5 comments about George Washington's Sacred Fire.

1. As a conservative Christian I believe this book is very well written, however in the larger scheme of things it only matters to George Washington whether or not he was a Christian. I know conservative christians have a stake in showing some of our founding fathers to be Christian but when you get down to it George needs Jesus far more than Jesus needs George.



2. Sacred Fire was very well researched and documented and also has a very readable quality. I had a hard time putting the book down. I thought I knew a lot about George Washington until I read this book and found out that some of what I have learned has been inaccurate.



3. I haven't read this book and don't intend to. I'd suggest, however, that everybody reads Simon Sharma's "Rough Crossings", a history of the (shameful) treatment of African Americans by both British and proto-American governments during and after the war of independence. One thing it makes clear is that Washington's principal reason for moving towards independence for America was that the British were about to abolish slavery, and as a Virginia plantation owner...



4. The contents of the book are wonderful and so informative and inspiring. However, I ordered the paperback version of this book for Father's Day along with Overton Window (in hardcover). The first time my husband started reading Sacred Fire, the pages started coming lose and falling out. The book was never handled roughly, but for whatever reason, the pages kept coming out so he eventually set it aside because it was too difficult putting pages back in place, etc. We do want to read this great book, and are hoping to get a hardback version from Amazon. We are very disappointed in the quality of this paperback.



5. But still as well developed and proofed ..its still irrelevant as to washingtons faith.
   
   Washington himself often stated what he believed and also much of Jeffersons writings also state what it its...and it wasnt christianity, but neither was it deist.
   
   Unlike Jefferson who was proven deist, Washington was a bheliever in a higher power, but it wasnt the christian view.
   
   Note that a belief in a higher power is not soley christian btw.
   
   I am agnostic myself, and believe in a nonbiblical possiblity of a god similar to christian but reject the bible as mostly superstition and partly inaccurate as does Jefferson.

No comments about Decision Points.

No comments about Thomas Jefferson: A Character Sketch.

5 comments about Spoken from the Heart.

1. Laura Bush is the real deal - no doubt about it! Throughout the entire book, I never once detected the smallest hint of her being anything but genuine, decent & caring, warm & humble, and appreciative. Nor did she climb on a political platform to push some agenda of hers or her husband's - THANK YOU LAURA!! There's just too much of that everywhere you turn/look/listen anymore and so much of it is gratuitous blather. She admirably felt no need to bash her detractors and I believe that is because she is the type of person who has CHOSEN to remain balanced, who is DETERMINED to find the good in others, and who's succeeded is rising above what seems to be the most unfortunate need of so many narcissists today who are just plain mean-spirited, petty and spiteful. They are so tiresome, and unhappily, so loud, obnoxious, and ubiquitous! What a GIFT to be able to relax and ENJOY her & her story. Her childhood and teenage years were so pleasantly "ordinary" for the most part (like mine!), yet so charming and I think that's because she is a gracious and kind person and so are/were her family members. Good ol' fashioned *folks*!!! Being from CA, I'd never given much thought to Texas (sorry TX!), but her simple yet eloquent descriptions of the land and the images she creates in the book made it come alive in a wondrous way to me - I really looked forward to and completely enjoyed the time I spent reading her book. Again, thanks Laura, and God bless your heart!



2. What a lady! Laura Bush shared her story in Spoken from the Heart giving us insight into her wonderful childhood and the accident that could have altered her young life. Yet the accident didn't falter her endurance and healing. Today she would have done differently, but times were different in the 1950's. Congrats to Laura on her efforts for the Book Festival in DC with the Library of Congress (I'm fortunately to have a poster framed in my home), work with women and children of Afganistan, strength for her husband following 9/11, and continual efforts in New Orleans. No political profile and who could not admire her efforts each day. Laura, thanks for sharing your life story.



3. Ordered this book with Amazon ... had a question with regards to the pricing of my order and received an "oversea" customer service department. The call quality was horrible. the individual did not overly understand my issue and kept calling me Ma'am when I am a male. Corrected the representative and he apologized by saying "Sorry Ma'am". Very disappointed in Amazon's customer service department ! ! ! Would seriously consider using another ordering website when ordering items now and during the holidays. Asked the gentleman if there was someone in the States who could assist me and he said no, " All customer service representatives are overseas" ....



4. My wife gave me Laura Bush's book, Spoken from the heart, as a Father's day gift. While it is not my usual read I was quite interested to learn of the woman who married George Bush, the president I voted for twice.
   Laura Bush was not just Laura Bush, but also born Laura Welch; her own person. Laura's father was a military veteran and hero. Laura's mother was a devote caregiver and worked hard to instill in Laura the many things she would need in life to make her a better person and to have full respect for those she came in contact with.
   I came away with a newfound respect for Laura Bush, for she exemplifies the goodness we all need to aspire to.
   A great book and a great person, thank you, Laura, for sharing.
   I hope Laura, and president, took the time to read the book I sent them, Dreams in Blue: the real police.
   Dreams in Blue: "The Real Police"



5. If you don't buy this book, please at least take a minute to read some of the hateful, venom filled reviews. Some are shocking in their hostility and lack of respect.

3 comments about Churchill's Empire: The World That Made Him and the World He Made.

1. i did not become her majesty prime minister to see the brekout of the empire . churchill said . his refusal to grant dominion status in the thirties is typical . nevertheless he had to give way this book explain the story of a man who saw the empire at his zenith , and saw it fades away. informative book .



2. A quick overview of Winston Churchill's long career with the focus on his interactions with the lands that were once part of the British Empire.
   
   The British professor Richard Toye's book seems accurate but somewhat superficial when one considers the complexities of such big issues as home rule for Ireland, the Jewish state in Palestine, the racial divide in South Africa, and the eventual partition of India. A first time reader about Winston Churchill or one lacking in last century's historical background may feel somewhat lost. However, other readers, especially those more familiar with Mr. Churchill's life story, may be inspired to do further in-depth reading about any number of the issues touched upon that still reverberate in today's world.
   
   (One Hollywood story on p. 307/308 with foul language seems to me a pointless addition to the epilogue of this book.)
   
   Mr. Churchill was a great man, but a man of his times--especially in his attitude toward those other than white and less than civilized.



3. At some point in 1942,Churchill declared that he did not become a prime minister to preside over the dismantling of the British Empire. His views about the many peoples that were living under the British were well-known. Racist and derogatory terms about the "African savages", Asians and Indians made up his many speeches. For him,Gandhi was a subversive fanatic,while the white man was superior to any other race on earth,thus his Anglo-Saxon superiority mode of thinking.
   Although his greatness,Churchill was also a racist who thought that the British Empire was destined to live forever. Mackenzie King,the Canadian prime minister,wrote that the "British Empire and the Commonwealth are a religion to him". Churchill dismissed the notion of Indian independence,claiming that the Indians were not a nation at all.
   Toye has written a balanced book about a controversial leader, and does not condemn or praise him. He lets the reader pass the final judgement.

5 comments about Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

1. Nelson Mandela has become an icon of human freedom throughout the world. His intelligence, astute awareness of human nature, perseverence and sheer determination to stand against the "enemy" of injustice and cruelty is an example for all of mankind. His autobiography is an excellent chronicle of his life, his aspirations for his country and his sacrifice to attain those aspirations. I have come to admire Mr. Mandela all the more through his book. While I do not necessarily agree with all of his philosophies and ideas, I found myself rethinking some of mine. This is a thought provoking read.



2. Nelson Mandella "writes", unlike some so called authors who fill pages up to make readers think there is some substance...
   After watching the movie Invictus, I was compelled to find out more about this man's influence in the destruction of Apartheid in So. Africa. Wow! Would you edure as much as he and come out of prison after so many years as HE? I respect Nelson even more.



3. I received the product quiet fast. It was in great condition (Brand New) and had no issues with the paying and receiving the item



4. I've always had a great admiration for Nelson Mandela, but have only known the very basics about his life and political career. Whenever I saw him on TV I was always captivated by the man who had ruled a nation, yet seemed so grounded and modest that I could only respect him. I have to admit that up to the point of reading this book I was totally ignorant to the extremities of apartheid in South Africa for which Mr. Mandela had given his entire life to beating. I have now read these wonderful memoirs in their entirety and must say my admiration and respect for the man has increased to a level I genuinely cannot describe. Having an interest in history, this was undoubtedly a book that I had to read at some point, but up until this point I had, in my mind, placed the struggle against apartheid along the same lines as the civil rights movement in the United States; but I have now come to realise that, although there are similarities, there are a lot more differences.
   
   One of the most glaring differences between the two, which Mr. Mandela touched upon in his memoirs, was that in the United States the black population were guaranteed equal rights through their constitution but simply had these taken away from them by the racist political elites, whereas in South Africa, there was legislation and laws forbidding equality to the black majority of the country and this helps distinguish very clearly the route Mr. Mandela had to take in beating apartheid. I'm not going to say much about the story itself as it's one to be read and enjoyed first hand, but I will give my impressions on Mr. Mandela which were gained purely from reading his memoirs. I gained the impression that he has always been aware he's not perfect, nor is he one that thinks he's always right. He is a man that shows respect to every person he meets, but he won't shy away from an argument or a battle when he is attacked either verbally or physically. He's a man of reflection and integrity; he will look back on a past decision and say honestly whether it was the right or wrong call of the time. He's a man who has a lot of love and respect for all of his family, political friends and his country. He has given all of his life in the pursuit of freedom for his country, and he deserves out respect for that.
   
   He has a remarkable story to tell and it would be a shame if anyone who read this review or at some point had seen this book whilst browsing and skipped past it without even considering what they could learn. I've now an enormous appreciation for the fight which Mr. Mandela put up against the immense oppression of the South African government; and perhaps it has a greater message to send. The message we can all take from this is that, no matter how big the government or how powerful the oppression, the strength of human will and desire can truly overcome any obstacle thrown at it. Mr. Mandela also expresses a very strong message about there being goodness in all of us, no matter how much we try to hide it. He shows compassion towards those who were once his enemies as he realises that they are all good people at heart, and it is him and those like him that must teach those in the world whose job it is to hate, exactly how much better it is to love your enemy.
   
   Beautiful life story of a beautiful man. You must own this book.



5. I will leave to others to give a desription of this book. I will just say that it has changed my life and inspired me greatly. READ IT!

5 comments about The Real George Washington (American Classic Series).

1. Great information and words of Washington himself. (foot notes). As interesting a read as any novel.



2. I could hardly wait to read the next chapter. What a gifted & resourceful person George Washington was. I am so proud to know he was our first president & he set the bar so high for those who followed in the office. I am amazed at how much he was able to accomplish through reading & studying so many subjects and his work ethic was wonderful. Such a person of good character & such a gentleman. We need men like this in public office today.



3. The Real George Washington (American Classic Series)I've always believed that George Washington was one of how greatest Americans'. Now I know that he's the (single) greatest American that has ever lived or will live. Explore the complete life of the greatest American that ever lived. Believe, that if he had not been born or lived during this time there would not have been a United States of America.



4. Having not been interested in history until the last 8 years, I never realized what the Revolution involved nor what it cost G. Washington, nor his character and integrity. This book provides in-depth glimpses of both. It's also easy reading. Worth every dollar.



5. I rarely give out five stars, but this book was fantastic! It goes into great detail regarding Washington's life and military career. Toward the back of the book is an index containing direct quotes from Washington, clearly showing how Washington feels about certain issues. It boggles my mind how some can dispute these facts as they are direct quotes, but they are free to think how they wish. I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about The Manchurian President: Barack Obama's Ties to Communists, Socialists and Other Anti-American Extremists.

1. This book is not an easy read, but a very important one. With an impressive amount of footnoted research, Aaron Klein has defined the numerous Communist and Socialist ties in the raising of our White House occupant. Read, absorb, and be very frightened. It runs deep. And, don't let all the super-intellectuals over-yak this stuff. Just remember what your Mama always told you. YOU ARE KNOWN BY THE COMPANY YOU KEEP. True then, true now. And one statement that no one can call racist. Just good old common sense folks. Read the book



2. This book has some of the most revealing historical and political background of Barack Obama. The ties to forceful Socialist/Communist organizations is appalling. It's a good read but be prepared to get upset on how the voter public can get manipulated into accepting very liberal views based on "it's Good for Everybody" and "redistribution of wealth is a benefit to all society". A Society based on a World Government is the Goal and all share equally.
   The reader can see some of the present day out comes from some of these views.



3. Not........I repeat NOT a cheezy novel. Give it its due by checking out all the footnotes. Other than a typo or two it checks out as 100% accurate with very little spin. VERY appropriate title! Will be a reference book (with footnotes)for me when friends attack basic conservative values.



4. This is a wonderful book that everyone in America should read. His campaign was highly structured so the real Obama would not be discovered until he created a major disaster in this country. What is saving our country is the citizen's desire for freedom and not to accept a socialist's government. I pray daily for for people to discover this book and read it.



5. The whole book tried to prove the title with a lot of facts and investigating reporting that main stream media refused to do. It is quite scary to see how underground left "cooks" where able to get elected such a leftist and most radical president in the history of our country.

5 comments about The Promise: President Obama, Year One.

1. After years of listening to media-heads, who get paid to talk, posture and opine `The Promise' is a refreshing description of the Obama candidacy and early presidency. It gets behind the snappy, often disingenuous sound bites and headlines proffered by partisan media, political insiders and economic wonks. Alter writes in an accessible, plain-spoken style that enables the reader to get pass rhetoric and screeds on both sides to understand important details about proposed and enacted legislature. Contrary to some reviewers' interpretation, Alter doesn't omit or excuse the President's missteps, including his failure to communicate the benefits of the health care proposals and his foot-in-mouth comment on the Professor Gates-Officer Crowley's "clash of egos." Regardless of where your ideology fits on the political spectrum, you will learn at least one thing that you didn't know, and perhaps, stretch dearly held ideas. The pharisaical right-wing of either party will not come away persuaded the administration has made more right turns than wrong ones. Yet, those of us, who are not locked into ideology, will gain insight into the rationale and process of how decisions are being made. This is a straight-forward journalist, history-backed analysis.
   
   Alter puts into context the converging dynamics of competitive personalities and disparate agendas. To give perspective to current politics, he pulls in history, like FDR's appointing Joe Kennedy, a Wall Street trader as the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
   
   Readers will zoom in on those sections that resonate most soundly with them. For me, these are the most informative:
   
   Tim Geithner - Why him for Secretary of Treasury? Alter gives a comprehensive explanation of President Obama's selecting Geithner despite foreseen challenges to the appointment. And, he explains why critics slammed Geithner, saying he "failed to negotiate, to use the power he had...refused to use his considerable leverage" in dealing with the banks; thus, "tens of billions went to some of the wealthiest institutions in the world." Based on the facts presented, Geithner averted a catastrophic meltdown of the financial system.
   
   The history between Obama and Fox News: "Owner Rupert Murdock openly admired Obama...when Murdoch passed the word inside News Corp. that he was planning to endorse Obama, Ailes threatened to quit. Murdoch knowing that Ailes was a cash cow for his company, gave Ailes a five-year contract, endorsed McCain early, and let Ailes move News Corp. even further right."
   
   The Party of No: Republicans in Congress, individually and collectively, were determined obstructionists from Day One. If the so-called lawmakers' game-playing weren't transparent to the worldwide public before reading this book, the details here are solid, shocking proof. "If we're able to stop Obama on this (health care reform), it will be his Waterloo. It will break him" (Sen. Jim Demint, South Carolina). "This intense personalizing of policy differences was both malicious and clarifying... For certain conservatives, Obama was not an adversary; he was the enemy..." Reading these parts is no surprise to any observer: Republicans "stayed disciplined and unified in their determination to obstruct most of (Obama's) initiatives."
   
   TARP and the Recovery Act (the Stimulus): Explains and differentiates terms and programs that are wrongly used interchangeably. Then, Alter gently slaps politicians that have bad-mouthed the stimulus, yet have accepted the money ": (He) has derided the federal stimulus but taken its cash - a sign of pragmatism or hypocrisy, depending on the audience."
   
   Back to Sen. Demint's ignominious "Waterloo" statement: Yes Demint said that defeating health care reform would bring down Obama. What Demint didn't say was what else would be devastatingly impacted - the economy, and thereby, every tax-payer. "Failing to control Medicare and Medicaid entitlements would make balancing the budget impossible without cutting non-discretionary (everything else) spending by 70%. Insurance premiums for individuals had more than doubled in a decade (up 130% for small business), number of insured more than 50 million." Americans understand the math and was already feeling the pain of medical costs; but, some of us got distracted and confused by irresponsible attacks on reform proposals.
   
   After reading "The Promise," the reader may disagree with how Alter assays the reform initiatives, which are going far beyond health care to address the substantially inter-related issues of education, finance, energy and national security. But if the reader's take-away from this book is to dismiss Alter as a mere apologist for this administration, the reader has missed a cogent examination of real-time American politics and its global impact.



2. This is a vivid description of the day-to-day operation of the Obama administration in the chaotic first year of his presidency. Overall, I think it was a fair assessment of both Obama's strengths and his weaknesses.
   
   I'm surprised that some of the reviewers here think that Alter's book is overly biased in favor of Obama.
   
   It's clear that the writer thinks highly of Obama personally -- he portrays him as highly intelligent and possessed of effective leadership skills. But Alter is also very clear-eyed about where Obama has gone wrong in the first year of his presidency.
   
   Alter gives Obama credit for actions early in the presidency (the bank and automaker bail-outs) that were unpopular, but probably saved the recession from tipping over into a depression, and for the historic health care legislation. With health care, Obama delivered on something that presidents since FDR have tried and failed to do. Nobody thinks it is a perfect plan but it is something that can be built on.
   
   But Alter faults Obama in other crucial areas -- particularly jobs and housing. Obama, as portrayed by Alter, errs in relying too heavily on one set of economists -- Geithner, Summers, and their acolytes -- while essentially ignoring contradictory views. Everything had to be funnelled through Summers. Obama, in Alter's analysis, thereby encloses himself in the "bubble" that he had said he was going to try to avoid.
   
   Alter also faults Obama for failing to communicate effectively with the American people about what he was trying to do. Obama's cool, unemotional personality does not serve him well, in a situation which required the warmth and empathy that an FDR or a Clinton were able to convey.
   
   Alter's conclusion, apparently somewhat surprising to the writer himself, is that Obama turned out to be best at what was least expected of him -- effective executive management -- and worst in the area where he (as one of the most inspirational and eloquent speakers in recent history) was expected to shine -- communicating with the people.



3. In his latest promote Obama at all costs book, Alter does a great job running cover for a President who is far from living up to the welcome he received in Jan 2009. Simply another disgraceful display of biased journalism.



4. Alter's book may be about the first year of Obama's presidency, but it feels like it covers decades of American history. It's astonishing how many issues come up in The Promise: Health care, Afghanistan, the war on terror, the auto bailouts, the stimulus, education, Republican obstructionism, research and development in science and medicine... Following politics during the Obama era can be challenging and disorienting because there is so much to keep up with. But Alter does a fine job at guiding the reader through everything with precision. His prose are crisp and clear--The Promise is not quite a page turner, but it can be a quick read.
   
   Most important, the author puts many things in perspective by fully delineating Obama's legislative accomplishments, how and why they are poorly understood by the public, and the president's decision-making process.
   
   Here are some of the highlights... to read more of this review check out my blog (which features reviews of great writing in general):
   
   [...]



5. I liked some of The Promise--as an avid economics junkie I especially enjoyed his inside portrayal of Larry Summers. The man has a fascinating, if unlikable, personality. A book about Summers would be a fascinating read. The Promise, though, is fatally weakened by Alter's extreme pro-Obama bias. As another reviewer pointed out, Obama's problems are almost always the fault of someone else. It also annoys me that he makes assertions as though they were undeniable facts--e.g. the stimulus bill saved us from another Great Depression. I should point out that my criticism of Alter is not due to any conservative bias on my part; I would have the same problem with,say, Sean Hannity writing an inside account of a Republican administration.

No comments about Washington: A Life.