John Adams by David McCullough

JOHN ADAMS
David McCullough
Published 2001
American Biography
The Gentle Challenge: (Book Recommendation)

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When I joined Silva's Gentle (reading) Challenge, my goal was to fit more of my un-reads into specific categories. One of the categories was a book recommendation (or a book you would read because you trusted the word of others). 

John Adams by David McCullough has been on my un-read list for a decade or more. A book blogger I admire recommended this book; but, in fact, she was not the only one who gave it excellent reviews. Therefore, I trusted these opinions. 

I am excited to announce that it was absolutely worth it, and they were correct. I am so grateful that I finally read this book.

Frankly, I do not know where to start or what to say about this epic narrative, except to begin with an emotional response. 

I embrace this book fervently and will add it to my personal canon. It was pleasantly written, exceptionally well done, and absolutely enjoyable. I often imagined that I was transported back to the 1700s and lived through every moment. I walked away with an appreciation for what these men (and women) did to form a new government based on the ideas of self-government and personal liberty and freedom, even if we "could[n't] keep it." 

McCullough's writing style was intelligible, concise, and delightful. He included an abundance of supporting evidence from correspondence, newspaper articles, books, and diaries (sadly, a lost art). If a written work supported a statement or idea, it was included. I do not think he left anything out. Often, I was amazed at how much written correspondence took place, and McCullough used many sources to cross reference who said what and when and where just to piece this history back together. 

By the way, this story was not only about John Adams, although it was very much about him; it was a window into the heart and soul of his faithful, intelligent wife, Abigail, and fellow compatriots, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, and many others. 

I was not aware of the degree Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson and some others disapproved of and betrayed Adams, and that Vice President Jefferson, in my opinion, may have committed treason under Adams during his presidency. Scandalous! (Reminds me of Mike Pence and Donald Trump. There is nothing new under the sun.)

I enjoyed the relationship between Adams and his wife, a beautiful, faithful couple, faithful to God and to one another through long periods of separation. Abigail was an excellent partner and helper, encouraging her husband in honorable pursuits. She was a well-educated and well-rounded woman, a protective mother, and a patriot. Both Abigail and John were of one mind on many moral, ethical, and  political perspectives. They had a model union, as is evident from their written correspondence. Mr. Adams absolutely adored his wife, and I can see why.

McCollough presented a genuine and true character analysis of Adams. Of course, he was not a perfect personality, while grievances about him were probably warranted. But he was an admirable, fair, and trustworthy man. Most notably, his relationship with Jefferson later in life was charming, and their collection of letters to one another was and still is inspiring of reconciliation and friendship. 

I especially appreciated the sections on Adams' love for books and reading, which actually contended with Jefferson's obsession with books. 

Unlike Jefferson, who seldom marked a book, and then only faintly in pencil, Adams, pen in hand, loved to add his comments in the margins. It was part of the joy of reading for him, to have something to say himself, to talk back to, agree or take issue with, Rousseau, Condorcet, Turgot, Mary Wollstonecraft, Adam Smith, or Joseph Priestley. "That is no doubt that people are in the long run what the government makes out of them...," Adams read in Rousseau. "The government ought to be what the people make it," he wrote in response. (LOL!)

Adams was guilty of defacing books while reading and once wrote 12,000 notes and comments in one book alone! He read French Revolution by Wollstonecraft twice "with delight" because he disagreed with almost everything she said. Adams and Jefferson "were two of the greatest book lovers of their bookish generation." Adams owned over 3,200 books and Jefferson, before he sold them, owned (if I remember correctly) over 5,000. Yikes!

John Adams by John Singleton Copley, 1784

Other adventures experienced in this chunk of history included Adams' overseas life in France and England; the terrible French Revolution, whose outcome Adams predicted; the provocation of America by the French and British; the ongoing issue with slavery; the complications with disease; and the nasty disputes among men like Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr. How many times did I scribble in the margins: There's nothing new under the sun.

This is only a small fraction of what I went through. The biography is over 650 pages, with an impressive bibliography. The pages are full of memorable quotes and passages. (I had to stop writing them down while reading, though I plan to return to the book and collect them.) This work is chronologically written, beginning in the early 1770s, the eve of the American Revolution, until right after Adams' death, July 4, 1826, just a few hours after his friend Thomas Jefferson died. Adams was 90 years old. 

WHO WANTS TO READ THIS?

Obviously, if you like: 

• biographies, 
• biographies about U.S. presidents, 
• histories, 
• American history (particularly early American History), 
• books about war or Revolutionary war histories, 
• political science or government systems 
• (or want to witness the birth of man's best attempt at good government ever), 
• stories about brilliant minds together in one time or place, 
• and love stories -- yes, love stories! 

...then this is your next book.

THE GENTLE CHALLENGE

 

The Theodore Roosevelt Trilogy (Volumes 1 & 2) by Edmund Morris

VOLUME ONE

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

Volume One

Edmund Morris

Published 1979

American biography

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I began my Teddy Roosevelt journey last year when I read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, by Edmund Morris, the first volume in the Roosevelt trilogy, which covered the first forty-two years of his life. He had the most excellent privileged beginning -- well-off, well-educated, and well-loved. His father was his greatest inspiration, and though Theodore experienced extreme health complications from asthma, his father encouraged him to overcome his weakness with physical exertion and a rigorous spirit of mind. This approach to life produced the epitome of a manly man. After a disciplined regiment of boxing and weight lifting, Roosevelt conquered the great outdoors -- mountain hiking, swimming, and hunting became part of his lifestyle.

Roosevelt also developed excellent character, principle, and esteem. He honored women with respect, and he expected all men to be true. He feared no man and earned the admiration of his enemies. 

This first book of the trilogy covered the death of his father, his first marriage, the tragic death of his wife and mother on the same day, after his wife gave birth to their first daughter, and his second marriage to childhood friend, Edith. The book also included the political positions Theodore accomplished. While he was the Police Commissioner of New York, his focus was to end corruption in the police force. Many loathed him for being a hardliner, but he was obligated to follow the law. And of course, one of his most famous adventures was leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War in Cuba and liberating the Cuban people from Spain. 

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt ended with Theodore becoming President McKinley's vice president and shortly thereafter learning that McKinley had been shot...catapulting him into the role as president. He was the youngest ever to become president, at that point in history.

VOLUME TWO

Theodore Rex

Volume Two

Edmund Morris

Published 2001

American biography

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The second volume in the trilogy, Theodore Rex, began with Roosevelt's first administration in 1901, and ended after his second term was finished, in 1908. He was a most beloved and popular president. Though he was a Republican, he was more of a progressive (by today's standards) and sided with the people on many issues. He was definitely the people's president.

Here are a few highlights from Theodore Rex: 

• He would bar correspondents or whole newspapers from the White House for misquoting him.
• He was friends with Booker T. Washington. White Southerners were angry that he met with Washington in the White House, but Roosevelt did not care what they said about him. 
• He also permitted black politicians to bring their black wives to the White House for dinner, which was not heard of and caused quite a stir. 
• He believed equality would occur naturally, eventually.
• He cared more about quality and merit, not quantity.
• He had an extensive booklist and devoured books even while listening to others speak, and he wrote books, too.
• He gave excellent speeches.
• He won the Nobel Prize for helping to end the Japanese Russo War.
• He believed that to postpone war, one must prepare for it. He encouraged the military to build up its fleets. 
• He had an energetic personality, and was always drawn with a huge smile full of teeth. He exhausted some because they could not keep up with him.
• Some of the foreign entanglements on his plate included dealing with Columbia during the creation of the Panama Canal; and issues with Cuba, the Philippines, and Japan and Russia.
• Near the end of his second term, he lost support of black voters due to an incident which occurred in New Orleans, firing black soldiers who were accused of rioting.

Someone came up with a perfect motto for Roosevelt: 

Rem facias rem, si posis recte, si non quocunque modo rem --

"The Thing, get the thing, fairly if possible, if not, then however it can be gotten." 

All three of the volumes are over 500 pages each, and Edmund's notes are bountiful alone. The writing style is exceptional and enjoyable. Theodore Roosevelt is an extraordinary moral character, whose boundless energy jumps off the pages. God certainly broke the mold after He made Teddy Roosevelt.  

The third volume is Colonel Roosevelt, and I hope to finish that this year. 

Jiang : Red Scarf Girl : A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution

 

Red Scarf Girl :

A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution

Ji-Li Jiang

Published 1998

Middle school biography, memoir, non-fiction

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A RECAP OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION OF CHINA

Chairman Mao Zedong's Five-Year Plan and Great Leap Forward were economic and social failures, causing massive starvation; it is estimated that between 22-55 million died. Rightly, Mao was removed from national leadership, although he still led the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, he was getting older and coveted a way to regain power. Therefore, in 1966, he instigated a rebellion against the political administration, claiming there were "bourgeoisie" inside the government. Bourgeoisie was code word for foreign capitalist or capitalist sympathizer. 

Mao mobilized the youth through the CCP (just like George Soros does through certain political parties) to challenge the establishment and purge capitalist "influencers or sympathizers" of the state or those who "exploited the lower classes" (like landlords or anyone wealthy). The youth, or students, were perfect pawns because Mao knew they were impressionable (which means they knew nothing and would believe anything) and that if he did not "remold" them first, then the enemy could just as well have influenced them. 

These youth were called the Red Guards, and the state police were instructed to protect them while they entered private homes and terrorized anyone whom they believed did not comply with the CCP. (Sadly, young people tend to be more than eager to lash out because their hearts are ripe with rebellion.) 

The Red Guards evicted families, ransacked homes, and confiscated personal belongings (which is another name for theft). They made examples of people through public humiliation, beat some to death, and caused others to commit suicide out of shame. Even beloved teachers and principals were targeted. Schools were closed and 16 million young people were sent to the country to do hard labor and be reeducated to remove old ideas. Churches and other symbols of Chinese heritage were destroyed and Imperial history was rewritten and replaced with Mao-centered history. (How dull!)

This sad period, the Cultural Revolution, continued for ten years, until Mao's death in 1976. Besides enabling Mao to squeeze his way back into power, another object of the Cultural Revolution was to destroy culture reminiscent of pre-communist China. It was a rebellion against the Four Olds: old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits or traditions. What these "Olds" represented was vague; therefore, Red Guards were permitted to roam the streets terrorizing others at their own whim. By the end of the Cultural Revolution, it is estimated that 8 million more Chinese were dead. 

ABOUT RED SCARF GIRL, JI-LI JIANG

Red Scarf Girl takes place during the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. Ji-Li Jiang was 12-years old, in 1966, and had a promising future ahead of her. She was bright and well-liked by her teachers and peers. She loved her family, especially her grandma who lived with them, and their housekeeper, who was like a family member.

Ji-Li was excited to do the work Chairman Mao was influencing young people to do -- to root out the Four Olds. She was "certain that [she and her peers] were bringing a new life to China." She "felt [she] was already a Liberation Army soldier who was ready to go out for battle."

But life in China was quickly changing, and it was going to get worse. Ji-Li learned that her family was considered a "black family" because they employed a housekeeper, which was exploitive, and her grandfather had been a landlord while he had been alive. They were labeled capitalist. 

Change was so frequent that Ji-Li lived in continuous fear and apprehension.

One day, Ji-Li's father was detained for three months, accused of listening to foreign radio. He was a man of integrity and would never confess to something that was not true. The entire family was targeted and publicly shamed as a "big landlord family." Ji-Li was angry that fate caused her to be born into this family. She thought she could distance herself and overcome her background, through communist activities and hard labor, but she could not wash the stain away, no matter what she did. 

Instead, she learned something about herself. During her father's detainment, Ji-Li was pressured to disown her parents. But she would not. She learned that all of her actions had proven to herself that she would always be loyal to her family first, even over her political ambitions. 

My family was too precious to forget, and too rare to replace.

Once my life had been defined by my goals: to be a da-dui-zhang, to participate in the exhibition, to be a Red Guard. They seemed unimportant to me now. Now my life was defined by my responsibilities. I had promised to take care of my family, and I would renew that promise every day. I could not give up or withdraw, no matter how hard life became. 

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

If you are like me and did not know anything about the Cultural Revolution (CR), this is an exceptional primary source, easy to digest, and eye-opening. I was dumbfounded by what Ji-Li and her family had lived through. I already know communist totalitarians are horrible people when they get hold of absolute power, but this takes it to a new level. Ji-Li witnessed horror and lived through terror, and her family status held her and her siblings back until after the CR was over. 

In her Epilogue, she admitted that they were all brainwashed. "Mao was a god. He controlled everything..." She said that after his death in 1976, people woke up. The CR was "a power struggle at the highest levels of the Party." Mao took advantage of the people's trust "to manipulate the whole country." Ji-Li said that "the most frightening lesson of the CR: Without a sound legal system, a small group or even a single person can take control of an entire country. This is as true now as it was then." 

I would add that in the United States, if it were not for our Constitution, we would be further along in the abyss than we already are. I mean, we are getting there, but it is a challenge because of our Founding Document, which some would like to burn because it is an obstacle to absolute power. Everything is a power struggle. It is always about greedy power. 

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Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle

Eve in Exile

And the Restoration of Femininity

Rebekah Merkle

Published 2016

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WHAT EVER DID GOD MAKE WOMEN FOR? 

This is one of the multitude of questions Rebekah Merkle answers in Eve in Exile. She contends that modern day feminists have led women to a "boring dead end," and even feminists no longer understand what they are demanding. However, Christian women are not doing any better by "escaping" and "romanticising" the past, as a way to combat current feminism. Holding nothing back, Merkle offers an encouraging, victorious argument for (Christian) women by presenting our biblical calling and feminine attributes. It's time to "bring Eve back from exile."

God has called women to change the world through the gospel. Men cannot do this job alone if women are distracted. We have come to believe the lie that being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) is a trap compared to the working/career woman, who experiences absolute fulfillment.

Scripture is clear that those who focus on saving their own lives will lose it; whereas, those who lay down their lives for others will find fulfillment. And yet, the world tells us that women who pursue their own dreams are the winners. Furthermore, it is not men telling women what to do. We have liberty, and we do this to ourselves.

Merkle includes a short overview of the history of feminism: overall, the message was to divorce women from the responsibility of fertility. Men were free from accountability of children, and it wasn't fair for a woman to remain celibate if she had to avoid pregnancy; hence birth control and abortion, which provided "the emancipation from restrictive biology."

After WWII, housewives became discontent. America had a technological growth spurt and modern day conveniences made work efficient and simple. Work became demeaning and women complained, bored of the technological blessings. While women of the 50s were not oppressed, the ideals for women became superficial. 

Betty Friedan taught that women would be happier to leave hubby, kids, and home and pursue education or their own career. This idea was embraced wholeheartedly; but was Friedan right? Did it cure discontentment? 

There is more evidence to support that women are less happy than ever. I am leaving out the details that Merkle includes, including how many women take antidepressants today (not to mention the divorce rates, counseling, stress and anxiety, etc.). Merkle states that what women truly needed was not a sexual revolution or careers, but God's grace. 

The idealistic, superficial shallow view of homemaking of the 50s needed to be chucked. It was a lie. 

To be fair, feminism sought to address essential issues:  

• education of women
• end of slavery
• drunk husbands and fathers as social ills
• voting and citizen rights
• end back-alley abortions 
• superficial ideal of housewife in the 50s as wrong
• pornography and prostitution are both social ills.

However, today's third wave feminism - no one really knows what it stands for - is just a lot of angry women, lacking cohesive objectives. All of feminism's intentions have already been accomplished; all that is left is to erase femininity completely.  Today's feminists embrace, approve, and celebrate many of the destructive practices that first and second wave feminism brought to light. This is absolutely backwards and confusing, especially the part where they are now advocating for transgenderism, men using women's restrooms, and men ruining sports for women indefinitely! But I digress. 

SO WHAT ARE WOMEN DESIGNED FOR?

Work is GOOD. "God did not create Eve so Adam could have someone pretty to look at." Eve was made to help Adam subdue AND fill the earth. God designed women to be interesting. We were not created to be unable to think or speak for ourselves.

Women were designed to sacrifice for others, as we are natural caregivers. That is why replacing the work of caring for home and family with a career cannot make women happy. Also, the corporate world is the wrong setting. This is where women feel cooped up and forced to compete with men. 

Women were designed for motherhood, but feminism separates women from their natural creation purpose. We were designed for a specific role with fixed limits on our feminine nature, and we must live within these boundaries while honoring God's intention. 

We need to return to our abandoned stations and guard them by manning and securing our own homes, families, and lives, disciplining ourselves through faithfulness, obedience, and sacrifice. "Mothers are raising the next generation of souls forever." 

Merkle points out that just because there is an obvious difference between two things does not imply that one is better than the other. Feminists hate that women and men are different with complementary roles. 

The author examines 1 Corinthians 2 and explains how this verse is not about inferiority or superiority, but rather that men and women are equal in the Lord. She shows how submission out of love and servitude gloriously resembles Christ. "Submitting to one's OWN husband is the most powerful, magnificent, intoxicating, concentrated picture of glory. When a woman submits to her husband, then glory grows. When a woman rejects submission, glory fades." 

The fruit of feminism is rotten to its core and barren; its beauty diminished. Women presenting themselves as sex objects or celebrating their sexual "liberty,' which is not the way the woman was created to share herself with her husband, is ugly. Sexual slavery is the standard in our culture today, and women falsely believe they are finally in control of their lives because they bypassed the submission part. 

Running away from the scriptural requirement to submit to one man, as an equal, within the protection of marriage, has resulted in women living in submission to numerous men, with no protection at all, and with her bearing the entire weight of responsibility for the outcome. The fruit of this lifestyle must either be killed or she must raise the child alone. 

The Titus Two Woman: Women WITH households (tend to be married and with children) are called to RUN THEIR OWN HOUSEHOLDS. "Women managing their own households are cities on a hill," raising up the next generation, passing down their wisdom to younger women, and impacting the rest of the world. 

Feminism is just rebelliousness against God's creation, design, and command to women to help fill the earth, preferring sexual freedom from accountability and presenting birth control and abortion as basic human rights. 

WHAT ARE WOMEN TO DO? 

Christian women need to recover a sense of importance of the home, and being wives and mothers. Recognize that feminism focuses on the group - womankind - and its first duty is to thyself. A married woman's priority is to her home, husband, and family. If her work extends beyond the home and family, it should return in blessings to her husband and children, not take away from them. 

A woman chasing her own dreams, beauty, and pleasure suffers loss of fulfillment. SAHM need to change their perspective about their work, challenge themselves to think creatively, and go beyond doing the bare minimum. "But to whom much is given, much is required." Consider how materially blessed we are. 

We have been given talents, and we need to turn a profit; invest what God has given to us. Pursue excellence. Improve, create, and build. Glorify God with your attitude. Be an influencer instead of being influenced. Ask God to show you how to turn a profit with what He has given you. 

The home is essential work and God wants women to tend to it.The home is power: it nurtures, feeds, provides rest, safety, and a pleasant atmosphere, gives shelter, and fosters loyalty. Don't bury your talents. "Working outside the home is not prohibited so long as it makes the home more potent, glorious, compelling."

"When Christian women trust God and obey Him, He will never trick us." Women influence the world by making it attractive, pleasant, and good. How many have been lured by the lies of false beauty? Our job is to make holiness beautiful. We draw people to the truth by showing beauty in Christ. 

This is difficult, I know, but the author says: If you "lay [your] dreams down, He gives [you] fulfillment. Bury [your] own ambition, and He returns it with interest." 

Imitate God in [y]our fruitfulness. It will look like what God shows [you] is beauty, not [y]our ridged expectations. Be the glory of your husband. Build your house. Work hard. Be ambitious and productive. Learn more, run harder. Use the gifts God has given you, the desires he has given you, the constraints he has given to you, and figure out how to weave those into something glorious, unique, compelling, special, beautiful that cannot be contained and beckons a broken world to come and see that that Lord is good.

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This book targets women, particularly Christian women, and obviously wives and mothers, although there is a message for singles. It is a difficult topic and requires a change in thinking. This is about obedience, and we do not have the right to ignore God's commands or adopt the world's ways. All of us will be held to account for our  disobedience in this area. The author makes clear that every woman has different talents and is in unique circumstances, and her work will look completely different than everyone else's. It is your challenge to find out how to tend to your garden by obeying God and glorifying Him in the role He has given you. By trusting and obeying Him, we not only find fulfillment, but the return will be multiplied.

I understand many women, including Christians, will disagree with Merkle. However, I believe she is correct because she uses Scripture to support her arguments; and we can't change God's intentions and commands. 

I also did not go into my own marriage and motherhood knowing any of this. I chose to stay home with my kids out of a natural desire to be with them. It was not easy living on one income, and we had some difficult financial years. But I would never exchange being home for a "rewarding career or job or even my own business." Managing a home, raising five kids, homeschooling, and being married to a low maintenance husband is enough for me. Even still, Merkle convicted me because I realize I am not always putting in 100% of myself. I can be lazy and selfish, too. I still have a lot of work to do. So for me, this was definitely an excellent read. I hope other women will find it encouraging as well. 

Paradise Lost by John Milton

Paradise Lost 

John Milton

Published 1667

The Well-Educated Mind Poetry

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Next on TWEM poetry list was Paradise Lost by John Milton. My used copy also includes Paradise Regained, though I did not read it. I certainly would like to read it after I reread Paradise Lost. I have to reread Paradise Lost because I missed so much in the beginning. It took two months to read, but mainly because I initially avoided it.

For the first quarter of the poem I felt lost. While the language was not difficult, I was not always sure what was happening. Only when I got to the narrative of Creation, the story started to make sense. The good news is that when I arrived at Book IX, everything changed! I truly started to enjoy Paradise Lost. Yay! 

Paradise Lost is an "exploration of the moral problems of God's justice," and was considered to be controversial in its time. The poem covers the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve and their removal from  Paradise. It tells of Satan's rebellion against God, his expulsion from heaven, his trickery with Adam and Eve, and his banishment to hell. It also includes God's promise to redeem all mankind. 

Milton took liberty to include conversations and accounts of God, Satan, Adam, Eve, and angels that we have no way of knowing are true or accurate; hence the reader has to use his imagination. With that, I think the poem is creative and fruitful. Obviously, I wouldn't read it for its biblical theology, but instead for its literary genius.

It helps to have biblical knowledge of Creation, the Book of Genesis, and the Gospel among other biblical topics. Also, my edition was somewhat modernized. Each book (or chapter) offered a truncated argument before presenting the poem, which was also helpful in understanding what to expect. 

Instead of rehashing this complex poem, I just want to share two observations I had. First, what caused me to have a change of heart three-fourths of the way through the poem: Milton's description of Eve, or women in general, I believe, is hysterical. Either Milton was sarcastic, or maybe he truly represented women of his time. 

Observation #1 The Presentation of Women

In Book IX, Satan devised a way to gain access into Paradise disguised as mist, and entered the serpent. Meanwhile, Adam and Eve were discussing the day's work when Eve proposed that they divide the work and go about separately expediting their tasks; but Adam, who believed that solitude was good sometimes and encouraged return again, opposed Eve's idea and reminded her of the angel's warning of the Enemy, in case he find her alone. He argued that his wife would be safest by his side. Yet, Eve disliked to be considered unable to be careful enough and insisted on separating, anxious to exhibit her remarkable abilities. And Adam yielded. 

Oh, Adam.

Poor Adam tried to make a good, strong case for himself, for husband's in general, but Eve confidently rebuked him. She trusted herself more. And off she went and was caught by Satan's lies anyway. 

My first thought was that nothing has changed, at least according to the presentation Milton gave. We know that the biblical story of Adam blaming God for giving him the woman, and Eve blaming the serpent for deceiving her, that this is very relatable. But for Milton to define Eve as seeking separation from her husband (in part due to his smothering ways) and a desire to prove herself apart from him, makes me think that woman has not changed, at least, since Milton's time. And that makes a lot of sense to me. 

Observation #2 Incorporating History

My second observation was that, in addition to the biblical story, Paradise Lost is full of references to Classical mythology, Greek and Roman terminology and science, and mixed with literary, religious, and English history. The more foreknowledge that the reader has of these topics, the deeper comprehension and appreciation he may have of the poem. That's why it makes me cringe when I hear snobs like Yuval Noah Hirari shun the knowledge of the past as irrelevant. Yuck! 

So history is not about the past. It is about the present. The past is gone. All the people who lived in the past are dead, and we cannot go back there. If history is just the study of the past, it is irrelevant.

- Yuval Noah Harari, Global Elitist

The history of the world's peoples who came before us, their religious histories, their literary stories, their myths, contribute to our world and who we are today. To dismiss it as irrelevant, to make it all about us and what evil purposes and gain "we" can use the past for today, is arrogant, shallow, and unintelligent. If Yuval has his way, no one will read Paradise Lost because it will be unreadable and unnecessary. I'm afraid we are already there, with a complete disconnect and disinterest in the past. History is becoming...history. 

Yet, I believe, to incorporate a variety of histories with Classical mythology into a complex biblical epic poem is an ambitious feat. Even with my delayed appreciation of the work, I recognized that this was a great piece of literature, and I am glad I finished it.

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Next on TWEM poetry list: Songs of Innocence and Experience [Blake]

Sweet Land of Liberty (Old Times in the Colonies) by Charles Coffin

 

Sweet Land of Liberty (Old Times in the Colonies)

Charles C. Coffin

Published 1880

Early / Colonial American History

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When I looked upon my unread bookshelf for another book to begin, I pulled Sweet Land of Liberty down and read the cover. The inscription beneath the title reads: To inspire Americans to return to, "...one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." That is what prompted me to read it, without hesitation.

Charles C. Coffin (1823-1896), an American Civil War correspondent, wrote numerous wonderful books about important topics, including independence, liberty, and the fight against tyranny. This particular title, also known as Old Times in the Colonies, focuses on the American Colonial period -- from the European discovery of the new continent to the eve of the Revolutionary War. 

Before this book, Coffin had written two other stories -- I call them stories because his method of writing about history is a pleasantly-told narrative. One was The Boys of '76, published in 1876, and is purely about the battles of the Revolutionary War. Then he wrote The Story of Liberty, an amazing work of five hundred years of history from the signing of the Magna Charta in Runnymede, England, to the settlements of Jamestown and Plymouth in America. Old Times in the Colonies was meant to fill in the time between these two other titles.

Coffin wrote Old Times for children that they may see how history is connected and how events cause other events; how men and women have struggled against tyranny for ages; and how the advancement of certain situations and impacts helped prepared new civilizations for self-government. 

Men die, generations come and go, but ideas live on.

By the way, this is not a typical child's history book. I suppose it was written with children of the late 1800s in mind, but it is not child-like, nor does it shade the truth about war, mass slaughter, and indiscriminate bloodshed. Coffin made obvious the connections between England and America, and how the English colonists were affected by the conflicts between England and France or Spain. I did not realize how much carnage and butchery there was before the Revolution.

The author followed the story of exploration into Canada and the American colonies; development of individual colonies, which later become independent states; interaction with Native Americans and their involvement with the European and French forces in America; and conflicts between France, the Catholic Church, and the Protestants.

All of the events which took place leading up to America's Revolution had a purpose and meaning. These events "tell the story of a great nation, the growth of individual liberty, and the coming of constitutional government in the Western World." But through it all, Coffin was certain that "Right, Justice, and Liberty" always "advances" and that America would spread great ideas and lead the world to something great and glorious. 

Since I have read three of his books, I am confident that he is one of my favorite early American historical writers. I would like to read more from Coffin in the future. Here are some of this other titles, many of which can be read for free on Internet Archive:

Our New Way Around the World

My Days and Nights on the Battlefield

Redeeming the Republic

Freedom Triumphant

Abraham Lincoln

Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times

Marching to Victory

Chalres Carleton Coffin
1823-1896

Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made by Eugene Genovese

Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made 

Eugene Genovese 

Published 1974 

American non-fiction 

The Well-Educated Mind Histories

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

This was a massive read, in both content, context, and page length (850+). Unless you have to write a thesis or are motivated to read a tome on American slavery, then this probably won't be on your TBR any time soon. 

The only reason I read it was because it is on TWEM history list, and I stayed with it because it was intriguing, interesting, and informative. Genovese is true to providing a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph, and then introducing abundant examples of supporting evidence from numerous sources. 

I'm going to be honest about my experience with Roll, Jordan, Roll. I read through it with lightning speed. I did not take notes or stop to ponder anything. I underlined and stared points and topics, but I had no intention of going back. I did what Susan Wise Bauer describes as "grammar stage reading." One time, quickly through. Done. 

If I have to tell you what Genovese's main point is, it is about the world that black slaves made for themselves in America: "a separate black national culture" under "racist oppression" and "within the narrowest living space and harshest adversity," and what they did to survive it, including their creative achievements, religion, work ethic, and the relationships they forged considering how they were forced to live. Genovese also described how their world affected the white families that they lived with. The slaves were one community that depended upon the slaveowner and his family and vise versa. 

Genovese also incorporated evidence for the evolution of the black Christian religion, hymns, preaching, and community; folksong and folklore; the important duties, work, and skills of the slaves; the family structures under slavery; their spiritual hope; and so much more than I am including here. 

The theme of paternalism repeated throughout these 800 pages, and I mention it here because I learned in my study of Land of Hope, by Wilfred M. McClay, that after the the War of 1812, world Christianity was changing and adopting the Social Gospel, which is also a paternalistic idea that Christian nations or Christians in general are called to care for poorer societies. As the institution of slavery evolved, slaveowners saw themselves as the father of both their own families and the slave families that lived with them. I'm wondering if Social Gospel seeped into the American South at some point. I do not remember if Genovese mentioned it, but I wonder. 

I gave this four stars because I recognize the enormity of the work involved. So, if you are looking for a comprehensive work on American slavery, include this on your list of books to read, but expect to be at it for a long time. 

The Patriot's Handbook: A Citizenship Primer for a New Generation of Americans by George Grant

The Patriot's Handbook: 

A Citizenship Primer for a New Generation of Americans

George Grant

Published 1996

American non-fiction

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I remember when I bought this book many years ago with the purpose of becoming more enlightened about America. I began reading, but stopped and put it away for many years. Now that I am intent on reading all the books on my shelves, it was time to get it done. So here it is.

The Patriot's Handbook is one of two American-themed books that I read side-by-side. This one is broken up into four chronological themes, supported by documents, poems, letters, Supreme Court decisions, presidential addresses, songs, short stories, and more. Most of these can be found online somewhere, but it is convenient to have them in one book. 

My favorites were Liberty or Death by Patrick Henry, Paul Revere's Ride by Longfellow, Washington's Inaugural and Farewell Addresses, and, my absolute best choice, The Right to Rebel by Samuel West, which was a sermon given to the Council and House of Representatives in 1776. Between Common Sense and this sermon, I think West gave a similarly persuasive rationalization for independence from Britain.  

Other favs were League of Nations Speech by Henry Cabot Lodge and Letter from the Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.  Personally, I think Grant should have included King's I Have a Dream Speech in addition to this letter.

Also included: The U.S. Constitution, The Bill of Rights, a couple of The Federalists essays, biographies on Founding Fathers and forgotten Presidents, Amendments to the Constitution, The National Anthem, Fathers of the future, and more. 

As per the four chapters, the following are only SOME of the other documents, songs, poems, letters, and speeches found in The Patriot's Handbook.

Part I: City on a Hill

 

Apologia by Christopher Columbus

The Mayflower Compact

Essays to Do Good by Cotton Mather

Sir Humphrey Gilbert by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Part II: An Experiment in Liberty

 

The Method of Grace by George Whitefield

The Divine Source of Liberty by Samuel Adams

Liberty Tree by Thomas Paine

Nathan Hale by Francis Miles Finch

The Bunker Hill Oration by Daniel Webster

Part III: Manifest Destiny

 

The Defense of the Alamo by Joaquin Miller

The Slavery Question by John C. Calhoun

A House Divided by Abraham Lincoln

The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln

The Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln

O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman

Part IV: The American Dream

 

Seneca Falls Declaration by Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Atlanta Exposition Address by Booker T. Washington

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

Pear Harbor Address by FDR

Nobel Prize Acceptance by William Faulkner

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka by Earl Warren

Roe v. Wade by Harry Blackmun

Inaugural Address by Ronald Reagan

The Message fo Freedom by Alan Keyes

* * *

Once I started digging into my nation's history (long before this book), I began to develop a clearer appreciation for the courage, ingenuity, and sacrifice of those Americans (including many immigrants) from the past, and I learned to be grateful for my country. It is imperative to see all of it, even the unpleasant and unjust; but examine your nation's past and draw from it what is good and right, and continue building upon it. 

Learn your nation's history via its historical documents, essays, speeches, letters, folksong and lore, poems, and biographies of influential voices. It helps to read with an open heart and mind, willing to learn, to ask questions, and challenge your perspective. 

If you live disconnected from and ignorant of the past, you live vulnerably in the present. In America, an arrogant, presumptuous, and irresponsible trend seeks to discard the past to start over disastrous ideas because some are dissatisfied with an imperfect past. In part, this is because they lack an understanding of human nature and sin, but I digress.

The times in which people lived before us is not our own time. Instead, we must ask if we are doing any better with what is before us now rather than lay blame for every human condition on the dead who can do nothing more for the future. 

The Song of Roland by Anonymous

The Song of Roland 

Anonymous, translated by Robert Harrison 

Published 11th-century  

Epic French poem 

  ⭐⭐

The Song of Roland is a folktale-like poem about the real battle at Roncevaux (or Roncesvalles) mountain pass, joining Spain and France, in 778. The battle was betwixt the Basques of Southern Europe and Emperor Charlemagne of the Franks. On return to their kingdom, the Franks' rear guard was vanquished by the Basques in revenge for an attack on their city in Spain, killing the Frankish commander Roland. It was an embarrassing loss for Charlemagne.  

By the time of the Crusades, Roland had become a legend and the story about his courage was resurrected in this epic poem. He had become the medieval superhero of the age.

In the Song of Roland, some facts had changed. For example, instead of the Basques, the Saracens were the enemy of the Franks, and many of their names were contrived. Charlemagne and his Franks had been quite successful in their conquests in Muslim-controlled Spain. And when the Saracens sent a peace offering, Charlemagne rejected it, while Roland and Ganelon clashed about what Charlemagne should have done instead. 

Roland, the Emperor's nephew, suggested that Ganelon go to the Saracen king and accept his peace offering, and Charlemagne agreed. Ganelon was exasperated and sought to avenge Roland by informing the Saracen king where the rear guard would be and how he could defeat Charlemagne by killing Roland. The Saracen king agreed to this with pleasure.

The Franks headed back to the Frankish Kingdom with Charlemagne at the head, where Ganelon was also. As expected, the rear guard was attacked, and the battle was relentless. Roland was fearless and persistent; he knew he could not escape the attack, and he was prepared to die. At some point he realized he had been betrayed by Ganelon. 

Even when he was told to blow his horn to alert Charlemagne, he knew it demonstrated weakness. However, he was convinced to blow anyway, though it was too late. By the time Charlemagne heard the call, he returned to find the his rear guard demolished and his nephew Roland dead. 

Charlemagne then took revenge on the Saracens, and won, of course. As for Ganelon, he was arrested and later tried, convicted, and gruesomely penalized. 

Some Details

Epic poetry is usually dramatic and emotional; therefore, it was not unusual for men to kiss each other, weep over one another, and even faint, a lot. The details about killing and death were graphic and grisly. In addition, The Song of Roland gave birth to chivalry, a moral standard or code for Christian knights during the Medieval period. 

My Opinion

My initial thoughts were that this was just ok, which was disappointing considering its historical weight. It was repetitive and humdrum, even with the graphic death scenes.  I felt guilty for giving it 2.5 stars. What did I miss? What was everyone else getting out of The Song of Roland that I was not?

Then I heard a different translation, and I regret to say that I realize NOW I probably would have enjoyed Dorothy L. Sawyer's translation MUCH better than the one I had. It sounds inspirational, poetic, and beautiful. So...I would reread this, BUT only if I have Sawyer's translation. 

"History became legend, legend became myth."

Also, I am sharing this informative video on the epic poem, in which the narrator used Sawyer's translation. He shared the above quote from The Lord of the Rings about how history becomes legend, and legends become myths, which is exactly what happened with The Song of Roland. 

Sometimes I think history is still turning into myths today. 

The American Spirit: United States History as Seen by Contemporaries, Vol. One by Thomas A. Bailey

The American Spirit: 

United States History as Seen by Contemporaries, Vol. One

Selected & edited by Thomas A. Bailey     

Published 1963     

American Non-Fiction

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Of those three more decent covers above, I ended up with this edition. It is an old, used copy from the library. 

Whereas The Patriot's Handbook, by George Grant, provided inspirational supporting evidence for American independence, liberty, and self-government through song, poetry, documentation, story, and biographies of great Americans, The American Spirit, compiled by Thomas Bailey, offered an expansive scope of opposing and controversial opinions on a substantial range of chronological matters, ideas, and events that made up American history, from early 1600s through 1901. 

I believe it was and may still be used as a college text; but while history textbooks usually teach someone's interpretation, this one is strictly a collection of primary sources, including lectures, public debates, speeches, interviews, letters, articles, book excerpts, legal documents, editorials, journal entries, and more. Bailey does offer "pre-questions" and "thought provokers" to prompt discussion.

The object of The American Spirit  is to "recapture the spirit and reveal the meaning of American history by focusing the spotlight on personalities" of the "great" and "obscure" voices of history. Most of the entries are the "documents behind the (historical) documents." In many cases, you may catch the thought processes, the debates, and the communications before the final decisions were made that effected the courses of history.

Bailey sought to "implant meaningful ideas, attitudes, and viewpoints; to cultivate an open mind, a balanced judgment, and an appreciation of the problems and prejudices of others." He admitted that he "devote[d] much attention to the unpopular or unsuccessful side of controversial issues, to the grievances of minorities, and to the criticisms of foreigners." 

Some of the entries are only excerpts, but others are in full, like the Declaration of Independence. Also, my edition includes a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America, with Amendments, short enough to tuck into the back end of a book. 

Here are excerpts of my favorites: 

Crèvecoeur Discovers a New Man (c. 1770)

The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labor, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence. This is an American. 

Crèvecoeur Finds a Perfect Society (c. 1770)

We have no princes, for whom we toil, starve, and bleed: we are the most perfect society now existing in the world. Here man is free as he ought to be; nor is this pleasing equality so transitory as many others are. 

Connecticut Decries the Boston Port Act (1774)

5th. That we scorn the chains of slavery; we despise every attempt to rivet them upon us; we are the sons of freedom, and resolved that, till time shall be no more, that godlike virtue shall blazon our hemisphere.

Patrick Henry Demands Boldness (1775)

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. 

Paine Talks Common Sense (1776)

O! You that love mankind! You that dare oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hah given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.

Why an Old Soldier Fought

...what we meant in going for those Redcoats was this: we always had governed ourselves, and we always meant to . They didn't mean we should. 

Cooper Castigates Parties (1838)

Party is known to encourage prejudice, and to lead men astray in the judgment of character. 

No freeman who really loves liberty and who has a just perception of its dignity, character, action, and objects will ever become a mere party man. He may have his preferences as to measures and men, may act in concert with those who think with himself, on occasions that require concert. But it will be his earnest endeavor to hold himself a free agent, and most of all to keep his mind untrammeled by the prejudices, frauds, and tyranny of factions.  

Emersonisms and Thoreauisms  

Lincoln Denies Negro Equality (1858)

...there is no reason in the world why the Negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...I agree with Judge Douglas [the Negro] is not my equal in many respects -- certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral or intellectual endowment. But in the righ tto eat the bread....which his own hand earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man. 

Horace Greeley Hails a Martyr (1859)

Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.

Stevens Demands Negro Suffrage (1867)

Have not loyal blacks quite as good a right to choose rulers and make laws as rebel whites?

DuBois Justifies Negro Legislators (1910)

There is no doubt but that the thirst of the black man for knowledge - a thirst which has been too persistent and durable to be mere curiosity or whim - gave birth to the public free-school system of the south.

Frederick Douglass Complains (1882) 

One of the MOST shocking entries I did read in The American Spirit was by a German pastor who crossed the Atlantic, in 1750, to observe the conditions the German people were being lured into indentured servitude in America, particularly to the colony of Pennsylvania. He wrote about the miseries from the stench, sea sickness, dysentery, heat, constipation, scurvy, mouth-rot, foul water, thirst, frost, heat, hunger, lice, and more. 

When people died, and hundreds did, during the voyage, they were thrown into the sea. Imagine the horror and despair of loved ones who remained and continued on without them. Mothers who perished were thrown into the sea with their children. Children usually did not make it. Once a woman giving birth (who I assume died) was pushed through a porthole because she could not be brought up to the front of the ship. 

The pastor described how those who did make it to America endured more suffering, sometimes even selling her own children for her debt. If relatives died via the voyage, the living were held responsible for those debts, and remained in servitude even longer than the usual seven years. 

And all of this suffering was endured for passage to and to get a start on a better future in America.