Thank You Mr. President

Growing up, history was taught the most boring way. The teacher asked us to read standing up while he dozed off. We had to memorize dates and events but we never went beyond to understand the story behind it. So, history became a slightly boring and not so important for science students. That's the worst understanding I ever had.

I started reading about American history from my uncle's library when I came to US. He had a a very good library on wide array of subjects. Recently he and I were discussing, why at certain points in time so many great people come about, it may be during American independence or Indian independence. What conditions create it?  It is fascinating to think about it. I have read few books here and there about American Independence but didn't really picked up until late 90's. My interest started to grow along with my daughter's school projects (perhaps like many of you).

The independence of America is like no other. It is just fascinating  - the decisions people took is astounding. Every word of the constitution is so beautifully crafted and to this day the whole country revolves around that single piece of document. So, for last many years, I have been fascinated by American history, its founding fathers and  then its presidents. I wish we had authors like David Mccullough writing Indian history.  We took a family trip from Williamsburg, Philadelphia, Washington and NewYork (wanted to end in Boston). It is just serene to be at Williamsburg and think what Patrick Henry said almost 250 years ago, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death".  What makes American independence so interesting and exciting ..  Washington, Adams, Jefferson,  ... the list goes on and each person brings unique character to the independence story.  I have only scratched the surface. John Adams and Jefferson were arch enemies but later become good friends. Both wrote numerous letters and both of them died on the same day (July 4, 1826) few hours apart.  Lincoln is one the great Presidents of all time. Reading about him is just pure joy. What a courage? Washington fought for independence against an enemy but Lincoln fought for an "ideal" which could have splintered the country.

Last year, we got a extra day off while visiting Carnegie Mellon with my son and thinking what do, suddenly found that Gettysburg was not too far (4 hrs drive). This was a dream come true. Both my son and I drove there (although he was not that excited).  You have to go there to experience the serenity, understand the sacrifices people did. It is a holy place.  I sat down quietly and looked at vast fields for some time, trying to immerse the vibe of the place.  It is like a Kurukshetra, the place where battle was fought for an ideal - for truth. Gettysburg is the Kurukshetra of America.

What I am trying to do here is give you a list of books I enjoyed and write few line about each of them.  I love to read books on American Independence, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and FDR.  One has to read them to experience it. One can experience the vastness of human spirit  and represented in a general, a thinker, an emancipator,  a naturalist and a great communicator.  Neither I claim any expertise nor wise observations (I read, enjoy and forget most of it ...). Beside the books, I would recommend, the following movie/mini-series to watch.

John Adams Mini Series 
Lincoln Movie
Ken Burn's Civil war
(It would be magnificent if Ken Burns could do a series about Indian Independence - his story telling is fantastic)

Here are the few books I have read and found it worth reading again.

I started with the Patriots book and then 1776. Both are excellent books from the days of Samuel Adams. The newest one quite interesting on how Washington built a  team of secret spies (CIA like).
"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

Story of Ben Franklin is really something to read. He was a multi-talented personality (a bit of womanizer also). He was an entrepreneur  at heart - starting the "Poor Richard Almanac"  book. All the famous  2-3 line quotes are from that.  Here are few:

 "Fish and visitors smell after three days."
“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.”
“Women are books, and men the readers be...” 
 

Jefferson - A truly out of the box thinker as well as complicated.  If you read some of the letters, they touch on a wide range of issues on a visionary scale.  What was he thinking when he pained down "All men are created equal" - such a profound statement in a deeply unequal times.  Was it for the future? Just to read some of his thoughts and analysis is fascinating.  Jefferson was probably the first weatherman of the country as he used volunteers (crowd sourcing)  to measure precipitation. Using that data he was predicting the rainfall.
  
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual."

In history, there only few people who have risen to the same stature as Lincoln.  The 'Team of Rivals" book is long but very fascinating. It is one of the books which once I started it, had to finish it.  I liked so much, I probably have given gifts to few of my friends as gifts. If you have to read 2 books from my list, I would read "Team of Rivals" and "1776". "Lincoln General" was also very interesting, how Lincoln worked with Generals and specially with Gen. Ulysses Grant. This is a great study on management; team building and leveraging strength.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years"

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing"

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong"

Teddy Roosevelt: A daring personality and a naturalist at heart. He created the National Parks. Because of him, we are lucky that we have a Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks. He discovered a new river in Amazon after his presidency(and it is named as  Roosevelt river now). He almost died in that trip. His stories are fascinating - courage like a lion.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
"The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people."

FDR - The great communicator. He was a rich, good looking man with high potential but everything came to a halt after Polio. But he was determined to march ahead and slowly he got into Politics and became the President. He was the only 4 term President in US history. How he rallied a country during WWII is an amazing display of leadership and conviction. His radio address was anxiously listened by all Americans. He was a great communicator. Some of his famous quotes are:

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself".

"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."

"Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough".

Why the title of my blog is "Mr. President"? When Washington was asked how to address him (King, Your Honor or .. ), he said to address him by "Mr. President". Think about it .. he was so popular .. he could have been "King Washington". That thought process of "democratic simplicity" has been a cornerstone of American democracy. Thank you Mr. President!

After reading American Independence history, I have started going back to Indian history, specially the early history (BC - 8th century). Don't read history as dates, places and names rather focus on the stories - feel it!

There are other books which I have read are fascinating in this area. Specially Jared Diamond (Gun, germs and Steel, Collapse) and Niall Ferguson  (Ascent of money, Civilization: West and the rest) books are quite interesting.

(Sorry for the long blog - it's a fascinating journey).

You are more than welcome to borrow the books if you want to read.
Happy reading!