Edward Renehan

The focus of this book is the Seeger's conflict with the House Select Committee on Un-American Activities although Renehan goes over how Seeger led the rediscovery of folk music and made it the power it became in the 1960's for social change. Here is where I learned how he help organize the Weavers and how this musical group overcame discrimination and harassment through the popularity of their music. While Seeger had been a member of the American Communist Party, once he learned how show more Stalin's version of socialism worked, he withdrew from the Party.

Hounded by congressmen and conservative politicians not to mention the right wing fringe which put he and his family in danger with their physical attacks, Seeger would never back down. He even refused to use the 5th Amendment before the Committee knowing by doing so he would almost assuredly go to jail. He always lived by the principles he believed in no matter what the cause. show less

This was a great read and a fascinating study of the family life of TR and his children. I enjoyed the material presenting previously unknown (or forgotten) facts (who know Alice was his daughter by his first marriage?) and found the story of his relationships with his children and his commitment to his family and largely successful parenting fascinating. The work has compelled me to further reading about TR.

This was a good book for those interested in the Kennedys and any World War II buff. The Kennedys were profoundly shaped by the Second World War, the four eldest Kennedys in particular. Joe Jr. was killed in action; JFK heroically captained PT 109; Rosemary was lobotomized; and Kick lost her husband and brother in the space of just a few months.

At times the writing got a little dry, but otherwise it was a very interesting book.

Interesting topic and well written. A quick read which makes some effort at debunking some of the earlier un-researched claims of previous bios.