Maryland Books

A great read for my six and eight-year old grandsons and me. This biography briefly but clearly covered several areas of history: colonialism, slavery, scientific works of more than 200 years ago. It told of Banneker's many accomplishments,focusing mainly on his producing the first known almanac by an African-American and his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson over the unfairness of slavery in America. We learned what an almanac is and how important it was in colonial days. The book mentions how Banneker's grandmother, Molly, taught him to read and this led my grandsons and I to another biography, "Molly Bannaky", the story of Banneker's grandmother, written by Alice McGill. We had fun researching Banneker's family tree in this way. What I especially liked about the book was the quiet message I hope my grandsons grasped, that if you keep trying hard enough, you can accomplish many goals in your life and have a richer life for it.

. Why is there a DC high school named for Benjamin Banneker? If you read this book, you will find out that this local-boy-made-good was a free African-American tobacco farmer who was born and lived his entire life just outside of what is now known as Ellicott City, MD. He had an early interest in mathematics, science, and astronomy, and with a pocket knife and some other tools built one of the first clocks ever made in the 13 American colonies, out of wood. For this he became locally famous, and made friends with some of the younger members of the Ellicott family, who were Quakers, anti-slavery advocates, and owners of some mills in what was then known as Ellicott's Mills. They lent him some mathematics and astronomy texts, and eventually gave him a telescope. He taught himself a considerable amount of mathematical and observational astronomy, and eventually began, around the age of 60, to publish an almanac detailing the locations of the planets and the Moon for the coming year, as well as predicting eclipses and sunrises and sunsets - all based on laborious and lengthy calculations and diagrams that he made himself.

Eventually, he was tapped for an even greater role - he was hired to help Major Andrew Ellicott in the astronomical and chronometric portion of the most important surveying job of his day - laying out the 10 mile by 10 mile square that eventually became the District of Columbia.

This very well-researched book also helps lay to rest some of the myths about what Banneker did and did not do during his most unusual lifetime; unfortunately, many websites and books continue to propagate these myths, probably because those authors do not understand what Banneker actually accomplished. Many state, for example, that Banneker's clock was an exact copy of one he saw, which is not true -- he figured out the mathematics and physics on his own for a clock made out of wood, instead of trying simply to copy the small pocket watch that he was lent to observe. However remarkable this clock was, it was not the first clock made in America. Other sources continually repeat the myth that when Pierre l'Enfant was fired from the job of laying out the new Federal City, Benjamin Banneker recreated l'Enfant's plans from memory. Bedini lays this myth to rest and shows us that what Banneker actually did in terms of astronomical work was actually much more difficult -- in fact, it was in the league of the work done by Mechain and Delambre to measure the length of the meridian that passes through Dunkirk, Paris and Barcelona, with the purpose of defining the meter for all time. But that's another story -- but if you want to read about it, check out Ken Alder's The Measure of All Things: The Seven-Year Odyssey and Hidden Error that Transformed The World.

If you read this book, you will also see some facsimiles of his widely-known almanac, some of his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson where he vainly attempts to convince the future president that African Americans are just as smart as European Americans, photographs of some of the equipment that he used, and so on. Unfortunately, Banneker's house, and all of its contents (including the wooden clock and many of his astronomical workbooks) burned to the ground on the day of his funeral.

This is the best guide for things to keep you busy if you're in Washington!

The right mix of interesting information, maps, history and tips. Highly recommended.

Covers the Maryland Booth Family +! Kimmel is the greatest!! Wonderful pictures and well written! The second edition (Dover) is the best by far!!!!!!!

I first read the revised edition of this historical biography in 1972 & have been reading about the Booths ever since. The wealth of information is descriptive & in depth; offers a wonderful understanding of Lincoln's assassin by recounting his heritage from a "wild" family of their time. Have owned my own personal copy since 1974 when I was sixteen years old. Anyone interested in this subject, this is a gem of a book not to be discarded.

I found the book to be a well written, informative and an enjoyable read. She did a beautiful job of capturing the spirit of the sport in both the compilation of photos and in the written word.

A great book with many new, unpublished pictures. McCausland chronicled 100 years of Maryland timber racing in a accurate and interesting way. Great present!

I picked up this book while visiting Antietam. The stories were fascinating and really enhanced my understanding of this incredible battle.

I love this book! A must read for anyone interested in the Antietam Campaign and battle.

This book is a wonder! Buy it for your grandchild and read it to them.

Evans has captured Maryland at her very best! I have always been aware of the natural beauty of my home state, but this book showed me some wonderful places I can't wait to explore.

I live in Northern Virginia and am always looking for places to make quick getaways. I own other travel guides to the region, but they are not near as thorough or detailed as this one is. The author covers just about everything you can think of--museums, historic sites, places of interest, hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, amusement parks, golf courses (even miniature golf courses!), sailing & boat excursions, parks, bookstores, antique shops, restaurants (both cheap and luxury places), motels, B&Bs, and much, much more.
What I really like is that he visited every place he writes about (man, what a job that must have been!). He gives overviews of the places, what makes them special, and what he experienced while there. For a travel guide, it is written in an entertaining style, and it has lots of local insider tips and information. Forget Fodor's and Frommer's; buy this one and really get to know Maryland

An Explorer's Guide: Maryland by the award-winning author and Maryland travel expert Leonard M. Adkins, is a handy and informative guide for tourists, travelers, and locals wanting to explore the wealth of fun, scenic, and educational experiences that Maryland has to offer. From locations of hotels and reviews of fine restaurants, to great places for shopping, special events, family activities, all enhanced with 34 up-to-date downtown and regional maps, An Explorer's Guide: Maryland is enthusiastically recommended for anyone looking forward to a Maryland vacation whether for a week or just a week-end!

As an ancestral native of Talbot County, on Maryland's own Eastern Shore, I'm proud that we still have people like Bart Talbert out there defending our status as a Southern state. In my travels throughout the deeper South, I've often had to defend my accent and my heritage against those who view Maryland natives as "Northerners." It's sad that more people, particularly the young, seem to have no interest in the history of their people that is continually being erased. There is overwhelming evidence that Maryland would have thrown her lot with the Confederacy, had not Linclon's unconsitutional military occupation and a traitorous governor entered into the fray. Of course, it didn't help matters any that Maryland is geographically separated from the rest of the South by a very large bay. There was also the wholly unconstitutional election for Maryland's new governor, where votes for the Southern candidate were disqualified, and the mass imprisonment of politicians and prominent citizens who dared defy the Tyrant. In any case, Talbert presents good, albeit brief evidence here of what the truth really is. I would also recommend that readers explore other historical works on the subject like "Maryland and the Confederacy", by Harry Wright Newman, and a "Southern Star for Maryland", by Lawrence M. Denton. It pains me greatly that this book, and the two others I've mentioned, are all out of print. I've heard that Bart Talbert is now back in Maryland and teaching within the state's university system, and I can only hope that the knowledge he's capable of passing on to students there is appreciated by them and not lost.

This fascinating book describes events in Maryland just prior to and during the War Between the States. It focuses on thecharacter of the State and the political climate of the time in contrast to so many other Civil War books that simply rehashtroop movements and military tactics. Although Dr. Talbert's book is thoroughly documented with extensive footnotes and somewhat scholarly, he still managed the distinct achievement of writing in a very readable style that tells a story which is difficult to put down -- even though we may already know theoutcome. Modern political correctness has obscured from memory many of the events that took place in Maryland. Dr. Talbert, however, brings them together and provides a record which preserves the facts for posterity. He covers many fascinating facts and stories which together paint a clear picture of an unequivocally Southern State that was denied its will. Maryland: The South's First Casualty also includes a section containing brief biographi

When I finished reading The Model Maker I felt like Uncle Bill was now my Uncle Bill. Brett Webber's simple yet clear and engaging text drew me into Uncle Bill's WWII experiences as well as his present purpose in making the model airplanes. As a retired elementary school teacher and reading specialist I can see that Model Maker as a useful tool to help children understand a significant yet often ignored time in American history. The glossory also makes this a useful book for children learning how to do research and write reports. Eileen Slifer's illustrations and color choices bring Uncle Bill to life. The black and white images of the WWII flashbacks give young readers visual clues that these pages are a story within a story. My dad is also a WWII veteran and I intend to give him this book as a gift.

The Model Maker is an incredible synthesis of art and history. Weber's lucid writing is brought to life by Slifer's innovative and lifelike watercolor illustrations which establish a powerful mood on the first page that continues through the entire book.. The book gives a straight forward history of the Battle of the Bulge that is easily within the grasp of school age children.

The story is told from the perspective of a veteran looking back on the events that shaped his life and altered the course of history. Way beyond just history, the book is a personal, inviting the reader into the confidence into the home of the narrator.

The simple writing style and full page illustrations work together to create a book that is at once inspiring and informative.

This book is a must for all working moms and moms in general. It's all about the day to day trials of motherhood and will have you alternately laughing and crying. I first read it years ago when initially published and have recently bought copies for all of my female relatives. You won't regret reading and will probably go back and re-read it several times.

Susan Reimer has an incredible way of letting you know that your "so called crazy & hectic life" is normal. I read this book in two days (could have been one had I not started reading at 8 p.m.). From one topic to the next I saw myself and my children and, yes, even my husband! I laughed and I cried......only someone who lived through "motherhood" and all its wonderful stages could have written this book! Kudos to Ms. Reimer for writing about everyday events and making me feel like we're ok because someone else has been there too!