Lincoln Books

I think May Yonge McNeer's juvenile biography, "America's Abraham Lincoln," is clearly influenced by Carl Sandburg's celebrated biography of Lincoln. It is not that McNeer has the poet's touch, but she has the same tone of reverence and provides the same sort of details to fill in the spaces that Sandburg provided in his three volumes. That reverence extends to the illustrations, which were done by Lynd Ward, McNeer's husband (notice that the 1957 copyright of the book is for May McNeer Ward). The result is a well-done intermediate biography of Lincoln for young readers in grade school.

McNeer begins the story of Abraham Lincoln when he was seven-years-old, contrasting his life on the frontier with his thirst for learning. The book is not divided into chapters and there is not an index, but the illustrations will help you identify what part of Lincoln's life is being covered at any point. "America's Abraham Lincoln" covers the key events, stories, and words of Lincoln's life. There are not a lot of historical details, for which young readers will be able to turn to longer biographies, but there is an emphasis on Lincoln's qualities. This is a somewhat idealized portrait of Lincoln, but that is certainly age appropriate for this type of biography. McNeer makes a point of providing the historical context against which Lincoln lived his life, although the details on the Civil War are rather general and there is not a sense of how Lincoln was the consummate politician of his generation. But since this is an intermediate biography that approach is acceptable.

A strength of this volume at the illustrations by Lynd Ward, which consist of both full-page, full-color art and smaller black & white half-tone drawings. There is art on every-two page spread and some of the standout pieces are one-page paintings of Lincoln working a flatboat down the Mississippi and leaving on the train from Springfield for Washington, D.C., the two-page red tone painting of the Lincoln-Douglas debate, and the pencil drawing of Lincoln delivering his Second Inaugural Address. These illustrations make clear the artist's admiration for Lincoln. If something about Ward's art rings familiar to you, it is probably because he was the artist for Esther Forbes' "Johnny Tremain." Even if this is your first exposure to his artwork, you will be impressed by the over 60 illustrations Ward provides for this volume.

"The American Revolution: 1763-1783" covers the time frame from the end of the French and Indian Wars to signing of the peace treaty between the British and Americans. The starting point is important because the taxes the Colonists found so burdensome, especially without representation, were primarily designed to have the colonies pay for their own defense. This fifth volume in "The Drama of American History" series aims to give students the "central core" of this period rather than getting bogged down in an overload of information. In other words, authors Christopher and James Lincoln Collier are interested in providing the pageant of American history in "bold strokes."

Consequently, this particular period is covered in six chapters: (1) A Revolution in the Hearts and Minds of Americans begins with the provocative question of whether the revolution was inevitable. The Colliers argue that the great distance between London and the Colonies created an unavoidable conflict between the fact British looked at the Americans as colonists rather than as British citizens and the necessity of the Americans exercising a large degree of autonomy with regards to government because messages back and forth across the Atlantic took months. Given that dynamic, the relationship could not continue forever; (2) The Stamp Act Crisis looks at the first major crisis between the Crown and the Colonies, establishing the quandary faced by the British Parliament, which could neither enforce the Stamp Act nor allow policy to be dictated by what they considered to be a mob. This chapter highlights the potent political rhetoric of James Otis, Patrick Henry, and John Adams in the developing movement towards independence; (3) Taxes and Teas looks at how American attitudes towards Britain continued to evolve in the wake of the Boston Massacre, so that by 1770 any hope of reconciliation between the Crown and the New England colonies was ended and many Americans were now convinced the British Parliament was no longer on their side. The Boston Tea Party in 1773 becomes the spark that ends up triggering the revolution.

The last half of the volume is devoted to the outbreak of actual hostilities: (4) Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill not only relates the details of these early battles in the war for independence, but more importantly shows how they provided evidence that the Colonists could successfully fight the British; (5) The Declaration of Independence actually spends only a few paragraphs discussion the document as an example of practical politics rather than political philosophy. Most of the chapter talks about the lessons George Washington learned from the British evacuation of Boston and the American defeat on Long Island; and (6) The War for American Independence looks at the American Revolution with an emphasis on the chain of events that would lead to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, looking at those events that improved American morale, thwarted British military plans, and/or encouraged French support. The net effect is to give young readers a real sense of how close this contest was, being so dependent on a key victory here and there, along with a tendency for the British to fail to take advantage of significant opportunities.

One of the strengths of this look at the American Revolution is how the Colliers look at key figures in the struggle from an essentially rhetorical perspective, citing the specific words of Samuel Adams, John Adams, and other Founding Fathers. Talking about the stubbornness of Lord North, the British Prime Minister, also helps young readers be aware of how key figures can have a negative effect on the events of history. This volume does a nice job of structuring events as something like a giant chess game, giving readers a sense of not only what happened but why. This volume is illustrated with historic paintings and etchings (including a few choice political cartoons) as well as contemporary full color photographs of Colonial reenactors. Furthermore, the captions for these photographs are usually quite information, underscoring the idea they are not simply put in the book to give you something to look at besides the text. I do not know if it is practical for many history classes to have a complete set of this series, but I do think the basic approach of "The Drama of American Revolution" is pedagogically sound.

This book is a delight to all readers not only does it tell a wonderful tale about two men who are in love with the same woman. But it is much more it also gives the reader a little insight on the fasinating world of African folklore.

In the opening chapter of "Andrew Jackson's America: 1824-1850," Christopher & James Lincoln Collier drive home the difference between Jackson and George Washington by pointing out that Jackson prided himself on being a "man of the people," while the aristocratic Washington would have been insulted by the idea. However, as the first painting of Jackson in this volume clearly shows, no one could look more imperial than Andy By-God Jackson. This ninth volume in excellent series The Drama of American History focuses more on the Age of Jackson rather than just the two terms Jackson served in the White House. After all, Jackson was a major political figure before that time; in fact, he was the first candidate to win three consecutive popular votes for the Presidency.
This volume covers the Age of Jackson in seven chapters: (1) A Man for an Age previews Jackson's impact on American History and how he is clearly one of those figures that who validates the Great Man theory of history. However, while Jackson serves as the defining figure of his time, he is not the focus of most of these chapters; (2) The Industrial Revolution Comes to America looks at the social and economic transformation of the nation that happened during this period; (3) The New Transportation System covers the importance of being able to move people and things from one place to another by canal and railroad; (4) The Rise of the Market Economy looks at the creation of the "blue collar" and "white collar" class system that originated at this time.

Jackson's personal impact on the nation's history highlights the next couple of chapters: (5) The Beginning of the Two-Party Political System erupted after the "Era of Good Feelings" that defined the administration of James Monroe. The bitterly contested election of 1824 between the National Republicans of John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay and the Democratic Republicans of Jackson gave birth to the political division that continues to plague us today; (6) Andrew Jackson and the Modern Presidency looks at not only how he played an important role in creating the national Democratic Party, but how his political philosophy of believing in a strong president while not believing in a strong government can best be seen in the public argument over the national bank; and (7) Pushing the Indians Back Again details Jackson's policy of moving the native tribes west to allow white expansion. This chapter has a map that pinpoints 68 major Indian battles between 1829 and 1866 and certainly the Colliers provide a contemporary perspective on the Age of Jackson by ending it with the shame of the Trail of Tears.

The chief value of The Drama of American History series is how the Colliers establish what they call the "central core" of the subject under discussion. "Andrew Jackson's America" shows how the nation changed during this quarter-century and what hand Jackson hand in the nation's peculiar evolution at that point. The volume is illustrated with historic paintings, etchings and political cartoons, although if anything there are too few of the last on this list (there are some really choice examples I have seen elsewhere that would have enriched this volume). Even if this series proves too expensive to work as a complete set for students in the classroom, as I suspect is almost always going to be the case, teachers can still benefit from the organizational structure of these volumes and the emphasis it provides for understanding the period.

I received this book as a Christmas gift. It's filled with beautiful angels and cherubs. They are extremely easy to assemble--all you need is glue or tape! They're great for Christmas ornaments, gifts, etc. Actually, they're not only for the Holidays--they're beautiful to have out any time of year!

If you have a child in your life who adores animals, she or he will love this book. My 2 year old son is fascinated by the wide variety of animals including favorites like elephants, giraffes and zebras. I like the charming illustrations. Although my son likes the animals, we sometimes focus on the letters of the alphabet, as it is an alphabet book, too!

Another Day in Lincoln's Army, The Civil War Journals of John T. Booth, by Marie Mollohan: iUniverse, 2007, 698 pages. Review by George A. Hall


My credentials for this review exist in that fact that I have been reading on the 36th Ohio Volunteer Infantry since the early 1980s. Because of a dearth of published material on the 36th , as a regiment, I dreamed of doing what dozens had started, but never finished -- write a regimental history. Realizing I would not do the job either, I was glad to encourage someone who would. After all, it is not about me, or my insight, but their story.

Marie Mollohan shows herself to be the good writer, and English teacher by taking an approach I had not considered - let them tell their own story! Nobody has to have major military and writing credentials to edit the work of the soldiers. That work could easily be done for the 36th because many of them were quite well educated, and professionally successful, before volunteering. Lots of stuff had been written, but it had to be compiled, and well edited into a story. Marie Mollohan has done that job well. The work consists largely of primary source documents written by members of the 36th. At over $30 the 698 page book is a deal simply for the primary materials, let alone the engaging form of the story itself.

The format of Mollohan's work is unusual in a very good way, in that it follows the bigger history of men who were a "band of brothers" in a very deep sense, especially Booth, Palmer and James Stanley. It begins with the story of a few people who first started their service in the 18th Ohio, but recruited a company for the 36th. This feature is because it involved the author of the journal, John T. Booth, and it is part of the journal itself. From the end of the war Mollohan covers their activity over the several reunions that followed. It is a treasury of information for anyone interested in this regiment at all.

Since the book is largely in the words of the men themselves, I do not need to say much about the editor/author. It will be the purpose of this review to give you enough of a flavor for the exploits of this regiment, that you will want to read it. There is too much that is interesting about the 36th that is different enough from that of most other Civil War regiments for you to resist.

The first 11 months of their service in West Virginia make the story in Cold Mountain appear boring and slow. Bushwhacking, murder, burning and thievery abounded all around them. They were not above responding in kind either. A stunning victory at the Battle of Lewisburg, on offense, against a defensive force twice their size, put them, and their Colonel on the minds of many. They were taken to the eastern front in time for Second Manassas through Antietam.

While serving well in the east some habits died hard for these boys fresh from West Virginia. In the presence of the President, at the Whitehouse, more than their marching and drill prowess was on display (as volunteers, Crook had them performing very well, coming to be known as "Crook's regulars"). Some of them managed to get laughs from Ol' Abe by being seen walking past his group of "big brass" with a stash of stolen Watermelons. Heading into Maryland they were rebuked, not humored, for helping themselves to such things as straw from barns along the way (becoming a campaign issue against Hayes when he ran for President).

Numerous events of humor and personal anecdote keep their accounts interesting. In the cases of those who were officers and adjutants, their comments on the wider war are very insightful. A wonderful addition in this book is a virtual photo album of many carte de vistas of the men.

Upon finishing their tour in the East, they returned to West Virginia to await further orders. The wait was not long till they were ordered to join the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee. Although these were very commendable troops, they were not above insubordination. Two major incidents managed to embroil them in the time from Antietam till their major actions in the south. The biggest incident was a revolt among the line officers against the commander to replace their beloved Colonel Clark, killed at Antietam. Over a period of time a stand-off existed between Crook and the commander, and their line officers. The line officers had all tendered their resignations, to be taken back only if the commander would be dismissed or transferred out of the regiment. The line officers won. In another case a Captain refused to detail a squad of men, with others, to replace rails from a fence they had burned (that habit again). The Captain was arrested and confined, much to the dismay of the men. On short order the matter became politicized, in the Cincinnati paper, and the officers over him pressured him to agree to repent of the matter. He refused, and the stalemate continued. In frustration, General Crook only asked that he make a farcical speech (in which he did not repent). About a year later, he was appointed Major in the regiment, getting a coveted horse. But General Crook was to be deprived of commanding them during their most glorious service - Chickamauga, Brown's Ferry and Missionary Ridge.

In mid 1863 the cavalry command of General John Turchin was swapped out with the infantry command of General George Crook. Turchin was very controversial for his aggressive nature, learned as a former commander in European warfare. He was known as "the mad Russian", showing the reason, especially, on the second day of Chickamauga. When Longstreet went through the hole opened in the center he routed all units on his left, and rolled up the line toward Snodgrass Hill. Turchin's Brigade was where he had to stop, making their location the new flank. They held every bit as well as the 20th Maine held the flank at Gettysburg. Two Stanleys of Ohio origin shined that day, James commanding company D, the extreme end of the 36th, and his cousin Timothy, once commanding the 18th, at Snodgrass Hill. Turchin became best known for two successful countercharges this day that helped the army to withdraw successfully without a full route. A letter by Thomas Stanley tells a thrilling story of being among the first over the works on Missionary Ridge. Turchin was too far up the ridge to be called back when the "mistake" was learned. Over 35% casualties were experienced at each of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. They were called by many the Iron brigade of the west. These accounts are very well written, some of them published nationally by John Booth.

The beginning of 1864 finds the 36th wheeling and dealing with the governor of Ohio. A good reenlistment from the 36th would have to come at a price, being reassigned to join Crook back up north, doing special assignments for General Grant. These would start with a daring infantry raid against the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (from Charleston), and daring work in the Shenandoah Valley. People with good legs would be needed, as the marching required the logging of hundreds of miles for at least two missions, to say nothing of chasing Jubal Early up and down the valley. One exercise of their famous flanking skills required them to ford a swamp, neck-deep in places, rolling up a line virtually from the rear - read it yourself.

Their return to the north restored some unique relationships. They had previously served with the 23rd Ohio, while in the east, they would be brigaded under their leader, Rutherford B. Hayes, and a key assistant William McKinley. All these officers knew and trusted each other deeply, further, all of them together shared their admiration for the leadership of George Crook, now commander of their miniature 8th Corp.

Another matter resumed with the return of George Crook and his "Ohio boys". Crook would pick up where he left off with Blazer's Scouts in dealing with guerilla opposition. In his great book, Headquarters in the Brush, Ohio University Press, Daryl Stephenson says:

"The story of the conflict between Mosbey's Rangers and Blazer's scouts is a true classic. The efforts of men such as Carr B. White, George Crook and Richard Blazer in creating such an elite unit would be emulated decades later with the creation of the Green Berets and Army Rangers. Blazer's scouts were Special Forces in the truest sense and their story is a special one that can now be told. Defeat, myth and intrigue cannot sully their record any longer".

"Another Day in Lincoln's Army", has done a similar service by rescuing the glorious history of a very unusual regiment from the dust piles of such places as the Ohio Historical Society, libraries, even private attics and nooks and crannies all over the country. The pictures and one manuscript were actually retrieved from boxes headed for the trash. All of it is now available to you thanks to the patient keyboard, telephone and hiking shoes of Marie Mollohan.

Difficult to find book written by Child in its original format, a bit difficult to read due to its type set, but none the less it is as it was. I give credit to Mrs. Child for standing her ground and speaking her mind on a subject that brought about a whole new way of thinking, a hundred years before it was politically correct to do so. After writting this book Child's career would never be the same.

This book is an excellent resource. Everything is laid out in so that it doesn't take a lot of time to do a lesson plan.
The activities are excellent for grades 3 and 4. The practice with observing, recording, and making predictions alone makes this book valuable.
The lessons in life cycles, habitat, and animal adaptations are excellent for any teacher. Easy for teachers who do not have a background in science to teach fresh water ecology.

This classic study of Antigua Guatemala's colonial buildings is back in print after twenty years. It is clearly the classic work in the field. The result of thirty years of field work it documents the churches, public buildings and private homes in colonial Antigua.