2 comments about The Temptation: Edgar Tolson and the Genesis of Twentieth-Century Folk Art.

1. Whether you are a fan of Edgar Tolson's work or of woodcarving in general, this is an essential book to have if you are interested in folk art of the 20th century. The thorough research done on Edgar Tolson is fascinating and through his art and career the world of 20th century folk art is examined. From key folk art collectors to various museums and institutions, the 20th century folk art movement was created and sold to the buying public. By the time the "important" artists were established all of the "important" early work was already in the hands of a few collectors and the museums. It's no accident that Tolson's work ended up in a prestigious Whitney Biennial and his artwork sky-rocketed in price. The same with Howard Finster. By the time his work was presented as being important to the general public, a narrow group of collectors and critics had already hoarded the first few thousand of his numbered pieces which the critics then deemed as the most important of his career. And the story continues to this day with collectors / critics buying early key works, then recommending them to the general folk art buyers. This book is perhaps the best analysis of why and how a folk artist becomes "important" in the 20th century. It may or may not sour your view on 20th century folk art but is a great read either way. As with all art or decorative objects, if you just buy what you like and ignore the critics, you'll be happy. Who's to say 10, 20 or 50 years from now if anyone will even care about "20th century folk art."



2. Ms. Julia S. Ardey has put together an extraordinary work -- filled with stories and pictures of a poor Kentucky man who whittled stuff to which other folks took a liking. My grandfather Edgar Tolson will always remain an elusive character both in life and in death hard to explain and to understand. As all great artists he was not one dimensional. Ms. Ardey did a fine job of grasping enough bits and pieces of his life, through the eyes and hearts of those who knew him, to give a reasonable representation of who Edgar Tolson was and why he whittled. Ms. Ardey interviewed scores of people and personalities who all have their own opinion of Edgar Tolson the Man and Edgar Tolson the Woodcarver and the times in which he lived. Ms. Ardey managed a remarkable feat in compling those interviews into an a very good work. She included many pictures that give insight into an artisan and his art. Many pictures capture Edgar's soul in his eyes -- others show a family life of just real folks who just have a Daddy that whittles in the living room and lets the shavings fall to floor. As a granddaugther of Edgar Tolson, beloved Kentucky woodcarver, I am very pleased with the work Julia S. Ardery managed to put together on his life and extraordinary talent. With a family as large as he had I am sure that this book will be debated into generations, however, it is a real good starting point at which to kick off the debate of fact or fiction. The papaw I knew was a wonderful minister; he loved his God, knew his bible and had a passion for sharing the Biblical Truths of his God with others through his work. He managed to reach the very far corners of the earth with his renditions of Adam & Eve in Garden of Eden, Their Fall, and Noah's Ark among a few--how many ministers can stake that claim. He carved what was upon his heart to carve. He was discovered by others who marketed it to a world who craved his carvings and what they represented to them. I am so pleased that Ms. Ardery managed to compile so much ! of his life and work into this book. It makes for really good reading and gives the reader the opportunity to linger with story and photo's of Edgar Tolson and his artwork long enough to gain an understanding of why so many are so drawn to it, him and living upon this earth. Thank you Ms. Ardery for a job well done.

2 comments about The Fighting McCooks - America's Famous Fighting Family.

1. Three brothers with fourteen sons, all members of the upper middle-class, based in Ohio watch the American Civil War descend like a dark cloud. None of them questioned the need to "Save the Union". All of them activity participated in the saving, some as members of the military and some as civilian volunteers. In the process, they became famous as "The Fighting McCooks". Most readers of Civil War history are familiar with the name and know the outline of the story. However, many of us cannot tie the McCooks together or identify where they fought and died. Reading this book will be a revelation as you pull the stories together and build a full picture of their contributions.
   
   The family members start as Stephen Douglas Democrats, who not liking slavery are willing to accept it to avoid war. The families' politics is one of the strongest minor story lines in the book. They are very well connected and willing to use those connections if they feel it is necessary. By 1860, more than one McCook works for the Republican Party and one has become an Abolitionist. Lincoln's election, secession and war find one McCook drilling at the White House to protect Lincoln from an expected attack of Southerners. This is April 1861 and Washington is cut off from the United States as Maryland decides what to do. In 1865, four members of the family are dead, several have their health ruined and the Union is saved.
   
   The Whalen's produced a unique format by placing the McCooks into a history of the war. As the war unfolds, we meet a family member or renew a friendship with one. This keeps the reader firmly in step with the events of the war, while family participation and problems continually play out. We do a minimal amount of backtracking getting to see the families' story as the war progresses. This took some thought and effort but the result is very rewarding. One of the nicest items is a map of Civil War America at the end of most chapters. Each part of the story updates the map, showing where the McCook was during this phase of the war. The last of these map, on page 346, catalogues the contribution this family made in a very visual and easy to grasp manner.
   
   This is a rousing story of heroic deeds and the authors are able to do it right. The prose is very heroic, intelligent and readable without being awe struck. This is a "warts n all" book, making them all the braver for being human. The authors manage to convey the unique personalities of the seventeen men, while always presenting them as one family. That family was always ready to spring to the defense of a member, pull a string and accept an enemy of one as an enemy of all. Lincoln, Hays, Grant, Garfield, Stanton, Sherman and Vallandigham people this book. One or more of the McCooks was partners with, worked for, talked to, liked or disliked all of these men and a host of others. This was a partisan time and this is a partisan book. The authors accept the stories that favor or damn these men, depending on how the McCooks feel about them. This may cause a reviewer to question some of the book's history, which I feel is incorrect. While modern historians do not agree with many of the stories present as fact, the McCooks accepted them and believed them to be true. The authors remain true to their subject by accepting these stories as the family did.
   
   Physically this is a very good-looking book. Illustrations are in the right place and add to the story. I will mention the on-going map showing the movement of the McCooks again. This map seems to become part of the story an important visual reference all by itself. Another unique item is a bookmark. Each book contains a Red, White & Blue tasseled, laminated bookmark with portraits of the seventeen McCooks. This is just another indication of the thought and effort that went into this book.



2. The Whalens have done a remarkable job digging through what must have been significant research to bring the tale of the "Fighting McCooks" to the page.
   The book is filled with detailed accounts about the campaigns of each of the McCook sons going to war for the Union army. They capture the individual struggles and ambitions of the family members vividly and personalize the stories to not only better understand the McCooks, but the larger struggle of the war and all the associated players of the era.
   It's as lush as any well-written historical fiction novel and then amazing to know that the account is actually true. The details of the stories are fascinating and I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a more intimate and personalized narrative of events of that great national conflict.

1 comments about Grant and Lee: Victorious American and Vanquished Virginian.

1. I'd like to congratulate Mr. Bonekemper for writing 'the book that had to be written.' Grant's reputation has only very slowly recovered from the trashing it took during the decades following the Civil War. Mr. Bonekemper presents us here with the kind of analysis and statistical material that points to a very different picture than we are used to having of these two Generals. Expanding on what he has already mentioned in his other books on these two Generals, 'How Robert E. Lee Lost the Civil War' and 'A Victor Not a Butcher', Bonekemper presents us with a compelling and very readable comparison account of the two generals. The scholarship is bright and worth noting, the writing is excellent. I haven't been this pleased since my reading of Bruce Catton.

No comments about Lee and Grant.

5 comments about Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: THE WRITINGS OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH.

1. this book is a decent account of John Wilkes Booth, but there is nothing that has not been already examined in countless other books pertaining to this topic. The book does not give as much detail about booth as one would expect. If you really want a great book about John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assaination, and the several weeks that followed, i strongly recommend "American Brutus" by Michael W. Kauffman, this was one of the best books ive ever read on the subject.



2. "Right or Wrong, God Judge Me" is a fascinating collection of all the known existing hand-written documents left by John Wilkes Booth. Most of his written materials were destroyed by family, friends and acquaintances in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination for fear that the holders of the documents may be accused of being an accessory to the crime. What is printed here (many for the first time) are those documents left by JWB that managed to be preserved. These materials include letters written to a friend William O'Laughlin (brother of Michael O'Laughlin who was a co-conspirator) when JWB was a teen-ager, poems written in autograph books of fellow actors, information on his theatre work and financial investments written to his business partners, love letters to Isabel Sumner, and a lengthy pro-Union speech intentionally preserved by brother Edwin written only a few days after South Carolina seceded from the Union. In the latter as well as the famous "To Whom It May Concern" letter also published here, JWB explains his sympathy with the southern cause, the influence of watching abolitionist John Brown hanged, his feelings towards his country, his personal views on slavery, etc. Two pocket diary entries written while he was a fugitive (surprised at the negative reaction his deed received from the public) as well as a sarcastic letter written to a doctor who would not help him as he was fleeing authorities on an injured leg are the last entries in this book.
   
   What makes this book even more fascinating than reading the words of one of the most notorious men in American history, is the incredible research completed by the editors. Every document, including letters of only a couple sentences, are followed by many footnotes detailing the people, places, and events in JWB's life pertaining to the document. This information includes theatre reviews, most in praise of Booth's performances, especially his sword fighting. The dangers and hardships actors endured traveling to shows in those days is explained. The editors also include historical background and context to the documents. Even the letters on his theatre schedule and investments were interesting because of the additional information the editors provided. I felt as though I was following JWB's life through these letters and footnotes. I've come away from this book with a much better understanding of what motivated JWB to commit his crime. Anyone interested in Booth and the Lincoln assassination needs to read this book. The 171-page book includes a section of illustrations, including photos of three of the handwritten documents.



3. The title is a promising one, if you're interested in JWB and the Lincoln assassination; and the compilation is thorough, if what you want is to have the complete known products surviving from JWB. The problem is that 90% of what does survive (thus 90% of this book) is really insignificant stuff that sheds very little light on the man's ideas, opinions, or thoughts. It's mostly brief, impersonal, non-revealing notes written to confirm theatrical engagements, &c., &c. Much of it is repetitive variations on a few business-oriented themes. Too bad this is al that survives from him!



4. This is an interesting book regarding the state of mind of the wealthy and famous actor of the time. The book carefully places his letters chronologically and also backs them by giving historic references and explanations of the events that surrounded the man. How his "flowery-like" letters could ever hint at a man struggling with the problems of the country isn't told in them. It's ironic from such writing that this man who had fame, fortune and social approval also had a deep and ever growing anger against northern politics. His inner anger seemed depressed awaiting a chance to explode. This book easily portrays Booth as a caring man yet also one who sympathized with the Southern cause. It briskly explains his premeditated thoughts of assassinating Lincoln and has little information regarding putting his thoughts into motion. Yes, this book is about his letters and offers a quick coverage of the events surrounding Booth before and after the killing of Lincoln. For those looking for a complete biography this book isn't the one. For those looking for added insight who may have already read about Booth before, this is a great bonus of information.



5. In my opinion "Right or Wrong,God Judge Me" is a blessing;mostly for the masses growing up believing only one side to a twisting and tragic tale.John Wilkes Booth is humanized,he is presented as a multi dimensional conflicted individual,far from the "mad man" we were all taught to despise for his repulsive crime against the US government and Lincoln. The evil I once thought he posessed is not the main struggle of his personality;his struggle seems to more or less be over his love and jealousy of brother Edwin and his fears of being loved and admired.His heart is tormented by the carnage of the Civil War,which in turn causes him to side with just about anyone who hates Lincoln. As I found by reading the book,he was not as mad as I once believed,but seemed more a sad and lonely man admired mostly for his looks yet he seemed to be upset about the sexual objectivity given to his person,hence he burned fan mail sent to him by rather amourous ladies,I feel from reading this book that he needed more than theatre and adoration from screaming females;he wanted to be taken seriously and make a difference in the world.Unfortunately he chose a rather brutal means of attaining this goal. I do think that his appearance can somewhat color judgement.Do we feel more sorry for him because he was extremely handsome? I wonder if he would have been homely if he would have gotten as much sympathy? Maybe not,but still I understand his mentality better and why he turned out the way he did.

5 comments about Ulysses S. Grant: An Album : Warrior, Husband, Traveler, "Emancipator," Writer.

1. I wish they hadn't marketed this as a photo book because there aren't any. At least there aren't many photos of Grant and the ones published are really bad. I was expecting some nice rare ones, but there weren't any.

   McFeely likes to write about Grant's private life, which is OK with me. Grant was one of these types of men who were uxorious around their wives, she was his best friend, lover, helpmate, a person he could talk to and make love to at the same time. They seemed very much in sync with one another and that's always nice to read a great love story. McFeely is less solid on everything else and I really didn't care much about Grant's travels. I did like the section on Grant's autobiography, which I have read and it's great. So 4/5 stars for this new effort.




2. I am a fan of William McFeely's other book on Grant. It's the one Grant biography I can read without getting a headache because he writes so nicely and fleshes out the human Grant. This book picks up where the other ones left off. There are chapters on Grant as a traveler, Grant on the slave issue and most of all, Grant as a husband. McFeely always had a special interest in Grant's relationship with his homely wife, Julia. Those two had special chemistry and McFeely makes hay out of that. All in all, a really good book; the photos are below average and not many of them, but Grant as a person comes out of the pages with a vibrant bang.



3. I agree and disagree with the previous reviewers. I think it's an exaggeration to say McFeely writes breathless, perfect prose. He's a great writer but not as fabulous as that. Having said that, the words are the only thing to recommend the book. The photos are non-existent! I don't know what the publishers were thinking. I have seen all the photos in here a million times. The cover photo is the same photo used on many other US Grant books. What is going on?

   OK, on to Grant's marriage. I take no issue with what is presented. Basically McFeely says the thing which made the Grant marriage work was great sex and he proves how Grant did enjoy this to the hilt. Why not? When you are as rich, as successful and as famous as Grant was in his heyday, I would imagine physical relations would be high on your list. Kissinger said power was the ultimate aphrodisiac. McFeely doesn't criticize Mrs. Grant. He says she is silly, but the other reviewer blowing their fuse about this is the silly thing. He likes Mrs. Grant, he points out she had many strengths, which she did. She was a great wife and helpmate to her hubby.

   The slave chapter I enjoyed. I enjoyed the chapter on his travels, which I knew nothing about. I agree that the chapter on his marriage is the heart, the soul of the book. I wish I had such a good marriage in my two efforts. Hallelujah to Grant. But the photos here are really, really bad.




4. I don't know if the pictures of Grant were rare. I don't know that many pictures of him. But I will say the writing is very good. I know books about Grant from Mr. Catton and Mr. McFeeley writes as well, if not better than the former writer. I liked the way the book was arranged. I would've liked more pictures instead of drawings.

   P.S. Julia Grant WAS a silly woman. McFeeley says many nice things about her. It's not character assassination, he admires her.




5. First, I wonder why the "Reader from Canoga Park, Ca" always refers to the other reviewer and her reviews of Grant books? Every time she reviews a Grant book, this gal butts in to talk about her, NOT Grant. Talk about being obsessed, Canoga Park. My suggestion: recover from your jealousy.

   The book is excellent. McFeely writes real well. The photos are disappointing and I didn't like the etching. McFeely won the Pulitzer Prize so he's obviously a good writer.

5 comments about The White Tecumseh: A Biography of General William T. Sherman.

1. I found the book entertaining as well as informative about General Sherman and some of the other personalities and events of the Civil War. The author has done an excellant job of researching his topic. It will be best received by readers who are true history buffs.



2. As Prof. Hirshson's student, I can say that this book reflects the author quite well. It is an accurate account of General Sherman's life. The book is well written and while reading it, I was able to imagine Prof. Hirshson giving a lecture to me as opposed to just reading through it. The language is very user friendly.



3. This is a biography of William Tecumseh Sherman by Stanley P. Hirshson, Professor at Queens College, City University of New York. On the surface, it seems to be an un-biased story of the life of a very complicated man.

   Like so many Civil War generals on the Union side, Sherman was almost a failure in civilian life. He tried his hand at many professions, but never really made enough money to support his growing family. In the army, however, he had moments of brilliance. And brutality, evidenced most clearly in his march to the sea. He could send his men into a town with orders to destroy it, then wander through the same town afterward looking for friends who lived there when he knew them. He admitted that many of the soldiers he commanded during that time were not much more than thieves and ruffians.

   The book starts slowly and ends the same. Most of Sherman's story is the Civil War, four years of privation, desperation, and triumph. Maligned by his enemies, again as were most successful generals, his fights after the war were political, although he never sought political office. Rather his ambitions were for himself as the highest ranking officer in the U.S. Army, and for the Army itself.

   Although this is a scholarly work, it is an easy read, especially for a Civil War buff. There are moments when the reader will feel she is attaining some insight into his personality. But those moments slip away quite often. Because of this, the reader might wonder if something is being held back. For instance, I would like to have seen more details of the post-Civil War Army policies toward the Native Americans, something Sherman had much to do with.

   This is a must read for the Civil War scholar, American military history fan, and those interested in 19th century America. Sherman lived in much of the U.S. and details of these places in his time add to our understanding of life when our great-grandparents were young.




4. A readable book. The author's "hobby horse." i.e. mental illness in the Sherman Family, ergo, Sherman himself, is pretty thin. This is certainly not a "end all" work on the life of this particular general, but it is well worth reading. I was not overly thrilled with the author's transitional techniques at times, nor his speculations as to motivation as he, the author, did not give us enough actual proof. Would recommend the book for your collection, but would not recommend you try passing yourself off as a "Sherman Expert" after you have read it.



5. Prior to the Civil War there had been a major change in how wars could and would be fought. The Civil War was the first major war to be fought under this new paradigm. (The next big shift would come in WWII).

   I think William Sherman understood how to fight the Civil War better than any other soldier on either side. He was brilliant both in seeing how to win the war and applying that knowledge. And his campaigns were among the most brilliant of the war.

   This book is a well written book that gives a strong picture of William Sherman, concentrating mostly on his time during the Civil War itself. And it is a fascinating story told very well.

   Decent maps provided although they could have been a lot better.

No comments about Andrew Johnson: The American Presidents Series: The 17th President, 1865-1869 (The American Presidents).

2 comments about The Lincoln Nobody Knows (American Century).

1. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in studying Lincoln or the Civil War. The author does an excellent job in presenting a mostly unbiased opinion. By stating in the introduction that he allows room for error in his opinions, he sets himself aside from the fanatics and characterizes himself more as a historian in search of the truth than as a man trying to paint Lincoln as he thinks he should be viewed. Moreover, the breath, not sacrificing the depth, of this book is incredible. It covers Lincoln's family and personal life and carries the reader all the way through his assassination. The Lincoln Nobody Knows presents Lincoln as both a down to earth man and as a complex, indispensable historical figure. It causes one to revaluate what he previously held to be fact about Lincoln and it allows room for interpretation-the author doesn't always give an opinion for the reader. Most are "inclined, quite naturally, to discover in Lincoln the beliefs that they themselves espouse," (57). This remains feasible since Lincoln will always be an enigma, but to his credit Current presents sound facts for his arguments and presents both sides, drawing upon many respectable sources. He begins by describing Lincoln's personal and family life-his mother's possible illegitimate birth all the way to Lincoln's relationships with women and Ann Rutledge specifically. It then goes into his involvement in the beginnings of the civil war, his policies and their changes, and the way he conducted the war. That being done, the author finishes by discussing his larger role as a politician, an emancipator, a commander in chief, a martyr and a myth. All of this does well in presenting the multidimensionality of Abraham Lincoln, and it makes one realize that there are not easy answers to questions about good old Abe. It is important to note that much of this text is controversial and a portion of it has implications beyond his contributions to American history-it attempts to define who Lincoln was as a man, not as an idol.



2. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in studying Lincoln or the Civil War. The author does an excellent job in presenting a mostly unbiased opinion. By stating in the introduction that he allows room for error in his opinions, he sets himself aside from the fanatics and characterizes himself more as a historian in search of the truth than as a man trying to paint Lincoln as he thinks he should be viewed. Moreover, the breath, not sacrificing the depth, of this book is incredible. It covers Lincoln's family and personal life and carries the reader all the way through his assassination. The Lincoln Nobody Knows presents Lincoln as both a down to earth man and as a complex, indispensable historical figure. It causes one to revaluate what he previously held to be fact about Lincoln and it allows room for interpretation-the author doesn't always give an opinion for the reader. Most are "inclined, quite naturally, to discover in Lincoln the beliefs that they themselves espouse," (57). This remains feasible since Lincoln will always be an enigma, but to his credit Current presents sound facts for his arguments and presents both sides, drawing upon many respectable sources. He begins by describing Lincoln's personal and family life-his mother's possible illegitimate birth all the way to Lincoln's relationships with women and Ann Rutledge specifically. It then goes into his involvement in the beginnings of the civil war, his policies and their changes, and the way he conducted the war. That being done, the author finishes by discussing his larger role as a politician, an emancipator, a commander in chief, a martyr and a myth. All of this does well in presenting the multidimensionality of Abraham Lincoln, and it makes one realize that there are not easy answers to questions about good old Abe. It is important to note that much of this text is controversial and a portion of it has implications beyond his contributions to American history-it attempts to define who Lincoln was as a man, not as an idol.

1 comments about The Great Chief Justice: John Marshall and the Rule of Law (Modern War Studies).

1. John Marshall [1755-1835] was Chief Justice of the United States for the last 34 years of his life. During his long tenure, he turned the Supreme Court from an afterthought into a primary tool for the centralization of federal power; he defined America, though we can still debate whether he got the definition right. This book details how Marshall went about his task.....
   
   This is NOT a biography of John Marshall [see my other reviews]; it is a series of case studies which trace the expanding power of the Federal Judiciary...Marbury v. Madison established the principle of Judicial review of legislative decisions...Virginia v. Cohens asserted federal authority in state affairs...the National Bank...land titles...Indian treaties......there is still disagreement over some of Marshall's decisions, and there was hell to pay over some of them at the time. "John Marshall has made his decision; now let's see him enforce it"...the various ramifications of that statement {which Andrew Jackson MAY not have ever made} are mind boggling....
   
   Charles Hobson is editor of The John Marshall Papers, one of the 2 or 3 greatest living Marshall scholars, and a nice guy [as was Marshall]; he has written a five star book. Do I actually recommend it? Maybe. If you are an attorney or historian with an interest in the topic, it is an absolutely essential volume. Well written, well organized; for me, it was a page turner. For the casual reader, don't waste your money, or insult Mr. Hobson. You will need a good background in either Law [not me], or history [me] to understand it.