Posted on 12/19/2004 4:34:08 PM PST by DaughterofEve
I am looking to greatly increase my knowledge of American History over the years ahead.
I know there are so many experts and aficionados here on my favorite forum,
and I would be so grateful if you could advise some starting points for me.
In fact, I would appreciate a roadmap on this to follow over the next couple of years.
I have tried just plunging in reading historical documents, but feel that I need more
background first to make it stick.
I have learned that on many topics that you don't need to know "much"
to know more than most people. However, I really want to have a serious and layered grasp on the
details of this subject.
Right now I am reading the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and
enjoying it. Can you recommend any additional autobiographies or series of books (part fiction or not) or
even movies to augment more serious reading?
FYI, I tend to respond well to interpersonal learning, so particularly enjoy
first person/case history sort of things.
In general I am looking for a few Freeper Historical Henry Higginses to
try to help me out in this area by offering posts that I will eagerly read
and try to follow in the time that follows. I'm talking Christopher Columbus, colonization,
the American Revolution and the Civil War and everything in between and after (I'm not sure if
I'll live long enough for all of this, but I might as well set high goals).
While we're at it, I'd love to hear how and why you became so immersed in the love of History.
Thanks in advance!
Daughter of Eve
I know everybody and his brother will mention him, but check out Paul Johnson's books. He may softpedal certain things but overall he's an amazing source of info on American history.
Punch in "Paul Johnson" at amazon and it'll bring up a list.
Moderator: Remove my previous post if you could, thanks.
The story of our Constitution is uniquely American, a paean of praise to our founders and how they recognized and addressed the issues that both united and divided us. It also bridges directly off your readings on Ben Franklin...
Wow thanks! The link didn't work for me (don't know why, it looks like it should) but I so far found "A History of the American People". Would that be a good start?
In order to gain some insight into that question, I read four books this year that I found particularly enlightening. They are:
1) The Great Tax Wars (Lincoln to Wilson) by Steven R. Weisman (Simon & Schuster 2002); A Great history of how we got the income tax.
2) A Fierce Discontent - The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Movement in America 1870-1920 by Michael McGerr (Free Press, 2003);
3) Looking Backward 2000-1887 by Edward Bellamy (Signet Classics, originally written in 1887);
4) FDR's Folly - How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression by Jim Powell (Crown Forum 2003).
The Bellamy book is particularly interesting, because it was written in 1887 and describes a futuristic American Utopia in the year 2000, where the government controls every aspect of the economy and every works for the government, and in which everyone has everything they could possibly need or want, and retires at age 45 to a life of material plenty, intellectual stimulation and personal fulfillment.
Utter rubbish with the benefit of historical hindsight, but a very interesting glimpse into the historical roots of the American Progressive vision -- the legacy of which is today's Democratic Party.
Paul Johnson Bump!
When I first got it, I just opened it randomly and read about various eras.
For the exact opposite view look at Howard Zinn's "People's History," but be warned--I am no expert on history and although I liked seeing him recognize the PEOPLE who shaped the country, he FREQUENTLY misinterprets and lies. But I'd suggest it if you want to see the left's version of events.
Johnson's other books are such great reading--Intellectuals takes Lillian Helman to task, for example, and Modern Times is about the post-WW1 years up to Clinton. A friend who is deeply interested in history slams Johnson's examinations of Eastern countries, and did so in such a detailed manner that I skipped a lot of those sections, but overall he's a joy to read.
Depending on your interests you would enjoy some of his others.
Thanks guys, as of one minute ago that one has been put into my Amazon shopping cart for my first January "allowance"!
You're probably going to be given a reading list that will keep you busy for years. My suggestions...
Bernard Bailyn, Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. According to Bailyn, the leaders of the Revolution thought that the British government was conspiring to deprive them of their liberties and establish despotism. (The only book you need to read on Watergate, too.)
Piers Mackesy, The War for America 1775-1783. The American Revolution from the British standpoint as one theater in a world war with France.
For cultural and technical history, Daniel Boorstin's books: The Discoverers; The Creators; The Seekers. And while you are reading Boorstin, be sure to read The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America so you can understand current events.
For English background on the Founders, The Lion and the Throne: The Life and Times of Sir Edward Coke: 1552-1634, by Catherine Drinker Bowen. The battle for liberty in England.
The Maritime History of Massachusetts, 1783-1860, by Samuel Eliot Morison. Specialized but a fascinating view of an era in which limited communications meant much less centralized control.
Seriously Eve, just staying on FR and catching the historical threads, reading the pros AND cons as put
forth by the many varied and learned freepers will give
you a good start.
Sounds like you are headed in the right direction.
Read some of the Victor Davis Hansen threads,
the second amendment threads too are all tied back
to the founders.
Welcome.
Amazon loves you all for the months and years ahead! : )
Bernard DeVoto's "The Year Of Decision ~ 1846"
Copyright 1942
Year of Decision 1846 tells many fascinating stories of the U.S. explorers who began the western march from the Mississippi to the Pacific, from Canada to the annexation of Texas, California, and the southwest lands from Mexico. It is the penultimate book of a trilogy which includes Across the Wide Missouri (for which DeVoto won both the Pulitzer and Bancroft prizes) and The Course of Empire. DeVoto's narrative covers the expanding Western frontier, the Mormons, the Donner party, Fremont's exploration, the Army of the West, and takes readers into Native American tribal life.
Despite what some folks state history is repleat with mixed messages and sideshows, a classic example is how the Russian Navy won the Second Civil War for the Yankees!(Look up Russian Navy and Civil War in Google).
You may pick any topic in history as you wish and become a leading expert....an example is chickens...yes,chickens, how did the Rhode Island Red get its name? (Look up Rhode Island Red in Google).
You can select clothing,styles,dress codes,musical instruments,music, cooking and food issues,snake oil salesmen,regional variations,biographies,Chinese laborers,cowboys,bar owners,roads,early industries,even biscuits!
Each and every subject has a a particular arena of study. However,generalisation in history is not recommended. Narrow your studies to a valid and specific area. Combine your studies with a specialist field.
It's about the battle of Gettysburg and it will give you an insight into the character of the men on both sides who fought our civil war. Try to do it over the 4th of July the way I did. It brough tears to my eyes.
In spite of its period language which may send you to a dictionary occasionally, I suggest you start with "The Federalist Papers" by Hamilton, Madison and Jay. Hamilton, 1st Secretary of Treasury, Madison who essentially wrote the Constitution and Jay the first Chief Justice. Before the Constitution was ratified, there was quite a lot of resistance to it. Those who were against it were called AntiFederalists. These three wrote a series of papers which were intended to convince New York to ratify the proposed Constitution. It was agreed that 9 states ratifying would make it binding, but New York and Virginia held out. They were 10th and 11th with North Carolina being the last at 13th.
There is a wealth of information on-line and many many books. But to understand our government you must first understand our Constitution as it was written. This will give you a basis for further study. It is cited often by the Supreme Court as properly explaining the Constitution.
Stephen Ambrose wrote "Nothing Like It In The World : The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869" and I recommend it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.