Tag Archives: biography

His Excellency

Posted on July 6, 2013 by smellincoffee

His Excellency: George Washington © 2005 Joseph Ellis 352 pages Most of the Founding Fathers are exalted, but not quite divine. They are icons not without blemish: John Adams had his temper,   Benjamin Franklin his shameless lechery. But George … Continue reading →

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The Story of My Experiments with Truth

Posted on June 28, 2013 by smellincoffee

The Story of my Experiments with Truth © 1927 Mohandas K. Gandhi480 pages Dover Press cover The Story of my Experiments with Truth is a piecemeal autobiography of Mohandas Gandhi,  who earned acclaim by leading India to independence from the British … Continue reading →

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Alexander Hamilton

Posted on June 25, 2013 by smellincoffee

Alexander Hamilton© 2005 Rob Chernow832 pages Who is  Alexander Hamilton? The greatest founder save George Washington, or the Antichrist?  The latter is the view of Hamilton one may derive from the accounts of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, whereas Rob … Continue reading →

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John Adams

Posted on August 18, 2012 by smellincoffee

John Adams© 2001 David McCullough751 pages The memory of some American presidents looms over the national mind like their monuments tower above the landscape. But John Adams has no monument on the National Mall: his face does not stare down … Continue reading →

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First Family

Posted on July 29, 2012 by smellincoffee

First Family: Abigail and John Adams© 2010 Joseph Ellis320 pages ‘Til then, ’til then, I am, as I ever was….yours, yours, yours.  1776, a musical film which celebrates the Declaration of Independence, is an absolutely delightful movie, as funny as … Continue reading →

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Reporter

Posted on January 30, 2012 by smellincoffee

Reporter: Covering Civil Rights…and Wrongs in Dixie© 2006 Alvin Benn388 pages When a young Alvin Benn left the Marine Corps to beome a civilian editor working with United Press International,  he was asked by UPC’s vice president where he wanted … Continue reading →

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Marcus Aurelius

Posted on September 27, 2011 by smellincoffee

Marcus Aurelius: A Life© 2009 Frank McLynn684 pages Few figures in history can compare to Marcus Aurelius, and fewer still favorably.  Adopted into the royal family, this last of the Five Good Emperors has sat in silent judgment of politicians … Continue reading →

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You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train

Posted on March 26, 2011 by smellincoffee

You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times© 1995, 2002 Howard Zinn224 pages Howard Zinn not only taught history: he helped make it. The product of a working-class family in New York, Zinn left … Continue reading →

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Confessions

Posted on March 3, 2011 by smellincoffee

ConfessionsAugustine of Hippo, 354 – 430Translation © 1961 R.S. Pine-Coffin346 pages At the age of nineteen a young man encountered the golden voice of Cicero. Inspired by Cicero’s lush oratory, this boy began to pursue the love of wisdom, philosophy; … Continue reading →

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Frank: The Voice

Posted on November 22, 2010 by smellincoffee

Frank: The Voice© 2010 James Kaplan786 pages “I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet… a pawn and a king,  I’ve been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing — each time I … Continue reading →

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