Book Description
A Victor, Not a Butcher is a passionate and provocative military biography that will enlighten, entertain, and infuriate readers of Civil War History. It includes photos and maps.
Customer Reviews:
Don't bother..........2007-01-04
There are several solid biographies of US Grant available (not to mention his own memoirs), this is not one of them. And that is what this book is... Don't waste your time.
I agree, but there's nothing new here.......2007-01-04
Part of me hates to write a less-than-flattering review about a book like this. Author Edward Bonekemper sets out to paint a picture of Ulysses S. Grant that is contrary to the image of a reckless commander who ruthlessly squandered his men and defeated Robert E. Lee by sheer superiority of resources alone. Instead he claims that Grant was an able and visionary general who had what it took to win the Civil War. I agree with Bonekemper's view and, as such, agree with the book.
So why rate it so low? Well, unfortunately I found little original or compelling in Bonekemper's views. That Grant was not a butcher is an argument that has been set forth several times by many able historians, and the fact that Bonekemper frequently cites them, instead of digging up his own primary research, is evidence of the fact that this was not a book that needed to be written (again). Bonekemper makes particular use of the work of Jean Edward Smith and T. Harry Williams in his analysis of Grant, which begs the question: why not just read their stuff instead?
That's a question I can't answer. To me this book read like a high school book report-a summary of the work of other historians with little original insight. Even the accounts of battles and campaigns were so lacking in detail as to be completely unsatisfying (reading of the battle of Shiloh was particularly painful, as most of the important details of the battle are skimmed over or omitted completely). The unfortunate result, for me, was a book that left much to be desired and just seemed a waste of time.
There are many in-depth analyses of Grant that paint him as a victor rather than a butcher. I see relatively little purpose for this book and really no reason for anyone with an interest in Grant or Civil War history in general to read it.
Before There Was "Balance in Reporting...".......2006-02-28
(Is there still?) It's taken a long time to begin to right the ship and bring focus and perspective to how we view the two men that are (rightly or wrongly) seen as the primary architects of the war in the East in the last year plus of the American Civil War. (Jefferson Davis had his hand very deep in the Rebel strategy and fails to get enough responsibility for the Southern failure, but that's neither here nor there, here.)
Lee has always gotten way too much credit and Grant far too little. Lee’s reputation would never have been established if he had been up against anything better than a 3rd or 4th rate general (McClellan) as shown by his inability to dislodge a 2nd rate general (Meade) from his position at Gettysburg. If McClellan had only _stayed put_ in the Seven Days campaign, we would not be thinking of Lee today as a brilliant strategist, we might well have not heard much from him again. His success was born out of incompetent opponents like McClellan, Burnside and Hooker (who was perhaps the best of the lot, but by the time he put his army in the field Lee’s reputation had become the juggernaut that defeated him). (In fact, the Army of the Potomac’s problem in the main could be said to be one of commanders with inverted inertia, moving when they ought to have not and not moving when they ought to have done so with alacrity.)
Blessed with a few more subordinates with the mettle for command, like Sheriden, Reynolds, even Hooker, Grant’s progress in the East would have been made with far fewer casualties and his ill-deserved reputation as a ‘butcher’ would never have come to be. In fact, if we simply use this text’s ample figures, it is readily apparent that Grant, prior to joining the Army of the Potomac, had clearly established a record of offensive maneuver with few casualties and more brilliance than any other general of that war – including Lee and his completely over-laureled lieutenant Stonewall Jackson.
Furthermore, even Lee’s defenders will either acknowledge or at least not deny that Lee had no or very little sense of an overarching war strategy. He was provincial in his view and his actions. His grasp of his new nation’s predicament was sketchy, at best, and his ability to command in field was compromised by his inability to think beyond a subordinate’s role aggressively finishing a fight. Grant, on the other hand, had a National strategy embedded in his plans even as early as Fort Donelson, very early in the war, before Lee had even started to advise Jefferson Davis.
Four stars and not five because even I found the endless comparisons to Lee a bit tedious - although, probably necessary to completely dislodge the blinding adoration accorded him by far too many for far too long.
I found the narrative of this text clean, clear and easily followed - perhaps that's because of Bonekemper's incredible sense of focus. He starts with a vision, a purpose and a mission and he does not let go of these at any time. And, although a thick book, the narrative is only about 280 pages long and a 'fast' read, with lots of notes and sources. Excellent documentation and references, I enjoyed this book and I recommend it. For myself, I'll read other books by Bonekemper and that’s probably the best review a fellah that reads a lot can give.
One is left to speculate: if the Union West fought the Rebel East, who bests out. Clearly, I vote with Bonekemper and declare the National West to be the victor.
Different Assessment of Grant vs Lee.......2005-08-26
The author provides a different pespective regarding the relative generalship of Grant and Lee. One of the most interesting feature is a comparison of the casualties substained by each side during Grant's overland campaign. Most civil war books that I have read focused almost exclusively on the high casualty rate suffered by the Union army during that campaign while focusing very little on Confederate army casualties. Thus, Grant became known as a "Butcher". Given that for the most part during the Overland campaign the Confederates fought from defensive fotifications, while the Union was on the offense, the author's anaysis of the relative casualties for the Union and Confederate does not support the title "Butcher" for General Grant. A look at the relative position of both Armies, with the Confederates on the defense, the Union on the offense coupled with the ratio of casualties sustained by each Army,the author makes a compelling argument that Grant was indeed the better General.
Excellent Overview of Grant's Civil War Career.......2004-07-05
This is a well written book covering the campaigns and military career of U.S. Grant during the civil war.
Chapter 12 and the appendixes give a solid analysis of what made Grant a success and offers a great discussion of the attacks upon his record by his detractors.
Included within the book are statistical analysis demonstrating the losses suffered by Grant's armies were not out of proportion, especially when viewed in contrast to those suffered by Lee and his other opponents.
This book brings forth in a very readable style how and why Grant was a success as a general. It should be enjoyed by the novice and the expert on the subject of Grant's civil war career.
Book Description
Finish well. That is what we are called to do in Scripture, but where will our money and possessions finish? The Bible has the principles that provide answers to the challenge of parenting and passing along an in heritage. Within the next decade, over ONE TRILLION DOLLARS will change hands from one generation to the next. Individuals with adult children will need to transfer that wealth without ruining their heirs' lives.Ron Blue, an authority on personal and business finance, will help:~Identify exactly how much money would be transferred were the reader to die today~Identify the need for creating a will~Identify tax-wise financial planning~Teach the way to leave money without creating an unhealthy dependence
Customer Reviews:
A seasoned financial planner talks with a religious bias about the tedious process of determining the beneficiaries of your will.......2007-09-26
This book was OK. I didn't particularly like it, but I didn't dislike it either. It certainly could have been a little more straightforword in the early chapters with regard to what it was actually about. What this book is about is how a religious Christian can evaluate her options when considering to whom or what to leave her wealth upon her death. This book is about choosing beneficiaries to your estate - not about how to minimize estate taxes that will be due if you leave your wealth to something other than a church or other tax-exempt entity.
The author apparently likes to write about things that are on his mind. He describes in the book how at different periods in his life he wrote certain books that seemed to coincide with what he was doing professionally at the time. In 2004 when this book was published the author was in his 60s and he was in the process of changing his will. Clearly he had a lot on his mind because the instant book resulted at 200+ pages.
I think the instant book could have been really good if the author had kept his Christian values out of the mix. It can be a very challenging process to figure who to name as beneficiaries of your estate and how much to leave each beneficiary. And good coverage of such a topic could easily go far beyond 200+ pages and be well worth the read. However, this book comes across as preachy and relies on Scripture too much for support of the author's point of view.
The author seemed to be pushing the concept of leaving one's wealth to the church instead of to one's kids. He makes a lot of arguments why you shouldn't be leaving your wealth to your kids. Unfortunately, all the arguments fall flat because the reader can see (or should be able to see) the author's agenda: give to God.
People typically leave their wealth to those they love or causes they cherish, OR BOTH. Of course, any sane person does not want to waste their wealth unncessarily. And if the kids don't need it, then the church can greatly benefit from those funds. And if the kids will squander their inheritance, then the church or some other worthy charity can greatly benefit from those funds. But to promote giving your estate to the church to the exclusion of your kids to me is ludicrous. 3 stars!
Want a quick summary of this book? Here ya go ..........2004-08-24
Leaving money to kids is stupid. It will make them lazy and profligate. Instead, leave your money to charities. Like the ones run by the people who write glowing endorsements of this book. Whatever you do, don't leave money to any wicked organizations that promote abortion or free thought.
There. I've just saved you a couple of hours' reading time and a lot of aggravation. You're welcome. LOL
Recommended but not without its problems.......2004-05-03
"Splitting Heirs" is an appropriate title for this book and the problems it deals with. So often people fail to plan for their eventual death and everything they have spent years accumulating ends up in the hands of the court system, lawyers, and others. Even when they do plan it often ends up in the hands of their children who may or may not be mature enough to handle the windfall. The parable of the prodigal son often comes to mind as children squander their inheritance.
What can you do to make sure that your interests and your desires are foremost when it comes to passing on your inheritance? That is the subject of this book. How do you provide for children and grandchildren while still teaching them the value of money and the responsibility that comes with it? How do you deal with the expectations of in-laws, stepchildren, and grandchildren, provide for church and ministries, avoid family conflict and avoid sibling jealousy?
Author Ron Blue delineates a clear process for dealing with these issues. The process is basically to first determine why you should want to transfer your wealth, then to whom you want to transfer it, how much you want to transfer, when you want to do it, what you want to transfer, how you can do it, and communicating all the above to the appropriate people. The advice is sound and he makes several good points that any financial planner would also advise you to do. The only real problem with the book is that parts of it appear to be inconsistent with each other. For example, on page 45 and again on page 154 under the heading of Tools and Techniques he notes the "Trust Principle" which he states is "Never use a trust because of a lack of trust". However, he never really defines what he means by that comment. If it is "never use a trust because you really can't trust the trustee to do what you want" then that is not consistent with his suggestions on pages 167 through 174 where he suggests the use of a marital trust, an insurance trust, and possibly charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, etc. On the other hand if he means that you should not use a trust as a vehicle to control a child's access to money because you don't trust the child then that is different but still not necessarily consistent with the basics of the rest of the book. If the child is not mature enough to handle money then having it in a trust with someone who can is responsible stewardship. Items like this make parts of the book questionable simply because the reader can't really tell what Mr. Blue is trying to say much less determine if it is sound advice.
Another problem with the book is some of the people he holds out as examples. On page 50 he mentions Andrew Carnegie as an example of a person determined to give. While this is factual and he did give away most of his fortune and supported many charities, he amassed his fortune through ruthless business practices that can hardly be considered as respectful of others. To be fair to Mr. Carnegie most of his practices were not inconsistent with others of his day and it is unfair to compare his work ethics with those of a more worker sensitive environment of today. I'm sure that Mr. Blue would not want people to draw the conclusion that it is okay to abuse others if the resulting income is given away to charities. There are just better examples, some of which he does include (such as S. Truett Cathy).
Along a similar vein, it would have been better if the quotes used on the inside and dust cover were not from people who stood to benefit from increased contributions to charities and churches (a position highly promoted throughout the book). Of the 13 people quoted only three of them are not directly connected with an organization that would benefit directly if more people contributed to charitable organizations or churches in their wills. This does not make the advice any less sound; it just establishes a credibility gap. The people quoted are all from Christian organizations and so one would hope that they can rely on an honest assessment of the book, but it still raises questions of independence. The book is good enough that there should be ample positive reviews from people who are not officers or founders of charities or churches.
Although I obviously have some problems with this book, taken as a whole it is one of the best basic guides to Christian oriented planning and wealth transfer. The advice includes all the basic guidance you would receive from most competent financial planners - give it to your heirs while you are alive, use marital trusts if appropriate, use life insurance trusts, plan to use your wealth in ways that are consistent with your beliefs and goals in life. He also does a good job of pointing out that the tools and techniques should be near the end of the process instead of at the beginning of the planning process. It just makes more sense to first determine your goals and then to use the tools and techniques that get you there. While I believe it could be better with better writing and more carefully chosen examples, the basic tenets of the book are financially solid and Biblically sound. "Splitting Heirs" is one of the best books available to understand the problems of wealth transfer from a Christian perspective.
Best book I've read about true wealth.......2004-04-16
This book can be read in a night but contains wisdom for a lifetime. Expecting another book about estate planning, I was pleased to find only the essential data needed to introduce the subject and the bulk of the content about thoughtfully (and prayerfully) making the six decisions about wealth transfer. This is the first book I have read by Ron Blue but I suspect it is one of his best. Intertwined between the chapters teaching us about the six decisions of wealth transfer are sole searching questions, historical examples of heros in philanthropy, and humorous cartoons introducing each chapter. But the real treasures in this book are the biblical references with reminders of the definition of stewardship in nearly every chapter - "God owns it all"
Book Description
Between the covers of this book are testimonies from Christian role models from the worlds of film, sports, and music. The stories are real and powerful, and are presented in a way that believers and seekers alike will find compelling.
Customer Reviews:
Review: How Do You Know He's Real?.......2007-06-14
In the book, How Do You Know He's Real, you'll get an inside look into the spiritual lives of 34 celebrities. Hagberg has compiled testimonies ranging from Kirk Cameron to Rudy Sarzo (former bass player for Ozzy Osbourne). Each story is remarkably different and it's amazing to read how God has worked in the lives of each of these well-known people.
Celebrities Share Their Christian Faith.......2007-05-31
The author has collected very readable stories telling how celebrities have become Christians, and they share their low points and their joys here. This is a welcome peek into the lives of well known people who typically are more secretive.
Ricky Skaggs, Kirk Cameron, Gloria Gaynor, Bethel Johnson (34 people in all) tell about their struggles and their early days as new Christians.
Billy Ray Cyrus tells of singing in his grandpa's Pentecostal church when he was 4, and includes the touching lyrics to the song he wrote "The other side."
Jackie (Jacklyn) Zeman, star of General Hospital, advises that when you are at a crossroads "cry out to God and ask for His guidance."
Al Kasha's story resonated with me; this Academy Award winning songwriter overcame agoraphobia, and talks about how Hollywood is a tough place for a Jew who came to Christ, and how he started a Hollywood Bible study group.
There are stories here for anyone to enjoy and find spirit lifting.
Celebrities talk about God in their life.......2007-04-27
(Hagberg has written a companion book with the same title, subtitled God Unplugged)
How Do You Know He's Real? is a collection of celebrity essays about God acting in their lives. The contributors include athletes, musicians, and actors. Their stories often follow a familiar pattern of fame leading to drugs and alcohol before hitting bottom and being turned around by an encounter with God. That's not to say the accounts are all stock and cliched, but rather that God meets each person in their need--and for celebrities that need will be similar. And many of the tales include growing up in stable Christian homes, but still needing to make personal decisions about God and Christ and how that decision impacted their careers.
The stories are collected alphabetically but Hagberg has provided a topic finder so a reader battling discouragement or frustration can find offerings from Billy Ray Cyrus, Nancy Stafford, Zorro, Gary Burghoff or John Schneider.
Each essay begins with a picture and short biography of the contributor, listing their accomplishments. Following the selection is God's Road Map, a few sentences about the issues raised by the author, with Bible verses for teaching and encouragement.
The essays themselves are as varied as the contributors. Some of them read as if they were written to be given as speeches. Several sound like the writer could be sitting at your kitchen table, chatting over the coffee pot. All of them are honest and share from their heart how God has acted in their life and how they know He's real.
Reading the accounts of God acting in both miraculous and mundane ways reminds us that no matter what a person does for a living, each of us are created beings who need a loving Savior and merciful God.
Armchair Interviews says: Up close and personal stories from celebrities.
COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!! Terrific Read!.......2006-05-18
I received this book as a gift and once I started, I couldn't put it down. Ms Hagberg has captured the beliefs of these well known and respected celebrities, sports figures, and musicians. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series and can't wait to give copies of this one to all my friends. Order 2!
The book of a lifetime!.......2006-04-18
This is a book that you will no doubt want to share with everyone you know! (I certainly am!) It was so hard to put the book down - but worth it - just to extend the time and joy of reading it! GREAT content! GREAT author! I can't wait to read the next books in the series!
Product Description
4 Great stories
Average customer rating:
- Blue Trust Paperback
- Grim Satisfaction
- Ramble, Ramble
- great read
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Blue Trust: The Author, the Lawyer, His Wife, and Her Money
Stevie Cameron
Manufacturer: MacFarlane Walter & Ross
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 155199027X |
Book Description
Blue Trust has all the ingredients of a gripping thriller -- except it's all true. In the late 1980s Bruce and Lynne Verchere had it all. He was a successful tax lawyer whose clients included Brian Mulroney, and bestselling novelist Arthur Hailey. She was a computer software entrepreneur whose innovative systems revolutionized office management throughout North America.
When Lynne's company was sold Bruce could finally afford the extravagances he had long coveted: a plane, a yacht, a summer home in Maine, and a condo in Telluride. Through intricate manipulation, he was able to secrete his family's wealth beyond the reach of the taxman and even his wife.
Then Bruce Verchere fell in love. The desperate affair and dangerous ultimatum that followed provide this true story with a chilling climax. Blue Trust is a complex tale of high drama brilliantly told by one of Canada's most admired investigative journalists.
Customer Reviews:
Blue Trust Paperback.......2005-07-04
The book was in great condition, but I find the shipping that and I paid and what was used to be out of line. Other than that the transaction went very smoothly
Grim Satisfaction.......2000-06-29
The Blue Trust chronicles the rise and fall of two highly ambitious people, Bruce and Lynne Verchere. For those of us who worked at Manac Systems in the mid-eighties there is some grim sense of satisfaction with respect to the destiny of Lynne Verchere. The author avoids the darker side of Vercheres personality, but for those of us who knew her, any sense of pity that the story elicits is mitigated by the reality of having dealt with her on a day to day basis. Lynne Verchere was not a victim. The final tragedy of Bruce Verchere is a metaphor for the gaping hole in her own psyche. Notwithstanding the mess he had made of his life, Bruce Vercheres last desperate act was undoubtedly triggered by her final "victory" over him.
Ramble, Ramble.......2000-05-21
Interesting because it's a true story, and for Canadians some recognizable names, but oh does it ramble. This story could have and should have been told in 100 pages not 373.
great read.......2000-03-22
This book demonstrates how reality is stranger then fiction.Wonderfully researched, this story illustrates the folly of deciet and selfishness.
How the wildest successes can end in tragedy because of weakness in character.
This true story chronicles the life of a tax lawyer, his wife, a successful software entrepreneur, and includes among other household names, the Arthur Hailey family.
This story unfolds like a classic Greek tragedy set in contemporary western times,I look forward to reading it again for all the important lessons it holds.
Average customer rating:
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The Bigotry trust in the U.S.A (Little blue book)
Linn A. E Gale
Manufacturer: Haldeman-Julius Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: B00088JPKU |
Book Description
THIS IS ABOUT MY LIFE AS A STOCK MARKET SPECULATOR. AND MY GRADUAL TRANSFORMATION FROM A CONSERVATIVE BLUE-CHIP INVESTOR INTO A STEELY EYED, RIVERBOAT GAMBLER WITH NERVES OF STEEL. WHO FOUND WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR IN THE STRANGE AND WONDROUS WORLD OF MICRO-CAP INVESTING. ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE YOU INTO MY WORLD. A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A FORTUNE ON A CHUMP-CHANGE INVESTMENT.
Customer Reviews:
How to make a killing on a chump-change investment........2007-05-30
My pen name is Big Al. I am also the writer of this book. When you self - publish a book if you don't review and promote it, then no one will. Which is what I am doing now. I have read dozens of investment books and they all ignore the almost unknown world of small-cap and micro-cap investing. Not to mention my specialty of penny mining stock investing. And yet this is precisely the world where the small investor of limited means can make a killing. Once you make your first killing in my world you will be in it for life. Just like I am. Let me introduce you to my world. A world where you can make a killing on a chump-change investment.
The most exciting thing about my world is that anyone can afford to enter it. You can become a player for an investment as low as $500.
A "must read" for any investor!.......2007-04-12
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced investor this book is a must read. The stock market can be very complicated, but Fred's forty years of knowledge and experience gives you the insight needed to invest correctly and make big returns on your money. The book is easy to read, a mixture of intellgent writing with humorus anecdotes. I highly recommend this book!
Average customer rating:
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Splitting Heirs: Giving Your Money and Things to Your Children Without Ruining Their Lives
Ron Blue , and
Jeremy White
Manufacturer: Northfield Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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Your Money After the Big 5-0: Wealth for the Second Half of Life
ASIN: 0802413765 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on March 2, 2007. The length of the article is 952 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Focus key to Bieksa's emergence; Level-headed Canucks blue-liner has won trust of his teammates.(Columns)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication:
Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 2, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: c3
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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