Tag Archives: History

Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot – Reads like a 1,300 page indictment

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When I saw that Max Boot had written Reagan: His Life and Legend, I was excited to read this biography.  Reagan is a leader I had come admire over the years.  This book has a lot of favorable reviews, so I had high expectations.

Sadly, this biography on Ronald Reagan was a disappointment.  Max Boot did a tremendous amount of research about the former President.  But the book that he wrote is more like 1,300-page indictment against Reagan.  His bias comes through on every page.  Boot seems to think Ronald Reagan is the equivalent of a simpleton, like the character Chauncey Gardiner.  I found the author to be hyper-critical and negative of Reagan as a person and as a leader.  This book was very wearisome to read.  For the above reasons, I do not recommend this book. 

I would like to thank the publisher Liveright and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an electronic copy of Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson – Detailed account of the beginning of the Civil War from personal narratives and historical records

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Erik Larson is one of my favorite non-fiction writers and I was excited at the opportunity to read his newest book, The Demon of Unrest – A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War.  

The Demon of Unrest is different than other books by Erik Larson.  The book starts at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s election and inauguration, and the start of the secession of the southern states, led by South Carolina.  We see the Buchanan Administrations indifference, weakness and failures that left the US military serving in southern states vulnerable to attack.  Lincoln was walking into a tinderbox and a Nation divided.  Southern proslavery extremists were fomenting secession and if necessary, war so they could maintain their standard of living and wealth built on the backs of enslaved human beings.

Erik Larson did a tremendous amount of research and tells the story of what happened from many different viewpoints.  He compiled the personal narratives from diaries and wove them together with many historical records to document this time in history. 

I was most compelled by Fort Sumter’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, and President Abraham Lincoln.  There were so many details that it kind of overwhelmed the personal side of the story and what the people went through and endured. 

The Demon of Unrest is a long book and it took me over two months to read.  I was about 20 percent in to the book and I almost called it quits.  I was disgusted by the moral depravity of James Henry Hammond that was shared in too much detail.  I would like to have had that summed up without going into the gross details of this vile man.  If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped that section.  Since I respect Larson’s writing, I decided to give another try.  I am glad I finished the book.  I found it hard to comprehend and relate to the southerner’s mindset, tolerance, and approval of slavery. 

My favorite chapter was the epilog that summed up the how the war ended and impacted the various people whose stories were included in this historical book.  I would like to have had several charts or overviews on the timeline and the people from both the north and south, with their titles and a brief description.  It would have helped me as I was reading through this historical narrative. 

Erik Larson started off the book talking about January 6th and related it to the Civil War.  Other than a reflection of a Nation divided, I did not see the comparison.  It was a bit off-putting. 

If you love history, especially US history or the Civil War, or are an Erik Larson fan, I recommend this book.  

I would like to thank Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell – A Refreshing and Lovely Read

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Maybe it was the winter season that piqued my interest in reading Marta McDowell’s book All the Presidents’ Gardens.  With our garden at rest, it was a lovely time to read about the history of the Presidents’ gardens at the White House over the last 235 years.

I absolutely loved reading this book.  It was a combination of history, gardening, with a little bit of biographies mixed-together.  It was refreshing to see the love of gardening from our Presidents, their wives, and families, and how they enjoyed the fruits of the labor of those who executed design plans.  What a huge task for the men and women who designed the gardens over the years.  I found it interesting to learn how everyone’s background, education, and experience influenced the designs, selection of plants, and the additions of other elements to make the gardens what they wanted. 

As a gardener, I found I connected with the Presidents and their families that had a love for gardening.  I appreciated their desire for seed and plant preservation.  I came away from reading this book with a new appreciation for how gardening is passed down from one generation to another.

If you love gardening, history, biographies, or design, I highly recommend All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.  This was a lovely and refreshing book to read. 

I would like to thank Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Strike of the Sailfish by Stephen L Moore – Fascinating World War II History

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In recent years, I have been interested in reading World War II history books and wanted to read Stephen L Moore’s book The Strike of the Sailfish, Two Sister Submarines and the Sinking of a Japanese Aircraft Carrier.

The sister submarines, the Squalus and Sculpin, seemed to be ill-fated.  In 1939, off the coast of New Hampshire, the Squalus sunk.  Twenty-six of officers and men drowned, and thirty-two men remained alive.  Thanks to the help from the men on their sistership, the Sculpin and other ships, the men were rescued.  Amazingly, the Squalus was raised, decommissioned, and overhauled.  In 1940, she was recommissioned as the USS Sailfish.  Three of the Squalus survivors went on to serve on the Sailfish during WWII in the Pacific.  Their sistership, the Sculpin was also in the battle in the Pacific fighting against Japan. 

What happened to officers and men who served on those submarines and what they encountered during WWII is hard to imagine.  This book was well researched and is filled with a lot of details about the men who served, operation of the submarines, problems encountered with equipment, weapons, and the challenges of fighting a war in a submarine. 

The difference an effective leader can make as he leads his men in the battle was amazing to read about.  What these men endured in the submarines, the battles they fought, facing storms, disasters, being taken rescued, only to be taken captive as prisoners of war is almost beyond comprehension.  The drive to survive and commitment to fight and win the battle was awe inspiring.

There were times, it was hard to read what about what these men experienced.  But I am glad I finished it.  In many ways, these men were part of the greatest generation who fought evil and won.  So very grateful for their service and sacrifice. 

If you are interested in World War II history, or appreciate the military, you may wand read The Strike of the Sailfish by Stephen L Moore.  It was challenging, and at times a hard read, but it was well worth it. 

I would like to thank the Publisher Dutton Caliber and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Strike of the Sailfish by Stephen L Moore.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

George VI and Elizabeth – The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith – Fascinating Biography and Look at History

Posted in Biography, Book Review, England, George VI and Elizabeth, Great Brittan, History, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Royalty, Sally Bedell Smith, The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy, WWII by

When I had the opportunity to read the biography of George VI and Elizabeth by Sally Bedell Smith, I was excited to learn about Great Brittan’s history during a pivotal time in the world.  I believe there is no better way to learn history than through biographies.  I absolutely loved this book!  It was great!

So many factors made this book great.  First and foremost, Prince Albert, who was later crowned King George VI and his wife Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, who became Queen Elizabeth.  Later, and for many years, she was known as the Queen Mum.  One can’t help but see God’s divine hand of providence in raising up these two and preparing them for leadership during a critical time when evil threatened to overtake the world.  Though they were royalty, they also seemed to be well-grounded, genuine, decent, honest, and caring people. 

It was interesting to learn of Elizabeth’s reluctance to marry Prince Albert, thought she cared deeply for him.  They seemed like the perfect match and I cannot quite imagine Albert growing into the man who would be king apart from his relationship with Elizabeth.  Perhaps the weight of the monarchy weighed heavy on her and she knew the high cost she would pay. 

Having previously read a biography on Prince David, King Edward the VIII, the abdicating king, I found myself grateful that King George VI was his successor.  You cannot help but see God’s merciful hand in removing the morally depraved, hedonistic, self-absorbed man who sided with the Nazis.  Can you imagine how WWII might have ended with Edward VIII as king?  King George VI was the right man at a pivotal time in history. 

King George VI was a reserved, wise, and learned man.  He became a great leader with his strong, wise, committed wife, Queen Elizabeth, by his side. 

I also found interesting the early life of Princess Elizabeth, future Queen Elizabeth II.  From a very young age, she raised, educated and well equipped to step into the role as Queen of England at a very young age. 

Another fascinating aspect of this biography were the relationships forged between King George and Queen Elizabeth with various leaders, like Churchill, Roosevelt, and others.  Also interesting were the various family ties with European royal families.

The life of royalty and aristocracy was so very different than the average citizen.  I appreciated the humility and willingness of the King and Queen to be with their people especially during the brutal suffering the English endured during WWII.

Author Sally Bedell Smith did a tremendous amount of research and had access to a large volume of records to write the biography of George VI and Elizabeth.  She did a great job combining all the information she had, but kept it personable and relatable.  The people, King George, Queen Elizabeth and their family and friends did not get lost in the facts and information about their lives and times in which they lived.  It truly was The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy. 

As a side note, it is interesting to see what’s happening in the modern-day monarchy and how some of the family patterns, both good and bad, are being repeated. 

I loved reading George VI and Elizabeth by author Sally Bedell Smith.  It was fascinating and a tremendous book that I did not want to put down.  It was one of the best biographies I have ever read.  I highly recommend this book. If you like history, WWII, learning about the royal family, or biographies be sure to read this book.  It is a long book, but well worth your time and effort. 

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of George VI and Elizabeth – The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson – Riveting, Interesting, Insightful, Heartbreaking, Thrilling. – If you read only one book this year, The Splendid and the Vile is the one to read.

Posted in Book Review, Churchill, Crown Publishing, Erik Larson, Great Britain, History, NetGalley, Prime Minister, The Splendid and the Vile, WWII by

When I learned that Erik Larson had released a new book, I could hardly wait to read it and was riveted as I read The Splendid and the Vile, A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz.

The book starts out in May 1940, when Winston Churchill was appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain.  It covers the first year of his leadership, but it was a pivotal year and devastating for the entire nation.  It’s almost incomprehensible to imagine what it was like for Great Britain to endure the relentless and vile bombings they suffered from Nazi Germany.  But Erik Larson has taken what is hard to imagine and helps the reader to learn about this unique and brave leader who inspired a nation and helped Great Britain to endure while suffering great losses and come out victoriously as the great evil of Nazi Germany was defeated.

When reading this book, God’s providential hand in raising up the right leader for a nation at the right time is evident.  One can only speculate how England would have fared and how WWII would have ended with a different man as Prime Minister.

Not only do you get to know PM Winston Churchill and his view of the war, but this book really comes to life as you learn about and from the people who surrounded Churchill, what they saw, felt and experienced.  Clementine, Churchill’s wife was every bit his equal and we learn quite a bit about their children, especially their son Randolph and youngest daughter Mary

Those who surrounded the Prime Minister provide insight into Churchill and how Great Britain prepared and fought the war, including from John Colville, Churchill’s private secretary whose diaries documented behind the scenes happenings, to Frederick Lindermann (The Prof) Churchill’s scientific advisor, to Max Aitken-Lord Beaverbrook the man who Churchill believe would help their country ramp-up aircraft production so they could wage an effective air campaign against the Nazi’s.

The book also looks at the war through the lens of Nazi leaders including, Hitler, Goring, Goebbels, Hess and flying ace Adolf Galland.  It was both interesting and horrifying to see how they viewed what they were doing and their ultimate goal to defeat Great Britain.

The Splendid and the Vile is a full-bodied look at Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the people who surrounded him and the people of Great Britain and the suffering they endured.  This is a tremendous book, it’s an interesting, insightful, heartbreaking and thrilling look at history, a strong unique leader and a people who did not crumble when facing great evil unleashed against them.

I highly recommend The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson.  If you read one book this year, other than the Bible, this is the one to read.  Especially during this time in our Nation and the world, this book will put into perspective what we are going through compared to what Great Britain and the world endured during WWII.

I would like to thank Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Splendid and the Vile by author Erik Larson.  Mr. Larson is a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more of his work.  I was provided with a free copy of the book but under no obligation to give a favorable review.