Collective Biography and Historical Vignettes

Two books for today's entry:

The King Whisperers: Power Behind the Throne, from Rasputin to Rove by Kerwin Swint (2011)

Swint's book is a bit of a mixed bag. Some persons he profiles are well-known (Cardinal Richelieu) and some obscure (Empress Theodora of Byzantium), some are quite far back in history (Haman from the Old Testament) and a few contemporary (James Carville). In all, more than 40 individuals are given brief profiles organized under ten chapter headings like "Kingmakers": and "Schemers." The one chapter that really seems out of place is the one devoted to "Spies."

For a book entitled The King Whisperers, the selection of personalities tilts to Americans rather unexpectedly. There is an entire chapter, "The Fixers," devoted solely to a half dozen US political consultants of the 20th century as well as an entry for "Big Jim" Farley under the heading of "Kingmakers." And, also an entry for Alexander Hamilton, described as "America's Founding Machiavellian."

There are four Romans, two Japanese, and a few Muslim figures profiled. The rest are Europeans from the renaissance to WW2. The absence of any mention of sub-Saharan Africa may be understandable, but mainland Asia gets only two entries (one each from India and Red China) and all of Latin America only one mention ("Che" Guevara). If you want an insight into the author's politics, read the generally laudatory and sympathetic portrayal of Guevara.

Not a great book, and largely drawing on secondary sources, but it is readable and suitable for taking in small doses of a dozen pages or so at a time. Political junkies may enjoy it.

Project President: Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House by Ben Shapiro (2007)

Ben Shapiro has delivered a rather entertaining look at the history of American presidential elections viewed in an unconventional manner. Rather than discussing campaigns in terms of Eastern commercial interests vs. agricultural reions, free vs. slave states, tariffs, or other issues, Shapiro invites us to xamine such weighty matters as cowboy boots and facial hair.

Fans of American politics and history will likely find a few new tidbits to reward them for the slight effort of perusing  Project President.