Monday, May 12, 2008

Robert's Reads

Jeana: "By the way your "Robert's Reads" twirly, thing-a-ma-gigger (how is that spelled?) is really cool. Not just really cool, but REALLY cool, like fascinatingly cool. I've been playing with it like it would make me money or something."

I do like it myself. :D

So if you're a regular visitor, you probably noticed the new white box with the book covers over on the right side bar, twirly action and all.

There at 10 books in the carousel, 9 of which I have read and 1 I plan to read this summer. Here they are, and with a short summary/review of the book.


Godless by Ann Coulter
'The Church of Liberalism' is a fiery and brutal damnation of liberals and the democratic party and it's atheistic policies. Nearly 1/3 of the book is dedicated to dismantling Evolution, the rest is general ripping of US schools and restrictions on freedom of speech regarding religion, Christianity in particular. I enjoyed this book, and while I wouldn't give it as a present to a liberal aunt, it's a solid read for any moderate or conservative American with a respect for traditional faith.

Do as I Say, (Not as I Do) by Peter Schweizer
'Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy' takes a very broad swipe at high-profile left wingers, ranging from Barbara Streisand to Ted Kennedy to Michael Moore to Noam Chomsky to the Clintons, with 10 people in total. Well researched and a relatively easy read, it is not really ground breaking in it's conclusions. It's just more ammunition for what we already knew, many liberals are hypocrites.

Nothing Like it in the World by Stephen Ambrose
'The Men who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869' is a masterpiece of historical writing and storytelling. Ranging from the initial surveys through the Sierra Nevada Mts, to the questionable financing, through the founding of the two companies, the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, through the incredible armies of men relentlessly driving a ribbon of iron across the plains, to the final closing weeks of the herculean effort, Ambrose crafts an enjoyable and informative book about an overlooked event that was so crucial in shaping the United States.
Iron Tears by Stanley Weintraub
'America's battle for Freedom, Britain's Quagmire 1775-1783' is a look at the American Revolution from the other side of the pond, from the seat of the globe-spanning empire of Britain. I picked this book up initially because I'd been reading Matt's blog pretty regularly, and I wanted to see what our revolution looked like from the other side. If you have an interest in our founding, it's fascinating to see the other side of our war, and how the hand of God moved so often to assist the rebelling colonists. Not that Stanley will say that, but there were entirely to many 'lucky breaks' for the American side to chalk up to chance.

How Capitalism Saved America by Thomas DiLorenzo
'The Untold story of our country, from the Pilgrims to the Present' is an absolutely fantastic piece of history & economics. Well written, researched, and a startling breath of libertarian fresh air in US history. The concept that the New Deal only worsened the depression, and a frank examination of how much better off we are today then even the early 1900's are both desperately needed, and I've loaned this book out to several people in the short time I've had it. If there is one book I cannot recommend highly enough, this is it.

I'll put the other 5 up later.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay! book reviews! I love book reviews. I also love writing book reviews, especially of books that I don't like. I can be pretty scathing! :D

I've read Godless, but none of the other books on your list. But I have read books on the same issues. Clarance B. Carson's US political history series is great. And of course, I read Ron Paul's The Revolution. :D

RobertDWood said...

Thanks Jeana. I can imagine you'd be harsh on a book you don't like.