No comments about Heroes of American History.

2 comments about The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson.

1. Jefferson was a giant, and this book chronicles his extraordinary life through his letters and the letters of others, lovingly assembled and edited by his great-granddaughter. At various points, it is moving and tearful; elsewhere it is joyous and humorous. At all times, Jefferson's seemingly-unlimited talents and brilliance, as well as his qualities as a decent human being and his erudition, shine forth.
   
   The greats of American history come alive through their correspondence and Jefferson's letters to others: Washington, Franklin, Adams, Madison, Monroe, Henry and Hamilton, to name just a few. Also, Lafayette and Bonaparte of France. We witness firsthand the American Revolution, this nation's founding, Jefferson's years in Paris, the French Revolution, and his presidency.
   
   However, perhaps three things stand out most of all: the depth of his love for his family and the meticulous care with which he nurtured each family member; his love for Monticello and his desire to return there and be rid of the burdens of public office; and his relationship with John Adams that, once breached, is finally restored at the end of their lives.
   
   Remarkably, both presidents died on the 4th of July, 1826. To paraphrase the words of Jefferson, two "Argonauts" sailed on, leaving this country forever changed and better because they had passed here. "I steer my bark with Hope in the head, leaving Fear astern," Jefferson wrote to Adams in 1816. From being Secretary of State and Vice President to two terms in the presidency, involving the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Jefferson never lost his love for or his belief in this great country.
   
   He was a farmer; he was a scholar; he was a scientist; he was a diplomat; he was a leader and a politician; he was an accomplished horseman who was faithful to his belief in the need for at least two hours of exercise each day; he was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; and he loved music, birds and his gardens in Albemarle County, Virginia. And he was an American.



2. This biography was written by Jefferson's grandaughter to show "the beauties and charms of his domestic character." It is primarily through using his letters, which include over the years, those to his daughters, grandchildren, his sons-in-law, Layfayette, John Adams, Madison, lady friends in France, and others. The circumstances under which these were written are described.

   Interesting to me were new insights into why Jefferson continued to serve in politics when he found it repugnant, his observations about the the French Revolution and Napolean, and his great affection and fatherly advice on health, education, and character building found in the letters to his daughters, and some grandchildren. In one instance, he discusses raising chickens. He also describes the pain of losing his wife and child, and a grandchild, to Abigail Adams.

   Puts a little more flesh on the events, and on a giant of the 19th century. Good book to read in spirts.

No comments about The Engraved Portraits Of Washington (1880).

No comments about Facts about the Presidents, supplement: President Kennedy and President Johnson.

No comments about The Last Lion Part A: Winston Spencer Churchill, Visions of Glory, 1874-1932.

No comments about Stalin and Stalinism (Lancaster Pamphlets).

1 comments about Fidel Castro.

1. Furiati, Claudia (Rosa S. Corgatelli, translator) 2003 Fidel Castro La historia me absolver?. Barcelona, Spain Plaza y Janes ISBN 140008346X
   
   This book is a curiosity; billed in Spanish as "biografia consentida" it carries the emprimur of the Cuban dictator, claim of large but not complete access to Cuban government files, and a strange reference from another communist assassin Vittorio (here spelt Vitorio) Vidale (Comandante Contreras, a prolific and discrete executioner in the Spanish Civil War).
   
   
   The book gives Castro's about 2001 version of events in his life, as he wished it to be remembered. It starts with a claim that Castro's father ?ngel Castro was a Spanish Army corporal who never saw combat in Cuba (others attribute far greater violence to ?ngel, and no explanation is given to his promotion to corporal). At the end of the book is a curious index which quotes Vittorio Vidale, Julio Antonio Mella's probable assassin, giving the cover story that it was Cuban Dictator Gerardo Machado who ordered the murder. Castro's words are used to smear a number of people such as Jaime Vega, who did much of the fighting protecting Che Guevara's route into the middle provinces, and "Daniel" who died in action in La Ofensiva. Here one will also find the official explanation that Ernest Hemingway left his, already confiscated, Cuban residence to Castro in his will.
   
   
   The book mention's Castro's gangster days with the Emilio Tro action group, and Castro's used Buick which apparently was the type of vehicle preferred by this group, as opposed the Rolando Masferrer's group which from other sources preferred to ride in black Cadillacs. In an interesting example of double think, Castro's "voice" attacks the elected Aut?ntico government's use of police to suppress these gangs and yet (according to this book) assists in the installation of Emilio Tro as and Aut?ntico police official.
   
   
   Other interesting matters are presented such placing Castro's meeting with Jorge Eliecer Gait?n, the presidential candidate for the Colombian Liberal Party on the 7th of April 1948, stating that Castro did not get to keep a similar appointment on the 9th when Gait?n was killed. No mention is made that it is commonly accepted theme that Castro played a part in this assassination which triggered the Bogotazo. However, in this book Castro is said already linked to the communist party.
   
   
   Castro returns to Cuba, and is admitted to be involved in killings and attempted killings of rivals. Castro's feud with Masferrer is reported, as is his escaped from his rival, but of course without mention of his rival's famous recognition of Castro by the width of his posterior as he ran away. On and on go the names of the spies, informers, the betrayed and the violently dead: Eutemio Guerra (executed by Castro in the Sierra Maestra) is admitted to be an agrarian reformer with said links to the Aut?ntico Party, rather than as was locally thought member of the covert "black" communist Party in the Sierra Maestra. Assassinated Antonio Blanco Rico shows up as does an obscure double agent Delf?n Campa?at the Castro or communist spy in SIM Bureau of Repression of Communist Activities (BRAC) who is said to have penetrated the US Embassy in Havana. Frank Pa?s a major Castro supporter, urban organizer and potential Castro rival is referred to often, and his betrayal is mentioned at length.
   
   
   The failures of the attack on the Moncada barracks and the fact that Castro did not enter the barracks are treated with apparent, but very discrete, honesty. However, the strange circumstances of the survival of the Castro brother, while their followers were executed (some within earshot) is in no way fully explained.
   
   
   This book at one time a series of justifications for Castro's ruthless deeds, a guide book for apologists: but it is also a source of interesting information if one reads, with great care, for Castro's self-serving voice can be heard between the lines.

5 comments about The Reckoning: Iraq and the Legacy of Saddam Hussein.

1. Great overview of Iraq's history and racial ethic makeup/tensions. The author has a point of view but does not beat you over the head with it. Great book



2. Mackey does a good job drawing some of the historical background of Iraq. However, she gets a bit too emotional and political in her analysis of Gulf War I and II. A bit more balance and rationality would have sustained the book's credibility, which wanes toward the end.



3. Sandra Mackey has somehow attracted the scorn of many amazon reviewers. The most familiar criticism is that she's never been to these countries and is just recycling old information. I don't beleive that just because a person has never been to a certain place, that that disqualifies that person from writing about it. I've never been to Iraq, but I'd like to think I know more than a bit about the place.
   
   There are more general history books such as this about Iraq than perhaps any other Middle Eastern country, and of the ones I've read I would definitely say that Mackey has written one of the "good" ones. Some of the other books are too short, some focus heavily on certain time periods while breezing through others. Mackey's book covers a very broad time span and is of sufficient length and detail. There are some issues that she glosses over, particularly if the U.S. was doing something questionable, but on the whole, this is a book worth reading.
   
   If you're only able to read one of these books about Iraq, I would recommend Anderson and Stansfield's Future Iraq: Democracy, Dictatorship, or Division? However, if you'd like to read multiple books about Iraq, make sure you get around to this one at some point.



4. This is the fourth book I have read from Mackey. She is a very good writer with great knowledge of the Middle East. This book has very limited accounts of what she found in Iraq, but investigates the coming conflict well. She details how an occupation of this country would lead to a Civil War between the Shiite, Sunni, and Kurd groups. How right she was.
   
   Mackey details the short history of Iraq. This country is at the center of civilization in the Middle East, but few know of the disparite elements that make up the population. When the British took three provinces from the Ottoman Empire and put them together, the world should have known this was an artificial state. When they imposed the Sharifian Feisal I on the throne and put the Sunnis in power, they were asking for trouble. Since that time, government in Iraq has gone from bad to worse. Saddam or the Buthcher of Baghdad was the worst of all. What is left out is all the problems the Americans have faced in Iraq since that time. The author can righly state that I told you so.
   
   For those interested in the conflict in Iraq, this is a nice, informative read. Mackey always does a good job of writing her books.



5. Don't bother buying this one. The author has a serious case of the "I's" and is more interested in herself than in the subjects she is researching. Even more unforgiving, I felt I had read a book that did nothing more than recycle old information and put it in a new suit.

No comments about The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot.

No comments about At home with James Buchanan.