Katia > Recent Status Updates

DREAD. DREAD. ABSOLUTE DREAD. This is not okay. AHHH. This is so sad. So awful. When you know what is supposed to happen… and seeing the events leading up to it happening… ahg!! I’m sick. Whyyy!?

At last, we are introduced to the trio.
The first chapter was my favorite thus far. John gets kicked out of the convent. I enjoyed the language Doyle uses. Going on, Sheltered Alleyne turns 20 and is permitted to experience the world before deciding if he’d like to join the holy orders. He sees some strange things. Then, boisterous Samkin shows up at the tavern, jolting the convent boys to a venture. What next!?

Reagan to Bush | Obama, Trump, Biden
Needed to mention recent tech advances, and how these affected politics/the public.
Learned more about the first Bush. Interesting. Clinton’s rise was also “newer” for me.
I wish the background was given for Trump and Biden, out of fairness. Instead, we get author takes.
And, I wish an author from “middle” America could add his opinion/take to most recent presidents.

LBJ to Carter
Not a fan of this time period in general. Not a fan of LBJ or Carter. Bothered by the rise of the power of media—how they shape hearts and minds, especially on handling of foreign policy. Corrupt and large govs. Nixon made some notable moves, unfortunately the highlights of his presidency are overshadowed by Watergate. Appreciate Ford’s hopeful outlook.
Carter- Pessimism to RR optimism, here we go!

FDR to JFK
Turbulent and rapidly changing times, with more media coverage and public access. (Also, more things withheld from the public.) Truman was the most interesting to me. I dislike First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I like that Ike and his wife started to watch sitcoms at dinner—hints of more modern American habits. Tech progress, infrastructure, gov agencies, civil rights; Korean, Cold, and Vietnam Wars.

Taft to Coolidge
The Progressive Era and Roaring Twenties
I feel “enlightened” after these chapters.
Tubby Taft—I never knew about the Republican rift with T. Roosevelt, leading to Wilson’s election. Never have been a fan of Wilson, but appreciate what Churchill said about him. Loathe Harding. Scandalous. Gross. (Women, beware of voting upon looks!) “Silent Cal” Coolidge is a favorite. Quite respectable.

Johnson to T. Roosevelt.
Ok—Reconstruction and Gilded Age presidents.
Grant, a favorite. Fair assessment. Another unlikely favorite found in McKinley.
I want to know more about William Jennings Bryan, who ran multiple times.

Harrison to Lincoln.
Such turbulent times!
Shocked most to learn details about Franklin Pierce. Tragedy and alcoholism, yet a touching letter to Lincoln as they mourned their sons. Humanity demonstrated despite deep political differences. Interesting details about Zachary Taylor. I do wish more attention was given to Lincoln’s western policies. A touching assessment of his presidency, nonetheless.

Decent portrayals of Monroe, Quincy, Jackson, and Buren. Although, I would have liked to know Buren’s morning routine, as such was given for all the previous presidents discussed. Looking forward to learning about William Henry Harrison.

Interesting read thus far. I wish more attention was given to Thomas Jefferson’s chapter, and James Madison’s before the War of 1812–it focused on Dolley more. Readable, as it is broken down into manageable segments. Great work on tracing the “side characters”, like Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.
Favorite part was the Marquis gifting an alligator to Adams. Sounds like the Marquis.

Ugh. Poison!? I feel like I predicted this—guessing now it’s one of the suitors? To see. The hint was dropped earlier on, the distrust sown… it’s gotta be who I’m thinking.

“Experience is irreversible.”
Kinda scared to go on…

Hilarious!

Act 2. Finding the language actually easy to understand, at the same time a moderate challenge.

Reading is my hobby. Books are my imaginarium.