No comments about Stop Press: A Life in Journalism.

1 comments about Abraham Lincoln: A Press Portrait (The North's Civil War, No. 15).

1. This book, first published in 1971, presents the life and career of Abraham Lincoln through the pages of the newspapers that covered it. This work is, therefore, essentially a biography written with multiple voices and from differing perspectives by the journalists who watched Lincoln's public life. It contains all of the virtues and vices of the reportorial profession. At times the reprinted articles are eloquent and insightful, at others they present gross inaccuracies and exaggerations. All come together to offer a complex portrait of arguably the most significant president of the American republic. Overall, they offer a fascinating representation of Abraham Lincoln and his times.

   Editor Herbert Mitgang makes clear that the individual articles reprinted in this collection should never be considered objective accounts of Lincoln's activities. Instead, the newspapers of that era were overtly partisan. Even a relatively small city like Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois, had two newspapers, one ardently supportive of Lincoln and the Republicans, the other rabidly hostile. And both reported the same events in strikingly different ways. Readers see repeatedly in this collection the differing reportage of events in Lincoln's life. For instance, accounts of the Lincoln-Douglas debates are sensationalized toward one side or the other depending on the political allegiance of the newspaper reporting them. Mitgang appropriately notes that these reports "presented history in the rough" (p. xxiv).

   While this collection ranges across the life of Abraham Lincoln, well over two-thirds of the work is devoted to his presidential career and the Union's victory in the Civil War against the Confederacy. Almost every major military action is discussed in some detail, but more importantly the role of Lincoln in reshaping the nation with the abolition of slavery receives considered attention. The struggles to maintain a ruling coalition and to manage both the radicals of Lincoln's own party and the peace Democrats enter the discussion. Of course, the assassination of Lincoln and succession of his vice president to the oval office gains attention.

   This is a marvelous entrée for students into the primary sources of history. Newspapers have shaped our understanding of political events since the birth of the nation and this collection goes far toward illuminating the career or Abraham Lincoln. The reports and opinions of journalists show a person and a time in both its ambiguity and complexity. Its availability in this paperback reprint provides excellent grist for students.

2 comments about Are You Somebody: The Life and Times of Nuala O'Faolain.

1. This is an interesting memoir. In part it's the story of how a wonderfully bright woman finds herself. It's also an overview of how Ireland came to grips with the modern world through such artists and writers as Ms. O'Faolin and others like her. There are some portions that seem unfulfilled. For instance, her home life was horrible, but she wasn't there for the brunt of it. Her peregrinations through alcohol and ill fated romances are painful, yet she keeps them distant. Nuala O'Faolin is an honest woman who lets us know clearly where she stands as an Irish woman, but the journey isn't so well lit. However, clear writing and commitment to truth make it worth reading.



2. I thoroughly enjoyed Nuola O'Faolain's memoir. My family is Irish. Many of her recollections regarding her family, her childhood, and her Catholic boarding school are similar to those of my mother's. Anyone who loves modern Irish literature and culture should read this book. She is brutally honest about her life. This book is not a sweet Irish memoir, nor is it Angela's Ashes.

1 comments about Dispatches and Dictators: Ralph Barnes for the Herald Tribune.

1. Barbara Mahoney has captured the essence of time and person. Most people will find Ralph Barnes an unfamiliar name in the context of pre-war America, but Dr. Mahoney, right from the beginning provides the reader with a reason to continue reading, melding the importance of the period with the accomplishments of the man: "He lived and reported in an era unsurpassed for its complexity and peril. His story is its story."
   Three stories are harmoniously integrated into a compelling history of the time: the historical events of the period, the craft of reporting on those events, and the personal trials of having a family while constantly on the move. Above and beyond is Dr. Mahoney's contention that Ralph Barnes' interpretation and extrapolation of those events, was, for the most part, on target, unlike many of his contemporary colleagues. "Dispatches and Dictators" provides a unique look at a period of time that Ralph Barnes lived through and reported on, and appeals to both the professional and amateur historian. This is definitely a must read for anyone interested in the run-up to the signature event of the 20th century.

No comments about The Life and Adventures of Morrison of China.

1 comments about Missing.

1. I was disappointed with this. Hauser has wrote a lot of very good boxing related stuff, including what is probably the definitive Muhammad Ali biography and I think the cia sponsored shenanigans that went on in Chile is an interesting and to most people unknown chapter of history so I had high hopes for this book, not that it was bad, I just expected more.

No comments about The Trials of Hank Janson.

No comments about Tokens of Myself.

4 comments about Wired - A Romance.

1. I read Gary Wolf's 262-page account of the founding of Wired Magazine by Louis Rossetto and his moll, Jane Metcalfe, in one sitting. The subtitle, "a romance," is more about Louis' remarkable (half mad) passion for publishing in the digital age than about his courting of the beautiful Jane. Louis' passion for Jane is likely to have been great too since they are still together today living in France with children and $30 million (small change for a position thought to be worth hundreds of millions two years earlier) from the buyout of Wired by current publisher, Conde Nast, in 1998.

   I have read Wired since its beginning but have tossed my copies. After reading this book I bought a nearly complete set of issues on Ebay for the first seven years (1993-2000), including the premier issue from January 1993, thinking I would enjoy reading some of the early issues again. In any case, they look nice in my library.

   The author is a Wired editor with first-hand knowledge of all but the earliest of Rossetto's years at Wired.
   
   If you are fond of the history of Silicon Valley (as I am), then this is for you. Otherwise there is not much here for the average Joe.




2. While not poorly written you will find yourself skipping pages in this book. Gary spends a great deal of time telling you about the characters habits, backpacking, flower pots, pets and such in much more detail than he does about the actual company and magazine.

   OK, but a VERY quick read.




3. Wired, a romance is a fascinating tale. Author Wolf is a contributing editor at WIRED magazine and he tells this story with an insider's viewpoint. No doubt WIRED changed modern journalism, but how much did it contribute to the bluff and fluff of the Dot Com era that soaked so many average investors? That's a tale that Wolf never quite measures up in. More business data would have been helpful. But we get the flavor of the times. WIRED should have and actually DID see the diversification of the communications world and the convergence of telecom, film, records, books and more. They did issues on BIOTECH and covered new technologies but the flavor of the time was DOT COM and somehow they became entwined in the not com aspect of what went wrong in the 90's. Wolf's viewpoint is only part of the larger story of why they didn't go public and how they managed to sell out for a fortune to Conde Nast. It's a pleasant read but most of us on the seesaw knew the story well. What we need really is a skyhigh view of what it was all about and the good and the bad and the ugly that evolved from that Silicon Valley bubble that almost blew us all away.



4. This book is well written and an easy read - it's hard to put the book down. Wired-A Romance is a story about the people who started the cutting edge magazine Wired. People interested in the beginning of the Internet revolution should find the book fascinating. Also, people interested in the business of starting a company and seeing where the big monetary payoff comes will also find it worthwhile.

   The founder of Wired, Louis Rossetto, is strong-willed man and in the early 1990's has a definite view on how the world will change with the upcoming wired revolution. Rossetto's vision and character are essential for the magazine's quick success, but later these same traits almost cost the magazine's investors dearly.

   An interesting tale by a talented writer. I recommend this book.

3 comments about Charles And Me.

1. I bought this book to see how a world-famous TV personality could lead a parallel romantic life for many years in Montana unknown to his wife and children in New York. The writer does not broach the question with any depth at all. Essentially she writes of travel, menues, decorating, designing cabins and yards, itemizations of wildlife seen, and on through out the book. There aren't any insights on conflicting relationships that I could identify. I wouldn't buy it a second time.



2. When Charles Kuralt died in July 1997, I cried. At the end of 1997, when the annual obituaries were listed, I cried again. Okay, I really liked Charles Kuralt.

   I'm an avid flyfisher and I am spending the whole summer in Twin Bridges, Montana, not far from Charles and Pat's ranch, the Bluebird Wildlife Sanctuary.

   Needless to say, I was fascinated by this book. I do have some hesitation in recommending it wholeheartedly, however, to anyone not a Kuralt or Montana fan. Some of the details are rather sketchy, especially where the late 80s and early 90s are concerned. The story started out strong, kind of faded out and then came back strong after Charles died.

   All in all, I'm glad Pat Shannon wrote this book. Pick it up. I think you'll like it.




3. I was an avid fan of Charles Kuralt and now I'm Pat Shannon's fan too. What a wonderful writer she is! With elegance and grace, she writes of her long relationship with Charles - telling her side of the story that made headlines a few years ago. And telling his side too. I enjoyed this book immensely -