Tag: United States

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

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

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

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

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

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

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

Taking Hawaii: How Thirteen Honolulu Businessmen Overthrew the Queen of Hawaii in 1893, With a Bluff – Stephen Dando-Collins

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

I am consistently amazed to learn history that is not taught in classrooms. I do not always question why but acknowledge that topics my teachers discussed were sometimes lacking in detail through no fault of their own. In fact, much of what we learn in life takes place outside of the classroom. That applies here to this book that examines the annexation of Hawaii in 1893.  The State became a hotbed topic during the 2008 Presidential Election due to it being the birthplace of Democratic nominee Barack H. Obama. Conspiracy theories ran amuck, and the consensus was that Hawaii was not legally United States Territory and thus the candidate should not have been elected to office.  The reality is that Hawaii was officially declared a state in 1959, two years before Obama was born. However, the story of Hawaii is one of intrigue, heartbreak and unofficial foreign policy that serves as an eerie premonition of future actions abroad by the Central Intelligence Agency (“CIA”).

When I saw the cover of the book, my interest peaked but I quickly realized that I did not have solid understanding of how Hawaii came into possession by the United States.  I knew the only thing to do was start reading. And I soon learned that the author had a significant story awaiting readers.  The book begins with a fascinating history of Hawaii itself, focusing on the Polynesian roots of its inhabitants and the society they created which would be upended by the arrival of unfamiliar faces. The arrival of European explorers marked the first stage in the downfall of the monarchy that ruled Hawaiian society.  But what Americans might not know be aware of is the role of the British in Hawaii’s history. This part of the story is interesting and raises the question of what if America had followed Britain’s example. As the story moves forward, the monarchy which had regained control over the Hawaii, changes leadership multiple times and the arrival of foreign businessmen brings trouble to the doorstep of the last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani (1838-1917).  Surprisingly, it is easy to overlook that Hawaii was not a target of the United States Government. In fact, the White House had no official policy of annexation. But there were individuals in the government who had their eyes set on the islands.  The author explains that,

“As far back as 1853, US Secretary of State William Learned Marcy had said of the Hawaiian Islands, ‘It seems to be inevitable that they must come under the control of this government.”

The events that transpire in the book, which are re-created with exceptional detail, highlight the covert operation in place that is carried out with unbelievable gall. However, the road to overthrowing the Queen was not without its issues which the author also points out. Eventually the Queen’s overthrow comes into focus and how it plays out is surreal.  The title says, “with a bluff”. It most certainly was, and the fact that it succeeded left me speechless. However, the blame for the coup should also be placed on those within the monarchy who failed the Queen and others who failed to take action that would have derailed the conspirators’ plans. Back in Washington, President Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) soon realizes what has happened in Hawaii and its implications for U.S. foreign policy. The dramatic fallout is captured including Cleveland’s own struggles with a financial panic and divided Congress. Despite strong annexation sentiment, there were officials in Washington deeply concerned about what happened. The seriousness of the plotters’ actions should not be overlooked. In fact, Congress did get involved and we learn that:

‘James Blount had found that Queen Liliuokalani had been overthrown as the result of a conspiracy between US ambassador John L. Stevens and the members of the Committee of Safety, and that Captain Wiltse had landed US forces in Hawaii with the intention of influencing the outcome of the coup staged by the annexationists against the legitimate and lawful Hawaiian Government.’ 

But the plotters were not about to let Hawaii go and used any opportunity to their advantage to keep possession of Hawaii, including stalling tactics. To their surprise, the native people did not give in easily and did take a stand, however, in the end, Hawaii’s fate had been sealed. A bloodless coup had been executed and the people of Hawaii would never go back to their ancestral ways. And if there was any hope of as last-minute reprieve by Washington, this act put the final nail in that coffin:

“The joint resolution for the annexation of Hawaii passed the Senate on June 15, and the House on July 6. On July 7, 1898, President McKinley signed into law the Newlands Joint Resolution for the annexation of Hawaii.”

And with that, the history of Hawaii was changed for good. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was admitted to the Union as the 50th State, marking the end of the road that the annexation faction had envisioned in 1893. But they could never erase the dark history that came with annexation which the author here has exhaustively researched and presented for our understanding and education. This is the history you may not learn in school, but it is a part of American history every citizen should know. The amount of detail is extensive, but the book is an excellent account of a pivotal moment in world history. Hawaii may be the site today of military bases and vacation resorts, but the islands also contain an ancient history that is sacred and important.

ASIN:‎ B00J5X5JS6

The Fall of the House of Dixie: The Civil War and the Social Revolution That Transformed the South – Bruce Levine

On By Genyc79In Civil WarLeave a comment

dixieOn May 10, 1865, Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) was captured near Irwinville, Georgia by Union forces. Davis’s apprehension and the surrender of General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) signaled the Confederacy was defeated. The American Civil War had come to a bloody conclusion and marked a turning point in United States history. In the North, the Union victory was a welcome relief but for the South, the defeat was also a social revolution. The way of life Southerners had come to depend on for their livelihoods was no more. That is not to say radical change happened overnight, but the House of Dixie had fallen as author Bruce Levine shows in this phenomenal account of how the Civil War broke the back of the slavery dependent American South.

When I think back to the lessons I received in school regarding the Civil War, I am shocked at what was not taught. The key to understanding the war is undoubtedly the political climate and threat Abraham Lincoln (1808-1865) posed to Southern slaveowners as the new President of the United States. In Lincoln, the Republican party had successful installed its first candidate in the White House and during the time he was in office, the party would evolve into a hotbed of abolitionist figures. But first, Lincoln was forced to confront resentment in the South, and the author captures the buildup as the nation grapples with the issue of human chattel.  I am sure we have heard the phrase “Lincoln freed the slaves”. The truth is more complicated and Lincoln himself had his own prejudiced views and sought any way to keep the Union intact. And to provide readers with an idea of his character, Levin explains that,

“None of these promises and cautions signified any decrease in Lincoln’s abhorrence of slavery. He was no abolitionist, he believed in the inherent inequality of blacks and whites, and he doubted that free blacks and free whites could live together in peace and harmony.”

This should not detract from the fact that Lincoln despised slavery and was happy to see its demise. But the question remains, if Lincoln could have prevented war, then why did it happen? The answer lies in what the author refers to as the House of Dixie. Slavery was the economic backbone of the South, and the wealthy were willing to go to any lengths to protect it. This is evident by the secession of several states following Lincoln’s election victory. Slavery had already been abolished in several states in the Union, but the South remained an issue. And as can be seen in the book, the South was not going to comply voluntarily. Eventually the moment we know is coming arrives when Confederate troops open fire at Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina on April 12, 1861. Initially, Confederate forces were confident of victory, but Jefferson Davis makes a surprising comment to his wife that caught me off guard as I read the section in which America passed the point of no return. And it could be said that his prophetic words are an understatement.

After war breaks out, the book changes gear as the battles between Union and Confederate forces heat up. Levine thoroughly analyzes the Confederate war effort focusing on the growing domestic and logistical issues plaguing the region. But the most surprising aspect of the story is the reluctance of both sides to enlist black troops. In the South, recruiting black troops to fight for a system that kept them in subjugation was not ideal, and few blacks wanted to entertain the thought. But even in the North, the movement to use blacks to fight in the Union Army was slow to catch on. The social complexities at play in America during the time are vividly clear and the common belief of black inferiority is on full display. However, those with wisdom on the Union side continued to push for black troops and when they did enter the war, a whole new source of concern for the Confederacy presented itself. The impact of black troops should not be lost, and the comments provided by white soldiers in the book highlight the incredibly hard ground which had to be broken for blacks to serve in the military campaign. But once they did, attitudes towards them were forced to change. Sadly, the belief of black inferiority in the military continued to persist and it was not until 1948 when President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) officially desegregated the Armed Forces.

It is not long after war breaks out that the Confederacy’s issues at home creep up. And this is key to understanding why it collapsed. It is a common story of wealth versus poverty and gives credence to the words of the legendary Marine Smedley Butler (1881-1940) who once remarked “war is a racket”. Putting human labor aside, there were economic forces at play that made Southern secession unacceptable. And despite the image of the anti-slavery North, Southern sympathy could be found in many quarters of the Union as we see in the story. Further, attitudes towards black equality are telling. Slavery was viewed negatively in the North, but that did not mean blacks were to be equal to whites. And here is one of the more bizarre paradoxes of the conflict. However, the Union was a concerted effort, and the mission was to break the back of the South at all costs. The South did its part to help the North as desertion, famine and lack of supplies became crucial weaknesses that no government could overcome. And behind the scenes, slaves following the Union’s successes began to sense a new day in America. The cracks in the base of the South grow larger as slaves become bolder and more determined to be free. And though Jim Crow did rise in later years, the author is correct in that blacks may have taken steps back to slavery like conditions economically after the war, but they would never again be in slavery. Also, Jefferson Davis once again shocks the senses with a suggestion he makes regarding the future of slaves in the South.

I should point out that the Union had its own issues and suffered its share of defeats as explained in the book. And I was stunned at the actions of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) in the wake of Confederate defeats. His actions are so surreal that Union General and future President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) personally intervened. The South was defeated but America still had a long way to go. Republicans were aware of this and acted in the wake of the nightmarish war to pass what became known was the Reconstruction Acts. Their goals were ambitious, yet one hundred more years passed before President Lyndon Johnson (1908-1973) signed the Civil Rights Act into law. But following the Civil War, the Grand Old Party (“GOP”) was determined to make sure that Lincoln did not die in vain. The assassination is discussed but only briefly, and Levine keeps the focus on the South. Though the fallen president did not live to see Jefferson Davis’s capture, he did live long enough to rest assured that the Union had secured a victory. And everyone knew that America had changed permanently. I cannot recommend this book highly enough; it is a true gem.

“The world has not seen a nobler and grander war,” Frederick Douglass reflected at the time, than the one fought “to put an end to the hell-black cause out of which the Rebellion has risen.”

ASIN:  B00957T4ZQ

Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-1941 – William L. Shirer

On By Genyc79In World War II3 Comments

Shirer

In December 1941, CBS News Foreign Correspondent William L. Shirer (1904-1993) sailed from Europe for the final time as World War II claimed lives and destroyed cities. At the time of his departure, World War II was heading into its second year but several months ahead of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into the conflict. The journalist said goodbye to a continent to which he had devoted fifteen years of his life. Upon his return, he assembled his diary, carefully hidden from the Gestapo and Nazi Germany officials and turned them into this account of what he witnessed as Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) embarked on a path of world domination and plunged the world into its deadliest conflict.  And the result is an eye-opening account of life behind the carefully crafted world image that Nazis put forth to keep the prying eyes of powerful nations averted as the Wehrmacht plundered its way across western Europe.

Shirer may be recognized by readers for his other phenomenal work on the Nazi regime, ‘The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany‘, a masterpiece of writing that remains on my shelf and list of favorite books to this day. I strongly recommend it to readers in search of a thorough history of Nazi Germany.  Here, the story is focused on life in Germany as the Nazis took hold of the country. At the start of the book, Hitler has already been made Chancellor, so there is little in the journal about the transfer of power from President Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934) or the Reichstag Fire. The focus is on daily life in Berlin and the sobering Nazi conditions placed on the Reich’s citizens. As an American journalist, Shirer was allowed close access to the notorious figures of the Reich from President and Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe Hermann Göring (1893-1946), Reich Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945) and the notorious Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himmler (1900-1945). Shirer did cross paths with Hitler and witnessed his speeches, but there was no formal interview that Shirer would have referred to had it existed. Regardless of his location and situation within the Reich, he witnesses the truth behind the Reich that contrasted with what Hitler was saying to the German people.

Germany’s rearmament was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, but Hitler had no intentions on adhering to the sanctions and rules placed upon the Fatherland. Western powers were slow to react to the Germany build-up but on the ground, Shirer was able to see how popular Hitler was becoming and the preparations for conflict like no other. He makes notes about German life from the peculiar behavior on the streets and Germans he knows personally. There are bits of humor in the observations yet the dark cloud on the horizon continues to approach. And in the weeks before the Germany invasion of Poland on September 1,1939, the suspense continued to build as Shirer shows in the daily entries. But there are two incidents in the notes that require a comment. The appeasement at Munich, widely seen as the last chance to stop Hitler’s plan is discussed and Shirer’s disbelief at the British actions towards Hitler’s aggression was shared by the author of this post. Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) once wrote about this in his classic ‘Why England Slept‘, a valuable book about the failure to confront the Austrian menace in Berlin. The other entry in the journal relates to the German advancement on the Rhineland in 1936. What he notes in his journal about the missed opportunity to stop Hitler is one of the war’s most puzzling events. The comments by German officers following the de-escalation on the Rhine highlight the ability of the Germans to bluff their way through as Hitler consolidated power and seized territory.

The journal entries pick up in intensity as the threat of war increases. And like a runaway train, we know that it is coming but nothing can stop it, and the shock felt by Shirer as a correspondent on the ground is captured by his words written after the Germany invasion of Poland. From this point on, the diary takes an entirely different course as the Nazi machine kicks into high gear and then plateaus. England is the “antagonist” in the story according to Hitler, and a sizeable portion of the entries are related to the off and on-again discussions with London about “peace”, though Hitler had no desire to let England survive. The showdown between England and Germany intensifies and soon the Royal Air Force began to hit targets within the Fatherland. Experienced German pilots were aware that England would not be easily defeated, and that Germany had its weaknesses which made winning a world war impossible. As a journalist, Shirer was intent on publishing all news about the German war front both good and bad. However, censorship was in full effect and throughout the story, there are countless battles between the author and German officials who inspected incoming and outgoing communications. The propaganda war waged by the Reich was nothing short of absurd. But it worked within Germany’s borders. Shirer takes note of this and gives insight into German mindset that explains why the people gave Hitler the power he desired. And these observations could have only come from a correspondent in the field watching the events as they happened.

There are occasions in the book where Shirer leaves Germany and travels to other European nations but most of the entries are from Berlin where the promise of a quick war rings hollow as England puts up more of a fight than expected. And the realization that Germany is not invincible begins to dawn on the German people who create crude jokes to describe Third Reich leadership. In the distance is the looming threat of American involvement, about which Shirer makes a premonitory statement that later came to fruition. Hitler also knew it would happen and pre-emptively signed agreements with Japan and Italy, realizing that America would never surrender to German domination. Nonetheless, Shirer accurately sizes up Germany’s sealed fate and the insanity of Adolf Hitler. The final entry in the book provides a fitting conclusion to an unbelievable story. As Shirer watches Europe fade in the distance aboard the vessel that will begin his journey back to America he remarks:

“For a time I stood against the rail watching the lights recede on a Europe in which I had spent all fifteen of my adult years, which had given me all of my experience and what little knowledge I had. It had been a long time, but they had been happy years, personally, and for all people in Europe they had had meaning and borne hope until the war came and the Nazi blight and the hatred and the fraud and the political gangsterism and the murder and the massacre and the incredible intolerance and all the suffering and the starving and cold and the thud of a bomb blowing the people in a house to pieces, the thud of all the bombs blasting man’s hope and decency.”

A year after Shirer returned to the United States, Japan attacked the Pearl Harbor Naval base bringing America into the deadliest war in history. For the next five years the world remained at war in a conflict between democracy and tyranny. In the end, a dictator lay dead and nations in ruins. The threat of dictatorship will never subside and to protect society from the dangers of tyranny, we must remember how it was done. This is the inside story of the Third Reich and Adolf Hitler’s hold over Germany.

ISBN-10:‎ 0883659220
ISBN-13:‎ 978-0883659229

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 – Garrett M. Graff

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

graffThis past Sunday marked the twenty-first anniversary of the September 11th attacks which claimed the lives of 2,996 people. The mood in New York City was somber, with rain and dark clouds all day. However, that did not stop anyone from remembering the tragedies on September 11, 2001, a day that changed America. Friends are always surprised to learn that I have never visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. As a New Yorker who was in Manhattan on the day of the attacks, and watched the events unfold from an office window, I will always have my memories of that sad day. But my reluctance to visit the museum has never prevented me from reading and hearing stories from people who were at the World Trade Center and survived. Undoubtedly, there are survivors who have never told their stories, choosing not to re-live the events of that day. Thousands of others did go on the record and their words have been preserved so that the history of 9/11 can continue to be told to future generations. Author Garrett M. Graff has compiled hundreds of statements from survivors, Bush Administration officials, NYC officials, military personnel and first responders, and has turned them into this oral history of the attacks.

Because the book is an oral history, there is no standard narration. The author does provide relevant information when needed but otherwise, the speakers tell us what happened as the day progressed. They range from former President George W. Bush to office workers at the World Trade Center complex. To be clear, Bush does not give an interview but what is included are snippets from the speeches he gave to the country on the evening of the attacks. Readers may feel that the approach is disjointed at first because the statements provided by the speakers are short but also long enough to give you relevant information. And the format works beautifully because it allows them to add small pieces to the bigger picture. And what emerges are unbelievable stories of luck, courage, heartbreak, and fate. You will experience a range of emotions and in the epilogue, the author discloses that even he became emotional while authoring the book. But he pressed forward, and the result is a masterpiece that belongs in the vast archive of materials about the 9/11 attacks.

Readers will notice that there are four stories in the book, one for each phase of the attacks that morning. They began in New York when the North Tower was struck at 8:46 a.m. At first, it was thought that a horrible accident had taken place but when a plane struck the South Tower, it was clear that America was under attack. Surprisingly, the response to the threats did not move at the speed at which one would hope. In fact, the confusion and chaos within America’s air defense network is clear in the book. Fighter pilots were forced to take flight in time spans they would never see under normal conditions. And what the pilots reveal about how prepared they were, and the reality of confronting Flight 93 will give you chills.

There are no smoking guns in the stories and the alleged hijackers are rarely mentioned but there is a wealth of information in the book about what took place behind the scenes within the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the hijacked airliners and Air Force One which found itself the only plane in the sky as officials shut down America’s air space. As I read the book, I noted that the sobering reality of that day is that no one imagined that type of scenario. Former New York Fire Department Commissioner Thomas Van Essen, who watched the deaths of hundreds of firefighters, first responders and civilians has stated that “nothing could have ever really prepared us for what happened—or how fast the events would unfold“.  All hell broke loose in Manhattan and the horrors of the battle to survive at the World Trade Center as told by the survivors is haunting. I felt chills reading of the last moments from trapped workers on floor about the crash location and the breakdown in communication that could have saved lives. At the helm was Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and his statements also show how chaotic the day had become. 9/11 was a day that no one thought could ever happen but there were warnings that something was brewing and that an Islamic fundamentalist had America in his crosshairs.

Prior to the attacks of 9/11, the name Osama Bin Laden (1957-2011) was unknown to the public. But there were officials in Washington who knew of him and his plan to destroy America. The author does not explore whether Bin Laden was guilty and how planning was executed or any connections between the alleged suspects. He leaves that to the speakers who do state that they believed Bin Laden was behind the attacks. Aboard Air Force One, President Bush was briefed throughout the day and the former administration officials who appear in the book clarify any theories about his alleged “strange behavior” that day. The main concern was always Bush’s safety due to the belief that the president himself was a target. Action was swift and the Secret Service was taking any chances. The cabinet’s departure from Florida and decision to land at Barksdale Air Force Base are revisited in vivid detail and the suspense unfolds like Hollywood but this is what happened, and there was no script that day. People had jobs to be done and they went into action to the best of their abilities. The number of heroes in the book is staggering and chance encounters proved to be a matter of life or death.

The day after 9/11 I remember the feeling in New York City that what had transpired the day before could not have been real. It felt as if we were trapped in a horrible nightmare that would not end. We wanted to go back to Monday September 10 and keep that day going instead. But as weeks turned into months and crews continued with the cleanup of debris and identification of remains, the dark and unsettling truth that America was not immune to attack became clear. The country had changed, and the threat of terror became the number one priority. Children coming of age today will only know the attacks through multimedia but for older generations, 9/11 remains vividly clear. And we have authors such as Garrett M. Graff to thank for the books that preserve the history of the attacks that impacted the United States and the world. This oral history of that day is a treasure and a literary work that is a gift that keeps on giving.

ASIN:‎ B07P5H18W6

A Great Sacrifice: Northern Black Soldiers, Their Families, and the Experience of Civil War – James G. Mendez

On By Genyc79In American History, Civil WarLeave a comment

MendezThe more I learn about history, the more I realize how much of it is not taught in schools. I recall learning about the Civil War but in limited discussions. And I fondly remember the 1989 film Glory featuring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington. The story of black soldiers in the Civil War needed to be shown but of course, there is far more to the story. Here, author James G. Mendez discusses the experiences of the Civil War’s black soldiers and their families during a time when America was being pulled apart at the seams. And what he shows is that there is far more to the story of the Civil War than one might expect.

When I saw this book in my list of recommendations, it immediately caught my attention. I knew beforehand that it would not be an easy read and my suspicion was correct. And though the story is not all tragedy and heartbreak, it is rife with examples of the grueling hardships black troops faced in the Union Army during the war as they fought for their freedom and the lives of millions of Black Americans.  But before the author arrives at the point of the induction of black troops, he first provides a discussion of the social climate in America which constantly denied African Americans basic rights. Frankly, life was brutally hard for blacks and as the author shows, basic rights were a dream for them. Readers might be shocked to see that states considered to be “liberal” or “blue” today have their own dark history including New York, my home state. Mendez pulls no punches and shows that even in the North, blacks still faced enormous hurdles, and support for the war effort varied and was not unified behind the idea of eradicating slavery. In fact, the author’s work shows that attitudes towards slavery were varied and unpredictable. However, the abolitionists were determined to see its demise.

I once told a friend that black history is American history. I say this because you cannot separate the two. And as can be seen in the book, the efforts of Black Americans have been crucial in the history of this nation. In regard to combat, Mendez explains:

“Blacks fought, both as slaves and free men, in every American war, including the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican-American War. They fought bravely and received accolades from prominent American leaders such as Andrew Jackson, who acknowledged after the Battle of New Orleans (December 1814 to January 1815) that black soldiers played a major role in his victory.” 

Despite the contributions of blacks, resistance to black troops during the Civil War was strong and commonplace. Readers will be disheartened and surprised to learn of the attitude towards using black troops held by those in power in across states in the Union and in the army itself. Delaware in particular will stand out to readers in the book. As the war progressed, it became apparent that the Union Army needed manpower and eventually, the idea of using black troops became a reality due to the actions of Governor John A. Andrew (1818-1867) of Massachusetts. His vision and the developments that ensued will provide readers with a firm foundation as the story of the Northern Black troops kicks into high gear.

As one would expect, the arrival of black troops did not always go smoothly and the harsh reality the new soldiers faced is discussed. And their opponents were not solely those wearing a uniform. In fact, I learned for the first time about the deadly race riots in Detroit and New York City that were horrifying. The shocking events and impact on the troops’ morale is a crucial point in the book for it shows the difficult place black troops found themselves in. How did they have the courage and will to fight for a country that denied them basic rights? In the face of severe hostility and violence, blacks continued to enlist in the Union Army. And to put the importance of their service into perspective, Mendez provides key statistics:

“Nearly 200,000 black soldiers served in the Civil War—178,975 in the army and the remainder in the navy. Out of the total number in the army, 32,723 were from the North.” 

On the battlefield, black troops fought and died alongside white soldiers but even in death they and their families continued to suffer indignations. Not only was the pay between whites and blacks unequal but for black families, obtaining benefits for a loved one’s death could be impossible. The sad and complicated story of the unequal pay matter is one of the darkest parts of the book, yet it makes the story of the troops even more remarkable. The military and Congress did eventually address the matter, but the timing will leave readers mystified.

In the film Glory, the battle scenes are graphic, and it is known that the savagery in which battles were fought was not for the faint at heart. However, I learned here that soldiers often died due to conditions that would not be fatal today and the leading causes of their deaths may surprise you. Of course, what the author reveals does make sense in hindsight but is still shocking. Further, those who survived returned with their scars and trauma. Survivors of the war include Charles R. Douglass (1844-1920), the son of abolitionist and social reformer Frederick Douglass (1818-1895). His story is a prime example of the extensive damage the war inflicted upon its participants.

Eventually, the war reaches its bloody climax, and the Confederacy is forced to concede defeat. But the Union mission was far from over. Black troops were needed more than ever and how they were used after the South’s defeat is, yet another example of the difficulties faced by them before, during, and after the war. But what stands out here is that the reality of black troops being gatekeepers of the South was a recipe for a disaster and doomed from the start. The intricacies of the Union’s post-war actions and failures by Washington are additional tragedies that afflicted black troops and the country, inadvertently paving the way for the rise of Jim Crow. This book is not about the Reconstruction Acts, but Mendez does mention the actions of President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) who clashed with Radical Republicans as the latter sought to rebuild the South completely.

I wish this book had been available and required reading when I was a student years ago. There is a wealth of information contained here often neglected or possibly unknown. America has come a long way since the Civil War, but the conflict continues to haunt the nation as the issues of race and equality remain at the forefront. In comparison to the 1800s, life for Americans is vastly different. But let us not forget that between 1861 and 1865, America was at war with itself, and joining the effort were its black residents fighting for their lives and the freedom of future generations.

ASIN:‎ B07BHQ6XKM

Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire – Bret Baier

On By Genyc79In American History, Soviet UnionLeave a comment

BaierReaders old enough to remember the Soviet Union will recall the shock and disbelief that came with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) flag being lowered for the last time on December 25, 1991. The “Cold War” had come to an end, but a long road lay ahead between the United States and Russia in coming to terms with each other’s way of life. On May 29, 1988, United States President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) and First Lady Nancy Reagan (1921-2016) arrived in Moscow for a three-day summit with  Soviet General  Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife Raisa (1932-1999). It has been held as a triumph in American foreign policy and as an example of strong leadership. In less than three years, the Soviet Union dissolved, and Reagan was vindicated in his predictions of its demise. During the summit, Reagan spoke to the people of the Soviet Union at Moscow University and to this day it stands as a breathtaking moment in world history. But as always, there is more than meets the eye. Fox News host Bret Baier revisits the summit in this book about three days that impacted world history.

Before I continue, I do have to acknowledge that the book may be viewed with skepticism depending on the reader’s political beliefs. Further, it is no secret that Reagan has long been the icon for conservatives. Ironically, he was once a liberal Democrat and as Baier explains, Regan’s parents had no tolerance for ignorance or bigotry. Exactly how Reagan became a conservative is not the point of the book and a full biography of him will better suit readers searching for that information. Baier does provide a short biography of Reagan tracing his roots in Tampico, Illinois, and the path he took to become Governor of California and the Republican candidate who unseated President James “Jimmy” Carter. The story picks up in pace once Reagan is sworn into office and moves into the White House. The chill in the air between the Carters and Reagans is evident in the book but a small part of the bigger picture. To anyone paying close attention, it was evident that all was not well within the Soviet Union. In fact, Baier correctly points out that:

“By the time of the Moscow summit, that fact was evident to everyone, including the Soviets themselves. Yes, they remained a world power. Yes, their arsenal of weapons was still great. But beneath the surface, the economy was in free fall, its citizenry was restless; the architect of perestroika was breaking down the remaining barriers. Reagan’s prediction was coming true, as he, if not others, had always known it would.” 

Reagan did believe that the Soviet Union would fall but it should be noted that problems within the U.S.S.R. had been mounting for years, even before Reagan took office. Further, the fall of the Soviet empire is far more extensive and complicated than presented on the surface here. I vividly recall Reagan’s statement telling Gorbachev to “tear down this wall”. The Berlin Wall did fall, and it was a significant turning point in both German and world history. But even that goodwill gesture caused in part by weakening Soviet influence was not enough to stave off the inevitable. Gorbachev knew that trouble was brewing but also faced opposition within his own ranks. However, he had developed a strong relationship with Reagan and that is the crux of the book.

The visit by the Reagans had a profound effect on the Soviet Union and it was an extraordinary act by a U.S. President. Baier takes us deep behind the scenes as the two leaders seek to come to an understanding of key issues. As I read the book, I could see their relationship developing slowly but surely. It is a prime example of how people from diverse backgrounds can find common ground. That is not to say that all went well. In fact, in the book, we see more than one situation where the two leaders remain on opposite ends of a rope with each refusing to give ground. And the first ladies did not have a warm or jovial relationship themselves. Reagan and Gorbachev were leaders of the two most powerful governments on earth and needless to say the stakes were high. Before the book’s conclusion, Reagan leaves office and is succeeded by George H.W. Bush (1924-2018) who developed his own relationship and different relationship with Gorbachev. When Reagan leaves the White House for the last time, the sadness in Washington and in Moscow can be felt through the author’s words. Reagan emerges as a leader that is hard not to like. Of course, the Soviet story was far from over and Gorbachev had to defend himself from party members determined to see his downfall. Baier discusses how close the Soviet General Secretary came to being removed from office and the roles of Boris Yeltsin (1931-2007) and a young intelligence officer named Vladimir Putin who currently has the world watching his every move.

Undoubtedly, Reagan comes across beautifully in the book and I did notice that the darker moments of his president are discussed briefly. The Iran Contra scandal and Sandinista affair in Nicaragua are mentioned but Baier touches only the surface of those matters. The seriousness of each is not felt in the story at hand but I do implore readers to further research those topics to get a full understanding of Reagan’s presidency. To be fair, no administration is perfect, but the people of Central America will surely give you an interesting opinion of the Reagan era. His policies had a profound impact on Latin America that continues to be felt to this day. In the United States, the legacy of the jovial actor turned politician is permanently embedded in the Republican party’s core and he remains an icon of conservative values. If her were alive today, I am not sure if he would recognize what the GOP has become and I believe he would be both shocked and dismayed at world events. The world is a far different place today but the importance of this time in world history captured by Baier cannot be understated. In three days, Ronald Reagan accomplished what decades of U.S. foreign policy failed to do, he captured the attention and minds of the Soviet people. Readers with a thirst for historical information on U.S. and Russian relations will appreciate this book.

ASIN: B072LL4ZN2