The importance of history to the future.
In the past, I've posted several reviews on books and movies about the opening of the western United States. Additionally I have posted articles concerning early American history. This page is meant to be a gate way to that information.
History of the Early Fur Trade...important book, very !
I feel it absolutely essential the young people learn the true history of America. It's vital to our future they understand the why's and how's of our past.
"Undaunted Courage", the story of Lewis and Clark
This country was founded as a Christian nation with capitalism and individual freedom and independence at it's core. The Corp of Discovery is a prime example of how early American work ethic coupled with teamwork accomplished goals that today we would think impossible.
"Out West", a modern look at Lewis and Clark
America's history proved it an exceptional country. That concept was once the basis of our educational attitude toward our country. Unfortunately, it is no longer that way. I urge people to study the era of not only the political founding of our country but the economic beginnings as well.
George Drouillard toughest man with Lewis and Clark
While looking at the economic beginnings of the U.S. A., it is impossible to ignore the impact of the fur trade. That goes from day one through the mid 1800's. If you read the books I have listed here I can promise you will become very well versed on the American fur trade era. Additionally, you will have a much better understanding of the founding of this country.
The Hugh Glass story, one tough guy.
I promote the study of the fur trade because I think it an exceptional time and one that if understood teaches our young people just who we are and who they can be as well. It's action heroes on steroids.
Books on John Adams and 1776 important reading
To get an start I would suggest two movies. Try Charlton Heston's 1980 "Mountain Men" and Robert Redford's portrayal of "Jeremiah (Liver Eatin) Johnson". Both movies give you characters who are compilations of true stories from circumstances that happened to men over the "mountain men" time period. The chase in the "Mountain Men" is based on what Hugh Glass went through in escaping certain death.
I don't know who was the toughest man in our history but I would nominate both Hugh Glass and George Drouillard. Either one could win that contest.
Both will get you in the mood to know more about the people and the times. This brief period, from Lewis and Clark's 1803 until the late 1830's was indeed exceptional. The opening and the settling of the Western U.S. was filled with heroics and sacrifice on a daily basis. It was considered normal in a time when survival was a daily task.
John Adams..the movie
If I had my way we would dust off the text books of the 1930's. Why ? Look at the results of today's education industry. Ask a recent college graduate any thing about history and watch for that deer in the head light look. Look at accomplishments of the World War Two generation. What a difference !
Fort Union story
Without history and civics in our schools we have gone from "What can I do for my country" to "what's in it for me".
Bent's Fort story
I can think of three exceptional periods in American history. You will undoubtedly think of others. They are the Revolution, the opening of the west and World War Two.
Kit Carson
When the exceptional nature of America is left out of our educational system our young people are deprived of the guidance of the past. Without the past they won't know the path to a peaceful and prosperous future.
Opinion on the settling of the west
John B. Boykin
"The Hard Hat Photographer"
No comments:
Post a Comment