Review: Twisted Sisters

Summary: Reagan Bishop is a pusher. A licensed psychologist who stars on the Wendy Winsberg cable breakout show I Need a Push, Reagan helps participants become their best selves by urging them to overcome obstacles and change behaviors. An overachiever, Reagan is used to delivering results.

Despite her overwhelming professional success, Reagan never seems to earn her family’s respect. Her younger sister, Geri, is and always will be the Bishop family favorite. When a national network buys Reagan’s show, the pressures for unreasonably quick results and higher ratings mount. But Reagan’s a clinician, not a magician, and fears witnessing her own personal failings in prime time. (And seriously? Her family will never let her hear the end of it.) Desperate to make the show work and keep her family at bay, Reagan actually listens when the show’s New Age healer offers an unconventional solution…

Record Nielsen ratings follow. But when Reagan decides to use her newfound power to teach everyone a lesson about sibling rivalry, she’s the one who will be schooled… -- New American Library

I think I've mentioned a time or two that I'm just not reading at my normal pace. Although since this has been true for a few months now, I'm beginning to think this is my new normal! Rather than feel like reading is a chore, I decided to pick up a book that I knew would be fun -- TWISTED SISTERS by Jen Lancaster.

TWISTED SISTERS is about Reagan Bishop, a psychologist who stars in the cable reality show I Need a Push. She tries to help contestants face their fears and change their behavior. Reagan is a major perfectionist, both her job and personal life; and despite her successes, she feels as if her family doesn't understand or appreciate her.

When the show is purchased by a major network, Reagan finds that there are many changes to how she's been doing her job. The new team wants both faster results and higher ratings, and they are willing to sacrifice quality to achieve these things. Reagan fears that she can't be successful with this new formula so she turns to the show's New Age healer Deva to help her.

As Reagan faces pressure from all sides, she decides to take this opportunity to prove a thing or two to her boss and her family. However, Reagan realizes that she just might be the one who needs to learn a lesson about herself.

I've read a few reviews for TWISTED SISTERS that weren't exactly glowing. That's not to say that they weren't good. They just weren't stellar. I was actually a little surprised because I found this novel to be a lot of fun. Granted, it wasn't exactly literature and I had to let a few of my sensibilities go to believe the story; however, I thought it was cute... and I really liked how everything was eventually resolved. This novel most definitely entertained me!

Some of the characters in TWISTED SISTERS, namely Reagan, were a bit over-the-top. The story was told in Reagan's voice, and boy was she a piece of work! She was snobby, judgmental, and pretty darn unlikable for much of the novel; however, I did enjoy seeing her get her comeuppance. In fact, I actually ended up liking her character as she realized the error of her ways!

For those of you who have read anything written by Ms. Lancaster, then you already know that she's a very funny writer. Her humor was definitely evident in TWISTED SISTERS. Maybe it's because there's just the tiniest of me in Reagan, but I found some of her insight and reflections about people to be hilarious -- even though it usually wasn't very nice!

While I enjoyed the entire book, I found the ending to be especially good. I admit I was a little worried that it would be too predictable, but I actually found it to be satisfying. I don't want to say that this book was full of complex themes and messages; however, I did like the lessons that Reagan learned throughout the course of the story.

If you are looking for a light read that is guaranteed to make you laugh, then I suggest trying TWISTED SISTERS.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion (Audio)

Summary: The one and only Fannie Flagg, beloved author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven, and I Still Dream About You, is at her hilarious and superb best in this new comic mystery novel about two women who are forced to reimagine who they are.

Mrs. Sookie Poole of Point Clear, Alabama, has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle. The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Lenore may be a lot of fun for other people, but is, for the most part, an overbearing presence for her daughter. Then one day, quite by accident, Sookie discovers a secret about her mother’s past that knocks her for a loop and suddenly calls into question everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future.

Sookie begins a search for answers that takes her to California, the Midwest, and back in time, to the 1940s, when an irrepressible woman named Fritzi takes on the job of running her family’s filling station. Soon truck drivers are changing their routes to fill up at the All-Girl Filling Station. Then, Fritzi sees an opportunity for an even more groundbreaking adventure. As Sookie learns about the adventures of the girls at the All-Girl Filling Station, she finds herself with new inspiration for her own life.

Fabulous, fun-filled, spanning decades and generations, and centered on a little-known aspect of America’s twentieth-century story, The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion is another irresistible novel by the remarkable Fannie Flagg. -- Random House Audio

I'm pretty sure that I've read every novel that Fannie Flagg has written. It's been some time now since I read FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and I've always been highly entertained by her characters and heartwarming stories. Needless to say,  I was very excited to learn that she has new book out called THE ALL-GIRL FILLING STATION'S LAST REUNION.

I was even more excited after I read the description for THE ALL-GIRL FILLING STATION'S LAST REUNION (TAGFSLR). It was described as a "comic mystery" and that certainly appealed to me. Plus the novel appeared to have an interesting plot and maybe even a surprise or two. All of that plus Ms. Flagg's down-home writing style made this book sound like a winner to me.

TAGFSLR begins with the story of Sookie Poole, a wife and mother who has just married off her last daughter and is looking for a little R&R with her husband. Her life should be much calmer now... except for her dealings with her overbearing mother.  One day, Sookie uncovers a secret about her mother and her past that threatens to turn her world upside down.

Sookie begins investing this "mystery" and her research introduces her to Fritzi, a strong and determined woman who not only ran her family's gas station but also served as a pilot during World War II. Sookie's introduction to Fritzi and her family allows Sookie to fill in the gaps about her past. In addition, she gains some inspiration in her own life through the courageous actions of these women.

If I'm being entirely honest, I liked TAGFSLR but I didn't love it like I did some other of Ms. Flagg's novels. This is the first book by her that I've listened to, so that might have have contributed to my feelings; however, I just think the book was a little long and even dragged in a few places. Had the book been a few hours shorter, I still think the complete story could have been effectively told; and I wouldn't have been as frustrated with some of the slower parts.

Having said that, I still found much of TAGFSLR to be enjoyable. I love Ms. Flagg's zany cast of characters and I did find many things to be very funny in this novel. I even found myself smiling a time or two (or more!) while running on the treadmill. (I'm sure others thought I was very strange.) In addition, I liked how the characters faced some hardships, yet managed to not only survive but thrive! And like many of Ms. Flagg's books, I appreciated the messages about family, friendship, and the strength and resilience of women!

The story went back and forth between the present (or almost present day) and the past. Much of the story was Sookie's day-to-day activities, and then it would jump to the 1940s when Fritzi was a young woman. For some of the past scenes, the author used letters which went back and forth between the characters. This might sound strange, but I felt as if the two stories weren't really "related"; and the transitions seemed a little abrupt. I knew that the stories would eventually come together, and I definitely liked how they did at the end of the novel; however, it seemed like a long time before the stories merged.

While I enjoyed both Sookie's and Frizi's stories, I have to say that I found Fritzi's to be much more interesting. I don't want to give to much away, but Fritzi's (and her family's) involvement in World War II was fascinating to me. I learned quite a few things about women's role in the war that I had never known; and like Sookie, I gained a huge respect for those women (and men) who served our country in a very tough time.

As far as how the "mystery" aspect of TAGFSLR worked, I have to say that it definitely did for me. I liked Sookie's investigation into the mystery, and I admit that I was surprised by what took place. There were a few twists and turns -- one of which actually shocked me, and I appreciated how the mystery eventually was revealed. I have to admit that a few of the ending scenes made this entire novel a worthwhile read (or should I say listen?) for me.

I listened to the audio version of TAGFSLR which was read by Ms. Flagg herself. As an actress and a writer, I think she did a very good job. I appreciated her sense of comic timing, especially with Sookie's character; and I liked her interpretation of Sookie's mom -- now she was a piece of work.  Take a listen this clip to get idea of how Ms. Flagg narrated the novel:



I definitely think TAGFSLR would make a fun discussion book for female book clubs. I wasn't able to find an on-line discussion guide; however, I don't think you'd need one. There is a great deal to discuss about family, friendship, loss, war, sacrifice, love, parenting, second chances, forgiveness, acceptance, and redemption. And because so many of the characters evolve so much throughout the course of the story, there is a great deal to analyze about their actions.

THE ALL-GIRL FILLING STATION'S LAST REUNION is a funny and heartwarming story about family and courage. It has over four stars on Amazon with over 1200 reviews, so you might want to check it out!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Review: After I'm Gone

Summary: The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Most Dangerous Thing, I'd Know You Anywhere, and What the Dead Know returns with an addictive story that explores how one man's disappearance echoes through the lives of the five women he left behind—his wife, his daughters, and his mistress

Dead is dead. Missing is gone.

When Felix Brewer meets nineteen-year-old Bernadette "Bambi" Gottschalk at a Valentine's Day dance in 1959, he charms her with wild promises, some of which he actually keeps. Thanks to his lucrative—if not all legal—businesses, she and their three little girls live in luxury. But on the Fourth of July in 1976, Bambi's comfortable world implodes when Felix, facing prison, vanishes.

Though Bambi has no idea where her husband—or his money—might be, she suspects one woman does: his devoted young mistress, Julie. When Julie disappears ten years to the day after Felix went on the lam, everyone assumes she's left to join her old lover—until her remains are discovered in a secluded park.

Now, twenty-six years later, Roberto "Sandy" Sanchez, a retired Baltimore detective working cold cases for some extra cash, is investigating her murder. What he discovers is a tangled web of bitterness, jealousy, resentment, greed, and longing stretching over five decades. And at its center is the man who, though long gone, has never been forgotten by the five women who loved him: the enigmatic Felix Brewer.

Felix Brewer left five women behind. Now there are four. Does at least one of them know the truth? -- William Morrow

I have been in a bit of a funk lately when it comes to reading; and somehow, I missed that Laura Lippman has a new stand-alone novel out called AFTER I'M GONE. Once I realized the error of my ways, I quickly got my hands on a copy of this book. Boy am I glad I did!

I absolutely loved AFTER I'M GONE and it's definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year. Considering I haven't exactly been reading all that much, that might not sound impressive. However, I guarantee you that this novel will go down as one of my favorites for 2014.

It's just that good...

At it's simplest, AFTER I'M GONE tells the story of the disappearance of Felix Brewer, a Baltimore man who was involved in some questionable ventures. No one knows where he went over 25 years ago or even if he's alive or dead. When his mistress Julie goes missing ten years to the day after Felix mysteriously left, most believe she left to be with Felix. That theory doesn't pan out when her body is found in a secluded section of a park sixteen years later.

Sandy Sanchez, a retired detective who is now a contractor working on cold cases, decides to investigate Julie's death. His investigation takes him back almost fifty years as he looks into Felix's past as well as his relationship with his wife, mistress, and his friends. As he gets closer to finding out what happened to Julie (and Felix), he begins to discover that the people involved in Felix's life are holding onto many long-time secrets.

Where do I even begin to talk about AFTER I'M GONE? I loved this novel... for so many reasons. The mysteries were definitely intriguing, as were the cast of characters; and there were so many twists and turns that I actually had no idea where the story was going. Ms. Lippman is truly one of the best writers of crime fiction out there.

However, I think it's Ms. Lippman's ability to get inside her characters' brains and make them real that really made this book outstanding. I love that not only was there an interesting mystery (or two!), but that she also managed to make this book about so much more than just these mysteries. Basically, Ms Lippman delved into how this man's disappearance affected the five women in his life -- his wife, his three daughters, and his mistress. Her psychological insight into this situation was fascinating to me as a reader, and I thought she was brilliant.

AFTER I'M GONE was written in a very special way. The story goes back and forth between the present and the past, and the reader is able to pick up clues along the way about both Felix's and Julie's disappearances, but also about the relationships between the characters. I thought the transitions between the flashbacks were extremely well done and transitioned very smoothly. Furthermore, I loved learning how life was for Felix's family both before and after his disappearance. Needless to say, it took a toll on them both physically and emotionally!

Another thing that I absolutely adored about AFTER I'M GONE was the character of Sandy Sanchez, the retired detective who was investigating the crime(s). I loved him! He was so complex and dealing with some baggage of his own; and I think that he's just a wonderful character. I hope to see more of him in future novels; and based on the ending, I think that might be the case.

AFTER I'M GONE would make an awesome book club pick -- truly awesome! Not only is the story riveting, but the characters are fascinating in their own right. As a result, there is so much to discuss. I was excited to fine a reading guide with fourteen questions. Some of the themes you might want to talk about include actions and consequences, betrayal, honestly, deception, trust, family, friendship, adultery, marriage, parenting, stereotypes, and more!

AFTER I'M GONE is just a terrific novel that you shouldn't miss! Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: Duopress Puzzles

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you something a little different!

Through the years, I've reviewed quite a few Duopress board books, and I've always loved their adorable illustrations of popular locales. Now they are spreading out into another fun category -- puzzles. Duopress has a new line of children's puzzles featuring MY SAN FRANCISCO PUZZLE: THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE and MY NEW YORK PUZZLE: THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.

Summary: Kids will claim their love for America’s greatest cities with their first city puzzles. Depicting familiar scenes and landmarks in bold, bright colors, these puzzles are manufactured on high-quality paper using nontoxic soy-based ink and packed in a sturdy box, for easy storage. Perfect on the road or at home, these puzzles are lots of fun for young locals of or visitors to America’s greatest cities! -- Duopress

Summary: Kids will claim their love for America’s greatest cities with their first city puzzles. Depicting familiar scenes and landmarks in bold, bright colors, these puzzles are manufactured on high-quality paper using nontoxic soy-based ink and packed in a sturdy box, for easy storage. Perfect on the road or at home, these puzzles are lots of fun for young locals of or visitors to America’s greatest cities! -- Duopress

Both the San Francisco and New York puzzles are absolutely adorable and perfect for little ones. The puzzle pieces are geared towards children ages three and up and are very sturdy. Each puzzle has twenty pieces, and the finished size of the puzzle is 12.5 x 9 inches. Plus, they boxes are very solid and actually slide apart to hold the pieces. No crushed or torn boxes here!

I love this concept of designing puzzles which feature popular landmarks in different cities. What makes these puzzles even more fun, though, are the illustrations by Violet Lemay. Her use of colors is wonderful (just check out the fireworks on the New York puzzle), and I like that she added lots of interesting little items in the backgrounds.

My kids were right around three years old when they loved doing puzzles! They couldn't get enough of them and didn't mind doing the same ones over and over again. I can promise that these two puzzles would have been fast favorites for both of them!

As a mom, I like that these puzzles are not only fun but also educational. Granted, by themselves, they are cute pictures of famous landmarks; however, I think parents can take the opportunity to share with children the history of these images as well as the cities featured.

Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing samples of these puzzles.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: Lydia's Party

Summary: Lydia is having a party—it’s a party she hosts every year for six women friends who treasure the midwinter bash. Over a table laden with a feast of food and wine, the women revel in sharing newsy updates, simmering secrets, and laughter. As this particular evening unfolds, Lydia prepares to make a shattering announcement.

As we follow these friends through their party preparations, we meet flawed but lovable characters who are navigating the hassles of daily chores while also meditating in stolen moments on their lives, their regrets, their complicated relationships, and their deepest desires. When Lydia’s announcement shocks them all, they rediscover the enduring bonds of friendship and find their lives changing in unexpected ways.

Tender, wryly funny, and exquisitely written, Lydia’s Party poignantly considers both the challenges of everyday life and of facing our fears while creating characters whose foibles and feistiness will capture readers’ hearts. -- Viking

When I read the description for LYDIA'S PARTY by Margaret Hawkins, I figured it would be a book that I might enjoy. I am a sucker for stories about these strength of women and their friendships, and LYDIA'S PARTY certainly seemed to fit the bill. Better yet, the book received a starred review from Kirkus so I decided to give it a shot.

If I'm being entirely honest, I liked LYDIA'S PARTY but I didn't love it like I had hoped. LYDIA'S PARTY is the story of Lydia and her friends who meet each year at a party hosted by Lydia. Lydia's parties are always known for the vast amount of food and drink as well the good times shared between the women.

This year, Lydia has a major announcement to make that will forever alter the future of the party. Despite the bad news, Lydia's friends manage to pull together for Lydia's sake; and in the process, they discover things about themselves and the importance of friendship.

Based on the book's description, I had a feeling that LYDIA'S PARTY wasn't going to be a joyful book; however, I had hoped that the overall messages about friendship would manage to make it a worthwhile read. That was definitely the case. Even though Lydia was facing a very sad situation, I was happy to see that many of the messages from the novel were upbeat and positive. That's not to say that I didn't feel like crying a few times while reading this book -- many of the characters were facing issues in their lives, but I found strength in their resilience and perseverance.

One thing I definitely appreciated about LYDIA'S PARTY was the writing. I had never read a book by Ms. Hawkins before, but I was definitely impressed with her prose. She did a great job of developing many female characters and I love the way she explored female relationships -- and by that, I don't mean just friendships. In addition, she touched upon some very real issues that women of a certain age face; and I think she did it in a fair and compassionate way.

For the most part, I enjoyed LYDIA'S PARTY but I just don't know if the book was for me. I think one reason that LYDIA'S PARTY didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped was because the characters were all a bit older. I hate to admit that I'm not all that far away from their ages, but they just seemed to be in very different places in their lives than I am. While there were many women in the story with a variety of problems, I never found one that I could truly relate to. Nor did I find one that even reminded me of any of my friends. I know it's not necessary to like or relate to a character to appreciate a story, but in this case, I think it would have helped.

LYDIA'S PARTy would, without a doubt, make a good book club selection -- especially if your group is made up of middle-aged (or older) women. I wasn't able to find a reading guide (which is a shame), but I do think there are many themes to discuss. Some of the topics your friends might want to explore is love, marriage, parenting, loss, grief, regret, aging, and of course female friendships. Since the party is the major setting for the story, there is also some potential for some great food and drink ideas!

Overall, I enjoyed LYDIA'S PARTY and think it will appeal to fans of women's fiction.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Review: Lost Lake

Summary: The first time Eby Pim saw Lost Lake, it was on a picture postcard. Just an old photo and a few words on a small square of heavy stock, but when she saw it, she knew she was seeing her future.

That was half a life ago. Now Lost Lake is about to slip into Eby’s past. Her husband George is long passed. Most of her demanding extended family are gone. All that’s left is a once-charming collection of lakeside cabins succumbing to the Southern Georgia heat and damp, and an assortment of faithful misfits drawn back to Lost Lake year after year by their own unspoken dreams and desires.

It’s a lot, but not enough to keep Eby from relinquishing Lost Lake to a developer with cash in hand, and calling this her final summer at the lake. Until one last chance at family knocks on her door.

Lost Lake is where Kate Pheris spent her last best summer at the age of twelve, before she learned of loneliness, and heartbreak, and loss. Now she’s all too familiar with those things, but she knows about hope too, thanks to her resilient daughter Devin, and her own willingness to start moving forward. Perhaps at Lost Lake her little girl can cling to her own childhood for just a little longer… and maybe Kate herself can rediscover something that slipped through her fingers so long ago.

One after another, people find their way to Lost Lake, looking for something that they weren’t sure they needed in the first place: love, closure, a second chance, peace, a mystery solved, a heart mended. Can they find what they need before it’s too late?

At once atmospheric and enchanting, Lost Lake shows Sarah Addison Allen at her finest, illuminating the secret longings and the everyday magic that wait to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places. -- St. Martin's Press

It's been awhile since I've read a novel by Sarah Addison Allen; however, when I read the description for her latest book titled LOST LAKE, I thought it sounded like a book I might enjoy. I'm the first to admit that I'm not usually drawn to stories with elements of magic, but I do remember thinking Ms. Allen did a great job of incorporating this into her books and making it "believable." I also happened to read a few very positive reviews for LOST LAKE, and truth be told, they did persuade me to give this one a try.

At it's heart, LOST LAKE was really a lovely story about a widow named Kate who has been "sleeping" for the past year ever since her husband died. Fortunately (or unfortunately as the case may be), Kate's domineering mother-in-law has been "helping" Kate and her eight year old daughter Devin.; and she recently sold Kate's house and wants to move them in with her. On moving day, Kate discovers an old postcard from her aunt Eby who owns some cabins at Lost Lake; and Kate decides to take Devin to visit. Lost Lake holds a special place in Kate's heart and she remembers her stay there as the last summer she was truly happy.

When Kate arrives at Lost Lake, she learns that Eby can no longer maintain the cabins and is selling them to a developer. Kate and Devin feel an immediate connection to Lost Lake and the people who are staying there for one last summer, and they are both saddened that Eby and the cabins will no longer be there.

Meanwhile, Devin discovers a magical alligator who leads her to a missing box from past. (It wouldn't be a Sarah Addison Allen book if there wasn't some magic!) As Kate learns more about Lost Lake and the secrets in the box, she rediscover her true self and is finally able to move forward and make a new life for herself and her daughter.

I really enjoyed LOST LAKE! I mentioned that I'm not a huge fan of books with mythical elements; however, it didn't really bother me that there was a talking alligator in this story. Having said that, I will admit that the story between the alligator and Devin wasn't my favorite part of this novel. It definitely worked for me and it was an interesting way to uncover secrets from the characters' pasts, but I much preferred some other things about this story -- namely the cast of characters and the atmospheric writing.

I thought the characters in LOST LAKE were so much fun. I loved Kate and Eby, and it was interesting to see how both of them changed throughout the novel. I truly loved how Kate "got her groove back." In addition, I found Eby's best friend Lisette, who was unable to speak and communicated with a ghost from her past, to be intriguing; and I appreciated how the book explored her character's development and eventual romance. However, I think it was the oddball cast of misfits that visited LOST LAKE that really captured my heart. These characters were very funny, yet all of them had big hearts; and I loved how they pulled together to help Eby!

Another thing I really liked about LOST LAKE was Ms. Allen's writing. She has proved time and time again that she has a way with words, and she truly does a great job of incorporating magical realism into her stories. In the case of this novel, I thought she did a great job with bringing the setting of Lost Lake to life for the reader. I loved her gorgeous descriptions of the property as well as her details about how run down the cabins were; and I liked that I was able to picture everything so vividly.

LOST LAKE would make for a very interesting book club selection. I wasn't able to find a formal reading guide, but don't let that deter you from picking this book for your next meeting. The story is sweet and definitely a feel-good story (at least the ending is!), and there are many topics to discuss including loss, grief, family, guilt, love, friendship, second chances, and redemption. 

LOST LAKE is sure to be a hit with fans of Sarah Addison Allen. It's a beautiful story that is guaranteed to warm your heart. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Guest Review: Lincoln in the World

Summary: A captivating look at how Abraham Lincoln evolved into one of our seminal foreign-policy presidents—and helped point the way to America’s rise to world power.

This is the story of one of the most breathtaking feats in the annals of American foreign policy—performed by one of the most unlikely figures. Abraham Lincoln is not often remembered as a great foreign-policy president. He had never traveled overseas and spoke no foreign languages. And yet, during the Civil War, Lincoln and his team skillfully managed to stare down the Continent’s great powers—deftly avoiding European intervention on the side of the Confederacy. In the process, the United States emerged as a world power in its own right.

Engaging, insightful, and highly original, Lincoln in the World is a tale set at the intersection of personal character and national power. The narrative focuses tightly on five distinct, intensely human conflicts that helped define Lincoln’s approach to foreign affairs—from his debate, as a young congressman, with his law partner over the conduct of the Mexican War, to his deadlock with Napoleon III over the French occupation of Mexico. Bursting with colorful characters like Lincoln’s bowie-knife-wielding minister to Russia, Cassius Marcellus Clay; the cunning French empress, Eugénie; and the hapless Mexican monarch Maximilian—Lincoln in the World draws a finely wrought portrait of a president and his team at the dawn of American power.

In the Age of Lincoln, we see shadows of our own world. The international arena in the 1860s could be a merciless moral vacuum. Lincoln’s times demanded the cold, realistic pursuit of national interest, and, in important ways, resembled our own increasingly multipolar world. And yet, like ours, Lincoln’s era was also an information age, a period of rapid globalization. Steamships, telegraph wires, and proliferating new media were transforming the world. Global influence required the use of “soft power” as well as hard.

Anchored by meticulous research into overlooked archives, Lincoln in the World reveals the sixteenth president to be one of America’s indispensable diplomats—and a key architect of America’s emergence as a global superpower. Much has been written about how Lincoln saved the Union, but Lincoln in the World highlights the lesser-known—yet equally vital—role he played on the world stage during those tumultuous years of war and division. -- Crown

Booking Pap Pap is back with another interesting review. This time it's for LINCOLN IN THE WORLD: THE MAKING OF A STATESMAN AND THE DAWN OF AMERICAN POWER by Kevin Peraino. Here are his thoughts:

When we think about Abraham Lincoln we generally think of the President who ended slavery in the United States and successfully guided the country through the Civil War. We seldom think of Lincoln in terms of his foreign policy. In fact Lincoln had never traveled outside the United States. In LINCOLN IN THE WORLD, THE MAKING OF A STATESMAN AND THE DAWN OF AMERICAN POWER  author Kevin Peraino presents five events that helped define Lincoln’s foreign policy.

The first example deals with his position on the conduct of the United States in the Mexican War. His anti-war position was debated heavily with his law partner, Billy Herndon. At the time Lincoln was a first term Representative in the U.S. Congress and the country was being driven by the “Manifest Destiny” drumbeat and his position was not well received. His view was probably the main reason he lost his Congressional seat after one term and was also a major factor in his debates with Stephen Douglas and his ultimate defeat for a seat in the U.S. Senate some ten years later.

According to Peraino the second episode that influenced his foreign policy stance was his interaction with his Secretary of State, William Henry Seward. Seward saw Lincoln as weak on international relations and used that knowledge along with Lincoln’s preoccupation with domestic problems to attempt to wrest control of foreign policy. At the end of the day Lincoln held his own with his Secretary of State and although their methods were different, both men had the same goals. The challenges for Lincoln and Seward were to prevent England, France and Spain from recognizing the Confederacy as a separate nation and at the same time prevent those countries from aggressive land grabs while the country was occupied with the Civil War.

The third incident was Lincoln’s standoff with Britain’s Lord Palmerston during the Trent crisis of 1861. An international incident occurred when the captain of the U.S.S. San Jacinto boarded the British ship, Trent, and seized two Confederate envoys. Lincoln applied deft diplomacy to avoid a war with Britain and prevent a recognition of the Confederacy.

The next chapter attempts to make a case that Lincoln and Karl Marx were in a race to use the media to mold public opinion. There is no evidence that their paths ever crossed. Marx worked for a short time as a writer for the New York Tribune and he supported Lincoln’s anti-slavery stand and thought of it as a part of the worldwide abolition of slavery. Marx contended that the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation strongly influenced the British labor movement. Of all the cases put forth by Peraino I think this is the weakest.

The final episode deals with Lincoln’s stance with Napoleon III’s occupation of Mexico and the installation of Maximillian as the head of government. Many feared this was a prelude to foreign intervention in the Civil War. Many wanted the United States to invade Mexico but in the end Lincoln’s patience and the later withdrawal of French troops led to a quick demise of Maximillian’s rule.

Peraino closes his book by examining John Hay’s attempt to define the lasting role of Lincoln’s foreign policy. Hay served as Lincoln’s personal secretary and later as Secretary of State for McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt.

LINCOLN IN THE WORLD is an interesting look at Abraham Lincoln foreign policy perspective. Peraino shows that the Civil War was an influence on world events and was not fought in a vacuum. The author also points out that at the end of the Civil War the United States army and navy were the largest in the world, making them a world power. Lincoln’s policy was twofold: avoid foreign intervention in the Civil War and keep foreign governments from recognizing the Confederacy as a separate nation. It’s clear that Lincoln handled his international issues well while under tremendous pressure from the Civil War.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S. history, particularly the Civil War.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book and to Booking Pap Pap for his review.