John J. Miller (1) (1970–)

Not sure how to rate this! To me it is a kind of book that I would take to the beach! I don't like typical beach reads but it is a very fast read and I will read anything, fiction or non-fiction that is connected to the Civil War or Lincoln. Lincoln had a small part but he had some good lines of humor. This was set in the time just before the war started and already assassin were after him.

I loved that a slave girl, Portia, demonstrated great courage and determination on her mission to protect Pres ident Lincoln. Added interest was provided by a bookshop owner and a poor bookbinder. I had no sympathy for the people planning the assassination. It was mainly a fictional account of a planned assassination of President Lincoln and with story giving a good picture of slave life during the during the time period with an accurate representation of the laws involving fugitive slaves.… (mere)

This is a history of the evolution of a part of the Mormon Religion. Some might want to read it because they have an interest in Mormon religion in general. Some readers may be caught by parts of the title “murder, lust, exotic religion.” Some readers may remember that they almost had a chance to vote for a presidential candidate who occupies high office in a group that believes in magic underwear. Then there is the fascination from people like me who cannot imagine there are so many folks who do not start their day out with a cup of coffee.

For those who are just interested in the “weird”, this is not the book for you. This is a well researched and clearly presented history of the efforts of a few egotistical and possibly aberrant people who managed to impose their beliefs on a mass far more vulnerable and gullible than themselves.… (mere)