Book Beginning: The Billion Dollar Spy by David E. Hoffman

THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING

In in the early years of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Central Intelligence Agency harbored an uncomfortable secret about itself. The CIA had never really gained an espionage foothold on the streets of Moscow.

-- The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal by David E. Hoffman

Based on personal interviews and newly-released CIA documents, this Cold War history is as exciting as fiction. Pulitzer-winner David Hoffman tells the story of one of the CIA's most productive agents, operating right at the heart of the Soviet Empire -- Moscow.

Teaser Tuesday: Reagan: The Life by H. W. Brands

"General Secretary Gorbachev," Reagan declared in front of the Brandenburg Gate, "if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate! . . . Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

-- Reagan: The Life by H. W. Brands.  With his crisp style and ability to cogently organize mountains of information, Brands once again proves his ability as a master biographer.

I'm a big fan of Steven Hayward's two-volume Reagan biography, and I wouldn't give that one up. But at half the pages, this one is a more approachable introduction for readers looking for their first Reagan biography. And with newly available archival materials and interviews, even Hayward fans like me will want to make room on the shelf for Brand's robust new portrait of Ronald Reagan.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.

Mailbox Monday: You Know Your Way Home by Suzanne Jauchius

Thanks for joining me for Mailbox Monday! MM was created by Marcia, who graciously hosted it for a long, long time, before turning it into a touring event. Mailbox Monday has now returned to its permanent home where you can link to your MM post.

I got one book last week when I met the author at the Bloom Book Lunch & Thrive Series here in Portland:



You Know Your Way Home by Suzanne Jauchius

Suzanne is a professional author, radio personality, speaker, and psychic. Yeah, really. I'm a skeptic. But she has a really interesting story to tell about what a mess her life was in -- on her fifth husband before she was 40, and a real wreck when she finally landed in a therapist's office. And she turned it all around. I want to know more.

Happy Independence Day!

Book Beginning: Reagan: The Life by H. W. Brands

THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING

Reagan remembered three things from his childhood: that his father was a drunk, that his mother was a saint, and that his ability to make an audience laugh afforded an antidote to life's insecurities and embarrassments.

-- Reagan: The Life by H. W. Brands.

Brand's new biography of Ronald Reagan is concise, lively, and engaging. With newly available archival materials and interviews, Reagan deserves space on any history-buff's shelf.