When fourteen-year-old Carlotta Walls walked up the stairs of Little Rock Central High School on September 25; 1957; she and eight other black students only wanted to make it to class. But the journey of the “Little Rock Nine;†as they came to be known; would lead the nation on an even longer and much more turbulent path; one that would challenge prevailing attitudes; break down barriers; and forever change the landscape of America.For Carlotta and the eight other children; simply getting through the door of this admired academic institution involved angry mobs; racist elected officials; and intervention by President Dwight D. Eisenhower; who was forced to send in the 101st Airborne to escort the Nine into the building. But entry was simply the first of many trials. Breaking her silence at last and sharing her story for the first time; Carlotta Walls has written an engrossing memoir that is a testament not only to the power of a single person to make a difference but also to the sacrifices made by families and communities that found themselves a part of history.
#676146 in Books Barbara W Tuchman 1989-09-06 1989-09-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.19 x .98 x 5.51l; .97 #File Name: 0345336674448 pagesThe First Salute A View of the American Revolution
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. I REALLY like the writings of Barbara TuchmanBy David LangloisFull disclosure. I REALLY like the writings of Barbara Tuchman.This is an excellent compendium of essays; articles and speeches written by her over many years. Some from the 30's and 40's. Most from the 60's and 70's. I find her way of saying things rings true with me; and I like the way she puts history into context. I have the sense that hers is not revisionist history in any way; but history presented in a manner which makes sense to me.I bought the Kindle version. OK; but not the same thing as having a real book in my hands.Highly recommended.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A roving glimpse of America's birth - 3-1/2 starsBy ct readerThis work's subtitle (`A View of the American Revolution') is accurate: it's one vista rather than a comprehensive history. Like much of Tuchman's work; it's an accessible and interesting account with fresh insight on the rebels and their European enemy and allies in the late war years.The episodic text sometimes seems to wander (the longest of the twelve chapters deals with British Admiral Sir George Brydges Rodney); but ultimately rewards the reader with a coherent message: the American Revolution wasn't simply a domestic divorce - it benefited from (and largely succeeded because of) continental rivalries.Poignant accounts of rebel leaders (Washington; Franklin; Morris; etc) are matched to their perilous links with their allies in the Netherlands and France. One learns French regular troops at Yorktown outnumbered American colonial regulars (without including troops on de Grasse's 31 ship fleet); French funds paid for rebel wages; supplies; and arms; and that Bourbon France incurred a 1.5 billion livre ($375 million) debt for the pleasure of helping defeat rival Britain (it led to the bankruptcy and fall of the ancien régime in 1789).Tuchman could have embellished her case with Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (watchmaker; inventor; playwright of `The Marriage of Figaro' and `The Barber of Seville') who served as clandestine French conduit for rebel funds and arms before Saratoga in 1777 (and narrowly escaped execution in the French Revolution). The ultimate destiny of de Grasse; Rochambeau; and Lafayette would also have been interesting (for Lafayette's later history read Simon Shama's `Citizens').Nonetheless; `The First Salute' is worth reading (I first read it in hardcover in 1988 and still admire it).0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I absolutely loved this bookBy Tom FallowsI absolutely loved this book. It filled in so many gaps in my understanding of the American Revolution and "how did it happen that Washington beat Cornwallis to end the American War for Independence against England?" I find most commentaries on the American Revolution are about the beginning (Lexington/Concord; Bunker Hill; Brooklyn Heights; Trenton; Valley Forge; Brandywine; Saratoga; etc.); but very little covers the topic about How it Ended. Plus; it is hard to find a coherent analysis on the contribution of the anti-British alies (Spain but above all; France) in defeating the English at Yorktown. The central theme in the book covers the naval story; from American privateers to Dutch traders. The book fills a lot of gaps
