The President's Summer Reading List
It's always fun to compare "book lists" with others, and it's particularly interesting to learn what books interest the President.
President Bush is taking three books to Crawford, Texas, for his vacation: LINCOLN: A LIFE OF PURPOSE AND POWER by Richard Carwardine; LINCOLN'S GREATEST SPEECH: THE SECOND INAUGURAL by Ronald C. White Jr.; and POLIO: AN AMERICAN STORY by David M. Oshinsky.
I love American and Presidential history. What a unique experience it must be to read these books from the rare perspective of being a serving U.S. President.
posted by Laura @ 3:35 PM
8 Comments:
Amazing books for someone who supposedly has no intellect, eh?
I saw David Oshinsky on C-Span, talking about his book. It sounds absolutley fascinating.
I've bookmarked the Polio book myself. :) They all sound very interesting.
What's interesting about his choices is focusing on Lincoln's second term and handling of a war with a vicious oppostion. Looking for inspiration perhaps? I think we would all do well with having a "reading list".
Hi J.C., that is a good insight into the President's reading matter. As a President dealing with difficult circumstances, it must be especially helpful looking back to a man like Lincoln for example and inspiration.
It's really a unique situation for a reader to be in, isn't it?
I don't have a reading list, per se, but I definitely have a huge "to be read pile" (grin). David McCullough's book on the Panama Canal is edging its way closer to the top... Thanks for stopping by, Laura
I think everyone needs a good reading list. I have had several people ask me about an Essential Reading List for American History and Film History, so I have been working some new ones. My mentor during undergrad History gave me one which I still have and refer to on occasion. My students have moaned when I have passed them out - but at the end of the semester I have a couple ask for another copy. I think it's one of those things that can help us keep a reference list for when we need good information OR just good reading!
Would love to see either your old list or the one you're working on. I was an American History major/Poli Sci minor. I have periodically made literature "reading lists" for my children as they grew, but a history list would be very interesting to peruse (and use!).
My daughter is taking an intro to film class with Drew Casper at USC this fall, if you're familiar with his film books or DVD commentaries. I envy her the opportunity!
What level and subject(s) do you teach? The best teacher I ever had was my high school American History teacher...we were fortunate that my daughter also was able to take his class, over two decades later!
Best wishes, Laura
I taught in grad school a couple of semesters and am gearing up to adjunct this spring semester at a local college. American History is my thang as it were, and I am hoping that they will give me a unit to teach The art and History of Film next fall. We have to see what will happen in the department's schedule.
I finished grad school this past December, so I am still a babe in the woods so to speak. All the while I am working full time at another job and have a full time job (labor of love) with my wife raising three boys.
Now that I have revealed more about myself on the WORLD -wide web than I ever intended, I will safely return to my cubby hole...
By the way your daughter is extremely lucky if Casper's books and his DVD film commentaries that I've listened to are any indication. Taking film history on the east coast can be a bit of a drag.... Tell her to take FULL advantage of it or she will kick herself later. And being a mom, I am sure you have already done so!:)
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed hearing a little more about your background! Good luck "growing" your teaching career, it sounds like a wonderful opportunity to pursue your interests and make a positive impact on others.
USC will have some wonderful opportunities...Leonard Maltin teaches a course as well which she hopes to take at some point.
Thanks again for stopping in and sharing! Best wishes, Laura
Post a Comment
<< Home