My year in Books

The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan by Rick Perlstein

The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan by Rick Perlstein

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“We need you to save this country...” – From a handwritten get well card President Reagan received after his assassination attempt in 1981.

Where in the world did Ronald Reagan come from? My own recollection of him was pretty much begins with him beating President Carter in 1980. Being just a teenager I wasn’t really aware of his history and just how close he came in 1976. This book begins at that point where he seriously challenged Gerald Ford, who was the sitting President, for the Republican Presidential nomination in 1976. Rick Perlstein also attempts to paint a broad picture of our political and cultural landscape from the depths of Watergate and the end of the Vietnam War to our nation’s bicentennial and the reshaping of conservative politics.

The books journey begins just after Nixon had defeated the hapless Democratic nominee George McGovern in a landslide reminiscent of the Republican defeat of Barry Goldwater in 1964 which is the subject of another Perlstein book. Just days later the Vietnam War ends and the POW’s soon come home. Trouble is brewing for Nixon though as the scandal about the “third-rate burglary” just keeps building. Also in trouble Vice President Spiro Agnew, a polarizing figure in his own right, who ends up resigning over bribery charges and tax evasion which brings us to Congressman Gerald Ford becoming Vice-President.

The Watergate scandal continues and then there is a battle over the White House tapes. The just weeks after Agnew resigns Nixon tries to fire the special prosecutor in what became famously known as the “Saturday Night Massacre” when Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus resigned after refusing to follow the President’s orders. Nixon faces immediate backlash politically and from the public. Even after replacing the special prosecutor an official Impeachment Inquiry is soon started by Congress. The battle for Nixon to release the tapes rages until a final battle at the Supreme Court in the summer of 74 which forces Nixon to release all tapes in question. Among these tapes is what becomes known as “The Smoking Gun” tape which incriminates Nixon lying and coordinating the Watergate cover-up. Nixon, facing a certain Impeachment and removal, instead resigns and Gerald Ford becomes President. Soon afterward in an attempt to move past Watergate President Ford pardons Nixon which would come back to haunt him.

The book does look into the lives of both Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter but the main focus is really upon Ronald Reagan. Rick dives deep into Reagan’s youth with an alcoholic father and a resilient mother. It is later as a lifeguard where he seems to find his calling as a rescuer and the attention it gathers. Thru college and then a radio announcer he develops his persona as one who is almost always looks on the positive side of events no matter what may happen. Having only modest success a Hollywood B-movie actor host of GE Theater on TV in the 50’s he then finds success as a political speaker which is brought to national attention when he gives the now famous “A Time for a Choosing” speech on television stumping for Barry Goldwater in 1964. Reagan is surprisingly elected twice as Governor of the state of California. 

In the aftermath of Watergate the wheels of the country seem to get wobbly. President Ford, already damaged by pardoning Nixon, has to deal rising inflation, multiple attempts on his life and getting a reputation as a bumbler after tripping down stairs and bumping his head and among other things. So much so starts the tradition of being Presidents being caricatured on the new hip comedy skit show Saturday Night Live. Nationally there are also rising beef prices and a gas shortage erupts after war breaks out in the Middle East. In the midst of this, much to Ford’s dismay, Reagan emerges as presidential contender. Even though he did two years as California’s Governor, Reagan is still not taken seriously even in the Republican Party. Using his trademark optimism and persistence Reagan shocks the incumbent Ford right up until the Republican National Convention in the summer of 1976. Even after narrowly losing the nomination Reagan was still able to steal the show. Many thought this was his end but we now know differently.

At 856 pages or 39 hours of listening (which I did) this isn’t for faint of heart. Perlstein gets into a lot of details and can jump around on subjects or events that don’t seem be relevant at the moment. Sometimes it takes a little stepping back away from the figurative picture he’s creating to see where he’s going. It was interesting to learn more about this period and election as I’ve not seen it covered a lot. My earliest recollection of Reagan was him being elected 4 years later so it was interesting to see where he came from. It is worth the time and effort to dive into this book as it still hold relevance to the beginnings of today’s dysfunctional politics and the public's distrust of its government and politicians. I recently learned Perlstein is working on a follow up book unsurprisingly called Reaganland which I am already looking forward too.

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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut: silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.” - The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

After watching the Netflix series last year by the same name last year it inspired me to put this classic book on my reading list. I had first been aware of the book for many years as it was mentioned by Stephen King as a major influence on his writing and lauded the book as one of the best of the horror genre. After listening to the book I can see why and agree with King it's one of the best.

The story begins as Dr. Montague is doing research into the supernatural and wanted to use Hill House as a setting due to its reputation as a haunted house and it’s somewhat sad history. We learn that on top of the somewhat tragic history of its original residents/builders the more recent residents who tried to live there seem to leave only after a short stay and without much explanation as to their quick departure. The house itself is a character all its own with its Gothic foreboding style and its unique floor plan is compared to in the book to the real-life Winchester House in San Jose, California which also had eccentric owners and history.

In the beginning the story is mostly centered around the four main characters of Dr. Montague, Eleanor Vance, Theodora, and Luke Sanderson. Aside from the very beginning and end the story is told through the perspective of Eleanor (aka: Nell) which we find out was a recluse who took care of elderly demanding mother until recently and was brow beaten by her two siblings from whom she took the family car to stay at Hill House. It was noted in her childhood her sister and her experienced the phenomenon of stones raining on their house as children, which was one of the reasons Dr. Montague invited her to the house. Stephen King fans might recognize this as an event that happened in his debut novel Carrie whose main character’s(Carrie White) house was also pelted with stones and had a domineering mother. Her main companion in the book is Theodora, no last name given, is described as living a bohemian lifestyle and perhaps is receptive to ESP. Luke Sanderson is a distant family heir to the house. He was mainly their as part of the agreement to stay at the house for their time there. He’s a bit of a playboy who never stayed at the house before.

The other characters are Mr. & Mrs. Dudley who are the caretakers of the house. Both are adamant about not staying at the house after dark. Mr Dudley is cantankerous and abrupt when meeting the visitors. Mrs. Dudley is quite rigid and humorless in her duties, so much so that in turn the guests make her the object of some light humor. No backstory is given to their relation to the house and how they became caretakers.

Dr. Montague’s wife and driver Authur Parker, who is the headmaster at a small boys school. In contrast to her spouse she has no qualms about expressing herself and taking control. Likewise Mr. Parker presents himself in an alpha male quality and even brandishes a gun for emergencies. He implies that Luke is a lightweight in his manliness on one occasion. Mrs. Montague acts as a woman on a mission to communicate with the supernatural. She tries a form of spirit writing using a planchette which seems to be channeling Eleanor.

Other happenings include doors closing by themselves, Luke and Dr. Montague chasing a mysterious dog, banging of the door to Eleanor and Theodora’s room, Theodora’s room/clothing covered in blood and writing in blood on the walls of the hallway which seems to be addressing Eleanor.

As time goes by the Hill House and Eleanor seem to be bonding together. It culminates one evening when she wakes up feeling energetic and carefree. She runs around knocking on doors waking the others as she runs and dances throughout the house. The others get up to see what is going on puzzled by this behavior. Eleanor makes her way to the library climbing a rickety iron spiral staircase that is barely staying vertical. The others that found her there are alarmed by this and beg her to stop. She seems either unaware or puzzled at why they are so frantic as she looks down upon them. Luke reluctantly climbs the staircase to implore her to come down which she reluctantly does. She is still seemingly unaware of the danger she put herself in by remarking she was just getting a book after Luke was able to coax her down.

The next morning the incident is unspoken but it is agreed at least between Dr. Montague, Theodora, Luke and the others that it is better if Eleanor leave Hill House for her own safety. Eleanor insists she does not want to leave and is very reluctant. Eleanor feels Hill House doesn't want her to leave and is sure she feels happy there. Her car is brought around already packed and being outnumbered and they were blocking the stairway to the front door. She still insists the house wants her to stay. Dr. Montague is insistent, firm although with some empathy as a parent might be with a child. After much back and forth about her leaving she finally says goodbye to everyone. As she drives away she feels a sudden rush of freedom but yet in a fleeting second just before hitting a tree and killing herself she asks herself what she is doing and why is no one stopping her.

In the end, Eleanor never really leaves Hill House taking her own life,or was it Hill House that killed her? I suppose we’ll never know. Dr. Montague goes on to write his paper to a cool reception. Theodore goes back her bohemian lifestyle. Luke is off Paris and his aunt, Mrs. Anderson, seems to be relieved that everyone had left.

After listening to this story it’s easy to see how many elements of the story have influenced the horror genre and pop culture. What would any ghost story be without it’s spooky gothic style house? I can see it’s influence in classic TV series like The Addams Family, The Munsters and even the cartoon series Scooby Doo.

It was Stephen King that introduced me to this story decades ago. He even wrote about this story extensively in book about the horror genre. The story was a huge influence on his writing. The comparisons between Hill House’s “Eleanor” and the title character “Carrie” in King’s debut novel of the same name. Both young women with over powering mother’s. The key giveaway is the stones raining down on both girls houses when the were young. Even Hill House plays a part in other King books as we have the large foreboding “Marsten House” in ‘Salems Lot” that is home the stories vampires. In “The Shining” we have the Overlook Hotel that plays a huge part of that story.

The story itself has spawned two movies and a Netflix series based on the book(which influenced me to finally listen/read the story finally. The first movie done in 1963 in England called “The Haunting” follows the original fairly well but does change some details and omit other stuff. Another version was made in 1999, also titled “The Haunting”, that I have not seen so I can’t comment much on it. The 2018 Netflix series uses Hill House but instead a family there stays there over the summer renovating to then flip the house. Many of the original characters names are used and as the original story goes Eleanor again plays the central character.

One key element of the story is that even though title includes a haunting much of the story is about what is left unseen. Doors are shut when no one is looking. Aside from a mysterious family picnicking and a quick glimpse of a dog,at least that's what it’s presumed to be, but nothing else is seen. Blood is seen in Theodore's room and writing of Eleanor’s name in the hallways are as about as much as we see physically. We hear hear banging on the door and barely audible voices. It scares you more by what is unseen.

Aside from the very beginning and end the story is told through Eleanor’s point of view. She is a bit shy and has been somewhat sheltered because she had been taking care of her demanding invalid mother until she dies. As is implied at times she harbors some guilt over her mother’s death. How much this plays into what goes on in the house is hard to tell. It at least feels as an influence on Eleanor's character. As the story unfolds it can be hard to tell how much the house is coming over her. Even in her last moments it seems as if she had no idea she was about to drive into a tree.

It is a classic story of horror that uses what is unseen as the most terrifying feature. You will also see how this story has become a blueprint for so many other supernatural stories. Isn’t it often what is unknown or unseen that is most terrifying to us? It is still a mystery what it is exactly about Hill House that has this aura of horror and terror. Whatever it may be we do know it walks alone.


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Brave Companions: Portraits in History by David McCullough

Brave Companions: Portraits in History by David McCullough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'll admit I've been a fan of David McCullough since listening to him narrate Ken Burn's Civil series. Even listening to him is a joy. Many times as I read his work I can hear in my mind as his voice which just seems to bring his stories more color and warmth. I've also read his legendary biography of John Adams and his book on Theodore Roosevelt (Morning's on Horseback) and 1776.

This book is a collection of stories which are a mixture of both famous and perhaps people you never heard of before. The more famous ones feature the likes of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Charles Lindbergh and Theodore Roosevelt. Others contain less famous people such as explorer Alexander Von Humboldt, author Conrad Richter and photographer David Plowden. It also features the father and son team of John A. Roebling and Washington Roebling who brought us the Brooklyn Bridge. Some feature a mixture of people and places like an essay of Washington D.C., building of the Panama Railroad (predating the more famous canal) and the previously mentioned Brooklyn Bridge.
I find the only downside to the book is the stop and start nature of the style. Each story has its one arc and it’s hard for me keep start over again. It’s a challenge to start over again.

I do find David’s writing always rich in detail of not only the places or events but of the people involved too. You can always sense too his love for the each and every story. His enthusiasm certainly comes out in his words and is infectious.

For David McCullough fans this will be enjoyable but may be tough on newcomers due to some of the people or subjects are obscure and maybe tough to get into. It is still an enjoyable book for American history enthusiasts.


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When You Are Ungulfed In Flames by David Sedaris

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whenever I need lighten up my reading I usually crack open a Sedaris book. I read a lot of non-fiction and history so it tends to be serious, dry and sometimes gruesome. Although I do enjoy reading them it seems my mind needs a something bring it back to center and most recently it was this book.

The book is a collection of David Sedaris’s self-depreciating humorous look at his own life and observations. His stories can range from his encounters with a cantankerous elderly woman neighbor (That’s Amore), coughing a lozenge onto the lap of an irritable woman he had been feuding with on an airline (Solution to Saturday’s Puzzle) and ending with his battle to quit smoking in Japan (The Smoking Section).

David’s writing brand of humor can be hard to nail down. He is rarely sidesplitting funny though there are some moments. Much of it is in the form of his descriptions of not only himself but of how he sees others. His humor does have a self-depreciating quality but he often balances it at times by being unapologetic about his faults which he seems to say this is the way I am so deal with it.

Perhaps my favorite story is the longest called, The Smoking Section, at the end of the book is about him quitting smoking which starts off in France and ends up in Japan. One part I find funny though I think is not necessarily written but of the premise that he has to spend months in Japan to quit smoking like this is a luxury everyone can afford. While in Japan he is also taking a class to learn to speak Japanese which also ties into an earlier story in the book about him learning French. One of the few laugh out loud moments were when his sister was trying to help him learn Japanese:

It was even worse when Amy quizzed me,
“How do you ask someone for a cigarette?”
“I don’t know.”
“How do you say, “I tried to quit, but it’s not working’?”
“I have no idea.”
“Say ‘I’ll give you a blow job if you give me a cigarette.’”
“Just stick to the index cards.”
“Say ‘Goodness, how fat I’ve become! Can you believe how much weight I’ve gained since I quit smoking’?”
“Actually,” I said, I think I’ll just do this on my own.”

The book has David’s trademark self-depreciating humor and at times has some heartwarming moments. The stories are on the lighter side but they are not sugar sweet like a Hallmark Christmas movie either. Like I said they are nice break in between the more serious books I read and perhaps others might find it so too. So if you’re looking for a break in life from more serious stuff, and who doesn’t these days, I’d recommend this book.


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Impeachment: A Handbook, New Edition by Charles Black Jr and Philip Bobbit

Impeachment: A Handbook, New Edition by Charles L. Black Jr.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If one is to read any book to understand Impeachment it is this one. It is split into two parts, the first written by Charles Black Jr in 1974 in the midst of Watergate, the second written in 2018 by Philip Bobbit. The book is an attempt to explain the procedures to be followed and what actually counts as an impeachable offense.

The first part unsurprising uses examples that were current at the time as it was written in the shadow of Watergate so examples like improper campaign tactics, obstruction of justice, income tax fraud and more were considered. Black also tries to give some clarity to the the terms "Treason, bribery and high crimes and misdemeanors".

The second half , written by Philip Bobbit more or less brings us up to date from the Watergate to the current administration although this was written well before the current impeachment proceeding had even started. Bobbit looks at not only the aftermath of Watergate but also looks at other Presidential crisis's like Reagan-Iran/Contra, Clinton and Gingrich, Bush and the Iraq War and even Obama and Executive Discretion. He even tries to dispel several fallacy's regarding impeachment. A couple of popular examples are whether a crime is essential for impeachment and another whether any crime regardless of seriousness is grounds of impeachment.

As I said before I do find this book essential reading if you want a real understanding of what is currently going on in our government. I recommend this for those interested in civics, current events and American history.

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SAD!: Doonesbury in the time of Trump by G.B. Trudeau

#SAD!: Doonesbury in the Time of Trump by G.B. Trudeau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is only fitting that a cartoon who got it's start during the Nixon years is still around to give it's take of the Trump years so far. This is a follow up to previous Trump era book "Yuge!" that came out a couple years ago(seems like a couple of decades in the Donald era). I find that Doonesbury style humor sort of like a thinking person's type of political and society humor. Sort of the NPR or C-Span of cartoons.

The book isn't long and is separated into four parts without any particular obvious theme. They are not in chronological order although they generally start from 2015 and go to 2018. It does focus on the Trump years may of the cartoons are not just about Trump but it also comments on society in general during this era. The previous book on Trump, "Yuge!", covered him back to his early days.

Although the book was funny the humor seem to miss the mark sometimes, at least to me it did. The previous Trump themed book seemed to be a bit more coherent as this one seemed a bit all over the place. It's still a good read if you're trying desperately to find some humor about politics these days. As the author Gary Trudeau noted in his introduction "At this benighted moment, it's all we have.".



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The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater

The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry M. Goldwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve long wondered what was inside this iconic book of American politics and conservatism. More recently I’ve seen it referenced in our culture long after it was published and even after its author, Senator Barry Goldwater, had passed away. In a recent Netflix documentary, Get Me Roger Stone, about the controversial conservative political operative Roger Stone (who has Richard Nixon tattooed on his back) who was an advisor to President Trump when he was a candidate cites this book as a life changing moment for him after he read it. What recently inspired me to read this was listening to “Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus” by Rick Perlstein which also mentions the book frequently. It was there too I learned it was actually ghost written by Leo Brent Bozell Jr. who was Goldwater’s speech writer and also brother in law to another conservative legend, William F. Buckley Jr.

Although book is only 123 pages long it paints large picture of where conservative politics and beliefs were at in 1960. It covers not only conservatism itself the book also addresses issues of the time such as states’ rights, civil rights, farmers issues, labor, taxes, welfare state and of course the Soviet menace.

He grew to what could be the prototypical Republican conservative which meant fiscally conservative, champion of states’ rights, hard-core anti-communist and champion of the individual rights and liberty. He also had a tough and gruff demeanor which was helped by him being an avid pilot and active in the Air Force reserves rising the rank of Major General. He often bucked the Republican party of the time and was even unafraid to criticize the popular President Eisenhower. He also spoke as he felt which the media of the time were quick to pounce upon his gaffes or radical thought. Ironically it was this same quality his supporters loved.

It’s hard to say what Goldwater would think or feel about the state of politics today. The political landscape has changed a lot since 1960. Although Barry would go on to lose his 1964 Presidential bid in a landslide it has been said by those like the conservative icon and Pulitzer winning writer George Will that Goldwater’s movement didn’t achieve victory until Reagan became President in 1980.

One of the more interesting chapters was “The Perils of Power” in which Barry laments “Our tendency to concentrate power in the hands of a few men deeply concerns me.” This is in contrast to today’s Republican Party who seems to be focused onto holding onto power at all costs regardless of ethics or offense towards the Constitution. It will be interesting to see if “The turn will come when we entrust the conduct our affairs to men who understand that their first duty as public officials is to divest themselves of the power they have been given.” Given the current state of American political landscape it doesn’t appear to have arrived there yet.

The book is an interesting picture into what conservatives used to stand for, at least during the Goldwater and Reagan era. I’d recommend this for political junkies and those wishing to look into the past to see how politics have changed since the 1960’s. I’d certainly be interested to hear what Barry Goldwater would think of today’s politics.

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