History of Virginia: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Mother of States, Starting from Jamestown through the American Revolution and the Battle ... Court House to the Present

by Captivating History

If you want to discover the captivating history of Virginia, then keep reading...From being the home of some of the first people in America to being the birthplace of the United States, Virginia has had an incredibly rich and interesting history even before its inauguration as a state. Virginia was once the most populous and affluent state in the country and the birthplace of many of the most important figures in early United States’ history. Yet, despite Virginia’s successes and great heritage, it has, for much of history, been a divided state that has found itself debating even the most basic rights and issues. This, of course, is no more obvious than the splitting of Virginia into Virginia and West Virginia in the years following the American Civil War.For all the generational Virginians who take pride in every aspect of their state’s legacy, there are newcomers who arrive to work for the Pentagon, the CIA, and the other important government and military hubs in Virginia who do not look so fondly on Virginia’s history. Yet, regardless of how right or politically correct Virginia’s history may appear, it is incredibly interesting for all those wondering how this southern US state became the way it is today.In this book, you will Virginia’s first people and their complex cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political systems and traditionsThe colonization of America and the United States’ first settlement in Jamestown, VirginiaInteractions between the state’s first settlement and first peopleVirginia’s culture under colonial ruleVirginia’s journey towards developing its own culture, economy and political system, separate from that of England, mostly surrounding the culture of tobacco farmingThe state’s involvement in the American Revolution and the years post warVirginia’s involvement in the American Civil War and the effects of the war on the stateThe state’s many social movements Virginia’s involvement in the First and Second World Wars and the effects of the war on the state and countryVirginia’s development in the 20th century into the military hub of AmericaSo if you want to learn more about History of Virginia, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

Genres: History, Nonfiction

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2021

Reviews

[Josh (Gus) Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a mixed bag. The usefulness of this book really can be divided into two parts. The first portion of the book is surprisingly detailed ( but still just an introduction level report) when it comes to the early development of the Commonwealth. If you know nothing about the beginning of Virginia up until the civil war, this is a good place to start. My weakest field of knowledge regarding Virginia is pre-revolution. For me this book did help strengthen my general knowledge of that period. The civil war period covered by this book is not quite as impressive but is sufficient for an overview. The second half of the book, that covers post civil war is significantly disappointing. The quality is an enormous drop off. From 1865-Present the information offered is so empty that one would be better reading Wikipedia. Additionally, towards the end of the book, which speaks of the contemporary period, unexpectedly becomes editorial and partisan. This moment is so out of left field as the majority of the book is a pure regurgitation of facts. It is out of place and pretends to be passive but actually comes across quite sardonic. It is an unfortunate move that spoils what felt like a nonpartisan report of shared history and ultimately leaves a sour taste. Overall, I recommend reading the beginning of this for some quick information about colonial virginia, and then throw out the rest as you look for other sources that are much more substantive. Lastly, I must say, the value of this only justifies renting from the local library or buying the cheap kindle version, please do not waste your money buying the paperback.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! I personally enjoyed the information about how tens of thousands of years ago the first people arrived by crossing the Bering Strait. It was neat to know that there was a land bridge that was between Russia and Alaska.
Also, the fact that it was not Christopher Columbus or the pilgrims that discovered new land. This was already home to the Native Americans and was stumbled upon by accident by the Vikings. Now that to me is more important and should be given credit for to them. Aside from that, the book shared many other historical stories that showed how Virginia began and up to what it is now. Very interesting read!

[Erik Sapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am aware these are supposed to be short summaries. But this one needs a lot of help.

It tells the story of John Smith and Pocahontas, which is widely believed to be exaggerated.
The section about the American Revolution focuses almost entirely on the events in New England, even though the book is supposed to be about Virginia.
The lead-up to the Civil War states that the reason for the Civil War was "state's rights" and downplays the effect of slavery. (Although slavery is at least mentioned.)
There is a chapter on the 20th Century, but it is very short and does not really address much of what happened.
Several times, the book refers to the change in the "millennium" rather than the "century."

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is divided into chapters that keep the story flowing. I was surprised to learn that, because of how quickly tobacco depletes soils, Virginia was in trouble after the Revolutionary War. They had mass emigration to other states.

It was interesting to learn how West Virginia was formed. I also didn't realize that more battles of the Civil War were waged in the state of Virginia (than any other state). No wonder it took so long to reestablish their infrastructure.  It was surprising to learn that Virginia took until 1937 to pay off its Civil War debt. 

I thought the last paragraph of the "Conclusion" was strange.

[William Rowe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fours on slavery, the American Revolution, and Tobacco with errors spotty emphasis.

The structure and grammar suggest the text may have spoken into a computer and not been read by an editor. The section on the American Revolution omits the the House of Burgess in Williamsburg, discusses the Battle of Bunker Hill and omits the Battle of Virginia Capes which kept the Royal Navy from evacuation Cornwallis from Yorktown.

[Melissa Markham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 91 page cliff notes version of 400 plus years of VA history. I give it points for being factual and not judgemental. But to see our history boiled down to so little and so much left out. If this is the only book you have read about Virginia, I encourage you to read more.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good review of the History of Virginia.