History Archives

How to Read a Book: Review and Background

Are you thinking of reading How to Read a Book but want to know more about it first? In what context was it written and how was it received? How to Read a Book was written by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren in 1940. It was one of the first books to teach the art of reading for comprehension rather than speed, and so it became an immediate bestseller. However, it may not still live up to its name in the modern day. Continue reading for our How to Read a Book review.

How to Read a Book Effectively (History, Math, Science)

Do you want to know how to read a book effectively? What are the best ways to read history, math, and science books? How do you go about reading books that are no longer accurate? In How to Read a Book, co-authors Adler and Van Doren explain how to read history, math, and science books. They suggest reading these books and finding commonalities and links to one another rather than reading them in isolation. They also suggest being on the lookout for bias. Continue reading to learn the best methods for reading history, math, and science effectively.

What Is the Muse? The Source of Creative Inspiration

What is the muse? How can understanding the creative muse help you with your artistic projects? The muse is traditionally seen as a mythical force that inspires artists creatively. Almost every ancient culture, from Greeks to Native Americans, has an identified embodiment of this force of nature. Understanding and harnessing the power of the muse will help with creative inspiration and output. So, what is the muse? Find out below.

Leadership Legacy: A Lesson from the Navy

What difference did Captain David Marquet make during his time with the USS Santa Fe? What can we learn from his leadership legacy? David Marquet revolutionized naval leadership when he commanded Santa Fe. He departed from the traditional model in several ways, most notably by assuming that everyone can be a leader. He built a powerful leadership legacy that can instruct and inspire all of us. Read more to learn about the leadership legacy of Captain Marquet.

William Henry Seward: Survivor of an Assassination Plot

How did the plan to kill William Henry Seward tie in with the Lincoln assassination? What happened to Seward and his attacker? In addition to killing Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth wanted to assassinate Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Henry Seward. He hoped that killing several key government officials would rally Confederate sympathizers and veterans to renew their fight. Read more to learn what happened to Seward on the night that Lincoln was assassinated.

The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth: Timeline & Events

How did the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators unfold? What was the ultimate fate of the assassins? The hunt for John Wilkes Booth and his accomplices lasted for several days after the assassination of Lincoln. Chasing Lincoln’s Killers tells the chilling tale of the assassins and the sympathizers who helped them flee from Washington, through Maryland, and ultimately to Virginia. Read more to learn the exciting story of the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.

Lincoln Assassination Timeline: How the Plot Unfolded

What are the details of the Lincoln assassination timeline? Were the co-conspirators successful in killing their other targets? Chasing Lincoln’s Killer provides the details of the Lincoln assassination timeline. The timeline from the president’s arrival at Ford’s Theatre until the assassins scattered after the attacks is an important part of understanding the larger assassination plot. Keep reading to learn the Lincoln assassination timeline.

The Lincoln Assassination Conspirators: Beyond Booth

Who were the Lincoln assassination conspirators? What role did each person play? John Wilkes Booth did not act alone. Chasing Lincoln’s Killer reveals the identity of the Lincoln assassination conspirators and the role that each one played in the plot. It also outlines their plans and preparations and what happened to them after the plot was carried out. Read more to learn about the Lincoln assassination conspirators.

The Assassination of Lincoln: Precipitating Events

What led up to the assassination of Lincoln? What was the political environment? What was going on in the minds of the assassins? The assassination of Lincoln occurred in April 1865. The previous year, John Wilkes Booth had planned to kidnap the president, but the plot failed. By the spring of 1865, Booth was determined to kill the president. Several key events deepened Booth’s dismay and his obsession with this deadly plan. Read more to learn about the months, weeks, and days leading up to the assassination of Lincoln.

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer: Catching John Wilkes Booth

What does the book Chasing Lincoln’s Killer reveal about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and the other assassins? Who were these killers? What ultimately happened to them? Chasing Lincoln’s Killer is a book by historian James L. Swanson. The account is drawn from archival materials of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, and the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators. Read more to get a snapshot of Chasing Lincoln’s Killer.