Books

[keefe]

We had a thread on this subject but I'm not sure where it is so I'll pick it up here. I read more than a dozen books recently, in digits for the first time, so I'll share some thoughts.


The President's Club    Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy


Superb perspective into that collective of former President's and the crucial role they play in supporting the sitting Chief Executive Officer of the United States. Initiated by Harry Truman, who felt the weight of the sun and the stars upon taking office, when he reached out to the only other living man to know what it felt like to sit at his desk. Truman was self-confident enough to know his limitations and brought Herbert Hoover back into the center of power to help him figure out how to run a nation embroiled in the greatest armed conflict in human history.

This book offers amazing insight to the Bay of Pigs, the Vietnam War, Watergate, The Pardon, Desert Storm, Clintongate - all from the unique perspective of Presidential alumni working to support the office  (if not necessarily the man holding the office.) The authors describe the complicated relationships between Truman and Ike, Truman and Hoover, Ike and Nixon, Johnson and Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, et al with a clarity that accelerates digestion of such a rich meal. 

I won't spoil the plot line with details but this is a gripping read about how executive decision-making is made in this most quirky of all bodies politic. I recommend this book with 4.5 stars.

By the way, thanks to all who made recs on e Readers. The Paperwhite performed flawlessly. It is a robust piece of gear that can stand up to extreme conditions.

[brandx]

How'd you feel about going digital? I've thought about it, but I really love the feel of a good book in my hands when reading.

[keefe]

How'd you feel about going digital? I've thought about it, but I really love the feel of a good book in my hands when reading.

I think one loses the serendipity factor by going digital. I read my news on line now but I miss having an actual paper as it is much easier to graze with newsprint.

A book is different than the news, though, in that it is much more of a linear progression. The only drawback is when reading non-fiction I like to refer back to previous copy and that is more difficult in digits.

My switch was driven largely by weight reduction. An e Reader holds an immense amount of data which beats schlepping all that poundage into the wild. And battery capacity has come a long way. (Having said which, I am keenly aware of the environmental impact of lithium ion and other technologies. These new batteries are a ticking time bomb for which we have no practical disposal solution.)

Bottom line is that e Readers complement an active, mobile lifestyle. But I am with you - at home I would rather consume from a real book.

[4everwarriors]

Kinda like comparin' a blow up doll to the real thing, aina?

[keefe]

Kinda like comparin' a blow up doll to the real thing, aina?

You mean a Jonathan Martin blow up doll or the one the rest of the guys got for Christmas?