Review of Songs Presidential

[Miracle Li]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Songs Presidential" by Jonathan Clark Patrick.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The country is broken, yet the mountains and rivers remain.
In the city, spring’s grass and trees grow thick.
Touched by the season, flowers splash my tears.
The birds’ departure startles my heart with grief.

The above is an English translation of the famous Chinese poem Spring View by Du Fu. The original poem consists of only twenty Chinese characters. The translation captures the meaning of the words but cannot fully convey the beauty of the original Chinese. Just reading the translation, one can sense the sorrow in the poem, but a deeper appreciation comes with background knowledge of when the poem was written and the poet’s situation. It was composed during the An Lushan Rebellion, a catastrophic civil war that tore apart the Tang Dynasty. The poet’s life, like the country’s, was in turmoil. Understanding the poet’s circumstances allows you to feel the sorrow and despair alongside him.

Songs Presidential attempts to depict American history, with a focus on the Presidents, in the form of poetry. It is a very creative way to write about history and the Presidents. The collection starts with Lincoln, the President who freed the slaves, and ends with Obama, the first Black President. In between, the author critiques more Presidents than he praises. It will be interesting to see how the poet will portray the two Presidents after Obama. Compared to the classic Chinese poem above, I feel this book could be improved by using more powerful and concise language to convey deeper meaning.

The author touches on various aspects of the Presidents' lives, offering a glimpse into their personal histories. However, I believe the poet overlooks some important aspects, presenting only what his emotions dictate. For instance, he emphasizes the assassinations of four Presidents, Ronald Reagan’s acting background, Bill Clinton’s personal scandals, and George W. Bush’s perceived impotence. We can discern the poet’s likes and dislikes toward these Presidents. However, if readers take the time to study the real lives of these Presidents, they might form a completely different opinion than what is presented in the poem.

We can enjoy the book for the beauty of the author’s language and the portrayal of the characters as they are presented in the poems. Alternatively, we can delve deeper into American history through research to gain a fuller understanding of the Presidents' real lives.

This book is professionally edited with no grammatical errors. I gave it a rating of 4 out of 5. I appreciate the author’s creative approach to writing about history. However, I would like to see the author explore a more nuanced and comprehensive portrayal of the Presidents.

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Songs Presidential
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[Helen Waziri]

I like how you compared this book to Du Fu’s "Spring View." That really helped me grasp your point about emotional depth. It sounds like "Songs Presidential" captures strong feelings but maybe lacks the layered subtlety or historical balance that can come from more concise, reflective language. That contrast between poetic expression and factual nuance is definitely something I’d keep in mind if I read it.

[Etimbuk Eshiet]

I really appreciate how this review highlights both the creativity of the poetry and the need for a more balanced portrayal of historical figures. It’s fascinating to see history retold through verse, but I agree that a deeper and more nuanced approach could strengthen the impact. Still, the concept alone makes me curious to explore this collection!