Freedom and Unity: A History of Vermont

by Michael Sherman, Gene Sessions, P. Jeffrey Potash

Freedom and Unity offers a comprehensive narrative of the history of Vermont, from prehistoric times to the present day. This history of the Green Mountain State incorporates social, political, economic, cultural, and demographic perspectives, placed in broad national context.

Genres: History

730 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Read-a-History-of-Every-State-in-Order-of-Statehood #14

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of it were eye-opening (Vermont founding father Ethan Allen seeming more thuggish than hero). Parts were eye-drooping (the 1800s where, aside from railroads, the latter half of the Bumpersticker/T-shirt that reads:"what happens in Vermont stays in Vermont (but nothing much ever really happens here)." seemed all too true. And parts, the 20th century parts that I experienced first-hand, were eye-rolling--events that this history left out, or paid too little attention to--are all too apparent then.
I suppose a history book can't be any other way.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling pretty well caught up on my Vermont history now. I thought this was a nice combination of comprehensiveness and engaging writing.

Fun fact I was surprised by: Ira Allen (founder of UVM, brother of war hero Ethan, general early Vermont extraordinaire) ended up destitute after collapsed investments and shady business in arms trafficking, and jumped bail in Burlington to escape to Philadelphia where he died poor and was buried in an unmarked grave!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, readable history of VT. Read it cover to cover quickly, one of the only books assigned as a textbook that I had a hard time putting down.