Chain Defense

“The importance of the Hudson River in the present Contest, and the necessity of defending it, are Subjects which have been so frequently and fully discussed, and are so well understood, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them” (George Washington, xiii).

The Book 

Chaining the Hudson by Lincoln Diamant highlights an important part of Revolutionary War history, one that can sometimes take second place to the well-known stories of Philadelphia and New York City. From the start, the leaders of the Revolution recognized the importance of defending the Hudson River, north of New York City. Without it, the northern colonies would be split in two and access to supplies would become extremely difficult. 

In 1775, the northern delegates to the Continental Congress emphasized the importance of protecting the Hudson River. The Hudson Highlands were originally identified as the best place for fortifications. The first attempt, Fort Constitution, was fraught with delays, poor design, and high cost. Fort Washington and two forts named Fort Lee were hastily constructed (George Washington had misgivings about their effectiveness) in 1776. They were joined by a chevaux-de-frise, “shallow-water obstructions […] to fill gaps in a line of hulks to be sunk across the Hudson River from Fort Washington to Fort Lee” (39). In July, two British warships defied these defenses and sailed up the Hudson with little difficulty. 

As the British took control of New York City, the leaders of the Revolution grew more concerned over the lack of defense for the Hudson River. In the spring and summer of 1776, Forts Montgomery and Clinton were completed to act as complementary defenses. An iron chain was placed across the Hudson in March 1777; it weighed 35 tons and was 1,650 feet long. The British attacked the two forts, by land, and filed through a link in the chain. However, by November 1777, the upper Hudson Valley was back in colonist hands. Military leaders decided that West Point (across from Fort Constitution) would be a better area of defense and a new chain was put in place in 1778. In August 1780, Benedict Arnold took command of West Point. He told the British of weak spots in the chain, but was caught before the British could attack. The West Point chain was never tested by an enemy vessel. 

When I first chose this book, I thought it might be more geared towards an academic audience. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it reads more like popular nonfiction. There are drawings, maps, and present-day photos interspersed throughout, helping the reader visualize. Diamant relies heavily on first-hand accounts, mostly from letters, to support the narrative. This is great, but sometimes the lengthy passages are difficult to follow. In Chaining the Hudson, the main characters are geography and strategy. Readers learn of troop movements, engagement, defense designs, and the significance of the area. The reader is periodically reminded of the simultaneous Revolutionary War events, to help ground them in the story. 

The Place 

Fort Montgomery is a lesser-known Revolutionary War locale, but still a worthwhile place to visit. On the northern edge of Bear Mountain State Park, it is surrounded by beautiful mountain and river views. The state park includes a small indoor museum, detailing the significance of the Fort to the defense of the Hudson. Outside are numerous cannons, original stone foundations and earthworks, and recreated structures. A brief walk downhill will bring visitors to Popolopen Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River. A pedestrian suspension bridge provides access to Fort Clinton and the rest of Bear Mountain State Park. 

It is a place that you might miss if you aren’t looking for it. A traffic circle can make it difficult to access if you aren’t familiar with them. My family got a bit turned around, but we eventually made it to the park. We spent a couple of hours there, which was plenty of time. A trip here could easily be combined with other sites in Bear Mountain State Park. Fort Montgomery is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free and donations are welcomed.

Father of the United States Air Force

“In Mitchell’s view, room had to be made for aeronautics as an equal partner of the Army and Navy, if the United States were to protect its interests in a world that was rapidly shrinking with every technical advance” (40).

The Book

Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell is one of those interesting characters in United States history. His aeronautical ideas were ahead of their time; the urgent and controversial way he chose to publicize them resulted in his court-martial from the United States Army. In Billy Mitchell: Crusader for Air Power, author Alfred F. Hurley presents a biography that focuses on Mitchell’s ideas and how they interacted with the contemporary dominant individuals and viewpoints. 

Billy Mitchell enlisted in the United States Army in 1898, at the start of the Spanish-American War. His early military career led him to Cuba and the Philippines and in 1901 he officially joined the Signal Corp of the regular Army. In this capacity, Mitchell surveyed the communications work in Alaska and participated in the experimental research at Fort Leavenworth. As early as 1906, he recognized the military potential of lighter-than-air craft, which set his military career on a new trajectory. 

When Mitchell was sent to Europe as an aeronautical observer in April 1917, he was introduced to the theory of aerial warfare. It was clear to him that the United States lacked the equipment, support, and training for the new role aviation was set to play. After World War I, Mitchell set out to champion a separate branch for an air force and the significance of military aviation. Frustrated when his ideas fell on deaf ears, Mitchell often turned to the press to directly appeal to the public. This frustration came to a head when the Navy once again stood in the way of funding for a separate air branch of the military. In 1925, Mitchell was found guilty on disciplinary charges and court-martialed. While Mitchell’s military career was at an end, the Administration began to take military aviation more seriously. In the Epilogue, Hurley vindicates Mitchell’s theories and ideas, despite the way he handled himself, by considering aviation’s role in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. 

This was a unique biography because there is little time spent on Mitchell’s personal life, other than his family background and early years. Minimal context is provided to ground the narrative and the focus is squarely on the military. Despite that, the book is still easy to read and would be interesting to both the average reader and the avid military buff. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction and ends with a summary and a foreshadow of the next chapter. There are two sections of black and white candid and staged photos. For those who might wish to visualize the story, a film was made in 1955: The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell.

The Place

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a museum unlike many others. According to the website, it is “the world’s largest military aviation museum”, and it definitely feels like it when you walk in the doors. There are four large hangers that display thousands of aircraft (from the early years of the 20^th century to space missions) and plenty of descriptions for those that want to learn more in-depth. Aircraft hang from the ceiling and are displayed at eye level, some with additional artifacts and mannequins to set the scene. There are several planes that visitors can walk through. Some of my favorite exhibits include the Doolittle Raid and Memphis Belle (WWII gallery), the Missile gallery, and Air Force One (Presidential gallery). 

Both admission and parking are free and the museum is open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm. It can easily become overwhelming to a first-time visitor and it is impossible to do everything in one day. Free tours are available, if visitors would like to do more than observe the aircraft and read signs. The tours are divided up by hanger and start at the respective information desks. When I was a kid, my family would often go more than once a year. The sheer size allowed for the kids to work off their energy, especially on rainy or cold days. If you only have one day to visit, my recommendation would be to plan based on your interests or to focus on one hanger.

In the Shadow of the Alps

The Book

The Elena Standish novels, by Anne Perry, focus on the diplomatic and espionage attempts to avoid another world war as the Nazis rise to power. In the first book, Death in Focus, readers are introduced to the Standish family, with a focus on Elena. She stumbles into a MI6 mission that leads her on a train ride from Amalfi, Italy to Berlin. A Question of Betrayal picks up several months later; this time, Elena is sent on a mission by MI6 to make contact with an agent and retrieve valuable information. 

Elena Standish travels to Trieste, using her photographer skills as a cover. Her mission is to find Aiden Strother; a man she was romantically involved with, before he appeared to defect to Nazi Germany. He has vital information about British money being used to support the Nazis. At the same time, her sister, Margot, travels to Berlin for a family friend’s wedding to a Gestapo officer. While there she overhears snippets of conversations that hint at the Nazis plans to take over Austria. When she returns to London, she shares these with her grandfather, Lucas (the former head of MI6), who still has connections with MI6. The information and events in Trieste, Berlin, and London begin to add up for the reader, as she sees these three narratives converge. It is a race against time and emotions as the main characters combat Nazi influence in London and Europe. 

A Question of Betrayal captures the reader’s attention from the beginning and crescendos to an unexpected twist of an ending (just like Death in Focus). I found myself getting caught up in the story and reading quickly, to find out what happened next. The narrative is easy to follow as it moves between the main characters and places and the omniscient narrator helps the reader put the pieces together a bit sooner than the characters. Perry uses dialogue and thoughts to provide insight into each character, building upon their development in Death in Focus. One example is Elena’s photographic eye; the periodic commentary (inner or dialogue) provided a new way to visualize the surroundings.

The Place

As I was reading A Question of Betrayal, my mind would often wander back to my visit to northern Italy and Austria. While I was not in Trieste, the descriptions of northern Italy brought to mind places like Pordenone, Italy and Klagenfurt, Austria. Their historic city centers and architecture could have served as subjects for Elena Standish’s camera.

But there is more to this region than architecture. Soave Castle is on the other side of the Adriatic Sea from Trieste. Built sometime in the eleventh century, Soave Castle has a high central tower and several layers of surrounding fortified walls. The walk up to the castle is through the old village center, reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Once on the walls of the castle, you can see for miles throughout the Italian countryside.

Another highlight is Minimundus, north of Trieste, in Austria. This “miniature world on Lake Worthersee” allows visitors to get up close with scale models of famous buildings from around the world. You can dwarf the Taj Majel, compare heights with the Eiffel Tower, or see Independence Hall right in front of the Hollywood sign. The models were made well and carefully preserved, since it is an open-air park. Model trains, based on real Austrian ones, run throughout the park and the space shuttle “launches” every hour.

Northern Italy and Austria are wonderful places to visit, with so much more to offer than I just mentioned here. Over the past two years, COVID-19 put most international travel on hold. Thankfully, those opportunities are once again available. Before you travel, make sure to check the US State Department’s website for updated requirements for traveling to other countries and returning to the United States.

Ask the Man Who Owns One

“Packard was a company where people mattered. The firm always had a distinct personality, an image fashioned by the men who guided its destinies” (3).

The Book

In The Fall of the Packard Motor Car Company, author James A. Ward takes a close look at the rise of Packard and the events that led to its demise. While the title of the book is negative, Ward closes with the fact that Packard lasted 59 years as an independent automaker, longer than many of its contemporaries. 

In 1899, brothers James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard tested their first car in Warren, Ohio. Three years later, the company became the Packard Motor Car Company and soon the plant moved to Detroit. Packard quickly became known for craftmanship, engineering, and innovation. “For years, practically everybody who was anybody advertised his worldly success with a Packard” (10). Packard was the car for the wealthy, but the company struggled to break into the market for moderately priced cars. 

The late 1930s brought tension between those who wanted to remain a luxury brand and those who wanted to cut costs and sell less expensive models. This tension would have an impact on the company’s reputation and sales. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Packard continued to innovate (air conditioning and power windows) and picked up defense contracts (the engines for PT boats), but struggled to compete with the larger car companies through production and quality. As sales declined and the market worsened, Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954. Unfortunately, Studebaker was in worse shape and dragged Packard down with it. Packard’s plant shut down in 1956. The last “Packards” were released in 1958, but they were built from Studebaker parts. 

One of the first things a reader will notice is the classy design (interior and exterior) of the book. This was intentional, a way to invoke a Packard car. Each chapter begins with a black and white image of a different Packard car, further grounding the reader in car mode. The reader learns about the various men who left their mark on Packard, the competitors, and specifications of models. Two photo sections help readers see the cars described in the book. Sometimes, it feels like the narrative gets lost in the weeds of model specifications, finances, management styles, and production. Despite that, the reader walks away with an appreciation for the car industry and the uphill battle to keep the Packard Motor Car Company solvent.

The Place

America’s Packard Museum is a hidden gem located in Dayton, Ohio. One thing that makes this museum unique is that it is located in an original Packard dealership building. The large glass windows display an array of Packards to passersby and the interior shows off both the sales room and the service room. The cars on display range from the early days of Packard until the last model. Visitors are able to get up close to see the craftsmanship and change in designs. My favorite part was seeing all the different hood ornaments. 

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday in the Fall and Winter, from noon to 5pm. There is an admission fee for adults and seniors. There are three rooms of cars to explore and each car has a placard. Depending on your interest level, you could spend a couple of hours at the museum. If it’s a slow day, the volunteer on duty may be able to spend more time answering your questions.

The People of Illinois’s House

“The building captures the architectural beauty of the late 19^th century while, at the same time, holding on to its abundant political and social history” (7).

The Book

The Illinois Statehouse by James R. Donelan and Steven W. Dyer introduces the reader to the history and construction of Illinois’s sixth capitol building. A part of the Images of America series, the focus is on images (instead of mainly text with a few images). 

In 1836, “The Long Nine” (a group of nine Illinois state representatives and senators from the Springfield area and all over six feet tall, including Abraham Lincoln), worked together to move the state capitol from Vandalia to Springfield. By 1867, the state legislature had outgrown the state capitol building. Construction began on the current state capitol in 1868 and took 20 years to be completed. Since then, the building has seen many changes and gone through extensive restorations to be historically accurate. 

Donelan and Dyer begin their book with images of the construction, making the reader appreciate the painstaking work that went into creating this 405-foot-tall opulent building. The following chapters focus on each of the four floors, the dome, and the grounds. The authors point out interesting architecture features, highlight the different uses of various spaces, explain the significance of the artwork, and share fun facts about state officials. One room, 309, served as the original state natural history museum, library, reception area, Secretary of State’s office, a lounge, and is now Senate offices. 

This book was a quick read and it complemented what I remembered from my tour of the Illinois State Capitol. Photos didn’t just focus on the building, but also showed people at work or enjoying commemorative events during different time periods. The photos did have lengthy captions, to help provide the reader context. Personally, I would have liked a bit more to read; but it is part of a series focused on images.

The Place

The first several times I visited the Illinois State Capitol were work related, for three years I was the District Director for an Illinois State Representative. I had the opportunity to attend inauguration, participate in training, and observe a couple of days when the House of Representatives was in session. Those were incredible experiences, but it wasn’t until after I had left that position that I was able to take a tour of the building, which I highly recommend for both Illinois residents and visitors. Each time I visited the Illinois State Capitol, I easily became awestruck by the architectural details and feats. I found my gaze drawn upwards to the features in the dome or I would pause every few steps to investigate something unique.

Tours are available Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 9am-3pm. After going through a bag search and metal detector (this is a functioning government building), visitors can head to the Tours/Information Office on the first floor. The building will be more crowded on weekdays and in the afternoon, especially if the House and Senate are in session. The tour takes visitors through the House and Senate Galleries and each of the main floors. Along the way, you learn about the history, significant people, and architecture and artwork. If you have time after your tour, make sure to explore on your own; it is worth the time.

Individuals who have been vaccinated are not required to wear masks and social distancing is recommended for all visitors.

America’s First Professional Baseball Team

“Everywhere you turn in Great American Ballpark you run into something that hearkens back to the rich history and tradition of the Queen City and the Cincinnati Reds” (20).

The Book

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, Jaw-Dropping, and Gut-Wrenching Moments from Cincinnati Reds History by Mike Shannon takes readers on a topical journey through the history of the first professional baseball team. It could be tempting to only focus on the successful teams and gloss over the poor choices or embarrassing moments. But Shannon doesn’t do that. He writes like a fan would talk: punctuating the ups and downs with commentary and tidbits. 

The Reds (originally the Cincinnati Red Stockings) are considered the first professional baseball team because they were the first to pay all of the players and expect them to take the job seriously. Throughout their history, they’ve played in eight different home ballparks, and have won five World Series. In just one decade (1970s), the Reds won six division championships, four National League pennants, and two World Series. They’ve had their share of highly talented players and players that made poor decisions, just like any other ball club. 

When you’ve been around since 1869, there are plenty of ups and downs to highlight. Shannon does a good job of using examples from through Reds history and spotlighting a wide variety of players. The main narrative is supplemented with text boxes that provide additional facts and photos. These supplements help prevent the main text from reading like a list. The final section, on Reds culture, was difficult to finish. It felt out of place and either could have been an appendix or reorganized to focus on the fans themselves. That being said, any fan of baseball and the Reds would find this book interesting.

The Place

The Reds Hall of Fame & Museum is located at the Great American Ballpark (the home stadium of the Cincinnati Reds). The museum is a must for Reds fans, but also very interesting for baseball fans and those with a passing interest. I took my mom, who became a Reds fan in middle school, for her birthday. It was great experiencing the museum through her eyes and watching her relive her memories. I also enjoyed learning about the history of baseball and the many accomplishments of the Reds. Visitors are treated to exhibits about the Reds ballparks, the very first team, the evolution of baseball equipment, a timeline with artifacts, and the Reds Hall of Fame. The last room of the museum houses the five World Series trophies and runs footage from the games. It was clear that the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum was designed by fans who love the team. 

The museum hours of operation vary, depending on the time of year and if there is a game that day, so make sure to check the website before planning a visit. There is a price of admission and tickets can be purchased ahead of time. You don’t have to have a ticket for a baseball game to tour the museum; and if you want an even more in-depth experience, tours of the ballpark and clubhouse are available.

V-J Day

"At 7:30am, the Japanese boarded the destroyer, which headed out into the enormous bay for the sixteen-mile run to the Missouri. On every side they could see the truly awesome might of the American Navy, which had converged from all parts of the Pacific and now crowded Tokyo Bay” (258).

The Book

What would have happened if the United States hadn’t dropped the atomic bomb? What if the Japanese military had succeeded in overthrowing the government and resisting surrender? We will never know the answers to these questions, but The Fall of Japan by William Craig does explore the final year of the war in the Pacific (fall 1944-fall 1945). In a sense, it can help the reader understand what could have happened.

In fall 1944, as the US began to take back the Pacific, the Imperial Army and Navy grew desperate in military strategy, a forewarning to what an invasion of Japan could bring. New Japanese leadership opened up back-channel diplomacy in secret, wary of the fanatical and extremist members of the military. At the same time, the US developed the atomic bomb and bomber crews began secret training. 

On July 26, 1945, the Potsdam Declaration requested immediate surrender from the Japanese or a promise of complete destruction. As the Japanese leaders deliberated, two atomic bombs were dropped in Japan and the leaders faced a new incentive to surrender. The Emperor broke the stalemate and directed leaders to accept the surrender terms. This decision ignited a coup among military leaders. While it didn’t last long, soldiers did take control of the palace and attacked several government members. The fanatical individuals still harbored ideas of a coup well into the discussions regarding US occupation of Japan. The US occupying force arrived in Japan on August 28 and the surrender documents were signed on September 2. The Fall of Japan closes with the crew of Bock’s Car (the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki) walking through Nagasaki and observing the damage to people and places. 

There is so much packed into this book and it is difficult to summarize all the threads. Brief side stories provide helpful context and an understanding for how history unfolded after the end of World War II. Craig pivots the narrative between Japanese and US perspectives, allowing the reader to feel like they are experiencing the moments: the mission to drop the atomic bombs, the aftermath of bomb in Nagasaki, the attempted coups by the Japanese military, the discussion of occupation, and the surrender on the USS Missouri. These pivots are interspersed with brief biographies of key players and a better sense of Japanese military culture. Quite a bit of time is dedicated to unpacking the struggle between those who wanted to surrender and those who didn’t. While I am not sure how accurate the dialogue is, it does help place the reader in the moment. Overall, the book is easy to read and includes many details and descriptions that were new to me.

The Place

When most people visit Hawaii, Pearl Harbor is at the top of their list. What most people (including myself) don’t realize is that, in the same harbor, rests a memorial to the start of America’s involvement in World War II and the ship that witnessed the end of World War II. The Battleship Missouri saw action in the Pacific Theater and witnessed the signing of the Japanese surrender documents. After World War II, the USS Missouri was used during the Korean War and Gulf War before becoming a history museum in Hawaii. 

When I visited, my family spent the morning touring the USS Arizona Memorial and exhibits dedicated to the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the afternoon, we drove over to Ford Island to tour the USS Missouri. This was a great way to experience the significance of these two attractions. We took the general tour that focused on the role of the USS Missouri in World War II. The tours conclusion is at the exact spot where the Japanese officially surrendered to the Allied forces. The location isn’t lost on visitors and one is reminded of the sacrifice made by thousands of men to get to that point. Following the tour, we took our time wandering throughout the decks, seeing what life was like on the “Mighty Mo” and learning more from permanent and temporary exhibits.

Due to COVID, hours are reduced and face coverings are required indoors/recommended outdoors. Tickets can be purchased online and the general tour is included. If a trip to Hawaii isn’t in your near future, virtual tours are available.