I Could Have Been One

A powerful and illuminating look at the historical and political events of Jeffries’ life “I Could Have Been One” should be considered required reading for anyone in search of a thoughtful, thorough, and approachable survey of history and the events that have shaped our lives. Extensively researched by Jeffries all the facts stated are yet accurate and up to date as he genuinely peers through the looking glass with his work to give us a read brimming with arresting facts. And in illuminating the actual course of events he reminds us that historical forces are more often than not chaotic in nature. As Jeffries states, “History is a lot more than dates, places and events recorded in a book. It is people’s lives; their environment and lifestyle and hardships and enjoyments” and he asks us to reflect on the path not taken. The choices we have made and what our lives may have been like had we done something else instead of what we did. From the Twentieth Century to the Twenty-First Century Jeffries’ subjects are historically and emotionally wide-ranging as he looks at the Communist Manifesto, America and Israel, Christianity and Socialism Today as he puts pieces of a historical puzzle together. And whilst many historians are criticized for their uncritical reliance on biased sources and a failure to examine opposing views Jeffries certainly isn’t amongst them. He’s clearly demonstrated his commitment to understanding history but he’s not afraid to ask intellectual questions that are becoming painfully urgent if future generations are to thrive in the face of relentless social change. A five-star read I Could Have Been One is unreservedly recommended.