Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever
One of the best books I've read on the Lincoln assassination. What makes this one really interesting to me is that it is in chronological order leading to the assassination of President Lincoln and its aftermath with the trials of the conspirators.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
Really interesting book and analysis of the first Thanksgiving. I learned a lot of interesting facts I didn't know or didn't study in American history class.
For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War
Excellent book with Abraham Lincoln not only as president of the United States, But as the first commander in chief of the Union army during the Civil War.
1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History
Great book dealing with the year 1864. The year Abraham Lincoln was re elected and the difficult tasks he faced when he became president during the Civil War. His life as president in the White House was a challenging one as well. Dealing with the death of one of his sons at an early age and his wife he had severe mood swings. It was the year that Ulysses S. Grant became commander in chief of the Union Army and William T. Sherman invaded and burned Atlanta and began his march to the sea.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Excellent behind the scenes of the 1860 presidential election of Abraham Lincoln and the candidates who ran against them and were defeated. Lincoln chose them to serve in his Presidential Cabinet.
The Inner World of Abraham Lincoln
The best biography I have read on Abraham Lincoln, One of my favorite U.S. presidents to study. This is the first volume which goes from his poor childhood in Kentucky all throughout his presidency. Before he became president, He was a lawyer.
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
The best biography I've read on one of my favorite persons in U.S. history to read about. Benjamin Franklin was a unique and talented individual. He was a scientist, inventor, business entrepreneur, and writer. There are many fascinating facts that I read about Benjamin Franklin. Some I did not know. For example, Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as America's national bird instead of the bald eagle. He proved lightning was electricity by flying a kite during a thunderstorm and invented the lightning rod to protect buildings from being struck by lightning. He also developed the bifocal lenses. Benjamin Franklin was responsible for the first fire department, post office, and the first academy in the city of Philadelphia. So many other interesting facts about Benjamin Franklin, That I highly recommend this book.
The Road to Monticello: The Life and Mind of Thomas Jefferson
While visiting my brother and his family in Lynchburg, VA. We visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Charlottesville. Fascinating place. While there, I picked up this book at the gift shop in Monticello. Not only was Thomas Jefferson our nation's third president as well as the author of the Declaration of Independence, But also an inventor and an architect. He designed Monticello and had an extraordinary collection of books in his library. He designed a revolving book stand, Which he could read 4 to 5 books. He was also responsible for the building of the University of Virginia as well and had a unique system of categorizing his books.
John Adams
Interesting read on our nation's second president. I never really studied him much in U.S. history in high school. One of the things I find interesting before he became president was that he was a lawyer and defended the British officer who was responsible for the deaths of five colonists in the Boston Massacre. Also before he became president who was an ambassador to France as well. Its ironic that when he died on July 4, 1826-the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence that Thomas Jefferson our nation's third president died the morning of the same day.
Washington: A Life
One of the best biographies I have read on George Washington, One of my favorite U.S. presidents to read and study. He was the first president and the Father of Our Country. He was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution who surprised the Hessians during the Battle of Brandywine. He also suffered a harsh winter with his army at Valley Forge. He was the only president that when twice elected was sworn in in two cities. New York and Philadelphia.
