The Autobiography Manuscript of Major Amos Stoddard is part biography; and part autobiography. It is the story of the life and times of Major Amos Stoddard; the first civil commandant and governor of Upper Louisiana. Amos Stoddard tragically died at the siege of Fort Meigs (Ohio) during the War of 1812. His biography is provided as an introduction by the editor. This introduction provides the most complete and comprehensive account of the life of Major Amos Stoddard ever published. The introduction is followed by a typescript of his unfinished; handwritten manuscript autobiography; penned in 1812 prior to his death; which was recovered from his military chest in 1850 and which has languished in archive obscurity for the past 165 years. This typescript is provided in its entirety for the first time since it was written over 200 years ago. The typescript is highly noted and provides extensive detail and explanation of the content of autobiography manuscript. Amos Stoddard was (seemingly) the Forest Gump of his time. He was witness to many of history's best (and least) known events. He crossed paths with many of the most important (and some of the most despicable) figures in American history. A narrative written by Joseph Plumb Martin in 1830; nearly fifty years after the end of the Revolutionary War; titled; A Narrative of some of the Adventures; Danger and Suffering of a Revolutionary Soldier; is considered by some to be the best account of the American Revolution ever written by an ordinary soldier. However; now; another young volunteer from Massachusetts; Amos Stoddard; gives us from memory; and without the use of notes or a diary; the story of his participation in that struggle. He relates his sufferings as a teenager not yet conditioned to the hardships and deprivations of revolutionary-era military camp life; and of his attendance at some of that war's most significant events. He also provides the best first-hand account ever documented of a few of the armed skirmishes between Massachusetts state militia forces and rebel insurgents during Shays' Rebellion. He goes on to describe how a young man; with only a basic education; and who had never known independent civilian life; after being abruptly discharged from military service and thrown into a civil society in considerable disarray; finds his way to learning a skill; pursuing an education; earning a highly-respectable civilian occupation; and ultimately leaving his mark on history. He provides us a chronicle of international travel in the 18th century and the story of an unscrupulous swindle that resulted while in pursuit of securing a family estate. He also shares his intellectual interest in the political discourse of the time; and provides a comical tale mocking an Englishman for his audacity in placing an advertisement for a wife.
#618370 in Books Lerner Robert E 2017-01-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.30 x 6.10l; .0 #File Name: 069117282X424 pagesErnst Kantorowicz A Life
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Opponent of university loyalty oaths and author of "The King's Two Bodies"By Ronald H. ClarkIt is often said that fascinating lives make for superior biographies. This statement is no where more true than as regards this outstanding biography of Ernst Kantorowicz (1895-1963); whom many consider to have been the greatest medievalist of the 20th century. I leave that to the historians to fight out; what is evident is that EKa (as he preferred to be known) was one of the most insightful and creative intellectual historians that one is likely to come across. I first encountered him in connection with his spectacularly inventive study; "The King's Two Bodies;" while in graduate school; I was also aware of him from his courageous opposition to the California loyalty oath requirement while he was teaching at Berkeley in the late 1940's; which ultimately cost him his position. I too had to put up with the oath's foolishness while a student at UC in the 1960's; but it was much weakened and on its way out thanks to the brave battle fought by EKa and others.The author (himself a distinguished medievalist) does a solid job in tracing the evolution of EKa's life; from his birth in Posen (then in East Prussia) in 1895 till his death in 1963 at Princeton where he had become affiliated with the Institution for Advanced Studies. His path through life is just fascinating; as he moves from Posen to fight on the German side in the First War; then to Heidelberg for economic studies and involvement with the mystical Stefan George circle. There while still without a university position; but possessing a doctorate; he wrote his first book on Kaiser Frederick II (published in 1927); who had ruled the Holy Roman Empire during the 13th century. The book either wowed or horrified established historians because of his unique reliance upon medieval chronicles and ceremonial acclamations rather than the more traditional tools of German historical writing. A foretaste of the Two Bodies book to come.EKa then shifted to the university at Frankfurt where he taught history. But the growing strength of the Nazis; especially after 1933; began to make his life uncomfortable; since he was of Jewish extraction. After a brief stint at Oxford; he was effectively separated from teaching; which did allow him more time for research work. By 1938; the situation was impossible and he escaped first to the UK and then the U.S. While he gave some lectures and taught briefly at several institutions; he ended up at Berkeley for a serious of one-year appointments during 1940-45. He had managed to write his second book on liturgical acclamations and rituals; but UC press sat on the manuscript for several years. Ultimately he got a permanent professorship; but then the loyalty oath controversy forced him to relocate (fortunately) to the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton. It was here that he published the Two Bodies; a work which had been fermenting in his mind for decades. And it is here where he dies in 1963.Several aspects stand out in this bio. First; the author's own distinguished teaching and writing in medieval history render him a sure hand when discussing EKa's books and approaches to history. This is most evident I felt in the author's discussion of the Two Bodies; to which he devotes an entire chapter. Explaining the transition of ideas from Christian theological formulations into political ones to the uninitiated (such as myself) is no easy task; but the author pulls it off. Moreover; like a good European scholar; the author is conversant in multiple languages which allows him to accurately discuss some arcane concepts which EKa has articulated in multiple languages from diverse sources not in English. The reader is always in good hands with Professor Robert E. Lerner. While the biographical material flows smoothly; the intensive discussion of EKa's historical work can be challenging--but that is the nature of intellectual history. I enjoyed the 390 pages of the book because EKa tends to open up your mind to new ideas not elsewhere encountered. And that is always a valuable; and far too rare; experience.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Life of Ernst KantorowiczBy Dr. Jack KushnerI enjoyed my introduction to Ernest Kantorowicz and learned a great deal. He was some man The book is well written but could have been better redacted. But I would not have liked him as a person. He certainly left a great deal of writing for all to admire. Jack Kushner2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. EKaBy Christian SchlectWhile I previously was not aware of Ernst Kantorowicz; I found reading this nicely written biography both enjoyable and informative.Kantorowicz fought in World War I for Germany; was close to both the mystical poet Stefan George and the Oxford don Maurice Bowra; departed Nazi Germany and found refuge at Berkeley; was a key figure in the Red Scare's oath controversy at the University of California; and closed his days at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study. He was a brilliant international academic and historian.The author; Dr. Lerner; has written a well-researched book that is enliven by many words on Kantorowicz's spirited personal life; which included many unconventional love affairs and many deep friendships. His book provides the reader entry into the rarefied world of high intellectual attainment; as set against the backdrop of a violent century.
