4 comments about Justinian: The Last Roman Emporer.

1. George Phillip Baker, a British "arm chair" historian and biographer, was actively writing during the first half of the 20th Century. An author of "popular" treatments of his subjects, his work is a cut above much of that genre from the era. He is generally dependable and trustworthy and is able to move his narratives along briskly without resort to distortion of his underlying sources or gross fictionalization. Unfortunately, the question with which I head this review remains unanswered by this book. That being said, this book provides a fast paced retelling of the history of the Roman/Byzantine Empire during the era of Justinian. Drawing primarily on J. B. Bury's classic history of the later Roman Empire and Procopius's "histories" for information, Baker presents a balanced picture of the expansion of the Empire under Justinian. In large measure, this is a military history with secondary attention to political matters.
   
   Belisarius, the great contemporary general of the Empire, is by far the most developed and discussed character within the book. This of course reflects Baker's reliance on the Procopian eight volume war histories. However, many other major events and trends were a foot during the reign of Justinian the Great. Adequate treatment is given to the codification and revision of Roman civil law which was a momumental accomplishment of the reign. The extremely important events in the history of the Christian religion that took place at this time are less well fleshed out. From the religious activities of Justinian and his empress, Theodora, far reaching consequences reverberate down to this very day. The interplay of interests represented by Justinian, Theodora, John of Lydia, John of Cappadocia along with Belisarius and his wife, Antonia, and Narses are never fully developed but all covered to some extent and never inaccurately. The important architectural, artistic and cultural trends of the reign are all but disregarded.
   
   Despite all of these quibbles this is an important book that deserves the attention of anyone interested in the reign of Justinian. Larger questions such as whether Justinian was the last Roman Emperor or a transitional segue way from Late Antiquity to the Medieval world are left to other scholars. As another reviewer pointed out, the lack of footnotes makes the book of questionable use to a scholarly student of the period. However, having read most of the original source material from the period in translation, I believe that this book is a fair and relatively accurate portrait of its subject within the limitations I have described above. Baker's extremely judicious use of Procopius's volume twelve, "Anecdotes - The Secret History," is to be commended. All in all, I recommend this book highly, and it is an enjoyable and easy read.



2. Whether or not you accept the idea that Justinian was indeed the "Last Roman Emperor," if you enjoy classical history, you'll get a lot out of this book. It is an excellent synopsis of the reign of that great emperor and his epic attempts to reconstitute the boundaries of the Roman Empire. Drawing mainly from Procopius and secondary sources like Bury, the author paints vivid portraits of the scenes and personalities involved: from Justinian himself, to Belisarius, Theodora, John the Cappadocian, Narses, and many others.
   
   Originally published in 1931, this book is a handsome paperback reprint. The text appears to be abridged as it contains numerous elipses (...) throughout. The author's writing style will seem a bit archaic to the modern reader and this tendency is highlighted by the antique-looking typesetting used by the publisher. The author freely injects his own opinions into the text, but it is usually very clear when he is doing so. He also uses some turns of phrase that seem remarkably un-politically correct today--such as repeatedly referring to Belisarius's force in Italy the "Little Dago Army." In the author's defense, (and I say this as someone of Italian heritage myself) he was doing this in an attempt to mimic the Goth's deprecation of the Roman imperial army as "greeklings."
   
   The only real drawback to this book is the dearth of footnotes, which makes it unsuitable for scholarly use. Having read much of Procopius already, I was curious where the author got some of the quotes and anecdotes he included which were not from that source.
   
   All in all, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good, balanced overview of Justinian's reign that doesn't rely too heavily on the infamous 'Secret History.'



3. I liked it a lot, really, I did. I'm not just saying that because the author is dead either. He's really comprehensive in the way he covers Justinian's reign and doesn't, as some authors try, to cover up the pressure of the implications and effects of the Coucil of Chalcedon on Justinians reign. He doesn't talk too much about the building, or rather, the re-building of Hagia Sophia which is somewhat of a disappointment for me. He gives great insite into court intrigue and peronal decisions and friendships which reveal huge amounts about his personality such as his friendship and appointment of John as what we would today consider the head of the IRS and treasury combined. Plus, there's excellent information on Bellisarus and his character. The author makes it clear that, as sexist as it sounds, Justinian and Belisarus were just trying to get the job done and their skanky wives wouldn't stay out of it which only caused trouble. It's a real "behind the scene's look" at the person of Justianian and the people under him who made the empire work. A great read, very enjoyable, and intelligently written.



4. That great narrative G.P. Baker, who also published splendid lives of Sulla, Constantine and Hannibal, takes us to what he calls the "last" of the Roman emperors. This is generally how we in the West regard Justinian, who (though his brilliant general Belisarius) made the last reconquest of the Western Empire. Justinian the Law-Giver is also famous to lawyers throughout history as the great codifier of the Roman laws. Even more intriguing to modern readers is the story of Theodora, the former actress who became wife and de facto co-empress at Justinian's court. Baker gives a wonderful description of life in 5th century Constantinople, including life around the Hippodrome and the revolt of one of its clubs. Baker ends his narrative with a meditation on the barbarian invasions and the "loss" of empire in the West. I would read this in conjunction with (1) Norwich's series on Byzantium, for whom Justinian was an early, not a late, emperor; and (2) Dr. Bray's book on "Armies of Pestilence," which argues convincingly that Justinian's attempted reconquest of the West failed because of a spectacularly virulent plague (but for which Roman history would be very different).

5 comments about Mysteries of Paris : The Quest for Morton Fullerton.

1. This is both the story of Elizabeth Wharton's cad of a lover, and the earnest researcher exploited and spurned by the Scholar in the Field, who she won't even deign to name! Hot stuff, to those who care about such things.

   The scholar-cad dismissed her earlier cries de coeur as attempts to elicit publicity for this work, but you have to have read the LRB review to know this.

   Literary hearts are broken all around. If you understand this for what it is, it's one of the best books ever, but a bit of an objet trouvee, if you know what I mean.




2. Basicly, this book is an account by Marion Mainwaring about the research she did to write it. She goes to the south of France, she reads some old letters, she talks to some people who knew Morton Fullerton late in life. Etc. etc. Along the way she gives a somewhat confused account of the slanging match she got into with Wharton's official biographer (about how she did all the research for his book but got no credit, blah blah blah). All of it's pretty tiring and you get the feeling that Mainwaring is desperately trying to pad out an already thin book.
   Having said that, Fullerton led a fascinating life, something straight out of a Henry James novel. To anyone interested in Edith Wharton or even about expatriate life in early 20th century Europe, this book is a must read.



3. I greatly enjoyed this book after I realized it was not a quick read of connecting the dots/facts and racing to a conclusion. The joy of this book is that it offers the reader the chance to join Mainwaring as she roams through Paris seeking out the truths of rogue M. Fullerton's life. I loved the descriptions of Paris, the street scenes and the old buildings with their old bureacrats serving as gatekeepers to the dusty stacks of information in the registries of births, deaths and marriages. In her quest for the facts she encounters characters ranging from counts to charwomen and her style, humor and voice make me feel there with her, mulling the facts and planning the next step in the detective work.If you need a vacation from your life, read this book. I now open it to any page and just dive in and quickly become captivated again. Mainwaring is an artist in her impeccable choice of words. Enjoy the process of her quest, indulge yourself and you will find that you will forget about the mundane matters of your life. An instant vacation, what a relief!



4. A virtually impossible read, this book pretends to be like Richard Holmes' wonderful "In the Footsteps of A Romantic Biographer" but it most assuredly is NOT. Here, instead of footsteps, we have sink-holes. No sooner does a paragraph begin to entice interest, than it degenerates into incomprehensible ramblings. Rather than learning bit by bit in an engaging way about the wonders of turn of the century Paris and it's denizens--particularly Edith Wharton and her rakish secret lover, we learn only that the would-be biographer is an eccentric (not in a good way) confusing and addle-pated researcher who has no success with delivering the literary goods. A frustrating and disappointing waste of time. Avoid it like the plague!



5. A virtually impossible read, this book pretends to be like Richard Holmes' wonderful "In the Footsteps of A Romantic Biographer" but it most assuredly is NOT. Here, instead of footsteps, we have sink-holes. No sooner does a paragraph begin to entice interest, than it degenerates into incomprehensible ramblings. Rather than learning bit by bit in an engaging way about the wonders of turn of the century Paris and it's denizens--particularly Edith Wharton and her rakish secret lover, we learn only that the would-be biographer is an eccentric (not in a good way) confusing and addle-pated researcher who has no success with delivering the literary goods. A frustrating and disappointing waste of time. Avoid it like the plague!

4 comments about Orlean Puckett: The Life of a Mountain Midwife, 1844-1939.

1. an absolutely amazing story. To be able to go back in time and learn what it was like then can only give you food for thought and prayers of thanksgiving



2. This book presents a picture of a strong mountain woman who, after giving birth to and losing 24 babies, decided to become a midwife in southwestern Virginia. It was not so much the midwifery that drew me to this book, but the account of the mountain men's role in the Civil War and the Home Guard Troops that reeked havoc on the women and children left behind. Interviews of men who helped construct the Blue Ridge Parkway and accounts of the old mountain ways of doing things like sheep shearing, making soap, bartering chestnuts, etc. made this an interesting read. In Orlean Puckett's time, neighbor helped neighbor. Puckett was a strong woman with a good attitude and a quick humor. If she were living today, she's the kind of woman I'd want to spend lots of time with. The author did an excellent job of capturing the essence of mountain life from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Times and people have certainly changed but fortunately, because of this book, we have a recording that will endure for future generations to read, learn, enjoy, and appreciate.



3. This is a delightful book informing one of the past times when a midwife was an important part of the mountain community. Karen has done a wonderful job of getting interviews from those who knew Aunt Orlean and imparting that information to us. A picture of the past is brought to us, and one cannot help but feel admiration for such a strong woman. Thank you, Karen, for such a picture!



4. Orlean Puckett: The Life Of A Mountain Midwife by Karen Cecil Smith provides the reader with an exemplary life story of a strong and determined mountain woman. Orlean Puckett (1844-1939) was a bride by age 16, gave birth to 24 babies, and survived the Civil War (during which she was harassed and besieged by Home Guard troops). Becoming a midwife at age 45, Orlean Puckett successfully delivered over a thousand babies. This superbly documented, painstakingly researched, very highly recommended biography offers a clear glimpse into a truly remarkable turn-of-the-century life and would make an excellent addition to Women's Studies reading lists and American History biography collections.

5 comments about Patriarch: George Washington and the New American Nation.

1. This book concentrates on Washington's administration. It gave me a new appreciation for how instrumental he was in building the nation--not just freeing a collection of thirteen states from Britain.
   
   Except for what I felt was the author's ponderous style, this is a great book.



2. If you are looking to add to an existing collection of books on Washington, this would really help complement it. This book was not what I was looking for, however.
   
   What I was looking for was a book that (1) shed light on Washington as the man who presided over the creation of a new nation and (2) did not go over the head of someone who didn't take any American History class at the college level. It sorta met these criteria, but I think it would be more appreciated by someone who were familiar with the historical context and wanted to add to it. I felt like I read a lot of snippets which shed some light during this period in his life, but I didn't get a good feel of the significance or the context of his achievements.
   
   Biographies (which this really isn't, because it only covered his life in the 1790's) are difficult to write because you have to present the facts but make it appealing as a fictional story (narrative trajectory, character development, etc...). I felt that the author has an elegant style of writing, but I kept saying "So what?" to myself at the end of the chapters. The book describes many instances where Washington maintained the delicate balance between the "Hamilton" style vs. the "Jefferson" philosophies of the federal government, along with many other political maneuverings and actions which occurred, but my impressions are that this book is better suited for complementing someone's existing knowledge of his achievements than a layperson like me who is several years removed from AP History.



3. I bought Richard N. Smith's "Patriarch" at an airport gift shop because I was looking at two long boring flights and there wasn't any book that looked better. The situation was grim because I am no learned scholar or erudite student with 200 other books about Washington on the shelves.
   But once I started "Patriarch" I simply could barely put it down. Somehow, Richard Smith was coaxing that cheerless Washington out of that stodgy old painting we've all seen and bringing GW to life. The "Founding Father" was - surprise - a real life person and, truth is, as a person and a statesman, he was positively jam up!
   Before "Patriarch", it never occured to me what a real-time, online chore he had launchinig this country during his first Presidency. He, and mostly he alone, was the cool forge water that quenched Hamilton's fire and tempered Jefferson's steel to save the new country from a virtual "crib death". Washington's shepherding of the Constitution from damp and dangerous footing to solid ground was a feat nothing short of Incredible. And as the pages of "Patriarch" flew by for this jaded 60s-era non-Historian Washington's stature rose again like a Phoenix, and for the first time I understood why that glum old guy in that drab old picture was, and is, so venerated even 200 years after his death.
   This book, "Patriarch", is George Washinton - The Man - at his Best, and thanks to Richard Norton Smith, you will actually enjoy meeting him this time around.



4. I was fascinated with this book about Washington's Presidency, but I would be remiss in not mentioning that is not much concerned with anything outside his presidency. It is not dry or lacking in details, but I found myself becoming more interested in the fleeting, anectdotal passages, or some of the more personal interactions Washington had. For instance, I found it gripping to follow Washington's decision making process when he is presented with evidence that a close acquaintance may be a traitor. This story only goes on for about two pages and similar examinations are found only few and far between the long stretches on global situations and policies. However, I would guess this proves that one of the important things to note about Washington was that he was not as outwardly notable as some of the more flamboyant and boisterous of those founding fellows surrounding him.

   I feel very informed about Washington the president, but I would now like to learn a little bit more about the man.




5. I found Smith's biography of Washington educational, but at times dry. I certainly learned a lot in reference to Washington and the various trials he faced in holding together a fledgling government. However, I also found less enjoyment in this book than in others about Washington's contemporaries. Students of history and particularly government and diplomacy will find this book very informative. It is not however, for the average reader merely looking to become more familar with our first president.

2 comments about Clara Barton: Professional Angel.

1. Elizabeth Brown Pryor eloquently told the story of Clara Barton digging deep into who exactly Clara Barton was and the many areas in which Clara was an agent for change in society.



2. I enjoyed this biography of Barton as it covered more than just her years as a Civil War nurse & battlefield angel. Pryor gives life to Barton, exposing her touching little secrets (she liked to take a nip now and then, had a romance with a married man & dyed her hair) as well as her less-than-saintly personality (she was fiercly competive with other reformers like Dorthea Dix and really like being in the spotlight). Her two major accomplishment -- her battlefield nursing and the founding of the American Red Cross -- came about through stubborn sacrifice and a real dedication. She got done what she did because she was relentless in achieving her purposes. Her pushiness knew no bounds: she called on neighbors and politicians, asked for favors, used emotional blackmail and wasn't always sweet as pie about it all. Pryor's admiration for her subject is evident and she reveals Clara as a modern woman who used any and every resource available at a time when no one was inclined to support such activity. I came away from this book liking Clara Barton, even with her halo slightly tarnished.

5 comments about Circle of Love Over Death: The Story of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo.

1. "Our children were not taken as prisoners from a battlefield; totally defenseless, they were abducted from their homes, from the street, from their places of study and work. Our struggle has taken years of ceaseless searching and every other possible method, but it has been carried out by legal, constitutional, non-violent methods-with a clean face."
   Circle of Love Over Death gives you a first hand testimony into the horrors and ugliness that Argentina battled through for many years. Through the eyes of each of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, you find an emotional and physical struggle to find the answers that they were never given, where their children are. This book touches on every human emotion possible and really gives you a true understanding of how one political force can take out an entire country.



2. I felt that Circle of Love was a really great way to learn about the emotional aspect behind the horrible kidnapping that took place in Argentina during the "dirty war". It did not cover much of the politics of the situation because the book encompassed the testimonies of mothers and grandmothers of the missing. Although the stories were at times redundant and very heart-wrenching, I was able to read the book feeling as though I had learned a great deal. I think anyone can benefit from reading the unbounded love that these women felt for their children and the pain and ridicule that they endured in order to find answers as to where their loved ones had been taken. These stories are REAL women who are still fighting this in hopes that justice might be found.



3. In Circle of love over death, mothers whos children were taken away during the turbulent 70s in Argentina, gave their testomonies of the abduction and what came after. Before I read this book I had no knowledge of this sort of thing ever happening in Argentina. The haunting tales of the mothers showed the pain of losing a child, or children for as little reason as they were helping the poor. This book also showed how these women were able to bond together after the loss of their children to fight for the knowledge of what happened to the children. This book covers the events in Argentina since the 1970s, and describes the pain and horror of the mothers as the search for information about the whereabouts of their children, even twenty years after their abduction. I think this book was very informative and made us aware of situation that was not well publicized in the united states at all.



4. "I look at you who look at me, who perhaps would like to know, and I, from my tremendous clarity I, from my insomnia, am going to ask you, if you have any children..."
   
   I had heard of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo before reading this book, but having read it I now feel as if if I know the Mothers. Their testimonies were beautiful dedications to thier children who dissappeared, and thier voices important to understanding the horrendous experiance they have had, and continue to endure. Perhaps the most problematic aspect with this text was the feeling of redundancy of the testimonies. As I was reading, I desperatly hoped that the testimonies would explore different instances and feelings. I think it was important for these mothers to have the opportunity to voice their feelings and their heartache, however.
   
   If you have never heard about the "disappearances" in Argentina, or you simply want to find out more, this is a very useful text.



5. Circle of Love over Death, written by Matilde Mellibovsky, gives true testimonies from mothers from Argentina who had lost their children. These testimonies are true stories from women who's children have disappeared during the Argentinian "dirty war." The Mothers, in order to get some justice, appear at the Plaza de Mayo every Thursday afternoon demanding for answers about the disappearnce of their children. This book portrays the love that these women had for their children. These women not only are not only fighting for human's rights, but as for rights as a mother. Even when they received no answers when questioning authorities they still kept marching.

5 comments about Generals in Bronze: Interviewing the Commanders of the Civil War.

1. Outstanding book, get a better feel of what the Generals were thinking during the Civil War.



2. It is hard to add anything new to what has already been written in the reviews, although I would say that not only does the book have excellent insight into many of the key Federal officers that fought in the war, but it is a window into 19th Century post war culture. James Kelly, the sculptor and artist who is at the center of the book, vividly recounts how he meets these gentlemen. Most of the time he must use calling cards to announce his arrival before he is called in- something wholly archaic in our modern casual society. There are other tidbits that are fascinating. One general whom he calls on uses a fan and a block of ice to keep cool as he answers Kelly's questions.
   Speaking of these questions, we the readers are very fortunate in that Kelly had studied the war and often asked the same questions we would. He was a small boy during the war, and these men were his heroes. We meet these men as real people, not just as names in a book. I do agree with one reviewer who writes that there is too much detail, but there again, it is the details that make the book come alive.
   My only regret (but it is a very small one) is that Kelly was so prejudiced against Southerners that he only recounts his meeting with one of them, and absolutely refused to sculpt any ex-Confederate officers. However, given his time and how he felt about the war, such feelings are understandable. It is instructive that most of the men he talked with did not share his extreme negative views about Confederate veterans.
   I would recommend this book for any seasoned Civil War enthusiast, as they would be familiar with the controversies and issues Kelly recounts. But Styple does a great job as editor and so perhaps even a novice might be able to wade through some of this and get something from it.
   Speaking of Styple, he deserves much credit for bringing this book into print, as he had to wade through all of Kelly's material to publish it. Not only that, but Styple researched Kelly's life and found that Kelly died a pauper with an unmarked grave! Styple was able to remedy that and recently had a grave marker erected for one of the finest sculptors our country ever produced.



3. As a young boy in New York City during the Civil War James Kelly fantasized about being a soldier and fighting for the Union. His passion for the heroes of that war continued into his adult life. A noted artist and sculptor, Kelly went on to immortalize a great many of them in ink and bronze.
   
   Kelly was also a unique historian. He could obtain from these men details and circumstances of events that an ordinary reporter could not. As he had them pose for his sketches, he told them that in order to get the picture right he had to know every detail. Then, as he was drawing he would write down their comments in his journal.
   
   In this way he gleaned fascinating insights from them that will change your view of the war. Here are some examples.
   
   We know that several generals turned down command of the Army of the Potomac during the period 1862-1863. Kelly found out in his interviews that one of the conditions of command was the stipulation that the general had to pledge that the war would not end until after the [presidential] election of 1864.
   
   I have always wondered why there were so few casualties during the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Why didn't the big guns of the fort not inflict any damage on the Southern batteries? The answer is that the Secretary of War under outgoing President Buchanan [1856-1860] was a Southern sympathizer. In his last days in office he had ordered that the powerful casement guns in the fort be removed and replaced with old ships' guns.
   
   Kelly obtained intimate details of the battles and why things happened the way they did as well as vivid images of life in combat. One general described having a horse shot out from under him. "He was hit as he reared. He went down over his front legs and blood shot from both nostrils like water from a pump".
   
   This is a "must read" for all afficionados of Civil War history.



4. I saw a rerun of the interview on CSpan with the author and ordered this book immediately. What a pleasure to read the off-hand remarks by the various Generals about the Civil War. MORE PICTURES please but otherwise a detailed, challenging and rewarding read if you can plow through the details.



5. This is the best first-hand account of Civil War action and detail that I have read since "Campaigning with Grant," and likely the greatest collection of its kind in American historic literature. Every page is a gold mine of detail straight from the lips of the Generals themselves, often expressing their true feelings about other officers that they never allowed into their memoirs. It also provides a rare glimpse into their true personalities as aging war heroes, reported objectively by artist and author James Kelly of NYC, while they sat for their sketches. Kelly transcribes their words, appearance, mannerisms, and peccadillos.
   Myths are broken, and the detail provided by the generals is almost unimaginable -- from what style hat they war in a particular battle to where they took a nap will Lee surrendered to Grant at the McLean house.
   Imagine Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock describing how the doctor removed the bullet and saddle-debris from his 8-inch deep wound at Gettysburg...simply an unbelievable treasure of information. The book also contains many of the actual pencil & charcoal portraits of the Generals, which are especially compelling, as you just read the actual conversation they had with the artist while he sketched away at the portrait you now hold in your hand, and the general autographed the sketch attesting that it was drawn from life and approved. If you have questions you always wanted to ask a Civil War general like Grant, Sheridan, Sherman, Hancock, or Doubleday, they answer your questions in this book; like a ghost returning from the grave to sit in your favorite chair. I am grateful that I caught editor William Styple on C-Span. In fact, all history buffs should fall on their knees and thank editor William Styple for finding Kelly's masterstroke memoir and resurrecting it so beautifully, in our lifetime.

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

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



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

5 comments about Richard Taylor: Soldier Prince of Dixie.

1. It is hard to believe that other people have not written about Richard Taylor, but they need not bother now that Parrish has written this book. This book on Taylor is engaging and interesting, but also very scholarly. Although Parrish's writing style can be dry at times, his topic does not allow the book to get mired in details or become boring. Instead, Taylor's life jumps off the pages and Taylor led such a life that we, the reader, get a great overview of pre-Civil War politics, the war in the Trans-Mississippi, and the Reconstruction Era. Normally, I find the pages on the time before and after the war somewhat boring, but this was not the case with this book. The whole book really kept my attention and was very interesting. Thinking back, I really cannot think of any criticisms of this work. Just a good, solid history book.



2. This is the best bio I have read to date of General Taylor, although sometimes one must wonder if Mr. Parrish had much sympathy for his subject, with his sometimes disparaging remarks about Southern patriarchy. Perhaps he was simply trying to be PC on the slavery issue, but this didn't add much to the book for me. Still, serious students of General Taylor's exploits and the Western theater of the war will find this book an excellent resource



3. In my humble opinion, Parrish's is one of the best biographies I have ever read. Admittingly, the book is about a fascinating person: the son of a US President and Mexican War Hero who continues his family's military heritage by becoming a Lieutenant General in the Confederate Army without the benefit of a West Point education and becomes power in pre and post Civil War Louisiana. Writing a book about such a person should result in an interesting read!

   Throughout the book, Parrish maintains an excellent balance in presenting Taylor's life, including: early life and pressures as the son of a famous hero, early indifference to formal education, success as a wealthy plantation owner, relationships with slaves, views of slavery, entrance into Louisiana politics, CSA military service eventually leading to the rank of lieutenant general, post Civil War years, and later years. Parrish does an excellent job of covering each area and as a result, the reader learns the many sides of a fascinating character.

   Particularly interesting to me were the descriptions of Taylor's relationships with several noted Civil War personalities: Lee, Davis, Beauregard, Johnston, Jackson, Grant, Sibley, Smith, Forrest, Bragg, and others. With few exceptions, Taylor was able to get along with most of the people he encountered during the war - a rare accomplishment indeed. Parrish does an excellent job or summarizing Taylor's valuable service to the CSA and the book contains excellent maps of the battles Taylor participated in.

   All in all, an excellent and highly recommended read of one of the Civil War's most fascinating personalities!




4. This is a highly readable yet scholarly treatment of an important nineteenth century Southerner. Dick Taylor, son of President Zachary Taylor, was a Yale-educated aristocrat and Louisiana sugar plantation owner when the Civil War broke out. By war's end he was a Lieutenant General. Although he had no pre-war military training, he became one of the Confederacy's most able commanders. Parrish expertly covers Taylor's entire life, but naturally focuses on the Civil War exploits. In addition to being an excellent strategist and tactician, Taylor was colorful, self-confident, oblivious to what others thought of him, and a lifelong practitioner of noblesse oblige. Parrish is clearly enamored of his subject, but this does not stop him from critically examining the contradictions and hypocrisies inherent in Taylor's worldview. The book is free of the anachronisms and politically correct jargon which mar so much recent American historical scholarship.



5. This is a highly readable yet scholarly treatment of an important nineteenth century Southerner. Dick Taylor, son of President Zachary Taylor, was a Yale-educated aristocrat and Louisiana sugar plantation owner when the Civil War broke out. By war's end he was a Lieutenant General. Although he had no pre-war military training, he became one of the Confederacy's most able commanders. Parrish expertly covers Taylor's entire life, but naturally focuses on the Civil War exploits. In addition to being an excellent strategist and tactician, Taylor was colorful, self-confident, oblivious to what others thought of him, and a lifelong practitioner of noblesse oblige. Parrish is clearly enamored of his subject, but this does not stop him from critically examining the contradictions and hypocrisies inherent in Taylor's worldview. The book is free of the anachronisms and politically correct jargon which mar so much recent American historical scholarship.

1 comments about Kennedys: Stories of Life and Death from an American Family.

1. Clint Willis has launched the Adrenaline Lives series with a strong first volume. The 21 selections are drawn from a wide variety of sources often not focusing on the Kennedys themsleves as much as other people's opinions of and reactions to the Kennedys. The book covers the whole family, with the bulk split between John, Bobby and Teddy. Mr. Willis has again avoided the trap of taking easy pickings - there are no PT 109 excerpts here, nor any rehash of the Bay of Pigs or Cuban Missile Crisis. The selections here are throughtful perspectives on on the people, their lives, and the culture that surrounded them. What I liked best about the book is that it is not biography, per se - you can't use this book for a research paper, but rather it is a collection of snapshots by people who know, knew and are associated with the Kennedys, and the insights you'll take from this book are likely not to be ones you're used to seeing unless you are a Kennedy scholar. I would have liked to have seen selections on Joe and young John, but there are none, and I see that as the only shortcoming.