Author Archives: smellincoffee

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About smellincoffee

Citizen, librarian, reader with a boundless wonder for the world and a curiosity about all the beings inside it.

Keep Cool with Coolidge!

Posted on September 18, 2026 by smellincoffee

Calvin Coolidge has long been one of my favorite presidents; I think as a child I was drawn to his nickname of Silent Cal, with its reputation for taciturnity; later on, I respected his approach to government — keep the … Continue reading →

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Benjamin “I’m More than the Guy Between Cleveland Terms” Harrison

Posted on September 17, 2026 by smellincoffee

What do I know about Benjamin Harrison? Well, he was a core part of the Cleveland Hero Sandwich, the thin bit of meat between two enormous Cleveland halves. And his granddaddy was president for a month before dying and giving … Continue reading →

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Jimmy

Posted on September 16, 2026 by smellincoffee

What do I know about Jimmy Carter? Carter is, interestingly, the first president who ever appeared on Reading Freely. I read his Peace Not Apartheid and Our Endangered Values in the very early months of the blog, possibly following up … Continue reading →

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Hail to the WWW Wednesday

Posted on September 16, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Jimmy Carter, Julian Zelizer. WHAT are you reading now? Coolidge, Amity Schlaes. WHAT are you reading next? Benjamin Harrison, Charles W. Calhoun My aim this week is to post a POTUS review….every single day. … Continue reading →

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TRUMAN

Posted on September 15, 2026 by smellincoffee

A new reader to this blog might ask, “SC, after cheerfully dismissing president after president with 200-page biographies from the American Presidents series, why did you decide to read a twelve hundred page treatment of Harry S. Truman?”  There are … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Authors I’ve Met

Posted on September 14, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt is….authors I’ve met! Well, this will be a short list. but first, a Teaser Tuesday! On the morning of the first trip to school, it was icy, which meant a fast ride but a cold one. Coolidge and … Continue reading →

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William Howard “Chief Magistrate” Taft

Posted on September 14, 2026 by smellincoffee

Early on in the American republic, the office of president was referred to as the chief magistrate; William Howard Taft must have taken that on as a challenge, because after serving as President, he later became the Chief Justice of … Continue reading →

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Destiny of the Republic

Posted on September 12, 2026 by smellincoffee

When put on trial for the assassination of President James Garfield, Charles Guiteau protested that he’d merely shot Garfield: his doctors had killed him. As crazy as Guiteau was — and his membranes were definitely scrambled — he may have … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday & Films Near Me

Posted on September 8, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is “Films Filmed Near You”, and I think people will be surprised by how many there are. But first, WWW Wednesday! WWW Wednesday WHAT have you finished recently? Heroes, Stephen Fry. WHAT are … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 11 Comments

Stephen Fry’s Heroes

Posted on September 8, 2026 by smellincoffee

What do I know of the Greek heroes? Precious little. I recognize the phrase, Labors of Hercules, but could not tell you more than a couple of them – cleaning out stables and helping Atlas with the sky for some … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics and Literary, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments