Helen's Picks

Playwrights, cross-dressing spies, sham corporations, money laundering, and invisible ink--they all played a role in securing French aid for America during the Revolutionary War.  This is the history that didn't make it into early history books.  A new amazing look at the Revolutionary War.

I found it fascinating that a reporter was embedded with Custer's troops, that Custer refused to take an extra battalion and a gatling gun, and that he was planning to run for President after the Battle of Little Bighorn.  Interesting, detailed history.

This early memoir proves that Reynolds Price has always been an interesting person. It describes a young boy who paints portraits of celebrities and writes letters to generals. He recounts his family's hardships and remembers wonderful teachers. If you enjoyed ARDENT SPIRITS, read CLEAR PICTURES and get the whole story.

From orphan to the most powerful president of his time, Jackson was fearless, controversial, and stubborn. A war hero with enormous popularity, he increased political appointments, expanded the veto power, removed Native Americans from the South, crushed the national bank, and stopped South Carolina from seceding. AMERICAN LION shows how Jackson transformed the presidency from the representative of the elite to the voice of the common voter.

Austin shares his life with us...which is important as we may one day meet him in the ER. He tells us of the fears & joys of medical training and the day–to–day experience of being an ER doctor; and of balancing that emotional roller coaster while maintaining his sanity. The doctor is human — and writes very well!

In The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope, Jonathan Alter, an editor and columnist for Newsweek, focuses on FDR's struggle with polio, his election and his transformation into a great leader. Hours before FDR gave his first inauguarl address, the banking system completely collapsed. The country was in despair. FDR rallied the country with press conferences, fireside chats, and work programs. Alter gives fascinating examples of FDR's political skill and his showmanship. But the development of FDR's social and economic programs is the most interesting part of the book. The Defining Moment is a remarkable look at a time when democracy came close to failing and the one person who more than anyone else saved the country.