If you agree with me and are in a patriotic mood this 4th of July, here are some terrific, below-the-radar books about American history:
A Voyage Long and Strange: On the Trail of Vikings, Conquistadors, Lost Colonists, and Other Adventurers in Early America by Tony Horwitz
-American history didn't start in 1776! My review here.
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan

A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation by Catherine Allgor
-In my opinion, Dolley is the best First Lady we've ever had, and without her James would have been one of the worst presidents (but wasn't.)
Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness by Joshua Wolf Shenk
-Our greatest president was also our most human. My review here.
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
-Our most badass president did other awesome stuff besides presidenting, like exploring. My review here.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
-Chicago was remade with this event which really did change America in so many ways, not all of them good.
All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
-Our most flawed president is crucial for understanding the state of America today.
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose
-Lewis and Clark, forever synonymous with the West, went on an epically dangerous journey that took balls of steel and more than a dash of crazy.
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
-Sarah loves presidential assassinations and so took a series of quirky trips to find out more about Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley.
1 comment:
I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed The River of Doubt. Its narative had nothing that would interest me but thanks to my book club I read it.
I'm partial to WWII books, and Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose is one of my favorites.
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