Celebrate America with Great Historic Reads

BY LISA DOSS & VONDA HENDERSON

We are blessed in this country to have a rich and well-documented history.  Having the opportunity to learn about our heritage and all that makes our nation great is a privilege.  As we celebrate the 4th of July, it’s a good time to pull out the biographies about the founding fathers, books about the heroes who served and protected the nation, as well as books on the milestone events that shaped and continue to shape our nation.

Biographies and Autobiographies

Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose:  Chronicles the history directly from the men who comprised E, “Easy,” Company, an American airborne unit during World War II.  The story narrates in vivid details the adventures, triumphs, and tragedies from D-Day behind Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge and Hitler’s Bavarian Outpost at Berchtesgaden.

Inside Marine One by Colonel Ray “Frenchy” L’Heureux with Lee Kelly:  An accounting of Colonel L’Heureux’s career as a Marine helicopter pilot and as the pilot of Marine One.

John Adams by David McCullough:  The Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling epic biography tells the story of John Adams’ journey through life, beginning with his boyhood and ending with his death. Readers will learn a good deal about history, but also discover a passionate man who fiercely loved his country, wife and children, and friends.

Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard:  This book covers the major players in the European theater of World War II.  Patton was admired and feared for his military knowledge by most of the German leadership; however, he was his own worst enemy when it came to his relationships with his peers.

Read My Pins by Madeleine Albright:  The stories and messages behind the pins Ms. Albright wore during meetings with heads of state and political figures around the world.

Let’s Roll! by Lisa Beamer with Ken Abraham:  The story of one of the heroes on Flight 93.

American Sniper by Chris Kyle:  A New York Times bestseller, Kyle’s story as a renowned sniper and the impact of his career on his personal life is gripping.

Top Dog (The story of Marine Hero Lucca) by Maria Goodavage:  Lucca’s story as a decorated war veteran is an example that not all heroes walk on two legs.  Lucca is one of many such highly trained heroes who give service to our country and protect their handlers and fellow servicemen and women.

Conflicts and Military History

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, Jr.:  A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel/character study of the Civil War Generals and lead commanders who fought at Gettysburg.

Fly Boys by James Bradley:  The story of eight pilots captured during World War II on the island of Chichi Jima.

Defiant by Alvin Townley: The story of eleven pilots, from their capture and years as POWs during the Vietnam War, to the fight to gain their release and their lives after their return to the United States.

Time Periods and Events

The Girls of Atomic City (The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II)by Denise Kiernan:  An account of average people who worked in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to develop the atomic bomb and who had no idea of their ultimate place in history.

America – Land of Beauty and Splendor by Reader’s Digest: A tabletop book with places of interest in every state.

America for Children 

America, a Patriotic Primer by Lynne Chaney: The story of the United States told through each letter of the alphabet.  Presented with wonderful illustrations, the content features facts about our presidents and other historical people, and elements of America including the Declaration of Independence, and our flag.

The 50 States:  Explore the U.S.A. with 50 Fact-Filled Maps! by Gabrielle Balkan:  Each two-page spread explores each one of the 50 states.  Children will learn about each state’s capital, famous residents, and key historical moments.

Wackiest White House Pets by Gibbs Davis:  Winner of a Parents’ Choice Gold Award book.  Animal lovers will thoroughly enjoy learning historical information through story format about 15 presidents, and their interesting pets.

Whether a patriotic read is on your bookshelf or recommended from a friend, reading about our history and country can be inspiring. Visit your local library.  A great historical read is waiting there just for you!

 

 

 

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