1 comments about Harry S. Truman: A Journey to Independence.

1. I listened to these tapes just after finishing McCullough's Truman bio. I felt it was a rehash of the highlights of that work, sensationalized by mixed narration of Lauren Bacall, Gregory Peck, and Jack Lemmon, except with a little more of an additional focus on Margaret than McCullough's book. It did not cover much of Truman's life before or after the presidency. "A Journey to Independence" was a tribute and should be judged as such, rather than a bio. It's a passable listen, but I certainly would not recommend hunting down a copy.

5 comments about To America : Personal Reflections of an Historian.

1. Stephen E. Ambrose writes in a descriptive and knowledgeable, yet fun tone that continues to draw readers back to each of his compelling books. "To America" is no exception to this as it shows an interesting view on main historical happenings in the United States from foundation to present day. After reading this book I was left with many new details and actualities about our nations' history. Ambrose sheds a new light on historicalfigures such as the Founding Fathers, Nixon, Theodore Roosevelt, and Andrew Jackson. He gives details about battles so descriptive that the reader feels like they could have been there.
   
   As I read "To America", I gained valuable knowledge that was never covered in any history class. Ambrose explains misunderstood ideas of quite a few important people, often going deeply into detail about their lives and careers. Besides obvious stories and events given about America, Ambrose also writes about his own life as an historian and author.
   
   Anyone who reads this book will feel that they have a new set of facts about American History. With each story told, Ambrose gives the facts that are often skipped over in textbooks or lectures. Ambrose ties this book together with a powerful sense of nationalism and American spirit.
   
   I would recommend "To America" to any reader who is looking for a new, more detailed view on U.S. History. I give it a 4 out of 5 because although it is somewhat long, any reader breezes throughwhile enjoying Ambroses confrontation of Americas successes and it failures. The reader also is able to much better understand the career of a famous and influential historian.



2. I have loved many of Ambrose's books, but this one really brought home to me the debt we have to those who went before. He's not afraid to say someone is not absolutely perfect (i.e. Jefferson) or absolutely evil (i.e. Nixon). But what he does show is that the American way, with a sense of right and wrong, has prevailed up to the end of the 20th Century, and by implication, that sense of right and wrong need to be there for us to continue into the 21st Century.
   
   Thank you, Mr. Ambrose, for this goodbye card to America.



3. This is my favorite book by this author, which is saying a lot since I have enjoyed almost everything he has ever written. This particular book was written a couple years prior to when it died and it gives his honest reflections about America's history. I absolutely love this book. It's not a long read and it's so interesting since Stephen E. Ambrose was such a great historian. His reflections are honest and I agree with a lot of what he says. A great book.



4. It is a shame Ambrose died of cancer. I looked forward to his yearly books in the nineties. Although his last book was clearly a very readable book, it is not his best. It is summary history of what he learned throughout his life. He states his dislike for Nixon, but also states that what he did in holding the country together demonstrated his abilities. His admittance of some of his mistakes shows a truly great historian and gentleman.
   
   If you have read his other books, this is basically a rehash of all his other books. Since I have read many of his books, I did not learn much, but it was a pleasure to read his summary history. This was a quick read on a well liked and great author and historian.



5. Very good book of brief compilations by a premier historian. What I liked most about many of his brief writings was that Ambrose introduced many contrary, often undiscussed sides of various historical events in history. For those of you interested in reading in depth on many US historic topics, this is a good book to see the flip side of many of the "biased" teachings others may discuss on a topic. What mean by biased is the current school of thought on a subject. Many historians write of America's conquests of the continent as taking away and exploiting the native indians. Ambrose introduces another side through his dealings directly with many native Americans namely that the indains in which the land was taken from, had at one time taken that land from others. Another topics is many of present day hold our founding fathers in contempt of being slave holders. Amborse discusses that this was the norm of the time and some of the founding fathers did trouble over this issue. He continues to say in light of this issue, there were many great things these men did that should never be cast in a shadow.Many of his brief writings in this book will be kept in the back of mind as I continue to explore US history and contrast mainstream train of thought as I read further. Ambrose is also a great story teller often bring that personal touch to each subject which greatly helps the reader relate.

5 comments about Mountain, Get Out of My Way: Life Lessons and Learned Truths.

1. Having long admired Montel, I decided to read this book. What a fascinating life this man has led. From the ghettos of Baltimore, a child of hard-working parents, Montel became a good student and class president in high school. He started playing in a band, bass and trumpet, and also sang. His plan was to save money for college.
   Then he took notice of one of his brother's friends who had joined the Marine Corps, and how the friend had changed for the better. It was then that Montel began to think that the Marine Corps could provide him with a college education. He enlisted, and gained a great respect for the demanding, disciplined, character-building aspects of the military system.
   Eventually, thanks to his leadership potential, his superiors recommended that he apply to the Naval Academy Prep School, which led him to Annapolis. There he struggled with the rigorous curriculum, but made it through with his strong perseverance.
   Throughout the book, we are privy to Montel's challenges, trials, and triumphs, all the things that have led him to his monumental success today as a motivational speaker and TV host. He shares his thoughts on many subjects, and shows his concern for our younger generation.
   "We're in danger of becoming a mediocre society, shaped by mediocre minds, because we promote mediocrity in our schools."
   His thoughts on the breakdown of our society are compelling. "Once we legislated religion out of everything, we had to replace it with something else, so money and success became the gospel...all of a sudden, it wasn't good enough to be a hardworking person, making a living, supporting a family. Now we all have to be millionaires, and we have to be millionaires right away. Everyone's looking for shortcuts, but there are no shortcuts, not a single one."
   The title of the book comes from a line William's used to hear from a drill instructor, who got it from an old gospel song. Montel's mantra now, "Mountain, get out of my way, " means "if you have faith, you can move mountains. If you have faith in something bigger than yourself-in God, community, family, whatever- then anything is possible. Faith alone will give you the strength to clear any obstacle in your way."
   I found this book to be inspiring, enjoyable, and informative, and confirmed my impression of this fine man. I believe he's a tremendous role model, a man of grace and courage, who writes in a clear, concise, entertaining style. Highly recommended!



2. In Montel William's book, he brings much light onto the never-ending battle people have with frustration and "hard times." I was given this book as a gift from my mom. She said she heard from people at work that it was very eye-opening and motivational. I would be lying if I said I didn't agree. From the opening chapter, until the very end, you'll get a feeling of warmth and bursts of motivation as you read about the trials and tribulations of Montel as you begin to relate to your own life experiences. His recollection of a motivational lecture at a high school where he calls on a young boy to discuss issues of morals (chapter 2?) will put an ear-to-ear smile on your face. While this book is not a "billion-dollar" winner, it sure is worth a read. I find myself thinking about this book in particular when I come across situations in my life that require personal integrity and determination. I am now 18 and I still think about the words and wisdom that Montel had to offer. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance, it might be as influential on you as it was me.



3. When I first saw this book it was on the bargain/clearance rack at the local bookstore. Having seen Montel's wonderful TV show, I decided that I'd buy the book and take it home for immediate reading. I made a big mistake. Instead of finding glimmering little gems of wisdom and insight throughout the pages of the book, I found nothing but a lot of self-congratulatory references to Montel's supposed superior public speaking abilities and his assumptions that he has all of the answers for society's various ills. When I was through reading this book I experienced a feeling that I have never had before -- I wanted to slowly roast his book in my barbecue grill! No other author has ever managed to raise such a truly unpleasant feeling inside of me like this guy has. Before I read the book, I respected and even admired Montel, but after I read it I began to dislike him immensely. Maybe this would have been a better book if Montel had the common courtesy to check his ego at the door and focused on something other than how great he thinks that he is.



4. I purchased this book several years ago and found it to be very down to earth. I appreciate the fact that while Montel shared his not always so bright life with the public he was able to share lessons learned that could bless someone else who may have been going down the same path. I commend him as a man to be able to receive correction but to also admit fault and openly correct his behavior to make his future better. I also enjoyed the example of him standing up for his show and doing what he thought was a proper format not matter what the cost or what the network execs thought. Being an example for our youth is important and Montel showed that he could influence our children on their level and not preach at them. This book gives us all a reality check in things we can do to improve ourselves, our relationships, our children and our society. Continued success!



5. I loved this book. Montel puts alot of love in everything he does. Not only in the show but in his book as well. He really cares about his viewers and guests. I love his show and I think he is a gift from God for many.

5 comments about Ted Williams.

1. Leigh Montville paints a brilliant portrait in words of the man who wanted to be remembered as the greatest hitter who ever lived. Ted Williams deserves to be on the short list of baseball's greatest hitters, and he easily deserved his hall of fame induction, where he was the first prominent white man to publicly call for recognition for negro leaguers Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson.
   
   Ted WAS a great hitter, and he had many other desirable qualities as well, giving generously of his time and money to charity and serving his country TWICE during the peak of his baseball powers, losing five major league seasons to WWII and Korea. We can only speculate how many more hits and homers Ted might have had if not for those lost years.
   
   But Montville shows us the warts as well. We see an arrogant young Ted who cared ONLY about hitting and only took the field because that got him his turn at bat. He considered pitchers contemptuously and Montville gives several examples where the great hitter gave priority to HIS individual achievement over less important matters, such as his team winning.
   
   Gifted with an extraordinary mind, Ted was nonetheless minimally educated and when he had opportunities to "get away with things" because of how well he could hit, Ted took every opportunity.
   
   I agree with another reviewer who wrote that Ted's career is not chronicled as well as his later years. The last hundred pages are about the pathetic final years of the great hitter's life when son John Henry used his father's name and money to finance one failed business venture after another. After Ted's death Montville describes John Henry's nearly desperate efforts to have Ted frozen at a cryonic center in Arizona, for the speculative reason that there might still be another buck in it for John-Henry. In a cruel twist of fate, John-Henry was stricken prematurely with leukemia and joined his father in frozen perpetuity.
   
   To present a biography of such a man is a daunting task, and Montville succeeds admirably. No doubt some of the unwieldy nature of this volume comes as a result of the volumes of research done by the author and an unwillingness to pare the passages that could use a prune.
   
   Universally acknowledged today as one of baseball's greatest - the last man to hit over .400 and one of the small number of players with over 500 home runs - before steroids and with five years lost to the Marines, Ted nonetheless had the personality that made baseball writers, for example, choose Joe Gordon as MVP in 1942, even though Ted won the triple crown, leading the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in. How ticked off would the writers have to be to give such an award to someone else when you've led the league in EVERY major hitting category? Ted Williams did that to some people.
   
   A baseball hero - but a cautionary tale also of a man who was often not a role model.



2. Leigh Montville's biography of Ted Williams is exhaustive in its analysis of one of baseball's greatest hitters. At times childish and self-absorbed, but always focused upon his art, Ted Williams emerges as a troubled genius in this wonderful book. Some of the anecdotes about Williams' intensity evoke a character who loves a few things in life to obsessive delight while ignoring almost everyone and everything else. An absolute master in the science of hitting a baseball, Williams loves his talent and nourishes it in a way that illuminates how beautiful, powerful, and fragile is the human desire to achieve greatness. A must for baseball fans.
   
   Donald Gallinger is the author ofThe Master Planets



3. From the beginning, Ted Williams was a larger than life personality - a great player on the field, the last baseball player to hit over .400 - and a player off the field as well, married three times, but never to the true love of his life. His antics on and off the field were legendary, as were his breaks from baseball to serve in both World War II and Korea. And, of course, his relationship with his children, especially son John Henry, led to headlines long after his career and life were over.
   
   "Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero" by Leigh Montville is a wonderfully written look at the colorful Williams. Montville covers all aspects of Williams's life, from his childhood and troubled relationship with his parents (especially his mother), his career in Boston, his tumultuous relationship with Boston sports writers, his life after baseball, his troubled relationship with his children, and of course his controversial freezing after his death. Williams was a complex man and Montville does his best to show what made Williams tick. It's not an easy task, Williams was prickly and had two sides to his personality - the public Ted and the private Ted. By the end of the book you will both love and hate Williams - you'll love the public Ted that associated so well with fans (at least off the field and especially the young ones - Williams was instrumental in helping the Jimmy Fund, which supports young cancer patients, get off the ground) and hate the private Ted, who made life difficult for those around him.
   
   For the most part, Montville is objective in his writing, treating both the private Ted and public Ted even-handedly and making no excuses for his behavior. But his objectivity slips near the end of the book when he discusses Williams's son John Henry. It's clear that Montville doesn't like John Henry. As much as your feelings for Ted may waver throughout the book, by the end you can't help but feel sorry for him and the way his family treated him the last few years of his life.
   
   "Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero" is an interesting look at a complex man.



4. I have read a couple of books on Ted Williams, but this was the best. It's exhaustively researched -- Montville spoke to anyone and everyone who may have come across Williams, almost to a fault -- and a lot of fun to read. I guess I would label it sympathetic, but it's really quite fair. I think that after reading this book, you will understand why so many people loved Williams off the field, but why he rubbed fans and writers the wrong way. Montville made me feel like I was along for the ride throughout Williams's amazing career, and that's not always easy to do. A great read to be enjoyed by all.



5. I have been reading quite a few baseball biographies over the past 4-5 years and this one was absolutely and by far the most thoughtful, the most thorough, and simply the best. And frankly, I was not even a Ted Williams fan before I picked it up. I knew very little about him and didn't remember him, having been born in 1961. But the portrait Montville draws is remarkably detailed and nuanced. This book goes beyond the person and gives glimpses of the times.

1 comments about 'Tis.

1. A most enjoyable follow up to his childhood memoir "Angela's Ashes", Frank McCourt, in "Tis", now lets us in on life as a poor young immigrant, trying to make his way in the jungle of NYC. Being told over and over, stick with your own kind(the Irish immigrants), Frank as is his nature, does things his own way, which don't always work out to well for him.
   
   When we last left off in Angela's Ashes, Frank had just arrived, eager for a new life in America(the place of his birth). Nothing seems to be going right for him. He is naive in the ways of the world, and learning some hard lessons.Still plagued by bad eyes and teeth, he lands a job, cleaning up in a hotel.He sees the college students, with their movie star smiles and looks, and yearns to be among them. With the war in Korea going on, Frank gets drafted and right away gets himself into trouble by just holding to his beliefs. Stuck as a company clerk, he masters the skill of typing! Later he manages to get into college,even without a High School diploma, which really speaks to his tenacity, and after much hard work between school and jobs requiring much physical labor, he graduates and becomes a teacher. He also somehow manages to marry the most beautiful girl, the envy of all in his college days.
   
   So now as an adult, with the responsibilities to his family and students, he makes us laugh and cry with the most wonderful funny and poignant stories of trying to learn the rules of life in New York, of being an employee, the military, a college student, a husband, and teacher.We are introduced to some new people that have affected his life in some way. He also goes back to Ireland to visit, and we are reintroduced to some of the people who shaped his early life. His mother is still very much a part of the story, and it is hard not to get emotionally involved with their relationship.
   
   We are still treated to his refreshing style of writing, in which he lets us in on all his thoughts, and subtly pokes fun at the ways of society and the system of life. It is the tone that is different. As well it should be. In "Angela's Ashes", we saw the hardships of life through the forgiving eyes of a child. It made that book maybe just a little more special. Now the look is that of first a frustrated young man, and then a more experienced adult. There are times, you may not like what he does or says, but this is his life story, and it is honest and life affirming.
   
   I'm very much looking forward to the third book of this beautiful memoir, "Teacher Man". If you loved Angela's Ashes, you will surely want to know what has become of Frankie McCourt. He will take you on more of his life's adventures,another enthralling read,and leave you smiling.....enjoy....Laurie

5 comments about Trumped!.

1. Trumped offers deep insight into Donald Trump's New Jersey casinos from the perspective of a top executive (Jack O'Donnell) who left the organization on bad terms. This insight offered in the book is extremely engrossing especially if you find the inner workings of casinos intriguing.
   
   Jack O'Donnell is not fond of Trump in the least and despises the manner in which he runs his organization, particularly the casinos. O'Donnell presents a very detailed depiction of what takes place behind the scenes of the casinos as well as his qualified opinions on Trump's failings at the time.
   
   There will be some difficulty trying to determine if many of the details regarding Trump's economic issues are described as factual or with a certain degree of hostility. We are only provided with one side of the events and ultimately we may never know if the account provided is presented with complete accuracy or merely tainted with extreme bias that might be expected of a disgruntled ex-employee. My estimate is that the truth likely falls somewhere in the middle. It should also be noted that since Trump's massive financial difficulties in the early 90s, something O'Donnell seemed to have maintained delight in, Trump has not only rebounded but appears to be more successful and wealthier than ever, yet O'Donnell has all but vanished from public view.
   
   Despite Trumped being a potentially opinionated piece, there is no question the material is considerably entertaining. No matter your feelings toward Trump (or for that matter O'Donnell), I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in a behind the scenes account of Trump's casinos and/or a fascination with high stakes business enterprise.



2. I've always wondered how Donald Trump could go bankrupt running a casino, this book is a fascinating read on how it happened. Jack O'Donnell was a high ranking executive in Trump's casino operations, and for a time actually ran his only consistently profitable casino, Trump Plaza (at least it was consistently profitable until Jack O'Donnell quit). Jack details in fascinating detail Donald Trump's erratic behavior, lack of knowledge of the casino business, and all the "fuzzy math" surrounding the junk bonds that financed Trump's acquistions. This book shows very clearly what goes on behind the hype surrounding the myth of Donald Trump, it is very highly recommended.



3. This book recounts firsthand through the eyes of Jack O'Donnell, a man who for a time ran the Trump Plaza and intimately dealt with all of the Donald's casino holdings in AC, Trump's rise and fall in the Atlantic City gaming industry. I came at the book from two ends, for one I am facinated by the casino industry and high dollar business in general, and two when you mix in a volatile personality like Trump's the end result is a fast read that was throughly satisfying. O'Donnell's prose reads like a novel as he recounts Trump's slick business dealings and initial success. Things start to sour as the Donald makes a string of strategic errors and allows his ego to cloud his perception of reality leaving his business holdings on the brink of financial ruin. Anyone interested in Trump should make this a first purchase as the Donald is disected in an unflinchingly intimate light by a man who spoke with him almost daily for three years. Others interested in high finance and the casino industry will also enjoy this book.



4. Good book. Gives you insight into how Donald Trump thinks and makes decisions.



5. This was a well written book by someone with inside knowledge of the Trump organization. The reader learns a lot about Trump's personal life and the inner workings of the casino industry. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Patton: The Man Behind the Legend 1885-1945.

1. This is a great short bio of Patton. Blumenson paints him as a fragile, yet great leader and how those two worked back and forth. His last few pages are a great summary: "...one of America's greatest soldiers, one of the world's great captains."
   
   I read this book for a master's class and it provides two great take aways:
   
   1. Insight into his early life--Patton grew up in a displaced Virginian family in California. His views of his family and himself shaped him as a military figure.
   
   2. The interaction of his fragile and volitile personality with his outer shell which strove for personal excellence and glory for his family.
   
   It's very hard to write on Patton without taking a side--either critical of him or supporting him. Thus, the Patton family did endorse this bio, but there are pro-Patton themes (prejudice), especially in his interaction with Bradley and Eisenhower (my only downgrade of the book).
   
   This is a very good book to use as a baseline for further study. Worth a spot in your library.



2. For most, Patton is a well known name, familiar; but like most, I knew nothing more than the impact of the mythology and short squibs about his commanding manners as one of the most powerful and important Army Generals of the 20th century.
   
   The author, whom I have never heard of or fully know the relationship between him and Patton, was the staff historian in Patton's Third Army during WWII. As such, I assumed a much biased portrayal, good or bad.
   
   Instead, I found a well-thought, well delivered description of man so driven that he accomplished anything he wanted. A man so volatile yet thoughtful, a masterful and brilliant tactian born to lead with no fear of death and wanting a fight, driven to succeed at any cost and sacrificing everything but his own strict morals so that he could achieve all that Destiny had set for him, because he was destined to be great. This was a man entirely devoted to the ideology of the Warrior mold, never modeling himself on any one great legend or man, Patton followed the path of the idea of being a warrior and gave it his life. Always questioning himself, not always sure he was 'the man', Patton had an unshakable believe in himself and Fate that is truly awesome and inspring.
   
   From his early upbringing--one of wealth, privilege and good breeding--up along to each promotion and to his eventual death, Blumenson gives a personal touch to the aura that was Patton, eloquent, acerbic, devoted to his soldiers but also, the Patton that could sometimes blow up in one's face.
   
   Of the biographies that I have read, I haven't chuckled and earmarked more pages that I wanted to remember. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn't stop until I finished. Reading the highs of Patton's life and career made me cheer and reading the harrowing blows made me shake my head in wonder and lament along with Patton. Biases? Only in one case: The author choicely slips in a reason for Patton's up and down mood swings that latter crippled his career and made him as infamous as his military stamina, accident prone and usually in the head, Blumenson believed that the mood swings were result from subdural hemotoma, a building of blood pressure around the brain. There's nothing conclusive, merely supposition, but entirely plausible.
   
   The writing style is straightforward, although sometimes awkward, but because Blumenson had first had account of Patton, in both images, it had more intimacy, made less formal. Even more interesting were the many photos of Patton throughout his life, in various dress and events that brought what Blumeson wrote about come to life. Even battle scenes were described in layman's terms, easy to follow and interesting--though maps would have been a nice touch. The back has a comprehensive index that I found helpful when I wanted to go over parts for memory.
   
   A definite must read!



3. This biography starts with Patton's family roots, covers his growing up years, and works through his career in the military. The book is only about 300 pages and is a fairly quick read. There are lots of pictures.
   
   Patton grew up in California, his father was Old South gentry, and his mother's father was a fairly rich self made man. Patton idealized his military roots. Fairly early in life Patton wanted to become famous and felt the honorable way was to do so in the army. Patton appears to have had dyslexia. School was a struggle for him which he overcame through hard work.
   
   As a teenager Patton meet Beatrice Ayer who later become his wife. She was from a rich family. Through her emotional support Patton was able to keep struggling all his life against his self doubts. Without her support it doesn't sound like Patton would have been nearly as successful. They had two daughters and a son.
   
   The kind of character description of Patton this book gives is a gifted man who was focused on himself. He wanted glory and he wanted to be known. He wanted to be famous. He often did things to make sure he was noticed. He pulled strings to get the attention of higher commanding officers.
   
   Also unfortunately he wasn't faithful to his wife. There were a couple mentions of how many condoms he used in a short period. Patten had a long affair with his niece. And after he died, the niece killed herself. She left a note that she would be with Uncle Georgia before Beatrice.
   
   Strategically and tactically George Patton seemed to have been almost without peer. He studied war for over forty years. But his greater gift may have been his ability to train and motivate large groups of soldiers. In two instances Patton was given an army and fairly quickly he improved the level of performance several levels. The Third Army, which was under his command from after D-Day to the end of the war, was largely an untrained and unseasoned group of men. But they took the most number of prisoners, and moved the quickest across dozens of miles in a day. George Patton seems to have consciously taken on an act of swearing and cussing to be at the level of the common solider, but then when he meet with his officers he was much more refined. He told his Third Army they were different, he told them they were on a righteous cause, and he asked a lot of them. They came through.
   
   Over all George Patton comes across as a flawed person who achieved some greatness. Martin Blumenson did a good job in giving the reader insight into the life and character of George Patton.



4. The one primary reason this ranks as the paramount biography of Patton is because the Patton family never tried to control the author. The secondary reason for the success of this biography is because the author, Blumenson, served as a young lieutenant under Patton.

   I surprised about a number of facts regarding Patton. First of all, he was dyslexic, but was able to overcome that problem through hard work. He was also kicked by a horse later in life, and this may be the reason for his "unstable" and volatile character.

   There are plenty of fun facts in this biography. I was surprised that Patton was an Olympic athlete in the pentathlon. I did not realise, though, that the pentathlon was built around an officer carrying dispatches (i.e., horse, sword, pistol, swimming, running). He also should have placed first, but they could not decide if his pistol round had punched through the same hole twice (so the judges counted it as a complete miss).

   Patton had many doubts about his manhood. He joked, while at West Point, that he made a fine woman as a dancer. Since West Point only had men at the time, they had to trade off when learning to dance. There is also a serious character flaw in Patton regarding his niece. Although he denied it, it was pretty obvious he was having sex with his niece. This is where we, as the reading public, must give all thanks to the Patton family. They trust Blumenson so much that he is the only man they have given full access to the family papers and letters. At no point did they tell Blumenson to hide anything. They recognized that their family member was an historical figure,and insisted on a complete analysis--warts and all. Otherwise, how can you form an opinion on the man?

   Blumenson ends his biography with a chapter "Behind the Legend." Patton's ideal of leadership is one key to understanding him. On page 307 he states "slef-confidence and leadership are twin brothers." As Blumenson states, "the sublime irony is that Patton's self-confidence was an act, forced and assumed, put on, riveted to his exterior."

   Blumenson is quite informative and a must see. He is positive that, had Patton lived a lengthy life, he would have been discredited. He was a real embarrassment, great in war but terrible in peace. The author is also a very humble man, even though he is a retired colonel, and always makes the emphasis when he speaks about Patton.




5. For readers who want a top-notch biography of Patton without committing to an 800-page or 1000-page tome, this is the book. Blumenson makes excellent use of Patton's personal letters, especially those to Patton's wife, to reveal the human side of his tough-as-nails persona. Patton with nervous indigestion? Patton feeling worthless and inferior? Who would have guessed! Highly recommended for those interested in historic figures and military history, but who don't want to get bogged down in minutae such as detailed battlefield tactics. This book focuses on the man, as it should, and not so much on the wars that made his career. That being said, my only complaint is that for the chapters about actual warfare the book could have used some basic large-scale maps of North Africa and Western Europe, especially France, showing the route of Patton's advances and major battles. I sometimes felt lost as Patton rolled through one village after another to attack the enemy.

No comments about Truman Tapes.

5 comments about Flight of Passage.

1. Interesting and well written story of two kids flying across the country in a Piper Cub. Great adventure and an example of God's provision and protection even when people don't acknowledge His existence.



2. I am a new private pilot and devour anything aviation related, so I very much enjoyed the flying theme of this book. But even without the flying aspect, it is a great story of how complicated father/son relationships can be and the bonding between brothers. It is a very touching story. Mr. Buck is a solid author as well, which is not always a prerequisite for writing a memoir.



3. This is a fantastic book! I've read it twice and will most likely read it again. It has so many compelling elements that it can't be fully appreciated in one reading. I think that the sheer adventure in Kern and Rinker Buck's 1966 coast-to-coast flight is what really seized me. I am the same age as the Buck brothers and struck out on my own the very same week they made their flight. Their desire to have an adventure, prove something to their father and master a pursuit reserved for skilled adults hit home with me. The book is funny, touching and insightful about family relationships.
   
   It is a great read and I, for one, am very grateful to Rinker Buck for putting this story down on paper all these years later.



4. WARNING: the first few chapters are dry, I almost gave up on the book and I am glad i didn't because after the first few chapters the book is so interesting and grabs you.
   
   Very Funny and descriptive you will love this book even if you don't have an interest in aviation.
   
   it takes you through the boys journey and Rinker Buck describes everything in enjoyable detail. The book describes their flight across the country and back(although he really does blow through the journey back).
   
   The book reminds you of a different time in the world, 1966, when you could fly around without a radio and sleep on the tarmac at the airport.
   
   Anyone can enjoy this book and it is in story format, not biography.



5. Rinker Buck is an engaging storyteller and this story is truly delightful. Touching at times and hilarious at others, Buck takes you along on he and his brother's amazing adventure across America in a Piper Cub. I would recommend this book to just about anybody, especially aviation enthusiasts.
   
   One note: you don't need to read the after word as it is a little sad and depressing after such a good read, and it doesn't relate to the story that much.

4 comments about On The Road With Charles Kuralt.

1. I've never seen Charles Kuralt on television. This book is my only experience with him, and that may explain the review that is to follow.
   
   This is the most insipid, cheese-ridden pile of bushwah I've even had the displeasure of picking up. Perhaps Kuralt has an indefinable quality that somehow brings some authenticity to the words that are printed on these pages, but the material itself is just terrible.
   
   I was reminded of a Simpson's episode in which Bart Simpson wins admiration from everyone by peddling schmaltzy "human interest" stories on a children's news program they've started. Now, the fact that I watch Simpson's and am criticizing Kuralt may be indicative of a generation gap that is the root of the problem, but I don't see how anyone of any age could give credence to the heavy-handed moralism that Kuralt trots out, not just occasionally, but in virtually every single segment.
   
   A truly do appreciate the value of nuanced, small town life and the individuals who dare to go against the grain in some way. But is it necessary to spotlight someone who has given their nine children rhyming names (Terry, Sherry, Jerry, etc.)?
   
   There's something about Kuralt's line that seems insincere. Clearly, at times, he's stretching to find greater meaning in something that is maybe a little interesting, but ultimately meaningless. This leads me to think that all of it is insincere, that Kuralt is going to find the cuteness and greater meaning in everything, truth be damned. Even aside from the heavy-handed schmaltziness, it seems like a lot of the people portrayed in this feature are being capitalized on. Some of the people will certainly be ridiculed by most of the viewers; at any rate, they have had their quirky individuality processed and used for the very corporate interests that they flout.
   
   If you are a fan of Charles Kuralt, I think that the tv segments that you fell in love with should probably be where your love affair ends. Kuralt may be a winning personality and a good salesman; if that's true, I recommend that you stick with the news broadcasts, where you can enjoy him as he grew famous: a little bit at a time.



2. Charles Kuralt had the gift of seeing a story in the littlest thing. He took the thread of everyman's life and wove a tapestry of America and then gave it as a gift to us.



3. After reading this book, I felt a sense of renewal and satisfaction that there are still candles lending their beams to the world. I picked up this book for a report at school. I thought that it would be just another boring book that we are often forced to read in school. Wrong-O! I loved it! From the team that had lost every single one of its games to the train depot that served soldiers during WWII, I found myself emersed in each of the stories. Each of these average Americans had a not so average story to tell...



4. This is a wonderful book that recaptures the many stories from his on the road segments for TV. He finds the most interesting people and places; his stories tell of the inner passions of ordinary people. Another great book with similar stories--and great pictures--is Positively Connecticut by Diane Smith. She says she was inspired by Kuralt's work.

   Terry