Category: History

Non-fiction books specifically history. Most will focus on United States history.

When Hope Sank by Denise Weimer

by LyndaP

When Hope Sank: April 27, 1865. The day the steamboat, the Sultana, went down and over 1,100 people died.
The book is the third in the series, A Day to Remember.

Such research went into this book.Like many history buffs (I’m one via my genealogy research and no, I didn’t have anyone on the Sultana.), I’ve read about the Sultana tragedy and wondered if it was an accident, poor judgment, or what we would call today a terrorist act. This is a novel based on a historical event. The Sultana remains the worst maritime disaster in United States history.

The novel, When Hope Sank, is a window into what happened, the survivors and those who cared for them. The Civil War had ended only days before (April 9th). Soldiers were coming home. Those who hated still hated — whether Union or Confederate.

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The Deerfield Massacre by James L Swanson

by LyndaP

The full title is “The Deerfield Massacre: A Surprise Attack, a Forced March, and the Fight for Survival in Early America”. The title on the NetGalley site immediately grabbed my attention. I had done a little research about an ancestor whom I had yet to investigate. There is always the possibility in genealogy research that…

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Tracing Your Marginalised Ancestors by Janet Few

by LyndaP

Definition of marginalised: According to the Oxford Dictionary, an adjective meaning “(of a person, group, or concept) treated as insignificant or peripheral.” NOTE: the spelling in the United States is marginalized.

In this book, marginalized (I am a USA reviewer.) may be, for example, low society, alcoholism, witchcraft, prostitution, ethnicity, criminal (remember that many so-called crimes of yesteryear are not considered so today), discrimination — let a wealthy man lose his fortune in yesteryear and even today. He’ll soon know what marginalization is about.

A key fact concerning this book is it is based in Great Britain. References are made to the “colonies” and the United States, but the book is for those researching the British Isles.

Other important elements: … read rest of the review.

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Answering Liberty’s Call

by LyndaP

The year — 1778. Based on the author’s 6th-great-grandmother, Anna Stone does the unthinkable. With her family ill & starving at Valley Forge, she defies custom & rides alone — it’s 200 miles on horseback. She’s a mother of three & a healer. She feels she has to go despite the dangers of the terrain & people who prey on travelers. That alone makes for a good story, but she learns about a plot to overthrow Gen. Washington and now her ride is even more important …

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Lily’s Promise by Lily Ebert & Dov Forman

by LyndaP

The full title~~Lily’s Promise: Holding On to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond—A Story for All Generations

This is a true story and oh, how I wish it weren’t.
Lily is a Hungarian Jew. Her story begins before the Holocaust. By Yom Kippur in 1944 (Sep 26-27), Lily was in Auschwitz. There she promises herself to not only survive Hitler’s hell, but she would tell her story to the world for those who could not. The reader will know from the survivor what it was like in this touching, compelling story. Now age 98, Lily along with her great-grandson, Dov, carries you through her life. Lily is one incredibly special woman.

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Tracing Your Family History with the Whole Family

by LyndaP

Genealogy research is often thought of as an “adult” project. This book takes an “innovative” approach that the whole family can participate in research. And not just the adults–but children as well. Multiple creative and practical examples are given throughout.

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LyndaP's Book Reviews
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