Old Beowulf

Entertaining and useful but becomes Hagiography

Revisado: 10-31-24

It’s interesting and informative to hear all the background behind Thurgood Marshall’s supreme court nomination. Unfortunately, the author’s political bias gets in the way from time to time. For example, Clarence Thomas is described as unimpressive, unprepared and even a “snake”.

That’s too bad, because there is a lot of good stuff in the book. The author presents fascinating background stories on many people involved in the nomination of Marshall. I learned more about the senators, President Johnson and Marshall himself; but I started to get the feel that I was looking at Marshall through rose-colored glasses.

About halfway through, I started to ask myself, “Am I reading a biography or a hagiography?” The answer became clear in the epilogue, in which the term “saint” was actually used. Perhaps future generations of biographers will be more comfortable presenting all facets of this fascinating and courageous man.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Powerful.

Revisado: 07-09-23

I wish everyone would listen to this. It provides great insight into America in the 20th Century.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Truly a great western

Revisado: 03-03-23

The main characters are fascinating and well-developed. The story is well-written and well-told. The performance is outstanding.

One of the best westerns I’ve heard.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Very good for its time.

Revisado: 02-10-23

This is a classic work, showing how many people from the mid-20th century viewed the war. It is too easy on the Rebels, still influenced by Lost Cause mythology. It goes to great lengths describing the suffering of people in the Shenandoah and doesn’t speak a word about the suffering of the enslaved. Those who escape are denigrated or even mocked. Those who volunteered in the US Army are called “contrabands”. This tells a rich story, but I’m glad it has been superseded by more recent historians, such McPherson.

Still, Catton weaves a compelling tale and fills it with personalities and details. Definitely worth the read, but it should not be the only book read, and it’s not the most authoritative.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Well done

Revisado: 12-08-22

Thoughtful, thorough and fair. This should be required reading for anyone who is concerned about their fellow humans and our environment.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Biased but very Good

Revisado: 05-23-22

Excellent story and many details. Short shrift is given to Jackson, and to ordinary people in general - the ones who loved Jackson - almost to the point of elitism.

However, the portrait of Adams is rich, uplifting and inspiring. He is honored properly, and I was challenged to be a better person.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

It froze and stopped working. Defective!!!

Revisado: 05-18-22

Great book. Well written. Fascinating. Well performed.

However, with only an hour left, it just froze. No matter what I tried, it wouldn’t play.

Maddening!! Gets 1 star!!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Numerous mistakes. Southern Whitewash

Revisado: 04-30-22

I became suspicious in the first chapter, when he spoke of how “radicals” wanted to immediately eliminate slavery after the Civil War.

It did not get much better. Nathan Bedford Forrest comes off better than William Tecumseh Sherman.

I can understand some criticism of Sherman, but Forrest is presented as a “self-made man” because he made a fortune in the slave trade.

This is certainly better than some of the lost cause myth publications, but not by a lot. I was disappointed.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Too much southern propaganda

Revisado: 01-24-22

It’s interesting and entertaining, but it is full of southern propaganda. For example, the author neglected to tell us that Nathan Bedford Forrest murdered surrendering blacks. Instead, he says the people of the north accused Forest of this. The fact is that Forest did it, and there is a lot of documentation. The author also neglects to mention that forest later created the Ku Klux Klan.

He also idealizes Lee, a mediocre general who lost a very winnable war and sent free people into slavery during his failed invasions.

Finally, he overstates federal casualties and understates confederate losses.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Powerful, honest, thorough and compelling.

Revisado: 12-17-21

If you have been taught that the Civil War was not about slavery, that Robert E Lee what is a great human being in general, that Ulysses S Grant was a butcher, or that slavery was not so bad, this book will help you escape the bewitchment.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona