American Places: Encounters with History

I have to echo Rick Friedman's praise of Leuchtenburg's book. This is a wonderful survey of places where the past has come alive for some of the top names in the field of American history. From the Grand Canyon to cyberspace to Graceland, these short essays convey a sense of the "spirit" of a place--like Montgomery, Alabama, and Fenway Park in Boston--and how it has affected the author and connected him/her to the past. For some, like David Hackett Fischer, it is a sense of history still alive, while for others, David Kennedy, for example, it is how the events that took "place" at a particular location had far-reaching effects. Each essay in American Places is well-written and if I have one complaint it's that there aren't more of them. Anyone interested in American history and how history effects place and vice versa should pick up this volume. Like Mr. Friedman, I received my copy as a gift and am glad I did.

Think of your favorite history professor in college. Imagine having the luxury to ask, "What single place across the country resonates the most with you in terms of history?" And, then, not only go there with that person as your personal guide but be permitted to repeat the process 27 more times with some of the finest teachers in America!That's what this book does in just over 350 pages.From small towns you have never heard of to Gettysburg, Monticello, and the New York Giants' Polo Grounds. Brief narratives, written by notable historians, describe not only where but why such places are special to them.I had given a friend who likes to travel a copy of Charles Kuralt's book, written shortly after he retired from CBS, about the 12 best places Kurault wished to spend one month each in for an entire year. And which month of the year was best to be there. Everyone has their own Top Twelve list, of course. But it was nice to see the country from Kurault's perspective.In return for the Kurault book, my friend surprised me with a literary gift of his own the next time he was in my neck of the woods. It was this book--American Places, Encounters with History. What a delight! The writers have a special knack for making their favorite places come alive. Each essay is no more than 10-12 pages. The perfect ticket to some of the best ideas for future trips you'll want to take as soon as you finish the book.