5 comments about The Puritan Dilemma: The Story of John Winthrop (2nd Edition).

1. This brief and dense history of John Winthrop's Boston is a must-read for folks interested in colonial life in America. Beginning with the formation of the Massachusetts Bay Company in England, and following them to the new world and the new struggles that accompany their arrival, historical juggernaut Edmund Morgan paints an unfamiliar picture of John Winthrop.
   
   Often depicted as a fundamentalist zealot, Morgan's Winthrop is a more pragmatic puritan - one willing to make compromises in favor of trade, diplomacy, or popular support. Winthrop's struggles with his own people are also highlighted throughout the book, particularly in the roller coaster of on-again, off-again governorship between him and his rivals.
   
   The book also clarifies the objectives and different types of puritanism, which I, as a student of history, found very helpful in understanding the religious landscape of Englands both new and old.
   
   The one downside to the work is the style in which it's written. As an early work of Morgan's, he had not yet found the compelling, conversational voice which he is today known for, resulting in an academic tone that makes reading a bit tedious at times. Regardless, the thorough research and interesting subject matter more than makes up for it.



2. An interesting look at the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the remarkable character who lead it for most of its first couple decades. It seems easier for many people to view the Puritans as stereotypes rather than real people, but they're more interesting as flesh and blood human beings living in the real world. Considering their importance to American beginnings, it's probably wiser to try to understand them as real people. They were amazing in some respects, misguided in others, but they got New England going, along with Harvard, Yale and a powerful commitment to literacy and education. They also started representative government in the New World, at least in the northern British colonies, and they had a leader of rare abilities in Winthrop. This is a part of American history that's perhaps more relegated to either caricature or the dustbin than any other, and that's to our loss in understanding our roots and their continuing effects on our society.



3. While this book is an excellent biography of John Winthrop, Massachusetts' first Governor, it is also an excellent review of the various types of Puritanism and the issues faced by Winthrop and others in their American experiment to found and develop a colony based on Scripture. Morgan gives a very balanced portrait of Winthrop: his genius and his foibles. While looking closely at the Puritanism of the Massachusetts colony, Edmund S. Morgan, also show the Puritanism of England and its leaning toward Presbyterianism and the dangers of seperatism that were very threatening to Winthrop and his supporters. Overall, this is a very readable and entertaining biography that looks at the development of Winthrop's thought from his youth in England to his great contributions to Massachusetts' survival.



4. This book is a good overview of Puritanism in England and New England in the first half of the 17th century, especially the role of John Winthrop in establishing a Puritan commonwealth in the vicinity of Boston, Mass under the auspices of the Massachusetts Bay Company in 1630. Little time is spent on day-to-day living conditions in the new Mass. Bay colony - and they were harsh.
   
   Much of the book is concerned with the subtle but explosive differences in Puritan thought that Winthrop was forced to deal with: Separatism, Presbyterianism (hierarchical, inclusive) vs. Congregationalism (flat, independent, & exclusive), or such deviating thought as Arminianism and Antinomiansim. In some cases, diffident residents were banned from the colony, such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson.
   
   In addition, the author shows the gradual inclusion of adult male church members in the governance of the colony from the original conception of only the few members of the Company exercising absolute control. The author maintains that the basics of church-state separation existed, yet there is no doubt that both sectors were concerned with rooting out and punishing ungodly behavior. The author shows that the survival of the colony owed a lot to Winthrop as he resisted tendencies of some towards separatism and purity - in other words, fanaticism. At times he was voted out of the governor's office, but the colony always returned to him.
   
   A rather understated aspect of the book is any real feel for living in a totally religious community under constant surveillance and the superiority of those who wish to judge who had been saved or not (or worse). Somehow the spread of that mindset into representative government is not especially heartwarming. The myopic idea that a pure, godly community, superior to others, could be established plagues us even today.



5. Short and sweet is the word. Morgan is a first-rate historian who, unlike some of his colleagues, can write in an engaging way that draws in the average reader. This book will not only shed light on Winthrop, but is also the best description of puritanism that I have come across. If you want to understand this influential movement, and one of its most important leaders, here's your book.

5 comments about The Cure D'Ars : St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney.

1. This is the best biography of Vianney I have read. It is tough going at times, partly due to its length and partly due to its tendency to be repetitious, but it is well worth the time in order to learn more about the personality and life of this exemplary priest.



2. Often books about saints are so full of fanciful musings and imaginings that it is difficult to decode fact from fiction. This book is based on the research proceedings and interviews of witnesses for the canonization of St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney. The book examines the life of the saint through the eyes of those who lived and interacted with him on a daily basis and recounts stories based on theirs shared experiences of the man. The author presents the reader with documented accounts much like what one would hear from witnesses recounting events that had taken place in a court of law. This gives the book a certain authenticity. Clearly, the author has a tremendous amount of respect for the Cure d'Ars but I think that it is the result of what he has uncovered in the collected documents of the saint's life rather than the musings of a man who out of an admiration for a saint, whose life is documented only through fanciful stories based on hearsay or legends, has written a text that is difficult to accept because of the lack of evidence for what is being presented. I would recommend this book because it is well written, balanced and accessible to most readers. I also find that you will get of fairly clear picture of who the Cure of Ars was, how he lived and what he accomplished over the course of his relatively long life. He was truly a remarkable man!



3. What makes this such an amazing and enthralling book is not just the unbelievable life of this humble priest---but the quotes and thoughts of those around him; many impressions from those who knew and worked with him, etc...It also documents extremely well the historical backdrop of France in the eighteenth century; what was going on at the time; how the Church was persecuted, innocent priests guillotined by the savage Revolution; how the Church had to go underground. It was forbidden to say Mass and any priest doing so was punished; families harboring priests were likewise punished. It is a well-documented thorough portrait of a most remarkable saint placed in a historical context. It is engrossing, fascinating and inspiring.



4. "In the span of nearly 50 years of priesthood, what is still the most important and most sacred moment for me is the celebration of the Eucharist. My awareness of celebrating in persona Christi at the altar prevails. Never in the course of these years have I failed to celebrate the Most Holy Sacrifice. If this has occurred, it has been due entirely to reasons independent of my will. Holy Mass is the absolute center of my life and of every day of my life. It is at the heart of the theology of the priesthood, a theology I learned not so much from text books as from living examples of holy priests. First and foremost, from the holy Cure of Ars, Jean Marie Vianney. Still today I remember his biography written by Fr. Trochu, which literally overwhelmed me."  (English text of the address given at the International Symposium on the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Conciliar Decree Presbyterorum Ordinis on Friday, October 27, 1995. Text acquired from L'Osservatore Romano, Weekly English Edition.) Text can also be viewed at the Vatican web site.



5. The definitive life, based on the official "Process of Beatification and Canonization," and thus totally factual and documented. Of humble education and assigned to a forgotten farmers' village, he attracted the whole world to Ars and was proclaimed "Patron Saint of Parish Priests" in 1929. Ate one meal a day, slept only a few hours a night, heard confessions up to 17 hours a day, converted thousands. His body remains incorrupt. A grace-filled story of total love of God!

No comments about King: Pilgrimage to the Mountaintop.

5 comments about Abandoned and Forgotten: An Orphan Girl's Tale of Survival During World War II.

1. It was my pleasure to meet Evelyne Tannehill (EVA) in person today at our book club in Sparks, Nevada. Ms. Tannehill is a resident of Reno, Nevada. Her book a never to be forgotten story of WWII, No fan of the Russians, who came in after the Germans, Ms. Tannehill has forgiven her tormenters but will never forgot what happened to her, a nine year old girl, during this War, she is a person whose human spirit is resilent and she knows of the war's greatest horrors, yet she is capable of the most charming and wonderful ways of telling her story and she is Anti-War, as we all should be! Please buy this wonderful book, it is a never to forgotten story and will lift your heart.



2. Evelyne Tannehill in her very personal story reveals the horrors of war through a young girls experiences. How I admire her ability to survive. She recalls every tramatic episode of her very young life with such detail I felt all her fears and all her fortitude. This book should be read by all who have never experienced war. Perhaps then we would not have any.



3. This compelling story of a young girl thrust into the fury and devistation of a war she had no part of except for the sin of being born at the wrong time and in the wrong place. Her story is so powerful that I was only able to read a couple of chapters at a time before I needed a break to regroup. I would strongly recommend this book who has any thought of supporting military action in any part of the world.



4. Wow, a real surprise. This is a VERY good book. I am really enjoying it.



5. Very good book. Provided enough in the way of historical facts, maps etc to be informative but not dull. I cared about the main character and was always wondering what was going to happen next. I thought I was generally aware of the horrors of WWII but this was an education of how the victimizing and victimazation was dealt and endured back and forth by many different people of many different nationalities and how scary it is that under certain circumstance all human beings are capable of the very best and very worst treatment of one another. Makes me think twice about when I think I'm having a "bad day."

5 comments about John Paul Jones: Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy.

1. John Paul Jones was the classic "flawed hero," a man you cannot help but love, despite his various faults. He was an incredibly skilled sailor and strategist, but a poor commander. He was proud and sensitive, and not shy about letting others know when his feelings were hurt. Despite his reputation in Britain as a blood-thirsty pirate, Jones was humble, polite, and ever desirous of being a true gentleman.
   
   Perhaps what is most admirable about Jones is that, in a time when he could have made his fortune as a privateer, he abhorred greed and, bound by duty and honor, sought the glory of battle for the American cause. Even though born and raised in Scotland, after only a brief stay in America, he adopted the country and it's cause, seeking to battle the Royal Navy. Throughout his constant struggle to obtain command of a respectable frigate with a capable crew, Jones only accomplished one major naval victory. Nevertheless, he had taken the battle from the cities of New England to the shores of Britain.
   
   Because Jones is a man the reader comes to be fond of, it is crushing to read his experience in the Russian Navy in the 1780s, after the end of the Revolutionary War. Betrayed and cheated by his fellow mercenary sailors, Jones fought for his honor, but left Russia a damaged man, suffering four more yeas in France before his death of sickness.
   
   I've always been a fan of Evan Thomas's books and find his writing style thorough and enjoyable. Thomas is fair and at times even critical of Jones, but by and large he paints him as the hero and visionary he was, despite his flaws.



2. John Paul Jones was a historical figure, but I really did know much about him until reading this very well written story. I gave this book to a number of friends this year as a holiday gift. Jones made two voyages around England during the Revolutionary War sailing ships procured for him from France. There have been modern ships in the Navy named Ranger and Bon Homme Richard, but I did not know until reading this that those were the names of Jones ships during those famous voyages. After reading this you will know the answer to a great quiz show question which is who is the patron, that the ship, Bon Home Richard was named after. I look forward to reading the story that Evan Thomas just released describing American naval heroes of WWII.



3. I have to admit I bought this book because it was in the closeout bin and I got a deal on it. I next have to admit that it sat in a pile of books to read for at least three months before I got around to reading it. But on starting it, I was highly impressed. It's well paced, factual, well researched without being dry and scholarly.
   
   First, I had no idea that his battles were fought off the English and Scottish coasts and that he was considered to be a pirate by the English- I always thought he fought battles off the American coast.
   
   Second, I had no idea that he was so closely tied with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and the closing stages of the French monarchy- nor that he served under Catherine the Great in helping her to gain a passage through the Black Sea.
   
   Third, the personality of the man, greatly flawed in its insatiable desire for glory and honor, was balanced by an ability to fight-- and to WIN.
   
   America wasn't a third-rate, fourth-rate or even a fifth-rate naval power during her Revolutionary War. America was essentially a "no rate." But Jones gave America victories when most others (with a few notable exception) did not. And he forced the British to bring home more of Her navy to protect home waters.
   
   For those who have read any of the Horatio Hornblower or "Lucky Jack Aubrey" works of fiction, I recommend that they also read this book.
   
   War is mostly waged by ordinary men- with fears, hopes, desires and needs like all of us. However, in every major conflict there a very few, like John Paul Jr., son of an English landscape gardener, who do more than their duty would dicate. For John Paul "Jones" it was his desire to be covered with glory and honor as well as his desire to build a winning AMERICAN Navy that caused him to push himselves and others far beyond the normal limits.
   
   To "Jones", the thoughts of marriage, children, even his health were secondary to these.
   
   I salute Evan Thomas for an excellent work about the father of the American Navy.



4. If you want to understand how the modern navy was born in America this is one of two books you will need. Understanding the mentality that drove our early navy to their few successes is a harrowing story that is told best here. This focuses on our lake fleets as well as our ocean fleets and does so in a very concise manner. The prose is very good and the information is well referenced. Anyone looking for information on the history of American navy will be well served with this book.



5. Don't judge this book by it's cover! (The cover is beautiful...)
   
   I'll begin with the good things in the book. It has a decent overview of Jones' life and accomplishments. A first-time reader about Jones will find the catalog of his daring exploits both interesting and exciting. Evan Thomas's narration of the sea battles and manoeuvers are as thrillingly told as any of O'Brian's or Forester's epics. However, besides the battles, this book doesn't do much but echo the author's malicious conclusions about Jones.
   
   Thomas seems to think that he is writing a Doctoral or Master's thesis and that we, as readers, continually forget what the main point of the book is. Don't be decieved, the author is not a fan of Jones. In striving to be "historically fair", we are faced with a book mainly about Jones's glaring shortcomings. Thomas has made it his goal to make sure we know that every single thing Jones did (from his letters to his heroics) was motivated by his "demon pride" (p. 310). It seems every paragraph begins or ends (sometimes both) with a scathing statement about Jones' lust for glory. Instead of stating the facts in an interesting narrative, we are faced with a continual repitition of Thomas' main thesis: Jones was not a hero, but a vain, glory-seeking upstart who wasn't even a good seaman. Often we get a sense that the thesis is wearing thin and completely falling apart. In order to buttress that, Thomas redundantly restates it lest we forget and start forming our own conclusions. Heaven forbid great men did great things for great reasons!
   
   I have read scores of historical biographies and none have been as vitriolic towards their subject as Thomas is to Jones. Granted, Thomas does an effectual job belittling everyone, but I thought the part of the title "Sailor, Hero, Father of the American Navy" meant he liked Jones. It must have been added by someone else, for it doesn't reflect the author's views.
   
   As I said previously, the book isn't without merit. It's battles are told very well, and the overview of Jones' accomplishments (and failures) are great. However, I would recommend reading another account of Jones that didn't seek to villify him and call it "historical fairness" (or whatever the term for giving more pages to his faults rather than his accomplishments is). If you want your conclusions dictated to you, read this book. If you prefer to draw them yourself, look elsewhere.

5 comments about Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh.

1. A good book, although the author seems to be more interested in discussing the various ideas and conceptions involving Hatchepsut than in the reign of the female king herself. If you are not already a student of Pharoanic Egypt then this is not a good book to jump into, despite the chapters which outline Egyptian history in general and the 18th Dynasty specifically. Tyldesley does not buy into various conspiracy theories involving the reign of this female king but instead discusses the mindset of the historians and archeologists and how their attitudes resulted in many modern concepts. An interesting book.



2. Joyce Tyldesley provides us with a thorough examination of the evidence surrounding the pharaoh Hatchepsut. She discusses issues such as the disputed order of succession, the conspicuous over-use of propaganda by Hatchepsut to legitimize her power and the question of exactly who attempted to erase the name of Hatchepsut from the monuments and why. Her arguments in each case are based on a judicious weighing of the evidence and the reader is always provided with alternative interpretations from other scholars. Tyldesley systematically dismantles the prevalent opinion that many of the actions of both Hatchepsut herself and her stepson Tuthmosis were motivated by a deadly enmity. On this issue she suggests that Tuthmosis was relatively accepting of the co-regency his stepmother imposed on him, but fails to suggest a convincing motivation for this. The one real disappointment in the book is that Tyldesley does not provide us with any real suggestion as to how Hatchepsut was able to succeed in establishing herself as pharaoh. She emphasizes that Hatchepsut would have needed both an acceptable reason and widespread support among the powerful men of the kingdom to be able to go against maat (the Egyptian concept of tradition and balance) and establish herself as king, but does not provide us with a plausible suggestion as to what such a reason may have been or whose support may have been responsible for her success. Admittedly, there are unlikely to be definitive answers, but these questions are barely raised. All in all, the book is an intriguing and insightful portrait of the world's first truly powerful woman.



3. With a use of the historical and archaeological evidence from various places in Egypt and beyond, an Oxford-educated Joyce Tyldesley has written a well-detailed biography book entitled "Hatchepsut: The Female Pharaoh." The book, as similar to her Nefertiti: Unlocking the Mystery Surrounding Egypt's Most Famous and Beautiful Queen, drives the general readers to experience and to understand the story of the female Pharaoh named Hatchepsut, her historical family background, the history of her memory after her death, and theories of historical scholars who have studied. There are eight chapters in the book with the addition of the "Introduction," which highlights Hatchepsut as a preferred King of Egypt, addresses a brief history of the Dynasty periods, and introduces Manetho who preserved the memory of Hatchepsut.
   
   What came as interesting to which this book explores the relationship between Hatchepsut and her father, Pharaoh Tuthmosis I. There does not appeared to be any negativity between them, and was seen as very positive. Throughout the years of her rule, Hatchepsut honored her father "in every way possible" in order to preserve her direct link to Tuthmosis I as a rightful heir to Egyptian throne (p. 117-8). Since she was born to both Tuthmosis I and Queen Ahmose who were of a royal blood, Hatchepsut believed that she had a direct royal bloodline because her brother-husband, Tuthmosis II, was born to a mother who was not from a royal bloodline. Therefore, she believed that she had a right to rule Egypt regardless of what her gender was. An impression that comes to one's mind from the book is that Hatchepsut needed to rule Egypt in the honor of her father and not for her personal agenda.
   
   Tyldesley also pointed out the creation of Hatchepsut's "divine birth" story as well the role of women in the Theban royal family as evidence for Hatchepsut to be a rightful ruler of Egypt.
   
   The author holds the readers' interest with a clear writing and vivid understanding when it comes to historical biography and theories. The book is well-organized with the visual aspects of maps, figures, and pictures. She has presented a historical analysis that was not dry or technical, and it should be a good advantage for readers' ancient Egyptian knowledge. Tyldesley's book is recommended to both the general readers and historical scholars because the author brought forth a readable and very interesting book.



4. The layout of the history leading to the story of Hatchepsut is very informative. I enjoyed knowing what is believed to be the events leading to her acension and the contributions she made during her reign. very interesting reading and well constructed.



5. The book is highly readable and certainly interesting in content about the first Pharoanic female "who would be king." The problem with it lies in the evidence or, more accurately, lack thereof. Because there is so very little known about Hatshepsut and her time, writing a book that isn't almost entirely speculative is rather difficult and becomes, by necessity, more of a historical novel than a discussion of historical fact. Redundancy is also unavoidable as the author tries to present the very little information that we have in enough pages to fill a book. All the content could have been condensed quite easily into a chapter rather than a book. Having said that, it IS fun reading, and the lack of evidence certainly allows the reader's imagination to take over and recreate a past that may or may not have existed. Hatshepsut the ruler certainly lived, but much more than that, we just can't know at this time, so that this author's guesses are as good as any other Egyptologists.

5 comments about Abraham Lincoln: A Biography.

1. Lord Charnwood's 1916 volume remains one of the finest portraits of Abraham Lincoln yet produced. Charnwood offers nuanced insight into Lincoln's mind and his character, probing much deeper and more convincingly than later authors were able. Charnwood's brief treatment of Lincoln's complicated religious faith (tied in with the section on the Second Inaugural Address) was particularly poignant.
   
   I suggest William E. Gienapp's "Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America" (2002) for learners who are new to Lincoln or have lost touch with him since 9th grade history class. Gienapp synthesizes all the latest research and criticism within Lincolnian studies into a brief yet surprisingly thorough 240-page book.
   
   After that, step up to Charnwood. It is truly great historical writing (almost literary in moments) and one of the best character studies published of a truly incredible human being.



2. I guess it was fluke, but I have tried two (2) copies of this book and in both copies pages 233-264 were missing and pages 265-296 are repeated twice. Too bad because it cuts off right at an interesting part leading up to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and Lincoln's effort to keep the border states in the Union.
   
   Apparently the missing pages situation was not the case with the copies had by the other reviewers here, or........they didn't read far enough into the book to notice. None makes any mention of the problem.
   
   I give it five stars for the content that was contained in my copy anyway, but no stars at all to the printer.



3. There is something about the British and their outlook towards American politics which is quite enjoyable. They bring a refreshing civility and admiration for political thought and history that is more often than not absent in today's North American biographers. In this biography of Lincoln Charnwood delves deep into the political atmosphere in which Lincoln rose to power and saw America through one of its most trying hours. The author delivers a deep sense of what a thoughtful and kind man that Lincoln was. It is an an unflinching look at Lincoln's spiritual side in which in comparison to today's commander-in-chief is quite startling for their similarities and differences.
   His dissection of the politics of the era is simply fascinating. This is a book for anyone who has a keen apreciation of politics and history. Charnwood's unflinching directness in his portrayal of Lincoln leaves the reader with the sense that not only does the author have the deepest respect for Lincoln but that that Lincoln deserved every bit of it. My copy of this book is a beat up 1950's paperback I found in a thrift store to accompany me on a trip to Louisiana and I would recommend to anyone who can get their hands on one.



4. Though it is dated in some of its facts and assessments,Lord Charnwoods classic study of Lincoln remains one of the dozen or so greatest books ever written about our greatest President.What sets it apart from most other studies of the sixteenth President is the attention it gives the intellectual and spiritual underpinnings of Lincoln's life and actions. It is, in short a work of philosophical history, not a dry recitation of facts. Charnwood is interested in the moral meaning of democracy and the scope and limits of democratic leadership. He performs his task beautifully. I , for one , found his old-fashioned Victorian prose a joy to read, and a relief from the cliche' ridden jargon that too often passes for literate prose today. A great book by a foriegn observer of America, fully worthy of being placed beside Tocqueville and Bryce.



5. This was an excellent historical record of probably the greatest American that ever lived. However, it has long, complex, diffcult to read wording that makes it somewhat labor-intensive reading. The content is great, but there are far easier to read (and understand) books about Lincoln.

5 comments about Marilyn Monroe.

1. 
   
   First, let me tell you what this biography is NOT.
   If you are looking for juicy gossip, look elsewhere. This is not the book for you.
   
   Also - and this seems to be surprisingly important for many - if you are passionately interested in the events on the night of her death, or have a definite opinion on it, this is probably not a book you would find satisfying. (More on this below.)
   
   But first, let me tell you about my personal attitude towards MM, so you know where I am coming from.
   
   I am not a »fan« of Marilyn Monroe. I do not rave about her, I do not idolise her.
   Nor do I consider her a »bimbo« or whatever the popular stereotypes may be.
   (And, which I am sure would surprise some, I find her singing delicious, because I prefer expressiveness to sheer »voice« and technique.)
   In short, I do not have an emotional attachment - either positive or negative - to her image and public persona.
   
   Through the years, I have seen most of her films, and I know many bits of trivia about her - I have for years (they are rather difficult to avoid), but I had never read a biographical work about her life.
   And so, for my first book book about MM, I wanted a really balanced biography: a biography that would show me MM as a person, »warts and all«, if need be. (Provided the »warts« are documented, not hear-say - unless the hear-say were properly identified as such and had a specific narrative or other function.)
   
   After having read the reviews on Amazon, and having browsed through the book, I decided I would go with this one. The fact that the author doesn't speculate much on the manner of MM's death - or even dwell on the events (her narration of MM's final night is relatively short) - only reinforced my decision.
   
   At this point, I should probably add that I have been an avid reader (in various languages) since I was a child.
   Which is why nobody could have been more baffled than myself when I found the book surprisingly difficult to read.
   
   The author knows how to write; she writes well.
   Consider the very first sentence: "On January 16, 1951, a black Lincoln convertible pulled into the driveway at 2000 Coldwater Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills."
   
   You feel being drawn into the story from the get go, don't you?
   
   Alas, this particular, initial story has nothing to do with MM, except tangentially. It deals with Arthur Miller and Elia Kazan; Marilyn is nowhere in the picture.
   
   But it introduces, very aptly, one of the the author's three main perspective points of this book: Arthur Miller and his activities.
   
   The other main »external« perspective is MM's relation with the studios - her professional life is essentially presented through her contracts and the lobbying or other activities leading to them.
   But there is no critical analysis of - or even accounts of popular and critical reactions to - her actual work. Amazingly (to me), her »break« into films is almost indiscernible in this book. I have a very good verbal memory - and yet, even after several readings of the the book, I could not describe her actual entry into cinema (if I didn't know it from other sources, that is), or her move from being an extra to speaking roles.
   
   Her extra-cinematic activities (»mingling« with various people from the business) are reasonably well (and not at all salaciously) covered; however, I remember having to search the book, page by page, to find any reference at all to the »Asphalt Jungle«, for example. And there are no references to critiques of her work in those early films.
   
   And finally, there is a third perspective point: a psychoanalytical one.
   A much as I appreciate the contribution of psychology (and often use it myself), I do wish the author, having avoided speculation in other matters, would refrain from it here, too.
   
   I am sure that the mother's attitude to Norma Jean (and vice versa) had a major impact on the actress' life. How could it not?
   But trying to actually peer into the actress' inner thoughts and feelings regarding her mother - based on a single incident that may or may NOT have happened, to boot (her mother's alleged attempt to smother her when Norma Jean was a baby) - feels contrived.
   
   Furthermore, the intimacy (however treacherous) of this perspective clashes with the other two viewpoints mentioned: her marriage to Arthur Miller and her involvement in his activities, and her battles with the studios.
   
   Between these three viewpoints, I find MM as an adult, a woman, independently of her relation to Miller and/or the studio bosses, simply - missing.
   
   Her other marriages are dealt with rather summarily; so are some (very few) of her affairs. Her coaches, Natasha Lytess and (especially) Paula Strasberg, do get a little more »air time« - but the information at times feels somehow randomly chosen. That's because we learn virtually nothing about MM's friendships, if she had any. (BTW, there are also a few errors of »continuity« if you will. I remember reading that »Like Natasha Lytess twelve years previously, she sensed something wrong«. The problem is... there is no description of that first event, twelve years earlier, to which this sentence refers.)
   
   
   This is not a criticism of the author's chosen perspective. It is as valid as any, I suppose - and much more valid than many other, more »personal« (code for »gossipy«) approaches. It is certainly dignified.
   
   I am just saying that, while I personally enjoy reading biographies that do not indulge in perpetuating gossip as if it were the gospel truth, I do like getting an insight into the person from the perspective of her interaction with other people - not just (predominantly) one husband, the studio bosses, and her publicists.
   
   And I do find it slightly infuriating (it's an oxymoron, I know ;) that nowhere in the book is the choice of these viewpoints even explained.
   To me, it is not at all self-evident why her marriage with Miller would be more relevant than her marriage to Dougherty or DiMaggio; or why a detailed look into each one of her contracts and the machinations leading to them would give more insight into her personality than her relationships with, well - PEOPLE.
   
   And frankly, the final verdict about her sad end, closing the circle established by the psychological point of view, sounds somewhat contrived: »Marilyn had finally given in to her mother's judgment.«
   
   So do the last sentences in the book: MM, says the author, »promises us that sex can be fun, without dangers. That indeed may not be the truth, but it continues to be what we wish. And that is why Marilyn remains, even now, the symbol of our secret desires«.
   
   Who are »we«? It is not at all self-evident.
   Which »secret desires«? They have not been identified.
   Furthermore, what is »sex without dangers«? What IS dangerous about sex, for that matter?
   None of those fine-sounding premises has been satisfactorily explained in order to warrant such a conclusion.
   
   
   Far be it from me to dissuade anyone from buying or reading this book (and I mean it)!
   It is an honest and certainly dignified effort to peer into the »inner works« of the pop icon; and personally I find it refreshingly free of speculation about the circumstances of her death, or salacious hear-say.
   
   But anyone looking for insight into the actress' personality and life as is revealed - inevitably so - through her interaction with a variety of other people, might want to read Michelle Morgan's Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed first, followed by Sarah Churchwell's The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe.
   



2. When I think of Marilyn Monroe, I think of her troubling death. If you believet that she committed suicide, then this book is detailed enough for you about her poor life. One cannot help but feel sorry for her despite her unstable upbringing, her mentally ill mom and relatives. She was looking for a father figure in her husbands like playwright Arthur Miller and Joe DiMaggio. She spent part of her childhood in an orphanage because she was shuffled around from home to home. We know her first marriage was probably better than her marriages to high profile icons like DiMaggio who loved her as Marilyn and not as Norma Jean Baker and Miller who was in love with her as his muse. Marilyn wanted more than to be a movie star. She wanted to be loved. She loved kids who returned their love back because she never talked down to them. When she was Norma Jean is when I believed that she was the happiest. She has the vulnerability in her smiles and face. She desperately wanted unconditional love. A friend of hers, Jeanne Carmen stated that she was the loneliest girl in the world despite all her superficial friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Her fans to this day love Marilyn as the icon that she was created but we do not know the fragility of Norma Jean Baker who lived as Marilyn Monroe, the ultimate character. She wanted to act desperately to escape the misery of her life. The book glosses over her relations to the Las Vegas Mafia and the possible foul play of her death. Whether Marilyn was murdered or committed suicide, this book does not answer those questions at all. It's glossed over much like the cover of the book. I think it's still worth a read for any Monroe fan. I appreciated the author's research into the theatrical background of films, television, and theater in New York City where I think she loved to be and London where she filmed a film with Lord Laurence Olivier. Despite her difficulties on set and problems, was she worth it? You damn right she was worth every moment.



3. I am a Marilyn Monroe bio junkie, and this bio was good; however, I was disappointed in the ending.
   
   I felt the author tied up Marilyn's death too quickly, simply stating that the actress committed suicide. The reason this bothered me as a reader is because there are questions as to whether Marilyn really did commit suicide.
   
   This is a good book to learn about Marilyn's youth and her start in Hollywood, as well as her marriages; however, if you want to investigate the death of Marilyn, I recommend Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe by Anthony Summer OR Marilyn Monroe: The Last Days by Donald H. Wolfe. Both books are thoroughly researched, and the authors inform their readers of how they obtained information.



4. This book is a very well written highly readable retread of everything you already know about Monroe.
   
   However, it does have a particularly strong emphasis on financial issues, contract negotiations and Monroe's money battles with the studios. This book contains far more detail about Monroe's financial dealings with Hollywood than you will probably find anywhere else. Not sure why though
   
   Besides giving the reader all they've ever wanted to know about Monroe's finances (it is unbeleivable by today's standards that Monroe was living in rinky dink apartments and using a party line after becoming a major star) the reader is given reams of detail on her early relationship with Aurthur Miller and Miller's homo erotic professional, personal and political rivalry with Elia Kazan. Miller and Kazan are given almost as much ink as Monroe in this book.
   
   Ms. Leamer tows the party line on Monroe. No one will argue that Monroe was not a tragic figure but it's old. There's more to Monroe's story than her tragic insecurity and her fragility and vulnerability (she wasn't so vulnerable when it came to negotiating her later contracts though nor was she so over wrought with sensitivity that she couldn't turn Milton Greene out afte all he'd done for her). Why was the most beautiful woman in the world alone so much? Could it be because she was tedious, draining, overwrought, consuming and manipulative? Maybe. But we can't look to writers like Ms. Leaming to explain.
   
   This book is well suited to a first time reader of material on Monroe. It is a good read that does a good job of weaving together the chain of events that led to Monroe's stardom. It fails, however, to put Monroe into perspective. It fails to veer from the well worn and explain to the reader why Monroe was living in a cluttered three bedroom bungelow when she was the biggest star on the face of the Earth. Has the myth of Monroe been woven since her death by people like Ms. Leamer? There must be some explanation in Monroe's behavior and relationships that explains why she died alone, in a middle class home, on a Saturday night with only her house keeper for company and why this is so incongruous with the surreal stature Monroe is viewed with today.
   
   We surely won't find out from books like this.



5. i am a huge fan of barbara leaming, she is the one the best writers and she has managaed to humanize marilyn as no one has before, the book was fluid and wasn't over-whelming as most marilyn books are, hurrah! barbara! if there is a chance that you are reading this, i would love if you wrote about dorothy dandridge, i think she'd make a great subject for you!

5 comments about Elizabeth I CEO: Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built an Empire.

1. This transaction was easy and fast. The book was in better condition than expected. Thank you!



2. While I don't believe that Elizabeth was totally the excellent strategizer, I do believe she was well advised and did her own thinking. This book goes back and imposing upon historical events the decisions made by Elizabeth-I and how it would apply in business today. There are certain parallels between a monarchy and corporation that do fit together and can be seen in examples. The major portion of the book covers the image that Elizabeth set forth by taking on being the image of the Mother Mary (Catholic church) to her subjects, thus, to make the people more accepting of the new Church of England as the religious seat of power, thus diffusing the Vatican's hold over the people. My only complaint, like others opinions, there were no mention of where things went wrong, only highlighting the good things. This is a very good book still and I recommend it along with another book called Big Chief Elizabeth (which is more of the history of the new World and Elizabeth's funding of the voyages to capture more land).



3. It was a woman who gave birth to the British Empire where the sun (son) never set on England's territory. None other than the Virgin Queen herself, who bore no heir, but lived to a very ripe old age. In her time, Elizabeth turned around her country from bankruptcy and discord. The book takes snippets from her life and there are some gems of wisdom from Elizabeth's reign. Like her father, Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth the First lived large and had the courage to be powerful, was an orphaned Princess who ascended to the throne and a nation in tatters ... and whose life was a testament that resulted in Rule Britannia until the last colony, Hong Kong, was relinquished in 1997.
   
   But if you really need lessons from a Monarch: read Margaret Thatcher's own words on her ascent. First hand knowledge is the most useful.



4. Elizabeth I CEO was a wonderful reading that inspired me a lot. It is one of those books that you hate to leave unfinished. The lessons of Elizabeths leadership are compelling and quite inspiring.
   
   I never thought that I would need a book on inspiration in my life, but this book indeed changed this view as well.
   
   Excellent work.



5. I do have a comment on history content, in response to one of other reviews I read -let's keep in mind that, if it wasn't for Elizabeth I there would be no empire to pass along to James I-England would be swallowed up by either France or Spain. Surely, Elizabeth I made a few mistakes like every other monarch, but they fade out in comparison to her achievements. She truly did build an empire, and serves as a great example of a true leader.
   Tudor scholar

5 comments about The Life of John Wesley Hardin As Written by Himself.

1. 
   Many thanks for splendid item & price, and professional service. KN



2. How could I not give 5 stars to a crack-shot gunslinger who murdered numerous men then became a lawyer and actually wrote a book about his violent life?
   I've read the other reviews so I will try not to repeat anything you've already read. It's rumored John W. Hardin didn't write the book! Considering what I already said about becoming a lawyer I can't see how he wouldn't have been able to write it himself. I'm not sure when he started or how long it took him but he was able to pinpoint some of the dates so I'd have to say he kept some kind of a diary or guessed in order to appear more authentic.
   If/when you read the book maybe you'll notice his writing seems to get better as the book progresses. At the beginning some paragraphs last more than a couple pages with him changing the subject throughout. Well before the end, however, the writing improves greatly. But I believe it was all written by the same person because the style didn't really change. Maybe if he had lived longer he would have gone back and re-wrote the earlier part of the book to match the style of the later parts when he became more educated.
   I remember hearing how he "was so mean he once shot a man for snoring." Hardin never mentions this but I believe it was the part about killing the guy who tried to sneak into his room to take his pants and then fleeing in his underwear and running around trying to elude Wild Bill Hickok and his men. Seems if Hardin killed the guy for the reason he specified he wouldn't have needed to run away especially since he and Wild Bill shared a respect for one another.
   His point of view on all the events may have not have been 100% true but it tends to validate the type of person he was... And it's all in his own words.



3. Although this book is far from objective and the author tries to justify the many murders that he commited, this is still a good book for someone interested in western history or western gunfighters. John Wesley Hardin was possibly the most notorious and most prolific killer of the era.
   While this book is not the most objective it does give a good insight into the subject's thinking. It is also the only way to track Mr. Hardin through some periods of his life



4. The autobiography of John Wesley Hardin would be illuminating if it were not one long tedious, blow-by-blow account of the man's life. Even though there is a brawl, a gunfight, or a mad chase on nearly every page the book manages to be excruciatingly dull. The reason? Stilted, cumbersome, self-absorbed writing. It is hard to find value in this work even as primary source history because there is not really much history there.



5. Hardin begins his narrative by acknowledging that he is very much a product of a particular time and place, a particular culture. He does not see any reason why he should attempt to transcend that, let alone apologize for it. He accepts himself for what he is and expects everyone else to do the same. He is above all a man of violence, ready and able to resolve all conflicts with physical - if necessary, deadly - force. Raised in Reconstruction Texas, he finds plenty to fuel his resentment, including carpetbagger politicians from the north and newly emancipated slaves appointed as police officers (an unquestioning racialism was part of his heritage). Nor is it in his nature to run from a fight. When he hears that Wild Bill Hickok, then Marshall of Abilene, has threatened to kill him if he ever sets foot in the town, what does he do? Goes immediately to Abilene of course, to face him. I would have been inclined to go anywhere but.
   
   Tough, fearless, uncompromising and cunning (at one point, he pretends to cry, in order to throw his captors off-guard) with an uncontrollable temper, he became the most formidable gunfighter of the Old West. How many men he killed no one knows for sure. Not even he knew. It was at least 20, probably 40 or more.
   
   His life story has the strengths and weaknesses common to all autobiographies: it is the authentic voice, but it tells us a selective and heavily slanted story. It remains an invaluable primary source and should be required reading for anyone seriously interested in the history of the American West. Although not great literature, it is well written. The Western Frontier Library edition is good, with a useful introduction and postscript, but I would have liked a few footnotes, to save me having to go online for explanations of 'headright' and 'galluses', etc.