1776 by David McCullough

1776 by David McCullough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As many this was a pivotal year in American history. It was also a year which the true birth of George Washington came alive. Just in this year alone he could have been known as the father of the country. It was a year of highs and lows for both the country and George Washington. In the spring General Washington drove the British out of Boston when by shear will power Henry Knox brings captured artillery from northwestern New England (what is now Vermont). In winter through snow and ice covered rivers. Sets them up almost over night and scares the redcoats out of Boston. The victory is short lived though as the next target is New York City. The British regroup and along with some mercenary Hessian troops (from Germany) invade New York. General Washington is outnumbered and out Generaled unfortunately. He regroups his beleaguered troops in New Jersey. This is truly the time that tried men's souls( along with George Washington). Through the recent defeats, lack of confidence of subordinates(One of whom was captured),lacking money, food, clothes and time as many of his troops enlistments were up as of the end of the year also. Through shear will power his ragtag group crossed the now famed Delaware river Christmas night, during a Northeaster keep in mind, and surprised a Hessian Garrison nearby as the slept off their Christmas hangovers and captured most of them with only two men lost, who actually were lost to weather being frozen to death. Though not a huge battle it did prove enough to keep the Continental Army intact andin turn proved to be the turning point in the war.

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Pilgrim Sexy Talk

Edward Rowe Snow Born This Day

Edward Rowe Snow was born today in 1902 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. He was a teacher, historian,Flying Santa and prolific author of over 40 books and many more publications. He was a chronicler of New England maritime history. A graduate of both Boston University and Harvard. He served as 1st Lt. in World War 2 in the XII Bomber Command. After the war he had his own youth orientated radio show and was a columnist for the Patriot Ledger newspaper. He also was a part of the "Flying Santa" which would fly around to New England lighthouses and drop off packages for the keepers at Christmas time. He passed away April 10,1982 in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Crafty Bastards by Lauren Clark

It is true the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth because they were low on beer. I don't remember hearing that in history class. You'll get the full story and more here. It was in 1620 that New England's relationship with beer and ale started. You'll learn about the growth of brewing and New Englander's thirst for for the stuff has rarely ebbed. Although Cider, rum and prohibition gave beer some competition it still survived. Even learn of it's revival in recent decades. Crack open a local brew and enjoy this easy to read and enjoyable trip along the region's brewing history. Crafty Bastards: Beer in New England from the Mayflower to Modern Day by Lauren Clark

Brief History of Cape Cod Canal

Shipwrecks around Cape Cod (Illustrated) by William P. Quinn

Shipwrecks Around Cape Cod by William P. Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A fascinating look at shipwrecks that occurred on and around Cape Cod, Massachusetts up until about 1973. Anyone interested in the maritime mishaps and tragedies along the Cape Cod shoreline this book would be an excellent addition to their collection. Even the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower thought better than trying go around Cape Cod so eventually settled in Plymouth. The advent of the Cape Cod Canal and other technological advances have slowed down the events. Enjoyable for the casual reader or serious researcher. Photograph's are either from author's personal collection or from other sources. Sadly I recently found out that Quinn recently passed away this past year and was a local legend in Cape Cod. Worth a look if your interested in Cape Cod maritime history.

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Storms and Shipwrecks of New England by Edward Rowe Snow

Storms and Shipwrecks of New England by Edward Rowe Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I grew up reading my Grandfather's Edward Rowe Snow books and they are just as captivating as I remember them to be. Snow in a New England maritime legendary story teller. This collection concentrates on historic storms and shipwrecks that have come ashore the New England coast over the years up until about 1945 when this addition was first published. This edition released in 2003 has updates at the end of each chapter. These are local historical tales that you don't find in your history books. Tales like these remind you that not all battles are fought on land or against people but are also waged against nature. These are worth reading if your into New England maritime history.

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Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell

Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Sarah Vowell's look at the history of Hawaii. She concentrates her efforts on the period from when New England missionaries landed there in 1820 to the annexation by the United States in 1898. She looks at the good and the bad of how the islands culture and people changed with the growing influence of western culture.

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