A list of all of Doc Werlin’s writings pertaining to biographies.
Mandela has demonstrably proved that he lives by the following credo: During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought [...]
Pulitzer Prize winning author, Nick Kotz, wrote a compelling history of the fight for civil rights. The book primarily focuses on the extraordinary effectiveness of President Lyndon Johnson to pass the Civil Rights Acts of [...]
"Today, the entire Western financial world holds its breath every time the Fed chairman speaks, so influential are the central bank's decisions on markets, interest rates and the economy in general. Yet the Fed, [...]
There's something to be said for leaving things as you found them, but not when it pertains to stock performance. Soon after Larry Kellner became chief executive officer in late 2004, shares of Continental Airlines [...]
In a gloomy year I found respite in reading a thoroughly enjoyable book. "The Partnership, The Making of Goldman Sachs" served as a good year-end tonic. Its author, Charlie Ellis, brought a unique perspective. His [...]
Just over 100 years after the Panic of 1907, we should remember the legacy of John Pierpont "J.P." Morgan, the most influential financier and commercial banker in American history. His high standings will always retain [...]
Several weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to attend an 80th birthday commemoration for Elie Wiesel at the 92nd Y. In hindsight, I wish over the years I had attended more of his lectures because [...]
When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, [...]
Although I am not aware any statues of Alan Greenspan being toppled by irate crowds, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve has certainly fallen from a lofty perch. Once hailed as the "greatest [...]
Twenty-five years ago, maverick economist Hyman Minsky (1919-1996) noted that financiers periodically set the entire economy ablaze. Minsky warned that Wall Street encourages businesses and individuals to take on too much risk, generating ruinous boom-and-bust [...]
Randy Pausch’s (Carnegie Mellon Professor) last lecture that was televised on public broadcasting served as the inspiration for this essay. I have used Randy’s words in order to keep his message more meaningful. One commentator [...]
I liked Ike when I was eight and he was running for President. I like Ike now, especially after reading Michael Korda’s new biography of Eisenhower. However, for many years in-between I incorrectly perceived Ike [...]
In a recent whistle stop in Manchester, New Hampshire, Rudy Giuliani tried to defend his recommendation for Bernard Kerik become chief of Homeland Security. At one time, Rudy and I were friends. (Rudy attended my [...]
Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond series, said that “James Bond is a highly romanticized version of a true spy. The real thing is… William Stephenson. Ian Fleming worked for Stephenson during World [...]
The New York Times reported the death of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, who was until the age of 13 Jewish. Cardinal Lustiger converted to Catholicism in 1940 over the objections of his Jewish parents. After the [...]
Edward R. Murrow’s independence and incisive reporting heightened the journalistic stature on radio and television. The importance of radio journalism, live coverage of fast-moving, earthshaking events, gained recognition with the events leading up to [...]
J. Robert Oppenheimer: Shatterer Of Worlds Father of the Atomic Bomb J.Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) “I Feel that I Have Blood On My Hands” I just finished a book about Robert Oppenheimer, and must admit that [...]
Today, the prejudice against Catholics is limited to a fringe element of our population. However, before the presidential election of John Kennedy, most political pundits felt that only a Protestant could win our highest office. [...]
Edward VII might have been the son of Queen Victoria, but in this case the apple fell very far from the tree. He truly relished his role as the leader of the social life [...]
In 1519 Hermando Cortes sailed from Cuba to Mexico with one hundred ten mariners, five hundred and fifty-three soldiers, ten canon and sixteen horses. Over the next three years, he defeated an empire composed [...]
Charles Schulz was the creator of “Peanuts” and 355 million people around the world read the tender and sage comic strip starring Charlie Brown. Mr. Schulz recognized his responsibility for his comic characters. He [...]
The treatment of Chief Joseph, known to his followers as Thunder Rolling Down, was disgraceful both personally and to his tribe, the Nez Perce. The chief of a peaceful tribe, many of whose members [...]
As the green light suddenly glowed the young second lieutenant shuffled up to the door of the C-47 and leapt out into the darkness. Other troopers tumbled out behind him. Parachutes unfurled and clapped [...]
In the 1633 trial of Galileo Galilei, two worlds come into cosmic conflict. Galileo’s world of science and humanism collides with the world of Scholasticism and absolutism that held power in the Catholic Church. The [...]
Geronimo, one of the most famous, and maybe infamous, Indian chiefs and warriors died in a prison hospital in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was both feared and admired by his cavalry adversaries. One of [...]
Al Smith, four times Governor of the State of New York, who rose from the sidewalks of New York, was the first Roman Catholic to represent a major political party for the presidency of [...]
“Old Soldiers Never Die: They Just Fade Away” On April 11, 1951, President Harry Truman backed by the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff relieved Douglas MacArthur, a five-star general who had [...]
Today, when Marconi hopefully emerges once again into a great company, we might want to recognize its namesake. Guglielmo Marconi became the inventor of the first practical system of wireless telegraphy. He developed the short [...]
Henry Ford (1863-1947) invented neither the automobile nor the assembly line, but recast each to dominate a new era. Indeed, no other individual in this century so completely transformed the nation’s way of life. By [...]
1394-1460 In the current political environment where we are sensitive to our multi-cultural history, it is difficult, particularly in a short essay, to put in perspective the contributions of the Spanish, Portuguese, and other European [...]
“Man Mountain or Tin Man” Born 1906 Sequals, Italy Died 1967, Sequals, Italy He was a phenomenon, the most colossal boxer ever to win the world heavyweight championship. They called him the “Man Mountain, [...]
James Stuart (Known as Jeb Stuart) was the dominant cavalry officer of the Civil War until his death. General George Patton appreciated his flamboyance and charisma. Stuart provided invaluable service to the Confederate Army during [...]
Dr. Dewey was an American philosopher and educator, whose writings and teachings had a profound influence on education in the United States. Dewey’s philosophy of education (pragmatism) focused on learning-by-doing rather than rote learning and [...]
Arguably the Most Important Judicial Figure in American History 1755-1835 John Marshall was arguably the most important judicial figure in American history. As the chief justice on the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1801-1835, [...]
Justice Black during his long career on the Supreme Court, some 34 years, displayed a lifelong reverence for the Constitution. Perhaps no other man in the history of the Court so revered the Constitution as [...]
I recently completed Robert Dallek’s book, Lyndon Johnson, Flawed Giant. The author made the observation that a cross-section of historians rate Johnson an average president despite his incredible achievements in orchestrating the legislation of many [...]
