“A Day that Will Live in Infamy”

“The location of the memorial, the design of the structure, the etching of the names, the wording on the plaques, they all help tell the story of what happened in that harbor so many years ago” (234).

The Book

All the Gallant Men: The First Memoir by a USS Arizona Survivor provides the reader a rare glimpse into the story of Peral Harbor: the lead-up, attack, and aftermath. Authors Donald Stratton and Ken Gire begin the book with the reason for writing: so the memories of Stratton would not be forgotten.

The book divides up into five sections that focus on Stratton’s life: early life, entering the Navy, the attack, the aftermath, and the remainder of World War II. Stratton enlisted in the Navy, in 1940, in order to obtain a job; the Great Depression was still impacting his small community in Nebraska. After basic training, Stratton was assigned to the USS Arizona in 1940. In the sections on the attack, the reader encounters a minute by minute account that parallels the Japanese with Stratton’s day. Stratton helps the reader visualize, smell, and hear the attack on December 7, 1941.

Stratton was severely burned during the attack and spent several months recovering in California. After a medical discharge in September 1942, Stratton returned to Nebraska. But, he felt the need to rejoin the fight and re-enlisted in February 1944. He was assigned to the USS Stack and joined the Third Fleet in the Pacific Theater.

All the Gallant Men is a well-written and easy to read flow that is accessible for all types of readers. The authors provide enough detail that answers the reader’s questions but doesn’t go down too many rabbit trails. By reading a memoir, the reader is able to reflect on the sacrifice of so many men (and families) and the impact. Stratton ends his memoirs with two important chapters: one on why he thought the attack happened and lessons we should learn and one on the importance of remembering.

The Place

Pearl Harbor. Those two words engulf so much history and emotion for Americans. It is seventy-seven years later and the impact of the memorial is just as strong as if the attack happened yesterday. My family began our visit with the boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial. Because it floats above the final resting place for seamen, there is an atmosphere of respect on the Memorial. You can look down and see parts of the ship, then look to the sky and imagine incoming Japanese planes. Afterwards, we spent quite a bit of time exploring the grounds (which provided information regarding the attack) and the museums.

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at the WWIIValor in the Pacific National Monument is a part of Hawaii that you do not want to miss. As a part of the National Park Service, there is no fee for admission. However, timed tickets are required for a trip to the USS Arizona Memorial and a tour of the USS Bowfin submarine. Tickets can be reserved online or obtained the day of your visit. I would recommend reserving tickets ahead of time, the line for day of tickets is long, even before the center opens. Visitors can easily spend a whole day exploring the museums that explain what life was like prior to the attack and the attack itself, walking along the harbor, and paying respect to the lives lost. 

“The Happiest Millionaire”

“…a man with a one-track mind and a capacity for putting every fiber of himself into whatever enterprise was immediately before him” (p. 47).

The Book

Anthony J. Drexel Biddle was the grandson of Anthony J. Drexel, the founder of Drexel University. A part of a historic and wealthy family of Philadelphia, Drexel Biddle brought his own unique twist to high society. My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle as told to Kyle Crichton presents the reader with this unique twist.

Drexel Biddle had numerous interests and passions: boxing, writing, interacting with all types of people, Christianity, pet alligators, and the Marines. The Drexel Biddle Bible Class helped launch the idea of Athletic Christianity, combining Bible study with boxing lessons. Prior to the United States entering World War I, Drexel Biddle was a prominent member of the preparedness movement. This is when he began his long association with the Marines, helping to train soldiers in hand-to-hand combat for World War I and World War II. Drexel Biddle was a larger than life personality who seemed to genuinely care about whatever was happening at the moment.

My Philadelphia Father has both a conversational and reminiscent flow to it. It feels like you are listening to an older relative tell stories of their life, with one story leading you to another. There is no real order to the book, but it is a fun a quick read. It provides the reader a peek into high society and the impact one man can have on his family and country. In 1967, My Philadelphia Father was made into a Disney film: The Happiest Millionaire, introducing a new generation to the Drexel Biddle family. 

The Place

Full disclosure: I am a third generation Drexel University graduate and the only time I set foot on campus was for my graduation from the Master of Science program. Despite being on campus for one day, I was impressed with the facilities and location. Drexel University is located in the heart of Philadelphia. The architecture is a blend of original and new-pointing students and visitors towards the school’s roots and future.

The campus is easy to explore and close to several other places of interest: Penn Museum, Independence Hall, Mutter Museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences, and the National Constitution Center. A visit could also entail a campus tour for high school students interested in a university offering both academics and a co-op experience. 

“The ‘Cockpit’ of the American Revolution”

“New Jersey remained a constantly contested battleground where Loyalist and Patriot militias fought for supplies, land, and influence” (5).

The Book

The American Revolution in New Jersey: Where the Battlefront Meets the Home Front edited by James J. Gigantion II, explores the experience of the residents of New Jersey during the Revolutionary War from different aspects. The book is divided into two parts: “A Revolutionary Experience” and “The Impact of the Revolutionary Experience”.

Part One walks the reader through five areas: the militia, illegal trade, iron and salt production, the Battle of Fort Lee, and the arrival of the French military. Part Two explores the impact on local economy, religious organizations, slavery, and Loyalist residents. Instead of outlining each section here, a preview will be provided to present a look at what the reader can expect. In the militia essay of Part One, the reader learns that being a part of the militia was extremely difficult. A part-time job as soldier was not easily balanced with the full-time job of farmer or craftsmen. The laws and enforcement of the militia often fluctuated and their homes were often ransacked by British troops. In the sections on religious organizations and slavery in Part Two, the reader learns that the Quakers led the charge to abolish slavery in New Jersey and many abolitionists linked the Declaration of Independence with the call to end slavery.

The American Revolution in New Jersey is an edited book composed of a variety of essays looking at the impact of the war. It is well-written in the academic genre, but it is also easy to read. The essays are in-depth and interesting, relying on many testimonies from the residents of New Jersey. The chapters easily stand-alone, allowing the reader to pick and choose where to start.

The Place

Red Bank Battlefield Park is one of the many locations in New Jersey that commemorates where the American forces fought for Independence from Great Britain. The park is on land originally owned by the Whitall family. During a battle between American forces and Hessian soldiers, their home was used as a field hospital.

Today, visitors can walk the grounds along the Delaware River every day except Christmas and New Year’s. The Whitall home is open seasonally and provides a glimpse into Colonial life. Our family often visited Red Bank Battlefield Park for a day. It provides something for the kid (playgrounds), nature lover (grounds to discover and piers to walk to the end of), and the history buff (plaques, cannons, and the Whitall house). 

One Hundred Years of Memories

“Locals referred to [Gatlinburg] simply as ‘the Burg’” (57).

The Book

A Lifetime in Gatlinburg: Martha Cole Whaley Remembers provides readers a rare opportunity: the sense of listening to an individual retell the stories of her life. As you read, it feels like you are sitting in a room with Martha Cole Whalely and are learning of all the changes that took place in Gatlinburg, TN.

Author Marie Maddox presents a dual biography to the reader: Gatlinburg, TN and Cole Whaley (a resident of the area for over 100 years). The reader learns what it was like to grow up in an area that is now part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Then, is introduced to the emergence of the hotel and tourism industry; Cole Whaley and her husband managed a hotel for many years. Finally, the reader hears Cole Whaley explain her hobbies, secret for longevity, and famous recipes.

A Lifetime in Gatlinburg presents a slice of Americana to the reader. The book is interspersed with personal photographs and ones from various archives. The chapters are short, easy to read, and written in a conversational style. It would have been nice to have more about Gatlinburg’s growth itself, to provide context with Cole Whaley’s stories.  This book is something many of us think of doing with our older relatives or friends-put to paper all of their experiences and stories.

The Place
Gatlinburg and its neighbor Pigeon Forge are known for their variety of attractions. Of course, there is the Great Smoky Mountain NationalPark, where visitors can participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Gatlinburg has a great downtown area packed with shopping, restaurants, and family fun. When I visited, we had the chance to check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum and the Guinness World Records Museum. In Pigeon Forge, visitors will find more museums and family fun, as well as Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s amusement park. We spent a day at Dollywood and it was a blast.

In this area of Tennessee there is truly something for everyone: outdoor, indoor, shopping, restaurants, museums, theme parks, and shows. It has changed a lot over Cole Whaley’s lifetime, but Gatlinburg and its neighbors are still open for visitors. 

Shaping of a President

“Coming to the village like ‘a piece of floating driftwood,’ as [Lincoln] said, he had worked his way up to a position of leadership not only in New Salem but in the state as well” (134).

The Book

The purpose of Lincoln’s New Salem is to introduce the reader to a time that shaped Abraham Lincoln’s life. Author, Benjamin P. Thomas argues that the six years (1831-1837) Lincoln spent in New Salem influenced many of his skills and abilities: leadership, reputation, politics, law, public speaking, and debate to name a few.

Thomas splits the book into three sections, the history of New Salem, Lincoln’s time in New Salem, and the restoration of New Salem. Part One explores the frontier era and what life was like for the average pioneer. Thomas also touches on the people, businesses, and growth of New Salem. Part Two comprises the bulk of the book. Here the reader learns of Lincoln’s arrival in town and the various jobs he held. Lincoln quickly earned the reputation of courageous, strong, honest, and truthful. It is in New Salem where Lincoln first runs for political office and begins to educate himself, ultimately settling on reading the law. In 1837, Lincoln was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and moved to Springfield (the new state capitol). Part Three provides the reader with a look at the growth of the Lincoln legend, after his assassination, which led to an interest in Lincoln pre-presidency. That interest led to restoration efforts in New Salem, as well as in Kentucky and Indiana.

Lincoln’s New Salem was originally published in 1954, 32 years after restoration began of the New Salem village. Thomas is considered a Lincoln scholar and lends credibility to this in-depth look at six years of Lincoln’s life. Lincoln’s New Salem is well-written, although it is a straight history book full of details regarding Lincoln and the frontier of central Illinois. Sometimes, the reader can get lost in the lists of facts or descriptions, but the detail does help the reader visualize Lincoln’s world.

The Place

Lincoln’s New Salem provides visitors the chance to walk the streets of the village Lincoln called home for six years. Numerous buildings, including log homes, were restored and filled with period furniture. The New Salem Mill, a significant part of the village, was also restored.

New Salem has Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter specific hours, so make sure to check the website prior to visiting. Throughout the year, there are various events and the campground is open from April to October. My family visited for a day, tied to a weekend spent exploring Lincoln sites in the Springfield, IL area. One of the unique aspects of Lincoln’s New Salem is the opportunity to learn about the Lincoln before his time as a lawyer or as the president.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

“On, brave old Army team; On to the fray: Fight on to victory, For that’s the fearless Army way” (35-36).

The Book

A Team for America: The Army-Navy Game that Rallied a Nation at War, by Randy Roberts, is a look at America and college football during World War II. While the main focus is one specific game, the book spends most of its pages helping the reader understand why this game was so important.

In the 1930s, the football team at the United States Military Academy (USMA/Army) was struggling. It couldn’t beat its major rivals (including Notre Dame and the United States Naval Academy) and the size of the team was small. In January 1941, the Superintendent of USMA recruited Earl Blaik to turn the team around. In three short years, Blaik introduced the T-formation, recruited standout players, and pushed towards national recognition. The reader learns about Blaik’s coaching style, the changes going on in college football, and key players on the Army team. Always present in the narrative is the reality of World War II and the impact it had on teams, fans, and travel.

During the 1944 season, the national press began to compare the success of Army’s football team to the success of the Army across Europe. Suddenly, there was an even brighter national spotlight on the team. Roberts says, “The 1944 Army-Navy game was widely described as the most important game of football ever played in America” (213). Most Americans had a family member either deployed, in the military, or working on the Homefront. Americans were also war-weary and ready for a return to life before the war. The game was a battle, but Army won 23-7.

Roberts writes in a way that draws the reader into the excitement and crescendos in the last couple of chapters focused on the 1944 game. It is easy to read and would appeal to fans of history, football, or the Army. In a way, the reader encounters a unique perspective: World War II through the lens of football. 

The Place
The Army-Navy Football Game is the last game of the regular season and is typically played in Philadelphia (about equidistant from the two academies). It is truly an incredible experience. My family was able to attend twice during the time my brother was a Cadet at the United States Military Academy. When you attend the Army-Navy Game, you are in for more than college football. Both academies take turns marching onto the field and spectators cheer for the future Army and Navy leaders. Army helicopters and Navy jets fly over the field and the Army Black Knight parachutes to the sidelines. While much as changed since the 1944 Army-Navy Game, the patriotic excitement is still felt at present day games.

The only downside to attending the game is the time of year it is played: the first or second week of December. It is often cold and the day can bring rain, snow, and/or sleet. I would recommend wearing numerous layers. Tickets are required, there is ample parking (for a fee) at the stadium, and the Philadelphia area provides a variety of hotels, restaurants, and things to see. 

Ohio's Oldest Continuous Business

“Business had come and gone, presidents and heads of state had changed innumerable times, boundaries had changed, even names of countries, but [the Golden Lamb was] still there” (p. 164).

The Book

Author Fred Compton worked at the Golden Lamb for twenty-eight years and introduces the reader to a world of American history and antiques. The Golden Lamb was originally built as a one-story log tavern in 1803. Since then, it has grown into a four-story brick structure that serves as a hotel and restaurant.

The Golden Lamb is more than a business, it is a hands-on museum full of antique and Shaker furniture that is in daily use. Compton singles out specific pieces that are legendary to regular guests and customers. He regales the reader with stories about Christmas preparations, menus, and famous guests. Each of the hotel rooms are named for a specific guest that visited the Golden Lamb: from Charles Dickens and Harriet Beecher Stowe to 12 different presidents (from William Henry Harrison to George W. Bush).

The Golden Lamb: Tales from the Innside is organized topically, as opposed to chronologically. For someone looking for a specific history, this can be confusing. However, this organization works for a coffee table book and the story telling style Compton uses. The reader feels like she is having a conversation with Compton, hearing what memories pop into his mind. This makes for easy and fast reading. As a reader, I would have liked to have seen more photographs and a bit more history included to help bolster the stories.

The Place
The Golden Lamb offers several ways to walk in the footsteps of history. Visitors to Lebanon, OH can stay overnight in one of the rooms named for distinguished guests, dine in the restaurant, or explore the gift shop.

When I visited, I was able to simply explore the floors of the Golden Lamb. A tour of the building allows you to see the various rooms, collection of Shaker furniture, and other antique pieces. In addition to the restaurant housed in the Golden Lamb, there is also an old-fashioned ice cream parlor across the street- The Village Parlor. For visitors interesting in shopping, downtown Lebanon provides several antique and boutique shops to browse.