I have always had difficulty understanding Texas. Politically, I have problems with Go Abbot. However this book plows through the nightmare of this homogenous state will all sorts of people coming to Texas from all over. Texas is geographically huge and the state is open, apart from the major problems surrounding the border.
I am glad that I read and I am very glad that I finished it!
The author accomplished an awesome review of the Northern Ireland conflict. As a decedent of the Irish nation, I became aware of the struggles between the Catholics and Protestants in Nothern Ireland. I learned much but admittedly, I was overwhelmed by the author who is a Bostonian. He had committed four years of research, seven trips to Northern Ireland and interviews with more than 100 people. He sought collaborations of information provided. One of the sources of information was Gerry Adams of Boston College. What is so strange is that even though he denied that he was a member of the IRA.
I have “forever” read about the problems between Israel and Palestine. Even today (Feb. 2024), the ongoing conflict continues with no prospect of peace. This book reports the history between 1917 and 2017 (the problems in 2024 are the same, albeit worse from my perspective.
From my personal perspective that God loves all and is not discriminating. We may not “like” someone, but there is no need to be friendly. We are so primitive. The book makes anyone cry at the anger, hatred, and killing of others.
I am glad that I read the book and surety happy I have finished reading it.
Donald McNeil spent 25 years covering pandemics throughout the world. The book clearly identifies the need of being aware of the reality that viruses exist and the need to understand the implications. He delves into the reality of how citizens respond to not only the viruses but to the advice of the health workers.
The book is quite repetitive in the sense that the advice given to anyone anywhere is being aware of with whom you are physically close to, of the health care reporters, of the news of what is happening throughout the world. A virus loves to move.
Mitt Romney was always an interesting person in my life. I was struck by his sincerity in his Mormon religion. He was clearly a believer whose behavior epitomized the best in humanity.
The author clearly captures his dedication that embedded his sharp Republican political voice. While he achieved many important roles in the Mormon Temple in Massachusetts, his political achievements, e.g., Governor of Massachusetts, he was unable to achieve his goal as President.
The author captures in extreme amount of quotations the ends and outs of his dialogue with family, especially his loving wife, about what to do or what went wrong. He seemed to never understand the possibility that his understanding of God and country was a problem to many.
The author is surely to be credited for providing an understanding of Mitt Romney.
Cassidy Hutchinson was a member of the Trump administration. Since she was so intelligent, she was promoted several times to higher positions. Trump’s reaction to his loss mystified her. She had been so dedicated to him that it was so difficult to believe that he would reject an national election. But after more unbelievable instances, she started to shiver with the prospects that her political life would cease. And then the moment when she was asked to testify at the congressional meeting about the Trump’s claim of a fraudulent election. She shivered at the prospect, but due to her allegiance to the US Constitution, she was strong enough to be publicly interviewed. Her interview was so strong partially because it came from someone who supported Trump.
While I thoroughly enjoyed her literary report that was so detailed, the most important aspect that she was not re-elected in a state that was served by her elder generations, including her father who was a former Vice-President. It was unbelievable except for my knowing how Trumpian supporters are destroying so much of what our nation is, a nation that stands on the Constitution.
If all Republicans were like her, I would not be anxious of the 2024 election!!!
A.J.Baime provided a detailed biography of the four months of Harry Truman’s being the President of the United States. It was amazing that he was so engrained in every step of Truman’s step from a gentleman of Missouri with a beloved wife, Bess, who came from Kansas City, Missouri with no college degree, no money to own his home, never served as a mayor and yet he became the President of the United States!! And his career was unbelievable especially when you consider his becoming President itself was unexpected.
In summary, Franklin Roosevelt was president for four terms. His polio developed over time eventually requiring him to be in a wheel chair. During the fourth term, there was a need of Roosevelt to identify a new vice-president. Unexpectedly, he ended up picking Truman who would never expected the turn of events. Roosevelt’s death and his becoming President was the most significant moment. But the turn of events in the next four months was clearly unbelievable.
The book detailed all the events of WWII! Anyone would benefit from reading the details of his first four months.
MY TAKING:
I have lived my life trying to be helpful to others whenever possible. I have succeeded as such in my 86 years: successful high school student and athlete, 8 years in the seminary and then a priest followed by a career in the Veterans Administration when my good fortune, I was there were computers were invented, and, lo and behold, I ended up as the CEO for Mental Health in New England. So, I have succeeded as best that I could. I never missed an opportunity. Needless to say, this was nothing compared to what Harry Truman did!
The point: always LIVE IN THE MOMENT! Never know what will happen. Surely Harry never expected the events that occurred when he became President when Roosevelt died!
I was informed daily about the events of January 6!! All the news channels photographers captured the awesome attack on the Capital of the United States. It was both awesome and scary to think this event was actually happening. The Capital Police were noted both in their defense of the US Capital but also the awesome attacks against members of the Capital Police.
Harry Dunn, one of the police leaders and a victim of some of the attacks does justice to the experience and implications for our democracy. His writing is similar to a novel because it is so interesting, but so bewildering because it captured the reality of the events and the ramifications for his personal life for time beyond.
To think that our nation is now up to considering the Trump, the person in charge of all the disaster because he could not accept defeat in the election, is now the leading candidate for the Office of the President of the United States in 2024.
I read the book feeling the anxiety and anguish of these distinguished Capital Police who were threatened and injured only because they were protecting our national capital. While I was always moved by the events as they occurred, his accurate reiteration revived those feelings and my appreciation for those who serve our nation.
I have been a regular consumer of Raschel Maddow’s ABC news program. I have always been impressed with her clear articulation of complicated subjects with the ability to identify the exact details pertinent to the subject matter.
Her book at Fascism in America was so helpful, but for me, was also unbelievable that I was as ignorant of fascism in America since I read virtually everything from the Boston Globe, NY Times, Washington Post, BBC, Foreign Affairs, Economist, etc. As an 86 year old, I grew up in Brockton, MA, delivered news papers, spent 8 years in the seminary, five years in a Catholic Doctorate program, 2 years in a Master’s Program in Social Work, and years as the CEO of Mental Health in the New England Veterans Administration, and to think that I was unaware of fascism in America as reported by Rachel is amazing.
I was clear about the Nazis in WWII, the problems associated with the destructive anger and killing of the Jews. I was aware of Pearl Harbor. But I was unaware of fact that Nazism continues even in the United States. It surely is a good example of why there is a need to read.
I am thankful that I live in an area of Massachusetts that is all friendly and helpful to one another. But I am concerned that our present political is prone to being a bed for the likes of fascism and other political groups that are angered by political dialogue seeking what is possible for the many.
The author captures the politicians who have been considered extreme left wing of the Democratic Party: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In general, they shared the same perspective that the government should focus on those who need.
I have been personally a supporter. I still support the need of the rich to be taxed somewhat similar to what they were taxed in the time of President Roosevelt, i.e., about 40% that then now 4%. The rich absorb so much and the poor have so little. The rich not only have the means to be happy with their resources but also purchase additional awesome houses elsewhere to assure that they will be happy while the poor struggle.
I still have those views! However, I am aware that the prospects of adopting those values is beyond the pale. The upcoming 2024 election may result in a nightmare. For me as a old person, I will be spared. But I fear for the children, grandchildren and those to come.
The author captures the politicians who have been considered extreme left wing of the Democratic Party: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In general, they shared the same perspective that the government should focus on those who need.
I have been personally a supporter. I still support the need of the rich to be taxed somewhat similar to what they were taxed in the time of President Roosevelt, i.e., about 40% that then now 4%. The rich absorb so much and the poor have so little. The rich not only have the means to be happy with their resources but also purchase additional awesome houses elsewhere to assure that they will be happy while the poor struggle.
I still have those views! However, I am aware that the prospects of adopting those values is beyond the pale. The upcoming 2024 election may result in a nightmare. For me as a old person, I will be spared. But I fear for the children, grandchildren and those to come.
Liz Cheney has come from a long, long history of family members dedicated to our Constitution. All the members served our nation as public services. All members are bonafide Republicans. Liz Cheney was a great leader in the House of Representatives. This history was surely tested by Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election.
Liz’s dedication to our Constitution is exemplary of a good citizen!!
She details not only her personal history but the history of the events following the uprising attack by Donald J Trump!! He not only denied the vote by he attacked any personal involved in the election count. He denied every bit of it and persuaded an attack on all those who followed the Constitution even his Vice President, Mike Pence who honored the vote while the US Capital was under attack.
I surely both honor her as a patriot buy also as a person. She always has been a genuine Republican which meant that she understood that Trump is not the sane. He was a world that only exists in his mind, It feels some hopeless thinking he could be nominated far less elected again.
Liz provides all the rationale to identify those who protect our democracy.
