Right From the Beginning has a special place for a few reasons. First, I was a big Buchanan supporter in high school and secondly it was the first autobiography I ever read outside of school (that would be 1992). Pat Buchanan's self-told story might disappoint those interested in reading about Watergate, Richard Nixon and his days in the Reagan Administration. Though there are pictures of Buchanan from those times, the book covers his childhood through his acceptance of a job to work with the former vice-president on his comeback bid.
The book opens with Buchanan talking about the ruminations that took place amongst friends and colleagues about a bid for the 1988 Republican nomination (ironically enough then vice-president George H. W. Bush is cited as a reference, praising the book written by his future challenger).
Buchanan goes over the reasons why he opts out of a bid but reading it with hindsight it is apparent that the book is a prelude to a future run...and indication that Buchanan was going to make a bid in 1992, likely regardless of which party controlled the White House. Also keep in mind it was written prior to the 1988 election and that until then, no sitting vice-president had been directly elected to the presidency since Martin van Buren in 1836....a fact Buchanan was probably aware of.
The book lays out his positions on the issues of the day (as it is dated, his take on handling the Soviets is interesting...and his shift in positions over time is worth noting...Buchanan has an almost internationalist flair in his rhetoric) and talks about his life growing up in DC, his family and his time in undergrad at Georgetown and later in Columbia's journalism school.
It reads almost like a confessional (i.e. getting stuff out there). I would wager no less than 5% of the book is about the numerous times he was arrested for fights and public drunkeness. And the book also chronicles the many times he obviously operated a vehicle while intoxicated.
If anything the book reveals why he did not run in 1988...he had to get the baggage out there in advance of a later run for the presidency.
If you're interested in the old ways of the Catholic Church and what Washington, DC looked like before "self-rule", then this book is worth picking up. If you're a Buchanan fan, then it is a must read. In the book he hints that he will later write an autobiography on his Nixon and Reagan days, though to my knowledge no such book has been put out there (maybe statute of limitations ?).
The book drops a lot of names of unimportant people and at times is hard to keep track of everyone...especially as he shifts references to his brothers and sisters actual names with nicknames.
His writing style is exactly the same in this book as it is in his columns, so those who enjoy reading his editorials will enjoy reading this book, with one of the cleverest titles I've ever come across.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Father Mississippi: Good Read in General; Must Read for Louisiana
I don't consider Lyle Saxon so much a historian as a raconteur. I've read three of his books, one on Louisiana, another on New Orleans and a biography on Jean Lafitte and I don't think I would cite any of those as a source in a book I was writing.
Saxon, to his credit, admits at the start that "Mississippi" is as much a scrapbok as a history of the river. The book is a combination of personal experiences growing up by the river, experiencing a crevasse as a child, background on steamboat commerce and exploration; however, a large chunk of the book is related to the subtitle, which relates to the Great Flood of 1927.
In a lot of ways, Saxon's book is the forerunner of John Barry's masterpiece Rising Tide. What's impressive is that Saxon wrote his 400+ page book in the same year as the flood.
If you enjoyed Rising Tide and have an interest in the river and the South, then this is a good book to read, though just a warning/disclaimer: this book was written in the south in the late twenties, so some of the language is coarse by our standards. Also, Saxon literally transcribes the patois spoken by blacks that he interviewed, which comes off a bit Amos and Andy-esque. However, Saxon is balanced as he does the same thing for Cajuns he interviewed.
Perhaps the biggest factual error (at least for me) is his reference that Saint Bernard's residents were Cajun when in fact they were mostly Islenos (Spanish speaking). Once again, this is a local matter of greater importance to me than the overall story of their plight.
Saxon, to his credit, admits at the start that "Mississippi" is as much a scrapbok as a history of the river. The book is a combination of personal experiences growing up by the river, experiencing a crevasse as a child, background on steamboat commerce and exploration; however, a large chunk of the book is related to the subtitle, which relates to the Great Flood of 1927.
In a lot of ways, Saxon's book is the forerunner of John Barry's masterpiece Rising Tide. What's impressive is that Saxon wrote his 400+ page book in the same year as the flood.
If you enjoyed Rising Tide and have an interest in the river and the South, then this is a good book to read, though just a warning/disclaimer: this book was written in the south in the late twenties, so some of the language is coarse by our standards. Also, Saxon literally transcribes the patois spoken by blacks that he interviewed, which comes off a bit Amos and Andy-esque. However, Saxon is balanced as he does the same thing for Cajuns he interviewed.
Perhaps the biggest factual error (at least for me) is his reference that Saint Bernard's residents were Cajun when in fact they were mostly Islenos (Spanish speaking). Once again, this is a local matter of greater importance to me than the overall story of their plight.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
AFTERNOON STORY- History of the States-Item GOOD READ
For almost a decade a green hardback has haunted my "to-read" shelf though I always put off perusing it. After all, how interesting could a history book about a newspaper can be? Surely it would be full of confusing transactions of ownerships and management shifts.
Well the book does have that...but it also reveals a cast of characters who ran some (more on this on a second) of New Orleans' daily papers.
Today's Times Picayune is a combination of a number of mergers and acquisitions over time. As I don't have the book in fornt of me, I believe today's entity is the combination of AT LEAST the following: the New Orleans Democrat, the New Orleans Times, the New Orleans States, the New Orleans Item and the Daily Picayune. But don't swear by the above.
The book does contain some interesting city history, especially regarding the old Lottery and the "Who killa de chief" case (the murder/assassination/killing) of New Orleans Police Chief David Hennessy and the lynching of Italian suspects that took place afterwards led by some of the city's leading citizens. You can bet a king or two of Comus has sicilian blood on his hands.
References to the late great Lafcadio Hearn, the manner in which newspapers operated, the way they employed to further the self and political interests of publishers and the behind the scenes moves that led to the TP being bought out by SI Newhouse are also covered.
The book is out of print but easily available at out of print book stores (Beckham's in the Quarter has copies) and can be had for less than $10. The book reads quick and while the transaction histories can be confusing (especially as they contain individuals with the same surname) it sheds some light about how New Orleans' lone standing daily came to be and provides some information on the current publisher, Ashton Phelps (who I've only encountered during candidate interviews- and as I've never been endorsed by the TP those exchanges have not gone well).
Though the States-Item now only exists on microfilm, its history is worth reading.
Well the book does have that...but it also reveals a cast of characters who ran some (more on this on a second) of New Orleans' daily papers.
Today's Times Picayune is a combination of a number of mergers and acquisitions over time. As I don't have the book in fornt of me, I believe today's entity is the combination of AT LEAST the following: the New Orleans Democrat, the New Orleans Times, the New Orleans States, the New Orleans Item and the Daily Picayune. But don't swear by the above.
The book does contain some interesting city history, especially regarding the old Lottery and the "Who killa de chief" case (the murder/assassination/killing) of New Orleans Police Chief David Hennessy and the lynching of Italian suspects that took place afterwards led by some of the city's leading citizens. You can bet a king or two of Comus has sicilian blood on his hands.
References to the late great Lafcadio Hearn, the manner in which newspapers operated, the way they employed to further the self and political interests of publishers and the behind the scenes moves that led to the TP being bought out by SI Newhouse are also covered.
The book is out of print but easily available at out of print book stores (Beckham's in the Quarter has copies) and can be had for less than $10. The book reads quick and while the transaction histories can be confusing (especially as they contain individuals with the same surname) it sheds some light about how New Orleans' lone standing daily came to be and provides some information on the current publisher, Ashton Phelps (who I've only encountered during candidate interviews- and as I've never been endorsed by the TP those exchanges have not gone well).
Though the States-Item now only exists on microfilm, its history is worth reading.
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Fall of Mussolini: DON'T READ
After dragging my feet on this blog after launching it some time ago and having read a number of books in that period, I have finally read a book that has motivated me to take action so as to spare anyone else from reading it.
Here is what I plan to do with this blog:
First, I'm going to keep it simple. I'm not trying to write an introduction and as I won't receive school credit in an English class for writing a report on this. My goal is to keep reviews under 100 words for your sake and my own, as the less time it takes and less likely I am to put off writing future reviews. Also the more time I have to spend on writing on politics and the New Orleans Saints.
Second, to put the review in the title. There's no need to keep readers in suspense.
That simple.
On to The Fall of Mussolini.
It read like a college course book. And that's not a compliment.
Reading it reminded me of a course I took at LSU on German Civilization, where I was surprised that "history" had little to do with "civilization". In fact I learned more about obscure German art groups than I did about the raise of the Kaiser.
Despite the book's title, there's little about Benito Mussolini in the book or his reign. The author admits as much...after you have already purchased the book and started reading it.
Who is covered in the book is current Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, in an unflattering light.
The book is mistitled, likely intentionally in order to boost sales and sneak in front of a reader's eyes a critique on modern Italian politics.
Don't read.
Here is what I plan to do with this blog:
First, I'm going to keep it simple. I'm not trying to write an introduction and as I won't receive school credit in an English class for writing a report on this. My goal is to keep reviews under 100 words for your sake and my own, as the less time it takes and less likely I am to put off writing future reviews. Also the more time I have to spend on writing on politics and the New Orleans Saints.
Second, to put the review in the title. There's no need to keep readers in suspense.
That simple.
On to The Fall of Mussolini.
It read like a college course book. And that's not a compliment.
Reading it reminded me of a course I took at LSU on German Civilization, where I was surprised that "history" had little to do with "civilization". In fact I learned more about obscure German art groups than I did about the raise of the Kaiser.
Despite the book's title, there's little about Benito Mussolini in the book or his reign. The author admits as much...after you have already purchased the book and started reading it.
Who is covered in the book is current Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, in an unflattering light.
The book is mistitled, likely intentionally in order to boost sales and sneak in front of a reader's eyes a critique on modern Italian politics.
Don't read.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Grand Old Party
Grand Old Party by Lewis L. Gould, Random House 4494 pages plus notes and other material. The Republican Paty could use a definitive history of its origins. I remember reading the tome Ain't You Glad You Joined the Republicans not long after picking it up at the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego. Though it contained a basic schematic of the party's history sprinkled with anecdotes, the book does not pass as a real history, particularly concerning some of the books errors, including a reference to the Superdome (site of the 1988 Republican National Convention) as either the Sugardome or the Sugarbowl. Gould admits from the beginning that he is not a Republican and attempts to use that as a means of demonstrating his objectivity, though as Gould's book progresses towards modern times, Gould's hostility towards Republican figures becomes apparent through a number of snide comments. While the GOP's history is not without error, Gould's belligerent tone is easily discernable. One can assume Jules Whitcover's history of the Democracy was penned in a more favorable light for obvious reasons. I also found the book lacking in delineating points of transition within the party. Points towards the end that claim that the media laid down for George W. Bush in 2000 are just laughable (such easy treatment ended after the Iowa caucuses) Though they are noted, they're also buried under a load of information that isn't nearly as relevant. While a more credible read than Ain't You Glad You Joined the Republicans, Gould's Grand Old Party, intended to be an improvement on what little is out there on the subject, is a work that itself could be vastly improved by someone else who doesn't harbor ill-will towards the party or its leaders. Rating: 4 (painful at times, but not without some redeeming merit) of 10 points, 10 being excellent, 1 being merde.
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