1 comments about The Presidency of Andrew Jackson (American Presidency Series).

1. The presidency of Andrew Jackson marks a significant change in American presidential politics. With the exception of John Quincy Adams, and a weak one at that, all previous presidents had been members of the unofficial American aristocracy that existed at the time of independence. Traditionally, they followed the principle of the office seeking the man and campaigning for the position was generally not done. There was little in the way of populist movements and political parties in the modern sense did not exist. That changed with the rise of Jackson to the presidency and expanded during his two terms in office.
   Jackson was the first president who was popularly elected to office, and the prelude to the election was the first true campaign for the position. He was also the first person from the west to be elected to the presidency and a military hero many times over. His reputation as a general places him nearly on a par with George Washington.
   Being the first "outsider" president, his election created a great deal of anxiety among the established powers in the east. Cole quite properly begins with a thorough discussion of this situation, as it created a good deal of tension that lasted for several years. There was also an enormous amount of economic expansion going on in the country, which began to exacerbate the regional tensions developing between the northern and southern regions of the country. A great deal of the book is spent examining these regional tendencies and with the perspective of hindsight, we can clearly see the gathering storm that finally led to war. This area is very well done, as the author properly describes all of the growing tensions, not just the problem of slavery.
   Cole also does an excellent job describing the personality of Andrew Jackson, sometimes compromising and other times very much "Old Hickory", as he refused to bend. His threat to use federal troops in the south was a genuine one, sparking a lot of animosity, yet accomplishing what he wanted to do. He surprised everyone with his reluctance to become involved in the Texan attempt to gain independence from Mexico. Most expected the "Old Hero" to be much more aggressive in expanding the nations' borders. In the book, we also see the rise of Martin Van Buren, called the little magician for his political ability. He truly was the first modern political power broker, the type of person necessary for effective presidential leadership.
   With the economic and physical expansion of the country beginning to proceed at an incredible pace, the
   Jackson years were those where the nation began taking on the characteristics of a modern nation. Cole does an excellent job of describing this transition, as well as the man who was at the helm when it was taking place. Andrew Jackson was one of the most complex men to hold the office, as well as one of the roughest. From the book, you learn about these different aspects of his personality as well as how the country was affected by them.

5 comments about Yo, Millard Fillmore!.

1. I had to memorize the presidents in the fourth grade. I'm in college now and I can still remember everything from this book. Not only does it work, but it's fun to look at the pictures and learn the presidents. People of all ages can learn from this book.



2. After one night, I knew all 43 presidents of the United States in order without looking. This book is AWESOME!!! :D



3. This book is the best and most fun ways to learn about the American Presidents that I have ever seen. For each president from Washington through Clinton, there is a brief caption regarding his life and accomplishments. There is also a drawing taken from a photo or portrait, a cartoon style drawing and associated play on words to aid in remembering the name and whom they succeeded. For example, the cartoon for Dwight Eisenhower shows the Eiffel Tower with eyes on it being held by a tree with eyes. The caption is "The tree-man is crawling up the side of a huge tower that has eyes on it. It must be the eyes-on-tower!" The cartoon for Harry Truman, who preceded Eisenhower, shows the tree-man.
   One of the best books for learning history and social studies, I strongly recommend this book. If my children were of a suitable age, I would buy it for them.



4. Well, I know my Presidents now, that's for sure! I had great fun learning them, too, sitting on the couch with my husband one afternoon. The two of us went through the book, working through it and giggling at the references all the while. It was a lot of fun and we learned every president during the read. I planned to buy it, learn them, and then relist the item. But, I decided to instead hold onto it for when my nieces come over. I am always hunting for new ways to entertain them and this will keep them busy for sure! :) Lots of fun for all ages.
   I highly recommend that you buy it and have as much fun as we did, and learn a little something, too! 5 stars!



5. This book was ordered for my son, who is a teacher, for Christmas and it came in plenty of time. Thanks so much.

4 comments about Soldier of Peace: The Life of Yitzhak Rabin.

1. This book is an excellent first step in understanding Yitzhak Rabin, but it is by no means the last. It gives a chronological, easily written account of his life, highlighting the tremendous accomplishments and breezily whizzing by some of his faults.

   If you are looking for a factual account of his life, this is a good book to use. If you are writing a 10-page paper on Rabin's life, you need look no further. If you want to truly understand the psychology of this complicated man, or you would like a balanced portrayal of him, you will need to look beyond this.

   In the introduction, it states that if he had lived, he would undoubtedly have been re-elected. The facts suggest otherwise; the Israeli people had had enough of him, and it was not until after his death that the nation began to recognize what it had lost, both in its leadership and in its innocence. This book seems a product of the years of the wistfulness that often follow the death of an important leader.




2. Audio version is great! Well written, well researched, and well read! Reads like Uris' Exudus, but true!



3. Twice in his career, Yitzhak Rabin was hailed as a great hero, first after the 1967 Six-Day War and again after his 1993 signing of the Oslo Accords with Arafat. Unfortunately, in each case the truth of his actual role and performance was more or less suppressed. In 1967, he suffered a collapse that rendered him basically non-functional during the war which was actually commanded by Ezer Weizman and Haim Bar-Lev (although there is no doubt he contributed much to the Israel Defense Forces preparations for the victorious campaign). In 1993, against his better judgment, the Oslo accords were forced upon him by his nemesises Shimon Peres, Yossi Beilin and others. Rabin's assassination, which took place under very murky circumstances in which there is evidence that the state security forces may have had a role in setting it up, cast him in the martyr's role which, temporarily strengthened support for the agreements which were already being undermined by unremitting terrorist attacks and bestowed upon him a saint-like reputation which was at odds with the true record of his life. Today, in the midst of the large-scale terrorist war against Israel which began in September 2000, a more balanced appraisal of Rabin than which is presented in this book may become possible. Recently, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army revealed that Rabin told him shortly before his death that it was now apparent to him that the Oslo Agreements were a disaster for Israel, and that if he should be re-elected he would abrogate them but he didn't feel strong enough at the time to do it. Tragically, the wave of terrorist atrocities were destroying the man before his death and he began to speak irrationally even to the point where this man who had devoted his whole life to the security of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel was now saying that it was "not reasonable to expect the state to protect the lives of the individual citizens of that state". In his final appearance in a television news interview program three days before his death, he was speaking incoherently and he stated that his political opposition which was making strong, telling criticism of his failed policies (and, unlike what is stated in the book was leading by far in public opinion polls) was so "despicable" that it was even responsible for traffic accidents in the country! The next day, an aquaintance of mine who is a life-long supporter of Rabin's Labor Party said "a madman is leading this country". When reading this book, it must be kept in mind at all times the post-assassination atmosphere in which it was written. One hopes that a new biography will soon be written in which a more balanced view of this man who contributed much to the State of Israel but who ended up being destroyed both by his closet political colleagues and by the Arab leader with whom he signed the disastrous Oslo agreement.



4. Overall, a good beginniners guide to Yitzhak Rabin, however like most subjects, one source is never enough and provides a very narrow view of the man. The main problem I have with this book besides the time when it was written (in the regretful post assassination era) is that it does not recognize to a very good degree, the Jews role in violence in Palestine, and it portrays Arabs as mostly the aggressors and Jews in self defense. Since I dont know that much about Rabin, being just a Bay Area Jew my criticism also targets the way in which it portrays the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is overly simplistic and generally biased, there are other books that are much more worth reading and enlightening regarding the conflict that Rabin was at the center of many times.

5 comments about FulgencioBatista: Volume 1, From Revolutionary to Strongman.

1. This two part biography of Batista attempts to paint the dictator in a new light. The author is very proBatista but does raise some interesting and new perspectives on the man. This first book is about Batista's early years up through the point where he is elected president. It does an excellent job of showing US influences on internal Cuban politics. The various presidents that were Batista's puppets show the level of corruption that runs not only through Cuba but throughout all of Latin America. The narrative account does a great job of shedding light on how Cuba looked in the precastro years and in this case shows how transformative the years before Batista really were. It was a time where Cuba was finding its national image and forming itself as a nation. The book is very well written and provides an interesting account on Cuba during this time period. In short highly recommend.



2. Frank Argote-Freyre has set himself above other experts on Cuba with the publication of his first volume on Fulgencio Batista. I have never before read an account of any person, or any era, that was better. Talk about disciplined and documented academic research, or talk about lively, easily-read prose, or talk about honest, unbiased analysis, and you have to put Argote-Freyre in the top tier of biographers. As for analysts of Cuba's sad experience, Argote-Freyre has no peer.



3. What is a fascinating story of the rise of a poor sugar cane cutter to the presidency of Cuba at age 39 is diluted buy the continuous repetition of the same events over and over again. The book should had been told in one half of the pages used and it should had included volume two.



4. I do not know if this review will ever be published by Amazon. In my opinion this book is very good. Fulgencio Batista was one of the best presidents of the republic of free Cuba. During his regime backwardness, poverty, and ignorance was not prevalent. Law and order was enforced to the max, and that was to control the malcontents who were out to destroy democracy in a booming Island with a bright future. Batista made only one mistake, and that was that he became complacent, and the left wing immediately took advantage of the situation to lie and deprive the Cuban people of their freedom, by installing a senile ideology that has turned around the country approximately 200 years back in time, making it one of the most impoverished countries in the world. It's humiliating to see how a country so rich in everything has been destroyed by a communist system that never worked any were else! We need more Batistas to bring back Cuba to reality, democracy and normality in the Island again. I'm sorry to disappoint all the left wing sympathizers out there. But, we Cubans had it made before the current sorry government took over in January 01, 1959. With the current Government, Cuba has nothing to offer to the world, except ignorance, pestilence, famine, and backwardness, what a shame. And who needs that! Buy the book, I highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to the second part.



5. Unfortunately in Cuban history there are very few good guys and an abudance of the bad and the ugly. No doubts Fulgencio Batista is one of the latter. In this well researched and written book, Frank Argote-Freyre provide us with a very good insight in the particular of Cuban history of the 1930s and the emergence of Batista as a military and political leader.Definitely it is not a biography since it is apparent that not enough information is available on the private life of the then young and emerging strongman. But it is an excellent account of a very traumatic period in the history of Cuba and the role played by Fulgencio Batista in it.

5 comments about Nixon Reconsidered.

1. This book would probably be a very interesting account if it wasn't bogged down with so many minute details that take away from the overall argument. Ms. Hoff has some great ideas but the book could realistically have been much more concise.



2. This is a complete whitewashing of Richard Nixon's political career written by an obviously pro-Nixon source. There is no attempt from the author to distance herself from Nixon or create an illusion of impartiality. Hoff is in Nixon's corner all the way and makes some incredible interpretive analyses. For example, Nixon's domestic agenda was actually "extremely liberal." Hoff makes this claim based upon Nixon's environmental agenda, but ignores his viscerally right-wing Supreme Court appointments and his Neanderthal approach to civil rights. Doesn't sound too "liberal" to me.

   Hoff also makes a series of implausible and ultimately ludicrous excuses for Nixon's involvement in Watergate. Predictably, she absolves the President from much involvement and any guilt. She points the finger of guilt at a dizzying array of Nixon suborindates (all of whom went to prison). Nixon is the epitome of grace, honesty and courage in Huff's eyes, a view which will delight those who revere the 37th President. But for those who have a less charitable view of him, this will be regarded as hagiography at its apex.




3. I've recently become a bit of a Nixon buff, reading a dozen biographies of the man, all of which portray him in very different ways, from a paranoid, racist sociopath to a misunderstood visionary. I honestly don't know where I'd place Ms. Hoff's portrayal of Nixon within those two extremes. Her book makes some excellent points, particularly in citing the frequently ignored strides that Nixon took in domestic policy. Overall, however, her odd writing style and seeming preoccupation with revisionism make the flow of the book pretty choppy, as well as all out boring in places...

   In my opinion, any book on Nixon is worth it if you are trying to figure out what he was all about. The fact is the guy was so complex, introverted, and troubled that all of them will be right and wrong at the same time...




4. Hoff tempers her examination of Nixon with balanced criticism and muted praise in places but remains quite impartial overall. Naturally, a reader may find anything he seeks in an interpretation of the words of the author yet there is no obvious bias or partisanship on the part of Joan Hoff in this work. The amount of revisionism, however, is quite substantial. Hoff seems to have as her purpose for writing this a decided motivation to revise the history of Nixon from the accounts given by fellows ranging from Ambrose to Wills. Granted, her work is more informed and well rounded compared to Ambrose and less agonizing than Wills' Nixon Agonistes yet there seem to be a lack of entirely new information, which would make this work a better choice for the average reader looking for an unbiased, middle of the road examination of Nixon.



5. Professor Hoff, late of Indiana University, tries to rise above the Watergate mania that tends to totally overshadow all the other accomplishments that occurred during the Nixon administration. Let there be no doubt that Nixon was NOT a doctrinaire conservative, if he was even one to begin with. Nixon's early cabinet and advisers included some liberal minds. It is now known that many economic policies that were implemented during this time were very injurious to the US economy (wage and price controls come to mind) and contributed to the awful economic times of the late 70's and early 80's.
   Nevertheless, this book is a good start if you want to learn a little bit about what went on besides Vietnam and Watergate.

4 comments about Eleanor And Harry: The Correspondence of Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry S.: The Correspondence of Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

1. Steve Neal has compiled some 250 letters between Eleanor Roosevelt and Harry Truman when he took office after the death of Franklin Roosevelt. In this small but thoughtful book, Neal combines commentary pertinent to the times or to the letter itself. While they disagreed on many things, he repeatedly asked her to write to him with her thoughts on events of the day, which she did and with great candor. President Truman was the first to call Mrs. Roosevelt "First Lady of the World." I heartily recomment this book to those who wish to know these two great people a bit better.



2. I read this book in no time. In the good old days of great letter writing, these two protagonists enjoyed a rich and historic friendship. Although sometimes on the opposite sides of issues, the friendship betwen former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and President Harry Truman was a rich and ultimately fascinating exercise in camaraderie and mutual aid.
   From reading these fascinating letters, it is obvious that these two old friends actually enjoyed talking and exchanging ideas and opinions.

   This book, as edited, weaves a moving and extremely interesting story, reading very much like a good biography.
   I highly recommend this book, a good example of history making exciting reading.




3. This book is a compilation of letters exchanged between Harry Truman and Eleanor Roosevelt during Truman's presidency. The book has an easy-to-read style largely because the author adds dialog to explain the situations, events, and results of what the letters mention. By using this dialog-letter combination, a great deal of history is presented in an entertaining manner.

   I would highly recommend this book as a followup immediately after reading the biography Truman, by David McCullough. With a little bit of Truman history, not only will you find this book a great source of behind the scenes information, you'll also discover that the letters written by Eleanor Roosevelt are a joy to read. She was truly a gifted writer with the ability to put emotions and thoughts into the written word in a manner that could be described as artistic.




4. He was a farm boy, the descendant of Missouri pioneers. She was a debutante of the New York aristocracy. On April 12th, 1945, her husband and his boss, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, died in office. Mrs. Roosevelt summoned Vice-president Truman to the White House and said, "Harry, the president is dead." "Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked, and Mrs. Roosevelt replied, "Is there anything we can do you? For you are the one in trouble now."
   
   Thus begins a correspondence that will last until their deaths, here collected by editor Steve Neal to give the reader a top-of-the-heap, behind-the-headlines look at the end of World War II, the Marshall Plan, the creation of the state of Israel, public versus private schooling, Eleanor's opinion of the British (not high, wait till you see how she tells Harry to handle Churchill), Harry's opinion of American hate crimes against Japanese Americans (he's damn lucky this letter wasn't released to the public back then), and much more. Eleanor is at first a little patronizing, a little arrogant, and more than a little disingenuous in many protestations of "oh you don't have listen to little old me, but as long as you are..." Harry is at first a little defensive, a little impatient, and more than a little dismissive of Eleanor's opinions, particular of people she wants in office and he doesn't. By his second term, Harry has grown into his new job, Eleanor has grown into hers, and they both grow into what eventually reads like a friendship of sincere mutual respect and even affection.

No comments about The Eisenhower Diaries.

3 comments about The Secret Chief Revealed.

1. The Secret Chief Revealed: conversations with Leo Zeff, pioneer in the underground psychedelic therapy movement, Strolaroff, Myron, MAPS Sarasota, FL, 2004
   Reviewed by dogbreth (willing to accept comments) bethere@centurytel.net
   A quick read loaded with insights, The Secret Chief Revealed serves multiple purposes effectively. The actual "text" of the conversations is under 100 pages, but the introductions, forward, prologue, tribute, epilogue, appendixes, additional tributes and section devoted to resources introduce the reader to some of the main personalities involved in psychedelic research and extend the book to close to double the length of the text.
   Leo Zeff, now deceased, is revealed as former Jungian therapist who tried LSD originally around 1961, when it was still a legal chemical. He found insights that he had been looking for and believed that it was possible that some of his therapy clients could also benefit as well. He worked out a protocol, which changed over the years for providing a responsible safe self exploratory trip using LSD for psychotherapy. When the federal government outlawed LSD Zeff made the difficult decision to continue to treat people using psychedelics (Zeff had been a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, he respected the government and was very spiritual). It was most likely Zeffs spirituality that kept him treating people with psychedelics after they were made illegal as the chemical could bring about spiritual experiences and enhanced his clients' lives.
   Zeff did not like to refer to psychedelics as "drugs" rather "medicine". It could be used properly or improperly, just as morphine or antibiotics. Working as a Jungian therapist Zeff believed he was there to basically assist his clients in finding their own solutions, more of less waiting it out. With LSD the solutions came much quicker, often with a single trip. In therapeutic use of LSD Zeff had his clients agree to a basic set of rules: 1. they would not leave the house or place where the trip was taking place without his permission, 2. they agreed that there would be no physical harm or violence to them, him or anyplace they were, 3. reiterate the security agreement - they must agree that they will never reveal to anybody else where and with whom they had the experience without his prior approval, 4. there would be no sex during the experience, 5. the client had to agree to follow Zeffs directions no matter what, the client had to agree to follow his commands without question and have faith in him. Prior to taking the medicine they would then read a prayer aloud. The clients were asked to bring in photographs of family and important people and places in their lives as well as personal articles which would stimulate a therapeutic conversation which would take place prior to the effects of the medicine. Once the medicine took effect the client would lie down, put a cover over their eyes and headphones on so that they could listen to music.
   Music was played the entire time during the experience. Zeff believed this to be very important. This is one area in which I wish the conversation/text had delved deeper. The music which was considered so important is barely discussed other than to say that it was always on. It is mentioned that the music would very based upon the clients tastes, the impression I get is that classical or jazz were the main genres.
   The conversational tone of the book provides wonderful insights into Leo Zeff as a person. He obviously had a good sense of humor and was living life to its fullest. His language is full of colloquialisms which enhance the readers' ability to "see" him as he speaks.
   In working with clients the initial tripping experience was always with LSD, this was to establish the clients base-level dose. Initial dose level would be 250 micrograms, if the client did not turn on with this amount a booster of 125micrograms would be given after about an hour. Additional boosters might be given if the client did not appear to be affected by the medicine. Zeff makes the comment that some clients would claim that it wasn't having an effect so he would tell them any additional amount wouldn't benefit them so they weren't going to get any "and you know, when they find out they can't have a booster they lay down and the sons of bitches they turn on! (Much laughter)." (p. 91).
   Over the years medicines other than LSD were used, primarily psilocybin, MDA, harmaline, Ibogaine, and MDMA (which Zeff states is a "beautiful trip"). The initial dosage and follow ups would establish the base-line dosage levels for other medicines, Zeff states that three grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms was the equivalent to 250 micrograms of LSD).
   The text of the book is informative and entertaining. Other sections provide the reader with excellent introductions to some of the main personalities in the psychedelic therapy and creation movement, but Appendix III is what I found to be of phenomenal value. It is the "Resources" area, and has an extensive list of books, internet sites and other areas of interest for the reader. Published by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) 100% of the profits of this very reasonably priced book go toward psychedelic psychotherapy research.



2. I had heard nothing of this man before or these kind of studies, and I was very eager to read this book. Not only did I find the book interesting on many levels, but I also found many of the stories quite motivational. I, myself, have tried out many spiritual and mind-opening paths with psychoactives before such as LSD, Psilocybin, and MDMA, so I could somewhat relate to what Leo and many of his friend's stories were talking about. For people that have not even taken a step into this kind of field, I still recommend everyone semi-interested enough in fixing problems in life or just psychology in general to read this book. It had a very profound effect on me after I read it, and I truly thank Leo Zeff and the many others that carried on with the illegal experiments to gain further knowledge about these mystical drugs. If it were not for them, then the world would truly be blinded by the brain-washed lies of many activists against drugs that could actually help somebody like myself.



3. The Secret Chief of the title is Leo Zeff. Mr. Zeff was a therapist who specialized in the use of psychedelic substances (LSD, MDMA, etc.,) as adjuncts to therapy. The book is Mr. Zeff's collected experience and wisdom on the subject, as told to Myron Stolaroff (the interviewer and author). At under 170 pages the book is a short, quick read. Because it's a collection of transcribed interviews, the overall tone of the book is informal and conversational. At the same time, it's very informative, and loaded with practical information on conducting psychedelic sessions. Mr. Zeff lays out guidelines for screening people, proper set & setting, dosages, and qualitative differences between the different substances he worked with. The rules he set down for his sessions are simple and practical - it's obvious he wanted to achieve optimum results with minimal difficulties.
   
   The Secret Chief Reveled differs from the original Secret Chief in that there's an additional 25 pages of text (Appendix II,) and also some photos. In the appendix, we get to hear from 7 people who knew Mr. Zeff (including his son and daughter), and they describe how the sessions went, and what impact Mr. Zeff's work had on them. After reading Mr. Zeff's first-person account in the main part of the book, it was nice to read this part and get some additional perspective. It made the whole read a little fuller.
   
   All in all, I found this to be an interesting, entertaining, and surprisingly practical book. Mr. Zeff spent a long time conducting these sessions and increasing his knowledge; Myron Stolaroff did a great thing by interviewing Mr. Zeff and preserving his wisdom for posterity. If you like this book and are still interested in practical information on hallucinogenic psychological work, I recommend Stanislav Grof's book "LSD Psychotherapy." It's a much longer read and geared more to the professional clinician, but Grof also goes into much greater detail.

5 comments about General Washington's Christmas Farewell: A Mount Vernon Homecoming, 1783.

1. The author does a good job of detailing why George Washington was a great man. Rather than become a King or dictator after the War of Independence, he returned his commission to the Congress and returned to Mount Vernon. This was after eight years of separation from his home. His only desire was to depart from the public stage and resume his private life. This was unlike most people who would have clung to power. Washington wanted to become a private citizen again. This book details his change from a military general to a private citizen.
   Washington takes control of New York from the departing British,
   says farewell to his soldiers and other officers, returns the commission to the Congress in Annapolis, and gets home in time for a Mount Vernon Christmas Eve. This brief period says alot what Washington was and why people wanted him to be their leader.
   Weintraub does a good summary job of describing this two week episode in the life of the first American President. By his example, the military would always be controlled by the civilian government. The importance of Washington is shown in this short story and good read.



2. This is a wonderful retelling of George Washington's return to Mount Vernon at the end of the Revolution. It humanizes Washington like few books ever have. Mr. Wintraub even manages to build up suspense as you wonder whether ex-General Washington makes it home in time for Christmas.
   
   This is the second Christmas-themed history by Mr. Weintraub, the other being SILENT NIGHT, about the informal truce in 1914. Each time, Mr. Weintraub brings out the significance of seemingly minor events. It is truly masterful.



3. The author makes a few sidetrips to explore a little background and history that bring the times alive. He explores how Washington was the heart and soul of the American cause as his farewell tour home from the war - from West Point in New York to Mt. Vernon - provided a foundation for unity, dignity and sense of common purpose for a new nation to be.
   
   It's a slice of history that tells much more than the title implies, and it shows a very human side of a man who continues to surprise us with how worthy a model he is to follow. It's poignant without being maudlin, and is a history that appeals to both mind and heart. Highly recommended.



4. The year 1776 tends to be lodged in the minds of those who have studied American history. But does anyone remember what happened in 1783? With relation to the revolutionary war, GENERAL WASHINGTON'S CHRISTMAS FAREWELL chronicles George Washington's concluding tenure as one of the most distinguishable military leader, which covers the last few months of 1783. Historian Stanley Weintraub paints a picture of America's first president as a compassionate and unselfish man who wholeheartedly was concerned about preserving life and liberty for his country and the people he led; he bridges the gap between Washington as the larger than life founding father to the Virginia farmer who longed to return home.
   
   The book begins with Weintraub's story about his visit to his grandsons' first grade class at Thomas Jefferson School where he was surprised to hear how much these young and inquisitive minds knew about the American Revolution and its key figures. But the most fascinating aspect about this story is that the Washington family's Christmas was not documented, but with the culmination of sources that derived from Washington's letters and addresses and a series of publications, Weintraub weaves a unique narrative that reflects upon the hardships of 1776, but the success thereafter with the ratification of the Peace Treaty of Paris. The last two chapters are quite moving because Washington's farewell address, which was written by Thomas Jefferson, is included within the passages, and provides accounts from Thomas Mifflin and James McHenry who had attended the ceremony; the scene was emotional, and depicted a man approaching the twilight of his life.
   
   GENERAL WASHINGTON'S CHRISTMAS FAREWELL does not revel with new material about George Washington. However, Weintraub acknowledges a moment in history that commemorates the end of a monumental career of one of history's unforgettable leaders, and shows how he was influential and instrumental with regard to the founding and birth of the United States of America. Indeed, this is another piece of history worth reading.



5. George Washington's public career was long and one of the most important in history. However, his decision to resign his commission and return to private live in 1783 (although it proved to be a temporary return) is one of the most important events in both the founder's life and in that of America. Comparisons with the Roman Cincinnatus in this matter are appropriate. But must a reader be reminded endlessly of the similarities?
   
   Weintraub documents in this work Washington's last journey home as the leader of the American army and what he hoped would be the last in his public life. It was a hard and grinding trip for as most of us know, roads and weather were not easy to get through in December in the northeast. In voluntarily giving up his commission, Washington guaranteed his premiere place in our history. But by making such a public display of his resignation, he also proved how conscious he was of that place and how later generations would view his career and character.
   
   Weintraub gives the reader none of those contradictions. He takes one of the greatest events and turns it into one of the dullest stories ever told. And in the end, he gives us none of what went on once Washington reached home. What was that Christmas like? What happened at Mount Vernon in the days following his return? In this telling, there is only a timeline of events, quotes from speeches, and a very dull listing of dates, facts, and names. (In keeping with the major complaints of how American history is taught in schools.)
   
   One can only wish that this book was interesting and search for other accounts that document feelings, struggles, and sacrifices that make this story human and important.

5 comments about Reagan's America: Innocents at Home.

1. COvering much of the same ground as Edmund Morris in his authorized biography, "Dutch," Garry Wills' "Reagan's America: Innocents at Home" is a much more successful look at the institutions and country that shaped the 40th President.

   With his usual incisive analysis and beautiful use of the English language, Wills does what Morris found impossible: the discovery of Reagan's soul.

   To Wills, Reagan is the logical product of the American heartland and of the institutions of the heartland: community service (he was a lifeguard first), small town media (he was a Des Moines, IA, radio announcer). Reagan is also shaped by the institutions of coastal America that are marketed to the heartland: movies and big business (when Reagan made the final turn toward conservatism, he was the national spokesman for General Electric). Finally, Reagan is also the product of a dysfunctional family, with some of the same logical results: a withholding from others, a love of the abstract and of fantasy.

   At the end of Wills' study, the reader gains a clear impression of the forces that created Ronald Reagan and bonded him to the American people. It is true that Reagan, as Morris argues, is enigmatic. But he is not impossible to begin to understand. Wills is the essential guide to the Reagan who was fully formed long before he reached the White House.




2. Those who criticize Wills for "sloppy work" are off base and clearly have an ax to grind. On the other hand, this book is not a "consummate" piece of work, either. The task of writing a Reagan biography is virtually impossible. Edmund Morris tried to do it and wound up with a botched, absurd, fictionalized mess.

   Wills doesn't pretend that this book is a biography. It's actually an essay in book-length form (41 short chapters, perhaps a botched attempt at writing 40 chapters to match Reagan's status as 40th president) meditating on specific episodes from Reagan's life, particularly his childhood, adolescence, and initial career as sportscaster, movie star, and Screen Actors Guild president, and the relation of Reagan's life and self-image, and his construction of that image, with the perceptions of America, particularly in connection with the mythmaking of Americans -- their propensity to willfully forget the reality of the American past in order to build a version of the past that serves as a comforting and communal illusion in a time of unprecedented chaos and change. Reagan, Wills explains, is the perfect emblem of that illusion: "The power of his appeal is the great joint confession that we cannot live with our real past, that we not only prefer but need a substitute."

   Wills' book is not the hatchet job that some make it out to be. He clearly has a respect for Reagan's story, his communicating magic, and his ability as a public figure to unite the American people behind a common purpose, even if that purpose is largely mythical. Nor is the book the testimony to sainthood that many of Reagan's admirers would want. It is clearly critical of Reagan's forgetfulness, his willingness to simplify, his urge to blur distinctions and to make up details of his own life and of American history out of thin air.

   It is for the most part a balanced book, although it does not, unfortunately, do any justice to the man's time as President, which is the most significant part of Reagan's legacy. The book was published in 1987, but it really ends with the war against Grenada in 1983, saying virtually nothing about Reagan's presidency and life beyond that point other than a very brief mention of the 1984 campaign and several (too many) mentions of the movie "Back to the Future" (at one point Wills confuses the movie's date of release, saying that Reagan mentioned it in his 1982 State of the Union address; the movie was released in 1985). Wills also touches on some events of Reagan's first term, but only sketchily.

   Anyone expecting this to be a thorough treatment of Reagan's presidency will be severely disappointed. However, it has a great deal of value as an exposition of the reasons why Reagan was a success, or was perceived as a success, as a president. Its final two chapters, two essays on the relation of Reagan to America and its relation to him, are breathtaking.




3. Mr. Wills is a smart writer who starts his book off comparing what he believes is Mark Twain's America to that of Ronald Reagan's childhood. Wills, in fact, spends a lot of time on Twain's America. The point of this time spent on Twain is to exposed, according to Wills, the imaginary America of Reagan's childhood with that of America plagued with labor and racial strife. Anyone who has spend time reading Twain's Huck Finn knows that the book is a dark portrait of America life, and is not idyllic at all. Although Wills writes well of this period, he doesn't quite pull the trick off, or explain how the memories of childhood can not be happy ones when the outside world may not be so happy. This is a failure of this book. Wills often acts like a hanging Judge stalking someone he obviously despises, yet grudgingly admires. Marshalling his facts to suit himself, he continually points out what he considers flaws in Reagan's character. In doing so, he leaves the readers with a number of false impressions. The most obvious and blatant impression is that Mr. Reagan never enlisted and never served in the Military during World War.
   
   The reality is that three months after Pearl Harbor, Ronald Reagan received a letter from the War Department telling him to report to Fort Mason in San Francisco. He reported to Col. Philip T. Booker and served first as a liaison officer loading convoys. Because Ronald Reagan had terribly poor eyesight, the Military confined him non-combat roles. Later Col. Booker informed Reagan that he had been transferred to Army Air Force Intelligence in Los Angeles. His commanding officer was Gen. Hap Arnold. There he was assigned to make Army Air Force training films and documentaries, and given the rank of second lieutenant. He eventually wound up as adjutant and personal officer for his unit. One of his jobs was to prepare classified films about the progress of the war to be shown to members of the general staff in Washington. Some of these films included Nazi films about their Death Camps. Reagan was eventually promoted to the rank of Captain. From 1942 to 1947, Reagan made only three films for Hollywood. All were made in 1943. The most famous was This is the Army. Many members of the cast of this movie were members of the Armed Services. Reagan himself is listed in it as Lt. Ronald Reagan. Boxer Joe Louis who is also in the film is listed in the cast as Sgt. Joe Louis. You can find the complete cast list at http://imdb.com/title/tt0036430/fullcredits . There you will find listed, at least, 21 members of the Armed Services with roles in this film. This film was made with the co-operation of the Armed Services. Warner Brothers gave all the profits, estimated to be around $10 million, to the Army Emergency Relief. Stallion Road was the first picture Reagan made after the War.
   
   Thousands of people served the War Effort in War World 2. Not everyone enlisted. Thousands served in the U.S. Merchant Marines. Their service was important to the War Effort, so was that of those men and woman who worked in the factories that manufactured the tools that those fighting the war needed in order to win. Their efforts should not be denigrated because they were not on the front fighting the enemy. Their service was as necessary as anyone's. Not everyone is fit for combat roles. Ronald Reagan was one of those but he did serve and was a proud member of the U.S. Army.

   Why Mr. Wills wants to leave the reader with this provable and false impression one can only guess, but in the name of fairness, one should give someone credit where it is due, and this Mr. Wills fails to do. Another false impression, Mr. Wills leaves the reader with is that Mr. Reagan was not a man of faith. Recently there have been a number of books showing otherwise, as well has Ronald Prescott Reagan's moving tribute to his father's faith at his funeral.

   For these reasons and many, others this is a bad book.




4. Gary Wills book on Reagan is an even handed portrayal of a great American figure. President Reagan's conservative vision and his strident anti-communist views changed the way America works and changed the way the world looks at us. As a liberal, I often disagreed with his views, his policies and his actions. However, one cannot be an objective viewer of history with giving him his due. He did indeed bring a level of pride and hopefulness about America that had been missing since the early days of the Kennedy presidency. For that, I will be forever grateful to him. Gary Wills book provides a window in to how Ronald Reagan changed from Roosevelt democrat to conservative republican. An excellent book that should belong to anyone's collection of political histories and biographies.



5. I love reading books about Ronald Reagan, whether they are critical or puff pieces, or whatever. Garry Wills biography of Reagan seems to lean heavily on his own personal opinions. Another problem with "Reagan's America" is that the piece is extremely disjointed, meaning that it does not flow nor tackle many of the serious issues with intense research or critical thinking.
   
   Reagan's Hollywood career is filled with irrelevant information about the importance of chastity symbols. Many of Wills's thoughts are incoherent, psycho-babble and does not even closely mirror the other "balanced" accounts of President Reagan. He does not even deal with many of the lasting changes that Reagan had on America or the Republican Party. Wills has virtually no balanced understanding of the significance or importance of the conservative movement or Reagan Revolution in America. It seems also that the author also has an extreme socialist/liberal biased against capitalism and the free market. Basically the cover picture is the best asset of this book. I am not saying that Wills is not intelligent, but if one is honest with themselves and faithful to responsible scholarship they would surmise pretty quickly this is a very badly researched and biased account regardless of their feelings about Reagan.
   
   I would not recommend this account if one is looking for a fair and accurate account of Ronald Reagan. If that is your interest, where you will not get just a "puff" analysis, take a look at Lou Cannon. Cannon is sometimes harsh but usually fair in his analysis of Reagan. He knows more about Reagan than any journalists and he has done the research. His book the "Role of a Lifetime" is an information treasure.