Customer Reviews
A Pleasant Surprise - By: , 18 Nov 1998 
A delightful little novel about an Chinese immigrant who comes to idolize Calvin Coolidge. The author manages to portray a character who is quirky but eminently human, eccentric but likable. It is no surprise that one of the narrator's favorite authors is Samuel Johnson, himself a combination of the above-mentioned traits. It is also nice to see Calvin Coolidge getting some much-deserved creditin this book.
Terrific, charming, poignant, uplifting - By: , 02 Sep 1998 
I understand this is the author's first published novel, & it is a masterpiece. The Englishman manages to capture the cadences of both Chinese immigrant & Yankee Puritan with aplomb. The use of language is breathtaking, the analogies awesome & the story itself charming, funny & totally uplifting. In the process he manages to paint a wonderful portrait of the most neglected President of the twentieth century, the magnificent Calvin Coolidge.
Coolidge for President in 2000! - By: , 10 Jun 1998 Wonderful book about Chinese immigrant & how his study of & obsession with President Calvin Coolidge sets his life straight. Hopeful message about America & what makes the United States unique. Nice to see Coolidge--a much underrated president--come to life on these pages. Also, like a good teacher, this is one of those books that makes readers learn much & feel smart without ever having them work too hard.
