American History Summer Reads
The fireworks have sparkled and the sulfuric clouds have dissipated, but we can continue to celebrate the birth of our nation by brushing up on a bit of our history. So, pick up one of the following recommended titles, or head into your local library branch and browse the history section. Either way, learning from the past always enlightens the future.
1776 by David McCullough
In "1776," distinguished historian 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. 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.
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
With a new introduction by Anthony Arnove, this edition of the classic national bestseller chronicles American history from the bottom up, throwing out the official narrative taught in schools--with its emphasis on great men in high places-- to focus on the street, the home, and the workplace. Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, A People's History of the United States is the only volume to tell America's story from the point of view of--and in the words of--America's women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers. As historian Howard Zinn shows, many of our country's greatest battles--the fights for a fair wage, an eight-hour workday, child-labor laws, health and safety standards, universal suffrage, women's rights, racial equality--were carried out at the grassroots level, against bloody resistance. Covering Christopher Columbus's arrival through President Clinton's first term, A People's History of the United States, which was nominated for the American Book Award in 1981, features insightful analysis of the most important events in our history.
American Lion : Andrew Jackson in the White House by Jon Meacham
Includes bibliographical references (pages 449-462) and index.
Frederick Douglass : Prophet of Freedom by David W Blight
Includes bibliographical references (pages 771-858) and index. ________ Chronicles the life of the escaped slave who became one of the greatest orators of his day and a leading abolitionist and writer.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet A. (Harriet Ann) Jacobs
Originally published: 1861. ________ Includes bibliographical references.
Team of Rivals : The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Includes bibliographical references (pages 759-880) and index.
The British Are Coming : The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 by Rick Atkinson
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the Liberation Trilogy presents the first volume in a new series on the American Revolution that draws on perspectives from both sides to chronicle the first 21 months of America's violent war for independence. ________ Includes bibliographical references (pages 703-745) and index.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Civil War Collection by Anita L Roberts
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