Five Things I’ll Miss About The Chicago Water Taxi

I am mourning the seasonal closing of Chicago’s Wendella Water Taxi from Madison Street to Michigan Avenue.

Five Things I Love About My Kindle

I already read about 25 books per year. What will happen now that I’ve discovered the Kindle?

John Tyler — Accidental or Manipulative President?

John Tyler was the first vice president to succeed a president who died in office. He also became a traitor when he deserted the Union for the Confederacy during the Civil War. So why is Edward Crapol’s biography such a boring read?

William Henry Harrison: Trivia Question or Great American Hero?

Freeman Cleaves’ biography of William Henry Harrison is a must read for anyone interested in the War of 1812.

Hearing the Doves in a New Dimension

A mini review of the Doves concert at the Vic Theater in Chicago, May 29, 2009.

W.C. Fields: His Movies are Much Funnier Than the Book

A raving fan of W. C. Fields tries to deliver the ultimate biography of one of the kings of the golden age of comedy. My recommendation is to spend your time enjoying the comedian’s movies, rather than getting to know “the story behind the story.”

The Original Van Buren Boy

If you’ve ever wondered about the president who inspired Seinfeld’s “Van Buren Boys,” Ted Widmar’s biography of Martin Van Buren is a good place to start.

Starts Like a Lion, Ends With a Whimper

American Lion is a good but not great book about Andrew Jackson, America’s seventh President. Read it in tandem with Paul Nagel’s biography of John Quincy Adams.

A Recessionary Blast From the Past

Harry Ammon’s lengthy biography of James Monroe is largely for historians, but even dense tomes like this often contain a nugget or two for the rest of us.

No Monuments for John Adams

David McCullough’s book and the HBO mini-series provide an excellent portrayal of one of America’s least appreciated presidents.