First of four books. I've never gotten around to 2 and 3, but it's a fascinating story. You learn a lot about the Depression along the way too. Not very flattering to LBJ as a person. Two-faced butt kisser who shook everyone's hand he could but didn't care who he screwed over. Also accomplished an amazing amount of stuff for people. He got electricity to a lot of impoverished people in the Texas Hill Country through his underhanded methods. He'd go on to do the same thing to get the Civil Rights Act passed, though that's not covered until book 3.
jim wrote:Next Christmas, pick up a copy of "Christmas in Plains". A great read at the holidays.
He's my grandfather's favorite president, primarily because they both grew up poor white farmers in the south. After my grandmother died, it sort of forced my grandfather to re-evaluate things. And he decided that instead of sitting around feeling sorry about things, he was going to do something with the rest of his life. He and his nephew (my mom's cousin) hopped into a car and drove all the way to Plains, Georgia just to go to church with Jimmy Carter. Somewhere, there's a picture of my grandfather with Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. It's easily my favorite picture of any member of my family.
I'm not surprised that Andrew Jackson isn't getting any love, but the man is amazingly fascinating.
You're talking about a president who challenged opponents to duels. In fact, outside of FDR and Lincoln, I don't think any other president did more to change the direction the country was going... not all was positive, but he was darned effective.
Favorite character: Jackson, (with Teddy a close second)
Most Effective: FDR
Most Influential (Modern): Reagan
Most Influential (Founding Father): Jefferson
Most Underrated: Jackson (with a nod to LBJ)
Most Overrated: Kennedy
Worst Single-Term President: Andrew Johnson
Worst Two-Term President: James Monroe
One of my favorite St Louis non landmarks is the ancient Marx Hardware on N 14 in Old N St Louis near Crown Candy.
The first time I went in there I noticed a painting of Pres Garfield hanging on the wall.
Now, I don't know about you, but I've seen a lot of Presidents portraits hanging in various places but not one of Garfield. At least not until I walked into Marx Hdwre.
So, of course, I asked the current Mr Marx why was Pres Garfield hanging on his wall.
Well, he says, my great grandpa hung it there after he got assassinated and nobody's moved it since.
