Retiring Right, Third Edition: Planning for Successful Retirement (Retiring Right)

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In the tradition of Garry Wills's modern classic Lincoln at Gettysburg, Ronald C. White Jr. offers a close reading of the speech Abraham Lincoln gave in 1865 at his second inauguration and declares it the man's finest and most important effort. It contains one of Lincoln's best-known lines ("With malice toward none; with charity for all"), which White admires as "a timeless promise of reconciliation." At the same time, White reminds readers that rather than yanking such brilliant rhetorical nuggets from their context, "We need to understand Lincoln's strategy for the complete speech." He provides this in some detail, describing the political environment in which Lincoln found himself, having recently won a presidential election that he nearly lost and also seeing the Confederacy begin to collapse for good. It was not a long speech, containing only 701 words of mostly one syllable each and requiring merely six or seven minutes to deliver, compared to about 35 minutes for the inaugural address he had given four years earlier. White calls these words Lincoln's "last will and testament to America." John Wilkes Booth, who attended the inaugural ceremony, would murder him the next month. Lincoln buffs in particular will appreciate this book, as will fans of Jay Winik's April 1865. --John Miller

Book Description

As the day for Lincoln's second inauguration drew near, Americans wondered what their sixteenth president would say about the Civil War. Would Lincoln guide the nation toward "Reconstruction"? What about the slaves? They had been emancipated, but what about the matter of suffrage? When Lincoln finally stood before his fellow countrymen on March 4, 1865, and had only 703 words to share, the American public was stunned. The President had not offered the North a victory speech, nor did he excoriate the South for the sin of slavery. Instead, he called the whole country guilty of the sin and pleaded for reconciliation and unity.

In this compelling account, noted historian Ronald C. White Jr. shows how Lincoln's speech was initially greeted with confusion and hostility by many in the Union; commended by the legions of African Americans in attendance, abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass among them; and ultimately appropriated by his assassin John Wilkes Booth forty-one days later.

Filled with all the facts and factors surrounding the Second Inaugural, Lincoln's Greatest Speech is both an important historical document and a thoughtful analysis of Lincoln's moral and rhetorical genius.

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites.......2007-03-17

This is a short book about one brilliant speech written and delivered by a great president only about a month before his death. It's focused and poignant. I first encountered it when our book group read it and every member in the group enjoyed it. Anyone can get a lot out of White's careful examination of Lincoln's masterpiece -- which is why I buy it as a gift for young as well as older recipients.

Lincoln, Scripture, God, Greatest Speech, elements of a great book.......2007-01-05

The book draws a lot of conclusions about why Lincoln said what he said in this speech. It contrasts his apparent convictions before the war to the ones he had near the close of it. It suggests that Lincoln summed up his position, for a political purpose, and picked his words very carefully. Reconciliation may have been his only purpose but maybe he felt safe saying what he really believed knowing that it would be seen as reconciliation.

A Presidential speech drawing heavily on scripture and talking about God's purpose is just unique enough on its own.

He said, "One side would make war rather than let the nation survive and the other would accept it rather than let it parish". He seemed to be talking to both sides. As he stood back and tried to define the moment in time he suggested something about both sides that was healing. He said that both side's prayers could not be answered but neither had been fully answered. Offering malice towards none and charity for all again took the focus off of the individuals involved and directed religious principles at what the healing would be all about.

The speech was brilliant and the book convinces you of that. The question of what Lincoln really thought is not totally answered. Based on the message he delivered and the timing you will probably be left convinced that this really was his greatest speech.

Check your facts before writing a review.......2006-08-27

One of the previous reviewers has no idea what he is saying. I worked at Gettysburg, and 56,000 people did not die there in three days. First of all, the number of casualties was not that high, it was more like 52,000. Secondly, the term "casualties" includes killed, mortally wounded, wounded, and captured. So 52,000 did not die at Gettysburg, but about 10,600 died, if you include both killed and mortally wounded. The remaining 40,000+ casualties were either wounded or captured.

Similarly, all the numbers presented in all the other battles are CASUALTIES, which refers to killed, mortally wounded, wounded, and captured. Those numbers do not represent the DEAD.

Vietnam had 58,000 DEAD, not total CASUALTIES.

Great Service.......2006-08-25

The book was ordered, shipped the same day and received 2 days later. Couldn't have been more pleased.

Excellent interpretation of a great speech.......2006-02-18

The words of the second inaugural address are very moving and have great relevance for today. Ronald White examines the cultural, historical, and Biblical context for this speech. He explains how Lincoln underwent a dramatic change in what he perceived to be the causes of the Civil War. Going far beyond the usual states rights versus preservation of the Union discussion, White traces Lincoln's change of thought in clear and well-researched terms. The journey from preservation of the Union to judgment/grace theology is a fascinating one that is not often discussed in history classes today. In addition to the great research primary presented in the book, White's writing style is engaging enough to catch the interest of those who normally wouldn't pick up a history book.

Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural

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Lincoln's Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural
Ronald C. White
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Rhetoric | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books
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Still Needed in the Internet Age!.......2004-03-31

In the age of Google and the Internet, Who's Who in America is still the standard reference work to find information about the elite. From businessmen to spacemen, from actors to academics, "Who's Who" catalogues America's elite like no other guide available.

Unlike other "Who's Who" directories, the Marquis Who's Who maintains a vetting system; they don't just list people to sell more volume (as that would dilute its authority). Each listing has the person's full name, profession (including areas of expertise), birthday, year and place of birth, names of parents, spouse, children, education, career, writings, clubs and other memberships, and contact information, all arranged in alphabetical order.

This guide is a necessity for anyone who would like to work with America's elite.

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Inspirational, without being syrupy!.......2000-11-30

These two people are to be admired for their tenacity and will to survive obstacles that aren't expected in the "golden years." The book is comfortable to read, as each one takes turn telling the story of their four-year "adventure", filled with stories that would make some people give up. Their humor underlines most of the incidents, however the reader feels their anquish, anger, and doubts. One of the highlights of the past year was when my husband and I met Ed and Jacklin and felt, as well as witnessed, their energy.

Book Description

The legendary television star tells the backstage stories of the classic comedy of Your Show of Shows, Caesar's Hour, and other landmark programs.

It is no exaggeration to say that without Sid Caesar, comedy in America would have been a lot less funny. He was the star and guiding force behind Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, two of the most innovative programs in the Golden Age of Television, and the writers and stars of those shows went on to create the plays, movies, and sitcoms that we now think of as classic American comedy. So many of our greatest comedy writers--Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart, Woody Allen--were part of Sid Caesar's creative troupe. Sid was a master not only of comedic performance, but also of developing characters that the audience could relate to, finding the humor in ordinary situations rather than through vaudeville-type gags. His was a comedy truly drawn from the human condition.

Caesar's Hours is Sid Caesar 's artistic autobiography, his account of how these great routines were fashioned and performed, and the interactions that gave birth to them. He takes us inside the famed writers' room, the rehearsal studios, and onto the stage itself, where some of the funniest moments in television history came to life. To read his book is to learn why his intelligent and sensitive brand of humor resonates so much with us, even half a century later.

Customer Reviews:

A Pioneer.......2005-05-25

Here is a man that not only made the world laugh, he could poke fun at himself. Sid Caesar set an example for countless comedians to follow. He makes the history of early television come alive. This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

HAIL, CAESAR!..........2005-02-27

This is a wonderful memoir that takes the reader down memory lane. As anyone one reading this biography knows, Sid Caesar was one of the foremost comedians of his time. In fact, he was actually ranked the third all time great comedian (after Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball) by a documentary about the greatest comedians of all time, which documentary was featured on the A & E cable television channel.

I know that my parents used to watch Cid Caesar's ground breaking television program, "Your Show of Shows". I myself was too young to have any recollection of it. I do, however, recall that as a young child, together with my family, I watched his subsequent show in the latter half of the nineteen fifties, "Caesar's Hour". Sid Caesar was the then king of comedy, and he broke trail for many of the comedians that were to follow him. Many of the greatest comedic writers to ever write for television started out writing for his shows. Greats such as Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Woody Allen were among some of his writers. No wonder that era was heralded as the Golden Age of Television!

In his memoir, Sid Caesar talks only a little about himself on a very personal level. Still, he comes across as an intelligent man who dearly loves his wife of over sixty years. He acknowledges his personal foibles, such as a drinking problem that, at times, threatened to overwhelm him, as well as a never ending quest for creative perfection. This book is not so much about Caesar, the man, but rather about Caesar, the performing artist. Consequently, Sid Caesar the man remains a bit of a mystery. On the other hand, Sid Caesar, the performer, comes vividly to life. This is more of an artistic autobiography rather than a personal one.

He lovingly reminisces about how he got his start on the road to fame and fortune. Born in 1922 in Yonkers, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Poland and Russia, Sid was an accomplished musician who could play the saxophone with the best of them. Having started out as a musician, Sid Caesar would cut his comedic teeth in the borscht belt of the Catskill Mountains. It was there that he would also meet Florence, the love of his life. At the onset of World War II, Sid would play with a number of orchestras in Manhattan, before signing up with the Coast Guard in 1942, and in 1943 he married his beloved Florence.

While in the Coast Guard, Sid became part of a successful revue for the troops, which raised his profile. This propelled him to Hollywood after his discharge from the Coast Guard, where he would become involved in the movie industry, starring in a number of comedies. From there, he would go on to perform for the nightclub circuit on the East Coast. Sid was not a stand-up comedian, but rather, a comedic sketch artist. From there it would be a short trip to Broadway, where Sid would achieve tremendous success in a revue called "Make Mine Manhattan", in which he would turn in an award-winning performance. This would lead him right to television, which was still in its nascent stage, and into the homes and hearts of millions of Americans.

This book is chock full of information on the early days of television, which had more in common with theatre and stage work than with film, as it was live television. Undoubtedly, this factor was responsible for much of the frenetic pace and spontaneity which existed. Today, television is more like film rather than stage work, as very little is shot live. Sid Caesar lovingly lays out for the reader many of his comedic sketches that were his special shtick. He meticulously explains how his comedic routines were fashioned and performed.

He speaks glowingly about his wonderful professional partnership with the late Imogene Coca, the googly-eyed comedienne, with whom he would be in perfect comedic harmony. They would make beautiful music together with their hilarious sketches that parodied slices of life and the human condition. Together, these two would touch a chord among audiences that would forever enshrine them in television history, making them the golden couple of the Golden Age of Television.

This is an engaging artistic biography that will appeal to fans of Sid Caesar and to those with an interest in the early years of television. Those readers who enjoy memoirs and biographies will likewise find this to be a worthwhile and interesting book.

Tells how his routines were fashioned and performed.......2004-05-16

Sid Caesar was the star of Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, two of the most innovative and popular programs in the Age of Television and a creator of some of the greatest comedy writers of his times. This informative autobiography tells how his routines were fashioned and performed, and examines the methods and creations of the writers who made him famous.

A Masterpiece!.......2004-04-03

I wholeheartedly recommend Caesar's Hours. Not only is this book an autobiography, but also an encyclopedia of sorts. Sid eloquently writes of his early years growing up in New York, his numerous tries at breaking into show business, his service to the country during WWII, and finally, his years on 'Your Show of Shows' and 'Caesar's Hour'. Along the way, Sid shares some of his favorite jokes and sketches that he has used during his reign as TV legend.

What makes Sid even more commendable and the book even more facinating, is how Sid gives credit to all those who helped him along the way. While most entertainers take all the credit, Sid carefully notes his comedy writers and fellow actors who, together, are the reason for his and the shows' great success.

I recommend this book to anyone wishing to read about Sid's life, and all those who want to know just how difficult it was to produce a show a week, in an entertainment medium that was in its infancy.

A magnificant work from the last of the Televion Legends!

Book Description

Beginning with her childhood, Maracle traces her teenaged years and adulthood during the 1960's, '70's, and '80's. "...a valuable book about one remarkable women's spiritual quest..." - The Gazette, Montreal

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