While the San Francisco earthquake in 1906 was devastating for the city and its residents, the main characters in this book actually had other things to worry about.
Author: Julie Crain Miguel
Women’s Diaries of the Western Journey, by Lillian Schlissel
This is exactly what it says. The author has reviewed and analyzed a number of diaries written by women who made the journey toward the west coast. First published in 1982, it seems to have been reissued at least twice, and you should be able to find a copy at your library. The author makes Read More
West from Appomattox, by Heather Cox Richardson
The subtitle of this book is “The Reconstruction of America after the Civil War”. This is a non-fiction, serious history book which covers the entire country from the end of the Civil War until 1901; the Reconstruction era. Instead of focusing mainly on the South, Richardson looks at many specific issues the whole country was Read More
The Devil’s Tickets, by Gary M Pomerantz
This book intertwines two stories about two couples, set in the late 1920’s, whose only connection was that they played Contract Bridge. The title refers to the appellation that Puritans gave to playing cards, which these two stories do not contradict. The two couples were Ely & Jo Culbertson, and Jack & Myrtle Bennett. One Read More
Images of America, various authors
You have seen these books: slim volumes with sepia toned historical photographs on their covers, found at bookstores, drug stores, or anywhere that might be touristy. They are published by Arcadia Publishing, a company based in South Carolina that has made local history books their specialty. They find authors that are local, or experts on Read More
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen E Ambrose
Ambrose has written a chronology of the Lewis & Clark expedition which is detailed, but still engrossing. He tries to be understanding of the men’s limitations, while still giving them credit for their remarkable achievement. He refers, and often quotes, the journals both Lewis & Clark kept on the journey, but the reader does not Read More
The War That Made America, by Fred Anderson
The war referred to is the French and Indian war, or the Seven Year’s War.
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This is the second book by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but instead of her family, this book details a year in the childhood of her future husband, Almanzo Wilder. He grew up in upstate New York, near the town of Malone. This is very close to the border with Canada, and not too far west of Read More
The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck
I had not previously read this book, but I am glad that I finally did. You definitely see why it is considered “Literature”, but it is also a powerful story, with unique, imperfect characters. In some ways, I can’t say I really related to any of them, but you do understand their motivations. I have Read More
The Indigo Girl, by Natasha Boyd
This book is based on the true story of Eliza Lucas. The author was inspired to create this novel when she learned about Eliza after overhearing one of her descendants talk about her. Eliza lived in South Carolina in the early 1700’s, and was instrumental in starting the indigo trade there. At the time, much Read More