WASHINGTON

His Excellency: George Washington
$15.00
This is my first Washington biography, which I picked up based on the 4-star/245-review rating. I guess I should have spent more time reading the feedback before purchasing.

I agree with most of the skeptical reviews already posted regarding this book, so I won't reiterate those points of contention here. Instead, I'd like to point out additional concerns I noticed in the book after Washington's dismissal of the Continental Army and the return of regional authority to the Continental Congress (starting in Chapter 6, pg. 188). At that point, the portrayal of Washington's presidency didn't seem to jive with other historical volumes I've read previously, and this is when I believe Ellis's 20th-century bias blooms in full color.

At every opportunity during the telling of Washington's two terms as President, Ellis glorifies Hamilton and the Federalist cause ("consolidated" government) while vilifying every maneuver and objection by Jefferson and Madison (Republican -- dispersed government) as underhanded if not outright treasonous (pg. 247). Ellis glosses over Hamilton's unconstitutional creation of the National Bank (pg. 204), the wholly inappropriate Jay Treaty that guaranteed future war with Great Britain (pg. 226), and the scandalous conspiracy behind the near-creation of the Provincial Army by Hamilton (again) and Pickering (pg. 249). Ellis's pot-shot at Jefferson in the second-to-the-last page of the book (a weak comparison to the "noble" Hamilton) is a thinly-veiled insult leveled at our 3rd President. These idealogical distractions from the Washington story-line completely wrecked the last third of the book for me.

From what I now gather, there are other Washington biographies more worthy of my money and time. My next purchases will be "Washington: The Indispensable Man" by James Thomas Flexner (4.5 stars/63 reviews) and "The Real George Washington" by Jay A. Parry (4.5 stars/42 reviews).

The Washington Post
$0.01
While living in DC area, I've found that the print edition to offer outstanding news, local, national and international as well as commentary. No longer living there, I wanted a Kindle edition paper that satisfies my interest and keeps me current and informed in those areas. Naturally, since I already have a local paper, the local features where of little interest. The Washington Post Kindle edition excels in giving me excellent coverage in those areas. In addition, it also covers books and business as well as sports. The Sunday edition also includes the Post Magazine and Outlook. Kindle allows me to read the sections of interest to me as rapidly as I can absorb. It is a great read for inclusion into any Kindle library.

To Try Men's Souls: A Novel of George Washington and the Fight for American Freedom
$26.99
The contents of the book was good. It was well written and informative. It was very interesting and holds your attention.

Astral Sky
$39.99
Having caught my first video glimpse of this band from Norway at the Norwegian Wood Festival, I was pleasantly surprised at the power and melancholicness of this album. I would have liked to hear some of the music in Norwegian, but all in all, I was pleased at it's production. It's a shame they don't have the retail sales backing here in the US. Though they have been around for 12 years, they're a virtually unheard of group here. I hope to see them get more airtime in the future. A great album regardless.