I AM LOOKING FOR A BOOK ON.........? Showing 451-500 of 1,007

[Bryan]

Thanks Jack, don't forget book covers:

Chaim Herzog

Jonathan Schneer

Efraim Karsh

['Aussie Rick']

If you wanted a very good account offering an overview of the whole Middle East I'd recommend; The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East by Robert Fisk.

by Robert Fisk

[Becky]

The book
by Benny Morris
has supporters as well as detractors on both sides of the conflict so I suppose that would make it at least moderately in the middle of the road. Alert - it's pretty controversial because the views are not the standard for either side. It has been very well received, however.

[Bryan]

And how the Presidents struggled with the conflict:

A World of Trouble: The White House and the Middle East--from the Cold War to the War on Terror

Patrick Tyler

Synopsis

The Middle East is the beginning and the end of U.S. foreign policy: events there influence our alliances, make or break presidencies, govern the price of oil, and draw us into war. But it was not always so—and as Patrick Tyler shows in this thrilling chronicle of American misadventures in the region, the story of American presidents’ dealings there is one of mixed motives, skulduggery, deceit, and outright foolishness, as well as of policymaking and diplomacy.

Tyler draws on newly opened presidential archives to dramatize the approach to the Middle East across U.S. presidencies from Eisenhower to George W. Bush. He takes us into the Oval Office and shows how our leaders made momentous decisions; at the same time, the sweep of this narrative—from the Suez crisis to the Iran hostage crisis to George W. Bush’s catastrophe in Iraq—lets us see the big picture as never before. Tyler tells a story of presidents being drawn into the affairs of the region against their will, being kept in the dark by local potentates, being led astray by grasping subordinates, and making decisions about the internal affairs of countries they hardly understand. Above all, he shows how each president has managed to undo the policies of his predecessor, often fomenting both anger against America on the streets of the region and confusion at home.

A World of Trouble is the Middle East book we need now: compulsively readable, free of cant and ideology, and rich in insight about the very human challenges a new president will face as he or she tries to restore America’s standing in the region.

[Bryan]

This might be good:

History of the Modern Middle East, Fourth Edition

William L Cleveland

Synopsis

This comprehensive work provides a penetrating analysis of modern Middle Eastern history, from the Ottoman and Egyptian reforms, through the challenge of Western imperialism, to the American invasion of Iraq and Iran’s new influence in the region. After introducing the reader to the region’s history from the origins of Islam in the seventh century, A History of the Modern Middle East focuses on the past two centuries of profound and often dramatic change. Although built around a framework of political history, the book also carefully integrates social, cultural, and economic developments into a single, expertly crafted account. In updating this fourth edition of the late William Cleveland’s popular introductory text, Martin Bunton addresses recent transformative developments in the Middle East, charting the decline in the peace prospects between Israelis and Palestinians, elaborating upon the resurgence of Islam, and devoting a new chapter to “America’s Troubled Moment in the Middle East,” which details the aftermath of the Iraq war and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

[Kirstie]

Jill, Jack, Aussie Rick, Becky, and Bryan, thanks to you all for the thoughtful recommendations! I think I have a good amount of material to start with. I really appreciate it.

[Bryan]

Bob asked:

Wondering if anyone here would be able to recommend any books along these lines, I have read and enjoyedAmerican Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company and Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars and I was looking for others along those lines

Bryce G. Hoffman

Paul Ingrassia

[Bryan]

Bob asked for more books similar to:

Bryce G. Hoffman

Paul Ingrassia

[Bryan]

Bob:

I liked this one:

Wheels for the World : Henry Ford, His Company, and a Century of Progress

(no image)Wheels for the World: Henry Ford, His Company, and a Century of Progress, 1903-2003 by Douglas Brinkley

Synopsis

In this monumental work, one of our finest historians reveals the riveting details of Ford Motor Company’s epic achievements, from the outlandish success of the Model T and V-8 to the glory days of the Thunderbird, Mustang, and Taurus. Brilliant innovators, colorful businessmen, and clever eccentrics, as well as the three Ford factories themselves, all become characters in this gripping drama. Douglas Brinkley is a master at crafting compelling historical narratives, and this exemplary history of one of the preeminent American corporations is his finest achievement yet.

[Bryan]

This looks good, Bob:

Billy, Alfred, and General Motors: The Story of Two Unique Men, a Legendary Company, and a Remarkable Time in American History

William Pelfrey

Synopsis

"You couldn't find two more different men. Billy Durant was the consummate salesman, a brilliant wheeler-dealer with grand plans, unflappable energy, and a fondness for the high life. Alfred Sloan was the intellectual, an expert in business strategy and management, master of all things organizational. Together, this odd couple built perhaps the most successful enterprise in U.S. history, General Motors, and with it an industry that has come to define modern life throughout the world. Their story is full of timeless lessons, cautionary tales, and inspiration for business leaders and history buffs alike. "Billy, Alfred, and General Motors" is the tale not just of the two extraordinary men of its title but also of the formative decades of twentieth-century America, through two world wars and sea changes in business, industry, politics, and culture. The book includes vivid, warts - and - all portraits of the legends of the golden age of the automobile, from "Crazy" Henry Ford, Ransom Olds, and Charles Nash to the brilliant but uncredited David Dunbar Buick and Cadillac founder Henry Leland. The impact of Durant and Sloan on their contemporaries and their industry is matched only by the powerful legacy of their improbable and incredible partnership. Characters, events, and context - all are brought skillfully and passionately to life in this meticulously researched and supremely readable book."

[Tyler]

Are there any quality biographies on P.T.Barnum or Houdini? I would even go for some books that are not biographies but where either is a part of the book.

For example, P.T. Branum is in:


by Matthew Goodman
Houdini is in Doyle's Biography some but not enough.

[Alisa]

Tyler I have not read these but found a few you might consider.

The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero
by William Kalush
Synopsis
Handcuff King. Escape Artist. International Superstar. Since his death eighty years ago, Harry Houdini's life has been chronicled in books, in film, and on television. Now, in this groundbreaking biography, renowned magic expert William Kalush and bestselling writer Larry Sloman team up to find the man behind the myth. Drawing from millions of pages of research, they describe in vivid detail the passions that drove Houdini to perform ever-more-dangerous feats, his secret life as a spy, and a pernicious plot to subvert his legacy.
The Secret Life of Houdini traces the arc of the master magician's life from desperate poverty to worldwide fame -- his legacy later threatened by a group of fanatical Spiritualists led by esteemed British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Initiating the reader along the way into the arcane world of professional magic, Kalush and Sloman decode a life based on deception, providing an intimate and riveting portrayal of Houdini, the man and the legend.

by P.T. Barnum
by Irving Wallace

[Jill]

Another interesting book on Harry Houdini that is worth a read.


by Sid Fleischman

[Ann D]

My husband is interested in reading about the history of Congress. Any suggestions for the general reader?

[Bryan]

Ann, I don't know if they ever wrote one for the Senate, but for the House, this is a good one:

The House: The History of the House of Representatives
Robert V. Remini

Synopsis

Throughout America's history, the House has played a central role in shaping the nation's destiny. In this incomparable single-volume history, distinguished historian Robert V. Remini traces the institution from a struggling, nascent body to the venerable powerhouse it has become since America's rise on the world stage. The essential drama of democracy—the struggle between principle and pragmatism—is showcased throughout the book, and through it the history of America's successful experiment with democracy unfurls.

[Ann D]

Thanks, Bryan. That looks like a good one.

[Peter]

Bryan wrote: "Ann, I don't know if they ever wrote one for the Senate, but for the House, this is a good one:

The House: The History of the House of Representatives
[bookcover:The House: The History of the Hous..."

Adding this to my huge TBR pile

[Alisa]

Ann, you might also try this one.

Capitol Men: The Epic Story of Reconstruction Through the Lives of the First Black Congressmen
by Philip Dray

Synopsis
Reconstruction was a time of idealism and sweeping change, as the victorious Union created citizenship rights for the freed slaves and granted the vote to black men. Sixteen black Southerners, elected to the U.S. Congress, arrived in Washington to advocate reforms such as public education, equal rights, land distribution, and the suppression of the Ku Klux Klan.
But these men faced astounding odds. They were belittled as corrupt and inadequate by their white political opponents, who used legislative trickery, libel, bribery, and the brutal intimidation of their constituents to rob them of their base of support. Despite their status as congressmen, they were made to endure the worst humiliations of racial prejudice. And they have been largely forgotten—often neglected or maligned by standard histories of the period.
In this beautifully written book, Philip Dray reclaims their story. Drawing on archival documents, contemporary news accounts, and congressional records, he shows how the efforts of black Americans revealed their political perceptiveness and readiness to serve as voters, citizens, and elected officials.
We meet men like the war hero Robert Smalls of South Carolina (who had stolen a Confederate vessel and delivered it to the Union navy), Robert Brown Elliott (who bested the former vice president of the Confederacy in a stormy debate on the House floor), and the distinguished former slave Blanche K. Bruce (who was said to possess �the manners of a Chesterfield”). As Dray demonstrates, these men were eloquent, creative, and often effective representatives who, as support for Reconstruction faded, were undone by the forces of Southern reaction and Northern indifference.
In a grand narrative that traces the promising yet tragic arc of Reconstruction, Dray follows these black representatives’ struggles, from the Emancipation Proclamation to the onset of Jim Crow, as they fought for social justice and helped realize the promise of a new nation.

[Bryan]

Good one, Alisa.

[Ann D]

Thanks for the recommendation, Alisa. As a young person, I was left with the impression that these black Congressmen were a disaster. I'm glad someone has written a book to correct the story.

[Tyler]

Thanks for the previous recs. Also looking for books that describe the lives of the Russian people during the Napoleon or WWII German invasions. For example, life for the people during the Leningrad siege or how they carried out the scorched earth policy. Those would be fascinating.

['Aussie Rick']

Hi Tyler,

For some good books on how people managed or tried to survive during the siege of Leningrad during WW2 I can recommend these titles:

by Harrison E. Salisbury

by Michael Jones

by Anna Reid

['Aussie Rick']

Two good books covering Russia during the Napoleonic Wars are these two titles:


by Dominic Lieven

by Michael Adams

[Tyler]

Wow, thanks.

[Leonardo]

Liz wrote: "Bentley wrote: "Jack, a new member is looking for a book about WW2 Eastern Front."

Jack, Thanks for the reco of Stalingrad The Fateful Siege 1942-1943. I've added it to my now burgeoning list o..."

If you haven't seen the movie "Enemy at the Gates," you should also add it to your list. It's a true story about two opposing snipers during the Battle of Stalingrad--amazing story, great actors, great acting.

[Leonardo]

Tyler wrote: "Thanks for the previous recs. Also looking for books that describe the lives of the Russian people during the Napoleon or WWII German invasions. For example, life for the people during the Lening..."

Well, this one is from b/t the periods that you mentioned, but Dr. Zhivago is a classic of the Bolshevik Revolution era that you shouldn't miss!

[Alisa]

Leonardo, don't forget to add the author links as well to complete the book citation.
by Boris Pasternak

Thanks.

[Leonardo]

Oops; thanks for catching that.

[Aaron]

I would love some recommendations on some good books about the French Revolution. I am looking for a book that provides a good, general overview.

['Aussie Rick']

Two books that I enjoyed on the French Revolution were:


by Christopher Hibbert

by Simon Schama

['Aussie Rick']

There is also this recent book that is quite a good account:


by David Andress

[Becky]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Two books that I enjoyed on the French Revolution were:...

I'll second the Schama - it's a bit longish, but comprehensive, well organized and nicely written.

by Simon Schama

[Mark]

Thanks Becky and "Aussie Rick" for the assistance.

[DrBrewhaha]

Looking for a good overview of the Santa Fe trail. Any suggestions?

[Jill]

This book may be one that you would enjoy about the Santa Fe Trail.


by David Dary

[Jerome, Assisting Moderator - Upcoming Books and Releases]

I'm looking for books on the Russian Revolution in the Caucasus, the Baltic and Central Asia. Anyone?

['Aussie Rick']

I have a book in my library that may cover some of what your after Jerome:


by William Edward David Allen

[Jerome, Assisting Moderator - Upcoming Books and Releases]

Hmmm, might be a good place to start, thanks, Rick.

[Jill]

Jerome..................I have not read this book but have read several others by this historian. I imagine that this one is equally concise and learned without being a tough read.


Orlando Figes

[Jerome, Assisting Moderator - Upcoming Books and Releases]

Thanks, Jill, I've already read it. It was REALLY good.

[Bryan]

Jerome:

I didn't find books, but here a couple journal articles:

Russian Revolution and Civil War in the Caucasus.
by McDowell, Robert
Source: Russian Review; Oct1968, Vol. 27 Issue 4, p452-460.

Revolution and Civil War in the North Caucasus-End of the 19th-Beginning of the 20th Century
By: Jabagi, Vassan-Giray
Source: Central Asian Survey; Mar1991, Vol. 10 Issue 1/2, p119-132.

[Jill]

Jerome wrote: "Thanks, Jill, I've already read it. It was REALLY good."

It will go on my TBR list.....thanks.

[Thomas]

J. wrote: "
I am looking for a book that has to do with the Oregon trail and/or the Westward movement in the United States. Thanks"

Hi - I just happen to be reading this excellent book:

by Hugh Brogan

Of course it is a general history but I have just read the section covering the Oregon Trail (of which I knew next to nothing about before) and Brogan does a great job of describing its key aspects in Chapter 12. He writes beautifully.

[Frank]

Winston Groom great book

[Alisa]

That does look interesting, Frank. Good addition. Thanks!

[Peter]

A friend of mine who doesn't know much American history (she's forgotten most of what she learned in high school) is looking for a good general book on the subject. She doesn't want a text and she is more interested in readability than scholarship. It's been a while since I read anything like that, so I'm asking for suggestions.

[Frank]

Hampton Sides not really about the Oregon trail but defiantly about westward expansion. Definitely not a text book.

[Colleen]

Peter wrote: "A friend of mine who doesn't know much American history (she's forgotten most of what she learned in high school) is looking for a good general book on the subject. She doesn't want a text and she ..."

Howard Zinn Peoples history of the U.S. is very readable and very good. The only caveat I would have with this book is that there are a few inaccuracies in it. But even with those, I would still recommend it. Howard Zinn

[Peter]

Thanks for these two comments. I think Zinn may demand a bit too much background knowledge for her.... It is a classic though

[Tyler]

Anyone know any good 19th century New Orleans history books? I'm fairly obsessed by A Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly

I want more a a specific story instead of a general overview like
The French Quarter: An Informal History of the New Orleans UnderworldbyHerbert Asbury

There are ton of these in New York. Maybe they just haven't been written yet but I'm sure there are stories there.