Al, I read a few history books and liked them, but just not enough to stay the course. One of them was about George Washington (An Imperfect God) and it was a struggle to finish, but I did like it. Another was Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. Really good stuff. Like you, I had no idea how impressive he really was. The one that was a really fun read was Secret Lives of US Presidents. I think you should pick it up and check it out. Lots of interesting tidbits and it is the type of book you can read at anytime (toilet, before bed, waiting room, etc.) because the sections are so short.
If you come across one or highly recommend one, let me know.
Also, if you like biographies and haven't read it yet, Stuey Ungar's biography One of a Kind is outstanding.
i know what you mean when you say it was a stuggle to finish the washington book. the last book i read 10 years ago was "truman" by david mccullough. i figured since it won a pulitzer prize i would try it.after reading about 1/2 the book i just completley stopped...it was just too tedious for my taste....
i have always been facinated by the workings of organized crime. not so much about the killing part but more of the mental aspect of it....if you also are interested in this then check out the book that i listed about meyer lansky. i'm also on the look out for a book on frank costello who was known as the ambassador of organized crime.
if you are interested in reading about old time hollywood...the robert mitchum biography is a very entertaining read. he wasn't the typical hollywood airhead. mitchum was very bright & very frank & told people what he actually thought...some parts of the book are very funny.
you seem to like politics...the election of 1800 may sound boring...but it was one of the closest elections in american history. prior to that election politicians thought it was beneath them to campaign...this election helped change that & it wound up to be pretty vicious election...
i am somewhat familiar with stu unger & from what i can tell his story is pretty depressing...trying to stay away from those type of books..
i took note of the secret life of american presidents as a possible choice.....my wife introduced me to a few used book stores in my area & will look for this book the next time i go.
good topic...thanks for starting it..
