I learned so much from this book. This is a very detailed history of National Parks: how they were created, how they were threatened, and the instrumeI learned so much from this book. This is a very detailed history of National Parks: how they were created, how they were threatened, and the instrumental people who advocated for them. This was surprisingly also great as an audiobook that we listened to while roadtripping to some of the western national parks.
The main issue I had with this book is that at 13+ hours long, I was expecting lots of information about almost every national park. Instead, the majority of the book focused on Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Denali as well as politics and policies that were very dry. Most parks were only given about a sentence to a paragraph mention as the timeline kept doubling back to the previously mentioned "large name" parks. There are other books that I think do a better job of balancing the history and attention. I'm still glad that I learned so much by reading this....more
I was so excited to read this! Based on real events, Kate Warne is America's first female detective who uses stealth, acting, and costumes to get infoI was so excited to read this! Based on real events, Kate Warne is America's first female detective who uses stealth, acting, and costumes to get information about one of the first plots against Abraham Lincoln's life in 1861. With views toggling among several time periods and characters (including Kate and Mary Todd Lincoln), this tells the story of women empowerment and agency during the late 1800s.
I think the various perspectives made this more difficult to follow. I really loved the sections showing Kate Warne doing her sleuthing and finding information about the assassination plot. I wish that the whole story followed that one linear plot line. Instead, the story is bookended with a reflection of Mrs. Lincoln after her husband's death as she retells the story. It also flashes among several points in Warne's timeline including her childhood to beginning work as a detective to the present detective assignment.
I want to know even more after reading this! What an interesting moment in history that we seldom hear about....more
I am so glad this book was written! This book is part biography and part historical account. It focuses on William Still's enslaved parents buying theI am so glad this book was written! This book is part biography and part historical account. It focuses on William Still's enslaved parents buying their freedom and escaping from the south and then follows William as he becomes involved in the Underground Railroad and recording accounts of other people who escaped. This book even mentions Henry "Box" Brown and Harriet "Moses" Tubman along with explaining how the Fugitive Slave Law impacted the Underground Railroad. I can't wait to read this book with my students! It's educational while also giving a lot of information to reflect on and consider. This made me think about the people who were held captive and had to fight for their lives with fresh eyes. What a great resource!...more