Presidents' Day Books

This is a fascinating glimpse of a day in the life of JFK during his presidency. It was written just weeks before his death. The writing is superb and the pages fly by. I wish an author would be assigned to record every presidency in this way; what a great historical record! It definately humanizes the people in the White House.

If you like this book, definately read Bishop's book on the assassination of Lincoln. It is also superb.

This book is filled with fascinating details about every presidential inauguration in United States history, through the Bush inauguration in 2000. Most people probably have not given a great deal of thought to inaugurations, but writer Jim Bendat opens the door to a series of intriguing, and sometimes important, details. For example, Abraham Lincoln was the first president to invite a free African American to attend an inauguration. Lyndon Johnson was the first president to be sworn in by a woman.

This engaging book provides us with an insight into a wealth of little known facts about American history. Anyone interested in history (or trivia, though there is much more to it than trivia) will be delighted by this book.

The writing is lively and spirited. The subject matter is unforgettable. The book is terrific.

"'The only marvel I have had all my life has been that the Lord ever chose me for anything, especially as an apostle and as President.' This statement by President Wilford Woodruff typifies his modest and humble demeanor, the fruit of a life lived close to the Spirit.

This book contains a selection by G. Homer Durham of expressions from the addresses of this great man and prophet. For background, its preliminary pages give a chronological listing of the highlights in his life, plus an informative foreword by Elder John A. Widtsoe. In the selections too are interesting glimpses of the man himself by way of his life experiences told in the first person- his conversion to the gospel; his baptizing of six hundred people in one community in England; his experiences with Church leaders from the early 1830s on; his first meeting and other experiences with Joseph Smith; and so on.

Here is a firm testimony to the Prophet Joseph Smith's calling, from one who knew him intimately. Elder Woodruff speaks too on a wide range of gospel subjects- agency, salvation, revelation, priesthood, temple work, constitutional liberty, the Second Coming. The prayer he offered in dedicating the Salt Lake Temple is also included. All this and much more is found in this collection of choice extracts from the addresses of the fourth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

This is an insightful, funny, sometimes sad memoir. Well written, it gives a look seldom seen into life in the White House. I read it years ago, and don't know what happened to my copy. I have thought about it often and can't wait to get another one so I can read it again.

Being (as you friends will know) a big armchair investigator of various mysteries, I finally broke down and spent some hard-earned Amazon credit on a big fat book, Files on JFK.

Just like an "I love you" note from your kid that's all misspelled and smeared with dirt or peanut butter, the message is more important than the presentation.

THIS BOOK NEEDED A COPY EDITOR!

I mean, words are misspelled, the name of Russian premier Khrushchev is spelled "Kroetschov," big blocks of text within emails or letters are printed again after appearing once earlier in the book.

Nevertheless, I can believe that the story in this book MIGHT be the truth.

The big picture is that the JFK assassination originated in elements of CIA and organized crime. The familiar names are named -- David Atlee Philips, Rosetti, Nicoletti, Giancana, George HW Bush, etc the like -- but with insight from James Files aka James Sutton aka a lot more names.

You see, in November 1963 Files was a 21-year-old ex-military guy who had become not only the driver and go-to guy for a Mafia hit man, but also a CIA asset. When CIA and other US intelligence agency members began to percolate angrily over their being "choked off" during the Bay of Pigs aborted invasion, along with other perceived failings in JFK's behavior or character, they decided to do something about it.

So they got together with some of their hand-in-hand friends in the Mafia and did it. This was NOT an agency thing, this was a few guys using their connections. Probably some other acquaintances were drafted in after the fact, presented with the most drastic fait accompli that I, anyway, could imagine.

By this I mean that members of the FBI and the Secret Service also participated in the hiding of evidence, forgeries, and lies. It was the Secret Service that switched the windshields on the "Assassination Lincoln." It was J Edgar Hoover himself who stressed repeatedly on November 22nd (and forever after) how important it was that the country and the world believe that Oswald alone was the patsy -- oops, I mean believe that he was the assassin.

At any rate, this is a long and rambling lead-up to the especiality of THIS book.

And in this book, James Files tells a very credible story of being the (semi-reluctant) shooter on the grassy knoll, behind the picket fence.

In my opinion the single most convincing part of Files's tale refers to the cartridge from the bullet he fired into JFK's right temple. Files says that after firing the head shot, he removed the .222 cartridge and bit it.

Well, in 1987 a guy and his son found a .222 cartridge down a ways in front of the wooden stockade in Dealey Plaza. After Files's story was told in 2004 or 2005, investigators went back to look at that cartridge. After examination from at least one dentist, the indentations previously thought to be "just dents" were found, in fact, to be human teethmarks.

Sounds pretty authoritative to me.

Let me know what YOU think.

George Did WHAT? Well, he succumbed to peer pressure and, as the only candidate, became President of a brand-new government. His job was to guide, cajole & encourage the disparate settlers in the thirteen colonies to pull together and form one nation: What an impressive word is "INDIVISIBLE."

The book, "George Did It" by Suzanne Jurmain is cleverly 'put together' with plenty of appeal for boys even. It might inspire a class study of presidential cartoons through the decades &/or *a unit on drawing cartoons*. It is a good springboard for children becoming acquainted with presidents, politics /AND/ peer pressure.

Young readers will follow with amusement Jurmain's story (& the comical drawings of Larry Day) about George Washington's reluctance to be president. A man of advanced years (57 !) he was tired of War and eager to return to the comforts of home. Home was Martha & Mount Vernon, an estate/plantation on the Potomac in the beautiful Virginia countryside. He was ready for the change in responsibilities, to be a family man once more.

Some children will be able to relate to George Washington as a veteran. They may come to respect a different call to serve as they learn about the responsibilities of the presidency and how Washington felt it was his duty to serve in that capacity. Reviewer mcHAIKU suggests that teachers incorporate into a unit about presidents the words that 14 year old George copied into a book, later printed (isbn: #155709103X) as "George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." Now there is a mouthful of wisdom that is excellent advice for ALL presidents and citizens alike.

I originally read this book about 30 years ago and recently re-read it. John Taylor was the 3rd president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was a close friend of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He was with Joseph Smith when he was murdered and was also severely wounded at that time. This book is a collection of John Taylor's writings compiled by G. Homer Durham. The writings are grouped by subject and come from his addresses from the Journal of Discourses, books he published, and periodicals he edited. The writings cover the time period from the 1840's through his death in 1887.

The six major divisions of this book are as follows: 1) Some Latter Day Saint Philosophy; 2) The Gospel Message; 3) Priesthood: The Government of God; 4) The Kingdom of God; 5) The Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of Men; and 6) Some Personal Reflections and Footnotes. I enjoy John Taylor's preaching and writing styles; he conveys his ideas very clearly. It was interesting to see what he focused on, a large portion of the book focuses on the organization of the church. This was a time in the early part of the church where the duties of the priesthood were still being defined. Included are many foundational talks setting up the systems that we have today.

I really enjoyed the personal reflections part of the book where he discussed his relationship with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and discussed the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and other historical events. I highly recommend this book for students of LDS doctrine, history, and those wanting to learn more of John Taylor.

I originally read this book about 30 years ago and recently re-read it. John Taylor was the 3rd president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was a close friend of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He was with Joseph Smith when he was murdered and was also severely wounded at that time. This book is a collection of John Taylor's writings compiled by G. Homer Durham. The writings are grouped by subject and come from his addresses from the Journal of Discourses, books he published, and periodicals he edited. The writings cover the time period from the 1840's through his death in 1887.

The six major divisions of this book are as follows: 1) Some Latter Day Saint Philosophy; 2) The Gospel Message; 3) Priesthood: The Government of God; 4) The Kingdom of God; 5) The Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of Men; and 6) Some Personal Reflections and Footnotes. I enjoy John Taylor's preaching and writing styles; he conveys his ideas very clearly. It was interesting to see what he focused on, a large portion of the book focuses on the organization of the church. This was a time in the early part of the church where the duties of the priesthood were still being defined. Included are many foundational talks setting up the systems that we have today.

I really enjoyed the personal reflections part of the book where he discussed his relationship with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and discussed the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and other historical events. I highly recommend this book for students of LDS doctrine, history, and those wanting to learn more of John Taylor.

I originally read this book about 30 years ago and recently re-read it. John Taylor was the 3rd president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was a close friend of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. He was with Joseph Smith when he was murdered and was also severely wounded at that time. This book is a collection of John Taylor's writings compiled by G. Homer Durham. The writings are grouped by subject and come from his addresses from the Journal of Discourses, books he published, and periodicals he edited. The writings cover the time period from the 1840's through his death in 1887.

The six major divisions of this book are as follows: 1) Some Latter Day Saint Philosophy; 2) The Gospel Message; 3) Priesthood: The Government of God; 4) The Kingdom of God; 5) The Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of Men; and 6) Some Personal Reflections and Footnotes. I enjoy John Taylor's preaching and writing styles; he conveys his ideas very clearly. It was interesting to see what he focused on, a large portion of the book focuses on the organization of the church. This was a time in the early part of the church where the duties of the priesthood were still being defined. Included are many foundational talks setting up the systems that we have today.

I really enjoyed the personal reflections part of the book where he discussed his relationship with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and discussed the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and other historical events. I highly recommend this book for students of LDS doctrine, history, and those wanting to learn more of John Taylor.

This is the best biography of Joseph Fielding Smith ever written. Being written by the Prophet's son, this book has many of those humorous and deep insights that family members know, love, and cherish. I think the most interesting inclusions is the copy of President Smith's second patriarchal blessing. This blessing is a blessing for the world, since it gives us a revelation about the nature of President Smith's mission as an apostle, and later as a prophet.

President Joseph Fielding Smith is the reason why I am so religious. Or why I try to be religious, in any case. He has one of the greatest theological minds that I have ever read, and he is like a modern Martin Luther. He has a powerful faith that guided his life and labors.