"America's ForgottenHistory, Part One" by Mark David Ledbetter is the American history book that I wish we had had when I was in high school in the 1950s-1960s. I wish that high schools were using it today. The author does a marvelous job of relating the how and why, not just the who, when, and where that many history books focus on, and he does it with a style that grabs the reader immediately like a great novel. (Even though we know the ending!)
Part One includes America's beginnings through the War of 1812 and covers the presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. America's beginnings were actually in Europe, particularly England, dating back to the English Civil War in the mid-17th century. In a manner that reminded me of the old TV series "Connections," the author, like James Burke, demonstrated how interconnected events in England and other countries influenced the colonists in America. Mr. Ledbetter's connection of the American Civil war to the English Civil War was one of the most remarkable conclusions that I've read in an American history book.
But most of the story the author weaves is from the earliest settlements along the Atlantic coast through the War of 1812. He gives a good sense of how chaotic the years following the revolution were, especially as the state delegates met to draft the Constitution, and afterward as the members of the three branches - Executive, Legislative, and Judicial - worked to carve out their place in the new government. During these years the battle raged between advocates of a small, limited federal government and those who wanted a very strong federal government. That battle continues to this day, but the trend toward a strong federal government, to the detriment of the states, clearly began in the earliest days of the new republic.
In short, "America's Forgotten History, Part One" is a superb look at the founding of the United States from the earliest colonial settlements through the early 19th century. I recommend it very highly for anyone who enjoys reading about the history of our country. You may or may not agree with all of the author's conclusions, but they're well written, rational arguments.
Two thumbs up and five stars for "America's Forgotten History, Part One." I'm looking forward to reading the other parts of this series.
I just finished reading the Kindle version of America's ForgottenHistoryPart 1: Foundations and it was so good that I went ahead and purchased Part 2 and Globocop. I never thought history could be so interesting, but Mark Ledbetter has managed to bring the historical figures and events to life...made me feel like I was right there in the moment.
A libertarian perspective on history was badly needed, and this author has done a great job in hightlighting and promoting the libertarian viewpoint in Part 1. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series, I hope he will find the time to write Part 3, 4 & 5 as mentioned in his first book?
This a wonderful addition to my ebook libary and I highly recommend Part 1 to anyone who wants a fresh perspective on Americian History.
I discovered this gem after noticing the author on Kindle boards. He appeared to have some similar interests to me and to be quite intelligent. I figured I would give his book a try. I am glad I did.
I thought this book was excellent. I've learned much from it. I've already downloaded part two and am excited to start it. I have begun to recommend it to friends.
The book helped tie together all the separate bits and pieces of early American history that I have picked up through school and reading. It contains lots of interesting facts and stories. It clarified some points that I was vague on.
History is written by the victors. But do the victors in America?s forgotten debate really have it right? Do they even think about whether it is America?s destiny to be both a nanny state and garrison state? American?s Forgotten History questions standard understanding from a constitutionalist point of view. This, the first of five volumes, looks at the English Civil War, fought between Puritans and Cavaliers. It then follows Puritans as they flee Cavalier power to Massachusetts and later Cavaliers as they flee Puritan power to Virginia. Puritans and Cavaliers allied against the mercantilism of England to form a new system based on the Magna Carta, the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the English Bill of Rights, and the Enlightenment philosophy of Locke and Montesquieu. They would maintain their uneasy alliance until they fought another civil war on a new continent. After the American Revolution, parties formed around Jefferson and Hamilton that would frame American?s philosophical debate until the collapse of Jeffersonianism at the Democratic convention of 1896. The debate, so important in the 19th century and so important if America is to rediscover itself, is ignored by the victors of the debate, those who give us standard American history. Modern historians extol activist war-like presidents, high taxes, super government, and aggressive international militarism. The Constitution, as it was written and intended, makes all that impossible. This volume, Part One of American?s Forgotten History, covers English roots, the colonial period, the Revolution, the Constitution, and the first four presidential administrations, those of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.
based on 3 reviews
