Tomorrow we celebrate another year of our nation. When I watch the news or read reports on the Internet, I realize how blessed we are to live in the United States of America.
With this thought in mind I want to tell you about a book entitled, “Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence,” by Joseph J. Ellis. Ellis became a Pulitzer Prize winning author with his book, “Founding Brothers,” (which we have on our shelves). He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts and “. . . is Professor of History Emeritus at Mount Holyoke College” (back flap). He believes that we cannot view the celebration of the forming of the United States without placing the military and political situations side by side. This way an uniform understanding of our history can be brought together (Preface, pp. ix-xi). This book is only 185 pages long and deals with the five month period between May and October; so you know it is a fairly short read and that you can digest it in a specific period of time.
The next book is entitled, “Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution,” by Nathaniel Philbrick. This writer tells the story of seven year old John Quincy Adams (the son of John Adams) watching from a hill in Boston, the British bombing the troupes and buildings around Boston Harbor. John Quincy Adams lost his beloved family physician, Joseph Warren. Warren was more than a friend of the family; he was also the overseer and patriot commander leading the hostilities at Lexington Green and Bunker Hill. At his death, the men following his leadership went into despair, and confusion ensued. George Washington was forced to deal with this situation. This book also describes two generals of the British command, and many other important leaders in the community of our forming nation (Preface, xiii-xvi). Best-selling New York Times author tells us that, “. . . I hope to provide an intimate account of how over the course of just eighteen months a revolution transformed a city and towns that surround it, and how that transformation influenced what eventually became the United States of America” (Preface, xvi).
Another historical non-fiction item is entitled, “Desperate Sons: Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War,” by Les Standiford. This author has written 20 other items such as: “Bringing Adam Home,” “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” and “Last Train to Paradise.” Standiford is writing about the Sons of Liberty; men who brought us to readiness for the invasion of the British. He uses letters, newspapers, historical accounts and other materials to write this work. He tells us that “. . . there was almost simultaneous eruption within American colonies of cells of a secret radical society committed to imposing forcible change upon the established government” (p. xvi). Standiford shares that these desperate men did not necessarily become the leaders of the new nation. They were not always understood by many loyalists of the British Empire that so controlled the lives of the colonists. These men after the war while heralded with many masterful strategies and victories were not entrusted with oversight and leadership of the nation. From his description, I would say statesmen they were not, but revolutionaries willing to give their lives, they were.
“The Traitor’s Wife: The Woman behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America,” by Allison Patakimay be of interest to you. The author tells the story of a beautiful young woman, Peggy Shippen, who attracts General Benedict Arnold. The two marry. Her knowledge of the plans of the revolutionaries, allow her loyalties to the British to be used by a British spy. General Arnold is wounded and their fortunes change. It is a household help who might be credited with saving the day. I bet you never heard this part of the nation’s story before. Read this historical fiction book and learn about other intriguing characters that made a difference in small but powerful ways. I think this book can show us it is the issues of the heart that lead us to greatness or betrayal. We need not be the greatest person of influence to make a difference in our community and nation. The smallest, most insignificant person can truly change the destiny of a nation. Will you be that person for our nation today?
Another great book
is “Santa Claus Is for Real: A True Christmas Fable About the Magic of
Charles Edward Hall has not always believed in Santa. He did as a kid, but then had the tradition
destroyed when he was a youth. However, while
working at Radio City Christmas Spectacular that all changed. He found himself wearing the red suit. But
while filling the role of Santa he found that it challenged his view point and
the beauty of serving others changed his whole perspective. This book too will warm your heart. 
