Books matching: historical significance
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:"One Summer: America, 1927" by Bill Bryson provides a snapshot of several months in 1927, capturing a country on the brink of becoming a dominant force in the 20th century. Bryson's approach to history is both focused and rambling, covering significant themes and developments through singular events that occurred during this period. From Charles Lindbergh's historic flight across the Atlantic to Babe Ruth's remarkable baseball season, the book delves into a range of topics including prohibition, aviation, cinema, and prominent figures like Al Capone and Herbert Hoover.
TEN DAYS BEFORE he became so famous that crowds would form around any building that contained him and waiters would fight over a corncob left on his dinner plate, no one had heard of Charles Lindbergh... - #2
Save:The House of Dies Drear is a mystery novel that follows the story of Thomas Small and his family as they move into a historic home in Ohio that was once part of the Underground Railroad. The book is filled with surprising twists and turns as strange events start happening in the supposedly haunted house, revealing hidden secrets and mysteries from the past. The plot revolves around the exploration of the house's history, including its role in sheltering runaway slaves, the presence of secret passages, and the eerie encounters with ghosts and the caretaker.
THOMAS DREAMED HE walked a familiar forest, following a time-worn path of the Tuscaroras. The trail seemed the same as he had known it all his life. The way he walked it, without making any sound, was... - #3
Save:'Universe of Two' by Stephen P. Kiernan is a novel that intertwines a love story with the historical background of the development of the atomic bombs during World War II in New Mexico. The story follows the life of Charles Brenton Fisk, a man who served on the detonator team in Los Alamos, and his girlfriend, Brenda. The author skillfully weaves fact with fiction, creating a narrative that explores themes of love, war, and the moral dilemmas faced by those involved in the creation of such destructive weapons. The writing style is described as tender, terrifying, and deeply moving, with a focus on empathy and humility as characters navigate through personal growth and self-discovery.
The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America by Douglas Brinkley is a biography that focuses on Theodore Roosevelt's conservationist side. The book delves into TR's passion for nature, his wildlife expeditions, and his dedication to protecting the environment. It also explores how TR used his presidency to advance a significant conservationist agenda, designating vast wilderness areas as National Refuges. Brinkley skillfully weaves together TR's personal fascination with wildlife and his political career, showcasing how conservationist philosophies deeply influenced TR's life and actions.
The book presents TR as a unique personality, highlighting his evolution from a young naturalist to a prominent political figure. Brinkley captures TR's commitment to conservation and his efforts to protect natural heritage, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of TR's life such as his founding of the Boone and Crocket Club. Through rich detail and engaging storytelling, the book paints a comprehensive picture of TR's conservationist legacy and his impact on environmental policies during his time as president.
Chapter One The Education of a Darwinian Naturalist Birds Above All—The Face of God—Sitting at the Feet of Darwin and Huxley—The Swashbuckling Adventures of Captain Mayne Reid—Boy Hunters and the Whit...- #5
Save:In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses. The story unfolds with Jack navigating through quirky characters and crazy adventures in Norvelt, a town filled with unique personalities and unexpected twists. The book combines humor, history, and drama as Jack helps his neighbor write obituaries for the deceased residents while uncovering the town's past and learning important life lessons.
School was finally out and I was standing on a picnic table in our backyard getting ready for a great summer vacation when my mother walked up to me and ruined it. I was holding a pair of camouflage J... - #6
Save:'Rocket Men' by Robert Kurson delves into the daring and dangerous mission of Apollo 8 in 1968, showcasing the race between the United States and the Soviet Union to reach the Moon. Through a thorough and well-researched narrative, Kurson captures the importance of the mission, the risks involved, and the unifying impact it had during a troubled time. not only provides a detailed account of the astronauts' lives and the mission history but also intertwines personal stories with the challenges faced en route to the Moon, creating a thrilling and engaging reading experience.
'American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson' by Joseph J. Ellis is a unique biography that delves into key points of Thomas Jefferson's life, exploring his contradictions, complexities, and enigmatic character. Ellis focuses on significant periods in Jefferson's life, such as the writing of the Declaration of Independence, his presidency, efforts to establish the University of Virginia, and retirement. provides insights into Jefferson's political views, personal life, and the controversies surrounding him, offering a thought-provoking analysis of one of the Founding Fathers of America.
IT WAS A PROVINCIAL version of the grand entrance. On June 20, 1775, Thomas Jefferson arrived in Philadelphia in an ornate carriage, called a phaeton, along with four horses and three slaves. The roug...- #8
Save:'Warriors Don't Cry' by Melba Pattillo Beals is a searing memoir that recounts the author's experiences as one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of black students who faced immense adversity while trying to integrate Little Rock's Central High School in the late 1950s. The book vividly portrays the brutal treatment, prejudice, and hate that Melba and her classmates endured in their quest for equal opportunity and justice. Through Melba's compelling storytelling, readers are taken on a journey that showcases the bravery, persistence, and resilience of these courageous individuals, ultimately shedding light on a lesser-known but crucial chapter of American history.
Melba's writing style immerses readers in the tumultuous events of the 1957-58 school year, making it hard to put the book down. Her detailed diary entries and firsthand accounts provide a poignant and heartbreaking insight into the struggles faced by the Little Rock Nine, offering a powerful narrative that educates and inspires readers to reflect on the past and strive for a more just future.
During my junior year in high school, I lived at the center of a violent civil rights conflict. In 1954, the Supreme Court had decreed an end to segregated schools. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus and ... - #9
Save:Set in 1906, the book follows Miss Emmeline Truelove, the personal secretary to the Duke of Olympia, as she embarks on a journey to Greece to locate the heir, Maximilian Haywood, accompanied by the charmingly corrupt Lord Silverton. The plot intertwines mythology, time travel, romance, and mystery, with the duo facing obstacles and uncovering secrets during their quest. The story is told in a mix of first-person narrative and excerpts from a book dated 1921, adding depth to the historical mystery and travel elements.
The Lady spared not a glance for the gross and bloated body of her husband the Prince as she rose from their bed, but stepped instead into the antechamber and called for her handmaids to dress her. Wh... - #10
Save:Endurance is a gripping account of Shackleton's Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition, focusing on the loss of the Endurance, the harrowing journey to Elephant Island, the epic boat voyage to South Georgia, and the ultimate rescue of the stranded men. The book is praised for its detailed and honest narrative, providing a record of survival under extreme conditions with a focus on the leadership and kinship among the men. Worsley's writing style is commended for being straightforward and not sensationalist, offering a classic and understated account of the expedition.
SIR Ernest Shackleton, Frank Wild, his Second in Command, and I were sitting in Shackleton’s cabin in the Endurance. The date was July 13th, 1915. The ship was fast set in the ice of the Antarctic, an...
