I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War...
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The first part of this book is fascinating dealing with the 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times offices and the ensuing chase to find the culprits. Intertwined in this true tale are detctive William Burns, filmmaker D.W.Griffith, and Clarence Darrow, the legendary lawyer who nearly saw his career lost because of his involvement in the trial.
The book tends to drag once the culprits are captured and their trial begins. All in all, though, this is a compelling story that would actually make an excellent film.
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
I had not quite turned 11 years young when Bobby Kennedy announced he was going to run for President. Up until then, I was not very interested in politics or what was going on in the country. His candidacy helped me to understand these things and, for the first time in my short life, I had become politcally aware (it also helped that I had a brother 5 1/2 years older). During the 82 days of his campaign, I became politicized in a way that most of my friends couldn't understand. My eyes were opened for good.
Thurston Clarke makes a solid case that Kennedy would have been elected, though I'm not so sure. Nixon's men would have pulled some things out of their dirty tricks bag to try and sway the electorate his way. Clarke makes the case that, if Kennedy was elected, there, of course, would not have been Watergate, disillusionment of our country's youth, Reagan, Iran-Contra, Clinton, Bush, etc. On the other hand, if elected, like his brother, he probably would not have lived through his first term. This was a constant running through his life after JFK's murder.
Clarke's book is emotional, passionate, and humane, all attributes that pertained to the man himself during these last days of his life. Even knowing the end, I was brought to tears learning more about such a great man. He was our last hope. There will never be another presidential candidate like him. We won't allow it. And that's a great shame for our country.
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(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
When I read one of Bob Greene's books, I'm able to relive a particular time in my youth. This time, however, I got to live, vicariously, a dream. This is the story of Bob being able to tour with Jan and Dean, a seminal surf music duo from the early 60s, for a 15-year period beginning in 1992. Jan and Dean weree no longer a commanding rock and roll presence, but a touring oldies band trying to make ends meet. He also tells the tragic story of Jan Berry, his car accident, and the changes in his life and career. Along the way Bob gets to meet the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, the Everly Brothers and others who helped define an era.
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(3 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Sheila Warner has written an interesting look into, not only the lives of the three great female singer-songwriters of the late '60s/early '70s, but the lives of many young women born around the end of WWII and what they went through during the antiseptic '50s and the open and wilder '60s. While a bit gossipy for my tastes and a tad too long, I did find the chapters on their respective journeys to stardom quite fascinating. I have been a huge fan of all three women's work and was very appreciative of what they had to go through to get to where they wanted.
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(12 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
Finallly, an intelligent book about the Beatles that talks, not only about their history,but also about their music. Intertwined is a fascinating look at the times and circumstances that defined their popularity. Rivals Philip Norman's 'Shout' as a defining book about the best musical act ever.
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(14 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
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Stewart has commented on (5) products.
American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century by Howard Blum
Stewart, November 5, 2008
The first part of this book is fascinating dealing with the 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times offices and the ensuing chase to find the culprits. Intertwined in this true tale are detctive William Burns, filmmaker D.W.Griffith, and Clarence Darrow, the legendary lawyer who nearly saw his career lost because of his involvement in the trial.The book tends to drag once the culprits are captured and their trial begins. All in all, though, this is a compelling story that would actually make an excellent film.
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America by Thurston Clarke
Stewart, July 2, 2008
I had not quite turned 11 years young when Bobby Kennedy announced he was going to run for President. Up until then, I was not very interested in politics or what was going on in the country. His candidacy helped me to understand these things and, for the first time in my short life, I had become politcally aware (it also helped that I had a brother 5 1/2 years older). During the 82 days of his campaign, I became politicized in a way that most of my friends couldn't understand. My eyes were opened for good.Thurston Clarke makes a solid case that Kennedy would have been elected, though I'm not so sure. Nixon's men would have pulled some things out of their dirty tricks bag to try and sway the electorate his way. Clarke makes the case that, if Kennedy was elected, there, of course, would not have been Watergate, disillusionment of our country's youth, Reagan, Iran-Contra, Clinton, Bush, etc. On the other hand, if elected, like his brother, he probably would not have lived through his first term. This was a constant running through his life after JFK's murder.
Clarke's book is emotional, passionate, and humane, all attributes that pertained to the man himself during these last days of his life. Even knowing the end, I was brought to tears learning more about such a great man. He was our last hope. There will never be another presidential candidate like him. We won't allow it. And that's a great shame for our country.
(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
When We Get to Surf City: A Journey Through America in Pursuit of Rock and Roll, Friendship, and Dreams by Bob Greene
Stewart, May 27, 2008
When I read one of Bob Greene's books, I'm able to relive a particular time in my youth. This time, however, I got to live, vicariously, a dream. This is the story of Bob being able to tour with Jan and Dean, a seminal surf music duo from the early 60s, for a 15-year period beginning in 1992. Jan and Dean weree no longer a commanding rock and roll presence, but a touring oldies band trying to make ends meet. He also tells the tragic story of Jan Berry, his car accident, and the changes in his life and career. Along the way Bob gets to meet the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, the Everly Brothers and others who helped define an era.(3 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon--And the Journey of a Generation by Sheila Weller
Stewart, May 18, 2008
Sheila Warner has written an interesting look into, not only the lives of the three great female singer-songwriters of the late '60s/early '70s, but the lives of many young women born around the end of WWII and what they went through during the antiseptic '50s and the open and wilder '60s. While a bit gossipy for my tastes and a tad too long, I did find the chapters on their respective journeys to stardom quite fascinating. I have been a huge fan of all three women's work and was very appreciative of what they had to go through to get to where they wanted.(12 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and America by Jonathan Gould
Stewart, November 12, 2007
Finallly, an intelligent book about the Beatles that talks, not only about their history,but also about their music. Intertwined is a fascinating look at the times and circumstances that defined their popularity. Rivals Philip Norman's 'Shout' as a defining book about the best musical act ever.(14 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)