Bevan Houston
Honestly difficult to make it through.
As (surprisingly) interesting as I found Andrew Jackson, his right hand man Van Buren leaves you wanting. VB's sole major accomplishment was the creation of the modern political party and the establishment of the two party system. He was a man who was personally virtuous, played it safe with most every major hot button issue and spent most of his life working the back corridors of power.
So - if you're writing about VB - this is what you have to work with, and Cole wasn't able to spin gold from this straw.
Book was written in 1984, I could have guessed 1904.
Good book - I enjoyed his willingness to engage with the current historical trends. He specifically names historians he disagrees with and says why. This kind of clarity of thought is really engaging. I think he makes a very good “rebound” case that we have swung the pendulum too far away from embracing the idea of Union as a core motivation for the North's willingness to fight in the Civil War.
One key item felt very unsatisfying - he spoke early on of the inability to produce a coherent thread of opinion through the voluminous soldier correspondence, yet he attempts exactly that for the second half of the book. It would have been useful for him to give more explanation why his analysis of excerpts from soldiers letters was better than those he criticized earlier.
Still a short, useful, and interesting book
I had expected to get a better picture of the main currents within global (or Atlantic, at least) abolitionism. The book touched on these topics a little bit, but the weight of the effort was giving a tour of major events leading up to American abolition during the Civil War. Obviously one of the biggest threads to address, but one that is so thoroughly covered in most Civil War books. It felt redundant to spend so much time here, when lacking more effort at coloring in the bigger picture of how and why the tide turned so much in the West between 1800 and 1860.
I'm a little amazed that this book received the favorable reviews that it has. I've read a lot of books this year, getting through this mess of a biography was the worst slog of 2019. The author's inconsistent weighing of biographical detail and and incessant “pithy” commentary are made all the more painful by a book length that is way out of scale for a minor (but important) figure in American comedy history.
I have the privilege of serving in the same Presbytery as Rev. Philliber, so I will be generous with any book he writes as I would be a friend. Beyond that though, I strongly commend this book as very appropriate to our times and one that benefited me greatly by reading. Two separate times I was struggling over a matter and reading a section of this book untangled my thoughts and led me to make better decisions and adjust my posture. What more can you say for a book that encourages your spirit and helps guide your steps?
It is always tough to separate one's opinion of a history book from your opinion of the value of the subject (this is why there is an Abraham Lincoln book published every day of the year). I think the post-WW2 cultural renaissance out of Rome is fascinating on many, many levels. I would gladly read another book that tried to explore the rise of Italian fashion & film from the (literal) ashes of war-torn Italy. This book was good... but not great. Nothing jumped off the page to me as particularly insightful. It is just such an interesting slice of history, even an average effort is worth the time.
Decent overview
Could have opted for an evening on Wikipedia for the same effect, not a compelling storyteller.
Strongly recommend Rubicon by Todd Holland instead.
Excellent book, very tempted to give five stars.
Difficult to review a biography, as you can be wrapped up in your appreciation of the subject and let that influence your thoughts on the book.
I think Grant seems to be more forgotten than cherished in modern memory and that is a shame as his record of true humility in leadership and strong efforts for Civil Rights for Freemen and Indians set him apart from most all of his contemporaries.
This biography is very good, White flows effortlessly through his life with clear and readable prose.
I'd highly recommend it for someone seeking an initial biography to read of Grant - which will also give you a decent overview of the Civil War and the years of activity in politics & business.
A rare book that has the courage to take a wide sweep of history to create a unifying thesis AND the skill to rise to the challenge.
A near masterpiece.
Wonderful, fascinating read. I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book.
Short book, at times so funny that I audibly laughed.
Can't rate it much higher as it really isn't a book, as much as a collection of comedy pieces - uneven at times.
I'd recommend it to anyone who loves the idea of an eccentric billionaire who spends lots money to make people miserable in simple to elaborate setups.
Kind of fascinating book, worthy ideas - but the execution isn't up to the gravity of the topic.
This feels like a series of collected blog posts or magazine articles.
Did not have the same impression from author's book on Debt.
Delightful romp through the history of major scientists and engineers who studied and captured the power of various gasses.
Really excellent book, strongly considered five stars.
Very few books are as funny as the first half of Tom Sawyer. I think the humor drops off as the adventure side of the story takes off in the second half.
One could write a whole book at how to tackle or ignore the racist tone and language - I feel little capable of properly wading into those waters.
Still love the book and reading most anything Twain writes.
Fantastic read - finished in two sittings.
Excels at both a great plot and also seeming to capture the world of frontier trappers and mountain men - the nearly constant walk along the edge of death for the promise of money.
Really fascinating book. Did something for me that rarely happens with a book - it fundamentally changed my behavior. I used to take a high level of joy in internet lynch mobs - attacking clueless people who had embarrassed themselves in public. Reading about people who have gone through this is such an eye opener. I also always put it down thinking harder about shame, sin, guilt, etc.
Excellent book, gave me a vivid picture of the amazing work done by Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP in the 1950s.