The History Book Club discussion

Alisa, here is your new thread in 2016. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2016
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.

Yay! Thanks for the thread. Expect to be on the board soon.

I know you will, Alisa. Glad that you are participating again!!

JANUARY
1. by Tim Weiner
Finish date: Jan 18, 2016
Genre: US Presidential history
Rating: A-
Review: One Man Against The World: The Tragedy of Richard Nixon, is an aptly titled examination of the events that led to the public unraveling of the 37th President of The United States. I admit coming into this book with the firm view that Richard Nixon was the most disastrous President in United States history for the sheer fact of bringing the country to its knees during the Watergate scandal and leaving us teetering on the brink of a Constitutional crisis. My views were not dissuaded by this book, as the story confirms the assertion that Richard Nixon corrupted the Presidency with his arrogance and blind deceit of the American people. What comes to light here, a well crafted work by the author, is much of the detail behind it all. The bulk of the book centers on Nixon's presidency therefore it was heavy on the Vietnam War, international relations (such as they were), and Watergate. It fell a little short for me on the influences and behaviors in Nixon's early life that set the foundation for his tragic demise and very little about his personal/family relations. (I kept wondering where Pat Nixon was in all this? I have new sympathy for what she must have endured.) Maybe that level of examination is best left for deep psychoanalysis that would still never truly identify the root cause of how his thinking could have gone so horribly wrong. And then there is the equally sad reality that Nixon managed to lead astray what were otherwise reasonably smart men into believing that what they were doing was in the best interest of the country when what they were really doing was committing obvious crimes by following a delusional leader. Gack! At points during this book I wondered where the madness was going to end! It could be hard to read for that reason alone. More than once I had to put it down in disgust and frustration. There is a lot here to sink into - the subterranean move to subvert the peace talks while he was running for his first term, the puzzling and inconsistent (bordering on irrational) behavior of Henry Kissinger, the paranoia that Nixon seemed to harbor of everyone around him, his freakish ability to manipulate, and the eventual tailspin he went into in the days leading up to his resignation from office. Not all the information may be new to the reader, depending on your knowledge of presidential history or how close attention you were paying if you lived during this tumultuous time. Some of the new information may well be things you wish you didn't know (who is minding the store when the President is drunk, and the ruthless disregard for others laid bare by some of the dialogue was jaw dropping.) The facts are disturbing and the realization of what *could* have been is sometimes even more frightening than how it all ended up. In the end, it becomes painfully clear that Nixon was a victim of his own delusional thinking. The real tragedy is that so many people, the country, the American people, and the office of the President, paid dearly.

Tim Weiner's writing is well researched and clear in its point of view. He keeps the story moving at a fast pace yet manages to weave in a lot of pertinent detail without getting bogged down. I have read his other works on the FBI and CIA and found this no less engaging.

I received the book for free through the History Book Club on Goodreads. I thank the publisher for their generosity, The History Book Club for another great discussion series, and the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an open and fair review.

Great review, Alisa!!

Thanks Jill. First book of the year!

2. by Atul Gawande
Finish date: Jan 26, 2016
Genre: Medicine/death and dying
Rating: A
Review: Modern medicine has evolved rapidly over the years, and with so many medical breakthroughs people are living longer and in some cases surviving and emerging after bouts with disease and medical problems that would have been unthinkable in previous generations. But life is finite. No matter how well medicine can treat people, there is no way to escape death. And there is enough mystery to it all that it is impossible to know much about the circumstances by which any individual will run out of time. What we can control is how our last days are lived. And that matters. The arc of life is a story that involves love and relationships, hopes and dreams, joy and sorrow, wins and losses, pleasure and pain. No one gives up the right to live a full life, including right up to the end. There are cycles to how our bodies develop, mature, and decline, and medicine is very smart about how to deal with all of that. Even when the end is near, doctors are looking for solutions. They want to fix things, to heal, to make us well. So when death is near, what is the right answer?

This is more than a one-on-one conversation between a patient and their physician. We as a society seem stuck as to how to address and deal with the inevitable and those in their declining years. Hospitals can't house people in their declining years, so we created nursing homes, which largely devolved into warehouse living for the aged and dependent: a pretty miserable existence. In more recent years the trend has been senior living communities with variable levels of independence and care. But ultimately the mass approach has limitations. Dealing with our loved ones when the time comes is difficult, awkward, and something for which we are not prepared to confront. In this thoughtful book, the author discusses the role of medicine in helping their patients work through end of life matters, how we can all talk to our loved ones, and gives us a framework for insuring that the arc of someone's life is honored as they draw their last breath. For anyone who has aging parents or has someone in their life dealing with a terminal illness, this book is indispensable. Thoughtful and well written, a difficult topic tackled directly and with grace.

Wonderful book, Alisa about a very sensitive subject.

His writing is superb. Very thoughtful work.

FEBRUARY
3. by Gloria Steinem
Finish date: Feb 6, 2016
Genre: memoir
Rating: A
Review: Gloria's humanity and authenticity shine brightly in this memoir. Her writing is much like her speaking voice - clear and genuine - and she manages to weave in a lot of stories and observations about her life on the road over the many years of her activism. One of the things I enjoyed so much about this book are the seemingly little things she shares - the chance random encounters with people from all walks of life, and her conversations with them and what she learned. You can tell she is a careful listener, and part of what makes her such a treasure is her attentiveness to others and what she takes in through each of these experiences as well as how it leads to a process of further discovery for her. I have been an admirer of Gloria Steinem for decades but never really knew much about her upbringing and early life, and I found that part of the story enlightening. She has a powerful intellect and gentle yet determined spirit about her that makes her a unique, thoughtful, and iconic leader. The writing in this book is very accessible, like she could be your good brainy friend who you just love to hang with and talk about the issues of the day. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Terrific reminder of why the fight for equality is so powerful and important for us all.

4. by Bryan Stevenson
Finish date: Feb 28, 2016
Genre: criminal justice system
Rating: A
Review: Soon after entering Harvard Law School Bryan Stevenson focused his interests on representing the poor and disadvantaged. His life work has since become representing those who have been wrongfully convicted and/or subjected to all that is inhumane and unjust about the criminal justice system. Drawing on his representation of men, women, and children who have been cast aside and subjected to unimaginable cruelty regardless of their complete lack of culpability, the author presents a very compelling narrative of the inhumanity society perpetrates on the most vulnerable through a broken criminal justice system that reinforces institutionalized racism, sexism, and the subhuman treatment of children and the mentally ill. Bryan Stevenson has made it his career to right these wrongs and do his part to effect change to a criminal justice system that has become so very badly broken that it kills innocent people without so much as the bat of an eye. There are parts of this book that were very difficult to read, and much of this challenged my views of capital punishment as well as forced me to exam in my attitude towards children who are tried and/or incarcerated as adults.

The writing is accessible and personal. Impossible to read this without being deeply moved. I cried more than once while reading this, in passages that described suffering as well as moments of compassion, victory, loss, and transformation.

I was a criminal justice major in college, but changed my career path many years ago as it felt so pointless. The author has a similar inflection point that he describes in this book, and how he emerged through it is absolutely inspiring. Made me ponder if returning to it in some small way - volunteering, for example - might not be a bad idea. There is so much that can be done.

There is a plenty of despair, sadness, and hopelessness in these pages. In the end there truly is grace, humanity, and mercy, which saves us all.

This looks like a good book Alisa

It is a great book. Planning to listen to his TED talk one of these days soon.

Very good

MARCH
5. by Gary Krist (no photo)
Finish date: Mar 19, 2016
Genre: 20th Century New Orleans
Rating: B+
Review: New Orleans is a place that can draw you in like no other, and having lived and worked there for a brief stint anchored my fascination with my former home-away-from-home. This book weaves together the social and political elements of life from reconstruction through post-prohibition highlighting the forces of politics, vice, crime, and the development of jazz, all of which shaped the foundation for The Crescent City we know and love today. The inhabitants with a thousand contrasts actually seemed to live together quite well until the reform movement got involved and the political efforts to 'purify' the city's image gave rise to riots, the insidious onslaught of Jim Crow laws, and the city generally declaring an unstructured war on itself that often backfired. And when Southern politics are involved, you know it is going to involve a special brand of crazy. Enlightening slice of history written in an engaging style.

MAY
6. by David L. Lindsey
Finish date: May 7, 2016
Genre: Murder mystery
Rating: C-
Review: How do you rate a sh*tty book by a very good author? This tried way too hard to be a murder mystery buried in a love story and it didn't succeed on either front. There was one twist that pulled it together at the end, barely. I read another book by this author that is five star so maybe I was expecting too much. The reason I stuck with this book to the end was because I was expecting it to get better, and it never did. What a disappointment.

JULY
7. by Kirstin Downey
Finish date: July 4, 2016
Genre: American History
Rating: A
Review: Great book about a wonderful and brave woman. Frances Perkins was the first woman appointed to a Presidential Cabinet post when FDR appointed her as Secretary of Labor in his first administration. As the title suggests, the book focuses on the establishment of all government programs that define The New Deal - the establishment of labor and employment rights and regulations, child welfare, immigration, unemployment insurance, and Social Security. Make no mistake, Frances Perkins was the visionary, author, and driver behind all of this. Her early life was one of privilege, but there was a restlessness in her that set her on a quest for learning and finding a way to help others. It was her witness of the tragedy of The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York that set her life calling and determination to forge workplace protections involving worker safety and fair treatment. She became active in New York State politics, and it was during this time that her paths crossed lightly with FDR. Frances had a diplomacy about her that was surely appealing to FDR, and it was this kind of give and take between them that provided the foundation for a relationship built on mutual trust and confidence. At a time when women were viewed as anomalies in politics, her assent onto the national governing stage is the first break in the White House glass ceiling. And what a break it was. In her first meeting with FDR prior to her appointment, she waltzed in expecting to talk about her recommendations for all the social programs she thought she be part of his administrations focus, but had no intention of accepting the Labor Secretary post. FDR politely did not take no for an answer, and soon she was home asking permission from her ill husband if she could take the job and packing her bags for Washington.

Her journey and her life work changed the country dramatically. She took over a bureaucratic post leading an agency that was badly run and neglected. She had to establish herself and take her rightful position in White House administration among skeptics and naysayers who would oppose her and her work for no other reason than her gender, yet she knew in order to get things done she had to be effective in a structure that relied on her ability to forge relationships and influence her detractors. She was careful to understand the motivations of those whose support she needed in order to advance an entire slate of New Deal programs. Although she had plenty of justification to resort to a sharp elbowed approach, brashness was not her way. She knew how to politic without being a pushover. She was a tireless advocate for her vision of government's proper role to provide dignity and security throughout life for every citizen, from cradle to grave, and how this would lead to lasting economic and national security. The forty hour work week, workplace safety, workers rights and protections secured through collective bargaining, elimination of child labor, and the minimum wage. Don't forget Social Security. Her one regret? Not being able to pass universal health insurance. Republican Senators torpedoed that plan. No doubt she would have been a big proponent of the Affordable Health Care Act if she were alive today - although she might have thought it did not go far enough. :-)

Kirstin Downey authored a magnificent book which brings to life the work of Frances Perkins, a magnificent woman of incredible vision, resolve, and results. There are many great insights about her working relationship with FDR as well as how he worked with his other cabinet members. The New Deal was landmark for its time and the legacy of that is something we all enjoy in this country. Ironic that I finished this book on Independence Day.

October
8. by Diana Nyad
Finish date: Oct 2, 2016
Genre: Memior, Sports
Rating: A
Review: Diana Nyad is someone who has variably caught my attention over the years. I admired her for her tenacity in attempting open ocean endurance swims and was generally aware of her as an endurance athlete at a time when women were considered anamolies for such accomplishments, but I never really understood what she was trying to prove or why she was doing it. Swimming around Manhattan or from Cuba to Florida is not a team sport. It's some sort of personal quest for I don't know what exactly. I mean, what do you get out of such a thing? In recent years when she attempted the Cuba to Florida swim I have to admit curiosity if she would make it which intensified each time she failed, and then tried again. At some point I wondered when she was going to give it up. By the time she was at her third attempt she was swirling around 60 years of age. Not exactly elderly, but arguably not an age that is considered the pinnacle of physical prowess. What the hell? I wondered if she was a little nuts.

Turns out, she is one laser-focused, determined, and tough woman. Her mission is personal. She dreams big. She works incredibly hard. She enlists and inspires a small army for her team. And she never ever ever ever gives up. Ever.

Diana is a worthy author. She writes with heart and she writes very well. She lets it all out - this is not the tome of a self-absorbed star. She shows humility, and lays bare some very dfficult personal circumstances that others would bury. She writes with the same genuine spirit that drives her. She also manages to weave in details that cover multiple topics ranging from clinically scientific to the existential without losing cohesion to the story line. Well done!

This book is about so much more than her historic athletic accomplishments. It is a memoir of a life marked by trauma, challenge, loss, hard work, love, friendship, teamwork, vision, defeat, examination, and glory. Reading this I laughed, I cried, I agonized, and ultimately I celebrated.

So . . . "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" (Mary Oliver, for "The Summer Day"). Diana Nyad answers this aptly for herself. She will also make you think about how you answer that question for yourself.

November
9. by Stacy Schiff
Finish date: Nov 20, 2016
Genre: Ancient history/Cleopatra
Rating: C-/D
Review: Disappointing. Ancient history is not my thing but I am intrigued by iconic women so I was excited to dig into this. Unfortunately I found the author's style to be choppy, and it is difficult to follow some of the relationships and geographical movement. The best part of the book was the last 40 pages but by then I was so eager to be done with it I couldn't get through it fast enough. What should have been an interesting subject turned out to be dry and boring.

Alisa wrote: "November
9. by Stacy Schiff
Finish date: Nov 20, 2016
Genre: Ancient history/Cleopatra
Rating: C-/D
Review: Disapp..."

My feelings too, Alisa. I didn't finish this one.

I was going to look for that book, Alisa but I think I probably have enough to read based on your recommendation and Donna's comments.

Jill wrote: "I was going to look for that book, Alisa but I think I probably have enough to read based on your recommendation and Donna's comments."

I came pretty close to abandoning this one. Sigh.

I read it for our group read here on HBC, and liked it. I guess it depends on the person, as with everything.

Samanta, I also read Cleopatra: A Life and enjoyed it. Although Cleopatra has been the subject of much historical imagination and even vilification, not that much is really known about her life. I thought Schiff did a very good job of showing what life was like in those times and how Cleopatra managed her opportunities and very difficult challenges. I ended up admiring Cleopatra. I have to agree that the book was not easy reading, but I found it worthwhile.

by Stacy Schiff

I learned something about her and the times and circumstances in which she lived. It just didn't come together for me.

Ann and Alisa, I liked it because it didn't give that Hollywood version of her life story, where she is the namesake of the story, but always put somewhere in the back and a villain.

10. by Ernest Hemingway
Finish date: Nov 26, 2016
Genre: fiction/classics
Rating: B-/C+
Review: Hemingway was a great writer but wow he must have been some kind of tortured and delusional soul when he penned this piece. I get it, but something about the style of long winded moral to the story theme that doesn't always grab me.

Good progress Alisa

DECEMBER
11. by Jill Leovy (no photo)
Finish date: Dec 29, 2016
Genre: true crime/criminal justice system/policing
Rating: B+
Review: A powerful examination of the cycle of black on black murder and gang associated violence in south central Los Angeles in the late 1990's and the early 2000's, the narrative is told using the story of one particular homicide where the victim was the son of a L.A. police detective. This is a gritty and heart wrenching book that exposes the ugly reality of how it is that society turns a blind eye to the problem, and offers some hope in what can be done about it. Detailed and insightful, it reads like a cross between a police procedural and a great narrative. Very compelling.