Rebecca Hill
Wow! Get ready for a history of the American Flag and the Star Spangled Banner like never before!
Tom McMillan dove into the history of the Star Spangled Banner, from its inception on a piece of paper, to where it now stands as the national anthem for the United States. Through its long history, the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, has finally found its forever home in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. However, before that, it was cared for by the Armistead family, and lovingly cherished throughout its time, until it was donated so that millions of visitors could view the beloved flag.
The history of the Armistead family is also interestingly laid out, and there is much to learn! I enjoyed every aspect of it, from the War of 1812, through the Civil War and beyond.
There has been some controversy around the wording of the Star Spangled Banner, but we have to remember that we are looking at it through modern eyes. When it comes to history, we need to step back and take into perspective the happenings and the world that was there. The meanings of the different verses, specifically verse three are laid out, and talked through. McMillan draws on multiple sources, and brings to light the true meaning of these words, and the fervor that was behind them.
This book was brilliantly put together and I enjoyed each moment with this book. It is one that I am definitely going to be recommending to my students to read.
Translated from the original French, this book was more than I thought it was going to be at first.
A young boy, feral, and unable to communicate with the world at large, unknowing of the world at large, is about to find there is more to his existence than he ever imagined.
This book will take you on a journey you will not soon forget! Great read!
The Civil War tore many families apart. For one family in Missouri, it will tear them down the middle, as one brother goes to the Union, and the other head off to join the Confederacy. Their sister, upon learning that they were both in the same battle, heads down river to try and find them - and hopefully bring them home safely.
What a read! It was hard to put down, and while geared for younger readers, it was well done! I will be sharing this one with my boys over the summer.
When you think of Egypt, one thinks of pyramids. However, there is much more to this country than just pyramids.
Donald P. Ryan dives into some of the adventures that he has undertaken during his years excavating in Egypt.
I absolutely loved this book! It was full of great stories, wonderful history, and even a few chuckles along the way. If you want to look at history a bit differently, check out this book. I enjoyed the author's “just get over it” attitude. Very refreshing - and someone that I would love to sit down, pick their brain, and have an honest-to-goodness conversation.
Who ever said that history is boring hasn't read about the events of the summer of 1876. If this does not get you excited to read more, and want to dive deeper into American history, I am sorry. This book was magnificently done, and hard to put down! I pulled a very late night, so that I could continue reading. Even though I knew what was coming (history is my jam), I had to keep reading, and read faster, as I was HOOKED!
From Custer, to restless natives (Native Americans today), westward expansion, murder, justice, and more - this book has something for everyone! Get ready for a book that will make you think twice about what the American West looked like - and what it could have been.
I will definitely be recommending this book to my students.
I learned so much!
There was a lot of about octopuses that I didn't know, but this book was truly amazing in that in gave me a deeper insight into these fabulous creatures that inhabit the ocean. Highly intelligent, and adaptable, the octopus has evolved through their changing environments.
This was a pleasure to read, and learn from. The author did a great job in sharing the information, not only for those who are new to the subject but also for those who might be a bit more knowledgable. 100% recommend this book!
I was so very excited to read through this book! I love anything to do with shipwrecks and those who are involved. There are some fantastic stories out there, and some heartbreaking ones as well.
This book is a tad misleading. When reading the book blurb, and based on the title, you would think that this book focuses on shipwrecks, and of course, a ship graveyard in the Pacific.
Instead, you get the life story of the author and the horrific abuses that he suffered at the hands of his father. A friend, who also suffered abuse from a father - and then - finally - some stories about shipwrecks in the area.
Now, I will say, there was enough in this book to keep me interested, however, it was not what I was expecting. Overall, it was a decent read.
This was an interesting look into the life of a person who could be the daughter of Cleopatra. It was possible that she survived into adulthood and became a powerful woman. There is enough evidence to support it, but without a body, and more written surviving documents, it is hard to say for certain. Between Egypt and Rome, there is a lot if interesting history brought in, and some discussion on living arrangements, marriages, who's who in the world, and dynastic struggles.
Interesting viewpoints, and some great history inside as well. There were a few snips from the author that could turn a few people off to the book, but overall it was a decent read.
When a family is discovered dead, there are many questions that are left lingering, and one family member who refuses to have anything to do with the house moving forward.
When her granddaughter starts asking questions, she is about to discover some long-held family secrets, and some of them are not as easy to take as others are...
This book was fantastic, and I enjoyed reading through it! It was hard to put down once I started. Heartbreaking in many ways, but also very touching in others.
Highly recommend this book!
This was a really interesting view on the shark attacks that were happening off the New Jersey shoreline. For the longest time, many did not or could not believe that a shark could be responsible for the attacks. Not until a few were able to get an actual view of the beast did the idea that a shark COULD be killing those off the coast become a reality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a fabulous read, and one that I think my kids will enjoy reading as well.
I have loved Theodore Roosevelt for the longest time, but this book deep-dives into his life - and brings the man that we see as a myth to life.
Theodore Roosevelt was a larger-than-life figure, but he was not always the rough-and-tumble man that we know from history.
Absolutely LOVED this book! It was a great read, and being able to take a deeper look into this enigmatic man was a treat. I highly recommend this book!
What a fabulous read! I enjoyed getting more into the life of whales.
James Michael Dorsey takes you on a journey unlike any other. From the whales that they know on a name basis (read the story, it's great), and newer whales that are appearing as well - it was a magical adventure that draws you in. Loved this one!
Highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys marine life, and wants to get some deeper insight into the lives of the whales in San Ignacio.
Oh good gracious! These stories keep getting better and better! I may say that about all these anthologies, but the books seriously leave me wanting more! I could not wait to sit down with this one, and it was over before I was ready!
These stories will keep you on the edge of your seat, and you will not want to read these in the dark! Fabulously done, and the narrator as always does a fantastic job.
Bring on Tavern of Terror vol 6!!!