by History 500 | Aug 6, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection
Red Cloud's War - Resistance and Victory by the Sioux Nation
In the summer and fall of 1866, legendary Lakota Sioux's great warrior-chief Red Cloud courageously rallied his forces against encroaching white settlers and the U.S. cavalry . Bob Drury's "The Heart of Everything That Is" vividly brings to life this dramatic and mostly forgotten confrontation and heroic Sioux victory predating later events at Little Big Horn.
Top Recommendation for August
The Heart of Everything That Is
, by Bob Drury ( 2013 - 432pp)
A masterpiece of Western history. Gripping, account of the rise of Red Cloud as leader of the Sioux nation, his guerrilla war and the Army's great defeat in the Fetterman Massacre ( 2013 - 432pp)
by History 500 | Jul 14, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection
The Battle of Britain - 75th Anniversary of Britain's Greatest WW II Victory
75 years ago, in the summer and fall of 1940, all that separated Britain from invasion and certain defeat by the Nazi peril was the RAF and Britain's top secret air radar defense system. Acclaimed author Michael Korda's "With Wings Like Eagles" portrays the heroes, villains and leaders on both sides and the critical moments in this thrilling epic of survival.
Top Recommendation for July
With Wings Like Eagles, Michael Korda (2009 - 352pp)
One of the most critical victories in British history. Great account of the RAF and Hitler's failed attempt at gaining air superiority for an invasion of England.
by History 500 | Jun 11, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Marquis de Lafayette - Washington's Indispensable Ally and Friend
In June, 1834 all of America mourned the death at age 74 of Lafayette who volunteered as Washington's aide as a 20 year old, won the hearts of Americans and helped bring France into the War. David Clary's "Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution" portrays the life, friendships and great loves of this genuine American hero.
Top Recommendation for June, David Clary (2008 - 592pp)
Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution, David Clary (2008 - 592pp)
Touching, poignant portrayal of the father-son relationship that blossomed between Lafayette and Washington and was so critical to the war effort. David Clary (2008 - 592pp)
by History 500 | May 1, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Sinking of the Lusitania - America Turns toward War
100 years ago, on May 1, 1915 the RMS Lusitania departed Chelsea Piers in New York for Liverpool with 1962 people aboard. The ship was torpedoed on the afternoon of May 7, 11 miles off the coast of Ireland and sank in 18 minutes. Erik Larson's "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" brings to life this fateful event that helped draw the U.S. into WW I.
Top Recommendation for May
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, by Erik Larson (2015, May - 448 pp)
Tense, gripping account of the last days of RMS Lusitania, the world's largest ship. Master story teller Erik Larson relates an unforgettable WW I tragedy and mystery
by History 500 | Apr 8, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
Appomattox 150 Years Ago - Final Moments of the Civil War
On April 9, 1865 Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of the Northern Virginia at Appomattox, VA in one of the most dramatic scenes in American military history. Bruce Catton's classic three volume history of the Civil War ends with his superlative "A Stillness at Appomattox" brilliantly capturing Lee's failed dash to escape and ensuing poignant moments of his surrender.
Top Recommendation for April
A Stillness at Appomattox, by Bruce Catton (1990 – 448pp) by
A Civil War classic covering the final days of the war and Robert E. Lee’s historic, emotional surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox.
by History 500 | Mar 1, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
America's First Great National Park - The Birth of Yellowstone
On March 1, 1882 Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation creating Yellowstone and gave birth to the world's first national park system. George Black's marvelous "Empire of Shadows" is a captivating introduction to a cast of legendary Western characters from Lewis and Clark to Jim Bridger and those first to document the marvels of Yellowstone for the rest of America.
Top Recommendation for March
Empire of Shadows,by George Black (2013 - 576pp)
Thoroughly absorbing Western history of the initial exploration of Yellowstone, settlement of the Wyoming-Montana area and tragic conflicts with local Indian nations.
by History 500 | Feb 7, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
Britain's Darkest, Most Desperate Hours - Three Great Americans Who Stood by Her.
Many Americans are not fully aware of how truly desperate Britain was after two years of war with Germany. Lynne Olson's Citizens of London paints a vivid picture of WW II in Britain and London before American entry and of three Americans who worked behind the scenes to aid Britain during her most desperate hours.
Top Recommendation for February
Citizens of London, Lynne Olsen (2011 - 496pp)
Terrific, inspiring account of three U.S greats, W.A. Harriman, E. R. Murrow, and Ambassador John Winant who first understood and articulated the Nazi threat.
by History 500 | Jan 9, 2015 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Battle of New Orleans at 200 - America's First Great Military Victory
January 10, 2015 marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans and Andrew Jackson's famous victory over far superior British forces during the War of 1812. Acclaimed Jacksonian scholar Robert Remini documents in concise, captivating prose how Old Hickory welded a motley crew of fighters in the nick of time...and gave America its first great military victory.
Top Recommendation for January
Battle of New Orleans, Robert Remini (2001 – 240pp)
An edge-of-your seats read about Andrew Jackson’s ragtag army of 3000 and humiliating defeat of 8000 British regulars that stirred and inspired a nation.
by History 500 | Dec 2, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
Into the Arctic Unknown - A Perilous Journey to the Kingdom of Ice
An 1880's Gilded Age cast of characters, a U.S Navy ship that becomes locked in the unexplored Arctic and its crew's unimaginable fight for survival make Hampton Sides "In the Kingdom of Ice" a riveting page turner. And, Pierre Burton's 1958 classic, "Klondike Fever" about the Klondike Gold Rush will astound you with the exploits of thousands in the frozen North.
Top Recommendations for December
In the Kingdom of Ice, Hampton Sides (2014, Aug - 480pp)
Epic saga of 1880's polar exploration into the uncharted Arctic by the U.S. Navy ship Jeannette, her heroic young captain George De Long and intrepid crew. Hampton Sides (2014, Aug - 480pp)
by History 500 | Oct 27, 2014 | Book of the Month Selection, Welcome
The Battle of Leyte Gulf - The Largest Naval Battle of WW II
From October 23-26, 1944 the U.S. and Japanese fleets fought what may be the largest naval battle in history near the Philippines - a final fatal blow for Japan. Jame's Hornfischer's "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" describes one of the heroic battles of the war...and how close Japan came to a victory. Tom Cutler's "The Battle of Leyte Gulf" is still the best overview book .
Top Recommendation for November
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, by Thomas Cutler (1994 - 343pp)
Possibly the largest naval battle in history. Japan came close, but ultimately lost 26 major surface ships and was never again a fighting navy. Lost was the great battleship Musashi and 4 aircraft carriers.
In the summer and fall of 1866, legendary Lakota Sioux's great warrior-chief Red Cloud courageously rallied his forces against encroaching white settlers and the U.S. cavalry . Bob Drury's "The Heart of Everything That Is" vividly brings to life this dramatic and mostly forgotten confrontation and heroic Sioux victory predating later events at Little Big Horn.
