Categories for History
American Revolution
Books the Founders Read: Sidney’s Discourses Concerning Government
In this new series, I’ll highlight books that the Founding Fathers read, owned, wrote about, and were influenced by— works that were important in the creation of the United States… Read More
Civil War, History
General Grant and Mark Twain: The Story Behind Grant’s Memoirs
As changes in fortune go, the swings experienced by Ulysses S. Grant during the final chapters of his life are somewhat legendary. From an early age Grant was preoccupied with… Read More
American Revolution
Books the Founders Read: Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England
“In America the law is king,” Thomas Paine declared in Common Sense. The Founding Fathers’ most important and widely-owned law book was William Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England. John… Read More
History, Literature
Collecting rare books and autographs of American Presidents
If you love American history, you may find a particular joy in collecting rare books related to the nation’s presidents. For many, the presidency holds an exceptional fascination as a… Read More
American Revolution
The Society of Cincinnati
In 1783, hard on the heels of the American Revolution, a group of Continental Army and Navy officers founded the Society of Cincinnati. Read More
History, Literature
The Story Behind the Creation of the Oxford English Dictionary
Once or twice during my academic years I was accused of reading the dictionary. Although untrue, I’ll admit I have skimmed a page or two upon occasion; I do readily… Read More
History, Literature, Videos
The Story Behind The Second World War by Winston Churchill
Watch a short film featuring Las Vegas bookseller Greg Hicks and the story behind The Second World War by Winston Churchill. Read More
American Revolution
Forgotten Founders: Thomas Paine, Part 3
Before the battle of Trenton the half-clad, disheartened soldiers of Washington were called together in groups to listen to that thrilling exhortation… The literary musket reaches its mark… The great… Read More
American Revolution
Forgotten Founders: Thomas Paine, Part 2
In Part 1, I explored the controversy over whether Thomas Paine was a Founding Father. This post is about Common Sense, his most famous work and the most influential, brilliant, and… Read More
American Revolution
Forgotten Founders: Thomas Paine, Part 1
Should an independancy be brought about…, we have every opportunity and every encouragement before us, to form the noblest purest constitution on the face of the earth. We have it… Read More