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William Manchester is one awesome historian. His great books include "Last Lion" about Winston Churchill and "American Caesar" about Douglas MacArthur, His work is extremely well researched, logical and readable. He helps the reader understand, not only the "What?" of history but also the "Why?" Historic events repeat because the conditions that cause them repeat. Thus good historic accounts can serve as crystal balls to help predict the future. It was during the presidential campaign of 2016 that I read Manchester's chapter on Harry Truman and the presidential election of 1948. The media and those who considered themselves the elite of politics and higher education mocked Truman and predicted a landslide for Dewey. Manchester described how Truman bypassed them and took his campaign directly to the common folk in middle America. I was suprised at the simlarity between Manchester's description of the Truman campaign and what I was seeing with Trump's campaign. A week before the election I told my friends I thought Trump actually had a strong chance to win. They laughed, but history repeated itself. Manchester also teaches the reality of greatness. Yes, there are heroes in our history. Only comic book heroes never make mistakes. Every human being who seeks to make the world a better place makes mistakes. Their greatness arises as they overcome their mistakes. Manchester shows his heroes warts and all, illuminating the path that can lead future heroes to greatness. "The Glory and the Dream" qualifies as premium Manchester.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Writing is magnificent, the information thorough and well documented.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Manchester sets history, especially United States history, in to the most readable and fascinating form possible. As an admitted liberal "FDR Democrat" he does have a bias, but it's barely recognizable in the flow and hold of his excellent narrative. As a history teacher, and lifelong student of historical works, I recommend this as a standard of excellence along with his other works.
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