Military Drill for Independence

“[Baron von Steuben’s] name was linked inextricably to the rebirth of the army, a rebirth that had taken place in the snows of Valley Forge” (166).

The Book

The Drillmaster of Valley Forge by Paul Lockhart is an insightful look into Baron von Steuben; the man credited with training the Continental Army at Valley Forge in 1778. However, Steuben’s story is much broader than his months at Valley Forge.

Steuben was born into the military society of Prussia and joined the Prussian infantry at the age of 16, in 1746. The Prussian army was considered one of the premier militaries of that time and Steuben learned valuable lessons to be used later in his life. After being dismissed from the Prussian army in 1763, Steuben moved from job to job. In 1777, he was recruited by an American agent and soon left for America. Steuben arrived in Valley Forge (February 1778) where he spent time observing the army and providing advice to Washington. In March, Steuben was given his first assignment: train the army. It was impossible to do it all by himself, so Steuben trained a select few who returned to their regiments to train others. The army made quick progress, which was noticed and appreciated by many.

For many Americans, this is where Steuben’s story ends. Lockhart’s biography details the rest of Steuben’s major contributions. He acted as a scout, using his Prussian training to predict British movements, and served as a commander of troops during battles. Outside of training the army at Valley Forge, Steuben had three lasting impacts. He composed a book of military regulations, which drew from Prussian and French regulations and was adapted to the American mindset. The “Blue Book” was the official regulation through the War of 1812. Steuben also proposed a military academy (eventually West Point) and his high regard for discipline is still evident in the army.

Throughout the book, Lockhart writes in a way that is easily accessible for most readers, intertwining Steuben’s story with the fight for independence. It is a military biography, so there is an emphasis on military maneuvers, training, and terminology. But, the book would not be complete without this military emphasis. The reader feels like she can visualize the chaos and uncertainty of the time period, and fully understand Baron von Steuben’s imprint on America.

The Place

Valley Forge is located about 3o miles northwest of Philadelphia. The park grounds have separate operating hours than the Visitor Center, Washington’s Headquarters, Train Station, Washington Memorial Chapel, and Varnum’s Quarters. It is important to check the hours before visiting the park. Because Valley Forge is a part of the National Park Service, entrance is free.

I would recommend beginning your visit at the Visitor Center. It provides an overview of Valley Forge and numerous artifacts from the winter encampment. After the Visitor Center, you are ready to roam Valley Forge. Both driving self-guided and trolley guided tours are available. The tours will take you past replica cabins that soldiers would have stayed in, the home Washington used as his headquarters, and the plain where Steuben trained and drilled the army. Valley Forge is a significant place to visit and serves as a reminder of the work and sacrifice for American independence. 

The Eagle has Landed

“I think we are going to the moon because it’s in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It’s by the nature of his deep inner soul. We’re required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream” (Neil Armstrong, p. 206).

The Book

Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight by Jay Barbree is a unique take on the biography of the first man on the moon. Barbree focuses on Armstrong’s time as a test pilot and astronaut, times which have come to define Armstrong. The biography does touch a bit on Armstrong’s family, but the focus is on Armstrong’s life of flight.

The biography begins as Armstrong is flying with the Pacific Fleet during the Korean War and continues through his time as a research test pilot and astronaut. Many readers will be familiar with Armstrong’s time in NASA. Yet, Barbree writes in a way that the information is new and exciting. The history of NASA is intertwined with Armstrong’s contribution and new details are revealed. The best chapters of the book are those that focus on the preparation, take-off, mission, and return of Apollo 11. The reader actually feels like she is experiencing the moon landing with Armstrong. The reader also comes to appreciate all that went into the NASA space program: the research, training and science. Some of the facts are mind-blowing. The book closes with Armstrong’s strong disappointment with the end of the space shuttle program and downsize of NASA.

Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight is a well-written and easily accessible book. Barbree writes in an engaging way and makes sure to explain concepts unfamiliar to most readers. The book could easily fall into a scientific biography, but Barbree keeps it simple. The interviews add a personal touch that helps the reader understand who Armstrong was. Even though he was the first man on the moon, Armstrong was humble and the reader walks away admiring that trait. 

Barbree was the NBC News Space Correspondent and close friends with Armstrong. His biography has an authenticity that others might not, due to his access to conversations, interviews, reporter’s notes, and transcripts. Armstrong didn’t consider himself special and was a private person. This is an apt biography because it mainly focuses on Armstrong’s public life.

The Place

The Armstrong Air and Space Museum is a unique place to visit. It is located in the hometown of Neil Armstrong and was first proposed by the governor of Ohio shortly after Armstrong landed on the moon. Although named for Armstrong, the museum honors Ohio’s contribution to space exploration (astronauts and training locations). Once at the museum, visitors will notice the unique design: a futuristic moon base.

The museum is not large and is mostly on one floor. As you walk through the museum, you see Armstrong’s life and the Space Race unfold through each exhibit. Artifacts include the Gemini 8 capsule Armstrong flew in space and his Apollo spacesuit. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the simulators and interactive exhibits. There is an entry fee, but it is worth the chance to walk through history. 

Out of Many Ideas, One National Mall

“Much of the Mall’s visual strength lies in its scale. From the Capitol to Fourteenth Street, the broad, linear space creates a sense of expansiveness commensurate with the bold visions that shaped it, a space that may be said to be emblematic of the vast reaches of the country itself” (14).

The Book

The Mall in Washington, 1791-1991 is a collection of articles that explore the history of the National Mall. The authors write of Pierre L’Enfant’s original plan for America’s new capitol city, various figures who impacted the developments, the landscape, and specific additions to the National Mall.

The National Mall we know now took a long time to develop. In March 1797, 227 acres were set aside for the “health and ornament of the city” (46). Buildings were developed slowly and in 1854, a railroad ran across the National Mall. By the end of the 1800s, it was fragmented into seven separate parks and gardens. The McMillian Plan (1901-1902) attempted to unify the National Mall and work towards what L’Enfant originally envisioned. In 1926, the National Capitol Park and Planning Commission was created to help unify the work on the National Mall. According to Charles Moore, “In the monuments of the National Capitol you shall read the history of America” (144). The buildings, sculptures, landscape, and space attempt to convey meanings to the visitor.

The Mall in Washington, 1791-1991 contains detailed research that delves into the history of a familiar space. It’s not just the history of the National Mall; it also includes the history of Washington, DC and American government, society, and design. At times the average reader might feel bogged down by the academic research, but overall this book is very accessible. The articles are supplemented with hundreds of original drawing plans, photos of scale models, and photos at the various stages of development. These articles help the reader appreciate the careful thought and detailed work that went into the design of the National Mall, landscape, and buildings.

The Place

It is impossible to see everything on the National Mall in one day; there are simply too many museums and memorials. If it is a nice day, a picnic lunch is a great option on the vast open land at any point on the National Mall. If the weather is not great, consider exploring one of the many Smithsonian Museums; they literally have something for everyone. The World War I, World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorials are poignant reminders of the sacrifices of many. My recommendation would be to plan several days to explore the National Mall.

Simply standing at any point on the National Mall can leave you with a sense of awe. Despite the number and size of the buildings, people still seem to dominate the space. When I lived in Washington, DC one of my favorite things to do was to walk the Mall. There is no other place in America like this vast park memorializing great leaders and our nation’s history. 

A Garden for Enjoyment and Education

Henry Shaw “wanted clarity, not mystery, order, not irregular incident, and plants for study, not repose” (vii).

The Book

Henry Shaw’s Victorian Landscapes: The Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park by Carol Grove invites the reader to go behind the scenes of one of America’s oldest botanical garden. The book is both a biography of Henry Shaw and two of his greatest achievements: the Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park.

Henry Shaw immigrated to America from England in 1818 and quickly adopted St. Louis as his new home. After years of success in various business ventures, Shaw decided to incorporate his interest in gardening with philanthropy. He purchased the land the garden and park sits on in 1842. The garden opened in 1859 and the park opened in 1872. In Shaw’s opinion, the garden was a way to elevate citizens and an instrument of reform that would cultivate taste. The park would serve the same function as libraries and museums.

Henry Shaw’s Victorian Landscapes is well-written and caters to a wide variety of interests. Grove helps the audience visualize the city of St. Louis during the late 1800s and the development of the garden. There is just enough outside informative to be interesting, but not distract from the main story. Grove does include some detailed information regarding gardening, but it is written in a way that appeals to most knowledge levels. It is easy for a reader to come away with a greater appreciation for the Missouri Botanical Garden and the science behind gardening.

The Place

The Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park are southwest of downtown St. Louis. Visitors will need to purchase tickets for the garden, but the park is a municipal park. Since the garden and park are mostly outdoors, the best time to visit would be when the weather is nice.

Once inside the garden, a visitor will quickly appreciate the hard work of Shaw and his successors. The garden includes plants from America and around the world, interactive fountains, and unique architecture. One of my favorite areas was the Bakewell Ottoman Garden and my favorite plant was the chocolate flower (which really does smell like chocolate). It is easy to get lost wandering the trials of the garden and park, learning about different plants, and stopping to investigate a new smell. 

Gateway to Another Land

“The main building impressed upon immigrants that America was a substantive and wondrous land; the power of the federal government and the American nation made their stamp on the immigrant immediately” (122).

The Book

American Passage: The History of Ellis Island gives the reader a glimpse into one of the iconic places in American history. Author Vincent J. Cannato chooses to present a biography of a place, detailing the birth, growth, and retirement of Ellis Island.

Ellis Island opened in 1890 as a federally-run immigration station. From 1892-1924 twelve million immigrants arrived. Eighty percent were processed in hours, while twenty percent took days or weeks to process at Ellis Island. In 1900, the current building opened. Immigrants were observed and examined for physical and mental health issues, some were detained for long periods of time while others were sent back to Europe. The politically appointed commissioners attempted to enforce an often confusing immigration law, appease national sentiments, cater to immigration societies, and humanize the process.

During the two World Wars, Ellis Island served as a detention center for “enemy aliens” and, ironically, a place of deportation. Throughout the aftermath of the World Wars, Ellis Island became linked to national security. During this time, the buildings fell into disrepair and the station officially closed in 1954. With time, historians and children of immigrants begin to emphasize the importance of Ellis Island. After restoration, it reopened as a national immigration museum in 1990.

Overall, American Passage is a well written, detailed, and interesting book. Cannato provides an unbiased and honest history of Ellis Island, intertwined with the history of immigration. He does not gloss over the anti-immigrant protests and sentiments of the past or the corruption. Yet, the book is sprinkled with stories of immigrants who found a new life once they passed through Ellis Island. As I read American Passage, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to the current immigration debate. Cannato does a superb job addressing this parallel in his epilogue.

The Place

Ellis Island is synonymous with immigration and the Statue of Liberty. In school, we learn of the immigrants traveling to America, glimpsing the Statue of Liberty, and then processing through Ellis Island.

Just like the Statue of Liberty, there is only one way to reach Ellis Island. Statue Cruises provides a ferry to Ellis Island. Once on the island, there are several places to explore. The Great Hall provides a visitor an idea of what it was like to arrive as an immigrant. In this large open space, immigrants would wait in lines to be processed. Guided tours are available for those that want an in-depth understanding of Ellis Island. Visitors can also search the manifests of ships for ancestors that may have arrived at Ellis Island.

Ellis Island is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, so some exhibits and locations are unavailable. It is always a good idea to check the website prior to visiting. 
 

Liberty Lighting the Way

“Soon, out of the mist, there loomed high in the air a great, somber, shadowy form, which grew vaguely distinct as the boat approached, and soon the well-known figure of the torch-bearing goddess stood revealed in hazy outlines…” (245).

The Book

Liberty’s Torch: The Great Adventure to Build The Statue of Liberty is both a biography of the sculptor and the sculpture. Author Elizabeth Mitchell introduces the reader to the sculptor, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The first chapters of the book cover Bartholdi’s life before he began work on The Statue of Liberty. 

Bartholdi first developed the idea for a grand statue in 1865 and originally proposed the idea to Egypt to commemorate the Suez Canal. Egypt turned him down and in 1871, Bartholdi traveled to America to seek approval there. The next fifteen years were spent fundraising, designing, and building.  Mitchell brings the reader into Bartholdi’s workshop and shows the steps of the construction process. The statue was built in France, then taken apart and shipped to America to be reassembled. On October 28, 1886 The Statue of Liberty was dedicated.

Mitchell provides insight into The Statue of Liberty that many Americans do not know. The statue’s official name is “The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.” Made out of 4,000 square feet of copper, the statue was originally red. It turned completely green about 40 years after it’s dedication. It is widely thought that the statue was meant to be a gift commemorating the friendship of France and America. However, “[Bartholdi] wanted to make the largest statue in the world more than he cared to espouse an ardent political view or lavish praise on America” (105). Ironically, few people know the name of Bartholdi today.

Liberty’s Torch is well-written and easy to follow. There are some sections where the author delves into side stories that provide background about various people involved with the statue. These side stories are not necessary, but sometimes provide interesting facts or perspectives. As I read, I wanted to know more about the actual building of the statue. Mitchell mainly focuses on the conception and fundraising for The Statue of Liberty. The book would benefit from a closer look at the construction and engineering hurdles and feats accomplished by the designers and builders.

The Place

A visit to The Statue of Liberty is a one of a kind experience. I have vivid memories of riding the ferry to Liberty Island, exploring the exhibits in the museum in the pedestal, climbing up to the crown, and looking out at New York City from the windows in the crown. 

The only way to access Liberty Island is by ferries operated by Statue Cruises. Once on the island, there are several options for visitors to explore. Tickets are required and visitors must go through security. The pedestal houses the museum and provides views of the harbor and New York City. In the museum, visitors can learn about the history of The Statue of Liberty. One fascinating part is a replica of Liberty’s head that visitors can stand next to and compare heights.

Of course, the main attraction is the statue itself. A climb to the top is well-worth it, but visitors should know what to expect. There is no elevator in the statue; visitors must climb 146 steps on a double spiral staircase. The line on the staircase moves slowly because people stop to look out the windows in the crown. Once at the top, the climb will be rewarded with beautiful views of New York City across the harbor. As you look out the windows, you can imagine what it must have been like for the thousands of immigrants arriving in America and glimpsing The Statue of Liberty for the first time.

Fortress on the Hudson

“The United States Military Academy, a sprawling stone fortification, looks down several hundred feet to the deep Hudson” (p. 35).

The Book

Sacred Ties: From West Point Brothers to Battlefield Rivals introduces the reader to six friends and their journey from the United States Military Academy at West Point to the Civil War. Three of the friends fought for the Union and three of the friends fought for the Confederacy.  While the overall focus of Sacred Ties is the Civil War, it begins with an introduction to the world of West Point. Students at West Point are referred to as cadets and their time is aimed at academics and military training. Tom Carhart does a good job of introducing the reader to life at West Point in the 1860s and pointing out the similarities to training at West Point today.

By following the battles of the Civil War, Carhart is able to follow the careers of each friend. A reader will only recognize one of the six friends: George Armstrong Custer; although the other five contributed significantly to their respective sides of the war. Carhart says, “The Civil War was probably the best demonstration of West Point’s central military role in America history, for in virtually all the major battles of that war both sides were commanded by West Point graduates” (p. 4). Throughout the book, Carhart points out other West Point graduates in addition to the six friends.

While the opening chapters regarding West Point are beneficial, the flow is challenging to follow in places. Carhart attempts to weave stories about the six friends in with training at West Point. It does not always flow as well as it could. Once the focus shifts to the Civil War, the flow improves. Overall, this book provides just enough detail not to overwhelm the reader. It includes lesser known battles and a fresh perspective on the Civil War.

The Place

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a unique place. A visitor feels like she is stepping into a castle fortress built to protect its inhabitants from invaders. The history of America runs deep and visitors can walk in the footsteps of Grant, Patton, MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Schwarzkopf. It is easy to imagine the generals of the Civil War at West Point because little has changed.

The best way to see West Point is to take a tour. West Point Tours, Inc provides guided tours daily and for groups. Some important highlights would be Trophy Point, the Old Cadet Chapel, the Cadet Chapel, and the Plain. Each of these plays a significant role in the history of West Point or the daily lives of each cadet. I would also recommend visiting the West Point Museum. Not only does it provide the history of West Point, but it is home to numerous United States Army artifacts and dioramas of historically significant battles. 

A visit to West Point is fascinating and educational. West Point is the intersection of the history and future of the United States Army. It is important to remember that West Point is a functioning United States Army post that requires visitors to pass through security before entering.