A very good book about a great American that is known of, but not well known. Well written and informative, this book covers fifty plus years of well A very good book about a great American that is known of, but not well known. Well written and informative, this book covers fifty plus years of well history from a different perspective....more
There has not been a Vice President who contributed more to the success of his administration than Dick Cheney. Even before the election in 2000, he wThere has not been a Vice President who contributed more to the success of his administration than Dick Cheney. Even before the election in 2000, he was instrumental in finding the most qualified VP available, himself, something few administrations have done, and none to greater effect. Although constitutionally, the VP doesn't wield much power, Cheney's experience in foreign policy, defense policy, and every other aspect of running the executive branch were continuously tapped by George W. Bush.
Dick is a witty, straight shooting politician, who is able to get his point across eloquently and effectively. He speaks quietly, but will not back down from his position, and is actually capable of making his points with such force as to get people to change their minds. The book illustrates several occasions where his advice kept the administration from embarrassing or damaging missteps.
A great line in the book eviscerates Obama without even mentioning his name. He gives credit where credit is due, "I was gratified that after years of diligent and dedicated work, our nations intelligence community and our special operations forces were able on May 1, 2011, to find and kill Bin Laden."
There were few surprises, having followed politics fairly closely at the time. He enumerates the ways that the Iraq war helped slow other terrorist states and regimes like Libya and Pakistan. One area where George W. Bush and his administration really dropped the ball was in North Korea. I didn't realize how ineffective and counter productive Condi Rice was in the State Department. Dick Cheney explains in detail how North Korea played her for a fool.
I enjoyed this book, it was a good read. I believe more thought should be given to the VP beyond how many votes he or she might bring to the party. Dick Cheney is a proven leader and patriot and is the best VP America has seen in an age.
A light read geared toward young people, but a very good introduction to the greatest modern president. I believe the founding fathers would have beenA light read geared toward young people, but a very good introduction to the greatest modern president. I believe the founding fathers would have been comfortable leaving the country in Reagan's hands....more
An pretty good account of the battle. One of the first that called for it to be called a battle and not a massacre. As Graham states "Warfare, howeverAn pretty good account of the battle. One of the first that called for it to be called a battle and not a massacre. As Graham states "Warfare, however it be savage, is not massacre when when the conquered go to their deaths with arms in their hands."
Although he does not come out and condemn Custer, I personally feel that Custer has always been highly overrated and continues to be so. Too flamboyant and self absorbed. He was often lucky, but nobody could have prevailed against the odds he faced in the Battle of the Little Big Horn....more
Having grown up in the same area as Earl Durand and having to hear about characters like Buffalo Bill, the James Gang, the Hole in the Wall gang and oHaving grown up in the same area as Earl Durand and having to hear about characters like Buffalo Bill, the James Gang, the Hole in the Wall gang and other desperadoes. I was surprised that I have never heard of Earl Durand (or at least not what the story that made him infamous). After being arrested for poaching elk on the north fork of the Shoshone river, Earl broke jail and went on an eleven day escape/rampage through the mountains outside of Cody, my home town. Eventually, he made it to Powell, the next town over, where he grew up on a farm to the north and east, and was gunned down while robbing the First National Bank.
At the time, 1939, Durand's rampage, resulting in six deaths, made the national news and was a big sensation, everywhere except in Powell, where the story is seldom told, even now apparently. The book is written in first person from the point of view of 15 different eyewitnesses, which gives the story the effect of sitting around at the Irma hearing those involved tell their anecdotes. Each individual picks up the story where Earl crosses their path in his last eleven days. Some of the narrators are Cody and Powell legends in their own right, Milward Simpson, R.A. Nelson, and Bob Garlow, Buffalo Bill's grandson. Each played a part in Durand's arrest, the subsequent manhunt and his eventual demise.
I gave the book 4 stars because of the local interest. I know all the places mentioned and recognize the type of people who lived then, while they have changed somewhat with the times, they hold the same values and do many similar things portrayed in the story. A detached reader might give the book three stars....more
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