Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Dead Wake - From Left to Write

I've never been good at History. Never really even liked it. I know, I know...as Edmund Burke once said, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." 

Maybe the reason I don't like History is because it seemed like every year we would start with the same old American History book and we never got beyond the Civil War. Or maybe I stopped listening after the Civil Way.

But I've been reading an excellent book by Erik Larsen called Dead Wake, The Last Crossing of the Lusitania and one of the things that has made an impact on me is when he writes about the death of the wife of then President Woodrow Wilson.

Photo Credit - National First Ladies Library
Ellen Axson Wilson died on August 6, 1914, just a couple of days after Britain entered the new war in Europe and a year and a half into President Wilson's first term. I stopped to think about how devastating that must have been, to go through his wife's illness with her and then her death and still have to be the President of the United States. It's just mind boggling.

This got me to thinking about tragedies that happened to other Presidents during their term in office.  


Photo Credit - The American Presidents
There was our drunkest president, Franklin Pierce. He was the 14th President of the United States and while he was likable and popular president during his term he struggled with his wife Jane's illnesses and depression. They lost two sons, one just a few days old and the other at the age of four. They had another son named Bennie who lived to the age of 11 and died horribly in a train accident when the train they were on went off the track and rolled down a hill. Bennie was instantly decapitated and the President and Mrs. Pierce witnessed the whole thing. President Pierce died March 4, 1857 of cirrhosis of the liver. 

Maybe this book has opened up an interest in me for History.



This post was inspired by Dead Wake by Erik Larson, a thrilling account of Lusitania’s last voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and the U-boat that attacked it. Join From Left to Write on March 26th as we discuss Dead Wake. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.


 

15 comments:

  1. I want to read this. I read Larson's In the Garden of the Beasts which was an account of pre-war Nazi Germany from the American Ambassador Willian Dodd's point of view. He also had a rather wild daughter which give the story plenty of color.

    http://www.amazon.com/In-Garden-Beasts-American-Hitlers/dp/030740885X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

    Larson could probably be faulted for making history read like a novel, but he really makes it interesting.

    There was an interview with him on Diane Rehm on NPR regarding Dead Wake. It was very interesting but it is 51 minutes long:

    http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2015-03-18/erik-larson-dead-wake-the-last-crossing-of-the-lusitania

    I have this one on my to read list.

    Interesting about the personal tragedies of the presidents. I think you would make an astounding historian.

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    1. I thought of you as I read it and thought you would really enjoy it. I'm really just starting it and am still in Chapter 1, but I'm taking some vacation days off to go on a road trip with my sister and I'm sure there will be plenty of time to read so I'm taking the book along.

      And I will have plenty of time to visit the links that you've shared! Thank you!

      It would be fun to read more about the personal lives of the presidents and their wives. First Lady Wilson was actually quite accomplished in her own right. I hope you enjoy the book!

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  2. Poor President Pierce. If I were him, I'd probably drown my sorrows in something too.

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    1. I know Kim, it's just unfathomable to go through so much sorrow and pain.

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  3. If you are interested in presidential history one of my favorite books was First Mothers by Bonnie Angelo. It is about most of the presidents' mothers. I highly recommend it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0060937114/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1427350390&sr=8-1&keywords=first+mothers

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    1. Heidi, thank you so much for the recommendation. I've saved it on my to-read list. This book sounds really great. I mean it's pretty interesting to read about a president or his wife, but to read about the woman who rocked the cradle? that is awesome!

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  5. I love Erik Larson's books although I haven't read this one. I liked Isaac's storm a lot. Devil in the Windy City was brutal. Very hard to read.

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    1. So many people have told me that they love this author that it makes me want to read more books he's written. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  6. Have you listened to Things You Missed in History Class (a podcast)? I'm a little obsessed at the moment, but part of the reason why is that it's history (just straight forward history) but it's interesting and easy. Because it's a podcast, I just listen as I do other things. The hosts do a great job of inserting trivia that ties in common phrases or current events to their historical stories. It shows how relevant history is. So hooked...

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    1. Thank you Kate! I've found it and saved it. I'm going to start listening to as often as I can. I'm more a visual learner, but I know some times I'm doing yardwork or something simple and wished I had something to listen to. With this not only will I be entertained but I'll learn some of that history I missed in History Class! Appreciate the tip.

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  7. I am a history teacher and the time period I dislike the most is the Civil War, it can be incredibly boring to everyone. I loved this book, it was such a well-written book that was heavy on information but not a pain to read!

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    1. Wow Kelly! You must really love history to choose to teach it, I admire you. Yes, the Civil War can be boring. And there was always the whole Columbus and discovering America part. I would have loved to learn about more relevant times in History, like the Vietnam War and the Bombing of Pearl Harbor and more about each of the Presidents. A little about the NASA Space Program would have been great also. But I guess it's never too late to learn. I'll start with this book and see where it takes me. Thanks for commenting!

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  8. History does repeat itself; it's how the new generations view it and interpret it that makes things interesting.
    Two examples come to my mind:

    After the economic crisis in 1929, there were hard efforts made to really mend the american economy. After the economic crisis in 2008, all they did and still do is to print money, and make people believe everything is under control. No real effort to improve economy.

    Nowadays people are less tolerant to extramarital affairs of politicians and presidents. Both J. Kennedy and B. Clinton were womanizers but only Clinton was subject to public scandal.

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    1. Interesting points DUTA. Makes one wonder about society today and why it has changed so drastically. It's sad really that the effort is not made to make the economy stronger. It seems that all the intent goes into as you say "make people believe everything is under control."

      I noticed that parallel between Kennedy and Clinton too. Possibly back in Kennedy's time people were just as intolerant of his affair but they respected the office of the Presidency. It seems that more and more people disrespect the office and don't hold it in very high esteem, both in the case of President Clinton and now more so in respect to President Obama.

      Thank you for commenting DUTA.

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Please leave a comment.I would love to know your thoughts!