I just finished"Secret Missions of The Civil War".Great Book!Easy read!Hard to put down!

I'm currently reading "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder. Although not Lincoln related, I certainly would reccomend it to anyone. Dr. Farmer's work is inspiring.

Dan

My son-in-law gave me a booklet Remarkable Stories of the Lincoln Assassination by Michael Kanazawich. Anyone familiar with it? Its signed by the author.

We sell that book in the gift shop at Surratt House, and Mike is a member of the Surratt Society. He's a very knowledgeable battlefield guide at Gettysburg. His book focuses on the little sidebars of the assassination story that are often overlooked in large, scholarly tomes.

I am currently reading The Eloquent President by Ronald C. White, Jr.

Laurie: Small world! I look forward to reading it-especially from a follow Surratt Society member!

I sit in my home library surrounded by multitudes of books-good old fashioned mostly hard-back books-and realize the enjoyment books have given me my whole life. Then I wonder: are books going to die out like the record album? With sadness,, I consider the thought, I know progress cannot be stopped. I like E-Books and Audio-Books-and have used and own them. But like Compact Discs aren't the same as the records of old-the new technology loses something in the replacement of books-actual books made of paper, cloth, and cardboard. Monday moanin' I am...

Currently, I'm re-reading Baltimore in the Civil War by Dan Toomey...

BUT - I must say that I'm with you, Bill! Although I'm somewhat of a geek and I love ALL things electronic and digital, including eBooks, there is just SOMETHING about the feel, look and even yes, the smell, (especially of an old leather bound book!) of a REAL book that I love! I love the eBooks and my NookColor - but I love my hardback and paperback books (of which I have literally hundreds) even more.

What scares me is the fact that fewer and fewer kids now visit libraries - from elementary to college age, will these kids come to appreciate books as we know them and utilize them or simply resort to using digital media? In college, I noticed that a great many kids seem to feel that the internet holds the key to all research. Granted, many of these kids didn't have good grades either. A lot of them do NOT know what a primary source is and do not even know how to utilize a library or study aids! Sad....

Although not about Lincoln, I just finished reading DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC. It is about the shooting and death of James Garfield--and about the arrogance and ignorance of the doctors who attended him and contributed to his death. I recommend the book.

Joe: sounds good. Have you been to his tomb in Cleveland? It's quite elaborate!

(09-03-2012 10:54 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Joe: sounds good. Have you been to his tomb in Cleveland? It's quite elaborate!

Haven't been to the tomb yet, Bill, but it is on my list. I think it is unusual that James and Lucretia's caskets are on open display. I have always wondered if they ever have to replace the gaskets to avoid decomp problems--or maybe that thought is too macabre. It is interesting that OH is the second "mother" of presidents, with six.

I absolutely refuse to get addicted to electronic books! When I die, I want a copy of Twenty Days to be placed in my casket!

That said, let me tell you about a little occurrence that happened in the parking lot at Surratt House a few Saturdays ago. One of my staff members happened to look out a window and see a van pull in and ten people hop out and stand around a person who was obviously a tour leader. We are quite used to this, so she expected to see them come into the visitors' center to purchase tickets. That didn't happen.

The tour leader pulled out a large iPad and began discussing the Surratt history. This went on for about five minutes with the group staring intently at the iPad. After a few questions, they decided to come into the visitors' center -- TO USE OUR BATHROOMS ONLY. The leader made the mistake of leaving his iPad on the counter, and my staff person was able to see that it was displaying photos of the interior of Surratt House.

When the bathrooms had been well-used, out they went (didn't even go near the book shop), no doubt headed for the Dr. Mudd House to pull the same trick there. This tour leader had obviously been to Surratt House earlier, taken the photos he needed, and transferred them to his electronic tour instructor. We do allow visitors to take all the photos they want, however, we are owned by a government organization that does not allow their properties to be photographed for money-making ventures without a special permit. I'm the first step in getting that permit, and I'm one of those pit bulls with lipstick!

We know of at least one other entrepreneur who has developed a combination book/CD/computer guide for the public to take along on a self-guided tour. No permission was granted for him to do this, but it is out there and selling for a hefty price. I'm sure there will be more. One friend tried to comfort me by saying that audio tours are great on battlefields, but that this one will be a little tricky on a 75-mile-plus tour over the escape route.

The tours at Surratt House are ridiculously cheap, but worth every penny (and yes, I'm prejudiced): $3/adults; $2/seniors; and $1 for children. Those under five are free. From Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, we offer free tours to active and regular retired military personnel and up to six dependents. We also have one free weekend each year.

Even our famous Booth Escape Route Tours are inexpensive at $75/person. The Smithsonian tour costs over $150. The electronic age, however, may very well take away the education that can be had from trained guides who volunteer because they have a love of and vast knowledge in the field of history. No more interacting with humans and benefiting from their knowledge -- just play the CD or whatever for ten minutes or so and hurry on down the road. This will destroy many small museums in the U.S.

(09-03-2012 12:05 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I absolutely refuse to get addicted to electronic books! When I die, I want a copy of Twenty Days to be placed in my casket!

That said, let me tell you about a little occurrence that happened in the parking lot at Surratt House a few Saturdays ago. One of my staff members happened to look out a window and see a van pull in and ten people hop out and stand around a person who was obviously a tour leader. We are quite used to this, so she expected to see them come into the visitors' center to purchase tickets. That didn't happen.

The tour leader pulled out a large iPad and began discussing the Surratt history. This went on for about five minutes with the group staring intently at the iPad. After a few questions, they decided to come into the visitors' center -- TO USE OUR BATHROOMS ONLY. The leader made the mistake of leaving his iPad on the counter, and my staff person was able to see that it was displaying photos of the interior of Surratt House.

When the bathrooms had been well-used, out they went (didn't even go near the book shop), no doubt headed for the Dr. Mudd House to pull the same trick there. This tour leader had obviously been to Surratt House earlier, taken the photos he needed, and transferred them to his electronic tour instructor. We do allow visitors to take all the photos they want, however, we are owned by a government organization that does not allow their properties to be photographed for money-making ventures without a special permit. I'm the first step in getting that permit, and I'm one of those pit bulls with lipstick!

We know of at least one other entrepreneur who has developed a combination book/CD/computer guide for the public to take along on a self-guided tour. No permission was granted for him to do this, but it is out there and selling for a hefty price. I'm sure there will be more. One friend tried to comfort me by saying that audio tours are great on battlefields, but that this one will be a little tricky on a 75-mile-plus tour over the escape route.

The tours at Surratt House are ridiculously cheap, but worth every penny (and yes, I'm prejudiced): $3/adults; $2/seniors; and $1 for children. Those under five are free. From Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, we offer free tours to active and regular retired military personnel and up to six dependents. We also have one free weekend each year.

Even our famous Booth Escape Route Tours are inexpensive at $75/person. The Smithsonian tour costs over $150. The electronic age, however, may very well take away the education that can be had from trained guides who volunteer because they have a love of and vast knowledge in the field of history. No more interacting with humans and benefiting from their knowledge -- just play the CD or whatever for ten minutes or so and hurry on down the road. This will destroy many small museums in the U.S.

Theft of intellectual property and other electronic thievery is rampant and makes me wonder if anything can be protected in this digitial age of ours. Those who were on this "tour" with the person and the tablet probably paid more than the Surratt House fees!

---

(08-10-2012 09:34 AM)DanielC Wrote:  I'm currently reading "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder. Although not Lincoln related, I certainly would reccomend it to anyone. Dr. Farmer's work is inspiring.

Dan

I also found the book inspiring and have gien it to others to read. What a shame that, since the publication of the book, Haiti has continued to suffer with the earthquake, hurricanes, and a government that just cannot cope. The earthquake came just as things started to see like they were coming together.

(09-03-2012 12:05 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I absolutely refuse to get addicted to electronic books! When I die, I want a copy of Twenty Days to be placed in my casket!

That said, let me tell you about a little occurrence that happened in the parking lot at Surratt House a few Saturdays ago. One of my staff members happened to look out a window and see a van pull in and ten people hop out and stand around a person who was obviously a tour leader. We are quite used to this, so she expected to see them come into the visitors' center to purchase tickets. That didn't happen.

The tour leader pulled out a large iPad and began discussing the Surratt history. This went on for about five minutes with the group staring intently at the iPad. After a few questions, they decided to come into the visitors' center -- TO USE OUR BATHROOMS ONLY. The leader made the mistake of leaving his iPad on the counter, and my staff person was able to see that it was displaying photos of the interior of Surratt House.

When the bathrooms had been well-used, out they went (didn't even go near the book shop), no doubt headed for the Dr. Mudd House to pull the same trick there. This tour leader had obviously been to Surratt House earlier, taken the photos he needed, and transferred them to his electronic tour instructor. We do allow visitors to take all the photos they want, however, we are owned by a government organization that does not allow their properties to be photographed for money-making ventures without a special permit. I'm the first step in getting that permit, and I'm one of those pit bulls with lipstick!

We know of at least one other entrepreneur who has developed a combination book/CD/computer guide for the public to take along on a self-guided tour. No permission was granted for him to do this, but it is out there and selling for a hefty price. I'm sure there will be more. One friend tried to comfort me by saying that audio tours are great on battlefields, but that this one will be a little tricky on a 75-mile-plus tour over the escape route.

The tours at Surratt House are ridiculously cheap, but worth every penny (and yes, I'm prejudiced): $3/adults; $2/seniors; and $1 for children. Those under five are free. From Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, we offer free tours to active and regular retired military personnel and up to six dependents. We also have one free weekend each year.

Even our famous Booth Escape Route Tours are inexpensive at $75/person. The Smithsonian tour costs over $150. The electronic age, however, may very well take away the education that can be had from trained guides who volunteer because they have a love of and vast knowledge in the field of history. No more interacting with humans and benefiting from their knowledge -- just play the CD or whatever for ten minutes or so and hurry on down the road. This will destroy many small museums in the U.S.

Several years ago, I spoke at a historical event which had vendors set up around the room selling various items. A lady came up to me and asked if I had seen her book about Mary Lincoln. Curious, I visited her booth only to find that the person had visited the internet, downloaded various websites, (including Roger's) put the pages into a folder, and was selling them for a nice little profit. She did none of the research, none of the writing, but had her name on the 'title page' of each booklet. I think a good hefty lawsuit is in order and copyright laws are going to have to be enforced.

Like so many of you, I love the feel of a good book. I have not yet joined the e-book age - just can't bring myself to buy one. Plus, I like to collect autographed copies of books - something the digital world can not offer me --- yet.

Question for Donna: About thirty years ago, I read a very interesting book entitled Crowns of Thorns and Glory (can't remember the author's name). It compared the public's perception of Mary Lincoln as opposed to that of Varina Davis. It pointed out that the two women were similar in background, education, social position, etc. Yet, Mrs. Lincoln was despised by the Northerners while Mrs. Davis could do no wrong in the South.

As you have seen me admit in the past, I am a novice on general Lincoln history - both Mr. & Mrs. However, I will also admit to having a soft spot in my heart for Mary Lincoln.

Are you familiar with this book? If so, can you offer some thoughts? If not, can you offer some of your own thoughts anyhow??