More than 30 people tell personal stories about the nonviolent struggle for civil rights; then and now; not only the leaders but also ordinary citizens who bear witness to “transforming moments†when they suddenly found the courage to try to change things. David Dinkins; New York City’s first black mayor; served with the U.S. Marines in World War II; at home; he had to use the back of the bus. A white woman remembers herself as a child after the Birmingham murders (“My worst fear was that my father might be a member of the Klanâ€). David Halberstam provides an excellent overview; Williams’ brief; clear notes introduce each eyewitness account; and the combination of analysis and intimacy with powerful documentary photos makes for gripping narrative. Best of all are the connections with contemporary struggles for equality; including those of immigrants; the poor; and the disabled. Marion Wright Edelman’s final impassioned essay speaks for the millions of all races who continue to be “left behind in our land of plenty.â€--Booklist_x000D_ Jeanne Fogle Lyons—a historian; professor; and certified tour guide in Washington—and Elan Penn; the gifted photographer who created the superb From Sea to Shining Sea; combine their talents to create a breathtaking and fascinating homage to America’s capital city. Lavish images of fabled monuments; world-famous museums; distinguished universities; and lush parks—all accompanied by fascinating background information—pay tribute to the beauty and history of Washington; D.C. From government buildings such as the Capitol; White House; and Supreme Court to outdoor statues of Ulysses S. Grant; Mary Leo Bethune; and Mahatma Gandhi; this unique visual tour captures the city’s riches as never before. Visit Mount Vernon; George Washington’s splendid home and plantation; the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial; the Arlington National Cemetery; where the eternal flame burns over John F. Kennedy’s grave; and the Smithsonian; which protects the glories of our past. Watch government at work at the Federal Triangle Department Buildings; see the lovely sculpture garden at the National Gallery; and feel the magnificence of sacred structures such as St. John’s of Lafayette Square. Every photo; from Ford’s Theatre; where Lincoln lost his life; to Maya Lin’s heartbreaking Vietnam Memorial; is inspirational._x000D_ A riveting true adventure storyÂ….An award-winning; bestselling authorÂ…A page-turner that’s impossible to put down. Almost everyone knows the photo of John F. Kennedy; Jr.; as a young boy; peering out from under his father’s desk in the Oval Office. But few realize that the desk itself plays a part in one of the world’s most extraordinary mysteries—a dramatic tale that has never before been told in its full scope. Acclaimed historian Martin Sandler—a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee; winner of seven Emmy® Awards; and author of more than 50 books—finally brings the entire story to light. This amazing high-seas adventure encompasses the search for the Northwest Passage in the early 1800s; a renowned explorer and his crew of 128 men who vanish during an 1845 expedition; 39 incredible; heroic attempted rescue missions; a ghost ship that drifts for more than 1;200 miles; a queen’s gratitude; and that famous desk. Fascinating rare photographs; paintings; engravings; and maps illustrate the book throughout._x000D_ Ah; Washington: evergreens; coffee; rock; and rain. That's pretty much it; right? Well; no. There is a whole lot of weird going on in our state. Washington is home to some of the weirdest travel destinations; scariest legends; and most colorful folks in the United States.Because there are so many odd and unusual tales; cemeteries; beasts; and people here; it took two authors to traverse the state to document it all. With cameras and notepads; and apples (of course) in hand; Jefferson Davis and Al Eufrasio boldly ventured the highways and byways; back roads and forests; shorelines and mountaintops to investigate all the state has to offer. For starters; there are lots of unexplained events here--in fact; we're ranked number two in the whole country for mysterious phenomena: America's only unsolved hijacking happened here; look up; but watch out for raining rocks; mysterious flying men; and UFOs; look down; and you might uncover a body turned to soap in Crescent Lake or deadly monsters in Lake Washington.Where else can you find a tribute to a giant squirting razor clam? Discover Ozette; our own Pompeii of the Pacific Northwest; cruise by Gospodor's monumental controversy on your way to Gravity Hill; but if that's Bigfoot you see; no worries because here in Washington; Bigfoot saves lives! Investigate the elusive Northwest tree octopus; feed a hungry ghost at Starvation Heights; and see what's not going on in Aberdeen. Yes; Washington is a whole lot weirder than you ever imagined; and Weird Washington" is here to show and tell you all about it.
#20485 in Books Ronald C Jr White 2016-10-04 2016-10-04Format: Deckle EdgeOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.55 x 1.68 x 6.64l; 1.25 #File Name: 1400069025826 pagesWinner of the William Henry Seward Award for Excellence in Civil War Biography • Finalist for the Gilder-Lehrman Military History Book Prize
Review
166 of 169 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating Biography. A MUST Read!By Sasha Q."American Ulysses" is a captivating and thorough biography of one of America's greatest and often forgotten heroes. As an amateur; Civil War historian; I appreciate the author's vivid detail and the historical accuracy of Grant's accomplishments during the war. Going beyond simple prose; the book is packed with informative maps; period pictures; and illustrations. However; for myself; the real treasure of this biography is found in the details of Grant's personal life; and the periods both before and directly after the Civil War.Ronald C. White Jr. based this biography; in a large part; on all 33 volumes of "The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant". Even though I have read countless other Grant biographies; and Grant's own wonderful memoirs several times over; "American Ulysses" was full of surprises and new insights. Grant's relationship with his wife; Julia; and his entire family; is depicted in great detail. The author's in-depth treatment clearly reveals that Grant's marriage; family; and loyal friends were his anchor during the personal and professional challenges he weathered.Mr. White's description of Grant's accomplishments (and frustrations) while serving under President Andrew Johnson was eye-opening. And both terms of Grant's presidency are given vivid; accurate; and (thankfully) unbiased detail. Likewise; the section on Grant's world tour was a treasure; and I found myself grateful that fate had finally given this untiring servant of the people a gift for himself.Near the end of the book; there were tears in my eyes when reading about Grant's last day. Mr. White not only brought Ulysses alive for me; but; more than that; helped me to see him as if he was my own friend. For that; I am extremely grateful. Surely; however; the author's greatest accomplishment is that he has given present and future generations of historians and scholars the definitive tome on the life of Ulysses S. Grant. And for that; the world is extremely grateful.85 of 90 people found the following review helpful. An excellent biography on all scores - readable; detailed and epicBy Nathan WebsterIt's funny - in elementary school I remember learning that Robert E. Lee was the spit-and-polished military mastermind who simply ran out of men in his dignified leadership of the noble yet flawed Confederacy; while U.S. Grant was the grumpy idiot savant who smoked and drank and basically threw men at the problem until blundering into victory. And I went to school in Massachusetts!While I've learned the real history since then; I probably had not learned it in such an in-depth way that Ronald White presents here.This is of course a Grant-focused biography. Gettysburg gets a sentence or two; while the Vicksburg campaign gets a chapter - but that gives a deep look into aspects of the Civil War I barely knew or had long forgotten. White does a great job giving lots of details while never feeling overwhelming the reader.White's narrative is totally readable and engaging. This is not a "dry and academic" history (not that there's anything wrong with that in proper setting) but an exciting and poignant and epic biography of an overlooked giant of American history. The "revisionist historians" of yesteryear marginalized Grant - because they were motivated to present a racist and white supremacist worldview - and a biography like this is a chance to revise it back.In school; I had also "learned" that Grant was essentially an accidental president; put up by the era's powerbrokers as someone they successfully manipulated - again; not a true version of history. While Grant's presidential administration had it's share of scandals; both personal and professional; White gives enough context so they make sense in the 1870s standards of behavior. More importantly; Grant's consistent attempts at supporting the freedmen were often stymied by the Democratic politicians of the time (including the odious Andrew Johnson); and while he did his general best; the people of the US weren't up to it - the choices made in the 1870-90s represents our nation's darkest hour; and it's no wonder revisionists try to hide that era's evil.But Grant was always big; it's the country that was small.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Worthwhile biography of U. S. GrantBy Steven PetersonThis is a really fine biography of Ulysses S. Grant [sic]. That was not his real name; but in a clerical error; that is how we know him today. This is a well written book that reads nicely. We see the trajectory of his life from childhood through his West Point experience to his army career (featuring a very solid performance in the Mexican War and a career clothed with questions about drinking in the Northwest) to his floundering in private life (ending up working for his father in Galena; Illinois) to his almost unbelievable work in the Civil War; rising from "who's he" to becoming the top military officer in the Union Army. His post-War army work and his rise to the presidency and his later life are all chronicled well.The book does well at acquaint us with Grant and giving us a sense of his life. High points: development of his relationship with his wife; his rise from a lower ranking regimental officer to commander-in-chief of the Union forces; his role as president; his desperate race to finish his autobiography before his death. Some key points: his efforts as president to protect rights of African-Americans; his determination to create an environment in which Americans and Indians could live in peace; and his efforts to deal with scandals within his administration (although he was himself "clean" of the taint).All in all; a fine biography of US Grant
