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Abraham Lincoln and Women in Film: One Hundred Years of Hollywood Mythmaking (Conflicting Worlds: New Dimensions of the American Civil War)
By Frank J. Wetta, Martin A. Novelli. 2024
Frank J. Wetta and Martin A. Novelli’s Abraham Lincoln and Women in Film investigates how depictions of women in Hollywood…
motion pictures helped forge the myth of Lincoln. Exploring female characters’ backstories, the political and cultural climate in which the films appeared, and the contest between the moviemakers’ imaginations and the varieties of historical truth, Wetta and Novelli place the women in Lincoln’s life at the center of the study, including his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln; his stepmother, Sarah Bush Lincoln; his lost loves, Ann Rutledge and Mary Owens; and his wife and widow, Mary Todd Lincoln. Later, while inspecting Lincoln’s legacy, they focus on the 1930s child actor Shirley Temple and the 1950s movie star Marilyn Monroe, who had a well-publicized fascination with the sixteenth president. Wetta and Novelli’s work is the first to deal extensively with the women in Lincoln’s life, both those who interacted with him personally and those appearing on screen. It is also among the first works to examine how scholarly and popular biography influenced depictions of Lincoln, especially in film.Appointment in Dallas: My Shocking Conversation with the Man Who Confessed to Killing JFK
By Hugh C. McDonald. 2013
Reprinted Edition"When I first brought the President's head into my telescopic sight, he was leaning forward at an appreciable angle. …
My crosshairs were exactly on the back of his skull. . . ."With these chilling words the man who fired the fatal shot that killed President John F. Kennedy revealed his role in the assassination to the law-enforcement officer who had hunted him for nearly a decade. In this classic exposé, veteran cop Hugh C. McDonald offers a gripping firsthand account of his personal journey into the dark heart of an unthinkable conspiracy--to bring to light these and other shocking revelations: The astonishing truth about the shooter on the Grassy Knoll. How security lapses allowed an armed assassin easy access to Dealey Plaza. The fallacy of the "Single Bullet" theory. Who fired the bullets that killed JFK, who fired the bullets that didn't. Through the dramatic perspective of an eyewitness to history, Appointment in Dallas provides essential insights into the who, why, and how of the JFK murder, finally answering the questions that have consumed the American public for decades.Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times
By David S. Reynolds. 2020
Now an Apple TV+ documentary, Lincoln's Dilemma, airing February 18, 2022.One of the Wall Street Journal's Ten Best Books of…
the Year | A Washington Post Notable Book | A Christian Science Monitor and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020Winner of the Gilder Lehrman Abraham Lincoln Prize and the Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Award"A marvelous cultural biography that captures Lincoln in all his historical fullness. . . . using popular culture in this way, to fill out the context surrounding Lincoln, is what makes Mr. Reynolds's biography so different and so compelling . . . Where did the sympathy and compassion expressed in [Lincoln's] Second Inaugural—'With malice toward none; with charity for all'—come from? This big, wonderful book provides the richest cultural context to explain that, and everything else, about Lincoln." —Gordon Wood, Wall Street JournalFrom one of the great historians of nineteenth-century America, a revelatory and enthralling new biography of Lincoln, many years in the making, that brings him to life within his turbulent ageDavid S. Reynolds, author of the Bancroft Prize-winning cultural biography of Walt Whitman and many other iconic works of nineteenth century American history, understands the currents in which Abraham Lincoln swam as well as anyone alive. His magisterial biography Abe is the product of full-body immersion into the riotous tumult of American life in the decades before the Civil War.It was a country growing up and being pulled apart at the same time, with a democratic popular culture that reflected the country's contradictions. Lincoln's lineage was considered auspicious by Emerson, Whitman, and others who prophesied that a new man from the West would emerge to balance North and South. From New England Puritan stock on his father's side and Virginia Cavalier gentry on his mother's, Lincoln was linked by blood to the central conflict of the age. And an enduring theme of his life, Reynolds shows, was his genius for striking a balance between opposing forces. Lacking formal schooling but with an unquenchable thirst for self-improvement, Lincoln had a talent for wrestling and bawdy jokes that made him popular with his peers, even as his appetite for poetry and prodigious gifts for memorization set him apart from them through his childhood, his years as a lawyer, and his entrance into politics.No one can transcend the limitations of their time, and Lincoln was no exception. But what emerges from Reynolds's masterful reckoning is a man who at each stage in his life managed to arrive at a broader view of things than all but his most enlightened peers. As a politician, he moved too slowly for some and too swiftly for many, but he always pushed toward justice while keeping the whole nation in mind. Abe culminates, of course, in the Civil War, the defining test of Lincoln and his beloved country. Reynolds shows us the extraordinary range of cultural knowledge Lincoln drew from as he shaped a vision of true union, transforming, in Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, "the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood." Abraham Lincoln did not come out of nowhere. But if he was shaped by his times, he also managed at his life's fateful hour to shape them to an extent few could have foreseen. Ultimately, this is the great drama that astonishes us still, and that Abe brings to fresh and vivid life. The measure of that life will always be part of our American education.Cross Country: A 3,700-Mile Run to Explore Unseen America
By Rickey Gates. 2020
In 2017, professional runner Rickey Gates ran 3,700 miles across the continental United States with just a small backpack and…
an anthropologist's curiosity to discover the divided America in which we live. In the book Cross Country, Gates documents this epic experience from South Carolina to San Francisco, sharing first-person essays, interviews, and over 200 photographs of the ordinary and extraordinary people and places he saw along the way.While Gates delivers unparalleled insight into the extreme athletic and mental challenge of this transcontinental run, running is not the core focus of Cross Country—it is a story of the remarkable people across the United States who we would otherwise never meet.• A photographic travelogue that follows along Rickey Gates's run across the country, and the individuals who live in it• Filled with portraits, landscapes, and collages of towns and communities that most people have never seen• From South Carolina to San Francisco, the five-month-long run covers 3,700 miles of hiking trails, rivers, and roads.Gates slept in the rain, carried meager possessions on his back, ran through the night, endured mental and physical challenges, and survived on a staple of gas station hot dogs and Pop Tarts. Delivering a patchwork portrait of America, Gates's captivating story captures the spirit of our country—that grit, determination, and compassion are qualities that can unite us all.• Perfect book for runners, hikers, and lovers of the outdoors, as well as fans of travelogues, photography, and photo-journalism• A great pick for those who loved Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton, The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck, and A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson.• A unique perspective of the United StatesIn The Arena: A Memoir of Victory, Defeat, and Renewal
By Richard Nixon. 1990
"Eloquent of the man and . . . of the history he made." —The New York TimesIn the Arena is…
the most personal, profound, and revealing memoir ever written by a major political figure. It is Richard Nixon's frankest, most outspoken book—which includes the inside story of his resignation from the Presidency and its aftermath. President Nixon's previous books have brilliantly chronicled his public career and examined America's strategic role in the world. Now, for the first time, he shares his private thoughts and feelings on his long career, other great leaders at home and abroad, his own family, the state of the world, the arts of politics and diplomacy, and much more—expanding on his 1978 Memoirs and documenting his role as America's Elder Statesman. It's a personal statement by one of the most important and influential figures in American history.Bay Area Bike Rides Deck, Revised Edition
By Ray Hosler. 2020
50 bike rides for every kind of cyclist completely revised and updated!This revised and updated edition of the classic Bay…
Area Bike Rides Deck offers brand new ways to explore the natural beauty and hidden gems of the San Francisco Bay Area. The deck includes 50 cards comprised of mountain, road, and casual bike rides, with routes for every kind of cyclist, from the less experienced to the ambitious. • The deck contains 50 ride cards plus one quad-fold intro card.• Each card features a full-color map on the front and a route description and detailed mileage log on the back.• Cards are lightweight, durable, portable, and sweat-resistant, and fit in a bike jersey pocket. • Compared with the original edition, this deck includes 20 new rides and essential updates to existing routes.• A perfect gift or self-purchase for casual or dedicated bikers, whether they are Bay Area locals or touristsRay Hosler rides his bicycle as a way of life—for commuting, grocery shopping, and recreation. A former bicycle columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, he lives and cycles in Silicon Valley.The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents
By Kate Messner, Adam Rex. 2020
An inspiring and informative book for kids about the past and future of America's presidents.Who will be the NEXT president?…
Could it be you? When George Washington became the first president of the United States, there were nine future presidents already alive in America, doing things like practicing law or studying medicine.When JFK became the thirty-fifth president, there were 10 future presidents already alive in America, doing things like hosting TV shows and learning the saxophone.And right now—today!—there are at least 10 future presidents alive in America. They could be playing basketball, like Barack Obama, or helping in the garden, like Dwight D. Eisenhower. They could be solving math problems or reading books. They could be making art—or already making change.• A breezy, kid-friendly survey of American history and American presidents• Great for teachers, librarians, and other educators• Kate Messner's nonfiction picture books have been lauded by critics and received a variety of awards.For young readers and students who loved The New Big Book of Presidents, Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare, and Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America's Presidents.A helpful addition to curriculums of 5th- to 8th-grade students studying U.S. History and civics and the federal government.• For readers ages 8–12• S. history for kids• Students, librarians, teachers• 5th–8th-grade kidsFrom award-winning author Kate Messner and New York Times bestselling artist Adam Rex comes a timely and compelling compendium about the U.S. presidents—before they were presidents.Kate Messner is an award-winning author whose many books for kids have been selected as Best Books by the New York Times, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound, and Bank Street College of Education. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.Adam Rex is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books and novels, including Nothing Rhymes with Orange and the New York Times bestseller Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. He has worked with the likes of Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, Jeff Kinney, and Neil Gaiman. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.Nathan Raab, America&’s preeminent rare documents dealer, delivers a &“diverting account of treasure hunting in the fast lane&” (The Wall…
Street Journal) that recounts his years as the Sherlock Holmes of historical artifacts, questing after precious finds and determining their authenticity.A box uncovered in a Maine attic with twenty letters written by Alexander Hamilton; a handheld address to Congress by President George Washington; a long-lost Gold Medal that belonged to an American President; a note that Winston Churchill wrote to his captor when he was a young POW in South Africa; paperwork signed and filled out by Amelia Earhart when she became the first woman to fly the Atlantic; an American flag carried to the moon and back by Neil Armstrong; an unpublished letter written by Albert Einstein, discussing his theory of relativity. Each day, people from all over the world contact Nathan Raab for help understanding what they have, what it might be worth, and how to sell it. The Raab Collection&’s president, Nathan is a modern-day treasure hunter and one of the world&’s most prominent dealers of historical artifacts. Most weeks, he travels the country, scours auctions, or fields phone calls and emails from people who think they may have found something of note in a grandparent&’s attic. In The Hunt for History, &“Raab takes us on a wild hunt and deliciously opens up numerous hidden crevices of history&” (Jay Winik, author of April 1865)—spotting a letter from British officials that secured the Rosetta Stone; discovering a piece of the first electric cable laid by Edison; restoring a fragmented letter from Andrew Jackson that led to the infamous Trail of Tears; and locating copies of missing audio that had been recorded on Air Force One as the plane brought JFK&’s body back to Washington. Whether it&’s the first report of Napoleon&’s death or an unpublished letter penned by Albert Einstein to a curious soldier, every document and artifact Raab uncovers comes with a spellbinding story—and often offers new insights into a life we thought we knew.Revised and updated to include the winner of the 2020 presidential election, this photo-filled and fact-packed book is a timely…
must-have reference. National Geographic presents the 45 individuals who have led the U.S. in this up-to-date, authoritative, and lavishly illustrated family, school, and library reference. Key features include: Information about the 2021 president-elect and the 2020 election results as of the publication date A brand-new thematic spread on the impeachment process and its history Revised terminology around the language of slavery and analysis of early presidents who benefitted from and relied on enslaved labor Comprehensive profiles of all the former presidents along with timelines and descriptions of crucial events during their terms Thematic spreads covering a variety of topics from the history of voting rights to how to write a letter to the president Full-page portraits, famous quotes, and fascinating facts to help kids get to know each leader A fascinating read and excellent reference for students and kids of all ages!The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President
By Edward F. O'Keefe. 2024
A spirited and poignant family love story, revealing how an icon of rugged American masculinity was profoundly shaped by the…
women in his life, especially his mother, sisters, and wives.Theodore Roosevelt wrote in his senior thesis for Harvard in 1880 that women ought to be paid equal to men and have the option of keeping their maiden names upon marriage. It&’s little surprise he&’d be a feminist, given the women he grew up with. His mother, Mittie, was witty and decisive, a Southern belle raising four young children in New York while her husband spent long stretches away with the Union Army. Theodore&’s college sweetheart and first wife, Alice—so vivacious she was known as Sunshine—steered her beau away from science (he&’d roam campus with taxidermy specimen in his pockets) and towards politics. Older sister Bamie would soon become her brother&’s key political strategist and advisor; journalists called her Washington, DC, home &“the little White House.&” Younger sister Conie served as her brother&’s press secretary before the role existed, slipping stories of his heroics in Cuba and his rambunctious home life to reporters to create the legend of the Rough Rider we remember today. And Edith—Theodore&’s childhood playmate and second wife—would elevate the role of presidential spouse to an American institution, curating both the White House and her husband&’s legacy. A dazzling and lyrical look at one America&’s most significant presidents as we&’ve never seen him before, The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt celebrates five extraordinary yet unsung women who opened the door to the American Century and pushed Theodore Roosevelt through it.Incansable: Mi historia de la fuerza latina que está transformando a los Estados Unidos
By Luis A. Miranda Jr.. 2024
Lectura esencial de una voz experta que necesita nuestro país: las memorias personales y políticas de Luis Miranda revelan un…
profundo conocimiento de la cultura latina y el desarrollo de una comunidad que puede cambiar nuestro mundo para bien. Siendo un veterano de Nueva York y de la política nacional, Luis Miranda encarna el espíritu progresista e incansable de los inmigrantes estadounidenses. No existe persona alguna en la escena política latina, neoyorquina y nacional con la amplia experiencia, pasión y encanto narrativo de Luis Miranda. En Incansable, nos comparte la conmovedora historia de su vida y carrera, desde sus inicios como activista puertorriqueño con mentalidad radical hasta sus décadas de asesoramiento político y resolución de problemas. Experimentamos la emoción con la exposición de Hamilton, creada por su hijo Lin-Manuel. Además, vivimos el sufrimiento tras la devastación de Puerto Rico por el huracán María. En medio de los triunfos, los desafíos y el arduo trabajo continuo, Miranda examina lo que su experiencia le ha revelado acerca de nuestra política, demografía y sociedad en constante cambio.Muhammad Ali: A Little Golden Book Biography (Little Golden Book)
By Frank Berrios. 2024
Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about legendary boxer and activist Muhammad Ali. Little…
Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for young readers—as well as fans of all ages!This Little Golden Book about Muhammad Ali--the boxing heavyweight champion, civil rights activist, and the original GOAT (Greatest of All Time)--is an inspiring read-aloud for young readers.Look for more Little Golden Book biographies:Jackie RobinsonMartin Luther King Jr.Simone BilesMisty CopelandAward-winning author Paula Yoo delivers a compelling, nuanced account of Los Angeles’s 1992 uprising and its impact on its Korean…
and Black American communities. In the spring of 1992, after a jury returned not guilty verdicts in the trial of four police officers charged in the brutal beating of a Black man, Rodney King, Los Angeles was torn apart. Thousands of fires were set, causing more than a billion dollars in damage. In neighborhoods abandoned by the police, protestors and storeowners exchanged gunfire. More than 12,000 people were arrested and 2,400 injured. Sixty-three died. In Rising from the Ashes, award-winning author Paula Yoo draws on the experience of the city’s Korean American community to narrate and illuminate this uprising, from the racism that created economically disadvantaged neighborhoods torn by drugs and gang-related violence, to the tensions between the city’s minority communities. At its heart are the stories of three lives and three families: those of Rodney King; of Latasha Harlins, a Black teenager shot and killed by a Korean American storeowner; and Edward Jae Song Lee, a Korean American man killed in the unrest. Woven throughout, and set against a minute-by-minute account of the uprising, are the voices of dozens others: police officers, firefighters, journalists, business owners, and activists whose recollections give texture and perspective to the events of those five days in 1992 and their impact over the years that followed.Your Vote Matters: How We Elect the US President
By Rebecca Katzman. 2024
This engaging and comprehensive illustrated guide will answer all kids' questions about how the president is elected!There's never been a…
timelier moment for kids to learn the importance of voting. Your Vote Matters walks readers through all the ins and outs of voting in America -- and more specifically, voting in presidential elections.This easy-to-understand guide explains every step in the presidential election process -- from who is eligible to run for president to what the president does once they are sworn into office. Learn about campaigning and debates, the difference between caucuses and primaries, and how the Electoral College works, plus information about who is eligible to vote; the many different ways citizens can vote on (and leading up to) Election Day; what happens after the final ballots are cast; and tips on what to consider when deciding which candidate should get your vote.Each page of this nonfiction guidebook also features full-color artwork, including photographs, maps, illustrations, charts, and infographics aimed at making the information inside as accessible and kid-friendly as possible.Your Vote Matters is the perfect book to not only help kids understand how elections work -- but why it's important to participate in every single one.Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America
By Luis A. Miranda Jr.. 2024
Essential reading from an expert voice: Luis A. Miranda Jr.&’s personal and political memoir reveals a deep understanding of Latino…
culture and how to build community to change our world for the better. A veteran of New York and national politics, Luis Miranda embodies the relentless spirit of progress of American immigrants. There is no one on the Latino, New York, and national political scene with the breadth of experience, passion, and storytelling charm of Luis Miranda. In Relentless, he shares a fascinating narrative of his life and career—from his early days as a radically minded Puerto Rican activist to his decades of political advice and problem-solving. Miranda recounts the thrill of the ascendency of Hamilton, created by his son Lin-Manuel, and he details the suffering after the devastation of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria. Amid the triumphs and challenges, Miranda examines what his experience reveals about our ever-changing politics, demographics, and society.Moon Best of Yosemite: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Park (Moon Best of Travel Guide)
By Ann Marie Brown, Moon Travel Guides. 0315
Whether you're visiting the park for a day hike or spending a long weekend under the stars, escape to the…
great outdoors with Moon Best of Yosemite. Inside you'll find:Easy itineraries for one to three days in Yosemite National Park, from a morning drive along the Tioga Pass Road, to a day hike along the Panorama Trail, to a full weekend exploring the park The top hikes in Yosemite: Whether you're looking to stretch your legs for a couple hours or challenge yourself to an epic trek, you'll find trailheads, detailed trail descriptions, individual maps, mileage, and elevation gains Can't-miss experiences: Make it the perfect getaway for you with the best waterfalls, views, picnic spots, and more. Ride the open-air tram through Yosemite Valley or hike downhill from Glacier Point past roaring waterfalls. Admire the towering trees in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, or spot black bears and bighorn sheep Stunning full-color photos and detailed maps throughout, plus a full-color foldout mapEssential planning tips: Find out when to go, where to stay, and what to pack, plus up-to-date information on entrance fees, reservations, and safety advice Know-how from outdoorswoman and Yosemite expert Ann Marie BrownMake the most of your adventure with Moon Best of Yosemite. Spending more time in the park or expanding your trip? Try Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon. Visiting more of North America's incredible national parks? Try Moon USA National Parks.About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.On the High Line: The Definitive Guide
By Annik LaFarge. 2024
The most comprehensive, up-to-date, and acclaimed guide to the High Line by the leading expert on the history of the…
park—now in a fully revised editionBuilt atop a former freight railroad, the “park in the sky” is regularly cited as one of the premiere examples of adaptive reuse and quickly became one of New York’s most popular destinations, attracting more than 8 million visitors a year. This updated Third Edition of On the High Line— published to coincide with the fifteenth anniversary of the park’s opening—remains the definitive guide to the park that transformed an entire neighborhood and became an inspiration to cities around the globe.In short entries organized by roughly two city block sections, the guide provides rich details about everything in view on both sides of the park. Illustrated with more than 110 black & white photographs, it covers historic and modern architecture; plants and horticulture; and important industries and technological innovations that developed in the neighborhoods the park traverses, from book publishing and food distribution to the introduction of cold storage and the development of radar, the elevator, and talking movies. Updated to include newly opened sections of the park, this edition also features a new conversation pertaining to the more controversial side of the High Line’s story and how it became a poster child for the most grievous manifestations of gentrification and inequity in public spaces. Author Annik LaFarge provides a frank discussion on how the park’s leadership created a platform for discussing these issues and for advising other projects on how to work more inclusively and from a social justice and equity perspective.On the High Line serves as an educated travel companion, someone invisibly perched on a visitor’s shoulder who can answer every question, including what was here before, moving back in time through the early 20th century, the Industrial Revolution, and the colonial and pre-European times when this stretch of what we call Manhattan was home to the Lenape people and much of it was covered by the waters of the Hudson River. A companion website with more than 650 photos—historic, contemporary, rooftop and aerial—can be viewed at HighLineBook.com.Folklore of Lake Erie
By Judith S. Neulander. 2024
Welcome to a very different Lake Erie—where ghost ships sail silently, a Black Dog brings doom to sailors who see…
it, and sea monsters swirl in the murky depths above a UFO base. In Folklore of Lake Erie, Judith S. Neulander presents these captivating tales and many more from the smallest, yet arguably the most peculiar, of the Great Lakes in North America.Whether you are embarking on a discovery of the vampire crypt that lurks in the shadows while Lincoln's ghost train speeds past on its eternal journey or reminiscing about the tall tales your grandfather used to share, this delightful treasure trove of folklore and local traditions from the Lake Erie region contains legends and stories that are both astonishing and entertaining.Endlessly captivating and easily accessible, Folklore of Lake Erie is a distinctive compilation of eerie and enchanting narratives from across the years that will surprise and delight readers. Just be sure to keep an eye out for any peculiar Black Dogs that may cross your path along the way.Zhou Enlai: A Life
By Jian Chen. 2024
The definitive biography of Zhou Enlai, the first premier and preeminent diplomat of the People’s Republic of China, who protected…
his country against the excesses of his boss—Chairman Mao.Zhou Enlai spent twenty-seven years as premier of the People’s Republic of China and ten as its foreign minister. He was the architect of the country’s administrative apparatus and its relationship to the world, as well as its legendary spymaster. Richard Nixon proclaimed him “the greatest statesman of our era.” Yet Zhou has always been overshadowed by Chairman Mao. Chen Jian brings Zhou into the light, offering a nuanced portrait of his complex life as a revolutionary, a master diplomat, and a man with his own vision and aspirations who did much to make China, as well as the larger world, what it is today.Born to a declining mandarin family in 1898, Zhou received a classical education and as a teenager spent time in Japan. As a young man, driven by the desire for China’s development, Zhou embraced the communist revolution as a vehicle of China’s salvation. He helped Mao govern through a series of transformations, including the disastrous Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. Yet, as Chen shows, Zhou was never a committed Maoist. His extraordinary political and bureaucratic skill, combined with his centrist approaches, enabled him to mitigate the enormous damage caused by Mao’s radicalism.When Zhou died in 1976, the PRC that we know of was not yet visible on the horizon; he never saw glistening twenty-first-century Shanghai or the broader emergence of Chinese capitalism. But it was Zhou’s work that shaped the nation whose influence and power are today felt in every corner of the globe.Caracalla: A Military Biography
By Ilkka Syvänne. 2017
This biography of the Roman Emperor Caracalla challenges his tyrannical reputation with a revealing narrative of his social reforms and…
military campaigns. Caracallahas one of the worst reputations of any Roman Emperor. Many ancient historians were very hostile, and the 18th century English historian Edward Gibbon even dubbed him the common enemy of mankind. Yet his reign was considered by at least one Roman author to be the apogee of the Roman Empire. He was guilty of many murders and massacres—including that of his own brother, ex-wife and daughter. Yet he instituted the Antonine Constitution, granting citizenship to all free men in the Empire. He was also popular with the army, improving their pay and cultivating the image of sharing their hardships. Historian Ilkka Syvanne explains how the biased ancient sources in combination with the stern looking statues of the emperor have created a distorted image of the man. He then reconstructs a chronology of Caracalla&’s reign, focusing on his military campaigns and reforms, to offer a balanced view of his legacy. Caracalla offers the first complete overview of the policies, events and conflicts he oversaw and explains how and why these contributed to the military crisis of the third century.