Hailed by national leaders as politically diverse as former Vice President Al Gore and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; Generations has been heralded by reviewers as a brilliant; if somewhat unsettling; reassessment of where America is heading.William Strauss and Neil Howe posit the history of America as a succession of generational biographies; beginning in 1584 and encompassing every-one through the children of today. Their bold theory is that each generation belongs to one of four types; and that these types repeat sequentially in a fixed pattern. The vision of Generations allows us to plot a recurring cycle in American history -- a cycle of spiritual awakenings and secular crises -- from the founding colonists through the present day and well into this millenium.Generations is at once a refreshing historical narrative and a thrilling intuitive leap that reorders not only our history books but also our expectations for the twenty-first century.
#698918 in Books 2000-10-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.46 x .96 x 8.22l; #File Name: 0684863650352 pagesRobert Knox SnedenCampaigns BattlefieldsCivil War
Review
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Soldier's Account of Civil War and Andersonville a TreasureBy Wayne A. SmithThis book is remarkable and different from almost any other war remembrance I have come across. Not only has Robert Knox Sneden penned a highly descriptive account of his years with the Army of the Potomac and as a prisoner of war; his work is illustrated with scores of his own watercolors depicting what he saw -- many made at the time he was witnessing places and events during the war.Sneden had an unusual vantage point. An engineer and draftsman; Sneden's services were employed as a map maker for several Union Generals during the first two and a half years of the war. Although a private; this posting gave him an easier life than experienced by most privates. Although in the field; Sneden was attached to headquarters. His staff position and duties also gave him considerable free time -- from which we benefit. Sneden used this time to record his observations in both written form and via sketches and watercolor renderings of war scenes.Sneden's posting was not without difficulty or danger. Several times he had to reconnoiter close to the enemy or between the lines in order gather the information needed for accurate local maps. He was also asked to journey over recently fought over battlefields to aid in the construction of after-action reports -- after the Union army had left and local control had reverted to Confederate partisans.On one such journey away from the main army; Sneden and a few of his companions were captured by Mosby's Rangers. Sneden then began his journey through the Confederate prisoner of war system staying in Richmond; Andersonville and several other locations.His experiences are well written. Sneden has a very matter of fact style of writing that gets to the point and is descriptive without being overwrought. Having read "Company Ayche" by Sam Watkins and "All for the Union" by Elisha Hunt Rhodes; I would rank Sneden's work as highly among Civil War remembrances. His unique position enables him to comment on battlefield and camp experiences in all their gritty detail as well as those portions of the Union high command with whom he came in contact. His prisoner of war writing reveals the brutal realities of life at Andersonville and other locations. The raw and inhumane world of these men is given testamony by Sneden in his gripping account of what he and others bore.The artwork illustrates the text well. Although probably considered somewhat rough strictly as art; it is poignant and captivating. His original maps are also fascinating as historical documents.This is a very good book. The war and prison scenes are engaging and very interesting. The author's style is highly readible and very convincing in terms of giving a front line view of army and prison life. The plentiful contemporary illustrations makes this book a stand out among the genre.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Similar in some respects to other accounts of the conditions of union prisoners but also original in his individual efforts to sBy Haltom CityInteresting first hand account of one man's experience during the war between the states. Similar in some respects to other accounts of the conditions of union prisoners but also original in his individual efforts to survive terrible conditions. Recommended for the history buff who enjoys a soldiers story without all of the well known battle history based on how the generals fought a battle. This is how a single soldier participated in the war and lived after capture while the war was continued seemingly endlessly until a final conclusion. A perspective beyond the battlefield. Some events are true and some maybe not but it gives you a feeling of how people suffer in war. Civilian and soldier. You feel you are there but glad you were not.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I think it is a useful book; drawing upon a newBy HopelessI think it is a useful book; drawing upon a new; valuable information source. I think it suffers from not presenting all the information in Sneden's diaries; but I don't know how it would be possible to present all the Sneden material.I did access; by other means; some of the raw Sneden files and am concerned there was too much editing applied.Even so; presenting this book is an invaluable contribution to our knowledge about the War. In the past; I've been turned off by other books that just kept rehashing old material again and again.
