Amphibious Invasion

“If the soldiers of the Big Red One and their partners in the 29^th Division had failed, the Allied position in Normandy would have been severely hindered” (297).

The Book

The Dead and Those About to Die: D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, by John C. McManus, tells the story of the United States Army 1^st Infantry Division’s (Big Red One) part in the D-Day invasion. D-Day took place on June 6, 1944 and the majority of the book chronicles the events of that day. The first chapter introduces the reader to the Big Red One and the last chapter focuses on the aftermath of “the longest day.”

McManus begins with an immediate background of the Big Red One: their success in the Mediterranean, arrival in England, and intense training for D-Day. The reader gets to know the type of men and their mindset through first person accounts. The soldiers went through land and sea training so often that they could complete their duties in the dark. Once a brief summary of the attack plan is covered, the book quickly flows into a word picture of the assault. Nothing went according to plan on Omaha Beach: pre-invasion assault did little to the Nazi defenses, the beach was littered with obstacles and mines, the enemy fire was relentless, the tide was coming in, and the beach was getting crowded. Yet, the Big Red One pressed on. By the end of June 6^th, the Nazi defenses were breached and the soldiers made their way inland.

Omaha Beach was one of five beaches invaded by the Allies on D-Day. As I was reading this book, I had to keep reminding myself that the Big Red One was only on two sections of one beach. The Dead and Those About to Die gave me a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices made on D-Day. The infantry fought hard to overcome the Nazi fortifications, the engineers worked amid enemy fire to dismantle obstacles, and the medics stayed in the crosshairs to treat the wounded. Readers will come away grateful for the courageous men of the Big Red One.

The Place

Nestled in the quite suburban park of Cantigny, the First Division Museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Big Red One. The land around the museum is populated by tanks and artillery pieces from World War I through Desert Shield. Visitors are invited to touch and climb on the tanks. This is a great feature for kids and even adults. History comes alive when you are able to touch or climb.

Inside the museum, visitors will find an impressive interactive display. The Main Exhibit Hall enables you to walk through the trenches of World War I, land on the beaches of Normandy in World War II, and explore the jungle of Vietnam. This is a truly immersive experience and you actually feel like you are fighting alongside the Big Red One. I have visited this museum numerous times and am always awed by the depth of the displays. The First Division Museum has spring/summer hours and fall/winter hours, so double check before you plan a visit. Admission to the museum is free; however there is a $5 per car charge to enter Cantigny Park.

Eyes Drawn Upward

“Dark, strong, powerful, maybe even a little threatening-like a muscle-bound, Prohibition era gangster clad in a tuxedo-the John Hancock Center says ‘Chicago’…” (101).

“And from certain vantage points, the [Sears] tower possesses a stepped-back silhouette that dominates the skyline…” (107).

The Book

Why Architecture Matters: Lessons from Chicago is a collection of Blair Kamin’s architecture columns from the Chicago Tribune, between 1992 and 2000. The columns cover building proposals and changes, Chicago architects, sports stadiums, the suburbs, skyscrapers, and the lakefront. The reader can tell that Kamin is protective of the Chicago style and the influence it has and continues to have.

Two of the columns focus specifically on the John Hancock Center and the Sears (now Willis) Tower, the “bookends” of the Chicago skyline. Kamin introduces the reader to facts about each skyscraper and the impact they have on the city. The column on the John Hancock Center is a well-written architectural description and details the impact it has on the other buildings and neighborhood. The column on the Sears Tower provides facts about the tower, including the two decades it spent as the world’s tallest building.

According to Kamin, “The best [skyscrapers]…transcend everything and become civic art” (112). The main civic art of Chicago is its skyline and the sense of wonder it can impart. Kamin’s columns provide a detailed story of the past, present, and future of Chicago architecture. Reading the book 14 years after it was published allows the reader to visual the changes described. It is a word tour that allows the reader to travel throughout Chicago history and visualize the impact of the city that invented the skyscraper.

The Place

It is easy to keep your eyes to the sky as you walk downtown Chicago. The historic buildings and ground-breaking skyscrapers entice you to look up. I love walking out of the Metra train station and being immediately engulfed by the towering buildings lining the Chicago River. As you move closer to Lake Michigan, the buildings shorten and suddenly you have the blue lake in front of you and the towering skyline behind you.

The view from the ground can only be matched by the view from the top. Both the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower provide opportunities to observe the city from above. 360 Chicago at the John Hancock Center is 1,000 feet above Michigan Ave. The observatory provides views from all sides and interactive technology that provides information about the skyline. TILT allows visitors to lean over the edge in an all glass case. 360 Chicago is open year-round and there is a general admission cost for adults and children. Skydeck at the Willis Tower is 1,353 feet above the ground and allows visitors to step out on an all glass ledge to view the city below. When you are not on the ledge, you can walk around the observatory for great views of the city. The Skydeck is also open year-round and has general admission cost.

Because the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower are on opposite ends of the skyline, they both provide fantastic and different views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Battle Comes to a Small Town

“The watcher was beholding something never before seen from this spot, and never seen again-two great armies, bound for the greatest and most violent collision the North American continent had ever seen” (5).

The Book

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen C. Guelzo is a complete recounting of the Battle of Gettysburg, from Robert E. Lee’s plan to attack on Northern soil to the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery.

Guelzo divides the book into four parts: The March Up, The First Day, The Second Day, and The Third Day. Each section provides a description of the people, places, and events that make the narrative come alive. The division helps the reader understand what happened throughout the several days of battle. Equal time is given to the lead up to the battle, and three consecutive days of smaller battles. The Third Day section describes the Confederate attack so well that the reader can easily picture the lines of advancing soldiers.

Gettysburg provides a lot of detail that can be difficult to process. It can be hard remembering which side a person was a part of and where he fits into the battle. The numerous maps in the book help the reader visualize troop movements and places of battle. Any history buff will find this book fascinating, but it might have too much depth for the average reader.

The Place

Gettysburg National Military Park is a moving place to visit. It is wise to plan at least two days to tour the park and museum. Entry to the park is free, but the Museum and Guided Tours have a fee.

There are several options for touring the battlefield: licensed battlefield guide, guided bus tour, or a self-guided auto tour. My family and I used the self-guided auto tour and enjoyed our freedom to take our time at each stop. The Visitor Center provides visitors an introduction to the battle and an opportunity to view the Gettysburg Cyclorama.

You don’t fully comprehend the magnitude of the Battle of Gettysburg until you visit the site. As you stand atop Little Round Top and look down on Devil’s Den, you appreciate the sacrifice of the men who prevented the Confederates from flanking the Union lines. I remember standing on the Union embankments and looking across the field to the Confederate lines. The Union soldiers fought hard to repulse the Confederate attack and begin the end of the Civil War. 

Flowing through the Windy City

“From the water the famed lakefront is unforgettable, the heavy industry and shipping of the Calumet River is awesome, and Chicago’s history comes alive” (115).

The Book

David M. Solzman’s The Chicago River: An Illustrated History and Guide to the River and Its Waterways provides the reader with a story that links a waterway to the birth and growth of a city. The Chicago River is one of the main reasons for the existence of Chicago; accessible transportation provided a better avenue for trade. Shipping on Lake Michigan could continue through the Chicago River and eventually make its way to the Mississippi River. Industry sprung up along the banks and provided jobs to the communities. However, industry also brought the pollution of the Chicago River. The pollution traveled down the river into Lake Michigan, Chicago’s water supply. In 1900, the Sanitary and Shipping Canal successfully reversed the flow of the Chicago River, away from Lake Michigan.

Solzman divides the book into two sections. The first focuses on the geography of the Chicago River, as well as the history of its development. The second section provides the reader a guide to the Chicago River. This guide is interesting, but is best used if you plan to walk, drive, or canoe on the Chicago River. Solzman provides interesting facts, helpful tips, road directions, wildlife locations, and a bridge guide (38 are movable). The Chicago River is a helpful tool for anyone interested in exploring the river. 

The Place

There are numerous ways to explore the Chicago River, including several boat tour services. A Google search will provide a complete list of the various types of tours and companies. I had the opportunity to explore Chicago through the ShorelineSightseeing’s Architecture Tour. Tours are held regularly throughout the spring and summer, with a revised fall and winter schedule.

Seeing Chicago from the river is a truly unique experience. The tour guide provides information about the buildings, history of Chicago, and people who developed the skyline. From the Chicago River, you are able to see buildings designed by some of the greatest architects from different time periods. History and architecture combine to showcase an original city. 

A Monument for the Ages

“It should be parallel to the river, […] like a triumphal arch” (61).

  

The Book

The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch by Jim Merkel introduces the reader to the stories behind one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

A reporter first proposed a park commemorating the history of St. Louis and its impact on westward expansion in 1908. It wasn’t until 1947 that a competition was held for the design of that park and monument. Out of 172 entries, Eero Saarinen’s stainless steel arch design was chosen unanimously. “Neither an obelisk nor a rectangular box nor a dome seemed right on this site for this purpose,” Eero Saarinen had said. “But here, at the edge of the Mississippi River, a great arch did seem right” (148). The first piece of the Gateway Arch was finally put in place in February 1963 and the last piece was lowered into place on October 28, 1965. During construction, the Gateway Arch’s foundation consumed 25,980 tons of concrete and the Gateway Arch itself required 5,199 tons of steel and 12,127 tons of concrete.

Merkel provides the reader with firsthand knowledge from the people (or their families) who worked on the project and newspaper accounts. The reader learns how the shape was finally achieved and that the width and height of the Gateway Arch are the same: 630 feet. The chapters are short and by topic, although sometimes randomly placed. There are pictures throughout the book that provide a glimpse of the people and construction process. Overall, The Making of an Icon is easy to read and allows the reader to appreciate the work that went into the Gateway Arch. 

The Place

Officially, the Gateway Arch is a part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial which is operated and maintained by the National Park Service. The Gateway Arch sits on the western banks of the Mississippi River and towers over everything on the ground.

The entrance to the Museum of Westward Expansion and trams is underneath the Gateway Arch. Inside, visitors will find a history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the American Indian, and pioneers. The museum is free, but a ride to the top of the Gateway Arch requires a paid ticket. The price is reasonable and definitely worth it. A replica tram is in the visitor center for visitors who might have difficulty with tight spaces. The ride to the top takes about three minutes and once at the top, you can see for miles to the east and west. The views are incredible, and so is the knowledge that you’re standing in a major engineering and construction achievement.

A Trip to Yesterday

“…Ford’s great museum and reconstructed village reflected his conviction that history was the story of technological progress” (403).

“Greenfield Village aimed to present ‘a history that is intimate and alive, instead of something in a book,’ Ford explained in 1929” (413).

The Book

Author Steven Watts divides The People’s Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century chronologically and topically. Watts defines each stage of Henry Ford’s life with a word: mechanic, inventor, father, educator, etc. The reader is introduced to a young farm boy who grew up to influence many aspects of American life. Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863 near Dearborn, Michigan. At a young age he became interested in mechanics and began work on his first car in 1893. In 1898, Ford obtained his first financial backers and began his quest to create a car for the average person.

In the late 1920s, Ford became interested in sharing his collection of American artifacts with the public. Out of this came Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. Ford sought to show how the average person lived and required total authenticity. Instead of focusing on politicians or war (which is often what history focuses on), Ford’s history was about the average person and his accomplishments. Greenfield Village particularly supported that history through the four categories: daily life in the past, famous Americans (like Webster and Edison), Henry Ford’s life, and the anchors of towns in the past: a town hall and church.

Watts provides a detailed and well researched biography of a man that is well-known to Americans. The People’s Tycoon is not just the story of Henry Ford, it is also the story of his companies and the people who helped Ford accomplish what he did. It is here that the narrative struggles: by stepping away from Ford’s story and providing biographies of others. The format (chronological and topical) requires some repeating of information, which is helpful due to the length of the book. Overall, the reader walks away with a complete biography of Henry Ford that reveals the good and the bad. 

The Place

Originally called the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford now refers to both the museum and village. The museum is a fantastic collection of famous and everyday items from the history of America. Visitors can see presidential limousines, items made in America, and the role automobiles played in American history. The village provides a living history that all ages can enjoy. Majority of these buildings are the originals that were disassembled in their original location, shipped to Michigan, and reassembled. Visitors can explore Thomas Edison’s laboratory where he developed the light bulb, the bicycle shop of the Wright brothers, and take a ride in a replica Model T. I would recommend at least two days at the Henry Ford, because there is so much to see and experience. The Henry Ford is a great place to experience the history of America.

Another Ford sight in Dearborn is the Fair Lane Estate, the home of Henry Ford and his family. The buildings are currently being restored, but the grounds are open to the public. While the Henry Ford provides visitors an insight into American history, the Fair Lane Estate provides visitors an insight into the life of Henry Ford. 
 

A Nation Remembers

“By the dawn of the twentieth century, Arlington had matured into something more than a Civil War cemetery; it had become a national symbol for sacrifice and honor, a rallying point for veterans, for ordinary visitors, and for solemn ceremony” (119).

The Book

On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery by Robert M. Poole provides the reader with a history of America’s most famous cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery was born out of the Civil War and has been inexplicable linked to each of America’s wars since then. The land originally belonged to Mary Custis Lee, the wife of Robert E. Lee and great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. When Robert E. Lee chose to resign from the Union and lead the Confederate army, Arlington became a part of the Union’s defense of Washington, DC. Throughout much of its early history, the cemetery was a bridge, and was caught, between the struggle between the North and the South.

Arlington began as a 200 acre cemetery in 1864 and has grown to 624 acres. The white tombstones were put into practice in 1874 and the Tomb of the Unknown was dedicated on November 11, 1921. The United States Army Old Guard is tasked with the twenty-four hour guarding of the Tomb of the Unknown. The best part of On Hallowed Ground is Poole’s description of the Old Guard and their reverence for the Unknown Soldiers.

Overall, Poole does a good job explaining the creation of the cemetery and the people involved. However, some aspects of Arlington’s history and traditions are glossed over in deference to other events. For example, Poole spends an entire chapter on President Kennedy’s funeral, while only a couple of pages detailing the Old Guard. This decision plays into the complaints Poole details from the families who lost ordinary soldiers: more important people were often given more prominent burial plots and better funerals than the ordinary soldier.

The Place


Arlington NationalCemetery is located across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. Tours are available and they stop at the Tomb of the Unknown, President Kennedy gravesite, and Arlington House. Visitors can pick up a map at the Visitor Center to find the gravesites of famous Americans or family members.

The Tomb of the Unknown is humbling and the viewing of the changing of the guard is a unique experience. As you stand in the crowd, all you hear is the clicking of the soldier’s heels and you are struck by the sacrifice of the Unknowns and their families. Across from the Tomb of the Unknown are several memorials for the USS Maine, the Iran Hostage Rescue Team, and the Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia. At the Arlington House, you have a sweeping view of the Potomac River and Washington, DC. Just in front of Arlington House lies Pierre Charles L’Enfant. L’Enfant was a Frenchmen who served in the Revolutionary War and designed the layout for the new capital city: Washington, DC. For his devotion to his adopted country, L’Enfant’s grave has the best view.

A visit to Arlington is not your typical tourist stop; it is a cemetery and visitors are expected to be reverent and respectful.