Spring cleaning 2018
Time for my annual “Spring Cleaning” column, in which I address reader issues and recommend my favorite books of the past year.
This year’s chief reader issue was, as it was last year, do I lecture and what do I lecture about? I lecture often, mostly on our Founding Fathers and the three foundational documents they created. All my topics can be found on my website, www.historylessons. net, by clicking the “Host a Lecture” icon on the homepage. If you are interested, fill out the form on that page or contact me at my email address, bruce@ historylessons.net. and Adams was not.
“Stalin: Waiting for Hitler 1929 – 1941” by Stephen Kotkin. A 900-page tome, it nevertheless presents a good overview of Stalin’s rule and the complicated interplay between Hitler and Stalin, whose alliance through the Hitler-stalin Pact in 1939 was one both men figured would end in war between them, but when, how, and who would double-cross the other first was the question.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life” by Robert Dallek. On the domestic front, Dallek paints a somewhat overly flattering portrait of FDR, but rightfully shows him to have a prescient understanding of the danger Adolf Hitler posed to the world, including America, and a brilliant ability to maneuver around the constitutional roadblocks preventing him from aiding Great Britain in its lonely fight against Nazi Germany, while simultaneously moving his isolationist countrymen into supporting America’s involvement in the war.
“The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara, which I re-read for the third time. This Pulitzer Prizewinning book is a work of fiction in which Shaara makes up the dialogue between the major characters, mostly Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet, but with respect to the details of the Civil War’s three-day battle of Gettysburg it is 100 percent accurate. It has been called the best novel on the Civil War ever written. It might be the best book on the Civil War ever written.
“Bruce’s History Lessons,” books one and two. Again, a shameless plug. You can purchase both five-year collections of my newspaper columns – years 2001–2006, and 2006–2011 – from the “Buy the Books” link on the home page of my website, or simply Google my name, Bruce G. Kauffmann. Bruce G. Kauffmann Email author Bruce G. Kauffmann at bruce@history lessons.net.
DEAR ABBY: I’m writing in response to “Requires Companionship” (Feb. 7), whose husband has atypical Parkinson’s and she’s considering dating. My wife was diagnosed nine years ago, and she, too, has reached the point where she can no longer walk, write or speak. We have, however, found ways to communicate and spend quality time together.
I tried to care for her at home, but over the last year and a half, it became too difficult. With the help of our daughters, we found a wonderful senior living place where she is happy. I go to the gym every morning, then visit with her and have lunch. I bring her clothes home to wash and take care of anything she may need or want. We spend the holidays together with the family at her place to make things special.
We are both 81, married 57 years. I, too, am lonely and sad at times, but I love her more than the world and want to make sure she is well taken care of and content. As for companionship, I have met some wonderful people at the senior living place, as well as at the gym and in restaurants I frequent, which helps with the loneliness.
If the shoe were on the other foot, I know she’d do the same for me. After all, that is what our marriage is all about, “in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part.” – JIM IN NEVADA
DEAR JIM: Your letter is inspirational. In your P.S. you asked me to print it to help others. Your letter, and others I’m including here, may help to put this sensitive subject into perspective:
DEAR ABBY: I am a young 57-year-old woman. My husband has Parkinson’s and brain tumors. We have a son with autism, so I have been a caregiver for more than 30 years of marriage.
To “Requires” I say: Take time for yourself, but do not tell your husband. Enjoy what years you have left and grab some of the happiness you deserve. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are cheating on your husband. The life you had with him was over emotionally and physically long ago. You have given up enough of your life. Your husband is having all his needs met and now it’s your turn. – SANDRA IN NEW JERSEY