Author Archives: billmanzi

Review: China 1945: Mao's Revolution and America's Fateful Choice

Posted on February 7, 2015 by billmanzi

China 1945: Mao’s Revolution and America’s Fateful Choice by Richard Bernstein My rating: 4 of 5 stars A scholarly look at the U.S. policies in China prior to the ultimate takeover by the Chinese Communist Party. The old political battle … Continue reading →

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Review of Tom Menino's Mayor for a New America

Posted on January 12, 2015 by billmanzi

Mayor for a New America by Thomas Menino My rating: 3 of 5 stars A good book that is surprisingly candid in many areas. Tom Menino was a true Mayor, and has left us a book with interesting stories, and … Continue reading →

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Nixonland- Master of Division.

Posted on January 4, 2015 by billmanzi

Nixonland: America’s Second Civil War and the Divisive Legacy of Richard Nixon 1965-72 by Rick Perlstein My rating: 4 of 5 stars Perlstein brings us back to Nixonland, and it is not a pretty picture. I had read the earlier … Continue reading →

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First Aid Kit- Music from Krugman????

Posted on December 28, 2014 by billmanzi

Much to the chagrin of my more conservative friends I not only read Paul Krugman’s New York Times column but his blog as well. Krugman, on his blog, highlights some musical selections that he enjoys on Friday nights. I must … Continue reading →

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Above the Fray- Dukakis on the 1988 Campaign

Posted on December 27, 2014 by billmanzi

The 1988 Presidential campaign keeps crossing my path lately. I finished reading “What it Takes” by Richard Ben Cramer, reviewed below, that was a terrific book about that campaign, looked at through the eyes of several of the candidates. NBC-Learn … Continue reading →

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Review of "Thirteen Days in September" by Lawrence Wright

Posted on December 14, 2014 by billmanzi

Thirteen Days in September: Carter, Begin, and Sadat at Camp David by Lawrence Wright My rating: 3 of 5 stars A pretty good accounting of the Camp David Agreement forged by President Jimmy Carter. Lawrence Wright manages to weave in … Continue reading →

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Review of Richard Ben Cramer's "What it Takes"

Posted on December 6, 2014 by billmanzi

What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer My rating: 5 of 5 stars A tour de force by Richard Ben Cramer. At over a thousand pages this look at the 1988 Presidential campaign may … Continue reading →

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Review of "Kissinger" by Walter Isaacson

Posted on November 29, 2014 by billmanzi

A recent book that I reviewed over at Goodreads. Well worth your time if you are interested in this very interesting time and very complex man who elicits such broad emotions even today. <a href="Kissinger by Walter Isaacson My rating: … Continue reading →

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Seabrook Tree Lighting

Posted on November 28, 2014 by billmanzi
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Happy Thanksgiving Weekend

Posted on November 28, 2014 by billmanzi

A very happy Thanksgiving weekend to all of you. I will hopefully begin to have a bit more time to post on subjects of interest to get the blog moving again.

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