Brendan’s review of Kingmaker > Likes and Comments
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Great review, especially as Harriman is NOT someone I care about, but I did read all you said. You go, girl.....
Ian wrote: "Great review, especially as Harriman is NOT someone I care about, but I did read all you said. You go, girl....."
Thanks, Ian! I appreciate you powering through! haha
Thank you for your review. I’m on p. 100 right now and I’ve felt more than once that I’m in checkout line at grocery store and my eye has caught a headline in one of the gossip magazines. As a former grocery store checker, I’ve more than once read an article or two in those mags during a slow night or on break, but I’ve always seasoned what I’ve read with, “sure, Elvis slept with aliens, haha”. I’ve not reached that level of skepticism, yet, in Purcell, but then I still have a few 100 pages to go….
That is not the kind of feeling one wants to have in a history book. Like you said in your review, I’m fascinated with FDR and I am hoping this book has the same level of scholarship found in Arthur Schlesinger.
Jon wrote: "Thank you for your review. I’m on p. 100 right now and I’ve felt more than once that I’m in checkout line at grocery store and my eye has caught a headline in one of the gossip magazines. As a form..."
Thanks, Jon and your analogy is absolutely PERFECT. I wish I could tell you it gets better, and I guess you could argue it does a little bit, but that feeling you have is not going to go away entirely.
Pamela Harriman was indeed a pivotal figure in the history of WWII. Churchill had a genius in drawing in American delegates into his family circle, to his and his nation's benefit. the American Ambassador Gil Winant was also involved with Winston's daughter Sarah. the relationships are also explored in the excellent book "Citizens of London."
While the author made it clear Pamela wasn’t beloved by all… her account was so rosy that it did take away from credibility. Especially in the Clinton years. Still, I wonder how often we critically autopsy our feelings for influential men so I kept checking myself as I read this one
Nancy wrote: "Pamela Harriman was indeed a pivotal figure in the history of WWII. Churchill had a genius in drawing in American delegates into his family circle, to his and his nation's benefit. the American Amb..."
I'm also a huge fan of Citizens of London, Nancy. Pamela was definitely an important figure, I just think this particular book goes too far in lionizing her.
Kate wrote: "While the author made it clear Pamela wasn’t beloved by all… her account was so rosy that it did take away from credibility. Especially in the Clinton years. Still, I wonder how often we critically..."
I definitely agree we need to keep that in mind, Kate. I sat with this one for a bit to check my own thoughts and then of course did a little research before arriving at the conclusion that Purnell was just giving too much credit to Harriman here.
I'm getting a bit bored with this book. On page 200 and am ready to put it down. It comes across to me that she was a terrible mother and a user of people. And no conscience with regard to the marriages she ruined.
It makes me wonder if she was a sociopath as well.
Brendan, nice review. Since you question her importance to Dems, I’d like to say, I wish we had her today. Her pact and influence, after three consecutive Republican presidential victories, helped Bill Clinton, a little known-Arkansas Governor, become President. with her backing, grooming and significant fundraising helped to put him into office. Her pac was much more than a pac, her soirées brought leaders and advisors together at her Georgetown home to help remake the Democratic Party.
Sorry, tried to edit but couldn’t. I do think she played a significant role in convincing Clinton to stop the genocide in Bosnia. He was such an indecisive president, allowing genocide in Rwanda to go unchecked.
Claire wrote: "I'm getting a bit bored with this book. On page 200 and am ready to put it down. It comes across to me that she was a terrible mother and a user of people. And no conscience with regard to the marr..."
I wouldn't have blamed you if you did, Claire!
Lucie wrote: "It makes me wonder if she was a sociopath as well."
I think at the very least she was a narcissist, Lucie, but I agree we can't rule out sociopath.
Carolinecarver wrote: "Sorry, tried to edit but couldn’t. I do think she played a significant role in convincing Clinton to stop the genocide in Bosnia. He was such an indecisive president, allowing genocide in Rwanda to..."
Thanks, Caroline! I think you are probably right, but my issue is that this book does not make me believe as a reader that she was the force that she may or may not have been. I think the exaggeration at the beginning of the book made me more skeptical overall.
I have this on my tbr but I am now hesitant to read it after reading your fine review. Since we almost always agree on the worth of books, I may just pass on this one.
Parnell quotes Clinton to the effect he would not have been president without Pam . Difficult to be skeptical about that
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Ian
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Aug 05, 2024 11:18AM
Great review, especially as Harriman is NOT someone I care about, but I did read all you said. You go, girl.....
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Ian wrote: "Great review, especially as Harriman is NOT someone I care about, but I did read all you said. You go, girl....."Thanks, Ian! I appreciate you powering through! haha
Thank you for your review. I’m on p. 100 right now and I’ve felt more than once that I’m in checkout line at grocery store and my eye has caught a headline in one of the gossip magazines. As a former grocery store checker, I’ve more than once read an article or two in those mags during a slow night or on break, but I’ve always seasoned what I’ve read with, “sure, Elvis slept with aliens, haha”. I’ve not reached that level of skepticism, yet, in Purcell, but then I still have a few 100 pages to go….That is not the kind of feeling one wants to have in a history book. Like you said in your review, I’m fascinated with FDR and I am hoping this book has the same level of scholarship found in Arthur Schlesinger.
Jon wrote: "Thank you for your review. I’m on p. 100 right now and I’ve felt more than once that I’m in checkout line at grocery store and my eye has caught a headline in one of the gossip magazines. As a form..."Thanks, Jon and your analogy is absolutely PERFECT. I wish I could tell you it gets better, and I guess you could argue it does a little bit, but that feeling you have is not going to go away entirely.
Pamela Harriman was indeed a pivotal figure in the history of WWII. Churchill had a genius in drawing in American delegates into his family circle, to his and his nation's benefit. the American Ambassador Gil Winant was also involved with Winston's daughter Sarah. the relationships are also explored in the excellent book "Citizens of London."
While the author made it clear Pamela wasn’t beloved by all… her account was so rosy that it did take away from credibility. Especially in the Clinton years. Still, I wonder how often we critically autopsy our feelings for influential men so I kept checking myself as I read this one
Nancy wrote: "Pamela Harriman was indeed a pivotal figure in the history of WWII. Churchill had a genius in drawing in American delegates into his family circle, to his and his nation's benefit. the American Amb..."I'm also a huge fan of Citizens of London, Nancy. Pamela was definitely an important figure, I just think this particular book goes too far in lionizing her.
Kate wrote: "While the author made it clear Pamela wasn’t beloved by all… her account was so rosy that it did take away from credibility. Especially in the Clinton years. Still, I wonder how often we critically..."I definitely agree we need to keep that in mind, Kate. I sat with this one for a bit to check my own thoughts and then of course did a little research before arriving at the conclusion that Purnell was just giving too much credit to Harriman here.
I'm getting a bit bored with this book. On page 200 and am ready to put it down. It comes across to me that she was a terrible mother and a user of people. And no conscience with regard to the marriages she ruined.
It makes me wonder if she was a sociopath as well.
Brendan, nice review. Since you question her importance to Dems, I’d like to say, I wish we had her today. Her pact and influence, after three consecutive Republican presidential victories, helped Bill Clinton, a little known-Arkansas Governor, become President. with her backing, grooming and significant fundraising helped to put him into office. Her pac was much more than a pac, her soirées brought leaders and advisors together at her Georgetown home to help remake the Democratic Party.
Sorry, tried to edit but couldn’t. I do think she played a significant role in convincing Clinton to stop the genocide in Bosnia. He was such an indecisive president, allowing genocide in Rwanda to go unchecked.
Claire wrote: "I'm getting a bit bored with this book. On page 200 and am ready to put it down. It comes across to me that she was a terrible mother and a user of people. And no conscience with regard to the marr..."I wouldn't have blamed you if you did, Claire!
Lucie wrote: "It makes me wonder if she was a sociopath as well."I think at the very least she was a narcissist, Lucie, but I agree we can't rule out sociopath.
Carolinecarver wrote: "Sorry, tried to edit but couldn’t. I do think she played a significant role in convincing Clinton to stop the genocide in Bosnia. He was such an indecisive president, allowing genocide in Rwanda to..."Thanks, Caroline! I think you are probably right, but my issue is that this book does not make me believe as a reader that she was the force that she may or may not have been. I think the exaggeration at the beginning of the book made me more skeptical overall.
I have this on my tbr but I am now hesitant to read it after reading your fine review. Since we almost always agree on the worth of books, I may just pass on this one.
Parnell quotes Clinton to the effect he would not have been president without Pam . Difficult to be skeptical about that
