1776 by David McCullough

 1776 by David McCullough-386 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

America’s beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776, interweaving, on both sides of the Atlantic, the actions and decisions that led Great Britain to undertake a war against her rebellious colonial subjects and that placed America’s survival in the hands of George Washington.

In this masterful book, David McCullough tells the intensely human story of those who marched with General George Washington in the year of the Declaration of Independence—when the whole American cause was riding on their success, without which all hope for independence would have been dashed and the noble ideals of the Declaration would have amounted to little more than words on paper.

Based on extensive research in both American and British archives, 1776 is a powerful drama written with extraordinary narrative vitality. It is the story of Americans in the ranks, men of every shape, size, and color; farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. And it is the story of the King’s men, the British commander, William Howe, and his highly disciplined redcoats who looked on their rebel foes with contempt and fought with a valor too little known.

Written as a companion work to his celebrated biography of John Adams, David McCullough’s 1776 is another landmark in the literature of American history.

Thoughts: This has been on my TBR for quite some time and I decided to finally read it for this month's challenge. I like that McCullough begins in late 1775 with the British perspective and the events in the British Parliament that lead to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. I learned some things about King George III (he had 15 children!) and his attitude toward the American colonies and the conflict that he viewed as a rebellion. I also learned that some British MPs (Members of Parliament) were more sympathetic towards the American colonists and wanted to try more conciliatory measures, but were ultimately outnumbered. This is a nuanced, even account of the first year or so of the American Revolutionary War and especially of Washington and his Continental Army. It was very bleak for Washington and the army for most of 1776. Even though the Declaration was signed on July 4, it was not looking good for the Americans for most of the year. The tides finally turned in late December, 1776 at the Battle of Trenton where the Continental Army surprised approx. 1,500 Hessians and routed them inflicting 1,100 casualties (111 dead or wounded, 900 captured). Up until that point it had been defeat after defeat. In early 1777, the Continental Army won another victory at the Battle of Princeton. If not for these two victories (especially Trenton), the American Revolutionary War may have ended quite differently. This was a really good read and I learned some things.

Missouri Caves in History and Legend

 Missouri Caves in History and Legend by H. Dwight Weaver - 176 pages

Goodreads:

Missouri has been likened to a “cave factory” because its limestone bedrock can be slowly dissolved by groundwater to form caverns, and the state boasts more than six thousand caves in an unbelievable variety of sizes, lengths, and shapes. Dwight Weaver has been fascinated by Missouri’s caves since boyhood and now distills a lifetime of exploration and research in a book that will equally fascinate readers of all ages.
Missouri Caves in History and Legend records a cultural heritage stretching from the end of the ice age to the twenty-first century.  In a grand tour of the state’s darkest places, Weaver takes readers deep underground to shed light on the historical significance of caves, correct misinformation about them, and describe the ways in which people have used and abused these resources.
Weaver tells how these underground places have enriched our knowledge of extinct animals and early Native Americans. He explores the early uses of caves: for the mining of saltpeter, onyx, and guano; as sources of water; for cold storage; and as livestock shelters. And he tells how caves were used for burial sites and moonshine stills, as hideouts for Civil War soldiers and outlaws—revealing how Jesse James became associated with Missouri caves—and even as venues for underground dance parties in the late nineteenth century.
Bringing caves into the modern era, Weaver relates the history of Missouri’s “show caves” over a hundred years—from the opening of Mark Twain Cave in 1886 to that of Onyx Mountain Caverns in 1990—and tells of the men and women who played a major role in expanding the state’s tourism industry. He also tracks the hunt for the buried treasure and uranium ore that have captivated cave explorers, documents the emergence of organized caving, and explains how caves now play a role in wildlife management by providing a sanctuary for endangered bats and other creatures.
Included in the book is an overview of cave resources in twelve regions, covering all the counties that currently have recorded caves, as well as a superb selection of photos from the author’s extensive collection, depicting the history and natural features of these underground wonders. Missouri Caves in History and Legend is a riveting account that marks an important contribution to the state’s heritage and brings this world of darkness into the light of day.

The Trail of Tears Across Missouri

 The Trail of Tears Across Missouri by Joan Gilbert - 136 pages

Goodreads:

As settlers moved beyond the eastern seaboard during the early nineteenth century, the government forced thousands of American Indians from their ancestral lands. The Cherokees, the largest and most important tribe in the Southeast, fought exile with a combination of passive resistance and national publicity for their plight. Because they had successfully resisted the government's efforts to move them from their homeland, their removal was particularly brutal when it finally came. The Trail of Tears across Missouri is a moving account of the 1837-1838 removal of the Cherokees from the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). After providing an overview of the Cherokees' life in the Southeast and of the events leading up to their exile, Joan Gilbert traces the mass exodus state by state from Tennessee to Arkansas. Successive chapters highlight the experiences and the hardships endured by those forced to travel with inadequate supplies of food, clothing, and transportation. It is estimated that four thousand Cherokees, nearly a quarter of the tribe, died. In bringing the grim realities of the forced march to life, Gilbert draws from such primary sources as letters, newspaper stories, and the writings of missionaries, guides, and doctors who accompanied them. She focuses on the Cherokees' experiences as they passed through Missouri, using the journals of Dr. W. I. I. Morrow and guide B. B. Cannon. In addition to chronicling the removal of the Cherokees, Gilbert also brings the story up to date by describing how the nation lives today and how the Trail of Tears has been commemorated.

Lewis and Clark's Journey Across Missouri

 Lewis and Clark's Journey Across Missouri by Brett Dufur - 114 pages

Goodreads:

This beautifully photographed and illustrated book explores in-depth Lewis and Clark’s time in Missouri through journal excerpts, one-of-a-kind maps made by nationally known geographer James Harlan that locate the Corps of Discovery’s campsites, and an along-the-river guide for travelers who wish to explore the historic towns, state parks, and other points of interest. Individual chapters also probe the river then and now, the Native Americans then in the state, the fur trade at the time, the last European settlement on the river, and contemporary flora and fauna of Missouri. The return journey through the state, when the men were speeding homeward, is also included.

Remembering The St. Louis World's Fair

Remembering The St. Louis World's Fair by Margaret Johanson Witherspoon- 96 pages

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Remembering The St. Louis World's Fair by Margaret Johanson Witherspoon is a nostalgic, richly illustrated 95-page retrospective of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Published in 1973, the book features over 100 historical photographs and drawings to capture the charm and magnitude of the massive Forest Park event.

Key Details & Review

Content: The book offers a breezy overview of the fair, from its groundbreaking ceremonies and the leadership of David R. Francis to the massive exhibition palaces and entertainment on "The Pike".
Historical Value: Witherspoon—who was inspired by her parents' firsthand recollections of the fair—created the book to preserve local St. Louis memories just as the city's centennial celebrations were approaching.
Format: Running just under 100 pages, it is heavily visual, acting as a commemorative guide rather than a rigorous academic text. It is highly regarded by World's Fair enthusiasts and collectors of Missouri history.

Founding Faith by Steven Waldman

Founding Faith: How Our Founding Fathers Forged a Radical New Approach to Religious Liberty by Steven Waldman - 304 Pages

The culture wars have distorted the dramatic story of how Americans came to worship freely. Many activists on the right maintain that the United States was founded as a “Christian nation.” Many on the left contend that the First Amendment was designed to boldly separate church and state. Neither of these claims is true, according to Steven Waldman. He then argues the real story of how our nation’s Founders forged a new approach to religious liberty.

Founding Faith vividly describes the religious development of five Founders. Benjamin Franklin melded the Puritan theology of his youth and the Enlightenment philosophy of his adulthood. John Adams’s views on religion stoked his revolutionary fervor and shaped his political strategy. George Washington came to view religious tolerance as a military necessity. Thomas Jefferson pursued a dramatic quest to “rescue” Jesus, in part by editing the Bible. Finally, it was James Madison who crafted an integrated vision of how to prevent tyranny while encouraging religious vibrancy.

This book was part of my daughter's American History class. I decided to read it and found it very good

She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman by Erica Armstrong Dunbar

She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman by Erica Armstrong Dunbar-176 pages

I watched the film "Harriet" about Tubman recently and I wanted to know more and to know how much of the movie was based in truth and how much was artistic license.  In reading this biography, I am surprised that much of the movie is based on fact, although as per usual, there is some artistic license, especially in the details surrounding the facts. Harriet Tubman is a woman who survived and escaped slavery only to return to Maryland 13 times to retrieve other slaves (many were family members) and take them out of bondage. She risked being taken back into slavery herself, since she was a fugitive by law. She rescued some 70 slaves before the Civil War and hundreds more in the Cumbahee Raid in South Carolina during the Civil War. One thing I learned that surprised me is that Tubman supported, both in word and finances, John Brown. She wanted to see slavery end and knew that it would take bloodshed for it to happen. Additionally, she didn't receive a pension or pay for her work as a nurse for the Union during the Civil war until she was in her 70s and she never received pay for her work as a spy. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this accessible biography about an American hero and I would recommend it to anyone interested in American history or history in general.

Grant by Ron Chernow

Grant by Ron Chernow
1074 pages / 48 hrs, 2 mins

"A biographer at the height of his powers, Chernow has produced a portrait of Grant that is a masterpiece, the first to provide a complete understanding of the general and president whose fortunes rose and fell with dizzying speed and frequency.

"Before the Civil War, Grant was flailing. His business ventures had been dismal, and despite distinguished service in the Mexican War, he ended up resigning from the army in disgrace amid recurring accusations of drunkenness. But in the Civil War, Grant began to realize his remarkable potential, soaring through the ranks of the Union army, prevailing at the Battle of Shiloh and in the Vicksburg campaign and ultimately defeating the legendary Confederate general Robert E. Lee after a series of unbelievably bloody battles in Virginia. Along the way Grant endeared himself to President Lincoln and became his most trusted general and the strategic genius of the war effort..."

"The definitive biography, Grant is a grand synthesis of painstaking research and literary brilliance that makes sense of all sides of Grant's life, explaining how this simple Midwesterner could at once be so ordinary and so extraordinary."    --from the publisher.

This is an amazing book.  If history texts were written in similar fashion, students would have a hard time putting them down. And what an amazing man! I recommend this book very highly.

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup -- 363 pages


Perhaps the best written of all the slave narratives, Twelve Years a Slave is a harrowing memoir about one of the darkest periods in American history. It recounts how Solomon Northup, born a free man in New York, was lured to Washington, D.C., in 1841 with the promise of fast money, then drugged and beaten and sold into slavery. He spent the next twelve years of his life in captivity on a Louisiana cotton plantation.

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

By Timothy Egan

340 pages

I know the dust bowl was a tragic event in American history. However, I didn’t realize the scope of “no lands land” included portions of Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.  The book follows several families and communities before, during, and after the dust bowl.

The Man who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace

The Man who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace

by H.W. Brands

718 pages

This is a very enjoyable biography which covers the entire life of Ulysses Grant. The author concentrated on the personal traits of Grant which includes likability, trust worthiness, and compassion for others. 

A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara

A Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh by Jeff Shaara-435 pages

This is Shaara's novelization of the bloody Battle of Shiloh. I wanted to read this because I have seen the films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals several times, which are based on novels written by him (and/or his father). Additionally, I was a Visitor Use Assistant/Park Ranger at Shiloh National Military Park for 11 weeks during the summer of 2010 and actually worked under and with some of the people mentioned as sources for the novel. It's cool to read a novelization on a battle I know quite a bit about and it is a pretty accurate novelization. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and really want to read the rest of Shaara's Civil War novels.

Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde by Jeff Guinn

Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde by Jeff Guinn - 480 pages

This most recent account of the Bonnie and Clyde story was originally published in 2009 and has since served as the historical backbone for the History Channel's recent Bonnie and Clyde two-part movie/miniseries.

Everything seemed well-researched and vast amounts of details were provided.  The book began with Bonnie and Clyde's early lives and the economic situation in their home state of Texas, which suffered a widespread crop failure before the Depression hit.  In fact, this crop failure led directly led to Clyde's start in crime, as his family has many children and not enough money and they were living in a West Dallas slum after their farm failed.   The bulk of the book chronicled the crimes Clyde pulled off before meeting Bonnie, Clyde's crimes before Bonnie was an active participant, and their combined crime spree.  The conclusion focused on Bonnie and Clyde's impact, including how laws were changed, the creation if interstate police cooperation, and how pop culture has portrayed them.

Dear Miss Breed by Joanne F. Oppenheim

Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration During World War II and a Librarian Who Made a Difference by Joanne F. Oppenheim - 288 pages

Dear Miss Breed tells the story of one librarian who made a difference to dozens of children incarcerated against their will during World War II.  Miss Breed, as the children's librarian at San Diego Public Library, was disappointed when the U.S. government moved the West Coast Japanese to internment camps.  Doubly so since most of the children who were avid readers and visitors at her branch were young second- and third-generation Japanese Americans.  So when they could no longer come to the library, she sent the library to them.  Throughout the time of internment, Miss Breed loyally wrote her "children" and sent them donated and discarded books to read as well as other necessities.  And they always wrote back, sometimes sending gifts or money to request purchases, and always requesting more books.

The format of the book makes it conducive to learning.  The book opens to a "portrait of the era."  Then it moves into a format where each chapter opens to the history of the months it covers, followed by the stories of Miss Breed and the children during the same period.  It ends with a follow up on everyone's life.  In the latter half of the chapters and the follow-up, many primary sources are included.  We can read excerpts from articles Miss Breed wrote on her efforts, letters the children wrote to her, relevant excerpts from Eleanor Roosevelt's My Day column, and oral history interviews the author conducted.  Sadly, none of Miss Breeds letters survived the harsh conditions of the camp.

The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott

The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott - 287 pages

The Daring Ladies of Lowell is a novel that addresses the harsh working conditions of early American cotton mills (in this case, the first at Lowell, Massachusetts 1832-1834) and the friendships formed among the girls who worked there.  The story is followed mostly through Alice Barrow.  She befriends Lovey Cornell, whom is later murdered, and becomes Lovey's advocate for justice.  Additionally, she begins to petition for safer working conditions in the mill. Taken together, these two quests form the majority of the storyline.  Throughout, her friendship with the boss' son helps to pave the way for some reforms.

This novel was a fast-paced read and historically accurate.  In all, Alcott has scored another win and it's even better than her debut with The Dressmaker.

The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

The Heart of Everything That Is:  The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin - 432 pages

The Heart of Everything That Is tells the story of a lesser known, but very important, Native American chief. Red Cloud was a Oglala Sioux chief and warrior leader. In his youth, Red Cloud participated in raids against the Americans. As a middle-aged man, he planned and led full-scale military actions against settlers and army posts, most notably in the Power River Country against Fort Phil Kearney and it's commander. As part of these roles, we see how Red Cloud rose to his position and worked with other chiefs and warriors, including the more famous Crazy Horse. In his later life, Red Cloud sued for peace. As a counterpoint, we see how the Americans responded to Red Cloud's actions. These included building additional forts to protect the Bozeman Trail that ran through the Powder River Valley; sending soldiers inexperienced with Indian fighting Westward; generals who did not fully comprehend the situation and left local commanders with little room to act as situations arose; and settlers who took their changes, often to ill-fated results. 

Overall, I found the book to be well-researched and a good overview of the Native American situation in general in addition to its aim. The first few chapters recount the early United States responses to the situation and their effects, including how the tribes were pushed further west causing conflict inter-tribal conflicts. This is then used to springboard into Red Cloud's life as it was also conflict filled. 

Turning Points in American History

Turning Points in American History

By Edward T. O’Donnell

402 pages

This publication takes a fresh look at American history. It begins with the great epidemic of 1617 and ends with 9/11. Many of the traditional American history subjects are covered, including the Declaration of Independence; the Mexican War; and the New Deal etc. However, they are given in a unique way. Professor O’Donnell describes history as a study of choices and he presents it this way.

O’Donnell also includes many non-traditional subject matter such as the history of baseball; the national parks; the hookworm epidemic of the south; the birth of television and the personal computer. The professor describes every aspect of American history in an easy to comprehend manner. I enjoyed it greatly.  

Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel by Kathleen Karr

Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel by Kathleen Karr, 238 pages

I really can't see kids picking up this book, reading it and enjoying it.  It's really a shame, too, because it teaches a little American History. I had no idea that we had a United States Camel Corps at any point in our history. I also had never heard that there were spottings of camels in our deserts up until the 1920s.
The story is very simply written from the viewpoint of a camel named Ali. He is very proud, majestic and carries a devotion for Allah. He calls the Americans "man-beasts" and "infidels" as he describes the training and treatment at their hands. Through his eyes we meet other camels as friends, a love interest or enemy as we explore the beautiful landscape and peoples of America. All in all the history lesson is what kept me reading.

The Spanish American War

The Spanish American War

by Joseph Stromberg

AudioBook – 2 CDs 

John Hay, American statesman, was quoted as saying the Spanish American War was “a splendid little war.”  This was due to the fact the war lasted a little over100 days and America gained Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines and Cuba. In addition this is a step towards becoming a global power.

In 1898 Americans were calling for a New Manifest Destiny. American Industry was thriving and the States needed new markets, outside our boundaries. At the same time, Cuba inhabitants were fighting for independence from Spain. American newspapers were using yellow journalism to sensationalize stories of appalling conditions in Cuba. Thus the idea of war against Spain was favored by most Americans.

In Feb 1898, the USS Maine, sank in the Havana Harbor. Although the reason for the sinking was unclear, the popular opinion was to blame Spain. A few months later, Congress declared war.