A History of Shorthand, Written in Shorthand-by Isaac Pitman Purchase through Amazon Isaac Pitman (1813-1897) lived a fascinating and varied life. He was born in England, and earned his teaching credential from the British and Foreign School Society. He began teaching in Lincolnshire. After marrying in 1835, he started his own school in Gloucestershire, where he taught for a few years… Continue reading A History of Shorthand, Written in Shorthand
A Text-Book on the History of Painting-John Charles Van Dyke is primarily known for being an art critic and historian, but he had many interests, as he was also a nature writer and intrigued by the law. Van Dyke was admitted to the bar in New York in 1877, but instead he worked as a librarian from 1878 at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. In 1891, he was appointed to the professor of art history.
American Highways: A Popular Account of Their Conditions and of the Means by Which They May be Bettered-Nathaniel Southgate Shaler (1841-1906) studied at Harvard College and then went on to become a professor in paleontology there. Although he was from Kentucky, he served in the Union Army as an officer during the Civil war. However, he was an apologist for slavery, and in an 1884 Atlantic Monthly article stated that slavery in the US had been "infinitely the mildest and most decent system of slavery that ever existed." This racism influenced his own teachings. Initially a creationist, he later became a proponent of Lamarckian theories, and an espouser of Aryan supremacy.
Benjamin Franklin and Canada-by Hon. William Renwick Riddell Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace While Benjamin Franklin is of paramount importance to American history, he deserves a place in Canadian history as well. As deputy postmaster general for the British colonies, he established the Canadian post office in Halifax to better link the North American settlements with Britain,… Continue reading Benjamin Franklin and Canada
Benjamin Franklin as a Man of Letters-by John Bach McMaster Purchase through Amazon Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790) is often given the title, “The First American” for his tireless advocacy for the colonies to form a union. He was, aside from being an inventor, politician, printer, inventor, diplomat, and scientist, a prolific author. While his published works are well known, his letters are… Continue reading Benjamin Franklin as a Man of Letters
Boudoir Mirrors of Washington-The Lindlahrs, Henry and Anna, wrote extensively of the merits of a vegetarian diet, and are considered to be the authors of "one of the cornerstone texts of American naturopathic medicine." While science has shown that some of their findings in this work are false, many have been shown to be helpful in improving health, such as access to sunlight and fresh air, and a plant-based diet. This work contains a variety of recipes for creating vegetarian meals.
California Chinese Chatter-by Albert Dressler Purchase through Amazon by Albert DresslerCalifornia Chinese Chatter contains telegrams sent in 1874 between Chinese citizens living in Downieville, California, and a court transcript of the murder trial of Ah Jake. It offers a unique view of the difficulties that Chinese immigrants had in the United States, particularly in the midst… Continue reading California Chinese Chatter
Captain John Smith and His Critics-by Charles Poindexter Purchase through Amazon Though he lived over 500 years ago, Captain John Smith’s life is still much discussed. He was born in 1580 in England, and at sixteen, after his father’s death, Smith set off for a life at sea. He fought under various flags and found himself knighted by the Prince… Continue reading Captain John Smith and His Critics
Chinese Immigration: Turn of the Century Views-by Mary Roberts Coolidge Purchase on Amazon This volume is one of a number of Westphalia titles significant in the story of the not always happy and often controversial Chinese contact with Western society. In the American case, despite appreciation by scholars for Chinese civilization, cries against Chinese immigration began in response to the development of… Continue reading Chinese Immigration: Turn of the Century Views
Cyrus Hall McCormick: His Life and Work-by Herbert N. Casson Purchase through Amazon What would become the International Harvester Company, originally was known as the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company. The McCormicks were one of many who had developed farm machinery, but their company grew due to Cyrus McCormick’s attention to building marketing, sales and improved manufacturing. However, one aspect of McCormick… Continue reading Cyrus Hall McCormick: His Life and Work
Debating the Ku Klux Klan-by Julia E. Johnsen Purchase through Amazon The Ku Klux Klan has had several manifestations in the United States. The first emergence was in the 1860s during the Reconstruction Era. Julia Johnsen’s work intersects with the second major resurgence of the Klan during the 1920s. The work takes a unique approach, as the Ku Klux Klan… Continue reading Debating the Ku Klux Klan
Demand the Impossible: Essays in History as Activism-Born from the wave of activism that followed the inauguration of President Trump, Demand the Impossible asks scholars what they can do to help solve present-day crises. The twelve essays in this volume draw inspiration from present-day activists.
Diary of Anna Green Winslow: A Boston School Girl-In this collection of letters to her mother from 1771-3, Anna Green Winslow sheds light on daily life of the wealthy in the Boston area during the beginnings of the American Revolution. The collection was edited by Alice Morse Earle for this publication.
Dogs in Early New England-by Howard M. Chapin Purchase through Amazon Howard M. Chapin’s interesting and unusual study offers a look at dogs in the New England region during the 1600-1700s. He offers accounts derived from both Native Americans and incoming settlers, and includes archival evidence and photographs of artifacts. A dog fancier himself, Chapin sheds some light on… Continue reading Dogs in Early New England
Dr. John Bull-by Leigh Henry, with a new introduction by Matthew Brewer Dr. John Bull is a fascinating look at the life and times of one of the most influential English composers in musical history. Leigh Henry vividly realizes both the events that shaped John Bull as well as the world he inhabited. Through a richly detailed account… Continue reading Dr. John Bull
Florida: Its Scenery, Climate, and History: with an Account of Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, and Aiken and a Chapter For Consumptives-Sidney Lanier (1842-1881) wrote this account of Florida. Of it he stated, "The newspapers have abounded with communications from clever correspondents who have done the State in a week or two; the magazinists have chatted very pleasantly of St. Augustine and the Indian River country; and there are half a dozen guide-books giving more or less details of the routes, hotels, and principal stopping-points. But it is not in clever newspaper paragraphs, it is not in chatty magazine papers, it is not in guide-books written while the cars are running, that the enormous phenomenon of Florida is to be disposed of. There are at least claims here which reach into some of the deepest needs of modern life."
Frontier Law: A Story of Vigilante Days-by William J. Connell Purchase through Amazon Gold and blood, Indians and pioneers, criminals and vigilantes! These are terms that have captivated the imagination of America for generations. Nevertheless, authentic, first-hand accounts of the vigilantes have been few indeed. The reason is plain: no one who helped to dispense the rough and salutary justice of… Continue reading Frontier Law: A Story of Vigilante Days
Historical Sketches of New Haven-Ellen Strong Bartlett was an evocative and prolific writer. Historical Sketches of New Haven offers a wonderful portrait of New Haven, Connecticut. Bartlett offers centuries of history, photographs, architectural analysis, folklore and more.
History of Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Day Queen-by Arthur MacArthur Purchase through Amazon The history of Lady Jane Grey illustrates the complex and bloody history of the English monarchy. Through a very long, strange chain of wills, deaths and requests, Jane was named heiress to the English throne of July 1553. She was known as a kind and devout Protestant and was… Continue reading History of Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Day Queen
John Brown: A Biography, 1800-1859-by Oswald Garrison Villard Purchase through Amazon Slavery was simply an awful institution that even today in its legacy continues to plague the United States. During its height, abolitionists “waved the bloody flag” and vigorously protested to end it, though it took plunging the nation into the Civil War to result in it being finally… Continue reading John Brown: A Biography, 1800-1859
John Harvard and His Times-by Henry C. Shelley Purchase Henry C. Shelley prefaced this work on John Harvard by stating, “Among the names graven on the foundation stones of American history none is so deeply carved or is so rich in promise of endurance as that of John Harvard. In fact, no name has been for so many generations… Continue reading John Harvard and His Times
Letters of Lydia Maria Child: With a Biographical Introduction-Lydia Maria Child (1802 –1880) was many things, but always an activist. She was deeply involved in many causes, including abolition, women’s rights, indigenous rights, and opposing American expansionism. Writer by trade, she was the editor of The National Anti-Slavery Standard, and she wrote novels, domestic manuals, edited a children’s magazine, and much more. She also was a philanthropist and assisted many causes, artists and musicians financially.
Life of Sitting Bull and History of the Indian War of 1890-91-Lydia Maria Child (1802 –1880) was many things, but always an activist. She was deeply involved in many causes, including aSitting Bull (1831 – 1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who fought tirelessly against the United States’ genocidal policies. During an attempt to arrest him, he was killed on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation during an attempt to arrest him. Sitting Bull (Lakota: Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake) became a target of the US government after his success at the Battle of Little Bighorn, where the confederated Lakota tribes and the Northern Cheyenne annihilated defeated the 7th Cavalry under Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer on June 25, 1876. bolition, women’s rights, indigenous rights, and opposing American expansionism. Writer by trade, she was the editor of The National Anti-Slavery Standard, and she wrote novels, domestic manuals, edited a children’s magazine, and much more. She also was a philanthropist and assisted many causes, artists and musicians financially.
Middle East Reviews: Second Edition-Editors: Mohammed M. Aman PhD and Mary Jo Aman, MLIS Purchase through Amazon About the Editors Mohammed M. Aman, PhD is current Professor (Dean from 1979 to 2002) at the School of Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), Interim Dean, School of Education (2000-2002), and Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal, Digest of Middle… Continue reading Middle East Reviews: Second Edition
Naturism in the United States-Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace This controversial book has been a stalwart part of the reading lists of those attracted to naturism, which involved much more than simply taking off clothes and lying on a beach. The complex relationship that involves nudity with disciplines as disparate as yoga and environmentalism makes the subject… Continue reading Naturism in the United States
Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days-by John D. Whidden Purchase on Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace John D. Whidden served in various roles on ships since the age of twelve. Although he portrayed himself as a roguish boy, he quickly proved himself as a ship’s gofer, and earned a mate’s position by his early twenties. His travels saw him around the… Continue reading Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days
Old Time Schools and School Books-by Clifton Johnson Purchase on Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace Primers and other early American schoolbooks were often lost due to years of use, neglect and eventually becoming outdated. Thankfully, Clifton Johnson, in Old Time Schools and School-Books, is able to draw from his vast collection of school books in order to offer readers a taste… Continue reading Old Time Schools and School Books
Old Towpaths: The Story of the American Canal Era-by Alvin F. Harlow Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace Alvin Fay Harlow wrote on many historical subjects, including mailing services, waybills, the telegraph, stamp collecting and education. Born in Sedalia, Missouri, he attended Franklin College in Indiana and then worked in the coal and timber business, and as a commercial artist, before being able… Continue reading Old Towpaths: The Story of the American Canal Era
On Foreign Service-by T. T. Jeans Purchase on Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace This story is based on Experiences, of my own, in various parts of the world, and describes a Revolution in a South American Republic, and the part played by two armoured cruisers whilst protecting British interests. It describes life aboard a modern man-of-war, and attempts to… Continue reading On Foreign Service
Palaces of Sin, or The Devil in Society-by Col. Dick Maple Purchase through Amazon “Colonel” Dick Maple was the fanciful pen name for Seth McCallen, who penned a great many highly polemical works. He wrote this particular work against alcohol and nightlife. In particular, he guards readers against women in corsets, who drink or otherwise dabble in lifestyles or actions he finds… Continue reading Palaces of Sin, or The Devil in Society
Pioneer Days in the Wyoming Valley-by Mary Hinchcliffe Joyce Purchase through Amazon This is a primary source for the history of Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley by someone deeply rooted in its society. Mary Hinchcliffe Joyce (1882-1938) was born in Sabastopol, Jenkins Township in Pennsylvania, and graduated from St. John’s High School. She did not attend college, but worked as a stenographer… Continue reading Pioneer Days in the Wyoming Valley
Quaker Women, 1650-1690-by Mabel Richmond Brailsford Purchase Mabel Richmond Brailsford was not a Friend, but this work is considered to be truthful, extremely well researched, and also sympathetic. Brailsford did extensive research at the Library at Devonshire House in order to complete the portraits of numerous Quaker women, such as Margaret Fell, Barbara Blaugdone, Elizabeth Hooton, Elizabeth… Continue reading Quaker Women, 1650-1690
Russia-William Richard Morfill (1834-1909) was a University of Oxford professor, specializing in Russian and Slavonic languages. He was born in England, and even as a small child was interested in foreign languages.
Sources in Late Antiquity and Byzantium-by Leslie Kelly Purchase This book introduces the student of Late Antiquity and Byzantium to the types of sources they are most likely to encounter in their research, explaining how these genres work and how best to utilize them as sources for history. When attempting to draw on a letter, a legal text, a code… Continue reading Sources in Late Antiquity and Byzantium
The Autobiography of Theophilus Waldemeier-by Theophilus Waldemeier Theophilus Waldmeier (1832-1915) was a Swiss Quaker who first attracted international attention when he was imprisoned by King Theodore of Ethiopia and rescued by British forces at the battle of Magdala in 1859. He went to Beirut and founded the Brumana School, his lasting achievement, and which became one of the most… Continue reading The Autobiography of Theophilus Waldemeier
The Discovery of the Five Great Lakes-by Sara Stafford Purchase through Amazon | Purchase through CreateSpace The Great Lakes consist of Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, and are the world’s greatest concentration, more than 20 percent, of fresh water. In geologic terms they are only about ten thousand years old, formed during the last ice age. Appreciating their history has… Continue reading The Discovery of the Five Great Lakes
The History of Men’s Raiment-by The Edson Lewis Company Purchase through Amazon Strouse & Brothers, originating out of Baltimore, published this unique tract on the history of men’s fashion in the European world. The work begins with a very brief history of fashion, and then links the Strouse & Brothers firm to that history of high quality fashion. It… Continue reading The History of Men’s Raiment
The History of Photography-Purchase through Amazon Edited and Introduced by Daniel Gutierrez-Sandoval The life of George Eastman is very much a part of the history of contemporary photography. Founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, Eastman was an enthusiastic photographer himself who became instrumental in bringing photography to the mainstream. He invented the first commercial film, as well as… Continue reading The History of Photography
The History of the Jews: From 586 BCE to 1900 CE-by Gotthard Deutsch PhD Purchase through Amazon Gotthard Deutsch was born in Austria as Eliezer Deutsch; Gotthard being a translation of his given first name into German. Deutsch studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau as well as the University of Vienna, splitting his time between secular and Jewish institutions, eventually earning his PhD… Continue reading The History of the Jews: From 586 BCE to 1900 CE
The Life of Hiuen-Tsiang: By the Shaman Hwui Li-Hiuen-Tsiang, also known as Xuanzang, was a Chinese Buddhist monk, traveler, researcher, and translator of the seventh century. Born in 602, he was primarily known for his travels to Southeast Asia, in what is now known as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where he wrote about Chinese and Indian Buddhist practices.
The Limits of Moderation: Jimmy Carter and the Ironies of American Liberalism-The Limits of Moderation: Jimmy Carter and the Ironies of American Liberalism is not a finished product. Consider this book a primary source, an unfinished manuscript of the type historians might encounter while digging into the papers of an intellectual figure in an archive.
The Log of a Forty-Niner-by Carolyn Hale Russ Purchase on Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace Carolyn Hale Russ uses the diary and personal accounts of her father, Richard L. Hale, to discuss California exploration by settlers from 1849 to 1854. Russ highlights the land and ship excursions her father undertook in order to find adventure and gold. The Log of… Continue reading The Log of a Forty-Niner
The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers-Edited by Robert Henry Newell Purchase through Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers highlights the sense of humor that was part of the literature of the Civil War in the United States. The Papers originally appeared as a series of installments to Sunday newspapers. Upon completion of the installments, they were… Continue reading The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers
The Story of Secret Service-by Richard Wilmer Rowan, Introduction by Rahima Schwenkbeck Purchase through Amazon | Purchase on CreateSpace Few works attempt to be as ambitious as Richard Wilmer Rowan’s The Story of Secret Service. Rowan packs in thirty-three centuries of world history in this volume, tracing a long history of espionage and its impact. The history of espionage… Continue reading The Story of Secret Service
The Sweden File: Memoir of an American Expatriate-by Bruce Stevens Proctor and Alan Robert Proctor Purchase through Amazon Bruce Proctor’s journey was a harrowing one – from top secrete Pentagon war-policy insider to American deserter. Interpreting reconnaissance photos taken over Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, he concluded that the conflict was immoral, misguided and deceptive. He suddenly quit the Defense Intelligence Agency… Continue reading The Sweden File: Memoir of an American Expatriate