Nuclear War: A Scenario – Annie Jacobsen

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While browsing new recommendations, I came across this book by author Annie Jacobsen who also wrote ‘Operation Paperclip: The Secret Intelligence Program That Brought Nazi Scientists to America’, ‘Area 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base‘ and ‘The Pentagon’s Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America’s Top-Secret Military Research Agency‘. In this book she addresses a topic which all of us are aware of and concern about. The idea of a nuclear war sends chills down the spine of the even the most stoic among us for once we embark down that path, there is no turning back. And for those who do survive, a second hell on earth awaits as the living try to put life back together again while navigating the direst conditions. This book is a no nonsense look at what would happen if nuclear war erupted between nations.

In 2025, Netflix released Kathryn Bigelow’s ‘A House of Dynamite‘ in which an ICBM nuclear warhead equipped missile is launched from North Korea. As I read Jacobsen’s story, I began to see parallels. However, the movie is not based on this book and are connected in any way. If you have seen the film, then the book will feel eerily similar, but Jacobsen goes even further than the film and explores the realities of life after society has collapsed. The title alone should be a warning, but this book is not for the faint of heart. Jacobsen pulls no punches in exploring how events would play out if the world found itself in a nuclear conflict.

Although the subject matter is difficult, the book is full of crucial information. And while remembering all the acronyms used the Government is not pertinent, the plans which would be set into motion are. We all know the result of a nuclear strike, but what happens if you survive? And how do governments continue to function? This is where the book is interesting and provides a “blueprint” for what would transpire in the world as you know it. I found several “plans” for a nuclear attack to be eye-opening, and more people should be aware of how dangerous the threat of a nuclear attack is. The post-apocalyptic scenes in the television series ‘Fallout‘ and the barren landscape in the 2010 film ‘The Book of Eli‘ may not be far from reality. They are works of fiction, but they do carry touches of reality. Regardless of which type of material you choose whether book, film or television, the grim reality of nuclear weapons does not change.

In contrast to the typical material I read, this book is more of a reference guide and contains useful information in case of the dark reality of nuclear war happening. However, it is what you would expect of Jacobsen who remains consistent and has written another best-seller which I have added to my collection. Of course, we all hope we never see the day when the information in this book is necessary, but it does not hurt to be aware of what could happen if the wrong hands do the wrong things. Highly recommended.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CBGWMFSN
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutton
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2024

The Cutter Incident: How America s First Polio Vaccine Led to the Growing Vaccine Crisis – Paul A. Offit

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

On May 4, 1955, thirty-month-old Eugene Allen Davis, Jr., died from bulbar poliomyelitis, eight days after receiving a vaccine for polio by his grandfather and famed doctor Alton Oschner, Sr. (1896-1981). The boy’s death left Oschner reeling but his passing was not the only death from the vaccine. And when authorities began to dig deeper, their attention turned to Cutter Laboratories, one of the companies producing the vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995). Health officials sounded the alarm and scrambled to contain the growing crisis. This is the story of the Cutter incident and how it changed the way America produces vaccines.

I had previously read David Ochinsky’s ‘Polio an American Story: The Crusade that Mobilized the Nation Against the 20th Century’s Most Feared Disease’ which provides a broader discussion of the polio virus, the work of Salk and the efforts of Dr. Albert Bruce Sabin (1906-1993). Both men would develop an effective vaccine for the virus but behind the scenes, their relationship was far from harmonious. Sabin does appear in this book but on a smaller scale, and his vaccine is briefly discussed due to the Cutter incident being centered around Salk’s vaccine. But before we get to the involvement of Cutter, the author revisits the emergence of polio and the havoc it wreaked across the United States. And this part of the book sent chills down my spine. It also made me grateful for modern medicine.

I appreciated the author’s writing style which made it easy to follow along. Prior knowledge of polio is not required for the book making it good for younger readers. However, the older generation who lived through the polio nightmare and recall the rush to vaccinate will find themselves transplanted back in time when America needed every brilliant medical mind it had to defeat a deadly disease. Eventually Salk successfully develops a vaccine to stop polio, but the next challenge was distribution and inoculation. And this is where Cutter Laboratories enters the story. From the cover we know that things did not go according to plan but the reason for the unfortunate incident are thoroughly examined by the author and provide a step-by-step analysis of where the vaccine production went wrong. Although I am not a medical professional, I found the discussion about filters, storage methods, and other principal factors to be remarkably interesting. The fallout from the faulty vaccine is immense but there is no evidence of malicious intent. In fact, none of the manufacturers set out to do anything other than protect Americans from the polio virus which was contained and eradicated due to the demanding work of both Salk and Sabin.

In the wake of the Cutter incident, lawyers get involved and commence legislation against Cutter as one would expect. The lawsuits against Cutter and other companies in later years for other vaccines come with collateral damage and have resulted in precarious situations the public may be unaware of. The details of the legal action taken by vaccine recipients and their families set the stage for the current day stockpile of vaccines which is nothing short of concerning. It should be noted that Cutter was not the only manufacturer to see issues with production and the severity of the faulty vaccine is also due to a significant factor outside of the company’s control. Despite the concern about Cutter’s vaccine, the drive to vaccinate Americans continued and polio rates fell significantly. Today, a polio diagnosis is extremely rare, and vaccines are the reason for it.

The decision to take a vaccine or not is personal and the author does not present a case for either. His take on the situation is unbiased and focuses on how and why Cutter Laboratories found itself at the center of the polio vaccine debate. Further, Jonas Salk who worked diligently on a vaccine would see his professional career suffer and the shocking details are included in the story. And I could not help but notice the tense relationship between him and Albert Sabin. The doctors were close early in their careers but by the time polio arrives, there is not much affection to be found. This part of the discussion is regrettable but nonetheless important. Despite the tension between them, they both played crucial roles in eliminating the polio epidemic and for that we remain in their debt. If you are curious about the polio epidemic and America fought and survived it, this book is for you.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0015GUT5E
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 10, 2005

We are Soldiers Still: A Journey Back to the Battlefields of Vietnam – The Powerful Sequel Memoir About Forgiveness Between Former Enemies – Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway

On By Genyc79In American History, Vietnam WarLeave a comment

In April 2002, Harp Peren Publishing released ‘We Were Soldiers Once…and Young: Ia Drang–The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam‘ the phenomenal book by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) (1922-2017) about the fierce battel between American troops and the People’s Army of Vietnam, often referred to as the North Vietnamese Army (“NVA”), in the la Drang Valley in November 1965. I have the paperback and the book is breathtaking. In 2002, it caught Hollywood’s attention and that year saw the release of the film of the same name starring Mel Gibson as the late Hal Moore. The film is good, and Gibson delives a solid performance. While searching for a new book to read, I saw this title which instantly caught my attention. I was unaware that Hal Moore and former solider Joseph Galloway (1941-2021) had written a follow-up to the initial best-selling book. Without hesitation I made the purchase and jumped right into the story about their return to Vietnam and the ground where their courage and sanity were pushed to the brink.

If you are a veteran of the war and fought in the la Drang Valley, this book will undoubtedly feel different to you compared to non-veterans. But I think that anyone who reads this book will find immense value in it, and a deeper appreciation for the soldiers who return home from combat. Before I began the book, I had to remind myself that the average age of an American soldier in Vietnam was between twenty-one and twenty-three years of age. And in November 1965, those young men found themselves in hell on earth as they came face to face with the NVA. Those men now much older would have to do one of the most challenging things in their lives in confronting the past and it becomes clear that the book will be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It is not long in the story before they begin the journey across the globe to the Republic of Vietnam in search of veteran NVA officers whom they faced during the war to learn what they saw and to understand why our two countries engaged in war.

While reading I thought to myself that officials in Vietnam must have viewed Moore and Galloway with both suspicion and bewilderment when they requested to revisit the la Drang Valley and the areas where Landing Zone-Albany and Landing Zone-X-ray once stood and have sit-down meetings with high-ranking officers. They accomplish both and even secure an-person meeting with General Võ Nguyên Giáp (1911-2013) who earned fame as Vietnamese troops defeated the French Army at Dien Bien Phu in the spring of 1954. At each gathering, we see the men feel each other out while reconciling the past. But what is also paramount is that both sides suffered tremendously from the war with NVA suffering a significantly higher casualty count. The pain and hard lessons learned are explained in the stories of the Vietnamese officers, some of whom were still serving in the military at the time of the book’s publication. Sadly, one of them dies during the story but the authors pay their respects in one of the more emotional moments in the book.

The most haunting aspects of the book are the lessons which were learned too many years later. And when Giap relays his surprise that America enter the conflict following the French defeat, I thought of a former colleague who also served and had asked himself the same question. The reasons for the war and the decisions from the White House are topics for another book. Here, we tag along as the authors provide observations about current day Vietnam, their hotel lodgings, foods they eat and the people they encounter on their journey to make peace with all that was lost in the la Drang Valley. And from start to finish, this book is amazing. It does not glorify combat or denigrate the Vietnamese, the point here is to show how former enemies can finally make peace decades after a war which robbed all of them of their youth. They are all older, but the horrors of the Vietnam War remain with the veterans who are still with us and that should never be overlooked.

As the years pass the number of veterans from the Vietnam War unfortunately becomes smaller, but their lives and stories can and should stay with us. This follow-up to the 2002 best-seller about the battles in the la Drang Valley is equally as good and highlights the enormous price to be paid when nations go to war. If you liked ‘We Were Soldiers‘ either in printed or motion picture format, this book is for you. Highly recommended.

“There’s never been a noble war except in the history books and propaganda movies. It’s a bloody, dirty, cruel, costly mistake in almost every case, as it was in this war that would end so badly. But the young soldiers can be and often are noble, selfless, and honorable. They don’t fight for a flag or a president or mom and apple pie. When it comes down to it they fight and die for each other, and that is reason enough for them, and for me.” – Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.)

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0013TPUV6
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 6, 2009

The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell: Speed, Grace, and the Negro Leagues – Lonnie Wheeler

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Recently, I found a pleasant surprise in my regular book recommendations list and when I saw the cover, I did a double take and smiled. The story of the Negro Leagues is as important to American history as Major League Baseball. Among the talented players in the league was the James “Cool Papa” Bell (1903-1991), widely considered to be one of the fastest players in baseball history. This is a look at his life by author Lonnie Wheeler. Prior to reading the book, I did not have any pre-conceived ideas about Bell’s life and admittedly knew little about him. This allowed me to digest the story for the first time and learn about Bell’s life. I was aware of the Negro Leagues and other stars such as Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige (1906-1982) and Joshua “Josh” Gibson (1911-1947), both of whom appear in the story, but this was Bell’s time to shine and I jumped right in to learn about a baseball legend.

The story begins in Starkville, Mississippi in 1903, during the reign of Jim Crow. I can only imagine what a young James Bell saw during his childhood in Mississippi, but we learn in the story that his desire to leave the South is related to a racial incident involving his uncle who did not survive. But for black person, opportunities were limited and traveling to various sections of the country could be deadly. However, Bells finds his place in sports and through a series of events, finds himself as a player in the Negro Leagues. His life also changes in other ways, and the story of how he met his wife Clara is unusual, but they were married from 1928 to 1991. Although Bell makes a name for himself in the Negro Leagues, he also played baseball in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and these parts of the story are fascinating and only add to Bell’s legacy.

Bell was not the only player to find work outside of the United States. In fact, I was surprised to learn that scores of players left America to play in integrated leagues due to the racially restrictive policies of Major League Baseball. The Bells’s time in Mexico is an uplifting part of the story, but it is clear early on that their time south of the border would be limited. But his time in the Dominican Republic is where the story takes a sharp turn which I did not see coming and left me speechless. While he found success, there were other issues at play while the country was in the vice grip of dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina (1891-1961). This part of the biography is wild, and I am not surprised that Bell decided to exit stage left after proving his merits on the field. Bell eventually makes it back to America which is beginning to change significantly but that change is bittersweet.

On April 15, 1947, a young baseball player named Jack “Jackie” Roosevelt Robinson (1919-1972) took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the color line in Major League Baseball. Robinson’s entry in the majors was the culmination of the challenging work by Bell and others who proved they were as good as the pros. The years of restrictive travel, segregated hotels and restaurants were slowly fading away but the humiliating experiences could never be forgotten. However, there was no guaranteed transition from the Negro Leagues to the majors and father time could not be ignored. This experience is captured by the author and explained by Bell himself as mainstream society finally begins to explore the stories of the Negro Leagues. And even when Cooperstown comes calling for induction in the Hall of Fame, Bell is long past his playing days. Bell did live long enough to see his induction which is uplifting. The same cannot be said for Josh Gibson whose departure in the story sent a chill down my spine.

Bell finally receives the acknowledgement which eluded him and other Negro League stars, but the story is far from over. In fact, his fame would produce unsetting encounters and on one occasion his life was in danger as Wheeler explains. And as an aging senior citizen, the speed of Bell’s youth is no longer there to protect but throughout the story Clara remains his devoted wife and guardian angel whose eagle eyes helped preserve items which may have been lost to history. And under her watch, no one would take advantage of her husband. It is no surprise that Bell’s life reaches its conclusion on several weeks after Clara’s death. Papa Bell is long gone but his legacy is rightfully preserved. And this biography by Lonnie Wheeler is a thorough account of his life and the importance of the Negro Leagues. From start to finish I enjoyed reading it and I am sure that you will too.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084ZJSKB3
Publisher ‏ : ‎ ABRAMS Press, February 9, 2021

 

The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir – William Friedkin

On By Genyc79In AutobiographyLeave a comment

On April 10, 1972, the late film director William Friedkin (1935-2023) earned an Academy Award for the 1971 crime thriller ‘The French Connection‘ which was filmed in my hometown of New York City. The gritty tale starring the late Gene Hackman (1930-2025) as New York City Police Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and the late Roy Scheider (1932-2008) as his partner, Detective Buddy “Cloudy” Russo captures the raw energy of 1970s New York and made Friedkin a Hollywood great. But who was the man behind the camera who never went to a film school? This autobiography came as a surprise and as a fan of Friedkin’s work, I knew it would capture my attention.

Before I began the book, I disregarded anything I thought I knew about Friedkin so that I would have a blank canvas as the details about his life filled up. The story begins in Chicago, Illinois, where Louis and Rachael Friedkin have made a life after leaving their native Ukraine. It is a classic midwestern immigrant family tale with William being the first generation American. But soon he discovers his passion for motion pictures and following high school, he lands a job at television station WBKB-TV in Alpena, Michigan. And this is where his path in life is altered permanently, and the film director is born. But before we reach his accolades in the film industry, Friedkin looks back on his 1962 documentary film ‘The People v. Paul Crump‘ which examined the life of a man sitting on death row for a crime he says he did not commit as his execution date rapidly approaches. I have not seen the film but made a mental note to watch it soon. Friedkin continues to evolve and after he relocates to California, his network of connections and opportunities expand, and he eventually finds himself in the director’s chair for the French Connection. If you like the film as much as I do, you will find the information about the difficulties behind the scenes interesting. On screen, we see the final product, but Friedkin breaks down the technical aspects and how they created the magic moviegoers came to love. It is beyond fascinating and a testament to the arduous work required to create a motion picture.

Following the success of the French Connection, Friedkin reads a book called ‘The Exorcist‘ by author William Peter Blatty (1928-2017) and the two eventually meet for a discussion about a movie based on the book. And again, Friedkin walks us through the challenges the crew faced while creating a movie which changed cinema and the horror genre. But to create the terror we know, a tremendous amount of work took place off camera in the editing room and in approval screenings from the Motion Picture Association (“MPA”), formerly known as the Motion Picture Association of America. Film students will thoroughly enjoy Friedkin’s analysis of the editing process, screenings, casting decisions, and revisions to meet the MPA’s guidelines. The Exorcist is a classic but the incredible amount of work to bring it to life should not be overlooked.

While I enjoyed reading about Friedkin’s career and the films he directed following the Exorcist, I did notice there is a lack of information about his personal life. In fact, I had finished more than half the book before he mentions three prior marriages and children. There are no discussions about the marriages or the births of his sons. I did find that to be a little strange, but I must assume that he had his reasons for not discussing those parts of his life. However, he does mention his fourth wife Sherry Lansing, to whom he was married from 1991 until his death in 2023. I did notice that he is more forthcoming regarding the health scares which nearly took his life. The first occurs as he is driving his car and sets the stage for what is to come later in life. The impact of that event and subsequent health issues is frightening, and had things gone slightly differently, he may not have lived well into his eighties. Yet he continued to direct and there is one final film he discusses in the book which he labored to create called ‘Killer Joe‘. I have not seen the movie but from what Friedkin reveals, creating a movie was nothing short of chaos. But it was his vision and he made it a reality.

Friedkin died on August 7, 2023, at the age of eighty-seven, and his passing marked the end of an incredible career launched by atypical circumstances. This autobiography is a solid look into his life with a mix of humor, suspense, success, and humility. As he explains himself, he burned bridges and made decisions he would not make a second time but his reflection that life can only be understood backwards is spot on. If you are a fan of this legendary filmmaker and curious about his life and the motion pictures he helped bring to life, this book is for you.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0089LOLXO
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper, April 16, 2013

 

All the President’s Men: Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

I recently came across this book about the Watergate scandal which culminated in the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon (1913-1994) on August 9, 1974. The break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex on June 17, 1972, and its fallout have been discussed and studied extensively, but this book caught my attention because it is authored by the reporters who played a significant role in uncovering the deeds of the Nixon White House. This is the account of journalists and authors Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward about the Watergate scandal and the search for the truth.

Readers may be aware that there is a film of the same name starring the late Robert Redford (1936-2025) as Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Berstein. The movie is highly rated, and the stars do what they do best. But reading the words of the men who broke the story provides a unique experience and this book kept me glued to it from start to finish. Prior to reading the book I did have a fair amount of knowledge of the Watergate affair, and its aftermath. But I was still curious to see what the authors had to say. The unlikely pair left no stone unturned as they revealed what the public did not know about covert operations authorized by the president and his cabinet.

Prior knowledge of Watergate is not required to understand what is taking place in the book. In fact, the reporters are thorough in explaining how and why things happened as they did. After an interesting foreword, we jump into the mix in which the break-in becomes the focus of attention. Initially, the story does not gain much attention, but as the reporters begin to dig, they soon learn surprising details about the burglars caught by the police. Their names alone begin to set off alarm bells in Washington, and it is not long before Bernstein and Woodward find themselves in on the Government’s radar due to their inquisitive motions. However, both are committed to journalism, and under the guidance of their chief Ben Bradlee (1921-2014), they explore leads and soon realize that the break-in is not your run of the mill event. The acronym CREEP (Committee for the Re-Election of the President) soon became well-known and the “plumbers” used by the administration come into sharp focus. And one by one, the power players within Nixon’s cabinet are examined as Bernstein and Woodward uncover their roles within the White House.

From the start, I was pulled into the story, and the suspense never lets up. As the story progresses, the network of critical operatives expands, and the Washington Post is all over it, even in the face of attacks on the press. But the sharpest turns in the book are the cash or “slush” fund for the nefarious operation and the secret recording system Nixon activated himself which captured disturbing conversations and removes doubt as to how much he knew and was directly involved. Of course, what is included here are snippets from much longer running recordings, but they are enough to send chills down your spine as Nixon’s paranoia is on full display. The recordings also reveal other unsettling aspects of his persona which were difficult to accept. I can only imagine the shock felt by the authors as they pieced together the full story.

Watergate is the focus of the book and rightfully so, but a sub-story is the arduous work performed by journalists, and that should not be lost to readers. The duo goes above and beyond and takes risks that are both surprising and humorous. Through them, we meet an interesting cast of characters with knowledge of Washington’s secrets. They range from a housewife to an insider who became famously known as “Deep Throat”. It’s a classic mystery dissected by Woodward and Bernstein as weave together the fabric of the group of all the president’s men. Readers interested in journalism will find this aspect of the book invaluable. It is hard-nosed reporting with the goal of telling the full story. There are no social media platforms, artificial intelligence, or streaming platforms. This is old school journalism by two of the best to have ever done it. There are twists and turns in the book, and the account of the authors is a valuable inside look into the Washington Post and the challenges they faced while covering a scandal which changed American history.

If you are curious about Watergate and how it applies to modern-day politics, this is must read. And if you like this book, I also recommend Fred Emery’s ‘Watergate: The Corruption of American Politics and the Fall of Richard Nixon‘ which is a particularly good analysis of the scandal.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000SEOIDS
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster, ‎ November 1, 2007

Black Redcoats: The Corps of Colonial Marines, 1814–1816 – Matthew Taylor

On By Genyc79In American History, War of 1812Leave a comment

Recently I have found myself focusing more on American history and the 1800s, a century in which the United States underwent profound change. The American Revolution had given birth to a new republic free from British rule and over time it would grow into one of the most powerful nations on earth. However, there was a time when North America was far from united, and a dark reality awaited those brave enough to venture outside of its borders. Across the Atlantic Ocean, Britain had not forgotten about its former possessions and continued to maintain a presence in unchartered territory as it subverted American interests and supported the rights of Native Americans and enslaved Blacks. The growing tension between Britain and America culminated with a declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain on June 18, 1812. The conflict is known formally as the ‘War of 1812‘. Although I was familiar with the conflict, I was not aware of the Colonial Marines and their impact on the war. This book by author Matthew Taylor revisits the war and ‘Black Redcoats’ whose existence threatened America’s darkest institution.

I must admit that I learned extraordinarily little about the War of 1812 in school. And the American Revolution often overshadows it. But this three-year conflict is just as important as others, and in the book, we learn that chance played a significant role in the British choosing to suspend their campaign and agree to a truce. But had Britian decided a different course of action, the United States we know today might look vastly different or not exist. But I was extremely curious about the Colonial Marines. The questions I asked myself were answered quickly and the story told by the author is unbelievable. And in case the reader is not clear about the author’s premise, this quote sums it up precisely:

“The British had deployed a special weapon, a force of warriors with intimate and precise knowledge of the ground, resources, and people of the region that provided a force multiplier to British efforts that ultimately was to lead to the burning of Washington DC and could, had war continued, have led to the destruction of the United States.” 

The author sets the stage by explaining the background of the war and how the two nations ended up in a second conflict. His explanation is straightforward and thorough, but by no means is it the final word, and I am sure there are scores of books about the War of 1812. However, regarding the story being told, the narrative fits where it should. It is not long before we learn about the Colonial Marines and how they came to be. In a genius move, Britain had found America’s “Achilles Heel” and as the war raged, these soldiers, inspired by the promise of freedom by Britain, set their sights on the country that was their home and kept them in bondage. As I read, I could easily see why the British recruitment effort was so successful. And once the word is out, the story changes gears as the Colonial Marines are born and their ranks are filled. And when North America became their target, slave owners’ worst nightmare came true and Washington, D.C., was brought to its knees.

Several weeks ago, I reviewed Elizabeth Dowling Taylor’s ‘A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons‘, and in the book, we learn of the first couple’s escape from the White House as the War of 1812 heated up. The picture painted in Dowling’s book is grim, but the full story is far more chilling. While reading, I found myself at a loss for words as the suspense increased. America was at the brink of destruction and Britain had the option to make it final. In hindsight we know that America survived, and the reasons are explained by the author. But there is another part of the story which I had no knowledge of, and it was through this book that I first learned of Negro Fort in what was then called Spanish Florida.

When I read the words Negro Fort, my brain began scrambling for any details which would give me a clue regarding its existence. I soon realized I was in the dark and in store for a history lesson. This fort established by the British for Native Americans and formerly enslaved Blacks is equally as interesting as the role of the Colonial Marines in the war. And when the British decide to withdraw, they do not forget Negro Fort and do their best to ensure its survival. But a zealous military officer and future president named Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) had other ideas and before he left the White House in 1837, Florida changed significantly and Negro Fort became a distant memory. A full discussion of Jackson’s military career and actions towards Native Americans can easily fill another book and are subjects for a different discussion. However, he is important to the story being told and he did play a crucial role in the conflict. Despite Jackson’s eagerness, the reality was that without British support, Negro Fort was on its own and under threat until it finally fell. But for a time, it existed with Native Americas and former slaves living side by side in a region designated as free territory.

When I finished the book, I was grateful for the story told by Taylor. But I was also angry because I realized that I found yet more American history, I was never taught. And this is one more example of why it is imperative that we read and continue to learn the truth. If you are searching for a good discussion on American history and the War of 1812, this book is what you need. Highly recommended.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW1JS854
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Military, May 30, 2024

A Slave in the White House: Paul Jennings and the Madisons – Elizabeth Dowling Taylor

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

The system of slavery and its dark component called human chattel, is a difficult part of American history. But it is also a necessary tool in understanding the development of the most powerful nation in the world. When I saw this book recommendation, my interest was piqued and I knew I had to make the purchase. Slavery was not a foreign subject but a slave in the White House? I guess I should not have been surprised but it was a shock. And at that moment, I knew the only thing left to do was to start reading this book by author Elizabeth Dowling Taylor.

Former President James Madison (1751-1836) holds a special place in United States history as a founding father of the Republic and defender of the Constitution. Madison along with his wife Dolley Madison (1768-1849) were a beloved first couple. However, there are aspects of their lives which are not as glamorous, such as their roles as owners of enslaved people. Among their slaves was a man named Paul Jennings (1799-1874) whose life story is the focus of Dowling’s work. While I read, I was amazed at the amount of information Dowling provides due to Jenning’s status as a slave. It is likely that his direct proximity to the Madisons contributed to the amount of available information to tell his story. During slavery, this was far from normal and I kept that in mind as I savored the book.

From the beginning it is known that Jennings was born into slavery and kept by the Madisons. However, within the confines of their Montpelier estate in Orange County, Virginia, Jennings did have a rare standing among enslaved people, and his duties allowed him to bear witness to history in the making. Further, in contrast to the endless number of broken families, Jennings married while enslaved. The story of how it happened is told by the author and I found myself speechless. The conditions under which he and first wife Fanny Gordon (d. 1844) kept their marriage alive are mind-bending. And Jennings would marry twice more, but not while enslaved. Those marriages come later in the narrative along with several children who play crucial roles in keeping the Jennings name alive.

As the story progresses, it is impossible to ignore the glaring contradiction between the founding principles of America and what was practiced across the nation. Madison himself could not ignore the matter nor his peers who shaped the growing country. However, none were eager to part ways with the human labor which kept their lives intact. And like his predecessor Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Madison also believed deportation was a via option in the wake of total emancipation. The idea never gained enough traction, and slavery did not end in Madison’s time. But in 1812, a conflict erupted which exposed slavery as America’s “Achilles heel”. The conflict would also place Jennings in a position to witness history from inside the Madison White House. I paid particularly close attention to this section because the War of 1812 is a conflict which remains overshadowed by the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and American Civil War (1861-1865).

In hindsight, we know that the War of 1812 did not result in America’s collapse, but the fear of a British takeover was real, and the chaos inside Washington was intense. Jennings was there to witness it and played a critical role in protecting artwork which is part of American culture to this day. Personally, I had not heard the story before and learned it here for the first time. Following the war, a series of events occur in the story which pave the way for Jenning’s freedom and life a free man. We revisit the decline of James Madison through Jenning’s eyes and learn about the case of the Pearl Schooner in 1848. The latter is heartbreaking, but it also served as an example to Jennings and other Blacks both enslaved and free of why slavery must end. Thankfully for Jennings, he had a benefactor in the seasoned politician and statesman named Daniel Webster (1782-1852).

Years before Webster would doom his presidential prospects for his position regarding the Compromise of 1850, he had taken direct action against slavery which he saw as evil. And although he would not be considered an abolitionist in the traditional sense, his actions regarding Paul Jennings are interesting, and the story is one of the brighter moments in the book. And once Jennings gained his freedom there was no turning back and he lived the remainder of his life as a free man. Jennings outlived both Madisons and his relationship with Dolley is interesting following the late president’s death. In 1861, Jennings met John Brooks Russell who realized that his new friend had a story to tell. His account was recorded and released as ‘A Colored Man’s Reminiscences of James Madison‘. The short writing piece is included in the epilogue and is well worth reading. The link in the title leads to the book which is available on Archive.org.

Taylor’s book came as a surprise to me but having finished it, I am grateful that I found it. It is well-written, well-researched, and the past comes to life in a story we are fortunate to have on record. I have no doubt that there were thousands of slaves like Paul Jennings whose stories are lost to history. The bore witness to America’s creation, expansion, and struggle with human bondage. There is no shortage of disheartening stories regarding slavery, but Jennings eventually found peace and happiness. And that provides the uplifting conclusion not always found in the stories of former slaves. I enjoyed reading this book and it is another invaluable piece of American history which we should not overlook. Highly recommended.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0065RDH20
Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Press, January 3, 2012

“This Is Berlin”: Radio Broadcasts from Nazi Germany – William L. Shirer

On By Genyc79In World War IILeave a comment

In December 1940, the late William L. Shirer (1904-1993), a CBS foreign correspondent stationed in Berlin, Germany, departed from the country and returned to his native United States of America. His exit was bittersweet for Germany had become a second home and Shirer’s voice become a part of history through his radio broadcasts emanating from inside the Third Reich. After successfully smuggling his notes out of Germany, he later compiled what became the ‘Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934-1941‘, which is a fascinating look into daily life in Germany as German Chancellor Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) took over the country and marched towards World War II (1939-1945). This was followed by the ‘End of Berlin Diary‘ in which Shirer returns to Germany following the war. I highly recommend both books which capture the war through the words of one of the best journalists to have worked in his field. This book is a collection of his radio broadcasts from Berlin during the period of 1938 to 1940 as the war inched closer and Hitler tightened his grip over the German people.

Following a brief introduction in which Shirer’s relationship with the late Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965) we join Shirer in Berlin where Hitler is drawing up plans to annex foreign territory to the German empire. The Broadcasts are brief but contained within are interesting details about the approaching war from the citizen’s point of view. The Nazi propaganda is on full display, and Shirer mentions himself how censors screened his broadcasts ahead of time. The official narratives became tightly controlled, and this undoubtedly due to the edicts of propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945), whom Shirer had previously met. However, Shirer did his best to report what he saw, and his broadcasts reveal the fault lines within Germany which would be exposed as the war dragged on. But for now, the Nazis had their narrative and were successful in making the people believe Germany was only defending itself against foreign aggression and that the war would be brief. The truth of course, was far darker and Germany learned a painful lessons as the Third Reich collapsed and Allied forces marched into Berlin in April 1945.

As the months go by, the grim reality of a long campaign settles in after initial Germany victories across Europe following the outbreak of the war on September 1, 1939. The war comes as no surprise to Shirer, who covers the increasing tensions with each broadcast. And the question as to how England would respond is answered quickly. The battle was on and Germany began its blitzkrieg across Europe. Shirer reports on them all as European countries succumb to the Germany military. However, while ground troops successfully marched across Europe, conquering England was not as easy as the Nazis believed, and the bombing campaigns from the air by each country increase with each riveting broadcast as th suspense builds. Shirer was a master at his craft, and the tension can be felt sharply as he reports on the developments. And his personal observations of Hitler’s speeches add a haunting aspect to the unsettling broadcasts.

As I read the transcripts, I noticed how effective Nazi propaganda was through the responses given to Shirer from his interviews of Berliners. They deeply believed that England was the reason for the war and that it would only last a few weeks. They would later be proved wrong on both points. And the luxuries of life they took for granted disappeared as the war heated up. But for Germany’s Jews, life became hell on earth and Shirer mentions new laws targeting the Jewish population, but none of the broadcast reveal anything about the concentration camps or the deadly policy known as the Final Solution. Frankly, I did not expect them to due to the requirement of approval Shirer needed from German censors prior to each session. However, what he does reveal is enough for readers to see that Jews would be blamed for everything wrong in Germany and even abroad. The Nazi propaganda about America’s involvement is a head scratcher. The attacks at Pearl Harbor were well over a year away and isolationism retained staunch support in America.

America’s entry into World War II occurred well after Shirer had returned home. Disillusioned with increasing censorship and deteriorating conditions inside Germany, he made his exit before the downfall of the Third Reich. Discussions about Hitler’s beliefs, his co-conspirators who are discussed within the book, and Germany’s defeat will continue for years to come. This August will mark eighty-one years since the surrender of Japan and end of the saga of World War II. But that does not mean the world cannot once again see the horrors which occurred between 1939 and 1945. Shirer’s books, diaries, and his broadcasts are both an examination and a warning of what happens when tyranny and evil are allowed to flourish. If you are a history buff or have a never-ending curiosity about World War II, this book is for you.

“Surely our job as American broadcasters is to report to you as objectively as we can the facts and the trends and the atmosphere we find in these nations of Europe. And having done that, let you draw your own conclusions. We are simply reporters.” – William L. Shirer

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07H17M78Y
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rosetta Books, November 17, 2014

Bound for Canaan: The Epic Story of the Underground Railroad, America’s First Civil Rights Movement – Fergus M. Bordewich

On By Genyc79In American History, Civil Rights MovementLeave a comment

The recent celebration of America’s two-hundred fiftieth anniversary was a milestone celebration, but it also gave rise to deep discussions about the nation’s history and what it means to different demographics. The contradictions between the principles the nation was founded on and what transpired are stark and the system of slavery remains a dark chapter in the story. For Black Americans it is a painful reminder of a time when human beings were characterized as chattel and the idea of all men were created equal was not equally applied. The system was doomed and eventually fell. And before the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), Whites, Blacks and Native Americans found ways to liberate slaves from the dehumanizing system of manual labor. In the process, they created a complex network of trails, passageways, safe houses, and clandestine contacts known as the Underground Railroad. This book by author Fergus M. Bordewich dissects the riveting system and how it changed history in the United States.

Early last year, I read Catherine Clinton’s ‘Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom‘ which is a fascinating look into Tubman’s extraordinary life. She is well-known as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, but Clinton’s book which covers far more than just her role in liberating the enslaved and activities on behalf of the Union during the American Civil War (1861-1865). As expected, she is a part of the story here as well as John Brown (1800-1859), Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) and others with whom I was not familiar. And despite the system’s title, there were times when it was as “underground” as we may think. It was a hybrid system based on covert activity and direct confrontation when necessary. And to make it work, countless men and women put their lives on the line for the sake of humanity.

This book will make some readers uncomfortable due to the subject matter and the frankness with which the history is explained. Today, events which transpire in the book seem surreal, but this was the reality of life in the United States as if expanded and confronted its faults. The issue of slavery has haunted America since its inception, and the glaring contradiction between the nation’s founding principles and the brutal life of slaves was one that politicians struggled to address. In the book, former President Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) serves as a case study as both a slave owner and one who saw the evils of slavery. His statements and ideas about slavery and its victims are both interesting and disturbing. However, Jefferson was not the only one to struggle with the demon and throughout the book, the issue of morality takes center stage.

As I read the book, I found myself in awe of the people who are major figures in the story being told. There were several names I was not aware of, and I was speechless as their lives played out. The names of David Ruggles (1810-1849), Levi Coffin (1798-1877), Jonathan Walker (1799-1878) and Seth Concklin (1802-1851) are etched into my memory, and their stories are crucial to the history of the Underground Railroad. Of course, they were assisted by a network of people who believed in the eradication of slavery and freedom for the enslaved. And while there are bright moments in the story, there are dark moments too where abolition failed and slave hunters prevailed, and the fate of those captured remains unknown.

While the “railroad” is known to have assisted enslaved people as they escape to the North, the role of Canada is another interesting aspect of the story. In fact, our northern neighbor played a significant role in the lives of former slaves, a role much larger than I knew of previously. And the story of Canada’s participation cannot be told without including Josiah Henson (1789-1883) whose story is told by the author, and it is nothing short of incredible. His role in assisting former slaves and the creation of the Dawn Settlement are examples of the unwavering spirit within abolitionists committed to their cause. And their stories are revisited beautifully by the author in a book which stirred emotion and adjusted the way I view American history.

The Underground Railroad is a critical part of the nation’s history, yet it is often misunderstood and underrated. What I learned in this book has broadened my perspective on the system and how integral it became to slaves facing life and death situations. Further, the narrative commands a deeper respect for those who risked their lives to help the enslaved, and they came from all levels of society. The beauty in this book is that despite the horrors of human bondage, there is a story of common bonds between people from diverse backgrounds who saw an evil they could not accept. It is textbook example of how we are stronger when united. The subject matter is not “easy”, but it is history and the author tells with the right amount of respect for the deceased, adulation for the heroes and contempt for those who deserve it. And the result is a well-written, well-researched and informative book that fills in the gaps regarding the story of the Underground Railroad. Highly recommended.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000WCWV08
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books, March 17, 2009