Maddie The Mad Dog's Bookstore
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People Books 1997

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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)

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  • 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++

  • 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
  • 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+
  • 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+
  • 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
  • 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+
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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++
  • 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
  • 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+
  • 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+
  • 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+
  • 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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