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Franklin Pierce: Young Hickory of the Granite Hills 8 reviews
Roy Nichols
American Political Biography Press, 1993
how not to avoid a civil war
+ Comprehensive but dated biography of Franklin Pierce
+ Very detailed and thoughtful anaylsis
Over the last several years I have read more than 25 presidential biographies, using Amazon readers' reviews to guide my selections. I was a bit reluctant to try this biography of Franklin Pierce; but, reading it was a pleasant surprise. I found Nichols' work to be well organized and very ...
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When I Was Your Age, We Didn't Even Have Church: Chronicles of a Catholic Parent 1 review
Kevin Cowherd
Our Sunday Visitor, 1995
Chronicles of Any Parent!!
Kevin Cowherd has such a terrific sense of humor. His stories are so familiar - they have happed to me growing up and now with my own children. A laugh out loud book!!
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Education of a Coach, The56 reviews
David Halberstam
Hyperion, 2006
Great Insight into a Very Private Man
I read this book several years ago, and reread it recently after reflecting on the "Spygate" drama of the past year. I found the book very insightful the second time around. David Halberstam was an incrediably gifted writer who was able to truly get into the mind of his subjects, and this book is a ...
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Hairspray: The Novel 1 review
Tracey West
Price Stern Sloan, 2007
Hairrave
My daughter is a big fan of the Movie. The Novel was great because now she read any time she wants.
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McCain's Promise: Aboard the Straight Talk Express with John McCain and a Whole Bunch of Actual Reporters, ...4 reviews
David Foster Wallace
Back Bay Books, 2008
Important to know the context of this book was 2000, not 2008
Given DFW's recent tragic death (and the election timing of this re-release), I'd imagine alot of folks may now discover this book. What Wallace wanted current readers understand about the context, he told the Wall Street Journal in an interview from June 2008. Here's the excerpt:
"The essay ...
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The Last Hurrah 10 reviews
Edwin O'Connor
Back Bay Books, 1985
American classic
+ Classic of Irish urban politics
+ For those not politically inclined...Read it anyway
+ My new favorite book...
+ The greatest book ever written about Boston Politics
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PREFERRED LIES AND OTHER TALES: Skimming the Cream of a Life in Sports2 reviews
Jack Whitaker
Simon & Schuster, 1998
Whitaker writes who he is.
+ One of Greatest Sports Commentators Comments on Career
Jack Whitaker spins stories not only about exotic people and places; he also reveals a great deal about himself. His content and style clearly communicate a man who deeply appreciates the important things in life, a perspective that allows him to keep his long professional career, with its ...
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Off the Deep End9 reviews
W. Hodding Carter
Algonquin Books, 2008
excellent and inspiring
+ Charming and intelligent!
+ A MUST READ for any Masters Swimmer!
When I ordered this book, I was expecting sort of a literary reflection on swimming, discussing the experience of endless laps in ponderous prose. Of course, I forgot my experience of champion swimmers (driven, sometimes eccentric, sometimes manic, but not usually introspective). Actually, the ...
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Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl7 reviews
John Feinstein
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2007
great book
+ Great Sports Mystery
+ Great reading for boys
+ Mystery at the Super Bowl
+ Suspenseful and hard to put down
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Stay Tuned: Conversations with Dad from the Other Side11 reviews
Jenniffer Weigel
Hampton Roads Pub Co, 2007
Completely Captivating
+ Brilliant
+ Must read
+ Completely Satisfying
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Zachary Taylor : Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest 10 reviews
K. Jack Bauer
Louisiana State University Press, 1993
I enjoyed this book
+ Comprehensive but often dull biography of our twelfth President
Very Enjoyable. An easy read. President Taylor is a cousin of mine, and it was fun to learn a little bit about him.
Fred Clark
www.reverbnation.com/fredclark
www.myspace.com/fredclarkmusic
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Lincoln105 reviews
David Herbert Donald
Simon & Schuster, 1996
Lincoln
+ Tight focus on Lincoln, not on larger events
+ My favorite Lincoln Biography. Excellent.
+ Slow start, but picks up the pace quickly.
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Casino Royale (James Bond Novels)130 reviews
Ian Fleming
Penguin (Non-Classics), 2002
BOND BEGINS
+ Awesome Book!
+ Great read!
It's always interesting reading the first book dealing with a popular character, whether it be Conan, Tarzan or Sherlock Holmes.
The same is true with James Bond.
Two things strike me as really fascinating about this book.
First of all, the first half of the book deals with the card game ...
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President James Buchanan: A Biography9 reviews
Philip S. Klein
American Political Biography Press, 1995
An excellent biography on an unfortunate President
+ Comprehensive and highly recommended biography of James Buchanan
+ Generally Good and Eye Opening
+ a good biography of a failed president
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The Professional5 reviews
W. C. Heinz
Da Capo Press, 2001
The book is worth reading for its writing alone.
+ My favorite novel
+ It's How You Play the Game
+ Boxing's SUN ALSO RISES
+ Doc Carroll - Unique Character
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A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream.5 reviews
Rick Kogan
Lake Claremont Press, 2006
Numerous vintage black-and-white photographs add a you-are-there touch to this history of a beloved Chicago hangout.
+ A great piece of history explained
+ Typical Chicago history and typically great reading
+ Eureka!
+ A Chicago Tavern
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I Love You, Beth Cooper48 reviews
Larry Doyle
Ecco, 2007
Brilliantly Funny, A coming of age story unlike others
+ It's that Teen Movie You Always Wanted to See!
+ Clever and Hilarious!
+ I Love "I Love You, Beth Cooper"
+ Laugh, laugh more, and laugh again!
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My Maggie3 reviews
Richard King
HPH Publishing, 2007
review
+ Brought Back Lots of Chicago Memories
+ Extraordinary comeback(s), extraordinary courage
It was excellent! I would definately recommend the book. The author wrote it like he was talking directly to me.
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The Remarkable Millard Fillmore: The Unbelievable Life of a Forgotten President15 reviews
George Pendle
Three Rivers Press, 2007
"We'll make a woman of you yet, Millard!"
+ Realize this is NOT historically accurate
+ "Depending On The Word's Inflection, N'bugaru Can Also Mean 'He Who Eats Camels.'"
+ The joke was on me
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Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed the World15 reviews
David Maraniss
Simon & Schuster, 2008
SPORTS AND HISTORY - WONDERFUL COMBINATION - WELL WRITTEN!
+ The Olympics that Changed the Olympics
+ Five-Star History
+ The Cold War, Drugs, Twin China's, Erosion of Amateur Athletics, Brundage and the Great Stars That Shine
+ Let the games begin!
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