The Obsequious Instruments of His Pleasure

In 'Let Me Finish,' Chris Christie provides a candid and detailed account of his political career, including his tenure as a corruption-fighting prosecutor and Governor of New Jersey. The book also delves into his involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign and his interactions with key figures such as Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, and others. Christie offers insights into the internal conflicts and decision-making processes within the Trump administration, as well as his own experiences and controversies, including the Bridgegate scandal.

In 'The Field of Blood,' Joanne B. Freeman uncovers the long-lost story of physical violence on the floor of the U.S. Congress during the antebellum period. The book details mortal threats, canings, fistfights, and duels among congressmen, particularly over the issue of slavery. Freeman uses the diaries of Benjamin Brown French, a house clerk, along with congressional reports and newspaper articles, to illustrate how these violent incidents reflected and exacerbated sectional tensions between the North and South. The book highlights the role of emotions, honor, and party loyalty in these conflicts and how they contributed to the eventual outbreak of the Civil War. Freeman's narrative brings the antebellum Congress to life, revealing its rough realities and nation-shaping import[1][3][5].