The opinions of the past, are not so different from those of the present; only the names of the individual 'experts' are different...

Online Articles from Spencer Holly RSS Feed of online articles from Spencer Holly     The Life of Abaham Lincoln for Young People The Life of Abaham Lincoln for Young People February 12th, 2009, is the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincolns’ birthday. Arguably one of the greatest American presidents , the life of Lincoln is the story of the American dream. He epitomizes the belief that any American child can grow up to be President of the United States. This book tells that story in words that young people can understand.     The Panama Canal - American Era History at its Best The Panama Canal - American Era History at its Best Anyone who thinks that the building of the Panama Canal was just a matter of digging a long ditch, does not know Panama history. It was a monumental task that could not have been completely envisioned from the start. And its profound and prominent place in American history is undeniable.     American Era History Resources - Antiquarian History eBooks American Era History Resources - Antiquarian History eBooks Anyone who says that it is a waste of time to read American era history from antiquarian (antique) books is missing a great history resource. Antiquarian books are a rich source of historical information that is unfettered and undiluted by modern historical researchers. It’s a pleasure to read a history book that is not just another repetition of facts and figures and a sequence of events like every other book on a given subject, and that is not full of politically correct platitudes.     The Future is Here for Antiquarian History Books The Future is Here for Antiquarian History Books Digitization of antiquarian books has extend the lives of many works that would otherwise be lost. As antique books become ever more rare, and hard to find, the information and knowledge within is more accessible than ever.     Review of The Civil War Through the Camera The Civil War Through The Camera Since this book was written over 83 years ago, most people will note that the textual style, prose, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc, are somewhat different than our modern day expectations. The effect is to provide a interesting, and delightful ‘flavor’ of a day and time (1912) when prose was very often dramatic.     Review of Panama and the Canal in Picture and Prose Panama and the Canal in Picture and Prose Until I read the story of the building of the Panama Canal, I had no real appreciation for the grand accomplishment that it was, and still is, 92 years after completion. In MY modern, 21st Century world, where I see small mountains leveled in a matter of weeks, I didn't realize that even in this day and age, the building of such a canal would still be a monumental task.     Review of The Story of Elisha Kent Kane for Young Americans The Story of Elisha Kent Kane for Young Americans This is an ideal book for the first time exposure to the American explorer Dr. Elisha Kent Kane and the early explorations of the Arctic.         Review of The Story of John Charles Fremont for Young Americans The Story of John Charles Fremont for Young Americans This is an ideal book for the first time exposure to the American explorer John C. Fremont. Even though this publication is short it still does a good job of piquing the readers curiosity about the man and his exploits and will encourage readers to do further study.       Review of The Story of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark Review of The Story of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark This is an ideal book for the first time exposure to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The book is short and uncomplicated so it doesn't have the same kind of detail and background that a longer work would have; realistically even a 600 page book could not tell the whole story but it would have much more detail than this short work.     042. Forty-second of Sixty Opinions on the War E. ALEXANDER POWELL E. Alexander Powell, author and journalist, acted as a War Correspondent with the Belgian Army in the campaign of the autumn of 1914. He was invited to dine with General von Boehn, Commander of the Ninth German Army. He thus had an opportunity of visiting the German lines and of having a conversation with a highly-placed German official. He published his experiences in a book called " Fighting in Flanders," from which the following quotations are made by permission of Mr. Wm. Heinemann :     043. Forty-third of Sixty Opinions on the War MORTON PRINCE               The name of Dr. Morton Prince, an eminent Boston physician, has become familiar to all students of psychology through his remarkable book, " The Dissociation of a Personality." The following paragraphs are from a letter contributed to the " Boston Sunday Post," Feb. 7th, 1915 :               From the American viewpoint we are forced, however unwillingly, to the conclusion (in consideration of German warfare and German ideals of government) that Germany must be regarded in war as the enemy of civilisation, and in peace as the enemy of democracy.               Between the autocratic German viewpoint and the democratic American viewpoint there is an irreconcilable conflict-a conflict of ideals-that cannot be settled by argument, by citation of facts, by appeals to logic or to moral judgment.               It can only be settled by the arbitrament of arms. If the Allies win, we may expect that the ideals of the democratic viewpoint will receive a world-wide acceptance. It was thus that the conflict between the ideals of freedom and slavery was settled in this country only by the acceptance of the arbitrament of war.               If, on the other hand, Germany wins, the United States of America still remains to be settled with, and that conflict of viewpoints, between American democratic ideals and German autocratic ideals, will still exist, to be settled some day in the future by the arbitrament of the sword.   END OF OPINION     041. Forty-one of Sixty Opinions on the War CHARLES HENRY PARKHURST. The Rev. Charles Henry Parkhurst, D.D., LL.D., Pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York, and author of several works, contributed a letter to The New York Times," of Aug. 23rd, 1914, from which the following extract is taken : When a mad dog runs amuck, the policeman shoots him on the spot-not by way of revenge, but as a humanitarian contribution to the security of the public. Now, has a more rabid creature than the Emperor William ever run amuck through the peaceful and prosperous domain of Europe ? The policeman makes no argument with the dog and enters into no compromise with him, but deals with him in exclusive regard to the requirements of society and simply blots him out as a public menace. It may not be necessary to strangle Germany, but her claws should be clipped and her teeth filed and enough of her fortifications dismantled to render her harmless, and as heavy a war indemnity imposed as will not drive her to absolute penury. END OF OPINION     011. Eleventh of Sixty Opinions on the War  JOHN BURROUGHS  John Burroughs, Litt.D., a well-known American naturalist who has published a long list of works, may be called the " Richard Jefferies " of America. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a leading authority on Walt Whitman, and a poet of no mean order ; he was in the service of the United States Government for about twenty years. His opinion, as expressed below, appeared in the " New York Tribune ":     004. Fourth of Sixty Opinions on the War ADELBERT HENRY ALDEN  Adelbert Henry Alden, a direct descendant of John Alden of the " Mayflower," is a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce and of the Union League Club. He contributed the following article to the " Westminster Gazette " of March 19, 1915 and it is reproduced here by permission : (Free download)     003. Third of Sixty American Opinions on the War GEORGE BURTON ADAMS George Burton Adams, Litt.D., Professor of History at Yale University since 1888, is the author and editor of several historical works. The following extract is from " The Record " (Philadelphia) of November, 1914 : (Free download)       002. Second of Sixty American Opinions on the War CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS          Charles Francis Adams, who attained the rank of Brigadier-General during the United States Civil War, was a prominent publicist and author, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and other learned bodies. Mr. Adams was the son of C. F. Adams, Ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War (1861-65), and the direct descendant of two Presidents of the United States- John Adams, and John Quincy Adams. Mr. Adams died March 29th, 1915. The following letter to Lord Newton appeared in " The Spectator " for November 7th, 1914, and is here reproduced by permission of the Editor of " The Spectator ": (Free download) South Lincoln, Mass. October 21st, 1914.     001. First of Sixty American Opinions on the War LAURENCE F. ABBOTT The following paragraphs appeared in "The Outlook " (N.Y.) for January 6th, 1915. Mr. Laurence F. Abbott, President of the "Outlook " Company, is a son of Dr. Lyman Abbott, the well-known preacher and author. Mr. Ernest H. Abbott, another son of Dr. Lyman Abbott, says that the opinions set forth  in substance express my father's views as they express the views of ' The Outlook ' staff as a whole: (Free download)