5 comments about Churchill.

1. This was a fine biography on Churchill. At its heart, this book is a comprehensive political summary of one of the world's best politicians. Jenkins does a great job of surrounding the moment with context and analysis. His mastery of British politics is unreal.
   
   With all that said, the book did have a few flaws. First, it was hard to grasp the ins and outs of the British political process which Jenkins discusses at great lengths (this could be my fault as I am an American). Second, there was not enough character development. Jenkins references countless people, but does not take the time to highlight, or bring about, who ultimately has a major role. To this end, I feel there was a certain extent of "name-dropping" in the tome. At times, this made the book harder to navigate through with ease. Finally, I don't know French or Afrikaans, or Latin. So those phrases in foreign languages fell upon deaf ears (or perhaps blind eyes is the more appropriate description).
   
   Overall, a great book. I enjoyed Jenkins mastery of the subject matter, and his writing is fantastic. I have not read other Churchill bios before, but would certainly recommend this to a history buff.



2. Think Robert Kosowsky's review is pretty much on the mark.
   
   Historical events are not presented except in relation to timing and political positioning by Churchill and others. For example, if you don't know about the Dardenelles operation of WW1, this book will not help you. Despite the final line of the book, this is not uncritical of Churchill and at times makes him appear to be motivated by politics as much as anything else (the author was a MP and in the Cabinet so was a political animal too). This does not ring entirely false as it makes it easier to understand his switching of political parties. And this makes it a good counter to Churchill's own books which are at times clearly self-serving.



3. For several years I have wanted to read a biography on Churchill. This past summer I finally broke down and purchased the 900+ page book written by Roy Jenkins.
   
   It has only taken six months to finish it. True, I had a dissertation to write and exams to study for. But regardless the book was slow going.
   
   The author is a politician and a writer - much like Churchill. Consequently, Jenkins focuses the book on the intricacies of Churchill's political and journalistic careers. Fair enough.
   
   Churchill's political life and to a lesser extent his various literary endeavors are key to understanding Britain's greatest prime minister. But the details, though interesting, slowly wear down the resolve of the reader.
   
   For example, the beginning and ending of the book flows well as Churchill's family heritage and retirement are explored; in other words, the parts of Churchill's life which are the least political and literary.
   
   Yet by the time we reach his parliamentary career and the two world wars the book descends into minute detail. Minute details about his toast filled summits with Stalin - interesting. Minute details about his administration of the Admiralty - not so much.
   
   Further, he dedicates a surprisingly small amount of space to some very important events - such as the Battle of Britain.
   
   Yet, to be fair, Jenkins provides an excellent overview of Churchill's life. It is also inevitable that certain areas of interest to the reader will not coincide with that of the author.
   
   Indeed, the biographer's experience in British politics provides rare insights: the great PM's great ambition was getting power, using power and retaining power. So, the way Jenkins skillfully dissects and interprets Churchill's various power struggles makes the book worth reading.
   
   Summary: The book is a great introduction to Churchill, with a special focus on his political and literary careers. Yet the combination of the books length and the author's devotion to great detail could prove fatal to the unmotivated.
   
   I would recommend the book to anyone interested in 20th century history, modern British history and of course Churchill. But I would recommend that the reader take long breaks between each of the six sections.



4. This is too long - all biographers should read and learn from Lytton Strachey.
   
   But Churchill's life was so over the top that its nevertheless an enjoyable read; more so with two provisos:
   
   1. You have to be at least constructively disposed to Winston. Better still if you downright adore him, as Roy plainly does.
   
   2. The most lovingly recounted incidents are those that took place in and around parliamentary life, the life that Roy Jenkins himself knew best. Its very, very well told, but if you didn't happen to be an MP yourself you might find it a little too detailed, in the sense that what others might consider to be the main story seems to be lost sight of, sometimes.



5. I didn't finish this book. Jenkins just throws his note cards at the hapless reader. The editor was awol. Stick with Gilbert. Alternatively, start with Manchester's unfinished bio (to 1940) & then switch to Churchill's memoirs.

5 comments about The Real Diana.

1. I enjoy reading every detail about Princess Diana I can get my hands on, good and bad, so I can get some idea of what this person was like. I have adored Diana since I was a young girl.

   However, this book was very biased against Diana and basically does make anything positive written about Diana seem as though it was just written to please the Princess.

   Also, she pretty much says that Diana was sleeping around long before Charles did, yet other books I've read indicate not only was he with Camilla, but also did cheat on Diana even around William's birth with a lady in Canada that he saw on and off even while he was just with Camilla.

   I've seen some recent interviews, and other published books which actually cite NAMES of people who have nothing to gain now the Princess is dead, and dispute what this author has to say.

   So it is fun gossip, albeit cruel, but take it with a grain of salt.

   Also, I could not find documentation of Diana's abortion anywhere, and I would think by now more explicit details would have come out about it. This is the first and last I've heard of it and would really like to know if it is indeed true.




2. Lady Colin Campbell may not be the best writer I have ever read, but she writes the truth, and what is better than that for a biography? The people who don't like this book are the ones who don't seem to be willing to ever think that their beloved Princess of Hearts could be a vengeful b*tch, who was a bit off in the head, or that Charles was not the devil Diana wished him to portrayed as.
   
   As it has been widely reported by pretty much everyone who knew the Princess, including her own family, she was very vindictive and a known liar. So read her accounts with a grain of salt (or a shaker), then read this book. Nothing is black and white, so remember the gray matter. I also reccomend Piers Morgan's new book to show the side of Diana many don't want to admit she had.



3. This is a vicious book written by someone who obviously hated Diana, Princess of Wales. And if anyone is 'mentally ill' it is Lady Campbell. I understand 'lady' Campbell had a very strange childhood. Apparently, her parents could not decide whether she was a boy or girl! And I think it created a 'crack' in her brain.
   
   Diana paid dearly for standing up for herself and getting out of her pathetic marriage. Her husband was a Prince who turned out to be a selfish toad. She was definitely a lamb to the slaughter. And as for saying that Diana was schizophrenic that is postively ludicrous!



4. Vile, vituperative, vicious, and about as "true" as the "Lady" in front of the "author's" name, this cowardly piece of fantasy isn't worth buying to burn.
   Don't bother reading it, unless you go in for the kind of story headlined in the supermarket tabs, featuring lurid photos of the "Two-Headed Martian Child."
   If so, read on--you just might find Hoffa and see Elvis while you're at it.
   Stars??????? Are you kidding?!



5. to actually read a full story of Diana's life, rather than the glossy image we've all been fed for years. Very interesting book.

5 comments about The Golden Dream.

1. Gerry Faust represents what is good in sports today. No he did not have great teams at Notre Dame but he is a true role-model for both coaches and athletes. The good natured stories kept you from putting the book down. He truly cares about people. That is what I loved about the book. If more coaches had this approach we would not have cheating, scandels, and a me approach. The book gives the reader confidence that there are good people, not only in sports, but in the world today. You do not have to be into sports in order to appreciate this book. I recommend it to all people of all ages. It will make you feel good!



2. I was at ND for Coach Faust's first two years. I remember his first game win against LSU and being ranked #1. I also recall his inspirational talks in that raspy voice of his.

   Yes, he did NOT have a great won loss record. But he won some huge games and put a lot of points on the board. (Contrast with Ty Willingham's recent results.) He also recruited many of the players who were part of the 1988 championship.

   Classy man, inspirational coach and someone whom I will always hold in high regard -- I really enjoyed the book.

   Jeff, ND Class of 1982.




3. I met Coach Faust at ND, where he signed my copy. I attended the University of Notre Dame during his first two years, and I remember defeating LSU and being ranked #1.

   Coach is a great human being who was given the opportunity of a lifetime. He was not overly successful, but how many get their life-long dream?

   Easy and fun to read and a great learning experience.




4. An interesting read for a Notre Dame fan; but never a plausibe explanation for why Notre Dame lost so big under Faust (who seemed like a good guy....just way overmatched for that job). The last 30 years or so seems to show one thing about ND football, they hire the right coach (Ara, Devine, Holtz.....now Weiss??) and they win big. They hire the wrong coach (Faust, Davies, etc.) and they lose big.
   
   Faust obviously loves the school (feels like he loves the school more than he loves football) which is great for an administrator, but not for the head coach of the team.



5. Gerry Faust was a man equally passionate about his faith as he was about football. Although he might not appreciate it, in reading the book I found myself reminded of Jimmy Carter. Both were honorable and honest men who came from humble beginnings and landed the greatest jobs in the country, only to find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of the positions they held.
   
   In this book, Coach Faust presents an honest account of the good times and bad, and provides insight into some of the decisions he made and lessons he learned. He and his co-author also offer the views from others who have a different take on certain situations. The result is a fascinating and balanced account of being at the center of America's most storied college football program. For those who are familiar with Notre Dame, you will also enjoy reading Coach Faust's accounts of his time on campus and his relationships with many of the players, recruits, and the university's administration, specifically Fr. Hesburgh and Fr. Joyce.

3 comments about With Love from Diana: the Princess of Wales' Personal Astrologer Shares Her First-Hand Account of Diana's Turbulent Years.

1. I feel that Andrew morton protrayed Princess Daina as the Angel that we all knew of that helped those in need. I espesially enjoyed the chapter "My cries for help" talking of her problems with Prince Charles and her marriage. And that of her Bulimia. I would like to take this moment to thank Andrew Morton. For his kind words, and his honesty about Princess Diana. Sincerley, Catherine M. Catron



2. Author Penny Thornton describes 2 dreams she had in 1986 or '87, in which Diana is seen with "a white car moving ahead, leaving the black car behind." Consider that this book was published two years BEFORE Diana's accident, and this is nothing short of phenomenal!! Several other parellels occur in these 2 dreams, as well. This is a book worth reading for those who can't get enough of Diana.



3. I'm not saying that people don't have spiritual gifts, but I do question much of Penny Thornton's vision. I must agree with the previous "critic", however, regarding the dream about the car: it shocked me so, that I read it over and over and got tears in my eyes; (if this part is pure fiction, I would have a terrific bone to pick with Ms. Thornton about lies and playing with another's emotions!).The book is a good enough read, but nothing spectacular.

No comments about Country Days.

1 comments about Voices From Dickens' London: First-Hand Accounts of Life in the Great Metropolitan (Voices from).

1. London holds a fascination in peoples' minds matched by few other cities. Michael Paterson's book is a wonderful introduction to 19th Century London, a subject few books have dealt with. And who better to describe 'the great old city' than London's most famous chronicler, novelist Charles Dickens? Interweaving sections from various Dickens' novels with accounts from Londoners who lived in that period or visitors to the city, Paterson has opened a window into a time, a city and a people that fascinates, informs and sometimes appalls.
   
   The London of the mid-19th Century was the largest city on earth as well as the dirtiest and most disease- and crime-ridden place in the world. In a series of chapters covering 'The Place,' 'The People,' 'Shops and Shopping,' 'Transport and Travel,' 'Crime and Punishment,' etc., Paterson weaves the various accounts into a combination history and travelogue that is as educational as it is appalling. The growth of the great city came at a terrible cost to many of its residents as borne out in accounts by Henry Mayhew, George Salas and others. To say it was a brutal existence for most Londoners is an understatement.
   
   While the book is illustrated with various photographs and woodcuts, it is the spoken word that has the greatest impact. To be frank, the book needs to be savored a chapter at a time lest the detailed descriptions overwhelm the reader. Make no mistake about it - this book is a great read. It captures the sights, sounds and smells of a long-ago city as few books have.

1 comments about Elizabeth I.

1. Elizabeth I is, perhaps, the English monarch that has caught the interest of more people than any other British ruler has before. David Loades has managed to write a detailed record of her reign and life that covers not only the facts, but also presents and analyzes the many hypotheses that historians have come up with over years of research.
   
   The opening chapter of the book details the circumstances of Elizabeth's birth and goes on to explain how she eventually was recognized as the rightful heir to the throne. The following four chapters describe the events of her rise to power, and the middle section covers her forty-year reign. The final chapter examines the reasons for Elizabeth's success.
   
   The book is written in a very analytical manner, especially on Elizabeth's motives for the actions she took as queen of England. It also provides a substantial amount of background information on other important figures, such as Henry VIII, Mary, and Catherine.
   
   On the whole, David Loades' biography is a thorough and fascinating read for those who want to delve into the intriguing story of Elizabeth I.

1 comments about Mon Cher Papa: Franklin and the Ladies of Paris.

1. Claude-Anne Lopez has given us a delightful and careful examination of a man too often classed as "quaint" and "lecherous". With subtle strokes, the portrait of Franklin the man-complex, the dreamer who builds, the lover who waits - emerges complete with vanity, pride, anxiousness, humility, generosity and fervor all intact.
   Ms. Lopez's works (she has written many) are as important to understanding Dr. Franklin as is his own (as we call it) "Autobiography".

2 comments about U2: The Early Days.

1. the Early Days is an excellent history of the band from their formation in 1976 up to their record deal with Island in 1979. The pictures are extremely rare and the text provided by the guy who's been there since the beginning. A must have for die-hards.



2. You absolutely MUST own this book if you are a serious U2 fan. Several pictures in this book cannot be found elsewhere. This book also gives great insight to the humble beginnings of this incredible irish band.

3 comments about Wives of the Kings of England: From Hanover to Windor.

1. A very interesting book of royal wives. This also included the Duchess of Windsor which was very interesting.



2. I am appalled. I did never receive this book. Why are you considering that I received this book? This book has never been with me. I ask you an explanation.
   
   Andres E. Rodriguez



3. As an American, I was only given a cursory glance at British History in Public School (which isn't much). As a lover of History (especially British) I've noticed so many studies have been about the various ruling Monarchs and very little (if anything) is mentioned about the wives. Mark Hichens has done a wonderful job of giving his research a tone that is in no way boring.
   
   The book covers the wives from George the First through George the Sixth. While I had heard of both Queen Elizabeth (wife to George the Sixth) and the infamous Wallis Simpson, I knew only what I had seen on television. It was very interesting learning more about both of these women and shed a whole new light on them for me.
   
   The other seven Consorts, Sophia Dorthea of Celle (wife of George I), Caroline of Anspach (wife of George II), Charlotte of Mechlenburg-Strelitz (wife of George III), Caroline of Brunswick (wife of George IV), Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg Meiningen (wife of William IV), Alexandra of Denmark, (Wife of Edward VII) and Mary of Teck (wife of George V).
   
   With the exception of Caroline of Brunswick, all of these women were devoted & faithful to their husbands (despite that most, of these husbands were either unfaithful or idiosyncratic or both, with them). While they enjoyed the trappings of "royal life", I wonder how much of their true-self they gave up for that. Mary of Teck & Elizabeth of Galmis seemed to enjoy a true love & faithfulness with their respective husbands. But most of the others existed at the whim of their husbands fancy. And in some cases the wives were more intelligent and/or had more common sense than their husbands.
   
   While I certainly don't feel sorry for any of them or the circumstances of their lives, this book gave me a different view on the Consorts I had heard of and educated me in the ones I didn't know.
   
   The book is an enjoyable read and is one that I intend to keep. If you are looking to find out more about these women or are looking for a reference book for studies, these is an excellent book to have on hand.