1 comments about Thomas Jefferson: Draftsman of a Nation.

1. "The most important thing to remember about Thomas Jefferson is that he taught us the power of the word. He taught us that ideas matter -- that words beautifully shaped can reshape lives. Jefferson distilled into one remarkable sentence the essence of our creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...' Indeed, in the words he wrote he changed the shape of our country and became one of the most notable champions of freedom and enlightenment in recorded history. He had a vision of what the world should be.
   "Jefferson speaks not only to Americans today but to people the world over -- particularly in the emerging democracies of Europe. In a sense, his words are responsible for the most liberal reforms, including the eventual end of slavery, the civil rights movement, and the suffrage of women.
   "Even before his death, the language of the Declaration was appropriated by new claimants -- freed Blacks, abolitionists, early advocates of women's rights -- until it received decisive transformation by Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, when he said: 'We are a nation dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.' Thomas Jefferson wrote that proposition." --from the Author's Note
   
   Having been the oldest grandson -- and (once upon a time) a very well-behaved one at that -- I was regularly dropped off at my paternal grandparents' house on Mulberry Avenue in Garden City for some weekends during the school year and for a week at a time in the summer. The entrance to Hemlock Park was perhaps 25 steps from their back door, and I typically divided my time between The Park, and my grandfather's upstairs office overlooking The Park.
   
   One day during the summer that followed the first coming of the Beatles, being a point in time when I was reading well enough to regularly consume an entire Beverly Cleary or Carolyn Haywood book in an evening, my grandfather, Rex, set up one of those portable card tables with the round metal fold-down legs, set out a yellow legal pad and sharpened pencils, and brought out a book that, at the time, appeared large enough to literally crush a small child.
   
   It was a compilation of the writings of Thomas Jefferson. I was encouraged to sit down at the card table for the purpose of reading and taking notes on the Autobiography portion of the enormous book. Because I lived for pleasing my grandfather, I spent large portions of that week doing exactly that. And what I learned of that autobiography's author caused me to forever since maintain an affinity for all things Thomas Jefferson, a guy whose world-altering reading and writing abilities were complemented by the hundreds of diverse hands-on talents he also acquired during a lifetime that began, as Bober writes in THOMAS JEFFERSON: DRAFTSMAN OF A NATION:
   
   "When William Randolph took his friend Peter Jefferson to visit his Uncle Isham, Peter met Isham's seventeen-year-old daughter Jane. Tall, slender, graceful, and elegant, she had a cheerful disposition and a fine mind. Two years later, on October 19, 1739, she and Peter were married. He was thirty-two; she was nineteen. She brought with her many slaves from her father's plantation. With this union, Peter Jefferson, an man without family prestige or social pretense, became identified with one of the leading families in Virginia. In eighteenth-century Virginia there were two distinct groups: the aristocracy, typified by Isham Randolph; and the yeomanry, who were, for the most part, industrious, belligerently independent, and instinctively democratic. The marriage of Jane Randolph to Peter Jefferson joined the two classes. Of these two strains would come the unique mosaic that was Thomas Jefferson."
   
   Back in my Book Buyer days, I read a paperback reprint of Natalie Bober's 1988 Jefferson biography, THOMAS JEFFERSON: MAN ON A MOUNTAIN. I enjoyed it so much that I continued on to read her biography of Abigail Adams. A few years later, when Bober's COUNTDOWN TO INDEPENDENCE: A REVOLUTION OF IDEAS IN ENGLAND AND HER AMERICAN COLONIES, 1760-1776 was published, it easily made it onto my Richie's Picks Best of 2001 list.
   
   Now Bober has done something rarely seen in trade publishing: a do-over. As the author states in her Author's Note, "History is an argument without end." Theories in which Bober believed two decades ago, regarding Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, were essentially proven false by DNA testing. And so armed with new knowledge and a new perspective, the author has now written a new biography of this most complex of forefathers.
   
   "Peter Jefferson had been an example of industry and responsibility, but it was his love of learning more than anything else that was his legacy to his son. The only thing Thomas Jefferson wrote about his father -- almost sixty-four years later, when he was seventy-seven -- reveals what was most important to him throughout his life: '...being of strong mind, sound judgment, and eager after information, he read much and improved himself.' Books would become for his son the means to 'improve himself,' the keys to unlock the mystery of any subject he wanted to learn. Books would become the passion that ruled and shaped his life."
   
   In wrestling anew with the question of how such an amazing man of ideas could create those immortal words about all men being created equal and, at the same time, condone slavery, Natalie Bober combines her skill for impeccable research with an unsurpassed ability to turn history into captivating story. And while that might sound cliche, the fact is that we are lucky if we discover a handful of YA nonfiction titles in a year that are immersed simultaneously in research and story to the degree found in THOMAS JEFFERSON: DRAFTSMAN OF A NATION.
   
   Thomas Jefferson provided my first real inspiration to write about ideas and to internalize the ideals upon which America was founded. It has been truly fulfilling to, once again, spend a couple of days reading and writing about him.

No comments about The Papers of Jefferson Davis: June 1865-december 1870 (Papers of Jefferson Davis).

3 comments about Jefferson the President: First Term 1801 - 1805 - Volume IV (Jefferson the President).

1. What can be said about this monument to Jefferson scholarship? I am sure that somewhere in universities around the United States there are "scholar squirrels who want to put down this invaluable resource in Jefferson studies. It is always the way that mice attempt to gnaw at lions. This is not a perfect work (and my remarks refer to all of the books in the series as a whole), there are somethings, namely Sally Hemmings references which are wrong and will not sit well with American 21st century mores. There is the issue of slavery which was handled much differently 50 years ago than it is now.
   Jefferson is not worthy of our interest because of Sally Hemmings and because he kept slaves. Jefferson is great because of the Declaration of Independence and his fight for the rights of man. While it may have been hypocritical to preach liberty and keep slaves, it is doubtful that slavery ever would have been abolished if Jefferson had never gained the prominence that he did. This book and the others that follow show why we should continue to honor the public man even though his private side may have been wanting.



2. Jefferson: The President second term 1805-1809 is the fifth volume in a series of six, by Dumas Malone and brings us into the last four years of Jefferson's Presidency. I found that the author worked harder to bring out Jefferson the man in this volume... maybe because of the actions of others, (Burr and Marshall), but it is apparent that the author worked hard on this volume.

   Jefferson sponsors the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Congress gives Jefferson a little slack, but Arron Burr takes the domestic heat. The Barbary pirates are delt with, but the political views of Jefferson and Marshall heat up to a boiling point. But, Jeferson's second term seems to hit a nadir and he is longing for his Virginia mountain top home where he can finally retire after forty years of service to government.

   I found the scholarship to be impeccable, balanced, seemly sympathetic. The overall narrative is detailed and at times engrossing and engaging. Even though we can see Jefferson's excitement with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, we also see heartbreak with Burr and vituperation with Marshall.

   Overall, this volume brings us to one of the most interesting times of Jeferson's life... that of retirement. This is one of the most interesting of the volumes so far as we see Jefferson working out the problems that others have wrought upon him.




3. Dumas Malone (1892-1986) devoted his academic career to studying Thomas Jefferson, and this superbly researched volume reflects that lifelong scholarship. This book is one in a six-part series examining the life of our third President. I read this book for a college class and immediately grasped the unending pressures that President Jefferson faced in his second term. Malone examines the decision-making options available to Jefferson, usually (and perhaps too often) supporting the eventual route that the President decided upon. This volume's research and analysis is worthy of five stars, not to mention the 1975 Pulitzer Prize the series captured. Unfortunately, Malone's stilted prose - the weakness of most academic historians - produces a rather laborious read. Thus, four stars overall.

No comments about Visits of the Presidents to Reading in Pennsylvania.

No comments about Porfirio Díaz (Los Grandes Mexicanos) (Los Grandes Mexicanos).

5 comments about President Kennedy Has Been Shot (PB).

1. Not one of the best efforts on compiling available facts from that dreadful day but worthy of your read. Worth the price just to have the sounds of that time.



2. I am sure all of us remember where we were on that tragic Friday nearly 44 years ago. The book and companion CD recreates those horrible images from Dallas in 1963 up to the time of Kennedy's funeral. Whether you like him or not Dan Rather did a fine job in narrating the CD featuring the actual news clips from the broadcasts at that time. Excellent reading for those who remember this tragedy and for those who like to get a sense of what America and the world was like at that time.



3. This is an excellent book(with CD) ,through the media's eyes.There is no scientific ,logical evidence that Lee Harvey Oswald shot the President.Yet,the media captures the staged-event and the hoopla connected with it. (-My theory-) Nixon never forgave the Irish Catholics for the tragic ,senseless murder of his childhood brother ,Arthur Nixon.Nor forgiving of Kennedy for the alledged voter-fraud of the 1960 race.Johnson divided the democratic vote and Nixon reaped the unified Republican consenses.So-called "witnesses" add to the myth, that all the shots came exclusively from the book-depository warehouse building.There is no mentioning of Charles Harrelson,the most credible shooter.There are Christian Masons,as well as Jewish B'nai B'rth ones.So what about the Masonic connection to Dealy Plaza?And no mentioning of the Nixon Cuban Miami goons,calling off a possible Miami assassination attempt.Nor a mentioning of George Sr. assigning landmark status to a Dallas grand hotel ,that day.If you think Oswald was the lone shooter,don't believe the hype.Investigate.One star for the pictures,and none for reporting the truth.



4. I typically read books that I think will be good for my mind or my soul, rather than selecting them strictly because they will be fun or interesting. This book reminded me about the joys of pleasure reading.
   
   Of course, the topic of the book is far from fun, and I was initially disappointed by the focus of the book. Rather than focusing strictly on the events surrounding President Kennedy's assassination (which I am too young to have experienced), this book addresses those horrific days from the perspective of many journalists. It is basically a series of interviews from literally dozens of the newsmen around the country who played significant roles in the coverage of this historic event.
   
   Though I didn't really anticipate this emphasis, it was actually an incredibly fascinating vantage point from which to analyze the events surrounding JFK's death. To hear the stories of the men and women who helped the nation and world process and understand these shocking scenes was at times exhilarating and at other times gut-wrenching.
   
   Besides these fantastic interviews, the book also includes a CD, which gives the listener an opportunity to hear 42 different soundbites (most only a minute or two in length) starting with Kennedy's arrival in Dallas and concluding with the funeral. I imagine that this would resonate well with folks who heard many of these clips over forty years ago, but it was equally interesting for me to hear them for the first time.
   
   Ultimately, this book and the accompanying CD far exceeded my expectations. I was hoping to learn some interesting little trivia tidbits, but instead, I was engrossed in those terrible four days when the country suffered and grieved such a great loss. I was absolutely captivated and had a hard time putting down the book.



5. As the leading civilian authority on the U.S. Secret Service (and President Kennedy's interaction with the agency), I was much interested in this book by Cathy Trost. In conjunction with the audio cd, this book provides a dramatic overview of that terrible time in our nation's history. I recommend this book and cd, especially to the newcomer. vince palamara

3 comments about Reagan: An American Story.

1. When I began reading this book, I was somewhat disappointed. The material presented seemed to be shallow and superficial, and I didn't appreciate the often flippant and dismissive comments attributed to the discredited historian Edmond Morris and the glib comments ascribed to Lou Cannon. I couldn't help but wonder why the author persisted in quoting these two men. I was also put off by the fact that the book appeared to have been published without any serious attempt at proof-reading.
   
   As I got farther into the book, however, the author began quoting a broader spectrum of sources and the book became much more interesting and more to my liking. Although I don't consider it to be one of the better books which I have read about Reagan, his family, or his administration, I still found it to be of interest and perhaps of some historical value. It still, to me, reads somewhat superficial, rather like a stone skipping across the water of Reagan's political career without ever going beneath the surface. I.e., the author tells us what happened, mostly in the words of those who contributed to the book, but seldom does she tell us why it happened.
   
   In any event, if Nancy Reagan, her children, and others associated with the Reagan Administration trusted this author and agreed to contribute to her book, who am I to criticize? What did I like most about this book? The insights contributed by some of those interviewed, many of which I have never read before. What did I like least about this book? Most of the quotations from Lou Cannon and Edmond Morris, and the serious lack of editing (hardback edition).



2. Reagan had no revolutionary visions, he had reactionary visions. His ideas are not looking forward,to some great hill of freedom. They're looking backward to a utopian past that never existed. He believed that the MacCarthy Hearings, which he was instrumental in organizing, were a good thing. He thought that confronting the Soviet Union at every turn was a peaceful solution. He took credit for things he didn't do, like knocking down the Berlin Wall and he never heard of Iran-Contra or the deficit. If you love Reagan and you enjoy feel good, "Leave it to Beaver" history you'll love this book. If you prefer research......look elsewhere.



3. This biography of Reagan provides a fine survey of the popular present from his childhood through his presidency, and is based on extensive interviews with his family and friends. Reagan: An American Story is a highly recommended pick for any interested in Reagan's life and times.

No comments about Herbert Hoover - President of the Great Depression (Biography).

No comments about An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963.

3 comments about Churchill And War.

1. Geoffrey Best masterfully highlights the role that war played in Winston Churchill's long life while putting to rest some myths and misconceptions on this subject. As Best puts it diplomatically at the beginning, Churchill was not a saint. Churchill was at times rough and at others smooth. Churchill's roughness was embodied in his egotism, ruthlessness, and lack of consideration. Churchill's smoothness was found in his decency, patriotism, humanity, and courage. The secret behind Churchill's greatness lied in breaking rules.
   
   Churchill was a man in a hurry, on the lookout for both fame and notice. Churchill was always wondering how he looked like if he did this or that. Churchill was looking for his "finest hours" for decades. Churchill repeatedly showed recklessness on the battlefield while believing that nothing serious could ever happen to him during his military adventures.
   
   Churchill's books, articles, and speeches were at the service of his military and political ambitions while making a living out of them. Churchill valued most his writings about war. War was the most exciting activity to man in Churchill's view. History taught him that war was ruling the destinies of nations.
   
   Churchill was never one to be idle. Churchill's great transformation began when he took to serious company and books. Churchill did not find any relish in club-lounging, party-going, dancing, and womanizing. Although Churchill was not indifferent to female charm, he was not at ease with women. Churchill was lucky to find in Clementine Hozier a gifted woman who could accommodate his sometimes difficult character.
   
   Churchill was a very hard working man and showed an unusual talent for mastering detail. Churchill had an elephantine memory on which he could rely to use facts and data for further purposes. Although Churchill had an unusual gift with words, he was not by nature an effective public speaker.
   
   Churchill had a deep interest in military strategy within which the large allied armies operated during the two world wars. Strategizing was to him the closest thing to commanding great armies in the field. Churchill's interest in generalship was at the very heart of his fascination with war, including the technologies used for waging war. Like other war leaders, Churchill found the neutrality of non-belligerents irksome.
   
   Churchill remained a democrat at times of war by not suppressing critics who annoyed him. Despite his excitement about war, Churchill considered magnanimous peacemaking important once war was over. However, Churchill had no intention to condone the atrocities committed by the Nazis against non-combatants during WWII.
   
   The older Churchill was, the more he became aware of the heavy price tag attached to war for those who did not have his luck. For all his humanity, Churchill knew very well that war was a dreadfully demanding endeavor that overturned peacetime norms and hardened man's heart. Churchill had no illusion about the increasingly lethal evolution of war during his lifetime. Unsurprisingly, Churchill promoted a peace agenda after WWII with the advent of the balance of nuclear terror.
   
   To summarize, Best helps his audience better comprehend what role war played in the existence of a man who left an indelible footprint behind him.



2. This is a brillant book; well researched, extremely well written and a great read!
   
   Author Geoffrey Best shows the important role war played in the life of Winston Churchill, beginning with his birth at Blenheim (built for John Churchill, first Duke of Malborough and commemorating the 1704 battle, which secured England's rising position in the world) and focusing mainly on the British leader's seminal role in the Second World War. "War was central to Churchill's life," writes Best, "He was a soldier before he was a politician."
   
   Best addresses various aspects of Churchill as a war leader, including his influence on the Grand Alliance and the strategic insight and war direction he provided to Great Britian and the Allies. While he helped to determine the outcome of the war by ensuring America's participation, Churchill's strategic vision was, at times, faulty. Certainly his resistence to Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy and the European Continent, in favor of a greater Allied commitment in Italy and the Balkans, shows him at his strategic worse.
   
   Following the Second World War, however, the British leader became less conservative and more flexible and worked fervently to avert another world war. The use of atomic weapons in another war became anathema to him. "The fact was that Churchill had lost his taste for war," records Best. "He had studied was for sixty years and lived it for fifteen of then and it had been getting worse all the time. He had never cherised illusions about it."
   
   This book dispels a great many myths about Winston Churchill and his attitudes toward war. Informative and insightful, it will alter our perceptions of a great statesman, whose life, from beginning to end, was filled with war.



3. A book for all those interested in the martial side of the great British statesman. Especially interesting to me were thoughts on WW II air raids on Dresden and the overalll tactics and morality of Bomber Command. Also, many will find Professor Best's discussion of Winston Churchill's involvement with the development of the atomic bomb and his early 1950s statements on maintaining international peace, given this new war device, especially informative.
   
   British historian Geoffrey Best writes from deep knowledge, and in a pleasing style. Readers interested in a broader treatment of Sir Winston's life would profit from reading his 2001 biography, "Churchill: a Study in Greatness."