No comments about The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. 1.

2 comments about Thomas Jefferson: Passionate Pilgrim (The Presidency, the Founding of the University, and the Private Battle).

1. I'd give this 4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 5 because Jefferson is a hard bio subject, if not one of the hardest, he nailed him, and my minor beefs are with writing style.
   
   Two book series. Prefer single book, but better than Malone encyclopedia set, which is too long for average person to read.
   
   The good: Mapp gets Jefferson right, a staggering achievement one can only appreciate if you've read Jefferson's writings AND the appalling number of books that get him wrong. He isn't nearly as paradoxical (though still very much so) as historians like to pretend, and Mapp shows why, using logic that you would think other historians would have embraced. I think Mapp stepped out of a box filled with academics that overcomplicate things unintentionally, and just applied some good old fashioned horse sense & human nature to understanding TJ. The result is conclusions that you read and say, it makes sense, and seems obvious--why aren't most other historians coming to similar conclusions. The answer, bias, is enunciated below. Mapp isn't a documented liar, like Ellis, doesn't appear to have an agenda or predisposition, either to kick the Jefferson pedestal over or make excuses for obvious hypocrisies, like most historians. No obvious liberal bias(big government had to happen Jefferson a Utopian idealist), or anti-slavery bias (he owned slaves so everything else good he stood for must be denigrated), or libertarian bias (he stood for individual freedom, so every failing must be masked or obfuscated). As obvious as this sounds, it is rare to read books that aren't axe grinding these days. Jefferson takes his lumps where he deserves them, but still emerges as great, in ways that are highly relevant today.
   
   The bad: Too longwinded, some big words (no problem here, but others complained), often times uses too many metaphors and flowery phrases instead of writing in direct style. But at least he doesn't use the same 4-6 pet words every third page like Ellis. Long-winded is all relative in history & non-fiction, this is still readable, but some serious editing that reduced length 10% or so would have allowed all the points in a much more readable book. Another part of me wishes he had pruned down to a modest single book, hitting only most fundamental points, but Jefferson did too much to write a small, single book w/out omitting and writing something not comprehensive enough.
   
   Not sure which Jefferson series is the greatest, but this deserves a hallowed place with Malone, Peterson, etc. I think this will age well, as it updates scholarship not present in older Malone & Peterson books, but has avoided the Jefferson bashing. Jefferson bashing is trendy now, but will seem extreme over time when the pendulum has returned back to center, and this will ultimately diminish many works now thought of highly.
   
   It is a shame lesser books by bigger names crowd the market, leaving less room for a book like this that should be a household fixture.



2. This book is the second of two of a series written by Alf Mapp involving Thomas Jefferson, now older and it starts with Jefferson's Presidency through his death. From 1801 to 1826 the United States was just beginning to form as a nation...grown to twice its size and the ensuing troubles with all factions wanting something...how was Jefferson to choose?

   Meriweather Lewis and William Clark reporting back about this expansionism of the Louisana Purchase and the marvels that it brought the country. Excellent writing about how these and other issues that plagued Jefferson. Abhorred or adored Jefferson was a dichotomy personified.

   This book reveals to us better than others how Jefferson struggled to keep his ideas and ideals, his personal and public persona, his view of the United States and the World, for the betterment of mankind as a whole, in line with the events of the day.

   Reading this book gave me an insight into a world of Jefferson and the interaction of some of the others as James Madison, James Monroe and John Marshall. As I read these...I wished I had a teacher who made reading U.S. History as alive as the author. It makes a difference to a subject such as this to keep ones interest...not disappointed here.

   Capitvation and fasination as we read on about the troubling times of Jefferson in the last years of his life. How he founded the University of Virginia and fought his final battle with his health.

   Alf J. Mapp, Jr. makes Jefferson alive and that makes history fun not to mention educational.

   Enlightening, informative, and alive are good traits brought to us by the author that are hard to come by when reading history.
   I recommed reading this book if you really want to get to know Jefferson from his Presidency to his death.

   Read it and enjoy good writing.

5 comments about Ataturk.

1. Andrew Mango has obviously done a great deal of research into his fascinating subject. The book is a thorough history of the life and career of Mustapha Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Even though he was autocratic in many respects, there can be no denying that he was a visionary who built a powerful modern Western nation out of the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. The current rulers of Turkey, specifically Erdogan and Gul, ought to spend some time acquainting themselves with Ataturk before plunging the country headlong down the Islamist path.
   
   The main problem with the book is that Mango is not much of a writer. His prose is pedestrian, and he has no flair for narrative. Having read "1453" by Roger Crowley, the fascinating story of the fall of Constantinople, I know that history can be every bit as exciting as an adventure novel. Alas, "Ataturk" at times resembles a mere recitation of events in the protagonist's life.
   
   So although I have given the book 5 stars, the reader should be aware that he/she is in for a long, hard slog at times.



2. I found this book to be an exhaustive review of the almost day to day schedule of Mustapha Kemal throughout his life. Although extremely thorough, it is quite easy to get lost in the minutiae. The author dissects each vignette in excruciating detail in an attempt to separate fact from self-serving legend, but what little analysis is provided simply excuses or downplays the ruthlessness of the protagonist. Outright murder, exile and/or jailing of his political opponents such as journalists are excused with statements such as in any revolution, a few must fall by the wayside. Massacres and deportations of Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds are barely alluded to, while the author's main sympathies are revealed in statements such as "General Muglali's career ended sadly...he was courtmartialed for having ordered the shooting of thirty-three Kurdish tribesman" (p.477). Mustafa Kemal's curious habit of adopting "daughters" is noted throughout the text with barely a comment until the very end of the book when the author reveals that a black eunuch guards his harem, and one of his daughters, Atef, is in fact his "intimate companion". In my opinion, the best part of the book consists of the last several chapters, when the author summarizes the Gazi's career and his role in Turkish and world history. Unfortunately, it took 500 uncritical pages to get there.



3. This is an excellent book for what it is---but it was not quite what I was looking for. Ataturk is a fascinating individual who dictated wideranging reforms. I wanted to know how and why he came by his phylosophies--other than he believed the church was a huge detriment to society.
   
   This is a very detailed history, including names of associates, political intrigues, battles, who moved what troops where, etc, but short on the reforms and their reasons. For example, page 468, "An obedient assembly continued to pass laws imported from Europe: court procedure was reformed, the German commercial code and Swiss law on bankruptcy were adopted; agricultural cooperatives were established". This is the only mention of any of these important things in the entire book.
   
   I'm certainly don't regret reading it and I learned a great deal. Now I need a book that goes into all the changed Ataturk made. If someone has a recommendation, pleas email me.



4. This book contains everything you ever wanted to know about Ataturk and much, much, much more. I found that the book devoted so much detail to essentially insignificant parts of Atturk's life that it diminished the story of his rise to power and his use of it to bring about enormous changes in Turkey in an amazingly short period of time.



5. The author does a fine job in what is obviously a very thoroughly-researched and well-written work. The main thing I liked about this book is that it didn't just discuss a chronology of Ataturk's career but also looked into the ideas and influences which molded the future leader of the Turkish Republic. A little long at places, the book nevertheless makes sure the context of developments is known to the reader as well as the events themselves. While not destined to be a favorite book of mine I can certainly recommend it as a great work in this field of history.

5 comments about Andrew Jackson: Symbol for an Age (Galaxy Books).

1. American democratic politics, as can be easily seen in this year's presidential nominating processes, has always been encumbered with symbols. That fact is hardly new or news. What is news is that today's seemingly modern notion of proper electoral technique has a fairly ancient pedigree. Although Parson Weems did more than his share to establish the iconic figure of George Washington, arguably the subject of this work, Andrew Jackson, really was the first president to get the full public relations `spin' treatment that we take as a matter of course in today's politics.
   
   The present volume builds the case for Jackson symbolic virtues at a time when America, after a series of nasty encounters with the British, notably the War of 1812, developed an inward look westward and away from the `degeneracy' of the seaboard. If Jackson did not fit the bill to a tee then his agents, paid or otherwise, filled in the blanks. First place in those efforts goes to highlighting his military prowess and soldierly concerns in defeating (to what real purpose no one knows since the war was over by this time) against the British at the tail end of the War of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans.
   
   From there it was fairly simple to make him a man of the' people'. In this case the people being empathically not the residents of the eastern seaboard but the `fresh' yeomanry of the Westward trek. You know- the ones who exhibited all the plebian virtues as solid tillers of the soil, holders of folk wisdom against the effete nabobs of the cities and the true patriots of rising American agricultural capitalism. The author builds his case by using a series of fairly common references beginning his work with an analysis of a Jackson poetic tribute `The Hunters of Kentucky' and dissects that bit of work to see how it fit into the scheme of making Jackson the first "people's" president. All the other tributes and, at the end eulogies, then fall into place.
   
   If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then his Whig opponents do that by learning from his handlers by the time of the `Tippecanoe' Harrison campaign of 1840. And from there we are off to the races. Note this- as if to reinforce the argument presented by the book- can anyone today deny that that myth built so long ago still, with the exception of a dent caused by his savagery against the Native Americans, stands as the way he is thought of in the American pantheon? The Democrats continue their traditional Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinners without blushing.



2. This quite readable book (if you read scholarly books) is possibly more relevant today than when it was written (in 1953). The author demonstrates how the concepts of Nature, God, and Will combined in the American imagination to provide the basis for beliefs about ourselves as a nation and our place in the world. The author doesn't explicitly draw a line from then-to-now (or even then-to-1953), but you will be able to draw that line yourself if you are an observer of American culture. If you are interested in current politics or the state of the nation today, read this book; you will understand more about how we got to where we are. It is not a biography of Andrew Jackson, but rather a carefully drawn picture of his times, using him, as the titles says, as a "symbol" for his era.



3. Reading this I am reminded of people you meet that talk just to hear themselves speak this book reminded me of those people. From the start you are engulfed in babble about Andrew Jackson. Even though this is considered a scholarly book, I feel that the writer just typed and typed and used words and sentences that were difficult to understand just to make himself sound important and intelligent. After reading this book I did not have a grasp on who Andrew Jackson was, but I did however know that I did not like the author.



4. My first impression of this book was that it was nothing more than rampant ramblings of senseless quibble. Once the reader understands that this is a psychoanalytical, socio-political, cultural and philosophical study of Andrew Jackson the man, versus the times he endured, it is truly an insightful work.
   Touted as a man of iron-will, determination and unbound democratic principles, Jackson was a man for the ages which he represented.
   Praised for his efforts in the Florida Indian battles and the Battle of New Orleans against the British (and denounced by some for his disregard for orders), he nonetheless came out on top of the situation for the people and his country.
   He exhibited qualities of the self-made man and this is what swayed his popularity. Jackson started from humble beginnings, and with his resolve and perceptiveness, became not only President of the United States for two terms, but was also looked up to as a hero with no self-limitations.



5. As one generation describes slices of history to another, the events and personalities are altered in the process. Ward shows how Jackson's persona emerged in the transfer of historical knowledge from one generation to the next.
   In earning a national reputation as a war hero in the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson credited God with the victory and saw himself as a chosen instrument in His hands.
   A city-wide religious ceremony was held in the aftermath of that victory. All New Orleans acknowledged humble thanksgiving to God for the successful defense of the city.
   Riding the crest of this military popularity Jackson was elected president and the masses who turned out for his inaugural events were unlike any other before him. His administration was a shift from the elite to a populous approach to government. Ward includes helpful anecdotes to keep the readers abreast of some of the details of the time and places covered.

5 comments about Arafat: The Biography.

1. 
   
   The author did not describe the drama encroaching Lebanon when the heavy exchange of artillery struck horror into the hearts of the unprepared Lebanese people in the areas of Tyre, Sidon and Beirut now congested by hundreds of thousands of refugees uprooted from the South.
   PLO presence and activities (whether justified or not) in South Lebanon prompted sever retaliations from Israel to the detriment of all (Christians and Moslems) Lebanese.
   
   At times Arafat's reactions to present events unfairly summoned up the images of historical past occurrences.
   For example: In 1982 and in the middle of the raging war between PLO and Israel, Beirut was described `the next Stalingrad' - to emulate the Soviet's army victory over the Germans in 1942 -.
   
   Like a wounded leader amid very tough and challenging circumstances, Arafat transpired prowess born of ignorance.
   Arafat was the honest image of a man whose sickness of heart was mixed in reports from the foreign correspondents to show us the picture of a foxy leader mingled in fear, steadfastness and foresightedness.
   
   Arafat's interference in Lebanon's petty politics prompted many Lebanese to emigrate. Outside the foreign consulate buildings people queued for a visa to `security and freedom', some tried to storm the premises, some guaranteed a place in the long line of waiting since mid-night, only to submit their applications to be able to leave.
   The pandemonium outside and on the stairs was worse than ever especially during rainy and cold nights.
   
   Perhaps one point of common consolation is, like the Palestinians, also the Lebanese had feeling of humiliation and unjust.
   Standing at the doorsteps of foreign embassies to quit one's country was an appalling sight.
   It was inhuman.
   It was dishonouring.
   It was offensive
   It was misdemeanour.
   
   Arafat knew how to fight a war, but the irony is that he couldn't learn how to win one.



2. Arafat was an evil man.
   
   In his life, what did he achieve?
   
   He killed a lot of Americans and Israelis. His Palestinian people are in lousy shape. While Israel has built up a democracy and world class economy, and have created tens of thousands of jobs for Americans, all the Palestinians can do is create more suicide bombers.
   
   Thus us the legacy of Arafat. A failure and a loser.



3. Arafat! The leader who knew how to move all the power of the palestinian revolution from Tunisia into the heart of palestine!!
   Arafat! The only arabic leader who was elected democratically in 1969, 1985 and 1994!!
   Arafat! was smart enough in to survive for more than 35 years in the jungle of all the pro-american and anti-palestinian regimes(namely: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria)!!
   Arafat! THE NOBLE PRIZE WINNER !!
   The ex-prime israeli minister Goldameir said: "They (the palestinians) do not exist, We (the jewish) are the only palestinians..." !! Arafat told Goldameir: "WE EXIST HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE...." !!
   Arafat! The military leader who won against the IDF in the battle of Karama, Beirut and finally in the humiliating defeat and withdrawal of the israeli army from the Gaza!!
   Arafat! "OH MOUNTAIN!! THE WIND WILL NEVER SHAKE YOU!!"



4. This book paints far to nice a picture of Arafat.

   That any American can be pro-Arafat is mind-boggling. Arafat hates the West just a bit less then he hates Israel.

   He has murdered thousands. He is a despicable person and is in no way a legitimate political leader.




5. This book needs some clerification. I reccomend Harts "Arafat" and Aburishs 'Arafat' above this. This book tries to paint a picture of Arafat as a great legitimate political leader. But this book does not show the whoel picture. It makes Arafat out to be more then a terrorist and does nto weigh the effort that he was a viscious murdered of children(which he was for most of his life). THis book does take into account his many twists and turns but it probably gives Arafat too much credit and is not as interesting as other works on the man.

No comments about Presidential Portraits.

1 comments about The Physical Lincoln.

1. A very thoughtful and thorough book on Lincoln from the perspective of his physiology, well-written and surprisingly easy to absorb given the extensive detail, evidence and data. If you're a fan of presidents or specifically of one of our best, I suspect you'll probably enjoy how the author uncovers (through exhaustive research) Lincoln's physical frailties. It's not a light literary romp(I definitely looked up a few words and had to read sections over to make sure I grasped them), but it was totally worth the investment!

No comments about The Johnson Years, Volume Two: Vietnam, the Environment, and Science.

No comments about The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Alone, 1932-1940.

5 comments about George Washington and the New Nation: 1783-1793 - Volume 3.

1. After a brief lull at Mount Vernon, the victorious general of the Revolution found himself harnessed unwillingly into the first presidency of the infant United States. Flexner handily traces Washington's first term, from the foundation of a new government on an untried Constitution to the internecine warfare in his own cabinet that threatened to split that government and sink the republican experiment.



2. I was somewhat disappointed when I received this book. When I looked for it on your web site, I did a search, and had asked for only hardcovers, so I missed the part on this item that indicated it was a hardcover. I normally collect only hardcovers, and would not have spent $38 on a paperback book. Now, I still have to keep searching for a hardcover version, and I'm stuck with this paperback.
   
   Admittedly, this was my own oversight, so I can only blame myself, but maybe you can fix the problem with your search engine, so when looking for ONLY HARDCOVERS, that is what the result gives.



3. This book is the third in a series by Flexner on the life of George Washington. I highly recommend this series for anyone seeking to really understand the founding fathers. Flexner draws his material from many different sources to dovetail the life of Washington with those around him. His attention to detail makes the book a facinating read from cover to cover. It is quite a journey you are taking with a great man. I am so glad that Flexner took the time to put together such a magnificent compilation of data. I feel so much more appreciative of George Washington for all that he did to hold our nation together in its formative years after reading this book. A must read for those who love history!



4. This the third installment of a four volume series by James Thomas Flexner on the life of George Washington taking us through the years 1783 - 1793.

   We see Washington returning to his beloved acres... Mount Vernon, after the British are finally leaving the American shores. Washington is exhausted and wants to retire and live out his life in the resplendency of his home and family. We begin to see Washington open up so to speak, relaxing in his quiet country life. But again the matters of the New Nation are begining to pull and strain the rather reluctant Washington to a leadership roll.

   Being a very popular figure in early American life... Washington now is growing in popularity and as such is called to lead the Constitutional Convention for ratification of a new and untested government. Washington is elected to become the First United States President. Flexner gives us a lot of detail and put into the writing feelings and emotions felt at the time.

   From the writings that were written about Washington from his peers and thoughs of Washington to others, we again see Washington's fallibility, a man wrought with insecurity and heavy responsibilities trying to cope with a newly emerging government. Even present that others from overseas were watching and waiting for the new government to fail, but proving to them a government viable and alive. But, alas, Washington is now aging and retirement is begining to take hold once again in his life.

   This volume take us through Washington's thoughts and thoughs of Jefferson and Hamilton and how does Washington really feel. Washington is now working harder than ever trying to forge this fledging government into a working model of that written on paper. We see Washington's self-doubts again arise... troubling him with insecurities. Then again, who can he trust, to give correct counsil and if he left too soon would the government fail. If he stayed too long, would he be no better than the Kings he fought. We feel Washington's dilemma.

   I found this book to be very well written with sound documentation.




5. George Washington and the New Nation is actually the third in a four volume set, and continues to follow the life of George Washington after the Revolutionary War. From the years immediately following the last withdrawal of British Troops, up through the end of his first term as the President of the United States.

   Flexner does an excellent job of describing the man behind the legendary hero. Through the actual writings of Washington, and those of his contemporaries, we see not only the "Great General" and the "Father of Our Country," but also see Washington as fellow human being, just as fallible as the rest of us.

   This is also a remarkably telling book about the nature of politics and how in over 200 years, very little has changed. As distrustful as we are of todays politicians, Flexner's book puts those of Washington's days in an even less favorable light - and he uses their own words to do it.

   Through this book (and the other volumes in the set) I gained an even deeper appreciation for the one who was "First in War...First in Peace...and First in the hearts of his Countrymen." I heartily encourage this book and this entire set to all.