No comments about Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr.

No comments about Grant Captured! Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Commander in Chief, Armies of the United States, a Prisoner of War.

No comments about Letters of a Civil War Soldier.

1 comments about Chaplain Davis and Hood's Texas Brigade: Being an Expanded Edition of the Reverend Nicholas A. Davis's the Campaign from Texas to Maryland, With the Battle of Fredericksburg (Richmond, 1863).

1. Chaplain Davis held firm to his faith and his bible, and, in his diary, he meticulously recorded the most detailed insights and observations of General John Bell Hood and the brigade. This book actually surprised me, I was expecting a plain and boring ministerial observation of God, Hell, and those demon Yankees. In fact, Davis recorded some of the most interesting facts that I have ever read relating to Hood, the brigade, and the Civil War. He was careful to write, almost instantly, the exact words that Hood spoke and shouted to the brigade. Regarding marches, brigade assignments, battle casualties and results, and of course the soldiers' deaths, Davis kept detailed records. His diary, it is fair to say, is similar to the astute unit historian's account. I highly recommend it.
   
   Matthew D. Parker

No comments about William Babcock Hazen: The Best Hated Man.

1 comments about The Lincoln Trail in Pennsylvania: A History and Guide.

1. A thoughtfully detailed and entertaining narrative with lots of captivating photos of the key people and places of Lincoln's visits to the Commonwealth. I also liked the appendix which provided guidance on how to follow and experience the Lincoln Trail. I'm not a Lincoln expert, so the accounts of his experiences here were new to me and fascinating to read... but that also means my rating is just a reflection of how much I liked this book, not a comparison to other books about Mr. Lincoln. It is unquestionably well-written.

2 comments about The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 15: May 1 - December 31, 1865 (U S Grant Papers).

1. "The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant" is a project begun in 1962 for the purpose of publishing all the known letters written by Ulysses S. Grant. Volume one was published in 1967 and there are now twenty-four volumes in the series. People who follow Grant's career are aware of the inestimable value of this project. The Papers contain all known correspondence written by Grant and letters received by him. The editing of the series is unparalleled and the volumes represent primary source material at its apex.

   Those who believe Grant was a "drunkard" or a "butcher" should read his own words, which show Grant's humor, pathos and unique personality. Masterfully edited by John Y. Simon, these volumes are a "must have" for anyone with an interest in U.S. Grant as a general, a politician and as a man




2. The twenty-six (and counting!) volumes comprising all the known extant writings of Ulysses Grant are indeed a remarkable example of published primary source material. While every volume contains much material that is admittedly of trivial importance to even the most rabid Grant scholar, each book in this series also contains fascinating nuggets of information not found anywhere else. Anyone with even a casual interest in USG is sure to discover something worth reading in every volume. In gathering together not only all of Grant's known correspondence, but relevant peripheral documents, the editors of this series are doing a truly Herculean job and deserve great commendation.
   
   I have only a few quibbles with the series. The first involves something over which the editors had no control. I refer to the fact that, in the first few volumes (particularly Volume One,) Grant's descendants insisted that certain passages in Grant's letters to his fiancee-turned-wife Julia Dent that had been crossed out (either by Julia or other family members) not be published. This idiotic decision is not only extremely frustrating for the reader, but, ironically, damaging to Grant himself. By all accounts, the deleted passages contain nothing that could be considered detrimental to Grant's good name, but by leaving them out, these descendants unwittingly gave the impression that there was something to hide. Hopefully, in an "Appendix" volume at the end of the series, the editors will be sporting enough to include whatever deleted passages can be transcribed, and the series will at last be considered complete.
   
   My other complaints about this series are more minor. While each volume contains copious, and frequently illuminating, footnotes, the editors occasionally fail to provide enough context. That is to say, a brief, undetailed letter of Grant's will frequently be followed by several pages of footnotes providing other letters and documents on the same subject, without giving much information explaining what, exactly, it all meant. The reader who is not already fully informed on the subject being addressed is sometimes left feeling confused about what exactly is being discussed, and what its relevance may have been.
   
   Another drawback is, simply, the price. While these books are certainly handsomely--and obviously expensively--printed and bound, those of us who study history as a hobby rather than as a profession could wish for editions that were more cheaply done, and thus more affordable. Unless you are fortunate enough to have access to a good academic library, these extremely expensive (even when you buy second-hand) volumes are simply out-of-reach for many people. That's a great pity, because in these books is an "insider's view" of Grant that does not fully come across in any regular biography.

5 comments about Jody's Life Sentence.

1. Many people go through all these problems but write a book when they are in their older years. This person wrote about it and experienced them from 19 to 34. This is a story that should be told in a movie and not just a book or a lifetime network. Its a great book that teenagers would enjoy to adults. I would recommend many of you to read this book and find it an incredible story.



2. Her life has been in such turmoil from her torment from fellow classmates to being sexually harrassed. This book provides you sadness, triumph, inspiration, laughte and joy.



3. Many kids go through life not being popular, teased, tormented by the popular group. She walked her own path and than over came so much sadness and struggles. Her writing represents a person who accepts errors and knows she isn't perfect and accepts those who aren't perfect. For those that need inspiration from being put down and made to feel like nothing this book shows you can come out on top with a friends help.
   Great cover the horse is a beautiful kind hearted animal.



4. An honest look at ones life. A book that represents ones life through challenges and getting through hardship, death, injury. The book represents a love for horses and how they gave her hope again and with the right friends they can help you take back you're life. This book is reality and not fictious. It isn't about some actor/actress going through drug rehab. This story is a real person where others can relate to her life. Its a book worth reading. The layout is in Journalism form, that the person is willing to accept she isn't perfect and therefore her book isn't perfect. She is willing to take a chance by doing this while other's in the literary industry will put her down. It's just typical in our society in movies and books how people belittle and degrade. Its a great story of ones life and written by herself. Can't wait to see what else she writes in the future.



5. This is a good autobiography written by the lady herself. People would benefit from reading this book and find strength from all her experiences and heart aches. I would highly recommend this book for those who have gone through all the same terrible things she has. This would give young teenagers hope that in the end you can get through the torchures of childhood friends. The popular group that put her down during high school and made fun of her. Everyone out there who has been treated poorly by their fellow students for not being in sports or active in school. Jodi followed her love a love for Horses. The horses kept her sane when her mother was ill and after being disabled and crippled by one. A horse gave her hope back by her starting to ride again and finding a sense of peace in her life.

1 comments about Reminiscences of Forts Sumter and Moultrie in 1860-'61.

1. Abner Doubleday presents a unique account from the Union side of the events leading up to and including the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, which ignited the American Civil War. His first-person details from inside the garrison are hard to find elsewhere. He was such a staunch Unionist that he recalls being the only officer of the garrison in favor of the election of Lincoln. He continually protests against what he saw as the inaction of his own commanders and higher echelons. He felt that the Rebellion could have been nipped in the bud, had proper action been taken. From the foregoing, it should be apparent that sympathizers of the Confederacy will disagree with Doubleday on many points. I should point out that there is only limited evidence that Abner Doubleday had anything to do with the invention of baseball. He did, however, earn a Congressional Medal of Honor at Gettysburg.

No comments about Seymour Dexter, Union Army: Journal and Letters of Civil War Service in Company K, 23rd New York Volunteer Regiment of Elmira, With Illustrations.