History Talk With Jason: Why World War 1 Fascinates Me EVEN MORE Than World...

History Talk With Jason: Why World War 1 Fascinates Me EVEN MORE Than World...: Whenever I meet new people and they ask what I do for a living, I tell them I'm a teacher and suddenly they are fascinated with m...

Good-to-Great Read

FDR (Random House; 1 edition: 2007) by Jean Edward Smith.

Never a hero among conservatives and constitutionalists, FDR nonetheless contributed mightily to the power and prestige of America in the world. Smith's book makes this case in spades!

Smith is the same author as for the Eisenhower book mentioned below. After reading both books, I honestly found Ike's story to be an even more compelling one than FDR's. The Second World War provided Eisenhower with a unique opportunity in military history, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe, making him a power player on par in Roosevelt. Eisenhower's presidency was also more interesting than FDR's, especially with all the behind the scenes, knife-edge Cold War moments in which Ike was forced to decide whether or not to use nukes! Meanwhile, the American public thought he was just playing golf. Anyway, the FDR book is good too, though not as gripping as the Eisenhower book.

Good Read

Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic 1789 - 1815 (Oxford University Press, USA: 2009) by Gordon S. Wood.

A long overdue, in-depth treatment of the years following the revolution, when America rapidly became too democratic for the Founders' tastes. It was a time of great uncertainty and restlessness as America struggled to find a footing in a world dominated by a vengeful Great Britain and a turbulent France.

Outstanding Read!

Eisenhower In War and Peace (Random House: 2012) by Jean Edward Smith.

Incorporates the latest scholarship and overturns many distortions about Ike's record in the military and in the presidency. It is an important reappraisal that places its subject high in the rankings of great leaders.

Good Read

Decision Points (Crown: 2010) by George W. Bush.

Political memoir is always self-serving. Yet, this book is a sincere explanation of the how and why governing the choices made by President Bush. It fills key gaps of understanding about a turbulent decade.

Good Read I've Enjoyed

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (Simon & Schuster; 1 Edition: 2003) by Walter Isaacson.

A magisterial, readable, and inspirational book about the most democratic Founder. Isaacson places Franklin in both his time and our time!

Good Read

Andrew Jackson: The Man and His Times (Doubleday; First Edition: 2005) by H.W. Brands.

A demagogue of the type feared by the Founders, Jackson was America's first common man president. Whatever you think of him, any man who carries dueling pistols to defend his wife's honor makes for a page-turning biographical subject! Brands does a remarkable job of steering a fair and balanced course in this exploration of a hugely polarizing historical titan.