I'm a very slow reader, but this book took me forever to finish. It's so thick and heavy, it makes a great doorstop with 932 pages of text, 122 illustrations and sketches, an index, epilogue, and notes bringing it to a whopping 960 pages. It was written by Dr. Jill Lepore in 2018. It is a well written, fascinating read.
Lepore begins by trying to answer questions raised in 1787 by Alexander Hamilton. He asked if societies were or were not capable of establishing good government of choice or rather one created by accident or force. To answer the question, Lepore begins in 1492 with Columbus's voyage and ends with the final chapter addressing issues up to and including immediately after the election of our former president in 2016.In my opinion, Lepore spends a great deal of time discussing and looking at the impact and influence the slavery question had on our country during its creation and infancy. She suggests slavery had a major impact on our growing country, its economics, and its treatment of others. These abominations can run the gambit from subtle to outright hatred.
The question of slavery is interwoven with what Thomas Jefferson claimed were "these truths": political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. The American experience depends on these truths, these three political ideas and ideals.
Lepore compares these to today's modern technology and social media, where people write whatever they choose, often with religious purpose and fervor, or to see what half truths or lies stick against the wall. She believes all of us must be "tellers of truth."
It is my opinion that Lepore's book is as relevant today, or possibly even more so than when it was written in 2018. The recent events that occurred in the Capitol on January 6 is one good example.
Even though it took me forever to read this book, I really enjoyed it. It was fair, honest, and unbiased. It was one I'm certainly glad I borrowed and read. Thank you for joining me today as I explored the history of the United States and These Truths.
Dollar Exchange Rate
14 thoughtful remarks:
She is right - not only for your country but for the world. Truth sadly often gets hidden behind noisy lies.
This sounds very interesting indeed, if a whopper for a read!
I have too many books...
This is certainly a long read, glad you enjoyed it. Truth today has become a rare commodity, with so many lies being deliberately spread while proclaiming everything else is 'fake news'. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
I'm an admirer of Jill Lepore's shorter essays about history and current events, so I really should read this one. According to her online biography: "Her 2020 New Yorker pieces contemplated the pandemic year, including assays on loneliness, race riot commissions, policing, the census, the decline of democracy, living indoors, and the literature of plagues."
Your summary of the book definitely makes it sound like it has a very important message for our society today.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I don't read non-fiction any more, but this does sound like an interesting approach to our history. Many histories focus on dates, famous men, and wars instead of what precipitated events and what long-term abuses/abominations like slavery have had.
I too am a slow ready. Very dyslexic and now with vision trouble it's impossible. However, I am glad you were able to get through this book and give such a great review. Have a very nice day.
It sounds like a very insightful read. What's going on today saddens me and fills me with dread.
This book sounds goods. Do you think it was written for history nerds or the general public? I would actually read this based on your review, and I'm glad you shared it with us Elizabeth. It's in the Audible 2 for 1 sale this month, so I marked it and might pick it up. Hope it's been a good Wednesday. hugs-Erika
It seems the further we get ahead, the more things stay the same 😢
I just saw on the news that a mountain lion was spotted in Wichita last night. I'm sure you heard this, but wow. A woman caught it on her doorbell camera. Just thought of you and had to pass that I saw this along.
Sounds like a very good read. Too massive for my wonky eye, but sounds fascinating. :)
Wow! 960 pages ... that is a lot!
All the best Jan
Wow! That is a long read! Maybe not for me, but certainly sounds as though it was an interesting book and certainly in these times the truth must be paramount. Hugs, Chrisx
This sounds like an excellent and relevant book, Elizabeth (and even longer than the book I'm reading now!) Well done for sticking with it -- and thanks for sharing it. Based on your thoughts here, it would be one I would seek out.
Post a Comment