2018 Pulitzer Prize winner in the Biography category. Having watched Little House on the Prairie on television growing up the book about the life of L2018 Pulitzer Prize winner in the Biography category. Having watched Little House on the Prairie on television growing up the book about the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder is interesting. I was quite taken with her level of optimism in a life where her and her family struggled mightily at times. Wilder is quoted as saying "The most valuable thing for life never changes by time or place. It is to be honest and cheerful, to find happiness in what you have, and to have courage in hardships." I give this book 4 stars....more
Jeffrey Stewart won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 in the Biography category for his book about Alain Locke. Alain Locke lived from 1885 to 1954 and was tJeffrey Stewart won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 in the Biography category for his book about Alain Locke. Alain Locke lived from 1885 to 1954 and was the first black Rhodes Scholar. He dedicated his adult life to promoting black history with a focus on the arts and later civil rights. There book is very detailed and long but worth the journey to learn about such an accomplished leader in our country's history. I give this book 4 stars....more
Les Payne and Tamara Payne won the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography category this year, 2021, for their book, The Dead Are Arising, the Life of Malcom Les Payne and Tamara Payne won the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography category this year, 2021, for their book, The Dead Are Arising, the Life of Malcom X. I learned so much about Malcom X and the Nation of Islam from this book including the meaning of the X in his name. This book is very well researched and organized from Malcom's birth in 1925 through his assassination in 1965. I give this book 5 stars....more
Benjamin Moser won the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography category for his book about the Life and Work of Susan Sontag. She was arguably one of the mostBenjamin Moser won the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography category for his book about the Life and Work of Susan Sontag. She was arguably one of the most recognizable writers of her generation and wrote numerous essays and novels. She was born in 1933 and died of cancer in 2004. It was her third bout with this disease. Susan spoke out on many topics in her writing including the Vietnam and Iraq wars. There are also interesting chapters in the book about the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in New York City. I give this book 4 stars....more
Debby Applegate won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 in the Biography category for her book, The most famous man in America. The book tells the story of HenDebby Applegate won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 in the Biography category for her book, The most famous man in America. The book tells the story of Henry Ward Beecher, brother of Harriett Beacher Stowe who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. The story takes place in the 1800's and details the rise of Henry Ward Beecher as a Preacher to his adulterous scandal which captivated the nation in the late 1800's. I give this book 4 stars....more
William Finnegan won the Pulitzer Prize in the biography category in 2016 for Barbarian Days, A Surfing Life. This book is all about the author's lifeWilliam Finnegan won the Pulitzer Prize in the biography category in 2016 for Barbarian Days, A Surfing Life. This book is all about the author's lifetime passion for finding and surfing the best waves. He travels all over the world to surf and provides some vivid writing about surfing in exotic places. In between surfing adventure stories you learn about his life from his early surfing days as a youth to becoming a writer and author into his 50's. I enjoyed this book very much and give it 4 stars. The book is a testament to pursuing your passion in life....more
Megan Marshall won the Pulitzer Prize in 2014 for her book, "Margaret Fuller". Margaret was born in New England in 1810 in a period when women were veMegan Marshall won the Pulitzer Prize in 2014 for her book, "Margaret Fuller". Margaret was born in New England in 1810 in a period when women were very much oppressed. She was educated by her Father and intellectually superior to most of the men of her time, articulate and quick witted. She was an excellent writer and wrote "Woman in the Nineteenth Century" focusing on women's rights. She was the Literary Editor of the New York Tribune and the first female foreign correspondent traveling to Europe. Margaret had some noteworthy friends including Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Thoreau, Caroline Sturgis, Edgar Allen Poe and Horace Greeley, founder of New York Tribune. She married later in life and had a son while in Italy and the book details the tragic end to her life in 1850. Margaret Fuller was an early pioneer in women's rights. I enjoyed this book very much and give it 4 stars....more
John F. Kennedy won the Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage in 1957. Written in 1955 by the junior Senator from Massachusetts it is a book about 8 John F. Kennedy won the Pulitzer Prize for Profiles in Courage in 1957. Written in 1955 by the junior Senator from Massachusetts it is a book about 8 Senators who displayed courage in defending their beliefs to preserve our nation at the expense of personal and political interest. The 8 Senators include John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Sam Houston, Thomas Hart Benton, Edmund G.Ross, Lucius Lamar, George Norris and Robert Taft. The version I read had an introduction by Caroline Kennedy (2003) and the foreward was by Robert Kennedy (December 18, 1963). This was an extremely interesting history lesson and demonstration of courage and integrity by these 8 senators. They held to their beliefs and were courageous enough to speak out despite significant repercussions. I give this book 4 stars....more
Arthur Schlesinger Jr. was the Special Assistant and Court Historian to President Kennedy. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1966 for this book which chronArthur Schlesinger Jr. was the Special Assistant and Court Historian to President Kennedy. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1966 for this book which chronicles Kennedy's presidential nomination in 1960 to his assassination November 23, 1963. The book is over 1,000 pages but is worth the journey as you get a behind the scenes glimpse into President Kennedy's thoughts about the key decisions he made as president. You will also better understand Kennedy's intellect, optimism, sense of humor and focus on racial equality. Ironically, many of the issues President Kennedy dealt with were the same as we have today including China, Russia, foreign aid, racial equality & economic prosperity to name a few. I give this book 5 stars....more