u/Rocketparty12

With seemingly every third post here being opportunities for people to raise their complaints about the show and the changes it’s made from Fire & Blood, I was wondering what people think have been positive changes the show has made. Or maybe not even changes, but enhancements.

For example, I am really enjoying following Larys and Aegon II’s journey since escaping King’s Landing. In the book we are told that Aegon and Larys escape shortly before Rhaenyra captures the city, and then they disappear completely from the narrative until Aegon II reappears at Dragonstone near the end of the Dance. Obviously with the show being an in-the-moment narrative, and not a history, I had assumed they would do something to fill in that gap, but what they have presented, I think, has been very entertaining and engaging.

It’s made Aegon II a much more fleshed out and realized character. His obstinance and determination to remain King and to return to the throne has stayed within character, while also showing the lengths and depths he’s had to go to in order to stay in pursuit of that goal. Additionally, it’s allowed the Larys character to show the cunning and cleverness that is so frequently attributed to him in the book, yet he is somewhat of a two dimensional character on the page, but seems more dynamic in screen.

What do you think about the way the show has handled this addition to the narrative? And are there other changes or additions to the story that you have found particularly compelling or well done?

I’m getting ready to go on my two week summer vacation in about 12 days, and I’m looking for a new presidential biography to read while I’m traveling or relaxing by the pool.

For the last 1.5 years I’ve been reading through biographies of each of the presidents, until eventually getting at least one of each. So far I have read books on: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Polk, Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, McKinley, T. Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, FDR, Truman, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, W, and Obama. I’m looking for some recommendations for a President I haven’t covered yet.

I’m considering JQ Adams (to finish off my series on the early republic) or LBJ (since he seems like the biggest figure I haven’t covered yet), but I’m interested in ideas for the lesser studied presidents too.

For the record, I’m more interested in their political careers than I am their personal lives or their youth, so while I appreciate the color those chapters add to the book overall, I’d prefer it not to be the focus of the book. Also, I don’t mind long book, I’d prefer to be as substantial as possible, 500ish pages is really the sweet spot.

If you have read a particularly good book on a figure I’ve not already covered I’d be thankful for the recommendation. Thanks!

As expected the Senate does nothing to kill Trump’s “weaponization” slush fund after crowing about it for two weeks. This was the entire goal, get past the vote without explicit legislation banning it.

The fund will be back within weeks and Congress will claim that they can do nothing to stop it because now it would require 60 votes. Meanwhile Collins gets to say she “voted against” it.

This article is truly egregious with both Tills and Cassidy quoted as saying essentially “we will do whatever the caucus tells us will help them win” which was apparently not killing the fund, while allowing those up for reelection to vote against it.

Special shoutout to Lisa Murkowski for once again being the only Republican with any morals and still voting against the bill.