Beyond the barrier with Byrd;: An authentic story of the Byrd Antarctic exploring expedition,

Product Description

The Arctic, the far, frozen north, can be a very dangerous place for people to visit. The Arctic is almost always bitter cold, with temperatures that can go far below -50°F and be in total darkness for four months out of a year. Terrible storms sweep across the ice and snow, and great crevasses, perilous openings in the ice, can swallow the unlucky traveler. By the early 1900s, many expeditions had tried to reach the farthest point north, the North Pole, but all of them had failed. Many explorers had died. Tales spread that no one could reach the North Pole. They warned that the land was cursed. But in the early twentieth century, two men decided to brave the Arctic again. They were Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson. And they were determined to do what no one had ever done. They were going to reach the North Pole.

Exploring the Poles (Pathfinders in Exploration)

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a learning book

Exploring the Poles (Pathfinders in Exploration)
Derek Cullen , and John Murray-Robertson
Manufacturer: Schoolhouse Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Exploration & Discovery | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0808611623

Customer Reviews:

a learning book.......2000-11-17

Exploring the Poles was an interesting book about were the ice poles are, the people who traveled the poles, and some animals that live in the poles and much much more! I do not suggjest this book for a reading book, but it is great for schools and teachers who are teaching about the "poles".

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The North Pole or Bust
Frank Rasky
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES....IN THE MATTER OF DISASTER TO THE U.S. EXPLORING EXPEDITION TOWARD THE NO. POLE

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REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES....IN THE MATTER OF DISASTER TO THE U.S. EXPLORING EXPEDITION TOWARD THE NO. POLE
Author Unknown
Manufacturer: U.S. Navy Dept
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J3SFF0

Book Description

James M. McPherson is acclaimed as one of the finest historians writing today and a preeminent commentator on the Civil War. Battle Cry of Freedom, his Pulitzer Prize-winning account of that conflict, was a national bestseller that Hugh Brogan, in The New York Times, called "history writing of the highest order." Now, in Drawn With the Sword, McPherson offers a series of thoughtful and engaging essays on some of the most enduring questions of the Civil War, written in the masterful prose that has become his trademark. Filled with fresh interpretations, puncturing old myths and challenging new ones, Drawn With the Sword explores such questions as why the North won and why the South lost (emphasizing the role of contingency in the Northern victory), whether Southern or Northern aggression began the war, and who really freed the slaves, Abraham Lincoln or the slaves themselves. McPherson offers memorable portraits of the great leaders who people the landscape of the Civil War: Ulysses S. Grant, struggling to write his memoirs with the same courage and determination that marked his successes on the battlefield; Robert E. Lee, a brilliant general and a true gentleman, yet still a product of his time and place; and Abraham Lincoln, the leader and orator whose mythical figure still looms large over our cultural landscape. And McPherson discusses often-ignored issues such as the development of the Civil War into a modern "total war" against both soldiers and civilians, and the international impact of the American Civil War in advancing the cause of republicanism and democracy in countries from Brazil and Cuba to France and England. Of special interest is the final essay, entitled "What's the Matter With History?", a trenchant critique of the field of history today, which McPherson describes here as "more and more about less and less." He writes that professional historians have abandoned narrative history written for the greater audience of educated general readers in favor of impenetrable tomes on minor historical details which serve only to edify other academics, thus leaving the historical education of the general public to films and television programs such as Glory and Ken Burns's PBS documentary The Civil War. Each essay in Drawn With the Sword reveals McPherson's own profound knowledge of the Civil War and of the controversies among historians, presenting all sides in clear and lucid prose and concluding with his own measured and eloquent opinions. Readers will rejoice that McPherson has once again proven by example that history can be both accurate and interesting, informative and well-written. Mark Twain wrote that the Civil War "wrought so profoundly upon the entire national character that the influence cannot be measured short of two or three generations." In Drawn With the Sword, McPherson gracefully and brilliantly illuminates this momentous conflict.

Customer Reviews:

Advertisement is false.......2005-09-27

I saw the picture for the 1997 version (green and black)as I needed it for school, so naturally I ordered it. To my severe dissappointment I received the 1996 version with a burgundy and blue cover. This is frustrating when you think your getting something your not.

Not another battles of the Civil War book.......2004-09-18

In Drawn with the Sword, McPherson's goal is to address several different themes including slavery as a polarizing issue, the evolution of the conflict from limited war to a "total war" concept to give birth to new freedom, the role of blacks in the conflict, reasons for Northern victory, as well as political and military leadership. Each chapter deals in great detail with these topics in a clear and understandable format. Unlike many of his other books, McPherson does not deal directly with the battle field or skirmishes. Throughout the book, McPherson attempts to stay neutral by offering evidence for both arguments. Unfortunately staunch supporters of the Confederate cause may still accuse him of bias; given the polarity of the subject, this is not uncommon.
The book is divided into five sections consisting of fifteen essays previously published. This partition allows the reader to concentrate on the different subjects offered. Origins of the Civil War discusses the Antebellum South, specifically the different perspectives that surface in comparison to the North. Arguments are made using quotes from scholars to confirm and refute the idea of the South being a separate entity. For further reference, McPherson makes a comparison between Uncle Tom's Cabin and Gone with the Wind, which shows how perspective and ideals played a major role in the worst conflict in American History. McPherson then entertains the concept of The War of Southern Aggression where he provides a factual basis to substantiate that the cause of the war lay in the South rather than the more common Northern Aggression theory popular in the South.
McPherson next makes a case for how race affected the outcome of the Civil War. He devotes an entire chapter to the movie Glory and its representation while showing the positive contribution blacks made in the struggle for their freedom. For further consideration, McPherson delves into the question of "who really freed the slaves?". Using his supporting evidence, McPherson preserves his impartial view, but finally concludes without Lincoln as President of the United States, slavery would have continued and the South could possibly be a separate entity at the end of the war.
In another attempt to provide an unbiased account of the war years, McPherson includes back to back chapters delineating why the South both lost and could have won their independence. Following this assessment, the author dissects Lee as a leader and person, and then demonstrates Grant's final victory through his own eyes via his memoirs. The reader is treated to a personal glimpse into Grant's thoughts and feelings by means of his own words. This additional insight enriches the text and affords the audience a better understanding of the historical figures they study.
Chapter fifteen concentrates on the three types of audiences: professional, general readers and history buffs. McPherson compares the writing style targeted for each audience and argues for historians to write for a greater audience beyond their professional colleagues. He goes further to argue for wider acceptance of contemporary writers who write for the general audiences, especially if their work is supported by reliable sources. This chapter, while off the topic, is of vital importance to all audiences. McPherson's points prove that history books for scholars do not have to be bland and lifeless.
Overall, McPherson's book is well constructed and easy to read. It is a departure from most Civil War books in that it deals very little with battles or the military, but with the other aspects that fueled the conflict that divided a nation. McPherson uses numerous resources establishing a reliable base for his works. For any reader not interested in the military side of the war, Drawn with the Sword gives insight to events away from the field. McPherson lives up to his Pulitzer Prize reputation with this concise contribution for novices and professionals alike.

A Historian's Reflections on the Civil War.......2003-10-28

Professor James McPherson's book is a collection of essays exploring the American Civil War. These essays have appeared in print elsewhere, and most of them are reviews of other Civil War -related literature, including recent scholarly studies, the novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin", and the movie "Glory", which focused upon the attack by Federal African-American troops upon Fort Wagner, South Carolina, in July, 1863. These essays are the product of a masterful historian who has been able to distill a great deal of factual information, reflect upon it, and present his analysis of the significance of the Civil War in an eloquent and persuasive way.

The book consists of fifteen essays arranged in five sections. The first section "Origins of the Civil War" consists of three essays focusing on the pre-Bellum South and on how its culture and commitment to its peculiar institution of slavery brought on the War.

The second section of the book, "The War and American Society" consists of four essays that discuss broadly the significance of the Civil War for future generations of Americans, the transformation of the War from a limited conflict to a "total war" that changed the fabric of American society, and on the effect of the War on the status of African-Americans, including the discussion of the movie "Glory" mentioned earlier.

The third section of the book, "Why the North Won" will be of interest to students of the military aspects of the War. (Professor McPherson does not denigrate this kind of study, as do some academic historians.) There are four essays, the first two analyze why the North won the War and why the South lost. The third essay in this section rehabilitates Robert E. Lee from some recent criticism of his leadership; while the final essay focuses on Ulysses Grant's "Personal Memoirs" written near the end of his life, which is a literary masterpiece as well as a book revealing Grant's character and generalship.

The fourth section of the book "The Enduring Lincoln" consists of three essays reexamining Lincoln's role in setting and persevering in the aims of the War, in freeing the slaves, and in keeping the hopes of a democratic society alive in a world which was hostile to government "by and for the people."

The final section of the book consists of a single essay titled "What's the Matter with History?" This essay discusses the three types of reader interested in reading about the Civil War" the professional historian, the amateur student of battles, sometimes called a Civil War "buff", and the mythical "general reader". McPherson laments the inability of professional historians to write books appealing to an audience of anyone other than their peers. It is a shortcoming that Professor McPherson's own writings manage brilliantly to avoid.

This is not a book of facts and figures, dates and statistics. It is a book of historical reflection that will help the reader think about the meaning and importance of our country's Civil War.

Interesting Essays about the Civil War from one of the best.......2003-04-16

James McPherson is considered by many to be the greatest Civil War historian in the US these days. His one-volume classic about the War, Battle Cry for Freedom, is the one most recommended to those who want the best book about the war. Therefore, it was with great interest that I read Drawn with the Sword.

McPherson does not disappoint with this book which is really a series of essays about various topics from the war. The essays range from Why the South Lost to Who Actually Freed the Slaves. Based mostly on previous articles and lectures, all the essays are excellent, and McPherson pulls no punches during his detailed analysis. For example, McPherson disputes the claim by some recent social historians that argue that the slaves freed themselves, and that Lincoln played a reluctant part in the process. McPherson clearly lays out the argument that Lincoln went to great lengths to ending slavery, and that without him it probably would not have happened.

McPherson also gives his educated opinion about Lee's performance as a general, and whether or not the South actually could have won the war. Two topics which I find fascinating because they are so disputed, even among professional historians. Speaking of historians, I particularly liked McPherson's final essay about the challenge that professional historians face when trying to bring history to the masses. He offers a fresh glimpse into this problem, and spells out the potential danger that historians face by making themselves irrelevant to the general public. To find out more, read the essay.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a student of the American Civil War, like myself. The essays will add to your knowledge, and broaden your perspective of the war. If you are new to this part of history, I recommend that you start instead with McPherson's Pulitzer Winning book about the war, Battle Cry of Freedom.

Great Collection from Foremost Civil War Scholar.......2001-01-31

James McPhereson has proven himself with "Battle Cry of Freedom" (the best one volume treatment of the Civil War) and "Why the Fought". This book is a collection of his essays and lectures on various Civil War topics. As such, it lacks the central theme of a book. It does, however, allow one of America's most learned CW historians to range over vairous topics and explore them with his insightful thinking and clear, bold prose.

The topics are varied, from a look at the origns of the war, why it turned out the way it did, the continuing impact of the war on American society (with a nice discussion of the movie "Glory") as well as a collection of essays on the Enduring Lincoln. A nice endpiece looks at problems with current day historical scholarship and historians and is a good argument for getting that important field of study back on track and away from the political agenda that has unfortunately subverted the purpose of many historians.

Customer Reviews:

Highly useful for teachers.......2007-02-11

I found this book years ago and used its political cartoons as a teaching tool in the classroom. I wish I'd bought it then when it was not so expensive! I highly recommend it for teachers and those interested in the Civil War.

Okay, so I know the editor..........1999-08-25

Okay, so I know the editor and all... so I'm biased. I'm a moderate student of the Civil War, but I found this to be a really refreshing way to study the War--through political cartoons. Cartoons of that era seem so much more complicated and intricate that they do today. I learned a lot that I didn't already know, and in a very enjoyable way.

The singing sixties: The spirit of Civil War days drawn from the music of the times

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The singing sixties: The spirit of Civil War days drawn from the music of the times
Willard Allison Heaps
Manufacturer: University of Oklahoma Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007I7V0C

Average customer rating:

A book you read again and again
Great Pics, Great Text
Have Fun While Learning History

Drawn to the Civil War
J. Stephen Lang
Manufacturer: John F. Blair Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0895871866

Book Description

Brief biographies of major Civil War figures can be dull as dishwater, but the important generals, politicians, and other key players were definitely not boring_they were often quirky and fascinating. This collection offers 60 sketches of the best-known participants from both sides in the war. It looks at the curious, odd, personal tidbits that make these people interesting. Instead of "official" portraits, each sketch is accompanied by a clever caricature.

Customer Reviews:

A book you read again and again.......2006-03-31

A good friend of mine gave this to me as a present. I found myself reading those fine, short essays again and again. I'm a European with little knowledge of the Civil War of the USA. This opened new perspectives to this American tragedy. Even my son of 15 years have found it very interesting.

Great Pics, Great Text.......2002-09-27

I admit I bought this book because I really liked the clever caricatures of Civil War figures like Lee, Grant, Jackson, etc. But the mini-biographies of each person are really fascinating too, especially chapters dealing with some of the lesser known figures like spy Rose Greenhow and Robert Anderson, the Union guy who surrendered Fort Sumter. The author dug up some little "nuggets" about each person that you don't usually find in the history books, and it is this kind of offbeat data that makes history come alive. By the way, the bios are one half Rebel, one half Union--equal time, I guess. I think the author has a slight pro-Confederate bias, but I didn't mind that at all.

Have Fun While Learning History.......2000-04-18

In my view the personalities that make history are often more interesting than the events that make them famous. "Drawn To The Civil War" demonstrates that this is true, even for an event as significant as the the war that tore our nation apart. This book is a series of short biographies covering the major warriors, politicians, spies, and others who achieved fame on both sides of the war, focusing on the characteristics that made each individual unique. The book is layed out in a fashion that guides the reader through all the major events leading up to and during the war, giving the reader a good perspective on the sequence events and how one led to the next, without being strictly chronological and without dwelling on dates and places. The caricatures by Mike Caplanis are wonderful. They are humorous, but when viewed in the context of the biographical information they clearly capture the essence of each unique personality as well. I picked up the book from a coffee table at a bed and breakfast last weekend, and couldn't put it down. I'm not a "Civil War Nut", but I found the book captivating nonetheless.

The lost cause: A new Southern history of the War of the Confederates ... Drawn from official sources, and approved by the most distinguished Confederate leaders

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The "official Southern" history of the Civil War
The "official Southern" history of the Civil War

The lost cause: A new Southern history of the War of the Confederates ... Drawn from official sources, and approved by the most distinguished Confederate leaders
Edward Alfred Pollard
Manufacturer: E.B. Treat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews:

The "official Southern" history of the Civil War.......2001-07-31

A 752 page book on the history of the Civil War written in 1867 by Edward Pollard, who had been the editor of a Richmond newspaper during the war. "History is written by the victors," and this certainly is an example. Probably essential reading for scholars. Most of the book describes military action. I read it to find out the Southern view of slavery--i.e. was the Civil War about slavery, or something else. A lot of insight here on that topic. "Unfortunately, the world has got most of its opinions of Southern parties and men from the shallow pages of northern books, and it will take it long to learn the lessons that the system of Negro servitude in the south was not slavery, that John Calhoun was not a disunionist, and that the war of 1861, brought on by northern insurgents against the authority of the constitution was not a southern rebellion." "Slavery established in the South a peculiar and noble type of civilization. The virtues which followed in its train were numerous, and asserted the general good effect of the institution on the ideas and manners of the south." My favorite quote, this time from Lincoln concerning the Emancipation Proclamation (which freed slaves in areas not controlled by the Union): Northern newspapers quoted Lincoln on Sept 15, 1862, "I do not want to issue a document that the whole world will see must necessarily be inoperative, like the Pope's bull against the comet!"

The "official Southern" history of the Civil War.......2001-07-31

The memorial war book: As drawn from historical records and personal narratives of the men who served in the great struggle

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The memorial war book: As drawn from historical records and personal narratives of the men who served in the great struggle
George Forrester Wiliams
Manufacturer: [s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00088XE8O

Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, the Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War with America. To Which are Added, an Appendix and Postcript, Containing a State of the National Debt, an Estimate of the Money Drawn from ...

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Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, the Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War with America. To Which are Added, an Appendix and Postcript, Containing a State of the National Debt, an Estimate of the Money Drawn from ...
Richard Price
Manufacturer: T. Cadell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K5U3FC

Quintet: A Five-Play Cycle Drawn from *The Children of Pride*

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Quintet: A Five-Play Cycle Drawn from *The Children of Pride*
Robert Myers
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

United States | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Singing Sixties the Spirit of Civil War Days Drawn

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Singing Sixties the Spirit of Civil War Days Drawn
Heaps Wa
Manufacturer: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0806104600

Web of Spider-Man #99 : The Swords Are Drawn (Marvel Comics)

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Web of Spider-Man #99 : The Swords Are Drawn (Marvel Comics)
Terry Kavanagh
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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