I've been reading some old books on my new Kindle.

[MineralMan]

I just finished Charles Dickens "American Notes." For those unfamiliar with the book, it's a travelogue of Dickens' trip to the United States in 1842. He, his wife, and a maid, spent 6 months in the US back then. It's an interesting look at our country in its early days, and instructive, too. Here are some of the points he raised:

1. He spent some considerable time in the galleries of our House and Senate while they were in session. He had a good deal of praise for the Senate and how they conducted themselves, but took a different view of the House. What he saw there was an unruly lot, bickering with each other violently and sometimes coming to blows over political differences. He took special note of the habit many Congress members had of chewing tobacco and spitting the juices on the carpet of the House chambers, despite having handy spittoons at every desk. It seems the house has changed little in its demeanor in many ways, even though spitting tobacco isn't a current part of that body's habits.

2. He visited prisons in most of the cities he traveled to. Even then, apparently, we had a penchant for imprisoning an inordinate number of citizens. He made a great contrast between prisons which treated the prisoners humanely and those (more of these) that simply used solitary confinement as their penal strategy.

3. The last fifth of the book was an analysis of slavery in the United States. This section should be required reading for all high school students, as it clearly demonstrated the inhumanity and ugliness of that institution in parts of this country. Even I was shocked, and I'm an avid student of history.

4. Another common theme in the book was the ready use of arms by our countrymen of the day. Very interesting parallels to today.

Along with all of that, the descriptions of the difficulties of traveling in the US in 1842 were amazing. The book provided a clear look at a nation just beginning to build itself. What an adventure we've been through in the 170 years or so since his visit.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a first-hand account of America in an earlier time.

[treestar]

1. Thanks MM

That does sound like a good read.

[CurtEastPoint]

2. Thanks. I got a new one, too and am getting used to it.

There are lots of free Kindle books out there.

One thing I do miss is not seeing the flyleaf notes, etc. But I DO like the Kindle!

[MineralMan]

3. I've found all of my older books at the Gutenberg Project.

Thousands of them. All free.

[Arkansas Granny]

16. I was not aware of this. I'll have to bookmark that site and search it later.

Thanks!

[X_Digger]

9. I mentioned this to MM in a previous post, but..

a friend of mine put together a livejournal post on her kindle resource recommendations..

http://txvoodoo.livejournal.com/1407965.html

[renate]

14. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

Your friend totally rocks!!!

Thank you for posting this! And please tell her thank you for me, too!!!

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[FSogol]

4. Thanks for the recomendation. Here's one that is similar:

Tocqueville’s Discovery of America- Leo Damrosch

It retraces Alexis de Tocqueville's nine-month journey through America in 1831-1832.

[MineralMan]

5. I read that many years ago, but am thinking about a re-read.

Thanks!

[FSogol]

6. This isn't Tocqueville's book, it is a non-fiction account of Tocqueville's visit and the writing of

his book. Very entertaining.

[MineralMan]

13. Ah, OK. Thanks. I'll look it up.

[pintobean]

7. Much more important than jobs.

[NBachers]

8. Where'd that come from?

[MineralMan]

12. I don't take your point. My OP was about a book that draws

some interesting parallels between historical times and today. I'm not discussing jobs in this thread. Why do you bring that up?

[woo me with science]

10. Thank you.

I'll look for it.

[Dappleganger]

11. Thanks for the recommendation...

downloading it right now. :)

[alfredo]

15. I also recommend "The Downfall" Emile Zola. Excellent

war novel.

I am reading "Life" by Keith Richards. Excellent book.

I also tried out some Phillip K Dick. I liked his writing but noticed in the two selections there was always a pretty young woman who exposes her breasts. Why? Maybe it is a device to hold the interest of his intended audience.

"Three Cups of Tea" is also a fine book. It shows how we can win in Afghanistan. Hint: we can do it without firing a shot.

I am reading on an iPad. The bright clear, high contrast text makes reading much easier for these old eyes.

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I would like to add my recommendation for "Three Cups of Tea".

I read it in print form and it is amazing what Greg Mortenson has done.

[alfredo]

21. We need more people like him and less like Newt Gingrich.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. K&R!

[Angry Dragon]

19. KICK

[UTUSN]

20. K&R #2. The thread title led me to think "wrong forum" but the content was great!1 n/t