Jared L.

Excellent Perspective and SCOTUS Case Review

Reviewed: 05-20-19

John Marshall is best known for his tremendous work in creating an unmatched body of precedent case law. His background and experience as an American Revolution veteran, diplomat, and cabinet member all provide an excellent view of what made the most extraordinary chief justice tick. A master of building consensus and navigating the dangerous political waters that the Supreme Court was forced to sail, Marshall set the course of American Jurisprudence that is still being referred to and relied on today.

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Well Researched and Minutely Detailed

Reviewed: 05-20-19

A capstone to my early American history reading, Coup provided immense detail into the founding that I was able to glean in part in an aggregate study of the key founders. The detail and discussion of the history, background, regional and sectional divisions, compromises and personalities of the founders provided a unique view of the founding and how shaky the beginnings were. Supplemented with historical contexts such as debt relief measures and Shay's rebellions and an in-depth discussion of the slavery issue. The text can be a bit academic and dry, but the vast scope of the writing makes it more than worth the effort to read.

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1 person found this helpful

A Great Tribute to an Under-rated President

Reviewed: 05-20-19

The story of JQA fascinated me beginning with the glimpses into his life as told by David McCollough's Adams. An extremely intelligent person who lived at the end of the founding era and at the precipice of the Jacksonian era, he made his mark as a statesman and a Congressman much more so than his lackluster Presidency. An academic with high ideals, the story of his life is one that takes you on a journey from pre-revolutionary France to the growth of America as a strong independent nation. His public service stretches so long, it provides wonderful insight into decades of early American History. A great biography more than worth the cost. Highly Recommend.

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A fun Journey

Reviewed: 05-20-19

Loved the story of Gilgamesh and found the parallels to biblical passages interesting. Like a good greek/Roman mythological tale, there's a little bit of everything. The essays on the story included at the end also added so fun insight. Highly recommend.

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Very Interesting Person - Not Great Writing

Reviewed: 05-20-19

I was super excited to learn a bit more about James Monroe but found myself constantly distracted by the writing. (The author's go-to phrase is "all-but" i.e. he was all-but family, he was all but bankrupt, etc) It was hard to enjoy. That being said, a lot of useful information. Unger clearly has a passion for Monroe that borders on obsession, but I found the reading worthwhile and pleasant regardless.

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1 person found this helpful

The Most Influential Non-Presidential Founder

Reviewed: 02-27-19

Alexander Hamilton was a genius, often impetuous, and not without fault, but a genius nonetheless. An amazing history of the short life of Alexander Hamilton from his birth and childhood in the West Indies, to his fateful duel in New Jersey, this book paints a remarkable picture of the nation's most influential, non-president, founding father. A man of energy, passion, tremendous foresight, and an unequaled capacity for written and spoken word. A Revolutionary war officer and hero. An aide and as near as a friend as George Washington ever had. Hamilton was the father of the financial growth of the country, binding the states together with his programs, and arguably making succession so difficult that only the issue of slavery could breach the dependency on which the states depended on the new government. Teamed with Washington in the Revolution as an aide-de-camp, Hamilton acted as proxy for much of the work needed to be done, even to the point where he could write exactly as Washinton would have him write. As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton restored the country's credit, expanded its growth, and acted as a perfect administrator to build one of the most successful cabinet positions in the country's history. A tireless advocate of the constitution, the principal author of The Federalist, and despite general rumours, a man of principle and unshakeable family values. Although a principle in the nation's first major scandal, Hamilton's overall history shows an exemplary record of tireless service, generosity, and an intellect that has yet to be matched.

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1 person found this helpful

McCollough Brilliantly Puts Adams in the Spotlight

Reviewed: 02-26-19

Going into this book, I knew very little of John Adams, his presidency and role in the founding of America. His single term is lost between the behemoth administrative works of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who's notoriety vastly outshine Adams. McCollough seeks to remedy the lack of understanding and brings to the forefront why Adams was a stalwart of the founding of the United States. Mocked for being vain, petty and Ambitious, all traits Mr. Adams himself recognized, this biography opens the reader to a full and unabashed picture of the man. A diplomat for a country not even recognised, outside its own borders, and then in Britain after the Revolution, Adams never shied away from a tough assignment when the nation called. He secured loans and diplomatic recognition from the Dutch, assisted in creating the Navy, worked as an editor of the Declaration of Independence, and tirelessly worked to create a better America.

John Adams was often outshined by contemporaries including Franklin, Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison, which undoubtedly bothered him, but his overwhelming resolve to put country first, and to remain perfectly tethered to his puritan roots steeped in thrift, honesty, and integrity made him a unique feature of early American politics. Adams was unwavering in his principles, even-keeled, and level-headed when it mattered the most. His relative obscurity is unfortunate, his value to America is incalculable. Likely the most under-rated president this country has or will ever see.

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Jefferson - The Consummate Politician

Reviewed: 02-26-19

This book is less a biography, and more a biographical sketch of what made Jefferson such an influential character during the founding of the United States. A pragmatic philosopher, Jefferson had high ideals that were not practical in the times he lived. Never a confrontational person, Jefferson's history and ability to make himself both aristocratic and populous underscore his skill as a leading figure. Sometimes hypocritical in action, Jefferson had the foresight to see beyond the rules when it suited his vision for America.

The Author, Jon Meacham, does an excellent job of taking into account all relevant issues, both positive and negative, affecting who Jefferson was as a person. His stunning political successes, as well as his personal blotches of character (i.e. Sally Hemmings, Slavery, his initial resistance to the Constitution, his blind eye toward the tyranny of the French Revolution), are all discussed with an even-handed approach giving credibility to this historical work. You end with a better sense of who Jefferson was as a leader and as a person, understanding better than before, that as imperfect as he was, he was an invaluable pillar in the forming and perpetuation of the United States.

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Excellent Personal History of a Career Officer

Reviewed: 01-08-19

A fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of intelligence work beginning in the cold war and through the current war on terror. Mr. Crumpton's experiences are informative, entertaining and serve to highlight the need for intelligence gatherers and highly trained intelligence community. A stunning history of a career in a government agency for which fact and myth are almost always unclear. Highly recommend.

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Informative, Engaging and Perspective Shifting

Reviewed: 01-08-19

I read this book on recommendation from a friend who had spent the greater part of 10 years (at the time) abroad. The author's work to highlight a clear bias American's have, especially within political contexts, toward Israel. This is not a critique or condemnation of Israel, Israeli politics nor is it a Palestinian advocate piece. Rather, this is an invitation for American's to look inward and thoughtfully consider whether the current, unequivocal and unmitigated bi-partisan support for Israel is as mutually beneficial as we often think. It begs the question: Is America Israel's greatest ally for this support, or is America enabling a country's own self-destructive policies. Well worth the read for anyone interested in foreign policy, the Israel/Palestine conflicts, or America's possibly only unifying issue.

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6 people found this helpful