Eighty-five Percenter

 

I've never really understood Lindsey Graham's turn from being one of the "three Amigos" (Graham, McCain, & Lieberman) to MAGA Republican. How could someone count McCain as a personal friend and, at the same time, maintain close relations with someone like Trump? 

In this chapter of Baker and Glasser's "The Divider", the authors explain how Graham's switch was the result of his desire to--in a word--remain "relevant".

Still, Trump has never believed Graham is entirely on his side, hence his use of the term "Eighty-five Percenter".

The Divider

 

I'm about a third of my way through "The Divider." I'm sure that not everyone will be as enthusiastic about reading yet another book about Trump's presidency as I am, but there really is more that can be learned about those years, especially from journalists who tracked that news as closely and as professionally as Baker and Glasser. 

What have I learned that's new? Well, first, that Trump's White House was even more chaotic than others have already said it was. Personal animosities between staffers ran deep and not everyone was necessarily as supportive of Trump's initiatives as others. This was especially true when John Kelly came onboard as Trump's chief of staff. Wow! Talk about personality clashes! Eagle Scout meets the by then not nearly so Dapper Don!

The Duchess

 

I was surprised by how much I appreciated Andrew Lownie's "Traitor King." I really wasn't expecting to learn as much from it as I did. I think that's what eventually led me to read Caroline Blackwood's account of what happened to Wallis Simpson after the Duke of Windsor's death and her encounter with the imperious and volatile Maître Blum, Simpson's one-time lawyer, friend (?), and gatekeeper.

Invasion

 

It's cold outside. Okay, not nearly so cold as in other parts of the country. Still, it's cold enough to warrant sitting down with yet another good book and reading while enjoying a cup of hot tea. 

The book opens with Harding sitting down on the eve of the invasion with his friend and Ukrainian novelist, Andrey Kurkov, for a meal of borscht. Harding is convinced Russia is about to invade. Kurkov isn't. I'm curious to know more.

Mrs. Stoughton

 

Interesting how Henry Hobson Richardson, the architect, preferred working with committees rather than individuals as clients, thinking that the latter were more open to reason. Hugh Howard writes: "Furthermore, the unpleasantness at the Stoughton project . . . had left Richardson with new reservations about working for individuals in general. Committees were one thing; his experience was that differences among a gathering of men could be addressed with sweet reason. But the concerns of private clients were too often dictated by inscrutable emotion." (Howard, pp. 252-53)

Makes me wonder if the renown architect may also have had a problem working with strong-minded women. :-) 

Popular History?

 

Started Alison Weir's book last night, the first book of hers that I can remember reading. I suppose it can be described as popular history, although I was intrigued by this snippet from the Wikipedia article about her:

"Weir argues that 'history is not the sole preserve of academics, although I have the utmost respect for those historians who undertake new research and contribute something new to our knowledge. History belongs to us all, and it can be accessed by us all. And if writing it in a way that is accessible and entertaining, as well as conscientiously researched, can be described as popular, then, yes, I am a popular historian, and am proud and happy to be one.'"

Independence Day

 

Just finished reading Lopez' book. Took him a long time to figure out for himself whether to retire or not and I won't spoil the ending for you. Better that you should read that for yourself. But along the way he introduces us to a wide variety of interesting folks who either did decide to retire or else chose some other alternative. Worthwhile reading, especially if you or someone you know is contemplating his or her own "Independence Day."

Never Judge a Book by...

 

I'll admit that I was a little bit dubious about checking this book out of the library a few days ago. I imagined it would be just another dry account of two men's professional accomplishments. I couldn't have been more wrong. It is turning out to be a fascinating look at one of the United States' most exciting, if also turbulent, eras. Already, I've learned boatloads about the creation of New York City's Central Park, Prospect Park, and, yes, even Yosemite National Park. 

Refugees

 

This quote in Cadbury's book was in reference specifically to the plight of Jews in Germany in 1938, but it occurs to me as being as applicable to the plight of refugees everywhere.

Cadbury

 

Just finished reading this work by Deborah Cadbury published in 2022 after seeing it on the shelf in my local public library. This is not your typical book about the horrors of Nazi Germany. Rather, it's about the courageous work of a woman determined to make a positive difference in the lives of children traumatized by war through education. I highly recommend it.

Historical Library

 

Augustinerkloster, Erfurt

Lock

 St. Nicholas Church museum in Spandau, Germany

Books

Associated with St. Nicholas Church is an extraordinary museum filled with manuscripts dating from the time of the Reformation onward.