Make Me An American History Buff: Eliza Doolittle Calling!

[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I have tried just plunging in reading historical documents, but feel that I need more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

[DaughterofEve]

Just checking back in to let you know that your suggestions have REALLY helped me.

I am more than halfway through the first book of the Shaara trilogy, (own the second one, will order the third soon) have now seen both Gods and Generals and Gettysburg, have a long weekend trip reserved and planned to Gettysburg this summer, have a (big) Paul Johnson book sitting on my table on a waiting list to be read, have many more books in the wings.

I am starting to watch the Ken Burns Civil War series this very weekend. By the way...I am LOVING it all!

Tonight I'm only writing to the folks here on whose suggestions I've already acted...there are other responses in this thread I also am hoping to deal with down the road.

THANK YOU all for putting me on a great pathway! Additional input always welcome.

[Mad Dawgg]

"I am more than halfway through the first book of the Shaara trilogy, (own the second one, will order the third soon) have now seen both Gods and Generals and Gettysburg, have a long weekend trip reserved and planned to Gettysburg this summer, have a (big) Paul Johnson book sitting on my table on a waiting list to be read, have many more books in the wings."

The Sharra Trilogy is one of my all time favorites and the Paul Johnson book I have read many times! Also another interesting history book that should be on everyone's read list is: From Dawn to Decadence : 500 Years of Western Cultural Life 1500 to the Present

It is one of my all-time favs as well. I hope you enjoy them all as much as I did!