The History Book Club discussion

Here is your new thread for 2013.

Our Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

Note: I will delete required format post once you get started.

FEBRUARY

1. by
Finish date: Feb 10, 2013
Genre: Presidential History
Rating: B+
Review: Very interesting and somewhat intense book about Thomas Jefferson who, as the author points out, was more than a diplomat and more than a statesman and more than a president and more than a philsoper, and more than the sum of those parts. I came away from this with a much better understanding of TJ's motivations, aspriations, and point of view. I typically find this period of time difficult to relate to but am also very curious about what life was like, and the who and how and time when our now powerful democracy was formed. The author did a wonderful job of making TJ understood, amid his many conflicts and warts and moments of glory and sadness. I can understand why many presidents after his time have studied and revered him. Personally I find this time period in history difficult to relate to, maybe it's the language. That said, I thought the author did a great job of shining light on the many facets of Jefferson in a way that makes Jefferson accessible.

Jefferson wielded power and influence deftly. It was more than the charm of a young politician, although he had that going for him, but watching the ways in which he could bend others to his will was an art in and of itself. TJ didn't beleive in power for the sake of power alone, but used it aptly when he found it appropraite to achieve a greater good. The big unanswered question with Jefferson is if he was so good at using influcence and abhored slavery why didn't he do something about it? I think Meacham addresses this question, and I think his reasoned opinion is right. I just don't like the answer. But neither the book or the author are to blame for that, far from it.

A fascinating and complex subject matter is aptly examined by a precise and thoughtful author.

I received this book from Random House through Goodreads. Thank you!

2. by Dee Dee Myers
Finish date: Feb 18, 2013
Genre: women and leadership
Rating: B
Review: This book was better than I expected or at least more scholarly. I thought it would be a light hearted view of the issue of women in the workplace but it was much more insightful and well researched. The author used experiences from her time in public service and incorporated those of other women as well. She drew on studies and other evidence of the impact of gender differences in a variety of settings to highlight her point that with more diversity among those in power the world could be a better place and one that takes into account a variety of perspectives. The title might suggest a thesis that women alone should rule the world. That is not her view, but it is no question that things would be different.

Interesting write up on the Dee Dee Myers book.

APRIL

3. by Amor Towles
Finish date: Apr 2, 2013
Genre: Novel set in 1930's NYC
Rating: B
Review: Novel of life in post-depression era NYC told through the eyes of a young single twenty something gal making her way in the big city. It is one of those lilting stories and everything about the period, the place, and the times in this young woman's life, and that of her new found friends, comes to life with imagery and thoughtfulness. There is no big surprise ending, no big mystery to solve (a few small ones, perhaps), but the author has a point to the story and keeps the book moving along at just the right pace. Not a sappy romance or master intrigue, just a very nice story well told. It was a refreshing change from intense non-fiction and nail biting mysteries.

This has been my airplane read while traveling the last few months. It was easy to come and go with it without losing the story continuity.

4. by Tim Weiner
Finish date: Apr 9, 2013
Genre: American history
Rating: B+
Review: The history of the FBI from its inception up to the early days of President Obama's first term in office. The FBI is an institution cloaked in secrecy and mystique, not all good, in the eyes of many Americans. What is great about how this author writes and approaches his subject is to dig deep into the details, line them up so that the facts tell the story all while drawing together disparate parts and weaving together relevant pieces to lay the story all out there. Victories to missed opportunities, he leaves nothing out. He gives detail and analysis without imposing too much of his own judgement, and keeps the story line moving.

The content sometimes scared the hell out of me, frankly. The tactics instituted by J. Edgar Hoover of secret wiretapping and mass imprisonment went too far. Perhaps that is too easy to say in hindsight, but the reality is that Hoover was convinced that the communist threat (to the extent there was one) was behind the civil rights movement and therefore justified wiretapping of civil rights leaders and their lawyers and others around them including hotel rooms they used when traveling. To find what? Nothing, as it turns out. At some point it seemed like the fact they were finding nothing spurned them on to look even harder. It was not a good foundation for an agency that is entrusted with keeping the country safe. Secrecy was ingrained in the FBI for decades. Hoover kept secret files that no one knew about until after his death, not even within the agency.

At the same time you have to admire Hoover's tenacity in how he wielded power and influence with all the different President's under which he served. They didn't all like him, and I don't think he cared too much about that, as long as he could get what he felt he needed to do the job he believed he was charged to do.

By the end of the book I was not in complete shock and despair. Things get better - they get worse for awhile, but they get better by the time we get around to the present day FBI. I have a great deal of repsect for what the women and men of the FBI are tasked with, and like any job there are good and bad among the bunch. It is clear to me that the leader of the organization plays a critical role and has the hardest job of all, to pursue a vision that keeps our country safe in a way that protects civil liberties and follows the rule of law. An intense book but very well done.

Full disclosure: I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway through The History Book Club. Thank you Random House!

Hoover, I think, would use any means to justify his gathering more power for himself. Once a person starts thinking of himself (or, sometimes herself) as the "lone defender" or something like that, it becomes easy to see conspiracies everywhere.

So true, Peter. Congrats on finishing the book, Alisa, well done.

Well said, Peter. Thank Bryan, it was a great book.

5. by Phillip M. Hoose
Finish date: Apirl 14, 2013
Genre: Civil Rights history
Rating: B+
Review: True or false: Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. If you answered true, guess again. The story of Claudette Colvin, a young teenage girl who refused to give up her seat, was in fact the action that sparked what would become known as The Montgomery Bus Boycott. It eventually resulted in a federal court lawsuit, Browder v. Gayle, which declared the laws governing Montgomery transit to be unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. This short book tells the story of Claudette Colvin and her often overlooked role. There is good detail in here about the resolve and incredible organization of the black community in Montgomery during the boycott (the carpool system was a monumental effort), and the early work by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks, and Fred Gray. The highlight of the book is how it brings to life the story of Claudette Colvin, and the many other people in everyday life who risked everything for freedom and justice.

looks good

There were some great pictures in the book too, of the buses, people walking to work, the mass meetings. There were also snippets of interviews with Claudette Colvin interspersed throughout the book and it all seemed to flow quite well.

6. by Dave Eggers
Finish date: April 17, 2013
Genre: History - Hurricane Katrina
Rating: A
Review: The simplistic way to describe this is to say it is a true story of one family's Hurricane Katrina experience, and overcoming the destruction and many challenges they faced before, during, and after the storm. Oh but there is so much more to the story. Abdulrahman Zeitoun owns a successful construction and rental property business in New Orleans. Before the storm hit his wife and children fled the city, and he stayed behind to hold down the fort on their home, business, and customers. He rides out the storm, and then the flood comes. He protects what he can of the family home, sets out in an old metal canoe to do help his neighbors and check in on his customers (and feeds the abandoned neighborhood dogs.) You come to know him as a hard working and compassionate person. Meanwhile, his family finds shelter with family first in Baton Rouge, and then makes their way to close friends in Phoenix. Zeitoun (the gentleman is commonly referred to by his last name) stays in contact with his wife through phone calls he is able to make from one of their rental houses whose phone box and service survived the storm. After several days it is clear that Zeitoun can no longer stay in the city, and as he sets out to find a relief center to navigate his way out of town, he is suddenly arrested. Wait, what? Why? He has no cash, no weapons, committed no crime, and has been rescuing people on his own, what on earth . . . ? What happens from this point on is nothing short of a nightmare.

For those of us who did not experience Katrina it is impossible to fully appreciate what was going on at the time. From the city, state, and federal response that we witnessed through media accounts, you can draw your own conclusions about what was, and was not, happening. Not everything that happened to Zeitoun and his family happened to everyone in New Orleans, but the fact that any of it happened at all is near unfathomable.

The overlay to all of this is that Zeitoun is from Syria and he and his family are Muslim. Life for many Muslims and other immigrants of Middle Eastern heritage has been foisted into a different experience in this country since 9/11. This book delves into some of Zeitoun's background in Syria before coming to the U.S., his upbringing, and religious views. He is not evil, nor was he raised to be anything less than diligent, respectful, and peaceful.

What happens to Zeitoun starting with his arrest going forward is a mishmash of utter breakdown by everyone and everything. The breakdown of law and order, the justice system failures, the complete lack of government leadership and coordination, everyday encounters with people who don't understand folks different from themselves, it's a long list. But stop to consider the perspective of someone who, by virtue of his ethnicity, is treated differently. Are his captors abject racists? Is the system biased? Is it all just a really big mess brought on by the uniqueness of the Katrina disaster? Is how Zeitoun is treated reflective of policy decisions about the U.S. proclaimed war on terror?

There is so much power in this simply told story. Great book, enlightening and necessary story.

7. by Antwone Quenton Fisher
Finished date: April 27, 2013
Genre: Memoir
Rating: B+
Review: True story of a young man's upbringing as a ward of the state of Ohio in the '60's and '70's and his horrendous experiences living with a foster family. A dysfunctional foster family led by a manipulative and heartless mother and a clueless father who house foster kids for money and lie to the state. How young Antwone manages to emerge from this is as an adjusted adult is remarkable, and he gets little help along the way. The book is about the journey of reconciling his past and coming to terms with where he came from and confront his emotions so he can move on productively in life. Very hard to read at times, but this is a story with a purpose told brilliantly and bravely by the author.

8. by Sandra Brown
Finished date: April 28, 2013
Genre: mystery - fiction
Rating: D
Review: Ugh. Should have walked away from this after the first chapter. I was looking forward to a good mystery but instead it is more like a bad Jackie Collins novel with a poorly developed murder mystery forced into the story. I've made some great discoveries buying random paperbacks, but this was not one of them.
and with no disrespect to Ms Collins . . .
Jackie Collins

Don't you hate it when that happens?

Yes! And I somehow feel the need to read the entire thing anyway!

You are a glutton for punishment!!!

MAY
9. by Ishmael Beah
Finish date: May 5, 2013
Genre: Memior - Sierra Leone
Rating: A
Review: The story of a boy growing up in a village in Sierra Leone when rebel forces invade. Villagers are slaughtered and tortured, their homes left in ruin, and the only way to survive quickly becomes a matter of kill or be killed. Ishmael is a young boy and believing his family managed to escape he sets out after them with a few other boys from his village. This book is the story of his odyssey of becoming a boy soldier, his fight to survive civil war, and his eventual path out of war and escape from Sierra Leone. This all happens before he turns 17. Emotionally this is a very difficult book to read, and I had to put it down more than once because it was just too horrendous. When I finished the book my immediate reaction was to close it and hug it, as if to send a little comfort to Ishmael. What this boy lived through was and is not a unique experience. There are children in many war torn countries that endure similar unspeakable horrors. And that is the biggest tragedy of all.

10. by Susannah Cahalan
Finish date: May 15, 2013
Genre: Memoir - illness
Rating: B+
Review: I seem to be on a personal tragedy theme of late. It's not purposeful but getting a little depressing, and this one is a bit frightening. Ever feel a bit out of sorts, in a slump, do something unexpected, and wonder if you are losing your mind? Bad news, you might be but may not recognize it. The author writes of her personal journey through a little known illness that manifests in psychotic behavior including some fairly unseemly seizures, erratic behavior, loss of cognition, and other random episodic behavior. Fascinating personal account of her disease progression (some discerned rough records and later interviews), diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Makes you wonder how many people are walking around with this and don't know it. She was fortunate to have connected with the right medical professionals who had some idea about where to find the answers and were determined to address her issues. Great family and an usually supportive boyfriend who had just entered her life immediately before the onset of her symptoms. He knew her well enough to know early on that something wasn't right, and stayed with her during her lengthy treatment always believing the "the real Susannah" was still in there fighting to get out. A scary and fascinating story.

September

11. by Joseph E. Persico
Finish date: Sept 2013
Genre: WWII
Rating: B+
Review: This book examines the relationship of FDR as Commander in Chief with his military commanders during the course of WWII. Make no mistake, these are all men of ego and personalities that differ vastly from each other as well as that of the President, and the author does an excellent job of showing us each individual's background and temperament. As different as they were from each other, they were brothers in arms military leaders navigating the role of the United States during a world conflict. Leading them was an astute President who was also dealing with other world leaders who had their own ideas about how the allied forces should pursue victory. The author delivers an unvarnished view of the personalities and events of the time, and provides insights to the decisions these men made, their leadership traits, and relationship with each other. I found it insightful and very readable.

Thanks to Random House for providing the book, the availability of the author for online Q&A during our club's discussion, and for all who participated in the group read.