The Living and the Dead By Paul Hendrickson (1996)Hendrickson's meticulously researched book on Robert Strange McNamara (and five other people whose lives he touched : a nurse, an artist, a Quaker, a Marine and a young man from Saigon.) One of the reasons I wanted to know more about McNamara was ... well, I realized I didn't know anything about McNamara or the Viet Nam War.
My favorite quote from this book? Lyndon Johnson in hysterics, wailing "Bob, can't you help me? Bob, you've wrecked my presidency!"
“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
~ Hemingway
Thankfully I am not exposed to politics or people discussing politics on an hourly basis. That would drive me insane. However I do enjoy a good book about Eisenhower every so often. Good thing hundreds of them have been published.
I didn't read many political books last year, maybe six. Not my favorite subject, but especially not in an election year. Maybe this year I'll do better, become smarter, have thoughts.
2 comments:
Hi ! Avid Reader ! Difficult for me to comment an English speaking reader, however I saw your partial list. I like Jane Austen, I read all her books, but I was not able to finish the last one that she did not finished her self because she died.
:)
I like the French Maupassant particularly and often go and see his grave in Paris Montmparnasse (I took pictures). I find that Somerset Maugham is almost the same kind of writter : I love him so much !
Just now I'm reading Armistead Maupin : "Maybe the Moon", I cannot enjoy it very much. I prefered "The Night Listener" that I read before
Cergie,
The French are my favorite writers!
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