Shlaes makes you understand Coolidge.
349304
I knew so little about Coolidge and was impressed with him after reading this book.  Great insight into the life of a somewhat reclusive but hard working man who didn't think the federal government's business wasn't to do everything for its citizens.
176244
This book does agood job at dissecting the reason why we Americans are so easily seduced by war and the use of force but if you expect quick, Bush bashing rhetoric.....forget it. This a thoughtful, complex look at our foreign policy and even the author admits that his account is biased toward his career in the military but have patience . Be prepared to work to familiarize yourself with complexities in strategic thinking, foreign policy, domestic policy  and the coordination of those three areas .I have gotten about half way through but already am pleasantly surprised in being challenged in ways I did not expect. Enjoy

  Maestro
4541067
Bloch's writing style is wordy; he's a real intellectual and this can make the reading a bit slow.  However, his experience in both wars against Germany give his perspective you'll rarely find anywhere else in personal histories.  He lived for years under the occupation and was active in the underground (his life ended by Nazi firing squad).  His patriotism being without question, his perspective on the faults in the French General Staff and its' prosecution of the war and the general public's attitude toward defeat are enlightening.  Don't miss The Collapse of the Third Republic by Shirer if you're really into the subject matter of course; this is a smaller contribution than Shirer's but it is invaluable.  It is a French patriot's eye view.
2355215
When I was 9 years old, and living in New York State, Nelson Rockefeller became governor.  My grandmother met him at the Governor's Mansion as part of a women's church group.  By 1964, when I was 15, I was an avid Rockefeller fan.  In 1968, hoping he would become President, I wrote my father a fairly long essay on why Nelson Rockefeller was "The Presidential Man".  In 1970 I had a chance to meet him at one of his Town Hall meetings in Rochester.  But, as the years passed by I sometimes wondered if during those early years I was just politically infatuated.  And I wondered if "Rocky" would have made a good President.

Smith's biography begins with a look back at the 1964 Republican convention at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.  In just a few pages my feelings about Nelson Rockefeller and his potential were reignited.  All the excitement was right there in the book, in a way that few authors could relate.  The difference for me now is that I can see Rockefeller's strengths AND his weaknesses, and Smith does an excellent job of outlining both.  For example, on the plus side, you clearly see that he was a somewhat pragmatic problem solver.  Don't you wish that some of our politicians today could be that way...strip away some of their preconceived ideologies and just start solving problems?  On the other hand, Smith makes it clear that Rockefeller was a "philanderer" and, in terms of his own advancement, sometimes too hesitant.

The point is that Richard Smith seems fascinated with Nelson Rockefeller, and manages to relate Rockefeller's qualities and foibles in a way that makes you feel you are right there in the middle of things.  The book is much more readable than Cary Reich's ill-fated biography (we only got the first volume before Reich's death), and more balanced than any of the other bios on Rockefeller over the years (i.e., "The Imperial Rockefeller").  It isn't that Smith doesn't have an axe to grind, it's that his axe has a blade on each side, and he is entertaining blunt.

Smith's book also gives you a great insight on how we got from Dwight Eisenhower to Barry Goldwater to the Tea Party.  On how we got from a mainstream party to a fringe party.

This is one of the best biographies I have ever read.  And, you can get a real taste of Smith and his views on Rockefeller on a number of You Tube videos.

Without a doubt, a 5-star book!
462553
This is the first book from Mr. Clarke that I have read. I have seen him on a few interviews on television and am well aware of the smear machine against him. This man is obviously very patriotic and wants the best for this country. The book outlines his 30 years of experience and gives an outsider a look into the the various departments of government in which he has worked. The analysis on what went wrong, what is wrong and needs to be changed is straight forward and in simple prose. If any professional jargon is used, it is immediately explained. Being from a military family myself, like Mr. Clarke, the section recounting the total failure of any of the top generals (Franks and others) to advise the civilian leaders that an insurgency plan, along with the required training and equipment to fight an insurgency was lacking, makes my blood boil as well. It seems comparable to the so-called Islamic experts failing to advise the civilian leadership about the threat that militant Islam posed before 9/11. I have no doubt there are other books that help  to fill in the puzzle of what has gone wrong with our civilian and military leadership, but this one appears to me to be very worthy of inclusion.
50014
First Ladies isn't a work of excellent scholarship, but it is a fascinating read for at least learning about the way Margaret Truman thinks.  As a demi-historical figure herself, her opinions on the office of First Lady are worth reading about.  However, one must first accept the fact that much of this book is her opinion.  Yes, she does mention facts, but it's clear she's assessing the First Ladies by her own ideals.  At the same time, she does give the impression that she's trying to be fair-minded.

On the other hand, it was troublesome when she claims that congress "exempted" her father from the 22nd Amendment, the one that limited Presidents to two terms.  This isn't the case.  Laws passed on the office of president always begin with the next administration, not the current one, so Harry Truman wasn't "exempted," per se.  Granted, maybe she was simply trying to keep her explanation short, but shortcut explanations can easily give people the wrong impression.  Not to mention that there are other areas she may have likewise shortcutted, giving false impressions to the reader.

Perhaps I am rating her higher than she deserves simply because she's a breath of fresh air after some reading some worse authors, but her book was at least an entertaining read.  Once you accept this book as a conversational perspective piece rather than objective history, you can enjoy it.
2845853
In describing the life and times of Calvin Coolidge one is left with the impression that this is exactly the type of President, political philosophy, and personality that we will need in our next President! Coolidge faced the economic devastation caused by the "progressivism" of his predecessors that our next President will also confront.  Coolidge was able to "just say no."
406788
Rather concerning that the daily mail reading minority make so much noise on such matters. I have read the memoirs and found it fascinating. It really is an insight into political life as a PM, the fears and insecuties at times but also the immense courage, conviction and intelligence of one of our finest Prime Ministers. This is a man who really made an impact in the political world and people need to get over the Iraq war - lets face it, all evidence shows that though there were no WMD's found, the harsh reality is that Saddam had every intention of creating them in the future so it was only a matter of time before we went in. It is even more note-worthy that he has donated the proceeds to such an excellent cause. This is a man who did not need to go in to politics and certainly did not do it for the money. He would have made plenty of money in chambers as a barrister - I am sure. A great leader, political astute, razor sharp on all matters. The only unfortunate aspect for New Labour was that the hand over was not the best. It was very clear to everyone that Gordon Brown was an incredible Chancellor and his decisive role when PM during the credit crisis unfortunately goes with little mention but set the tone for the world to follow. However, in the 24 hour media age he was not intune with the people and this was evident many years ago.

Good luck to Mr B for the future. I hope he continues to make a difference and uses his great influence in much the same way Bill Clinton has sine leaving office.
2257127
Interesting perspective on Coolidge through the use of speeches, letters and coorespondence.  Book could have been shorter and more impactful with less speeches, etc. and more insight.
2505092
If you want to understand our new president, read this book.
465369
Most accounts of the Reagan administration characterize Casper Weinberger as the hawkish pro-military buidup Defense Secretary of the early years and the un-bending, un-yeilding Pentagon chief of the later years before he was "ousted". This book offers Cap's perspective and, even if you don't agree with all his reasoning and policies, provides a different perspective of the Reagan years. You don't get everything that occured during Weinberger's rein, but he does offer his angle of most of the major events and reasons for his being maligned towards the end of his term. His loyalty to Reagan is un-questioned and this story is somewhat biased towards those policies, but it's definetly worth reading (you may have some trouble finding it as it's out of print). Highly recommended.
3526050
Gene Lalor has written an erudite and concise work, called A Immodest Proposal for Ending and Winning the War on Terror: A Curmudgeon's Plan for Survival, which is more a critique of our politically correct culture than it is a book concerning foreign policy, however, so the title is somewhat misleading. The "immodest proposal" is a reference to Jonathan Swift's "modest proposal" which Lalor uses to illustrate that what he's saying is far from extreme (by comparison). He offers a two phase plan for winning the war, but does not do so until the text's final 25 pages. Thus, what he really seeks to do is cure a sick society. There's no question, in my mind at least, that he's 100 percent right with the diagnosis. The author is a retired teacher who has spent considerable time observing our public square. He has read voluminously and incorporates his learning into his narrative without making the pages burdensome. The world has changed much since he was a young man and mostly for the worse. Lalor peers into the future and he sees what Pippen sees when he gazes into the Palantr in The Lord of the Rings. His analysis is not charred by bitterness though. Lalor has a sense of humor and practices what he preaches. The achievements of his sons Bill and Kieran suggest to me that he's a fine father and a good man. I hope he writes more in the future.
2509157
Doris Kearns Goodwin always spins a good tale, and balanced view of history.  This is no TR hero worship- this is a fair evaluation of his policies, and the interpersonal relationship between him and Taft that went south.  I see Taft as a more sympathetic figure now than history would generally reflect.  The integration of the impact of the turn of the century journalists is amazing, and has many parallels to the world we live in now where power is becoming more and more concentrated.
3445199
I enjoyed Boris Johnson's writing style and analysis of if the life of Winston Churchill.  While this is not intended to be an exhaustive biography, to me this was a fresh look at some of the highlights and lowlights of Churchill's career.  The book flows nicely and is a breezy read.  Well worth your time.  Be sure to have a dictionary handy, as Johnson's use of a few words you've probably never heard will expand your vocabulary.
2981399
Dinesh is an excellent writer. There is no arguing that. In a lucid fashion, Dinesh gives the conservative side of just about every issue in social and fiscal politics with a spear in his hand. Not only does he explain the conservative position he also tells you why it's a better position with much wit to accompany the explanation. Jonah Goldberg labeled this book the swiss-army knife for conservatives and he is correct in saying that.

Even if you're not a conservative I would read this book so you can at least know what you're arguing against because Dinesh does not hold back. You'll see how a true conservative thinks about the issues and why. Dinesh goes into some detail about his conversion to conservative politics while he was in college, which makes for very interesting reading. You'll read about his time spent writing for the college newspaper and all of the trials and fun that went with that job.

This is a good book. I can't recommend it enough. Give it a read.
3076766
I think Earl Swift did a great job with this. As a "come here," with the disadvantages that brings, he managed to win over the Tangier residents so they would confide in him and include him in their daily life. I think not everyone could do that so well. As a result, he painted a vivid picture of the people and their way of life.

As a person who has spent some time boating on the bay, and experienced the weather challenges from time to time, I admire the grit and knowledge of these hard-working island people. I know I would be hard pressed to do the job they do in helping me have the crabs and oysters I enjoy so much. That's what surprises me about their passive acceptance of the changes they all see on the island, and look for others to do something about it. Swift describes very well the prevailing attitude that "something ought to be done," but then no one does it. And complaining that others aren't doing enough about their situation. That seems completely contrary to the first sentence of this paragraph.

My family tree shows generations of people that moved from New England and Virginia, through the Midwest, and on to the West Coast as they sought to improve their prospects. Covered Wagon folks and Dust Bowl Okies did the same. Yet these Tangier people just hang on as things deteriorate, and blame someone else. Knowlng all the good things they do, makes this even harder to understand. Many are devoutly religious, and think all is in God's hands. But, God did give us brains and expects us to use them.

I am sure the Tangier folks know what they are talking about when they describe erosion as one of their problems (I think that's all Ooker does recognize). Yet cities all around, including nearby Norfolk, see clear proof of sea level rise. Why would Tangier be exempt? Why can't Ooker and his fellow residents see that both are happening? Ooker and the other islanders may think he won the debate with Al Gore, but month by month they will see they are wrong. And the fact that they think our President gives this any thought at all, and will bail them out, is completely naive.

When the village finally disappears we will all have lost something. Kudos to Swift for describing it so well. But, ultimately my take on the book is a sadness that these Tangier residents are just standing by and waiting for someone else to change things. Which probably will never happen. Yes, a new jetty here, and some other patchwork there, will prolong things a bit, but before long it will all just fade away. What's their plan for that?
4934134
When I heard Ross Douthat was a famous young conservative thinker and writer, I was doubtful that I would agree with him on many points.  Maybe I'm more conservative than I think, because he made a lot of sense.  I very seldom highlight anything on my Kindle, but two of his passages were so lovely, I used that highlight tool so I could come back and enjoy them again. It's not an easy read, and at times the scholarly prose wore me down, but I'm really glad I read it and was introduced to this young thinker.