Peter Moore's Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness examines numerous historical figures from the late 18th century. Moore's writing style makesPeter Moore's Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness examines numerous historical figures from the late 18th century. Moore's writing style makes it easy to follow the information. The subject matter, from Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Paine, is examined in few ways I have not read about before. There were a few people, such as John Wilkes and Catharine Macaulay that were entered into the narration, but seemed to get lost or not as fleshed out as well as other figures even though this is quite a long work. I will say that Moore did a great job making Samual Johnson interesting, which I have not read a book that has been able to do that before.
Readers that enjoy late 18th century history will enjoy this work and will probably learn a few new things no matter how well read the reader is when it comes to the subject matter.
I received a digital ARC of this work from NetGalley and the publisher. I thank them for the opportunity, and acknowledge all opinions are my own. ...more
Meier's examination of Morgenthau does what it sets out to do. It is well-researched, well written, and thoroughly covers the depth and breadth of MorMeier's examination of Morgenthau does what it sets out to do. It is well-researched, well written, and thoroughly covers the depth and breadth of Morgenthau's life. Meier doesn't shy away from putting things into perspective of Morgenthau's ego and his drive to achieve status. I learned a lot of information I did not know and came away with a different perspective of the subject than I went into the work with. This book covers a lot, though my review is not lengthy.
If you like biographies, history, and learning more about people and cultural changes of the world then this book is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Becoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President Jonathan Darman Random House Expected Pub Date 6 Sept. 2022 Bio/Memoir-Modern US History
Darman'sBecoming FDR: The Personal Crisis That Made a President Jonathan Darman Random House Expected Pub Date 6 Sept. 2022 Bio/Memoir-Modern US History
Darman's work is well-written and well researched. The thesis is sufficiently met as Darman does use FDR's contraction of polio to show it served as a catalyst for the 39 year old man to change some of his ways and become more determined to become president. The book examines what most consider one of the United States most important presidents from his wealthy beginnings through his sordid adulthood, getting sick and persevering, and into his presidency. Like a few other authors, Darman shows that FDR was unremarkable, shallow, foppish, and slightly forgettable man that, while determined, didn't outwardly seem destined toward a path to reach his ultimate goals. Once he contracted polio he could have stepped back fully into the shadows, but instead, as Darman and others have shown, the illness pushed FDR to become more in the eyes of many until he become the face of a nation during a difficult time period.
If you don't know a lot of FDR then you will probably learn a lot from this book. Having a degree in history and spending many hours reading and researching US presidents means there was little that I learned from this, but I did stay relatively engaged and found the writing to be easy to follow.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the digital ARC of this work in exchange for my honest review. ...more
well written, interesting concept and perspective. Enjoyed the journey of Poe's life, which has been written about numerous times, as presented alongswell written, interesting concept and perspective. Enjoyed the journey of Poe's life, which has been written about numerous times, as presented alongside the changes in science during his lifetime. I also enjoyed the examination of Poe's interest in the subject matter.
Crowther's work is a dual biology of Plath and Sexton, and clearly shows how much she knows about Plath's life. The basis for this book caught my atteCrowther's work is a dual biology of Plath and Sexton, and clearly shows how much she knows about Plath's life. The basis for this book caught my attention, but the book itself did not maintain it. For me there was too much speculation, and too much trying to do too much. I wanted to really enjoy this one and didn't. I think it may be because I already knew most of the basic facts.
The book does seem well researched and has a good concept, it just missed for me.
I can see this book appealing to someone looking for a basic understanding of Plath & Sexton. ...more
How Ike Led is a short introduction to several of the difficult decisions Dwight D. Eisenhower made over the course of his military and political lifeHow Ike Led is a short introduction to several of the difficult decisions Dwight D. Eisenhower made over the course of his military and political life. As the title states, an evaluation of the decisions is not the focus, but a look at the foundational principles of the man that influenced each decision he needed to make. There are few books that micro-focus on President Eisenhower in such a manner, and certainly none by someone as close as his granddaughter, author Susan Eisenhower.
Eisenhower utilizes familial knowledge, interviews with Eisenhower's colleagues, reflection from personal documents, and more to do just what she set out to do with this book. What she accomplishes is a book that looks at integrity, determination, flexibility, and above all personal responsibility that D. Eisenhower used to guide his decisions throughout his career.
Overall, this is a well-written insightful work that looks, however briefly, into the whys of Eisenhower's biggest decisions as well as showing what a successful military and presidential leader should strive to focus on--Personal responsibility with Country over party and authority always. I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about history or interested in human nature.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.
Turpin and Miller's transcription of Whitman's early notebooks provides the public with insight into the writing method and inner workings of Whitman Turpin and Miller's transcription of Whitman's early notebooks provides the public with insight into the writing method and inner workings of Whitman as he added to and formulated his style and person. It is interesting to see the beginnings of works that sometimes appeared in published works but later disappeared, as well as getting to read bits that have never been fully published before. I do take what Whitman wrote with a grain of salt since it has been speculated that in later notebooks he edited his words later because he knew the books would be read, but never the less, this is worth the read (though maybe not in ebook format). I would recommend this to anyone with an interest or enjoyment of Whitman's works. I think this would also make a great companion book for any class teaching the works of Whitman.
Thank you to NetGalley and the University of Iowa Press for the DARC of this work in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Berlau's book offers readers a quick and informative introduction into the various ways George Washington engaged in entrepreneurship. While there is Berlau's book offers readers a quick and informative introduction into the various ways George Washington engaged in entrepreneurship. While there is a lot one can gain from the book, there are problematic areas such as referring to the enslaved men and women on his property as "Washington's crew" or "Mount Vernon's workers" rather than actually addressing them as what they were negating the hardships and harshness faced by those people. The issue of slavery is addressed briefly later in the book, but I feel that fails to correct the misuse of terms throughout other areas of the book. Another problematic section of the book is the final chapter where Berlau pushes the political agenda of his company, Competitive Enterprise Institute, and essentially turns the entire book into propaganda for the company's ideology thus rendering the historical value of the work moot. IMO, as a writer or scholar of history, one should strive to limit personal bias that can cloud the focus of the historical information and render it less intellectual pursuit and more personal manifesto.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the DARC of this work in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Starobin has produced a semi-solid historical work about Alaska gold mining and the men that worked to enrich themselves, often duplicitously. I had aStarobin has produced a semi-solid historical work about Alaska gold mining and the men that worked to enrich themselves, often duplicitously. I had a lot of trouble getting into this book. Often the formulaic format and structure left me wanting. The information was interesting, but many of the attempted mirrorings didn't work for me. I would recommend this work to others because I do think something can be gained from reading the book. While this type of book is usually right up my reading preference alley, I struggled, but I know that doesn't mean others will do the same.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the DARC of this work in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Turner's work examines the formation of a group of religious separatists in England and follows them on their journey to the new world upon the MayfloTurner's work examines the formation of a group of religious separatists in England and follows them on their journey to the new world upon the Mayflower through the formation of the Massachusetts colony. Turner doesn't sugarcoat the negative aspects of the colonists' relationship with the Native Americans, the hardships they face, nor the internal conflicts experienced as they claim to want liberty while sticking to strict religious guidelines.
The work is well researched and extremely detailed. The narration is more for the academic reader than the casual reader, but that isn't always a bad thing. There were moments of speculation that seemed a bit unnecessary, but it was not overwhelming. Overall, the book contributes to the narrative of the pilgrims' history and, therefore, is successful.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Sankovitch seems to effortlessly weave together the history of the Hancock, Adams, and Quincy families during the time leading up to and through the ASankovitch seems to effortlessly weave together the history of the Hancock, Adams, and Quincy families during the time leading up to and through the American Revolution. The book is clearly well-researched, informative, and follows a narrative that successfully fulfills the thesis. The language and tone are easy to follow and isn't unnecessarily complicated like many nonfiction books tend to be.
I learned a lot about many of the more fringe members found in History books that pushed toward revolution such as the Quincys and more about John Hancock. I enjoyed learning not just about perfection and dedication that is often espoused, but about failures and wrong moves that are mentioned in this book. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know about the mindset and actions taken that led to the Revolution.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the DARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Alexis Coe's You Never Forget Your First is a fresh examination of what is a myth and what is a truth about our first president. I have to admit just Alexis Coe's You Never Forget Your First is a fresh examination of what is a myth and what is a truth about our first president. I have to admit just knowing that someone would actually critically look at Washington the man rather than the "humble, military genius" that most authors take really excited me. This book did not disappoint.
Coe explores Washington's ambitious and often tunnel vision style approach to getting what he wanted while also maintaining the reputation a social climber strives to maintain. This is not an attack of Washington, but more an in-depth look at who the man really was outside of what propaganda and even Washington himself strove to portray to the world. I think this book is one of the first biographies I have read of Washington that didn’t seem afraid to say “okay, he did do a lot, but he was far from the perfect, never tell a lie, god-like figure most of us learn about in history class and from reading other biographies.”
Coe’s writing style is easy, engaging, and follows a narrative flow that makes this a great book for anyone interested in learning more about the USA’s first president. Even if you, like me, have read numerous books about Washington, the American Revolution, and the founding of our nation, you can find something new in Alexis Coe’s newest book.
*Thank you NetGalley and Viking Press for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. ...more
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tom Shachtman has written another well-researched, entertaininThank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tom Shachtman has written another well-researched, entertaining, and informative history book. Having studied early American history extensively, I have not read anything that highlights how much the founders of our country had to pay, barter, and charge on credit from and against their own pockets to ensure the Revolution was successful the way this book did so successfully. To read how much they were willing to put toward American independence, from cash to losing ships and trade, puts into perspective how much was truly involved in what it took (not just soldiers, battle strategies, thoughts, and riotous action) to bring the colonies from the grip of British rule. I also enjoyed that the book didn't just end with the revolution but continued through the benefits received and continued struggles the young country and its founders faced forging past the revolution. Shachtman's writing style is easy to read, easy to understand, and worth putting in the time it takes to understand the dense and comprehensive information on each page. Shachtman clearly stated his thesis and maintained the focus on it through the entire book.
I have already recommended this book to numerous friends and colleagues! ...more
Chaffin's Revolutionary Brothers provides general readers a relatively complete overview of the lives of Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de LafayetteChaffin's Revolutionary Brothers provides general readers a relatively complete overview of the lives of Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette while connecting how the two lives intersected and influenced the history of two countries. The discussion of the American Revolution doesn't delve too far into battles and keeps this book from becoming a complicated military history work. Chaffin's narrative style makes the topic accessible to readers that may not have a lot of background knowledge of his topic, and even seasoned readers of the genre can learn something new.
Chaffin is able to successfully achieve his stated goal and provides a unique dual biography that is well written, well researched, and accessible. I will be recommending this book everyone! I received this work as an advanced reader eBook from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both. ...more
Loading...
