1 comments about Lincoln's Ladies: The Women in the Life of the Sixteenth President.

1. Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, Lincoln's Ladies is the eyebrow-raising true story of Abraham Lincoln's often troubled life and the women who influenced it. From his treasured first love, who unfortunately perished shortly after they became engaged, to his tumultuous relationship with his wife Mary Todd, who is documented as verbally abusing him (and the domestic help) on countless occassions and even chasing him with a broom, to numerous other women, not all of them romantic relationships, who came to speak with and know Lincoln in various ways, Lincoln's Ladies is a fascinating exploration of a great President's little-known private life. Written by an award-winning journalist, Lincoln's Ladies is a must-read for anyone curious about the nuances of history in general and Licoln's life in particular.

4 comments about Junior Johnson: Brave in Life.

1. To all outward appearances Jr Johnson was a country bumpkin, yet this book shows beneath that "good ole boy" veneer was a sophisticated mind and drive on which crowds cheered and engineers with PhDs came for advice, the latter not covered by Tom Wolfe's book. A quality presentation.



2. Tom Higgins of the Charlotte Observer and ESPN and Steve Waid of WC Illus. can tell a story like no one else can. Mix Tom, Steve and Junior together and you get lots of NASCAR history AND sore ribs.



3. being a relatively new fan of nascar, and having family members that work closely with it gave me the incentive to read this book. after the untimely death of nascar great dale earnhardt, i found it difficult to watch the weekly races.they seemed to be missing an important member of nascar and my reason for tuning in every weekend. after reading this book,i have changed my mind.nascar is truly the junior johnsons,the kale yarboroughs, and the ricard pettys. they made nascar what it is today. they paved the road for the newcomers. i still miss dale,but now i find i really do have another reason to tune in. i enjoy watching. i no longer have a favorite driver. i just cheer on the front runner. the book was a good read. i reccomend it highly.



4. being a relatively new fan of nascar, and having family members that work closely with it gave me the incentive to read this book. after the untimely death of nascar great dale earnhardt, i found it difficult to watch the weekly races.they seemed to be missing an important member of nascar and my reason for tuning in every weekend. after reading this book,i have changed my mind.nascar is truly the junior johnsons,the kale yarboroughs, and the ricard pettys. they made nascar what it is today. they paved the road for the newcomers. i still miss dale,but now i find i really do have another reason to tune in. i enjoy watching. i no longer have a favorite driver. i just cheer on the front runner. the book was a good read. i reccomend it highly.

No comments about A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Washington to Buchanan complete, with active table of contents.

1 comments about Lee Takes Command: From Seven Days to Second Bull Run (Civil War).

1. I read this book because my library didn't have the voices of the civil war book for the 7 days campaign but this book filled in just fine and was probabbly better then the other series. this book explains the 7 Days battle in the areas around Richmond. It also tells the story of the begining of the Manassas campaign and will introduce you to battles that you might not have heard of before

No comments about A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Lincoln to T. Roosevelt complete, with active table of contents.

5 comments about Three Months in the Southern States: April-June 1863.

1. Lieut. -Col. Arthur Fremantle has not given us in this work a tired and boring look at strategy and tactics. He has also not told us anything new about the leading men of the Confederacy. What the reader will get is an excellent look at day to day life in the Confederate army and in the southern nation itself.

   The lack of tactical detail could result from the fact that Fremantle, although a career military man had never seen combat until Gettysburg. It could also result from his desire to avoid aiding the north by giving away secrets while the war was still in progress. There are, after all, instances in the book where Fremantle makes it clear that he is not writing about all he saw for that very reason. Whatever the reason, I'm happy he left out the tactics for it would have only slowed down a marvelous account of Fremantle's trip through the Confederacy.

   It is obvious early on that Fremantle is very taken with the south and some of his stories about happy slaves might reflect a bit of propaganda. Overall however, his stories of individual behavior are more than credible and drive home the point that this war was affecting the lives of real people, not historical figures. The stories of hotel keepers in northern territory that were hesitant to let him have a room until he produced gold coin for payment, the slave of a Confederate officer leading a Yankee prisoner by a rope tied around the poor prisoner's neck, and the several stories of southern women being far more antagonistic toward the north than were the men, all help bring the human side of the civil war to life. Reading Fremantle's account of General Lee's behavior as his broken troops returned to Seminary Ridge after the disaster now called Pickett's charge almost makes the reader feel as if they were there.

   Read this book with a small grain of salt, remembering that Fremantle is writing this book in England while the war is still in progress. His anti-Irish bias kept getting under my skin but as with the rest of the book, you must keep in mind who is writing the narrative and when it was written. Overall however, I think the reader will find that Fremantle's observations are both entertaining and enlightening.




2. Freemantle offers us a interesting look as if opening a time capsule of information in 1863. Freemantle enters Texas and his journey starts there. Soon he discovers how soldiers and civilians of the south live and handle the hardships of war. Freemantle meets many popular Southern leaders such as Johnston, Davis, Lee, Longstreet during his travels. He is very fortunate to give us interesting views of the people involved in hardships and conflicts in various cities of the south such as Jackson, Vicksburg, Richmond, Winchester and others. His information certainly documents the timeline. I was most interested in reading about his Gettysburg exploits as he has become more famous in modern times most likely due to the movie, "Gettysburg" in which he presented. I was curious to read about his opinion and eye witness accounts which helped support explanations regarding the Battle of Gettysburg. Freemantle doesn't involve himself in many details of battles or conflicts. He likes to write about people and share his opinion of them. After Gettysburg Freemantle travels north to board the ship China which will take him back home to England. In doing this we are offered more interesting commentary as he writes about northern views and how northerners are coping with the draft, slavery and the war. Overall this is a quick book to read although it is vital for any historian looking to understand people and places during the early summer of 1863. I recommend it!



3. Succinct yet powerful, this volume is a treasure trove of information. The personal observations of Colonel Arthur J.L. Fremantle of His Majesty's Coldstream Guards, this volume covers his travels and experiences as a British Army observer from his landing at Matamoras, Mexico up to and including his observations at the Battle of Gettysburg. Fremantle is extremely observant. This short, quick read describes conditions, thoughts and attitudes in the South during the spring and summer of 1863. It is surprisingly well written. Colonel Fremantle had an eye for detail that is second to none.



4. After reading this book, I can only conclude this guy must have been in the pay of the Confederates in one way or another, or of someone else who wanted to help promote their cause in Europe or at least in the UK. Who paid for his trip anyway? Perhaps the historians out there can enlighten me. This is the only explanation, as I can see it, for how he can misread the direction the war was taking so badly (willfully?) when he had in some cases first hand experiences of the events (Gettysburg) and evidently direct access to the main decision makers. The way he accepts the southerners explanations that some slaves might have been beaten, but only by "Northern born" owners is frankly a joke, as is the repeated emphasis on how culturally connected the "gentlemen" leading the Confederate cause are to UK aristos. The disappointing introduction doesn't address these - and the many other issues his diary raises - at all adequately. Fremantle is poorly understood - there's more to this guy and his three month mission than is picked up here.
   
   I am surprised by all the four and five star reviews that describe this as a must read and yet arrive at the same conclusions about where this book is weakest.
   
   That said, I'm in a quandry over the number of stars to give it - it's entertaining but see it as a piece of spin rather than the account of a super source.



5. A quick but pleasant read, I struggled to lay it down. In nearly fifty years of studying the War Between the States, I had seen Fremantle quoted many times, but had never read his actual work.
   Picked it up in a book store, read until closing time, did not want to quit, had to finish it later.
   Never mind biased haters who detest anything positive about the South. If you want to read first hand what the leaders, people and attitudes of the Confederacy were like, this is a fine source. Remember, this was written by an English army officer, who was on leave, and had come to observe the war.
   And like all of Gods children, he has his prejudices. But is in the end, I feel, as fair and honest as he can be, except to the Irish.
   Interesting prose, filled with facts and humor. I recommend this to any student of American history.

5 comments about Why Sinatra Matters.

1. Many of the basic,well known aspects of FS's life are mentioned here, starting with the Genoan and Sicilian branches of his family history, his quiet father and brash, Democratic Ward Leader mother. The segment on Bing Crosby's huge influence on 1930's popular culture, especially in the new radio-centered family (like TV today) is great, and perhaps not known too much today. FS as an icon for immigrant Italians, along with LaGuardia and DiMaggio, is also a high point. The days with James and Dorsey are also well done, if rehashes, like much of this otherwise excellent book. And much is written about FS's legendary "Fall" and 2nd Rise, the Fall being among the most overdone of FS's incredible life.(Many would love to fall from such Olympian heights!). Mr. Hamill says that the music is what matters. Obviously, he's right! Only Frank could sing so well about the depths of anguish and despair, as well as the thrill of triumph! The author also gives a nice summation of the great work of FS with Nelson Riddle. Unfortunately, short shrift is given to Billy May, and a short paragraph mocks the "sugary" work of Gordon Jenkins. Oddly, the most famous pairing of Jenkins and FS, "September of My Years" is listed in the appendix as among Mr. Hamill's favorite albums! It would have been nice if a CD was included,since this book does not really mine the golden depths of FS's best recordings. Still, all in all, a fine and succinct presentation of The Man and His Music.



2. I like this book because it isn't like all the other Sinatra biographies out there. In fact, it isn't really appropriate to call "Why Sinatra Matters" a biography at all. Author Pete Hamill was an acquaintance of Sinatra's and much of the book is built around conversations that the two men had together, which is very interesting. This book gives a general overview of Sinatra's upbringing and rise to stardom. Hamill explains how Sinatra's childhood and Italian American background contributed to the development of his music. Sinatra's "fall from grace" is also examined, but Hamill is quick to point out that the only thing that really matters is that Sinatra was able to overcome his obstacles and make an incredible comeback. There has never been another singer like Frank Sinatra and there never will be again. Sinatra continues to represent so many things to so many people, which is why his music will live on forever.



3. Ironic that Pete Hamill should write this book. To my ears and eyes, Pete Hamill has never written a sincere or honest word in his life.
   
   The irony is that when Sinatra was asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said he would want people to think of him as an honest singer.
   
   The book is good, but read it with a grain of salt due to the author.



4. This is a small book. Short and sweet. Mr. Hamill gets right to the point . There isnt a lot of fluff in this book. A few pictures and so anecdotes to start some of the chapters. It written well and the layout is succint. This is a must read for any Sinatra fan.



5. Another masterpiece by Hamill. This work reveals the humanity of Sinatra. It is short, but oh soooooo good! If you are interested in Sinatra, read this book. It is sophisicated and loaded with the nuances of the man who did it his way, faults, bruises, and all.

4 comments about The Making of a Radical: A Political Autobiography (Good Life Series).

1. Many people try to live keeping their conviction. However it is difficult to keep it and it is even not easy to have a right conviction. Scott Nearing was the sociologist who practiced the right things that he believed and lived all his life as a naturalist. He lived for true convictions. After reading this book, I reflected my past. At least I think, it could be fortunate to have a opportunity to think of our spiritual slackening in the midst of material prosperity. I recommend this autobiography.



2. Each human being's life is itself of great value and meaning.
   And so, life should be lived just as life itself, not as a means for other doctrines or propaganda. No one is expendable.
   The author also gives a sharp insight into monetary economy in which we live in. Day after day we are getting subject to the Lord of Money, and money becomes our Lord.
   So parodoxically, the more money one make, the more subject to money we get.That's absurd.
   This book shares much in common with 'To have or To Be' by Erich Fromm.
   The author is a real humanist, who wanted every living being live the life as it deserves. Not being deceived by the illusions that we meet in our daily lives.
   I really want to recommend this book to all those who looks upon all living beings as a united One, each not a separate pieces of life against life.



3. This book gives a person an idea about how the controlling forces in America will supress someone that tries to help the lower classes.
   
   In Nearing's early career he spoke out about child labor, and was hated on by the controlling forces at that time. Only time would tell how right he was. Yet he spent his entire career being shunned away from the universities which he wished to teach at, just because he would not shut up when he cared about something.
   
   The greatest part of this book, to me, was that Nearing talks about "avoiding wealth" and "narrowly avoiding getting rich"... as if it is a disease or something. He never aspired to become rich, in fact he purposely stopped anything of the sort from happening.
   
   Nearing sets an excellent example of someone that tries to help out, never gives up, and cannot be silenced. When he turned 100 he stopped eating and CHOSE to die, believing that he had lived a full life and did not deserve any more of the earth's resources.
   
   Now, if that doesn't make you think, what does.



4. Scott and Helen Nearing are familiar to many of my post-WWII peers because of their figurehead status in the back-to-the-land movement in the 60s. Their homestead experience as reported in LIVING THE GOOD LIFE provided a blueprint for many city folk who wanted to follow Joni Mitchell's Woodstock admonition to "get back to the land and set my soul free." Scott Nearing's earlier life was far from invisible, however, and in this work he explains his journey from a childhood of conservative privilege to the forefront of pacifist, socialist economic theorizing and activism. Along the way you will relive his public and popular debates with the likes of William Jennings Bryan and H.L. Mencken, his expulsion from teaching at the prestigious Wharton School of Business. (which became and remains a landmark in the struggle for academic freedom), and his federal trial for publication of anti-American opinion (not-guilty). Though Nearing is sometimes disappointingly uncritical of the Soviet and Chinese experiments with socialism, that does not diminish his clear-eyed critique of our own system. In his view, capitalism replaced feudalism over a period of three hundred years, and the system which replaces our current one of "monopoly-capitalism" will be a similarly gradual process. Communism's failures are to be expected, he believes, because they are an early attempt at a reorganization of human endeavor -- and he reminds us of the horrors of early capitalism (slavery, child labor, sweatshops, violent suppression of unions, etc.), as well as the wars fought to make the world safe for capitalism. This is the story of an intentional life, lived by a profound thinker. You will bid goodbye to Nearing either furious, or inspired, but definitely not unmoved. Whither humanity?

3 comments about Lost Property: Memoirs and Confessions of a Bad Boy.

1. This book made me miss my Metro stop and feed my children cold, canned food -- I couldn't get back to it fast enough and went through a minor depression after finishing it. Sonnenberg has a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor and writes exquisitely. For some unknown reason, this book reminded me of "Of Human Bondage". If only he'd write another.... And without this book, the world would lose small gems such as "short, but very thick, and it smelled of honey."

   There are some things the world needs to know.




2. I wrote a review for amazon weeks ago and it hasn't appeared. Please let me know why.



3. Ben Sonnenberg may rue that "in my worst recurring dream I'm cut at a party by Henry James," but James would be the loser. "Lost Property" takes up post-JFK New York City where Dawn Powell had to leave off, and Sonnenberg proves himself a one-man Goncourt Brothers. "Confessions" require transgressions, but being a "bad boy" suggests venial rather than venal sins. "I heard from a friend of my father's that no one is truly a man until his heart has been broken three times," a record easily surpassed in this chronicle of lovers, celebrities, and mismatches, projects, travels, and quiet triumphs, amid a torrent of literature. ("Publishers Weekly," above, neatly reprises the facts.)
   
   Then midway through the journey of this life comes a knock at the door for this "grey-haired youth": MS. Yet his condition eventually let Sonnenberg channel his energies into founding the quarterly "Grand Street" and, between 1981 and 1990, editing 35 classic issues. The roll-call of topics and authors still astonishes: "A Grand Street Reader" (1986) and "Performance and Reality: Essays from Grand Street" (1989) collect 64 exemplary stories, poems, and essays.
   
   Some reviewers of the original edition were upset by a confession which did not include absolution: there are explanations but, refreshingly, no excuses. Those who enjoy it will want to compare accounts with "Strangers in the House: Life Stories" by Dorothy Gallagher, his present wife. To dissuade her from marrying him, Sonnenberg says of MS, "It's pernicious, but not fatal"---an unfussy accuracy of word choice characteristic of a style like Sancerre, the clean, slatey white wine from the Loire. Counterpoint's handsome reissue re-sets the text attractively, and corrects a few errors; name-chasers will admire the useful index. (Check out Glenn Gould, pages 66-69.) "Lost Property" shows how one man trumped the curse of remembering.

5 comments about Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country.

1. An outstanding book that shows clearly that the father of our country was a Christian and not the deist that revisionists would have us believe. For anyone interested in what made up the character of George Washington, this book is a must. Washington's own words and the words of those who knew him speak volumes.



2. The Novaks take on the tough question: Was George Washington a Christian or a Deist? With a thorough approach in an historical context, this work is a must read for anyone looking for this answer or who wants to explore an interesting side of our first President.



3. Was George Washington a deist or a Christian? It is an important question, as Washington was not only the first president but the most respected of all of America's founding fathers.
   
   In their book, "Washington's God," Michael and Jana Novak investigate Washington's public and private life to answer this question. The evidence is mixed:
   
   Toward the view that Washington was a deist: Washington rarely referred to Jesus Christ (although he did write a letter to the Delaware Indians and recommend the religion of Jesus Christ), but instead he preferred the term "Providence," or generic terms like "the Author of our Blessed Religion." Washington regularly refused to take communion at church. When asked point-blank if he believed in Jesus Christ, he would not answer the question. When he died, he did not ask for a minister, and simply said, "'Tis well."
   
   Toward the view that Washington was a Christian: Washington was a member of the Anglican church, which he attended regularly, including overseeing business of his local church. He agreed to be godfather to eight children, something the less religious Thomas Jefferson refused to do. He spoke of "Providence" in Christian terms, not deist terms. A deist believes God is like a watchmaker who makes the world and then is not involved; Washington instead spoke of divine Providence intervening and bringing together the events that led to his victory in the American Revolution. His reluctance to explicitly state his faith in Jesus Christ can be understood as typical for an Anglican who is more reserved about public expressions of faith. Nevertheless, there are reports of him privately praying during the war, and he insisted on having chaplains in the Continental Army. After his death, Martha Washington spoke of it as a Christian death.
   
   On balance, Novak concludes that while he was very private about his faith, George Washington was, indeed, a Christian. He notes that Washington believed in religious liberty and opposed a state church, but Washington supported an accomodationist view of church and state that allows for public expresssions of general faith in the public square, without an endorsement of any particular denomination.



4. Novak & daughter make repeated assumptions that are in no way indicated by the historical record, and at most, his and his fellow Christian Revisionist Historian's wishful thinking are the only basis for this tome. To conclude that a man that does not even USE the word Jesus, in one SINGLE instance in ANY of his known documents, or writings, is a Christian, is disingenuous, and has a political, rather than religious overtone. Save your money, would be my advice, and skip this as the pure propaganda that it most certainly is.



5. I chose this book because I had been reading some shorter biographies on George Washington and I became interested in the "truth" about his faith. This book hits on some interesting points but the writing style is very choppy (the author constantly goes back and forth in time) and the style of narrative just didn't draw this reader in. David McCullough's epic volume on John Adams - as long and detailed as it is - proves that an author can provide tremendous detail and still keep the reader wanting to turn the page to learn more. Still, for some strong evidence that George Washington was no passive deist, but actually had a compelling Christian faith, one can turn to Washington's God as a good source of information.