1 comments about John A. Macdonald: The Young Politician. The Old Chieftain (RICH: Reprints in Canadian History).

1. I am rather surprised to be the first person to review this book, since Donald Creighton's biography of John A. Macdonald is considered a classic in Canadian history. The book was first published in two parts, in 1952 and 1955, and both parts won the Governor General's award for these two years. At that time its topic was relatively new, since there had been only a few detailed biographies on Macdonald written in the half century before Creighton's (such as the one written by sir Joseph Pope, Macdonald's literary executor, who had at that time control over Macdonald's papers -- which were donated to the Public Archives of Canada in 1917) and even fewer books on the great politician have been written since Creighton's. But with all this new wealth of information now available to historians, Creighton was able to shed new light upon this famous Canadian statesman.

   But Creighton's book is more than a conventional biography. It tries to make history come to life. Indeed, Creighton wrote Macdonald's biography in the shape of a novel, which means that the only quotations in the book are either from newspaper articles or from letters written by, to, or about John A. Macdonald. No secondary work is quoted in the entire book, even though it appears that Creighton read extensively on the subject before writing his book. The book includes endnotes, but it does not read like a conventional history book. The novel-like approach used by Creighton makes the book a pleasure to read. Creighton succeeds in making Canadian history interesting.

   However, Creighton's book is also representative of its time, and representative of Creighton's personal beliefs. Creighton, who died in 1979, was known as a Canadian nationalist with strong anti-American tendencies. His choice of John A. Macdonald as a subject rather than, for example, William Lyon MacKenzie King (another famous Canadian Prime Minister), might be explained by the fact that Macdonald was himself a nationalist. Macdonald once declared: "A British subject I was born, a British subject I will die," and his famous National Policy, which favoured the development of the Canadian West and which introduced high tariffs on American goods, is still considered as one of the most nationalistic policies ever applied in Canada. Creighton, therefore, chose Macdonald as topic because of the similarities between their political positions. Therefore, Creighton is sympathetic to Macdonald throughout the book. Creighton's position regarding French-Canadian nationalism and Quebec separatism (he saw them as disruptive elements that weakened his beloved Canada against the United States) also had an impact on how the book was written, which is particularly evident when he writes about the two Metis rebellions in a rather unsympathetic way.

   Also, the novel-like type of writing does have a disadvantage: it only allows the reader to know a single view on Macdonald. Historical books written in the conventional manner often include different positions on a single event, but in the case of Creighton's book, the narrative strength of the novel simply cannot include more than one version, since the sweeping narrative would otherwise be broken up by different views, and the book could consequently lose all of its appeal.

   In summary, because the book has a clear bias in favour of Macdonald, and because it has not aged well (this style of writing is not used anymore by historians, because of the limitations it creates, the sacrifice of impartiality in favour of a continuous narrative form), I believe it does not deserve a full mark. On the other side, Creighton's book is interesting to read as an example of the historical research method of its time. And I must also admire Creighton's skill for making history come to life. We must thank him for his use of a writing style that makes Canadian history accessible to the larger public. And the caricatures by the Canadian cartoonist Bengough, that are present throughout the book, are an extra treat.

No comments about The Eisenhower Diaries.

1 comments about Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography in Postcards.

1. A look at one of the most celebrated figures in American history - in the form of postcards. "Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography in Postcards" covers this great man's life, illustrated with nearly three hundred postcards from various eras. Depicting a conflicted, brooding man who led America through the Civil War and was struck down in his prime for it, "Abraham Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography in Postcards" is a top pick for American History and Biography collections and for anyone interested in history from a fresh perspective.

1 comments about The Clinton Charisma: A Legacy of Leadership.

1. For too long, too many on both the right, and the ultra far left have accused Bill Clinton of political cowardess, that he was a panderer, that he did tihngs for political expediency. This book finally ends the myth. Most of the things Clinton did as President were NOT politically convenient. They were risky costly items, as the book mentions. Examples include the bill which ended the deficit in 1993, which passed with 51-50 thanks to Al Gore. It was many Democrats who cowered into a corner on that. His decision to fight Bin Laden was brave as well, considered Republicans accused him of "wagging the dog". Notice how Bin Laden didn't get us in the US until Clinton was gone. Bill Clinton was a leader, to win the popular vote twice, unlike George W Bush and his father.

1 comments about After the White House: Former Presidents as Private Citizens.

1. This book provides a fascinating read about an area the author correctly labels ignored: What presidents did after retirement. Written in a fashion made for the general public, with brief summeries of each president, anecdotes, and unique things about each post-presidentail career, this manages to be informative without being a scholarly work. However, he frequently punctures his analysis with political opinion that will annoy across the political spectrum; but if you find this book for cheap, it is worth a read.

1 comments about Nasser (Life&Times).

1. This book is a short biography of modern Egypt,s best known leader. The book is concise but leaves many aspects of Nasser's legacy in the dark. It is of interst to note that the writer points out to the fact that many of the recent demonstrations in the arab world had thousands of Nasser's photographs ,in Cairo, Beirut and Amman.
   It is a good book for someone who needs a quick and short one about Nasser and the effect that his memory has even on the new Arab generation that did not live through his reign. His memory is still alive despite the fact that during President Sadat's rule so many books and articles were written in newspapers in an attempt to tarnish his legacy.

5 comments about America's Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

1. It was fantastic to be able to grasp a better understanding of the stoic, graceful beauty that was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It was great to see the different facets of her personality from political darling to yacht hopping party girl. Her desire to control and veneer everything that happened in her life was inspiring. Couldn't put it down, was consistantly interesting throughout.



2. My comments concern the narrator of the audio cd who felt that she had to change her voice inflection when she read quotes of various people. She talked in a soft wispery tone when quoting Jackie, however, she continued to use that same voice for any of the females quoted. She then attempted a deeper tone for the male voices. Due to all the voice shifting it was disruptive and the reading did not flow. Since it was a narrative and not a play it would have been more pleasing to the ear if the narrator did the entire reading in her natural voice.



3. Jackie Kennedy was the closest thing that America ever got to home-grown royalty. Her birth and upbringing in New York City, refinement, etiquette, and Olympian cool ... Jackie radiated a deep mystery that remains. She was iconic in her need for privacy and protectiveness of it. A woman of another era who remains enigmatic and unique in her persona ... an American icon who seems both American yet not typical of the United States. A sophisticate, debutant of the year, equestrienne, well-manner, posh Park Avenue social doyenne who intrigued the world until she died in 1994. Fluent in several language, a writer of poetry, political wife, patron of the arts, native New Yorker, and poised like any Queen in Europe. She wasn't perfect but she was Jackie. America may never see another quite like her.



4. Sarah Bradford has written a very complete story from Jackie's childhood to her death. There is lots of details about Jackie, as well as her husbands, JFK and Onassis. The book also focuses on JFK's affairs, and how much it hurt Jackie.
   
   Even before Jack died, Jackie was determined to be free from the Kennedy family. To separate from the Kennedy family, Jackie used wit and charm and focused on her children and her own interests, like art.
   
   One of the highlights of the book for me was how Jackie restored the White House. She asked for free donations, like a valuable portrait of Ben Franklin. She enlists the help of experts.Everyone seems willing to help her, because of her charisma and her position as first lady.
   
   I have no way to know how accurate this book is, but the author cites a lot of other books for research. Jackie was a very intelligent and determined lady. It is a shame that she died at only 64 years old.I enjoyed reading it.



5. This was a great book - it was packed with information. Sometimes it had a little bit too much detail in certain sections and it got a little bit boring. Overall, it was really interesting and I was glad that it was so well written as opposed to a quick read that leaves you with more questions. Highly recommended.

1 comments about Jefferson Himself: The Personal Narrative of a Many-Sided American.

1. Mayo presents a well-rounded view of the politician and the man using letters and other writings of Jefferson himself. In fact, it presents so many facets of Jefferson and his life that it is difficult to focus on anything in particular in review. I enjoyed most the chapters: "Washington's Secretary of State", "The Struggle for Democracy", and "Philosopher-President". In these a reader can "live" history by becoming intimately familiar with Jefferson's extraordinary mind and his relationships with others who created our republic. It is, in my opinion, a much better introduction to Jefferson than a biography could be.
   
   The book is also an excellent reference to confirm or debunk representations made about Jefferson's stands on issues that have become controversial in our time.

1 comments about The Paris Years of Thomas Jefferson.

1. Each of these books were in very good condition as stated in the ordering info. Each was packed so that the book was well protected. The "Apple Pie ;An american story was also in very good condition and the package was protective. many thanks to each dealer. Pat Trusselle

No comments about A Treasury of Lincoln Quotations.