The author of the runaway bestseller How the Irish Saved Civilization has done it again. In The Gifts of the Jews Thomas Cahill takes us on another enchanting journey into history; once again recreating a time when the actions of a small band of people had repercussions that are still felt today.The Gifts of the Jews reveals the critical change that made western civilization possible. Within the matrix of ancient religions and philosophies; life was seen as part of an endless cycle of birth and death; time was like a wheel; spinning ceaselessly. Yet somehow; the ancient Jews began to see time differently. For them; time had a beginning and an end; it was a narrative; whose triumphant conclusion would come in the future. From this insight came a new conception of men and women as individuals with unique destinies--a conception that would inform the Declaration of Independence--and our hopeful belief in progress and the sense that tomorrow can be better than today. As Thomas Cahill narrates this momentous shift; he also explains the real significance of such Biblical figures as Abraham and Sarah; Moses and the Pharaoh; Joshua; Isaiah; and Jeremiah.Full of compelling stories; insights and humor; The Gifts of the Jews is an irresistible exploration of history as fascinating and fun as How the Irish Saved Civilization.
#279454 in Books Ingramcontent 2016-09-06 2016-09-06Format: Deckle EdgeOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.51 x 1.37 x 6.54l; 1.25 #File Name: 0385350791416 pagesHis Final Battle The Last Months of Franklin Roosevelt
Review
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful. Very readable account of FDR's last monthsBy Phelps GatesLelyveld is a journalist rather than a historian. So don't look for new revelations or discoveries; especially in view of the extremely well-plowed nature of this particular field. The strong point of the book is the vivid picture that he paints of Roosevelt's final months; and the analysis of what was going on behind the scenes. This was a particularly critical year in history; and one where America really did have a rendezvous with destiny; and the author gives a highly readable account of what was happening: the Tehran and Yalta summits; the debate over a fourth term; the choice of Truman as running mate; the Polish question; the birth of the UN; and; through it all; the underlying question of FDR's health. Since his medical records mysteriously disappeared after his death; we often have to rely on subjective descriptions by people who were with him; photographs taken at the time; and his writings and speeches. Lelyveld does a very good job of sifting the evidence to decide just how impaired his faculties were in those last months. And his analysis of Roosevelt's character; qhite apart from health issues; is incisive: one of the best chapters is his comparison of FDR with Woodrow Wilson; pointing out the many parallels (I was reminded of Plutarch's Parallel Lives here). The book goes into lots of interesting details about FDR's last year of life; much of which was new to me; including the full context of his Fala quip (perhaps one reason for the presidential pooch making it into the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington!); the "rest cure" at Bernard Baruch's estate; and the maneuverings over his Vice-Presidential choice. Lots of interesting material.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. "Let us move forward with firm and active faith."By lb136Joseph Lelyveld; who presided over the New York Times at the end of its golden age as a printed newspaper; in this fascinating history describes the end of another golden age--the end of the era of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.Covering the period from the Tehran conference of November 1943; in which FDR promised Stalin that D-Day would occur by the end of May 1944 (it was only six days late) to his death in April 1945; the author portrays the weakening president determined to carry on although suffering from; among other things; an enlarged heart.In order to reconstruct the physical condition of the weakening president's last days; the author is forced to rely on diaries and comments made by his doctors; McIntyre and Bruenn; because his medical records mysteriously "vanished" in 1946. Fortunately he does his job well; and the tale is fascinating.Then; too; there are the quick sketches of the historical figures (Truman; Churchill and Stalin; of course; as well as lesser known figures of the time) and the machinations that FDR employed while seeking a fourth term. Perhaps he couldn't face up to his approaching end; but he was astute enough to have replaced Henry Wallace; his third-term vice president; with Harry Truman.One of the figures who played a significant role behind the scenes was FDR's daughter; Anna--this was new to me. It would be Anna who would accompany the president to the infamous Yalta conference; where Churchill; Stalin; and FDR met for the final time. (Mr. Lelyveld; by the way; is not one of those who think FDR gave away the store to Stalin at that conference; although as he tells us certainly his attention span was not what it once was.)Underlying it all was FDR's determination to create a working United Nations; something his first boss; Woodrow Wilson; whom he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy; had been unable to do. And Mr. Lelyveld works wonders with this material. I almost teared up as he describes how the president was making plans to attend the opening session of the UN on April 25; 1945. (A draft of the radio address FDR planned to make on Jefferson Day; April 15; exists; in which he would have said; of the UN; "The work; my friends; is peace.")Truman; of course; would go. The war was won. And; as Mr. Lelyveld notes; when Japan surrendered; Truman "addressed the nation; pronouncing the name Roosevelt only once; in a single-sentence tribute simultaneously reverential and spare; showing that his predecessor was already receding into history."Sic transit.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Drama; Courage; Failing Health with WWII As BackgroundBy mishmishThis is a very detailed account of the last months of Franklin Delano Roosevelt; his fourth and last election and his death before the end of World War II. Most of these events are well known and have appeared in countless books; films and images; but here we have a more intimate picture of the ailing president as he tried to end the war and prepare for the post-war period and a real peace. His relationships with his wife Eleanor; his daughter Anna and Lucy Mercer;the woman he loved; are also developed. In spite of his obviously deteriorating health he travelled thousands of miles to Teheran and Yalta to meet with Stalin and Churchill. Stalin; with his usual ruthlessness; refused to leave the territory of the Soviet Union; so it was Roosevelt; handicapped by his paralysis and an obviously failing heart; who was obliged to make these journeys by car; ship; plane and rail.Today; of course; a president does not have four terms in office and it would be difficult (I hope) for a president to continue in office in obviously failing health; but we have to admire FDR's courage and tenacity in carrying on to complete his legacy and prepare for the post-war world.
