The On The Bookshelf Podcast

Shannon Monaghan reveals 4 key members of British SOE in WWII

 A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN: The Forgotten British Special Operations Soldiers of World War II (Viking) by Shannon Monaghan.

During the early years of World War II, Britain found itself standing alone against the formidable Nazi forces. France had fallen and America had yet to join the war. In this critical period, Winston Churchill had to figure out how to get British forces back into Europe. Thus, the birth of one of the most thrilling and pioneering units of British special forces, the "Special Operations Executive" (SOE). In her captivating new book, A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN, Monaghan delves deep into the astonishing tales of four special operations officers, often referred to as Britain's real "Band of Brothers” and their daunting mission: to “Set Europe ablaze.”

Monaghan has uncovered a story of war in the twentieth century that, due to the secretive nature of the SOE’s work, has remained largely unknown. But with new and extensive research, including unprecedented access to private family papers, Monaghan shines a light on some of the most significant figures of the SOE, including the Spanish Civil War veteran Peter Kemp, the demolitions expert David Smiley, the born guerrilla leader Billy McLean, and the political natural Julian Amery. These extraordinary men were dropped behind enemy lines of Nazi-occupied Albania with little more than compasses hidden in their buttons, and maps and money sewn into their clothing. Their missions were to foment local revolt, to gather intelligence, to blow up bridges, and to do anything that could help to disrupt the Axis cause. Their efforts were crucial and would continue across multiple theaters of World War II, and later even for decades after in the hottest parts of the Cold War.

An interview with Monaghan could cover anything from the real-life inspiration of Q’s shop from the James Bond movies, to the trajectory of WWII into the beginning of the Cold War from the perspective of these incredible men. More talking points can be found below:  

·          The Beginning of the Cold War – the story of these four men also reminds us that the Cold War started even earlier than we tend to think, at least on the Soviet side – even before WWII ended.  They were pursued and nearly captured by the Communist leader Enver Hoxha, later to be the postwar dictator of Albania.  Peter Kemp was imprisoned by their Soviet ‘allies’ in Poland, an unhappy guest of the NKVD, who did not want him to send intelligence on the Soviet mistreatment of Poland before the crucial Yalta conference.  In Thailand, Peter Kemp and David Smiley clashed with the Vietminh, whose insurgency would eventually lead to American involvement in Vietnam.

  James Bond connection – David Smiley was advised by his friend Peter Fleming, the older brother of the Bond creator Ian Fleming who based the character on individuals he met during the war.  Smiley also had an unfortunate encounter with one of the younger Fleming’s inspirations. “Q’s” shop from the books and films, full of ingenious gadgets, was real and during the war was called “The Museum.”  Smiley was given a briefcase bomb that was meant to destroy sensitive papers in an emergency.  It blew up in his face in Thailand, necessitating an emergency evacuation.

The Cambridge Five – the men also had a connection to Kim Philby, and the infamous Cambridge Five, a spy ring that passed British information along to the Soviets. A Soviet agent in their own staff office during their time in Albania had also helped to recruit the “fifth man,” John Cairncross to the group.  And Philby himself helped blow a post-war operation in Albania in 1949, called Operation Valuable.

Wild Fiascos – the saying “war is boredom punctuated by moments of terror” is true, but it ignores the absurdity and straight-up entertainment that can go with it.  Between the four men, during the war they fell in with a Polish countess in Cairo who was gifted a dancing bear to go with her two murderous mongooses; figured out how to pay the laborers of a POWs’ brothel with parachute silk; recruited a terminally-ill Macedonia terrorist to kill Hitler; learned to parachute over the plains where the final battle for Armageddon is meant to take place; and crossed the Roof of the World with a baggage train of eighty-two ponies.

The Continuing Fight – for our freedom and prosperity, these men fought not just one war, but throughout their whole lives.  Visiting Albania after the Soviet collapse in 1991, Smiley and Amery finally found one of their translators, a man whom they thought had been executed by the Communist dictatorship.  “Half a century, my dears,” their translator said in greeting.  They had fought for all of it.  When they came limping out of Albania in 1944, Julian Amery reflected that despite the dominance of the brutal Hoxha, they had managed to sow a seed.  “And one day,” he promised, “there will be a harvest.”

Enduring Friendships – They were friends for life, standing as godparents for each other’s children and giving the eulogies at each other’s funerals.  And they were fundamentally good men.  When David Smiley, the very last, passed away in 2009, his son said, “I’m proud that some of my father’s exploits may go down in the annals of military history; and of course I’m proud of his bravery.  But I think I’m proudest of all of the simpler virtues of his life: his disarming modesty, his uncomplicated patriotism, his down-to-earthness, his instinctive decency, and above all his absolute straight-as-a-dye honesty.”

A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN is a thrilling and inspiring story of four remarkable men who, through sheer determination and daring, as well as unwavering friendship and loyalty, fought for a better world. 

Neil Shenvi-Critical Theory is incompatible with Christianity

“Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology-Implications for the Church and Society” by Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer (Harvest House Publishers)

It’s easy to dismiss CRT, queer theory, trans-rights and so forth as meaningless nonsense, liberal vs conservative sparring, or political correctness gone amok. However, it is “rooted in a coherent, comprehensive and increasingly influential set of ideas that emerge from a broad academy of knowledge known as critical social theory”. Its origins are Marxist; it has become a non-biblical response to racism.

“Critical race theory is an area of knowledge created to challenge and interrogate the ways in which race, racism, racial power, and white supremacy are constructed and manifested, specifically in legal culture and more broadly in society. There is no static, fixed canon of dogma or methodologies of CRT.” It claims that racism is endemic, normal, permanent and pervasive, concealed beneath ideas like colorblindness, meritocracy, individualism, neutrality and objectivity; that “lived experience” is critical to understanding racism; and that it one of many interlocking systems of oppression, including sexism, classism, and heterosexism.” Christians are called to pursue biblical justice, but critical theory dismisses the Bible and Christian faith. Critical Theory is a challenge on much deeper levels than politics; it’s a new theological system. It proclaims the world is composed of the oppressed and the oppressors, and the way to “salvation” is through works.

 We American Christians are called to address the shameful history of racism in our nation. We are not the only people who struggle with it, but it is at odds with our foundational documents. Likewise, we must address the explosion of belief that human beings are not binary (when all of science insists we are.)

It’s obvious that “queer theory” and “trans theory” are not supported by the Bible, as there are many verses there directly show the danger. The authors warn that “CRT is poisoned meat, incompatible with Christianity in its core commitments.” They add, “to be clear, we are not asking you to stop caring about racism, sexism, abuse or injustice. We’re merely appealing to you to recognize that contemporary critical theory redefines many of these terms based on a view of reality that is at fundamental odds with what Scripture teaches.”

Of course, Christians are commanded to love as Jesus does, meeting us where we are. But He loves us too much to leave us drowning in our sin and deception. “Even if wokeness goes the way of bell bottoms and 8-track tapes, it has been leaving and will continue to leave a path of spiritual destruction in its wake.” That’s why this book is so important. The first part explains various critical social theories, looking to history and academia for origins. The second part shows the “manifold conflicts between contemporary critical theory and Christianity. In the third part (they) show a way forward for Christians.”

Bill O'Reilly-Confronting the Presidents

BILL O'REILLY, co-author of CONFRONTING THE PRESIDENTS: No Spin Assessments from Washington to Biden

Every American president, from Washington to Biden: Their lives, policies, foibles, and legacies, assessed with clear-eyed authority and wit.

Authors of the acclaimed Killing books, the #1 bestselling narrative history series in the world, Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard begin a new direction with Confronting the Presidents.

From Washington to Jefferson, Lincoln to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Kennedy to Nixon, Reagan to Obama and Biden, the 45 United States presidents have left lasting impacts on our nation. Some of their legacies continue today, some are justly forgotten, and some have changed as America has changed. Whether famous, infamous, or obscure, all the presidents shaped our nation in unexpected ways.

The authors' extensive research has uncovered never before seen historical facts based on private correspondence and newly discovered documentation, such as George Washington's troubled relationship with his mother.

In Confronting the Presidents, O'Reilly and Dugard present 45 wonderfully entertaining and insightful portraits of each president, with no-spin commentary on their achievements-or lack thereof. Who best served America, and who undermined the founding ideals? Who were the first ladies, and what were their surprising roles in making history? Which presidents were the best, which the worst, and which didn't have much impact? How do decisions made in one era, under the pressure of particular circumstances, still resonate today? And what do presidents like to eat, drink, and do when they aren't working-or even sometimes when they are?

These and many more questions are answered in each fascinating chapter of Confronting the Presidents. Written with O'Reilly and Dugard's signature style, authority, and eye for telling detail, Confronting the Presidents will delight all readers of history, politics, and current affairs, especially during the 2024 election season.

BILL O'REILLY BIO

Bill O'Reilly headed up arguably the best known, most written about, and most discussed cable news program around. The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel was certainly the most watched; it has been #1 in the ratings for more than 280 weeks, and was also seen in more than 30 countries.

During its 11 years on the air, The O'Reilly Factor developed a unique blend of news analysis and investigative reporting, and the No Spin Zone was sought out and appreciated by millions of people every weeknight.

Bill O'Reilly writes, too. All of O'Reilly's non-fiction books have perched atop The New York Times bestseller list; O'Reilly Factor for Kids was top selling children's non-fiction book in 2005 and Culture Warrior, in paperback placed in the Times' top ten list its first week of release.

In addition to his books, O'Reilly's syndicated column appears in more than 300 newspapers across the nation. Every week the column is made available in advance of publication at BillOReilly.com, and through the website's newsletter.

O'Reilly started his on-air career in Scranton, Pennsylvania and then moved on to local reporting and anchoring stints in other cities including Dallas, Boston and New York. He took on network reporting responsibilities with CBS and ABC News and then was named host of the first version of the nationally syndicated Inside Edition. He arrived at Fox News in 1996. Along the way, he's won many journalism awards, including 2 Emmys.

Bill O'Reilly was born in Manhattan, and raised on Long Island. His Bachelor's Degree is in History from Marist College, and he has a Master's in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University and another Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

Joseph Wheelan -The Farthest Valley-Esaping Chinese Trap in North Korea 1950

“The Farthest Valley: Escaping the Chinese Trap at the Chosin Reservoir” by Joseph Wheelan (Osprey)

Prior to this incredible campaign, the US Marine Corps was in serious danger of being eliminated or eviscerated by President Harry Truman (a US Army vet of WWI). However, General MacArthur (whom Truman secretly loathed) had great respect for the USMC. When the Korean War broke out and he was named Commander of the UN forces. MacArthur would rely on the Marines to turn back the North Koreans from their initial success invading South Korea. After regaining control of the Republic’s territory, MacArthur received permission from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to cross the 38^th Parallel and head north. He was planning to destroy the North Korean military in order to keep South Korea safe.

However, once he sent the USMC X Corps, the First Marine Division and the Eighth Army across the line of demarcation, the Communist Chinese warned they would send troops south to defend North Korea. MacArthur ignored their warning, and insisted that his forces would easily defeat North Korea and the war would be over by Christmas.

This was a seriously huge mistake which would have lethal ramifications for the US forces and lead to the biggest trap ever set for our Marines and Army. The Chinese Communist military, fresh from winning their long civil war against the Nationalists, They secretly sent 380,000 soldiers across the Chinese-North Korean border, poorly-armed and provisioned, in summer weight uniforms as the brutal winter was dropping temperatures many degrees zero. But they were determined to annihilate the UN troops, and they would fight without fear of death!

The 9^th Army Group’s 10^th and 27^th Armies would set a trap for X Corps. MacArthur continued to “profoundly underestimate the size of the Chinese forces in North Korea, influenced by the willfully shoddy intelligence of General Willoughby.” November 27^th, the Chinese assault troops struck. The bitter cold conditions made combat even more miserable than usual. Combatants froze to death in place. It was a bloodbath as the Chinese were slaughtered in droves but just kept coming.

After a week of brutal and continuous combat, the Americans were prepared to “break out” and get back down to South Korea. It would take another two weeks to be in safety. The incredible account of the heroism and ingenuity of the Marines is mind-boggling. The 1^st Marine Air Wing flew 3703 sorties while carrying out 1053 missions in support of the 1^st Marine Division, in 57 days (Oct. 26-Dec.15. In three weeks of fighting, the official Chinese figures showed loses of 48,156 soldiers. The US Marines had 4418 combat casualties plus 7313 victims of frostbite.

“China’s entry into the Korean War, and the Marine Corps’ splendid performance at Pusan, Inchon, and the Chosin Reservoir ended the Truman administration’s attempts to effectively eliminate the Corps.” The author (whose father was a veteran of this campaign) joins us ON THE BOOKSHELF on WTBF for Veteran’s Day to discuss his latest book, The Farthest Valley: Escaping the Chinese Trap at the Chosin Reservoir”.

Film Critic & scholar Abby Olcese looks at Films for All Seasons of the Church Calendar

"Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies" by Abby Olcese (IVP)

For liturgical churches the church calendar is a discipline, a way of ordering the year for believers to more involved in all the aspects of Christ's ministry: Advent-Christmas-Epiphny-Lent-Holy Week-Easter-Ascension Day-Pentecost-Ordinary Season-All Saint's Day. Why not take a deep dive into movies which include those that are not normally seen as religious but still contain deep truths: hope, joy, repentance, resurrection.

You might not have thought that "the Iron Giant" has themes of sacrificial love and resurrection, but it does. Or that "The Last Jedi" is filled with hope, "Barbie" and "Shazam!" address becoming fully human and unexpected heroes. "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is ideal for Good Friday, as it teaches sacrifice for a Higher Purpose, and "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a great metaphor of the early disciples after Pentecost.

Watch movies to find the "deep magic" of the Christian faith embedded in them.