Why am I passionate about this?

Now retired after a full life, I grew up with a passion for history and the people who made it, being very fortunate during over thirty years at sea to visit many locations around the world where the characters I read about lived. I am also fortunate now to write the history novels I like to read.


I wrote

Belleau Wood - A Marines Story

By Paul Meachair,

Book cover of Belleau Wood - A Marines Story

What is my book about?

When US Marine Liam Kierney reaches war-torn France in 1918, he is thrown into a world of conflict, pain, courage,…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of All Quiet on the Western Front

Paul Meachair Why did I love this book?

This book is written through the eyes of idealist Paul Baume, and the vivid experiences of the WWI trenches come from from the author's own experiences.

I love the way this book captures comradeship, loss of innocence, struggles, and the inability of young men who have been turned into killers to adapt back to normal society.

It could have been written from the perspective of either side. Those who have never worn a uniform use words like patriotism and duty to persuade the young men to sacrifice their lives for the glory of their nation. Those words continue to be used, and nothing has changed. 

By Erich Maria Remarque, Arthur Wesley Wheen (translator),

Why should I read it?

14 authors picked All Quiet on the Western Front as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The story is told by a young 'unknown soldier' in the trenches of Flanders during the First World War. Through his eyes we see all the realities of war; under fire, on patrol, waiting in the trenches, at home on leave, and in hospitals and dressing stations. Although there are vividly described incidents which remain in mind, there is no sense of adventure here, only the feeling of youth betrayed and a deceptively simple indictment of war - of any war - told for a whole generation of victims.


Book cover of The Bull from the Sea

Paul Meachair Why did I love this book?

I first read this book as a young teenager who was fascinated by Greek Myth. It made Theseus my favorite of all the Greek heroes. He tells his epic life story in the first person from his return to Athens.

Weaving myth and history in an exciting way, I found it absorbing how the author turned the archaic world alive with characters from myth, becoming believable people with flesh and blood. Mary Renault is recognised as one of the greatest fiction writers of the ancient world.

By Mary Renault,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Bull from the Sea as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Having freed the city of Athens from the onerous tribute demanded by the ruler of Knossos - the sacrifice of noble youths and maidens to the appetite of the Labyrinth's monster - Theseus has returned home to find his father dead and himself the new king. But his adventures have only just begun: he still must confront the Amazons, capture their queen, Hippolyta, and face the tragic results of Phaedra's jealous rage. Piecing together the fragments of myth and using her deep understanding of the cultures reflected in these legends, Mary Renault has constructed an enthralling narrative of a time…


Book cover of The Journeyer

Paul Meachair Why did I love this book?

The author does a huge amount of detailed research in his books, and I can escape into all of them because he makes the past come alive.

Marco Polo was nicknamed "Marco of the millions" on his return from the East due to his unbelievable stories. Lying on his death bed, he confessed, "I have not told the half of what I saw and did!" and I can believe that.

This superb read takes me from Venice's back streets and the dangers of the Silk Road to the Kublai Khan court. All the historical accuracy brings the past to life. It can be explicit in parts, giving it an X movie rating.  

By Gary Jennings,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Journeyer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The epic journeys of Marco Polo are recreated in a historical saga that follows the adventures of the Venetian explorer from medieval Italy to the court of Kublai Khan


Book cover of The Fencing Master

Paul Meachair Why did I love this book?

I enjoyed this from the very first page because it brought to me the nostalgia of a past era. It is so well constructed and a refreshing subject that brings the Madrid of 1868 to life.

Jaime Astarloa is the aging, old-school fencing master and survivor of duels who prides himself on loyalty and honor with an obsession to create the perfect sword thrust but is now aware of his physical decline.

When the cunning Adela de Otero appears as a worthwhile opponent who wants to learn from Jaime, he finds himself caught up in political intrigues where his old-time values have no substance. I found it hard to put it down.    

By Arturo Perez-Reverte,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Fencing Master as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Fencing is not a game but a science. The outcome is invariably the same: triumph or disaster, life or death...

It is 1868; Spain teeters on the brink of revolution. Jaime Astarloa is a master-fencer of the old school, priding himself on the precision, dignity and honour of his ancient art; his friends spend their days in cafes discussing plots at court, but Jaime's obsession is to perfect the irresistible sword thrust. Then Adela de Otero, violet-eyed and enigmatic, appears at his door. When Jaime takes her on as a pupil he finds himself embroiled in dark political intrigues against…


Book cover of A Rising Man

Paul Meachair Why did I love this book?

This is a crime novel set in 1919 Calcutta. We follow Captain Sam Wyndham, who is a former Scotland Yard detective seeking a fresh start after the emotional wounds following WWI and the death of his wife.

When a senior official is murdered, he doesn't hold back during his search from British mansions to seedy opium dens with his new sidekick, Sergeant Banerjee. Rising tensions, the clash of societies, the heat, dirt, and crowding all contribute to bringing this colorful period to life.

This is the debut novel and the first in a remarkably well-told series so interesting I found it impossible to put down. 

By Abir Mukherjee,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked A Rising Man as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency.

The body of a senior official has been…


Explore my book 😀

Belleau Wood - A Marines Story

By Paul Meachair,

Book cover of Belleau Wood - A Marines Story

What is my book about?

When US Marine Liam Kierney reaches war-torn France in 1918, he is thrown into a world of conflict, pain, courage, humour, human weakness, and the horror of kill or be killed. Blundering military decisions make things desperate for Liam and his comrades as they fight to survive in the trenches, building towards the crucial battle at Belleau Wood. Liam is wounded and transferred to England for recovery, where he finds romance with Sheilagh, a beautiful Irish nurse. Things are looking positive for Liam’s life and future until a vain British army captain, who is infatuated with Sheilagh, falsifies events to have Liam arrested for desertion and espionage. 

Their lives and future will depend on the court-martial. Can the truth set them free?

Book cover of All Quiet on the Western Front
Book cover of The Bull from the Sea
Book cover of The Journeyer

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Christmas at Corbie Hall: A McLaren Mystery

By Jo A. Hiestand,

Book cover of Christmas at Corbie Hall: A McLaren Mystery

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author Mystery novelist World War 2 espionage enthusiast Reader Cat parent

Jo's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

Former police detective Michael McLaren is looking forward to spending Christmas at his grandfather's ancient Hall with his grandfather, uncle, and his lady love, Melanie. But McLaren’s holiday plan gets snowed under when a dead man is discovered outside his grandfather’s house--in circumstances similar to an older murder. And it’s not long before McLaren is asked to look into the previous death.

Both men played in Scottish pipe bands and worked at the same bank. Are the two murders connected? Can McLaren wrap up the cases in time to unwrap Christmas gifts with Melanie? It’s a race against the calendar…

Christmas at Corbie Hall: A McLaren Mystery

By Jo A. Hiestand,

What is this book about?

Former police detective Michael McLaren is looking forward to spending Christmas at his grandfather's ancient Hall with his grandfather, uncle, and his lady love, Melanie. But McLaren’s holiday plan gets snowed under when a dead man is discovered outside his grandfather’s house--in circumstances similar to an older murder. And it’s not long before McLaren is asked to look into the previous death.

Both men played in Scottish pipe bands and worked at the same bank. Are the two murders connected? Can McLaren wrap up the cases in time to unwrap Christmas gifts with Melanie? It’s a race against the calendar…


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