The History Book Club discussion

Bryan Craig, this is your thread for 2017. I have included the link to the required format thread and an example. If you had a 2016 thread - it is archived - but you can still add books to it for the last few days of December.

Please follow the standard required format below - I hope you enjoy your reading in 2017. Here is also a link for assistance with the required guidelines:

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2017
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.

Thanks Bentley. I'm about ready to put in my first book. I only got 20 more pages to go.

Great and you are welcome.

JANUARY

1. by Joseph J. Ellis
Finish date: January 4
Genre: American History
Rating: A-
Review: This is an interesting read, because Ellis argues that it was a small group of men that pulled the U.S. from a confederation to a republic with stronger federal power. Well written and engaging.

Great start

2. by Ari Berman
Finish date: January 24
Genre: American history
Rating: A+
Review: A great read on voting rights history from the 1960s to today. Required reading.

Bryan wrote: "2. by Ari Berman
Finish date: January 24
Genre: American h..."

Another one for my TBR pile.

Yes indeed, Peter. I have to warn readers that Berman comes down on the side that politicians who support voter ID laws are doing it to suppress minority voting, not for election integrity. He argues that there is little voter fraud. Some might not agree.

Reference:
Ari Berman

All of the studies have pointed that out. I only am quite familiar with this because of recent events. However I have to say that I know of one person who would not agree - but then again I think his posturing is one of smoke and mirrors because his attorneys were quite adamant that there was nothing of the sort in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. This is indeed a very timely read as you probably have found out (lol).

I can't imagine who Bentley could POSSIBLY be thinking of. But it's huge.

Yes, I'm sure the Republicans will be happy to help the president with his "alternative" facts and investigation. The findings and the rhetoric all play into more restrictive voter laws.

Based upon the rhetoric of the past few days - I can think of at least 3 to 5 million reasons to read this book (smile). Fantastic. "It's true".

FEBRUARY

3. by Barbara Leaming
Finish date: February 27
Genre: Biography
Rating: B+
Review: This is a fascinating account of the first lady as the author argues that she suffered PTSD. Makes a lot of sense.

MARCH

4. by Nicole Hemmer (no photo)
Finish date: March 10
Genre: American History
Rating: A
Review: We all know about Fox News, but what lead up to it? This is a really interesting book that sheds light on the conservative media pioneers of the 1950s and 1960s. Well written and very informative.

I am fascinated by the book on Jackie and think that it makes a lot of sense too.

Bentley wrote: "How soon we forget Bryan - don't forget to bold months (lol) - I am fascinated by the book on Jackie and think that it makes a lot of sense too."

Done, thanks for the reminder. Yes, the book on Jackie was fascinating. She could tell you details of that Dallas day in great detail. She avoided many things in life that would bring up that day and depressed. She didn't seek therapy until many years later.

It is funny but she probably remembered many things in great detail but others she probably blocked. The avoidance was a way to deal with the depression and her loss.

April

5. by E.J. Dionne Jr. (no photo)
Finish date: April 14
Genre: Politics
Rating: A-
Review: This is a fascinating book, as Dionne argues that the GOP had radicalized to point that they fall short on their dreams and make governing very difficult.

6. by George Lakoff
Finish date: April 18
Genre: Politics
Rating: A-
Review: For Democrats, this is a good handbook on how conservatism think. The first chapter alone is worth reading as the cognitive scientist delves into the conservative mind. Author argues that Democrats need to create their own powerful message the GOP has done.

Bryan wrote: "April

5. by E.J. Dionne Jr. (no photo)
Finish date: April 14
Genre: Politics
..."

I like EJ Dionne. Looks like a good one, adding to the list.
E.J. Dionne Jr. (no photo)

Great, Alisa, I really enjoyed it.

7. by Nicholas O'Shaughnessy (no photo)
Finish date: April 25
Genre: European history
Rating: B
Review: This is a fascinating book as a communications professor delves into the use of propaganda.

JUNE

8. by John A. Farrell
Finish date: June 7
Genre: Biography
Rating: A
Review: The best one-volume treatment of Nixon.

Bryan thank you for following our rules and guidelines

9. by Thomas Oliphant (no photo)
Finish date: June 14
Genre: presidential history
Rating: B+
Review: This is a good book, it's strengths are the period between 1956-1959, and the choice of LBJ as vice president.

You got it finished - good for you

10. by William M. Tuttle Jr. (no photo)
Finish date: June 23
Genre: American history
Rating: B
Review: Even though this was written over 30 years ago, the book holds up. It's a fascinating account of the race riot in Chicago, and it is still relevant today.

Very good progress

Doing pretty good this year

Yes we are usually so busy with so many other things and keeping up sites that we do not get a chance to read ourselves. Good to get some books done.

JULY

11. by C. Vann Woodward (no photo)
Finish date: July 3
Genre: American history
Rating: A
Review: This is a fascinating book. Woodward presents a clear, thoughtful argument about the emergence of Jim Crow laws. I learned a lot about the Reconstruction, then emerging Progressive period when these laws surfaced. Woodrow Wilson's position on race makes much more sense. A standard work.

AUGUST

12. by Nancy Isenberg
Finish date: August 13
Genre: American history
Rating:
Review:

Folks, be careful of discussion of upcoming books here. Thanks.

SEPTEMBER

13. by Annie Jacobsen
Finish date: September 9
Genre: History of science
Rating: A
Review: This is an excellent account of the program that brought German scientists to the U.S. The author raises the moral issues of using former Nazis in U.S. science programs to help defeat the Soviets during the Cold War. Highly recommended.

Bryan wrote: "SEPTEMBER

13. by Annie Jacobsen..."

Hello, beautiful...

14. by Jeremi Suri
Finish date: September 21
Genre: American history
Rating: A
Review: This is a great read. Suri's writes well as he distills complex situations with ease. It's a book about the office of the presidency and how it has changed, not for the good. I learned quite a bit. Highly recommended.

Bryan, you feed my ever-growing TBR list. Thanks!

Alisa wrote: "Bryan, you feed my ever-growing TBR list. Thanks!"

You are welcome!

OCTOBER

15. by Michael Waldman (no photo)
Finish date: October 19
Genre: Politics
Rating: B+
Review: This book is well-written, concise, and helpful to understand the issue after Vegas. Recommend.

16. by Gabriel Sherman (no photo)
Finish date: October 27
Genre: Media history
Rating: B+
Review: This is a good book to learn more about Roger Ailes, especially his life to 2012. The last two chapters were a bit weak, so I had to drop it down a grade, but overall, I would recommend this one.

All exceptional books Bryan

Bryan - I will be adding your 2018 thread next. And you can still add your latecomers here and add new ones to the 2018 thread. The book threads for the previous year are not closed - they are simply moved to the Archive section but you still have time so no worries.

Bryan here is your link for 2018

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks

Bryan I will archive this thread now and you know now you have the new 2018 thread.

If you want to get back to your 2017 thread for any reason, including adding any other additional books - the 2017 thread is still open but in the archival section.