Category: American History

War on the Border: Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion – Jeff Guinn

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

VillaDiscussions of American history during the 1800s may cause one to wonder how the country survived intact. The Civil War, conflicts with Native Americans, and two presidential assassinations highlighted the violent century in which America changed significantly. As the 1900s approached, America was ready for new challenges but in 1914, the world was plunged into war after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1863-1914). As America watched the growing conflict, tensions increased on its southwest border as Mexico found itself in the midst of revolution and armed resistance from rebels such as Doroteo Arango who is famously known as Francisco “Pancho” Villa (1878-1923). This is the story of his role in Mexico’s revolution and its resistance to American foreign policy.

I knew Villa’s name as he has become a pop culture reference in the years following his death. But I did not know his story, and how he became a mythical figure. This book by Jeff Guinn clears up some of the confusion about Villa’s actual role in the revolution and America’s attempt to capture him. The author provides a good primer on Mexican history and United States expansion, in particular the 1847 when the Southwest as we know it began to come into focus. We are also provided with a recap summarizing the impact of former President Benito Juárez (1806-1872). South of the border showed that Mexico had its own political tensions which rose to surface in the last days of President Porfirio Diaz’s (1830-1915) regime. Guinn takes us back in time as the power vacuum begins, and soon enough, Mexico finds itself at a crossroads. What ensues is an intriguing account of unusual coalitions, double cross, political fame, and murder.

Readers should be aware that the multiple men serve as president of Mexico in the book. In fact, at one point, the names change quite rapidly. But this is not the author taking creative freedoms. Mexico was unstable and the thirst for power consumed easily. And it is in the middle of the ongoing political upheaval that we are introduced to Villa, the obscure rebel who had no desire to become president, but still found a place in history. The majority of the conflicts take place in Mexico but on March 9, 1916, Villa staged a raid on Columbus, New Mexico which caught the attention of President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), who put his faith in the legendary General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing (1860-1948) to stop Mexican aggression and capture the elusive Villa. And what follows is a cat and mouse game that becomes surreal as Villa seems to escape each time, and even survives an assassination attempt which remained a carefully guarded secret. And while this saga plays out, Mexico continues its cycle of political dysfunction.

Pershing was determined to find Villa; however World War I loomed in the distance and upon America’s entry, the famed general was called into service yet again, leaving Villa free to his own devices. And surprisingly, Mexico had its supporters, including Germany which had its own agenda as the war raged. Villa continues his rebel activities but eventually reaches the end of his usefulness. In 1920, President Venustiano Carranza (1859-1920) was assassinated and succeeded by Adolfo de la Huerta (1881-1955) who negotiated a “early retirement” for Villa which was accepted. Sadly, the revolutionary only had a few more years to live himself and we learn of his fate, and the last days of other figures who could not escape the violence of Mexico. From start to finish the author maintains the right pace of the narrative and the account is a roller coast ride through Mexican history. What we learn is disheartening but also a reminder of the importance of a functioning democracy. Pancho Villa is long gone but he lives on as the iconic bandit who sought to liberate his country.  The reality is far more complicated, less climactic, and darker in some areas. And whether Villa was a saint, or a sinner is up to you to decide. But we have here is a solid discussion of his exploits and role in the Mexican Revolution.

ASIN ‏:‎ B08LDV3VXG

Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America – Christopher Benson and Mamie Till-Mobley

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

EmmettOn August 28, 1955, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley (1921-2003) received a phone call that permanently changed her life. Her son Emmett (1941-1955) had been abducted and murdered while staying with relatives in Money, Mississippi. The crime was brutal and normally would have been swept under the rug in a small southern town. However,  his mother refused to let her son fade away and become a distant memory. She not only insisted on bringing the remains north, but she also made the fateful decision to have an open-casket funeral. Uncensored images of his body which were published in JET and Ebony magazines, sent shockwaves across America, and even today the pictures are haunting. Sadly, Emmett is known as the teenager who was murdered for the crime of “possibly whistling at white woman”. But is that what really happened that day? The woman behind the register, Carolyn Bryant (1934-2023), allegedly admitted in 2007 that the story was fabricated. But she later told the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she had not recanted. A bureau investigation found no credible evidence that she admitted to making false statements in 1955. The truth about the sequence of events at the store remains shrouded in mystery. Her former husband Roy Bryant and his friend J.W. Milam were acquitted of the crime by an all-white jury but in the court of public opinion, America had reached a turning point.

Till’s death is undoubtedly the darkest point in the book, but it is not the sole focus. In fact, this is his mother’s story of her life, her son Emmett and how she managed to continue living after his untimely and senseless death. As the story begins, Mamie takes us through her childhood which starts in Webb, Mississippi. It is a return to the Deep South, where Jim Crow is in full effect. At the age of eighteen, she meets Louis Till  (1922-1945) whom she marries in 1940. The couple soon finds out that they are expecting a child. The marriage should have been joyful but Mamie reveals the dark side to Louis whose unpredictable and volatile nature cast a dark cloud over their union. After one terrible incident in the book, he is given the choice of jail or the Army. America had entered World War II by this point and Louis soon found himself in Europe. He disappears from the story until 1945, when Mamie receives a notification from the military that Louis had been executed due to willful misconduct. She does not go into the details because she had no idea what took place. However, author John Edgar Wideman did examine what is left of the military file regarding Louis’ execution. He wrote about it in his book ‘Writing to Save a Life: The Lous Till File’. The story is convoluted and not clear in some respects, but the reality is that Louis was gone, and Mamie had become a single parent. So, in the 1950s she made the move to Chicago with Emmett in tow.

Mamie and Emmett’s life in Chicago is fairly routine with her son blossoming into a responsible young man. This is by far the best part of the book, and critical in understanding who Emmett was. His mother provides crucial facts that explain his character and determination in life. However, there is one extremely important aspect of his early struggles with language that provides a clue as to what may have happened later  in Mississippi. I do not want to spoil it for the readers but what Mamie explains will make the alarm bells go off in your head. As I read, I found myself feeling closer to Emmett and enjoying his maturity from a child into a teenager. And had he not been killed; he surely would have grown into a fine adult. From the anecdotes provided by Mamie, Emmett’s high intelligence and sharp wit earned the admiration of his mother, grandmother, and all who knew him.

While raising a son, Mamie also has time for love and goes through her difficulties before finding a rock in the form of Gene whom she marries and remains with until his death later in the story. Gene, along with her mother, are the rocks of the family and help weather the storm through the dark times to come. In the summer of 1955, Emmett wanted to visit his family in the Deep South. Mamie at first is against the idea because she knows that life is Mississippi is not like life in Chicago, and even the mildest interactions between Whites and Blacks could escalate to the point of death. But Emmett and his charm win her over and she agrees to let him go. But the grim feeling about Mississippi never leaves her and even up to the day he leaves, she is still wary of him going to the South. She gives him an extensive pep talk and explains all the fears she had about her only son visiting a part of the country where life for Blacks could be unbearable. At first the trip is routine with constant communication between Mamie, Emmett, and her relatives in Money. But on August 28, 1955, that small town changed and life for everyone did as well.

As I mentioned earlier, there is still mystery surrounding the events at the candy story where Carolyn Bryant worked. What is clear is that Emmett and his cousins purchased candy and were on their way out of the store and had stopped on the front porch to congregate as kids often do. It was alleged that Emmett whistled at Bryant, and other outlandish accounts have claimed that he went as far as to grab her by the waist and make suggestive remarks. Although Emmett was from Chicago, I do not believe he was crazy enough to do such a thing. In fact, the story of the sequence of events changed so many times that it is hard to know what happened. Regardless, none of those things, even if they did occur, justify the brutal execution of a teenage boy. Adults failed Emmett and later on, the American justice system failed him and his family. Mamie is at home when the call comes in, and the heartbreaking news comes through in the book like a sledgehammer. It is a moment we know is coming but the dread surrounding it is no less terrifying. I do not know where she found the strength to keep going, but as the events play out, Mamie is like a rock and never stops in her journey to obtain justice for Emmett.

It is clear from the beginning that the trial would be a farce. The local sheriff and citizens were determined to keep Blacks “in their place” and were not going to convict the defendants. However, their crime attracted national attention and put Mississippi in the spotlight, and rightfully so. The jury’s reason for acquittal is laughable and today we know a decision such as that would not happen. But in 1955, in the Deep South, justice for Blacks and other minorities was almost non-existent. But across the country, Americans were waking up to the injustices across the nation. And Emmett’s death catapulted that movement for Civil Rights. Mamie finds herself in the spotlight, meeting scores of famous people from the Rev. Jessie Jackson to Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) And later in life, she meets former U.S. President William J. “Bill” Clinton.  Despite the attention, she never loses focus that the movement is bigger than Emmett. But that does not take away from her grief which remains through her for the remainder of the book. One by one, those close to her make their departures as age and poor health claim their victims. She is the last to go in 2003, but before she leaves, she makes sure to explain the reasons behind her actions and everything she learned in her life. Her collaborator Christopher Benson provides a post-script about Mamie and her death which are a fitting ending to the book. If you know the story of Emmett Till’s death, you must also know the story of his life and his family’s trials and tribulations. This is the place to start.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003E8AIDO

The Young Lords: A Radical History – Johanna Fernández

On By Genyc79In American History, Civil Rights Movement3 Comments

Lords

In two weeks, Black History month will commence and highlight the legacy and story of Black Americans. The achievements of  America’s black citizens will come into sharp focus, but the story is far from monolithic. In fact, within and around the movements were organizations who modeled themselves after the Black Panther Party of Self-Defense, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and others. Among those groups was the Young Lords, a primarily Hispanic America organization which originated in the windy city of Chicago before spreading to other places including my hometown of New York City. This is their story by author Johanna Fernández and the radical history they created in the struggle by Puerto Ricans for their place in American society.

Although not necessary, I do recommend two other books which could serve as primers for the story of the Young Lords. The first is ‘War Against All Puerto Ricans: Revolution and Terror in America’s Colony‘ by Nelson A. Denis and the second is ‘Fantasy Island: Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico‘ by Ed Morales. Both are invaluable tools in understanding the current-day state of Puerto Rico. I also recommend ‘When I Was Puerto Rican‘ by Esmeralda Santiago. The story here originates in the City of Chicago, where a young Puerto Rican man named Jose “Cha Cha” Jimenez reaches his breaking point after witnessing the discrimination and exploitation of Puerto Ricans who relocated to the mainland United States from their Caribbean island. A native of the island himself, Jimenez understood the experiences of others who had to make a new home in cities they were unfamiliar with. Added to their despair was the social climate of America during the turbulent 1960s when America found itself going through profound change.

I was fascinated learning about Jimenez’s story, and the transformation he undergoes as he becomes aware of the plight facing his neighborhood. The author does an excellent job in allowing the reader to view things as Jimenez would have in the late 1960s. We learn that his mother, who is from an older generation, sees things differently and the two are sometimes at odds over how to move forward when others see them as a threat. His path to the outspoken Lords figure started early. In fact, a Fernandez explains:

“Cha Cha Jiménez had been a Young Lord since the age of eleven. He was among a group of seven youths—six Puerto Ricans and one Mexican—who had organized the gang in 1959. The others included the group’s unofficial leader, Orlando Dávila, as well as Benny Perez, David Rivera, Fermín Perez, Joe Vincente, and the Mexican-descended Sal del Rivero.” 

It is surreal that at the age of eleven, Jimenez and others were envisioning their path when other kids would typically be signing up for little league baseball or making plans for summer camp.  Further, the author does not shy away from another complicated issue: race within Puerto Rican culture itself.  The identity of Afro-Puerto Rican is a major component of the story that actually propels the Young Lords forward. However, it is also taboo, but in the book, the members of the Young Lords are not afraid to confront it and use it as a tool for solidarity. For Jimenez and others like him, they had to confront the issue of being labeled a “minority” while also exploring their heritage. It was a journey in search of two identities.

As the story progresses, the Young Lords grow in size as other young Puerto Ricans are drawn to their message. However, the issue of class comes up, and there is friction between the older middle-upper class Puerto Ricans and the young bearded revolutionaries who were reading the works of Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong (1893-1976), Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara (1928-1967) and others. The movement could not be contained, and the story picks up the pace when a new chapter for the Lords is formed in New York City. Taking the cue from Chicago, the New York chapter moves full speed ahead in terms of organization and operations that caught the attention of the entire city. The story left me speechless at times and I also felt a tinge of embarrassment for not knowing the Young Lords story and their place in the history of the Five Boroughs. From the seizure of the First Spanish United Methodist Church to the occupation at Lincoln Hospital, the Lords were determined to make their voices heard and did. The unbelievable events are re-told in vivid detail and highlight the organizational skills and commitment by the Lords to their cause. Today both episodes are footnotes in history but in 1970, the New York Police Department took them very seriously.

Following the events of 1970, the story takes a sharp turn when the group shifts its focus from New York to Puerto Rico itself. How and why the decision was made is covered in the book, and as I read, I was confused  at the change in course. Of course, Puerto Rico was the heart of the group even with twenty-five percent of the members being Black Americans. However, the island was very different from New York City and Chicago, and that becomes clear in the story. It is not long before the Lords re-focus on New York but by then, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) had them on their radar. And like the Panthers and other left-wing groups, the infamous COINTEL program found its mark. Before the bureau was done, shockwaves traveled through the organization all the way up the chain of command. The story of party official Gloria Fontanez and her marriage are an example of how far the bureau had infiltrated the group. It can be argued that this was the beginning of the end for the Young Lords. However, their impact could not be ignored, and for thousands of Puerto Ricans, they instilled pride and hope, that they too will move forward in life.

Upon finishing the book, I sat back for a minute to digest what I had read. The Young Lords had accomplished what no one imagined, in such a short period of time. Aside from the public actions which caught the attention of City Hall, they had also started a newspaper called ‘Palante’. They understood that knowledge is power, and to learn, reading is a necessary tool. To drive home the point about Palante and its creation, Fernández explains that:

“With little to no experience in newspaper production or training in journalism, the approximately ten young radicals who were on the Palante team at any given time worked doubly hard to produce one of the few bilingual newspapers of the period—no small accomplishment for an organization with few members who were fluent or formally trained in Spanish.”

The success of Palante was no small feat but by 1971, the Young Lords’ offices in New York City were gone. We learn of the split between the New York and Chicago chapters of the organization which is eerily similar to the fallout within the Black Panther Party. Party expulsions, deaths and exodus for other reasons only served to deplete the ranks of the once formidable revolutionary party. But it does not diminished the heights the Young Lords reached in a time when being Puerto Rican was seen as below-human and few understood the pride that came with being Boricua. If you want to know more about the Young Lords and New York City History, this is the place to start.

ASIN ‏:‎ 1469653443

Coolidge – Amith Shlaes

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

Coolidge

If we compare America to the rest of the world, it is fair to say it is still a “young nation”. But in the years in 1776, the United States has come a long way, and changed world history for better and worse. Every four years, the nation votes on who will be the new Commander-in-Chief. Some candidates  were elected for the first time and then re-elected while others assumed the presidency upon the death of a predecessor. The latter was the case for America’s thirtieth President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933). The Plymouth, Vermont native is one of history’s most obscure leaders. In fact, I do not recall learning anything about him in school other than his name. So, when I saw this book, my interest piqued, and I became determined to know who Coolidge was and the legacy he left behind.

Prior to starting the book, I had no feelings about Coolidge which left me a neutral position in approaching his story. The author Amity Shlaes tells the story without any bias and provides a straightforward account of Coolidge’s short but incredible life. Coolidge’s story begins in Vermont, where his father John and mother Victoria have a successful farm. On July 4, 1872, John Calvin Coolidge was born, but his parents could not have known that their son would one day be the leader of the country. Sadly, there is heartbreak in his early life, but what transpires was common for life in the 1800s before the discovery of penicillin and  advancements of modern medicine. The monumental loss suffered by Coolidge as a youth did not deter him from moving forward in life which includes becoming an attorney and joining the expanding Republican Party. Love also enters the picture when he meets Grace Goodhue (1879-1957). Shales revisits their courtship, marriage and the birth of their two sons, John (1906-2000) and Calvin, Jr. (1908-1924).

As one would expect, the story picks up in pace when Coolidge begins his journey in politics, not in Vermont but in Massachusetts where he eventually becomes Governor. In 1919, the Boston Police Department went on strike, and Coolidge was faced with an unprecedented situation. The incredible story is laid out in detail, and Coolidge rises to the occasion. I enjoyed learning about this historical event that is a footnote today. I could not imagine a police force strike today, especially in my hometown of New York City. However, it did happen, and the story told within highlights the dangers of a lawless society and the importance of law enforcement. Coolidge becomes a rising star in the Republican Party in the wake of the strike and earns a spot on the ticket of Warren G. Harding (1865-1923) who wins the 1920 election. But in three years, life for everyone changed when Harding died on August 2, 1923. His death ushered in a new administration focused on reducing government spending and eliminating debt. Coolidge would go on to become one of the most frugal presidents in history, but he also supported advancement in technology and other changes in America.

Readers may be surprised to learn that Coolidge was an avid supporter of aviation and during his administration, a sculptor named Gutzon Burglom (1867-1941) envisioned a tribute to selected presidents at place called Mount Rushmore. But Coolidge was known for his frugality and tight constraints on reckless expenditure. His conservative policy and way of life are on full display, and he comes across as a no-nonsense leader who cares little for opinions of him. Shlaes takes us inside the Coolidge White House where the first couple adjusts to life in Washington and confronts old habits from prior administrations. Change does take place, but not rapidly and not without pushback as we see throughout the story. As I read, Coolidge emerged as an incredibly simple leader with a mind keen on controlling the budget and promoting economic growth. Of course, he does allow himself so small pleasures but sticks to his plan for America. During his time in office, the nations saw the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and the Kellogg Briand Pact of 1928 which outlawed war as an instrument of foreign policy.

The story moves along without much fanfare due to Harding’s nature and crafted public image until tragedy strikes in 1924, when Calvin, Jr. makes his departure. I previously did not know of this event but could feel Coolidge’s heartbreak as he confronts the loss of a child. Today Calvin would have certainly survived but in 1924, doctors did what they could with what they had. Life is never the same again, and in 1928, Coolidge decides not to run for re-election and grudgingly supports Republican candidate Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) who becomes the thirty-first President of the United States. After leaving the White House, Coolidge fades away from the spotlight but years of ill health and heavy smoking come to collect their tolls. And at the age of sixty, he is gone. His ending is swift and there is no drama around it as he was home with his wife Grace, but his life can be measured by the series of successful actions and changes he implemented. He was not without his faults and did have detractors but is fair to say that he had the respect of all.

I found this book to be a fascinating account of Coolidge’s life, politics in the 1920s and a thorough discussion of how America was changing after World War I. The backstabbing, strange alliances and power plays we expect from politics is all here in a story that was enjoyable to read. Coolidge remains cool as the events play out and leaves office with a solid track record. The automobile, aviation and reduced government oversight were pushing America forward but in 1929, a stock market crash set the world on a collision course. And in 1933, the same year Coolidge died, an Austrian corporal was designated Chancellor of Germany. Six years later he gave the green light for an attack on neighboring Poland that ignited World War II. If you want to know more about Calvin Coolidge and the America he inherited upon Harding’s death, this is a suitable place to start.

ASIN : B006SJCM0I

Bitterly Divided: The South’s Inner Civil War – David Williams

On By Genyc79In American History, Civil War2 Comments

DividedI am consistently amazed at the amount of history related to the American Civil War. The conflict which bitterly divided America, was a moment in which the United States had to reconcile with its dark past and an uncertain future. As a Northerner, the image I had of the Confederacy was generated from films and television. However, the reality of the South was a society divided and plagued with inner turmoil and dysfunction. Author David Williams explores this little-known history of the Confederacy, and the resistance from within to keep the Union together and dismantle the slave-holding elite class in the South.

Within several minutes of reading the opening section of the book, I could not help but feel that the South was doomed from the start. But the war’s conclusion could have been quite different as the author points out, had the South been better prepared and more realistic about secession and independence. However, that did not happen, and as the book progresses, the grim reality facing the Confederate States of America and its President Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) comes into sharper focus. I previously reviewed Bruce Levine’s ‘The Fall of the House of Dixie: The Civil War and the Social Revolution That Transformed the South’, which discusses social changes in the South in the aftermath of the conflict. Williams’ account is focused on the failures that began to affect the South’s mission from the very start and the unsettling truths for proponents of the ‘Lost Cause’ myth. There was no  grand or noble effort to crush the North. In fact, what the author reveals here is far from admirable and shows that the South was coming apart at the seams.

I was aware of the high desertion rate Confederate commanders faced as they engaged Union troops. But the number of soldiers who laid down their arms and deserted is staggering. And the crux of the issue is why they deserted to begin with. Williams takes a deep dive into the social climate in which the book is set. A minority of powerful and wealthy figures decided war was good, even if the majority of Southerners were not wealthy, did not own slaves and saw secession as pointless. This detachment from reality placed the South at a disadvantage from the moment the opening shot was fired at Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina on April 12, 1861. It also fostered hatred among citizens of the South towards the slave owners who dragged them into war. But there is far more to the story which Williams tells brilliantly.

Aside from desertion, we also learn that famine was just as crippling. But the actions of women across the South determined to feed their families was eye-opening. The stories told in the book should remove any doubt that the South was “self-sufficient”. In fact, it becomes very obvious that the South could not feed all of its people. Several of the stories are shocking and show that the women had no fear of anyone because food and survival trumped any effort to push back against the Union. But that also raises the question: how could the government not see this ahead of time? There is a good reason which the author discusses, and to say that it was poor planning would be an understatement. The situation across the South was that food was scarce, citizens were bitter, and resentment was building exponentially. And if that were not enough, we also learn more of the anti-secession/pro-Union militias operating within the South to bring down the Confederacy and end the bloody war.

We know from the early part of the book that the majority of Southerners did not approve of secession from the Union. But rebel units loyal to the Union are an aspect of the conflict which I had never heard discussed in any classroom I can recall. This was mind blowing. Civil War buffs may know this part of the story very-well, but if you are not one of those people, this part of the story is surreal. The story is so engaging that I could not stop reading and my mind absorbed the information like a sponge. However, this is the elephant in the room throughout the book and that is slavery.

Williams pulls no punches is discussing the attitude towards slavery whether it is in the South or the North. And what he shows is that while the two sides engaged in war, it was seen as a white man’s war and regardless of the outcome, President Abraham Lincoln had no desire to confront slavery once and for all (1809-1865). Lincoln was willing to let slavery continue if he were able to come to a compromise and hold the Union together. And in the South, slaves themselves became higher in value due to conscription and the South’s need for more able-bodied soldiers. Both sides underestimated the resolve of free and enslaved Blacks who were no longer willing to tolerate being held in bondage. And as we see in the book, although both sides initially abhorred the use of Black troops for varied reasons, the entry of Black Union soldiers into the conflict helped turn the tide of the war. Also, those not in uniform but determined to undermine the South as they spied on the Confederacy are discussed so that their names are not lost to history. By the time I finished the book, I realized that the South was doomed, and nothing was going to save it.

If we are to truly learn American history, we need books such as this which tell us the uncomfortable and sobering truths about what really happened. History is rarely pleasant and often filled with facts that we would rather forget. But the reality is that the Civil War and its aftermath shaped the America we see today. And though the country continues to change, many more years are needed to move away from the not too distant past when the United States became divided and the nation went to war with itself.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0042RU4D0

Paradise Falls: A Deadly Secret, a Cover-Up, and the Women Who Forged the Modern Environment Movement – Keith O’Brien

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

LovecanalIn the 1890s, William T. Love set his sights on the Niagara River near Niagara Falls, New York. He envisioned a lively city full of promise but in 1893, a financial panic disrupted his plans, and by 1897, Love had abandoned his dream. However, the land was deemed valuable by others, and in the 1940s, the Chemical Hooker Company (“Hooker”) purchased the area that had become known as “Love Canal”. In 1953, the company sold the land to the Niagara Falls City School District at the low price of one dollar. To the board it seemed like a dream come true, but lurking underneath the surface were secrets that should have been cause for alarm. For the residents of Love Canal, the neighborhood they had grown to love, became the biggest threat to their lives. When I saw this book for purchase, I stopped for a moment to consider what I knew about Love Canal. I was aware that it was known for being contaminated, but there is far more to the story told by author, Keith O’Brien, who takes a deep dive into the tragic history that will leave you speechless.

The book commences by revisiting the experience of Debbie Gallo, who suffers burns while visiting a local playground. Her mother rushes her to the hospital, and the young girl makes a full recovery. However, their experience was mild in comparison to what was to come. After a brief explanation of the canal’s history and Love himself, the story picks up pace as the main characters enter the story. We soon learn about the families of Lois Gibbs and Luella Kenny, two mothers whose voices became irreplaceable in the struggle to hold Hooker responsible for the contaminants lurking in Love Canal. On the government side, the response from New York States comes through the words and actions of former Governor Hugh Carey (1919-2011) and former Health Commissioner David Axelrod (1935-1994). Carey weaves his in and out of the story, leaving Axlerod to manage the bulk of the tasks as health commissioner. But interestingly, even the health department had its own internal divisions over the Love Canal scandal, with the fiercest advocate for change being Beverly Paigen (1938-2020), whose story highlights the politics at play within the agency. The story is certainly a mix of pivotal figures, including then President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, who inherits the Love Canal problem which becomes a hotbed political issue as his campaign for re-election is threaten by the popularity of Republican candidate Ronald Reagan (1911-2004). But none of this should take the attention away from the real victims in the story, the people of Love Canal. What they experienced was nothing short of horrific.

As I read the story, I found myself aghast at the staggering number of toxic chemicals investigators found at Love Canal. And regardless of the name revealed, it is understood that none were safe for human exposure. While the State of New York was going through the motions in responding to the crisis, families were falling apart. The story of Luella Kenny and her son Jon Allen is heartbreaking. The signs were there but it seemed as if no one was paying attention except Luella, who knew something was wrong with her son. Then there is the story of Elene Thorton, a resident of public housing who becomes a vocal critic on behalf of the black residents of Love Canal also struggling to have their stories told. Sadly, even in the time of a major crisis, the issue of race comes into play. And the monsters known as envy and greed also enter the story and threaten to undermine the effort to hold Hooker accountable. Frankly, no one comes out of the experience unscathed. Even Gibbs who becomes the spokeswoman for Love Canal saw her personal  life suffer. Her two lives are revisited as the author peels the layers back on the tragedy, revealing the incredible sacrifices by those determined to find resolution.

Probing by investigators underscores the disturbing reality that Hooker had not been fully transparent. But the find that breaks the camel’s back is the discovery of a dreaded and well-known pollutant called Dioxin. You may have heard the name before as it is a known cancer-causing toxin used in the herbicide labeled “Agent Orange” during the Vietnam War. At this point in the story, the floodgates are opened, and Washington can no longer ignore the Love Canal issue. To be fair, President Carter does take action, and the Super Fund legislation is passed by Congress. And the offer by Governor Carey to buy the property of homeowners in Love Canal was a good will gesture. But the efforts were sometimes too little too late. Those who survived Love Canal did so at the cost of personal hardship and in some cases, with lingering health issues.

Today there are new residents living near Love Canal which officials insist are safe. However, I doubt that we will fully know how deep the pollution was in the area. Yes, investigators cleaned up what was possible and demolished unsafe structures. But contamination is never a quick fix and for several decades, Hooker Chemical had free reign to dump its toxins. The story of Love Canal is the proof we need of how lack of oversight can have deadly consequences. This story is unbelievable and includes everything you would expect about a tragedy in a small American town. There are tears, death, fame, jubilation  and even a hostage situation as the people of Love Canal fight for their lives when a paradise fell. Highly recommended.

ASIN : B096DLTZF5

A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn – the Last Great Battle of the American West – James Donovan

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CusterOn June 25, 1876, the United States Army’s Seventh Calvary Unit engaged a combined force of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribe warriors in a battle which resulted in a stunning defeat for the military and became known as “Custer’s Last Stand” due to the death of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876). Custer has become a part of American pop culture, and his demise has been studied by scholars and historians. But was his demise a last stand? James Donovan revisits the tragedy of the Seventh Calvary in this book the author calls the last great battle of the American West.

The book is not intended to be a biography of Custer, but Donovan’s discussion of Custer’s early life is important in understanding the soldier he developed into. In comparison to the glorified image of Custer that prevailed in the wake of his death, the truth is far more complex, and the real Custer emerges as a multi-dimensional figure that is part of history for reasons he surely would not have wanted. However, before his demise, he did live an interesting life during the 1800s when America was still expanding its borders, even if it meant war with the natives. Following Custer’s childhood in Ohio, the author moves to his military career which includes service in the American Civil War. And on a personal note, we learn of Custer’s love for his wife, Elizabeth Bacon Custer (1842-1933) who is left to grieve after the battle at Little Bighorn. Custer’s service in the Civil War eventually ended with the defeat of the Confederacy, but for former soldiers, life after the war was far from easy. In fact, Donovan explains the sobering reality army officers faced after the South’s surrender. For Custer, life outside of a uniform was not much of a reality. Fate intervened, and he would join a new mission that would shed as much bloodshed as the Civil War: the battle to contain North America’s Indian tribes. And this is where the book takes a dark turn.

Readers who are sensitive to descriptions of violence, combat and the like should use discretion as the depictions of skirmishes between army troops and native tribes are revisited. The battles were brutal, and the tensions ran high across North America as white settlers and government troops pushed further west. Those who ventured past America’s western border, entered parts unknown. Some were never seen alive again. Treaties between the native tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, did not count for much, and the escalation of tension between both sides raises the level of suspense as Donovan tells the story.  Custer found himself in need of a purpose which came through an invitation to join the Seventh Calvary. This decision would seal his fate although he could not have known this at the time.

As the story moves closer to the battle, Custer prepares his force which includes Indian scouts and even a Black volunteer named Isaiah Dorman (1832-1876) which was strange considering Custer’s views towards black troops during the Civil War. While Custer was preparing for what he believed would be a glorious battle, the natives had plans of their own. And leading the pack were the warriors Sitting Bull (1831-1890) and Crazy Horse (d. 1877). Had Custer known what they were planning, history might be different today. But he did not, and we soon reach the part of the story where the Seventh Calvary moves out on its mission. It was Custer’s last mission and I warn readers that it was far from a last stand but annihilation. In fact, I had to steel myself as I read about the battle’s aftermath. But why did Custer fail?

Donovan discusses the failed strategy that led to defeat but it is hard to say what Custer believed at the time. However, his decision to split the calvary proved to be deadly. As they engage the natives, they soon learn that they are up against thousands of warriors and severely outnumbered. The fractured military units led by Senior Officer Marcus Reno (1834-1889), Captain Frederick Benteen (1834-1898) and Captain Thomas McDougall (1845-1909) were all in trouble and the three military commanders made the decision to withdraw in the face of oncoming waves of tribal warriors. After the battle, the officers would each face scrutiny with Reno becoming persona non grata in military circles. The reasons for his downfall are explained in the book, as well as the position of the Army, forced to confront Custer’s defeat.  But on the side of the late soldier were those determined to preserve his legacy as we seen in the story. His widow Libbie is chief among them even as she continued to mourn the loss of her husband. The book continues after Custer’s death and the fallout is interesting. Of course, politics come into play, and the military itself goes on the defensive. And interesting, it managed to secure Custer’s legacy well into the 1900s.

I cannot ignore the dark undertone of the book, fueled by the fact that Custer’s last moments are still peppered with mystery. That he died in combat is not in dispute, but his movements as the battle rage and the native attack that took his life leave more questions than answers. They also cast a darker cloud over the battle of Little Bighorn. To supplement the book, I watched a couple of videos regarding the battle to learn what historians have discovered in recent years. What I learned is that the battle was even more gruesome than the descriptions in this book. I could not imagine being in that battle against the native tribes thirsty for blood and without the “restraints” of conventional warfare. The author here removes all doubt that the native tribes had one goal and that was to kill as many troops as possible. Sadly, that goal was accomplished, and Custer’s life came to a tragic end. This is not the sole book on the battle nor the definitive account, but it is an excellent place to start if you want to know the story of George Armstrong Custer and the battle that changed American history.

“We will never know, without a reasonable doubt, what happened to Custer and his 210 men. That is because no white observer saw any man of that contingent alive again, and the accounts of those who witnessed its movements—the Sioux and Cheyenne who defeated Custer—are, for many reasons, sketchy and often contradictory.” – James Donovan

ASIN :‎ B000SHPTG0

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America – Beth Macy

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dopseickProvisional data from the National Center for Health Statistics at the end of December 2022, showed that overdose deaths in America remained at over one hundred thousand. Although a decrease from the previous year, the statistics are sobering and a reminder that the war against opioid addiction continues as fentanyl claim victims, and a new drug “tranq“, has emerged as the next monster on the streets of America. But how did we get here? And what lies ahead? I previously reviewed San Quinones’ ‘Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opioid Epidemic‘ but was curious to read what author Beth Macy discovered in her own research into America’s drug crisis. What I found is another book equally as compelling and important about where the United States went wrong and how deadly the epidemic is.

I do want to issue a disclaimer which is that this book is not for the faint of heart. But if you are intimately acquainted with the epidemic either as a friend, relative or savior of a drug addicted person, then you already know this. Frankly, this is not the book for those in search of a happy conclusion. This is the raw truth about a crisis that continues to expand and claim more lives. However, all does not have to be lost if we pay close attention to what Macy reveals.

The author takes us through the history of opioids, from the discovery of morphine by Friedrich Wilhelm Serturner (1783-1841) to the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914, and 1924 when heroin was officially outlawed. It is a fascinating compendium of the development of drugs that have morphed into a nightmare. The story changes gears and pace when we reach the years 1995 and the a new drug arises called OxyContin. Hailed at first as a new wonder drug, America soon learned that behind the promises and fake smiles lay a demon that trapped its users in a vicious cycle of dependency. It is not long before doctors began to sound the alarm that all is not well, and addiction in patients begins to increase exponentially. But before any action is taken, lives are unfortunately lost. Macy captures the stories of a select few individuals including convicted drug trafficker Ronnie Jones, who is currently serving a 30 year sentence in federal prison. Each story is riveting yet also heartbreaking, and by the book’s conclusion, I could only sit in silence as weight of the lives lost to opioid addiction settled in.

As I read the book, I could not believe the stories I read. Having witnessed drug use in my own family, I am firmly aware of the lengths to which addicts will go to get their next high. However, what I read here was even crazier at times. And while addicts were dropping dead, pharmaceutical companies continued to reap enormous profits from the marketing and distribution of pain killers that spared no one. However, the author does point out a shocking aspect of the epidemic in regard to addiction rates across demographics. Even the epidemic is touched by race but not in way readers may think. In fact, the irony is haunting, and continues to ripple across suburban America. Further, it also shows that drug use is not just an “inner city” problem. No one is immune.

My youth was spent in East New York, Brooklyn during the 1980s which saw the rise of crack cocaine. I shall never forget those days and the devastation across the City of New York. As I watch the opioid epidemic, it feels like Deja vu. The difference is that the users are not contained in the ghetto or low-income areas, and every sector of America is now confronted with an issue that cannot be ignored. Empty promises by politicians have not helped, and the failures of multiple administrations are highlighted in the book. Macy makes it clear that this is an issue the entire country will need to confront head because it will not go away on its own. But the frightening realization is that by the time the Government takes tougher action, more Americans may be laid to rest as dealers increase the stream of fentanyl and deadlier drugs into the supply.

This is an uncomfortable yet critical book about the horrific impact of opioids and the havoc they have wreaked. However, it also shows that lives can be saved if governments are willing to invest the time, money, and effort into fighting it head on. Until that time comes, it is imperative that books such as this are read by an increasing number of readers who will be fully aware of the signs that come with addiction and the importance of intervention.

ASIN : B078D67JCF

The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur – Scott S. Greenberger

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aerthurOn September 19, 1881, Vice-President Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) received news that forever changed his life and the history of the United States. President James A. Garfield ( 1831-1881) succumbed to the gunshot wounds he received on July 2, 1881 at the hands of Charles J. Guiteau (1841-1882). Arthur automatically became the next President of the United States and assumed a role he never intended on pursuing. Interestingly, he served just that one term, decided against running for re-election. And before his death, he had his personal papers from political career prior to the White House destroyed. However, before leaving office, he did enact a major change in government that sent shockwaves across the country and cemented his legacy. Author Scott S. Greenberger revisits the story of Arthur’s life in this well-written and well-researched biography of an interesting, obscure, and underrated president.

I was unaware of his personal life, in particular his youth as the son of a fiercely devout Baptist preacher who instilled the abolitionist cause in his children from an early age. Despite his family’s strong belief in the elimination of slavery, Arthur’s future wife Nell brings an odd paradox to the story. As a member of a Southern family, her views were sometimes at odds with her husband, yet her family thought highly of Arthur and their marriage.  And when the Civil War breaks out, the family joined by marriage finds itself on opposite sides of a conflict that divided America.  Arthur enlisted in the Union army and served with distinction while his in-laws in the South supported the Confederacy. The story is surreal but shows the strength of genuine love as the couple remains close to each other. However, their love was tested when tragedy struck their small family.  This moment and Nell’s own fate, reveal the personal side of Arthur who rises through the ranks in the Republican Party while wrestling with his own personal grief.

Before the author changes gears and shifts the focus to politics, he is sure to include a significant legal case in New York City history that deserves mention. On June 16 1854, Elizabeth Jennings (1827-1901) waited for a street car at Pearl and Chatham Streets in Manhattan. When the street car arrived, she was told the next one would allow African-Americans.  She refused to accept this and was forcibly removed from the car. Jennings found an attorney who agreed to take her case and later filed suit in the matter of Jennings v. Third Avenue Railroad.  That lawyer was Chester Arthur. The Jennings decision’s impact on New York City street cars cannot be understated. The full story is explained by the author and as a native New Yorker, I learned history that I was not previously aware of. Riding on the wave of success, Arthur kept moving forward and forms bonds with a key figure in politics who helped his rise and nearly thwarted his role as vice president.

When I read the name Roscoe Conkling, I could not place a face to it. Further, I had no knowledge of his importance in New York State politics. I soon learned of this larger-than-life figure who carried enormous political weight. To say he was an interesting character would be an understatement, and readers will understand why as they read the book. Conkling emerges as the book’s antagonist, but Arthur was dependent on his wisdom and guidance. However, loyalty came at a price, and Arthur was seen as a machine politician. The complex story is pieced together flawlessly by the author, and what I read sounds eerily similar to what we see today in Washington. And though both were Republican, the battles they wage in the political arena are surprisingly against other Republicans as the “Stalwarts” and “Half Breeds'” engage in subterfuge. And this where the book takes unexpected and suspenseful turns beginning with the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885). The story is full of calculated positions, unsettling accusations and truths, and the realization that politics is about power. I did take notice of Grant’s unpopularity in some Republican circles. His successor, Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) is more palatable and appears in the story as a welcomed reprieve from Grant. But the suspense increases when an unlikely candidate named James A. Garfield is chosen as the Republican party’s nominee for president, chooses Arthur as his vice-president and defeats Winfield Scott Hancock (1824-1886). Arthur’s acceptance of the vice-presidency was not a popular choice and it changed his relationships with several figures most notably Conkling. However, the country was first before party and Arthur assumed his role.

At this point in the book, I knew Garfield’s demise would arrive, and it eventually does. The uncertainty and shock by Arthur, Conkling and others adds a disheartening backdrop to an already tragic account. The president’s wounds were fatal but death did not occur instantly. In fact, more than two months passed between the shooting and his death. And I could feel the agony of those around Garfield as the final act plays out.  Arthur finds himself in a position he did not contemplate but has an admirer and supporter whose correspondence is included by the author. I had never learned the story of Julia Sand (1850-1933) but her words to Arthur are interesting, and he pays her back in kind later in the book which is one of the brightest parts of the story. The new president was adamant he would only serve out that term and keeps his word. But before he leaves office, he sets into motion legislation that had a profound impact on Washington, civil service reform. This action did not go over well with the Stalwarts and Conkling continues his grumbling about everything. But as we see in the book, Conkling’s life had its own secrets which eventually come out including a romance that nearly turned deadly.

As Arthur’s term nears its end, the Democrats push their own candidate, Grover Cleveland (1837-1907) who wins the next election and places the White House back into the hands of the Democratic Party.  The former president fades out of the public light and enjoys time with his family. However, he could not escape his health issues which come to light towards the end of the book. His carefully constructed image began to crack, but today his health issues would not be fatal. However, in 1886 medical technology we take for granted now did not exist and Arthur was forced to confront the fact that his time was limited. However, there is no crying or griping, just an aging former president enjoying the remaining life he had left. And when he goes, it is the final chapter in an incredible life that is part of the American experience. Highly recommended.

ASIN: B06XR93QXH

Savages & Scoundrels: The Untold Story of America’s Road to Empire through Indian Territory – Paul Van Develder

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VanDevelderI am constantly amazed by the amount of history regarding the creation of the United States that I have yet to learn. The story of North America’s indigenous population is a heartbreaking account that receives scant attention today. America’s expansion from thirteen British Colonies to world superpower is unparallel in world history but the dark reality behind that metamorphosis is that Native American tribes once widespread across the continent were systematically uprooted, and, in some cases pushed into extinction. On the natives’ side, battles for territory and supremacy raged and the blood spilled as tribes waged war with each other cannot be overlooked. The events that took place in North America upon the birth of a nation are a far cry from the happy portrait that that is portrayed at “Thanksgiving”. Author Paul Van Develder explores the past during the era when “Manifest Destiny” drove westward expansion and turned open territory into deadly battlefields.

I warn readers that any notions of a “great American expansion” will not be found here. The author pulls no punches about what really happened and relays that:

“As historian Morgan Gibson has pointed out, nineteenth-century America was a sociopolitical environment controlled by fiercely ethnocentric leaders and followers who, despite all rhetoric to the contrary, regarded all other races and peoples as subhuman.” 

The above statement is an uncomfortable truth but also necessary in understanding the beliefs and ideas behind the actions that changed history for America and North America’s indigenous population. That is not to say that all the figures in the book are dark. In fact, there were those who foresaw the fate in store for the natives and sought to prevent it, and others who foresaw the Civil War (1861-1865). And though their efforts were not in vain, they were colliding against government policy, driven by crucial legislation such as the Indian Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790,  Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Dawes Act of 1887. During the years between the passage of these pieces of legislation, Native American tribes continued to fade into oblivion.

Admittedly, the book is not a “comfortable” read, especially as an American. While the general story of the Native American tribes is known, the particular stories of individual tribes are often omitted. As the author shows, they were seen as “savages and scoundrels”, but were also the object of fascination and pop culture references. However, the tribes of North America were distinct and real people, with customs and traditions threatened by expansion of faces they had not seen before. As the story progressed, familiar names popped up as one would expect. The actions by presidents Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) in particular, are discussed in detail.  Jackson, a former slave owner, made no effort to hide his views on the natives standing in America’s way.  However, there is another side to the story, and that is the role of the French, under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821).  I found this section to be interesting for it explains the territory we know today as Louisiana. Further, while reading, I thought of scenes from the 2015 film “The Revenant” in which French explorers and traders enter the story and commit unsavory acts. The film centers around explorer/fur trader Hugh Glass (1783-1833), and despite some fiction added, it is a fairly accurate portrayal of events transpiring in North America  during that time. On a side note, Glass is mentioned here by the author, as well as other traders from the film. And Louisiana was crucial to America’ s security and expansion, for reasons thoroughly explained in the book.

I found that one way to make it through the story was to keep in mind that the America I know today did not exist then.  In 1830, there were twenty-four states in the Union and territory near the Pacific was unknown. And venturing into those areas by brave or ignorant souls, was a matter of life and death with an unknown number of settlers losing their lives at the hands of native tribes and others freely roaming North America.  However, I could not excuse the government condoned actions to forcibly remove Native Americans from the only territories they knew. And as one would expect, the infamous Trail of Tears is one of the darkest parts of the book. The full story of the Indian removal and re-settlement are discussed in other books and remains a dark moment in U.S. history. Further, it was an event from which America’s Native Americans never recovered.

The author moves through time chronologically and we pass from one administration to the next. Sadly, the fate of Native Americans remains the same. Manifest Destiny increases in speed and effectiveness, virtually guaranteeing that the natives would never return to the lands they called home. Readers will be repulsed by the statements made by those in power towards the Indians, whom many regarded as infinitely inferior and only salvageable by accepting the ways of white settlers. Today, such comments would be unthinkable. But the author keenly observes that:

“What the United States wanted to do was march across the continent. Beneath the red, white, and blue banner of Manifest Destiny, treaties with Indians became the republic’s legal stepping-stones for building the road to empire in its determined quest to reach the Pacific Ocean”. 

From beginning to end, this book kept me intrigued. Considering that some events in the book occurred nearly two-hundred years ago, the ability of the author to bring the past to life in the manner found here speaks volumes. It is an incredible account of history not always found in carefully crafted textbooks. The truths here are unsettling but also the sobering reality of what took place as this nation continued to evolve. We cannot go back and change the past, but we can learn from it. The descendants of Native American tribes know this history well as should the rest of us. Highly recommended.

ASIN‏ :‎ B0029ZBGWK