A fresh perspective in what was a stagnant genre. I've read several of the seminal works on Hitler and the third Reich but none with the originality of Hitler at Home.
Good general overview of state to state relations. The author speaks with authority and is easy to read.
Falls Flat
The storyline is there as well as the characters but I was left feeling as if it were all too generic: The white bread wife marries the Chinese immigrant and they exert incredible pressure on their child to make up for their own perceived failures. A story there to be sure but one I don't think told here at least not in something other than generic form.
This writer has talent no doubt but I don't believe it is on full display here.
The storyline is there as well as the characters but I was left feeling as if it were all too generic: The white bread wife marries the Chinese immigrant and they exert incredible pressure on their child to make up for their own perceived failures. A story there to be sure but one I don't think told here at least not in something other than generic form.
This writer has talent no doubt but I don't believe it is on full display here.
Found what I was looking for.
Was looking for a "light" read and found it here. In full disclosure I am a fan of this particular genre. The characters here are not fully drawn out but for some reason I find it more to the stories credit than otherwise
If you're looking for something without the commitment of The Stand or the emotional weight of The Road give Day by Day a try
Was looking for a "light" read and found it here. In full disclosure I am a fan of this particular genre. The characters here are not fully drawn out but for some reason I find it more to the stories credit than otherwise
If you're looking for something without the commitment of The Stand or the emotional weight of The Road give Day by Day a try
Great attempt at life behind the white house curtain
I have always been interested in life behind the closed door. Behind every crisis mastered, speech given, and action taken the question I most find myself asking is "I wonder what that was really like for them?" This is especially true in politics where every word is measured and even one's wardrobe might be the subject of a focus group.
Naturally I was very excited to come across this and believe the author has shed light on modern presidents and their families. However, when compared to J.B. West's work, which is of the same topic though different in time frame, one can only imagine the stories still to be told. If in fact they ever will.
To be clear THIS IS NOT A CRITIQUE OF THE AUTHOR Kate Anderson Brower. J.B. West actually worked at the white house and this I believe is crucial. It seems to me in a town where "everything leaks" the white house staff are a class of their own. I believe even the most hardened of spies would "break" faster than any on the white house staff.
They live by an old code and honor that is rarely seen today. No matter their political views they have taken a vow of silence that I gather means more to them than any confidentiality agreement they may have signed.
I applaud the author for even attempting this and telling us their story.
The code of honor they share prevents us from really getting a satisfying look behind the curtain but maybe that is as it should be. Everyone should have a place show more to yell about a no good SOB or simply be alone with one's thoughts and not worry about it making headlines the following day. show less
I have always been interested in life behind the closed door. Behind every crisis mastered, speech given, and action taken the question I most find myself asking is "I wonder what that was really like for them?" This is especially true in politics where every word is measured and even one's wardrobe might be the subject of a focus group.
Naturally I was very excited to come across this and believe the author has shed light on modern presidents and their families. However, when compared to J.B. West's work, which is of the same topic though different in time frame, one can only imagine the stories still to be told. If in fact they ever will.
To be clear THIS IS NOT A CRITIQUE OF THE AUTHOR Kate Anderson Brower. J.B. West actually worked at the white house and this I believe is crucial. It seems to me in a town where "everything leaks" the white house staff are a class of their own. I believe even the most hardened of spies would "break" faster than any on the white house staff.
They live by an old code and honor that is rarely seen today. No matter their political views they have taken a vow of silence that I gather means more to them than any confidentiality agreement they may have signed.
I applaud the author for even attempting this and telling us their story.
The code of honor they share prevents us from really getting a satisfying look behind the curtain but maybe that is as it should be. Everyone should have a place show more to yell about a no good SOB or simply be alone with one's thoughts and not worry about it making headlines the following day. show less
I really enjoyed the authors previous work On China and if to a lesser degree Diplomacy. Here I find an old man's ramblings without any real purpose.