5 comments about Life on the Mississippi.

1. Had Twain stopped after the first section, in which he describes riverboat piloting and his exploits therein, I would have come away with a positive impression of the book. His piloting writings were entertaining and interesting, even though not particularly relevant in today's world.
   
   However the later chapters ruin the book. Twain documents his return to the Mississippi with a plethora of miscellaneous descriptions and loosely related anecdotes. These sections range from only mildly entertaining to just plain boring, as Twain doesn't even use his humor to save them.
   
   In the end the disappointment of the second half outweighs the enjoyment of the first half.



2. When you do the "Look Inside" thing, you'll read "This view is of the Mass Market Paperback edition (1983) from Bantam Classics. The Paperback edition (2010) from General Books LLC that you originally viewed is the one you'll receive if you click the Add to Cart button at left." And that's correct. The General Books LLC version is a completely different book. To wit....
   
   General Books LLC puts together books using an OCR automated scanning device which can miss complete pages. There are many many Typos and no table of contents. There books receive NO EDITING of any kind, also, the OCR scanning is done by a robot (which the publishers website outright says can miss pages). This is all stated on the publishers web site (google them and read for yourself to get all the details). Almost every review of books published by General Books LLC (around 500,000 of them from one imprint or another now listed on Amazon) by buyers is negative, many are extremely so.
   
   As the General Books LLC version has reviews of other publishers versions associated with it, you need to be very careful to make sure you've bought a decent version. If you have bought the version from General Books LLC by mistake, you can return to Amazon within 30 days(but check Amazon's Return Policy for the details).



3. Mark Twain is synonymous worldwide with the Mississippi River, mainly because of the Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn stories. However, Life on the Mississippi is just as important and, in a testament to Twain's greatness, nearly as readable despite being non-fiction. It details his history with the river and gives an overview of the river itself; this may sound boring, and almost certainly would be with anyone else, but I long ago decided that even Twain's laundry list would be worth reading, and this certainly is. The magic he seemed to bring to everything is in full force; one would be very hard-pressed to find another non-fiction book that is so entertaining, besides Twain's others of course, but it is also awesomely informative. In addition, Life is historically notable as the first book written on a typewriter, not Huck as is commonly thought; however, it made Twain able to finish Huck, which he had struggled with for some years and set aside. Huck fans and scholars will want to read Life for this alone, but it is more than worthy in itself.
   
   Twain starts by giving some basic facts and history; this is the least interesting part but only lasts a few pages, and I urge anyone bored by it to continue. Much of the information is of course dated but remains historically valuable as a portrait of the river as it then stood. Far more interesting is Twain's unforgettable rundown of his years as a riverboat pilot - a central life experience that led to much of his writing. We get a fascinating glimpse of this long-vanquished trade, which was all but unthinkable even when Life was published. It is important to recall that Twain was a pilot before such boats had steam or even lights at night. He details piloting's extraordinary difficulties with engrossing detail and typical self-deprecating humor. We learn much along the way about the riverboat lifestyle, the river itself, and riverside towns. Anyone curious about what it was like to live in this era and/or how its inhabitants thought and acted will find a wealth of information; we learn as much here as in any history book, and it is of course infinitely better written. Life covers a crucial American history era and is an important primary source even for those not interested in Twain and certainly essential for anyone who is, as it gives substantial background about a crucial part of his life. The book is indeed in part a bildungsroman; Twain had always loved the river and began pilot training soon after first leaving home. He structures the narrative so that it reads much like a story, and we see him grow from naïveté and ignorance to an admirable experience and wisdom.
   
   Twain then details a trip he made on the river many years later, noting what changed and what stayed the same. There is significant autobiographical material here also, but the crux is descriptive. Twain describes the river's whole length and everything having to do with it as he goes, making it all utterly absorbing. As always, there are many eminently readable tangents. Several are autobiographical - reminisces as well as then recent events. Particularly interesting is Twain's profoundly touching visit to his hometown after a long absence. However, a good part of Life has nothing to do with the river directly but is at least as engrossing as what does. Twain's many asides are full of wit and insight; few have ever probed so deeply into life and humanity, and we are lucky to have his wisdom, much of which is hilarious. Especially engaging are observations on North/South differences, notably including the Civil War. Twain's sociopolitical criticism is also as brilliant as ever, taking on everything from architecture to Walter Raleigh to speech. Finally, Life would be valuable even if lacking all this because it passes on an invaluable treasure of American folklore.
   
   Life is quite simply required reading for anyone even remotely interested in American literature; it is essential Twain, which makes it simply essential. As for this edition, it is essentially bare bones. Anyone wanting supplemental material will need to look elsewhere, but this will do well for most, as the text stands very well on its own.



4. As a current pilot of towing vessels on the Mississippi River and the ICW, I thought this was an excellent book. Since I began working in the inland towing industry, I've often heard crew members mention a time when "the men were made of steel and the barges were made of wood". This explores that time. Even if you've never been on the Mississippi River, I'd still say this is an excellent and insightful read.



5. To me, this book seemed like several rather disjointed chunks of writing about Twain's Mississippi experience. I don't know what happened. Maybe he compiled all his scraps of material about this period and threw them together, not bothering with transitions or filling in gaps, or smoothing out the narrative flow.
   In any case, I found the writing delightful and in places laugh-aloud funny. I even typed out several large passages in a letter I was writing to my brother. The letter must have taken me an hour to write but I just had to share those passages with someone. That's how good Twain is. You want to share him with others who enjoy fine writing.
   I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say this is Twain's finest book. But it is well worth reading and it lays out in detail perhaps the cross section of Twain's life that he enjoyed most.

No comments about Decision Points.

5 comments about Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.

1. I'd love to read this book on my Kindle but that's not going to happen. For $17.99, I can buy the hard cover edition. E books are great but come on, the price on this book should be considerably less. I'm becoming frustrated with the price gouging that's going on. Boycott anything over $9.99!



2. In her recently posted annotated bibliography on "Emergence Christianity," Phyllis Tickle includes the new Dietrich Bonhoeffer biography, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Those unfamiliar with Bonhoeffer's life and writings may be surprised to find a German theologian who was executed before turning 40 on a list of those influencing the future of global Christianity. Here lies the great strength of this biography: Author Eric Metaxas shows Bonhoeffer's prophetic edge in his day while revealing how prescient his theology remains now.
   
   Biographies about admirable people ought to do at least two things well. By book's end the reader should want to explore the subject's original sources and be compelled to examine a portion of his own life in light of the person encountered in the biography. Put another way, a good biography is about far more than learning about a person; there is always the possibility of becoming like that person in certain ways. For the Christian who looks to the saints of the past for examples of faithful discipleship, a good biography is an aide to spiritual formation.
   
   I don't mean to overstate the possible influence of Metaxas' book, but the number of times I laid the book down to consider implications of Bonhoeffer's thoughtful response to his circumstances became too many to count. Perhaps the highest compliment I can give author is that his hefty book (542 pages) made more than one appearance while entertaining dinner guests. Some of the passages are simply too good (provocative, enlightening, surprising, troubling) not to share.
   
   The arc of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life is well enough known that I won't recount it here. Suffice it to say that what many know- brilliant young theologian who was executed for his role in an attempt to assassinate Hitler- is just the beginning of a remarkable life pursued with clear-eyed commitment to Jesus.
   
   In Metaxas' telling there is little to be critiqued about his subject. Is this a flaw? If so, it's easily overlooked. The biographer manages to review Bonhoeffer's experiences and writings with admiration while mostly sticking to the narrative provided by the original sources. What commentary there is gives the reader a clear sense of where the author is coming from.
   
   I'm glad Tickle included this book on her list. Bonhoeffer is unquestionably a voice the church needs to hear from again and again. Thankfully, with this biography, many more will be introduced to the young theologian whose convictions remained firm despite the complexities of his times. It's an example we can learn from today.



3. Let me begin by admitting that I could not finsish this, though I so looked forward to reading it. One thing I look for in a biography, which is here, is a lot of information, from multiple sources, which are well documented. This is good, but I also like it when an author dissimentates what is important and what is not and gives the reader a complete picture, however with some taught focus on the subject. This latter is lacking. Case in point, when one gets to Bonhoeffer's 2nd trip to New York we get to know, not only of his adventures there, but what films he saw, what he thought of each film, what he thought of each sermon he rheard, etc.
   I will use this again, for reference, but it was exhausting plodding through the minutia to come to the larger points of the biography. Yet another, in our modern times, example of why we need good editors.



4. I found this to be a most interesting and informative book on Bonhoeffer. It is very well written and reads much like a novel. I have not finished it yet, but am thoroughly enjoying it and recommend this book highly.



5. I have admitted to having very few heroes. Joining A.W. Tozer on my short list is Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of those few heroes I have whose life and faith have truly inspired me. For my birthday I received, from my wife, the book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas.
   
   This book has deepend my affections for Bonhoeffer. I may write an actual in depth review at some point, but for now I just want comment on how well communicated the Bonhoeffer's spiritual journey is laid out.
   
   The book begins rather dryly recounting his youth and family life in early 20th century Germany, but as we follow the progression of his life Metaxas does a masterful job building the details that shaped the young budding theologian as he matures into passionate pastor who became a driven prophet whose spirit was set ablaze by the Spirit of the living God.
   
   One of the more fascinating aspects are the parallel stories that gives the reader an intimate insiders view of life in Germany during the rise of Hitler and the fall of the German Church while brilliantly detailing the minority remnant that wouldn't compromise injecting the reader into the conflict of having to respond to such evil and apostasy while maintaining fidelity to the Gospel of Christ. Bonhoeffer with the mantle of a prophet placed upon him by Divine Providence took to confronting this apostasy head on and as a shepherd tending to the flock that God gave him where ever he was at. It was in these times the popular works most synonymous with his name, The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together were written.
   
   There are other fine biographies of Bonhoeffer, but this one in it's 608 pages brings to life the person of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a way where we get to know him in the details not included in the shorter accounts. There is always a tendency of biographies to make a person out to be larger than life. It appears there was a deliberate attempt by the author to ensure we knew that this saint was as human as you or I in such a way that we are drawn to him as a friend.
   
   Bonhoeffer carried the depression of a prophet. Seeing the rise of such evil was one thing, to see the church compromise with this devil another, then the church movement he spearheaded in response to the fallen German Church (The Confessing Church) did not react to or condemn the rising persecution of the Jews even in light of the stories describing the horrors of the concentration camps was not only immoral but intolerable. In Bonhoeffer's life there were many deeply personal relationships with people who were Jews including a brother-in-law. So the pain of the Nuremberg Laws which opened the door for open persecution of the Jews tormented him and his family on a personal level as well. Bonhoeffer wasn't even yet 30 years old.
   
   When it comes to Bonhoeffer's theology Metaxas masterfully places Bonhoeffer's theology within it's proper context. In so doing much of the criticism becomes challenged as his theology takes shape and comes to life through the evolution of the story. Metaxas isn't rewriting history here, but he is careful to separate the university theologian and the theoretics of such pursuit from the pastor who with a shepherd's heart nurtured and cared for those in his care. In his own pursuit of Christ his witness bore out his personal theology without apology and without compromise.
   
   With all of the drama of a finely written novel this story is something fiction could never recreate nor could Shakespeare conjure in so great a tragedy. Without hesitation I would call this the best biography I have read in years. Metaxas has demonstrated that his biography of William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace, was no anomaly and with the same attention to detail in the seeming casual little things bring these men back to life in a way that is inspiring, making alive again the quality of character that challenges us to be as such so when the Lord has need of a man or woman of God and the question is asked, "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" we like Isaiah without hesitation will say "Here I am Lord send me".
   
   More at [...]

No comments about Thomas Jefferson: A Character Sketch.

5 comments about Man's Search for Meaning.

1. I read this book when I was in a very tough place based on the recommendations of a surgeon who unlike many surgeons was interested in my emotional well-being as well. I was hit by a semi-truck while riding my bicycle and spent months in a very difficult place. This book provided some solace although my situation was not nearly as bad as that suffered by the author and the other victims of the holocaust. The author attempts a very difficult task, namely to develop tools for people to find meaning in some unimaginably painful situations. Situations where finding the power to cope and find meaning seem to be pointless. The author describes how he found the emotional strength to survive the concentration camps and come out to be a man who is not broken by circumstances. I couldn't relate to all of his advice but I will remember one thing that the author advised. When in an unbelievably dire and hopeless situation and all other meaning is lost, you can find meaning in suffering and dying with dignity. When all bets are off, you shouldn't lose your humanity.



2. A friend recommended this book after a discussion of "character motivation" in science fiction. I am so glad he did. Frankl was a psychiatrist working on a theory of what motivated mankind when he was thrown in a Nazi concentration camp. He survived in large part because he had something to live for--the publication of his work. The first part of the book details survival within the concentration camp. This part alone is worth the book's price. Unlike Hollywood depictions of camps, he shows what the inmates actually had to do in order to survive (they would do just about anything not to be on a "list") and he even shows the occasional humanity of some of the guards, even, amazingly, the final commandant of his camp.
   
   The second part of the book is a brief summary of Frankl's theories called logotherapy. I can't say I'm an expert on this; he published over 20 volumes on the subject. But what I read here is fascinating. In summary, he believes that man's search for meaning is his primary motivation, unlike Freudian psychology which teaches that man's search for pleasure is his primary motivation.
   
   I plan to reread this book regularly. Truly inspirational.



3. This book is a must read for anyone in the field of psychology, and anyone in the field of life...everyone. Frankl intersperses his experiences in the concentration camp with an exploration of psychology and resilience in the face of the worst circumstances known to mankind. The existential results of his explorations and thoughts are incredible, and they are balm to anyone suffering a psychic or a circumstantial wound... that we have a will to find meaning as human beings. The final lines of the book before the postscript sum up the state of mankind: "...man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright..." and like the rest of the book, use a straightforward prose to convey the richest of ideas.



4. I have read this book many, many times. These are the words I live by. If I was told that I could only own one book for the rest of my life, this would be it. Viktor Frankl's harrowing testimony of surviving in a concentration camp seems incomprehensible. Even more unbelievable is the attitude he adopts during his struggle as he remains apart from his family, starving, cold, and forced to perform hard labor with no relief in sight. Through it all, he decides that even though his body is being held captive, he is still free to control his mind and his attitude.
   
   When he is ultimately liberated from the concentration camp, rather than be bitter and remorseful, he uses his tragic experiences as a basis for logotherapy, a counseling theory that helps people to find meaning in their adversity. He also influences a generation of existential psychotherapists including another favorite writer of mine, Irvin Yalom. This is an incredible book that significantly altered my life and way of thinking. I recommend it to everyone.



5. I had to read this book for a class, but it turned out to be a very interesting and good book to read.

5 comments about Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History.

1. Despite the countless books and films on the Holocaust, those of us who have thankfully never faced these horrors still struggle to understand what happened. It is easier to become numbed by it all. The brilliance of Maus is that it recasts and distills a seemingly over-familiar story into a more manageable one, a son struggling to understand his Father's life, though this in no way diminishes the horrors and struggles that occurred. And any thoughts that a graphic format somehow cheapens the message should be discarded. The pictures at times say far more than words could; such as those of crowds of doomed Jews (the mice) herded to their fate by the Nazis (the cats).
   
   This is a valuable and well told story.



2. The book was in very good condition and it came in very fast, within one week.



3. Maus is one of the captivating page turners I've every laid eyes upon. The story is Art Spiegelman the author writing his fathers tale and what exactly was involved in surviving the holocaust.



4. Art Spiegelman's critically-acclaimed graphic novel chronicles both his father Vladek's misadventures in Hitler's Europe and a rocky relationship between father and son. Depicting the Nazis as cats and the Jews as mice (and the Polish as pigs, a hot-button topic in an already controversial piece), Spiegelman's illustrations actually gives "Maus" the type of appeal that couldn't be achieved in any other medium except this one, as well as lure readers who wouldn't have picked up the comic otherwise. The story itself reels you in but "Prisoner on the Hell Planet," Spiegelman's comic-within-a-comic about his late mother, offers even more insight on Spiegelman and his family history despite its contrast with the main story. This is truly the stuff survival stories are made of.
   
   This comic is unrated: Violence, Adult Language, Adult Situations.



5. I really thought that in this point in my life I had learned all there was to know about the Holocaust. I've been to the museums, seen the movies, seen survivors speak, and studied the awful events in school. I didn't expect to gain a new sense of understanding from this survivors tale.
   
   Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History was a shocking, at times truly disturbing account of a family trying to survive day to day during the Holocaust. This is not a cut and dry tale, it is artfully told through a graphic novel.
   
   I went into this novel wondering "why mice?". As you can see from the cover, the center of the swastika is a cat face. Art Spiegelman has used symbolism to portray a cat and mouse game. The jews are all mice, forever foraging for food and shelter, trying to outsmart the cats that want noting more than to destroy them. The use of this idea in his artwork makes the novel that much more interesting.
   
   I imagine that I could learn something new each time I read this book. There is so much depth, and raw descriptions of what occurred to the authors father and his family. It goes one step deeper in showing how it has affected their lives beyond their time struggling to survive the Holocaust.
   
   A powerful and deeply affecting graphic novel that is an absolute must read.

5 comments about The 48 Laws of Power.

1. Many of this book's negative reviews seem to focus on its supposed immorality. Reading these reviews can be a bit misleading because they make it seem as if the only types of people who can use these laws are those wishing to deceive and manipulate others. Admittedly, this is somewhat true (you most likely aren't reading a book like this if you aren't looking for a way to influence other people more effectively) however the way a person chooses to apply these laws is really what determines their morality. Even some of the seemingly duplicitous laws are in fact fairly innocuous. Take for instance, taking the credit for other people's work. On the surface, this appears to be rather despicable. But if you've ever read a self-help book or attended a motivational seminar, and then applied the principles you learned, then you have used this law. This in fact, is one of the best aspects of The 48 Laws of Power; at no point does Greene try to tell the reader what's right and wrong...only what works.
   
   Content aside, the book is laid out and reads well. As you would expect each law gets its own chapter. Chapters are broken down into a brief description of each law backed up by historical examples of transgressions and observances concluding with Green's personal thoughts. There are also anecdotal stories and poems in the margins. While the examples of transgressions and observances do a good job of illustrating the point, I found Greene's commentary to be extremely insightful as well. Most chapters can be read in thirty minutes or less which leads me to another positive aspect of this book; you can read a chapter right before you go to bed and literally begin applying it the very next day. Even if you don't apply them you will most certainly notice people following or (more often) breaking them.
   
   As far as the laws' effectiveness I don't have personal experience with them all, though the ones I have applied work great. Many of them are situational. Others aren't always necessary (that is to say, following them will certainly help your cause but ignoring them won't necessarily be detrimental). Still others are indispensable and not following them will at a minimum limit your potential (particularly in the work place). 48 Laws is basically a human psychology book and how you use it is really up to you. In my opinion, if you change even one pattern of behavior as a result of reading it then it was worth the money. And even if you don't, it will at least give you new insight on human interaction.



2. This book is heavy on knowledge. In the wrong hands it could easily turn into a dangerous weapon of wisdom. While I admit that most of the authors views and opinions backed by facts initially come off as devious and sinister, I undoubtedly agree with the author. The good in me wants to believe he's wrong, but the human nature in me cannot deny the truth. The physical world we live in is all about opportunity and if you show any weakness in this land of opportunity there's always a snake in the grass close by ready to capitalize. The only sure way not to become prey to those types is to become sly predator yourself. This book provides you with the tools you need to gain power and adapt to almost any situation where there's something you would like to gain.



3. Intellectually stimulating book. As a result I started inscribing 48 laws of intellectual power on my blog.
   
   Dmitry Vostokov
   Founder of Management Bits and Tips blog
   The author of Resume and CV: As a Book and Salary Figures: A Codebook of Expectations



4. I'm lazy, so I'm going to keep this short.
   
   Basically, this book helped me realize I was trapped in a high-level power game and allowed me to get out before I got too invested (more trapped). Definitely a huge wake up call and savior!



5. Not bad, not spectacular. Much is already simple wisdom from having lived life, or even through intuitive thinking. I like the book, but many who are not open to what is actually being stated, may find it to be harsh...it is not. Look deeper into the intent of the message, and you may find the wisdom helpful for you in business and social situations.

5 comments about Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Written by Himself (The Bedford Series in History and Culture).

1. We had to read this in 11th grade when I was in high school. Like many people, I just skimmed it and now I regret the decision so I decided to try it again. This is a fantastic edition. First, to hear about slavery in America from a former slave's own words is powerful. Many times we just hear slavery was horrible and that's it. This narrative makes it personal. You see an individual and what has happened in his personal life and that always makes it more real. Secondly, the reason why this edition is so fantastic, is the footnotes that it provides. It tells you who the people in the narrative are and even points out mistakes that Douglas made which makes it more authentic for me. I literally read this in a few hours as it is a short book but I have gained much from the exercise.



2. This is a brief life story, written in 1845, by an ex-slave. At the time of writing he was technically an escaped slave. He later had his freedom bought for him by some English people.
   
   Douglass is a very intelligent, brave and resourceful man and he describes slavery in Maryland, a state supposedly kinder to slaves than the deep South.
   
   Apart from the horror of the living conditions and treatment, what stands out for me is his denunciation of the Christian society which the slaveowners subscribed to. This is in the Appendix, which I think some editions don't have. (The Penguin does). According to Douglass the more pious they were, the more likely to be cruel. I hasten to add Douglass himself was a Christian too. Towards the end of the book is a long quotation from the New Testament about Philistines and hypocrites.
   
   It's powerful stuff.



3. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the few books that every American should read and is also essential for anyone even remotely interested in American history, African Americans, or slavery's sad story. It is a fine piece of writing in itself and also of immense historical value - a true American classic.
   
   The most obvious aspect is of course autobiographical. American literature has a long, prestigious autobiographical tradition, and this is one of the best entries. Douglass' account of his life is profoundly moving and immensely thought-provoking. He begins with his first memories and carries his story all the way to what was then the present. Needless to say, the inside look at slavery from a slave's perspective is the most valuable part; there are numerous such narratives, but this is surely preeminent. The story is heart-wrenching, vividly and unforgettably detailing humanity's inhumanity; we see what it was like to be a slave in regard to everything from food, clothing, and shelter to labor. Many of the incidents are almost painful to even read; actually living through them - or even being alive when such things happened - is now thankfully unimaginable. Douglass gives several examples of physical cruelty, but the most harrowing stories may well be those of psychological torture and simple denial of basic human feelings, as in the heartless breaking up of families. Such things are inherently moving, and this would be one of the most emotional works ever if it were fiction, but the stunning fact that it is not makes it all the more meaningful. The dread weight of its truth is particularly shocking when we realize that Douglass came from one of the areas where slavery was least harsh. The horrors here related are thankfully long past, but such books will always be immensely valuable as reminders of just how cruel people can be - and have been quite recently. We must never forget, lest they happen again.
   
   Douglass in this way is more representative than individual, and he indeed took it on himself to speak for all slaves. The book was in this sense propagandistic and did its job better than anyone could have expected, laying slavery's evils bare to many who were previously unaware or unable - possibly unwilling - to believe. It was an abolitionist milestone and had a real effect in moving slavery toward its end. Yet Douglass' story is extremely interesting in itself; indeed, in many ways he was the spiritual successor of Benjamin Franklin, founder of the American autobiographical tradition. Franklin practically invented the American dream by showing how hard work and perseverance could raise one from humble beginnings to wealth, fame, and acclaim. Douglass had infinitely worse circumstances yet managed to rise far above them - not only teaching himself to read but becoming a genuine autodidact, not only escaping slavery but becoming a noted abolitionist, orator, writer, black leader, and racial authority with world fame and reverence. Few stories are more inspirational, and the work is thus on top of everything else the best kind of self-help book. Douglass unforgettably shows that it is possible to overcome even the most adverse circumstances and gives a good idea of how to do so.
   
   One must not neglect to mention that, incredible as it is, Douglass is a premier prose stylist. Considering his circumstances, the fact that he was able to write at all is amazing; anyone would make great allowance for poor or even semi-literature writing. In fact, though, Douglass is a top-level writer; this is not only one of the very few autobiographies that is true literature but simply great writing per se. The writing is simple in the best sense; Douglass truly embodied Jonathan Swift's good style definition: "Proper words in proper places." He is admirably clear and concise. That said, he works himself up to a rhapsody when appropriate, reaching near-lyrical heights; the passage where he compares himself to the free is one of the most affecting and best-written I have seen in the hundreds or thousands of books I have read. That Douglass' Narrative has this totally unlooked for virtue in addition to all others is thoroughly impressive.
   
   Simply put, anyone who has not read this should do so as soon as possible; few books are more important or memorable. Douglass is an American giant, and this is his enduring fame's base. No one who reads it can forget it, and that may be the highest praise of all.



4. Amazing.
   Inspiration for your life regardless of the kind of trials you face.
   Highly recommended.



5. In the classic slave narrative genre, Frederick Douglass' narrative of his life brings to life, in all its horrors, American slave society, and one slave's life-long protest against it.
   
   When we read Frederick Douglass in his own words, he is less the radical and more the reformer than we've been led to believe. He is also more the Christian statesmen and less the Christianity critic than we might imagine. Douglass' oft quoted comments about Christianity had much more to do with a righteous critique of distorted Christian living practiced by white masters than with any critique of Christianity or of Christ. In reality, Douglass, like so many enslaved African Americans before and after him, saw in Jesus a Savior they could identify with--a suffering Savior.
   
   Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

5 comments about Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation.

1. If what you're looking for is a primer on critical events and collaborations of the revolutionary generation, this is an okay book to pick up, but the same information could be gleaned from the Cliff Notes version without having to suffer through the author's pointless linguistic yoga. Read it fast and ignore the interjected social commentary, and you'll probably come away better for it. The writing is fluid (mostly due to a lack of paragraph breaks) but not easily discerned for most without a thesaurus. There was very little new history uncovered in the book. The scandals and imperfections of the founders were well-documented prior to this work.
   
   My biggest disappointment with the book was the too-frequent license taken to interpret outcomes in the context of the author's modern, political philosophy. Without knowing anything about Ellis you can clearly discern his collectivist tendencies. This, in itself, wouldn't be so annoying if he didn't attempt to put the same gloss on men who, while disagreeing by degrees as to implementation of new laws, were nevertheless pretty unified in their disdain for and distrust of absolute power. Of course intellectual elites and humanities professors love this book, but for me it was just another attempt to co-opt the positive aspects of the movement while imputing his particular brand of propoganda.



2. I don't mind history rewritten as opinion as long as 1)It's acknowledged at the beginning and 2) it's cleverly written. This misses the mark on both. I had to struggle to make it though and to be honest, I'm not better for it on the other side.
   
   Take a pass on this for the most part. However, the section of the Hamilton Duel is well written and it's the only part(aside from a few sections on John and Abigail), that I recommend reading.



3. I had to read Founding Brothers for my AP US History Class as summer reading, and it took way too long to finish this. I would sit down to read it and get bored 10 minutes later! There is no real structure in the book, which makes it harder to follow and read.
   
   The first 10 or so pages are somewhat interesting, but then my eyes start to fall asleep. The chapters are over 40 pages, so you can see why I had a hard time reading this. Also, there is no real action. It just keeps repeating boring history over and over again. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars and not 1 was because the first 10 pages are decent.
   
   After reading it, I can say that I wasted a ton of time reading things I will never remember. I would have been better off going on wikipedia and researching the topics and reading summaries.
   
   Overall, DO NOT read this book if you do not have to! SOO DAMN BORING! NO Action! No Excitement! Barely any conspiracy or mystery! Just an all out bad book!
   
   Hopefully I helped you! :)



4. I started Founding Brothers: A Revolutionary Generation by Joseph J. Ellis with high expectations. Unfortunately, this book was a bit of a disappointment and was too inconsistent.
   
   When Ellis opens with the Hamilton-Burr duel, I thought what a great way to approach these characters. He highlights seven prominent men and one woman from the Revolutionary-era including George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. But while some of this book provided good insights, other chapters proved to be quite tedious. Ellis barely mentions Ben Franklin and Aaron Burr. In fact, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams tended to be the main focus of Founding Brothers with two of the six chapters centering on them. Most of the book does not take place during the Revolution, but well afterward. It almost seemed to me that these were homeless tidbits that were left over from previous books.
   
   As mentioned previously, Ellis did provide some interesting observations. Some of the best were about the Jefferson-Adams friendship. Close friends during the Revolution, they had a falling out during Adams' presidency. It wasn't until 12 years later that they resumed their friendship. "One would like to believe, and there is some basis for the belief, that each man came to recognize in the other the intellectual and temperamental qualities lacking in himself; that they, in effect, completed each other; that only when joined could the pieces of the story of the American Revolution come together to make a whole. But the more mundane truth is that they never faced and therefore never fully resolved all their political differences; they simply outlived them."
   
   Although Founding Brothers wasn't a total waste and I was glad that I read it, I find it questionable that it won a Pulitzer Prize. I think there were much better books published that were more worthy of such a prestigious award.



5. It is interesting to learn about the men (and woman, in Abigail Adams' case) that helped found the United States. A lot of what we know is very anecdotal and edited, leaving us with a vague picture of heroic men. Ellis does a great job in bringing the reality of the early days of the United States to light. With Founding Brothers you learn about some of the issues that they struggled with and how the outcome effected where the US government went.
   
   The flow of Founding Brothers caught my interest instantly. Ellis tells us that it runs more or less in a linear fashion through the years, with the opening chapter the only one that is out of place chronologically. But Ellis goes further in making the book read more fluidly in that each successive chapter is connected to the the next by someone in the previous. You may read about Adams in one, and then the next will flow from Adams to Jefferson seemlessly. This style of writing made Founding Brothers immensely readable and something that you can sit down and enjoy.
   
   The context of the mini bios is what really caught my interest. I learned a lot about little known areas and issues that arose in the late 17th century to early 18th century. For example, I knew that slavery was a hot topic, but I didn't know to the extent and for what reasons it was ultimately excluded from the constitutional discussion, and at that it was excluded by ommission alone because the topic alone was enough to shatter the fledgling government. That slavery was tolerated was an exception the founding fathers were willing to accept if it meant that their government would remain in tact. Truly a hot topic. Another topic, although not as earth shattering, was seeing the bickering and fighting that went on. Time alone has made us forget that our founding fathers bickered and fought a lot over issues of government, with each side using propoganda to slander the opposing party. The only one whose hands remained clean was Washington, but even he was slandered behind his back. Jefferson, Washington's erstwhile friend, didn't hesitate to slander Washington if he thought it would advance his cause. Ultimately this ruined their friendship. Jefferson, again, used the full force of his skills to slander Adams in order to lever himself up atop the government, and with him his political party. This is what shocked me, to see not only the political in fighting, but see such a revered figure in our history resort to such backhanded methods in order gain supremacy.
   
   Our founding fathers are not as angelic and heroic as they were made to be. They were men with principles, but they certainly did not hesitate to attack their fellow revolutionaries is they thought it would benefit them and their idea of how the government should be run. While I still look on them with great respect, I now can look upon them knowing that they were men just like everyone else who were put in an extraordinary position. A definite recommend.
   
   5 stars.

5 comments about Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began.

1. The book does not pull any punches, and it is particularly honest in its portrayal of the author's difficult relationship with his father who is shown as a rather mean spirited and manipulative old man. The book also examines the author's difficulties in composing the narrative and trying to understand exactly what his father and mother experienced. I recommend these books (or the one combined version here ) to everyone. If you don't think you can take the pain, you can, in this presentation. If you think you've heard it all, you haven't. If you think you'll never forget, just wait. This will ensure it. On an aesthetic level, this book is beautiful. The illustrations are simple and yet show a great eye for perspective.



2. From my blog review:[...]
   
   For those unfamiliar with this project, Maus tells two stories. Predominantly, it is the story of how Vladek Spiegelman survived the Nazi regime and Hitler's concentration camps. Interspersed throughout, though, is a present day depiction of the interaction between Vladek and his son, Art. Art expresses both admiration for, and exasperation with, Vladek. This is, for me, the most meaningful part of Spiegelman's story. We have a habit of reducing history to a one-dimensional existence in our minds. The Jews who were targeted by the Nazis were all pitiable victims, the Nazis were all inhuman monsters, etc. What Spiegelman has done with Maus is show that the survivors were admirable...and that they were much more than that, as well. It turns out, they were also human and got on their children's nerves the same as nearly every other parental generation. Rather than undermining the dignity and resilience of Vladek, Maus makes him more relevant because he's a whole person and not a cardboard cutout.
   
   Spiegelman took an awful chance bringing his father's story to the medium of graphic storytelling in the 1980s. Even in 2009, the same year that a movie adaptation of Alan Moore's Watchmen (long considered unfilmable), the notion of telling of a holocaust survivor's story in comic book form seems destined to offend. The fact that Spiegelman presents ethnicities as animals (i.e., Jews are depicted as mice, Germans as cats, etc.) would seemingly further remove from the story its proper sense of weight. Remarkably, Vladek's story is perhaps even more striking told through Art's presentation. There is, strangely, a heightened sense of humanity throughout "Maus" that I often find absent even in History Channel programs drawing on actual video footage of the described events.
   
   Simply put, I cannot offer a higher recommendation than the one I give to Art Spiegelman's "Maus: A Survivor's Tale." Originally, Maus was serialized in Spiegelman's comic anthology series Raw; I read the two volume collected edition. Since then, the entire work has been collected in a singular volume. Whichever incarnation you find available, I urge you to take the time to read the tale of Vladek Spiegelman.



3. In this second installment of Art Spiegelman's comic, the author continues to chronicle his cantankerous father's tale of survival in Nazi Europe. The comic also follows Art as he is torn between his admiration for Vladek Spiegelman surviving the horrors of the Holocaust, and his frustration with Vladek's failure to survive in present-day America. Once again, Art chalks up a black-and-white comic that is anything but.
   
   This comic is unrated: Violence, Adult Language, Adult Situations.



4. This was an excellent book. I received the first one for Christmas, and completed it within a day.



5. It doesn't get any better than this.}
   It's almost beyond giving it a "review"....Both I and II are so important and so good. An honor to the six million and more.