audiobook Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America by Jim Webb in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A very interesting; informative; and well written book.By Robert V. Rose; retired education researcherThis is a most interesting book. Senator Jim Webb; a southerner and Democrat; has Andrew Jackson as a hero. My own ancestors were veterans of the Union Army; and I would prefer John Quincey Adams; Abe Lincoln and Ronald Reagan to the slave owning; brawling and Indian-hating Jackson; but the book gives a fascinating long history of the Scotts; their migrants to Ulster; and their wave of migration to the Appalachian back country. I'm originally a New Yorker; but now retired in northern Georgia; I once had a conversation with a local whose namepin was Irish; so I asked him if his ancestors were original Scots-Irish mountain men. He said his family tradition said they were; and that he was a jet fighter pilot in Vietnam. But Jackson; though a notorious phonetic speller who "never fully trusted a man who could think of only one way to spell a word". But Jackson was no doubt fluent at naming and writing the letters; and would have favored that in education. Most of our second graders are not; but then; Jackson didn't have to depend on teachers unions for campaign contributions. Politics aside; it's an excellent book.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Scot Irish History and What Makes Them TickBy Carol WilderI bought this book because I am Scots Irish whose ancestors were the pioneers Webb is talking about. It explained our culture and what made us that way. My parents left the hills of KY and WV after WWI for the rubber factories in Akron; OH. I spent very little time in the South; yet I identify with these people. This book gave lots of insight. I recommend it to anyone interested in American Culture.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Scots Irish PrideBy L.C. FanI am Ulster Scots Irish so am at risk of being biased. The book does a stirring job of energizing my Scots Irish spirit; since its main goal is to cite the important contribution that "race" has made to the history of the United States. The historical facts it relates are true. But; the conclusions reached can be considered subjective. If you are a history buff/scholar/afficianado; you will likely have a new framework against which to test your history knowledge/beliefs. The book has not made me abandoned any of mine. This book might otherwise seem to have appeal for a narrow audience. If you are a crtitical thinker yuou may get reading enjoyment from a decidely unusual look at our history. IThe book totally really resonanted with me. I can well relate to the traits Mr. Webb ascribes to the Scot Irish.For most of my life untilt the last two decades I have always said I was American. I believed in "e pluribus unum." But; the Great Society has made me rethink that notion. Now we all have to have a label to put in front of our "American." I am amazed at how many boxes you ccan check to identify your national origin. The list grows bigger every day. I am simply fed up with it. So; I am now a Scots Irish Transylvania Saxon American and proud of it. This book helped me get more Scots Irish proud.