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History and Current EventsApril 2015
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"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
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New and Recently Released!
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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." |
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| 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. |
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Focus on: The American Civil War
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The Civil War ended in April 1865, 150 years ago this month.
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| 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. |
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| 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." |
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| 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. |
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| 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). |
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| 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. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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