BLACK EARTH—The Holocaust As History And Warning

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

BLACK EARTH
The Holocaust As History
And Warning
By Timothy Snyder

OVERVIEW: In this epic history of extermination and survival, Timothy Snyder presents a new explanation of the great atrocity of the twentieth century, and reveals the risks that we face in the twenty-first. Based on untapped sources from eastern Europe and forgotten testimonies from Jewish survivors, Black Earth recounts the mass murder of the Jews as an event that is still close to us, more comprehensible than we would like to think, and thus all the more terrifying.

AUTHOR: TIMOTHY SNYDER is the Housum Professor of History at Yale University and a member of the Committee on Conscience of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He is the author of author of Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, which received the literature award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Hannah Arendt Prize, and the Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding. Snyder is a frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books and the times Literary Supplement. He is a permanent fellow of the Institute for Human Sciences, serves as the faculty adviser for the Fortunoff Archive for Holocaust testimonies, and sits on the advisory council of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.

MY REVIEW: This was a difficult book for me to read and comprehend. In fact, I found myself reading for awhile and then having to stop, go back and re-read many pages. I felt like I was studying for a PhD. I was constantly pulling down my dictionary and looking up the meaning of words. Historians, educators, some philosophers and theologians may not find this book so difficult. I'm writing this way simply as a warning to the average reader. I agree with Deborah Lipstadt, "Black Earth is provocative, challenging, and an important addition to our understanding of the Holocaust."

Jeffrey Goldberg said, "Timothy Snyder argues, eloquently and convincingly, that the world is still susceptible to the inhuman impulses that brought about the Final Solution. This book should be read as admonition by presidents, prime ministers, and in particular by anyone who believes the the past is somehow behind us." I agree with Anne Applebaum, "In this unusual and innovative book, Timothy Snyder takes a fresh look at the intellectual origins of the Holocaust, placing Hitler's genocide firmly in the politics and diplomacy of 1930's Europe. Black Earth is required reading for anyone who cares about this difficult period of history."

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

RONALD REAGAN'S "LONG GOODBYE"

Tuesday, January 05, 2016

LAST ACT
THE FINAL YEARS AND
EMERGING LEGACY OF
RONALD REAGAN
By Craig Shirley

OVERVIEW: Cast in a grand and compelling narrative style, Last Act presents the definitive account of Ronald Reagan's life after public office. This untold story of Reagan's last years is an intimate account of the significant events in both his public and personal life—his slowly growing concern about his acuity, his "farewell address" at the 1992 Republican Convention, the onslaught of Alzheimer's, how he and Mrs. Reagan dealt with the diagnosis and progression of the disease, the planning of the state funeral, the outpouring from the nation, and the significance of the Reagan legacy.

AUTHOR: CRAIG SHIRLEY is the author of two critically praised bestselling books on President Reagan. Rendezvous with Destiny and Reagan's Revolution. His book December 1941 appeared multiple times on the New York Times bestseller list. Shirley is the chairman of Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, is a widely sought-after speaker and commentator, and has written extensively for the Washington Post, the Washington Examiner, the Washington Times, the LosAngeles Times, Town Hall, the Weekly Standard, Newsmax, Breitbart, National Review, and many other publications.

MY REVIEW: I agree with Pulitzer Prize-winning author, John Meacham. He said this is "A remarkable account of Ronald Reagan's 'long goodbye,' chronicling the final years of an American original who bent history in the service of freedom." I also agree with syndicated columnist Cal Thomas who said, "A deeply moving book that will bring tears to your eyes, strengthen your political resolve, and inspire you to build on Reagan's legacy." And also author Jane Hampton Cook, who said very succinctly "Important. Essential. Bravo."

"Last Act is a meticulously researched and enlightening account that widens our understanding of American history, the presidency, and one of the most influential men who occupied the office."

I admired Ronald Reagan long before reading this splendid book. It seems impossible that I could admire him more. But I do. I also admire Craig Shirley and love the way he writes. This is a good book about a good man written by a good man. After you read this book you will want the story to keep going. It's a true story. And a good one. I visited the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California a few years ago and now I want to go again. If you traveled with Ronald Reagan over the years you will want to go with him to the end. This books enables you to do that.

(I received this book from Book Sneeze A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers iin exchange for a fair and honest review.)