Kirsten Brown commenting on Haley Jensen's post on The Wizard of Oz

I chose The Wizard of Oz for the same reasons and I felt the same way about the writing. It was descriptive, but open to the imagination at the same time. It was very odd. You got an image from the text that was unique to the reader and his or her feelings at that time, but it did not have every specific detail written down for you to read. Baum drew less on emotion of the reader and instead focused on making it relatable. After reading the book, you have the feeling that the Land of Oz is real and Dorothy really did travel there. You don't feel like you've just finished reading a book.

Andrew Fahey President Calling JFK

I thought to listen to JFK, he has always interested me as a President and still is one of the most respected presidents in my eyes. I liked listening to JFK disscuss how he would have handeled the crisis in Mississippi better. Barnett was being very conflictive and said there might be some bloodshed, but they would try to keep the peace. I thought Barnett was completely wrong. He was trying to get out of the blame if anything did happen.

Kirsten Brown- The Presidents Calling

The conversation between President Kennedy and Governor Ross Barnette was particularly interesting to me. The power struggle in the conversation was tense and blatantly obvious. During the first phone conversation Barnette had total control. He gave his opinions and always cut off Kennedy. The president was able to finish very few sentences. In the second conversation President Kennedy begins speaking strongly and firmly. Kennedy gets slightly angry, but Barnette still manages to keep most control. Barnette promises to try and keep peace, but instead, he encourages rioting. At this point Robert Kennedy had to step in and threaten to expose Barnette with conspiracy. During the last conversation, Barnette still tries to weasel into getting his own way, but Kennedy is firm and in complete control. He tells Barnette exactly what he has to do and Barnette tries to get out of it, but Kennedy doesn't sway. The president finally got control over the controversial situation.

The President Calling: Jessica Dees

I decided to listen the podcast of John F. Kennedy. I have always respected JFK over a lot of different presidents and I thought it would be easy to understand his opinions and thoughts. But unfortunately I was wrong about the understanding part. I realize he was discussing the matter of how he does not believe the Government of Mississippi was at right for a lot of their decisions. But I am still not sure. (I am hoping I will be able to sift through what he really meant after this class.) Anyway, in my opinion I think JFK was stating that the Mississippi government should not punish a student by kicking him out of the University of Mississippi for being black If this is so I completely agree with him because I believe even though other people have prejiduce you should be able to keep your right to obtain knowledge.

Thomas Britton- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I initially chose this book for my assignment because my sister already had it. My parents and their friends had also seen the movie and had said good things, so I thought it would be a nice assignment. I really have gotten into the book since then, and I am really enjoying the story. I like how original it is as well, a book about a mental ward with the head nurse as the main villain was a great idea in my opinion. For me the book just keeps getting better and better, and i can't wait to see how it ends!

Ivy Elkins commenting on President Johnson

I had no clue who Johnson was, what period he was from or what he was known for. i thought it was interesting that he was the president of multiple personalities. Knowing that he recorded his phone calls was very interesting which made sense logistically but also seemed kind of shady. Once i listened to how he felt about MLK and the whole expansion on the civil rights movement i realized it was intelligent so that he could have proof of peoples words and hold them accountable. I thought it was very admirable. I also thought he was a heroic man for wanting to encourage Jackie in her time of need since she had just had her whole life turned upside down. He didnt want to make her talk about politics or tell her how great of a president he would be, but he told her how he was always going to be her friend. He also mentioned how women are so strong which also was a part of the encouragement to the expansion on the civil rights movement. Im still not sure how i feel about him totally but i think he was definitely very interesting since he was originally under one of the most famous presidents. He obviouslly learned a lot and used that along with his own view to influence Vietnam. But i do think it was wise of him not to run for re-election since he had such a tricky presidency that was so much different in the times and events that were happening to America and their relationship with everyone at that time.

René Michaud: President Calling

I would first like to say, I would much rather listen to JFK to presidents of my generation. I was actually kind of intrigued by what he had to say and seemed to be a man of honor and was set on doing the right thing. But to contrast of JFK, the governor stuck me as closeminded, racist man. The podcast "JFK Persuades Barnett to maintain law and order in Mississippi" is pretty much JFK trying to get Barnett to admit Meredith, but Barnett is reluctant because of fear of not being to control mobs. In the end, Meredith was safely registered.
As to the podcasts, I like how simple it was to find and its ease of use. But for those who don't have itunes and are unable to download it, it may be quite inconvienient. I do like this source also for the fact that it is primary and will be very helpful in the future.

Raquel Littlefield - The President Calling: Nixon

I listened to President Richard Nixon's recordings. First off, I honestly did not know too much about this president, but I did learn that he was a republican who was elected in 1968 which was in the middle of the Vietnam War. Nixon was a shy, introverted man who was also cynical and very profane.

I disliked his quote about Africans stating that they do not "measure up" to them. However, I found this contradictory to his slogan during the elections. His slogan was, "Bring us together" which obviously contradicts his statement about the Africans he made later. I don't quite understand why he would say something like this, even though he was raised by his mother's moral values. Perhaps his mother's moral values were different than the values I believe in.

Then in 1973, at a conference about the Watergate Scandal, Nixon felt self-pity due to the fact that two of his people resigned. I would feel the same way if that happened to me. Anyway, this eventually lead to Nixon's resignation. He was the first president to resign in office. After his resignation, the secret recordings came to a halt.

All in all, I actually enjoyed listening to this podcast. I'm usually not all that great at sitting and listening to a podcast, but surprisingly I could handle this one and I did learn quite a bit from it.

Kelly Overstreet: The President Calling- Nixon

I chose to listen to Nixon's address to the nation regarding the very recent Watergate scandal. It was still in its early stages and I found it very interesting how Nixon said he would take responsibility for the poor actions of his advisers when he later would. He seemed to be very concerned about the seriousness of their actions. I also noticed how towards the end of his speech he attempted to draw attention away from the Watergate scandal by discussing meetings with the Soviets and inflation in the economy.
I like the idea of using podcasts as a learning source, as we usually have to do enough reading for other classes and it would be a nice way to change things up.

John Thyer - The President Calling Podcast

I just completed my podcasts, and I'd like to share my thoughts on what I heard from the mouth of John F. Kennedy himself.

First off, I'd like to say that this assignment was very interesting, and it was very humanizing to listen to the actual voice of JFK, a president from half a century ago, and hearing his words against the Government of Mississippi was fascinating. Secondly, I'd like to say that I hate iTunes with a passion and that I resent having to install it but anyway...

The first Podcast I listened too was the "JFK Debates Govenor's Decision to Ban James Meredith from U-Miss" file. In it, JFK debates with the Governor (of Mississippi, I assume) about their decision to bar James Meredith from the University of Mississippi. The Governor states that Meredith has committed a state crime, and is therefore barred from entering state schools. Upon further research (read: Wikipedia), I found out that this law was enacted around the time that James Meredith sued the University of Mississippi for refusing to admit him due to his race. The law was essentially created to block Meredith, who was formerly charged with voter fraud. JFK argues for Meredith to be admitted, while the Governor says his duty is to uphold the law.

The second podcast, "JFK Persuades Barnett to Maintain Law and Order in Mississippi", involves the Governor trying to convince JFK to avoid registering Meredith, as he might not be able to stop mobs and the like from developing in opposition to Meredith's admittance. JFK asks that, if he waits for the people to cool down, will Meredith be admitted, and the Governor reluctantly agrees.

The third and final podcast I listened to was the "JFK Addresses Nation Prematurely on Success in Mississippi" file. In it, JFK delivers a speech to the nation about the success in Mississippi and how it could have happened sooner had the state government of Mississippi upheld Federal law rather than resisting it. This final speech is interesting, as, while it rightfully chastizes the Mississippi state government for its actions, it also is a total condemnation of civil disobedience. Listening to his words, he essentially condemns the works of Gandhi and many African-American civil rights activities that happened before and during his presidency.

I obviously agree with JFK's assistance of the civil rights movement and I feel that he's a moral man, but I don't believe I can morally side with him on the issue of civil disobedience. Civil Disobedience is a just and righteous tool for fighting corrupt governments, and his attack on the whole movement is in the moral wrong, in my opinion of course.

Unrelated to this but related to the other assignment, I just watched the "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" film, and it was just as fantastic as I'd hoped. One thing that was interesting however, was that the book had a better Nurse character and gave me much more time to despise her, the movie version of McMurphy as played by Jack Nicholson is far superior thanks to Nicholson's fantastic performance. I think that I would have enjoyed the film more if I'd seen it first, but then I doubt I'd have enjoyed the book as much. Both experiences would have been enriched if I hadn't had the ending spoiled by my little brother. Jerk.

Also, something else sprung into my mind recently. Now, I hate to use the term "ripoff", but, try reading/watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and then reading/watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and see who Dolores Umbridge reminds you of. Just saying.

Jessica Dees: Response to Rene Michaud

Rene I’m going to have to say that the Band of Brothers sounds like a pretty cool book. The movie is never better than the book. They always leave out to much. The whole thing about the real soldiers being interviewed I think is really interesting. I have always loved hearing stories in the first perspective, especially when it’s about war stories.

The Things they Carried: Jessica Dees

The things they carried were beyond an interesting book. What caught me off guard though was that it wasn’t anything like an ordinary book. Instead of having one big story there was many different short stories put together in no particular order. I never really knew when Tim O’Brian was telling a true story or not or if the people were real. I loved hearing about his characters like Rat Kiley and Norman Bowker, until most of them died. In some parts of the book it was very graphic which really made me realize how the war was very unforgiving. But to me it is the most interesting topic to learn about.

René Michaud: Band of Brothers

I chose to read Band of Brothers because I enjoyed the HBO series quite a bit. The book and the series were pretty much the same to the last detail(makes sense to me), except for the fact the movie did not include nearly as much as the book. It took place during WWII following E company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne who were considered the most physically fit regiment. This book was much better than I had expected. I thought it was pretty cool that a lot of the real soldeiers were interviewed and Ambrose used quotes throughout the book. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII books.

Ryan O'Meara: JFK the President Calling

For my "The President Calling" assignment I chose to listen to JFK's stance on the banning of James Meredith from the University of Mississippi. I listened to the president's conversations with the governor of Mississippi, along with a speech to the American people addressing what was going on. To me, the president seems to be a man of his honor while he is fighting for James Meredith, but I think that the governor on the other hand was working as a politician. The governor seemed to be resisting the president and it seemed as if he didn't want to step up and handle the situation. Some parts of the phone calls between the two seemed to be heated as they could not reach a common solution to the problem.
I enjoyed listening to the podcasts, and I hope to see them used in the up coming course. It felt good to be able to listen to a primary source instead of having to read it. The ease of being able to access the source also adds to why I like it, because the download only takes a second, and above all it's free! In addition, it cuts down on the number of papers that I have to carry around and keep track of, and let's face it: we all have enough to keep track of as it is.

grace stoyshich-president calling

well i must say that history is not my best subject which is why im taking this class. i listened to the recording and personally understood about 40 % of it. i really learned to respect kennedy and his decisions i think it was really honorable of him that he called and asked eisenhower for advice on the cuban missile crisis. i think the idea of listening to these recordings and it being open to the public is an excellent. i think for people like me that are not from the USA and dont have much knowledge on US history that this would be something useful and informational to listen to. i learned alot from the recordings and i believe that kennedy was a great president and that he wasnt perfect but he always trie dto make decisions that would help the people of the united states. i thought it was crazy for Nixon to say that he was happier to hear Kennedy's voice than jesus's lol kinda blew me away that he would say that, maybe he wasn't very religious or maybe it was just a bad joke. anyway i did enjoy the tapes. i had to listen closely and i look forward to learning more about it.

grace stoyshich

well i read the wizard of Oz and watched the movie and personally the book was waaay better compared to the movie. there were too many differences in the movie. i really enjoyed reading the book. it was exciting. my book had pictures in it which were fun lol but i would defiantely recommend it to someone else. it was awesome!

Haley Jensen: the president calling-President Kennedy

HALEY JENSEN

Personally, I think John F. Kennedy was one of the best presidents the United States of America has ever had. To me, President Kennedy seemed a fair and honest man. He knew what he had to do and knew the price he might have to pay but despite those conditions, he was still going to do what was right but he wanted to do so in a peaceful, non troublesome way. With the situation in Mississippi, JFK knew that he could lose votes from the southern people and knew that it was a risk for the next election but he also knew that he had duties to carry out with James Merideth and his rights as a human being. In which the Declaration of Independence states, "All men are created equal", and I think that had to do some with JFK's initial decision on trying to allow James Merideth to register for his classes at Ole Miss' where there was segregation and racism against James Merideth and he was denied access to go into the school and register for his classes. I also think that Govenor Barnett was a racist individual and it seemed to me like he had no respect for the president. President Kennedy wanted to solve it peacefully so nobody would get hurt or killed and it would be a non violent thing but Govenor Barnett was two face and would go behind the presidents back and say one thing to the president but then say something else to other people.(ex:the transcripts I voluntarily read between Governor Barnett and Attorney General Kennedy). I think President Kennedy did the best he could in keeping the United States under control and keeping things done in an orderly,peacefully manner but people were defiant and recalcitrant, which made it difficult on the president to keep things controlled in a peaceful manner all the time.

Jennifer Rudder- The President Calling: Lyndon Johnson

First of all, I think it was pretty cool that Johnson was sworn in after being Kennedy's vice president in the event of Kennedy's death. When he was sworn in, he already had a lot of experience with politics. When the podcast talked about his different personalities, it made me want to listen more intently to find out what exactly they meant by it. I really loved that he called Jackie Kennedy and told her about how much courage women have. The listener can really tell how he was able to cheer Jackie up while she was mourning the loss of her president. He seems genuinely concerned and sympathetic towards her, but it is apparent that he wants her friendship in order look good to the public. I think it was pretty wise of him to tape all of his conversations so that he could hold people accountable to their word. I kind of like the "shocking" methods he used. To me, it shows that he is a real person and he isn't going to promise something he can't deliver. On the other hand, it makes me think that he sometimes does put on a fake-front in order to get what he wants or to win someone over. I like that Johnson basically ignored Hoover's hate towards Martin Luther King Jr. and how he actually encouraged King Jr. When all the drama with the Vietnam had somewhat settled, he decided not to run for re-election.
After listening to the podcast, I have mixed feelings about Johnson. There are some aspects of his personality, morals, and political views that I strongly disagree with. But for the most part, I respect Johnson's strong personality. He really stepped up to the job when Kennedy passed. Although there are many views on his personality, I think that he did what he needed to do. If it weren't for his strong personality and sometimes harsh ways, he might not have gotten as many things accomplished.

Jessie Bono in response to Lindsey Langston's post:

Although I chose to go with Ken Kesey's book on the "Option A" list (a book in which I highly recommend reading), if I had chosen "Option B," I would have gone with this book. It sounded truly inspiring (as I can see by Lindsey's response). I, too, am interested in the Civil Rights Movement and, sadly, don't know enough about it. I would have done this assignment if I had any clue how to use Google Earth.

Jessie Bono on President Calling -- Lyndon Johnson

I chose to listen to the podcast of President Lyndon Johnson. Honestly, I’d heard of President John F. Kennedy and of President Nixon, but I only vaguely recall hearing of President Lyndon Johnson. I think technology is amazing nowadays, that I can listen to the past on my iTouch or computer. It’s just mindblowing to think that years ago, when my 23-year-old brother studied President Johnson or Nixon or Kennedy, he studied their speeches from textbooks or heard the main topics during lectures. I get to hear their voices in person, hear the tone, hear the eloquence. It makes me feel lucky.

Anyways, after listening to the podcast of President Johnson (the speech he made to Congress and his phone conversations), I must say he sounds more like a politician than a man of honor. Even though he had the difficult task of following a man like President Kennedy, he comes across (to me) as a bit manipulative in the use of his “shock techniques” and the phrases and words he uses to describe situations America was going through doing the time. He seemed charismatic and powerful, but I don’t like how manipulative he came across as. It seems that he used his charisma to make things go his way.

President Calling- President Johnson: Kristen Sikora

Kristen Sikora
I chose to listen to President Lyndon B. Johnson honestly because I did not know anything about him. I found it so incredible that we have the ability to listen to real and private conversations that went on in the presidential office. Johnson held many phone calls to gain more followers on to his side and shape history through "political calculus." Johnson assigned a position of foreing ambassador to the first African American woman. Lyndon Johnson first became president at 55 years old. He used all of his power to make a change and influence after the death of Kennedy. They said he had a power of blending personal and political, as seen with his conversation with Jackie Kennedy; who he used to show his legitimacy as the new president. Johnson used the recordings of his phone calls to keep order and organize details to help settle different disputes. Johnson wanted to help expand the civil rights for African Americans. He used his extreme ways and shock techniques to help get his way.

Raquel Littlefield - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I chose One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey because I've heard a lot of positive reviews about the novel. I mostly chose this book because my brother recommended it for me, and since I had the opportunity, it seemed like the perfect chance to read it. I really enjoy reading this book. The struggle between the narrator and the nurse kept me interested and I didn't want to put the book down. I'm glad the book was written in first person to get a better vision of how life was in the asylum. I honestly haven't watched the movie yet, but I can't wait to compare it with the book.

Jennifer Rudder- The Wizard of Oz

I chose this book because it was a familiar title and I like the movie. As in most cases, the book is a lot different from the movie. I feel like the book is kind of boring and the writing isn't too exciting. I also feel like the author is constantly trying to create imagery, but it doesn't really work. It's almost as is he's trying too hard. I prefer the movie to the book, which actually shocked me. I wish I had chosen a book that would have given me more insight into American history.

Bradley Wheeler – Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers was an excellent choice of a summer reading book. It gave me the utmost respect for our soldiers and what they go through. I love how Stephen Ambrose included actual quotes from the soldiers he wrote about in the book. The movies depicted in great detail the scenes from the book almost down the last period. The book also helped me relate to my grandfather, whom was a prisoner of war in WWII. He told me how real the book and movies were and that opened my eyes into what our past was and what our future can be.

Andrew Fahey- Band of Brothers

The book I chose to read this summer was Band of Brothers, this book exceeded my expectations. At first, I thought this book was just another book I had to read for summer, something that I would drudge through just to get it finished. As I began the first chapter, my eyes were opened to one of the best books I have read. To read about the struggle that the soldiers went through really made me find a new respect for our troops. I also liked how Stephen Ambrose used quotes from the actual soldiers almost forty five years later. It really helped to understand what happpened. My favorite part of the book was hearing about Easy Company's training rituals, which were extremely brutal. If anyone was looking for a book to read, that was both historically accurate and fun to read, this is the perfect book for them to read. One of my favorite books ever now. 

Shawn Best: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The book I chose for the summer reading was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. It was highly recommended by my parents, who had seen the movie, so I expected a pretty good read. It tells the story of a group of patients in an asylum trying to deal with their conditions and the domineering control of a middle-aged nurse. It is a striking example of how authority can be perverted and used to make those under its power suffer. Kesey insightfully delves into the struggles and psyches of these men in the asylum because of his experience as an attendant in a psychiatric ward in the 1960’s. This book shows the patient’s struggles against a system which they don’t fit. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to watch the award-winning movie. I read on someone’s post that this book was an allegory for slavery and that definitely changed my interpretation of it. I saw that connection in the patient’s helplessness and complete lack of freedom. This made me realize the connection between this book and American history. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for something about a struggle against society.

Zach White- Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers was an easy choice for me. I have seen the series on TV and it is one of my favorite war documentaries. I enjoy the action and combat that takes place in Band of Brothers. Another reason I choose it was because it fell under option B which seemed much more intriguing than option A. I have finished the book, and I can honestly say I enjoyed reading it (which is not the case with most summer reading books). This book really provided me with an inside look on the soldiers take on the war. There are some comical moments which I also appreciated. The book depicts the battles down to the very last detail. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it is easy to follow and very entertaining. Overall an awesome book.

Austin Shaeffer commenting on Ryan O'meara: Catch-22

I couldn't agree with you more, that Catch-22 was extremely witty and complex. The wit was so enjoyable and a nice change from what I have been reading lately. Though it was complicated at parts it only encouraged me to read faster so that I could figure it out. I also agree that I really looked forward to the "catch-22"s because of the irony and humor of the situations. It has been by far one of the best books i have ever read.

Kelly Overstreet: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I chose to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest because I had always heard the movie was a fantastic film, and I also enjoy comparing films to the book they came from. I liked how the point of view came from an actual patient in the hospital instead of a third-person point of view. The power struggle between the Big Nurse and McMurphy was very interesting, especially when it seemed the Nurse was going to crack. It was a very easy book to follow and the plot was a unique one. I'm very glad I chose to read it.

Austin Shaeffer: Catch-22

I choose Catch-22 because it is such a classic, and because I was very interested in the concept of a "catch-22". I was not disappointed in the least. I could immediately tell that this book was going to be witty and intellectual. I am intrigued by all forms of media that make you work to understand them, and I felt that Catch-22 pulled this off flawlessly. The wit and cleverness of the writing added suspense and excitement. The mere complexity of the book made it one of the most entertaining I have ever read. It was comical, entertaining, and witty, a perfect mixture for a great book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a complex and witty story.

Luxi Qiao commenting on Tina Phan-The Devil in the White City

I started on The Devil in the White City a long time ago partly because someone recommended it to me and partly because I am a fan of books of this genre. But then because I didn’t have time, I was forced to stop reading it before I even got into the plot. Now after reading your review, I think I’m going to restart on this book again because it does seems interesting.

Tina Phan- The Devil in the White City

When I first looked at the list of books, I wasn't really motivated because the books didn't seem interesting. I was gladly mistaken though. I chose The Devil in the White City because the project for it was different from the usual and the book itself was intriguing. Erik Larson weaved together the history of the Chicago World's Fair and the murders of H.H. Holmes into a story-like novel. I was impressed with how he captured the chaos during the construction of the fair and the awe that followed when it opened. I also enjoyed the subtle humors and how the fair affected things and people that I know today. Overall, it was a well written book and easy to follow.

Haley Jensen:The Wizard Of Oz By: L.Frank Baum

HALEY JENSEN:

When looking over the list of books for summer reading,I came down to two choices I was interested in, but my final choice was The Wizard Of Oz.I chose The Wizard of Oz because I have seen both the movie and broadway production but never read the book and I wanted to see how different the book was.As I began reading,I found that I liked the book MUCH better than the movie, and about the same amount as the broadway production(just because I like visuals and live entertainment). Although it wasn't an on stage acting scene, the author still made it easy for me to visualize Dorothy's journey with the scare crow, the tin man, and the cowardley lion. In most scenes, I felt as if I could imagine exactly what she felt like or what the environment would be like in situations.For example,when Dorothy began to sob about being alone in the land of Oz with nothing but strange "people" which were the Munchkins, I could imagine exactly how she was feeling. I remember when I was little and I got lost one time in the mall. I had no clue where my mother was and I just stood in the middle of Sears crying when finally I went and asked the cashiers to page her over the intercome and see if they could find her because I was lost.(Which at the time my only words were "I CAN'T FIND MY MOMMY!!!"). I didn't ever have to go on a journey to go back home, I've never been an orphan, and I've never met a cowardly lion,a talking scare crow or a tin man that wanted to have a heart.However, after reading The Wizard of Oz,I deffinitely felt as if I had been right there in the book with the characters.

I highly recommend reading the book, it is much better than the movie.

Luxi Qiao-Frost/Nixon

I chose the book Frost/Nixon because I got interested in the movie after seeing the preview. Because I was anticipating only for an insipid report on the details of the interview, the book was unexpectedly entertaining. I can't say Sir David Frost was completely unbiased when writing the book, albeit he did seem to provide a factual description of the interviews, the work behind it all, and the historical framework. Introducing the historical background before writing about the interviews was very helpful, because it clarified certain significant historical events mentioned in the interviews. I think this feature of the book is probably why the book would be comprehensible to a variety of readers. The transcripts in the back were an objective and verbatim depiction of the interviews in conversation form, which was more thorough than the author's own description and was useful for the readers in order to understand the atmosphere of the interviews. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone, who, regardless of the reason, had taken an interest in either Nixon or American history.

Douglas Roberts commenting on Ryan O'meara: Catch-22

When I was deciding on what book to read for this assignment, Catch-22 was in my top two books to read (though I ultimately chose The Wizard of Oz because I found out I already owned it). Your post has made me regret that decision somewhat, because Catch-22 sounds like a better book. I remember that my oldest sister Dennice had read and enjoyed the book and since we have similar tastes in literature, I'll definitely try to read Catch-22 the next time I'm able.

Douglas Roberts- The Wizard of Oz

I chose Baum's The Wizard of Oz because the 1939 film was one of my favorite movies as a child and I took this opportunity to read the book that inspired that movie. I ended up actually enjoying the book more than the movie, and I was surprised by the myriad of differences between the book and the movie-- especially that the iconic ruby slippers were in fact silver in Baum's original telling. While most of the changes did not significantly alter the plot, it made re-watching the movie much more interesting as I looked for omissions or significant additions by the filmmakers. I recommend this book to any fans of the film.

Ryan O'Meara: Catch-22

When I first looked at the summer reading list this year, I first thought I didn't want to read any of the books listed, but when I looked into the books further I knew immediately I would enjoy reading Catch-22. The thing I liked most about Catch-22 was the fact that it was based on World War Two. I am very interested in World War Two, and Catch-22 gave a different view point on the war than other books I had read in the past. The dialogue is very well thought out and witty. I thought that some portions of the book were a quite complicated and hard to follow, but eventually the pieces fell into place. My favorite parts of the book were the common occurrences with the "Catch-22's". A Catch-22 is any catch that keeps someone from getting something done. The main character Yossarian runs into these many times through out the book, and they seem to cause him a lot of trouble. One even keeps Yossarian from being grounded, even though he is crazy. Overall I liked Catch-22 and I would recommend anyone who likes witty novels to go ahead and read it.

Breanna Maldonado; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The book I chose to read for the summer reading assignment is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. The reason I chose this book is for one, none of the other choices for Option A really interested me. And two, I enjoy reading novels where there is a struggle against a higher power, which is exactly what is happening throughout this novel. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest takes place in a mental hospital, where the narrator of the story, Bromden, resides. Nurse Ratched, or "The Big Nurse" as they call her, has full authority over the mental hospital, and no one dares to challenge her. That is until Randle McMurphy arrives as a patient and being a gambler, takes a bet that he can get the best of Nurse Ratched before the week is up. But what he doesn't know is that this small bet will turn into an all out war that the rest of the patients belive is a lost cause. The descriptions Bromden gives of the mental hospital world are unlike anything I have ever read. If you haven't gotten a chance to read your summer reading book yet, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest will not disappoint!

Jackie Sirianni-The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried i a story of a man's experiences in The Vietnam War. His story is out of the ordinary compared to most books about war because it talks about the author's whole life, not just during the war. In the book, he would describe an event that happened during the war, like watching a friend die. Then he would switch back into the present point of view. This made me really think about war as a real life experience for people to have to go through, not just a statistic in a textbook. I chose this book because I wanted to do Option B, and also because it's interesting to see the different points of view on this controversial war of the Sixties. Even though the author says that all war stories have fiction in them, I thought he spoke with an honest voice. I would recommend it t anyone, even if they weren't taking this class.

John Thyer - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

I just finished this book and I absolutely loved it. I chose it because the movie had been on my radar a while as it stars Jack Nicholson, who I became a huge fan of after his spectacular performances in The Shining and Tim Burton's Batman. Both of these films cast Nicholson as someone completely off his rocker, so I found the idea of him playing a perfectly sane person being held in an asylum to be delightfully ironic. It's also impossible to ignore the film's high pedigree. I always like to read the book before I see a movie, so seeing the possibility to do both, for class credit, no less, I grabbed at the chance immediately (though I still want to read Catch-22 at some point.)

Of course, the movie certainly had a lot to live up to, as the book is as much a masterpiece of literature as the film is a masterpiece of cinema. Time Magazine and many other sources have cited One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as one of the Top 100 novels of the century, and for good reason. The book was a blast to read, and I blazed through it in a few days, unable to put it down. It's an incredibly good book, and well worth a read for fans of the film and for fans of excellent literature in general. The writing and narration by the Chief is endlessly fascinating, as are the slow reveals into the psyches of the Chief, McMurphy, the conniving, megalomaniac, control freak Nurse Ratched, and the fun and likable cast of characters that make up the ward. It's can be very humorous as well as very dramatic, and the story is well-paced and never drags on glacially. I can't recommend it enough, and I can't wait to see the film.

Vintery, mintery, cutery, corn,
Apple seed and apple thorn,
Wire, briar, limber lock
Three geese in a flock
One flew East
One flew West
And one flew over the cuckoo's nest.

Kirsten Brown- The Wizard of Oz

I chose The Wizard of Oz, by Frank Baum, for two reasons. The first reason is that in the fall, I will be participating in the play The Wizard of Oz at Young Actors Theatre. I thought that by reading this book I would be able to study for my play while also completing my summer work. The second reason that I hose this book was because I recently went to see the Broadway production of Wicked. I was able to see a backstage tour and was told that the ruby slippers were actually silver. The reason for this was that the play had to follow the book, not the movie. I was told that in the original books the slippers were silver and that to get around this legal issue, the silver slippers in Wicked were constantly light by a red spot light. This made me curious. What else was different in the book? I had only ever seen the movie, so I wanted to know how closely the producers had staid to the novel. I'm very glad that I chose The Wizard of Oz. There were many more events in the book that weren't even mentioned in the movie such as the gaps in the road, the cap of the winged monkeys, and the porcelain city. The book also conveyed the important ideas of the story much more effectively. It is very obvious in the book that the characters have what they are seeking for all along. The Scarecrow is intelligent, the Tin Woodman is caring, and the Lion fears not even death. This book was incredibly entertaining and enlightening as well. I would recommend it to everyone.

Akua Yamoah - The Wizard of Oz

I chose The Wizard of Oz because i recognized the book and I knew it would be something fun to read for the summer. Also because i have never read the book and was just simply interested. And I'm so glad I did choose the book because it was just the right book for me, with enough to keep me wanting more. The book turned out to be really interesting and exciting at times with all the new challenges Dorothy and her friends kept coming across. And what I loved most about the book is that it had a happily ever after!

Akua Yamoah commenting on Ivy Elkins- The Wizard of Oz

Great minds think alike.Because I picked this book because it was what I recognized off the list of books as well. And I have finished reading the book and have found it very entertaining and interesting to really noticed the little messages through out the book. I am glad I chose this book to read and I feel you will be glad you chose it too.

Ivy Elkins commenting on Kristen Sikoras post

Kristen, I too was puzzled as to why The book was on there with other books about wars and leaders. But knowing the main basis of the books plot that is a great metaphor that the handicapped patients were slaves. In art history this year we learned about the conditions those people were in before they were treated as equals. Its a sad thing but its very true that they were downgraded and their whole lives were controlled and looked down upon. I think your overall view of their caretakers behaviors towards them and their role in this story is very true and makes you think about how slavery was not only involved with blacks.

Ivy Elkins- The Wizard of Oz

I initially chose this book because it was the only one i recognized on option a. I like most of us have grown up watching the movie and knew this would be a book about a fantasy world with entertaining characters so i decided it would be entertaining to learn the history and origin of one of Americans favorite stories. I wasn't sure how it related to American history but I've realized it was and still is an important book that has impacted people all over. My overall opinion of the book is that i do prefer the movie but its been very interesting to read the origin of something that has impacted people for over a hundred years. The characters show the qualities they want throughout their journey. I haven't finished it yet but so far I've thoroughly enjoyed it and am very excited to finish it and compare and contrast what ive known and thought about it in the past

Kristen Sikora commenting on Lindsey Langstons Coming of Age in Mississippi

First off i would like to say that i give you much respect for doing option two! Because i am horrified of advanced computer technology. Second, this book truly does sound incredibly touching and would make you think twice about how lucky your life is. I actually googled the book before commenting and was shocked to find out this is her autobiography and all of the hurt she had truly been through. She seems like an extremely courageous woman.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-Kristen Sikora

Hey everyone. I chose the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I picked this book immediately because i must admit i am a fan of the movie. But of course like every boo turned movie they are never identical. So i have found it interesting to read the book, it was the perfect opportunity. I am not done with the book, so im still anxiously waiting to find out how it will all come together. When i first saw that this book was on our American history reading list i was truly puzzeled on how it was related. But as i continued to read on i realized that the book is based off of some of the biggest struggles our history has faced. The segregation and poor treatment of the patients is a flashback to some of the truly horrific things our country has witnessed. The harsh iron rule of nurse Ratched and revolts and rebels of the patients is nothing more than another form of slavery. The struggles for freedom and justice are ideas our country was founded on. Im excited to make it to the end of this intense and fascinating story.

Jessie Bono: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Ken Kesey)

Jessie Bono --

I feel I should be honest and just come out and say that I don't enjoy history work over the summer. Without a teacher to guide me through it, I find history completely overwhelming. Because of this, I chose One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. This book contains a shocking perspective of life in a mental institution, told by a patient who suffers terrible, nightmarish illusions. It astounded me that Kesey could completely grasp the viewpoint of the patient telling the story. It also forces me to question the sanity of Kesey himself.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest tells of the introduction of Randle Patrick McMurphy into the ward. McMurphy completely shakes up the ward with his loud, outgoing, and rebellious nature. The ward, which has been running the same way for nearly a decade, begins to undergo changes, such as the (illegal) addition of gambling to the recreational activities. Even the other patients (mostly the ones known as "Acutes") begin to change, becoming more daring, more themselves than ever before. But McMurphy battles constantly with the Head Nurse -- a cool, collected demon woman with steel-blue hair and piercing green eyes. McMurphy and the Head Nurse (Mrs. Ratched) butt heads constantly, McMuphy winning some, "Mrs. Rat-Shed" (as McMurphy calls her) winning some. I'm about halfway through the book, but I predict that either McMurphy will be completely shattered by the ever-cool Mrs. Ratched, or that the whole ward will have an uprising against her, one in which they win.

Post your comments for President Calling here.

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Dylan Broyles Blog about Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers is about the 101st Airborne Division in World War Two. It specifically follows Easy Company of the 506th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) from their first training jump to their jump into Normandy on D-Day to their capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden. The men of E Company endured some of the toughest battles that the European Theater of the war had to offer. As old members died and green replacements came in, the original group of so-called "Toccoa Men" were promoted and grew closer by the day. Band of Brothers was an exceptional book and I recommend it to anybody who has the time to read it.

Thought's on Moody's Coming of Age in Mississippi

Lindsey Langston- The main reason I decided to read this book was that it fell under the "Option B" category and I thought that this project sounded like more fun. Well, as fun as a summer reading project can be. Also, I'm really interested in the Civil Rights movement and what life was like in the south during that time. I'm almost finished with the book, and I am really enjoying it! Most of the books I've read on African American history either cover the lives of slaves or activists in the Civil Rights Movement. I was really excited to discover that most of this book covered the "in-between period". I had never learned anything about this time period, and was shocked by what I read. The poverty Blacks lived in horrified me. I couldn't believe that though they had been "freed" from slavery 80 years before, they were still forced to live like slaves. The hard working people in the book made me ashamed of my lazy nature. I sympathized with Anne whenever she would go hungry or have to wear too-small clothes because there was no money for new ones. After reading this book I am even more aware of how blessed I am. This raw, emotional book really rang true for me. It's a great book and if you haven't done your summer reading yet, I highly recommend it.

Summer Reading 2010 Posts