History – Page 4 – Ryan's Book Blog

Putin’s World

February 23, 2023 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Written in Feb of 2023, Putin’s World is a history of both Russia and Vladimir Putin. The book attempts to illustrate how Russia sees itself in the world and why Vladimir Putin has been so successful maintaining leadership in the post Soviet era.

My Thoughts

This book was very interesting on a number of fronts. Having lived in Eastern Europe for a while, I had been exposed to the pride and even arrogance found in some of those cultures. I believe President Trump played to this perfectly even if he didn’t fully understand what he was doing. It does make me wonder where we would be in the Ukraine if he had another term in office.

There were a number of newer concepts that, I’m sorry to say, I didn’t think much about. I hadn’t really thought much of Russia as seeing itself as an Asian power rather than European. Of course, that doesn’t make much sense given the location and how it sees itself. It was simply a reflection of my ethnocentrism… I’m glad I had a chance to learn more and I look forward to more opportunities.

Recommendation

Great book on understanding Russia and it’s current president.

Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter

January 6, 2023 by Ryan

Background

Published in September of 2022, Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter is the biography of our 39th President and his wife.

My Thoughts

At over 900 pages, I had been working on this book for some time. Most of it happened well before I was born but it was a pleasure to learn some of the backstory and gaps in my knowledge.

This bio seemed to be pretty balanced and was exhaustive.

Recommendation

If you can stick with it, do it!

A Peculiar People: Anti-Mormonism and The Making of Religion in Nineteenth-Century America

December 19, 2022 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2012, A Peculiar People is the narrative of the emergence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the state of the world at the time. J. Spencer Fluhman makes the arguement that “Mormonism” was so persecuted at least partly due to the social and economic issues in mid 17th century America.

My Thoughts

The book tries to keep as neutral as possible. In fact, I’m still not sure if Fluhman is on one side or the other on the debate against my religion. However, it did bring up a number of fairly interesting points about the state of our nation at that time.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one. It was good background knowledge but I didn’t enjoy it. I appreciate the author trying not to pick a side.

The Pioneers

August 30, 2022 by Ryan

Background

Published in May of 2019, “The Pioneers” is a history of a handful of white men who settled “the Ohio” (future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin) during the American expansion.

My Thoughts

For a more modern book, I was surprised that it mentioned relatively little about the native Americans who were already in the area. This history is very much written from the perspective of the American citizens who were moving West in what may be called “the Midwest”. (That term always cracked me up. If you look at a map of the United States, no one would have called that area the MidWest…)

Not having grown up in that area, pretty much all of it was new to me so I really enjoyed it. It gave me a view of American culture that I hadn’t been aware of and and understanding of what happened in the area.

Recommendation

Worth the read.

Franklin and Washington

July 8, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in February of 2020, Franklin and Washington: The Founding Partnership, is the biography and comparison and contrast of our founding fathers George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

My Thoughts

A very enjoyable read and a novel approach to subject matter that has been well documented. I really enjoyed the comparisons and the narrative of the relationship between these two men.

Recommendation

Worth the time to read. Great book.

Killing Crazy Horse

July 7, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in September of 2020, Killing Crazy Horse is the history of several notable native Americans (e.g. Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, Cochise, Black Hawk, Red Cloud) and the Indian Wars through the 1800’s.

My Thoughts

The author has a very distinctive style of getting right to the point that I enjoy. I feel this book did a great job of staying out of the commentary and just went for the facts, as well as can be known.

This was an embarrassing time for our country. I believe most people really tried to do the right thing and there were stories of people on both sides we really tried to make a lasting peace. However, there was so much confusion and prejudice it all just kept falling apart. Hopefully, we can all learn from this tragic time.

Recommendation

Great read.

You Never Forget Your First

July 6, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in February of 2020, You Never Forget Your First is a biography of our first President, George Washington.

My Thoughts

The author seriously needs to get over herself. When she wasn’t trying to show how different she is, she made some good observations. However, so much time was spent trying to establish how different she was like this quote to the New York Times, “It’s a biography. Like a man would write.” (Congratulations! You aren’t a man. However, that’s not why I’m reading this book.) Unfortunately, this discredited the author in my eyes and I was primed to look for the usual revisionist tripe that is so trendy these days.

Yes, we know he didn’t cut down the cherry tree. Yes, we know it is impossible to throw a dollar across the Potomac. Yes, we know he had slaves and treated them like slaves. These aren’t revelations. These are cited again and again by biographers who didn’t have the need to tell us how amazing it is that someone from California and a woman would have the audacity to write a biography on a white man. (We don’t care who you are!)

Recommendation

Skip this one.

When Reagan Sent in the Marines

July 5, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Published in December of 2019, “When Reagan Sent in the Marines” by Patrick J. Sloyan is an account of the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, and the subsequent deployment of US troops as part of a multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon. The book chronicles the political and military decisions made by the Reagan administration, as well as the experiences of the troops on the ground in Beirut. Sloyan draws on his extensive reporting from the region, as well as interviews with key players involved in the events, to provide an analysis of US foreign policy. He also sheds light on the complex and often fraught relationships between the US, Israel, and various factions within Lebanon, which continue to shape the region today.

My Thoughts

I started reading this book to keep up on my professional understanding of the Marines and history in general. I found it difficult to keep myself moving through it as it wasn’t particularly gripping for me. The author didn’t pull any punches on President Reagon and how he handled the situation. It made me wonder the back story of the author and if this was a propaganda piece. Unfortunately, I don’t know much else about the tragedy in Beirut and will have to find some other histories to build up that knowledge. This book definitely gave me some things to think about.

Recommendation

It wasn’t a gripping read but made me want to learn more.

Six People Who Built America

June 27, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Released in June of 2021, “Six People Who Built America” by Harold Evans is a biographical account of six influential individuals who made significant contributions to the growth and development of the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The book profiles Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Charles Lindbergh, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, exploring their lives and legacies in depth. The author examines the impact these figures had on American industry, technology, and society, while also acknowledging the controversies and challenges associated with their achievements. With its rich historical detail and engaging narrative, Six People Who Built America provides an informative and thought-provoking look at some of the most important figures in American history.

My Thoughts

This lecture brought together some ideas I hadn’t considered and linked them together in world history. Each of the people discussed couldn’t have done what they did without the others around them and those who came before.

Recommendation

Pretty good but it seemed shorter than I would have liked.

Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization

June 25, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

Background

Originally published in Nov of 2020, Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization by Joe Scarborough is a detailed account of the tumultuous years following World War II and the start of the Cold War. The book centers on President Harry S. Truman and his efforts to contain the spread of Soviet influence in Europe and around the world. Scarborough explores Truman’s personal and political struggles, as well as the larger geopolitical forces at play during this critical period in history. He also examines the rise of McCarthyism, the Korean War, and the challenges faced by the United States as it sought to promote democracy and freedom abroad while also confronting internal divisions and challenges to civil liberties at home. Ultimately, Saving Freedom is a compelling and insightful look at the postwar world and the complex political and moral choices that shaped the course of history.

My Thoughts

I think everyone enjoys a good underdog story and there are few better than our 33rd President Harry S. Truman. Going from, “I’m just mild about Harry” to “Give ’em hell Harry!”

I hadn’t thought much about his presidency past the dropping of the atomic bombs. However, the post WWII reconstruction was really interesting.

Recommendation

Great read that filled in a blank for me in my US History.