What are you reading in June 2008?

[Duckie]

Now that it's practically summer, what are your late spring/early summer history reads?

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Crazy Cat Lady]

I'm still reading Love and Louis XIV, which is very good.

[Kathleen]

I am still "Reading the Man" Letters of Robert E Lee. I believe with enough poolside reading I'll be through it by July.

It begins with Lee's Revolutionary ancestor and the history of Arlington Plantation.

Westpoint and early military career as well as his courtship offer insight to the personality of the General.

Kate
http://whenkateblogs.blogspot.com

[Rosemary]

I'm reading HUCK'S RAFT: A History of American Childhood by Steven Mintz.

[Jim]

I'm reading Freedom at Midnight - about British transfer of sovereignty to India and all the players Gandhi, Nehru and the various societies, cultures, religions involved) - very interesting and thorough

also listening to The Coldest Winter by Halberstam --about The Korean War
very thorough and about something I didn't know much about
a few reviewers on Goodreads said it wasn't top shelf but I didn't know anything about the War and so I am enjoying it

[George]

Just started the Coldest Winter. Went out to the Korean War memorial today during lunch.

[[deleted user]]

I am reading Sailing from Byzantium. Wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it has a lot of names that were new to me.

[Karen]

I'm reading A Bohemian Brigade: The Civil War Correspondents by James M. Perry. A very different perspective on the Civil War.

[Matt]

I've got two books going: Embracing Defeat by John Dower (Japan in the wake of WWII) and The Guns of August (classic Barbara Tuchman).

[Manuel]

I read Embracing Defeat a few months ago. Very long and very interesting. I cant help comparing the success of US strategy in post WWII Japan and our curent deadlock in Iraq.


Just finished "No Ordinary Time" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. A mesmerizing look into the White House of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt during WWII. It was one of those books I couldnt put down, more than a few times I realized it was nearing 4:00AM and I reluctantly turned off the light.

I liked the book because it took up several layers at the same time. The personal interaction and conflicts between FDR and Eleanor. The struggle to get America ready for war while publicly trying to stay neutral. Franklin's deep friendship and partnership with Churchill and eventually Stalin.
For me the most interesting aspect was Eleanor's continued struggle and commitment for individual human and civil rights. She did not let the war get in the way for her fight against segregation in the US armed forces or the rights and bennifts for American women suddenly working in war production jobs. She is also one of the few people speaking up against the injustice of relocation camps for American born Japanese.
A great view of America's premier power couple.