The following list of books are all part of my library. The
recommendations are only books I feel I can tell my friends to read. All
of the books listed have been read since January 1997. (Some
are re-reads)
- Sickles
The Incredible
by W.A. Swanberg
(Re-read x 3) This is the most important book I have read in
the past 10 years. It is a biography of little known Daniel E.
Sickles who was, a lawyer, murdered his wife's lover, Civil War hero
who almost lost the Battle of Gettysburg, saved his shot off leg in
a coffin, and close friend of five U.S. Presidents. There is not too
much that I can say about this man's life. After reading this book I
still find it hard to believe he actually existed. Rarely mentioned
in history books, I feel he was the second most important man of the
19th century next to A. Lincoln.
Score: A++
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- Lincoln
on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough Times
by Donald T.Phillips
This book is for those who think that the 19th century life has
nothing to do with the 1990's. Mr. Phillips details a comparison of
Lincoln and the corporate world of today. Each chapter is oulined
into simple key ideas that Lincoln used to success. Absolutely a
great little book !
Score: A
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- Profiles
in Courage
by John F. Kennedy
This is a Pulitzer Prize Winner.
This is an exciting (re-read) of a book I read in High School. I
think you need to be in your late thirties or forties to really
understand what JFK was talking about in this book. The trials and
tribulations these historical figures are a fresh wake-up ( John
Quincy Adams - Daniel Webster- Thomas Hart Benton - Sam Houston -
Edmund G. Ross - Lucius Quintas Cincinnatus Lamar - George Norris -
Robert A. Taft ). You must read about Edmund G. Ross if you read any
chapter. He was such an important Senator that basically has been
written out of history. After you read this you will know why. Also,
the big message of this book is actually chapter 11 (the last).
Don't read it first. I have the Book and the Audiocassette.
Score: A+
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- For
Cause and Comrades: Why Men fought in the Civil War
by James M. McPherson
A detailed review of the 25,000 letters and 500 diaries of
Civil War soldiers. Placed in excellent content by Mr. McPherson, a
Pulitzer Prize Winner. Very easy to read and only 186 pages. Gave me
a deep sense of gratitude for those who died in that war.
Score: A+
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- The
Approaching Fury: Voices of the Storm 1820-1861
by Stephen B. Oates
Well written history in an unusual fashion. Mr. Oates does
history in the first person. Very unique and fresh. You feel like
your reading a interview on Larry King Live. Details events just
before the Civil War. He uses 13 characters including Jefferson,
Lincoln, Douglas, Clay and Calhoun. One of the best interviews I
seen on C-Span's Booknotes was of Stephen Oates on this book.
Score: A
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- Hidden
Order: The Economics of Everyday Life
by David D. Friedman
OOPS ! How did this economics book get here. Well, I read it
this year. This is an excellent book written by the son of Milton
Friedman (Nobel Prize 1976). He explains the reality of economics so
that the average person can understand what life is really about. I
could not put this book down until I finished it. I bought this
after seeing him on C-Span's Booknotes. Yes, some people do watch
C-Span !!
Score: A+
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- Stonewall
Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend
by James I. Robertson, Jr.
The most comprehensive biography of the greatest military
genius. Its a large book, over 1000 pages but, it has everything. I
have to say that this book will become the standard Stonewall Bio.
If you want to one book on Stonewall, - this is it.
Score: A- (only because of the length)
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- Chancellorsville
by Stephen W. Sears
This is the fourth book I have read about Chancellorsville. Mr.
Sears views the battle slightly different than myself. It is a must
read for all of us who think that it was the greatest battle. If you
can get a copy of John Bigelow's 1910 book, " The Campaign of
Chancellorsville", then you probably don't need this one. The
only problem with that is there was only 1000 printed then.
Originals cost about $1,200.00 and is the most sought after book on
the Civil War. So this is much easier to get. A reprint of John
Bigelow's book is next on this list.
Score: A
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- The
Campaign of Chancellorsville (Reprint by
Moringside Books) - original published 1910
by John Bigelow, Jr.
It is the prize of my Civil War Library. There is absolutely no
way I can explain the greatness of this book. It is the most
complete study of any battle in the Civil War. Mr. Bigelow was
there. He details minute by minute, every single event of this
battle. This book has been a required reading for every modern day
General. General George S. Patton Jr. read it and probably so did
all the others. It comes with 39 detailed Color Maps, Sketches, and
Plans. It costs too much but -- I gotta have it !!
Score: A++
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- Robert
E. Lee: A Biography
by Emory M. Thomas
The newest biography of this great man. I actually bought this
book after watching Mr. Thomas interviewed on C-Span's Booknotes.
This book not only looks at the military man but also, the person of
R.E. Lee. I liked it.
Score: A
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- Grant:
A Biography
by William S. McFeely
This is a Pulitzer Prize Winner.
One of the best biographies I ever read next to "Sickles The
Incredible" (see the first book on this list).
This book kept my attention through some very long narratives.
Usually I get bored of long winded books. NOT THIS ONE. McFeely
holds on to you and keeps you reading.
Score:A+
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- Lincoln
at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America
by Garry Wills
Another Pulitzer Prize Winner.
The importance of this book is that I now have a strong sense that
God or Divine Providence had a hand in the Civil War, Abraham
Lincoln, and the great Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Wills brings into
light what happened and why it happened. There is definitely more to
the Gettysburg Address than the words. This book tells it right.
Score: A+
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- Lincoln
by David Herbert Donald
The newest Lincoln biography. Mr. Donald has written excellent
single volume biography of A. Lincoln. I have the Audiocassette of
this interesting book. This is one of the best books I read this
year.
Score A+
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- Undaunted
Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, & the Opening of
the American West
by Stephen E. Ambrose
A fabulous biography of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I never
new what the heck these guys went through. WOW !-- is all I can say
after reading this book. It's funny that all I ever knew about these
characters was what I read in high school history class (- a chapter
or only a paragraph). This book puts this event into real
perspective.
Score A+
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- John
Wayne's America: The Politics of Celebrity
By Garry Wills
A tremendous biography of John Wayne. It tells all about the
Man, the Myth, and what he personally thought. Great reading.
Another book I just could not put down. The Man lived his Myth and
we all now keep it going. A must book for any Hollywood movie
lover!!!
Score A++
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