David Potter's work has been rightly called "magisterial" by some historians. He examines whether "Southern Nationialism" truly existed prior to 1860, and whether a mere impassioned defense of slavery was solely capable of inciting some Southerners to contemplate exercising a revolutionary right (or as Southern constitutionalists saw it, immediate secession). This chapter, coupled with his thorough understanding of the political dimension of Nativism, is sufficient alone to recommend this book. This book (20 years to complete) is the product of serious reflection on the part of the author. Professor Potter's work is a testament to his skills as a historian and writer.

For those who studied history in the 1960's. David Potter's IMPENDING CRISES brings back memories of a time when political history dominatd the study of America's past. For students who grew up in the age of new social history, Potter's work is a unique opportunity to broaden their perspective and experience the genre of another generation. A synthesis and a commentary, the book analyzes political developments in the United States From the outbreak of the Mexican War to the firing on Fort Sumter, a period that Potter sees as vital to an understanding of the causation of the American Civil War.

The cast of characters is composed of white males, be their politicians or the electorate. Female names are virtually absent from the index. Other than Dred Scott, the only other individual black person mentioned is Frederick Douglass, and it seems that Potter stretches his research to include Douglass as opposed to giving him agench. Potter's work, completed after his death by friend and associate, Don E. Fehrenbacher, is the story of the interaction of white men who made political and sometimes moral decisions and how those decisions influenced the American people.

One of the significant aspects of the book is how Potter weaves the interralated events into the pattern of socail turmoil that culminated in the Civil War, often attempting to put the reader intothe mental framework of 19th century America. Stressing slavery as the most significant contribution to the tensions leading to the war, Potter de-emphasizes the significance of Nat Turner's Rebellion and John Brown's Raid. However, he demonstrates their importanc when viewed in combination with other events and thier impact on contemporary thought. As Potter points out, "Historians customarily write about past events as if each one occurred in isolation, neatly encapsulated in a sealed container, or chapter." (P. 177) A work such as Potter's brings the student who has done indepth readings on events such as John Brown's Raid or Nat Turner's Rebellion into the reality of the larger spectrum of events.

In telling his story, Potter goes about his task ina meticulous manner, particularly when one considers the voluminous footnotes. In several instances he offers revisionist interpretations of certain characters. He shows John Brown's Raid as a futile act, a publicity stunt by contemporary standars. He attempts to rehabilitate the image of President James Buchanan, a man most historians have not held in high regard. He demonstrates the hypocrisy of many abolitionists and how Republicans maniputlated their platforms to win over Know Nothing and nativist voters. Lincoln is shown as the practical politician that he was. Piercing homes in the myths that have evolved during Lincoln's early career and campaign the presidency.

In offering his revisionists views however, I believe that Potter goes too far in his attempt to ggive a seemingly unbiased view of Justice Roger B. Taney. This is especially true when he states that "Taney's valuable contributions to American constitutional development remained unrecognized because of the Dred Scott decision." (P. 290) Granted Taney severed longer than any chief Justice other than John Marshall. In addition, he made favavorable contributions to America's economic development by reaching decisions that favored emerging industries. However, his opinions in Groves v. Slaughter (1844), Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842) and Strader v. Graham (1850) were decidely proslavery, offering no protection to free blacks or the free states that opposed slavery.

Regarding the Dred Scott decision, Potter says "Probably no other major judicial decision in history affected the daily lives of so few people" (P. 290) While conceding in th next paragraph that the decision had indirect results, it is still difficult to understand Potter's view. Taney found that Blacks were not citizens and delineated bifurcated citizenship between federal and state government which would have significant ramifications in subsequent rulings of the court. For the first time, the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a major piece of fderal legislation. For the first time, every justice of the Supreme Court wrote an opinion on a case, a decision that takes up 248 pages of the Supreme Court Reports. Had it not been for the Civil War, the Dred Scott decision would have dictated federal policy on slavery in the territories until the nation was able to end slavery or amend the constitution and yet potter downplays its importance. The evidence is clearl that the adoption of the 14th Amendment was an attempt by Congress to overturn the Dred Scott decision, but yet Potter feels that it did not affect the daily lives of individuals.

However, the emphasis of the book is on the history of political events and not legal history. All in all every page of Potter's work is extremely worthwhile. The discussions of the development of both political parties is "worth the price of admission."

David Potter's masterwork addresses all the sticky questions about America's descent into civil war. He navigates the thicket of personalities, historical forces, and contemporary events without trying to shoehorn them into a Grand Unifying Theory.

Why did compromise fail? What was the role of slavery? How did the South think it could get away with it? Potter addresses all these and more in intensive detail, written in a fascinating, engrossing style. Potter delivers a convincing and fair account of events that is bound to complicate the opinions of those who read it. Potter will undermine the complacency of the reader, regardless of which "side" of the debate he or she thinks she's on.

_The Impending Crisis_ is a masterpiece of the historian's art, and should be required reading in any college class that includes the Civl War in its curriculum.

The author has translated the key French texts of the period into modern English (and thankfully removed some of the annoying flowery language of the time). Texts are grouped into chronological periods and each period has a lucid introduction summarizing the events of the period.
This book is intended for those who really want to DIG into the period.

Lavender is an excellent writer and serious history scholar. This is an outstanding book, and well deserves a space on the book shelf of any serious student of the Central Pacific or Southern Pacific. I've had my copy for years, and I can assure you it is well dog-eared and tatered from heavy and frequent reference. Lavender's sources are thorough (although he did not access the huge archive of Huntington papers at Syracuse University) and his remarks in general correct and precisely on target. Of the three great Huntington biographies, (the others are Cerinda Evan's Collis Potter Huntington and Oscar Lewis' The Big Four), this is by far the best, though I highly recommend Evan's work as well. This is a must-have book on this subject.

This is one of the seminal books on understanding what it means to be an American, and on what makes our character distinctive, if not utterly unique. Potter was a remarkable professor of American History at Stanford, where his final lecture in my Junior year taught me what the phrase " the crowd lept to its feet" meant. Among other remarkable traits, Potter never once uttered that or any other cliche in those lectures or in this extraordinary book. The work of a giant, engaging and accessible to almost anyone.

This is my favorite of the Beatrix Potter books, and I probably read all of them as a child. It's ideal for a slightly older child. A very sweet story of a tailor, his cat, and a group of mice who save his business when he is too ill to work.

It's hard to overstate the beauty of the photography in this book. Peter Lee demonstrates remarkable skill in giving each image the respect it deserves. Potters, pottery fans, and photographers alike will delight in the richness of "Warren MacKenzie: An American Potter."

This is an easy introduction into the genre of Biography, only 52 pages, with pen and ink sketches by Karen Ritz. This book about the life of the first author to write a book just for children to enjoy (rather than be instructed from) can easily be read in one sitting. It reveals the crippling limitations of Victorian women of the Gentry in both Career and Marriage. Was poor Beatrix doomed to be a spinster?

An excellent First Biography in short sentences for school children. Also a good study in Victorian upbringing (where children were not always Seen, much less Heard!) Beatrix was raised in a home considered strict even by Victorian standards. Thus the book could stimulate discussion about when it was best/worst to be a child, as well as Women's Roles in Victorian Society. Children might even ask about Queen Victoria.

Most important is the care which Beatrix put into her books--not just the stories and the illustrations, but her insistence that the format be sized for children's smaller hands. The book includes a complete listing of her tales plus a bibliography. This book just might lead some elementary children to reread their childhood favorites! Or inspire them to read these tales aloud to Kindergarten classes. They would be amazed to learn that serious adults actually belong to a Peter Rabbit Society too!

I drew this name as a book report subject, and I was not sure I would like it. I really enjoyed reading it. Beatrix was not expected to do much beyond fix flowers and play the piano. She became a world famous author. Young readers will love this quick paced life story.

The book is good for anyone who wants a quick understanding of certain possibilities of why the North won. However, some of the essays(this is no reflection of the actual book) are not that well justified in my opinion.

Reissue of a classic collection of essays from the 60's...Currents's "God and the Strongest Battalions" is alone worth the price!...Economic, political, social, etc., aspects are all considering by the "big-gun" historians of 40 years past...Scholarly enough for the serious student, yet very reader-friendly for the novitiate...recommended in the strongest possible terms!

This is an excellent book which contains six essays on the various economic, miliary, diplomatic, social, and politiical reasons why the Confederacy lost and the Union won the Civil War. This book saved my butt

This little book is a great resource for us Harry Potter fans. (Yes, I'll admit it, I'm hooked.) The book is a wonderfully eclectic collection of little articles, each dealing with something different from the many J.K. Rowling books. The first four Harry Potter books are touched on, as is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Quidditch Through the Ages. A lot is covered in this book, including (but not limited to) the history/mythology behind various magical creatures and creatures, the meanings of various names and words, and much more. A fun read, I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I am an adult Harry Potter fan, and I found this to be an excellent guide to the historical events and figures behind the characters in the books. I learned about the real Nicolas Flamel, for instance, and about many mythological creatures similar to those in the Potter books. Surprisingly, it is a much better guide than the 500-plus page volume, "Beacham's Sourcebook...Exploring Harry Potter" by Elizabeth Schafer. Schafer's book seems at first glance to be a well-researched guide to the ideas and figures behind the series, but I found her analysis and conclusions to be somewhat forced. It strikes the reader as more of an adult reference book than "The Magical Worlds..." does--this one can definitely be enjoyed by young readers-- but Colbert's guide is much more grounded in fact, sticking to explaining who the historical figures were and what events are related to the Potter books. Each chapter is short, explaining one name, creature, or idea. This made it very easy to explore in short stretches, without having to start from the beginning. It doesn't pretend to offer a deep analysis of Rowling's motives or thought process, but does give us the background to further appreciate her work. Think of it as a quick course in mythology and history as related to the Harry Potter books. I find myself referring to it repeatedly, while Schafer's book sits on my shelf. A must-read for any Potter fan interested in learning more about his magical world!

First of all, DON'T READ THIS BOOK UNTIL YOU'VE FINISHED ALL FOUR HARRY POTTER BOOKS! I was surprised there wasn't a warning that the book contains "spoilers".

Before reading Colbert's book, I was in awe of Rowling's mastery of storytelling and truly impressed by her craftsmanship. Now, after reading Colbert, I am... well, I don't even think there's a word to describe how magnificently astonished I am.

It boils down to this: I thought I was clever. I saw a lot of references to mythology, Latin, etc. I DIDN'T EVEN CATCH A TENTH OF THE REFERENCES. The fact that they are so seamlessly hidden is striking proof of great writing.

Colbert is one of those people who reads too much and is much too smart for his own good. In other words, I envy him terribly! Here he has compiled a fascinating collection of historical & mythological tidbits into a very easy-to-read, easy-to-comprehend book. Interesting to adults, understandable for kids.

On the downside, this means he only teases the reader with enough knowledge to make them want to go out and research some more. Some may find this annoying, but I think that was the point--to inspire young and old alike to do a bit of research. I think Rowling would probably prefer it this way.

Sincerely it was a great lecture. The topics of the book are concise and clear. The relevance of the subjects and the fluent text and make this book of great interest.