Presidential Tales

I just completed reading two similar but very different books. Both books recount historical accounts of past presidents. One is an autobiographical account; the other is a fictional biography of one of our greatest presidents.

In the introduction of Seth Graham-Smith's Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, the author reveals his interactions with a mysterious stranger who presents him with 10 leather-bound books and a bundle of letters all penned by our 16th President of the United States. The writings go on to reveal the secret history of Lincoln's life.

Lincoln's life is unfolded in an interesting style as the author writes in a traditional biographical style interposing both brief and long exerpts from Lincoln's own hand.

Lincoln's story begins during his boyhood in Indiana with the tragic death of his mother which would shape much of Lincoln's character and his discovery her death wasn't a result of "milk sickness' but the act of a vampire. The story continues to reveal Lincoln's personal vendetta with the undead and how every event in his life was shaped by it. We learn how vampires worked behind the scenes shaping the events leading to Civil War and how vampires both warred with and protected Lincoln.

Interestingly enough the book is actually a pretty accurate account of Lincoln's life. Most of the major events are told but here for the first time we learn the unknown truth and meaning behind these events.

It didn't take long to read the 336 pages and I was thoroughly entertained. Additionaly, a number of photshopped photos from Lincoln's life are scattered throughout the book adding more realism to the account.

An amusing anecdote was told to me by one of the doctors I work with who read the book. Evidently, he left the book on the dresser by his bed and his wife came along and looked at the cover. She picked it up, read the title again, then sat it down and commented to him "I didn't know that about him." True Story

Incidentally Tim Burton is producing the film slated to be released in June of 2012. The Russian film director Timur Bekmambetov of the Nightwatch and Daywatch films has been tabbed to direct the film.

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George W Bush's memoir, Decision Points doesn't mention any behind the scenes vampire tales but does give the 43rd president's perspective on his 8 years in the oval office. The book reveals the inner man. He comes across nothing like the stereotype Dumb Cowboy the main stream media often portrayed him as.

Bush comes across as thoughtful, competent, compassionate and intelligent. Without question he is a man grounded in his principles.

Obviously, Bush's account of 9/11 and the aftermath is engrossing. As well, the revelation of what went into making the decisons to send troops into combat in Afghanistan and Iraq were enlightening and should be read by those Bush bashers who believe he haphazardly led our country into war.

If Iraq turns out to be a stable democracy in the region, I believe history will judge President Bush in much better terms than when he left the office. I supported the war in Iraq from the outset and never waivered. I found myself at odds with both conservative and liberal friends as both fell in disfavor of the war as it wore on and extracted so much in devastation and human life. I always felt it was important we took the fight against terror and tyranny to the enemy rather than respond to acts of terror on our shores. The Iraq war not only relieved Iraq of a tyrannical dictator who given the opportunity would have done anything to cause harm to the United States but it also caused terrorist organizations in the region to concentrate their efforts on the insurgency rather than planning new attacks on our country. The war exhausted their resources and led to the capture and death of many of their leaders.

Bush defends his decisions about the war not with bravado but thoughtfulness. He certainly didn't make the decison lightly and he stuck with it.

Bush honestly examines his mistakes and doesn't make excuses for his failures. He also defends his decisions skillfully. As a conservative, I didn't always agree with some of his decisions, but after reading the book, I came away with a greater respect for why he made the decisons he did.

Of note, it is hard for me to believe Bush is not credited more by liberals for another war he waged, the war against AIDS and malaria in Africa. Bush has a great heart for people and after seeing how disease in Africa was destroying the lives of those on the continent, he acted to not only get necessary funds to those who could appropriately fight the disease but also went beyond and set up programs that bypassed the international community with all the unnecessay delays that were inherent in their programs. His efforts privided necessary medications and treatment and placed additional emphasis on prevention programs. Bush's efforts have been highly successful as "PEPFAR supported treatment for over 2.1 million AIDs victims and care for more than 10 million people.. had helped protect mothers and babies during more than 16 million preganancies. More than 57 million people had benefited from AIDS teating and counseling services." His malaria initiative was equally successful.

Bush weaves his personal perspective throughout and tells behind the scenes stories both shining a positive light on his presidency and tales which are less than flattering to his person. I highly recommend his book to anyone, no matter what their political persuasion.