by History 500 | Oct 6, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Battle of Saratoga - France Enters the Revolutionary War
On October, 17, 1777 British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 5200 to Colonial forces at Saratoga, a historic, critical turning point that brought France into the war as America's ally. Richard Ketchum's "Saratoga" is an easy-to-read cliffhanger detailing the almost unbelievable overconfidence of Burgoyne that lead to his cataclysmic defeat.
Top Recommendation for October
Saratoga, by Richard Ketchum (1997 – 448pp)
A fascinating, inspiring account of the British invasion from Canada and disastrous defeat of an overly-confident Burgoyne at Saratoga. Great Maps. Richard M Ketchum
by History 500 | Sep 2, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Fall of Atlanta - The Greatest Event of the Civil War
On September 2, 1864, Atlanta surrendered to General William "T" Sherman ending a bloody 4 month siege in what has been famously called "The Greatest Event of the Civil War". Russell Bond's superb, 2010 book covers the battle and burning of the city by retreating Confederate forces, immortalized years later in Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind".
Top Recommendations for September
War Like the Thunderbolt, Russell Bonds (2010 - 536pp).
Award-winning, epic story that draws the reader into the drama of the siege and burning of Atlanta in a way that makes this cataclysmic event come alive
Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell (1936 - 960pp).
Margaret Mitchell's famous 1936 first-novel about the destruction of Atlanta and the heartrending end to the Southern plantation way of life
by History 500 | Aug 12, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics - An American Crew's Magical Journey
In August, 1936 Hitler's Germany hosted the Olympics in Berlin. A U-Washington crew of Depression Era youngsters from the west won fame and glory competing in the U.S...then set off to win gold in Berlin. This captivating story touches many bases...growing up in The Depression, a heroic quest to win, the many innovations in rowing and wooden shell design...and a Nazi propaganda machine in full overdrive
Top Recommendation for August
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics", by James Brown (2013, Jun - 416pp)
Marvelous, inspiring story of the U-Washington coach and crew at Hitler's 1936 Olympics and their quest for gold against a heavily favored Nazi machine.
by History 500 | Jul 7, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Mexican War - Creation of the American West
In July of 1846, Gen. Stephen Kearny at the direction of President Polk set off on one of the most ambitious and successful military adventures in history, capturing New Mexico and California and dramatically increasing the size of the United States. One of our favorite authors, Winston Groom is a great story teller and vividly brings to life Kearny's amazing life and adventures in "Blood and Thunder: the Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West",
Top Recommendation for July
Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West, by Hampton Sides (2011 - 336 pp)
The remarkable journey of Kearny's band of 2000 soldiers on a mission to help secure the SW and CA in 1846. Historic encounters with the Mormons, Kit Carson, the Donner party
by History 500 | Jun 10, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
World War I - The Outbreak of The Great War 100 Years Later
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28th, 1914, an event that changed the course of World History. G. J. Meyer's superb "A World Undone: The Story of the Great War" is a fresh, highly readable overview of WW I with helpful vignettes on key personalities and excellent maps.
Top Recommendation for June
A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, by G.J. Meyer (2007 - 704pp)
Excellent, easy-to-read recent overview of WWI for the more casual reader. Root causes of the war, history of major battles and the war's lasting impact.
Click Here for a Map & Guide to WW I Monuments & Battlefields
by History 500 | May 12, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Summer of 1927 & The Spirit of St. Louis
Bill Bryson's marvelously engaging book, One Summer: America 1927, covers Babe Ruth, Al Capone, Prohibition, and riveting details about Charles Lindbergh's historic, May 21 flight across the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis. Richard Bak's, The Big Jump, is another excellent recent book on Lindbergh and the fierce competition to be first.
Top Recommendations for May
One Summer: America 1927, Bill Bryson (2013 - 528pp)
A quirky, entertaining style and plenty of lesser known details about Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Warren Harding, Prohibition and the Roaring 20's. Great fun.
The Big Jump, Richard Bak (2011 - 336 pp)
Wonderful, new recap of Lindberg's flight across the Atlantic, the only solo attempt yet made. Plus, not well-known info on the many competitors he faced.
by History 500 | Apr 7, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Battle of Shiloh - The End of Innocence
A general air of optimism prevailed both North and South 
during the first year of the Civil War. Hopes for swift victory were dashed at Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862 - the first major battle of the War, portending the vast scope of conflict yet to come. Winston Groom's engaging and highly readable "Shiloh 1862" is the best overview of this historic event yet. Great maps.
Top Recommendation for April
Shiloh 1862, by Winston Groom (2012 - 398 pp)
Superb history of the appalling first large battle of the Civil War that shocked North and South with its carnage. Riveting portrayal of the death of Gen. Johnson. Winston Groom
Click Here for a Guide & Map for the Shiloh National Military Park
by History 500 | Mar 10, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The American Revolution - Critical Turning Point in the Carolinas
To most, the key events of the American Revolution occurred in Virginia and north. Not necessarilly so. In March, 1781, two critical battles in the Carolinas changed the course of the war and made the final victory at Yorktown possible. The Battle of Cowpens was a stunning loss for the British. And The Battle of Guilford Courthouse a Phyrric victory, leading them to Yorktown and Washington's fateful victory.
Top Recommendations for March
The Battle of Cowpens, Edward Babits (2000 - 231pp)
A critical turning point of the war in the South. Continental troops brilliantly lured and routed British and Loyalists led by the hated General Tarleton.
The Road to Guilford Courthouse, John Buchanen (1999 - 452pp)
Terrific account of the tense, but fruitless chase by Cornwalis of Nathaniel Greene's illusive Continentals and the fateful British retreat to Yorktown.
Click Here to View the Cowpens National Battlefield
Click Here to View the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
by History 500 | Feb 5, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
Roots of the Vietnam War - Beginnings of an American Tragedy
On Feb 9th, 1965, the first U.S. Combat troops landed in Vietnam, a Marine Corps air defense missile battalion deployed to Da Nang by President Johnson. The lessons of history were lost. Fredrik Logevall's brilliant Embers of War is an emotional roller-coaster in how the U.S. became embroiled in it's longest, costliest war.
Top Recommendation for February
Embers of War, by Fredrick Logeval, (2012 - 861 pp)
Award-winning history of the century leading to the Vietnam conflict beginning with French colonialism, young Ho Chi Mi Minh's amazing early life.
by History 500 | Dec 29, 2013 | Welcome
Valley Forge - A Winter Miracle
Nothing stirs the patriotic imagination more than Washington's defeat of British' Hessian 
troops in Trenton which some say was the high water mark of his military career. History 500 has over 25 of best books on the American Revolution. including Washington's Crossing by renowned David H Fischer, and Through A Howling Wilderness, an astounding tale of winter hardship, survival and military disaster in Maine's Northwoods wilderness.
Top Recommendations for January:
Washington's Crossing, by David Hackett Fisher (2006-5766 pp)
The best account going of Washington's daring Christmas night crossing of the Delaware and the battles of Trenton and Princeton that changed the course of the war.
On October, 17, 1777 British General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 5200 to Colonial forces at Saratoga, a historic, critical turning point that brought France into the war as America's ally. Richard Ketchum's "Saratoga" is an easy-to-read cliffhanger detailing the almost unbelievable overconfidence of Burgoyne that lead to his cataclysmic defeat.
