History Books

This short book, which is largely autobiographical, reads like a nightmare. It will shake you, even if you are fully aware of the evils of the Holocaust. This book should be required reading in high school or college. In this book, mankind is forced to confront the issue of evil. This is a philosophical concept but real-life evil of man against man. Only when we understand mankind's capacity to commit Holocaust can we stand against it in the future. Thank you to Elie Wiesel for the courage to tell these stories to the world in the hope that something like this will never happen again.

Love this book! Not a happy, feel good read but something that everyone should read and understand. It's hard to imagine the horror faced by the author but he does such a great job describing the events.

I was happy to see that this book was added to Oprah's book club, this ment that millions who never knew of this book would read it or at least hear it's story. I read this in college as part of the debates on wither the US should have entered WW2 before 1941. When I was done I felt that I had been robbed. Not that I didn't enjoy the book but that noone had told me about it before. I would rather have read this in Middle or High school then some of the junk books they forced on us, and while Romeo and Joilet is a fine work I belive that the story Wiesel gives us is more timly and would give kids something to think about.
The story of Wiesel and his Father in the camps should make anyone who reads this book take note of what happens when Fascism and National Socalism are given a foothold.Sadly we are having to learn some of this lessons again, hopefully we learned then well enough to stop another Holocaust.

Night is a book that truly makes you think and feel. What happened to the Jewish people is devastatingly awful.My mom homeschools my siblings and they chose to listen to Night on audio tape. Everyone was enraptured in Elie's story wanting to know what happened to him. I think everyone should read Elie's story or hear it at some point in your life, because it makes you grateful for your own life and because everyone should know what the Germans did to the Jews. That time in history should never be forgotten.

I want to point out that George Guidall did a remarkable job narrating the book Night. I homeschool, and chose to do Night as one of our books for this year. My kids were horrified with what one human could do to another. It struck all of our hearts on a daily basis when we would turn on the next CD. This book is a must read. The horrific injustice the Jewish people undertook will never be forgotten and shouldn't be by anyone.

Of many books I have read on the misdeeds and mistakes of the Bush Administration in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the War on Terror generally, this is the best. Its impact sinks in page after page, horrific detail after horrific detail.

Jane Mayer has written a well-documented analysis of how the White House succumbed to the sociology of groupthink and pretty much froze out those who disagreed with or questioned the wisdom of allowing torture under any name.

There are a lot of books about the machinations of the White House available, but I think this one is the best.

While this book does not mince words, about the horrific tactics that our government has done, I found it informative but tedious. The public must be informed but the main objective I think is to "vote the rascals out!"

(From a conversation with the author on a local radio call-in program)
Somehow, i endured to the end of this frightening book. It frightened me in ways i didn't know i could be frightened. I found your vignettes well-supported and the story they tell, coherent and overwhelming. They are even more overwhelming when read as a whole than as a series of episodes.

By the time I got to the bottom of page 274, and read that Ramzi Kassem, whom you describe as having taught at Yale Law School, had reported that his Yemeni client "told him that during his incarceration in the Dark Prison [which you report as being near Kabul Airport] he had attempted suicide three tines by ramming his head into the walls..." By that point, knowing that I still had 60 nightmarish pages to finish, i found myself considering beating my own head with the book, so i wouldn't have to read them.

I have three questions. First, how have you defended "The Dark Side" against people who continue to support what i'd term Cheney/Bush's "security über allez" irrespective of constitutionality approach? Second, have you faced charges that you are merely "swiftboating" Cheney/Bush; if so, how would you defend yourself? I ask these questions so that i might better help you defended your book when people around me question your work. [The author answered that not a single claim had been challenged by anyone involved, or by any agent of the government,]

Finally, in view of Dan Levin's 'magic footnote' (my term) which stated that "nothing that the [US} government had previously authorized would be considered criminal under [Levin's] new interpretation of the law" (page 306, bottom), do you, Ms. Mayer foresee any possibility of criminal charges being brought against either Cheney or Bush under US laws? ... or War Crime charges being brought at the World Court? Is it possible that any of the Principles Group cold be arrested under international law, as General Pinochet was in England? [The author responded that this was unlikely to happen in the US,, but more likely to happen in another country---so, I say, let's start up a Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld international travel fund!]

Thank you for writing this truly troubling book.

If you truly love your country, you must read this book. I have to be honest, because I love my country, because the ideals of this nation are so important, because due process and the rule of law are what separate us from our enemies, I felt incredible sadness, even shame as an American, reading this book. Still, it must be read, and it should be read by everyone planning to vote in November. Quite simply, Bush, Cheney, Addington, Yoo and others betrayed this nation and, I believe, should be brought up on war crime charges. And, if you think I'm just another liberal, you're wrong. I supported the first President Bush and John McCain in 2000, and I honor of memory and legacy of Ronald Reagan.

The truth is never easy to accept, but it must come out. We should always remember John 8:32.

Creepy-cool history of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, intertwined with the history of the serial killer H. H. Holmes who was operating at and around the Fair and may have accounted for anywhere from 9 (confirmed) to 50 (suspected) to even 200 (conjectured) murders.

Reads like an atmospheric slasher novel, except it is history, and thoroughly footnoted from contemporary accounts as well as secondary sources. The couple of scenes where Larson assumes an omniscient authorial viewpoint are noted and his historical sources for the conjectural fiction are noted and explained.

Oh, yes, and there was a World's Fair going on at the same time, and that story fascinates as well, with the conflicts of personalities and politics that plague every large public project. These interactions result in sometimes bizarre, sometimes postmodernicly hip juxtapositions of buildings, events, and landscapes where millions would celebrate the latest of everything in their world.

If you live in Chicago or have lived in Chicago or just love Chicago you must read this book. My appreciation of the city, especially the architecture, is greater. And my knowledge of the city's history (an incredibly fascinating history) grew as well. I am a much better tour guide of Chicago to friends and family because of this book!

The book has a quick pace and reads like fiction. And there are sections, such as the ones regarding Holmes, that you wish were fiction. The writing style is uncluttered and straightforward. And the story progresses smoothly. It is a wonderful read.

As an urban planner, I found the history of the 1893 World's Fair fascinating, but what was great is that this book was a good beach read. So the other plot of a Jack-the-Ripper (true story) murderer spiced things up.

It's amazing what a huge effect that World's Fair had on our lives even 110 years later.

I enjoyed this book because I just returned from Chicago and heard rave reviews about it from city tour guides etc. The book is a fascinating look back on the Worlds Fair in Chicago plus serial killings going on at the same time.

The Chicago World's Fair at the turn of the century and a gruesome serial killer. The 1891 World's Fair was America's coming out party...

Whenever I read about Lincoln and his time I'm always amazed at how much information historians are able to gather in the finest detail through letters and records and quotations, etc. Books like Team of Rivals are so special for lovers of history like me because they go beyond the textbook achievements of the likes of our presidents, scientists, inventors or war heroes and examine who they are as people. Their personalities, their weaknesses and strengths, their philosophies. Having read Team of Rivals has given me new insight into why Lincoln is considered one of our greatest presidents if not the greatest.

Part of his genius and selflessness was that he surrounded himself with his political rivals to not only heal the wounds of a bitter political race, but so that Whigs and Democrats could reach common ground on the essential issues. And after having read this book I now have such a deep respect and reverence for Edwin Stanton (Lincoln's secretary of war) and William Seward (Lincoln's secretary of state whom I feel deserves the same amount of credit for the fight against and abolition of slavery as Lincoln as does Stanton for the Union's victory of the Civil War).

Team of Rivals also provides a great wealth of information into the private lives of the Lincolns, the Sewards, and the Chases in particular with tragic stories of personal loss. And it is clear that one of the major things to be admired about these people of the mid nineteenth century was their incredible ability to go on living and carry on with the responsibilities of life in the wake of losing children, wives, brothers and sisters so easily to diseases and certain conditions modern day people take for granted. Those who love Lincoln and American history will undoubtedly love this book.

It's a long, deep, and ultimately engrossing book about the 16th president and his cabinet. The book has a very strong, almost simplistic, point of view about its focuses. Lincoln is a kindly man always with a story to tell and with an almost preternatural grasp of politics. Seward is the loyal consigliere and companion. Chase is the scheming power-hungry plotter pushed by his scheming power-hungry daughter. Bates is the kindly old guy who no one else really cares about. Stanton is the hard-working, hard-driving guy who never lets the President down. Mary Lincoln is the batty, jealous wife. Everyone comes across as a one-dimensional archetype once they start the Administration. Most of them seem like more interesting people BEFORE Lincoln gets elected.

The book is engaging--it has to be with over 750 pages of text, not including notes, index, etc. But I am no Lincoln expert. I suspect the sketches that are drawn are overly simplistic, but without having seen an alternate account, and not being a Lincoln scholar, I hesitate to state an opinion on the accuracy or the perspective Kearns provides. I can say the book is immensely readable and I enjoyed it greatly.

LEARNING from HISTORY... One of our limitations as a nation is that we don't seem to learn from history. Doris Keanrs Goodwin's book THE TEAM OF RIVALS was written before the current election but provides many lessons that are still relevant in today's political situation. First is the conditions that Lincoln had to deal with when he was elected and when assumed power. We think that times today are unique and troublesome, but can you imagine taking over power and having the country divide and a new nation formed..neither McCain nor Obama could imagine or are prepared for this type of division.
Second, it is interesting that LINCOLN choose his rivals to help him lead and was willing to deal with the consequences of this decision. McCain clearly has followed the Lincoln example and is likely to choose his rivals to help him serve...when he is elected.

Overall we can learn from history and if we are smart avoid making the same mistakes... THANK YOU Ms. GOODWIN for the opportunity to do this because of your easy to read, highly researched and presented HISTORY LESSON.

Bill Rothschild, author of THE SECRET TO GE's SUCCESS...which tries to do the same for American businesses.

I have just completed Ms. Goodwin's book. I realize that a huge number of people will not like this review. While no one would denies that Abraham Lincoln was one of the top three presidents in this country's history-perhaps Washington and FDR being the other two-it seems that Goodwin wants to create some type of God out of Lincoln, which he probably was not. Moreover, she makes the south out to be this huge bunch of minsters which they probably was not. Was what the south was doing in sustaining slavery wrong? Yes it was and no one would argue that point. It just takes more of an effort to understand why they were sustaining slavery. There are so many things we encounter today that are just as wrong, but people like to cover them up as Goodwin has done in her biography of Lincoln. I must add, and this should have been pointed out and was not, Lincoln did things as president that would never have been tolerated today, but still he is expected to be worship; and, that is just dangerous.

Very interesting read using source material, in their own words, account. The characters are alive and believeable with the background of the election and civil war. The narrative is engrossing and I got lost in the book. It is a biography of the four people who ran for president in 1860. All four biographies enchance understanding of the times and complement Lincoln's story. The history is fascinating and is paced well and comprehensive.

Loved this book. It really tells the personal side of the "War on Terror". It shows how it affects people from the President to trial lawyers trying to defend an "enemy combatant" at Guantanamo Bay. It also shows the differences culturally and communication wise between americans and people from the the Middle East. A must read for anyone fascinated with the dynamics of the United States influence in the world.

THis is an interesting read and certainly relevant, informative and enlightening regarding the state of world affairs in which we find ourselves enmeshed as of late. Like Bob Dylan says, truly "The Times They Are A Changin'". And the beat of the global empire goes on. I do, however, have one question of Mr. Suskind: As an award-winning writer for the Wall Street Journal (and no doubt an insider and privy to all kinds of inside information as well as resources?), can you make you next book a truthful one about the "dirty dealings" on WALL STREET which resulted in the recent collapse of the American enonomy and let us know what really happened...both the HOW and the WHY? I would definitely buy that book, too.

This book is a meandering loosely linked set of vignettes. They are annoyingly detailed to not be referenced, especially because some of the quotes etc. could have only come from the very top officials in government and it is hard to believe the author actually recorded them. All in all as a nonfiction book from a top notch author it was thoroughly dissappointing

Ron Suskind's new book, The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism, is a great book. Very informative, and reads like a novel. Some of the incidents in the book are just now coming out in the mainstream press, and they happened years ago. This is a "Must Read."

This is a wonderful book, written to inform the public about what is really going on in Washington, D.C. In the end, it is we, the majority, are going to suffer at the hands of the people they were elected to protect. It is unconscionable to imagine what is happening there. Too much power has been given to these bandits who have stolen outrageous salaries and golden parachutes. It is unbelievable! All of these greedy politicians need to be brought to justice: impeachment and prison time for these bandits.!

An excellent look at the inner workings of both the US and the UK prior to and during WW2

Perhaps it has to do with their much longer history which, almost by definition, means a much longer history of war. Or, perhaps it's just an offshoot of the British temprament, indeed, one might say the British DNA. Whatever it is, the British simply don't "do" war the way the Americans do. Or, at least that was the case during WWII. Whereas our most famous war stories are gritty,down and dirty; the Brits' are more charming, sophisticated, and, well, yes, downright funny! (Note: this is not to downplay in any way the actual experience of war on either side-which was, I'm sure, horrible in the extreme, but, rather, how we & they dealt with it). Thus, while a book about "Wild Bill" Donovan's OSS might include desperate secret missions behind enemy lines, "The Irregulars" (the name refers to Sherlock Holmes' "Baker Street Irregulars", not bowel problems) deals with writer Roald Dahl's experiences in wartime Washington as a member of British Security Coordination(BSC). There, along with fellow spies Ian Flaming, David Ogilvy, and, every so often, Noel Coward, among others, he had the truly onerous task of keeping America on its toes, getting & keeping it involved in, first, the war itself and then the best interests of the British people, by charming many, flirting with almost as many, and bedding not a few influential or wife-of-influential Washingtonians. Today, Dahl is probably best known as a children's author (Charlie % the Chocolate Factory, James & the Giant Peach, etc.). Prior to that, in the 50s, 60s, & 70s, he was known for his rather bizarre and scary adult short stories (Lamb to the Slaughter, etc.-he was also the creator of the concept that mishaps in machinery, specifically airplanes, were caused by "gremlins"). But Jennet Conant's charming, well-researched, and delightfully gossipy book allows us to see for, possibly the first time, how important this Norwegian-Brit may have been to the war effort... and how much fun he may have had being it!

More of a gossipy take on the social lives of the elite in wartime Washington, D.C. than a serious history of British espionage during World War II in America.

It is difficult to determine after reading this book if the author was more interested in the extensive love life of Roald Dahl (and others), the post-war global commercial air system sought by Pan Am, Henry Wallace's odd political career, or Charles Marsh, a rich Texan and father figure to Dahl.

Copy editing is less than perfect. One example from two successive sentences on page 156: "He would always remember the long winding drive that led up to the house.... The approach was long and winding and cut through the woods..."

Fans of _James and the Giant Peach_ and _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ may be surprised to learn that their author was a British spy.

Roald Dahl's espionage career was brief, running from 1942 to 1945. Also, he spied on an ally (the USA) rather than an enemy. Nevertheless, in between his short stint as an RAF pilot and his longer one as a professional fiction writer, Dahl did indeed haunt Washington society, gathering information for Churchill's US-based intelligence service, the British Security Coordination on such topics as the 1944 presidential election and American plans for postwar civil aviation, and acting at times as an informal back channel from Roosevelt to Churchill.

Dahl's work as a spy might not have been quite as dirty or dangerous as that of Sidney Reilly, for instance, but it did include some genuine break-in work and the occasional pilfered memo, as well as a fair amount of womanizing, mingling with Hollywood and other cultural elites and general partying. The book focuses on Dahl's three years in Washington, but fills in the context with some discussion of his life before and after, as well as the lives of some of his fellow BSC agents (in particular, David Ogilvy and Ian Fleming (yes, that one)) and other famous characters that appear in Dahl's life (Ernest Hemingway, Martha Gellhorn and Lyndon Johnson, for instance).

Conant's book is readable and interesting, in addition for its primary subject, for its vivid pictures of wartime Washington and vignettes featuring famous people other than Dahl.

Before WWII started, the British set up an "espionage" ring in the United States designed to bring us into the war on their side. As part of its mission it tried to influence our policies and undermine the isolationists.

That is the background of this book. The British continued working undercover here through the war. As the author noted at the outset, this has all been chronicled and he was offering nothing new of substance.

One of the British espionage agents was the author, Roald Dahl. He actually started working for the undercover Brits after he was nearly thrown out of his job at the British agency, midway through the war. Thus, none of the precursor events are included except as background.

Because Dahl came on the scene late, there is little very interesting about the information he was able to pass along in both directions, British to American and American to British. He did, however, live a fairy tale life of hobnobbing with the rich, famous, powerful and famous during the war. It is this part of his life that is portrayed in the book.

The book is filled with anecdotes and personality profiles of the people Dahl met, charmed and chatted up. The two most notable ones were VP Wallace and Texas millionaire Marsh, who was a major presence through the book.

There is not much new here by way of history. There is a lot of interesting backroom stuff and gossip. The war-time Washington society events were recounted from Dahl's and other "spies'" perspective. Regrettably, the author is so tied in the social scene that he rarely steps back to give the big picture of what is going on in the war or in the growing world of espionage.

However, there are some great parts relating to the Brits' insight into and influence in events; such as Wallace's renomination as veep and post-war airline negotiations. Britain's use of polls in America was especially interesting given this season of polling in the US. They were far more advanced and more accurate than Gallup, then America's finest. The description of Stephenson, Britain's mastermind was especially good.

In sum, there are enough pearls amidst the gossip and society pages to make this worth while. Dahl was an interesting character, at times seeming to be a character from one of his own fictional short stories. The book makes me want to go and read "Intrepid", the biography of Stephenson to which the author often referred.

I'm sorry...I know that we all have bad days. I understand that, but there is nothing positive about this book. I thought there would be something that changed that would cause him to have a good day. I guess the title says it all. But my seven year old nephew did like the book.

This should actually be called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Book ... It was given to my daughter as a gift. As I was reading it to her, my husband popped his head in the room and asked "What are you reading?!" Alexander has such a bad attitude -- why would we want to introduce such a book to our child who has a sunny, bright disposition? I'm not PollyAnna, but I definitely don't see any reason to own this book. I'm sure there are better books to help children through the inevitable bad day ... This one definitely isn't for us.

This is a book that children can't help but chuckle when they it is read. It's just fun and Alexander is so loveable like another character,Cyrano in Life's Little Lessons: An Inch-By-Inch Tale of Success, another fabulous piece of children's literature with inspiring messages,laughs and a great bonus reading guide for parents and teachers. Check this out.

A wonderful, fun book to lighten the mood. My daughter loves to read this. I use the phrase with my eight year old daughter: "some days are like this..." (my daughter always smiles and finishes with: "even in Australia" for me. Cheers her up every time. We read it often and have for a while. It helps that her name is Alexandra.

This is a childhood favorite of mine explaining the life of a child who is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! He goes through why he is having this terrible day and at the ending there is a little surprise. Very good for younger children, even some older children. Great to read in a classroom!

For the most part, I found this book to be a good look at inner workings of the war in Iraq that have escaped the attention of the media. My greatest concern is that Mr. West's accounts of the various units that he visited often display a lack of consistency. In particular he refers to units by incomplete names that may cause the casual reader to gain an inaccurate understanding of the size and amount of troops involved with a particular tactic or operation. I feel that Mr. West's comments on counterinsurgency strategy are dead on, it's just that for me, as someone who served in Al Anbar, more clarity and accuracy would help flesh out his analysis.

I've read pretty much all of them (and written one myself), but this is the most informative and astute of the bunch. If you only read one book on the Iraq conflict, make it this one.

A marvelous book with facts the Main Street Media ignores. A must read for anyone interested in how the Iraq war was conducted and how the Surge Worked.

...of the Iraq War and how things turned around for the better.

Mr. West and Max Boot visited our AO last winter, so I know that a lot of what he is written is not bravado, but his honest assessments and conclusions based on what he saw and heard, taking into account those who briefed him or took him out on patrol to get a real feel for the situation on the ground.

Having served under Lt. Col. Ken Adgie, I must say that West absolutely gets it right in terms of being an accurate judge of character of one of the finest officers I have had the privelige of serving under. To me, that tells me that West's judgment and insights are likely on the mark, and having lived the Iraq War experience with multiple combat tours myself, I don't disagree with a lot of his conclusions.

If you want an accurate and revealing accounting of the war and the mistakes we made, then how we went about correcting them at the strategic, operational and tactical levels, then you must read this book! Bing West has something for everyone in here: whether your interests run more to the big picture strategic and operational focus of our military waging the war or those on the "pointy end of the spear" kicking in doors, whether you want to know more about the politics in the Oval Office and Pentagon behind the decisions in Iraq, or the reconciliation meetings happening in the dusty neighborhoods of Anbar Province. You won't be disappointed.

Should be required reading for all Americans.

This is an excellent account of the best and worst of the folks involved with the Iraq war. I highly recommend this as it is both educational and entertaining.

I guess with all the hype, I expected more. At times it was a very boring read.

I couldn't believe how uncreative this story was. After hearing gushing praise from you know who I expected something better...much better. I found this story boring and predictable. I'm offended when an author can't create drama in a female story line other than repeatedly raping her. It doesn't pass as depth, drama or creative...and it doesn't get a free pass from this reader. Don't bother waiting for it to get better.

When I finally came to the conclusion that I was to read the Pillars of the Earth for my summer reading, I was rather skeptical that a near thousand page book, dealing with the construction of a cathedral could keep me inspired enough to read it. I was ineffably mistaken.

Ken Follet introduces the book in a scene that feels abruptly tossed at us, but is nevertheless a phenomenal foundation to the plot. Follet chooses to write the chapters, deviating from character to character. By the time you finish the first chapter, your enticed by one of the main characters, Tom. You simply cannot wait to know what follows the end of chapter, so naturally you'll eagerly begin to read the subsequent chapter and notice that the perspective has changed to another character. "What's this?" I couldn't help thinking angrily. I continued turning the pages, impatiently waiting for mention of the character that I just formed a bond with, and to my surprise, I quickly realized the current character is just as eloquent written and genuinely admirable as the previous. Follet uses this tactic throughout the novel that you ultimately come to understand and appreciate all the characters on some deep level, from Tom to Prior Phillip, William of Hamley, Aliena, Jack, Richard, Ellen, and Waleran Bigod.

The plot also becomes as gratifying in its authenticity as it's characters. The beautifully vivid world of 12th Century England becomes as genuine as today's society is to us. After reading a copious number of pages, it takes some effort to snap back to our 21th century society. Follet balances, although some may argue, the unfortunate events and the elations of the novel perfectly. It's the sorrows that characters experience that give us such powerful, jovial feeling when something finally goes right. Although it stands as the basis of the novel, the Cathedral of Kingsbridge stands for so much more. It's what continuously caused admiration and despair, till Jack's motivational ardor constructed the most magnificent cathedral in all of England.

The only negative thing that I can bring up about the novel is the incessant malevolent acts Bishop Waleran commits. His never ending plots to destroy Prior Phillip, although understandable to some level, become tiring by the last 20 pages of the book. I understand it as his personality, but it's terribly infuriating when the man simply won't quit. All the better I suppose, for the satisfaction of the conclusion.

Far from the trite novel that I was expecting, The Pillars of the Earth has actually given me insight on certain inscrutable things about life. I will inevitably, I'd think, always admire the characters and words descended me within another world. This truly is epic.

I really enjoy listening to audio books to and from work and was really looking forward to this one. I had asked for it at Christmas because there were so many rave reviews, it was a longer book and this would keep me involved for some time. There were so many times I almost gave up on the book and listening to the last CD, I realized how relieved I was to be done with it. Although there was finally some positive experiences for the characters towards the last remaining quarter of the book, the reader is in for a long haul of poorly developed characters that had no depth and the brutalization of them throughout their history. I couldnt fall in love with any of the them, couldnt feel nor sympathize with any of their passions or pursuits, basically had a hard time caring. It is really hard to know about a character who answers a question with "Yes", but it is described as saying Yes in an elaborate way... If I were playing a drinking game like "High Bob" that we played many years ago in college, I would have ample opportunities for a swig if we took a gulp every time a charater thought to themselves "and he/she realized she was about to die". GEEEEZZZZ! I was absolutely put off by the very brutal and violant acts that were played out in such detail... unfortunately, this is the only place where details seemed to be so graphic. Maybe this is unfair. There is some detail with building the church. But I was left thinking...so who cares? Unless you can already visualize what it takes to build a church, the dragged out details are lost on you.

I'm only part way into reading this book - but it's one of those that I can't put down. Not only is it well written, but it is also a fascinating study of the period and a well developed cast of characters. I'm thoroughly enjoying Pillars of the Earth.

I was disappointed. Having researched and written a book (Anatomy of a Scandal: Thomas Jefferson and the SALLY Story, 2002, White Mane Publishing Co.) on the history of the Jefferson political scandal, I anticipated much new material. Ms. Gordon-Reed does not break new ground, but plows and replows the fields of Race, Class and Sex for 662 pages. Historical characters whom I got to know look unfamiliar and the author is alternately impatient with the blacks and furious with the whites. Ironically slaves become political game pieces subject to the author's moves as well as their masters'. The reader is left weary.

After reading this book I have objections with the way
Gorden-Reed uses the foregone conclusion that Thomas Jefferson fathered the last 4 children of "Sally Heming".
The "DNA" test did not prove that Thomas Jefferson" fathered these children only that a "Jefferson family member " may have fathered these children. I think the "Carr" nephews fathered these children.
If this book is read by "School " children they will beleive because it is on paper that it is true. I beleive we have too many things in our school books that are "not" true now with out adding to it. Gorden-Reed refers through out the book that these are Thomas Jeffersons "sons" 1, 2, and 3. I have a extensive library
on Thomas Jefferson and object to this being called "a history book".
Thanks, Bruce Borden

Opening disclaimer: Annette Gordon-Reed is my faculty colleague at NY Law School, and I originally introduced her to Bob Weil, the editor at W.W. Norton who contracted with her to produce this book. As a result, I had an opportunity to read it in final galleys this summer prior to publication. What I have to say is naturally biased by my respect and affection for my faculty colleague. I went out on a limb to make the introduction after reading an early draft of Prof. Gordon-Reed's first book on Jefferson and Hemings, which was subsequently published by the University of Virginia Press and established her credentials as a historian of the relationship between Jefferson and Hemings.

This book is a logical outgrowth of the earlier one. I think anybody interested in Jefferson or this period in American history owes it to themselves to read both books. The first is a critical dissection of the way historians had dealt (or avoided dealing) with the rumored Jefferson-Hemings connection, and is a masterpiece of investigative history. This new volume is a masterpiece of group biography, taking the Hemings as an interesting family, most of whose details were difficult to discover, and creating an engrossing account of their lives as part of the extended Jefferson community at Monticello. Jefferson began building his dream house there about the time he married Martha Wayles, and Elizabeth Hemings and several of her children came to Monticello as slaves as part of Martha's inheritance when her father died. Sally Hemings was a daughter of Elizabeth and John Wayles, Martha's father, and thus was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife. From there the complications of family interrelationships build and compound on each other.

What I love about this book is the vivid way that Gordon-Reed reconstructs a lost past, immersing the reader in details of everyday life. My favorite chapter is the one describing the process by which Sally Hemings, newly arrived in Paris to attend to Jefferson's daughters during his period as US Ambassador to the royal court of France, was innoculated against smallpox at Jefferson's instigation. That sounds like a simple thing, but it wasn't at the time, and Gordon-Reed has uncovered previously obscure original sources to describe the unusual, lengthy process in those days before modern medicine. It is utterly fascinating.

Following on the heels of several other studies of black families from the time of the Civil War, The Senator and the Socialite: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty and the black upper class, Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class this book examines the story of the Hemings family and their connections to the Jefferson family. It is entirely intertwined with Monticello, Jefferson's home and estate. This is a very interesting story of a 'vanished world', the southern aristocracy and their sexual liasons with their slaves, a story often not told but one that is carved on the faces of their descendants. It is a story revealed, to a small degree, in Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America (America: a Cultural History). A very nice book, for anyone interested in the period, Jefferson or African-American history this will dazzle and surprise. Excellently researched, a true bit of investigative reporting.

Seth J. Frantzman

Wonderful historical work on the most famous family of enslaved people, the Hemingses. Read it to get an important insight into a much-neglected area of American historiography.