A Fun Dilema

I’m going to be on my own for 8 days in Ireland again, starting Tuesday, and will have a lot of airplane time, and sitting in airports too.  That means–bring a good book.  However, I don’t want to lug around more than one, so I am deciding what to bring with me.

One choice is Bill Freehling’s second volume of his work on secession.  It is Road to Disunion: Secessionists Triumphant.  It covers 1854-1861, a fascinating and exciting time and I am looking forward to getting lots of detail on this period.  I started to read it just to see how it flows, and it is….well, not so great.  I think his prose is too stilted, and he makes far too many anticipatory allusions with mildly tortured prose that I find it a little less than enjoyable to read.  Maybe I was tired when I tried it so I am going to give it another chance, but from what I have encountered so far, it is not a page turner. Here is what Oxford University Press says about it, underlines are mine:

It is one of the great questions of American history–why did the Southern states bolt from the Union and help precipitate the Civil War? Now, acclaimed historian William W. Freehling offers a new answer, in the final volume of his monumental history The Road to Disunion. Here is history in the grand manner, a powerful narrative peopled with dozens of memorable portraits, telling this important story with skill and relish. Freehling highlights all the key moments on the road to war, including the violence in Bleeding Kansas, Preston Brooks’s beating of Charles Sumner in the Senate chambers, the Dred Scott Decision, John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry, and much more. As Freehling shows, the election of Abraham Lincoln sparked a political crisis, but at first most Southerners took a cautious approach, willing to wait and see what Lincoln would do–especially, whether he would take any antagonistic measures against the South. But at this moment, the extreme fringe in the South took charge, first in South Carolina and Mississippi, but then throughout the lower South, sounding the drum roll for secession. Indeed, The Road to Disunion is the first book to fully document how this decided minority of Southern hotspurs took hold of the secessionist issue and, aided by a series of fortuitous events, drove the South out of the Union. Freehling provides compelling profiles of the leaders of this movement–many of them members of the South Carolina elite. Throughout the narrative, he evokes a world of fascinating characters and places as he captures the drama of one of America’s most important–and least understood–stories. 

OUP calls it “A compelling, vivid portrait of the final years of the antebellum South,” but so far it ain’t.

My second possibility is a bit far out of my field, Christopher Clark’s Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1609-1947 (Belknap, 2006).  At almost 700 pages, it is a whopper and that means quite a bit of time to invest in it.  However, the time span of the book makes me really interested, to show change over time on such a grand scale.  Moreover, I read Clark’s biography of Kaiser Wilhelm II (part of the “Profiles in Power” series) several years ago for a paper I did in one of Mark Grimsley’s courses I took at OSU, and was very impressed by it. 

The press website describes the book as such:

In the aftermath of World War II, Prussia–a centuries-old state pivotal to Europe’s development–ceased to exist. In their eagerness to erase all traces of the Third Reich from the earth, the Allies believed that Prussia, the very embodiment of German militarism, had to be abolished.But as Christopher Clark reveals in this pioneering history, Prussia’s legacy is far more complex. Though now a fading memory in Europe’s heartland, the true story of Prussia offers a remarkable glimpse into the dynamic rise of modern Europe.What we find is a kingdom that existed nearly half a millennium ago as a patchwork of territorial fragments, with neither significant resources nor a coherent culture. With its capital in Berlin, Prussia grew from being a small, poor, disregarded medieval state into one of the most vigorous and powerful nations in Europe. Iron Kingdom traces Prussia’s involvement in the continent’s foundational religious and political conflagrations: from the devastations of the Thirty Years War through centuries of political machinations to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, from the enlightenment of Frederick the Great to the destructive conquests of Napoleon, and from the “iron and blood” policies of Bismarck to the creation of the German Empire in 1871, and all that implied for the tumultuous twentieth century.By 1947, Prussia was deemed an intolerable threat to the safety of Europe; what is often forgotten, Clark argues, is that it had also been an exemplar of the European humanistic tradition, boasting a formidable government administration, an incorruptible civil service, and religious tolerance. Clark demonstrates how a state deemed the bane of twentieth-century Europe has played an incalculable role in Western civilization’s fortunes. Iron Kingdom is a definitive, gripping account of Prussia’s fascinating, influential, and critical role in modern times.

There is also a NYT review of Clark’s book, which is favorable.

And to further complicate matters, I am supposed to receive on Monday a copy of John Ferling’s new book, Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence, also an OUP imprint.   This will be to review it for N.C. Historical Review.  So maybe I should bring that one along instead?  It is 700 pages too…..

Don’t throw stones…..

The New York Times reports that Russian Pres. Putin today “seemed to obliquely compare the foreign policy of the United States to the Third Reich.”

Hmmmmm……in the photo below, he looks like he is standing admidst what kind of military officers? Hint: think 1940s.  (Note guy with mustache…)

Revolutionary War Cavalry Conference (2)

I previously posted on the conference in Nov. on cavalry and the Revolution.  For additional details, click here, and go to page 5.

Dig in Ireland Clue to the Past

As the current good news of conciliation reaches us about the political situation in the north of Ireland, this BBC story gives a reminder of tensions from long gone days there.

A corner of north Antrim near Torr Head has been uncovered as an unlikely site of 17th century political intrigue.

Archaeologists have been digging back through the layers of soil to establish the facts of a settlement on the site.  There are the remains of 100 homes on the site on which hundreds of people lived and was possibly an early warning system for Scotland.  Across the sea from the site is the Mull of Kintyre – just 12 miles away.

An 18th century map shows the site with a giant flame on the location with the inscription “at this mark the Scots used to make their warning fire”.

Good news for the human race

Good news for the human race, which may be saved after all.

In this story, we read that “In TV’s worst spring in recent memory, a startling number of Americans drifted away from television the past two months: More than 2.5 million fewer people were watching ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox than at the same time last year, statistics show.”   

Coincidentally, when I came home this afternoon and let my kids watch a little bit of “PBS Kids,” no sooner did I leave the room then my daughter yelled at me to return immediately because there was <gasp!> something “not right” with the TV.  A quick inspection of said appliance revealed that it died.

We are not replacing it.

Great Quotes

“It is with reformers in politics, as it is with those of religion, they despise knowledge that results from the experience of others and value themselves upon the powers of invention.”

–North Carolina House of Commons, 1779

1000 Calories under 1 Bun

Ok, Ok, I know this has nothing to do with history, but I had to post this info which I got from “Nutrition Action Health Newsletter.” As one of their list of “10 Foods You Should Never Eat,” there’s this whopper (pun intended):

Unless you’re suicidal, why on earth would you want to wolf down a Burger King Quad Stacker – 4 hamburger patties, 4 slices of cheese, 8 strips of bacon, plus sauce and a bun? That’s half-a-day’s calories (1,000), one-and-a-half-days’ worth of saturated fat (30 grams), 3 grams of trans fat, and more than a day’s sodium (1,800 mg).

1000 calories!?!?! Unbelievable.  And 8 slices of bacon?

 I’m sorry, but that sandwich is just wrong. 

The Realignment of America?

The Wall Street Journal has an intersting column today from Michael Barone, entitled “The Realignment of America,” in which he interprets census data and migration patters in and out of the biggest cities in the U.S. 

He finds that “Americans are now moving out of, not into, coastal California and South Florida, and in very large numbers they’re moving out of our largest metro areas. They’re fleeing hip Boston and San Francisco, and after eight decades of moving to Washington they’re moving out. The domestic outflow from these metro areas is 3.9 million people, 650,000 a year. High housing costs, high taxes, a distaste in some cases for the burgeoning immigrant populations–these are driving many Americans elsewhere.”

This is a reversal of trends over the past few decades, and has created in cities what he has termed “a two-tiered society,” where it seems that “large affluent populations happily contemplating (at least until recently) their rapidly rising housing values, and a large, mostly immigrant working class working at low wages and struggling to move up the economic ladder.”

The rest of the article is here.

Trip to Ireland Coming Up

As I get closer to my trip to Ireland I am trying to get an itinerary worked out.  I am hoping to see the Inishowen Peninsula of Co. Donegal, if the weather is nice. 

This ancient territory (The Land of the O’ Dohertys), in County Donegal is 26 miles in length and its greatest breadth is about 26 miles across. It is the most northerly part of Ireland and it comprises an area of about 309 sq miles. Its northern shore is on the restless Atlantic Ocean. Lough Swilly forms its western boundary and Lough Foyle its eastern boundary. It is connected with the mainland on the south and is not as its name implies, an island, but a magnificent peninsula. Monuments of an earlier age grow from the landscape as castles, towers and ancient churches shimmer in the sunshine. The Celtic crosses and the pagan monuments come together in a colourful tapestry with these great houses of the last century, to leave more lasting memories for the visitor.

Inishowen is well known as one of the most scenic parts of Ireland but the nature of that scenery combines with the up to date outdoor sporting facilities to provide the ideal base for an activity holiday. The ocean and lakes are perfect for fishing, wind surfing, swimming, canoeing, water-skiing and sailing. The fishing enthusiast will be well catered for in Inishowen with sea, shore, river and lake fishing. Sea-Angling Festivals are held annually at Moville/Greencastle, Malin/Glengad, Leenan, Fahan and Culdaff. Inishowen is a golfer’s paradise with five magnificent golf links to choose from. The more energetic golfer will find sufficient challenge in the 18-hole links while those with a more leisurely approach will find the 9-hole links equally enjoyable. The hills and cliffs of Inishowen are still relatively unfrequented and little restraint is put on walkers. There are walks to suit all ages and all interest. The Sunday afternoon will find unspoiled beaches, forest walks, quiet country roads and a wealth of historical sites to explore. The more energetic hiker will find out the more inaccessible spots; the dramatic cliff walks, the remote hills, glens and lakes which the driver misses. If bad weather prevails indoor leisure facilities are available at Buncrana Leisure Centre and The Redcastle Hotel.
 

Our heritage trail begins at Grianan an Aileach – the ancient Temple of the Sun christianised by St. Patrick. Founded by the Druids, this ring fort dates back to some 2000 years B.C. . The panoramic view from the walls of this ancient palace is truly magnificent, 7 counties can be seen on a clear day. The legends and history behind Grianan is interpreted at the Grianan Aileach Centre, 2km from the fort.

Onwards to Buncrana and the Tullyarvan Mill – a tastefully restored corn mill dating from the nineteenth century and today developed as a local craft centre and tourist amenity. Textile industry has long been a tradition in Buncrana and the museum recreates some 250 years of textile production. The Centre also houses aspects of flora and fauna that exists in Inishowen.

The coast road heading left at Buncrana leads to Dunree Head, here stands Fort Dunree constructed in 1798 by the English with the fear of Napoleonic invasion. This fort remained the property of the British until 3^rd October 1938 when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and was handed over to the Irish Government. This fort is today the first and only permanent and professionally-designed military museum in Ireland.

East of the peninsula on the shores of Lough Foyle is Greencastle is one of Ireland’s important fishing village boasting a long seafaring history. were the Inishowen Maritime Museum and Planetarium is located, the museum is housed in the old coastguard station overlooking the harbour, where the local history and seafaring traditions are interpreted through photographs, exhibitions, artefacts and models. Close by is the recently erected maritime memorial recording the names and dates of people lost at sea from the area.

“White” Brits have Indian Blood, says DNA

This is a fascinating story from the BBC:

DNA testing has uncovered British descendents of Native Americans brought to the UK centuries ago as slaves, translators or tribal representatives.  Genetic analysis turned up two white British women with a DNA signature characteristic of American Indians.  Indigenous Americans were brought over to the UK as early as the 1500s. 

Many were brought over as curiosities; but others travelled here in delegations during the 18th Century to petition the British imperial government over trade or protection from other tribes.

Experts say it is probable that some stayed in Britain and married into local communities.

Academic Military History

 At the New Republic website (not one I frequent by the way) there is an interesting piece on academic military history, which I learned of from Mark Grimsley’s blog.  The piece is very much worth checking out, and is better than John Miller’s National Review column last year that raised so much dust.  Here is just a part of it:

Most historians pay scant attention to military history, particularly the part that concerns actual military operations. And so, even in the midst of the Iraq war–the fifth major U.S. deployment since 1990–professors are teaching undergraduates surprisingly little about this historical subject of rather obvious relevance. To take just one example, the problem of how societies have historically evaluated their adversaries’ intentions and capabilities remains understudied and rarely taught at a university level.

How can we explain the academy’s odd neglect?

Read the article to find out!

25 Things

From The Telegraph, a list of 25 things to do in the British Isles before you die (according to the travel publishers “Rough Guides”):

1 Soaking up the Edinburgh Festival.
2 Go West – walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
3 Punting on the Cam.
4 Supping Guinness in Dublin.
5 Wandering Borrowdale in the Lake District.
6 Be humbled by Durham Cathedral.
7 Cycling in the New Forest.
8 See the Belfast Murals.
9 Surfing in Newquay.
10 Breathing in the sea air in Tobermory.
11 Hiking in Snowdonia.
12 Hunting ghosts in York.
13 Hitting the streets for Notting Hill Carnival.
14 Getting away from it all on Skellig Michael.
15 Get lost in the Balti Triangle.
16 Clubbing in London.
17 Walking on Dartmoor.
18 Trundling along the West Highlands Railway.
19 Winning the prehistoric lottery (Newgrange Lottery, Co Meath).
20 Watching a football match at Old Trafford.
21 Losing yourself in Connemara.
22 Take a stroll from St Paul’s to Tate Modern.
23 Holkham magic: visiting the best beach in Britain.
24 Walking the walls of Conwy Castle.
25 Experience Glastonbury.