Sweet Land of Liberty

Rating:
Summary: A splendid colonial history
Review: *Sweet Land of Liberty* is a reprint of an 1881 young people's history of colonial America initially titled *Old Times in the Colonies*. It is an intermediary volume between Charles C. Coffin's *The Boys of '76*, the narrative of the battles of the American Revolution he published for the centennial, and his *Story of Liberty*, which chronicled "the struggles of men in England and Europe against the tyranny of emperors, kings, popes, archbishops, bishops and inquisitors". It covers the whole period from Columbus's discovery of San Salvador in 1492 to the French and Indian Wars, with chapters on the establishment of the various colonies and the major events of the era.

This volume was reprinted by religious conservatives and will be of particular interest to homeschoolers. Coffin had a "Providential view of history", believing that "the settlement of America" revealed a "design in Providence for the illumination of the ignorant, and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth." As a Frenchman, I view this hopeful vision of history with more than a little skepticism, as my own country shows no sign of sharing in any divine plans for liberty on earth. And I think Coffin himself would have been much more reserved if he had witnessed the evolution of his country in the century following the publication of his book.

But even for those who do not share the author's faith in Providence, which surfaces only occasionally, this colonial history will be a delight to read, accompanied as it is by hundreds of black-and-white illustrations artfully documenting the buildings, the landscapes, the costumes, the people and the events of the period. Together with Coffin's flair for the concretization and dramatization of history, these illustrations will "take you there" just as surely as any good work of historical fiction. The only technical flaw of the book is its maps, which never seem to be at the right place or to feature the locations you are looking for, and lack the often brilliant visual design of modern maps.

As far as the text is concerned, it tends to focus mostly on the issues of freedom of conscience and popular government. Though strongly inimical to the Catholics in general and the Jesuits in particular, it is not one-sided and often plays the devil's advocate. The presentation of quakerism, for instance, helped me understand why its devotees were often targeted as the victims of religious intolerance; and the chapter on the Salem Witch Hunt, by giving the whole American and European context of the episode, made it seem much less bizarre and unexplainable than it is generally made to be. Particularly interesting are the numerous accounts of Indian atrocities, which would never find their place in a modern, politically correct textbook. In their gory detail, however, they may make the book unsuitable for younger readers.

If you loved Edward Eggleston's beautiful *History of the United States and Its People* (recently reprinted by the Lost Classics Book Company), you will certainly enjoy this volume just as much. I also recommend it as a more concrete and anecdotal supplement to the first volume of Clarence Carson's *Basic History of the United States*. And as it ends with Robert Rogers' retaliatory attack on the St Francis Indians, it can also be read as a preface to Kenneth Roberts' excellent historical novel, *Northwest Passage*, which begins with the same incident.

Rating:
Summary: History Comes Alive!
Review: A friend recommended Coffin's books "Story of Liberty" and "Sweet Land of Liberty" to me several years ago because I was looking for an account of American History that was not distorted and colored by recent "correct" thinking.
I was not seeking to shore up my own political ideology either, I just wanted an account that had been written closer to the time when the actual events occurred and describing not only what truly happened, but also how the contemporary authors of the time truly felt and thought while they were recording the events.
To that end, these books are so well written that I have subsequently read many of the chapters to my children, at their request! When history is fun to read, it is more memorable, and I was glad to observe my children remembering and learning from what REALLY happened and not what a prevailing political system wishes had happened as is the case in recent years as "correct" thinkers have managed to gain control of many of our publicly funded educational institutions. In many ways, you can only discover what you are first looking for, and to endeavor to make history fit modern ideals, while entirely possible, is still a disservice to future generations. Instead of looking through a filtered lens to find those of antiquity that think the way we want them to, lets all try to learn from the successes and mistakes of the past and then pass on what really happened. Finally, keep in mind these are not children's books. They are written for the adult audience and are in-depth, detailed, and accurate. However as an added bonus, I discovered that they also appeal to children precisely because Coffin is so engaging as an author.

Rating:
Summary: History Comes Alive!
Review: A friend recommended Coffin's books "Story of Liberty" and "Sweet Land of Liberty" to me several years ago because I was looking for an account of American History that was not distorted and colored by recent "correct" thinking.
I was not seeking to shore up my own political ideology either, I just wanted an account that had been written closer to the time when the actual events occurred and describing not only what truly happened, but also how the contemporary authors of the time truly felt and thought while they were recording the events.
To that end, these books are so well written that I have subsequently read many of the chapters to my children, at their request! When history is fun to read, it is more memorable, and I was glad to observe my children remembering and learning from what REALLY happened and not what a prevailing political system wishes had happened as is the case in recent years as "correct" thinkers have managed to gain control of many of our publicly funded educational institutions. In many ways, you can only discover what you are first looking for, and to endeavor to make history fit modern ideals, while entirely possible, is still a disservice to future generations. Instead of looking through a filtered lens to find those of antiquity that think the way we want them to, lets all try to learn from the successes and mistakes of the past and then pass on what really happened. Finally, keep in mind these are not children's books. They are written for the adult audience and are in-depth, detailed, and accurate. However as an added bonus, I discovered that they also appeal to children precisely because Coffin is so engaging as an author.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet Land of Liberty
Review: This book is so well written that my younger children eagerly listened as well. Charles Coffin brings history to life through this sequel to The Story of Liberty. He shows how it was God's plan for a land of freedom to lay waiting for those who would need a new beginning to express their religious freedom. The dangers were many, but the thread of purpose is evident throughout. I recommend this book to any family, especially home schooled, as a must to their study of the colonization of America.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet Land of Liberty
Review: This book is so well written that my younger children eagerly listened as well. Charles Coffin brings history to life through this sequel to The Story of Liberty. He shows how it was God's plan for a land of freedom to lay waiting for those who would need a new beginning to express their religious freedom. The dangers were many, but the thread of purpose is evident throughout. I recommend this book to any family, especially home schooled, as a must to their study of the colonization of America.