A textbook that explores major transitions in Europe through the 1800s. I liked that he tried to be well-rounded, talking about politics, legislation,A textbook that explores major transitions in Europe through the 1800s. I liked that he tried to be well-rounded, talking about politics, legislation, major leaders, scientific discoveries, industry, agriculture, waves of immigration, inventions, standards of living, border conflicts, colonization, and the arts. I learned about wars I never knew existed.
I wish that he would have talked more about religion throughout, and I wish he would have talked more about the lead-up to WWI. I feel like only at the very end, in the last half-chapter, did he speed up to get to 1914.
I still want to find a book that explores the changes in country borders and leadership (from monarchy to democracy, from kings to presidents) from pre-WWI to post-WWI. How did Europe go from a land of sovereign kings and queens to a land of constitutions and voting democracies?...more
A collection of essays that together explore the cultural and interpersonal impact of events of the war. I liked the background on earlier Mexican andA collection of essays that together explore the cultural and interpersonal impact of events of the war. I liked the background on earlier Mexican and Indian wars, and local skirmishes in Kansas, which informed the Civil War. Contains some details on federal and state politics, and quotes from letters that show personal conflict between Lincoln and his generals. Also discusses the Southern backlash in the 1870s, in the form of violence from localized white supremacist groups....more
Then this person moved from this place to that place. Then these people died from this disease. Then these people were hungry. Then some guys chopped Then this person moved from this place to that place. Then these people died from this disease. Then these people were hungry. Then some guys chopped down some trees. Then these people attacked and killed these people. Then more guys chopped down more trees. Then these people married and had children. The more guys chopped down more trees.
There's no interpretation, no analysis, no commentary on why these things matter. I don't just want history, I want historical analysis: What did the people living in the East think of those going West? How did the lifestyle of those in the Western territories inform the American character of the time? What were the character traits and motivations for those who went West? What did community relationships look like? What writings and physical evidence do we have about how these people lived and loved each other?
I kept waiting for him to move beyond the Ohio territory and Marietta... What about the Oregon Trail? What about Mormons going to Utah? What about the ranchers and cowboys in Texas and the Southwest? What about stagecoaches, the transcontinental railroad, conflicts over slave states, the mixing of old and new waves of immigrants, the gold rushes, the Indian wars, the homestead act? He hasn't seriously addressed any of this, no more than a passing glance.
Maybe I shouldn't fault this for not being the book I wanted it to be. Really this is a monograph specifically about some key figures in one city in Ohio during a specific century. "Pioneers in Marietta" would have been a better title, not as misleading.
A fascinating portrayal. Purnell clearly read much of their personal correspondence, and I like how the narrative intertwines their personal and profeA fascinating portrayal. Purnell clearly read much of their personal correspondence, and I like how the narrative intertwines their personal and professional lives. This was a great way to also learn more about Churchill himself. Both were very flawed people, both bad parents, and both repeatedly showed poor judgment in their political and personal lives, Churchill in particular. Both prone to emotional outbursts, and forgiveness. Yet they were both very driven, and they accomplished much. Purnell is not afraid to point out flaws in Clementine's character, while also praising her, and I appreciate that. She treats them both as humans, not heroes. The book focuses mostly on the years during both world wars, and skims over much of their later lives.
Picked up the audio about 1/3 of the way through....more
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