Product Description
U.S. Highway 71 is the principal north-south route running alongside the western border of Arkansas. From the frontier history to the vast landscapes, much is open to the automobile traveler.Starting at the Missouri border, this highway travels through the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, skirting the edge of what was once the Indian Territory, beforedescending into the Red River Valley.

This updated edition includes improved maps, additional sites and landmarks, and GPS Coordinates for listed historic sites. ... Read more

Product Description
We have all spied them as we blast down I-75 scanning the roadside for anything of interest or rolled past one while trying to find that elusive gas station in an unfamiliar small town. Perhaps we have even stopped to read one outside our local courthouse.

Since 1949, the Kentucky Historical Highway Marker program has erected more than 1,800 markers that highlight the rich diversity of the state’s local and regional history as well as topics of statewide, and sometimes national, importance. They provide on-the-spot Kentucky history lessons, depicting subjects as diverse as a seven-year-old boy who served as a drummer in the Revolutionary War to a centuries-old sassafras tree.

Roadside History is a key to the markers, enabling travelers to read Kentucky history without stopping to see each marker as they pass. There are two indexes arranged by subject and county. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting Book
When driving it is impossible to stop at all of the historical markers in KY.This book allows for an interesting arm chair historical tour of the state. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive guide to the landmarks, relics, museums, and other points of interest related to the Civil War. Designed for the tourist, student, and history buff, it is an ideal sightseeing companion. Illustrated. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Good Guide to Civil War Sites
This is a good book to find Civil War sites through the US.Alice Cromie shows us where to find major sites as well as some of the little known sites. Wenot only read of the war itself, but the location of events leading up to the war, and locations of museums dedicated to the Civil War.If you use this book
as a tour guide, be sure to call places ahead of time, as some of these no longer exist.Over all it is a good book to have.

Excellent Companion for Touring Civil War Sites
Cromie has written an excellent guide for locating Civil War-related sites in the United States.

The book is organized by state and usually contains the following information:

1.City/town of the event or relation to the Civil War.
2.Location and address of the site.
3.Significance of the site or event.
4.Date of the event.

This book is a gem because it mentions several locations that may not be known to both the Civil War novice and long-time student.

Highly recommended as an invaluable guide for your next Civil War trip, particularly to those less well-known places!

Read and enjoy!

Excellent guide for all civil war enthusiasts.
This book is an easy to follow guide to many civil war sites. Some of the places are the well known sites and some are not so well known. But, you will enjoy tracking these sites state by state. I've used the booksysytematically and when I've visited a site, I highlight in the book theplace I've been on the state maps provided. Buy it! Try it! Take lots ofpictures, too! Start a scrapbook of civil war sites you've visited. Itmakes for a great conversation piece. ... Read more

Product Description
The San Antonio edition of Historical Cities explores the multi-national past of this south Texas city.Fifty-one historic sites and landmarks in the city’s downtown and surrounding area are explored.A concise history is also provided.Reference maps for the downtown and San Antonio’s environs are included, along with GPS coordinates for all listed historic sites. ... Read more

Product Description
The portrayal of historical characters through interactive dramatization or roleplaying is an effective, albeit controversial, method used to bring history to life at museums, historic sites, and other public venues. Stacy Roth examines the techniques of first-person interpretation to identify those that have been most effective with audiences while allowing interpreters to maintain historical fidelity. 41 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Past into Present
I have participated as a living history first person interpreter for over 6 years, and have been a visitor at many living history sites across the country. I am also the period costume coordinator for a living history site. I have seen first hand many effective and ineffective presentations.

While reading and searching for textbooks for our upcoming "Dame School" program for young ladies at our site, I came across this book. Since the text is clear and written to be interesting as well as educational,I have chosen it as a textbook for our "school".I believe our young students will be able to relate well to the book, and that we will be able to use this book to guide them to more effectual presentations. I also highly recommend it for adults.

This book is very good at giving hints on how to engage visitors in conversations useful in imparting stories of the site one is working, as well as methods to diffuse potential problems.It presents varied types of sites which were reviewed by the author, and gives good examples of what is effective and what is not. This book also discusses class distinctions and first person interpretations of difficult and traumatic events and activities of the past, such as slavery.To give a well rounded view of history, first person interpreters can't just present the rosy side of life!

The extensive listing of living history sites which is in the back section of the book would be very useful to persons who are considering the hobby or profession of first person interpretation.

Great Book For Reenactors and Museum Docents
Television, movies, computers, even video games have changed the way we look at history. Recently written books on history are now in a style that gives the reader a greater understanding of what our founding father's and 19th century pioneer's daily lives were like.
Everything, it seems, is three dimensional today. Try visiting an American History museum - it's not your father's museum, that's for sure!
In her book, "Past Into Present," Ms. Roth just about covers every aspect of presenting history in all its glory and gore by using the process known as 1st person. First person brings the folks from the distant past back to life by having a re-enactor or a museum docent dress in period clothing, doing a job or a chore from the past, and speaking as if they actually ARE that long-dead person, alive again, here to share their knowlegde of times gone by. I, myself,impose a 1st person technique for my civilian impression in the 21st Michigan Civil War reenactors, and I must say that "Past into Present" truly helped me understand the importance of what I am representing while doing my impression. Through her book Ms. Roth also helped me see the pros and cons of being a 1st person living historian as well - how to stay in character, for instance, without jumping back and forth between first and third person.
From what I have seen at some re-enactments - and even at a museum - some living historians do not give the past the justice it deserves.They are the ones who should own this book as well. I've learned to give the reverence these folks from the past that we are emulating the respect they so deserve.
The writer can get a bit wordy (so can I, can't you tell?) but if you are one who is a bit more passionate about the past and would rather get deeper involved in history than the average person, then I would suggest you taking a gander at this book and read how you can become one from the past into the present at your next reenactment.

Sharing History
As a new recruit in the growing international army of Civil War reenactors, I was anxious to evolve past the usual march-and-shoot mass maneuvers into effective first-person interaction with spectators. Buthaving never even seen a living-history interpreter, I wasn't sure what todo. Then I found Ms. Roth's delightful book on the internet! Sheinterviewed scores of experienced interpreters at the best living-historymuseums in the United States and Canada to find out how they hook -- andkeep -- the interests of their visitors. The result is some imaginativeout-of-the-box approaches that make visitors think they're beingentertained instead of educated! The fun that the interpreters obviouslyhave with their roles is infectious -- I could hardly wait to try it! Thisis a MUST read for anyone who's ever thought of going to a historicalreinactment as either a participant or a spectator. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a state-by-state historical survey of places visited by U.S. Presidents (and Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Texas President Sam Houston)--universities, hotels, homes, churches, birthplaces, battlefields, vacation spots and more in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. An appendix covers places visited in England. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"Definately a Keeper!"
Superb travel companion for anyone visting or revisiting "The Big Apple." (NYC). A nice addition to any travel/tourism library.

Discovering Black New York: A Guide to the City's Most Important African American Landmarks, Restaurants, Museums, Historical Si
I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of Discovering Black New York: A Guide to the City's Most Important African American Landmarks, Restaurants, Museums, Historical Sites, but the price just keeps getting higher and higher.I spoke to the author and she only has 4 copies left to her name and would not part with any.She says that the historical data is the most important and that the restaurants should be called first since business is swift(my word) in NYC.I sure hope that she produces another guide book so that the madness of the over inflated price wars grinds to a screeching halt.

I Never was crazy about history, I told her so, now I am curious about her book.This book gets one star reserved until I read it for myself and not at this inflated price.Amazon's price is the bargain.

Great Book!
A lot of great info you won't find in the "standard" travel books. Good historical stuff too.

A Tourist's Bible of Black New York
This is a great book for anyone who visits New York City and wants to walk in the footsteps of Africans and African Americans. The guide helps you to understand the important contributions of black people past and present.The information is quite comprehensive and includes well-written descriptions of historic sites, restaurants and cultural venues.

Anyone who wants to know about African Americans in New York City will find value in this wonderful guide.

You Gotta Have It Guide to Black New York
This book is fantastic!!It has everything - history, culture, restaurants, live music, shopping, guided tours and lots of valuable information about black New York. Everyone knows about the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Times Square and all the other sites that tourist visit, but Discovering Black New York explores places that I was not aware of, like the Joloff and Brooklyn Moon restaurants in Brooklyn, Sylvan Terrace in Harlem and the African American Museum in Hempstead, Long Island.

It's written in a friendly inviting way, that inspires you to visit all the great places in the book.I loved this book!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
This is the only book that bridges all bad guys generations: colonial, Old West, and the Great Depression. some of theintriguing characters and fascinating places discussed in the book include The Salem witchcraft trials and many more. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a book about why history matters. It shows how popularized historical images and narratives deeply influence Americans' understanding of their collective past. A leading public historian, Mike Wallace observes that we are a people who think of ourselves as having shed the past but also avid tourists who are on a 'heritage binge,' flocking by the thousands to Ellis Island, Colonial Williamsburg, or the Vietnam Memorial. Wallace probes into the trivialization of history that pervades American culture as well as the struggles over public memory that provoke stormy controversy. The recent imbroglio surrounding the National Air and Space Museum's proposed Enola Gay exhibit was reported as centering on why the U.S. government decided to use the A-Bomb against Japan. Wallace scrutinizes the actual plans for the exhibit and investigates the ways in which the controversy drew in historians, veterans, the media, and the general public.Whether his subject is multimillion dollar theme parks owned by powerful corporations, urban museums, or television docudramas, Mike Wallace shows how their depictions of history are shaped by assumptions about which pasts are worth saving, whose stories are worth telling, what gets left out, and who is authorized to make the decisions. Author note: Mike Wallace is Professor of History at John Jay College, City University of New York. He is the co-author, with Edwin G. Burrows, of "Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898", winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for History. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Mickey Mouse History
Is this guy for or against preservation? It's hard to tell sometimes. Gives another, if not confusing, viewpoint of the preservation movement.

Not a Mickey Mouse History, but a Donald Duck Rebuttal
Aside from a proverbial axe that Mr. Wallace is grinding (especially in the Reagan essay), the text employs a down-to-earth approach, avoiding the typical multi-syllabic lingo that is usually associated with academia.In addition, the broad purpose of his text is applaudable:the deconstruction of the myths and ideologies of history and the return to historical research and study.

However, I can say that while I agree with most of Mr. Wallace's viewpoints, I should also note that he has many fallacies in his case studies, particularly those with Disney.As a former Disney employee, I have to wonder how much time he truly spent researching the inner cogs of the "Mouse Machine," and who he spent time interviewing.

As a volunteer museum curator/collections manager, I must agree with other reviewers about Mr. Wallace's critical analysis of museums."Could," "should," and "would" are great words when theorizing and idealizing about the historical preservation process, but until one actually experiences the real-world struggles of museum revitalization and artifact preservation, I tend not to pay any heed to the noisy cymbals of criticism.

Finally, as a graduate student of Popular Culture, and from an academic viewpoint, the lack of detailed citations and direct references in this book raises my concern about the integrity of the research that was done.The bibliography, while impressive in its depth, is not annotated enough to make up for the missing footnotes of works cited.

accesible, critical and still with a sense of humor
for someone interested in museum, spaces of exhibition and the like you will find section one and two of this book quite interesting. the first deals with different sorts of museums placing a critical point of view from communitary museums to opend air museums, to technology museums. the second part is great dealing with the forms of exhibition at disney. dystory, that special kind of reality that it is at once purified and sanitized and tha is quite part of the essence of thematized environments. parts three and four deal, respectively, with the restoraton movement in america and the politics of culture during regan's era, specially with the enola gay case.

Accessible and Thoughtful
Mike Wallace uses the kind of academic writing that all scholars should aspire to achieve--lively, free of jargon, and entertaining. His subject, as suggested by the book's title, is history and the debates that surround different depictions of history. Wallace observes, astutely, that the struggles over how to portray history reveals much about ourselves, our beliefs, and our agendas. Wallace points out that history is never neutral, a point that is well worth reinforcing.

My particular interest is Disney Studies, and Wallace has a section (actually two essays) devoted to Disney and it use of history. The first essay concentrates on Disney's use of history in its theme parks, particularly in places such as the Hall of Presidents and EPCOT. While Wallace does not shy from criticizing Disney's portrayal of history (in fact, one of Wallace's strengths is he does not shy from representing his own viewpoint clearly), he also does not simply dismiss the potential in integrating history, entertainment, and the kind of technological wizardy that Disney is known for. He makes a serious case for a reconsideration of Disney and its techniques, all without constantly hitting his reader over the head with things. In his second essay, Wallace concentrates on the failed Disney's America project, providing background information and a critique of Disney with a call to re-examine Disney's use of history as emblematic of other movements and struggles over American history. He also makes it clear that he believes simply dismissing Disney is not an effective strategy for considering how portrayals of history could engage the public. The strength here is that Wallace is not afraid to criticize both Disney and kneejerk criticisms of Disney, or to envision the melding of history and entertainment. Nor does he abandon the quest for critical presentations of history that open history to even further investigation. While this is no easy task, Wallace does succeed.

If there is one thing I would suggest, perhaps the element I feel is missing, is a better development of these strategies for the presentation of history that Wallace supports. Although that could indeed be a book in itself, it would have been nice to see more of Wallace dwell more on his own engagement with, even answers to, the questions he has raised in this book.

An accessible and essential look at the fight over history
This is a very easy-to-read, jargon-free book about various ways in which the American past has been marketed to the American public.Wallace makes clear that the past should not be sanitized or exaggerated for any purpose, no matter how noble.And he makes clear how dangerous distortions of the past can be, particularly in chapters that discuss Ronald Reagan's or Newt Gingrich's . . . shall we say, passing acquaintance with history as it happened, as opposed to how they wish it had happened.

That last sentence makes pretty clear that Wallace has an ideology of his own.He interprets much of American history in terms of the conflict between classes.He does not insist that his interpretation is the only valid interpretation, but the force with which he makes some of his ideological points keeps me from giving this a five star review.That said -- everyone should read this book.It pokes away at some of the myths that keep us from doing what we can to make American society even better.Mickey Mouse History might make you uncomfortable -- but it's a discomfort that has plenty of rewards in understanding. ... Read more

Product Description
The Minnesota History Center in St. Paul -- headquarters of the Minnesota Historical Society -- is an extraordinary example of public support for preserving and learning about the past. The largest public support for preserving and learning about the past. The largest public building constructed in Minnesota since the 1905 State Capitol, it houses vast collections, innovating exhibits, and exciting programmes that connect people together with people in the past. This souvenir booklet takes you on a visual tour of the History Center and tells you a bit about the Society, an institution older that the state itself. Here you will view the center's stunning public spaces and discover dramatic artworks commissioned for the building. You will also go behind-the-scenes to visit the History Center's conservation labs and huge underground storage areas rarely open to the public ... Read more

Product Description
One hundred historical sites are covered with five clues provided for each. Civil War, Old West, Native Americans, sports, famous birthplaces and homes, African Americans, military, Hispanic settlers, and the Washington, D.C., area are the topics covered. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Learning history, having fun
Here's a neat little book that combines learning with a guessing game. There are 10 chapters in the book, each dealing with a major American historical event or theme (The Civil War, Old West, Military establishments, etc.), and then within each chapter there are 10 sites listed: first you have to try to guess what the site is by reading through a list of clues, and then there's a fairly lengthy description of the site. It's interesting, informative, and a lot of fun, too. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide offers nineteen large circular tours of thestate perfect for the weekend traveler. It also includes detailedinformation on more than 2,000 sites and 425 cities and towns thatwill delight any armchair traveler. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good guide to the state's history for travelers
This large, hefty book is an excellent travel guide of the Hoosier State. Modeled somewhat after the WPA Guide published in 1941, the book highlights 14 different regions from around the state. The larger cities (Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Richmond, Terre Haute, etc.) are the starting points for each tour, with travelers being directed to various smaller towns and historical points of interest in a circular motion, finally bringing them back to their starting points again. Major historical sites are, of course, described in detail, but so are numerous minor places, including notable houses and buildings, parks, monuments and memorials, churches, and museums. The guide is particularly worthwhile for the amount of detailed information included. It is a guide to the history of Indiana and does not contain hotel/motel listings, popular attractions, outlet malls, etc. But anyone interested in the history of Indiana will find this guide of great value. ... Read more

Product Description
Ideas and Images presents eleven case studies, walking you through the process of developing interpretive history exhibits. Learn how to identify and build new audiences, work with consultants and experts, cope with institutional change, present temporary and permanent exhibitions, and experiment with new subjects, design techniques and media. ... Read more