5 comments about Hugo Black: A Biography.

1. From his time as a United States Senator to his retirement from the Supreme Court in 1971 Hugo Black was never boring. His career was marked by a willingness to defend those who needed a defense. As a successful attorney in Birmingham Black refused to represent large corporations, only individuals who desperately needed his help. As a Senator Black argued for legislation to help the same group of people. And as a Supreme Court Justice Black became known as the leading libertartian of his time. Roger Newman captures Black brilliantly, both as a man and as a public figure. Newman looks at Black dispassionately during good times and bad. From his time in the KKK thru his tenure on the court, Newman's analysis is honest and insightful. If you are interested in the Supreme Court or American history this book is a must read.



2. This is a towering work on the life of Justice Black, who, more than any other man, shaped our concept of what civil liberties were in the late 20th century.

   While author Roger K. Newman clearly worships Justice Black, he isn't blind to the almost inexplicable inconsistencies in Black's thinking: how, for example, the civil libertarian who fought to extend the prohibitions of the Bill of Rights to state action could dismiss the importance of the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable search and seizure! Newman's account of Black's voyage from lifetime membership in the Ku Klux Klan to champion of equal rights is a much more clear-eyed look at the inherent contradictions thereof than Black's own fumbling efforts to explain his paradigm shift.

   The author strikes a delicate balance between the intricacies of legal reasoning (of probable interest only to law students like myself) and simple storytelling which will fascinate the uninitiated. He tells you enough, but not too much!

   This book amply fulfills the primary purpose of all recent histories--it gives the reader a much clearer understanding of how we got where we are today from where we were at the turn of the last century.




3. Justice Black was (and is) a fascinating study in American constitutional theory -- an unabashed and lifelong Democrat, Black surprised many, especially toward the end of his life, when he often refused to join in the Warren court's adventures into judicial activism. Newman's biography is comprehensive, touching on all the key points of Black's life both on and off the bench, including a lenghty examination of his now-famous First Amendment jurisprudence. Black emerges in three dimensions, as a complicated and passionate advocate and jurist. Three minor flaws: first, Newman, obviously in awe of Black, occasionally misses an opportunity to fairly criticize some of his opinions; secondly, the book does not always flow smoothly, but often advances in a rough, staccato fashion (a venial flaw, considering the complicated subject matter). Finally, toward the end of the book, Newman becomes somewhat overly-sentimental - hardly a page goes by without Newman describing the "tears pouring down Black's face" as he recalls his youth and public service. Again, given the author's clear love of his subject, this is forgiveable.

   Overall, a fantastic book - a must read for any Supreme Court scholar.




4. What more can you say to attract a reader than this book is the story of a southern lawyer who begins as a member of the Ku Klax Klan in Alabama and ends his career as one of the most respected members of the United States Supreme Court. WOW! The truth IS stranger than fiction.

   This book was written by one of Justice Black's former law clerks on the Court. It is well-written and gives great insight into the man, his methods, convictions, passions, and flaws.

   Highly recommended for those who are fans of the Court's jurisprudence during the era of expanding protection of individual rights.




5. I had a great Constitutional law professor while I was in law school. He had all these stories of the Supreme Court behind the scenes, and it brought the law to life. So I started to look around for Supreme Court biographies. About 6 years later, I'm still reading them. This is the best I have come across. Love him or hate him, Hugo Black is one of the 10 most important Justices in history, most would agree. More than that--he had a strong, controversial, well-thought-out point of view about the law, though he was friends with many people who absolutely disagreed with him. He is interesting to conservatives and liberals alike and he challenges us to use our brains because he doesn't fit neatly into modern ideas of what it is to be Republican or Democrat. For instance, he's known as a "judicial activist," but he was a textualist (like Scalia). He's also something of an original intent guy (though he doesn't ignore the Amendments like the 14th Amendment that were passed long after the "founding fathers" died). He didn't believe in what's called "substantive due process"---the notion of fairness that many jurists find in the Constitution's due process clause(s). In other words---abortion, gay rights, right to die, anything labeled as a privacy right---he had his views on what the law SHOULD be but...well, as Hugo said (paraphrasing): "I like my privacy as much as the next man, but I don't find it in the Constitution." Also, he wrote Korematsu, the opinion that allowed the government to put Japanese-Americans into internment camps during the war years. Along with Justice Douglas, he was the most vigorous protector of the First Amendment free speech rights that the Court has ever had. He was banned for years from Alabama because of his assistance in desegregaing the nation and providing equal protection to African Americans (which is interesting in light of his KKK past). Thus, if you're a fan of the liberal Warren Court era OR a fan of Scalia and Thomas's modern/throwback textualist and originalist ideas, there is much for you to learn. That aside, Hugo's story was fascinating. Other reviewers have remarked on his KKK and New Deal Senator past. He was also one of the longest sitting Justices---30 years or so. This book is an easy read and you'll get a feel for Hugo's PERSONALITY, not just his actions. (I think of him as "Hugo" rather than Justice Black because I think of him as a friend...and that's due to this book).

3 comments about Phoenix: Lawful Revolution: Louis Kossuth and the Hungarians 1848-1849.

1. When I saw the title, I expected to be in for a treat. Louis Kossuth was a very interesting personality, and there really is scant information in English available. Istvan Deak missed a golden opportunity to do justice to this towering figure instead offering a jargon-filled, bone dry account of the revolution with little offered in the way of background information or context. This is not a book for the layman, while the specialist will find little new covered in the book.



2. A solid introduction for the English-speaking world to revolution of 1848-1849 in Hungary and to its charismatic leader Kossuth, written by a well-received Columbia University historian.
   
   Highly recommended.



3. We can see through Kossuth's eyes how the Revolution progressed. If you thought you knew the backgrounds of the Hungarian revolution, read this. It is a must for anyone who wants to understand this crucial phase of Hungarian history.
   The book itself is nicely written, yet sometimes a bit slow, so given the fact that the word concise has nothing to do with it, you'll need some time.

5 comments about 1001 Nights in Iraq: The Shocking Story of an American Forced to Fight for Saddam Against the Country He Loves.

1. I met Shant Kenderian in the Gulf War. He braved many dangers, and many hardships. I met him and his family again last July in LA, Calif. when I was coming home from a 27 day trip to Viet Nam and Thailand. He still is a wonderful man. God had blessed him. His faith in God pulled him through many hardships. It was a wonderful reunion after 15 years. He remembered things in his book that I had forgot.His book is an easy read. First hand stories of his trials and experiences. Again God has blessed him and also God blessed me for knowing him.



2. There's a popular saying that "truth is stranger than fiction." In the case of Shant Kenderian, the saying certainly applies. In his nonfiction book (once the most popular selling book on BookSurge before being picked up by publisher Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster), Kenderian recounts his own tale of being drafted to fight a war against his own country.
   
   Born in Iraq as an Armenian Christian (already an outsider in a country populated with Muslims), when his parents divorced, Kenderian went to live with his mother and siblings in Chicago. Like many children of divorce, he felt torn between his parents, and after two years of living in the United States, he decided to go to Iraq for a brief visit in 1980. His goal was to see his father and reconcile their acrimonious relationship (because of his parents' divorce) before returning to the US to complete his schooling. Days before he was due to return to the US, Saddam Hussein closed all the Iraqi borders, ordering all men of draft age (between 17-55) into service to fight for Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War. Under the threat of execution for refusing to serve, Kenderian did his time in the Iraqi Navy and returned to Baghdad, where he continued his studies in engineering while awaiting the issuance of his green card from the US Embassy.
   
   Two days before he was scheduled to depart Iraq, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, thus pulling Kenderian into yet another war (Desert Storm) before he could leave. Thus begins the saga that is recounted in "1001 Nights in Iraq." As an Iraqi-born US resident, Shant Kenderian was put in the unenviable position of being forced to fight against the country he loved and considered his own--the United States.
   
   Kenderian recounts with depressing detail his time as an engineer aboard a ship in the Iraqi Navy just off the coast of Kuwait. Forced to service the ship with only a wrench and screwdriver, Kenderian tells of the depravity faced by most soldiers on the Iraqi side of the conflict. Of his crew, only 2 Iraqis of 15 had guns of any sort; Kenderian himself had none. Food was scarce, as were any other sort of supplies. Every day was a nightmare in which the Iraqi soldiers expected death at any moment by the Americans.
   
   Clearly, Kenderian had to do something to change his fate, and so he devised a plan--to surrender to the Americans at the earliest opportunity. Kenderian thus hoped to plead his case as a US resident forced to participate in a war not of his own choosing on a side he would not have selected. Kenderian eventually did get captured by the Americans, but not before his ship struck a mine, killing several of his Iraqi crewmates. However, even his capture by US forces meant extreme hardship. As a prisoner of war (POW), again and again, he was interrogated, forced to live in difficult conditions, and plead his desperate case, to return to his family in the United States.
   
   Despite this unbelievable story, Kenderian never lost his sense of humor, his humanity for others (Iraqi or otherwise), or his faith in God that he would eventually be returned to the country he considered home. Only a man of real courage and compassion could have survived this ordeal to tell this story of resilience and hope. Through his book, Kenderian has opened the door into a world few Americans understand or have experienced. His story been featured on public radio's "This American Life," and truly it is a unique one.



3. I just finished reading Mr. Kenderian's book, and for me as an Iraqi (and Christian), it sheds light on many facts of Iraqis life under Saddam's rule. It is an interesting, must to read, story of a struggle of a man to reach his goals. What impressed me more is the strength of his faith that made him come through all these difficulties (the least his circumstances could be described with).
   However, Mr. Kenderian gave an impression that Armenian Iraqis were treated differently (less favorably) from other Iraqis. I see this as unfair description. Christians in Iraq were always been seen as harmless Iraqis, and I never witnessed or heard that there was any discrimination against them because of their religion or of being Armenians in particular.
   I enjoyed reading this book very much. Thank you Mr. Kenderian



4. This is by far one of the most inspiring books I have read in a while. I am amazed by Mr. Kenderian's strength of character despite all the opportunities and justifications there was to have been less than honorable. It made me realize how much I take living in this country for granted. Yes, we have our flaws but how many other countries to people make such an effort to get to? Please continue to write Mr Kenderian!



5. Let's be clear here about one thing. It is not possible to give a book 6 stars otherwise i would have done so. It is also not possible to rate something according to its peers quality. When I think five stars i think the classics. This book will perhaps be a classic one day. I really was captivated by his story the entire way through, really something else. To put it in perspective I understood the whole bioluminescent thing when i saw it first hand. After seeing it myself i can see what he must have went through mentally, wow!!

No comments about William Lloyd Garrison at Two Hundred (David Brion Davis (Gilder Lehrman)).

5 comments about From Love Field: Our Final Hours with President John F. Kennedy.

1. THIS IS A VERY DISAPPOINTING BOOK - IT COULD HAVE SERVED ITSELF BETTER AS A MAGAZINE ARTICLE - THERE IS TOO MUCH REHASHING OF OLD INFORMATION AND WHAT'S KNEW IS SLIGHT.
   SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GET IT OUT OF YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY.



2. The former First Lady of Texas takes an infamous blot on our history, an event that quite literally changed the world for generations to come, and put it in completely human terms. This is what happened to her and her family. This is how she remembers it. What's more, it's how she experienced it -- from both the front seat of the Lincoln Continental and the corridors of Parkland Hospital. This makes it an invaluable historical record, and a moving account written by a woman who had been fired upon in an open car and held her bleeding husband in her arms. Perhaps it is "slight." I would not have wanted her to embellish or alter her memories of those tragic days just to accommodate readers who measure a book's worth by the number of pages. I did not consider the photographs, the reproduction of her notes nor President Kennedy's undelivered speeches "filler." They lent texture and veracity to her story. And I do not see how anyone can say there is nothing "new" here. She is the only one of those three surviving passengers who discussed what happened at this length with the public. That in and of itself is "new." I appreciate this lady's gallantry and her generosity in contributing her family's history to our country's history. And I was also moved by her son John's recollections of the funeral. It was poignant to read a man nearing 60 recalling the awe, pagentry and pain he experienced while still a teen.



3. Of the many volumes on the subject, I find this book to be the best. Told with charm and grace, Nellie Connally relates the events of November 22, 1963 as only an occupant of that ill-fated Presidential Lincoln could. Devoid of conjecture or theories, we are simply presented with the facts. The Connally's viewpoint from the jumpseats is sobering. Pivotal moments, from Mrs. Connally's last words to President Kennedy to Governor Connally' near fatal wounds to Oswald's emergency room visit after the Jack Ruby shooting are covered in a comfortable format; making one feel that Mrs. Connally is relating the events to you personally. Thank-You, Mrs. Connally.



4. My husband and I had the opportunity yesterday to get our copy of "From Love Field" signed by Mrs. Nellie Connally. What a treat! She is so elegant and eloquent, and gracious to all of her fans. She spoke personably with every single person in line and made everyone feel like they were of interest to her. I started reading her book as soon as I got in the car, and read straight through til I finished it. It is a wonderful book, exactly what you would expect from someone who lived through that horrible day. I got exactly what I expected to get from reading it, and even more. I especially appreciated the speeches that President Kennedy wasn't able to give being reproduced in the book. This is a book I will always cherish, along with meeting this great Texan, Mrs. Nellie Connally.



5. I find this book wonderfully written by Mrs Connolly and a never before seen insight into what happened that day. As the (then) only surviving member of that car, it was something that is much appreciated to hear what her opinion was.

2 comments about The Quotable Jefferson.

1. Thomas Jefferson was a man of many facets. Among these were the power of words,
   chosen carefully from the English language. He loved and excelled in writing letters,
   and this book contains over 500 subjects that he chose to write about. Tho the book is small in size with over 500 pages, it gives one an insight into the enormity of this
   President's capacity.



2. I have been reading about the founding fathers for some time and decided to get this book because Jefferson is an obsession of mine. The Quotes in this great book range from his thoughts on the governments of the U.S. and France, thoughts on family, contemporaries, food, books, morals and everything in between. The quotes are funny and inspiring. If you have an interest in Jefferson, then this book is for you.

1 comments about At the Center of the Storm LP: My Years at the CIA.

1. INCITEFUL REVELATION OF THE INNER WORKINGS OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE AGENDAS OF MANY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. THE STEPS BUILDING UP TO THE INVASION OF IRAQ AND WHO REALLY PUSHED THE BUTTONS. THE HAPHAZARD WORKINGS OF THE CIA AND THE FBI AND THE LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO.FINALLY, THE ABSOLUTE POLITICAL "IDIOCRISY" THAT IS IN PLACE GOVERNING POST WAR IRAQ. SCARY STUFF!!

5 comments about The Napoleon of New York: Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.

1. Fiorello LaGuardia was an amazing character. He was loved and hated depending on who you asked, but one thing is for sure- he did great things for the city of New York. This biography explores his immigrant roots, his rise to power, and his quest for revitalizing New York. A tough politician indeed, but one who brought greatness and glory to his city.



2. Paul Jeffers is a master of the popular biography, and he has produced another laudable work in this genre with this chronicle of Fiorello LaGuardia. I approached this book with only a cursory knowledge of LaGuardia, but came away with an enriched understanding of the Little Flower's far-reaching influence on New York City.

   I was struck repeatedly by the parallels between LaGuardia and another successful, highly influential Mayor, Giuliani. Both wielded absolute power ("dictatorial," to their detractors), did not brook dissent easily, ran as anti-machine reformers (barely gaining office initially but subsequently amassing larger majorities), assailed corruption and malfeasance, and left New York City a markedly better place than they found it.

   By his own admission, Jeffers's is NOT the definitive LaGuardia biography. He writes with broad brushstrokes, painting a colorful, big-picture portrait, and avoiding the pitfalls of needless minutae. Jeffers also has a talent for placing his subjects in the context of history. (To wit: LaGuardia spent his formative years in Prescott, Arizona, whose Mayor was the famous Bucky O'Neill of the "Rough Riders" lore. During the Spanish-American War, young LaGuardia was a stringer for a St. Louis newspaper, where he was in the company of such legendary war correspondents as Richard Harding Davis and Stephen Crane.)

   As a result of this style, all of Jeffers's biographies are entertaining, easy to read, and provide a succinct overview to laypersons with a passion for history. If you fit that description, "The Napoleon of New York" is for you.




3. Part Italian, part Eastern-European Jew, Fiorello LaGuardia was the appropriate mayor at a time of peak immigrant population in New York. But to acknowledge his popularity on this basis alone is very wrong-minded. "The Napoleon of New York: Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia" by H. Paul Jeffers, while not an extensive, exhaustive biography, goes to great pains to make us understand why the Little Flower has achieved mythic proportions in New York's and America's history books. His remarkable achievements, his pit-bull tenacity, and his Herculean ability to face down the pugnancious Robert Moses, all exhibit LaGuardia's unlimited energy, and his all-encompassing love for his city.

   Coming to City Hall during a record-setting unemployment level and disastrous budgets, LaGuardia faced seemingly insurmountable difficulties the minute he sat behind his desk. As Jeffers rightly demonstrates, this diminutive man would not be daunted or intimidated by any group, government agency, or persons of power when prosecuting his agenda. He personally was responsible for funnelling tons of federal money to the city during the Great Depression. He created jobs on one hand, while eliminating the patronage positions held by the hated Tammany machine. No small task. This is but one example that this book explores. There are dozens of others. Pick up "The Napoleon of New York: Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia" and learn more about this truly amazing New Yorker.




4. The Napoleon of New York by H. Paul Jeffers was not satisfying. The author fails to provide enough of a historical context to allow reader to form their own opinions of LaGuardia. On the contrary, the author bungled the basic chronology of some key events such as the year of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the labor strikes which so heavily impacted his career and the direction of local and national politics which he was soon to enter.
   
   Jeffers seems to dubiously attempt to lure the less informed reader into developing the same zealous reverence he has for his subject. The result is skimping on how and why LaGuardia acted in his famous manner and providing more of an anecdotal account that is probably rife with hyperbole.
   
   For such a complex and important figure, The Napoleon of New York simply does not do him any justice. Jeffers needs to take a hint from Robert Caro's seminal biography, The Power Broker.



5. "The Power Broker" is often compared to this book, with this book coming out of the comparison as inferior.
   
   The comparison is completely understandable. Similarities:
   
   1. It's about New York
   2. It's about the depression/WW II era
   3. It's about very strong central figures
   
   One book is hundreds of pages long and carries scads of bibliographic references. And, it's written by a respected New York historian - Robert Caro.
   
   This book is shorter and has more pictures.
   
   It appears that Jeffers and Caro approached their work from very, very different perspectives. Jeffers' angle was more journalistic. And it was effective within that definition: what might be criticized as a lack of historical detail is balanced by a vivid and fun writing style. The moods of 'the LaGuardia era' are captured with complete satisfaction and, to me, blessed brevity.
   
   I had a lot of fun reading this book; it satisfied my desire for a picture of a very, very charismatic and colorful "character." It is not, though, great history. If you want more details, I suppose we're now looking at a more primary source: LaGuardia's own writings, which Jeffers characterizes as self-serving.
   
   I can't comment since I have not read them. But Jeffers does not fawn over LaGuardia, and I enjoyed the ride...

4 comments about Louis Johnson And the Arming of America: The Roosevelt And Truman Years.

1. This history can be fairly grouped with McCullough's "Truman" and Acheson's "Present at the Creation" for any study of postwar (WWII) national and international politics. I found it a quick and easy read, informative and well written.



2. It was fascinating to read about a fellow West Virginian's trials and tribulations in Washington. The book improved my understanding of the politics surrounding the US entry into World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Moreover, the story of Louis Johnson serves as a great cautionary tale of how naked ambition can derail otherwise promising careers in government and politics.



3. History buffs will love this book. Roll and McFarland have done an exception job in explaining a very interesting and important part of our history--the lead-up to WWII, the election of Truman, and the preparation for the Korean War--through Louis Johnson, assistant secretary of war and secretary of defense. The style of the book reminds me a lot of No Ordinary Time, an exception book by Doris Kearns Goodwin. A great read.



4. This is another title that reminds me why truly excellent books are named by the Chief of Staff Air Force to his annual reading list.
   
   Anyone interested in 20th century American defense and the emergence of the military/industrial complex should include this in their reading.

2 comments about Beria - My Father: Inside Stalin's Kremlin.

1. If I didn't know so much already, I would have gone away thinking
   Beria was a great moderating influence on the most bloodthirsty
   government of the 20th Century. But then I recall he was the very top man of the terror organization of this government; that requires volumes to record it's crimes and victims. Sergo is a good son, and could teach our liars in D.C. a thing or two about spin!
   Nevertheless, this book is fascinating reading.



2. Most sons will only remember what a good man his father was. It is a pity any man has to go through life knowing that his father had no morals at all, and had so many people tortured and murdered. As sad as it is, this is one case where no amount of cleaning up behind his father can remove the blood. The author has no reason to even attempt this clean up, but he does. Would we want to read a book by a son of Hitler's that tells us that "Dad was just misunderstood?" Beria made Hitler look like an amateur. This son is not guilty of anything, other than writing this book. He should go through life with his head held up just as any other man. However, the book should never have been written. The only purpose of remembering Beria at all is to remember what pure evil, the devil and Hell is, and how the Russian people got there. At best, the book is fiction, and it made me angry at Sergo for writing it.