Katia > Recent Status Updates

[Reading as part of Hillsdale online course]
Chapter 7– Covers the forming (and fomenting) American culture movements. Mainly religious, philosophical, and literary. Second Great Awakening. Evangelism. Utopian communities. Transcendentalism, a branch from Europe’s Romanticism; reaction to the Enlightenment, Protestantism, and Unitarianism. Enjoyed learning about American authors—ie Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville.

Deeper understanding of the universe is sought. Appreciated the heavier focus on Caroline Herschel sweeping the stars. Slightly alarmed and saddened by the growing dismissal or questioning of God. Human observers basing all truth and knowledge upon self’s discovery (“I” have searched and “I” have not found…). Fallible.
Economics of a 40ft telescope. Ice cream with Napoleon. Science influencing poetry.

[Reading as part of Hillsdale online course]
Chapter 5– a new Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists and how they defined a nation, the first two presidencies of Washington and Adams. The play between American sentiments, and what America would be.
Chapter 6– Jefferson’s presidency, war & expansion, Good Feelings, to Jackson. Two ideas of democracy. Rational hesitancy. Flaws and virtues well presented.

“Beautiful and terrifying” (p. 161). Exactly how I would describe heights.
Touched on the first successful cross-channel crossing of an aerostat. (Whew!) Cloud classification.
Ballooning wasn’t really picked up again until the American Civil War.

When are the British going to fly? Well, eventually. This short section detailed the first female aeronaut, and some of the dangers involved in ballooning.
Yikes, did not like that note about Ralph’s end. Dreadfully unpleasant.
I could only imagine what it must have been like to first see people taking off in hot air balloons! I would probably pay something to see it… but I understand the sentiments of others!

Finished the chapter on Herschel. Surprised how much Caroline Herschel, the sister, was a part of his story! A true helper. The historical figures become candid with written quotes. The ballooning chapter thus far is particularly entertaining. (The communication btwn Banks and Ben Franklin! British and French rivalry!) FLIGHT becomes a reality. How it will be used… unknown. Loved Pilâtra’s level-headedness.

More history. Has been on my Thriftbooks wishlist for so long.
Pros: captivating prose; easy to read; utilizes quotations from the historical figures and those surrounding Banks. First chapter about the Endeavor’s voyage to the S.Pacific, focusing on Tahiti.
Cons: seems to relegate Christianity as a corrupting influence, anathema to progress/science. More humanistic interpretive approach. Scandals are a highlight.

Finished Yarmuk.
Detailed the first 4 caliphs and the expansion of Islam across North Africa. I didn’t know that this area had been pretty heavily “Christian” before Islamic expansion. It gets that moniker for being part of the Roman Empire. Really interesting history covered here, as well as looking at the explanation for WHY from both POVs. Slavery, making $$c and conquest are main/recurring topics.

Yikes—chapter one on Battle of Yarmuk so far is… disturbing.
Intrigued by info dropped that the Egyptian Christians sent missionaries to Switzerland, Britain, and Ireland—I’d NEVER heard of this origin! There is apparently obvious Egyptian influence on churches and cultural art forms in those parts of Europe. Wow!
Felt so bad for Herculean. Valid “crash out”.
Taking slow, lots to digest…

Reading to deepen my understanding of world history.
Intro covers the rise of Islam and its outlook on the West and Christianity.
The author assumes that those reading have a basic understanding of the rise of Christianity and its connection with the Roman Empire. I would argue that reviewing such history is a pre-req for this book, which is set to highlight military defeats/victories. Religion is a key for context.

Picked back up at the attack. John and Samkin come in handy. They escape from a fiery tower and the angry peasant mob. Robin hood vibes
The crossroads: share in honor and glory in service to king, or depart and laze for self and for riches. (Sir Nigel gives a moving speech.)
Traveling ensues. Alleyne takes in the snowy mountains and arrival of mixed troops.
Friendly competition while encamped. Crossbows or longbows?

Alleyne almost spills the beans about his crush to Sir Nigel. Ensuing chapters detail a Wicliffe-aligned English cloth merchant, a “dying” scam artist of “religious relics”, an unfriendly welcome, a magnetic prophetess, and a violent peasant revolt! These chapters were entertaining! The grim realities of the time foreshadow the harrowing event. (Was reading about the revolt when WHCD news came. Eerie.)

Such fun! I loved the French-Italian painter with a bias against Englishmen. Peak dialogue. Ford and Alleyne’s banter over the painter’s painting/daughter. Perspectives bounce between the Comp. and the prince’s diverse entourage as a tourney begins. Jousting, combat, honor, and politics. Sam’s telling tales. Sir Nigel succeeds at the list! But wait!? Who is this mysterious knight? A Frenchman!
Ally or enemy?

[Reading as part of Hillsdale course]
Chapter Four highlighted the Revolution and the challenges of the early union. George Washington leads— the primary moral example. The French come to aide. Key documents (the Articles, Ordinance of 1787, and Constitution); the checks/balance system. It ends with a history of servitude/slavery in America, foreshadowing impending conflict. Reminders of imperfect human nature.

[Reading as part of Hillsdale course]
Tracing the culmination of the American principle of self-rule. From the unifying evangelical religious revival of the Great Awakening; the Scientific Revolution’s cosmological focus on order, design, and experimentation; to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on natural laws, reasoning, and an individual’s rights and responsibilities in relation to greater authority.
Revolution!

Some court politics. I’ll admit that I was a bit lost with the dialogue. The prince seems an admirable fellow, willing to lay down payment for what he perceives to be righteous causes. (Do I sense that he wants credibility? I can’t pin the age/goal of the guy.)
Oh! And Alleyne stands up for himself against a teasing & bulky brute. Most amusing. ‘Twas was an insult he took personally! I love how that played out.

[Reading as part of Hillsdale course]
Awesome chapter that demonstrated the realities of the world confronting the hopes of “utopia”—breeding forms of self-governance in English colonies. Religious background is acknowledged, from Luther & Calvin in the Protestant Reformation to King Henry VIII & his ruling daughters. Wow!
I can appreciate what the settlers had to endure.
DIG BOYS & 3 cheers for John Smith!!!

[Reading alongside Hillsdale online course]
Great intro, and I appreciate the clearly stated goal of this book. Solid quotes.
In Ch. 1, McClay goes over the first “unsettled from their homeland” peoples to migrate to America (using the 10-20,000 year ago timeline). Leif Eriksson mentioned. Christopher Columbus is given the proper commendation.

Searching for honor. Coastal pirates. Recognition of heritage. The rise of Bordeaux, France.
Alleyne, now a squire to Sir Nigel, is experiencing it all for the first time. He can scarce take it all in. He’s survived his first battle, and is now amidst a new land, finding famed friends… (and foes?) To be continued!

Highlights: A menacing brother, wayside philosophers, a bear, a clever maiden, and a severed leg. Ha!
What a fun mash-up of characters! The trio works well together. Strong and fiery John, the war (and women) experienced Sam Alyward, and fresh from the religious cloister Alleyne finally make their way to the welcoming castle of Sir Nigel Loring.
I love how Maude and Alleyne meet, and how their beliefs “clash”.

DREAD. DREAD. ABSOLUTE DREAD. This is not okay. AHHH. This is so sad. So awful. When you know what is supposed to happen… and seeing the events leading up to it happening… ahg!! I’m sick. Whyyy!?

At last, we are introduced to the trio.
The first chapter was my favorite thus far. John gets kicked out of the convent. I enjoyed the language Doyle uses. Going on, Sheltered Alleyne turns 20 and is permitted to experience the world before deciding if he’d like to join the holy orders. He sees some strange things. Then, boisterous Samkin shows up at the tavern, jolting the convent boys to a venture. What next!?

Reagan to Bush | Obama, Trump, Biden
Needed to mention recent tech advances, and how these affected politics/the public.
Learned more about the first Bush. Interesting. Clinton’s rise was also “newer” for me.
I wish the background was given for Trump and Biden, out of fairness. Instead, we get author takes.
And, I wish an author from “middle” America could add his opinion/take to most recent presidents.

LBJ to Carter
Not a fan of this time period in general. Not a fan of LBJ or Carter. Bothered by the rise of the power of media—how they shape hearts and minds, especially on handling of foreign policy. Corrupt and large govs. Nixon made some notable moves, unfortunately the highlights of his presidency are overshadowed by Watergate. Appreciate Ford’s hopeful outlook.
Carter- Pessimism to RR optimism, here we go!

FDR to JFK
Turbulent and rapidly changing times, with more media coverage and public access. (Also, more things withheld from the public.) Truman was the most interesting to me. I dislike First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I like that Ike and his wife started to watch sitcoms at dinner—hints of more modern American habits. Tech progress, infrastructure, gov agencies, civil rights; Korean, Cold, and Vietnam Wars.

Taft to Coolidge
The Progressive Era and Roaring Twenties
I feel “enlightened” after these chapters.
Tubby Taft—I never knew about the Republican rift with T. Roosevelt, leading to Wilson’s election. Never have been a fan of Wilson, but appreciate what Churchill said about him. Loathe Harding. Scandalous. Gross. (Women, beware of voting upon looks!) “Silent Cal” Coolidge is a favorite. Quite respectable.

Johnson to T. Roosevelt.
Ok—Reconstruction and Gilded Age presidents.
Grant, a favorite. Fair assessment. Another unlikely favorite found in McKinley.
I want to know more about William Jennings Bryan, who ran multiple times.

Harrison to Lincoln.
Such turbulent times!
Shocked most to learn details about Franklin Pierce. Tragedy and alcoholism, yet a touching letter to Lincoln as they mourned their sons. Humanity demonstrated despite deep political differences. Interesting details about Zachary Taylor. I do wish more attention was given to Lincoln’s western policies. A touching assessment of his presidency, nonetheless.

Decent portrayals of Monroe, Quincy, Jackson, and Buren. Although, I would have liked to know Buren’s morning routine, as such was given for all the previous presidents discussed. Looking forward to learning about William Henry Harrison.

Interesting read thus far. I wish more attention was given to Thomas Jefferson’s chapter, and James Madison’s before the War of 1812–it focused on Dolley more. Readable, as it is broken down into manageable segments. Great work on tracing the “side characters”, like Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.
Favorite part was the Marquis gifting an alligator to Adams. Sounds like the Marquis.