Deb’s 2021 Determination List

[madrano]

Thanks, Alias. The final two are print versions, one over 800 pages.

I agree re. Ebooks & Covid—lifesaver!

[madrano]

Today i completed reading George Washington's Secret Spy War: The Making of America's First Spymaster—John A. Nagy. It was informative, well researched and well organized.

Washington learned about spies in war while serving in the British Army against the French and their Tribal allies. The lessons were painful for the young man but he learned those lessons well. Codes, bribes, secret letters and subterfuge were some of the strongest tools he used over those rough years toward victory.

The book details some of the spy activity, including the failures. The last several chapters explore the particulars of how Washington plotted the deception of moving his Army to Virginia for the confrontation with Cornwallis, including misdirection (leading the British to believe they would attack NYC) to open construction of ovens to make it look as though bread was being baked to serve the troops to the secret, hurried march south.

One fine feature found Nagy comparing Washington’s ruses to those practiced by US warriors during WWII and the Gulf War, to similar success. I liked that touch.

Finally, there were neat tidbits about the war that i learned. For instance, those ovens did, in fact, provide bread for the French, whose rations included much bread. Who knew?

At this point i have the rest of the year to complete the final book on my 2021 DL. The McKinley bio, which has small print and over 700 pages. I’m still unable to find an e-book version. It may well take me all year!

[John]

Sounds like an interesting read - good luck with the McKinley story!

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "McKinley bio, which has small print and over 700 pages. I’m still unable to find an e-book version. It may well take me all year!..."

Yikes. Many I paper book I simply will not read if they have tiny print. I also find if a book has very tiny print, the print is also too light. Sorry you can't find a eBook version. :(

[Alias Reader]

FYI
I see there is a kindle version of
President McKinley: Architect of the American Century
on Amazon.

You may want to treat yourself for finishing your DL and save your eyesight.

[madrano]

Thanks, Alias. i’ve decided to give this a start but if it’s an issue (as bad as i fear, that is) i plan to find an alternative bio. Dan bought this one for me when i started this Presidential idea, so i want to try. LOL. Am i inviting pain?

[Alias Reader]

:)

[Vance]

I would suggest "The President and the Assassin" by Scott Miller for McKinley. Although the focus is not upon McKinley and his life history, that gets extensive coverage...and more importantly, this offers splendid insight into American society during his tenure.

[John]

Vance wrote: "I would suggest "The President and the Assassin" by Scott Miller for McKinley. Although the focus is not upon McKinley and his life history, that gets extensive coverage...and more importantly, thi..."

That one has been on my TBR for quite a while.

[madrano]

Thanks, Vance. I see my library has this book, too, so i will turn to that one if the Robert W. Merry bio ends up too fine for my eyes.

[Alias Reader]

Vance wrote: "I would suggest "The President and the Assassin" by Scott Miller for McKinley. Although the focus is not upon McKinley and his life history, that gets extensive coverage...and more importantly, thi..."

This looks very interesting. I'm adding it to my TBR list. Thanks, Vance !

[madrano]

I thought i'd mention that i've embarked upon reading my final DL of this year, Robert W. Merry's President McKinley: Architect of the American Century . Thus far the print size isn't causing eye troubles but i've taken the precautions of reading under a large wattage fixture, as well as reading only a chapter each day.

[Alias Reader]

Good luck with the bio, deb. I hope it turns out to be a good one.

Also congratulations on your DL this year. Well done !

[madrano]

Thank you, Alias. I've been trying to make these lists doable, so my success illustrates that works. Still i have many books i wish i had added. Maybe later this year? We'll see.

[madrano]

Woo-Hoo! I finished reading this Presidential biography today, thus completing my 2021 Determination List. Once i got hold of a halogen lamp, my reading moved right along

President McKinley: Architect of the American Century--Robert W. Merry

This biography was just what i like from a Presidential bio. First of all, it's chronological, so i learn what helped form the man who went on to become our nation's leader. Secondly, it balanced his personal life with his political one, including finances. The transition between topics addressed is clear, as well.

I was pleased to learn the why's of coming to possessing Hawai'i, as well as how it was the US came to acquire Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines via the Spanish American War. This material was new to me, as it wasn't much addressed in the bio of his predecessor, Grover Cleveland. However, resolution of the gold v. silver standard debate, which was important in the last few bios, was explained again & sides delineated quite well.

I hope to post further on my Presidential DL tomorrow. Meanwhile, i'm glad to be finished.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Woo-Hoo! I finished reading this Presidential biography today, thus completing my 2021 Determination List. Once i got hold of a halogen lamp, my reading moved right along

[book:President McKinley:..."

Well done, Deb ! 📚 ⭐ A book for your presidential challenge and completion of your 2021 DL.

I'm glad to hear that the Robert Merry book was exactly what you seek in a bio. I also enjoy when the president bio includes the years as a child and young adult.

Also I'm glad you found a good solution with the halogen lamp.

[madrano]

Thank you. One more Prez off my list!

Re. the lamp. While it heats the room, it serves me with plenty of good light. I have a pile of paper books to get to, so am glad to have this light source.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Thank you. One more Prez off my list!

Re. the lamp. While it heats the room, it serves me with plenty of good light. I have a pile of paper books to get to, so am glad to have this light source."

Since covid I haven't been to a physical library. So I've read only eBooks for the most part. I have to say the ability to adjust font size is a big plus. I also love the ability to quickly do a google search on my Kindle Fire for a topic I come across in the book.

I can make notes on the Kindle and highlight. However, for me that is one aspect that for me, paper books win. I love marginalia!
I also find it easier to search a paper book.

I've learned to use the different colors that the kindle offers for specific uses. That helps me when I look back over the eBook. For example, I only use the pink highlight for character names. I use the blue for something really important that I want to remember. The orange/yellow I just use those two colors to highlight in general.

Another plus is I can see all my highlights and notes in one place. That makes it easier for me to write any follow up notes on the Notions program. I am trying online notes with Notions for a year instead of a notebook. There are plus and minuses as with most things.

[madrano]

It's been interesting to see how we have all worked at making e-books work for us. I like the colored highlighting but cannot see that this is an option for my Overdrive version.

[Alias Reader]

I get all my books from Overdrive. Then I read them on my Kindle Fire.

I just touch the word or words that I want to highlight. A bar will come up that lets me select color, write a note, search, share, or copy.

[madrano]

Nice. It must make note taking easier.