Tag: #History

Posted in #History

Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

* Selected as One of the Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times * Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History *

“Extraordinary…a great American biography” (The New Yorker) of the most important African American of the 19th century: Frederick Douglass, the escaped slave who became the greatest orator of his day and one of the leading abolitionists and writers of the era.

As a young man Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) escaped from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland. He was fortunate to learn to read from his slave owner mistress. He later became one of the major literary figures of his time. His very existence disproved the claims of slave owners. With dignity, he bore witness to the brutality of slavery. His great intelligence further emphasized this brutality.

Initially mentored by William Lloyd Garrison, Douglass spoke widely, using his own story to condemn slavery. By the Civil War, Douglass had become the most famed and widely travelled orator in the nation. In his unique and eloquent voice, Douglass criticized the United States fiercely. He was also a radical patriot. After the war, he sometimes had political arguments with younger African Americans. However, he never forsook the Republican party or abandoned the cause of black civil and political rights.

In this “cinematic and deeply engaging” (The New York Times Book Review) biography, David Blight has utilized new information from a private collection. Few other historians have consulted this collection. He also drew on recently discovered issues of Douglass’s newspapers. “Absorbing and even moving…a brilliant book that speaks to our own time. It also speaks to Douglass’s era” (The Wall Street Journal). Blight’s biography tells the fascinating story of Douglass’s two marriages. It also explores his complex extended family. “David Blight has written the definitive biography of Frederick Douglass. It is a powerful portrait of one of the most important American voices of the nineteenth century” (The Boston Globe).

In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Frederick Douglass won several prestigious awards. These include the Bancroft, Parkman, and Los Angeles Times (biography) awards. He also received the Lincoln, Plutarch, and Christopher awards. The book was named one of the Best Books of 2018. It was recognized by The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Time.

Posted in #History

The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

From the acclaimed author of A Bridge Too Far comes the unparalleled, classic work of history that vividly recreates the battle that changed World War II—the Allied invasion of Normandy.

The Longest Day is Cornelius Ryan’s unsurpassed account of D-Day, a book that endures as a masterpiece of military history. In this compelling tale, Ryan painstakingly recreates the fateful hours before and after the massive invasion of Normandy. He retells the story of an epic battle. This battle turned the tide against world fascism and freed Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany.

This book, first published in 1959, is a must for anyone who loves history. It’s also essential for anyone who wants to better understand how free nations prevailed when darkness enshrouded the earth.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A true classic of World War II history, The Longest Day is more than a book. It is an in-depth account of a pivotal moment. The story unfolds with the massive Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Journalist Cornelius Ryan began working on the book in the mid-1950s. At that time, the memories of the D-day participants were still fresh. He spent three years interviewing D-day survivors in the United States and Europe. When his book was first published in 1959, it was tremendously successful. It established many of the legends of D-day that endure in the public’s mind. Ryan was enormously skillful at weaving small personal stories into the overall narrative. Later, he used the same technique to depict the airborne invasion of Holland in A Bridge Too Far. The Longest Day is a pleasure to read. Subsequent historians have noted its accuracy. They have relied heavily on Ryan’s research for their own accounts. In short, the book is a “must read” for anyone interested in the D-day invasion. –Robert McNamara

Review

“A dramatic, moving masterpiece, a living memorial to the men who died and as suspenseful as the most gripping mystery story.” — J. H. Thompson, Chicago Sunday Tribune

“Fifty years from now, the history of D-Day, I am sure, will lean heavily on this book.” — John Toland, The New York Times Book Review

“If you have read all the accounts of D-Day or none of them, if you were in the fighting or on the sidelines, you will be spellbound, as I was, by this magnificent retelling of a glorious and tragic story.” — Lt. Gen. James Gavin



“If you have read all the accounts of D-Day or none of them, if you were in the fighting or on the sidelines, you will be spellbound, as I was, by this magnificent retelling of a glorious and tragic story.” — Lt. Gen. James Gavin

From the Publisher

6 1.5-hour cassettes

About the Author

Cornelius Ryan was born in 1920 in Dublin, Ireland, where he was raised. He became one of the preeminent war correspondents of his time. He flew fourteen bombing missions with the Eighth and Ninth US Air Forces. He covered the D-Day landings and the advance of General Patton’s Third Army across France and Germany. After the end of hostilities in Europe, he covered the Pacific War. He wrote numerous other books in addition to his classic works The Longest Day, The Last Battle, and A Bridge Too Far. These books have appeared throughout the world in nineteen languages. Awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1973, Mr. Ryan was hailed at that time by Malcolm Muggeridge as “perhaps the most brilliant reporter now alive.” He died in 1976.

Posted in #History

History of Florida

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Captivating Guide to the People and Events That Shaped the History of the Sunshine State (U.S. States)

If you want to discover the enchanting history of Florida, continue reading!

Sunshine, beaches, sports teams, amusement parks, and more contribute to Florida being ranked as the second most visited state in the United States of America. People flock to Florida to enjoy its weather, culture, people, and its rich history.

Florida’s history spans thousands of years, lasting from prehistoric times up to today. The Ice Age, European exploration, wars, the Cuban Revolution, and the Space Race have all woven together to create today’s Florida. With this unique blend of cultures, Florida is able to distinguish itself from the other fifty states.

In History of Florida: A Captivating Guide to the People and Events That Shaped the History of the Sunshine State, you will explore topics such as:

  • The indigenous people of the area and how they interacted with the European settlers
  • The early settlements of Florida, including a look at St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the US
  • The relationship between the Spanish and British settlers and their disputes over the land
  • The annexation of Florida to the United States
  • The brutality of the Civil War and how it impacted the Sunshine State
  • The Reconstruction era and how it affected Florida’s economy and government
  • Cuba’s Castro and how the Cuban people have influenced the state
  • Florida’s important role in the Space Race
  • The controversial election that saw George Bush become president
  • Florida’s devastating hurricane seasons
  • And much more!
Posted in #History

The Blue & Gray Almanac:

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Civil War in Facts & Figures, Recipes & Slang

“Help[s] readers to examine this period in history with a more cultural perspective than other books have . . . clear, concise, and crisp . . . fascinating” (San Francisco Book Review).

  • During the final days of the war, some Richmond citizens would throw “Starvation Parties.” These were soirees where elegantly attired guests gathered amid the finest silver and crystal tableware. However, there were usually no refreshments except water.
  • Union Rear-Admiral Goldsborough was nicknamed “Old Guts.” This was not so much for his combativeness as for his heft. He weighed about three hundred pounds. He was described as “a huge mass of inert matter.”
  • 30.6 percent of the 425 Confederate generals, but only 21.6 percent of the 583 Union generals, had been lawyers before the war.
  • In 1861, J.P. Morgan made a huge profit by buying five thousand condemned US Army carbines. He sold them back to another arsenal. He also took the army to court when they tried to refuse to pay for the faulty weapons.
  • Major General Loring was reputed to have a very rich vocabulary. One of the men remarked he could “curse a cannon up hill without horses.”
  • Many militia units had a favorite drink. The Charleston Light Dragoons’ punch took around a week to make. The Chatham Artillery required a pound of green tea leaves to be steeped overnight.
  • Five former presidents were alive when the Civil War began. Seven veterans of the war went on to serve as president. One draft dodger also became president.
  • These stories and many more are available in this treasury of anecdotes, essays, and trivia. It also includes numerous illustrations. These elements bring this historical period to vivid life.
Posted in #History

History of Wisconsin

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Captivating Guide to the History of the Badger State, Starting from the Arrival of Jean Nicolet through the Fox Wars, War of 1812, and Gilded Age to the Present (U.S. States)

If you want to discover the captivating history of Wisconsin, then keep reading…

The pristine lakes are well-known sights. Towering forests and breathtaking views of Wisconsin attract large numbers of tourists every year. Thousands of people travel to Wisconsin annually. They come to hunt in its woods. Some fish in its waters. Others kayak along its many rivers. There are plenty of museums to walk through. There is much to see within them. You can explore tragic stories in the Peshtigo Fire Museum. You can also witness the awe-inspiring sight of the fossilized Boaz mastodon at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

However, the history of Wisconsin is so much more than just exhibits in museums. The 30th state has a long, rich story behind its modern-day facade. Thousands of years ago, ancient peoples hunted giant beasts on the frozen glaciers. These glaciers have now given way to rivers and lakes. Rich cultures populated the frigid early forests of Wisconsin, eventually giving way to the arrival of French explorers. Soon, the British took over, ushering in an era of booming colonization, and Wisconsin saw its first recorded war. With the American Revolution, Wisconsin became free. This brought a whole new set of challenges for its people to face.

Wisconsin’s history is as richly detailed and relentlessly interesting as its glorious landscapes. Its history has always paralleled that of the United States. This parallel gives a fascinating deeper glimpse into a story we all know so well. Wisconsin experienced the effects of colonialism. It stood up for the rights of all people during the Civil War. The state also endured the wrath of fire. And in this book, you’ll discover its story.

In History of Wisconsin: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Badger State, Starting from the Arrival of Jean Nicolet through the Fox Wars, War of 1812, and Gilded Age to the Present, you will discover topics such as

  • Wild Wisconsin
  • French Colonization
  • British Colonization
  • Wisconsin as a United States Territory
  • Wisconsin as a State
  • Wisconsin Burns
  • And much, much more!