Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

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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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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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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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

The Unexpected President

Posted on September 2, 2026 by smellincoffee

This president reading project has been interesting so far, making me more fully aware of how complex some of the personalities to inhabit the White House have been. Chester A. Arthur, a man I formerly knew only for his muttonchops, … Continue reading →

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James “Death by Lightning” Garfield

Posted on August 25, 2026 by smellincoffee

Back in March, I announced that I was beginning a trio of unknowns — Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur. Then the 1960s took over, but I’m back at it. Who is James Garfield? A teacher, an officer, a forceful Republican — … Continue reading →

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Stalking the Atomic City

Posted on August 22, 2026 by smellincoffee

“This is Chernobyl, too”, someone posted on reddit, captioning a large radar-like installation. “Huh,” says I. A radar station? In the Zone? I’d never heard of such a thing. When I looked at its satellite footage, I noticed something nearby … Continue reading →

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