The History Book Club discussion

Here we go:

January

1. Drew Karpyshyn
Finish Date: January 2010
Rating: B
This is the second book in the Darth Bane Lord of the Sith series. It is a fun series that takes place a thousand years before the films.

I realized last night that at first I was thinking, "wow, can I remember all these books I read?" Then I realized that I started more books than I finished and that actually, I haven't finished a lot this year.

March

2. Barton Gellman
Finished: March 10
Rating: A
I'm reading more GW Bush material for my job, and this is really good. It chronicles how Cheney really changed how the VP worked by inserting himself into daily policy issues, rather than taking on big projects and going to funerals.

3. Jack Goldsmith
Finished: March 15
Rating: B+
This is an insider's account of the Office of Legal Counsel that provides legal advice for the Executive Branch. Goldsmith tried to reform some of the torture memos John Yoo constructed earlier.

You mean that Cheney did not like the VP mantra of "you die, I fly". At one time, I did not have such a visceral reaction to him; but for some reason Cheney likes inserting himself still. From your research, have you actually met or been with Cheney when he is around; he just comes off as being a bit meanspirited. Is that a true evaluation of the man or is that what the media has portrayed with their sound bytes.

I keep missing him. We interviewed Cheney for the GHW Bush project, but I was not around. He came here last year to look over the transcript, I guess in preparation to write a memoir. I was on vacation.

We hope to interview him for the GW Bush Project, but his health is iffy.

Gellman says he is like a sponge when you talk with him. He is well-prepared and absorbs everything you have to say and asks a lot of questions. Now, how he uses that information is the interesting part...

Yes, that is a good point that Gellman makes...a memoir...now that might be a provocative read. I would think that eventually you might meet him.

I agree, it would be a good read. I do hope to meet him.

Would love to hear your feedback when you do..he is so controversial.

May

4. by Randy Roberts
Finish Date: May 23
Rating: B+
This is the story of Wayne's life and you get a good picture of him as a person, not just the legend. The author describes his relationship with his wives and film legends like John Ford. The part where he dies of cancer really was a tough part but overall a very good book.

5. by Greg Pak
Finish Date: May 27
Rating: B+
Okay, I like the comic stories. This one takes the Hulk to a distant planet to fight gladiator style and end up as king. It is odd for me to have Hulk say complete sentences but why not.

6. Jeffrey Toobin
Finish Date: June 29
Rating: A
I hear that he exaggerates some of the personal conflicts and events to get a good story, but on the whole, Toobin gets the feel of the recent court correct. I really enjoyed this book, since this is the branch of government I know the least about. Well worth it.

7. Elisabeth Bumiller
Finish Date: July 2
Rating: A-

Probably the best biography on Rice to date. Bumiller did a few interviews with her and her associates.

8. Robert Morris by Charles Rappleye
Finish Date: July 18
Rating: A-

To me this is the definitive biography on the man who kept the American Revolution financially alive. He was Superintendent of Finance from 1781 to 1784 and U.S. Senator. A good read.

9. by Glenn Kessler
Finish Date: August 1
Rating: B

Kessler has been following Rice with the Post. It is a good synopsis of the big events for Rice as Secretary of State. He is critical but not unfairly.

10. David McAfee
Finish Date: August 15
Rating: B+

I like this vampire story set in the mid-1980s. It is his second in a series, but I heard there was more back-story in this one, so I started it first.

By the way all of the books you read with the group count too so you can add those as well.

11. David McCullough
Finish Date: August 25
Rating: A-
This was not my favorite McCullough, but I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about TR through his family.

12. Sebastian Junger
Finish Date: September 6
Rating: A-

I listened to this in the car and it is an interesting book on Ray Smith being convicted of a murder that really was probably linked to the Boston strangler.

This sounds like a very interesting book. By the way Bryan you can count all of the Presidential books you read this year wherever you read them; they all count.

13. Freeman Cleaves
Finish Date: August
Rating: B
This is the only full length history of President Harrison. I enjoyed learning about his political life out west as Territorial governor in the area of Indiana and Illinois. A solid read.

14. by David McAfee
Finish Date: September 10
Rating: B+
In this interesting book, vampires play a role in the death of Jesus. Good fun.

15. Christopher Farnsworth
Finish Date: October 17
Rating: B+
This is a nice twist on the vampire legend: a president having a vampire on staff to hunt down the supernatural forces.

I guess you like vampires.

Bentley wrote: "I guess you like vampires."

...and ghosts; they are my two favs in the horror genre, not so much zombies and werewolves. There are some niches, I guess.

Vampires, ghosts and presidents...I see some similarities (only joking) - smile

16. by Michael K. Deaver
Finish Date: November 1
Rating: B
I really enjoyed this book; it is not a political biography, but a story of friendship. The passages where he sees Reagan who has Alzheimer's disease is heart-breaking. You learn some insights about Reagan and appreciate his human side.

I always wondered how early Reagan was suffering from Alzheimers.

Bentley wrote: "I always wondered how early Reagan was suffering from Alzheimers."

He was diagnosed in 1994 and Deaver, who was in charge of the library opening in 1991, mentions he forgot one of his favorite stories.

17. by Robert Dallek
Finish Date: November 10
Grade: A-
A fascinating book focusing on the relationship between these two men. At times, the relationship seemed like high school, trying to "one up" one another, jealous over who takes credit, etc. Well worth reading.

18. Jean Edward Smith
Finish Date: December 10
Grade: A
This is a great one volume biography. I learned a lot about him especially his defense of blacks and Native Americans in a difficult time.

Yes, I was in addition so pleasantly surprised with how good and readable this book was as well.

19. Condoleezza Rice
Grade: B
I like this book, because it shows the human side of Rice. She grew up in Birmingham and her love for her mother and father really comes across. I also like the fact the book is geared to younger readers and I think Rice is a great role model for what she accomplished.

Yes she is and she is so talented in many areas - including being quite the pianist.

I saw her interviewed on a late-night show recently, David Letterman maybe? Interesting gal, left me more more intrigued than when she was in the Administration.

Yes I agree; she seems less robotic and more herself.

Here is a good book on her if you want to read more:

Elisabeth Bumiller

20. by Steven M. Gillon
Finish Date: December 29
Grade: A

This is the first book dedicated to Johnson's side of things, and it was fascinating to read.

21. Colleen McCullough
Finish Date: December 1
Grade: A
This is a great story with rich detail on Ancient Rome.