Book Club

The Highway Walkers Book Club

Biographies

Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor was a soldier's soldier, a man who lived up to his nickname, "Old Rough and Ready." Having risen through the ranks of the U.S. Army, he achieved his greatest success in the Mexican War, propelling him to the nation's highest office in the election of 1848. He was the first man to have been elected president without having held a lower political office. By: John S. D. Eisenhower

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy creates an absorbing, insightful and distinguished biography of one of America's most legendary Presidents. While current fashion in Kennedy scholarship is to deride the man's achievements, this book describes Kennedy's strengths, explains his shortcomings, and offers many new revelations.

Coolidge

"History has paid little attention to the achievements of Coolidge because he seemed to be unduly passive. Yet Amity Shlaes, as his biographer, exposes the heroic nature of the man and brings to life one of the most vibrant periods in American economic history." (Alan Greenspan)

Ulysses S. Grant

Grant is routinely portrayed as a man out of his depth, whose trusting nature and hands-off management style opened the federal coffers to unprecedented plunder. But that caricature does not do justice to the realities of Grant's term in office, as Josiah Bunting III shows in this provocative assessment of our eighteenth president.

James Buchanan

Almost no president was as well trained and well prepared for the office as James Buchanan. He had served in the Pennsylvania state legislature, the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate; he was Secretary of State and was even offered a seat on the Supreme Court. And yet, by every measure except his own, James Buchanan was a miserable failure as president, leaving office in disgrace.

James K. Polk

James K. Polk was a shrewd and decisive commander in chief, the youngest president elected to guide the still-young nation, who served as Speaker of the House and governor of Tennessee before taking office in 1845. Considered a natural successor to Andrew Jackson, "Young Hickory" miraculously revived his floundering political career by riding a wave of public sentiment in favor of annexing the Republic of Texas to the Union.

Jimmy Carter

The maverick politician from Georgia who rode the post- Watergate wave into office but whose term was consumed by economic and international crises.

George Washington

Revolutionary hero, founding president, and first citizen of the young republic, George Washington was the most illustrious public man of his time, a man whose image today is the result of the careful grooming of his public persona to include the themes of character, self-sacrifice, and destiny.

Andrew Jackson- American Lion

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House is a 2008 biography by Jon Meacham of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. It won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. By: Jon Meacham

eisenhower- soldier & president

Written by award winning historian Stephen E. Ambrose, this biography disects the life of the man who commanded D-day and brought America through the cold war. He doesn't shy away from the less attractive parts of Eisenhower's characteristics, he paints a picture of a strong, flawed leader. A wonderful way to learn about WW11 and about life in the 1950's and early 60's. -Darrell Johnston

Theodore Rex

A biography by Edmund Morris. The second of his trilogy about the vivasious Theodore Roosevelt. I found the writing to be engaging, incredibly detailed and amazingly alive. I knew the ending but I was eager to keep reading to hear how Morris would tell the story. -Darrell Johnston

Colonel roosevelt

This is the third of the trilogy about Theodore Roosevelt. See Theodore Rex. -Darrell Johnston

One Man's Wilderness

The story of Dick Proenneke and the building on his log cabin in Alaska. The book is compiled of his journal entries. Simple, straight forward and profound. His writing gets right to the heart of living in the wilderness. A beautiful read. -Darrell Johnston

Fiction

101 famous poems

Some of the most beautiful and influential poems in American history. A small book that makes committing these poems to memory very easy. Easy to pick up and carry with you. This book comes with me everywhere I go. -Darrell Johnston

Iron John

Robert Bly brings the hero (everyones) story into context. The poetry and tie to history made me feel like I had tapped into an ancient secret. He tells an old story of a boy's rise to 'hero' (adulthood) and the various roles he plays on his way, while weaving in antidotes and poignant parts of his own story.  I learned about myself, humanity, history and mindfulness. -Darrell Johnston

Ishmael

Through the perspective of a gorilla named Ishmael, he tells us what's wrong with humanity. This stretched me personally and challenged some of my beliefs, but the originality of thought and the vessel with which he tells the story make it an excellent read. -Darrell Johnston

The spiritual man

This is the anthology of Watchman Nee, a Christian writer that breaks down what a spirit, soul and body are and how to become a spiritual man. Written in the 1920's in China, Nee devoted his life to these books. A very in depth 'how to' of spirituality. A scholarly source for understanding the lingo of the Christian faith. -Darrell Johnston

non-fiction

Timeless wisdom and advice on living the 7 manly virtues

This is an anthology of letters, articles and speeches written by warriors, political figures, historical figures, and poets. They were all craftily chosen and put into corresponding chapters that highlight the 7 virtues of manliness. A fantastic, quick, pick up and drop it read. Written by our friend Brett McKay at artofmanliness.com- Darrell Johnston