Book Description
The Baseball America 2007 Prospect Handbook is the leading annual reference guide to the next generation of rising stars. The Prospect Handbook profiles in-depth analysis and statistics of 900 players, provides a detailed amateur draft report card, a list of the top one hundred prospects, and a ranking of the Major League Baseball player development programs. The Prospect Handbook is the resource for information regarding the leading minor leaguers throughout baseball and is a valuable tool for fans, fantasy leaguers, and anyone who wants to know more about the player development process.
Customer Reviews:
Great for fantasy leagues and watching Minor League Baseball.......2007-05-24
I don't know that anyone can do this type of thing better short of dedicating 5-6 pages per prospect. The profiles are concise but detailed and full of easily understood stats and reports. One of the most interesting things about this book is if you have the one from the year before, you can track how far a particular prospect has risen or fallen based on his performance over the last year.
Since I live in Hawaii, I also take this book to the Hawaii Winter League Games to I can get an idea of who I am watching (makes the whole experience 75 times more enjoyable). I feel it also helps with my fantasy baseball team, though if you took a look at my rankings, you wouldn't even notice it. But I was on to Hunter Pence before everyone else because of this book.
Mets in 2007!
Looking for Minor Leaguers ?.......2007-05-13
The most in-depth Minor League baseball publication out there. A must have for people trying to build Fantasy Baseball dynasties.
Excellent Information -- Poor Quality.......2007-05-01
This book brings a ton of excellent information to the reader about the minor league talent within each organization. With fantastic analysis of players' weaknesses and strengths, the information puts scouting quality information into the hands of the average fan.
My biggest beef is that the book seems to have been rushed through the editing process. While the information is definitely top quality, the writing that presents the information certainly is not. The grammar utilized throughout the book is spotty in numerous places and can somewhat detract from the information presented. My recommendation to Baseball America would be to obtain a higher quality editing process for the 2008 edition of this wonderful tome of information.
Always Good.......2007-04-12
This is the seventh year I have bought this item from Baseball America. The quality of their evaluations is always refreshing. It was nice that I was able not pay full retail by using Amazon and plan to use it in the future.
Prospects Handbook hands over the scoop.......2007-04-01
If you like to follow minor league baseball, this book is a must. Where the players came from, & where you can expect to find them playing in '07, is only a small part of all the info on over 900 major league hopefuls. Have fun reading about & if you have the time, going to see some of them in person.
Book Description
The dying Empire's most cunning and ruthless warlord--Grand Admiral Thrawn--has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the New Republic's destruction. With the aid of unimaginable weapons long hidden away by the Emperor on a backwater planet, Thrawn plans to turn the tide of battle, overwhelm the New Republic, and impose his iron rule throughout the galaxy. Meanwhile, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republican Council--only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies. Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness... and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Grand Admiral Thrawn attacks the New Republic on many fronts. He forces
our intrepid band of heroes to flee assassins, and Leia takes off with
Chewie, and Han goes looking for help by himself.
The dodgy Mara Jade is also floating around, as is a not so nice Jedi Master.
Whoever controls the 'Dark Force' of ancient ships in the end will have a massive advantage in the battle for the galaxy.
Author captures the epic spirit of Star Wars space opera.......2007-05-22
As far as post-Return of the Jedi novels about Luke, Han and Leia go, Timothy Zahn's breakthrough Thrawn Trilogy is the best.
As for the best novels from the era of the movie saga, I highly recommend the following 5-star novels:
Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)
Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul)
Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)
A Star Wars Fix.......2007-01-19
Do you hate George Lucas for ruining his own creation like I do? I mean, Star Wars, the defining mythology of at least two generations, the story of heroes and redemption has become the joke of our times. How could it not? Did you see that idiot, Anakin, scratching his way up the hill, beaten and burned, destined to become the shell for James Earl Jones's ominous basso voice? Did it make you groan? Did it make you want to set fire to the Skywalker Ranch? Am I alone?
Now, I'm not a Star Wars Geek. I don't play the roleplaying game. Never have. I don't have the library of tie-in novels and I do poorly at the trivia compared to a lot of people. But I snuck into the theater when I was 11 years old to watch Luke Skywalker discover The Force. I know great stories and despite the slightly cheesy effects and the ham-handed acting, Star Wars was a great story.
Why am I going on and on about what was? Because Timothy Zahn does Star Wars better than George Lucas does Star Wars. If Lucas had just filmed these three books - Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command - he'd have a masterpiece to crown his early achievements.
In Dark Force Rising, Leia conducts a mission to influence an alien race heretofore loyal to one of the Emperor's warlords, Luke finds himself battling an insane Jedi Master, Joruus C'Baoth, and Han Solo races the forces of the warlord, General Thrawn, to get to a lost fleet of Dreadnaught cruisers. The tension is high throughout this second book in the series and the characters conduct themselves admirably, keeping to the heroic expectations and rebellious attitudes we expect.
Reading this series, and especially this book, will remind you why we loved Star Wars and why we now hate George Lucas.
- CV Rick
The middle of a saga is always the best!.......2006-07-13
Just like Empire Strikes Back, Dark Force Rising is the pinnacle of what the middle portion of a saga is all about. There is tons of action and the book is so well written that you won't want to put it down.
Highly recommend this one and I can't wait to finish the triology with The Last Command.
Zahn is the man!
The Force is with you!.......2006-07-13
"Dark Force Rising" Volume 2 of the Thrawn Trilogy. Grand Admiral Thrawn continues his attempt to finish off the struggling New Republic. Talon Karrde, the smuggler who took Jabba's place is slowly being pulled over to the New Republic's side even though his right hand Mara Jade (The Emperors' Hand before he died) wants nothing to do with the new republic and who's only goal has been to kill Luke Skywalker. The two opposing sides race for a lost fleet of about 200 ships. The winner will have the upper hand in the continuing battle. Meanwhile the newly surfaced Jedi master plots to capture Leia, her twins and Luke.
The Good: The whole book (along with the other 2 were all very good). It's good to read the old favorites including Han, Leia, Luke, Chewy and Lando. The plot stays strong throughout and this kept the book enjoyable.
The Bad: Nothing memorable
Overall: The book and series are both very good and I recommend them highly
Book Description
China's diplomatic strategy has changed dramatically since the mid-1990s, creating both challenges and opportunities for other world powers. Through a combination of pragmatic security policies, growing economic clout, and increasingly deft diplomacy, China has established productive and increasingly solid relationships throughout Asia and around the globe. Yet U.S. policymakers have only just begun to comprehend these critical changes. Here, noted China analyst Bates Gill provides a coherent framework for understanding China's new security diplomacy and guiding America's China policy forward. Gill offers a comprehensive and far-reaching analysis of the transformation in China's security diplomacy, persuasively making the case for a more nuanced and focused policy toward Beijing.
Over the past decade, China's approach to regional and global security affairs has become more proactive, practical, and constructive, a trend favoring U.S. interests in many ways. At the same time, China's new strategy has also bolstered its international influence and may enhance its ability to resolve thorny issues--such as Taiwan's future--on its own terms. In exploring these dynamics, Gill focuses on Chinese policy in three areas: regional security mechanisms, nonproliferation and arms control, and questions of sovereignty and intervention. Looking to the future, he offers specific recommendations for a balanced and realistic approach that emphasizes what the two countries have in common, rather than what divides them.
As a rising star in the constellation of great powers, China and its new security diplomacy present the international community with a tremendous challenge. Successfully managing this transition will require informed realism, astute management, and nimble diplomacy. Timely and vital, Rising Star offers thoughtful guidance on how to approach these tasks and provides valuable insights for understanding Chinese foreign policy.
Book Description
Writer J. Michael Straczynski's superhero tour-de-force reaches its stunning conclusion as the final fate of the 113 "Pederson Specials" is revealed. The final chapter of one of the greatest comic series EVER is now available in trade paperback for your bookshelf! Collects Rising Stars #17-24.
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Conflicts between the writer and the company and others lead to yet another comic series being late, and stalled, and everyone lost interest, me included. Finally coming across this, it does seem to be thrown together.
Poet, as the last Special, has a destiny, and it involves another planet.
Rising Stars.......2006-07-25
This is the best graphic novel to come out in a long time.
A Solid FInish to the Greatest Superhero Story Ever.......2006-07-05
My friend Richard calls "Rising Stars" the "Greatest Superhero Story Ever". Richard has vastly less experience reading comics than I do, so I find it hard to completely concur. I can remember some storylines from back in the day that were pretty amazing. But this series is definitely up there, and it blew me away.
Part three is a solid ending that treats the story well, but to me it never quite lives up to the level of the first two collections. Of course, that's really more of a statement about how AWESOME the first two parts are. This part is still VERY good, just not quite up to par with them.
Check this one out if you love superheroes.
Great Story.......2006-01-06
This wraps up the Rising Stars story part 17-24 which was delayed for quite a bit of time because of a dispute with the publisher. The 3rd trade wraps up all the loose ends and a nice fashion. The writing is top notch. I like Brent Andersons pencils, but I prefer someone else to ink him. When he does his own, it often looks muddy to me. You can pick up the Visitations trade which collects all the hard to find short tales published. You can also go for the mega hard cover collector's edition which has everyone in one book.
Great graphic Novel.......2005-12-27
This is Rising Stars Vol.3 Chapters 17-24
The 3rd part of a 3 part series.
You made your choices... This is the ending result... All the powers in the Universe and in the end, only human after all.
You wish you did better, you wish you had known but... being human means coming to the world without an owners manual.
I highly recommed the series.
Average customer rating:
- snowreview
- A gripping tale of suspense and intrigue
- Carrier aviation at its best
- Great book!
- Brick Maxwell and General Zhang Yu mix it up over the South China Sea
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Black Star Rising
Robert Gandt
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
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Dark Pacific 2: Pacific Threat (Dark Pacific)
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ASIN: 0451220145 |
Book Description
As China expands its industrial might, it becomes one of the biggest oil-consuming countries in the world. And the only thing blocking China's access to an unlimited fuel supply is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. When a Vietnamese oilrig is destroyed, China is obviously the culprit. The U.S.-recently joined in a defense pact with Vietnam-calls upon Commander Brick Maxwell to pilot the hyper-advanced Black Star stealth jet against the Chinese. But the Chinese have technology to match America's-and an old adversary of Brick's who is hunting him with a vengeance.
Customer Reviews:
snowreview.......2007-08-02
This is a Don,t put me down novel . Greatly enjoyed all three of the authors books. Full of action and incident.
A gripping tale of suspense and intrigue.......2007-03-30
I never know quite what to expect from the devious mind of this consummate writer of military suspense. What I do know, however, is that each of Gandt's action-packed novels has proven to be even better than the one before. Who would have dared to dream, for example, that in Black Star Rising our very own military forces would join the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in defending its crucial oil resources from the marauding Republic of China. Once again, alter ego Commander Brick Maxwell transports us from the carrier deck to the killing skies as he engages his arch nemesis over land and sea. And, yes, just the right amount of earthly love and lust!
Carrier aviation at its best.......2007-02-27
Bob Gandt's Brick Maxwell series is probably the most authentic naval aviation fiction being produced today. You even vicariously pull several "G's" as Brick's plane gets flung off the carrier's catapult or tries to roll inside his opponent -- it's that authentic. Gandt has a unique way of explaining the obscure naval term or aviator's jargon that keeps you feeling "with it" while not interfering in the slightest with the continuity of the plot.
Gandt's knowledge of contemporaneous world events and his continuous exposure to naval carrier operations help greatly in lending contemporaneous authenticity to each of his novels. Try his works -- you'll love them!
Great book! .......2007-02-16
My husband reads all Gandt's books and LOVES them. Says he's one of the best aviation authors ever.
Brick Maxwell and General Zhang Yu mix it up over the South China Sea.......2007-02-12
Sit down and shut up as Gandt stuffs us into the seat of the military's finest aerial hardware. This time it is the secret stealth jet - Black Star. The flying sequences are top notch. Even if you are not a shithot Navy pilot, Gandt knows how to draw the reader into the cockpit in a very visceral way. I even find myself grunting on the cat launches! It is precisely why I love his writing. The author has obviously "been there and done that". The plot line has the typical good guy, bad guy sequence and obligatory love interest. Brick Maxwell is the James Bond/Robert Gandt of the U.S. Navy. Good stuff!
Average customer rating:
- Nate's Rview
- A great introduction to two of the best Star Wars characters
- Easy Reading
- A beyond great start to the JA series!
- Great Bedtime reading for my little Jedi....sometimes!!!
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The Rising Force (Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice, Book 1)
Dave Wolverton
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Wolverton, Dave
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Accessories:
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Star Wars: Dark Forces with 3-Levels of Jedi Knight
ASIN: 0590519220
Release Date: 1999-05-03 |
Amazon.com
Just before his 13th birthday, Obi-Wan Kenobi left Yoda and the other teachers at the Jedi Temple. But he wasn't supposed to become a Padawan, a future Jedi Knight, he was assigned to be a farmer! Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force joins the headstrong Obi-Wan a few weeks before he's to turn 13, when he'll be too old to begin training as a Jedi Knight. Trying too hard to become Qui-Gon Jinn's Padawan, Obi-Wan shows his lack of discipline, and that--in addition to Qui-Gon's mysterious past--keeps them apart. But the Force keeps pulling the two together: Obi-Wan resigns himself to the Jedi Agricultural Corps on barren Bandomeer, only to find that Qui-Gon is on a mission to the same planet. Traveling there on a mining ship, the two must work together to forge a truce between the warring Hutt, Whiphid, and Arconan miners on board. The inexperienced Obi-Wan stirs up trouble but gets plenty of chances to redeem himself later--after the pirates attack and after the ship crash-lands on a hostile planet with the crew still at each other's throats. Experienced Star Wars author Dave Wolverton keeps the blasters firing and the lightsabers swinging in this fun, fast-paced adventure. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes
Customer Reviews:
Nate's Rview.......2005-12-19
I was a bit disappointed with this book because there was not as much action as in most other Star Wars books.
Twelve-year-old Obi -Wan is an exceptional student at the Jedi Temple, although his anger sometimes clouds his judgment. Only a few more weeks until his thirteenth birthday and then forced to leave the Temple, he has one last chance to be a padawan. When Jedi Master Qui-Gon-Jin arrives, Obi-wan is hopeful. Unfortunately, Qui-Gon is skeptical and rejects Obi-Wan. Though Fate has placed them on a same trip to Bandomear, Obi-Wan is to farm and Qui-Gon is on a mission.
I would only recommend this book to Star Wars fans because you have to know who a lot of people are such as Master Yoda and Master Windu. Other than that, it is a fairly good book.
A great introduction to two of the best Star Wars characters.......2005-11-16
Even though this is a young readers book(ages 9-12), any fan of the Star Wars series will enjoy this well told story about the little known history of Obi-Wan Kenobi's teenage years.
The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of Obi-Wan's struggle within to control his emotions and immerse his mind and body ionto the Force. Realizing the reality that he won't be chosen as a Padawan Learmer before the age limit deadline, and will become a member of the Agro-Corps, using the Force to help grow food on planets that struggle to do so.
The ever stubborn and persistent Kenobi learns that Qui-Gonn Jinn, a well respected Jedi Knight is coming to the temple to view the young students who are eligible for apprenticeship, he tries his hardest to impress the Jedi Knight. Even though Qui-Gonn is slightly impressed by young Kenobi, he refuses to take him as a Padawan because his first students fall to the Dark Side has left him skeptical of taking another.
The two find themselves traveling together on a freighter to a small mining planet, Obi-Wan to join the Agro-Corps and Qui-Gonn on Jedi business. Trouble arises and thus begins the first adventure of the two classic heroes.
As I said before any Star Wars fan can enjoy this book and the entire series is just as compelling.
Enjoy and May the Force be with you!!!
Easy Reading.......2005-09-12
One of my favorite characters in the Star Wars Episodes I, II, III, and IV has been Obi-Wan Kenobi. My second favorite character is Qui-Gon Jenn. The Jedi Apprentice Series answers many of the questions that one might have wondering through their minds about these two characters. Some of these questions being how do you become a Jedi Apprentice, what was Obi-Wan like growing up, how does he learn to use the force and did Obi-Wan ever get to experience falling in love etc...? Dave Wolverton starts this series off with Book 1 and Jude Watson writes Book 2 -18. Both writers are good but Jude Watson is the one who bringing to light the emotions and bonding experiences between the Jedi Knight and his Apprentice. Their adventures together are interesting and imaginative leaving you wanting to know what's in the next book.
The Jedi Apprentice series was written for young teens, but it is enjoyable for all ages. These books are what I call easy reading, because you can finish it in just a few hours or faster if your a quick reader. I personally bought the Rising Force out of curiosity about Obi-Wan's character and to find answers to the questions that ran through my own mind after seeing episode III. I decided to buy the whole series to keep for my future grandchildren, so they too will know what isn't told in the movies about the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jenn, his Apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and the force that souranded their lives.
A beyond great start to the JA series!.......2004-11-20
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi student hoping to be chosen as a Padawan by a Jedi Master, particularly one named Qui-Gon Jinn. But after proving his anger can get the better of him, he is not chosen as a Padawan. Instead he is sentenced to be a farmer on planet Bandomeer (yawn!) But he is stranded on a mysterious planet with Qui-Gon and the ship passengers. It leads to an unexpected adventure with Qui-Gon... This is an extremely poignant adventure with action and peril. I'd recommend it for any kid over 10 years old, maybe for some adults. I'm serious! Even if you think Star Wars is the most stupid thing ever, you'll love this book. Probably the second best in the whole series. It just rocks! Why? Because author Dave Wolverton comes up with excellent alien characters and writes about them with great poignance. And the Jedi wisdom written down in the book rings true. Overall, a smart mini novel. It rocks.
Great Bedtime reading for my little Jedi....sometimes!!!.......2004-04-25
There is no real Star Wars reading material for young readers (4-7 years) However, this first book in a series for 9-12 year olds is just amazing. It's very readable to a younger child (4-8) at bedtime. As soon as I started reading the book to my son (6 years old) it was an instant hit...with both of us.
It starts BEFORE episode I, when Obi-Wan Kenobi is a boy of 12 years and in Jedi Training hoping to become the Padawan learner of the rebel & loner, Qui-Gon Jinn before he turns 13.
My son got so into the book he would force himself to stay up to listen to more of the story! Obviously, this is not what you want to happen when you want your little Jedi to go to sleep. (However, it does speak volumes about the writing, the story, etc...)
I have a sneaking suspicion that we'll be reading the entire series. This first book, was that good.
Book Description
In Rising Stars, Volume 2 J. Michael Straczynski continues the tale of The Specials, 113 humans born with extraordinary powers. The specials wage war, not only on each other, but on the rest of the world as well in this epic story of the struggles of the real world against extra-ordinary power.
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
As more Specials die, the power consolidates into those that are left. This actually makes things worse as these more powerful people go into battle over the city of Chicago, and the resurrectionist power of one of their own.
Michael and Randy have to try and work out how to stop one of their number, a schizoid who has one psychotic personality, from causing a war.
Great graphic Novel.......2005-12-27
This is Rising Stars Vol 2. Chapters 9-16
The 2nd of a 3 part series.
The world made its choice and now you have to make yours, Will you and your kind join to change the world and make it better or to destroy it.
We all make mistakes... What kind of mistakes a person with superpowers can make? and what can you do to fix them? In the end they are only human.
I highly recomend the series.
Pretty good almost to the end.......2004-05-01
For some reason i remember this comic getting really knocked, but i'm looking again at the reviews (only 4?) and they're uniformly good. Huh, maybe my memory is slipping.
i'm not going to describe the book because it's the second half of the Power duo. Read the first, see the cliffhanger, read this story which starts 10 years later.
i thought i heard reviews claiming this book wasn't as good as the first one. i suppose that's true, although this is one really good book. i also remember reading that people thought this was kind of cliche comic book stuff, and it really isn't. It's still in the Moore/Miller adult theme where the characters have insecurities and make mistakes and all that. It's good stuff.
My one complaint is this - the book completely wimps out in the end. And by end i mean the very, very end. All this build up about complex politics and factions and ideas and conspiracies and in the very end we find out who the real villan is and it's... lame. Really lame. Standard comic book villan stuff. Nothing interesting or realistic or insightful or novel. That was a let down. But i'm still glad i spent the money to read this whole series
Even More Fantasic.......2003-02-03
With J. Michael Stracynski you know you're going to get something good, and he doesn't let you down. The story is fantasic, and the artwork is really good. I don't read as many comics as I used to when I was younger, but after Babylon 5, I've been looking for other things JMS has done. This was amazing, highly recommended - story telling at it's best. I can hardly wait for the third (and apparently final) volume.
Good Stuff.......2003-02-03
Great characters and fantastic writing. My only little beef is that a new artist took over the last few chapters. While not as good as the original, still solid. I really enjoy consistency with artwork, which is a rarity for any comic these days...
Book Description
The Rising Stars saga marches on in this stellar paperback! See Special Matthew Bright and his career as a super-powered cop and "ghost detective" Lionel Zerb confront the Well of Souls!
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This trade comprises two Rising Stars mini-series. Bright, about Matthew Bright and his struggles to be accepted as a police officer, even though he was a Special and Lionel Zerb, who was not a big fan of his power.
Lionel could talk to the dead, so could find out and be horrified a lot of information that others could not.
Difficult.......2006-07-28
Amazon makes this one a little hard to find. The correct title for this is Rising Stars Voices of the Dead-Bright. If you do a search for that, you get a book on the Dead Sea Scrolls. That aside, this is an interesting read that gives some backstory to 2 interesting characters. If you have read the main series, then you know what is in store for the specials, but it is fun to read about their adventures again. The first story concerns Lionel Zeb who can see and interact with ghosts. The second has to do with Matthew Bright who is a superman type of character who really want to help people, but has to hide his powers and identity to join the police force. Avery is a good writer, maybe not quite as deft as J Michael, but she does a fine job with the characters. There is nothing earth shaking about either of these stories, but if you enjoy Rising Stars and want a little more history, then these are for you.
Book Description
The 1970s was a great decade for British racing drivers, but it was also the era in which the nation lost a generation of brilliant young drivers--Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce--in tragic accidents. All had the potential to be World Champions. With access to their families, friends and race colleagues, David Tremayne tells their full stories for the first time. It makes for poignant but uplifting reading.
Book Description
Like other great figures of 20th-century American politics, Lyndon Johnson defies easy understanding. An unrivaled master of vote swapping, back room deals, and election-day skulduggery, he was nevertheless an outspoken New Dealer with a genuine commitment to the poor and the underprivileged. With aides and colleagues he could be overbearing, crude, and vindictive, but at other times shy, sophisticated, and magnanimous. Perhaps columnist Russell Baker said it best: Johnson "was a character out of a Russian novel...a storm of warring human instincts: sinner and saint, buffoon and statesman, cynic and sentimentalist." But Johnson was also a representative figure. His career speaks volumes about American politics, foreign policy, and business in the forty years after 1930. As Charles de Gaulle said when he came to JFK's funeral: Kennedy was America's mask, but this man Johnson is the country's real face. In Lone Star Rising, Robert Dallek, winner of the prestigious Bancroft Prize for his study of Franklin D. Roosevelt, now turns to this fascinating "sinner and saint" to offer a brilliant, definitive portrait of a great American politician. Based on seven years of research in over 450 manuscript collections and oral histories, as well as numerous personal interviews, this first book in a two-volume biography follows Johnson's life from his childhood on the banks of the Pedernales to his election as vice-president under Kennedy. We see Johnson, the twenty-three-year-old aide to a pampered millionaire Representative, become a de facto Congressman, and at age twenty-eight the country's best state director of the National Youth Administration. We see Johnson, the "human dynamo," first in the House and then in the Senate, whirl his way through sixteen- and eighteen-hour days, talking, urging, demanding, reaching for influence and power, in an uncommonly successful congressional career. Dallek pays full due to Johnson's failings--his obsession with being top dog, his willingness to cut corners, and worse, to get there-- but he also illuminates Johnson's sheer brilliance as a politician, the high regard in which key members of the New Deal, including FDR, held him, and his genuine concern for minorities and the downtrodden. No president in American history is currently less admired than Lyndon Johnson. Bitter memories of Vietnam have sent Johnson's reputation into free fall, and recent biographies have painted him as a scoundrel who did more harm than good. Lone Star Rising attempts to strike a balance. It does not neglect the tawdry side of Johnson's political career, including much that is revealed for the first time. But it also reminds us that Lyndon Johnson was a man of exceptional vision, who from early in his career worked to bring the South into the mainstream of American economic and political life, to give the disadvantaged a decent chance, and to end racial segregation for the well-being of the nation.
Customer Reviews:
Exhaustive bio on LBJ.......2006-06-21
For the foreseeable future, I think it's safe to say Dallek's two volumes will be the definitive LBJ biography for the simple reason(s) that it's unclear if Caro will finish his works and it is doubtful that anyone will soon take on the onerous task of researching Johnson's extremely complicated life ... and find anything new. This volume tracks LBJ's life up to the 1960 election and everything is here ... and I mean everything, from Johnson's lineage, his childhood and education, his work as a New Deal caretaker and Texas politician, his dubious "military service", his meteoric climb through both the House and US Senate, including his "election" to the latter and finally his acceptance as JFK's vice-presidential running mate. The reader meets the big (and small) personalities in LBJ's life including FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Sam Rayburn, Richard Russell and Hubert Humphrey as well as the truly dedicated people who worked ungodly hours for him. Dallek also does an admirable job in tracking the development of LBJ's character and motives, (and ego) while parsing through, at times, the frenetic activity of his life. Where this biography differs from others, (especially Caro's), is in Dallek's self-restraint in judging LBJ's actions and behaviors, (and there is a lot to judge). Others have made this out to be an omission on the author's part, I would beg to differ and label it as evenhanded. Dallek presents the facts and lets the reader make the call while other authors, (again Caro), have stepped into the breech and passed judgement. (This doesn't mean I disagree with those judgements, in fact in most cases I do agree. It's hard not to.) I just appreciated Dallek allowing me to come to my own conclusions. If there is a fault with this book, (and the second volume), and this is a nit, it's that too much detail is provided and at times can become mind-numbing. In Dallek's subsequent bio of JFK, at least in my opinion, he does a better job of not overwhelming the reader with at times, repetitive details.
An incredibly rewarding read.......2005-09-05
Over the last several years, I've read more than 30 presidential biographies, usually letting Amazon reader's guide me to the best choice. I assure you Robert Dallek's first volume of his LBJ biography is one of the top five or six biographies I've read thus far. This volume provides the details of LBJ's life until he became vice president. Lone Star Rising is well written. Most of all it is balanced presenting numerous sides of a very complex man. Also included are the anecdotes of LBJ's life that led me to laugh out loud or shake my head with disbelief.
Lilly Tomlin once said, "I try to be as cynical as I can be, but sometimes I just can't keep up. " She could have been talking about Southern politics in general or LBJ in particular. Dallek shows LBJ's warts, but he also describes Johnson's genuine desire to help the poor and the South.
LBJ rose from poverty through a combination of incredible drive, unbelievable moxie, a willingness to do anything to win, a refusal to admit defeat, and a sense that the world was his stage with all of the characters being actors for him to manipulate, bamboozle, and control. These traits helped LBJ reach the presidency, but they also led to a stubborn refusal to get out of Viet Nam (see volume 2).
I truly wish every president could have a biographer as skilled as Dallek. Finally, I'd like to stress the 1200 or so pages of the two vlumes are worth the effort. While the second volume gets bogged down covering our bogged down war in Viet Nam, I would not have wanted to skip over a page of volume 1
PROBABLY MORE EVEN-HANDED THAN SOME WORKS.......2004-11-18
Dallek's two volume work is probably a bit more even handed in dealing with LBJ than some of the biographies of recent years. While it is certainly not a collection of "way to go LBJ" chapters, it does go out of it's way to point out much of the good Johnson accomplished. The book appeared to be well researched and read easily. While I feel that it could have pointed out and examined Johnson's many, many flaws and their underlying source, there are indeed many other works which do so, so another good LBJ bash book was and is not probably needed at this time. I did enjoy this one and am glad I added it to my collection.
Presenting the good Lyndon.......2002-07-25
Dallek's biography has the virtue of being written by someone who clearly admires Johnson. As such, it is somewhat of a counterweight to Robert Caro and I suggest both be read for balance.
Nevertheless, in presenting the "good Lyndon", Dallek downplays the worst of Johnson. There is nothing particularly wrong with this (Dallek certainly doesn't ignore the flaws, just tends to gloss over them a little), but it does lead to a fairly tepid book, one that is nowhere near as much fun to read as Caro's. Thus, if I could only read one (which of course many readers will do considering the length of both Caro's and Dallek's presentations), I would read Caro's. Caro's second and third volumes (covering the 40's and 50's, roughly the second half of the Dallek volume being discussed here) are possibly the best political biography ever written. It is against that "competition" that Dallek's book must be weighed and I found, in the balance, that Dallek's work is merely ordinary.
The Landmark LBJ Biography.......2001-09-26
Dallek's two-volume examination of LBJ is a dramatic and nuanced examination of one the most complex figures in 20th century American history. Even almost three decades after his death, there are no shortage of people who see LBJ as the ultimate villan of American politics. Many people of this camp dislike Dallek's work, because he puts his subject in his context.
While Dallek does not excuse the sort of election fraud in which LBJ engaged, he does explain that it was wide spread. Some find this an unacceptable defense, but one should note that the sorts of tricks he describes have been wide spread in the US for most of the 19th and early 20th century. To dismiss LBJ for engaging in such activities who require similar condemnation of every US president from Adams to FDR.
Dallek in fact, is unflinching in discussing LBJ's negative side. His pension for strong arming opponents, his abuse of his staff, his womanizing and drinking, and his dirty tricks are all layed bare. At the same time, Dallek reviews how crucial LBJ was as part of the New Deal and his brave role as a champion of civil rights.
The other major LBJ biography by Caro is far less balanced in its approach to this complex and ultimately tragic figure. For a truly great and complete biography of LBJ, I suggest that you read this one.
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