1 comments about The Governor: The Life and Legacy of Leland Stanford (2 volume set).

1. I have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Dr. Tutorow for many years, and was most pleased to learn some 5 years or so ago that he, with Mrs. Tutorow's able assistance, was to write the history of Amasa Leland Stanford. As the book progressed, I was fortunate to be able to review the chapters written re: the Central Pacific Rail Road. I can truthfully say that Dr. Tutorow is a veritable bull dog when it came to finding the human details that enriched our State and the West as the Rail Road was built. Norman also asked Lynn Farrar, retired Valuation Engineer for the So. Pac. RR and other railroad historians to review this work; I am pleased to report that the result of Norman's hard labor and the suggestions from many of the finest historians alive today is a rich trove of nuggets never before seen in print.
   If you have an interest in California history, history of the West, history of the building of an empire or a desire to gain more knowledge of commerce in the West, this book is a must read.
   Printed in a limited edition by the Arthur Clark Co., when this book is sold out it may be difficult to find one for sale.
   This book is printed in two volumes, has some 1500 pages, and over 5,000 footnotes. Truly history for historians.

5 comments about Lady Bird: A Biography of Mrs. Johnson.

1. After reading Robert Caro's masterful biographies (Volumes 1 and 2) of LBJ, I yearned to learn more about the background of Lady Bird--specifically what contributed to her not only staying married to LBJ but to singlemindedly propelling his career forward. Well, Russell's book certainly disappoints. It is very poorly and awkwardly written and edited. The only new information that I gleaned from this book was gossipy. If one wishes to learn substantive information about Lady Bird (and of course about LBJ), Caro's biographies are a far superior source.



2. I felt that the authors writing style was about that of a middle school student. Unfortunately, there are few books on the life of Lady Bird, and I did learn quite a bit about her life. I was disappointed that once LBJ's presidency was over, the book ended in a few short chapters. The author flew through the last 30+ years! I find it hard to believe that Lady Birds life didn't include much that could have been included in the book. Also, one of the women I admire most in American history is Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas, who was a close friend of LBJ's. There is a photograph of Ms. Jordan with Lady Bird included in this book and the author did not even mention her in the caption that accompanies it. Tacky!!



3. Well edited,well researched. For lovers of strong women and American History. Lady Bird, like her husband, has suffered mischaracterizatons for decades; she is a truly amazing woman who was always classified as dowdy, and a throwback to Bess Truman, while in reality was as smart and savvy as Hillary Clinton.She has been ahead of her time since the 1930's and is someone career woman and independent thinkers should respect and admire.



4. Lady Bird is the unusually revealing biography of Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson by Jan Jarboe Russell (a contributing editor at "Texas Monthly" who has covered texas politics and culture for more than thirty years). Skillfully researched and smoothly written, grounded in conversations with the former First Lady and interviews with her inner circle of friends, family, and advisors, Lady Bird shows both the public and private sides of a strong, determined, and remarkable woman whose influence on her husband, and through him America, was considerable. Highly recommended.



5. I saw a whole new Lady Bird through this book. Ms. Russell did an excellent job of portraying Lady Bird. This seemingly quiet, reserved woman is a woman of great courage, dependable, stable, a role model for any age of woman. I am an independent person and I was so inspired by her character. I have never been very fond of the President, but I can see where he would have never become successful had it not been for his wife. She was a behind the scenes wife, pushing him forward; so wanting to help people and make this country a bettter place to live. I could identify with many of the situations between her and her husband. Some might consider what she went through and endured in her marriage as a weakness, but I consider it a strength. Wonderful woman, in my opinion, one of the most independent and best first lady's of all. I would compare her to Eleanor Roosevelt. Hillary was a strong first lady, but this one we have now has done nothing for us women. She is a leave it to beaver person and that just isn't realistic in or world today unless one happens to be in the same position as her in wealth, etc. Lady Bird shines and this book is so well written. Would like to hear more from this author.

2 comments about Lyndon Johnson and the Kennedy Mystique.

1. Absolutely the most brillant piece of histo-drama ever written on the political affairs of men and their madness.



2. Absolutely the most brillant piece of histo-drama ever written on the political affairs of men and their madness.

No comments about Correspondence of James K. Polk: July - December 1845 (Correspondence of James K Polk).

1 comments about The Presidency of John Adams (American Presidency Series).

1. All U.S. presidents must confront and solve problems, some more unique than others. There are a few whose difficulties are unprecedented and will never recur again. John Adams was such a president and his effectiveness as a chief executive is often underestimated. When he took the oath of office, the nation was still young and in many ways not yet a nation. Regional differences, which sixty years later would explode into civil war, were powerful and could have led to a similar event during his administration. The governmental structure was idealistic, novel and untested. There were many who felt that it was unworkable, and with minimal communication infrastructure, it was difficult for the central government to project its' power quickly and effectively.
   The framers of this government were highly talented, ambitious men, who were now faced with the task of governing. As history has shown us so many times, the talented revolutionary is often mediocre at governing. Political parties began to form and like all births, involved a great deal of fits and starts. George Washington commanded such respect that no one could reasonably hope to challenge his authority, and yet he was wore down by the political battles. Succeeding such a towering figure would have been difficult for anyone. Europe was also currently engaged in a general war as a consequence of the revolution in France, and there were strong forces driving the United States towards involvement.
   Into this horrendous mix of conflicting forces, John Adams became president. There is no question that the crises he faced rank in the top five of all presidents. Forced to face and solve these problems, he performed admirably. There is no more telling measures of his success in that he angered many in both parties and one of his strongest enemies, Thomas Jefferson, continued his policies when he succeeded Adams.
   Brown does an outstanding job of describing these circumstances, for without this knowledge it is impossible to understand how successful Adams was. He also describes many of the details of John Adams' relationship with his wife Abigail. Although the times dictated that women play secondary roles in society, it is clear that many women wielded substantial power behind the scenes, if only to provide the strength for her husband to do what was right. After reading this book, you cannot help but be impressed with the power and intelligence of Abigail Adams, one of the most talented first spouses that this country has ever had.
   This book serves a necessary and overdue purpose. It shows John Adams as more than just an adequate successor to Washington, but as a president who stood firm and always placed the interests of the nation first. He was a great man, showing that many of the men who made the American revolution were also, and perhaps even more skilled, at making and executing a government. I will forever be in awe of their political genius.

5 comments about Ronald Reagan: An American Hero.

1. This is a stunningly beautiful book for those of us who loved what Ronald Reagan did as President. I was a single mom receiving no child support. I'll never foget the hit that inflation was delivering. With the tax rebate, lower taxes and inflation sinking, thanks to President Reagan, he will forever be my hero. I love this man and all he stood for.



2. What an imagination this lady has. This book is well written but not even close to reality. The Fuzzy glaze the writer puts on Ronnie is disgusting. Try Reagan's America by Lloyd Demause or Blinded by the Right the much more informative.



3. 
   This magnificent tribute to Ronald Reagan is introduced by William Buckley Jnr and contains a foreword by Nancy Reagan. It recounts the story of this beloved leader's trials and triumphs in over 500 splendid black and white and full-color photographs of people, places, events and memorabilia.
   
   The section An Emerging Voice deals with the years 1911 to 1932: From Dixon to the Gridiron. There are pics of Reagan as a baby, the Reagans' first home in Dixon and Reagan as a handsome youth and attractive young man.
   
   An Aspiring Voice 1932 to 1954: Always The Performer covers the Hollywood years, his time as a broadcaster and as an actor. It includes a double page spread of movie posters from 1937 to 1964.
   
   His years as governor of California are covered in A Voice For California 1954 to 1980: The Citizen-Politician and includes reproductions of fascinating political billboards, posters and buttons.
   
   A Voice For America 1981 to 1984: Casting A New Vision deals with the presidential years and contains reproductions of amusing cartoons and magazine and newspaper covers. My favorite photograph here is the one of Reagan dancing with Princess Diana.
   
   A Voice For The World 1985 to 1988: Triumph Over Evil contains many pics of world leaders, including a poignant one of Ronnie kissing Maggie. This section also contains covers of magazines like Time, Newsweek, Life, National Review and many others.
   
   An Enduring Voice 1989 to present: A Legacy For Tomorrow deals with the twilight years and his legacy, including the presidential library. It also includes a reproduction of Reagan's handwritten note to the nation announcing his illness.
   
   The impressive visual history chronicled in these photographs is elucidated by the captivating text and about 200 quotes from world leaders, actors, journalists, family and friends.
   
   The book is a stunning work of devotional art that may be opened at any page to find inspiration from the life of this great leader who revived America and whose vision led to the liberation of millions of people.
   
   I also recommend the 5-CD set Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches With Personal Reflections, and the books When Character Was King by Peggy Noonan and Ronald Reagan: How An Ordinary Man Became An Extraordinary Leader by Dinesh D'Souza.



4. What can I say? This is the book that the Gipper deserved. The respect and affection for the man is obvious on every page. The pictures are gorgeous. Reagan was certainly the most handsome of American presidents. Everyone will have their own favorites. Mine are (pg. 216): Ron in his leather flight jacket giving an affectionate kiss on the cheek to Margaret Thatcher upon her arrival at Camp David; and (pg. 224): Ron and Nancy walking along a road at Camp David during a gentle snowfall . . . Nancy walking a little dog wearing a red sweater and Ron playfully chucking a snowball. Any fan of the Gipper would love this book.



5. What does it say about the gestalt of America that this man could have remotely been considered a hero? Are we truly so blind, so lulled into bovine somnabulance that we can't separate myth from true heroism? Every GI in harm's way right now in the killing fields of Iraq has more heroism in his or her pinky than this first figurehead puppet of the Neocon death cult ever had.

5 comments about Is Our Children Learning? : The Case Against George W. Bush.

1. Begala's tone is often disparaging and nasty, but it doesn't seem all that bad when you consider who's occupying the White House.
   I gave it four stars because I want to see Bush make for Texas as much as Begala does.



2. I just bought this book because I thought it would have some funny Texas Bushisms. However, this book was written by Paul Begala (cohost of CNNs Crossfire) about why Bush should not be elected as President in 2000. This insightful book gives details on how Texas's surplus was pandered, a 125 year ban on concealed weapons was overturned (people are even allowed to bring weapons into churches!!) and public school funding was cut, tax cuts to the rich were given and many other things happened where the people of Texas suffered and rich people get very happy. Begala predicted all these same catastrophic events would happen if Bush was elected President. Now it takes guts to have all these assumptions of Bush before he became President in 2000 and Begala did. But what is even more devastating is that every single thing that Begala thought would happen - did!
   
   I wish this was just a horror novel, but unfortunately, it is all non-fiction.



3. Well, here we are in 2005
   Freedom of speech is barely alive.
   Making his mark
   While most the world shudders
   We sit here silenced for fear of what's uttered.
   
   We tried to vote and save the day,
   But that is not the Diebold way.



4. I HAVE read the book and it is great. Don't review(8/9/04) a book you haven't read.



5. For all of you that voted for him because you were AFRAID OF CHANGE, you get what you deserve. Please by all means read about your emperor. No self respecting rocket scientist would would be caught dead at the same party. So when all you good voters see your social security checks, your lack of health insurance and a cobwebbed covered vehicle in your driveway that you cannot afford to drive, I think you know you is responsible. Like my mom said, "Just because you have money and priviledge does not mean you have brains and couth." Bravo, Mr. Begala.

No comments about J.F. Kennedy: Una vida inacabada/A Life Unfinished.

No comments about Lincoln, El Desconocido/ Lincoln the Unknown (Biografias Y Testimonios).

No comments about Shadow of Heaven: The Life of Lester Pearson 1897-1948 (Vol 1).