Memphis Reads

Nonfiction

Philip Williams reviews TRIED BY WAR: Abraham Lincoln As Commander in Chief by James M. McPherson (Penguin, 2008)

Leading Civil War Historian James McPherson offers this narrative of Abraham Lincoln’s role as Commander-In-Chief during America’s greatest time of crisis. With no real military background, Lincoln educated himself in military strategy and theory. He proved, during the course of the war, to have a better understanding than most of his generals of the military advantages the Union had over the South and the strategy needed to defeat it. Lincoln’s iron resolve to save the Union is known to all, but McPherson shows that by 1863 Lincoln had transformed the conflict into a War of Emancipation. Tried by War is certainly not a paean to Lincoln. McPherson does not gloss over the Lincoln’s controversial actions, namely Lincoln’s willingness to violate civil liberties during the war. But McPherson shows why Lincoln, despite facing monumental odds, was able to lead the United States to victory and establish himself as America’s greatest Commander-In-Chief.

Readers who enjoy Tried by War may also like McPherson’s one-volume history of the Civil War, Battle Cry of Freedom.


Philip Williams, Cordova Branch Library

Labels: Nonfiction, Reviews by Philip Williams

Fiction/Suspense

Andrea King reviews STILL LIFE by Joy Fielding (Simon and Schuster, 2009)

I am a huge Joy Fielding fan. Ever since I checked out See Jane Run as a new, seven-day book many years ago and read it in a day, I have been hooked. I have read her entire collection and own a majority of her books. You can imagine my excitement when I got my hands on her latest novel, Still Life.

Interior designer Casey seems to have it all together--good looks, a loving husband, lifelong friends, and a small inheritance. But, as much work as it takes to "get it all together," it only takes a brief moment for everything to be shattered. And, in the one of most traumatic ways imaginable, Casey’s life is almost completely destroyed. There are no witnesses to the hit-and-run accident in which a SUV driver leaves her for dead in a parking garage. Casey has multiple broken bones and is in a coma.

Medical authorities are conflicted about whether Casey can hear what is going on around her while comatose. But the more Casey heals and hears, the more she realizes this hit-and-run was no accident. Most upsetting is her realization of who set up the crime.

Joy Fielding will have readers sitting on the edge of their seats with this story of suspense and intrigue. This reviewer stayed up until 2:00 a.m. to finish the book because it’s just that good!


Andrea King, Poplar-White Station Branch Library

Labels: Reviews by Andrea King, Suspense