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Author Archives: smellincoffee
WWW Wednesday
WHAT have you finished reading recently? Bosom Friends, a book examining the alliance between James Buchanan and William Rufus King, and Zachary Taylor, a biography of President Zachary Taylor. Also, Millard Fillmore by the aptly named Finkleman. I will not … Continue reading
Posted in General, history, Reviews
Tagged biography, Hail to the Chief, memes and surveys, Millard Fillmore, the impending crisis, WWW Wednesday
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Old Rough and Ready Taylor
When I think of Zachary Taylor, I can see a craggy face right out of a western– and for some reason, I think of cherries. (My adult brain has somehow managed to remember some 25+ years after reading a book … Continue reading
Posted in history, Reviews
Tagged 1830s, 1840s, Hail to the Chief, history, the impending crisis, US-Mexican War, Zachary Taylor
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Bosom Friends
James Buchanan remains the United States’ only bachelor president – he was technically joined in this feat by Cleveland for one term, but by the time 22 had returned as 24, he had found his better half. Buchanan, though, despite … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, Alabama, Hail to the Chief, James Buchanan, Selma, Thomas Balcerski
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Narnia’s audible end: the Silver Chair & the Last Battle
This year I began re-experiencing Narnia through audible’s collection, in large part because I was able to pick up all seven titles with single credit and couldn’t resist. I’ve just finished the last two this month. Jeremy Northam’s Silver Chair … Continue reading
Posted in Reflection
Tagged audible, audiobook, C.S. Lewis, Children-YA, CS Lewis, fantasy, Jeremy Northam, Narnia, Patrick Stewart
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James “I Didn’t Start the Fire” Buchanan
What do I know about Mr. James Buchanan? Well, he’s our only bachelor president, leaning on his niece to be his hostess at White House functions; he was very chummy with the founder of my hometown, William Rufus King, and … Continue reading
Posted in history, Reviews
Tagged biography, Hail to the Chief, history, James Buchanan, politics, the impending crisis
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1858
1858 is a history of the second year of James Buchanan’s administration, a year notable less for what Buchanan did than for what he refused to do while the slavery debate burned white-hot. He maintained that slavery was no longer … Continue reading
WWW Wednesday
WHAT have you finished reading recently? James Buchanan, Jean H. Baker. WHAT are you reading now? Bosom Friends: The Intimate World of James Buchanan and Willliam Rufus King, Thomas Balcerski, and 1858 by Bruce Chadwick WHAT are you reading next? … Continue reading
Posted in General
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The Expatriation of Franklin Pierce
Continuing in the tragedy of Franklin Pierce, I chose to follow a short biography of him with this, a more focused look Pierce’s exit from the presidency, when he found himself wholly isolated. Four years ago, he had earned a … Continue reading
Posted in history, Reviews
Tagged 1850s, 1860s, American Civil War, biography, Franklin Pierce, Garry Boulard, Hail to the Chief, history, Jefferson Davis, the impending crisis
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