The surprising story of how Thomas Jefferson commanded an unrivaled age of American exploration—and in presiding over that era of discovery; forged a great nation. At the dawn of the nineteenth century; as Britain; France; Spain; and the United States all jockeyed for control of the vast expanses west of the Mississippi River; the stakes for American expansion were incalculably high. Even after the American purchase of the Louisiana Territory; Spain still coveted that land and was prepared to employ any means to retain it. With war expected at any moment; Jefferson played a game of strategy; putting on the ground the only Americans he could: a cadre of explorers who finally annexed it through courageous investigation. Responsible for orchestrating the American push into the continent was President Thomas Jefferson. He most famously recruited Meriwether Lewis and William Clark; who led the Corps of Discovery to the Pacific; but at the same time there were other teams who did the same work; in places where it was even more crucial. William Dunbar; George Hunter; Thomas Freeman; Peter Custis; and the dauntless Zebulon Pike—all were dispatched on urgent missions to map the frontier and keep up a steady correspondence with Washington about their findings. But they weren’t always well-matched—with each other and certainly not with a Spanish army of a thousand soldiers or more. These tensions threatened to undermine Jefferson’s goals for the nascent country; leaving the United States in danger of losing its foothold in the West. Deeply researched and inspiringly told; Jefferson’s America rediscovers the robust and often harrowing action from these seminal expeditions and illuminates the president’s vision for a continental America.
#81076 in Books Kirstin Downey 2015-11-10 2015-11-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.95 x 1.11 x 5.15l; 1.17 #File Name: 0307742164560 pagesIsabella The Warrior Queen
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. There is so much more to Isabella than I knew!By Shauna A.Wow; this book finally makes some historical facts make sense. It is incredibly well written and sourced; it was a pleasure to read. I hope it's translated to Spanish and they get a chance to see this version of Isabella; although they may know it all; it's just here we fail to see the big picture.This book was full of Ah-Ha! Moments. The Ottomans were conquering the world! Having a Muslim state in Spain (Granada) was very dangerous thing... all those ports where the Ottomans would be welcomed! By both Muslims and Jews as happened 700 years earlier.The Ottomans were not an idle threat. It was their goal to conquer Europe; as they were doing in Constantinople; Albania and Greece! And most of the Western Monarchies were too far away to understand the threat.I didn't say the Inquisition is excused; but the "why" is clearer. The Ottomans were a real threat; and I am really glad Isabella and her descendants stopped them. I doubt we would live in a free country if there had been no Isabella.So take her out from behind Ferdinand's undeserved shadow; and show us the real leader to whom we owe so much! I owe the fact that I don’t have to where a burka to Isabella.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Haunting Biography of a Remarkable LeaderBy Debbie the LibrarianThis biography had as much color; intrigue and conflict as the best novel you can imagine. Downey succeeds in capturing the essence of Queen Isabella and all the characters that surrounded her including philandering King Ferdinand. Downey's journalistic writing style ensures an action-packed read; a real page turner; which is rare for a biography. The author shows sides of Isabella readers would have never imagined; and then just as readers feel that empathy and understanding for Isabella; Downey reminds us of Isabella's darker side including the Inquisition. This is truly a haunting biography that only gets better and better. The last chapter is the crowning glory of this remarkable biography.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Chance to Feel who Isabella Really Was in HistoryBy Deborah JacobThis is one of my favourite biographies. Kirstin Downey has managed to capture Isabella as a complex person and leader while making her story read like a novel. This is a real page turner; an unbelievable story filled with fascinating characters. It is difficult to hear anyone outside of Spain speak Spanish and not think this is because of Isabella. Every character from Ferdinand; to Isabella's trusted supporter Gonzalo; her children and even Christopher Columbus come alive like no other biography I have ever read.
