I just finished my reread of Catton’s trilogy. Some of his writing is sublime, some, use of Negro and colored, to describe African Americans troops reflect the era when he wrote these.
I've got a ways to go, but I agree with your assessment. I am quite struck by the care with which Catton went about judging McClellan's performance on the Virginia Peninsula in 1862. He doesn't exonerate him for his decision making, but he lay out the many relevant factors at work, especially politics.
Excellent list - I think I’ll just hand it to my husband, he never knows what to buy for me 😄 And regarding maps, I think all lovers of history must love them as well. I know I could never teach without them. When I taught social studies, I’d spread my Civil War map books out over the bed (my place to write lessons plans) and create the maps that I would then transfer to the white board as I talked about a battle. I only wish I had not taught my students in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas about the lost cause. Guess I’ll just have to keep fighting against it in my own family. Thank you for helping me un-learn what I was taught at my mother’s knee.
Glad to hear that this makes life easier for you. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. My guess is that your students benefited from having you as their teacher in countless ways.
I just finished my reread of Catton’s trilogy. Some of his writing is sublime, some, use of Negro and colored, to describe African Americans troops reflect the era when he wrote these.
I've got a ways to go, but I agree with your assessment. I am quite struck by the care with which Catton went about judging McClellan's performance on the Virginia Peninsula in 1862. He doesn't exonerate him for his decision making, but he lay out the many relevant factors at work, especially politics.
Excellent list - I think I’ll just hand it to my husband, he never knows what to buy for me 😄 And regarding maps, I think all lovers of history must love them as well. I know I could never teach without them. When I taught social studies, I’d spread my Civil War map books out over the bed (my place to write lessons plans) and create the maps that I would then transfer to the white board as I talked about a battle. I only wish I had not taught my students in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas about the lost cause. Guess I’ll just have to keep fighting against it in my own family. Thank you for helping me un-learn what I was taught at my mother’s knee.
Glad to hear that this makes life easier for you. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. My guess is that your students benefited from having you as their teacher in countless ways.
😢 Thank you, I feel I’ve received a benediction...