History

Known and Unknown: A Memoir by Donald Rumsfeld

My most recent read is about a very polarizing figure in the George W. Bush Administration – Donald Rumsfeld.  His book, Known and Unknown: A Memoir, chronicles his life – mainly his political life.  It is not a quick read by any imagination at 726 pages, but it flows well for the most part.

The book is divided into 14 parts which generally cover his childhood, Navy career, Congressional terms, various roles in the Nixon and Ford Administrations, private sector career, and stint as Secretary of Defense in the Bush Administration.  A majority of the book (close to 500 pages) covers his years in the Bush Administration.

One word describes Rumsfeld’s political life – fascinating.  He was obviously an important player in the Bush Administration, but I did not know how influential he was in his earlier political career - especially in the Nixon and Ford Administrations. He had relatively minor roles in the Nixon Administration until he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to NATO.  Under Ford, he was the Whitehouse Chief of Staff and then the Secretary of Defense.  In each of these roles, he brought his own style of leadership – allowing his subordinates to do their jobs without much interference from him unless they screwed up.

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Black Faces of War: A Legacy of Honor from the American Revolution to Today by Robert V. Morris

I am a few months behind in my readings and I meant to read and review this book during February, but unfortunately that did not happen.  Anyway, Robert V. Morris highlights the contributions of African-Americans in our country’s wars in Black Faces of War: A Legacy of Honor from the American Revolution to Today from the American Revolution to Today.  The book is 160 pages with 53 color and 194 b/w photographs.
Morris profiles many famous and not-so-famous military figures.  These figures include Crispus Attucks (first man to die in the American Revolution); Harriet Tubman (she led many slaves to freedom and served the Union during the Civil War); Capt. Luther Smith (decorated pilot who flew with the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II); and General Colin Powell (first African-American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff).

Such Men As These: The Story of the Navy Pilots Who Flew the Deadly Skies over Korea by David Sears

Continuing my two-book review series on the Korean War, I turn to Such Men as These: The Story of the Navy Pilots Who Flew the Deadly Skies over Korea by David Sears.  The book is 395 pages with 46 black and white photographs.

Generally, the book covers the Navy pilots that flew over the skies of North and South Korea during the War.  Many of the accounts of the pilots are from the pilots themselves.  Sears follows the pilots from their deployment to their way home (if they were lucky enough to survive).  He includes many stories of survival and loss during the war.

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How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football

John J. Miller talks about his book The Big Scrum on Reason TV:

Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation by Harlow Giles Unger

Continuing with my meanderings in history – I thought the next subject I would look into was our founding fathers.  There are so many and much ink has been spilled analyzing each phrase and aspect of their lives.

So, I veered away from Washington, Jefferson, and Adams and choose to read about Patrick Henry – Patrick “Give me Liberty or give me Death” Henry.  Harlow Giles Unger provides a light and refreshing read of Henry’s life in Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation.

Here is a brief description of the book from its inside cover:

In this action-packed history, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger unfolds the epic story of Patrick Henry, who roused Americans to fight government tyranny—both British and American. Remembered largely for his cry for “liberty or death,” Henry was actually the first (and most colorful) of America’s Founding Fathers—first to call Americans to arms against Britain, first to demand a bill of rights, and first to fight the growth of big government after the Revolution.  As quick with a rifle as he was with his tongue, Henry was America’s greatest orator and courtroom lawyer, who mixed histrionics and hilarity to provoke tears or laughter from judges and jurors alike. Henry’s passion for liberty (as well as his very large family), suggested to many Americans that he, not Washington, was the real father of his country.

This biography is history at its best, telling a story both human and philosophical. As Unger points out, Henry’s words continue to echo across America and inspire millions to fight government intrusion in their daily lives.

This book has helped me understand more about the political battles that were fought during the Continental and Confederation Congresses.  I did not realize how much animosity there was toward the delegates who wrote the Constitution – our country was on the verge of a civil war over states rights against federal control (similar to what occurred 70 some years later).  As Unger points out, Henry was at the forefront of the Antifederalists in their quest to limit the authority of the federal government.  Unger captures Henry’s passion for states rights.

It is interesting to note (as Unger highlights) that the British oligarchy was replaced by an American one – many of our founding fathers were wealthy men who wanted to control the direction our country was headed.  According to Unger, these men were more interested in keeping their own power than giving more power to the common man.  I do not know enough about our founding fathers to have an opinion beyond the basics that I am glad the America won its independence, but it does make one think about the real winners of the American Revolution – was it the aristocratic elite or the average American who benefited the most from the Revolution?