5 comments about The Wit & Wisdom of Ronald Reagan.

1. I recently purchased several books about Ronald Reagan. I have enjoyed the ones that quote him, as this book does. The categories for the quotes are helpful and I find it interesting to see how often Reagan diarmed people with his wit and quick timing.



2. An amazing President with a keen sense of what to say and when to say it! His quips and one-liners were timely, humurous and extremely insightful! This book was a pleasure to read and will remain on my bookshelf for many years to come.



3. Those of us who lived through The Regan Years know what an icon is and what Regan brought to the office. This book gives the reader an insight into not only his political life, but his private life. Love him or not you will realize what made him tick. He lent the aspect of "Class" to the office giving people the chance to laugh with him and say "Right on". This book should become a classic.



4. Great quotes from our greates communicator, gives an insite to his sense of humor. I was expecting a little more to the book, more pages and anedotes.



5. This book is a mere fictional account of a president who was twice-elected by a near-braindead electorate who in 1979, quickly began to grow impatient with Jimmy Carter's lack of charisma and soon confused the 1980 campaign with the Oscars and awarded the gold statuette/the presidency to a man who was probably born with Alzheimer's Disease. But in their zealous haste, they quickly forgot about carefully considering more realistic, long-term policies that could serve THEM well, such as health care, tax cuts for THEM and not the rich, and perhaps a complete moratorium on immigration that continues to bloat an already overcrowded nation to this very day. But instead, the mindless electorate allowed itself to be seduced by the rhetoric of a well-groomed nitwit who overwhelmingly fooled them with ease with his prowess as an actor, and as a result, the idiots went on to gleefully elect him as the Incompetent-In-Chief beginning in 1980. And his oratory, which seduced millions of such mindless, blind flag-wavers, involved his reciting lines that were written for him to the the appaluse of said morons who had by that time, read too many Superman comic books and cheered as The Acting President hollowly insisted that "Government is the problem..." So hence, Reagan became their new Superman minus the costume. And as the S&L scandal came to tarnish America's image and the Iran-Contra scandal took hold, this man could not for anything, coherently answer a single question posed to him by the press for the duration of his entire presidency. Moreover, if it were not for Peggy Noonan, his speech writer, we more than likely would never had to have endured the likes of The Acting President. Perhaps Peggy herself will one day seek higher office in the Land That Time Should Forget.

5 comments about The Seamstress.

1. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is a story of human spirit and triumph of good over evil. Very inspirational! Wonderful read.



2. This was one of the best books I ever read. The book was written so well. I wish more books were written about the Holocaust that were this good. 5 Stars!!!



3. Instead of buying Harry Potter we need more books like this. This was such a beautiful story of hope and courage, strength and determination. It tells history the way it was and I cannot tell you enough how this book touched my heart and my daughters heart. My daughter picked up the book and never put it down, she read the whole thing in 3 days. I could hear her giggle and laugh at some of the funny parts and I could see her tears in some of the sensitive heart moving parts. This book will capture you. Just beautiful
   I wish they could make Sareen's story into a movie
   
   God Bless



4. I read many books on the Holocaust and have always found inspiration and admiration for those people who have experienced such an appalling event and have managed to survive. But this book left me totally disturbed with the graphics given by this amazing woman, Sara Tuvel Bernstein, and I highly commend her for sharing her horrific ordeal.
   I recommend everyone should read this book and maybe,just maybe, we will learn something from it... that war is futile, and all people are equal.



5. True life events .. so well told .. The story is riveting from beginning to end .. I wish I could feel that this will never happen again but I worry that it can and that it will.

5 comments about My Life and Hard Times (Perennial Classics).

1. Thurber's classic about growing up in Columbus, Ohio is laugh out loud funny, even 80 years removed. Talent like this is rare. He deserves his literary reputation.



2. James Thurber was one of the funiest authors of all time and this book cements his reputation. I enjoyed it many years ago and after re-reading it, I enjoyed it again.



3. Should be required reading for all folks of any age looking for an introduction to life in these United States, for those learning to overcome despair and disaster with humor and grace, for any and all learning the English language.



4. Thurber is a great favorite of mine, and this was another fun book to read.



5. Take your mind back half a century and read these mildly amusing essays about life in the 1920s and 1930s. The style is so different from modern prose, but it is well worth the read.

5 comments about Duke: We're Glad We Knew You: John Wayne's Friends and Colleagues Remember His Remarkable Life.

1. I purchased this as a gift for my husband, but he has remarked at what a good collection of stories have been put together about John Wayne. This is coming from someone who has a pretty substantial collection of his movies.



2. Almost like a brief history of the era and new insights into how those movies were made. Enjoyed the ancedotes of fellow artists.



3. With John Wayne's 100th birth date coming up I started looking for books on him that I have not read. This book is very enjoyable reading. You learn alot about the man from his fellow co-workers and friends. I would recommend this one to any one.



4. One of the reasons Wayne was so popular was that he symbolized everything America wanted to be; strong ,brave,loyal,savvy and honest.His character was a fighter who never backed down when he knew he was right. He was a role model to millions, his screen actions were a roadmap to manhood. That was John Wayne,Icon.
   But there was another side to Wayne. He was a real man,flesh and blood, and he had real thoughts and feelings,strengths and weaknesses. He was as brave as his larger-than-life screen persona in his real life,such as in the way he faced up to cancer, and very very human.This is John Wayne,the Man.
   This book does an excellent job of showing both sides of the John Wayne coin,Man and Icon. It does it with stories told by people who really knew him. After reading this book you actually feel like you've had a bull session with Duke's friends and co-workers. It's got a very amiable feel to it.
   The book also reminds me of Studs Terkel's books. Studs would just turn on a tape recorder and let his subjects pour their hearts out. The author here uses a similar approach. Each story is like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle and at the end of the book you can put all the pieces together to get a clear picture of the Duke.
   After I finished reading, I wished I had known him too.



5. I am a huge fan and relative of Herb's writings. He has a true gift for the written word and I have enjoyed all of his books. Herb, my prayers and thoughts are with you during these very trying times. I am thinking of you incessantly and the entire family prays for you daily. Godspeed.

5 comments about The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940.

1. A frightening story with a redoubtable yet all too human hero who prevails. There are even evil and bumbling villains along the way during this shameful period. The Last Lion should be required reading for politicans and world history students. William Manchester does a masterful, well researched [and entertaining] job of describing the inspirational leader of the Free World.



2. There are two volumn of "The Last Lion" and both are them are an excellent history of not only one of Great Britain's finest statesman of the 20th century, but one of the World greatest statesman, historian, and many have said "the man of the 20th Century" And after reading these two volumns one might have to agreee with the historians.
   Congtributed by Hurdrey Angus Jordan



3. This book was given to me by my father, who is a huge fan of Winston. I was absolutely shocked and amazed by the information that this book brought to light. I was taught, so little about WWII! I was amazed. I savored this book. I would recommend and have recommended this book to anyone, who would listen. Prepare to be amazed by the man and confronted with the real realities of Britain before and during the first declarations of war.



4. For some inexplicable reason, the second (and unfortunately final) volume of William Manchester's biography sat on my shelf unread for some time. I think because the book spans the years 1932 to 1940 -- and does not cover most of World War II -- I skipped the book over, figuring that Winston's best and most important years were his war years. After reading "Alone", I realized immediately how wrong I was: if anything, Manchester's incredible book demonstrates that Churchill's so-called "wilderness years" out of power were his finest hour. Unquestionably, Churchill provided resolute leadership to Great Britain -- as well as the rest of the Allied world -- during the War. But he perhaps demonstrated even greater leadership while out of power, when he was quite literally the only European statesman who was repeatedly warning the world of the dangers of Nazi Germany and calling for rearmament to stand up to Hitler. Thus, "Alone" is not just about Churchill and his greatness, but also a powerful historical record of the dangers of appeasement in the face of tyrants.
   
   This book goes beyond being a simple historical biography. Manchester's writing is delightful and seamless, literally depositing you into Churchill's time and Churchill's life. It maintains and builds a tenseness throughout the book as the world moves closer and closer to war despite Churchill's warnings, which if heeded, could have averted the conflict many times over. The work is meticulously researched and crafted, and flows perfectly. Perhaps most of all, reflective of the title, Manchester captures how completely and totally alone Churchill was during the 1930s. Aside from a very small coterie of loyal friends, Churchill alone rose in opposition to appeasement in the House of Commons and elsewhere hundreds of times as Hitler consolidated his power, practically begging his nation's leadership to stand up to the Fuhrer.
   
   I suppose that one sign of a great work is that it moves you in some way, and evokes great emotion as you read it. The most striking asset of this book is how angry, shocked, and prideful I was as I read it. I shook my head in disgust at least 100 times as I read Manchester's descriptions of the putrid, almost treasonous behavior by Prime Ministers John MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin, and of course Neville Chamberlain as they repeatedly ignored Churchill's warnings and countless pieces of evidence showing that Hitler would not be appeased. Manchester's sections on the Munich Crisis and Britain and France's literal sacrifice of Czechoslovakia to the Nazis is particularly noteworthy; the Chamberlain government literally served the nearly defenseless nation on a platter to the German war machine despite a pledge from the British to defend them if invaded. Much of the book in fact summarizes the folly of His Majesty's Government's appeasement policy, and Churchill's many warnings against the policy. Fascinatingly, appeasement was heartily endorsed by nearly the entire British media establishment, which repeatedly refused to air Churchill's views and other dissenting voices. Indeed, as Manchester well demonstrates, the government and media literally crafted its policies and made important appointments, with pleasing Hitler being the sole objective. While hindsight is of course 20-20, reading these sections was completely maddening to me, and made me want to scream many times over.
   
   I hesitated writing a review of this book because I know it is impossible to do full justice to Manchester and this fantastic book. I just wanted to express how much I enjoyed the book; it completely lives up to its reputation as perhaps the finest Churchill biography and easily the most accessible. I, like millions of other readers, am greatly saddened that illness and other tragedies kept Manchester from completing the final volume of his intended trilogy. Treat yourself to this book: it will give you greater appreciation of Winston Churchill's greatness, courage, and foresight, and probably an even greater hatred of appeasement and diplomatic cowardice.
   
   Five big stars.



5. This was the first William Manchester book that I ever read. I found it inspiring. After reading it, I promised myself that I would read everything that Manchester has written. To date I've read several but I still have a few to go. Mr. Manchester is another one of those historians that makes studying and learning History easy. I had no idea what a character Winston Churchill really was. Manchester recreates a real true to life human being, with faults, idiocincracies, humor, courage, and some great phrasing. After reading both volumes of Manchester's on Churchill, I then wanted to read Churchill himself. From a writing perspective Churchill was great - but Manchester was better. Today I am a fan of both men. They were both heroic in their lives and fascinating in their prose.

5 comments about Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago.

1. Royko's a solid writer in the old mode of honest journalists. He takes any bias or subjectivity out of his work, which is good. That makes this book eye-opening.
   
   Dick Daly, like his son and the preponderance of Chicago Democrats was a lying, corrupt, racist man who'd do anything to continue his dominance over the Chicago political machines. And Royko explains this, having viewed the entire era from a local angle.
   
   If you like stories and insight, look here.
   
   Noteworthy is how little things have changed four decades later. His son is now the mayor, racists like Jesse Jackson and Rev. Wright are still relevant and spewing hatred (and getting away with it) and now they have "their" candidate---of "hope" and "change."
   
   People think Barack H. Obama is a new face, but he's the consummate politician. He's the same corrupt guy that most Chi Dems are.
   
   By now all of America should fathom the truth: Obama made a devil's bargain with a number of racists to establish his own street credentials in the rough and tumble world of Chicago politics. And here he is today.
   
   Those who ignore history repeat it---and vote for this Empty Suit at their own ignorance and peril in 2008.



2. Book came quickly. It was just a little bit more weathered than I expected, but it's an old book so I'm not complaining



3. Yup, I too was alive and kicking during most of The Mayor's reign, and I have to agree, it's got the ring of truth to it. This book was intended as more of a verbal portrait of Daley and the city he helped shape than as a political analysis, although Daley's administration is effectively dissected. Civics classes AND journalism classes should be required to read this since not only is it an outstanding example of what is known in some circles as "Literary Journalism" but because it's more than just political theory,it illustrates the real life nuts and bolts workings of a big city. This is right up there with Caro's "The Power Broker" What's really wild is that I read this book right after I read "The Godfather" and both of the titular characters operated in much the same way!



4. A great read (though dated) of the political machine Richard J Daley enhanced in Chicago. Though Daley himself never pursued the money end of the corruption, his machine enhanced their wealth and Daley's power in their almost total control of the city. Daley was a great politician, turning set backs to political advantage. Daley tolerated crooked cops, until he was forced to hire a reformer. After awhile he took out the reformer, and hired an enforcer as police commissioner. This is a great read about the machine that controls Chicago. This gives an interesting look into the mind of the political machine of Chicago.
   
   This is a great book. If one wants to read further on the Chicago Democratic political machine or Richard J. Daley, American Pharoeh is another great book. This should be required reading for those who live in Illinois.



5. This is a serious and ambitious coverage of the internal workings of Chicago government. This book didn't make me laugh as Royko's "Sez Who? Sez Me!" did, but is so insightful and well-written that this reader, not too knowledgeable about politics, thoroughly enjoyed it.
   
   The story is important because it uncovers a truth otherwise overlooked by the media (for example, what really happened at the police riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention). Amazingly, despite the ugliness of the politics portrayed, Royko's writing is not too judgemental; any judgement of Daley is left to the reader. As Royko describes the rise of Daley's Machine, it becomes clear that the motivation behind most of Daley's actions was simply to keep his enemies powerless and keep the Machine's dominance intact, even when it means promoting inept allies to positions of power or neglecting the needs of Chicago's most struggling people.

5 comments about The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd.

1. Richard Zacks amazing research on a 2 century old myth was fascinating. I found some parts of it difficult to read because of the many trials, tribulations, and misfortunes that plagued Captain Kidd. The sections on the Pirate Robert Cuilford were equally fascinating.
   
   I was surprised and appreciated the research as Richard Zacks tied in the anti-catholicism of England at the time, their built in distrust of Scotsmen, their competition with and hatred of the French, and denigration of the Irish. Apparent throughout, and most applicable to modern times is the greed and power mongers of the Admiralty, the Government in Colonial America and England; and the many abuses of the East India Trading Company.
   
   The inner workings and dealings of these many partners, connected to slave trading, pirates, and other dubious practices, was equally fascinating. I noted the similarity in modern times to merchant ships being flagged in one country, and owned by another, and charted by a third. Additionally, the idea of "sweatshops" slave and underpaid laborers in an undeveloped country was nothing new, and was invented by these gentlemen of greed. The sad demise of example made of Captain Kidd was a travesty of justice placed on a most convenient fall-guy.
   
   This book was definitely worth reading. A real eye-opener.



2. Most famous Pirate of all time! Buried treasure all up and down the East Coast! Made his victims walk the plank! Invented the Skull and Cross Bones Flag! Evil, evil man!
   
   Any schoolboy - even Google - knows the truth of that. Only problem is that none of it is true. William Kidd was the victim of chance and the calumny of his fellow man. Instead of being a pirate, he tried to capture pirates under a franchise from the King of England.
   
   This heavily researched book based on original sources tells the fascinating and exciting story of Captain Kidd as it has never been told before. I must confess that I could not bring myself to finish the book after it becomes clear what is going to happen and the only thing remaining is to chronicle the trail of betrayal all the way from lowly seaman up to and including the King of England.
   
   This book should be required reading for all who believe that our age is a decadent one.



3. Overwritten pseudo-history that purports to prove that Caption Kidd was a privateer with royal and business-leader credentials and not a rogue pirate.
   
   Zacks buries sections of what might have been a decent 250-page book in 410 pages full of unprovable assertions and God-like first-person statements, which calls into question all of his supposed historical statements.



4. The Pirate Hunter: The True Story of Captain Kidd is a great book! There is a "pirate boat" named the Capt Kidd nearby where I live... I love to go on sunset sails dressed in my piratical garb! Too much fun!



5. I was listening (while commuting) to the book-on-tape of Pirate
   Hunter, by Zacks. Good, informative and entertaining - I generally agree with the many positive reviews so will not repeat here.
   But the reader, when quoting letters and other source documents,
   seems to oddly mispronounce period terms.
   Especially, renfaire and quaint-resort-community convention aside,
   the character that looks something like the Y in "Ye" is a standard
   printing and handwriting character called the Thorn, standing in
   for "Th" so "Ye olde shope" should be pronounced "The olde shope".
   Since the word "the" is used a lot, ye abuse most foul grated
   painfully upon ye ear.
   (If I may be so bold, Zacks is not totally off the hook for this one: transcriptions should not use the 'y' character for the thorn. either they should use "th" or the thorn (which may also look like a p with a flag - it's not like modern word processors or printers can't handle it). There is enough real quaintness and incomprehension when we deal with the 17th C. without adding a completely bogus layer)
   And other examples; but mostly I just did not like the reading overall. So, I recommend the book if not the tape/cd
   version.
   -Rick

3 comments about As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Escape from a Siberian Labor Camp and His 3-Year Trek to Freedom.

1. Epic story. The ending left me wondering what happened after his return and more about how he was affected phsycologically.



2. The book did keep my interest, but in my opinion "The Long Walk," which is a book with a very similiar story is far superior. If you have an interest in true-life adventure, then read "The Long Walk."



3. Entertaining from start to finish. The mental battle must have been incredible, and the will power needed to survive would be immense. It's hard to put this one down.

5 comments about Augustine of Hippo: A Biography (New Edition, with an Epilogue).

1. this is the best and most easily understood bio of St Augustine, I love it.



2. This is an excellent scholarly biography of Augustine of Hippo. Peter Brown gives a thorough and balanced treatment of all of the important aspects of Augustine's life, thought, and historical context. I personally used this book as my set textbook for an independent study course I took on St. Augustine when I was attending university.
   
   Brown does a very good job of summarizing important philosophical and theological concepts that are central to understanding Augustine's significance to the history of Christianity.
   
   However, despite my very positive appraisal of this book, I feel that this might not be the best choice for people making their first entry into Augustine.



3. Augustine's is a severe and forbidding character. His intellectually rigorous reasoning on(and harsh views of) salvation and grace made him an inspiration to Calvin and the Puritans. But gloomy though his view of human nature might be, Augustine was intense and passionate, a theologian and philosopher with a poet's sensitivity to natural beauty and the use of language. This books puts the reader in Augustine's mind and life: there is the young man dedicated to an idealistic pursuit of truth,surrounded by admiring friends and family; later, his imposition of that truth on the all-too-human structure of the early Christian church will be fraught with challenge. Augustine knew Rome and Roman Africa in their glory days; he died as Africa fell to Vandal invaders who would impose a century of brutal rule. Peter Brown brings the tumultuous period in which Augustine lived fully and comprehensively alive; he makes us one with a brilliant, uncompromising, surprisingly compassionate human being.



4. This a revised edition of a very good biography of St Augustine of Hippo. Although I am in the mist of reading this bio I find the writing inviting and histology very well done.



5. Peter Brown's AUGUSTINE of HIPPO is epic study of the adventure...the spiritual-intellectual ODYSSEY...that is Life of Aurelius Augustine,Saint and uber-Father of the Christian Church in the West. Brown's peerless biography details(36chapters;437pp)a life of towering intellectual genius from birth in AD 354 in Thagaste,Province of Northern Africa SPQR ;until his death as Bishop of Hippo in AD 430.His education is sweepingly arrayed ~beginning in Carthage as orator and magister;his thorough indoctrination in Manichaeism; his meeting with St.Ambrose and immersion in philosophy of Platonist...the birth & death of his brilliant son,Adeodatus,"gift of God"..;the everlasting presence/influence of his mother,Monica; the epiphany cited in THE CONFESSIONS,"to take and read(Biblical exhortations of St. Paul)"followed by his Conversion/Baptism and quick-fire Ordination as Roman Catholic priest;and almost-instant elevation to Bishop. This prelude is followed by Augustine's unsurpassed career as The West's first & premier existential-psychologist:THOU HAS MADE US FOR THYSELF LORD; AND OUR HEARTS ARE FOREVER RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN THEE; and ironic humorist~LORD MAKE ME PURE...BUT NOT TODAY. As well as arch-foe of anti-Catholic heresy~Donatism; Pelagianism;and the Occult(with which he was expertly familiar having been 10 year Initiate therein).
   
   Augustine's CITY of GOD is not only the first consummate philosophy of History (surpassing Herodotus "then";and Hegel/Spengler & even Marx "now" in effect on history. CITY of GOD shaped the LOGOS,world-view of Western Man for 1000 years/entire MIDDLE AGES(ca~AD 476-AD 1517).Austine wrote catechisms ENCHIRIDION);treatises on Free Will;predestination;and is formulator of the Christian concept of ORIGINAL SIN.Augustinian theology l comprises(ironically)most fundamental notions of Protestant Reformers. Catholic Church champion St.Thomas Aquinas is -as-indebted to him as to Aristotle in framing THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA.
   
   
   Peter Brown's new St.AUGUSTINE of HIPPO is not so much revision but carefully written...in modus of Augustine..reflection on what he had once written.There is brief preface.There is extensively documented epilogue comprised as New Evidence;& New Directions(pp441-520).There is expanded bibliography & index.The 1967 edition is 463pp;the new is 538pp.
   Any student of Augustine knows that with him "more is More. Whether 75pp mas is MORE, the reader will of course determine.Brown's book is the classic,unlikely to be surpassed,study of a genius in the service of God,SERVUS DEI. Any serious student of theology,philosophy;or history of Ideas must confront St.Augustine of Hippo.This profound, mythology-like masterwork is not the opus to start with.But when you're ready "to TAKE & READ",it is matchless story-telling that is worthy of the unique,perhaps most remarkable,QUEST for God & Truth that a great and gifted man ever committed his life toward. (777 stars)

5 comments about Washington: The Indispensable Man.

1. Americans need to read this book to understand the founding of our system of government.



2. Overall all - this was a very good book, offering a lot of excellent insights into Washington, his life, and how he acted in different situations.
   
   One of the conclusions I came to, while reading this book, is that Washington is probably the only person who could have successfully served as the first President of the U.S. - he was very fair minded, didn't take sides, and didn't use his influence in areas he felt were inappropriate (too bad today's politicians don't act the same way!). I believe were any other of the major political figures of the day our first President, the nation would have fallen apart, and would be a collection of states, and not the country we are today.
   
   That being said, I do have one complaint about the book. The book was written in sections - instead of in a strictly linear (timeline) fashion. As a result, occasionally you'll get done with one section, and then goto the next section, and end up going backwards in time.
   
   I can understand why the author did this - I'm sure he felt like some subjects needed to be covered by themselves, and not just thrown into a timeline with everything else. However, by doing it this way, sometimes you get a bit confused in regards to how things fall on the timeline.
   
   Otherwise - a very good book.



3. I don't know much about George Washington but after reading this book I would like to read something a little more in depth. In particular I was fascinated by the brief glimpses the book gave into how he viewed the constitutional powers of the presidency. It could hardly be more different from the interpretations of modern presidents!
   At times I felt the book may have flattered President Washington, not that he wasn't a great man in many ways, but surely he also had some flaws. They are very little in evidence in this book, aside from his early military foulups.
   This book only skims over the surface of many important parts of Washington's life. But many people who are not going to be interested in something of Robert Massie-type size and complexity, might enjoy a smaller, more simply written book. I believe what our democracy needs is more people who are informed about any and every aspect of this country's founding, the people involved, and the reasons behind their actions, and a generally accurate book about Washington with broad appeal can only be a good thing, even if it's not meaty enough for your average history buff.



4. This is one of the better books I have read on the life of an American President. Thorough, but written in a flowing, easy to read style. I would highly recommend this book.



5. This is an excellent book. It is well written and very informative. Not having read all of the single volume biographies of Washington, I cannot testify to its being the very best, but surly it must be one of the best. The book is Flexner's single volume abridgement of his four-volume biography. Being only one quarter the size of the complete work it cannot be as detailed, but it nonetheless provides a very coherent and compelling portrait. Perhaps the best accolade that I can give is that I now I want to know more and I am considering reading the complete Flexner series. As might be expected from the subtitle "The Indispensable Man" the book paints the most favorable picture possible and shows why Washington was indeed the "Indispensable Man". He was indispensable not only as the leader of the army but also as America's first president. His firm hand set many of the precedents that shaped the office of president.
   
   While Washington is shown in the most favorable light the same cannot be said of Jefferson and Hamilton. Both (but mostly Jefferson) are shown to be more loyal to their party (the Federalists in the case of Hamilton and the Republicans in the case of Jefferson) than to Washington. Confidences were betrayed, especially by Jefferson. If there was a villain in this story it was Jefferson, who is painted as one who was willing to bring on war with Britain in order to support France and to further his vision of an agrarian America.
   
   One word of caution - this book is not a military history of the American Revolution, or of the detailed causes of the revolution, the writing of the constitution or the complete history of Washington's presidency. All of these things are covered, but not in the detail provided in books devoted specifically to these subjects.