In this examination of Union and Confederate foreign relations during the Civil War from both European and American perspectives; Howard Jones demonstrates that the consequences of the conflict between North and South reached far beyond American soil. Jones explores a number of themes; including the international economic and political dimensions of the war; the North's attempts to block the South from winning foreign recognition as a nation; Napoleon III's meddling in the war and his attempt to restore French power in the New World; and the inability of Europeans to understand the interrelated nature of slavery and union; resulting in their tendency to interpret the war as a senseless struggle between a South too large and populous to have its independence denied and a North too obstinate to give up on the preservation of the Union. Most of all; Jones explores the horrible nature of a war that attracted outside involvement as much as it repelled it. Written in a narrative style that relates the story as its participants saw it play out around them; Blue and Gray Diplomacy depicts the complex set of problems faced by policy makers from Richmond and Washington to London; Paris; and St. Petersburg.
#1704945 in Books Lisa Wilson 2014-10-06 2014-10-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x .43 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1469618427172 pagesA History of Stepfamilies in Early America
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful book and a terrific presentBy Valerie HansenThis wonderful book makes a terrific present for anyone in a modern stepfamily because it demonstrates how common – and how close -- stepfamilies were in colonial America. Unlike modern America; most of the stepfamilies in the book came together after one of the parents was widowed; divorce was rare. Like today; the stereotypical stepparent; particularly the stepmother; was cruel to stepchildren; but this book offers many heartwarming examples of stepfamilies that formed new; enduring bonds.Suitably; the book’s cover shows George Washington; his wife Martha; and two children. These are not his own children; but Martha’s grandchildren; whom George loved dearly.Chapter 4; my favorite; uncovers fascinating evidence of how stepchildren felt about their parents’ new spouses. Of course; some preferred the memory of a dead parent; but others embraced the living. Mather Byles; an English loyalist who moved to Halifax in the 1770s; married three times; his daughter Elizabeth wrote with great humor about her father’s second wife to her aunts saying; “It is not with a little pleasure that I inform you; of the Birth of another Brother; I would be glad to know; if you don’t think it is almost time for some of us to begin to look out. Especially as Mamma intends to have as many Boys; as there is Girls.†And she liked the third wife; too.The book; filled with gems like these; is a genuine pleasure to read.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great for colonial researchBy CustomerExcellent information for those seeking to find out the rationale behind stepfamilies in colonial New England to mid-1800s. Because of the homogeneous quality of New Englanders; this is where the book keeps its focus.
