|
"One of the legacies of the War of 1812 was a British fear that the United States might try to annex British North America (as Canada was then known), accompanied by a conviction among Americans that they should never stop trying." ~ from Amanda Foreman's A World on Fire
|
|
New and Recently Released!
|
|
| American Reckoning: The Vietnam War and Our National Identity by Christian G. AppyIn American Reckoning, historian Christian Appy analyzes the Vietnam War's effects on America's self-perception, political atmosphere, and subsequent foreign policy. Examining a variety of popular artistic works (including songs, films, and literature), official documents, and news accounts, Appy recounts the war's growth from a supposedly small anti-Communist operation to a vast, expensive, and deadly engagement that ended in American defeat. Arguing that the reasoning behind this war hasn't been openly debated, he concludes that Vietnam's legacy holds risky implications for 21st-century national and international security and suggests that citizens and policy makers should reconsider current American international policies. |
|
| 88 Days to Kandahar: A CIA Diary by Robert GrenierImmediately after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S., President George W. Bush approved a CIA-led campaign in Afghanistan with the aim of defeating the Taliban and dismantling Al-Qa'ida. Author Robert Grenier, then the CIA's station chief in Islamabad, Pakistan, was asked to develop American policy in Afghanistan and direct the war there. His memoir of these experiences provides vivid depictions of the people involved and of the effects of Washington's political and bureaucratic interference. Grenier's detailed chronology of the war, leadership missteps, and subsequent failures concludes with sobering implications for continued American engagement in the region. |
|
| Lincoln's Greatest Case: The River, the Bridge, and the Making of America by Brian McGintyIt may seem unlikely that a single liability suit, the Effie Afton case, could help launch Abraham Lincoln's political career while determining the future of rail transportation in the U.S. However, in Lincoln's Greatest Case, legal historian Brian McGinty demonstrates how Lincoln's courtroom performance assured that trains would win over steamboats in the competition to dominate inland transportation. His intelligence, wit, and skill during the trial also helped convince political supporters that he could be a successful campaigner. This detailed and intriguing account illuminates a critical moment in transportation history and a pivotal event in Lincoln's ascent to the presidency. |
|
| The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by David J. MorrisMarine veteran and war reporter David Morris suffers from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). The term most often refers to veterans who experience specific symptoms as a result of combat, though the trauma of violent assault, torture, or natural disaster can cause PTSD in civilians. In The Evil Hours, Morris relates the history of stress reactions (back to ancient times), describes his own and others' struggles with the condition, and reveals how common it is in American society. He also decries the social and bureaucratic obstacles to treatment in this thought-provoking book, which Publishers Weekly calls "highly instructive and readable." |
|
| Hell and Good Company: The Spanish Civil War and the World It Made by Richard RhodesThe Spanish Civil War influenced the creative works of numerous authors and artists, served as a proving-ground for new military technologies, and spurred significant improvements in front-line medical and surgical procedures. In Hell and Good Company, award-winning historian and MacArthur Foundation fellow Richard Rhodes details the impact of this war, whose outcome established the long-lasting dictatorship of Francisco Franco and foreshadowed the world's political divisions throughout the 20th century. Depicting the horrific conflict through the eyes of participants, Rhodes brings to life the political passion, humanitarian dedication, and camaraderie of these events. |
|
Focus on: The American Civil War
|
|
The Civil War ended in April 1865, 150 years ago this month.
|
|
| A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War by Amanda ForemanThough Americans usually think of the Civil War as an internal conflict, other nations were invested both politically and economically in its outcome. Acclaimed historian Amanda Foreman relates in A World on Fire that Great Britain supplied funds and armaments as well as diplomatic support to the Confederacy, and British citizens volunteered to fight on both sides. Through her engaging narrative and informative illustrations, she vividly depicts the engagement of politicians from both countries and portrays British soldiers and journalists on the battlefields. For more on the international aspects of this war, read Don Doyle's The Cause of All Nations. |
|
| 1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam GoodheartIn 1861, historian Adam Goodheart paints a vibrant picture of radical changes in the U.S. during the pivotal year of 1860-1861, when many citizens came to reject norms and institutions that maintained the wealth and security of a few at the expense of the many. Goodheart expertly analyzes the standard histories and an abundance of primary sources, including recently discovered, privately held letters and memoirs, to portray this cultural shift as the real start of the Civil War. Kirkus Reviews applauds his character-rich, story-driven historical narrative as "beautifully written and thoroughly original." |
|
| Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen C. GuelzoIn this vivid, detailed account, historian Allen Guelzo analyzes the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg by adding the evidence of written orders, direct reports, and participants' letters to standard historical sources. Bringing to life the confusion of battlefield conditions, he gives readers a you-were-there sensory impression of the events. Addressing questions such as whether Little Round Top or Cemetery Hill was more crucial to the outcome, Guelzo offers fresh perspective on Gettysburg's significance. In starred reviews, Kirkus Reviews calls Gettysburg "robust, memorable reading," and Booklist says it's a "superior treatment" of the battle. |
|
| The American Civil War: A Military History by John KeeganBritish scholar John Keegan is known for his masterful books on military history, and here he focuses on the U.S. Civil War's strategic problems. Zeroing in on the importance of geography and military leadership on both Confederate and Union sides, Keegan illuminates other aspects of the war as well: tactics, demographics, technology, and weather all played a part. He also discusses the home front, black soldiers, and the devastating human toll. The American Civil War demonstrates why the war was "so terrible but also, in this case, so necessary" (Library Journal). |
|
| Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year by David Von DrehleIn 1862, the Union appeared to be on the brink of failure, while the Confederacy's fortunes were rising. By early 1863, the tide had turned, and in this book journalist Dave Von Drehle details the reasons why. Arguing that during 1862 Abraham Lincoln grew into a more effective leader in both politics and war, assuming the reins of power in decisive fashion, Von Drehle relates how the President replaced the Union Army's leadership and became more engaged in military strategy. The lively, dramatic, chronological account in Rise to Greatness offers compelling reading for any history buff. |
|
Music and Lore of the Civil War
Sunday, April 12, 1:00 pm
Event Location: Durham History Hub, 500 W. Main Street
Join the North Carolina Collection and the Museum of Durham History for an afternoon centering on Durham in the 1860s-1880s. The event will include the grand opening of the museum's new exhibit, Durham Beginnings, 1865-1885, depicting Durham through the eyes of five citizens of the time; music of the Civil War era, performed by Roland Terry and award-winning guitarist David Russell; a reading by Chandler Vatavuk from his fathers work, Dawn of Peace, about the Bennett Place surrender; and a talk on Cultivated Music: Womens Parlor Music of the Civil War Era, by Candace L. Bailey. This event takes place at the Durham History Hub. Rain location, the Main Library.
|
|
"Anything I was big enough to do": Women and Gender in SNCC
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 pm
Main Library Auditorium:1st Floor
Dr. Emilye Crosby, State University of New York at Geneseo and National Humanities Center Fellow, will discuss the women in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Women were crucial to the organization as they helped launch and sustain SNCC and the mass movement of the 1960s. Crosby will highlight a few key women and discuss broad patterns of when and how women tended to join and influence the organization.
|
|
Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm
South Regional Meeting Room
Consider the Conversation is a remarkable, thought-provoking film that looks at many of the issues that we will all face at the end of life. We are showing this on National Healthcare Decisions Day. A discussion with Betsy Barton, Duke University Medical Center, and Nikki Webb, LCSW, Care Manager at Duke Regional Hospital, will take place afterward. See Apr. 23 for the follow-up workshop.
|
|
Meet the Author: Kianna Alexander
Saturday, April 18, 3:00 pm
Southwest Meeting Room - Full Room
Join us for a reading and discussion with romance author Kianna Alexander, author of Electing to Love. Alexander will talk about writing historical and paranormal romance and keeping her Southern voice. A booksigning will follow the reading.
|
|
Consider the Conversation Workshop
Thursday, April 23, 7:00 pm
South Regional Meeting Room
Join Nikki Webb , Care Manger at Duke Regional Hospital, for an Advance Care Planning Workshop. Using interactive Go Wish! cards, participants will explore and discuss their thoughts about end of life choices and complete a draft or legally binding Living Will at the workshop. See April 16 for Part 1.
|
|
Meet the Author: Scott Ellsworth
Saturday, April 25, 3:00 pm
Event Location: Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham
Join Scott Ellsworth for a reading from his book The Secret Game: a Basketball Story in Black and White, the long awaited story of the 1944 game between Coach John McLendons Eagles from North Carolina College for Negroes and Duke Universitys best basketball team at the time, a military team from the medical school. McClendon took a huge risk to agree to schedule the game in the Jim Crow South. After years of research and interviews with many of the players from both schools, Ellsworth has written not only of the history and development of the game, but filled in a piece of Durham's history. A book signing will follow the reading.
|
|
Hurt, Injured and Insulted: Ending Violence against Women and Children
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am
Main Library Auditorium:1st Floor
How can you help end the tragedies which begin and end with violence against women and children? Is there anyone who doesnt know or suspect someone a neighbor, sister or godchild; a student, church member or babysitter? Hear from survivors, crisis center workers and emergency nurses. They know these issues, can help develop solutions to stop domestic and sexual violence against women and children, and support those who have been victimized. This program is presented and co-sponsored by Durham NC Chapter of the Links, Inc.
|
|
Meet the Author: Sarah C Thuesen
Sunday, May 3, 3:00 pm
Main Library Auditorium:1st Floor
In anticipation of the National Rosenwald Schools Conference in Durham, join Dr. Sarah Thuesen for a reading and discussion of her book Greater than Equal: African American Struggles for Schools and Citizenship in North Carolina, 1919-1965. Drawing on archival records and oral histories, Thuesen gives voice to students, parents, teachers, school officials and civic leaders who fought for equal educational opportunity in segregated schools. She explores how African Americans pressed for equality in curricula, higher education, teacher salaries and school facilities; how white officials co-opted equalization as a means of forestalling integration; and, finally, how black activism for equality evolved into a fight for something "greater than equal. A book signing will follow the reading.
|
|
The NC Literary Hall of Fame comes to Durham!
Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 pm
Auditorium:1st Floor
Come meet the three most recent inductees into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. Help us give a warm welcome to, and celebrate the poetry of, Betty Adcock, Jaki Shelton Green and Shelby Stephenson. From Adcock's lyrical lines about life's beauties and difficulties, to Green's passionate exploration of gender and ethnicity, to Stephenson's down home verses about the Old South becoming new, this evening is sure to be fun and enlightening. Co-sponsored by Jacar Press, a Community-Active Publishing Company.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|