jeffstilwell
The Seattle Public Library
jeffstilwell's Completed Shelf
Filter your results by...
Format
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
One Hundred DaysOne Hundred Days, BookThe Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander
by Woodward, SandyBook - 1997Book, 1997
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
What an interesting read with all kinds of surprising details about the rigors a modern military commander undergoes in fighting a modern naval action. (Right down to that suspense of whether he will start smoking again. And who knew that an admiral could be such a talented sketch artist?)
Even better than that, Woodward's analysis of the practical limits of all that multi-billion dollar equipment and how human ingenuity grapples with it, make this read a delight.
I really enjoyed reading this book.What an interesting read with all kinds of surprising details about the rigors a modern military commander undergoes in fighting a modern naval action. (Right down to that suspense of whether he will start smoking again. And who knew that an…
General Sherman's ChristmasGeneral Sherman's Christmas, BookSavannah, 1864
by Weintraub, StanleyBook - 2009Book, 2009
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
What an interesting read about a little-known chapter in American history!
Spritely written and yet long-ranging in views. I realized when it was over that I had never really understood this man Sherman. Now, I felt that I understood - and liked - this reluctant warrior so much better.
I really enjoyed reading this book.What an interesting read about a little-known chapter in American history!
Spritely written and yet long-ranging in views. I realized when it was over that I had never really understood this man Sherman. Now, I felt that I understood - and liked -…
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
The First TycoonThe First Tycoon, BookThe Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt
by Stiles, T. J.Book - 2009Book, 2009
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
Quite a readable account about a wonderfully interesting period of the American story often over-looked: those quiet decades between the Revolution and the Civil War.
It's a great story about the development of the great transportation networks and, as the author makes clear, Vanderbilt's story and storied fortune runs right through it like a bright thread in a tapestry. I really enjoyed this book.Quite a readable account about a wonderfully interesting period of the American story often over-looked: those quiet decades between the Revolution and the Civil War.
It's a great story about the development of the great transportation networks and,…
John DillingerJohn Dillinger, BookThe Life and Death of America's First Celebrity Criminal
by Matera, DaryBook - 2004Book, 2004
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
The American MayorThe American Mayor, BookThe Best & the Worst Big-city Leaders
by Holli, Melvin G.Book - 1999Book, 1999
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Wealth and DemocracyWealth and Democracy, BookA Political History of the American Rich
by Phillips, KevinBook - 2002Book, 2002
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
This was the work that educated me about the increasing income inequality of the United States of our time. I've since noticed the same research pointed out again and again by economists such as Paul Krugman.
Written by a "T Roosevelt Republican," this work is a searing indictment about a fundamental problem with our society as it is presently constituted.
Will we fix it? Sure. I mean, I believe so. After all, this is America, right? We do get around to solving most problems. Eventually.
This work by Phillips should help hasten the way.
I was too angry too much of the time to say I enjoyed reading this book. Yet, I'm so glad that I did.This was the work that educated me about the increasing income inequality of the United States of our time. I've since noticed the same research pointed out again and again by economists such as Paul Krugman.
Written by a "T Roosevelt Republican,"…
C.S. Forester's Horatio HornblowerC.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower, DVD
DVD - 2008DVD, 2008
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Frost/NixonFrost/Nixon, DVD
DVD - 2009DVD, 2009
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
Fascinating work in its approach to Stalin. Who knew that the Bear could be so understandable? Amazing, the horse-trading that went on among the Big Three, yet all too comprehensible after Plokhy lays out, in detail, the stakes involved for each back home.
A bit heavy on seemingly trivial details at points - such as how many naps or how many tins a caviar - yet, overall, I enjoyed reading this book.Fascinating work in its approach to Stalin. Who knew that the Bear could be so understandable? Amazing, the horse-trading that went on among the Big Three, yet all too comprehensible after Plokhy lays out, in detail, the stakes involved for each…
The Ruin of the Roman EmpireThe Ruin of the Roman Empire, Book
by O'Donnell, James JosephBook - 2008Book, 2008
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
What a neat idea! O'Donnell takes the old hoary legend of the Roman Empire being torn apart by invasions, one after another, and nuances it.
What if the breakdown was within the Empire itself? What if some of the very agents staving off that breakdown were so-called barbarians, simply because they had too much invested.
What an interesting take on long picked over ground.
I found the first chapter a bit Faulknerian for my taste. Happily, I finally skipped over it and went on to learn precisely why Madeline Allbright liked this history so much. I enjoyed this book.What a neat idea! O'Donnell takes the old hoary legend of the Roman Empire being torn apart by invasions, one after another, and nuances it.
What if the breakdown was within the Empire itself? What if some of the very agents staving off that…
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Boots on the GroundBoots on the Ground, BookA Month With the 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq
by Zinsmeister, KarlBook - 2003Book, 2003
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
This was quite an interesting read, if only because there are so few modern military histories. Yet, the all too modern wars in Iraq and Afghanistan go on.
The best parts of the book, I thought, are the author's all too human reactions of the genteel 21st century American suddenly thrown into the violent feudal age of an unfolding battleground.
I found Zinmeister's protesting the lack of respect for America's soldiers a bit over the top.
Yet, I found myself whole-heartedly agreeing with so many of his basic premises.
(Besides, who knew that the so-called looting of the Baghad Museum is a myth?)
I enjoyed this book.This was quite an interesting read, if only because there are so few modern military histories. Yet, the all too modern wars in Iraq and Afghanistan go on.
The best parts of the book, I thought, are the author's all too human reactions of the…
Added May 16, 2011
Courage and ConsequenceCourage and Consequence, BookMy Life as A Conservative in the Fight
by Rove, KarlBook - 2010Book, 2010
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
The Birth of Modern PoliticsThe Birth of Modern Politics, BookAndrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828
by Parsons, Lynn H.Book - 2009Book, 2009
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
What an interesting premise for a book? An obscure election almost two hundred years ago. Federalists, Jeffersonian Democrat-Republicans, Whigs, Jacksonian Democrats...
And yet, what an intriguing story. Parsons states his case clearly: the election of 1828 is where the genteel (and backroom) silk-stocking and tri-cornered hat politics of the Revolution gave way to the noisy mass-participatory presidential elections we understand today.
I really enjoyed this book.What an interesting premise for a book? An obscure election almost two hundred years ago. Federalists, Jeffersonian Democrat-Republicans, Whigs, Jacksonian Democrats...
And yet, what an intriguing story. Parsons states his case clearly: the…
The New DealThe New Deal, BookAmerica's Response to the Great Depression
by Edsforth, RonaldBook - 2000Book, 2000
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
Following the footsteps of economists such as Paul Krugman and Jared Bernsteirn, I've been so disappointed with the Obama's administration's refusal to fund more stimulus to help our ailing economy, I figured that I had better educate myself about that mother of all federal economic stimulus programs, The New Deal.
This work was of great assistance. It broke down The New Deal into the three periods and legislative accomplishments, showing that instead of one New Deal, there were three, each of its own type. Along the way, the author weighs in on the political challenges FDR had to meet and how he did so. I really enjoyed this book. (It also made me long for a president of FDR's caliber...)Following the footsteps of economists such as Paul Krugman and Jared Bernsteirn, I've been so disappointed with the Obama's administration's refusal to fund more stimulus to help our ailing economy, I figured that I had better educate myself about…
American PharaohAmerican Pharaoh, BookMayor Richard J. Daley : His Battle for Chicago and the Nation
by Cohen, AdamBook - 2000Book, 2000
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
I came across a study recently that named Daley the most effective mayor in US history. This work explains why and how. Almost a primer on how to build and maintain a big city machine, this work is also nicely written.
Cohen takes the time to flesh out the man and where he meets the myth. I found myself cheering along as the story of Daley's rise unfolded, cringing at the worst excesses of his public projects deals, pondering why Chicago Blacks stayed with him to the end, and mourning a bit, his fall. Was Daley a great man? Or was he an average guy who figured out how to do great things? I really enjoyed this book.I came across a study recently that named Daley the most effective mayor in US history. This work explains why and how. Almost a primer on how to build and maintain a big city machine, this work is also nicely written.
Cohen takes the time to…
Tried by WarTried by War, BookAbraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief
by McPherson, James M.Book - 2008Book, 2008
jeffstilwell's rating:
Added May 16, 2011
Comment:
With so many volumes written about Lincoln, one wonders what ground has not been picked over. Then, almost like a slap to the forehead, I saw McPherson's sub-title and thought, "Of course!"
What is it? We don't like to think of one of our greatest presidents as a war-leader? Perhaps. (And perhaps that's a good thing.)
Nevertheless, McPherson's work is a b breezy read that is often quite moving. He certainly includes the battles, but never loses sight of his main objective: explaining how that wretched nightmare of a time shaped the occupant of the Oval Office. I really enjoyed this book.With so many volumes written about Lincoln, one wonders what ground has not been picked over. Then, almost like a slap to the forehead, I saw McPherson's sub-title and thought, "Of course!"
What is it? We don't like to think of one of our greatest…
Comment: