Making the Presidency, Lindsay M. Chervinsky

 

Making the Presidency:  John Adams and the precedents that forged the republic by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Started: October 27, 2024
Completed: November 3, 2024
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody...I am pretty alert to books about John Adams

Review:

I feel like John Adams left us a rich legacy.  I have several books about him on my shelves, several on the wish list at the library, and even  more sitting on my Kobo.  I find his story compelling and I especially like "perspectives" which take a single angle on the man and then dive deeply into that.  This book focuses on Adam's presidency which is nice because it is often dusted off, briefly addressed as though everyone knows the details, and then put down.  Just like Abigail.  This book, however, dives into the intrigue, the decision making, and provides a fresh perspective.  I really appreciated it, particularly in the throws of both Trump and the Broadway show that celebrates "the little general."   This book does not take on the complicated relationship he had with Jefferson in particular detail, but focuses largely on Adams as president.

The Political Brain, Drew Westen

 

The Political Brain:  The role of emotion in deciding the fate of the Nation by Drew Westen

Started: December 29, 2023
Completed: DNF
Recommendation: Dated
Recommended By: I read an article in which this book was referenced.

Review:

I spent a year trying to listen to this book in the car (it is on CD).  It just never worked out.  I was not in the car as often as I have been in the past, but every time I went to turn on the radio I had a reason not to listen to this book.  I had another book that I was trying to finish and I'd plug in my phone.  Somehow the CD had lost its place and I'd spend most of the trip trying to find my spot.  In the end, this book is boring because it is so dated.  It is not wrong and I'm sure that it has relevance, but I just couldn't fight through the Bush and Clinton references to get there.