In The Demon of Unrest, Erik Larson dives into the chaotic five months between Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election and the outbreak of the Civil War, with the focus squarely on Fort Sumter. Larson brings his trademark depth to the narrative, weaving together perspectives from key figures like Major Robert Anderson, a conflicted Union officer, and Mary Chesnut, a Southern diarist grappling with slavery and societal roles. Drawing from diaries, letters, and historical documents, Larson delivers a richly detailed account of how miscommunications and inflamed egos pushed the nation to the brink. That said, this book didn’t quite land for me. While the level of detail is impressive, I found it […]
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Eliza Hamilton’s Untold Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy
4.5 stars. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie’s retelling of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s life in My Dear Hamilton is rich with historical detail and vibrant prose. They bring Eliza to life not just as Alexander Hamilton’s wife, but as an influential figure who helped shape a nation. Through extensive research, including thousands of letters, they explore Eliza’s journey from spirited young woman to the grieving widow of a flawed yet brilliant man. Eliza’s fierce love for her country and her complex relationship with Hamilton lie at the book’s heart, and her character shines against the backdrop of a nation struggling to find its footing. The story is episodic, immersing readers in […]
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A Sobering Look at Cyclical History
The Fourth Turning is Here revisits the theory of cyclical history first introduced in 1997 by Neil Howe and the late William Strauss. Their original work proposed that history moves in cycles of about 80 to 100 years, each cycle divided into four stages or “turnings”: High, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis. According to Howe, we are currently amid the Fourth Turning, a period of significant crisis that will transform society and potentially usher in a new era. The book offers an in-depth analysis of each turning, illustrating how they influence the behaviors and attitudes of generations. Howe meticulously examines historical patterns to show how previous crises have led to profound […]
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