James Swanson demonstrates a profound engagement with American history, particularly the Civil War era and the life of Abraham Lincoln. His work often delves into pivotal moments and figures that shaped the nation, approached with both historical rigor and narrative skill. Through dedicated study and collecting, he immerses himself in the intricacies of the past to bring historical events to life for contemporary readers. His method is rooted in meticulous research and a drive to understand the motivations and circumstances surrounding significant historical occurrences.
The ultimate girl-next-door, and one of the most popular Playboy centerfolds, Bettie Page challenged the conservative 1950s, posing as a fierce dominatrix, and earning both a cult underground following and a Senate Committee investigation. This book chronicles Page's life and career, telling the incredible story of a woman who has left an indeliable mark on the history of popular culture. 500 photos.
This new annual review from Cato analyzes the 2001/2002 Supreme Court Term, specifically looking at the most important and far reaching cases of the year.
An astonishing account of the assassination of America's most beloved and celebrated civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, by NY Times bestselling author, James L. Swanson. NAACP Image Award Nominee Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Year * "[James L. Swanson's] masterful work... reveals, in gripping style, how one individual can impact history." -- Booklist , starred review In his meteoric, thirteen-year rise to fame, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a mass movement for Civil Rights -- with his relentless peaceful, non-violent protests, public demonstrations, and eloquent speeches. But as violent threats cast a dark shadow over Dr. King's life, Swanson hones in on James Earl Ray, a bizarre, racist, prison escapee who tragically ends King's life. As he did in his bestselling Scholastic MG/YA books Chasing LIncoln's Killer and "THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT!" , Swanson transports readers back to one of the most shocking, sad, and terrifying events in American history. With an introduction by Congressman John Lewis, and over 80 photographs, captions, bibliography, various source notes, and index included.
A fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, this is history as you've never read it before. The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history -- the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin led Union cavalry and detectives on a wild twelve-day chase through the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness. At the very center of this story is John Wilkes Booth, America's notorious villain. A Confederate sympathizer and a member of a celebrated acting family, Booth threw away his fame and wealth for a chance to avenge the South's defeat. For almost two weeks, he confounded the manhunters, slipping away from their every move and denying them the justice they sought. Based on rare archival materials, obscure trial transcripts, and Lincoln's own blood relics, Manhunt is a fully documented work and a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, this is history as you've never read it before.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt comes a captivating account of a forgotten chapter in American history—the deadly confrontation between natives and colonists in Massachusetts in 1704. Once infamous, the Deerfield Massacre has faded from collective memory. In a small town in western Massachusetts, a two-hundred-year-old museum houses a significant relic: the tomahawk-scarred door known as “The Old Indian Door.” This formidable barrier, made from double-thick Massachusetts oak and iron nails, symbolizes the violent events of that fateful night when, on February 29, 1704, hundreds of Native Americans and their French allies attacked an isolated frontier outpost, slaughtering or capturing its inhabitants. The sacking of Deerfield led to a harrowing saga of survival, sacrifice, and faith. One hundred and twelve captives, including Reverend John Williams, were forced to march three hundred miles into Canada, facing brutal conditions. Those who faltered met grim fates, including Williams’s wife. Despite the hardships, survivors endured captivity and were eventually ransomed, returning to rebuild their town and share their incredible tale. Williams's memoir, The Redeemed Captive, became one of the first bestsellers in American history. The Old Indian Door serves as a touchstone for this dramatic and inspiring story, vividly brought to life by historian James Swanson.