Jim Manis on Most Anything

Jim Manis can formulate an opinion about a good many things, including those about which he has little knowledge. (And some dude named "Lazlo.") Visit The MagicFactory.

Sunday, November 08, 2020

A Review of Francis Russell's American Heritage History of the Confident Years: 1866-1914

 

American Heritage History of the Confident Years: 1866-1914American Heritage History of the Confident Years: 1866-1914 by Francis Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An entertaining gallop through 1866 to 1914 in U.S. political history (corresponds to the long peace in Europe that precedes the half century of world war). This is known as the period of U.S. expansion as America joins the European powers in becoming a colonialist power.

One of the strongest take-aways is the realization that corruption has always been a part of American history. And that leadership at the highest level has often been of a mediocre nature.

Russell is an engaging writer who manages to keep the reader interested. I enjoyed reading the book, but the reader must be willing to accept the fact the focus is highly limited to a sketch of the political forces through this period of time. We don't learn much about how people lived.

View all my reviews