Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

Book Description

From the bestselling author of In the Heart of the SeaÂ—winner of the National Book AwardÂ—the startling story of the Plymouth Colony

From the perilous ocean crossing to the shared bounty of the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrim settlement of New England has become enshrined as our most sacred national myth. Yet, as bestselling author Nathaniel Philbrick reveals in his spellbinding new book, the true story of the Pilgrims is much more than the well-known tale of piety and sacrifice; it is a fifty-five-year epic that is at once tragic, heroic, exhilarating, and profound.

The MayflowerÂ's religious refugees arrived in Plymouth Harbor during a period of crisis for Native Americans as disease spread by European fishermen devastated their populations. Initially the two groupsÂ—the Wampanoags, under the charismatic and calculating chief Massasoit, and the Pilgrims, whose pugnacious military officer Miles Standish was barely five feet tallÂ—maintained a fragile working relationship. But within decades, New England would erupt into King PhilipÂ's War, a savagely bloody conflict that nearly wiped out English colonists and natives alike and forever altered the face of the fledgling colonies and the country that would grow from them.

With towering figures like William Bradford and the distinctly American hero Benjamin Church at the center of his narrative, Philbrick has fashioned a fresh and compelling portrait of the dawn of American historyÂ—a history dominated right from the start by issues of race, violence, and religion.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I was hoping for.......2007-10-13

I couldn't get into this book because it was very different from what I thought it would be. I expected "Mayflower" to be a detailed account of why the pilgrims decided to journey to America, and also a vivid description of what life aboard the Mayflower was actually like. The book did cover those things, but only for a few short pages. Most of the book is devoted to the history of Plymouth Colony and King Philip's War. Author Nataniel Philbrick does an excellent job of shooting down the myths many people believe about what the pilgrim settlement was actually like, but I was much more interested in reading about the actual Mayflower journey and was disappointed that so little information about that event was included in this 400+ page book. "Mayflower" should be called "King Philip's War" so readers know what they're getting into.

Educational book.......2007-09-26

This is a very informative, accurate writing of our history. More people should read and know the real history of our country.

Not what I expected, but.......2007-09-16

the book was still a captivating piece of literature. I read this directly after reading In the Heart of the Sea by Philbrick, and was expecting the same type of story. That was not the case however. The title is a bit misleading in that one thinks they are going to be reading (or at least I did) a story of the journey. The subtitle should have cued me in. The book is about the struggle between the settlers and the natives more so than it is about the voyage to the new world. All that being said, I still loved the book. I gave the book four stars because I wish there was more about the actual voyage, and I think the title is a little misleading. All in all though, it is a superb piece of literature.

Clear & Interesting narrative of a difficult and complex period.......2007-09-13

There really aren't very many good, recent books about the early years in Massachusetts. This is an exceptional treatment...very engaging and clear. The number of Indian tribes, the various Pilgrims, Puritans, etc. can be a real mess to understand. And of course, there is usually a biased or pointed perspective you have to deal with. Philbrick has genuine regard for the good on both the English side and the various Indian sides and heartfelt disdain for the vicious and stupid acts on both sides that caused this war and ultimately turned it into a 14 month blood bath throughout New England. Makes me want to do some real research here in my New Hampshire home town.

Myth History and Real History.......2007-09-13

Every American teen should read this book. Myth-busting, rich in suggestion and detail, comprehensively researched. The defining text for this country's first sixty years.

The Road to Disunion: Volume I: Secessionists at Bay, 1776-1854 (Road to Disunion Vol. 1)

Average customer rating:

Like Shredded Wheat - dry but nourishing
Excellent social and political history
A Plow Through
Beginning a Journey in American History
Fear and Loathing in the Antebellum South

The Road to Disunion: Volume I: Secessionists at Bay, 1776-1854 (Road to Disunion Vol. 1)
William W. Freehling
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0195072596

Book Description

Far from a monolithic block of diehard slave states, the antebellum South was, in William Freehling's words, "a world so lushly various as to be a storyteller's dream." It was a world where Deep South cotton planters clashed with South Carolina rice growers, as Northern egalitarianism infiltrated border states already bitterly divided on key issues. It was the world of Jefferson Davis, John C. Calhoun, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson, and also of Gullah Jack, Nat Turner, and Frederick Douglass. Now, in the first volume of his long awaited, monumental study of the South's road to disunion, historian William Freehling offers a sweeping political and social history of the antebellum South from 1776 to 1854. All the dramatic events leading to secession are here: the Missouri Compromise, the Nullification Controversy, the Gag Rule, the Annexation of Texas, the Compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Vivid accounts of each crisis reveal the surprising extent to which slavery influenced national politics before 1850 and provide important reinterpretations of American republicanism, Jeffersonian states' rights, Jacksonian democracy, and the causes of the American Civil War. Freehling's brilliant historical insights illustrate a work of rich social observation. In the cities of the Antebellum South, in the big house of a typical plantation, we feel anew the tensions between the slaveowner and his family, poor whites and planters, the Old and New Souths, and most powerfully between slave and master. Freehling has evoked the Old South in all its color, cruelty, and diversity. It is a memorable portrait, certain to be a key analysis of this crucial era in American history.

Customer Reviews:

Like Shredded Wheat - dry but nourishing.......2007-10-13

Due to the author's difficult style (which I would describe as awkward rather than boring) it took me a couple of years to slog through this book. I found myself constantly setting it aside to read more interesting works. Ultimately, I disciplined myself to finally finish it, and I'm glad I did. Despite Mr. Freehling's dense prose, there's a lot of very insightful analysis here, for anyone willing to overlook the author's stylistic shortcomings.

The first part of the book takes the reader on a tour of the antebellum South, and exposes the many regional differences that made the South difficult to unite. Freehling also describes the attitudes of the Southern slave-holding gentility. "Massa" could be a tyrant with the "darkies", but lenient and overly-indulgent with his own family. He wanted to be feudal lord over all, yet still clung to some of the ideals of Jacksonian democracy. At times, Freehling loses his objectivity and wears his anti-Southern bias on his sleeve, but overall his analysis rings true.

The remainder of the book explores the various controversies, such as the Gag Rule, the Nullification Crisis, the Annexation of Texas, the Wilmot Proviso, and other events that threatened to shatter the fragile Union. One surprising omission from this list is New England's threat to secede during the War of 1812. Although it had nothing to do with slavery and the South, it certainly falls under the topic of disunion. I was disappointed that Freehling didn't even mention it.

"The Road to Disunion" is not a light and easy read by any stretch, but it's packed with information. I would recommend it for any serious student of the Civil War and its causes.

Excellent social and political history.......2007-09-20

Many good reviews have already been written so I am going to keep this short and sweet. If you want to read a good, in-depth look at the social and political history and ultimate causes of the Civil War, this is an excellent place to start. Freehling covers just about every conceivable topic in the years 1776-1854 that caused friction between the North and South, but also touches on many social and political topics that are sometimes overlooked. He also writes some great mini-biographies of the many differing players and you will walk away with an excellent working knowledge of many topics, such as Thomas Jefferson and his thoughts on slavery, the Missouri Compromise, Virginia's slavery debate of 1832, the Wilmot Proviso, Texas' Annexation, and much more.

The only potential negatives are that Freehling's writing style does take getting used to and the book is massive. For quick readers, not a big deal. For slower readers like me, plan on investing time in this book.

In the end, I would highly suggest this for any people looking to bone up on antebellum U.S. history and/or causes of the Civil War.

A Plow Through.......2007-07-05

I debated giving this one 3 stars but the information in it is very good. A thurough evaluation of the subject. If you want a detailed history, this is it.

On the downside, it is a dense read. It took me a while to plow through the entire book. Part of this is the density of info but much is due to writting style. I also found it to be a bit redundant in parts, particularly early on (especially Part II, which you might want to just skip). Another reviewer stated it helps to know the background prior to opening this tome and I agree.

For a much easier intro to the topic, try: "The Approaching Fury: Voices of the Storm, 1820-1861 (Voices of the Storm)" by Stephen B. Oates.

Beginning a Journey in American History.......2007-06-09

Visiting a bookshop in 1990 I faced a choice of two books to purchase: America in 1857 by Kenneth Stampp and The Road to Disunion Vol. I by Wm. Freehling. Having read Freehling's book on the nulification crisis, I very fortunately chose The Road to Disunion. One of the most important revelations in this book is the tracing of the secesson movement's seeds to the forming of the United States. To any one acquainted with Freehling's writing will not be surprised by the depth of his research and thought provoking text. His views are always overviews that narrow their scope to individual incidents.

I spent seveteen years badgering the author for the second volume of this work. Readers now who have not yet read this book are more fortunate because they have the benefit of seeing the complete work at once. This is a volume well worth reading on its own, but it is a much better read when followed by volume two.

Bill Freehling is without doubt the dean of 19th century American history, a great human being with an appreciation of human feeling and a strict code of research taking the author wherever it will. There are no preconcieved notions of how history should be percieved.

Fear and Loathing in the Antebellum South.......2007-02-08

After a long time, in which a combination of increased workload and diversified reading interests have kept me away, it is good to be back to the world of antebellum 19th century America. Meeting Thomas Jefferson, John C. Calhoun, Andrew Jackson and a dozen secondary characters feels a little like coming home. But as the saying goes, you can dip into the same river twice. William W. Freehling's antebellum South is both familiar and foreign. Freehling brings forward a provocative thesis, which throws a bright light on some elements of the period, but also blinds you to some vital aspects.

I have previously read Freehling's brilliant essay collection, The Reintegration of American History: Slavery and the Civil War. That was one of the best books about 19th century America I've ever read. Using cultural history, comparative studies, biography, and even autobiography, Freehling brought a provocative new thesis to the field of 19th century antebellum South.

According to Freehling, the South was torn between two conflicting, contradictory ideologies - Aristocratic Paternalism, the 18th century view that the enlightened rich should govern all others, black and white and female, and Jacksonian 'Herrenvolk Democracy' - the view that America is the republic of the free white male, where the color line separates the master race - the Herrenvolk - from the inferior black folk.

The idea that the clash between these two ideologies, and indeed, the fractions between the various, and very different, elements of the South, is Freehling's key argument. And it illuminates many things:

The clash between Paternalists and Herrenvolk Democrats was most evident during the struggles for control of the legislations of Southern states, particularly Virginia. There, the lines were drawn most sharply between aristocratic slaveholders and slaveless white folks.

Freehling's high concept is also a part of the explanation for episodes such as the Texas annexation and particularly the gag rule. Slavocrats insisted that antislavery petitions to the United States Congress would not only be ignored, but actively rejected, thus 'gagging' opposition to Slavery and making a mockery of the democratic process. The gag rule was designed and led by South Carolina extremists, the most radical faction of the aristocrats.

But the explanation works less well when describing the major sectional conflicts - as one approaches the 1850s, Paternalists and Democrats all but disappear, and the struggle becomes one between Free and Slave states, with the Upper South and the Lower North trapped between them. This is a familiar story, and while Freehling tells it well, he does not really add much to the description.

A major point that is scored is Freehling's description of Slavery's malcontents. There really was, particularly in Texas and in Kentucky, an antislavery undercurrent, and Freehling does a superb job of describing its protagonists and enemies. As long as the North left the South alone, Southern Slaveholders could probably squash such movements, but their existence helps explain Southern fear of the rise of the Republican party - a strong Northern ally that could help Southern fifth columnist destroy the Peculiar institution from within.

But for the most part, Freehling's book fails to meet expectations. The title is more than a little Misleading - The Road to Disunion does not really show a path that led to the irreconcilable conflict. Unlike the events of 1848-1860, when each event called for its successor - the Compromise of 1850 led to the destruction of the Whig party in the lower south, which led to the radicalization of the Southern Democratic Party, and to the Kansas-Nebraska act and so on, the earlier incidents were fairly disjoint. The Virginia Slavery debate, the Nullification crises, the Gag rule - all ended without any real increase in animosity. Nor do we see "secessionists at Bay" - with marginal exceptions, until the late 1840s, few major Southerners were bona fide disunionists. Rather, like John C. Calhoun, they wanted to weaken the Union in order to save it.

For all of its sophistication and scale, Freehling's account feels incomplete. Mainly, I think, because until the middle 1840s, the themes Freehling invokes (sectionalism, slavery, colonialism) were relatively minor elements of political scene, where the major issues were banks, Indian genocide, internal improvements and the fans and enemies of `King Andrew` Jackson.

Ultimately, I think the road to disunion was not paved by Southern extremists. Southerners tried mainly to preserve their way of life against a world that was rapidly changing - Industrial rather then Agricultural, increasingly National rather than Local, and yes, Democratic rather than aristocratic. For all their belligerency, the Slavepower was essentially passive and fearful, lashing out in desperation against a new, modern world where there was place neither for slaves nor for masters.

A History of Money and Banking in the United States: The Colonial Era to World War II

Average customer rating:

Superlative!
Outstanding Historical Economics Text!!!
Fascinating, Behind-the-Scenes Intrigue Revealed!

A History of Money and Banking in the United States: The Colonial Era to World War II
Murray N. Rothbard
Manufacturer: Ludwig Von Mises Inst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0945466331

Book Description

In what is sure to become the standard account, Rothbard traces inflations, banking panics, and money meltdowns from the Colonial Period through the mid-20th century to show how government's systematic war on sound money is the hidden force behind nearly all major economic calamities in American history.

Never has the story of money and banking been told with such rhetorical power and theoretical vigor. You will treasure this volume.

From the introduction by Joseph Salerno:

"Rothbard employs the Misesian approach to economic history consistently and dazzlingly throughout the volume to unravel the causes and consequences of events and institutions ranging over the course of U.S. monetary history, from the colonial times through the New Deal era. One of the important benefits of Rothbard's unique approach is that it naturally leads to an account of the development of the U.S. monetary system in terms of a compelling narrative linking human motives and plans that often-times are hidden, and devious, leading to outcomes that sometimes are tragic. And one will learn much more about monetary history from reading this exciting story than from poring over reams of statistical analysis. Although its five parts were written separately, this volume presents a relative integrated narrative, with very little overlap, that sweeps across three hundreds years of U.S. monetary history."

Customer Reviews:

Superlative!.......2007-04-02

This is among my favorite works by a man who left us a large body of thinking and scholarship. Want to read a history of money & banking in the US? This is it. Here is sound exposition, presentation so clear it is refreshing. Thanks to von Mises, Rothbbard, and Llewellyn Rockwell and all those who continue the work of the Austrian school through the Ludwig von Mises Institute!

Outstanding Historical Economics Text!!!.......2006-08-17

Murray Rothbard delivers an absolute winner of a text written in the same easily readable style of "What Has Government Done To Our Money & The Case For a 100% Gold Dollar".

He has covered this lengthy timeline from the perspective of who the main players were, what their motives were, and what were the results of their actions. So what this book is NOT is a dry empirical statistical history...phew!!!

What you do get is a terrific understanding of the power struggle running through the timeline between the Houses of Morgan and Rockefeller, with of course the supporting cast of the Harrimans, Kuhn Loeb, Guggenheims and the Mellons, as it centred on their quest for banking domination, via the struggle between the sound money gold standard protaganists and the monetarist inflationary camp! Rothbard weaves in the political situation throughout so that you are able to develop a rounded picture of the political scene based on the power broking of these financial elite too. Outstanding!!

This history of the power struggles and the oscillations between sound money and inflationary monetarism will also take you through the genesis of the new Republic, the origins of the Federal Reserve, the New deal, and the Gold Exchange Standard.

It's fascinating stuff, superbly written, with excellent, detailed bottom-of-page footnoting and an extensive index.

My guess is this will be remembered as the seminal text on this subject in the decades to come!

If you haven't already read "What Has Government Done To Our Money & The Case For a 100% Gold Dollar", then you will want to as this text will also leave you wanting to further explore sound money and the Gold Standard. If you then really want to get to the heart of Rothbard, then I wholeheartedly recommend you read his awesome treatise "Man, Economy and State with Power and Market(Scholars Edition)".

You most definitely will not regret it!!!

Fascinating, Behind-the-Scenes Intrigue Revealed!.......2002-10-12

Absolutely fabulous! Only the incomparable Rothbard could tell this compelling story in its full richness and detail. Here the hidden history of money and banking in America unfolds as the internecine, behind-the-scenes warfare between elite financial interests such as the House of Morgan and the Rockefellers, the electoral struggle between the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans, and the duel-to-the-death Bank War of Nicholas Biddle and Andrew Jackson. Discover the intriguing facts of how post-Civil War ethnoreligious political conflict between postmillennial pietist Protestant Republicans versus liturgical libertarian Democrats translated into deeply-felt attitudes toward inflation, sound money, and the Gold Standard. Explore the arcane and clandestine origins of the powerful Federal Reserve, a secretive institution still clouded in mystery and myth. This magnificent volume of unpublished and previously published writings by the late Murray N. Rothbard deserves to be on the shelf of every careful scholar of political economy, and of everyone who enjoys the discovery of unseasonable and unsettling truths concerning the government elites who attempt to run our lives, debase our money, and squander our children's futures.

Average customer rating:

Grand. Historic. Inspiring.
Our Mis-understood President
One of the Best Books I have read
A "good book" but "distracting" in use of quotations as a storytelling "device"
Compelling writing, but biased

John Adams
David McCollough , and David McCullough
Manufacturer: FIRESIDE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Presidents & Heads of State | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0684813637
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Left to his own devices, John Adams might have lived out his days as a Massachusetts country lawyer, devoted to his family and friends. As it was, events swiftly overtook him, and Adams--who, David McCullough writes, was "not a man of the world" and not fond of politics--came to greatness as the second president of the United States, and one of the most distinguished of a generation of revolutionary leaders. He found reason to dislike sectarian wrangling even more in the aftermath of war, when Federalist and anti-Federalist factions vied bitterly for power, introducing scandal into an administration beset by other difficulties--including pirates on the high seas, conflict with France and England, and all the public controversy attendant in building a nation.

Overshadowed by the lustrous presidents Washington and Jefferson, who bracketed his tenure in office, Adams emerges from McCullough's brilliant biography as a truly heroic figure--not only for his significant role in the American Revolution but also for maintaining his personal integrity in its strife-filled aftermath. McCullough spends much of his narrative examining the troubled friendship between Adams and Jefferson, who had in common a love for books and ideas but differed on almost every other imaginable point. Reading his pages, it is easy to imagine the two as alter egos. (Strangely, both died on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.) But McCullough also considers Adams in his own light, and the portrait that emerges is altogether fascinating. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life-journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot -- "the colossus of independence," as Thomas Jefferson called him -- who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution; who rose to become the second President of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; who was learned beyond all but a few and regarded by some as "out of his senses"; and whose marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the moving love stories in American history.

Like his masterly, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Truman, David McCullough's John Adams has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. It is both a riveting portrait of an abundantly human man and a vivid evocation of his time, much of it drawn from an outstanding collection of Adams family letters and diaries. In particular, the more than one thousand surviving letters between John and Abigail Adams, nearly half of which have never been published, provide extraordinary access to their private lives and make it possible to know John Adams as no other major American of his founding era.

As he has with stunning effect in his previous books, McCullough tells the story from within -- from the point of view of the amazing eighteenth century and of those who, caught up in events, had no sure way of knowing how things would turn out. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, the British spy Edward Bancroft, Madame Lafayette and Jefferson's Paris "interest" Maria Cosway, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, the scandalmonger James Callender, Sally Hemings, John Marshall, Talleyrand, and Aaron Burr all figure in this panoramic chronicle, as does, importantly, John Quincy Adams, the adored son whom Adams would live to see become President.

Crucial to the story, as it was to history, is the relationship between Adams and Jefferson, born opposites -- one a Massachusetts farmer's son, the other a Virginia aristocrat and slaveholder, one short and stout, the other tall and spare. Adams embraced conflict; Jefferson avoided it. Adams had great humor; Jefferson, very little. But they were alike in their devotion to their country.

At first they were ardent co-revolutionaries, then fellow diplomats and close friends. With the advent of the two political parties, they became archrivals, even enemies, in the intense struggle for the presidency in 1800, perhaps the most vicious election in history. Then, amazingly, they became friends again, and ultimately, incredibly, they died on the same day -- their day of days -- July 4, in the year 1826.

Much about John Adams's life will come as a surprise to many readers. His courageous voyage on the frigate Boston in the winter of 1778 and his later trek over the Pyrenees are exploits that few would have dared and that few readers will ever forget.

It is a life encompassing a huge arc -- Adams lived longer than any president. The story ranges from the Boston Massacre to Philadelphia in 1776 to the Versailles of Louis XVI, from Spain to Amsterdam, from the Court of St. James's, where Adams was the first American to stand before King George III as a representative of the new nation, to the raw, half-finished Capital by the Potomac, where Adams was the first President to occupy the White House.

This is history on a grand scale -- a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.

Customer Reviews:

Grand. Historic. Inspiring........2007-10-04

JOHN ADAMS is a fascinating portrayal of one of America's most influential founding fathers.

With this book and his other best-selling historical novels, John McCullough has clearly emerged as the nation's storyteller, reminding Americans of their founding principals, the formative issues and defining struggles of the day as well as the courage and sacrifices of the men and women whom history called, blood and bone.

The story of John Adams begins in the colony of Massachusetts. Son of a preacher, Adams graduated from Harvard University, became a lawyer and married his lifelong friend and partner, Abigail. Despite his devotion to his wife, hearth, and home, he was soon thrust into the political debate of the day and would spend most of his public service away from those he held most dear. With a handful of patriots, Adams would become the voice of democracy and its republican government. As Adams said, the "American Revolution" occurred long before the war in the hearts and minds of his countrymen.

Adams played a central role in defining, delivering and defending the government of the confederation and later, the United States of America. He wrote the Massachusetts Constitution (which would serve as a guide to the United States Constitution years later) and defended the Jeffersonian draft of the Declaration of Independence. His towering intellect, articulate speech, and unshakeable integrity made him a powerful, compelling, and key revolutionary character. If Jefferson was the pen, Adams was the voice of the revolution and the new republic.

Adams served as ambassador to France, Netherlands, and Britain providing leadership, guidance and treaties at critical junctures in history. In due course, Adams served as Vice President to George Washington and as the second President of the United States.

John Adams comes to life in the pages of this historical novel. We experience his victories and failures, exultation and depression, certainty and uncertainty. Adams emerges heroically, yet humanly, as a man for his time.

Our Mis-understood President.......2007-09-25

Many of us will accept any book by McCollough, but this is his best. Thankfully it does not go into avery detail of his life, it rather brings him to life. We see bith John and Abigail as warm human beings who made major sacrifices for their beloved country. As the story moves along we gain insight into other revolutionary leaders, e.g., Thomas Jefferson, George Washington et. al.

This is the perfect book for the person who lovesAmerican history and the one who thinks it might be fun to learn something about it. Scholar and casual reader will benefit from this work.

One of the Best Books I have read.......2007-09-16

While I agree this book is not a complete history of every aspect of John Adams life, I do acknowledge the fact that it is the very book that got me interested in History. After reading the book I have started to read and develop my own history Library. It is not fair to expect this book to be all things to all people but rather one tool in the toolbox of the History of this great American, John Adams. While I am glad there are History buffs/nerds out there to let us know every shortcoming of this book and which books to read to fill in the gaps, I am very Greatful for David McCullough and his contribution to our Great Country. His books are written as Novels and make it possible for us to imagine how life actually was in these times. Go ahead and buy the Hardback version as you will want this to be a permanent part of your library.

A "good book" but "distracting" in use of quotations as a storytelling "device".......2007-09-04

I found the excessive use of quotations so tedious and irritating that I had to put it down after reading the first hundred pages or so. It reminded me of a high school book report where all of the interspersed quotations are intended to show the teacher that the student really read the book and did the research to support their thesis.

McCullough obviously did do a lot of research in writing this book and my guess is that he intended to use the characters' own words as a way to bring them and the time that they lived to life for modern readers. Unfortunately, he overdid it and all but destroyed the narrative in the process.

Compelling writing, but biased.......2007-09-03

David McCullough's biography of John Adams is written beautifully and compellingly. The scenes it creates are compelling, and the quotations from Adams' letters and other writings are well-used. However, Adams' faults are glossed over, and when there was a difference of opinion between Adams and his contemporaries, Adams' viewpoint almost always prevails, often without referring to the contradictory evidence. McCullough says in his Acknowledgements that he relied on "The Age of Federalism" by Eric McKitrick and Stanley Elkins, but yet ignores statements in that book contrary to Adams' view. For instance, he says that Hamilton came uninvited in October 1798 to Trenton to argue Adams out of negotiating with France. Yet Elkins and McKitrick say that Hamilton came to Trenton to confer with one of the generals about the disposition of the army and didn't know until he arrived that Adams was there. McCullough also claims that Adams decided by August 4 1798 to send negotiators to France and told his secretary of state to delay nothing. Yet Elkins and McKitrick say that subsequently he informed Navy Secretary Stoddert that the envoys' departure could be suspended if news came making it advisable, and news did come in terms of a change in the membership of the French Directorate. In another part of the book, McCullough says that in the Jay treaty, the US gave up every point to the British. Elkins & McKitrick say that Jay got all the main points of contention: British evacuation of the western posts (which opened up the Northwest territories to expansion), compensation for the British seizures of American ships, and admission into the West Indies. There are other matters which McCullough failed to explain, (which Elkins & McKitrick do explain)such as the differences between Hamilton and some of his supporters in Adams' cabinet, their reasons for seeking Hamilton's advice and their concerns that Adams didn't consult with them, and ( a matter not included in Elkins & McKitrick, but covered in other works such as Stacy Shiff's book about the negotiations with the French) Franklin's side of the disputes with Adams in Paris. Suffice it to say, there are enough one-sided discussions in this biography thqat, despite its compelling nature, it is difficult to trust its thrust.

Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)

Average customer rating:

Great series
A Dangerous Time in Colonial America
History coming alive
Bloody, bloody good
Widerness Empire

Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)
Allan W. Eckert
Manufacturer: Jesse Stuart Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 1931672024

Book Description

For over two hundred years no Indian force in America was so powerful and feared as the Iroquois League. Throughout two thirds of this continent, the cry of "The Iroquois are coming!" was enough to demoralize entire tribes. But these Iroquois occupied and controlled a vast wilderness empire which beckoned like a precious gem to foreign powers. France and England secured toeholds and suddenly each was claiming as its own this land of the Iroquois. Alliance with the Indians was the key; whichever power controlled them could destroy the other.

Wilderness Empire is the gripping narrative of the eighteenth-century struggle of these two powers to win for themselves the allegiance of the Indians in a war for territorial dominance, yet without letting these Indians know that the prize of the war would be this very Iroquois land. It is the story of English strength hamstrung by incredible incompetence, of French power sapped by devastating corruption. It is the story of the English, Indian and French individuals whose lives intertwine in the greatest territorial struggle in American history--the French and Indian War.

Customer Reviews:

Great series.......2007-07-28

This is one of the weaker books in Eckert's series, but it was still a good read. I'd recommend it for any Eckert fan, or any other American-History fan. You should definately read the other books in the series!!!

A Dangerous Time in Colonial America.......2007-02-26

Wow! What a book! For anyone interested in studying the French and Indian War period, this is a must read. Although it's not a "textbook" account it's still a lot of fun. I would read this book alongside Francis Parkman's "Montcalm and Wolfe" and Anderson's "Crucible of War". Probably Mr. Eckert's best work. It's really great for younger children or anyone who has forgotten about good old-fashioned American folklore. Fantastic!

History coming alive.......2007-02-12

The best book I have ever read on the French and Indian War. It is utterly amazing how Eckert makes characters from the past come so alive. You really get the feeling that you not only learned about events that happened in the past, but that you get to know the people who experienced them.

Bloody, bloody good.......2006-09-08

Though published in 1969, when attitudes toward Native Americans were just beginning to recover after centuries of demonization, "Wilderness Empire" paints a very balanced picture of the complexities of the American frontier during the period of the French and Indian War. Comprising the formative years of George Washington, Ben Franklin and many of other actors on the American historical stage, this often-ignored historical period was the foundation for the Revolutionary War years that immediately followed. What happened in the 1740s and 50s cemented the reputations and formed the attitudes of those who forged America in the 1770s and 80s.

Eckert does a fascinating job of writing a "semi-fictional" work that relies heavily on the letters and other documents of the players themselves. He claims not to have invented conversations, but to have dramatized them based on the evidence in the primary sources. Of course, this cannot extend to Eckert's descriptions of his characters' state of mind, but he seems to take care to add proper emotional expression to the dry facts where appropriate.

Eckert's tale includes hundreds of characters, but he focuses on the exploits of a few notable ones. William Johnson, the young Irish adventurer become military leader, is at the center of the tale. Johnson seems one of only a few Americans who took the Indians seriously and was subsequently adopted by them. His incredible double life - as a white subject of the crown and as the Indian Warraghiyagey - showed him to be a man of intelligence, subtlety, heart and strength. Other characters - the exquisite French Marquis de Montcalm, a young and inexperienced George Washington, the Mohawk Chief Tiyanoga and New Hampshire's Robert Rogers of Ranger fame - are also featured prominently. This is not due to their later fame as much as to the fact that these were men of great valor and valiant action in their day. Eckert does feature women in his tale, but often they are love partners, slaves or victims. One wonders whether he might have made more of them had he written the book ten years later, when feminist scholarship and sensitivity urged writers to take a closer look at female contributions.

In any event, Eckert's tale is very bloody. Indian atrocities -- including scalping, dismemberment, ritual torture and cannibalism -- get more than their fair share of space. Cannonballs cut men in two and musket fire pierces brains and bodies and leaves men screaming in agony. Eckert does not pass judgment on these actions, though his French and especially his English characters do. At least he attempts to see these practices with native eyes, as the just spoils of warfare, as much due to the victors as the powder and food of the vanquished. But for the reader, the burnings, killings and mutilations do seem to pile up after a while. On the positive side, this gives the reader a chance to appreciate the tenuous nature of life on the New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia frontier. There's enough brutality on all sides to make one glad to live in more peaceful times.

I found "Wilderness Empire" to be a fascinating, if slow, read. The vast array of characters, the difficult Indian names and places, and the complex and convoluted nature of the events makes it difficult to read for pleasure. But in the end, the book was well worth the effort. I now feel I have filled a long-standing lacuna in my historical understanding - the period the led to the American Revolution and set the stage for the white expansion across the continent.

Widerness Empire.......2006-07-04

Second time I have read it the first time was over 25 years ago, it is an oustanding narative of the early days of America detailing important events in the early setteling of our country.

Taking Sides: American History, Volume I (Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in American History)

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American History, Volume I (Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in American History)
An in-depth look at issues from both sides.

Taking Sides: American History, Volume I (Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in American History)
Larry Madaras , and James M SoRelle
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0073102164

Book Description

This debate-style reader is designed to introduce students to controversies in American history through readings that reflect a variety of viewpoints. Each issue is framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript. Taking Sides is supported by our student Web site, Dushkin Online (www.dushkin.com/online/).

Customer Reviews:

American History, Volume I (Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in American History).......2006-08-21

Good Book

An in-depth look at issues from both sides........2000-09-20

Taking Sides is a great way to find out more about contraversial issues from the period of Reconstructin to the Present. It dives into issues such as whether or not women of the nineteenth-century overcame the hardships of the west; if Booker T. Washington's philosophy and actions betray the interests of Afican-Americans; if the 1950's were America's "happy days", and much more. This great book reveals both sides to the issues. Your stand is not suede, but you are able to make your own decision.

Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)

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great source to introduce the American revolution
MY BOY LOVES READING IT
Great Book! Ignore the Bad Reviews if you just want your kids to enjoy reading and be read to!!!!
revolutionary war on wednesday
Great book!

Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679890688
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Amazon.com

If it's Wednesday, it must be Revolutionary War day. Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House series, are in for another adventure in their time- and space-traveling tree house. Mysterious magical librarian Morgan le Fay has set four new tasks for the siblings. Jack and Annie must find four special kinds of writing for Morgan's library in order to save Camelot, the ancient kingdom of King Arthur. In Civil War on Sunday, the pair traveled back to the 1860s to collect a list of rules ("something to follow") from famous nurse Clara Barton. Now they discover they must visit another war era: the Revolutionary War. Jack and Annie set aside their apprehension and soon they're spinning back through time to Christmas Day, 1776, on the banks of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, where they encounter none other than the man on the dollar bill himself, George Washington! The children accidentally-on-purpose end up embroiled in the famous commander-in-chief's mission, where they not only play a part in convincing Washington to carry on with his patriotic duty, but also find the second kind of writing for Morgan's library: "something to send."

Award-winning author Mary Pope Osborne's young adventure series, The Magic Tree House, is immensely popular among children and teachers alike, promoting a fascination with history--and reading--no textbook can match. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to Colonial America. They arrive just as General george Washington is planning the crossing of the Delaware. Before they know it, Jack and Annie are in a boat with the Father of Our Country as history is made!

Customer Reviews:

great source to introduce the American revolution.......2007-10-14

Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)This book was a great way to introduce our daughter to the American Revolution. While she completed it within a few hours, I would highly recommend it along with American Revolution: A Companion to the Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Rsrch Gdes(R))To start studies for homeschoolers, or to have a great set of books that help explain Why the American Revolution began. The resource guide has the true facts of the Revolution and is something we returned to several times throughout our studies.
And at the price it definitely was an added bonus!

MY BOY LOVES READING IT.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Great Book! Ignore the Bad Reviews if you just want your kids to enjoy reading and be read to!!!!.......2006-01-06

COME ON PEOPLE! First of all this book and the entire series is meant for KIDS NOT ADULTS so go with the flow. Imagine you are a boy or girl who is 5 or 6 and is just starting to enjoy stories and reading. You will love it! The whole point of a book is to have children begging for more. This book and the series does just that! ENOUGH SAID! My 5 yr old loves this book and as a result he has become interested in American History. This appetite he has led us to purchase many more books on history. In my opinion, the book has accomplished what I wanted. AN INTEREST IN LEARNING! AN INTEREST IN HISTORY! AND AN INTEREST IN READING! The text should be simple! The text should be silly at times! Thank you to Mary Pope Osborne for creating a wonderful series which I believe has turned my child into a history buff eager to learn everything about America!

revolutionary war on wednesday.......2005-02-18

one summer day in Frog Creek, Pensylvania, a Mysterious tree house oppeared in the woods. eight year old Jack and his seven year old sister; annie, climbed into the tree house. They found that it was filled with books. Jack and annie soon discovered that the tree house was majic. It could take to the places in the books, all they had to do was point a picture and wish to go there. Along the way, Jack and annie discovered that the tree belong to Morgan Le fay.morgan is a magical library from camelot,long ago of king auther.She travles through the time and space gathering books. The magic tree house books # 13-16, jack and annie had to save for ancient stories from being lost forever.In magic tree house#17-20 jack and annie trade a misterious little dog from a magic spell.In magictree books #17-20 jack and annie trade a new challange.Tey must find 4 special kinds of writing for morgans library to help save camelot.

Great book!.......2004-01-27

How would you feel if you were in a war? Find out by Reading Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne. Jack and Annie were in a war to get a stone for
George Washington. I really liked this book because it was funny. Will Jack and Annie get the stone in time? Find out by reading this book!

My Brother Sam Is Dead (Apple Signature)

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This book still makes me cry
My Brother Sam is Dead
#1 My Brother Sam is Dead Is a HIT #1
My Brother Sam Is Dead
"My Brother Sam Is dead"

My Brother Sam Is Dead (Apple Signature)
James Lincoln Collier
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439783607

Book Description

All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam's smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father. With the war soon raging, Tim know he'll have to make a choice -- between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.

Customer Reviews:

This book still makes me cry.......2007-09-25

I first read this book when I was about 10 for a class project. We were only supposed to read a few pages a night for homework assignments but I ended up reading the entire book in a few hours. It was so good, I just couldn't put it down. I'm 20 years old now and I still read it from time to time and still cry at the end of the book. It's a wonderful novel about the American Revolutionary War and family. Read this if you're in the mood for a good-hearted novel and maybe a small cry.

My Brother Sam is Dead.......2007-05-02

BY: Dante Garner
Age 12
White Plains New York
ISBN # 0439783607
Price $ 5.99
If you like books about War, blood and violence? This is the book for you it is historical fiction book. It takes place during the American Revolution. This story tells how War will tear families apart.

This Story talks about how War is Cruel. Sam wants to go to War to fight for his country with the Patriots and his Father is against him fighting. There all suppose to be on the Torres. Ever since Sam has gone to war they have caused a lot of arguments and fights between Father and Sam. Sam has made a bad decision to go to War because now you have caused fighting with your Family and now more work for Tim and the rest of the Family since you had left.

After Sam left Tim had to do all of the work Mom and Dad mostly depended on him for cattle and other things. Tim wants to be like his brother and fight in the American Revolution for his Country. Mom was an alcoholic and she is a depressed also Dad will not let Mom mail back her son Sam just because Dad got in a fight with Sam. To me that is not right because you do not like a person she doesn't have to like him to.
I can connect an text to self because I had an family member that has died in an War an that is my older brother Marcus I recommend this book of the family members we have lost a lot of Americans from the War because War is Cruel and it may tear families apart.
This book talks about the War back in the day and this book is good because it has a lot of info in this book.

#1 My Brother Sam is Dead Is a HIT #1.......2007-05-01

The story is about a boy named Tim Meeker and how he looses most of his family because of war and a feud between his brother and his father because, Tim's brother wants to go to war. In the book it talks about how Tim's brother runs away. The brother comes back in the middle of the book and he finds out what happens to his dad. As you go along in the book Tim's brother goes to jail for a crime he never committed. Another thing that happens in the book is how Tim gets shot in the arm trying to save his brother Sam. At the end of the book something unexpected happens, but you have to read it to find out.

My Brother Sam Is Dead.......2007-04-30

Book review-My Brother Sam is Dead
By Chris Pollio, age 13, White Plains, New York

ISBN # 0439783607

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoin Collier and Christopher Collier; Scholastic, Inc. United States, early 1970's; $5.99

Although I've only seen clips of the Revolutionary War in social studies class, it feels like I have experienced the war but I guess it's just the fact that I read the book My Brother Sam is Dead. The book My Brother Sam is Dead was written by the Collier brothers and is a warfare historical fiction book. This book is about the Meeker family and how they face many conflicts such as Sam going off to fight in the Revolutionary war.

This book shows how a family's life can change because of war. In the book My Brother Sam is Dead the Meeker family lives in Redding, Connecticut. The story takes place during the early 1700's. Sam a rebel fighting against the British is in war while Tim his brother, Mother and Farther are continuing on with the tavern business and their daily lives. An opinion I had on this book was it was boring at first. But then soon after it changed to a book that had me on the edge of my seat because there is a lot of action and adventure that takes place in the book. Like when someone's head got chopped off. I think this book is worth reading.

There are many conflicts that the Meeker's face during the Revolutionary war. One conflict that the Meeker's face during the Revolutionary war is that Sam ran away to join the rebels also known as Patriots to fight against the British army. Another conflict that the Meeker family faces during the Revolutionary war is that business is getting slower and the products are getting harder to receive since the patriots pay with their own money which is worth nothing. One more big conflict that the Meeker's face is that Tim and father go and sell supplies to earn money for the business in Verplanks Point and they run into cowboys. The cowboys kidnapped father and Tim journeys home never meeting with father again. A connection I can make with this book relates to the movie The Patriot. I can relate this book to the movie the Patriot because they are both about the Revolutionary war and the battles and wars between the British and Patriots. When I was watching this movie I was thinking of this book because it had the same story line, which was war that takes place in the early 1700's. The theme for this book is that war can turn men into beasts. Another theme relating to this story is that war can tear families apart.

I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a historical war and the revolution because that is what takes place in the book. The target audience for this book is young adult. But I suggest that you should read it. This book is a satisfying book. One award this book received the Newbery Honor, the Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and was nominated for National Book Award. James Lincoln Collier was born into a family full of authors, this book is amazing. You should read it and if you choose to read it I hope you enjoy.

"My Brother Sam Is dead".......2007-03-31

If you like war movies or books this might be the book for you. It talks bout how this boy named Sam wants to go to war for no reason just to fight for his country but his father doesn't want him to go because he wants his son to do good in his study's and also school, I really didn't get that part but I still need to read more it really get's interesting by the 5th threw the 8th chapter.

I'm starting to like this book because it talks about a kid who want's to do something for his life and future but his father is stopping him from doing the thing's he want's to do for him not for other people, but it really effects me because is like his father just wants the best for him but Sam just thinks other wise, his father want's the best for himself not for his son. Is just like my father he just want's the best for me but like I think he just want's the best for himself because I want to do some other thing's like play football or basketball but he just want's me to stick with one sport like my other favorite sport that I love is baseball and I get what he means but other wise then that why wouldn't want your son to go to war and be a man is just for discipline that's what I think.

Average customer rating:

Good, but not great.
Washington the Man
His Excellency: George Washington
Great History Book
Fair to good. Is there a skunk in the early analysis, such as on Jumonville?

His Excellency: George Washington
Joseph J. Ellis
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1400032539
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Book Description

To this landmark biography of our first president, Joseph J. Ellis brings the exacting scholarship, shrewd analysis, and lyric prose that have made him one of the premier historians of the Revolutionary era. Training his lens on a figure who sometimes seems as remote as his effigy on Mount Rushmore, Ellis assesses George Washington as a military and political leader and a man whose “statue-like solidity” concealed volcanic energies and emotions.

Here is the impetuous young officer whose miraculous survival in combat half-convinced him that he could not be killed. Here is the free-spending landowner whose debts to English merchants instilled him with a prickly resentment of imperial power. We see the general who lost more battles than he won and the reluctant president who tried to float above the partisan feuding of his cabinet. His Excellency is a magnificent work, indispensable to an understanding not only of its subject but also of the nation he brought into being.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not great........2007-09-21

This is an entertaining and enjoyable book, but the psychoanalysis of George Washington left something to be desired. At several places, the author relies on tidbits of information to making sweeping generalizations regarding Washington, why he succeeded, or his motivations. This would not have so severely affected my rating, but for the fact that on more than one occasion, the author quickly reversed course.

For example, when trying to explain why, near the beginning of the Revolution, George Washington was better situated than any of his peers to lead the Americans to victory, Joseph Ellis tells us that George Washington was a realist who fully recognized that Divine Providence did not guarantee victory. Only a few pages later, commenting on George Washington's forbearance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, Joseph Ellis tells us that the George Washington's internally sustaining force was his belief in, yep, Divine Providence.

It may be a quibble, but this example early in the book, left me doubtful of Mr. Ellis's explanations for other aspects of George Washington's character and the underlying rationale for some of his actions. At times, Mr. Ellis may have pressed too hard to generalize from single letters or comments. Perhaps Washington was uniquely realistic in assessing the chances for success and also believed in Divine Providence, but Mr. Ellis did a poor job of acknolwedging both these aspects and, presumably, the tension even within Washington.

I also thought Ellis went a bit far with his "Fabian" and "Cinncinatus" analogies. The repetition towards the end of the book became irksome and, again, seemed Ellis was trying too hard to fit evidence into preconceived categories.

The book was quite informative and engaging. It is clear that Joseph Ellis reveres the man, but this usually did not cause him to shy from recounting Washington's failings, including those of character. Importantly, I think Ellis does a good job of providing enough factual context to let the reader make some judgments. Some other reviewers appear to claim this is a hatchet job, but my view is that it is anything but. Unflattering facts are revealed, but Ellis was, in my view, more quick to explain them away than he needed to be. George Washington was a man, not a god. Ellis's portrait captures that distinction without denigrating Washington or his considerable influence on the making of the United States of America.

In short, Ellis paints a convincing portrait of an ambitious man with a tremendous ability both to lead men and to persevere in the face of adversity. Washington does seem to have had enormous concern regarding his legacy, but this is not a bad thing. As an example, if Mr. Ellis's portrayal is accurate, George Washington's concern for legacy was a driving factor in his decision to free his slaves in his will. Likewise, while Mr. Ellis seems to indicate that George Washington tried to burnish his reputation for high character by revising certain details of his early life, his desire to be revered also led him to act in conformance with the image he strove to create. In other words, while Washington did not always act with honor while young, his growing concern for legacy provided additional pressure, if not motivation, for his rightly renowned decision to relinquish power and, too, smaller acts of honor. Washington, to some degree, became the man he wished to be perceived to be. Joseph Ellis did not paint a flat caricature of the man, but provided a three-dimensional, if sometimes flawed, portrait of one of the most important men in the history of the United States.

I recommend this book.

Washington the Man.......2007-09-20

Ellis' George Washington is a rich narrative of a largely unknowable man. Washington is a 21st century biographers nightmare because he was not as irascible as John Adams nor did he have the flirtatious dalliances of a Thomas Jefferson or a Benjamin Franklin. Washington instead appears like a statute whom historians and psychohistorians cannot even begin to clear away the patina to get a good glimpse of the inner man. Ellis attempts this and concludes that while Jefferson theorized, Washington just mainly survived. In this he is anomaly because the critical period of American history can not be imagined without him, yet progressives and revisionists have ignored him. While Adams and Jefferson wrote more about republican and democratic theory, Washington never allowed anything close to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act nor the Embargo Act. An oversimplification of this interplay is that while most of the founders talked, Washington acted and essentially achieved the results that he wanted. In what is probably the highlight of the book, Ellis presents Washington heading off the Newburg Conspiracy which was formed by disgruntled officers designed to hijack the burgeoning republic in it's cradle. After placating his soldiers Washington never wavers from his bedrock principle of Republicanism tempered with a harsh realism. Overall Ellis' Washington is a man who acted upon what he believed and saved the infant republic several times over. Probably his greatest sin, in the eyes of the professional historian, was that he never much talked about what he did, but I think he can be forgiven for that rather unfortunate oversight.

His Excellency: George Washington.......2007-09-06

A marvelous read of the genesis of our great nation!! Joseph J. Ellis is a fantastic author. How exciting American History could be if only taught as Ellis writes!

Great History Book.......2007-08-11

Joseph J. Ellis kept in mind while writing "His Excellency" that there could only be one man to fit in the shoes of a democratic government (as we know it) and it was George Washington. I also learned so much about the greatness of this man and how he had to overcome such criticism and failure before changing how people live not only in the US but in the world.

This book pretty much let's you know that Washington was not perfect by any means. We was living and working for the ages. He wasn't a great General either, but he tested the hand of time and defied it in many ways.

I highly recommend this book.

Fair to good. Is there a skunk in the early analysis, such as on Jumonville?.......2007-08-08

A good bio, fair to good. An author should hedge pretty constant to a view of George Washington as a hero, my preference.

I thought I detected something smelly in the description of Washington's early military career, for example in the death of Jumonville. There's nothing direct in the text, it's more crafty and insidious (eg "murder" in the same paragraph with George's name, his supposed lifelong rationalization over these early incidents, etc), which reviewing just now opinions of earlier reviewers I'm glad to see they've suspicioned out as well. Replace George's name with Ellis', change the incident to Vietnam war record falsification and what you seem to get is the author's apology for how his own biographical fraud occurred. If this is so, it's fair to bring this up, and I resent how incidents from the great man's life seems to be used to explain how a rationalization like this comes about. If it's not, some changes in future editions would help keep readers away from the unintentional linkage. "Look, I'm flawed too, just like the great Washington was" Ellis seems to say. Hold your nose past the author's need to explain himself through Washington in the early part, and you get a good biography otherwise.

Average customer rating:

fighting ground review
action at the start
Fighting Ground War
Fighting Ground Review
Cornwall NY sixth grader

The Fighting Ground
Avi
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064401855
Release Date: 2003-12-23

Book Description

April 3, 1778

He may be just thirteen, but Jonathan knows he's ready to go to the war against the British. He can handle a gun. He yearns to battle for glory, just like his brother and cousin.

So when Jonathan hears the tavern bell toll, calling men to fight, he runs to join them. He doesn't realize that in just twenty-four hours, his life will be forever altered -- by the war, by his fellow soldiers, and by the terrible choices he must make.

Customer Reviews:

fighting ground review.......2007-05-01

Reviewer: Astor Madrid, Age 13; White Plains, NY
Fighting Ground by Avi; Reprint edition: Harper Trophy, May 15, 1987; $5.99

ISBN# 0064401855

Have you ever met someone who dreams of going to war? If you have, you will connect a lot to the main character, Jonathan and his adventures in this Historical Fiction story called The Fighting Ground by Avi. Jonathan and his feelings about war change a lot during the book when he finds himself in a world of danger.
In the book The Fighting Ground Jonathan has his dream come true when his father asks him to see what is going on at the tavern. When Jonathan arrives, the Colonel asks him to join him in fighting the Hessians that were coming. Jonathan had to answer quickly, he answered "Yes" they gave him a gun and fought. I think this book is great Avi did a good job of portraying what people went through in the American Revolution.
Jonathan was being told what to do. They had to make two lines the first like shot while the other one reloaded and kept on switching. Jonathan had a lot of trouble reloading his gun. Later on, Jonathan got lost and is found by some Hessian soldier. This book reminds me a lot of My Brother Sam is Dead because it is based on the same time, and about the same things. This book tries to teach you to listen to your parents because in the beginning of the book, Jonathan's father is wounded in the leg when he was in the war and when Jonathan gets near the gun, Jonathan's father would flip out.
I would recommend this book to 8-12 year old kids because they would be more interested in this type of book, and people with interest in the American Revolution. This book won the Scott O'Dell Award and I agree it is a great book.

action at the start.......2007-05-01

The Fighting Ground

Michael Tomlinson, age 12, White Plains, New York

ISBN: 978-0064401852
Harper trophy (May, 15, 1987)

When kids want to do something that their not allowed to do, sometimes they run away and do it. Later on they end up in a bad situation. This exactly the case in The Fighting Ground. By Avi, in this historical fiction book, a boy named Jonathan doesn't listen to his father's advice and runs away.
Jonathan has always dreamed of joining the Americans in the Revolutionary war. Jonathan's father doesn't want him to join because when he was in the war, he was wounded. When a bell goes off for a battle, Jonathan runs away and joins the battle. He also steals his dad's musket. During the battle, Jonathan does what all of the other soldiers do while getting ready like loading the musket ball into the muzzle of the gun. Jonathan gets to shoot the musket and then loads his gun again. When Jonathan looks up from reloading, he realizes that he is the only American still there and Hessians are marching towards him, so he starts running. Will Jonathan get caught or will he find his way back to his town and hide?
Although this book doesn't have actual chapters, it is an exiting and easy to read book. There are scenes that you wouldn't believe would happen. It also has allot of violence which makes if feel more real than just a fake story.
This book reminds me of another historical fiction book I've read called, My Brother Sam Is Dead, because in the book the main character Sam also runs away from his family to join the war just like Jonathan. I recommend this book to pre teens because it can teach them to not run away and do something that their guardian doesn't let them do. The theme of this story should be to trust your elders because they can be right.
The author, Avi was born in Brooklyn on 1937. He uses the nickname Avi for his real name. Avi is a Newbery Award-winning children's book author.

Fighting Ground War.......2007-04-30

"What would you do if you are losing the battle during the Revolutionary War and you see your army dropping like flies? Would you run away? Would you stay and fight?" Well that is the choice that Jonathan had when he was in the middle of a Revolutionary War battle. Fighting Ground is about a kid Jonathan during the American Revolution. Fighting Ground is a historian-fiction book by Avi.
Jonathan wants to go to war like his brother. The only problem is that Jonathan doesn't know what to do in battle time. Jonathan ran away from home to go fight. He was marching to a town and his father's friend. His father's friend asks "What are you doing here? Are you here to fight?" Jonathan had to lie. Jonathan is young and inexperience. Because of that, he got scared and ran away from the battle field. He got caught by three Hessians soldiers and got held as a Prisoner of war. All the time when Jonathan gets in trouble or in time of action I pretend I'm in his place. That is why I think I this book am perfect for me. Also I think what decision would do in time of trouble.
What will happened to Jonathan father he got capture by the Hessian? Will he kill him? Or he will be killed? Well the Hessian brought Jonathan to a small house that that the Hessians found. At the small house Jonathan found little kid. Jonathan fed him and kept him alive. What would Jonathan do with the little kid? This book reminds me a lot of M Brother Sam is Dead. They're the same for many reasons. For example: The character are the same, also it is in the same time period. Jonathan is like Sam and Tim combines. Jonathan is a kid like Tim, and wants to go to war like Sam. Both of this stories they fight soldiers from the British side. Since the Americans fight the British; the time period is American Revolution.
The theme of this story is to not do things that you are not experience off. I recommend this book to kids that are [...]. That would be a nice book, so you could imagine you're self in Jonathan place. If you are interested of the American Revolution, you should read this book. Also if you want to imagine what happen to little kid during the American Revolution; this book would be good book for you.

Fighting Ground Review.......2007-04-30

Have you ever met someone who dreams of going to war? If you have, you will connect a lot to the main character, Jonathan and his adventures in this Historical Fiction story called The Fighting Ground by Avi. Jonathan and his feelings about war change a lot during the book when he finds himself in a world of danger.
In the book The Fighting Ground Jonathan has his dream come true when his father asks him to see what is going on at the tavern. When Jonathan arrives, the Colonel asks him to join him in fighting the Hessians that were coming. Jonathan had to answer quickly, he answered "Yes" they gave him a gun and fought. I think this book is great Avi did a good job of portraying what people went through in the American Revolution.
Jonathan was being told what to do. They had to make two lines the first like shot while the other one reloaded and kept on switching. Jonathan had a lot of trouble reloading his gun. Later on, Jonathan got lost and is found by some Hessian soldier. This book reminds me a lot of My Brother Sam is Dead because it is based on the same time, and about the same things. This book tries to teach you to listen to your parents because in the beginning of the book, Jonathan's father is wounded in the leg when he was in the war and when Jonathan gets near the gun, Jonathan's father would flip out.
I would recommend this book to 8-12 year old kids because they would be more interested in this type of book, and people with interest in the American Revolution. This book won the Scott O'Dell Award and I agree it is a great book.

Cornwall NY sixth grader.......2007-03-08

I am a sixth grader. The Fighting Ground is the second book I read by Avi. I like the way he writes. I especially like his descriptions of things. It puts a good picture in my mind.
The Fighting Ground is a mischievous cliffhanger that will keep you reading through the end. It is about a thirteen year old boy, Jonathan, who believes he is ready to go to war against the British. He longs to go to war for the glory. When it is time for battle, Jonathan runs to join the men. He doesn't realize that in just twenty-four hours his life will be forever changed; by the war, by the soldiers he befriended and by the horrible decisions he has to make. Is he ready for this?
My favorite part of this book was the actual battle. The description made me feel what Jonathan was feeling; like I was choking. Each minute kept my heart racing. I liked guessing what would happen next when I stopped reading. When I found out what happened during the battle, I was surprised. It was completely different than what I guessed.
My least favorite part was the very beginning. I didn't like it because it cut to the chase too fast. I would've liked to learn more about Jonathan and his family. By the fourth page, Jonathan was already joining the men to go to war. Nothing was said about his mother. Only a little was mentioned about his father. If I could change the beginning of the book, I would mention more about Jonathan, his family and his life.
I would recommend The Fighting Ground to people who are interested in a good, action packed adventure book. On a scale of one to ten, I would give this book a nine. There are only a few parts of the book that weren't interesting. The rest of it was great. I hope I can read another book by Avi.

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