The History Book Club discussion

Hello Everyone,

For the week of April 4th - April 10th, we are reading approximately the next 25 pages of Legacy of Ashes.

This thread will discuss the following chapters and pages:

Week Fourteen - April 4th - April 10th -> FORTY, and FORTY-ONE, and FORTY-TWO p. 394 - 422
FORTY - He Was Running a Great Risk and FORTY-ONE - A Con Man’s Con Man and FORTY-TWO - To Think the Unthinkable



Remember folks, these weekly non spoiler threads are just that - non spoiler. There are many other threads where "spoiler information" can be placed including the glossary and any of the other supplemental threads.

We will open up a thread for each week's reading. Please make sure to post in the particular thread dedicated to those specific chapters and page numbers to avoid spoilers. We will also open up supplemental threads as we have done for other spotlighted reads.

We kicked off this book on January 3rd. We look forward to your participation. Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other noted on line booksellers do have copies of the book and shipment can be expedited. The book can also be obtained easily at your local library, on iTunes for the ipad, etc. However, be careful, some audible formats are abridged and not unabridged.

There is still a little time remaining to obtain the book and get started. There is no rush and we are thrilled to have you join us. It is never too late to get started and/or to post.

Welcome,

~Bentley

Week of
 April 4th (Week Fourteen of our Discussion)

Week Fourteen - April 4th - April 10th -> FORTY, and FORTY-ONE, and FORTY-TWO p. 394 - 422
FORTY - He Was Running a Great Risk and FORTY-ONE - A Con Man’s Con Man and FORTY-TWO - To Think the Unthinkable


This is a link to the complete table of contents and syllabus thread:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

We are off to a good beginning.

TO SEE ALL WEEK'S THREADS SELECT VIEW ALL

Tim Weiner

Remember this is a non spoiler thread.

The Iran-Contra hearings are one of my earliest memories as a political person. Oliver North preaching loyalty and country. I did not know until now that Reagan signed the order! Everyone suspected Bush knew something, and everyone knew Casey knew everything. It is a sad chapter indeed.

I always wondered why there was not more public outraged for Iran-Contra and the actions of Casey and North. I joked it was cable TV. While Watergate was televised to a captive audience, the viewing public of the 1980's had learned to flip the channel.

Seriously, why?

Maybe one reason, Mary, was that all the indictment was focused on the CIA and NSC, and not Reagan and the office of president so much. Colin Powell moved in to take charge of the NSC pretty quickly after that and this helped. Watergate focused on Nixon and the top levels of power. Do you think that is a fair assessment?

In his book, it is interesting that Reagan says he is ultimately responsible for Iran-contra, but suggests that Casey's illness forced him to make bad choices.

Ronald Reagan

I think that you are correct. I would also add there was a true popularity, indeed liking, of Reagan by the public that shielded the president.

Mary wrote: "I think that you are correct. I would also add there was a true popularity, indeed liking, of Reagan by the public that shielded the president."

excellent point, Mary.

Mary I think you zeroed in on it. I recall Oliver North was viewed by some as somewhat of slickster in uniform, which also deflected some of the attention from his commander in chief.

Well I am behind and leaving for vacation and really would be more pleased to not have this book waiting for me when I return but I will not carry it and I will not finish it before I leave.
I agree with everyone but note that Oliver North seemed to have benefited in later life for his illegal actions with the Contra incident.
I will be pleased when the book is over and then I will wonder how the CIA is managed these days

About North, so true, Vince, it propelled his media career. He is still on Fox with his own show, right? I haven't seen it. Is it any good?

Unfortunately Vince...none of us are sure about the CIA (management or not). Very true; the media felt that here was an attractive male that they could propel into public attention. Someone willing to bend the rules a bit. Yes, Bryan he is on Fox I believe. He is not bad in the role actually although I am not in favor of what he did with the Contra incident or how it was handled by our president at the time.

Bentley wrote: "Unfortunately Vince...none of us are sure about the CIA (management or not). Very true; the media felt that here was an attractive male that they could propel into public attention. Someone willin..."

i am glad you answered Bryan as i didn't know.

I haven't seen one of his shows, but maybe I should tune in.

You are not missing a lot Bryan.