What are you reading now?

[Liz Rosenthal]

That's interesting, Roger! Thanks for referring me to Linda's comment. Now that I've read it, I recall reading somewhere about the incident with MTL and Grant in the carriage where she thought the crowd was only cheering for Grant and was deeply offended.

I now remember Epstein was a little sloppy in other respects, too. For example, he oversimplified Lincoln's position on leaving slavery alone in the South, making it sound like he was looking at the continued existence of the institution in the South somewhat amorally, as a lawyer. Every time this came up in the book, I cringed.

[RJNorton]

(08-31-2013 04:57 PM)Liz Rosenthal Wrote:  I now remember Epstein was a little sloppy in other respects, too.

I agree. Last year I was researching the tragic White House stable fire of February 10, 1864. Several horses and ponies were lost in the blaze. I am an animal lover, including horses, and this event really struck me. Epstein writes, "It was little comfort that the dismissed coachman, Patterson McGee, was arrested the next day." I feel readers are left with the impression that at least someone was going to be punished for the tragedy. But that is all Epstein writes. He doesn't tell the whole story. The reader needs to go to other sources to find that despite being arrested, the evidence against McGee was deemed insufficient, and he was released.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Liz and Roger, I'm glad about your comments on the book. I had it on my wishlist, but now I'll give way to other books first.

[RJNorton]

It's strange, Eva. The back jacket has comments from authors and Lincoln experts - phrases such as "elegantly wrought masterpiece," "meticulous scholarship," and "impeccably researched." I just didn't find it met those glowing praises. Have the folks who write the comments on the back of books always read the book cover to cover?

[J. Beckert]

I think the stable fire was especially hurtful because Willie's pony was lost. That must have been like losing another piece of Willie. Very sad.

[Liz Rosenthal]

(09-01-2013 10:52 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  It's strange, Eva. The back jacket has comments from authors and Lincoln experts - phrases such as "elegantly wrought masterpiece," "meticulous scholarship," and "impeccably researched." I just didn't find it met those glowing praises. Have the folks who write the comments on the back of books always read the book cover to cover?

Actually, no, blurbs may or may not be based on the blurb-writer having read a book all the way through. It's all on the honor system and may be more of a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" sort of activity. I actually had the opportunity to write back-cover blurbs for two books in the last couple of years (one on Rachel Carson, the other on Robert Porter Allen's quest to save the Whooping Crane), and can proudly say that I did read both books cover-to-cover. But, again, whether all blurb-writers do that is another question entirely.

[LincolnMan]

I am re-reading The Frontiersman by Allan Eckert. I read the great book for the first time 5 years ago. Since then I've also read the rest of his volumes in the series.

[BettyO]

I'm just getting around to reading Keehn's Knight's of the Golden Circle - facinating!

[Joe Di Cola]

(10-29-2013 02:21 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I am re-reading The Frontiersman by Allan Eckert. I read the great book for the first time 5 years ago. Since then I've also read the rest of his volumes in the series.

Bill,

That was a great series. Being originally from Chicago, my favorite volume was "Gateway to Empire."

Joe

[Joe Di Cola]

I am currently reading John Ferling's "Jefferson and Hamilton: The Rivalry That Forged a Nation." To me, Ferling is one of the preeminent historians of the founding of our Republic. I have read several of his works.

Next week I will be starting Doris Kearns Goodwin's latest: "The Bully Pulpit." I can hardly wait!

[LincolnMan]

(10-30-2013 10:33 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote:  

(10-29-2013 02:21 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I am re-reading The Frontiersman by Allan Eckert. I read the great book for the first time 5 years ago. Since then I've also read the rest of his volumes in the series.

Bill,

That was a great series. Being originally from Chicago, my favorite volume was "Gateway to Empire."

Joe

Joe: i agree. For those who love American frontier history- it is a "must-read." Have you also read his book on the court- marshal of Daniel Boone?

[Rob Wick]

Since I finished Lincoln's New Salem, I've started reading Jill Lepore's The Story of America, a collection of her essays on the origins of America. I'm also still reading the first volume of Robert Caro's multi-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson. I'm getting ready to begin writing my book proposal (again ) so I'm thumbing through a couple of books on that. Trying to decide what Lincoln book to read next.

Best
Rob

[Joe Di Cola]

(10-30-2013 12:58 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  

(10-30-2013 10:33 AM)Joe Di Cola Wrote:  

(10-29-2013 02:21 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I am re-reading The Frontiersman by Allan Eckert. I read the great book for the first time 5 years ago. Since then I've also read the rest of his volumes in the series.

Bill,

That was a great series. Being originally from Chicago, my favorite volume was "Gateway to Empire."


Joe

Joe: i agree. For those who love American frontier history- it is a "must-read." Have you also read his book on the court- marshal of Daniel Boone?

I will put that on my list. Thanks, Bill.

[LincolnMan]

I'm re-reading Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell- what a hoot. I always laugh with some of her insightful comments on things that we "Lincoln-nerds" and history-buffs don't give a second thought. She points out that "normal" people are just not like us. She talked about the thrill she got climbing the staircase at Ford's knowing that Booth took the same route- to kill the president. Morbid, perhaps, to normal folks- but exciting to us!

[L Verge]

Thank god she brought a friend with her when she visited Surratt House. The friend was interested in learning about life in Southern Maryland and the Surratts. All Sarah was interested in was seeing the guns and saying that she had been somewhere where Booth had been. I guess that's what sells books...