Just finished reading two very different books.. American Lion by Jon Meachem was about President Andrew Jackson, who 30 years before the Civil War was wrestling with the issue of secession and slavery. South Carolina was making the most noise about seceding, and had voted to be able to "nullify" federal laws any time it voted to. Jackson would have none of that.
Again, the state's rights issue clouded the real problem - the thorny issue of slavery. jackson's own VP in his first term (1829-1833) was a South Carolinian - John C. Calhoun - who had his own presidential aspirations and was a backer of nullification.
Like Lincoln, Jackson was a strong unionist, yet he owned many slaves at the Hermitage in Nashville and initiated the removal of Indian tribes from southern states - a la The Trail of Tears. fascinating, complex man .. good read for history buffs ...
Meanwhile part time Smith Mountain lake resident David Baldacci will be in Roanoke for the RAMA dinner on April 4th, a bunch of doctors that will get together to eat and raise money for charity. Baldacci will be a guest speaker - I've been asked to emcee the event. (Hope I don't need a tux).
Anyway I'd never read a Baldaci novel; he's written a ton of them and they have almost all been best sellers. That's why he has a big house at the lake. So I read "Simple Truths" (2007) and will start on another one soon when I get done with a non-fiction book on the U.S.'s obsession with Iraq and Hussein.
I'll call Baldacci easy-to-read "brain candy" (actually my wife's term) ... good beach or mountain cabin vacation stuff. Try it if you're in the mood. Looking forward to meeting him. I was invited to a private reception afterwards .... "Gee David, can I use the SML house when you're up in Fairfax??? :) r-i-g-h-t ....
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