ORDINARY MEN reserve police battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland by Christopher R. Browning

This study of a killing unit comprised of older reservists not particularly Nazified, tells the story of certain actions and hunts against Jews during WWII.  A few years later, another study about the same unit came out with a much harsher conclusion: "Hitler's willing Executioners".

Mr. Browning's study is a careful study that concludes that ordinary people can commit terrible atrocities.  He coins a term 'multi-causal' to mean that there were many factors that contributed to making Police Battalion 101 murderous people.  He does not share Daniel Jonah Goldhagen's conclusion that Germany's deep seated Antisemitism morphed into a unique 'eliminationist' Antisemitism that created an accompanying alacrity to the killing of the Jews.

There are testimonies to the effect that many of the men were revulsed by killing innocent unarmed men women and children on the one hand and others that enthusiastically not only carried out the murder but rather trained others to point the bayonet to the back of the neck and fire as to be the most efficient method of killing.  Many deliberately misfired or aimed high because they just couldn't bring themselves to brutally murder.  What is clear, however, are those that protested killing only did so out weakness or squeamishness and not out of moral concerns.  Those that carried out the orders were considered 'tough' and those that did not were considered 'weak'.  Only one person, seems to have stepped away from the killings out of morality and surprisingly suffered no consequences for his protest.

Mr. Browning concludes that many factors contributed to create the monster: Antisemitism, conformity, obedience to authority, autocratic rule, fear of punishment.  He cites Stanley Milgram's famous experiments in the 1960's that seem to prove average people will easily inflict pain on other never taking responsibility, but rather, deferring to authority pressed for 'why did you do it?'  He has since rejected Mr. Goldhagen's conclusion that something distinct to Germans and German culture made them enthusiastic Jew Killers.  Mr. Browning has some compelling arguments against Mr. Goldhagen.  For example, there were culturally non Germans in the group.  He also cites Poles and Lithuanians as enthusiastic killers.  He demonstrates that Germans did not have a monopoly on deep seated Jew Hatred.  The dispute, I believe can be summed up about 'alacrity'.  Goldhagen concludes the Germans killed with unique alacrity and Browning concludes that 'alacrity' was not clearly present in the majority of cases as much as conformity and obedience to do one's duty.

This is an excellent study that employs the tools of the prudent historian.

Coolidge by Amity Shlaes

The President of the famed 1920's is the focus of this biography.  Calvin Coolidge lived by principles of economy: of speech, of spending, of government.  That he was put through a pressure cooker of politics in the office of the presidency makes him all the more impressive.  Diminutive in size, with red hair, he was constantly challenged by the likes of very powerful people like Henry Cabot Lodge.  The pressure of politics probably caused his death before he was able to enjoy any real retirement.

He was educated at Amherst, became known to speak briefly but efficiently and knew how to turn a phrase. His speeches reflected carefully crafted sentences.  His nickname was 'silent Cal' because he only spoke when he felt it necessary, thus, preferring listening to pontificating.

Coolidge preferred saving to spending and he believed in lowering taxes.  By lowering taxes, he felt he was putting money in people's pockets that would stimulate the economy.  He believed higher taxes stifled business since there was less discretionary money to move.  He was one of the few presidents that not only balanced the federal budget but showed a surplus!  He believed in the private sector - private organization should take care of the social ills and problems (the Red Cross, the Salvation Army are just a couple of examples non government agencies that care for the welfare of the public instead of the Federal Government)

The government did not grow as fast under his watch because he believed in the constitutional idea of 'Limited Government'.

Progressives assailed him.  For example, Samuel Gompers, the famous union leader was a constant rival and yet it was Coolidge that would not cave to the pressures demonstrations and strikes.  Coolidge developed the reputation of a strike breaker and actually gained the respect from Gompers.  He valued personal freedom over equality for all. When the Boston Police department went on strike, Coolidge won and proved that public servants that restore the public peace cannot go on strike because that would only create and encourage anarchy.

For anyone who is interested in conservative values and wants to see how such principles can be implemented and succeed, and created one of greatest peacetime economic boons, this is a great study.

Denial of Justice by Mark Shaw

This book is an investigation into the death of Journalist, Dorothy Kilgallen.  She was a well known New York gossip columnist and investigative reporter who increased her fame by being a panelist on the Television game show "What's My Line" of the 1950's. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the trial of Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald's killer, Kilgallen turns up dead in her East Side NY apartment of what is ruled a accidental death due to a combination of alcohol and sleeping pills.

Author, Mark Shaw brings to light some interesting facts about the timeline of Kilgallen's death that seem obviously connected to her muckraking around the JFK assassination along with her interview of Jack Ruby in prison.  Kilgallen opined against the "lone gunman" theory that was immediately promulgated by FBI head J. Edgar Hoover.  This book can be categorized along with other "conspiracy literature" surrounding the murder the President Kennedy.

Shaw suggests many angles that point to the elimination of Kennedy and Kilgallen.  The Mob, The FBI, Castro and the Cubans/Russians and the CIA, and LBJ.  The Mafia boss in New Orleans, Carlos Marcello was being tried by Bobby Kennedy's Justice department.  Frank Sinatra was infuriated by Kilgallen's columns linking him the to Mob.  Kilgallen stood up the J. Edgar Hoover insinuating bad blood between him and the Kennedys and perhaps the Mafia had compromising information about his private life. The author claims that the real reason for the president being in Dallas was to placate  LBJ and assure him that he would remain on the ticket in the upcoming election.

The most curious facts about her death is that nobody close to her believed she was suicidal nor did she drink to the extent to make such a mistake in mixing sleeping pills with a drink.  Her file of facts that she created and developed about the assassination was stolen.  The book clearly implies that the famed columnist was silenced for his snooping around the death of the president and going against the "lone gunman theory".


The author seemed to weave a yarn that Kilgallen was the target of a Mafia hit.  Shaw argues that the common threat is everyone seems to have Mafia links: Ruby was Mafioso wanna be, Sinatra was linked to Giancana and Marcello, RFK as Attorney General at the time, was going after the Mafia at the time. When the author just recently gained the sympathy of a NY detective to reopen the case, he received notice that the case was abruptly closed!  The author is convinced of a cover-up and that not knowing the truth behind Kilgallen's death is truly a denial of justice. 

The book serves as a curious and 'conspiracy interested' introduction to the JFK assassination.

Drive : the story of my life by Larry Bird

I remember when Dennis Rodman publicly claimed that "if Larry Bird were Black he would be average"  It caused such a stir and discussion especially when Isiah Thomas seemed to concur.  At the time what really impressed me was the reaction of Mr. Bird - "it don't matter to me"  He seemed to dismiss the whole affair.  Then I started to follow Mr. Bird's career as someone who lived in Northern California.  He seemed to be able to get a shot off against anybody!  But his passing skills stood out for their "no look" quality.  Red Auerbach had stated that knew that Bird could shoot but that he did not know what a good passer he was or that he was a good defender or that he could steal the ball so well.  Larry Bird is one of greatest all around Basketball players ever.  One only needs to go on YouTube and find countless films that followed his career and countless Black players comment about him.

This featured memoir gives a glimpse of Larry Bird's natural modesty since the whole book makes positive observations about everyone that he came in contact with during his Basketball encounter. There is no criticism of others, only expressions of feelings of hurt, anger and frustration over losses, missed calls, altercations and injuries. The concept of 'appreciation of others' is ever present in this brief easy read.  He complements almost everyone from his teammates, coaches, front office people, unknown support people (trainers etc) and opposing players.  He has very positive comments about Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas despite their negative outbursts.  He has special praise for Magic Johnson with whom he regards as the greatest all around rival. 

What is clearly missing from the book is Larry Bird's reputation as a "trash talker", "provocateur" and "prankster".  Every documentary about Larry Bird or any interview of a player asked about Larry Bird always features some unique bravado expressed by Bird.  For example, he was known to call his shot or play to the opposing player or team before he received the ball and proceed to fulfill his predicted agenda!  The ability to back up his taunts made him a very respected player in the league.  

Kareem Abdul Jabbar called him "the greatest opposing player that he has faced" He would go on to describe that fact that Bird was smart and used his head in every game situation to win.  His shrewdness made him in the top tier of the NBA.

What also is clear from the book and consistent with other sources of information about Bird is the fact that he was incredibly self motivated. For example, the way he would think would be: If I would dribble the ball 100 times (to improve), I assumed that there was someone else out there dribbling 101 times! (This is consistent with the Talmudic dictum 'reviewing a lesson 100 times does not compare to reviewing the lesson 101 times!) 

Gun Control in the Third Reich by Stephen Halbrook

This is a study of how the Nazi regime disarmed the Jewish community in Germany during the 1930's. The Jewish people were targeted as enemies of the state and therefore posed as a threat to Hitler's power.

The book discusses the gun laws that were in place during the Wiemar Republic including lists from registries.  There were not really any obstacles in acquiring guns and other weapons as long as there were sufficient reasons for owning a weapon.  For example, a store owner who experienced robberies and break-ins could relatively easily gain access to a gun.  As long as one registered the gun with the local police department a citizen could own a gun. If one was member of a hunting club, one could retain a hunting rifle etc.

Germany had sporting hunting clubs that were registered; there were people who retained their service rifles and revolvers from their WWI military service.  Many reasons could be conjured up to own a gun in Germany.

With the fall of Wiemar, however, and the rise of the National Socialists (Nazis) the fate of gun ownership changed radically. Under Nazi leadership, there were certain people and peoples that became targeted for gun confiscation.  Hitler's political enemies in addition to the Jewish people became the object of search and seizures.  Before Hitler attacked and eliminated his political enemies during the "Night of Long Knives" his Gestapo was already confiscating weapons.  Such confiscation made retaliation and self defense much more difficult.

The book highlights eye witness accounts and diaries that recount the personal searches and harsh treatment.  Many were cast into Concentration camps as punishment in the 1930s (the final solution was not in place yet)  Starvation was not an uncommon death to those committed to the camps waiting out their sentence.

The book argues that had Germany not had gun and weapon registries then confiscation would have been much more difficult and such difficulty might have changed the outcome of the extent of armed resistance against the Reich.  By the time of the final solution against the Jewish people was put in place, the Jews of Germany were basically stripped of there legal gun ownership and thus were at a disadvantage to properly defend themselves and possibly fight back.

There is an obvious argument that this book puts forth forcefully: the only true purpose of registering a gun or weapon is so that the authorities or government can ultimately take them away. The Jewish people of Germany were not threats and were law abiding citizens.  There was no good reason to confiscate their guns.  Taking away their guns was part of a grand conspiracy to destroy them.  In a country that has a constitutional amendment to "bear arms", this book contributes to the contemporary conversation about unimpaired free gun ownership.

The Forgotten Man: a new history of the great depression by Amity Shlaes

The Forgotten Man is a new look at the Great Depression and the effects of the New Deal from the Roosevelt administration.  Many of the themes addressed here are similar to current debates and controversies concerning 'big government'- government spending to stimulate the economy vs. 'small government'- allowing business to prosper freely so that the economy flourishes. The arguments between government controls vs. private enterprise are highlighted in this very readable history.

One is introduced to some important people on both sides of the debate.  Franklin Roosevelt, Henry Morgenthau, Felix Frankfurter, David Lilienthal and others who promote the New Deal and are charged with selling the project to the people.  Coolidge, Hoover, Wilkie,, Mellon and the other Republicans unsuccessfully fight Roosevelt and his administration.

The book highlights the clash between government regulations and small business owners.  A kosher poultry company is relentlessly pursued and prosecuted for violating New Deal ethical ordinances, a charge the brother categorically deny.  The brothers believe the government regulations interfere with the relationships with their customers The Jewish immigrant Schechter brothers who barely speak an intelligible English, fight the government all the way to the Supreme Court and win 9-0.  A unanimous decision is reached: the Roosevelt administration oversteps its reach and interferes in the small business. It is a great victory for small business and give pause to Roosevelt to consider his next strategy to circumvent the court.

The book reveals the change in the Black vote despite Roosevelt's apathy in legislating against lynching, knowing that the Southern Democrat would filibuster such a law.  The big personalities like Father Coughlin, the most famous anti semite radio personality and Father Divine the Harlem Black preacher with a sizable following are uncovered as initial followers of Roosevelt but sour on his inability to dig out of the Great Depression.

The books main argument is that there are really three 'men' involved in solving that great economic down turn: the public servant (government)- the author of the new programs, the abject poor- the one that suffers the most who is out of work etc, and 'the forgotten man' the one who ends up paying for the government programs that redress the problems of the abject poor.  The middle class is not consulted nor listened to but rather ignored and forgotten.  He does not have the freedom to refuse the paying of taxes.  The forgotten man's freedom is encroached.

Themes of self reliance and personal responsibility come out of this era.  Bill Wilson and Bob Smith start a self help group for Alcoholics resulting in AA groups across the country.  How to win friends and influence people  by Dale Carnegie is a runaway best seller. These attitudes contrast the attitude that the government should bail one out of one's troubles.

This book is an excellent discussion of the tensions between capitalism and socialism, the Left and the Right, equality vs. freedom.  The author sides with freedom over equality and believes given freedom, the economic downturns would take care of themselves much like what happened during the Coolidge administration.

Jabotinsky: a life by Hillel Halkin

Although this biography is brief, the information and insights contained are well worthwhile. One is introduced to a very complex character, a man of contradictions, yet Ze'ev Jabotinsky proves to be a visionary of the Jewish future and shows great power of observation.  He sees the future before Ben Gurion or Weizmann.

He was a controversial figure, called a fascist but believed in democracy. He saw the need for a Jewish fighting force early on before anyone else because he understood the Arab/Zionist conflict as irreconcilable.  He was not religious in any way but saw the natural alliance with Religious Zionists who needed autonomy, freedom from socialism. He understood the failure of socialism, never understanding the appeal of a way of life that lacks freedom and autonomy.

His controversy and mercurial nature prevented him for staying in the land of Israel which actually benefited him. His political adversaries and the British effectively banned his entry to the land and thus operated from Europe, mostly from Paris and London. He was a very cultured personality and saw life in Israel as very crude and did not fit into the agricultural milieu.  He was eloquent in so many languages and seemed to be partial to Italian! His power came from his writings and oratory.

He was utterly unimpressed with American Jewry.  He thought that the Jewish community there was afraid of its shadow! That American Jewry would not sacrifice for European Jewry was all too evident to Jabotinsky. (Only about 400 powerless rabbis from the orthodox rabbinate in America were courageous enough to march on Washington and confront the Roosevelt administration. The mainstream Jewish community,nevertheless, effectively blocked any real dialogue with them)

According to Mr. Halkin, Jabotinsky was not an effective politician, but rather a literary giant. Ben Gurion and Weizmann were much more effective politicians.  He was, nevertheless, the lightning rod for the Right that directly inspired Menachem Begin and the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.