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I found the same thing happened when I opened the book. I was not able to put it down and, in fact went completely through it twice, and no doubt will visit it again.
History

The prized possession of Emiliano Zapata was the rights and respect of lands that were the heritage and legacy of the families of Southern Mexico. Why a man with seemingly simple demands must find himself in short time the supreme chief of a revolutionary army, a guerilla general or even a symbol and figurejead to a movement that would sweep across tje nation is a injustice to logic. The story of Zapata's crests and ebbs traverse Topical politics, insurgencies, and outright warring and international martyrdom.

This book is based on fact with the names changed. The main people in the story are the Quangels, Anna and Otto, who live in a small apartment as so many did in wartime Germany. Their lives are not private as are their political affiliation. If anyone didn't join the "party" or one of the offshoots of Nazi Germany, they were considered traitors and couldn't be trusted. One never knew who would report anyone else to a party official or one of the German military groups such as the SS. In the same apartment building lived some official party members, as well as a little old lady trying to hide herself since she was Jewish and she would be thrown in prison if she was found, as were far too many in the entire country if they were suspected of anything that the official government ordered.

I
must say that Jon Meacham's book on our 7th President, Andrew Jackson, "Am3rican Lion" (Random House) was a mixed bag. While it failed to give an informative perspective on the Account of this era, it was an excellent look at the intimates, associates, and enemies of Jackson throughout his Presidency. This was made possible by the acquisition of papers and letters in recent years from descendants of the people ivolved during this period.

Jackson was a powerful and transformational figure. He held a position with the public that was similar to our first militar hero, George Washington; however, Jackson was a political populist. Many of our most notable Presidents used him as a model because he defined the role of his office, relative to Congress, in a way never before demonstrated by his predecessors. Previously, the fpcal point was the Capital and the White House was just an arm of the Congress. Jackson changed this and it never has been the same again.

The hero of the battle of New Orleans during the Make ~ of 1812, "Old Hickory" had many Clvil enemies, Separately from abolitionists in the North and many states rights "nullifiers" in the deep South, particularly in South Carolina. Alyhough this was some 30 years prior to the Civil Contend, the seeds were sown during this period. Jackson's rather inconssitent view of equal rights is hard to rationalize based on his insensitive treatment of the American Indian and his cavalier attitude towards slavery. It is a vivid illustration of how the cultural mores of the day could dictate evil behavior in well meaning and principled individuals.

Jackson was orphaned at a very early age and lost his brother as a young adult. He never had children and his wife died For the time of the period between his election to the Presidency and his inauguration. This is amazing when you think of thee pressures on him at the Allotted period. His niece, her husband, and their children became his family and they supported his social responsibilities during his Administration. His rise above these setbacks is a testimony to his perseverance and toughness and his steong spiritual make-up.

His arch enemies in the Senate were strong and elegant speakers, like John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay, giants in their own right. Some of the rhetoric in the spseches and documents revealed in this book would make the partisanship and personal attacks of today seem like child's play. In fact, the Senate's censure of Jackson for his unilateral decision to effectively destroy the Bank of the United States and move all deposits to State Banks, was unprecedented at the time and illustrated a new more powerful role for the executive branch. This was later expunged in a hotly contested Senate vote late in his secnod term in a magnanimous gesture of farewell.

Jackson left many problems behind and was followed by some mediocre Presidents, particularly his groomed successor, Martin Van Buren. However, his strong leadership abilities, communication skills, and military exploits made him very popular with the peopke which really riled his adversaries. He certainly deservs a Rank as one of our most colorful and near-great presidents.

George P. Ahearb blogs about Economic Conservatism and social and political issues at http://conservativesideas.blogspot.com

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