No comments about My Bondage and My Freedom.

1 comments about Stephen Decatur: A Life Most Bold And Daring (Library of Naval Biography).

1. Each period of history has seemed to produce a naval officer that has characterized the period. In the Revolutionary War it was John Paul Jones. In World War II it was Nimitz. During the period around the War of 1812 (which also included combat with the Barbary pirates, it was Stephen Decatur. This is his story, well written, and able to place Decatur in the story of the United States of the time.
   
   Decatur entered the navy in 1799 (well after the Revolutionary War) and served until he was killed in a duel in 1820. This was a duel that appears to be even more stupid than most. And the author goes to some effort to describe the failings of their seconds who probably could have prevented the duel from happening.
   
   During his brief career, Decatur rose rapidly in the ranks and with a combination of skill and luck was able to do the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. His promotion was fast, and he was the most famous officer of his day. His is quite a story.

5 comments about Polk's Folly: An American Family History.

1. I was conducting research into the life of Leonidas Polk and bought Polk's Folly as the best reference to place Leonidas in the Polk family. I bought it for research and read it for enjoyment. If anyone plans to write a family history, acquire Polk's Folly as your guide. Granted, the Polk family is much more interesting than most, but William R. Polk has created a masterpiece. Reading it is like sitting on your grandfather's knee and hearing stories about the family. The only difference is that Dr. Polk is a scholar, who has conducted extensive research to support his stories. I highly recommend Polk's Folly. It is a great read and I would give it six stars, if available.



2. I started reading this book because I had no alternative while on vacation. It is written by a relative of my son-in-law, and therefore the story is the history of my granddaughter's ancestors! Very cool to think about that! The book is basically a lesson in American history through the "eyes" of one family. Oh, and there's some Irish/Scottish/English history thrown in too. My connection to the family aside, I think it's a fascinating story.
   
   Linda



3. I purchased Polk's Folly shortly after it first was published, but I didn't begin reading until recently. I have been surprised at how thoughts in diaries, letters, and other documents left by Polk ancestors are applicable today. For example, Leonidas Lafayette Polk (1837-1890) made sure that while conscription was initiated there would be a clause to protect conscientious objectors: "Liberty could not be preserved at the cost of personal freedom." and "The growing disparity of the rich and the poor was thus not only unjust but also profoundly antidemocratic."
   
   As a genealogist I am inspired to learn more about all of my ancestors, one of whom was a Polk. My common ancestors with those in this book are William Polk (1700-1753) and Margaret Taylor. The author presents details in history that I did not know. It's a very interesting saga.



4. I enjoyed most of this book, but found it inconsistent. Some parts extremely interesting - especially the portion on President Polk. For instance the White House was considered completely public, so he had difficulty working. Also, there was much insight into a little know president. Other parts were tedious, such as the older ancestors. All in all I thought it was an interesting way to portry history. The author used an extremely interesting and accomplished family to walk us through the decades and centuries.



5. I was given this book as a birthday present six months ago. I did not read it at that time because I did not think I would be that interested in it. Boy was I wrong. Once I started reading I could not put the book down. The book truely brings to life the history of America in a very engaging and entertaining way. I recommend this book to anybody who is interested in history or those who just enjoy a good book.

5 comments about Narrative of Sojourner Truth.

1. So often we find out how important a piece of text written hundreds of years ago can change the way the human species views the world as well as themselves. The Narrative of Sojourner Truth is such a novel. Not only does it show the harshness of human error, it also illuminates the strength and compassion that exists within all of us . I now realize how iggnorant I actually was before reading this novel. I had no idea that cruelty to slaves was so prominant in the northern part of the U.S during the early 1800s. The reader can feel the raw emotion radiating off this extraordinary women who faught so hard for racial and sexual equality. Sojouner(or Isabella) is so commited, she even fasted for three days just to improve herself spiritually. It is acts like this as well as the numerous occasions where she seeks to help others that will leave the reader in awe. I would suggest this book to any body interested in America's history and anybody who is looking for a little inspiration in their lives. This narrative is part of America's young yet vast history and should never be forgotten.



2. Provided a valuable insight into some of the thinking of slaves even while experiencing inhumane treatment and searching for their own identity. A woman of courage, foresight and well ahead of her time.



3. In a world that still suffers from the blight of slavery, mainly in Islamic nations and northern Africa, and Sudan, but also through the sex trade in nations like Thailand, this book is a great nonfiction account, especially for grade and middle schoolers, but also for all who think slavery is a thing of the past.



4. I can never tire of learning the depts of suffering black woman had to endure. It gives me even more pride for my people and much hope for a better tomorrow.



5. very much a must read
   the way the words flow
   with your thoughts
   as if you were really there
   to me it is a must read
   nice book

No comments about A Jackson Man: Amos Kendall and the Rise of American Democracy (Southern Biography Series).

4 comments about The Lincoln No One Knows.

1. This book is mistitled because it contains absolutely nothing that is new and certainly nothing that is not presented in better fashion elsewhere. It also lacks any sources, which grants Garrison the freedom to embellish what he doesn't know, e.g., his claim that Lincoln earned $5,000 every year as an attorney.



2. This book is an excellent addition to anyone's library of books about this critical figure in American history. Unlike some reviewers, I actually bought, and read this book, and bothered to research some of the authors surprising assertions.

   It amazes me how hysterical and insulting people will get when faced with facts about something contrary to what they are familiar with. So many Lincoln quotes, for instance, have long been known to be sheer fabrication; mythology, simply untrue and not originating from Lincoln at all. So many assertions about Lincoln's intentions and beliefs have been made that are utterly contrary to what Lincoln himself said and wrote. As with any historical figure, there are people that idolize and create myths, and there are those who are real historians, who actually do their homework. This book is a product of the work of a person in the latter category.

   Shocking and contrary to what we were told as school children about Lincoln, the story of the real Lincoln is much more interesting and base than the myth makers would have us believe. Lincoln was, after all, a politician, a Statist, and a Federalist. He declared martial law, took away citizens basic constitutional rights, jailed newspaper reporters and statesmen that disagreed with him, and went against the founding father's explicit intentions as well as the Constitution and Bill of Rights in creating a massive, unrestricted, powerful centralized federal government. Lincoln, as it turns out, was no saint after all. The real story is always grittier and more interesting than the fantasy. If you want a taste of the real Lincoln, and if you are capable of dealing with some unpleasant facts about the man and the legend, read this book, it's a good start.




3. Some may find the book ofensive.As Lincoln is one of the greatest American Presidents and heros of all time,but I think to read this book you need to keep an open mind.
   Pople I think do not like for when histrorians and such dig through his hstory and prefer to enjoy the egnima that the man we all love is known today.
   Having said that I would be weary reading this book if you have not read or done lots of resarch on the man.
   I give this book three stars mostly becaouse I knew alot of the information that the book had ,but the point of view the author was giving was intersting.



4. I have not bought this book as I would not let one penney fall into Garrison's pocket, but I've perused this volume heavily. I wish that I could have given it 0 stars. The author is an unreconstructed Confederate who, whenever there is a remotely possible sinister way of interpreting Lincoln's actions, prefers to submit that view rather than acknowledge the findings of recognized scholars' research. For example, he claims that Lincoln is responsible for the creation of the "Imperial Presidency", making possible the abuses of Nixon, Vietnam, etc. But he does not show that Lincoln's powers were often balanced by a war conduct committee, that the Presidency went on to lose considerable authority and esteem in the Reconstruction years, and that Lincoln himself acknowledged that, except in the case of national emergencies, as the Civil War was viewed, the President lacked powers to do many things (like the Emancipation Proclamation). Garrison also blames Lincoln for being uncompromising and contends, without proof, that the Confederacy's desire to continue as a separate nation would have faded, if allowed, resulting in reunification. But most scholars acknowledge that the individual states would have sooner seceded even further into smaller nations, and that other states in the Union would have found reason to secede into new confederacies. Thus, as I've said, Garrison's trash has been disproven yet he pretends as though it has not even been noticed by scholars. It is the vitriolic spite of an unenlightened Confederate clinging to the bitterness of ancestors. This book should be relegated to the heap of trash-writing never to be recovered.

4 comments about The Alfred Hitchcock Story.

1. This is a beautifully laid-out book, with a nice attention to page design (at least in this 2008 reissue). Unfortunately the contents is not quite up to snuff, at least not for readers who already own other reference books on Hitchcock.
   
   As it covers chronologically his life and career, it boils down to the usual film-by-film survey, with a few short asides to assess some particular stages or periods of interest. Essays by other contributors bring more substance to the package (and justify the 2 star rating), but again they are limited in their achievements by space constraints.
   
   Because of these, Mogg cannot elaborate on the few original thoughts or opinions he expresses. For example, he has a much higher regard for Torn Curtain than other viewers generally express and goes as far as to praise highly John Addison's score, which sounds rather banal on its own and even more so when compared to the few cues Bernard Hermann did compose before being fired. But Mogg cannot really expand beyond simply stating these and the reader is therefore left hanging because he misses out on what could have been an interestingly challenging argument, running against the generally accepted wisdom.
   
   In all, this is a nice introductory book for people who are just beginning to explore the director' work and need a general reference books. But for those who are already well stocked on that front, it is better to look elsewhere, despite the book being reasonably priced for such a well produced object.



2. Film director Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense: this survey of his film contributions gathers over 300 photos from throughout his life, providing an excellent collection of revealing images spiced with film reviews and sidebars of facts. Highly recommended for any Hitchcock fan.



3. Interested in the films he directed, or just a hitchcock fan? Either way this book is a must. Not only does it cover every film he directed, but there are nice little extras on the stars he worked with, the writing process and even a look at films he inspired. The book is beautifully laid out, yet if you are looking for close analysis then this is not what you want. It looks at each film and talks about them, but there is no hard depth to this material - this is just a good look at the entire canon.



4. Reference books make great gifts because they can be pretty useful for years to come. Some of them are even attractive enough to leave out on coffee tables for guests to flip through when conversation drags. by Ken Mogg (Taylor Publishing Company, 1999) is probably the most attractively produced book on that much written about director. It is well organized, each of the Master's films getting anywhere from one to five or six pages, well illustrated, with several specialized items to keep us abreast of trends in Hitch's career. For example, there is a list of all his cameo appearances in his films, a brief examination of his film techniques, his use of famous locations, and so on. Especially welcome are little inserts of trivia, such as the story behind the song the children are singing as The Birds are massing outside in the playground, and a generous number of lobby card reproductions. There is also a good discussion of his television series and even his paperback anthologies. In short, Mr. Mogg does not concentrate entirely on the films, although they do take up the bulk of the volume. By the way, listing Janet Leigh as co-author on this website is misleading: she only wrote a one-page introduction that is quite amusing. My only complaint is that 211 pages are not enough room to handle this wealth of material; and here and there I feel much more of value could have been said had the author been given more space. (Hence the one star less in my rating.) Still such a comment merely shows how much I like this book and many of you will too.

2 comments about Wood Works: The Life and Writings of Charles Erskine Scott Wood (Northwest Readers).

1. In the middle of the fifties I found a pocket edition of 'Heavenly Discourse' in a bookshop in Stockholm, Sweden and found it fascinating and hilarious. I lost the book and the name of its author. No one of all the Internets Search engines were able to find this title. Amazing! Finally I found a copy of the first edition (1926) at the International Institute for Social History in Amsterdam. But this precious edition will not be lended. I think after more than 70 years a translation into Dutch would be worthwhile. Why not a new reprint of the 1st edition? = Jacques de Reus, Amstelveen. Netherlands



2. "Heavenly Discourse," by C. E. S. Wood, would rate six or seven stars. To my utter disbelief, it is out of print. The good news is that "Wood Works" includes four of these hysterically funny satires. They build slowly, like a Bob Newhart monologue, and this short excerpt does not do them justice:

   "BILLY SUNDAY: Why, there is Herman Morgenstern. I sent him to hell. He kept a family beer garden on Fourth Avenue...

   JESUS: I liked him. He was a gentle, charitable soul.

   BILLY SUNDAY: But he kept a beer saloon.

   JESUS: I lived with publicans and sinners.

   BILLY SUNDAY: And there is Margaret Hartwell. She had an illegitimate child. She sold her body. She was a harlot. I sent her to hell. How did she get here?

   JESUS: I liked her. The one with her is Mary Magdalen."

   The bad news is that "Wood Works" is a comprehensive overview of Wood's oeuvre, and while a lot of it is nice to have if you're already a Wood ! fan, it does become clear why "Heavenly Discourse" is his best-known work.

   The introduction and commentary give about the right amount of background on C. E. S. Wood.

   It's a nice book. But I hope someone gets around to reprinting all of "Heavenly Discourse."

No comments about A Virginia Yankee in the Civil War: The Diaries of David Hunter Strother.

No comments about Name Droppings on Your Head : A Memoir : My Own Anecdotal Odyssey Through Hollywood's Glamorous Golden Age.