J. Keith Jones

Mastermind of Mars is the sixth in the Edgar Rice Burroughs Barsoom series. It is the first that does not directly follow John Carter or any member of the Carter family. Instead Mastermind follows the adventures of Ulysses Paxton, another Earth man who like John Carter finds himself magically transported to Mars. Paxton is an American soldier in the midst of World War I where he often dreams of Mars, or Barsoom, as envisioned in the John Carter novels. He wonders if it could be real, then while lying on the battlefield dying from a serious wound, finds himself awakening upon the red planet.

There he is befriended by a Barsoomian mad scientist who trains him in his trade, making him only the second living man on Barsoom who knows these secrets. Renamed Vad Varo, Paxton/Varo acquires the ability to transplant organs from one person to another, including the brain. This naturally leads to a number of ethical and moral questions as elderly wealthy nobles pay for the privilege of having their brains transplanted into the bodies of young and beautiful slaves purchased for this purpose. To further complicate his life, Vad Varo falls in love with one of these slaves and embarks on a misson to restore his love’s brain to her rightful body. Mastermind of Mars provides a worthy next installment in this series.

Klinger: A Story of Honor and Hope
Written by Betsy Beard
Illustrated by Shelley Johannes
for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Naturally these days I don’t read many children’s books; not being a child myself nor having offspring of that tender age. I recently met Betsy Beard at the Military Writer’s Society of America’s conference which led me to check out this excellent little book. Out of tragedy and loss comes this great story about a real horse. Klinger is a black Percheron Morgan Cross Breed who serves on the Caisson Platoon at Arlington National Cemetery.

Beard and illustrator Shelley Johannes put you inside the world of a horse who knows he is destined for great things from the time he is a tiny colt. Klinger believes he will become a great race horse, but he is too slow. The discouraged horse will find his destiny bringing reverence to the final journey of heroes to their honored resting places in Arlington.

This beautiful story touches the heart all the more when at the end of the book you discover the back story about the real Klinger. This is a book that should be read and treasured by young and old alike. I’m sure it will have a place on my bookshelf for a very long time.  I highly recommend you clear a space on your own shelf for a copy of this touching and beautifully illustrated story.