information on related topics. For example, Cervantes is briefly mentioned in the section on Spanish literature, but he is given more coverage in a nearby box. Of the two, England is the stronger as Spain, which covers a period from roughly Columbus's discovery of America to about 1700, suffers from some redundancies. Overall, however, these are both excellent choices for libraries in need of materials dealing with European cultural history.?Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr 9 Up-To read this title is to alter forever mythical perceptions of Viking heroes. The clearly written text avoids romanticizing, yet presents an engrossing, if not glamorous, picture of the Viking era. Hence, while readers may be impressed by the artistic skill, bravery, and determination of Norsemen adventurers, they also see their undeniable brutality. The volume presents not just facts, but riveting accounts of scientific discoveries and historic breakthroughs that have led to the determination of these facts. Thus, the painstaking work of salvaging ships and excavating burial mounds is clearly detailed, and full explanations are given when conclusions can be drawn from discoveries. Text and excellent-quality photographs display how a 10th-century skull, combined with 20th-century laser and computer technology, can bring us face to face with the eerie likeness of a man dead a thousand years. A heavily noted timeline, an extensive bibliography, and a full index add to the overall appeal.-Anita Palladino