George S. McGovern (1922–2012)

Celebrity author McGovern here takes on the unenviable task of saying something fresh about our sixteenth president. In this he succeeds fairly well, but the book is severely flawed. The best part of the book is his close analysis of Lincoln's oratory, and the author also provides a brisk and informative narrative of the course of the War of the Rebellion which would serve as a very good encyclopedia article. The only thing which gets in McGovern's way at times is facts; as every schoolboy knows, the Battle of Perryville wasn't fought in Tennessee, and perhaps the single most ridiculous assertion I've ever read in a book (which is setting the bar quite high) is that Lincoln was the first president to confront threat of dissent, secession, or rebellion. In the next paragraph he goes on to describe how Old Hickory dealt with the nullification crisis, and, indeed, I find it more difficult to think of a Lincoln predecessor who didn't face such a crisis than one who did--James Monroe and some of the short-timers, perhaps. The book's big conclusions are largely apt, though preacher's kid McGovern is perhaps a little quick to portray Lincoln as a devout Christian, and he certainly exhibits total buyin to America's ever-present hagiography of the man.… (mehr)

I picked this book up at a library sale. I just might donate it back. The title suggests that the book is about McGovern's daughter Terry, but I couldn't help but notice how many times political campaigns entered in. And name dropping. It became irritating pretty quick. As well as McGovern's many parenthetical phrases to turn the focus on himself. ("in the primaries, all of which I won." ) McGovern's tone was defensive throughout the book: he repeatedly emphasized how the disease of alcoholism is genetic, how it has little to do with emotional upsets in childhood-the depression, chaos and self destruction therein is explained by the alcoholism itself. Cart before the horse, in my opinion. Somehow, McGovern convinces himself that his and Eleanor's upbringing had little or nothing to do with his daughter Terry's problems. The former senator and his wife quickly ushered Terry, pregnant and at the tender age of 15, out of state to have an illegal abortion. But, heck, no this didn't have anything to do with her later self destructive behaviors. His many many days, months, years, on the campaign and lecture circuit also didn't have anything to do with it. He virtually ignored his wife's postpartum depression as well, expecting her to bear the brunt of raising five children, even having her drive them cross country, while he finished up a press conference. Five young kids! I found his arguments faulty, his reasoning inconsistent, his lack of insight appalling and his whole tone arrogant and self serving. I wish someone else had written this book. A journalist who would have interviewed more people, someone who would not have discounted Terry's own entries from her diaries "Terry exaggerated her sister's jealousies." I felt so bad for Terry. She got a raw deal. Even after her tragic death.… (mehr)