Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternate Histories of American Politics: JFK, RFK, Carter, Ford, Reagan Review

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Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternate Histories of American Politics: JFK, RFK, Carter, Ford, Reagan Review"...playing with history is a small bit of payback for the way history has played with us."
Historical speculation may not be fruitful, but it's fun -- and former Kennedy speechwriter and longtime political journalist Jeff Greenfield definitely has his fill of it, presenting three alternate history scenarios spanning two decades. He begins with the assassination of John F. Kennedy nearly two months before his inauguration as President, resets the clock and jumps to a kitchen in Los Angeles, where JFK's brother Robert narrowly escaped an attempt on his own life. After following RFK's bitter election campaign, Greenfield restores reality again and moves us into the seventies, shortly before Gerald Ford informed Jimmy Carter that there was no Soviet domination in Eastern Europe and never would be under his administration. Here, though, Ford rallies and just barely beats Carter in the election.
Greenfield's fun at history's expense provides for some great stories: for instance, after his aggressive stance offends Kruschev, the latter decides to "put a hedgehog in Uncle Sam's pants" and forces Johnson to respond to Soviet missiles in Cuba. Later, presidential candidate Robert Kennedy confronts violent students protests in Chicago in 1968, and still later Ted Kennedy is forced to debate a man who adopts Kennedy's own brother's legacy and uses RFK's words against him. Greenfield throws in little allusions to how historical events truly played out -- both during this period and beyond. Newly-minted congressman Al Gore Jr. vows to seek a constitutional amendment that will ensure the winner of the popular vote is declared president, after a member of his own party manages to win the popular vote but lose in the electoral college: Richard Nixon grumbles that he needs a 'fair and balanced' news network that will cut him some slack; and a young Dick Cheney grumbles that "next, those bastards will be trying to privatize social security!". The book ends with a particularly humorous allusion, one that shows how ludicrously history can sometimes repeat itself.
While the author is more unkind than not to Nixon and Reagan, his bias is toward the centrist politics of Robert Kennedy rather than traditional progressivism as espoused by McGovern or Humprey. The Kennedy clan has a central role in the book: RFK's presidential campaign is its core, and the other two scenarios draw heavily on the Kennedy influence. The scenarios featured are stirringly plausible, though generally the range of the scenarios is limited. I wanted to see him explore how the space race might have unfolded with LBJ at the head, but there's no mention of it. This is part understandable, because history becomes increasingly more predictable as its scale broadens: while someone could write a book on how the early assassination of JFK altered the entire latter half of the 20th century, Greenfield doesn't -- ostensibly because there would be too many variables to deal with. He keeps the range of his scenarios small to limit the effects of chaos.
Greenfield also works in historical ripple effects into his narrative: in a world where Watergate never happens, Bob Woodward leaves the Washington Post to become a lawyer, and MASH fails after Vietnam ends on a less-than-agreeable note. Greenfield is a fine storyteller, but his flawless integration of real-life speeches into a completely different historical retelling impressed me the most. Dialogue abounds, but most of it -- Greenfield says -- is taken from the official Oval Office recordings that the various presidents kept. He devotes several dozen pages at the end of the book to explain how he drew from history to make the changes he did, which is always commendable when writing alternate history or historical fiction.
In the end, a fun romp through two decades of American politics that will especially appeal to those who feel the promise of America was shortchanged by acts of violence and like seeing Richard Nixon lose elections (repeatedly).
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Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything Review

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Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything ReviewWhether you have memory problems (can't recall the name of someone you met a week ago?) or not, you're likely to improve your memory after reading this book. Even if you don't - but odds are you will - it makes for fascinating reading.
It definitely was a major aid for me and I do think of it as a unique "self help" book, one that can have immediate results, helping to make life easier, alleviate tricky memory issues and more. I think it is important to disclose that I'm a Baby Boomer and my memory seems to have worsened with age. I used to recall the name of nearly everyone I met as well as both major and minor actors and actresses, all of my teachers (from kindergarten through high school) as well as the first and last names of every one of my high school classmates. I could recall even tiny details of books read long ago.
But Moonwalking with Einstein goes far beyond remembering the names of acqaintances. It can help make your daily life easier, aiding you when you try to find lost items - or keep them from getting lost in the first place- and actually train you to find ways to improve your memory.
For added fun, the author includes examples of people who have amazing abilities to recall things. I wondered if at least one of them could give Vegas a run for its money or even be banned from casinos. Although I don't plan to test my abilities in Vegas, I have been practicing in casual card games, with gratifying results. The surprised looks from friends and family members was worth the cost of the book.
I'd strongly recommend you give this one a try. The techniques can even be fun for a whole family to share - and test -together. And c'mon...how can you pass up a book which explores "the art and science of remembering everything"?Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything Overview

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Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life Review

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Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life ReviewIf you truly cannot find one good thing to say about this book that you like or could identify with there are only two explanations - one you have not read it and the second is you would have to be a totally heartless human being .
This book is written from the heart and that is where it reaches you when you read it. The stories contained within are insightful with wit and comedy throughout but also serious with parts that will move you to tears and likely give you pause .
Here we get a " Backstage pass " to glimpse the people , places and stories that molded the life and character of Michael Moore . Getting a glimpse of his family history and the things that influenced him to become the man he is today. A man of Character and Moral Fortitude with a deep compassion toward not just his fellow Citizen but Humanity in general .
Those of you who have seen his documentary work may have noticed these great quality's about him already as it is an outstanding quality that is easily recognized
In these days of materialism and the fake and phony players among us who preach but do not practice , Micheal Moore stands out as one who is true to the belief of his convictions and the Courage to live act upon them even when its risky to do so. Michael Moore reminds us of what is and should be important to us
What it means to do the right thing for the right reasons .
The price paid for all Americans to have freedom and liberty and the cost of loosing them .
Where honesty and integrity are the true marks of a wealthy man
kindness is not a sign of weakness but of strength
helping your neighbor is done not because it is required or you will make money from it but because it is the right and good thing to do.

Taken as whole his body of work reminds us that injustice against any people anywhere is not acceptable and each of us is called to act when we see it taking place.
Fairness and equality for all not just the few who can buy it is absolutely neccesary to achieve a Nation that is strong and productive .

These basic values are vitally important to keep a Nation whole , healthy and should not be left to deteriorate /decline any further.
Michael Moore must truly love America and all that it stands for and has shown this in his inability to stand silently by and watch injustice or corruption run amok unchecked while it destroys the lives of his fellow citizens and weakens our whole nation.
We have watched him as he has taken on the big guys to stand up for the little guys And while we were entertained he and his family were assailed.

Remember back to the days in this country when a handshake and promise were as good as gold, people left their doors unlocked and trusted and helped their neighbor, wages paid enough to support a family with one man working one full time job ? May bring some readers nostalgia for the fond memory's of that past time in our country and .. sorrow because of the loss of trust and divisions that have marked this century and left a wound in the soul of our Nation .
When a Documentary film maker in America is forced to hire his own personal army of body guard's for protection simply because he expressed dissent against the ruling political party and their policy's of the time you cant help but notice the implications.
Reading about what he went through should give every citizen pause because this testament reflects a deeper sickness in our county, one that threatens every citizens individual and collective freedom to have their own truth and beliefs and express them

Other Country's that do not profess to have freedom of speech and liberty to dissent against those in Power is where one would expect to find such a testament ... Not in America.
Yet this is in fact a story of what happened to a American citizen from his own citizens in America .
What have we become ? A nation so divided , so eager to stir up hate toward our fellow citizens that a difference in your opinion warrants such extreme actions and thoughts of murder ?


Whether you are a fan of Micheal Moore already or not this is a great memoir written beautifully . Michael Moore has another great talent , he is an excellent story teller . I just Could not put it down and I am grateful to have the opportunity to read it be moved and be inspired by it.
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