Some of the best books I’ve read are those that friends suggest. I try to reciprocate. Someone suggested that I share the books I read periodically with my readers on this website. So I will give it a try.
You will find a list of the books I’ve read in the last month here, as well as a few of my thoughts about each. I tend to write summaries rather than reviews. There will also be a link to summaries that I’ve written on each book. Why do I do that? It’s how I remember things. As I read a book, I highlight passages and make a few notes. Then I write a summary based on what I have read…and what I want to remember. For most titles, I also try to list 5 or 6 highlights and some quotes from the book. I’m always surprised how much detail I remember because of this process.
People think that I must have loved doing book reports in school. No, I hated it. In the classroom reading seemed like a chore and something you did to get a grade. As I got older, I found that I wanted to read to learn. I guess that’s also why I don’t read fiction. I’ve got nothing against fiction, but it’s my preference.
One more point. No one pays me to read or endorse a book. I buy the books I read (or borrow from the library). So, my thoughts are my own.
Enough of the preamble. Here are the books, that I’ve been reading:
President Lincoln
by William Lee Miller
William Lee Miller’s President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman isn’t a full history or even a biography. It’s more like a long, detailed essay—dense, serious, and focused on Lincoln’s choices as president. The writing can feel slow, full of small details. But those details show how Lincoln’s mind worked under pressure and why his leadership mattered so much. Read My Summary Here.
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From The Twentieth Century
Timothy Snyder
Most people have thought that tyranny can’t happen here. We’ve believed that our democracy would hold no matter what challenges our nation faced. In our current political environment, some are questioning whether that still holds true. Read My Summary Here.
The Federalist Papers
by Alexander Hamilton
The Federalist Papers, published in 1787, continue to serve as the foundation for the way the US Government operates. The instructor who presented a class I attended on current events regularly quoted from the document, so I decided I should read the entire work. Read My Summary Here.
Wisdom of the Bullfrog
by William H. McRaven
Admiral McRaven shares life and leadership lessons from his time in the Navy. Each chapter offers a story, a rule, or a motto that helped him lead through tough situations. Read My Summary Here.
Big Dumb Eyes: Stories From A Simpler Mind
by Nate Bargatze
Nate Bargatze is one of my favorite stand-up comedians. His TV specials have provided me with many hours of laughter. But his book, “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from A Simpler Mind,” proves that a comedic routine doesn’t always translate to print. Read My Summary Here.
See more of my book summaries HERE.
Dave Edwards Media 