American Warlords: How Roosevelt's High Command Led America to Victory in World War II

Jordan, Jonathan W. (Get this book)
Attorney Jordan delivers another page-turning chronicle of World War II. Small details and little-mentioned facts make this a highly informative look at four men in charge in Washington, D.C., during that time. Throughout, the author provides astute and clever portrayals of the leaders, including Churchill's pretense to his ancestor's abilities, Stalin's displays of compassion, and FDR's meddling in naval projects. Jordan's wonderful new insight into the leaders shows how lucky we were regarding Stimson's prescient warnings about nuclear war, Marshall's long-suffering, self-effacing loyalty, and King's rough-and-ready fighting abilities. In addition to World War II buffs, other readers will enjoy the intrigue, back-stabbing, action, and diplomacy in this well-written book.--Kirkus

The China Mirage: The Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia

Bradley, James (Get this book)
Best-selling author Bradley uncovers the 19th-century plan to create a "New China" and "Americanize Asia."The author clearly feels duped by American foreign policy since the debacle in Vietnam shamed his World War II father and destroyed his soldier brother. In this relentless critique of wrongheaded thinking by government officials who did not speak the Asian languages and had little hands-on experience, Bradley focuses especially on the foreign policy of the two Roosevelts. Bradley delivers a strenuous exposé about the initial building of the "rickety bridge of fellowship crossing the Pacific." --Kirkus

Lens of War: Exploring Iconic Photographs of the Civil War

Gallman, J. Matthew/ Gallagher, Gary W. (Get this book)
A pictorial guide to the changes in our historical views of the Civil War, curated by Gallman and Gallagher.Though these iconic photographs of the war were often included in scholarly works, the authors realized that few actually took the time to analyze the pictures themselves. This book opens a new page of considerations of the people, victims and ruins; the home front, slaves, women, guerrillas and "the Destructive War." A brilliant starting point for truly understanding the Civil War. As the authors point out, there is still much to explore. --Kirkus

Washington's Circle: The Creation of the President

Heidler, David S./ Heidler, Jeanne T. (Get this book)
An elegant study on the shaping of the first presidency through the excellent people he chose to serve with him. The Heidlers create a fully fleshed portrait of the first great Founder by comparison to and contrast with the many complicated personalities he had around him. Summoned out of his happy retirement in Mount Vernon to preside as the first president of the fledgling American government, because, in the compelling words of former aide Alexander Hamilton, "a citizen of so much consequence as yourself…has no option but to lend his services if called for," Washington was painfully aware of creating appropriate precedents. Moving the capital from New York to Philadelphia, quelling sectional differences and confronting the first foreign policy crisis with England, Washington relied on a host of other unsung colleagues, including Henry Knox, Edmund Randolph and Tobias Lear. A fluid work of historical research and engaging biography. --Kirkus