No comments about America's Gilded Age: Intimate Portraits from an Era of Extravagance and Change, 1850-1890.

1 comments about The Family Letters of Thomas Jefferson.

1. Next to journal reading, a compilation of personal letters is a good way to really get to know someone. This book is a collection of letters exchanged between Thomas Jefferson and his children & grandchildren over a long period of time. The book starts when the kids are young and he is away on his government duties. We find that times really hasn't changed that much as Jefferson constantly nags them to write him letters. As the kids grow older, they become much more prolific writers. The book becomes most interesting whenever the grandchildren mature and begin to write him during his presidency. In these letters, he shares tips and philosophy on life, economics, and general principles- even though we know he may not have put all of these into practice himself.

   My rating reflects the disappointment that the editors failed to structure the book in a way that fills in the blanks for the reader. As an example, the death of his daughter only triggers a footnote to one of the letters since the event caused a lapse in letter writing between the family during his return visit to Monticello. To find out what had happened, I had to consult other material. This book could be greatly improved if a revised edition would include dialog that would explain the events mentioned in the letters.

   In spite of this, you will like this book if you are a follower of Thomas Jefferson. This shouldn't be your first book or even your second volume on Jefferson, but if you are well versed on the history of this important man- then you will find much enjoyment within the pages.

1 comments about Civil War and Reconstruction: An Eyewitness History (Eyewitness History Series).

1. This is a pretty good history of the Civil War. It has good pictures and an easy to read narrative of the war. It also has a lengthy appendix that includes many of the relevant historical documents, such as the Constitutions of the USA and the Confederacy, Lincoln and Jefferson's inaugural addresses, the Gettysburg Address, short biographies of the major personalities of the era and battlefield maps.
   
   At the end of each chapter, there is a lengthy section of quotes from participants and commentators of the day. This interesting addition makes the narrative read much quicker, but allows the reader to look at the topic in more detail if he/she chooses.
   
   Unfortunately, there are some errors in the book due to poor editing. Two, in particular, bugged me. I used this book to look for info on the battle of Gettysyburg and I was unable to find it. Its in there, but the chapter it is included in is mistitled. It is entitled: "Closing the Ring: The East: November 1863-March 1865." It should be November 1862. My difficulties arose from the date of the Gettysburg Battle - July 1863.
   
   The second error came when the Grant's forces in Kentucky were called the Eastern army, rather than Northern or Union. Some might say, but were they Easterners in a Union army in Kentucky? No, they were mostly from Illinois - out West in the 1860s.
   
   So, I will keep this book as a reference, due to its fantastic appendices, but I will lower its grade due to sloppy editing. Grade: "B"

No comments about Civil War Commanders.

2 comments about Major General Isaac Ridgeway Trimble: Biography Of A Baltimore Confederate.

1. 
   Almost 60 years old when the Civil War began, Isaac Trimble was still a major force as a Confederate commander, participating in a number of campaigns in the eastern theatre, being severely wounded twice, and becoming a favorite of Stonewall Jackson's. Tucker's biography is scholarly and academic, which might discourage some readers; but I didn't find it numbingly so.
   
   Trimble was born in 1802 in Pennsylvania. A West Point graduate, he served in the army until 1832, when he resigned to become superintendent of a number of East Coast railroads. Siding with the South at the outbreak of the war, he destroyed railroad bridges around Baltimore. He saw action at Winchester and Cross Keys during Jackson's Valley campaign, and was wounded severely at Second Bull Run. He recuperated in time to participate in the Gettysburg campaign, leading forces up the Cumberland Valley (this account by Tucker interested me the most). He lost a leg at Gettysburg and was captured; he remained a prisoner of war until 1865. After the war he was an engineer in Baltimore and died in 1888.
   
   Tucker's biography is not written for a general audience; the book's very few illustrations might be the biggest clue to this fact. Tucker's style is also rudimentary. His annotations are excellent, however, and as I said earlier I didn't find his scholarly approach to be overwhelming. The biography is informative and straightforward, and not particularly stylistic. Civil War buffs will find much to appreciate here.



2. General Trimble merits a biography. He's a fascinating man. The author's efforts though reads more like a thesis written to submit both to the history and psychology departments rather than a biography meant for the reading public. I would've enjoyed more personal anecdotes relating to the General and would've liked to have see the constant references to Maslow's hierarchy of needs jettisoned completely. It seemed like an artificial appendage added to the book, and its insertion ranged from distracting to downright annoying. It made for a dull, pedantic read.

No comments about Now When I Was A Kid.

No comments about A Remembrance of Eden.

No comments about More Zeal Than Discretion: The Westward Adventures of Walter P. Lane (Elma Dill Russell Spencer Series in the West and Southwest).

No comments about High Seas Confederate: The Life and Times of John Newland Maffitt (Studies in Maritime History).

2 comments about Fighting for Home: The Story of Alfred K. Oates & the 5th Regiment.

1. Steeped in the historical context of antebellum America. Oates brings candor and genuine emotion to the struggle for American ideals. Rarely does one come upon a work with such vivid imagery and historical conviction. Overall a masterpiece with hopefully many more to come.



2. Gripping narrative that will keep you glued to your seat until the final page. A truly unique historical account from a young genius.