This “richly textured biography†(Chicago Tribune) inspired the mesmerizing documentary; Letters from Baghdad; now in theaters. Here is the story of Gertrude Bell; who explored; mapped; and excavated the Arab world throughout the early twentieth century. Recruited by British intelligence during World War I; she played a crucial role in obtaining the loyalty of Arab leaders; and her connections and information provided the brains to match T. E. Lawrence's brawn. After the war; she played a major role in creating the modern Middle East and was; at the time; considered the most powerful woman in the British Empire. In this masterful biography; Janet Wallach shows us the woman behind these achievements–a woman whose passion and defiant independence were at odds with the confined and custom-bound England she left behind. Too long eclipsed by Lawrence; Gertrude Bell emerges at last in her own right as a vital player on the stage of modern history; and as a woman whose life was both a heartbreaking story and a grand adventure.
#378358 in Books Vintage 2012-02-21 2012-02-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .90 x 5.20l; 1.00 #File Name: 1400032199496 pagesThe civil War AwakeningAdam Goodheart
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Reads like a novel; not a history textBy CustomerI am not a huge history buff or anything; but one day I decided I wanted to review what the general attitude was about slavery on the eve of the civil war. Turns out it was way more complicated than I thought or remember being taught in school. I really enjoyed this book and found it engaging and easy to read. I then gave it to my dad; who is a HUGE civil war buff; and he really enjoyed it too. He said he learned some new things about people and events he already knew of; but not with such detail and emotional context.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Contrabands and the Crumbling of the Berlin Wall: A Beautiful LinkageBy Bruce1861: The Civil War Awakening (Vintage)Every so often; alas not frequently enough; you read a book that you realize is really exceptional. For me; this is the case with Adam Goodheart's 1861: The Civil War Awakening. The excerpts from fourteen reviews on the first page are so positive that you have a good idea that you are about to encounter a great book even before you begin reading it.1861 comprises nine chapters; a Prologue which largely tells about happenings at Fort Sumter at the end of 1860; and Postscripts which beautifully ties together many of the unfinished tales from the nine chapters. I found each chapter (all focused on key events of 1861 as the stage is set and four years of war commence) to be intriguing and informative. I liked all of them; but my favorite is "Freedom's Fortress: Hampton Roads; Virginia; May 1861." This chapter is largely the story of General Benjamin Butler and how; on May 14; 1861; he declined to return three escaped slaves (who had sought refuge at Fort Monroe) to their owner; calling them "contraband of war." This started a practice that the Lincoln administration allowed to continue until formalized when the Emancipation Proclamation was officially issued more than 19 months later. Of course; the practice was that of allowing fugitive slaves to obtain protection behind Union lines. Goodheart nicely describes how this practice served to weaken the Confederacy by effectively forcing the South to face Union forces as well as having to be constantly alert for a slave rebellion and slaves running for freedom. He nicely compares what occurred at Fort Monroe in 1861 to events at the Berlin Wall in November 1989 when an East German captain at Checkpoint Charlie shrugged his shoulders and ordered "Open up."I strongly recommend the book for all interested in the Civil War; its first year; and a better insight into how the conflict began.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Historical Page Turner; Worthy ReadingBy Hiroku-hirokuI too stumbled upon this book. I will not attempt to alter the opinions of the many History PhDs that have commented. It is a fascinating read for the admirer of American history; regardless of education. While the events portrayed occur 150 years ago Mr. Goodheart instills an element of humanity and decision making; that process inherent in human character that are unchanged in our entire human experience. This book does evoke the likely emotions of the long dead. I would suggest this especially to younger people since it demonstrates the lack of originality in some of their thinking. The only reason for giving this 3 stars is indeed subjective.
