Thomas E. Ricks Book Recommendations & Book Mentions

Thomas E. Ricks

"I just finished “Waging a Good War,” by Thomas E. Ricks. It’s stunning. I’ve loved all of his books, especially “Fiasco,” which is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. His newest is a military history of the civil rights movement, and it’s stunning." https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/07/arts/anne-lamott-finding-an-hour-day-just-read/

Thomas E. Ricks

@NTGuardian @BA_Friedman I am partial to Eliot Cohen's book 'Supreme Command,' because it is about formulating and implementing real strategies

Thomas E. Ricks

“Ironically, but crucially, his use of a military framework offers a profound understanding of a nonviolent movement that ultimately won the battle against hatred and violence." ―James Martin, SJ, author of 'Jesus: A Pilgrimage' https://t.co/04OkSpiZsO

Thomas E. Ricks

Finished all 1,213 pages of Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Like reading a mashup of every English novel ever. Left me wamblecropped by words. "Dash my wig, I know which way the wind blows, sir. Soft words will butter no parsnips, I tell you. The venom is in the tale."

Thomas E. Ricks

OK, well I just got a book on the Cultural Revolution in China and I think it likely contains more wisdom than the whole of Twitter right now. So off I go. https://www.amazon.com/Red-Color-News-Soldier-Li-Zhensheng/dp/0714843083/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BIGDVN8564I3&keywords=red+color+news+soldier&qid=1643769245&sprefix=red+color+new%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1

Thomas E. Ricks

I want to thank whoever it was on Twitter who recommended Brinton's 'The Anatomy of Revolution' to me a few months ago as part of my French Revolution reading. I am enjoying it and learning a lot. https://t.co/vb6FF231L1

Thomas E. Ricks

@adrianmckinty @TheBookerPrizes Elizabeth Strout is an impressive writer. When I was living year-round in Maine, I read "Abide with Me," an early work of hers in which (I think) she made the winter light in Maine one of the characters in the novel.

Thomas E. Ricks

@jakebebber You can't go wrong with David Hackett Fischer on Paul Revere's ride or Washington's crossing

Thomas E. Ricks

@Kamulus I didn't, in part because there already were a bunch of good books on this. David Finkel wrote one. Also good memoirs by Adrian Bonenberger and Elliott Ackerman & others. And a good book by David Morris, 'The Evil Hours.' And Homer's 'Odyssey' is the classic abt vet coming home.

Thomas E. Ricks

I can't remember (or find) who recommended "Death by Meeting" to me. I bought it, read it, enjoyed it, and learned from it. Thank you.