Author Archives: billmanzi

Michael Collins- The Man Who Made Ireland by Tim Pat Coogan

Posted on March 30, 2024 by billmanzi

Tim Pat Coogan gives us a tour de force on Michael Collins, the man who  made Ireland,  in this book which is both a biography of the “big fella” and a history of a critical point in Ireland. These events … Continue reading →

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Revisiting 1939

Posted on February 25, 2024 by billmanzi

There has been, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, lots of discussion of Poland, and how World War II started. Some of the commentary, especially the comments by Vlad Putin blaming Poland for the start of World … Continue reading →

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The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America

Posted on February 16, 2024 by billmanzi

The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America by Marc Levinson My rating: 4 of 5 stars A pretty good book about one of the first true retail behemoths in the United States, the Great Atlantic & … Continue reading →

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A Look at “Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins

Posted on January 14, 2024 by billmanzi

Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins My rating: 5 of 5 stars McKay Coppins has written a fascinating book that is a both a biography of Mitt Romney and a real important examination of the evolution of GOP politics over … Continue reading →

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Methuen Inaugural Now and Then 2024 Edition

Posted on January 6, 2024 by billmanzi

Methuen Mayor Neil Perry was inaugurated for his third term of office on Wednesday January 3, 2024. The event was held at the beautiful Methuen Memorial Music Hall. In addition to Mayor Perry the newly elected members of the Methuen … Continue reading →

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Henry Kissinger Years of Upheaval

Posted on December 16, 2023 by billmanzi

Years of Upheaval by Henry Kissinger My rating: 4 of 5 stars The recent death of Henry Kissinger has brought all sorts of writing on his career, and in death the controversy and arguments over his impacts, his actions while … Continue reading →

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A Look at “President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier”

Posted on November 24, 2023 by billmanzi

President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier by C.W. Goodyear My rating: 4 of 5 stars C.W. Goodyear has given us an insightful look at James A. Garfield, the twentieth President of the United States. Garfield is a President that I … Continue reading →

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The Seabrook Emergency Operations Plan 2023

Posted on October 3, 2023 by billmanzi

The Town of Seabrook has completed, and the Board of Selectmen approved, the 2023 Emergency Operations Plan. This plan is updated every five years and follows our 2018 update. My thanks to Emergency Management Director Joseph Titone, Emergency Management Secretary … Continue reading →

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A Look at Nixon: The Education of a Politician 1913-1962

Posted on September 3, 2023 by billmanzi

Nixon Volume 1: The Education of a Politician, 1913–1962 by Stephen E. Ambrose My rating: 4 of 5 stars Stephen Ambrose has given us a three volume biography of Richard M. Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, and … Continue reading →

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The Political Career of Richard M. Nixon

Posted on September 2, 2023 by billmanzi

As i continue to be drawn to books about the Administration of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States I thought he might be a good subject for a blog post independent of the books. The sheer volume … Continue reading →

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