My first pick, for the first president, is His Excellency: George Washington, by Joseph J. Ellis. This is one of those books I should have read already, as I borrowed it from my parents last year. But I also borrowed several other books at the same time, and this was one I returned this year unread. But it stayed on my "to read" list and I knew my library had a copy. So it seemed like a logical first pick.
I have read Ellis before, namely the Pulitzer Prize winning Founding Brothers. I enjoyed the stories he chose to tell and the way he told them. I am interested to see how his style translates into a book length biography.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
My Reading Log
I've always loved reading. My wife makes fun of me (lovingly) because I always have a book or two within arm's reach. But while I read a lot, lately I've had a desire to diversify my reading.
I frequently come up with reading lists for this purpose. Hugo and Nebula winners, Pulitzer winners, best sellers, books I should have read in high school, etc. More often than not, I read a few titles on my list and then never finish the rest. This time around I came up with a list that, for me, is a little different.
I've decided to read a biography of each of the US Presidents. I've always had a liking for American history. But outside of the Civil War, I haven't read much about it. And having grown up near DC, I have a casual interest in the presidency. I figured I ought to be able to find some interesting books to read. And with some of the more obscure presidents, it should be fun tracking down their biographies.
In my experience, I do better with my various lists when I keep a reading log of some sort. So that's what this is; my way of being acountable in my reading goal. It may still be slow, probably one biography every couple of weeks. I realize that's over a year and a half, but it's a pace I'm sure I can handle.
I have some general rules for myself in this endeavor. While the book doesn't have to focus on the presidency, it does need to be mainly about the president. It needs to focus on the man, rather than just the time period. I'd rather it be broader than just a single event in the president's life. And it needs to be a book I haven't read before. We shall see how it goes.
I am heading to the library tomorrow to pick up a book on George Washington and get this thing started.
I frequently come up with reading lists for this purpose. Hugo and Nebula winners, Pulitzer winners, best sellers, books I should have read in high school, etc. More often than not, I read a few titles on my list and then never finish the rest. This time around I came up with a list that, for me, is a little different.
I've decided to read a biography of each of the US Presidents. I've always had a liking for American history. But outside of the Civil War, I haven't read much about it. And having grown up near DC, I have a casual interest in the presidency. I figured I ought to be able to find some interesting books to read. And with some of the more obscure presidents, it should be fun tracking down their biographies.
In my experience, I do better with my various lists when I keep a reading log of some sort. So that's what this is; my way of being acountable in my reading goal. It may still be slow, probably one biography every couple of weeks. I realize that's over a year and a half, but it's a pace I'm sure I can handle.
I have some general rules for myself in this endeavor. While the book doesn't have to focus on the presidency, it does need to be mainly about the president. It needs to focus on the man, rather than just the time period. I'd rather it be broader than just a single event in the president's life. And it needs to be a book I haven't read before. We shall see how it goes.
I am heading to the library tomorrow to pick up a book on George Washington and get this thing started.
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