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Title: The Georgetown Ladies' Social Club: Power, Passion, and Politics in the Nation's Capital by C. David Heymann ISBN: 0-7434-2856-0 Publisher: Atria Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.67 (6 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Dinner Parties in Washington
Comment: C. David Heymann found an interesting topic to write about. The women of Washington have been written about, but this book capitalizes on a less told part of Washington. Heymann talks about the parties given by some of the movers and shakers, including Katharine Graham, whose death he opens with. The author writes about the dinner parties and social events where deals were made and alliances formed, and the gossip that prevailed.
While the author found a unique topic to write about, he found very little new information. The bibliography cites hundreds of books and articles, yet he lacks new interviews or original information. Heymann also relies upon quoted material frequently, which was disappointing. In all I found myself wanting more fresh information but he found a great topic to write about.
Rating: 3
Summary: Like a Soap Opera or Train Wreck...
Comment: You can't help but continue to turn the pages. However, the book is highly repetitive and consists largely of quotes. The stories are interesting, and each deserves to be told, but the "he said, she said" tone forces one to question the legitimacy of Heymann's authority on the subject. As a member of both the D.C. and media communities, I can appreciate these "biographies" enough to recommend this book to others. But only to those who truly have an interest in the neighborhood and its history. Otherwise the nearly 400 pages of this text can be summed up with the following:
The women of Georgetown (particularly those who chose homes on "N" Street) had a significant influence on the men and politics of the day. Why? Because they knew how to through great parties. They invited the "who's who" and ensured the alcohol flowed freely enough to induce conversation. These conversations among policy makers must have changed the tone of policy, though Heymann fails to cite substantive examples, and when all else fails, he inserts a tale or two about the Kennedys!
Rating: 5
Summary: Intro. to Local Politics 101
Comment: Although I am a product of a lower-middle class (financially) black family from New York who now lives in the district I have developed somewhat of an interest in local history from " both sides of the track." Even though I have just started reading this book, it is clear Mrs. Graham is a big part of local history. I have now also become interested in her autobiography. I do have one issue with the first full paragraph on page five of the book. This issue does not make this book anything less than first class. Vernon Jordan is so much more than than a friend and adviser to Bill Clinton. He was former head of the urban league, a civil rights attorney, and now an investment banker and is in my opinion and I would bet many others the most powerful Black in Washington this side of Clarence Thomas and Collin Powell. Additionally, in the same paragraph there is another slight to "local politicians" Tony Williams, Marion Barry and Walter Washington. Since the book is bathed in pretense it should be told that "Mayor" williams has three Ivy League degrees (2 Harvard, one Yale) and he is the mayor for god's sake. We all know former "Mayor" Marion Barry and his infamy but the author does not see Mr. Barry as worthy of more than the title of "local politician". "Mayor" Walter Washington (RIP) is arguably more well known inside beltway than Mrs. Graham. What he means to the District as being the first elected Mayor in the District resonates in more parts of the District more than Mrs. Graham's parties. Maybe the author should have made a little more aware. Job descriptions would have been fine. :)
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Title: The Unexpurgated Beaton : The Cecil Beaton Diaries as He Wrote Them, 1970-1980 by Hugo Vickers, Cecil Beaton ISBN: 1400041120 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 28 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Lost Splendor: The Amazing Memoirs of the Man Who Killed Rasputin by Prince Felix Youssoupoff ISBN: 1885586582 Publisher: Helen Marx Books Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Diana Mosley : Mitford Beauty, British Fascist, Hitler's Angel by Anne de Courcy ISBN: 0060565322 Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 21 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Mr. S : My Life with Frank Sinatra by George Jacobs, William Stadiem ISBN: 0060515163 Publisher: HarperEntertainment Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time by Slim Aarons ISBN: 0810946033 Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $75.00 |
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