Roanoke, Virginia, 1882-1912; Magic City of the New South, by Rand Dotson, tells the story of a city that, for a brief period, was hailed as a regional model for industrialization as well as the ultimate success symbol for the rehabilitation of the former Confederacy. The first scholarly treatment of Roanoke’s early history, this book explains how native businessmen convinced a northern investment company to make their small town a major railroad hub. Dotson recounts what life was like for Roanoke’s wealthy elites, working poor, and African American inhabitants.
Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut; the Irish Who Died Building America’s Most Dangerous Stretch of Railroad by William Watson, J. Francis Watson, John H. Ahtes III, and Earl H. Schandelmeier. In 1832, 57 Irish Catholic workers were brought to the United States to lay one of the most difficult miles of American railway. In the end, all 57 men—the entire work crew—died and were buried in a mass unmarked grave. The company did its best to cover up the incident, one of the worse labor tragedies in U.S. history. Based on archaeological digs at the site and meticulous historical research, the authors conclude that the death of the work crew came about because of the extreme conditions of their employment, the prejudice of the surrounding community, and the vigilante violence that kept them isolated.
The New River Controversy; a New Edition by Thomas J. Schoenbaum covers the landmark struggle to save the New River from being dammed by a power company in the 1970s. The grassroots movement emphasized the river’s cultural and historical value rather than narrow environmental issues, and its success became one of the great victories of the environmental movement. This edition includes a new epilogue examining the current ecological status of the New River and the ongoing impact of the original conservation efforts in the face of new environmental threats.
Fallen Founder; the Life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg is an attempt to reveal the real Aaron Burr. Isenberg presents a man who was no less a patriot and principled thinker than those who opposed him. He inspired loyalty in his troops. He was a feminist who made sure his wife and daughter were educated and empowered. He promoted decency instead of the factionalism that threatened the solidity of the young nation. According to Isenberg, Burr was a loyal citizen who had the bad fortune to make a powerful enemy in Alexander Hamilton. This book reveals the gritty reality of eighteenth-century America with cutthroat politics, partisan maneuvering, financial fiascos and media slander plaguing the country much as they do today.
