Being George Washington

Being George Washington
By: Glenn Beck
Genre: Political Biography (of Washington - not Beck)

 In the book Being George Washington, Glenn Beck writes of the life of George Washington. Everything from a young teen who gave up sailing (to support his mother) to the battle of Valley Forge, to the Constitutional Convention, George Washington was a man of morals. He constantly worked at making sure he did everything "for the hand of Divine Providence".  Though it seemed like reading a biography of our first president, Beck points out the morals and characteristics that made Washington the man he was. I believe Beck wrote this book trying to get each reader to think about their own morals/characteristics and how they can make an impact on our country. Beck doesn't press his political view points upon the reader in this book!
While the biography of George Washington was facinating (this coming from someone who loves to read about history), I found myself thinking about the characteristics that God gave me. Do I use those to make an impact on others (in a positive manner) to improve our country? Or do I simply conform to what the government wants (and not make much of an impact). Washington didn't set out to be perfect, he simply wanted to do the best he could for the glory of God.
 "Being George Washington was not easy - and neither is attempting to live by the standard he set. But if Washington taught us one thing, it's that doing the easy thing is rarely the right thing, and doing the right thing is rarely easy." (p. 247). An important thing to keep in mind when thinking of the kind of impact you make on a daily basis...

I really enjoyed this book. Please be warned - this is not a "thriller" like Killing Lincoln was. It was a great book, but it is different from Killing Lincoln. 
Comments please...

Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever...

The book Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever  by: Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard is AMAZING!!!  This is not a political perspective (from O'Reilly) nor is it just "another book about Lincoln". It's a thriller about what took place that fateful week in 1865...

Mr. O'Reilly starts off the book writing about President Lincoln's bravery as he travels about on the River Queen (a steamboat) in Petersburg, Virginia. The date is April 1, 1865. Lincoln knows that if the battle is won there (General Lee will either be trapped or surrender), it will bring the end to the war. A war that Lincoln is ready to have end.  Chapter two and three get into the battle between Generals Grant and Lee.
But chapter 4 will introduce you to John Wilkes Booth. Yes, everyone knows that he was the mastermind behind Lincoln's assassination. But what drove Mr. Booth to assassinate the President? He was a southern "gentleman" who did not have a good relationship with his father or brothers and tended to be racist,  was engaged to a beautiful woman, worked as an actor, was not locked into fighting the war, and yet he wanted to kill...

Beginning on April 1, 1865 each chapter leads up to the assassination of President Lincoln. It involves multiple perspectives (Mary Todd Lincoln, Mary Surratt, John Surratt, Lincoln's personal body guard, General Grant, JW Booth's family, Lafayette  C. Baker - a Union Spy, and many others) as their fates are involved in one of our country's most devistating days.  This book reads as a thriller (for those who love suspense like me), full of historical facts (for those who are historical buffs), and of murder (Lincoln's assassination was not the only one that took place that fateful day). 

I highly recommend reading this book!!! Once you have read it, I recommend watching the movie The Conspirator. It's about Mary Surratt and her son John. Mary was the first woman to be executed by the government. The movie speaks of the involvement of her son John, and the blame that she took because of the guys he hung out with.  

Okay...that's my first book post. The second one will be coming soon. Until then, either read the book (what I would recommend doing) or leave me some feedback!

The books are alive!!!

After watching this video on yahoo, a smile came to my face.  The books are alive.

http://comedy.video.yahoo.com/?vid=27876460

Welcome to Kristin's Book Nook

Welcome to my new book blog.  I love to read and being a librarian, it's my job to pass on the love of reading to others. After keeping track of all the books read (and their page numbers) for 2011, I decided it was time to blog about the books I've read. Throughout this journey, I will share all about the books I'm reading. Keep in mind that some of the books I read are books for kids, young adults, adults and include genres of all types.  Feedback is most welcome! If you have read the book and have a different opinion of it I want to know what your opinion is and why. 

Thanks for checking out my blog...happy reading!!!