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

1812 The War that Forged a Nation, by Walter R. Borneman

We’ve all heard of the war of 1812, but outside of the fact that the capital was burned by the British, we probably don’t know very much about it. This book discusses the issues that led up to the War, the political implications and realities, and also describes the strategy and outcome of the battles. Read More