What are you reading?

Kobi · 04-30-2013, 08:46 AM

Where they stand : the American presidents in the eyes of voters and historians

by Robert W. Merry.

The rating of American presidents is a popular fascination for scholars and citizens alike. Merry believes that professionals' opinions are, however, sometimes out of sync with those of the people and, specifically, the electorate that installed or repudiated a president.

Therefore, he accords the vox populi weight equal to the verdicts of seven polls of historians conducted over past decades. The professors and the voters exhibit no differences over who were the best presidents Washington, Lincoln, and FDR but they diverge over nominees for the near-great category; electorates liked Jackson and Reagan, but historians have been critical. Likewise, the dons praise Wilson and Truman, whereas the people voted their parties out of power.

To bridge such discrepancies, Merry combines fluid commentary on what impresses historians and application of his rule for the populace's standard of approval, rewarding an incumbent with a second term and succession by his party's nominee. Anything less plunges a president down the scale to average or failure, with near-great Polk as a conspicuous exception.

BowtiePrincess · 04-30-2013, 09:38 AM

Scars of Sweet Paradise The Life and Times of Janis Joplin

Ascot · 04-30-2013, 10:53 AM

I Shudder at Your Touch-22 Tales of Sex and Horror

Steven King, Clive Barker and 20 others.

Semantics · 05-07-2013, 06:25 AM

I'm rereading George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Season 3 of Game of Thrones is awesome and it's been awhile since I've read the earlier books in the series.

I'm a little irritated that Martin is releasing The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister at the end of this year. It's a lesson in patience, since I really want the next book in the series instead, and he takes so long to write them.

Call it an irrational fear, but George isn't a young man and the times when I consider that he could potentially die before finishing the series are pearl-clutching moments.

PinkieLee · 05-07-2013, 07:25 AM

I picked this up the other night.....

Apocalipstic · 05-07-2013, 07:55 AM

Dr. Feelgood: The Story of the Doctor Who Influenced History by Treating and Drugging Prominent Figures Including President Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley
by Richard A. Lertzman , William J. Birnes

&

12th of Never: Women's Murder Club, Book 12
by James Patterson , Maxine Paetro

&

Adult Children of Alcoholics workbook

& Re-reading

A Short History of Nearly Everything
by Bill Bryson

A nice mix of history, trash and personal growth. lol

LukeCian · 05-07-2013, 08:03 AM

Piece of Cake - Cupcake Brown

The Coldest Winter Ever - Sister Soldier

Private - James Patterson

04-30-2013, 08:46 AM	#1
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,617 Times in 7,640 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	Where they stand : the American presidents in the eyes of voters and historians by Robert W. Merry. The rating of American presidents is a popular fascination for scholars and citizens alike. Merry believes that professionals' opinions are, however, sometimes out of sync with those of the people and, specifically, the electorate that installed or repudiated a president. Therefore, he accords the vox populi weight equal to the verdicts of seven polls of historians conducted over past decades. The professors and the voters exhibit no differences over who were the best presidents Washington, Lincoln, and FDR but they diverge over nominees for the near-great category; electorates liked Jackson and Reagan, but historians have been critical. Likewise, the dons praise Wilson and Truman, whereas the people voted their parties out of power. To bridge such discrepancies, Merry combines fluid commentary on what impresses historians and application of his rule for the populace's standard of approval, rewarding an incumbent with a second term and succession by his party's nominee. Anything less plunges a president down the scale to average or failure, with near-great Polk as a conspicuous exception. __________________

04-30-2013, 10:53 AM	#3
Ascot Member How Do You Identify?: Preppy Butch artist Relationship Status: Riding solo Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North of the Emerald City Posts: 1,135 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 179 Thanked 2,487 Times in 549 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	I Shudder at Your Touch-22 Tales of Sex and Horror Steven King, Clive Barker and 20 others. __________________ Now, if I could just find a way to get paid for what I can do with my tongue and a cherry stem.

05-07-2013, 07:55 AM	#6
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,362 Times in 2,838 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Dr. Feelgood: The Story of the Doctor Who Influenced History by Treating and Drugging Prominent Figures Including President Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley by Richard A. Lertzman , William J. Birnes & 12th of Never: Women's Murder Club, Book 12 by James Patterson , Maxine Paetro & Adult Children of Alcoholics workbook & Re-reading A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson A nice mix of history, trash and personal growth. lol __________________

04-30-2013, 09:38 AM	#2
BowtiePrincess Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: Happily taken Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: One red light, TN Posts: 219 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 565 Thanked 522 Times in 140 Posts Rep Power: 9425364	Scars of Sweet Paradise The Life and Times of Janis Joplin

05-07-2013, 06:25 AM	#4
Semantics Senior Member How Do You Identify?: malapropist Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New England Posts: 2,169 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,367 Thanked 3,963 Times in 1,201 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I'm rereading George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Season 3 of Game of Thrones is awesome and it's been awhile since I've read the earlier books in the series. I'm a little irritated that Martin is releasing The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister at the end of this year. It's a lesson in patience, since I really want the next book in the series instead, and he takes so long to write them. Call it an irrational fear, but George isn't a young man and the times when I consider that he could potentially die before finishing the series are pearl-clutching moments.

05-07-2013, 07:25 AM	#5
PinkieLee Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: I need ya boo, gotta see ya boo Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Big Money Texas Posts: 4,708 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,309 Thanked 13,075 Times in 3,049 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I picked this up the other night.....

05-07-2013, 08:03 AM	#7
LukeCian Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: Jake Tulane Relationship Status: Can you adjust suspenders and a bow tie? Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: New York Posts: 224 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,050 Thanked 805 Times in 207 Posts Rep Power: 0	Piece of Cake - Cupcake Brown The Coldest Winter Ever - Sister Soldier Private - James Patterson