INTRODUCTION - BLOOD OF TYRANTS - GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE FORGING OF THE PRESIDENCY (SPOILER THREAD)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Group Members of the History Book Club,

One of our relationships with Encounter has allowed us to offer our group members who reside in the United States free copies of the following book:

Blood of Tyrants: George Washington & the Forging of the Presidency by Logan Beirne



We will have a special spotlighted discussion of this book beginning very soon on August 12, 2013. We will keep you posted.

We have arranged a live chat with the author Logan Beirne (who is a group member by the way) and I will keep you posted on that as time goes by.

Logan will be here to discuss his book much as many of the other authors who have joined the discussion have responded to questions about their books.

We will be setting up a thread called Q&A with Logan.

So for those of you who are interested in not only acquiring this book at no charge alongwith free shipping paid for by Encounter, please post here when I open this thread and let me know of your interest. Also, send me via PM your name and mailing address so that I can place you on the list so that you can get your advance copy. I will release the list of the lucky recipients who are committed to reading and discussing this fine book with us and the author and doing a review of the book itself.

We are only being allowed 25 copies and they are only going to be available to History Book Club members from the United States who will also commit to reading the book, discussing it with us.and the author as well as writing a review. If you do not plan on doing the above, let somebody else get a chance of a free copy of this great book. Also if you have not even introduced yourself to the group - I must say that that is the very first step in the process - here is the url for that:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

This is a great opportunity so we hope you take advantage of this and let me know of your interest.

Also send me a PM or post here if you are unable to reach me for any reason and I will contact you and tell you my History Book Club email address.

All Best,

Bentley

Note: This time we will be receiving the actual copies of the book and not ARCs

Author: Logan Beirne



Logan Beirne

About the Author:

LOGAN BEIRNE is an Olin Searle Scholar at Yale Law School. Prior to this position, Logan was an attorney with the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, in New York City. Logan graduated at the top of his class from Fairfield University, was a Fulbright Scholar at Queen’s University, and received his JD from Yale Law School, where he received the Edgar M. Cullen Prize for his Constitutional scholarship. Logan is admitted to the New York and Connecticut Bars and has served on the boards of directors for two charities: UnionDocs and Starting Artists. On a personal note, Logan is directly descended from Revolutionary War patriots and his family tree includes the “Father of the Constitution”: James Madison. Some of Washington’s papers were discovered in his ancestor’s storage chest.

NOTE: THIS OFFER IS OPEN

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Encounter's Synopsis of the Book:

Blood of Tyrants reveals the surprising details of our Founding Fathers’ approach to government and this history’s impact on today. Delving into the forgotten—and often lurid—facts of the Revolutionary War, Logan Beirne focuses on the nation’s first commander in chief, George Washington, as he shaped the very meaning of the United States Constitution in the heat of battle.

Key episodes illustrate how the Founders dealt with thorny wartime issues: Who decides war strategy? When should we use military tribunals over civilian trials? Should we inflict harsh treatment on enemy captives if it means saving American lives? How do we protect citizens’ rights when the nation is struggling to defend itself? Beirne finds evidence in previously-unexplored documents such as General Washington’s letters debating torture, an eyewitness account of the military tribunal that executed a British prisoner, Founders’ letters warning against government debt, and communications pointing to a power struggle between Washington and the Continental Congress.

Vivid stories from the Revolution frame Washington’s pivotal role in the drafting of the Constitution. The Founders saw the first American commander in chief as the template for all future presidents: a leader who would fiercely defend Americans’ rights and liberties against all forms of aggression.

Blood of Tyrants pulls the reader directly into the scenes, filling the void in our understanding of the presidency and our ingenious Founders’ pragmatic approach to issues we still face today.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Folks, we are opening up the requests for the advanced copies that we will be receiving for the full discussion of the book Blood of Tyrants by Logan Beirne.

We will begin the discussion on August 12, 2013.

The book itself is released and available in bookstores everywhere so even if you do not get a free copy; you will be able to purchase your copy at your local book store, or any of the on line book sellers like Amazon. or Barnes and Noble. There is also a Kindle edition which is available if you want to acquire the book as a download.

This book discussion will be led by Bryan Craig with backups - Assisting Moderators Christopher and Jerome with author Logan Beirne.

There will be 25 copies available for our group and for our moderators.

These are the requirements to be considered to receive this FREE book.

a) You must have a US address - Encounter will send the book free to US addresses only and only to the recipients selected.

b) You must indicate to Bentley that you will read the book, discuss the book actively in each of the weekly threads and post your comments weekly, that you will write a review of the book and post it here on the Final Comments thread or HBC, and also participate and post a question or two for the author - Logan Beirne who will be joining us.

c) If you received a previous book from us; we will review your standing on that book and see if you participated as agreed. We want to give everyone a chance and there are a limited number of books so we really want active participation from folks we give the books to.

Procedures:

a) Post your interest here on this thread FIRST and indicate that you agree to the T&C's which are quite basic and the same as we had for all previous books.

b) Send Bentley VIA PM a copy of your full name and address with zip code indicating where you would like the book to be sent.

c) If you post that you are interested here on this thread in getting a copy of the book, Bentley will make sure to reach out to you and send you a PM so that you can reply to him with the information. If you are not a friend of Bentley's - he will send you an invite, accept the invite and then you will be able to PM Bentley right away. But remember the first step is to express your interest here on this thread. We reserve the right to make the final decision on the recipients of these books; we want to be absolutely fair but we want to have an active discussion.

SO REMEMBER THE FIRST STEP IS TO POST HERE FIRST AND EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Review Excerpts

“GRIPPING… RELEVANT… REVOLUTIONARY… This page-turning historical thriller is packed with fresh factual narratives that draw the reader into the scenes to show how the United States earned its stripes. The wisdom of 1776 was never more crucial than today.”
-- Amy Chua, Yale Law School Professor and best-selling author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

“What are the constitutional powers of the president in time of war? Do his war powers grant him authority to establish military tribunals, torture enemy prisoners, and override Congress in the determination of military strategy and operations? As Logan Beirne demonstrates in this fresh and stimulating history of the American Revolution, Commander-in-Chief George Washington confronted these questions and established precedents that have continued to shape presidential war powers down to our own time. I enjoyed reading it and I learned a great deal.”
-- James McPherson, Princeton University Professor Emeritus and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom

“This myth-defying new book tells how our first Commander in Chief dealt with the hard issues of war, including military commissions, the rights of Americans, and the interference of Congress. Those who want an unvarnished account of how a great leader dealt with nasty and messy problems of war: prepare to be shocked, amazed, and educated.”
-- Hon. Michael W. McConnell, Stanford Law School Professor and former Federal Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

“What can we learn about America’s proper comportment in today’s dirty wars from a long-dead, white male, slave-owning aristocrat of the 18th century? A lot it turns out—given that George Washington, at the very founding of the American idea, saw that singular morality should guide the new nation’s conduct in war, both for practical and spiritual reasons. Logan Beirne’s paean to Washington’s wartime wisdom, insight—and belief in and respect for constitutional government—is a timely, insightful, and much-needed reminder why America does best at war when it honors rather than erodes its founding principles.”
-- Victor Davis Hanson, Senior Fellow of Classics and Military History at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, and Author of A War Like No Other

“Blood of Tyrants strips away the fantasy and lays bare the violence and political intrigue needed for the American Revolution to succeed. Lurid, horrifying, scandalous. I could not put it down.”
- William Eskridge Jr., Yale Law School Professor, Author of The Republic of Statutes, and Descendant of George Eskridge, the Godfather of George Washington

“There was more to the founders than noble sentiments and fine words–they were revolutionaries, who fought for and won America’s freedom on bloody battlefields. Blood of Tyrants tells this gritty story smartly and compellingly –and plumbs it for practical lessons for the toughest issues of our times.”
– Adam Cohen, Time Magazine journalist and author of Nothing to Fear: FDR’s Inner Circle

“[T]here is almost no tale told of the Revolution that does not find its way into ‘Blood of Tyrants,’ provided it is juicy enough.” — Wall Street Journal
(Here is a link to the full Wall Street Journal Review: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...)

“[T]he important political lessons of the past are given a fresh new perspective. . . . Beirne’s genealogical and personal interest in history, politics and the military makes for an enjoyable read.”--— Washington Times
(Here is a link to the full Washington Times Book Review: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2...)

“Beirne’s narrative pulls the reader directly into the scenes, filling the void in our understanding of the presidency and our ingenious Founders’ pragmatic approach to issues we still face today.” — Huntington News
(Here is a link to the full Huntington News Review: http://www.huntingtonnews.net/61126)

Pulitzer Prize winning U.S. historian Professor Jack Rakove has reviewed the book: "In this fast-paced narrative, Logan Beirne vividly explains something every American should know, but which few of us really understand. Blood of Tyrants is a lively account of how George Washington's service as wartime commander-in-chief of the Continental Army cemented our commitment to the principle of civilian supremacy, yet also laid the basis for the presidency that the Constitutional Convention created only a few years after Washington resigned his command. It is both a great read, and deeply informative." Blood of Tyrants -- Jack Rakove - US Historian

Review from the Examiner:

http://www.examiner.com/article/logan...

Washington could be harsh, but he could also be humble. Beirne explains that background surrounding the Newburgh Conspiracy, in which a group of disgruntled officers, angry at the repeated broken promises of a weak and inept Continental Congress, was making plans for a military coup. The story of Washington’s intervention at this crucial moment is well-known*, but Beirne points out something interesting in the telling. At that time in American history, wearing glasses was to admit weakness. Washington was a strong and extremely proud man. Hence, it was significant that he was willing to humble himself unaffectedly before his men, when he resorted to their use in order to read the latest missive from Congress. He was able to defuse a delicate situation by his actions. This was but one of many critical instances in which Washington turned the course of events and safeguarded the future of America.

These are but a few examples of Washington’s imprint on the future. The Blood of Tyrants is well-written, not pedantic or overdone. Both those familiar with the great man’s deeds and those less so, will find interesting things to consider in this valuable book.
-- Martin - Rogue Politics

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

American Amazons:

Article by Logan Beirne

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/...

BEIRNE: When to pull the trigger — and when not to
Obama’s drone policy could benefit from Washington’s wisdom

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2...
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Logan Beirne on George Washington - Fox News

http://radio.foxnews.com/2013/05/23/v...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Military commissions are American justice: Column

Article by Logan Beirne

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

"Blood of Tyrants: George Washington & the Forging of the Presidency"

Book TV's interview with Logan Beirne

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Ty...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Blood of Tyrants has its own Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bl...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Logan Beirne on Fox and News talking about Edward Snowden: (audio is not that great)

http://youtu.be/CJSs6hmzc4k

More:
What Would George Washington Have Done about Snowden - (http://video.foxnews.com/v/2484377845...)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

What would George Washington do with Syria?

Article by Logan Beirne

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/0...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

New Books in History podcast/interview: in conjunction with National History Center w/MARSHALL POE

http://newbooksinhistory.com/2013/06/...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

HuffPost Live

Imperial Presidency

From the NSA leaks to the targeted killing of Americans abroad, many have questioned the Obama administration's interpretation of the Constitution. Has the President assumed too much executive power?

With:

Logan Beirne @LoganBeirne (New York, NY) Author of 'Blood of Tyrants'

Wendy Kaminer (Boston, MA) Lawyer, Author and Correspondent for "The Atlantic"

Steve Vladeck @steve_vladeck (Kyoto, Japan) Professor and Associate Dean for Scholarship at American University Washington College of Law

Link to video: http://huff.lv/18qxBt6

Note: The above was actually a great discussion - especially enjoyed Wendy.

The Constitution According To Obama

From the NSA leaks to the targeted killing of Americans abroad, many have questioned the Obama administration's interpretation of the Constitution. Has the President assumed too much executive power?

http://cognoscenti.wbur.org/2013/05/2...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Folks, we are opening up the requests for the "free" copies that we will be receiving for the full discussion of the book Blood of Tyrants by Logan Beirne.

We will begin the discussion on August 12, 2013.

The book itself is released and available in bookstores everywhere so even if you do not get a free copy; you will be able to purchase your copy at your local book store, or any of the on line book sellers like Amazon. or Barnes and Noble. There is also a Kindle edition which is available if you want to acquire the book as a download.

This book discussion will be led by Bryan Craig with backups - Assisting Moderators Christopher and Jerome with author Logan Beirne.

There will be 25 copies available for our group and for our moderators.

These are the requirements to be considered to receive this FREE book.

a) You must have a US address - Encounter will send the book free to US addresses only and only to the recipients selected.

b) You must indicate to Bentley that you will read the book, discuss the book actively in each of the weekly threads and post your comments weekly, that you will write a review of the book and post it here on the Final Comments thread or HBC, and also participate and post a question or two for the author - Logan Beirne who will be joining us.

c) If you received a previous book from us; we will review your standing on that book and see if you participated as agreed. We want to give everyone a chance and there are a limited number of books so we really want active participation from folks we give the books to.

Procedures:

a) Post your interest here on this thread FIRST and indicate that you agree to the T&C's which are quite basic and the same as we had for all previous books.

b) Send Bentley VIA PM a copy of your full name and address with zip code indicating where you would like the book to be sent. Also indicate the following:

Within the context of your note - please indicate to Bentley that you will follow the t's and c's and will read the book, post on the weekly non spoiler threads, write a review on the History Book Club and post Questions for the author.

c) If you post that you are interested here on this thread in getting a copy of the book, Bentley will make sure to reach out to you and send you a PM so that you can reply to him with the information. If you are not a friend of Bentley's - he will send you an invite, accept the invite and then you will be able to PM Bentley right away. But remember the first step is to express your interest here on this thread. We reserve the right to make the final decision on the recipients of these books; we want to be absolutely fair but we want to have an active discussion.

SO REMEMBER THE FIRST STEP IS TO POST HERE FIRST AND EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Post here your interest in getting this free book offer on this thread first - then send Bentley a PM with your full name and address with zip code where you would like the book to be sent (if you are selected)

Within the context of your note - please indicate to Bentley that you will follow the t's and c's and will read the book, post on the weekly non spoiler threads, write a review on the History Book Club and post Questions for the author.

The free book offer is now open.

Note: This is the beginning of the selection process. We will select the final recipients based upon a number of criteria.

Here is our posted selection criteria for Special Spotlight books:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

WE ARE OPEN - START POSTING INTEREST AND SENDING ME PMs

[Craig]

As someone who has a tremendous interest in the American Presidency and greatest respect for George Washington (I'm honored to share a birthday with him), I would love to participate in this discussion and receive the book. I certainly agree in advance to follow the rules of the discussion if picked to receive it. Thanks to the History Book Club for putting this discussion together.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Craig I have sent you a PM. Thx for the kind words. We are in the midst of the selection process but you have been a tremendous group member and we appreciate that.

Thank you for agreeing to the T's and C's.

[Jeffrey]

I am interested. Thank you.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jeffrey - you have to agree to the t's and c's - read and discuss the book on our weekly threads, write a review on HBC and post some questions for our author on the Q&A thread. Do you agree if so - just post ON THIS THREAD that you agree to the t's and c's.

Also send me a PM with your full name, and full mailing address and zip code if you selected. Thanks.

NOTE: I have sent you an invite; accept me as a friend and then you can send me that post via PM.

[Quinn]

I am interested and agree to the terms and commitments listed. Look forward to reading what sounds like a great book by a very intelligent author.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Bentley wrote: "Craig I have sent you a PM. Thx for the kind words. We are in the midst of the selection process but you have been a tremendous group member and we appreciate that.

Thank you for agreeing to the ..."

Make sure to send me your info - I have sent you a PM

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Quinn wrote: "I am interested and agree to the terms and commitments listed. Look forward to reading what sounds like a great book by a very intelligent author."

Quinn, I have received via PM your personal info.

[Teri]

I would like to be considered.

[Jason]

I agree to t&c's. Will send PM in 10 minutes.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Teri - you have to agree to the t's and c's - read and discuss the book on our weekly threads, write a review on HBC and post some questions for our author on the Q&A thread. Do you agree if so - just post ON THIS THREAD that you agree to the t's and c's.

Also send me a PM with your full name, and full mailing address and zip code if you selected. Thanks.

NOTE: I have sent you an invite; accept me as a friend and then you can send me that post via PM.

[Tyler]

i agree. thank you

[Teri]

Yes I abide by Ts and Cs, done, and done. :-)

Bentley wrote: "Teri - you have to agree to the t's and c's - read and discuss the book on our weekly threads, write a review on HBC and post some questions for our author on the Q&A thread. Do you agree if so - j..."

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jason wrote: "I agree to t&c's. Will send PM in 10 minutes."

OK Jason - will need the PM to throw your name into the hat for the selection process.

[Phillip]

I want to paricipate and agree to all conditions required. Please send me additional materials required for participation.

[Tom]

I am interested in reading, discussing, and reviewing this book.

Tom

[Kelby]

I am interested in reading and discussing this book.

[Katy]

Yes, I would love to participate. And I agree to the t & c's.

[Kelby]

I forgot to state that I agree with the T&C's. thanks!

[Mark]

I would love to participate and I agree with all terms and conditions.

[David]

I would be interested and agree to the terms and conditions. I have enjoyed these in the past. I will send a pm too.

[Steve D]

I would like to participate, and I agree to the terms and conditions. Thank you!

[Chantal]

hopefully not to late to post my interest in the book offer

[Todd]

Definitely interested and I agree to the t and cs!

[Frank]

I agree to the T's and C's and would love the opportunity to read, discuss and review this book!

[Ann D]

Bentley,
I would like to be considered for a free copy of the Washington book. I agree to all the terms and conditions and will send you a PM with my mailing information.

[Chris]

Bentley wrote: "Post here your interest in getting this free book offer on this thread first - then send Bentley a PM with your full name and address with zip code where you would like the book to be sent (if you ..."

I would like to participate and agree to the terms.

[Jason]

Phillip wrote: "DID THIS WORK

Phil Knight

I agree to the t's and c's as outlined."

Phil,
You might want to remove this as the entire Internet can see it. Send the address information to Bentley via PM.

Jason

[Deestarr]

I am definitely interested and agree with all terms and conditions

[Jason]

Lily wrote: "lily silver's address:"

Hi Lily,

You may want to take down your mailing address as it is not private and everyone can see it. Send this information to Bentley via a private message.

Good luck,
Jason

[Tom]

I also agree to the t's and c's of the thread.

Tom

[Phillip]

I am interested and agree to abide by the T's and C's

Read and discuss the book on the weekly non spoiler threads
Write and post a review of the book on the HBC
Post Questions for the author on the Q&A thread

[Jason]

I am very interested in reading this book and agree to abide by the terms and conditions associated with receiving an advanced copy.

Jason

[Chantal]

I am interested in particpating in the book offer (Blood of Tyrants) and discussion. I will abide by T's and C's. ( in fact, I printed them out just in case.)

Thank you!

[Arun]

Very interested in the books just having read the resume of the author.. woah..

[John]

I am very very interested Bentley and will also follow the T's and C's (and p's and q's if there are any). I will pm my address
Thanks for the opportunity. This would be a first time for me!