Starting another year is a good time for reflection on the previous year and making goals for the year to come. For 2010, I'd like to reflect on my favorite history books that I read in 2009. For some of these books, I have written reviews and for others, I am planning to post reviews in the future. Here is my top ten list, starting at the bottom and going up to #10:
- Shades of Gray - The only historical fiction book to make my list (and the only one of that kind I read last year), Shades of Gray is an engrossing romance novel set in the Civil War. I was impressed with the character development and how the story drew me in so much that I couldn't put it down! The focus of the story is the two main characters and how they come to fall in love with each other, despite being caught up in a horrible war that divided families and friends. You can read more about it by checking out my review for the author's blog tour.
- The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution - This book tells the story of one of the most overlooked heroes in American history, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish engineer during the Revolution. Kosciuszko designed the defenses at West Point, but also played important roles during key events during the American Revolution. This book is all about his life, what he did during the Revolution, and how he tried to free Poland from foreign dominance in the 1800's after returning to his homeland. It is quite a story, and I was reminded about the time I spent in Poland a couple years ago through this book.
- 1776 - David McCullough's account of Washington's army during the year of 1776 really makes history come alive through this book, and I'm not just saying that! He really shows how 1776 was a critical year for the American Revolution and for the country in general. The book begins with the Siege of Boston and follows the army through the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. McCullough does not shy away from describing the army's deplorable conditions, but also the crushing defeat at New York and subsequent retreat. It is a vivid picture of the Revolution and as always, McCullough's writing is excellent!
- Don't Know Much About History - I bought this book a couple months ago to give away for my annual holiday caption contest. Even though the book covers over 200 years of American history, I ended up reading it in just a few days! Kenneth C. Davis has a fun, easy-to-read writing style, and he has written several other "Don't Know Much About" books. The format and the writing style of this book make American history fun, and it is a great reference as well.
- The Killer Angels - The movie Gettysburg was based on this book, and that was reason enough for me to read it! It is Michael Shaara's account of the Battle of Gettysburg, and I found myself unsure at several points whether or not this book was fiction since he tells the story so well. The reader gets a in-depth perspective of the battle from many of the famous characters, such as Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Joshua Chamberlain. I hope to find time in the new year to read the other books in this Civil War Trilogy, Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure.
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Revolution - This was one of the first books I read on the American Revolution, and it turned out to be a really good book to begin with about this topic. This book covers American history in-depth from when Columbus first landed up to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. There was a lot of information in this book that I did not know, and it stays away from intimidating language found in other scholarly books. I would strongly recommend it to those just starting to learn about the American Revolution.
- Antietam: Crossroads of Freedom - I read this book from James McPherson twice this year, once before I visited the Antietam Battlefield and another time after I visited it. Visiting the actual battlefield changed my perspective and I got much more out of this book. While the focus of the book is not the actual Battle of Antietam itself, McPherson shows how important the battle really was. In his incredible writing style, he details the events of the Civil War leading up to the Battle of Antietam and it's effects on the war and the nation. All throughout last year, I learned again and again how important this battle was and how it changed this country. I'm sure it will be a point of continuing fascination for me!
- April 1865 - The last month of the Civil War, April 1865, was crucial in American history and this book by Jay Winik shows why. Winik's narrative of the events that happened during that month explains how the choices of a few people can shape history. He describes Robert E. Lee's decision to surrender his army and the events leading up it, as well as Booth's decision to assassinate Abraham Lincoln and its effects on the nation. Looking at it, readers might think it's just another book about the Civil War, but it is one worth reading!
- Battle Cry of Freedom - James McPherson's most comprehensive work about the Civil War is one that every history buff should have in their collection! Even though the book is over 800 pages long, I read it in a relatively short amount of time because it is captivating. It looks like one of those intimidating scholarly works, but McPherson's writing is easy to understand and his narrative of the war is just simply incredible. Not only does McPherson cover the battles, he covers all aspects of the Civil War, from politics, demographics, the economies of the North and the South, and the events leading up to the war, including the Mexican-American War. I could go on and on about how good this book is but you just have to read it yourself!
- John Adams - It was difficult choosing this book as my favorite of 2009, since it was between this one and Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson. However, I think John Adams by David McCullough deserves this honor because I gained a new appreciation and admiration of John Adams through this book. John Adams is one of the most overlooked of the Founding Fathers, and this biography brings him back to light as an important part of American history. McCullough uses letters, diaries, and narrative to show how fascinating John and Abigail Adams were and what impact they had. I really liked McCullough's writing style, and this is one I will read again!
What books would you recommend for me to read in 2010? Please leave a comment!
Good topic!
ReplyDeleteOf those on your list that I've read, 1776 was the only one I read this year and I really enjoyed it. It was very insightful and also showed me some similarities between the Revoutionary War and the Civil War. It might even make me read more about the earlier way, just to get a better appreciation of it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My reading is almost solely Civil War books, and one I really enjoyed this year was The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat, by Earl Hess, which argued that the rifle was not as big of a factor in the Civil War as it is often reputed to be, or as it could have been with better training.
A. Lincoln: A Biography by Ronald C White Jr is one of my all-time favorites now. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
I'll mention a couple others that stood out to me: Why the Civil War Came by Gabor Boritt, Rebel Raider by James Ramage, Mr Lincoln's T-mails by Tom Wheeler, No Soap, No Pay, Diarrhea, Dysentrey & Desertion edited by Jeff Toulson and Lincoln at Peoria by Lewis Lehrman.
This last one is simply outstanding. I don't know if I liked it or White's biography of Lincoln the most. (I may have to steal some version of this topic for my blog, :) )
I hate to leave off a few others, but that group shows my absolute favorites from this year.
captainrlm,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your recommendations! Sounds like you read a lot of great books this year and I'll try to be the lookout for them, especially A. Lincoln. I've heard from other sources that it's a really good one to read!