5 comments about Touched With Fire: Five Presidents And The Civil War Battles That Made Them.

1. Most of this book is very interesting but there are a few slow areas. Even so it is worth the read. A wonderful glimpse into the military lives of our Civil War Veteran presidents, from the General to the private.



2. I am a big fan of Civil War histories. I have more than 75 fiction and non-fiction Civil War books on my bookshelf (mostly non-fiction) so I am hardly a newbie to this area. When I comment that this is a new angle, I an really saying something.
   
   It's not that James M. Perry has uncovered new documents or new information, but he has re-shuffled the "same old" information into a new pattern. In this case, he has focused on the five Presidents that fought in the Civil War. Perry includes a modest pre-war biography of each of the men and then goes into greater detail on their war experiences. The level of detail is neither skimpy nor excessive - he strikes a nice balance.
   
   As a group, they all had many things in common. To a man, they all became competent officers of brevet Major or higher, they all had extensive combat experience in the Western theater (although Hayes and his men were transferred to the Eastern theater) and they were all Republican (Perry does point out that the Democrats did run Civil War veterans, but none were successful).
   
   Mercifully, Perry does not cover the entire career of U.S. Grant since his Civil War biography would essentially be a re-telling of the war itself and his war biography would dwarf those of the other four combined. Instead, he begins with Grant at Forts Henry and Donelson and only chooses to include him again when he interacts in the lives of the other four. The other four are hardly a homogeneous group, despite all being Republicans. Their temperaments range from stoic and quiet to loud and openly scheming. Their ages range from 18 to 38 and previous military experience range from a West Point education to none at all.
   
   Perry includes a chapter at the end telling the post-war political history of each of the five men which is also a basic history of Gilded Age politics. Perry points out the powerful influence that Civil War veterans groups such as the Grand Army of the Republic had.
   
   Interesting. Easily accessible. Worth the read by Civil War buffs and devotees of the Presidency.



3. This is a book we Civil War fans needed. Grant,Hays,Garfield,Harrison and Mckinley. I think Chester Arthur also served but he wasn't in any battles. Being from Cumberland Maryland it's interesting to note that Mckinley and Hays were both in town the night Crook and Kelly were captured by McNeils rangers. Hays is probably the most combat experienced, himself being at South Mountain and The Shenandoah. Harrison was with Sherman in Georgia but was at the Battle of Resaca a pretty intense battle itself. Garfield saw some fighting in Kentucky and Chickamauga and Mckinely was at Antietam and Shenandoah. But you should read the story it's quite good and i guarantee adventure on every page.



4. James M. Perry's "Touched With Fire" is a highly readable popular history of the wartime service of the five U.S. Presidents who were veterans of the Civil War. The story of U.S. Grant is well-known, but Perry performs a real service for Civil War fans in illuminating the careers in uniform of Rutherford B. Hays, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley. With the exception of Grant, a West Point graduate with prior service in the regular Army during the Mexican War, each of the other four was caught up from civilian life by the outbreak of war, served in volunteer Midwest infantry regiments, and turned out to be brave and reasonably competent officers. McKinley initially enlisted but earned a battlefield commission. Each was noted for bravery and battlefield leadership. Of each it could be said that their wartime service was critical to their post-war political careers. Of the five, only McKinley was a successful President, although in fairness, Garfield served only a few months before being assassinated.
   
   What may be of topical interest for the present day reader is Perry's commentary on how deeply the prosecution of the war divided the North. A significant fraction of Northern politicians and their followers opposed the war effort, whether on grounds of sympathy with the Confederacy, partisan rivalry with the newly ascendant Republican Party, a distaste for the liberation of slaves, or exhaustion over the high cost in blood and treasure of combat. The desperate political infighting necessary to push to completion President Lincoln's agenda of reuniting the country and freeing the slaves translated into a post-war landscape in which the Republicans waved the "bloody shirt of rebellion" at the Democratic Party to win all but two Presidential elections between 1868 and 1908. Like any other era of politics, power tended to corrupt, and the "Gilded Age" of the late 1800's was renowned for its corrupt political practices.
   
   "Touched By Fire" is easily accessible to the general reader; Perry's narrative is entertaining and backed by solid if generally derivative scholarship.



5. In his latest book, Touched With Fire: Five Presidents and the Civil War Battles that made them, James M. Perry has given us a glimpse into the wartime efforts and heroics of five men who later occupied the Oval Office of the White House.

   Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley were all soldiers in the Civil War, and all had exposure to enemy fire at some point during the war (Hayes was wounded four separate times during the course of the war, though none of his injuries was life-threatening).

   In my opinion, Perry has given us a good reading of Civil War history, including an introduction to some battles that are not often heard of (such as Garfield's involvement at The Big Sandy Valley battle in Kentucky). However, Perry gives short shrift to U.S. Grant, who was the only professional military officer to become President, and to McKinley, who was but an 18 year old Private when he enlisted at the outbreak of the war.

   Perry's writing is lively, and gives the reader a nice vision of what was going on not only on the battlefield, but also in the minds of these five men. He closes the book by giving us a brief glance into the political careers (however short, bland or corrupt their administrations may have been) of these men as well.

   I enjoyed reading the recounts of the battles and the actions taken by these men immensely, and I would highly recommend the book to anyone that is looking for a good understanding of the military years of Garfield, Hayes, or Harrison. With the shortcomings given to Grant and McKinley, I think that a more exhaustive biography would better provide an adequate picture of their wartime activities.

3 comments about The Devil May Care: 50 Intrepid Americans and Their Quest for the Unknown.

1. I am a big fan of Tony Horwitz's work. Confederates in the Attic may be one of my all time favorite books. Having said that, I would not recommend this book. He did not write this book, and that is clear from the first page! This book is really quite dry. It reads like a textbook, but without the depth.



2. A wonderful account of American exploration. From Cabeza De Vaca to Fremont and beyond this book gives quick sketches of Americas great explorers. Although it seems to stop short and seems to miss a few people this book gives a whirlwind tour of adventure, American style.



3. How disappointing!

   My husband and I have been enthralled by Horwitz's earlier works, witty and entertaining while providing insight and education. The Devil May Care is none of the above.

   After reading the preface by Horwitz I was anxious to begin. Two paragraphs into the first biography I was puzzled and then as I scanned the book appalled.

   "edited" by Tony Horwitz...not "by" him. The writing is dry and frankly boring. While a number of the subjects could be fascinating, they are rendered lifeless and static. My own children wrote with more color and life in Junior High School than the alledged "authors" of these biographies.

   Do not waste your money on this book...it might be worth the money in paper-back at the used book store but not before. And shame on Amazon for promoting this as a Horwitz book. It's not.

No comments about Science, Race, and Religion in the American South: John Bachman and the Charleston Circle of Naturalists, 1815@-1895.

5 comments about Race with the Devil: Gene Vincent's Life in the Fast Lane.

1. I love this man's music and in reading "Race With the Devil" one finds that as the man behind it crumbled, his wonderful voice never wavered. His live shows continued to thrill audiences long after his chart success had waned to almost nothing.
   The author does a great job of showing Vincent as he truly was, a man with a magical voice and presence who was normally very gentle and agreeable, but also capable of frightful fits of anger.
   To me the defining moment of Gene Vincent's life in this book was the instant his lower leg was smashed between the front bumper of a Chrysler and the side of his motorcycle. Vincent and the Caps would soon kick off years of almost non-stop performing and the leg would never have the chance to heal. This, of course led to Gene's abuse of alcohol as he drank more and more to mask the pain from a leg that deteriorated so badly that it would bend at the shin when he walked! The book reveals how several times in his tortured life he actually pulled weapons on friends and family in fits of rage brought on by intense touring, marital and legal problems, pain and copius drinking.
   Be warned, to a fan this is shocking and could change the way you think of "the Screaming End". Upon reading this though, it's clear that very few people could have went down Vincent's "fast lane" without lashing out from time to time.
   The almost constant personnel changes in his various backing bands put an additional strain on Vincent. But by far the biggest blow was the death of his very true and unwavering friend, Eddie Cochran of "Summertime Blues" fame, who died from injuries suffered in a car crash in which Vincent was also riding.
   As I read on I was shocked to find that Vincent actually lived very nearby here in my town for a time and is buried in a place I've driven by countless times. How strange that when he lived in Simi Valley, his house was located on Cochran Street! This was years after the death of Eddie Cochran and probably was just coincidence, but still is pretty bizarre.
   I loved the book but although it is well written and a very enjoyable account of the life of one or rock's true pioneers the lack of source attribution and dating of the events is a noticeable drawback. Still this is the only gripe and is pretty minor considering this is the only Vincent biography out there.
   Vincent fans should read "Race With the Devil". Keep an open mind while doing so and it will greatly increase your understanding and appreciation of this wonderful artist.



2. This book is good on the whole, it is generally enjoyable, alhough there are some incomplete parts to point out :
   1) There is not a useful description of the musical landscape in which Gene Vincent does is act, id est not a description of rock'n'roll in the 50s, the slipping towards the beat era in the 60s; in this way it is not possible to compare Vincent's music with his times and without this explanation the reader couldn't ( I say couldn't, in case he doesn't know it himself ) understand the declining fortunes of his carrier.
   2) Information about other rock'n'roll artists is almost wrong, in particular as regards Elvis Presley ; actually the author should distinguish among true facts and the false ones due probably to envy ( Vincent says that Elvis went to the Sullivan show after the impossibility to have Carl Perkins first and Gene Vincent himself second : in truth, when Elvis went to the show, he was number 1 - the 4th since the beginning of the 1956, with " Don't be cruel " - and was granted the highest pay till that moment by the Sullivan show production, so probably they had all the interest to have him )
   3) Apart from missing references about dates or years, the author fails to explain why Vincent could go on doing pretty successful tours around the world, while in the same time having an almost disastrours record on the charts : in the USA, he charted 5 times only, twice in the top 20, in GB, where he was more successful, he had 4 top 20 hits, never entering the top 10.
   So, having considered these points, I can say we have an interesting homage to the rocking singer.



3. There isn't a song that Gene put out that I didn't enjoy. The book does a good job giving a pretty in depth overview of his short and frantic life. What came out was his total love for rockabilly and rock music. He sacrificed his health and eventually his life for it. The book tends to "race" much like it's title and dates tend to be ignored and events, concerts etc. aren't fully explained. But the good far outweighs the bad. After reading the book I fully realized the (physical and mental) pain he went through to perform the music he loved so much. Money was secondary to performing for his audiences. Hard to believe that today isn't it? Gene's personal life was a shambles but he rocked on. He was one of a kind and they won't be making any more like him.



4. ...that this is the only in-print bio on Vincent, I have to say this is an excellent book. Despite the tone of the writer at times to try to seem "country," and her habit of not really pointing out too many specific dates (or years even!), I did enjoy this. The extensive after-notes, and interview list were quite impressive and obviously a lot of research went into it. I guess I just wish it seemed more in depth than it read. It will definitely do for now...



5. Gene Vincent was the prototype rock 'n' roller, and his contributions were formidable, influencing The Beatles, Van Morrison, Robert Plant, John Fogarty, Jeff Beck, Chris Issac and Jim Morrison to name some of the most vocal with their praises. This book widely explores Mr. Vincent's youth, establishing step-by-step how his Norfolk, Virginia roots helped mold "The Sound" he started in music. Before Mr. Vincent, popular music aimed to hit listeners between the ears or between the arms. "Be-Bop-A-Lula" clobbered listeners between their legs, and rock 'n' roll would never be the same. The author's obviously deep love and respect for Mr. Vincent and his music translates to an extremely intricate -- albeit highly readable -- study, I would say the best ever written on the subject. To her credit, Ms. VanHecke never lets her admiration overshadow reality. Mr. Vincent was no candidate for sainthood, either by destiny or by his own choice. And it's precisely this aspect of Mr. Vincent's personality that's so wonderful about the book. While it's quite easy to track the direct musical lineage created by Mr. Vincent, millions of rock music fans probably never recognized that the rebel personna also started with him. This book is a must-read for anyone who remotely appreciates rock 'n' roll.

1 comments about Civil War Hospital Sketches (Dover Evergreen Classics).

1. This book was short and gave some insight, but was a little disappointing since I had just finished reading Civil War Nurse: The Diary and Letters of Hannah Ropes. Both Louisa May Alcott and Hannah Ropes were assigned to the same hospital. Hannah Ropes' book is more in depth with the day-to-day details and her feelings than Hospital Sketches. Louisa May Alcott's book makes you think it was written specifically for a certain reading audience in mind and was found lacking in some respects.
   (signed LAS)

2 comments about Walt Whitman's Civil War (A Da Capo Paperback).

1. Whitman's book brings together his work from his journals and letters he wrote through out the entire war. As a nurse, Whitman tours hospitals and writes about the brutal realities of the war. His compassion for the wounded and sympathies radiates through out all of his work as he writes about various soldiers and his correspondence with them. With each chapter in the book we are treated to poems and scripture by Whitman that compliments his letters and journal entries. Whitman covers the entire war and it's easy to get a feel for his absolute care and love he had for the soldiers he tended to and visited. It's helpful for understanding just how horrible situations for many were and just what kind of man Whitman was. I highly recommend it.



2. Walt Whitman wrote many journals, letters and diaries during his years volunteering at the hospitals in Washington DC. There are many books out there which claim to combine all those elements into one book. This book does a great job keeping Whitman's actual writing--in other words, the entire passage is presented, including the date and location in which it was written. The major problem with this book is that the editor decided to break all of Whitman's work into Chapters with themes. There is a chapter about letter to his mother, about letters to soldiers, about observations of soldiers, etc. This means that the book is not chronological, meaning that in order to view all of Whitman's writing in the order he actually wrote it, you must jump all over this book. I am studying Whitman during the Civil War, and I use this book for most of my reference. But you should see how I have marked it, leaving notes all over the book to remind myself the order of the passages. There needs to be at least one book that has EVERYTHING in the order it was written. Despite this, this book is very good for anyone interested in getting a sense of what Whitman was doing during the Civil War. His language is easy to read and understand, and readers can skip to the chapters that interest them. I do recommend this book, but remember, the passages are not in order.

3 comments about The Memoirs of Jean Laffite.

1. If you are a Lafitte scholar, researcher or a historical buff you probably own this work. If you are a casual reader, don't be mislead by the title. This is a scholarly translation of a 150 year old codex that was originally believed to be written by Jean Lafitte, in French. Researchers now believe it was written by a contemporary. It is a puzzling dicument. The original consists of 257 pages. The Gene Marshall translation runs 193 pages with a comprehensive preliminary analysis and explamatory end-notes. It is not a fake or a forgery, but the authorship is still a subject of controversy and investigation. This translation replaces an older (1958) translation that was inferior. Be sure to read the explanatory introduction first.



2. Assuming that the text is authentically the work of Jean Laffite, then this is a great case study of how people resort to denial and self-delusion on a fantastic scale if they are engaged in crime. I understand the criticisms of the text based on handwriting analyses and so forth, but handwriting samples of a given person can change at different times over a person's life and to me the criticism voiced in other reviews here of this text are inconclusive.

   The thing that makes the text ring true as the voice of Jean Laffite here is the identification of the pirates' brother Pierre as the illustrious Dominique You. This has never been corroborated, but the claim makes sense.

   So, if this is Jean Laffite, then the fellow was a certifiable, vainglorious crackpot of a headcase. The author expresses throughout an irrational condemnation of the British and Spanish, whom he lumps together and condemns as the neferious villains he fought against all his life, as a "privateer" first in the service of revolutionary France and then the adolescent United States. He seems blissfully unaware that when he claims he began attacking and robbing Spanish ships in 1801 the French government he claimed then to be in the service of was at that time an ally of Spain! He denigrates the Spanish nation further throughout the book, villafying them as the arch enemy of freedom and liberty, but seems oblivious to the fact the from 1820 to 1823 Spain founded, and attempted to make a go of it as a republic. Laffite's (or the author's) ignorance is even more astonishing when one considers that this "First Spanish Republic" of the 1820s was destroyed by a military invasion from Laffite's beloved holy-land: France!

   Laffite, (or the author makes the claim for him) also seems to take credit for saving the United States (from which he claims bitter dishonor due to lack of compensation from said government) from British aggression at the Battle of New Orleans. Yes, we are given to understand ol' Jean and Pierre (as Dominique You) and their band of "privateers" saved the fate of the U.S. from destruction at the hands of the British at N.O. that day in January 1815! Never mind that what the Laffite's actually contributed was but a minor fraction of the total manpower and arms supply of Jackson's forces! Laffite saved the day, and the U.S. has him to thank for it, and according to him that thanks never came (at least not in the form he wanted it in, cold hard cash or silver or gold or, yes indeed - slaves!)

   That brings me to the next thing- while Laffite cries melodramatically throughout on the oppression of poor peoples everywhere by evil powers like Britain and Spain, he casually admits, as if all about it were normal and acceptable, that he often stole slaves- Africans- from British and Spanish slave ships and sold said slaves to customers of his own choosing and pocketed the cash! LAffite exhibits no problem of conscience whatsoever when he says this.

   Laffite also denies vehemantly that he was a "pirate." He insists on calling himself "privateer." He claims he always carried registration papers from the French government or some lesser organization of doubtfull validity varifying his status as a professional privateer. Never mind that his claim of privateer in the service of France while he was attacking Spain, an ally of France by Treaty of San Ildefonso in the early 1800s would seem to suggest he, at the very least, tended to abuse his privateer status.

   Whether the text is authentic or not, it is a fascinating confession (or conscienable evasion) of a scoundrel!

   Also, be aware, the syntax of this translation is atrocious. Given that it was translated from the French by a university professor (who himself, in a disclaimer at the front of the book, acknowledges the constant non-sequiturs and general non-sensicals of many passages in the original) an added conclusion can be made: that Laffite (or his hoaxer) was an illiterate!




3. I first read this piece of rubbish at a local library several years ago. It was purported to be the "real diary" of the notorious pirate Jean Laffite. But, several experts in handwriting and historical documents pronounced it a fake. (I too had examined the "real diary" first hand.) Back many years ago, John Laflin was passing himself off as a direct descendant of the "Terror of the Gulf" but it turns out he was a notorious forger. He forged this item and a handful of photographs as well. He managed to make a nice sum selling this trash. What's even more amusing is how Price Daniel Sr. the former governor and a collector of Texana was duped into buying this hoax. Now my dear reader, I just hope YOU won't be duped into buying this nonsense.

No comments about Uncommon Grace: Reminiscences and Photographs of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.

3 comments about Cochise: The Life and Times of the Great Apache Chief.

1. Cochise is one of the most fascinating of the American Indian leaders. He lived a full life from 1804 to 1874 and saw the American West transformed, witnessing the Civil War, the destruction of other tribes and the gold rush. He was a brilliant fighter and mediator as Americans streamed into his Apache country. In his encounters with the American army he was able to evade capture by retreating to his stronghold in the Chirichua mountains.
   
   However the highly popular novel-like style takes away from the history and basic mistakes regarding the battle of Val Verde and other historical errors means that the book's detail does not hold water for the novel-like style. Other biographies of Cochise such as Once They Moved Like The Wind : Cochise, Geronimo, And The Apache Wars, Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief (The Civilization of the American Indian, Vol. 204) provide more accurate detail and written in a different manner. Nevertheless this is an important contribution to the literature of Cochise.
   
   Seth J. Frantzman



2. I at first thought it was daring for Aleshire to write this biography in the style of Sandoz's Crazy Horse. I soon found out that it was actually a big mistake.

   For those not familiar with Sandoz's biography, she wrote it more in the style of a historical novel. Though it was based on extensive research, she chose to tell the story in the style in which Crazy Horse's Indian contemporaries might have told it. Also, in cases where there were different versions of events, she chose only one version, in order to keep the story flowing. I thought Aleshie daring to write in this style because, though I thought it worked well, Sandoz suffered much ridicule for it.

   However, I found that this style did not lend itself very well to the subject of Cochise, for several reasons. First, the author simply did not know as much about Cochise as Sandoz did about Crazy Horse. For the sake of the story, for example, Aleshire assumes that Pisago Cabezon was Cochise's father. However, in a footnote he tells us that Cochise's father could have been one of three different people. So, when he later uses the murder of Cabezon as one of the motives for Cochise's hatred of the whites, it falls flat.

   Also,like Sandoz with Crazy Horse, Aleshire tries to present Cochise as someone who meditates, and tries to "keep his mind smooth." However, if the author is correct, he also had an uncontrollable temper, and actually killed several members of his own band in anger. And despite the author's protests that warriors followed him out of respect for his achievements in battle, it sounded much more like he ruled out of fear. This would have made him highly unusual amongst Indian leaders. However, the author seems determined to gloss over this controversial topic.

   THere also appears to be little of substance here. As this is the first book I've read on the Indians of the Southwest, I can't say whether it is due to lack of research, or a simple dearth of available information. I did note that the biography seemed to be based largely on secondary sources, and that there appeared to be little orignal research. There were also some really bad errors in some of the dates contained in the footnotes, though I assume this was an editing problem.

   All in all, I was hoping for much more here, and I didn't get it.




3. I have to admit that I did not read the entire book. I started skimming through it, and was completely shocked by several errors on the basic historical facts. Such errors in a book such as this are inexcusable, and reflect poorly on both the author and his editor.

   First, the author refers to the removal of the Navajo tribe to "Bosque Redondo" "on the banks of the Rio Grande." As any historian of the Southwest knows, or certainly should know, Bosque Redondo was near Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, on the banks of the PECOS RIVER, not the Rio Grande River. Such an error is just pitiful.

   Second, in one footnote (n. 11, page 314), the author states that the Confederates "gathered their forces for the battle of Val Verde, where they failed to turn back a column of Union troops from Colorado. After this defeat, the Confederates abandoned New Mexico. . . ." As ANY historian of the Civil War in the Southwest would know, the battle of Valverde, south of Socorro, New Mexico, was a Confederate victory, not a defeat. As a result of that victory, the Confederates did not turn back and return to Texas; they marched right up the Rio Grande and captured Albuquerque and then the territorial capital of Santa Fe. It was later at the battle of Glorieta, not Valverde, that the Confederates met a column of soldiers from Colorado, and met with a defeat which caused them to abandon New Mexico.

   I cannot believe that a book such as this could contain such basic errors. When I saw these errors, I put aside reading any more of this book since it was obvious that one could not read it with any confidence that it was based on historical accuracy. I returned the book to the bookstore for a refund.

5 comments about Kentucky Lion: The True Story of Cassius Clay.

1. Maybe only a great character actor could write about a great American character with such warmth and passion. Maybe it's because Richard Kiel spent over a quarter of a century in putting this story together. No matter the reason, KENTUCKY LION is truly a grand story. The characters come alive in this womderful piece of story-telling; even if it wasn't 95% true, I feel like I got to know Cash. I can't wait to see the movie!



2. I just got a copy of this book and upon opening it I could not put it down. Richard Kiel has done an astounding job of recreating in colorful details the life and adventures of this true gentleman. It is a page turner indeed! Once you start it you will see just how wonderful it is and just how hard it is to put down. I highly reccomend this book to anyone and I truly believe it should be included in a list of mandatory reads. There is much to be learned from this book. The authors have done an astounding amount of research into the life of this greatly overlooked individual. Richard and Pamela have created a true gem with this book. A masterpiece telling of the true life of Cassius Clay. A++



3. 
   What an incredible account that until now has gone uncovered! The astonishing true story behind the Cassius Clay story. Captivating and enlightening read.



4. Kentucky Lion: The True Story of Cassius Clay
   This is an amazing book about one man who would not give up his fight for something that he believed in, despite many things being thrown in his path. Once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down. I had never heard the name 'Cassius Clay' before reading this book, and now I will never forget him or the story of his life. It's definitely a book that everyone will find interesting given the many aspects of his life that are brought to life throughout the pages of the book.
   
   A definite MUST READ!



5. Excellent...This is a must read. This historic american novel will make a great movie or mini series for television. Richard Kiel and Pamela Wallace tell the life story of Cassius Clay with passion, romance and intrigue. I started reading this on my flight from California to Texas and could not put it down. The history that was researched for this book is truly amazing. It's a great story of a great american hero.