In “Negro President†the Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Garry Wills explores a pivotal moment in American history through the lens of Thomas Jefferson and the now largely forgotten Timothy Pickering; and “prods readers to appreciate essential aspects of our distressed but well-intentioned representative democracy†(Chicago Tribune).In 1800 Jefferson won the presidential election with Electoral College votes derived from the three-fifths representation of slaves — slaves who could not vote but were still partially counted as citizens. Moving beyond the recent revisionist debate over Jefferson’s own slaves and his relationship with Sally Hemings; Wills instead probes the heart of Jefferson’s presidency and political life; revealing how the might of the slave states remained a concern behind his most important policies and decisions.In an eye-opening; ingeniously argued exposé; Wills restores Timothy Pickering and the Federalists’ dramatic struggle to our understanding of Jefferson; the creation of the new nation; and the evolution of our representative democracy.“Garry Wills is a thinker of first rate. He combines the vigor of the social critic with the depth of the historian; and to these he adds the even rarer gifts of the philosopher.†— New Republic “A thorough political analysis of another founding father’s involvement in slavery.†— San Francisco ChronicleGarry Wills; a distinguished historian and critic; is the author of numerous books; including the Pulitzer Prize–winning Lincoln at Gettysburg; Saint Augustine; the best-selling Why I Am a Catholic; and Henry Adams and the Making of America.
#2607380 in Books George Stein 2012-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .57 x 6.00l; .76 #File Name: 0615605214252 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Sing Before BreakfastBy jsue4444Seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy; but written down by the old man many years later; Sing Before Breakfast is; primarily; a story of the 1863 three day battle at Gettysburg and the aftermath. The horrors of war are depicted plainly and poingnantly; but are not the only important scenes of the book. Ries; the boy and the man; describes his life during those days on a Pennsylvania farm. His depictions brought smiles and many fond memories of my early days at my Grandparents home in Southern Kentucky. Reis writes; "Our place was as grand a place to live and witness the changing seasons as God ever created."C. Ries Bramble is the boy and the old man telling his story and the book title; Sing Before Breakfast comes from his Gramma's adage on the first day of his adventure as he was whistling in anticipation of going fishing that afternoon after chores; "Sing before breakfast; cry before night;" Gramma warned.The illustrations by George's son; Doug; are an added bonus and each of the 10 chapters and the Introduction begin with a meaningful verse. For example; in Chapter One - In for a BlowOld times done be passin';Yonder come de dawn;Armies be a-massin'; Old times soon be gone.Gramma's old adage is about to come true. What a fantastic read!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I have read it 4 timesBy Anita C. DudekHow do we study and pass on history so that we are not doomed to repeat it as Winston Churchill warned? The Battle of Gettysburg is such a huge topic. As the 150 anniversary looms this week I am hearing commentary after commentary about it. Today one passionate mom called in to a radio program asking HOW to pass on to her pre-teen son the "caring" about the Battle of Gettysburg that she had grown up with. She is grieved by the big yawns such topics elicit from young people in general and her son in particular.Half of my childhood was spent within driving distance of Gettysburg as has been half my adult life. I have appreciated the importance and significance of the historical battle and the geographic place; but I never could say I understood the "who struck John" of it.George and Doug Stein's book has made it possible to experience those three days in ways I never had before. "Sing Before Breakfast" is historical fiction; a story of the highest order; told by an old man from his adult perspective on his memories of the battle as a 12 year old boy. Ries was an eye witness/participant to the war as his planned fishing day suddenly became something else when he got stranded by the raging battle. It was too dangerous for him to go home or indeed to go anywhere. Then because of his knowledge of the local terrain and his relative invisibility as a mere boy; he became very useful to the Union generals first as a reliable source of where to find water for the troops and then as a scout. From this position next to the center of Union power he could hear and later comment on the grown up decisions he observed and the unforgettable realities of death and dying on both sides. In the story he spends some time with the civilians in the town who were coping as best they could; hiding; helping wounded from either side; finding food for hungry soldiers; protecting what they valued and trying to just live through the devastation.Since we know how the battle ends before we read the book; we read it for details; for color and for wonder. How can we understand from today what was happening back then? Why and how did SO MANY on both sides throw their lives; fortunes and honor into that mess? The character of the narrator takes many opportunities to opine on these points and give us food for thought for today. So far I have read this book 4 times through! In addition Doug Stein's illustrations are delightfully; skillfully realistic and add immeasurably to the telling.As for inspiring the next generation I recommend making sure the artistically inclined are given formal instruction in illustration and shown these drawings as something well worth aspiring to. Then turn off the television; gather your intergenerational family and devote yourself to reading this book aloud. It is delightfully amenable to a memorable read aloud.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Its proverbs; principles and maxims are to be preserved and quotedBy Scott Parker; BaileeReview ContentSing Before Breakfastby The father George and son Douglas SteinDear Ladies and Gentlemen; Read the reviews; they say it all: * "Read this book." "This should be identified with the classics." "The book is an allegorical work of art." "The young boy is proud to be needed as a scout by the army. He is qualified for the job because he knows the area like the back of his hand. He is frightened by the experience but is happy to do what he can for the army. And he lives to tell the story." Its proverbs; principles and maxims are to be preserved and quoted (cited) in other's future writings till the end of time.Is there any more that I could say? I'll try. Sing Before Breakfast is more about Truth than History; this is not to say that it excludes historical truth; and about those three days at Gettysburg "Sing Before Breakfast" is jammed with it. It is historical fiction. But this book is even more than that. It is a work by the author of the love of truth. Not just an ordinary love affair but a courageous attempt to lay open truth and its worth. Written in such a way as to make the necessity of knowing the truth apparent; and more surprisingly; acceptable. As an example; I quote here from the INTRODUCTION [written by Stein's character; C. Ries Bramble]: * "I have always striven to be accurate as well as truthful; unlike others who plump up a story to make it more interesting or dramatic; or to fill gaps in their knowledge; often with a seriously flawed imagination. My real life experiences were dramatic enough to stand on their own and were more far-fetched than anything my limited imagination could put up in competition. I saw horrors enough; and less often; acts of sublime courage and gallantry; but I never saw the need to fiddle with the truth about any of it. If there are inaccuracies in my report; they are likely due to the following reasons ..."And then Stein presents a half of a page of one of the most incisive descriptions of the defects in eye witness accounts; i.e.; more truth.Further; Rather than reinvent the wheel I include here two reviews written by others with whom I totally concur. I include them because I wanted to report what they did but they have done such a better job that I could make no improvements. One is a review that addresses the talents of the Steins and the other an excellent abstract of the story itself.* T.C. McLuhan wrote a 5 star review saying:"In his magnificent book; "Sing Before Breakfast;" master storyteller George Stein marshals with great skill and compassion his insights into the hollowness of war --- through the eyes of a young boy --- as he tracks the multiple battles and personalities that lead to Gettysburg. The book is an allegorical work of art.Stein is a historical philosopher with a profound understanding of the brute emotions and madness of war --- what drives it; how it corrupts whole societies; destroys the hope and promise of life; and upends fundamental human values and desires."Sing Before Breakfast" is a powerful book. It will transform hearts. And --- I can't think of anyone who is better at showing how the past continues to direct and infuse the present."* Barbara L. Robinson wrote a 5 star review saying:"I read the book "Sing Before Breakfast" and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My opinion is that it is a good book to read for both young people and adults. I am eighty years old; and it held my interest from beginning to end. The young readers will identify with the 12 year old boy who tells the story. He takes you down into the environment of the Gettysburg battle grounds for three very exciting days. The adults will appreciate it too for the historical accuracy and the genuineness of the battleground experience. Not many of us have heard bullets whizzing passed us. The young boy is proud to be needed as a scout by the army. He is qualified for the job because he knows the area like the back of his hand. He is frightened by the experience but is happy to do what he can for the army. And he lives to tell the story."Yes; it is an allegorical work of art.Yes; its proverbs; principles and maxims are to be preserved and quoted (cited) in other's future writings till the end of time.With highest regards;Jack Parker
