1 comments about Aznar: Ocho Anos de Gobierno/Eight Years of Goverment.

1. El libro de Aznar es un aporte no sólo para el conocimiento de los hechos recientes, sino también para todos aquellos que en estos días tienen que gobernar en un mundo complejo y contradictorio.
   
   En lo ideológico, comienza por definirse como un liberal, como un liberal conservador, pero sustancialmente liberal, destacando el valor de la libertad, al que sólo debe limitar el estado de derecho y el rol que en este marco tiene el liderazgo político y la forma como trató de ejercerlo.
   
   Un libro de plena actualidad, necesario para entender la realidad política y social de la España actual. Recomiendo su lectura. Este libro confirma que antes que un político, Aznar es un estadista.

3 comments about The Saddam Hussein Reader: Selections from Leading Writers on Iraq.

1. This book was published in 2002. Saddam Hussein was still in hiding and interest in knowing more about him and his brutal regime was still high. Now that Hussein has been captured and executed, interest has diminished. Nevertheless, this book remains an excellent resource for anyone wishing to better understand how Hussein came to power and how he was able to exercise total control over such a fractious population. One of the most interesting chapters is Hussein's "Call for Jihad" in September 1990, wherein he exhorts the Iraqi people to "save the entire human race...highlight the message of the meanings of Islam...and save humanity from the injustice of the tyrants and usurpers..." His appeal then will surely still resonate with the insurgents fighting against US forces in Iraq today. The chapters are taken from numerous articles/speeches by a variety of individuals (from Faud Matar to Noam Chomsky) who have differing points of view, some journalistic, others political or propagandistic. Nevertheless, the book as a whole is instructive and still pertinent as the US seeks a successful strategy for dealing with Iraq and indeed, the entire Middle East.



2. I really did not think enough original thought went into this compilation. It was rather disappointing. You would learn more from reading a good daily newspaper once a week.



3. The Saddam Hussein Reader is an excellent compilation of articles on Hussein's brutal regime. There are a total of thirty-eight different articles by as many authors. Edited by Turi Munthe it is divided into three parts. The first dedicated to the Saddam's rise to power and his early years, the second part focuses on the Gulf War period while the last deals with the post-Gulf War regime.

   It's unfortunate that the Saddam Hussein Reader starts off with the interview of Saddam by Fuad Matar. While interesting in its own way it goes on far too long and is ultimately a PR fluff piece by a pro-Saddam journalist. The rest of the section is quite good. Especially notable are Said Aburish's excerpt from the Politics of Revenge, Ofra Bengio's analysis of his Arab viewpoint and Charles Tripp's analysis of the Iran Iraq war. Avia Shiaim offers up a genuine critique of US policy towards Iraq in the 1970's that supported the Iraqi Ba'athist party .

   Part II dealing with the Gulf War offers several articles from all across the political spectrum. Especially noteworthy is Saddam's own call to Jihad against the US coalition and a counter "Fatwa" by Muslims against the Iraqi regime's invasion of Kuwait. John Esposito's analysis of Islam and the Gulf War has a lot to commend it as well.

   The final portion deals with the post Gulf War era in Iraq, options for ridding it of Saddam and arguments against US involvement. All in all this is an excellent selection of articles which range from anti-Saddam to pro-Arab to anti-US. From US military officers to Israeli Academicians to Arab activists like Edward Said to left wing icons like Noam Chomsky and Saddam himself there is something for (or against) everyone.

   An excellent collection of articles and highly recommended.

1 comments about Suharto: A Political Biography.

1. Indonesians are rather embarrassed about their past these days, except for the glorious Revolution in the 1940s when they expelled the Dutch colonialists. They seem to want to forget about the man who ruled them for thirty years, though some ordinary Indonesians yearn for the stability and predictability of that time. Elson's biography is meticulously researched, readable and comprehensive, and provides an irreplaceable introduction to a crucial period, which still influences Indonesia, despite the extraordinary democratisation which has taken place. Despite appearances, many political patterns, especially those of elite politics, economic exploitation and corruption, are little changed from Suharto's time.

1 comments about Mao Zedong (Life&Times).

1. Mao was a peasant farmer's son who became the ruler of China, fostering revolutionary changes which were to transform the country in one of the greatest experiments in history. His leadership and influence - which lasts into modern times - is told in a biographical sketch packed with politics and insights, and is a 'must' for any student of Chinese history.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about JFK: Reckless Youth Part 1 of 2.

5 comments about The American President.

1. I found the reader in the CD/cassette versions difficult to listen to. His diction was mushy, almost slurred. Although I have some reservations about the book (such as its unconventional organization, which may be more confusing in the audio format), overall it was interesting and informative. But the reader really detracted from my enjoyment of the book.



2. This is a very well written and well read book on tape. The authors tell you a brief description of each of the American presidents from Washington to Clinton. Because there is a lot of material to cover in four cassette tapes, it is a BRIEF summary of each president's term in office. At the same time, it is a fascinating story that analyzes and draws parallels between presidents who served decades or centuries apart. Instead of going chronologically through each presidency, the authors have broken it down into several chapters. Each chapter has a theme such as accidental presidents - or vice-presidents who became president after an assassination or unexpected death. Then each of the presidents who fit in that category are described in that chapter. It was very easy to follow and very interesting to hear the parallels between presidents so many years apart. Because it is a brief history of each president, you will find many places where you can stop the tape and come back to it again later. It's not an action story though, so it might not keep you awake if you are driving late at night. I mostly listened to it during daylight driving hours when I didn't need the radio to help keep me awake.



3. This book is a very nice historical piece for the curious and beginning researcher. It provides enough detail to get one started in a more thorough search of one or more of the men who became president. However, it is not a definitive history text.

   The art and photos in this volume are its redeeming quality. One could look through this book for hours and never get bored with the pictures.

   The only negative thing that stood out in my mind about this book was the fact that it was not organized in chronological order. In other words, the book does not begin with George Washington and move to each subsequent President. Instead, the book categorizes the presidents into 'types' (for lack of a better word). For example, the sections are titled "The Candidate," or "Executive Vision," or "Happenstance," etc. and a President is categorized into a section. Some of the Presidents often times don't seem to fit the category or type and it makes you wonder what the authors were thinking. Nonetheless, the only time the reader gets a chronological listing of the Presidents is in the back of the book. This, in my estimation was a big mistake.

   Otherwise, the book, as a whole, is pretty good and enjoyable to read and merely browse through.




4. As a collection of photographs and art, this book is superb. The series of photos of Warren Harding posing dramatically tell you a great deal about the man, while the engraving of Washington playing the flute is properly mind-bending. And yes, the organizational device does, in and of itself, spark the mind to some interesting considerations of the ties that bind these men.

   The text itself, however, is a disappointment, which is perhaps no surprise: this is after all the companion volume to a TV show, so I suppose I can't complain too much that the visuals are terrific but the content is on the thin side. (And that the emphasis is overwhelmingly on personalities rather than policies.) What else would it be?

   As an overview, then, for someone just beginning to look into the American presidency, this volume has a lot to recommend it. But if you already have some familiarity with most of these men (as I do, after a rather odd 5th-grade obsession) then there really isn't anything new to be found in the chapters. If you want a stellar collection of photographs then, without reservation, the book is terrific. If you want something more substantial about the men who have been president, you might want to look elsewhere.




5. As for the writing and scholarship of this book, I think the reviews that follow say it better than I can. (I do have some reservations about categorizing presidents outside of their chronological order. Perhaps the writers should have just stuck to a simple time-line.)

   Here are some of the impressive photos you will find in this volume. Some of them I have not seen in other books on the subject of the presidency.

   "The many moods of Ike." The floor being buffed in the Eisenhower White House. A Napoleonic pose struck by Franklin Pierce. A young Garfield with disheveled hair. (Lincoln also with messy mane.) A full page shot of Harding with leaping Airedale Laddy Boy. Harding in various speech poses. Ford deep in thought with pipe (!) - a full page. LBJ gazing at sculpted Lincoln head. A sullen Zachary Taylor showing how the presidency has aged him. One of the last daguerreotypes of John Quincy Adams. JFK kissing his dad's head in the fateful year of 1963. Stunning daguerreotypes of John Tyler & Millard Fillmore. Andrew Johnson on a picnic (seated next to Grant)! McKinley poses. Cleveland at his desk (one of "numerous" photos in existence).

   The book is worth owning just for the pictures. It is really a splendid achievement.

No comments about JFK: Reckless Youth Part 2 of 2.

No comments about A biography of Andrew Jackson: Late major-general of the Army of the United States (Occasional pamphlet).

No comments about Abraham Lincoln: From His Own Words and Contemporary Accounts.

2 comments about In The Footsteps of Churchill.

1. British military historian Richard Holmes' "In The Footsteps Of Churchill: A Study In Character", is a book that, inspite of its brevity, offers a most penetrating, thoughtful analysis of Winston Churchill as a politician and statesman. While he is obviously someone favorably disposed to Churchill for some intriguing personal reasons, Holmes does offer a surprisingly nuanced portrayal of Great Britain's greatest 20th Century prime minister, which veers from a self-indulgent narcissist to a deliberative, often profound, observer of his fellow British politicians and of foreign affairs, especially in the 1930s, with respect to Hitler's Nazi Germany. Understandably Holmes, as a military historian, emphasizes Churchill's military service, his celebrated exploits as a military journalist and finally, his service as First Sea Lord in both world wars, as a means of exploring Churchill's personal character, and demonstrating how his military experience played an important part in defining it. Holmes may be the first historian I know of who does consider simultaneously Churchill's service as First Sea Lord, ultimately portraying a less than flattering portrait of someone who was too "wedded" to the interests of charismatic, flamboyant leaders like Admirals Fisher and Beatty (For example, Churchill seriously underestimated the crucial need of smaller escort vessels for the Royal Navy in both world wars, relying more on the advice of his admirals interested in big gun warships like ballecruisers and battleships.). And yet, inspite of a detailed exploration of Churchill's personal and leadership flaws, Holmes does conclude that ultimately, his strong, decisive leadership during World War II was necessary for ensuring Great Britain's survival. Those who think they know well Winston Churchill's biography will ultimately be as surprised and intrigued as I was while reading Professor Holmes' superb study of Churchill's character. Without question, it is among the finest books on Churchill's life that I've come across.



2. Professor Holmes is a British military historian and it shows in this interesting attempt at describing Winston Churchill's character. He decidedly has an opinion, usually conservative, on most political and social issues of the last century and is happy to share them with the reader. He also spends more time on battle issues in the two world wars than would most authors of a character study of this type. This book is best for readers who have some prior knowledge of the life of Winston Churchill. The professor points out many of the faults and warts of his subject but the ultimate verdict is in recognition of his genius.