Note: Thanks to RickLibrarian for the idea!
Jimmy Carter, our 39th President, was a little-known, democratic hopeful when he released his first book Why Not the Best? in 1975. According to Book TV’s “In Depth,” Carter used the book as an introduction to the American people when he began his presidential campaign.Did it help him win? I’m not sure, since I was 10 at the time. I thought people voted for him because of his toothy grin and Southern accent. How do you pronounce “nuclear?”
During the 2008 primaries, voters will have an opportunity to nominate a fresh candidate from both parties. Not since 1952 have voters had so many options. How will Americans vote responsibly? How will we "get to know" the candidates?
One such hopeful is following in the footsteps of former
president Carter, Barack Obama. A junior United States Senator since 2006, little was known of him before his bestseller, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Now, Americans can read his stirring autobiography and have a sense of his character.As former mayor of New York, more people are familiar with Rudolph
"Rudy" Giuliani’s name. (David Letterman has a nasty habit of using the current city’s mayors as nightly fodder.) Prior to the terrorist attack on the twin towers, outsiders to the city may have seen him as bumbling. He disproved the notion, as we saw a calm demeanor during 9/11. No autobiography, his book Leadership explains his 9/11 manner as a management skill learned during his mayoral stint.
Hillary Clinton was ready with her book Living History prior to filing for the Exploratory Committee. One can now read her take on world issues without Bill’s point of view. As with most political books, it is a safe read, void of Washington gossip. Darn it.Former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee, recently released his sixth book From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 STOPS to Restoring America's Greatness. One thing he would like to “stop” is America’s cynicism towards their government. I just love this suggestion—
turn off the talk radio and listen to more music.Leap year occurs every four years, and so to does Ralph Nader’s leap into the presidential mix. He has written many books, but his Unsafe at Any Speed, placed him in the Nation's spotlight. Today we consider this book a classic, like the Corvair and possibly Ralph Nader.
8 comments:
I cannot bring make myself read anything by Jimmy Carter. The other folks are fine though.
I just can't see the leader of the US being named Huckabee ...
That's one job that I wouldn't want.Thanks for the compliation.
It is nice to get to know them through that medium
Hey Paul! Poor Jimmy is taking a beaten with his lastest book. Makes me want to read it, though.
Lesley, reminds me of the movie I "heart" Huckabee. Doesn't huckster mean conman?
WW100, you are welcome. I've been doing these for the paper lately cause they are faster to write. Man, those deadlines!
NFmom, it really is a smart idea. Unfortunately, we never really know anyone, and with any bio/autobio, the writers can opt-out the negative stories. The good stuff... ;)
I got "Dreams from My Father" for Christmas last year, but I haven't read it yet. I tried to read it a few months ago, but I just couldn't get into it. I'll get to it later this year. Hopefully.
The Ralph Nader book took me back. We had a Corvair; my dad got rid of it because of Nader and then watched the new owner safely drive it around our small town for 12 years. Dad would still be talking about it, if he was with us.
Cool post. :)
Brandon, I'm the same way about picking it up but my co-worker says it is worth the time. It how many pages?
Bookfool, that is too funny. Where was Nader when the Pintos started to blow-up? He put the fear into the wrong car.
Post a Comment