Old South Meeting House

The Old South Meeting House is a landmark of mammoth proportion. Not only is it the primary site of the inflammatory speeches which sparked the American Revolution but it still serves as a free speech site today. As a resource for Boston teachers it is phenomenal, for other teachers across the country....the museum store. Unfortunately, they are still not providing a list of the infamous Old South pamphlets on-line but I have found the museum staff to be very helpful. If it was an important speech in Boston or Mass., chances are they have a wonderful old typeface pamphlet form of it from Frederick Douglas to James Otis to Horace Mann.

This book has to be the authoritative account of what is arguably Lincoln's landmark speech. This is the speech which propelled Lincoln to the presidency. Holzer has done excellent work outlining the origins, circumstances and effects of the speech. The detail of the account is obviously from exhaustive research and the analysis is first rate. I highly recommend this volume as a great companion to reading any quality Lincoln biography.

Sullivan Press

For the best in authentic documents in American history from everything from stationary to a colonial marriage certificate, manumission, contract of indentured servitude, check it out. Do not expect speed in your order being filled, but the quality of the products offered cannot be beaten for the price. I find myself ordering something to add to my collection of documents to display to the students every year. For the re-enactor, this is the place for your period paper....

McPherson, Simply the Best

Tried by War is an excellent examination of Lincoln as commander in chief. This volume, as many others by many authors, illustrates Lincoln's uncanny leadership abilities. His ability to compromise, tolerate and handle not only the momentous political forces but at the same time prosecute the bloodiest and perhaps, the most savage war in our history. An truly great and informative read, McPherson has once again triumphed.

Marbury v Madison for the Masses!!!

Sloan and McKean have done an excellent job of outlining the momentous impact of a landmark Supreme Court case in The Great Decision, Jefferson, Adams, Marshall and The Battle of The Supreme Court. A general reader not only learns about the case but the internal working of the early Supreme Court. It seems unthinkable today that a Supreme Court justice would ride circuit for appeals, then hear a case they had ruled in before, at the Supreme Court bench. It only happens today in some appointments...Sotomayor perhaps. They also go into investigative detail of the parties involved in the case, the political battle between the first political parties and the tenuous first exchange of executive power between parties. Anyhow, well worth reading, highly recommended.

I Am Murdered by Bruce Chadwick

This was an excellent account of a total miscarriage of justice due to racism and its codification in American jurisprudence at the time. The horrific murder of the honorable George Wythe and the failure of the justice to which he dedicated his life to punish his killer, wow!!! There is also an interesting history of arsenic poisoning, racial relations in Richmond, period social life in Richmond and the pointed failure of the legal system one to two steps behind the times, as usual. Excellent summer read, investigative history, very readable.