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A compelling chronicle of a nation and its leaders during the period when modern America was created. With an uncanny feel for detail and a novelist's grasp of drama and depth, Doris Kearns Goodwin brilliantly narrates the interrelationship between the inner workings of the Roosevelt White House and the destiny of the United States. Goodwin paints a comprehensive, intimate portrait that fills in a historical gap in the story of our nation under the Roosevelts.
Book Description
No Ordinary Time is a monumental work, a brilliantly conceived chronicle of one of the most vibrant and revolutionary periods in the history of the United States. With an extraordinary collection of details, Goodwin masterfully weaves together a striking number of story lines--Eleanor and Franklin's marriage and remarkable partnership, Eleanor's life as First Lady, and FDR's White House and its impact on America as well as on a world at war. Goodwin effectively melds these details and stories into an unforgettable and intimate portrait of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt and of the time during which a new, modern America was born.
Customer Reviews:
Well written, high level look at FDR's later Years.......2007-09-23
Having read many of the reviews written here, I think that it is important to first state that I am very conservative both economically and politically. Having said that, I want to make sure that it is understood that I am not judging the FDR Presidency, just this book.
This is my first real historical look at this time frame in American history and I felt that this book was a very good start from which to look into other avenues of interest during the war years. It is important to keep in mind that the earlier FDR years do not come into the focus of this work. This would not be a good book to judge FDR and the New Deal. It sticks with the years 1940 until FDR's death in 1945.
The book is well written and easy to read. It definitely lacks an in depth look at the "whys" of the FDR decision process. I would have liked to have learned more about the actual war decisions, but in reading the subthe title of the book, it is clear that the focus is about the homefront, not necessarily the war efforts abroad. The internal fighting and family relationships are discussed at length. Eleanor is given a front and center position in this work. I really would have liked to see more of FDR and how the decisions for various strategies were found.
There is a liberal bias to the book, but maybe that's my conservative stance showing. Nothing is mentioned in the book other than two sentences about Vice President Wallace. FDR is made to be a Superman, when it could have been read as FDR was merely a dictator that was elected. Without the effect of the decision process, the impression is that all decisions were FDR's alone. And while that may have been the case, the book never clearly states the way many of these ideas came to pass. This book leaves me the impression that much of FDR's time was spent polling the public and then fitting that knowledge into a decision.
So yes the book does have weaknesses in my opinion. But the strength of the book is the look at FDR the person. He was a solitary figure that needed a strong group of friends to humor him and help him through a truly horrific time in American history. His family life was a mess - he and Eleanor going in different directions with the purpose of staying apart. But the main thing I took from this work was that FDR gave the country hope. He never said quit, no matter the odds or obstacles. Was he a great President? This book is a very small piece of that puzzle.
No Ordinary Viewpoint.......2007-09-03
This was a very enjoyable and well written historical account of America during World War II, through the prism of the relationship between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Goodwin's great strength, it seems to me, is to find a really refreshing angle to look at a well documented subject, often by examining the subject's most important personal relationships. She did the same thing in her Lincoln book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by examining the way Lincoln put together a strong cabinet, while still remaining a strong executive.
In this book she focuses on the Roosevelts during World War II, as FDR rallied a totally unprepared nation to become, first the arsenal of democracy, and then to enter the war against both Germany and Japan.
From my point of view I would have preferred more Franklin and less Eleanor. Ms. Goodwin notes several critics dismissing Eleanor as a meddling nag, and at times the criticism has merit. Franklin's demeanor, whether he is holding court at press conferences or White House cocktail hours, is much more enjoyable to be around. And you do, thanks to the lively writing, have a "you are there" feeling throughout this book.
Extrordinary Leaders for "No Ordinary Time".......2007-08-09
I loved this book. In it, Kearns-Goodwin recreates the time frame 1939-1945 like no other book I have read. The Roosevelts, long in power and struggling to overcome personal/physical difficulties, rise to the occasion like few leaders before them. Both children of privilege, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt took on their personal demons (his polio and her, at first, paralyzing shyness) to save the nation. Already dealing with the Great Depression, they were the public face of the war effort. How easy it would have been for FDR to overreach his power (in both the Depression and WWII). Although he was restricted by an isolationist Congress before the attack on Pearl Harbor,he persuaded Congress to ok Lend-Lease, and developed a plan with Churchill (and later Stalin) that eventually led to total victory. While he made some mistakes (internment of Japanese Americans, for example), his optimistic and winning public style balanced nicely with a keen understanding of the power he wielded. Eleanor, for her part, became the paralyzed president's spokesman around the world and at home. She also pushed domestic policy in a way that kept things like civil rights, help for the poor and needy, and better working conditions for labor on the front burner despite the efforts to win the war. Kearns-Goodwin covers it all, including the personal struggles of the First Couple. After it all, they emerge as extraordinary leaders for "no ordinary time". Few have equaled them before or since.
Not my type of book .......2007-06-29
Packed with information on every aspect of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt during the WWII timeframe, this book is a history lovers dream. Unfortunately, I am no history lover. I became glossy-eyed when fine details were being mentioned about everyday activities. I felt that the book strayed from the main story and gave too much supporting detail. Yet, as is with all of the history books that I marginally enjoy, I learned quite a bit of information that I would never have gained otherwise. I was amazed to learn about how separate the Roosevelt's actually were as a couple and FDR's continued relationship with Lucy Rutherford. I also gained insight into how much Eleanor helped to spur the rights for blacks and women with her forward thinking. Eleanor and Franklin's separation as a couple was shadowed by their strength in bringing a nation out of depression and forming our current business environment. I was also surprised to see the extent in which Franklin relaxed. There wasn't a chapter where Franklin didn't either drive around Hyde Park, cruise on the Potomac, or spend time in his "Little White House" in Warm Springs. This was a man who knew what taking it easy was all about.
A glimpse of my grandparents.......2007-06-09
I am a college student. Before reading this book I barely knew who FDR was, let alone why his terms in office were so important. I traveled to Hawaii shortly after reading this book to visit Pearl Harbor because I was so moved by the book. I feel like I understand my grandparents generation a little better now and truly want to thank them for all they have done.
Overall, a terrific read. The author did a wonderful job of sharing the unique relationship between FDR and Churhill. I was also impressed with the author's knowledge of the homefront, instead of just all of the famous battles. Everyone should read this book.
Product Description
UNABRIDGED 15 hours on 10 cassettes read by Julia Delfino. NO ORDINARY TIME is a brilliant chronicle of one of the most vibrant and revolutionary periods in the history of the United States. The
years are 1940 to 1949, Franklin is elected to unprecedented third and fourth terms, the country is inching away from isolationism and into war, and Eleanor has become a political force in her own right. With an extraordinary collection of details, Goodwin masterfully weaves together a striking number of story lines: Eleanor and Franklin's marriage and remarkable partnership, Eleanor's life as First Lady, and FDR's White House and its impact on America as well as the world at war. This is an unforgettable and intimate portrait of the Roosevelts and of the time during which modern America was born.
Product Description
A brilliant chronicle of one of the most vibrant and revolutionary periods in the history of the United States. An unforgettable and intimate portrait of the Roosevelts and of the time during which modern America was born.
Average customer rating:
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Mustang: North American P-51 (Living History Series World War II)
Paul Perkins , and
Dan Patterson
Manufacturer: Howell Press
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 0943231752 |
Book Description
The third volume in the "Living History" series, MUSTANG uses historical reenactors and magnificently restored aircraft to show cockpits, flight dress, gun ports, engines, and ground service responsibilities of the Mustang, perhaps the most important fighter of WWII. 58 color photos, 47 b&w photos and illustrations. b&w photos and illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful.......2000-06-15
This was a great book, very good pictures. Really depicts the decade!
Average customer rating:
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North American P-51 Mustang (Warbirdtech Series , Vol 5)
Frederick A. Johnsen
Manufacturer: Voyageur Press (MN)
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ASIN: 093342468X |
Book Description
The WarbirdTech series is the first new, innovative look at military aircraft to arrive in the marketplace in the last fifteen years. Individual volumes in this series provide a first-ever "layman's technical" analysis and review of the world's most exciting combat aircraft. Included are photos, drawings and excerpts from previously "secret" and "restricted" technical manuals produced by the government and the aircraft manufacturers. Included are vintage photos of aircraft during prototype and manufacturing stages, exploded views, cutaways and phantom drawings form tech manuals, disassembled aircraft, rare variants and experimental models etc. Special emphasis is placed on the unique and ground-breaking design and performance aspects of each aircraft.
This series is for the enthusiast who has read all the combat stories, seen all the camouflage and markings books and now wants to learn the fascinating technical details behind the design and performance of combat aircraft.
Book Description
Osprey Modelling Manual 19 covers the best-known US fighter of WWII - the long-range escort that made possible the USAAF’s bombing of Germany by day. This classic fighter would go on to have a significant postwar history too. With detailed step-by-step model photography, specially commissioned walkround photography, scale drawings and wartime shots, these books will provide all the details needed to model the main P-51 version, the P-51D (nearly 8,000, over half the total number of P-51s, built) and its variants. There is a full roundup of the models available on the market, details of where you can see the real thing, a select bibliography, and survey of websites of interest.
Customer Reviews:
Very frustrating.......2003-09-21
This is one of those books that will drive you crazy. This book is full of some very well done 1/48th models of the various marks of Mustangs. Typically, they are built straight from the box with the addition of aftermarket cockpit detail sets and, in one example, a full engine. What makes this book so frustrating is that the cockpits are so well done in the book, as are the beautiful metal finishes yet they don't give much instruction on how they were done. Since the models seem to have been built by several different modellers there are several different styles of cockpit detailing and painting and most every modeler has something that you will want to emulate on your own models. Too bad, because nothing in the text will tell you how to do it. For example, there is a cockpit in there that has a stunningly good natural wood cockpit floor achieved by paint alone. Think that they'll tell you how to do it? Nope, they don't. There is a cockpit frame that has a great shadowing detail done between the natural metal frame and the glass. Nothin in the text even mantions it, much less tells you how to do it. Subtle shading around a colorful paintjob on a tail or nose and again, nothing in the text even mentions it.
In effect, the title of this book is incorrect, this is not really a modelling manual since it gives very little instruction on how to actually improve your technique. What it is is a collection of photos of some very well painted models (interestingly, little to nothing is improved on the model outside of the cockpit, some gunbays, and the one engine so that poorly fitting parts are still poorly fitting, the panel under the nose being a prime example) that will hopefully inspire you but will lead to some real frustration as to how to learn the techniques used.
I wish that Osprey would re-release this book with some informative text so that we modellers could learn how to do these things.
Average customer rating:
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Absolute North American P-51 Mustang (Absolute CD-ROMS) (Absolute CD-ROMS)
Alastair Fitzgerald , and
Ted Johnston
Manufacturer: Cassell military
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
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ASIN: 030435693X |
Product Description
Interactive CD-ROM featuring archive and contemporary film footage, 360-degree panoramas of interiors and exteriors, scale plans, camouflage and marking guides, technical data files, development and service histories. This CD takes you as close as you'll get to the pilot's seat of a Mustang! Includes everything but the smell...!
Average customer rating:
- Production Line to Frontline, the story of the P-51 Mustang
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North American Aviation P-51 Mustang (Osprey Production Line to Frontline 1)
Michael O'Leary
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1855327031
Release Date: 1998-08-28 |
Book Description
Undoubtedly the finest US fighter of World War 2, the Mustang was built in astonishing numbers - 7956 P-51Ds alone - as the might of America's overwhelming industrial base swung into line behind the nation's global war effort. This new series follows the great fighter types of the conflict from the raw metal phase, through construction and testing, to the combat theatres of Europe, the Middle East, China/Burma/India and the Pacific.
Customer Reviews:
Production Line to Frontline, the story of the P-51 Mustang.......2000-06-30
A book for WWII aircraft and modeling enthusiasts. Great little softcover which starts with the circumstances and people leading into the design, developement and prototype testing of the P-51, argueably the most successfull allied fighter plane of that war. Not a page without a top quality black and white photograph or funky color prints of war propaganda posters. Lots of close up shots of technical details as well as factory layouts, assembly line photographs, windtunnel testing info, and gossip on the people involved in this machine's inseption. Well balanced writing, mixing engineering info, historical snaps and human anecdote, ending in a short chapter featuring a number of fighter aces who flew the Mustang.Made for three satisfying evenings of reading. Give us more Michael O'Leary!
Average customer rating:
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North American P 51 Mustang
Smith Graham
Manufacturer: Smithmark Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0831714026 |
Book Description
In this new collection of thoughtful, hard-hitting essays, Walter E. Williams once again takes on the left wing's most sacred cows with provocative insights, brutal candor, and an uncompromising reverence for personal liberty and the principles laid out in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. He challenges the assumptions of contemporary liberalism with ruthless honesty, presenting an impressive array of powerful ideas and substantive information to frame his perspectives on the issues facing America in such critical areas as race, sex, government, law, education, the environment, and international relations. Williams's often controversial views include commentary on
- Women in the Military. "At Parris Island, it was discovered that 45 percent of female Marines were unable to throw a hand grenade far enough to avoid blowing themselves up. If I were in a foxhole with a woman about to toss a hand grenade, I'd consider her the enemy."
- Racial and Gender Quotas. "The only reason the elite haven't mandated quotas for women, Japanese, and other underrepresented groups in the NBA and the NFL is because the folly and costs of their cosmic justice vision would be exposed."
- Affirmative Action. "Too many blacks receive twelve years of fraudulent primary and secondary education that cannot be overcome by four years of college. Unfortunately, liberals and civil rights organizations add to that disaster by giving unquestioned support to a corrupt education establishment that produces the fraud."
- The Americans with Disabilities Act. "In some quarters, the ADA is taken to stand for 'Attorney's Dream Answered.' And who pays? You and I, through higher prices or less convenience."
- The Minimum Wage. "Low wages are more a result of people being underproductive than being underpaid. They simply do not have the skills to produce and do things their fellow man highly values. The minimum wage law is evil legislation and deserving of repeal altogether."
Using the fundamentals of economics—and basic common sense—to prove his points, Williams offers wise, witty, and stimulating insights on these and other controversial subjects, including corporate welfare, gun control, environmental regulations, free trade, abortion, the public school system, tobacco industry regulation, and more.
Customer Reviews:
Williams for President.......2007-06-09
Amazing insight to what America is supposed to be. If only our politicians understood the issues like Walter Williams. Williams for President!!!!!!
Reviews prove the need for this book.......2006-10-18
Once again we are given an opportunity to experience the clarity of vision afforded to us by someone who not only knows economics, but by someone who has the ability to express complex economic concepts in ways all but the most stubborn or ill-informed can appreciate. Some folks complain that this book is just a collection of previously published articles and that it doesn't read like a regular book. So what? I like the fact that I can pick a topic of interest to me today and read it in just a few minutes. Then I can pick a different topic tomorrow if my mood so dictates. As for criticizing the book for being "basically not thought out very well," I must disagree. Each of the articles not only stands on its own in terms of crisp writing and brilliant insight, there is a consistent philosophical logic that ties the articles together.
Criticisms of this book seem to be based more on a philosophical difference of opinion more than on a sophisticated critique of Professor Williams' writing. For example, one person criticized the book in part based on Professor Williams' opposition to the minimum wage. This person seems to hold the philosophical view that it is better public policy for a person to be unemployed at a higher minimum wage rate than to be employed at a lower market wage rate that he is willing to work for. This person also fails to consider that a person whose productivity is so low that he cannot produce a good or service worth at least what it costs to produce the good or service will not stay employed for very long. Perhaps the folks who support higher minimum wages should set up businesses and go ahead and pay people wages that exceed their marginal productivity. Let's see just how quickly they go bankrupt. It has been stated before that working for $5.15 per hour puts more bread on the table than being unemployed at $7.00 per hour. If a higher minimum wage does not have the adverse employment affects suggested by Professor Williams, why not advocate for $20 per hour? Better yet, at $100 per hour everyone would be able to buy health insurance coverage and we could solve two problems at once. If only the real world worked in such a simplistic manner.
A careful and thoughtful reading of "More Liberty Means Less Government" will help to educate folks who, because of a lack of formal economics training, are often more inclined to use fuzzy logic to evaluate matters of public policy. It will also help people to understand that there really is no such thing as non-economic issues. All decisions we make, whether in our public lives or in our private lives, involve making choices from among limited options. That makes them all economic issues. This is perhaps one of the single best lessons that can be learned by reading this book.
Walter Williams: Champion.......2005-03-19
Walter E. Williams should be a true champion for the African American population who resides in the United States. He has made a great living for himself, via teaching economic courses at George Mason and publishing two books. He is a true champion of capitalism and for the black people as a whole. Unfortunately, demagogues like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton - men with little or nothing of value to add to society except to more and more racism to the fire pander to black Americans shamelessly. Thankfully, Professor Williams makes light of this and other problems our country faces in his work "More Liberty Means Less Government". This was a fantastic, easy-to-read book. It's a collection of Williams' many articles/essays on Law, Society, Government, the Environment and many other interesting and fun topics. Many liberals claim Williams is just "another stuffed shirt conservative". This is not even close to being the case. Williams is a conservative/liberterian mix, always siding with what the Constitution has to say. Thankfully, in Williams' mind the Constitution is still "The Supreme Law of the Land". Unfortunately, others don't realize that.
Walter Williams Views on Economics and Politics.......2004-07-19
Williams assembled this book using some of his favorite previously published columns. An economics professor and outspoken on political and social issues, Williams? views take on a libertarian/conservative flavor. And the columns he selected for this book are consistent in their analysis, with Williams always taking the pro- liberty position, regardless of topic.
This book includes sections titled 1. Race & Sex, 2. Government, 3. Education, 4. Environment and Health,
5. International, 6. Law and Society, and 7. Potpourri, which is a miscellaneous category that includes columns that do not fit into one of the other six. Each of these seven sections includes articles relating to that particular topic, with titles and dates of original publication.
Williams talks at length about economic issues, which should be expected given his background and his profession. But he is just as effective (many even more so) when he tackles personal issues in this book, like racism, sex equality, the failed war on drugs, and other non- economic topics. His greatest skill comes in the way he takes complicated topics and explains them using examples that anyone can relate to and understand.
If I had to make a few criticisms of this book, it would first be the fact that the book doesn?t flow very well. Since it is comprised of a collection of previously published material, it doesn?t read like a normal book. Also, I did notice a few typos and awkward sentences that are not always easy to follow. Williams writes this book using a style that attempts to use as few words as possible to get a point across. This is nice, for the sake of saving space. But it can sometimes prove to be inadequate for reading and effective communication.
Williams is considered a conservative, even though he is obviously not a social conservative, based on the views he stresses in this writing. He is often politically incorrect, which I admire and enjoy. Still, the fact that he is considered conservative will cause many to disagree with many of his opinions and forego giving this book a chance. However, I think the book is still worth a look regardless of political persuasion. Williams may not change your mind about a particular political or economic topic, but he will succeed at making you reconsider some of your positions or at least looking at them from a different perspective. His style is persuasive and convincing, even if you don?t agree with him one- hundred percent.
This book deserves 6 stars........2002-06-14
Mr. Williams says things I've always believed, but was afraid to say aloud for fear of being thought of as intolerant, uncompassionate, or politically incorrect. Mr. Williams knows how people work and what they do to further their best interests (which is the study of economics) and explains it in a jovial and colloquial manner. READ it.
Books:
- One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days and 40 Nights Toward Spiritual Strength and Personal Growth
- Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books
- Parachute Infantry: An American Paratrooper's Memoir of D-Day and the Fall of the Third Reich
- Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return
- Pope John Paul II: In My Own Words
- Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia
- Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance
- Return with Honor
- Romo: My Life on the Edge--Living Dreams and Slaying Dragons
- Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead
Books Index
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