No comments about Bacharach: Maestro! The Life of a Pop Genius.

3 comments about Sam Houston: Life and Times of Liberator of Texas an Authentic American Hero.

1. Who is the Houston, the city, and Houston, the popular street in Manhattan named after, anyway?

   This fascinating and highly readerable biography retells the legend of Sam Houston, the controversial governor of Tennessee and Texas, the first president of the Republic of Texas, and a protege of Andrew Jackson. Williams' recreates the political and historical atmosphere of Manifest Destiny era in a critical, yet sympathetic biography that should become a standard work for 19th century history buffs. Williams portrays Houston as a charmistic man and alcoholic, a distrustful populist, and an authentic American hero who tried to keep Texas in the Union.

   Williams' Houston is also an easy target for revisionist historians looking for expansionist villains. An occassional supporter of the Know Nothing party, Houston defended slavery and advocated a war with Mexico to unite all Americans in 1860. It was a futile effort to both prevent the Civil War and become president of the United States. Williams suggests that Houston's temper and penchant for secrecy blocked his highest political ambitions.

   Williamns' vibrant biography illuminates the enduring appeal (and danger) of an authentic military hero and populist politician. Full of memorable quotes and extensive resource notes, this compelling biography is the kind of first rate history that tantalizes readers with absorbing "what ifs" and the lost possibilities of a distant time and place.

   I learned a great deal reading this book and highly recommend it. Books like this demonstrate how many great stories remain untold or forgotten in our history - even when cities and streets are named after yesterday's idols.




2. I'm not sure if the first reviewer read the same book that I did. As a doctoral student in history, I have read many history books and must defend Williams's book as SUPERBLY written and carefully researched; Williams obviously wrote this book for a larger audience. Such an excellent combination of readability and academic rigor is the envy of every serious historian.

   I highly recommend this biography for the causal reader and the serious scholar, which certainly ranks among the best bios of Sam Houston to date.




3. I'm not sure if the first reviewer read the same book that I did. As a doctoral student in history, I have read many history books and must say this was a SUPERBLY written and researched account. Williams's prose is highly accessible to the average reader, while meeting the rigors of serious academic work. An excellent book for the casual reader and scholar alike.

No comments about Clark Gable - The King of Hollywood (Biography).

1 comments about The Intentional Leader.

1. I used Shaw's book as the text for my graduate Foundations of Educational Leadership course last spring and will use it again this fall. Shaw's book provides students with an opportunity to self reflect and analyze their skills. As one of my students stated, "Self-reflection and making an honest analysis about my leadership skill development is something that I truly struggle with. I've learned a great deal using Shaw's text this semester." Another student stated, "The ideas in Shaw's book were quite eye opening. As I read, I found myself saying, Yeah, that makes sense."
   The Intentional Leader provides a comprehensive look at leadership skills and abilities. The book is very user friendly and well written.

2 comments about Solved! The "Mysterious" Disappearance of Jim Thompson, the Legendary Thai Silk King.

1. Roy De Souza solves nothing. The title is misleading and very disappointing. He has no real evidence or smoking gun only supposition.
   He also aludes to the drug dealing rumor but does not call it fiction as it is. Would not recommend it to anyone.



2. Solved! The "Mysterious" Disappearance of Jim Thompson, the Legendary Thai Silk King love it; or hate it. the persona, and the enigma of jim thompson. author roy de souza skilfully weaves a rich tapestry of intrigue set in the exotic far east. highly recommended!

No comments about Outrageous Texans: Tales of the Rich and Infamous.

1 comments about Kathleen's Vineyard: The Fetzer Family Matriarch Shares Her Story.

1. Any California wine buff readily knows the name of Fetzer Wines: but how many know the entire story of the family's rise in the wine industry? To get that you have to turn to KATHLEEN'S VINEYARD: THE FETZER FAMILY MATRIARCH SHARES HER STORY. Written in collaboration with longtime family friend Sarah Suggs and with the aid and input of the entire family, KATHLEEN'S VINEYARD tells of a teen who journeyed from her Minnesota home to the San Francisco Bay Area, looking for work and independence. Her discovery of romance in one Bernard Fetzer led to their involvement in the California wine industry and their creation of a family empire. Add vintage black and white photos and you have a winning story of a family's experience along with new insights on the California wine industry's evolution.
   
   Diane C. Donovan, Editor
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Babe Ruth - The Sultan of Swat (Biography).

No comments about The Playboy Interviews: The Comedians (The Playboy Interviews).

1 comments about Belinda: The Political and Private Life of Belinda Stronach.

1. Author Don Martin pens an interesting biography of the most public of members of the Stronach family dynasty.
   
   The Honorable Belinda Stronach is the daughter of Frank Stronach, perhaps most renowned for his Stronach Stables/Adena Springs Thoroughbred holdings and Magna Entertainment Corp., which owns a number of major tracks in North America.
   
   Her life has been in a fast lane of politics, pop culture and business. A Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) in the Canadian House of Commons, she started her political career as a member of the Conservative Party; her friends include Brad Pitt, Bono and Gene Simmons of KISS and she has had major management positions in Magna International, the family's automotive enterprise.
   
   Hers is a life that can be explored from many angles. And through the triumphs, controversies and tragedies, Martin keeps the pace of his text humming along, like a race car rhapsody.