3 comments about White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters.

1. Not your normal, outside-the-classroom reading, but pick it up. If you're even the slightest bit interested in politics, Washington, or behind-the-scenes anecdotes of the Presidency, this is a must-read.



2. This is an insightful, detailed and well balanced history of the relationships between American presidents and the people who write their speeches. Mr. Schlesinger interviewed more than 90 speechwriters and other aides. He devotes a separate chapter to each president from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to George Walker Bush.
   
   Raymond Moley wrote about FDR: "My job from the beginning . . . was to sift proposals for him, discuss facts and ideas with him, and help him crystallize his own policy. Schlesinger writes that FDR believed "policies and words are inextricably linked -- the former cannot be conjured in the absence of the latter." FDR's speechwriters were "advisers as well as wordsmiths."
   
   Truman continued FDR's practices; speeches were written at meetings "at which most of his principal advisers, including Dean Acheson, were present, and during which policy was really and carefully shaped through its articulation."
   
   Over time the job evolved. "As television eclipsed radio as the nation's medium, as the White House staff grew from a handful to a sprawling group of specialized cadres, and, of course, as each president has dealt with it in his own way."
   
   For awhile, the role of the speechwriter was something of a secret. John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address was in nearly final form. But he pretended to be writing a first draft of it in longhand to give a leading reporter the impression that he, not Theodore Sorensen, was the major author.
   
   Johnson continued the secrecy tradition. Richard Goodwin remembers that "the finest moments of my life in politics" were spent writing an address leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. "It is not just Negroes, but it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we . . . shall . . . overcome." Johnson [and Goodwin] made black protest his own.
   
   Reporters were told that Johnson himself wrote the speech, but the speech was Mr. Goodwin's work. He had worked closely with Johnson for a year and, Goodwin wrote later, Goodwin had drawn on his own knowledge of Johnson -- "not merely his views, but his manner of expression, patterns of reasoning, the natural cadences of his speech. [My goal was] to heighten and polish -- illuminate, as it were -- his inward beliefs and natural idiom, to attain . . . an authenticity of expression.... the document was pure Johnson."
   
   Nixon broke with the secrecy tradition and "established the first formally structured White House speechwriting office, called the Writing and Research Department, or in Nixon's words, "the PR department". Schlesinger writes that the writers were rarely consulted on policy matters. In fact, Nixon wrote speeches on his own with little or no input from the speechwriting office.
   
   Schlesinger writes that speechwriters had little involvement in the making of policy and only limited access to the president in most of the administrations that followed Nixon's. For example, "Ronald Reagan's speechwriters had diminishing access to a president who was remote from even his closest aides. [But Reagan] had presented a clear ideology and style so they had gotten his voice even though they might go months without seeing him."
   
   Schlesinger argues that George Herbert Walker Bush, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford were not very concerned with their speeches. Mr. Bush disliked "high-flying" rhetoric and rarely practiced them in advance. Mr. Carter "didn't much like the idea of using [speechwriters], ever." President Ford "rarely faced up to the fact that making a major address is one of the most important things a President does," according to his chief speechwriter, Robert Hartmann. Journalist John Hersey was "profoundly disturbed by what seemed to me the aimlessness of [Ford's] speechwriting session."
   
   Bill Clinton returned to involving speechwriters in the making of policy. "There was more crossover between the speechwriters and policy aides than in any presidency since [LBJ's]. . . . Clinton preferred to work on speeches with aides who could answer substantive questions about policy." But Clinton often ad libbed, spoke in public often, and in practice devalued his own words.
   
   According to Schlesinger, George W. Bush recognizes the importance of speeches: "He put a great deal of time and energy into speech preparation and faith in his speechwriters."
   
   Schlesinger believes that Presidential speeches are important to educate and persuade the public and to force decisions and clarify policies within the executive branch. Schlesinger believes that by divorcing speechwriters from policy making, recent presidents may be depriving themselves of a useful tool for achieving their objectives.
   
   Whatever your views of the value of speechwriters, this is a fascinating and insightful view of the American presidency.
   
   Robert C. Ross, 2008



3. Schlesinger has summarized the presidencies from FDR to W. How each president used, or not, the skills of their respective 'ghosts' shows one and all that words do matter; as well as the wisdom of our first executives when it came to choosing their wordsmiths. Witty and full of details, each chapter of this book is a joy. Indeed, this a must read.

5 comments about Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

1. This is an extremely timely book for anyone who wants to know Barack Obama--who he is, where he came from, the forces that shaped him--all the things the Smear Machine doesn't want you to know at this time. Very readable & intriguing. Wonderfully well-written. Basically tells his life story from birth to the Illinois Senate race. Tells you where his head, heart, and passions lie.



2. It seemed to be in my best interest to find out something more than that Oprah seemed to think Senator Obama was a man of great importance. I found this book fascinating; a sensitive account of his tremendous drive to help people rather than sit behind a high paying desk job and living the life as such. Obama and Hillary seemed driven to help our country as youngsters. Open your mind and heart to Obama and read this book as well as others about our candidates.



3. A different view of the black experience. The story of a 'black' boy who is the exact opposite of OJ. This will be the culmination of the civil rights movement no matter how the election turns out.
   Another chapter of "Roots". Another page in Black History.
   An example of what can happen when a black child lives in a liberal atmosphere and when his father is wealthy.



4. enjoyed reading this first book by Obama. Moving story. Well written and gives further insight on an inspirational leader.



5. Obama's book is a must-read for those who want to know the Barack Obama, the man, his character and principles before he becomes our president!

5 comments about Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!.

1. None of our hallowed institutions are safe from the bold and patriotic criticism of Jesse Ventura. And none are sacred unless they deserve to be. While you wait for one to come to mind, do your political soul some good and read this man's new book. I found myself cheering over the author's unique wit as he pulled no punches in detailing the recent criminal escapades of our government. He gives them the hell they deserve.
   
   The book is a first-class page turner, romping through the real-life and political experiences of the former Governor of Minnesota who, at heart, relates well to the working class hero. As one who seems to pull for the underdog, he attempted to change things in Minnesota and that usually creates discomfort for people who don't understand the need for change. Hence, he received lots of criticism. But you've gotta love him for being his own man saying what he knows to be the truth.
   
   Of course, the idea of a Ron Paul / Jesse Ventura 2008 Presidential ticket has been mentioned. I'm not sure that either man would agree, but this just seems like an America-saving ticket to me, as both are excellent at articulating the core problems to the people and speaking vital truth to power. If there were ever two books that every voter should read and pass around it's this one, and Ron Paul's THE REVOLUTION, A MANIFESTO.
   
   Jesse, please come back and do it! We need someone with huevos man!
   
   PS - Another Amazon book recommendation: 9-11 CONTRADICTIONS: An Open Letter to Congress and the Press, by David Ray Griffin.
   They did it, we know it.



2. FINALLY, THE TRUTH ABOUT the SAD shape of this country! If ONLY we had a President that had the SAME CANDOR as Jesse Ventura! It's time to start over! What we have IS NOT WORKING! Way to go GOVERNOR!



3. Jesse is clearly well on his way toward figuring out that all is not as we were told. He sees the 911 coverup. He experienced firsthand the CIA meddling in domestic affairs outside of their supposed mandate. He saw and relates in the book many of the inconsistencies of controlled, two-party politics in cahoots with a completely controlled mass media that prevent the American people from learning the truth. So, for the most part, he does get it.
   
   But Jesse still has a ways to go. He bought the global warming scam hook, line, and sinker. He still thinks there are bad, old Islamic terrorists out there waiting to kill us in our sleep. He hasn't yet figured out that the terrorists are the Establishment. He hasn't seen their global, long term agenda: global enslavement and depopulation of the planet by 80%. It's hard for regular people, let alone one conditioned by military training, to see our government as anything other than a benevolent father. Wake up, America! The Forth Reich has arrived, it is here in the USA, and we are the new jews. They already have camps for us, did you know?
   
   Hang in there, Jesse. Keep doing your research. You'll see the evil in its full glory soon. I just hope you live to see it. God help us all.



4. This book contains some fascinating accounts of events throughout Jesse Ventura's adult life, including numerous vignettes of his time as governor of Minnesota. He also freely expresses his concerns for the state of our nation, its foreign and domestic policies, and its future. As Jesse is also a veteran of the Navy Seals, one can hardly write these concerns off as "unpatriotic." He calls things as he sees them, a quality rarely found in the media today! If you have an inquiring mind, you will probably enjoy this book.



5. I just finished 'Revolution' and not only do I agree with Ventura's logic and righteousness, but I learned a few things, such as what a bicameral congress is and the advantages of sales taxation vs. income taxation (and why we need these things). Also, I've long been a fan of removing the electoral college. It's a passé and gerrymandered hoax as is clearly pointed out, especially via Bush 2000.
   
   Ventura and Russell articulate more clearly than anything else I've seen so many important points about how our government is mismanaged, but also how to fix it.
   
   The book is a great political education handbook wrapped in an entertaining and thoughtful sheath. I couldn't think of a better book to get people interested and informed about the political process. Typically, the types of points that Jesse makes are buried in esoteric libertarian and constitutional literature and the such, not taught in schools.
   
   If this book gets enough circulation it will raise the consciousness of the populace. And my god do we need a more educated and involved populace. Especially, in light of the media blackout on meaningful subject matter.
   
   So as America burns, our future is squandered to benefit the few and the media ceaselessly focuses on Brittany Spears cavorting about aimlessly, "Don't start the revolution without me either!" It's going to take a revolution to fix this mess.

4 comments about The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century.

1. I enjoyed this book a lot - It's a fascinating history of a family's rise from nothing to high influence in Saudi Arabia. Steve Coll and his team have researched this very well and provide a high resolution story of the Bin Laden family. By their close association to the Royal Family, we find out about the secretive ways in which decisions are/were made.
   
   The middle east is a vastly different place from any other on earth - here's a great insight into a very different culture. If you're into the history of interesting places that influence your every day life, this will not disappoint.
   
   Not sure why a previous reviewer felt compelled to review his life in Saudi instead of the book, but for sure the book is more interesting than his life.



2. Here are 671 well written pages about the family we wish we did not know. Unfortunately, the American (and World) public know of the evil Osama even if none of the other family members rest in our memories.
   
   Steve Coll gives us more insight into that family than we really need, but, we are craving to know. He does it so well that it does not take as long to read over 600 pages than one might think.
   
   The reader will be "pleased" when it is revealed that Osama's father died in a plane crash in 1988.
   
   Author of Mr. NewHeart (New Heart): Heart Attack to Transplant and Beyond
   
   
   I also recommend A Step of Faith - an inspiring story to help get you through the month.



3. What a tale. Except it is all true. Whereas Mike Moore threw out facts without much context, Coll provides well-researched history and explanations, making our weird relationship with The House of Saud that much more clear. And Murky.
   
   The Bin Laden Family is far more complex and interesting than I would have thought possible, and as alien and strange, when compared to western society, as you could imagine.
   
   This is an important book, one that provide the curious with information, background, and a glimmer of understanding as to how Osama became who he was, and how his family life, Muslim marital and divorce practices, and the strange, complex, and bizarre entity we know as the Bin Laden family came to be.
   
   The only thing worse than learning how US policies led to 9/11 is seeing how we have coddled and knowingly supported one of the most corrupt family dictatorships in the world - the Sauds. Eye-opening, fascinating and hard to put down. I highly recommend this book.



4. a must-read for those who missed the connections- or- those who want a insightful review of the rise to power of the el Sauds and the Bin Ladens in the Arabian peninsula in the last century

5 comments about War and Decision: Inside the Pentagon at the Dawn of the War on Terrorism.

1. I have now finished the book but the number of negative reviews posted here still suggests that half a review by someone who has read the book carefully was better than what else is on offer so far. I have not altered my comments since reading the rest but have a few additional observations. This is a personal story of Feith's career in the DoD, before and during the Iraq War. He comments on contacts with others but he does not offer general statements or philosophy about matters that he is not personally familiar with. He does, however, offer some conclusions at the end about what was done well and what the mistakes were. He is honest about identifying his opinions and what he believes to be facts. This is a source document for the history that will be eventually written, hopefully fairly, about this period. I marked a number of sections because they impact the mythology of the war as illustrated in the other reviews and comments.
   
   He is critical of Colin Powell, and especially, Richard Armitage, who seemed not to be as concerned with the post-Saddam situation yet who resisted anyone else treading on their turf. His first skirmish was in 2002 (page 173) when he attempted to set up an office, called Office of Strategic Influence, to counteract the Islamist propaganda about why violent jihad was becoming a threat. Some went back to the old "root causes" excuse yet the Saudi hijackers of 9/11 were upper middle class educated men. His effort came to naught when the office was attacked in a strategic leak from within the administration, followed by a sensational NY Times article that accused them of planning to spread false information. Another similar article was printed recently about another DoD effort to reach Muslims with honest information. In his conclusions, he points out that we still do not have any serious effort to counter jihadist rhetoric.
   
   He refutes (page 197) another charge, prominent in another review here, that Chalabi was a "creature" of DoD and Feith was his "sponsor." One would think that the fact the Chalabi has been a major official in the Iraq government would put to rest that old CIA smear but it lives on on Amazon pages. He tells the story of CIA incompetence and the firestorm created when a 20-year DIA expert on his staff wrote a critical briefing (page 265) pointing out how CIA had ignored links between Saddam and al Qeada before the war. On page 278, he recounts another example of State's conflicted thinking where they advise against an "occupation" but their antipathy toward the "externals" (exiles like Chalabi) leads them to plan for a "many year" occupation and rule before an Iraqi government can be set up. The insurgency gained force from resentment at that policy. He points out with some understandable satisfaction that the "externals," including the Kurds who CIA predicted would not be accepted by other Iraqis, constituted almost the entire interim government that took over from Bremer and the CPA in 2004.
   
   He has some mixed opinions about Paul Bremer, pointing out how Bremer took too much authority, resisting any consultation with Rumsfeld, his superior in the chain-of-command, and made a number of serious mistakes. The most serious one was excluding the Iraqis from governing their own country for as long as he did. The insurgency might never have gained the support of so much of the Sunni population had the "Occupation" not been so obvious.
   
   I don't say this is the last word and Feith seems to resist many generalizations. This is an objective account and very valuable. He has his deficiencies. The most serious is the fact the he never mentions the tribal nature of the Iraqi society. This was a major mistake in the early history of our post-Saddam attempts to govern the country and fight the insurgency.
   
   I have read many books on this subject and the ones I respect, beginning with The Threatening Storm by Kenneth Pollack, all mostly agree. For example, another review here mentions Bob Baer and his book about Aghanistan and Gary Berntsen and "Jawbreaker" also about Afghanistan. I have read both books and Baer, in particular, dismisses his CIA bosses pointing out the lack of language skills in CIA. This lack, and the ignorance of the culture, was a major factor in the CIAs poor performance in Iraq and is discussed by Feith. He is chiefly critical of CIA implying that their information was better sourced than it was. They concealed how few assets they had in Iraq (none) and led others astray who placed more faith in their reports than was warranted. Better to confess ignorance than mislead.
   
   The dissent, like some of the other reviews here, comes with plenty of invective and obscenity but few facts. I still think this is an important book that anyone trying to understand our policy on fighting militant Islam should read. I'm sure Feith is evening a few scores here but he marshals lots of facts and refers to other documents to support his conclusions. This is an essential book, not least because he is such a controversial figure. The abuse he has taken from partisans is outrageous. At one point (page 388) he mentions a particularly odious slur attributed to Colin Powell by Bob Woodward in which Feith's office in the DoD is described as "a Gestapo office" ignoring the fact that Feith's father was a Holocaust survivor. Powell denied making the remark and apologized to Feith, whom he had known for 20 years, but the tone was set.



2. At last, a sensible, informed history from one of the responsible participants in these events.
   
   I think it is skilfully written and I found it a joy to read, not just for the language mastery and informed history, but for the careful clarity, perspective, humility and sensitive care in purpose. I think it is a valuable insight into some truly capable people in action; standing up, discerning and doing the right thing, and doing their best, even when its really challenging, even when there is voluminous opposition, and when the stakes are very, very high. People who will find a way to rise and meet a challenge no matter how high, and some who don't. I found it exciting and inspiring to read, and a wonderful example of how to behave well that I will treasure.
   
   Clearly, the integrity of the free world was in some fine hands here.
   
   I loved it. Thanks.



3. The inside story of a defining moment of American character. Want to know what Colin Powel is really like? Want to know how much control the President really has over foreign policy? Read it.



4. Fact #1: State Dept is competent & trustworthy (anonymous sources say so)
   Fact #2: CIA is competent & trustworthy (anonymous sources say so)
   Fact #3: DoD is secretive and incompetent (anonymous sources say so)
   So how can anyone write a book that disproves those facts?
   Well, actually, it turns out it's really really easy to disprove those facts.



5. Wow this is an important definiton of managed major media news -- as well ad the agenda driven, risk adverse CIA and Department of State -- "Let's go along and get along, we will pay the consequences some other time" and "My mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts.
   
   I marvel at the detail of notes and memory of the author -- some times a bit more than needed to make the point. So, we are required to do a bit of digging through the meetings and conversations to get to the meat. But so be it.
   
   The author also defines that one of the unfortunate points in the Iraq war coverage is the administration's lack of P.R. capabilities, leaving the public to the twisted interpretation of the initiation and conduct of the war to the major news media.

3 comments about Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History.

1. I know Ted Sorensen well, so what I have to say about his extraordinary personal history is obviously being written as a friend and admirer. As a friend, I can say that Ted speaks truth to power; as an admirer, I can say that he speaks truth forcefully and candidly. He was arguably John Kennedy's alter ego. At the very least, Ted was the man who shaped JFK's lyrical, intellectually vigorous speeches. But Ted was also a canny adviser, the lawyer who marshaled his facts well, made the connections between random thoughts and workable ideas, and produced a consistent body of work for the president he loved and trusted. Ted once told me that not a day goes by without him thinking of JFK -- of the man JFK was, and about what might have been. Like his late friend Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Ted occupied an honored place at the table in Camelot. What his memoir makes plain -- in his own special, witty way -- is how much Ted shaped JFK's Camelot itself.



2. I know Ted Sorensen through our common support of Barack Obama and was eager to read this magnificent biography. I bought it on Tuesday, May 6 the first day it was published and I didn't put it down ( with the exception of eating, showering and sleeping about four hours each of the last two nights) until a few hours ago when I finished reading it.
   
   It is a magnificent opus. The writing is superb. Rarely do the heart and head come together so well without sacrificing or compromising either.
   
   Modest without being falsely self effacing, this truly is an indispensable book for any American citizen or world citizen. And its an absolute must for any political junkie from Al Franken to Ann Coulter.
   
   Stop what you're doing. Run out and get it. Its a great gift for anyone's birthday in May (June is too late -- its that good).
   
   Ted Sorensen is a historical figure in his own right. He was indispensable to Kennedy and now to Obama.
   
   There are many reasons to read this book. Not just for its great insights with an unobscured and unobstructed perspective, but because of new information into the life of JFK whose reputation will be enhanced by this near reverential but still candid volume.
   
   A mutual friend of Ted Sorensen's just forwarded me the first reviews including the Wall Street Journal. To say they were raves is to understate them. Also, the respected art historian and biographer, Gail Levin (Distinguished Professor at Baruch College, City University of New York and the preeminent scholarly authority on Edward Hopper)thinks the book is terrific. Gail Levin holds the same professorship as the late Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., (the Pulitzer Prize winning historian and colleague of Sorensen) and Billy Collins( twice the poet laureate of the United States).



3. The well-written memoirs of a man forever to be identified with John F. Kennedy's political career, especially the White House days. While not telling all, this book is the candid product of a bright, honest, but still politically driven man, a 1960s liberal, who writes in the twilight of his life.
   
   Mr. Sorensen is one of the last living central participants of JFK's Administration and his story would have value for this fact alone. Readers wishing to learn about presidential political campaigning, the art of speech writing, and more on such important historical events as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the presidential transition from JFK to LBJ will profit from reading this book.
   
   While material on his later private law practice is not as interesting as the rest of the text, this is only to be expected. In terms of his post White House career, I did find of value his description of his ill-fated nomination by President Carter as DCI and noted the fact there is little mention of President Clinton's years. (A prominent picture of Senator Obama and Ted Sorensen is in this book. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that the author sees the current junior senator from Illinois as his pick for this year's Democratic Party nominee for president--and the direct and true successor to JFK's legacy.)

5 comments about Infidel.

1. I found this book to be spell binding. It is the best explanation of Islam and it's role in society today that I've ever read. I think it should be required reading in high schools and universities all over American.



2. If you're interested in an inside look at the way Muslim women are viewed and treated, this is a book you need to read. Ayaan Ali's writing is engaging from the first sentence. Although many of her experiences were shocking and sad, she doesn't wallow in self pity. She's a woman to be admired for telling the truth about a controversial subject.



3. I found Infidel absolutely riveting! The early mapping of clans, and their names was somewhat difficult to follow, but necessary to the story line. This woman speaks the unspeakable which nearly cost her her life and still may. She makes us realize that just the ability to think and have opinions is not a right, it's a privlege we westerners take for granted. She is an inspiration in honesty and courage that sets the bar very high for the rest of us.



4. Ms. Hirsi Ali is an amazing woman and at the top of my list of heroes. She struggled against religious oppression and sexism by leaving her home, her family, her community, her country. Having developed an exemplary life and career in the Netherlands, She learned English, became a member of the Dutch parliament, yet she didn't sit back and enjoy her new life of freedom, which she had worked so hard and risked her life to attain. Instead, she became an articulate writer speaking out against Islam, making her a target for murder by radical Islamists and causing her to have to leave the Netherlands and live her life under armed guard. She did this in an attempt to educate others about the reality of Islam and to speak out on behalf of women, who are enslaved within Islamic countries because of religious beliefs. Ms. Hirsi Ali is a hero for sacrificing her own freedom in an effort to end the enslavement of others. The book is a real eye opener and a must read if one wishes insight into the Middle East.



5. A revealing and insightful book by a courageous woman. I wrote in my novel Standup Comedian: The Secret and Beyond "Believing God condones inhumanity is foolish. Believing God needs a man's help to run the world is vanity."
   
   Sadly, in the West such thinking still exists, but sadder still is how deeply such rot permeates thinking, or should I say, lack of thinking, in other areas. Show me a third world country and I will show you a country that doesn't educate their women. Half the mind power of such nations is wasted.
   
   Fortunately for mankind Ayaan Hirsi Ali escaped and is free to speak out against discrimination; sexual, religious, political,and racial. Everyone should read this book.
   
   Kenneth Ray Taylor author of Beyond the Shadow of Death: Book One of the Adam Eden Series

5 comments about John Adams.

1. This is an excellent book about a man that I previously knew very little about. Very interesting and flows well. It gave me a new perspective on some other historical figures as well, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. I highly recommend this book.



2. I can't put the book down. It's a well written story, very entertaining and educational. I'm learning so much about our founding fathers and the birth of this nation that I didn't learn in school.



3. Of course it is only a metaphorical question, but if there were more politicians around who adored their wife and their country, America would be a pretty different place. He said what he thought and he thought deeply. He had a strict moral obligation to his God, country and his family and would never consider going against any of these things. This book reveals all these things about a complicated man. It is not a dry academic novel but a fascinating story. You cannot find too many of these out there and I have had to read many of those to get through bachelors degree and halfway through my masters. One of the things that impressed me the most was the level with which he treated his wife. In the time that he lived this was phenomenal.



4. There are many more erudite descriptions of John Adams. I decided to write a review because it is my favorite non-fiction book and I felt that the HBO series took the wind out of Adams' sails in so many ways. The HBO miniseries, which I long awaited, bored me to tears. There was none of the excitement in the series that I read in the book. Paul Giamatti's Adams could not speak above a whisper and did not convey, at least to me, the spirit of John Adams, which I read in 2001 and still remember vividly. John Adams had such an interesting and varied life, that to distill it as it was done in the HBO series leaves the viewer questioning how this complex man was anything more than a bombastic autocrat.
   
   David McCullough's use of primary sites and his use of the many letters written to his wife Abigail makes this book one of the most memorable and romantic of all the founding fathers. He clearly writes about his personal life - his treatment of his children, the favoritism of John Quincy, his life-long love affair with his wife and their juxtaposition with his duty to his fledgling country as well as his interest in his own epitaph. He brings to life a human who was so multi-faceted and brings most of those facets to life.
   
   I am not an historian, so I realize there are many things missing knowledge of John Adams. However, that which was included was readable, interesting and kept me turning those many pages with ease.



5. David McCullough is to history was John Grisham is to literature: he's lite fare, easily digestable but not particulary nourishing. To me, the book seemed like a watered-down and streamlined portrayal of an important historical figure. It's reasonable well-written and moves along at a good clip; it just seems superficial. I guess that's o.k. if your target audience is people who don't normally read history. If you fall into that category, the JA is probably the book for you. Personally, however, I usually like to read "serious" works of history. History-lite just doesn't seem worth my time....
   
   Not terrible but not recommended.

5 comments about The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.

1. The audiobook version of Senator Obama's book is thoughtful and literate. It's about time we had a presidential candidate who can write and speak well on his own without the need for co-writers or ghostwriters. His life and success so far is proof of the truth of America's promise to all. Read this and his earlier autobiography of his younger years to understand the man and his view of the nation and the world we live in. With men (or women) such as him at the helm, we might again return to a positive position at home and abroad.



2. Whether you've been swept up by Obama mania or are just curious, this book is a must read. So inspiring, informative and well written that I would recommend it to anyone regardless of your political persuasion. I was just learning about Senator Obama when I picked up this book, but it definitely piqued my interest in him. I can see that he must have been a wonderful professor, he seems a natural teacher and this book shows not only that aspect, but his sense of humor and intelligence.



3. Barack Obama is sitting with his hands clasped together. He is wearing a grey suit with no tie. The background color is sort of an off-white.



4. first of all .. my thoughts on Bush:
   once Bush came over and we played some WII. It was fun because he was the one person I could beat without ever having played.
   we then had a nice conversation.. I talked about growing up in indonesia and he responded: "yeah, Dell has a bunch of their phone call centers over there in 'PUNE-JAB' i hear"
   .. then there was the awkward silence where i wasnt sure if i should correct him or let it slide.
   
   obama is much more fun though....
   he came over once too. I talked about growing up in indonesia and he says: "so.. you're on our side! great!"
   ... then we did the secret handshake and parted ways.
   
   oh.. as for the book... dont bother.. wait for the movie.
   In the movie John McCain will play the part of Colonel Tigh & Obama is Baltar. If you dont see Obama as Baltar.. you may be a cylon.



5. I recently walked the way to and from my car, to and from work while listening to the audio book version of "The Audacity of Hope." Obama proved to offer hope and inspiration to get through things, the kind of hope and inspiration the United States is in need of these days. Hearing his voice throughout the chapters offered the comfort that aggressive talk lacks, the kind that the political campaign sometimes misses.
   
   In "The Audacity of Hope," Barack Obama makes me want to be the voter that I still am not (I am not yet a U.S. citizen). He helps me dream of a better United States, one that is not an impossibility but a very plausible country where leadership is in contact with the priorities and hopes of the people and the world.

5 comments about The Revolution: A Manifesto.

1. There is quality healthcare, there is universal healthcare, and there is affordable healthcare. You can have any two, but you cannot have all three.
   Dr. Paul obviously doesn't bat 1.000 (who does?) but what he, alone of the candidates, does do, is focus attention on the Constitution, which, may I remind, they have all sworn to uphold.



2. Ron Paul's eagerly awaited new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, is already rising to the top of the charts.
   
   The Ron Paul Revolution among millions of dedicated Americans from every age group, socioeconomic, ethnocultural background is a true political phenomenon.
   
   Ron Paul has an exceptional ability to discuss complex economic and political issues in an easy to understand presentation.
   
   My highest recommendation: *****



3. Thank God for Rep. Ron Paul. Finally someone that will lay it out on the line. This book is straightforward and to the point. There is no political BS when it comes to the Good Doctor's words. It is a shame we don't have more people like him in Congress. Do yourselve a favor and read this book if have not already.



4. Even if it is a hard concept, only the truth will make sense when explaining it. When you read this book, everything will become clear. There is so much dis-information out there, even in places that you wouldn't expect it. Do yourself a great favor and read "The Revolution". You will begin to see why it is not really that revolutionary.



5. This book is easy to read and understand
   It has a viewpoint not available with McCain, Clinton or Obama or any other member of congress. It clearly presents our real problems and how we can begin to solve them as our country teeters on the edge of bankruptcy. We don't just need a change. We have had a change before within the government's revolving door as the Republocrat groups change places but nothing else really changes (like the army that changes underwear every month-Jones you change with Smith, Peters you change with Johnson). What we need is a continuation of the Revolution that freed us from King George but who has now morphed into a new despot in the form of an unyielding federal government. A revolution where the constitution is revitalized and the people are back in control
   Viva the revolution!