The best biography of Cushing
347933
Harvey Cushing's life and achievements deserved the very best of a literary recounting and this is it. Previous biographies (including Fulton's "classic") of Cushing, the Father of Neurosurgery, were uniformly dull or disappointing. Michael Bliss has now written the very best Cushing biography and has undoubtedly set the standard for years to come. It is extremely readable despite being detailed in both the technical aspects of neurosurgery and also Cushing's private life. Cushing himself won a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of William Osler and this work is at least as good.
2279008
I was so impressed by this record of Heber C Kimball.  There are few books that provide such a narrative of the life of a such a spiritual giant better than this book does.  It kept my interest and helped me see what it would be like to walk daily with such a powerful man.  One of the best biographies I have read.
2739322
Commander William B. Cushing is best known for his leadership in the sabotage effort which sank the CSS Albemarle during the night of October 27-28, 1864. Born in Wisconsin and raised in western New York provided with a both down to earth view of life and the ability to create fun where every his lived and worked. He was expelled from the U.S. Naval Academy for poor study habits and a surfeit of demerits during his final year. He was forced to resign from the academy just 90 days before graduation. Jamie Malanowski describes Cushing throughout his early years as having a talent for buffoon.

Cushing's friends and relatives in Washington, D.C, lobbied the secretary of the navy who had been in the post for just 16 days.  Gideon Welles met with Cushing and informed him that his appeal would not be accepted. Then came the bombardment of Fort Sumter and the pleading of Benjamin Butler to Gustavus Fox, assistant secretary of the navy. In the emergency of the moment, Cushing reentered the navy as a acting master's mate and joined the crew of the U.S.S. Minnesota. Cushing found opportunities to create adventures. In 1862 Cushing was promoted to lieutenant and later in life to commander.

The Confederacy's ironclad ram, Albemarle, dominated the frequently contested region of the Roanoke River and its major port, Plymouth.  During the late summer of 1864 considered various plans for destroying the Albemarle; two of the plans were submitted by by Cushing. Cushing's daring plan and heroic execution earned him a reputation and fame that lasted his lifetime.

Malinowski offers a witty portrait of Cushing and his adventures. With some very short captures and some very extensive chapters, he briskly moves the story forward from Cushing's childhood and to his death. Reckless and impatient during his childhood and adulthood Cushing rushed through his own life. The author does not loiter either and propels the narrative forward at a lively pace. Malinowski is a writer and editor who has served eight or more magazines and newspapers.  Most recently he has served as a lead writer for The New York Times' sesquicentennial Disunion column. Additionally he has written novels, biographies, plays, and an HBO film. Commander Will Cushing is a well assembled story which reflects the author's career in the field of magazine writing.

Commander Will Cushing: Daredevil Hero of the Civil War is, as Malinowski states, a retelling of an exciting story about a remarkable individual whose fame is in this centur beginning to fade. He speculates that Cushing's heroics may have been part genius and part personality disorder. Malinowski outlines this possibility but does not force it down the reader's throat. The book ends with Malinowski reflecting on Cushing's death at age 32 and what another 32 years of life would have brought Cushing.  Commander Will Cushing: Daredevil Hero of the Civil War is accessible and enjoyable for readers of nearly all ages.  Though a benefit to readers would have been the addition of maps of Hampton Roads and Gosport, Virginia and coastal North Carolina.
45089
I'm a history professor who's teaching a course on Dracula next semester. I've already ordered Florescu's Prince of Many Faces and McNally's In Search of Dracula as required reading. I've attempted to read everything in English on Dracula.
I then found Treptow. From the very first page he avoids the tendency to sensionalize Vlad III. He avoids using documents that are suspicious, like other historians. He tells us how he came to the conclusion that they are not trustworthy. He attemps to set Vlad's action within their proper context. When I finished the book, I knew that I had read the best biography on Dracula now in existence.
2163023
This is a book that every student of American history should read. Pershing was one of the great American heroes. He is certainly one of mine. Such people come along only rarely and to read his wisdom and experiences is simply amazing.
2679048
Even though this book is written as an educational biography for students, it is also an excellent book for adults. Just about every page has historical photos of either Houdini himself or playbills advertising his act. A lot of his most famous stunts are explained (including how he managed to do most of them!). His early life is covered. He did not attend much school. Instead he worked as a shoeshine boy and newspaper seller. He was not immediately successful in his career but kept at it, becoming very famous and wealthy in his day. I look forward to reading other Sterling biographies.
607099
This is an obviously very-well-researched biography of a fascinating historical giant.  The convoluted political and familial intrigues of Imperial Russia read like a novel.  The book is a little long, but well worth the read.
4966671
To put it simply this is the definitive Cab Calloway biography.  I don't think anywhere else you will find a better researched or better documented book about the jazz legend.  The author had the arduous job or researching and writing about a larger than life character with a huge stage persona who actually lead a very private life.  Shipton has done an excellent job sourcing out every interview with the legend himself and talking with as many sidemen, friends and family as possible to give us an idea of what Cab Calloway was really like.  Easily one of the most charismatic and entertaining band leaders of all time Calloway deserves and receives excellent treatment in this book.  I had always considered myself a fan of Calloway ever since I saw him in the Blues Brothers movie as a young child and my fascination with him grew as I got older, I would search out magazine articles and excerpts in book when I could find them about the Jazz Pioneer.  But I never found a well written comprehensive telling of his life story till now.  For anyone interested in the man Cab Calloway I cannot recommend this book anymore highly, and also if you are interested in the era of Cab's existence and the racial issues of the early to mid 20th century jazz scene this book is also well worth reading, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
3598305
First off let me just say that I have read a number of books by Alison Weir and she really has shown herself to be the best biographer of English Monarchs currently alive today. With Isabella we may very well have her best biography yet. She sets out to give people a sense of who Isabella really was, not simply the Braveheart version of her or the "she-wolf" version of her. She shows her as who she really was, a very brave, caring, neglected, mis-treated, and powerful woman in a world where women were regarded as little more than property.

The strong points of this biography include the great detail used to describe how badly Isabella was treated by Edward II. You can't help but feel sorry for Isabella, being treated so badly by Edward and his male lovers. Weir does a good job analyzing the reasons Isabella invaded England with Mortimer (her lover after fleeing England). All in all this really was a great biography of this great woman, one who fought back against the male domination and mistreatment brought upon her.

No realy weak points in my opinion, Weir gives a balanced and largely unbiased portrayl of Isabella.
4225630
I have read several biographies of Jackson.  This is by far the best.  Gwynne paints a portrait of a real man, albeit a hero, and does not shirk from Jackson's idiosyncrasies and shortcomings.  As would be expected, all of Jackson's extraordinary campaigns are detailed with excellent maps of each major battle.  At the same time, Jackson's mistakes in battle are clearly covered as well.  Gwynne is a true historian who also is a gifted writer who makes his history read like a good novel.  Although I knew his subject well, I couldn't put Gwynne's book down.  His efforts here equal his earlier work about the Comanches, "Empire of the Summer Moon."  I highly recommend this book to anyone with interest in the Civil War, be they experts or novices.
4453917
Incredible book!  As usual Walter delivers.  Any other recommendations for biographies?
2479719
I have read at least four biographies on Shah Rukh Khan and this one is one of the best, because it is one of the most candid. It is easy reading so the reader should be able to complete it with ease.
411706
This biography of the great teacher and spiritual guide Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche was written by his nephew and attendant Lama Karma Drodul.  It is presented in an extremely readable and easy to understand style, thanks in part to both the straightforward writing of Karma Drodul and also the superb skills of Yeshe Gyamtso, who translated this book from Tibetan into English.

This book covers the entirety and auspiciousness of Rinpoche's life thus far, from the details of his birthplace and family, to his entering the monastic life and serving both Thrangu Monastery and His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, to his tireless work in America, founding Karma Triyana Dharmachakra and traveling throughout this country establishing centers and placing Western students on the path of Dharma.

This is a book for the student of any level of practice.  KTD Publications has painstakingly included many sidenotes to this biography, explaining even the simplest of Dharma terms, so that even a beginner can read and enjoy this book without confusion or misunderstanding.

Anyone who has ever seen Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, or even heard his name, will benefit from reading this book.  It is a true work of love and devotion for this glorious teacher, who still resides in New York and teaches to this day.  It is also a unique history of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa's vision of bringing Dharma to the West.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about the inspiring life of a man whose devotion led him to offer so much to the world.
4966221
The author is an excellent biographer with a very intelligent and readable writing style.  His portrait of the last Lampedusa is accurate and thorough, leaving the reader with a good sense of the man and his life.  Gilmour also weaves in the threads of complicated Sicilian history which relate to and enhance the story of the real Lampedusas and the fictional Salina family.  I found this to be a must-read complement to Lampedusa's fascinating novel, "The Leopard."  Joan Ardrey
1790508
the best bio out there, read it very slowly as i wanted an old friend to keep coming back to as I knew it was the most thorough bio there was of a fantastic woman
1150498
Hoover, so often vilified and ranked as one of the worst presidents, just begs for a good biography. You just know theres more to the story than we have heard. Charles Rappleye gives us a biography of Hoovers turbulent presidency and only enough of his life before and after to contrast it with his one term in office. He went into office with tremendous respect and admiration and left it with little love lost.

Rappleye did not write as a fan of his subject, but with keen research he did strive to present a balanced picture. Besides, perhaps, going too far in some of his psychological analysis of Hoover, Rappleye brought Hoover to life in this book.

Hoover was a hard worker, had a peculiar personality that was really not a good match for the presidency, and was somewhat petty. At the same time, he had core principles, determination, and great brains. He was also a most unfortunate victim. The Depression was in no way caused by him and was ready to explode before he even took office. There were international factors out of his control too. Really, everything lined up against him and likely no politican could have stopped it. His popular successor was much better at calming the people, but did not stop the Depression either throughout the 1930s.

I left this biography feeling sorry for Hoover and thinking that many of the things he stood for would have been better than what transpired after him. He just lacked a real connection with the American people.

This well-written biography fills in many of the questions you may have. It is a solid contribution.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.
4768759
To me this is the definitive biography.  It is thorough, critical, and unbiased.  His private life was the "American Dream".  He had a terrific public life that was justifiably marred by the incarceration of the Japanese.  If you are a conservative you should read this book so you can understand how a person can be a political conservative and yet be progressive on social issues.