1 comments about On the Altar of Freedom: A Black Soldier's Civil War Letters from the Front.

1. "On the Altar of Freedom" was an interesting book in that it compiled the letters sent to a newspaper by Corporal James Gooding of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry (the "Glory" outfit). By reading the letters (ie the book), one can get a view of Civil War life from the view of a black Union soldier. The major drawback to the work is that Gooding was sending the letters to the newspaper for the express purpose of them being published. What would have been more interesting would have been to see his private (if any) correspondence. That way the reader would have been able to see the private man. This book is also an interesting read because of the mention of unapolgetic black CSA sharpshooters being captured by Union forces outside Fort Wagner.

2 comments about Adam Smith and the Origins of American Enterprise: How the Founding Fathers Turned to a Great Economist's Writings and Created the American Economy.

1. Roy C. Smith offers a readable, straight-forward, right-of-center review of the famous economist, Adam Smith. The book introduces Smith's thoughts in basic detail, and spends a great deal of time putting Smith in the context of the American revolution, which of course is when "The Wealth of Nations" was published, in 1776. At times the history seems to drown-out the thems of Adam Smith's contribution, but by the conclusion the author ties up his thesis that Adam Smith's thought had a pervasive and substantial impact on the Founding Fathers, and upon the way Americans have done busness since then. A good read for introductory or undergraduate readers. Author's focus remains on Smith and American context. Little mention of John Maynard Keynes is made, and no discusion of Marx or socialism as a competing alternative. This did not detract from book, as plenty of other books and articles speak to those subjects.



2. R Smith is certainly correct that Hamilton,Washington,Madison,Franklin,etc.,had either read the Wealth of Nations(WN,1776) or were familiar with its point of view.Of course,these individuals formed the Federalists.They were the real thing as far as genuine conservatism is concerned.They were opposed by the Anti Federalsts(Mason,Randolph,Henry,Paine,Jefferson,etc.)who took their cue from the work of J B Say.These individuals are not conservatives.They are libertarians.It is this group that believed in laissez faire,opposed all tariffs,opposed a uniform currency,opposed the creation of a central bank to control the problematic behavior of private commercial banks,opposed the creation of a strong federal government,opposed giving the federal government the power to tax,etc.R Smith has obviously not read the Wealth of Nations in its entirety because the real Adam Smith favored overall progressive taxes,supported both revenue and retaliatory tariffs,supported extensive public goods and works spending by a democratically elected government(as opposed to the " Government" tyranny of George III.R Smith badly misrepresents Smith's views here),had a very clear understanding of free market failure,externalities and spillover effects,the need to prevent any bank loans from going to projectors(J M Keynes's rentiers and speculators),prodigals,and imprudent risk takers,the need to fix the rate of interest in the long run permanently at a low level a little bit above the prime rate,the skewing of loans to the sober middle class entrepreneurs who would use the loans to create productive jobs and not leveraged buyouts ,dot com frauds,and subprime scams, and the importance of making sure that all individuals had an education and religious instruction that would be provided free of charge by the state if they were unable to pay for such education themselves.There is no substantial discussion of any of these Smithian topics anywhere in R Smith's book.R Smith appears to believe that Adam Smith was a libertarian.Nothing could be further from the truth.The interested reader is encouraged to read pp.280-340,especially Smith's summary on pp.339-340,434-439,681-690,716-768,and 794-795 of the Modern Library(Cannan)edition of the WN to discover the real Adam Smith.You will not find him in this book.

5 comments about Gold Digger: The Outrageous Life and Times of Peggy Hopkins Joyce.

1. I was utterly shocked to read the mediocre reviews of this book. From the minute I picked it up, I was unable to put it down until I had read every single page. Although Peggy was not the most profound character in history, her story is exciting and captivating, as well as entertaining, showing how a "nothing" girl can rise to be a somebody. The writer portrays Peggy's story beautifully, with incredibly meticulous research, even though there was obviously little to start with. This is a delicious book, which readers will simply devour.



2. I honestly could not finish this book. I tried. Even though it is simple reading, I couldn't stay interested. I like factual books, and I got tired of Rosenblum continually saying "according to Peggy's memoirs", and writing that an event or supposed act may or may not have happened. That's not a good biography to me. I want facts. I just couldn't get half way through.



3. Anita Loos was not just putting a fictional spin onto Lorelei Lee in the comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes- she was writing highly creative fiction. All that was sensational if forgiveable in the character was sordid and criminal in her real life inspiration. Peggy Hopkins Joyce could not, like the immortal temptress, sustain our interest or our tolerance for gold digging as the rightful occupation for goddesses and consumate sirens. Marilyn/Lorelei was the allure that drew me to this book, and as a marketing technique, it was brilliant The author, Constance Rosenbaum, deserves credit for her attempt to
   broaden her study as the archetype for celebrity as a parasitic self-invention sucking media ink and human longing. Flapper, eternally ambitious and selfish, Peggy Joyce had no 'skills' as the kids would say, other than in the sexual arena and in her absolute indifference, it seemed, to vows and sufferings of her admirers.

   By far the most interesting section of PJH's life was her successful swim upstream from the poor south to her celebrated spawning grounds, old Georgetown to the shores of DC Manhatten. That she was the archetype of the media gliterrati and though in all ways dull- manipulated the media as part of her universal manipulation as life- was again insufficient to the task of vitalizing her. The author was given the contents of her subject's newsclippings and coasters with a few notes, kept wisely for someone who could put together a study. Though Constance Rosenbaum did a worthy job- she perhaps lacked a similar penchant for extravaganza of myth and stardom. We wanted to experience Lorelei- and that, we learn, is a part of the movies- Peggy's stardom evaded the silver screen- and sadly- this bio.




4. The front cover alone and and title of the book caught my attention and made me want to read the book about a person I'd never even heard of before, which is unusual for me as I tend to only ready bios of mainstream movie stars.

   From the minute I started reading the book, I fell in love with Peggy and her life, the book is amazingly well written and includes small parts from Peggy's own memoirs which made me feel like I was getting to know Peggy as a person and not just reading about her.

   I loved the book, it inspired me enormously and I would now buy anything I could find on Peggy, although sadly I have been able to find no other books on her.

   I have no hesitation in recommending this book and am amazed to read the negative comments from other readers.

   I love you Peggy!!!




5. Does the name Peggy Hopkins Joyce sound familiar? Probably not, if you're younger than 85. Peggy had minor roles in Ziegfeld's Follies, Broadway plays and various movies, but she was most known for her 6 marriages and the indiscreet affairs she enjoyed through the Roaring Twenties.
   
   This is yet another book that starts at the end, with the subject's funeral. I'll burn the next bio that does that! The introduction was mostly gratuitous, with information that could easily have been inserted into the narrative. The one interesting exception was the author's acquisition of a carton that contained Peggy's papers, which included hundreds of articles about her, correspondence from friends, strangers, lovers, potential suitors and businesses, and various notes and items.
   
   Peggy learned early that her pretty face, slender figure and nice legs could attract jewelry, fancy clothes, and a luxurious lifestyle, though she'd have to put out to collect. Fortunately, she enjoyed sex. Her numerous affairs were initially scancalous, as the U. S. had still not shaken the combined cultural and legal influences of the Victorian era and the Comstock laws. The resulting media coverage made her one of the most famous women of her time. While she sometimes stretched the truth to exploit her publicity, she was usually frank when discussing her motives. "I'm wondering if I am really mercenary," she admitted. "Perhaps I am, but it is better to be mercenary than miserable."
   
   Peggy's timing was impeccable. In 1919, the Illustrated Daily News (soon shortened to Daily News) was founded, inaugurating the tabloid press that covered celebrities exclusively. Peggy cultivated publicity, and became famous for being famous; she didn't even need a press agent. Reporters loved to see her, and since she was usually able to toss off a controversial quote, she was considered good copy. The author contends that Peggy should be remembered as the first media celebrity. She writes of Peggy's effects on the average American:
   
   "While the bored and restless housewife reading of Peggy's capers pursed her lips in disapproval, the gesture was tinged with longing. How thrilling to actually be Peggy Joyce, she couldn't have helped but imagine. There in her spartan kitchen or her shabby living room, she must have tried to picture herself slipping yet another string of pearls around her neck or awaiting the arrival of yet another Continental charmer. What woman wouldn't have adored wearing the tiara with the two hundred diamonds, settling that Russian sable around her shoulders, or listening to princes whisper candied words in her ear? As for male readers, of course they all prayed devoutly they would never end up in the clutches of such a vixen, but wasn't she a dish with that slinky figure and that knowing smile, and my God didn't she sound like a pistol in bed? What man inside the courtroom and out didn't undress her with his eyes?"
   
   I'd have succumbed, too.
   
   This isn't normally my kind of topic, but the writing is so smooth and captivating that I didn't want to leave Peggy's heyday. Granted, I didn't respect myself in the morning.....

5 comments about Give Your Heart to the Hawks: A Tribute to the Mountain Men.

1. Winfred Blevins' `Give Your Heart to the Hawks' is exactly what its sub title claims - a tribute to the Mountain Men. It is neither a historical novel nor a pure history. Rather, it is accurate history, albeit with Blevins' interpretation of the thoughts and emotions that the mountain men were experiencing during some of their most dangerous and daring exploits added. This technique removes the book from the roles of strict history, but works well in creating the tribute that the author intended, for his goal was not simply to chronicle the bones of their history, but to bring to life their wild and free existence and allow the reader to enter into the spirit of the mountain man's life.
   Blevins does not attempt a comprehensive account of the mountain men. Some are covered extensively, like John Colter, the prototype mountain man, Jim Bridger, and Jed Smith, the most atypical and perhaps greatest of the mountain men. Others, like Old Bill Williams, Joe Walker, and Kit Carson are barely covered or mentioned only in passing. Blevins does not cover the mountain men of the southwest at all. Instead, he illuminates his chosen subjects in depth, choosing to fully explore the life that the mountain men lived rather than broadly covering the entire scope of their collective history.
   To recreate the wild drama of the mountain man's life, Blevins tells some of the most thrilling tales of the era, like John Colter's desperate naked run from Indian braves pursuing him for sport, Hugh Glass' amazing solo trek through 300 miles of wilderness without weapons or any tools for survival after being left for dead when mauled by a grizzly, or Jed Smith's daring crossings of the desert and mountains to find a land route to California. He writes of these men, "Any man who survived for several years as a trapper, taking responsibility for his own survival alone in the wilds, had been schooled thoroughly by the Rocky Mountains. ...He had graduated from Rocky Mountain College, a pragmatic university that gave no degrees, but flunked men into their graves." Between the various stories of specific mountain men, he includes interludes that detail important aspects of their life and trade - trapping, yarning, rendezvous, buffalo - cuisine premiere, mountain craft, mountain mating, and trappers and Indians are a few of the interesting subjects of mountain life dealt with in these interludes. He also includes a few colorful accounts written by the rare, literate mountain man detailing their unique life. He succeeds admirably in breathing life into this too often neglected period of amazing individuals who blazed the way for the westward expansion of the American nation.
   While Blevins' writing is not always stellar, he manages to create an effective and stirring tribute to the wild individuals who chose to live free in the Rocky Mountains. No one who is interested in the period should miss it. Both students of the period of the mountain men and fur trade and those looking for a good introduction to the subject will find `Give Your Heart to the Hawks' a fascinating and rewarding reading experience.
   
   Theo Logos



2. Never have so few lived such adventurous lives! During the era of the Mountain Men, lasting from 1806 to 1843, a few hundred Americans trapped or traded for beaver in the Rocky Mountains. Blevins tells the romantic story of some of these men, especially those who made their living around the northern Rockies in Wyoming, Utah, and Montana.
   
   The famous stories about the Mountain Men are told here: John Colter's run, Hugh Glass's encounter with a grizzly, Jedediah Smith's long overland journeys to California, the peregrinations of Jim Bridger. The lives, customs, and tortured language of the Mountain Men, including the debauchery of rendevous and the joys of Indian women and gorging on buffalo meat are well described. The author celebrates the Mountain Men and if you're not familar with the era and its heroes this is a good place to start -- although with the understanding that you're not getting the whole story. The fur trappers of the Southwest, including Ewing Young and Kit Carson, are scarcely mentioned. Nor do the British competitors of the Americans receive their due. But the untamed West in all its pristine glory is well-described in "Give your Heart to the Hawks."
   
   From the vast literaturee about the Mountain Men. "Across the Wide Missouri" by Bernard DeVoto is probably the (difficult and irritating) classic of the genre.
   
   Smallchief



3. This book is much more than just a history of the fur trade and mountain men. In fact, if you read the Preface, Win states that he wishes to portray the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the mountain men from a subjective point of view. He accomplishes the task. It's a wonderful read about the mountain men (not ALL of the mountain men but a select, representative few) and their lives. You may ask, how accurate is his subjective view. The answer lies in the fact that Win is well researched in the lives of the mountain man, well learned in the mountain ways, and skilled enough to give these historical figures a heartbeat. As mentioned before, the number of mountain men chronicled in this book is limited. So, if you are looking for a good primer on individual mountain men, then maybe "The Mountain Men" by Laycock would be a better place to start. Otherwise, this is an excellent book and not as dry as some of the books on individual mountain men.



4. I highly recommend this book very authentic, but entertaining, enthralling and compelling. My advice is to get the paperback, and mark it up as you go thru, as you will want to return to it often for reference or refreshing.



5. It's often said that a good writer makes his characters seem real, but this is more of a book about 'real characters.' It's as if the author was an adoring tag-along, describing the misogynistic adventures of these mountain men with not much consideration for the humanity of the victims. These adventurers also set the stage for wholesale slaughter of Native peoples as a way to get the land they lived on. I don't think it serves the author or his readers to ignore humanity when you're saluting heroes.

5 comments about They Called Him Stonewall.

1. This is a well written and easy to follow book on the life of "Stonewall" Jackson. The book not only covers Jackson's military genius, but probes into the mind of the man himself. You come away from this book with a deeper understanding of Jackson, his strong religious convictions, his military fierceness, his strict discipline and his gentle side as well.
   Upon reading this book, one realizes that Jackson was a complex man. Highly recommended reading for all Civil War buffs!



2. This book has come in for some criticism from other reviewers and many of their points are well taken. One has to remember however that this book was first published in 1954, a time when the cult of the lost cause was still very much alive and kicking. This is a prime example of civil war literature of that era. Davis actually shows a good deal of courage in that he did criticize the mighty Stonewall at all. No, this book does not compare favorably with some of the civil war studies that are available today, but it still has a place. In fact this would be an excellent book for someone with no background in civil war studies. For someone who has never heard of A.P. Hill or Richard Ewell this book offers an excellent introduction to the campaigns in Virginia.

   Davis has a pleasant writing style, which makes this an easy book to read. He sprinkles his narrative with amusing antidotes which add greatly to the book and he does not get bogged down in battle the battle details that derail so many books of this sort. The map of the valley campaign does allow the reader to get an idea of the relation of the significant points to each other but a few more maps sprinkled here and there would be of a great deal of help. Jackson of course wore his religion on his sleeve and Davis deals with that extensively. Calvin's influence is obvious although I found it interesting that while in Mexico the General flirted with the Roman Catholic Church. Some of Jackson's habits however cannot be explained by his religious beliefs and some of his behavior is frankly quite odd. Davis gets points for pointing out that Jackson absolutely refused to take any responsibility for failure, always looking for a scapegoat. This of course explains the long running feuds he had with some of his generals. In 1954 circles that criticism of the much revered Stonewall must have raised some eyebrows for as every southerner who is over 40 knows, Stonewall was always right and we would have won easily at Gettysburg if he had only been there. Every time we go to Gettysburg my wife points that out to me and thinks I am crazy because I don't necessarily agree with her.

   I do have a problem with the fact that Davis does not have the courage to take on the Jackson legend so far as to point out his failures during the Seven Days Battles. I realize that it would have been a hard sell in 1954 but Davis fails to do much more than point out that Jackson was unusually slow during this period and does not really even attempt to answer the questions raised by the General's behavior. In fact, had Jackson not failed so badly during this campaign the Union army might have been almost destroyed. After Jackson's failure below Richmond it is indeed almost a miracle that Lee would later have enough confidence in Jackson to give him command of a corps. A lot more detail would have helped in this area.

   Overall though, I found this to be an excellent biography. There is to be found here what was new information in 1954. This book in fact has been the foundation for many of the later and yes, better studies of Stonewall Jackson. This book has remained in print now for fifty years. That in itself should be a clear indicator that this is one of the all time classic studies of the civil war.




3. Where can I find a historical Background of this book?



4. I enjoyed this, but can't say I learned a lot that I didn't already know from other readings. Still, its interesting subject matter about an interesting person. If you're interested in blow-by-blow of the battles, this isn't the book for you.



5. Anything written by Burke Davis is remarkable and this work is no exception. Stonewall Jackson is one of the most eccentric and brilliant generals to participate in the American Civil War. He was a red headed, blue eyed killer, who understood the value of keeping his plans to himself. He was a true military genius, probably the only one the war produced, who was at once peculiar and, quite frankly, perfect. He was absolutely fearless.
   
   From his early days at West Point to his participation in the Mexican War, Davis delivers a Jackson we can only scratch our heads about. Jackson was an unbelievably odd duck. But from that eclectic personality came the remarkable, most perfect compliment to Robert E. Lee. From Jackson's stunning Valley Campaign through the Seven Days, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg and the masterful, though tragic sweep at Chancellorsville where he was killed by his own soldiers, Burke Davis delivers a compelling narrative of men and war.
   
   Stonewall Jackson's story is full of the challenges and triumphs of human nature. He broke the rules of war to win and his tactics are studied at military academies the world over.

2 comments about Thomas Jefferson Versus Alexander Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a Nation (Bedford Series in History and Culture).

1. This book really gives the reader a sense of what Hamilton and Jefferson were REALLY like. They had disputes and were mistrustful of eachother. There wasn't any school-boy stuff going on here. I recommend this book if you're interested in history and are in college. Good book!



2. This book helps give the reader an excellent prespective on how the Federalists and Anti-Federalists helped shape our nation though debate and press.
   
   I enjoyed this book because it is more of a collection of letters, from both Jefferson and Hamilton, leaving it up to you on how to interpret their stances and personalities.

No comments about Henry Flagler: Visionary of the Gilded Age.

No comments about The Life, Crime, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth (Dodo Press).

2 comments about The Civil War World of Herman Melville.

1. Stanton Garner details a day by day chronology of Melville's activities during the Civil War and links them to Melville's first published book of poetry, _Battle Pieces: Aspects of the War_. Garner's prose is elegant, his sources are thoroughly documented, and his insights into Melville's art are incisive and illuminating. Readers interested in the Civil War may find much of interest pertaining to daily life in northern communities, but this book is not about the War as much as it is about Melville and _Battle Pieces_.

   _Battle Pieces_ has been dismissed by some critics as a collection of poorly executed war poems by a failed writer past his prime, but Garner shows us how Melville exercises his prodigious creative talent to build a literary work unlike any contemporary product in the style of its poems and in its substantive treatment of a complex subject. By placing the poems in their historic context and linking them to the family's political views (conservative Democrats disposed toward support of the McClellan candidacy etc.), we gain insight into many otherwise hidden associations.

   Garner's chronology begins with Melville's 1859 voyage to San Francisco aboard his brother's ship _The Meteor_ and continues until just after the publication of _Battle Pieces_ in 1866. Among the more interesting episodes is Melville's visit to the front during the late winter of 1864 to see his cousin, Lt. Henry Gansevoort. This leads to an evening's audience with General Grant, where we imagine Melville gaining valuable material for his work. The next day, he joins an expedition of troops scouting for Moseby's men during which he is directly exposed to the dangers of war.

   Some prospective readers may be tempted to wait for the publication of Hershel Parker's second volume of _Herman Melville: A Biography_. Parker's work, written in much the same style, will have the benefit of Parker's decades of experience updating the Melville Log, so we can expect additional biographical detail. But Garner's insights into Melville's literary work give _Civil War Years_ enduring value worthy of a separate volume.

   While Garner provides pertinent excerpts of Melville's poems as he discusses them, readers will want a copy of _Battle Pieces_ near them as they read.




2. This book has been wonderful company to me both at home and while travelling. If you are absorbed by the Civil War and Herman Melville, you will love "The Civil War World of Herman Melville" down to your toes. Best of all, no matter how well you think you know Melville or the Civil War, you will learn something you didn't know before. The book is an almost day-to-day journey through the war from the home front to the battle front with a family that just happens to be that of America's greatest writer. I love this book without having been fully convinced by Mr. Garner's views on the value of Melville's war poems, and while disagreeing with his harsh judgement of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. I do agree with the above reviewer who advises having a copy of "Battle Pieces" on hand as a pleasure enhancer.

5 comments about Sol LeWitt: A Retrospective.

1. Sol LeWitt is an artist for whom the catalogue is both essential and apt. Because his conception and work mainly consists of a set of instructions that are then executed by other artists, the results can be displayed in many different places. While the literally enormous beauty of the wall paintings and drawings cannot be displayed in the book, that's not the point. The paintings and drawings themselves are temporary, to be whitewashed over when the exhibit 'moves' on. The catalogue provides the valuable service of capturing moments in time when the work was someplace, and brings that to the reader, along with excellent essays on the artist.



2. sol lewitt is my #1 favorite artist. i own many books of his work, and i must say that this is one of the most complete. its got everything. if you went to the sf moma and saw this exibition you wont be dissapointed by this book, it captures it the experience well. if you ever get the chance to see lewitts work in person, DO NOT MISS IT ! you will regret it ! in person these works are extremely powerful !



3. I saw LeWitt's "Retrospective" show in Chicago and loved it.It's great that a book is offered of such a fabulous show that offers the diverse and evolving work of one of the best contemporary artists in the U.S. If the book is anything like the show, I highly recommend it as an enjoyable addition to anyone's collection of art books.



4. For those of you have seen the Sol LeWitt exhibits, this book captures many of those works and more. It offers background information and discussion.

   However, this book goes beyond the exhibit installations and shows examples of installations around the world (outdoor structures, indoor wall murals, etc). These are things by an accomplished artist that are just not "out there" for you and I to view.

   For those who don't know, Sol Lewitt is an amazingly talented and intelligent artist. Yes, intelligent. Almost autistic seeming at times, Sol Lewitt has a way of setting up circumstances for artistic study and then executing *every* *single* possibility as deemed by those circumstances. In one exhibit (shown in this book), Sol LeWitt examines and deconstructs all the possible forms of an open frame cube. In other examples (also in this book and at the exhibit) are line drawings examining the interaction of hundreds of overlapping circles emanating from various points on the canvas.

   Much Sol Lewitt's work goes unnoticed (not much of a web presence, and hard to find posters, examples and pictures). This book helped fill in the gaps and offer a more rounded treatise of his work. Having owned it for months, it is still a pleasure to flip through this book and explore the concepts and discoveries that the artist has gone through. These discoveries are amazingly illustrated (few art books capture the entire series and the evolution of the artist like this one does).

   I have enjoyed this book tremendously....it is a sizeable book that is worth the money and is well put together. Worth the purchase.




5. How do you rate a book on an artist without your subjective reaction to the art figuring in? I LIKE most of LeWitt's work. I LOVE certain pieces and genres. I love MOST of his wall paintings and drawings, I love SOME of his 3D stuff. Alot of his work, I am neutral about. This book covers it all. So, my response is luke warm. This book is in my library because of the work that I love, and I am a big enough fan of it that I want it, along with many other books on his work. There are several books and brochures on aspects of LeWitt's work. I recommend spending your money on those, FIRST. Most are out of print, but they CAN be found. Go to good bookstores with out of print books and search the internet.