John Marchetti
@johnmarchetti.bsky.social
History MA, former political hack, I’m the fun uncle.
Book 27. Exhaustive study ofAmerican Foreign Relations from 1776 to the Iraq War. Well written, but long - almost 1000 pages. Should be assigned reading for this Administration or any other. Would recommend if you have a strong interest in the subject matter.
Book #26. Haven’t read Gatsby since I was in high school. Still an amazing read, and important piece of American literature.
Book #25. Excellent second volume, this one examines Patton’s Command of Third Army from activation after D-Day through the end of 1944. Well written and detailed. Highly recommend.
Book #23. A bit dated and contains some errors. But was interesting to read SLAM’s take on the war (of which he was a veteran). Wouldn’t necessarily suggest it for general readers today, read Keegan’s book on the war instead.
Book #22 for the year. A great second volume to his American Revolution trilogy. This spans the high point for Rebels at Saratoga through defeat after at Brandywine, Germantown, Savanah, and Charleston. Highly recommend if you want to understand the military history of the war.
Decisive Battle? The consistent indecisiveness of war. In his book, Age of Battles, Russ Weigley notes the "recalcitrant indecisiveness of war throughout the age of battles made war consistently dubious as a means of though the employment of which to secure the political ends of the state." He…
Decisive Battle?
The consistent indecisiveness of war. In his book, Age of Battles, Russ Weigley notes the "recalcitrant indecisiveness of war throughout the age of battles made war consistently dubious as a means of though the employment of which to secure the political ends of the state." He concludes that warfare was not a "worthy instrument of policy but an expression of the bankruptcy of policy." (pg. 539). As we enter into another month of conflict with Iran it's looking like Weigley's views of battle in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries is likely true today as well.
njguystalkhistory.wordpress.com
Book #21. Detailed look at Georgian England during the reigns of George II and III through the end of the American Revolution. The book can be a bit of a slog at times, but it gives a complete look at the period -military, political and cultural. Good work if you have a strong interest in the period
Book #20. Interesting short novel by one of Mexico’s most important novelist. Written in the “magical realism” style the book blurs the lines between present and past, real and unreal and the living and the dead.
Book #19. Finally finished the Time Life Series (after about 40-ish years). All around, it may be dated, but it’s still a good introduction for a general reader. Lots of illustrations and great maps.
Book 18. Final volume in the trilogy. Fascinating history of an empire that is often forgotten- despite being the remnants of the Roman Empire. It’s occasionally a slower read, but if you are interested in the period it’s a good place to start.
Our asshat president spent last night with a diatribe against the Pope and then followed it by posting a picture of himself as Christ. I’d say this in insane but this rises to such a level above that we need a new word.
Book 17. Outstanding work on the Army of TN. Daniel goes beyond the military events to examine why this Rebel army was so unsuccessful. Leadership, logistics and Homefront problems all played a part in defeat. Recommend for anyone interested in the Western theatre. @uncpress.bsky.social
Happy Easter from the bat-shit crazy President of the United States.
Thinking About the Western Theatre It's been a while since I've posted (again), so I thought I'd do a quick post with just some musings from my recent Civil War history reading. I've been reading a few books on the Western theatre recently (Jefferson Davis and His Generals: The Failure of…
Thinking About the Western Theatre
It's been a while since I've posted (again), so I thought I'd do a quick post with just some musings from my recent Civil War history reading. I've been reading a few books on the Western theatre recently (Jefferson Davis and His Generals: The Failure of Confederate Command in the West by Steven Woodsworth, Atlanta 1864: Last Chance for the Confederacy by Richard McMurray, and I'm currently working on Conquered: Why the Army of Tennessee Failed by Larry Daniel.) I haven't read much about the Western Theatre - at least compared to the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac.
njguystalkhistory.wordpress.com
Book 16. Took a break from history reading. One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read. Great story, the writing is incredible. Highly recommend- now I need to see the movie.
Book 15. Excellent overview of the Atlanta Campaign. The author is tough on Joe Johnston and a little easier on Hood than other authors. Could use a few more maps, but highly recommend as a starting point if you want to learn more about the campaign. @univnebpress.bsky.social
Book 14. Great examination of the failure of Rebel command in the west. Gained a better appreciation of Bragg dealing with generals who should have been cashiered. Highly recommend. @univpressofkansas.bsky.social
Book 13 for the year. Took a quick break from my history reading. Great quick read for some classic horror/Sci Fi. Highly recommend.
Book #12. Pfanz’s final work on Gettysburg. Incredibly detailed and well written. Great for getting a detailed description of the fighting but wouldn’t suggest it for a general reader. Useful for traipsing around the battlefield and to get a granular look at the battle. @uncpress.bsky.social
Book #12. Pfanz’s final work on Gettysburg. Incredibly detailed and well written. Great for getting a detailed description of the fighting but wouldn’t suggest it for a general reader. Useful for traipsing around the battlefield and to get a granular look at the battle. @uncpress.bsky.social
The White House is unaware of when the American Revolution started. Perhaps instead of censoring history they should start learning it.
Book #11. Interesting look at American Military history through the Civil War. The book’s strongest element is the attempt to put US Military history in a global context. Would really one recommend for someone with a strong interest in the subject.
Book #10. Foner’s work is one of the most important works on the political ideology of the Republican Party through the election of 1860. Highly recommend for anyone with a strong interest in the period.
Book #9. Fantastic look at the political history from the fall of Nixon through W. It explains a lot about where we are today - the current GOP is not an aberration but rather the result of over 40+ years actively moving in this direction. Highly recommend.
Book 8. Just two more to go with the series. They’re good introductions to the Civil War - but if you’re interested in the Assassination I’d recommend Manhunt instead.
Book #7. 1st volume of Atkinson’s trilogy on the Revolution. Fantastic read. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the military history of the war.
Book #6. Taking a quick break from history. Great read, much better than Lost Symbol. Highly recommend for just a fun read. Kind of want to read the Divine Comedy now…
Book#5. Insightful work on the origins and execution of Verdun. A mix of intellectual history and military history, this is probably the best work available on why the Germans fought the Battle of Verdun. Highly recommend for anyone with a deep interest in the campaign. @robertfoley.bsky.social
Yeah, hasn’t everyone’s parents bought an entire neighborhood for their retirement? Stupid and out of touch is a dangerous combination.
The Bulwark@thebulwark.com · 7mo agoBessent: "Someone, maybe your parents for their retirement have bought 5, 10, 12 homes."
