[bksvol-discuss] Fw: History and Current Events October 2008
- From: "Amber Wallenstein" <amber.wallens@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:32:09 -0400
History and Current Events October 2008
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
~ Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), British author, Proper Studies
New and Recently Released!
American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, Movie-Making, and the Crime of the Century
- by Howard Blum
Publisher: Crown Publishers
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/9/2008
ISBN: 9780307346940
ISBN-10: 0307346943
On October 1, 1910, an explosion rocked the offices of the Los Angeles Times,
killing 21 and injuring many more. At the time, a fierce nationwide dispute
raged between trade unionists and employers, spearheaded in LA by the
vehemently anti-union Times publisher Harrison Gray Otis. Could unionists have
been
behind the explosion? Or was Otis merely trying to pin it on them and collect
insurance? After a six-month investigation that criss-crossed the country,
famed detective William J. Burns arrested a pair of brothers, who were
represented in court by equally famed attorney Clarence Darrow. This tale of the
dynamiting and subsequent investigation is "completely riveting," says Booklist.
The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington - by
Jennet Conant
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/9/2008
ISBN: 9780743294584
ISBN-10: 0743294580
After an injury cut short his career as an RAF pilot--and before becoming
famous as a writer of children's books--Roald Dahl used his dashing manner and
considerable charm to infiltrate the upper reaches of Washington and New York
society, gather information for England, and quietly influence American support
for World War II. Under the direction of spymaster William Stephenson, Dahl's
colleagues included David Ogilvy (soon to be an advertising legend) and future
spy novelist Ian Fleming. The Irregulars depicts not only Dahl's adventurous
professional and social lives, but provides profiles of his contemporaries
and an engaging look at a fascinating era.
First Chapter
Table of Contents
Bob Schieffer's America - by Bob Schieffer
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/9/2008
ISBN: 9780399155185
ISBN-10: 039915518X
Starting in 1994 with the death of Richard Nixon, Bob Schieffer, host of CBS's
Face the Nation, would close his broadcasts with commentary on a broad array
of topics from politics to tales of human decency. The essays collected here
are the best of those closing commentaries, and Schieffer has added additional
material that updates the original essays and showcases his evolving opinions.
Varying in tone from lightly humorous to openly critical, these essays are
also insightful and engaging--just the ticket if you're looking for more from
Schieffer or want to learn something from a veteran newsman.
Angel of Grozny: Orphans of a Forgotten War - by Asne Seierstad
Publisher: Perseus Books Group
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/8/2008
ISBN: 9780465011223
ISBN-10: 0465011225
Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad has been to Chechnya twice--first to cover
the 1994 Russian assault on Chechnya, and again ten years later to cover
the supposed peace. By that time, nursing homes and orphanages had been
destroyed by governmental decree, putting tens of thousands of children and the
elderly out on the street. Seierstad interviews many in the course of bringing
the Chechen conflict to light--among them are the Angel of Grozny, a woman
named Hadijat who makes it her mission to care for scores of orphans, along
with some of her shattered charges. You won't soon forget this "sympathetic,
brave work from a deeply engaged war correspondent" (Kirkus Reviews).
Table of Contents
Focus on: Elections
Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and
Leadership - by Madeleine Albright with Bill Woodward
Publisher: Harper
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 1/1/2008
ISBN: 9780061351808
ISBN-10: 0061351806
In her latest book, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright offers a
persuasive, wide-ranging set of recommendations to the prospective winner of the
2008 presidential election. Focusing primarily on foreign policy, her advice
covers selecting a first-rate foreign policy team, avoiding the pitfalls that
have plagued other presidents, and ensuring that carefully made decisions are
successfully implemented. She also discusses using the full range of available
tools in persuading other countries to support U.S. objectives--and,
pragmatically, she recommends setting aside time to exercise. Perhaps
presidential
hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain will add this Memo to their reading lists?
First Chapter
1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft & Debs--the Election that Changed the Country -
by James Chace
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 5/1/2004
ISBN: 9780743203944
ISBN-10: 0743203941
Long before U.S. President George W. Bush was elected with less than a majority
of the popular vote, there was the election of 1912, in which Woodrow Wilson
"accidentally" took office despite losing the popular vote. Political historian
James Chace traces the events of that dramatic presidential election and
discusses how the campaigns of four determined rivals (Wilson, Theodore
Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Eugene V. Debs) resulted in an unexpected
newcomer
taking office. Chace also explains how the election had lasting effects on the
Republican Party and current-day politics. Political history junkies and
anyone who wants a deeper understanding of today's political climate should
check out this book.
First Chapter
A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First
Presidential Campaign - by Edward J. Larson
Publisher: Free Press
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/18/2007
ISBN: 9780743293167
ISBN-10: 0743293169
If you thought that the 2000 U.S. election between George W. Bush and Al Gore
was controversial, think again. Fierce enough to be called "America's Second
Revolution," the 1800 presidential competition between Thomas Jefferson and
John Adams resulted in a tie between Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron
Burr. It took 36 ballots in the House of Representatives before the presidency
was finally awarded to Jefferson; a few years later the loophole in the
Constitution that had allowed this state of affairs was closed. Fans of early
American history and of political science will be intrigued by this captivating
campaign history.
First Chapter
Table of Contents
Fraud of the Century: Rutherford B. Hayes, Samuel Tilden, and the Stolen
Election of 1876 - by Roy Morris
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 3/1/2004
ISBN: 9780743255523
ISBN-10: 0743255526
According to The Wall Street Journal, this lively history of the political
misdeeds that surrounded the presidential election of Rutherford B. Hayes is
"greatly entertaining." This probably wouldn't describe the political chicanery
that rendered Samuel Tilden--who won the popular vote--the loser in the
presidential election of 1876. After South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana
submitted multiple, conflicting ballots, after Hayes was given all 20 contested
votes, after Tilden graciously conceded the election, Hayes was awarded the
presidency. Those still carrying a grudge from the 2000 election may find it
pertinent to check out Fraud of the Century.
First Chapter
Gaming the Vote: Why Elections Aren't Fair (and What We Can Do About It) - by
William Poundstone
Publisher: Hill and Wang
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 2/5/2008
ISBN: 9780809048939
ISBN-10: 0809048930
If you've ever been frustrated by the flaws in the current U.S. voting
system--or wondered what the alternatives are--you'll want to pick up this
"engaging
study of the science of voting" (Publishers Weekly). In addition to assessing
the fundamental flaws in the American electoral system (primarily that it's
prone to "spoiler" candidates and vote-splitting), author William Poundstone
explores several other voting methods. From the options (Condorcet voting,
instant-runoff voting), he settles on one--range voting, in which voters assign
candidates ranks--as the best option for fair elections. To learn why,
pick up Gaming the Vote.
Table of Contents
First Chapter
Too Close to Call: The Thirty-Six-Day Battle to Decide the 2000 Election - by
Jeffrey Toobin
Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 10/1/2002
ISBN: 9780375761072
ISBN-10: 0375761071
Without hiding his own opinion (that the wrong man was inaugurated), author
Jeffrey Toobin takes readers through a step-by-step account of the 2000
presidential
election, shedding light on the complex issues that were involved in the
post-election battle for the presidency. From the legal complications to the
implications
of the 36-day struggle to determine who would lead the country, Toobin provides
a "pointed analysis" (The New York Times). For more on this topic, try
Howard Gillman's The Votes that Counted.
First Chapter
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