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Records of Our National Life: American History from the National Archives
Records of Our National Life American History from the National Archives Author:Michael Beschloss * Publication accompanies the major 75th anniversary celebrations at the National Archives in Washington, DC, running throughout 2009 * Includes essays by some of the major names in the American media, including Ken Burns and Cokie Roberts, highlighting how they have made use of the Archives in the course of their careers * Features a highly i... more »llustrated timeline of American history from the earliest days of nationhood, right up to the present
Published in honour of the National Archives' 75th anniversary, this highly illustrated volume takes the reader on a journey through American history--from the struggle for independence to the 2009 Tally of Electoral Votes--offering a close-up examination of some of the billions of documents, photographs, maps, and films in the holdings of the National Archives. All facets of the American story emerge here, from the noble to the ignoble, the monumental to the mundane. The overriding themes of the nation's history are covered--territorial exploration and expansion, immigration and migration, political life, the rights of women and minorities, and the growth of industry and technology.
The hundreds of records collected here are proof that the life of our nation is the life of its citizens. Whether they feature the famous or the unknown, records reveal the human face of history--the shock of a militiaman when the British fire at Lexington; the anguish of a wife whose husband is held by Barbary pirates; the relief of immigrants passing through Ellis Island; the pride and defiance of parents whose teenagers integrate a Little Rock high school; the poignancy as Lady Bird Johnson describes events in Dallas.
Featuring more than 800 illustrations, with succinct captions, and essays by some of America's leading journalists, political commentators and broadcasters, Records of Our National Life, provides readers with a glimpse into the extensive holdings waiting to be discovered at the National Archives.« less