Most of the presidential aspirants, some of whom have already faded, have published books recently, and some of them have been combining campaigning with book-selling/signing tours.
Worthy as these books may be, I’m not rushing out to buy any of them. As a regular viewer of candidate debates and consumer of political news, I have heard the candidates speak volumes already. And there are plenty of other options to include on my annual holiday list of interesting books.
A dark shadow that lingers over the political scene is the fallout from the epic financial crisis of 2008 and a variety of authors describe and analyze how and why it happened.
A dramatic behind-thescenes narrative is provided by Ross Sorkin in “Too Big to Fail.” A valuable complement is “Boomerang” by Michael Lewis, which helps explain the fiscal tsunami that hit Europe, particularly Greece, Iceland and Ireland. And“The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World,” by Daniel Yergin, deals with a primary factor in global politics and economics.
In the realm of history and international relations there are notable new books, including a definitive biography of George Kennan, often described as the architect of the U.S. Cold War policy. However, as John Lewis Gaddis makes clear in this comprehensive volume, a simple description of this brilliant and fascinating figure fails “to take into account Kennan’s contradictions and complexities.”
One of the mostsignificant individuals in recent history was Deng Xiaoping, who began the post-Mao transformation of China, setting it on the road to becoming a global power. Ezra Vogel writes an informed and thorough account of Deng’s remarkable career.
“Berlin 1961” by Frederick Kempe focuses on the Cold War showdown over Berlin, but deals more broadly with President John F. Kennedy’s challenges, beginning with the ill-advised Bay of Pigs fiasco and a “humiliating” summit with Nikita Khrushchev leading up to the construction of the Berlin Wall. While Kempe is tough on JFK, Chris Matthews offers a much more favorable view in “Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero,” which includes JFK’s time as a senator.
Speaking of senators, John L. McClellan of Arkansas, who served in the Senate from 1943 until his death in 1977, is the subject of “Fearless,” a new biography by SherryLaymon. McClellan was a major power and a fierce investigator during much of his lengthy Senate tenure and Laymon reviews his role in Washington, including his standing up to Sen.
Joseph McCarthy’s abusive tactics. She also recounts the series of family tragedies McClellan endured. He was an important figure in Arkansas and Senate history and Laymon’s book helps put that on the record.
Another noteworthy book on Arkansas politics is “Defining Moments,” Robert L. Brown’s highly readable insights on historic decisions by Arkansas governors.
Just published is “Dearest Letty: The World War II Love Letters of Sgt. Leland Duvall.” Ernie Dumas put together a selection from the hundreds of letters written by Duvall, an Arkansas farm boy, to Letty Jones of Pottsville, who later became his wife. Endearing, sometimes humorous, and descriptive of the war-time travails and travels of a young soldier, the letterswere discovered by Duvall’s daughter after his death.
Dumas, a longtime colleague of Duvall’s at the Arkansas Gazette, nicely ties the book together.
As always, there are interesting sports books to peruse, including biographies of two of baseball’s greats, men whose lifestyles were radically different.
In “The Last Boy,” Jane Leavy covers life on and off the field for Mickey Mantle - idolized by many and an incredibly talented athlete plagued by injuries and destructive behavior.
George Vecsey’s “Stan Musial: An American Life” is the story of a model citizen whose baseball career never received the national attention it deserved, although President Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year.
There were actually some significant connections between Mantle and Musial, who was Mantle’s favorite player (and mine) when he was growing up in Oklahomalistening to Cardinals broadcasts.
One more baseballrelated book: “Glory in the Fall,” Peter Golenbock’s collection of articles about great World Series moments by some of our greatest sportswriters. Published before the wonders of the most recent fall classic, you can be sure an update will be forthcoming.
For something completely different, try Susan Orlean’s “Rin Tin Tin,” the amazing, fascinating story of a famed movie dog.
Finally, although I’m not reading the books by the current presidential aspirants, a former president has some important things to say in “Back to Work.” Bill Clinton emphasizes that we need a strong private sector and a smart government working together to get America back to work.
Happy holidays and happy reading.
HOYT PURVIS IS A JOURNALISM AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PROFESSOR.
Opinion, Pages 15 on 12/25/2011