For the first time in memory, the hyperbole, on the inside of the book cover jacket, was less, than actually provided in the book! The jacket preview, mentioned Branch Rickey, Jackie Robinson, Winston Churchill, Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, Gertrude Ederle, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Abraham Lincoln. Yet, unbelievably, there are many more, astounding, historical figures, chronicled in this poignant, absorbing, trip through history.
The author's, zero in on six qualities, that they feel influence the best decisions: Awareness, timing, foresight, confidence, humility and inspiration. Though that might be evident, in the historical situations set forth in this book, I feel, the author's, are being a bit reticent, in not openly stating, how much more information they provide, on these amazing subjects.
The book is divided into six sections. One for each of the qualities listed above. Within those sections, the individual historical characters are divided, and I purposely have not used the phrase, chapters. Because chapters wouldn't do justice, to what I personally, would call "mini-biographies".
Some of the characters not mentioned above, include: Marshall Field, Alexander Graham Bell, Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, King Gillette, Robert Goddard, Werner von Braun, and more. The writing style is so well done, that the reader, many times, feels like he is the proverbial "fly on the wall", during worldwide, historical events. There are many amazing little tid-bits, or sidelights, to history, that add to your reading enjoyment. A few examples: Did you know that two other men had invented, what was needed to create the telephone, before Alexander Graham Bell? One didn't think it was that big a deal, and said: "While this is very interesting scientifically, it has no commercial value." And Alexander Graham Bell, beat the other inventor, to the patent office by a few hours. Did you know that by the late 1870's Western Union was the largest corporation in the country? Did you know that Russia and the United States almost committed to the abolition of all nuclear weapons, if only "ONE" word was omitted, and Russia refused! "One lousy word," Reagan later lamented. Again, there are many more, unique moments in time, capsulated to perfection, by the authors.
One other shining light, in this successfully, ambitious book, is the ability to crystalize, the epic character's, like a fine piece of shimmering jewelry, to whit:
IN DESCRIBING MENACHEM BEGIN AND ANWAR SADAT: "They were warriors who unapologetically sanctioned violence in service to their causes. They had no blooodlust, but no doubts either over decisions they had made to make war, to sacrifice human life. They neither wanted to nor could have escaped the memories of their pasts. Both men had taken risks to fight for their countries, and both men perceived in the events of their time the moments when peace became possible and when it became their responsibility to take risks to achieve it. They shared a single concern in every negotiation, every decision, every call to arms, every offer for peace: was it right for their people? They took each other's measure, and believed they could create a peace that was right for their peoples, a peace that would endure for generations born long after their striving had ended, and they themselves had found the peace of a quiet grave."
Portions of this book, such as the quote just provided, is nothing less than historical poetry. There is so much, important, educational material in this book, that a good teacher, could use it for an entire semester's class. If you're looking for a good "beach" read, this isn't your book. If you want to improve your mind, and feel like you're a part of some dramatic history, this is the book you've been hoping for!!
